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.

Fifty gas lamps which were fixed to the tops of the standards in the former Torrington street lighting system have been sold by the Torrington Borough Surveyor, Mr Peter Symons.

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 the old systems as well” he added.
Gazette article dated 16 May 1958

Torrington’s May Queen And Court Chosen

A Torrington radio and TV dealer, Mr Thomas Squire, of Castle Street, is proud of his family’s May Fair ‘tradition’.

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 to be Queen while she was at the school.
The Barley Grove children have elected 10 years old Caroline Bastin, daughter of Mr J W Bastin, headmaster of the Torrington Secondary Modern School, to the this year’s crowner. The heralds and attendants were chosen by the school’s headmaster, Mr J W Hicks, according to their heights.
Heralds this year will be 10 years old Raymond Drayton and 11 years old Kenneth Cobbledick who were picked from a group of boys who volunteered.
Chosen as attendants their ages ranging from five to seven are: Angela Vanstone, Lesley Folland, Sally Darch, Lynn Jury, Susan Copp, Jennifer Lock, Sandra Davis and Trudy Hobson.
The full article is dated 7 March 1958

Safe Driving Awards At Torrington

Forty-eight drivers employed by Torridge Vale Dairies (Devon) Ltd, Torrington, have been presented with safe driving awards.

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