AS Headmaster of Kelly College, I am aware that there is concern amongst some of your readers about the level of noise at the recent Friends of Kelly Summer Ball.
Kelly College has been holding a summer ball to mark the end of the academic year and to celebrate the achievements of its leaving pupils for over 20 years.
Undoubtedly, the noise was greater this year because of the addition of fireworks to mark the millennium. The event, for approximately 500 parents, staff, guests and pupils has always been a tremendous success, as a result of thorough planning including obtaining the correct licences and ensuring that there is appropriate security and medical cover.
This year we deliberately decided not to hold a millennium celebration in January, and for the last few years our November 5 fireworks have been held at Kelly College Junior School, further out of town. Nevertheless, it is impossible to hold a celebration of this type without noise and some disturbance to the community.
In my view, life has to be a balance. In any community the needs of all should be considered, but there has to be give and take. I can only ask that a major celebration of the achievements of some of Tavistock's youthful citizens is allowed on one evening a year.
Without some opportunity for exuberance, today's youngsters will be stultified and Tavistock regarded as a town that you have to escape from to live life to the full. This can be in no-one's best interests.
I am most grateful to the vast majority of Tavistock citizens for their support and forbearance.
Mark Turner
Headmaster
Kelly College
Tavistock