26 January 1973
were invited to help in the preparation of photographs which is to be sent to Torrington, Connecticut.
The request for help came from Mr Harold Bundy, chairman of the International Committee of the Rotary Club of Torrington, which plans to twin with the Rotary Club of their American daughter town.
First contact with the Connecticut club was made by Mr Alan Stacey, formerly manager at the Torrington Unigate depot, while he was on a visit to the States, and another link was forged when a visit was paid by Mr Arthur Newcombe, of Newton
…August 1961
and described it in his journal as ‘a great large toune and standith on the brow of an hille and hath 3 fair streates in it”.
Making no claim nowadays to being a large town – in fact it is one of the smallest boroughs in the country – Torrington still stands on its hill and certainly has more than three fair streets, as this recent aerial photograph shows.
Gazette article dated 18 August 1961
19 December 1958
to hand over to the Council free, subject to the Council paying legal costs, the six almshouses held by the estate in New Street.
The Council have received a report from the District Valuer on the almshouses which stated that with the exception of the roofs, which required attention, the premises appeared to be in sound structural repair.
Members of the Council are at present considering the extent of improvements contemplated, bearing in mind the possibilities of getting the grant towards the cost of the works.
…13 February 1959
An inn which has stood at Torrington for many years closed down on Sunday night.
It was the ‘Setting Sun’ belonging to the brewery firm of Starkey, Knight and Ford Ltd. The licensee and his wife, Mr and Mrs A Clarke, have become well known in Torrington during the two years in which they have occupied the premises.
Now they are moving to the Globe Hotel, at Barnstaple. They came to Torrington from Mortehoe.
Mrs Clarke told a Gazette reported on Saturday: “The structural conditions, especially in the upstairs rooms, which are very old, have got
16 December 1977
While most women on Torridgeside will be busy in their kitchens immediately before Christmas preparing for the holiday, Miss Marjorie Bissett and Miss Becky Gamson will be building up to a crescendo of mail delivering at Torrington.
The hustle and bustle of Christmas deliveries are no strangers to Miss Bissett, who each day leaves her home at 7 Potacre Street, Torrington, in time to report for duty at the post office at 6.15am. She has been
20 October 1961
Three Torrington boys who were reported missing on Sunday were found some nine hours later, in falling light, on the banks of the river Torridge at Beam, three miles away from their homes.
The boys were Tony Allen, Nicholas Hammett, both of the Calvesford Estate, and Richard Roach, of Town Park Estate.
Mrs Allen said the boys were playing at the estate soon after 10am. At 1.30pm her husband, Mr Reg Allen, went out to call his son for dinner and there was no sign of them. Mr Allen scoured an area of
…Devon’s tenth health centre opened in March 1968
Devon’s tenth health centre opened in March 1968 in Torrington and as well as being the surgery for the local doctors it will house the County Council’s health visitor, district nurse, chiropodist, speech therapist, mental welfare officer and other social workers. The Centre cost £20,000 to build and equip, and has consulting rooms for doctors and County Council staff, a receptionist office, a waiting room and pram shelter.
After 9 years service, Mrs N Edgecombe, Brown Owl
After 9 years service, Mrs N Edgecombe, Brown Owl of Torrington Brownies relinquishes her post because she is moving to Bideford. In this picture, Mary Warne is seen presenting a bouquet of flowers to Mrs Edgecombe
Married in 1908
The day’s expenses were met by their grandson, David.The day’s expenses were met by their grandson, David.
Mr and Mrs Newcombe were married at St Michael’s Parish Church on December 23 1908 by the then Vicar of Torrington, the Rev Frank Emlyn Jones. Now aged 74, Mr Newcombe left school at Langtree at the age of 11 to work on his father’s
…In the winter season just concluding Torrington Badminton Club have played 28 matches and won 20
In the winter season just concluding Torrington Badminton Club have played 28 matches and won 20. The Club, which was founded in the early post-war years, plays at the Secondary modern School, club nights being Tuesdays and Fridays. Mr Ken Dowding is the club chairman.
Matches have been played against Okehampton, South Molton, Chumleigh, Winkleigh, Lynton, Ilfracombe, Pilton, Westward Ho! Chivenor and Bude.
