Incredible work to raise money for Tavistock Subscription Library

Artist and master craftsman, Alan Foster, has created a unique automaton for Tavistock Subscription Library.
Alan, the brother-in-law of library trustee John Powell, was inspired to make the intricate mechanical artwork after a visit to the library earlier this year.
The 79-year-old former RAF Vulcan bomber engineer's remarkable automatons are to be found in homes across England and as far afield as Australia.
His latest creation depicts one of the library's four founders, the Rev’d William Evans, writing with a quill pen at his desk surrounded by books. With a turn of the handle, Evans is shown writing.
As with all of his automatons, Alan uses mostly cast-off materials, scrap and items he picks up from charity shops and car boot sales.
The library automaton is mostly made of wood and the wood is mostly from an old Welsh upright piano as well as a Bordeaux wine bottle case. The metal cog wheels at the heart of the mechanism come from a vintage hand drill bought for £1 from a market stall.
The design of the wooden floor under the desk is in homage to the 17th century Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer.
Alan's automatons are invariably made with a money box in the base and he has made the latest one with the coin slot big enough to take a £2 coin.
"I thought the library might like to make a £2 charge to turn the handle to help raise money for such a good cause," he said.
Alan's previous automatons include one depicting Jack Sprat and his wife, an elderly couple in bed being scared by a ghost and one which always catches out children (of any age) which has a button saying "do not press". Inevitably it is pressed and a jet of water squirts out.
Anyone who wants to turn the handle on the automaton is invited to do so during the library's weekly open mornings held every Friday between 10am and 12 noon - all are welcome.