February Crier 2018

FREE FEBRUARY 2018 The Crier is produced for the community, supported by advertisers, Great Torrington Town Council, and the Great Torrington Town and Lands Charity.

5900 copies are distributed throughout Great Torrington and the rural district, with a readership of 14,750

The Army Cadet Force motto is ‘To Inspire To Achieve’.

Freddie Webber from Torrington Detachment certainly inspires the younger Cadets within Devon Army Cadet force. Freddie joined in 2010 and has worked his way through the ACF syllabus to reach the level of 4 star Cadet and the rank of CSM.

Toy and Party Store 16 High Street, Torrington OPENING 3RD FEBRUARY Soft Toys, Sensory Toys, Gadgets, Slime, Science Toys, Party Bag Fillers, Balloons, Helium, Banners, Party Tableware and much more… www.Facebook.com/TotallyToytastic

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From Your Mayor…

K

eeley and I would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year.

December was a very busy month; on 2nd December I visited Petrockstowe Parish Church Christmas Tree celebration. Well over 20 trees all decorated by local traders or people, it was an excellent idea to raise money for repairs to their Church, I wish you well in raising funds. Then I raced back to Torrington to attend the Torrington Chamber of Trade, Grinchmas Fayre, and what a fantastic day it was. Only a few months ago, the Chamber of Trade appointed a new chair and many new members who then put plans together to organise this wonderful event. I’m not going to mention names, as I would not want to miss someone out, but I would like to thank you all for all the hard work and many hours spent arranging this; you certainly put Great Torrington on the map this Christmas, thank you.

On 6th December I attended the Guides Open Night at the Rugby Club, where there was a display of uniforms over the

years; I was delighted to celebrate with Karen Sluggett who was presented with a beautiful piece of glass on reaching 20 years’ service, thank you all for the wonderful work you do for our children in the town.

On 8th December Keeley and I attended the Torrington Cadets’ Christmas Party at the Torrington Arms.

This group is one of my Mayor’s charities this year; we enjoyed a lovely meal, and I thank you all for everything you do for us in Torrington. On the 14th I attended Torrington Golf Club’s committee Christmas party; the food at the golf club is delicious, and I was honoured to be presented with a golf membership for the year, thank you all. The following evening we were back at the Golf Club for my Mayor’s charity meal; I thank everyone who attended, and I raised well over £350.

On Saturday 18th my deputy Di Davey and I attended Bach’s Christmas Oratorio at St Michaels Church; an event

by North Devon Choral Society, we both

enjoyed this evening, thank you for the invite. On the 23rd I visited John Fowler of Kingsmead on his 80th birthday; I recently visited this lovely couple on their 50th Wedding Anniversary.

On Christmas Day we visited Woodland Vale, Abbeyfield, and Hatchmoor nursing home; it is always a pleasure to visit and talk to their residents, we are so lucky to have these excellent places in our town, and I thank all the staff for their care and hard work.

On Saturday 6th January I was delighted to attend a surprise birthday party for Muriel Pitts. Muriel is a lovely lady, who with her late friend Kath Weeks did so much for our town. Happy Birthday Muriel, it was lovely to see you and your family and friends. Big Al and the Cavaliers all sang, and as Tony Easton said, “it’s our way of thanking you for all you have done for Torrington”.

Best Wishes to you all.

Sue Mills Proud to be Mayor of Great Torrington

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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I am a fully qualified Reflexologist with 22 years’ experience and a full member of the Association of Reflexologists.

I am offering home visits within a 5 mile radius of Torrington or a clinic visit at the River Rooms in Bideford.

Telephone for home visits on 01805 439253 or clinic appointments on 01237 478899

The Town Council Budget 2018/19

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owards the end of each year, the Council has to review its budget for the coming year. This requires the Councillors to consider what the Council does and what it needs to do. In formulating its budget, the Councillors are also mindful of what is a reasonable amount to ask the Council Tax payers to contribute.

Everyone is aware that the District and County Councils are not providing the services or the standard that we had all come to expect. Gradually, the Town Council has taken on the responsibility for more and more work that was once undertaken by others. Your Councillors have decided that for the benefit of the community it is important that certain items are undertaken. The Council is now responsible inter alia for all the bus shelters, the public seats, some of the play areas, cutting highway grass, highway weed control, three football pitches and changing rooms at Donnacroft, as well as the day-today maintenance of the church yard and responsibility for Rack Park. In freezing weather the council will spread grit on the foot paths. A total of nearly £32,000 is provided in grants to local organisations.

The Technical Assistants are about to be trained in repairing minor ‘pot holes – imperfections’ in the foot paths and possibly some roads. Serious pot holes will remain the responsibility of the Highways section of the County Council.

However, all of the additional work and responsibilities require tools and

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Reflexology Feet First Tara Gibson Dip Ref. M.A.R. A.O.R.

Great Torrington Town Council Your Council Needs You!

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e currently have vacancy for one Co-Opted Councillor to join the other 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 midday on Wednesday 21st February 2018.

M.A. Tighe, Town Clerk equipment which need both servicing and periodic replacement. Next financial year a new ride-on mower will be purchased. A grant has been obtained for a third of the cost.

There is no doubt that as a result of your Town Council being responsible for more and more of the fabric of the community, we have all benefitted and will continue to do so.

All of the additional responsibility has to be paid for. The part of the Council Tax attributed to the Town Council will all be spent in the town and parish, unlike that of the County and District Councils.

For this financial year the Town Council budget is £158,694. To take into account the increased hours required by the Technicians, replacement equipment and new services, members considered that an average increase of £1 per month per household would not be unreasonable.

This will take the budget to £189,894 from April. For a band D property that will be an increase of less than £1.57 per month. A local large white farm house loaf is £1.60. The increase is less than the cost of 12 loaves of bread in a year.

Sue Mills, Your Mayor

The Rams Head Inn, Dolton

T: 01805 804255 • E:info@theramsheadinn.co.uk • www.theramsheadinn.co.uk Home of great food, local ales and friendly smiles in a beautiful North Devon country village setting. I think it’s time you paid us a visit...

• Diary Dates... Wednesday 7th March Lunch Club + Supper Club (1st Wednesday of each month) 2 course set menu + tea/coffee.

Lasagne + fruit crumble £7.50pp 12-2pm; 6-8pm.

Booking essential.

Stay tuned for our upcoming Ladies Night in March. Hair, nails, eyebrows, canapes and Prosecco, what more could you want!

Valentine’s Day 3 course set menu £25.50 per person

Commons Conservators

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ur 2017 Photographic Competition has been won by Mr J Insull, with his excellent photograph `The Monument on a Misty Frosty Morning`. I would like thank everyone who took the time to enter the competition. There were some great photos.

People who walk along the riverside on the Commons, are aware of that we have a pollution problem in the Ladywash Stream and River Torridge.

The Commons Conservators, through our River Warden Alan Crawley, are in regular contact with the Environment Agency, South West Water and several other organisations to try and cure this unpleasant and worrying situation.

allow liquid sewage to pass through, exiting in the River Torridge. However in recent months this has been occurring in times of dry weather.

We ask that if you are walking in “We ask that if you are walking the Ladywash/River Torridge area and in the Ladywash/River Torridge notice any pollution, could you please report it. Evidence is the key to the area and notice any pollution, solution, so reporting it immediately is could you please report it. important, delay could be critical.

Evidence is the key to the Please do the following: solution...”

1. Phone the Environment Agency During 2017 we recorded fourteen Pollution Hotline, Tel: 0800 807060 pollution incidents with the Environment 2. Describe the pollution problem and Agency and South West Water. Both are give the location as Rolle Road CSO, now keeping close observations on the grid reference SS49896 18702. situation.

3. They will give you an incident Present day building regulations reference number. require sewage and rain water run-off 4. Phone Alan Crawley, tel: 01805 to be kept apart. However, due to the 623156. Alan will record the incident on antiquated sewage system in Torrington, behalf of the Conservators and follow both sewage and rain water use the the report up. same pipeline. The system is fitted with Steve Jones, Chairman CSO’s (combined sewage overflows) Torrington Commons Conservators and in times of heavy rain and the E: chairman.conservators@gmail.com system being flooded, these lawfully

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Thank You From Great Torrington Chamber of Trade

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e would like to thank everyone who attended, for supporting our Christmas Fair. The weather could have been better, but this did not stop the fun and excitement of Grinchmas.

The winding line of children waiting to see Mother Christmas was never ending and wonderful to see! Plate smashing, coconut shy, the amazing stilt walker, the raffle and, of course, the delicious food added to the enjoyment of the day.

The parade ending with carols with the band and the switching on of the Christmas lights was a superb finale.

Thank you all again for supporting this event. Hopefully it will be the first of many.

Wishing you all a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

Catherine Wapshott, Chairman Great Torrington Chamber of Trade

Great Torrington Town Council

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am sure you all enjoyed the Christmas decorations in the town centre during December. The Town Council would like to thank Kenwith Conifer Nursery for kindly donating the Christmas tree and the Cavaliers for erecting the lights and tree, both of which made the Square look very special!

Michael Tighe (Town Clerk) Great Torrington Town Council

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News From Your Devon County Councillor

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t is a great honour to be your County Councillor and I would like to thank the people of Torrington Rural for their ongoing support since my election last May. For those of you who don’t already know me, I was born and brought up near Shebbear, and my family run a business in the aerospace industry.

Readers who are members of Torrington Rotary will probably know my father, Stephen.

My involvement in local politics took off at a fairly early age when I was elected onto Torridge District Council to represent Shebbear and Langtree aged 20! Having served my term of office I then spent five years away from Devon working in Brussels and then London before returning home.

I am well aware that we face some very big challenges, and a key priority for me is to help in the efforts to support and regenerate Torrington’s economy.

While I cannot promise to solve every problem overnight, I hope that I have at least ‘got the ball rolling’. I was pleased that as a result of an early meeting with DCC’s Economy Team, they got in touch with Torridge District Council’s Regeneration Team to ask “what can we do to help in Torrington”. Both Councils are now looking to commission a new study that will examine the demand for rural workspace in the Town.

Locally in Torrington I have got DCC to install new street signs on the shared loading bays in the town centre, and I have asked our Highways Officers to work closely with the Torrington

Futures Group to update and improve the Town’s signage. I have also been working with residents in Town Park and Calvesford Close – to give two examples – to see what can be done to help improve the parking situation in those parts of town.

I also do my best to support the many varied groups and organisations in the Town, and have supported grant applications to DCC from The Plough, The Cavaliers, the Torrington Army Cadets and many more.

Given DCC’s size, it is perhaps not surprising that the Council can appear as a large and sometimes remote organisation. I’ve always seen it as part of my role to help act as a direct link to the Council – whether it is reporting back to the Town and Parish Councils, helping to solve people’s problems with Highways, or simply acting as a facilitator between an organisation and the Council.

There is a lot more that I would like to write about but suffice to say I would go well over the Editor’s word limit! I will write about the villages next time!

However I am always available to help, no matter what the problem. If there is something you would like me to look into, ring me on 07886 446560 or email andrew.saywell@devon.gov. uk. Representing you in County Hall is a real privilege and I have strived to do my best for the Town and its surrounding rural villages since my election.

Andrew Saywell

Save Our Hospital Services Devon

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ust Released - SOHS Devon Care Closer to Home: It’s Not Working Nineteen of the twenty-seven community hospitals in Devon have had ALL their beds cut (71%) since 2013.

This film exposes the failure of the socalled Care Closer to Home policy in Devon. It isn’t working.

It’s also a national issue, visit www. youtube.com/watch?v=NQ3ddkEW_ C8 #SaveOurNHS#NHS

1646 Battle of Torrington Commemorative March 2018

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t is planned to hold the Commemorative March to celebrate the 1646 Battle of Torrington on Saturday 17th February 2018.

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.

K. Sheppard

Plasterer

General Building Maintenance Ceiling Specialist, Internal Alterations, Re-skims & Artex Removal 8 Clinton Gardens, Merton, Okehampton, Devon EX20 3DP 6

01805 603016

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Lizzy’s Larder

You will be sure to receive a warm welcome when you visit Blackberry Farm.

In our tearoom you will find some of Devon’s finest Entry is FREE produce, with beautiful Dartmoor views.

Open 7 days a Our traditional family run farm shop is full of week.

01409 261440 delicious homemade food, local crafts and gifts, and Milton Damerel don’t forget to visit our friendly animals or join us on one of our farm tours.

Nr Holsworthy Visit: www.Blackberryfarmshop.co.uk EX22 7NP

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46 South Street, Torrington Tel: 01805 938002 instantimages.devon@btinternet.com www.instantimagesembroidery.co.uk

Priorities for Economic Development in Great Torrington

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he Great Torrington Futures local opinion about how people would Group has now re-convened like to see the town develop. with an enlarged membership of You may have noticed the new town four Councillors and five lay members. information boards which we have sited Based on several local consultations at Sydney House Car Park; Barley over recent years, we constructed a Grove Car Park; Tarka Valley Railway; questionnaire Old Bowling “Your Town Councillors were each Green; Dartington about options asked to indicate 10 priorities out Crystal and for economic of a list of 45 proposals. A complete RHS Rosemoor. and related summary of their choices is development. Your Members of the available from the Council Offices at Futures Group Town Councillors Castle Hill. ” were each asked will lead on shortto indicate 10 priorities out of a list of 45 term projects which can be realised proposals. fairly easily and cheaply; but will also A complete summary of their choices address the challenges of longer-term, is available from the Council Offices at more complex projects. Whether it is Castle Hill. The top five priorities, with seats and bike racks which make the at least half of the twelve Councillors town more user-friendly, or commercial selecting them, were: investment which improves the local • Encourage more of the thousands of economy, we shall aim for changes visitors to Dartington Crystal and RHS which have a lasting impact.

Rosemoor to visit the town (11).

Great Torrington Futures Group: • Investigate how to attract small and Di Davey, Chenie Miller, Keeley Allin, medium-sized businesses, including Peter Bevan, Chris Bright, Cheryl Cottlethose working in technology, arts/media, Hunkin, Ian Ashelford, Phil Topham, niche industries and internet marketing John Eeles.

(9).

If you would like to help with our • Work with District and County work, or comment on our activities, Councils to determine options for please contact us: business development and inward By email to: philtop@hotmail.co.uk. investment (7) By writing to: GTF, c/o Great Torrington • Market the town and the locality Town Council, Castle Hill, South Street, online (7).

Great Torrington, EX38 8AA • Improve the image of New Street as By hand delivery to: Great Torrington it is one of the stronger impressions that Town Council mailbox at Castle Hill visitors receive about Torrington (6).

Via the Great Torrington Facebook page 38 out of the 45 items were selected www.facebook.com/GreatTorringtonTow as a priority by at least one Councillor, nCouncil/?fref=ts which perhaps reflects the diversity of

Torrington Food Bank Overwhelmed by Community’s Generosity

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he Torrington Food Bank would like to say a big thank you for all the wonderful donations made to us during December by the town and surrounding villages.

Your generosity was quite overwhelming, and our stock is now looking good for the beginning of the year which will enable us to help those in need, thank you all so much.

The Torrington Food Bank

Friends of Torrington Library Fund Raising Success

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n November and December the Friends of Torrington Library had two successful fund raising events, totalling £487.50. The first was a second-hand book sale, which took place in the under-croft of the Town Hall and raised £169.50. Secondly Quiz Night at the Torrington Arms, which was well attended and great fun, collected a total of £318.

Are you interested in murder mysteries and crime fiction? Then watch this space for future events.

Friends of Torrington Library

Fox Halt Farm Winners!

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fter a fantastic response to the competition, Celia Moore will be sending signed copies of her latest novel Fox Halt Farm to J Mann and C Stansfield.

We hope you enjoy reading the book!

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Review & Consultation of Town & Parish Council was at Hatherleigh Community Centre Mayor’sin Diary Arrangements Torridge

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to first see round many of of their residents receive Another hectic month has passed. orridge District Council is starting the Community Awards.

Helen and I have represented the consultation for a Community Governance Review of the This is similar to the The awards have in Torrington, Town at Councils many civic Town and Parish in the area. reviewwe gives which recognise people who have local people theevents, opportunity toincluding have their views heard about made a difference to their town. church services for the whether current parish arrangements should be changed. This It was lovely to at last welcome, and Chairs of North Devonof parishes could include the creation or abolition and parish be involved with, the Induction of District Council and councils, or changes to parish boundaries. Father Lawrence MacLean. We hope The review ofTorridge parish boundaryDistrict arrangements follows the Local he and his family will be very happy in Council.

Government Boundary Commission for England’s review of theChurch Borough Council’s our town, and the Fete at the We enjoyed a trip to Bideford to own wards, which was finalised earlierth this Vicarage year. was a good opportunity for us watch their Regatta and on 10 Democratic Support Lead Member - Councillor Samthem.

Robinson, said: “It is all to meet September watched the spectacular importantMassed that parish arrangements are up to date reflectand the needs the The and Co-op Townof Traders Bideford Pipes and Drums, communities concerned.

Given the length of time since the last parish boundary arranged a Harvest Festival in the with visiting bands coming from all over review, it is appropriate to undertake a community governance review in time for Pannier Market on the UK. theBarnstaple elections inFair 2019. review all about people a voice to tell September. thegiving 11th local is The always a is wellus what does andwith doesn’t their parishes. hear from as many This We’d was like the tofirst supported day, all work the in “Chain one organised and I and let us have people as possible over the next few weeks so please get in touch Gang” out in force to celebrate the think it will become a your views.” tradition of the Fair. The weather was event brought about as whilst a result ofregular the review willonbethe implemented in time kindAny as changes we walked around town, Torringtonincalendar. for the Town andofParish Council of elections scheduled May 2019. the declaration the opening the Finally, to open attenduntil as the many firstread. periodImmediately of consultation is now andwe willtried remain FairThe was after the underway rd Macmillan coffee mornings as possible formal part of the proceedings had 23 February. The Council will use the submissions to produce draft proposals in in consultation. fact ended up going to five! finished, wewhich dashed to Newquay. the spring willdown be subject to a secondand public This is a wonderful charity and it‘s not It was time your for Helen to put write on a to ‘posh To have say, please Electoral Services, Riverbank House, Torridge surprising that it’s so well supported. frock’ forCouncil, a reception celebrating the 2QG or email elections@torridge.gov.uk District Bideford, Devon, EX39 After all those coffees went the ‘South Westinformation, in Bloom’visit competition.

For more www.torridge.gov.uk/cgr where you willwe find the to Terms Soap Kitchen shop to see Lesley and We still had to wait until the following of Reference for the review.

Richard Phillips who celebrated ten day to hear the results, and were proud years of business on 30th September. and delighted when it was announced Congratulations to you both. that the Torrington in Bloom teamRegulation had General Data Protection (GDPR) Workshop I look forward to hearing from you if won a Silver Gilt (last year it was Are you aware thethelaw is changing? you have an event or anniversary you silver).

Thank you to committee, o you keep records of volunteers, service donors or – members want tousers, tell me about just call me traders and individuals who work so personal details?

