Torrington Crier December & January 2024

December 2024 & January 2025

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.

Great Torrington Town and Lands Charity

202801 Voucher Distribution Day

When: Friday, December 6th 2024, 9:30AM - 2:00PM

Where: Great Torrington Town & Community Hall

Eligible households can receive vouchers to spend in local businesses.

To qualify, you must be able to show that you:

• Live within the Great Torrington Parish boundary.

• Are registered to vote for at least 12 months before December 6th, 2024. And receive one or more of the following benefits:

• State Retirement Pension

• Attendance Allowance or Constant Attendance Allowance

• Disability Living Allowance

• Employment and Support Allowance

• Incapacity Benefit

• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit

• Personal Independence Payment

Please note:

• ONE claim per household only.

• If you're applying for a relative or friend, you MUST bring a letter of authorisation signed by the recipient and also

• Paper evidence of entitlement to the benefits above which MUST be shown on the day to be able to receive the Vouchers.

• Applications can only be accepted during the specified hours.

NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED BEFORE OR AFTER THE ABOVE HOURS -I M NEWMAN – STEWARD TO THE TRUSTEES

CLEAN SWEEPS

• High professional service in cleaning brick chimneys, flexible liners & twin wall flue systems.

• Wood Burner Servicing

• Clean & Reliable

• Certificates Given

• Fully Insured

Tel: 07706 915 838

Email: clean-sweeps@hotmail.com

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.

Would you like the Crier delivered in your village?

Torrington & District Community News & Events

Contact us...

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

Volunteers collect Criers from the Library each issue and drop them off in various villages. If your community doesn’t receive the Crier but would like to, and you can help, please contact Becky on 07443 491972, torrington.crier@gmail. com, or call in to Torrington Library. Disclaimer: The Crier does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the quality, accuracy, legality or reliability of any information, product or service represented within our publication or on our web site. The information provided is for informational, educational or entertainment purposes only.

Anyone using the information provided by The Crier, does so at their own risk, and by using such information agrees to indemnify The Crier from any and all liability, loss, injury, damages, costs and expenses (including legal fees and expenses) arising from such use. The Crier does not endorse or recommend any product, service or information found within said articles. The views and opinions of the authors who have submitted articles to The Crier belong to them alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Crier or its team.

Website links from The Crier or its website are provided for convenience only. The Crier is not responsible for the content or availability of any external or 3rd party sites and does not warrant or guarantee the products, services, or information found on these sites.

Great Torrington Calendar 2025

With lovely photos of our town and surroundings and big boxes to write in, get your copy for £8 or two for £15 from Whiskers Pet Centre, Duffy’s Home Hardware or Collectability (cash only please and exact money appreciated).

We are also selling a small batch online with a small additional charge to cover postage and packaging via www.OneGreatTorrington.

uk/calendar. Last year some calendars went as far as New Zealand and the USA! Please contact us for international postage/delivery - gt.futuregroup@gmail.com or via facebook.com/OneGreatTorrington.

We hope that in future years the calendar will be self-sustainable and also provide a small amount of funds for projects around the town. Thanks to everyone who sent photos in - please keep submitting your photos for next year’s calendar and we will hold them for consideration. Get involved!gt.futuregroup@gmail.com

Ian Ashelford

St Michael & All Angels Church Christmas Services

We warmly invite everyone to join us at St Michael & All Angels Church this festive season, as we celebrate Christmas together. Our schedule includes a variety of services, each offering a unique way to reflect, rejoice, and experience the spirit of Christmas. Highlights include our traditional Carol Service with the Winkleigh Singers on Sunday, 22nd December at 6:30pm, a beautiful event for the whole family. On Christmas Eve, families are welcome to the Crib Service at 4pm, followed by Midnight Mass at 11pm as we welcome Christmas Day. Our Christmas Day Parish Eucharist will be held at 10am, a wonderful opportunity to celebrate together on this holy day. Regular services continue on Sunday, 15th, 22nd, and 29th December at 10am with additional Said Mass on Thursday, 19th at 10:30 am. All are welcome to come as you are and share in the joy and meaning of the season at St Michael & All Angels.

Wishing You All a Very Happy Christmas

From all at the Great Torrington Men’s Shed, home of the wooden Christmas Trees!

Who are or what is the Men’s Shed you may ask? Well it’s based on the idea of an enlarged garden shed where adults can learn and practice wood-working skills. It also provides a place to socialize and meet like-minded people to help to combat loneliness and isolation. Here in Great Torrington we are lucky to have an excellent base in School Lane, where we have two sheds and a range of equipment ranging from a wood-turning lathe to a hand drill. This has enabled us to make items for local people for just the cost of the materials, and to support other community projects.

We also have a large vegetable patch along with a poly tunnel and greenhouse. This area has been a great success this year, as thanks to the gardeners amongst us we have had a continuous supply of fresh vegetables.

New members are always welcome, so why not pop along and have a look round and meet the team. We are open on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9am till noon at Vicarage Gardens, School Lane, Great Torrington. If you arrive at 10am the kettle will be on for a cup of tea and a biscuit, or maybe a mince pie.

Great Torrington Men’s Shed

TORRINGTON ARMS

Open daily from 11am Wednesday Curry Night 6-8pm • Sunday Roast 12-2pm Takeaways Available Function Room available for all occasions

For bookings please contact: 01805 622280 or via Facebook

Library News

What’s On

Meet-Up Mondays. Just a reminder that our extra opening hours start on Monday 25th November 10am-1pm. We will be providing free hot drinks, cake, biscuits and a warm welcome. Come on in and stay for a chat.

We will also be offering activities, including craft sessions, Postcard Pals, Photography for Wellbeing, board games, and more. The extra Monday mornings will run every week (except 30th December) until mid-March. There will of course also be our full library service too.

We will be holding a craft for adults on Monday 2nd December at 10.30am with Chris. Come along to make Christmas gift tags from recycled Christmas cards. Bring your old cards to reuse! Donation £1 appreciated.

Thank you to our Friends group who will be helping out at these special extra sessions.

Make a Christmas Wreath. We are pleased to welcome Tina Hodgson from Fine Floral Design who will be showing us how to create a beautiful wreath for Christmas. Friday 13th December 2-3.30pm. Tickets £18 to include festive refreshments. Booking essential. Christmas Activities for Children Christmas Craft. Bring the children along on Saturday 7th December, 10.30am-12pm, to make Christmas decorations for the Christmas tree. We will have lots of festive materials for them to use!

Christmas Storytime by the Tree. This year we will be telling some jolly Christmas stories by the tree in the Children’s Library. It will be on Thursday 19th December at 4pm. Hot chocolate and cookies will be available afterwards. Christmas outfits optional – we would love to see them!

Home Library Service. Do you know anyone that has mobility, health issues or caring responsibilities and can't visit the library? Does this description fit you personally? If so, we might be able to

help. Our dedicated volunteers can choose and deliver books to your home, including large print and audiobooks, free of charge. They can order items from the library, collect and then transport then to customers for contactless doorstep delivery. If you would like to know more, please contact Torrington Library.

Postcard Pals. Would you like to receive a postcard which has been specially decorated at our Postcard Pals session? You don't have to be a member of the library and there is no catch! Just give us a call and we will arrange it for you.

Walk and Talk in Torrington. Our friendly walkers and talkers meet every Thursday at 10.30am outside the library.

If you would like to join them for a 4050 minute walk around the town and its footpaths, please come along a few minutes earlier to register. The walk is followed by refreshments at Fork n Feast café.

The group always welcome new people and it is a great way to make friends if you have recently moved to the area, or just want to get more exercise.

One 2 One IT support. New Christmas Gadget? If you need help with your new mobile phone, laptop or tablet, our volunteer Perry is here to offer support every other Thursday morning (by appointment only). This is a relaxed session where you can get an answer to your particular query over a tea or coffee.

Please contact us to book if you would like some assistance.

Christmas Opening Times at Torrington Library – please refer to our Facebook page and posters for details @Torringtonlibrarydevon.

Torridge Vale Social Club Christmas Table

Top Sale

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Thank you for all your support over the past year. For assistance with any queries or to book tickets please contact us by emailing torrington.library@ librariesunlimited.org.uk or telephone 01805 622107. Libraries Unlimited is a registered charity 1170092 Librariesunlimited.org.uk

Sunday 8th December. Sellers 8am buyers 10 am-1pm, £5 per table. Refreshments available. To book a table call Jacky 07817 948 165, or see the person behind the bar. Everyone welcome.

End of Year-Round-up From Your Town & Community Hall

This year the Town Hall has been host to some lovely celebrations and events and we look forward to serving the community and keeping this beautiful building going.

The Town Hall provided a great setting for annual Town Christmas Fayre, and so many groups worked together all over the Town to make it a special day for everyone to enjoy. If you still have some more shopping to do, there are some lovely shops locally packed with all sorts of festive goodies.

We still are looking forward to the events listed below:

Christmas Lights Switch On –Saturday 30th November

The Cavaliers work hard to light up the town for Christmas so come along for the switch on! The Town Hall will be selling tea/coffee, mince pies and mulled wine to warm you up and spread some cheer. Especially for the children, young Megan will be joining us to sell her ever-popular popcorn! Check the Town Council notices for timings.

Advent Tea Dance – Sunday 1st December from 2pm

Get the Advent season underway with an afternoon tea dance organised by Project Dance Devon. Spot prizes, buffet, party dances and tuition. Tickets are selling fast, don’t miss out! £9.50. Call Steve on 07795 201 249 for details and to buy tickets.

Step into Swingtime

The lovely and talented Neil and Kerry are keeping North Devon on our dancing feet! Classes for beginners and intermediates are on Thursday evenings.

Shim Sham is the dance you didn’t know you needed! This is such a fun

individual dance. Neil and Kerry are running workshops. Part 1 is 12th January and part 2 is 19th January from 11am to 1pm. Please call Neil on 07722 321 838 for details of classes or workshops.

Girl Guides Christmas Fete – 3rd

December 5.30-7.30pm - Undercroft

Support the Guides and grab yourself something lovely for Christmas. Posters around the Town for more information.

Great Torrington Town & Lands

Charity Distribution Day - Friday 6th

December 9.30am- 2.30pm

Just another reminder to be at the Town Hall during the times above if you qualify for the vouchers scheme. Mince pies and coffee/tea in the Undercroft where you will be looked after by our Trustees and volunteers.

Christmas Dance Saturday 14th December 7pm - Free Entry - Live Band

Our monthly swing dance takes a festive stance! Join the fabulous Fine Whines with their big band sound and dance the night away. Of course they are joined by our resident DJ, The Sultan of Swing. You don’t have to be able to swing dance, it’s fun for everyone. Did we mention the cheap bar?

Reclamation and Guests – Saturday 21st December from 7pm

The boys are back to lift the roof of the Great Hall. Don’t miss out, they are truly talented. More details will be released nearer the time.

Cavaliers’ Christmas Give-away Saturday 23rd December - Undercroft

The traditional Cavaliers morning for children and adults alike. Bring the family down for a magical treat. And finally - a message from our Chair

- Sandra Crawley…

“It’s been a challenging year for many people and businesses in Great Torrington and we are so grateful to organisations who have given us a grant, and individuals who have hired the hall for so many different events. Thank you to our volunteers for their help and support and to anyone who has contributed to help us keep this magnificent building alive for the local community. We have a small band of Trustees who give up an incredible amount of time to help at events, do maintenance, catering marketing, and much more! I thank them for all they do. Every penny raised is ploughed back into the Hall either to add extra facilities to improve what we can offer the community, or help towards general repairs for this Grade 2 building, an ongoing task each year. If you have some time free to help us continue our work, please contact us for an informal chat.

A big thanks to Becky and all the team at the Crier for producing such a professional publication, so residents are aware of what this wonderful community is doing throughout the year

On behalf of our Trustees, advisors and volunteers we wish you all you wish yourselves in this coming season, whether you commemorate Winter Solstice, Christmas, Hanakkah, Kwanzaa or any other celebration of life. May the best of your past be the worst of your future.

Contact us on admin@greattorringtontownhall.org or 07944 639 739.

Great Torrington Residents Bring Passion & Christmas Spirit for The Globe Community Project!

