THE year 2012 is one in which many people will be celebrating, with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic Games — it is also of special significance to the Devonshire Association which is marking its 150th anniversary.

The association was founded in 1862 'For the Advancement of Science, Literature and the Arts' by William Pengelly, FRS, a noted geologist. He lived at Torquay and had already carried out extensive investigations in Kents Cavern, discovering material and artefacts now in Torquay Museum.

Despite its age and grandiose description the Devonshire Association is very much alive and of attraction to anyone with an interest in and love of Devon.

It is not necessary to have been born in the county to be able to join – indeed, many of its members are 'incomers' who want to know more of, and to explore, its delights.

Besides the central organisation based at Exeter, several towns have branches, including Tavistock. There are also specialist sections: Botany, Buildings, Entomology, Geology, History, Literature and Art, and Music, and an Industrial Archaeology section is being launched on March 31.

Since its inception the association has held an annual meeting (conference) at a different town each year and with a succession of presidents.

This year's, fittingly, is being held at Torquay and will include a visit to Kent's Cavern. Research papers read at the conference, and other reports, are published annually in the highly respected Transactions of the Devonshire Association, which in total over the years, provide an immense resource of information about the county.

All branches and sections are holding special events to mark the year. Tavistock is having two. One will be a display in Tavistock Museum, from Easter to October, focusing on the seven occasions on which the annual meeting has been held in the town.

For the other, association chairman Dr Robin Wootton is coming to speak on 'The Devonshire Association, Past, Present, and Future'. The occasion, on March 16, will be marked by the presence of the town mayor and the mayor of West Devon and other invited guests.

There is still space at this event for a few other members of the public — please phone either branch chairman Helen Harris on 01822 614998 or secretary John Newcombe on 01822 615885.