A VIBRANT facility that's buzzing with activity — that's the aim of Tavistock Town Hall's new management team, following a series of investments and innovations designed to make the historic building a 21st century social magnet.

Ross Ayling and Richard Marlow took over joint managership of the hall three months ago — the team is working hard to maximise use of the building, which costs thousands of pounds a year to keep open.

The bookings are beginning to become ever more varied, from Zumba classes to jewellery valuation days, formal functions to craft fairs.

Ross said: 'We are hoping to get events in here every day — community events, big on-off events, music events, charity specials — things that people in the community can enjoy coming to.

'You can do anything in here really if you put your mind to it. We don't want to just concentrate on weddings — it could be used for staff parties, New Year's parties, Christmas parties, all sorts of things.'

A new set of prints which line the stairs up to the hall bears testament to its past popularity as a music venue —when bands like The Tremaloes, Marmalade and The Troggs performed on stage. The black and white pictures were taken by former Times photographer Jim Thorington and feature bevvies of mini-skirted female fans with their idols.

Ross said: 'We will be putting all sorts of different pictures up in the hall in future from events which used to take place here for people to come and see, and if people have pictures of their own town hall events, we can use them too.

'Hopefully at a later date we will have an open evening at which people can see the pictures and share their memories of their time here.'

And a new investment of more than £2,000 in new stage lights will ensure that future events can be even better.

The computerised movable robotic light system installed last month, including new spotlights, will mean a lightshow can be tailored to individual needs.

'It will be ideal for dances, weddings and band gigs,' said Ross. 'We are hoping to do more band evenings, whether they are folk nights or swing, jazz, rock, and more interactive events to include a meal — it's a case of watch this space for that.'

A loop system for the hard of hearing has been installed and the hall also has new caterers, courtesy of The Fat Goose from The Royal Standard. There are plans in the pipeline to make the Rundle Room, on the upper floor of the hall, a lounge bar and conference facility.

New at weekends is the 'Tavistock Flea Market', described as 'a bizarre bazaar of antiques, collectables, vintage items, bric-a-brac and unusual what nots' which is held on the third Sunday of the month.

Ross said: 'It's starting to be really popular. When we ran it as an antiques fair we had about eight stalls, it's now more than 18 and it's really well attended. We're also interested in getting traders on the square on those Sundays as well.'

Ross said he and Richard were relishing the challenge of building the town hall's profile and increasing a sense of community ownership of such a unique place.

'It's such a key part of Tavistock, it's such a beautiful, historic building and we want the community to feel welcome here.

'There are so many people who come up here and say they have lived in Tavistock for the past ten years, and yet they've never been in the town hall — it's quite remarkable really,' said Ross, who with Richard will be planning to mark a very special date in the hall's calendar next year — its 150th birthday.

Ross said: 'On February 2, 1864 the town hall was opened with a grand ball which went on until 4am. In 2014 we celebrate 150 years.

'We aim to produce a grand ball for a similar time in 2014.'

 For more information on Tavistock Town Hall go to http://www.tavistocktownhall.co.uk">www.tavistocktownhall.co.uk