MEMBERS of the public will have a rare opportunity to explore inside some of Tavistock's finest historic buildings next Friday and Saturday, September 13 and 14.

The events are being organised by the Tavistock Townscape Heritage Partnership in collaboration with a number of local organisations. They are part of Heritage Open Days, a national celebration of heritage places which are not usually open to the public.  

On both days the Victorian Guildhall and police cells, built by the Duke of Bedford in 1848, will be open for guided tours at 10am, noon, 2pm and 4pm. Tours will be led by archaeologist and historian Andrew Thompson and former policeman Simon Dell, who worked in the building for many years.

The Abbey Chapel porch, which provided the entrance to the medieval Abbot's lodgings, will also be open from 10am to 4pm with a display explaining the magnificent roof bosses and the structure and history of the porch in relation to the Abbey Chapel.

Local historian Alex Mettler will be available to answer questions.

On Saturday afternoon from 2pm to 5pm there will also be an opportunity to explore the Plymouth Road Cemetery chapel with West Devon Borough Council's conservation officer, Graham Lawrence.

It is the first time that Tavistock has participated in Heritage Open Days.

Local organiser Andrew Thompson said: 'This is a wonderful opportunity for people to celebrate Tavistock's varied heritage and explore places which are not usually accessible with well informed local experts.

John Taylor, chair of the Tavistock Townscape Heritage Partnership, said: 'We are very grateful to the History Society, Abbey Chapel, the Town Council, Tavistock Forward and the Devon Historic Buildings Trust for working with us on this exciting event.

'We hope this is the beginning of what will become a major annual event in the town calendar and that more organisations will wish to become involved in the future.'

On the Saturday adults and children will also be able to contribute towards a heritage community poem.  

Vanni Cook, who is well known locally for her creative writing workshops, is hosting a drop-in event in the Guildhall from 10 to 4 for people to help write a community heritage poem.

She said: 'This is a chance for anybody with a lively imagination to contribute a sentence or few words about what Tavistock's heritage means to them. The resulting poem will then be mounted and publicly displayed later in September.'

Heritage Open Days are a national celebration of places which are not usually open to the public. It is organised by a partnership including National Trust Civic Voice ad the Heritage Alliance, with financial support from English Heritage.

Further information can be obtained from Andrew Thompson on 01822 612707 or email [email protected]">[email protected]