• Welcome to the Bideford & District Community Archive

    Welcome to the Bideford & District Community Archive

    ...The Gazette Newspaper 1856 onwards.

    Read More
  • Welcome to the Bideford & District Community Archive

    Welcome to the Bideford & District Community Archive

    ...The Gazette Newspaper 1856 onwards.

    Read More
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  • 1 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 2 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 3 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 4 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 5 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 6 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 7 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 8 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 9 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 10 No sale of Springfield House

  • 11 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 12 Northam's almshouse

  • 13 Littleham family's five generations

  • 14 Modern living at Bideford

  • 15 Variety in summer weather

  • 16 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 17 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 18 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 19

    Married in 1908
  • 20

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 21 Torrington children build igloo
  • 22 New civic medallions

  • 23 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 24 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 25 Dustmen of the days of yore>
  • 26

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 27 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 28 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 29 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 30 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 31 He beat the floods

  • 32 What's the time?

  • 33 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 34 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 35 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 36 First ship in 8 years

  • 37 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 38 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 39 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 40

    Exhibition of school work
  • 41 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 42 Private home for public pump

  • 43 Waldon Triplets
  • 44 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 45 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 46 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 47 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 48 Off on a great adventure

  • 49 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 50 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 51

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 52 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 53 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 54 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 55 New Lundy stamps

  • 56 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 57 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 58 New art gallery opened

  • 59 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 60

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 61 A bird of their own!

  • 62

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 63 Peter poses for TV film

  • 64 All aboard the ark

  • 65 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 66 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 67 Riverside mystery

  • 68 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 69 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 70 For crying out loud!

  • 71 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 72 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 73 East-the-Water's call for new school

  • 74 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 75 Twenty-one yachts

  • 76 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 77 Bideford loses training ship

  • 78 From Bobby to Brian

  • 79 Out of puff!

  • 80 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 81 When horses score over the tractor

  • 82 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 83 Reed threshing 'putting the clock back' at Weare Giffard

  • 84

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 85 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 86 A man and his wheel

  • 87 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 88 Ships at Bideford

  • 89 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 90 Meredith and Son ad.>
  • 91 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 92 113 years at Instow

  • 93 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 94 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 95 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 96 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 97 Over the bank together>
  • 98 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 99 Capers on the cobbles

  • 100 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 101 Jumble sale fever

  • 102 Life begins at 80

  • 103 New look in the hayfields

  • 104 No laughing matter

  • 105 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 106 Not Bideford's answer to the moon rocket!

  • 107

    Was a missionary
  • 108

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 109 Appledore's largest

  • 110 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 111 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 112 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 113 They are parted pro-tem

  • 114 Some 240 exhibits

  • 115 School crossing patrol begins

  • 116 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 117

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 118 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 119 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 120 Emergency ferry services

  • 121 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 122 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 123 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 124 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 125 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 126 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 127 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 128 New addition to Quay front

  • 129 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 130 All for the love of a lady!

  • 131 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 132 Finished in 1876

  • 133 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 134 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 135 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 136 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 137 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 138 Picking the pops

  • 139 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 140 Simple Item 138
  • 141 Can spring be far away?

  • 142 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 143 Disastrous dock fire at Appledore>
  • 144 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 145 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 146 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 147 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 148

    New gateway
  • 149 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 150 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 151 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 152 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 153 Northam footballers of the future

  • 154 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 155 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 156 Torrington's new amenity

  • 157 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 158

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 159

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 160 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 161 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 162 Penny for the guy

  • 163 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 164 In their new robes and hats

  • 165 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 166 Service with a smile

  • 167

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 168 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 169 New choral society's growing response

  • 170 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 171 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 172 School's link with cargo ship

  • 173 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 174

    Bidefordians
  • 175 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 176

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 177

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 178 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 179 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 180 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 181 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 182 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 183 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 184 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 185 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 186 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 187

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 188 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 189 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 190 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 191

    Relatives all over the world
  • 192 Gateways with rhymes>
  • 193 Sight of a lifetime

  • 194 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 195 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 196 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 197 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 198 North Devon Driving School

  • 199 Burnard family reunion

  • 200 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 201 Braddicks furniture ad.>
  • 202 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 203

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 204 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 205 Sweets derationing

  • 206 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 207 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 208 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 209 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 210 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 211 New Post Office

  • 212 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 213 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 214 Some mushroom!

