February Crier 2017

February 2017 The Crier is produced for the community, supported by advertisers, Great Torrington Town Council, and the Great Torrington Town and Lands Charity.

5800 copies are distributed throughout Great Torrington and the rural district, with a readership of 14,500

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Editorial Enquiries: Becky Huxtable, 01805 603152 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, 01805 603023 E: torrington.crieradverts@gmail.com

Costs & sizes: Small advert: 9cm wide x 5cm deep, £24 per issue. Large advert: 19cm wide x 5cm deep, £48 per issue. 10% discount for a run of five adverts. All advertisements 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.

Town Distribution: Dy Darch Rural Distribution: Sue Crane and the community Printers: Toptown, Barnstaple

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

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We need volunteers to collect Criers from the Library each issue and drop them off in Huntshaw. Could you help? Please contact Becky on 01805 603152, torrington.crier@gmail.com, or call in to Torrington Library. Thank you!

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Our Facebook page is the perfect place to share community news and information, with the opportunity for readers to post their own events, news and appeals, so please search for ‘Torrington Crier’ and like our page. So if you miss The Crier’s deadline, we can now still promote your event or share your news!

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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.

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From Your Mayor

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ell here we are into 2017 and I wish you all a good one.

We had the Big Sing on the 14th December in a crowded Pannier Market, and we all enjoyed singing carols and hearing our excited Junior school children take part.

The Parish Church was host to a choir of over 130, raising the roof with noted soloists taking part in the Messiah on the 17th December and I hope they will return soon, it was lovely to recognise local friends singing. The Cavaliers’ Grotto was filled with parents and children, fun and laughter. Thank you to all who make this possible and also the New Year’s Eve Party with fireworks, always a great event. The Community Christmas day lunch was attended by 28 people, thank you to Gillian Saich who prepared and cooked it, the full story is reported elsewhere in this issue.

My busy life continues with my fund raising efforts in full swing ,so watch out for news on the Great Torrington Big Bake at Dartington Crystal who will be celebrating 50 years, and who are sponsoring this event. Local chefs will be doing some demonstrations on the day, so this is an opportunity for all ages to show their baking skills and win a prize.

My hope for you all this year will be good health, we all know of the crisis that faces our NHS and local services. The provision of care across Devon is very limited, and the message sent out by the Ivory Tower is look after yourself! The fight to save beds and services goes on with gathering momentum, the SOHS members are arranging a demonstration in London and continue the fight to save our NHS. Please make sure your neighbour is ok during this cold weather, making a call or visit will make a huge difference to anyone living alone.

Best wishes Margaret Brown (Mayor)

Great Torrington Big Bake Competition Raising Funds for the Mayor’s Charities

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he Mayor and Dartington Crystal are organising a Big Bake Competition on 8th April 2017, for the community of Great Torrington. There will be three categories: 5-10 years, 11-17 years and an adult category. In addition to the Big Bake, there will also be baking demonstrations during the morning by local chefs.

More information will be available locally and in March’s Crier. We hope to see lots of young people and adults donning their aprons and getting baking! Proceeds from the event will go towards the Mayor’s Charities.

Dartington Crystal is hosting the event as part of their 50 year celebrations throughout 2017.

Castle Hill Opening Hours Library Book Renewals

01805 622107 0345 155 1001

New Opening times Tues 10am-6pm, Thursday 10am-5pm, Fri & Sat 10am-1pm

Café & Garden @ 1646

01805 626146

Open Mon – Sat 9am-4pm

Tourist Information

01805 626140

Mon, Tues, Thurs 10am – 4pm. Wed, Fri & Sat 10am – 1pm

Torrington Town Council

01805 626135

Tues, Wed & Thurs 9am-1pm answerphone available

Citizens’ Advice Bureau Torrington

03 444 111 444

Tues 9.30am-12.30pm drop in

Community Development Trust

01805 626100

Tues, Wed, Thurs morning

Genesis/Pannier Market Admin

01805 626110

Tues, Wed, Thurs morning

Heritage Museum & Archive

Contact Sue Scrutton 01805 622391 or Val Morris 01805 622306

The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the Crier Team

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Great Torrington Town Council Your Council Needs You!

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s we reported in last month’s Crier, Torrington Town Council passed a unanimous resolution that our case should be sent back to the Secretary of State, on the grounds that the consultation was flawed and that key aspects of our evidence had not been submitted. The DCC Health & Wellbeing Scrutiny Overview Committee agreed to re-submit on this basis.

We met with the Chairman, Councillor Richard Westlake, on 3rd December and handed him the complete package of all our evidence, which was sent off to the Secretary of State on 5th December.

This included a comprehensive report from STITCH, with 39 appendices of supporting documentary evidence, together with 23 letters from patients who have suffered some truly harrowing experiences.

Once a referral to the Secretary of State has been addressed, and a The Town Council Budget 2017/18 judgement has been given, it is very t is time once again for the council to by Government, and be taken note of rare for it to be reviewed a second time. consider what it does, what it intends when considering planning applications We are delighted that our diligence and to do, how much this will cost, and for development. A community wood is determination has paid off and we are thus its budget for the next 12 months. gradually being created at the rear of Over the past few years the council Trafalgar Drive. All of this additional work ‘getting another bite at the cherry’. There is a lot of information to be reviewed, but has taken on the responsibility for more has meant the employment of two parttime technical assistants and associated we hope to have a response for the next Crier edition.

“Your council is now looking to equipment.

The Gazette reported that the Success review the provision of bus services, There is no doubt that as a result of Regime review at NDDH had cost £2.7m to determine if there is a need for any your Town Council being responsible between April and September 2016. The improvements...” for more and more of the fabric of the review is set to continue until mid-2017 community, we have all benefitted.

- so what on earth will the final cost be? and more work. Individually they may Your council is now looking to What hospital services will it leave us be small, but added together they make review the provision of bus services, with? How many knee operations, hip a good contribution to the community. to determine if there is a need for any replacements, caesareans, cataract and The council is now responsible inter-alia improvements, and how they could glaucoma procedures would these costs for all the bus shelters, the public seats, be achieved. The continuation of have funded? some of the play areas, (with another transferring assets from the district The SOHS campaign is gathering one at Greenbank coming soon),cutting council to this community will continue. momentum, and its success is vital highway grass, weed control in the All of this self-determination has to if we are to safeguard essential and central part of town; it is purchasing be paid for. The council’s budget is time-critical procedures, together with the building that houses the museum; £141,400 for this financial year. To ensuring a high level of healthcare it maintains three football pitches and reflect the increased work load and for our communities. Please see their changing rooms at Donnacroft. responsibilities this next year, it will be website www.sohs.org.uk for up-to-date This month the council has become £158,694. For a band D property that information and how you can help the responsible for the day-to-day will be an increase of less than £1 per campaign. maintenance of the church yard, and month. A local large white loaf is £1.50.

Wishing you a healthy and happy shortly will also take on responsibility for The increase equates to the cost of 2017.

Rack Park. It is hoped that this year your seven loaves of bread in a year.

STITCH neighbourhood plan will be approved Margaret Brown, Mayor e currently have a vacancy for one co-opted Councillor to join the other 15 Council members of Great Torrington Town Council.

The Town Council therefore invites written applications outlining why you are interested in becoming a Town Councillor and what you believe you can bring to the role for consideration.

Applicants must meet at least one of the qualifications set out below: a) I am registered as a local government elector for the parish; or b) I have, during the whole of the twelve months preceding the date of my cooption, occupied as owner or tenant, land or other premises in the parish; or c) My principal or only place of work during those twelve months has been in the parish; or d) I have during the whole of the twelve months preceding the date of my cooption resided in the parish or within 3 miles of it.

Applications should be no more than one side of A4 paper.

For further information please see the Town Council’s website www.greattorrintontowncouncil.gov.uk.

Please forward applications to Great Torrington Town Council, Castle Hill, Great Torrington, EX38 8AA or by email to admin@great-torringtontowncouncil.gov.uk to be received no later than Thursday 02 March 2017.

M.A. Tighe, Town Clerk

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STITCH Secretary of State Referral

Great Torrington Futures Group – Regenerating Your Town

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his article follows on from previous articles in The Crier (October issue, p.26; November issue p.23).

In November, we referred to the challenges facing small towns and our aim to research how those challenges are being met. The research comes from government agencies, university studies, local council reports, professional organisations, newspaper and online articles; it refers mainly to the UK and North America although similar

“Between now and then, we’d like to hear your views on this project, so do please contact us.” issues are emerging in other parts of the world.

There is a lot of information on small town regeneration with several recurring themes (summaries and links to the research are available - see contact details below.) Using the words of their authors, here are some recommendations that stand out for us: * It’s all about building a unique sense of identity for a place and putting in the right leadership, governance and empowerment to improve the economies in small towns. * The key to success in building a healthy business community in a small town is to create an economic development plan that maximizes the community’s strengths and minimizes its weaknesses. * In small towns, economic development is community development, and vice

versa. * If a town centre performs well for the people who live and work in the town it is more likely to attract visitors. * Local economic development should be focused on growing and nurturing local capital. * Community/cultural activities and a safe, attractive environment can be an important part of a development strategy. * Small towns with the most dramatic outcomes tend to have proactive and future-oriented leaders who will embrace change and assume risk.

Overall, the research on small town regeneration does not dodge the difficulties, but is optimistic about development – providing you put in the hours! Next month we’ll give examples of what this can mean in practice and how it might apply to Torrington.

Between now and then, we’d like to hear your views on this project, so do please contact us.

By email to:philtop@ hotmail.co.uk By writing to: GTF, c/o Great Torrington Town Council, Castle Hill, South Street, Great Torrington, EX38 8AA By hand delivery to: Great Torrington Town Council mailbox at Castle Hill Via the Great Torrington Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/GreatTorringtonT ownCouncil/?fref=ts.

Thank-you.

Cllrs. A.Williams, C.Miller, D.Davey and K.Allin; P.Topham

Wanted - Secretary for Quarterly Meetings of Torrington’s Memory Cafe

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f you are able to assist the committee and the Chairman/Treasurer Brian Coleshill in this voluntary community role, please call on 01805 938277 for further details. The meetings are held early afternoons.

Thank You From the Torrington Food Bank Helping Those in Need

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he Torrington Community Food Bank would like to thank everyone for their generous support during 2016, we have had an increase in clients especially during November and December.

We would especially like to thank Dolton who make a generous monthly donation, Hatchmoor Nursing home, who kindly gave a large food donation to us from proceeds of their Christmas Fair, 1st Torrington Brownies who held a collection for us at Christmas, and our local Churches who support us throughout the year. Also we thank the Co-op and the Tourist Information Centre for having collection boxes in their premises.

We are most grateful for your support, we still have sufficient stocks of pasta, baked beans, and hot meals but are always grateful for tinned tomatoes, UHT milk, tinned potatoes, rice pudding, tins of custard and sauces or pickles.

Torrington Community Food Bank

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www.oakwellkitchens.co.uk Can Torrington’s Infrastructure Cope?

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e are in receipt this morning of a further leaflet from Beechcroft Homes showing that the original development for 60 homes, which had consent passed recently, to Hatherleigh 181. was at Community Centre Mayor’s Diary has now increased to see many of field their and residents receive ItAnother all sounds verymonth nice; 30% a sports parking for The hectic has affordable passed. housing, Community Awards.

This is similar to Bluecoat Primary School in the future, subject to planning (!) and Burwood Lane Helen and I have represented the the awards wemain have in has Torrington, turned into a green laneatformany pedestrians, etc. The worry to be the Town civic cyclists recognise events, access. Whatever is proposedincluding for a ‘spine which road’ it is obvious topeople anyonewho livinghave in this made a difference to their town. church services for the area that there will be a horrendous amount of traffic, mostly having to use a small, It was lovely to at last welcome, and Chairs of North wrongly planned, junction by theDevon Bluecoat Primary School and also at the junction be involved with, the Induction of District Council Road and where the of Borough Road and Hatchmoor zebra crossing is sited. This is Father Lawrence MacLean. We hope Torridge District not including the senior school traffic. he and his family will be very happy in Council.

At present, at certain times of the day, especially it is raining, Holwill Drive and our town,if and the Church Fete at the We enjoyed a trip to Bideford to th we Vicarage Borough Road can be almost blocked; do not have any other way out.

Putting was a good opportunity for us watch their Regatta and on 10 the cars intowatched a carparkthe will only help if theyall can in them. and out. Likewise Caddywell to get meet September spectacular Meadow, Massed Rosemoor Road,and Roscoff Close andThe TylersCo-op Meadow all have and Townto use Traders Bideford Pipes Drums, arranged Festival the Borough Road.

Access forfrom emergency mustabeHarvest considered for all in these with visiting bands coming all over vehicles Pannier Market on houses as well as the school. the UK. th Barnstaple Fair is needs alwaystoaexpand well- likethe While Gt. Torrington all 11 otherSeptember. towns and we must protect This was first supported day,if we withkeep all building the “Chain the commons, on every space that the is available, such as exone organised and I Gang” out in force to celebrate the factory and school sites, the town won’t be able to cope with green sites as well. think it will become a tradition of the the infrastructure Fair. The weather Therefore, of thewas town must be a major consideration. The two regular event on the kind ascentres, we walked whilst schools health onearound chemisttown, and existing won’t be nearly enough - as they Torrington calendar. the declaration of the opening of the struggle now.

Finally, we tried to attend as many Fair was read. Immediately after the Finally where are all these people coming from and going to be working - more Macmillan coffee mornings as possible formal part of the proceedings had traffic on our roads? and in fact ended up going to five! finished, we dashed down to Newquay.

Corby, 42 Holwill Gt. Torrington, 7LQ This is a Drive, wonderful charity andEX38 it‘s not It was time for Helen to put onC.M a ‘posh surprising that it’s so well supported. frock’ for a reception celebrating the After all those coffees we went to the ‘South West in Bloom’ competition.

Need Help Getting to Grips With YourKitchen Tabletshop or Laptop?

Soap to see Lesley and We still had to wait until the following id you get what you wanted for Christmas?

A tablet-device-laptop-gadgetRichard Phillips who celebrated ten day to hear the results, and were proud digital whatsit share photos with years family,ofemail, shop on online, download September. business 30th to and delighted when it to was announced music, you told it would beboth. easy once you Congratulations to you that the information: Torrington infilms, Bloom teamsport. had Were I look forward to hearing from you if got of it? going? wonthea hang Silver GiltHow’s (last ityear it was you Torrington have an event or is anniversary If you have theyou device, butcommittee, not the knowhow, Library running you silver).

Thank to the wanttotohelp tell you me get about – just traders and who work volunteer led individuals one-to-one ‘Coffee & IT’sosessions to grips withcall theme 01805 625662, or our secretary, hard to enhance our surroundings in basics.

Pauline the Council offices on 01805 Great Torrington.Library We will soon have Call Torrington on 01805 622107 or email at torrington.library@ 626135. the opportunity of meeting the judges librariesunlimited.org.uk or pop by and enquire at the counter.

Councillor Richard Rumbold toOpening find out hours: how weTuesday can do even better Thursday 10am-5pm; 10am-6pm; Friday 10am-1pm; Town Mayor – our next challenge is GOLD!!

Saturday 10am-1pm.

Our last out-of-town engagement

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Torrington Library

of

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he Friends of Torrington Library would like to thank everyone that came along to the library’s Christmas event on Saturday 10th December, despite the inclement weather! The Friends’ AGM will take Sir Duke here again how place on Tuesday 4th April– inwow the Council quickly a month goes by! Well Autumn Committee Room, above the library, is definitely upon commencing at 2pm. of the usMembers and many of public are welcome the to attend. rescue dogs are gaining their winter coats in Torrington Library’s readiness for the Christmas Surprise Unwrapped onset of Winter! n the build up toWe Christmas we as have been offered festivelybusy wrapped ‘surprise’ as ever with books for loan. three Hiddennew insidedogs some of thetaken ‘presents’ being in whowere wereDVD due vouchers to be put one–had a £10 bookknow tokenwhy – allas toand sleep I don’t really they are lovely and very friendly – they donated by our Friends of Torrington even like children!