In the summer most of the Badminton Club members turn their attention to tennis, as members of Torrington Tennis Club. By jumble sales and other efforts the
Photographed with his wife and daughter, outside Buckingham Palace last week, when he received from the hands
Photographed with his wife and daughter, outside Buckingham Palace last week, when he received from the hands of H.M the Queen, the M.B.E. awarded him in the New Year Honours List, is Mr T R MacDonald, of 'Viewfield', Torrington, head forester to the Clinton (Devon) Estate Co.
Next Sunday will be a day of memories for Mr and Mrs Arthur Stapleton, of 70a Calf Street, Torrington
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.
They have four surviving children, three sons and a daughter, ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. One daughter died in 1914.
The sons are
First Schools performance at The Plough
Torrington Blue Coat Primary School's production of 'Hiawatha' was the first school production staged at The Plough. A total of £42 was taken at the door
Lives at Rosemoor, Torrington
He was chosen by the Queen on Thursday of last week when she appointed the 1964 Sheriffs of England and Wales by pricking the roll of Sheriffs with a gold handled steel bodkin.
At Rosemoor, Col Palmer farms 400 acres, the holding including some woodlands. Twice Mayor of Torrington, he is chairman of the local Bench of magistrates, a member of the Town Council and local representative on Devon County Council. He is a member of many local organisations and committees. For 30 years he
Formerly employed at 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
William Vaughan and Sons
On the right is the managing director, Mr Michael Vincent, who presented Mr Vodden with a cheque on behalf of the firm. From fellow employees, whose spokesman is on the left, Mr Vodden received a chiming clock.
Starting new posts in Sydney, Australia
Teachers, Miss Heather Buscombe, only daughter of Mr and Mrs Geoffrey Buscombe of Torrington, and Mr Robin Blackadder, son of Mr and Mrs Eric Blackadder of Loughborough, were married at St. Michael's Church, Torrington. In January, 1973, they will be emigrating to Sydney, Australia, to take up teaching posts.
Estimated cost of £36,000
The heated indoor swimming pool is to be on the cattle market site, at an estimated cost of £36,000
1970
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
Mothers photographed with their babies under nine months
Mothers are pictured with their babies up to nine months. Mrs Slade with Mary and Francis; Mrs Gilbert with Christine: Mrs Cooke with Janette: Mrs Colwill with Mary
1971
Mr Bert Waldron, Torrington town crier and eight times British champion, has, at the age of 68, retired on health grounds.
His stentorian voice was first heard officially in1930 but five years later he gave up the job. In 1954 he made a comeback and two years later, at Hastings, he won his first national championship. The job took him to America and to the Continent as well as to radio and TV studios and plush hotels, and he was featured on a pop record.
Gazette article dated October 1971
…Replaced by flats
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
1970
If the firm decides to go ahead with it, it is understood part of the production will continue in London.
At Torrington Town Council meeting it was stated that planning approval for the new factory had been given subject to three conditions, one of them being the provision of sufficient car parking space for employees.
The Calvesford Road site was provided by the Council
District nurse in Torrington
Always she spends part of her leave in this country at Torrington where she was a member of the Baptist Church and a Sunday School teacher. She has addressed meetings about her work with the Save the Children Fund in the Middle East, and the Church has worked for her making and collecting clothes and blankets, which she has distributed.
On leaving Torrington Miss Brunt trained as a health visitor in Bristol
Funeral service at St Michael's Church
The service was conducted by the Vicar of Torrington, Rev P G Harrison, and the organist was Miss M L Wright.
Principal mourners were: the widow, Dorothy and Steve, Pamela and Roger, Beatie and Gladys, Eddie and Cred, Mrs W Portman, Mrs Ivy Bryant and Hazel, Mr and Mrs T Mills, Mr Tony Avery.
The bearers were Messrs E Lawrence, M Burke, T Hammett, W Newcombe, P May and B Copp.
9 October 1970
It was full of railway enthusiasts from all over the country and was named the Exmoor Belle, travelling from Exeter to Ilfracombe and then to Meeth, via Torrington and back to Exeter.
The trip was arranged on the last day of the operation of the Barnstaple to Ilfracombe section of line.
