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.

Opened on Torrington Vicarage lawns by Mrs R A Wallington,

the wife of the Rector of Langtree, the annual St Michael’s Church fete proved a great success, about £142 being raised for Church funds. In brilliant sunshine helpers on the various stalls were busy throughout the afternoon.

Mrs Wallington was introduced by the Vicar, Rev P G Harrison.

There were over 20 entries for a fancy dress competition for children. The competition was won by Ann Searle dressed as a poodle. Second prize went to Jennifer Slade and Linda Marson as hula-hula girls, with Sheila Marson, Bo-Peep, and Jennifer Oke, English Rose, third and fourth respectively.

Stall holders were Mesdames H Vincent, Warne and Bromhead; Miss L Mathews and Mrs J Heard; Mesdames J Nicholls, K Finnamore, R Lugg, A Ayre, E Ebsworthy, J Darch, T Vodden, Gordon, K Blight, M Hutchings, W Hoare, H Oke and others; Mesdames L Eastmond and C R Popham, Miss Gordon; Miss E Beer; mr C R Mitchell and Miss K Mitchell; Mesdames Coombe and F N Coomber; Jill and Anita Coombe; Mesdames G Norman and L J Hutchings; Mesdames J Sweet, W J Plucknett, H Dennis; Mesdames C Moore and G Darch; Messrs W Webber, J Downing, B Edyvean, Blight; Mr T R McDonald; Messrs B Mitchell and Webber.

The cake competition was won by Mr Walter Webber who re-presented the prize which was then won by Miss A Hooper. Other winners were: Mrs L Marson, Mrs E Webber, Mrs S Copp and Mr A Squire.

Gazette article 25 June 1965

Sudbury's Glove Factory

A topical note

in more ways than one was sounded by this tableau at Torrington Carnival. Entered by the girls of Sudbury's Torrington factory, with uniforms lent by the local Voluntary Silver Band, its humorous touch was perhaps a sign that the recent misunderstanding involving the band and May Fair was on the way to being resolved. Martial music was supplied by radiogram.

Gazette article dated May 1966

Torrington Photographs For USA

People living in the Torrington area

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 Abbot.

Contact has also been made between the Rotary Club of Torrington and that in Aseda, Sweden, in this case through Mr Eskil Vilhelmsson, managing director of Dartington Glass Ltd and it is hoped to make this an official twinning too.

More on Torrington, Connecticut, can be found at THIS LINK

Full Gazette article dated 26 January 1973