Mayors May Crier Article
I am pleased to say that the Water Forum in the Undercroft of the Town Hall was well attended, and lots of people came in to find out the latest updates about conservation and billing. Talking of the Town Hall, the Knit and Natter Group were successful in a grant application for wool towards the knitted and crocheted bunting, and I was happy to join them in their celebratory cuppa (Any excuse??) I even got roped in to trying my hand at a few stitches!
The Pub quiz in aid of the Mayor’s Charities held in the Torrington Arms was a great success, and we raised just under £300 for the mayor’s charities. A big “thank you” to Annie and her team for such a great night! During this past year my charities have been somewhat neglected – not deliberately, but by virtue of the fact that it has been very difficult to arrange events and not having to cancel them.
The ‘Arts for Carers’ event at The Plough was noisy and messy. Paint and dye flying everywhere… Infant schools look out as you might be losing out to some of these adults!
The first Silver Band Concert for a long time took place in the Howe Hall, and was a roaring success. The band didn’t put a foot wrong, and we all came away with our feet tapping. The theme for the concert was a celebration of the life of a gentleman called Eddie Burrows, who was evacuated to Great Torrington from London when he was 8 years old. After the war ended, he returned to London but could not settle so he was allowed to come back to our town. As a young man, he married a local girl and moved away for work, but came back later in life and ended his days in the Castle Hill Nursing Home, which was back in his beloved Great Torrington again. Eddie was a life-long supporter of the Town Band and his son travelled from Sussex to be present at the concert. It was a privilege to meet Eddies son and chat with him.
Unfortunately, I like many others succumbed to Covid 19 half way through April, and as a result was forced to cancel many of my engagements such as council meetings, Barnstaple Mayor’s Jubilee Ball where my sister was going to join me as my consort on a rare visit from Shetland, the Golf Club’s Open Day which is always a treat to attend and Verdi’s Requiem in the Parish Church. I was very sorry to have to missed so much!
At the time of writing this article I am looking forward to our Parish Meeting on the 14th April 2022 at which time I will present my Mayor’s Report for the period 2021/22. This report will subsequently be available on the town council’s website and sets out activities etc. of the Council over this past year. I am very much looking forward to May Fair this year and hope to see you all there.
With very best wishes
Cllr Doug Smith, Mayor of Great Torrington