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Photographer Jennifer Rowlandson, Tiverton
Torcross
Torcross
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Seabreeze Cafe, Torcross
Seabreeze Cafe, Torcross
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Torcross
Torcross - What's In A Name
Most villages grow organically, their original founding date lost in the mists of time, with scant mentions in old documents which is all we have to gauge their age.
Not so Torcross.
It was founded in, or just before, 1602, when, at Stokenham Manorial Court, a member of the newly formed community of Torcross reported that ‘all was going well’.
It might seem strange to ‘found’ a new village in this way, but it is does make sense.
It is thought that the people of South Devon had been fishing off the Slapton Line for thousands of years, but raiding by Norsemen and other ne’er do wells (such as the dangerous Breton’s, who had in fact attempted to invade, landing at Slapton, in 1404) had made living on the coast a risky business.
The people of the area lived in the hills and went down to the shore to launch boats. This is obviously not the most convenient arrangement, but avoided marauding raiders, keeping the fishermen and their families safe.
So what changed? By the 17th Century the seas were considered much safer as Britain was beginning to build itself up as a maritime power. This process began during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, who died in 1603.
Thanks to this, a life right by the sea became much less dangerous.
So, what of the new town’s name? Unfortunately, that is much less clear-cut. There are three possibilities:
1. That there was a stone cross by the sea to aid navigation of ships – rather like the Daymark by Dartmouth today. The Old English word for stone is ‘Tor’, so Stone cross becomes ‘Tor-Cross’. Legend has it that the stone was moved by the Lord of Widdicombe Manor to his lands, where it apparently still stands.
2. A fishy one, this meaning (pardon the pun). Fishermen used to dip their ropes in tar to waterproof them. From this comes the name “Tar Crofs”. This comes from Tar Crofts, or the homesteads the fishermen used to occupy. Old maps have references to such places all around the Torcross area, and so some believe the name is a corruption of this phrase.
3. Two men who lived in the area might also have inspired the name: One called Walter de la Torre recorded as living nearby in 1281 and Adam de la Cros who was based in the area according to documents dated to 1316.
Whatever the reason for the name, you can see the attraction of living at this unique meeting of sea, shingle, and freshwater ley. Rich in natural resources it was a great place to get food and water, the staples of a settled life.
In the Victorian era a road was built along the line, linking Kingsbridge with Dartmouth along the coast for the first time. A stagecoach service was soon to follow and this created much-needed trade for the village. The movement of people along this road, be they local or tourist, has been its lifeblood ever since.
The area has not always managed to be so peaceful or settled, of course.
The people of the area had to leave their homes during the preparations for D-Day - and it will forever be associated with the tragedy of Exercise Tiger. 700 American servicemen lost their lives when German E-Boats intercepted a convoy of ships heading to Slapton for landing exercises.
But what is less known is that 300 more men lost their lives on the beach itself the day before, when ‘covering fire’ was badly aimed, mowing down their own soldiers.
After the war the residents returned to their homes and built their community around farming and, increasingly, tourism.
It became a mecca for fishermen and watersports enthusiasts. The Ley is a haven for wildlife and the environmental education centre in Slapton is another big attraction to visitors.
Torcross also became a hub for history fans after Hotelier Ken Small raised a tank from the sea floor in 1984. The tank was left over from Exercise Tiger, and Mr Small erected it in the village as a memorial to those that died on those fateful days in 1944. His book - the Forgotten Dead – sold thousands and raised the profile of the tragedy internationally. As well as honouring those whose sacrifice had been forgotten, it has been a boost to the local economy.
The village of Torcross has a rich history, a thriving community and stunning views that make it well worth a visit at any time of year.