1960s - 1980's

Click on a picture to enlarge - updated 1st May 2008

Around Exeter in the 1970's

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The Princesshay Commemorative Feature feature in 1979, was unveiled in 1949 by Princess Elizabeth, bottom right. 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

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

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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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.

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

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

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

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. Anyone out there see a Morecambe and Wise show in Exeter - if so let me know. Authors collection

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.

New 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.

New 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.

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.

Tourism and leisure in the 1970's

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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.

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 before it became Ginos Restaurant. It also doubled as a gallery for local arts and crafts.

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 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 David Cornforth

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 David Cornforth

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. Photo courtesy of the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery, Exeter. See the Museum's Exeter Timetrail

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. October 1979. Photo David Cornforth

St Catherine's Chapel and Almshouses, 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. October 1979. Photo David Cornforth

Commercial Exeter in the 1970's

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The Rediffusion shop in the Guildhall Centre has a display of 'modern' TV sets. Photo October 1979. Photo David Cornforth.

A display of dresses in a Guildhall Centre shop. They are 'very 70's'. Photo October 1979. Photo David Cornforth

New 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, 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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