From the Mayor Since my last diary entry, you now have a new Mayor Elect, Cllr H Martin whose investiture took place on 14 th May 2013, so this will be my last letter to you. I have many special memories of my time over the last 12 months as Mayor of this special town and a community that has a soul and a big heart. From performances at the Plough to the Jubilee celebrations and the party in the Pannier Market, the Chamber of Trade and the skating rink in the square together with all those invitations to share them with you. Thank you, it has been an amazing year. Our young people have inspired me and I am confident that the future of our town is in good hands. The recent Inside Out television programme prompted a survey of the town with regard to shops, jobs and the future work needed for regeneration of the creamery site as a place for leisure. The Junior School children of years 5 and 6 spent six weeks on this and were invited to present their findings to the Town Council Planning Committee. Well done to all of them for such a professional presentation. The Dream Kidz put on a wonderful performance at the Plough worthy of the X Factor. Streetz dance crew are to be congratulated on their continued success as they rise to fame far and wide. The last couple of months have been spent on May Fair and Carnival preparations which is all made possible by the May Fair Committee working throughout the year. More members are always welcome so if you are interested in getting involved in time for next May Fair then please contact the Town Council who can put you in touch with the committee secretary. Wednesday 1st May saw the first official opening of the Fair, practice night for May Fair day and crowning of the Carnival Queen which all went well. Thursday dawned with wall-to-wall sunshine and visiting Mayors from nearby towns joined us. As the May Queen and her entourage in beautifully-made costumes entered the square, the fabric from their costumes shimmered in the sunlight. I was so proud, as were the parents, friends and extended families who came to watch the May Queen crowning followed by the wonderful May Pole dancing put on by years 5 and 6 from the Junior School. In the evening the Torridge Cup final was played in the vicarage field, Torrington won 4-1 against Hatherleigh. A great game - congratulations to Torridgeside and a match which was very well supported. Friday saw me presenting prizes for the ‘Round the Tree Race’. 200 took part in this growing sporting event and were cheered by crowds as they came back into the square. Saturday I entertained the Carnival Judges with tea at the 1646 Café prior to them making their decisions and the presentation of cups on the Commons at the Old Bowling Green. Sunday morning we counted up all the pennies and coins collected during the carnival which came to a grand total of £1,385.15. This will go towards supporting next year’s celebrations. So now my year of duties are all but finished. I am still here to support you all to the best of my ability in finding permanent homes for all organisations. I won’t be far away. Ever yours Cllr Margaret Brown Mayor of Torrington Contact me on: 01805 624375

Great Torrington May Fair & Carnival 2013 Great Torrington May Fair & Carnival Committee would like to express their sincere thanks to everyone who donated a prize for this year’s Grand May Fair Draw. The involvement of local businesses is very much appreciated. The Committee would also like to thank everyone for their kind generosity during the Carnival. This year £1,385.15 was raised. Melissa Baker, Secretary

Torrington Community Foodbank Our Community Foodbank is now well established on Saturdays 10-12 noon from Castle Hill based in Sydney House Car Park. Just follow the signs to the first floor where our volunteers will be there to help you on a confidential basis. With the new changes to the benefits system many people are finding it hard to cope and our number of referrals from various agencies are likely to increase. Thank you to all the very kind people who are donating tins and dried foods to help us make up parcels for emergency use. Both the Co-op and the Tourist Information offices have kindly agreed to be drop-off point for us if you are able to spare any items. We continue to open on Tuesdays also from 10-12 noon at the Baptist Church, New Street. Finally we would like to say a special thank you to the kind person who has given us a generous donation to help us in our work, but wishes to remain anonymous.

Great Torrington & District Community Development Trust As many may know Great Torrington & District Community Development Trust (CDT) is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee, wholly owned and managed by local people. A few months ago, The Orb project joined together with CDT to look at how we can work with local people to join together and create a bright and exciting future for all m embers of our very special community; pre-birth to 100+. CDT’s aims have always been to create employment, improve the local economy, enhance the environment (both natural and built), generally support the community, and help individuals develop skills and interests. The Trust has developed successful initiatives in Torrington over the years and recognised it was time to consider a new project and bring some new ideas forward. There is now a new Chair of CDT, Viv Jones who is very excited about the possibilities of working together across Torrington with many of the groups and individuals who are already developing and running successful projects. This is an opportunity to bring together the aspirations of Torrington and work together to achieve something very positive for the future. If anybody is interested in finding out more about CDT, or interested in being part of the Vision for Torrington, please come along to Torrington Together on Wednesday 12th June 2013 to find out more and also to share how you can contribute to a bright future for Torrington.

League of Friends – Torrington Community Hospital Our local Cottage Hospital is such a valuable asset to our town and The League of Friends ensure any monies pas sed on to us as legacies or donations are spent wisely. We have recently purchased an Oximeter (£450) two reclining chairs and ten foot stools. Equipment for hospital use always seems expensive and these items cost £2318! One of the chairs was purchased with money received from a local community group and we are most grateful for their help. Several pieces of small equipment have been donated to our Physiotherapy department to help our out-patients as well as people recovering in the hospital. In December 2012 members of our group carried out our traditional decorating the communal areas of the hospital and we updated some very old Christmas trees and lights. On Christmas day we visited patients and presented them with a gift from the League which was very much appreciated and a lovely surprise for all concerned. Our latest purchase was in April this year when two Apple ipads for use in the hospital and the community were provided for patients with stroke and brain injuries. These have special packages on them produced in America which help with rehabilitation. We hope other League of Friends will follow our lead on this exciting new project. None of this work would be possible without your continued help, support and generosity. We are keeping a watchful eye on any future developments regarding our Cottage Hospital, meanwhile we hope this update will interest readers of The Crier. Ann Ayre, Chair, League of Friends, Torrington Community Hospital

Laura Bennett Academy of Swimming in the 2013 Torrington Carnival Our theme was ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’, the turnout was great! 28 Oompa Loompas! One Violet, one Verruca and one Willy Wonka! The float included a golden ticket, wonka bars and a chocolate river all constructed by Kevin, Jamie,Lynn Bennet and Adam Bright, and a big thank you to Darren Spear and Steve Jones for their help. The children all designed and made their own sweets which were seen on the outer of the float. I would like to thank Langtree School staff and children who made big lolly pops and toadstools to go onto the float, Torridge Transport for lending us their lorry and all the parents that supported and walked all the way round collecting and looking after the children. Well done and thank you to all the children who took part, you all looked smashing! I have never seen so much orange and green! The float also came 1st in category four, whoop! See you all there next year Laura Bennett Laura Bennett Academy of Swimming www.swimwithlaura.co.uk 07791 964 544 May Fair Parking May Day - what a fantastic day we had, well done Cavaliers and the Town Council. It’s a real pity that the Traffic Wardens are not so friendly as our visitors to Great Torrington – particularly when I saw them put parking tickets on cars parked in Castle Street. I felt so sad for the guy in the black car that copped a parking fine - can we not have free parking in Great Torrington for May Fair? The Cavaliers work so hard to make the day so special for so many. May I also suggest that a recycle bin for cans and bottles be more evident as the Commons is full of litter tonight, I feel sure South Molton re-cycle will supply some bins for us. Nick Muir, resident

Church Restoration Recently I had the opportunity to visit Florence and whilst I was there looked in on the English Church of St. Mark. It is a remarkably beautiful building, a former palazzo within which is an intimate and very beautiful church that owes its present c ondition to the remarkable talents and hard work of Father Lawrence MacLean, who was the English priest in Florence for nine years. I learnt that when Father Lawrence arrived, the building was in a state of disrepair. He took it upon himself to raise over £250,000 to restore the fifteenth century building, personally designing the new altar and a sculpture of St. Mark, the only new sculpture that the Florentine civil authorities have permitted within the city precincts in living memory. In addition to fundraising and building, Father Lawrence cared for his flock in Florence, celebrating mass daily. He organised regular concert performances and facilitated an opera company based at the church, which is now the number one attraction on Trip Adviser for Florence. Sadly, we weren’t there long enough to enjoy a performance. Upon my return to Devon I was sad to learn that a number of people have recently chosen to publicly and privately criticise Father Lawrence, the Chairman of the Trustees of the The Denys Yonge Educational Foundation. Some of the criticism has been ill-informed and some directed personally at Father Lawrence, who, as Chairman of the Trustees has to answer to the Charity Commission on all decisions made by the Trustees. It seems incredible that Father Lawrence has been subject to criticism from members of the community before an official announcement has been made by the Trustees. It may be of interest to the people who have contacted Father Lawrence personally, that his pastoral gifts, erudition and preaching have significantly increased numbers in the congregation at St. Michael’s since his arrival. There is now a thriving Sunday School whose numbers are growing; his sermons are fascinating, stimulating, relevant and brilliantly delivered; he has a plan for the fundraising and the restoration of one of the most beautiful and historically relevant buildings in the town, a plan that will, when complete, put the church on the map and encourage more visitors into the centre of town, which in turn will help with the rejuvenation of a nationally and very publicly recognised economically depressed area. Indeed, his plans have been seen and approved by the Diocesan Advisory Committee. Their judgement was that the realisation of the plans will see St. Michael’s as one of the most outstanding examples of a medieval church in the county, if not the country. He is unfazed by the amount of fundraising necessary and has personally taken the lead on the fundraising team. Great Torrington should recognise the wonderful privilege they have been given by Father Lawrence in agree ing to be the incumbent at St. Michael’s. He is an exceptional and greatly talented man, a brilliant pastor and a wonderful preacher. He has a natural affinity with people. His congregation love him and support him completely. He is unfazed by the need to raise a very large sum to help restore the Church to its former glory. He sees the long term benefit this could have on the town and the environs. His congregation share his vision. I extend an invitation to the people of Great Torrington, especially those who have written to Father Lawrence on the subject of the Denys Yonge Foundation but who have not yet taken the opportunity of experiencing a service at St. Michael’s. Please come to St. Michael’s on any Sunday at 10am. Experience the beauty of the sung mass, (which stirs the soul every time it is heard). Listen to Father Lawrence’s inspiring, thought provoking, sometimes funny and often extremely moving sermons, and enjoy the warmth o f the congregation. You will be very welcome. Paula Dormer

Disbursement of EPC Monies Briefly – I worked at EPC as your Devon County Council’s Community Education Tutor for 20 years, responsible for youth work, adult education and community development – for town and village. So, understanding our community; the 1939 conveyance of EPC and its objectives; but more specifically the eventual loss of the centre’s facilities to a wide range of youth groups th roughout the town, I fail utterly to understand how the ‘trustees’ (persons having other’s funds in trust – to use morally and ethically ) can interpret that the disbursement of the sale money should go to anywhere specific without prior consultation. From the Church website I gather Father Lawrence has over the past 18 months ‘watched and listened to the community’ a nd therefore understands, without further or direct consultation, what we as a community, especially the young, actually need. I am equally amazed at how John Downing in his letter to the May Crier, can interpret from the 1939 conveyance, that ‘This building (EPC) was owned by Torrington Parish Church’. This is not the interpretation many senior Torritonians of long standing put on this important point, leave alone the conveyance document wording. Although retired and living in ‘the parishes’, I attended the meeting recently called by the mayor where a very large range of those working with young people of the community ALL expressed their anger and concern over this matter, and further, highlighted the staggering need for a good youth meeting venue –a youth and sports centre for example. I would sincerely ask the Trustees to meet with this newly formed group and fully discuss the community’s needs. Finally, wi ll anyone want to use this ‘palace’ of a Church? Will it be available every evening for the local girl guides, the boxing club and so forth – just two youth groups currently with little or poor facilities? The Parish Church is not ‘the greatest asset of our community’, its people are! Keith Hughes

To the Torrington Townsfolk I have lived in Torrington for nearly 40 years and consider it to be my home. There have been many times when I have praised this quiet market town, with its friendly welcoming community of people. I have seen this town regenerate itself and capitalise on its Cavalier history, making it a tourist attraction. The Parish Church is a central piece in this historical story of 1646. Duri ng the summer months tourists visit both the town and the church because of this Cavalier history. The church building itself is in a poor state and in need of much essential structural repairs. The Restoration Project will enhance this asset to the town, making it a beautiful place to visit and find peace and tranquillity. Indeed many people visit church es all over the country for their history and architecture. The Parish Church here is used by the local community throughout the year for weddings, christenings and funerals (sadly these are frequent). The money from the Denys Young Trust belongs to the Parish Church, but they have donated £25,000 from the sale of the Eric Palmer Centre to the Infant School, towards the education of the children in this town. They wish to use the rest for this es sential Restoration Project. The Eric Palmer Centre was formerly Bluecoat Primary VC School and the building was owned by the Parish Church. Margaret Brown and a small band of vociferous people appear to suggest that their views represent everyone in Torrington, but in my opinion, this is not the case. Come on people of Torrington; show me that you care about your local history; that you care about your Parish Church; show me that you still welcome new people who come to live in our community. Terry Insull

Charlotte Evans - May Crier I read with delight the contribution from Charlotte Evans concerning May Fair which appeared in the last edition of the Crier. It was written with such an enthusiasm for the town and for the celebration itself that one could not help but feel that this time- honoured tradition will not die if there are young folk like Charlotte around. I am a comparative ‘newcomer’ - I witnessed my first May Fair in 1976 - but it filled me with pride to read this testament to Torrington, this town I am pleased to call my home. May I suggest that an abridged version of Charlotte’s piece appear in next year’s May Fair Programme - then whatever the weather on the day itself, we will be justly reminded that keeping this tradition alive is worthwhile and an essential element in any plans for the town’s future. Stephanie Easton

The Denys Yonge Educational Foundation Regarding John Downing’s claim in the previous issue of the Crier that the ‘Denys Yonge Trust’ as he chooses to call it, is “a church-based charity… and this is why the majority of the funds will be used for the repair and restoration of the Parish Church”. The ‘Denys Yonge Educational Foundation’ (to give it it’s correct title) was founded by Fr. Denys Yonge in 1823 “to further the schooling in the town”, it may be church-based, but that does not mean it is for the benefit of the church, as its listing on the Charity Commission website makes clear: 306922 - The Denys Yonge Educational Foundation Assistance towards maintenance of Great Torrington Blue Coat Church of England School. (a) assisting pupils in education other than elementary. (b) making arrangements for attending to health or physical condition of children attending public elementa ry schools. (c) otherwise promoting education, including social and physical training of boys and girls of poorer classes. It appears to be Mr Downing who is ‘misinformed’ about the purpose of the trust. Phil Butcher

For GCSE, Year 10 had to write a story, in two hour timed conditions, in which dialogue was a key feature. Here is Sam’s.

