I WOULD like, if I may, to respond to Cllr Mandy Govier?s letter (Times, July 21). The Inner Wheel Club has indeed held outstandingly successful charity bonanzas in the pannier market over the past three years, hiring the inner quadrangle of the market while the market people continue to trade around the perimeter. We raise money for Inner Wheel charities by organising the event and renting tables to other charities, providing refreshments, running a raffle and tombola and having a few tables ourselves. The atmosphere is wonderful and funds are raised by many volunteers for a number of worthwhile local causes. But these were held on fifth Saturdays, and we have been told that we cannot have the use of the pannier market for this event after this year, when our bonanza will take place on Saturday October 29. We have been offered the town hall instead from 2006, but fear this will be second best as it is less accessible and there may not be enough room for all the tables we need. Previously, we did hold our annual charity bonanza on a Sunday. In spite of as much advertising as we could afford, including a banner, it was not nearly as successful. There just are not so many people about on a Sunday, whereas the town is crowded with shoppers on a Saturday and local people and visitors alike wander through the pannier market to see what is happening there. A Monday is out of the question as many of the volunteers involved work during the week. I am confused as to why Cllr Mandy Govier should mention our charity bonanza as an example to be followed by TASS as I imagine they, too, will be refused the use of the pannier market, even with the market traders still on the periphery. Perhaps the town council would reconsider their decision about the use of the inner quadrangle of the pannier market for charitable events on fifth Saturdays. Ann Wrightam President Inner Wheel Club of Tavistock