Library, from money they raise to Bruno, our that promote and12-month-old support their puppy local library. needs an eye operation, still The lucky winner of the bookistoken, bouncing around and we are well Mr Hammond, was not so keen on on our way to raising the £3,000 needed his ‘present’ Fever at Dawn by Peter for his operation.

Gardos when he unwrapped but of his We have been chosen as it,one wife read and enjoyed it, commenting three charities to participate in a that she “wouldn’t it fantastic scheme have run chosen

by Animal herself”.

Friends Insurance.

Basically the The that returned booksthe have prompted charity receives most votes gets whopping £5,000. with So more come read on verya positive feedback, alland youenjoyed Facebook please for thanfans, those not. Itvote is very us, andto pass wordbyaround to limit all easy judgethe a book its cover, your family. is simple to our friends readingand material to It a genre we are vote, and with, costsor nothing. go authors to: familiar to stickJust to the www.facebook.com/feelgoodpark and we know. Our Christmas surprise on the left-hand menu you will see offered the chance to try something ‘Vote for Charity’. Click this and it will newyou andthrough random.to a page showing take Happyinreading in 2017. charities the scheme.

Then click on Kate Greaves Library Supervisor

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Please try to ‘Think Local ‘and support our local businesses whenever possible! This page is available for all advertisers to promote their business. For information contact Esther on 01805 603023 or email torrington.crieradverts@gmail.com.

To all engaged couples...

Congratulations from Freeformimages & The Little Red Bus!

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reeformimages Professional Photography by Laura, can supply you with a stunning photography package for your special day. I have three affordable ranges to suit your budget and wedding photography needs and a friendly service that combines a mixture of formal and natural photography, allowing me to capture the magic of the moment as it unfolds.

Photography services include: * Weddings - from bridal preparations to your first dance, I capture every special moment of your day with unlimited stunning images. Choose from a simple package to a full-bespoke wedding album, we can cater for your needs. Includes all images supplied on a USB with digital editing. * Engagement portraiture in our home studio or on location in a special place that has meaning to you. * Photo booth hire with mobile backdrop, lighting, props for weddings, events and business functions.

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Chauffeur driven VW wedding vehicle hire including decorations to match your colour scheme and a complimentary bottle of champagne.

The Little Red Bus - VW photo booth hire, a little something for your evening guests or event including vintage props, instant prints, technical support and a USB with all the images taken.

For further information contact Laura on 07846926029, Visit www. freeformimages.co.uk, email enquires@freeformimages.co.uk. Or follow us on Facebook @freeformimages @rorythelittleredbus. Don’t forget to like and share our Facebook pages please. Or send us a Tweet @freeformimages or @ thelittleredbus.

We will also be at the following Wedding Fayres this year; 5th February 2017 the ‘Something Old, Something New Wedding Fayre’ at The Old Bar, The Milky Way, Clovelly, (where you can WIN your wedding vehicle). See Facebook for competition details.

2nd April 2017 the ‘Whatever Weather Wedding Festival’, Clovelly.

Importance of Chimney Maintenance

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hat did all houses once have built in as a matter of course, but many modern houses don’t?

Unsure? A chimney is the answer. Vital for removing fumes from a welcoming open fire and a great method of removing damp air from the atmosphere, a chimney is an important aspect of your home. At devonchimneys.co.uk we excel in external chimney maintenance; from simple pointing and lead work repairs, replacements, fitting of rain caps and bird guards to the worst case scenario of complete rebuilds you can be assured of a first class service. For extra peace of mind all of our work comes with a written guarantee.

Martin Sayers, devonchimneys.co.uk

Boot Camp is Back!

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oin our four week progressive boot camp aimed at kick-starting your year! Scale-able workouts ensure all fitness levels will be catered for.

You’re in good hands with our trained, qualified instructors.

We have a range of over 16 classes per week; look out for circuits, back on Monday nights.

We are considering introducing pole fitness, Zumba and step, so please let us know what you want. If classes aren’t for you, we have great cardio and gym equipment, which you can use for less than £1 per day. Function Fitness, your gym!

Contact the gym on: 01805 622719 or email: team@torrigym.co.uk.

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Get Together Friends of Torrington

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hanks to Marcia and Val’s hard work, 2016 was a very successful year for the club. The club is now stand-alone, independent from TorrAGE, and financially sound.

The club has three arms: 1. The film club now has an average of 73 members at each of the screenings in the Plough, which take place on average once a month on Monday afternoons.

The cost of attending in 2017 will be £3.50, which includes a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit or piece of cake.

2. The luncheon club meets monthly in local hostelries. The Puffing Billy hosted our very enjoyable Christmas lunch last December, attended by 80 members.

Last month in January our hosts were The Cavalier. February’s venue will be The Royal Exchange on Tuesday 14th at 12.30pm.Owing to limited space, prebooking is essential and available on a first-come-first-served basis, payment of £7.50 is required when booking.

3. Coach trips to a variety of destinations are occasionally provided; spaces are limited, so early booking with payment is required, to guarantee a seat.

Fund raising events like beetle drives and coffee mornings/afternoons are held regularly to try and keep all charges to a minimum. Membership is restricted to residents of Great Torrington who are over sixty years old. There is no joining fee, but registration is essential. If transport is a problem, let us know, we might be able to arrange a lift.

You may wish to try just one of the above, feel free, there is no additional

Great Torrington Community Christmas Lunch a Great Success!

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reat Torrington celebrated Christmas Day 2016 with a second community Christmas lunch. Anyone living in the area that would otherwise have been alone on that day was invited to the Methodist Church Hall in Mill Street, to enjoy a roast turkey meal and some convivial company.

The room and the tables were seasonally decorated and roast turkey with all the trimmings, mince pies and fruit salad were all on offer. 28 residents really enjoyed their meal, well we certainly had very little remaining, so we guess that was a good sign!

We were very grateful to the local shopkeepers and organisations who contributed freely to the event: Wares, Steve Gladwyn, Sandfords, Green Lantern, Duffy’s, Xanadu, Co-Op, and SWH. Other organisations and individuals also donated money, which meant that we provided first class local food at no extra cost. Thanks also to Lona Zakurskas and the Torrington Rotary for their ‘liaison’ with Father Christmas who, after lunch, brought gifts for each guest.

We are really pleased to have been able to make Christmas Day a memorable occasion once again for local residents. We couldn’t have done it without the assistance of a great band of volunteers either. Thank you everyone who contributed in any way towards the success of Christmas Day 2016 and a Happy 2017 to you all.

Gillian Saich and Margaret Brown (Mayor of Great Torrington) cost. You will be made very welcome and you may meet some old friends and quite possibly some new ones!

If the above sounds interesting and you would like further information, please contact Marcia or Val. Marcia is normally in the Bickford Centre, on South Street, on Tuesday mornings between 10am and 12noon, to answer queries and take bookings. She is also available on the club phone number 077983 397 114.

6-7.15pm

Please call WENDY on 07787607322 or email wendy.cox@btinternet.com

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Class includes optional weigh in, motivational talk and 45 minutes of Zumba Fun

Goodbye from the ex-Chairman

The committee of Get Together Friends has decided that there is no need for a committee as the two main volunteers, Marcia and Val do such an amazing job of organising the group's activities.

Penny Thorp and I would like to thank all the other volunteers who have helped make this group so successful in the past. We have both enjoyed our time with the committee and we wish Get Together Friends all the best for 2017 and beyond.

Linda Bealey, ex-Chairman

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Tarka Pottery

Pottery classes, potter’s wheel, family activities, pottery painting, children’s & hen parties, holiday club, hand & foot prints, experience vouchers Little Torrington Tel: 07931 306 414 www.tarkapottery.co.uk email: info@tarkapottery.co.uk

Knit & Natter For North Devon Hospice

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nit and Natter is a fun, sociable event open to anyone, whether experienced or complete beginners. It is a great way for those who are keen on learning to knit for the first time, or for those who are old hands at knitting. To get involved, simply get together with friends, family or colleagues any time throughout February or March to hold your very own Knit & Natter. This is a two-hour sponsored knit, where you raise sponsorship or collect donations for your efforts. All proceeds go to North Devon Hospice and help us to provide our essential care to local patients and families in your area.

For your Knit & Natter event we will send you patterns to knit blanket squares, chicks or bunnies (to use as Easter egg holders), or Twiddlemuffs. A Twiddlemuff is a double thickness hand muff with bits and bobs attached inside and out. It is designed to provide a stimulation activity for restless hands for patients suffering from dementia. All knitting you produce will be used at the hospice or distributed to other charities.

This is a great way to get together and raise funds for your local hospice. For more information and to register, please contact the Fundraising Team on 01271 347232.

1646 Battle of Torrington Commemorative March

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t is planned to hold the commemorative march to celebrate the 1646 Battle of Torrington on Saturday 18th February 2017.

The event will start from Great Torrington School car park, leaving at 7pm (muster from 6.30pm onwards) followed by a march into the square for the proclamation and wreath laying.

There will then be a fireworks display in South Street car park. Please come along, join in and celebrate this important event in the history of our town.

For any further information please contact. Steve Young 01805 623959.

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Clinton Merton destination thatHall, matters….

Ideal for Weddings, Parties & Functions Up to 300 people - Full licensed bar

For a brochure please call 01805 603706 Tel: 01805 603 300 www.swantours.co.uk www.clintonhallmerton.co.uk Grange Lane, Merton, Okehampton,EX20 3ED

Torrington Rugby Club Top of the League!

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ell, I’m not sure that many on game days and winning more games result was a close 22-17 to Bideford.

Makes with he red.would pass them onbrings the story to sessions take part inare andfree, manyexciting, different fun, himyou myooze details, ecology ofalive.

The Common. InbetweenchooseAll spring into summer before setting strongDon’t yet steady rhythm of us expected to be top of than losing; aseed few will seasons have Iinteractive believe that this you leaves the tally by wordlost school friend.

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Well done to all still in favour of Torrington vets, 6-4. it comes time when was broadcast: being of One of the disappointments of Fifa One down Sunday afternoon I received ais theincluding Theit Tree Trail, exploration Bluecoat Children’s Centre early years perennial. Ragged Robin prefers toclever y of our closest celestial promotion back to Devon forthe generating this interest, and making My favourite ofare this year’s Again and again. of the andPath inventive the music. memory There isn’t a very phone call, yes!

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However, rather than choiceonof developing music it continue. game, whether you anprefer dive! speak, not just with hearing his voicethe time include, or Royal perhaps you have sessions are the focused countryside, so it is definitely worth ple and countryside of all in all Spaced has no major flaws that that is already there.

Year 11 have been practising Highlight of the season so have played before, are of Athe massive thank you everyone but knowing what My Father God had interest which could be the or basis skills needed to to support yourwho child pull theSow series down.

I think 11 brings gametoof growing it in your garden. seed in celebrated. transactional writing skills, by writing fardone. for meAnother as aconcerts spectator; beginner.

Please(eg. turned out,Fifa especially the the players, The were what I call your own a total evening stroll to have strong communication skills to If you (you haven’t seen the show I highly football into your own living room, it is a late TV summer/early autumn can onoured memories that reviews about their favourite shows, theGod’s first home league call Simon Pluckrose support thisthem great day, it wouldn’t stepping stones, I haverecommend photography, sketching, geology). support life. bywork it. Spaced is British comedy Wefun challenge that through can be played one games and films. Here are two ofloads them.from existing collect plants) and derby of the season, 465 459 orThe Adrian without you. experienced theseaseveral times overat itswillbest, also be07445 contacting our localplayer We have an orexcellent along with shows like on their own, up to fourVolunteering players prick out when large enough to handle. about thethedangers of th lasthome few years, schools.

Pathway atbeBluecoat Children’s massive win 34-He puts things intoOffice Avery 07780 624 242 for onLadies’ Extras. each team.

ItSaturday could a11 good excuse Dayhere February soand cover onlyIn my opinion Simon overacting your part.SpacedThe seed is quite fine, neverand happen if left to us. IPegg’s Please contact: Centre, so if you think you may 10.place Why that not come further information. best role to invite your best over, get the be We are lucky to mates have Belinda Cockwill lightly orofnot at all. They don’t is Tim in Spaced. flected Spaced that theno isselected some of thevery earliest work had idea where mytofriend was, heFunny, Email: info@torringtoncommon.co.uk interested in volunteering in our centre, join us, it would be great inventive, and fresh. crisps and coke in, and have a Veterans’ Match arranging another day of drinks andbig require a lot of heat so can Annual over-winter stimulating and that Simon the Pegg actornow comedian best known lives as in possible Basingstoke.

Sometime Phone: 01805 withtournament. a range of opportunities including football Corey Woodward, th 624176 see as many up at 10 annual vets’ match frivolity, to be honest I’m still not really in ofa thecold unheated nextformeeting his mainon rolethe in Shaun Dead. frame or The during this year weyour arelocal planning to Visit: our website or Facebook page office experience, years Year 11 Because I think it is early such an Donnacroft supporting is a clever inventive series with greenhouse, or you can justagainst scatterBideford went ahead as sure what happens, nor do I think I wouldSpaced be the seashore. meet up, how I am going to handle that education, horticultural/gardening, enjoyable game, and one you can play rugby stories team. Iain whacky involvingseed smartabout parodies planned, should, but if you’ve attended before and and scratch it roughly into in memory of Dave fromstorytelling, the comfort of your own home, I don’t one thing vs I the do know is creative play andthis more, th New Programme at Bluecoat Fifa 11 review 11 - Ilfracombe 1st of XVthe soil. on* February big Sci-Fiknow, movies, especially Star the surface Hickman.

Bideford, obviously enjoyed it, please contact Belinda game comes highly recommended. that IKO, have an incredible God who Fifa 11 is the latest football game for please contact us. We alsofor have 2.15pm league Wars trilogy.

Children’s Centre!

Fleur upset at not having won it for a few further details 271. toAvery, Wild Flowers Charlotte loves Delight the access to 07813 free 016 training support th story yourself football fanatic.

Thisthegame has just to Spacedme. is11the of Saracens two flatinmates * February - Exeter vs Lordanyyears, We are putting final touches provided a different quality of If anyone would like to become Yearyou.

11 he will give you the desires of your volunteers.

We would welcome our who Garden been released by EA Sports and any ndand meet some interesting friends.

The 2 XV 2pm KO, friendly our new programme for 2013/2014 and involved player this time, with a few ex-Devon on or off the pitch, please Pause For Thought heart.

We also offer confidential counselling will not be disappointed. culi spoof is not just comedic effect, but * February 18thfor- Exeter Saracens vsto1st buyers you can pick a copy the contact County andup at least four from ex-me on the family details support below. You And finally: Vernon Andrew sessions and to can help This players game brings managing and My Second Birthday n names help move the story forward; this makes XV 2.15pm KO, league centre, or download from our website Bideford Club Captains, amongst them hirewith our issues facilitiessuch for various purposes or playingmonth for your own team seem like it’s as housing, money the storyline feel very epic May and altogether is a very special in my s more by st Don’t worry if the weather isn’t too . from April 1 this time out! sponsor us in a variety of ways, all help just a shot it’s your choice of who’s challenges, relationship support or just the series muchcalendar more funyear, and being Life my away, second whenmakes they Common Forexcellent 2013/2014 will be oldThere great, wewatch. nowNews have our new covered thplaying team and howthere you play the With conditions, both is, general asare always, greatly appreciated. to advice children’s behaviour. chains thaton bind, birthday as I call it.on Onyour Saturday 19 s onegripping is noFor many years we have been favourites together with somea very newTheC’mon supporter’s area for you to stay nice and game.

The players have added features sides played their part in providing Torrie.

Spaced has a very unique style to it. pursuits of my mind, Please contact our centre to make an flos-cuculi May 1984 at 4pm a new an annual week of to events to I became sessions suchhard Mellowgame Parenting, dryorganising under!

A massive thank Stuart soentertaining they look of realistic toas viewers.

Directed

by Edgar Wright and you written by And faces that judge and fought of Rob Bewes, 07976 066 440, appointment. creation born into the Kingdom God. oo Flower. celebrate life on The We Pattern Changing, Beyondblue, This game the off next the Fifa17-0 The fate West of WM Ironworks, for Common. supporting us rugby.

