WHAT was happening in and around Teignmouth in June of 1973? Read the stories of the moment below.

► WAGE RISE FIGHT

Newton Abbot Urban Council has been told either to cut the wages of the officers and staff voluntarily, or they would be compelled to do so. This shock ultimatum, until last week unknown to most of the councillors, comes a year after a much criticised decision of the Council to increase the salaries of the chief officers and other staff.

The increases, which have already cost Newton Abbot ratepayers several thousand pounds, were bitterly opposed by neighbouring local authorities, which with Newton Abbot will form the new Teignbridge Council.

► HITTING OUT AT DEVELOPERS

From Miss F M. Atkinson of the Environmental Society, objecting to the proposed development of 1 and 3, Buckridge Avenue: The plan involves the demolition of this very attractive  late Victorian period villa, set among a pleasant background of trees and more recent post-war developments, to form a pleasing residential locality.

In their place, the plan proposes to have erected blocks of flats of unspecified size and height, with garages. These blocks would be of the modern style vertical and horizontal lines, which are common to factory, office block or tower flats alike, and have no character or style at all. The developers are generally city based, and do not care  how they change the face of the localities. The charm of our lovely town could be completely changed in less than 10 years.

► STEAM BOATS

The Teignmouth Journal, published in 1875, gave details of excursions to Babbicombe (sic) in the ‘Sensation’ and the ‘Great Extended’, and also to Dartmouth, Torquay and Buddleigh Salterton. In the year before, the intense rivalry between the two steamers caused the passengers to be so frightened that they refrained from taking another trip.

‘An accident, without any serious result, occurred to the “Sensation” when on her trip from Dartmouth to Torquay, owing to thick fog, she ran onto a rock near to the Mewstone. The 120 people became terribly excited and cried for help. She backed off, but many of the passengers insisted on leaving in the boats which had put off from Dartmouth.’

In a 1976 report, July 21st, while the ‘Sensation’ was returning from Torquay and was opposite the rifle targets at Babbicombe, two bullets fell on board, one going through a gentleman’s hat, and the other striking the woodwork of the cabin.

► PRISONER RECAPTURED

There was considerable police activity at Shaldon, round about midday on Wednesday. It transpired that members of the Torbay Crime Squad had recognised an escaped prisoner from Lewes prison, and a stolen car. They were joined by local police officers, and located him in the stolen vehicle. He ran away, but was caught in a few minutes.

► WISE WORDS

A pedestrian is a man with a wife, two sons, three daughters and one car. Pardon is the choicest flower of victory. Happiness isn’t inherited, it’s got to be earned.

► ‘OUR ENERY’ FIXES DATE

Former British, Empire and Commonwealth champion, Henry Cooper, is to open Teignmouth Boxing Club”s new headquarters on Thursday November 29.

► RIVIERA CINEMA

Sam Peckinpah’s highly controversial Straw Dogs; Wild Rovers; The Extraordinary Seaman.