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Great Torrington Town Council

Trafalgar Drive

You may have noticed that during a very wet and windy week in January the Town Council Technicians and Chops Tree Services were busy removing the wooden fort in Trafalgar Drive play park. The fort was about 15 years old and it was rotting and becoming dangerous, so Council members decided to remove it before it deteriorated further.

At the Environment Committee meeting in January, Alan Williams gave an update on Jubilee Wood and mentioned that Devon Wildlife Trust had suggested some nesting boxes would be a good addition to the area. With the planned dismantling of the fort, we were able to work with Alan, his team of volunteers and Torrington Men’s Shed to organise the transfer of some of the better planks from the fort, to be used to make the nesting boxes for Jubilee Wood. This is a great example of coordinated community working to reduce waste and enhance the natural environment.

We are now considering how the space at Trafalgar Drive could be used and what equipment people would like to see there. If you would like to tell us your thoughts, come along to our Annual Parish Meeting on March 21st, 2024, 7pm at Great Torrington Town Hall. We will also be gathering views and ideas outside of the Bluecoat Primary School on March 5th.

We are interested to hear from all members of the community who may have ideas about this: if you know of a young person who likes drawing or making models, perhaps they could create a plan or model of their ideas. These could be brought along on March 5th or bring them to the Town Council offices before March 21st.

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.

If you would like to nominate someone for consideration for this 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 26th March 2024.

Reporting Antisocial Behaviour

A number of residents have reported to the council that they have witnessed incidents of antisocial behaviour in the town centre recently. If you experience any issues you are concerned about, we have been advised by the police and Torridge District Council that you should use the following reporting tools:

CRIME:

NON-EMERGENCY CRIME: E.g. assault, anti-social behaviour, damage, harassment, or theft can be reported:

· By calling 101

· Online via the online crime reporting form or by emailing 101 at: https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/

Crime can also be reported ANONYMOUSLY to CrimeStoppers:

· By calling: 0800 555 111 · Online at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/

In an EMERGENCY, always dial 999

LICENSING:

Concerns with licensing issues can be reported directly to Torridge District Council:

· By calling 01237 428700 and asking to be put through to the licensing officer · By email: [email protected] · Online at: https://www.torridge.gov.uk/licensing-complaints

Notice of Annual Parish Meeting – 21st March 2024

The Great Torrington Annual Parish Meeting will be held at Great Torrington Town Hall on Thursday 21st March 2024 at 7.00pm.

This meeting is an opportunity for you to speak directly with your Town Councillors and a chance to have your say on future priorities for the Town Council.

If you are curious to know more about what your local council does, this is an opportunity to find out.

Local councils are the first tier of local government and work towards improving community well-being and providing better services. Their activities fall into three main categories: representing the local community; delivering services to meet local needs; striving to improve quality of life and community well-being. (www.nalc.gov.uk/about-local-councils)

At this year’s meeting we are hoping to have invited speakers and displays from community groups. Reports from Full Council and the Council Committees will be available, as well as a report on the Council’s finances.

The Annual Parish Meeting is an opportunity for Registered Electors who live in the parish of Great Torrington to come along and hear about projects that the Council have been working on this year, and to have their say on things they would like the council to work on in the future.

It would be great to see a good selection of members of the community at this short meeting, refreshments will be available, and we will be seeking your views on priorities for the Town Council going forward.

We would really like to hear the views of registered electors in Great Torrington and would ask that you use the space below to respond to the questions asked, and to send in your own questions and suggestions. (Please refrain from using any names of individuals or businesses in your answers or questions. If you would like an individual response, please include contact details).

Your responses can be returned to Great Torrington Town Council offices at Castle Hill (above the library), the Museum, or Torrington Library. Alternatively, you can email us your responses. Responses by March 14th.

If you would like to discuss an issue further, please do contact the office on 01805 626135 or [email protected].

Your Council would like to know:

What do you like most about living in Great Torrington?

What do you think would make living in Great Torrington even better?

My question/suggestion for Great Torrington Town Council:

History of the Rolle Fountain by Moira Brewer

The Grade II Listed drinking fountain in the town square was a gift to the people of Torrington from the Honourable Mark Rolle, Lord of the Manor, in August 1870. It was not just for decoration but provided the townsfolk with drinking water and a means of telling the time.

The fountain is built of stone and granite and consists of a Gothic style square on plan with a crocketed spire of carved stone and a round basin for drinking water on each face. It no longer functions as a drinking fountain and these four basins are now filled with flowers which are maintained by local volunteers.

The structure is 18ft (4.5m) high and approached by two rows of steps. In the higher portion is a clock with a face on the north and south sides. The clock needs to be wound twice a week and this was done for many years by Derrick Reed who was followed by Colin Beer.

The fountain stood in the middle of the street and, when roads were far quieter and High Street was a two-way street, cars passed on both sides of the fountain. (See photo)

An inscription on the fountain tells us that it was restored by public subscriptions during the Mayoralty of Thomas J. Dyer in 1928-9. It underwent further restoration and cleaning in the 1970s and again during the first decade of the 21st century.

