Little Torrington
| Little Torrington | |
|---|---|
 St Giles Church, Little Torrington |
|
 Little Torrington
|
|
| Little Torrington shown within Devon | |
| Population | 376 (2011 Census) |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Police | Devon and Cornwall |
| Fire | Devon and Somerset |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| EU Parliament | South West England |
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. Little Torrington has the Church of St Giles. and the Chapel of St Mary Magdalene.
In the 1870s, Little Torrington was described as
"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. The first vicar for the church was recorded in 1259, although the current church of St Giles was created in the 15th Century. 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.
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."
"At Taddiport village there is an ancient chapel attached to an old leper hospital foundation."
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.
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.
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.
...
Wikipedia