A GENERATION ago, local history was an interest followed by the dedicated few, mostly people who were involved with the museum when it opened in 1978 and since then, the upturn in interest has been heartwarming, writes Viv Wilson.

When I began in 1986, the one person known for publishing matters of Teignmouth’s past was librarian Grace Griffiths originally from Bow, mid-Devon.

Many people knew her from the current library but during her service here, stretching from 1946 to 1974 she was based in former temporary buildings in Dawlish Street and Fore Street.

Her formal approach in delivery did not disguise her genuine adoration of her topic and she inspired people greatly during her lectures presented in the library’s lower room.

This photograph was taken there in July 1989 when the new paperback version of the History of Teignmouth was launched.

The publisher, Roger Jones (Ex Libris Press), stands centre holding the greatly revised and expanded from the original hardback of 24 years earlier.

Cllr Sylvia Russell, the then Teignmouth mayor, is seated left with Jim Gresham, town clerk and deputy mayor Cllr Jim Cox is on the right with Grace resplendent in white.

Behind her stands Eva Breed, a dyed-in-the-wool Teignmothian who was proud that her father, local fisherman, Dennis Dodd, ignited Grace’s interest in the first place.

READ THE FULL STORY IN THE TEIGNMOUTH POST, FRIDAY, MARCH 23