THE Okehampton and District Local History Society met recently to hear a talk about the life and times of Sir Norman Lockyer. The speaker, David Strange, a Devon amateur astronomer and astrophotographer, told the group of how Lockyer, known for his discovery of helium and founding the journal Nature, established an observatory in Sidmouth in 1912 to continue his astronomical research when his London observatory was closed. Members will visit the observatory on July 23. There will be no talk for August for the group, but in September Tim Pearkes of the Cheese Café in Crediton will be speaking on the history of cheese making from several thousand years ago, and in October Tony Clark will be talking about the Great War. Meetings of the history society are held on the second Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm in the Ockment Hall at the rear of the Ockment Community Centre in Okehampton. New members are always welcome and anyone interested should contact the secretary Jane Lehni on 01837 840087. Non-members may attend meetings at a charge of £2 per person, including coffee and biscuits.