Torrington Crier May 2021 by The Torrington Crier

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May 2021 The Crier is produced 10 times a year on behalf of the community, by The Crier Community Interest Company. 5900 copies are distributed throughout Great Torrington and the rural district.

May Fair Entourage 2020

A Tribute to the children...

Queen - Matilda Vallely Crowner - Freya Bond Herald - Leo Treml Herald - Eashan Nijjar Esme Rollins • Isabelle Ward • Jade Schofield • Lexus Laughton Bexleigh Weeks • Daisy Tucker • Lissie Hooper • Evie Healey

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

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Contact us... Editorial Enquiries: Becky Huxtable, 01805 603152 E: torrington.crier@gmail.com Copy deadline: Second Thursday of each month, 12 noon. We prefer all submissions and enquiries to the email above but handwritten articles can still be handed in at the Library. All articles are subject to editing, particularly those over 300 words, it is not possible to inform contributors of this prior to publication. Submission does not guarantee publication. Advertising/Accounts: Esther Williams, 01805 601964 E: torrington.crieradverts@gmail.com Costs & sizes: Small advert: 9cm wide x 5cm deep, £24 per issue. Large advert: 19cm wide x 5cm deep, £48 per issue. 10% discount for a run of five adverts. All adverts are accepted in good faith. Single adverts to be paid in advance, please. Postal address: The Crier, Castle Hill, Torrington, EX38 8AA. Website: www.great-torringtoncrier.co.uk Town Distribution: Matt Joy Rural Distribution: Sue Crane & the community Printers: Hedgerow Print, Crediton

Thank You

We would like to thank the Great Torrington Town and Lands Charity and Great Torrington Town Council, who have provided support towards the cost of using Royal Mail to deliver the Crier through the pandemic. This has enabled us to ensure that important news and information can still be shared throughout our community, when it hasn't been possible to use our normal deliverers. We have been overwhelmed by the continued support from our advertisers, and are so pleased to have been able to continue getting their businesses into 5900 homes across the area, even more important at this time. Our contributors have also continued to provide editorial throughout, and we have had many comments from readers saying how much they enjoy receiving their copy each month.

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Volunteers collect Criers from the Library each issue and drop them off in various villages. If your community doesn’t receive the Crier but would like to, and you can help, please contact Becky on 01805 603152, torrington. crier@gmail.com, or call in to Torrington Library. Thank you!

Disclaimer:

The Crier does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the quality, accuracy, legality or reliability of any information, product or service represented within our publication or on our web site. The information provided is for informational, educational or entertainment purposes only. Anyone using the information provided by The Crier, does so at their own risk, and by using such information agrees to indemnify The Crier from any and all liability, loss, injury, damages, costs and expenses (including legal fees and expenses) arising from such use. The Crier does not endorse or recommend any product, service or information found within said articles. The views and opinions of the authors who have submitted articles to The Crier belong to them alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Crier or its team. Website links from The Crier or its website are provided for convenience only. The Crier is not responsible for the content or availability of any external or 3rd party sites and does not warrant or guarantee the products, services, or information found on these sites.

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Cavaliers' Column Chapter 12

ell, following a number of Zoom meetings amongst the Cavalier members and listening to the best advice currently available from our advisors, we are now going all out to hold the Mayflower Bonfire, as advertised, on Saturday 28th August. Small teams of socially distanced workers are beginning to pull the structure together with painting, working on the quayside buildings, the church spire and the Mayflower Arch prepared ready for lifting into place, and other details. Due to the delay in our event from last year, the ship had tilted slightly to port and corrective action has been taken to straighten the structure. This involved roping the rear mast, attaching to a tow bar, and carefully taking the strain to upright the structure a few inches. This was successful and has made the decking safer and level to work from. It’s back on an even keel! There is a lot of unseen work going on behind the scenes again and it has really ramped up. New road closures have been applied for, security, first aid, parking arrangements and park and ride details etc. have had to be revised and confirmed, along with discussions with our various other partners to ensure that we are good to go. On the admission side it has been decided, so that numbers can be controlled and monitored, that this will be a TICKET ONLY event. Tickets are available either online via our website or from Duffy’s Home Hardware in the square. We have noticed that there

Torrington Commons Charity Car Boot Sales

has been a good up take during the last few weeks hinting at optimism that restrictions will be lifted in good time for the burn. As with many other organisations our fund-raising activities have been seriously curtailed this year, so we are most grateful for the small donations left in our donation pot on site. We also have a supply of two Cavalier publications on sale at Duffy’s. ‘Built to Burn’ is a history of our first 40 years - 1970 to 2010- and another booklet picturing all our bonfires from our humble beginnings in 1970 up to our 2015 Trumpton event. Please support us if you can – every little helps in these challenging times. Further updates next month but in the meantime, “All for One and One for All” Ace

he car boot sales will start on May 2nd this year and will run on every Sunday morning until the end of September. This year we will also have car boot sales on each Bank Holiday Monday. This means we will have a sale on two days running: on May 2nd and 3rd and on May 30th and 31st. Cars will be £7 and vans will be £12. All proceeds will be used to help the Conservators to maintain, improve and protect the Commons. The Torrington Commons Conservators are volunteers and run the Commons as a charity. They are responsible for raising all the necessary funds to look after the Commons on behalf of Great Torrington residents and everyone who enjoy the 365 acres of countryside. To book a pitch you will need to email vicechair@torringtoncommons.org or telephone or text 07956 366 390. This is being done so that we don’t get too many sellers and can space the cars out to aid social distancing. We will have a stall at the sales selling books, DVDs, CDs and other bits as space allows. We will also have a Tombola with a prize every time that you enter. We have been accepting donations of books, DVDs and CDs for over a year and we are still looking for more donations. Please get in touch if you can help. Please come along to the car boot sales and pick up a bargain. Andrew Giles Vice-Chair

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Great Torrington Commons 365 Supporters Group

Torrington-Roscoff Exchange Group

hope you are all enjoying some relief and comfort from the easing of Covid restrictions; hopefully, the situation will improve further in the coming months. Following communications with the Amicale Roscoff-Great Torrington Group, it has been mutually agreed that a visit from our Roscoff friends will not take place this year; we will look forward to inviting them next year, when we can all make up for lost time. Although the group has postponed all events and gatherings until it is safe to continue, we welcome new members and currently have over 40. Age is no barrier, as our members range from 10 years and upwards; you don't have to be able to speak French. If you are interested in joining us, please contact: Antony Jefferies (Secretary) 01271 549454, or Nick Roberts (Chairman) 01805 625765. On behalf of all our members, I would like to wish everyone good health and a speedy, but safe, return to normality over the next few months. Nick Roberts

orrington Commons 365 Supporters membership is growing daily and by the time you read this the shops should have been open for a few weeks. The 365 Supporters card can be used to get a discount or other benefit from 38 different shops and businesses participating in our shop local campaign. We would like to invite more shops and businesses to join the scheme; the offer you make is entirely up to you and you can change it whenever you want to. We would also like to hear from tourist accommodation businesses as we would like to introduce a short-term membership for visitors. This would encourage tourists to shop in Great Torrington. We have had great feedback from the shops that are open to say that the existing 365 Supporters have been using their cards. Please ask instore about their current offer before you start shopping. The aim of the project is to increase the trade in Torrington and raise funds to maintain, improve and protect the Commons. Hopefully, more and more people will apply to be a 365 Supporter and go shopping in Great Torrington. The Conservators are volunteers and we are a registered charity. Our car boot sales will start in May so please come and visit our stand to ask us about our work. To make it as easy as possible to join the 365 Supporters we have been able to print an application form in this edition so that you can cut it out and post to me. The 365 Supporters pay just a £2 per month donation which can be increased with Gift Aid by 25% if you are a taxpayer. You can let us know at the application stage if this applies to you. Joining the 365 Supporters group is simple: Option 1: Cut out or photocopy the application form in the Crier and post it to the address on the form. You can pay by standing order or by sending a cheque for £24. Option 2: visit the website www.torringtoncommons.org and navigate to the 365 Supporters page where you can apply online. Here you have the option of paying by PayPal or standing order annually or monthly. You can also print an application form to post in with a cheque. Option 3: You can email me at vicechair@torringtoncommons.org or phone/text me on 07956 366 390 and I will get an application form to you. You can also collect an application form from the Post Office or the Tourist Information Office. Some of the shops in town also have spare application forms. Andrew Giles, Vice Chair Great Torrington Commons Conservators

Participants as of April 8th 2021 AHJ Builders 07977 668164 A Place For Everything @no. 11 in the Pannier Market Castle Hill Garden Cafe Collectability in the High Street Computer Works Crafty Needles in the Pannier Market Dafforn and Sons New Street Dartington Crystal Duane’s Carvings and Gallery in the Pannier Market Everest Indian Takeaway in South Street Fine Floral Design in South Street Hair We Are in South Street Hogwash Soap Castle Street and online Inside 11a South Street Java Gifts Cornmarket Street Jayne Poole Photography Kitch ‘n’ Cupboard in the Pannier Market Lillian Rose Interiors Well Street Little Leaf Pregnancy No. 37 Café in South Street No. 5 Hair and Beauty in South Street Not Just Travel Gillian Farr Proseprints online and craft fairs R&S Ware Butchers in South Street Samantha Hardwick Lifestyle Coach Second Nature Beauty Studio at No.5 Cornmarket Street Squires Electrical in the High Street Steve Gladwin Family Butchers Fore St Tanya’s Beauty Studio Fore Street The Puffing Billy Torrington Framing Torrington Golf Club Torrington Museum Bookshop, High St Toy Swap in the Pannier Market Unique Boutique Cornmarket Street Whiskers Pet Centre South Street Wildwood and Willow in the High Street Xanadu (in-store discount only) South St

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s we move into May the Commons are looking spectacular! The bluebells and wild garlic in Furzebeam Wood are particularly splendid and I recommend you take the canal path walk from the end of Reid’s Field, along to the Tarka Trail near Beam Weir, (The Commons end about half way along this path near the information board). We have continued with the improvement of the path at the start, where it used to get very boggy, and it is now a much easier walk! Weather permitting, I hope to be able to lead a walk or two as spring progresses, so please keep an eye on our Facebook page and website for details. We have been able to install some picnic tables and benches in the new playpark as requested, thanks to the generosity of Councillors Cheryl CottleHunkin and Margaret Brown, and we are also grateful to Cllr Chris Bright who has paid for CCTV surveillance to keep the new equipment safe. The car boot sales on the Old Bowling Green will be starting up again on Sunday 2nd May and we will also be

running one on the Bank Holiday Monday 3rd May. Please see Andrew Giles’s article on the 365 Supporters' Club, on the previous page, for more details. As was the case last year, stall holders will be required to book in advance. The AGM of the Great Torrington Commons Conservators was held on the 19th April. As last year, we were not able to make this a public meeting, but the minutes will be published on our webpage. We have been asked about the consultation we conducted into the community’s views on converting Rolle Road - from the old dairy, past the sewage works and on to the Puffing Billy - into a multi-user track. The results were: Total votes cast: 151 Support: 124 (82%) Oppose: 27 (18%) I would like to thank everyone who gave us their views, in whatever form. If you would like to get involved in the running of the Commons, or volunteering in anyway please contact clerk@torringtoncomons.org. We are particularly in need of people with fundraising and bid-writing skills. Mandy Harrison, Chair GTCC

Celebrating Women in Business

he Business & Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC) Devon will be hosting a programme of events from May to July to celebrate Women in Business. Our intention is to create a space to share women's knowledge, expertise and experience of the business world. We have planned a varied programme of talks, workshops, yoga, panel events, networking and much more. All the events are free and can be booked via our website: https://bipc.librariesunlimited.org.uk/ If you would like to contribute to our Women in Business programme, please email bipc@librariesunlimited.org.uk Lisa D'Alberti, BIPC Devon

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A Different View

Every morning I wake up. (Much like other people) I can hear the early call of the male tawny owl outside ‘whoooo’ ‘who who whoooooo’ and the female tawny in response ‘Gwik,Gwikk’ (Not so much like other people) I open my window. Taddiport envelops my senses. It takes me to calm. Rogue daffodils push through the brambles reaching bright yellow towards the sun standing tall and smiling swaying and happy to be where they are. Pigeons flapping heavily knocking the clumps of moss from my roof . Blackbirds excitable daring their dangerous dating dances. Birds singing the sweetest of songs. The river races rapidly, or at times lowly and slowly. Bridging communities. Seasoned by the trickle and torrent of the Torridge. This is my experience when I open my window. These are the things that could be lost forever. But at night, at least for now, I can hear the river flowing… Regarding the proposed demolition and development of the old dairy, by a person whose view will be spoiled forever if plans go ahead.

