TAVISTOCK was indeed a cultural hub this month as the town and the surrounding district enjoyed a four-week extravaganza to delight a wide range of artistic palettes.

The Tavistock Music and Arts Festival 2012 was a celebration of music, art, dance, theatrical and literary events which involved, and attracted a great number of people of all ages — either in giving or spectating the wide range of performances around the town between April 11 and May 7.

Festival organisers thanked all involved especially The Friends of the Festival and the many sponsors who helped make the month long event a great success.

Venues included the Wharf, Kelly College, Tavistock College and many local churches. Tavistock Sings 'Fast and Furious' certainly lived up to the title!

Some of the many festival highlights included talks by Adam Hart-Davis, Pen Hadow and Elizabeth Maslen; an evening of English music performed by the Chamber Ensemble of London led by Peter Fisher with soprano Suzanne Manuell at St Eustachius; operatic arias from Shelley Coulter-Smith at Kelly House; 'Sing' at Tavistock College, a Jazz Supper with Music Deco at the Bedford Hotel; the sixth 'Russell Lecture' given by Gerry Woodcock on 'Homage to St Eustachius'; A History of Tavistock Parish Church; Devon County Youth Brass Band; The Big Dance; the Bluebell Walk at Buckland Abbey garden and estate; Tavistock Sings! — a showcase for local schools held at St Eustachius Church; artists' markets, booksigning, children's theatre workshops and much, much more.