The 1970s

The 1970s doesn't seem that long ago to me but it's amazing that 1970 is almost 40 years ago now. It was a time of crazy fashions - flared trousers, platform shoes, kipper ties and long hair. Being a teenager back then, there's a few events in Plymouth that I remember from that decade.

Doctor Who is very popular nowadays and I'm sure if David Tennant was to appear in a store in the city centre, there would be a huge queue of kids (and probably adults) waiting to see him. Back in 1975, Tom Baker was Doctor Who and I remember that he appeared at Debenhams to promote a new book called 'The Doctor Who Monster Book'. He was arriving at about 9am and I remember getting up early to go and see him.

The store had a Tardis set up and a table for him to sign copies of his book. I remember all the kids cheering when he came up the escalator to the third floor, dressed as Doctor Who complete with scarf, and I was also surprised how tall he was. He was very friendly and lovely to all the kids and happily signed autographs and posed for photos. I took several photos on that day but the one that appears here is the only one I still have.

 

Another event I remember in Plymouth in the 1970s took place on the Hoe in 1977 and involved knights jousting. This was very popular and was followed by a display featuring characters from Planet of the Apes. This attracted a large crowd , mainly kids, who

   

had enjoyed the popular tv series that ran until the late 1970s. I remember the apes going back to the Hoe Theatre to take off their make up and they posed for pictures for me. Unfortunately, like the Hoe Theatre, the pictures have long since disappeared. These two short movies show the two events. Film of the Planet of the Apes characters appearing anywhere in the UK in the 1970s is quite rare. The event also included celebrities of the day but the only one I can remember is Carolyn Jones from Crossroads.

 'Who?', I hear you say!

My third film features the Shire Horse Centre in about 1977. The centre is now long gone and there doesn't seem to be much film of it around. To be honest, I never did find it very interesting watching horses trot up and down but I know a lot of people have enjoyed watching this movie on YouTube so I thought that I would feature it here.There are many other events that I remember from the 1970s. I regularly went to the Radio One roadshow on the Hoe and I remember that one year it featured Dave Lee Travis and on a different occassion, Tony Blackburn. The Multi Coloured Swap Shop, with Keith Chegwin, also made an appearance on the Hoe as well as other events, many of which I've long since forgotten.

Perhaps being a kid in the 1970s has made this period in Plymouth seem more interesting to me than it was but I hope other people will also enjoy reading and watching a few of my memories here!

Christmas during the air raids

In the 1955 copy of 'Christmas Cheer', Pat Twyford writes about Plymouth and the Christmases during the Second World War. Some people may have read Pat's diary that he kept during the war which was called 'It Came to Our Door'. Henry Patrick Twyford was born in 1892 and joined the Western Morning News in 1910 as a junior reporter. He fought in the First World War but was invalided out in 1918 after being wounded and gassed in the trenches. He rejoined the Western Morning News and specialised in articles about football and agriculture. He became the newspaper's war correspondent during the Second World War. He was also a special constable and a member of the Seven O'Clock Regulars, who regularly swam off the Hoe.

He was very interested in local history and compiled his book, 'It Came to our Door' in the years shortly after the war. He died in 1964.

His article in the Christmas Cheer magazine of 1955 mentions each year during the bombing of Plymouth. It begins,

'The approach of the 1939 Christmas was heralded with the distant rumble of war guns. Hearts were heavy. The war clouds hung dark and menacing. Would it all be over by Christmas? We hoped and we prayed but how fearful we were. Yet, even in our most anxious moments, we little realised how grim would be the Christmases of the next few years, what ordeals and sorrows we would have to endure before we could again capture the real spirit of Peace on Earth, goodwill towards men.'

When Christmas 1940 came, people tried to keep their spirits up but times were difficult, with shortages of nearly everything that went to make a good Christmas. The celebrations and presents had to be planned far in advance as people did their best to get what they could. The Christmas bells remained silent and brightly lit shops and jostling crowds became just a memory. There were no Christmas trees with brightly coloured lights and tinsel and all the streets were dark and dreary with homes darkened by heavily blacked out curtains. Something that grew out of this was that people learned to live closer and draw strength from one another and also to share what little they had.

No-one could have predicted the destruction that came the following year. Christmas in 1941 followed a trail of destruction which destroyed much of Plymouth and many people lost their lives.

Pat Twyford remembered,

'It was indeed with a heavy heart that we approached the 1941 Christmas. Yet, my memory tells me, that there was still shining through the smoke and rubble of a distraught devastated city, the spirit of enduring courage, the will to make the best of things, to carry on as individuals and a community drawn together by tragedy. There was the simple roughly painted board over the north porch of the destroyed mother church of St Andrew, bearing the single word, 'Resurgum', which was an inspiration in Plymouth's agony.'

The Western Morning News of 1941 described the Christmas as 'a revelation of enterprise and improvisation, and above all things the abiding qualities of the people.'

There were now many people missing at family gatherings. These included people who were away fighting, children who had been evacuated and people who had unfortunately been killed during the Blitz. Carols were sung in darkened streets and collections were taken to aid welfare and relief funds. There were visits to the hospitals by civic heads and crowded services in many churches. Amazingly, a pantomime was performed at the Palace Theatre, 'Robinson Crusoe' which lifted many people's spirits. It was a make-do Christmas and the shortages were acute and rabbit featured on many a Christmas menu. It was still a Christmas that mothers made memorable for their children using courage, ingenuity and sacrifice. Old and discarded toys were rescued from cupboards and redistributed to children less fortunate. People opened their doors to service men and women so that they could share their Christmas. Carols were sang and everyone tried to keep up their spirits even though devastation lay all around them.

There were many more hardships to be endured in the Christmases of the next few years even after the end of the war in 1945.

Pat Twyford concluded in 1955, 'the lights have long since gone up in our streets and shops, out of the ashes of the old Plymouth, the new Plymouth has arisen. The bells ring out their message again with increased meaning, the good things are back for all to enjoy.'

Perhaps with all the hardships of a Christmas during the war, the thing that kept it all together was the generosity of friends, neighbours and strangers and everyone making do and sharing what they could.

Christmas Cheer

Every Christmas, there used to be a booklet sold in Plymouth called 'Christmas Cheer'. The one pictured here cost one shilling and dates from 1955. The front cover shows children having a snowball fight by Drake's statue on the Hoe. The booklet was 64 pages long and featured some interesting stories including tales of the Old Stoke Gibbet, Plymouth in 1855, Disaster in the Sound, Christmas in the Air Raids, the Story of Gogmagog, an article about the old people of Plymouth, as well as plenty of Christmas quizes and the odd ghost story. The tale of the Stoke gibbet is a dark and macabre one. It is a true story that tells of the murder of a dockyard clerk on the night of July 21st, 1787. Philip Smith was brutally bludgeoned to death near to Stoke Church. His murderer, a John Richards, together with an accomplice, William Smith, were both soon apprehended. Richards was a dock worker who had earlier been suspected of killing a Fore Street sentinel. At first, there were no clues to who had committed the crime but Richards soon boasted of the crime and was, shortly afterwards, arrested. However, there was little evidence against him and he was soon released. A hat found beside the body was identified as belonging to Richards' accomplice, William Smith. Hearing of this, Smith fled to Dartmouth but was soon caught and admitted to his role in the murder and implicated Richards. Both men were tried for murder at Heavitree. They were found guilty, condemned to death and executed in 1788. The judge in the case, Judge Buller, declared that their bodies wouldn't by given to surgeons for dissection, which was usually the case, but were to be 'suspended between Heaven and Earth as they were fit for neither.' The corpses were brought from Exeter to Stoke and displayed near the scene of the crime. This gruesome practice was common at the time. The bodies were hoisted in wire cages and chains on a gibbet erected on the muddy Deadlake beach just below Stoke Church. Smith's body stayed there for seven years before the gibbet collapsed and Richards' body stayed there slightly longer. People avoided the spot and it was said to be 'the terror of some and the disgust of many'. Nettleton's 'Stranger's Guide to Plymouth' says that the gibbet stood in place upwards of 38 years near the Mill-bridge until it was blown down in the gale of 1827. In 1788, a bestseller called, 'The Genuine Account of the Trial of Richards and Smith' sold 25,000 copies. Some were sold around the base of the gibbet. Long after the gibbet disappeared, people shunned the area after dark which, during the 1830's, left the area quiet enough for grave robbers to carry out their grim practices in the secluded Stoke churchyard. I hope to include some more stories from 'Christmas Cheer' and hopefully, they'll be a lot less morbid!

