On the beach at Teignmouth, August 1974(Image: Mirrorpix)

A postcard from 1974: Rediscovered photos of Devon in the sun

by · DevonLive

On a glorious, sun-drenched day, there's scarcely a better location than Devon's stunning coastline for a leisurely walk along the promenade, unwinding in a deckchair, constructing sandcastles, enjoying an invigorating swim, spending time with mates, mucking about in boats, hunting for seashells or sharing a family picnic.

This was precisely the scene for residents and visitors in late August 1974, when a magnificent spell of hot weather drew crowds to Devon's southern coastline and the beloved resorts of Paignton and Teignmouth.

While the summer hadn't been especially impressive overall, the splendid conditions around 21st and 22nd August enticed people of every age to savour the sunshine at the seaside in their summer dresses, shorts and sandals, swimming costumes and bikinis.

There's little evidence of sun cream, hats or protective clothing, but there's an abundance of ice creams, buckets and spades and donkey rides to keep everybody content on these gently sloping shores.

The uplifting summer tunes on your transistor radio that year delivered a collection of soul masterpieces including When Will I See You Again by The Three Degrees, You Make Me Feel Brand New by The Stylistics, What Becomes of the Brokenhearted by Jimmy Ruffin and Rock Your Baby by George McCrae. If you were a teenager during that era, you might have been captivated by the tartan-wearing Bay City Rollers and their Summerlove Sensation, or perhaps enjoyed Donny and Marie Osmond's I'm Leaving It All Up To You. And one cannot overlook the Abba phenomenon - they had triumphed at the Eurovision Contest in April with Waterloo.

A seaside summer getaway offered a much-needed respite for many from the turbulent events dominating headlines in what proved to be an unsettled year. The Conservative government had implemented a three-day working week at the year's beginning to address fuel shortages amid the miners' strike. Northern Ireland remained under a state of emergency while the Provisional IRA had been targeting numerous mainland locations, including the Houses of Parliament.

In March, Labour had established a minority administration under Prime Minister Harold Wilson following February's general election, with another ballot scheduled for October. Leeds United topped the Football League First Division while Liverpool claimed the FA Cup.

Style-wise, the period was characterised by wide flares, tank tops and tartan, smock tops and loon pants, platform footwear and more conservative midi skirts supplanting the mini.

What are your favourite memories of Devon's beaches in the 1970s? Do let us know in the comments section below.

On the beach at Teignmouth, August 1974

On the beach at Teignmouth, August 1974(Image: Mirrorpix)

Friends Sharon Prosser and Julie Honey in August 1974 at Paignton beach

Friends Sharon Prosser and Julie Honey in August 1974 at Paignton beach(Image: Mirrorpix)

A father and daughter walking along the water's edge at Paignton, August 1974

A father and daughter walking along the water's edge at Paignton, August 1974(Image: Mirrorpix)

Heading for shore after a quick dip in the sea at Paignton, August 1974

Heading for shore after a quick dip in the sea at Paignton, August 1974(Image: Mirrorpix)

The crowded beach at Paignton in August 1974, with the town behind

The crowded beach at Paignton in August 1974, with the town behind(Image: Mirrorpix)

Friends posing on the sea wall at Teignmouth in August 1974

Friends posing on the sea wall at Teignmouth in August 1974(Image: Mirrorpix)