Skip to content Skip to left sidebar Skip to footer

News

A familiar face re-joins Great Torrington Town Council

At the June Full Council meeting we welcomed back Councillor John Insull to the Town Council. John was co-opted following a brief interview and fellow members are extremely pleased that he has decided to return. Cllr Insull is looking forward to getting involved in local issues once again:

‘It was as if I had never been away when I attended the June Great Torrington Town Council meeting and was accepted as a Co-opted Town Councillor after an absence of three years.

I had been encouraged to return to this role and recently worked closely with Torrington 100, reconnecting with several friends and colleagues from my previous tenure. I look forward to supporting our Great Torrington Community. I hope to help develop initiatives that I had previously worked on together with leading on new ideas. I hope this will enhance the health and well-being of our residents and maintain the biodiversity of our immediate rural environment.’

Platinum Jubilee Celebrations

A huge thank you to all who helped over the 4-day holiday period as we celebrated the Queens amazing achievement of serving her country for 70 years as our Monarch.  Our Town Crier joined others nationally by reading a Proclamation in the Town Centre at the ordained time of 2.00pm on the 2nd June.  On the same day the Cavaliers excelled themselves again by hosting a “Fun Day” at the Old Bowling Green which culminated with Stuart Gisbey Piping Diu Regnare, with the Bugle Call, “Majesty” played by Nick Megson immediately prior to the lighting of the Beacon which was followed by fabulous fireworks!

The weather was perfect and it was fabulous to see so many there, all enjoying being together.  A huge thank you to the Cavaliers who arranged it all, including building the Beacon and also the Town Band, Stuart, Nick and all who took part in the Fun Day and evening activities.

Thanks, are also extended to the Commons Conservators for allowing all of this to take place on common land.

The Sunday brought with it the Community Jubilee Picnic but also inclement weather!  On Saturday it was agreed to switch from the town centre to the Town Hall.  What a lovely afternoon it turned out to be with the Town Hall full of people of all ages in every room.  As people “picnicked” so the Town Band played renditions of suitable jubilee music.  Rob Pudner and his accomplice Chris entertained the children and adults alike, Della painted children’s faces beautifully and there were various games and activities for all to join in with, along with a crown competition.  It truly was a great afternoon and we again extend thanks to everyone involved from those who made paper flowers for the tables, to volunteers who helped set up and set down, and all who helped on the day.  Special thanks to all at the Town Hall who pulled all the stops out to enable the switch of venue at short notice!

A fabulous few community days, which demonstrates time and time again how great the community of Great Torrington really is!

Mill Street railings

The town council’s Technicians have started work painting the railings along Mill Street.  This will be a long job undertaken in intervals, but it is already clear to see  what a difference it is making!  Please see the “before and after” picture of a stretch recently painted.

Craft, Food and Drink Fair

As one of our Welcome Back Fund initiatives, the town council tendered for an events company to organise a Craft, Food and Drink Fair. South West Events Management, headed up by Lucy Lowe was the successful applicant.  The initial arrangement was to host the event on Saturday 5th March over two venues; the Town Hall and the Pannier Market.  During the early preparation stage it became apparent there was a high demand from stall holders to attend.  The event subsequently progressed to spread further afield and additional venues, namely Castle Hill and the Plough were added.  

We are really pleased to say that we consider the event to have been a huge success. We were blown away with the quality and variation of the goods on offer as well as the number of people who attended! The weather was also on our side with glorious sunshine beaming down on the town centre as our very own Town Band played beautifully in support of the event. The town was buzzing and the atmosphere superb with positive feedback from stall holders and local shops. It also served as a great opportunity to showcase the town and feedback indicates that many of the visitors on the day will come back and visit us again.

A big thank you to Lucy, all the stallholders and those who worked hard behind the scenes at the various venues to help make the Fair such a success. We are also grateful to Rosemoor for providing a shuttle bus service to and from the town.

cof

Welcome Back Fund Initiatives to-date

Over the summer months we were happy to partner with Rosemoor and had publicity posters positioned on site at Rosemoor in their A Boards.  The design work and printing costs have been met by the fund. In addition, the fund has paid for;

  • Locally grown hanging baskets which were positioned in the Pannier Market and have been maintained by the Town Council’s Technicians. These looked beautiful and many people have expressed their appreciation.
  • A programme Street Music on Saturday mornings from the end of July- end of September.
  • Publication in the Gazette of the Town Map which also listed shopping opportunities in the town centre as well as promoting the “three maps” available free of charge which includes two separate trail maps, “The Civil War” trail and the “Heritage” trail.

Future initiatives for consideration include; October fun for children, town centre pavement deep clean, local shuttle bus service trial and day events in March 2022.