Torrington probably experienced the biggest ‘invasion’

in its long history on bonfire night when thousands flocked to the Commons to watch what is being claimed as the world’s biggest Guy Fawkes blaze.

The First Company of Cavaliers, formed after May Fair as a charitable organisation, have seen to it that the name of Torrington has since been rarely out of the headlines. They built the 53ft high bonfire, and are applying for its inclusion in the ‘Guinness Book of Records’. That in itself was sufficient to ensure that roads in all directions from the Old Bowling Green at the Bideford entrance to the town, the site of the fire, were filled with parked cars.

With their eye for the spectacular the Cavaliers had not only arranged a torchlight procession, led by the Town Band, from the town Square, but, wearing their colourful costumes, they dragged a flaming brazier through the crowds that marked the route.

A safety fence had been erected around the hundred tons of inflammable material – timber, old tyres and almost everything else burnable – but the daring who closely surrounded it were driven back when torches applied to the pile went a roaring sheet of flame and showers of sparks leaping into the night sky.

Other attractions were a jazz band and members of the Orchard Theatre company enacted the capture of Guy Fawkes. Volunteers manned hotdog and toffee apple stalls while the Cavaliers, armed now with collecting boxes, found a ready response.

The show went on into the night, but even at a late hour the journey home through the town was taking almost an hour.

The fire still burned on Friday morning but its height had been reduced to 4ft.

The collection amounted to £97.

Gazette article dated 13 November 1970