DETAILS of Okehampton and Tavistock's long and rich history have come to light following the publication of the BBC Domesday Reloaded project online.

A comprehensive digital time capsule has been recovered through the BBC Domesday Reloaded project, providing a snapshot of what Devon looked like 25 years ago in 1986.

The project was designed to be a 20th century version of the 900-year-old Domesday Book, the record of the great survey of much of England and Wales ordered by William the Conqueror. It was hoped it could capture the essence of Britain and local communities.

The project was let down by the limited technology of the time, with the information stored on now outdated Laserdiscs, in obsolete file formats.

After a year long process of extracting, copying and indexing the entires — of which there were more than a million — the contents have been published online.

Mark Grinnell, managing editor of BBC Radio Devon said:  'The local focus of Domesday Reloaded makes it relevant for everyone in our county. 

'I hope people take up the call to update the pictures and information on their local area and leave a legacy for future generations.'

BBC South West TV editor Simon Read said: 'Because of the sheer volume of original contributors, we have a comprehensive snapshot of the region in 1986 which people today can explore and update to provide a fascinating archive for the future.'

The accounts entered by residents of Okehampton show the events and changes in the town in the last 25 years.

The entry for the town summer festival in 1985 reveal a 'French evening presented by the Okehampton Twinning association, with a wine and cheese tasting competition', a community fair at the college and a 'Belfry Open night' of bellringing.

The entry for the Museum of Dartmoor Life, written by Matthew Bidmead, reveals the intention to 'build a display of crashed world war two aircraft', and that the 'admission fee is 50p for adults, 40p for OAPs and 30p for children.'

There are also photos of Okehampton from 1986 on the website. They show Red Lion Yard as it appeared, and Fore Street, showing the drastic change in shop fronts and cars.

In Tavistock in 1986, there was controversy over the building of a new out-of-town supermarket — Safeway on Plymouth Road — and optimism about the development of The Wharf.

One entry reads: 'The Wharf is going to be restored and made into a tourist attraction. This hopes to bring more money and jobs into Tavistock. This will help to build the proposed sports hall and swimming pool in the park.'

Under future plans, it was stated: 'Shops may open on Sundays if the plans for encouraging tourism succeed. Tavistock is trying to encourage light industry. Some people say we need a bypass.'

The original Domesday Book, now also online, reveals that Okehampton comprised 60 households, described as 'very large', with residents paying tax of 0.8 geld, a 'very small' amount for the time.

The households comprised 21 villagers, 11 smallholders, 18 slaves, with four burgesses and six residents listed as 'other'.

The town's livestock was listed as one cob (a small sturdy horse or large pony), 52 cattle and 80 sheep.

Tavistock had 79 'very large' households; its taxable value was 3.5 geld and its livestock was listed as 1 cob, 26 cattle, 12 pigs, 200 sheep and 30 goats.

To visit the BBC Domesday Reloaded page, visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/domesday">www.bbc.co.uk/history/domesday.

For the original Domesday Book entries, visit http://www.domesdaymap.co.uk">www.domesdaymap.co.uk