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Town & Community Hall News

lthough our building has been

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closed, Maintenance continued to support thTeam times: to the Roman our Devonian dialect is strung across the November there will be a On the 16 of dollars in royalties events to celebra led by Nigel Lewis-Carpenter existing jobseekers by water bottle Whibble!” goddess of fruit and square – Torrington is known as a lunch at Barnstaple in aid of ACWW, sales of the resulting That joke was told to me on a balmy Diamond Jubilee in J tion, symbolizing rebirth friendly town and this is no better been very behind the scenes. and of wethe are grateful Associated Countryphone Women Italy inhave 1902-1903, hebusythe and warm Wednesday in 1976 by WO2 Bingo at Roboroug elevant to us today, displayed than at the May Fair. In this era Keeping 2World, Listed of building to nationally him for hisisdedication whichup the WI a s of records fora Grade the Mick O'Neill when every day was filled take place on the 6 e into the winter isofaour of challenge. social isolation, the May Fairtime. provides to speed constant We rely at this The Club member. Not widely known, the and Typewriter with good prizes the medicine ofmuch friendship, inclusion and heavily on our volunteers to get as operates every Monday with laughter, and being a British ACWW has representatives from many as later heard live from eeping with the spirit of support. The fair encourages community Draw. Eyes down at soldier was the best job in the world; work as possible done ‘in house’ so that towards from 10am -1pm. nationalities; working relief of If you he drenMetropolitan are the focalOpera point life as the young and old join together for Please see future being paid to fulfil an adventure our precious funds are saved for the would likeway to find poverty and sickness, promoting health eMuch first public radio against Mr Gove’s the common good. What better is out how seemed unnecessary. Six years later for events in 2012. workschools that canare only be done specialist the Job Club might be able and advancing education. It’s down-to20. orrington’s there to by bring neighbours together? he was killed dealing with an IRA car contractors. We are constantly seeking tomutual help - just earth approach offersfar support sue tell community you about ow I will full People come from and you wide to drop in bomb, leaving a family and many andgrateful practical to women andwith Iain. ratic out grants to thehelp and have a chat hat roles. could be and moreare very enjoy the delights of May Fair. They also friends who remember a good man communities acrosswith the them! world. The fair datching listening the crowning who of have bring their supported money organisations kindly who will, as they say, be forever the The procession of boys replenishes coffers of the townthe – To find outthe about theKnit ACWW and Dymond usBob to date. & Natter Back Soon! smiling twenty-seven-year-old I htly coloured costumes providing a welcome boost to the local Institutes nationwide, visit Knit We extend specialWomen's thanks to the The wonderful remember. heart. Ribbons rippling, economy – such a help in difficult times. www.theWI.org.uk Cavaliers, a cherry picker & Natter Group will be ngton W.I. who provided William Brennan d the band blasting: the Businesses use the carnival as an Silver Band O queries Torrington W.I. shortly. so wetake could carry out aAny much neededabout starting up again Meeting will place oniously woven. opportunity to advertise their wares. th Have you ever tho ring President, Joyce Ridgwell on inspection. identifiedalso some It has developed We are willThisCharities 9 November. ours on roof the maypole benefit: collection tins are into a 01805 623588. a brass instrument o issues such as loose slates and blocked great friendship club Community Fund and extend our thanks be electing a new e May Fair breaks down soon full to overflowing. previously? If you President and gutters we are now and the founder, to the manager Pam Wonnacott and al barriers as itwhich appeals Yet rectifying. it is often argued that historic cellocal band, come alo Great Torrington committee for the hasebrations The Shambles also been receiving Rosie Purcell, has her staff. When Co-op members buy veryone. Choirs, dance are archaic and anachronistic. Howe Concert Hall, C following Town Hall Projectfestivitiesensured that all the ups and majorettes all On contrary, Torrington’s some extrayear, attention. It isthe a constant selected Co-Op branded products, 2p th Nov onwards, on 14 taking a look back By the time this report appears in to the stage: a feast theand oldfood traditions. In the currentmembers have been battle to keepfor it free revitalise of the litter in the pound is being donated to the All Things Vintage, all ears. weregularly have leftclimate eyesat and Local of apathy, and The Crier, you will laziness have noticed remains by a few mindless able to stay in touch with Knit & Natter Club. There is still some Retro & Kitsch! itaries are and happily the been May Fair our spirits the lastpeople year then scaffolding put lifts each who use it asindifference, a dumping has other throughout lockdown time before the fund finishes so please th in the stocks and have and Torrington kedpreview of speakers upjet totransforms facilitate the repair into a vibrant This Novemberdo24your , come to this very worthy ground. We now washing best toalong support ected to and duckings. The community. Despite continual 2. Cups prizes will of thetogether roof andwith make thethe This the British Red Cross charity shop in project has helped many facilities and are working cause. or has awho lavish to development of modern those didlunch, best in team building fortechnology and Torrington. from the Town Council to keepwater-tight the Not everything long now until we can welcome people: with general advice, We have h many are invited. The increasing time spent nthly competitions, and the winter. It will be at computer Ladybird storybooks to vintage space as well maintained as possible. you all back to your Town & Community nourse, crier be bellows as tea he screens, year’s record-breaking help with preparation of CVs, time for enclosed last in waterproof The Christ crockery and beautiful The additional CCTVturnout camera is being Hall. vintage clothing dly marches the streets shows there is still a place for live completion of job applications andkitsch homeware. sheeting to protect the working area As you to wonderfully to give extraentertainment. coverage to this To arrange your family celebration, are aware ors and The Torrington Given the choice of nifty at installed getting through and to minimise any risk to the internal employment... securing provided The event will run for three andeventis- check sates like the beating playing a video game or participating in area. wedding, funddays raising out in the S e of things, we will also fabric. At the same time, a series of positioned will behow open our untilwebsite 8pm on first enquiry form -in the r ... If youI would find out munity. the buzz of the fair, I know which would like towe forthe a booking time to welcome Bob photoelectric panels will be installed, to tower. This has cau day. So why not come along and e of theNeed May help Fair week choose… the Jobperhaps Club might be able to help www.greattorrington-townhall.org. from thereduce Job Club? l give us the low-down running-costs, and trafficforcoming spectacle of light and Today, the new enemy of a large-scale have a look, try something on and We are very happyprovide to be welcoming Finally, we are always looking more into t you -project just drop . an is income the Safety’. by in and have a chat oats journey through the town event ‘Healthforand As been suggested tha enjoy a glass of bucks fizz, you might Job Club onselling Monday 19th power to the National volunteers - so if you have any DIY skills, 7pm inback the the Methodist surplus with Iain." streets are lined with huge crowds gather, it could be argued more suitable site w even say “I used to have one of those"! April. This project helped we would love to hear from you. d prospective members Grid. n. In the packed town has that theremany is a danger of an accident. be by the Town H people: generalNowadays, advice, helpwith withall Happy springtime wishes from all the me visit for Any Although this work being carried notochoice but free. towith mingle theisridiculous rules (near the Green Lan creation CVs, completion job it is with Bingo atTrustees. Roborough paying preparation their subs of this out by the of Townlands Trust, payment ends. and regulations a the struggle to of their own Facebook Café). Before ma months for priceThe of securing and are for delighted that the group Village Hall Sandra Crawley will beemployment. taken from funds setWe aside sed to applications zeetheee!’ organise anything. Inpage. this age of any decision regar hat! banner me in thick countless litigation, ourhas town hall is from in the project, which would have included benefitted the Co-op Local Throughout the lockdown, the Club Chair A Roborough Diamond Jubilee Club

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Torrington Jewellers - 30 years of Trading

n May 2021 I will have been trading as Torrington Jewellers for 30 years. I can’t believe it has been so long, yet so much has happened during those years that I hardly know how I have managed to fit it all in. I remember as a young girl being fascinated by the jewellers shop window in South Street, then belonging to Mr. Pointon. A tiny shop where you couldn’t see inside as the window was displayed with a backing board full of shiny desirable objects. When I eventually did venture inside, in my teens, Mr. Pointon sat behind his counter appearing very industrious: slaving away over a customer’s watch. He looked up over his magnifying spectacles to ask what I required. I felt quite intimidated and flustered and all my words came out in completely the wrong order. Eventually I asked to see a signet ring in the window, for which I had been saving for quite some time, purchased it and left. During the time I studied at Petroc formelry North Devon College - I hadn’t envisaged gaining an appreciation for jewellery. The course I studied was a basic BTEC in design and I can’t recollect my aim at that time, just knowing I didn’t want to study at A Level so this seemed like a reasonable option. I found an empty metalwork room at the college and began experimenting with metals and enamels when I should have been working on other projects. When I informed my tutor that I wished to apply to jewellery school he frowned and suggested that I apply to a college that had previously taken three of the

students from North Devon, as I might gain an advantage from them - nothing like having confidence in your students! I did just that and secured a place at Buckinghamshire College to study for a Degree in Three Dimensional Design specialising in silversmithing. On completing my degree I returned to Great Torrington, whereupon I had a very blunt discussion with my father about what I was going to do for work. No idea, I thought, but something will come along. A friend of the family asked if I would make a piece of jewellery for his wife’s birthday and I borrowed the facilities at the Bideford Arts Centre to do just that. I then contacted some of the shops and antique dealers in the area to ask if they needed a repairer and ended up with several outlets needing my services. One of these shops was Torrington Jewellers, run at the time by a couple from the Holsworthy area, and after a short time, I began to work for them in the shop a couple of days during the week. In May 1991 I purchased the shop with a nine year loan. Nine years! I’m not going to be doing this in nine years’ time I thought. Little did I know. When my lease expired on No.9 South Street in 2005, I moved the shop to 14 High Street, a slightly larger premises on the square, perfect to expand. I was quite concerned about how I was going to fill these larger premises but managed it with ease and soon found that I could use a little more space! I traded from 14 High Street until my lease was due for renewal, which happened to coincide with the closure of Lloyds Bank - the

final bank to close in Torrington on 29th June 2017. Later the same year this iconic building became available and after weeks of renovations and refitting I opened the doors in April 2018, soon managing to fill the vast space - and the vault! With the support of the wonderful residents in Great Torrington and the surrounding area, Torrington Jewellers has gone from strength-to-strength. 2020 was quite obviously a most challenging year but, even in the midst of a pandemic, my customers have been absolutely amazing - with words of support and encouragement. I am looking forward to having all of you back in the shop and enjoying 2021, sorting out all your items for repair, replacing many watch batteries and providing a good selection of gifts for you all. Thank you for your business over the past 30 years and I hope you continue to support us in the coming years, however long that might be. Elizabeth Harris

2, Church Walk, Torrington, EX38 8HS 8

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The Torrington Arms

ith ‘big shoes to fill’ as Roger and Sally head for retirement and with the help of their daughter Vicki and all the original staff, we will re-open The Torrington Arms on Monday 17th May, continuing with the Curry Nights and Sunday Roasts. I look forward to working with all the staff and am very grateful for how supportive and welcoming they have been. Not only will this be a pub, but also a home for my family. With the experience of being a licensee for the last three years, running a local sports club - I feel that now is the time to take on a new challenge and continue my passion. I'd like to thank Roger and Sally for all their support so far and look forward to seeing them on the other side of the bar! We are excited to re-open and welcome you all back. For bookings please call 01805 622280 or message The Torrington Arms via Facebook Messenger. Annie Rawle

Please help our local businesses and 'Think Local' whenever possible. Think Local editorial is free for advertisers! Please contact Esther Williams on 01805 601964 for more information.