Cold. The boy was cold. His hands were cold. His feet were cold. His insides were cold. The boy opened his eyes. What he saw through this dreary vision was a field of grey. Everything was grey. The thick stone walls were grey, as was the stone floor. His clothes were uniform grey. He was in a room, a small room that was barely big enough to swing a cat – or a mouse! As the boy got up, he saw the green metal door which stood at the end like a guard. He went to a stainless steel basin and washed his face and neck. His movements seem repetitive and ritual like. He felt a presence in the room – a familiar presence. The boy sighed with exhaustion, and then softly said, “Go away.” The words seemed repeated and strained. A voice in the darkness replied arrogantly, “Go away? Now just where am I supposed to go?” “I don’t care. Anywhere but here, you’ve caused enough trouble.” The boy said defensively, raising his voice with every word, he continued, “You’re the reason I’m in this mess.” “Now, now. We both know that’s not true.” “What are you talking about? I saw you.” The boy said furiously. He whispered, “You were the one who . . .did it.” He cringed the last two words. “I had no choice, just like I had no choice every time you got yourself in trouble, hurt or running away from something. There was always me who would help you, just as it should be.” The voice said these words defensively as it stepped out of the shadows. The voice was a man – a young man. He was tall, skinny, with pale skin and dark glasses on his face. “Well, maybe I don’t need your help anymore.” The boy spoke aggressively, approaching the young man territorially. “Hah, just because you’re in this place you think you’re all big time now.” The young man pushed the boy down onto the stone floor with surprising ease. The boy lay on the ground, close to angry tears, broken. “You always thought you were the hard one between us.” The boy wept. “Well, clearly I am, and don’t think you don’t need my help any more. You’ve always needed my help, again and again. Always have. Always will.” “Name one time.” The boy already regretted his words, but refused to be silent. “Like, remember the time you got in that fight with that Year ten kid?” “So?” The boy looked away. “I didn’t need you.” “You were Year 8 and he broke your nose and two of your ribs!” “I could’ve handled it.” The boy got back up. “You could’ve handled it as much as I could’ve stood there and watched!” “So, now you are about me all of a sudden.” The boy looked angry, showing the young man his back. “You’ve never really cared about me Billy.” “Of course I care about you. I always will; we’re brothers aren’t we?” Billy looked defensive, and proud, hurt. “Even so, why do you always have to get involved?” The boy turned around and squared up to Billy, “If you’d just not got involved and stayed out of it, I wouldn’t be here!” He shouted the end out with disgust and fury. “Yes,” Billy said softly, “But you’d be dead.” “You don’t even know that, you didn’t know what he was going to do to me.” “Yes,” Billy approached his brother and laid an understanding hand on his shoulder. The boy shoved it away. “Yes I did know. I saw the exact same thing with me.” Billy continued. “But still, that doesn’t excuse what you did. Our own Dad, for God’s sake.” The boy said the last sentence as though shocked that it was coming out of his mouth. “I couldn’t let him do to you what he had done to me, and besides, it was a chance to get one back at him for what that bastard did to me.” Billy spat out the sentence with distaste. “So that’s why I’m here, your personal revenge?” “No. No, you don’t understand, that’s not the reason – it was always about you.” “That’s not what it sounds like to me.” The boy stormed away from Billy. “Anyway,” he continued, “It can’t have been that bad what he did to you. I mean, you’re still here.” “You still don’t remember what happened to you?” Billy said. “Remember what?” The boy said, partially interested. “Remember my accident.” No words came to the boy’s mouth this time. Silent emptiness across the cell. “What do you mean?” The boy finally whispered, knowing deeply what was to come. “Look around, really look. This room is tiny, not built for two.” “So, doesn’t mean nothing.” “Look at that single bed, and the single toilet. Just one!” “No. No, you’re wrong.” The boy screamed. He lashed out at his brother, punching him hard square in the face. Billy knew this was coming, retaliating with equal force, hitting the boy in the ribs. The boy tackled Billy to the ground, holding him down with a tight embrace. The two brothers lay on the floor in an endless struggle. Punching, kicking and hitting, to try to get the upper hand. John Wiseman sat quietly in his office. He was fat. His fat face stretched and smoothed his skin. His obese belly stretched his grey uniform. His flabby bottom tested his office chair’s strength as if it were a weightlifter lifting something that was far too heavy for him. As John looked across the many monitors feeding him multiple images, his fifteen chins wobbled like little Christmas baubles. He was, for the twentieth time that day, eating doughnuts. Yes, John Wiseman was a typical prison guard. He had got this office job as he had been deemed too unfit for field work. As he gazed half-heartedly at the monitors feeding him images from every cell, he noticed something strange. It was a boy, about fifteen, with dark hair and a pale complexion. He was small for his age, but stocky. The boy was talking to himself. John watched for about ten minutes, until suddenly the boy shouted at thin air. And then proceeded to punch himself in the face. The boy continued to beat himself up, then tackled himself to the ground, punching, kicking and biting himself. John knew he had to do something. He got up and walked over to the phone at the end of his desk, the sheer effort putting him into an exhausted stance, and rang a number. “Hello.” He panted. “We’ve got a problem. It’s that James Howler kid. Yeah, we need to take him out of his cell.” He then hung up. John dragged himself back to his little chair, he seemed pleased with himself. He sat down, and the office chair snapped in pieces. James and Billy Howler proceeded to struggle relentlessly on the floor. “Enough!” Billy shouted and pushed James away. “Stop it!” This isn’t helping you. You need to face facts and understand.” “No!” James shouted. “I refuse to believe you’re not here.” “Come on now.” Billy pleaded. “You’ve always known.” “No. No, no, no. No! If you’re not here, then where are you?” James said accusingly. “You know that as well.” Billy softly spoke. “No, it can’t be.” James was no longer close to tears, instead large droplets rolled down his cheeks. “Say it.” “No.” “SAY IT!” Billy shouted. “It was our dad.” “Yes James, now you understand what happened, why you killed our father. Through you, he got our revenge.” Shouts and noises came from behind the green door, like a growl from a predator. Billy spoke, “Do you hear that? They’re coming for you. They’re going to take you away.” James’s tears rolled like waterfalls down his face. He wept pleadingly, “Please don’t leave me!” The door opened, a breath of light burst in. Men charged in, grumbling hard, ignoring Billy. To them, Billy wasn’t there. “Please don’t leave me!” James shouted as men dragged him out of the cell. “I won’t.” Sam Gilbert, Year 10

Me Blue eyes, brown hair. Drawing is my talent. That’s me and that’s that. Playing football in my Nike shoes. Red, white, blue, That’s my t-shirt. That’s my flag. Football! Support Liverpool. I have the need for speed. Cameran MacDonald, Year 7

ME, ME AND ME… Green Day top Black Converse Love music Brass instrument Leather football Man U fan! Quick sprinter Hate long distance Bolt in training! Love the camera Big poser! Matthew Priest, Year 7

Welcome to the new Parish News section of The Crier. We have received funding from Devon County Council and Torridge District Council in conjunction with Beaford and Little Torrington Parish Councils, to enable us to provide this space. Please send any news to [email protected], call 01805 603152 or drop in to the Library, thank you.

BEAFORD Coronation Day Celebration On Sunday 2nd June there will be a 60th year anniversary celebration of Coronation Day with a ‘Bring and Share Tea’ at Springfield. There will be a raffle and tombola, to raise funds for ‘Caterpillars’ toddler group. Donations will be gratefully received. Beaford Village Hall At the May monthly meeting there was an in-depth discussion about ways to maintain the essential income for the upkeep of the Village Hall. To keep it in its pristine condition, and make improvements as necessary, new initiatives were considered to generate income through letting of the hall, with all the facilities, and fundraising events. To this end the committee will start holding craft/homemade/handmade/home-grown produce sales in conjunction with the monthly coffee mornings. These are held on the first Saturday of every month at 10.30am. Anyone, or groups, interested in booking a table for this kind of event, at a maximum cost of £5 should contact the treasurer, Rebecca Rogers: [email protected] , Anita Heard on 01805 603212 or Joan Lovell on 01805 603256. There is also a £20 ‘Special Offer’ to hire the hall for children’s birthday parties. A website, beafordvillagehall.co.uk, is about to be commissioned and the email address is: [email protected].

BUCKLAND BREWER Concert Tuesday 18th June - Concert at Buckland Brewer Methodist Chapel at 8pm with ‘Vocal Accord’, an a cappella group from the Barnstaple area. Refreshments afterwards. The cost, which includes refreshments, will be £5 for an entry programme which are available on the door, and is in aid of Buckland Brewer Methodist & Parish Church. Buckland Brewer Under Fives As we are a voluntary organisation our committee of parents organise fundraisers to raise money for the pre-school. The money raised enables us to buy new equipment, whether that’s paper and paint or something larger like bikes and scooters. On Saturday 22nd June 7.30pm in the village hall our committee is staging a version of ‘Mr & Mrs’. We have ‘The Sweet Window’ folks (Si & Laura) as our glamorous hosts, and local couples as contestants. I think it is going to be a great night of laughter and innuendo that shouldn’t be missed. We are selling tickets to watch the show for £5 each, which includes a Mediterranean buffet. There will be a bar available as well!! If you would like to buy a ticket either come to the pre-school (Mon–Fri 8.45am–2pm) e-mail [email protected] or go to Buckland Brewers local sweetie shop ‘The Sweet Window’. Come along and join in the fun and entertainment and lets all have a fabulous night out.

HUNTSHAW Flower Festival at St Mary Magdalene Parish Church, Huntshaw

22nd & 23rd June 2013 The Doomsday Book of William I provides the first written record of Huntshaw. The Anglican stone-built, grade II listed church is set amongst the beautiful rolling landscape of Huntshaw and dates back to the early 14th century. Records show building was in progress during Bishop Lacy’s office in Exeter between the years of 1420-1458 when the nave was rebuilt and the west tower was added. These would have only been additions to the existing church as mention is made of “Ecclesia de Honchaue” in the Taxation of Pope Nicolas IV in 1288-1291 at 40 shillings. Mention is also made of the church during the reign of Edward III in the record of the inquisitions. As one walks around this ancient church there are many links to its past, the beautiful painted glass windows, the carving on the timber supporting the roof of the nave, and the very rare stone carving of the gymnast at the capital of one of the pillars. The Parish is holding a Flower Festival to raise funds to secure the future of this church within our community, and refreshments will be provided. The main displays will be depicting the biblical “I am” statements made by Jesus. Saturday and Sunday 22nd-23rd June 2013 10am-4.30pm Morning coffee/lunches/afternoon teas will be for sale. All donations will be gladly accepted. We look forward to seeing you and hope you enjoy not only the church but also the beautiful flowers displayed. Extracts of the church’s history were taken from Short Notes of Huntshaw by H.L.Franklin of Exeter College, Oxford.

MERTON Singing at Merton It is just about six months now since this group started meeting every other Wednesday at 7.30pm at the Clinton Hall. Over the course of nine meetings we have sung nearly 50 different songs and that excludes the ‘Ice Breakers’ and the Christmas Carols and Christmas songs! There is a core of members from Merton and also Petrockstowe but we are always keen to welcome new people. It is very friendly and good fun and costs only £3. Whilst the emphasis is on enjoyment, better breathing techniques and attention to phrasing and expression have meant that everyone has improved their singing but the main thing is just to enjoy an hour singing with like-minded people. Why not come along and join us and see for yourself? Merton History Group Last meeting members were fascinated to hear about Brian and Janet Nancekivel’s lives. Janet regaled us with reminiscences of life at home in Bradworthy serving in the family grocers shop, where you had to cut the cheese to the size asked and serve customers individually, and on the farm at Merton, where in those early days without a fridge the Sunday joint would be hung in the well to keep it cool in the summer. Brian told us about the farm and changes in Merton since they came here 50 years ago - there were 27 other farms in Merton at that time! Next meeting June 14th Visit to Annery Kiln Sea Lock has been arranged. Merton Friendship Club Our April meeting was attended by 17 members who came to listen to a very interesting and informative talk given by Mr Nick Oliver from St John’s Garden Centre, Barnstaple. A wide variety of plants were on display. Our next meeting is on Wednesday 5th June – A talk on the Roadford Reservoir We welcome new members so please just come along or if you wish more information please contact Christine Wickett on 01805 603258. All meetings are held in the Clinton Hall on the first Wednesday of the month and commence at 2pm. Rainbow Preschool Our toddler group runs on a Friday 10.30-12noon and we welcome all families or carers with under fives. For more information on the preschool please email [email protected].

