THE autumn season of monthly historical talks opened recently with Jill Drysdale addressing Okehampton and District Local History Society at the Ockment Centre. Jill had researched medieval plague. The research centred on plague and pestilence in Totnes where records were available. She explained the link between rats, fleas and bugs by involving the audience in a vivid demonstration of the scale of the spread of the disease and its rapid development. The audience were asked to stand to represent a gathering of people in a market in Totnes in the 14th century. Member groups were then instructed to sit as the days passed. After a few days only one person was left standing to represent the statistical survival rate. She explained how the disease spread to adjacent villages by ?carters and travellers?. The next meeting of the society is at 7.30pm at the Ockment Centre on October 12 when ?1901? is the subject. The speaker is Robin Langhorne. New members are welcome and non-members can attend at a charge of £1.50. Further information from secretary Malcolm Francis-Lang on 01837 840158.