A LETTER in the Okehampton Times appealing for information on the Speare family from Inwardleigh two weeks ago has sparked great interest.

Thomas Peeke from Oxford, who is trying to track down members of his family around the country, is planning a get-together in Exeter and Inwardleigh on April 3/4.

The letter quickly drew a response from Sylvia Vallance from Inwardleigh and her brother Thomas Speare, who now lives in Bude, and younger members of the family.

Mrs Vallance said the Speares farmed at Westwood, Inwardleigh, for 300 years but the family home was sold several years ago.

'I used to live at Westwood with my parents and two brothers and we had about 120 acres when I was there,' said Mrs Vallance, who is 79.

'There are several Speares buried in the churchyard and my parents and grandparents are buried in the chapelyard but there are not many Speares around this area any more.'

She said it was a surprise to read the letter from Thomas Peeke in the Okehampton Times.

'I cut it out and phoned my brother and sister-in-law straight away and my niece had a look on the family website which Mr Peeke has set up,' she added. 'He has done a lot of research so I hope to find out a lot more at the reunion.'

Mr Peeke is organising the first ever Speare family get-together, which will also take place in Exeter, from where the Speares originate. The family has also been traced to Canada, New Zealand and across the USA.

The website address is: http://www.speare.info">www.speare.info but Mr Peeke can also be contacted at 5 Barton Lane, Headington, Oxford.