2 November 1962
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,
1 November 1957
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
9 November 1973
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
8 December 1950
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
8 December 1950
While a pupil at Bideford Grammar School from 1929-36, Mr Hunkin won a Choral Exhibition at Exeter College, Oxford, where he subsequently took an Honours Degree in English. Mr Hunkin is now an assistant master at Redruth Grammar School, Cornwall, and will take up his new appointment in January 1951.
24 December 1970
But long before then the district will have been scoured and old people living alone and who would otherwise spend a solitary Christmas will have been brought in to join the residents and the tenants of the old people’s bungalows in the grounds of Torridge View who are also to be entertained.
Santa Claus will tour
27 November 1970
After 10 years as president of the Torrington branch of the British Legion Col J E Palmer has retired from the position and at the branch’s annual meeting, Mr W D Cockram, Mayor of Torrington, was appointed to fill the vacancy.
The meeting was held at the Globe Hotel, Torrington, by permission of Cap and Mrs J White.
Membership was now 90, six more than the previous year, it was reported.
Poppy sales of £191-8-0 were an increase of £24 over those of last year, reported the organiser, Mr R E Smith.
In addition to the president the following officers
12 December 1969
Following a report calling attention to the difficulties caused by parking on roads on the Dartington Fields estate, Torrington Town Council are to send a circular letter to tenants asking them to comply with their tenancy agreements, and pointing out that if this is not done, the matter will be brought to the attention of the police for further action.
Cllr J W Martin said that eight o’clock the previous evening he had counted 23 cars, one van, two motor cycles, and a bicycle all within 100 yards, and in an emergency it would have been quite impossible for a
…2 January 1959
Then they listened to a voice they had not heard for twenty years. The words came all the way across the Atlantic, from Ontario, Canada.
This was the special Christmas present for three sisters, Mrs Polly Copp, Mrs Lily Parker and Mrs Beatrice Gordon. Sharing the treat with them was Mrs Copp’s husband, George.
Speaking at the Canadian end of a special trans-Atlantic telephone link-up was a brother of the three women, 51 years old Mr Harry Davey, whose
27 January 1961
Said Mr H Beer, of Messrs Heards Garage, Torrington, where the test was carried out: “It is in beautiful condition”.
Owner of the car – a 6.9hp two cylinder Renault – is Mr Alan Skerman, a 51 year old armaments engineer of Church Ford, Little Torrington.
The car, now resplendent in red and grey, was originally sold by Cleland of Edinburgh to Sir John Findley. Subsequently it went to his
7 January 1972
Two teachers who are flying out to Sydney, NSW, on January 26th, where they are to take up teaching posts, were married in St Michael’s Church, Torrington.
The bride, who for the past three years has been teaching in Newton Abbot, was Miss Heather Mary Buscombe, only daughter of Mr and Mrs Geoffrey Buscombe, of Torrington. Her bridegroom was Mr Robin Grant Blackadder, son of Mr and Mrs Eric Blackadder, of Loughborough.
Christmas carols were sung at the service and the bride wore a full length cloak of crimson velvet over an oyster crepe
27 February 1959
Mr L G Weeks spoke of the all-round improvement of the greens and said that a new tee were being constructed. He hoped that during the coming season still more improvements would be carried out, especially in relation to the entrance to the club hut.
Despite poor weather during the past season, Mr A J Perry said that the club had paid its way, although the necessity to employ a gang mower had meant additional expense.
2 January 1959
It was an exciting tale about smuggled rum, which eventually finds a hiding place in grandmother’s bed!
Appearing in the play were: Warren Golder; George John Davis; Emma, Barbara Huxtable; Hazel Seymour; Nigel Rogers; Thomas Raymond Lock; John Heard; Tony Gifford, Roger Baker, Gregory Rookes and David Reynolds.
The Gazette article is dated 2 January 1959
5 February 1965
Presiding was the president of the association, Mr F R Hodge, accompanied by Mrs Hodge. He revealed that pensioners had travelled to Plymouth for their annual outing, and on that occasion lunch had also been provided free. Those who had not been able to attend had received 10s at Christmas, and altogether £75 had been distributed, with every pensioner receiving half a pound of tea.
Mr Hodge welcomed the Mayor
16 March 1973
It was also decided that because of the heavy expenditure incurred by the present Mayor, ‘sympathetic consideration’ will be given to any request for an additional contribution.
