Welcome
Welcome all to our Summer ’23 newsletter which I hope finds you all safe and well, but if not, then on the road to recovery.
Since last April we have had a wonderful cream tea at The Hartnoll Hotel, Bolham and our May lunch at The Belmont Hotel in Sidmouth where we were made very welcome with our own exclusive pre-lunch drinks room and a lovely meal.
We have all had some really good sunny days in June and none more so than for our Seaton Tram trip on June 7th which included a fine cream tea at Colyton Station Café.
In this newsletter you will find details of our Sidmouth Theatre visit (Wednesday, 30th August) to see a Farce; followed in September by a free Cream Tea at Powderham Castle Orangery (27th September) and in October by an informal Pub Lunch at The White Horse, near Aylesbeare (17th October).
Beyond that, we have the Bickleigh Mill Coffee morning with the opportunity of some Christmas shopping (15th November) and our usual Christmas Lunch at The Victoria Hotel in Sidmouth (7th December).
It is a full programme to see us through this year. Please do come and join us at one of these events which are either free or heavily subsidised.
Our finances are in good shape with a grant received this year of £3,748 from Head Office which we are keen to spend!
On a sad note, in Doug Drysdale we have lost a long-standing member and friend who was a “true Gent” in all he did and was a great supporter of our events. We have sent our condolences to his widow, Kath. For your information, Doug’s funeral will be on Thursday, 20th July at St. Peter’s Chapel, Exeter Crematorium, at 12.30pm.
On another note, your Committee is working hard to keep the Club going, finding new venues and things for us to do together, so if you have any bright, practical ideas, do let us know.
Finally, I look forward to seeing many of you at our remaining gatherings and wish you all a sunny, relaxing summer.
Best wishes.
Garry Adams, Chairman and Treasurer
Secretary’s Notes
What a busy few weeks since our last newsletter! We have had an historic event with the Coronation of King Charles III and then, more recently, the Trooping of the Colour to mark his ‘official’ birthday in June. Whilst we watched them both on TV (in the comfort of our home), we thought that the procession and service at Westminster Abbey were very moving. And it was a privilege to witness ‘close- up’ this old, historic ceremony that now incorporates some modern touches.
As ever, the precision of movement of the troops, horses and carriages at the Trooping of the Colour are quite amazing and the King rode Noble, a beautiful mare with great skill and re-assurance on her first official duty. Thank goodness it was a fine, dry sunny day so the aeroplane flypast over The Mall and Buckingham Palace was seen in all its glory too as a finale. The CR formation was spectacular.
The on-going hot weather has produced the most wonderful display of roses, along with other summer flowers. The weeds have grown to enormous heights in the most inaccessible parts of our garden, and we have plenty to do outside when it is cooler, like early morning or evening! But, we do need rain.
Enjoy the summer months and I look forward to meeting some of you at our next event.
Best wishes,
Barbara Johnson, Secretary
Wellbeing
Grant
It will soon be Christmas!
Despite just passing the longest day, thoughts are now turning to Christmas.
The Bank Workers Charity annual grants are available – subject to means testing – with applications to be submitted by September 27th.
Details from their website – winter@bwcharity.org.uk or by phone – 020 3873 8510.
Vacancy
We still have a position available.
Delighted to welcome some ‘fresh blood’ to our friendly team.
Nothing too arduous, PLEASE contact me and I will be only too pleased to provide additional information.
Ray Cavill, Wellbeing Co-ordinator
Functions
Theatre visit – Wednesday, 30th August 2023 – Curtain up 8.00pm
Manor Pavilion Theatre, Manor Road, Sidmouth EX10 8RP
We propose to make another visit to the Manor Pavilion Theatre in Sidmouth this summer to watch a performance of Robin Hawdon’s “The Mating Game”. This popular farce returns to the theatre as part of the 12 play Summer Season, having previously been staged here by Paul Taylor Mills in 2015.
A provisional booking has been made for 30 seats and we hope you will be able to come along and join us for this entertaining and enjoyable evening.
Tickets, formally priced at £19.50, are offered at just £8.50 each (after a theatre group discount of £1.00 has been applied and a further generous subsidy of £10.00 from our kindly Treasurer).
An application form for tickets is attached (click here)
Free Cream Tea – The Orangery Cafe & Bistro, Powderham EX6 8JE – Wednesday, 27th September, 3.00pm
This is our third return visit to this venue and there are other shops on site and wonderful views of the River Exe. There is an adjoining large car park accessed from the A379 Dawlish road. Numbers are required for this event, so please let us know by Sunday, 10th September, at the latest, if you intend to come. Either ring Peter or Barbara Johnson on 01297 599086 or send an email to barbj@talktalk.net. We hope to see you there.
Tuesday, 17th October – 12.30pm
“Pub Grub Lunch” at the White Horse Inn, Woodbury Salterton EX5 1EP (A3052 – Exeter to Sidmouth road)
Following the success of last year’s “Pub Grub” event we are offering a repeat visit to The White Horse Inn this coming Autumn.
This Lunch will be restricted to 30 attendees on a first-come basis and we will be accommodated in the usual private room. The Proprietors do need to know our actual numbers and main course menu choices on this occasion by 3rd October. Unfortunately we cannot give a precise costing at the moment but expect the main course will be in the region of £16 (pre-subsidy).
We have selected a choice of six main course dishes from their (extensive) menu and there will be a choice of desserts from the board on the day.
Please note that members will be asked to pay their individual meal and drinks bill at the bar but those attending may expect a surprise subsidy from our generous Treasurer.
Please see the attached application form for details (click here) and complete and return slip to Barbara & Peter Johnson as soon as possible (or by e-mail if preferred) – no later than 3rd October please.
Future dates for your diary:
Wednesday, 15th November Free Coffee Morning at Bickleigh Mill
Thursday, 7th December Christmas Lunch at the Victoria Hotel, Sidmouth
12th March 2024 Annual General Meeting and lunch at Swan’s Nest, Exminster
Look out for full details of these events in subsequent Newsletters.