WHEN Torrington fire fighter Del Anderson told his bride-to-be Emma Sutton that he wanted her to be his "princess in a castle" he meant just that.

The couple are to be married on August 21 inside the replica medieval castle that has been built on the town's Commons by the Torrington Cavaliers charity group.

The 100-ft long structure is the latest in 40 years of charity bonfires built by the Cavaliers and the following Saturday after the wedding it will be razed to the ground in a spectacular display watched by thousands.

Del, 44, a local printer and part-time DJ, and Emma, 34, a full-time mum, have been together for the past two years. When planning their wedding they decided the castle was the venue for them.

"We wanted to show support to the Cavaliers, who do a fantastic job for charity and thought this might help to raise awareness," said Del.

Emma's daughter Maria will be a bridesmaid and her son Josh an usher. Del's daughter Dione will also be a bridesmaid. They will have some 60 guests at the ceremony on the Commons.

It will be a full wedding service, conducted by Methodist Minister the Rev Graham Slingo, although the legal side will have been carried out in the local Register Office a week in advance.

"Initially, I thought they wanted a blessing. But they want the full wedding experience," said Mr Slingo. "It will be the full religious ceremony with the exchange of rings and formal promises in the structure on the Commons."

Emma will wear a traditional bridal gown, but Del is keeping his outfit secret until the big day. Mr Slingo will be contributing the fee for the service to the Cavaliers' bonfire charity fund, which is raising money for the Children's Hospice South West and the North Devon Cancer Care Centre Trust.

The wedding will take place at 11am, after which the guests will go to a reception at The Torrington Arms.

That afternoon the Commons will become the venue for the Cavaliers' pre-bonfire fun day, their way of saying thank-you to the community and oth-ers who have supported their efforts.

Open to all, the free afternoon will include a range of activities and entertainments with family fun in mind, followed by an evening of live music.

A plague of rare black rats have been seen in Torrington. But don’t worry, these rats are harmless!

The Torrington Cavaliers have been presented with a hundred hand-made black rats by the First Torrington Scout Group. The rats will help to add realism to the Cavaliers latest charity bonfire - a full-size medieval castle that’s currently under construction on Torrington Common.

Scout Leader Peter Ashton said “We were delighted to get involved in their latest project. When we were thinking about what we could do, someone suggested that you couldn’t have a medieval castle without rats. So rats it was!”

Cavalier Steve Young said “It was an unusual offer from them, but the rats are fantastic. We try to engage the community in all of our projects, and however small the contribution, we are always very grateful.”

Steve added “Our castle is nearly complete, and it’s the finishing touches like the rats, that will make it even more special and realistic.”

The Torrington Cavaliers have spent the last two years building the castle, which will be burnt to the ground on Saturday 28th August. The event, which will include a massive firework display, hopes raise thousands of pounds for the Children’s Hospice South West and the North Devon Cancer Care Centre Trust.

On Sunday 23rd May a group of Cavaliers and their wives and partners visited the Childrens Hospice South West at Little Bridge House, Fremington to see the excellent work that they do.

The CHSW has been selected as one of two main beneficiaries of the proceeds from this years bonfire. They will receive 25% of the total raised.

On Sunday 30th some of the children and staff visited the bonfire site to see first hand what it is all about. There was some fun and activities for them and they all had fantastic afternoon.

After the event we had a get together in true cavalier fashion.

I have omited photos of the children

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We have been sponsored by a national organisation and a local buildings maintenance company. We are really delighted that they have chosen to support our major bonfire event this year. All the Cavaliers THANK YOU both for your kind support.

The GMB Union have sponsored us £3000 which will go towards the funding of the spectacular fireworks display which will be the best we have ever had.

Please visit their website www.gmb.org.uk

ALSO:

Westcountry Maintenance Services Ltd (WMS) have sponsored os £1500 this will fund the PA system for the evening.

Please visit thier website: www.wms.gb.com