Torrington Crier August & September 2024

FREE August & September 2024 The Crier is produced 10 times a year on behalf of the community, by The Crier Community Interest Company.

5900 copies are distributed throughout Great Torrington and the rural district.

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Editorial Enquiries: Becky Huxtable, 07443 491 972 E: torrington.crier@gmail.com Copy deadline: Second Thursday of each month, 12 noon.

We prefer all submissions and enquiries to the email above but handwritten articles can still be handed in at the Library. All articles are subject to editing, particularly those over 300 words, it is not possible to inform contributors of this prior to publication. Submission does not guarantee publication.

Advertising/Accounts: Esther Williams, 07912 693 858 E: torrington.crieradverts@gmail.com Costs & sizes: Small advert: 9cm wide x 5cm deep, £26 per issue. Large advert: 19cm wide x 5cm deep, £51 per issue. 10% discount for a run of five adverts. All adverts are accepted in good faith. Single adverts to be paid in advance, please.

Postal address: The Crier, Castle Hill, Torrington, EX38 8AA. Website: www.great-torringtoncrier.co.uk Proof reading: Sam Williams Town Distribution: The Joy family & Esther Williams Rural Distribution: Sue Crane & the community Printers: Hedgerow Print, Crediton

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If you don’t normally get the Crier delivered, you can now view the latest issue and back issues online, including all adverts, which can be clicked on to visit their websites.

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National Award Nomination for Dig the Castle & Lead Archaeologist

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reat Torrington’s own community archaeology excavation, Dig the Castle has been nominated for Community Archaeology Project of the Year, by the Council for British Archaeology (CBA) in the prestigious Marsh Awards. On the 21st of June it was announced that the project has also been shortlisted for the final, with the award winners being announced in July. Archaeological Project Director Emily Wapshott, has also been nominated for the Community Archaeologist of the Year award.

This nomination puts Great Torrington and its valuable heritage on a national stage for the first time, and we hope it will bring in more visitors to the town this summer and mean the Dig the Castle team can now start building a legacy for the town for generations to come. You can find the awards shortlist on the CBA website here, www.archaeology.org.

Emily says: “We wanted to give the community the chance to learn new skills and get digging themselves, engaging with real archaeologists, just like you see on the TV shows. We were delighted that over 180 adults registered to take part in the project. We are also very proud of the education programme which provided education enrichment to over 150 children, across seven local schools.”

Dig the Castle was undertaken solely by, and for, the people of Great Torrington, and many in the community were key project team players, led

by Emily Wapshott and John Eeles, of Archaeologists Engage and Great Torrington Futures Group. The project helped to build interest and engagement with the town’s ‘lost’ Norman motte and bailey castle. Everyone embraced the project and there was such excitement in the town, with lots of people wearing dig merchandise, and there was a reported boost in visitor numbers to local attractions! A real success for the project was developing collaboration between a broad range of Great Torrington businesses, and we cannot thank our

partners enough for everything.

Thanks also to our local authority, town councillors, district and county councillors, local charities who all helped fund the dig.

Torridge District Councillor, Cllr.

Chris Bright, says “Dig the Castle was such a great community project, bringing in people from all walks of life to get a chance to do archaeology.

But for so many schools to get involved was truly excellent, and for school goers it's this kind of hands-on events that really inspires young people. For Dig the Castle to raise the aspirations of young people, while simultaneously discovering a wealth of history about the motte and bailey made the whole event a success.”

Great Torrington’s Mayor, Cllr. Phil Cloke, representing the Town Council writes “Great Torrington has an incredibly strong community spirit, and the Dig the Castle project provided an opportunity to yet again ignite this spirit. Frequently, both the elderly and young school pupils could be seen working alongside each other (under the supervision of

skilled, professional archaeologists) carefully removing soil samples from the site. Slowly, but surely artefacts were uncovered and handed over for cleaning and identification. Each new find added to the excitement of not just those working on site, but within the whole town.”

More information on the dig can be found on the town hub-website here, www.onegreattorrington.uk/digthecastle/ There will be an Open Weekend for Dig the Castle on the 3rd and 4th August, in the Town Hall in Great Torrington, 10am-4pm.

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Dolton & Dowland Horticultural Show

Saturday 10th August 2024

Please come along to the Village Hall in Dolton & support our annual event Attractions for the family Entry: £1 Adults, Children Free We look forward to seeing you there!

St Michael’s Church

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s the warm days of summer envelop us, we're delighted to remind our congregation that St Michael’s Church will remain a steadfast presence, with our regular services continuing every Thursday and Sunday. Whether you’re returning from a summer vacation or enjoying the season’s longer days, our doors are open to welcome you for worship and community. Join us for Thursday morning service at 10.30am, or our traditional Sunday gatherings at 10am, to recharge your spirit and connect with your church family.

Summer is a wonderful time for reflection and growth, and we invite you to make the Church a part of your journey. Our familiar routines offer a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle, providing a space for spiritual nourishment and fellowship. We look forward to sharing these moments with you in the weeks ahead.

St Michael’s Church

Abbeyfield

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f you are looking for accommodation for yourself or a loved one, in a bright en-suite room with all meals provided, contact our House Manager on 01805 623605 to arrange a visit and find out more. You might like to join our friendly residents for a delicious lunch one day.

The cost is very reasonable!

We have a lovely garden and great views over the Torridge Valley. To book a lunch and to find out more, call the number above.

Charity Bake Off Town Hall

31st August 2024 9.30am-1pm y name is Freya, and I am 15 years old. I have been given the opportunity to visit Uganda with my school in 2025.To try and raise funds for this trip, I decided that together with my Mum and helpers I would hold ‘The Great Torrington Bake Off’.

Would you like the chance to be awarded Torrington Star Baker? If so, come along to my charity event at the Town Hall on Saturday 31st August. Please arrive with your bakes at 10am and judging will take place at approximately 11.30am. I am very pleased our Mayor Cllr Phil Cloke has agreed to be one of the judges! We will then be cutting the cakes, which will be sold for a donation and can be enjoyed in the Undercroft with a tea or coffee.

There will also be a raffle and lovely music outside, so do come along for a fun end to the summer holidays. Please pop in and support me- hope to see you there!

To enter a bake or for more info call 07791 324 967 or email trinad86@live.co.uk.

Freya & Katrina

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Great Torrington Commons Head Rangers Report

On July 17th the Mayor of Torrington will be unveiling the Duke of Edinburgh’s memorial tree on Millennium Path, by the time you read this it will already have happened. The tree was donated by the Town Council. The hope is that the tree will thrive to become an outstanding feature on your Commons.

The Monument renovation is continuing at pace: although you can’t actually see what is happening due to it being covered up, I get a sneak peek every now and then. The plaque was removed recently so that it can be cleaned up ready to put back later on. We were hoping that a time capsule might be found behind it, but unfortunately not.

We are still working on strimming the pathways, it is a massive job, and we have a plan each year on the order it’s done, so we will get it all finished before long.

Our biggest job though, is emptying the dog poo bins. There are 20 of them around the Commons and they all need sorting at least twice a week. Sometimes they are overflowing, so please bear with us; we will get to them all. During the summer months we may actually be emptying them three times a week.

Big Al Torrington Commons Head Ranger

Library News – It’s Summer!

The Summer Reading Challenge – Marvellous Makers The challenge is now up and running, if your children haven’t signed up yet, just pop along with them to the library to register and pick up a challenge pack.

Our Children’s Summer Events: Monday 29th July - Playful Music Making 10.30am-12midday. Join musician Ged Camille for this noisy, creative session, with percussion instruments and song. You can also bring your own instrument if you wish.

Ages 7-12 years, £4 per child, booking essential.

Friday 2nd August - Interactive Storytelling & Craft 10.30am-12.30pm.

Sophie Cobb will be telling the story of the green badger and making mythical woodland masks. Suitable for ages 4+, FREE drop-in.

Monday 5th August - Lego Animation Workshop 3-4.30pm.

Make your own animated clip with us. £4 per child, ages 7-12 years, booking essential.

Tuesday 6th August - Bounce and Rhyme Holiday Time 10.30-11am.

Action songs and stories for little ones and their older siblings, FREE drop-in Saturday 10th August - Craft with Chris 10.30am-12midday. Crafts for children, FREE drop-in.

Friday 16th August - Printmaking and Patterns Workshop 2-3.30pm.

Printmaker Michelle James will be showing you how to make pictures using different printing techniques, ages

6-11years, £3 per child, booking essential.

Monday 19th August - Code a Virtual Pet Using Micro:Bit 10am-12pm. A must for children interested in coding! £2 per child, age 7+, booking essential.

Thursday 22nd August – Crafts with Chris 10.30am12midday. Crafts for children, FREE drop-in.

Friday 30th August - Junk Modelling. 10.30am-12midday. Let your imagination run riot! FREE drop-in session.

Saturday 31st August – Crafts with Chris. 10.30am-12midday. Crafts for children, FREE drop-in.

Tuesday 3rd September Bounce and Rhyme Holiday Time 10.3011am. Action songs and stories for little ones and their older siblings, FREE drop-in. More events to follow, see our Facebook page for more details @ TorringtonLibraryDevon.

Your library service is FREE, run by the charity Libraries Unlimited. If you’re not a member, we look forward signing you up. Why not borrow books rather than buy!

Baby self-weigh – Tuesdays. We will continue to offer this facility during the school holidays though we will move availability time to 1-4.30pm.

Walk & Talk - Thursdays 10.30am.

Join our regular Walk & Talk every Thursday for a gentle walk followed by a cuppa. New members are most welcome

- to join the group please arrive a bit earlier to register in advance of your first walk. We look forward to seeing you!

Craft Club - Thursdays fortnightly 1.30-3.30pm. Our fortnightly adult craft and chat sessions continue through the summer. Dates: 1st, 15th and 29th August, 12th and 26th September. Bring along any projects you are working on, enjoy a cuppa and conversation.

Please refer to our website: www. librariesunlimited.org.uk for up-to-date information on all our services.

Please contact us by emailing torrington.library@librariesunlimited.org. uk or telephoning 01805 622107.

Libraries Unlimited is a registered charity 1170092 Librariesunlimited.org.uk

Torrington Baptist Church

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e will be having a Light Lunch on Tuesdays at 12.30pm until about 2.30pm.

There will be a suggested donation of £2. Anyone looking for lunch and some good company is welcome.

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What’s on at the Town Hall

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nbelievably, midsummer has passed and we’re leaning into the second half of the year with (hopefully) warmer days for the summer holidays and holiday makers.

Before I go any further, I’d like to apologise to ‘Knit and Natter’ for not mentioning their fabulous D-Day window, it was - as it always is - a display of talent, vibrancy and a deep connection to the community. Thank you ladies. If you’d like to join K & N, they meet every Wednesday morning in the Undercroft at the Town Hall from 10am-12pm. Tea, cake and a warm welcome awaits.

Our August dance is on the 17th and we have the fabulous ‘Fine Whines Vintage Jazz The swinging duet with the sextet effect’ as well as resident DJ ‘The Sultan of Swing’, who will have you on your feet to stroll, jive, swing, lindy hop and rock n roll. Free entry, cheap bar – everyone is welcome!

The ever-popular Reclamation are back! This time with support acts The Clueless and Half Life to lift the roof of the Town Hall on the 23rd August. They are generously performing to raise money for Chemohero and the Town Hall charity. We can’t wait!

Wedding Fayre This Grade II historical and beautiful building is the perfect venue to celebrate the start of your married life. We can host everything from the ceremony, reception lunch/dinner and party. Join us on Sunday 6th October, 11am to 3pm at our annual Wedding Fayre to talk to one of our Trustees about how we can help you have the day of your dreams. Plus, you’ll have an opportunity to meet other suppliers to cover all your needs.

Why not have your Christmas celebration with us, whether it’s with your workplace, friend gatherings, family,

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Summer Events at RHS Rosemoor

could be as simple as a£1.blue depending on the season, may well be £2(this Torrington Methodist Church Devon 10.30am per child – under 1s £1 – siblings Canal & Northern Saturday 13th anything goes. You can Rolle have an elegant and Poor Charities’, and was hung in the The Greatmushroom Garden Adventure with Shaun the Sheep, 27th July - 1st September upside down flowering at the timeGeoffrey of the walk.

Rev Stephen Hill 6.30pm Rev Ken Price includes crate healthyturned snack & drink for Advice Surgery with Cox MP. Waterways SocietyTown Guided 3pm). soiree, themed party or fancy dress Hall. Walk By the early 2000s the Town with a 10cm x 10cm hole cut in one of The start of the at Annery Morgan the children & hot drink for adults for an appointment ring walk 01237is459001 or The new season's programme of ‘Find the – wherever your imagination Hall had fallen into some disrepair and a The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter th email Leach 01769 685. the short sides and560 a weight on top) Kiln,to on the Weare Giffard road tellgeoffrey@geoffreycox or via by Rebecca Sunday afternoon walks on 26 for the Flock’ by takes you!

Dinner, charitystarts was formed preservation Day Saints meet @ Bideford College which should stop any local cats Halfpenny Bridge, at 2.30pm on website www.geoffreycox.co.uk May tea, with visit and to EX39 the site theGreat hunting afternoon restoration Torrington Abbotsham Rd,aBideford, 3AR of of 18th Coffee Morning in aidThe of Wembworthy May. distance is little Thursday enjoying a free meal. Cat biscuits (not Sunday 26th Town Inclined Plane at Ridd.

