A MEMORIAL plaque is to be erected to mark the contribution of the late John Warne to sporting facilities in Tavistock.

The decision was made last week at the annual meeting of Crowndale Recreational Association in Tavistock.

Members were deeply saddened by the death last December of Mr Warne, who had been founder and chairman of the CRA since it started in 1994, and whose vision had been to safeguard the Crowndale valley as an area of sport for the people of Tavistock and district.

That vision was realised with the completion of the £1-million facility, comprising the sports hall, changing rooms and junior football pitches that are now used by large numbers of young people.

Three trustees have agreed to continue in office. They are Elaine Bentley, Russell Emery, and Roger Mathew. The meeting also elected Janet Sturmer as a trustee in view of her long experience of the CRA's work and commitment to it.

Andy Mitchell was elected to the vacant position of chairman, John Mulley became vice-chairman, Nicola Bradley secretary, and Dan Bates treasurer. These officers already hold similar positions in the Tavistock Community Football Club that manages the Crowndale facilities.

A spokesperson for the CRA said: 'Members were reminded that the objectives of the association are very broad, that is to advance education and provide facilities for the recreation and leisure of the inhabitants of the area, and there was still lots of work to do in the coming years to achieve these wider objectives.

'At the same time members agreed the immediate priority should be to secure the substantial grant provisionally offered by Sport England for the improvement of the surfaces and drainage of the playing fields.'

A ceremony to unveil a plaque in the community sports hall in memory of Mr Warne will take place shortly.