IT is with great sadness that we in the market have read the recent letters regarding the use of the pannier market for community events. The centre of the pannier market is readily available for use on Most Sundays and almost all Mondays, when an event being staged, if properly promoted, would stand out more than it would on a Saturday when competing with other events. The Inner Wheel Charity Bonanza over the last three years has had the combination of small charity stalls combined with the larger permanent traders, which has proved to be outstandingly successful. We hope TASS have the same success with the traders and management of the Tavistock Pannier Market, which has helped achieve a good balance between themed markets, combined with the regular traders to whom so many people look for a wide variety of goods. The pannier market committee, which is a combination of elected councillors, town council officers and representatives of the market traders? federation, have fought vociferously to maintain the vibrant feel of the market, with the inner quadrangle of the market having ever changing traders on an almost daily basis. The new cafe has been recently constructed, but as many residents will remember only three years ago the cafe area was walled up, so this expansion allowed for more traders in the market and the opening up of the doors to the East End Stores. The traders are a charitable group of people who in the last few months have raised nearly £2,000 for the Boscastle and Tsunami appeals. Over the last year, 20 different charities have traded in the market on a regular basis, including TASS. Charities do receive preferential treatment and if anyone wishes to trade, please come into the market and meet with the market reeve. On Saturday, June 25 there were four different charities in the market, along with a Neighbourhood Watch promotion. Currently preparations are underway for two large parties for pensioners and children, funded entirely by the traders. Also, a pannier market recipe book is to be sold before Christmas, with all profits going to charity. The traders? representatives have also requested that a different charity should be highlighted by the market each month. All in all a different picture emerges of the true perspective of the market than the writers of the letters have given. Tavistock Town Council sees the pannier market as the ?jewel in the crown? of Tavistock, as do many of its residents. Against all current market trends, our pannier market continues to thrive and grow. Please help it to continue to do so. Cllr Mandy Govier Chairman of town hall and market sub-committee
