TOWN COUNCIL NEWS

Great Torrington History Alive Event

Following the sad passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II last September, our History Alive event originally scheduled for Saturday 10th September, had to be cancelled. We are now delighted to be able to confirm that it has been rescheduled to take place on Saturday 29th July 2023! The event will be an opportunity for Great Torrington to showcase the town’s rich heritage, which dates all the way back to the 8th century AD.

The town will be buzzing with plenty of free, fun, educational and interactive activities to highlight important milestones experienced by our relatively small, but hugely significant North Devon market town throughout the ages. Activities will include living history re-enactments, guides dressed in period costume ready to talk to visitors about notable characters who lived in Great Torrington, a costumed bowls competition, guided tours of the Rolle Canal and Tarka Valley Railway, free entry to Dartington Crystal’s Visitor Centre, talks, displays and exhibitions and a costumed market day.

In addition, RHS Rosemoor will be hosting a Vintage Weekend (normal entry fees apply) with a large collection of vintage and classic vehicles, steam traction engine rides, 1940s re-enactors and singers, Lindy Hop dancing, vintage games, food and drink. There will be a vintage bus running shuttles between RHS Rosemoor and Sydney House car park in Great Torrington. Come and join us in July and experience some of the fascinating history Great Torrington has to offer!

Dementia Action Week

Dementia Awareness Session

Adementia-friendly community is a city, town or village where people with dementia are understood, respected and supported.

In support of Dementia Action Week, which runs between 15th-21st May 2023, Great Torrington’s Dementia Friendly Community Working Group is working with the Alzheimer’s Society to encourage people to ‘act on dementia’. The theme for this year’s campaign is diagnosis.

The Alzheimer’s Society has noticed a sustained drop in dementia diagnosis rates and is therefore keen to encourage those who are concerned they, or a loved one, may be experiencing signs of dementia to contact their GP or the Alzheimer’s Society for guidance and support.

The Alzheimer’s Society offers

Notice of Annual Council Business Meeting

Tuesday 16th May 2023

The Annual Business Meeting of Great Torrington Town Council will be held at Great Torrington Council Chamber, Castle Hill on Tuesday 16th May 2023 at 7pm.

Members of the community are very welcome at this meeting, it would be helpful if you could let us know in advance if you are planning on attending. Please call 01805 626135 or email admin@greattorringtontowncouncil.gov.uk.

Notice of Great Torrington Mayoral Introduction Ceremony

The Introduction Ceremony for the Mayor of Great Torrington Town Council will be held at Great Torrington Community Hall on Tuesday 6th June 2023 at 7pm.

practical advice and information on memory loss and diagnosis, a symptoms checklist to help describe symptoms to GPs and has some videos of firsthand stories from people living with and affected by dementia. The Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Support Line can be contacted on 0333 150 3456 and more information can be found on their website: www.alzheimers.org.uk

During Dementia Action Week, one of our local Dementia Champions will be hosting a Dementia Awareness Session at the Town Hall, on Wednesday 17th May 2023 between 1-2pm. This is an opportunity for anyone to learn more about dementia and memory loss and with this increased understanding, help to support and make a difference to those amongst us living with dementia. If you would like to come along to this session, please contact the Town Council on 01805 626135 or admin@greattorringtontowncouncil.gov.uk, to book your place.

Members of the public are very to welcome to come along to this event, however we do ask that if you are planning to attend, please let the Town Council know by Tuesday 30th May 2023 so that we can plan provision of refreshments. Call 01805 626135 or e-mail admin@greattorringtontowncouncil.gov.uk to let us know you’re coming.

Rolle Canal & Society Anniversary

Not only is this an auspicious year for our monarchy, it also is for the Rolle Canal & Northern Devon Waterways Society, and Lord Rolle’s Canal itself.

In January 2003, a group of people interested in Lord Rolle’s Canal met in the Burton Art Gallery and by the end of the afternoon, the RC&NDWS was inaugurated. This makes 2023 the 20th anniversary of the formation of the Society.

