Welcome
Welcome all to our Summer ’24 Newsletter which I hope finds you all safe and well, but if not, then on the road to recovery. It has not been much of a summer weather-wise although it has been dry for the past couple of weeks. It’s Wimbledon time, so it will surely rain soon!
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 57 signed in for a lovely meal.
Fortunately there have been some sunny days in June and none more so than for our Tiverton Canal trip on June 18th which included a good commentary and talk from the staff of the Canal company. It was a charming and peaceful trip with “Ross the Hoss” pulling us safely along.
In this Newsletter you will find details of our Sidmouth Theatre visit (Wednesday, 21st August) to see a Mystery play, followed in September by a free Cream Tea at King’s Garden Centre, Sidmouth (Tuesday, 3rd September) and in October by an informal Pub Lunch at The White Horse, near Aylesbeare (Thursday, 3rd October).
Beyond that we have the Bickleigh Mill coffee morning with the opportunity of some Christmas shopping (12th November) and our usual Christmas Lunch at The Victoria Hotel in Sidmouth (5th 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 £4,248 from H.O. which we are keen to spend!
As always, 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 relaxing summer.
Best wishes.
Garry Adams, Chairman and Treasurer
Secretary’s Notes
There is a lot going on over the next few months, so please get all the event dates in your diaries and take careful note of final dates for advising us. We don’t want you to miss out!
The horse-drawn Barge trip on the Tiverton Canal was an amazing outing and very relaxing.
If you have access to a computer or tablet, have you had a look at our website or Facebook page recently? There is plenty of information there and if you have any comments, we would love to hear them. Thank you.
I hope you are all having a pleasant summer and I look forward to seeing you at the various events.
Take care and keep well.
Best wishes.
Barbara Johnson, Secretary
Reminder – Exclusive Discount on Wendy Wu Tours for our Club members:
Wendy Wu Tours is the UK’s leading touring specialist, offering extraordinary tours to Japan, China and the Far East, Southeast Asia, India, Sri Lanka, the Middle East, Central Asia, South America and Europe.
Since Wendy sent her very first tour to China in 1994, they’ve grown from strength to strength and are proud of the multiple awards won throughout the years and the unique travel experiences offered to an expanding range of destinations.
To find out more visit www.wendywutours.co.uk.
As an exclusive offer to the Exeter Spread Eagle Club they are offering a 5% member discount. There are also further discounts available for single travellers.
To redeem this discount you will have to quote the code ESEC5 at the time of booking.
To book call the reservations team on 0808 3046 343 or email Keith Norman at keith@wendywutours.co.uk
Wellbeing
I am absolutely delighted to confirm that Richard and Sandra Lewis have joined the team and have taken on the Exeter postcode areas EX1-4. The Club’s website has been updated to reflect this and attached is a new contacts list giving Richard and Sandra’s contact details.
This is the first time in more than three years that we have had a full team. As ever, please do not hesitate to speak with one of us if you feel that we may be able to be of help and support.
Christmas Grant
Bank Workers’ Charity has advised that it is only allowing applications from previous applicants for this year. The Charity is considering various options for future years and we shall keep you informed as soon as there is any more news. The Charity will continue to offer one-off grants and other means of assistance.
Ray Cavill, Wellbeing Co-ordinator
Functions
“Looking Good Dead” – Manor Pavilion Theatre, Sidmouth EX10 8RP – Wednesday, 21st August – curtain up 8.00pm
We propose to make another visit to the Manor Pavilion Theatre in Sidmouth this summer to watch a performance of Peter James’ “Looking Good Dead”. This thriller has been adapted from James’ best-selling novel featuring Detective Roy Grace.
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 are normally priced at £22.00, but are offered at just £11.00 each (after a theatre group discount of £1.00 has been applied and a further generous subsidy of £10.00 from our kindly Treasurer).
Full details and an application form are attached (Click here)
Please return to Peter Johnson, “Fairways” 98 Beer Road, Seaton, Devon EX12 2PU
e-mail: peteraj@talktalk.net AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BUT NO LATER THAN 22nd JULY 2024
– put the date in your diary and send in your application as soon as possible.
Free Cream Tea – King’s Garden & Leisure Centre, Stowford, SIDMOUTH EX10 0NA – Tuesday, 3rd September, 2.30pm
A new venue for us and please note the earlier starting time of 2.30pm. The café closes at 4.00pm but the Garden Centre will be open until 5.30pm. It is a friendly Garden Centre with a good café, a selection of gifts, garden furniture and lovely plants, etc plus a small food section to tempt you!
Note: The Garden Centre is on the main road and is just half a mile further on from the Bowd Inn, Sidmouth on the A3052 in the direction of Lyme Regis. There is a large car park with disabled places near to the main entrance.
Please let Peter & Barbara Johnson know if you are coming by Friday, 23rd August either by email peteraj@talktalk.net or barbj@talktalk.net or by telephone 01297 599086. Thank you.
“Pub Grub Lunch” at the White Horse Inn, Woodbury Salterton EX5 1EP (A3052 – Exeter to Sidmouth road) – Thursday, 3rd October, 12.30pm
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 34 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 Friday, 20th September. 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 and complete and return slip to Barbara & Peter Johnson as soon as possible (or by e-mail if preferred) – no later than Friday, 20th September please.
Diary dates:
Tuesday, 12th November Free Coffee Morning at Bickleigh Mill – 10.30am
Thursday, 5th December Christmas Lunch at the Victoria Hotel, Sidmouth – 1pm
Thursday, 13th March 2025 50th Annual General Meeting at the Swan’s Nest, Exminster – 11am for coffee, 11.30am for AGM
Full details of all the above events, and booking forms where required, will be available in subsequent Newsletters.
Barbara & Peter Johnson
barbj@talktalk.net
peteraj@talktalk.net
01297 599086