Great Torrington Town Council

It is with great sadness that the town has learned of the passing of John Kelly, ex-councillor and Mayor of Great Torrington.

John gave many years of service to Great Torrington.  He worked as a local policeman and he was a long-standing town councillor, during which he held the position of Mayor in 1988, 1989, 1996 and 1997.  John was also a keen bingo caller in his spare time and offered his services to other Mayors on several occasions to assist with their fundraising activities. 

On behalf of the Town Council and the community of Great Torrington I offer my sincere condolences to his family and friends in their time of grief.

Councillor Doug Smith, Mayor of Great Torrington

On the 11th June a Conservation Community Project led by Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) in conjunction with Devon Biodiversity Records Centre (DBRC) took place at Jubilee Meadow. The aim was to record as much as possible about the local environment as well as develop people’s skills in wildlife identification in a meadow setting.

The project has been running for just over a year and has have achieved a great deal to date, with volunteers across local parishes carrying out hedgerow surveys so that the condition of the hedges in the region can be assessed.  Last year over 50 engagement events took place, attracting 1700 attendees and Jubilee Wood was included as part of the suite of 2022 events.

By the end of the project, December 2022, the hope is to have gathered enough wildlife data so that DBRC can update each Parish Biodiversity Audit (last written around 2013). 

Activity on the 11th June was very successful with 146 records made including some “unknowns” and has been described by the DWT as a “very good haul” and “probably the best found yet!”

It’s great to have this indication of the richness of wildlife on our doorsteps and hope this will only continue to grow. We would like to thank all those members of the public who took part on this project along with the DWT and DBRC.

Calling all local photographers! 

The Town Council in conjunction with the Futures Group is looking to publish a town calendar for 2023.  We are looking for photographs of the town, whether that be beautiful landscapes, nature and/or events.  If you have a favourite photograph… or two which you have taken and are happy for it to be used, please send it through. We will ensure all photographs are credited to the photographer.

A funeral service for Dr Harry Cramp MBE will take place at St Michael & All Angels Church on Wednesday, June 29th at 2pm. The interment at Great Torrington Cemetery is for family only, but everyone is invited to join them in the Town Hall afterwards to raise a toast.

The cortège will also make its way around the Square beforehand from 1.30; feel free to sign the book of condolence, which will be in both the church and the Town Hall.

If unable to attend the funeral there will be a live stream which can be accessed via the following link: https://morphav.tv/harry-cramp/

The Town Council has a vacancy for 1 Co-Opted Councillor to join us.

This role will give you an opportunity to get involved with a number of exciting projects and interests within the community of Great Torrington.  If you are passionate about the town, prepared to roll your sleeves up and get involved, have at least one of the qualifications below we would be excited to invite you to submit a written application outlining why you are interested in becoming a Town Councillor and what you believe you can bring to the role for consideration.   

1. I am registered as a local government elector for the parish; or
2. I have, during the whole of the twelve months preceding the date of my co-option, occupied as owner or tenant, land or other premises in the parish; or
3. My principal or only place of work during those twelve months has been in the parish; or
4. I have during the whole of the twelve months preceding the date of my co-option resided in the parish or within 3 miles of it.

Applications should be no more than one side of A4 paper.

Our most recently appointed councillor, Cllr Dave Parish says; “I am proud to have been a Town councillor for 7 months now and have immensely enjoyed the experience and learned much in the process.

It has been a pleasure to work with a truly dedicated team who contribute to make Great Torrington a ‘Great’ place to live.

There so much more we can do. Be part of the future, ‘Come and join us.”

For further information please see the Town Council’s website www.great-torrintontowncouncil.gov.uk or give the Town Clerk, Karen Chapman a call on 01805 626135

Please forward applications to Great Torrington Town Council, Castle Hill, Great Torrington, EX38 8AA or by email to [email protected]  to be received no later than Thursday 30th July 2022

Karen Chapman, Town Clerk