Great Torrington’s residents are proving to be truly supportive as they rally behind the Globe Community Project, a plan to transform the historic Globe building into a thriving hotel, restaurant, and bar. Although the property needs repairs, local supporters are determined to breathe new life into the building, generating local jobs, training opportunities, increasing footfall, and boosting the town's economy.

The project owes its current progress to Grant and Paula Langer, who have stepped up as the building’s guardians. They recently purchased the property to

ensure its future with the community in mind, a move that has inspired people of the town to lend their support. We extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has pledged their support, the dedication shown by the community has been incredible.

As the Globe Community Project moves forward, residents will soon have an opportunity to get involved in a first-hand way. Open days will be set, allowing locals to meet the team, explore the building, and discover how they can contribute to the project's future.

A community share offer will be launched, enabling anyone with a passion for Great Torrington’s future to invest directly in the projects. Volunteers, potential board members, and other

creative minded individuals are welcome to come forward.

We're thrilled to invite everyone in Great Torrington and surrounding areas to become part of this journey, together we can protect this historical landmark and create a thriving community space for all to enjoy.

As the holiday season approaches, the team extends warm Christmas and New Year wishes to all Great Torrington, with hopes to welcome everyone to the globe soon.

Sign up and show your support www. theglobetorrington.co.uk, email: info@ theglobetorrington.co.uk.

Great Torrington Commons

The bookshop is doing very well.

Dartington Crystal gets visitors from all over Great Britain and many from abroad, and many of these visitors are buying our books to take home with them. I recently noticed a coach from Wales and another from Durham in the carpark, on the same day. This is a great way to recycle books and give them another life.

Just as a reminder, our bookshop at Dartington Crystal has moved into the main shop. This means that we will now be open seven days a week. One thing that has changed is that you cannot leave any donations of books there now, so please contact me Andrew Giles on 07956 366 390 or by email chair@ torringtoncommons.org to arrange a different drop off address or to see if I may be able to collect from you.

You will find a vast selection of books in the shop all priced at either £1, £2 or £3. Just visit the shop, select your books and pay cash at the main till in the collection box or paying by card.

Felicity at Collectability continues to sell a selection of local interest books for us, as well as postcards and foreign coins, so please go along to her shop in Well Street and have a look. She has managed to raise an exceptional amount of £558 for us so far. I will be delivering

We are based in the traditional Pannier Market in the heart of Great Torrington. Our speciality is local products from Devon & Cornwall: Cheeses, preserves, pates, crackers & so much more. We also have a wonderful selection of homemade goods provided by @Sonu’s Kitchen: Various Indian foods and other lovely deli delights. Look out for added items for your lunches & weekend treats. We also provide food for some small parties and special occasions. If you would like to order anything, pop in & see us.

Email: hello@thewholejar.co.uk • Tel: 07398 182 659

Don’t forget our hamper service for birthdays, special occasions, & any other events.

more local interest books to her as I get them.

Webbers Estate Agents and Tarka Valley Railway continue to sell our teddy bears. At £5 each they must be an ideal stocking filler for Christmas. These bears are brand new with tags and they were donated to us. We have about 700 of them in stock.

Lots of the shops in town have one of our collection boxes, a few days ago I picked up the box from the Post Office and there was £125 inside. Please look out for them, it’s a great way to get rid of those pesky coins. It doesn’t matter if they are foreign we will still find a use for them. The latest news is that we are looking for an existing shop that has a bit of space to sell our CDs and DVDS from. We sell them throughout the summer from our car boot stall and they are very popular. We will advertise your shop on our website and Facebook pages and this should create more customers coming to your shop. Dartington Crystal, Collectabilty and Webbers have all benefited from helping us in this way. Please let me know if you can help us.

Andrew Giles 07956 366 390.

We are still accepting donations of books, CDs, DVDs, records, LEGO, old coins and jigsaws. Please get in touch if you have of these items that you would like to donate.

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 £4,500 per year. With Gift Aid this increased to nearly £6,000.

Please, consider applying to be a Commons 365 Supporter if you can, the 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: 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 2: You can email me at chair@ 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

Merry Caper Everybody!

The Christmas Caper is a challenging BUT fun race where fancy dress is strongly encouraged. There'll be a prize for the very best dressed runner, as there will be for the first three overall male and female and first in veteran age categories. We often sell out or get close to it, so if you’re interested don’t hesitate too long before going for it!

The club donates much of the race proceeds to local charities or causes, often presented at Round the Tree on May Fair.

Some practicalities:

• The race starts at 11am on Sunday December 22nd at Torrington Rugby Club

• Online entries only. NO entries on the day

• Parking will not be possible on site but there will be plenty nearby.

• Food + hot drinks + bar will be open.

• Changing rooms onsite, but no muddy shoes in the clubhouse! Please see our Facebook page or website to find out more about the event and details on how to enter: www.facebook.com/ TorringtonAmateurAthleticsClub, www. torringtonaac.co.uk/christmas-caper.

If this is not your scene but you’re interested in running and keeping fit, we offer weekly club sessions every Wednesday meeting at Great Torrington School at 6.15 pm. Please drop us a line at torringtonathleticsclub@gmail.com. The TAAC team

Country Ways at Christmas

The Country Ways family has had a very busy year. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who visited us this year, especially all of those that joined us for our open day back in June. We really enjoyed meeting everyone that visited for the event, the weather, the entertainment and the diversity of age ranges made the day something truly special.

Country Ways are proud to announce that we have now completed a new driveway. This was a huge project; however, when you visit, we are sure you will all agree the effort and investment just enhances the whole Country Ways experience.

We have introduced several successful new events this year and are planning even more for 2025.

For the remainder of 2024 and into 2025 why not book to have a Country Ways ‘Afternoon Tea & Holly the Highland Cow’ experience? A great opportunity not to be missed, where as well as enjoying sumptuous food and the bottomless tea pot, you can meet, cuddle, and brush our beautiful one year old Highland Cow.

Work Christmas Party Warning! You're Responsible for your Employees’ Behaviour

As the festive season fast approaches, Christmas parties provide a great opportunity for employees to unwind, celebrate, and enjoy themselves. However, employers must be aware of their responsibility to look after their employees, and in some cases, you will be liable for their behaviour. Whether the party is held at the workplace or an external venue, employers are legally accountable for any misconduct, including acts of discrimination, harassment, or victimisation committed by their employees.

Tracy Madgwick, owner of Crafnant HR, says: “As an HR consultant, we're usually very busy in January, dealing with issues from Christmas parties. We see it every single year, and business owners often don't realise they're liable for their employee's behaviour and do not put enough guidelines in place before the party to set expectations.” Tracy advises that employers should communicate the following key points to their teams before the event:

Celebrate responsibly: Remind employees that the party is a chance to relax and have fun while celebrating the hard work everyone has contributed over the year.

The party is an extension of the workplace: Social events organised by the company are considered a continuation of the work environment. As such, workplace rules and expectations apply, and inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated.

Reinforce appropriate behaviour: Clearly outline that appropriate workplace behaviour remains in effect. Provide examples of unacceptable conduct, including sexual harassment, and ensure everyone understands the boundaries. Responsible alcohol use: Remind employees to be mindful of alcohol consumption. Encourage them not to drive under the influence or report to work intoxicated the following day.

We are also introducing new ‘Christmas Party Nights’ for December. Why not bring your Christmas Party to one of the Country Ways Christmas Party nights; both large and small groups are welcome. Friday 13th December has already sold out, however, we still have spaces for Saturday 14th December 2024 and Friday 20th December 2024. Please contact us for more information

Please keep following us on Facebook for more information on all our upcoming events, we would love to have you join us.

The Country Ways Family Country Ways, Little Knowle farm, High Bickington, Umberleigh, EX37 9BJ, 01769 560503

Property Marketplace Tips - Stamp Duty

Now, there are two words to send shivers through buyers and sellers! Changes have happened and changes are happening.

Starting 31st October 2024, the stamp duty surcharge for second homes and buy-to-let properties increased. While buyers of main residences remain unaffected by this change, those purchasing an additional property will face an increased tax burden. Here’s how it works:

Previous surcharge: Those buying a second property would pay an additional 3% on top of the standard stamp duty rates.

New Surcharge: As of 31 October 2024, the surcharge increased by 2% to 5%, adding further costs for buyers of second properties.

Important note on Timing

If you're buying a property with the intention of making it your main residence, the timing of your purchase and sale matters. Even if the new property is intended to become your primary home, you’ll still pay the 5% surcharge unless you have completed the sale of your current home before the purchase completes on the new one. However, if your old home sells within 36 months, you can apply for a refund of the surcharge. This detail emphasises the importance of coordinating sale and purchase timelines closely if you’re planning a move to a new primary residence.

First time buyers

More important, especially for around here, is the change happening on the 1st April 2025 when the current threshold for where stamp duty gets paid, drops from £250,000 to £125,000 meaning that a purchaser buying at £250,000 will be paying an extra £2,500 under the new scheme. The existing rates above £250,000 stay as they currently are. For first time buyers the nil % rate for stamp duty payment drops from £450,000 to £300,000.

Would You Love to Feel Real Good in 2025?

Fill up on tasty real food. Choose from 1000s of recipes - that the whole household will love and never go hungry. Whether it’s your favourite roast dinner, takeaway, or pasta - YES fresh pasta! Or in a hurry why not choose ready-to-cook recipe boxes delivered straight to your door?

By setting these expectations in advance, employers can help ensure that the holiday party remains a fun and safe event for all. If you need assistance drafting communications or establishing guidelines for your holiday events, please contact Tracy Madgwick, Crafnant HR on 07899 665 506 or via email: tracy@crafnanthr. co.uk. Slimming World Groups at Torrington’s Castle Community Centre Wednesday 9am & 10.30am Debbie Summers 07796 945 039

At the time this article is being written that leaves approximately 96 working days to get a property transaction through before the new rates come into force. With the average time taken to get an exchange in the UK anywhere between 120 -150 working days, it is vitally important to have on your side a proactive vendor, estate agent, mortgage broker, solicitor and surveyor.

As our thoughts turn to the festive season, imagine taking ownership of a new home early in 2025 and saving £2,500 in stamp duty in the process! That will get rid of the shivers and bring warmth to the heart.

A home should be a place of hope, love and dreams.

Adrian Hardwick, Webbers Local Director

At Torrington Slimming World groups we pride ourselves in offering real support to help you navigate the ups and downs of weight loss. My members would love to share their weight loss tips with you in group every week. Whether it’s 7lb or 7 stone we guarantee real results. In 2024 my members have lost a staggering 2790lbs, that’s almost 200 stone gone! We will help you reach the weight and size you want - by putting you in control of your own target weight. Then by following a tailored maintenance plan we help you stay there for good. Don’t just take my word for it. Pop along and see for yourself how my members are building healthy habits that last a lifetime, and feel real good. Debbie says, “The hardest part is walking through the door. Debbie promises to be there at the door to welcome you and everyone receives a really warm welcome and a cuppa, Debbie is really proud of each and every member that walks through the door. So if you would love to find out more contact Debbie - Slimming World TorringtonWednesdays 9am and 10.30am. Tel: 07796 945 039.

Microsuction

Drain clearing CCTV surveys

Drain clearing CCTV surveys

Repairs/Relining

Repairs/Relining Septic Tank and Treatment plant installation

Septic Tank and Treatment plant installation

Tel: 07794 586039 or 01271 440251

North Devon Choral Society - Concert

7.30pm Saturday 7th December

Church of St Michael & All Angels, Great Torrington, EX38 8EA

NEar Wax Removal

Available in Torrington

We are the only Ear Wax Clinic in Devon that doesn’t charge for a follow up appointment

Call 07367 116 468 or visit our website www.devon-ear-clinic.co.uk

4 Well Street Torrington EX38 8EP

orth Devon Choral Society will be performing Mendelssohn's St Paul. This oratorio, based on the life of St Paul and his dramatic conversion to Christanity, was such a success when first performed in the 1830s that a second oratorio was commissioned and Elijah was even more successful. Conducted by John Hobbs, professional soloists will be Katie Wright, Mark Hounsell and Tim Mirfin, with accompaniment from the renowned Father Willis organ. Tickets are £20, children and students free, from Torrington Jewellers, Walter Henry's Bookshop, Bideford, and Tarka Books, Barnstaple, and you can pre-book on 01272 378104, or pay at the door. We hope to see you there.

