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.
TORRINGTON ARMS
Open daily from 11am
Wednesday Curry Night 6-8pm • Sunday Roast 12-2pm Takeaways Available Function Room available for all occasions
For bookings please contact: 01805 622280 or via Facebook
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Torrington & District Community News & Events
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GEORGES GARDEN SERVICES
Drain clearing CCTV surveys Repairs/Relining Septic Tank and Treatment plant installation
Drain clearing CCTV surveys Repairs/Relining Septic Tank and Treatment plant installation
Tel: 07794 586039 or 01271 440251
Great Torrington Town & Community Hall
Congratulations to our trustee, Dave Parish, on becoming Mayor of Great Torrington. Dave is deeply rooted in our community and brings a clear, positive vision for Torrington. We look forward to supporting him and his lovely Lady Mayoress, Sandra, throughout the year ahead.
The recent Mayor Making at the Town Hall was a beautiful and dignified ceremony. We love seeing this historic building alive with all kinds of events and gatherings, and it is an honour to host such prestigious occasions. During the ceremony, our trustee, Rosemary Purcell, was recognised for her outstanding service to the community. Rosie is always looking for ways to help, bringing creativity, hard work, and diligence to everything she does. Here are just a few of the activities she has organised at the Town Hall:
• Knit and Natter
• Mix and Mingle (activities and music for people with learning disabilities)
• Tea dances
• Friendly Brew (tea, cake, and a warm welcome for people and families living with serious illness)
She has also organised party nights, murder mysteries, and countless moments of joy, raising both awareness and funds for the Town Hall along the way. Well done, Rosie!
We’ve hosted some fantastic events recently, and there’s plenty more to come. It’s a pleasure to work with you to make your occasions special. Here are some of the events you can hold with us:
• Birthday parties, engagements, weddings, wakes, and children’s parties.
• Workshops and educational sessions.
• Psychic nights, fairs, book sales, and bingo.
• Drama, quizzes, dances of all styles, bands, and live music.
Local resident Hannah Kimber recently led a wonderful Makaton workshop (key word signing). It’s a beautiful way to communicate and to support people with
General Garden Maintenance Landscaping, Patios, Etc.
No job too big or too small Competitive Rates, Free Estimate Trustworthy, Reliable References available
Tel: 07577 748 470
learning disabilities and communication needs and it benefits everyone.
Regular sessions at the Town Hall:
• Knit and Natter, Wednesdays, 10am–12pm
• Friendly Brew, Tuesdays, from 11am
• MF Martial Arts, Tuesdays, from 5pm
Could You Help Shape the Future of Great Torrington Town Hall?
Great Torrington Town Hall belongs to the community. It is a place for concerts, celebrations, exhibitions, meetings, markets, family events and so much more. Every time someone walks through its doors, they become part of its story.
But buildings like this don't look after themselves.
The Town Hall is run by an independent charity, guided by a voluntary Board of Trustees. Together, we are responsible for the care and preservation of this wonderful historic building, ensuring it remains vibrant, welcoming and financially secure for generations to come.
We're looking for people who love our community and would like to play a part in its future.
You don't need previous experience as a trustee. You don't need to be an accountant, solicitor or property expert (although those skills are always welcome). What matters most is enthusiasm, common sense and a
willingness to work with others.
As a trustee, you would help us:
• Protect and maintain this important community asset.
• Support fundraising and future projects.
• Share ideas and help shape the Town Hall's direction.
• Ensure that the building continues to serve the people of Great Torrington for many years to come.
Being a trustee is a chance to give something back, meet interesting people and become part of a team that genuinely makes a difference.
If you've ever enjoyed an event at the Town Hall and thought, "I'd love to help keep this place thriving," we'd love to hear from you.
Because the future of the Town Hall belongs to all of us
We know the word ‘trustee' can sound daunting. In reality, we're simply looking for kind, practical people who care about their community and want to help preserve one of Great Torrington's most important buildings.
Please get in touch.
Registered Charity: 1100255 Phone: 01805 623298
Email: admin@greattorrington-townhall.org
Torrington
Memory Cafe
Torrington Memory Cafe has been running for 13 years. It meets every second Thursday of the month. The cafe is entirely free to all who have memory issues and/or carers. Please come, join us and share the supportive, friendly atmosphere. New faces are always welcome. Perhaps you may wish to volunteer? More information from Lorraine Pearce (Leader) 07377 363 477 or John Pitts (Secretary) 07986 586 799.
Torrington Library News
This year’s Summer Book QuestJoin us on a Mission to Wayfarer Island!
It’s here! We are thrilled to announce the arrival of Libraries Unlimited’s latest reading challenge, based on our popular reading scheme The Secret Book Quest!
Launch Day Saturday 11th July 10am-1pm
Visit Torrington Library for your free challenge pack and join in the fun! Journey into a summer adventure with characters Pip, Zena and Libro this summer. Meet their new friends including Pixie the Pigeon!
and 12th September to take part.
Summer Events
This summer’s packed programme of children’s events includes:
Wheels, Wings and Whizzes – led by Devon Science. Make a UV colour changing transport craft; build and race an air powered car; create and decorate a swooping glider in this exciting hands-on science workshop. Please book via Devon Science’s website:
Spike Lego Workshop - come along and have a go at Spike Lego. Build a car, a fairground ride, an animal alarm and then use coding to bring your creation to life.
*Read what you love * complete fun travel-themed activities * collect stickers along the way* finish the quest to earn a certificate, keyring and finisher sticker * enter our prize draw for fabulous prizes. All for FREE!
On our launch day children can create and zoom off with a fruity car* choose and personalise a vehicle to travel on their library journey* make a travel journal to use over the summer.
If you miss the launch day you can still come along any time between 11th July
Outdoor Racing Boats – make a boat and race it down a slippery slope in the garden!
Rocket Mouse - create your own rocket mouse to travel to the moon.
Glorious Gliders – see how far your glider will fly.
Pixie the Pigeon Model – have fun creating your very own Pixie the Pigeon
Some of these events will require booking, please contact the library for more information.
Bounce & Rhyme, Stay & Play –Summer Sessions Tuesdays 10.30-11.45am
Our weekly Bounce & Rhyme sessions will continue right through the summer this year. Just drop-in.
The baby-weighing scales are available every Tuesday 11.30am4.30pm.
Outdoor Explorer Club – New
Pick up a FREE pack from the library. It’s for children, young people and families who are interested in exploring nature and the outdoors.
It features: a trail leaflet; a beach leaflet; an activity booklet and sticker sheet; stories both in download and audio format; accessibility information. Craft Club alternate Thursdays 1.30-3.30pm
This month, Craft Club for adults meets on 9th and 23rd July. £1 per person to include hot drinks and biscuits. Bring your own craft to share over a cuppa and a chat.
IT Help
Book a free appointment with our IT volunteer if you need help with your phone, laptop, emails etc.
Our regular activities continue over the summer, please contact us for details. Email: torrington.library@ librariesunlimited.org.uk or telephone 01805 622107. Or just pop in. Follow us on Facebook. We post regularly so it’s a good place to look and share with your friends. @TorringtonLibraryDevon Libraries Unlimited is a registered charity 1170092 Librariesunlimited.org.uk
Dig the Castle Update
2025 was busy for Dig the Castle with more awards, excavations and an article in ‘Archaeology’ magazine. Dig Director, Emily Wapshott, gave an online talk about the project to the Council for British Archaeology. The talk was attended by people from all over the world, including India, Canada, France, the US, Spain, Norway and the Netherlands. We are also looking forward to the report of the complex survey of the car park area. This survey used ground penetrating radar to look beneath the tarmac to find archaeological features and buildings. The team is very grateful to our high-tech volunteer expert who is kindly processing the survey data for us free of charge.
To help explain the castle site and its history, we have placed new heritage-strategy signs on display, with more to follow later in the year. These build on years of historical and archaeological research by the team. The perspex interpretive panel of the motte and tower keep is our favourite! After school children’s visits to the castle site and museum, the children drew their own vision of the castle. We transformed these into digital images and used them to inspire the reconstruction drawing. We picked the features that the children were most interested in: the palisade, the motte and the tower. We hope that this sign represents how local children really have a ‘stake’ in the project, to excuse the palisade pun!
You may have seen the team digging test pits in October 2025. The excavation confirmed Medieval-era features including stake-holes, post holes, a ditch and several potential collapsed buildings. These were first identified in the 2024 geophysical survey. We will build on this research with a return to the Big Dig from Monday 28th September until Friday 9th October 2026 to explore the archaeology of the east bailey.
• QR code
We will let successful applications know if they have secured a place by late August. It is likely that we will be oversubscribed for these volunteer places, but our open day welcomes everyone on Saturday 3rd October, no booking required.
A family day will run on 4th October (booking details will be advertised later).
The primary and secondary school will be supported by tailored education visits, and the project is teaming up with charities and local organisations for special sessions.
Dig the Castle is also breaking out into the cultural space with several art projects planned, including a seminar at the museum all about medieval pottery and a children’s build-and-learn project… watch this space, more news will be forthcoming on our socials (@ DigtheCastle on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook).
Photo of the finished sign, in situ by the mound, with Chenie Miller, John Eeles, Emily Wapshott and Martyn Butler from Dig the Castle and Dr Rosie Hedinsson, from the Great Torrington Townlands, one of our local funders for the heritage signs.
The Bickford Centre
WThe signs will be complemented by a forthcoming new leaflet on the castle. We also released an educational colouring book that features 46 pages of Medieval culture and everyday life, with lots of connections to Great Torrington (available at the Museum for just £4.50, all proceeds go to the Museum).
There are several opportunities to register an expression of interest in volunteering:
• In person, Great Torrington Heritage Museum (11am–2pm, 11th & 25th July)
• Online forms. cloud.microsoft/ e/9spiyXCwBX
ould you like friendly company, a comfy chair and tea or coffee and biscuits for £1? Then come in and see us, we cater for more senior members of the community. We serve tea and coffee from 10am-12pm six days a week, but the centre stays open until 4pm so if you need a rest you are welcome. We are situated just below South Street car park, on the opposite side of the street, for those of you who may be new to the town. Maybe you have passed the centre and wondered what it was, come in and give us a try. We also hire out the centre for meetings.
From Ranger Big Al…
After leaving the strimming for as long as possible to allow for blossoming flowers, we are now ‘full steam ahead’!
I’ve also been busy mowing and have cut the orchard, outside of Woodland Vale, the football pitch at the bottom of Limers Hill and below the cemetery. The area below the cemetery needs doing on a regular basis to stop the brambles and suckers from the trees taking over the cleared area, especially along the Tree Trail. We recently reported to Torridge District Council (TDC) that a corner wall of the cemetery was crumbling - TDC was very quick to do the repair, and we are grateful for their speedy response.
Sadly, two ash trees below the cemetery have died due to ash dieback. These are not part of the Tree Trail, but they are part of an avenue of trees. I will arrange for these to be felled shortly as they are beside the path.
I have repaired the three large benches on the Old Bowling Green (OBG) and in doing so, I replaced the runners with oak, which will make them last longer. We are considering laying concrete bases for the benches in the play area as it will help preserve them.
The Rice Point path seat on Barmaids path end has also been re-slatted, as have the rotting benches at the top of Mill St Common.
Split ash: We had to close the play area on the OBG as the recent winds caused an ash tree to split and it had the
Tel: 07771 884 918
Great Torrington Commons
This has been a difficult spring for the wildlife on the Commons. A cool dry early spring meant things were late getting started, and then the record high temperatures at the end of May were problematic for many creatures. Thankfully, as I write it has cooled to more usual temperatures and it is raining! The meadows always look very beautiful in June, with the pinky purple spears of Southern Marsh Orchids making a good show on Reid’s Field (the meadow adjacent to the Tarka trail near the Puffing Billy). You will also see the flowers of Yellow Rattle, an important semi-parasitic species which reduces the vigour of grasses and allows a greater range of other flowers to thrive.
There haven’t been too many butterflies about yet. Though I have recently seen some Painted Ladies. These lovely pinky orange and black butterflies carry out a phenomenal 9,000-mile annual migratory route from tropical Africa to the Arctic Circle. No individual Painted Ladies make the round trip. Instead, a succession of up to 10 generations each completes a leg of the journey. No wonder the ones I have seen recently looked a bit travel worn!
I have been looking out for the rare Pearl Bordered Fritillaries which often frequent the slopes below the golf course. I haven’t managed to spot any yet this year, which is worrying. If anyone does see them please let us know!