If the answer’s then625662, you need or to beour aware of the 01805 secretary, hard to enhance our surroundings in YES, th changes that come into effect from the 25 May 2018.

Pauline at the Council offices on 01805 Great Torrington. We will soon have 626135.

TTVS will be organising a free training session in conjunction with ‘Get up to the opportunity of meeting the judges Rumbold This workshop anyone involved in aCouncillor voluntary,Richard community or toSpeed’. find out how we can is doopen eventobetter Town Mayor enterprise type or group.

–social our next challenge is organisation GOLD!!

Wednesday 7th Februaryengagement - Torridge Vale Social Club, 3-5pm. To book your place Our last out-of-town contact jane.creese@torridgecvs.org.uk or barbarag@torridgecvs.org.uk

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Tarka Valley Railway News

Sir Duke here again – wow how quickly a month goes by! Well Autumn is definitely upon us and many of the rescue dogs i ho, hi ho it’sare backgaining to work their we winter coats in go. After our Christmas and New readiness for of the Year break, the merry band of Winter! volunteers returned toonset the railway with We step, haveorbeen as a spring in our collective rather busy as ever with a limp and one or two fresh aches and three new dogs pains. being taken in our whoactivities were due to bewe put We resumed where to sleep – Igreat don’tenthusiasm, really knowaswhy left off, with the as they are lovely and very friendly – they lease from Devon CC is now close to even like children! being agreed. 2018 is also a big year Bruno, our 12-month-old puppy that for TVR, as we will be celebrating the needs an eye operation, is still tenth anniversary starting out well on our bouncing around ofand we are on adventure.

We have come a long way our way to raising the £3,000 needed since and have plans for a major for histhen, operation. event in July recognition this.

More We have in been chosenofas one of details will be forthcoming over the three charities to participate innexta few months.scheme run by Animal fantastic Our first Insurance. talk in this year’s programme Friends Basically the is ‘Ambulance Trains ofthe WW1’

by Barry charity that receives most votes th Beckenham, at the£5,000.

Puffing Billy on 26on gets a whopping So come January at 7 for 7:30.

Tickets are £3 to all you Facebook fans, please vote for us, anda pass the word around to all include light buffet, and are available your family. It isorsimple in the friends carriageand on Thursdays from to vote, and costs go as to: it the Puffing Billy.nothing.

Do comeJust along www.facebook.com/feelgoodpark and promises to be an interesting evening. onFollow the left-hand menu you will us on Facebook for up-to- see ‘Votenews for Charity’.

Click thisand and it will date on our activities, don’t take you through a page showing forget to look at our to website www. charities in the scheme. Then click on tarkavalleyrailway.co.uk.

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Rob Martin, Tarka Valley Railway

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Spirit Unleashed Pilates

Stretch & Relaxation Classes in Yarnscombe

Mondays ~ 9am-10am • 10.15am-11.15am Tuesdays ~ 9am-10am • 10am-11am • 11am-12pm For details & booking contact: Sue 07896 326 024 Email sue.spiritunleashed@gmail.com

Spiritunleashed Movement to Heal

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oo often we take our bodies for granted, expecting everything to carry on working regardless of how we neglect ourselves. So when we have a problem, even a slight one, what do we do? Take a pain killer? Work through it? Ignore it? If the problem is bad enough we may visit the doctor. Often a doctor will deal with the problem and not the cause - which may go back a long time!

If our bodies are forced to take on too much, they will often shut down; either mentally or physically or both. I encourage those with whom I work, to be kinder, and more in tune with their bodies, to appreciate and love them. Our bodies hold all the secrets and know-how needed for self-repair and healing. We need to trust ourselves and allow and facilitate that to happen. It is my aim to help and enable you to understand and listen to what your body is saying to you.

The ideal is to heal ourselves - to find a balance in our lives. This is my passion.

I have spent the last 40 years experimenting, studying, experiencing and working with like-minded people. I have worked, studied and learnt my craft and now share it through Shamanism, Pilates, Movement and Meditation.

I will seek to help you to work with your body, kindly, gently and with understanding, enabling you to blossom physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, in a safe, secure and friendly environment. www.spiritunleashed.com.

Pop in to the Grilla Café

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rrr it may be cold out there, but you’re guaranteed a warm and friendly welcome at the Grilla Café on Potacre Street, Torrington. The Grilla offers a selection of freshly cooked-to-order and generously portioned breakfasts, hot toasties, and grilled sandwiches. Everything is cooked on a hot griddle (not fried); and ingredients are sourced locally ensuring the very best quality and freshness.

Our baked-from-scratch muffins, using fresh butter and the finest ingredients, “are always a bit of a mystery,” says Mitch (owner & chef). “Hey, today could be muffins stuffed with strawberry jam & white chocolate, raspberry, marshmallow, or maybe salted caramel and chocolate. Each day is a new day and coming up with novel variations of muffins is fun.”

The espresso coffee proudly served is locally sourced from Sabins Small Batch Roasters, Cornwall. Never burnt or bitter, Sabins’ espresso is always full-bodied and rich. We offer pots of loose-leaf tea and delicious hot chocolate loaded with cream, mini-mallows and chocolate sprinkles, perfect for these chilly wintery days.

Kiddie menus are available and booster seats are provided if required. Free Wi-Fi and daily newspapers are also here. We aim at making everyone’s visit as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. So leave your troubles on the doorstep and pop in for some delicious food, or simply stop by to indulge in your favourite beverage and a mystery muffin!

Totally Toytastic® Coming to Torrington!

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orrington residents Andy and Simon are bringing a Totally Toytastic® Time to Torrington. With too many years’ experience in the Toy and Party industry to mention, they are bringing a new type of toy and party store to Torrington.

Totally Toytastic® will be opening for business on 3rd February in the Square, and will boast a host of fun toys and partyware.

“Totally Toytastic® will be stocking a range of fun gadgets, slime, pocket money and science toys along with sensory toys, cuddly toys of all sizes, party bags, party bag fillers, piñatas, helium, balloons, party tableware and radio control toys, as well as having lots of toys on display and ready to play with, not just stuck in a box on the shelf, so if you’re passing why not drop in and see what we have on offer” said Simon.

Totally Toytastic® will be located at 16 High Street, Great Torrington. You can check us out on Facebook.com/ TotallyToytastic or Twitter @T_Toytatsic to see what’s new!

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Join us on Facebook

A warm welcome, whatever your age…

...so why put off feeling good? t~01805 622719 e~team@torrigym.co.uk www.functionfitnesstorrington.co.uk e r i c pa l m e r c e n tr e , c a s t l e s tr e e t , t or r i n g t o n , E X 3 8 8 E Z

Friends of Berry Castle

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ver the past Information couple of months, Community Thank You from Function Fitness the Friends of Berry Castle Centre Well we survived our first year! have been busy finalising the I (opposite Sydney House Car many Park, have reflected on the pastfor year information boards, ready printing ina next to 'Panamart') time often wondering was sited it worth it? the New Year.

These will up at We are delighted to be announce that Well yes it was and I hope it continues Berry Castle, ingroup Huntshaw Woods next thebe'Esteem' - tostop support to so.

People often me inthose the spring, with an unveiling event, hopefully suffering with mental health difficulties, street and ask how is it going, are you indepression, the summer.fatigue, pain or anxiety doing well, and so on and I am always We have also launched our website, has been from just the pleased to awarded say, “yes grants it is doing which isDevon full of information about the Rural Trust (through the Devon fine”. monument, as well aswere pictures and Community Foundation) from In my eyes there twoand needs in videos of the site.

It is still evolving; Awards For All. Torrington (among many); the first was adding andfor wildlife reports, can now use buy laptops, enabling to We findin aresearch good this lovely old as well as education related information, the group to use the internet in to building of which I have manyorder happy help them Please become an www. integrated and for schools. visit: memories, and secondly was a quality accepted of our community.

They berrycastlehuntshaw.com. gym and part fitness centre.

If I had a will be able to engage a support worker Our recent visit to the site of another pound for every time someone asked to assist with form-filling, producing local Iron Age site at when I was going toHigher open inKingdon, Torringtona for education Alverdiscott, very successful.

It was ICV, couldsearching havewas opened years ago! courses and besee able to search for local wonderful to so turn out for So will thank you to many Torrington and our voluntary or paid work.

The group surrounding communities this.

I’d like to villages take the and opportunity to has drop-in three times a week, (see for your continued support.

Allfor at thank thedays landowner, Nick Heddon, diary) which include a 'listening ear', Function Fitness wish you a very his kind permission to access his land. someone from the whoforis healthy fun Maycommunity Fair,surveys, look out Armed and with geophysical happy to sit and chat, for those us atshots the and round the the treegroup racefeeling and aerial wellies, lonely and celebrating low. afterwards in the square! were led around by Michael Jones The Centre also offers legal Happy free May and Audrey Alimo, who shared their Fair! advice, and tenancy and debt advice, Lou Banfield of and team knowledge and understanding the site by appointment, (see diary).Fitness Rev. Function and it’s place in the surrounding area.

Graham Slingo comes in for a coffee The of the andlocation chat, and wehilltop have enclosure started a book Volunteers’ Week 2013 – gave amazing views all around, club for young people (read from a book Hartland to Croyde a definite vantage Nominate Your Unsung over a week or fortnightHeroes! point any Iron Age It was2013, To for celebrate then come inVolunteers’ andsettler. chatWeek fascinating to hear Roman TTVS hosting about itare over a about drink athe and‘Volunteers Recognition where Marching Camp, builtCeremony’ adjacent cakes) on Thursdays after to the will be Iron Age Romans sch o o settlement. l / cnominated o l l e g eThe . volunteers On recognised for would have dug out ditches Saturdays, gents can sitand created their and read with within, a coffee, orhard banks, to camp just for one work and buy books from our night.

Considering thatcharity the dedication. camp (140m Volunteers are Relief UK', while x bookshop 115m) was'Book slightly larger than the their often unsung heroes in the community

wives this shop to content! for and is their anhearts’ opportunity The Centre is available to hire for volunteers across Torridge to be meetings, after 4pm, through into the praised for the important work they do. evenings most days, and also for on TTVS areon inviting nominations occasional Saturdays for small events anyone who deserves to be recognised or their training days. Please see Kiz or for volunteering. email: kizangell@btconnect.com “The Romans would have As part of Volunteers Weekdug 2013,

Exciting News! Gt Torrington carnival and attendants.

Town &ofqueen Community Hall variety events onher offer (and even a

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Dolton’s three are all ost of our residents willexpected now limited edition B10pubs beer!). toThe benefit from the carnival atmosphere know the exciting North Devon news Biosphere and an influx of visitors.

There will from be a regarding £365kthe which has catchment area follows water roundabout, trampoline, fish and chips, been awarded

by The Big Lottery the source of to theusTaw & Torridge rivers barbecue, and candy wagon. (and smaller rivers running the sea Reaching Communities Fund.into There the paperwork coast fromtoLynton to Hartisalong still much do before Your Vote Counts! out ditches created with banks, to TTVS in and partnership CATS land) down through the villages and money is released, but we are working Charity Xmas Cards &night.

Gifts 1sttoTorrington Scouts have registered camp within, justthrough for oneSport) (Community Action are hard towns of north Devon out to sea, ensure all is in order for their to Cards aforPresentation goodthe causes and Fair with Nat WesttheCommunity Considering that camp (140m holding Evening on approval.

Lundy and beyond.

During last phase of Force, our th will be on sale in St. Mary’s Trade gifts which invites people to xFriday 115m)7 was slightly larger than June 6-9pm, at the Pier The events will be advertised locally application we have had the advice and November to church Bideford from 2nd athletics vote forinteractive a local charity/ House, Westward Ho!, and via the new B10 the dimensions of an support of two advisors from the Big December, Monday to Friday 7thAny cause of their choice, volunteers 5-19 years old Lottery, websitewho www.northdevonb10.org.uk. track, it was aaged huge task at10amhave steered us through all 4pm, Saturday 10am-1pm.

30 withexcitement the winnerthere and will two who nominated will also be Just to add to the theare end of a gruelling dayOver of put the challenging and daunting queries! charities to select your cards from and r u n n e r s u p b e i ng forward for one20oforfive be free prize draw withphase some marching so miles.”

We a anticipate the final an interesting selection awarded a starting grant.

Please go to different categories of of gifts from fabulous prizes donated

by Biosphere ofwww.communityforce.natwest.com/ the build at the beginning of April many parts of world. track, it was awards byof CATS business supporters stand individuals in dimensions anthe athletics 2018, finishing December Torrington Scout projects/ and November/ type For task more information or north Devon.

There1 will be plenty of a huge at the end of a gruelling day 2018.

All the May Fair equipment which Group into the project name box, nominate opportunities to enter the draw at B10 Dolton Carnival oftomarching 20 orasovolunteer miles.

The 1000 isevents stored atand thevote back of us. the building, willas register for Please get who deserves be and online from May to Flaming drummers, bands be soldiers wouldtorches, havetolevelled everything moved into the under croft whilst many of your friends and family to do recognised or to attend September 2013. fireworksand willthen givecontinued a small Devon in and the morning, their the taking so we sobuilding as well,work as ifiswe are place, successful the ceremony.

Please Upcoming Events village a blaze of publicity march through Devon. unfortunately will not be available for of will be able to continue our program contact: next month.  Get to Know Your LocalHQ, Wildnot only Our regular maintenance working hire during this time. refurbishment to Scout Barbara Grant, Volunteer Coordinator: Dolton’s annual carnival, party is taking a well-earned break with Plantwalk Expert benefitting theregular Scoutupdates group, but all I Flowers will be giving when Call 01237which 420130 dates to Victorian for the winter, leaving theback site clear of Clare Gurton in Hartland those who hire the hall. building work starts, and may I take Email: barbarag@torridgecvs.org.uk times, will be onallowing Guy Fawkes unwanted undergrowth and the t h thisClare th has to organised aFran series Ashton opportunity thank everyone who of May 2013.

by Friday 24 N i g h t , S a t u rda 5 grass and wild flowers to carpet it yfor the weekly guided plantwalks our in Hartland has helped and encouraged small November, which gives the spring and summer.

These dedicated to be a part of B10 - the North Devon North Devon’s Biosphere Reserve festivities an extra spark of team of Trustees to get to this point in volunteers work a day a week, and Biosphere’s tenthbeen anniversary celebraour project.

It has wonderful to Ode to Derek Stamp interest this 10 year. th Celebrates would love to have Anniversary more helping hands. tions. see so many clubs and charities make Derek Stamp is 60, Farmer Ralph Gent, one of the key anniversary will If The you are interested(branded in joining B10) us, then These friendly outings, of the under croft since it where openedyou A milestone in his life, figures behind the Dowland country fair use individuals, organisations find and learn about plants letsee us know by email at berrycastle1@and incan September 2017.this It will amazing And we’ve come far be together and dog show in June, is organising businesses from around northern growing on local verges, are outlook.com, or through our website. we will finally be able As devoted man and wife.to use all the spectacular finale in which £1,600- when Devon contribute to an exciting usually two hours long and will We are currently organising more worth of fireworks light up the night the space for the various purposes you programme of aswill celebratory be held on a Wednesday visits to local sites, well as larger He’s always there to holdweddings, my hand, sky. suggested in our surveys; events in support of the North evening from 6pm. This is a events Castle itself, so keep And kiss meevents, when I’m sad, shops, Theat Berry Pipe & Drum Band, Samba dances, civic pop-up Devon Biosphere Reserve. unique opportunity to see anBand eye on ourTorrington website for further My soul training mate forcourses so many years, and many From and spring until Allstar autumnMajorettes concerts, the North Devon Biosphere information.

Best friend I’ve ever had. will all be taking part in the parade more.

2013 there will be from a different angle, to Friendsalong of Berry through the village, withCastle many Rumbold, Chair entertainment, activities and learnRichard more about identifying We met when Town I was & “just 18”,New Buildings brightly-lit floats, this year’s Gt Torrington Community Hall or R presentations andincluding with the local wild flowers and to enjoy R.PITTS “BUILDING & RENOVATIONS”

Then ca Frie

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R.PITTS

R.PITTS

Tel: 01805 624445 Mob: 07812 067199

“BUILDING & RENOVATIONS” www.yourgardencare.com

l General Garden Maintenance Massage, Holistic & l Garden Fencing Contact Yasmin on Beauty treatments l Hedge Laying Call David Lock 07825586474 At l Stone Walling R.PITTS on 01805 603 541 01805622719 l Pergolas Mobile 07854 816 066 Yasmin_stacey@live.com l Patio Tel: 01805 624445 Mob: 07812 067199

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New Buildings or Renovations?

New Buildin Then call your Local Tel: 01805 624665 Mob: 07812 067199 Th Friendly Builder

R. Pitts “BUILDING & RENOVATIONS” Tel:624665 01805 624665 Tel: 01805 Mob: 07812 067199 Mob: 07812 067199

Tel Mob

Keen to Start a Cycling Group in Torrington?

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ho would like a Torrington Cycling Group? I know I would as I have been waiting for someone to start one, but no joy. I am looking for a team of dedicated, committed people who love cycling on the road and on the Tarka Trail in all weathers, and who have a spare few hours on Saturday mornings. I would like the group to start at 11am; making it easier for families who may want to; for people who don’t want to sacrifice their only lie in, and for those who like to do Parkrun but would still like to join us.We could support Bake & Brew at Yelland, or stop and have lunch together.

I am hoping to support projects in Torrington, things like: Kingsmead Park to start with, and the charity MND. I have suffered with depression for a few years, and the only medicine that’s worked for me is exercise, and I hope it will help others in the same way.

If you would like to be a part of the team, I need people who can read a map; have good leadership skills for all abilities; anyone who knows how to be affiliated; those who are good at advertising/fundraising; those who know about bikes/repair/nutrition/warm ups and stretches. The bigger the team the less volunteering we all have to do.

If you are really interested then email Pam Harvey harveysax@aol.com, so we can arrange a meeting to get it started.

Hope to hear from you soon!

Pam

Torrington-Roscoff Exchange Group

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e are a friendly and informal group set up to preserve longstanding ties between these twin towns in Devon and Finistère.

We work alongside other organizations to support community events, take part in charity quizzes and help to coordinate cross-channel visits by diverse clubs and organisations from the area.

The Torrington-Roscoff Exchange Group membership is growing, and we continually welcome interest from prospective new members. Our current members range from 14 years of age upwards; some speak French and some do not. One of our members is kindly giving French classes for beginners.

Our Chairman, Nick Roberts, represented the group at the Torrington Together Meeting last November, and he emphasised that we would like to liaise and have involvement with the Great Torrington schools.

Our group is a member of the Devon Twinning Circle, and recently one of our members attended their AGM. It is apparent that much can be gained from

this membership and we will continue to be involved and attend future meetings/functions.

The group has just received a grant of £200 from The Councillor Community Grant Scheme; this is very much appreciated thank you.