Kinterbury Villa 1923

This old postcard from 1923 is probably the only photo of Kinterbury Villa, who played against local teams and hailed from St Budeaux. They were the winners of the Junior League Cup in that year. When the team disbanded in 1924, some players left to join other teams including the popular nearby team, the Saltash Stars. Football was as popular then as it is now and there were many local teams including Woodland Villa who were great rivals of the St Budeaux teams from 1918 onwards. Most of the names of the players have long since been forgotten though two members of the team at the time were Bob Foster and Reuben Woolway. Bob, who played inside left, left the team to join the Saltash Stars and later played for Cornwall. Reuben was the team's goal keeper and later joined Looe FC.

The Forum in Devonport

Passing the Forum in Devonport today, it's hard to imagine that it once formed part of the busy and popular, Fore Street. The heavy bombing during the Second World War and the demolition afterwards, has left the now bingo hall almost on an island with constant traffic passing all day long.

The Forum was once a popular and busy picture house. The cinema, which seated 1,800, opened on the 5th August, 1939. It's first film was 'Honolulu', which was shown at 5pm, which starred Robert Young and Eleanor Powell. It was built by Charles Tyler of Swansea and was run in conjunction with the nearby Hippodrome. Due to the heavy bombing in the war, Fore Street was partly cleared away and taken over by the dockyard and the cinema was never fully restored

to its former glory. Television also played a part in dwindling audiences. The cinema stayed open until 14th May, 1960 and soon after, it opened as a bingo hall. Bingo seemed to lose favour for a while but now appears to be as popular as ever. The photos show the bomb damaged Forum, Fore Street (including David Greig)as it once was, and the Navy helping to clear rubble, shown passing the damaged Forum.

The State Cinema

I pass the State Cinema in Victoria Road, St Budeaux, nearly every day. Of course, it's a long time since it's had that name. I read recently that there are plans to demolish it which I think would be a great shame. In March 1939, just before the start of the Second World War, the St Budeaux cinema company was formed. They had a capital of £10,000 which was all in £1 shares. Perhaps if the cinema had been proposed further into the war, it might not have been built due to the lack of materials and resources. On 16th October, 1939, a month into the war, the State Cinema opened at the junction of Victoria Road and Stirling Road. It seated 1,000 people and was the first cinema in Plymouth to be fitted with a four channel stereophonic system. The first film shown was 'That Certain Age' starring Deanna Durbin and Melvyn Douglas. The seats were 6d, one shilling and 1/6d. There were two shows daily. The cinema was certainly popular and attracted huge queues whenever a new film was showing. It escaped the bombing during the war and stayed open for many years after.

I can remember in the late 1960s, queueing with my mum and brother to see films like 'Oliver' and 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang'. I particularly remember queueing for Oliver because it was pouring down with rain and the queue went right around the building. I remember one evening, our parents took us there to see 'Ice Station Zebra' probably one of the most boring films I've ever seen!

In 1970, the name of the cinema was changed to the Mayflower to coincide with the Mayflower celebrations of that year.

Eventually, the popularity of the cinema seemed to die off with the introduction of the video recorder. The Mayflower closed its doors to the film going public in 1983 and it became a carpet warehouse and, some time later, a snooker hall.

Once the cinema closed, the building was never kept in a particularly good condition and seems to have deteriorated ever since. Today, it stands boarded up with many of the younger generation not even realising it was once ever a cinema. It would be a great shame to see it go and hopefully, there'll be some way to preserve it.

Dad's Army

Remember the 1970s when there was actually something decent to watch on the telly? We all used to love Dad's Army then and it seems to have been repeated ever since! I was reading the other day about Arnold Ridley who played Private Godfrey in the show. In Dad's Army, Godrey's character was that of a former conscientious objector but in real life, Ridley fought as a Lance Corporal with the 6th Somerset Light Infantry during the First World War. When war broke out in August 1914, Ridley wanted to enlist straightaway but he was rejected because of a broken toe injury that he had endured while playing rugby. The following year, he tried to enlist again and was accepted and was sent, with other raw recruits, to train at Crownhill in Plymouth. The regimental Sergeant Major told them that they would not be seeing their families for a while because,'you will all be bleeding well dead on the Western Front!' Ridley was lucky to survive the battlefields of the Somme after being rescued by a fellow soldier who was later killed himself. In later life, he had nightmares and suffered terrifying flashbacks. After the war, Ridley became a successful playwright but then experienced financial ruin until he regained fame in the classic sitcom. Arthur Ridley's story made me think about the real Dad's Army who protected Plymouth in the Second World War. The Home Guard, originally called the Local Defence Volunteers or LDV, was made up of members of the public who were told by Anthony Eden and his government to register, if they were interested in joining the LDV, with their local police station and when they were needed, they would be called up. Police stations found themselves deluged with volunteers and in just 24 hours, 250,000 people from all over Britain had registered their names. Although the age limit was supposed to be 65, many older members, some in there 80s, managed to enrol. Numbers grew and eventually one and a half million people registered their names. Eden promised them uniforms and weapons but they ended up with armbands and had to use whatever they could as weapons. These included pitchforks, brooms,umbrellas. golf clubs, pikes and catapults. Eventually, they were fitted out with denim uniforms and some rifles arrived. Churchill changed the name of the LDV to the Home Guard in 1940 and he saw that they received proper military training. The Home Guard contributed to civil defence by helping to put out fires, clearing rubble, guarding damaged banks and shops and preventing looting. They also captured stray German parachutists and showed that they were ready to fight the enemy if they landed on British soil. By 1943, the fear of German invasion was fading and the Home Guard found that they had lost most of their purpose in the war and numbers started dwindling. In October 1944, the government announced that the Home Guard would be disbanded the next month. There were no medals awarded and in total, 1,206 members of the Home Guard had either been killed on duty or died from their wounds, and 557 more sustained serious injuries. In December 1944, King George VI, the Home Guard's Colonel-in-Chief, stated, 'History will say that your share in the greatest of all our struggles for freedom was a vitally important one.'

Memories of the US Army in Saltash Passage, 1944

I was lucky to know Marshall Ware, the St Budeaux historian, and I have many of his cuttings and notes amongst my collection. Marshall wrote down many things that happened in the Second World War and some of his reminisces I've included in my book, 'Memories of St Budeaux.' When the American troops took over Saltash Passage in preparation for D-Day in 1944, everyone was issued with special passes so that they could enter the area. Marshall remembered, 'We all had identity cards but Saltash Passage residents were issued with yellow Certificate of Residence Cards. It bore the holder's National Registration Identity Card number and stated that the holder was thereby certified to be a resident within the specified area and that it must be carried out of doors at all times and shown to any Constable or member of His Majesty's or Allied Forces on duty. It bore the signature of the holder and was signed by the Chief Constable of Plymouth and the distribution was completed by 19th April 1944. One resident, wearing tennis gear, forgot to carry his card and was taken in a jeep for interrogation to the US Naval Advanced Amphibious Base at Vicarage Receiving Barracks at St Budeaux.' The troops were very friendly and polite to the local residents and were loved by the children because they would give them sweets, gum, cocoa and other items that were rationed to the English. The Americans didn't have their food and supplies rationed at the time and were happy to share it with the locals.