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Mindful Meditation Supporting Resilience Through the Covid Pandemic

uring the global pandemic, we have all had to change how we live and work. Often, we may have felt overwhelmed and fearful whilst struggling to cope with our restricted lives. Individuals with pre-existing anxiety and depression may feel overwhelmed by additional worries or fears. Carers may feel the additional burden of care, and many family units have been living in pressured environments, not used to spending so much time in confined conditions. The elderly and vulnerable will also often have suffered the loss of regular contact with friends and family. Add financial and employment instability into the mix and we have a society structure that is challenged. * Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we are doing. * Meditation is exploring. It is not a fixed destination. When we meditate, we explore the workings of our minds: our sensations, our emotions and without judgement, our thoughts. * Mindfulness meditation asks us to suspend judgment and approach our experiences with warmth and kindness both to ourselves and others. Crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic have shown that change is the only constant. Meditation and mindfulness can offer a helpful way to live with this constant change. Meditation courses starting in May will be held at The River Rooms in Bideford. I am a trained and registered practitioner with over 30 years of meditation experience, so please visit www.gentlemind.uk for more information. Alternatively email me, James Murray, at info@gentlemind.uk or phone 01769 302007 or 07866 545 978.

Torrington Library News

ince 13th April we have been able to open for browsing, in a Covid-secure way for a limited number of users in the library at any one time. We are still offering a Choose and Collect service alongside. We will be opening on Tuesday and Thursday from 10am-12pm and 2-4pm and on Friday and Saturday from 10am12pm. We are delighted to be able to welcome our customers back. Mobile libraries are also back on the road. Schedules can be found on our website if you need reminding of the time and date for its visit to your locality. Visit www.devonlibraries.org.uk/web/arena/ mobilelibraries Please refer to our website: www. devonlibraries.org.uk for up-to-date information on all our services. New Walking Group for Torrington Our new walking group for beginners will launch from mid-May (again following Government guidance). Walk and Talk in Torrington will start and finish at Torrington Library, Castle Hill. It will be a friendly walk exploring routes around Torrington, approximately 30 minutes in length, followed by a cuppa back at Castle Hill. A great way to make new friends and appreciate the beautiful area all around us. All welcome. Please get in touch with us for further details 01805 622107. Follow us on our Facebook page #TorringtonLibraryDevon for information on our online services and regular updates and activities run by us and other libraries. Our Facebook page also offers the

popular Book Talk group so why not check it out? New Service - Reading Friends Are you a new parent or an adult with childcare responsibilities? Do you enjoy reading or want to get back into it? Would you like to have a chat informally to someone who loves reading too? You might like Libraries Unlimited Reading Friends! While reading is the focus, the 1-2-1 phone appointments with trained library staff are informal, no reading preparation is required and chatting together socially is encouraged. You can find out more from our press release: bit.ly/Reading-Friends Anyone wanting to join Reading Friends or find out more can email readingfriendsgroup@librariesunlimited. org.uk Join the Digital Library You can join the library online by visiting www.devonlibraries.org.uk Once you have completed the online joining form, you will be given a temporary library card number, which will enable you to access our digital library immediately. When our libraries re-open we will process all temporary memberships registered during the closure period and we will issue a library card to you. If you already have a library card but require the PIN for your account you can click on the 'Forgot PIN' option to get a PIN reset sent to your registered email address. Access our digital Library - www.

devon.libraries.org.uk For assistance with any queries please contact us by emailing torrington. library@librariesunlimited.org.uk or our general telephone enquiries line is 0345 155001. Stay safe. Kate G, Kate C, Becky & Michelle

Torrington Mobile Library is Back on the Road!

ustomers will be able to come on-board the library van, individually or in their household bubbles, to choose books and other items. To make sure that there are enough books to go around we will be limiting borrowing to five items per person for the time being. Face masks are to be worn and everyone is to use the hand sanitiser and observe social distancing rules when using the mobile library. Returned books will be quarantined for 72 hours. Please note that the return of the mobile library service is subject to the Government’s roadmap going forward as planned. You can find the full timetable with all visit dates for 2021 on our website: www.devonlibraries.org.uk/web/arena/ mobilelibraries. If you have any queries, please contact us via email: torrington.mobile@librariesunlimited. org.uk, or contact Torrington Library on 01805 622107.

New Business Network for Women

omen in business are invited to a new networking group for Devon and Cornwall. This new Women in Rural Enterprise (WiRE) Network is supportive and friendly, and is open to all women no matter what sort of business or what stage they’re at – even if they’re just thinking of starting up. Meetings will be held online, at 10.30am on the third Tuesday every month. Forthcoming dates are: 18 May, and 15 June 2021. Places can be booked at wireuk.org/networks/westdevon-wire. Organiser Clair Wellsbury-Nye said “Traditional networking meetings can be daunting for women in business, particularly when you’re just starting out. I knew there was a need for more relaxed meetings, and talking to other local women in business I understood that the flexibility offered by online meetings was particularly attractive to them – especially considering the difficulties of travelling across our vast rural counties. WiRE aims to help women with setting up, running and marketing their small businesses, and this new network will offer that locally and practically. Each monthly meeting will feature a speaker, workshop or presentation that provides knowledge, advice and guidance for running a business. In addition, there is ongoing support, community and discussions in a dedicated Facebook group. Women in business come up against a number of barriers, including lack

of confidence, isolation, and lack of business support. The need to address this was recognised by WiRE nearly ten years ago, and since then it has grown into a national organisation supporting rural business women across the UK. Clair, who is based in Tavistock and runs her own business BUILD Business Club, says “Our meetings provide an opportunity for local women in business to meet in an informal setting, to discuss the issues which affect them and draw upon the experiences of others.” For further details, call Clair Wellsbury-Nye on 07930 977 002, email westdevonwire@gmail.com, or visit facebook.com/westdevonwire or wireuk. org/networks/west-devon-wire. For more information on WiRE, call 01952 815338, email info@wireuk.org, or visit wireuk.org.

Competition Time

Kids! We want you to design a colourful A4 poster to raise water awareness. Your poster will be displayed in Torrington for everyone to see and winners’ posters will be transformed into permanent banners. Please choose one theme: * Ways to save water * Water pollution * Why water is important Address your entry as ‘Water Competition’ and post to: 77 Mill St, Great Torrington, EX38 8AN by Sunday 30th May. Write your name, address and age on the back of your design, without folding it. Age categories: 5 to 7 years, 8 to 11 years, 12 to 15 years and 15 to 18 years.

Great Torrington Water Forum

Bringing The Globe Hotel Back to Life - an Update

t the end of 2020 and into the start of 2021, we asked people what they thought of The Globe hotel being brought into community ownership, how important it might be to the town and also their perspectives on giving people aspirational routes into training in hospitality and tourism right here in Great Torrington. Here are some of your thoughts!

We need to make sure that our work creates a business that will survive and thrive, but also one that is right for the local community and which complements and works with other fantastic assets in the town, such as The Plough Arts Centre and the Town Hall. So having your thoughts to help shape that work is absolutely crucial - huge thanks to everyone who has chipped in so far! This project will only keep moving forward if the numbers stack up; we can guarantee the impact; and that it is right for the community. See the responses on the right!

As soon as we can hold events in the town again, we're determined to put some fun together so that people can really get stuck in. If you haven't given us your opinions so far, then absolutely please share them at bit.ly/ TheGlobeTorrington. This is going to be a fantastic adventure which we definitely can't do alone- so watch this space for routes to get involved! Please, please spread the word and get as many people as possible informed and on board!

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The timeline on the right shows our hopes for bringing The Globe back to life. As we've said, there's a lot of work that needs doing - both by us to build the right business case and raise the finances, but also then in terms of renovation, but it really will be worth it. To take it forward we’re delighted that, thanks to the support from the Architectural Heritage Fund, we have now appointed architects with a strong track record in both heritage and hospitality. We’re really looking forward to working with them (watch this space for more details!) and, more importantly than that, making sure that we deliver something the town and community can not only enjoy in the future but also be proud of!

