WHETHER it's ghost hunting or swinging big bands, it appears the people of Tavistock are keen to see their town hall used and maintained for posterity.
The town council, which owns the Listed building, is conducting a survey of residents' views as part of their best value duties — a questionnaire was enclosed with last week's Times.
And next week councillors will host an open day in the Victorian Gothic building, enabling people to have a good look round the old hall.
Rosie Kehoe, deputy town clerk, said: 'The survey responses are still coming in and there's a nice cross section of PL19 addresses and others.
'All sorts of things are coming up as far as use is concerned — people have said things like a big band night, and one I thought was fun was a town ghost walk with dinner at the town hall.'
Mrs Kehoe said there is still time to get response leaflets back to the council and more leaflets will be available at next Thursday's open day.
'By and large, people are saying "Yes, it's our town hall and we like it" — no-one has said they want anything devastatingly different,' she said.
The town hall might be an appropriate finish to a ghost walk in Tavistock, as the building does appear to have a resident spirit.
Larry Lamden, who works at the town hall, said: 'There is a presence in the hall, especially at night when we turn the lights off.
'Sometimes it's just a chill. We always refer to her as the old lady — I've never seen her, but you do get these odd chills and things.'
Mr Lamden said the spirit makes her presence felt several times a year — although as the building isn't lived in it's difficult to tell how often the spirit is on the move.
It appears she is quite interested in the many portraits in the town hall too — Mr Lamden said staff are 'always straightening up the pictures' upstairs.
'She's been known for a long time, but I don't think she does any harm,' he said.
The open day in Tavistock Town Hall takes place next Thursday, between 10am and 4pm and 6pm and 8pm — all are welcome.