TAVISTOCK
Not surprisingly, the Abbey was built alongside the river - the Tavy - and there is a lovely town walk from Abbey Bridge - left - down the river passing the old Abbey walls on the way.
The Guildhall, a fine example of civic pride. Behind it and reached through the archway to the left of the lamp post is the old market square which now houses the pannier market.
Started not that long ago, the highly successful Farmers’ Market is held on the 2nd and 4th Saturday in the month in Bedford Square in front of the Guildhall: click here for their web site..
Friday is also a popular day with various street performers and others wishing to catch the public eye.
Unlike some west country communities, Tavistock is still very much a working town with a thriving shopping area supported by local industries and agriculture even though many people commute to Plymouth to work.
One morning I was walking back from the market after completing a most important task - I had been buying dog food - when I spotted the petals falling from this tree and couldn’t resist taking a photograph.
Staying with history: this splendid art work is on the wall near the Court Gate. As the plaque in the bottom right hand corner of the picture says:-
THE TREE by Rosie Fierek Erected 2007
Commissioned by Tavistock Market Charter Group in 2005 to commemorate the 900th anniversary of the granting of the Royal Market Charter in 1105 by Henry I.
The history of Tavistock grows up the trunk beginning at the roots with the founding of the Abbey, the fruits represent aspects of Tavistock today as seen through the eyes of local children.
The colours are mostly achieved with the use of minerals traditionally mined locally.
2005 was also the 700the Anniversary of Tavistock becoming a Stannary Town.
Commissioned by Tavistock Market Charter Group in 2005 to commemorate the 900th anniversary of the granting of the Royal Market Charter in 1105 by Henry I.
The history of Tavistock grows up the trunk beginning at the roots with the founding of the Abbey, the fruits represent aspects of Tavistock today as seen through the eyes of local children.
The colours are mostly achieved with the use of minerals traditionally mined locally.
2005 was also the 700the Anniversary of Tavistock becoming a Stannary Town.
When does a town start to be a town? At some moment in time someone did something where nothing had been done before and that was when it all started. Naturally, we shall never know who did what or when but it is reasonable to say that Tavistock started with an abbey - a Benedictine Abbey, St Mary and St Rumon. There are still reminders of that day such as the ruins in the churchyard and the Court Gate between Bedford Square and Policeman’s Square. This was the principal entrance to the abbey and dates from the 11th century, It was extended in the 15th century and ‘restored’ in 1824 - although Victorian restoration tended to end up with what they thought things should be like rather than what they were really like.