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GREAT TORRINGTON T From Your Mayor…

t is hoped that Civil War Trail map and a new Heritage by the time Trail map. These are the result of lots you read this, of hard work by many different people the restrictions and it is exciting to think we are really in place will be beginning to shout about what we have eased even to offer in our lovely town! A huge thank more. I’m sure you to everyone involved in the ongoing I can speak for Marketing Working group; it’s also great everyone when to hear of lots of projects in the pipeline. I say we are all On the 24th of March I attended, along looking forward with the Mayors of Bideford, Holsworthy to seeing family and Northam, our regular Mayors and and friends and taking a much-deserved Clerks meeting. Unfortunately, due to visit to our fabulous, local independent the pandemic, we haven’t all been able shops. I’d like to take this opportunity to meet up in person for a while now to thank everyone for keeping our town but it was good to be able to see them safe during on screen and "As you will have seen in last month’s these difficult learn how their Crier, the town now has three maps. A individual towns times. We’ve still got hurdles revised Town Centre map and Civil War have been ahead of us, coping. These Trail map and a new Heritage Trail but without map. These are the result of lots of hard meetings are everyone doing also helpful work by many different people and it is as we have their part, we exciting to think we are really beginning updates from wouldn’t be in to shout about what we have to offer in Torridge District the position that we are. We Council and our lovely town!" truly are Great an opportunity Torrington! to raise any issues we may have. It is a Work carries on in the Town Council good way to learn from each other. and we have been busy preparing for As I write this, I am looking forward better times. As you will have seen in last to presenting my report at our Annual month’s Crier, the town now has three Parish Meeting on the 15th April. It maps. A revised Town Centre map and will be via Zoom this year and we are

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pleased that it already looks like we will have a good number of members of the community attending. Despite the strangeness of this past year, I am looking forward to reporting on Council activity. My fellow chairs will also give reports in relation to their committee’s activity. I am extremely proud to say that we all work together; we are one team. As you may already be aware, our Annual Business meeting will take place on the 6th of May, where a new Mayor/ Chair of the council will be confirmed and will officially take over. Again, this meeting will be via Zoom so will almost certainly feel very different, but I look forward to welcoming the new Mayor into the role. As always, please do not hesitate to get in contact if you need anything at all; I’m always happy to help. Keeley Allin – Mayor of Great Torrington cllr.allin@great-torringtontowncouncil. gov.uk 07783 711 500

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TOWN COUNCIL NEWS Your Council, Working for YOU

Out & About

he Town Council’s Technicians have been busy over the past few months, undertaking a variety of tasks. You may have noticed that the bollards (all 61 of them) have been re-painted and are looking great for the summer season. Other work undertaken includes hand weeding, grass cutting, moss clearing, maintenance of street furniture, hedge-cutting, washing the railings at Rack Park and even stone walling along the boundary of the allotments. We have also spent some time, along with other agents and group members clearing and keeping Caddywell Lane tidy, which has also been complemented with a new litter bin at the Bluecoat School end. We have looked at the conditions of our bus shelters and are setting out a plan for maintenance, re-painting and eventual replacement over the next year and beyond. As we go forward into the summer, the Council will continue the work started last year on specific areas of grassland, leaving the grass to grow as part of a longerterm meadow approach. We sowed yellow rattle seed last autumn to help break down the grass ready for wild flower sowing at the end of this season. We will position appropriate signage in these areas. We will also be planting the planters at the town entry signs and maintaining these during the summer months. Members of the environment committee recently agreed to arrange for bulbs to be planted, at entrances to the town, by Donnacroft and Woodland Vale this autumn ready for next spring.

Notice of Annual Council Meeting

Thursday 6th May 2021 otice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Great Torrington Town Council will be held via Video Conference on Thursday 6th May 2021 at 7pm. We would be very pleased to see members of the community at this meeting. For Video Conference details to enable you to join the meeting, please contact the Town Council before noon on Wednesday 5th 2021. Karen Chapman Town Clerk

Town Map

ou will note that the middle pages of this Crier host a town map which sets out the types of shops and businesses in and around the town centre and their specific location. We hope you find this informative and that you will also keep this part of the Crier handy for future reference. We also hope it will encourage you to “shop local” as you note the large variety of shops and services available close to home. This map has been taken from the larger version of the Town Map (as per last Crier’s front page), which is now available for the local community and visitors alike. By the time you read this article we will have started to distribute all of the three maps (The Town Map, Civil War Trail and Heritage Trail). If you are in a position to display information, and specifically make these maps available to the community and beyond, and you haven’t already been given a supply; please contact the Town Council and we will ensure these are made available to you. Great Torrington Town Council

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GREAT TORRINGTON TOWN COUNCIL NEWS Town Council’s Neighbourhood Plan

Notice is hereby given of the following Referendum timetable of proceedings in respect of the Town Council’s Neighbourhood Plan.

Date Action Friday 7th May 2021 Wednesday 12 May 2021 Tuesday 1 June 2021 Wednesday 2 June 2021 Wednesday 9 June 2021 Wednesday 9 June 2021 Friday 11 June 2021 Thursday 17 June 2021 Thursday 17 June 2021

Publish Information Statement Publication of Notice of Referendum Last Date for Registration Receipt of Postal Vote Applications 5pm Publication of Notice of Poll & SOPN Receipt of Proxy Vote Applications 5pm First Day to Issue Replacement Lost Postal Ballot Papers Receipt of Emergency Proxy Vote Applications 5pm Day of Poll 7am to 10pm Karen Chapman, Town Clerk

Where Has the Colour Gone?

relatives are great architectural features in the border. One lovely cultivar we use at Rosemoor is ‘Cristophii’, a large yet delicate variety with floating clusters of purple star shaped flowers. * Bearded irises - Elegant and elaborate in appearance this group of Iris gives an impressive display in May and June. They thrive in a well-drained soil with little competition to allow the rhizomes to bake in the sun. We use the pale blues of ‘Jane Phillips’ and two-tone purple of ‘Braithwaite’ to compliment pink and purple shrub roses. * Camassia leichtlinii subsp. leichtlinii - These majestic bulbs produce clusters of creamy white star shaped flowers on spikes just over a meter high. They prefer a moist but well-drained soil in full sun or light shade. * ‘Roma’ is a beautiful pink variety

Ideas for late spring/early summer interest he beginning of May and June are exciting months for any gardener with an herbaceous border. Fresh spring colours and lush green foliage help us forget the hardships of winter, and we now eagerly anticipate the vibrant summer months to come. However, there is often a time after the daffodils die back, but before summer kicks in, where the border needs a bit more colour and excitement. With good planning, it is possible to inject some interest while we wait for the Asters, Sedums and grasses to fill in the gaps. Here are a few of my favourite flowering plants for May and June: * Allium - These ornamental onion

of Astrantia, a low growing semi-shade tolerant perennial with a long flowering season that comes in flushes. Once the first set of flowers and leaves are looking tired cut back to ground level fairly early and you will be rewarded with another. * Primula Harlow Car hybrids – These large showy primulas are great for a moist soil in a sunny spot. Sally Newbrook, Team Leader Image ©RHS/Sheila Dearing

The Box in The Loft

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All royalties going to the SW Peninsula Medical School, Dimbleby Cancer Care Org and CLIC Sargent (in memory of the late Sarah Louise Field), AC SW, Dementia SW, Human Animal UK and CCDC. Available on Amazon at the end of May in paperback and ebook.

One Community - Torrington 100

t’s been approximately two years since the launch of our One Community - Torrington 100 - and we’re keen to refresh old acquaintances and make new ones. The map shown here highlights the villages that came forward as early adopters at the launch of our programme, if your village isn’t shown but you’d like to get involved then please contact our Community Developer Martin Rawle on 07939 154

436 or martin@ttvs.org.uk. We’ve been busy organising volunteers for Covid response, assisting Village Halls to access funding and working with North Devon Healthcare Trust to create a volunteer visiting service called Home From Hospital. We’d love to hear your ideas for community projects that you’d like to get off the ground now we’re beginning to move around again, so please get

in touch. Equally, if you’d like to be connected with an activity group in your area, perhaps you’d like a bit of support in doing this, then we can help. Martin Rawle

GREAT TORRINGTON GOLF CLUB LADIES & GIRLS ACADEMY 2021

Price £199 (1st Jan. to 31st Dec. 2021) to include Full Membership PLUS TWO 60 minute lessons, one to one or small group with Ross Daniel PGA Professional (working on the basics of golf, set up, swing, short game and putting). ONE 60 minute on course lesson at Torrington Golf Club (playing 5 holes on the course with Ross Daniel). Working on course management and putting into practice the skills learnt in the one to one sessions. For more details or to book your place: Call 01805 622229 or email: info@torringtongolfclub.co.uk Visit: www.torringtongolf.co.uk

Great Torrington Golf Club Open!

s I write this the sun is shining and there are signs of spring everywhere. How wonderful it is to be able to get back out into the countryside and meet up with friends. Our members were so excited to be able to get out and play a round of golf with friends and be in such a wonderful location. During the lockdown we have been busy at the club, refurbishing the ladies’ changing rooms and planning the way ahead. Tony, our Manager, has been looking after the course and making a few changes which have enhanced the whole golfing experience. We have achieved a ‘Safe Golf’ status from England Golf which meant ensuring all their criteria were met. We have also signed up to the ‘Women and Girls into Golf Project’ which means we want to encourage them to have a go at golf. Our aim is to increase the number of women and girls who play regularly, and ensure they have a voice in the future of the club too. Many people enjoyed a walk around the course during lockdown. The views are spectacular and the sound of the wildlife, especially the birds makes you stop and listen. Nature is so wonderful and uplifting, bringing our hearts alive again. It almost feels like we have all been hibernating and it is time to wake up again for the new season! As the ‘Women and Girls into Golf Champion’ I would like to invite all those who have never tried golf before, or who

Recommended Reads

y ‘Recommended Read’ this month is the 2020 Booker Prize winner ‘Shuggie Bain’ written by Douglas Stuart. The language is rather choice in parts, but it certainly makes you feel happy to live in Devon and not in Glasgow during the 1980s. Shuggie is the third child of Agnes Bain. Agnes had always expected more from life, she dreamed of greater things: a house with its own front door; her own garden to hang her washing and everything bought and paid for. Sadly, Agnes was her own worst enemy and an alcoholic - she loved her children, especially Shuggie, but he had his own problems. Despite all his attempts to pass as a normal boy everyone had started to realise that Shuggie was ‘no right’. His father Shug was a philandering cab driver and when he “ups and leaves” Agnes, her two older children, from her first husband, and Shuggie, are left to eke out a precarious living in Pithead, a ‘mining town’ with no mines and no jobs. Douglas Stuart, the author, certainly knew his subject, Agnes, constantly drunk, sheds “the sad, selfish tears of the ‘poor mes'“. The description of the pit village is bleak. Sister Meechan in the hospital where Shuggie’s grandfather lay dying had “a cold hard stare from watching the endless soap opera of endless violence”. Shuggie heard the nurse say she thought for sure that Agnes was a “working girl” “she is NOT" said Shuggie proudly, “my mother has never worked a day in her life, she’s far too good looking for that”. Agnes does, for one glorious year, manage to kick the drink and Shuggie begins to relax but of course Agnes being Agnes, she is soon lured back after a night out where an unsuspecting man friend hadn’t realised the fragility of her condition and had bought her several vodkas, which of course she was unable to refuse. I loved this book, it was heart-breaking but also funny in parts, Shuggie, as a character, is innocent and kind, in spite of the hand that life has dealt him, you can’t help hoping that like Tony Blair ‘things can only get better.’ Well worth a read. Bookworm

haven’t played for a long time, to come along to one of two special events that we are hosting. The events, which are sponsored by England Golf, are free and all equipment will be provided - as will refreshments. Golf is no longer the elitist sport that it used to be and is accessible to all those who want to play. So why not come along and see for yourself on 9th May or 6th June from 3 –