Maurice Dart remembered, 'I remember the American's camp at Vicarage Road. When I was a boy, we would go down to the gate sometimes and they would give us chocolates and sweets and items to take home, such as tins of cocoa, biscuits and butter. My mother used to tell me off for scrounging but she was pleased to receive it all!' The rare photo above shows the smiling faces of the American troops as they left for D-Day. Residents remember that the area was a hive of activity while the troops were there but, one day, they awoke to find that they'd all gone, leaving just a baseball bat behind.

The Hoe Lodge Gardens 1930s

This photo of the Hoe Lodge Gardens in the 1930s is an old picture used by the Keystone Press Agency. A quick search on the internet shows that Keystone are still in business.

Looking at this photo, not a great deal has changed over the years and the only noticeable thing that is now missing is the old bandstand which was destroyed during enemy bombing in the 1940s.

This picture would have been featured in a newspaper or magazine at one time though it's impossible to discover what the story behind it was. This is possibly the only copy of this picture that survives. There is some information written on the back in pencil which reads, 'A pretty scene of the flower gardens on Plymouth Hoe. In the background can be seen Smeaton Lighthouse.'

It must be spring as one of the two girls in the picture is admiring the tulips while the other girl is holding an umbrella. In the background, Smeaton's Tower is painted as it is today though it's seen some variations over the years including being painted green and white during the 1960s.

Some think that this might have been in honour of Plymouth Argyle but it was probably because green and white are the colours of Devon. Also, in the background, can be seen the Victorian watchtower.

The garden had a small pond in the days before the Prejoma Clock. The clock was erected in April 1965 in memory of the parents of a Mr John Preston Ball.

It's amazing that this photo was taken approximately 70 years ago and how little has changed. Incidently, this photo was another 99p buy on Ebay. An absolute bargain, I think!

Jack Waller

After my blog entry in September about H Leslie's Gay Lieutenants who appeared on Plymouth Pier in 1909, I heard from Susan Allgaier in Wixom, Michigan who wrote:
'I live in Michigan and work with people who have Alzheimer's. One of my patients is the nephew of Jack Waller. Reggie's wife brought in an old scrapbook today with newspaper clippings and pictures of Jack Waller. How interesting! I hope to hear from you. Susan -Wixom, MI.'
I was amazed to hear from anyone who knew of, or remembered, Jack Waller and his troope as he hardly gets any mention on the internet. It was lovely to correspond with Susan and to hear from Jack's great neice, Linda Margolin. Linda's memories of Jack certainly make interesting reading and give an insight to his personality, character and way of life.
I've reproduced Linda's email below:
'Dear Derek,
I am Reggie's daughter and remember Uncle Jack well. I used to visit him whenever I returned to England. It was always exciting as they were "different" than the rest of the family. Very posh.He was always dapper, with a cigar in his mouth and wearing beautiful clothes. Jack played the violin and used to soft-shoe dance down the corridor of the flat in Queen's Gate. He and his wife, my great-aunt Cecelia (my grandmother's sister) also had a fabulous "cottage" called Nanette (for obvious reasons) on the coast. I am having a senior moment trying to recall the exact town. They later moved to a huge gorgeous flat in St Johns Wood. After Jack died, Celia lived there with her sister Sylvia and the maid, Lizzie. Jack's portrait in oil, with cigar, always lived over the lounge fireplace with a special spot light on it. Celia and Jack called each other mummy and daddy, and so daily Celia would talk to Daddy and tell him the news. After Celia died, Sylvia continued to live in St Johns Wood. When she died, as my dad and I were two of the heirs, I went to London to help sort things out. I have many old pictures of the two of them. I will try to get my scanner working again so I can send some to you. There is also a funny cookery book with Favorite recipes of the Famous. Jack has one in there (Lizzie got NO credit!).We will be celebrating my Dad's 92nd birthday this Sunday at sunrise. I will tell him again of your interest in Jack. He will be pleased. Please keep in touch, I'd love to hear about your project. And perhaps there is more info I can give you. My husband and I hope to come to England next year, and we always go to Bournemouth as well to see my aunt and uncle. They also have great stories about Jack.Hope you are well. I am so glad Susan told me of her interest, and yours, in Jack.'

Smeaton's Tower

Smeaton's Tower was built by John Smeaton on the Eddystone Reef in 1759. There had been two previous lighthouses in the same location. The first was built by Henry Winstanley in 1695. Unfortunately, seven years later, during a storm, it was washed away taking its builder with it. The second lighthouse was built in 1711 by John Rudyerd but it was destroyed by a fire in 1755. Work commenced on Smeaton's Tower in December 1756 to replace the damaged lighthouse. Smeaton's Tower would still be there today but the rock underneath it was undermined by the sea. James Douglass built a new lighthouse on an adjoining rock. It was felt that if Smeaton's Tower was left standing beside the new lighthouse, that it could eventually collapse onto the new lighthouse if the rock beneath it became even more undermined. It was decided to blow it up but a Mr FJ Webb suggested that it should be dismantled and erected on the Hoe where the Trinity House Navigational Obelisk once stood. This was quite a task and the lighthouse was removed stone by stone and rebuilt on the Hoe with a new base to support it. The original base can still be seen beside the present Eddystone Lighthouse. On 24th September,1884,the Lord Mayor opened Smeaton's Tower on the Hoe to the public.

Tram at Saltash Passage

This very rare photo shows a tram at Saltash Passage in 1929. To the right of the tram, is the Royal Albert Bridge Inn and the building on the left is now a cafe. The foreshore has now completely changed and nowadays, the area to the left in taken up by a small park built in the 1950s. It's interesting to see the lack of traffic. There would have been few cars in the towns of Plymouth, Stonehouse and Devonport at the time and there was probably none at all in Saltash Passage. It's also interesting to see the tramlines which, apparently, still lie there today underneath the modern tarmac. The tram's destination is 'theatre' which referred to the termination point at Derry's Clock near to the old Theatre Royal. This is tram number 148 which had the longest route in Plymouth. At the time, trams would have brought many visitors to the nearby Little Ash Tea Gardens, the annual regatta and the St Budeaux Carnival. The area by the cafe is where the American soldiers left for D-Day in 1944. Saltash passage has certainly seen some changes over the years but is still instantly recognisable from this old photo though one thing is noticable - it was a far quieter place!

Memories of St Budeaux

I have just finished a new book called, 'Memories of St Budeaux'. When I finished my book on St Budeaux a few years ago, I received lots of emails and letters from people who had enjoyed reading it and who kindly sent me their own memories and photos of the area. There was so much information, it seemed a shame not to record it so I've collected all these memories together in this book. There are memories taken from the notes and cuttings of local historian, Marshall Ware. I've also tried to recall the many stories that he told me about St Budeaux over the years. There are memories of the war, the people, entertainment, transport etc. The book also covers the time when a lot of St Budeaux was mainly farmers field and of a time when there were no trains, buses, cars, electricity or gas. Also included are the memories of the railway enthusiast and author, Maurice Dart. He tells of his time living at Tamar Terrace throughout the Second World War. There are also rare photos of the American soldiers who left from Saltash Passage for D-Day. I hope it will prove very interesting to people who live in the area and also to others who have an interest in St Budeaux. The book will shortly be available through Amazon and other online retailers and should be in Waterstones within the next few weeks.

