THE history of North Tawton School will be the focus of the next meeting of Okehampton and District Local History Society.

Dr Alan Parkinson, a North Tawton resident and member of the society, will tell the story of the school's earliest days through the evidence provided in log-books, managers' records, as well as the memories of former teachers and pupils.

In this talk Dr Parkinson has incorporated some of the material from his oral history project based on people's memories of wartime North Tawton, which was the subject of a book published last year.

This talk should appeal to those interested in social history as well as the history of North Tawton.

The society is about to launch its first newsletter, compiled by Dr Parkinson.

It will be available in Okehampton Library and other places around the town.

The meeting takes place on Wednesday, March 12 at the Ockment Centre at 7.30pm.

Meetings of the society are held on the second Wednesday of each month at the Ockment Centre.

New members are always welcome and anyone interested should contact the secretary, Jane Lehni 01837 840087.

Non-members may attend meetings at a charge of £2 per person including coffee and biscuits.