Torrington Crier November 2019 by The Torrington Crier

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November 2019 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.

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Read The Crier Online

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

Would you like the Crier delivered in your village?

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

Could You Deliver The Crier in Little Torrington?

We are looking for a volunteer to collect copies from Torrington Library and deliver door-to-door in Little Torrington. If you think you can help please contact Becky on torrington.crier@gmail.com or call 01805 603152. The Crier is produced 10 times a year by The Crier Community Interest Company, a social enterprise, and aims to support the local community and local businesses, by providing a publication in which news, events and information can be shared throughout Great Torrington and the rural district.

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

Disclaimer:

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

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New Calf Street Play Area! Great Torrington Town & Lands Charity 202801 Distribution Day

New venue - Great Torrington Town & Community Hall Date: Friday 6th December 2019 Time: 9.30am-2pm Qualifying households are entitled to receive vouchers to be spent within the town. To qualify you must be living within the Great Torrington Parish boundary (and shown on the Electoral Roll for not less than one year before the date of the distribution) and be in receipt of any of the following benefits: * State Retirement Pension * Attendance Allowance * Constant Attendance Allowance * Disability Living Allowance * Employment and Support Allowance * Incapacity Benefit * Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit Please Note: * Only ONE claim per Household * If you are claiming on behalf of a relative/friend, you MUST bring a letter of authorisation signed by the recipient * Suitable evidence of entitlement to these benefits MUST be presented on the day No applications will be considered before or after the above hours. I M Newman – Steward to the Trustees

Great Torrington Town & Lands Charity 202801 Annual Grants

he Trustees of the above Charity wish it to be known that they are willing to consider financial help by way of a grant to any Church, Club, Society or similar organisation operating within the Great Torrington Parish boundary. Under instructions from the Charity Commissioners NO application can be considered from any sporting club unless any grant awarded will be used exclusively for the benefit of the young or otherwise disadvantaged persons. Application Form available from: www. torringtontownlands.org, Great Torrington Town & Lands Charity Office, 25 South Street, Torrington, EX38 8AA. E:admin@ townlands.org.uk, T: 01805 623517. Completed forms to be returned no later than Monday 18th November, 2019. Terms and conditions apply.

e are extremely excited to say that Torridge District Council has confirmed that Great Torrington will be getting a new play area in Calf St early next year! We have just over £100,000 available for the new play area and the design is out to tender at the moment. When the designs come back next month we plan to work with children at the secondary and junior schools to get their feedback on the designs that they like the most. We are waiting to hear back from a few more grants too (fingers crossed) but hopefully the amount already raised will be enough to provide lots of much-needed fun and exciting equipment! We have worked together with Torridge District Council, and the designs from potential play providers will need to include a fenced toddler area, a large feature piece of climbing equipment, a wheelchair-friendly roundabout, and a fitness training area, as well as other pieces of play equipment such as swings (these things were all suggested by the community through the public consultation we held). We would like to thank everyone in the town who has given their support and helped us with our fundraising. We recently received £815 from the boxing club fundraiser and £330 from a donation bowl in Whiskers pet shop, as well as £72 from Torrington’s Pop Choir! It all adds up and is really appreciated. Watch this space. Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin

Torrington-Roscoff Exchange Group

ur group’s aim is to visit our friends in Roscoff once every two years and for them to visit us in the year between, but also, we bond our group by holding many local functions throughout the year. Our most recent function was a BBQ at the home of John and Anne Reed. As always in good old North Devon, we were concerned that the weather may scupper our plans, but no worries, the day turned out to be sunny, dry and warm. We all brought delicious dishes, while John and Thomas slogged over a hot BBQ to provide us with tasty sausages and burgers; of course it goes without saying that we also enjoyed a copious supply of French wine. While it was good to catch up with members in a relaxed atmosphere, many of us enjoyed playing boules for much of the afternoon. Huge thanks to all who were able to participate and especially to John, Anne, Juliet, Charlotte and Thomas Reed for inviting us to use their wonderful garden and home for the event - thank you very much. Finally, a thank you to Neil Pratley for setting up and co-ordinating the boules. By the time this article has gone to press, we will have had our annual Grand Quiz at the Torrington Arms, which took place on 26th October. I will report on it next issue. We currently have 40 members. Age is no barrier, as we have members ranging from 9 years and upwards; some speak French and some don’t. We welcome

Christmas Day at the Town Hall

his year, if you are spending Christmas Day by yourself, why not consider joining us at the Town Hall for a delicious traditional Christmas lunch and some festive fun! Stephen and Paul from Lions Coffee House have kindly offered to prepare a tasty Christmas lunch with all the festive trimmings. We are very grateful to them for coming up with this wonderful idea and giving up their time to make it happen. We have been overwhelmed with offers of help from local people and businesses, plus various other groups - not only with financial support but a lot of great ideas and help on the day. Don’t fret if you have no transport, we will be arranging a free transport service for all our guests. Lunch will be served at 1pm. If you would like to join us on Christmas Day please get in touch by email townandcommunityhall@gmail.com or by ringing Anne on 07971 696 192, and we will do the rest to ensure you have a truly memorable day at Great Torrington Town & Community Hall. If you’d like to help us on Christmas Day, offer any help prior to the day or make a small donation, we would love to hear from you! Let’s keep our wonderful Torrington Community Spirit Alive! Anne Tattersall new members, so if you are interested in joining us, please contact: Antony Jefferies (Secretary) 01271 549454, or Nick Roberts (Chairman) 01805 62765.

A Live Music Night at Roborough Village Hall

Saturday 16th November 2019, 7.30-12pm Live music with professional singer Lily Beck and Roborough’s own Natalie Simmons. Tickets are £10 to include a hot buffet, licenced bar and raffle. Tickets are available from Des Isaac or committee members on 01805 603301; 01805 603306 or 01769 560261.

Great Torrington & District Community Development Trust Ltd & Genesis (Great Torrington) Ltd AGM Everyone Welcome!

he Annual General Meeting of Great Torrington & District Community Development Trust Ltd and Genesis (Great Torrington) Ltd will be held on Tuesday, 29th October 2019, at 7pm for 7.30pm in The Castle Community Centre Castle Hill, South Street, Great Torrington. Refreshments will be available and all welcome.

Library News

hank you to all the crafters who engaged with the community at our Fun Palace on 5th October, what a great time was had. Thank you to Proseprints, Jacky Gregory, Crerative Mojo, the Burton Art Gallery and our volunteers for engaging with this community event, and our Friends of Great Torrington Library for hiring the Castle Community Centre for this fun event. It was wonderful to be visited on the day by author and Fun Palace Director Stella Duffy; she toured North Devon’s Fun Palaces to enjoy the many events taking place in our part of the County. Our Friends are staging ‘Dead Ringer’: a murder mystery charity tea full of intrigue and cake on Sunday 17th November at 4.30pm at the Black Horse. Tickets, in advance, from A&J opticians. Check out our Facebook page for all upcoming events. Did you know Libraries Unlimited is a charity? Donations are therefore always welcomed and appreciated.

Your Commons...

fter a long hot summer, autumn on the Commons has been spectacular! The colours of the trees and the quantity of fruit and berries have been wonderful. This in turn is great for the birds and animals stocking up for winter. As the season progresses we will be cutting grass areas like Reid’s Field once the flower seeds have fallen and this will ensure a wonderful display of flowers again next summer. Other work you might see the ranger and his team out doing includes the removal of long-dead elm trees before the winter gales, and opening out some of the views on Castle Hill particularly by the seats. The lizards and adders particularly like this South facing slope! We will be installing some viewpoints on the top of Castle Hill, with a particular aim of making the wonderful view available to people with limited mobility. We’ve had another spate of fly tipping at Gammaton Cross which has been removed, but wastes precious time and resources. Please let us know if you see anyone doing this. If you are interested in helping out with the care of the Commons, or helping with our fundraising efforts, please find us on Facebook, or contact us at 01805 462463. Sadly, we have had to say goodbye to a couple of very dedicated members of the board of Commons Conservators over the summer, so if you are interested in finding out exactly what we do please get in touch – it really is a very rewarding and worthwhile thing to do! Lastly, thank you to everyone who supported our many fundraising events over the summer, or helped us by coming to the car boot sales. These are over for this year now, but will be starting up again in May. Mandy Harrison (Chair GTCC)

Big Sing 2019

Wednesday 11th December 7pm Torrington Pannier Market

know it is early to be mentioning Christmas, but it will soon be with us! One of the really good things about Great Torrington is the way in which the community come together; so, it will be a joy to celebrate Christmas together at the Big Sing. It is an opportunity to join with each other to hear once again the Christmas story and to sing some of our favourite carols. We are delighted that the Torrington Silver Band will be providing the music and that the children from Bluecoat school will be joining in too. I have a challenge for you this year, and not just for the children – how about dressing up as one of the characters in the Nativity story? It will be good to have a large number of shepherds and magi in the gathered throng. I am sure spare tea towels, dressing gowns, and crowns can be rustled up to add to the festive occasion. We look to a night of celebration. Rob Blackhall, Methodist Minister

November Events at The Town & Community Hall

Dates for your Diary Saturday 2nd at 11am Torrington Poppy Project Launch with Town Mayor Come along to the Town Square and join together to celebrate the Town’s Poppy project and see the amazing poppy displays co-ordinated by Rosie and Margaret’s Knit and Natter Group. Thanks to everyone in the community who has been involved in this project. Friday 8th Cash Bingo Evening Eyes down at 7.30pm for our very first cash prize Bingo evening in the Great Hall with caller John Kelly. Tea/Coffee and biscuits available. Friday 15th Community Awards Gala Dinner Thanks to everyone who nominated deserving people in all categories. Saturday 23rd 10.30am to 4pm Christmas Fair with Craft sessions Charity event for North Devon Hospice. Tuesday 26th 10.30am to 1pm Festive Wreaths Using a selection of beautiful fabrics and ribbon you will create your very own wreath decoration. Our textile wreaths are an environmentally friendly festive decoration you can use year after year to decorate your home. All resources will be provided, but if you have your own fabric you would like to incorporate into your wreath, please bring it along. Cost: £21 book on-line www.learndevon.co.uk. Friday 29th 7.30pm – Big Band Night Jazz, Swing, Jive, Rock Tickets from Crafty Needles £12 to include finger buffet. Saturday 30th Community Carol Singing Starts in the Square at 5.30pm followed by Christmas lights switch with the Mayor at 6pm. The Town Hall will be selling hot beverages and mince pies. Wednesday 4th December Topiary trees Using a selection of festive fabrics and ribbon you will learn how to create your very own topiary tree decoration. Our textile topiary trees are an environmentally friendly festive decoration you can use year after year to celebrate Christmas. All resources will be provided. Please bring a bag to take your topiary tree home in. Cost: £21 book on-line www.learndevon.co.uk. For any information on any of these events or if you would like to become a Town Hall Titan and volunteer, please contact Anne Tattersall on 07971 696 192.

Voluntary Treasurer Needed

Would you like to be part of this new exciting venue? The Town Hall Trustees are looking for a treasurer. Why not have an informal chat to see what this entails? If you have some free time to get involved that would be wonderful. Our next quarterly meeting is in November, so please get in touch with Cathrine Simmons (secretary) cathrinesimmons@hotmail.co.uk or via phone 01805 622409.

Commons Fishery Warden News

espite the clay discharge event on Tuesday 12th February 2019, which was the only pollution event I recorded this year, the River Torridge continues to improve. We probably lost a lot of salmon fry from this year’s brood, due to the clay discharge particles clogging their delicate gills and choking them, but we can only guess how many. Freshwater pearl mussel larvae (Glochidia), clinging to their gills, would also have been killed. Fortunately many of the previous (2018) year’s salmon parr have survived. I managed a couple of days fishing myself in September, just before the season’s end and I had to stop fishing as I was catching too many small fish. Almost every cast resulted in my fly being taken by a 5 or 6” salmon parr! I could not escape them, there were so many! After a dozen or so I had to stop, as these fish were shortly going to prepare for life in the sea. If they return after one sea-winter they may be 5 to 6lbs. in weight. Those which spend two or more winters at sea, living on rich food, will grow fast and hopefully, when they return, our River Torridge will once more be famous for its 20 to 30 pounders! In late October and early November, salmon and sea trout can often be seen trying to ascend Beam Weir on their way to the spawning grounds higher up the river. Don’t miss it! Here’s hoping! Alan Crawley

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Great Torrington & District Care Forum

n last month’s Crier, an article was published about the Care Forum. Whilst it gave a good over-view of its history and origins – here is an update on its current operation. I am in my third year as Chair of this dynamic and proactive forum. We are a networking group for those working on a voluntary or paid basis in health, welfare, caring or religious areas. We meet on the second Wednesday of each month at Torrington Community Hospital. The meeting is free of charge and is an informal get together over tea and biscuits. We chat about current issues and exchange ideas on how we can best work together for the benefit of our community. We have been a key mover in the development of the newly launched Torrington 100 project which is supporting Great Torrington and the 16 villages in the 100 square miles served by our two GP’s surgeries. Its focus is on non-medical solutions to health and wellbeing issues, such as linking people to activity groups to share skills or learn new ones; advisory services on utility bills and money matters; community exercise classes, which not only help with fitness but open up the opportunity to make new friends. More details will be publicised by the project as it develops. If you represent a group that shares our aims and would like to join us - or you have some free time and would like to do some voluntary work - we would love to hear from you! Chair Sandra Crawley - sandra.guard@me.com Secretary Judith Nock judithnock@btinternet.com

Part-Time Office Administrator Vacancy GTTC

reat Torrington Town Council has a vacancy for a part-time Administration Assistant. The role is for six hours per week, either one day or spread over two, to be agreed with the successful applicant. Working days would need to be Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. The role includes various administrative aspects of the council’s business, including interacting with the public and outside agencies. Applicants will need to be computer literate, organised, experienced in a wide range of administrative tasks and experienced in using social media. Salary scale £18,795-£19,945 pro rata. A job description, person specification and application form can be found on the Town Council website great-torringtontowncouncil.gov.uk, alternatively contact the Town Clerk by email at admin@great-torringtontowncouncil.gov.uk or by phone 01805 626135. Applicants may also collect details from the council offices at Castle Hill Great Torrington on the mornings of Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (9am1pm). Closing date for receipt of applications is midday on Thursday 28th November 2019.

