AN OKEHAMPTON benevolent society has decided to withdraw its offer of a millennium seat to the town after a lack of response from the authorities.
Despite 'countless visits and letters' to Okehampton Town Council and West Devon Borough Council beginning 15 months ago, the Oketon Lodge of the RAOB (Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffalo) has never received a reply on the matter.
Secretary of the lodge David Smale said the intention had been to donate a seat to the the town as a millennium contribution.
'We wanted the seat to be placed in the enhancement area around St James Chapel as a thank-you to the public for all their support towards our fundraising,' he said.
'After countless visits and letters we have never been worthy of a reply from the town or borough council and therefore it seems they do not wish to accept this offer.'
Mr Smale said all the members were very upset about it and had decided to withdraw the offer in order that the money could go to someone else in the town who would appreciate it.
'We have a pretty low opinion of the authorities at the moment,' he added. 'They have been absolutely useless.'
Okehampton Town clerk John Winchester said he could not find any letter referring to the matter but remembered talking to Mr Smale about the idea of a seat.
'I suggested he contact the Okehampton Traffic and Enhancement Group who were overseeing the St James Chapel scheme,' he said.
'The issue has never come before the town council because it was not really down to us.'
Deputy chief executive of West Devon Borough Council David Inman has since contacted Mr Smale in the hope that the Oketon Lodge will reverse its decision. He told the secretary the original letter had been mislaid.
'We would be delighted to welcome this public spirited gesture,' he said.