COASTAL PATH

At Newton Abbot on January 27, a provisional Association was formed to further users’ interests on the proposed South West Peninsula Coastal Path. This splendid idea was ‘born’ 22 years ago but, despite being authorised by Act of Parliament, is still unfinished. It is not a modern idea like the Pennine Way. Until 1913, it was an established path patrolled on foot by coastguards. The rows of coastguard cottages and old stone stiles remaining in many places are evidence of this usage. 

When finished, it would run from Minehead  right round to Poole, some 515 miles, over twice the length of the Pennine Way.

MEDIAEVAL STATUS

The Archeological Society of Exeter University wants to carry out a five or six-week excavation at Teignmouth so as to ascertain the mediaeval status of this town as a port and trading centre. There was a particular area of interest in the area between St Michael’s Church and the Sebastopol Inn, and Nos.14 and 15 Dawlish Street, which appears to have been a mediaeval longhouse.

DUTCHMAN KNEW TEIGNMOUTH

Publicity officer, Mr Donald Sharp, recounted how when visiting Valkenburg in Holland for a Resort Officers’ conference, he stopped for petrol. The attendant saw his brochures, and said he knew Teignmouth well. He was evacuated to England as a child in the war, and lived with people in Torbay. They had relatives in Teignmouth and he would often visit them. Mr. Sharp asked if he would be going again - ‘Yes, when I have some money’.

WISE WORDS

Life is a one way street, and you’re not coming back. A mistake is not serious unless it is repeated. It is better to go straight than to move in the best circles.

TOWN GUIDES

Mr Sharp reported that there had been 22,163 applications for guides, an increase of 3,976 on last year. The number printed was 31,300. It seems that the public were about a fortnight earlier in fixing their holidays. This would create a problem for the supply which would run out at the beginning of May. It would cost £1,154 for a black and white reprint of 5,000, or £1,675 with a coloured cover, which would be prohibitive.

GAS SHORTAGES

South West Gas regrets that, after midnight on Tuesday, February 13, industrial action by some of their employees will disrupt the servicing of appliances. More importantly, gas supplies may be affected. Reduced pressure will be noticeable. Customers are asked to limit the use of cookers and water heaters. Grills and ovens should not be used, and gas heaters restricted to living rooms only. Turn off the mains supply completely when you go out, and relight the pilots when you return.

RIVIERA CINEMA

Elizabeth Taylor, Michael Caine and Susannah York in Zee & Co;  Richard Attenborough, Lee Remick and Claire Bloom in A Severed Head; Sid James, Kenneth Williams, and the rest, in Carry On, Matron.