RECENT national press reports that Mary Tavy was included in a list of around 20 'sleeping' parishes in Devon and Cornwall have been described as misleading by the Countryside Agency — which compiled the original table.

The press reports stated that some of the region's best known towns and villages had been classified as 'sleeping' in a Countryside Agency study, which 'could find no sign of community life there'. Other categories had been 'vibrant', 'active' and 'barely active'.

On Monday night there was a village meeting in Mary Tavy — named as one of the 'sleeping' parishes — to discuss plans for the Golden Jubilee, and the press reports were a hot topic of conversation.

Jennifer Hilborn, booking clerk for the Coronation Hall, said the reports were considered to be 'rubbish': 'There are so many different organisations here — from the playgroup and youth club through to church activities and local pantomime.'

The Monday night meeting hoped to involve the whole village in celebrations for the Golden Jubilee. 'The money for the Coronation Hall was raised at the time of the Queen's coronation, so it is really appropriate to get something done,' Mrs Hilborn said. 'Mary Tavy is far from sleepy!'

Other parishes in the 'sleeping' category included Lydford, Meeth and Sydenham Damerel. Among the 'vibrant' parishes were Bridestowe, Brentor, Exbourne and Milton Abbot. Thirteen parishes in West Devon were described as 'active', including Bratton Clovelly, Horrabridge, Chagford and Lifton.

Nigel Ellway, spokesman for the Countryside Agency, said the study in question was carried out for a rural white paper two years ago and was never a published report.

'We sent questionnaires to parish councils on community vibrancy, asking what services there were — such as a village shop, village hall, pub or place of worship — and what events or traditions.

'The term 'sleeping parish' referred to those who didn't return the forms or didn't fill them out fully. It was nothing to do with the way the council worked or the community itself,' he explained.

'We know parish councils do a lot of work for the community. These press reports — which originated from an article in a national newspaper — have done us a lot of harm.'