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.

The judges, Mr Jack Molyneus and Mrs F W B Smyth, sit in the rain on the roof of the Drill Hall, Torrington, on Thursday evening of last week, where they listened through an open skylight to competitors in the hunting horn blowing contest at Torrington Farmers’ Hunt Ball.

The event was won by Mr A Harris, huntsman to the South Devon Foxhounds, for the second year in succession, and he thus wins the cup outright.
Mr Tom Bunch was second and Mr Frank Heal, third. The eight competitors included one woman, Miss Sarah-Jane Slade, who blew one short blast and then retired. The competitors were tested on three calls and at the conclusion they sounded a fanfare. The prizes were presented by Mrs R D D Birdwood, wife of the chairman of the hunt, Lieut-Col R D D Birdwood.
There was a large attendance at the ball. Mr C Quick was the Mc and organiser of the dance with a committee.
Lucky numbers for gifts kindly donated were announced during the evening: F Stevens; R V Pope; Mrs Irwin; C A Squire; R G Sussex; Margaret Hookway; and G White.

The Gazette article is dated 8 December 1950

Gifts at Christmas Despite Bonfire Receipts Setback

Although disheartened by receipts from their ‘Sinking the Bismarck’ bonfire, Torrington Cavaliers will be keeping faith with the old folk and children of the town and distributing their customary gifts at Christmas.

Fears that reserves would be used up in staging the event, the largest undertaken by the Cavaliers so far, if they were unable to charge for entry almost proved justified. ‘But thanks to very generous donations from traders and individuals around the town we have broken even’ explained Cavaliers’ chairman Mr R Webster. This meant that they would be able after all to distribute gifts.
He was disappointed that so many people who attended the event had done so without giving a contribution. Money collected at the event was only about £600 eh said and although some people gave large contributions it had been worked out that at least 50 per cent of the spectators had watched free of charge. This was very disheartening after all the hard work that had gone into the building of the bonfire.
Among those attending the event were Mr Werner Lust, technical adviser for the film ‘Sink the Bismarck’ and secretary of the Bismarck Survivors Association, and Messrs Ted Briggs and Bob Tilburn, two of the three survivors from HMS Hood.
The full article is dated 9 November 1973.

Celebrating 300 Years of Worship

Tercentenary of Torrington Howe Congregational Church was marked on Saturday when a supper was held in the Schoolroom to celebrate 300 years of worship.

Principal guests in a company of more than 70 were the Mayor and Mayoress of Torrington, Mr and Mrs F R Hodge; the Vicar, Rev P G Harrison; the Rev J R Legg and Rev S Shields. All brought greetings and congratulations.
Greetings were also received from the Chairman of Devon Congregational Union, Rev R L Ackroyd and the chairman of the Northern Division, Mr S Griffen, of Ilfracombe.
The Rev W Oriel James, who presided, announced that £131 was the result of the Gift Day held on Friday.
An anniversary cake made by Mrs F Beer, and decorated by Miss Avril Beer, was cut by Mr and Mrs J H Long, joint secretaries of the church for the past 18 years.
Services on Sunday were conducted by the Rev David Geddes, of Exeter.