TOWN COUNCIL NEWS

New Members Join Great Torrington Town Council

Back in May this year we welcomed two new members to the Town Council:

Councillor Lauren Bright. Councillor Bright is delighted to have joined Great Torrington Town Council and to be representing the Great Torrington ward on Torridge District Council. She moved to the area in 2004 and, after completing her education and establishing a career in teaching, she has been privileged to be able to buy a house in the town, get married here and start a family, with the arrival of baby Humphrey last summer. Cllr Bright wanted to become a councillor because she feels blessed to live in such a vibrant community. More time at home through the pandemic, and then as a new mum, has allowed her to appreciate even more keenly what Great Torrington has to offer, in terms of shopping, services, recreation, events and more besides. She hopes to be able to support and advocate for the town so that it can continue to thrive and offer a good quality of life to the people that live, work and visit here. Cllr Bright feels that the town and district council bodies benefit hugely from having a diverse range of members, and she looks forward to being able to bring her own experience, ideas and energy to both councils.

Councillor Penelope Hewitt. Councillor Hewitt is excited to join Great Torrington Town Council. She grew up in Bideford, studied at Petroc, and then moved to London to study for a degree in History. After finishing her first degree, Cllr Hewitt undertook nursing training at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel. She then came home to North Devon to raise her family, as she wanted them to enjoy the same freedom in the countryside that she had enjoyed as a child. Cllr Hewitt worked at North Devon District Hospital for 10 years and currently nurses at Hatchmoor Nursing Home. She is passionate about ensuring Great Torrington thrives and develops its potential as a beautiful market town, surrounded as it is by such an amazing natural resource: Torrington Commons. In particular, Cllr Hewitt is interested in ensuring sufficient affordable housing is built in Great Torrington.

Great Torrington Town Council

Local Applications for Grants 2024/25

Great Torrington Town Council administers the Commons Allotment Charity. Each year this charity allocates its small amount of funds to locally based community groups. In addition, there are a number of grants awarded from the council precept (money received by Great Torrington Town Council from Council Tax payments).

Applications for these grants for the 2024/2025 financial year are now open, and the application form can be downloaded on the Great Torrington Town Council website (www.great-torringtontowncouncil.gov.uk) or a paper copy can be collected 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 7th September 2023.

Jennie Smithson, Town Clerk

Dafforn & Son

Roger P. Byrom