I READ that the Lions are going to bury a time capsule which will record Tavistock in the year 2000.

The suggestions of what to include are very typical, boring and politically correct, reflecting those areas where some achievement is perceived to have been made over the last few years. However to reflect the mood of the good citizens of Tavistock in 2000, may I suggest the following alternatives:

One, a copy of a 2000/2001 West Devon Borough council tax demand with a red ring round the Tavistock Town element.

Two, a framed copy of the P45 of the person who signed the contract for work on the town hall which is nearly bankrupting us. (I hope the P45 has been issued, someone must be accountable?)

Three, a photograph of the expensive traffic follies either end of the Whitchurch Road and the Bedford Square piazza together with a written explanation of the benefit and function of the piles of flattened cobbles across the roads every few yards on which pedestrians war with motorists for territorial possession.

Four, pictures of the results of vandalism in the Meadows, the Ring, and most public places taken on nearly any Saturday evening. (This, will really confuse someone in 3000 who may think we were a warring race in 2000) and finally

Five, an etching on Dartmoor (not Portuguese white) granite of the courthouse, which with no use in future will surely be sold off, demolished and a fast food outlet built in its place totally against the wishes of the local people, but undoubtedly supported with European money and imported materials.

I'm sure your readers can extend this list dramatically giving rise to a vote of the inhabitants the results of which can then be ignored by those in power!

C S and A L Dicker

Abbotsford

14 Watts Road

Tavistock