Peter Tavy Village Hall Committee has opened a new Pit Stop for refreshments, convenience and bike repairs, open to anyone passing through or local to the village.... with all the proceeds being ploughed back into the community.

The new Pit Stop was brought to life by six local ladies who comprise the Peter Tavy village hall committee, who wished for there to be a refreshment and aid station for locals, walkers, cyclists or runners making use of the local area, Dartmoor and the national cycle route 27, which runs up and down the western spine of Devon.

Elaine Mackintosh, a member of the hall committee said: ‘We’d had an idea for something like this for quite some time. We started off conducting our own research, speaking to cyclists and walkers passing through the village and there was certainly demand for it. We agreed it would be a good idea. Then we were able to develop the project much more significantly when we received £6,500 funding in the form of a covid recovery grant from West Devon Borough Council. We used this money to build the shed, provide electricity, purchase and stock all the refreshments and secure apparatus. All of us on the committee have been involved, had input and contributed in some way. We’re looking to get WiFi for the Stop very soon too.’

Situated in the village hall car park, the Pit Stop is open daily from 09.30am to 6.30pm throughout August, selling cold drinks, cakes, flapjacks and ice creams. The ladies of the committee have stressed that everyone is welcome to access it. In addition to refreshments, it also offers a picnic bench, use of the hall toilets, a bike rack, a cycle tool repair kit, smartphone and electric bike chargers and bins for different recycling materials.

Susie Pitt and Janett Reed, also committee members instrumental in the Pit Stop’s creation, said: ‘So far, the majority of people who have used it are those passing through who have found it purely by discovery and signposting on their walks, runs or cycles. Local people have been planning their walking routes around the Stop, so they can have break and buy refreshments; some have even driven here too as the nearest places for shops are Mary Tavy and Tavistock.

‘We started with a soft opening following all the Jubilee celebrations but now the Stop is really up and running. Use is very weather-oriented, so we’re doing very well this week during another heatwave and now it’s the school holidays - ice cream has naturally been very popular! We’ve received overwhelmingly positive feedback from users and visitors so far who have passed through on their journeys or expeditions.’

Money generated from the Pit Stop will cover its running costs and upkeep of the village hall, which is used by local groups and for events such as weddings. The hall has also recently benefitted from major renovations including a new ventilation system, flooring, and windows following a large grant from the Greater Dartmoor Local Enterprise Action Fund.