Simon and JessicaIt Hynes it has a to of mankind.

We hope you enjoyClub yourChairman. time you Bideford shot intoinan early was with me but isall k most of usPegg have now extended this tonothing a fortnightdo Bookstart Corner different and monthly series is completely the feel; this is very clever writing with this. and your child spend hereEnjoyment, together at lead and but thankfully slowed downas a little Teamwork, Respect, about Him, Jesus. gged realistic Robin’ so that the more activities can beseries includedvisual Saturday morning Family Thrive. effects have been vastly improved. considering crazy storyline the If fate is deciding are May also having aIgreat season Bluecoat Children’s Centre.

If there is after this initial burst, allowing Torrington Discipline, Sportsmanship was invited to go to a Christian es flowerWe from to – andaround. surely itParody cannot continue to rainFifa 11Ifhas brilliant characteristics; youmany are interested in any of theseAnd any revolves and team quotetime group is dividing, our 2ndheard.

XV, getting a good outDr Billy you would like us to provide, meeting led by Graham at cuckoo with is for usually to come back into the game.

The final consecutive the players areplease madecall to into lookthe likeoffice real andThe hope will not comfort sessions, spotting two plays a big part weeks. in enjoying the please let us know and we will try to Astonwith Gateour football stadium in Bristol.

I nk flowers This look year as ifwill start Golf football players from the style and colour series, however, because these are book.

The plan fear that I’m hiding. th it into our sessions and activities been in of a their football stadium akencrucial a pair scissors June, cash Competition 24had eyes which makes great fun to and toofthe story on it makes it never muchwith more We also have threeitdrop-in stay for later in the so thought it would be fun, I had heard the name.

The Torridge Branch of Parkinson’s UK Charity Seeks Volunteer Chair – Could You Help? prizes and a chance to win ‘Theplay.play sessions, including one especiallyIn grace I will walk year. fun and enjoyable.

We hope to see you your family of Billy Graham so thought it ok go.

I also white forms and e are currently seeking a Volunteer Chair to lead an active and friendly committee.

The branch has anand increasing The feature of Fifa 11 is that you onAnd in death I will sleep, Commons’ Cup’. really We finish on the The series becomes interesting for best twins, triplets and more th at Bluecoat Children’s Centre. remember singing wasown choice le forms which can presence inattached thewhen localtocommunity, many opportunities to get involved in publicising branch activities and can with play for your of team July we weekend ofbe 6/7 on the realisation of howcan the willthe But while I’m awake, Thursday’s 10-11.30 am.

Kind regards, wonderful, remember a word ually characters at specialist plant Leeds United to Liverpool or areMyfund events, encouraging contributions toOur our newsletter, planning and executing raising and ensuring all are marquee and how on you but findcan’t have ayou small The Oldfrom dreams I willactivities, keep. many outreach sessions Viv Jones Bluecoat Children's Billy Graham spoke. wering stems rise up to Macclesfield to Manchester United, there yourself agreeing with what Tim (Simon Oli Benson, Bowling Green to house a display, and committee members are involved in discussion and decision making. continuing including well-attended Centre Leader and allYear the staff are Secretary, many different you can At please the made an appeal for challenges ng naturally, and they Pegg’s is saying; thisclose really 10 at some practical examinations of he the Forcharacter) further information, call Branch Jones on 478128. sessions atJulie Winkleigh and01237 Parkham.

Bluecoat Children’s Centre people to come to the front if they wish long period from late

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Torridge Family Creates Community Fund for Local People

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fund set up by a generous Torridge family to support community work continues to transform local people’s lives, distributing nearly £24,000 in the last year to 16 deserving groups.

Will and his family, who have chosen to stay anonymous, knew they wanted their money to make a difference on their doorstep. They decided to create a fund with Devon Community Foundation, a unique charity which offers philanthropic services to those wanting to give locally.

The fund, known as the Chiggy Pig Fund, provides financial assistance to community groups tackling disadvantage and deprivation while making a positive impact to the lives of local people.

Will said, “I choose to give locally because it’s a much more rewarding way to give. You can visit the places you’ve helped and talk to the people you’re supporting. You can see, touch and get involved in the projects making a difference on your doorstep. It’s a much more fulfilling experience than putting money in a tin and walking away.”

The family was keen to start making an impact at once, and working with the Foundation meant they began giving locally just a few months after their initial donation. So far they’ve supported projects such as a home visiting service in Torridge, giving social contact for lonely, isolated older people helping them to manage appointments, finances and ensure they are eating and keeping warm during winter months. Also funding the set-up of a new Brownie group in an

isolated rural area where there is little for young people to do.

Bridget Wade, from Beaford Brownies said, “Just a grant of £500 has enabled us to start the group and we now have a unit of 19 girls.

We’ve had an amazing year taking part in all sorts of activities getting the community together, including a family evening. Most of the girls in the unit come from rural areas and can often feel isolated, being a part of the Brownies has helped to give them confidence, develop life skills and try new challenges whilst having fun.”

Other groups that have benefited from support include, Torrington & District Men’s Shed which were given £1,300 towards tools and equipment for a support group for men. Here skills are learnt, shared and used to the benefit of the local community, helping with a sense of well-being, self-worth and encouraging older members of the community to keep safe and well. £1,834 also helped equip a rural village hall kitchen to support a lunch and companionship club, bringing isolated local people together, while teaching new skills and encouraging peer support.

The fund has plenty more it wants to achieve locally and applications from projects in Torridge addressing local

community news are welcome at any time. If you have any questions you can find out more about the Foundation and funding opportunities at www.devoncf. com, or get in touch on 01884 235887 or email grants@devoncf.com.

Christian Aid

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he first Lent Lunch will be held on Friday 3rd March in St. Michael’s Church between 12 noon and 1.45 pm with a choice of homemade soup, rolls, butter, cheese, chutney and a cup of tea or coffee for £3.50. This will be followed at 2.30pm by the Women’s World Day of Prayer.

Please see the Crier diary or posters for the venues for the next five lunches.

These lunches are hosted by the Baptist, Holy Family, Church of England and Methodist Churches. By attending these Lent Lunches, you will be helping the work of Christian Aid. Barbara Down, Treasurer

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Tip Top painting & decorating “Committed to top quality workmanship, professionalism and customer satisfaction” • Specialist finishes/effects • Wallpapering • Decking/flooring • Handrails • • Period properties • Fencing/garden sheds •

Tim Parkinson

City & Guilds NVQ Level 2 Qualified • Fully insured

Tel: 01805 623678 Mob: 07522 880 484 E: tiptoppaintinganddecorating@hotmail.com

Diary

A Listing of Community, Social and Fundraising Events in the Torrington and Surrounding District Areas.

To place an entry in the diary, please either email torrington.crier@gmail.com, call 01805 603152, or write your entry in the diary on the Library counter.

The Crier is not responsible for updating entries; if your group’s details change, please inform us asap.

February 2017 Wednesday 1st

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Plough Exhibition ‘Leaving Home, Finding Home?’ by Henrietta Job & Freddie Job until Sat 18 Feb Plough Folk: Folk The Pitmen Poets 8pm Bideford Phoenix Morris Baptist Church, Mill Street, Bideford 7.30pm contact Carolyn on 01237 473798. Every Wednesday.

Singing for health, for older people, those with dementia and their carers.

Conversation at 10.30am, singing begins at 11am, Torrington Community Hospital. £1 donation per session. For details call 01805 622666. (First Wed of the month) Plough Workshops every Wednesday: Adult English Class 6:30-8:30pm; Latin for Beginners 7-8pm; Tai Chi 7:30-9pm Bideford Phoenix Morris practise at the Baptist Church, Mill Street, Bideford at 7.30pm contact Carolyn on 01237 473798.

Parkinson’s UK Torridge Branch monthly coffee morning every 1st Wed of the month 10.30am-12.30pm @ Phase 1 Common Room, Ethelwynne Brown Close, East the Water Bideford 3rd Torrington Brownies at Torrington Baptist Hall, every Wed term time 6.308pm Shirley Lee 01805 625965 Free English Course for Adults every Weds 6-8pm @ The Fire Station. Learn the basics or aim towards L2(GCSE=) qualification. Rosemary Dymond 01237 472462 Langtree Reunites Netball Club High 5 training (sch yrs 3-6) 6-7pm, Junior training (sch yrs 7-9) every Weds 7-8pm evening (Juniors 7-8pm and Seniors 8-9.30pm) @ Torrington sports hall. Visit

www.langtreereunites.hitsnetball.co.uk Torrington Police Amateur Boxing Club training 6.30-8pm carded boxers Running club every Wednesday at 6.15pm meet at GTS gym Rugby Training 6.30-8.30pm at Donnacroft Gt Torrington Parish Church 10.30am Mass (Book of Common Prayer) every Wednesday

Thursday 2nd

Tarka Pottery Adult Pottery Classes every Thursday in term time:10-12 noon, 1-3pm and 7-9pm t: 07931306414 Plough Workshops every Thursday: Sapta Dance 11am - 2:30pm; Tai Chi 2-3pm. Writers Group 7:30-9pm (first Thursday of the month), Life Drawing Sessions 7:30pm-9pm Tai Chi 12 -1pm and 1-2pm for beginners or those requiring a seat every Thursday, Torrington Hospital. TorrAge Ageing Well 01805 622666 Pannier General Market every Thurs 8am–5pm Gt Torrington Parish Church 10.30am Said Mass, Coffee morning 11am-1pm, every Thursday Little Fishes Toddler Group at Baptist Church every Thurs term time 9.30am -11.30am £1.50 per family. Jill 01805 624387 Short Mat Bowls 2-4pm every Thurs @ High Bickington Community Centre Wendy’s Fitness for Life classes at the Scout Hall Gas Lane 07787 607 322 Slimming World Join us at Torrington Rugby Club every Thurs at 5.30 & 7.30pm Norah 07789 632166 Toddler Group 9.30-11am every Thur @ High Bickington Community Centre Writers Poets & Listeners 7.30pm Conservative Club Langtree Indoor Market in The Parish Hall, every Thursday from 10am-2pm.

Local produce, food and gifts and a community café.

Torrington Police Amateur Boxing Club training 6.30-7.30pm juniors age 8-11, 7-8.30pm ladies boxfit Tarka Valley Railway. Volunteers meet every Thursday from 9am till about 3pm at Torrington Station (the Puffing Billy), unless weather is appalling. Variety of tasks. All welcome. 07881 905 260.

Friday 3rd

Quiz night at The Clinton Hall, Merton.

Teams of 6, food and cash bar. £5 per person. 01805 603325 to book table. 7

for 7.30pm.

New Jersey Boys - Frankie Valli story Langtree Parish Hall 8pm, £14 inc pasty or cheese & biscuits. Sue 01805 601602 Plough Talk: North Devon Sunrise: A Celebration of Diversity with Satish Kumar 8pm Gt Torrington Parish Church 8.30am Said Mass every Friday.

Plough Workshops every Friday: Sarah Anne Westcott School of Dance 3:30-7:30pm Pannier Market every Fri 8am-5pm ALLSORTS Children’s Club at Bluecoat Primary School, Fridays, 6.30-8pm.

School years 1-6. Phone Morag on 01805 625510 ALLSORTS Plus Youth Club at Bluecoat Primary School, Fridays, 8-9.15pm. School years 6 and upwards.

Phone Morag on 01805 625510 English Folk Dancing 8pm every Fri @ Northam Village Hall with Bideford Ceilidh Club. Info John 01237 476632 Torrington Police Amateur Boxing Club training 6.30-7.30pm juniors age 11+, 7.15-9pm seniors Little Otters Baby & Toddler Group, Merton every Friday, 9am-11.30am, at The Clinton Hall, Merton

Saturday 4th

Plough Film: Collateral Beauty (12A) 8pm Plough Music: Ragtime/Blues The FB Pocket Orchestra 8:15pm Plough Workshops every Saturday: Plough Junior Jazz 11am - 1pm; Plough Youth Theatre 9:45am - 5:15pm Breakfast rolls, coffee and cake 10am to noon, meat raffle, 1st prize £25, 2nd prize £15, takeaway available. In aid of Weare Giffard Village hall refurb/rebuild.

Torridgeside Saturday Football Fun Club - 10am - 11am in the Great Torrington Bluecoat Primary School MUGA. Every Saturday.

Pannier General Market every Saturday 10am–4pm Food Bank 10am-12pm every Sat @ Castle Hill, (1st floor) Torrington Junior Golf Training every Sat 9-10am @ Libbaton Golf Club Dolton Weight Loss Group every Saturday from 9.30 to 10.30 in the small village hall. Contact Mary (01805 804421) or Emma (01805 603999).

Sunday 5th

Car Boot Sale every Sunday in Feb, Hatherleigh Cattle Market, 12-2.30pm.

Sellers £6 from 9am, buyers from 12 noon. Indoor tables can be booked, outdoor spaces, 01837 880031 Plough Folk: Cara Dillon 7.30pm Catholic Church of the Holy Family – Mass every Sun 9.15am Gt Torrington Parish Church: 10am Sung Mass with Sunday Club, every Sunday Torrington Methodist Church 10.30am Heather Bolt, 6.30pm Rev Stephen Hill Holy Communion.

Grosvenor Church Torrington, Bluecoat Junior School 4pm, with an exciting children’s programme, refreshments at 5pm. Tim 07798 670 754. Every Sunday.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints meet @ Bideford College Abbotsham Rd, Bideford Sunday Sacrament service at 10-11am Sunday Brunch (Grosvenor Torrington Church) Every 1st Sunday 10.30am 12noon Bluecoat School Hall. Food and fun for all the family!

Tim Gilbert 07798 670 754 Car Boot Sale Tesco Rose Lane. Every Sunday 10am - 2pm cars £5 - vans £7. Sellers 9am. Maureen Beauchamp 07999 445 489. Pitch fees will go to British Heart Foundation & Diabetes UK.

Monday 6th

Short Mat Bowls every Monday 2-4pm and 7-9pm at Great Torrington Bowling clubhouse. All welcome Torrington Craft Group, every Monday 1-4pm in the Methodist Church Hall £10 per month or £3.50 per session including refreshments, Jeanne Singleton 01805 622650 Plough Workshops every Monday: Yoga 6:30pm - 8pm; Folk Orchestra 7-9pm Little Frogs sessions Mon – Fri 8.45am3.45pm term time, Gas Lane, Torrington,

contact - 07870 509 674 Short Mat Bowls 2-4pm every Mon @ High Bickington Community Centre 1st Torrington Rainbows at Torrington Rugby Club every Monday term time 6.15-7.15pm Emma Keil emmakeil@ talktalk.net.

1st Torrington Brownies at Torrington Baptist Hall every Mon term time 6pm7.30pm Kathryn Masterson 01805 623212 1st Torrington Scout Group at Scout Hall every Mon term time 7.30-9pm Peter 01409 281246 Torrington Silver Band practice Mon & Weds 8-9.30pm @ Howe Concert Hall Nick Megson 01805 622150 Cash Bingo TVSC 7.30pm every Mon Torridge Gingerbread Group, every Monday, 10-12 noon, Bluecoat Centre, Beach Room (usually) email: torridgegingerbreadgroup@outlook.com or find us on Facebook.

Torrington Police Amateur Boxing Club training, above TVSC, 6.307.30pm juniors age 11+ 7.15-9pm seniors.

U.S. Social Group. Get out and meet new friends. We meet every Monday at 8pm @ the Panniers in Barnstaple (Weatherspoons). The age range is 40 plus. Varied interests including skittles, dancing, meals out etc. Mixed social group for people on their own.