Busy Times for Torrington Silver Band

orrington Silver Band had a busy couple of days last month, starting off with our Massed Bands Concert at Devon Hall with our friends from Appledore and Bideford Bands. The evening was a huge success with most seats sold, and the bands performed 15 pieces throughout the evening, five pieces chosen by each band. Thanks to everyone that attended and to everyone involved in the organisation, it was a very enjoyable evening. The following day we went off to play at an 80th Birthday party for a very special band supporter. We were delighted to provide the entertainment for Lorna’s 80th party and it was a wonderful afternoon. Lorna’s daughter, Sylvia, and grandson, Matthew, both play in the band and each played a solo for the occasion. Lorna has been a dedicated supporter for many years and we would like to thank her for continued support. On Saturday 9th November you are invited to join Torrington Silver Band for our Concert of Remembrance at Howe Concert Hall, Castle Street, Torrington. We will be performing a repertoire of musical masterpieces to suit all ages and tastes. As always there will be a raffle with some fantastic prizes and refreshments during the interval. Doors will open at 7pm and the concert will begin at 7:30pm. Tickets will be available on the door at £5, entry for children is free. Everyone welcome!

Great Torrington Remembers - Sergeant Edward Green

dward Green was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1894. By the 1901 census the family had moved to the UK; their address is 3 St Judes Road, Plymouth. We find a full home with Ellen Green, Edward’s mother, as the head of the household. She was originally born in Plymouth in 1871 and is 30 at this point. Edward, aged 6, is the eldest of the children with siblings John, 4, and Reginald, 2, being the others. Edward starts at the Great Torrington Council School for Boys in 1905 and by 1909 he has enrolled at the Bideford Grammar School. In 1911 the family are resident in the town living at 77 New Street, although Edward is not present; he can be found living in Plymouth as a boarder at 61 High Street. His occupation is a ‘barman’ and his age is listed as 16 years old. Edward’s enlistment papers that show he was 16 years of age on arriving in Australia, so he would have moved soon after the 1911 census was taken. On the 5th October he enlisted with the Australian 4th Light Horse Regiment. As the name suggests, it formed as a divisional cavalry regiment for the 1st Australian Division. Within the regiment, Edward served in the 4th Machine Gun Squadron. He enlisted at the rank of Corporal. The 4th Light Horse would see a great deal of action and their first test would be at Gallipoli. They landed on

22 and 24 May 1915 and its squadrons were initially scattered to reinforce the infantry battalions already ashore. Much of the regiment’s time at Gallipoli was spent defending the precarious ANZAC position, most frequently around Ryrie’s Post. Sergeant Green was also mentioned in dispatches by receiving an honourable mention for gallantry in the fighting by General Murray. Along with his regiment, they retreated from Gallipoli on 11 December 1915. The regiment’s first major battle on the Sinai Peninsula would also become that which made it legendary. The 4th Australian Light Horse was ordered to capture the town of Beersheba, which was in the hands of the Turks. This would be a cavalry charge at the gallop over 6 kilometres. The speed of their horses meant that they could mostly stay under the artillery bombardment. As the Light Horse approached the trenches surrounding the town, the rifle fire from the Turkish trenches was wild and high. The front trench and the main trench were jumped, and some men dismounted and then attacked the Turks with rifle and bayonet from the rear. Some galloped ahead to seize the rear trenches, while other squadrons galloped straight into Beersheba. Edward was able to return home on leave in the beginning months of 1918, and rejoined his regiment in late March. In a letter to Mr J.H. Hinde he wrote “I am once more with my regiment, but all my pals have gone west and still we are fighting. I am just off to join in the fray – Good bye”. Sergeant Green was amongst the

casualties in the fighting at the Es Salt raid on the 3rd May 1918; killed in action. As well as being remembered on the Great Torrington war memorial, his name can also be found on the Jerusalem memorial. Although I haven’t traced any relatives, I have found his photo in a newspaper article. Michael Newcombe

Little Torrington News

he Little Torrington Victory Hall A.G.M. is being held on November 14th at 7.30pm. The committee would welcome some extra support, so please come along and help us maintain this valuable community asset. Badminton on Monday and Wednesday evenings remains popular. If anyone would like to start up the short mat bowls club again, all the equipment is available in the hall, a good social way to keep fit. Come and enjoy chat, coffee and cake at our monthly coffee mornings, held on the first Monday, 10am to 12pm. The Annual Christmas Dinner Dance is on Friday 6th December. Dancing to the Texans, carols at midnight. Tickets £16, from Irene on 01805 623297 or irenemdaniel@icloud.com. The ‘Not so Little Red Riding Hood’ Pantomime will be presented by the Little Torrington thespians on January 30th, 31st, and February 1st. Tickets from Bob Harrod 07918 865 777. The Victory Hall is an ideal venue for Christmas parties, weddings and social events, to make enquiries and bookings contact Rose on 01805 625194.

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GREAT TORRINGTON TOWN COUNCIL NEWS Your Council, Working for YOU Torrington Pannier Market Gets a Makeover

From Your Mayor

am now officially half surrounding local history and it was great way through my term to see a few sections relating to Great as Mayor; I really Torrington. I was very pleased to catch cannot believe how Lisa D’Alberti’s talk on the Torrington quickly it is going. Commons; her passion and love for our As part of the Arts beautiful commons was wonderful to Festival, Will and I hear. attended a classical The following day I was back in piano concert in St Barnstaple with Will, to attend the Michaels Church, and Trefor Smith celebrations of Barnstaple Fair Day. The travelled from Hamburg to be the proclamation was held in their beautiful opening event! It was a pleasure to listen Guildhall and we both enjoyed hearing all to him play, I was lucky to have a seat at about Barnstaple’s unique traditions. We the front so was able to see everything were then taken outside to see the white up close. Huge “It is lovely to see some of you embracing glove appear thanks to Trefor from the my Mayor’s Challenge and seeing what for coming to you can buy locally in Great Torrington. window above play in Great I look forward to seeing even more of you and process Torrington around taking up the challenge. Looking forward to and also to the town, Christmas, I will be trying to buy as much as hearing the everyone I can locally – who will be joining me?” involved in proclamation the organisation of the Music and Arts of the Fair being read at many points Festival – my deputy, Cllr Doug Smith, around the town. My thanks go to attended on the Saturday and officially Barnstaple Town Council and Mayor, opened the event. He explained how he Cllr Alan Rennles, for making us both so was amazed at the variety of acts that welcome. entertained the crowds and how he was It was also a treat to attend an event delighted to award prizes for the various in our own Town Hall; an afternoon tea competitions. with live classical music organised by A couple of days later I visited Fleur Gormley-Sparrow, in aid of the Barnstaple Library for their ‘People North Devon Hospice. It was a wonderful Power in North Devon’ event. We were afternoon; I was mesmerized by all the invited to look at various documents singers and especially Fleur, who not

only set up the whole event, but also sang for us – her voice is just beautiful! The backdrop of our fabulous Town Hall set the whole afternoon off. Well done Fleur and all your helpers, it was fantastic. I left this event and went straight to RMB Chivenor for a charity evening in aid of the ‘Over and Above’ charity, it was an experience I will never forget. We were hosted by Lt. Col. R. Alderson in the Officers’ Mess and were entertained by 10-piece soul band, Soul Intention – even I couldn’t resist a little boogie! Big thanks and well done to Ian Roome and the team at Over and Above for putting on such a great fundraiser. It is lovely to see some of you embracing my Mayor’s Challenge and seeing what you can buy locally in Great Torrington. I look forward to seeing even more of you taking up the challenge. Looking forward to Christmas, I will be trying to buy as much as I can locally – who will be joining me? I am also looking forward to attending a few training courses over the next few weeks with fellow councillors, which include social media and planning. As always, if you’d like me to attend or support any events, please contact the Town Council Offices. Keeley Allin Mayor of Great Torrington

ince the running of Great Torrington’s historic pannier market reverted back to Torridge District Council back in April, the Town and District Council have been busy working together to give the site a revamp. Recent work has included a thorough cleaning and fresh paintwork for many of the public areas including the ceiling at the South Street entrance and stone walls in the market hall area. Behind the scenes, new gutters and down pipes have also been installed to improve the drainage arrangements around the site. Working closely with the Chamber of Trade, and with the cooperation of market traders, the work was sequenced to cause as little disruption as possible. This included contractors working out of hours and avoiding the busy Friday and Saturday Market times. At the same time new contract cleaners were appointed to undertake the initial deep clean, but also the ongoing and regular cleaning of the market and public toilet facilities. Other contracts to oversee security and access arrangements have also been

let. District and Town Councillor and Lead Member for Community Culture and Leisure Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin said: “Great Torrington’s Pannier Market is so important to the town, both in terms of its heritage and culture, but also as an economic asset. I’m really pleased that the Council is investing in its upkeep and will continue to make it an attractive and welcoming place to visit. The pannier market boasts a variety of independent shops, as well as an art gallery where you can regularly watch the artist at work, and a lovely café selling delicious goods. On Fridays and Saturdays there are also the regular market traders in the market hall selling a range of different things! I hope the revamp will encourage people to support their town centre and to shop local. It’s a fantastic place to visit whatever the weather.” Anyone interested in trading from the pannier market should contact Torridge District Council’s Estates Team on 01237 428756 or email corporate. property@torridge.gov.uk.

Torrington Let’s Talk Tuesdays 12-2pm at Castle Hill

re you living with a mental health issue? Do you experience emotional distress? Are you suffering with depression, anxiety or loneliness? Let’s Talk is a safe supportive group environment professionally facilitated by qualified counsellors working with Clarity. If you are interested please contact Clarity on 01271 267474.

High Streets Heritage Action Zone – Expression of Interest Application

ast month we reported on a bid which had been submitted to the Heritage Action Zone funding (HAZ), by Torridge District Council. The bid was in relation to the creation of a heritage app, investment in the museum, gates for the pannier market and conversion of The Globe into a training hotel with an Arts branding, partnering with The Plough Arts Centre and Petroc. We are very disappointed to report that despite strong praise from Historic England the bid did not get through to the second stage. However, Torridge is continuing to seek other routes to bring certain aspects of this bid to fruition, in particular, the conversion of the Globe and the creation of the heritage app. We are delighted that the Architectural Heritage Fund has now agreed to grant £15,000 towards a feasibility study for The Globe project, so there should be lots more to report in the near future as we explore possibilities and seek community input. We will continue to report on this activity.

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GREAT TORRINGTON TOWN COUNCIL NEWS Free Water Refills

Opportunity for Small Businesses

evon County Council has asked the Town Council to publicise an opportunity for microbusinesses (businesses that have fewer than 10 employees), freelances and sole traders to take part in a research trial that is to help businesses become more efficient. Businesses have up to the end of this year to sign up to be part of the trial. Government funding via Innovate UK is paying for the research, which will help inform the way that Devon County Council (DCC) supports rural microbusinesses in the future, helping them to reach their full potential. Devon County Council can’t say too much about the research trial at this stage, because that might compromise the results. They are hoping to work with more than 250 businesses in the trial. After 12 months of monitoring these businesses, DCC will be able to understand what type of assistance

Remembrance Sunday Parade

might work, and that will help them tailor support to rural businesses in future. Types of businesses being looked for The trial will be based in settlements with a population of less than 10,000 across Devon and the Exmoor and Blackdown Hills areas of Somerset, in four over-represented sectors: Tourism (including food, accommodation and retail); Health and Social Care; Trades (such as construction, market traders and lifestyle businesses); and manufacturers. Businesses that would like to take part in the trial can sign up online at http://bit.ly/engagingruralmicros or request more information by emailing engagingruralmicros@devon.gov. uk before the end of December 2019. For more information visit www. devonnewscentre.info/microbusinesses-invited-to-be-part-of-aresearch-trial-to-help-boost-efficiency/

his year Remembrance Sunday falls on the 10th November 2019. The Royal British Legion will once again hold a Remembrance Ceremony at the War Memorial in the Cemetery, commencing at 10.50am. The parade will form in Lidl’s car park, New Street at 10.15am and depart promptly from the car park to the Cemetery at 10:35am. Organisations and members of the public are welcome to attend the ceremony. Please note that there will be no vehicular access to Lidl’s car park from 10.30am onwards while the parade is being formed. Anyone collecting wreaths will need to collect them by 10.15am from the Chairman of the Royal British Legion inside the entrance to Lidl’s car park.

n our efforts to reduce plastic, GTTC has supplied water bottle refill stickers to some of the cafes in Torrington. This means that visitors to our town can refill their water bottles easily and for free, rather than have to purchase plastic bottles of water. We see this as the cheapest and most sustainable option of providing drinking water for those who are out and about in our town. We would like to say a huge thank you to Angela and Matt of ‘Hippy Motors’ who have provided us with these stickers free of charge, and to the local businesses which have agreed to join this initiative so far and become refill stations: 1646 Cafe, No. 37, The Green Lantern, The Market Cafe, and The Plough Arts Centre. Just look for the sticker in their window.

