1960s - 1980's

Page updated 28th October 2013

Around Exeter in the 1970's

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The Princesshay Commemorative Feature feature
This plaque, bottom right, was unveiled in 1949 by Princess Elizabeth. Princesshay from the High Street arcade looking towards Southernhay, top - the shops in the arcade are let, as shown by the bright windows, also 1979. Photos David Cornforth 

Snow in the High Street and Queen Street
Late February 1978 saw the biggest blizzard sweep the South West since the 1890's. Many villages were cut off for several days and Telegraph Hill was choked with traffic as it was impassable. Only a single, winding lane was driveable on the M5. Exeter was badly hit, but not too such an extent as the country areas.
Photos Alan H Mazonowicz

Exeter in the Snow
More photos showing the snow in Exeter after the great blizzard of February 1978. The photo of Church Road looks as though it was taken just after the main blizzard, with a very leaden sky. Photos from the top - The Prince Albert, now the Showman, Cowick Street gathering, and Church Road. Photos John Garnsworthy

Silver Jubilee Celebrations - Beacon Lane 1977
Children in fancy dress line up in Beacon Lane for the Queen's Silver Jubilee Celebration. Although not the warmest summer, the occasion was the last in which street parties were arranged. Nowadays, we just watch the proceedings from London on the TV. Photo courtesy of Lydia Barnard.

The Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital at Dean Clarke House, moved to a new tower block in Barrack Road, Wonford during 1974.

Heavy Horses at Stoke Canon 1974
5 MB WMV film. I filmed this heavy horse show on 8mm equipment in August 1974, and then forgot about it, until recently. Some in Exeter, will have memories of the show, which is why I have put it on the site. Included are shire horses cutting a field of corn and a working threshing machine, giving a record of how Devon once was.

In 1971, Roland Lake, owner of the old Exeter chemist, Hinton Lake, retired, and the business was sold to Holman Ham. The shop became Star Jeans for a time, before it was occupied by Laura Ashley.

Genette Tate disappeared in August 1978. The incident room was moved to Heavitree Police Station. Extensive searches were made around Aylesbeare, and the suburbs to the east of Exeter.

Demolishing the old Exe Bridge
After the southern Exe crossing was opened in 1972, the old, 1905 bridge, designed by Sir John Wolfe Barry was demolished. These two photos show the old bridge after the cast iron side covering and road platform had been removed, leaving the double cantilevered core of the bridge. Wolfe Barry designed Tower Bridge, and it was a modification of this design that he used for the Exe Bridge. The use of the three hinged cantilevers gave a flat platform for the road surface, a feature that was required for the successful introduction of the electric tram in 1905. The newly completed Renslade House is in prominent view in the lower photo. Photos Nigel Bush

The last Assize
In 1971, three years before Exeter lost its county status and became a city council, the last assize was held. The top procession shows the last procession from the Guildhall to the Cathedral. In the photo can be seen Judge M G Polson Recorder of the City, Mayor S Sargeant, and Sheriff Michael McGahey. The lower photograph shows the last assize session in the Guildhall - there were no cases to be heard, so the Mayor closed the session and called for this photograph to be taken.

Waterbeer Street
A view along Waterbeer Street in 1979. Notice the Jubilee, 'Looking Forward' Bronze is in place, while Marks and Spencers is in the early stages of development. Photo David Cornforth

Postal strike
In January 1971 there was a postal strike that lasted 44 days. The postal workers had turned down an 8% rise, demanding 15% to 20%. They settled for a complex package that came no where near their demands. Private organisations could issue stamps and deliver mail. These stamps are printed Exeter Emergency Delivery Service.

Entertainment in the 1970's

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Monty Python
In September 1974, the Monty Python Flying Circus team visited Exeter to film their last series. This shot was inside the Clock Tower Cafe. They also filmed at Eastgate, Thornton Hill, Cowick Street, Lower Argyle Road and Maryfield Road.

Onedin Line
Exeter quay in March 1976, when the BBC filmed the Onedin Line. The quay was cast in the part of Liverpool Docks. In this photo, you can see Exeter spectators, roped off, along the quay.  The rigging of a sailing ship is on the extreme right. Colleton Crescent was also used to represent the home of James Onedin. Photo courtesy of Alan Mazonowicz. See the photo essay of the filming

Chekov at the Northcott
By the 1970s the Northcott Theatre was attracting some well known names, and producing many classic productions. This is Hywell Bennet in Chekov's, The Seagull, 1974.
Photo - Jon Primrose

Beggar's Opera at the Northcott
Another production of a classic play at the Northcott Theatre - Jon Gay's Beggar's Opera of 1979. This production starred Bernard Breslaw of Carry On fame. The Beggar's Opera was first staged in Exeter at the Seven Stars Inn, St Thomas, in 1728. Photo - Jon Primrose

Morecombe and Wise
In October 1971, Morecambe and Wise appeared at the ABC Cinema for two nights. They had first appeared in Exeter at the Theatre Royal, but by the 1960's, with the closure of the Theatre Royal only the ABC was left for their type of comedy act. Martin Chapple remembered the show - "I was at Hele's School and volunteers were asked to collect money for charity at half-time. I duly volunteered and was delighted to be able to see the show for free. Eric did his "Magic ball" trick with a paper bag which I have used to good effect in my teaching career, including at a school in Rajastan, India, which caused enormous delight!."  Poster authors collection

Elephants in town
In the 1970's, Roberts Bros. Circus would visit the Exeter Showground, at Whipton. To promote the show, they would unload the elephants from trucks at St David's Station and march them up St David's Hill, and through the town. This photo shows them by the Great Western Hotel, starting on their journey, circa 1975. Photo courtesy of Alan Mazonowicz.

