LAST year Bow History Society broke new ground at meetings by inviting speakers from a wide range of institutions and backgrounds.

This year the society will be trying to expand this field further.

For the first time the society will have a talk from a senior member of staff at Exeter University, another from English Heritage and also a member of Exeter Archaeology.

In the past the society has also tried to encourage its own members to speak and this tradition will continue in 2010.

Dr Jean Shields, who is well-known locally has agreed to talk about "The Woollen Industry in Devon" at the March 1 meeting and member, Mark Norman will talk at the January 25 meeting on the subject of "Black Dog".

Professor Andrew Thorp will talk on March 29 on the subject of "The Life of Ernest Bevin" and Dr Stuart Blaylock will talk at the April 26 meeting on the subject "Archaeology above ground level".

John Bowers will talk on "Dowsing Bow's History" at the May 31 meeting and Francis Kelly on "Bow's Listed Buildings" at the June 28 meeting.

Society members will visit Lewtrenchard in July and on September 27 various speakers will talk about Bow and World War One.

The society's annual meeting will take place on October 25 and there will be a social meeting on November 27.

Meetings are usually held at Bow Village Hall beginning at 7.30pm.

You do not need to be a member of the society to attend meetings. The entry charge is £2 and it is free of charge for those under 18.

Anyone who would like further information is invited to contact member Peter Green on 01363 82869, or [email protected]">[email protected] .