4.30pm. We are also running an academy which is a great way to start out on your golfing journey. Call 01805 622229 or email info@ torringtongolfclub.co.uk for more information or to book your place. Hope to see you soon. Jackie Saunders

www.torringtongolf.co.uk

Organic & Wholefood Buying Group News

pril saw us processing the most considerably, but it is worth remembering orders ever, with many smaller that a single cup of coffee contains as orders and shares. Whilst some much caffeine as is used to stimulate members include items for family and the heart in open heart surgery – not friends in their order, we're very happy something it's wise to do on a very to say that single households regular basis. As we all know, are finding it easier and easier excess coffee and, therefore, to benefit from wholesale caffeine drains the adrenals, prices with the increasing leaving us stressed out and variety of shares now on offer lurching from one coffee or each month. We also offer a other stimulant to another. Our group order from an additional tolerance of caffeine depends supplier besides our regular upon our temperament and grocery order: in March it was constitution. Sensitive, highly our brilliant organic vegan naturopathic strung people will surely find it gives body care supplier in Worcester and in them the jitters, disrupts their sleep and April we offered a wide range of excellent induces headaches, being a common stainless steel lunchboxes, storage prime trigger of migraines. So of course tins and the bottom "Caffeine levels vary very considerably, but line here is eco home it is worth remembering that a single cup of that coffee products - so coffee contains as much caffeine as is used to is actually we can all reduce our stimulate the heart in open heart surgery..." neither good plastic use nor bad per and store food healthily and safely. What se, but good for some in moderation we do urgently need is help in the form and not at all suitable for others. Quality of a new venue. Sorting the delivery and is just as important too, organic is picking orders within the confines of our best, naturally, and I strongly suggest home has really become too much and you avoid decaf, as caffeine removal takes an unnecessary amount of time often involves chemicals used in paint and effort for us volunteers, due to lack strippers and degreasants – very toxic. of space. A much better choice would be coffee Wellbeing Tip: alternatives such as chicory coffee which Is coffee black or white healthwise? is caffeine free, relaxing and a gentle Like most foods, coffee can be diuretic. It comes as a powder, like both healthful and detrimental to our an instant coffee, and can be enjoyed wellbeing. Coffee stimulates mental either black or white, according to taste. focus and physical performance, Another alternative is roasted dandelion contains modest levels of nutrients and root coffee – excellent for our liver and anti-oxidants and supports liver function kidneys, with a lovely coffee like flavour and fat burning. Caffeine levels vary very and aroma. Brew it as strong or mild as

you like, drink it black or white. There are also various other blends of non-coffee ingredients available with a coffeelike flavour. A huge range of excellent coffee beans, grounds and substitutes are available through OWBG - all at wholesale prices, with special offers from the manufacturers coming up quite regularly. Don't forget, membership of OWBG is open to all, including small businesses and social groups. Next grocery order date: 13th May Next body care order date: 16th June How do I join? Via our Facebook page or website, full info on the website! What does membership cost? Free What if I need advice or have questions? Call 01805 623 307 or email mary@marycrailwellbeing.co.uk OWBG Website:owbg.jimdofree.com Facebook: Organic & Wholefood Buying Group Email: owbg@protonmail.com Facebook: Mary Crail Biofeedback & Wellbeing www.marycrailwellbeing.co.uk

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i there, Freddie checking in to welcome you to the glorious month of May. Usually, May would see the start of our dog shows, but of course this year is different as they are all on hold until at least August. It is such a shame as I really miss seeing all the lovely dogs and, of course, being the centre of attention! However if you check out our website you will see that I am going to host my very own online video dog show, which will run via Facebook on Monday 31st May and I can guarantee it will be very different to most other online shows! There will be one entry fee of £5 for as many classes as you wish to enter, with lots of lovely prizes for your furbies (and humans) to enjoy. Shame I am running it as, of course, I usually like to enter, but guess I need to give some other woofs a chance to win some rosettes and treats! Not much to report on the dog front at the moment as things are still quite quiet. Poppy, Rex and Woody are still hoping to find a human family to adopt, but they do all need an experienced owner who can continue their training and be willing to meet them several times in order to build up a bond prior to adoption. Talking of building up a bond you know I have noticed that often when people come to meet the dogs they are all over them trying to give them cuddles and strokes,

and often think that a dog doesn’t like them as they are more interested in sniffing the grass. Now me, I actually can’t get enough of the cuddles and love, but you know some of us woofs are a little shy and aloof – a bit like a teenager on a first date! It is also important to remember that although the dogs get lots of attention and play time, they do also spend much of their time in the kennel and so when going outside they can get really bouncy. To them you are a complete stranger and for some, not as exciting as the new smells around them. I always think it is a shame that some dogs get overlooked simply because they don’t immediately respond to their visitor and some visitors don’t understand the various signals that us woofs are giving them. For example would you know what a dog is indicating when they lick their lips frequently? Well of course it could mean they have just enjoyed a lovely dinner, or it could mean they are stressed out as licking lips

is often a means by which we try and appease or calm people and dogs. In this photo you can see that Toby woof is very apprehensive about the situation he is in, as he is not only licking his lips but is also showing you the white of his eyes. It doesn’t necessarily mean he is aggressive just very unsure – although it is a sign to be very cautious of, as of course some nervous dogs can react aggressively if the warning signs are ignored. Many dogs being visited by new people will often feel like this and that is why Aunty Lynne is now asking all potential adopters to visit several times prior to adopting, and not to be put off if the dog you are visiting doesn’t automatically react lovingly to you in the first instance; remember love doesn’t always happen at first sight! If you would like to learn more about canine body language then check out our website for some new workshops that we will be offering here at the rescue centre starting in June – and of course you will get to meet me. Talking of workshops you will also find details of new courses on our website including ‘Getting through the Teenage Years’. We know that many of you will have welcomed new puppies and dogs into your homes during lockdown and some of them will now be reaching their adolescent stage which, for many dogs, can mean a change in their behaviour – sometimes in good ways and sometimes in challenging ways! Many of your dogs will sadly not have had the normal socialisation opportunities that all us woofs really need in order to be able to face the world as we grow. Whilst we were confident young puppies, as we get

older we seem to have more obstacles to overcome and can become scared of things that previously we happily accepted. It’s a bit like you humans moving from childhood to teenagers. On to fun! Aunty Pat has been doing a lot of play sniffing work with us all, which is great fun, but I have to say really tiring. She told me that 10 minutes of using my brain is the equivalent to an hour’s walk – not sure about that but all I know is that I am quite sleepy at the end of it. All the owners of the dogs that come and

visit for day care say that they sleep all night when they get home! It is lovely to see so many new woofs coming to play and so just a reminder that the daycare centre is now open Monday to Friday, and we also have some spaces for boarding as well, for your woofs to come on holiday. Charges and booking forms are on our website www.k9focus.co.uk, or you can just call Aunty Lynne on 01769 560878 and, of course, all monies raised go to help woofs like me! That’s all for this month but I will be back next month with more adventures from the centre. In the meantime have fun. Woofs & Licks, Freddie

Property Market Place Musings

n early Easter brought a welcome glut of chocolate that, at least, could be shared with friends and loved ones in our gardens, in parks and certainly on Torrington Commons! Non-essential shops opening up and the possibility of travel abroad, is sending positive signs into the market place, although I suspect there will be a lot more staycations this year. We are seeing strong demand for homes that either do, or could, provide potential extra income by either extension or conversion. This is all on top of people who have adapted to work from home and are now, with some semblance of normality on the horizon, being given the opportunity to work permanently from home or do a blend of home/work place. The end of June being the new closing date for the current Stamp Duty holiday has certainly breathed enthusiasm into the market. One of the major property portals reported a record of more than 9 million visits on one day, which equates to more than 6,000 every minute! From our own website we have seen a huge surge in enquiries, up some 41% from pre-Covid levels, and across social media we now have in excess of 33,000 followers. It is fascinating to see how buyers and sellers interact with agents nowadays; what information they are seeking when they do, and what their expectations are. This last year has changed the industry and, going forward, many new practices will become common place. If you had said a few years ago I would be interacting on social media with a

potential purchaser, on Easter Monday gone 8pm, I would have said don’t be so ridiculous! As agents if we do not embrace this change we will be left behind, and that is why we offer a 24/7 online booking feature for appraisals and viewings. Will this surge continue and is it a good time to sell? The market is being strengthened by the return of 95% mortgages, which are Government backed up to the end of December 2022, and there are now more mortgage deals than there has been for some while. This is great news and I do not foresee any change to the sales or rental markets over the next three months. Probably nothing major will happen if we continue along the Government’s road map out of Covid, until the beginning of October when the industry reverts to pre-Covid Stamp Duty rates and the surge could lessen. There is no doubt that the pent up demand for property still exists; it was not satisfied before Easter and the previous Stamp Duty holiday deadline. There is a shortage of property coming to the market and, as can be seen from our own experience, careful marketing and presentation is still the key to finding a suitable purchaser. In the last few days multiple offers have been received on a number of homes, with price guides being stormed through. One property received three offers from just four viewings, so the answer to the question is yes, it is a good time to sell. Adrian Hardwick, Webbers Local Director

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Tarka Valley Railway News

e have returned to work, albeit with a small group of appropriately socially distanced volunteers. Our first Thursday back was met with a warm sunny spring day. General clearance and maintenance had been carried out earlier so the main tasks were preparing the siding site ready for work to commence on the Trap Point. The chassis of the brake van had paint applied, the blockhouse roof had more work carried out, and Torrington Cavalier was started after a three month shutdown. By the time this edition is published, we hope to be able to have the siding substantially installed and our carriage cleaned, tidied and prepared for opening. It is the 150th anniversary of the opening of the railway in 2022 and we hope to have Progress and the Brake Van running for rides by July next year. A huge amount of work will be needed to get to this stage, so we are hoping for a long dry spell to achieve this goal. As usual our Facebook page has weekly updates and photos - please take a look when you can. Robert Martin Tarka Valley Railway

Rolle Canal Project Progress Report

he last year has been extraordinary. The coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent national lockdown meant that we had to stop work on the canal basin when RHS Rosemoor closed its doors in March 2020. All activity ceased for a couple of months until a small group of volunteers, observing strict Covid safety guidelines, re-assembled in May. With Rosemoor closed, this was an opportunity to turn our attention to other parts of the canal. One task which needed immediate action was the area around the roving bridge which had become seriously overgrown during the spring. We spent some six weeks here cutting back brambles and felling a number of sturdy saplings which had grown to some twenty feet in height. We also removed a lot of ivy from the bridge itself, and spent some time clearing the towpath and the bed of the canal. The bridge is one of the major features of the canal and we are anxious that it is kept in a good state of repair. On 15th July 2020, RHS Rosemoor reopened on a limited programme and we were allowed back onto the site. We approached the canal basin with some trepidation, in the knowledge that nature would have taken its course during our absence. The scene that greeted us was indeed dispiriting. The grassed area in front of the lime kiln was full of weeds. The water level in the canal had dropped significantly and the basin was consequently badly infested with grass and weed at the northern end. The towpath had virtually disappeared under brambles, ragwort and the branches of overgrowing shrubs. For the first

two weeks we devoted all our efforts to tidying up the site and getting it back into some semblance of order. As the weeks went by, a growing number of volunteers returned from self-isolation. It was good to see that everyone was safe and well and by August the team was back to something like full strength. As we have now completed most of the restoration work on the main canal basin, our efforts have focussed on two separate projects: the ongoing exploration of the tucking mill and repairs to the lime kiln. We finished the re-build of the southern arch of the lime kiln earlier in 2020, so we have now turned our attention to repairing the badly degraded western wall. This involved removing a lot of ivy and then taking the stonework down to a sound base before re-building. We are also assessing the feasibility of restoring the big arch in the western wall of the lime kiln. Given its

current condition, this is a major task which is made more difficult as a result of the height of the arch – some twenty feet. We have made a start by re-building the foundations to provide a supporting 'buttress' but we do not underestimate the challenge of this restoration. With regard to the tucking mill, we are continuing to excavate the site which seems to be more extensive than we first thought. Further digging has revealed what looks to be another wall running south from the main chamber. This may indicate that there was another room here. During November/December, our excavations exposed a second flight of steps which run parallel to the first flight which we discovered some time ago. The site continues to throw up many intriguing questions. In the absence of any old plans, our ideas about its layout and how it may have operated are a matter of conjecture. However, it does