This isto the Sunday Sacrament service at 11.50amdown the Hall building, provide a financially lunch, banquet Michael's Church Chulmleigh Town Hall to 9-11am over a@mile but with plenty look at Stfish flavour)Church are anSaid idealMass food to put in place party, where the self-supporting Rolle Canal community cakes,and produce, draw prizes appreciated in St James three large, run asset for is or a1pm full-on discuss likely to take a 10.30am the feeding stationChapel but please never was'Hitchcock' raised up about3pm 43 feet Film @ The(Great Torrington Major Walker MCofCeremony War @ The couple hours. A@donation of Music breadGaga: and Rock milk Anthems as it can8pm make them decorated town.

Buildings book now to avoid(12A) the from the valley floor near Plough £2 (see to article) the Rolle Canal Plough seriously ill. sculptures Preservation Trust.) Memorial 11am disappointment.

Weare to a Film 'Argo'Giffard (15) 7pm @level The Plough Taddiport Tea Dance 2-4.30pm Society's funds details will be If you find a hedgehog out during the of Shaun in Art valuers were employed to identify Our annual Comedy 'Russell Kane' @ Devon Hall in the side of the valley Doug 01805 appreciated 622648 or Beryl 01805 19th and unsteady or you’re and helps Friday day, wobbling the garden saleable assets to fund building repairs Shoctober children’s 8pm that could be maintained 624294 Michael's Church Saidthat Massvisits 8.30am enable the Society to keep Stworried about one your or make totothe stone Halloween at all the disco way inland theTown Hall, the foundation Film 'Great Expectations' 7.30pm @ in garden, St Jamesplace Chapel the hedgehog in a high your own of which had been laid

by Bickington John volunteer RolleCinema work going to Gig the Terrifying Town Monday 8th High head weir atHall Rosemoor.

'Zion Train' 8pm @ The Plough promote and maintain features of sided box with a hot water bottle (smaller) is one for Walter.

The Batoni was identified, and on 31st October Historical & Talksseen 'Beam Music Coope Boyes & Simpson 8pm @ Many Society people AGM will have the Rolle Canal.

Future walks this year wrapped in a towel and cover with the & Quay' & John Oatway The Plough models at your diaries. Details to House follow… the charity submitted it to Christie’s in this site on previous walks but this year 20th will be 16th June, 28th July and 18th Saturday cloth that you used to pick it up with Torrington Clockmaker 7 for 7.30pm @over price a creative We are delighted to have the have Dig the 2007 with a reserve of £300,000. there been developments Music Bob Fox 8pm @ The Plough August. For further details if required: then please ring any of the following Methodist Claystation Castle team at the Town Hallwinter on Church thethat will make However, was withdrawn at the14th the it wellit worth a Sunday email: hassallc@ymail.com or phone who will be more than willing to give Film 'Wreckvisit. it Ralph' 2pm @ The Torrington Methodist Church 10.30am repeat The(PG) Heritage Lottery workshop 3rd and 4th last moment to give the Royal Albert Sunday 21st 01237 425357, but you'llMrs probably have advice or take to one of the local vets.

Plough Peter 6.30pm Vivienne funded ‘Life's Journey’ project has in Rev St. Michael’s Church 10am Sung Mass on Thursday August, Memorial Museum Exeter theWhatton to leave a message.  British Hedgehog Preservation Film 'Argo' (15) 5pm @ The Plough Ignatius Sunday ingardening upper room 1st, 22nd and 29th August at 10.30am, 12 produced a new opportunity pathway from the aSheriff oin Shaun on01584 anClub epic presenting to make private offer. There Chris Hassall Film 'Lincoln' (12A) 8pm @ The Plough Society 890801 St. Michael’s Church 10am Sung Mass Torringtonthis Methodist Church 10.30 noon and 2.30pm (suitable for 6yrs+, £2 Tarka Trail down towas thesupport bottom from of the(amongst adventure summer, as he to you the others) the Ignatius Sunday Club in upper room  North Devon Hedgehog Rescue Rev Ken Morgan 5pm Circuit Service @per child).

Inclined Plane where two illustrated learns from the friendly experts discoveries Heritage Lottery Fund, Devon County Tuesday 9th Film Sessions' (15) 3pm & 7pm @ Our'The Hedgehogs Need You!!!!!!

01271 816989 or 07964 522 359 Parkham information boards Council, have been installed at RHS Rosemoor how to grow the best Let off some steam on a Summer made on and The Awareness Art Film 'Lincoln' (12A) 5pm @ The Friends Plough of RAMM The Hedgehog Plough AnniRamblers Nicholls Week is on its Torridge afternoon walk to describe the saltmarsh habitat by by the lovely Joanna fruit and veg to keep him baa-rilliantly Stomp* on Tuesdays 30th July, 6th, 20th this amazing assisted Film 'Hitchcock' (12A) Fund 8pm @– The way but why wait until then to 01237 451820 Torridge Hedgehog Rescue the Torridge and the workings and th Plough healthy!Film Follow the fun with trail and play community Lumley, who sold giant replicaAs jigsaw Monday 15th 'Les Miserables' (12A) 3pm @ Theand 27 August at 10.30am or 2pm or help? spring is here (working ND Hedgehog purpose of the Rolle Canal. It is now Singing for Fun 7.30-8.30pm @ High‘Hide and Sheep’ with friends and family join a Woodland Wander* at the same project. pieces of the portrait at the Olympia Plough and hopefully the weather Rescue) Angela Hodge possible to 10th gain a far better Bickington Community Centre Wednesday in beautiful surroundings this summer.

Please check International Art and Antiques Fair!

The Film 'I Give it a Year' (15) 7pm @ The times on Wednesdays 31st July, 7th, 21st improves our spiky friends 07884 486 509 of Said theMass lay-out and Mini th Stunderstanding Michael's Church 8.30am Mover Dance Session for under 5's Plough Sit back and relax with free farmout full details painting was at last purchased by the will be up and about again.

Please look out for eventsand in 28 August. workings of the inclined plane boat lift 9.30-10.30am in St James Chapel @ Bickington Community themed family shows Hot Rock with the Royal Albert Memorial Museum it Meet some real animals with Steve It’s been where an extremely tough your by area during Hedgehog than wasW.Ipreviously theHall case.

Torrington @ Methodist 7pm The Centre th th Monday 22nd winter for them.

The Theatre at the Learning Centre every organisers. is held in permanent storage.

Eddie from Exmoor Zoo* on Friday 9th to 11 May. Awareness Week 5 upper basin of 8pm the canal the top of Film 'I Wish' (PG) @ TheatPlough Mini Mover Dance Session for under 5's changeable and wet weather Monday and Tuesday at 10.45am, and Friday 30th August at 10.30am, The Last full-sized replica was the incline has been Acleared of photographic scrub Tuesday 16th 9.30-10.30am @ High Bickington has made it difficult for many of 11.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm or 12.15pm, 2pm, and 2.45pm.

Master made is proudly in You' the Social group for the11.30am, Pets sufficiently to11th enable the and outline of its displayed As Therapy Thursday 'Hearing for Community Centre them to find food or hibernate properly on aPets Wednesday, Thursday Science John Rolle Walter was aMichael's long to serving Oak Room at the Town Hall. beChurch clearlySaid seen, and the way As Therapy is a hard of hearing. Every 3rd Tues 2pm Or, @ visit Comedy Stbanks Mass Alistair McGowan 8pm @ Thejoin the fun interactive Fizz st over the past months so many are now or Friday to meet Shaun the Sheep Show* on Wednesday 31 July with MP for Exeter between10.30am 1754 and 1776, Due to the fundraising publicity, the the railway subsequently cut through national charity founded The Bickford Centre call 01271 373236 in St James Chapel followed by Plough weakClub and need help. If you know the prestigious northern destroying the top of of Denmark ‘inthat the fleece’ and play tractor themed performances at 10.30am, 12.30pm and and progressed to the more National Gallery wasHigh at Bickington Youth Community Walsingham cellend, in vicarage in 1983.

It is unique in Gallery Gig The Pete Canter Trio you a own resident your with Memory Cafe 10.30-12.30pm @ the incline.

This last canal basin now the Centre for @ 5-7pmhedgehog ingames theit @ Marvellous Eventures 2.30pm.

Devon from 1776 until his death in 1779. able toThe identify sitterhad in 11+ its that provides therapeutic 8.18pm The Plough area last study year don’t forget to put Badminton Clubplease 7pm 8pm between Plough supports an increasing population visits to hospitals, hospices, 11am-4pm (Shaun the Sheep nursing Don’t miss Captain Coconut’s three He held the honorary position of Town portrait

by Batoni,ofa preliminary of Juniors a bowl of water and some food out for Tuesday Adults @ Bickington Community Centre Theatre Multi Storey: Beauty & The Early Purple Orchid and Twayblade (a and care23rd homes, needs appearances:11am, 12pm, 2pm special and Bubble shows* with Shaun the Sheep Recorder of Great Torrington in 1739– Rolle in a portrait bust. them, placing it inside a feeding station Youth Cribbage Beast 2pm @ The PloughThanks green flowered orchid) in part which, schools a variety other venues Cluband for 11+ 5-7pmof@High 1779, due to his family's long-standing to Batoni and pairs Lord competition @ Torrington Film 'Cloud Atlas' (15) 7pm @ The Arms 8pm Bickington Community Centre importance as the major local landowner. Rolle, we can enjoy the Town Hall for Film 'Cloud Atlas' (15) 7pm @ The Plough note early start for long film Badminton Club 7pm Juniors 8pm During Rolle’s Grand Tour of 1753, generations to come.Plough We arenote stillearly a start for long film Adults @ High Bickington Community he had his portrait paintedCRIER

by Pompeo charity andfor not owned or subsidised by COPY DEADLINE Centre Girolamo Batoni in Rome,Professional who was once the council.

We continue toSpecialist raise money Wednesday 17th Builder, Carpenter & Damp ‘MAY 2013’ by 12noon dubbed the Last Old Master and was for the upkeep of the St Town Hall and are Said Mass 8.30am Michael's Church Wednesday 24th today please FrSt  Damp Surveys Remedial Works ee eJames seen by his contemporaries as one of & the always grateful wheninshe is for Chapel stimused St Michael's Church Said Mass 8.30am at es & friendly ad Short Tennis  Woodworm & Rot Treatments vice HNC @ High Bickington greatest artists of his age.

That portrait celebrations and events. in St James Chapel , NVQ and Friday InstituteCentre 4.30-5.30pmProviding for 5+ quality but  Kitchen & future Bathroom Design Fittinginformation was to end up being pivotal to the12th For &more get of in WCommunity Short Tennis @ Highaffordable Bickington oodplease P re se rving & Legion 3rd Weds of every St Michael's Church Said Mass 8.30am Royal British Dam639 Community Centre 4.30-5.30pm for 5+ success of the Town Hall. Property Maintenancetouch with us on 07944 or p -Proo739 fi n accountancy and taxation services. g in St James Chapel month @ GT Conservative Club qualifi7pm Film 'Fire in the Blood' (PG) 8pm @ The  Extensions ed The Batoni was donated, with several admin@greattorrington-townhall.org.

Theatre Scottish Falsetto Puppet Film 'No' 8pm @ The Plough Plough  Landscaping Decking other Rolle family portraits, to the Theatre 7pm‘Great @&The Plough Atherington Acorns, fun, friendly group www.pgdaccountants.com Torrington Alms-houses, Town Gig Lands Gallery 'Judith Christie & Diane for parents & children aged 0-5 25th Hickford 623376 Calvert Contact 8.15pmColin @ The Plough C.S.R.T—Tel 01805 Tel: 01271 Thursday 268082 Mob: 07810 448 618 9.30am-11am @ Atherington Pavilion St Michael's Church Said Mass Mob: 07976 936 465 Email: hickford208@aol.com

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face painting on Thursday 22nd August at 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm! *£3 per child, book in advance online. www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/rosemoor/ whats-on/summer-holidays RHS Garden Rosemoor Flower Show, 16th-18th August Join us for the ultimate summer’s day out! Buy and browse quality plants from specialist nurseries offering a huge choice of grasses, flowers, shrubs and houseplants and speak to knowledgeable growers and RHS experts to get the best advice.

Celebrated floral designers Jonathan Moseley and Alison Penno will delight on stage with flower arranging demonstrations, whilst nurseries will share their specialist knowledge in a series of talks. Devon and Cornwall Floral Art’s Floral Competition returns with classes for all skill levels – everyone is encouraged to enter, forms can be requested online or collected from the garden in advance.

A full programme of music and family entertainment is also scheduled and the children can have baa-rilliant fun following the Great Garden Adventure with Shaun the Sheep!

Beat the crowds and park with ease by buying Early Bird tickets in advance online or opt for the free shuttle bus service running between Great Torrington and the Garden on the day. www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/rosemoor/rhsgarden-rosemoor-flower-show

Hickfords Property Services

every Wednesday term time.

