VOLUNTEERS have compiled and published a compendium to complete a series of 27 local history books, written by a popular local historian.

Members of local history societies worked to create a single index and guide to accompany the books of late Tavistock historian Gerry Woodcock, who died in 2016.

His widow, Norma, members of local history societies and people from the wider community, spent around three years going through the 27 volumes in Gerry’s well-respected 27 Tavistock’s Yesterdays series.

The new index and guide features around 80,000 references to the books and is fulfillment of the author’s wishes for the series.

Born in Leicestershire, Gerry, who was a founder member of Tavistock History Society, formed in 1984. studied history at Cambridge. He moved to Tavistock in 1966 after being appointed Tavistock College’s head of history. He later became head of the sixth form, before retiring in 1995.

He was best known for his knowledge and passion for Tavistock, the places and the people, which he shared through his walks, talks and Tavistock’s Yesterdays.

After Gerry’s funeral in September 2016, friend and then-chairman of Tavistock Local History Society, Simon Dell, approached Norma with the idea of creating the index in order to honour the Tavonian.

Norma said it had been a dream of Gerry’s to compile an index of his works which he had begun, but never got to finish.

‘Gerry wrote [a book for] Tavistock’s Yesterdays every year for 27 years of his life. The 27th was back from the printer three days before he died. He knew that it was his last one and said he wanted to do an index of his books. [When he died] I was left with his intention and knew I had some work to do — but the history society came to me with the suggestion to complete the index and that got me out of my dilemma.

‘We had a team of readers who finished the job that Gerry started and knew would provide a wonderful index of his complete work.

‘I was so happy for Gerry as this is what he had always hoped and wished for.

‘The history society and the wider community worked hard and an enormous amount of information came forward. Tom Greeves a very experience and wonderful author and editor also took on the vast job of editing the book.

‘I’m incredibly grateful to all the people involved on Gerry’s behalf. He would have been so moved that this very large piece of work contributes to the history of Tavistock — it is a fitting testament to the work my husband had done.

‘I’m most grateful to everyone.’

Simon added: ‘Gerry had 27 volumes of Tavistock Yesterdays but they were never indexed. I asked 27 people to help take a volume each and we now have 80,000 entries which we pulled together to create this index.

‘Gerry was one of the founders of Tavistock History Society and later the president [of the society]. He was a significant writer of the history of Tavistock and I am delighted that it’s come together — it’s a fitting tribute to what Gerry has done for the town.’

• The book launch will be held on Thursday, October 17 at 2pm at Book Stop in Tavistock, all are invited.