We are now in the process of planning a visit by our Breton friends sometime later this year, and looking ahead to our involvement in local events and village fetes.

Within the next few months, we will be having a safari supper and a French themed bring and share evening for members and their friends. As you may gather, we all like to socialize and have fun together.

Please get in touch if joining our group is of interest to you.

For more information on any of the above, please contact Antony Jefferies (Secretary) on 01271 549454 or email antonyandcynthia@hotmail.co.uk.

Rotary Club of Torrington Community Food Bank Collection

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t our collection in the square on the 9th December, in aid of The Torrington Community Food Bank, we had a huge amount of food donated together with £474 in cash, and this was handed over immediately to the Food Bank committee in time for Christmas.

A special thanks to everyone for their generous response to our appeal.

Rick Smale, The Rotary Club of Torrington

A J Installations

TV, DVD, Video and Digital Installations Got equipment you can’t use properly?

We can offer a friendly step-by-step instruction service With over 25 years experience in the North Devon Area Phone Alistair McMillan

01805 804626 or 07977 810 088

Local Independent Florist Weddings • Funerals Giſt bouquets Ar�angements

Please call Melissa Baker on 07846 857 933 36 Bur�ood Road, Tor�ing�on, Devon EX38 7NE.

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• WHAT’S ON IN GREAT TORRINGTON •

What’s On in Great Torrington?

At a loose end? Need to find a new hobby or activity? There should be something here for you!

If you run a sports club or community activity in Great Torrington or the surrounding area, or the exisiting information we have needs amending, please send details in to: torrington.crier@gmail.com.

Monthly diary events are on page 12, making it easier to find what’s on!

LEISURE, HOBBIES & ENTERTAINMENT (ADULTS & CHILDREN) Plough Workshops: every Monday: Yoga 6:30-8pm; Folk Orchestra 7-9pm; every Tuesday: Yoga 2:30-4pm; Adults ballet 6:30-7:30pm; Ploughcappella 7:30-9pm; every Wednesday: Adult English Class 6:30-8:30pm; Latin for Beginners 7-8pm; Tai Chi 7:30-9pm; every Thursday: Sapta Dance 11am-2:30pm; Tai Chi 2-3pm.

Writers Group 7:30-9pm (first Thursday of the month), Life Drawing Sessions 7:30-9pm; every second Thursday Open Mouth Music & Poetry 8pm; every Friday: Sarah Anne Westcott School of Dance 3:30-7:30pm; every Saturday: Plough Junior Jazz 11am-1pm; Plough Youth Theatre 9:45am-5:15pm Taddiport Tea Dance 2-4pm Doug 01805 622648 Beryl 01805 624294 all welcome (every second Saturday) Tai Chi 12.30pm every Thursday, all abilities welcome.

Contact Ageing Well on 01805 622666. £2.50 donation Cribbage pairs comp, third Wed of the month, Torrington Arms 8pm Tarka Pottery Adult Pottery Classes every Thursday in term time:10-12 noon, 1.30-3.30pm and 7-9pm 07931 306 414. Every Tuesday in term time: 10-12 noon and 7-9pm t: 07931 306 414 Papercrafts & scrapbooking club every Thursday 7-9.30pm, The Owl Barn Studio, Little West Hole, Newton St Petrock EX22 7LW, £2 per session, bring your own project or try something new, contact 07853 319 250 or owlbarnstudio@btinternet.com English Folk Dancing 8pm every Fri @ Northam Village Hall with Bideford Ceilidh Club. Info John 01237 476632 Writers Poets & Listeners every first Thursday 7.30pm

REGULAR CHURCH SERVICES Gt Torrington Parish Church Services: Thursdays 10.30am Said Mass, Coffee morning 11am-1pm; Fridays 8.30am Said Mass; Sundays 10am Sung Mass with Sunday Club Encounter. Modern worship, exploring faith, meeting with others. Encounter God. Great coffee and cakes.7pm High Bickington Community Centre. Every second Sunday.

Catholic Church of the Holy Family – Mass every Sun 9.15am Torrington Methodist Church services change each month, please see diary section.

Grosvenor Church Torrington, Bluecoat Junior School

Conservative Club 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. 07881 905 260.

Bingo at St Giles Parish Hall, eyes down at 7.30pm, last Thursday of the month 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 Torrington Silver Band practice Mon & Weds 8-9.30pm @ Howe Concert Hall Nick Megson 01805 622150 Cash Bingo TVSC 7.30pm every Mon Hobbies Arts & Crafts Group Langtree Parish Hall every Tues 10.30-12.30pm £1.50 inc tea & coffee Sylvie 01805 601485 Probus Club meets at the Black Horse, High Street, Torrington, 10am. Every fourth Thursday.

Torrington Rotary Club meet weekly on Tuesdays at Torrington Golf Club (6pm for 6:30pm) - Secretary David Large on 01769 560556. Prospective members, and members from other Rotary Clubs most welcome.

Learn Bellringing for free: Most Mondays 7.30pm at Monkleigh Church and Wednesday, 7.30pm at Torrington Church, contact - Clive Ward 0771078 885 or monk2364@icloud.com Art on Friday meets every second and fourth Friday at The Plough Arts Centre 10.30am-2.30pm.

New members always welcome. Contact Hazel 01805 623757 for further info.

4pm, with an exciting children’s programme, refreshments at 5pm. Every Sunday. Sunday Brunch (Grosvenor Torrington Church) Every 1st Sunday 10.30am - 12noon Bluecoat School Hall. Food and fun for all the family! Tim 07798 670 754.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints meet @ Bradford Village Hall, Holemoor, Bradford, Holsworthy, EX22 7AB. Sunday Sacrament service at 1011am

The Castle Community Centre Castle Hill, South Street, Great Torrington EX38 8AA Now available for hire!

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“Committed to top quality workmanship, professionalism and customer satisfaction”

A multifunctional room with garden, based at Castle Hill, Torrington Ideal for private parties & group meetings.

• Adjacent to public car park • Self contained kitchen facilities available • Wifi (coming soon)• Catering by Café @1646 • Regular bookings welcomed • Competitive rates

• Specialist finishes/effects • Wallpapering • Period properties •

For booking rates & details contact Susie and John Golightly 07917 651 938

Tim Parkinson City & Guilds NVQ Level 2 Qualified • Fully insured

Genesis (Great Torrington) Ltd, Castle Hill, South Street, Great Torrington EX38 8AA Tel: 01805 626100 (Admin office Tues, Wed & Thurs 9.30am–12.30pm)

Tel: 01805 623678 Mob: 07522 880 484 E: tiptopdecorating@outlook.com

Email: genesis@great-torrington.com

SUPPORT & FRIENDSHIP GROUPS Singing for health, for older people, those with dementia and their carers. 10.30am-12pm, Torrington Community Hospital. £1 donation per session. For details call 01805 622666. (First & third Wed of the month) 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 Men’s Shed: Football Club, School Lane 9am-12.30pm.

Come and see us in action, every Tuesday & Thursday.

Contact Dave on 07759 783 001 Memory Cafe 10.30am -12.30pm, Methodist Church at the top of Mill Street. Every second Thursday

Torridge Gingerbread Group, every Monday, 10-12 noon, Bluecoat Centre, Beach Room (usually) email: torridgegingerbreadgroup@outlook.com or find us on Facebook.

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.

‘Hearing Loss Support Group’ Social group for the hard of hearing. Every third Tues 2pm @ The Bickford Centre. Call 01271 373236

HEALTH, SPORT & FITNESS (ADULTS & CHILDREN) Torrington Police Amateur Boxing Club training above TVSC, Mondays 6.30-7.30pm juniors age 11+ 7.15-9pm seniors; Tuesdays 6.30-7.30pm juniors age 8-11, 7-8.30pm ladies boxfit. Wednesdays 6.30-8pm carded boxers only; Thursdays 6.30-7.30pm juniors age 8-11, 7-8.30pm ladies boxfit; Fridays 6.30-7.30pm juniors age 11+, 7.15-9pm seniors Running club every Monday & Wednesday at 6.15pm meet at GTS gym Rugby Training 6.30-8.30pm every Wednesday Wendy’s Fitness for Life classes every Thursday at the Scout Hall Gas Lane 07787 607 322 Slimming World Join us at Howe Concert Hall, Castle Street.

Every Tuesday 5.30pm & 7.30pm Lisa 07515 256 965. Every Thursday 9.30am, 11.30am, 5.30pm & 7.30pm. Norah 07789

632 166.

Junior Golf Training every Sat 9-10am @ Libbaton Golf Club Dolton Weight Loss Group every Saturday from 9.3010.30am in the small village hall. Contact Mary 01805 804421 or Emma 01805 603999 Fitness with Friends: Castle Community Centre Torrington, gentle exercise class, every Monday weekly in term time, 2 -3.30pm, £3 donation, 01805 622666 Badminton Club every Tues 7-8pm juniors, adults 8-9pm @ High Bickington Community Centre 01769 561387 Short Mat Bowls 2-4pm every Mon & Thurs @ High Bickington Community Centre.

Indoor Short Mat Bowls club night every Monday from 6.30 in the clubhouse at the Bowling Green, Castle Street. All welcome.

CHILDREN’S CLUBS, TODDLER GROUPS & PRE-SCHOOLS 1st Torrington Rainbows at Torrington Rugby Club every Monday term time 6.15-7.15pm l torringtondistrictguiding@ talktalk.net 1st Torrington Brownies at Torrington Baptist Hall every Mon term time 6.30-8pm Kathryn Masterson 01805 623212 torringtondistrictguiding@talktalk.net 1st Torrington Scout Group at Scout Hall every Mon term time 7.30-9pm Peter 01409 281246, email ashton. awslandfarm@gmail.com 3rd Torrington Brownies at Torrington Baptist Hall, every Wed term time 6.30-8pm Emma Keil torringtondistrictguiding@talktalk.net Beaford Guides at Beaford School Tuesdays term time only 7.15pm till 8.45pm Bridget Wade 07830 797 050 or email BeafordGuides@outlook.com Beaford Rainbows will meet at Beaford school on Tuesdays 4.15 till 5.15pm for more information please contact Leanne 07842344302 or Email rainbows@girlguidingbeaford.co.uk Beaford Brownies meet at Beaford School on Tuesdays 5.30pm till 7pm contact Bridget Wade on 07830 797 050 or email beafordbrownies@outlook.com 1st Torrington Guides at Torrington Rugby Club every Tues 7-8.30pm Linda Masterson 01805 623212 1st.torrington. guides@gmail.com 1st Torrington Beavers and Cubs at Scout Hut, Gas Lane

Est 1988

North Devon Landscaping

We offer a full landscaping service for:

•Traditional drystone walling • Paving • Block paving • Fencing and gates •All digger work • Seeding and turfing Professional year round landscaping Trevor Andrews Email: north_devon_landscaping@ hotmail.co.uk Mob: 07964 558 703

Tuesdays during term time 6-7.30pm, Fran Ashton 01409 281246. Email ashton.awslandfarm@gmail.com Youth Club for 11+ 5-7pm @ High Bickington Community Centre 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 Little Otters Baby & Toddler Group, every Friday, 9am11.30am, at The Clinton Hall, Merton Little Fishes Toddler Group at Baptist Church every Thurs term time 9.30am -11.30am £1.50 per family. Jill 01805 624387 Toddler Group 9.30-11am every Thurs @ High Bickington Community Centre Torridgeside Saturday Football Fun Club - 10am - 11am in the Great Torrington Bluecoat Primary School MUGA. Every Saturday.

Little Frogs sessions Mon – Fri 8.45am-3.45pm term time, Gas Lane, Torrington, contact - 07870 509 674 Little Otters Pre-School, at The Clinton School, Merton MonThurs, 9am till 3.30pm, with lunch club 12–1pm, term time.

For more details 01805 603357 admin@clinton.devon.sch.uk

All Shines Window Cleaning Services Windows • Gutters • Soffits Conservatories Wall & Cladding Cleaning (soft method), Roof de-moss • Patios • Driveways, etc.

01805 938502 07711 079 577

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Diary

Enrico by volunteers with Caruso their own friendly, temperament-tested vaccinated (25thFebruary 1873 To place an entry and in the diary,– dogs andeither cats. please email torrington.crier@ 1921) 2nd August Since 22,000 PAT gmail.com, call 01805over 603152, or write Part 2 it’s beginning dogs have been registered into your in the shame diary onthere the Library Whatentry a great are the no Pets Therapy recordings scheme.

Every year digitalAsmastered of Caruso. counter.

Organisations are responsible some of these andwonderful dogs, One imagine how his forcannot advising ofretire changes tonew entries. having first been examined and passed voice was. onCaruso’s health, temperament, suitability and 25-year career, stretching stability grounds, Petsincluded As Therapy. from 1895 to join 1920, 863 Today there are currently appearances at the Newaround York 4,500 active PAT visiting dogs 108 Thursday 1st Metropolitan Opera before heand died of PAT cats at work in the UK. Every Plough Exhibition Duncan Hopkins: an infection at the age of 48. His fame week thesetocalm friendly dogs and ‘Wave/Particle’ until Sat 17 February has lasted the present day, despite cats give more than 130,000 people, Plough Music: Flamenco Jazz Eduardo the limited marketing and promotional both young and 8pm; old, to the pleasure and Niebla in Concert Gallery Gig avenues available him.

He Awas, Retro Music Soiree 8:15pm chance to cuddle talk toofthem.

The nonetheless, a and client Edward bedsides that are each year Bernays during the visited latter’s tenure as a Friday 2nd number a staggering half million. press agent in the USA. Publicity in Plough Music: Sick patients often feel isolated and Caruso’s time Blues reliedKent on DuChaine newspapers, 8pm even the most withdrawn seem to open particularly wire services, magazines, up and let theand barriers down when their photography the telephone.

Saturday 3rd regular Pets As Therapy visiting dog is Caruso’s biographers, Pierre Key, Breakfast rolls, coffee andeveryday cake 10am around.

These dogs bring life Bruno Ziratoraffle, and1stStanley Jackson to noon, meat prizethe £25, 2nd closer and with not it only all happy attribute his fame to In hisaid voice prize £15, takeaway available. of associations for them of home and musicianship, but also to a keen Weare Giffard Village hall refurb/rebuild. comforts.

The constant companionship business sense and an embrace of Every first Saturday of an undemanding animal, thatthen gives commercial recordings, Plough Music:sound Blues Kent DuChaine atin unconditional love, is often one of the its infancy.

Many well-known opera St Anne’s Barnstaple 8pm most missed aspectstime of their lives. singers of Caruso’s rejected the Plough Comedy/Music: Graham Pets As Therapy was formed to help phonograph (gramophone) and their Fellows: Completely Out Of Character make bearable voices this haveloss beenmore lost as a result,and but 8pm speed Plough Gallery including Gig: La Vie en Rose other recovery. singers Adelina Patti, Buttons was the firstand Pet Nellie As Therapy 8:15pm Francesco Tamagno Melba in North Devon and Josie the first in exploited the new technology once Torridgeside.

Thereof the have been Sunday 4th they became aware success of outstanding resultsChurch with the Read2 Torrington Baptist “Bring & Caruso’s recording sessions. programme in ourmore schools, which has Share” Youmade favourite hymn, of Caruso thatword 260 extant Scripture or Testimony no sponsorship conditions and has recordings in America for the Victor Torrington Methodist Church 10.30am helped children to learn to read.

Talkingmany Machine Company, (later RCA Jim Wood, 6.30pm The dogfrom acts1904 asRev ato Lynne non-judgmental Victor) 1920,Burgon and he Plough listener Storytelling: and offers Plough comfortStorytelling to those

February 2018

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Circle 2:30pm Plough Films: A Matter of Life and earned millions of dollars royalties Death (PG) 3pm; Marie Curie in 5pm; The who find reading stressful. from the retail sales of the resulting Greatest Showman (PG) 7:30pm Come and see us at Green Lanes 78rpm discs.

In Italy in 1902-1903, he Shopping Centre on Sunday 19th May cut five batches of records the Monday 5th 10-30am-4.30pm. Enquiries; K for Moore G r a m 624739 otime p h oat n eNortham and T y pArea ew r iCoter Toddler library 1.3001805 North Devon 3pm.

A chance for families with toddlers Company.

He was later heard live from Ordinator PAT. tothe enjoy the library closed to Opera the stage of thewhilst Metropolitan public.

Come stories, play radio and House in along the for first public East Woodlands Farmhouse, a broadcast session with Moo Music. in 1920.

Alverdiscott, Open Garden In thegarden next issue I will tell youforabout This will be opening the Tuesday some of time his 6th operatic roles. second as part of the National Plough Films: The Greatest Showman th Until then good on listening and Garden Scheme 8(12A) (PG) 5:30pm; Battle of Saturday the Sexes th Bob Dymond Sunday 9 of June 2013 from 2-5pm 5:30pm each day.

Torrington W.I. NE of Five miles Wednesday 7th Our Torrington, Annual Menashe Meeting will 6pm; take Great five miles south of Plough Films: (U) Aplace th November.

We will on Wednesday 9Death Barnstaple B3232 Windmill Matter of Lifeoff andthe (PG)at8pm be of electing new Cross along one mile single atrack Thursday and road. Postcode8th EX31President 3PP BINGO at Beaford village hall! Doors committee for the Richard and Ann welcome you to open eyes down 7.30pm.

Bar,year, teato following their 7pm, sculptured gardens, extending and Free parking taking a lookand back justcoffee over available. an acre. The gardens were cash prizes.inSecond of atfrom all we have created 2006Thursday a every blank month. experienced in have the last year and then landscape and been transformed Plough Film: Menashe (U) 8pm getting a sneak of speakers into a hidden oasispreview of swaying grasses, Plough Gig:Cups Openand Mouth Music bookedGallery for 2012. prizes will spectacularly architectural bamboos &and Poetry 8pm be awarded for terraces. those who did garden best in cool-to-hot Little our optional rooms createmonthly hidden competitions, gems where and the MARCH CRIER there can will, of and course, bethetime for tea visitor sit enjoy tranquillity COPY DEADLINE andthe a natter. of garden as it blends with the Being rather nifty atTODAY getting through rolling, tireless views.

A pond area 12 NOON the business side (unfenced) andof things, still weinwill also its manage a9th bit ofstages, time to welcome developmental provides Bob an Friday Brewer, who willfor give us the low-down Plough The Greatest Showman area ofFilm: shade gunnera and bog (PG) 8pm on the Cavaliers. plants.

A potager’s delight.

We start 7pm and in the Methodist Entry costsat £3.50 teas will be Saturday 10th Church Hall, and prospective members available.

There will also be plants for The Walkers to ‘Walk areMerry very welcome visitthe for Night’ free. Any sale.

Fundraising The Torrington new paying their subsEast this For members furtherEvent. information about Arms, music with ‘Ronnie’. £6 for month, get garden 14 months forTickets theopen price of Woodlands and others tothe include light Rose visit 12.

How aboutbites. that!Contact National Garden Scheme Woolridge on 01409 261388 or 07551 www.ngs.org.uk

010 326.