ST GILES IN THE WOOD Wedding Memories From 1930s to Present Sat 29th Sun 30th June St Giles in Wood Parish Church. Memories of weddings from 1930s to the present, with flowers, photographs and dresses displayed. Open 10.30am to 4.30pm Lunches & teas available.

WEARE GIFFARD Weare Giffard Fete The Weare Giffard Fete will be held at the village cricket ground on Saturday 27th July 2013; starting at 2pm. There is plenty of parking adjacent to the ground. The fete includes music, beer tent/family bar, BBQ, cream teas, cake stall; also ferret racing, skittles, coconut shy and lots more. Come along with the family and enjoy a fun afternoon with a variety of good food and drink available. Entrance: 50p for adults, Children Free! Weare Giffard Art Exhibition This is a tribute exhibition in memory of our art teacher, Sheila Scoular who died earlier this year. Dates: Friday 21 st June, Saturday 22nd June, Sunday 23rd June 10am - 5.30pm each day at Weare Giffard Village Hall. Admission free, with homemade refreshments available - free - donations to go to Cancer Research UK. Volunteering at The Plough One of the reasons that I chose to come and live in Torrington was The Plough Arts Centre. Having visited Torrington for over 20 years to stay with friends we had been to The Plough for various gigs and films and had always thought what a wonderful dynamic place it was even though we were living in London and had no end of opportunities for entertainment. Once I had settled here I began to steward films and met lots of lovely people at the monthly meetings. When I retired I then became far more involved and now work in the marketing department for one or two days a week. The Plough always needs volunteers. I would encourage anybody with some spare time to come along and join in with helping to keep The Plough flourishing. There are always jobs to be done e.g. maintenance; mailings which take place three times a year; work in the marketing area; bar and cafe work and stewarding films. I was given a warm welcome by all the staff and The Plough always shows its appreciation for your hard work. Why not come along and meet a lovely bunch of people in a great setting with lots of exciting events. Liz Clinch

RSPCA Pet Retreat Appeal One of the many things the RSPCA does to help animals is called Pet Retreat. This is to help people who are being abused by their partners but who can’t take their pet with them into sheltered housing, and who are often being emotionally blackmailed to stay with their partners, out of fear that their pet will be harmed (sadly, often they are). Pet Retreat looks for people to foster pets until the owner is in a secure new location where pets are allowed, usually up to six months. See contact details below and please give details to anyone you think might be interested in helping, or indeed who might need help themselves. We are currently inundated with a record number of pleas for help from families who are escaping domestic abuse and asking for someone to care for their pets. Call: 0300 123 8278 Email: [email protected]

Northern Devon Sustainable Energy Fair Bideford Pannier Market is preparing to host the first Sustainable Energy Fair that our region has ever held. The event to raise money to combat fuel poverty, is being organised by the voluntary organisation Northern Devon Sustainable Energy. The organisation’s mission is to tackle fuel poverty through energy efficiency and provide training and work experience in energy efficiency installations, for under 25s needing help to get into the jobs market. The Fair has already attracted the attention of businesses small and large, with numerous exhibitors already signed up. There are a vast array of businesses from the small electric Bike Hire company from Torrington, to the Green Deal Installations from Ilfracombe showing the innovative and widespread support the Fair already has. If you are interested in anything from electric cars, solar panels, heat pumps, anaerobic digesters, wood burners and all forms of insulation, then the fair will have something for you. The Sustainable Energy Fair is set to bring 100s of visitors to the town on the 16th and 17th of June, which is a great opportunity for Bideford to show its strengths and beauty. Throughout the two days, talks have been arranged and topics range from low carbon growing and farming, to renewable energy for homes. These interesting and thought provoking talks are set to both inspire, but also enable you to enhance your understanding of what you can do to reduce your reliance on fossil fuels rapidly rising in price. With so much happening we are also welcoming volunteers to help organise and steward during the fair. If you would like more information about the Fair, to become involved, book a stall or volunteer to steward please call us on 01237 477 852 or email [email protected]. Let’s begin to make the change and help resolve fuel poverty for good.

Fight the Fleas! During the last few months your local veterinary practice has seen an increasing number of fleas on family pets. Fleas are one of the most common parasites to be found on dogs and cats. Only the adult flea lives on your pet. It feeds on your pet’s blood and will then lay hundreds of eggs. These eggs drop off into the environment i.e. carpets and bedding, and larvae hatch from the eggs. These larvae will eventually develop into adult fleas which then jump back onto your pet and the cycle will start again. Most pets will experience some skin irritation from flea bites but if your pet is allergic to flea bites, they will be very i tchy, have inflamed and possibly infected skin. Fleas are also an intermediate host for some tapeworms so your pet could become infected with tapeworms if fleas are accidently swallowed when grooming. Fleas can be successfully controlled by treating both your pet and its environment with effective produc ts which kill the adult and the immature fleas. Call in to your local veterinary centre and we can give you advice on the best products to use to combat flea problems.

World Book Night at Torrington Library The Library’s event was held on Tuesday evening 23rd April with tea, coffee and nibbles on offer. A good selection of WBN Free books were given away. The selection included: Josephine Hart’s Damage, Jeanette Winterson’s Why be happy when you could be normal, Jackie Kay’s Red Dust Road, R L Stevenson’s Treasure Island, Jasper Ffordes’s The Eyre Affair and Rose Tremain’s The Road Home. Thank you to other WBN ‘givers’ who chose to use the library as their giving location which increased the number and range of titles available. Book Groups – are you interested? A reading group is a great way of sharing the love of reading and inspiring one to try something different. Devon Libraries offer a range of resources to support reading groups including a membership pack containing ideas on getting started and running a group, and hints and tips for discussions, FREE reservations on more than 300 reading group book sets, extended borrowing of up to eight weeks, friendly staff to recommend books and our reading group website to help choose books from our ‘Choice’ list. As hoped we had many enquiries on WBN regarding setting up or being part of a book/reading group with many individuals from the district keen to be part of a group. If you could not come along to the event but are interested in joi ning or setting up a group, as an individual or with a couple of friends, please contact me at the Library and I will help connect you with other potential book group members. Kate Greaves Library Supervisor 01805 622107 [email protected] www.devon.gov.uk/index/cultureheritage/libraries/booktalk/readinggroups.htm

Churchill’s Secret Army Granted Parade With Cenotaph March Past Members of one of the most secret organisations of the Second World War have been granted permission to take part in the annual Remembrance Day Cenotaph march past by the Royal British Legion. This follows a campaign undertaken by the Coleshill Auxiliary Research Team (CART), the researchers behind the British Resistance Archive. The Auxiliary Units were groups of civilian volunteers, who during this country’s darkest days in World War Two answered Churchill’s call and volunteered to ‘stay behind’ in the event of a German invasion. They were to disrupt and where possible destroy the enemy’s supply chain and reserve troops, ‘deal’ with collaborators and take out strategic targets within their local areas. Every member signed the Official Secrets Act and never told families and friends about what they were up to – many taking their secret to the grave. Auxiliary Units were highly trained and well equipped and would literally go underground in the event of an invasion and strike at targets from their operational bases, buried beneath the British countryside. Such was the danger of their mission these volunteers had a life expectancy of just two weeks after the invasion. Due to the secrecy of their mission, the Auxiliary Unit members have never, before today, been granted any official recognition. With so few veterans remaining, this year’s march is the last chance the country will have to t hank these brave men for the sacrifice they were prepared to make for us. Many of these veterans were in reserved occupations during the war and they could not join the regular forces to do their bit – however when the call came they did not hesitate to join what essentially would have been a suicide mission to confront the enemy invader. Thankfully the invasion never came. There were five North Devon Patrols including Torrington, Bideford, Braunton, Tawstock and Snapper. If anyone has any information on the Patrols, their underground bases or if there are any veterans or veteran’s families who may wish to march please contact our Devon researcher Nina Hannaford on 01803 852977 or [email protected].

Diary

A Listing of Community, Social and Fundraising Events in the Torrington and Surrounding District Areas.

June 2013

Saturday 1st Pannier Market every Sat 8am–4pm Farmers Market 1st Sat of every month 9am-3pm @ 1646, Kate 01805 626146 or 07596 742 909. Food Bank 10am-12pm every Sat @ Castle Hill, (1st floor) Torrington Exhibition Mary Chugg - New Paintings on until 29th June @ The Plough Torridge Ramblers day walk ring 01598-760419 Hatchmoor Nursing Home Summer Fayre 2pm-4pm lots of stalls & Raffle St Michael’s Church Organ concert 7.30pm Film The Croods (U) 11am @ The Plough Film ‘Broken’ (15) 8pm @ The Plough Music The Ukulele Orchestra of GB 8pm @ RHS Rosemoor

Sunday 2nd Commons Conservator Boot Sale on Old Bowling Green, 8am-1pm, £5 pitch, every Sunday till 29th Sept. for details 07840 105 355 Catholic Church of the Holy Family – Mass every Sun 9.15am Baptist Church Family service 10.30am St. Michael’s Church 10am Sung Mass Ignatius Sunday Club in upper room The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints meet @ Bideford College Abbotsham Rd, Bideford, EX39 3AR Sunday Sacrament service at 11.50am-1pm Torrington Community Church Bluecoat Inf Sch every Sun Karen 01805 622866 Torrington Methodist Church 10.30am Rev Peter Whatton 6.30pm Rev Ken Morgan Holy Communion Family Fun Day & Dog Show Braunton Recreation Ground, entries 11.30am events start 12noon entry free, loads to do proceeds to K9Focus dog rescue Film ‘Village at the End of the World’ (NC) 3pm @ The Plough Theatre Illyria: ‘Babe the Sheep Pig’ 5pm @ Castle Hill, Filleigh Film ‘Broken’ (15) 8pm @ The Plough

Monday 3rd Mini Mover Dance Session for under 5’s 9.30-10.30am @ High Bickington Community Centre Little Frogs sessions Mon – Fri 8.45am-3.45pm term time, Gas Lane, Torrington, contact - 07870 509 674 Little Tadpoles stay & play session £1.50 every Mon term time 9.30-11.30am at Scout Hall 01805 622747 Short Mat Bowls 2-4pm every Mon @ High Bickington Community Centre Singing for Fun 7.30-8.30pm @ High Bickington Community Centre 1st Torrington Rainbows at Torrington Rugby Club every Monday term time 6.15-7.15pm Linda Searle 01237 451302 1st Torrington Brownies at Torrington Baptist Hall every Mon term time 6pm-7.30pm Leanne Wade 01271 377094 Torrington Seniors, at Torrington Rugby Club every Mon term time 7.30-9pm Sandra Nevard 07729 065 556 Zumba Pollyfields E-the-Water 6.30-7.30pm 1st Torrington Scout Group at Scout Hall every Mon term Time 7.30-9.00pm Peter 01409 281246 Torrington Silver Band practice Mon & Weds 8-9.30pm @ Howe Concert Hall Nick Megson 01805 622150 Cash Bingo TVSC 7.30pm every Mon

Tuesday 4th New Market in the Pannier Market on 9am-4pm new stall holders reqd. looking for crafts, foods, books jewellery, clothes, Kate 01805 626146 or 07596 742 909. Hobbies Arts & Crafts Group Langtree Parish Hall every Tues 10.30-12.30pm £1.50 inc tea & coffee Sylvie 01805 601485 Food Bank 10am-12pm every Tues @ Baptist Church 1st Torrington Guides at Torrington Rugby Club every Tues 7-8.30pm Linda Masterson 01805 623212 1st Torrington Beavers and Cubs at Scout Hut, Gas Lane Tuesdays during term time 5.00pm - 6.30pm, Jon Ashton 01409 281246. Spiritual Healing every Tues. 3-4.30pm & 7-9pm. Frithelstockstone 01805 622883 Youth Club for 11+ 5-7pm @High Bickington Community Centre Badminton Club every Tues 7-8pm Juniors, Adults 8-9pm @ High Bickington Community Centre 01769 561387 Zumba GTS Gym 8-9pm Film ‘Village at the End of the World’ (NC) 8pm @ The Plough