H Leslie's Gay Lieutenants, Plymouth Pier, 1909

I recently bought this rare postcard off ebay for just 99p! Amazingly, the picture was taken in September, 1909 so it's exactly 100 years old.

The photo features H Leslie's Gay Lieutenants and the picture was taken on Plymouth Pier. Although little is known about the group, they were probably a theatrical troop and would maybe have made appearances at other venues within the town. Their names are written in ink on the photo and these include Jack Willcox, Walter Banett, Fred Shephard, Jack Waller, Ella Elgar and Cecilia Gold. A note on the back of the postcard reads, 'Jack Waller married Cecilia Gold in 1910.'

H Leslie appears in theatre history and the earliest reference I can find of him is a playbill announcing a performance of 'H Leslie's celebrated London company, in The Princess of Trebizonde, at the New Theatre Royal, Park Row, Bristol, 18 September 1871.' He is billed as an orchestra leader which would suggest that the Gay Lieutenants were a musical troop. Other references show that H Leslie wrote songs with a fellow composer, G. A. MacFarren. One of the songs that Leslie wrote in the 1800s was, 'Speed on,my bark, speed on!' with an M Dee. At the same time, there is a composer mentioned called Henry Leslie and this is probably the same person. He is also listed as Henry T Leslie.

Of the troop, only Fred Shephard and Jack Waller's names appear in later productions. Jack Waller went on to compose songs for music hall and to put on stage shows with his business partner, Herbert Clayton. These included, 'Good News' in 1929 and 'Tell her the Truth', in 1933 which featured music by Waller. The partnership of Clayton and Waller was still producing stage shows as late as 1964, although it's hard to tell if they were both still alive then. Waller wrote many songs for shows including, 'Got the Bench, Got the Park', 'Roll Away Clouds' and 'Babying You' with his writing partner, Joseph Tunbridge. Shows that they wrote music for included, 'Silver Wings', Yes, Madam' and 'Princess Charming', all now long forgotten. Waller and Tunbridge would have been well known in their day.

Fred Shephard wrote, 'Have we got the wind up, no not likely', another song that has long been forgotten.

It's amazing how much has changed in the 100 years since this photo was taken and anyone turning up to see a show called the Gay Lieutenants today would probably expect to see a whole different sort of act!

Houdini Centenary

August 2009 marks 100 years since Harry Houdini jumped off Stonehouse Bridge. The event took place on August 18th, 1909. Unfortunately, there seems to be no photos of the event or any of his appearance in the town or within the Palace Theatre. The Western Morning News covered the jump and it is probable that photos were taken at the time, however, many photos were lost and destroyed during the Blitz of 1941 and perhaps these were amongst them. If anyone knows of any photos of his visit to Plymouth, I'd love to hear about them. Between 1900 and 1914, Houdini played at over a hundred venues within the UK. Houdini was a very generous man, When he performed his show in Edinburgh, he noticed how many children were without shoes. He performed a special show for the Scottish youngsters and made sure there were three hundred pairs of shoes so none would go away bare foot. There wasn't nearly enough shoes for the children that turned up so Houdini took them all to the nearest cobbler and made sure that everyone was fitted for shoes.

His appearance in Plymouth must have drawn huge crowds also. In a time when television was non-existant, someone like Houdini must have attracted people in their thousands.

It's amazing to think how Plymouth, and the world, have changed over the last 100 years. It's amazing that the Palace Theatre still stands though Stonehouse Bridge has seen many changes apart from being bombed in the Second World War.

Houdini went on to perform many more shows after he left Plymouth and he died on October 31st, 1926, aged 52.

Cora Pearl

Cora Pearl was said to have been born in Caroline Place, Stonehouse on 23rd February, 1842. However, it is believed that she forged her birth certificate and was actually born in London in 1835. Her family moved to Plymouth in 1837. She was born Emma Elizabeth Crouch and would become a famous courtesan of the French demimonde in the 19th century. Pearl had inherited her musical talent from her father, Frederick Nicholas Crouch, a composer and cellist. In 1867, she appeared in the role of Cupid in a production of Jacques Offenbach's, 'Orpheus in the Underworld.' While working in London, she became involved in prostitution and had dalliances with several wealthy men. She became the mistress of Robert Bignell who owned the Argyll Rooms in Regent Street. Together they travelled to Paris where she first adopted the name, Cora Pearl. She so fell in love with Paris that she refused to return to London with Bignell. Pearl began a theatrical career in Paris but was more known for her sexual appeal than her acting talents. Her theatrical reputation grew and she was soon linked with several wealthy men including the Duke of Rivoli. While she was with him, she developed a serious gambling habit and Rivoli, tired of bailing her out, eventually ender their affair. She soon attracted other rich and powerful men who became her benefactors. A skilled craftsman could earn between two or four francs a day, whereas Cora earned 5,000 a night. She was famous for dancing nude on a carpet of orchards and bathing before guests in a silver tub of champagne. The Duke of Grammont-Caderousse said at the time, 'If the Freres Provencaux served an omelette with diamonds in it, Cora would be there every night.' Her lovers included Prince Willem of Orange, Prince Achille Murat and the Duke of Morny. Morny was Napoleon III's half-brother. Being financially sound, she rented Chateau de Beausejour in 1864, which lay on the banks of the Loiret outside Orleans. When Morny died in 1865, Cora became the mistress of Prince Napoleon who was the cousin of Emperor Napoleon III. He purchased two home in Paris for her and also supported her financially until 1874. Although her activities made her very wealthy, her downfall resulted from her compulsive gambling and ultimately, her age. One story though seems to have led more to her downfall than others. She was the mistress of the wealthy Alexandre Duval who lavished her with gifts and money. When she chose to end the affair, Duval was so distraught that he shot himself on her doorstep. Rather than call for assistance or help him, she went back inside and went to bed. Duval survived but stories of the incident spread quickly and brought her theatrical career to a halt. She fled back to London but her popularity had waned and she eventually returned to Paris. With no benefactor to support her, she had to sell her possessions to support herself. In 1886, she became ill with intestinal cancer and had to move to a shabby boarding house where she died in poverty and forgotten by most.

Lillie Langtry

Lillie Langtry appeared at The Palace Theatre in Union Street in a production of, 'The Crossways' on the 9th December, 1902. She played Virginia, Duchess of Keensbury in the production. Lillie Langtry was born Emilie Charlotte Le Breton in Jersey on the 13th October, 1853. She became a highly successful actress and was the mistress of King Edward VII. In 1874, Lillie married an Irish landower called Edward Langtry. One of the attractions was that he owned a yacht and she insisted that he take her away from Jersey in it. They eventually settled in Belgravia in London. She became the subject of sketches and paintings after her appearances in London Society and through this she soon became quite well known. She was nicknamed, 'Jersey Lily' because of her beauty. Her new found fame soon reached the attention of the Prince of Wales and after attending one of his dinner parties, she soon became his mistress. The affair lasted between 1877 and 1880. By 1879, Langtry had commenced an affair with the Earl of Shrewsbury and her husband announced that he would divorce her. Without her Royal connections, the Langtrys soom found themselves short of cash and realised that they had been living a lifestyle beyond their means.In October 1880, many of their possessions were sold off to meet debts. Langtry also had many other publicised affairs. In 1881, she made her acting debut in 'She Stoops to Conquer' at the Haymarket Theatre in London. Oscar Wilde, a close friend, had suggested that she take up acting. She later became the mistress of two millionaires and eventually took up American citizenship.She died in Monaco on the 12th February, 1929, aged 75.