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Great Torrington Commons

n July 6th the Cavaliers had their Fun Day on the Old Bowling Green, we joined them with our Water, Wine or maybe Cider lucky dip stall and we were also selling a range of books that had been donated to us from all over Torrington and the surrounding villages.

We had a great day, raising £350 to be used to help maintain your Commons.

At the time of writing this, we are looking forward to doing the same thing at the K9 Dog Show on July 20th on the OBG. Our next event will then be at Tarka Valley Railway (Puffing Billy) on August 3rd and 4th.

Our car boot sales are continuing, and we have been getting lots of stalls each Sunday, they run until the last Sunday in September. Sellers can arrive from 7am and the cost is cars £7 and vans £12, this is the same price as the last three years. Buyers can come along from 8am.

The hot food van will be there of course, and Hockings Ice Cream will arrive about 11am. We will have our own stall selling books, records, maps, CDs, and hundreds of children’s books. Our DVD section has grown massively recently and we have organised them on shelves inside the car boot cabin. Since we have done that we have been selling them in bulk, with lots of new regular customers.

We have also been selling bags full of vinyl records.

The latest news is that we can accept card payments, although we still prefer cash.

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Friendly professional lawn mowing and general garden maintenance.

Cutting, pruning, planting and weeding.

Call or message Matt on: 07808 056 473 or email mferry8@yahoo.co.uk

The Dartington Crystal shop has now raised £4,300. You can drop off items in the shop or you can contact me, Andrew Giles 07956 366 390, to either deliver to my home or I can collect them from you.

Felicity at Collectability continues to sell a selection of local interest books for us. So please go along to her shop in Well Street and have a look. She managed to raise an exceptional amount of £126 for us so far. I will be delivering more to her as I get them.

Webbers Estate agents have been selling teddy bears for us this year. So far they have sold 30 bears at £5 each raising £150 to add to our funds. Tarka Valley Railway also sell our teddies and they have sold another 35. These bears are brand new with tags and they were donated to us and we have about 700 of them in stock. They are ideal as presents for all occasions, so please think about buying one or two.

The Torrington Commons 365 Supporters group continues to grow, with more members signing up each week.

We are into our 5th year since the project started, and we raise around £4,000 per year.

Please, consider applying to be a Commons 365 Supporter if you can, the

Garden waste removal service also available.

funds will be used to continue our goal of maintaining, improving, and protecting the Commons.

As a Commons supporter you are also able to be a Town supporter by using your membership card to get a discount or other benefit when you shop at the participating businesses.

The 365 Supporters just pay a £2 per month, or a £24 annual donation, which can be increased with Gift Aid by 25% if you are a taxpayer. You can let us know at the application stage if this applies to you.

Joining the 365 Supporters group is simple: Option 1: Cut out or photocopy the application form in the Crier and post it to the address on the form. You can pay by standing order or by sending a cheque for £24.

Option 2: visit the website www. torringtoncommons.org and navigate to the 365 Supporters page where you can apply online. Here you have the option of paying by PayPal or standing order annually or monthly. You can also print an application form to post in with a cheque.

Option 3: You can email me at vicechair@torringtoncommons.org or phone or text 07956 366 390 and I will get an application form to you.

You can also collect an application form from the Post Office. Some of the shops in town also have them.

Andrew Giles, Torrington Commons Conservators Chair

Current 365 Supporters Shops AHJ Builders 07977 668164 Attic Gems Antiques Fore Street Bokhara South Street Boom Tingz Burgerz Potacre Street Candles and Pearls in South Street Collectability Well Street Computer Works 07714 717055 Cornmarket Antiques Pannier Market Crafty Needles In the Pannier Market Dafforn and Sons New Street Dartington Crystal Duane’s Carvings & Gallery Pannier Market Fine Floral Design in South Street Fork ‘n’ Feast at 1646 Castle Hill Hair We Are in South Street Hogwash Soap Castle Street and online Ian Coote Architecture 07883 067899 Instant Images embroidery South Street Java Gifts Cornmarket Street Jayne Poole Photography Cornmarket St Kitch ‘N’ Cupboard in the Pannier Market Lillian Rose Interiors Well Street Little Leaf Pregnancy 07714 717055 No. 5 Hair and Beauty in South Street Not Just Travel Gillian Farr on Facebook Proseprints online and craft fairs R&S Ware Butchers in South Street Samantha Hardwick Lifestyle Coach Squires Electrical in the High Street Steve Gladwin Family Butchers Fore St Tanya’s Beauty Studio Fore Street The Cabin in South Street The Puffing Billy The Whole Jar in the Pannier Market Torrington Framing Torrington Golf Club Torrington Museum Bookshop High St Torrington Refill Shop in South Street Torr Vapes in South Street Toy Swap in the Pannier Market Whiskers Pet Centre South Street Xanadu (In-store discount only) South Street

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Slimming World Groups at Torrington’s Castle Community Centre Wednesday 9am & 10.30am

Debbie Summers 07796 945 039

New Recipe Box Service from Slimming World!

BDS Access

Torrington Slimming World Consultant says innovative new recipe box service will make healthy eating easier limming World is introducing a brand-new service – home delivery of delicious, healthy recipe boxes .The innovative recipe kits, the first to be developed by a major weight loss company, fit seamlessly into Slimming World’s healthy eating plan.

Developed by experienced chefs and nutritionists, they feature 15 different dishes to choose from each week, including family favourites, vegetarian and vegan options and more adventurous dishes from around the world. pulses, fat free dairy, eggs, veggies and Debbie says eating healthily is now fruit. Every Slimming World Kitchen easier than ever thanks to new recipe recipe is made from 100 per cent Free box service - Slimming World Kitchen.

Food ingredients – it’s the only recipe The kits contain everything you need to box service with a Free Food guarantee! create delicious fuss-free meals, direct If you would love to lose weight and to your doorstep. find out more, join Debbie and her “Life is busier than ever, Slimming members in Torrington to help make World does the shopping, gives you slimming a little easier. Everyone is just the right amount of ingredients and welcome at Castle Hill Community delivers it to you. So, all you have to do centre every Wednesday 9am and is cook and enjoy! This is a real game 10.30am. changer! I love that Slimming World is Bring this advert along for free always looking to provide new ways of membership. (Torrington Group until supporting members to achieve their 31.8.24). weight loss goals.”

Central to Slimming World’s plan is Please help our local businesses and Free Food – nutritious, healthy foods 'Think Local' whenever possible. that are low in energy density, meaning Think Local editorial is free for they’re low in calories yet filling and advertisers! Please contact Esther satisfying. These foods include lean Williams on 07912 693 858 for more meat, poultry, fish and seafood, plantinformation. based proteins, pasta, rice, noodles,

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ello, my name is Ben Sawyer and I am the owner of BDS Access. I grew up in the Black Horse, as my grandad Dave owned it for 22 years! I am an avid dog walker over the Commons and love playing rugby for Torrington!

You may have seen some of my scaffolding around, my proudest one yet is the Waterloo Monument, paired with some blood, sweat and tears. It’s been a dream come true to start up my own business in my own town and I am able to offer fantastic local rates. I have been scaffolding for 12 years and hold an Advanced Scaffold Card; I truly pride myself in my workmanship.

Scaffolders have got themselves a bad name up and down the country and here at BDS Access, we go against the fold.

We are polite, considerate and always on time!

Please don’t hesitate to get in contact for a free no obligation quote or advice, advert at the top of this page.

Ben, BDS Access

Essence of Hartland

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stablished in 2019, Essence of Hartland is a home fragrance What do the new Flexible Working Regulations business inspired by the natural beauty of the landscape, fauna and mean for Business Owners? he new Flexible Working (Amendment) Regulations introduced in April 2024 flora of the Hartland Peninsula. It was always a passion to create products that have given employees a greater say in when, where and how they work. are unique and had limited impacts on Employees can now have a day one right to make a flexible working the environment; therefore we wanted request. to source ingredients and materials So, what does this mean for business owners? from suppliers in the Southwest where Tracy Madgwick, an HR expert and owner of Crafnant HR, says "A great place possible. to start is to embrace a shift in workplace dynamics and the change in attitudes All of our products are created from towards flexible working. Managed well, flexible working can bring significant original recipes, using high quality advantages to your business and your employees. Research has shown that essential oils which are sourced from individuals who work flexibly are often highly committed, experience increased job a supplier in Somerset. Our products satisfaction and are happier, healthier and less stressed. By finding a balance that include pillow sprays, diffusers, candles, works for everyone, employers can unlock greater performance, enjoy increased productivity and see a drop in absence levels. Additionally, they can greatly enhance wardrobe fresheners, drawer liners, incense cones, and more. All of our their talent management strategy and attract a more diverse pool of candidates.” packaging is printed by local printers; She continued, “However, we understand the importance of finding a harmonious Jamaica Press, and we actively balance so flexible working also works well on your terms. It is crucial that any collaborate with other local makers agreed flexible working arrangements do not disrupt client services or your endand businesses such as The Calf users and that strategies are well planned to help maintain excellent levels of client Street Pottery in Hartland, who create satisfaction. Businesses should focus on building a culture of trust, autonomy and our ceramics such as soap dishes, support, where emphasis is placed on employees’ output and results, rather than solely on hours worked or their physical location. Adopting this approach can foster a Dartington Crystal who supply crystal votives for our large candles, and vases healthy balance between productivity and wellbeing.” for our coronation blend, and we also Tracy also emphasises, “Flexible working is nothing new, but it is also no longer work with local artists such as Lydia Jane a nice-to-have. Instead, it's a must-have for organisations aiming to attract and Duncan from Candyland Studios. We are retain top talent. Implementing a well-structured, flexible working policy can lead also proud members of Made in Britain. to increased employee engagement, higher retention rates and a more diverse This year we are celebrating 5 years and inclusive workplace. Ultimately, this could be a win-win situation for you as a and are offering an exclusive discount business and your employees. My team and I are ready to work with you to build code for your next purchase. a flexible working culture that brings significant benefits to both you and your Discount Code: crier15 employees - and some remarkable outcomes.”

Visit: www.essenceofhartland.com Business owners can arrange a free 15-minute consultation by ringing 07899 665 Facebook: essenceofhartland 506. Crafnant HR was formed in 2011 and outsources a full range of HR services to Instagram: essence_of_hartland local businesses, as well as a number of learning and development courses.

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1st Torrington Scouts

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he Beavers have had a jampacked term, including den building, which was great fun! The following week they went to the beach and built some amazing sandcastles, which brought out everyone’s creativity. The Beavers then ventured to Appledore to go crabbing, which was VERY successful, and they collected bucketloads of crabs.

Cubs went to district camp in the last weekend of June and thankfully they were lucky with the weather. They had enriching experiences, including ocialising, problem solving, empathising, responsibilities, independence, healthy risk taking and being outdoors with nature. Most of all, they had fun.

Some of the activities were fire lighting and toasting marshmallows for s’mores, songs and jokes around the campfire and a gigantic water slide with bubbles galore! As well as rock wall climbing, water Orbeez gun target competition, tomahawk and angel axe throwing, archery, arts and crafts, den building, making bird feeders and so much more.

The Scouts went to the North Devon District camp at Snapper, this was sci-fi themed and they had to rescue Zeno the alien by completing activities to gain codes, through activities including climbing, VR headsets, archery, problem solving and so much more. In the following week they enjoyed a beach trip that ended up with most of them being soaked from being in the sea. The Scouts then had a joint meeting with the Cubs and did orienteering at Snapper, they were great teachers and the Cubs had lots of fun. Then the Scouts went crabbing and they were just as successful in collecting bucketloads of crabs and thoroughly enjoyed releasing them all on the slipway at the end of the meeting.

The group needs your support, for more information please contact our group scout leader Jordon on jordon.whitear@gmail.com.

Beaford Village Hall Market & Café

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eaford Village Hall Market & Café is held on the second Saturday of the month 10am-1pm. Grab yourself a coffee and a bacon roll, and see what the market has to offer. The stalls vary, but we regularly have: The Body Shop, Usborne Books, Linda's handmade cards, Beaford Ladies Group, local honey, Spencer's Glass, Sam's Household and Stuff and others. Free car park!

Follow Beaford Village Hall on Facebook, and follow us to keep up with all of our events!

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Local Baby & Toddler Groups

Buckland Brewer 'Time Together' Toddler and Baby Group Mondays during term time at Buckland Brewer Methodist Church from 9.30am to 12noon. £1.50 per family. Dave Watson 07484 223 515 Coldridge Village Hall, 9.45-11.45am every Friday (except 1st Friday of the month) £2 per family.

High Bickington playgroup runs on Mondays 9.30-11am at High Bickington Community Centre. Cost: £2 families, £1 for singletons under 6 months.

Petrockstowe Community Church Tea and Tots coffee morning, for mums, dads, grandparents, carers, babies and toddlers together for a drink and a chat. Every Monday 9.15-11am in the school room of the Chapel. Kate Cutter entertains with songs and stories.

St Giles in the Wood ‘Cubs in the Wood’ playgroup for 0-4 year olds on Thursdays 9.30-11am at the Parish Hall £2.50.

Torrington Babies and Toddler Group at the Baptist Church, Thursday mornings term time, 9.30-11.30am. £2 per family, includes a cuppa for parents/ carers, healthy snack for the children.