Warren Lane

n an old aerial photograph of Torrington, probably taken in the 1930s, there are very few houses in Warren Lane: Culver House, Uplands and Rock Mount (overlooking Mill Street common), Enfield, The Warren (now called Warren House), Hillcrest, Torridge House and Penhallam. Warren Lane seems to have had a variety of names over the years including Fares Lane, Rack Park Lane and Dedalls Lane. The houses in this street have lovely views over the Torridge valley. The Warren may well have been built over 250 years ago, and the magnificent holm oak by the front gate is believed to be much older than that. The castellated walls in front of the property are similar to those at Castle Hill erected by the Rolles in the 1840s. It is thought that the house was called The Warren because the owners kept rabbits, which were a welcome addition to the diet of impoverished townsfolk. Existing documentation dates back to the 1860s when the house was part of the Town Lands of Great Torrington. In 1872 it was proposed by the Town Council that The Warren should be used as a smallpox hospital but the Trustees rejected this proposal. Captain Walter Bayntun Starky purchased The Warren in 1923 for the sum of £1,450. He had worked as a civilian engineer for the government in India and been given an honorary title. He was three times Mayor of Torrington in 1930, ‘31 and ‘33. His wife retained some of her colonial ways and a local man remembers calling at the house and, when he rang at the front door, Mrs Starky told him, from an upstairs window,

to go to the tradesmen’s entrance at the back. This he duly did only to be told, ‘Not today, thank you!’ Mr George Doe, local historian, Town Clerk and twice Mayor, lived next door at Enfield. The drain from his house and his cesspit were, rather inconveniently, in the garden of The Warren. Torridge House, a ‘late Victorian gentleman’s residence’, was built in around 1870 and the house was originally square with the front door facing east. An extension was added in 1907 by Mr Boatfield, a bank manager in the town. The garden stretched down the hill to Mill Street, where there was access, and west to the commons where a house, Hillside, was built on the old tennis court. The building was turned into two flats after the war and many original features were damaged. In 1968 the whole house was bought by Theo Page, an eccentric graphic artist, who used the attic as his studio and set about returning the flats to one residence. He became ill in 1972 and the rather haphazard work on the house stopped so that when the present owners bought it in 1976 the interior was virtually derelict. Since that time they have slowly put the house back together. It has an extensive cellar, which used to be the kitchen at ground level on the south side, wine and coal cellars and various larders. There is a deep well with a very worn pump that moved water up three flights through a large lead pipe to a big tank in the attic. Penhallam, at the end of Warren Lane, where it meets Mill Street, is a large three storey building with a square

turret, divided up since the 1940s into interlocking apartments. It has fine highceilinged rooms and lovely westward views. The property was formerly known as Rack Park House and was renamed by George Stawell, a solicitor, who came from Cornwall in late Victorian times. Moira Brewer (The Crier would like to thank Moira, who has submitted articles on the history of Great Torrington for the last five years - this is her last one! We will very much miss reading them. The Crier Team)

The Arts Society North Devon

ur next meeting will be held on November 12th at The Durrant House Hotel Northam at 2pm. Alice Foster will give the lecture ‘The Art of Partying Through the Ages’ which will take us partying through Greek mosaics, the Bible, and the Renaissance to the 20th century. It traces how people have enjoyed merrymaking, banqueting, dances and music through the medium of western art. In 2004 Alice joined The Arts Society, has lectured throughout Britain and Europe, and is also a tutor on study holidays. She has lectured for Oxford University of Continuing Education since 1998 and regularly lectures at The Ashmolean, and at the Oxfordshire Museum. We welcome visitors at a cost of £5, or join our friendly society and enjoy all our lectures for the year. For further information please contact Pamela Selman 01271 866661, email Selman. smile@talktalk.net.

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e are delighted to announce that Monkleigh Primary School has achieved the School Games Platinum Mark Award for the 2018/19 academic year. The School Games Mark is a Government-led award scheme launched in 2012, facilitated by the Youth Sport Trust, to reward schools for their commitment to the development of competition across their school and into the community. We are delighted to have been recognised for our success. This award makes Monkleigh Primary School the first School in North Devon to be awarded the Platinum Mark Award. As part of our application, we were asked to fulfil criteria in the areas of participation, competition, workforce and clubs; we achieved five Golds in previous years and we are pleased that the hard work of everyone at our school has been rewarded this year. Mrs Reeves (Headteacher) said, “We are very pleased to be the first School in North Devon to achieve the Platinum Mark award for PE. We are immensely proud of everything at Monkleigh, including our PE. Our children, led by Tracey Wilson, do an amazing range of sporting activities in school and out at various festivals and competitions. Our children have PE lessons every day, and in all weathers, which has to be the case as we are a small school and we achieve so much without a hall!” Adrian Avery, School Games organiser for North Devon said, “It has been a pleasure working closely with Monkleigh Primary over the last four years. They have done some exceptional work in that time, building their timetable around making all pupils as active as possible. The head teacher has given full support to their PE lead, and that has shown in their maths results and activity levels across the board. They are fully supportive in in being advocates of the 60 active minutes, which is shown in their timetable and extra-curricular participation levels throughout the year.” Pictured l to r: Mrs Tracey Wilson PE Lead, Adrian Avery, Mrs Karen Reeves

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Dates for November * Tuesday 5th - Lunch at the Royal Exchange, 12.45 for 1pm, £7.50. Contact Marcia or Val for menu choices, booking and payment. * Sunday 24th - Beetle Drive at the Bickford Centre, 2- 4pm. No charge but remember to bring your bring and share tea. Space limited so please book in advance. * Monday 25th - The film at the Plough will be ‘Judy’ at 2pm. Cost £3.50 to include a cup of tea or coffee and a piece of cake. Make sure you book early. Thank you to The Black Horse for hosting our lunch in October, it was an excellent meal. Special mention to the beef stew, which was excellent. Congratulations to the management and all the staff. Marcia and Val can normally be contacted at the Bickford Centre on South Street, on Wednesday mornings between 10am and 12 noon. The Club phone number is now Marcia’s mobile number 07881 875 846.

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t has been another busy month representing Torrington Rural at County Hall. Writing this article in October, I am hoping that by the time you read this that the works to relay and repair the pavements in Torrington Town Centre will have finished. I would like to thank everyone for their patience while these disruptive, but needed, works were carried out. Normally I update readers on the work Devon County Council is doing locally, however I thought for this month I would give readers a broader update that covers some of the pan-Devon work that the County Council does. Starting on a ‘favourite’ subject of ours – potholes – I hope I am not tempting fate by reporting that the number of recorded potholes is down from this time last year, and below the monthly average for October. I would like to think that this is, in part, to the substantial amount of resurfacing and repair work that has been taking place across the County, but particularly in Torrington Rural, with resurfacing and patching works taking place in the last two years on the A3124, A386 and B3227 as well as numerous

country roads in our villages. Nevertheless, a harsh winter can cause a huge amount of damage to the road network. As the nights draw in DCC Highways will be making their final preparations for winter, having taken delivery of 8,500 tonnes of salt at the beginning of October to ensure that the salt barns are fully stocked, at 23,500 tonnes for the winter. The gritters and snow blowers have also been serviced and all are ready for action. The winter does of course also bring pressures on our Health and Adult Social Care Services, and officers from DCC will be working closely with the NHS to ensure our vulnerable residents and those in need of services will be protected. At the time of writing work is already underway to allocate the Winter Pressures grant money, which for Devon comes to £3.6 million, and will be distributed through the local Devon districts to fund specific projects in each area. In the September Spending Review, the Chancellor announced an extra £1.5 billion for social care. While this is welcome, there is an element of this funding that is expected to be raised through the council tax precept rather than central government funding. Depending on the formula used to distribute this, Devon County Council can expect around an additional £15million in funding, with the possibility of a further £7 million potentially raised through a Social Care Precept. As well as looking after vulnerable adults, Devon County Council also cares for vulnerable children. Devon now has 771 children in care and while the

pressures for looking after these children remains high, I was delighted to hear that the County Council has recently recruited a record number of new foster carers. Fifty new foster families have been recruited following the introduction of a new scheme of allowances at the start of the year. Our foster carers do an amazing job in looking after some of our most vulnerable children and I am glad that the fostering system in Devon is taking in more carers. As ever, if there are any County Council matters you are concerned about, you can ring me on 07886 446 560 or email andrew.saywell@ devon.gov.uk.

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he Northam Care Trust will be hosting its annual Christmas Fair and Grotto on Sunday 8th December 2019 from 12-4pm at our Rose Hill Activity Centre on Heywood Road, Bideford, EX39 3PG. There will be many stalls with festive crafts and gifts to purchase, fun games and activities to enjoy and Santa will be in his grotto to hear the children’s wishes and give a gift. Hot food and refreshments are available, as well as our bountiful cake stall. Enter and park for free, and bring the family along. All money raised at this charity event will go towards a mobile hoist to allow our clients to be fully supported whilst still enjoying holidays.

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What’s On in Great Torrington?

At a loose end? Need to find a new hobby or activity? There should be something here for you! If you run a sports club or community activity in Great Torrington or the surrounding area, or the exisiting information we have needs amending, please send details in to: torrington.crier@gmail.com. Monthly diary events are on page 18, making it easier to find what’s on!

SUPPORT & FRIENDSHIP GROUPS FOODBANK Tuesday 10am-12noon at the Baptist Church and Saturday 10am-12noon at Castle Hill Singing for health, for older people, those with dementia and their carers. 10.30am-12pm, Torrington Community Hospital. £1.50 donation per session. For details call 01805 622666. (First & third Wed of the month) Men’s Shed: Football Club, School Lane 9am-12.30pm. Come and see us in action, every Tuesday & Thursday. Contact Colin on 01805 624030 Memory Cafe 10.30am -12.30pm, Methodist Church at the top of Mill Street. Every second Thursday Torridge Gingerbread Group, every Monday, 10-12 noon, Bluecoat Centre, Beach Room (usually) email: torridgegingerbreadgroup@outlook.com or find us on Facebook. U.S. Social Group. Get out and meet new friends. We meet every Monday at 8pm @ the Panniers in Barnstaple (Weatherspoons). The age range is 40 plus. Varied interests including skittles, dancing, meals out etc. Mixed social group for people on their own. ‘Hearing Loss Support Group’ Social group via our bus at Bideford Pill Car Park, (opposite the Burton Art Gallery), every

first Thursday of the month between 2 and 4pm. Call 01271 373236 Torrington Friendship Club for town residents - over 65. Weekly social event, every Thursday Methodist Church Hall 2-4pm. Contact Margaret Woodman 01805 622096 Anxiety Support Group every Friday 11am-12.30pm at Lincontro Coffee Shop, South St, Torrington, all welcome. Facebook – Great Torrington & Surrounding Areas Anxiety Support Group Get Together Friends of Torrington (GTFOT) monthly meal, film, Beetle Drive for over 60s. Contact Marcia 07881 875 846 or drop into the Bickford Centre for coffee and a chat on Wednesday mornings. Headway North Devon day centre each Tuesday for people with an acquired brain injury, at the Salvation Army Church, Oakleigh Road, Barnstaple, EX32 8JT. 07971 174 960 or email headwaynorthdevon@hotmail.co.uk for further information. Parkinson’s UK Torridge Branch monthly coffee morning every 1st Thurs of the month from 10am @ Alwington Village Hall, nr Fairy Cross on A39 road out of Bideford. (look for sign on left to Woodtown). Julie Jones 01237 478128.

HEALTH, SPORT & FITNESS (ADULTS & CHILDREN) Torrington Police Amateur Boxing Club training above TVSC, Mondays 6.15pm boxers; Tuesdays 6.30pm Recreational boxers (fitness); Wednesdays 6.30pm carded boxers only; Thursdays 6.30pm Recreational boxers (fitness), Fridays 6.15pm boxers; Saturdays 9.30-11am Junior BoxFit (6 to 10 year olds) Running club every Monday & Wednesday at 6.15pm meet at GTS gym Rugby Training 6.30-8.30pm every Wednesday Wendy’s Fitness for Life classes every Thursday at the Scout Hall Gas Lane 07787 607 322 Slimming World Join us at Howe Concert Hall, Castle Street. Tuesdays 5:30 & 7:30pm. Thursdays 9.30am,11.30am & 5.30pm. Lisa 07515 256 965 Junior Golf Training every Sat 9-10am @ Libbaton Golf Club Fitness with Friends: Castle Community Centre Torrington, gentle exercise class, every Monday weekly in term time, 2 -3.30pm, £3 donation, 01805 622666 Badminton Club every Tues 7-8pm juniors, adults 8-9pm @ High Bickington Community Centre 01769 561387 Short Mat Bowls 2-4pm every Mon & Thurs @ High Bickington Community Centre. Short Mat bowling in the Clubhouse. Torrington Bowling Club on Monay and Friday evenings from 6pm. All welcome. Contact John Pitts for more information 01805 439100 visit www.greattorringtonbowlingclub.co.uk

REGULAR CHURCH SERVICES

Gt Torrington Parish Church Services: Thursdays 10.30am Said Mass, Coffee morning 11am-12.30pm; Fridays 8.30am Said Mass; Sundays Parish Church Eucharist 10am & Sunday Club Encounter. Modern worship, exploring faith, meeting with others. Encounter God. Great coffee and cakes.7pm High Bickington Community Centre. Every second Sunday. Catholic Church of the Holy Family Mass every Sun 9.15am Torrington Methodist Church, services at 10.30am & 6.30pm every Sunday, please see diary for any changes. Visit:

Hatha Yoga Thursdays 10-11.30am, Castle Community Centre, South Street, Torrington, 01805 93812 or 07789 020 668. Email: ruthchambers@gmail.com Pilates in Yarnscombe on Mondays & Tuesdays, contact: Sue 07896 326 024 email sue.spiritunleashed@gmail.com Function Fitness classes 01805 622719: Mondays: X-fit 7am, Spin 9.30am, Total Balance 10.30am, Spin 5.30pm, Pump 45 6.30pm, Hiit circuits 7.30pm Tuesdays: Pump 9.30am, Spin 6.00pm, Legs, Bums, Tums 7pm Wednesdays: X-fit 7am, Spin 9.30am, Youth Inductions 3.45pm, Boxfit 6pm, Ergo rowing circuit 7pm Thursdays: Pump 9.30am, Barre Concept 5.30pm, Spin 6.30pm, Pump 45 7.30pm Fridays: X-fit 7am, Spin 9.30am, Kettlebells & bars 10.30am, Spin 6pm, Pole Fitness 7pm Saturdays: Spin 8am, Pump 9am, Barre Concept 10.15am Sundays: Sunday Circuit 8am, Spin/core/stretch 9am Pilates with Lou Banfield ‘LB Movement’ @ Function Fitness: Mondays 12.15pm & 1.30pm, Tuesdays 6pm & 7pm, Wednesdays 1.30pm, 5.45pm & 6.45pm, Fridays 10.30am Authentic Wado-Ryu Karate-Do “Ken Shu Kan”, Function Fitness. Classes for beginners Mondays 7-7.45pm (12yrs+) Thursdays 6-6.45pm (6-11yrs) & 7-7.45pm (12yrs+) Saturdays 1.30-2.15pm (12yrs+), www.devonwadoryu.co.uk

torringtonmethodistchurch.weebly.com Grosvenor Church Torrington, The Plough10.30am, with an exciting children’s programme. Every Sunday. Tim 07798 670 754. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints meet @ Bradford Village Hall, Holemoor, Bradford, Holsworthy, EX22 7AB. Sunday Sacrament service 10-11am Torrington Baptist Church, services every Sunday at 10.30am. St Giles, Little Torrington all services at 11.15am

