TAKE a trip back to September of 1973 and read the stories of the day that caught the attention of those living in and around Teignmouth.

► HMS RUSSELL

The visit of the Royal Navy frigate HMS Russell, an anti-submarine frigate of the Blackwood Class, was a great success. They had a welcome break ashore, after having been at sea on strenuous exercises. She arrived at 6am on Thursday evening, and some took the invitation to watch the wrestling at the Carlton. Friday morning saw the official welcome and presentation of the plaque with the ship’s crest to hang in the Chairman’s Parlour.

A busy round of social events began with cocktails on board, tickets for “Summer Showtime”, the Police Club for officers, darts at The Dawlish Inn for a barrel of beer, six-a-side football matches on the Den, rugby at the Rugby Club, cocktails at the Corinthians. The London Hotel hosted a Saturday night dance - very popular - and the Golf Club offered honorary membership for the visit. The Teign Fishermen’s and Watermen’s Association arranged a regular service to bring the sailors ashore, to supplement their boats.

► POLLUX

The orange catamaran passed the cocktail party at the start of her round-the -world sailing attempt on Friday evening. She was built by the Teignmouth brothers, David and Alistair Guy, sons of Mr and Mrs Henry Guy of 48 Coombe Vale Road. She is a Polynesian catamaran, designed by James Warren of Milford Haven, 46 ft long, with an engine in case of emergencies.

The brothers were not sponsored, they saved up, and the voyage is a matter of “just getting away from it all”. With them will be David’s wife Jane, their daughter Naomi (6), and Alistair’s fiancee Miss Melanie King. The route will take them via the Caribbean, Panama, the Galapagos Islands, to Australia, the rest to be decided.

► SHEEP DEATHS

At Honiton, 41 sheep were driven to their deaths by dogs loose at night. On one side of a bridge, sheep fell into a 6 ft deep gully and were suffocated by more sheep falling in on top of them. On the other side, the first sheep blocked a pipe of running water under the bridge, and the following sheep drowned.

The dead sheep, out of a flock of 160, were valued at £570.The farmer said “Too many people shut their dogs out for the night, giving them a chance to wander off. If they were locked up properly, this would not happen.

► ROYAL BRITISH LEGION

So many from Dawlish wanted to join the re-union parade in Weston-super-Mare that a coach was hired. They arrived, spic-and-span, but no parade. They checked the invitation. The date was right, but not the year! They had a good day out, regardless.

► TENNIS

17 year-old Susan Barker, of Paignton, junior Wimbledon champion, is invited to be a member of the Lawn Tennis Association to tour Australia the winter.

► KANGAROO INN LEAPS TO HELP LIONS

The Hare & Hounds of Kingkerswell put out a challenge to raise money for Newton Abbot’s Lions Club Project ’73 - Newton Abbot Hospital Geriatric Section - on a sponsored 10 mile walk from Manaton to Dartmeet. Mr. Peter Morgan, landlord of the Kangaroo Inn, Teign Street, took the challenge and fielded a willing band of footsloggers, including 61 year-old Mr Len Drew.

After leaving the coach, and negotiating “Everest’s twin”, they reached half-way for a quick cuppa and sandwich from the Bovey Scouts. Hare & Hounds had the edge when the takings were totted up, but in all raised £750 for the hospital amenities, and Mr Morgan was presented with a trophy to hang on the wall.

► RIVIERA CINEMA

Last Tango in Paris; Eight on the Run.