Mandy Harrison GTCC
potential to fall into the play area. We felled this last week along with another dead tree in the clump. There are three left which are not looking good so it may be best to fell them now for safety reasons.
Bridge clearing: We went with a digger driver to investigate clearing the shingle blocking the concrete bridge bottom of Century Path. Use of the digger may be an option to clear the shingle. This was done on June 6th, so that should create a nice flow under the bridge and prevent a build-up of water in the future.
Monument: We have noticed new cracks in the monument, in the same places as before it was re-pointed. At the time of going to print, the meeting agreed to inspect the monument on Saturday 30th May 2026, and there will be an update next issue. It appears that it should be ok. But we will be checking it on a regular basis.
Beat the Bracken: It is too late for this now. We will investigate to see whether this could be scythed.
Alan Mitchell, Head Ranger GTCC
Great Torrington Commons Conservators
We have a great team of trustees and staff on the board of Great Torrington Commons. We are known as Conservators. Each one of us performs individual tasks for the duties that are required to make managing your Commons run smoothly. As Chair, I chose to be the lead in fundraising. We have developed various ways of doing this, including the Commons 365 Supporters group, the car boot sales, the bookshop at Dartington Crystal, collection
boxes in some of the shops in town, a various range of items for sale in Collectability and our famous ‘Water, Wine or maybe Cider’ lucky dip stall that we run at various events during the year. Details of some of these are mentioned below in more detail.
On July 4th K9 Focus will be holding their annual Torrington Dog Show on the OBG. There will be lots of stalls including us on the day. For further information please visit the K9 Focus website k9focus.co.uk or their Facebook page.
For some of these events mentioned above we rely on volunteers. We do have quite a few people who regularly help us on the stalls and many others do litter picking as they walk around the Commons. If you would like to help in some way, please contact Sue Crawley on friends@torringtoncommons.org.
Another of the Conservators is the lead on organising commemorative benches. We have well over a hundred benches on the Commons. Quite a few have memorial plaques on, but many more are available for plaques and sponsorship. If you would like to do this or would like some information, please contact. carolyn.larwood@torringtoncommons.org.
Please go along and visit our bookshop at Dartington Crystal, we are restocking on a regular basis to replace the ones that we sell and raise a lot of money for your Commons selling these donated books. There are thousands of books to choose from, and Dartington Crystal are very supportive of the Commons in allowing us to be there. They also have a great range of stock to look through while you are there, a great café and the visitor centre.
On our stall we sell DVDs, books, CDs, maps, cassettes, coins, stamps and jigsaws which have all been donated to us, so if you have any of these items please contact me, Andrew Giles on 07956 366 390 or by email andrew.giles@ torringtoncommos.org to donate them.
Andrew Giles, Chair, Great Torrington Commons Conservators
From Your District Councillors…
At the end of April, councillors voted to make up a funding shortfall of £38,000 to create two ‘Playzones’ in the district, one at Stanhope Park in Holsworthy and the other at the former tennis courts site in Great Torrington. 75% of the funding for each site is coming from The Football Foundation (Sport England) and this is a great opportunity for the people of Torrington to benefit from upgraded all-weather facilities. These ‘Playzones’ are designed as safe, inclusive and accessible outdoor facilities aimed at encouraging people to play football and other sports, particularly among groups facing barriers to participation. Planning applications for both sites are due to be considered by the planning committee in June.
Cllr Doug Smith, Councillor.smith@ torridge.gov.uk, 07970 636 199
Cllr Chris Bright, Councillor.bright@ torridge.gov.uk, 07936 325 909
Cllr Lauren Bright, Cllr.laurenbright@ torridge.gov.uk, 07595 659 310
Tarka Valley Railway News
Following a busy few weeks with two running days in quick succession, our focus has been on rolling stock maintenance and site work. In the latter case, we have commenced work on the down end of the platform, which entails tidying up the wooden planters, refurbishing the benches and ultimately painting the railings. This is important work as this area is a highly visible part of our site seen by many visitors when first arriving. It has to look more welcoming.
The remaining work schedule for the summer has been established, including the long overdue cosmetic refurbishment of our shunter Progress, which has been moved to the coal dock siding in order to accomplish the work; the DMU Rod Garner was also located in the siding for routine maintenance.
The good weather has meant that we have been able to complete the painting of the coal dock fence, finish off the stop block at the coal dock and put undercoat on the other two wooden gates for our brake van.
Minor reorganisation of the interior of the TSO took place, in order to create space for a number of display boards which are on permanent loan from Barnstaple Museum. They show a history of railway lines in North Devon and make for interesting reading, especially one covering the history of the Torrington branch which opened in July 1872,
Brandable Clothing
Looking for premium custom clothing that combines top quality, fast turnaround with a personal and genuinely friendly service? Look no further. We are now a family run business proudly based in Merton, North Devon. Established in the UK since 2000, we recently moved from Berkshire (just 18 months ago) and are now happily settled in our new North Devon home. We deliberately keep things independent, so you get real people who care about your order and are passionate about working with local companies, big or small.
From corporate wear, merchandise, team kits, event wear to school uniforms, workwear and much more. We offer a vast range of premium custom clothing to suit all budgets and stand by our vow to ensure quality is produced at competitive prices. Our expert embroidery, printing and badges look sharp from day one and stay that way, wash after wash.
We enjoy helping to build a strong team identity and boost brand visibility with quality merchandise, all backed by a reliable and most importantly, local service.
Customised clothing made simple - that’s our promise.
Ready to kit out your team, school, event or business? Drop us a message, we’d love to help bring your ideas to life.
Brandable Clothing – see ad at the top of this page
apparently with little fanfare, and finally closed to passenger traffic in 1965. Regular updates and photographs can be found on our Facebook page, showing how our various projects are moving forward. Please also visit our website www.tarkavalleyrailway.org for much more information on our history, rolling stock, and our schedule of open events for the rest of the year.
Robert Martin, Tarka Valley Railway
Borrow a Blood Pressure Monitor
You can now check out a blood pressure monitor from Torrington Library with your library card!
We have partnered with Devon County Council Public Health and NHS Devon to bring blood pressure monitors to all the libraries in Devon. The kits can be borrowed for up to three weeks and include a monitor, a simple instruction leaflet, a blood pressure diary to record the readings, and advice on what to do if numbers are high.
Come & enjoy the magic of Zumba!
Dance , exercise & most of all have fun! It’s more than a workout!
You will leave feeling happy & energised. It is for all ages & fitness levels, you don’t need to be able to dance...
First Class Free - no tie in
Thursday 6.15pm-7.15pm
Contact Wendy to book your free class t: 07787 607 322 e: wendy.cox@btinternet.com Scout Hall , Gas Lane Torrington EX38 7BE
Winscott Camping
Nestled in the quiet countryside surrounding Peters Marland, Winscott Camping is a wonderful antidote to the demands of modern life.
A small, eco-friendly campsite with only five pitches, the campsite offers the opportunity to truly ‘get away from it all’ and relax in peaceful surroundings. It’s certified with the Greener Camping Club, which guarantees that you will find yourself amongst like-minded visitors who appreciate the natural environment around them. Only a 10-minute stroll from the Tarka Trail, it’s the perfect overnight rest for cyclists and walkers alike.
Winscott Camping is the result of two years of hard work by Katie and Shaun Gillanders, along with their son Hamish and his wife, Alice. They moved to Devon in 2022 after running a riding school in Scotland for many years, and have found much enjoyment from their new life in the South West. Bringing with them a herd of retired ponies and an assortment of dogs, cats and the odd goat, the smallholding at Winscott has become a peaceful haven that offers a gentler pace of living.
Close enough to the coast to enjoy a surf before brunch, but far enough away to avoid the summer beach rush, the campsite offers the chance to realign with nature’s rhythms. It has no electricity, so come prepared to wake up to birdsong, play games with the family during the day and doze off under the
Local Zumba Class Brings Fitness & Fun to Torrington
For many people, the thought of exercise can be daunting, but Wendy's Zumba classes in Torrington prove that keeping active can be enjoyable, social, and suitable for everyone. Looking for a way to get active, improve your fitness, and have fun at the same time? Wendy's Zumba class could be just what you're looking for.
Wendy has been teaching Zumba for over 15 years and has helped hundreds of people discover a fun way to improve their fitness. Her classes are friendly and welcoming, with no pressure to get every move right.
"You don't need any dance experience," says Wendy. "The most important thing is to enjoy yourself and keep moving. My classes are all about fun, friendship, and inclusivity. No matter your age or fitness level, you're welcome to join the fun! For me the best part is seeing the incredible impact Zumba has on people. It's more than just exercise; it's about boosting your health, fitness, and overall well-being.”
The routines can be adapted to suit different abilities and fitness levels, making the class accessible whether you're new to exercise or looking for a new way to stay active.
The class meets every Thursday from 6.15pm to 7.15pm at the Scout Hall, Gas Lane, Torrington. New participants are always welcome. Your first class is FREE.
For more information, contact Wendy wendy.cox@btinternet.com.
stars by the campfire with thoughts of your email inbox a distant memory!
The property was in need of a bit of care, but over time it has been lovingly updated over many weekends and lots of hard work! The family have set up facilities including composting loos, a washing up station, a hot shower and an honesty shop and communal area. The hope is that every year the income from the campsite can go into improvements and making the farm even more special
for visitors.
Winscott Camping is built by nature lovers with a passion for sustainability, so if you’re looking for a budget friendly getaway for a few nights, where your only neighbours are fellow campers and the odd curious pony then please come and visit. A warm welcome awaits.
Please visit our website www. winscottcamping.co.uk/ to find out more.
Torrington Museum - The Kindness of Strangers
Something a bit different this month: did you know we’re completely independent? Unlike many provincial museums we’re not owned and run by a local authority and of course we’re not part of a larger group like, for example, English Heritage. We have no paid staff: everybody here is a volunteer and freely gives up their time to help preserve the history and stories of our town for future generations alongside day jobs, childcare and other volunteering elsewhere. One of the big heritage organisations talks a lot about ‘gifts of time’ and that’s exactly right because, without that generosity of time, energy and commitment, Torrington simply wouldn’t have a museum. Independence is a funny thing, though: it can be quite freeing because it means we’re not beholden to anyone else calling the shots but also means our options for support can be limited and there’s nobody else to lean on. We can set our own agenda, make our own plans, manage our own finances and make our own choices. If we get those wrong, it’s entirely our own fault but, on the other hand, any achievements are all ours!
Let’s look at finance: we don’t get any support from Historic England or the Lottery, for example. Great Torrington Town Council, over the years, have supported us with an annual grant (which we have to apply for each year, of course) which goes towards, but doesn’t completely cover, our utility bills. It makes a huge difference to our running costs and we’re eternally grateful to our councillors for it, especially after the price rises in energy bills recently. Apart from that, all the money we have has come from whatever we can raise ourselves in grant applications, retail sales and donations. Whenever we think about a new project, the first question we ask is how it will be funded – and you’d be astonished at how expensive museums are to run. For example, a single acidfree, conservation-grade cardboard box
(to store one Mayfair costume each) is £30 and our textile collection needs around 50 of them, let alone another £1000-worth of specialist tools to clean and conserve them; something which needs to happen urgently. That’s not a complaint: simply the way it is. And there’s nobody bankrolling us.
As mentioned earlier, there are no paid staff here at Torrington Museum: everyone is a volunteer, both trustees and room guides. Whilst we’re eternally grateful for their support and enthusiasm, we also recognise that everyone has other calls on their time and nobody can dedicate every waking hour to the role, even though it sometimes feels that way. Our trustees are all specialists in their respective fields: a heritage professional with 20+ years’ experience of managing historic buildings; an archaeologist; a town councillor; a financial sector professional and an IT expert who also happens to be amazingly good at DIY. If you are, or know of, someone used to working with children, we’re currently on the lookout for an education trustee to organise and deliver school visits and education services. Without their generosity in giving up their free time and expertise, nothing you see here at your museum would happen.
hand bookshop where everything’s £1, including some amazing vintage vinyl LPs, too, and these are the two main ways we fund everything that goes on in the museum.
This is a slightly more serious and downbeat piece than most of our Crier articles, but it’s still a positive message we’re trying to put across: independent museums such as Torrington only exist because of the goodwill, kindness and generosity of the community they exist to serve. We’re not here to make a profit, earn wages or fill high-interest share accounts: we’re here for you.