Torrington Library joining Torrington Rotary in ‘Wrap Up’ Project

Our lovely Torrington Library now has a rail with pre-loved good winter coats for those in need… It’s part of a Rotary UK-wide project that Torrington Rotary has joined, to collect good coats that are no longer worn and redistribute them to those who need one. Please come along to the library and take a coat if you need it, or donate one if you have a spare (or take it to the collection box at the Bickford Centre).

Wrap Up This Winter - Give What You Can, Take What You Need. Cold days, warm libraries. Please contact Rotarian Linda Facey if you have any queries on email ian.facey@hotmail.com.

Rotary ‘Open Gardens’ 2025…

Torrington in Bloom is joining forces with Torrington Rotary for an ‘Open Gardens’ event next summer. Do you have a garden, large or small, which you’d like to show off? All the funds raised will go to local charities and to help Torrington in Bloom maintain our lovely Torrington gardens. There’ll be an easy-to-follow guide, and prizes for the top gardens. We’ve got four lovely gardens so far, but we need more. If you’d like to register your garden, please phone Stephen Saywell on 07885 443 236.

Meanwhile, as Christmas approaches, may we wish you all a happy and peaceful festive season and thank everyone for their support this past year.

Local Baby & Toddler Groups

Buckland Brewer Toddler and Baby Group Mondays term time at Buckland Brewer Methodist Church 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 Mondays 9.30-11am at High Bickington Community Centre. £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. Mondays 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. Parkham Allardice Hall Wednesdays 9-11am. £2 per child includes a snack Torrington Babies and Toddler Group 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 6-15mths) 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…

It seems hard to believe we are nearly at the end of another year, as Christmas 2023 doesn’t seem that long ago. But the year has come and gone, and it has been a busy time working on a huge range of issues: from fixing potholes through to Devolution Deals for Devon!

Looking back over the year, I know that highways and potholes remain one of the pressing issues in our area, and I have fought hard to get repairs and more funding for our roads here and will do so again next year. Despite the many challenges the Council has faced, with extremely tight budgets for highways and the costs of social care, we have nonetheless seen this year major resurfacing schemes on the A386 and the B3227. Thanks to additional money we received from when the previous Government scrapped HS2, we have been able to fund more serviceability patching (i.e. resurfacing style repairs) across Torrington Rural, and this year alone more than 4,800 square metres of patching has been done in our area. According to my local Highway Officer, both Torrington Rural and Holsworthy Rural have had the largest amount of serviceability patching done throughout the entire county. We often complain, rightly, that the Torridge area is overlooked for funding however in this instance, it has gone where the need is greatest!

We have again also seen the Dragon Patcher working on our more rural roads from Little Torrington to Buckland Filleigh and Ashreigney to Roborough. Thanks to better weather conditions this autumn we have also been able to get through more sites this year compared to 2023.

More resurfacing is planned for 2025 with both Hatchmoor Road and High Bullen on the B3227 currently (weather and other unforeseen circumstances permitting!) due for resurfacing in February. Further afield, the main road between Stibb Cross and Shebbear at Rowden is also down for resurfacing in January.

Eagle-eyed residents may have noticed white markings in and around roads in Torrington. I can report that Highways are going to be putting forward Calvesford Road and the B3232 for a major patching and surface dressing scheme in the next financial year. Similarly, the B3227 at Limers Hill has also been assessed for patching and surface dressing in the next financial year, and Mill Street is being assessed for a micro-asphalt resurfacing scheme.

The B3127 at Rectory Road in Dolton is also earmarked for patching and surface dressing too. So there is a lot planned still for our area, and I will keep pushing for as much as we can get in Highways improvements into the New Year and beyond.

As we head into the colder weather period, I thought I might also be worth talking about the Council’s ‘Winter’ or gritting service. DCC has replaced and upgraded six of its 37 frontline gritters with newer models ahead of this winter. These replacement vehicles include touchscreen controls to enable drivers to adjust their plough attachments without leaving their cab. The gritters are deployed by the Council’s Network Operations Control Centre. Based in Exeter, they use CCTV, weather information, traffic and congestion data to monitor Devon’s road network 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Around 24,000 tonnes of salt are stored in gritting depots across the county at the start of the season. There are also more than 3,500 grit bins located across Devon to support community self-help on roads which are not on the gritting network. At this time of year, local communities are encouraged to check grit bins in their area and you can report any empty grit bins via the DCC “Report It” webpages (type in devon.cc/report-it in your internet browser).

Moving away from Highways, I know that in our current challenging economic climate, the Christmas period can be a difficult time for people and families. I can report that Household Support

Funding will be available until the end of March 2025, to help households that are struggling with the costs of energy, food, water and other essentials. Devon County Council will receive a share of the Household Support Fund, as we have each year since 2021. This allocation, like previous ones, is a little over £5 million. The council is now agreeing how we will distribute the funding, working closely with Devon’s eight District, City and Borough councils and voluntary and community partners. Citizens Advice Devon will be one of the recipients to receive Household Support Funding, so that they can continue to support people who are struggling to meet their energy needs. Support comes in the shape of fuel voucher payments, and longer-term relief of fuel poverty through initiatives that help homes become more energyefficient, and that help people stay warm at home – such as heated throws, body warmers or rechargeable hot water bottles, for example. This latest round of Household Support Fund also allows DCC to continue to provide Free School Meal holiday vouchers to families whose children are eligible for benefit-related free school meals during term time. Finally, as we come to the end of the year, I have been delighted to support many community projects with my local Councillor Locality Budget Grant: including helping to set up Community Libraries, repairing community assets and supporting local schools with new learning resources. I do still have some funds available as we approach the end of this current financial year, so if you do have a project on in your area please do get in touch as your organisation may be eligible for a grant.

I would like to wish all readers of The Crier a very Happy Christmas, and a peaceful and prosperous New Year. As ever, if there are any DCC issues you’d like to raise with you can contact me on Facebook facebook.com/cllrsaywell, ring 07886 446 560 or email andrew. saywell@devon.gov.uk.

Fabulous Freddie Calling In

Wat your local club/pub

If you can think of more ways then please do contact Aunty Lynne at lynne@k9focus.co.uk and she will email you one of our fundraising packs.

From Your District Councillors…

LPet Assist scheme got off the ground, which has been put in place with the main aim of helping owners keep their pets rather than having to surrender them. To date we have helped with temporary kennelling due to homelessness, emergency veterinary treatment and funding some essential ongoing medication due to financial hardship. We have received so many requests for help and it is really frustrating that we can’t help everyone, but as you can imagine there are simply insufficient funds to go round. It has been pleasing, however, that we have over the last month received more monthly sponsors, but as always we could do with more! We always seem to be begging for funds, but however large or small it really all does help us to help more people and their pets. K9Focus is run entirely by volunteers, so all donations really do go towards helping the animals and not to paying big salaries!

ell what a busy few weeks we have had at the rescue. I have to say that November was mainly about cats – who would have thought that 15 years ago when K9Focus was started? During the month we managed to rehome four cats, take two kittens into foster care together with an adult black cat, they are supposed to be lucky I believe! It certainly was for her, as one week after going into foster care she produced four lovely black kittens! During the month we have also chipped and neutered all those in our care, which I can tell you has made a bit of our dent in our funds. Just as well the volunteers were out again this month fundraising, what a team! They gave up their Sunday on 10th November to attend a Christmas Fayre at Cedars in Barnstaple, raising £124 which will at least cover two of the vaccinations. We didn’t forget the dogs though, as we found lovely homes for Boss, Max, Bella and took Storm the Husky into foster care. We also took Jemaire and Molly, our two older Chihuahuas, into foster who had been returned to us due sadly to the ill health of their owner. They will probably remain with us due to their ages (11 & 14).

During the month our new K9Focus

Talking of fund raising how about some of the following ideas for Christmas (yes it is December so I am allowed to mention the word!)

* How about sending an e-card and save postage? You could donate directly to us via our website or PayPal or check out the link below – they have some great cards! www.dontsendmeacard.com/ ecards/charities/k9focus

* What about a Boxing Day sponsored walk?

* Ask your school/college for a sponsored Christmas Jumper Day

* A 2-week sponsored slim – get some of those pounds off ready for those Christmas chocolates!

* Baking & selling mince pies at work

* Organise a Christmas theme karaoke

During December we will be in the Pets at Home Barnstaple store, helping their Pet Foundation charity raise funds through their Santa Paws scheme. As a partnered charity we receive 50% of all the moneys raised during the campaign, which runs right up to Christmas Eve, so do go and check out the store – they have some great Christmas gifts for us woofs (ok and the cats I guess!). The other 50% goes to their charity, which provides grants to organisations like ourselves throughout the year, so all charities benefit.

Did you post a photo of your rescue dog in November? If so, all I will say is check out our Facebook page each day through the month and see who has featured in our advent calendar!

Right that is about it from me – busy, busy, busy. Do keep checking our Facebook page throughout December and January to follow all our news. I guess it just leaves me to say have a fantastic Christmas and thank you for all your support during the year. Everyone at K9Focus volunteers, woofs and cats wish you the very best for 2025 and, of course, I will be back with you in February.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year. Love and licks, Freddie

St Giles in the Wood Church Christmas Tree Festival

December 14th 1.30-7pm, refreshments available from 2pm. December 15th service 10.3011.30am. 12-4pm refreshments available.

December 22nd 12-6pm followed by Carol Service at 6.30pm. Refreshments available from 12 noon. Everyone welcome.

ast month, Cllr Chris Bright attended the Community Safety Partnership meeting; one of the main topics was the complexity of dealing with hate crimes, both in public and online.

Following the tide of hate crimes which spread across the UK following the sad events of the Southport stabbing at a children’s dance group, Devon & Cornwall police had a very large presence against those who gathered in protest in Bideford and Barnstaple, and because of that presence, issues arising were very minimal. These protests were powered largely by misinformation which was allowed to run rampant on social media.

At Full Council, Councillors were given a report into how well Active Torridge has done in the first two years of service. It has saved TDC £470k against the projected spend, and they plan on a reduction of the service fee this year and in following years. They reported 600,000 visits to the three sites each year and growing. We agreed to extend Active Torridge’s services until March 2027, and agreed in principle an extension until 2032.

TDC agreed that we renovate Holsworthy Pool; this will see a new roof, solar panels, and an air source heat pump replacing the existing boiler. This will be a much-needed improvement to the site which is the worst CO2 offender

of TDC’s properties, and it currently produces more than double the CO2 of Torrington Pool. TDC has secured £1.2m of grant funding, with a total of £1.8m agreed to deliver the whole scheme.

Also on the agenda was the refurbishment of Bideford Town Hall. This involves a large amount of investment into repairing the roof, upgrading the inside, and creating a gym space which Active Torridge will manage on behalf of TDC. This project comes with £131k of grant funding, and costs £3.2m to deliver the whole scheme.

TDC agreed £105k of rural England prosperity fund to be allocated to three play zones: Stanhope Park, Holsworthy; Pollyfields, Bideford; and the Tennis Courts, Great Torrington. Further funding to secure this project has been agreed from Torrington Town and Lands, Great Torrington Town Council, Bideford Town Council, Holsworthy Town Council, and Bideford Bridge Trust, but 75% of the funding is coming from the Football Foundation. The plan is for Active Torridge to manage the site, with a mixture of ‘free to use’ and chargeable sessions.

Torridge District Council has launched the sixth round of Household Support Funding, now open to applications. The grants will be available to people that need help with: paying energy and water bills, purchasing essential products and appliances, buying food, and wider essentials. Full details are on the TDC website: www.torridge.gov.uk/ costoflivinghelp.

Ring: 01271 371 499. Or email TDC: hardshipfund@torridge.gov.uk.

As always, if you have any concerns about any issue, please contact us: Cllr Doug Smith, Councillor.smith@ torridge.gov.uk, 07970 636 199 Cllr Lauren Bright, Cllr.laurenbright@ torridge.gov.uk, 07595 659 310 Cllr Chris Bright, Councillor.bright@ torridge.gov.uk, 07936 325 909

Badminton for Fun!

We don’t take it too seriously! Come and have fun. Players aged 18 to 118. 7.30-9pm, Wednesdays at Little Torrington Victory Hall, £3. Please telephone Jen on 01805 622433.

