Riviera Quiz
The Heritage Quiz Lots of interesting people had connections with Torbay and surrounding areas. How many of their stories do you know? 1. Edwin John Beer settled in Paignton in 1926. But what famous man-made fibre did he pioneer? 2. Bernard Delfont was a leading British Theatrical Impresario who brought the Folies Bergères to London. Which Torbay theatre’s opening did he support in the late 1950s? 3. The Princesse de Polignac was an American-born heir to a sewing machine fortune, lived in Torbay as a child and is buried here in the family vault. Who was her father and what famous Paignton building is associated with her family? 4. After which member of the Royal Family was Torquay’s Princess Pier named?
5. This famous prime minister won his first election for the constituency of Newark in Wales in 1832, whilst living in Torquay. Who was he?
6. Jabez Lake, a Brixham fisherman who became a poet and founded the Brixham Sea Scouts, famously said, “pigs might fly” before the local authority would spend money on building what? 7. John Lethbridge, born at Stoke Gabriel, was an exceptional risk-taker. His invention led to the recovery of lots of historic treasure and made him rich. What did he invent? 8. Billy Munn was a successful jazz pianist who after an illustrious career in London, Europe and America came to Torquay as a hotel bandleader. He loved it so much he stayed for 30 years. Which hotel was it? 9. Beverley Nichols was an author of popular novels who grew up in Torquay and described it as “a lush, mushy place abounding in the rich, the eccentric and the elderly”. What serious crime was he believed to have tried, but failed to commit three times? 10. Harry Brearley retired to Torquay and died at Livermead in 1948. What did he invent that is in use everyday in all our homes?
With thanks to Torbay Civic Society Answers: 1. Viscose Rayon. 2. The Princess Theatre. 3. Isaac Singer / Oldway Mansion. 4. HRH Princess Louise, daughter of Queen Victoria. 5. William Gladstone. 6. Brixham Breakwater. 7. The first underwater diving machine. 8. The Imperial, Torquay. 9. He is said to have tried to kill his father on three occasions. 10. Stainless steel, earlier known as rustless steel.
englishrivieramagazine.co.uk
August/September 2020 | 37