  • 215 Hartland postman retires

  • 216 Revenge in style

  • 217 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 218 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 219 Loads of black and white

  • 220 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 221 New shipyard on schedule

  • 222 Last train from Torrington

  • 223 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 224 Picking the pops

  • 225 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 226 Police station view of Bideford

  • 227 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 228 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 229 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 230 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 231 Torrington in 1967

  • 232 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 233 Filming at Hartland

  • 234 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 235 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 236 One of the luckier farmers in getting in the problem harvest

  • 237

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 238 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 239 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 240 Pannier Market's future?

  • 241 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 242 The cab at the corner>
  • 243 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 244

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 245 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 246 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 247 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 248 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 249 Bridging the stream

  • 250 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 251 Mobile missionary

  • 252 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 253 End of the line

  • 254 Parkham plan realised

  • 255 Decontrol of meat

  • 256 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 257 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 258 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 259 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 260 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 261 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 262 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 263 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 264 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 265 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 266 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 267 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 268

    First prize
  • 269 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 270

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 271 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 272 Weare Giffard potato

  • 273 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 274 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 275

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 276 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 277 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 278 The Geneva marionettes

  • 279 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 280 By pony and trap to market

  • 281 Clovelly custom

  • 282 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 283 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 284 Traditions and skills still there

  • 285 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 286 Hartland Dancers
  • 287 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

  • 288 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 289 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 290 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 291 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 292 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 293 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 294 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 295 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 296 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 297 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 298 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 299 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 300 Puppet characters introduced

  • 301 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 302 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 303 Centenary of Gazette

  • 304 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 305 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 306 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 307 Devil sent packing

  • 308 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 309 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 310 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 311 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 312 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 313 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 314 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 315 So this is the mainland!

  • 316 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 317 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 318 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 319 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 320 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 321 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 322 Bideford computer stars

  • 323 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 324 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 325 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 326 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 327 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 328

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 329 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 330 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 331 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 332 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 333

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 334 Circus comes to town

  • 335 Sixty-two year old Picarooner makes ready for season

  • 336 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 337 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 338 Lundy memorial to John Pennington Harman V.C.

  • 339 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 340 Hartland's invitation

  • 341 Warmington's garage ad

  • 342 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 343 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 344 A roof-top view - where?

  • 345 Bideford regatta

  • 346

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 347 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 348 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 349 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 350 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 351 Happy Days!

  • 352 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 353 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 354 To build racing cars in former blacksmith's shop

  • 355 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 356 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 357 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 358 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 359 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 360 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 361 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 362 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 363 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 364 Ten year old scrambler

  • 365 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 366 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 367 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 368 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 369

    Building works
  • 370 It really was the 'last time'

  • 371 The young smith of Abbotsham>
  • 372 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 373 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 374 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 375 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 376 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 377 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 378 Open-air art exhibition by 'under 40' group

  • 379 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 380 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 381 Blanchards ad.>
  • 382 A story to tell!

  • 383 Just over a year old

  • 384 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 385 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 386 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 387 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 388 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 389 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 390 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 391

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 392 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 393 Six footed lamb

  • 394 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 395 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 396 Cruising down the river

  • 397 Diamond Jubilee of St Peter's Church, East-the-Water

  • 398 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 399 New life for Hartland organ

  • 400 Caught in the act>
  • 401 Doing time - over 300 years of it - at Hartland

  • 402 Clovelly nightmare

  • 403 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 404 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 405 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 406 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 407 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 408 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 409 Artisans' Club

  • 410 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 411 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 412 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 413

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 414 The art of the thatcher

  • 415 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 416 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 417

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 418 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 419 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 420 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 421 Recognise this resort?

  • 422 Fish nearly pulled him in

3.5.1957 Robins win Hansen Cup

Robins Win The Hansen Cup

May 3rd, 1957

Bideford AFC pictured with the Hansen Cup after they had defeated Bude 2-1 in the final

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and suddenly it's spring

Cadds Down Farm

1 March 1974

Joined by Trixie, the pony

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  • Seafield House - the "Spooky House" of Westward Ho!

