TIDY Tavi would like to express thanks to all the new volunteers who have participated in their litter picking ventures in recent months.

Everyone seems to genuinely enjoy helping out in the community, meeting like-minded people and maintaining Tavistock’s reputation as the jewel of West Devon. Teams of volunteers will be setting out again next Saturday, December 5.

The main aim will be to help clear litter left behind after recent events such as Dickensian Evening and the visit of the Coca Cola truck.

Although the local authority staff have done a great job of tidying up around the town centre, substantial amounts of detritus are evident in more peripheral areas. Given recent weather conditions, the forecast for Saturday morning looks surprisingly promising, so a good turn-out is anticipated.

If you would like to help with this worthwhile venture, please meet at the Meadowlands Leisure Centre at 10am.

In a separate but associated venture, Tidy Tavi volunteers have decorated a Christmas tree as part of this year’s festival in St Eustacius’ Church. In a really unusual approach to recycling, all the decorations were made from items of rubbish collected in and around Tavistock!

This creation can be viewed in the church, along with all the other beautiful trees decorated by local organisations and businesses, in the church until Sunday 6 December.

Steve Hipsey

Tavistock