The Herald looks at what was making the headlines in past years.

75 years ago

ABOUT 30 of the Sidmouth and Newton Poppleford Territorials attended the annual dinner, held at the Exeter Inn, Newton Poppleford, on December 20. After a good dinner the Loyal Toast was drunk with enthusiasm after which 2nd Lieutenant Palmer welcomed the Sidmouth Platoon. Second Lieut Fitzgerald in reply thanked him for his kind remarks and hoped that the Sidmouth Platoon would soon increase in numbers.

THE annual meeting of the Sidmouth Allotments Association was held at the parish hall on December 19 and, owing to the fact that the president, the Rev C K Woollcombe, was unable to be present at the commencement, Mr Foxwell was appointed to the chair. Mr J Farrant reported that the number of shareholding members was now 218, seven new members having been admitted during the year, the number of tenants being 98.

50 years ago

THE committee and friends of the women’s branch of the Sidmouth Conservative Association are to be congratulated on a colourful and very successful sale of Christmas decorations, cakes and fancy goods held in aid of the funds for renovating the Conservative hall.

AFTER missing three consecutive games, Sidmouth Hockey Club men’s team entertained ISCA and won a close game by one goal to nil. This was Sidmouth’s first home game of the season, all the others being cancelled because of unsuitable ground conditions. The home team started off in good style, but play was rather scrappy in the second half.

25 years ago

THE 40th anniversary year of the Sidmouth Old Age Pensions Association Number One Branch was brought to a close by a carol concert at the Manor Pavilion, which raised �35. Two days previously, the Christmas lunch was held and 104 guests attended. At the Christmas bazaar held in Church House, �221 was made.

BOOK tokens were presented to 16 pupils of Sidmouth College, their prizes in a library project held during the term. First to fourth year pupils took part in the project held at Primley Library, which involved animal stories and poems, backed by visits and talks from Guide Dogs for the Blind, Shaldon Wildife Trust and the Donkey Sanctuary, and led to the children writing their own stories or poems.