CHILDREN’S CLUBS, TODDLER GROUPS & PRE-SCHOOLS 1st Torrington Rainbows at Torrington Rugby Club every Monday term time 6.15-7.15pm l torringtondistrictguiding@ talktalk.net 1st Torrington Brownies at Torrington Rugby Club every Mon term time 6.30-8pm Kathryn Masterson 01805 623212 torringtondistrictguiding@talktalk.net 3rd Torrington Brownies at Torrington Rugby club every Wed term time 6.30-8pm Mary Davis torringtondistrictguiding@talktalk.net Beaford Guides at Beaford School Tuesdays term time only 7.15pm till 8.45pm Bridget Wade 07830 797 050 or email BeafordGuides@outlook.com Beaford Rainbows will meet at Beaford school on Tuesdays 4.15 till 5.15pm for more information please contact Leanne 07842344302 or Email rainbows@girlguidingbeaford.co.uk Beaford Brownies meet at Beaford Village Hall on Tuesdays 5.30pm till 7pm contact Bridget Wade on 07830 797 050 or email beafordbrownies@outlook.com 1st Torrington Guides at Torrington Rugby Club every Tues 7-8.30pm Linda Masterson 01805 623212 1st.torrington. guides@gmail.com 1st High Bickington Rainbows High Bickington Community Centre every Tue 5-6pm Sue Birch torringtondistrictguiding@ talktalk.net 1st High Bickington Brownies High Bickington Community Centre Fridays 5.30-7pm Angie Galliver Highbickingtonbrownies@aol.com SCOUTS IN TORRINGTON - All meet at the Scout Hall, Gas Lane. Contact for all groups is Kirsty Pells on 07887 557

574 or email kirsty.pells@btinternet.com. 1st Torrington Beaver Scouts (age 6-8) meet during term time on Tuesdays 6-7:30pm; 1st Torrington Cub Scouts (age 8-10) meet during term time on Mondays 6-7:30pm. 1st Torrington Scouts (age 10-14) meet during term time on Monday 7:309pm. Youth Club for 11+ Wednesday (term time only) Community 6 - 8pm @ High Bickington Community Centre ALLSORTS Children’s Club at Bluecoat Primary School, Fridays, 6.30-8pm. School years 1-6. Morag 01805 625510 ALLSORTS Plus Youth Club at Bluecoat Primary School, Fridays, 8-9.15pm. School years 6 and upwards. Phone Morag on 01805 625510 Little Otters Baby & Toddler Group, every Friday, 9am11.30am, at The Clinton Hall, Merton Little Fishes Toddler Group at Baptist Church every Thurs term time 9.30am -11.30am £1.50 per family. Jill 01805 624387 Toddler Group 9.30-11am every Thurs @ High Bickington Community Centre Little Frogs sessions Mon – Fri 8.45am-3.45pm term time, Gas Lane, Torrington, contact - 07870 509 674 Little Otters Pre-School, at The Clinton School, Merton MonThurs, 9am till 3.30pm, with lunch club 12–1pm, term time. For more details 01805 603357 admin@clinton.devon.sch.uk Grow Curious Toddlers, every Friday 9:15am. Grow Curious Babies, every Friday 11:15am, both at Torrington Children’s Centre to book visit grow.org.uk or call 01271 371961.

LEISURE, HOBBIES & ENTERTAINMENT (ADULTS & CHILDREN) Plough Workshops: every Monday: Yoga 6:30-8pm; Folk Orchestra 7-9pm; every Tuesday: Yoga 2:30-4pm; Adults ballet 6:30-7:30pm; Ploughcappella 7:30-9pm; every Thursday: French Conversation with Sylvie Guers 6-7pm; Sapta Dance 11am-12:30pm; Tai Chi 2.15-3.15pm. every second Thursday Open Mouth Music & Poetry 8pm; every Friday: Sarah Anne Westcott School of Dance 4-7.15pm; Art on Friday, twice per month 10.30am-2pm; every Saturday: Plough Youth Theatre 9:45am-5:15pm; first Sunday of the month: Plough Story Telling Circle 2.30-5.30pm Bideford Camera Club meets on Tuesdays, 7:30pm, at Bideford Methodist Hall, 60 High Street, Bideford. Phone: 01237 421391, email: enqs@bidefordcameraclub.co.uk. Taddiport Tea Dance 2-4pm Doug 01805 622648 Beryl 01805 624294 all welcome (every second Saturday) Tai Chi 12.30pm every Thursday, Torrington Community Hospital. Ageing Well on 01805 622666. £2.50 donation Cribbage pairs comp, third Wed of the month, Torrington Arms 8pm Tarka Pottery Adult Pottery Classes every Thursday in term time:10-12 noon, 1.30-3.30pm and 7-9pm 07931 306 414. Every Tuesday in term time: 10-12 noon and 7-9pm t: 07931 306 414 Papercrafts & scrapbooking club every Thursday morning 10am to 12:30, The Owl Barn Studio, EX22 7LW, £2 bring your own project or try something new, 07853 319 250 or owlbarnstudio@btinternet.com English Folk Dancing 8pm every Fri @ Northam Village Hall with Bideford Ceilidh Club. Info John 01237 476632 Writers Poets & Listeners every first Thursday 7.30pm Conservative Club Tarka Valley Railway. Volunteers meet every Thursday from 9am till about 3pm at Torrington Station (the Puffing Billy), unless weather is appalling. Variety of tasks. 07881 905 260. Bingo at St Giles Parish Hall, eyes down at 7.30pm, last Thursday of the month Torrington Craft Group, every Monday 1-4pm in the Methodist Church Hall £10 per month or £3.50 per session including refreshments, Jeanne Singleton 01805 622650 Torrington Silver Band practice Mon & Weds 8-9.30pm @ Howe Concert Hall Nick Megson 01805 622150 Cash Bingo TVSC 7.30pm every Mon

Hobbies Arts & Crafts Group Langtree Parish Hall every Tues 10.30-12.30pm £1.50 inc tea & coffee Sylvie 01805 601485 Probus Club meets at the Black Horse, High Street, Torrington, 10am. Every fourth Thursday. Torrington Rotary Club meet weekly on Tuesdays at Torrington Golf Club (6pm for 6:30pm) - Secretary Rick Smale on 01805 622419. Prospective members, and members from other Rotary Clubs most welcome. Learn Bellringing for free: Most Mondays 7.30pm at Monkleigh Church and Wednesday, 7.30pm at Torrington Church, Clive Ward 0771078 885 or monk2364@icloud.com Art on Friday meets every second and fourth Friday at The Plough Arts Centre 10.30am-2.30pm. New members always welcome. Contact Hazel 01805 623757. Great Torrington WI meets second Wednesday of each month excluding June (outing) & August (picnic). 7pm at the Methodist Rooms. Visitors & new members welcome. Phoenix Line Dancing Club. Beginner/improver line dance classes at Weare Gifford Village Hall Tuesdays 7.30-9.30pm. All ages and abilities welcome. Ian 07833 720 050 or Marilyn 07825 278 405. Dance & Tea with Mazzy B, afternoon tea, then an hour’s fun introduction to line dancing. Fridays 2-4pm Northam Community Centre 07825 278 405 Bideford Folk Dance Club 7.30pm Wednesdays in term time at Northam Hall. Further details from Chris on 01237 423554 Torridge Ramblers walk footpaths in the Torridge area with additional walks further afield. For details of the programme contact 01805 625485 or 01237 429080 Gypsy Q Line Dancers meet every Wednesday evening 7.30-9.30, Owl Barn Studio, EX22 7LW. Beginners welcome, 07853 319250 or owlbarnstudio@btinternet.com Torrington & District History Group meets second Monday of the month Sept-April, 7.30pm at the Methodist Church Rooms. Refreshments from 7pm. Interesting and varied talks, see diary for details. Outdoor visits in summer months. Details Sue 01805 624291. Board Game Club – join in fun, strategic games such as Risk, Evolution and Axis and Allies. All welcome to bring their own games too. Every Sunday at the Globe Inn, Beaford. 8pm start.

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Torrington Silver Band’s Concert of Remembrance, Howe Concert hall, 7:30pm. See article for more information. th Devonian dialect is strung across the November there will be a On the 16 To placeEnrico an entry Caruso in the diary, please Sunday 10th square – Torrington is known as a th lunch at Barnstaple in aid of ACWW, email(25 torrington.crier@gmail.com, or February Annual Year 10 1873 have –been friendly Open town Christmas and this Exhibition, is no better the Associated Country Women of the Friends of than Burton Art Gallery, write your entry into thewrite diary on the displayed at the May Fair. In this era a perAugust 1921) 2ndasked World, of which the WI nationally is a hand in days for submission of exhibits. breathing new life into the winter of our of social isolation, the May Fair provides Library suasivecounter. review about a Part 2 member. Not widely known, the G r a m o p h o n e a n d T y p e w r i t e r Burton Art Gallery, Bideford inclusion 10am to 4pm Wednesday 6th community. the medicine of friendship, and Diaryaentries not created from What great shame there are no fairare or festival for ACWW has representatives from many Company. He was later heard live from Plough Hustlers 8pm community Theatre: Wassail Theatre Moreover, in keeping with the spirit of support.Film: The fair encourages articlesmastered received, if you submit article Plough digital recordings of an Caruso. their GCSE English assessment. nationalities; working towards relief for of the stage‘Over ofchildren the Opera Plough Theatre: Theold Paddle Boat Company TheMetropolitan Wall rejuvenation, are Picking the focalApples’ point life as the young and join together about an event and would also like One cannot imagine how wonderful his Here is Charlotte’s timely reminder poverty and sickness, promoting health House in theMuch first public radio Theatre 8pm (Claire Hollingworth) The way Scoop of the festivities. against Mr Gove’s the common good. What better is voice was. it feature thewe diary section, please of one such in fair should treasure. and education. It’s down-tobroadcast in 1920. ofthere theadvancing Century 4pm better wishes, Torrington’s schools are to bring neighbours together? Thursday 7th full tell community Caruso’s 25-year career, stretching submit in diary format. earth approach offers support In the next you about Plough Workshop: Thefarmutual Paddle Boat closed to issue allow I will People come from and wide to Plough Satellite: NT Live – Hansard by from 1895 to 1920, included 863 and the practical help to Fair. women and some of his operatic Theatre - Family Telling Workshop participation. What roles. could be more enjoy delightsStory of May They also Sending Out a Mayday Simon Wood 7pm appearances at the New York communities acrosswith the them! world. The fair Until then good listening appealing than watching the crowning of bring their money 2.30pm For Our Spring Plough Walks: Tawstock Court Metropolitan OperaFair before he died of the May Queen? The procession of boys replenishes coffers of the and townthe – To find outthe about the ACWW Bob Dymond Haunted History Tour at Tawstock Court, Monday 11th we allow Torrington’s to Friday 1st anCan infection at the age of 48.tradition His fame and girls in brightly coloured costumes providing a Institutes welcome boost to the local Women's nationwide, visit Plough Theatre: The Paddle Boat 7.30pm; Torrington Haunted dwindle? Plough Exhibitions: Rogerday, Davies until Barnstaple has lasted to the present despite would melt any heart. Ribbons rippling, economy – such a help in difficult times. www.theWI.org.uk Torrington W.I. Theatre (Claire Hollingworth) The Scoop History Tour 7.30pm What picture comes into promotional your mind Fri 22 Nov; Artists Wall and Timothy Tennant the limited marketing skirts skipping and the band blasting: the Businesses use about the carnival as W.I. an Any queries Torrington when you23 think of Torrington’s the Century 10am / 1pm Our Annual Meeting will take place ofopportunity until Sat Nov avenues available to him. May He Fair? was, maypole is ceremoniously woven. to advertise their wares. Friday 8th th ring President, Joyce Ridgwell For many it is the image of the maypole, History Society talk on on Plough Films: Normal 6:30pm; Ad Astra onJust We are will Torrington Wednesday 9 November. nonetheless, a client of Edward the colours on the maypole Charities also benefit: collection tins are Ploughas Music: LadyNade @The Plough 01805 623588. laughter and sunshine; it would be metal detecting, 7.30pm, refreshments 8pm be electing a new Bernays during the latter’s tenure as a intertwined,Barnstaple so the May8pm Fair breaks down soon full to overflowing. StAnne’s, difficult toMusic: imagine Torrington without it. from 7pm Plough Faeland at ThePlough@ President and social as it5:30pm; appeals Yet it is often argued that historic celpress agent in the USA. Publicity in Plough Films: Thebarriers Third Man Yet today,8pm our historic tradition is Torrington StAnne’s committee the Tuesday to everyone. Choirs,for dance ebrations Great are12th archaic and anachronistic. Caruso’s time relied on newspapers, Judy 8pm under It is easy to allow Bingothreat. Yarnscombe Village Hall, eyes following year, TownThe Hall Project groups and majorettes all On the Films: contrary, Torrington’s festivities Plough Goldfinch 5pm; Judy particularly wire services, magazines, the pressures Saturdaytake 9th down 7.30pmof modern life to taking a alook back By thethe time reportIn appears in to the stage: feast for revitalise old this traditions. the current 8pm photography and the telephone. slowly strangle our cultural Beaford Village Hall Market 10.30am at all we have the eyes and ears. Local climate of apathy, laziness and The Crier, you will have noticed Little Torrington WI meeting 7.30pm in Saturday 2nd Caruso’s biographers, heritage. In this fast age ofPierre Key, to 12.30am tasty breakfast baps, coffee dignitaries are happily indifference, theSugar May Fair spirits experienced in the last year and then the scaffolding has been put Village Hall. craftlifts for our Christmas Foodbank everyand Saturday 10am-12noon Bruno Zirato Stanley Jackson high-tech gadgetry, mass and cake and a chance to buy from aand pelted in the stocks and transforms Torrington into a vibrant getting a sneak preview of speakers up to facilitate the repair with Lesley, visitors welcome attribute his fame not only to his voice at Castle Hill media and instant range of stalls. Car Cups washing £5. NewThe subjected to and duckings. community. booked for 2012. prizes will of the roof andDespite make thethe continual Breakfast rolls, and and musicianship, to a 10am keen gratification, therecoffee is but little also timecake Wednesday 13th stall holders welcome, please ring 01805 Mayor has a lavish lunch, to development of modern technology and be awarded for those who did best in building water-tight to noon, meat raffle, 1st prize £25, 2ndof business sense and an embrace left for what really matters: Torrington WI atfor Methodist 603199 or 01805 603046 for invited. details.The Great which many are increasing time spent computer our optional monthly competitions, and Rooms the winter. It willHuxtable, be at Showing prize £15, takeaway available. aid ofin community life. Today, more Inthen commercial sound recordings, 7pmlast Sandra Annual Open Christmas Exhibition, town crier be bellows as tea he screens, year’s record-breaking there will, of course, time for enclosed in waterproof Weare Giffard Village hall refurb/rebuild. than ever, it Many is essential to its infancy. well-known opera for Competitions. Friends of Burton Artmarches Gallery, the streets proudly turnout shows there is the still aworking place forarea live and ainnatter. sheeting to 20 protect Plough Thecelebration Goldfinch 8pm keep ourFilm: alive. Our singers ofhistoric Caruso’s time rejected the Plough Talk: Years inthe 20 Moments – hand days for submission of exhibits. of Being his predecessors and The Torrington entertainment. Given choice of rather nifty at getting through and to minimise any risk to the internal week of annual festivity andfosters phonograph (gramophone) their Gallery 8.15pm Burton Gallery, Bideford to 4pm Aplaying Sunday 3rd Silver Art Band pulsates like 10am the beating aGig video game or participating in the business side of things, we will also Plough friendship, a sense of belonging andbut a fabric. At the Normal same time, a series of 6pm; Of Time voices have beenAlost as a result, Plough Satellite: Midsummer Night’s Jazz at Torrington Methodist heart Evening of the community. the buzzFilms: of the fair, I know which I would link withsingers our past.including We cannot let this Patti, die. manage a bit of time to welcome Bob and photoelectric panels will be installed, to the Sea 8pm other Adelina Dream 3pm The grand finale of the Unity May Fair week choose… Church with Churchtown Band As you walk the cobbled streets of our Brewer, who will give us the reduce running-costs, perhaps Francesco Tamagno Nellie Melba is thePasty carnival, asweet spectacle of low-down light and Today, the new enemy ofand a large-scale Plough Music: Steve and Turner – A Gallery 7pm. and supper. Thursday 14th ancient town, younew breathe antiquity. once The on the Cavaliers. provide an income for the project by exploited the technology sound. Fanciful floats journey through town event is Judy ‘Health and Safety’. As Gig 7:30pm Roborough Craft Fayre 10am - 3pmthe Plough Films: 5.30pm; Joker 8pm May links present-day Torrington We start at 7pm inVillage the lined Methodist sellingcrowds surplus power to thebeNational they Fair became aware of the success of town whilst the streets are huge gather, it could argued free entry in Roborough Hall,with Plough Walk: Bygone Brothel Walking Monday 4th with the past, transporting us to a bygone Church Hall, and prospective members Grid.there is a danger of an accident. cheering children. In the packed town that Caruso’s recording sessions. large selection of craft stalls, homemade Tour of Barnstaple @ThePlough era – when life was simpler. Plough Film: Hustlers 8pm are very welcome to visit for free. Any Although this all work isridiculous being carried square, you have no choice but to mingle Nowadays, with the rules cakes, refreshments & raffle, everyone Caruso made more that 260 extant StAnne’s, Barnstaple 7.30pm Torrington has hosted the annual May newmake members paying their subs this Plough out by the Townlands Trust, payment and new friends. and regulations it is a struggle to Tuesday 5th welcome recordings in America for the Victor Poetry: Open Mouth Music and Fair since 1554. However, many month, get months price of Poetry will be– taken from funds set aside ‘Uz Music: be 14 plaised to for zeethe ee!’ The organise anything. In this age for of Foodbank every Company, Tuesday 10am-12noon Plough The Darkside of Pink Talking Machine (later RCA A Gallery Gig 8pm celebrations in England have their origins 12. How that! banner in thick Mayor’s welcome countless litigation, our town is in the project, which would havehall included at the Baptist Floyd 8pmabout Victor) from Church 1904 to 1920, and he