Wednesday 5th St Michael’s Church Said Mass 8.30am in St James Chapel Little Tadpoles stay & play session (only £1.50) every Wed term time 1-3pm Scout Hall. Contact 01805 622747 Parkinson’s UK Torridge Branch monthly coffee morning every 1st Wed of the month 10.30am -12.30pm @ Phase 1 Common Room, Ethelwynne Brown Close, East the Water Bideford Short Tennis @ High Bickington Community Centre 4.30-5.30pm for 5+ 3rd Torrington Brownies at Torrington Baptist Hall, every Wed term time 6.30-8.00pm Shirley Lee 01805 625965 Free English Course for Adults every Weds 6.30-8.30pm @ The Plough. Learn the basics or aim towards L2(GCSE=) qualification. Rosemary Dymond 01237 472462 Langtree Reunites Netball Club High 5 training (sch yrs 3-6) 6-7pm, Junior training (sch yrs 7-9) every Weds 7-8pm evening (Juniors 7-8pm and Seniors 8-9.30pm) @ Torrington sports hall. Visit www.langtreereunites.hitsnetball.co.uk Devon Sensory Bus 11am-3pm @ South St, Car Park Zumba High Bickington Community Hall 7.30-8.30pm Film ‘The Gatekeepers’ (15) 8pm @ The Plough

Thursday 6th Pannier General Market every Thurs 8am–5pm St Michael’s Church 10.30am Said Mass in St James Chapel followed by Walsingham Cell in vicarage 6.30pm Choir practice Little Fishes Toddler Group at Baptist Church every Thurs term time 9.30am -11.30am £1.50 per family. Wendy 01805 623214 Short Mat Bowls 2-4pm every Thurs @ High Bickington Community Centre Rosemary Conley Diet & Fitness Class at Scout Hall, Gas Lane 6.30-7.45pm every Thurs. Wendy 01237 424787 Slimming World Join us at TVSC every Thurs at 5.30 & 7.30pm Bev Roberts 01805 624955 Writers Poets and Listeners 7.30pm at the Plough Summer Fayre 2pm -3.30pm in Methodist Hall, plenty of stalls, £1 entry includes refreshments, all welcome Film ‘Good Vibrations’ (15) 8pm @ The Plough

Friday 7th St Michael’s Church Said Mass 8.30am in St James Chapel Pannier Market every Fri 8am-5pm Allsorts Childrens’ Club at Bluecoat Infants Sch every Fri 6.30-8pm sch yrs 1-6 Morag 01805 625510 Allsorts Plus Young Persons’ Club at Bluecoat Sch every Fri 8-9pm yrs 6-9 Morag 01805 625510 Music ‘Black Heart Folk Duo’ 8pm @ Umberleigh Village Hall, doors open 7pm Bar open,tickets £10 on 01769 540644. Ploughmans supper available £5 Poetry Jim Causley: The Poetry of Charles Causley 8pm @ The Plough Art on Friday 10.30am at the Plough, every Friday everyone welcome.

Saturday 8th Taddiport Tea Dance 2-4pm Doug 01805 622648 or Beryl 01805 624294 Car Boot Sale Chulmleigh Playing Field 2pm in aid of Wembworthy Church. Cars £5, Vans £6 01769 580241 Theatre Hidden Pearl: Call me Merman 8pm @ The Plough National Garden Scheme open garden East Woodlands Farmhouse 5 miles NE of Great Torrington, 5 miles south of Barnstaple off the B3232 at Windmill Cross along one mile of single track road. Post Code EX31 3PP, also Sunday 9th June 2 -5pm. Entry fee £3.50

Sunday 9th St. Michael’s Church 10.30am Sung Mass Ignatius Mouse Sunday Club in upper room 7.30pm Concert Crispin Steele-Perkins trumpeter Torrington Methodist Church 10.30am Rev Peter Bolt 6.30pm Rev Meg Slingo Cream Teas @ Netherne, Yarnscombe £4 in aid of St Andrews Church 2.30pm onwards Film ‘The Spirit of 45’ (U) 8pm @ The Plough

Monday 10th Garden Party at Northam Library. Plant and seed sale, free afternoon tea and new books to borrow. 2-4pm

Tuesday 11th Film ‘Stage Combat’ with Mark Ruddick 7-9pm @ The Plough

Wednesday 12th St Michael’s Church Said Mass 8.30am in St James Chapel Gt.Torrington Care Forum at the Early Years Centre Lunch 11.45am -12.25pm Forum 12.30pm-1.30pm

Thursday 13th St Michael’s Church Said Mass 10.30am in St James Chapel 6.30pm Choir practice Memory Cafe 10.30-12.30pm @ The Plough Plough Community Theatre: Lark Rise @ The Vicarage Garden, 7pm Poetry Open Mouth Poetry Night 8pm @ The Plough

CRIER COPY DEADLINE for ‘JULY 2013’ by 12 noon today

latest please

Friday 14th St Michael’s Church Said Mass 8.30am in St James Chapel Plough Community Theatre: Lark Rise @ RHS Rosemoor 7pm

Saturday 15th Plough Community Theatre: Lark Rise 7pm @ Hartland Abbey St. Michael’s Church 7.30pm Concert Stephen Hicks Organist of Roros, Norway Film Exhibition: Manet (PG) 8pm @ The Plough

Sunday 16th St. Michael’s Church 10.30am Sung Mass Ignatius Mouse Sunday Club in upper room Torrington Methodist Church 10.30am Rev Ken Morgan Holy Communion 6.30pm Rev Stephen Hill NGS Garden Open School House Little Torrington 2-5pm homemade teas & Plants for sale Torridge Ramblers Afternoon walk ring 01237 451508 Plough Community Theatre: Lark Rise@ Castle Hill, Filleigh 7pm Film Exhibition: Manet (PG) 8pm @ The Plough Rolle Canal Walk from Loxdown Cross on the A386. Start 2.30pm. For details see article elsewhere in the Crier. Dowland Country Fair & Dog Show 1- 5pm @ Furze Park Cross Nr Winkleigh EX19 8PG Simulated Lurcher Coursing book in at 9am for a 9.30am start entry £3 adults £1 children under 5s free

Tuesday 18th Torridge Ramblers evening walk ring 01805 622183 Cribbage pairs competition @ Torrington Arms 8pm

Wednesday 19th St Michael’s Church Said Mass 8.30am in St James Chapel Royal British Legion Meeting 7pm @ Conservative Club Meeting The AGM of The Plough Arts Centre 7pm Film ‘I Wish’ (PG) 8pm @ The Plough Music Phillip Henry & Hannah Martin - Gallery Gig 8.15pm @ The Plough

Thursday 20th St Michael’s Church Said Mass 10.30am in St James Chapel 6.30pm Choir practice Studio Theatre: 8pm @ The Plough ‘The Real Inspector Hound’

Friday 21st St Michael’s Church Said Mass 8.30am in St James Chapel 6pm Christian Aid Supper: Starters Christian Aid Safari Supper (See article for details) Theatre Miracle: Waiting for Godot 7pm @ Hartland Abbey Music Folk Off Cancer 7.30pm @ The Plough

Saturday 22nd Advice Surgery with Geoffrey Cox MP. for an appointment ring 01237 459001 or email to tellgeoffrey@geoffreycox or via website www.geoffreycox.co.uk Torridge Ramblers night walk ring 01237 429080 Film ‘The Eye of the Storm’ (12A) 8pm @ The Plough Flower Festival at St Mary Magdalene Parish Church, Huntshaw 22nd & 23rd June 10am -4.30pm

Sunday 23rd St. Michael’s Church 10.30am Sung Mass Ignatius Mouse Sunday Club in upper room Torrington Methodist Church 10.30am Mrs Elsie Potter 6.30pm Bideford Circuit Service Torrington Triathlon starts 8am @ Torrington Swimming Pool, for info go to www.1610.org.uk Film ‘The Eye of the Storm’ (12A) 8pm @ The Plough

Monday 24th Music Brubecks Play Brubeck 8pm @ The Plough

Tuesday 25th Film ‘Star Trek: Into Darkness’ 8pm @ The Plough

Wednesday 26th St Michael’s Church Said Mass 8.30am in St James Chapel Rolle Canal Walk starts 2.30pm from Loxdown Cross on A368 (see article) Film ‘Home’ (12A) 8pm @ The Plough

Thursday 27th St Michael’s Church Said Mass 10.30am in St James Chapel 6.30pm Choir practice Music Roholio @ St Annes, Barnstaple 8pm Film ‘Star Trek: Into Darkness’ 8pm @ The Plough

Friday 28th St Michael’s Church Said Mass 8.30am in St James Chapel Music ‘The Military Wives Choir’ 8pm @ RHS Rosemoor Film ‘The Great Gatsby’ (12A) 8pm @ The Plough

Saturday 29th St. Michael’s Church 7.30pm Concert : Susan Steele- Piano & Hilary Boxer- Cello Torrington Silver Band Charity Concert 7.30pm @ Howe Concert Hall to say ‘Thank you to a Friend’ Tickets @ door £5 Adults, £3 Under 16’s Theatre 5pm @ Hartland Abbey Heartbreak: Alice An Extraordinary Adventure Theatre Oh Boy! Sixties Night 8pm @ RHS Rosemoor Film ‘The Great Gatsby’ (12A) 8pm @ The Plough

Sunday 30th St. Michael’s Church 10.30am Sung Mass Ignatius Mouse Sunday Club in upper room Torrington Methodist Church 10.30am Mr John Dennis 7pm Ignite Film ‘The Great Gatsby’ (12A) 8pm @ The Plough

July 2013

Monday 1st Mini Mover Dance Session for under 5’s 9.30-10.30am @ High Bickington Community Centre Little Frogs sessions Mon – Fri 8.45am-3.45pm term time, Gas Lane, Torrington, contact - 07870 509 674 Little Tadpoles stay & play session £1.50 every Mon term time 9.30-11.30am at Scout Hall 01805 622747 Short Mat Bowls 2-4pm every Mon @ High Bickington Community Centre Singing for Fun 7.30-8.30pm @ High Bickington Community Centre 1st Torrington Rainbows at Torrington Rugby Club every Monday term time 6.15-7.15pm Linda Searle 01237 451302 1st Torrington Brownies at Torrington Baptist Hall every Mon term time 6pm -7.30pm Leanne Wade 01271 377094 Torrington Seniors, at Torrington Rugby Club every Mon term time 7.30-9pm Sandra Nevard 07729 065 556 Zumba Pollyfields E-the-Water 6.30-7.30pm 1st Torrington Scout Group at Scout Hall every Mon term Time 7.30-9.00pm Peter 01409 281246 Torrington Silver Band practice Mon & Weds 8-9.30pm @ Howe Concert Hall Nick Megson 01805 622150 Cash Bingo TVSC 7.30pm every Mon Tuesday 2nd New Market in the Pannier Market on 9am-4pm new stall holders reqd. looking for crafts, foods, books jewellery, clothes, Kate 01805 626146 or 07596 742 909. Hobbies Arts & Crafts Group Langtree Parish Hall every Tues 10.30-12.30pm £1.50 inc tea & coffee Sylvie 01805 601485 Food Bank 10am-12pm every Tues @ Baptist Church 1st Torrington Guides at Torrington Rugby Club every Tues 7-8.30pm Linda Masterson 01805 623212 1st Torrington Beavers and Cubs at Scout Hut, Gas Lane Tuesdays during term time 5pm - 6.30pm, Jon Ashton 01409 281246. Spiritual Healing every Tues. 3-4.30pm & 7-9pm. Frithelstockstone 01805 622883 Youth Club for 11+ 5-7pm @High Bickington Community Centre Badminton Club every Tues 7-8pm Juniors, Adults 8-9pm @ High Bickington Community Centre 01769 561387 Zumba GTS Gym 8-9pm

Wednesday 3rd St Michael’s Church Said Mass 8.30am in St James Chapel Little Tadpoles stay & play session (only £1.50) every Wed term time 1-3pm Scout Hall. Contact 01805 622747 Parkinson’s UK Torridge Branch monthly coffee morning every 1st Wed of the month 10.30am -12.30pm @ Phase 1 Common Room, Ethelwynne Brown Close, East the Water Bideford Short Tennis @ High Bickington Community Centre 4.30-5.30pm for 5+ 3rd Torrington Brownies at Torrington Baptist Hall, every Wed term time 6.30-8.00pm Shirley Lee 01805 625965 Free English Course for Adults every Weds 6.30-8.30pm @ The Plough. Learn the basics or aim towards L2(GCSE=) qualification. Rosemary Dymond 01237 472462 Langtree Reunites Netball Club High 5 training (sch yrs 3-6) 6-7pm, Junior training (sch yrs 7-9) every Weds 7-8pm evening (Juniors 7-8pm and Seniors 8-9.30pm) @ Torrington sports hall. Visit www.langtreereunites.hitsnetball.co.uk Zumba High Bickington Community Hall 7.30-8.30pm

Thursday 4th Pannier General Market every Thurs 8am–5pm St Michael’s Church 10.30am Said Mass in St James Chapel followed by Walsingham Cell in vicarage 18.30pm Choir practice Little Fishes Toddler Group at Baptist Church every Thurs term time 9.30am -11.30am £1.50 per family. Wendy 01805 623214 Short Mat Bowls 2-4pm every Thurs @ High Bickington Community Centre Rosemary Conley Diet & Fitness Class at Scout Hall, Gas Lane 6.30-7.45pm every Thurs. Wendy 01237 424787 Slimming World Join us at TVSC every Thurs at 5.30 & 7.30pm Bev Roberts 01805 624955 Writers Poets and Listeners 7.30pm at the Plough

Friday 5th St Michael’s Church Said Mass 8.30am in St James Chapel Pannier Market every Fri 8am-5pm Allsorts Childrens’ Club at Bluecoat Infants Sch every Fri 6.30-8pm sch yrs 1-6 Morag 01805 625510 Allsorts Plus Young Persons’ Club at Bluecoat Sch every Fri 8-9pm yrs 6-9 Morag 01805 625510 Art on Friday 10.30am at the Plough, every Friday everyone welcome.

