I MOVED to Tavistock on July 15 1990 after visiting the town in May. I was attracted by the splendour of the town centre architecture and the Meadows. Twenty years later we find much more to admire; the list is impressive.

I saw the last livestock shows in the pannier market when on other days many stallholders brought in bits of carpet and small electric fires to combat the chill of the market hall. After its east end was opened to trading, heating and better lighting was introduced and the kiosks on the south wall were constructed. The lighting was also improved on the perimeter road and stores at the east were converted into shops. In short the improvements are a near transformation.

Next door, so to speak, the town hall has received much improved catering facilities and new toilets: the stairs have been carpeted and the stage has been splendidly curtained; the staircase has been brightened with a fine selection of framed pictures. And facing the town hall a large part of Bedford Square has been pedestrianised and become a frequent, colourful extension of the pannier market.

Now splendid use is made of Court Gate in having the tourist information office and the town museum located there.

Twenty years ago the leisure pool was brand new but approached between a large and apparently abandoned transit shed and small, nondescript workshops. Today we have a splendid auditorium, art gallery and café and much needed car park.

A graceful footbridge across the canal connects to a bright, well appointed public library whose staff manage expertly the greater demands computers, and electronic media now place upon them. The building has replaced an abandoned garage of no greater merit than was its neighbour across the canal. Across the road the bus station has been redesigned, making it much more user-friendly.

Happily, the Meadows has managed to retain its village character and not succumbed to ambitions that would make it a manicured urban park. Yet in recent years the children's play area has been provided with more attractive and adventurous equipment. Not surprisingly it is much patronised by the 'little-uns' and their parents.

Not least in the 20 years of town improvements has been the development of land and buildings for residential use. New estates in the Launceston Road, canal side and Plymouth Road areas have not impinged greatly on the town's outlook and the conversion of redundant (and in some cases dilapidated) industrial properties has been achieved quite admirable.

An area in which modern development that has had surprisingly little impact is the arrival of superstores in and near the town. Its reputation for high class specialist retailing has, in fact, been enhanced in recent years.

It is a great pleasure to reflect on how much that is good in Tavistock has been made good-er in the last 20 years.

G Kirkpatrick

Tavistock