A HUGE pre-Christmas boost was this week given to Tavistock Charter Group, with the announcement it has scooped a substantial Lottery grant. The group organising the exciting programme of events to celebrate the 900th anniversary of the town?s market charter has been awarded more than £20,000 by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Chairman of the group, Tavistock town councillor Iain Andrews,was ?absolutely delighted? with the news. ?It?s really great, it?s something we have been working very hard for. I think they recognised we had a strong and detailed bid ? we are so pleased. ?Learning about the past, and particularly Tavistock?s rich heritage, should be fun and just as important, be accessible to all.? Tavistock was granted its market charter by Henry I in 1105, which gave the Abbey the right to hold a market every Friday. The markets and subsequent fairs which developed helped the town grow to become a thriving economic, cultural and social centre. The £20,300 grant will enable a wide variety of commemorative events to be staged by the charter group, with the emphasis being placed on accessibility throughout. The anniversary year will be launched on Saturday January 15 with a free mediaeval concert in Tavistock Parish Church. Cllr Andrews said: ?It?s going to be by a group which call themselves Lammas and it?s entitled a Mediaeval Wassail. They have an amazing array of instruments, including harps, bagpipes, hurdy-gurdys ? even something called a gemfhorn. ?Tickets for the concert will be available from lots of places, including the pannier market, the library, tourist information centre and other outlets, but they are free ? the whole ethos is to make it accessible to everyone, ? said Cllr Andrews. An exhibition is being mounted in the spring by Tavistock Museum which will feature not only the town?s market charter history but its stannary history too ? the other significant event being celebrated in 2005 is the 700th anniversary of Tavistock being granted stannary status. Cllr Andrews said part of the exhibition would be static, but there would also be a moveable section which will tour schools, the library and the pannier market, so everyone has a chance to see it. There will be an Easter egg rolling competition in the spring and work will start on the Charter Quilt, being prepared by Tavistock Quilters? Group. During the summer, the main event will be the Rennaissance Medieval Fair. Cllr Andrews said: ?We are going to turn the Meadows into a mediaeval village. We have several historic households that tour the country coming to stay. There will be fletchers, ?have a go? archery, dancing ? we?re trying to get as many people as possible, it?s going to be great.? It is hoped other groups in Tavistock who organise annual events, like the carnival, will enter into the spirit and use a mediaeval theme. ?We are also working in partnership with Tavistock Music Live, who are staging a big concert at the college involving Plymouth Symphony Orchestra,? said Cllr Andrews. The year will finish on Dickensian Evening 2005, when children from the area will stage a spectacular lantern procession through the streets of the town, similar to the festival of light held in Truro every year. The detailed programme of events will be available in town outlets shortly. Anyone who wants to know more about what is planned or who wants to get involved can contact the charter group through the town council offices on 01822 613539 or e-mail [email protected]">[email protected]