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Roland Pitts

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Plough Talk: My Planet and I: A Talk by 01805 Plough622604 Music: The Hutt People @ Mukti Mitchell plus Q & A. Gallery Gig ThePlough TheGeorge, South Molton 8pm 8pm 15th PloughtoWalk: The Haunted Historyand waterFriday bottle Whibble!” events to celebrate the Queen’s wishes receive comments Thursday 21st Plough Films: Of Time and the Sea Tour, Rolle Quay @ThePlough StAnne’s, That joke was told to me on a balmy Diamond Jubilee June, suggestions from the community. If Plough Film: in The Third2012. Man 8pm 6pm; The Goldfinch 8pm Barnstaple 7.30pm and warm Wednesday in 1976 by WO2 Bingo at Roborough Village Hall will a n y o n e h a s a n y c o m m e n t s / Plough Music: An Audience With Lesley Plough Music: The Tannahill Weavers Michael and All Angels Friday 29th 2011 Mick @ThePlough O'Neill when TheGeorge, every day was filled place @ onStthe 6th December suggestions regarding the Christmas South Molton takeGarrett Great Torrington 8pm Plough Films: Official with 8pm; laughter, and tree please contact theSecrets Town 5pm; Clerk, Eleanor – A being Gallery a GigBritish 8.15pm withChurch, good prizes and a Christmas Witchhunt + Q&A 8pm Draw. Eyes down at 7.30pm. soldier was the best job in the world; either by letter or e-mail as follows: Bingo Yarnscombe Village Hall, eyes Friday 22nd Bingo Yarnscombe Village Hall, Great eyes Please see futureAndy issues of the Crier beingdown paid7.30pm to fulfil an adventure Michael Tighe, Town Clerk, Plough Music: Fairweather Low down 7.30pm for events 2012. seemed unnecessary. Six years later Torrington Town Council, Castle Hill, and theinLow Riders 8pm Saturday 16th he was killed dealing with an IRA car Great Torrington 30th EX38 8AA. The Postman Poet: The life & songs Saturday Annual Open Christmas Exhibition, bomb, leaving a family and many E m a i l : g t o w n c o u n c i l @ l iBowie n e o n 8pm e.net Plough Music: Absolute of Edward Capern’ with Nick Wyke & Friends of Burton Art Gallery, Burton Art Becki Driscoll with Liz Shakespeare at friends who remember a good man Alternatively you may discuss your Gallery, Bideford, 11am to 4pm until 22nd St Hieritha’s, Chittlehampton at 7.30pm. views with any of the Town who December, will, as they say, be entrance freeforever the Interval drinks & raffle, 01769 650581 smiling twenty-seven-year-old Councillors. Burrington Christmas Fair 10am-I tickets in advance £5, £6 on the door remember. 3.30pm free entry, crafts, gifts, cakes Dead Ringer Brennan Coffee Morning &William Cake Sale10am-12 Saturday Meals Silver Band 23rd Open Evening DingHome-cooked Dong Bell noon Torrington Methodist Church Plough 8pm Have youFilm: ever Official thoughtSecrets about playing Who Without did the murder, can you tell? the Hassle Plough Walk: A Walk Back in Time Plough Walk: Daytime a brass instrument or haveHaunted you played Who was a in working the nave parent too busy Are you Though Our Historic Town @ThePloughpreviously? History Tour Barnstaple @ThePlough If of you fancy joining your sent home-cooked poor Lynda to her grave?Are to And prepare meals? StAnne’s, Barnstaple 11.30am StAnne’s, Barnstaple 11.30am local band, come along and have a go! the four youWhich livingofalone andsuspects can’t bethere bothered Plough Music: Paul Young and Los Sunday 24th Howe Concert Hall, Castle Street, 7pm Dispatched the yourself? ringer without a care? to cook for Are you Pacaminos 8pm th Plough Films: Judy 3pm; Gemini Man November onwards, on 14 Will your team, if given time, concerned that an elderly family Quiz in aid of Torridge Volunteer Cars, 7pm All Things Work out andeating solve this ghastly crime? member is not properly? A hot Taddiport VillageVintage, Hall 7.30pm. Teams meal at least once-a-day is very Or might YOU be the clever sleuth, of upRetro to 6, £4&ppKitsch! (inc nibbles) BYO Tuesday 26th th refreshments. Please bookalong on 01805 Plough Film: Wise Children 7pm important health and wellbeing, The onlyforone to guess the truth? and This November 24 , come to 622594 Abbeyfield Christmas Coffee Morning if youFriends are too busy or unable Library to cook of Great Torrington the British Red Cross charity shop in at Glen Tor, Villa Road, from 10.30am for yourself, then perhaps a homeare holding another Murder Mystery Tea Torrington. We have Sunday 17theverything from – 12noon. Raffle, tombola, cakes, cooked meal delivery service could be in the dining room of the Black Horse Ladybird storybooks to vintage Big Breakfast Brunch at Weare preserves and produce stall, option? The Christmas TreeChristmas an on Sunday 17th November at 4.30 pm. Giffard Hall vintage 10-1pm.clothing Full english crockery andVillage beautiful gifts etc. All are welcome Family such as Alasagne, breakfast kitsch with tea, coffee or juice for £5 - As you are aware, a Christmas tree Ticketsfavourites are available from &J to wonderfully homeware. £3, run veg for option available. shepherd’s and stews are very Wednesday 27th each year, is provided in the Square Opticians, pie priced at £6 (to include Thechildren event will three days and To be raise money The on Institute of Plough Exhibition: Gifts easy to tea) heat and to would positioned in the roadThe byOriginal the clock a light and through this promises be we will open untilfor8pm the first Research - as part of Anne’s Exhibition Preview Wed 27 Nov with 7pm certainly be afilled treat anand elderly tower. This has caused problems day. Cancer So why not come along and an afternoon withfor cake Challenge. www.justgiving.com/ untilcoming Mon 23into Dec the Square. It has relative; or if families could share the traffic have 30-Day a look, try something on and suspense. annes30daychallenge. Plough Film: cost,‘Dead it could provide a the daily meal for been suggested Monos that a8pm enjoy a glass of bucks fizz, you might Ringer’ offers opportunity Plough Films: Judy 3pm; Joker 7pm more suitable site would their one enable themto to Thursday 28th even say “I used to have one of those"! for loved teams of up and to four in number independent for longer. Tuesday 19th be Christmas by the Town BingoHall, Burrington Parish Hall,remain develop their sleuthing skills. Try to Plough Films: Non-Fiction 5.30pm; use local suppliers use fresh local eyes 7.30pm. For hall funds. (near thedown Green Lantern All proceeds willwho go towards children’s Bingo at 8pm Roborough Gemini Man Plough Satellite: NT Live – Present produce, as this provides the Café). Before making programmes at Great Torrington best Village Hall Wednesday 20th Noel Coward 7pm nutrition possible. anyLaughter decisionByregarding Library. Plough Film: Non-Fiction 8pmClub A Roborough Diamond Jubilee Food for thought I think! the future position of the has been formed to raise funds for Anne Bacon Christmas tree, the Town Council

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Gardens Around the World Art Trail

For The First National Day of Arts in Care Homes reative Mojo North Devon celebrated the first National Day of Arts in Care Homes Day by organising two exhibitions as part of the Gardens Around the World National

Art Trail. Residents of Torrington’s Castle House and Hatchmoor created canvasses on two very different themes; Hatchmoor choosing a Devonshire Cottage Garden and Castle House using the Nong Nooch Garden in Thailand as their inspiration. West Heanton chose to be an exhibition venue and at the same time ran their Macmillan Coffee Morning, welcoming visitors to their day care centre with tea and cakes. Residents of care homes from all over North Devon took part in the project. The Castle House and Hatchmoor canvasses mixed with paintings of a Japanese Garden by Park Lane, the Dubai Miracle Garden by

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Torrington in Bloom Best Garden Competition Results & Notice of AGM

his year’s competition saw several new entries but fewer overall. Having stated that, standards were definitely higher, consequently the scoring was much tighter than usual! We would like to thank Sarah Chesters for judging the competition again this year. Anyway, without further ado, here are the results: Best Business Award went to Taff’s Fish & Chips Best Club or Public House Award went to the Conservative Club Best Display, No Front Garden went to Debra Pike of Flat 3, The Alley, 26 South Street Best Community Group Display went to the Alms Houses, New Street Best Large Garden Award went to Steve Ware, 33 Kingsmead Drive Best Small Garden Award went to the Conservative Club for their rear terrace The Young Gardener of the Year Award went to Riley Sanders of 29 Dartington Fields The Tony Welch Award for the Best Overall Display went to Steve Ware. Jolly well done to everyone who entered this year’s competition. Our Annual General Meeting is being held on Monday 4th November at the Conservative Club at 7pm, at which there will be some major announcements made. The results of the South West in Bloom competition will be announced in the Christmas edition of the Crier, since the awards day of 11th October will be after the cut-off date for the November Crier. Cherry Hammon, Torrington in Bloom Association, 01805 625788 Heron’s Lea, two very different representations of the Keukenhof Garden by Westmead and Cheverells, a Morrocan garden by Kenwith Castle and another Nong Nooch inspired painting by West Heanton. The art trail continued to the Castle Community Centre in Torrington,

where Evolve Care’s canvas of the Dubai Miracle Garden was also on show. Visitors to the centre enjoyed a cup of tea at the 1646 Café before enjoying the wide variety of garden paintings. Over the next few months, Creative Mojo North Devon will be running a calendar project, where care homes can get their finished artwork printed on a 2020 calendar. Which month would you choose to paint?

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ountry Landscaping is a professional familyowned business established for many years in the North Devon area, run and owned by John and Melanie, along with Simon (qualified arborist), Emily and William. We specialise in landscaping and like to incorporate plants as much as possible into our designs to give a natural feel into our clients’ gardens. With qualifications in horticulture and environmental studies, we aim to balance modern needs while leaning towards a more natural and sustainable feel. ‘Horticulture working with the environment’ is our motto. We can offer hard landscaping with many different paving options, stone walling, rockeries, stone edged borders, raised beds, and many different gravel and aggregate options and colours for low maintenance gardens. We also offer soft landscaping including ground preparation and turfing, topsoil supplied, bark areas, planting schemes including trees and shrubs and herbaceous perennials, natural ponds and wild flower areas. We also provide groundworks, drainage, garden clearance and disposal of waste. (Registered green waste carrier). We work all year round, so for any of your landscaping needs we look forward to hearing from you. Why not have your landscaping carried out over the winter so you can enjoy your garden in the spring? For more details please contact John or Melanie on: Bideford: 01237 452361, mobile: 07932 457 921. email: countrylandscapingdevon@gmail.com, visit: www.countrylandscaping.co.uk.