Running club every Monday (except Bank Holidays) at 6.15pm meet at GTS gym Little Otters Pre-School, at The Clinton School, Merton Mon-Thurs, 9am till 3.30pm, with lunch club 12pm – 1pm, Term time. For more details-01805 603357/ admin@clinton.devon.sch.uk

Tuesday 7th

Plough Folk: Chi Raq (15) 5pm Plough Film: The Eagle Huntress (U)

8pm Tarka Pottery Adult Pottery Classes every Tuesday in term time:10-12 noon and 7-9pm t: 07931306414 Beaford Brownies meet at Beaford School on Tuesdays 5.30pm till 7pm contact Bridget Wade on 07830 797 050 or email beafordbrownies@outlook.com Plough Workshops every Tuesday: Yoga 2:30-4pm; Adults ballet 6:30-7:30pm; Ploughcappella 7:30-9pm Hobbies Arts & Crafts Group Langtree Parish Hall every Tues 10.30-12.30pm £1.50 inc Tea & coffee Sylvie 01805 601485 Food Bank 10am-12pm every Tues @ Baptist Church 1st Torrington Guides at Torrington Rugby Club every Tues 7-8.30pm Linda Masterson 01805 623212 1st Torrington Beavers and Cubs at Scout Hut, Gas Lane Tuesdays during term time 5.30pm - 7pm, Fran Ashton 01409 281246.

Youth Club for 11+ 5-7pm @High Bickington Community Centre Badminton Club every Tues 7-8pm Juniors, Adults 8-9pm @ High Bickington Community Centre 01769 561387 Torrington Police Amateur Boxing Club training 6.30-7.30pm juniors age 8-11, 7-8.30pm ladies boxfit

Wednesday 8th

Plough Film: The Son of Joseph (12A) 8pm Plough Talk: An Audience with the Characters of Torrington 8:15pm Bideford Phoenix Morris practise at the Baptist Church, Mill Street, Bideford at 7.30pm contact Carolyn on 01237 473798.

Great Torrington WI, Methodist Rooms 7pm TORRAGE Alison Marsden

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TORRIDGE COMMUNITY MINIBUS SERVICES VICARAGE GARDEN HQ Run by the IlfracombeSalon & District Community Transport

NURSERY

R

C

School Lane, (near swimming pool) All your everyday motoring needs Ring01805 and Ride services operate in the following areas: 625489 A friendly welcome in a lovely ‘Walled Garden’ Mondays from Westward A HomeLife large selection ofourselves pre-owned All your Bedding and Basket needs Family Ho! Hair aand nd WBideford ig Specialists At Carers we pride on offering quality home 12 South Street Tuesdays Torrington ““We We care about your hair” air” care services to people throughout the local community, cars & vans always in stock Common & Unusual Shrubs, Grasses, Perennials, Alpines, Climbers, Veg. including: Great Torrington

Wednesdays from Hartland • Personal Care Services • Preparation of Meals and Free Advice • NightGeoff Care • Home Help • Sitting Serv ices on: south of the area.

Contact Williams OPEN 10 – 4 MOSTruns DAYS , May Fair, Carnival & Bank Holidays on Fridays Call today on: 404406 / us07971 Care Worker 623157 Regulated by Barry 01805 01805 622 604 The Care Quality Opportunities Tel: 01805 625 999 www.monkleighgarage.co.uk Available www.homelifecarers.co.uk

Devon Thursdays High Bickington and Ex38 8HE ‘Going Out and About’ Club

www.newhairathq.co.uk

Further details from: Karl Williams 01271 549680 Thursday 9th

Commission

Country’s finestship fiddle players, Wednesday 15 and chip supper onWest Friday 17 Slave May Torrington In Bloom 2013 Competition Entry Form Torrington School have‘Treasure come runners-up St Hieritha’s Church, Chittlehampton, Condensation rising from Plough Workshop: Island’ 2013 whilst raising awareness of spinal th Two students from Year 9 at Great

Family pantomime, Henry’s Magic Jam, Langtree Parish Hall 7.30pm £5/£6.

Sue 01805 60160 & Sat G 10th r e a t Plough Film: The Son of Joseph (12A) 3pm; Chi Raq (15) 8pm Torrington 1. Plough Best floral display byOpen a business Workshop: Mouth Music & Poetry 8pm (every second Thursday) 2. Best floral display bySchool a public house

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inPlay-In-A-Day a national(7-12 writing 7.30pm. £6 indiamonds advance, £8 on the door, ebony yrs) at competition: The Guildhall, Strong cord injury supporting SIA’s ‘Copywrite’, run by the National Schoolsand Beaten Carole 01769 540581 or carolehbegg@ to a pulp.

Barnstaple 10am-4pm information and support services.

Partnership.

Harley Carter and Reuben hotmail.com. Warm but bring a cushion!

Plough Films: Moana (PG) A a supper You11am; can‘Slave hold in your own Musgrave entered their poems The men come and Monster Calls (12A) 2pm; The Black Hen home, at work or hold a larger supper Saturday Ship’ and ‘Don’t Make Promises’ into the ‘Floral display’ can include hanging baskets, Takecontainers, people up 18th (12A) 8pm at your local community centre.

Plough Pop: Mari 8pm but competition when they were in Year 8 window boxes, ornaments.

Plants need notWilson be bedding We hear screams Cribbage pairs comp, third Wed of the SIA provide a fundraising pack and this term have heard that will they are can include fruit, vegetables, herbs, perennials, shrubs.

And they come down month, Torrington Arms 8pm Sunday 19th containing hints tips, in recipes, runners up. Both boysArtificial are delighted, and MARCH CRIER COPY flowers are notand allowed!

All covered cuts Singing for health, for older people, Plough Films: Moana (PG) 3pm; invitations and donation envelopes.

By have won a £50 Amazon voucher each.

Red blood drips.

3. Best floral display by an individual (best garden)* DEADLINE 12 NOON TODAY those with dementia and their carers.

Assassin’s Creed (12A) 7pm The English department is very proud of inviting seven friends and asking them Can Help the * category 3 must be able to be viewed from the roadYou or 10.30am Conversation at 10.30am, singing begins Torrington Methodist Church: Harley and Reubenpavement, and thinks itanis additional to donate £5 say you will Friday 10th They don’t a word ie, front garden.

4. We Best floral display by a group, ie, scouts, school, at 11am, Torrington Community Hospital.

Boxing Club Find a start this month with Katie’s miniGideons wonderful that, once again, work least done £35, in but raise willService, also give6.30pm Rev Stephen Art on Friday, twice at month at The Likewe they neighbourhood** £1 donation per session.

Forat details call saga.

Hill New Home?

English lessons can win national you fundraising ideas to Plough 10.30am-2pm. ‘Copy an Old Buttoned up theiroflips. group’ must consist of a minimum two people (of any 01805 622666. (third**‘A Wed ofadditional the month) competitions.

Torrington Police Am Master’ (choose your own favourite). raise even more.

From The(photograph Depths only)*** Bideford Phoenix Morris age). practise at 5. Best back garden Monday 20th They’ve been in The Crier before, but raised Club facesPrint homelessn Where are we going New members welcome Hazel: 01805 The money will help the Nothing could be seen; my pupils the Baptist Church, Mill Street, Bideford Plough Workshop: Open Access here are the two winning Spinal poems: Injuries On this never ending trip? second time in 623757 Association offer stretched out like big glassy balls.

Light at 7.30pm contact Carolyn on 01237 Workshop with Faye Anderson-Retter a year an *** category 5 photographic must be a photograph of your 6. Best allotment or vegetable garden**** Plough Limehouse Lizzyfurther, for ais permanent home individuals who name become up aheadRock: seemed to be further, 473798 10am-3pm ownsupport garden,to please ensure your and address on No-one knows (standing gig)flushed 8pm down the corridor. sessions. further.

A wind paralysed and their families, from the Plough Films: Life, Animated (PG) back of photo (2 photosDoes are allowed) 7. Best floral display outside a public building anyone care?

Torringtonabout Parish Church 8.30am Thursday 16th Don’t make promises I Gt was a tiny etc.) boat on a moment a spinal injury occurs, and for7pm Since the club was fo 5pm; Silence (15) (firewhipped station, councillike offices, Human faeces everywhere Said Mass Plough Workshop: Plough Play Story the Globe Alone in my room, nothing but me. rough, choppy sea. A screaming the rest of their lives. ****category 6 can be a public allotment or a private garden Hotel when Thefrom Guildhall, Barnstaple Tuesday 21st I (3–5 heardyrs) theat door downstairs. pounded at my eardrums, wanting to January, they have been For contain more information or request a vegetables and fruit. cannot bethe a Coastal 8. Saturday Best floral display by a young person (under 16) 11:30am and can 11th Do the men live Itlike this?in Nature Conservation I 10am heard & my name being called, breakthrough. Unwanted thoughts tiptoed in Torrington Town Hall a fundraising pack call Elizabeth Wright commercial enterprise but can be a group individual Family pantomime Henry’s Jam “Someone’s Plough Theatre: Moon On A 0845 Stick: ‘Jack Envrionment Talk:orDavid Evans, but retired on the phone for you!” cautiously into my head and Magic bounced measure, have to le on 0714350 or email effort. It must be your own allotment/garden, or group 9. around Best floral display smallHall garden £5/£7, Langtree Parish 2pm & 8pm, Frost’ 2:30pm Quick!

Shh! th harbour master. Merton Wildlife my brain.

April.Group at 30 fundraising@siafishandchips.co.uk or Sue 01805 601602 allotment /garden of which you are an active participant. (less than 20ft x 20ft approx.), balcony or courtyard.

Here they come Fairtrade Group meets The Clinton Hall, Merton 6.45-8.45pm.

I Torrington picked up the phone, the voice said…

Something’s coming.

Club coach Heathcliffe visit www.siafishandchips.co.uk.

Plough Film: 8pm No more thinking.members £1, non7.30pm at how The are Plough.

New members Refreshments, Son, you doing?”

It’s coming to Passengers get me......and(12A) there’s no th“Hello that Taddiport Tea for Dance Doug is: 30 Itwelcome.

June The closing ALL2-4pm categories off your entrymembers details and the the club has never ForI haven’t furtherPlease details £3.hand in to set was a2013 voice heard cut incontact years. way out. date down having t 01805 622648 Beryl 01805 624294 all 1610 Torrington Triathlon at They takeWorkshop: a man addresses supplied.

Make sure you keep a Silver note ofJewellery whichroots, 01805 624678 or Myra on Plough with ItKathy was aon voice I used to know.

An echo replaced the air, the echo that different venues since welcome (every second Saturday) And a woman Completed forms may be left at the following addresses: categories you have entered!

01805 624232 Mary Myers only could be the beating of my panicked Torrington Pool Precious Metal Clay with Wonder what will happen.last year.

Whiskers Pet Shop, Vicarage Nursery or Ferry’s Home 10am-4pm I said, “I’m fine, how’s you?” heart. rd Sunday 12th June 2013 Sunday 23 Friday 17th youfine, have any queries, please contact: Hardware The voice said slowly,If“I’m thanks Plough Prism: ‘The Lion,He The said: Witch &“Despite The End. Plough Films: A Monster Calls (12A) Torrington Terror: scenic, rural bike numbers of vacant pro Plough Workshop: ‘Treasure Island’ Can see black bodies for asking.”

The Wardrobe’ 11:30am The End.Passengers (12A) 4:30pm; Cherry Hammon, Secretary, Torrington in Bloom 2:30pm; th and run courses.

Novice friendly, but town, the biggest challen Play-In-A-Day (5-12 yrs) 10am-4pm As far as my eyes can see.

The End. 2013.

Judging will Beauty take place on Tuesday Association, on 01805Plough 625788.Films: Life, Animated (PG) Collateral (12A) 7:30pm 6 August will challenge you! is finding a new home.

T Plough Workshop: Plough Play Story the voice said very very slowly… ...whispered into my ears. I felt around, 6pm; Silence (15) 8pm Torrington Methodist Church: 10.30am Then 11am in next week…”

Man at my Loss foot, whack!

Distances members, boxers and th “I(3-5 will yrs) be coming touching the ice cold stone walls, fingers ‘Hearing Support Group’ Social Mrs Nancy Hall-Tomkin, 6.30pm L/A Plough Films: Assassin’s Creed (12A) Cut sensation Swim 400m, Bike 32km, Run including Function Fitn outstretched in front me. Someone or 2013 group for 4.5km. the hard of hearing.

Every third I/we wish to enter the of Torrington in Bloom Competition: Name/Group: …………………………….…………….

5pm; A Monster Calls (12A) 7:30pm My foot leaking.

Not sure about doing a triathlon on Cavaliers, have worked Six weeks past, since I heard the voice. something entwined their fingers in mine.

Tues 2pm @ The Bickford Centre. Call Monday 13th my eye.make the club a succe RNLII Big & Supper the notWater your7.30pm own? at Why enterdrips as from a relay Then said Quiz to myself…

Something was taking body;A I 01271 373236 Plough…………………...Address: Films: Moanaover (PG)my 11am; Category: …………………………………………………………………………………………

St Marys Church Hall, Appledore £8 per “Never make promises you can’t The keep.” team? perfect introduction to the attracts up to 30 membe wasn’t sureCalls who (12A) I was anymore.

Monster 2pm & 7.30pm; Want mother. Want22nd father. person (teams of six) includes Wednesday Harley Carter, sport of sausage Triathlon. time, training three times Passengers (12A) 5pm Katie Huxtable, Man and whip dangerous ………………………………………………………Post Code:…………..Contact telephone number: ……………………. and mash supper, nibblesFor on more theYear table, Plough L’Avventura (PG) 8pmthan half a 9 Year 8 information or to Film: book your have more

CATEGORIES:

Tuesday 14th

Plough Cabaret Valentines Night: Moscow Drug Club 8:30pm

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licenced bar and grandplace raffle.– visit www.1610.org.uk.

Plough Comedy: Carl with Donnelly: Badcards ready medical English traditional music and song, Man Tings 8:15pm Nick Wyke & Becki Driscoll, two of the Bideford Phoenix Morris practise at

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Thursday 23rd

Plough Theatre: Hodge Podge Theatre: ‘The Homeless Panda’ 10.30am & 1.15pm Plough Film: A Plastic Ocean (nc) 8pm Probus Club meets at the Black Horse, High Street, Torrington, 10am. Every fourth Thursday.

Bingo at St Giles Parish Hall, eyes down at 7.30pm, last Thursday of the month

Friday 24th

Art on Friday, twice a month at The Plough 10.30am-2pm, ‘Free Choice of Subject & Medium’. New members welcome Hazel: 01805 623757 Plough Films: La La Land (12A) 5pm & 8pm

Saturday 25th

Barn Dance, Bloatertown Band and caller, Northam Hall, 7.30-11pm, bring and share supper, soft drinks provided.

Penny 07805 622 183 Plough Workshop: Decoupage with Teena Wright 10am-1pm Plough Blues: Giles Robson and His Band 8pm

Sunday 26th

Plough Dance: Balamouk 2pm Plough Folk: An Audience with Phil Beer 7:30pm Torrington Methodist Church: 10.30am Mr David Ley, 3pm Alwington Catholic Church

Tuesday 28th

Plough Workshop: Cold Process Soap Making with Christine Keeley 10am-2pm Plough Film: La La Land (12A) 8pm

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British Native Flowers to Grow in Your Garden Pulmonaria officinalisMayor’s Diary was at Hatherleigh Communit

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his hardy perennial needs little introduction since it is atowidely grown, see many of their residents Another hectic month has passed. popular garden plant, but its common name (amongst Community a number ofAwards. others) This is s Helen and I have represented the is lungwort. It is so called because the leaves, according ancientwe have in To the toawards Town at many civic apothecaries, resembled a diseasedevents, lung and thus, the plant became an ‘officially’ which recognise people wh including recognised treatment for lung conditions. made a difference to their town church services for the Pulmonaria comes into its own during winter and spring, was interesting lovely to at last welco Chairs of North Devon havingItboth foliage forms and dainty, colourful flowers in many shades of rosy-pink, mauve, be involved with, the Indu District Council and Father LawrenceasMacLean. W white and blue. The native form hasTorridge flowers which District start off pink and change, heshape and his family will be very they age, to blue. The leaves are quite rough and hairy, oval in and spotted Council. our town, and the Church Fe white, as if milk has been The flowers in terminal Wesplashed enjoyed on a to tripthem. to Bideford to appear th Vicarage was a good opportun clusters on stalks that can reach 30cmand in height (about 1ft). watch their about Regatta on 10 all under to meet them.