So, how can you help? What can you do?
Visitors sometimes react with surprise when they find out admission is free, but we believe strongly that museums are for everyone, not just those who can afford the ticket price. We don’t believe in putting up barriers and everyone is welcome regardless of income. We do have a donation box and, if you’ve had a nice visit and feel like dropping a little in it, we’re genuinely grateful for every penny. We also have a second-
Come and visit! Leave a small donation if you can. Take a few leaflets for your business. Share our social media posts. Tell your friends and family about us. Leave a review on Google or Tripadvisor. Join us as a volunteer. Just stop by and say hello!
We’re at the bottom of the Square, open Thu-Fri-Sat, 10am-3pm (last admission 2:30pm) and always free to come in. As we say in our social media posts, we’re bigger than you thought and better than you expected!
Torrington Museum
TREG Welcomes Brittany Visitors to Mayfair
Iwould like to thank everyone in the town for the way they welcomed our visitors from Roscoff over the Mayfair period. They arrived on Wednesday afternoon and left on Sunday evening, and they attended the Mayfair crowning ceremony, the Round the Tree Race and the Carnival.
We also showed them around the town, and they visited several of our pubs and bars including The Torrington Arms, The Royal Exchange, The Cavalier and the Cabin. I’m very grateful to you all for the friendly and warm way they were treated wherever we went. A special thanks to the Town Hall staff especially Helen, Sandra and Nigel and to our Mayor, Phil Cloke for the official welcome ceremony on Friday at the Town Hall.
While they were here, we also showed them around the town visiting the Commons and the river, Dartington Glass, the car boot sale and treated them to visits to Bideford, Appledore, Instow and Westward Ho!
The climax came on Saturday evening when we watched a little of the carnival and then had a ‘bring and share’ party in their honour at the Scout Hut in Gas Lane.
Some of our Breton guests are accomplished musicians and they always play for us and sing and dance when we go the Roscoff, so I thought that it was only fitting that we returned the favour. Accordingly, we acquired the services of Winkleigh Morris and their musicians to
put on a display during the evening. The Bretons also had their flutes, accordians, bombardes and binioùs and we were also lucky in having several local musicians like John Golightly, Rob Darch and Liz Nabb to add to the mix. The result was a fantastic evening of food, dancing and music. We are so grateful to Averil, the Winkleigh Morris Squire, for agreeing to entertain us. They put on an excellent display and invited us to try our hand at a stick dance and then joined us, sharing our meal and joining in the music and Breton dancing that followed. I am assured that all our French visitors were very impressed and a very memorable evening was had by all.
I think that we were all sad to see them go as we wished them a fond farewell
on Sunday afternoon, with a cream tea before they boarded their Taw and Torridge bus for the journey back to Plymouth and their awaiting ferry.
The Twinning arrangement with Roscoff has been in place for 50 years now, and seems to be experiencing a resurgence in popularity. If you could offer a spare room and would be happy to host a Roscoffian maybe once every two years and maybe join us in a few enjoyable days in their lovely part of Brittany, then please join us.
Contact our secretary Christine Cocks chrissieacocks@yahoo.co.uk if you are interested.
Jay Nicholsonn, Chairman, Torrington Roscoff Exchange Group
Anniedesign
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Fabulous Freddie as always calling in with all the news.
Monday-Tuesday - 10am-1pm 2-3pm Thursday - 10am-1pm 2-6pm Friday - 10am-1pm
07885 440 143 (text only)
...and Cinderella shall go to the ball
Well, phew what a hot few days in June. One thing I have realised is that you humans are always talking about the weather – too hot, too cold, too wet –well one thing I know, for a few days it really was a bit warm for us woofs and mews – in fact so hot that Aunty Lynne had to cancel the Braunton dog show. We never seem lucky with the weather, as often events are cancelled because of inclement weather like Torrington last year – three times! Talking of Torrington, which is happening on 4th July, we have of course ordered good weather for this year, check out the inside cover of the front page for more details. Torrington, being our home town, is always very popular and once again it promises to be a great day, with fun for all the family. We still have space for any stalls, and if you fancy having a mention for your business, or simply for someone you would like acknowledged, then please email eventsk9focus@gmail.com. Sponsorship is a mere £30, all of which will all go to help our dogs and cats looking for homes.
As always, it has been extremely busy with requests to take dogs in, but quieter on the cat front and I am pleased to say that all the cats we had in rescue have been rehomed. No doubt a few more mews and paws will be heading our way soon. Talking of the cats, Aunty Lynne and her team are regularly being asked to visit homes where there appears to be a stray cat, only to find when she arrives that there is no microchip and it’s therefore impossible to know if they
are strays or have just wandered off for a little adventure – usually ending up where there is some extra food! Unlike us woofs, so many owners seem not to have had their cats chipped which is, of course, now a legal requirement of ownership. If you have a cat that isn’t microchipped, then it proves very difficult to return them to their home as and when they go on ‘walkabouts’ or get into trouble i.e. road traffic accidents, and I am sure this must be very distressing to owners. To this end if you have a cat that isn’t microchipped then K9Focus will be holding an amnesty microchipping day in August, where they will be chipping for donations only. Watch out for details in next month’s Crier.
Last month we mentioned that we had little Beau in rescue and anticipated that he wouldn’t be with us for long and guess what? We were right and he very soon trotted off to his new home. Sadly, Scooby the lurcher is still with us and although he has settled down nicely in our emergency kennel, he really would like a home of his home. He is a lovely lad but very strong, however he does respond quickly to training. Like many lurchers he is prone to ‘zoomies’ but then loves nothing more than a cuddle on the sofa – a real couch potato (bit like me!). Poppy and Pixie are still with us but we think we may have a home for them, as they seem to have got their feet firmly under the table of their fosterer who now wants to adopt them. Sadly, Poppy is currently not very well as investigation has shown that she has polyps, and while bladder polyps are usually not cancerous, they can be painful and so we have her on medication and will review; it may be that surgery will be required, the cost of which is over £1800. It does mean that she can’t really be
adopted at this stage but will of course stay with her fosterer and Pixie. Market Vets will continue to review her condition, and we will update you next month. Talking of Market Vets, they are running a clinic at our Torrington Shop twice a month on a Tuesday, 9am-12pm and appointments can be made by calling them direct on 01271 344262. Book an appointment, save yourself a trip to Barnstaple/South Molton and also enjoy a free cuppa, have chat and perhaps even find a bargain or two.
Funds are always a key issue for the rescue and so I have to say a big thank you to everyone who supports the rescue, either by monthly contributions, shopping and donating in our Torrington shop or simply by sharing details of all our dogs, cats and events. Without you the rescue really could not function, as we receive no official funding and I, for one, would be without a home! Right, off to chill out on my forever couch and dream of my dinner which I am sure should be coming soon.
Woofs and licks as always and hopefully see you all at Torrington. Fabulous Freddie signing off for another month
From Your County Councillor…
A positive month for Devon
It’s been a really encouraging and productive month at Devon County Council, with positive progress across several areas that matter most to our communities.
A bright future for our libraries
I’m delighted to share some very good news about Devon’s library service. Following an extensive consultation that received more than 25,000 responses, the County Council’s Cabinet has unanimously agreed a new vision for our libraries. This includes an additional £2 million investment to ensure there is no reduction in staffed opening hours over the next two years, while also supporting the long-term sustainability and resilience of the service. Plans include developing partnership libraries with local organisations and town councils, bringing more community and support services into library spaces, and modernising the service so people can access libraries beyond traditional staffed hours. An incredible 6,000 residents expressed an interest in volunteering. There’s also great news for readers. We are investing an extra £100,000 in the book fund and removing overdue fines altogether, helping more people enjoy and access their local library. Please do go and check it out!
Tackling potholes together
Many of you will have seen recent coverage of the challenges facing our road network. I’m pleased to highlight the renewed focus on the Road Warden Scheme, led by my amazing colleague Councillor Louise Wainwright. This initiative is already proving successful in parts of South Devon and gives local volunteers the opportunity to help address minor road issues quickly and effectively. Councillor Wainwright has also produced a brilliant pothole
handbook to support volunteers and parish councils who want to take part. We would love to see this rolled out more widely. If you are interested in volunteering, please do get in touch with me or your local parish council.
A positive direction for Devon
There is a real sense that things are moving in the right direction at Devon County Council. In our first year as a new administration, we have reported a £10 million underspend. This has been achieved through better efficiency, not cuts. Encouragingly, both Children’s and Adults’ Services have delivered a surplus, reflecting stronger leadership, better decision making and improved collaboration. These savings are now being reinvested into frontline services, including highways, libraries and support for residents.
Investing in our roads
Improving our roads remains one of the biggest issues raised with me locally. I’ve been out in the highways van, seeing concerns first hand and working closely with officers to push for improvements. We’ve committed a further additional £4 million investment into highways thanks to this year’s underspend, which will fund rapid response repair crews and a more efficient ‘common sense’ approach that fixes multiple issues in one visit. I am hopeful that continued investment and good weather will lead to more visible improvements in the months ahead.
Supporting Children & Families
Improving outcomes for children and young people remains our top priority. A recent Ofsted report highlights real progress, including stronger leadership and more effective support for families. We are also continuing to appeal for more foster carers. Fostering does not have to be long-term. Short-term and weekend care are also hugely valuable and very much needed.
Speaking at Torrington Rotary Club
It was an honour to be invited to speak at a recent meeting of the Rotary Club of Torrington and reflect on my first year as a County Councillor, which has certainly been a whirlwind. I highlighted the ‘Places to Go, Things to Do’ youth grant scheme which we started last year and
spoke about the ongoing need for foster carers. I also could not resist mentioning potholes and promoting the Road Warden Scheme! More broadly, I spoke about my role as Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, partnership working, and the importance of collaboration. I also emphasised that small actions can make a big difference in our communities. Thank you to the Rotary Club, especially Martyn Butler and members, for such a warm welcome.
A memorable evening of music
I went to church on a Saturday night, and what an evening it was! I attended a Lumos Experiences concert at St Michael and All Angels in Great Torrington, where a talented trio performed classical interpretations of Coldplay’s music in a beautiful and atmospheric setting.
As someone who learned the violin growing up, it was especially meaningful and brought back many happy memories. It is wonderful that we can enjoy events like this here in Great Torrington, and I very much hope to see them return.
Celebrating rural Devon
It was also a pleasure to attend the Devon County Show, always a highlight of the year and a wonderful celebration of our rural communities. It was great to meet residents, farmers and local organisations, including the NFU’s president Tom Bradshaw, to discuss key issues including food security, climate change and farming policy.
In closing
Overall, it has been a very positive month, with real progress being made and continued focus on what matters most to residents.
As always, thank you for your support and everything you do in our communities. If there is anything you would like to raise, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Cllr Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs County Councillor for Torrington Rural Email: cheryl.cottle-hunkin@devon.gov.uk 07495 367 801
Facebook: Cllr Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin for Torrington Rural
Great Torrington Bowling Club Charity Challenge
On the last day in May, a record 14 teams of three gathered at Great Torrington Bowling Club for the annual Charity Challenge. Wayne Hendy and Paul Weeks provided a short guide as to how the game of bowls is played out. This was followed by an hour’s practice which saw great fun, amusement and disbelief as the bowled woods seemed to have a mind of their own at times.
The teams had three 75-minute matches throughout the day, only interrupted by lunch and tea which seemed to disappear very quickly. It was lovely to see the absolute pleasure gained as everyone improved their skill levels and became, dare I say, much more competitive. Participants began to assess their chances of both winning the Kent Trophy and earning the entry and raffle moneys for their chosen charity. Some matches were won and lost on the very last end and very last wood.
It all ended up with a win for the team called, ‘The Good,The Bad and The Ugly’, represented by Robert Ware, Mark Brown and Mark Beer. Bets were quietly placed on which one was The Ugly! The princely sum of £420 was given to the team, and Mark Beer chose the Von Hippel-Lindau Charity which supports folks who have a rare genetic disorder. We were all silent as Mark described the symptoms and suffering that victims of this disease go through. Janice Piper also collected over £50 in an ‘on the day’ donations box which was given to the Parkinson’s Charity. As President, I offer huge thanks to so many bowling members who worked so hard on the green, in the kitchen, doing all the administration and providing such a happy environment for our visitors. It was a great occasion. Well done everyone.
