TORCROSS NEWS

NEWS ITEMS WELCOME PLEASE CONTACT WEB MASTER OR PARISH CLERK

A GOOD JOB WELL DONE

dedication of John Hannaford Bench

The vicar the Rev. Richard Harding dedicates the new bench on the finished project

COMMUNITY PULLS TOGETHER TO REMEMBER JOHN

Gate being fitted

Photo shows l-r Jon Vowles, Bill Ireland and Barrie O’Shea

The next stage in the new community area in Torcross has just been completed.

The area, known as the Duckery, has had a gate installed to prevent children from running onto the road. Torcross people recently turned out in force to clear the area in the village centre in order to create a space for a memorial bench for much loved Torcross resident, John Hannaford.Cllr Bill Ireland, the Torcross representative on Stokenham Paris Council said: “The newly turfed area at the Duckery has proved a great hit with both locals and visitors. We thought the addition of a gate would make it safer for children and the Parish Council gave us funds towards the work.”

The bench is being made locally and will be installed in the near future.

The Slapton Ley Field Centre has worked with the community in order to create this public amenity area. The local village shop is now selling special food for the ducks.

COMMUNITY PULLS TOGETHER TO REMEMBER JOHN

Torcross Commemorative Green The finished Green

Torcross people turned out in force to clear an area in the village centre in order to create a space for a memorial bench for a much loved Torcross resident.John Hannaford died earlier this year. He used to run the butcher’s shop in the village, together with his brothers, Reg and George. The retiring collection at his funeral was divided equally between St Michael and All Angels Church, Stokenham and the Torcross Village Fund.

It was decided to put this money towards a commemorative seat close to the duck feeding area in the centre of Torcross and near to John’s home. A Torcross man through and through, he particularly enjoyed seeing the wildlife come to life in the early morning. He was always ready for a chat with everyone who passed by.A leaflet saying “Your village needs you!” was circulated round Torcross calling for volunteers to help. Over the next two weekend there was a tremendous turn out of over 14 villagers of all ages, pulling together in true community spirit and because so many turned out, they were soon able to finish the job.The area was first cleared of vegetation and then levelled and dug over before turfing could take place. Robin Rose-Price was just one of the villagers who turned out. He said: “The ducks were so impressed with the new area that they were sitting on the turf before we had even finished laying it. Upkeep of the new grassed area will come out of village funds so we will need to hold money raising events every so often to pay for it. We have started by putting a collecting box in the local shop in Torcross.”

“A bench, which will be made locally, will be installed as soon as possible. We hope that locals and visitors will stop a while to think of John and admire the beautiful surroundings.”

The community worked with staff from Slapton Ley Field Centre in order to create this public amenity area.

EXCERCISE TIGER 65TH ANNIVERSARY

April 28, 1944 - 2009

Surviving Veterans US Navy Colours

Ex US Navy veterans Nathan Resnick, Paul Gerolstein and Frank Derby attend the 65th Anniversary.

Image Torcross Beach 29.8.05

Torcross Beach on a busy summer's day


VISITORS FROM BEDFORD USA REMEMBER THE MANY FROM THEIR COMMUNITY WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN WW II

In the shadow of the Sherman tank at Torcross friends and relatives from Bedford County in Virginia were joined by local people, some of whom had been evacuated in 1944 to enable practise landings on Slapton Sands, for a short service of remembrance. The Mayor of Bedford County presented to the local community the flag of the United States of America that on the 2nd October 2003 had been flown over the United States Capital in honour and recognition of the involvement of the locality in preparation for the allied liberation of the European Continent during World War II. A copy of the recently published book "The Land We Left Behind" was presented to the visitors by co-author Mr. Robin Rose-Price together with a memento of Stokenham Parish. In 1944, preparation for the D Day landings the Americans from Bedford had been stationed at Ivybridge and it was in conjunction with Ivybridge Town Council that this visit was made to Slapton Sands en-route the next day (5th June) to Normandy.