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Torquay, Devon: Preparing for Summer in Easter 1957


 

Torquay Prepares For Easter (1957) - British Pathé on YouTube

In these silent clips from Easter time 1957, we see local people getting the town ready for the summer visitors.

By 1957, Torquay was at a fascinating crossroads. It was still the undisputed "Queen of the English Riviera" and immensely popular, but the seeds of modern change were beginning to sprout.

While the town remained a premier destination for traditional family holidays, it was also starting to experience the first waves of "youth culture" and a shift in how people traveled.

1. Popularity: The Post-War Boom

In 1957, Torquay was thriving. For most British families, a holiday abroad was still an expensive luxury, meaning domestic resorts like Torquay were "swarming" with visitors.

  • Peak Tradition: The town was packed with holidaymakers arriving by steam train (the "Devon Belle") or the increasingly popular motor coaches.

  • The Social Scene: Grand hotels like the Imperial and the Palace were still the playground of the wealthy, but the town's hundreds of smaller boarding houses were the backbone of the tourist trade, catering to middle-class families from the industrial North and Midlands.

2. The Birth of Rock 'n' Roll

1957 was a landmark year for the town's cultural life. It was the year that live Rock 'n' Roll officially arrived in the South West.

  • The Tuesday Rock Club: In February 1957, the first live rock 'n' roll club opened at the Co-op Hall behind Union Street. It was a massive hit, providing a rebellious new alternative to the traditional ballroom dancing and "tea dances" that had dominated the town for a century.

3. A Town of Grand Anniversaries

1957 was also a year of celebration for the local community.

  • The Library Golden Jubilee: The Torquay Public Library celebrated its 50th anniversary. It was a moment of civic pride, though there were already early concerns that the "newfangled" invention of television might start to affect the town's reading habits.

  • Maritime Arrival: In May 1957, the Home Fleet arrived in Torbay, including the world’s most advanced battleship at the time, HMS Dreadnought, drawing massive crowds to the seafront.

4. Architecture and Atmosphere

The town still looked largely Victorian and Edwardian in 1957, but the first "tower blocks" were being discussed in planning meetings.

  • The Marine Spa: The 1857 Marine Spa was still a major landmark, offering a ballroom, concert hall, and public swimming baths.

  • The Promenade: The "see and be seen" culture was still alive. Visitors would promenade through Princess Gardens and along the Rock Walk in their Sunday best—a contrast to the "socks and sandals" casualness that would define later decades.

Torquay 1957: At a Glance

FeatureThe 1957 Reality
Travel StyleTransitioning from steam trains to family motor cars.
Main SoundsTraditional dance bands mixed with the first Skiffle and Rock 'n' Roll.
AccommodationHundreds of family-run boarding houses and grand "Riviera" hotels.
MoodOptimistic, bustling, and strictly "respectable" (for most).

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Location: Torquay, UK

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