Saturday 6th St. Michael’s Church 7.30pm Concert Michael Hoeg-Organ recital Pannier General Market every Sat 8am–4pm Torridge Ramblers day walk ring 01598 760419 Farmers Market 1st Sat of every month 9am-3pm @ 1646, Kate 01805 626146 or 07596 742 909. Food Bank 10am-12pm every Sat @ Castle Hill, (1st floor) Torrington Torridge Ramblers Day walk ring 01805 622183

Sunday 7th St. Michael’s Church 10.30am Sung Mass Ignatius Mouse Sunday Club in upper room Commons Conservator Boot Sale on Old Bowling Green, 8am-1pm, £5 pitch, every Sunday till 29th Sept. for details 07840 105 355 Catholic Church of the Holy Family – Mass every Sun 9.15am Baptist Church Family service 10.30am Torrington Community Church Bluecoat Infants School every Sun Karen 01805 622866 Torrington Methodist Church 10.30am The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints meet @ Bideford College Abbotsham Rd, Bideford, EX39 3AR Sunday Sacrament service at 11.50am-1pm

A Taste of Summer – Building a Brighter Future Here at Bluecoat Children’s Centre we provide opportunities to build brighter futures and create special times together for families and their children. All our sessions are free and include many old favourites such as Bounce and Rhyme, Wiggle Bees, Baby massage, Stories Around The World, Drop-in Stay and Play, Baby Clinic, Here’s Looking at You Baby, Breastfeeding Peer Support Group, Ante-natal sessions and Awe and Wonder, Techno Tots together with some new sessions such as Bluecoat Bookclub (for parents/carers) and Bluecoat Bookworm (for children), Grow (Little Buds) and Healing Arts for those who would like to use creativity to support well-being. We also have three drop-in stay and play sessions, including one especially for twins, triplets and more on Thursdays 10am – 11.30am. We have monthly Child-minder network meeting also. So, if you are a child-minder, please feel free to come along and meet other child-minders from across the area (child-minders are welcome to attend all sessions in our centre). In addition to our regular ante-natal group sessions, we now run an ante-natal and new birth young parents group for ante- natal parents and parents with babies up to six months. This short programme will help you to become familiar with the Children’s Centre and help you to meet other new, or soon-to-be new, parents. We have many new programmes, and lots of training opportunities taking place in our centre over the next 12 months. Check out our website for all the details, or call in to collect a full annual programme. You can then let us know what you are interested in and we will contact you with the dates when they are available. Your very own personalised service! Our many outreach sessions are continuing including well-attended sessions at Winkleigh and Parkham. During the summer holidays, we will have a programme running in some of the rural villages for families and children up to 11. Check out our website for further information, and look out for our feature in next month’s Crier. We hope you enjoy the time you and your child spend here together at Bluecoat Children’s Centre. If there is any group you would like us to provide that we are not providing at this moment in time, please let us know. We hope to see you and your family at Bluecoat Children’s Centre. Kind regards, Viv Jones - Bluecoat Children’s Centre Leader and all the staff at Bluecoat Children’s Centre

Pause for Thought If you read my April ‘Pause For Thought’ it was about God giving us the desires of our hearts. Psalm 37:4. During my early teens there was only one job I wanted, it was to drive the Station Bus, which ran from Torrington Square to meet the trains at the Station, but ambitions changed and I trained as an agricultural engineer which was my trade for many years, a little different than a bus driver. As the years rolled on I felt that I was getting too old for the job, with farming changing it was getting very demanding. Amazingly through a number of circumstances too many to share on here, which again if you remember, I call God’s stepping stones, a prophecy was given to me through a verse of scripture that Father God was going to ‘lighten my yoke’, the person who gave me this also received a mental picture. Showing the bevel gearing of a grinding mill, with the sm all pinion removed, (which represented me) He was taking me out of service as an engineer. (This is a little difficult to understand for anyone not moving in the supernatural gifts of God). I took up some gardening work for local people, one day I called at a rural filling station, just as I was about to drive off the owner came rushing out, “Vern” he said, “I got just the job for you, how would you like a bus driving job? Driving the Torrington Day Centre Bus”. I accepted, after a little training I was doing my boyhood dream, and I loved every minute of it, this I did for ten years; also the bus was about the same size as the ‘Station Bus’. What a blessing! To conclude, who can say there is NO GOD? Or it’s a myth; I can share more stories like this of His blessings to me. It’s not about being religious, or going to church even, it’s knowing our Father God, loving Him, talking to Him, hearing His voic e, experiencing His love in our lives, so you ask, how do we get to this? By accepting Jesus into your life, there’s no other way. Jesus said, ‘I am the way the truth and the life, no one goes to the Father except through me’ There’s your answer. Vernon Andrew

Christian Aid As mentioned in last month’s Crier we will be holding our Safari Supper on Friday 21st June, a choice of starters will be available in St. Michael’s Church between 6 & 6.30 pm. The main course of beef pie or chicken breast will follow at the Methodist Church, a selection of desserts will then be available at the Baptist Church along with tea or coffee and a mint provided by members of the Holy Family Church. There will also be a stall with items for sale at the Baptist Church. Please state choice of main course when ordering tickets (£8 adult, £4 children 12 and under) by Sunday 16 th June. Tickets will be available from each of the churches or Betty Sussex 01805 622270. Barbara Down Treasurer

Torridge Vale Creamery Reunion There will be a Reunion Social Evening of ex-employees of Torridge Vale Creamery to acknowledge the closure of the factory 20 years ago this year, at Torridge Vale Social Club on 29th June. All old employees, including drivers, garage staff, creamery workers and office staff are all very welcome. Please come along, meet old colleagues, have a yarn and swap old memories. Any enquiries ring Jim on 01805 623784. Great Torrington Adventure Training Group Members are working well for Ten Tors and expeditions this year and we have welcomed a new leader, Rob Sutton an experienced outdoor pursuits guy. Congratulations to Elsa, Dominic and Heidi Thorne and Morgan New on completing their Silver Award - they are now working towards their Gold Award. Tom and Arron are leading a Gold Qualifying Expedition in the Peak District which will be a first for our group. By the time you read this, Ten Tors weekend will be over. As well as our entered teams, Toby Baker will have taken on the Jubilee Challenge which will be his 7th completion of either JC1 or JC2; this is a record, no other GTAT member has completed this event seven times, we will report on the results in the next issue. I have always wondered what our Gold D of E achievers do after they have completed their Gold Award so here goes... Arron Baker, Tom Biggs, Jamie Bennett are now managers with GTAT; Arron and Tom are continuing with their mountaineering skills and are now SML Summer Mountain Leaders. Ben Harper is the GTAT treasurer, as he is a trainee accountant. James Britton gained his SML and going further he is also an active expedition assessor. Cheryl Dunn is working for Devon Youth Service. Kristy Palmer is a very active management member of Mid-Devon Youth Service. Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin just joined Bideford College and I feel sure she will be an asset to their Outdoor Pursuits team. Laura Bennett has started her own business as the Laura Bennett Swimming Academy. Jack Ritson is spending 12 months in India going walk-about and teaching English. Ethan Clarke has made a great impression with the Ice House Scotland he may well be working with them, and is also going to help with GTAT. Sunny Parker has joined the Royal Navy and starts basic training in two weeks. Annie Ritson says, “several years on and I still have many lasting memories of the Gold D of E award, particularly the expedition. A seed of adventure, an interest in people and being part of a team was sown. And now - I’ve found the confidence to undertake a medical degree, belong to a close knit group of friends and remain active and excited by many opportunities to explore the remote outdoors”. These are just a few of our 41 achievers, they all say D of E has given them the opportunity, skills and confidence to try something new and follow their dreams. We are so lucky having guys like Arron, Tom, Jamie, Ben and all the other supporters of the GTAT who make this possible. Nick Muir, Head of GTAT

Rolle Canal and Northern Devon Waterways Society Last month the 2013 programme of Sunday afternoon walks featuring the Rolle Canal and its industrial and natural heritage commenced with a visit to the site of the Inclined Plane at Ridd in Monkleigh parish. I won’t risk writing about what an enjoyable afternoon’s walk it was as, due to The Crier’s press date, it hasn’t actually happened yet! However, on the assumption that everyone will be eagerly looking forward to the next walk, I can tell you that it will be on Sunday 16 th June and features six bridges and a ford. The starting point is at Loxdown Cross which is the picnic site signposted off the A386 about mid-way between Torrington and Bideford. Here there is an ancient fording place across the Torridge where a pack horse trail from Monkleigh crossed to Weare Giffard in the days before there was any road down the valley. I dream of leading a walk across the ford and through the woods to Beam Weir, but the river is seldom low enough to wade across in normal wellies, and health and safety would be after me if I were to encourage anyone to try! So this walk will follow the Tarka Trail to Beam where new steps have been created to link the Trail with the Rolle canal and the two bridges which carried the original carriage drive from Beam House over the railway and the canal before leading eastwards to the Weare Giffard road. Of course one can’t visit Beam without walking across the Beam Aqueduct and visualising the riverbank where Tarka the Otter was born and before that where horse-drawn tub-boats crossed the Torridge on Lord Rolle’s canal. The walk starts at 2.30pm and the distance is barely two miles, but there is so much to see that it will probably take until getting on for five o’clock. The Rolle Canal Society organises these walks and a donation of £2 will be appreciated, but everyone is welcome to join in and contribute their local knowledge as well. For more information email:[email protected], or telephone 01237 425357. Of course anyone who walks to the start from Torrington, can then walk straight home from Beam without missing anything, and if anyone comes from Bideford by bus or walking the Tarka Trail, they can have a lift back to Bideford with pleasure. Chris Hassall

Tips for Going Green Have you ever wondered about going ‘greener’, but didn’t exactly know how to go about it? Do you tend to bury your head in the sand when it comes to talking about the plastic bag problems, greenhouse gas effects, or the chemicals in personal care products that might actually be harming you and your children? At the end of the day, it is our responsibility to help protect the world we live in – each and every one of us. Whilst you may think that you alone can’t (or won’t) make a difference, people all over the country are discovering that going greener not only protects the environment for everyone, but that they can save a huge amount of money on their household and shopping bills too – contrary to the belief that ‘green’ means expensive! Are you aware of the huge floating island of plastic swirling around the Pacific Ocean? Made up of old carrier bags and other non-degradable materials, it is twice the size of Texas and growing - on top that a great mass of plastic and rubbish has been found in the Atlantic too - think of the consequences of this. If we allow it to carry on what will be the impact on wildlife and the eco-system? A company called Wikaniko, pronounced ‘We Can Eco’ can help you go greener. The company’s website gives free tips and ideas for reducing spending, wastage, and the effect on the planet - it also has features including a free auction site where unwanted items can be re-cycled. They also sponsor a programme of tree planting in Africa - offsetting carbon emissions. Further information and ideas on some of the small steps you can take to help prevent this worsening can be found at www.rick.wikaniko.com.

Devon Dementia Support Service Supporting People with Dementia in Devon A fantastic new support service for people with dementia in Devon was launched in March. The Devon County Council funded service to provide Dementia Support Workers across Devon is run by Alzheimer’s Society, and is accessible to all Devon residents who have dementia and their carers. There is a new office in Queens House, Queen Street, Barnstaple. The North Devon team are based here, and can be contacted by telephone, email or post. Telephone 0300 123 2029 for general enquiries and referrals; or email [email protected] The new service has fully trained staff who can provide information, support and advice on any aspect of living with dementia, by telephone, email or home visit. Staff will link with local GP surgeries to make sure that everyone who needs support is aware of the new scheme, and can deliver awareness-raising talks to small groups on request. Alzheimer’s Society also provide volunteer befrienders to support people with dementia to continue to take part in their local community. If you would like to volunteer as a befriender, please contact us on 0300 123 2029. We will pay your expenses, and provide full training and on-going support.

Largest Ever Garden Opening Festival to Raise £500,000 for Nursing and Caring Charities The National Gardens Festival Weekend will be the largest garden visiting event in history. By joining us you will have a great day out as well as supporting some really deserving causes. Private gardens across England and Wales will open their gates to the public during 15th-16th June for the first ever National Gardens Festival Weekend. The Festival is being organised by the National Gardens Scheme (NGS) and aims to raise £500,000 for nursing and caring charities, including Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care and Carers Trust. Gardens open in the Torrington area: • School House EX38 8PS, two miles south of Torrington, 16th June (2-5pm) £3.50 teas, plants. (Also open 28th July) • Bocombe Mill Cottage EX39 5PH, nine miles SW of Bideford, 15th & 16th June (12-5pm) £4 teas, (Also open 29th,30th June) • Cherry Trees Wildlife Garden EX39 4BW, East the Water, Bideford 15th & 16th June (2-5pm) £3 teas, plants There are many more nearby! For descriptions, directions and dates please visit www.ngs.org.uk.