September iswatched theshade spectacular The best site for Pulmonaria in dappled in moist soil, deciduous and Town Massed Pipes andfrom Drums, trees and shrubs. In Bideford winter, remove fallen leaves around theThe plant Co-op to enable arranged a Harvest Festiva with visiting bands allplants over can be lifted and as much light as possible to reach the coming crown. from Large Pannier Market on the UK. divided after flowering but Pulmonaria officinalis does seed itself if not deadthe 11th September.

Barnstaple is stems alwaysto aencourage wellheaded. It is best to remove spent Fair flower further flowers. was the first supported day, from with garden all the centres “Chain and This There are many cultivars available P. ‘Sissinghurst one organised and I Gang” out in force to celebrate the White’ is a particularly attractive form. Some cultivars also have larger morea think it willand become patterned leaves. tradition of the Fair. The weather was regular event on the kind as we walked around town, whilst Pulmonaria usually dies back during summer/autumn and watch out forcalendar. powdery Torrington the declaration of the opening of the mildew at this time – remove any dead or dying leaves regularly. Finally, we tried to attend Fair was read. Immediately after the Macmillan coffee Fleur mornings as formal part of the proceedings had and in fact ended up going finished, we dashed down to Newquay.

This is a wonderful charity an It was time for Helen to put on a ‘posh surprising that it’s so well su frock’ for a reception celebrating the Ceilidh & Supper with After all those coffees we we ‘South West in Bloom’ competition.

‘Strings n Things’ Soap Kitchen shop to see Le We still had to wait until the following (From North Devon Orchestra) Richard Phillips who celebra dayFolk to hear the results, and were proud Saturday 18th February 7.30pmwhen it was announced years of business on 30th Se and delighted Congratulations to you both.

Ploughman’s supper provided, thatand thepudding Torrington in Bloom team had I look forward to hearing fro but please bring yourwon ownadrinks.

Silver Gilt (last year it was you have an event or anniver silver).

Thank you to the committee, There will be a raffle and non-alcoholic want to tell me about – just traders andcost individuals who work so refreshments available.

Tickets £8 on the 01805 625662, or our s hard to enhance our surroundings in door, and the ceilidh will be held at Alverdiscott Pauline at the Council offices o GreatCross, Torrington.

We will soon have Community Hall, Stoney EX19 4PZ. 626135. the opportunity of meeting the judges For advanced booking and more information Councillor Richard R to find out how we can do even better please email hholt.exmoor@yahoo.com.

Tow – our next challenge is GOLD!!

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DOGS ON LEADS ARE WELCOME IN THE FOYER ADJACENT TO THE CAFÉ AND IN THE GARDEN FREE WIFI Castle Hill, South Street, Great Torrington EX38 8AA Tel: 01805 626146 Email: 1646@great-torrington.com

Community Thanks from Friends of Torrington Bluecoat

O

n behalf of Great Torrington Bluecoat Primary School, FoTB would like to express their warmest thanks to the local businesses and organisations that supported our Christmas fayre on Thursday 1st December.

A really big thanks to all the businesses that donated prizes towards the raffle; Bargain Food Brands Outlet, Budgens, Bond Oxborough Phillips, Ben’s Barbers, Classy Canine, Duffy’s Hardware Store, Easy Fix Computers, Function Fitness, The Globe, Gorilla Café, Hair We Are, Instant Images, Jayne Poole, Kia Ora Fish & Chip shop, Morrisons, Obsessions, Royal Exchange, Steve Gladwin Family Butchers, Sharon Lewis, Squires Electrical, The Soap Kitchen, S & G Carpets, Torrington Jewellers, Wild Wood & Willow, Waghorn’s Wheels, West Country Glass. Huge thanks to Bideford Joinery Ltd for sponsoring our main raffle prize.

We would also like to thank Streetz and Torrington Silver Band who provided some fantastic entertainment throughout the fayre. There was plenty for everyone to do and the evening was a big success raising £1906 profit to be spent on enrichment activities within the school.

Thank you to everyone that has supported FoTB throughout 2016, without the support and help from parents, friends, local businesses and school staff our events would not be possible. Thank you also to my fellow FoTB committee members, without their commitment and enthusiasm we would not be able to achieve such amazing results. We wish you all a Happy New Year!

Laura Cooper and the FoTB Committee

Torrington in Bloom

A

t our Annual General Meeting last November, a long-standing member announced his retirement from the Committee. Nigel Stark has been a member of TIBA for many years and as a group we would like thank him very much for his loyalty, support and hard work, especially with regard to the Best Garden and School Potato competitions, which he organised and ran very successfully. Both competitions are still running and Nigel will still be involved on the potato front!

We will be revising our Best Garden competition; a category may be Young Gardener of the Year, but this is to be confirmed by the Committee. A wild flower border or meadow may also be included to celebrate the life of the Rev. Keble Martin, who was a famous botanist and vicar of this parish during the 1940s/50s.

Torrington in Bloom was invited to plant a tree at the Jubilee Wood site, in fact, we planted two, one of which was an oak in memory of Mike Knight (his name appears on the commemoration plaque on the site). This is an important project for the whole town and will open up a badly needed link on to the Common (saving a dangerous walk down School Lane to access Barmaid’s Path).

Cherry Hammon, Chair Torrington in Bloom, tel: 01805 625788

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The Snowdrops are Here!

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he snowdrops at Higher Cherubeer, open for the charities supported by the National Gardens Scheme (NGS), get the year’s garden visiting off to a great start.

Devon galanthophile, Jo Hynes, has over 300 types of snowdrop in her one acre garden at Higher Cherubeer, two miles east of Dolton, Devon, EX19 8PP, which is open on Friday 10th, Friday 17th and Sunday 26th February from 2-5pm for the NGS. The woodland paths are lined with around 300 named snowdrops, hellebores and winter flowering shrubs. As well as many other spring flowering flowers, Jo has a National Collection of hardy cyclamen. There will be refreshments and plants on sale including snowdrops. Admission is £4 and children are free.

At NGS open gardens all the money taken goes direct to Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Hospices UK, Carers Trust and other nursing and caring charities supported by the NGS. The money taken for the teas and plants also goes direct to the charities unless stated otherwise.

To see all the gardens opening in 2017 please visit www.ngs.org.uk

The Secret Memorial Garden

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he Secret Memorial Garden is a magical little space tucked away behind high walls just a few paces from Great Torrington’s South Street car park.

It was created from an original design by Jo Winterburn as a memorial to five young boys, evacuees of the Second World War, who tragically lost their lives in a fire close by at Sydney House.

I first came across the garden a few years ago and was immediately taken with its intimacy and the personal touches that made it a place you wanted to return to.

However, for different reasons, it had begun to show signs of neglect and needed some care to bring it back to its former glory.

Being a member of our local Torrington in Bloom group I got the go ahead to improve things and decided to call on some garden volunteer friends at RHS Rosemoor, to see if they would help me in this venture.

Plenty were happy to help, and we all met on a chilly, showery day in early winter 2015. Those who had not seen it before joked that it certainly was a secret, as they had been in and out of the car park for years and had not known it was here!

The central knot garden, containing herbs planted in compartments between low box hedging, was the best place to start so we took a bed each, weeding (there were lots of weeds!) and trimming some of the plants.

In spring we replanted or replaced many of the herbs, trimmed the box hedging and moved further out towards the edges of the garden, pruning shrubs and clearing more weeds!

This winter we want to give many of the beautiful wall plants, such as wisteria, golden ivy and jasmine some attention. I also intend to plan for further improvements which will keep the Secret Memorial Garden a special place to be.

I would like to pay tribute to my good friend and volunteer helper, Gill Brown who sadly passed away in November 2016.

The photo shows the volunteering team – L-R: Gill, me, Cherry (Chairman, Torrington in Bloom), Graham, John (Rotary club), Marie, Pat and Diana.

David Squire Photograph by David Netherway

Tarka Valley Railway News

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he highlight of our activities for December was the visit of Santa to our carriage. We were very lucky to see the jolly gentleman on two afternoons, when he dispensed mirth and merriment to all and presents to our younger visitors. Many thanks to all involved in making this another successful event for the railway.

At the end of November, and after much work behind the scenes by our team preparing the vast amount of paperwork in connection with the lease application to Devon County Council, the documents were delivered to the manager responsible for the Tarka Trail.

This will enable the Council to give final consideration, and hopefully approval, for the lease on phase 1 of our plan for the railway; the scale model of which can be seen in the carriage.

Our New Year programme of events starts with a talk on local history by Hugh Reed on Friday February 24th at 7 for 7.30pm. It is at the Puffing Billy in Great Torrington and tickets costing £3, including a buffet, are available at the Puffing Billy during opening hours, or by calling into our carriage on a Thursday.

Lastly, and well worth a look, is the brand new home page of our website, (www.tarkavalleyrailway.co.uk) which is more touch screen friendly than before and includes a children’s page. For regular updates, our Facebook page is the place to go for latest news.

Rob Martin, Tarka Valley Railway

17

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23 your evening will be Hestercombe Gardens. marshalled bywith our November’s volunteers along he group continues to go from strength to strength, order all In April we have a coach outing to routes to encourage and ensure maintaining our increased ordering and sharing levels. We enjoyed greatyour the Cornish Flower Show at Bocconoc safety all times.

There’s a walk for food, jollity and a secret santa stocking at ouratfestive gathering.

Estate.

We are delighted at an how everyone, five more to 18 miles!

Our challenge has been devising ordering system tofrom cope with orders quickly the seats have been taken and Delicious refreshments will be provided and shares; we’re doing well but looking forward to the launch of our wholesaler’s are website, now praying decent online weather. at the end of your walk, Stagecoach new which for will include group ordering, making everything easier for On the home front we will be hosting a will once again be on hand at the end all! Meanwhile, members have pitched in with their skills; vast amounts of work has quiz with our ‘adversaries’ from other to ferry you back to your starting point. been done to keep the wheels turning, we’ve learned a lot and made new friends. gardening clubs in the area.

This year, we are hoping to provide Wellbeing Tip: in May, Tuesday 7th at entertainment along the way and more Our speaker I’m oftenwill asked clarify the apparently health tenets Is 7.30pm be to Howard Wills, locally contradictory ‘themed surprises’ by about somesoya. of our soya the answer is both yes and no. Confused? Don’t the healthy keeper or of unhealthy? a National Well, Collection of marshalls! be, help is at hand!and Jovibarbums. He Sempervivums Nightwalk has proved to be very will be consider sharing with us isthe plants he and we hopeand thisa year will be Firstly, quality: it organic?

If not,popular it will contain GMO’s chemical found on a visit toOur Madeira. than either ever. and So you’ll make be sure you cocktail of sprays. bodies aren’t designedbetter to process For to more thetoxic Society Sally rally your friends,at ingredients family and adding yourabout body’s loadring quite unnecessarily.

Look carefully in Ramsden, on 01805 623152,ingredients email colleagues, convenience foods and consider when you eatand out. get your registration sallyramsdenindevon@hotmail.co.uk forms inonfast, along with your entry fee.

Secondly: consider how is it made? Is it produced a massive commercial or turn to a meeting at Torridge free to forms and scale or isup made using traditional fermentationFeel methods onphotocopy a relativelythe small Vale Social Club.. pass them around to friends and scale? The nub of it is that whilst soya is a highly nutritious food, it’s also extremely family, or you can register and pay Sally Ramsden indigestible unless fermented and cooked using traditional methods, which have online ensures at www.nightwalk.co.uk.

Please been perfected through the centuries. Fermenting that it’s partially prenote that the £10and ‘Early Bird’ sea entry fee Nightwalk 2013 digested and traditional preparation uses heat, time, pressure includes remains the same till 1st April and Get ready for another vegetables to further enhance soya’s digestibility, nutrition and taste. thereafter the fee will be £15, so Nightwalk remember What abouttosoya milk and desserts? These often contain sugar and additives please get your entry in fast! th on Saturday 18 May Usher, formerly Head Gardner always, Organic & Wholefood BuyingatGroupAsNews

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and are produced in a massively commercial way, not conducive to balanced 2013…and a new leg grain near milks are a much better alternative, and you can health.

Good quality organic Springcompromising Has Sprungyour at health. I Holsworthy! use them to make your own lovely desserts without Nightwalk is now in its seventh year, Little Torrington recommend (available through the group): Sojade Organic Rice Drink with Calcium we areOrganic hoping Oatly you will up forHaving The have 6xand 1l £6.95.

6 xsign 1l £7.45. the twosnowdrops to hand works well, Sojade what sweeter everyone tells us is a memorable lovely,cooking the primroses being and Oatly being more suitable been for savoury and everyday night - rest assured we’ve ordered fine are outout and daffodils use.

You’ll find Oatly organic in supermarkets – look for the promotions. weather and a lovely sunset! th th on the bank at the top of Bi-monthly order deadline dates: 13 March, 15 May, and 10th July.

Contact me This will be an unforgettable evening, Mile st Hill approaching the now so you’re primed for the new catalogue on 1 March. with an atmosphere full of anticipation, village are about to burst into a * What does membership cost? Free memories and camaraderie. Many magnificent display of spring colour. * Must I order a minimum amount? No Nightwalkers wore fancy dress last Spring Fever has hit the Victory Hall * Must order every No feature; year Iwhich was amonth? wonderful as well; new fireproof doors to the * If I don’t order, can I still share else’s order? Yes whether you decide on apply fancy to dress orsomeone storage cupboards have been installed * How do I pay?

BACS or cash on collection not, you are warmly welcome! in order to store the Parish Records * What if I need advice or have questions?

Ring 01805 623 307 or email mary@marycrailwellbeing.co.uk I’m here to help.

829

Awards Presented to Boxers safely for future generations.

The committee is now working hard raising funds for some bright new curtains to give the hall a fresh new look.

Why not come and join in the fun on Friday April 26th (7 for 7.30pm) when we are celebrating St George’s Night.

You will be assured of a warm welcome and fun-filled evening with hot food and entertainment. All for £7.50 each. (See diary for details).

F

Torrington Uncovered rom everyone at the boxing club, A New we Book would like to wish everyone a

very about happyTorrington 2017!

My book is finally on itsthe way!

Over Christmas holidays we held a I have written as a parents, series of Christmas open house,it inviting questions that newcomers to guardians and sponsors to joinare us likely at about Torrington and and theask club for mince pies,drinks, see its and the answers, oursurroundings new equipment in action.

We also of varying lengthfrom and toand those heard speeches ourdetail, coaches questions.

There are 64 sections club chairman Shaun Kenneally, and on differentawards topics and over 160 black and presented to our boxers: white photographs.

I hope that, Boxer; as well Trai Sheppard won Boxers’ Best as providing a guide for visitors, Matt Gray won most improved boxer; this book will contain plenty of material that Nathan Board won most dedicated boxer. is of interest to townspeople.

Kira Thurlow and Matt Arnold picked up I would like to take this opportunity to bronze medals for new boxers. Hannah thank all the local people who have Hutchings best achievement helped won me write this book byfrom giving thegenerously recreationalofboxers. their time, providing me Our really are credit tome their withboxers information andalending thephotographs. club and to our town, well donespoken Everyone I have to everyone and we’re really looking to has shown an interest in the project forward thisenjoyed year. Our first home and I to have talking to you all. showTorrington this year is being held in March.

Uncovered will be Asavailable always, if from anyone interestedfollowing in theis weekend joining club, either competitively or May the Fair, after the launch on Saturday just4thforMay fitness, get in touch, ‘like’ at theplease Plough. our Facebook page, and popMoira up to Brewer see us; our gym is upstairs at Torridge Vale Social Club.

A new book...

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TORRINGTON UNCOVERED

by Moira Brewer

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When Was the Battle of Torrington?

T

he Battle of Torrington took place in 1646 during the English Civil War. It is sometimes called ‘the forgotten battle’ as it is seldom referred to in accounts of that period but it was, in fact, the decisive battle of the final campaign of the West, which ruined the cause of King Charles I. At that time Torrington was in Royalist hands under Ralph, Lord Hopton, Commander in Chief of what remained of the King’s Army in the West. Word of what was happening in North Devon

Fairfax intended to do no more that night than hold the positions already gained, so stationed his men in readiness for an assault in the morning.