Plough Music/Talk: Richard Digance On the 16th November there will be a 8pm Great Torrington lunch at Barnstaple in aid of ACWW, Memory Café the Associated Country Women of the Sunday 11th March’s memory World, of Baptist which the WI nationally Torrington Church Family is a café went Not with widely a Chrisknown, Communion, Preacher Andrew the member.

Torrington Methodist 10.30am buzz despite having Churchfrom ACWW has representatives many Duncan Withall,working 6.30pm Rev Robrelief of to cancel the towards nationalities; Blackhall Communion activity. poverty Holy and sickness, promoting health Plough Folk: Theeducation.

Tannahill Weavers A presentation took place John and advancing It’s for down-to4pm Portman who has nowmutual retiredsupport from earth approach offers Plough Film: Walk With (PG)and 8pm being our Volunteer Fundraiser we and practical help toMewomen and are still trying across to recruit this post, so communities thefor world.

Monday 12th if To youfind would like the to ACWW be partand of the a out about FabLa at Northam don’t miss committed team Libraryof nationwide, volunteers to Women's Institutes visit this opportunity see a 3Dservice printer inthen www.theWI.org.uk provide this to valuable action and use 3D software to produce a please get in about touch. Torrington We are also Any queries W.I. personalised keyring. Adults: 1.30-3pm, looking for volunteers toRidgwell help with ring President, Joyce on children: 3.30-5pm. £5 per person. Book memory café – if you can spare two 01805 623588. via eventbrite.co.uk hours aFilms: monthFerdinand then please Plough (U)contact 3pm; me.

We are looking forward to (15) this Great Torrington Wonder (PG) 5:30pm; Molly’s Game month’s Town meetingHall where Annie Brierley 8pm Project will be reading short stories and By the time this report appears in poems. This13th will invoke memories and Tuesday The Crier, you will have noticed raiseAnimation discussions10.30-12. and should be a very Lego scaffolding has been put Make enjoyable activity. short animated film up to facilitate theusing repairLego. FREE. Dementia Awareness week takes Bookings 01237 of the roof and 475111 make the place Films: in May. Along with Allthe Plough Ferdinand (U) 3pm; building water-tight for the Money in the World Alzheimer’s Society we(15) are8pm planning to the winter. It will be have an information giving presence in enclosed in waterproof Wednesday the town square14th on Thursday 23rd May sheeting to protect the working area Great Torrington WI Chocolate so do come along and find out more. and to minimise any risk to the internal Demonstration withthis Anneli Methodist The theme of week is “Worry fabric.

At the same time, of Rooms 7pm.nothing. Talkinga series changes changes photoelectric panels will be installed, to Plough Music: Valentine’s Night with everything”. reduce running-costs, and perhaps Ricky Knight 8:30pm May’s café meeting will be on provide anthincome for the project by Thursday 9 when David Clinch will be selling surplus power to the National Thursday playing guitar 15th and pipes to entertain us Grid.

Langtree Parish Hall Pantomime The all. Do come along and join in the fun Although this work is being Parrots of Penzance 7.30pm £5 telcarried as well as also being able to payment access 01805 601602 16th Feb 7.30pm £6 out by the Townlands Trust, relevant information and discuss and £5funds and 8pm will17th be Feb taken2pm from set £7 aside for concerns with Ferdinand professional NHS staff.

Plough Films: 5pm; All the project, which would (U) have included Contact: Pauline Page 01805 625969 the Money in the World (15) 8pm

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Plough Poetry: Apples & Snakes: Dan Simpson 8pm

Conservative Club 7pm

Friday 16th

Plough Theatre: Townsend Productions - ‘We are the Lions, Mr Manager’ 8pm

Christian Aid Lent Lunch 12-1.45pm Methodist Church, see article & posters Plough Rock: Limehouse Lizzy 8pm Plough Comedy: Bobby Mair at The George Hotel, South Molton 8pm

Saturday 17th

Thursday 22nd Friday 23rd

Christian Aid Lent Lunch 12-1.45pm Baptist Church, see article & posters Plough Tex Mex : Paul Young and Los Pacaminos 8pm

Plough Comedy:Mitch Benn ‘LIVE!’ 8pm Torridge Vale Social Club 25th Birthday Saturday 24th Celebration 8pm Plough Film: Darkest Hour (PG) 8pm Plough Folk: Miranda Sykes at St 1646 Battle of Torrington Anne’s Barnstaple 8pm Commemorative March from GTS car park 7pm (muster from 6.30pm Sunday 25th onwards).

Torrington Baptist Church Communion Service preacher Peter Goodall Sunday 18th Torrington Methodist Church 10.30am Torrington Baptist Church Breakfast Rev Alison Briggs, 6.30pm Rev Rob Special “Exodus” Torrington Methodist Church 10.30am Blackhall Plough Films: Darkest Hour (PG) Rev Pugsley, 3pm Bideford Circuit 3pm; Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Service Missouri 7pm Plough Films: Walk With Me (PG) Plough Gallery Gig: Westerly 5 or 6 3pm; Molly’s Game (15) 7pm 7:30pm

Monday 19th

Plough Film: Hostiles (15) 8pm

Tuesday 20th

Plough Workshop: Making Silver Rings with Mary Myers 10am – 4pm Plough Films: A Woman’s Life (12A) 5:30pm; Molly’s Game (15) 8pm Plough Talk: ‘Unexplained Phenomena in North Devon’ by Peter Christie at St Anne’s 7:30pm

Wednesday 21st

Plough Film: A Woman’s Life (12A) 8pm Plough Gallery Gig: Kit Hawes, Aaron Catlow + Ewan McLennan 8:15pm Royal British Legion meeting

Monday 26th

Plough Workshop: Getting Texture into Acrylic Paintings 10am – 3pm

Tuesday 27th

Plough Films: Darkest Hour (PG) 5:30pm; Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri 8pm

Wednesday 28th

Author James Mortain at Northam Library 6.30pm. Tickets £2 including refreshments. Bookings 01237 475111.

Plough Films: Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri 5:30pm; Makala (U) 8pm

Muriel Pitts’ 90th Birthday

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would like to express my thanks to so many family and friends who contributed to a wonderful surprise tea party for my 90th birthday on Saturday 6th January. It was delightful to enjoy such a pleasant afternoon with so many. Thank you for all the lovely cards and flowers. I shall long remember the friendly atmosphere and entertainment that we shared. My particular thanks go to the Cavaliers, Big Al and the mayor Sue Mills. I was overwhelmed by the warmth and affection shown to me on that day!

Muriel Pitts

Appledore Singers Raise £950 For Devon Air Ambulance

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ppledore Singers would like to thank all who made our Christmas concert such a success, we managed to raise £950 for Devon Air Ambulance.

Rehearsals are held on Monday evenings, 7.30-9pm at Appledore Baptist Church. New members are most welcome – particularly altos!

Contact Pam Beechey on 01237 420652 for more information.

Open Public Walk & Talk

Berry Castle Iron Age Hillfort, Huntshaw. Sunday 8th April 2.30pm Advance notice of an ‘open to all’ walk around this 2600 year old site, just 1.5 miles from Torrington.

Further details will be in the next Crier, or ring Keith Hughes 01 237 475168.

Dog Training Classes at Taddiport Village Hall

Puppies, Teenagers and Adult Classes for all skill levels Trainers formerly from Puppy Gurus Nurturing the bond between you & your canine companion through force free, positive training For more information please call Rachael: 01409 282814 thehavendogcentre@gmail.com

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Harpist Claire Jones to Wow Bideford Audience

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or their February concert, Bideford Music Club is lucky enough to host the well-known Welsh harpist Claire Jones.

Born in Pembrokeshire in 1985, Claire began her musical education at the age of seven.

After excelling at the violin, piano and harp, she graduated as a harpist from the Royal College of Music with First Class Honours in 2007, and in 2009

“In April 2011 she performed for the newly married Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at their wedding reception...” graduated as an M.A. scholar from the Royal Academy of Music. Claire was one of the first recipients of the Prince of Wales Advanced Study Awards in 2007 and 2008. This award recognised her as one of Wales’ most outstanding young talents.

In 2007, Claire was appointed Official Harpist to His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales; a role she held until 2011, making her the longest serving Royal harpist to date. During this appointment, Claire regularly performed for the Royal Family and their distinguished guests at the Royal Palaces. In April 2011 she performed for

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Gas Safe No. 21765

For all your gardening needs large or small Call Stuart 07971533 235

Is 2018 Your Year to Volunteer?

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he New Year often sees many of us reflecting on the past year and thinking about our New Year’s resolutions. Devon Voluntary Action (DeVA) is asking people to make 2018 their year to volunteer.

DeVA has been awarded an ‘Awards for All’ grant to help promote volunteering across the County, specifically aimed at those with specific skills.

There are a wide range of volunteer opportunities available with local community groups looking for people with all types of skills including IT, finance, social media, management, marketing and media.

Clare Humphreys, Volunteering Support Coordinator said, “The money awarded will help us to promote and market volunteering in a way that we haven’t been able to before. By using social media and Google to its full potential we will be able to broaden our marketing of volunteering, and engage with a wider audience.”

Bideford based company Bluesoup, are supporting DeVA with the campaign.

DeVA welcomes anyone wanting to volunteer but is particularly keen to engage with those who are in employment, so if you are an organisation who would like to support this campaign and promote it to your employees, please go to our website www.devonva.org/campaign to download the promotional material.

Volunteering can make a difference so what can you offer?

For more details please go to our website www.devonva.org/campaign the newly married Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at their wedding reception in Buckingham Palace.

In 2008, Claire made her concerto debut with the Philharmonia Orchestra and since then has gone on to perform as a soloist with some of the World’s leading orchestras in the most

prestigious venues.

The concert will be held in the Methodist Church Hall, High Street, Bideford on Sunday 4th February at 3pm.

Tickets are available at the door and are £13.50 (students and children free). For more information call 01237 423112.

Two Local Landmarks

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n Castle Hill common, about half-way down between the top of the hill and the river, there stands a monument with an inscription plate said to be made from a cannon brought back from the Battle of Waterloo. This obelisk, with a builtin stone seat on each of its four sides which enables walkers to rest and enjoy the view, was financed by the ladies of Great Torrington and reads: “Erected June 1818 to Commemorate The Battle Of Waterloo June 1815.

Peace To The Souls of The Heroes!!!”

In this cynical age we wonder about the significance of the three exclamation marks but, probably, they simply denote admiration for men’s courage in battle.

The place known as Windy Cross, is not a crossroads, but a four-armed cross which sits on top of a stone structure that used to be a pump house and, before that, an ancient well.

It is situated at the top of Mill Street where it joins South Street and Halsdon Terrace, on the corner between the Methodist chapel and a bungalow called Windy Ridge. It has an old road sign pointing to Bideford attached to it as well as a sign marking a water hydrant.

The name Windy Cross is appropriate as, according to George Doe in ‘Old Torrington Landmarks’, it marks the highest point in the town. The 19th century pump house which, presumably, was built over the original well, was mostly of local stone but in the south porch the entrance step was a large slab of Purbeck marble.

The shaft and circular base of the cross are believed to be ancient but have been re-cut. The large stone disc which supported the shaft would have formed a suitable coping stone over an old well.

George Doe, a local historian who was mayor of Torrington in 1923 and 1924, regretted how this ancient landmark had been ‘desecrated and mutilated out of almost all knowledge’ and there was no longer any use made of the pump or the old well. However, it was restored in the 1930s when the original circular base and shaft of the cross, which were

Torrington Gardening Club

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e start our New Year with a members’ evening on Tuesday February 6th at the Methodist meeting hall in Great Torrington. Subs for the year are due, and we shall be testing our gardening knowledge in a light hearted way and holding a ‘20 questions’ session. Guests and new members are very welcome.

On Tuesday March 6th we shall be welcoming Chris Birchall as our speaker.

He is not a stranger to the area having been involved with RHS Rosemoor, prior to opening his own Tale Valley Nursery in Cullumpton. Winner of Golds at Chelsea. He will be talking of his Plant Hunting experiences.

We shall be entering the RHS In Bloom, It’s Your Neighbourhood, again this year with our efforts on the flower bed by S&G Carpets. The tulips will soon be ready to plant out. Extra hands are always welcome Follow our exploits on FaceBook or contact me: sallyramsdenindevon@ hotmail.co.uk.

Sally Ramsden, Chair

Torridge Vale Social Club 25th Birthday Celebration found where they had been discarded in a field, were re-cut and surmounted with four arms and the upper portion of a new cross.

I don’t know when the old pump house was finally blocked up but a local man can remember climbing inside to shelter from the rain many years ago.

This old local landmark was given a Grade II listing in 1973 and reminds us of former times before we all had the luxury of running water in our homes.

Moira Brewer

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n February 2018, Torridge Vale Social Club will be 25 years old. It will celebrate being purchased from the ‘Dairies’ by the members, to form a members’ club.

On 17th February we are having a social evening to acknowledge the 25 years, and would like to welcome all members and dairy workers, past and present to join us.

Music will be provided by Sarah Devonshire, an excellent well known West Country singer, come along and enjoy. Saturday, 17th February, 8pm.

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Scams – Are You Talking About Them Enough?

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evon, Somerset and Torbay Trading Standards receives hundreds of complaints each year via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service, about mass marketing scams ranging from fraudulent prize draws, to phoney psychic letters. It is estimated that UK consumers lose up to £3.5 billion per year to a variety of scams that exploit low-cost, mass-marketing techniques to target recipients. These include bogus lotteries, premium-rate prize promotions, psychic mailings and miracle health cures.

We also receive complaints from consumers who are cold called by unscrupulous traders offering their services on the doorstep. There are also traders who purport to be honest, by saying they are members of regulatory schemes but in fact they are not. The work is often badly done and overpriced.

The sums lost by individuals from these scams and rogue traders range from small amounts to tens of thousands of pounds. There are strong indications that the actual number of people affected by scams is far greater than the reported figures.

If you receive a letter, phone call, home visit or email and you are concerned it might be a scam, consider the questions below. If you can answer yes to any of these questions then there is a good chance that someone is trying to scam you.

1. Was the offer unsolicited?

2. Do I have to respond or agree straight away?

3. Do I have to make a purchase to win a prize draw I didn’t enter?

4. Do I have to ring a premium rate telephone number?

5. Do I have to give my bank or credit card details or passwords?

6. Is the business reluctant to give their address or contact details?

7. Am I being asked to keep it confidential?

8. Does it look too good to be true?

Use your common sense, but if any of the above are true, think twice before handing over any money or giving your personal details.

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Because scam operators often work from abroad, regularly changing their addresses and conducting business under false names, it can be extremely difficult for authorities to tackle them by conventional enforcement. Our best weapon is to educate, warn and publicise about the prevalence of scams, encouraging everyone to remember the motto: If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Scammers play on our hopes, promise us the realisation of our financial dreams, and rely on us not talking to one another about it.

In order to raise awareness of scams and stop lining the pockets of unscrupulous scam operators, we need to start talking about it.

We use our Facebook and Twitter pages (@TSConnect) to spread the message about scams and encourage people to talk about them. We are sometimes able to take part in local events where people can get information about spotting and reporting scams and know what to do if they spot one. We also have our ‘Buy With Confidence’ scheme and have free directories containing details of local businesses that we know you can trust, because they have been thoroughly checked by qualified Trading Standards Officers.

If you know of someone in your community who is perhaps a little isolated, or you have relatives or friends who are likely to be targeted by or respond to mass marketing scams, take the time to talk to them. Make sure they are aware of scams and how scam operators work.

If you are concerned about yourself or someone else, you can call the Citizens Advice Consumer Service for free help and practical advice (the details of your complaint will be passed to us) on 03454 040506, as well as the police on 101. If you are concerned someone is at immediate risk of serious harm always call 999.

The Merry Walkers Raising Funds for Cancer Charities

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e are a group of 16 who have been touched by family and friends who have suffered, or are suffering from, breast or prostate cancer.

We have chosen to raise money for these charities by ‘Walking the Night’ on 14th July, starting and finishing at Kings Cross Station. We will be completing a half marathon of 13.1 miles.

We are each self-financing our trip to London to take part in this event.

We are all committed to raising £199 each, which will go to the nominated charities, to do this we are organising events and quizzes - to date we have raised £900 so £2,284 to go.

For more details contact Rose Woolridge on 01409 261 388 or 07551 010 326.

Upcoming Fundraising Events The Torrington Arms, music with ‘Ronnie’ 10th February. Tickets £6 to include light bites.

More events to follow.

Christian Aid Lent Lunches

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he first Lent Lunch will be held on Friday 16th February in the Methodist Church (top of Mill St) between 12-1.45pm, with a choice of homemade soup, rolls, cheese, chutney, and a cup of tea or coffee for £3.50.

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. Torrington Christian Aid Committee

Little Otters Pre-school

Little Otters Pre-school offers a fun and safe environment for 2 –5 year olds to learn and play. We accept Early Years and 2-Year-Old funding.

If you would like to come and visit please contact Dolton Primary School on 01805 804315. www.tarkafed.org

At Secondary School & in Need of Adventure?

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Dolton Primary School Rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted,

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olton Primary School has recently been inspected by Ofsted and rated as a ‘Good’ school. The Inspector was struck by the ‘family feel’ to the school and concluded, “the leadership team has maintained the good quality of education in the school since the previous inspection”. We are extremely proud of our school, the children and the staff.

As a school, we pride ourselves on every member of staff knowing every child; we are a real family. Every child is supported in their learning and challenged appropriately.

Our school offers a free breakfast club and daily after school clubs for £1, which are well attended. We have a vibrant pre-school that is run by caring and committed staff. They provide well-structured, play-based sessions to extend children’s creativity and imagination, alongside the development of early reading, writing and maths skills.

We would welcome the opportunity to show you our school and pre-school. If you would like to visit, please telephone the school on 01805 804315.

Mrs Batten, Executive Headteacher The Tarka Federation and St Helen’s Primary School, www.tarkafed.org

alling all intrepid teens in need of an adventure! Do you fancy the opportunity for excitement with a group of people your age?

Students, ex-students, parents and staff of Chulmleigh Community College have set up a new charity called Sea Moor Explore. This will be an exciting new club, open to ALL secondary school age students, to provide fun and adventurous outdoor activities in our beautiful countryside. Be it walking, cycling, climbing, coasteering, expeditions – we’ve got something for you!

We have set up this club to provide wonderful and inspiring opportunities for teenagers, following the success of Ten Tors and Duke of Edinburgh at Chulmleigh. Participation in moorland and mountain expeditions has unleashed an eagerness for more adventures and more fun. Consequently, last summer, students and parents organised a 50-mile sponsored bike ride that finished at Saunton Sands beach in order to raise money for the school Ten Tors and DofE fund, in order to improve the opportunity for future students.

This day was a fantastic mix of cycling and beach, so why stop there? With the support of Chulmleigh Community College, a passionate bunch of past and present students, parents and staff have decided not to stop!

