OFFICIALS of Devonport Conservative Association had been in London to see Baroness Vickers of Devonport – formerly Dame Joan Vickers, MP for their constituency – introduced to the House of Lords, The Herald reported.

Anyone not invited could have always gone up under their own steam. Renwicks was offering a Whole Day Rail Excursion to London for £3.50 (children £3).

Sounds cheap but at the time the chairman of Cornwall County Council was quoted as saying that suggestions that farmers might have to revert to horses instead of machinery to till their land, as the energy crisis would mean "going back to wages of £3 a week instead of £30".

The energy crisis (petrol was running at about 74p a gallon) was not the only one to prompt lively debate, as the phasing out of the 10p saving stamp over a period of two years was the main topic at the annual rally of the Plymouth Saving Committee, held in the Dartmoor Restaurant, Dingles.

On the planning front, we learned that plans for a five-storey block over two sub-levels, with car parking designed for one of Plymouth city centre's prime sites – the old Ballard Centre, west of Hoe Road – were about to be advertised.

Also being advertised were the forthcoming February attractions at the Guildhall. In one month, five major artists had been booked by the Vandike Organisation, to appear there: Supertramp, with support from Chris de Burgh (£1 On the door); Ace, Ralph McTell, Be-Bop Deluxe and Isotope, with Pete Atkin – some names clearly destined to have a longer shelf life than others.

Locally this week you could see the Cossack Brothers at the Wyndham Inn, Dr Watson's Boogie Men at the Breakwater and the Bob Francis Band at the Glen.

The Dallas Boys were at Merlin's in Mayflower Street, Jigsaw were at Tiffs in Town and Dusty Lane was at Mr Harry's Club on the Hoe.

On TV tonight, Brumas, a young Labrador bred on Dartmoor, was making an appearance on Blue Peter as a representative of the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. On tonight's Top of the Pops you could see those fresh-faced Pilot boys performing the nation's favourite, January. But what was the year?

Turn to page 23 to find out.