opportunity to discuss its activities

ALL readers of the Courier will no doubt be grateful to Mr Oliver for his third letter complaining about the Chamber of Commerce (December 27), if only because he has promised that it will be his last.

While he is mistaken in claiming that Chamber did not respond to a consultation from the Town Council about the Christmas decorations in town, in fairness it was an understandable mistake.

For many years the Chamber has organised and, with its shop owner members, largely paid for the Christmas decorations in the High Street.

We bought a new set of lights for this a year ago.

On August 1, 2013 the Town Clerk, Mrs Clare Dalley, wrote to us telling us that they were now taking over this function.

They did not seek our views before making this decision, they simply informed us afterwards.

I should add that we are quite happy for them to do this, as it saves us time and money, but it would have been a courtesy to have talked to us first.

However, as letters from the Mayor and his Clerk in your columns have shown, it seems that courtesy from the Town Council is a thing of the past.

One thing that hopefully will please Mr Oliver, who has asked for a meeting of Chamber to discuss its activities, is that the annual meeting will provide precisely such an opportunity and will be held just after the end of the financial year, in April.

It is open to all paid up members of the Chamber to attend.

Demitri Coryton

Co-chairman

Crediton Chamber of Commerce