Whilst fervour for adventure is tremendous, opportunities are few and far between, even though North Devon and the rest of the UK offer an abundance of thrilling places to explore.

We want to provide young people with the chance to participate in adventurous activities in the great outdoors, to inspire them to undertake escapades of their own, and to promote and encourage personal development through engagement in these adventures.

We have a profusion of ideas which we want you to be a part of. We plan to have monthly meetings which will include trips out to the climbing wall, beach, woodland and moor - to climb, surf, walk and cycle. Evening meetings will be for learning key skills, planning activities, and being inspired by the adventures of others. These meetings will initially be for students of secondary school and college age, but we will be working closely with local primary schools as the club grows.

As well as evening meetings and planned activities, we are training a Ten Tors 55 mile team. We would like to start offering Gold DofE to those 16 and over and in the coming year, we hope to train youngsters to participate in The Exmoor Challenge and Abbot’s Way walks.

If this idea appeals to your sense of adventure, please like our Facebook page: Sea Moor Explore, or email Tracey on seamoorexplore@gmail.com.

We are also holding an official launch evening on 25th January from 6:30- 8pm.

This is open to all secondary school students. Find us at Chulmleigh Youth Centre: GR SS68651 14627, latitude: 50.916 and longitude: -3.869.

We hope to see you there!

Sea, Moor, Explore

Whiskers Pet Centre For your one stop pet shop, A large stock of pet food, Toys, Cages, Bedding, wild bird products, Medical items etc....

Find us at 20 south street, Great Torrington 01805 622859

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Memory Café

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he customers and volunteers enjoyed a great Christmas lunch at The Torrington Arms in December. Our January meeting included a presentation by a supporter of the Torrington Museum, who brought along artefacts related to past industries in Torrington.

In February Renata will be running a chair exercise class, which is a great deal of fun as well as helping with people’s health and welfare.

From April we will be open twice a month, up until October; more opportunity to enjoy the company and activities and access to health care professionals.

I would like to thank everyone who has raised funds and donated to the Memory Café. We rely on donations and funding to keep going.

I would also like to thank all our dedicated volunteers, who help keep everything going and who offer valuable support to our customers.

People who attend are from all walks of life and of varying ages. Some people may have had a recent diagnosis of dementia, whilst others may be worried about their memory and want advice.

People who attend find that they continue to come along and value the Café for its welcoming, informal and relaxed atmosphere. We offer a listening ear and a couple of hours break from the regular day’s routines.

If you require any further information then contact Pauline on 01805 625969.

20

Fleur’s Gardening Forum The Good Earth

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riting this at the beginning of January, the soil is almost completely waterlogged and impossible to work.

All soils have a ‘saturation point’ which is when the oxygen therein has been driven out by water. The water usually drains away and oxygen will return to the soil, but if this cannot occur due to poor drainage, heavy, persistent rainfall and/or compaction then the earth can become ‘anaerobic’. This means that other gases replace the oxygen and the earth can become ‘sour’, smelly and the beneficial creatures that live in it may die. Any plants growing in waterlogged soil will cease to thrive, effectively ‘drowning’.

There are ways in which we can alleviate the problem; by installing drains and soakaways, or adding lots of gravel, mulching with leaf mould or homegrown compost and, if the soil is heavy clay, liming or adding spent mushroom compost to ‘open it up’.

If you have a large garden, a herringbone drainage system might be required, but this can entail a lot of hard and expensive work. You would also need to check with the Environment Agency as to where the water would be allowed to drain away from your land. One way in which to alleviate this might be to locate the lowest part of your garden and create a wildlife pond/bog area, so that when you install your drainage system, the water will end up there rather than in the wider

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environment.

Another remedy for countering poor drainage would be to create raised beds. You would firstly need to break up the existing soil where these are to be installed, and incorporate lots of gravel before you top up with compost. This can be achieved without the need to build wooden raised beds, although this is probably the best way to ensure the soil stays in place. But if your budget is tight, then your bed can be ‘heaped up’ towards the middle, with a ‘drain’ around the edge so that water will percolate down to the lowest part of the bed.

Adding lime to a clay soil is also beneficial; called flocculation, the lime reacts with the small clay particles causing them to stick together thereby creating gaps in the soil which allows water to drain away more easily and for oxygen to enter.

Look after your garden soil and you will be rewarded with good, healthy crops for many years.

Fleur

Tel: 01837 810 829 or 01769 520508 Mob: 07830 606018

Importance of Vaccination For Dogs

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uring their early weeks puppies are usually protected by antibodies passed on by their mother. However, with time these antibodies are lost and your puppy will need to develop its own immunity.

Vaccinating your pup and keeping him up-todate with a yearly booster will protect him from a number of nasty diseases.

Distemper is a highly infectious viral disease which can cause mild signs in some individuals, including high fever, lethargy, vomiting and diarrhoea, but may be fatal in others. Vaccination has resulted in huge decreases in the incidence of this disease but in other countries, like Finland, it is still a major cause of death in dogs.

Hepatitis is a disease affecting the liver, kidneys, eyes and lungs. It can develop very quickly and some individuals may die within hours of becoming unwell.

Parainfluenza is a highly contagious viral disease that contributes to the problem of kennel cough. It can be transmitted by nose to nose contact, or by the sharing of dishes between a healthy dog and an infected dog. Signs include a dry, hacking cough with nasal or eye discharge.

Army Cadet Force ‘To Inspire To Achieve’

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he Army Cadet Force motto is ‘To Inspire To Achieve’. Freddie Webber from Torrington Detachment certainly inspires the younger cadets within Devon Army Cadet force. He joined in 2010 and has worked his way through the ACF syllabus to reach the level of 4 star cadet and the rank of CSM. Freddie’s journey has included being chosen to take part in a six week exchange trip to Canada. This was a cadet leadership course, which is part of the Maple Learning Exchange. He has completed his Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award. He came 96th in the Cadet 100 shooting competition, in which his team came 2nd overall in the country, in the News of the World Shooting competition. He has gained excellent grades in all cadet APC camps, including SCIC Course, shooting, field-craft, adventurous training, map and compass, sports, first aid and much more.

Freddie also consistently volunteers for many local community events, including Torrington May Fair, the Cavaliers’ bonfires and Remembrance parades.

He has also served as Torrington’s Mayor’s Cadet.

This young man is definitely a role model for the young people of Torrington and Devon. Congratulations from all the cadets and instructors throughout Devon Army Cadet force.

Staff Sergeant Andy McDonald Parvovirus is a small, but extremely hardy virus that can survive in the environment for long periods of time months or even years. Signs are bloody diarrhoea and lethargy.

The disease first emerged as an epidemic in the 1970s, killing thousands of dogs, before an effective vaccine became available. Although no longer present in epidemic proportions, parvovirus is still relatively common in unvaccinated dogs.

Leptospirosis is caused by bacteria that are spread via the urine of infected animals. It is can be spread to humans by contact with infected urine.

There are two forms of the disease which are commonly seen: Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae (Weil’s disease). The rat is the main

carrier of this bacteria. Transmission to dogs is either directly via contact with infected urine, or indirectly via contact with contaminated water eg: drinking or swimming in infected water. The symptoms can vary from mild signs of lethargy and depression, to more severe signs such as abdominal pain, jaundice, liver damage and even death.

Leptospira canicola. The dog is the main carrier of this bacterium. This form of disease primarily affects the kidneys and clinical signs can vary from mild and non-specific, to kidney failure or sudden death. Dogs that recover from either form of the disease can become carriers and shed the bacteria in their urine.

Hatchmoor Vets

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and chip supper onThe Friday 17 Slave May ship Snowdrops Are Here!

In Bloom 2013 Competition Entry Form Torrington School have come runners-up Condensation rising 2013 whilst raising awareness of spinal from inter is a time when evergreens

Evergreen Magic Torrington

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Two students from Year Ilex aquifolium ‘Handsworth New Silver’, below, 9 Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’ bottom.

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competition:

Strong ebony diamonds cord injury supporting SIA’s can show off and take centre ‘Copywrite’, run by the National Schoolsand Beaten to a pulp.

G r e a t information and support services. stage in the garden. Ignored Partnership. Harley Carter and Reuben You can‘Slave hold a supper in your own for much of the year, they now show their Musgrave entered their poems The men come and home, at work hold acontainers, larger supper Torrington Ship’ and ‘Don’t Make Promises’ into theor a structural backbone to the ‘Floral display’ can include 1. true Bestvalue floralas display by a business Take people up hanging baskets, at your community centre. were inlocal Yearornaments.

8 window boxes, Plants need not be bedding but garden. Use as a back drop to highlight competition when they We hear screams SIA provide a fundraising pack that will they are can include fruit, vegetables, herbs, perennials, shrubs.

2. more Best showy floral display a public And they come down plants by through thehouse seasons, asand this term have heard School containing hints and tips, recipes, runners up.

Both boys are delighted, and Artificial flowers are notAll allowed! covered in cuts focal points, groundcover and for screening. invitations and donation envelopes. have won a £50 Amazon voucher each.

Red blood drips. By 3. AtBest floral display by an individual (best garden)* Rosemoor, our Foliage and Winter The English department is very proud offriends inviting seven and asking them Can * category 3 must be able to be viewed from the roadYou or Help the Gardens are full of inspiration; highlighting he snowdrops at Higher Harley and Reuben and thinks it is to donate an additional £5 you will They don’t say a word pavement, ie, front garden.

4. We Best floral display by a group, ie, scouts, school, Boxing Club Find a thestart hugethis range of garden-worthy evergreens month with Katie’s miniwonderful that, once again, work done £35, in but raise at least willCherubeer, also give are open for the Likewe they neighbourhood** saga. available.

New Home?

English lessons can you winadditional national fundraising charities supported ideas to up theiroflips. **‘A group’ must consistButtoned of a minimum two peopleby (ofthe any Choose your plants depending on the competitions.

Torrington Police Am National Garden Scheme (NGS). raise even more.

From The Depths age).

5. effect Best you back garden (photograph only)*** want to create. For example They’ve been in The Crier before, but raised Club faces homelessn Where are we going Devon galanthophile, Jo Hynes, has The money will help the Nothing could be seen; my pupils poems: Injuries On mahoniasout arelike strongly architectural with here are the two winning Spinal this300 never ending trip?second time in a year an over types of snowdrop in her Association offer stretched big glassy balls.

Light *** category 5 photographic must be a photograph of your 6. Best allotment or vegetable garden**** a bold upright habit, pricklyfurther, leaves for a home individuals who name become one-acre garden at address Higher Cherubeer, up ahead seemed to large be further, ownsupport garden,to please ensure your and is permanent on No-one knows and, inAearly winter, sprays of fragrant sessions. further. wind flushed down the corridor. paralysed and their families, from the two miles east of Dolton, Devon, EX19 back of photo (2 photosDoes are allowed) 7. Best floral display outside a public building anyone care? flowers. Shade tolerant Sarcococca Since the club was fo Don’t make promises I yellow was a tiny etc.) boat on a moment a spinal injury occurs, and for 9th February, 8PP, open on Friday (firewhipped station, about councillike offices, Human faeces everywhere th th the Globe when but me.

(Christmas box) will produce a solid mass Alone in my room, nothing rough, choppy sea.

A screaming the rest of their lives.

Friday 16 February and Sunday 25Hotel ****category 6 can be a public allotment or a private garden I heard the door from downstairs. pounded atwith mysmall eardrums, wanting to January, they have been of foliage shiny green leaves; For contain more information or request a5pm. be February from 2-cannot and can vegetables and fruit. a woodland 8. Best floral display by a young person (under 16) Do the men live Itlike this?inThe I heard my name being called, breakthrough.

Unwanted Torrington Town Hall a the inconspicuous whitethoughts flowers tiptoed have fundraising pack call Elizabeth Wright paths are lined with around 300 named commercial enterprise but can be a group or individual “Someone’s on the phoneon for you!” cautiously into my head and bounced measure, but have to le 0845 0714350 or email a delicious perfume spreading widely effort. It must be your own allotment/garden, or and group 9. around Best floral display small garden snowdrops, winter Quick!

Shh! hellebores mythe brain.

30th April. fundraising@siafishandchips.co.uk or through garden. allotment /garden of which you are an active participant. (less than 20ft x 20ft approx.), balcony or courtyard. flowering shrubs. As well as many Here they come I picked up the phone, thevisit voice said…

Something’s coming.

Club coach Heathcliffe www.siafishandchips.co.uk.

Hollies are hugely varied and many are No more thinking. other spring flowering plants, Jo has a It’s coming to get me......and there’s no th“Hello Son, how are you doing?” that club has never variegated in shades of categories yellow, cream The closing for ALL is: 30 ItJune off your entryNational details and hand inoftohardy the the Collection cyclamen. was a2013 voice I haven’tPlease heard cut in years. way out. date set down and white.

One of our favourites, Ilex 1610 Torrington Triathlon at They take a be man addresses supplied. Make sure you keep a note of and whichroots, having t It was a voice I used to know.

There will refreshments An echo replaced the air, the echo that different plants venues since And a woman aquifolium ‘Handsworth New Silver’ AGM is an attractive purple-stemmed shrub with Completed forms may be left at the following addresses: categories you have entered! only could be the beating of my panicked Torrington Pool on sale including snowdrops.

Admission last year.

Wonder what will happen. deep green leaves and a creamy margin, perfect forhow’s lighting up a dark corner.

Whiskers Pet Shop, Vicarage Nurserywhite or Ferry’s Home I said, “I’m fine, you?” heart. rd June 2013 is £4 and children are free.

Sunday 23 He said: “Despite youfine, have any queries, At please contact: Hardware The voice said slowly, “I’m For Gaiety’ AGM Ifwhich hasthanks white Theground End. cover, try Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald NGS open gardens the money Torrington Terror: scenic, rural bike numbers of vacant pro Can see black bodies for asking.”

The End. emerald green leaves. This versatile plant will be happy Cherry Torrington in Bloom margined in sunHammon, or shade Secretary, taken at theeyes gate goes to Macmillan th and run courses.

Novice friendly, but town, the biggest challen As far as my can see.

Thecan End. 2013.

Judging willeven takebe place onup Tuesday Association, on 01805 Cancer 625788.Support, Marie Curie Cancer and grown a wall as6 a August self-clinging climber. will challenge you! is finding a new home.

T Then the voice very very slowly… ...whispered intoamy ears. I felt around,variety Conifers have seemingly endless in shape andsaid form; colours range from Man Care, Hospices UK, Carers Trust boxers and at my foot, whack!

Distances members, and th “I will be coming in next week…” touching the ice cold stone walls, fingers deep blue-green to bright golden-yellow. Select carefully for size soSwim that they don’t other nursing and caring charitiesFunction which Cut sensation 400m, Bike 32km, Run 4.5km. including Fitn outstretched in front me. Someone or 2013 Competition: Name/Group: I/we wish toyour enter the of Torrington in tall Bloom …………………………….……………. outgrow garden.

If you want and narrow, Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’ AGM doing My arefoot supported The money Notthesure about a leaking. triathlonby onthe NGS. Cavaliers, have worked Six weeks past, since I heard voice. something entwined their fingers in mine. is one of the best.

Taxus baccata ‘Fastigiata’ AGM (Irish makes a great from myand eye.plants taken for your own?focal Why notWater enterdrips asthe a teas relay make also the goes club a succe Then I said to Yew) myself…

Something was taking over my body; I Category: …………………...Address: ………………………………………………………………………………………… point but the golden form, ‘Fastigiata Aureomarginata’ AGM will add a splash of “Never make promises you can’t The keep.” team? perfect introduction the unless attracts up to 30 membe wasn’t sure who I was anymore. direct to the to charities stated Want mother. Want father. colour.

Harley Carter, Katie Huxtable, sport of Triathlon. time, training three times otherwise.

Man and whip dangerous ………………………………………………………Post Code:…………..Contact telephone number: …………………….

Where would we be without these evergreens?

When you next around Year 9 Yearhardy 8 Forwalk more information or to book your have more For more information and see all than the half a your garden consider if any would be a valuable addition to your winter placedisplay.

– visit www.1610.org.uk. withplease medical gardens opening in 2018 visitcards ready Sheila Dearing Garden Technical Services Officer www.ngs.org.uk.

Images - Sheila Dearing/RHS

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19 22

Healthwatch Devon Reveals Local People’s Health Priorities for 2018 Can You Share Your Stories?

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rom April to September 2017, Healthwatch Devon engaged with more than 3,240 people. This engagement was carried out through our events, activities and through our project work and surveys. Included in this figure is the 151 people who used our ‘have your say’ feedback form to share with us their experiences of health and social care services in Devon.

The following are the services that are being reported to Healthwatch Devon: * Hospital services (31%) including outpatient services at community hospitals. * Primary care services (30%) including accessing GPs and issues with appointment systems. * Adult social care (27%) including residential and nursing care homes. * Mental health services (10%) including community mental health teams #SpeakUP Healthwatch Devon has joined a national campaign, launched today

by Healthwatch England, to get more people to share their views about these and other issues. Your views were then shared with those who have the power to make change happen. We are urging you to contact Healthwatch Devon to speak up about your ideas and experiences.

Colin Potter, Chief Executive of Healthwatch Devon said: “The more that people share their ideas, experiences and concerns about NHS and social care, the more services can understand

DO YOU NEED A FRIEND? SOMEONE TO LISTEN?

when improvements are needed. That is why we are encouraging people to #SpeakUp in 2018 to help make services better for the people of Devon”.

Healthwatch England have reported nationally on the top five priorities people said they would like us to look into further: Mental health services (99 of 152 65%), with specific reoccurring issues notably Mental Health in Children and Young People. Mental health was the top priority for the third year running.

People raised this as an issue in 65% of areas. Care and support available to children and young people was the most notable concern. The lack of mental health awareness, early intervention and difficulty accessing effective and appropriate support were key themes.

Adult social care, including residential care homes or care at home - 77 of 152 (51%). Adult social care, particularly support for the elderly and their carers, has come a close second with local Healthwatch covering half of the country planning to do work on this issue in the next 12 months. This follows reports by Healthwatch into care homes and being cared for at home.

Service changes, especially Sustainability and Transformation Partnerships (STPs) – 52 of 152 (34%). Third on the list are service changes, especially Sustainability and Transformation Partnerships (STPs), which aim to help make health and social care services more integrated and better at delivering tailored support.

Two’s Talking offers a befriending service for adults who need a confidential and relaxed opportunity to just talk.

If you’re feeling low or just want to share a problem, we are here for you.

DBS checked and trained in counselling, we offer an unbiased service to help you cope with everyday life.

Call 07391 544924 for further details or to make an appointment. www.twostalking@hotmail.com

Hospital care, including discharge and A&E services - 48 of 152 (32%). With hospital care people told us that emergency care - getting to appointments and leaving hospital - can vary greatly.

Specific reoccurring themes include discharge and emergency care.

Access to GP and dental services – 42 of 152 (28%). With GP services, specific themes include access and extended hours. Poor access to primary care services has a knock-on effect, as long waits to be seen by a doctor or dentist can prevent people from receiving the right diagnosis, treatment or referral to specialist services.

