A 2005 draws to a close we would like to reflect on some of the events throughout the 900th year of our charter market, and to thank some of those who gave such support. We began this year on an unexpectedly sad note, with the truth of the awesome catastrophe of the tsunami slowly dawning on us all, and we were proud of our traders? and customers? response in raising over £1,000 in just five hours during our first Friday market after Christmas. In January we set about planning the pannier market?s contribution to the 900th celebration and the first great boost was confirmation that the BBC were indeed going to bring the Antiques Roadshow to Tavistock. That proved so successful that two programmes have been produced and the second is still to be shown, in the early spring of 2006. The next big event to be planned, with enthusiastic help from our deputy town clerk Rosie Keyhoe, was a two-day garden festival, and this took place to great plaudits on the Whit weekend in May, and was so successful that next year?s event is already in an advanced sate of planning. But what is a 900th birthday without a party and Mike?s partner Jan conceived the idea of a party for senior citizens in July and a Hallowe?en party for Tavistock children in October. The list of people that gave so much time and energy to these parties is endless but we must especially mention Shaun, Caroline, Bob, Jane, the market staff and Jan for making these parties such an outstanding success. Add to this numerous appearances on both national and local TV and we feel we can be rightly pleased with our year. There is one last time when you can all join with us in celebrating this memorable year and that is on New Year?s Eve when we will be offering any of you who come along a mince-pie and a glass of wine ? cheers! Finally a big thank you to all our traders and staff for working tirelessly to make Tavistock Pannier Market the very best in the south west. Eddie Caruthers, Market Reeve M Souttar, Deputy Market Reeve
