WHAT were the stories of the moment in 1970s Teignmouth? Read all about them below...

► A SUCCESSFUL INNOVATION

The opening of Teignmouth Carnival Week with a service in the marquee on the Den Green was a great success, led by the Vicar of St. James’ Church, the Rev Alan F. Forder. Residents were delighted to have the Bishop of Crediton, the Rt Rev Wilfred Westall, back amongst them for the service. He was at one time the Vicar of Shaldon and has never lost the regard of his friends here, and his well-known gift of oratory.

It was somewhat marred by unruly children throwing balls up so that they rolled down the outside of the marquee. Their parents, if they were there, deserve a tanning for letting them do it. Parents could encourage senior children to stop a lot of the mischief younger ones get up to.

► OPEN HOUSE

Officially opened by Princess Alexandra, Devon and Cornwall Constabulary’s new million pound Training College, at Middlemoor, Exeter, is to be thrown open to the public in September. Visitors will be given an insight into the latest police training techniques, as part of the “meet the police” public relations day. “We want people to feel involved in the fight against crime and lawlessness in their everyday lives,” said the Forces’ spokesman.

► OPERATION ‘CHEQUE-MATE’

The police have launched an operation to combat a growing trend in holiday crime, to trap ‘con-men’, who prey on resorts and leave the trade to foot a massive bill each year. Bogus tourists have left a trail of dud cheques and unpaid accounts.

One: Ask for identification. Two: Beware of the one who is indignant at this request. Three: Be cautious of strangers who try to impress by “name dropping”. Four: Be wary of the one who presents a cheque for more than the amount and asks for the balance in cash. Five: If the cheque is already written out, find an excuse to get him to sign something else, and compare. Six: Don’t be hurried.

► WISE WORDS

Don’t talk about yourself – it will be done when you leave.  The wise are polite all over the world, but fools are only polite at home.  I regret often that I have spoken, never that I have been silent. 

► LAST TANGO IN PARIS

Torbay Magistrates had a private viewing of the controversial film ‘Last Tango in Paris’, and ruled that it should not be shown in the Torbay area.

► ‘INVISIBLE FISH’

It is common knowledge that when a person stands looking up at the sky as if there were something strange up there, a little crowd of curious sightseers will gather.

Teignmouth (supposedly) has ‘Invisible Chinese Fish’, so the notice on the tank in the window the cafe near the fish quay says. People almost queue up, hoping to see fisherman Ern Chapman’s pets – they obviously cannot understand that ‘invisible’ means ‘invisible’. But Ern’s leg-pull attracted TV cameras on Wednesday morning. Even infra-red film could not reveal the fish.

► POETRY COMPETITION

Shaldon’s WI were treated to the winning entry from Mrs. Whitmore.

Four and twenty womenfolk were sitting at a meeting,

Cups of tea, the news, a talk, takes a lot of beating.

But when it’s time to go back home, to see what Dad is doing, 

Woe betide the womenfolk if Dad has gone a-wooing!

► RIVIERA CINEMA

For seven days: Ursula Andress in Rider Haggard’s  “SHE”.

David Essex and Ringo Starr in “That’ll Be The Day”.