This list of priorities will shape our work over the next 12 months. Last year, over 340,000 people spoke up about their experiences and shared their ideas with Healthwatch England. These views helped result in changes across England. In 2018, we want even more people to have their say.

Contact Us: If you have an idea that could help improve health and social care for you, a loved one or your community, contact us on our Freephone telephone number 0800 520 0640, visit www.healthwatchdevon.co.uk or #SpeakUp. No matter how big or small the issue, we want to hear about it.

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23

TORRIDGE COMMUNITY MINIBUS SERVICES Run by Ilfracombe & District Community Transport

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Wednesdays from Hartland Thursdays High Bickington and south of the area.

Fridays Bideford

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British Native Wild Flowers to Grow in Your Garden was at Hatherleigh Communit Mayor’s Diary and see if we can give your spirits a Daphne to see many of their residents Another hectic month has passed.

Great Torrington & District Care Forum Health & Wellbeing

th Information Event Thursday 15 March 10.30am

T

www.oakwellkitchens.co.uk

he Great Torrington & District Care Forum is a networking springtime lift. e have two native Daphnes Community Awards. This is s Helen and I have represented the group for those working on One of the big concerns facing in the UK; Daphne the awardsmezereon we have in To Town at many civic a voluntary or paid basis in health, many people in our area is the ability and D. laureola, both of which which recognise people wh events, including welfare, caring or pastoral areas. We to get out of their homes. Whether it’s make excellent small garden shrubs made a difference for to their town church services for the meet monthly to discuss current issues for a shopping trip, to attend medicalChairs dappled It was lovely to at last welco of North shade.

Devon and exchange ideas to see how we can appointments, go to the hairdressersDistrict or Daphne laureola is commonly be involved known with, the Indu Council and best work together for the benefit of our to meet up with friends for a chat over a Father as Spurge Laurel, but it is Lawrence neither a MacLean. W Torridge District community. his family will be very andand is rather underCouncil.spurge nor a laurel he “One of the big concerns facing many people cuppa. If you our particularly town, and the Church Fe If you doenjoyed not drive, rated because it is not We a trip to Bideford to in our area is the ability to get out of their th Vicarage was a good opportun represent a to give late winter/spring watch had their Regatta colourful, and on yet 10provides homes.

Whether it’s for a shopping trip, all to meet them. group that up driving September watched the spectacular interest, having richly scented, small, to attend medical appointments, go to the The Co-op and Town Bideford Massed and Drums, flowers shares our recently or Pipes yellowish-green which form in arranged a Harvest Festiva hairdressers or to meet up with friends for a with visiting coming from all aims and have bands no clusters at over the top of the stems. The Pannier Market on the UK. would like to family on the chat over a cuppa.” leaves are evergreen andthdo resemble the 11 September.

Barnstaple alwaysofathe welljoin us, our doorstep,Fair is those common laurel; being This was the first supported day, with broadly all the spear-shaped, “Chain contact details are below. you may sometimes feel quite isolated. leathery and one organised and I Gang” out in force to celebrate the The Care Forum is organising a You might like to contact Bidefordshiny dark green. D. laureola prefers aan think it will become tradition of They the Fair. The weather was Health & Wellbeing event at the Town & based Torridge Volunteer Cars. alkaline soil and can be found growing regular event on thein kind a as£2.50 we walked around town, whilst Community Hall on Thursday 15th March charge 45p per mile plus deciduous woodland, hedge banks and Torrington calendar. the declaration of the opening of the from 10.30am until early afternoon. It is booking fee and any car parking fees. scrub especially in Southern England.

Finally, we tried to attend Fair was read. Immediately after the a free event open to all, where expert You do need to register for the service The whole plant Macmillan coffee mornings as formal part of the proceedings had is poisonous. help, advice and information will be - so call 01237 237200 for further mezereon, just up going andsometimes in fact ended finished, we dashed downDaphne to Newquay. available from various professional information. They generally require two tocalled better as charity an is aknown wonderful It was time for Helen put onMezereon, a ‘posh isThis organisations and volunteer groups days’ notice, so best frock’ to book early. surprising that it’s so well su a colourful, cottage garden plant with for a reception celebrating the - covering a wide range of services Another useful contact is the minibus After all those coffees we we purplish-pink, scented flowers that ‘South West in Bloom’ competition.

Soap KitchenThe shop to see Le available to our community. service to Barnstaple,We provided appear during January/March. still hadbyto wait until the following RichardthePhillips Are you anxious about your Energy Torridge Ring & Ride.day It operates itself is deciduous, flowers who celebra to hear the results, shrub and were proud th years of business Bills?

Tuesdays in Torrington, Frithelstock, and delighted when it was announced appearing before the leaves, and is on 30 Se Congratulations you both. that the Torrington in Bloom Do you have worries about supporting Buckland Brewer, Weare Giffard, St much team more had prominent as a result. to It has I look forward to hearing fro won Silverto Gilt (last year it red was your family’s needs?

Giles and Roborough.

It is aa door attractive berries but which are also you have an event or anniver silver). you to poisonous. the committee, Are you struggling with disability or door service and costs £5 for Thank the return D. mezereon is more upright want to tell me about – just traders and individuals who work so illness in your family? trip. For more information or to reserve a and slightly taller than D. laureola. It’s 01805 625662, or our s hard to enhance our surroundings in Would you like advice on how to seat, call 01271 863630. quite rare in the wild, found only in a few Pauline at the Council offices o Great Torrington. We sites will soon have England, reduce the risk of fire in your home?

Chair Sandra Crawley in Southern 626135. on alkaline the opportunity of meeting the judges Could you use some help with your sandra.guard@me.com soils. Neither of these Daphnes grow Richard R Councillor to -find out how we can do even better paperwork or your shopping?

Secretary Judith Nock more than about 3 feet in height and Tow – our next challenge is GOLD!!

Advice on all of these and much more judithnock@btinternet.com spread so are ideal for a small garden.

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Happy New Year From The Boxing Club!

F

irstly I’d like to share the write up from our previous show, by coach Heath Pettifer: Torrington Police Amateur Boxing Club notched five home winners from six bouts at their first show of the 2017/18 season. First of the Torrie boxers - Jack Magarotto, beat his plucky Gloucester opponent Remie Banasiak by a unanimous points decision. Magarotto put in more work in the early rounds, and a tiring Banasiak looked like he might be stopped at any time in the third, but his determination saw him through.

Next up, Ned Pettifer beat John-Joe Penfold from Devonport, also by a unanimous points decision, in revenge for a loss last season to the Plymouth boxer. Throwing the cleaner heavier shots, Pettifer looked in control of every round; boxing in phases to outsmart Penfold’s bent arm shots, and dangerous head down swinging style.

Nathan Board stepped into the ring immediately after the break. Board was also against an old adversary in Falmouth’s Lewis Rollison. The Torrington boxer looked in control of every round, and countered Rollison’s shots using reach and combinations to his advantage, winning by a unanimous decision.

Trai Sheppard took on Jack Oram from the Downend Club in Bristol. Stepping up in class, Sheppard was arguably Torrington’s best technical boxer of the night, but lost out on a split decision to the experienced Bristol boy. Both boxers threw fast and explosive combinations,

but it was Oram who looked the stronger towards the end of the last round.

Seniors Dave Quinn and Dean Ayling followed the Torrington junior boxers, and the support from the home crowd certainly spurred both men on.

Dean Ayling finished the night with another determined display of strength and fitness, outsmarting and landing better shots, whilst using momentum to great effect against the second

“We’re also now actively seeking sponsors on the 2018 programme for our boxing shows. The first show is in March so please get in touch asap if you’d like an advert...”

Gloucester boxer of the night, James Lockey from the Rough Diamonds Club. Showing typical purpose, and despite having little left and the end of the round Lockey made a fight of it, trading blow for blow.

To a crescendo of support, Dave Quinn entered the ring. Quinn boxed cleverly over three rounds using effective bent arm shots at short range, then settling down and boxing to a plan; putting in periods of concerted attacks. However, his opponent Ricardo Muel from Sydenham proved a tough customer and made Quinn work hard for every round before Quinn secured another unanimous points win.

On top of our amazing show, our boxer Nicole Wafforne-Lock has been up to Sheffield twice, training on the England talent pathway with England Boxing.

She’s doing so well and we’re so proud of her.

Back in November boxers and committee members attended the Remembrance Parade for the first time, and boxers Dean Ayling and Ned Pettifer laid a wreath on behalf of the boxing club. It was a very respectful morning with the joining together of lots of different groups in the town, and we look forward to taking part again next year.

We’d like to thank our junior box-fit team for putting on such a great display in the square, as part of the ‘Grinchmas’ celebrations, everyone did brilliantly and I think everyone will agree that Grinchmas was a massive success! The atmosphere in Torrington that day was absolutely amazing!

We’d like to thank Jayne Wafforne from Whiskers pet shop for donating hi-vis vests to our junior box-fit group, no-one will be able to miss them now as they run through the town! We’d also like to thank our fundraiser Paul Halling for securing a grant from Torridge District Council towards new windows at the club, along with help from TVSC, and also thank you to Steve Jones for fitting them.

We’re always welcoming new boxers to the club, so please pop up if you'd like to get involved. We’re also now actively seeking sponsors on the 2018 programme for our boxing shows. The first show is in March so please get in touch asap if you’d like an advert, just £30 for the year. Email: tpabc. advertising@gmail.com.

Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin

25

brightly-lit floats, inclu

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16 th even millions earlier to the Roman Devonian dialect is strung across the Single Plastic Use and the Crisis of inearned Plastic Wastetimes: November there will be a On the 16 of dollars in royalties Torrington in Bloom Enrico Caruso festival of retail Flora, sales goddess of fruit and square – Barnstaple Torrington inisaid known as a th lunch at of ACWW, from the of the resulting he ‘Bloom’ cycle What Can Torrington (25 February 1873 Year 10Do? have –been flowers. This tradition, symbolizing rebirth friendly town and this is no better the Associated Country Women of the 78rpm discs. In Italy in 1902-1903, he

I

f you watched Plastic Ocean at the is particularly relevant to us today, asked to write a Plough perAugust 1921) 2nd cut five batches of records for the breathing new life into the winter of our in 2016, Planet on TV last year,a review about Part 2or Blue suasive Gramophone and Typewriter community.

What we a great there are for no you know have serious problem.

It fairashame or festival Company. laterwith heard from Moreover,He in was keeping thelive spirit of digitallife mastered recordings of Caruso. is affecting in the seas, and even turning their GCSE English assessment. the stage ofchildren the Metropolitan Opera rejuvenation, are the focal point Oneown cannot imagine how wonderful his up on Here our plates in tinytimely plastic particles is Charlotte’s reminder House in theMuch first public radio of the festivities. against Mr Gove’s voice was. inside of the fish we eat. one such fair we should treasure. broadcast in 1920. better wishes, Torrington’s schools are career, stretching In the next you about CouncilCaruso’s Motion: 25-year at the December meeting closed to issue allow I will full tell community from 1895 to 1920, included 863 some of his operatic participation.

What roles. could be more of the Sending Great Torrington Council, we Out a Town Mayday appearances at the New York Until then good listening appealing than watching the crowning of passed theOur following motion unanimously: For Spring Fair Metropolitan Opera before he died of the May Queen?

The procession of boys Bob Dymond “That Torrington adopt theage Surfers Against we allow Torrington’s to anCan infection at the of 48.tradition His fame and girls in brightly coloured costumes dwindle?

Sewage stance, opposing the proliferation has lasted to the present day, despite would melt any heart. Ribbons rippling, Torrington W.I. What picture comes into promotional your mind of single use plastics in this area, in order the limited marketing and skirts skipping and the band blasting: the when you think of Torrington’s May Fair?

Our Annual Meeting will him. He to bothavenues cut downavailable on coastaltopollution andwas, the waste of natural resources theytake place maypole is ceremoniously woven. th For many it is the image of the maypole, November.

We are will on Wednesday 9 nonetheless, a client Edward Just as the colours on the maypole represent”.

Bideford and TorridgeofDistrict Council have done the same. laughter and sunshine; it would be beFair electing adown new Bernays during the latter’s tenure as a intertwined, so the May breaks Nowdifficult we need to get together as without a town it. to make this come true, every one of us. to imagine Torrington President and social it appeals press agent in the USA.re-use Publicity recycle”. in The basic is “avoid using, And don’t dropbarriers litter: Itasdoesn’t Yet rule today, our historic traditionand is committee the to everyone.

Choirs,for dance Caruso’s time relied on newspapers, underjust threat.

It isdown easy into to allow disappear, breaks plastic particles which are so dangerous for wildlife. following year, groups and majorettes all particularly wire services, magazines, the pressures of modern to lobbying big businesses to reduce Surfers Against Sewage arelifebusy theirause ofback taking look take to the stage: a feast for photography andour the cultural telephone. slowly strangle plastic packaging.

But we can allPierre do a lot to reduce our own the plastic use and keep it at and all ears. we Local have eyes Caruso’s biographers, Key, heritage.

In this fast age of dignitaries are happily out of our waterways.

Every little helps as they say. experienced in the last year and then Bruno Zirato and Stanley high-tech gadgetry, mass Jackson pelted intap the stocks and getting a sneak preview of speakers 1. Carry a non-plastic refillable bottle of water.

Fill it from your own as well and attribute his fame not only to his voice media and instant subjected to and duckings. booked for 2012. prizesThe will it will cost £0.001p time.

Fartoless than buying a plastic bottleCups of water. and you musicianship, also a keen gratification, there at is but little time Mayor has awho lavish lunch, to be awarded for those did best business sense andmatters: an embrace left forto what really 2. Say no plastic bags however small. of Always carry a cloth bag to put shopping in which many are invited. The our optional monthly competitions, and community Today, more commercial sound recordings, then in fit in your pocket. They can be used till in. Some of them life. fold up very small and can town crier be bellows as tea he there will, of course, time for than ever, is essential to itsapart infancy.

Many well-known opera they fall anditthen recycled. proudly marches the streets and a natter. keep our historic celebration alive. Our singers Caruso’s of Being his The Torrington 3. Don’t flushofplastic downtime the rejected loo. Thatthe includes wetpredecessors wipes, contact ratherdisposable nifty and at getting through week of annual festivity andfosters phonograph (gramophone) their Silver Bandinstead pulsates like the beating lensesfriendship, and cottona buds (try to buy the ones with cardboard of plastic forwill thealso the business side of things, we sense of belonging and a voices have been lost as a result, but heart of the community. stick part).

This will also benefit Torrington’s overloaded sewage system. link with our past.

We cannot let this die. manage a bit of time to welcome Bob other singers including Adelina Patti, The grand finale of the May Fair week 4. Ask cafes and pubs to use paper straws instead of plastic, or no straw at all.

As you walk the cobbled streets of our Brewer, who will give us the low-down Francesco Tamagno and Nellie Melba is the carnival, a spectacle of light and ancient town, breathe antiquity.

The on the Cavaliers.

5. Refuse single-use plastic cutlery.

Use your own cutlery andfloats challenge shop the exploited theyounew technology once sound.

Fanciful journeythe through May Fair links present-day Torrington We start at 7pm in are the lined Methodist to stock vegetable-based really works just aswhilst well).the they became awarecutlery of the (it success of town streets with with the past, transporting us to a bygone Church and prospective members 6. Ask our local shops to consider using Vegware or a Hall, similar product. cheering children.

In theThe packed town Caruso’s recording sessions. era – when life was simpler. are very welcome tochoice visit for Any square, you have noDecember but free. to mingle Caruso made more that 260 extant Chamber of Trade were shown of vegetable ware at their Torrington has hosted thesamples annual May new members paying their subs and make new friends. recordings America for etc. the made Victor meeting - containers for fastHowever, food, of cellulose and similar materials, this Fair since in 1554. many out month, months priceThe of ‘Uz get be 14 plaised to for zeetheee!’

Talking Machine Company, (later RCA that will compost down on your own compost celebrations in England have their origins heap within a year, and on a Council 12. How about that! banner in thick Mayor’s welcome Victor) from 1904 to 1920, and he heap in far less time. There are reasonably priced alternatives to plastic containers.

Check it out on the internet.

More ideas next month; perhaps others can suggest more ways to help this crisis.

Ruth Funnell

Easter Hall Park Stables Petrockstowe

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Tel: 01805of623865 07771884918 them too /but it would far exceed my nes. quota of words. ber to call for emergencies waynerowtcliff@hotmail.com If you want to see pictures of our last nged.

26 show or a list of previous productions, visit www.torringtonplayers.com rington Players

project further.

Cherry Hammon, Chair Torrington in Bloom Association 01805 625788

• Crafty Needles • Odds & Sods • The Jewel in the Town • Toy Swap Shop • Times Past

• 14 The Gallery • Just 4 Kidz •

Wayne Rowtcliff

starts again with displayed than at the May Fair. In this era World, of which the WI nationally is a of social the May Fair provides the isolation, winter bedding member.

Not widely known, the the medicine of friendship, inclusion and and bulbs just beginning ACWW has representatives from many support.

The fair encourages community to show signs ofworking life; the towards relief of nationalities; life as the young and old join together for Bellis daisies seem to bepromoting oblivious health of poverty and sickness, the common good. What better way is thethere weather conditions, and the early and advancing education.

It’s down-toto bring neighbours together? narcissi are flowering again in thewide largeto earth approach offers mutual support People come from far and andby the practical help to Fair. women and beds the delights entrance South Street enjoy of to May They also communities across the world. with The fair carbring park.their Lotsmoney of bulbs andthem! corms have replenishes of the thetown, townthe – To find out about the ACWW and been planted inthe andcoffers around welcome boost to the local Women's nationwide, so providing we shoulda Institutes have a grand show in avisit economy – such a help in difficult times. www.theWI.org.uk fewBusinesses weeks’ time. our own useApart the from carnival as W.I. an Any queries about Torrington efforts, the Rotary Club members have opportunity to advertise their wares. ring President, Joyce Ridgwell on also planted loads morecollection crocus corms Charities also benefit: tins are 01805 623588. soon full to overflowing. in Rack Park, and you will also notice Yet it is often argued that carried historic out celthat some work is now being Great Torrington ebrations the are flowerbeds archaic and therein. anachronistic. to renovate Town Hall Projectfestivities On the contrary, Torrington’s It’s timethe tothe start about By time this report in revitalise old thinking traditions.

In appears theyour current own flower displays for 2018, and your climate of you apathy, and The Crier, will laziness have noticed entry into our Best Garden indifference, the been May Fair lifts our spirits scaffolding has put competition.