The aims of the society, as established during its inauguration, to research, conserve, publicise and restore surviving features of the Rolle Canal in North Devon, have been more than adequately achieved over its past 20 years of its existence, and continues to do so today.

1823 was also an auspicious year since this was when James Green began the construction of Lord Rolle’s Canal, making this year its 200th anniversary.

Lord Rolle was very keen on pomp and ceremony and on the occasion of his laying the first stone on the beautiful Beam Aqueduct on 11th August 1824, there were a number of local dignitaries present, members of the public as well as a number of canons. Lord Rolle was at the time Colonel of the North Devon Yeomanry. Unfortunately, one canon burst during the ceremony and a person attending was injured. Lord Rolle promptly paid a surgeon to attend the injured man who was compensated with one year’s allowance.

In order to mark and celebrate these historic events, on Saturday 12th August, starting at 2.30pm the site of Sea Lock will be open to the general public. The site is accessed from the yard at Annery where there is limited parking, so those wishing to attend, are asked to car-share as much as possible or take advantage of the local bus service.

At Sea Lock there will be the opportunity to view the restoration work that is on-going at the site as well as visiting the specially constructed traditional wharf-side building which houses an archive of photographs and canal artefacts.

A number of other attractions are planned for this open day, sadly not including the firing of canons but maybe, fireworks?

All are welcome to attend, but dogs are discouraged. More details will be made available in due course at www. rollecanalsociety.org and on Facebook.

Abbeyfield

Supported Independent Living

Our Easter Coffee Morning was well attended and raised £224.50 for the residents’ Comforts Fund. We were delighted that Torrington’s Mayor, Councillor Doug Smith, was able to join us. It was so nice to meet up with friends, old and new, once again. Thanks go to all the staff, residents, volunteers and friends, who helped in any way on the day or beforehand. We are also grateful to local businesses, John Patt’s, Taff’s Fish and Chips, Aurora Candles and Green Lantern Bakery, who generously donated raffle prizes.

We would love you to join us for coffee and cake on the third Friday of each month, between 10.30am and 12 noon. Our cooks bake the most delicious cakes! It is an opportunity to have some lively conversation, meet our residents and perhaps see what we can offer in accommodation, if you are looking, for yourself or a loved one.

If you live alone and are missing company, why not join us for a delicious two-course Sunday lunch for only £6.50. To book a place please ring our House Manager on 01805 623605.

We are now planning our Summer Fête for Saturday July 8th. There will be food, stalls, a raffle, tombola and musical entertainment and great company, so please put the date in your diary now! We look forward to meeting you at Glen Tor, Villa Road EX38 7DZ at any or all of these events. You can always be sure of a warm welcome!

Torrington Baptist Church

Services on Sunday mornings at 10.30am followed by refreshments.

Everyone is welcome to join our friendly, growing fellowship, as we seek to glorify God in our worship.

Microsuction Ear Wax Removal Available in Torrington

New private ear wax removal clinic covering Torrington & North Devon

No more waiting weeks, we can sometimes accomodate same week appointments & occasionally same day!

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

4 Well Street Torrington EX38 8EP

Torrington – a Special Town Part One

At first sight, Torrington appears to be similar to many other small Devon towns but, by looking a little more closely, I hope to uncover its more individual and interesting features. These include its impressive location, its medieval castle, and the former leper colony across the valley, as well as the historic parish church, the town’s royal connections in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, and the Civil War battle which raged through the streets in the mid-seventeenth century. In addition, there are the Torrington Cavaliers, the May Fair celebrations, an important annual event, and the Commons that contribute to making Torrington a special town.

Walking from the square up through the pannier market brings you out onto Castle Hill with its steep drop down to the River Torridge, after which the town is named, and views over the countryside towards Dartmoor. This superb hilltop position has led to the town being referred to as ‘the English Jerusalem’ and it must have been valued for its strategic importance during the Middle Ages.