Wellbeing Cafe

Would you like to meet others and find out about different groups, activities and organisations in our local area? Come and enjoy a FREE cuppa and have a chat with the Social Prescribers from our local GP Surgeries. All welcome! Hope to see you there. Phone for more information or just pop in! Justine 07377 176 457. At The Market Café, 13 Pannier Market, Torrington, EX38 8HD. Every first Thursday of the month, 9.30-11am.

Torridge Vale Social Club Members Meeting

The committee would like to say thank you to all those members who were able to attend the meeting on the 9th October, of which 40 came. We are working our way through the list of ideas that were put forward by the members.

It was voted that the membership should increase to £5 per person per year. Some thought that £5 was too cheap, so it was put forward that if any member would like to make a larger donation to the club it would be very gratefully received. The bar stools have been returned.

We are in the process of updating our website, so people will be able to keep more updated with what's on at the club. Every Tuesday evening from 4-9pm, the pool table will be FREE.

We are looking to exhibit local art work in the hallway entrance. If you are interested in this then please come in any time after 4pm weekdays and 12 noon weekends to speak to a member of staff.

Also, if there are any local bands looking for a venue, please come in to look around and have a chat.

If you are a member and were unable to attend the meeting, but have ideas/ suggestions then please write them down and pop them into the club.

In the New Year we are hoping to run family games days. So if you have some free time and would like to help out in any way, it would be very much appreciated. There are only seven committee members and we do our best.

If you haven’t been to the club in a while, it would be great to see you. We need as many members to visit and use this facility to help keep the club running. As hopefully you are all aware of the running costs of such a great building. Many thanks

Talking About Death Doesn’t Make it Happen!

Do you want to break the taboos around death? Do you think that talking about dying is a natural part of life? Then come and join us in an open conversation about all things death related at the Great Torrington Death Café.

Recently we've discussed how losing a child changes your life, the difficulty some people have in being open about death.

Tuesday 10th December 3.30-4.30pm at the Methodist Church Hall at the top of Mill Street, and Wednesday 22nd January 7-9pm at the Conservative Club, Torrington.

Torrington

Methodist Church

Awarm welcome from Torrington Methodist Church EX38 8AL, top of Mill Street.

Sunday Worship 10.30am at Church. Evening Worship 6.30pm via Zoom, email sarahrichards185@gmail.com to request the link.

Mid-week Morning Prayer every Wednesday at 9.30am (around 2030 minutes long), tea and coffee afterwards, should you wish to stay. Join us for our ‘Bacon Butty Coffee Morning’ from 10am-12pm, on the third Saturday every month. Our premises (various rooms, incl. wifi, projector) are available to hire, see website or phone Sheila 01805 622949. Blessings from us all, hope to meet you soon.

St Michael's & All Angels Church

At St Michael's & All Angels Church, we warmly invite you to find a moment of peace and reflection within our doors. Whether you're seeking quiet time for personal prayer or simply a space to unwind during the day, our church is open from 10am-4pm Monday-Saturday. For those looking to join us in worship, we hold regular services on Thursdays at 10:30am and Sundays at 10am. All are welcome to join us and we look forward to seeing you there!

Come & enjoy the magic of Zumba!

Dance , exercise & most of all have fun! It’s more than a workout!

You will leave feeling happy & energised. It is for all ages & fitness levels, you don’t need to be able to dance...

First Class Free - no tie in Thursday 6.15pm-7.15pm

Contact Wendy to book your free class t: 07787 607 322 e: wendy.cox@btinternet.com Scout Hall Gas Lane Torrington EX38 7BE

Memories of Torrington's Past

This article is based on a handwritten document by George Stacey (19162004), ‘Man of the Commons’, and lent to me by his family.

He starts, ‘I can remember when the town ended at the Cottage Hospital. The hospital site was given by the Honourable Mark Rolle and the first stone was laid by Lady Gertrude Rolle on 5th August 1908 during the mayoralty of Philip Stapleton.’ Mark Rolle died in 1907 and in 1909 a memorial cross was erected in the parish churchyard. (See photo).

Wayne Hill Painter and Decorator

Fully qualified tradesman

• Interior and exterior painting

• Paper hanging

• No job too big or too small

For a friendly reliable service from a local tradesman ring: T: 01805 625238 M: 07814 147 603

On the west side of the hospital, up until 1903, stood an iron chapel, known by the locals as the ‘tin tabernacle’. Herbert Baker bought the site and had a garage built on it because he had a contract to bring the older children (over elevens) from the surrounding villages into the new school by bus. The Secondary Modern School was built by Torrington builder, Darch and Sons, and opened in 1939. During the war the school accommodated lots of evacuee children, mainly from London.

The earliest known school in Torrington was founded in the chantry chapel of St James at the castle, probably in the fifteenth century, the remains of which were finally taken down in 1780. The building was reconstructed and became a National School (i.e. connected to the Church of England) before 1833. John Lord Rolle (1750-1842) extended the building for the accommodation of girls in 1834. When the building ceased to be a school, it became the Eric Palmer Community Centre (now Function Fitness).

The cattle market used to be held in New Street and some forty iron rings can still be seen in the churchyard wall to which the cattle were tied. A man called Gordon Vick wanted to build a cattle market in the town, but the council were not prepared to take the risk, so Mr Vick went to Hatherleigh where he built one of the biggest cattle markets in the South West.

During the mayoralty of Dr O’Flaherty (1927-28) the ladies of Torrington made a door-to-door collection to raise money to build a concrete diving ramp and changing hut on the bank of the River Torridge, which became known as Bathing Pool. Unfortunately, the changing hut fell victim to the flood waters.

The loud voice of Torrington’s Town Crier, Bert Waldron, was first heard officially in 1930 and, in subsequent years, he was national champion eight times. The job took him to Europe and America, onto radio and television, and he was featured on a pop record.

Torrington has always been well-known for its glove making industry. One of the biggest factories was owned by William Vaughan. In the 1880s, he decided to build a huge three storey house, which he called ‘Enderley’, on what is now the car park in South Street. By the time of the First World War, the house was on the market but no buyer had been found and it was used by the Red Cross as a hospital for sick and wounded soldiers. During the Second World War, the building, by then known as Sydney House, was used as a residential school of recovery for delicate children suffering from pre-tuberculosis and asthma. Tragically, on the night of 19th February 1942 a fire broke out, destroying the house, and five children lost their lives. Moira Brewer

Nourished Drop-in

Torrington

Breastfeeding and infant feeding support Thursdays 10-11.30am

Early Nourishment CIC invite you to come along with your baby, toddler or preschool child. There are lots of toys to keep children happy and a range of refreshments.

Our breastfeeding support is provided by accredited peer supporters and breastfeeding counsellors. However, we support all parents with all feeding queries without judgement or expectation. You don't need to have a problem either, just come for a cuppa and chill.

Our Torrington drop-in is held at the Torrington Children's Centre at Bluecoats School. We will provide refreshments if you can bring a travel mug.

How can you help me?

We can support you with: breastfeeding latch issues; sore nipples; coping with night feeds; bottle feeding; expressing; returning to work; breastfeeding twins (we have three peer supporters who’re twin mums!); tandem feeding; breastfeeding in pregnancy; milk supply worries; weight gain issues; introducing solids and much more!

We hope to see you soon, follow us on Facebook Early Nourishment Community Interest Company, for regular updates.

Torridge Walk & Talk

A nice way to get fit, make friends and enjoy yourself! Every Tuesday and Wednesday, with a variety of walks for all levels. Just turn up and join in for free. Full details on our website torridgewalkandtalk. co.uk or call Steve 01237 421528.

TVSC committee

Your Council, Working for YOU GREAT TORRINGTON TOWN COUNCIL NEWS

From Your Mayor…

At the time of writing, I am preparing for this Sunday's Service of Remembrance. It really is an honour to lay a wreath on behalf of our town's Council in memory of those who gave their ‘todays’ for all our ‘tomorrows’. I’m sure that many of you will attend this service.

As usual much has happened since I last wrote. A quick visit to our Bluecoat School to present certificates to the winners of our Anti Dog Fouling Poster competition, really took me back to my teaching days - as did seeing expupils working on the reception desks!

Congratulations go to the winners Elsa and Scarlett, and Olivia for coming second, and well done to all who entered. We look forward to displaying these posters more widely in the future.

Shortly after this it was Band Week! I like many, thoroughly enjoyed the Silver Band's ‘A Night at the Movies’ concert. As always, the playing was superb, and it was also great to have a performance by the beginners’ group, indicating that an exciting future lies ahead for the

band. The following morning, I was putting on my wellies and venturing down to the river to officially start their first ever charity Duck Race!

Unfortunately, my ducks decided to take it steady instead of race, but a good time was had by all! Then it was wellies off and a drive over to the Commodore Hotel at Instow, where I made a special presentation on behalf of Great Torrington Town Council, to Richard Wolfenden-Brown, who was presented with an award in recognition of the Outstanding Community Service he has given our town, during his 25 years at the helm of The Plough Arts Centre. Thank you, Richard!

November 19th is International Men's Day. It is something for us all to be aware of that mental health issues are still a significant factor in causing the deaths of many young men. It is also recognised that giving men the opportunity to get together, connect and talk, can really support positive mental health. To help this happen our Council will be providing tables and free cups of tea in the following places; The Fork and Feast,

Green Lantern, and the Pannier Market Café on this day. So please go along and have a cuppa, and a chat, Amanda from TTVS will be helping to facilitate this event.

Saturday November 23rd marks the third anniversary of the opening of the Dartmoor Railway Line, and Councillor Sue Mills and I are really looking forward to attending a celebratory event at Okehampton Station.

On November 30th I will be switching on our town's Christmas Lights! Look out for lovely posters advertising this and giving further details. I'm sure I'll meet many of you there.

Finally, my consort Elizabeth and I are hoping to visit all our town's care homes on Christmas morning. I hasten to add that these will be pre-lunchtime visits, to avoid any comparisons being made to the ‘Vicar of Dibley’ Christmas special! But seriously, if any of you have a very special event happening in the future, such as a special birthday, or wedding anniversary and you would like us to briefly attend, please let us know and we'll do or very best to join you. As usual, take care, keep safe, and thank you for your continued support.

Phil Cloke

Parking Charges in December 2024

Torridge District Council has confirmed the small businesses free parking day across all Torridge District Council car parks, will be on Saturday 14th December 2024, therefore parking will be free in both Sydney House and Barley Grove car parks in Great Torrington on this day.

Great Torrington Town Council has some hours remaining of its allocated free parking allowance for 2024. Members have agreed to use these hours in Sydney House Car Park only, during popular retail hours between 9am and 12pm on Saturdays during December.

This means that parking in Sydney House car park will be free from 9am until 12 midday every Saturday in December, and remember it is already free from 12 midday every week!

See below for full details of parking changes for Saturdays in December:

Saturday 7th December Sydney House ONLY 9am onwards FREE Provided by Great Torrington Town Council am & TDC pm.

Saturday 14th December FREE ALL DAY in BOTH Sydney House & Barley Grove

- Torridge Small Business Saturday provided by Torridge District Council.

Saturday 16th December Sydney House ONLY 9am onwards FREE (GTTC am –TDC pm)

Saturday 23rd December Sydney House ONLY 9am onwards FREE (as above)

We hope you make the most of this free parking and use the opportunity to purchase Christmas gifts and supplies from our local shops.

Great Torrington Town Council Christmas Opening Hours

The Town Council offices will be closed from 1pm on Thursday 19th December 2024 and will re-open at 9am on Tuesday 7th January 2025.

We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a safe and peaceful New Year.

Great Torrington Town Council

Little Town of Great Torrington…

Join us for a Community Christmas sing–along around the Christmas Tree!

Saturday 30th November 2024 from 5:30pm in the Town Centre for this year’s CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON!

Come along and celebrate the start of Christmas, as we host a community Christmas sing-along around the Christmas Tree in the town centre. Torrington Silver Band, Bluecoat School Choir and local band Absent Minds will be singing for us and accompanying a Christmas sing-along. We would like you all to join us!

The Christmas lights will be switched on by the Mayor Phil Cloke as we continue to sing some more festive songs. New this year – we will have street food vendors Beatzcookin and Fudge Devils in the square, and Megan & Isa’s Candy Floss stall will be situated in the Undercroft, along with Town Hall volunteers serving hot and cold drinks and free mince pies, courtesy of the Chamber of Trade.