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appear that the original building was extended after the canal closed in 1871 and additional rooms were subsequently built over the towpath. We hope that further excavation may give us some clues! Although the main focus of our work has been the Rosemoor site, volunteers have also been working at various other locations along the canal. Several working parties were organised during the early part of this year to carry out repairs to the towpath at Beam and to make a start on digging out brambles from that section of the canal bed. Recently, the team spent five weeks at Ridd clearing vegetation from the top and bottom of the inclined plane and uncovering the old stable building, which had completely disappeared under a thick carpet of brambles and ivy. There is always plenty of maintenance work to be done but we are making good progress with the restoration of this important piece of our industrial heritage. Generally, working parties are held every Wednesday morning, meeting in the main car park at RHS Rosemoor, Torrington at 9.30am. (NB. Arrangements may vary during Covid restrictions). Please contact Project Manager, Ian Harrison (tel.01237 475707) for more information. New volunteers are always welcome. Tony Nicholls Pictured: Rolle Canal at Rosemoor, with restoration work on the lime kiln

Fleur’s Gardening Forum

Chemical free gardening t is possible to garden without using crops that are resistant to diseases like any chemicals, as our ancestors tomato and potato blight, rust on leeks, did over many hundreds of years. or club root in brassicas. However, crops were still vulnerable One way to partially overcome to devastating attacks these problems is to at times (think of locusts protect crops by means in Africa) and methods of physical barriers. were gradually devised However, this is probably to control predators of all impractical for most kinds. Soapy water was gardeners, so we need to used to wash off aphids use other methods and (still quite a good way of one may be to grow what controlling these are called ‘heritage pests). Human hair "Soapy water was used to wash crops’ which are off aphids (still quite a good was often used to those which were deter animals. Cats way of controlling these pests). grown over many were used to control Human hair was often used to decades before mice and voles, F1 hybrids were deter animals." dogs to deal with bred.. These older rats and foxes, etc. varieties are often much hardier and Problems began to emerge once sometimes more resistant to diseases. crops were grown closer together and We only stopped growing them because planted in the same place year on they often didn’t produce so abundantly year. Fungal diseases began to take or had poor keeping qualities. hold; the blight that devastated potato These heritage vegetables, fruit and crops in Ireland and other parts of the flowers are still available to buy from UK in the 19th Century caused misery established companies and are well and starvation for those who relied worth trying. almost solely on potatoes as their main Crop rotation is also important and source of food. Diseases of wheat and if you have space, this is something rice crops had a similar effect in other you should do – this basically means parts of the world and so scientists not growing the same crop in the same and botanists began to research bed year on year and the mantra ways of controlling such diseases is ‘legumes, brassicas, root crops, with considerable success. However, alliums’ and leave fallow (uncultivated) fungicides could be banned for use a fifth area if you have room. This is in urban gardens and so we may be essentially a four/five-year growing cycle unable to grow certain crops in future, for each bed. unless today’s scientists can breed Fleur

Initial consultation with Meg Palmer, Solution Focused Hypnotherapist

Newton Tracey Cricket Club Welcomes New Members for 2021

Torridge Police News

Crime Figures for the Torridge Sector over the 28 days up to 31st March 2021 Burglary dwelling 1 Burglary non-dwelling 6 Violence with injury 21 Violence without injury 72 Robbery 1 Shoplifting 2 Other theft 12 Criminal damage 23 Public order 17 Vehicle offences 2 There are still measures in place to stop the spread of COVID-19, but it’s great to see lots of happy faces enjoying Devon and Cornwall’s beaches and beauty spots. Please behave responsibly and consider other people. Respect each other by making sure you’re keeping two metres away from those you don’t live with and stick to the restrictions. Plan ahead to avoid crowds and park responsibly. Our FAQs have more information about the measures still in place: visit DC.Police.uk/covid-19-faq A message from your Sector Inspector: This summer will no doubt be extremely busy as we see the lockdown lift. I would therefore ask that before

contacting us, you consider whether it is a police matter that you need to report, or whether it is in fact something for one of our partners. Guidance can be found on the D&C website if you are unsure. Where you do need us, rest assured we are here for you. If you do need to contact us, we know there have been issues with calling 101. Again, the website offers you different alternatives through online reporting or live webchat. This will save you a lot of waiting and frustration! Our focus does remain on protecting people from harm and keeping them safe. However, over the summer, we will also target local concerns around speeding, no insurance and anti-social drivers, with loud exhausts! So please ensure you get yourself and your car legal. Finally, we will also actively police issues relating to the anti-social behaviour we see linked to a minority of our young people. So a general plea to parents – please make sure that you know where your children are and what they are doing. Torrington Dairy in particular, is not a safe environment for them to hang out in.

he Government roadmap has permitted outdoor sport since 29 March, with appropriate social distancing, but there are hopes that at some stage during the summer things can return to normal. In meantime we will have appropriate social distancing measures in place which must be followed. We will be participating in the English Cricket Board programmes for young children: * From 5-8 - Allstars for beginners. * From 7-10 - Dynamos for the older beginners and the previous Allstars. Thereafter we will be offering hard ball cricket, in a joint venture with Chulmleigh Cricket Club for matches For the adults we have a full programme of fixtures until midSeptember. The social distancing measures will remain in place until the end of June at earliest, in line with the Government roadmap, so cricket isn’t quite the same as there won’t be the traditional cricket tea, changing facilities or showers. But it’s a small price to pay to allow a naturally social distanced sport like cricket to take place. The link to apply for Allstars and Dynamos are available below. Or please give me a call if you’d like to know more. https://ecb.clubspark.uk/Dynamos/ Course/723ae68d-62ba-477a-a77089559b531b3a https://ecb.clubspark.uk/AllStars/At/ newtontracey Graham Moore 07760 197 550

In the Year of 2020

In the year of 2020 a deadly virus spread, We couldn't see our loved ones Just "stay at home" they said! Exercise and shopping Is all we were allowed, No hotels, pubs or restaurants, No groups or football crowd! We had to keep our distance, "Two metres" we were asked, Our hands were washed and sanitised And faces always masked! A travel ban was once imposed And then we had it lifted, The tourists came and left their mess, The Council got it shifted! Summer came, then autumn And lockdown came once more, How much more could we all take? It all became a bore! Christmas was a washout, We only had one day To spend with those we love the most And then they went away! A vaccine is available, We have to wait our turn. It could be spring or summer Who knows? We've yet to learn! When life returns to normal We'll do the things we miss, Like seeing friends and family And greet them with a kiss. Ros Stamp

RHS Encourages Families to Grow Together this Summer

or the first time all five Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) gardens are hosting the same event. The RHS is encouraging families, many who may have been stuck at home during lockdown, to ‘Get up and Grow’ this summer half term with a full raft of activities to enjoy. Starting 29 May, it is a chance for families visiting the five RHS Gardens to have fun outside growing together. Whilst exploring the gardens in all their late spring glory and finding wonderful spring flowers, beautiful views, and spotting the abundance of wildlife, they can be solving all the clues on the trail designed to show how important pollinators are to gardening. Families will discover that it is not just bees and butterflies but beetles and other insects including night-flying moths that all help pollinate plants. Activities vary at each garden, all of which are designed to help them grow at home. On completion of the trail, each family will receive a goody bag including activity sheets, some seeds to plant and a booklet to help people grow for pollinators. The trail is available to download from the RHS website (where you can also find out more information and book tickets). COVID restrictions still apply and the gardens are still operating with limited capacity each day. RHS members go free but all visits by members and nonmembers need to be booked online in advance. For more information please visit rhs.org.uk/rosemoor.

Join Torrington Army Cadet Force!

orrington Army Cadet Force meets every Tuesday from 27th April 7-9:30pm at the Detachment Hut, which is located in the grounds of Great Torrington School. Young people aged between 12-18 years of age are more than welcome. If you’re interested in joining, or for further information on what the Army Cadet Force can offer you, please feel free to contact SSI Charles Westley-Clark on the details below: Email: 2192clar@armymail.mod.uk Telephone: 07484 333 264

Town Walls & Watery Legends

orrington was originally a walled town with a castle situated where the bowling green is now. Its commanding position, near the edge of the high, steep precipice overlooking the River Torridge, gave it strong natural defences to the south and far-reaching views of the surrounding countryside. Taddiport was outside the town walls

been built with stones from the old ruined castle. They were constructed in around 1846, when the Rolle family were lords of the manor, as an added attraction to the town and built in the same flamboyant style as Town Mills down by the New Bridge on the A386. The bridge was built in 1843. Town Mills, now called Orford Mill, was a former grist mill using water

The spring was blessed by the Rev. Jeremy Hummerstone in the 1980s. In Victorian times it was the custom for young girls to get up early on May Day and wash their faces in pools, believing this would make them beautiful. According to some local people's recollections, a favourite place for this ritual was Lady Wash, a stream that runs down Castle Hill. Others were brought up to believe it was May Day dew you had to wash your face in – which was sometimes harder to come by. Moira Brewer

Little Torrington Breaks Free

and members of its leper colony, who tilled the strip fields down in the valley, weren't allowed up into the town. The original castle was first mentioned in 1139, but it had been built without royal licence and in 1228 the Sheriff of Devon ordered it to be pulled down and the ditches around it to be filled up level with the ground. A second castle was built, with permission, by Richard de Merton in 1338 on the same site. By the time of John Leland's visit to Torrington 200 years later nothing of the castle remained, except an old chapel which had been used as a school house since 1485. People sometimes ask if the crenellated walls on the top of Castle Hill are the original town walls. The answer is no, although parts of them may have

power for grinding corn. The castellated appearance of the building was also at the instigation of Lord Rolle to create a romantic riverside feature that could be seen from the town. In the midst of a thicket of trees on the steep slope down from the Old Bowling Green to the Common Lake stream lies Covety Spring. (Coventina is a Roman water Goddess). The water from this spring was believed to have medicinal qualities, especially good for curing eye infections. People would hang bits of rag and threads or ribbon on the bushes and trees growing by the well (they still do) in the belief that as the rags rotted away so the pain would fade. Retired local doctor, Harry Cramp, has been quoted as saying that any water containing traces of zinc could, indeed, help with eye problems.

o celebrate freedom from lockdown, members of the committee delivered ‘Project Bags’ to all our members. They contained a newsletter, quiz, an Easter egg made for us by Fancy Something Sweet, a viola to plant out and two balls of wool to boost contributions to our yarn bombing plans for July. The theme of the March coffee morning was knitting, for this project. New member Christine Thomas is well on the way to being our most prolific knitter. Langtree WI extended an invitation to their March Floral Art Demonstration by Chris Pearce. With Zoom this is just so easy and 11 members enjoyed this ‘outing’ and we have responded by inviting them to our April speaker meeting. We are all much relived by the news that Irene Daniel is back home after her medical emergency and wish her a speedy recovery. Should you wish to join us you can always drop in on a Zoom meeting and look at our Facebook page. During any given month we also have book club, craft get-togethers and coffee mornings. So do contact our secretary Linda on 01805 603442. Sally Ramsden

How Can the North Devon Cancer Care Car Help You?

