► GAOLED FOR CHEQUE OFFENCES

Miss Mary Burcher, a woman who was acting as secretary to Max Bygraves, has been sent to prison for 18 months for forging his signature on cheques. She was running the show ‘Bitter Sweet’ at the Carlton Theatre with a friend Mr Alexander Bridge. In the summer of 1969, it was arranged that the show would be done by Mr Bridge, but he had let her down. The show was over-lavish, and there was money owing. It was a financial failure. She had used the money to ‘keep the show on the road’.

The forged signatures came to light when Mr Bygraves changed his bank, which returned his cheques. She admitted that she was desperate, and that virtually all the money had gone into the production.

► NEW TRANSMITTER

October 30 is the opening date for South Devon’s own 625-line colour television transmitter at Beacon Hill, Marldon, Paignton. The service will be radiated on Channel 57, and BBC 2 will go out on Channel 63, both signals being horizontally polarised, which means that receiving aerials must be mounted with rods horizontal. Receiving aerials should be of the Group 3 type, and directed towards Marldon. The aerials will be suitable for receiving Independent television broadcasts, expected to start in the New Year on Channel 60.

► UGANDAN REFUGEES

Teignmouth cannot help the refugees coming to the UK from East Africa. The Clerk to the Council, Mr Leslie Henderson, answered the Ugandan Resettlement Board, that Teignmouth has a very limited housing programme, and that the small number of flats likely to become available was already allocated. Unemployment in the area was high, running at an average of eight per cent, higher than in many parts of the UK.

► DART VALLEY RAILWAY

The Secretary of State for the Environment announced unconditional consent to the withdrawal of passenger services on the 6  3/4 mile long Paignton to Kingswear branch line. British Rail will relinquish responsibility for providing the service from Saturday October 28.

From Monday October 30, BR will provide on Mondays to Fridays on behalf of the Dart Valley Railway Company a reduced service to meet essential needs, while engineering works are carried out, so it can undertake independent operation. Detailed timings will be issued as soon as possible.

► LONDON MOTOR SHOW

Safety System Vehicles: As demonstrated in the US, the British production MGB GT incorporates side impact protection, graded light braking systems, an air bag to protect driver and front seat passenger, special pedestrian protective front bumper, and an ignition screening device which prevents the car from being started by a drunken driver.

Lucas have developed a radar system to enable the spacing between cars to be maintained by adjusting the brakes and throttle automatically.

► RIVIERA CINEMA

Today and Saturday: Frankie Howerd in Up The Front, and The Ravine. Sunday: Groupie Girl and The Gallery Murders: Monday for six days: Sleeping Beauty, and Treasure Island.