I AM writing in response to Mr McDowell's letter in the Times, December 26, and wish to make the following comments:

As stated in my previous published letter the present siting of the Tavistock War Memorial is of historical importance to the community of Tavistock, dating back for nearly a century and is a Grade Two listed structure.

It should also be noted that during the First World War, Tavistock had, within its boundary, many churches of different denominations, therefore the siting was placed on neutral ground.

It should be noted that under current government legislation, dating back to the Great Death of 1347 no structure can be built on consecrated grounds, therefore Tavistock War Memorial cannot be relocated to his suggested location. Tavistock Town Council in 2006 found the cost of relocating the memorial to be prohibitive and that those costs would have to be raised by public subscription.

The referendum he refers to, and admitted to be deeply flawed was as a result rejected. In its present location this year's Remembrance Service had in excess of 2,000 people in attendance.

Finally, in regard to the traffic noise I suggest that strong consideration be given to the traffic management in future years.

C D J Mathis

Tavistock