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.

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.

Gazette article dated 2 November 1962

A Day of Memories for Mr and Mrs Stapleton

Next Sunday will be a day of memories for Mr and Mrs Arthur Stapleton, of 70a Calf Street, Torrington – memories of fifty years of married life, for it is on that day that they celebrate their golden wedding anniversary.

A family gathering at their home will mark the anniversary.
Mr and Mrs Stapleton were married in 1907 at Torrington Baptist Church by the Rev Franklin Owen.
The sons are Messrs Reg Stapleton of Torrington, Fred and Bill Stapleton of London, and the daughter is Mrs Rene Mills of Torrington.
Mr Arthur Stapleton, who is 73, left school at the age of 13 and worked on a farm at Peters Marland for 12 months before going to Croydon in the grocery business. He worked for a short time at Clay Moor. During the 1914-18 war he served with the RAMC in France and Belgium and received the MM in 1917 at Ypres. During the 1939-45 war Mr Stapleton was in the Home Guard.
Mrs Stapleton, formerly Miss Selina (Lena) Page, is 69. Leaving school at 13 she worked at a Torrington gloving factory.
The full article is dated 1 November 1957