OKEHAMPTON local history society will begin its new year with a talk by Mike Paget, on Wednesday May 9, about the Throwleigh Archive, in which he has been involved from the start. The catalyst for setting up the archive was a suitcase belonging to the late Amy Harvey which contained extensive records of Throwleigh School, of which she was head teacher from 1940 until 1968. Not only did the suitcase contain school records, but also many of Mrs Harvey's writings about the parish and its people. The archive has been developing since 2000, and exhibitions were held in 2002 and 2006. Local people have been interviewed and many photographs collected. Meetings of the History Society are held on the second Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm in the Ockment Hall, at the rear of the Ockment Community Centre in North Street, Okehampton. New members are always very welcome and now, at the beginning of the new year, would be a very good time to join. The subscription is £12, and £21 for couples. Visitors are welcome at meetings at a charge of £2 per person. Anyone interested can contact the secretary, Malcolm Francis-Lang, on 01837 840158.