Torrington into abasket vibrant Weand are hoping to the holdrepair a hanging up totransforms facilitate community. the continual of the roof andDespite make workshop around aboutthe Easter-time, development of to modern building water-tight fortechnology and dates and venue be confirmed. increasing time spent the school winter.potato It will be at computer The growing screens, last year’s record-breaking enclosed in waterproof competition has there 73 potential entrants turnout shows still aworking place forarea live sheeting to protectis the thisentertainment. year; I think that may the be the most of Given choice and to minimise any risk to the internal a video or participating so playing far! That’s a lotgame of potatoes to start in fabric. At the same time, a series of the buzz ofthe the next fair, Ifew know which I would chitting over weeks. photoelectric panels will be installed, to Ichoose… did haverunning-costs, a nice chat with someone reduce perhaps Today, the new enemy ofand a large-scale at the Torrington Together meeting justAs provide an is income the Safety’. project by town event ‘Healthforand before Christmas, who mentioned a selling surplus power to the National huge crowds gather, it could be argued Grid. group ofthere people wouldoflike carry that is awho danger an to accident.

Although this work isridiculous being with all the rules outNowadays, some work, I think, around the carried out by the Townlands Trust, payment and regulations is person a struggle hospital grounds… ifit that wouldto will be taken funds set aside anything.

In discuss this age of likeorganise to phone me,from we can the for countless litigation, our town is in the project, which would havehall included

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23

& Wholefood Buying Groupsafely News Usher, formerly Head Gardner for future generations.

As always, your evening will be Museum of Barnstaple and at Organic ood news!

The year started wellallwith ourThe main supplier, is now working hard Hestercombe Gardens. committee marshalled by our volunteers along North Devon Extension Foods Wholesale, launching first stage of for some bright new In April we have a coach outing to raising funds routesInfinity to encourage and ensure your the Project the Cornish Flower Show at Bocconoc curtains safety their at allnew times.

There’s walk ordering for website, with aonline to followtoin give the the hall a fresh new

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Estate. lansWe are are delighted at how quicklymoving the seats have been taken and are now praying for decent weather. forward home front we will be hosting a in On the the delivery with our ‘adversaries’ from other of quiz the muchgardening clubsBridge in the Wing area. Project anticipated Long Our speaker in May, Tuesday 7th at at the Museum of Barnstaple and North 7.30pm will be Howard Wills, locally Devon. the of a National Collection of The keeper £1.8m extension will provide Sempervivums and Jovibarbums.

He a bigger and brighter entrance to will be sharing with us the plants he welcome visitors, as well as increasing found on a visit to Madeira. the floor space, offering the opportunity For more about the Society ring Sally for more displays and exhibitions, Ramsden, on 01805 623152, email including a new 20th century social sallyramsdenindevon@hotmail.co.uk history gallery. or turn up to a meeting at Torridge The museum team will be working Vale Social Club.. with the local community toSally helpRamsden with this exciting new project. A ‘pop-up’ museum will open in Barnstaple in Nightwalk 2013 early 2018 to sort through some of Get ready for another the items needed for the new Social Nightwalk to remember History Gallery. Objects will be moved on Saturday 18th May from storage to be cleaned, catalogued 2013…and a new leg near and documented, with the help of new Holsworthy! volunteers.

TheisMuseum willseventh also beyear, Nightwalk now in its calling for volunteers who are and we are hoping you will local sign up for experts and knowtells about Devon’s what everyone usNorth is a memorable history. help identify night -This restwill assured we’ve objects, ordered to fine tellweather their story thesunset! five themes – andunder a lovely Hatched, Matched, Dispatched; World This will be an unforgettable evening, of with Work; and Country; anTown atmosphere full ofHighdays anticipation, and Holidays; and Housecamaraderie. and Home. Many memories It will be the first time fancy some of theselast Nightwalkers wore dress year which was on a public wonderful feature; objects have been display! whether youlaunch decideofon dress or Join us at the thefancy ‘pop-up not, you- are warmly museum’ come alongwelcome! to Bridge Chambers on the Strand in Barnstaple on Wednesday, February 14th from 11am to 4pm To celebrate Valentine’s Day, if you were married between the 1940s and the 1990s bring along your favourite wedding day photograph to share with us!

To find out more and to follow what happens, visit the Facebook pages and website: www.facebook.com/PopupBarnstaple/ www.facebook.com/BarumMuseum/ www.barnstaplemuseum.org.uk/ Tel: 01271 346747

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look. everyone,future. fromThis fivewill to 18 our miles! foreseeable simplify ordering process and make Why not come and join in the fun on Delicious refreshments will be provided things much easier and more accessible for everyone.

Meanwhile Friday April and 26th (7 for 7.30pm) when thesystem end ofworks yourwell, walk,and Stagecoach ouratown members are cooperating we are celebrating St George’s Night. will once be on hand at theforend helping thoseagain who find it challenging any reason.

You will be assured of a warm to ferry you back to your starting point.

Cooking Workshops fun-filledworkshop evening with This year, we are hoping to provide Feedback from December’s workshop: “Manywelcome thanks forand yesterday’s hot food and entertainment. entertainment along the way and more and for sending the notes and recipes. My goodness, what a huge amount of All for £7.50 each. (See forvery details). ‘themed was surprises’ information impartedbyto some us! Theofdayour was most enjoyable anddiary it was marshalls! rewarding to be able to eat the delicious results. I thought the format of the day Nightwalk has proved to be very Torrington worked well and provided a well-balanced structure of theoryUncovered and practice, including popular and we hope this year will be both savoury and sweet dishes.”

A New Book better than ever. So make sure you Interested? Workshops for small groups can My be arranged to Torrington suit, just contact me book about is finally rally your friends, family and on its way! withcolleagues, your particular interests. and get your registration I have written it as a series of Wellbeing Tip along with your entry fee. forms in fast, newcomers are likely to At this free time to of photocopy year we often to look ourselvesthat better, to eat more Feel thevow forms andafterquestions ask about Torrington and its healthily and to exercise more.

Winter coughs, colds and flu are a timely reminder. pass them around to friends and surroundings and the answers, of Wefamily, start off well, full of enthusiasm and resolve, but often slip back into our old or you can register and pay onvarying length and detail, to those ways, feeling despondent and rather disappointed in ourselves. line at www.nightwalk.co.uk. Please questions. becoming There are 64 sections on Itnote takesthat 28 the days£10 for ‘Early a new Bird’ habit entry to become naturally fee established, different topics and over 160up black st embedded oursame life. Sotillhere’s a suggestion; rather than setting ourselves with and and remains inthe 1 April white photographs.

I hope that, as well goals way out of current zone, thereafter theourfee will comfort be £15, so let’s start with where we are right now as providing a guide for visitors, this andplease just focus on improving the quality and vitality of our lifestyle. get your entry in fast! book will contain plenty of material that To feel more vital, more alive, we must nourish ourselves with really vital food and is of interest to townspeople. we Spring must engage more with of life that we all share – food, Has Sprung atlife; the natural basicsI would like to take this opportunity to water, exercise, joy in nature, family and friendship.

Little Torrington thank all the local people who have A very start wouldhave be to join and order with the Organic Buying Thegood snowdrops helped me write& Wholefood this book by giving Group, gradually converting your grocery cupboard to an organic one.

A common been lovely, the primroses generously of their time, providing me objection is ‘Iand can’t afford to buy organic’. Well, with if youinformation join the group, payme their are out the daffodils and you’ll lending wholesale and nourish doing so, you’ll be investing in your on the prices bank at the top ofyourself better! Inphotographs.

Everyone I have spoken own long term health.

Indeed, can you afford not to?

Mile Hill approaching the to has shown an interest in the project Sceptical aboutabout the benefits of organic Go here forenjoyed recent research village are to burst into food? a and I have talking to showing you all. themagnificent major nutritional, and health benefits of organic food www. will Torrington Uncovered be displayenvironmental of spring colour. soilassociation.org/organic-living/whyorganic/its-nutritionally-different/.

Spring Fever has hit the Victory Hall available from the weekend following Another stumblingdoors block to in reforming one’s habits lack of support. as well;common new fireproof the May Fair, afteristhe launch on Saturday Resistance and objections family and friends can at bethe so undermining.

Well, Plough. storage cupboards havefrom been installed 4th May Moira Brewer in are order the Parish Records there lotstoofstore people in the group who’ve already travelled this path. People’s personal stories are very inspiring and motivating, and we can learn much in the process. My aim has always been to build a local community of wellbeing support and camaraderie. Virtual groups have their place, but sharing with local people is – A new book... well, vital for our wellbeing. th Next bi-monthly grocery order date, 14 March. Contact me now so you’re primed for the new catalogue on 1st March.

by Moira Brewer Buying Group FAQ’s •How do I join? Ring or email Mary as below •What does membership cost? Free Come and join us for a glass of wine •Must I order a minimum amount? No at the launch •Must I order every month? No •If I don’t order, can I still apply to share someone else’s order? Yes Saturday 4th May 10.30am - 12.30pm •How do I pay? BACS or cash on collection •What if I need advice or have questions? Ring 01805Gallery 623307 or email: thenow Plough in me mary@marycrailwellbeing.co.uk. Here to help

TORRINGTON UNCOVERED

23 27

Great Torrington Senior Citizens Group

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can’t believe it is February already; Christmas is but a faint memory of lots of food, lots of bracing walks and plenty of cuddles. Aunty Lynne said I shouldn’t talk about cuddles but I don’t know why, ‘cos I just love ‘em. Having said that, I read somewhere recently that not all dogs do like being cuddled, so do watch your dog and if they tense, lick their lips or turn their heads away that means they don’t feel comfortable. I have to say that children sometimes give me cuddles that are a bit too squeezy, and

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K9Focus. Well, they are expensive for us too!! I may have mentioned Bera in the past. She has become a 4Ever Focus Foster dog, do you remember her? The poor thing had had her ears and tail cut off when she was young. We also have Sam who has epilepsy, and we have Foxy and Tia who are both enjoying their twilight years in a loving foster home.

That is quite a lot of dogs to look after forever, so I was just wondering

“...I was just wondering if anyone reading this might want to help support one of these dogs in long term foster care?”

“These dogs are very special to K9 Focus because they are part of our family forever, as it has not been if anyone reading this might want to possible to find them adopters.”

I’m not so sure about those, so do just look out for that.

Anyway, I want to use this month to remind everyone about the 4Ever Focus dogs. These dogs are very special to K9 Focus because they are part of our family forever, as it has not been possible to find them adopters. This is usually because they are quite old or have special medical issues and, quite often, both. Adopters are not keen to take these dogs on because they can have big expenses to keep them well. So we have some very special fosterers who look after these dogs in their own homes, but the additional bills are picked up by

help support one of these dogs in long term foster care? Some of them have to have special food or medication and some have to have both. Our fosterers give them lots of love, but would you be willing to help give that extra financial support? I hope so because I want to think that, as long as they enjoy them, these dogs will be able to have lots of cuddles for many years to come.

If you feel you can help K9Focus to afford the medication and long term care they all need, please ring Aunty Lynne on 07971 461 806, and if she is not cuddling me she will be very pleased to hear from you.

Miss Jessica

ur well established group shares inexpensive day coach trips throughout the year.

Each trip is on a Tuesday. In 2017 we visited Tavistock, Burnham on Sea, Lynton and Lynmouth, Sidmouth and Taunton. We culminate our year with a Christmas lunch in December.

The destinations are chosen by our members. We are collecting suggested venues for this year. A timetable will be finalised at our AGM. Our AGM will be on Wednesday 28th March 2018 at 2pm in the Methodist Church at the top of Mill Street. The group is open to all Great Torrington residents and new members will be warmly welcomed. We shall be looking to appoint officers and identify new collectors for various parts of the town.

For further information please contact Chris (Chair) 01805 622073 or John (Secretary) 01805 439100, john.pitts@ rocketmail.com.

The Great Torrington Plant Swap Easter Saturday 31st March 10am -12pm

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ring along your surplus plants in pots or bare rooted. Swap them for tokens and use the tokens to ‘buy’ some great plants. In the 1646 garden, off South Street car park. Free entry.

Run for the Torrington community by Torrington Labour Party.

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28

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Library Events

by our own Billy Cockwill!

thlet’s is strung times: to the Roman dialect across the players andDevonian supporters, juniors goa from strength-toNovember Our there will be On the 16 of dollars in royalties water bottle Whibble!” events to celebra goddess of fruit and square – Torrington is known as a first weekend hope our season On the lunch improves. at Barnstaple in-strength. aid of ACWW, sales of the resulting Thatinjoke was told to me on a balmy Diamond Jubilee in J tion, symbolizing rebirth friendly town and this is no better a serious of Associated injury, the CountryJanuary, Womenthe of U11s the and U14s Italy in After 1902-1903, heround andtravelled warm Wednesday in 1976 by WO2 Bingo at Roboroug elevant to us today, displayed than at the May Fair. In this era unavailability and illnesses, 2018 to Bude is foraa couple of games.

At when every day was filled World, of which the WI nationally s of records for the Mick O'Neill take place on the 6 e into the winter of our of social isolation, the May Fair provides Amateurs the backand end of the year strong member. widely known, the a n d began T y p ewith w r iPirates ter with good prizes with a laughter, and being a British the medicineNot of friendship, inclusion ACWW has representatives from many as later heard live from visiting Donnacroft for the contingent enjoyed a Super eeping with the spirit of support. The fair encourages community Draw. Eyes down at soldier was the best job in the world; nationalities; working relief for of e Metropolitan of the year.

Sunday atbeing Exeter Chiefs, dren arefirst the game focalOpera point life as the young and oldtowards join together Please see future paid to fulfil an adventure poverty and sickness, promoting health eMuch first public radio This resulted in a much enjoyed against Mr Gove’s the common good. What better way is where they for events in 2012. seemed unnecessary. Six years later and advancing education.

It’s down-to- a training session 20. orrington’s schools are tothere to bring neighbours together? needed win17-10 he was killed dealing with an IRA car earth approach offersfarmutual support sue tell community you about ow I will full People come from and wide to with some Torrington. of the bomb, leaving a family and many Half term event: Lego animation and the practical to Fair. women and Chiefs players. They ratic hat roles. couldOurbe more delightshelp of May They also 1st XV ended enjoy friends who remember ath good man communities across the world. datching listening the crowning of bring their money with them!

The fair Friday 16 February 2-3.30pm the year with a then had a guided who will, as they say, be forever the The procession of boys replenishes the coffers of the town – To find out about the ACWW and the Bob Dymond Create your own animation clip using long journey down tour aroundsmiling the usually twenty-seven-year-old I htly coloured costumes providing a Institutes welcome boost to the local Women's nationwide, visit Lego. to Penryn, with a seriously unseen bits of the remember. stadium and heart. Ribbons rippling, economy – such a help in difficult times. www.theWI.org.uk For children aged 7-12 years. (At going ngton W.I. understrength and we formed William Brennan d the band blasting: theside,Businesses use about the carnival as W.I. an the guard of honour Silver Band O Any queries Torrington to press this event is fully booked so we Meeting will take place were on the blunt end of a to welcome Harlequins and oniously woven. opportunity to advertise their wares. th Have you ring President, Joyce Ridgwell on will hope to organise another in the nearever tho We are will 9 November. heavy defeat, 74-0.Charities A red card theare Chiefs onto the pitch, ours on the maypole also benefit: collection tins 01805 623588. a brass future.) Call in for details. This eventinstrument o be electing a new early in thedown first halfsoon did nothing and were paraded around e May Fair breaks full to overflowing. previously?

President and andYet is funded by The Friends of Torrington If you al barriers as it the appeals is often argued that the historic cel- of the pitch at half time. to help cause the itinjuries outside local band, come alo Great Torrington committee the the ebrations Library. veryone.

Choirs,for dance anachronistic. incurred during course of are the archaic and The game was won by Exeter and Howe Concert Hall, C following year, Town Project Bouncing Bees singing session for ups and majorettes all On the contrary, Torrington’s festivities th game gave Penryn the upper hand Hall the Torrie lads enjoyed the experience Nov onwards, on 14 taking a look back By the time this report appears in to the stage: a feastThe for boys revitalise the old In the current pre-schoolers throughout. never gave up,traditions. immensely, especially meeting some of All Things Vintage, all ears. we Local have eyesat and climate of you apathy, and The Crier, will laziness have noticed Bouncing and their spirit truly shone through. the players after the game, and many Retro & Kitsch! itaries are and happily indifference, the been May Fair the last year then scaffolding has put lifts our spirits nd Bees, our very As a consequence our 2 XV have selfies were taken.

Junior training th in the of stocks and and Torrington kedpreview speakers up totransforms facilitate the repair into a vibrant This November 24 , come along to enjoyable singing toprizes cancel somecommunity. of their games, as usually happens on Sunday mornings ected tohad duckings.

The 2.

Cups and will of the roof andDespite make thethe continual the British Red Cross charity shop in session for prethe squad hasto supplyingwater-tight players from 10.30am. or has awho lavish of modern technology and those didlunch, best inbeendevelopment building for Torrington.

We have everything from st schoolers will be to 1 XV. we welcome senior players h many arethe invited.

The increasing spent at always, computer nthly competitions, and the winter. time It will be As Ladybird storybooks to vintage in full voice from crier be bellows as tea he last year’s old record-breaking The gamescreens, between Torrington and new to join us, on Wednesday ourse, timeannual for enclosed in waterproof The Christ crockery and beautiful vintage 2 -2.45pm on clothing dly marches the streets turnout shows there is the still aworking place for forarea live Veterans and Bideford for The evenings training from 6.30pm. sheeting toDave protect As you are aware to wonderfully kitsch homeware.

Tuesdays during ors and The Torrington entertainment.

Given the choice of Hickman Memorial Trophy played Clubhouse for hire nifty at getting through and to was minimise any risk The to the internal is available is provided in the S The event will run fortime three days and sates like the beating playing a video game or participating in th term (so at Donnacroft, December. for your celebrations or group meetings. e of things, we will alsoon 30fabric.

At the On same time, a series of positioned in the ro th we will be open no until 8pmonon first munity. the buzz of the fair, I know which I would event 13the occasion Torrington came outpanels as Please contactto Adrian Avery 07780 665 time tothis welcome Bob photoelectric will be installed, tower. This has cau day. So why not come along and e of the May Fair week choose…

February during 39-5.and Thanksreduce go to a couple of 378.a large-scale l give usvictors the running-costs, perhaps traffic coming into t spectacle of low-down light Today, the new enemy ofand have a look, tryhalf something on and term). .

Okehampton vets who played, ForSafety’. all otherAs enquiries please provide an helping income the project by oats journey through the town event is ‘Healthforand been asuggested tha enjoy a glass of bucks fizz, you might Children are welcome to enjoy drop7pm in to the Methodist selling surplus power to the bolster Bideford’s squad. hesitate to give me a call. Mark streets are lined with huge crowds gather, it don’t could beNational argued more suitable site w even say “I used to have one of those"! in craft activity on Saturday mornings d prospective members Grid. thetown game there was a draw, 07799 401 704. n.

In the After packed that there is a for danger Waterson of an accident. be by the Town H from 10.30-12 noon. me visit free.

