THE new Marquess of Tavistock is looking forward to any opportunities to help the community that his title might bring.

Recently bestowed the title following the death of his grandfather the 13th Duke of Bedford he plans to visit the town early next year. A man with a keen sense of responsibility Lord Tavistock also packs a good sense of humour. He admits wryly to savouring disbelieving expressions when he produces his credit card with the moniker ?Lord Tavistock?.

He recalls his mother ? formerly the Marchioness of Tavistock and now The Duchess of Bedford ? having fun when producing her own credit card. `It?s as if Jeremy Beadle was about waiting to surprise them from around the corner . . .? he laughs.

Lord Tavistock says it will take him ?quite a long time? to get used to his name ? but he is keen to explore and familiarise himself with the town.

?We?d like to keep the involvement going because my father still has a farm at Woodtown. Both my parents love escaping down there and I?m sure both I and my wife will have the same feeling. I will become a regular visitor ? but I haven?t been in the past.?

He says he would like to do what he could to be helpful to the community but as yet is unsure in what direction his services could best be used.

Lord Tavistock said Woburn is a wonderful place but is also nice to get away from for a break sometimes.

Both Lord and Lady Tavistock are very keen on charitable work. ?We have a young daughter and my wife is passionate about children. Because of working in the racing world I have been involved in Racing Welfare. It?s about helping the people in racing ? their welfare and when they come to retirement.?

Lord Tavistock is very much a people person, showing much interest in helping the individual. When it comes to matters that interest him he says he is: ?better at today and tomorrow than I am yesterday.?

He has a sense of history but feels, where buildings are concerned, a pragmatic outlook is necessary. Buildings should be treated on individual merit.

?Tavistock still has a wonderful feel about it. What peope like to see is ?classical old? ? the best of the old without being ruined by the worst of the new.

?Woburn village is Georgian. The other bits are hidden ? they are there on the outside rather than being in the centre. I would rather have the old together and the new together because it keeps styles together. Some people like a mix but I find it confusing. It doesn?t sit that well combined,? he says.

He believes if necessary attempts should be made to adapt old buildings.

?If it is done subtly and in keeping you can maintain an old building. But when you need a new building you are better building one and put the old property to another use . . .?

An admirer of both old and new in its proper balance and correct location he finds many similarities between the way the heart of Tavistock is conscienctiously maintained with that of the village of Woburn.

?What are rudely viewed as the fringes of England, a la the West Country or Northumberland, are in reality the best places because they have the best of the old. Things are fluctuating and take change more gradually.?

When it comes to change ? especially on a whim ? he counsels caution. ?Hasten slowly? is his motto when faced with impatient or irrational desires to replace old with new.

`Don?t run at things because you may not have thought things out. You want to preserve the value and tradition and feel of what are the strong points but adapt and move forward from there.?

When Lord Tavistock does visit the town next year he will be at home in an environment that clearly has much to engage someone who reveres history but at the same time recognises the past must sit in harmony with the present.