Fifty Years Ago No 4909 Friday 19 March 1976

COUNCIL ELECTIONS

Local government reorganisation’s real problem is posed by holding elections every three years, instead of the previous one third of members retired annually, giving greater continuity. Councillors nearing the end of their term are naturally careful of taking decisions that would bind their successors. This has led to them being called “ apathetic” and showing more interest in the forthcoming contests than serving the ratepayers.

VOTING RIGHTS RESTORED(50 years ago)

A woman who had lost her right to vote because her husband had died had it restored at a local Revision Court sitting. The Registrar said “It was never intended by the legislature to disenfranchise a woman because of the death of her husband. It was a cruel thing to do, and if ever a woman wanted a vote, it was at such a time as this.”

BRIDGE TOLLS (50 years ago)

An appeal to Devon County Council to free the Shaldon Bridge from tolls was approved unanimously. “The time for toll bridges has gone by, and people ought not to be held up with a pistol to their heads at such a twopenny halfpenny structure.”

“SELLING” THE TOWN IN HOLLAND

There should be more Dutch tourists this summer. Mr. Don Sharpe, Publicity Officer, was among representatives from 29 resorts, hotel groups, coach companies, air lines and cross-channel ferries at the travel workshop attended by 40 of Holland’s leading travel agents.

He also met members of the Dutch press, radio and television companies. Dutch tour operators will be visiting the West Country soon to complete contracts.

NEW RAIL LINE

A new Branch line is being built on the Bicton Woodland Railway at East Budleigh. The new line has a track length of 537 yards. The line opened in 1962 with one locomotive and now has four, with seven coaches, one guard’s van and one open goods wagon. Over a quarter of a million passengers have been carried .

THREAT TO FREEDOM

Dear Sir; The pilot edition of “The Free Nation” appeared last month and received an enthusiastic response. Fortnightly, we are publishing issue 1 on March 19 and issue 2 in early April, with an initial distrtibution of 70,000.

It will tell people how best to deal with the insistent and specious propaganda of the totalitarian minded, under whatever political colours they sail. It will, therefore, give support to those who are opposing the Marxist influence in the Unions. Our liberty, of supreme importance to everyone, is the right to chose employment, free from the constraints of collective power.Lord De L’Isle, Chairman, National Association for Freedom.

SKI JUMP

The water ski jump, built on the beach by Mariners Weigh personnel, was successfully launched and towed up to Coombe Cellars on Sunday afternoon.