Bob Brewer
RHS Rosemoor Events
Festival of Roses, Saturday 13th June - Sunday 12th July
Revel in the scent and sight of thousands of rose buds and blooms, a sensory celebration of summer. Boasting one of the UK’s largest collections of roses, Rosemoor is home to two dedicated rose gardens with more than 200 different varieties and more than 2,000 roses. From cottage garden climbers, to bright and beautiful container roses, there is a rose to inspire everyone and suit all gardens. Enjoy a craft market, guided walks and live music at the Rose Weekend, Friday 26th - Sunday 28th June.
Pelargonium & Geranium Show, Saturday 20th June 11.30am- 5pm
With a range of classes and a display of Rosemoor’s of the National Collection of scented pelargonium, the Society’s National Annual Show promises to be a spectacular event.
Torrington & District Historical Society
Not one AGM but two this year for the Torrington and District Historical Society, and both were well attended. There was a lot to discuss, but firstly we had to thank Pauline and Steve who were standing down this year after many years taking responsibility for the work involved in running the group. Thanks to them, we have had a very full and interesting programme of talks each month, occasional visits to places of historical interest and social activities. They have kept members informed of activities and items of interest both locally and nationally, and made members and visitors welcome at meetings. A hard act to follow.
This year we have enjoyed Geoff Hocking talking about the start of the famous local ice cream that we are so fond of, and how this has been run as a successful family business for several generations. We learnt about the Bideford to Appledore railway, the route that it followed, clues that still exist and the reasons for its short life. The highlight of the past year was probably Big Al talking about his life as the warden of Torrington Commons. Over the years he has collected fossils of ancient ferns which gave us an insight into the pre-history of the area. He also showed musket balls from the Battle of Torrington which he has found. This linked nicely with a talk about the Battle of Torrington in February, which was both graphic and atmospheric in the detail.
Our 'second' AGM gave members an opportunity to consider the support that they can give the society. There were many roles to fill and with people volunteering to take on a small part of the load, we felt pleased that we will be able to carry on providing an exciting programme of talks and activities for our members. There may be some changes as time goes on, but all those who are involved are committed to the aims of the society. We are looking forward to September when our new programme begins and would welcome new members. Want to know more? Keep an eye on our Facebook page and message us, posters around town and the Crier articles. We look forward to meeting you.
Image taken from the route of the Bideford to Appledore railway near Abbotsham cliffs. Torrington & District Historical Society
Wishing Steve a Fond Farewell
Steve Blake, a long-serving trustee of Great Torrington Town and Lands Charity, has stepped down after joining the Board in December 2000. His 25 years of voluntary service reflect a deep commitment to the charity and to the town it serves. Over that time, he has been an important presence through many Board cycles, offering calm continuity and taking on the roles of Chair and Vice Chair during key moments, including the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Across those years, he worked alongside many trustees, including several who are sadly no longer with us. His experience has helped provide stability as the Board evolved. His contribution includes more than 800 hours of voluntary time spent in meetings, preparation and Board discussions. Steve also provided practical support to the charity when needed, offering a dependable presence over many years.
As he steps down, the Board offers its thanks for the time, commitment and support Steve has given since 2000, and recognises the role he has played in the life of the charity over such a long period.
All the very best to you, Steve — from all of us at Great Torrington Town and Lands Charity.
1st Torrington Scouts
As always with the summer term the group have been out and about. The Beavers took a trip to Instow Beach where they completed a mixture of sandcastle building and who can dig the deepest hole, as well as making slides on the sand dunes. Although a tad windy, we all had great fun.
Scouts also took a trip to the beach, where they played lots of games including rounders, hide and seek and their favourite ‘capture the flag’. I believe there were lots of tired legs the following morning after running around the dunes for 1.5hrs!
The whole group then held our Annual General Meeting and Badge Presentation. Scouts helped run the evening by making drinks, serving cookies and helping people. The rest of the group waited patiently for the formal part of the AGM, and then we had the pleasure of awarding over 400 badges, including 10 Chief Scout Awards (the highest badge each section can get), and presenting our Beaver/Cub/Scout of the Year awards. A pleasant evening with lots to celebrate, well done all!
A short first half of the term indeed, but there is plenty more to come, visiting new locations and getting lots of badges done.
If you are interested in joining or helping out, please contact Jordon (Group Leader) on jordon.whitear@ gmail.com for more information.
Dayna Speed (Section Leader)
Great Torrington Calendar Photos for 2027
We are looking for high quality and high-resolution pictures of landscapes, wildlife, buildings, landmarks and anything that captures the beauty of Great Torrington and the surrounding area.
Please submit your entries by 31st August 2026. Please email them to gtcalendar@hotmail.com.
Torrington Active Travel
As readers of this column will be aware, our main project currently is to establish a safe and convenient active travel path suitable for both cyclists and mobility scooter users, between the Tarka Trail and Torrington town centre.
The most feasible route thus far would utilise an upgrade of the existing footway which runs alongside Station Hill, crossing the Tarka Trail over the A386 bridge then taking a left turn onto a short section of Rolle Road and through the stone arch onto the Trail. As is very evident, the existing footway over the bridge is far too narrow to safely accommodate cyclists, those with restricted mobility and indeed pedestrians, in safety.
But this was not always so as this historic image shows very clearly. This appears to be from the 1960s or thereabouts (bus enthusiasts can no doubt confirm or otherwise!) and shows a footway on the west side of the carriageway almost equivalent to the width of the bus. So, at some point a significant strip of the thoroughfare was taken from the footway and requisitioned for motor traffic.
The DCC Highways design team did draw up a scheme for a cycle path here some years ago which didn’t come to fruition. There is now a good possibility of the design being revisited with the possibility of some re-alignment of the highway to create a safe route for all over the bridge.
If you would like to be kept up to date with developments do follow the Torrington Active Travel Facebook page or email: torringtonactivetravel@gmail.com.
(Thanks to Simon Heath for passing on the photo.)
David Job, Torrington Active Travel
Torridge Ramblers
Torridge Ramblers are a friendly group of walkers who originated in Torrington 40 years ago and now walk Torridge, North Devon and occasionally Exmoor and Dartmoor. More information and contact on our website – www.torridgeramblers.co.uk.
Upcoming walks
Thursday 2nd July Sheepwash 4 miles
Thursday 9th July Fremington Quay Circ. 4 miles
Saturday 18th July Torrington and environs 7-8 miles
Sunday 26th July Meeth Quarry Nature Reserve 3-4 miles
Rolle Canal Society
Ridd Incline Restoration Project
Our team of enthusiastic volunteers has continued their hard work on the incline over the last three months and have steadily advanced the project.
Our efforts have been focused mainly on completing the construction of the central pier of the upper docking bays. The walls have now been taken up to their finished height and infilled with a mix of loose stone and aggregate. Our intention is to top off the wall with concrete copers and to pave the top with flat stone, which will recreate – as far as we can tell – the original finish. A pipe has been inserted into the pier which will eventually house a horizontal wheel. When the incline was in operation, a chain would have revolved around the wheel and locked onto the bow of a tub boat to guide it into the channel and onto the metal rails, prior to its ascent/ descent. All the original machinery of the incline disappeared many years ago, but we were fortunate to find a cast iron wheel of approximately the right dimensions in a local antique shop which we think will be ideal for the purposes of the restoration. People may question why the pier looks so high, but it must be remembered that the railway cut through the incline and the present Tarka Trail is about a metre below the old canal. The base of the reconstructed pier is therefore at the original level of the canal bed, and the water level in the canal would have been about a foot below the top of the pier to provide sufficient depth for the tub boats.
We have also spent a lot of time cutting back vegetation and removing debris from the lower incline and the area around the old stable block. This needs continuous maintenance to prevent it becoming completely overgrown. During the course of this work, it was very pleasing to uncover the stonework at the end of the boundary wall with Ridd cottage, which volunteers built a long time ago and let this see the light of day!
The next challenge will be to source metal rails on which the tub boats ran up and down the incline. We are looking at various options including casting, but this would be very expensive. It would certainly be the most authentic solution, but we have to manage our costs carefully from an everdiminishing budget. We may need to consider cheaper options, which would still give a reasonably accurate representation of the trackway. The rails –once sourced - will be drilled and bolted into concrete ‘sleepers’ inserted into the incline, which will give the public an accurate idea of how the incline would have operated.
Whilst good progress has been made, our team has been frequently diverted from Ridd to carry out work elsewhere on the canal, especially at Furzebeam, where we have carried out some urgent repairs to damaged sections of the towpath. We have also done some much-needed scrub bashing along the canal bed which has become very overgrown. As local walkers will be aware, Clinton Devon Estates (CDE) has closed the permissive path between the roving bridge, and the stop lock while they take down some dangerous trees. The Rolle Canal Society is supporting CDE with this work and we hope that the closure will be temporary, and the path reopened, as soon as the work is completed.
Tony Nicholls
The Torrington Players
We've been really busy of late, holding regular monthly workshops. Not only have they been fun and informative, but we have started attracting potential new members! We'd love to meet a few more of you, as we have a couple of exciting productions planned. If you are interested in acting, backstage, front of house etc., or if you just want to join a friendly social group, contact us either on Facebook or via the Torrington Town Hall. A new website is also on the way. Our next workshop is on July 6th and it will be a playreading of J.B Priestley 'When We Are Married'. It's going to be held, as usual, at the Town Hall at 7.30, £5. This is not going to be a production, just a read through for fun.
Hope to see you there.
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GREAT TORRINGTON
From Your Mayor…
Wel,l here goes for my first piece as the new Mayor of Great Torrington. Firstly, as someone who has spent most of my life in the town, it is an honour and a privilege to be elected into this role, along with my wife Sandra who will be supporting me as Mayoress.
My journey started with the mayoral inauguration ceremony at our wonderful town hall, where I officially took over from Cllr Phil Cloke. I would like to thank Phil and his consort Elizabeth for the fantastic work they have undertaken for the past two years in representing our town, they have set the bar high!
The evening also celebrated some wonderful local people. The Howe Plate was won by Rose Purcell; Rosie is a key part of the town hall trustees, and her unbounded enthusiasm and creative spark is invaluable to our fantastic town hall team. Next up was the young person’s award which went to Freddie Ware, who was recognised for her work at Miles of Smiles – providing an alternative learning space with animal therapy, alongside her volunteer efforts in pet therapy for local care homes and a myriad of other community fundraisers. I was truly amazed at the amount of work Freddie gets through; the award was certainly merited.
The Mayor’s Award (awarded by previous Mayor Phil Cloke) was given to Martin Butler from the Rotary Club who seems to be ever present in most of the positive initiatives in our town. We all showed our appreciation for the outgoing Mayor’s Cadet Imogen Pascoe and welcomed the new mayor’s cadet Rueben Studley. I was delighted to meet Rueben and his family and look forward to working with him over the next 12 months. The evening ended with our
Town Crier Big Al giving an informative talk on the creation of the Rolle Canal, which seemed to involve imbibing an extraordinary amount of ale and cider, he finished the evening off with an ‘interesting’ song called ‘I love Dave’! Thank you Al, it was a great end to the evening and I really appreciated it. My first official engagement soon followed, with the Mayoress and myself attending the Barnstaple Mayor making ceremony, with the new Mayor of Barnstaple Cllr Loki Dawson. We wish Cllr Dawson and his consort Emma Skinner best wishes for this upcoming year.
This was swiftly followed on the Saturday by my first experience of an opening ceremony, and cutting my first ribbon to launch the ‘Tarka comes to Town’ trail. A new family adventure trail with wonderful hand carved animals dotted around the Commons, inspired by Henry Williamson’s Tarka the Otter. This project was the brainchild of our own Councillor Jason Isaac, in his role on the Regeneration Board, with an aim of increasing footfall in our town. Jason took his idea and was relentless in driving this through to completion, working with many people and organisations from our town along the way. The packs that accompany the project are available from local shops, and when you have finished the trail and feel a bit ‘peckish’ you can pop into Sandford’s Bakery and enjoy some otter themed biscuit. Great work Jason.
In my first week I attended the Bideford Mayor making ceremony where Cllr Peter Lawrence was elected for a second term. Cllr Lawrence and the Mayoress his wife Linda have been so kind and welcoming to Sandra and myself helping us to settle into the role.
The eagle-eyed amongst you may have noticed that the water fountain at the corner of Mill Street and Halsdon Road has recently been opened and looks fantastic. I would like to thank Matt Whittaker, Grant Langer and their small team of volunteers for pursuing this project and making such a great job of it so far, we look forward to seeing how the project develops.