Great Torrington Bowling Club Did you know that Torrington has its own Bowling Club? It is close to the Barley Grove car park has been there since 1850, and is the oldest in the UK. If you are interested in taking up bowls or perhaps have played before, do come along to the Clubhouse any Monday evening from 6.30pm and meet the friendly Club members and perhaps try your hand at this game. Bowls can be provided for you at these practice sessions. Please contact Keith Jackson 01805 601200 for more information.

Medley-Smith, Bernard Ewart The funeral of Bernard Medley Smith took place on Friday 15th March at St Michael and All Angels Church, Torrington, followed by cremation at Barnstaple Crematorium. The funeral service was conducted by Father Lawrence Mclean. Bernard was born in Birmingham on 13th February 1919, the son of Alfred Smith and Ethel Medley (the Smith family being the inventors of the carrier bag). He spent most of his young childhood in India as his father was a missionary, returning t o England at the age of eight entering Eltham Cottage Boarding School. Upon leaving school he went t o work in an Insurance Office in Birmingham, joined the TA and became an avid Aston Villa supporter. In 1939 war broke out and he joined the Royal Warwick regiment, but, he had little war experience, it was measured in days. Soon after crossing into Belgium he was captured and sent to a prisoner of war camp in Poland. He started off in Thorun and was then sent to a farm in Neudorf near Chelmno (he never knew of the concentration camp which was not far away). When the war ended he managed to escape the march back to the allied lines and had various adventures until re-captured and eventually repatriated and discharged with honours. Meanwhile his parents had returned from India and settled in Torrington. Bernard found a teaching post in Torrington Primary School (many people recall being taught by ‘Old Smithy’). He met his first wife Joan in 1948 and they married in August 1949 and built their bungalow in Hatchmoor Road, Torrington known as Hirwaun. They had two children, Elizabeth and David. Bernard became a well known character in Torrington, often being remembered riding his bike around the town and involved with the British Legion, Church, the amateur dramatic society and May Fair Celebrations. Unfortunately this marriage to Joan did not last, but, Bernard continued to go to Church and it was on his way home from a service one day in 1978 when he met his present wife Hildegard. He came to her rescue after she had broken a shoe! Hildegard had come to England in 1947 after escaping from the Russians in East Prussia and it was her German accent that he fell in love with as he had been well treated in the war by his German proprietress on the farm in Poland and Hildegard reminded him of her. They married in 1981 and lived at Hirwaun where Bernard had a passion for gardening and having the perfect partner in Hildegard, being an excellent cook. They had so much to talk about in relation to all the experiences they had during the war years, along with Bernard being able to speak a little German, and the joining of two families, they had a wonderful loving relationship and in November last year celebrated 30 happy years of married life. Recently both Bernard and Hildegard became very ill and sadly Bernard passed away a few days after his 94 th Birthday. Hildegard and family would like to thank everyone who attended the funeral service and all those who sent kind messages and cards of condolence, Father Lawrence MacLean for conducting such a lovely service, John Downing the organist, Dafforn and Son the undertakers, the florist for the lovely funeral flower arrangements, all at The Hunter’s Inn, Newton Tracey, and the Royal British Legion (a special thank you to Sidney Adams for proudly carrying the banner at the church service). Donations were collected for the British Legion and £200.41 was raised in Bernard’s memory. A big thank you also to Sonia and all of doctors and nurses who attended to Bernard over the weeks that he spent in Barnstaple Hospital and a big thank you to all at The Deer Park Nursing Home in Holsworthy for everything they have done for both Bernard and Hildegard over the past months, we cannot thank them enough. Hildegard Medley-Smith

Native Wild Flowers to Grow in Your Garden - Aquilegia Vulgaris This lovely flower hardly needs introducing, usually known as Columbine or ‘Granny’s Bonnet’, because it has become such a familiar garden plant in many shapes and forms, yet the true wild form is just as beautiful. The native flower is a lovely indigo-blue and the entire plant is poisonous, being related to the buttercup family, but none of us would want to eat it, I’m sure! Aquilegia grows best in semi-shade and the soil should be moisture retentive; it will grow in a sunny position if the soil is on the ‘boggy’ side but not waterlogged. The problem with aquilegia is that it crosses readily with other cultivars within the species, so if you have some growing in your garden already, you may find some interesting colours springing up! By the way, they don’t all end up with pink flowers… I have a lovely white flowered form growing in a pot by the greenhouse and I have raised some seedlings, so hopefully some will come true. It is much cheaper to grow aquilegia from seed and once you have them flourishing, you can save your own seed. They are a hardy perennial, so you will continue to see the mother plant year on year, although it will eventually run out of steam (cut out spent flowering stems before they go to seed if you want to retain the original for longer). Seed can be sown in the spring with the minimum of heat, in good seed compost. Seedlings should be pricked out once they have their second, true leaves, grow on in pots and plant out in late summer/early autumn for flowers next spring/summer. Fleur

1st Torrington Scout Group 1st Torrington Scout Group offers scouting to young people, both male and female aged six to 15yrs. Scouts is on Mondays from 7.30pm to 9pm, Beaver Scouts and Cub Scouts on Tuesday evenings 5pm to 6.30pm, there are vacancies. We are all volunteers and believe that scouting is the building blocks for young people’s lives - children today and adults of tomorrow with all the challenges that life brings. We are very fortunate to own our headquarters in Gas Lane, I understand the funds required were raised by public donation back in the 70’s where the management team worked tirelessly to get it built by a local man and to a very high standard. Times move on and DCC built Little Frogs alongside, so we now have a tarmacked parking area, no more bogged down cars on the grass!!! You will appreciate that managing a building of this size is not easy, as all the management team are volunteers who give many hours of their time and expertise for the benefit of the young people in Great Torrington. We have urgent needs for this summer break when maintenance is done. New heating system, the current one barely heats to 16 degrees C £4,000 Floor treatment £1,000 New windows (double glazed) £1,000 Decoration £200 Toilet systems to save water £200 These are just the urgent items, the wish list is endless and if there is anyone out there that can help with finance or grant form filling please get in contact. Donations are gratefully received as we also need maintenance tools and garden implements. We would also love to hear from anyone with the spirit of adventure that would like to be part of the leadership teams of any of the three sections. I should point out that Great Torrington Town Council and Devon Youth Service have been very supportive in the past. Please contact Nick Muir GSL (Group Scout Leader) on 07990 766 298 or better still [email protected] Volunteer Coaches Needed for Read Easy (Bideford & Great Torrington) Read Easy (www. readeasy.org.uk) is a programme providing one-to-one reading tuition for adults who struggle with reading. Our first North Devon project started a year ago in Barnstaple and we have recently had our third ‘graduate’ completing the programme. Now we are at the beginning of setting up a new project in Bideford & Great Torrington. We have a Torrington based co- ordinator, Charles Porter and already several volunteer coaches but are actively looking (see posters in some local shops/the Plough) for more. Anyone who can read themselves and can spare a couple of hours or so a week is invited to apply to Charles on 01805 623245 or e-mail [email protected]. Book Relief UK is the sponsoring charity. There will be an initial selection interview and a one-day training session.

The residents at Abbeyfield have enjoyed several recent outings and are looking forward to a visit to Rosemoor in June and the Annual garden party at Glen Tor on Saturday 13th July to which everyone is invited. There will also be an Open Day on Thursday 11th June when members of the public who wish to find out more about the Abbeyfield Movement for a relative or friend or may be interested in becoming a resident themselves, may visit the house. Further details will be in next month’s Crier.

Dowland Country Fair & Dog Show Sunday 16th June 2013 11am-5pm Furze Park Cross Nr Winkleigh EX19 8PG Preparations are well ahead for the annual Dowland Country Fair. Every year people from all over the South West join us; last year there were over 2,000 visitors, which is absolutely incredible as we are only a small show, so to show our appreciation we have tried to put on the very best schedule of exhibits this year for all the family. This year we are extremely honoured to have been selected to hold a qualifier for Buckham Fair (run by Martin Clunes) for the ‘Best Rescue/Rehomed Championships’ - there are only nine shows holding the qualifiers and we are one of two in Devon. Martin Clunes will be sending down a representative to award the winning rosettes, along with a photographer. Those placed in the top four will go forward to Buckham Fair. We will also be holding our very popular Terrier, Lurcher and Family Dog Shows, plus Lurcher and Terrier Racing. Simulated Lurcher Coursing - book in at 9am for a 9.30am start We are pleased to have upgraded the birds of prey display this year, to one of the best in the country featuring ‘Sampson’ - the magnificent Golden Eagle who has been on Countryfile. New for this year are ‘The Dartmoor Haypole Boys’ who will give an interesting and colourful demonstration with lively commentary, explaining the pre-Victorian idea of how to build a hayrick using only an offset pole and grab plus four men and a horse! As well as the North Devon Gun Dog displays, this year we have got ‘Chase the Bunny’, a fun arena event for every family’s pet dog!! See if your dog has what it takes to catch the bunny and win a prize. Our rural crafts have also increased this year and we have greatly improved our entertainment area, which will include the ‘Devon Teachers’ Rock Choir’, ‘Into the Blue’, ‘The Hatherleigh Ukulele Bashers’ and hopefully one or two community school choirs. Keep checking our website for more information: wwwdowlandcountryfair.org.uk Donations from this event will be given to the Devon Air Ambulance and other local organisations. Entry £3 adults, £1 children, under 5s free.

Torrington WI In April we hosted a group meeting with an Edwardian theme, for other local WIs. Our members dressed for the period, with some impressive millinery skills coming to light. Refreshments were ample and the tables suit ably decorated. Helen Chugg talked about and passed around artefacts of the period and four members performed a short melodrama based on ‘Maria Marten and the Red Barn’ which, gratifyingly, was received with much laughter. The evening ended with all our members singing a selection of music hall songs which everyone joined in. The competition to depict a music hall song on a card table was won by Newton St Petrock. May was our annual meeting and a new committee was elected. Our President, Secretary and Treasurer remain the same with two new members joining the committee, replacing two retiring. Cups and prizes were awarded for various competitions and we discussed the resolution about declining high streets which will be put at the national AGM on 1 st June. We still found time for John Lavington to talk to us about Lundy. Instead of our usual evening meeting in June, we are off by coach early afternoon for a steam train journey on The Woody Bay Railway. We will round off our trip with tea being provided by Shirwell WI. It is always good to socialise and help boost other WI’s funds by devouring their homemade refreshments. If you would like to know more about what we do at Torrington WI please call our President, Daphne Metherell on 01805 622876. Find out more too at www.theWI.org.uk and/or www.devonfwi.org.uk

B10 Celebrating 10 Years of North Devon’s Biosphere Reserve Free Prize Draw! The message of North Devon’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is ‘Living and Working in Harmony with Nature’. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Biosphere designation we are running a fabulous free prize draw with prizes highlighting all these aspects of life in the Biosphere. There is a bountiful prize pot full of fabulous prizes donated by Biosphere businesses and individual supporters. For getting out and about in the Biosphere and spotting some of our wonderful wildlife we have a trip to Lundy on the MS Oldenburg, a Wildlife Cruise on the Ilfracombe Princess and even a thrilling Coasteering experience with the Ultimate Adventure Centre in Abbotsham. For arts lovers we have a Quay Drawing outdoor art class, Panto tickets to Sleeping Beauty at The Queen’s Theatre, a family ticket to a Beaford Arts event. Local artisan leather belt maker Louise Middleton of Golden Bear Belts has contributed a bespoke leather belt – as seen in a recent Miss Vogue magazine. And there’s more … It is free and there are plenty of ways to enter: 1. Online at www.northdevonb10.org.uk 2. By completing an entry form at one of our B10 events – details on the website and in local what’s on guides 3. By post to B10 Prize Draw, North Devon’s Biosphere Reserve, Room 508, Civic Centre, Barnstaple, EX31 1EA 4. By email to [email protected].

Point of Interest Celebrations Boost Your Children’s Happiness. At our Torrington May Fair this year, the sun shone brightly, children danced around the maypole and older members of our community fondly reminisced about when they were younger and did the same. Their memories were rich with happiness and perhaps the sun was a reflection of their memories. Torrington smiled and it was a reminder of how very special our town is. Tradition, festivals and celebrations are really important for everyone as they help to bond communities together and boost happiness. This is a scientific fact! Researchers have studied the role of traditions and rituals in family and community life. Not just the ones that relate to holidays but any routine or set of behaviours that have symbolic meaning saying “this is who we are” as a group or community. This could include family reunions, Sunday dinners, birthdays, family game night or, as in our community’s example, Torrington May Fair. All would qualify. Researchers have linked these kinds of community and family practices with higher academic success, happiness, and emotional well-being for whole families. For example, parents of pre-schoolers who show a stable commitment to rituals over a five-year period have children who score higher on tests of academic achievement, and mothers of pre-schoolers who feel that their families have meaningful rituals report higher satisfaction overall. Why are rituals and celebrations so powerful? Psychologists offer many explanations. For one, they provide regularity and a sense of order, which in turn supports children to feel safe. When children feel secure, their anxiety goes down and they can focus their energy positively on important things such as learning and growing. This could be the case with daily rituals , too, like bedtime routines. When children know what to expect and have the feeling, “this is the way my family does things,” it helps them make sense of the world and create a predictable and soothing system. They are able to relax and “simply be”, content in the knowledge that they have someone to rely on and be reassured by in times of need. Holidays and other special occasions, whether weekly or yearly, provide children with sense of belonging, and help them to be part of a special group. That support and sense of identity is like a natural buoy for a child’s emotional health. The present is connected to the past through traditions, storytelling, and reminiscing. Listening to the older members of our very special community reminiscing about their memories, and watching the children dancing around the maypole; creating memories for the future, I could see very clearly that the past, present and future of Torrington is very much alive. Perhaps that is why the sun shined with such happiness on our wonderful celebration day.

