I WOULD be most grateful if, through your newspaper, you would allow me to thank all the artists, audiences, musicians and other contributors from Tavistock, as well as from further afield, who helped make the 2009 Tavistock Music and Arts Festival such an outstanding success in musical, artistic and literary terms – as well as a most enjoyable and exciting event.

In particular, I would like to pay tribute to all the Tavistock businesses that sponsored the event so generously and constructively. The majority of events were again 'a sell out', which was very pleasing.

The 2010 festival will take place between April 27 and May 3, so I ask our patrons to please pencil those dates into your diaries now. Further, I would be very happy to hear from any organisations and individuals who would like to be involved next year, either as performers and contributors, or as sponsors, fundraisers and other helpers.

Christopher Kirwin

Chairman

Tavistock Music and Arts Festival

MAY I, through the paper, take the opportunity to thank all those people who have given sponsorship so generously towards the Emily Jordan Foundation.

The total collected from the 'whisky bottle' on the bar at the Blacksmith's Arms in Lamerton raised £209.24.

This is a marvellous amount and will encourage me to recover quickly from my recent knee ligament reconstruction operation, to get back on my bike and resume my training for the John O Groats to Land's End ride, that I will now be undertaking next spring, having had to postpone it this year following my skiing accident! I would like to thank Rob White and his regular customers who have been supporting me and the charity

As part of my rehabilitation I will be cycling my static bike from August 17-31 in Bedford Square to replicate my John O Groats to Land's End mileage and to test my newly reconstructed knee ligament. I hope many of you will come and support me!

My particular thanks to Derek at Dartmoor Cycles who has sponsored me and offered me continual encouragement

For anyone who wishes to know more about the Emily Jordan Foundation, and its charity to support individuals with learning difficulties, please refer to http://www.emilyjordanfoundation.org.uk">www.emilyjordanfoundation.org.uk

Emily was a 21 year law graduate who drowned tragically on her gap year, on a river in New Zealand in April 2008. Emily was my niece and my goddaughter.

Annie Jefferies

Church Avenue House

Lamerton

Annie.jefferies@

btinternet.com

THE quiz and cheese and wine evening held in Mary Tavy on April 24 was a huge success.

At the last count, over £450 will be on its way for Help for Heroes. We hope to make this up to £500 by having a stall at Mary Tavy Fund Day on June 13.

I would like to say a big thank you to the Times for giving us a plug and to thank everyone who supported us.

Kath Sydenham