Hello from the Mayor Since last writing to you I have attended various events. On Saturday, 16th March I spent the morning with Bideford Town Council to celebrate the age-old Manor Court ceremony. This is where members of the public ask questions of the Council, in the manner of a jury, about making improvements around the Town. There was also an interesting talk given about the local pottery. That same evening I attended a celebration of St Patrick’s Day at the Plough with Big Al and his band playing Irish folk tunes. Some visitors from France, along with their delightful children, danced around with adults in Leprechaun costumes. It was a fun evening’s entertainment and was well supported, as Ann Tattersall’s events always are. Yet another of her successful fundraising events for my chosen charities this year, The North Devon Hospice and the Plough. On 27th March our children at the Junior School invited Cheryl and I to receive a presentation on the regeneration of our Town and their visions for the future. This was the result of their viewing the recent Inside Out programme. They spent many weeks interviewing towns people in the square, visiting local shops and they also visited the old creamery site at the bottom of Mill Street. I was so impressed by the way it had been conducted. Some of their poems have been on display in the Plough. Their presentation was so well written that I decided their efforts should be recognized by a wider circle. I have therefore asked them to come along to a meeting of the Planning Committee of the Town Council, to present their findings to us in person. Arrangements have been made for this on 24th April at the Town Hall. The future is theirs, and I am confident it will be in good hands after listening to the ideas they have put forward. On Saturday 30th March, I was again at the Plough for the Dream Kidz production of Joseph and his Technicolor Dreamcoat. Sold out for practically every performance, this was a fabulous evening of music and entertainment by the young people of the Town. We really are very lucky to have such talent in Torrington. The kids had standing ovations at the end of their performances and there are rumours of them putting on another performance in June for those that were not lucky enough to get tickets this time around. A huge thank you to Stephanie Easton and Liz Harris and the rest of the production team for all their hard work and effort. On the topic of funds from the sale of the Eric Palmer Centre, I have received many copies of letters, e- mails and telephone calls all asking Father Lawrence to reconsider the decision made by the Trustees. The Town Council has agreed to write on behalf of the Community. Everyone in Torridge can now recycle their cardboard - place it in your new brown bag and put out for collection with your bottles, cans and newspapers. As a parting note can I wish everybody a happy May Fair and keeping my fingers crossed for sunshine – and warmth! Best wishes to you all. Cllr Mrs Margaret Brown Mayor of Torrington (If you have any views on the use of funds from the sale of the Eric Palmer Centre, and would like to share them in The Crier, please send letters to [email protected], or drop them into the Library, thanks) Great Torrington Town Council Notice of Annual Meeting of the Town Council Notice is herby given that: The Annual Meeting and Inauguration of the Mayor of the above named Town Council will be held at the Plough Arts Centre, Great Torrington on Tuesday 14th May 2013 at 7pm. The meeting is open to the public who are most welcome. Michael Tighe, Town Clerk Great Torrington May Fair & Carnival 1st to 4th May 2013 Great Torrington’s May Fair & Carnival is a time for fun, laughter and we all hope great weather!! However, it can also be a time when we see an increase in anti social behaviour, underage drinking, violence and criminal damage! Obviously the Police take these offences very seriously and it is a concern for all residents. We would therefore like to ask everyone to consider their behaviour and actions over this period and ensure it is a time of enjoyment for everyone. Continuing on this theme we would like to advise parents that there will be zero tolerance for any underage drinking and we would request parents support us with regard to this. We hope you all have a great May Fair and Carnival. Torrington Neighbourhood Beat Team Great Torrington May Fair Thursday 2nd May 2013 Wheelchair Users Any wheelchair user/disabled person who wishes to see the May Fair celebrations are advised to be in the square by no later than 10.15am. We do try to keep seats for disabled persons outside the Green Lantern, which are allocated on a first- come-first-served basis. Due to Health and Safety Regulations, it is very difficult to get wheelchair users/disabled persons into the square after 10.15am. Following the celebrations on May Fair Day, help is required to put away the chairs used during the day. Anyone prepared to help should meet in the Square at about 4.30/5pm. All assistance will be greatly appreciated. Great Torrington Carnival Saturday 4th May 2013 Entry forms for the Torrington Carnival are available from Xanadu, South Street, Torrington Please note: All vehicles MUST carry the appropriate insurance. No intoxicating drinks will be permitted on any of the floats or by walking entries that take part in the procession. Would all road users please note that various roads and streets in Torrington will be closed for a short time between 6-8pm whilst the Carnival is proceeding through the town. Please bear with us but do expect some delay if your journey takes you through Torrington at this time. Please do not throw coins at the floats. Melissa Baker, Secretary, May Fair & Carnival Committee May Fair Flower Festival and Big Hymn in St Michael’s Church As usual the annual May Fair flower festival will be held in St Michael and All Angels Church from Thursday 2nd May to Saturday 4th May.The theme this year is music. The church will be open from 9am to 5pm each day and refreshments will be available all day on May Fair day. The flowers will remain in church until after the Big Hymn on Sunday afternoon. Come along at 3pm on Sunday and sing your favourite Hymn. We look forward to seeing you. Tea and cake will be available afterwards. Open Sesame to Castle Hill Last December when you entered Castle Hill to visit the Library, Council Offices, Tourist Information Office or the 1646 cafe, you would have been pleased to find new automatic doors, new carpet and redecorated walls. These improvements were due to funding from ‘Awards for All’, which is a lottery grant made available to improve community facilities. Great Torrington’s Community Development Trust gained this funding and then managed the changes. The Trust is grateful to Kate in the cafe for her help, to S & G Carpets and to Mike Steer for the building and decorating. We now have doors which keep out the weather and keep in the warmth. Doors which make access a great deal easier for anyone who does not have free hands, especially the disabled and people with young children. So when you are next disappointed that you did not win the lottery, comfort yourself with the thought that your money has gone towards a number of good causes, Castle Hill’s foyer refurbishment being just a small but very welcome example. If you are interested in the work of Great Torrington’s Community Development Trust and might like to be involved, contact: Ian Lovell 01805 626100 or [email protected]. Dianne Nicholson, on behalf of all the CDT trustees. The Denys Yonge Trust The Churchwardens, trustees of the Denys Yonge Trust, would like to inform the readers of The Crier, in case they were misinformed in last month’s issue, that the Denys Yonge Trust is a church-based charity. The funds available to the Trust have come from the sale of the former Eric Palmer Centre. This building was owned by Torrington Parish Church and this is why the majority of the funds will be used for the repair and restoration of the Parish Church. However, to reiterate, it will be announced that a significant donation will be made, to benefit the local community. John Downing Town Hall News Great Torrington Town Hall… A project part financed by the European Agricultural Fund for European Development 2007-2013: Europe investing in rural areas. Project being delivered with Defra as the Managing Authority. The Great Torrington Buildings Preservation Trust are very pleased to announce that the long awaited works to renovate and re-open our Town Hall are due to commence on May 6th 2013. We have to thank North Devon + for helping deliver the Leader 4 Funding that allows the first stage of this important renovation to commence. The contractors engaged for the project are WMS and it is being managed by our appointed architects Trewin Design Partnership, so we’re doing our best to keep the project and the jobs it supports local in North Devon. Due to complete over three key stages; further funding is still being sought to allow all three stages to reach final completion before the fully renovated Town Hall can completely re-open and become a focal point for our community once again.