Finally, I would like to give a special mention to my friend, ex-colleague and local postie Andy Ingle. At the time of writing Andy is attempting to walk the 177 miles of Offa’s Dyke in seven days. He is raising money for Multiple System Atrophy charity in memory of his late brother-in-law Den. Andy has a Just Giving page and I wish him the best of luck in his efforts.
Cllr Dave Parish, Mayor of Great Torrington
TOWN COUNCIL NEWS
Your Council, Working for YOU
Vacancy for a Town Beadle
Great Torrington Town Council is active in keeping the traditions of the town alive. One of those traditions is to have a small team of civic role holders which includes a Beadle, Town Crier and Mace Bearers. These roles support the Council at various functions throughout the year. We currently have a vacancy within the team for a Town Beadle.
Duties would include accompanying the Mayor to various functions as well as taking part in events within the town.
In order to carry out the role of Beadle, you would need a car, be willing to obtain the appropriate insurance and be happy to drive and accompany the Mayor and Mayoress/Consort to functions. The Beadle is provided with a mileage allowance, a small honorarium, plus a uniform. Some of the duties will involve evening and weekend work.
If you are interested in becoming the Beadle for Great Torrington Town Council, give us a call on 01805 626135 or contact us by email: admin@greattorringtontowncouncil.gov.uk.
GTTC’s New Deputy Mayor
The Town Council is very pleased to announce that Cllr. Bruce Ashley-Martin was voted the new Deputy Mayor at the Annual Business meeting in May. Cllr Ashley-Martin is well known throughout the community of Great Torrington having lived in the town for around 20 years. During this time, he has been involved in various community activities and organisations and until recently has run a popular business in the town.
Cllr Ashley-Martin said; “I feel extremely honoured to have been nominated and voted in as Deputy Mayor of Great Torrington and will strive to act in the very best interest of the town and its residents at all times. Becoming Deputy Mayor gives me a deep sense of pride and I look forward to working with the new Mayor and the other councillors for the benefit of our beautiful historic town and our lovely community”.
Young Persons Award
Great Torrington Town Council introduced the Young Person's Award (sponsored by Dartington Crystal) in 2025. It is awarded to people up to the age of 25 who have gone above and beyond in some way to contribute to the local community.
Members of Great Torrington Town Council would like to name the award after a local person who during their lifetime made a meaningful difference to the lives of young people in the town. If you have suggestions of names you would like the council to consider please let us know in time for the Full Council meeting on September 2nd (to be received no later than August 26th), you can contact us on 01805 626135, or great-torringtontowncouncil.gov. uk, or pop in to the office - which is upstairs from the library and the Post Office in the Castle Hill building. (Great Torrington Town Council, Castle Hill, South Street, Torrington, EX38 8AA).
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Large function room for parties/weddings
Check out our Facebook page for dates of upcoming live entertainment
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GREAT TORRINGTON TOWN COUNCIL NEWS
New Family Trail on Torrington Commons
Great Torrington Town Council have supported the Torrington Regeneration Board in the creation of a new family trail on a part of Torrington Commons.
Great Torrington Regeneration Board was established in 2023; a project initiated by Devon County Council and Torridge District Council bringing together representatives of local businesses and organisations to discuss ideas to regenerate the town. Jason Isaac was a member of the board from the beginning and in early 2024, during a brainstorming session on ways to increase footfall in the town, Jason suggested creating a family sculpture trail inspired by Great Torrington’s connection to Tarka the Otter. He also joined Great Torrington Town Council in January 2024.
provided funding for the illustrations of the accompanying story book by local artist Joseph Witchall. Torridge District Council and Devon County Council also provided funding for the project, with the Commons Conservators supporting the project by giving permission for the sculptures to be placed around the commons.
Local businesses Whiskers Pet Shop, Kitch ‘n’ Cupboard and Torrington Library have supported the project by selling the trail packs in their shops; other businesses have started selling specific otter themed items to make the attraction a town wide collaboration.
shaped biscuits, and Toy Zone who have started selling otter soft toys.
It has also encouraged local people of all generations to go out and enjoy an area of their local commons that they may not have visited for several years; many families sharing childhood memories of summers spent on Torrington commons, with their children and grandchildren and re-engaging with the fabulous natural environment which surrounds Great Torrington.
Packs cost £4 (all profits go back into the project) and are available from Whiskers in South Street and Kitch ‘n’ Cupboard at the bottom of the Pannier Market and Torrington Library.
Jason has worked on the project for the past two years, really driving it forward and doing almost all of the research, and publicity himself. Funding for the sculptures - skilfully carved by Brendan Knott - was secured from local individuals, businesses and organisations, and the Town Council
The new Mayor, Cllr Dave Parish officially opened the trail in the Pannier Market on Saturday May 23rd and families were able to enjoy the trail over the May half term. The trail takes participants on a walk around Castle Hill and takes in the famous view across the valley. There are two routes; one shorter and one longer and taking in a steep hill.
The project has encouraged local families to stay local and enjoy a day out in Great Torrington, with the bonus of supporting local businesses like Sandford’s who have made special Otter
Sculptures sponsored by: Webbers – Raffy the dog; Bob & Moira Brewer – Squirrel; Torrington Cavaliers – Fox; Town & Lands – Tall diving otter; Anonymous – Frog; Regeneration Board (TDC & DCC funds) – Tarka & Owl; Torrington Rotary – Owl.
Street Music Summer 2026
Great Torrington Town Council will be providing musical entertainment on Saturday mornings during the summer weeks.
Look out for local singers and musicians in the town square during late July and August.
The Changing Garden at RHS Rosemoor
As the Festival of Roses comes to an end, it is an exciting time to see which part of the garden will next come to life. The Hot Garden is traditionally most impressive in August, but there are already lots of flowers, shrubs, and trees to discover.
The fruit and veg team are continuing to work hard, not only to put on a marvellous yearly display, but also to provide as much produce as possible for the restaurant. When we are lucky enough to have surplus crops, the team love filling the honesty table (located just outside the main vegetable garden) at the beginning of the day and watching happy visitors take away a piece of produce to enjoy.
Adjacent to the Potager is the Cottage Garden, which is looking spectacular at this time of year. Our garden team have been working on a new style, and are now allowing far more plants to selfseed, creating a more natural display while also decreasing the workload for our in-house nursery team.
At this time of year, many couples take advantage of the spectacular summer
Call or message Matt on: 07808 056 473 or Facebook: Matts-Garden-Services
displays over the coming months and choose to get married in one of our many licensed shelters. The photo opportunities throughout the garden are endless, with particular interest in the long borders situated through the centre of the formal gardens, featuring an abundance of herbaceous perennials and shrubs.
Gardening jobs this month:
• Deadhead bedding plants and repeat-flowering perennials to ensure continuous flowering.
• Check clematis for signs of clematis wilt.
• Pick courgettes before they become marrows.
• Start picking tomatoes as they ripen, continuing to remove sideshoots and feed water plants.
• Clear algae, blanket weeds and debris from ponds, and keep them topped up.
What’s on at Rosemoor this month: Brick Explorers starting 25th July Join us this summer for Brick Explorers at RHS Garden Bridgewater, a funfilled family adventure celebrating the incredible biodiversity found in our gardens. Discover brick-built wildlife sculptures hidden around the garden. Workshops: Sustainable Gardening 4th July, Getting started with a new build garden 11th July, Summer Drawing day 17th July, Designing with Plants 23rd July and many more.
Grace Barker, Rosemoor Formal Garden Horticulturalist
Torrington Memory Cafe
Torrington Memory Cafe has been running for 13 years. It meets every second Thursday of the month. The cafe is entirely free to all who have memory issues and/or carers. Please come, join us and share the supportive, friendly atmosphere. New faces are always welcome. Perhaps you may wish to volunteer? More information from Lorraine Pearce (Leader) 07377 363 477 or John Pitts (Secretary) 07986 586 799.
Organic & Wholefood Buying Group News
What we're about: We're a Torrington based group enabling members to order organic wholefoods from our wholesaler's catalogue of over 5000 items, at wholesale prices, i.e. at least 25% less than retail prices. Our aim is simply to make better quality food available at affordable prices to more people and to support our health, and that of our families. You can find full information and become a member at no cost on our website, owbg.jimdofree. com.
At our order collection day social and lunch, we have great discussions, sharing knowledge and supporting each other in our efforts to really invest in our own health and rise to any health challenges we may have. Our kitchens are our pharmacy, and we enjoy swapping recipes, techniques and tasting each other's dishes. You can now also find this event each month at www.greattorrington.uk/events.
Your invitation to meet up: anyone interested in finding out more about what we do and in joining OWBG is welcome, if you would like to come to our monthly social – do! A quick email to owbg@ protonmail.com is very helpful so we are in the know about numbers for our pot luck shared lunch, contributed and made by members.
Wellbeing Tip: toilet paper
Connecting the use of mass-produced toilet paper and prostate problems,
may seem farfetched but for some time studies have shown that recycled toilet paper contains the toxic chemical bisphenol-A (BPA), found in plastics. Recycled papers include plasticized credit card slips, magazines and other plasticized papers, which is how BPA ends up in loo paper. BPA is easily absorbed through the skin and in the case of loo paper is being applied to an area rich in blood vessels, right next to the prostate. Studies show that 81% of all paper products contain BPA and that even tiny amounts of BPA stimulate prostate cell growth (benign hyperblasia at best) and reduces sperm count by 20%. High levels of BPA are found in unhealthy prostates, leading to urinary distress, baldness, low sex drive, high oestrogen levels, weight gain etc.
So, what are we to do if we care about the environment and our health? Clearly these chemicals don’t belong in anyone’s body, either male or female. Happily, there are now a few companies producing ecological BPA free loo paper. We and others in the buying group find a particular brand made from bamboo very pleasant to use, strong, economical and ethical. We love being able to choose an unbleached product that minimizes processing and environmental effects. Shares of large packs are routinely available due to its popularity within the group.
Upcoming grocery final order dates: 10th July, 13th August.
• How do I join? Via our website, where you'll find all the info you need.
• What does membership cost? Free.
• What if I need advice or have questions? Ring 01805 623 307, email mary@marycrailwellbeing.co.uk
OWBG Website: owbg.jimdofree.com
Facebook: Organic & Wholefood Buying Group
Email: owbg@protonmail.com www.marycrailwellbeing.co.uk
Alverdiscott Church
Atraditional service of Holy Communion using the Book of Common Prayer is now being held each week at 8am in the beautiful village church of Alverdiscott.
There is a sermon but no hymns. Anyone who appreciates the rich spirituality of the old 1662 service and King James bible, or anyone who has never used it but would like to give it a try, is invited to attend.
Torridge Walk & Talk
Walks every Tuesday and Wednesday, a variety of routes at different levels each lasting about an hour.
Free walks led by trained walk leaders, full details are on our website torridgewalkandtalk.co.uk.
Or contact Steve on 01237 421528.
PHILIP W TAYLOR LLB LEGAL CONSULTANT
Free initial consultation & estimate, no obligation.
Low rates (no VAT). Free home visits in EX38 area. Evening & weekend appointments available.
Contact me for a free consultation. Telephone: 01271 858482 or 07766 714503 Email: philipwardtaylor@outlook.com
Great Torrington Water Forum
There is renewed interest, after ‘Dirty Business’, in how and who should protect and enhance our waterways, it may be useful to start with the National Rivers Authority (NRA) remit:
• Pollution Control and Regulation: Investigating pollution incidents, setting water quality standards, and enforcing regulations on trade and sewage effluent discharges.
• Flood Risk Management: Managing flood risks from rivers and sea defences, including maintaining infrastructure.
• Water Resources Management: Managing water resources through licensing and regulating water abstraction.
• Environmental Protection: Protecting fisheries, promoting recreation, and enhancing the conservation of rivers and coastal waters.
It did a pretty good job of all of these, at the very least it made a good start.
The Environment Agency is a quango, specifically classified as an executive Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). It operates at arm's length from ministers to manage environmental regulations, flood risks, and pollution in England. They, on the other hand, top and tailed the above, assumed water quality was fixed and became a desk-
based fee collector with an obsession with flooding; probably as a result of the criticism around the naturally occurring events at the Somerset Levels and elsewhere.
The agency does not, and has never sought, a statutory remit to undertake water quality monitoring at high resolution or in real time! All members of staff are expected to undertake a secondary emergency role regards flooding, but there is no requirement or system in place, to do the same for pollution incidents no matter how large.