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e moved to a small village near Torrington, Devon in September 2018 seeking a change in lifestyle; having worked in the corporate world for nearly 40 years! Our B&B and holiday cottage business has now been up and running for six months. From home, we can see Dartmoor to the South, Exmoor to the North and on a clear day, Bodmin Moor to the South West. We are able to visit a beach, walk through beautiful countryside, and make use of the cultural and shopping facilities at Barnstaple, Bideford and Torrington all within 20 minutes of home. In less than an hour we can explore the moors, North Cornwall beaches and even get a shopping fix in Exeter! We offer Bed and Breakfast accommodation in the main house and also have a delightful, thatched, dog friendly holiday cottage with hot tub just behind the main house. We love meeting our guests, pottering in the garden or paddock and looking after our ducks and chickens; when we are not on the beach with the dogs. For more information or to book you can contact us on 01769 561119, and for photos and updates you can find us on Facebook or Instagram @ebberleyescapes. Maggie and Kevin

Please remember to support our local businesses and ‘Think Local First’! To feature in these pages is free for advertisers, please contact Esther Williams on torrington. crieradverts@gmail.com 01805 601964 for information.

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From Your District Councillors...

e are really pleased that maintenance plans for the Pannier Market started last month, which include new drainage solutions, painting, a deep clean, and following up with regular cleaning. We are hopeful that this new lease of life will invigorate the Pannier Market’s economy. Funding for the Museum’s lift has also been secured by councillors using the surplus finance from the 2017-18 budget. We’re also really excited about the heritage grant for a feasibility study of The Globe, as well as the plans for new equipment going into Calf St Play Area in the next few months! Unfortunately there are two trees in St Michael’s Churchyard which will sadly need to be removed. Minor defects had been found previously, but they have deteriorated. We recently found out that the developers have lodged an appeal for the 181 houses off of Burwood Lane, which were refused by the officer earlier this year on the grounds of it being outside the development boundary and there already being a five-year supply of housing. Cheryl has put forward a motion to Torridge District Council which was passed by Great Torrington Town Council in September. The motion is regarding

climate change, renewable energy sources and energyefficient new-builds, and asking Torridge to lobby government for better planning policy. Cheryl also attended an NHS meeting in Barnstaple last month. It was interesting to hear that the Chief executive was “pleasantly surprised” by the announcement of a new hospital in Barnstaple. She said “there needs to be a clear plan for services, staff and technology” but was pleased that North Devon was on the list and it puts them on the map. There are a lot of challenges ahead; however it was particularly encouraging to hear potential improvements suggested for chemotherapy in NDDH which would mean patients could be treated more locally rather than having to travel to RD&E. In October, Torridge District Council engaged with students from Great Torrington School, Bideford College, and Marland School. This was part of democracy week, to show the young people how local government works, how important democracy is, to understand how decisions are made, and how to prioritise. Chris is one of the volunteers at Youth Genesis Youth Space. They recently received a donation from the Rotary Club of both a sewing machine for the young people to use for their crafts, as well as a lot of great material to make things with.

The young people thoroughly enjoyed learning a skill and making fun items. The space is open for anyone aged 1117 on Friday evenings either for activities or just as a space to hang out and is becoming increasingly popular as the word spreads. If you want to discuss any concerns or ideas within Torridge or Great Torrington, please get in touch with either Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin cllr.cottlehunkin@torridge.gov.uk; 07495 367 801 Chris Bright councillor.bright@torridge. gov.uk; 07936 325 909

Friends of Burton Art Gallery, Bideford Annual Open Christmas Exhibition 16th to 22nd December 2019 he Friends of Burton Art Gallery and Museum will be holding their Annual Open Christmas Exhibition from 16th November to 22nd December. Do come along and see the exhibits, at the Burton @ Bideford. Local artists are invited to submit their work for exhibition and sale. Hand In Days are at the Burton on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th November, 11 am to 4 pm. Terms and Conditions of Entry and Entry Forms are available in person from the Burton, or via email from margaretcookson@hotmail.com . Submission fees are £4 per item for Friends of the Burton, and £7 per item for non members, and all proceeds are used for the benefit of the Burton Art Gallery.

Torringtonwriters

orrington First Thursday Writers celebrated their comeback as ‘torringtonwriters’ on the last Tuesday of September. The subject chosen was ‘Welcome Back’ and the group who met in the room above the Library had given a lot of thought to the subject. One writer recalled his days as a spy, two short stories had much to say on decay and dust, which served to illustrate that memories of the past are not always happy, sometimes they are disturbing, but with each story there was the message of promise as life moved forward. At 84 the group’s senior writer and poet, Robert Domleo, penned this verse which everyone felt truly encapsulated the subject of Welcome Back. “Absence makes the heart grow fonder,” But is nothing to the day When absent friends no longer wander, But have time to come and stay Or at the very least to meet, Longer than passing the time of day. We should welcome them with zest, Without a prompt or a behest And join old friends, as well we may, On holiday or by the way. More precious this than jewels or gold Are times when we look back and chat but more so as we’re growing old and face our own “Requiescat.” (Requiescat in Pace – Rest in Peace) Torringtonwriters’ next meeting is on Tuesday 26th November at 2.30pm in the room above the library when the subject will be ‘Where have I seen you before?’ For information about the group contact Stephanie Easton 01805 622688 or visit our website www.torringtonwriters.co.uk.

Gold for Great Torrington Bluecoat C of E Primary School

reat Torrington Bluecoat C of E Primary School is delighted to announce that they have achieved the School Games Gold Mark Award for the 2018/19 academic year. The School Games Mark is a Government led award scheme launched in 2012, facilitated by the Youth Sport Trust to reward schools for their commitment to the development of competition across their school and into the community, and we are delighted to have been recognised for our success. Kari Gibbons, teacher and Sports Lead at Bluecoat commented “With a huge amount of young people competing in local inter-school competitions this year, we are extremely proud of our pupils for their dedication to all aspects of school sport, including those young volunteers, leaders and officials who made our competitions possible. As part of our application, we were asked to fulfil criteria in the areas of participation, competition, workforce and clubs, and we are pleased that the hard work of everyone at our school has been rewarded this year”.

Please Support North Devon Hospice & Big Breakfast 2019!

lease come along and support your nearest Big Breakfast at: The Puffing Billy, Torrington, Saturday 9th November 9-11.30am. Come and enjoy a delicious Big Breakfast for £6.50 including toast. There will also be a raffle draw. Please pop in or phone 01805 623050 to book your place, or everyone welcome on the day. You can be sure of a warm welcome from Luke and the team, so please support our generous Big Breakfast organisers if you can. The money raised through Big Breakfast, which is generously sponsored by Phillip Dennis Foodservice, will help North Devon Hospice care for local people who are suffering from the impact of cancer and other life-limiting illnesses. All hospice services are provided completely free of charge, but it costs over £5 million each year to care in this way. For other Big Breakfasts in North Devon and Cornwall borders, please visit our Big Breakfast webpage on www.northdevonhospice.org.uk

Charity Choral Concert Featuring the Barnstaple Ladies & Barnstaple Male Voice Choirs

he concert is in aid of The Northam Care Trust on Saturday 19th October 2019. Arrival is from 7pm, with the concert commencing at 7.30pm at the Lavington Church, Bridgeland Street, Bideford. This will be a wonderful musical celebration with songs from shows as well as classical and popular music. Tickets are priced at £6 each and are available in advance from our website www.northamcaretrust.co.uk or on the door on the night. Under 12’s are free.

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Tarka Valley Railway Questionnaire We would be grateful if you could take a few minutes to answer the following questions which will help us develop the Tarka Valley Railway. 1) What do you know about the Tarka Valley Railway?

2) What work are you aware that Tarka Valley Railway are currently undertaking and what would you suggest for future work?

3) What would you like Tarka Valley Railway to offer to involve more local people ?

4) What, if any, other comments would you like to make about Tarka Valley Railway?

5) The Tarka Valley Railway is already bringing new visitors to Torrington. Do you think that this is good for the town?

Please return the questionnaire by 30th November 2019 to either the Tourist Information Centre, Puffing Billy Restaurant, Tarka Valley Railway Carriage. Thank You.

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Tarka Valley Railway News

et and windy autumn is now with us and it is a good time to summarise our achievements over the summer. Our much anticipated Open Weekend was blessed with sunshine, which resulted in us raising over £1200. Big thanks to everyone who helped us raise this fantastic sum. In addition, our street collection in Torrington swelled funds by £210, well done. Our level crossing gates have been painted, the back wall behind the blockhouse emerged from years of ivy growth, and the whole area has been excavated. Progress is receiving fresh paint, the chassis of the tank wagon has been painted, Torrington Cavalier has had pipework and other fittings attended to resulting in working brakes. The brake van has now had safety glass fitted and the long overdue restoration of the TSO carriage has commenced with rubbing down, treating and filling on the platform side. A reminder that our annual quiz takes place on Friday 22nd November at the Puffing Billy at 7pm. Call into the carriage on Thursdays or see the team at the Puffing Billy for tickets at £5 per head. Weekly updates and photos can be found on our Facebook page or visit our website www.tarkavalleyrailway.co.uk for more information. Rob Martin, Tarka Valley Railway

Want to Grow Your Own?

Become an Allotment Graduate at RHS Garden Rosemoor HS Garden Rosemoor, in Great Torrington, is once again looking for 10 keen gardeners to take part in their informative and practical allotment course in 2020. Starting in February, the successful candidates will receive expert RHS tuition, have their own plot to tend, and take away home-grown harvests. They will receive regular allotment master classes and weekly access to their plots, all in the picturesque setting of RHS Garden Rosemoor. Pete Adams, course leader at RHS Garden Rosemoor, said: “Our allotment course has grown from strength to strength over the past four years, and once again we are excited to welcome new novice vegetable growers to join us to learn from our expert team. We offer brilliant facilities, all the equipment and the know-how for a successful year of vegetable growing. So why not apply to join us for the 2020 course!” The course, which attracts a small fee (to cover safety boots and a contribution towards materials) is open to everyone, and the 2019 intake came from a great variety of backgrounds and across all age groups but they all have one thing in common – the passion for and a willingness to learn the basic principles of growing your own vegetables. The hope is to see a similar diverse group of people apply this year too. Comments from previous graduates: “Thank you Pete, it’s been a blast! I’ve had so much fun and learnt lots” – Julie “What a wonderful experience. Thank you Peter for all your hard work and advice. This opportunity to learn gardening skills is so valuable” – Dan “Thanks Pete. Working the allotment has made me realise that with the right knowledge and well worked soil I can grow great veg. I’ve found the experience just so rewarding and great fun with great people.” – Steve The course is really popular and some past and current participants have actually gone on to become staff or volunteers at Rosemoor. The course will start in February 2020 and run through to the end of the year. Applications close 29th November 2019. To apply, please write to Curator Jon Webster with a brief personal background (approx. 50 words), stating why you would like a beginner’s vegetable plot at Rosemoor (approx. 50 words), and indicating what you will do with your new knowledge (approx. 100 words). By post: Jon Webster, RHS Garden Rosemoor, Great Torrington Devon EX38 8PH. By email: jonathanwebster@rhs.org.uk. For further information please visit www.rhs.org.uk/rosemoor.

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01805 804626 or 07977 810 088 Beavers, Cubs & Scouts

he group returned in September after a well-deserved summer break and we have started a very full autumn program for all three sections. Our youngest section, Beavers, started the autumn term with a night of fun and games. The following week the group went out to take photos with a view to making a guide of Great Torrington next session. Experiments and science was the topic over the next few weeks, bottles, different liquids and foam were used and things got a little messy! Whilst Cubs started the term with games, games and more games, they have also been working towards their international and teamwork badges. One evening the cubs went around Torrington taking and learning how to edit photos of landmarks. This then made them ready to make a leaflet and scrap book of Great Torrington the following week. A fun evening was spent learning about the environment and recycling, and preparations for the international party began in earnest. Passports were made and different countries were looked at. Over the next three months the cubs have been tasked with starting or continuing a hobby and telling all the other cubs about it in January. The Scouts started off the term with a debate night and games; geocaching was next with planning a route and make a geocache. This term also included an adventure weekend spent at Great Potheridge, where climbing and team building were plentiful as well as a trip out to Meeth Quarry reservoir. where they all learnt to build rafts out of blue

Torrington RFC

ur competitive season got off to a start with visiting Exeter Saracens on one of the last truly hot Saturdays of the summer. Unfortunately, the heat was felt in more than one way with us sustaining a heavy defeat 66-5. With this defeat ringing in our ears hopes were high going into our first home game of the season. Our opponents on this occasion were newly restored Ilfracombe. The prospect of it being a derby match didn’t disappoint and a well contested game saw Torrington emerging winners 29-26. Our next game was a visit to New Cross in what has always been an evenly balanced fixture. In fairly foul weather conditions, we emerged winners 24-26. With two victories under our belt, hopes were high to make it the proverbial hat trick of wins with Old Plymouthians and Manamedians visiting Donnacroft. OPMs got out of the blocks with a flying start and quickly established a lead from which Torrie never recovered. Despite our best efforts OPMs outdid us with a healthy 15-36 victory. The first game in November will see us visiting Old Technicians in Plymouth. We then visit Withycombe in what will

be an evenly balanced game. Our first home game will be 23rd November v Totnes, however we may be playing a Devon Junior Cup game on 2nd November in a rearranged game against Exeter Saracens. Check out our Facebook page for details. The clubhouse has been open offering teas, coffees and bacon rolls on Saturday mornings to watch the early kick-offs in the Rugby World Cup. Hopefully England will have progressed to the final on 2nd November, fingers crossed. Our juniors section is continuing to grow, with numbers increasing encouragingly at Sunday training sessions - a good indication of the club’s future. More details in their own feature elsewhere in this edition. As always new, old and returning players are welcome to our Wednesday evening training sessions at Donnacroft from 6.30pm. Please visit our Facebook page, Torrington RFC for details of upcoming events. For clubhouse bookings email TRFC1985@outlook.com. C’mon Torrie! Mark Waterson Respect, Discipline, Sportsmanship, Enjoyment & Teamwork.

barrels, wood and rope, eventually testing them out on the water. An evening of learning bicycle maintenance was very informative. We are hoping to paint the inside of the Scout Hall soon, if you can help you would be most welcome. If you have a son or daughter who may

be interested in joining Beavers aged 6-8, Cubs aged 8-10 or Scouts aged 1014, or if you feel you may be interested in helping out in any way please contact Kirsty Pells on 07887 557 574 or email Kirsty.pells@btinternet.com.

