Category: Events

Thirty members enjoyed Alan Ayckbourn’s comedy at the Manor Pavilion Theatre in Sidmouth on the last day of August. This function was another to be heavily subsidised by the Club with members paying only £10 instead of the normal price of £19.50.

From a heavy subsidy to nothing at all! The free cream tea at the Orangery, Powderham (so enjoyed last year) is on Wednesday 21st September. Simply let Secretary Barbara know if you intend to join us.

Despite the inclement weather 26 members gathered at the famous Donkey Sanctuary near Sidmouth in late June to enjoy a free cream tea and, of course, much discussion. Whilst the rain curtailed the opportunity for a full tour of the sanctuary, a visit to the main barn revealed around 40 donkeys sheltering from the typical summer showers. Members are now looking forward to the theatre visit on Wednesday 31st August at the Manor Pavilion in Sidmouth. For more details see our latest Newsletter.

A sunny but showery day saw 36 members arrive at the Sidmouth Harbour Hotel for an excellent and subsidised three course lunch. Everyone seemed to enjoy both the lunch and the company and Chairman Garry outlined the plans for the rest of the year.

Our next function is a free cream tea at the Donkey Sanctuary near Sidmouth on Thursday 30th June at 3pm.

22 members attended another cream tea at the Hartnoll Hotel in Bolham near Tiverton on Thursday 28th April and were treated to the usual filling and delicious fare that this hotel offers.

There was plenty of chat and some new friendships were made. The enjoyment was the more marked because the cream tea was free. Barclays’ subsidy of the Club allows members to have such occasions and a heavy discount on the full lunches arranged throughout the year, the next one being on Tuesday 24th May at the Sidmouth Harbour Hotel.

• The 47^th Annual general Meeting of the Club took place on Thursday 24^th February at the new venue of Downes Crediton Golf Club.
• There were 24 members who attended the meeting with 4 more joining for the subsequent lunch.
• Garry Adams was re-elected as Chairman for a further 3 years and, combining his second role as Treasurer, reported on a better year socially with the easing of the pandemic restrictions in the latter part and a strong financial position given that the Bank grant to the Club had remained the same despite the fewer functions which could be arranged. The subsidies provided to members both for the lunches and the free Coffee Mornings and Cream Teas were very welcome and would continue in 2022 when 10 or 11 events were being planned.
• There were no changes to the Committee but a vacancy still exists and also on the Wellbeing Committee. Is there anyone who would be prepared to fill these positions? Just phone any Committee member for more details of what is entailed.
• Unfortunately the speaker scheduled for this meeting (Rev. Alan Dodds), after the formalities had been dealt with, had been taken ill so Garry Adams and Les Rendell devised a quiz which was much enjoyed before the Golf Club provided a three course lunch also much enjoyed.
• The full minutes of the AGM are available from Les Rendell on lesrendell41@gmail.com or by phoning him on 01884 254375.

Another successful lunch gathering at the Best Western Hotel in Tiverton was attended by 35 members including some who had only recently joined us. As usual the meal was excellent and the cost was subsidised by the Club. There was no rush to get away and friendships were augmented with some new friendships being made.

The next function will be a free coffee morning at Bickleigh Mill near Tiverton on Tuesday 16th November (from 10am) when the gift shop will hopefully be filled with Christmas items and lunch will be an option for those who wish to stay.

The Christmas Lunch will be at the Victoria Hotel Sidmouth on Tuesday 14th December.

A new venue, a cream tea and lovely weather combined to make an enjoyable function for our members.

In the Orangery on the Powderham Estate, 38 members spent a happy afternoon with a delicious cream tea and then a visit to the shop and garden centre nearby.

After the lockdown it was good once again to meet up with former colleagues at a new venue and we were able to welcome two new members. The tea was free to members making the occasion even more attractive.

The next function is a lunch at the Tiverton Hotel on Thursday October 14^th.

After the lockdowns and with the end of restrictions in sight, it was great to meet up in person at a coffee morning on July 6th. We were at the White Horse Inn between Exeter and Sidmouth where a specially converted outdoor area had been built so we were not breaking any rules. Around 20 of us enjoyed coffee and a chat and a few stayed on for lunch. Plans are now afoot for a cream tea in September and a lunch in October hopefully free of Covid-19 rules!