The new Flying Post
On the 19th February 1976, the new Exeter Flying Post hit the newstands. More irreverant and outspoken than the old Trewman's Exeter Flying Post that closed in 1917, the new weekly publication was published from the 3rd floor of 195, High Street, although the entrance was in Parliament Street. They aimed to cover 'events, people and facilities' and 'that the citizens of Exeter shall write it'. They were still running in 2008 as a bi-monthly, in a more magazine format.

Golden Heart redevelopment
This cartoon appeared in the first issue of the Flying Post. It alludes to the sterile streets created by the Golden Heart redevelopment of the Guildhall Centre. It shows drunks, frightened shoppers and con-men lurking in the shadows of the redevelopment. The scale and design of the Guildhall Centre was not universally popular, and even now, many dislike the drab canyon of Paul Street and the ugly east side of North Street. Many also thought that all the shops were the same, similar to comments about the new Princesshay development and the clone High Street.

Exeter Festival
There are strange happenings in Cathedral Close during 1975, when the crowd are entertained in the Exeter Festival. The Cathedral Close is often used for festivals and many a silly thing has occurred on the grass. Maybe you are in the audience. Photo courtesy of Alan Mazonowicz.

Mangold Dangling 1972
On 28th February 1972, Exeter College Rag staged a Mangold Dangling event at the Heavitree Recreation Ground. University and college rag weeks do not seem to have the same prominence in the 21st Century. We can look back and wonder exactly what Mangold Dangling was, and if any mangolds were scared or hurt in the event! Scan courtesy of Peter Rice.

The God Father plays at the ABC
The film of the year in 1972 was the God Father starring Marlon Brando – the Express and Echo thought it important enough to photograph the front of the ABC when it was being shown. The other film playing was the British Our Miss Fred with Danny La Rue, a comedy using his drag queen talents to the full. Photo Express and Echo.

Tourism and leisure in the 1970's

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Mol's Coffee House
Since the turn of the century, Worths Gallery had occupied Mol's Coffee House in Cathedral Yard. By the 1970's it had become Fred Keetchs' Gallery. This is one of the most photographed buildings in Exeter.

Exeter Airport
Do you remember Exeter's Annual Air Day? The small Bandeirante was there in 1977, part of the Jersey European fleet, now FlyBe, the largest regional airline in Europe. Also at the 1977 event, a Rapide, (top) the first aircraft type to land at Exeter Airport when it opened in 1937. Photos courtesy of Alan Mazonowicz.

The Malthouse Restaurant
This old malthouse was a gallery before it became Ginos Restaurant. 

Exeter quay in May 1971
The warehouses have since been converted into office accommodation. Notice the storage sheds beneath the cliff. Also see Historic Quayside and Canal 
Photo courtesy of Alan Mazonowicz.

The Maritime Museum
The entrance to the Maritime Museum between the 1834-5 warehouses in October 1979. This gap is now a glass atria and lift. The museum was a major tourist attraction. Photo October 1979 by David Cornforth.

The Merchants House
The House that Moved on the right - October 1979. Wadham-Stringer the Daimler Jaguar agents occupied the building behind - Comet, and Radmore and Tucker have also traded from these premises. Photo October 1979 by David Cornforth.

Unearthing a Roman Bath House
The Roman Bath House, was uncovered by archaeologists when St Mary Major Church was demolished in Cathedral Yard in 1971. The photo shows the extent of the investigation with the hypercaust tiles clearly visible. Also see Bath House photo essay. Photo courtesy of the RAMM, Exeter.

The Tudor House
The Tudor House, Exe Island - this building was restored in 1964. It has little changed since 1979, apart from some bollards in the front, along the pavement. Photo October 1979 by David Cornforth.

St Catherine's Chapel and Almshouses
The remains of this ancient building can be found in Catherine Street. The ruins have been restored (2005) to allow access from the rear and to add an artwork that interprets the site with archaeological finds. Photo October 1979 by David Cornforth.

Commercial Exeter in the 1970's

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Star Jeans and Watches of Switzerland
These two shops are well known in the High Street as Laura Ashley(Star Jeans) and Thorntons Chocolates (Watches of Switzerland). Star Jeans was formerly Hinton Lake Chemists. The Watches of Switzerland shop has a Tudor façade, believed to be the oldest carved shop front in Devon.

Melhuish's house furnishers
A forgotten business, located at 36 Princesshay in 1977, Melhuish's were established in 1904. Photo courtesy of Peter Rice.

The Rediffusion shop in the Guildhall Centre
We no longer have TV rental shops in the High Street - Rediffusion has a display of 'modern' TV sets in 1979. Photo David Cornforth.

A display of dresses in a Guildhall Centre shop
This window display has a range of dresses that are 'very 70's'. Photo October 1979. Photo David Cornforth

Wattys Delicatessence at Catherine Square 
A wonderful shop with an aroma of the best cheese, ham, coffee and tea, Wattys was the place to go for quality food. Now long gone, I still hear mention of Wattys and how it is missed.  Photo Alan H Mazonowicz

Debenhams or Bobbys at 1-11 Sidwell Street
Photographed just before it became Debenhams in 1972. The council are showing the modern side of the city in the guide book after the rebuilding following the war. Photo courtesy Exeter City Council

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