“What about Torquay's Other History doing an article about the comic genius, Peter Cook who lived in the area during the war years, had a bit to with Torqauy Utd supporters club and married his last wife, Lin Chong, at Oldway?”

“Hi Gunga, Peter Cook is a favourite of mine too. We did mention Peter in an article on 'Torquay's Warlocks Songs & Singers', but that just noted that he was born in Shearbridge, Middle Warberry Road, along with a link to the Cook & Moore 'Papa's got a brand new bag' sketch on YouTube. However, Peter certainly deserves a longer article. I'll have a look around. If you have more background on Peter's life, we welcome articles...”

“The info about Peter that I got was from an excellent biography written by Harry Thompson. In that bio. Peter Cook's mother was living in a house called "Bythorn" in Bronshill Road and he was born in St Chad's nursing home in 1937.”

“Cheers Gunga... I'll check it out. If anyone else has any quirky or unusual anecdotes about Torquay, do let us know. We started out writing about 'Torquay's Other History' partly because we were tired of the obsession with Agatha Christie. We knew there was so much more about our home town, so we started gathering stories.. about Chelston, Torre, Hele, Watcombe, Babbacombe, Barton, St Marychurch and other parts of our town. So, if you have anything you feel might be interesting, get in touch...”

“I agree with you Doc. I'm a bit bored with the obsession for Agatha Christie. But she is popular even though some of us find her a bit dated and boring. The Torbay Civic Society have put up a blue plaque marking where she was born and I think they should put one up to mark Peter Cook's place of birth as he was a very funny and innovative comedian and had a lot to do with Private Eye magazine.”

“Just a plug for 'The Skinheads come to Torquay':

http://tinyurl.com/6efnx34”

“I was one of those mods.”

“& a plug for 'The evil gangs of Babbacombe': http://tinyurl.com/3p3hpcp”

“Just a thought I wonder if there's anyone who remembers the great Haytor "love-in" of 1967?”

“Tell us more, Sinjis. How about writing it up for the PRSD site? & if you have photos that would be a bonus.

We've got a couple of Hippie articles lined up, but having a primary souce would be really useful...”

“Throughout August the PRSD website will be running daily articles on those odd bits of Torquay's history and culture that are often neglected or dismissed.

Torquay historian Kevin Dixon said

"The whole idea for an alternative history of Torquay came from some locals feeling excluded by the emphasis on the rich and famous, such as Agatha Christie. In fact, we almost called the site 'Beyond Agatha Christie' as we felt that there was so much more about our town. Over the years Torquay folk demanded the right to vote, fought cruelty against animals, lived with poverty, created art, music and poetry, experimented with alternative lifestyles, and made our town what it is today. The articles have been so popular that we are now working on a self-guided walk of Torquay town centre."

Lee Morgan of the PRSD site said:

"The whole series of Torquay's Other History by Kevin Dixon features stories that are often overlooked and which can give a deeper understanding of the area we live in, and even a sense of pride.

"Our summer Torquay History Month is a time that we can focus on all of those stories, create a bit of a buzz and reflect on our history – whether it's the films and TV shows that have been shot in The Bay, the scandals around poor houses, or the famous characters that lived in or visited the area.

"Each article offers an insight into where we live and the community we belong to as well as shining a light onto the history and ideas of the nation. It's great to know what Beatrix Potter and George Eliot thought of Torquay, as well as knowing that it's featured in storylines for the soaps."

Torquay's Other History can be found throughout August at: http://tinyurl.com/cjpfk3”

“Sounds interesting, Doc. Any mention of the great Mod/Skinhead revival of 1979/80?”

“Hi Charlie,

Try:

http://tinyurl.com/3t9uuu2

There's hundreds of photos of the late 70s-early 80s Torbay Revival Mods and their scooters at: http://tinyurl.com/3qgwddu

There's also a nice little clip of the 1984 Torquay Scooter Rally. The camp site was on the ring road and the dance scenes are from the now-closed 400 Club - which also appeared in Oliver Reed's The System (1964) and Ray Winstone's That Summer (1979):

http://tinyurl.com/44lqhch”

“Just a plug for a series of posters etc advertising concerts held in Torquay over the years, "When Torquay was on the Rock Circuit", including the Beatles, the Who, Clash, Hawkwind, Screaming Lord Such and many more: http://tinyurl.com/cjpfk3

Admittedly, the acoustics at the Town hall were awful, though...”

“& a link to an article on 'the Corbyn Head Stench: http://tinyurl.com/3p3hpcp”

“Talking of posters, there was one at the entrance to the Goodwood Revival pavilion a week or two back which was a reproduction (presumably) of one of Lionel's posters for the Kinks at Torquay Town Hall!”

“Was the poet TS Eliot, his wife, and philosopher Bertrand Russell involved in a Torquay love triangle?

http://tinyurl.com/3p3hpcp”

“Was the poet TS Eliot, his wife, and philosopher Bertrand Russell involved in a Torquay love triangle?

http://tinyurl.com/3p3hpcp”

“... & James Joyce at the Imperial;

http://tinyurl.com/3p3hpcp”

“Hi Sinjis, I can remember the Lovein at Haytor. I was there and the Westward TV was there, I should have been some where else and my parents saw me on TV. That was 2 weeks home arrest.
I can remember that a plain flow over and throw Fowers out of the window. There was also some Flower power Guru there who was more interested in the TV camera as Love and Peace. In the late 60s early 70s I Lived in the Hippie commune "Peace at will" in lee Mill.
Those were the days.”

