Torrington Mayflower Bonfire 2021
27th July 2019
Torrington Mayflower bonfire will be the result of 5 years planning and hard work.
Towards the end of the 12th century a ‘large waste called The Common’, now Torrington Commons, was given to the people of Torrington. In 1889 the rights to this land were transferred, by an act of parliament, to an elected Committee of Conservators. They now administer 365 acres of land surrounding the town on all but the eastern side.The commons is also the site where the Torrington Cavaliers build their, now famous, bonfires.
The Cavaliers are a band of men who do a lot of voluntary work in the community, organise fundraising events and have fun! Their name derives from the period of the Civil War when Torrington was a Royalist, or Cavalier, town.
On the way back from a recent trip to Bideford we stopped at the commons to see the latest project for the Torrington Cavaliers, A full size replica of The Mayflower. The bonfires happen every five years, all raising money for great local causes and making a fantastic evening out. Once the bonfire is over, they start again on the planning for the next one.
We are really looking forward to seeing this complete and to the bonfire and fireworks which follow. I hope you get a chance to see it on 28th August 2021.
This year the BBC were onsite for 5 hours filming and interviewing. The footage will be shown on BBC1 breakfast and i’m sure they’ll be back for the big event.
UPDATE
Due to Covid-19 this event has been postponed until 2021. 😢 Here are some of the amazing constructions previously built.
If you like this, you may also like:
Watersmeet House, National Trust
Sheepdog and Falconry display
Walking on Dartmoor
Trapped Escape rooms Okehampton
RHS Rosemoor
