Friday, June 19, 1953 10.00 a.m. Left Torquay for PLYMOUTH by special coaches with hosts and hostesses who on this occasion were guests of the visitors for the day.

11.30 a.m. Arrived at Plymouth where the group was met by Mr. P. H. Cole, M.B.E., Entertainments and Publicity Manager, and conducted by him personally round the most interesting parts of the port.

A timber framed Elizabethan house that was typically a sea captain's house in Tudor times. It is in the historic Barbican district of Plymouth, and is used by the National Trust as a shop and information centre.

The Second World War was surely the City of Plymouth's darkest hours. The devastating "Blitz" of 1941 and 43 levelled the old Georgian and Victorian heart of the City Centre, leaving very few buildings in tact .

If my memory serves correct this ruin was Plymouth Cathedral.

1.00 p.m. Lunch in the Lecture Room of the GUILDHALL by kind permission of the Lord Mayor, Sir Clifford Tozer, J.P.

I don't seem to have a 1953 photo of the Guildhall. Would this have been the building?

3.30 p.m. Visited BUCKLAND ABBEY— one-time home of Sir Francis Drake and an interesting, historic house full of treasures of the past, including Drake's famous Drum. The visit to the Abbey concluded with a Devonshire cream tea.

More information on Buckland Abbey

5.30 p.m. Left Buckland Abbey for a drive over DARTMOOR, via Dartmeet, and thence to Torquay.

Next Day