A Torrington landmark

which has stood for many years is vanishing. It is the old stone chimney which towers over the now disused area in New Road, known locally as the ‘tan-yard’.

Most of the yard, once a prominent centre of industry in the town, was owned by the Clinton Estate Company until their recent sale when it came into the possession of two local firms – the Reg Sussex motor-cycle business, and Messrs Sing and Gist, plumbers and dealers.

A spokesman told a Gazette reported that the two firms had not yet finally decided what should be done with the site. “But we are pulling down the old buildings there and the chimney, too, will come down” he added.

Employees of Messrs Sing and Gist are carrying out the demolition work.

The last time the ‘tan-yard’ was in use was during the second world war when camouflage nets were stored there. In earlier years, it had housed a leather works industry which was well known throughout this part of the country and which exported a fair proportion of its goods.

Gazette article dated 13 February 1959