FIFTY years ago a small group of ladies decided to form a luncheon club to meet every month at the Bedford Hotel. Lunch was to be followed by a talk. 

An advertisement was placed in the Tavistock Gazette and there was an excellent reponse. Two ladies regularly attended the annual Foyles Literary Luncheon Club at the Dorchester Hotel in London and it was from this august gathering that speakers were originally booked. 

This was the start of Tavistock Ladies' Luncheon Club and this month the club will celebrate its 50th anniversary. 

Over the years many excellent lunches have been consumed and speakers, though no longer from Foyles, have given many interesting and remarkable talks — walking the Silk Road, serving the Queen Mother, rowing the Atlantic, Victorian cooking to name but a few.

Chairwoman Wendy Stackhouse said: 'We are very keen that both past and present members join us on this occasion to help us celebrate this very special anniversary. 

'We pride ourselves on producing a programme covering a wide and varied range of subjects, not only from local speakers, but including experts from all over the country. 

'This December lunch will be extra special and would be even more so if any of those original members joined us. 

'Please contact 01822 613016 if you can join us at the Bedford Hotel on Thursday, December 16th.'