News from Torrington Neighbourhood Beat Team Great Torrington May Fair and Carnival was very successful this year and our wish for good weather was granted! No arrests were made and although we had a few issues with underage drinking this was dealt with swiftly by Officers. We also have some further good news regarding the crime figures for North and West Devon April 2012 to April 2013. 605 fewer crimes recorded Domestic Burglary fallen by 23% Vehicle crime fallen by 29% Criminal Damage fallen by 11% Positive outcome rate 43% (one of the highest rates nationally) Domestic Abuse positive outcome rate highest regionally. Torrington Neighbourhood Beat Team

Hi folks, Well it looks like Summer has finally arrived and I am so excited that I will be heading up our very own Dog Show this month on 2nd June at Braunton Recreational Ground. We have lots for the family to see (besides us dogs of course) – Barnstaple Band, bouncy castle and hog roast amongst much more, so loads to do and of course I will be there leading the parade of K9 Rescue Dogs. I really do hope that you will be able to come along and support us. However if you are not able then no worries as we are holding a second show this year at Torrington Ruby Club on 28th July and so I might perhaps meet you there instead. Whatever, we guarantee that there will be lots of fun for the family and lots of dogs on show. This month has been a slow month with not many of our dogs finding their own homes. They all sit patiently in kennels waiting for a new family to offer to take them home, but I feel really sad for them as they have so much love to give. Why some dogs find homes quickly and others don’t is a mystery to me – take Jasper who is a one year old Parsons JRT – he has been waiting for weeks together with three lovely collies. As always Lynne is appealing for volunteers and fosterers as our kennel fees are soaring and so if you could offer your support please do call her on 07971 461 806. We will be offering microchipping at our shows as well, which as you probably know is going to be compulsory, so if you haven’t got your best friend chipped yet then do bring him along to the show. There is a small charge but this will all go t o helping our dogs in kennels. Right I must dash, only a short update this month as lots to do to get everything ready for the shows. Licks and woofs Miss Jessica A Mid-Summer Performance in Eggesford Enjoy a performance of a Shakespeare classic in a beautiful garden setting. The event is raising funds for the upkeep of the historic All Saints Church at Eggesford and visitors are invited to bring a picnic and enjoy an evening of outdoor entertainment. The beautifully landscaped gardens of The Old Glebe in Eggesford are the perfect setting for a performance of Shakespeare’s comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream which will take place on 15th June 2013. Renowned rhododendron specialist Nigel Wright has spent more than 30 years landscaping the gardens which will present a magical backdrop for the performance by The Festival Players, a professional company that has been delighting audiences with their summer tours for over 25 years. As in the Bard’s day, they will be performing with an all-male company of skilled professional actors, and invite you to share in the colour, poetry, and magical mayhem. Summer fun for the whole family. Doors open at 6pm so visitors will have the opportunity to explore the gardens before the performance starts at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £15 for adults, £5 for under 16s and 10% discount for parties of 10 or more. Tickets are available from Eggesford Garden Centre 01769 580250 or from www.thefestivalplayers.org.uk online.

Rotary ‘Youth Writes’ As readers of the Crier know the students of the local school (GTS) have regularly had their prose/poems entered by their teachers in each monthly edition. Torrington Rotary has for the last year now, been selecting one entry each month to receive a certificate. The names of these winning students have been reported in an earlier Crier. Rotary in the UK also sponsors an annual competition with the best entry in each age group, from the schools in each Rotary Club’s area, being submitted to the Rotary District Competition. Torrington Rotary is part of district 1170 which covers the whole of Devon. The winner from GTS for this annual competition was Tom Gaskin and his entry has gone into the District competition.

Torridgeside Swimming Club Gala Torridgeside Swimming Club held its annual May Fair Gala on Sunday 28th April 2013. It saw two teams from Torridgeside compete against two teams from Ilfracombe, and there was only a couple points in it throughout the whole event. It all came down to the last race, a win and we drew or second and we came second… in the end Ilfracombe took the win and won overall by two points. Well done to all the swimmers who took part, for quite a few it was their first competition and thank you to all the parents who helped out and made the competition run smoothly. Laura Bennett (Head Coach) Mob: 07791 964 544 Email: [email protected] Visit our new website now live at www.torridgesideswimming.co.uk

Torrington has Two Fairtrade Churches! St Michael’s Church is now the second church to achieve the award of Fairtrade Church. This means that as a community they have committed to supporting Fairtrade through three specific goals: 1. Using Fairtrade tea and coffee after services and in meetings. 2. Move forward using other Fairtrade products such as sugar, biscuits and fruit 3. Promoting Fairtrade during Fairtrade Fortnight and during the year through events, worship and other activities. The church has already demonstrated its commitment to Fairtrade by including a Fairtrade flower arrangement as part of the May Fair flowers (did you see it?). Well done St Michael’s! Look out for the Fairtrade Mark next time you shop, or to get involved with Fairtrade activities in Torrington, contact the Fairtrade Group on 01805 622143.

Volunteers Needed Tourist Information Centre The Tourist Information Centre is looking for new volunteers. You don’t need to have any previous experience in Tourist information, just a keen interest in the local area and a willingness to find things out if you don’t know the answer!! If you think you might be interested give Penny a ring on 01805 626140 or 07766 711 124 and have a chat. 1646 Café The Café at 1646 is looking for new volunteers. Our volunteers are of all ages and come from all walks of life. So if you want to join a vibrant team please enquire within the café or call Kate on 01805 626146 or 07963 848 355

Great Torrington Junior School Pupils’ Attend Council Planning Meeting The year six children at Great Torrington Junior School have been learning about Torrington, in particular the possible regeneration of the old milk factory. They watched the ‘Inside Out’ television programme, conducted surveys in the town, researched information and visited the site of the old dairy in Taddiport. This project culminated in year six presenting their findings to the Mayor and other guests in school. As a result of this presentation, the Mayor invited the children to attend a Great Torrington Town Council Planning meeting, where they were able to put forward their proposals for the regeneration of the derelict site and explain their views. Zuzanna Jankowska - Class 6ES On Wednesday 24th April at 9.30am, children who had written the persuasive texts about the abandoned milk factory, set out to the council meeting to present their work to the Mayor and other councillors. They suggested three different ideas for the regeneration of the milk factory that they were sure were very interesting. When they got there, the chosen children were asked to sit at a long wooden table. Firstly, the council discussed important points and after they had finished, the children were ready and waiting. A boy called Ellis introduced them. Next, the first group read, putting forward the idea of the Dairy Crest site becoming a wildlife and dinosaur park. The second group had thought of making it back into a factory; however the last group had a totally different idea of rebuilding it as a leisure and activity centre. The council had already thought of it becoming a leisure centre, but the only problem was the money. It would cost around three million pounds to knock it down and make it safe. After an hour, the meeting was at an end and the council knew the children’s point of view. The hope is that they will meet in the middle of the road. If the council get the money, we could have a leisure centre and a new life will spread through the milk factory. The children all then returned to school for a break!

Torrington Writers’ Group The group held their May meeting with a slightly depleted number of members but nevertheless we had a very interesting meeting. Apologies received from Doreen, Iain and Mike. Jean’s Making for the Shore took us from the peaceful still waters of life through to the intervention of the pressures of high tide and the consequential challenges of life. Robert told us via his poem, about his first seaside holiday after the war, and the thrill of seeing the first glimpse of the sea. This poem evoked many memories within the group. Steph’s Shoreline told us about the ‘tidal’ pull of life. The pull to visit people and places from the past, and was thoughtfully written and interesting. Eric’s very descriptive poem, Shoreline Romance, took us from the past to the present. Strolling the beach with hands entwined, leaving inprints in the golden sands. The group thought thi s was an emotional poem, written with great feeling, thank you Eric. Yesterday’s People was the title of Sue’s poem, remembering the beach of long ago, only to have those memories wiped away as she found rubbish strewn on the sand. Tin cans, plastic bottles and the remains of a barbecue all discarded by ‘yesterday’s people’. People whose motto must surely be ‘Who cares, not my problem, just chuck it away’. Thanks to all members for their very interesting input. Next meeting: Thursday 6th June Subject: Trees. Sue Davan

Major H. D. Walker MC The organising group wishes to thank all the organisations and individuals who joined in the re-dedication ceremony at the War Memorial on 13th April. It was well attended and turned out to be a very worthwhile and dignified tribute to the bravery of this particular officer but also a reminder of the sacrifice made by all the other servicemen mentioned. The Walker family, in particular Mr Kenneth Walker the last of the three sons of Dr and Mrs E. H. Walker, were most impressed and grateful for the recognition of their ancestor’s heroism and leadership and for the friendly hospitality offe red to them by the Mayor and people of Great Torrington. Harry Cramp

Food & Crafts in the Tuesday Pannier Market The new Tuesday Food and Craft market in the Pannier market continues to thrive, with new stalls joining us each week. The latest food stalls are selling cakes, pasties, plants/vegetables and free range eggs. Our craft stalls are selling art, woodwork, jewellery and many other items. The Olive Man has several new items on his stall including sweet peppers stuffed with feta cheese, antipasti and stuffed vine leaves. Why not come along and have a look, you never know what you might find. Anyone wishing to run a stall at the market please call Kate on 07963 848 355. Free Masterclasses at The Plough Throughout June and July we are really excited to be able to offer a fantastic selection of FREE master-classes open to anyone who would like to try something a bit different. This is all part of a two year project aimed at widening participation at The Plough, supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. A Masterclass in Stupidity with Le Navet Bête Thursday 6th June 5pm-7pm Learn the specific skills needed to be utterly and ridiculously silly (on stage or not!) from some of the best in the business. Le Navet Bête are an award-winning, internationally touring troupe of clowns based in Devon. www.lenavetbete.com Age 12+. Stage Combat with Mark Ruddick Tuesday 11th June 7pm-9pm Learn the basic techniques and how to portray stage violence effectively in this exciting masterclass with a professional actor and stunt co-ordinator. www.squiretheatre.co.uk. Age 12+. Physical Theatre with Kev Johnson Wednesday 19th June 6pm-8pm Develop practical skills in physical theatre with Kev Johnson, artistic director of Symbiotic Theatre and associate artist for Theatre Royal Plymouth. www.symbiotictheatre.com Age 12+.

Mask Making with Puppetcraft Friday 5th July 5.30pm-7.30pm Join Puppetcraft’s founder and artistic director John Roberts in this family workshop linked to their current production ‘Nobody Rides The Unicorn’. www.puppetcraft.co.uk Age 6+ and families. Don’t miss the performance ‘Nobody Rides The Unicorn’, Friday 5th July 10.30am & 1.30pm. Saturday 6th July 1.30pm. £6 / £5 / £4 Family and School Group tickets available. Look out for more FREE master-classes in July and ‘The Children’s Crusade’ a two week performance project with Multi Story Theatre Company! Workshop spaces are limited and booking is essential. Box Office 01805 624624. For more information about workshops please contact our Youth Theatre & Outreach Director Sarah Middleton [email protected]. Open-Air Theatre & Marquee Music Summer Events An extensive season of open air theatre for all the family awaits you at some great outdoor venues throughout North Devon – Hartland Abbey, Castle Hill Filleigh, RHS Garden Rosemoor and the Vicarage Garden in Torrington. Choose from Shakespeare, Babe The Sheep-Pig, Treasure Island, Dracula, The Mikado, Waiting for Godot, Alice: An Extraordinary Adventure, ‘Harlequin goes to the Moon’ a new show by The Rude Mechanicals, or our own production of ‘Lark Rise’ with Plough Community Theatre. Look out for an exciting line-up of musical acts in the marquee at Rosemoor including The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, Seth Lakeman, The Military Wives Choir accompanied by our very own Plough cappella, the non-stop music of the Sixties in ‘Oh Boy’ starring Mike Pender, Dave Berry, Brian Poole and Vanity Fare plus the ever popular Manfreds returning in September. For further information or to book tickets to any of the above mentioned events call the Box Office on 01805 624624. We look forward to seeing you very soon. Julie Cooke Visual Arts We are really looking forward to this month’s exhibition by well-known local artist, Mary Chugg. New Paintings is a collection of paintings and drawings in various media produced in the last two years. ‘Ideas have come from seeing friends interacting and gardens especially Giverny which I visited for the first time in 2012. It made a strong, visual impact so as soon as I returned home I attempted to get all the colours, textures and reflections on to canvas, using the small colour sketches I had made... Soon the images of garden and friends combined…..’and so ideas continue. Exhibition runs from Friday 31st May - Saturday 29th June. Downstairs on the café wall we have photographs by Sandra Yeo. Sandra has been photographing both the Devon landscape and stunning locations around the world for many years. ‘My work is celebration of sunlight and what that sunlight enables us to see and above all feel about the world around us, a world that is often dangerous but never less than beautiful.’ We have a Hand Appliqué Workshop on Friday 7th June 10am - 4pm with Sarah Harper. On this one day workshop you will learn how to prepare pieces, apply them to the work and hand stitch in place to make a unique picture for your home. I will teach traditional and contemporary techniques including the use of freezer paper. You will be able to rummage through a large stash of fabric to create something very personal to you, including elements of embroidery and buttons for a really special wall hanging. Don’t miss out on a chance to work with Cornish-based artist, Ashley Hanson, who is running a ‘Colour & Coast’ Oil Painting Workshop on Friday 19th July 10am - 4.30pm. This workshop is very much connected to Ashley’s own art practice, his love of colour and inspiration from the coastal landscape. Using the ‘Coast’ as the theme, students will learn the principles of colour- mixing and how to use colour creatively and imaginatively. This workshop is suitable for all abilities and you are welcome to use acrylic paints rather than oils if you prefer. Ashley has been a Visiting Lecturer at Canterbury Christchurch University for five years and has taught at the National Academy of Art, Bergen, Norway, in addition to running many popular workshops of his own. Art on Friday The Art on Friday group meet on a Friday every fortnight at the Plough Arts Centre at 10.30am. We are a very informal group and each member goes along at their own pace. From time to time we have someone to give us guidance and advice, we will advertise these sessions in The Crier.

