AS a mother I would very much like to see the Meadows play area fenced in.

Everyone has noted the dangers of the river and canal but seem to have forgotten the dangers of paedophiles.

It would be very nice to stick our heads in the sand and think that Tavistock is safe from such horrific dangers, but the truth is; it isn?t. Nowhere is these days, especially as Tavistock is growing in numbers and tourists.

The size of the play area itself is quite large and when you are supervising more than one child, it can be very hard to keep your eyes on both ends of the park. We teach our children the dangers of strangers, and there are signs warning children in the park not to speak to strangers, but it is a known fact that even young adolescents of 17 can be duped by these evil people.

With a fenced in area with one entrance we would be protecting them, not ?bubble-wrapping? them. After all, as parents, it our responsibility to see the dangers young children cannot. And surely it is always better to be safe than sorry?

Ruth Walker

Tavistock

MIKE George (Letters, November 11) says it?s beyond him why a low fence would spoil the Meadows? open vista.

As I walked along the river side path last Friday, with the rush of the water and the splendid autumn colours, it struck me what a priceless asset we have there. It also struck me why Mr George is wrong. The path is sunken a couple of feet below the play area, so any fence would have a much greater impact than you would judge from a plan.

If a fence is judged really essential, then let it be as low and inconspicuous as possible.

John Cole

Buckland Monachorum