NEWTON PAY RISES REVEALED

The secret of the pay rises for the Newton Abbot Urban Council officers has been revealed. Mr Leonard Lamb, a member and former chairman, walked into the municipal offices and, ‘as a ratepayer’, handed over 5p to buy the official record of the council’s decision. He said that as a councillor he was debarred by standing orders from saying anything in public about the pay rises, so he had exercised his right as a rate payer to see and comment on the decision.

PITCH-PUTT COURSE

Commenting on the new pitch-putt golf course at the Ness, the publicity officer, Mr Donald Sharpe, said: ‘Everybody is delighted with the course, and we are getting a number of experienced golfers bringing their own clubs.’ The 5,000th customer was expected to appear this weekend, and he did. In regard to the toboggan run, due to technical difficulties, it has been suspended for a year, taken up and stored.

FOREIGN VISITORS

More and more overseas visitors are coming to the West Country. England is somewhat behind continental countries with its information services, and readily available details on rates of exchange are an example of this. Teignmouth Council has now arranged for this information to be obtainable from the Enquiry Bureau when the banks are closed. 

SAILING CHAMPIONSHIP

The South West Area of the Cherub Class Association Championships were held at Teignmouth. Visitors had trailed their boats from Wales, Sussex, Aldershot and the Midlands.

What a pity that Mr. D W Cooke, who had trailed his new boat from Aldershot to have it measured by the measurer Andy Greig, of Newton Abbot Sailing Club, should find that his boat was a fraction over the prescribed tolerances, and his firsts throughout the week failed to count. No doubt, with judicious use of a plane, surform, saw or axe, the offending projections will be cut off, and he will be back in August for the national championships.

GHOSTS

The Smugglers Inn at Coombeinteignhead features in ‘The Haunted Inns of England’. The barmaid woke up night after night with the feeling that she was sharing her room with a ghost. The story had a happy ending. The proprietor bought some old prints of the pub. One showed a woman being murdered by an intruder, more than 100 years before, in that very room. This put the barmaid’s mind at rest, and she was able to get a good night’s sleep.

The present landlord at Coombe Cellars says; ‘About two years ago, two young electricians installed an aerial in the loft. After a few minutes, one came down looking white faced and refused to go up again. He said that something had wafted past him and there was an unpleasant smell.’

DAD’S ARMY

Bill Pertwee, famous for his portrayal of the Warden in the Dad’s Army TV series, is to be the guest artiste with Summer Cavalcade at the Carlton in July. He is shortly to record a children’s Jackanory show for transmission at Christmas, and starts a new series of Dad’s Army’ in September.

RIVIERA CINEMA

Thursday for seven days:  Lee Marvin, Clint Eastwood and Jean Seberg in Paint Your Wagon.