Councillor Michael Street pointed out that the new mayor would give up office on March 31 1974, and would therefore not be involved in the expense of the May Fair luncheon. The only major expense would be mayor-choosing. In the circumstances it seemed a tremendous rise.
Reorganisation of local government would not mean the end of
5 March 1965
It was produced by Mrs H M Ashley.
The cast consisted of Mr Ashley; Mrs F Davey; Mrs I Quick; Mrs P Taylor; Mrs L Juniper. Scenery was by Mr C Crompton and Mr Parfitt. Adding to the variety of the evening were other items and the residents joined heartily in the community items. Mrs A Hookway, one of the staff, sang and played the piano, Mrs L Hutchins played the accordion and Mr G Copp the harmonica.
…3 March 1950
The Hon George Lambert and Mrs Lambert are greeted with cheers by supporters when they visit Bideford Conservative Club after the declaration of the poll. On Mr Lambert’s right is Sir Giles Sebright, chairman of the Torrington Division United Liberal and Conservative Association, and, at the top left Capt A Wilkinson, the agent.
Hon G Lambert Becomes First MP for Torrington
…7 April 1955
For the first time in its history Torrington will have a woman as Mayor when Miss Florence L Lake, of Windyridge, Furzebeam Terrace, Torrington, the only woman ever to have been elected to the Borough Council, takes office in May.
Announcement that Miss Lake had accepted the invitation of the Council to succeed Cllr J H Long, Mayor for the past two years, was made at Monday night’s Council meeting. Miss Lake’s energies in the political field earned her the honour of being elected President of the South West Area Liberal National Council
…3 April 1959
Seated in the front centre is this year’s May Queen, Elizabeth Somerfield.
Pictured are Alan Combes, Pauline Burridge, Rodney Oke, Janet Symons, Elaine Morris, Jacqueline Stacey, Pauline Jenkins, Isabel Downing, Diane Ward, Elizabeth Somerfield, Elizabeth Webb, Pauline Hooker.
Full Gazette article dated 3 April 1959
6 April 1951
The Vicar of Torrington, Rev C J Barker, officiated, Miss M L Wright, at the organ, accompanied the hymns. Mr Robert Snell, uncle of the bride, carried out the duties of the best man.
Full Gazette article is dated 6 April 1951
…2 May 1958
She is seen here in the centre with her attendants – Miss Rosemary Mitchell, Petrockstowe; Miss Pamela Barkwell, Shebbear; Miss M Watkins, Little Torrington; Miss Jean Moore, Weare Giffard.
Gazette article dated 2 May 1958
2 May 1958
With her is the crowner, Caroline Bastin, and her attendants Angela Vanstone, Lesley Folland, Sally Darch, Lynn Jury, Susan Copp, Jennifer Lock, Sandra Davis and Trudy Hobson.
Boys have an equally important part to play in the ceremony but as their uniforms were still awaited the two heralds, Raymond Drayton and Kenneth Cobbledick, are not in the photograph.
Gazette article dated 2 May 1958
…2 March 1937
PC Hurford has served with the police force for 25 years and was stationed at Parracombe, Lynton, Buckland Brewer, Alphington and Elburton, before coming to Torrington. He was one of the officers engaged in connection with precautions during the mutiny at Dartmoor prison and was also engaged in the search for Gaskin and Amy;
…17 May 1971
He will take over on June 1st from Mr S J Parkes who has held the post for 25 years.
Married with three young children, Mr Fitt is a native of Bournemouth and is at present living with his family at Boscombe. He is an associate of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries and a Member of the British Institute of Management.
The full Gazette article is dated 7 May 1971
7 June 1968
The Town Council’s General Purposes Committee were told last week that in reply to the Council’s inquiry the County Council had said that the police station and three police houses were now surplus to requirements.
Although the houses have been vacated the police have been awaiting arrival of office furniture before they can move into their new headquarters at Hatchmoor. There five houses have also been built.
At one time in its police history Torrington had an officer of the rank
17 July 1964
That was the experience of Combe House at Torrington County Secondary School sports on Thursday week. As Cleave House soared to the top to win the shield by a substantial margin, Combe, the holders, sank to fourth position.