Castle Community Centre Tuesdays Busy Bees – 9.30-10.15am (babies 6mths-15mths) Caterpillar Club 10.4511.30am (babies 6wks-6mths) Torrington Children’s Centre, ‘Noah’s Ark’ Fridays 9.15-10.45am, run by Grosvenor Church Tim Gilbert 07798 670 754.

From Your County Councillor…

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riting this article for the ‘summer’ double edition, I am hoping that by the time you read it, readers might finally have seen some signs of summer! The weather gods this year do not appear to have been kind to us over June and July, so I am hoping come August and September we will see some nice warm and dry weather conditions (but not too hot!).

Strange as it may sound, I have come to appreciate more since I became a County Councillor in 2017, just how much of an impact the weather can make on day-to-day Council activities, especially the maintenance of the highway network. Make no mistake, a summer of wet and cold weather is not good for the highway network as it slows down and disrupts the planned repair works. Resurfacing and patching is disrupted and delayed, and other treatments like surface dressing and dragon patching are very much weather dependent, as they need good weather conditions for the treatment not to fail.

An example of poor weather causing a treatment to fail regrettably happened earlier this year with the B3227 in Langtree, when the drop in temperature and damp conditions immediately after the road was surface dressed caused sections of the treatment to fail. The plan is to correct this with remedial works in July and August (weather permitting!) and I should stress these will be done at the surface dressing contractor’s expense and not the taxpayer’s.

Still, despite the rather unexpectedly challenging weather conditions, I am still hoping we will see a lot of large-scale patching repairs undertaken this summer.

Working with my Neighbourhood

Highways Officer we have identified sites throughout Great Torrington and the rural communities where we can undertake resurfacing style ‘serviceability patching’ repairs. This kind of repair is particularly designed for damaged sections of carriageway, which may not be a classic pothole or ‘safety defect’, but nevertheless needs repairing.

The Dragon Patcher has also been out and about with, at the time of writing, ongoing work in Little Torrington and roads in Buckland Filleigh, Frithelstock and St Giles in the Wood have been treated.

Away from Highways, as I reported in my last article, we await word from our new Government as to what view they will take on Devon’s Devolution Deal.

Despite the change in Government, both main parties were committed to this agenda so I would still expect our deal in principle to be approved by Parliament.

But, as ever, with new ministers whether they will want to make any tweaks or changes remain to be seen.

I sincerely hope as well that we do not see a retreat away from the ‘levelling up’ agenda. Although as ever with these initiatives, things do not change overnight and many projects take a long time to come to fruition. The increased attention of Central Government on Devon and, in particular, this part of the County had been beneficial: from awarding the funding of the new Appledore Maritime Centre to the reopening of the Okehampton Railway Line. Locally here in Great Torrington, the County, District and Town Councils have been working together to set up a local Regeneration Board to help facilitate local social and economic regeneration projects. Work is ongoing and I hope to report in more detail on the work of the Regeneration Board in future months. But I would hope in the coming months and years, we will see progress on sites like the old creamery/dairy and the Globe Hotel.

Nonetheless, now that the election is over I am expecting it will be a busy

period over the summer holidays. There are a number of projects I have been working on, and will be working on, over the summer from public transport and railways, to Family Hubs and economic regeneration projects. However, as many of these are still either ongoing or ‘work in progress’ I don’t want to write in too much detail this month when more information should be available following the summer holidays.

I hope that all readers of the Crier are able to enjoy the rest of this summer, and here is hoping that August and September are better months, weather wise! As ever, if there are any DCC issues you’d like to raise you can contact me on Facebook on facebook.com/ cllrsaywell, ring 07886 446560 or email andrew.saywell@devon.gov.uk.

One Great Torrington Town Website

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he town website has been live now for a few years and contains a wealth of information about the town's history, heritage, tourist attractions, accommodation, things to do, exploring the area with maps, walks and trails. We are regularly adding information so have a look and see what is new!

Are you a new shop owner, trader, club, society, etc., in or around town?

If yes, welcome! Are you aware you can get FREE advertising on the town website? Do you have a listing already, have you checked it recently or perhaps have updates or new photos to upload?

Have a look at www.

OneGreatTorrington.uk to log in to your account and to find your listing, you can do it online, anywhere at any time.

If you are having problems please contact us via email gt.futuregroup@ gmail.com or via our Facebook page www.facebook.com/ OneGreatTorrington.

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Where Does the River Torridge Rise?

Part Two rom Beaford Bridge the River Torridge performs a series of large bends through wooded countryside, with little habitation and no public access, until it reaches New Bridge at Orford Mill at the junction on the A386 where the B3124 turns off towards Exeter. Before arriving there it has run over a weir alongside Darkham Wood, which marks the place where the Rolle canal ended its journey from the estuary at Bideford after passing the old lime kilns at Rosemoor. New Bridge is a majestic structure, built very high above the water because of the provision of a dry arch to take the canal (in use 18271871) which was on a higher level than the river. The river then flows along the base of Castle Hill, on which stands the town that has taken its name, with flat water meadows on the opposite bank.

There used to be a bathing spot here, with a concrete platform and a changing shed built in the 1920s.

The next bridge to cross the river is the one at Taddiport, probably built in the thirteenth century and originally known as Town Bridge. The river then flows under the old railway bridge (now part of the Tarka Trail) before passing under Rolle Bridge, opened in 1928, which carries the main road from Torrington to Bideford. Just beyond this bridge is the old Rothern Bridge which, along with the one at Taddiport, was one of the town’s original bridges and dates from at least the fourteenth century.

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Fabulous Freddie checking in with all the July rescue news!

Well, July hasn’t been the scorching month that we were perhaps all hoping for, but it has been an extremely busy month at the rescue. At the time of writing this, I am just hoping that the weather will be kind to us and that next time we will be able to report that our two planned July shows were able to take place and weren’t spoilt by the weather! We have no shows planned for August, but no rest as we will be at the Bideford Pride Show on 18th August where you can come and meet some of the team.

22nd September sees us back in full swing with our annual show at the Affinity Centre, Bideford, which is always busy - with lots of craft stalls, refreshments and activities for all the family. Quickly following on from this we have once again teamed up with the Bideford Bike Show for our ‘Bikers & Paws’ 2024 Fun Dog Show at the Bideford Pannier market – not one to miss! As always we have to give a big THANK YOU to our volunteers who work tirelessly throughout the year, but particularly during the summer, to put on these events in order to raise funds to help so many dogs in need. The demand for help is ever increasing as are costs!

Last month saw the announcement that one of our iconic rescue charities would be closing – namely North Devon Animal Ambulance. Our thanks go to all their Trustees, who have worked so hard over many years. We believe

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this is going to have a big impact on the community, both in terms of wildlife and domestic animals, as there will no longer be any facilities for subsidised veterinary care - which may mean more people feeling they have to surrender their pets due to the ever-increasing cost of veterinary treatments. As a rescue we have always tried to help people who are struggling to keep their dogs (and the odd cat, horse and chickens!) due to finances and we will continue to do so, however as a smaller charity we feel this is going to be a big challenge, as we simply do not have the financial reserves of some of the larger organisations.

We are, however, looking at ways in which we can perhaps raise more funds through grants, donations and sponsorship, in order to be able to help more people – so watch this space.

As demand for space grows, we are once again appealing for people to put themselves forward as fosterers. It may be that you would love a dog but want to travel and feel a permanent member of the family is too much of a tie – so fostering could be the perfect answer!

The charity will fund all veterinary fees, together with food, and all we ask of you is that for the time the dogs are with you that you give them the love, care and stimulation they deserve. If you feel this might be a role for you then please email lynne@k9focus.co.uk and Aunty Lynne will be happy to discuss the ins and outs of fostering with you.

This month I am happy to report that three dogs have been adopted, which includes the

lovely Scout who was a stray who came to us with an injured foot which had to be x-rayed. Although he may require ongoing treatment for his foot, he was still a bundle of energy – certainly at my advanced years I couldn’t keep up with him! Gigi the lurcher and Buster the French bulldog also found their new family. July saw us take in two Jugs (Jack Russell Terrier x Pugs) who are looking for their forever home following the ill health of their current owner – don’t think they will be around long though!

Phew, it has definitely been a busy few weeks! Let’s hope summer starts in August and everyone has a good couple of months! If you are missing me you can always follow my page www. facebook.com/groups/freddiesfrolicks/ where you can not only follow my antics, but also see what is happening in the rescue.

So until October, woofs & licks!

Freddie

Torrington Senior Citizens Group

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n March we held our AGM for 2024.

We have kept our prices the same: £6 membership; £10 member trips; £15 for guests.

Our programme of events is as follows: Tuesday 17th September - Dartmouth Tuesday 12th November - Truro Christmas lunch Saturday 30th November at Langtree Village Hall.

Our pamphlet for the year has been widely distributed. We are always keen to welcome new members to our group.

Further info from Beryl 07870 812 744; John 07986 586 799 or Jax 07932 023 606.

The river continues on to Weare Giffard, looping through woodland and meadows and crossed three times by the Tarka Trail. Weare Giffard marks the tidal limit of the River Torridge and, being low-lying, has suffered flooding on many occasions. Chopes Bridge is at one end of the village and the river flows along past the Tudor Weare Giffard Hall to Halfpenny Bridge at the other end (see photo). This bridge was built in 1835 and, until at least the end of the nineteenth century, a ha’penny toll was charged to cross. A tiny toll house of stone with a slate roof stood adjoining the north-eastern approach wall but was demolished in the 1950s.

An iron railway bridge, now part of the Tarka Trail, crosses the river at Landcross and affords a good view of the Hallsannery lime kiln which stands on the river bank.

Bideford Long Bridge dates from the latter part of the fifteenth century and has been widened many times, and in a variety of ways, to cope with the

demands of modern traffic. Before the building of the present stone bridge, there were at least three different wooden structures which were in use from the late thirteenth century. Before that, the river had to be crossed by a ford. (Bideford = by the ford). There are numerous theories about why the arches of the bridge are of different sizes.

Further downstream is the Torridge Bridge, a soaring curve high up above the river which was opened in 1987 to relieve the pressure of traffic on the Long Bridge and in the narrow streets of the town. (The first suicide from this bridge was in 1988.) Beyond the villages of Appledore and Instow, the Torridge meets the Taw in an estuary and they flow together out into Bideford (or Barnstaple) Bay. Moira Brewer

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Citizens Advice...

Housing – the fourth most common problem people come to us with et’s take a look at the rental market for a moment. Are you looking to rent somewhere on your own or share with other people? Having decided that, do you want to rent directly from a landlord or via a letting agent?

Renting directly from a landlord may mean fewer fees, fewer references and maybe no need to undergo a credit check. However, if you go through an agent they can liaise on your behalf with the landlord over things like repairs.

Rental properties in today’s market are not always easy to find. You can look online, look in local papers, visit local estate agents and ask family and friends to help. Don’t ever, however, pay any money to anyone before you have seen the property and ideally, take someone with you when you go to view.

Don’t rent from an existing tenant as you run the risk of subletting if the existing tenant doesn’t have the right to rent to you, but they may be the person showing you around the property.

You need to be very clear about how much the rent is, when and how it is to be paid (e.g. four weekly or calendar monthly), which bills, if any are included in the rent, how much the bills that aren’t included amount to, how long the tenancy agreement is, whether there are options to renew and whether there is a break clause in the event you wish to terminate the agreement early.

Sometimes a landlord will request a holding deposit whilst they carry out pretenancy checks. This shouldn’t be more than a week’s rent and should be returned to you at the start of the tenancy. You need to also be clear about the documents you need to produce when agreeing to rent the property, including evidence of your Right to Rent.

Tenancy deposits are commonplace, but you need to know how it will be protected. Are any items of furniture or appliances included in the tenancy and can you have pets? If you can see obvious problems, these need to be fixed before you move in.

Beware if a landlord refuses to rent to you because of race, religion or sexual orientation. A ‘no kids policy’ or refusing to rent to you because you receive benefits may class as discrimination. You don’t need to disclose receipt of benefits to a landlord unless they specifically ask. Some may then require a guarantor, particularly if you have no renting history or if they feel you may have trouble paying the rent.

We at CA TNMWD are here to help with any questions you may have about associated or other problems. Like to join us helping people in our community?

We are always happy to welcome new volunteers. Training and ongoing support is provided. Take the first step and email recruitment@citizensadvicetnmwd.org.uk we look forward to hearing from you!

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Hope!

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s I write, Team England is still in the Euro Cup having beaten Switzerland in the quarter final and Emma Raducanu, our last British hope, has reached the 4th round of Wimbledon. Thousands of sports fans have flocked to Germany and SW19 in support and millions more watch on TV. We live in the hope of victory as the nation’s hopes rest on the shoulders of the sporting prowess of a handful of people. I wonder what the outcomes will be, by the time you read this?

‘Hope’ is commonly used to mean a wish; its strength is the strength of the person’s desire. But in the Bible, the God-Kind-of-Hope is different. In the Bible, the Greek word for hope translates as a joyful, confident expectation of good. When we believe in the good news of Jesus Christ, we receive this kind of hope in our hearts.