1st Torrington Scout Group

he Cubs and Scouts have completed their last few Zoom meetings. The Scouts have had a scavenger hunt; where for each round they went to an area such as the kitchen or bathroom and had to do completely random things, quickly. Some examples were making their name from items in the kitchen, something homemade and bubbles. In the final Zoom meeting the Scouts decided to do a mixture of all their favourite things and took on that responsibility. This included a mini football quiz, playing their favourite game Ware-Wolves, a mini scavenger hunt, a Kahoot quiz, debates and they even had time for mug cakes. Despite the current circumstances the Scouts have really stepped up and been patient with the fact we haven’t been able to meet face-toface. Cubs have had some fun-filled final Zoom meeting weeks. One week they grew cress, sunflowers and runner beans and have been comparing how they've been growing on the FB page. In their creative Easter card and model making week, they enjoyed a story and making chocolate cornflakes egg nests and even more so eating them, yum! At the time of going to print, Cubs and Scouts are over the moon that they can return to scouting from the12th April. It

o you or somebody you know have a cancer diagnosis and are struggling to get to your hospital appointments for essential treatment? Go North Devon’s Cancer Care Car service can help and support you with your transport needs, by ensuring you get to your vital chemotherapy and oncology appointments. The service is available to patients who are unable to use public transport and have no other means of independent travel. The comfortable door-to-door car service has been in operation since 2014 and has helped thousands of cancer patients get to and from NDDH, and other North Devon hospitals, for life saving chemotherapy treatment and other oncology related appointments. The Cancer Care Car is an invaluable service for many people. Hugh, from Torrington who uses the service was finding it logistically difficult to keep asking family and friends for repeated help when they had their own busy lives to lead. He said “The Cancer Care Car has made an enormous difference to me in being taken to and from my hospital visits. John and Norman are excellent drivers and good conversationalists which helps pass the time and make the journeys more enjoyable.” To find out more, or to make a booking please call Go North Devon on 01271 328866 or visit www.gonorthdevon.co.uk Registered Society IP27719R (Charitable Status) will also be great to see the brand-new kitchen and a redecorated hall. Our next big challenge will be to renovate the bathrooms and paint the exterior of the hut. Beaver Leaders Wanted

We are looking to reopen our Beaver Colony. If you or anyone you know would be interested in running or helping run an exciting programme for 6-8years please contact our Group Scout Leader Jordon. If you have a son or daughter who may be interested in joining Cubs aged 8-10 or Scouts aged 10-14, please contact Jordon GSL on email Jordon.whitear@ gmail.com.

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Year 11 have been working hard on their creativeTorrington writing in &the build Devon up Methodist Church 10.30am Rolle Canal Northern to their final writing assessments. Here are two very different responses Rev Stephen Hill 6.30pm Rev Ken to Waterways Society Guided Walk Morgan this writing prompt: write a story with the opening lines “This was going The new season's programme The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter of to be a terrible day, one of those days when it’s best to stay in bed because Sunday afternoon walks starts on 26th Day Saints meet @ Bideford College everything is going to turn out bad.” May with visit to EX39 the site Abbotsham Rd,aBideford, 3AR of the Swords Upon Swords Inclined Plane at Ridd. This is the Sunday Sacrament service at 11.50am-

depending on the season, Saturday 13th

flowering at thewith timeGeoffre of the Advice Surgery The start of the for an appointment ring walk 01237i Kiln,to on the Weare Giffa email tellgeoffrey@geoffrey Halfpenny Bridge, at website www.geoffreycox.co.u Coffee Morning in aidThe of Wem dis Sunday 26th May. Church Chulmleigh Town over a@mile but with plenH cakes,and produce, draw is prizes a discuss likely Major Walker MCofCeremony couple hours. A Memorial 11am £2 (see to article) the R Taddiport Tea Dance 2-4.30p Society's fund Doug 01805 appreciated 622648 or Beryl 0a 624294 enable the Soc Film 'Great Expectations' 7.30 volunteer work High Bickington Cinema promote and maintai Music Coope Boyes & Simpso the Rolle Canal. Future wa The Plough th th

his was going to be a terrible day, one of those days when it’s 1pm best place where the Rolle Canal to stay in bed because everything is going to turn out bad. I never was'Hitchcock' raised up(12A) about3pm 43 feet Film @ The expected it to happen. Not one thought crossed my mind that my from the valley floor near Plough terrible day was going to erupt in merely a few turns of some ink-stained pages. Weare to a Film 'Argo'Giffard (15) 7pm @level The Plough But it did. Comedy 'Russell Kane' @ Devon Hall in the side of the valley I was reading my newly favorite novel, loosing myself in this fictional 8pm that could be maintained world where all I could smell was cinnamon, peppermint and a hint of all the way inland to the gunpowder whilst the biggest smile was plastered on my face, as I forgot Monday head weir 8th at Rosemoor. about any and every burden I held in my boring mundane world. Historical & Talksseen 'Beam Many Society people AGM will have But that’s when It happened. House & Quay' & John Oatway this on previous walks but this year The pace of action began to slow and everything came crashing down all site at will be 16 June, 28 Ju Torrington Clockmaker 7 for 7.30pm @over once because the unimaginable had just occurred. there have been developments August. For further details Methodist Church 14th Swords upon swords echoed over the valleys as screeches from blood the winter that will make it well worth a Sunday email: hassallc@ymail.com Film 'Wreck it Ralph' (PG) 2pm @ The Methodist Church swollen lips poisoned and twisted at the air. I twirled around my weaponrepeat as visit. The Heritage Lottery Torrington 01237 you'llMr p Peter425357, Whattonbut 6.30pm I glided through the rocky graveyard sending more souls six feet downPlough as I funded ‘Life's Journey’ project has Rev to leave a message. Film 'Argo' (15) 5pm @ The Plough began to descend on the enemy. produced a new pathway from the Sheriff C Film (12A) 8pm @ The Plough In a few mere steps we would of win and this story would by ending... but'Lincoln' Tarka Trail down to the bottom of the St. Michael’s Church 10am S as I raised my sword and prepared to charge my feet wouldn’t move. I pulled Ignatius Sunday Club in upper Inclined Plane where twohisillustrated was going Film toOur be'The aHedgehogs terrible day, (15) and tugged at them, but it was no use because then I saw it, and everywhere Tuesday 9th Sessions' 3pm Need Yo information boards have been installed of those days when it's best I turned gifted me the same horrific sight and the same metallic taste of Film 'Lincoln' (12A) 5pm @ Theone Plough The Hedgehog Plough Awareness W to describe the saltmarsh habitat by to stay in bed because everything trepidation. Film 'Hitchcock' (12A) 8pm @ The way but why wait until th the Torridge and the workings and was going to turn out bad. We had lost our leader. Plough Monday 15th help? As spring is here shivered as she walked the stony purpose of the Rolle She Canal. It is now The battle was over and we did not win, as my beloved companion’s ghost Singing for Fun 7.30-8.30pm and hopefully the weathe path. possible to 10th gain a far better Bickington Community lay on the cold cobbled floor. Wednesday improves our friend The lay-out emotionless slapping of her feet spikyCentre In a split second my fictional sanctuary had been snatched from my grasp understanding of the and St Michael's Church Said Masslike 8.30am Mini Mover Dance Session will be up and about agafo echoed the dull sound of rain hitting like jewels with a thief as the realization swarmed me. I could no longer workings linger the inclined plane boat lift 9.30-10.30am @ Bickington in St James of Chapel C concrete, poisonous scratched It’s been an extremely tou on the last page with the happiest smile on my face like I had hoped in fact thanit was wasW.Ipreviously the case. The whispers Torrington @ Methodist Centre at herHall now7pm infected brain, again she the opposite as tears swam uncontrollably out of the brims of my eyes and desperation winter for them. T upper basin of 8pm the canal the top of Film 'I Wish' (PG) @ TheatPlough pushed them back into the ebony cavern filled my no longer warm and fuzzy heart. changeable and wet wea the incline has beenof cleared of scrub Tuesday 16th her unconscious mind. She refused to I swear that out of the hundreds of lives I have lived never, never, has my heart been has made it difficult for ma sufficiently to11th enableface thethem; outline its in'Hearing Thursday for You' Social grou theofache her head would ripped out with such an abrupt force. Not only had my fictional world been overtaken by them to find food or hibern banks to be clearly seen, and the way hard of hearing. Every 3rd Tue St IMichael's Said onlyMass worsen. the enemy, a man I swore we could beat, but the life of a character that fell deeplyChurch in over the past months so m the railway subsequently cutanthrough Bickford Centre call 0127 10.30am in St James Chapel followed by crispThe It was early winter morning, love with had vanished. weak and need help. If yo thelonger, northern destroying thepainted top of aYouth Club High C cellend, in vicarage the sky was powder blue, stillBickington I read and read and read the last line until my blood shot eyes couldWalsingham no you had a resident cradling faint hues of orange and the Memory Cafe 10.30-12.30pm @ The the incline. This canal basin now Centre for 11+ @ 5-7pmhedge because it couldn’t possibly be true. I had been forced back into my own world where arealike lastthe year please don’t streets were coated fog, icing Club 7pm Juniors supports an increasing population of inBadminton no one would understand the pain that rumbled through my body like Plough waves of thunder, a bowl of water and some on a cakefluffy and thick. It was calm, Multi Storey: & The each breath of air causing the pain to increase. I could no longer visit Theatre that world where Early Purple OrchidBeauty and Twayblade (a Adults @ Bickington Commun them, placing it inside a fe serene, may even say beautiful, Cribbage pairs competition @ 2pm @ The Plough all I could smell was cinnamon, peppermint and a hint of gunpowder. Beast green flowered orchid)somewhich, but to it was Film every 'Cloudburden Atlas' (15) 7pm @the Theyoung woman There would be no big smile slapped on my face, because now, I bared Arms 8pmjust the same work 'Cloud she took every that I held in my mundane world and my fictional. Atlas' (15) 7pm @ Plough note early start for longtedious film walk to Film morning. Darcie Hickford, Year 11 Plough note early start for long

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Describe a place you think is beautiful. This was the writing prompt Year 11s were given in their writing assessment last month. I was blown away by Abi’s response. The Twist in This Story

1914: Trenches. o begin with, I love you. That book you nestle your face in when I am home taught me that I truly did “fall in love the way you fall asleep, slowly, then all at once.” I am forever thankful and surprised at how I got to love you. Not, I hasten to say that you deserve no loving, far from it. I am simply astonished that I am capable of withholding you in a cage of my own generosity and gratitude. I close my eyes and imagine the seas of green I would need to cross to get to you. Now stay with me, darling whilst I forward my rant: I know this sounds cliché but if you were a colour you would be yellow. Because no matter how dull a day, I trust your smile to be as bright as the sun, yet it hides away in shame. You give me warmth when I am around you yet burn me with riddance and regret for leaving you so soon. My dearest apologies for bringing you into this subject, however you seem to be the only one listening with your ruddy ears