Ladies’ Pink Pyjama Party The event is an evening to raise awareness of Breast Cancer, whilst raising much-needed funds for the Breast Cancer Campaign. On average 50,000 women and 350 men are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. On average 12,000 women and 80 men will die of breast cancer. The Ladies Pink Pyjama Party will not only be an evening of fun and laughter, to raise funds for the Breast Cancer Campaign, but also an opportunity to showcase the talents of people in the local area. Three Petroc students will be available on the night to treat you to some pampering; including mini manicures and pedicures, make up consultancy and nail art. All the girls are from Torrington; Polly Davis, Bronia Rose and Jasmine Foster, who will be acc ompanied by their lecturer Marika Easterbrook. The ladies will receive a complimentary glass of wine and canapés served by butlers, and will also be treated to two live Torrington bands; Dirty Frank and Lo-soltice. The evening will kick off with the excitement of Chasamba by Anthony, who gives lessons in Torrington; there will be local products and crafts available to buy, and you will be able to have a giggle having your photos taken behind a big pink cadillac car (not a real one!). Many people have donated prizes for the raffle, including a weekend break at a beautiful local hotel or a day on the golf course for four at RND Westward Ho!, some pampering at Tania’s of Torrington or even a wash, cut and blow dry kindly donated by Angels Hair and Beauty of Bideford. The event will be held at the Torridge Vale Social Club on June 8th and starts at 7pm. Ticket prices are only £5, which are available from Torridge Vale Social Club; Quenchers, Mill Street, Bideford; Angels Hair and Beauty, Pannier Market Bideford or by visiting the Mad Hatters Events Devon Facebook page and requesting tickets or by emailing [email protected] . This will be a wonderful evening for ladies to have fun and let their hair down and to have a pyjama party out and not in. So come on ladies of Torrington, get your pyjamas on and join us for a fun night out, whilst raising money for a very important cause. This is an over 18’s event only.

Nursery Provision in Beaford Beaford Community Primary & Nursery School has an Early Years Foundation Stage with Nursery provision for children from three years old. Funded session times can be taken between 8.45am –1.15pm. Additional hours can be purchased for the afternoons until 3.30pm. Our Nursery is well resourced with large indoor and outdoor spaces which promote and encourage creative play. The provision is led by an experienced teacher with a team of well qualified support staff. More information can be found on our website at www.beaford-primary.devon.sch.uk. Visits are warmly welcomed, please contact the school administrator on 01805 603263.

Torrington RFC Now the end of another season has come and gone, we can take time to reflect on another transitional season with the actual outcome still yet to be decided. We effectively ended up in a relegation position but there are various meetings taking place concerning the whole set up of the junior leagues within Devon, with the possibility of Devon 1 and 2 merging for the first part of the season and then being split around Christmas time into top and bottom. This is a system that has worked very well at Colts level within the County so watch this space as they say! The best part of our season on the pitch was left till last. The Devon Junior Cup fixtures had been pushed around durin g the season due to the weather situation, but eventually we played the semi-final at Donnacroft against Totnes, who had already beaten us home and away in the league and had already put preparations in place for the final the following week at South Molton. This made it all the sweeter by upsetting the league form in traditional Cup style and beating them 28 – 19 in a game where Nick Evans couldn’t do anything wrong, scoring 23 of the 28 points. That led onto a local derby, Junior Cup Final, at South Molton the following week. Torrington were again the underdogs on paper by some margin, but in reality enjoyed good spells of pressure during the game which saw us actually leading after 60 minutes of play. Unfortunately South Molton’s large number eight decided to score two tries after we took the lead, which we couldn’t respond to and ended up being the difference. But this was a great finish to a difficult season with some great experiences now had by the younger generation of players coming through which should bold well for the future. These experiences mixed with the enthusiasm of the new club coach we announced last month, Rob Palmer, should see some great moves forward for the club in general next season.

AGM This year’s Annual General Meeting is due to take place at the clubhouse on Friday 7th June, 8pm start. If anyone is interested in helping out in the running of the rugby club, in any which way at all, please feel free to contact Rob Vowles, Club Chairman (07900 196 740 or 01805 625356) beforehand, or attend the evening. Any little help is a little less for someone else to do and all help is gratefully appreciated. Any proposals need to be given to Mark Keeley, Club Secretary (07580 671 048) beforehand please. Bollywood - 2013 Dinner & Dance Our annual event was held with a similar twist as last year; this year with the above theme, again being held at the clubhouse. A great evening was had by all with lots of fancy costumes making an airing, some good, some not so! Food was provided by Maya to keep the Indian theme on course which was all very well washed down! A massive thank you to Amanda Beer and Gina West (and husbands) for arranging and organising all of the added features at the club for the night, as well as all of the others they ‘roped’ into helping them. This was then followed by the annual award presentations in the main function room before some great live music. This year’s award winners:- 1st Team Players’ Player award - Rob Ovenell 1st Team ‘Gerald Harland’ supporters’ player of the year - Ben Harper 1st Team Most Improved Player of the Year - Gavin Mitchell 2nd Team Players’ Player - Graham Dayment 2nd Team ‘Fred Farmer’ Legend award - Rob Bewes 2nd Team Emerging Player - Liam Ellis Torrington Training Trophy - Tom Gooch The infamous ‘Dick of the Year’ award - Kevin Ware Clubman of the Year - Carl Owen Congratulations and thanks to all. Fun Day – 6th July We are looking to start the new season with a fun day on the above date to incorporate rugby and non-rugby playing people. Further details to follow in the next edition of The Crier. We will be looking to have some fun games to play, a BBQ and the bar open all day. TRFC Golf Day – 27th July We are also looking to arrange the first ever Rugby Club Golf Day. Torrington Golf Club has been provisionally booked for the above date in the afternoon. Full details are yet to be confirmed but if you are interested in coming along and playing, please contact me on the details below. If anyone would like to become involved on or off the pitch, please contact me on the details below. You can hire our facilities for various purposes or sponsor us in a variety of ways, all help is always greatly appreciated. C’mon Torrie. Rob Bewes – 07976 066 440

Common News Our plans for this year’s ‘Commons’ Week’ – which actually runs into nearly three weeks - includes a range of activities with something for everyone. Walks last about two hours, involve some hilly sections and may be muddy. For fuller details please see posters, phone 01805 624176 or look on our Facebook page. Events are mainly free. June Monday 24th - our annual Golf Competition. Cash prizes. Phone the Golf Course (01805 622229) for details. Wednesday 26th - explore the New Canal Footpath with Chris Hassall of The Rolle Canal Society. 6.30pm at the Puffing Billy. Friday 28th - walk on Castle Hill with your camera. Guided by Peter Wines whose pictures can be seen on our Facebook site. Non-technical – snappers welcome. 6.30pm Barley Grove Car Park. (07811 139 163). Sunday 30th - ‘Common Clues’. A family-friendly walking Treasure Hunt on The Monument side of the common. Please bring a pen or pencil. Barley Grove any time between 11am and 3pm. (01805 622688). Car Boot Sale, Old Bowling Green 8am to 1pm. (07840 105 355). July Tuesday 2nd - our popular Wild Flower Walk with Mandy Harrison. Old Bowling Green 6.30pm. (01805 623828). Thursday 4th - walk The Tree Trail to see all the British trees. Leaflet available. Old Bowling Green 6.30pm (01805 624176). Friday 5th - a fun Boules Competition with Nigel Stark. 50p entry, winner takes all. Old Bowling Green 6.30pm. Saturday/Sunday 6th/7th Biosphere Dome on The Old Bowling Green. 11am to 3pm both days. Events to include pond dipping, invertebrate studies, displays, competitions and craft activities. The Devon Wildlife Improvement Area staff will be doing wildlife activities, and will be talking about this new partnership with land managers and communities. Talk on Saturday at 12 noon. Car Boot Sale Sunday 8am to 1pm. Wednesday 10th Torridge Ramblers explore’ The Wonders of The Common’. 7pm Old Bowling Green lower car park. (please phone Keith Hughes on 01237 475168).

Torrington in Bloom – Potato Growing Competition The potato growing competition now has only a month to go before the weighing in day. Make sure your potato plant gets plenty of light and warmth; you might want to feed it just to give it a boost (phostrogen watered on would be excellent). Check your watering, the compost should feel moist but it should not be too wet. If it is waterlogged, the compost may have a ‘bad egg’ smell in which case, cease all watering and place the pot on some bricks or similar so water can drain out of the pot. Leave it alone for at least a week, depending on the weather, before you test the compost again. If the compost is too dry, your pot will be light-weight and the compost will be a pale brown and look dry and dusty. Foliage may be ‘droopy’ and limp. Place the pot in a bowl of water for at least an hour and then allow it to drain. The foliage should start to ‘perk up’ after a while. Water again the following day, if necessary. Keep an eye open for flowers, this will show that the potato plant is maturing and the potatoes will be swelling up. This will be the time to ensure regular watering, once a day if the weather is very hot but not too much water, a litre or so only. If the weather is cool, then water less often, once or twice a week. A healthy plant has good, mid-green foliage which should be about 60cm or so high and should have several strong stems. Once the potatoes have started to really mature, the foliage will start to die back (turn a bit yellow). Cherry Hammon, Secretary Torrington in Bloom Association Tel. 01805 625788

Church Tower Floodlighting If you would like to light up the Church Tower to give a greeting to someone or remember a loved one on an anniversary please telephone 01805 623169, cheques to be made payable to PCC Great Torrington Parish. One day £2, any three days (not necessarily consecutive) £5. To be printed in the July edition of The Crier your entry must be in by Wednesday 12th June. During June the Tower will be lit on:- 1st - Happy Birthday to my very dear niece Ann. God Bless, love Auntie Meg. 2nd - 7th - Megan Poole - Happy Birthday, love Mair, David and all in Wales. 3rd - Megan Poole - Happy 80th Birthday, all our love Sally & Harald. 3rd - Bernice Finnamore - Happy Birthday to Megan Poole. 3rd - Happy Birthday Megan, have a lovely day, Ann & George. 6th - Matthew Tyzack - A Happy 20th Birthday, no more “teenage”, love Dad, Charlie & the boys. 7th - Daniel Tyzack - A very Happy 28th Birthday good son, good brother and good friend. Love Dad, Charlie & the boys. 12th - For Marjorie Boardman on the first anniversary of her death. Love for ever from all the family. ‘Her light will never dim’. 22nd - Jennifer Tyzack - There is not a day goes by without I think of you and wonder why. With love Dad.

Check That Glass or Make-Up Mirrors are Kept Away from the Sunshine Sunshine is forecast over the next few days! Every year at this time Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service attends a number of fires caused by the sun’s rays focussing through or onto glass, and then setting fire to nearby objects. At this time of year the sun is low in the sky, and shines directly through windows, so any mirrored or glass items close to the window may re-focus the sun’s rays onto combustible items, often curtains, heating them up to a point where they spontaneously ignite into flames. Paul Bray, Community Safety Protection manager for Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service said: ‘Many people do not realise the dangers of leaving glass objects too close to windows. Anything that can concentrate the sun’s ray should be moved away from the window to reduce the risk of fire breaking out, especially where the sun can shine directly into the room. He went on to say: “I have personally attended two fires caused by make-up mirrors, positioned on dressers, in bedrooms. One of these fires occurred in the early morning, with the sun shining through a south-easterly facing window, and the other occurred in the early evening, with the sun shining through a south westerly facing window. Both days were bright and sunny, but not hot. If any of your rooms are penetrated by bright sunlight, especially at this time of year, carry out a check to make sure any glass objects cannot re-focus the sunlight to create a fire.

GTS PFA Fundraising – Dumpy Bag of Logs for £50 As fundraising for GTS/PFA, I have one dumpy bag full of logs from this season going cheap at £50 phone Nick 07990 766 298.