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TAVISTOCK Devon
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Westcountry Winners
2004 UK Award Winner
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2007 TAVISTOCK FORWARD |
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PROJECTS
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TOWN ALIVE In July 2001 the Tavistock Market Town Initiative document was launched, many of the projects outlined in the paper have now become reality such as promoting the Tavistock Canal (see Canal Bi-centennial below). Through the previous autumn and winter 11 public meetings of town shopkeepers, traders and interested members of the public, with facilitation by consultant, Graham Vallis, formed the Market Town Initiative. Nearly 300 ideas were included and analysed by 100 local people, inputting 1,600 voluntary hours. Financial support was led by the Key fund (RDA and partners) with additional help from the Community Council of Devon, the Borough Council, County Council and Tavistock Forward. Tavistock Forward is still committed to the contents of this document and are continuing to work along with other organisations to achieve successful outcomes. More recently Tavistock and Area Villages Initiative (T.A.V.I.) group have produced a draft action plan in which are highlighted several similar schemes such as the Tavistock Youth Cafe and the re-opening of the Tavistock to Plymouth Railway. Many of the Town Alive projects are still undergoing development and continue to be relevant today.
The original suggestion to mark Tavistock Canal's 200th birthday was made by Jean Warns and proposed by Graham Kirkpatrick at an open meeting of Tavistock Forward in May 2002. The proposal was adopted and Tavistock Forward set up a group to plan the celebrations, chaired by Simon O'Connor-Thompson. The main members were Barbara Fenton, Brian Woods, Graham Kirkpatrick, John Taylor, Kelvin Stagg, Moira Andrews and Steve Cryer who between them put in hundreds of hours of work. It was soon decided that the centrepiece would be an exhibition and Steve Carrick, professional design joined the team. The exhibition is now on long-term display at Morwellham Quay. The second element was a Schools Pack for the 22 schools in the Tavistock area and included an interactive 'virtual' walk along with canal - including the tunnel - provided on CD created by Brian Woods. The third provision was a walkers guide, now available from the Tourist Information Centre. In April 2003 the Inland Waterways Association helped clean the canal and again in July, the Tavistock and District Conservation Project and local residents continued the process. The celebrations were funded from a number of sources, with the main grant being £5,000 from 'Awards for All'. The Tamar Valley Service provided funds plus research details undertaken for them by Martin Summers and Dr. Greaves through an Devon County Council award. Tamar Valley Service members Tim Selman and Stephen Russell were unfailingly helpful throughout the 15 month project. Finally, thanks must also go to the owners of the canal, South West Water who provided funds plus various equipment needed to clean up the canal. WestDEN is currently working with local residents to continue improvements to the canal. |
