Events
Battle of Torrington Commemorative March - February 18th 2012
Torrington 1646 in association with the Great Torrington Cavaliers and the Sealed Knot would like to invite everyone to a day and evening of fun and fireworks in the 17th Century to commemorate the Battle of Torrington in 1646. The event will take place on Saturday 18th February. The day will start with Al Mitchell, the Town Crier, accompanied by the Mayors Guard marching around the town proclaiming the event open. During the day Torrington 1646 will be open giving a taste of life in the 17th Century, including a living history display and demonstrations of musket and pike drill by the Sealed Knot. A musket firing competition will be held in the afternoon (weather permitting). The Falconer will be showing his birds of prey and the Barber Surgeon will also be in attendance demonstrating his very own version of the NHS (No Hope Surgery!). There will be a bar in the grounds of 1646 and the café will be open all day serving breakfasts, light lunches, bacon sandwiches, burgers and light snacksIn the evening there will be a torchlight parade through the town led by the Great Torrington Cavaliers. The march will start from Great Torrington School car park at 19:00 (muster at 18:30) and end up in the town square approximately 20 minutes later, where the Mayor will address the assembled troops and public and the Town Crier will read out the actual proclamation that was read to the townsfolk on the day after the battle. The Mayor will then lay a wreath on the mass grave outside the church of St. Michael and All Angels. Everyone is welcome to join in the march and torches will be on sale in the school car park.
The day will conclude with a fireworks display in South Street car park and free hot drinks at Torrington 1646.
Please note that this is a free event.
Timetable:
- 10:00 Torrington 1646 open.
- 14:00 Musket competition @ 1646 (weather permitting).
- 18:30 Muster at Great Torrington School car park.
- 19:00 Musket volley. March commences.
- 19:20 Musket volley, wreath laying and proclamation in town square.
- 19:45 Fireworks in South Street car park, followed by free hot drinks from the Café @ 1646
This year we are grateful to Councillors Andy Boyd, Margaret Brown and Geoff Lee who have secured funding through the Torridge District Council Councillors Grant Fund. We would also like to thank the Great Torrington Cavaliers for their donation towards this event. Without their support this event would not be possible.