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Fleur’s Gardening Forum Seeds versus Plants

eed catalogues for 2020 are already arriving in the post and it’s always exciting to see what’s ‘new’. Nowadays, we are more environmentally aware, so growing plants from seed is a much more ‘eco-friendly’ way of gardening; you get more for your money and packets of seed are usually made from paper or card, so their ‘eco-footprint’ is less damaging, too. Some seeds do require special growing conditions such as heat, stratification (cold) or scarification (roughing up the seed case), or soaking in water overnight. Those which require heat can be sown later in the season (cucumbers, tomatoes, runner beans, half-hardy annuals) thus alleviating the need to use electricity, or they can be grown in a warm, sunny position indoors. Many seeds can also been sown directly into the ground, once the soil has warmed up sufficiently and is not too wet. Seeds sown direct but later soon catch up with those sown earlier under glass. Hybridisation has enabled us to grow plants which are specially bred to resist common diseases and even some pests. These are usually called ‘F1’ hybrids which means such seeds are ‘first generation hybrids’, having been cultivated specifically in artificial circumstances for colour, disease resistance, longevity, vigour, etc., rather than haphazardly by insects, or wind. They are usually more reliable BUT they rarely come true from seed or even produce seed. They are not suitable for organic growers (unless otherwise stated). Don’t forget to collect seed from the plants in your garden, they are free! Collect on a dry, preferably still day and make sure you write the name of the plant on the envelope or paper bag you are storing them in. Alternatively, if the seed is ripe, you can sow immediately either directly into a seedbed or into pots. If you can’t sow your seeds straight away, store the packets in a cool, dry, dark place – a chest of drawers in the bedroom is good! Sowing seeds is fun, just make sure you follow the instructions on the packet. Fleur

Charity High Tea & Auction of Promises Lovacott Village Hall

Saturday 30th November 2-5.30pm uction lots include: tea and tour at the House of Commons, two nights B&B in the Cotswolds, tickets for local family attractions, fishing experiences and meals out, paintings and ceramics from local artists and loads more exciting lots. Reserve a ticket - phone or txt 07541 035 493/01271 858787 or email annes30daychallenge@gmail.com. Tickets £10 adults, £5 U14s. To raise money for The Institute of Cancer Research - as part of Anne’s 30 Day Challenge. www.justgiving.com/annes30daychallenge Facebook: @annes30daychallenge.

Torrington Horticultural & Garden Society

n October, Robin Hill gave us a fascinating talk on his 50 years of Gardening on Dartmoor. His garden at Andrew’s Corner Belstone, is open under the NGS Yellow Book scheme, and judging by his photographs, an absolute picture. November ushers in our AGM, but to lighten the occasion we have ‘Wendy Makes Rose’ showing us how we need not labour in the garden to produce the perfect blooms. On the gardening front the annuals and the hollyhocks in our flower bed on the junction of New Road and Well St are flowering well. We are delighted that Coastal Recycling has agreed to donate a load of much-needed compost which, we hope, will give the bed more resilience in dry weather. More on this later. We have yet to learn how we were judged in the SW in Bloom ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ Award, but we shall find out at the ceremony in Newquay on 11th October, when we shall be joining the Torrington in Bloom team. For more information give me a ring on 01805 623152, or email sallyramsdenindevon@hotmail.co.uk. Sally Ramsden, Hon Chair

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Abuse of Elected Representatives

n the last four years we’ve seen a rise in abuse faced by elected representatives – nationally, but also here in Torrington. Just this month councillors have been shouted at and threatened in the street, while enjoying community events, and even during committee meetings. At events on this particular topic that I attended at Conference last month, where I spoke to councillors and elected representatives from up and down the country, everyone seemed to have a story about threats of violence, rape threats, death threats, excrement through their letter boxes, stalking, sexual harassment, councillors attacked at their ward surgeries or punched on the doorstep, and more. I know from personal experience that abuse can have a damaging impact on people’s mental and physical health, which no doubt has a negative impact on their families and personal relationships. While I hope this isn’t the day-to-day experience for many of the UK’s thousands of councillors, it is a very worrying trend. Particularly as it is happening here; in Torrington and the surrounding towns too. Any instances of intimidation or abuse are completely unacceptable and too many councillors are experiencing this first-hand. Including your own Town Councillors. It used to be online, behind closed doors. We’ve all witnessed it, haven’t we? Lots of the usual suspects attacking the individuals online for their supposed lack of efforts on varying topics, but funnily enough never quite extends to a distinct desire for change (application

forms for councillor jobs don’t see an increase in downloads…). Online trolling and abuse are NOT ok (and taken more seriously by the police now than it used to be) however it’s fairly easy to scroll past and ignore. But now, these voices aren’t just words on a screen. When you’re abused in public, you know something has changed. The abusers clearly feel emboldened. Empowered.

sensitive, difficult or unpopular issues. There is, however, a very clear line between robust political debate and abusive and threatening behaviour. We need to start taking the personal safety and security of those in local government seriously. The bad behaviours we are seeing from abusers are putting people – especially women - off from standing for elected office because they feel intimidated or fear for their safety. Being a councillor is such an incredible “At events on this particular topic privilege – I love helping my community! that I attended at Conference Despite my recent experiences, I’d last month, where I spoke strongly encourage everyone thinking to councillors and elected about becoming a councillor to give it a representatives from up and down go. It’s so rewarding. the country, everyone seemed As a society, we have a duty of care to have a story about threats to each other to call out bad behaviour of violence, rape threats, death online and in real life. I call on those threats, excrement through their in power to take tough action on those letter boxes, stalking, sexual committing offences. One instance of harassment, councillors attacked abuse is one too many. at their ward surgeries or punched Most importantly, I urge you to be kind. on the doorstep, and more. “ It costs absolutely nothing to take a deep So what on earth is going on? Why do breath and choose your words wisely. people feel like this is ok? After all, you have no idea what anyone From where I see it, figures of authority else is going through and the impact your are setting such a poor example, others abuse might have on someone. Didn’t then feel that they – as members of the your mother ever tell you that if you’ve public - can also behave like this. And nothing nice to say it’s better to say as a parent and teacher, how are we nothing at all? supposed to tell children to behave when As Maya Angelou wrote, “people will these are the illustrations of adulthood forget what you said, people will forget that they’re observing on TV and in real what you did, but people will never forget life? how you made them feel.” We live in a democratic society, so In love and solidarity, it is important that the public can hold Cllr Siobhan Strode councillors to account, that they are Human being on GTTC accessible and can be challenged, questioned and scrutinised over

Fleur’s Best Trees - Crataegus monogyna (Hawthorn)

RHS Rosemoor Events

3rd November - Coral Gardiner, NAFAS Flower-arranging demonstration A country Christmas themed demonstration by NAFAS National demonstrator Coral Gardiner from Bath. Sunday, 3pm start inside the Garden Room 14th November 2019 – 31st January 2020 - Winter Sculpture Exhibition Rosemoor’s Winter Sculpture Exhibition is now an established part of our events programme and continues through into 2020 with an exciting and eclectic mix of exhibits from a diverse collection of sculptors, spread throughout the Garden. Pick up a trail and see how many sculptures you can discover. Most of the pieces exhibited are for sale. Normal garden admission, daily 10am – 5pm 14th November 2019 – 4th January 2020 Rosemoor GLOW Follow the magical illuminations along a new route through the brand new Cool Garden and to the Lake, following the overwhelming feedback from visitors last year. Come and enjoy the magical illumination of the garden in the depths of winter as you have never seen it before. Remarkable, hi-tech colourchanging lights illuminate the trees, shrubs, water features and sculptures making an amazing show to delight and enthral visitors. Rosemoor’s Garden

he Hawthorn must be one of our most iconic trees, usually found growing as a thick, thorny hedge which, during May and June is smothered in heady-scented clusters of small white flowers which are followed during autumn and winter by deep red ‘Haws’ or fruits. Another name for the Hawthorn is May, and sometimes the fruits are called ‘bread and cheese’, quite why, I know not! Anyway, the RHS states that the seeds of this Genus can cause stomach upset if eaten. There are a number of different species and cultivars available, which can be grown as trees or large shrubs and, as stated, the Hawthorn makes a very good hedging plant and is quite fast growing. As part of your native hedgerow it is ideal, providing nectar for bees and food for birds, as well as cover for many species of wildlife. The tree itself usually grows to a

Kitchen restaurant will be open late with a special family friendly hot pre-booked ‘Simple Suppers’ menu. Normal garden admission includes entry to Glow. Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday until 8pm. 22nd – 24th November - Christmas Design For Living Fair Browse and shop unique Christmas gifts and items for the home and garden from dozens of independent traders and makers at this three-day celebration of West Country talent. Friday and Saturday open late to coincide with Glow. Friday and Saturday 11am-7pm, Sunday 10am4pm.

height of about 25 feet, often making a domed or spreading canopy. The small, deeply cut leaves often turn a good shade of crimson in autumn and the fruits can remain all winter, if not eaten by birds. Hawthorn will grow in all but the wettest soils and prefers a sunny position, but will tolerate some shade. C. laevigata ‘Paul’s Scarlet’ is an ideal ornamental thorn for the small garden, reaching a height of about 20 feet. The leaves are a glossy green and the flowers are a lovely crimson, borne in clusters, during late spring, followed by rounded, red berries. Another, C. monogyna ‘Biflora’, often bears flowers during winter. Its common name is the Glastonbury Thorn, which is said to have originated from that holy site, pilgrims having taken many cuttings or seeds to grow in their gardens. Fleur

Okehampton Choral Society Christmas Concerts

Saturday 14th December 7:30pm at Fairplace Church, Okehampton and Monday 16th December at Crediton Congregational Church. Okehampton Choral Society will be performing two concerts featuring a Midnight Mass by Marc-Antoine Charpentier and The Sage Bush Carol by the society’s music director Andrew Wilson. There will also be a selection of popular carols for audience participation. Tickets £10 (£5 students) available from choir members or on the door.

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In order to get to know more about the minds of her Year 7s, Miss Dodwell asked them to write a poem about a ‘magic box’, where their most treasured sensory experiences, memories or figments of their imaginations could be stored. She was blown away by Alex and Crystal’s responses!

Familiar Strangers

7pm. My favourite time of day. I finally get to leave my underpaying, uneventful, unrewarding job. I zip up my coat, shove my hands in my pockets and keep my head down as I hurry to the train. My feet rubbing against my worn-out boots, only parted by my socks, dampened by the mud stained puddles. 7:08pm. Across the street I can hear the drunks scattered outside the pub. The obscene slurs dripping from their mouths as they catcall the school girls running home in time for dinner. The same thing happens every day and no one, including me, does anything about it. This side of town is not for the faint hearted. There’s crime around every corner but no one snitches. Every house is crumbling, every car is beat up and scratched. No one has the funds to repair their lives. 7:16pm. I jog up the stairs to the platform, shoving my way through the sweat and hurry that borders the town. I see all the familiar strangers in the same places as always. No one stands too close together and no one ever talks. Only ever quick side glances are shared through the thick atmosphere, stuffed with anxiety and unease. 7:24pm. The train comes, which is weird as the train is always here at twenty past. Without fail. My stomach flips. This is so unusual, it makes me list off every possible reason as to why the train may have been late. 1. An accident in the rail, 2. Swapping drivers. I continue the list as I shove my way to my usual seat. My seat is the loan chair near the door connecting the carriages. I have sat there every day for the past 3 years. I have memorised the adverts that are plastered above the seats opposite. 7:25pm. Sitting down, I rustle around my bag to fish out my smashed phone and headphones. I plug them in and press shuffle on my usual playlist. One of the only things that changes every day is the order in which the songs run through my ears. I watch as everyone else sit in their normal place, it’s a routine that no one has agreed to. 7:39pm. A time I’ll never forget. The time when my life took a huge turn for the worst. My phone rang, which startled me. I didn’t realise it was mine at first as no one ever calls me, but when people started looking in my direction as if to say `well aren’t you going to answer it`. I scrabbled to answer the call while ripping out my headphones. I could faintly hear a soft whimper on the other line and my heart started to pace up. I heard my mum whisper my name, to confirm that I was there. I replied quickly and waited for a response. As my mum spoke through broken tears everything stopped and started moving in slow motion. The only words I recognised were father and heart attack. 7:40pm. As my name was repeated down the line, it started to fade into nothing. My ears were ringing and all I could here was the loud buzzing. I was struggling to breathe. Each breath I took was shorter than the last. Everything I tried to concentrate on just faded away into a blur. I felt my phone slip from my hands as I got weak. I blinked in slow motion as every movement took an unbelievable amount of strength. I couldn’t move. I was so heavy. Kiara Spear, Year 11

My Magic Box

I will put in my box Clinking of special stones, The softest blue velvet, the first existing fragment of snow. I will put in my box The freshest mint in china, The soft pitter-patter of rain, The reddest strawberries. I will put in my box The sound of silence, A hamster that lives on Saturn, The fluffiest cloud.

Year 11 English pupils enjoy a fortnightly writing session on a Friday afternoon called ‘Writing Into The Weekend’. The focus this term has been crafting short stories and keeping the plots subtle but meaningful, aiming to ‘narrow the scope and aim for the heart’. I think Kiara has got the tone just right in her response to the prompt, ‘write a story about a journey’.

