GAS LEAK NEAR HOSPITAL

A road was sealed off for about an hour at Teignmouth on Monday evening when a gas leak occurred in the main outside the Hospital and caught fire. All traffic, including buses, was stopped from using Mill Lane, and crowds of onlookers were kept well back.

Workmen had during the day completed converting a main across the road to natural North Sea gas. Apparently there was some mud on the pavement, and red warning paraffin lamps had been placed there. It is believed that a vehicle knocked one of these over, thereby igniting the gas.

About 1.30am on Tuesday, two engines were called to a plume of flame near Shaldon Bridge. This was old gas being burnt, and was a false alarm, with good intent.

DEVON’S HISTORIC BUILDINGS

An unusual scheme designed to help preserve some of Devon’s rich stock of historic and architecturally interesting buildings was put before the County Council for approval. Under this scheme, the County Council would put up £25,000 a year into a ‘revolving fund’, to be used to buy up listed buildings in urgent need of treatment, carry out restoration work, and sell the properties, using the proceeds for further restorations.

IN DAYS OF YORE, 25 Years ago: 

A Union Jack, relic of two World Wars, lent by Mrs M E Harris of Teignmouth, was featured in the British Legion exhibition in London. The flag was one flown by Earl Haig at his battle headquarters at Montreuil from 1916 to the end of the war, and by Viscount Montgomery during the last months of the war in Europe.

SHOWERED WITH SPARKS

A Shaldon man was badly shaken after being showered with sparks from an overhead power cable, while getting out of his car in Dagmar Street. ‘Suddenly there were bright flashes from the wires overhead. I was not hurt, but it was quite frightening.’ About 100 people from adjoining houses and shops came out to watch the sparks flying, described as spectacular, and as good as November 5.

A SWEB spokesman at Torquay said the cables were of low voltage and there was no great danger from the sparks. One wire had sagged and touched the one below, but the shorting stopped when the fuse blew.

DEVON’S HISTORIC BUILDINGS

An unusual scheme designed to help preserve some of Devon’s rich stock of historic and architecturally interesting buildings was put before the County Council for approval. Under this scheme, the County Council would put up £25,000 a year into a ‘revolving fund’, to be used to buy up listed buildings in urgent need of treatment, carry out restoration work, and sell the properties, using the proceeds for further restorations.

IN DAYS OF YORE

25 Years ago: A Union Jack, relic of two World Wars, lent by Mrs M E Harris of Teignmouth, was featured in the British Legion exhibition in London. The flag was one flown by Earl Haig at his battle headquarters at Montreuil from 1916 to the end of the war, and by Viscount Montgomery during the last months of the war in Europe.

RIVIERA CINEMA

Woodstock;  The Travelling Executioner; The House of Shadows; Wuthering Heights; and The Engagement.