AT a time of economic difficulties for all sectors of the community and with shrinking public services, a new community organisation has been created in West Devon.

Through a merger between the Tavistock & Villages (TaVi) Development Forum and Westden, (West Devon Environmental Network), TaVi Network was formed in August this year.

The network aims to support and promote sustainable, economic, environmental and social development in Tavistock and surrounding villages.

Max Laithwaite, community champion for the Network said: 'The challenges we are facing as a community are shared challenges. The best way to deal with them is by coming together to find a shared vision of how we would like Tavistock to be for future generations.

'Ideas like localism and the Big Society are not new but they are a fantastic opportunity to take more responsibility over how we move forward and we must seize it with both hands. Tavistock is full of amazing local community action but imagine a tomorrow where we harnessed that energy and worked closer together. Imagine what we could achieve.'

The Network is inviting residents and representatives from across the private, public, third and voluntary sectors to a series of open forum events beginning this October.

Max said: 'The aim of these events is to create an inclusive and welcoming environment where we can find ways in which we can work closer together to build the vibrant, healthy and resilient future we all want.'

Tavi Network is holding two similar forums, on Monday October 17 between 1pm and 4pm at The Wharf in Tavistock and on Thursday, October 20 between 6pm and 9pm at the West Devon Borough Council offices at Kilworthy Park, Tavistock. Both events are free and open to all and refreshments will be provided.

For more information about how to get involved or to book a place please telephone Max on 0845 345 5077 or email [email protected]">[email protected]