Little Torrington

Little Torrington

St Giles Church, Little Torrington
Little Torrington
 Little Torrington shown within Devon
Population 376 (2011 Census)
Shire countyDevon
RegionSouth West
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Police Devon and Cornwall
Fire Devon and Somerset
Ambulance South Western
EU Parliament South West England
List of places
UK
England
Devon

Coordinates: 50°55′52″N 4°08′56″W / 50.931009°N 4.148862°W / 50.931009; -4.148862

Little Torrington is a village and a civil parish near Great Torrington, in the Torridge district, north Devon, England. In 2001 the population of the civil parish of Little Torrington was 420 and in 2011 it was 376, according to census data the population.[1][2] Little Torrington has the Church of St Giles.[3] and the Chapel of St Mary Magdalene.[4]

In the 1870s, Little Torrington was described as

"A bridge over the river Torridge, at Taddyport village, connects the parish with Great Torrington. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Exeter. Value, £397. Patrons, the Heirs of Lord Rolle and others. The church is ancient but good."[5]

History

"Little Torrington was originally a Saxon Settlement called Toritona." "The Manor of Toritona was held by a Saxon called Edmar during the reign of Edward the Confessor" between 1042–1066.[6] The first vicar for the church was recorded in 1259, although the current church of St Giles was created in the 15th Century.[7] Renovations have taken place on the church throughout its time, 3 of these have been major renovations including, in 1755 when it was re-roofed in a Georgian style. "In 1857 during the incumbency of the Reverend George de Carteret Guille, when the nave and south aisle were restored, the western gallery removed, and the chancel rebuilt and enlarged." Finally "in 1898, during the incumbency of the Reverend Thomas McClelland, when restoration work was carried out on the tower" and the addition of a tower screen and new pews to the interior of the church.[8]

Little Torrington along with Great Torrington "had a significant role in the English Civil War, specifically, the Battle of Torrington in 1646 which marked the end of Royalist resistance in the West Country." "Great Torrington today has become well recognized as an important heritage center for the history of the 17th century."[9]

"At Taddiport village there is an ancient chapel attached to an old leper hospital foundation."[10]

Population has fluctuated in Little Torrington between 1801 and 2011 according to census data. The total population in 1801 was 449, and from then the population continued to grow hitting its peak in 1851, with a total population of 623. After 1851 the population fell and reached its lowest recorded level in 1961, with a population of just 281, less than half the population of 1851. From here the population started to recover, reaching its current level of 376 people, according to the 2011 census.[11]

Industry

The first census divided the working men into two different categories, those 'chiefly employed in agriculture' and those 'chiefly employed in trade, manufacturers or handicraft'. This then progressed into nine categories in 1831, with the majority of Little Torrington's men aged 20 and over working in agriculture. [12]

The 1881 census showed more work categories for both men and women. The main industry for men to work in was Agriculture, and in 1881 72 men were engaged in the agricultural industry, following that domestic or office services was the second most popular industry, but with only 11 men working in this industry.

Most work for females was in different industry's than for the men, for females the main categories for work was in the dressmaking industry which employed 39 women and the domestic office or services employed 32 women. [13]

Currently 189 of the 376 Little Torringtons residents are employed. The two highest areas of employment are agriculture, forestry & fishing and Manufacturing, both of which employ 25 residence each. However, for sectors such as financial & Insurance activities and real estate activities, only 1 resident is employed in each of these industries.[14]

The Village

A historical 20th Century map, from the British War Office, showing Little Torrington, Devon.