In recent years there has been a concerted effort to engage citizen scientists, in order to deliver the agency’s role for them. There was one meeting where senior managers proposed (somewhat misogynistically) that the Boy Scouts could do all the water quality sampling!
Who should monitor and protect our waterways?
Defra and the EA have passed some of the burden to the water companies and Cunliff has just raised more uncertainty.
Britain has a tradition of amateurism; clearly demonstrated by politicians, civil service and, understandably the third sector. If we want to monitor, protect and enhance our water environment we need to do it properly. AI and innovation won’t solve our monitoring deficiencies, the right people with the right equipment backed by the right legislation will. We already have enough legislation.
we just need the will to enforce it. We need a new water authority that provide the scientific and technical capabilities to deliver professional and modern audit monitoring and understanding of water quality at catchment scale.
It should audit and co-ordinate monitoring undertaken by the water companies with regards to section 82*, better monitor and regulate agriculture activities and where appropriate, work with citizen scientists to deliver more focused and responsive local improvements. The public needs and deserves a fully independent regulatory authority.
*Section 82 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 allows individuals aggrieved by a statutory nuisance to take direct legal action through a magistrates’ court to obtain an abatement order and, if necessary, fines against the responsible party.
Contact us @gtwaterforum@ gmail.com, www.facebook.com/great torringtonwaterforum, www.linkedin.com.
Torrington Baptist Church Light Lunch
We will be having a Light Lunch on Tuesdays at 12.30pm until about 2.30pm. There will be a suggested donation of £2. Anyone looking for lunch and some good company is welcome.
The Crier Prize Crossword
The winner of this month’s crossword will receive two free tickets to the North Devon Show. Please send your completed crossword with contact details to The Crier, Castle Hill, Torrington, EX38 8AA, or email to torrington.crier@gmail.com. The winner for the last issue is Alison Bennet The winner for this issue will be picked at random from correct entries. Deadline for entries is Thursday 9th July.
North Devon Show 2026
Preparations are well underway for a very special North Devon Show this year.
Wednesday 5th August will be the 60th renewal of the show, to be held as usual at its regular home in Umberleigh.
The North Devon Show celebrates a myriad of local talent and is supported by participants and visitors from all over the United Kingdom. It’s a hub of activity for farmers, livestock owners, equestrians and local businesses, as well as craft, food and drinks suppliers.
Featuring many animals, it has also developed a reputation for putting on much-loved performances in the show rings, together with added entertainment for families and visitors. Show secretary Theresa Soanes said, “The North Devon Show is such a highlight in the calendar for local people and continues to be very well supported by the public. We are all excited that we have a very special anniversary this year. It all started back in 1967 when the Instow and Torrington Shows merged to officially form the new North Devon Show. Continuing for 60 years has only been possible because of the terrific support we’ve had from our farming and equestrian community. They are at the heart of our show and above all else it’s a chance to celebrate our amazing North Devon culture and heritage.”
Theresa Soanes commented further, “We know from our feedback that the show is also one of the most popular days of the year for families. This year will see the return of the much admired circus, plus some amazing bike stunts from Team Mad. The ever-popular giant tortoises will be there too, as well as the fabulous dog and sheep shows. Additional entertainment will include a fairground, Clayzer, archery and a live music stage throughout the day. So there really is something for everyone to enjoy on show day.”
For further details about the show, and how to get discounted early bird tickets, see NorthDevonShow.com.
A ‘Hotbed’ for Insects
I’m sure that many of you will have been to RHS Garden Rosemoor and seen their ‘Hot Garden’ and been overwhelmed by the sheer exuberance and colour combinations of plants. Not only that but how all kinds of different insects relish such abundance of nectar-bearing flowers, especially later in the summer and early autumn. So, let’s make our own ‘hotbed’ for our local insect visitors!
There are many plants, both annuals and perennials, to choose from but some of the best are the easiest to grow, which is great news for all of us keen gardeners. But firstly, let’s prepare the area where we are going to create our hotbed. It doesn’t need to be large but a south facing site is best and the soil well-drained. Dig over the bed to get rid of perennial weeds and incorporate some fertiliser just to give a boost to the new planting. Add some sharp sand or grit, too, to assist drainage. Once you have done this, rake over the bed just to level it.
Now you are ready to plant and choosing the right plants is simple because many of our favourite herbs will thrive in such conditions, but instead of using them in the kitchen you will be allowing them to flower, set seed and spread. Common Sage (Salvia officinalis) has beautiful blue spikes of flowers – bees especially love funnel
shaped blooms. In fact, any Salvia will happily grow in your new bed, try ‘Hot Lips’ or ‘Nachtvlinder’ for starters. For edging the new bed, our own Common Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is perfect, as is Origanum, especially the golden leaved form (which loses its variegation as it flowers). These are loved by all sorts of hover flies, bees and butterflies. Origanum laevigatum ‘Herrenhausen’ is a very hardy cultivar. When the flowers have died, cut off the old stems.
We must include Lavender angustifolia (L stoechas is not so hardy) and ‘Hidcote’ is a lovely cultivar. Once flowering has finished, give the bush a good trim which will stop it growing leggy.
For a taller shrub, you can’t go too wrong with rosemary ‘Miss Jekyll’s Upright’ which is quite strong growing but again, can be gently pruned in autumn. You can get quite early flowers on some branches which is ideal for bumble bees in spring.
A good, hardy, taller perennial is fennel and the bronze form is particularly attractive having saucers of light yellow flowers which many different insects adore. Cut down the dead stems in winter.
For ground cover and all year interest, try Sedum ‘Acre’ an old and well-known perennial and there are several cultivars including a golden form. Taller growing
sedums are also ideal and can be increased by layering, ie, pinning down a stem so that it’s buried in the soil.
Armeria maritima, thrift or sea – pink, makes neat carpets of greeny grey foliage topped with pink, red or white flowers.
Various Alliums, especially chives, are perfect and the shorter varieties such as Allium ‘Eros’ seem to provide better value and longer lasting blooms. There are obviously many more plants that are perfect for a ‘hotbed’ but hopefully I’ve given you a few ideas to start with.
Torrington Baptist Church
Everyone is welcome to our friendly, growing family church as we journey together to know Jesus and make Him known.
We meet every Sunday 10.30am followed by a cuppa and biscuits.
The third Sunday of every month is 10.30am Breakfast Church when our time together starts with bacon and sausage butties, vegetarian and gluten free are available, plus fruits, a lot of chatter, and followed by a shorter meeting.
Sunday May 24th 10.30 Pentecost with speaker Derek Andrew.
Fleur
events at the plough
Summer Evenings, Open Air Adventure and Wonderful Live Performance at The Plough this July
July is one of the most exciting months of the year at The Plough with live music, film, creative experiences, and long summer evenings providing the perfect backdrop for our Open Air Theatre season. By July, this is in full swing - bringing stories, laughter and magic to some of North Devon and Torridge's most beautiful outdoor locations.
If you are looking for an uplifting and inspiring night out, Harry Baker brings his latest show ‘Tender’ to The Plough on Friday 3rd July at 8pm. One of the UK's most celebrated spoken word performers, Harry combines humour, honesty and extraordinary wordplay in a show that is both laugh out loud funny and genuinely moving. Whether you are a poetry lover, or simply curious to try something new, this promises to be a memorable evening. Tickets are selling fast, so don’t miss out!
Music fans are in for a treat throughout July. On Friday 17th July, internationally acclaimed vocal group Black Umfolosi brings its infectious blend of traditional Zimbabwean song, dance and storytelling to The Plough. Their performances are joyful, energetic and guaranteed to leave audiences smiling. Later in the month, tribute fans can enjoy two fantastic celebrations of musical legends. On Saturday 18th July, Beatles Complete takes audiences on a journey through the timeless songs of The Beatles, capturing the sound, style and spirit of one of the world's most beloved bands. Then on Thursday 30th July, CODA brings the music of Led Zeppelin roaring back to life with an electrifying tribute packed with classic rock favourites and powerhouse performances.
Our cinema programme offers plenty to enjoy this month too. On Friday 3rd
July at 2pm, ‘Our Land’ explores the relationship between people, landscape and the future of farming in Britain. This thoughtful and engaging documentary will be followed by a filmed Q and A, offering audiences the chance to delve deeper into the issues raised.
National Theatre Live returns on Saturday 4th July at 7pm with ‘Les Liaisons Dangereuses’. Full of intrigue, manipulation and scandal, this gripping adaptation of the classic story brings all the drama of the stage to the big screen. Then on Saturday 11th July at 7:30pm, enjoy ‘The Christophers’, a heartwarming and entertaining film packed with charm, humour and memorable characters. Keep an eye on our website event listing, as more films for July will be announced.
Over at our sister venue, The Plough at St Anne's, Barnstaple, ‘Small Town Jones’ returns for a special summer concert on Friday 17th July. Due to essential building works at St Anne's, the performance will take place at Barnstaple Guildhall, where audiences can once again enjoy the band's atmospheric blend of folk, Americana and powerful songwriting. Always a sell-out so book now to avoid disappointment.
Experience the Magic of Open Air Theatre
There are few better ways to spend a summer evening than gathered beneath an open sky as talented performers bring classic stories to life against the backdrop of beautiful gardens, historic houses, woodland clearings and rolling countryside.
July is packed with opportunities to experience the magic of Open Air Theatre. From Shakespearean favourites and literary classics to family adventures and comedies, there truly is something for everyone.
Join us for Thomas Hardy's ‘The
Return of the Native’ at Lapford Mill and Castle Hill, Filleigh. Enjoy the dark ambition and thrilling drama of Macbeth at Tapeley Park. While younger audiences will love the family-friendly adventures of ‘Kaspar: Prince of Cats’ and the globe-trotting excitement of ‘Around the World in 80 Days’, history lovers can look forward to ‘The (almost) Complete History of Britain’, a fast-paced and hilarious romp through the nation's past. The month concludes with one of Shakespeare's most beloved comedies, ‘Much Ado About Nothing’, performed in some truly stunning outdoor settings. Many venues offer refreshments and local treats, while picnics are always welcome. Whether you come with family, friends or simply a blanket and a sense of adventure, Open Air Theatre creates unforgettable summer memories and a unique opportunity to experience live performance in extraordinary surroundings. Plough Supporters can enjoy discounted Open Air Theatre tickets, while groups of six or more can take advantage of additional savings, making this the perfect summer to gather friends and plan a theatre adventure together.
As always, The Plough Café | Bar | Bistro offers a warm welcome throughout the month, serving delicious refreshments and providing the perfect place to relax before a show or film.
From inspiring spoken word and unforgettable live music to magical outdoor theatre under the summer sky, July promises to be packed with memorable experiences at The Plough Arts Centre. We look forward to welcoming you.
For full listings, tickets and more information, visit theploughartscentre. org.uk or call 01805 624624.
Diary Dates
Our box Office opens Friday to Saturday
10am - 4pm & 6:30- close.
Monday 7-9pm (during term time)
Our Café | Bar | Bistro is open
Wednesday - Saturday 10am2:30pm
Please call 01805625925
Visit: www.theploughartscentre.org. uk/
Please note that a 5% fee will be applied to all bookings.
Plough Arts Centre April Events
Friday 3rd July
2pm Film: Our Land
8pm Live Poetry / Spoken Word : Harry Baker: Tender
Saturday 4th July
7pm Film: NT Live: Les Liaisons Dangereuses (15)
Monday 6th July
7:30pm Workshop: Ploughcappella
Tuesday 7th July
10:30am Workshop: Prism Drama & Motion Dance - April 26
Saturday 11th July
10:30am Workshop: The Business of Art: Funding
7:30pm Film: The Christophers
Tuesday 14th July
10:30am Workshop: Prism Drama & Motion Dance - April 26
Wednesday 15th July
11am Room Hire: Charles Hanson Valuations
Friday 17th July
8pm Live Music: Black Umfolosi
Saturday 18th July
8pm Live Music: Beatles Complete
Thursday 30th July
8pm Live Music: CODA - A Tribute to Led Zeppelin
Barnstaple: Programmed by The Plough St. Anne’s
(Note alternative venues while St. Anne’s renovations continue)
Thursday 2nd July
7:30pm History Tour: Barnstaple Town Centre: Northgate End Haunted History Tour
7:30pm Workshop: Plough Storytelling Circle
Friday 3rd July
6:30pm Workshop: Summer Soap Making Workshop
Saturday 4th July
10am Workshop: Sleeping Cats & Dogs Terracotta Sculpture Workshop
Sunday 5th July
10am Workshop: 'Smiling Basket' Willow Weaving Workshop
Thursday 9th July
7:30pm History Tour: Barnstaple Bygone Brothel Tour (North End).
