Teignmouth Post and Gazette No 4872 Friday 4 July 1975

MRS GRENFELL IS 101

On Saturday, she was still alert and cheerful on her 101st birthday, thanks to the care she receives from Mrs. Magda Simmonde, proprietress of Nightingale House. Last year, her son-in-law, Canon Burbridge, told the 100th birthday party: “Grandmother’s life was almost a history lesson. She was born during Disraeli’s second government and lived in the times of Gladstone and votes for women.

“She might be regarded as one of the initial products of the 1870 Education Act. I would say that she has experienced a greater sense of change than any other centenarian in the years before.”

ARCH BROOK MARINA

Teignbridge District Council Planning Committee adopted the recommendation by their officials that Mr. N. F. Hocken be refused an outline application for a marina pool and ancillary buildings on land at the mouth of Arch Brook. Recently, there was a demonstration by local residents at Arch Brook against proposals which might interfere with generations of use of the area.

RUNAWAY FRENCH LORRY

A few days ago, a French driver from Portrieux in Brittany jumped out of his lorry when the brakes failed on Haldon Hill, and the lorry, carrying 20 tons of potatoes, careered for more than a mile on the A35 towards Exeter without a hand on the steering wheel. It swerved from one side of the road to another, narrowly missing oncoming cars, before ploughing through iron railings and a hedge at Kennford, crossing a field and coming to a halt in a gully.

The driver was treated for shock, but not detained. Most of the potatoes in half cwt bags were not damaged.This arouses serious thoughts; is there a procedure in France for regular testing of brakes on lorries coming across on the Plymouth - Roscoff ferries? Secondly, there is a suspicion that French drivers do not understand the warning signs.

VAT ON BOATS

The Government, in the Finance Bill, defeated by only one vote - 17 - 16 - a move to exclude boats from the 25% rate of VAT. A Labour MP, Mr. Alan Lee Williams, said there was real concern that this imposition would damage the sport of boating.

RONNIE CORBETT OPENS HAZELDOWN SCHOOL

Although the pupils of Brook Hill moved into their new school in February, the new open plan school had its official opening on Friday. The managers decided “We should have some one funny to do it”. This proved to be the comedian Ronnie Corbett, a popular choice, shown by the cheers of the children as he arrived outside, and the applause the minute he arrived in the hall.The former headmaster of Brookhill was present, Mr. Ron Jebson.

He observed that it had taken 28 years to get this new school. The new headmaster, Mr. Michael Sleeman, thanked the parents for their support over the last four years. The PTA had raised practically £4,000. Mr. Corbett, after unveiling the plaque, was presented with a silver tankard, as was Mr. Sleeman in appreciation of his efforts.

DRIEST JUNE

Sunshine totals were 323.2 hours. (In June 1925, the total was 358.6 hours, unequalled since records were kept in 1906) Rainfall total for this month was 0.07 inches (in June 1925, rainfall total was 0.03 inches, making the driest summer month ever recorded). Temperatures were a little over average, extreme temperatures for the month were 82F and 41F.

HOSEPIPE BAN

We have been notified by the SouthWest Water Authority that they are extending the hosepipe ban to the whole of the Region from the end of this week. The new areas affected will be South Hams, East Devon and Teignbridge, which have so far escaped the ban.