REGARDING the continued correspondence on Tavistock Goose Fair, I suggest Louise Friend ask the Tavistock traders if they would like to rent a pitch in Plymouth Road, this would involve having their own tents etc. If it rained their goods would get spoilt, I would be very surprised if many took it up.

So we have hundreds of food stalls coming to sell their burgers, the same applies to all the other traders who keep coming back.

As to having the poultry and geese in the square I dread to think what DEFRA would say.

My advise to all Tavistock residents is read the Times early in October — there's always a write- up about the cattle market fair.

M Thomas

Gunnislake

THE Goose Fair cattle market open day has run annually since 2008.  

Our largest cattle sale of the year used to be held on Goose Fair day but due to traffic issues the cattle sale now takes place earlier in October.  Since the change in the cattle sale date the market has opened its gates to the public.  The first open day had limited visitors but since then the numbers have increased year on year. There are various stalls selling local produce and crafts along with livestock for people to see and various demonstrations and displays throughout the day with the geese auction also taking place.   

The event would not be possible without the help of the numerous volunteers who assist in the organisation and running of the day.

In response to Gary Spicer's letter in the Times last week I would like to point out that the open day is advertised.  Every year the Times kindly print at least one press release on our behalf in the weeks prior to Goose Fair.  We also have 8' x 4' painted signs advertising the day located at Wilminstone, Pork Hill and Grenofen and also at the entrance to the cattle market.  In recent years the Tavy Links magazine has also kindly published an article about the open day.   The Rotary book stall and the town crier kindly hand out flyers providing a map and details of the day.  Local TV and radio have also attended the event regularly; however, I appreciate this does not help advertise the event in advance.  We are always looking for ways to improve the publicity and ensure more people know what goes on at the cattle market on Goose Fair day.

In response to Louise Friend, whilst the idea of selling geese in the town square would create a spectacle, the rules and regulations regarding poultry sales need to be adhered to and these measures would be impractical in the square. Also the logistics of getting the geese into the square with parking for buyers and sellers of poultry would unfortunately make this idea even more difficult.   

David Landick

Tavistock Livestock Centre