At around midnight a noise rather like a tattoo was heard in the town and it was supposed that the enemy were retreating. As a kind of experiment, a small party of dragoons was ordered to approach slowly the first barricade and fire over it. There was an immediate response from the Royalist soldiers on the other side and thus it was that battle commenced. Regiments of foot “...it was, in fact, the decisive and horse were ordered to the front and battle of the final campaign of the managed to break through the barricades West...” into the town. There was fierce fighting in the narrow streets and townspeople reached the Parliamentarian General, watched, terrified, from upper windows.

Sir Thomas Fairfax, at Exeter who The Royalists fought bravely but were no learnt that some of the King’s horse match for the energy and discipline of the from Oxford had penetrated westward, Parliamentarians. Hopton’s horse was and Royalist horse in North Devon was shot and he himself was wounded and, attempting to push eastward to join them, eventually, he and his men were forced in order to relieve Exeter and attempt to to retreat. recapture the West. With North Devon The Parliamentarians drove their securely in Royalist hands, they could prisoners into the church not knowing hope to bring in additional aid from the Royalists were using it as a Wales or Ireland. Fairfax, therefore, powder magazine, having stored about decided to abandon the siege of Exeter 80 barrels of gunpowder in there. and to advance in person with a force of Somehow, these barrels were ignited some 10,000 horse and foot, hoping this and blew up with a mighty explosion time to destroy completely the Royalist which killed 200 prisoners, guards and armies. citizens and destroyed part of the church Fairfax and his army marched towards and many houses. Fairfax had a lucky Torrington and, fighting off a series escape when he narrowly missed being of skirmishes by the Royalists to try struck by falling pieces of lead. and impede their advance, took over The streets of Torrington were littered Stevenstone House in the late afternoon with dying men from both sides, and of 15th February. The Royalist soldiers abandoned weapons. When the were ordered back nearer to the town. powder store went up there had been a

Torrington Silver Band Coffee Morning Could You Donate a Cake or Raffle Prize?

T

orrington Silver Band is excited to share details of an upcoming coffee morning we are holding this month. On Saturday 11th February the doors at Howe Concert Hall in Castle Street will open at 10.30am for you to come along and enjoy a nice cuppa and a slice of cake. There will also be a raffle with some fantastic prizes, which will be drawn at 12pm. If anyone has any items they would like to donate towards the raffle, or would like to bake a cake, then please contact Laura on 01805 625994 to arrange drop off/collection. Everyone welcome!

Torrington Silver Band would like to say thank you very much to everyone who has supported us in 2016. We had a very busy year and we look forward to seeing you all again in 2017. Happy New Year.

deafening roar, which caused the ground to tremble and echoed around the hills and valleys before subsiding in a longdrawn-out rumble. With the noise of the explosion ringing in their ears, the retreating Royalists fled down Mill Street and over the bridge at Taddiport as they made for the Cornish border. The defeat at Torrington had spelled the end of Royalist hopes in the West Country.

Moira Brewer, an extract from Torrington Uncovered

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Fleur’s Gardening Forum

particular. Removing old fallen leaves will help reduce diseases taking hold s I write this article in early early.

January, I wonder how I should Removing annual weeds is essential be advising you about working on the vegetable plot, get it done now on your garden during February, since I before they set seed and you will save cannot predict what the weather will be so much time; these can be dug in, like by then! February is one of those especially if you are double-digging the ‘changeling’ months where it could plot, throw weeds into the bottom of the be winter with frost, snow and bitter trench. If the weather is too wet or cold winds, then mild and wet (‘February to work the soil, place fleece or black Fill-dyke’, as the old saying goes). Just polythene over to help warm up the soil. occasionally we get a glimpse of spring Now is the time to turf out your when the wind is soft, the sun warm on greenhouse! Be ruthless, that half-used our faces. bag of compost that has been there No matter the weather, plants are since last autumn should be ditched now starting to emerge from winter (tip it on to the garden as a mulch). dormancy and many will be in flower, Check over pots of cuttings, some will or certainly showing their colours. For probably have rotted and can be thrown example, Daphne, Viburnam and away, others may need a little care and Camellia cultivars, Hammamelis mollis attention, possibly a little water. Wash (Witch-hazel), Chimonanthes praecox down the glass on the inside and out with (Winter-sweet) should be flowering now, warm water and detergent, do the same and on a mild day can fill your garden for your shelving and if you have a solid with perfume, as well as attracting early floor, sweep and scrub with a stiff broom. bumblebees. Don’t be afraid to pick Cold frames can be dealt with similarly. a few sprays of these shrubs to bring Check over-wintering perennials in indoors, especially if the weather is pots for vine weevil maggots, especially inclement. primula and cyclamen, which are At ground level, early Narcissi should particularly prone. Discard heavily be flowering and specie crocus, on a infested plants in the green bin or pick off sunny day, bring a smile to one’s face. all the grubs and squash, then repot the Mixed with Pulmonaria and Hellebores, plants into fresh compost. both snowdrops and hardy cyclamen add Also, check pots of bulbs for signs to the season’s palette of colour. of growth and bring into the light if the Scrape away carefully any rotting shoots are about 5cm (2”) tall. Overleaves, etc., from bulbs and plants that wintering dahlia tubers should be are just emerging to provide more light, checked, discard any tubers that show also helping to prevent pest damage signs of rotting. If shoots are already from hibernating slugs and snails in

The February Garden

A

117 emerging, you can take cuttings now, making sure they are kept warm.

Alternatively, you could pot up the sprouting tubers and grow on ready for planting out in early summer.

Sow seeds of broad beans, lettuce, early carrots, radish, and start chitting your early potatoes. Seeds of peppers, tomatoes, aubergines and other tender vegetables can also be sown, but need to be kept warm in order to germinate successfully.

Just a few tasks to occupy your time during February, but remember to enjoy the sights and sounds of early spring; gardening should never be a bind. Take pleasure in finding that early primrose, or tiny snowdrop battling the elements and be reassured.

Fleur

Wine & Wisdom Helping Friends of Parkham School

Saturday February 4th Allardice Hall, Parkham oors open 7.30pm, quiz starts 8pm, £5 per person, includes cheese, bread and fruit, plus a brain workout!

Teams minimum four, maximum six people, bring your own bottle, glasses provided, soft drinks and tea/coffee for sale, raffle.

Please register your team in advance by contacting Jo on 01237 451803 or joanna.turnbull72@gmail.com Proceeds to the Friends of Parkham School.

D

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M

ichael, Jo and Andrew Sampson would like to thank everyone in Torrington and Little Torrington for the support and expressions of sympathy we have received following the unexpected passing of our eldest son, Richard.

Thanks also to the police officer who had the task of breaking the news to us, and to Hannah for help in getting word to his former GTS friends.

Richard’s funeral will take place in Essex at a date yet to be arranged. We hope also to hold a ceremony locally sometime in the near future.

Abbeyfield

R

esidents enjoyed all the Christmas and New Year festivities at Glen Tor. We have sent £70 to the Children’s Hospice in lieu of Christmas cards and presents to each other.

We welcome Janet as a new resident, having said goodbye to Doris who has moved to another Abbeyfield house, to be nearer to her son.

The January outing was to Bideford for fish and chips. Our Easter coffee morning will be on March 30th and is open to everyone.

Do you know anyone who might like to find out more about living here, with our friendly and active residents? Why not ring our house manager on 01805 623605 for a chat and perhaps arrange a visit to meet with them and our staff.

Awards & Achievements for Torrington Army Cadets

E

very year Great Torrington detachment holds an annual regimental dinner and disco, which takes place near Christmas at the Torrington Arms, and celebrates achievements during the year. The cadets have a 3-course meal which is set up as how a regimental dinner would be, with silverware and Rifles Colours. All of the trophies have been donated by ex-adult instructors of the detachment or for a special reason.

This year Great Torrington detachment has achieved a lot: becoming affiliated to the Royal British Legion, winning the Courtney Cup County Air Rifle and the .22 Rifle Rod Symonds Cup competitions, finishing 5th nationally in the News of the World shooting competition, being the first detachment in the ACF to deliver fly fishing as a skill for the Duke of Edinburgh’s award. The highlight of the year being achieving an above standard grade in their annual inspection.

It is outstanding to achieve an above standard grade and all members, both cadets and adult instructors should be proud of their accomplishment.

This year’s individual awards were awarded to the following cadets: * Senior Cadet of the Year: Cadet Staff Sergeant Freddie Webber * Junior Cadet of the Year: Cadet Jai Head * NCO of the Year: Cadet Corporal Daniel Lobb * Most improved senior shot: Cdt Corporal Jimmy Birch * Most improved junior shot: Cadet Holly Rice-Smith * Recruit of the Year: Cadet Jack Pledger * Special Achievement: Cadet Corporal Trinity Hickford * Dedication and commitment: Cadet Tyler Bolt * Turnout and Bearing: Cadet Corporal Karla Pitcher In addition, congratulations to Cadet Jimmy Birch on his promotion to the rank of Cadet Corporal.

Great Torrington Army Cadet Force meets every Friday evening 7-9.30 pm at the detachment hut, in the grounds of Great Torrington School. Young people aged between 12-18 years are more than welcome. If you’re interested in joining or for further information on what the Army Cadet Force can offer you please feel free to contact Lieutenant Matthew Sanders on the below details: Email: matt.sanders@armymail.mod.uk, tel: 07463 818187.

The above picture features the cadet NCOs who are the young leaders within the organisation and role models for the younger cadets to follow.

21

The Crier Prize Crossword

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The winner of last issue’s prize crossword was Robin Turner, congratulations, we hope you enjoy your prize.

This issue the prize has been donated

by Dartington Crystal and is a pair of Winemaster Grand Cru Crystal Glasses value £41.50 and a complimentary hand casting voucher for one cast plus engraving. Please send completed crosswords with contact details, to The Crier, Castle Hill, Torrington, EX38 8AA, or email a completed crossword image to torrington.crier@gmail.com.

The winner will be picked at random from correct entries. Deadline for entries is Thursday 9th February, the solution and winner will be in the March issue.

This year Dartington Crystal is celebrating the landmark anniversary of 50 years of trading. Founded in 1967 as a commercial enterprise to support the employment and social ambitions of the Dartington Hall Trust, the business has since developed and grown to be the UK’s leading name in crystal and glass. Dartington Crystal is now the only remaining factory scale producer of hand made glass in the UK and Ireland.

Throughout the year we will be focussing on our anniversary, so watch this space for any special events and activities.

We will keep you well informed through the Crier of course.

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How to Start Researching a Family History Part 17

who is appointed administrator. This is a pity as the law about who is entitled to inherit, says a wide range of relatives can inherit but this is not usually listed in the PCC records.

One thing to look out for is an inventory. Quite often executors would make a list of all the property and goods of the deceased in enormous detail, going from room to room through their house listing even the smallest items and assigning a value to them. I suppose they were covering themselves if there was a later challenge to their division of the estate. They offer a wonderful insight into the lives of our ancestors. They seem to tail off in the later part of the 18th century.

Another thing to look for is a Probate Act. If there was something wrong with the will, or there was a court battle, then this would be written up in detail in a Probate Act book.

So what do you do if you have a will indexed and it was destroyed in 1942?

Prior to 1797 there is nothing that can be done, but in 1797 William Pitt the Younger had to raise money to fight the French. He famously invented income tax to do so, but also invented death duties and records from that process do exist.

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Saturday March 18th 7.30pm t. Peter’s Church is delighted to welcome this well-known local ladies’ choir to perform arrangements of songs old and new; ranging from gospel and showstoppers to Top Ten hits. The concert will also feature their small chamber group, the ‘Pips’ and amusing poems.

The choir will be conducted by their Musical Director, Pam Beechey and accompanied by Chris Beechey, with Anthony Chambers ably compering the evening.

Please come along and enjoy the music , the singing and the talent. We can promise you a most enjoyable concert. Admission on the door is £5 and proceeds will go towards the cost of a new sound system for the church.

For further information about the choir, contact 01237 420652 or see their website: theappledoresingers. co.uk ‘Seek a Smile thro’ Song’

S

Keep Fit With Morris Dancing!

H

ow do you do a lot of things all at the same time with a stick or hankie, whilst dancing to music, having fun and keeping fit? By coming along to Bideford Phoenix Morris this February. We are practising now to dance out this summer. Why not join us?

Contact Carolyn on 01237 473798.

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W

e have looked at Prerogative Court of Canterbury wills so far. So what do you get when you have tracked one down and got your copy from The National Archives?

The first thing to note is that all the wills are in English (unlike most other legal records prior to the 1720s). They are usually copied into a large vellum book and you get a copy. The name of the deceased is usually written in large letters in the margin, in Latin for some reason. The will has a standard format and usually starts something like, “In the name of God Amen I ... being of sound mind do make and ordain this my last will and testament...” The clauses of the will are ‘items’ and the first, frequently, is about disposal of their body and the payment of funerary costs. Hopefully thereafter, there is some meaty text leaving lots of money and property to distant family members. Please remember that you can leave thousands of pounds in your will, but be a pauper with no money to cover the bequests!

At the end of the will is a standard paragraph (in abbreviated Latin) which is the legal bit which grants probate to the executors named in the will.

Administrations are really disappointing. All you get is a standard paragraph (often in Latin) which says

23

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Use NHS 111 For Health Care This Winter

D

octors in Devon are urging people to use the free NHS 111 phone service to get the right care and advice, as health services across the county become increasingly busy.

The number of people with flu and other winter-related conditions, is putting hospital and GP services under strain, so people are being asked to use other services where possible.

Call 111 if: * you need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency * you think you need to go to A&E or need another NHS urgent care service * you don’t know who to call or you don’t have a GP to call * you need health information or reassurance about what to do next They will advise on how to look after yourself, if that is appropriate; direct you to the nearest walk-in centre or minor injuries unit; get a doctor to call you; or tell you to go to A&E if necessary. If the advisers think you need an ambulance, they will immediately arrange for one to be sent to you.

For less urgent health needs, contact your GP or local pharmacist in the usual way.

For immediate, life-threatening emergencies, continue to call 999.

Doctors are also reminding people to look after themselves and others in the colder weather.

Simple things like checking on a neighbour, keeping warm and making sure cabinets are stocked with over the counter medicines are just some ways people can avoid having to use stretched NHS services.

Tips to help you stay well this winter

Keep yourself warm - heat your home to least 18 degrees C or (65F) if you can.

In significantly cold weather, if it is not possible to keep the whole house warm, people should try to keep one main room and the bedroom warm. The best way to stay warm is to wear several thin layers of clothing rather than a few thick clothing items.

If you start to feel unwell, even if it’s just a cough or a cold, get help from your pharmacist quickly before it gets more serious. It is useful to have a well-stocked medicine cabinet so you can be prepared for the most common illnesses.

Always take your prescribed medicines as directed, or speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you have stopped taking them or started taking them differently.

Look out for other people who may need a bit of extra help over winter. People who are over 65 and live on their own are advised to arrange for someone to call to their house or to telephone at least once a day.

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Syrian Pianist Comes to Bideford

R

iyad Nicolas is one of the most exciting young artists to emerge from the Middle East, and has been described as ‘Syria’s leading young pianist’ by International Piano Magazine 2012. He was born in Aleppo in 1989, and has already established himself as a leading figure of his generation on the international performing circuit.

He made his first appearance as a soloist with an orchestra at the age of ten in Aleppo. Since then he has performed with many orchestras including the London Chamber Orchestra at the Cadogan Hall, Emirate Symphony Orchestra in Dubai, the Syrian National Symphony Orchestra at the opening of the new Damascus Opera House as well as with the Gomidas Chamber Orchestra of Aleppo.

Riyad has given solo recitals at most of the London prestigious venues and has been invited to perform in numerous UK festivals as well as in Europe, USA and some Arab States. He has also been invited to play for many fundraising concerts especially for Syria, by various organisations such as The International Rescue Committee, the UN Refugee Agency and the Arab British Centre amongst many others.

