WE write in response to Mr Kirkpatrick's letter (Times,

December 6).

The sarcophagus was removed from Betsy Grimbal's Tower in 2010 at the instigation of museum representative(s) previously charged to consult with the history society and the parish church before removal was considered — no such consultation took place and the move was also made without Scheduled Monument Consent.

The decision to return the sarcophagus back to Betsy Grimbal's Tower was taken at a meeting in 2010 involving the historic buildings inspector of English Heritage SW, the assistant inspector of Ancient Monuments for Cornwall, Devon and Exmoor, the West Devon conservation officer, representatives of Tavistock Town Council, two representatives of Tavistock Museum and the chairman of the history society. All except the museum representatives were agreed that the sarcophagus should be returned to the arms of Betsy Grimbal.

Mr Kirkpatrick states that the museum 'relinquished' trusteeship of the museum some two years ago, which is untrue; the museum trust was set up in 2003 without any consultation with the history society committee, rather strange when the history society had established the museum in the first place and ran it single-handedly for some 20 years.

Tavistock History Society has been, and remains, fully supportive of the museum, society members providing many of the stewards, creating exhibitions, depositing artefacts, allowing access to the huge Thorington Archive, which is in the custody of the history society, and, from time to time, making donations of new books which the museum can, and does, sell.

Perhaps Mr Kirkpatrick's problem is that 'the small band of volunteers' referred to have not been kept fully informed by their own officers.

Gerry Woodock — Hon President, Tavistock and District Local History Society.

Alex Mettler — chairman