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.

On the site of the old Clinton almshouses in New Street, Torrington, which have been demolished during the past week, will rise blocks of new flats with modern amenities and intended to carry on the tradition of the site by being primarily for old people.

The future of the old almshouses, which had seriously deteriorated in condition, has occupied much earnest consideration by the Town Council since it was intimated that the Clinton estate wished to offer them to the town. To meet legal requirements they came into the Council’s possession by nominal purchase from the Town and Alms Lands Charity to whom they were transferred from the Clinton Estate.
For a while serious consideration was given to the possibility of reconditioning the old almshouses with their picturesque porches but it was found that this would be comparatively expensive and not completely satisfactory. Now there are to be built on the site eight one-bedroomed flats and two two-bedroomed flats in the place of six one-down and one-up almshouses, only one of which was occupied at the last. This tenant, at present staying with relatives, will be offered one of the new flats.
There will be a block of four flats on the road frontage with a 10-foot wide access each side to a block of six flats in the garden at the rear.
Each of the flats which can be used by one or two occupants, has a living room, a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and larder. They will be very similar to the Marwood Court flats which the Town Council erected some time ago and which have proved very acceptable.
At this month’s meeting of the Town Council it was reported that the Minister of Housing and Local Government had agreed to the acceptance of Mr W H Tolley’s tender of £18,216 for the erection of the new flats and had also approved the dwellings for the purpose of subsidy.
Six of the flats are due to be ready in six months and the remainder in four more months.

Article dated 25 September 1964 from the Gazette

Tree-felling Cavaliers accused

Torrington's charity group, the 1st Company of Cavaliers, have been accused of cutting down trees on the river bank that they had agreed to leave standing.

The Cavaliers have been clearing brush and trees from the area in preparation for the water carnvial to be staged during the October Fair and also to give a better view of the river from Castle Hill. Representatives of Torrington Anglers Association and the Commons Conservators met the Cavaliers on the river bank and it was agreed to leave certain trees. These were marked with a white cross.
Now the Angling Association have complained that the trees have been felled and a meeting of all three organisations has been arranged for tonight.

Mr John Quick of Torrington

Mr John Quick, who is a postman, was formerly employed for 30 years by a local glove factory.

He has given many years service to public work. During the last war he served with the 2nd Devons, being severely wounded at Neuve Chappelle in France in 1915. He is a past president of the local branch of the British Legion and for many years has been a representative on the Exeter and Barnstaple War Pensions Committee.
For some eight years he has been a member of Torrington Town Council and he has served on the Town Trustees for about 15 years, being this year’s chairman. He is also a Commons Conservator. In August 1939 he was appointed a magistrate for the Borough of Torrington.

Gazette article 13 July 1943