The fountain is 150 years old now and very fragile, the stone is very soft in places, and it is in need of some further restoration. The Town Council are currently exploring options for this work. Repairs are very expensive and require specialist skills, so it is very important that, together, we take care of this important historic monument and remember that it is not a suitable place to climb and that the basins/flower beds were not built for people to sit on. It we take care of the fountain, as a community, it can be preserved for future generations.

Peninsula Transport seeks your views – consultation on regional transport strategy launched

Peninsula Transport, the Sub-national Transport Body for Cornwall, Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay is asking for views on its draft transport strategy. 

Launching a public consultation today (Monday 11 December 2023) Peninsula Transport Chairman, Councillor Andrea Davis said: “I urge everyone within the South West to get involved and have your say. We need to make sure the strategy will meet the diverse range of needs of everyone travelling, visiting and doing business within the peninsula. Our aim has always been to create a strategy that puts the user front and centre – so please let us know if we’ve got it right.”

The strategy is focused on overcoming regional transport challenges such as network resilience, seasonal variation and rural accessibility. Peninsula Transport wants to see vital improvements in regional transport in order help to unlock the peninsula’s full economic potential, as well as boost its environmental and societal wellbeing.

To do this, the document sets out four outcomes and a route map to achieving a strategic transport network that works for everyone – from businesses to communities and visitors.

By 2030 the desired outcomes are:

  • Easier journeys: integrating walking and wheeling with the bus and rail network, with integrated ticketing, to make getting around without a car easy.
  • Going electric: affordable zero-emission transport through a reliable electric vehicle charging network.
  • A connected peninsula: resilient, safe and reliable road and rail travel within the peninsula and beyond.

These outcomes will ultimately lead to the key objective of:

  • Completing the network: improved connections within a growing and fully integrated transport network on a path to net zero.

Looking forward, the strategy will set the foundation for a new Strategic Investment Plan which will identify and prioritise the transport schemes and projects that reflect regional and national policies and best meet the needs of the user.

The public consultation opened on Monday 11 December 2023 and close on Monday 5 February 2024. Peninsula Transport will be hosting free webinars throughout January 2024, open to anyone interested in finding out more about the strategy. Dates will be released shortly and people can pre-register interest using our form.

Peninsula Transport Chairman, Councillor Andrea Davis continued: “We have been working tirelessly to get to this point. Since 2018 we have built up a comprehensive evidence base to create a better understanding of how the peninsula works and what will bring the biggest benefits to the region.

“The STB will bring partners and organisations together to ensure we deliver the best for the peninsula, acting as champions and providing the vital link between national, regional and local policy. Through the strategy, we will provide a collective regional voice, helping to boost our key transport links and complementing the work of our local authorities to enhance regional connectivity.”

The consultation and feedback survey is available on the Peninsula Transport website through our consultation space.

Message of Thanks

We would like to say a big thank you to the Cavaliers who alongside our dedicated technicians Andy & Colin spent one Sunday morning before Christmas erecting the Christmas tree and the lights, and then another Sunday morning in the new year taking them down. We all enjoy the lights, and they make a lovely festive centre piece for the town, so we very much appreciate the time and work of this small team in making it happen. This year we would also like to send a massive thankyou to Andy Winsbury who collected the fabulous tree (supplied by Stacey’s Trees in Holsworthy), and Ian Buckingham from Get to It Cherry Picker Hire.

Special thanks also go to Jason Golder from Chops Tree Services for removing the tree in early January, and huge thanks to Darren from Shortie Electrics, and Martyn from Martyn Waller Electrics who helped at very short notice to keep the tree lights working throughout the Christmas period.

As ever its lovely to work with local people who are happy to help out for the benefit of the community, we are extremely lucky to live in a town with such a strong community spirit.

Twelve Days of Christmas – Window Dressing Competition Winner

Thank you to the local traders who took part in the Christmas Window Dressing Competition. The town looked very festive, and the windows were beautiful. Congratulations to the winners, Town & Lands for the night-time display and Great Torrington Town & Community Hall for the daytime display. Second place was awarded to Pee Wees Care for the night-time category and Lilian Rose for daytime, with special mention to the staff and children at Little Frogs Pre-School for their fabulous display that all of the children helped to make.

Also, a big “Thank you” to the Knit and Natter group for the hard work that went into knitting the creations used in the Town Hall’s window display and for allowing us to use the Twelve Days of Christmas characters again, which this year were displayed in the Pannier Market. 

Decorating the town for Christmas is a joint effort and it’s amazing that so many businesses take part, making the town look lovely for all to enjoy.

Christmas Light Switch On

The Christmas Light Switch-On event on December 2nd was a great success. The weather was perfect, which is always a bonus.

Great Torrington Town Council worked with The Plough and Brady Coysh, Jayne Wafforne and The Chamber of Trade, trustees at the Town & Community Hall, Amber Davey-Wright with Great Torrington School Choir and band, Bluecoat Primary School and the Cavaliers to deliver a lovely festive evening with snow and Christmas songs to get everyone in the Christmas spirit.

Thank you to everyone who came along to the square to add to the atmosphere and join in with the community celebrations.

The planning for next years switch-on event has already begun.