The village is located east of the A386, contains "2880 acres of land, including the village of Taddiport, on the south-west side of the river Torridge opposite Great Torrington."[15] "Taddiport is a hamlet beside the Torridge, which is here crossed by a massive three-arched bridge, possibly of 17th century date. A chapel, attached to a leper hospital founded in the 13th century, still remains, though considerably altered."[16]

The majority of current residents, according to the 2011 census, live in whole houses or bungalows, 106 households live in detached properties and 55 households live in semi-detached properties, with only 2 households living in flats or apartments.[17]

Out of all the current residents 189 are economically active and 70 are retired.[18] The majority of these 178 households contain 2 people, 85 households, 51 households only have 1 person and only 14 households contain 4 people.[19]

According to the 2001 census age structure indicators, they found out of the 420 people living in Little Torringtons in 2001, 112 are aged 45–59, 71 are aged 30–44, 29 are aged 75–84 and only 12 are aged 5–7.[20]

There are 342 residence aged 16 or over, 99 of these residence have no formal qualifications, 41 have GCSE's or equivalent, 45 have A-Levels or equivalent and 78 have degrees or equivalent as their highest level of qualification.[21]

Local Businesses

Tarka Trail

The Torridge Inn – Located in Taddiport, this is a local rural pub and authentic Thai Diner, that provides live music and entertainment for patrons.[22]

Tarka Pottery – A pottery studio located on Glebe Farm, which has been open since 2006 offering clay Workshops, classes and pottery painting for all ages. The studio is run by Jax Williams who has been working with clay for over 25 years and also runs a holiday cottage for holidays and pottery breaks.[23]

Smytham Manor – A family run, rural holiday park that provides camping, caravanning and cabin accommodations. The site is set on "23 acres of parkland adjoining to the old manor house, which is still used as a family home".[24]

Transport

Little Torrington is connected by various bus services including those going to Barnstaple and Exeter.[25]

The closest train station is in Chapelton, 10 miles from Little Torrington, part of the First Great Western line which connects to Barnstaple, Exeter and Plymouth.[26]

Historic estates

References

  1. ↑ "Little Torrington: Key Figures for 2011 Census: Key Statistics". www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
  2. ↑ http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3&b=793826&c=Little+Torrington&d=16&e=15&g=437783&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1308855252437&enc=1&dsFamilyId=779
  3. ↑ http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-91740-church-of-st-giles-little-torrington
  4. ↑ http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-91749-chapel-of-st-mary-magdalene-little-torrin
  5. ↑ Wilson, John Marius (1870). Gazetteer of England and Wales. Edinburgh: A. Fullerton & Co. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
  6. ↑ Allen, John. "Church of St Giles Little Torrington Church". St Michael & All Angels Church. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  7. ↑ "Little Torrington". Tour Devon. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  8. ↑ Allen, John. "Church of St Giles Little Torrington Church.". St Michael & All Angels Church. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
  9. ↑ "Great Torrington". Great Torrington Tourist Information. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  10. ↑ "Little Torrington, Devon". UK genealogy archives. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
  11. ↑ "Little Torrington Total Population". Vision of Britain. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  12. ↑ "Males aged 20 & over, in 9 occupational categories". A Vision of Britain Through Time. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
  13. ↑ "1881 Census of England and Wales". Vision of Britain. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  14. ↑ "Industry, 2011". Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  15. ↑ Randell, Brian. "LITTLE TORRINGTON". GENUKI. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  16. ↑ "Little Torrington". Devon County Council. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  17. ↑ "Accommodation Type – Households, 2011". Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  18. ↑ "Economic Activity of Household Reference Persons, 2011". Office of National Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  19. ↑ "Household Size, 2011". Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  20. ↑ "Age Structure, 2001". Office of National Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  21. ↑ "Highest Level of Qualification, 2011". Office of National Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  22. ↑ "The Torridge Inn and Thai Diner". The Torridge Inn. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  23. ↑ "Tarka Pottery & Ceramics Studio". Tarka Pottery. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  24. ↑ "Symthan Manor Holiday Park". Symthan Manor Holiday Park. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  25. ↑ "LISTING OF BUS AND COACH SERVICES FROM LIT271". Travel Search. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
  26. ↑ "First Great Western National Rail Network Map" (PDF). First Great Western. Retrieved 24 March 2015.

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