by Margaret Tucker

IN the 70’s, Father Reg Riley was at the Crediton Roman Catholic Church, a charming man, who later went to Senegal in Africa.

George Fisher had the Army and Navy Stores in the High Street, now an antique shop. He sold a good selection of wax jackets.

Tom Connell had a Spar grocery shop, where Crediton Pharmacy and ShelfLife are now. Jon Guy took over one side and opened his Sports Shop.

St Lawrence Residential Home, which is now new apartments opposite the Police Station, was a lovely, friendly place, with residents having rooms on the two upper floors and their own dining rooms and lounges.

They also had a shop where they could buy most things including alcohol which opened in the afternoons.

At Christmas the whole building was highly decorated just everywhere, like an Aladdin’s Cave, and my late Mum, who was there for 12 years, said the Matron brought everyone a Hot Toddy on Christmas Morning to start the celebrations. There was romance there as well, as my Mum received a marriage proposal (which she turned down, but I told her she was lucky to have a proposal at her age, late 80s). They also always had a Summer Fete each year and one year it was opened by Ian Stirling from Westward Television. Gwen Cann was the cook and the residents always had good home-cooked meals and a cake on their birthdays.

Some older people will remember Roy Wood, the local Vet, and he spoke of the times when his work was similar to "All Creatures Great and Small". His hobby was Tatting, and he often gave talks and demonstrations on this craft besides his fascinating talks on being a Vet.

Wilf Southcott had Cox the Butchers, and I am sure his wife, Joyce delivered the Parish Church magazine. I also seem to remember Mr Packer also had the butchers. On the opposite side was Courtney’s, the pork butchers as well.

The Police Station was always manned during weekdays, with a very nice gentleman receptionist, and local Police were always seen around the town, including the popular Sgt Wills.

Councillor Bob Wright had a Vegetable Round during that time, and Doug Wenmouth, had a TV and Repair Shop. Doug was also a keen ballroom dancer, and obtained his Gold Medal. Doug’s wife was the local Guide Leader and they lived in a big house next to The Three Little Pigs.

Dave Blanchford and his wife had a Dairy and Milk Round, and a lady called Sheila had the Dairy in Mill Street, which always opened on Sunday mornings, when nowhere else was open. Later it became a launderette.

Geoff Woodford was the popular Head Teacher at Hayward’s School and a highlight was the Fresh Christmas Turkey Bingo run by Shirley Vallance. I also understand all the turkeys had to be plucked beforehand!

Miss Hazel Boyd was Head Teacher at Yeoford Primary School and she arranged for the pupils to be taught how to make stained glass for windows, which I believe was later placed in Yeoford Church.

SWEB had their showrooms where Town and Countrywear shop was and Alan Abrahams was the manager.

The Broseley estate, off Exhibition Road, was built in 1971/2, and the first residents of the first phase moved in during 1972.

For a few years people could smell the sewage works if the wind was the wrong way! But there has been no smell there now for many a year!

I also remember that when Willow Walk was being built, thieves went there one Sunday with a van and stole all the fittings, bathroom, kitchen etc, from one of the houses. People thought they were workmen!

Ivor Coram had an excellent shoe shop where Kitchen@25 is now, a great loss to the town.

Mr Frank Bristow was a stalwart at the Crediton Congregational Church and Mrs Beryl Wraight (now Parry) came as Pastor and organised the annual Gift Day, instead of the fetes, which proved very successful and was a lot less work!

Glen Creedy Coaches were situated at the back of Mill Street, and Mrs June Phillips was the local Avon lady.

Margaret Parr was the Crediton WI president in 1972, meetings being held in the Masonic Hall.

There was a Leather and Suede shop where the Florists is now, previously Susan’s, and when that closed it was an excellent China Shop.

Does anyone remember the Tupperware parties? Did you host one or did you have a good gift? I had a sun lounger once!

Have you still got any Tupperware or do you still use it? I still have a very useful meat container and also those large yellow containers for flour etc in which I keep biscuits fresh. They are now so old they could possibly be classed as antiques!

Many people attended the Ballroom Dance classes held in the Masonic Hall by a very glamorous lady called Christine but I cannot remember her surname! Any ideas? A gentleman called Reg, and his wife, also gave lessons there after she left.

I think around that time the Crediton Guide Hut at Lords Meadow was also built.

Anyway, hope that’s interesting, but it may not be quite accurate, as it’s a long time ago, but it does keep the brain ticking over as once you start remembering, more and more memories start coming back.