WI pledges to 'fight' for market

A Devon WI branch has said it will fight to hold a market in a town square even though the council said there is no "legal mechanism" to close the road.

Colyton WI wants to hold a farmers' market in the town square and said a charter from Henry VIII grants permission to hold one "forever".

WI branch president Jacky Roberts-Wake said: "We are going to fight for it."

A Devon County Council spokesman said the WI's claim that the ancient charter still applied was "being considered".

'Charter signed'

"There is no provision in the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1981 which allows us to close a road for a market," the spokesman said.

The problem arose after the Colyton WI branch sought advice from East Devon district council about holding the farmers' market in the square.

"There was no problem with them, but they passed a copy of our letter on to Devon County Council - who in February told us there was no legal mechanism for closing the road," said Mrs Roberts-Wake.

It seemed "a reasonable thing" to hold a market in the square, where such events had been held over the centuries, she said.

"We have a charter signed by Henry VIII saying we can have a market three days a week 'forever'."