Come along and join in the festivities as we once again light up the town centre in readiness for Christmas.

O'

WILLS

POWERS

OF ATTORNEY

INHERITANCE TAX ADVICE

PHILIP W TAYLOR LLB LEGAL CONSULTANT

Free initial consultation & estimate, no obligation.

Low rates (no VAT). Free home visits in EX38 area. Evening & weekend appointments available.

Contact me for a free consultation.

Telephone: 01271 858482 or 07766 714503

Email: philipwardtaylor@outlook.com

Reporting Antisocial Behaviour

Anumber 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 of concern, 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/howto-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: www.torridge.gov.uk/ licensing-complaints

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.

Winter Dangers for Animals…

Sadly, more animals are hit by cars during the winter months, so we’re asking drivers to be cautious when they’re out and about. Stick to the speed limit and be extra vigilant in residential areas where cats could be crossing the road, as well as areas with wildlife warning signs. If you hit an animal on the road, put your hazard lights on and stop somewhere safely. Never put yourself at risk to help an animal.

If an animal is injured then it’s important to get them help as quickly as possible. Knowing who to contact for help or how to safely transport an animal yourself, will help ensure animals in need get help quickly.

Here’s what to do depending on what sort of animal you hit:

* Cat - if safe, please carefully pick them up to check for their owner’s contact details (such as on a collar ID tag) or take them to a nearby vet so they can be scanned for a microchip and receive any urgent medical treatment.

* Dog - you must report the incident to

Devon Sensory Outreach Service

What is the Devon Sensory Outreach Service?

This outreach service is available around the towns and villages of West Devon and Torridge on a regular timetable, offering a free, confidential, and impartial service for people with a hearing and/or sight loss. Families, carers, neighbours, friends and professionals are also welcome to come and see us. What does the Sensory Outreach Service offer?

• Trained staff who understand the effects of hearing and sight loss and can provide support and advice.

• Demonstrate and short term loan of a wide range of equipment to help with everyday difficulties including - hearing the doorbell and smoke alarm, listening to the television and managing communication on the telephone. Lamps, tactile markers, and talking alarm clocks and watches.

• Manufacturers contact details and up to date catalogues. Help to order equipment.

• A wide range of information on hearing and visual impairment and services available locally and nationally.

• Information and referral to other services provided by Devon County Council or sources of other professional help.

• Maintenance of NHS hospital hearing aids. Batteries and retubing. The service visits The Bickford Centre, South Street EX38 8AA on 1st Wednesday every two months: next visit 4th December.

Anne Humphreys, Rehab Officer - Hearing Impairment Sensory Team 07966 596881 or 01392 386611

the police. If it is safe to do so, carefully and slowly approach the dog to restrain them and move them to safety. If they are wearing an ID tag, please contact their owner. If not, please contact the dog warden.

* Horse or farm animal - you must report the incident to the police. They’ll also be able to assist in moving any other animals to safety.

JAMES WASTE COLLECTION

Contact James on 07714 819 415 Licensed Waste Carrier No: CBDU269392 House Clearance • Office Clearance • Garage Clearance Garden Clearance • Scrap metal clearance

For any kind of clearance, please call, text or pm anytime for a no obligation quote. Thank you!

Collect from Torrington, Bideford, Barnstaple, & surrounding areas

* Large wild animal, such as a badger, fox or deer - if you can find the animal, please do not approach them, but contact a local rescue organisation or vet for guidance. Alternatively, contact the RSPCA for advice on www.rspca.org.uk/ reportaconcern or 0300 1234 999. Thank you for doing your bit to help animals and to create a better world for every kind.

Steve Bennett, RSPCA Chief Inspectorate Officer

* Small wild animal, such as a rabbit or pigeon - if you can locate the injured animal safely, please carefully pick them up (wearing gloves or using a towel or coat) and put them in a box with air holes to transport them to a local vet for help.

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

Friendly professional lawn mowing and general garden maintenance.

Cutting, pruning, planting and weeding.

Garden waste removal service also available.

Great Torrington Water Forum

The nation’s rivers are polluted, there are many reasons for this: untreated sewage released by water companies, illegal waste dumping and littering, and misconnected drains. There’s also another type of pollution known as roadway runoff.

Roadway runoff refers to the water that flows over roads and pavements during rainstorms or snowmelt, collecting various pollutants and debris along the way. These are then washed into nearby rivers and streams when it rains.

A report ‘Highway Runoff and the Water Environment’, launched by Stormwater Shepherds and CIWEM, details the toxic cocktail of pollutants that runs off the UK’s road network and into our rivers and water sources every time it rains. This pollution has been flying under the radar because sewage and farm runoff have been dominating political and media attention.

The pollutants in highway runoff come from multiple sources. They are deposited on the road surface as well as passing into the atmosphere around the road. They include:

• Road surface and markings worn down through use

• Microplastics particularly from vehicle tyres

• Dust containing heavy metals from brakes, clutches and other components

• Fluids from windscreens, engines, brakes and hydraulics, and fuel additives

• Combustion emissions and unburned fuel

• Spillages from accidents and leaks on vehicles

• Road salt

• Herbicides used on road verges

• Metals from road furniture

• Soils, sand and sediment from tyres or from washed or blown sediment onto the road surface from surrounding land

• Chemicals: surprisingly many, including the chemicals you use to keep your dogs flea and tick free, as well as pharmaceuticals and ‘forever’ chemicals (PFAS).

The combinations of these pollutants are variable due to differing road, traffic and weather conditions. The lack of data on this pollution makes it difficult to alert the relevant responsible authorities on where they should be prioritising action.

There are hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of highway outfalls across the country discharging this toxic mix into the water environment. The lack of routine monitoring of these outfalls by the Environment Agency, National Highways and local highway authorities, means that their impact on aquatic ecosystems and human health is not well understood.

We have discussed over the last few articles how rivers get polluted. Almost 500 different chemicals, some of which are banned, have been found in various mixtures across all 171 river and groundwater catchments tested in England in 2024. More than half classed as very toxic, toxic or harmful to aquatic

Dafforn & Son

Independent Family Owned Funeral Directors

Dafforn & Son

Dafforn & Son

Torrington

Independent Funeral Directors

Roger P. Byrom 01805 622263 Independent Funeral Directors

6 New Street, Torrington

24 Hour personal service 7 days a week

Funeral plans & monumental masonry

Christmas Thoughts

life, with 20 categorised as ‘substances of very high concern’.

Our rivers and freshwater habitats are at crisis point, and we need to turn the tide now. We want to see:

* The law enforced

* Pollution to be unprofitable

* Focused targets

* Nature-based solutions implemented

* Communities engaged and empowered Help us fight to restore and protect our local rivers, they are lifelines for us.

I hope you all have a great Christmas and New Year, look out for our posts over the period.

Contact us @gtwaterforum@ gmail.com; www.facebook.com/ greattorringtonwaterforum; www. linkedin.com.

Great Torrington Water Forum

To All Members of the Conservative Club

ASpecial General Meeting will be held on Wednesday 11th December at 7:30pm, where all members are invited to attend to discuss the future of your Club. If you wish the club to remain open, you will need to come along to put your thoughts and, more importantly, your votes, forward.

Please make every effort to attend as the vote on that evening will be representative of all members on the future direction.

Conservative Club Committee

• Kitchens

• Custom built furniture

• Storage solutions

07949 041 799 Sammoircarpentry@gmail.com

• Decking/Fencing

• Cladding

• Timber repair

• General home improvements

Every little snowflake Floating down from up above, Every little snowflake Is a memory filled with love.

But every little snowflake Is insubstantial and cannot last, Life itself is just the same You can’t live in the past.

Every Christmas candle

Little Torrington WI

November’s meeting speaker was Alan Fraser-Smith, giving a history of the family farm, innovations in farming and running a feed drying business. It was fascinating along with the family history.

December’s meeting is with Lucy Turner, a local basket maker. The autumn nature ramble at Meeth Nature Reserve was a glorious day and dry underfoot.

Art Class has resumed again over Zoom. The first class was an insight into primitive and naive art and a discussion was had over the definition of both. Not sure if we are naively primitive or primitively naive! A painting day themed on Van Gogh and featuring the colour green was enjoyed by members in November. With beautiful flower paintings being the end result.

Glows for the silent world to see, Every Christmas candle Brings joy to you and me, But every Christmas candle With its welcome, flickering flame Reminds us all that life moves on Nothing remains the same.

Every Christmas celebration We all hold so very dear, Every Christmas celebration We rejoice in every year, Every Christmas celebration Can bring to some a heavy heart When they have lost the one they love Or are spending time apart.

But every Christmas greeting Should fill us with a rosy glow, For every Christmas greeting Is a guiding light from those who know That a special Christmas greeting Could mean so much to those in needBut no one should feel abandoned When God’s love is guaranteed. Stef Easton

Remembrance Sunday saw the WI lay its wreath at the War Memorial in Little Torrington, with our President Jen Hood also reading a war poem. November also saw the Castle Hill Creatives Christmas Craft Fair. The WI provided mince pies and mulled wine. The WI Christmas lunch will be at the Bell Inn, Parkham. It is always popular and Christmas jumpers are compulsory. Book Club is currently reading ‘Silence of the Girls’, by Pat Barker, and meet on the third Monday of the month. The water monitoring group have attended marches to highlight the plight of our rivers, as well as Devon Water Watch Forum for Taw and Torridge. We will continue to monitor the water quality as we need the data to highlight the changes in our local rivers. Upcoming events in January include North Devon WI Quiz and our WI’s 79th birthday lunch.

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

Torrington Silver Band

Torrington Silver Band is very excited to be entering the Christmas season; it is such a wonderful time of year for a brass band. Throughout December you will find us playing Christmas Carols under the Town Hall on Saturday mornings from 10am till 12pm approx. We are always happy to take requests so please stop by to say hello and let us know what Carol we can play for you. Our annual Christmas Concert will take place on Saturday 21st December 2024 at Howe Concert Hall, Castle Street, Torrington. The concert will begin at 7:30pm, doors will open from 7pm. Admission cost is £8 per person, under 16s FREE. There will also be free refreshments available throughout the interval. It’s sure to be an evening of festive entertainment for all the family. We look forward to seeing you there.

Torrington Silver Band would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support throughout 2024. We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Fleur’s

Gardening Forum - Christmas Quiz

Ihad a thought the other day, that it has been a while since I put together a special Christmas quiz for all you eager gardeners, so you can while away an afternoon when the rain is lashing down outside and you can’t get into your gardens or take the dog for a walk. At least you can get the brain cells operating even if you’re unable to move far from the sofa because you’re so full!

A bit of Latin first:

1. Ipomea is the Genus name for what climbing plant?

2. What is the more common name for Alchemilla mollis?

3. Calluna vulgaris ‘Alba’ is lucky for some, what is it?

4. Viridiflora means what?

5. Cardamine hirsutum is a pesky little annual weed, what does ‘hirsutum’ mean?

All about trees

1. What is the Linden tree more commonly known as?

2. The Norse tree of the universe is known as Yggdrasil, but what tree is it?

3. Quercus ruber is one of our best known native trees, living to a great age?

4. Holly ‘Golden King’ is badly named, why?

5. How do Larch, Swamp Cypress, the Maidenhair Tree and the Dawn Redwood differ from other conifers?

A True or False round

1. Tomatoes and Potatoes are members of the same family of plants?

2. The Worcester Pearmain is a variety of pear?

3. The Lenten Lily is a Daffodil?

4. Pelargoniums are actually hardy geraniums?

5. All garden herbs are safe to eat in a salad?

General Knowledge

1. What is the correct term for Fern leaves?

2. What is the term used for the science of fruit growing (it’s an ‘ology’)?

3. Which famous London hotel shares its name with a popular vegetable?

4. What part of the world do Lupins originate?

5. What kind of grass is the most comfortable to sit on?

A Merry Christmas to you all, you might need a glass of your favourite tipple! Fleur

Visit: www.isabelspetsitting.co.uk

Answers:

Latin:

1. Morning Glory or even Bindweed

2. Lady’s Mantle

3. Lucky white Heather

4. Viridis means Green, the flora part of the word refers to the flowers

5. Cardamine hirsutum is hairy bittercress, hirsutum means hairy Trees:

1. The Lime tree

2. The Ash tree

3. Quercus ruber is the noble Oak tree

4. Holly ‘Golden King’ is female (to get good berries you need both a male and female tree)

5. These four beautiful coniferous trees are deciduous, unlike other conifers that shed their leaves continuously as they grow.

