In the 1970s, workers, business owners and visitors came to Okehampton from Spain, Italy, the Middle East and Russia.
Newspaper research has resulted in the discovery of a number of stories of people coming to live, work or visit Okehampton from the 1970s onwards.
In 1976, Jose Gala- Huertas took over the Seven Stars in North Tawton.
Russian poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko visited The George in Hatherleigh, also in 1976.
Throughout the 1970s more businesses were begun by people from abroad.
On 11th August 1978, Arab sheik R.A.A. Rahman was given permission to open a craft warehouse.
On the 25th March 1977, South African Gary Van Dykeis was reported as using Pine Valley Wildlife Park to train mercenaries in preparation for a raid on Angola oil wells.
Read more about migration to Okehampton and global connections in the 1970s and 1980s here.