Red Indians in Union Street

When Buffalo Bill visited Plymouth on the 3rd June 1904, he brought with him a troop of Red Indians who toured with his Wild West Show. For the first time, Red Indians could be seen sitting on street corners in the Stonehouse and Union Street areas of the city. It must have been an amazing sight when people's only experience of Red Indians was through stories read about cowboys and Indians in newspapers, comics or seen in early silent movies. Children would have been particularly fascinated by them as their only knowledge  of Indians would be from stories heard about Geronimo or Custer's Last Stand.

The one thing that was noted at the time about the visiting Red Indians was that they couldn't handle their drink and notices appeared in drinking houses which read, 'No Indians to be served'. Nowadays, this might seem to appear as being racist but at the time, the problem was actually caused by them getting drunk too quick and being overly rowdy.

Willie Sitting Bull was one of the Indians who accompanied Buffalo Bill to Britain. He was the only son of Sitting Bull (pictured). Sitting Bull himself had originally taken part in the show when it toured America. It's amazing to think how things had changed in America, especially for the Indians, in just two generations of a family. Willie regularly took part in mock battles which featured the defeat of Custer at Little Big Horn.

The show at the Exhibition Fields, Pennycomequick must have been an amazing sight. It's interesting that there are still people living in Plymouth today that remember their relatives telling them of the Wild West show and a time when Red Indians filled the streets of the town.

Picture Library Update

The Picture Library has now been up and running for several weeks and there are now hundreds of old photos at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/derektait

I hope to add many more in the following weeks and months. The total collection is also viewable by searching using 'Google Images' or by searching Flickr by entering the place (eg Honicknowle) or event you're interested in.

I think the library will make a great reference source not just for people interested in local history but also for teachers, researchers and genealogists etc.

Most picture librarys online seem to contain a list of photos available and then there's a charge before you can view the picture you're interested in. I hope by making these old pictures available through Flickr, it will make it much easier to search for and find what you're looking for.

Being interested in photography, the site also contains many photos I have taken recently of Plymouth and the surrounding areas. I hope that people will enjoy these also.

The Mount Edgcumbe Training Ship

The Mount Edgcumbe Industrial Training ship was for homeless and destitute boys. The ship was re-commissioned as a training ship in 1877. It was moored off Saltash Passage but when cables were laid to the North of the Royal Albert Bridge in 1913, it was moved to the Saltash side. Goshawk, a sea going training vessel, was moored nearby. At the time, a Herbert Price Knevitt was the Superintendent Captain. He was retired from the Navy and lived on board with his wife, Isabella and their three daughters, Nellie, Nora and Ella. He was 47 at the time and his wife was 35.They also had a servant, Louise Chapman, who was 26, who cooked and kept their quarters tidy. There were also three instructors, the oldest being 62 and the youngest being 34, and a school master, James Sale Gitsham, who was 27. Everyone else on board was referred to as ‘inmates’ and were all aged between 12 and 16. Some came from Plymouth but they also came from other parts of the country, from London to the Isle of Wight. It wasn’t difficult for the boys to find themselves on a training ship. A law in 1884 said that the qualifications for being on the boat were: Anyone found begging or receiving alms, anyone found wandering who doesn’t have a proper home, proper guardianship of means to support themselves; anyone found destitute or who is an orphan or who has a surviving parent who is in prison: anyone who frequents the company of thieves or any child that a parent feels is uncontrollable. However, no boys who had been in prison were allowed on the ship. The payment required for residence was eight shillings per week. In 1910, a Captain H Wesley Harkcom took over the ship and changed the way it had been run for many years. He stopped using the birch on the boys, he moved his family on board and he bought many of the provisions needed from local dealers including food from the Saltash Co-op and coal from Ware’s of Saltash Passage. Harkcom was an expert in rowing and encouraged the boys to take up this pastime. The ship also had a brass band and they gave concerts on the green at St Budeaux and in the nearby parish church. There was said to be anything up to 250 boys on the ship at one time and many went on to see service in the Navy. On 4 December 1920, the training ship was closed down and was sold on the 18th April, 1921 and broken up at the Queen Anne Battery.

The Folly at Mount Edgcumbe

The Folly was built in 1747 and replaced an Obelisk which had stood on the site previously. It was built by using medieval stone from the churches of St George and St Lawrence which once stood in Stonehouse. The same stone was used to build the Picklecombe Seat further along the coast. Part of the seat features a Medieval doorway. The church of St Lawrence was removed to make way for the Royal William Victualling Yard. The Folly was known as 'The Ruins' for many years. Parts of the old Stonehouse Barrier Gates were also said to have been used. As Stonehouse was never a walled town, it is thought that these came from the Abbey or Manor House. The Pall Mall Magazine, published in 1897, said: 'The ruin was constructed from the remains of a fallen obelisk and some old granite-work.' This would suggest that the obelisk had collapsed sometime before the building of the folly in 1747. If parts were used within the construction of the folly then the obelisk erected on Obelisk Hill at Cremyll can't be the complete obelisk that stood where the folly now stands. An artist painting the scene at the end of the 1800's wrote that the Earl of Edgcumbe had his workers build one folly, had it blown up, didn't like the result and had it built and blown up again to get the result we see today. The Folly couldn't have pleased everyone and within the pages of A Guide to the Coast of Devon and Cornwall, published in 1859, it says: ‘The grounds still are very attractive, but disfigured by silly artificial ruins.’ Also, in Black's Guide to Devonshire, published in 1864, it states: ‘Of the mimic ruins scattered through the grounds it is best to take no heed. They are but sorry accessories to a scene which nature has so bounteously enriched.’

The Derek Tait Picture Library

This week I launched the Derek Tait Picture Library on Flickr. At the moment, there are hundreds of old photos of Plymouth and its surrounding areas at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/derektaitoldphotos

Over the coming weeks and months, the collection will grow online to include thousands of images, not just of old Plymouth but also of other places in the country and will include subjects such as transport, people, entertainment, events, celebrations, the Second World War and many local photos that aren't available anywhere else.

I think the library will prove a great reference source to anyone interested in local history. If you have any photos that you think could be included, please send them to me and I'll add them to the collection.

Benny Hill

Benny Hill appeared at the Palace Theatre on Monday 17th March 1955. Benny was billed as the 'BBC's latest star comedian.' He was born Alfred Hawthorne Hill, in Southampton, on the 21st January 1924. Before becoming a comedian, his jobs had included being a milkman, a bridge operator, a driver and a drummer. He became an assistant stage manager and took to the stage inspired by the stars of the old music hall. He changed his name to Benny after the American comedian, Jack Benny. He started slowly touring working men's clubs, small theatres and night clubs. After the war, he worked as a radio performer. His first tv role was in 1949 in a programme called, 'Hi there!' His career took off in 1955 when the BBC gave him his own show, 'The Benny Hill Show.' The show ran with the BBC until 1968. During that time, Benny also did work for ATV. In 1969, the Benny Hill show moved to Thames Television until 1989 when, due to political correctness and the distain of so-called comedians such as Ben Elton, the show was cancelled. Benny had been a huge star and had a number one hit, 'Ernie' in 1971. When the show was cancelled, Benny was forgotten by the tv channels and his health deteriorated. He needed a triple heart bypass which he declined. He died on 19th April 1992 at his home in Teddington. He was 68.

More Laurel and Hardy

After their British tour, and after their visit to Plymouth where Ollie was taken ill, Laurel and Hardy travelled back to America on the 3rd June 1954 on the Danish ship, 'Manchuria'.