True or False:

1. True, they are members of the Solanum family.

2. False, the Worcester Pearmain is an apple.

3. True, the Lenten Lily is a daffodil, our lovely native species.

4. False, Pelargoniums are not hardy geraniums at all, although some may just survive a mild winter if grown in a sheltered position in very well drained soil.

5. False, some garden herbs are most definitely not suitable for your delicious salad, so beware!

General Knowledge:

1. The correct term for fern leaves are fronds.

2. The science of fruit growing is known as Pomology.

3. The famous London hotel is the Savoy.

4. Lupins actually originate from North America

5. The most comfortable grass to sit on is… couch grass!

CHURCH STREET STORES

Tel: 01805 804205

Monday to Saturday 6.30am - 8.00pm Sunday 8.00am - 7.00pm

Convenience Store & Post Office

www.churchststores.co.uk for our latest offers

Torrington Police

Amateur Boxing Club

Abig thank you to all the members who took part in the North Devon Hospice's Mission: Unbreakable 2024. Over 10k and 30 obstacles including the Tyre Flip, Sheep Dip, Ice Bath, and Landrover Pull were completed by boxing club members. Hard work but fun, as everyone was covered in mud and soaking wet. Thank you to all who sponsored our members and helped them reach their £500 target for the Hospice, who, with their volunteers put on a great event and a big thank you to all involved. If you're interested in joining and seeing what we're all about, our training times are as follows; Monday Boxers 6.30-8pm; Tuesday Recreational training 6.30-8pm; Wednesday Boxers 6.30-8pm; Thursday Recreational training 6.308pm; Friday Boxers 6.30-8pm Saturday Children's training 9.3010.45am.

T.P.A.B.C

Torrington & District Historical Society

ORolle

Canal

&

Northern Devon Waterways Society Guided Walk

Saturday 13th

ur last meeting in 2024 is on Monday 9th December. Liz Shakespeare will be visiting us to talk about her latest book ‘The Ordeal of Miss Lucy Jones’ which is set in Torrington. Whether or not you have read the book it is always interesting to hear how Liz goes about researching and compiling her books, which although they are essentially novels, are based on actual events.

EX39 3AR Sunday Sacrament service at 11.50am1pm

“It is 1879, and a disorderly crowd of 3000 people are burning effigies of a local man and woman on Torrington Common in an unprecedented incident of Devon’s ‘rough music’.

Film 'Hitchcock' (12A) 3pm @ The Plough

Film 'Argo' (15) 7pm @ The Plough

Comedy 'Russell Kane' @ Devon Hall 8pm

Monday 8th

Lucy Jones the free-spirited daughter of a local doctor and likes to walk alone on the Common, dreaming of the time when her childhood sweetheart, Rawlin, will return from Australia.”

Historical Society AGM & Talks 'Beam House & Quay' & John Oatway Torrington Clockmaker 7 for 7.30pm @ Methodist Church

Film 'Wreck it Ralph' (PG) 2pm @ The Plough

Film 'Argo' (15) 5pm @ The Plough

Film 'Lincoln' (12A) 8pm @ The Plough

Tuesday 9th

Film 'Lincoln' (12A) 5pm @ The Plough

Film 'Hitchcock' (12A) 8pm @ The Plough

Wednesday 10th

St Michael's Church Said Mass 8.30am in St James Chapel

St Giles in The Wood Recreation

St Giles in the Wood Parish Council secured a National Lottery Community Fund grant of £18,286 to install a new roundabout, and an excellent job has been done, with the new roundabout ready for use. Please come and visit.

Torrington W.I @ Methodist Hall 7pm Film 'I Wish' (PG) 8pm @ The Plough

Thursday 11th

A huge thank you must be extended to National Lottery Community Fund for the funding.

Advice Surgery with Geoffrey for an appointment ring 01237 email to tellgeoffrey@geoffreycox website www.geoffreycox.co.uk Coffee Morning in aid of Wembworthy Church @ Chulmleigh Town Hall cakes, produce, draw prizes appreciated Major Walker MC Ceremony Memorial 11am (see article) Taddiport Tea Dance 2-4.30pm Doug

To find out more about the lives of these families and what exactly caused the unrest in Torrington why not join us. We welcome visitors and hope that as many people as possible will join us. To book your place and make sure we have enough seats please contact Pauline on 01805 623089.

On January 13th 2025 we are welcoming Dr Janet Few, another local historian and author who will be talking about ‘A Plague on Your House’ disease and health remedies in the 17th century. In light of the recent Covid pandemic it is useful to remind ourselves of the epidemics of the past and how communities were affected and how they dealt with disease. Janet is a member of the Devon Family History Society, lectures both in this country and abroad and is the author of several books on researching family history and novels about North Devon historical events. We meet at the Methodist Church at the top of Mill Street in Torrington. At 7pm we meet for a cup of tea or coffee and a chat, talks start at 7.30 pm. Members pay an annual subscription and visitors are welcome at £4 a visit. If you would like to know more please contact Pauline on 01805 623089.

depending on the season, flowering at the time of the The start of the walk Kiln, on the Weare Giffard Halfpenny Bridge, at Sunday 26th May. The distance over a mile but with plenty and discuss is likely couple of hours. A £2 to the Rolle Society's funds appreciated enable the Society volunteer work promote and maintain the Rolle Canal. Future walks will be 16th June, 28th July August. For further details email: hassallc@ymail.com 01237 425357, but you'll probably to leave a message.

Monday

Maggi Rogers

Field Roundabout

St Michael's Church Said Mass 10.30am in St James Chapel followed by Walsingham cell in vicarage Memory Cafe 10.30-12.30pm @ The Plough

The new season's programme of Sunday afternoon walks starts on 26th May with a visit to the site of the Inclined Plane at Ridd. This is the place where the Rolle Canal was raised up about 43 feet from the valley floor near Weare Giffard to a level in the side of the valley that could be maintained all the way inland to the head weir at Rosemoor. Many people will have seen this site on previous walks but this year there have been developments over the winter that will make it well worth a repeat visit. The Heritage Lottery funded ‘Life's Journey’ project has produced a new pathway from the Tarka Trail down to the bottom of the Inclined Plane where two illustrated information boards have been installed to describe the saltmarsh habitat by the Torridge and the workings and purpose of the Rolle Canal. It is now possible to gain a far better understanding of the lay-out and workings of the inclined plane boat lift than was previously the case. The upper basin of the canal at the top of the incline has been cleared of scrub sufficiently to enable the outline of its banks to be clearly seen, and the way the railway subsequently cut through the northern end, destroying the top of the incline. This canal basin now supports an increasing population of Early Purple Orchid and Twayblade (a green flowered orchid) which,

Theatre Multi Storey: Beauty & The Beast 2pm @ The Plough Film 'Cloud Atlas' (15) 7pm @ The

St Giles in the Wood Parish Council

Our Hedgehogs Need You!!!!!! Hedgehog Awareness Week way but why wait until then help? As spring is here and hopefully the weather improves our spiky friends will be up and about again. It’s been an extremely tough winter for them. changeable and wet weather has made it difficult for many them to find food or hibernate over the past months so many weak and need help. If you you had a resident hedgehog area last year please don’t a bowl of water and some them, placing it inside a feeding

8.15pm @ The Plough

The Crier Prize Crossword

The winner of this month’s crossword will receive a free copy of Ebberley Finch's debut novel set in North Devon. Please send your completed crossword with contact details to The Crier, Castle Hill, Torrington, EX38 8AA, or email to torrington.crier@gmail.com. The winner for the last issue is Liam Drew. The winner for this issue will be picked at random from correct entries. Deadline for entries is Thursday 9th January.

Are you looking for a great read by a local author?

Humorous and uplifting the book is inspired by the author’s love of North Devon and the challenges involved in making a new start. It is perfect for readers who enjoy Matt Haig, Nick Hornby, Ruth Hogan and Sally Page.

Copies are available at Whiskers Pet Centre, Great Torrington, online at Amazon or via the author’s website: www.ebberleyfinch.com

New Book set in North Devon, by Local Author

Local author, Ebberley Finch, has just released her debut novel ‘Lock, Stock and Harold’. This uplifting and humorous book is inspired by her love of North Devon and the challenges of making a new start.

After a crushing break-up, Noah Wood ends up with no home, no job and no direction. Moving to the beautiful North Devon coast he buys an abandoned pet shop ‘Lock, Stock and Barrel’, only to find an unexpected item in the bagging area – a parrot called Harold.

When the chance to find love and overcome his shattered confidence presents itself, Noah grasps the opportunity. Just as he dares to relax, disaster strikes and he must salvage a life that’s been turned upside down to have any chance of finding lasting happiness.

This charming tale is full of captivating characters and humorous moments and would make a great Christmas gift. It is perfect for readers who enjoy Matt Haig, Nick Hornby, Ruth Hogan and Sally Page. Copies are available at Whiskers Pet Centre on South Street in Great Torrington, online at Amazon or via the author’s website: www.ebberleyfinch. com.

Pause for Thought…

As I am writing this it is nine weeks until Christmas Day, so my question to you today is “what does Christmas mean to you?”

I have had many answers to this question, “well it's just another day really” or “it's for the children of course isn't it”, or “I'll be glad when it’s all over and we can get back to normal”, or “it's just more expense, all the food and presents to buy”. Does any of that apply to you?

But what are we really celebrating? Is the real meaning of Christmas, Christ's birth, being swallowed up in all the hype of today's Christmas celebrations?

Santa, reindeer, tinsel, presents, lots of food, cake, crackers and parties and the turkey of course!

All the things the advertisements tell us are essential in order for us to have a really happy and memorable Christmas.

Jesus is slowly being left out of our Christmas celebrations, and it is His birthday after all. In the Bible we read, “For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end”.

As we look around our towns and cities today, how we need the Wonderful Counsellor and the Prince of Peace, to give wise counsel to our government and the Prince of Peace to bring peace and stability to our country.

We don’t need the hype, but we do need to get back to our Christian roots and principles and celebrate Him this year.

Maybe a good way to start your Christmas will be to attend the Big Sing on Weds 11th December from 6:30pm in the Pannier Market, where you will be able to sing carols and hear the real meaning of Christmas.

I love Christmas and my hope for you is that you too will love the Christ of Christmas and worship Him too.

If you would like to explore the Christian faith more you can call Trisha 07866 861 156 or Karen 07890 132 081 or visit one of our local Churches (details in the Crier).

Have a very peaceful and blessed Christmas.

Okehampton Choral Society Festive Favourites

Come and enjoy an evening with us! Featuring a variety of choral music to include pieces by Tchaikovsky, Britten and John Rutter and, of course, plenty of well-loved Christmas Carols suitable for all the family to join in.

Monday 9th December 7:30pm St John the Baptist Church, Hatherleigh; Monday 16th December 7:30pm Fairplace Church, Okehampton. Admission free - there will be a retiring collection.

Appledore Singers

Charity Christmas Concert

In aid of the Motor Neurone Disease Association

Appledore Singers’ Charity Christmas Concert will take place on Sunday 8th December, 2.30pm at Northam Hall (top of Fore Street).

The choir is looking forward to entertaining the audience with arrangements of festive music – both traditional and modern – and, as always, there will be the opportunity for audience participation. There will also be our annual Grand Raffle and tea and mince pies will, no doubt, be a welcome treat during the interval.

Tony Nicholls will compere the concert, the choir will be accompanied by Chris Beechey and conducted by our Musical Director, Pam Beechey. This year our chosen charity is the Motor Neurone Disease Association. The Association focuses on improving access to care, research and campaigning for those people living with – or affected by - MND in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Admission is £6 at the door (u16s free), to include tea and a mince pie. For further information contact Pam Beechey 01237 420652.

December events at the plough

A Message from our New Chief Executive

Hello! I’m Emma Marston and I'm thrilled to introduce myself as the new Chief Executive of The Plough Arts Centre. I’m stepping into this role with a heart full of enthusiasm and I'm bringing a renewed energy and vision to The Plough. I can’t wait to share this journey with you.

