I have been sailing in and from the Tamar for 26 years as a member of Weir Quay Sailing Club (WQSC), sailing dinghies and keel boats with Helen, my wife, and Glyn, my son.

After the loss of the clubhouse and dinghy park I was privileged to be asked by WQSC with the gig club to form a group to try to find a new home.

At the moment we have temporary use of the old dinghy and gig parks, knowing this will be withdrawn soon.

Knowing from the start how we needed to keep the quality of Weir Quay, the Friends of Weir Quay were invited to all meetings and attended over 80%, guiding us to the only available site and the detail to protect wildlife and the tranquillity of the area we all enjoy.

We have taken over three years to carefully put together the planning application now being considered, trying to answer all the questions asked.

I am completely staggered by the misinformation being peddled about the simple replacement dinghy parking and, if we can raise the money later, a simple clubhouse.

This is to enable our children to have access and a safe environment via the clubs for sailing and gig rowing in and from the Tamar nothing else.

I am now a trustee – note 'Held in Trust' – of the charity – note 'for the community and not for profit' – putting forward the only possible and sympathetic option available for the next generation to be able to uphold our maritime tradition founded in Tavistock and the peninsula.

We have a 500-year old maritime tradition in the area from Drake who circumnavigated the globe as the consummate seaman.

To lose both the sailing and gig club for future is a crime, who knows which future 'Drake' will start by sailing and rowing in the river.

Please ask for any detail about the application and we will be very willing to look at areas where it can be improved.

Pete Silcock

Wildacre

Collytown

Bere Alston