This photo shows a recovered Ollie on the left with Stan on the right. They're dining at the Captain's table.

Unfortunately, Ollie died three years later on the 7th August 1957. He was 65 years old.

Stan wrote about their journey back home, in a letter;

'We sailed from Hull, England on June 3rd on a Danish Cargo ship. The voyage took 23 days, stopped in at St. Thomas (the Virgin Islands), Curaco Christobal and through the Panama Canal. It was very interesting, especially the Canal. The accommodations were very nice - good food and calm sea all the way, I really prefer travelling this way as you don't have to dress up for meals etc. as you do on the big passenger ships. There were only 10 passengers on this trip (12 is the limit they carry) so its practically like being on a private yacht.'

Stan died on the 23rd February 1965 at his home in Santa Monica. He was 74.

Westward Television

Westward Television was launched on the 29th April, 1961. The chairman of the company was Peter Cadbury who had previously been on the board of Tyne Tees Television. He named the company after a course in Westward Ho! where he played golf.

The station was based at Derry's Cross within purpose-built studios.

Well-known and much loved presenters included Kenneth MacLeod (pictured), Stuart Hutchison, John Doyle, Lawrie Quayle, Roger Shaw, Graham Danton as well as many others.

Westward's flagship programme was Westward Diary which went out at 6pm on Monday to Friday. The three original presenters were Reginald Bosanquet, Barry Westwood and Kenneth MacLeod. Many people may have forgotten that Reginald Bosanquet worked for Westward before becoming an ITN newsreader. Kenneth MacLeod later became the sole anchor man for the show which featured local news in the first half followed by items such as 'Pick of the Post' and 'Picture Puzzle' where people at home had to guess a mystery location to win a prize. In a time when there weren't so many cars, the picture puzzle was harder than it would appear today because many people hadn't been to the places shown. Other popular Westward shows included 'Treasure Hunt' with Keith Fordyce and 'A Date with Danton' with Graham Danton.

Shows, being live, regularly broke down and I can recall one show where nothing would work. Lawrie Quayle had just come back from a holiday in Spain and, as they had no news or anything else to show the public, Kenneth MacLeod chatted to him for half an hour about his holiday!

Another favourite on Westward Television was Gus Honeybun who became a favourite with children.There are still Gus Honeybun trains on Plymouth Hoe though none of today's children will have any knowledge of him!

When Westward was taken over by TSW in 1982, I think the people of the Westcountry expected something better but instead they lost something that had been very special to many people. The channel and its presenters are still fondly remembered.

Unfortunately, many of the presenters including Ken MacLeod, John Doyle and Stuart Hutchinson are no longer around although Gus Honeybun is apparently living happily on Dartmoor somewhere!

The Bounty

The story of the Mutiny on the Bounty is well known and documented. There is a link with Fletcher Christian and Plymouth but how accurate it is, no-one will ever know.

William Bligh (pictured) will always be remembered for the mutiny which took place on the Bounty in 1789. William Bligh owned a boathouse near to the Saltash Ferry and probably, at one time, lived there. Bligh was born at Tinten Manor at St Tudy on 9th September, 1754. Amazingly, his first sea voyage was on HMS Monmouth when he was just aged 7, as a servant to the Captain. By 1787, he had sailed with Captain Cook and had become Captain of the Bounty.

The Bounty's mission was to collect breadfruit plants from Tahiti and transport them to the West Indies where they were to be grown to provide a cheap food source for slaves.

Once Fletcher Christian and the crew of the Bounty had experienced the paradise of Tahiti for five months, collecting and preparing breadfruit plants, they were understandably, not happy about the prospect of their return to England when the time came to leave.

Tension overflowed once on board and Fletcher Christian took control of the ship.

Bligh's diary entry for 28th April, 1789, the day of the mutiny, reads: 'Just before sunrise, Mr Christian and the Master at Arms came into my cabin while I was fast asleep, and seizing me, tied my hands with a cord and threatened instant death if I made the least noise. I however called sufficiently loud to alarm the Officers, who found themselves equally secured by sentinels at their doors. Mr Christian had a cutlass and the others were armed with muskets and bayonets. I was now carried on deck in my shirt in torture with a severe bandage round my wrists behind my back, where I found no man to rescue me.'

Fletcher Christian took control of the Bounty and Bligh, and those faithful to him, were set adrift in a small boat. Bligh, being an excellent navigator and seaman, guided the 23 ft boat to Tofua and then on to Timor, which was in the hands of the Dutch. He travelled a total of 3,618 nautical miles with just a sextant, a pocket watch but with no maps. He made it back to England in March 1790 where he faced a court martial but was honourably acquitted.

Christian and his crew settled on the island of Pitcairn. Some were later captured but acquited at trial, some were hanged and some died at sea. Others died of natural causes.

There were various stories telling how Fletcher Christian met his death on Pitcairn. Some said that he had been murdered while others said that he had died of natural causes, committed suicide or gone insane.Rumours went around that he had faked his own death and returned to England. Midshipman Peter Heywood, who had sailed on The Bounty, reportedly saw Fletcher Chrisitan in Plymouth after the mutiny.

Bowls on the Hoe

Francis Drake was born at Crowndale near Tavistock in around 1540. Perhaps the most famous story connecting Drake with Plymouth Hoe is the one of how he played bowls on 19th July 1588 with his fellow captains. When news was brought to them that the Armada had been spotted off the Lizard, Drake announced that they still had time to finish the game and beat the Spaniards as well. Many people have dismissed the story as a myth and if the game did take place, it wasn't where the current bowling green is on the Hoe now. Interestingly, the game was banned by law at the time and the reason given was that it caused people to neglect their archery practice. It's possible that the rich had private games in their own gardens. Drake had a house with a garden in Looe Street and John Hawkins had a residence closer to the harbour. If the game did take place on the Hoe, it's likely to have been in the area of the much quarried Lambhay Hill where the Citadel now stands which would have also been near the chalk giants, Gog and Magog. From here, Drake would have had an excellent vantage point of the Sound right across to Rame. In the only remaining copy of Phoenix Britannicus, published in 1624, only 36 years after the event, the story is told as fact and states that the match did indeed take place on the Hoe.

Benny Baron

There has been a lot of interest in Laurel and Hardy and their appearance at the Palace Theatre on 17th May, 1954. Plymouth's Barry Ewart has a connection with both the comedians, as his grandfather, Benny Baron, taught Stan many of his routines. Although Barry never knew his grandfather, his mother used to tell him stories of when Benny toured the music halls with his partner, Jack Graham.

Barry's uncle, Billy Baron, remembers, 'Stan adopted exactly the facial expressions my father used in his act. He was the one who got everything wrong and used to 'cry' when his partner knocked off his straw boater.'

Barry says, 'In the film the 'Flying Deuces', Babe (Ollie) sings 'Shine On, Harvest Moon' and Stan does a soft shoe shuffle dance routine to the song which was taught to Stan, step for step, by my grandfather and it brings a tear to my eye every time I watch it.'