First and foremost, a massive thank you for being such a crucial part of The Plough’s story, especially during these challenging times. Your unwavering support and commitment mean the world to us, and we couldn’t have come this far without you. As a special thank you I'd like to invite you to our Community Christmas party, taking place on Friday 6th December from 2-7pm at The Plough in Torrington. Everyone is welcome, it's our way of saying a HUGE thank you for your support! Have a mince pie and hot drink or mulled cider on us! (Mulled cider is served between 5.30-6.30pm) Meet myself and my fantastic team of volunteers, staff and trustees. I look forward to meeting you. Here’s to starting this exciting new chapter together!

We now have a fantastic bistro serving delicious food, a fully stocked bar serving a variety of drinks every Wednesday to Saturday evening, and a fantastic programme of events to spark your imagination! Please look at our website for our amazing line-up of events, every ticket you buy goes towards supporting and preserving arts and culture here in Torrington and across Northern Devon, so please dive into our programme!

Before I sign off I need your help. Energy bills are at an all-time high and our building is in need of urgent repair. Please help us to secure the future of The Plough for generations to come. Donate now to 'Buy-a-Brick' and help us to raise £50,000. Your donation will help us to unlock a major Arts Council grant which will restore our beloved time worn building in Torrington, including repairing the roof, replacing the old windows and renovating the foyer. Simply 'Buy-a-Brick' and build our foundations for the future. Donate £10, £20 or £50 now, www. theploughartscentre.org.uk. Any donation big or small will be gratefully received. Thank you for your support.

Warmest regards, Emma Marston

Annual Christmas Fair

The Almighty Annual Plough Christmas Craft Fair returns, opening on Saturday 30th November 2-3pm!

This year hosts the widest range of wares ever, with a stunning selection of locally hand-crafted giftware designed to delight! The full range of gifts on offer include: woodcrafts, jewellery, both leaded and fused glassware, sea-glass, paintings, prints, basketry, decoupage, crafting kits, copper decorations, painted birdhouses, knitted wares, beeswax candles, fibre arts, felted crafts, shell-art, cards and a wide selection of ceramics… plus a colourful range of surprises to bring joy to your friends and family this Christmas season!

Follow The Plough’s social media channels to stay in the loop, or call in to find out more.

With The Plough’s new cafe /bistro offering a new menu of mouth-watering cakes and meals, why not plan a special Christmas shopping session in Great Torrington this December!

The fair is open 10am-4pm and 6.308.30pm Wednesday - Saturday between 30th November - 21st December. The event closes at 2pm on the last day. Looking forward to welcoming you!

Please note, a 5% fee will be applied to all bookings 01/12

2pm The Gallery at The Plough Arts Centre

Music: Heartsong with Alison Whittall 04/12

10:30am The Plough Arts Centre

Theatre: Quirk Theatre presents ‘Dayzee & The World Of Tomorrow

1pm The Plough Arts Centre Theatre: Quirk Theatre presents ‘Dayzee & The World Of Tomorrow 05/12

10:30am The Plough Arts Centre

Theatre: Quirk Theatre presents ‘Dayzee &The World Of Tomorrow

1pm The Plough Arts CentreTheatre: Quirk Theatre presents ‘Dayzee & The World Of Tomorrow 06/12

10:30am The Plough Arts CentreTheatre: Quirk Theatre presents ‘Dayzee & The World Of Tomorrow

1pm The Plough Arts Centre Theatre: Quirk Theatre presents ‘Dayzee &The World Of Tomorrow 07/12

10:30am Meeting Room at The Plough Workshop: Plough Writers

2pm The Plough Arts Centre Theatre: Quirk Theatre presents ‘Dayzee &The World Of Tomorrow

7:00pm The Plough Arts Centre Film: The Critic (15) 11/12

1pm Dance Studio at The Plough Arts Centre Workshop: Christmas Jumper

DIY Workshop

2pm Dance Studio at The Plough Arts Centre Workshop: Christmas Jumper DIY Workshop

3pm Dance Studio at The Plough Arts Centre Workshop: Christmas Jumper DIY Workshop

4pm Dance Studio at The Plough Arts Centre Workshop: Christmas Jumper DIY Workshop

7:30pm The Plough Arts Centre Film: Gladiator 2 (15) 12/12

7pm The Plough Arts Centre Theatre: ‘Miss Saigon’ 13/12

2pm The Plough Arts Centre Film: Gladiator 2 (15)

8pm The Plough Arts Centre Music: The Marley Experience Tribute Band 14/12

7pm The Plough Arts Centre Theatre: PYT Christmas Extravaganza 18/12

2pm The Plough Arts Centre Film: Gladiator 2 (15)

7:30pm The Plough Arts Centre Music: John Kirkpatrick: Carolling and Crumpets 19/12

8pm The Plough Arts Centre Theatre: David Mynne presents ‘A Christmas Carol’ 20/12

2pm The Plough Arts Centre Theatre: NT Live ‘Prima Facie’

8pm The Plough Arts Centre Music: Take a Chance On Us 21/12

3pm The Plough Arts Centre Film: Muppets Christmas Carol (U) – Onesie Party

8pm The Plough Arts Centre Comedy: The Comedy Store 27/12

2pm The Plough Arts Centre Film: Paddington in Peru (U) 28/12

2pm The Plough Arts Centre Film: Paddington in Peru (U) January 04/01

11am The Plough Arts Centre Theatre: The Last Baguette present ‘A Winter’s Tale (Ideal for 2-7 years)

2pm The Plough Arts Centre Theatre: The Last Baguette present ‘A Winter’s Tale (Ideal for 2-7 years) 05/01

2pm The Gallery at The Plough Arts Centre Music: Heartsong with Alison Whittall 13/01

7:30pm The Gallery at The Plough Arts Centre Workshop: Ploughcappella with Rosa Rebecka 18/01

8pm The Gallery at The Plough Arts Centre Music: Loveworthy ‘Survivors’ 20/01

7:30pm The Gallery at The Plough Arts Centre Workshop: Ploughcappella with Rosa Rebecka 25/01

8pm The Plough Arts Centre Comedy: The Comedy Store 27/01

7:30pm The Gallery at The Plough Arts Centre Workshop: Ploughcappella with Rosa Rebecka 31/01

8pm The Gallery at The Plough Arts Centre Music: Portland Coves

Open for takeaway & eat-in

Monday 5-9pm

Tuesday to Saturday 12-2pm, 5-9pm

Open on Bank Holidays

NEW MENU AVAILABLE!

Phone orders welcome!

Taffs Fish & Chips shop providing quality fish & chips since 1958. Thank you for your continued support.

Tarka Valley Railway News

October has been generally kind to us, in that we have enjoyed dry and fairly bright weather on our working days.

After one or two delays we now have an electrical supply connected to the box van, which means that it can function as a proper workshop. It had become a storage area for a great deal of tools and equipment and we spent some time clearing and sorting, plus rearranging the work benches to make it ready for use. It will prove very useful to have a dry workspace on wet days.

We had a successful “Halloween Spooktacular” on October 26th with a perfect sunny autumn day. There was a slight change to our advertised schedule, in that we ran cab rides in Torrington Cavalier and “driver for a fiver”. Our 143 was suitably decked out as the spooky halloween train for those brave enough to go on board.

We have taken advantage of the good weather to begin the preservation of our TSO carriage which has now been rubbed down, rust treated and a first coat of gloss green applied to the side nearest the coal dock. Construction of the new coal dock gates has continued, although

Torrington in Bloom - Opening Gardens in 2025

Following our recent meeting, our Committee has agreed to join forces with Torrington Rotary Club to open our gardens to the public in 2025. Although we have not set a date ‘in concrete’ yet, we are considering roughly around the 20th July, perhaps a little later depending on the season. The reason why we are setting it a little later is because last year some people said the date was too early for bedding displays to really get going. This doesn’t mean we want only bedding displays, but to enable those who were keen to open their gardens last year to feel more included.

Really, we don’t mind what kind of garden you have, large or small, just the front, a lovely productive vegetable patch, herbaceous borders, what is often called a ‘plantsman’s garden’ with unusual perennials, shrubs and trees. Frankly, the more varied selection we can offer, the better for all tastes.

So, please give serious thought for next year and please contact me on the following number: 01805 625788 where you can leave a message with your name and return number.

We have given you plenty of notice for you to get your garden looking good on the day, although it doesn’t have to be ‘Chelsea’ perfect! People like to see something that more resembles a ‘normal’ family garden, if there is such a thing. Anyway, I would like to wish all our budding gardeners a very Happy Christmas and a more productive New Year.

Cherry Hammon,

Torrington in Bloom

ACE Archaeology Club

One minute it is August and then it is Christmas.

ACE has been busy in the intervening time.

ACE and ACE members have been involved in a few things organised by other people in the last few months. Including some test pitting at Wrangworthy Barrows as support to the Monument Management Scheme (MMS). The MMS looks after sites that are scheduled monuments and tries to keep them in good condition. They have been doing some work in the ACE ‘area’ and some ACE members went to help with the test pitting at Wrangworthy Barrows.

On our own ACE Day in October, we repeated a visit to Winkleigh for a tour of the village, focusing on its long and varied history. Although it hasn’t been long since we did this, it was decided that we should do it again as we have had so many new members this year. Included in the tour was a visit to Heywood Castle, a Motte and Bailey castle overlooking Eggesford. There is a surprising number of such castles in the area, not far from Heywood is Eggesford Castle, not accessible as on private property, and Winkleigh has two such mounds; one on private property and one under the village hall!! There must have been a lot of trouble from the inhabitants of the area.

Winkleigh Village Hall on its Motte and Bailey If you would like to find out more about any of these sites, or indeed any sites at all, I suggest -

Devon County Council Environment Viewer map.devon.gov.uk/dccviewer/. We hope to be doing some work with MMS in Winkleigh in 2025.

1st Torrington Scouts

The Beavers started the term with a trip to Westward Ho! for crazy golf, which was good fun on a sunny evening. The following week they played board games, everyone bought one along and took turns to play. For the start of the term they have had lots of fun with much more to come, gaining plenty of badges along the way.

now we have a proper workshop, work can continue regardless of the weather. The team continues to work on the ballast hopper door; it has now been freed off and special gloss black paint has been used on the underframe. The platform benches which were in poor condition have also been rust proofed and painted; the old slats were removed pending the fitment of new wood.

Please visit our Facebook and Instagram pages for regular updates and our website has much more information about our vision, our locomotives and rolling stock plus the history of the railway and how you can get involved.

Do check it out: wwwtarkavalleyrailway. org. Robert Martin, Tarka Valley Railway

Little Torrington Victory Hall

This year’s Christmas Party is on Saturday 14th December 7pm for 7.30pm start, come along and join us for an enjoyable and festive evening.Tickets £15 per person, to include a sit-down meal followed by music and dancing until midnight. Cash bar and raffle. To book call Jen Hood on 01805 622433. Everyone welcome – ‘tis the season to be jolly!

TRIPLE J CONSTRUCTION

HS & E Tested

Call Jason t: 07968 825 811 Great Torrington, North Devon

Contact Jason or Tony t: 07968 825 811 t: 07790 645 063

Our next event is our AGM in November. Apart from the business of the AGM, we will also have updates on various digs from Andy Crabb, our Archaeology Adviser and Dartmoor archaeologist, amongst other roles.

December sees us sharpening our quills to do some writing, literally. Sharpening the quills and using homemade ink. May be messy but will be interesting. More about this next year.

Erica Williamson, acearchaeologyclub.wordpress.com

An Afternoon with The Rolle Canal

Atalk by the Rolle Canal Society, who are restoring parts of the lost canal that connected Bideford and Torrington, will be held at ‘The Burton at Bideford’ on 19th January 2025 from 2.30pm until 4pm. Entry is free, although donations are welcome. There are limited spaces so booking via email is advisable. Email - rollecanalsoc@gmail.com. For more details - See the website www.rollecanalsociety.org or call Tony on 07960 119 982.

The Scouts started the term with surfing; this was a great way to start and really made the most of the daylight. The following week they did a night hike from Westward Ho! back to Bideford, this was good fun as it was actually dark by the time we finished and no one complained about the hike. The Scouts then went on their belated summer camp; they went down to Woodlands Theme Park along with hundreds of other Scouts from Devon. This was a really great camp, we got to explore the theme park in our own groups as well and meet many other Scouts. We also took part in the passport game, where the Scouts had to collect as many stamps as possible by completing a variety of activities. They had a brilliant time and will definitely be going again. Scouts also had a games night which they really got into, and became quite competitive. They then took a visit to our local swimming pool, where they got to do their swimming badge by completing different skills and challenges.

