PRIVATE schools which existed in Yelverton between 1900 and 1970 are the unusual topic of research for a West Devon author. It started in December when Yelverton resident Pauline Hamilton-Leggett was asked to give some information on one of the schools in the village. She agreed and since January, Pauline has contacted many past pupils, all aged between 40 and 90. Since then the research has grown even more extensive and she has found that 12 private schools have existed in Yelverton alone. Pauline said: 'Since early January I have contacted past pupils who have given me names of other pupils who have been delighted to talk about their schooldays. 'The research, which I had planned to be an article, has snowballed and I have collected school reports, photographs, documents and memorabilia from many of the schools, some dating from the 1930s. 'It is most interesting as none of these schools seem to have been registered and the only information to be obtained is by asking those who were involved. 'I have found twelve private schools in Yelverton, some small and some lasting no more than a few years.' One of the earliest Pauline found was at St Alban's School in Meavy Lane in 1900 under Miss Harriet Ashwin. She then moved her school to Whitchurch Road in Tavistock in 1905, taking the name of the house in Yelverton as the school's name. Other schools include Ravenscroft, St Cyprian's, Greenbank, Penmoor, Hazelgrove, Willowby Park, Martin's Meadow and Woodfield. Pauline has published four books including her novel set in Sheepstor 'Emma and the White Rajahs of Dartmoor' under her former name Pauline Hemery. If anyone has memories, school photographs, reports, a prospectus, school badge or any other memorabilia relating to one of the 12 private schools in Yelverton, please contact Pauline on [email protected]">[email protected] or at Clover Park, Yelverton, PL20 6HX.