GREAT TORRINGTON TOWN Your Council, Working for YOU

From Your Mayor…

Iwas very pleased to be asked to attend an assembly at the end of February, at Great Torrington Bluecoats School, to announce the winners for the design of the May Fair programme.

Congratulations to all those children who entered, and especially to those chosen as the winners. We all look forward to seeing the final versions in print.

It was an honour to give a speech at the tea party held to celebrate Cllr Margaret Brown’s award of Honorary Freewoman of Great Torrington Town & Parish. These awards are very rarely given, and only bestowed on individuals who have contributed over and above to the local community. Margaret is a very worthy recipient and continues to represent local issues at both Town and District level – congratulations Margaret!

On March 16th Great Torrington Town Council held their Annual Parish Meeting in the Oak Room of the Town Hall. This meeting is open to all members of the parish to attend, and there is an opportunity to raise questions or

Town Tidy

Sunday 30th April suggestions at the end of the meeting, as well as the presentation of the annual Mayor’s Report. Thank you to those members of the community who attended and raised very important points. We promote this meeting on our social media and in the Crier each year, and would love to see as many representatives of the community as possible coming along, so watch this space in February 2024!

Funding proposals for The Plough were discussed at a recent meeting at Torridge District Council; I would like to personally congratulate the two young people from The Plough Youth Theatre who spoke so eloquently to the committee in daunting circumstances –well done!

"I would like to personally congratulate the two young people from The Plough Youth Theatre who spoke so eloquently to the committee in daunting circumstances – well done!"

I attended several community events this month; firstly, at Abbeyfield and then the Town & Community Hall Community Awards, where I was asked to present some of the awards. It was fabulous to see so many people of all ages being recognised for their valuable contributions to our community. The

Bideford Manor Court ceremony was like stepping back in time, and so nice to see this tradition being kept alive as it is one of only a handful of Manor Courts across the country that still take place.

I attended another Torrington Police Amateur Boxing Club show, where they hosted the Western Counties Finals, as well as the regular home show showcasing local boxers – well done to all those who took part on this very successful evening.

This week I popped along to the final ‘Meet-Up-Monday’ at Torrington Library. I would like to congratulate all the staff and volunteers for making this group such a huge success, the group provided an opportunity for people to meet up have a warm drink and a biscuit, read and discuss the newspapers, play a board game, and join in with sewing activities amongst other things. It really was a hive of activity, and those who attended will very much miss their Monday meet-ups.

I am very much looking forward to May, as we all know it is the most important month in Great Torrington’s annual calendar and this year, we also have the added excitement of the Coronation of King Charles III. I hope you all enjoy celebrating both our local fair and this historic occasion.

Cllr Doug Smith, Mayor of Great Torrington

Royal Garden Party

Why not join us for our next Great Torrington Town Litter Pick on 30th April 2023 as we get ready for our May Fair celebrations? We will be working in the town centre but also along New Street and Calf Street. We will have some litter pickers available or bring a brush, shovel, bin bag, gloves trowel etc. and get stuck in. Meet us by the Town Hall at 10am if you would like to helpwe hope to see you there!

Cllr Keeley Allin

We would like to congratulate our Town Crier, Town Marshal and Flag Raiser Alan Mitchell, who will be attending the King’s Coronation Garden Party on May 9th, where he will be representing Little Torrington Parish Council. We hope he has a great day and look forward to hearing all about it.