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.

A rise of £100 to £400 for next year’s Mayor was agreed at Torrington Town Council meeting.

It was also decided that because of the heavy expenditure incurred by the present Mayor, ‘sympathetic consideration’ will be given to any request for an additional contribution.
Councillor Michael Street pointed out that the new mayor would give up office on March 31 1974, and would therefore not be involved in the expense of the May Fair luncheon. The only major expense would be mayor-choosing. In the circumstances it seemed a tremendous rise.
Reorganisation of local government would not mean the end of May Fair, said Councillor C Quick.
Replying to a further question from Councillor Street, the Town Clerk, Mr A W G Fitt, said there would not be a mayor of the borough after March 31, but it was anticipated there would be a mayor. This was being considered by the Boundary Commission. The borough would have parish council status from April 1 and following on was the question of whether there would be a mayor.
Gazette article dated 16 March 1973

Popular Torrington Policeman Retires

By the retirement on pension on Saturday of Police Constable Frank Hanford, who has been stationed at Torrington for the last three years, Torrington loses an efficient and courteous officer who carries with him into retirement the best wishes of his many friends in the district.

PC Hurford has served with the police force for 25 years and was stationed at Parracombe, Lynton, Buckland Brewer, Alphington and Elburton, before coming to Torrington. He was one of the officers engaged in connection with precautions during the mutiny at Dartmoor prison and was also engaged in the search for Gaskin and Amy; the two convicts who attempted to escape from Dartmoor prison.
PC Hurford was recently complimented in a recent cast at Torrington by the Borough Magistrates on the very able manner he gave his evidence. He intends to make his future home at Alphington, Exeter.
Gazette article dated 2 Mary 1937

Torrington Golf Facilities Improved

Improved playing facilities at Torrington golf course were reported at the annual meeting of the Golf Club at which Mr W Bowden (President) presided.

Mr L G Weeks spoke of the all-round improvement of the greens and said that a new tee were being constructed. He hoped that during the coming season still more improvements would be carried out, especially in relation to the entrance to the club hut.
Despite poor weather during the past season, Mr A J Perry said that the club had paid its way, although the necessity to employ a gang mower had meant additional expense. Eight new members had joined.
Mr Ken Bowden announced the winners of the last year’s competitions; Mr H Colwill; Mr B Pedley; Mr R Reed.
Officers were elected: Mr W Bowden; Mr L G Weeks; Mr R J Short; Mr A J Perry; Mr K Bowden; Mr B Nash; Miss A Hodge.
The full Gazette article is dated 27 February 1959