BEAUTIFULLY refurbished new hats are in the pipeline for Tavistock?s macebearers, members of the town?s finance committee were told at their meeting in the town last week. Town clerk Roger Howard told members that both the Heritage Lottery Fund and Awards for All had rejected requests for funding to refurbish the macebearers? and town crier?s uniforms. But there was good news regarding the macebearers? hats, which town crier Bob Rose had criticised as being ?tatty? and embarrasing to be seen in. Col Howard said the tricorn hats had been sent to a firm in London for refurbishment. ?They are re-blacking and re-shaping both the hats for the sum of £75 each,? he told the committee. Cllr Caroline Keane still felt the small top hat suggested by Mr Rose as an alternative to the tricorn should have been considered further by the council. ?I know the tricorn was tradition, but as best market town, we could be on the cutting edge of being vibrant and forward moving,? she said. Investigations are still pending on whether sponsorship for the refurbishment project may be forthcoming.