Barry continues, 'My grandfather first worked with a young Stanley Jefferson (later Stan Laurel) in the early 1900's ( before America beckoned). The first documented production I can find is a juvenile pantomime company run by H.B.Levy and J.E. Cardwell. The production was 'The Sleeping Beauty'. My grandfather Benny was older than Stan. Master Stanley Jefferson played Ebeneezer (Golliwog2) and my grandfather played Major Flashlight. Amongst others in the cast were Jack Graham (later to become my grandfathers stage partner in the double act, 'Graham and Baron'). Jack played Colonel Dreadnought. I have in my possession a letter from Stan to my grandfather (at a time when Stan was famous as one half of Laurel and Hardy) and a picture of Stan, Ollie and Benny when they toured during the 1950s. My late mother always used to refer to Stan as uncle Stan and she told me many stories. Apparently, Stan learnt the deadpan face , and the 'cry' from Benny. In the movie, 'The Flying Deuces', Babe sings shine on Harvest Moon. Stan does a soft shoe shuffle routine and this dance routine was taught to Stan step for step by Benny. My elder brother used to do part of this (my grandfather died before I was born). Apparently Stan wanted Benny to go to America where, he explained to Benny, it was money for old rope (he was still not famous then) but my grandmother was having none of it saying it was bad enough touring round Northern England and Scotland (mostly) with their by now growing family including my mum (Irene Baron). After a long stint in variety as a double act with Jack Graham my grandfather finally retired from the stage to run a pub in Sunderland called The Boars Head Hotel. Stan always kept in touch with my grandfather.'

Barry adds, 'My grandfather lived in Sunderland and my mother (Irene Baron) came from Sunderland to Plymouth in the early fifties to marry a matelot (my dad). I might add that my mother, when she was young, sang on stage with none other than Judy Garland, albeit in the chorus line, and most of my uncles played in the orchestra pit of the Sunderland Empire , and toured most of the theatres in Northern England.'

The Palace Theatre

The theatre in Union Street was originally called the New Palace Theatre of Varieties and was opened on the 5th September, 1898. The opening show featured Adele and May Lilian who were billed as the Levey Sisters. They performed Persian and hunting songs and were followed by an acrobatic act called The Six Craggs. Other acts that night included Walter and Edie Cassons who performed a vaudeville act, a comedian called Harry Comlin and a roller skater called Fred Darby. Tickets ranged from one shilling to 2/6 which included three hours of entertainment.

Fire destroyed both the auditorium and stage on the 23rd December, 1898 and the theatre wasn't opened again until May 1899.

There were twice nightly vaudeville shows by 1902 and artists who appeared during the early 1900s included Neil Kenyon billed as a 'scotch' comedian, Robert Williams a sword swinger and Miss Gertie Gitana who sang songs including 'Nellie Dean.'

In 1909, Harry Houdini played at the theatre for a week during August and drew a huge crowd.

Charlie Chaplin, who was in Plymouth as a guest of Nancy Astor, appeared on stage on the 16th November, 1931.

The theatre stayed open during the blitz of 1941 to keep people's spirits up. Acts that appeared that year included Billy Cotton and his band, Tommy Handley, Arthur Lucan (Old Mother Riley), Henry Hall and his Orchestra as well as many less known acts. At Christmas of that year, the show was Robinson Crusoe which starred George Hirstie.

The theatre closed in 1949 for redecorating and reopened with the Billy Cotton Bandshow. The theatre closed again in 1954 due to the lack of touring shows. It was offered to the Plymouth City Council in 1956 but they refused to buy it and it closed for five months before reopening in October 1956. It closed suddenly on the 7th February, 1959 during the pantomime, 'Little Miss Muffet' because of lack of interest.

New management took over the theatre in 1961 and it became Palace Theatre (Bingo) Ltd.

The theatre reopened in 1962 with the pantomime, 'Sinbad the Sailor.'

In 1965, Arthur Fox, a businessman from Manchester, paid £50,000 for the theatre with the intention of hosting Star Bingo, wrestling (which was very popular at the time) and striptease.

In 1975, it was bought by EMI and opened on the 19th April, 1977 with a performance of 'The Magic Flute.' The theatre struggled and closed on the 27th May, 1980 when it ceased trading and its contents were put up for sale. It reopened on the 16th May 1981 for a review with Danny La Rue but finally closed in 1983 when it became the Academy Disco.

Its fortunes didn't improve and today it remains closed and its shabby appearance hides its varied history. It's amazing to think of the great acts that have appeared there and of how many people in Plymouth have been entertained by them.

The theatre is said to be haunted, a rumour started in the early 1960s.

Robin Hood

Robin Hood wasn't from Plymouth but the actor who played him in the tv series in the 1950s was. Richard Greene was born in Stonehouse on the 25th August, 1918. He appeared in 'The Adventures of Robin Hood' for 143 episodes between 1955 and 1960.

His aunt was Evie Greene an actress in musical theatre and his parents were both actors with the Repertory Theatre in Plymouth. He was educated in Kensington and left school when he was 18. His stage career began when he played a spear carrier in a version of Julius Caesar in 1933. In 1936, he joined the Jevan Brandon Repertory Company and appeared in Terence Rattigan's 'French Without Tears' where he came to the attention of Alexander Korda and Darryl F Zanuck. When he was 20, he joined 20th Century Fox and became a huge success after appearing in John Ford's movie, 'Four Men and a Prayer.' He received so much fan mail that he rivalled Tyrone Power and Robert Taylor. Greene continued to make movies until he enlisted in the 27th Lancers during the Second World War.

Greene appeared in propaganda films during the war and also toured entertaining the troops. However, the war ruined Greene's rising film career although he is well remembered for 'Forever Amber' which was made in 1947. Afterwards, he found himself cast in mainly swashbuckling roles. With little film work and his divorce from Patricia Medina, Greene was almost forgotten when he was approached by Yeoman Films who offered him the lead role in 'The Adventures of Robin Hood.' By taking the role it solved his financial problems and also made him a huge star.

Richard Greene died at his home in Norfolk on the 1st June, 1985.

The Beatles

The Beatles appeared at the ABC on the 13th November, 1963. While in Plymouth, the Beatles were interviewed for a tv show made by Westward Television called, 'Move Over, Dad!' The interviewer was Stuart Hutchison. So many fans blocked the street, that the Beatles had to be taken through a tunnel, from the ABC to Westward Studios, to be interviewed. The concert very nearly didn't take place as Paul had been suffering from gastric flu and their booked appearance at Portsmouth on the previous night was cancelled because of this.

Below is a transcript of the Beatles interview with Stuart Hutchison;

Hutchison: 'Well Paul, how are you after your collapse we read about?' Paul: 'I didn't really collapse. That was just the naughty newspapers, writing it. Misquote! Nah, I just had a bit of flu, you know. I'm fine today, thank you.' Hutchison: 'You're feeling alright?' Paul: (in a comical voice) 'Lovely. Real lovely.' Hutchison: 'How are the rest of you? How are you going to avoid catching...?' John: (in a pathetic voice) 'We're fine, thank you.' George: 'Oh, we're OK. Yeah, great.' Hutchison: 'Are you taking any cold prevention, now?' Paul: 'Yeah, I'm taking 'em all. Got 'em all.' John: (quietly) 'It's only 1/6 a tube.' (Paul giggles) Hutchison: 'How about these escape plans you keep beating about? You got out of one place disguised as policemen.' Beatles: 'No, no!' George: 'We didn't, actually. We put the policemen's helmets on...' Paul: 'Just for a laugh, you know.' George: 'Yeah.' Paul: 'The policemen said, 'Aww, let's have a laugh, and put these helmets...' George: 'We jumped out of the van, and you know... The press were there to take the photographs, so we jumped out with the helmets on. So the next day it was...' Paul: 'The next day you read in the papers...' George: '...here they are, disguised.' Ringo: 'Have you ever seen a policeman in a corduroy coat?' John: 'I have. I saw one back in 1832, I think.' Ringo: 'He knows, you see.' Hutchison: 'Did you put the helmets on over the haircuts?' Paul: 'Yeah.' Ringo: 'Sure.' John: 'Well, we couldn't put them underneath.' (Beatles laugh) Paul: 'And I also read in the papers today, there's a man who said we wear wigs!' Ringo: (loudly) 'We don't!' Paul: 'We don't. Honest. Feel it.' Hutchison: 'True. It's lovely, yes. Oh, on this program a few weeks ago, somebody said the Beatles haircut was going out because the fringe was so long you couldn't see the birds. What comment have you got to make on that?' John: (yells) 'It's a dirty lie!' George: (laughs) Paul: 'We can see quite well. I can see quite well, thanks, John.' George: 'Well, some of us can.' (laughter) Hutchison: 'Are you looking forward to doing it tonight?' Beatles: 'Yeah! Paul: 'Of course.' Hutchison: 'Well, they've all been looking forward to seeing you, and they're out there now. Thank you very much, boys.' Beatles: 'Thank you.' John: 'Pleasure.'

