A COUPLE of weeks ago my wife and I visited the Meadows which we enjoyed apart from the state of the canal. I am now in my seventies and many years ago married a girl who lived at Fitzford in Tavistock and spent many happy hours walking in the Meadows.
The canal at this time used to be nice and tidy with the banks trimmed and the weeds kept down so the fish cold be seen swimming etc. In fact, my wife tells me the children used to sit on the bank by Fitzford and dangle their feet in the water. This would now be impossible. We find the banks overgrown and the canal full of weeds and rubbish.
Anyone who has lived for years in Tavistock will remember how nice it looked, so is it not possible for someone or some organisation to try to improve it, as your town itself is very nice and encourages visitors, but this neglect spoils a lovely park.
I do not know who is responsible for this, but they will no doubt say that they do not have the funds. But how was it kept so good years ago when the standard of living for most was not nearly as high as now?
It is now a major job to put in good order. A suggestion: this could be a project for some youngsters to take up which they could look back on with pride as there are many very good young people out there who, if organised, would, I am certain, be glad to be involved in such a scheme.
R T Petipher
1 Shoemakers Row
Sandplace , Looe
IT is good to celebrate the 200 year anniversary of the Tavistock canal.
However, I think the most appropriate celebration would be to clean it up. It is completely stagnant and filthy.
Forty years ago it was spotless, you could see the bottom, and it was full of large fish. Now it is so murky and full of weed.
It is a disgrace to the town that this feature is so neglected and has become a possible health hazard.
Y Cornish
7 Chapel Street
Tavistock