Slap, slap, slap... Her steps vibrated off the confined, grime covered walls of the short alley way she took. She continued to shuffle through the tight space, and carelessly shoved her frost-bitten rouge hands into her pockets and nuzzled her cherry red nose, into the soft woollen scarf she wore around her neck. But then, without warning a dark shadow seemed to loom above her and pollute the constricted air of the alley way. In the alley, silence swallowed everything. Thick, rough, grubby hands clamped down mercilessly on her porcelain face, like a poor helpless animal. Petrified sage eyes grew wide and were wild with fear, she thrashed desperately. Adrenaline coursed throughout her body. Though, all of a sudden, several more soiled hands began crawling all over her body, restraining her with vile intent. Chapped and ridged hands reached out to her throat and grasped it with malice, a pitiful shiver silently climbed up her back and racked her body with despair. An obsidian haze swarmed her senses and clouded over her vision. She awoke with a start, but swiftly

in the cold. I question why you still stand with me after the blood that has coursed my hands and shall stain your angelic features when I return. Your characteristics are the scent of innocence. I can imagine you reading this letter in that window to watch the children play, without a thought to piece together about why their fathers and brothers have been sent away. Back to my point. The contrast of our scents amaze me. No, darling I am not talking of cologne. It is just the unbearable fact that my personal perfume reeks of sin. I am afraid to embrace you with the poison, and ruin your angelic motives. Though I understand that you don’t keep dancing with the devil and ask why you’re still in hell. Now, back to you, my love. I want this embedded in your brain, so read closely. I am fully boasting when I say to all these men that I consider to be the only man outside mythology, to have found the crock of gold at the rainbows end. For I, am in love with you. If you were to ever leave me be, albeit I shall not be overly surprised, clutched her head that felt filled with scorpions. The floor she was restrained to was blackened with filth and as she weakly gazed around the squalid building the memories began pounding at her mind's door. The images drowned her mind. She became overpowered with visions of the gruesome figure in the alley, his sickly sinister smile and mustard coloured teeth that accompanied it, and the words he spat so venomously reminded her of the same callous words her own father spewed. The once tedious walk to work she loathed, she now envied. The young woman now yearned to bathe in the tranquil breeze, the tinge of coral still floating in the sky and the fog that moved effortlessly, she missed desperately. She now craved nothing more than to walk to work, a mundane thing really, but still it held so much comfort. Now she faced the deafening silence once again. Molly Hooper, Year 11

you are worthy of much greater things, I fear I will never be able to cut you out of me without leaving wounds I cannot heal without your admiration. I would hold tightly onto the shards in my hands and question why they cut through me so easily. Lets talk of love. To me, in the simplest form, it is stability, the lack of loneliness. I apologise for most likely not meeting your book’s expectations, for we can agree I am no Mr Rochester, or a personal Heathcliff. Though I can say that you too, have bewitched me. Mind body and soul. Love to me is holding you up to help you reach your tea mugs, it is pushing the shampoo from your eyes before it stings, it is brushing away the stray eyelashes from your baby cheeks and watching you make a wish. Love to me is the bickering, and how you act like you need to meet a friend to run away, I know this is fake my dear, for you make up many names. Love is allowing you to fix my tie after I nearly cancel plans because the stupid item isn’t cooperating. All this, I long to grasp back. However, I am at war. All this, I wonder if you too analyse it to have the memories, in case I shall never return to you, my beloved. I have a large black devious monster inside me that i have named jealousy. And you are lucky to have never experienced this, you are, of course, the utter definition of perfection. I am jealous, of course, of your safety. Having four walls and a lover of comfort is something I want too. I am jealous of your mindset, for being so pure and adorable, and last of all, I am jealous of the couple with child. I know, sensitive subject. I just want to apologise, if the last time you see me is at the train station, for not providing you a little you and me. For I know that you will be the most amazing mother someday. People always taught me once you spoke, you can’t go back on your word. So, when you first told me you loved me, it must still be echoing somewhere in the universe. And I just can’t seem to let go of that. I am again, selfish and jealous of that. But you are never jealous of something you don’t want. But, the twist in this story is; that I do have you. And you have me. And, I love you. And you love me. Love, Such a beautiful thing, is it not? Abigail Murphy, Year 11

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Private William Oscar Rooke Passmore

illiam Passmore was born in Great Torrington on 30th June 1879. For as far back as I can see in the records, I am unable to trace his father. However, the 1891 census shows that his mother, Fanny, born in 1861, who works as a gloveress, is a widow. William has a sister, Gertrude, aged 9, and a brother, Henry, aged 4. The family lived in Well Street in the town. At this stage, William is enrolled in the Great Torrington Council School for boys. The 1901 has the family living at 9 Calf Street, Great Torrington. William, now 21, works as a brick maker at the Clay Moor quarry in Marland. His mother’s occupation is listed as a ‘leather glove ‘pointer’ and his brother also works in the leather trade as a ‘splitter’. Gertrude is employed as a ‘shirt collar maker’. In 1909, William marries local girl, Annie Hearn, in the town. They would have two children together; Gertrude, born in 1910, and Ida, who is born a year later in 1911. They live at 35 Calf Street, Great Torrington. William would continue working at the quarry until the outbreak of war when he would enlist with the 8th Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment. His service number was 15207. By September 1915 the battalion had been in France for about two months. After a few brief spells on the frontline, both the 8th and 9th Devons would be hurled into action. The 8th Battalion would not have to wait terribly long to see their first action. This would be at the Battle of Loos, which occurred between 25th September and 15th October 1915. The battle was partly seen as a sideshow diversion to the larger French attack at the Third Battle of Artois. Some suspected the terrain of the battleground that had been chosen for the attack meant it was doomed to failure from the start. The flat land provided excellent firing positions for the defending Germans. Regardless, the attack was to continue.

20th Brigade, which included the 8th Devons would bear the brunt of the fighting. Their objective was the town of Hulluch, which was beyond the German front line. From the start of the fighting, the battalions ‘on point’ for the 20th Brigade were the 2nd Gordons and the 8th Devons. It would be the first time the 8th Devons would have seen this level of first hand fighting since their arrival in France. The attack was due to commence at 6.30am. Despite an automatic disadvantage of sections of wire being uncut by the earlier bombardment, they were able to make great progress. Within half an hour of the ‘off’ the 8th Devons had made it through the wire, cleared the frontline German trenches and were making gains in the support trenches beyond. By midday they had reached the outskirts of Hulluch, although the momentum of the attack could not be capitalised on and they eventually ground to a halt when it was decided that further advances at this stage would be futile. They were ordered to consolidate their position. The Battle of Loos would prove costly for both the 8th Devons as well as the town of Great Torrington. During operations they lost a total of 619 soldiers and a further 19 officers. This is particularly staggering bearing in mind the average strength of a battalion at the time was between 650 and 750 men in total. Four of these soldiers would come from Great Torrington; all died on the same day, 25th September 1915. Private Passmore would be amongst these. Given the difficulties in communication, as well as the huge scale of the carnage, details of deaths and injuries took a while to get back to the families from the front. Before the family received the news through official channels, the news was conveyed to them by a friend of the family who was serving in the same unit. Mr Thomas Slade (a fellow worker at the

Clay Moor quarry before they enlisted) reported seeing William had been buried in a trench and that he had helped dig him out. He made sure that he was dead before moving on. He was 36 years of age. It wouldn’t be until later in October that the family would receive official word. William is remembered at the Loos Memorial at Pas de Calais, France. I would like to hear if you have any further information. Michael Newcombe michael.mnewcombe@gmail.com

Who Are You?

Please remind me of your name I’m not as dense as I appear, I really know your face so well But I haven’t seen you in over a year. I seem to think it begins with “C” Is it Cynthia or Chris? I didn’t think my “lock down” memory Had got quite as bad as this! Did I see you the other day? Though, before you ask, I’m not sure it was you I waved at We all look the same behind a mask! I might have seen you round about of course, I really couldn’t say, Perhaps today’s startling auburn hair Back in March was silver grey. Now where is it that you’re living Is it still number thirty four? Or was that the small cottage You once called home before? But now I recollect where you live It’s just come to me, you see. You’d have thought I’d have realised who you are You live just up the road from me! Stef Easton

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Torrington Rugby Club News

fter just over a year of having everything on hold at Torrington Rugby Club, we are pleased to start seeing some green shoots of recovery as we continue preparing to reopen the club for the upcoming 2021/22 season later this year. Following the recent updates in government guidelines, as of 29th March, community rugby clubs have been able to hold contact training sessions, excluding scrums and mauls. Since the announcement, some of the first team, who were chomping at the bit to get back to training, are now meeting at Donnacroft on a Tuesday evening to start some fitness training, along with some touch and tag sessions. The rest of the first team squad are planning to regroup at some point in June, to begin full pre-season training, subject to current guidelines at the time. The ever growing and popular youth section began their training on Sunday 11th April (more details below), with many children very excited about returning to the rugby field. We are continuing to look at reopening the clubhouse when it is safe to do so. Further updates will be announced in due course. Whilst we have all been in various lockdowns over the last 12 months, the club have been busy working on some exciting redevelopment plans. A while ago now, the club was kindly gifted a sum of money from a long-time supporter of the club, Dicky Cawthorne. We have been looking at the most suitable way to use this money, some way that would be a lasting legacy for

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Dicky, and also something that will benefit the whole town in the long term. After months of discussions and development, subject to necessary planning permissions, our ambition is to build additional changing rooms to cater for our youth teams, as well as redeveloping the main clubhouse to be a more spacious, open plan facility, therefore providing a multi-functional community building for the town of Great Torrington. This project will be approached in a phased manner, with the new changing room block the immediate priority, and we hope to begin work on this as soon as possible. To see the project through to the final phases, the club is planning various fund-raising ideas to help us get it over the line. Watch this space for further details. Everyone involved with the club is extremely excited about the plans we have in the short, medium, and long term, especially getting the team back on the pitch playing matches and having supporters back with us to enjoy the games. Finally, whilst we have been working hard over the last few months to get the club ready for reopening, we still have a lot of work to do. We are always on the look-out for more volunteers to help run the club, so we would be delighted to hear from you if you would like to get involved, in what is a very exciting time for the club. You don’t have to play rugby to join the club! The key areas we need help with are; match days; club finance; fund-raising;

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bar management; social media; website management; facility hire. If you would like to help us, or if you would like some further information, please contact us on email – trfc1985@ outlook.com. We are looking forward to seeing you all back at Donnacroft soon. Philip Hearn, Club Chairman Torrington Rugby Club Youth Section As mentioned above, after another long break (and hopefully the last!), the youth section got their boots back out - on Sunday 11th April and training will be on every Sunday thereon at 10am at Donnacroft Playing Fields. All our coaches are looking forward to helping the youth of the club develop their skills and regain some confidence they may have lost, or simply get back to what they enjoy! The coaches are prepped and the appropriate safety measures are in place, all that's left to do is pump up the balls! We are always on the lookout for new players and coaches to help us grow a little more. Age groups we currently run are U7/8 taggies, U9-U11 mixed groups (U11 girls now starting to break away from the boys’ group), U12 boys, U13 and U15 girls. We would love to have more in each age group so please spread the word! For more information please contact Adrian Avery on agavery81@gmail.com or the club email address above. Adrian Avery Youth Section Chairman

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GREAT TORRINGTON SCHOOL Year 5 Taster Day Friday 2nd July 2021 If your child is in Year 5 at Primary School, our Taster Day is an ideal opportunity for them to spend a day with us experiencing life at Great Torrington School. Please note the Taster Day is subject to COVID restrictions in place at that time. For any enquiries, or to reserve a place, please contact 01805 623531 or email admin@gts.devon.sch.uk

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