WEST Devon schoolchildren are this term doing their bit to make sure the newly opened Drake?s Trail cyclepath becomes a real focus of the community. Youngsters from three primary schools near the new off-road cycle route between Tavistock and Plymouth are taking part in a special arts competition, to design logos which will be placed along the track and its spur routes. Susanne Martin, project manager of Drake?s Dartmoor, the group which promotes Drake?s Trail and businesses in the Trail area, introduced an arts competition at Buckland, Meavy and Walkhampton Primary Schools. Susanne said: ?We are hoping that the children will have fun being involved in a community project and simultaneously learn some more about their local history. The children?s artwork will be used to identify four spur routes going to important tourist attractions in the area and will be found on signposts and information boards for the Trail, its new website and on printed material. The pupils of St Andrews in Buckland Monachorum are working on topics concerning Buckland Abbey and Lopwell Dam, Meavy?s children are looking at Drake?s Leat and the classes in Lady Modiford?s Primary School in Walkhampton are obtaining their inspiration from Burrator Reservoir and the surrounding countryside. The project is financially supported from TaVi ? the Tavistock and Villages Initiative, a forum of local councils, organisations and community groups who want to contribute towards the long-term prosperity of Tavistock and the surrounding area. Drake?s Dartmoor gets its backing from West Devon Borough Council and Dartmoor National Park. The cyclepath and walkway is being developed by the County Council with support from the European Union and the South West Regional Development Agency. For any further information about the trail and its progress please keep an eye on your local newspapers and parish council magazines, or contact Drake?s Dartmoor on their website http://www.drakesdartmoor.co.uk">www.drakesdartmoor.co.uk