Last night, we saw how Switzerland’s hope for victory was dashed by one kick of a ball. When we trust in the things of this world, there are no guarantees, but the hope that comes from God’s promises will never fail. A verse from the Bible (Isaiah); “…But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.”

If you would like to explore anything about the Christian faith why not give Kath or Karen a call for a friendly chat on either 07702 589 799 or 07890 132 081.

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GREAT TORRINGTON TOWN COUNCIL NEWS Your Council, Working for YOU

From Your Mayor…

W

ell, it's been quite a month one way or another. By the time this goes to press we'll know the result of our General Election, and how well we've done in football's European Championship!

As for myself, I've attended a few events which I believe deserve mention. On Tuesday June 18th, Councillor Sue Mills and I visited the North Devon Records Office in Barnstaple.

It was fascinating to view documents which were literally hundreds of years old, (particularly those relating to Great Torrington) and comparing life then and now.

The following evening my Deputy Mayor, Cllr Dave Parish, and myself chaired the latest Torrington Together meeting. My thanks go to all those who took part in briefly describing the aims, and workings of their organisations. It was good to hear about the wide variety of help and support available within our

community, and how we, in turn could give support and become involved. A huge thank you to all who spoke.

The following morning, I attended ‘Yoga in Nature’ which was run by one of our local ladies, Helen Amey.

Despite initially being a little apprehensive, I found the experience really enjoyable.

The gentle stretches and relaxation exercises were truly excellent. Living at a time when stress in all forms is becoming the norm, it was good to have an opportunity to relax and exercise, out in the fresh air.

So why not give it a try? The current sessions are being funded by the Town Council and are free!

On Wednesday July 3rd the judging for Britain in Bloom’s ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ competition took place, and I was delighted to be invited by Torrington in Bloom to join them in meeting the judge, as part of the tour of the town which took in some of our beautiful gardens and displays. Again, many thanks to all those who volunteer in helping to keep our town looking so lovely. And, for those of you who

have yet to discover the Secret Garden behind the library/council offices, you are missing out on a gem!

On a more serious note, our previous Mayor, Councillor Doug Smith, and myself will, in the near future, be attending a Service of Thanksgiving for the late Lord Clinton, at Exeter Cathedral. It is of course, with great sadness that we will acknowledge his passing, and reflect on all he did for our town and county.

To finish on a couple of highs... At the time of going to print, my consort and I are really looking forward to attending the Abbeyfield House Summer Fete which will be taking place on Saturday 20th July, and hopefully meeting some of you. As for August, I like many of you cannot wait to see the exhibition of artefacts from the Dig the Castle project, which will be on display in the Town Hall on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th August. Also a huge congratulations and good luck to the Dig the Castle team who have now been nominated for a national award as a result of this tremendous project!

Wishing you all the very best for an enjoyable summer, Phil Cloke

Grant Applications 2025/26

C

ould your organisation or voluntary group benefit from a grant from the Commons Allotment Charity or Great Torrington Town Council?

Great Torrington Town Council administers the Commons Allotment Charity, and each year a small amount of funds are allocated to locally based community groups. In addition, there are a small number of grants awarded from the council precept (money received by Great Torrington Town Council from Council Tax payments). To be eligible for either grant there are set criteria which are detailed on the application form.

Applications for these grants for the 2025/2026 financial year will open on August 1st 2024 and the application form can be downloaded on the Great Torrington Town Council website (www.great-torringtontowncouncil.gov.uk), collected from the Library or from the Council offices, which are upstairs in the Castle Hill Community Centre (above the library). The offices are open between 9am-1pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; for further information call Charlotte or Jennie on 01805 626135 during these times, or email admin@great-torringtontowncouncil.gov.uk.

Applications should be completed and received by us no later than 12 noon on Thursday 26th September 2024.

Jennie Smithson, Town Clerk

Remembrance Sunday Parade & Service

10th November 2024 n early reminder that this year Remembrance Sunday falls on the 10th November 2024. Great Torrington Town Council, supported by The Royal British Legion, will once again hold a Remembrance Ceremony at the War Memorial in the Cemetery, commencing at 10.50am.

Further details will be included in the October edition of the Crier.

This year we are hoping to trial recycling of the poppy wreaths – more information to follow on how this will work. In order to continue to raise funds for the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal, a donation will still be requested prior to collection of each organisation’s wreath.

We will be in touch with organisations who laid wreaths in 2023 in the coming weeks. If you haven’t previously laid a wreath and you would like to this year, please get in touch on 01805 626135.

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A Familiar Face re-joins Great Torrington Town Council

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t the June Full Council meeting we welcomed back Councillor John Insull to the Town Council. John was co-opted following a brief interview, and fellow members are extremely pleased that he has decided to return. Cllr Insull is looking forward to getting involved in local issues once again.

‘It was as if I had never been away when I attended the June Great Torrington Town Council meeting and was accepted as a Co-opted Town Councillor after an absence of three years.

I had been encouraged to return to this role and recently worked closely with Torrington 100, reconnecting with several friends and colleagues from my previous tenure. I look forward to supporting our Great Torrington Community. I hope to help develop initiatives that I had previously worked on together with leading on new ideas.

I hope this will enhance the health and well-being of our residents and maintain the biodiversity of our immediate rural environment.’

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Great Torrington Criminal Damage

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nfortunately, over the weekend of June 29th/30th the bench in Trafalgar Drive play park was vandalised causing extensive damage, which has taken several hours to repair. Costs associated with this incident of criminal damage are covered by Great Torrington Town Council, however ultimately this money comes from Council Tax so is paid for by the Great Torrington community.

Vandalism of public property may seem like a victimless crime, but the cost of these pointless actions is paid for by the whole community. Many people become involved in spending time clearing up the mess, sourcing materials for replacement, reporting the incident, writing letters to source further information etc, etc.

Great Torrington Town Council will investigate a longer-term plan for replacing the bench with an alternative to wood, which may deter vandals however this will be expensive, so it won’t be a decision that is rushed.

Meanwhile, if you have any information or doorbell footage which may help identify those individuals who made the choice to vandalise the bench in Trafalgar Drive, do get in touch or report direct to the police Crime ref. DP-9518-24-5050-01.

There have also been multiple incidents of criminal damage in the form of graffiti on our bus shelters (and various other locations), the cost of cleaning this is also covered by the Great Torrington Town Council element of your Council Tax bill. If you have any information regarding the perpetrators of the recent graffiti, please do get in touch on 01805 626135 or report to the school. There are three separate crime numbers for these crimes, and we will advise which number is applicable.

If you have experienced other issues of anti-social behaviour in and around the town, please do report them to the relevant authority. (See separate article.)

Reporting Antisocial Behaviour

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number of residents have reported to the council that they have witnessed incidents of antisocial behaviour in the town centre recently. If you experience any issues you are concerned about, we have been advised by the police and Torridge District Council that you should use the following reporting tools: Crime: Non-emergency crime: E.g. assault, anti-social behaviour, damage, harassment, or theft can be reported: * By calling 101 * Online via the online crime reporting form or by emailing 101 at: www.devoncornwall.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ Crime can also be reported anonymously to CrimeStoppers: * By calling: 0800 555 111 * Online at: crimestoppers-uk.org/ In an emergency, always dial 999 Licensing: Concerns with licensing issues can be reported directly to Torridge District Council: * By calling 01237 428700 and asking to be put through to the licensing officer * By email: licensing@torridge.gov.uk * Online at: https://www.torridge.gov.uk/licensing-complaints

Torrington Silver Band

On Saturday 31st August Torrington Silver Band will be playing a Last Night of the Proms concert at Beaford Village Hall, 5:30pm. Doors will open at 5pm and entry is free. There will also be a Bar, BBQ, Pimms tent and refreshments. We’re hopeful the sun will be shining and we’ll be able to play outside, but if it’s raining the concert will take place inside the village hall. Visit our Facebook page nearer the time for more details.

Torrington Silver Band

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Rolle Canal Society News

FREE Woodland Adventure Sessions

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embers of Great Torrington Town Council are excited to be working with Richard Irvine Outdoor Learning, to provide some Woodland Adventure Sessions in Trafalgar Drive play area during this summer holiday.

The leaders will be Richard Irvine and Jen Howard. Both qualified and experienced Forest School leaders.

The sessions are aimed at 5-8-yearolds, with a maximum of 12 children in each session, they will be held on August 2nd 10am-1pm, and 1.304.30pm.

Both leaders are DBS checked, with Richard also being a qualified teacher.

The sessions will go ahead whatever the weather; apart from in high winds or if there is a strong risk of lightning (any Met Office warning). In the unlikely event of a Met Office warning the sessions will be cancelled as there are no alternative dates available.

The session will offer adventurous play, den building, small craft activity and cooking snacks on a fire. Content will vary depending on the interests of the children. Fire will be off ground in a fire bowl and will leave no trace. A risk assessment will be in place.

These sessions are expected to be popular, and spaces will fill up fast, the sessions are FREE OF CHARGE, and we ask that anybody who is lucky enough to be given a place does attend, or informs us that they cannot attend, as there will be a long waiting list of children who could benefit from this free opportunity, and it would be sad to see spaces wasted.

If you would like to book a place for your child, please call 01805 626135, email admin@greattorringtontowncouncil.gov.uk or message us on Facebook.

Progress Report lot has happened since the last full update on activity on restoration work on the Rolle Canal.

By the end of June we finally finished work on the Rosemoor site – both on the canal basin and the lime kiln – prior to handover to RHS Rosemoor who will take on responsibility for future management of the site.

In March we completed the capping of the east wall of the upper basin. In the absence of any old photos of the basin, there was some debate as to whether we should install capping or not, but the consensus was that this would provide good protection for the underlying masonry. From an aesthetic point of view it also mirrored the coping stones we had laid some time ago on the wharf wall of the lower basin and so created a consistent ‘look’ across the entire pound.

(When the earth bund currently dividing the upper and lower basins is removed and replaced by a bespoke bridge, this will effectively create a single basin which will give people a much clearer idea of how the canal terminus originally looked).

With the upper basin complete, the team was able to focus its efforts on the rebuild of the lime kiln. Whilst not strictly part of the canal, it was an integral part of the canal complex and for this reason the Society felt it was worth undertaking this extra restoration work. We had repaired a large section of the damaged wall by the end of last year, and were

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anxious to consolidate the buttress at the north west corner of the building.

Without this, the structural integrity of the repaired wall could be compromised and all our hard work undone. At this point, we realised that the north wall was also in poor condition and took the decision to repoint the worst areas. There is more work that could be done on the lime kiln, but we have to draw the line somewhere!

At least we know that the work we have done will secure the main structure for many years to come – a worthwhile achievement.

While our masons were working at Rosemoor during May and June, the rest of the team spent several weeks at Ridd, on the first stages of our restoration project on the inclined plane. This, inevitably, meant a lot of scrub-bashing in the first instance as the site had become badly overgrown, but by early May we had cleared most of the site and opened up the base of the incline which had not seen the light of day for many years. We have been very fortunate to receive financial support from the Inland Waterways Authority for this project. We will not be able to fully recreate the incline - this is impossible given the damage caused by the construction of the railway in 1872, when the canal closed, but we hope to make some sensitive enhancements which will give the public a better idea of how this fascinating piece of engineering operated.

We also need to spend some time at

Furzebeam which, given other pressures, has been neglected of late. Our work continues!

Tony Nicholls

Bideford & District Photographic Group

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ur summer programme is now well underway, and although the weather has not always been kind, there has been some spectacular light in the evenings, even when it has followed a day of very grey skies.

Now we are hoping for some fine weather for our future visits.

Some upcoming trips: 6th August Fremington Quay 13th August Georgeham 20th August members’ evening in the Blue Lights Hall at Appledore 27th August Westward Ho! Coming up in September we will be holding an exhibition, always an exciting event for members and visitors alike, watch out for further updates.

For full details including what3words meeting location, please see the website for the comprehensive programme. Why not come along, meet the members and have a relaxing camera exercising stroll.

For further information email Tim at sanderst99@gmail.com or enquiries@ bidefordcameraclub.co.uk, or visit bidefordcameraclub.co.uk.

Tim Sanders

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Torrington in Bloom

How we keep the town colourful

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or many years, members of Torrington in Bloom have been caring, planting and maintaining areas of Great Torrington, namely the town centre planters and Clock Tower, the flowerbeds in South Street car park, Rack Park, the planters by Gas Lane and the Hatchmoor roundabout (and the roundabout itself), the town entrance sign planters and the Secret Memorial Garden and, lastly, the flowerbed by S&G Carpets.

Originally, Torrington in Bloom was set up to enter the Britain in Bloom competition, in its various guises over many years. Our group was very successful, building up from bronze, to silver and to silver-gilt but it has proved extremely difficult to maintain an entire town with so few resources available.

However, we now enter the It’s Your Neighbourhood awards, which gives an opportunity for local community groups (with a gardening theme) entering what is not a competition but a series of steps from beginning right through to outstanding. We have worked hard to achieve ‘Outstanding’ in many of the projects we have entered over the years.

Secret Memorial Garden/Castle Hill Garden Some of our members are also members of the ‘Wednesday Gardening Group’ which has been working extremely hard to rejuvenate Castle Hill and the Secret Memorial Gardens.

