AS the deadline for bids for Tavistock?s Wharf arts centre rapidly approaches it is understood a number of interested parties have stepped forward with offers. This includes a strongly backed community bid which could see The Wharf run by a charitable trust to the benefit of the arts in town (writes Roger Malone). At a well attended open meeting held at Tavistock College last Wednesday (April 12) members of the public were invited to pool their opinions. The decision to put The Wharf on the market was announced last month after two of the four volunteer directors expressed a wish to retire. However, with the deadline for bids set at April 21 it was recognised at the meeting that there was little time for manoeuvre. Alex Wood, who chaired the meeting, invited those that attended to fill in a slip indicating their level of commitment to supporting the Wharf and their views of a way forward. ?Well over two thirds wanted to draft a letter to Margaret Hurdwell, the managing director, with a copy to the three tiers of local government ? Tavistock Town Council, West Devon Borough Council and Devon County Council. This was agreed and will be done.? Mr Wood said he had spoken to Mrs Hurdwell and she is ?very happy to have a record of the community interest.? ?Most people wanted us to send the letter to the directors because they will make the decision, not the council.? The bids have got to be in by noon tomorrow (Friday) and the whole process of change of ownership will have to be completed by July 31. ?The directors will hopefully take into account what we say in our letter. We are trying to say they should take into account what we say. We are hoping that they should take account of the very wide community interest. This is a big opportunity to take the community role of the Wharf even further,? said Mr Wood. ?Everybody I have spoken to that has put in a bid is adamant that they want to build on the strengths of what they have now.? With the various opinions expressed at last week?s meeting Mr Wood said he was delighted with the positive attitudes. ?It was a difference in detail rather than substance. And I know that as a result of that meeting there could be a few extra bids going in.?