The Beatles visited the ABC again on the 29th October, 1964.

The Beatles visited a third time in September 1967 while filming the Magical Mystery Tour and pictures appear of them sitting on the Hoe overlooking the Sound.

Charles Darwin

At Devil's Point, at the end of Durnford Street, there is a plaque commemorating the sailing from Barn Pool, at Mount Edgcumbe, of HMS Beagle. Charles Darwin's journey is mentioned in the Quarterly Review of 1840: 'On the 27th November, 1831, the well-manned, well-appointed and well-provided Beagle sailed from Barn Pool, and having circumnavigated the globe, and accomplished all the objects the expedition had in view, as far was practical, she anchored at Falmouth on the 2nd October, 1836, after and absence of four years and nine months.' Darwin had lived in Plymouth for two months before his famous voyage around the world in HMS Beagle. The ship was captained by Robert Fitzroy. Darwin, who was then just 22 years old, joined the crew as a naturalist. He had a wealthy family who paid the £30 fare needed to travel on the Beagle.

When he returned to England, he married Emma Wedgwood, the daughter of the potter, Josiah Wedgwood.

He carried on his research and in 1859, his book, 'The Origin of the Species by Natural Selection' was published in 1859.

Darwin died in 1882 at his home in Orpington, Kent. He is buried at Westminster Abbey.

Kiss me, Hardy

Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy once lived at 156 Durnford Street. Although he rose through the ranks to become a Vice-Admiral, his Naval career is remembered by just three words, 'Kiss me Hardy'. When Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson was fatally wounded aboard HMS Victory in 1805, he was taken below deck where he was later visited by Hardy. Nelson's words to him were, 'Take care of poor Lady Hamilton', before he uttered the immortal words, 'Kiss me, Hardy'. It has been suggested that what Nelson actually said was, 'Kismet, Hardy' meaning that this was his fate. However, that was not the case as many officers present, including his surgeon, William Beatty, who wrote down his words, bore witness to the actual event. When Nelson uttered the words, 'Kiss me, Hardy', Hardy knelt beside him and kissed him on the cheek.Many people think that these were his last words, but, his final words were uttered just before he died three hours after he had been shot. These words were, 'God and my country'. A young sailor from Cawsand, Lieutenant John Pollard, was a midshipman on the Victory when Nelson was fatally wounded. Although not a well known name now, it was Pollard who shot and killed the enemy sailor who shot Nelson. He was known thereafter as, 'Nelson's Avenger'. However, several other men also claimed to have shot the Frenchman. In An Authentic Narrative of the Death of Lord Nelson by Sir William Beatty, published in 1807, he wrote: 'There were only two Frenchmen left alive in the mizzen-top of the Redoubtale at the time of his Lordship's being wounded and by the hands of these he fell. At length one of them was killed by a musket ball; and on the others then attempting to make his escape from the top down the rigging, Mr Pollard (Midshipman) fired his musket at him and shot him in the back when he fell dead from the shrouds on the Redoutable's poop.' Beatty's account supports Pollard being the 'avenger'.

The Blitz of 1941

During the Second World War, the heaviest attacks on the city came in 1941. In the two intensive attacks on the 20 and 21 March, 336 people lost their lives. Five further attacks in April brought the toll to 590. There was hardly a building in Plymouth that wasn’t touched in some way by the Blitz. Much of the city centre was obliterated and although many buildings remained amongst the debris, most were damaged beyond repair. It’s hard now to imagine the total devastation the bombing caused. Many of the most popular streets, Bedford Street, Union Street, Old Town Street, Frankfort Street, Cornwall Street, George Street etc were either totally destroyed or severely damaged. Major buildings such as the Guildhall, the Municipal Buildings, St Andrew’s Church, Charles Church and the General Post Office were obliterated. Many schools were also hit. These included Plymouth High School for Girls, the Hoe Grammar School and the infants school at Summerland Place. Many churches were destroyed also including St James the Less, King Street Methodist, St Peter’s, George Street Baptist and many other. The bombing was indiscriminate and destroyed anything that got in its way. In the dockyard, the bombing was bad but not as damaging as would have been thought and within a few months, it was back to 90% efficiency. Outside the city, the bombing was just as devastating and areas affected included Devonport, Stonehouse, St Budeaux, Swilly and Saltash Passage. Devonport lost many buildings including the Post Office, the Alhambra Theatre, the Synagogue, the Hippodrome and the Salvation Army Headquarters. Residential houses that were either destroyed or beyond repair amounted to 3,754.Others that were seriously damaged but able to be repaired amounted to 18,398. Houses that were slightly damaged amounted to an additional 49,950. It’s hard to imagine today, unless you’ve lived through it, such devastation to a city. Many children were packed off to live with relatives, friends or obliging families in safe areas in the countryside. Thousands left on special trains and many saw it as an adventure while others were upset to leave their parents behind. Lady Astor said at the time, 'What helped the evacuation was that everyone seemed to have a cousin in the country!'. News of the devastation of Plymouth soon reached the rest of the world and gifts arrived from all over particularly the United States who sent ambulances, soft toys, food packages and surgical dressings. The Royal Sailors Rest received crates of supplies so large that they were unable to get them into the building. At the end of the war, there were a total of 4,448 casualties due to the raids and heavy bombing of the city. Throughout it all though, the people of Plymouth remained strong and there were regular dances on the Hoe almost in defiance of the enemy as they bombed the city. Plymouth was reborn after the war and the city was rebuilt almost from scratch. Few buildings remained in the heart of the city that were there before the war and even now, the city is constantly changing.

Lawrence of Arabia

T E Lawrence was stationed at Mount Batten in Plymouth and was posted to RAF Cattewater during March 1929 and stayed in Plymouth until

1935 where he worked on high-speed boats.

Previously, at the beginning of the First World War, Lawrence had been a university post-graduate researcher and had travelled extensively within the Ottoman Empire. When he volunteered his services, he was posted to Cairo. Lawrence fought with the Arab troops against the enemy forces of the Ottaman Empire. In 1918, he was involved in the capture of Damascus and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. After the War, his fame spread and he became known as Lawrence of Arabia.

When he joined the RAF in 1922, he enlisted as John Hume Ross to protect his identity. This was discovered in 1923 and he was forced out of the RAF. He changed his name to T E Shaw and enlisted in the Royal Tank Corps. He was unhappy there and petitioned the RAF to re-accept him, which they did in 1925.

He died aged 46 in a motor bike accident near his cottage in Wareham.

There is a plaque at Turnchapel which commemorates Lawrence. It reads:

'Lawrence of Arabia 1888-1935.

On his return from India in 1929 T.E. Lawrence, under the assumed name of Shaw, was posted to a flying boat squadron at RAF Mount Batten he remained in the marine craft section until his discharge 19 February 1935.'