Both these gardens form part of the Great Torrington Community

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Development Trust, who now fund many of the projects, including planting, within these spaces. Both these lovely gardens are free to enter and Castle Hill has a café and a community hall.

All the people who attend the group are volunteers and their dedication is remarkable; some are gradually doing more about the town as well. Anyone can join this group, and there is usually tea and cake for elevenses every Wednesday, all year round. Many of the plants growing in these gardens have been propagated and/or donated by group members and much is now done in-house. Members of Torrington in Bloom also donate plants from time to time. Excess plants are sold at very reasonable cost with all monies going towards projects.

Rack Park Several years ago, Torridge District Council gave Torrington in Bloom permission to carry out works within Rack Park, and the group gradually transformed the two flowerbeds at the top end by the through-route to Warren Lane.

These two beds have matured over this time and some renovation has recently been undertaken. The Town Council also took control of the major pruning and grass cutting. However, more recently the District Council has taken back responsibility for the grass cutting.

Torrington in Bloom

has always maintained close contact with RHS Garden Rosemoor, who have been very generous with both their time and donations/discounts on plants. More recently, Richard Wilson has begun bringing the new apprentices from Rosemoor to work a few days each year to give them some experience of working within the public domain. Their input has been very important in improving the overall ambience of the park itself, with new trees being planted, one or two ‘dodgy’ specimens removed and others maintenance-pruned (particularly the apple orchard). This little orchard was originally planted by the Green Party as a community orchard, and most of the trees are thriving, (despite occasionally being used as goal posts!). Again, many of the plants growing in Rack Park have been donated by other members of Torrington in Bloom over the years.

Nowadays, members of Torrington in Bloom and the Wednesday Gardening Group regularly undertake work here. One of their biggest projects last autumn/winter was planting about 1,300 Narcissi bulbs on the slopes by the bottom entrance gate, together with RHS Rosemoor apprentices.

New Road/S&G Flowerbed Originally completely renovated by Torrington in Bloom (with help from a local builder and a grant from a local County Councillor), this was then taken on by the Torrington Horticultural Society who maintained and added more plants and bulbs over time. Sadly, the Covid Pandemic saw the demise of this group and Torrington in Bloom was obliged

to start again, the bed having become infested with bindweed.

However, thorough digging over and the addition of a mulch meant we were able to replant, again with assistance from RHS Garden Rosemoor. The bed now looks colourful all year and continues to mature. The sight itself is very exposed so plants have to be chosen to suit the conditions. It is an important asset, since it is the first flowerbed to be seen by people approaching Torrington from the A386, New Road, so a bright, colourful cared-for area gives the impression that the town is also neat and tidy and worth a visit (which it is, of course).

The Clock Tower/ Town Planters For many years, this area has been cared for by Val Knight (previously with her late husband, Mike).

The plants are purchased locally, or donated/grown by other members of Torrington in Bloom and Val can frequently be seen with her little trolley about the town centre, dead-heading, watering and planting.

South Street Car Park The two large flowerbeds at the front of

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the car park were planted about 10 years ago, with shrubs and perennials that were low maintenance and sustainable.

This was one of the first projects where Torrington in Bloom worked alongside RHS Garden Rosemoor. The other, smaller beds have also been renovated by ourselves and we continue to maintain both. Again, these beds were planted for all year interest, so visitors and residents alike can enjoy the continuation of flowers, foliage and scent.

Windy Corner This area is an extremely difficult spot to maintain, the soil is poor but by planting drought and sun loving plants, we have managed to keep the roadside bed looking good. The bed to the rear was very overgrown and with the help of the Town Technicians, we dug it out, mulched it and now it is starting to mature. We also had the assistance of a group of children, who not only planted up more perennials but they also chose plants that were bee-friendly and all this on a very tight budget.

Torrington Town Council We now work very closely with our Town Council and especially so with

the Town Technicians, Colin and Andy, who have provided some ‘extra muscle power’ for us and they now help with watering the town centre planters and those at the town entrance. This saves us a considerable amount of leg work, driving around carrying cans of slopping water, and parking where we shouldn’t!

The Town Technicians also used to cut the grass in the churchyard and Rack Park, but this is currently undertaken by the District Council.

We also now are granted a ‘free’ green bin collection ticket from Torridge District Council which means we can dispose of nuisance weeds, although most of the garden refuse is composted in specially built bins in Castle Hill gardens.

Overall, therefore, Torrington in Bloom works extremely hard to keep these flowerbeds and planters looking good for everyone who comes into the town.

As stated, we are a group of purely volunteers, although a few of us do have horticultural experience, most of us just enjoy the camaraderie of the group, the ambience of working with nature and plants, engaging with members of the public and learning from each other. We are not a clique, we are open-minded and would welcome anyone who would like to be more involved. All you have to do is pop along to Castle Hill (the side entrance half-way down the left-hand side of the car park) on a Wednesday morning and have a chat with people there.

Committee of Torrington in Bloom

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Organic & Wholefood Buying Group News

J

une's Medicinal Foods Talk was enthusiastically received, with lots of feedback saying how interesting and useful the information and discussion was. Those attending loved the idea of being able to look after themselves and their families, using the medicinal properties of foods as a natural pharmacy in the kitchen. Tasters of the foods discussed were on hand, and members also brought a dish to share, so we had a jolly good lunch. It was decided that future socials would feature a Talking Point, where two members team up on a subject of interest to the group and lead a discussion. As I write, July's Talking Point will be the ‘Health Benefits of Microgreens’ with Cass Collins of Taw Valley Microgreens and I teaming up.

In July we will be joined by Willows Tearoom Pop-up Mini Cafe, selling drinks coffee and cakes, providing students with work experience in everything that's involved: from the preparation and making of drinks, coffee and cakes, to serving, selling and so on.

We always welcome new active members and anyone is very welcome to join us on the collection day social each month, to discover more about how joining OWBG could be of benefit to you and your family, who we are and what we do. If you're coming, it would be really helpful if you could email owbg@

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protonmail.com so we have an idea of numbers for shared food and tasters.

Wellbeing Tip Eating to reduce stress and anxiety It seems that stress and anxiety are burgeoning problems for us all today.

The causes are legion, but I thought it might be helpful if we took a look at how wise food and drink choices can really help. At the very least, becoming aware of how we sabotage our wellbeing with stress-fuelling foods and then firmly avoiding them, would be a very good first step to reclaiming calmness and balance.

Our blood needs to be slightly alkaline for good health, but stress turns us acidic quicker than you can say 'sugar'! If we consume highly acid forming foods such as sugar, refined flours and all those so-called foods containing them, that will throw our body chemistry right off balance, creating even more stress in the process. You get the picture, I'm sure. In a nutshell, processed foods have been found to negatively affect mood and mental health. Caffeine also increases stress hormones.

Specifically, stress relieving foods and drinks are those high in magnesium, such as dark sugar-free chocolate (use dried fruits for sweetness), bananas, and foods high in vitamin C such as citrus fruit, broccoli, matcha green tea, low caffeine black teas, chicory coffee, turmeric and ginger latte. Fermented foods such as sauerkraut and kimchi,

07773 973 498 garlic, the superfood powders maca and ashwahganha are both good pick me ups and simultaneously mood enhancing and stress relieving, adaptogenic in fact.

Then, of course, there are all the alkalizing foods that help to rebalance our ph. A balance of fresh organic vegetables and fruits, grains, pulses and nuts is best if you want to avoid excess acidity in the first place, but we all become out of balance occasionally. The fermented Japanese plum, umebsohi plum, is the king of alkalizing foods and can be regularly used in small pieces as a condiment alongside plain grains; it is also an important ingredient in several useful home remedies. At our medicinal foods talk in June, people were astounded to discover the umeboshi plum's many extraordinary qualities.

Curious to learn more? Come along to one of our monthly Talking Point discussions, you'd be most welcome.

The dates are on our website, link below.

Mary Upcoming grocery final order dates: 15th August, 12th September.

How do I join? Via our website What does membership cost? Free What if I need advice or have questions?

Ring 01805 623307/email mary@ marycrailwellbeing.co.uk OWBG Website: owbg.jimdofree.com Facebook: Organic & Wholefood Buying Group Email: owbg@protonmail.com www.marycrailwellbeing.co.uk

Fleur’s Gardening Forum

Houseplant Holidays here you are, suitcase packed, passports and currency checked and double-checked, taxi ordered and suddenly you remember – who is going to look after my houseplants? Well, here are a few tips, which will save you returning home to drooping branches and fallen leaves.

At this time of the year, most of your houseplants would actually enjoy a holiday of their own, outside in the garden, somewhere nice and sheltered, preferably in dappled shade. This is because your houseplants largely originated from subtropical regions, so the usually humid, warm conditions of our summers suit them rather well. Therefore, if you have a garden where there is a bit of dappled shade, move your houseplants outside earlier in the season so they acclimatise in time for your holiday. Stand them in trays so you save watering every day, and use rainwater wherever possible. You could also give them a good spray with a gentle hose setting to wash dust and possible pests (especially red spider mite which hate being sprayed with water) off the leaves.

Asking friends or family to care for your houseplants can be risky, unless they are also keen indoor gardeners themselves; people tend to forget, or water too lightly because they are afraid to over-water, the list is endless. You can leave instructions, but that could cause offence, so a nice bottle of wine or meal out beforehand and a brief but friendly lecture the day before you depart might solve any problems.

If you really can’t find anyone keen to do the caring whilst you are away, then you can do the following: The bath – soak a couple of old bath towels and lay them in the bottom of the bath (remember not to leave the plug in the bath, though, for obvious reasons!) and place as many of your houseplants in the bath. On the morning of your departure, give the towels another good soaking and that should keep your plants moist until your return. Bathrooms are usually cooler than elsewhere in the house which should suppress evaporation. The shower cubicle is just as useful. Your plants may actually enjoy the more humid conditions of your bathroom, anyway.

Kitchen sink – same principle applies, soak an old towel and place plants in the sink, the draining board can also be used in the same way, if necessary.

Cacti and other plants that don’t need to stand in water can be moved out of hot sunlight, although they would also benefit from being outside. Give them a good drink just before you go and they should survive quite happily.

Finally, you can fly off to your exotic location and spend your holiday spotting which of your houseplants are growing naturally in the wild, and how much larger they are in their (mainly) preferred habitat!

Fleur

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Little Torrington Victory Hall

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e are pleased to announce that Roseanna Ball, a multiinstrumentalist Americana singer-songwriter, is returning to perform a special evening of original music and covers on Saturday 14th September. Doors open from 7.30pm with music from 8pm. Tickets £10, cash bar provided.

Please come along and join us for an enjoyable musical evening with the very talented Roseanna.

For further information and to book, please call Rose Peard 01805 625194 or Nicky Davey 01805 439336 or 07527 190 756.

Bickford Centre

We’re open for a cuppa Monday to Saturday 10am-12pm. Come in for a friendly chat and make friends or just a rest while shopping.

Torrington Baptist Church

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ervices on Sunday mornings at 10.30am followed by refreshments.

Everyone is welcome to join our friendly, growing fellowship, as we seek to glorify God in our worship.

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The Crier Prize Crossword

The winner of this month’s crossword will receive a £25 voucher for The Globe Inn Beaford. Please send completed crossword with contact details to The Crier, Castle Hill, Torrington, EX38 8AA, or email to torrington.crier@gmail.com. The winner for last issue is Rachael Roberts. The winner for this issue will be picked at random from correct entries.

Deadline for entries is Thursday 12th September.

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Little Torrington WI Summer Beer Festival at the Globe Inn, Beaford

From Friday 9th to Sunday 11th August we will be holding our annual beer festival! There’ll be 20+ cask and keg beers plus plenty of local ciders, live music and some delicious food. Here’s all the information you need…

The beer festival will be at the Globe Inn on Exeter Road in Beaford. There is street parking on Exeter Road or around the village. Bus times between Torrington and Beaford are listed below.

Friday & Saturday: the beer festival starts from 12pm. We’ll be serving pasties and ploughman’s 12-5pm and then they’ll be a BBQ from 5-8pm.

There’ll be DJs and live music over both days from the likes of the Kahuna’s, Big Al & the Wild Strawberries, Jacob Terry and Ian Kevern! Check out our Facebook page for timings.

Sunday: we’re open 12-6pm with roasts until 4pm (booking advised), a summer craft market in the garden 123pm and live music from Bicycle Repair Man at 3pm.

Bus Times: Friday & Saturday Torrington to Beaford: 12:52/14:52/17:37 Friday & Saturday Beaford to Torrington: 15:30/18:00/19:09/21:39 For further information please contact the Globe Inn on 01805 603920 or visit the Globe Inn’s Facebook page @ GlobeInnPub.

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uly’s speaker was Big Al, giving us an insight into the work carried out by Torrington Commons, along with an update on the renovation of the Waterloo Monument on Torrington Commons.

The business of the meeting also included a Water Watch update and a live testing of a river sample. The results are then put on a graph, to illustrate the fluctuations in the water quality over the year, hopefully highlighting any trends.

