Mayor’s May Crier Article
It is hoped that by the time you read this, the restrictions in place will be eased even more. I’m sure I can speak for everyone when I say we are all looking forward to seeing family an friends and taking a much-deserved visit to our fabulous, local independent shops. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for keeping our town safe during these difficult times. We’ve still got hurdles ahead of us, but without everyone doing their part, we wouldn’t be in the position we are. We truly are Great Torrington!
Work carries on in the Town Council and we have been busy preparing for better times. As you will have seen in last month’s Crier, the town now has three maps. A revised Town Centre map and Civil War Trail and a new Heritage Trail map. These are the result of lots of hard work by many different people and it is exciting to think we are really beginning to shout about what we have to offer in our lovely town! A huge thank you to everyone involved in the ongoing Marketing Working group; it’s also great to hear lots of projects in the pipeline.
On 24th March I attended, along with the Mayors of Bideford, Holsworthy and Northam, our regular Mayors and Clerks meeting. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, we haven’t all been able to meet up in person for a while now but it was good to be able to see them on screen and learn how their individual towns have been coping. These meetings are also helpful as we have updates from Torridge District Council and an opportunity to raise any issues we may have. It is a good way to learn from each other.
As I write this, I am looking forward to presenting my report at our Annual Parish meeting on the 15th April. It will be via Zoom this year and we are pleased that it already looks like we will have a good number of members of the community attending. Despite the strangeness of this past year, I am looking forward to reporting on Council activity. I am extremely proud to say that we all work together; we are one team.
As you may already be aware, our Annual Business meeting will take place on the 6th of May, where a new Mayor/Chair of the council will be confirmed and will officially take over. Again, this meeting will be via Zoom so will almost certainly feel very different, but I look forward to welcoming the new Mayor into the role.
As always, please do not hesitate to get in contact if you need anything at all; I’m always happy to help.
Keeley Allin – Mayor of Great Torrington (cllr.allin@great-torringtontowncouncil.gov.uk)