A REGULAR farmers' market for Tavistock's Bedford Square moved a step closer to reality this week after a financial pledge was secured from the town council.

Although the sum involved is modest — £100 — it is seen by market supporters as a firm and vital gesture for the scheme.

Cllr John Wright, chairman of the finance committee, told members the group now had a formal constitution with chairman and officers and was affiliated to the national and regional branches of the Farmers' Market Association.

Cllr Wright said: 'They are looking for some token of support from this council, because that is the key which unlocks other applications for grants to other bodies, both European and national.'

He said the grant money would be used to buy proper stalls and a trailer enabling regular markets to be held on Bedford Square.

A grant of £1,000 has already been secured from West Devon Borough Council.

Cllr David Stapleton proposed a grant of £1,000 should be given to the group — but his suggestion did not find favour with some members.

Cllr Marjorie Corner said the figure was far too high.

Cllr Pat Warne said there were 'huge demands' on the council's funds and grants should be given specifically to local, Tavistock people.

'I don't think we've got even £100 to give away,' she said.

Cllr Norma Woodcock said a Tavistock farmers' market was a 'very positive contribution to the commercial viability of the town and of Bedford Square'.

She also thought it was the type of enterprise which local councils would be 'actively encouraged' to support under the Government's new Rural White Paper.

But Cllr Woodcock said as the council was still 'strapped for cash', £100 would be a 'reasonable' grant to offer.

She said: 'I do think there is enthusiasm, both from the public and from the market traders, for more use of Bedford Square.

'I also understand from Cllr Connolly, who has been to the Towns Alive meetings, that there is an overwhelming urge that we get on with activities on the square, that we use it and prove it can be an asset to the town.'

Councillors agreed a grant of £100 would be given to the farmers' market group.

Gill Gorbutt, chairman of the group, said: 'We are obviously very pleased that through this donation the council is showing implicit support for the farmers' market.

'We have now got promises of £1,500 towards stalls and we are in the process of applying for other funding.'

Mrs Gorbutt said the group was hoping to start holding farmers' markets next spring — the financial target for the capital outlay is put at around £12,000.

'We've got a long way to go but we've identified potential funding sources and obviously the more support we get, the sooner we can get going,' she said.

West Devon Environmental Network organised a pilot farmers' market on Bedford Square on a Saturday in July to test public support for the idea — the event proved popular.