TAVISTOCK is rallying to help town crier Bob Rose, who has been struggling single-handedly to organise this July's European Town Criers' Championships.
Last week the Times reported the big event was in danger of folding due to lack of manpower — but now Mr Rose is more confident the championships will be a success.
'The response has been pretty good — I have had quite a few phone calls from people offering to help.
'I've even had a few outstanding pledges come in as well which is good,' said Mr Rose.
'I could do with perhaps two or three more people who may be interested in being judges, and I do need people to sell programmes,' he said.
Mr Rose said the programmes, which will be packed with photographs, will be a colourful millennium souvenir of the event which should attract many extra visitors to the town on carnival day, July 15.
'One or two pubs have contacted me to say they will sell programmes — I will take them to any other pubs or clubs who are prepared to have them,' said Mr Rose, who is also continuing to raise sponsorship for the event.
'If anyone wants to donate some more pennies I would be delighted,' he added.
West Devon scouts have come up trumps for the championships.
Sandra Johnson, assistant district commissioner, said the scouts were very pleased to be able to help Mr Rose.
'At the moment we are providing two tents, tables and chairs and two judges,' she said.
'We are hoping the scouts might be involved in some way selling programmes,' she added.
Gill Gorbutt, chairman of last year's millennium committee, said: 'I am very willing to help Bob. I'm very impressed at his commitment. He has worked incredibly hard to get this off the ground. He deserves all the help we can give him.'
Several town councillors expressed their support for Mr Rose at their meeting last week.
Cllr Caroline Keane, who was a member of last year's millennium committee, said she would be happy to help move things forward and Cllr Ken Sanders also offered support.
Town clerk Roger Howard is already providing administrative support, and the council has agreed to underwrite a possible deficit in funds to the tune of approximately £1,500.
The town criers arrive in Tavistock during carnival week and will be paying visits to a variety of places, when they will be ringing their bells and shouting news of the competition to take place on carnival Saturday.
The competition itself will be held between 10am and 4pm in two locations — the Meadows and Bank Square.
Anyone willing to sell programmes or give a few hours of time to help towards the success of the event should contact Bob Rose via Tavistock Town Council on 01822 613529 or at home on 01822 890410.