WHAT were the stories occupying readers' attention in 70s Teignmouth? Join us as we go back in time to December 14, 1973, to find out.


► “WOMEN’S LIB NO SUBSTITUTE FOR MEN”

At the Teignmouth Debating Society’s annual dinner on Monday, there was a lively debate on this subject. 

In proposing the toast of “The Guests”, Mr. F. W. Smith, referring to the fact that the Rev. Ian Jones, Roman Catholic priest, was to propose “The Society”, he commented on the unique fact that the ministers of three denominations in Teignmouth were all named Jones. 

He supposed that in Wales they would be distinguished as “Jones the Catholic”, “Jones the Meth” and “Jones the United”. 

In response to the toast, Mrs. Griffith Morgan remarked “This must be a very thriving Society. It seems to have drawn a large number of members to the annual dinner. 

We live in communication, and it is one of the best and pleasantest things in life. We provide from our ranks those grand orators, the politicians and public speakers, lawyers and judges” “The ladies had developed as fine speakers in debate,” said the Rev. Ian Jones. “They brought a sense of humour and wit”.

Mr .L. Bossom, proposing “The Ladies”, said that in these days of calls for equal pay and equal rights, this had become an anachronism. Mrs. Draycott in reply said “I wonder what would happen in the world if men were to take us at their word, and give us Women’s Lib.” saying that ladies were often helpless in mechanical and electrical things. It is no substitute for a man about the house.


► PROPOSED BLOCKS OF FLATS

Teignmouth and Shaldon Environmental Society has been pushing the view to the Urban Council that old buildings of good architecture, character and charm should be retained. 

Teignmouth as it was should not be allowed to disappear, although whether the war time bombing and the trunk road through the town have had such a “half-and-half” effect that this aim is no longer justified.

In a schedule of applications before the Plans Committee last week, Lisarg Development Ltd. intends to erect an 11-storey block of flats adjacent to Old Quay Street, where part of a very old harbour wall, 2ft thick, has been uncovered by excavations. 

There is the possibility of another block of flats being built at the nearby site of Regis Hotel. The Regis, probably 18th Century or earlier, was one of Teignmouth’s very few surviving buildings of antiquity and interest. 

Far from being demolished, the Society felt that this “gracious and dignified old house” was well worthy of designation as a listed building.


► WISE WORDS

Whatever’s begun in anger, ends in shame.  An angry man who suppresses his passion thinks worse than he speaks. Expect not praise without envy until you are dead.


► WORST CAR

Giving evidence at Teignmouth Magistrate’s Court, a Police examiner, Constable Dennis Clark, said the Morris 1100 was the worst he had inspected in eleven years. 

The car was extremely rusty, but he was concerned with the unlawful condition of the brakes.

The pedal of the footbrake went down to the floor without response; the brake  on the back wheel would not work; the rear frame was not joined to the body - it was just held by the brake cables; when he applied the hand brake the whole chassis came forward; the brake fluid was leaking onto the brakes. 

In one place, there were two blocks of wood, and in another, a builder’s nail, to keep the car together. The defendant had not looked underneath. 

He said the car was previously a mini-taxi, fitted with two-way radio, which he bought from a reputable garage. He thought it was a good buy at £125. He came down Labrador Hill at 50 mph, which would have been suicide if the brakes had been faulty, he said.


► RIVIERA CINEMA

Sunday and Monday: Robert Mitchum in “The Wrath of God”. Friday and Saturday: “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”, with Dick Van Dyke, Sally Ann Howes and Lionel Jeffries.