A PLEA for urgency in getting the work of art to celebrate the 900th anniversary of the granting of Tavistock?s market charter finally erected was issued in the town last week. The artwork, a tree depicting the history of the town and made up from ceramic tiles, was chosen by public vote last year as a lasting memorial of the celebrations. The original intention had been to mount the artwork on the wall of the flat-roofed extension by Court Gate in Bedford Square. But the idea fell foul of planners and English Heritage, who said it would be detrimental to the Grade II Listed building. Cllr Peter Jones, at last week?s meeting of the full town council, asked when the tree would finally be put up. ?The tree that was voted for should be up ? the one in Albaston is absolutely fabulous and how it could offend anybody is totally beyond me,? said Cllr Jones, referring to a similar ceramic tree by artist Rosie Fierek which has been erected in the East Cornwall village. Town clerk Roger Howard said the town council had appealed against the planning authority?s decision and the appeal now rested with the secretary of state ? a decision was expected within the next six weeks. Cllr Norma Woodcock suggested an alternative site for the tree. ?One place where it would look lovely and is viewed from the whole street is on the side of the Kivells building ? it would be absolutely wonderful there,? said Cllr Woodcock. ?It would be in the heart of the town and would give a real lift to that area ? I think it?s worth considering.? Cllr Iain Andrews, chairman of the town?s charter group which organised last year?s celebrations, and the competition to choose an artist to create a special memorial work, said: ?I think the artist was thinking about the maximum visual impact ? and to put it out of reach of people would be against her initial concept. ?Let?s see if we can win the appeal first ? then if not, we might have to look at plan B.?
