My Council

May 8th, 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day which marked the end of World War II in Europe, although the war continued in the Far East and Pacific. 

Great Torrington Town Council are planning to work with other local groups to mark elements of the national programme of events. Some of these will take place on the anniversary (Thursday 8th May) however, given that Torrington will have celebrated Mayfair the previous week it seems wise to plan a bigger celebration on Saturday 10th May to allow more people to enjoy it.  

The council is currently working on plans for a ‘Party in the Pannier Market’ event, to include live music and dancing with a 1940’s theme. The event will be free to the community, and it is hoped there will be refreshments available to purchase. 

Further updates will be available in next month’s Crier and on our social media and website nearer the time. 

Great Torrington Town Council were delighted to be able to offer a varied programme of FREE activities for children during February half-term. 

The sessions took place in the Castle Hill Community Centre and Torrington Library. 

It was fabulous to work with local businesses to provide activities in Great Torrington, so as families could access high quality activities without leaving the town. 

We were delighted to work with: 

• Devon Science 

• Entertainingly Different 

• Tarka Pottery 

• Joseph Witchall Illustration 

• RHS Rosemoor 

We would like to thank Ruth, Rob, Jax, Joseph and Emma and the team at Rosemoor for taking part in this programme of events. The children and families had an amazing time. 

Great Torrington Town Council currently have four vacancies and would welcome applications from members of the community who are interested in local issues.

Our newest member Councillor Jason Isaac has now been on the council for just over a year and has made many positive contributions to meeting and committees. Jason has been working on the Regeneration Strategy for Great Torrington since September 2023 and has been a key local representative bringing some excellent ideas and a can-do attitude.

Councillor Isaac said “As someone who both lives and works in Great Torrington, I am deeply invested in our town’s success. I’m driven by a strong desire to ensure Torrington doesn’t lag behind neighbouring towns, but prospers equally.

My focus includes fostering economic growth, attracting businesses, promoting tourism, and safeguarding our unique natural environment and historic character. Together with fellow councillors and the Mayor, I am dedicated to advancing Great Torrington’s interests and ensuring our town flourishes alongside our neighbours.”

If you think you may be interested in becoming a councillor, please contact us on 01805 626135 or [email protected]. Or come along to the Annual Parish Meeting on March 19th 7pm at Great Torrington Town & Community Hall to find out more.

Howe Plate Award 

Each year the Town Council gives an award to the person or persons whom it feels has provided a local public service that has benefitted local people.  This could be something that they have done over a number of years, or something that has made a big difference in a short space of time. 

The criteria states that the time given is voluntary and the people benefiting are within the parish of Great Torrington. 

Young People’s Award 

The Town Council is keen to recognise the contribution young people in Great Torrington make towards our community.  A new Great Torrington Town Council Young People’s Award has therefore been established, and we are looking forward to receiving your nominations for this award. 

This award is looking to recognise an inspirational young person or group of young people up to age 25 who have volunteered their time for the benefit of others and have made an outstanding contribution to make our community and our world a better place. 

Nominations 

If you would like to nominate someone for consideration for either the Howe Plate Award or the Young People’s Award, please get in touch. Nominations should be accompanied by a written explanation as to why you believe the person or persons should be considered, what they have done, how long for and who has benefited.  Please limit explanations to no more than one side of A4 paper. 

Please send or drop-in your nominations to Great Torrington Town Council, Castle Hill, Torrington, EX38 8AA or email to [email protected], all nominations to be received by midday on Tuesday 25th March 2025. 

Are you concerned about speeding in your neighbourhood? Did you know you can work with Devon & Cornwall Police to set up a Community Speedwatch? Volunteers from the community use detection devices to monitor local vehicle speeds. They receive training, equipment and support from the local neighbourhood policing team.

To get started you need to have a team of 4 people, one of which will need to be the Group Co-ordinator. If you are concerned about driving speeds in a particular area in Torrington and you have a small group of volunteers, then please sign up using the following link to the appropriate website.

https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/wsi/watch-schemes-initiatives/speedwatch/community-speedwatch/

Yoga in Nature:

The Council were pleased to support Helen Amey of Elska Yoga to provide six free Yoga in Nature sessions in June/July.

The sessions were held at Torrington Rugby Club and were extremely popular, with participants reporting a variety of positive outcomes as a result of attending. Over 55 people accessed the course across the six weeks with the average number being 26 each week, 60-69 was the average age of participants.

Quotes from participants:

“I didn’t know I needed Yoga in Nature until I did Yoga in Nature”

‘So relaxing, truly wonderful experience forever grateful for the chance to take part. Wonderful group of people and Helen is truly amazing’

“The classes are really good and improves general well-being’

“So much better being outside, the sounds and space were lovely’

‘Thank you so much Helen. I really enjoyed the experience of outdoor yoga’

‘A great introduction to yoga, something that I had thought of trying for a long time. free sessions made all the difference’.

Helen Amey said ‘I would like to say a massive thank you to the Councillors for sponsoring this project. It was wonderful to see so many people coming together and enjoying and benefiting from this experience, outside in nature. The sense of community was evident to see and people’s enthusiasm each week was quite special. I felt honoured to lead this project.’

Woodland Adventure Sessions with Richard Irvine & Jen Howard:

On the first Friday of the summer holidays Great Torrington Town Council organised a morning and afternoon woodland activity session in Trafalgar Drive play park; facilitated by fully qualified forest school teachers Richard Irvine of Richard Irvine Outdoors, and Jen Howard. A total of 22 children attended the sessions and took part in den building, they also made wooden Olympic medals (which involved helping to use the saw) with the highlight of the day for many participants being making a campfire and cooking popcorn.

Many thanks to Richard and Jen for providing an engaging day of woodland entertainment.

Summer Music Programme:

Great Torrington Town Council have supported the summer street music programme again for 2024.  Thank you to all the performers who entertained us all on Saturday mornings throughout the summer:

• Sticky Flaws – David Wenman
• Roger Colome
• The HooDoo Man – Ian Kevern
• Tuppence Ha’Penny – Jacky Dando
• Dogleg -Tracy Dipper
• Mary and the Medics – Mary Davies
• Calypso Jack – Mark Knott
• WD40+ – Ange Wilson-Duffy

Yesterday, the Mayor, Cllr Phil Cloke, officially unveiled a Scots pine tree planted on Millenium Path on the Commons in memory of His Late Royal Highness, Prince Philip. We’d like to thank the Commons Conservators for allowing the Town Council to plant this memorial tree on the Commons and to Al Mitchell, their Head Ranger for planting and watering it (which isn’t an easy job!) while it establishes.