TAVISTOCK faces a nail-biting wait to find out if it has scooped a coveted award in a big regional competition, following a visit by judges last Thursday. The town flew into the finals of the competition to find the best food town in the South West ? but faces stiff opposition from fellow category finalist, Bridport. John Taylor, chairman of Tavistock Forward, the group which submitted the town?s entry in the competition and which has spearheaded the EatWise, EatLocal campaign, said judging day was ?brilliant?. Mr Taylor said: ?As we went around the various locations, everyone was just so enthusiastic ? it was a job to drag the judges away, with the result we finished up at the Horn of Plenty 45 minutes late!? The judges were welcomed at the Bedford Hotel, before going on a tour of the pannier market and town. They visited Kelly College and the organic Hele Farm at Gulworthy, before sampling products at a farmers? market stall and enjoying lunch at The Horn. ?Mr Taylor said: ?Everyone tried so hard, it was really lovely ? I just hope that will make the difference ? we have certainly given it our best shot. ?At the farm at Gulworthy the effort they had gone to was just fantastic. The young farmers were there, the ladies showed the judges a typical breakfast and supper, they took us into the cowsheds and showed them this little lamb that was only 14 hours old, it was all just stunning. ?I think all in all it went very well. The impression I had was that Bridport actually has more things made around there, but I think our EatWise campaign might have given us an edge ? we will just have to see.? Cllr Jayne Hill, mayor of West Devon, welcomed the judging panel to Tavistock. Cllr Hill was optimistic the town would do well in the competition. She said: ?The message came across loud and clear that Tavistock not only sells wonderful local produce, but that local produce is used so very widely, from eating establishments to residential homes and schools ? the list is endless.? At Kelly College, the judges met headmaster Mark Steed and the school?s catering manager ? the college has worked hard to move away from mass-produced foods and now uses locally sourced fresh meat and vegetables. Mr Steed said: ?A year ago we used to get meat from Poland, minced in the UK ? which was horrendous. Now we buy it all locally, which is fantastic. ?The quality of the food is incredible now, there?s no comparison to how it was before, and we have actually saved money ? that does surprise people. ?We do a roast lunch on a Tuesday and we are saving about £100 a week, so it puts paid to the myth that bulk buying is cheaper.? The judges finished their day at the Horn of Plenty at Gulworthy, where they were met by regular Tavistock Farmers? Market member Hogs Bottom, Alex Polizzi of Hotel Endsleigh, Ann Voss Bark of the Arundell Arms, masterchef Peter Gorton and West Devon and Torridge MP Geoffrey Cox. Peter Gorton said he thought the visit had gone ?really well?. ?I think where we are strong, and what I was really proud about, was how the town got behind this. Everyone was involved and that?s how the EatWise campaign will go from strength to strength,? he said. ?I was proud of the town, I think we?ve done the best we can and I think other places would be hard pressed to do any better.? Mr Cox congratulated Tavistock Forward on its EatWise campaign and said it was exactly the type of initiative needed to encourage businesses, producers and consumers to recognise the benefits of sourcing food locally. Chris Bradford, the competition organiser, said: ?The visit went extremely well. The judges were very impressed with the presentation. ?I think it was quite a surprise to some of them, the extent and the depth of local food and drink in Tavistock.? Mr Bradford said at this stage he could give no details about which town had come out on top, but both entries had been ?very strong?. Mr Bradford said: ?I think the judges thoroughly enjoyed their day. I think there were two firsts for Tavistock which we hadn?t encountered in any of the other towns ? the fact the MP turned up was quite impressive and also, when we visited the organic farm, it was a great pleasure to meet members of the young farmers? club there.? The results of the competition will be announced in Exeter on March 30.
