AMBITIOUS plans to preserve Tavistock’s historic guildhall complex and bring it back into public use are progressing as consultation has now opened with local organisations and the public, writes Sam Hughes.

The Grade II* listed complex, comprising the former magistrates’ court, police station and Trowte’s House, is undergoing a £1.2-million project to bring the buildings, which have been vacant since the police moved out in 2012, back into community use.

‘The brick works at Bealswood are now ruins. The trees that cover the hill opposite are mostly modern as, until fairly recently, the hill was bare and mostly scrub.’

Jane said the idea came from a book ‘The Turner Trail’ written by local residents Diana Cook and Calstock Parish councillor Dorothy Kirk, who researched and found all the places that Turner sat and painted.

Jane invited anyone who was interested to help and ended up with a team of nearly 20, who helped prepare the wall with undercoat and seal and helped paint various parts of the mural, under the supervision of artist Jo.

The mural was officially unveiled on Saturday by Diana Cook and Dorothy Kirk.

Jane added: ‘The unveiling afternoon was a huge success and was the climax of six weeks of hard work, fun and a wonderful social event when the team met and chatted with various residents, old and young, who were enthralled with the mural and interested enough to ask questions and also impart memories of the village. Next year, the team hopes to do more pictures and involve the children of the village with the help of their parents and teachers.’

The team expressed thanks to Calstock Parish Council for allowing them to paint the mural and for providing the funds to do so, as well as local businesses and residents who helped.

Clerk to Calstock Parish Council Sue Lemon said: ‘The parish council was more than happy to support this project, from allowing the painting in the car park and helping to fund the paint.

‘Cornwall and parish councillor Dorothy Kirk helped unveil a fantastic finished product and the parish council looks forward to helping where possible with any other event put forward by the community.’