Torrington, or Great Torrington to give the town its official title, shares the same problems as many small rural towns in the twenty-first century: dwindling amenities (banks, pubs and community hospital beds gone, the library and post office fighting to survive) and too many cars chasing too few parking spaces on operation for nearly a hundred years, closed to passengers and general goods services in 1965 and to freight in 1982. Track-lifting began in the mid1980s and the line became part of the Tarka Trail footpath and cycleway. The station building became the Puffing Billy pub and restaurant. A group of railway enthusiasts still have hopes of opening up a steam railway and re-establishing the line to Bideford. roads built for horses and carts. The old industries, which provided employment for everyone, are long gone (glove factories, dairy, meat factory) with only Dartington Crystal left of the major employers. But the community spirit of the inhabitants is strong, and there is a lot of voluntary organised activity in and around Torrington that supports young and old, fit and infirm. In a South West survey, it was found that Torrington had the greatest number of volunteers per head of population in the whole of the region. This became very apparent during Covid lockdowns.

The rail service to Torrington, in

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There are also remains of the Rolle Canal, which was in use between 1827 and 1871, when it was replaced by the railway which was built over sections of the same route. It was designed by civil engineer, James Green, and was similar to the one he had recently constructed at Bude. Seven miles long from Sea Lock on the Torridge to Rosemoor (Rowe’s Moor in those days) just beyond Torrington, it was used to transport heavy goods such as lime and coal inland and, in the other direction, agricultural produce, bricks and clay out to the port at Bideford.

In my articles during the next few months, I shall write about those aspects of Torrington that, in my opinion, make it a special town.

Moira Brewer

Tarka Valley Railway News

Our first event of the year took place on a bright and sunny Easter Saturday.

The highlight of the day was the naming ceremony of our recently acquired 143 unit which was named after the late Rod Garner, a founder member and chairman of TVR. The train was kindly blessed by Fr Steve from St Michaels Church; it was then followed by Mike Harper playing ‘Amazing Grace’ on his bagpipes.

The open day itself was a great success, attracting many visitors to the stalls, classic cars, motorbikes, the always-popular traction engine rides and, not forgetting, ‘Laurel and Hardy’. Our takings for the day amounted to over £750. Huge thanks to all those who supported the event and to our volunteers who gave up their time to

Pause for Thought

This year May will be filled with excitement, beginning here in Torrington with the May Fair, and then a weekend of celebration as King Charles is crowned after the extraordinary 70-year reign of his mother Queen Elizabeth. The Coronation is a deeply religious ceremony, filled with symbolism, prayers and words from Scripture. In the most sacred part of the service the King will be anointed with oil from Jerusalem using the 12th century spoon from the crown jewels. When the Orb is given to him, the following words are said: ‘Receive this Orb set under the Cross, and remember that the whole organise, run and, of course, pack up at the end of the day. We also enlisted a number of new volunteers which was brilliant.

Our Facebook page has weekly updates and the website has much historical information including videos, photographs and news. It is well worth checking it out: wwwtarkavalleyrailway.org and we are now on Instagram tarkavalleyrailway. We are always looking for new volunteers and you can email us on tarkavalleyrailway@ gmail.com to find out how you can get involved.

Robert Martin, Tarka Valley Railway

world is subject to the Power and Empire of Christ our Redeemer’.

Could Jesus really be the world’s true King, coming back to reign? His title, Christ or Messiah, means anointed one. Christians throughout the world keep two feasts this month - Ascension Day and Pentecost. Luke tells us that forty days after he rose from the dead, Jesus, having taught his disciples about the Kingdom of God, was taken up into heaven. As they watched him disappear into the clouds, two men in white robes said he would return from heaven in the same way as he ascended. Ten days later, on the great Jewish feast of

Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured out on all those gathered in Jerusalem. Kings and Queens have come and gone throughout the history of the world. Our glorious hope is that one day Jesus will return to establish a Kingdom that will never end.

