THERE will be celebrations aplenty when Tavistock marks the 150th anniversary of one of its most iconic buildings.

Tavistock Town Hall, designed by Edward Rundle, architect to the 7th Duke of Bedford, was opened on February 2, 1864, with a grand ball — which went on until 4am, as reported by the former Tavistock Gazette.

To mark this momentous occasion, staff from Tavistock Town Hall are seeking suggestions from the public as to how they feel they would like this anniversary celebrated.

So far, the town hall staff are planning on marking it with three separate events.

The first one will be on Saturday, February 1, and could feature many local bands, with a big named band for the finale. On the actual anniversary day itself, a tea dance has been proposed, for the older residents, with cream teas and music. And the third will be an exhibition day in March for all to share their memories.

Ross Ayling, duty manager of the town hall, said: 'The events are very much in the planning stages but people are welcome to send in their thoughts. We are open to suggestions so if people want they can come and talk to us.

'We want to get the community involved, it's not an invitation only event — it will be open to the community past and present.

'At the end of the day it's a community council, community building, with community events, serving the local community.'

Tavistock mayor, Cllr Harry Smith, who will be holding his civic ball on March 28 at the town hall, said: 'Our marvellous town hall was opened in February 1864 by the holding of a grand ball. This year the town council is hoping to mark the sesquicentennial anniversary by holding events celebrating the building being with us for 150 years.

'The building was constructed to serve the needs of the community and I hope it will continue to do that for at least the next 150 years.'

Freeman of the town Cllr Ted Sherrell said: 'Surely no building is more symbolic of Tavistock's long, rich heritage and history than the town hall.

'From outside it is the magnificent centrepiece of the imposing Bedford Square, from within a spacious, well appointed building able to host the myriad of events which take place in a bustling town such as Tavistock, whether they are attended by a few hundred or a few dozen.

'Despite its rightful designation as a Grade One listed building, the town council has, over the decades, managed to upgrade the facilities, often at considerable expense to the public purse, to ensure the hall remains central to the leisure, cultural, civic and community life of Tavistock — assuredly a building, "fit for purpose" in the twenty-first century as it had been in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

'The pannier market, Duke Street shops and other public buildings built by the 7th Duke of Bedford in the mid-nineteenth century all have grandeur — but none can match the town hall.'

A newspaper article by the former Tavistock Gazette, which itself celebrated 150 years in 2007, wrote a piece after the ball, but unfortunately was too poor to re-print. Here is a snippet from that piece, printed February 5, 1864.

'The New Hall was formally opened on Tuesday. This event with its attendant circumstances, suggests a change of a two-fold nature. The opening of this beautiful room shows that the last act has been accomplished in the erection of a pile of buildings adding greatly to the beauty and comfort of the town, and so changing it as to be scarcely recognised by those absent from it but a few years'.

The building in the 19th century housed a savings bank, parish council offices and a market keepers' residence. It was built over the site of Mathew Street, Lower Brook Street and Lower Market Street. Constructed of local stone in the late perpendicular Gothic style, it boasted a stunning main hall, along with other historic and interesting rooms, including the mayor's parlour.

Due to taxation laws in 1910, the town hall, along with other local buildings, passed from the 11th Duke of Bedford's estate into the freehold ownership of the town council. Nearly a century later and the building is still serving the community and forms the focal point of the town centre.