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

In preparation for their forthcoming mock exams, our Year 11 pupils have been honing their creative writing skills this term.

All Shines Window & Exterior Cleaning

Windows • Guttters • Soffits

Gutter Clearance • Roof de-moss

Render & K Rend Soft Wash

Conservatories • Patios • Block Paving Driveways

01805 938502 07711 079 577

This is Isabel’s thoughtful response to the task: ‘Describe life as you imagine it in 200 years’ time.’

Poisonous air surrounding me daily. Exhausted, I'm exhausted of living this life. Each day I see the sun attempting to reach out to me but is blocked by the blanket of pollution. Below me, the ground looks famished begging for some change. Rubbish ambles slowly across the street. Our world is dark, dull and almost dead. Careless. The world is a broken toy which no one seems to want to fix.

Sometimes I wonder where this monstrosity went wrong and how enjoyable life would've been 1000 years ago. Vibrant greenery everywhere you look, which has now turned into lifeless plants fighting for their last breath. People would’ve written such heartfelt letters to each other - instead of being drowned in your phone, so intensely that you don’t want to come up even for a second to take a breath. Children’s laughter, birds singing and the tree's branches blowing freely in the streets.

Except this does not exist anymore.

As I take a look around me, I see technology everywhere. Everyone surrounding me has been sucked in by this hurricane of advertisements, AI and social media. I try my best not to become addicted but when it's around you all day, every day, it becomes impossible to resist. Fake. Everything is fake. All the intriguing stories and the heart aching news: it’s all just lies. The internet is like a one-way entrance, you can get in, but it then traps you inside of its world.

My mother shows me an old picture of when her mother was young, and I cannot bear to look away. All the lively plants, the sky as blue as the sea on a warm summer's day. Birds flying freely in the peaceful wind. I look up at the world now and I see an isolated tree struggling. That tree would have once swayed in the wind so carelessly as back when our world was beautiful, the plants and wildlife had no worries. I take my phone out and take a photo of the tree in hopes that new generations can fix the earth, and we will never have to see it like this again. My eyes begin to wonder out of our kitchen window. Thunder and lightning. The weather is uncontrollable, thunder is just the beginning of it. Last week two deadly hurricanes just missed my town. Whenever I hear about the town being at risk, everything shuts down, as people attempt to prepare for what could be their last few hours on earth.

Isabel

Tucker, Year 11

Freya was given a picture prompt of an elderly man with the task ‘write a description of an old person, as suggested by the picture’. Here’s her emotive response to this prompt:

Quiet Strength

The man sat in silence. His cold, blank eyes staring into the deep darkness around him. His beard was as thick as straw covering his paperthin lips. He sat thinking about his loneliness while he felt his wife’s hand twitching in his. Every time his wife moved, he felt pain lifting from his shoulders and the room getting less dark. Silently, he kept hope. He sat there in that hospital room, and he felt his dark grey bushy eyebrows twitching as he thought about the stress of living without the love of his life. The thick smell of musk surrounded the room, as the man stood up to stretch his legs. He wandered, noticing things for the first time. He saw cracks in the tiles, flowers that turned from rose red to auburn brown and he watched their time together fade away.

RICHARD HEYWOOD ELECTRICAL

Domestic, Commercial, Industrial & Agriculture

Testing & Inspection Certification

Portable Appliance Testing (Pat)

Free Estimates

www.rheywoodelectrical.co.uk

Mobile 07816 392 670

Coinciding with Remembrance Day in November, Year 9 have been drawing on their knowledge of WW1 poetry to craft their writing around the theme of war:

Painfully, he headed towards the bathroom and looked in the mirror. He looked different. The lines on his withered face told stories of sorrow and his kind-hearted eyes looked lonely and tired.

The wise man looked back at his frail wife as she laid there. Still. The man thought back to all the time he and his wife had spent together. Smiling, laughing and making memories. Slowly, he moved closer to her and held her delicate, wrinkled hand. Despite their fragility, they carried a quiet strength that could be felt in her grasp. Gradually, the man’s heart filled with sadness as he watched his wife’s eyes slowly close, and the grip of her hand become looser. The man’s face contorted with grief; his eyes filled with an unbearable sadness as he watched her slip away. Each breath he took felt heavy, each heart beat a painful reminder that she was gone.

He let out a quiet sob as the nurses took her away.

Freya Bond, Year 11

Bayonet Charge

Tick,Tick,Tick the watch goes,

Waiting till the whistle blows.

Smoke whispering in the air,

He kisses his ring with love and care.

‘Fix bayonets’ he stands and orders, While we wait along the earthy borders.

My hands they’re shaking red raw and numb,

As the soldiers get ready with a bottle of rum.

The whistle screeches as everyone stumbles,

While the men’s screams are heard over mumbles.

We shoot our guns with terror and doubt, But who knows, are we ever getting out?

Footsteps are heard over mud and blood, But then BANG! That wasn’t a dud.

My legs! My legs! They’re burning like the trees,

As everyone around me falls to their knees.

Ha!Ha!Ha! the machine gun chuckles,

As men in front freeze and buckle.

Men stuck drowning in the rain,

Our enemies laughing ‘what a shame’.

Summer Bird, Year 9

Bayonet Charge

The cool air caresses my skin

Our eyes fill with tears knowing we’re not going to win,

My weapon drags me down like a heavy rock

My heart feels numb inside like I’ve been shot.

The silence is deafening, I can’t think straight

Mt friends stumble to the ground in a forlorn state; I could feel the sweat dripping down my face

Soldiers point up to the sky knowing their fate.

The smoke gathers around me as I fix my bayonet

The whistle cries out like playing a clarinet.

We climb up the wet ladder sliding around as we get up many men fall to the ground.

Many men scream out in pain

As we get drowned in mud and rain. the old rifles fire and chuckle As many men belch and buckle.

I’ve been hit, I’ve been hit the candles are no longer lit I close my eyes and say goodbye, As my body is left to die…

Imogen Pascoe, Year 9

Organic & Wholefood Buying Group News

The Festive Season is always a busy one, but if you'd like to drop in to our collection day social to meet us and discover more about what we do and how it might work for you, you'd be very welcome. If you're coming please email owbg@protonmail.com so we have an idea of numbers for the shared lunch, contributed by members. You can find us on our Facebook page and website – links below.

Wellbeing Tip: Eating & Lifestyle for Balanced Body Weight

At this time of year it's so easy to overindulge, and we soon find ourselves fighting the battle of the bulge, something nobody enjoys. New Year's resolutions, gym and slimming class memberships are often seen as the solution, but here I hope to present a few tips that when applied can help prevent the whole repetitive scenario: by better understanding the actual causes and how to deal with them. Balanced body weight must not forget those who're underweight, for whom it's deeply annoying and frustrating to constantly hear about weight loss solutions but so rarely how to successfully gain weight steadily and healthily.

Eating appropriately is individual and depends on our sex, age, job, exercise, personal preferences, constitution and the climate where we live. But the point I want to make is that however well or otherwise we eat, it's how well our digestion works that's crucial. Too much food is always a burden to the

body, even if we have optimum digestion (and not many do), but is even more so to a compromised digestion –something that those struggling to gain weight often don't realize, thinking they must eat more and 'fatten themselves up'.

Our body's enzyme production naturally declines with age, but is also immediately adversely affected by stress, lifestyle habits, injury and infections. So when we're stressed, unwell or injured, we often lose our appetite – the body's way of saying ‘don't bother me with food, I need a rest from that so I can focus all my attention on healing’. Conversely, when we're stressed or ill, sometimes we feel as if we just can't stop eating, but this is an emotional reaction to the situation. Here the trick is to deal with the emotion rather than overeating, thereby putting our body under even more stress. We have to stop and listen to our body's messages and our intuition to hear what is really going on.

Practical tips:

1. Eat at regular times, stopping when 80% full.

2. No controversial conversations or arguments at the table, switch off

devices, create a calm and peaceful atmosphere with gentle music and inspiring supportive conversation topics.

3. Digestion begins in the mouth so chew very thoroughly; really enjoying what is actually in your mouth.

4. Avoid drinking immediately before, with or after food – it dilutes your enzymes and weakens digestion.

5. Relax for 40 mins after meals, but avoid lying down after a meal.

6. Avoid eating less than three hours before bed.

7. Better to eat up to five small meals a day than three large ones, especially if weight gain is your goal.

8. In the case of emotional eating, find another way of 'treating' yourself - a stress reduction technique that you enjoy, such as a warm candlelit bath, a walk in nature, a massage from a friend or partner, curling up with a good book, cuddling a pet, talking things over with someone - no one size fits all.

Mary

Upcoming grocery final order dates: 12th Dec, 16th Jan

• How do I join? Via our website, where you'll find all the info you need.

• What does membership cost? Free

• What if I need advice or have questions? Ring 01805 623 307/email mary@marycrailwellbeing.co.uk OWBG Website:owbg.jimdofree.com Facebook: Organic & Wholefood Buying Group

Email: owbg@protonmail.com www.marycrailwellbeing.co.uk

Beaford Village Hall Market & Café

Beaford Village Hall Market & Café is held on the second Saturday of the month 10am1pm. 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!

Torrington Baptist Church

Services 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.

Torrington Baptist Church Light Lunch

We 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.

Winter Highlights at RHS Rosemoor

Rosemoor’s delicious two-course Christmas lunches are back from 2nd-23rd December! All for just £24 per person - advance booking recommended Winter Sculpture Exhibition, Sat 9 Nov-Fri 31 Jan ‘25

Garden rooms, landscapes and woodlands become a wonderful gallery featuring over 200 sculptures by talented UK artists.

RHS Glow, various dates from Fri 15 Nov-Sun 28 Dec

Make memories with friends and family on an after-dark trail of kaleidoscopic light and colour. For the first time, the twinkling route with atmospheric light and sound installations reaches the majestic arboretum where you can admire a carpet of colour and harlequin trees. With family entertainment also scheduled every evening, it’s the perfect night out for all ages. Keep a look out for the opportunity to take a starring role!

Magic of Christmas Craft & Food Fairs

Fri 15 - Sun 17 Nov, Fri 22-Sun 24 Nov and Sat 30 Nov-Sun 1 Dec

Steal the march on your Christmas shopping and buy exquisite gifts and delicacies from the best local artists and producers in the South West. Beauty and the Beast Panto, 2pm, Sunday 8 December Bookworm Belle’s quiet life is turned upside down when she is imprisoned by a hideous beast…

Members £12 adult £6 child £6 (3+), non-members £17 adult £17; £8.75 child (3+).

Christmas Carol Concert, 4pm Sunday 15 December

Enjoy an evening of traditional carol singing with The Exmoor Carolers – tickets include a mince pie and mulled wine.

Members £12 adult, £6 child (3+), non-member £17 adult, £8.75 child (3+). Houseplant Weekend 25-26 Jan, 10am-4pm

Discover the world of houseplants and get top care tips from the experts who grow them. Meet societies and growers, listen to a packed programme of talks and demonstrations and find houseplants on sale to suit all light aspects and budgets, you never need to fear indoor growing again. This event will give you the knowledge and expertise to turn your interest in houseplants into a hobby - it is the perfect January pick-me-up!

View full details at rhs.org.uk/gardens/rosemoor/whats-on

Is your house in need of a declutter and you need some extra cash? At North Devon Auctions we can sell your various household furniture and bric-a-brac for you! Our online auctions get full coverage, not just from the UK, but the whole world!

01805 601800 info@northdevonauctions.com www.northdevonauctions.co.uk

• Stainless Steel Twinwall Flues • Chimney Lining • Iskoern Pumice Lining • Fireplace Alterations • Stove Installations • Wood, Multifuel, Gas & Electic Traditional & Contemporary Stoves & Fires • Chimney Rebuilds • Slate, Granite & Glass Hearths • Wood & Ceramic Beams & Surrounds • Floating Shelves The Showroom Unit 5 Red Post, Bude EX23 9NW 01288 381852 carl@cblstoves.co.uk • www.cblstoves.co.uk