I will put in my box Indian smoke signals from hundreds of years ago, The fluffiest pompom, The sound of the wind blowing on the leaves. My box is made from amethyst, rose quartz and topaz, With planets on the lid and silence in the corners. Its hinges are the shiniest of silver. I will swim in my box, In the icy sea of Antarctica Then chill in the snow with the baby penguins The cutest of them all. Crystal Stevenson, Year 7

My Magical Box

I will put in my box A hot, steaming bowl of my dad’s pasta bake. A 4-dimensional universe with its own 4 –dimensional beings. And the sound of two LEGO bricks snapping together. I will put in my box Da Vinci’s memory of Mona Lisa’s face. A 4D hyper diamond with an impossible triangle. The incredible feeling of a broken in Rubik’s Cube. I will put in my box My very own memories of being with my friends. A green moon and a thirteenth season. And the deafening screech of an Ascari A10 Supercar. My box is fashioned from the memories of a boy growing up in the war And PewDiePie’s Minecraft world in the lid. The hinges are the toe joints of roasted Peppa Pig. I will game in my box and game all day. On a black PS4 in my old bedroom And coming back to reality, on the shores of the beach Of a new day. Alex Lovell, Year 7

Year 9s have got off to a fantastic start in English, studying the moving poetry of WW1. Some pupils have been experimenting with their own war poems and this one from Beth uses imagery beautifully. Mourning Void

Through the crackle of deafened guns I hear a man distraught with pain. Engulfed in the icy grasp of A sickly and distorted figure. Blankly, distant eyes gaze and A sea of stars shroud the silhouette. His rifle sizzling from the battle And, a single tear drop falls – silent. An orchestra of silence. Hoisting his limp body Onto the merciless death wagon Twitching uncontrollably… A mustard yellow card Exchanged by aged hands as They collapse. They are a cascading waterfall of tears. And the glisten adorns the faces of mothers As they falls into the mourning void. Beth Wood, Year 9

Howe Concert Hall, Castle Street, Torrington Tuesday 5:30pm and 7:30pm Thursday 9:30am, 11:30am & 5:30pm Contact Lisa 07515 256 965

The Crier Prize Crossword

The winner of this month’s crossword will receive a 6-week Countdown newmember voucher worth £25 with Slimming World. Please send completed crossword with contact details, to The Crier, Castle Hill, Torrington, EX38 8AA, or email to torrington.crier@gmail.com. The winner of last issue’s prize is Jean Barnett. The winner for this issue will be picked at random from correct entries. Deadline for entries is Thursday 14th November and the solution and winner will be in the December/January issue.

If you are fed up of always trying to diet and being hungry and miserable, then why not give your local Slimming World group a try? Slimming World isn’t a diet at all, it’s all about healthy eating and, if you want, some ‘Body Magic’ as well. If you’re wondering how you lose weight and never go hungry here’s a normal Slimming World day. Breakfast - a bowl of porridge topped with mixed fruit and two boiled eggs. Lunch - a jacket potato with beans and cheese, a side salad and some yoghurt and fruit. Evening meal - a chicken curry with rice and broccoli. In the evening when you’re sat in front the TV, it would be a cuppa and a Galaxy Ripple or a Kit Kat chunky. This is no way ‘diet’ food but I lost 3.5 stone! Slimming World also offers a wealth of support for all members, which we call ‘Image therapy’. We come together as a group and help and support each member with healthy family meal ideas, snack ideas and a plan for the week ahead. I think of all my Torrington groups as my Slimming World family, there is never any judgement and we are all there for one another every week (52 weeks of the year in fact, we don’t close for Xmas). If you would like to find out more about joining us, please get in touch. I run my groups on a Tuesday at 5:30pm and 7:30pm and Thursday 9:30am, 11:30am and 5:30pm. All at the Howe Concert Hall in Castle Street. It’s right next to Function Fitness gym and has a public car park nearby. I look forward to welcoming you. Lisa Tucker

Looking Forward to Winter

Plough Visual Arts

uring November we continue with our show of the work of Roger Davies in the main gallery - which finishes on Friday 22nd November. This makes way for the Plough’s annual show by local crafts people - The Original Gifts Show - which kicks off on the evening of Wednesday 27th November with mulled wine and mince pies. Everyone welcome! There will be everything from fabrics to jewellery, ceramics to massage oils. Downstairs we have a Timothy Tennant exhibition running until 23rd November - a series of paintings that charts the journey of North Devon’s two greatest rivers from moorland and the Cornish border to Bideford Bay. From 27th November we have Nicky Montagu - a printmaker living in North Devon whose art combines collagraph, dry point and etching. Her work is inspired by the memory of observations made while living on the tidal estuary.

Plough Youth Theatre

aturdays at the Plough! With fun and friendly weekly workshops and exciting performance opportunities, PYT is the place to be. Learn new skills, make friends and take to the stage. To find out more and book a free taster workshop contact the Box Office on 01805 624624 or e-mail

he optimistic gardener has plenty to look forward to in winter. There is a whole range of plants that brighten up dreary days and shine in the low winter light. The most useful group of plants for winter interest are the evergreens. Those with yellow variegated leaves (e.g. Elaeagnus pungens ‘Frederici’ or Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald ‘n’ Gold) add a splash of sunshine to the borders. Structural conifers come in all shapes and sizes but those that tend to remain small are probably the most useful. Conifers with blue foliage (e.g. Juniperus squamata ‘Blue Star’ AGM) are particularly effective. Pines for small spaces include Pinus parviflora ‘Kiyomatsu’ and Pinus mugo ‘Humpy’. Many deciduous winter flowering shrubs have scented flowers and good autumn colour. Hamamelis has spidery, fragrant flowers found in colours ranging from acid yellow to orange to deep red. Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’ AGM has bright red winter stems but there are a whole range of Cornus and Salix colours available from black through to orange and yellow. One evergreen that should find a

place in every garden is Sarcococca; highly fragrant flowers hide beneath the leaves so that the scent is detected long before the plant. There are many daphnes with deliciously fragrant winter flowers, one of the best being Daphne bholua ‘Jacqueline Postill’ AGM. Trees with ornamental bark should also be considered for the winter garden. Paperbark and snakebark acers often remain quite small and so are perfect for the small garden. Silver birches and some Prunus (e.g.Prunus serrula), peel to reveal wonderfully tactile, smooth bark that gleam in the low winter sun. Then we mustn’t forget winter flowering bulbs; snowdrops (we love Galanthus ‘Atkinsii’ AGM), bright yellow aconite and Crocus being some of the most reliable. All of these plants can be seen along the Winter Trail at Rosemoor and the trees will be seen in a new light during our spectacular illuminations (‘Glow’). Check out our website rhs/rosemoor. co.uk for details. Sheila Dearing Garden Technical Services Officer

sophie@theploughartscentre.org.uk. Plough Youth Theatre is supported by The Achates Foundation & The Guards. Groups for ages 3-18 years. Hula-Hooping for Adults Find your inner circus performer with CircusThirtySix and finally crack the art of hula hooping! From hip spinning

to multi-hoop moves, no experience is necessary for this workshop but guaranteed fun and achievements no matter your previous hooping knowledge! Booking essential. £48 Full / £36 Supporters per 6-week course.

Organic & Wholefood Buying Group News

ur upcoming November group order is an ideal opportunity for us all to stock up with wonderful organic foods and seasonal treats, find some thoughtful Christmas gifts and avoid lots of last minute stress rushing about everywhere. All it takes is a little forward planning and to actually DO it! So many people tell me they think what we do is brilliant and that ordering is on their ‘to do’ list! We all enjoy having a full store cupboard, especially in the winter. Next Qi Gong Weekend: 16th & 17th Nov. Qi Gong, Hua Gong style, with Dario Gerchi, choose from a morning taster, workshop day, or weekend. Dario will teach many special techniques to maintain and enhance our wellbeing. Each workshop features one of the ‘Five Animals Frolics’ - in November it’s the Bird, especially helpful for the heart and circulation, the spine, the eyes and the skin. The Frolics are great fun! WellBeing Tip: Winter is on its way so I thought a few health enhancing, warming drink suggestions might be helpful. Kukicha tea: variously known as bancha tea/twig tea. Made from the twigs of the tea bush, it’s extremely low caffeine, alkalizing to the blood. Brew to taste – either light golden or dark and velvety. It keeps well in a flask so one morning brewing can suffice all day Very pleasant, smooth, soothing taste, 99% of people I introduce it to, like it. At Christmas or for parties I like to add some apple juice concentrate and some mulling spices – really warming and celebratory! People love it! Turmeric Latte: In May 2016 I wrote my first wellbeing tip, prompting lots of

interest and action. What was true then is just as true today. To make a turmeric latte, heat one cup of milk and stir in a heaped tsp of turmeric paste. Rice milk makes it deliciously sweet. Turmeric Paste Recipe: ½ cup organic turmeric in one cup water, simmer gently for seven mins, do not boil. Remove from heat, add 1/3 cup organic coconut oil and 1.5 tsp freshly ground black pepper, whisk gently till blended. Keep in the fridge; add 1 tsp to hot/cold milk /porridge/in cooking/ use as a condiment. This recipe assists maximum absorption of curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric. As many people now know, turmeric is excellent for chronic inflammation, detox, liver health, brain health, and much more. Chronic inflammation is a major factor in many chronic diseases, including osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s, cancer, Parkinson’s and atherosclerosis, so this is something we can all do for ourselves to improve and maintain our health – and it’s delicious! Chicory ‘Coffee’: Too much coffee puts a severe strain on our nervous system and adrenals, so here’s an alternative that has that coffee like flavour, stress free. Actually it has sedative-like qualities, reducing anxiety and stress. It’s helpful for digestion, boosts the immune system and is antiinflammatory. It should not be taken by anyone with gallstones. As a treat, I like it made with all rice milk, other times with water, nice either black or white. Hot Chocolate: for maximum delectability and health, make it with a good rice milk and raw organic cacao

powder. We can recommend a particular brand of organic rice milk that is wonderfully sweet and also very inexpensive – perfect for use in any of my suggestions calling for milk. You may like to add cinnamon or other spices; cinnamon being very helpful for balancing blood sugar, ginger is very warming. All ingredients available through the Buying Group! Grocery Order Dates: 18th Nov/22nd Jan How do I join? Via our Facebook page or website, full info on the website! What does membership cost? Free What if I need advice or have questions? Ring 01805 623 307 or email mary@ marycrailwellbeing.co.uk OWBG Website: https://owbg.jimdofree. com/ Facebook: Organic & Wholefood Buying Group Twitter: Follow us @owbg1 or #owbg Facebook: Mary Crail Biofeedback & Wellbeing www.marycrailwellbeing.co.uk

Cavaliers Annual Chilli Count & Conker Tournament

he Cavaliers’ annual Chilli Count and Daz’s famous Conker Tournament will take place on November 17th at 3pm at the Torrington Arms New Street. All proceeds to Cavalier funds. Everyone welcome, old and young!

i there everyone, Fabulous Freddie checking in. I can’t believe that we are already into November, which I have to say is not one of my favourite months as I know that very soon you will all be out in the garden lighting fires and having fun watching the fireworks. Like many dogs, all those bangs and whizzes really scare me and however much Aunty Lynne tells me that it is OK, I really do not like it. I am, however, one lucky dog because she has prepared a den where I can go and hide from the noise – this is great fun as she always puts treats in there and lets me use it at least a few days before the dreaded night! She has also bought a plug in DAP diffuser (dog appeasing pheromone) which apparently reduces my stress levels. On top of that she has told me that on the day she will close all the doors so that I can’t go outside, and takes me for a walk extra early. She will put on the radio to drown out the noise – usually Classic FM but personally I would prefer Radio 2! I know that she will never tell me off because I am scared – in fact she just ignores me and goes about life as normal which really does help. Anyway I am sure I will get through it, and hope you all have a great time and keep safe. Do remember to check your bonfire though before lighting, just in case some of our other friendly creatures have crawled in

to hibernate like hedgehogs! October saw the launch of our online photo competition which is still running through November. Entries cost just £1 per photo, and all the money is going to buy us rescue dogs some extra treats for Christmas! There are four categories – Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, with rosettes being awarded to 6th place in each category. All dogs receiving a rosette will be featured in our online December advent calendar, with the ‘Best in Show’ featuring on Christmas Day. You can enter via our Facebook page, or simply email the photos to lynne@k9focus.co.uk, who will then acknowledge receipt and advise how to pay. Oh my, did I mention that we are now in our 10th year at K9focus, which means that hundreds of dogs have been rescued and now living in their forever homes. As always the rescue struggles for funding, and so during 2020 we will be launching 10 fundraising events to celebrate our 10 years, so do check in to our website at www.k9focus.co.uk where details will be posted over the coming weeks. Good news from the rescue this month as Sabre the white GSD has gone to his new home – he was far too handsome for my liking!! The lovely Cali has also adopted a new family, together with Ted our Border Terrier, Elsie the Labrador (I

loved her – she was my girlfriend!) and Poppy the Cockerpoo. Sadly Barkis is still looking but fingers crossed for this month. Bookings for our Shepview Daycare continue to arrive, and it is great to have all these new faces to play with each day. We don’t worry about the weather, if it’s pouring down we just play games in the tack room, which usually involve food and nice treats, and then when its dry we have search and find games in the paddock – lots of fun. We do still have spaces and dare I mention that Christmas word again – we are open all over Christmas, and so if you are looking for somewhere for your furry friend to stay then do give us a call on 01769 560878. That’s about all for this month so stay safe and warm. As always licks and woofs from Fabulous Freddie.

Abbeyfield Coffee Morning

ur Christmas Coffee Morning will be on Tuesday November 26th,10.30am -12noon. We hope you will be able to join us to meet our residents and enjoy coffee and biscuits. There will be a raffle and a few stalls to raise money for the residents’ comforts fund. We have welcomed in a new resident in the last month, but still have one first floor bed-sit, vacant. If you would like to find out more about Abbeyfield, for yourself or a loved one, please give our house manager a call on 01805 623605 to arrange a visit. You can be sure of a warm welcome.

I am a very competent engineer for both oil & 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

Acacia Arb a professional highly competent NPTC qualified & fully insured arboricultural firm covering all of the North Devon area. We are experienced & safety conscious arborists & ensure all tree works are carried out to the highest standards to benefit the health & conservation of trees for North Devon. We will happily provide free estimates, so look forward to hearing from you!

All Aspects of Tree & Hedge Work Undertaken

Contact : 07702 735 853 Website: www.acaciaarb.co.uk Enquiries from The Crier are always welcome!

The Milkiosk

•Tree Removal, Hedge cutting • Tree Pruning/Crown Reduction/ Shaping • Tree Planting/ Orchards Planted/ Hedge Planting • Stump Grinding • Wood chipping

The Milkiosk is NOW OPEN in R & S Ware Butchers on South Street, Torrington. Fresh, pasteurised whole milk produced locally, and plastic free! Visit Facebook @themilkiosk for more details. We hope to see you soon!