YOUR article (December 1) on the £1-million scheme for improved sports facilities at Crowndale, which referred to the facilities being sought by Tavistock College and Tavistock Football Club, said little about the work of Crowndale Recreational Association (CRA). I would therefore like the CRA?s many supporters over the years to know that we are central to the current bid and that we continue to work for the community, albeit with a lower profile while the bid is being formulated by paid professionals. Basically, three schemes from Tavistock Football Club, Tavistock College and the CRA are being treated as one under the Football Foundation?s ?Grass Roots? funding scheme; meaning that all parties stand to benefit from the CRA?s involvement and the many years of hard work of the area?s junior football clubs. In the last year the CRA has reached agreement for the Tavistock Cycle Way to cross our land by way of a landscaped path and the provision of an attractive new footbridge over the River Tavy to benefit local people. We have also reached a ten-year agreement with Tavistock Lions and Tavistock Round Table to safeguard the popular August Balloon Fiesta and Day at the Races. Meanwhile, it should be remembered that four years ago the CRA won Football Foundation funding to develop three acres of our 12 acres site for the provision of mini-soccer. Thanks to the support of so many local people, local businesses, the local authorities, Tavistock Lions, Tavistock Round Table and the Bill Butlin Trust, the CRA has raised over £100,000. On December 13 we shall be meeting with a view to committing almost all of our remaining funds to meet the professional fees to cost the three schemes mentioned above. Such is our commitment to the provision of improved recreational and sporting facilities for the Tavistock area. John Warne CRA chairman