This month we received feedback from our local representative from Langtree WI, who attended the National WI AGM at the Albert Hall in London. The theme running through the day was a previous resolution passed to reduce abuse against women and girls, and there was a speech by solicitor and Chief Prosecutor Nazarene Afzal on the ‘pandemic’ of male violence against women and girls. Spice Girl Mel B was interviewed by journalist Victoria Derbyshire and spoke about her exit from an abusive marriage and experience of the family courts. Final speech of the day was actor Timothy Watson, who placed Rob Titchner in the Archers, talking about the domestic abuse storyline and he was joined onstage by Teresa Parker from Women’s Aid. The new resolution passed was ‘Dental Matters’, concerning poor access to dental services and the WI will highlight

Rolle Canal Society Guided Walks

Sunday 11th August - Staple Vale/Beam Aqueduct Starting from the Puffing Billy (old Railway Station) and following the Tarka Trail to where the Rolle Canal skirts Furzebeam Hill. Here the towpath leads around the bend in the river to the Roving Bridge behind Beam House and onto the iconic Aqueduct over the River Torridge. Subject to the agreement of the landowner, on the way back we will drop down from the Tarka Trail to return to the Puffing Billy via the bed of the canal through Staple Vale. The length is a little over 2 miles. Meet at 2:30pm on Sunday 11th August at the Puffing Billy car park. Walk Leader: Ian Harrison Sunday 1st September - Taddiport & Torrington Commons The headquarters of the Rolle Canal Company was at Taddiport and several associated buildings and structures can be seen here. From the entrance to the old milk factory, the route proceeds along the ‘Rolle Road’, a bridleway which is actually the fairly intact bed of the Rolle Canal, through Torrington Commons.

Then, via the back street ‘ginnels’ off Mill Street, down to the beautiful Torridgeside meadows and back to Taddiport Bridge. A fascinating mixture of nature, past industrial sites, proposed developments and efforts to safeguard ecology. Length about 2 miles. Meet at 2:30pm on Sunday 1st September at the entrance to the old milk factory at Taddiport. Walk Leaders: Mickey Reynolds & Ian Harrison Individuals take part at their own risk and must take responsibility for their own safety at all times. The income from the small charge of £2 per person on the guided walks makes a valuable contribution to the Rolle Canal Society's work in improving access along the canal, and providing interpretation of the major features.

Stout footwear is recommended. Please note that dogs, even on leads, are discouraged. this issue locally and nationally. Our national President Ann Jones stood down after four years.

On a more local level, the ladies that meet for coffee are going to ‘Fork and Feast’ in Torrington on the third Thursday of the month.

The book club is currently reading ‘My Name is Lucy Barton’ by Elizabeth Stroud, and meets on the third Monday

of the month.

August doesn’t have a formal meeting but there will be a Death Cafe, with WI committee member and celebrant Ruth Chambers, on 14th August at Little Torrington Village Hall.

On the 13th August there will be a WI outing to Tapeley Park, for coffee, lunch and a walk!

If any of the above sounds of interest please contact Jen Hood 01805 622433.

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August & September events at the plough Exhibitions at The Plough this Summer

Saturday 13th July - Saturday 17th August: Slow Painting

In her 2019 book ‘Slow Painting’, artist Helen Westgeest considers the role of painting fuelled by digital, technological advancement and information overload.

“The fleeting nature of digital mass media appears to have unlocked a desire for more physically stable and enduring pictures, like paintings. Slow Painting charts how, in a world where the constant quest for speed can leave

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us exhausted, the appeal of this ‘slower medium’ has only grown" ...

Members of the renowned Contemporary British Painting Group were asked to respond to this text and, together with StudioKIND, Barum Museum and The Plough have collaborated to present why painting is just as important in this modern age.

At a special opening event, on 13th July, The Plough Arts Centre will be hosting a unique opportunity to meet the 50 artists involved who’ll give in-person introductions to their work. A special event, not to be missed!

The exhibition is part of ‘North Devon Summer of Painting’ and a collaboration between Contemporary British Painting, StudioKIND, Barum Museum and The Plough. For further information, please

see www.theploughartscentre.org.uk/ exhibition/slow-painting.

Saturday 24th August – Saturday 28th September: Patrick Jones Patrick Jones, an artist from Devon, has dedicated his life’s work to abstract painting. Working on unprimed canvas and into a wet ground, colour is Patrick’s main vehicle.

“I am and always have been an abstract painter. Part of my project is to define what that is. You will notice that my work is continually different. I try not to repeat myself. I am usually obsessed by getting the image to be a complete statement. Colour is my main vehicle, but my process of working on unprimed canvas, into a wet ground, comes from my friend Helen Frankenthaler.”

Preview: 2pm, Saturday 24th August.

For more information, please see www. theploughartscentre.org.uk/exhibition/ patrick-jones

Please note, a 5% fee will be applied to all bookings

01/08 7:30pm ThePlough@StAnne’s, Barnstaple Poetry/Spoken Word: Plough Storytelling Circle 7:30pm ThePlough@StAnne’s, Barnstaple Haunted History Tour: Barnstaple Town Centre Haunted History Tour 03/08 10:00am ThePlough@StAnne’s, Barnstaple Workshop - Visual Arts: Summer Garden Landscape in Watercolour 8:00pm The Gallery at The Plough Arts Centre Music - Folk: Peter Laing: 'Behind the Song’ - featuring special guest Roseanna Ball 08/08 7:30pm ThePlough@StAnne’s, Barnstaple Haunted History Tour: Barnstaple Bygone Brothel Tour 09/08 8:00pm ThePlough@StAnne’s, Barnstaple Music: Rich Malfait and Friends at St Anne's 10/08 10:00am ThePlough@StAnne’s, Barnstaple Workshop - Visual Arts: Introduction to Watercolours 3 week course 10:30am ThePlough@StAnne’s, Barnstaple Workshop - Visual Arts: Summer Soap Making Children's Workshop 12/08 2:00pm ThePlough@StAnne’s, Barnstaple Workshop: Natural Lip Balm & Skin Salve Workshop 7:00pm ThePlough@StAnne’s, Barnstaple Workshop: Personalised Natural Perfume Workshop 13/08 11:00am ThePlough@StAnne’s, Barnstaple Workshop: Play in a Day - Charlotte’s Web (8-16 yrs)

17/08 10:00am ThePlough@StAnne’s, Barnstaple Workshop - Visual Arts: Gluggle Jug Pottery Workshop 18/08 10:00am ThePlough@StAnne’s, Barnstaple Workshop - Visual Arts: Seed Pod Garden Ornament Pottery Workshop 22/08 7:30pm ThePlough@StAnne’s, Barnstaple Haunted History Tour: Barnstaple Murder & Macabre Haunted History Tour 24/08 10:00am ThePlough@StAnne’s, Barnstaple Haunted History Tour: Barnstaple Murder & Macabre Haunted History Tour 28/08 3:00pm ThePlough@StAnne’s, Barnstaple Haunted History Tour: Barnstaple Bygone Brothel Tour 29/08 7:00pm ThePlough@StAnne’s, Barnstaple Workshop: The Magick of The Viking Runes (Part 1) 05/09 7:00pm ThePlough@StAnne’s, Barnstaple Workshop - Visual Arts: Introduction to Soap Making Workshop 7:30pm ThePlough@StAnne’s, Barnstaple Poetry/Spoken Word: Plough Storytelling Circle 12/09 7:30pm ThePlough@StAnne’s, Barnstaple Haunted History Tour: Barnstaple Town, Park & Prison Haunted History Tour 13/09 8:00pm The Plough Arts Centre Music: Paul Jones & Dave Kelly 14/09 8:00pm The Plough Arts Centre Comedy: Simon Evans & Friends!

8:00pm The Gallery at The Plough Arts

Centre Music: Charlie Dore (duo with Julian Littman) Gallery Gig 20/09 7:30pm ThePlough@StAnne’s, Barnstaple Haunted History Tour: Barnstaple Bygone Brothel Tour 8:00pm The Plough Arts Centre Music: Phil Beer (Solo) 21/09 10:00am ThePlough@StAnne's, Barnstaple Workshop - Visual Arts: Pumpkins and Toadstools Sculptures Pottery Workshop 8:00pm The Plough Arts Centre Music: CODA - A Tribute To Led Zeppelin 24/09 3:00pm ThePlough@StAnne's, Barnstaple Haunted History Tour: Barnstaple Town Centre Haunted History Tour 26/09 7:00pm ThePlough@StAnne's, Barnstaple Workshop: The Magick of The Viking Runes (part 2) 8:00pm The Plough Arts Centre Music: JIM CAUSLEY & MIRANDA SYKES 27/09 8:00pm The Plough Arts Centre Music: Beatles Complete 28/09/24 10:00am ThePlough@StAnne's, Barnstaple Workshop - Visual Arts: Monet for Nothing!

Acrylics Workshop 10:30am ThePlough@StAnne's, Barnstaple Workshop - Visual Arts: Chalk & Charcoal Landscape Workshop 8:00pm The Plough Arts Centre Comedy: The Comedy Store 8:00pm ThePlough@StAnne's, Barnstaple Music: Nex't'Nothin at ThePlough@ StAnne's

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7th - 22nd September 2024 Four Artists - Four Venues We look forward to welcoming you to our Torrington studios.

For more info about this event visit… devonopenstudios.co.uk

Open Art Studios

Art Serendipity Friendship hen I moved to Torrington in North Devon in February 2023, one of many questions about my new home was, “are there other artists here?” On chatting with the lady in the antique shop on my first day, I discovered that one of my immediate neighbours in Mill Street, Helyne, was an artist. Great news! Some days later, I took a walk down this wonderfully long steep street and found at the bottom a large old building - ‘Faux Arts’, and was completely intrigued. Helyne and I bumped into each other over the next months as I was settling in and found that we could conceivably have met before, many years earlier. She studied at the Royal College of Art, during which time she was living in student accommodation in the same street as me. On graduating in 1981, she acquired a studio in the then Clerkenwell Workshops, where she began to forge a career with her stitched paper and textile work, exhibiting her art works nationally and internationally. I had a chance to see her work properly for the first time when she took part in Devon Open Studios in 2023, and loved the vibrant abstraction and sense of landscape. As well as textile pictures and digital Giclee prints, Helyne makes hand painted paper jewellery.

Some months later, through Helyne I met Charmian, who invited me to her garden studio, just over the park from my house. Her garden rises up steeply giving her an amazing view over the valley to the hills spreading beyond.

Inside is a treasure trove of artefacts collected over her long career as a jeweller – fossils, precious gemstones, tiny sculptures, old photographs – as well as her design sketches, completed work and work in progress. She told me that one of her great joys is the relationship that forms when a piece of jewellery is bought, often for a very special occasion; the buyer then returning for further commissions.

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The start for me had been doing a foundation course in Exeter while still in full time work, and falling in love with painting – initially large abstracts and more recently smaller works involving plants and still life. Helyne gave me the confidence to open my studio this September to show my paintings and drawings, along with her and Charmian, and we decided to get together to have a chat about it.

Then, as I was sheltering from the rain in a doorway, my telephone rang and an unfamiliar voice said, ‘Hello, I’m Shan, I’m opening my studio down at Faux Arts for the first time’.

Shan joined us, and I asked her if I could come down and take a look. The huge old brick building on three floors was an 18th century tannery. The ground floor has been made into a night club

by Shan where numerous local bands have played. Up the stairs on the first floor is an impressive open gallery space, perfect for Shan’s very large canvases. Influenced by old masters, R O Lenkiewicz and visits to the Brigitte Bardot Foundation in St Tropez with her mother, she has created a new body of work in large format capturing our

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Great Torrington Water Forum

How can we use our drainage designs to reduce the discharge from our Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs)? o reduce the number of times a range of benefits and help to reduce the My latest water bill from SWW was CSO is required to discharge, amount of surface water entering our quite interesting - it was for the period 1st we need to reduce the amount of systems.

March to 2nd May this year. This period bridges the end of the financial year and surface water that is entering the system A great example of where SuDS have so the prices for the first month are for so that it does not become overwhelmed been incorporated to reduce CSOs is in during those extreme events.

2023 and the second month for 2024, Combe Martin in Devon.

At first glance, this does seem like a which showed a price increase. The Who wants to go shopping? quite a challenge, as most combined amount of water I was charged for was If you can still walk into a clothing sewers are quite simply shop and not ask yourself any estimated at 3 cubic meters (m3). Guess what, instead of allocating 1.5m3 to large underground pipes, of a range of questions such each month 2m3 were allocated to the and if traditional methods as: who made these clothes? were adopted, the only higher charge! This is a small amount Is this a natural material or option would be to lay but I live alone, for a family this would made out of fossil fuels (e.g. significant amounts of new be considerably higher, unnecessarily polyester)? Will they shed increasing their costs. pipework, which would microplastic fibres every time gtwaterforum@gmail.com not only involve large I put them in the washing www.facebook.com/ amounts of excavation machine? Will they end up but would also create a greattorringtonwaterforum dumped in the Atacama lot of disruption and be Desert in a pile big enough extremely costly. We can avoid this to be seen from outer space? Then by undertaking some clever drainage you must have been living under the Torrington Methodist design and incorporating Sustainable proverbial rock. The textile and clothing Drainage Systems (SuDS). The key is to industry consumed 79 billion m3 of water Church try and capture as much water at source worldwide in 2015, and consumption is warm welcome from Torrington on the surface as possible. This could expected to increase by 50% by 2030.

