Teignmouth Post and Gazette No 4883 Friday 19 September 1975

"LADIES ONLY" ON BR

It was observed that under the Sex Discrimination Act, at present under consideration by Parliament, it would be illegal for British Rail to provide “Ladies Only” in compartments on trains. BR told the committee that the type of coaches containing this sort of compartment were few in number and gradually being withdrawn. BR could also be wrong if they stopped allowing waiting rooms for “Ladies Only”. Members expressed strong views that these rooms were particularly convenient for nursing mothers.

THE JOB APPLICATION

A friend recently applied for a position in a Local Government Department. The complexity of the form defied description. Fortunately, anyone with three A levels could just understand the questions. Permission was requested to consult her doctor for her full medical record.

So, in some cases, incidents or ailments of a highly personal nature could be revealed to an avid bunch of scrutineers, Official Secrets or not. Six other applicants were all called, with commendable efficiency, at the same time, thirty minutes per session, not allowed to leave until the final choice was made, a wait of two and a half hours for the unlucky ones; five bored and annoyed women in the same sparse waiting room together, while their references were checked and current employers informed that they had applied.

When the choice was made, in third place was Miss Teign River, smiling sweetly as she received her prize of four rice puddings and a conducted tour of Battersea Sewage Works. It was that type of interview! We have difficulty in understanding the whole sequence; from the absurd application form to the final curtain, it seemed an example of arrant stupidity.

JANE AUSTEN STAMPS

The Post Office are to issue a special set of stamps on October 22 to commemorate the bi-centenary of the birth of Jane Austen. It is the first time a woman author has been chosen. They are specially designed by Barbara Brown. On the 8 1/2 p stamp will be Emma and Mr. Woodhouse, Catherine Morland from “Northanger Abbey” on the 10p stamp, Mr. Darcy from Pride and Predjudice is depicted on the 11p stamp, and on the 13p stamp is brother and sister Mary and Henry Crawford from “Mansfield Park”

CONCRETE BOAT READY

An unusual 18 ton ocean going concrete boat is now lying at anchor in Teignmouth Harbour, waiting for sea trials. Helped by his wife Jacqueline, Mr. Barry Wilson of Norhumberland Place started work in a barn in Kingsteignton in 1967. The hull was moved to Teignmouth in 1969, where most of the interior work has been done.

GOLDEN WEDDING

Mr. And Mrs. Philip Nathan celebrated their Golden Wedding on Tuesday. A leading Town Councillor, and former Urban Councillor, and founder member of RAFA Roundel Club, Mr. Nathan had followed his father and grandfather into the family fish business, a 200 year old concern.

A keen rugby player with Teignmouth RFC, in one season, 1972-28, the club took the County Senior Rugby Cup, an honour not yet repeated, beating Sidmouth and Brixham to the final. One Saturday, when he was retired, he stepped in to make up the junior team with his grandson Michael. On the same day, his son Peter was playing for Teignmouth first XV in London, an unequalled record of three generations of one family , playing for the same club on the same day.