This concert will be held on Wednesday 8th February at 7.30pm at Bideford Methodist Church Hall, High Street. Tickets are £13 (students and children free) and are available at the door. For information: 01237 477242.

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Common News

A

t the end last year I wrote about our plans to clear and cut back the invasive trees and shrubs that cloak the Commons on the slopes of Castle Hill. I am pleased to report the section at Barley Grove is now completed, and we have been able to open up magnificent views of the Torridge and the valley. Whilst we cannot return to the days when continuous grazing kept the whole of Castle Hill as open heathland, we can now begin to have some idea of how the Commons might have looked to our forebears. We have received many favourable comments about the rejuvenated vista, and we hope to keep the bracken and saplings in check so that wild flowers, insects and lizards that would naturally occur there can thrive.

Like most days, I was out walking the Commons on Christmas Eve in the area of Rice Point Path and Furzebeam. This is always a time of year for reflection, but it occurred to me that when our friends around the country, living in towns and cities, are out for their Christmas morning walk, how many will be able to enjoy the natural beauty that we sometimes take for granted here in Torrington?

When spring arrives, how many have the opportunity, on their doorstep, to see kingfishers, otters, deer and a host of rare plants and flowers? In these financially stretched times, as it becomes increasingly difficult to hold onto our natural and open spaces, this place gives Torrington its essential character and is something to be prized and preserved at all costs.

Please cut out and keep safe…

Happy 10th Birthday, Allsorts Children’s Club!

D

id you know that skills ALLSORTS Children’s Clubas willparents. be celebrating its 10th Centre aboA that need to be learnt Children’s Birthday at the beginning of March?

Continual ‘fault-finding’, or ‘putwhich runs once W a In 2007, a group of local Christians started on Friday evenings, downs’ (often said in jest) the are club a sure Saturday morning. A T with about 15 children aged in what was then the way5-10, to meeting create questions about self-brand-new Thrive session will b Bluecoat Infant School. Since then the club has gone from strength-to-strength, April 10–11.30am. W worth in children. Additionally, those with more and more children over thecriticised years. After O whoattending are consistently will about start three years, as children outgrew the club,toa wonder second about group,their ALLSORTS Plus was started for 10-14 A relevance.

Native Wild Flowers W year olds. In the last coupleInof contrast, years, wechildren have started yet parents another group Allsorts whose To Grow in Youth, as some of our young people just don’t want tofeel leave! affirm their children’s efforts useful, Garden B As well as the Friday groups, hasacceptable been a privilege to getThey to know Your the families worthyitand as people.

Primula vulgaris isH are years also likely to work maintain of the children, and over the we have heldhard manytoevents for the whole family: B lovely native primrose positive feelings, andonwhen they beach trips, talent nights, those farm visits, treasure hunts the Commons, bonfire flowers with a darkerC encounter nights, barbecues and much more. setbacks will have the th bloom from Novemb to try again. is building As we approach our 10confidence birthday, we would likeThis to thank all those volunteers areas) emotional resilience, a really strong who, over the years, have faithfully given their time and energy to make theseto early May.L the flowers foundation for success in life, and Friday evenings such fun for so many young people. We are also so grateful to thethemselve separate female (‘pin’ skills deal life over school for allowing us thewhich use of gives the infant hall,toand otherwith facilities the years. (‘thrum’) a ring of stam experiences both good and bad.

If you are one of the young people who attend the club, or did in the past, then flowers, so a visiting Lettingalong children know part whatofyou we want to thank you for coming and being the love madness! If you are pollen from a male flow about them or why you are proud of W a parent of any young person who has attended over the years, we want to thank to a female flower wh them can also strengthen resilience.

S you for the privilege of being entrusted with playing a part in your child’s life. deposited on the stig Simple statements such as; “I am so As Christians, we believe that each young person is so special to God and we soils in well-drained proud to be your mum/dad. The way want to thank Him for His faithfulness over the past 10 years. If you want to find hedgebanks, churchy you looked after your friend this out more about ALLSORTS and what we get up to, visit our website at www. name derives from afternoon when he fell over makes me allsortschildrensclub.org. feel Perhaps likemum/dad to share some rosa, ‘first rose’. like you the would luckiest in theALLSORTS memories on our blog? world” or “You worked so hard on your Primula veris is th To celebrate our 10th birthday, we will be holding a ‘Mad Tea differs Party’ at and from thew homework today.

I know youALLSORTS tried the Bluecoat School on Saturday 4th and March TheWell party willeach include anis topped b stem really hard didfrom your2-5pm. very best. th afternoon tea and a number of for ‘ALLSORTS’ style activities – fun for all the family! flowers golden-yellow done that.” e Please come and join us if you have, orstrengths in the past have had, any spot at with the base g Identifying and helping to connection Cowslips grow best inF Allsorts. We would love todevelop see you then. those strengths will also meadows Morag Flower, Karen in Chapman and theand Allsorts Team but can increase confidence children. railway embankmentsc Strengths come in many shapes and I would like to take this opportunity on at the beginning of May this year.

Johna more a and prefer sizes, and each one is of equal value; c behalf of the Conservators to offer our and Cherry have put in a tremendous soil.

They flower durin relationships, reading, maths, sports, o thanks to Cherry and Johncreativity, Hammon,curiosity, effort to build them up as an important Both Primula spec a love of nature, an it who have been operating ability our Sunday local gathering, well as seed a valuable may require a s to make people smile or as many morning car boot events atother the Old source of fundraising that helps to keep aid germination.

It’sto areas. The list is endless.

Bowling Green for several years.

They the Commons going.

John and Cherry – sow seed in autumn to If you would like to know a little more have decided to hand overabout the baton to emotional thank you!resilience to cold frame or unhea building D someone else when the car boots return Steve Jones, Chairman and prick out seedlin support your child, ask at Bluecoat

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11am Karen 01805 622866 generously giving up th

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Registered Member of the British Chiropody Association & Health Professions Council Surgery, Surgery Sur gery, V gery, Venton enton Farmhouse, Golf Links Road, Westward W estward Ho!, Devon. EX39 1HH

Youth Bands, Singers & Choirs Needed for Junior WHAAM Westward Ho! & Appledore Music Showcase Friday 24th March 2017 7-11pm

W

e invite youth bands, singers and choirs to apply for places at this event. Full details are given below.

Following the enormous success of the first Westward Ho! & Appledore Music Showcase on 28th September 2016 there was a popular demand to showcase the talents of North Devon’s youth bands, singers and choirs, featuring a broad spectrum of music from bands and individual singers, and youth theatre groups, senior schools and colleges.

This event is a great opportunity for young people to showcase their musical talents in front of a live audience – to gain experience, enhance their confidence in performing and confirm that ‘North Devon’s Got Talent’!

Junior WHAAM will take place at one of the top entertainment venues in the area – The Pier House, Westward Ho! and there will also be a grand raffle in aid of the RNLI. Doors open at 6pm and the entertainment will run continuously from 7-11pm with a short break at 9pm for the raffle.

To apply or for further information, please email your name, phone number and a brief description about your music

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Also Home V Visits isits throughout North Devon T Tel: el: 01237-474244

Plant Some Jewels in Your Grass

F

ebruary tends to be very dreary and we are all champing at the bit for spring to arrive. Your lawn is probably looking slightly scruffy at the moment, but next year, you can have a lawn studded with jewels in the form of early spring bulbs planted in the autumn. If you are lucky enough to have any deciduous trees growing in grass, then so much the better as the associated shade and drier environment around the roots will give the bulbs a better chance of survival.

Choose those that complete their growing cycle early; daffodils need to be left uncut for six weeks after flowering so if you are happy to resist the temptation of the lawn mower until the middle of May, you can be charmed by cultivars of Narcissus cyclamineus AGM such as ‘Jacksnipe’, ‘February Gold’, ‘February silver’ or ‘Little Witch’. If they are happy, they will readily self-seed and multiply.

Our native snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis AGM), G. elwesii AGM and cultivars such as Galanthus ‘Atkinsii’ AGM are lovely in short grass, especially when combined with other spring bulbs. The oak tree next to the lake at Rosemoor is surrounded by a colourful combination of snowdrops, crocuses, Narcissus and Eranthis hyemalis AGM (winter aconite). Beneath the tulip trees next to Rosemoor House, snowdrops grow in association with crocuses, Cyclamen coum AGM and Narcissus.

Crocus tommasinianus is one of the best crocuses for naturalising; it never fails to produce a cheering purple haze under a large oak next to the stream. We have planted 4000 purple crocuses on a bank in the car park to spotlight the Rotary Club’s campaign Purple4Polio to eradicate polio worldwide. The colour symbolises the purple dye used to mark the finger of a child who has been immunised. These should be flowering by the end of February and promises to be a fabulous display.

Naturalised bulbs are a wonderful way of having drifts of spring colour that you may not otherwise be able to fit in your borders. However, you will need to choose between these spring jewels and a perfect lawn as the intensively maintained turf will suppress or out compete the bulbs.

For more information and ideas, visit the advice pages on the RHS website rhs. org.uk.

Sheila Dearing, Garden Technical Services Officer, RHS Garden Rosemoor.

– band, singer or choir and any other details which you think may help you to be chosen for a place. The closing date for applications is Friday 24th February 2017.

Open to young people from 14 years of age. Please ask your parents for permission to take part if you are under 18 years old. For further information you

may email us for our phone number.

Junior WHAAM - Westward Ho! & Appledore Music Showcase representing North Devon’s youth bands and singers performing in aid of the Royal National Life Institution’s Appledore Lifeboat Station.

Contact: email: noahsark@uku.co.uk

Ofte

An Audience with The Characters of Torrington: Big Al in conversation with Paul Seed

Visual Arts Exhibitions & Workshops

T

he exhibition ‘Leaving Home, Finding Home?’ with paintings by Henrietta Job and photographs by Freddie Job continues until Saturday 18th February. Henrietta Job’s vibrant, moving and thought provoking acrylic paintings, and Freddie Job’s documentary photography capture the journey of refugees as they search for a new home. Mother and son are collaborating for the first time to raise awareness of the millions of people globally that are fleeing war. The number of people currently displaced in this way is unprecedented in our time.

Grief, strength, vulnerability and hope figure strongly in both of their work.

The annual School’s Exhibition ‘A Celebration of Young Artists’ starts on Tuesday 21st February and runs until Saturday 18th March, and this year is inspired by the topic of refugees and their search for a new home. This is always a lovely exhibition of work from our local primary schools.

We have a couple of workshops this month, including another chance to learn the techniques of making silver jewellery using precious metal clay on Tuesday 21st February, and if you would like to make your own soap Chris Keeley is back on Tuesday 28th February with a cold process soap making workshop.

Wednesday 8th February 8.15pm at The Plough. All tickets £5 he Plough welcomes actors, singers, musicians, dancers, performers and speakers from across the world every month of the year, and often they turn out to be fascinating characters with amazing stories to tell. This got us thinking about the fact (if it is a fact) that Torrington itself is full of interesting characters, and how fascinating it might be to hear their stories, memories or a few key moments from their lives. In this informal chat in the gallery, with cabaret style seating, one Torrington character will interview another and tease out some of these key moments. Who knows what will be revealed….

What better way to start than with Big Al, singer, musician and Torrington town crier, who will share all he dares from his varied life, via questions from film and TV director and Torrington resident Paul Seed.

We intend to find other local people willing to share some stories about their life, so if you have any suggestions (or would like to suggest yourself!) please get in touch with Richard at The Plough via richard@theploughartscentre.org.uk. This one-off event might turn into a long-running series…

T

Have You Planned Your Valentines Night Yet?

I

f not, don’t worry. We’ve got it sorted for you at The Plough with a very welcome return of the atmospheric and mesmerising Moscow Drug Club.

You are cordially invited to share a wry smile with us as you enter the darkly comic world of Moscow Drug Club, this way please and mind the stairs!

A curious musical place where certain elements of 1930’s Berlin Cabaret, Hot Club de France, Nuevo Tango and Gypsy Campfire meet, have a few to drink and stagger arm in arm into the darkness of some eastern European cobbled street, on a mission to find the bar where Django Reinhardt and Tom Waits are having an afterhours jam with the local Tziganes.

Combining their original material with songs by the likes of Jaques Brel, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits and Bertolt Brecht, Moscow Drug Club provides an intoxicating and intimate musical experience.

You can enjoy a special Valentine’s hot buffet, served with a glass of sparkly in the theatre at 6:30pm or just come for the show at 8.30pm.

So go on, book your table and be prepared to be entertained in the most intimate atmosphere of The Plough, we’ll turn the lights down low, place some red roses on the tables and all you have to do is scoot closer, hold hands and imagine you are in a backstreet bijou Berlin bar! Oh Mein!

A January Lift!

P

ledges of funding have meant that work has begun on replacing The Plough Arts Centre’s lift, hopefully to be complete in time for the new programme launch in March, making the whole venue accessible again.

The source of the core funding will be announced next month but already builders have been working hard taking out the old lift which in itself was a mammoth task.

The Plough will then be launching an online ‘Crowdfunder’ to find another £3,000 to redecorate after the lift fitting, refurbish the accessible toilets and fit some new lights in the gallery to brighten up Gallery Gigs.

Gallery events in February include ‘An Evening with the Character of Torrington’ on 8th February, which surely can’t be missed by anyone local and Gallery Gigs on 4th and 22nd with music from The FB Pocket Orchestra and comedy from Carl Donnelly.

27

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Time to go over the top.

Ma Maison Sergeant Miller starts the count down, “29, 28, 27, 26”. ’habite dans une maison à la ferme.

I turn and grip Billy on the shoulder. “Don’t you worry my boy, I’m gonna get you home.”

J’aime ma maison parce-que As I give the signal, my men throw themselves onto No Man’s Land, and on to the c’est grand. Au rez-du-chaussée, Devil. All around, figures ghost along the ground, hurling their bodies towards bullets. A il y a une cuisine, un salon et une salle whistle erupts from the sky as a German bomb comes crashing down. Shrills are cut off, For your one stop pet shop, A large For your one stop pet shop, A large à manger, au premier étage, nous avons as two more descend. I blow my whistle, urging them forward as I take the lead. Shells of petIlfood, Toys, Cages, stock of pet food, Toys, Cages, quatre chambres et une sale àstock manger. have matched my heart beat, their loud thuds like my pulsing blood. They have taken the Bedding, wild bird products, Bedding, wild bird products, y a aussi un jardin et un grenier.

J’y habite lives of half my men, ripping apart their limbs. Death may have taken their bodies, but I Medical items etc....

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J’aime ma chambre, parce-que c’est I turn to get a glimpse of my squad. Half have disappeared, their blood soaked into the us at 20 south street, I quicken my pace as I turn my gaze around. My Find us at 20 south street, grand et confortable. Dans maFind chambre, ground.

Sergeant is right on my tail, as Great Torrington safety 01805 622859 Great Torrington 01805 622859 j’ai un grand lit, une armoire, une comes into sight. commode, des posters, un bureau et un One lad runs now by my side, stumbling over the uneven terrain. I focus on him, I see réveil. Je n’ai pas un ordinateur et use his face. Billy. A tear has formed in his eye, I nod to him encouragingly. The remainder of chaine hifi. a smile lies on his face, as we tread silently. We’re going to make it, I’m going to get Billy Amelie Folland, Year 8 home.

That was the moment everything changed, my life stopped forever. That was the last Mi casa time I ever saw Billy. Because the next part, was just a blur. ivo en una casa en el compo en The ground shakes beneath my feet, ringing fills my ears. My gaze lands upon Billy, as Torrington. Es muy comodo y es he disappears. I stop. Billy’s body gets thrown up into the air, a wail escapes from his lips genial, me encanta mi casa y io as his tears roll down his face. I watch in horror as his body vanishes. I step forward to bueno es que hay un jardin pero io maro reach for him, but instead I get shoved forward. your one stop pet shop, A large your one stop pet shop, A large esque no hay un garaje. En miFor casa, abalo “MOVE,” the word like a whisper in my ear. SergeantFor Miller pulls me forward, and far stock Arriba of pet food, Toys, Cages, stock of pet food, Toys, Cages, hay una cocina y un salon grande. away from Billy.