Points gained: Cleave, 116½; Leigh, 91½; Barton, 85; Combe, 84.
In the picture the two captains, of Cleave House, Michael Woolacott and Gwen Copp, are seen receiving the shield from Mrs M E Pitts. On the right is the headmaster, Mr J W Bastin.
The various events were keenly contested and three
4 June 1972
Latest to benefit are those at Torrington Cottage Hospital, where a cheque is here seen being presented for the purchase of a ripple bed.
A cheque for £100 has been sent to Torridge Hospital, Bideford, to buy a variable height bed and bed tables have been bought by Bideford and District Hospital with £50 from the fund.
Seen in our picture are Miss B Pinsent, matron; Mr D Caldwell, assistant district
27 October 1978
Also in the picture, Town Clerk, Mr M C F Howe.
Gazette article dated 27 October 1978
3 January 1958
In the past year over 1½ million miles were covered by drivers at the Torrington factory.
Six of the drivers received a 10-years medal (inscribed clock or watch) and the rest awards for other years of safe driving.
Police Supt G H Jewell made the presentations. Mr K P Dowling, a director and general manager of the Company presided and others present included Mr W Stacey and Mr W Paddon.
The full Gazette article is dated 3 January 1958
7 March 1958
His 10 year old daughter Josephine, who has been elected by popular vote of the children of Barley Grove School to be this year’s Torrington May Queen, will be the third member of his family chosen to be Queen and centre of attraction of the town’s colourful annual event.
His eldest daughter, 17 years old Marion, was elected May Queen when she was a pupil of Barley Grove School, and another daughter, Rachel, who is now 13, was also chosen
29 December 1948
Although there was a fair number of patients in the Hospital and some shortage of staff, the Matron, Miss L M Bray, and her nurses spared no efforts to make it a happy Christmas for the patients. The wards and entrance hall had been gaily decorated and each patient had presents from the staff on their breakfast trays and off the Christmas tree.
There was goose and plum pudding for Christmas Day
16 May 1958
They have been bought by another local authority for street lighting purposes.
On Saturday Mr Symons said the total cost of disconnecting and removing the old gas lights and standards would be at least £200. My Symons sold the lamps to help meet this cost, and also intends selling as many of the old standards as possible. “We may be able to sell some of the clock equipment used in
12 June 1964
When Blue Streak, Britain’s first space rocket, successfully soared from its launching pad at Woomera, South Australia, on Friday, no one was more thrilled than a Torrington farmer’s son.
Mr C H Martin, who is 35 and an Old Boy of Bideford Grammar School, had, as a space vehicle design engineer, worked on the project for six years. Recently he was appointed chief project design engineer on Blue Streak at the Stevenage factory of Hawker Siddeley, of which group De Havillands, with whom he trained, are now part.
Elder son of
5 June 1964
A lot of young wives in Torrington were anxious to see the maternity unit at the Cottage Hospital re-opened, and was there any hope of this, asked Cllr H Pollard at Monday night’s meeting of Torrington Town Council.
The unit has been closed for some time because of shortage of staff.
A number of women were having their babies at home but were not keen on this, and if they went to hospitals in neighbouring towns it was a long way for husbands to travel at the end of the day, said Cllr Pollard.
The Medical
14 July 1961
On the Bideford road, one of the eight feet by four feet signs has bene put on the cemetery wall and on the Exeter-Plymouth Road the other has been placed on the left-hand side of the road about halfway up the hill between the town and Town Mills bridge.
The boards were made by Mr J H Long (formerly an alderman) and the lettering was done by
18 August 1961
Making no claim nowadays to being a large town – in fact it is one of the smallest boroughs in the country – Torrington still stands on its hill and certainly has more than three fair streets, as this recent aerial photograph shows.
Gazette article dated 18 August 1961
…1978
Much of the money for the board, which is designed to fold back when the pool is too crowded for its use, was raised by pool superintendent Mr John Langmead and his wife.
The naval apprentice won the radio prize
Robin Tyler son of Mrs E Edworthy of Beam Lodge Torrington received first prize in the radio section at the passing out parade. The parade at the Royal Naval Electrical School marched past to music played by the Apprentices Volunteer Band.