75 years ago THE annual fair and market were held at Sidbury on Wednesday. There was a good attendance of farmers and dealers and about 16 head of cattle, seven calves, 41 lambs and 168 pigs were offered for sole. The fair itself apparently comprised one

75 years ago

THE annual fair and market were held at Sidbury on Wednesday. There was a good attendance of farmers and dealers and about 16 head of cattle, seven calves, 41 lambs and 168 pigs were offered for sole. The fair itself apparently comprised one solitary gingerbread stall, the prominent embellishment of which, a reproduction of a Kilkenny cat, seemed as incongruous as the situation of the stall itself against the background of the picturesque old parish church.

FORGED ten shillings notes numbered M46 114597 have made their appearance in the district and people are warned to examine notes carefully when asked to change them or in accepting them for payment of goods.

50 years ago

THERE was a full house when Mrs Harold Fish spoke to the Sidmouth and District Photographic Club about her recent visit to Australia. She gave an intimate description of the places seen and showed many colour slides taken as she moved about. Perhaps the most interesting photographs were those from the air, especially as she flew over the Swiss Alps on her homeward journey.

IT has been found necessary, as part of the military aircraft development programme, to carry out during the next few months a series of supersonic flights above 30,000 feet over Lyme Bay. The flying will be arranged so as to minimise as far as possible, inconvenience to the public.

25 years ago

WHAT on earth are the Royal Marines playing at? The question is prompted after a middle-aged Sidmouth woman was frightened out of her wits when confronted by armed soldiers close to midnight near Dunkeswell Airport. As she drove along a lane she was flagged down by a Marine in uniform armed with a rifle. He ordered her to get out of her car. Although scared, the woman did not comply with the soldiers' orders to get out so they could search the car. She drove off and contacted police who telephoned the Marines' training camp at Lympstone. Officers there explained that the Marines were practicing car search techniques prior to a tour of duty in Northern Ireland.

A MISCHEVIOUS orphan crow is giving Mrs Barbara Cross, of Sidford, the bird on washdays- as soon as she hangs out the clean clothes he comes along and unclips the pegs to send the linen fluttering to the ground.