Veteran journalist John Ware who hung up his pen last year, recounts some of the more memorable stories he covered during 60 years on the Teignbridge beat for locals and nationals.
THERE was a surprise dish on the menu when a new Teignmouth restaurant opened on Teignmouth seafront in 1981.
An article at the time declared that the ‘sexy goings on’ startled guests invited to the preview evening.
It continued: Businessmen and their embarrassed wives found the entertainment was more spicy than the food.
Eyebrows began to raise when the orders were taken by attractive young waitresses attired in scanty costumes that left little to the imagination.
The fun really startled during the main course. Some diners nearly chocked on their steak and scampi when the owner’s wife started to strip revealing a large butterfly tattoo on her chest.
While the amazed guests were still recovering, she returned with the desserts to start singing topless.
The striptease came as a complete surprise to the 20 or so folk invited to the opening of the new look Georgian Two restaurant on the seafront.
Said one guest: ‘We had no idea it was going to be like that. The waitresses wore hardly anything at all, just south sea island type dresses with fringing that left them virtually topless as they moved about.
‘When the proprietress started to perform a striptease we began to wonder what was going on. I think most of the men enjoyed it, but some of their wives were not so happy. Maybe there should have been some sort of warning about it.
‘It is just as well we were all broadminded or there could have been a few walkout. It might be alright in Soho, but does seem a bit strong for Teignmouth.’
The stripping hostess is Sue Poole, 32, a former go-go dancer and singer, who says the cabarets will be a regular feature during the winter.
‘We gave no hint of what would happen because we wanted it to be a complete surprise. Nobody complained and I think the evening went well.
‘Teignmouth needs livening up and we want to put on something that is different from all the other restaurants in the area. For an all-in price customers can have a good meal with wine, listen to live music and enjoy our special cabaret.
‘I was on stage for some years, and stripping does not bother me at all. We went to a great deal of trouble to get the right waitresses.
‘They were a bit nervous about exposing so much of themselves at first, but the costumes are so tasteful that they soon settled down.’
Husband Maurice Poole who keeps his clothes on, said he had no qualms about his wife stripping.
‘Why should I be worried? I look after the business side and the food, and she takes care of the entertainment,’ he explained.