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