‘But this I know, the skies will thrill with rapture, and myriad, myriad human voices sing, and earth to heaven, and heaven to earth will answer:

At last the Saviour, Saviour of the world is King.’ ( William Young Fullerton) Kathy Luck 07702 589 799

Rolle Canal & Northern Devon Waterways Society Guided Walks Programme Summer 2023

The Rolle Canal walks take place on summer weekends starting at 2.30pm. They are guided by Rolle Canal Society members and, where on private ground, permission has kindly been granted by the land-owners. However, individuals take part at their own risk and must take responsibility for their own safety at all times. The distance is usually around two miles and the aim is to locate and identify surviving clues to the history of the Rolle Canal, and other transport links between Great Torrington and the Torridge estuary. The income, from the small charge of £2 per person, makes a valuable contribution to the society's work in improving access along the canal and providing interpretation of the major features.

No booking is required - all welcome. Please note that some walks include private land where dogs may not be permitted. Up to date details of each walk will normally be published in the local press and on our Facebook page and website: rollecanalsociety.com. If you need any further information, please email Ian Harrison at: halehillfarm@ gmail.com

Sunday 14th May 2.30pm: Annery Kiln to Ridd Inclined Plane. Starting from Annery Kiln by Halfpenny Bridge on the Bideford to Weare Giffard road, see the site where tub-boats were hauled up an incline from the river level to the canal summit level. Part of the underground water-wheel chamber is visible beside the Tarka Trail. In spring, orchids and other wild flowers abound in the dry canal basin. Distance less than two miles. Please note that the route includes 100 metres walking over rough meadow grass which may be wet after rain. Meet at 2.30pm at Annery Kiln.

Sunday 18th June 2.30pm: Rosemoor: The Dark Weir, Canal Basin and Lime Kilns. Starting from the end of the new extended car park at RHS Rosemoor Gardens near Great Torrington, this is an opportunity to walk beyond the public gardens through attractive woodland to Darkham Weir on the River Torridge from where the waters to feed the Rolle Canal were taken.

Then follow the Mill Leat to the recently cleared canal basin, effectively the terminus of the Rolle Canal. Here the old lime kilns can be seen as well as the foundations of a Tucking Mill. (Rosemoor operates a strict no dogs policy). Length, about two and a half miles. Meet at 2.30pm at the far end of the RHS Rosemoor car park.

Sunday 9th July 2.30pm: Torrington Station to Beam Aqueduct. Start from the Puffing Billy (old Railway Station Inn) and follow the Tarka Trail (old railway line) to where the Rolle Canal skirts Furzebeam Hill. Here the towpath leads to the Roving Bridge behind Beam House and on to the iconic aqueduct over the River Torridge. The Tarka Trail then leads back via Beam Weir to the start point. Length a little over two miles. Meet at 2.30pm at the Puffing Billy car park.

Saturday 12th August 2.30pm: Sea Lock and Canal Museum. From the temporary car park next to the Annery lime kilns walk along the canal to Sea Lock.

This is an opportunity to see the restoration work on the lock where in the nineteenth century river barges could enter the canal basin from the tidal Torridge estuary. A specially constructed traditional canal-side building houses an archive of photographs and canal artefacts. Distance less than two miles. Meet at 2.30pm at Annery Kiln.

A number of events centred around Sea Lock are being planned on the day to celebrate the bi-centenary of the commencement of The Rolle Canal and the 20th Anniversary of the formation of the Rolle Canal Society - see website for details in due course.

Sunday 3rd September 2.30pm: Taddiport/Torrington Common. The headquarters of the Rolle Canal Company was at Taddiport, and several associated buildings and structures can be seen here. From the entrance of the old milk factory, the route proceeds along the Rolle Road, a bridleway which is actually the fairly intact bed of the Rolle Canal, through Torrington Commons. Then, via the back street ‘ginnels’ off Mill Street, down to the beautiful Torridge-side meadows and back to Taddiport Bridge. A fascinating mixture of nature, past industrial sites, proposed developments and efforts to safeguard ecology. Length, about two miles. Meet at 2.30pm at the entrance to the old milk factory at Taddiport.