Torrington

Christmas Eve at the Front

An interesting letter has just been received by Mrs Packer, of Broadclyst, from her husband, Corpl Packer of A Company, 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment, who is serving with the Expeditionary Force in Northern France. In the course of a letter he describes a remarkable incident which occurred on Christmas Eve between the British and German trenches.

From the top to the bottom in one easy stage.

17.7.1964 Torrington School2

That was the experience of Combe House at Torrington County Secondary School sports on Thursday week. As Cleave House soared to the top to win the shield by a substantial margin, Combe, the holders, sank to fourth position.
Points gained: Cleave, 116½; Leigh, 91½; Barton, 85; Combe, 84.

In the picture the two captains, of Cleave House, Michael Woolacott and Gwen Copp, are seen receiving the shield from Mrs M E Pitts. On the right is the headmaster, Mr J W Bastin.
The various events were keenly contested and three school records were broken.
In the senior shot Stephen Broer achieved 34ft 9in as against 34ft. Sally Darch created a new record of 13ft 10in for the senior girls’ long jump, and J Hewitt, with 4ft 3in, a new record in the junior girls’ high jump.
Gazette article dated 17 July 1964

Torrington Loses Unique Distinction

Torrington is on the point of losing what is probably a unique distinction – its police station in the churchyard.

7.6.1968 Torrington police station1

The Town Council’s General Purposes Committee were told last week that in reply to the Council’s inquiry the County Council had said that the police station and three police houses were now surplus to requirements.
Although the houses have been vacated the police have been awaiting arrival of office furniture before they can move into their new headquarters at Hatchmoor. There five houses have also been built.
At one time in its police history Torrington had an officer of the rank of Superintendent. For many years now it has been in the charge of a sergeant as part of the Bideford sub-division of the North Devon division based at Barnstaple.
The full article is dated 7 June 1968

£100 Cheque For Hospital

Over £250 was raised by the local committee of Exeter Hospital Aid Society in 1975 to buy for patients amenities that are not available under the National Health Service.

Latest to benefit are those at Torrington Cottage Hospital, where a cheque is here seen being presented for the purchase of a ripple bed.
A cheque for £100 has been sent to Torridge Hospital, Bideford, to buy a variable height bed and bed tables have been bought by Bideford and District Hospital with £50 from the fund.
Seen in our picture are Miss B Pinsent, matron; Mr D Caldwell, assistant district administrator; Mr G Brion; Mrs R Troth, area secretary; staff nurse Mrs Anne Griffin, and Mr N Edcombe. The patient is Mrs Cecilia Law who has long been a worker for the society.
Gazette article dated 4 June 1976