“Fascinating stuff, kesart. If you fancied writing your memories up, just let the PRSD site know.

Incidentally, Mike Williams has written a short history of Torquay's underground youth culture, from the Beatniks to the Hippies 1961-1973. It features a YouTube compilation clip of some of our town's locals:

http://tinyurl.com/6jvzgnw

& for 1970s & 80s Rock & Roll fans, see:

http://tinyurl.com/5uperes”

“Just a plug for an article on "Charlotte Winsor: Torquay's baby farmer and murderer" over on the Noddleit site:

http://tinyurl.com/6xk8n5y”

“Just a plug for a nice compilation of clips and stills from the Torquay & Paignton-set Oliver Reed/David Hemmings/John Alderton 1964 movie 'The System', known in the US as 'The Girl Getters' (which, incidentally, is where we get the slightly offensive term 'Grockle' from:

http://tinyurl.com/7b33fqv”

“Doc, many years ago, 1967 to be exact, I went to see the "supergroup" Cream at Torquay town hall. As a memento of that great occasion I still have a pieve of paper on which I have the autographs of the three members of the group, Ginger Baker, Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce.”

“Hi ST,

A great peice of memorabilia. Hang on to it!

I just did a quick Google search and found for sale:

"Cream Autographs in red pen. Eric Clapton & Ginger Baker on one page. Jack Bruce on single page: £500"”

“Just a plug for the latest article, about the Profumo Scandal's, Stephen Ward: the Torquay Vicar's son who embarrassed a Conservative Government:

http://tinyurl.com/3p3hpcp”

“For scooter fans, here's a nice little film clip of a scooter rally held in Torquay in 1984.

The camp site was on the ring road and the club scenes were filmed in the long-gone '400 Club' on the harbourside:

http://tinyurl.com/3p3hpcp”

“Doc

Back in 1968 there were a few rumours around that folk singer Roy Harper had visited Torquay and hung around with some of the beatniks and hippies.

Personally I think it was just a story based on a song on his, wonderfully titled, album, "Come Out Fighting Ghengis Smith" the song being "You Don't Need Money" sometimes known as, "Nobody's Got Any Money In The Summer." You can listen to the song for free on his website and see why it was quite popular at the time”

“Hi SJ,

I hadn't heard about Roy Harper. I'll do some asking around.

Check out Peter Thornhill's memories of the 1960s South Devon folk scene. There's some great photos:

http://tinyurl.com/876hmbh”

“Just a plug for the latest 'Torquay's Other History' article: "1970: The Skinheads come to Town":

http://tinyurl.com/6nr8sgo

We're always looking for articles on Torbay's culture and history, so feel free to submit ideas...”

“Hi Doc, I've heard that Oscar Wilde lived in Torquay once. Is that true?”

“Hi Torbay Girl,

He did...

Oscar Wilde stayed for four months at Babbacombe Cliff in 1892 when he was 37. The Wildes borrowed the house from Lady Mount-Temple, his wife's distant cousin.

It was at Babbacombe Cliff during the winter of 1892/93 that Wilde completed his plays 'A Woman of No Importance', 'Salome' and 'Lady Windemere's Fan'.

After the banning of 'Salome', Wilde wrote to Lord Alfred Douglas (also known as Bosie) who joined him in Torquay.

In April 1895, Bosie's father, the Marquis of Queensberry, made allegations of homosexuality against Wilde. Oscar sued for libel, but lost. After details of his private life were revealed during the trial, Wilde was arrested and tried for gross indecency. He was sentenced to two years of hard labour in Reading Gaol.

Upon his release, Oscar left for France, never to return. He died destitute in Paris at the age of 46.

However, Babbacombe Cliff remained among the best times of Wilde's life.

According to his biographer, Rupert Croft-Cooke: "There was no time happier, more irresponsibly mirthful and untroubled by cares of any kind, than the four months he spent at the house in Babbacombe."

In 1997 a movie was made, starring National Treasure Stephen Fry as Oscar and Jude Law as Bosie. There's more on Oscar in Torquay at:



http://tinyurl.com/7romclr”

“Just a plug for a short article on when the permissive society came to Torquay:

http://tinyurl.com/3p3hpcp”

“Thanks, DocTorre... I'll have to go and have a look at the Babbacombe Cliff now!”

“Just a plug for the latest short articles on Torquay's Other History, including: Justice for animals at Torre Abbey; Strippers and Vicars; Eden Philpotts at Torre; When Torquay's opium was cheaper than gin; & Torquay-set movies:


http://tinyurl.com/3p3hpcp”

“On the buses in Torquay: Mike Williams got in touch with his experience as a conductor for Devon General in Torquay in the '60s:

http://tinyurl.com/3p3hpcp”