I HAVE been approached by a number of Tavistock residents who think it sad that our memorial to the dead of two world wars should be found in a busy noisy car park, sometimes a fairground, and always next door to the public lavatories.
The debate in your columns and elsewhere has been going on long enough. I therefore call on the town authorities of church and state now to bring together all interested groups and parties, especially of course the Legion and the regimental associations, to thrash out a solution that would be acceptable to the great majority of us.
Lots of options for improving the situation exist. The front runner at present seems to be the charming grassy corner of the churchyard, but lots of other options exist subject to all the usual planning and financial constraints.
For instance, one could envisage the grassing over of a bigger area of the car park where the memorial is at present, adding more shrubs and protection in a design adapted for an area of quiet and contemplation.
Or a corner of our new Bedford Square could be set aside in perpetuity; or a sheltered piece of the Abbey Rise plot might be appropriately designed or possibly a different site in the churchyard — for example framed by the old Abbey walls — might be found most pleasant. And doubtless other sites could be considered.
All we ask is that the nettle is grasped now, and careful respectful thought be given to the possibilities in open consultation with all those interested in preserving the memory of those who died in the last century's wars.
Cllr R F Eberlie
Mount Tavy Road
Tavistock