    The house on the cliff edge known locally as ‘Spooky House’ or even ‘Haunted House’ , was built about 1885.

    The road was especially built to enable access to the house and was initially known as Seafield Road; later it became Merley Road.

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  • 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.

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  • Torrington May Fair Queen and Her Attendants

    Names from left to right:Joan Ricketts; Joan Newcombe; Jean Wernhem; Margaret Sweet; Enid Ovenden; Rona Elsworthy; Doris Short; (back row);
    Eileen Short; Miss Margery Bennett (Queen); Joyce Downman; David Fiddian (Page); Peggie Sussex;

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1911 Coronation Medal

Coronation Medal Presented on June 22nd 1911   Learn More

The Hoops Inn

The Hoops Inn close to Peppercombe Beach

The Quay at Appledore

Appledore Quay where Taw and Torridge Rivers meet 

 
Wynne Olley

Crowning Glory

12 October 1962

Their finest achievement to date...

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Shipyard goes into liquidation 1963

Liquidator appointed

4 January 1963

Difficulty in retaining labour...

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Torrington Station's Brief Passenger Use Revival

Possibly the last passenger train to visit Torrington station did so on Saturday.

Torrington Station1 9.10.1970

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.

Retired PC mourned at Torrington

Many friends attended the funeral service in St Michael’s Church, Torrington, for Mr Frederick John Allen, 105 Mill Street, Torrington. Mr Allen, who was 68, was a retired policeman.

1962 death of Mr Allen

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.
Others attending included Sergeant J Street and Constable Hancock, Mrs M Doyle, Mr E Johns, Mr and Mrs P May, Mr and Mrs E Lawrence, Mr Hammett, Mr and Mrs J Norman, Mr and Mrs B Norman, Miss Ethel Rowe, Mrs F J Bryan, Miss F Snell, Mrs W Blight, Mr and Mrs A Sutton, Mr and Mrs Martin Burke, Miss K Baker, Mrs Len Eastwood, Mrs S Blight, Mr S C Ward, Mr and Mrs Fred Vodden, Mr and Mrs C Winson, Mrs C R Popham, Mrs D Snell, Mrs Joe Davies, Mr J Quick and Mrs Charles Popham.
Floral tributes were from: May, Dorothy and Steve, Pamela and Roger, Beatie, Gladys and Monty, Cred and Eddie, Thelma, Laurie and Lyndon, Mr and Mrs W Allen, Ivy, Fred and family, Mr and Mrs Portman and Roy, Fred and Lily, Graham, Julia, Elizabeth and Jonathan, Doris, David and Ann, Ciss and Essie, Elsie, Graham, Heather and Michael, Win, Ted and Margaret, Chief Constable and members of Swansea Borough Police Force, Albert and Doris, Mr and Mrs Bonniwell, Mr Tayler, Mr and Mrs Matthews, Mr and Mrs E Lawrence, Emrys and Betty, S C Ward, Mr and Mrs F Sussex, Mrs Cole and family, Mr Tony Avery, Bill, Edie and Florrie, Mrs Holland and Florrie, Mr and Mrs Brown and Stanley, Mrs Snell and Dorothy, Mr and Mrs May and Alan, Mill Street and Taddiport Old Age Pensioners Association, Mr and Mrs J Norman and family, R W Hearn and family, K Sandford and G Dyer, Kathleen Baker, Mrs B Sussex and J Davies, Joyce Steer, Mr and Mrs J Reed, Elsie, Jack and Lionel, past president, president and all members of Swansea Devonian Society, Connie Thurston and Betty Tuck.
Funeral arrangements by Mr Ivor Combe, 72 New Street, Torrington.
Full Gazette article dated 12 October 1962

Another New Factory for Torrington?

A London bookbinding firm, W J Rawlinson Ltd, has put in plans to build a factory on a site at Calvesford, Torrington, but no definite decision to go ahead with the project has yet been made.

Torrington Factory 16.10.1970

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 specially for industrial development, and main services and access roads were laid in preparation.

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