Tavistock's Yesterdays - Episodes From Her History (number 20) by Gerry Woodcock.

TO be able to pen a score of books on the history — albeit, a long one — of a Devonshire market town is an achievement in itself. To be able, however, to create a twentieth as fascinating, perceptive and substantial as the first is an accomplishment of the first order, something which can only be obtained by a master of two crafts — writing and historical scholarship; Gerry Woodcock is one such. For, again, he has created a book which ensnares the reader — each of the 13 chapters making one anticipate, with pleasure, the next.

These, as always, are widely varied in terms of both era and content, covering the sublime, the worthy, the strange, the disreputable. Indeed, numerous strands which bind and colour the life of a town and its citizens run throughout the book, the episodes selected, as always by the author, with a shrewd appreciation of their qualities in terms of providing insight into the way of life of the times in which they are set. Add to this adroitness of choice of consummative penmanship and comprehensive historical knowledge and insight (both local and national) and it will be seen there is 'something for every body' to be found.

Principally the episodes are set in the 19th and 20th centuries, although a few occur in earlier times, among these being 'The Pepperell Story' and 'John Long's Panegyrick Poem' — a panegyrick, being a eulogy written or spoken in praise of a person, place or event; this one is written in homage to Tavistock and the author exercises much expertise in bringing out the relevances of the manifold, sometimes obscure, references to the town. Coming forward to the mid-19th century 'Trollope on Tavistock' tells of the Victorian novelists' travels in the area and of the old stannary town being the setting for a tale 'The Three Clerks ' (which netted him the princely sum of £250). The town, and the area, were clearly to this eminent man's liking. A chapter heading which catches the eye is, 'Trouble Down At The Crown', a title which many readers will assume refers to quite recent times when a night-club of that name, occupying the premises of the old Carlton Cinema, was known, on occasions, to come to the attention of the police. This 'Crown', however, was closer to Mr Trollope's time, and the nefarious happenings in the pub made its modern namesake seem like a Sunday school, being regularly in court and labelled a 'disorderly house' — a description still part of law and referring to behaviour of a very serious anti-social nature.

There is no way in which young Richard Fuge would ever have been found in this den; he was a young farmer's son, well educated and clearly of a serious nature who wrote regularly to relatives. The reproduction of these letters gives a vivid account of the farming year and the principles which guided his life; a delightful chapter. There is also a section on an organisation very much with us today, Tavistock Miniature Rifle Club. Founded in 1905, its rich history is well documented and there are several photographs which add to its interest.

Possibly the most remarkable chapter is that devoted to Tavistock Urban District Council. This came into being in 1898 and was disbanded in 1966 when it became Tavistock Parish (now Town) Council. Throughout this period 129 people served on it and the author has penned a concise sketch on every member, a remarkable achievement in terms of both research and disciplined writing.

There are some names which will resonate with many Tavistokians, amongst them William Gulley, Tom Brown, Harold Moore, Frank Quant, and Dorothea Pinder. The only one of the long list still with us today is Robin Start, who came onto the council in 1965 in his 20s and is still involved in the voluntary community life of the town. There is also a fascinating section 'Read All About It' on the town's newspapers. 1857 was when the town's first weekly newspaper the Tavistock Gazette was launched by George Spencer. This ran without opposition until 1920, when the floridly named, Orlando Jolliffe, created the Tavistock Times. The often chequered fortunes of both these weeklies — and a couple of others — are covered in riveting fashion, including their amalgamation in the early 1980s.

There are photos of the two photographers who have provided the pictorial side of the papers for the past 60 years, Jim Thorington, and a man very well known in the present community, James Bird. Editors, naturally, are fully listed from the earliest days right through to the present incumbent, Colin Brent, who was appointed in 1987 and has brought to the newspaper much needed focus, stability and — so rare in modern journalism, local and national — a raising of standards.

Gerry Woodcock has utilised adroitly personal geography to give his books an extra dimension; on the one hand, having been based in the town for 45 years, he is able to write with insight into the institutions and history which characterise it; on the other, being born and bred in the Midlands his knowledge of a very different way of life makes him a master of observation when it comes to pin pointing and illustrating the very Devonian foibles, idiosyncracies and individualism of the folk, past (and present) who have populated the town astride the Tavy. This is a splendid addition to a unique collection. Another one soon, Gerry, please.

The book is produced by Derek Park Productions, priced £4.95, available at local bookshops.

TED SHERRELL