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Over The Top th rs times: to the Roman Devonian dialect is strung across theaof opportunity to ask and plenty We also need volunteers to help with Parkinson’s Awareness Week 2013 November there will be On the 16 of dollars in royalties water bottle Whibble!” events to celebrate th s I sitand in my dugout, puffing a cigarette, I lie back and what was a, goddess of fruit square – Torrington is known as a remember questions.

The locations forlifethese supporting the café and its customers lunch at Barnstaple in aid of ACWW, l sales of the ifresulting What I told you that there is a jokeinwas Diamond Jubilee in June, 2 before the war. Me laughing.

Isabelle singing.

Annie pickingThat flowers the told to me on a balmy dition, symbolizinglike rebirth friendly town and this is no better meetings so if you can spare two hours a month the Associated Women ofare: the In Italydisease in 1902-1903, he Thomas out that affects giggling asCountry I swing him round.

Maybe one day will beWednesday able and Iwarm in 1976 by WO2 Bingo at Roborough Vill relevant to us meadow. today, there displayed than at the May Fair.

In this th era then please get in touch.

Mon 15 April Church Hallwhen every World, of as which the WI nationally is a Hartland hes of to records the of people in social thelife UK, but tofor them enjoy I didfor once before. probably not ever.

And definitely Mick O'Neill day was filled take place on the 6th Dec ife intothousands thereturn winter of our and of isolation, the May Fair But provides th In April Annie Brierley is coming to member.

Not widely Tue known, the Woodland e a nwhich dnot today.

T ythere p e w ris i t eno r early 16 April Care and being diagnosis with good prizes and a withVale laughter, a British the medicine of and friendship, inclusion and read short stories and poems which ACWW has representatives from many was later heard live from The officers have announced an attack on the German trenches at 7pm this evening.

Home, Torrington no cure? keeping with the spirit of support. The fair encourages community Eyes from down at 7.30p soldier was the best job in the world; thpolishing should invoke a lot ofDraw. memories All day,focal men have been running around, guns, bayonets.

ItBideford has nationalities; working relief of Arts the Opera This degenerative iscleaning join Wed 17 April Centre, ildrenMetropolitan are the point life asdisease the young and oldtowards together for Please see future issues being paid to fulfil an adventure been havoc.

But now,the asabout the clock hand stealthily towards the 7 on my watch, the past. If you, a loved one or friend poverty andbysickness, promoting health he first public radio Parkinson’s, brought thecreeps Quay . Much against Mr Gove’s common good.

What better way is for events in 2012. seemed unnecessary.

Six years later everything has fallen silent.

Peering out through the gap that serves as an entrance, I can has a memory problem then let them th and advancing education.

It’s18 down-to920. reduction of the production of Torrington’s schools are body’s there to bring neighbours together?

Thu April Memorial Hall, was killed dealing with about an IRAthe car Café - everyone is seetell lights asearth officers rush around, hear murmurs as menhe discuss and argue know approach offersand support ssue will youflickering about allow I Dopermine, full community People come the from farmutual and wide to which provides Holsworthy bomb, leaving a family and many tactics. But we know what we are to do. welcome. and practical helpMay to Fair. women and eratic roles. th What could beappears more out enjoy They also chemical messages sent outdelights tototurn  Fri April Northam Hall A face of thethe gloom tellofus that we19 need to meet by the ladder.who As I walk friends remember Fora good furthermaninformation contact communities across the world. od listening watching the crowning of bring their money with them!

The fair muscles onmeeting and point, off. When towards the my heartthese begins to thump in mywould chest, alike steady beat: Da-dum.

If you any further who will, as they say, be forever the Pauline Page 01805 625969 or email ? The procession ofweaken, boys Myreplenishes the coffers of the town – To find out about thealert; ACWW and the Bob Dymond messages you canbecome get the Da-dum.

Da-dum. senses more I smell unwashed men smoke. information about any ofand guntwenty-seven-year-old smiling I on paulinepage123@btinternet.com ghtly coloured costumes providing a welcome boost to the local Women's Institutes visit muscular shaking typifies I hear the rough chatter ofthat the other soldiers,nationwide, gripping their rifles, their faces reflecting these events, please remember. heart.Parkinson’s.

Ribbons rippling, – sits such a help in difficult www.theWI.org.uk off the deadly fang of economy metal on contact their guns.times.

IJulie know theJones, savagery and However, you that may notfirmly be rington W.I. William Brennan and theaware band blasting: the Businesses use the carnival as an Silver Band Open E Any queries about Torrington W.I. I have seen men sliced down before me like blades of grass, falling at Meditation thatof itwar.also brings balance Meetinginhumanity will take place Branch Secretary (01237 moniously woven. opportunity to advertise their wares. my feet, eyes staring, but not seeing. th Have you class ever thought a ring President, Joyce Ridgwell on There is a weekly meditation problems, affects the vocal cords, and We are will y 9 November.

478128). olours on the maypole Charities alsostories, benefit:while collection are Some menwriting exchange jokes and otherstins sit quietly against the trench 01805 623588. brass studio instrument every Thursday in theadance at or have even makes more difficult. be electing a new he May walls, Fair breaks down to overflowing. silently praying.soon I amfull amongst them. I grip the cross dangling from my neck as a previously?

If Arts Centre, 6.15-7.15pm you fancy Parkinson’s UK haveYetdeclared President cial barriers oftenApril argued that historic drowning manand would grip a itlifeisbuoy.

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Choirs, dance are archaic anachronistic. religious orfor not, killedebrations in this heartless battleand of pride and power. café seems to be The memory Howe Concert Hall, Castle bring the public’s attention to the learning to relax and following year, Town Hall Project oups and The majorettes all usOn the talk, contrary, Torrington’s festivities officer gives a pep talking in hushed tones thatstrength-to-strength barely anyone can hear, th growing from with disease, andback their evening. efforts to support respond onwards, creativelyon to14 theNovembe taking aonalook By the time this report appears in even this ghostly No one listening anyway.

We stand about, alert and ke to the stage: feast for revitalise the old is traditions.

In the current more customers every All month.

Things Vintage, challenges which life those affected, and restless, toclimate getresearch, it Crier, overofwith.

I shift foot to foot, The all ears. wedesperate haveinitiate e eyesat and Local apathy, laziness and like a nervous horse.

The you willfrom have noticed February’s café day fell on Valentine’s Finally, raise funding. throws at poem. us. It can also officer checks his watch, and then nods slowly.

He gently blows his whistle.

Retro & Kitsch! Sophie’s nitaries are and happily indifference, the been May Fair lifts our spirits the last year then scaffolding has put Day, and to celebrate we had a duet th then suddenly, it istotransforms time to go. the InAnd that week, Branch ofrepair help to reduce stress.

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The community.

Despite Parkinson’s UK is top, arranging several we find space in our busy 12.

Cups and prizesover will the of the roof and make thethe ground. the British Red Cross charity shop in heart-shaped and decorations. of giants inbest the to empty air. The wind gently, whispering a warning of our almost I never my with ourselves and hasevents, awho lavish development modern andbiscuits tolunch, increase ofofblows what lives to thought get in from touch ryor those did in awareness building water-tight fortechnology Torrington.

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Spring Weare course, A be time forFayre tea at enclosed inGiffard waterproof The Christmas crockery and beautiful vintage clothing My uniform weighs me down.

Adrenalin pumps in my blood.

Our officer leading us at memory, We have been fortunate again to get udly marches the streets turnout shows there is still a place for live If we think of finding happiness, inner Village Hall from 10am to 1pm on sheeting to protect the working area As you are aware, a Ch theThe front, signals us toentertainment. halt. Slowly he Given crawls forward, into the a burning picture to wonderfully kitsch Like homeware. some funding fromglare theof German Devon sors Torrington the choice of sudden peace, as a state isofprovided mind in then nifty and at Saturday getting April 20th us andtracks. to minimise any riskhave to theseen internal thatthrough stop in our The Germans us.

I hear the Slowly fading, the Square Thehelp event for three days and Fund which will uswill to run meditation ulsates flares like the beating playing a video game orCommunity participating inInstantaneously, can help us to achieve that de of things, we will also fabric.

At the same time, a series of whine and groan of the shells as they wheel through the air, and watch as they extirpate And no longer holding my memories  An Information display at Bideford positioned in the road b we will be open until 8pm on the first munity. the buzz of the fair, I know which I would continue to develop the service we goal. of time the to welcome Bob earth. photoelectric panels will be installed, to Icome think ofalong never and being able to touch the soft tower.

This has caused p day.

So why not ale of theLibrary; May Fair week choose… provide forThe people have memory once their machine guns start, spitting bullets at perhaps us. men who around me are I teach practices, black rug,two complementary will running-costs,  us AAtthe series public meetings traffic coming into the Sq a give spectacle of low-down light of andfree reduce Today, the new enemyloss. ofand a large-scale have a look, try something on and Thanks to John Portman who put dropping like flies. Andprovide so I run,anI run until Ifor seethe the project lip of a crater.

I plunge down it, And the smooth shinyon wood one which focuses the breath and that a rs. income by around the Torridge area, starting at floats journey through theat thetown event is ‘Health and As been suggested a glass ofofbucks fizz, might in allSafety’. work tosending secure this gagging slightly stench of the stagnant water atthe the hard bottom.

I slip,enjoy some Then theyou world blurs, focuses on the the other which 7pm in the Methodist selling surplus power to the National e streetsthe are with crowds gather, could be argued 6.45pm and formal more site would even say “I used one hear ofI those"! funding.

As mentioned inup last fetidlined water intoincluding myhuge boots.

Iashudder andit pick myself back up. I crawl themonth’s side of to have You can the sizzling and suitable popping emotions. have been meditating for a nd prospective members Grid. en.

In the packed town istrying a danger of the an corpses. accident. presentation whichthat “What isto avoid be by the Town Hall, the crater, scrabbling incovers thethere mud, edition, John is moving away from the I wonder ifof my name, number years and learnt the me visit for free.

Any “Current Although this work beingrunning carried e notochoice to mingle Nowadays, with all theis ridiculous rules Parkinson’s?”, Research”, the Green Lantern Asbut I peer over the edge, I see the men alive wereand still.

I need to get up and Is still scratched into the(near oak tree area we need to recruit another practices with the Triratna Buddhist at Roborough payingfight their subs this out by the Townlands payment riends. regulations it is Trust, a ofstruggle to that fills the skyBingo and “The localup,and Torridge too.

I clamber blinking atBranch the brightness the sunset on the is In my garden, Café). Before making volunteer fundraiser.

If anyone Community, a movement which has months for the price of will be taken from funds set aside for aised tohorizon. zee ee!’

The organise anything.

In this age of Village Hall frail and TheThere water that my boots interested feels cold and slimy. activities”. will percolated be information Looking grey any decision regarding in this post then please get that! banner adapted Buddhism in a way that is ome in thick countless litigation, our town hall is in the project, which would have included Then time seems to slow down.

I can see it coming, the shell that has chosen me as its Now only a memory A Roborough Diamond Jubilee Club booklets available, and refreshments, the future position of the in touch. quarry. It curves gracefully through the air, slowly, slowly. And then everything explodes. has been formed toNever raisemoving fundson.for Christmas tree, the To Saskia Batten, Year 9 Sophie Mitchell, Year 7

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New Beginnings at Grosvenor Church

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appy New Year! It has been a busy few months at Grosvenor Church Torrington, starting with the baptisms of a police officer and an ex drug addict! As a church we were so excited to witness such a momentous occasion. It was amazing to hear their personal stories about meeting Jesus and inviting him into their lives. They were baptised in the swimming pool at Speccott Barton (near Merton) and then both sets of friends stood mingling and chatting with each other over coffee and cake. How amazing to see how the message of God’s love can reach anyone and everyone, and give people from all walks of life a brand new start.

In December we held our candlelit carol service outside in the playground at Great Torrington Bluecoat School. The atmosphere was lovely, ‘a good vibe’ as one person put it, with around 200 regulars, visitors, friends and family accompanied by some members of the town band. The weather stayed dry, and although it was rather chilly, it was wonderful to sing carols together, to remember the reason we celebrate, and to warm up afterwards with a hot drink. The alpacas and puppet show delighted the children, whilst the hog roast delighted pretty much everyone.

Moving on to January and there was a new beginning for three people who have been attending ‘Discovery’. Discovery is a short course we offer for anyone who wants to find out about the Christian faith. All three people came to church as strangers, quickly became friends, and all of them made a decision to become Christians following the course so are now family. What a journey!

Looking ahead to 2017 we are excited about what’s to come. We hope to continue being a church that offers a warm welcome to new faces, but also impacts the community of Great Torrington in a very positive way. We know it’s daunting going somewhere for the first time, but If you’d like to come and check us out we’d love to meet you. We meet at Great Torrington Bluecoat School at 4pm every Sunday, followed by coffee and cake. Everyone is welcome. For more information please contact Tim Gilbert on 07798 670 754.

Success for Wado Ryu Karate-Do Kai

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n Sunday 28th November a small squad from Devon Wado Ryu KarateDo Kai’s Torrington Dojo travelled to Weston-Super-Mare for the South West’s biggest (580 entries) regional all-style tournament, hosted by the Western Karate Union. All came back with medals: * Daisy Grundy - Girls Kumite aged 13 to 15 under 54kg Bronze * Kieran Beer - Mixed Kata aged 10 to 12 Bronze * Craig Hill - Male Black Belt Kata Silver and Pairs Kata Gold * Chelsea Stapleton -.Girls Kumite aged 13 to15 under 54kg Gold * Chris Grundy - Veterans Kata Bronze and Pairs Kata Gold Chris Grundy

KARATE Function Fitness • Castle Street • Torrington “Learn and experience the true spirit of the martial arts with one of the area’s most respected, genuine and established groups” Structured Classes For All Levels & Ages Beginners, Intermediate & Advanced Children • Adults • Families • All Welcome ~ FIRST LESSON FREE WITH NO OBLIGATION ~ Established dojo also located in:

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Little Torrington WI

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ur December meeting was well attended with 34 members and visitors.

The theme of the evening was cheese and wine and we had two very knowledgeable speakers from Waitrose, Holsworthy. They brought a good selection of cheeses and complementary wines to go with them.

As you can imagine an enjoyable evening was had by all.

The meeting in January was purely social, with Peter Hood bringing about 50 medieval and Victorian games for us to enjoy, and all members took

part in the Dorothy Crocker Memorial Skittles Competition. Refreshments followed with soup made by three of our members. Very well received on a cold January evening. We also had a Christmas lunch at the Seagate in December and an annual anniversary lunch at Weirmarsh Farm in January.

As you can see a food theme does run through our programme. The February meeting is gardening embroidery with gold and silver. For anyone wishing to join us please contact Sally Ramsden 01805 623152 or Sheena Ryder 01805 439087.

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i everyone - Miss Jessica calling, happy to be back after what always seems a long dreary January. As always in rescue, January has been a busy month for us with requests to take in many dogs who have been abandoned.

It is so sad as there seems to be more people dumping their dogs in remote places where there is often little chance of them being found. I truly don’t understand how people can be so cruel. Yes, almost all rescues are full, but there is absolutely no excuse for leaving a dog tied up with no food or water in an area where people very seldom walk. Aunty Lynne has received two calls this month where this was the case, and in both instances the dogs had been left all night in the pouring rain.

Sadly no homes offered this month for our lovely three Shepherds, Diesel, Loki and Alice. All three are lovely and friendly, but sadly not great with other dogs. This is an ongoing issue that we are seeing in the rescue, as many of the dogs are so scared of other dogs that their first reaction is to bark and lunge. If you have a new puppy, or are intending to get one, please do take them to puppy classes and remember to introduce them to as many new things and people as you can, as this will keep them socialised resulting in a very well balanced pooch like me!

Well February is the month for love, so truly hoping someone can find love in their heart for our kennel boys and girls and give them a home. Do check out our website at www.k9focus.co.uk, to see videos of all our dogs and our upcoming events. In the meantime have a great month and I will be back in March with more tails from K9focus.

Woofs & Licks Miss Jessica

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