Any Although this all work being Torrie! carried twofor tickets to watchNowadays, the Six Nations C’mon notochoice but to mingle with theisridiculous rules (near the Green Lan Bingo at Roborough paying game their subs this between out by the Townlands payment ends. and regulations it is Trust, a Respect, struggle to in February England and Enjoyment, Sportsmanship, Café). Before ma months of will These be taken from set aside sed to for zeetheee!’

The organise anything.

In this age for of Teamwork, Discipline Village Hall Wales atprice Twickenham. were wonfunds any decision regar hat! banner in thick me countless litigation, our town is in the project, which would havehall included A Roborough Diamond Jubilee Club

has been formed to raise funds for

• Adult Bikes • Child Buggies • Child Bikes • Services •Tandems • Repairs • Disabled Tag-alongs • Wee-Hoo

L

the future position of Christmas tree, th

ACUPUNCTURE

l Local Driving Instructor l Beginners or partially trained l Nervous pupils welcome l Discounts forwith block abookings Can help variety of health issues l Dual controls Alan Edwards - DSA ADI (Car) l Refresher lessons Tel:Torrington, Torrington on 01805 622972 The Well St Clinic, Fridays l Pass Plus Mobile: 07818 667 074 With registered practitioner Lynne Parkyn MBAcC 07795 073966 for appointments or enquiries

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Last term, our GCSE Humanities pupils had the fantastic opportunity to go to Krakow in Poland, to discover more about its tumultuous history, including an unforgettable trip to Auschwitz. Here are three pupils’ accounts of their powerful experiences:

Poland

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fter we had settled down into our respective rooms within the Hotel Ascot, we received our first taste of Poland. We embarked on a tour of the Jewish Quarter of Krakow, entitled Kazimierz. Our tour guide told us of its rich yet tumultuous history. We were shown its beautiful synagogues and how architecture had evolved over the years and how economic issues had affected the Jewish people over time. There are now few Jews in Krakow. After this engaging and interesting explanation, we returned back to our hotel, where we enjoyed a delicious meal prepared for us by the staff of Hotel Ascot.

After a good night’s rest and a hearty breakfast, it was time for what can only be described as a harrowing experience, which, strangely, was undoubtedly the highlight of the trip - a guided tour of the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz I and II (Birkenau).

It’s an experience like no other.

Upon your arrival, you’re greeted with an atmosphere of dread which envelops you more and more each step you take deeper into the compound. Some may argue that it will never loosen its merciless grip of you, and after visiting Auschwitz, you’ll never be the same again. It truly is a once in a lifetime experience, and has the utmost potential to change lives.

Whilst there, we had the opportunity to see and explore everything. From the

bleak, dilapidated crematoriums, to the chillingly haunting corridors and cells of Block 11, or ‘Death Block’.

It’s an ordeal that we will treasure for the rest of our days, whilst simultaneously trying to forget.

Fortunately, however, the day was not over. After our heart-rending tour of Auschwitz, we embarked on an adventure to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, an enjoyable venture which brightened the group’s spirits after the melancholy start to the day.

The next day, we further explored Krakow in more depth, going on a tour of several other locations and landmarks within the city. Not only this, but in the early hours of the day we visited a Jewish museum named Galicia, and went on a journey throughout not only Jewish history, but Polish history and even that of the rest of the world. This fascinating visit was concluded by yet another once in a lifetime experience, a meeting with a survivor of the holocaust named Anita. During the invasion of Poland, she was thankfully on holiday in France with the rest of her family who were, for the time being, safe. This was not permanent however, and her time on the run from the Nazis was far from over.

Gradually, the German Empire consumed over half of Europe, and this pushed the survivors’ family to eventually migrate to Rio De Janeiro in Brazil. Whilst she and her parents survived this ordeal, twenty

four of her family members tragically perished during the Nazi occupation of Europe, and she is still affected to this day.

Thankfully, after experiencing this tragedy first hand, Anita decided to commit her life to the world of science,

My meeting with Anita Dolly Panek

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ne word; inspirational. Meeting Anita Dolly Panek, a Jew escaping German capture in World War 2, was amazing. She has inspired me to do the science course I want to do as I found her life’s work very interesting. When she was little she was living in Poland and her mum and dad were both respected in their jobs as lawyers. (Her mother was the first woman in Krakow to be admitted to the bar). They were a wealthy family with a large house and servants, living in the centre of Krakow. They were on holiday in the south of France when World War 2 broke out and were unable to return. After travelling through much of Europe they eventually went to Spain to catch a ferry to Brazil, with the help of a wealthy relative, Helena Rubenstein.

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hoping to benefit humanity in any way Our work with Year 9 on WW1 culminated with the pupils that she could. Fortunately, she did, and producing a piece of creative prose. Here’s Fintan’s excellent example: she can be accounted for a great deal of advances within the medical world.

The Sentry Her research allowed for humanity e lay still – a weary statue in A tree’s boughs moved. to progress in the effectiveness of khaki.

The weather lashed Suddenly, a deafening noise rocked transplants which has improved the lives down and rain drops like barbed the air. A glorious spray of the grandest of many thousands of people. whips of cold cut into him; latching on crimson whirled around him. A I found the whole experience to affect and freezing his bones. The ominous sickening thud and a splash of sounds me very deeply, and change my outlook clouds floated motionlessly above the ruptured the silence. The sentry lay on the history of the event. Until visiting still. He stared up at the cruel sky. Mud Auschwitz personally, the true scope and prone figure. A contest of wills but neither abated. washed around his prone form. The horror of the location had been unknown The man sighed and slowly surveyed clouds rumbled and the wind howled to me. Being Jewish in descent myself, I the landscape through the red barbed like the wounded. The uneven rain found Auschwitz honestly heart-breaking, wire.

The trees stood, skeletal as fell softly; his eyes saw nothing and a and found myself feeling very moved the sternums of those fallen within. gaping wound opened between them. by the whole ordeal. Is it a positive Shattered branches waved slowly.

The rain pitter-pattered around the experience? No. But do I absolutely There had been a massacre of plants, sentry. The wind still howled but a little recommend it? Yes. gentler now. No shells hooted. No men Joe Duncan and Ben Wise, Year 11 strewn around the craters, men strewn too like unwanted toys as the landscape cried. Silence again. rolled away.

The lone sniper released a bullet shell.

Once they reached Brazil they He stretched his arms in an The burned brass tumbled on to the were back to square one, with her indiscriminate movement: backwards boggy earth. Silently. The man sighed. mum going door to door selling all and forwards. He felt the quagmire The disfigured land rolled away. A sorts of products and her dad unable pressing against his skin, seeping desolate land: unrecognisable to the to find a decent job. Life was tough, through his threadbare clothing. He farmers who had worked it for many however it did not stop Anita from dreamt of home: a warm fire; hot food; years. The barren wasteland stretched making her dreams a reality. In 1954 a bustling family. He stepped back to as far as the eye could see and yet the she received her B.Sc. in Chemistry reality, to dying. The raindrops ran off of sentry still lay limply and spread eagled and later in 1962, she got her Ph.D. his helmet and down his back. But, he like a discarded doll.

She soon became a professor at stayed still.

Fintan Connor Year 9 the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janerio. In her studies in 1988, she able to finish the first sentence if I had the lives of many by introducing science showed that endogenous trehalose lost twenty four members of my family programmes in Rio de Janerio. Many can protect cells against damage because of the holocaust. We usually others from around the world have also caused by freezing temperatures. This think of survivors as those who made it travelled to study science there. She has greatly contributed to the success of out of that gate to a new life. Everyone is possibly my best role model for my organ transplant surgery. She has also knows who Anne Frank is, the girl who dreams to become a forensic scientist received the commander of the National hid in the attic.

But what about those like myself (even though it is the opposite Order of Scientific Merit in 1996.

Anita and her family who managed to field of study). Anita is a survivor and I After I met Anita everything she said escape capture?

I can honestly say that am so glad that we had the chance to had caught up to me and I can honestly it was an honour to meet Anita and I am meet her. say that there is no one like her. She never going to forget her. Her story was Jo Jo Grigg Year 11 is amazing in more ways than one but about a girl on the run who has changed if I was her I would not have been

H

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seen. Roe deer seem amongst our 18 mam success of the adder reptiles is not popula Apart from occasional wasp nests, we know l insect population toget Common News invertebrates,.

On The Common we have Especially interestin identified over 300 This species of wild month’s prize issurvey a £10 ofvoucher our ponds flowers. There must be some that we thisperfect wouldtoalso provid for Torrington Jewellers have missed, but due to their regarding water quality yourself towards a prominence when treat flowering, the orlistto put I know that Torrington must be fairly complete. gift for Valentine’s Day!pupils Pleaseused sendto regular The Tree Trail completed contains 52 kinds dipping.

Other school Sudoku with contact of native trees and we have 21 used the fine habitats to The Hill, introduced speciesdetails, on other partsCrier, of Castle ecology of the area. C Torrington, or email to The Common. We know EX38 of 408AA, your discoveries please different grasses, torrington.crier@gmail.com.

11 sedges, nine Micha rushes and 15 ferns. We do however have much more limited knowledge iz Harris has been successfully about other types of plant. A list and running Torrington Jewellers, as guide to fungi is underway, but any a traditional jeweller, for over 26 additional information would be years. Stocking a wide range of gold welcome – as in other areas such as and silver jewellery, watches, clocks, mosses, liverworts and lichens. barometers, wedding and Christening Our diversity gifts, we can also order in Torrington a variety Amateur A of butterflies is of unusual or personal items. fit annualWeChristmas Cap well known, with watch batteries and straps, th undertake December 2 Sunday 18 30 species engraving for trophies and personalized 11am.

Registration beg described. items, and can even have a t your T oshoes rrington Ru Especially repaired!

See welcome are the Our efficient jewellery repair torringtonaac.org details.

Fritillaries, but the service, undertaken by a team of very High Brown has experienced gold and silversmiths, stone Together Ag not been recorded for ten setters, pearlyears. stringers and designers, It’s that time of the year a Eighty kinds of birds andtrickiest go, of problems and can come tackle the For you to remember and as with national trends, some of standard, and at design work to a high “Torrington Together” these are becoming more rarely th very competitive prices.

The Crier Prize Sudoku

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On the 7 of December In 2017 our range of bronze resin hares proved to be very popular, as did our designer opal and gem set jewellery.

Whether you are buying a gift for friend Cedek Heating & Plumbing Services The winner of last issue’s prize or family, wedding or Christening or just crossword was Ruth Ward, we for yourself we are sure you will find /Bathroom/Shower/ hope you enjoy your prize! Central Heating suitable in our shop.

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Great Torrington Remembers Every Man...

Private Claude Ewart Leate

C

laude Leate was born in Great Torrington in 1896. At the age of 5 the 1901 census has him living at 21 Well Street, with his parents and five brothers and sisters.

His father, George, who was originally from Langtree, has a profession as a stone mason. By the 1911 census Claude is 15 years of age and the family are living in New Street. By this age he has taken up an apprenticeship as a barber’s assistant with local barber, Mr Elworthy, whose shop is based in the High Street.

In 1915, Claude married his wife, Mary Sophia Strickland, in Penzance, Cornwall. At the time he would have been in this area as a ‘journeyman’.

Whilst in Penzance Claude enlisted with the Somerset Light Infantry and was posted with the 8th Battalion.

Although the exact date is not known, it’s likely he would have been shipped to France in January 1916. He was wounded in action a year later around January 1917 and received medical care in hospital before returning to the front.

During Claude’s time with them, under

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Get Together Friends

be The Greatest Showman with Hugh Jackman. * Tuesday 20th - lunch at the Black Horse, cost £7.50. Contact Marcia and Val for menu choices, booking and payment.

There is no joining fee for Get Together Friends, but we must have all your contact details on file. Marcia and Val can be contacted at the Bickford Centre on South Street, on Wednesday mornings between 10am and noon.

Remember that Marcia’s home phone number is NOT to be used for club business. The club phone number is now Marcia’s mobile number 07881 875 846.

Finally a personal thank you from Marcia. She inadvertently left behind a bag full of shopping in Sydney House Car Park, on Friday 15th December.

She would like to profusely thank the person who moved her bag to a safe place in the car park, where she found it untouched some time later. Thank you, whomever you are, for your honesty. It was greatly appreciated.

the 37th Division, the Prince Albert’s Somerset Light Infantry would have seen action at the Battle of Ancre in 1916, and the Battles of Scarpe in 1917.

Private Leate was killed in action on the 10th July 1917. It was reported that he was initially wounded in his dugout, but whilst receiving medical attention lost his life following further shelling and gunfire.

Claude’s grave can be found at Messines Ridge British Cemetery at West Vlaanderen, Belguim. However,

the story of his life and death does not stop there. The original wooden cross was returned to Great Torrington by his brother, who also served in the Great War. It can still be found today in St Michael’s Church in the town.

To learn more about the life of Private Leate, please go to: www.greattorrington remembers.co.uk. You may also wish to ‘like’ the Facebook page for further updates.

Michael Newcombe

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any thanks to the Puffing Billy for hosting a very successful Christmas lunch in December.

The excellent meal was their usual very high standard. The raffle prizes were much appreciated. A special mention for the wood burning stove in the restaurant, which kept everybody warm as toast.

The Royal Exchange was the location for our January lunch. The majority deciding to choose the roast beef option, it was, as we have come to expect, perfection. The service from the management and staff was very good.

Thanks also for the raffle prizes.

Dates for February * Sunday 18th - beetle drive at the Torridge Vale Social Club, start time 2pm. No entrance charge, but remember to bring your ‘bring and share’ tea. * Monday 19th - film at the Plough; start time 2pm. Cost £3.50 with a cup of tea or coffee and a slice of cake afterwards. The film this month will

Why Not Give Morris Dancing a Try?

B

ideford Phoenix Morris invites YOU to dance with us. Why not come along to our evenings and have a go at a number of our dances, have fun and laughs, meet new people, help us raise money for the North Devon Hospice and keep fit at the same time.

Take part in something different and experience a real sense of achievement when you can Morris Dance.

Dancers and musicians are

very welcome to our practise evenings every Wednesday at the Baptist Church Hall, Mill Street, Bideford, from 7.309.30pm, adjourning to a local hostelry afterwards.

Contact Carolyn on 01237 473798 and have a chat. Why not come along? See you there.

Neil Bennion

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The Café and Garden @1646 Delicious organic soups, locally made bread, cakes and sausages, Cornish cured bacon and free range eggs.

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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

Maps, Guide books, Photocopying, Faxing & More!

What Does Great Torrington Tourist Information Centre Have For You?

Castle Hill, Sydney House (South St) Car Park, Great Torrington See page 3 for telephone number and opening times reat Torrington Tourist Information Centre offers tourism and community information for Great Torrington, Devon and the South West with over 200 free leaflets for attractions and events across the area, including theatres, cinemas, gardens, castles, museums, golf, fishing, surfing, animal parks, heritage railways. Many are open all year round and are family friendly. We also offer accommodation information for hotels, B & B, self-catering, caravan and camping sites.

We are stockists of: guide books on walks, features and history both local and across the wider region; Ordnance Survey maps, with scales 1-25000 & 1-50000, all including digital download features; all-year tide timetables giving low and high tide times and tide heights; comprehensive bus timetables for North and West Devon; forms for the National Bus Pass and timetables for main line and several local heritage railway societies.

We have a large stock of postcards, both local views and artistic, as well as greetings cards for all occasions and stamps to post them!

Need any photocopying? Black and white or colour in A4 and A3 sizes.

Single and double sided, enlarging and reducing. Exposure adjustments if required. We can laminate to A4 and A3 sizes.

We have a fax messaging service to all UK and International fax numbers. Proof of sending and receiving is given.

In the hallway to the TIC and Library is a large notice board with space available for Local Community Diary events and other information.

You can also collect copies of the Crier here!

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New Year - Get Active!

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n 2018 we are looking to add even more fun and variety to our timetable!

New classes like Barre concept, a low impact toning, strengthening and flexibility class are great fun and it includes a mixture of ballet, pilates and yoga to put you through your paces without even realising it!

Polefitness, (go on you know you want too!) is a total beginners’ class which combines strength and flexibility in mat exercises, progressing to the pole. The ultimate in fun!

Here at Function Fitness we appreciate how hard it can be to commit to exercise, which is why we offer a wide variety of classes, alongside a fully equipped gym.

You choose your workout. Remember variety is the spice of life and everything in moderation! Get up, get moving, and most of all have fun!

Happy New year to you all!

Louise Bond, Function Fitness

Torrington Silver Band Thanks the Community

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orrington Silver Band has had an exciting and successful year attending and entertaining at various events, and we would like to thank the people and businesses of Great Torrington and surrounding areas for their continued support throughout 2017.

This year we hosted the Massed Bands concert with our friends from Appledore and Bideford Bands, in the new Garden Room at RHS Rosemoor. We would like to thank the team at RHS Rosemoor for their fantastic support enabling us to hold the event in Torrington. The event was a huge success, no doubt the chance to look around the gardens before the concert was a factor in so many people attending the concert. We hope to repeat this event in the near future.

We also held a quiz night, cream tea afternoon and bingo which, again, were really well supported. Thanks to all the members and supporters of the band who helped organise these events, as well as those businesses who donated prizes.

To complete the year, we had a really successful festive season. We enjoyed playing carols at various Christmas events in and around Torrington. Our Christmas concert was held on a different night this year, and it turned out to be a big success. We would like to thank all those who donated prizes.

On a personal note, I would like to thank all those involved with Torrington Silver Band. Without your support the band wouldn’t be the success it is. I won’t name people, but you all work tirelessly for the good of the band.

If you are interested in learning to play an instrument, or becoming a supporter, please visit our website www. torringtonsilverband.com for further details.

This year we will be celebrating 20 years at Howe Concert Hall. We are hoping to hold a concert and open day in May to mark the anniversary. We would like to display photographs of the band and Howe Concert Hall, formerly Howe Congregational Church. If you can help in any way please contact our band secretary, Jo White via our website.

Nick Megson – Chairman

First Thursday Writing Group

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here was no First Thursday Writing Group meeting in January. Our next meeting will be at Torrington Conservative Club on Thursday 1st February at 7.30pm.

The topic we are writing about is “The Little Mermaid”. For more information please see our website at www.torringtonwriters. co.uk.

Nikki Whiting

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T h e N e w I n n , R o b o r o u g h , EX19 8SY

01805 603247, info@thenewinnroborough.co.uk, www.thenewinnroborough.co.uk

• Wednesday 7th February Lunch Club + Supper Club 2 course set menu (main + dessert) £7 per person booking essential • Wednesday 14th FebruaryValentine’s Day @ The New Inn 3 course £25.50 per person – and live music from 7:30pm And don’t forget our usual epic selection of gins and ciders, local real ales and yummy ‘proper’ pub food.

Please see our website and facebook page for updates on events, menus and theme nights.

CHULMLEIGH COMMUNITY COLLEGE Our Pupil Progress is amongst the best in the South West. Transport is available from Torrington.

Why not visit us - every day is an Open Day! w: www.chulmleigh.devon.sch.uk t: 01769 580215 e: admin@chulmleigh.devon.sch.uk

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