Methodist Church EX38 8AL, be through the utilisation of ‘pocket’ On the backdrop of increasing water top of Mill Street. raingardens in the place of gullies, scarcity from fibre for textile production, Sunday Worship 10.30am at Church. diverting surface water via swales into continued pollution from the dyeing Evening Worship 6.30pm via Zoom new attenuation features or retrofitting industry and now microplastic pollution email sarahrichards185@gmail.com to existing roofs with blue or green from fibre shedding in the consumer request the link. Join us for our Bacon infrastructure. use stage, every new clothing item you Butty Coffee Morning 10am-12pm, third It is not just on a large scale that we shop for can have a negative impact.

Saturday every month. can make a difference, however, as on As a consumer, you shouldn't have to Our premises (various rooms, incl. those single residential projects, we worry about these things. Brands should. wifi, projector) are available to hire, see can bring in technologies such as smart Especially when there are so many more website or phone Sheila 01805 622949. rainwater water butts or raised SuDS sustainable alternatives out there. Be Blessings from us all, hope to meet planters, which can all provide a great aware of your water footprint! you soon.

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glorious English wildlife, which she is keen to show. Visiting this amazing place is a theatrical experience, and it was not surprising to hear Shan say that if she was not a painter, she would be a costume and set designer.

The four of us welcome visitors to this beautiful town in September to see our studios and some of the lively and varied art work that goes on in them.

Alison Finch Helyne Jennings, Charmian Harris & Shan Miller Devon Open Studios, 7-22 September Visit: devonopenstudios.co.uk.

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Motivational Speech For Climate Change My name is Lottie Hill and I'm here today to share my message with anyone who is willing to listen. What could an 11-year-old possibly have a message about? I know you are doubting me, but I will defy the odds and continue to talk until my voice is heard. I will shine a light on the secrets that have been concealed from us. I'm here today to talk about how our world is coming to a halt, how each and every day takes time away from the countdown. The inevitable countdown to the end of the world. I am a member of the new generation and I say take climate change seriously.

To the younger generation: this planet will be ours one day and then the next generation's and so on. So I say for the sake of your children, your children's children, stop turning your back! Stop saying you've done enough when you blatantly haven't! Stop lying about the science that has been crystal clear for more than thirty years! Each year the temperature is rising, the summer of 2023 was point 5 degrees hotter than the previous hottest summer ever recorded. If we don't right our wrongs, there will be a day when everything ends. That day is nearing, always coming closer. With each of your feeble "attempts" to prevent it, our hope of salvation is drifting further away. The loss of biodiversity, worsening air pollution and the icecaps melting are just a few effects of climate change. That's not fair! Why should my generation suffer from the consequences of your actions?

Why should we watch the world fall apart

and the places that hold happy memories deteriorate until it is only accessible through our minds? That's what will happen. The sky will blacken due to carbon emissions, the grass will turn from green to brown and that will be on us. Us. Us humans that claim to be intelligent but can't tell the severity of a situation if it slapped us across the face. All who take action will be remembered. Never to be forgotten. We can prevent this if we come together not only as a community but the entire human race.

At this point you are probably thinking one of two things: 1. Every little helps! Small changes here and there won't make an impact on me, but it will help the environment.

2. One person won't make a difference; I don't need to help.

To the people who believe in the first statement, you are what this world needs. You are the hope, the light in the darkness. You are the people who will lead us to a better future. Now to the people who believe the second statement, in my opinion you are wrong but if you want to cower away from a situation that intimidates you, that's up to no one but you. Being scared is not a crime however negligence is frowned upon.

No one is forcing anyone to step up and join the revolution I and millions of others plan to embark upon however we are begging you to consider your actions.

Not because I want to go down in history as a world saviour but so our planet can thrive once again. So we

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Our Year 7 pupils have been hard at work in English lessons, learning about the power of rhetoric in their ‘Inspiring a Team’ challenge. All pupils wrote and delivered a speech to the class to motivate a team or cause of their choice, and the best speakers were selected to go through to the final! The judges were so impressed with the quality of their persuasive speeches. Congratulations to all of our finalists and to our two winners, Lottie Hill and Molly Tomlin.

Here is a selection of the fantastic speeches:

can step outside and not feel sick as the sour stench of pollution hits us. So we can see a reason to keep trying, keep fighting for change. Each time we procrastinate the sea levels rise along with the temperatures in the waters, killing our precious coral reefs and other irreplaceable marine life. Longer more life-threatening droughts not only prevent crops from growing but threaten wildlife and freshwater supplies. Whether it is polar bears in the Arctic to the Hammerheads of the southern coast of Africa, our planets variety of life forms is at risk from the ever-changing climate. That’s why we should be like all those animals who relentlessly stalk their prey, who don't sleep until they have achieved their goal because they show determination. That's what we need right now, determination.

Determination and change!

Lottie Hill, Year 7, Joint Winner

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Inspiring The Olympic Show Jumping Team

You will qualify for the Olympic show jumping. You need to go out there and perform your best. Even if it’s not your day and your horse is messing around, you will still try your hardest. If you don’t succeed this time, you will try again next time. Your nation, I am sure, will be proud of you for attempting this once in a lifetime opportunity. If you can get in, your nation of Great Britain will be even more proud of you. You will be honoured in one way or another. You will be proud of yourself. Don’t put your head down, keep it up high, looking ahead at that next high jumper. Don’t think about the bad things, only the positive. Focus on you, not the crowd. Paint a picture of the history you will make. Imagine.

Can you remember in 2020 at the Tokyo Olympics when Great Britain won gold in the jumping and did our supporters proud, yes? Well, that was at the last Olympics, and this is 2024 and you can do that all over again, all you need to do is train and focus on this one event and I’m sure you will succeed somewhere along the way. Hide any nerves because as you are all very experienced riders you should know that if you are nervous it is easy for your horse to tell and you will not complete. I know it's not simple but your horse will have the best time doing it and at the end when they have finished I am sure they will get a lot of fuss and attention.

I believe in you all, I really do. I so so badly want you all to do very well.

We Need To Help…

We need to help before it is too late. We need to heel our planet. Our world is getting sicker by the minute and our species is lazy and irresponsible. Our government does not even see the pain our planet is suffering from, they are blinded by money. Hower we are here, and we will help our planet! They do not see the damage they are causing. They do not see, how many live are lost. A baby bird (little and helpless) falls from its nest into some rubbish. The mother tries to help, but it is too late. One life lost, one heart broken. We are not just taking away lives, we are breaking hearts. This is only the beginning.

Air, we all love it, we all need it, but it is at risk. Thousands of factories are causing air pollution. Countless lives are lost every day due to this toxic air that are creating. Close your eyes and Picture this, world as dark as ash with no signs of the beautiful blue sky we see every day. This means your grandchildren, your great grandchildren, will suffer, only dreaming they could see the gorgeous sapphire sky holding up clouds that are fluffy as marshmallows. Do you want to be that person, who is too lazy to care about families dying because of their mistakes. That person could be you. Do you want people to die because of your mistakes However, despite this, I still believe, in all of you. We have one goal, and our goal is to heel our planet. To heel and not to destroy. If we want to start, then we will start small. If we want to finish, we are astronomical, every little part links together to make a crystal-clear world full of wonder and adventure. From the lightly frosted mountains to the small innocent saplings that enjoy the sweet, perfumed air of spring, this is the world we can live in. All will be happy, and sadness is a word to be forgotten. We will save lives; our names will never be forgotten. We might end up rich, but money is only a one-way tunnel to greed and selfishness. The only thing that matters to us, is that our world is safe from the risk of pollution.

Hope is not lost, but time is slipping away, so let's start now, let's save our home and when we start, we will succeed.

Molly Tomlin, Year 7, Joint Winner

Think how happy you will be and how that trophy will glisten along with your medal. Although, I don’t think the trophy, money and medal will be what you are thinking about at that moment, it will be your horse and the rest of your supportive team. You will also be thinking about the crowd of supporters that have come especially to see YOU out of everyone

else. I can’t stress enough how much this will mean to hundreds or even millions of people in your nation. Everyone will be talking about you, the one who did Britain proud. There will always be someone out there who has something bad to say about the things you do but all you need to do is black them out…

Florence Bridgeman, Year 7, Finalist

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Torrington & District Historical Society

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e have had a busy summer of outside visits, including a visit and tour of the Tarka Railway based at the Puffing Billy, a very interesting visit to Appledore Maritime Museum and a guided tour of our lovely town hall. Especially interesting was a visit from Emily Wapshott, with an update on work already completed on the Castle excavation. It is a fantastic project and we are looking forward to finding out more. Our thanks go to Keith, who hosted the cream tea, and gave us a very interesting walk and talk on the Weare Gifford corn mills.

In September we are planning a talk about Frithlestock Church accounts from 1600s onwards and an interesting history of the church and area.

Join us on 14th October for a talk with Tom Hynes ‘Devon Hedges; Past and Present’. The humble hedgerow can tell us so much about the history of the area, and how the flora and fauna has developed and changed over the centuries.

Other guests planned include Liz Shakespeare talking about the research involved for her most recent book ‘The Ordeal of Miss Lucy Jones’; 'The History of Leather Working' especially relevant given the number of tanneries that were once in Torrington and fascinatingly ‘A Plague on Your House’ with Janet Few. The History Society meets monthly on the second Monday 7pm for tea and chat, talks begin at 7.30pm at the

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Property Market Place Tips

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re you looking to transform your bathroom? Here are some inspirational tips to give your bathroom a makeover without breaking the bank: Consider recaulking and repainting instead of retiling Deciding which tiles to buy can take time, so it’s a good idea to make good use of samples to see how they look. Using larger tiles can sometimes save a little money on labour costs, however, tiling can be expensive. If new tiles are not in your budget, painting and regrouting your existing tiles will transform your bathroom for a fraction of the cost. Have your bespoke colours mixed for you for the walls or choose an eggshell bathroom paint. Combining this with some recaulking of your bathroom suite will make it look brand-new again.

Flooring has transformative powers: Unless you live in a home with an extraordinarily large bathroom, changing the flooring in your bathroom will be much cheaper than it would be in your kitchen. Add to this the much improved and varied choice in quality vinyl bathroom flooring and you could lift the aesthetic of your space without overspending. Waterproof laminate flooring is also another option, however, if you prefer tiles and you like the idea of doing it yourself, the good news is that tiles in themselves are relatively inexpensive, and if you have a skilled friend or relative to help, even better!

Lighting and mirrors: An LED mirror or a new pull cord is an easy way to brighten up your bathroom. New LED ceiling lights are good for reducing your energy bills while improving the quality of light, which is highly practical for time spent in front of the mirror. Placing mirrors opposite each other will create the impression of more space, too.

New fittings, fixtures and finishing touches: New taps, a new shower head or a towel radiator, when combined with other changes will finish your makeover nicely. Small items, such as soap dishes, and larger items, such as freestanding furniture and shelving, are relatively easy additions to make when modernising the space. Additionally, a new shower curtain or screen and a new toilet seat may lift the lid on your bathroom's potential.

Treat yourself: Think of your bathroom as a sanctuary for relaxation. Create a special place for scents and essential oils so you can soothe away the stresses of the day as if you were in your own spa.

Adrian Hardwick, Webbers Local Director Methodist Church Hall at the top of Mill Street. We welcome visitors £4, or join us for £15 per annum which includes an invitation to our summer visits. Details of meetings are on the Facebook page,

in the Crier and on posters around the town. If you would like more information contact Pauline on 01805 623089.

Keep the Colour Coming

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t is relatively easy to have a garden full of colour in early-mid summer, but late summer can be a little harder.

Regular maintenance and a careful choice of plants is key to a colourful season’s end. Spring temptations can mean that you are left with a garden full of foliage, after early flowering shrubs have finished, and perennials have gone to seed. By the time you realise that you should have left room for later flowerers, you may have run out of room. If you have fallen into this trap, take stock of your garden now and note down where you can replace spring flowering plants with those that perform later in the year.

Deadheading can prolong your summer display, directing energy into stronger growth and more flowers.

This can be quite therapeutic and it gives you time to look for pests and diseases.

Check for what is struggling and make notes on any changes you may want to make in the future. If you remembered to try the ‘Chelsea Chop’, then now is when you will reap the rewards with the delayed flowering of summer favourites, such as Hylotelephium (formally Sedum), Phlox, Echinacea and Helenium.

The Hot Garden is perhaps our most vibrant area of the garden, where blocks of purple, orange, yellow and red are broken up by airy grasses. Some of our favourites include Monarda 'Prärienacht' AGM (lilac-purple), Helenium 'Sahin's Early Flowerer' AGM (orange), Rudbeckia. fulgida var. sullivantii 'Goldsturm' AGM (bright yellow) and Crocosmia ‘Emberglow’ (scarlet).

These plants have the added bonus of being attractive to bees, hoverflies and

butterflies, which means you can also do your bit for our beleaguered insect population if you choose one or more of these plants for your garden.

A good source of new plants for your garden is the RHS Garden Rosemoor Flower Show, where there will be specialist nurseries selling a wide range of plants for all situations.

Sheila Dearing Garden Technical Services Officer Image © RHS/Mark Bolton

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