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In July 1832 - the Not Quite (Actually, Nowhere Near) Democracy Demo. A procession starts from Vigo Bridge to celebrate the passing of the 1832 Parliamentary Reform Act. There are 250 people, a choir, two bands and everybody's dinner in the form of two still very much alive bullocks, proceeding to their nemesis under the banner; "We Die For Reform". (Gerry Woodcock, Tavistock's Yesterdays, Book 10)
In June 1952 - the former Anglican church at Fitzford is consecrated as a Roman Catholic church by the Abbot of Downside, referring in his sermon to; "the marriage intrigues of a 16th century king" and "the spiritual tragedy of a German friar". Gerry Woodcock's "Tavistock's Yesterdays" Book 4
In May ... 1877, 1892, 1906, 1921, 1932 and 1948 ... the Devon County Show was held in Tavistock, first in fields near Callington Road, then at Crowndale.
In April 1708 - Highwaymen go on a spree of horse theft and robbery at Blackdown and Heathfield. On one occasion a lady was about to be stripped by one of the highwaymen, but the other, of a more gentlemanly disposition, dissuaded him from doing it. They were both hanged anyway when caught a couple of months later. From the diary of John Hawkins (Gerry Woodcock, Book 15)
In March 1952 - Tavistock braces itself for massive new housing schemes. Tavistock Urban District Council has the go ahead for council and private housing in the new financial year. Will this tidal wave of building swamp the town and change its character for ever? After all it will amount to … 59 new houses. Tavistock Gazette, March 1952.
In January 1910 - Tavistock is visited by a young firebrand Liberal Party politician who gives a rip roaring speech against the influence of the aristocracy; his name – Winston Churchill. (Gerry Woodcock's "Tavistock's Yesterdays" Book 13)
In December 1885 - Tavistock ladies on the Primrose Path. Tory ladies in Tavistock form their own political organisation and became self styled Dames of the Primrose League in December 1885. A militant campaign of cream teas and other social events followed. (Gerry Woodcock's "Tavistock's Yesterdays" Book 13)
In November 1887 - General McArthur’s speech cheered to the rafters in Tavistock. Er .... no, not that General MacArthur; this was in November 1887 and he was a local Tory grandee, not known for any attempts to conquer and occupy Japan. (Gerry Woodcock's "Tavistock's Yesterdays" Book 13)
In October 1914 - Tavistock shelters refugees. October 1914, two months after the outbreak of the First World War, Tavistock sets up a relief committee for Belgian refugees. A weekly average of twenty five refugees were being housed and maintained in Tavistock through the war. A brass plaque records this in the Town Hall. (Gerry Woodcock's "Tavistock's Yesterdays" Book 5)
In August 1910
- Now You See it .......The authorities decided that it would be a
good thing if Tavistock were to have its own Labour Exchange. The
Employment Bureau (Job Centre probably
sounded a bit common) was to operate twice a week in the Council
Chamber at the rent of two shillings a week, with an extra shilling
payable if a fire was lit.
(Gerry Woodcock, Tavistock's Yesterdays, Book 10)
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