► HARBOUR DEVELOPMENT

Ref. Debate about extending the Point with a rubble wall.

Dear Sir: In this harbour, the ground, I believe, belongs to the appropriate governing bodies - above high water spring tides, the council or the various Lords of the Manors; between high and low waters of spring tides, the Crown Estate Commissioners, this land being leased to the Council; below the level of low water springs, the Harbour Commission, as laid down by the Teignmouth Harbour Order of 1924 Act of Parliament.

How, therefore, can the Harbour Commission proceed with the buying of the Point from the council who don’t even own it, to proceed with a scheme for which permission has not yet even been requested (although the governing bodies are only aware of the situation)?  The whole thing is going to take a bit of bulldozing through, if you will excuse the pun!

Chris Clarance, Clarance House, Marine Parade, Shaldon.

► SWIM ABANDONED

The marathon swim attempt from Exmouth to Paignton by Channel swimmer, Bill Pickering, the 54-year-old Walsall bath superintendent, was ruled out by Exmouth coastguards. They warned that the force six wind which was building big seas off Berry Head made conditions too dangerous for the rowers in the accompanying boat. Instead, he was taken by launch up the Exe estuary to Topsham, and swam back to Exmouth in two hours.

► FORCED LANDING

25 years ago. August 29 1947: After covering 153 miles, a glider made a forced landing on Haldon. The pilot who took off from Redhill was attempting to fly to Plymouth, but had to put down owing to the low cloud base over Dartmoor.

► STAINED GLASS WINDOWS

50 years ago: Two new stained glass windows were placed on either side of the south door of St Michael’s Church. One was in memory of Mr Frederick Drake, who resided at Den House for a number of years; the other was in memory of Mr Fred C Frost, of Regent Street.

► PELLEW’S VICTORY

Very few people were aware that the building used as the Riviera Cinema was erected as a memorial to celebrate Admiral Pellew’s victory at the Battle of Algiers.

► CLERGY’S RETIREMENT PROBLEM

Proposals by the General Synod, which compel all clergy to retire at 70, have been described by the Bishop of Exeter as ‘something of a nonsense’. The majority retire even now between 65 and 70, and many more would if they could find somewhere to live. Beneficed clergy living in tied or official houses had no need to buy a house at the outset. They were unable to save enough for a house on retirement. This has become a pressing problem. The Bishop asked that incumbents with soon-to-be vacant cottages try to reserve them for retired clergy.

► GRANDPA’S COUGH

Old people who were ignorant of the dangers of passing on tuberculosis to younger people were criticised as being a ‘residue of infection’ by the local Medical Officer of Health, Dr H M Davies, who published his annual report for the area. He said there were 22 cases of TB reported last year. Nearly all of these occurred in elderly people where the disease was not active.

► RIVIERA CINEMA

Bedknobs and Broomsticks; The Damned; The Split; Green Slime.