The End

 torridgevaledairy.blogspot.com - The End.

The story began during January 2024. It is about life and people, Players if you will, that I met on the stage that was the dairy.

I have put it together for anyone who has memories of the place and for those younger folk who might  ask, "What was it like there?" Read while you can.

The wheel has turned full circle and Time cannot be reversed.

In my mind I am transported back through time when, as a gangly, skinny six foot two young man in those halcyon days of youth I am standing on the Channel Island dock gawking at the young women in the Farmers Lab opposite.

I came to know most of the "Gallant 600" and, in one case, hold sentiments that have lasted all my life.

All manner of memories come to mind, to cherish now that my days are pretty much numbered.

But that's Life as they say and if I had my chance a second time around I would do it all exactly the same.

I've had some great get-togethers with my Bloggateers who have been so much help in putting the Blog together, trying to recall the names of those we worked with or even if we did not.

Meeting and befriending the charismatic John Revell who gave us special access as the buildings demolition was in progress. 

We are still in touch with him.

As I've said elsewhere I hope the dairy site will become of new use for Torrington. 

Not before time!

I'm signing off now but if anyone wishes to leave a comment please feel free to do so.

From me, (Bob Friendship) Art Weston, Sid Walter, Alan Brace and Andy Skinner, 

"All the best!"

Thanks, also, to Paul "Fuzzy" Martin and other contributors to my Blog.

Take care you All! 👍

Myself - 2023

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Demolition progress photos

 

Demolition progress at February 23rd. 2024.

follow the link to the latest photos here and scroll down...

Latest demolition photos

Introduction

about 1974
The old (175') concrete chimney had just been replaced
 with this (on the right) steel section - 150'
During one night shift I climbed the scaffolding to the 100' section.

Then and now, (2023)
photo: Bob Friendship.

About 1988. Last development of the dairy.
(Photo by kind permission of Sealand Aerial Photography Ltd.)

Much has been written about the dairy at Torrington.

Here follows some of my recollections of my employment there from 1969 thru 1985 with additions kindly provided by those with whom I had the pleasure to know and work with.

Thanks to all.

 It has been my intention to write a Blog in tribute to a place where I came to work, out of necessity, and to the small town of Torrington and those folk with whom I met and worked.

Before Time catches me out I offer my submission and hope it finds some approval.

With the addition of a few of my own photos and those kindly provided by others I hope to add some interest for those who visit here.

Those who were there will doubtless recall their own special memories.

My purpose is to provide an insight into a way of life now gone forever, so different from how things evolve today and surely how methods, practices and livelihoods will continually change how the human race will progress in the future.

For visitors, here, that could not know how things were I can simply tell you this.

Myself and pals whom I knew and worked with recall our time there as some of the best days of our lives. 

Many of us actually looked forward to going to work!

It was not just a place to work and earn a living. In 1969 when I first came to work here, 500 plus people from all about the area and beyond came together to earn a living and in doing so found themselves part of not just a workplace but a social hub, to make friends, yes and sometimes disagree but, overall, to enrich their lives and their families in every respect and for the greater good of the small but lively market town of Torrington...

......for lively it most certainly was.

As such, Torrington was host to several places of work to its' benefit. 

The Glass Works, (Dartington Crystal), North Devon Meat, Sudburys Gloves, School Pictures, Torridge Transport, Staceys Builders, Halsdon Machinery, Alco Engineering, Castle Works, North Devon Clay Works - Peters Marland, two or three banks, Goose Green Garage, The Plough and, of course, Torridge Vale.

I may have missed some. If so I apologise.

Working "down dairy" opened up a completely new experience for me and provided me with a means to re-shape my life, meet new friends and the young woman with whom I share my life. 

In short, it was a God-send.

to be continued...... check out my other pages from the menu, top right.