► VIVA FIESTA

A mammoth harbour festival, including an armada of decorated boats and a spectacular firework display, rounded off the 1972 summer season’s entertainment. The weather was magnificent, a holidaymaker’s dream. Last year, the pubs ran dry, but with this experience in mind, publicans stocked up for the influx of trade, and everything went smoothly.

The moving and colourful Blessing of the Boats was this year performed by the former Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Rev Charles Claxton. Local clergy of all denominations were also on the quay and the Salvation Army accompanied the hymns. Foreign visitors were welcomed in French, German and Russian, and Dutch skippers joined in the fireworks display by firing flares.

Another highlight was the mock attack on the Salty Island by the Royal Marines. The island was taken under a barrage of thunder flashes and smoke bombs. Hundreds watched as the troops swung into the estuary and made their landing.

► HARBOUR SCHEME

Subject to the Harbour Commission obtaining the necessary Parliamentary order, Teignmouth Urban Council has agreed to sell to the Commission the land for the new wall, save that the portion of the wall not covered by water should be open to free public access.

Mr Sharman, referring to past objections, warned: ‘If you pass this minute tonight, you are taking the first step towards making Teignmouth into a vastly bigger commercial port. The expenditure of this amount of money (£300k at first estimate, and possibly nearer £500k) will bring pressure to use the facilities of this port. This will mean increased traffic in commodities other than ball clay. Larger ships at less frequent intervals will mean storage sheds at the Quays. You will be taking steps that will turn the port of Teignmouth into a company port, like Par, and Teignmouth will be a company town, powerless to combat pressures which will bring no benefit at all.’

► CARED FOR ANIMALS

A Teignmouth undertaker, Mr Reg Brook Bullen, has been caring for animals in the room above his shop for over 25 years. Hundreds of animals have passed through the clinic in Dawlish Street. This came about through the drive of Mr C Butterworth, RSPCA officer at Torquay. He called on Mr Bullen and told him all he needed to start an animal surgery was a bare room with a table in it, and it grew from there. The work he does is purely voluntary, funded by the annual flag day.

He recalls a special inmate, a ferret called George (after a Cabinet Minister). He was brought in by two burly policemen, tightly secured in a box with tape round it. To begin with, Mr Bullen did not take kindly to George, especially after the ferret decided to run up inside his trouser leg.

► RADIO CHANGES

‘We in the West Country always seem to get the sticky end of the wedge,’ said Mr Fredrick Morris, when the Urban Council heard that from the beginning of this month, BBC regional programmes were to be transferred from medium wave to VHF. Only weather bulletins and one regional regional news will be broadcast on VHF – outside the scope of thousands who cannot get high frequency on their radios. ‘A large number will have to throw away their sets,’ he said.

► RIVIERA CINEMA

10 Rillington Place, right; The French Connection