Friday 10th July
7:30pm Live Music: James SpencerLive At Barnstaple Guildhall
Friday 17th July
7:30pm History Tour: Barnstaple Town Centre: Southgate End Haunted History Tour
7:30pm Live Music: Small Town JonesSummer Gig
Saturday 18th July
10am Workshop: Seascape in Acrylics
Wednesday 22nd July
10am Workshop: Wellbeing Wednesday - Pressed flower lanterns
Thursday 23rd July
7:30pm History Tour: Witchy & Weird
Haunted History Tour
Saturday 25th July
10am Workshop: Drawing Birds in Coloured Pencils Workshop
7:30pm History Tour: Barnstaple Bygone Brothel Tour (South End)
Sunday 26th July
10am Workshop: Willow Bird Sculpture Workshop (chicken/duck/pheasant/ heron)
Friday 31st July
7:30pm History Tour: Barnstaple Murder & Macabre Haunted History Tour
OAT: Open Air Theatre
Saturday 4th July
7pm OAT: The Return of the Native Lapford Mill
Sunday 5th July
7pm OAT: The Return of the Native Castle Hill, Filleigh
Wednesday 8th July
6:30pm OAT: Macbeth Tapeley Park
Friday 10th July
6:30pm OAT Jeeves & Wooster Tapeley Park
Saturday 11th July
7pm OAT: The Comedy of Errors Clovelly Visitor Centre
Saturday 11th July
7pm OAT: Jeeves & Wooster Lapford Mill
Sunday 12th July
6pm OAT: Jeeves & Wooster Castle Drogo (NT)
Thursday 16th July
4:30pm OAT: Kaspar: Prince of Cats
Castle Hill, Filleigh
Thursday 16th July
7pm OAT: Around the World in 80 Days
Castle Hill, Filleigh
Saturday 18th July
7pm OAT: Twelfth Night Skern Lodge
Sunday 19th July
11:30am OAT: Kaspar: Prince of Cats Blackberry Farm
Sunday 19th July
2:30pm OAT: Around the World in 80 Days Blackberry Farm
Tuesday 21st July
6pm OAT: The Iliad or The Ghost of Achilles Pilton Community Farm
Tuesday 21st July
6:30pm OAT: The Pirates of Penzance Arlington Court (NT)
Wednesday 22nd July
6pm The Iliad or The Ghost of Achilles Lapford Mill
Friday 24th July
7pm OAT: The (almost) Complete History of Britain Clovelly Court Gardens
Saturday 25th July
7pm OAT: The (almost) Complete History of Britain Badock Gardens
Tuesday 28th July
7pm OAT Much Ado About Nothing
Castle Hill, Filleigh
Wednesday 29th July
6:30pm OAT: Much Ado About Nothing Ashridge Court
Thursday 30th July
6:30pm Much Ado About Nothing Blackberry Farm
7O Recipe Poem
Start with Exmoor, Devon and South Africa.
• Kitchens
• Custom built furniture
• Storage solutions
07949 041 799
Sammoircarpentry@gmail.com
• Decking/Fencing
• Cladding
• Timber repair
• General home improvements
• External painting
Blend some English, Russian, Hindi, Telugu and untraditionally pronounced French. Then add to a large pan,
Dice some farmers and a biker with a sprinkle of rugby.
Then turn up the heat with some noise.
Coat with English,
Add a spring of Wales and some London and stir
A double dose dollop of two sporty Stanleys
Dress with some rugby and golf let it cool.
Whilst that is baking add some acting, music, cricket, rounders and some horse riding,
Cream some schools’ influence White Heath, Beaford, St Mary’s, Beat in some weirdness and kindness with a touch of fun.
Now let it stand together.
7L Recipe Poem
Blanch it with gaming, drawing, singing and knitting. To bring out the flavours spread chatting, humour, compassion and a scoop of awesomeness.
Perfect personalities boiled with a pinch of Scouse, Grab the golden bond of Endurance, The determination of Discovery, The strength of the Resolution raptors and The beautiful blue of Endeavour.
Smother with a never back down, never give up attitude. Fold in giggles to build confidence.
Combine some everlasting friendship, Mix with individual qualities.
Splash with some stubborn Northen Irish attitudes to give the dish some kick, Mix in a cheeky sense humour with some respect, Set aside and serve as,
Future Authors, Teachers, a nuclear Scientist, Professional Sports stars and determined Farmers.
Remember to be exact with the ingredients too much of one can be sour and feeling not enough can lead to a bitter taste. Ensure that all ingredients are happy and safe to achieve best success.
Be warned: if the sauces of determination and teamwork are unequal then dish will crumble. Give acceptance and fairness to all.
All pupils of 7O
First, add a touch of English, And whisk in some Malayalam, Drizzle in a few troublesome Tommys. Next, blend Welsh, Irish and Yorkshire Then sprinkle in Russian and Botswanan
Scatter horse riders and a fisherman into the pan, Then chop some blonde hair, brunette, auburn, Dice some Spain and fold.
Add loudness and laughter, Now glaze with some primary schools, Langtree, Bluecoat and Monkleigh And stir.
Grab pupils with relatives from around the world.
Swirled with world views, Sprinkle in individual personalities, All different and unique.
Take different hobbies, skills and clubs They’re doing all week, And allow it to cool.
Add a future chef, hairdresser, F1 driver and an author,
2
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For any kind of clearance, please call, text or pm anytime for a no obligation quote. Thank you!
Tel: 01805 804205 Open
Collect from Torrington, Bideford, Barnstaple, & surrounding areas
Monday to Saturday 6.30am - 8.00pm
Sunday 8.00am - 7.00pm
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www.themaltscoop.co.uk/info@themaltscoop.co.uk
Excellent home-made food served every day 12-2pm/6-9pm
Convenience Store & Post Office
Contact James on 07714 819 415
Licensed Waste Carrier No: CBDU269392
www.churchststores.co.uk for our latest offers
Great selection of wines, real ales, ciders
Personally Supervised by Andrew & Janice Gist 01805 622364
Open fire and snug rooms
Year 7 have been inspired to write recipe poems, inspired by the brilliant poem "The British", by Benjamin Zephaniah. ‘The British’ playfully reimagines the United Kingdom as a multicultural recipe or "melting pot" and lists all the migrants and cultures who have settled in Britain over the years.
Torrington Methodist Church 10.30am
Rev Stephen Hill 6.30pm Rev Ken
Rolle Canal & Northern Devon Waterways Society Guided Walk
Morgan
Two Year 7 English groups collectively wrote their own recipe poems as a class, celebrating their diverse backgrounds, interest and characters – and as you will see, the end results are amazing!
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints meet @ Bideford College Abbotsham Rd, Bideford, EX39 3AR Sunday Sacrament service at 11.50am1pm
Well done to 7L and 7O and Mrs Greenham for their brilliant imaginative ideas!
Film 'Hitchcock' (12A) 3pm @ The Plough
Film 'Argo' (15) 7pm @ The Plough
Comedy 'Russell Kane' @ Devon Hall 8pm
Saturday 13th
A tablespoon of Torrington spirit, And a kind sense of humour.
Add a pinch of gymnastics and cricket
And a squeeze of Buckland Brewer Whisk in football, netball and rugby And dust with kindness and intelligence
Grate in chatterboxes, Silent bystanders And fidgeters
Drizzle in Romania, France and India
Combine with farmers, bikers, artists and gamers
Dollop a big spoon of entertainment And leave to simmer.
Serve as one class— Remember: an unequal spread of courage, respect and friendship may damage the dish. Give equality to ensure best chance of success and achievement.
Alert: Be ready and respectful or you are not safe! But not enough humour will make the dish taste Bland.
All pupils of 7L
Monday 8th
The new season's programme of Sunday afternoon walks starts on 26th May with a visit to the site of the Inclined Plane at Ridd. This is the place where the Rolle Canal was raised up about 43 feet from the valley floor near Weare Giffard to a level in the side of the valley that could be maintained all the way inland to the head weir at Rosemoor.
Historical Society AGM & Talks 'Beam House & Quay' & John Oatway Torrington Clockmaker 7 for 7.30pm @ Methodist Church
Advice Surgery with Geoffrey for an appointment ring 01237 459001 email to tellgeoffrey@geoffreycox website www.geoffreycox.co.uk
Coffee Morning in aid of Wembworthy Church @ Chulmleigh Town Hall cakes, produce, draw prizes appreciated Major Walker MC Ceremony @ Memorial 11am (see article) Taddiport Tea Dance 2-4.30pm Doug 01805 622648 or Beryl 01805 624294
Film 'Wreck it Ralph' (PG) 2pm @ The Plough
Film 'Argo' (15) 5pm @ The Plough
Film 'Lincoln' (12A) 8pm @ The Plough
Tuesday 9th
Film 'Lincoln' (12A) 5pm @ The Plough
Film 'Hitchcock' (12A) 8pm @ The Plough
Wednesday 10th
St Michael's Church Said Mass 8.30am in St James Chapel Torrington W.I @ Methodist Hall 7pm
Film 'I Wish' (PG) 8pm @ The Plough
Thursday 11th
Film 'Great Expectations' 7.30pm High Bickington Cinema Music Coope Boyes & Simpson The Plough
Lastly, here is a lovely piece of creative from one of our Year 10 English pupils:
Sunday 14th
Torrington Methodist Church 10.30am Rev Peter Whatton 6.30pm Mrs Sheriff
depending on the season, may flowering at the time of the walk. The start of the walk is Kiln, on the Weare Giffard Halfpenny Bridge, at 2.30pm Sunday 26th May. The distance over a mile but with plenty and discuss is likely couple of hours. A donation £2 to the Rolle Society's funds appreciated and enable the Society volunteer work promote and maintain the Rolle Canal. Future walks will be 16th June, 28th July August. For further details if email: hassallc@ymail.com 01237 425357, but you'll probably to leave a message.
Chris
St Michael's Church Said Mass 10.30am in St James Chapel followed by Walsingham cell in vicarage Memory Cafe 10.30-12.30pm @ The Plough
Theatre Multi Storey: Beauty & The Beast 2pm @ The Plough
Many people will have seen this site on previous walks but this year there have been developments over the winter that will make it well worth a repeat visit. The Heritage Lottery funded ‘Life's Journey’ project has produced a new pathway from the Tarka Trail down to the bottom of the Inclined Plane where two illustrated information boards have been installed to describe the saltmarsh habitat by the Torridge and the workings and purpose of the Rolle Canal. It is now possible to gain a far better understanding of the lay-out and workings of the inclined plane boat lift than was previously the case. The upper basin of the canal at the top of the incline has been cleared of scrub sufficiently to enable the outline of its banks to be clearly seen, and the way the railway subsequently cut through the northern end, destroying the top of the incline. This canal basin now supports an increasing population of Early Purple Orchid and Twayblade (a green flowered orchid) which,
Film 'Cloud Atlas' (15) 7pm @ The
Our Hedgehogs Need You!!!!!!
St. Michael’s Church 10am Sung Ignatius Sunday Club in upper room Film 'The Sessions' (15) 3pm & The Plough
Monday 15th
Tightly, he gripped hold of his black hair as if this was the only thing keeping him alive. The shadows moved around him and each time he blinked they crept closer to his face. His breathing became uneven; his heart was beating in his chest; his breathing became desperate. His thoughts were overwhelming his mind. Nothing seemed to make sense anymore. He was trapped, not by the room, but by the shadows and the fear that lurked deep within him. Something was very wrong. He felt imprisoned… Lingering memories of how he had found himself locked in this place with no way out flooded his brain. They were like whispers that he could not ignore. He was unsure if they came from the shadows. Flashes of thoughts overwhelmed him. The whisperings grew louder, piling on top of each other like some long-forgotten paperwork. Again, he clenched his hair for a taste of realism in the moment and squeezed his head tightly hoping it would drown out the pain.
Singing for Fun 7.30 -8.30pm @ Bickington Community Centre Mini Mover Dance Session for 9.30-10.30am @ Bickington Community Centre
Tuesday 16th
At last, he opened his eyes and the light flickered, failed and plunged him once again into the darkness and he surrendered, leaving his mind blank. The shadows were arching towards him. His grip loosened on his skull, not in relief, but in pure disbelief. He realised there was no escaping the dark and it had become a part of his soul. He was imprisoned.
10
Hedgehog Awareness Week way but why wait until then help? As spring is here and hopefully the weather improves our spiky friends will be up and about again. It’s been an extremely tough winter for them. The changeable and wet weather has made it difficult for many them to find food or hibernate over the past months so many weak and need help. If you you had a resident hedgehog area last year please don’t forget a bowl of water and some food them, placing it inside a feeding
Calvert 8.15pm @ The Plough
'Hearing for You' Social group for hard of hearing. Every 3rd Tues The Bickford Centre call 01271 Youth Club High Bickington Community Centre for 11+ @ 5-7pm Badminton Club 7pm Juniors 8pm Adults @ Bickington Community Cribbage pairs competition @ Torrington Arms 8pm 'Cloud Atlas' (15) 7pm @ The Plough note early start for long film
Wednesday 17th
Said Mass
@ High Bickington Community Centre 4.30-5.30pm 3rd Weds
month 7pm @ GT Conservative 'No' 8pm @ The Plough Atherington Acorns, fun, friendly for parents & children aged 0-5 9.30am-11am @ Atherington Pavilion every Wednesday term time.
Hope Summers, Year
North Devon Ramblers Walks - July 2026
Wednesday 1st July: Celebration King Charles English coast path walk - 5.5 miles circular Brownsham to Clovelly. Through woods and fields, steep in places with farm tea shop at end. Meet at Brownsham NT car park. Start time: 10.30am, estimated finish: 2.30pm.
Sunday 5th July: South and North Molton. A 9-mile circular walk through attractive farmland and woodland. Meet in South Molton main car park. Start time: 10.30am, estimated finish: 3.30pm.
Tuesday 7th July: Time out Tuesday –Ilfracombe. KC111ECP celebration 5-mile circular stroll. Meet at the Jonathan Edwards mosaic on the Promenade. Start time: 6.30pm, estimated finish: 8.30pm. Thursday 9th July: Great Torrington circular. A circular walk though Torrington commons and along the Torridge. Optional coffee stop. Meet on Torrington. Common (Old Bowling Green) Start time: 10.30am, estimated finish: 2.30pm.
Tuesday 14th July: Time out Tuesday – Bideford. A circular evening stroll. Meet at Tarka the Otter Statue on the quay. Start time: 6.30pm, estimated finish: 8.30pm. Wednesday 15th July: A Romp around Swimbridge. A 6.5-mile circular walk along fields, paths and quiet lanes. Meet at the Jack Russell Pub. Start time: 10.30am, estimated finish: 2.30pm.
Thursday 16th July: A 5-mile circular stroll, chat, and coffee around Parracombe. Meet at Barnstaple Bus Station. Start time: 9.40am, estimated finish: 3.30pm.
Saturday 18th July: Dunkery & Horner Wood Nature Reserve A circular walk across open moorland, forest trails and numerous streams. Meet at the area above Nutscale Resevoir Cross. Start time: 10.30am, estimated finish: 4.30pm.
Tuesday 21st July: Time out Tuesday - Braunton. A circular evening stroll around Braunton. Meet at Countryside Centre, Braunton. Start time: 6.30pm, estimated finish: 8.30pm.
Tuesday 28th July: Time out Tuesday- Barnstaple. A circular evening stroll around Barnstaple. Meet at Barnstaple Railway Station. Start time: 6.30pm, estimated finish: 8.30pm.
Please refer to our website for more information: northdevonramblers.org.
Beaford Community Cafe
Held on the second Saturday of every month from 9:30am12pm.
An opportunity for you to treat yourself to a delicious breakfast bap, hot drink and/or home baked cake. Free on-site car park, disabled access and parking. Books and jigsaws are available to borrow.
Visit our website for details of all our events www.beafordvillagehall.com.
Welcome to Torrington Methodist Church
EX38 8AL top of Mill Street.
Our regular services are on Sundays at 10.30am. Evening Worship 6.30pm via Zoom, email sarahrichards185@gmail.com to request link.
Warm Welcome: second Saturday monthly, enjoy homemade soup, cake, meet friends old and new, all at no cost. (Under 18s must be accompanied by responsible adul.).
Bacon Butty Coffee Morning third Saturday monthly 10am to noon. Our premises are available for hire. Various rooms, Wi-Fi, screen mirroring/projecting. See website or phone Sheila 07579 058 284. Blessings from us all, hope to meet you soon.
Summer Holidays With Your Dog
With summer in full swing, many of us are looking forward to getting away for a well-earned break. For dog owners, holidays can be a wonderful opportunity to explore new places together, but a little preparation beforehand can help ensure the trip is enjoyable for everyone.
If your dog is travelling by car, think about the journey as well as the destination. Plan regular stops to allow for toilet breaks, stretching their legs and access to fresh water, particularly during warmer weather. Some dogs can suffer from travel sickness, so if your pet becomes unsettled or nauseous during journeys, speak to your vet before you travel. There are effective medications available that can help.
When staying away from home, familiar items can make a big difference to your dog's comfort. Bringing their usual bed, favourite blanket or a wellloved toy can help provide reassuring scents and make unfamiliar surroundings feel more like home.
If your dog takes any regular medication, check supplies well in advance and ensure you have enough to last the entire trip, plus a few extra days in case of unexpected delays.
It's also worth identifying the nearest veterinary practice to your holiday destination before you need one. Hopefully you'll never require emergency veterinary care while away, but having contact details readily available can save
valuable time if a problem does arise. Before travelling, take a few moments to confirm that your dog's microchip details are up to date on the national database. If you become separated from your dog in an unfamiliar location, accurate contact information can make all the difference in helping you reunite quickly.
Here in North Devon, we are fortunate to have access to some fantastic beaches, coastal paths and countryside walks. However, if you're travelling further afield, check in advance that dogs are welcome where you intend to visit. Restrictions can vary throughout the year, particularly on beaches during the summer months, and some attractions may not allow dogs at all. A little research beforehand can help avoid disappointment and ensure your holiday plans are dog-friendly.
It's also important to be realistic about whether your dog will actually enjoy the holiday. Some dogs thrive on new adventures, while others find travel and unfamiliar environments stressful. If your accommodation doesn't allow dogs to be left unattended, or your plans involve activities where your dog cannot accompany you, it may be kinder to consider alternatives such as boarding kennels, a pet sitter or a trusted friend or family member. A relaxed dog enjoying a familiar routine at home may sometimes have a better holiday than a stressed dog travelling from place to place.
For those planning to travel abroad with their dog, additional preparation is required. Different countries have different entry requirements and timeframes, so it is sensible to seek advice as early as possible. One recent change that may catch out frequent travellers is that many EU pet passports previously used by UK residents are no longer valid for travel into the EU. If you have travelled before using an EU pet passport, don't assume it can still be used. In most situations you will now require an Animal Health Certificate for each trip. We would strongly recommend checking the current requirements well before you travel. If you are considering taking your dog overseas, speak to your vet as early as possible to ensure there is plenty of time to meet any vaccination and certification requirements.
Whatever your plans this summer, a little preparation can help keep both you and your dog safe, comfortable and ready to enjoy your holiday together.
Ruth
Ferguson MRCVS, Brannam Vets
Castle Hill Creatives
We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who came to our spring show at Castle Community Centre on 16th May. It was lovely to see old friends and meet those of you who haven’t visited one of our shows before.
Our thanks must, of course, also go to our amazing stallholders who worked so hard to make the event such a success.
For those of you who missed the event, we will be holding our annual Christmas Show on 14th November at Castle Community Centre. If you can’t wait that long, then do pop in to The Plough Arts Centre where a regularly changing selection of our art and craft items are
Follow Me!
OServices include:
House sitting • Dog walking • Equine care • Emergency cover Contact Isabel on: Tel: 07989 995935
Email: isabelspetsitting@gmx.co.uk Visit: www.isabelspetsitting.co.uk
ne of the latest phenomena is the desire to accumulate as many followers as possible on social media. At the time of writing, Taylor Swift is reported to have 273 million followers on Instagram. I am told that by ‘following’ someone, you get a glimpse of their experiences, achievements, and daily activities. A ring side seat watching their life.
When Jesus began His ministry at the age of thirty, He invited 12 men to be his disciples. Jesus did not seek out the rich, the powerful, or the religious experts of His day. Instead, He chose ordinary men— fishermen and a tax collector.
His invitation was simple: “Follow me.”
What is remarkable is that these men responded immediately. They left behind their nets, their businesses, and the familiar routines of everyday life to journey with Jesus. There must have been something about Him - His presence, His authority, His love - that stirred their hearts and drew them to trust Him.
For the next three years they lived alongside Jesus, listening to His teaching, witnessing His compassion, and watching Him challenge the social and religious expectations of the day. They saw lives transformed, the sick healed, and people welcomed whom others had rejected. Gradually, they came to understand who He truly was. When Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say I am?”, Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
The invitation to follow Jesus is still extended today. Unlike following someone on social media, we are not merely observers watching from a distance. Jesus invites us into a living relationship with Him. He walks with us through the joys and challenges of everyday life, offering His guidance, comfort, and love.
To follow Jesus is not simply to know about Him; it is to know Him personally. It is to discover that He is present in the ordinary moments of life as well as the extraordinary ones. And as we walk with Him, we find that He continues to shape us, encourage us, and lead us deeper into the life He has prepared for us.
If you want to know more about the Christian faith, feel free to give us a call: Karen 07890 132 081 and/or Trish 07866 861 156.
available for purchase. Our three display cabinets can be found on the ground floor in the relaxed seating area of the Café.
The Christmas event is fully booked, but if you are a maker and would like to be on our waiting list, please email
Deep Tissue Laser Therapy for People and Animals
Reduces pain and inflammation, treats sprains, strains and arthritis, and accelerates wound healing
Fast, safe, painless treatment
Visit: www.janejoneslasertherapy.co.uk Call: 07876 788 999
chctorrington@gmail.com with brief details of your craft, and we will be contact you if space becomes available. Thank you once again, from the Castle Hill Creatives team.
JRise Up with Teachers Rock
oin us for a powerful and uplifting evening of music, community and inspiration at the ‘Rise Up with Teachers Rock Fundraiser Concert’ at St Michael & All Angels Church, supported by Torrington Rotary.
This special event will bring together the Teachers Rock adult and academy choir to celebrate the transformative power of music and raise funds for ‘Rise Up with Teachers Rock’ — a national project supporting youth mental health through singing and creative expression in partnership with YoungMinds.
Set within the beautiful surroundings of St Michael and All Angels Church, and led by Teachers Rock founder Debbie Kent alongside pianist John Bangham, this inspiring evening promises powerful live performances, uplifting musical moments, and the opportunity to support a project dedicated to helping young people feel heard, connected, and empowered through music.
Ahead of the evening concert, we are delighted to offer a community singing workshop open to all from 3:30-4:30pm, giving participants the exciting opportunity to learn Teachers Rock arrangements and, if they wish, perform alongside the choir during the evening concert (performing is optional).
Whether you are a parent, teacher, music lover or community supporter, this promises to be an unforgettable evening filled with hope, harmony and purpose. Come along, raise your voice with us, and help make a real difference to young people’s wellbeing and mental health through music.
Doors open at 6:45pm, starts at 7:30pm. Tickets available on the door or online (£6-£15) www.ticketsource.com/teachersrock/riseup-with-teachers-rock-fundraiser-st-michael-all-angels-supportedby-torrington-rotary/e-glmrjb.
St Michaels & All Angels Church, Great Torrington, Great Torrington, EX38 8EA.
Langtree Parish Hall Mini Market and Cafe
Every Thursday 10am-2pm. B and N foods always in attendance selling fresh meat, fruit, vegetables, and bakery goods together with other stalls. More stall holders wanted! Tables £5 please ring Mo if you are interested 07747 453 774. Popular cafe serving breakfast and lunch with reasonable prices. Come and browse and borrow a huge range of books from our community library, use the Milk Cart or facilities from the Post Office van (11.30am12.30pm).
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I am a very competent engineer for both chimney maintenance and solid fuel and I am fully insured. I always leave your home clean and with a certificate when the job is done - why not give me a call to book an appointment!
Tel 07500 861 862
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Chimney Maintenance