Herald Express (Torbay, Brixham & South Hams Edition)
Club reports
GALMPTON & CHURSTON WOMEN’S INSTITUTE
THE first meeting of the Galmpton and Churston Women’s Institute back after the summer break was well attended by both member and visitors.
The speaker was Peter Healey and his subject war-time Dartmouth.
The group was expecting expected pictures of bombed sites and destruction but what they actually heard was a touching love story.
Peter’s mother had left a diary written when she was about 19 and stationed as a young Wren officer in Dartmouth. She had fallen in love with a young Naval officer – but very sadly he went off to the battle of St. Nazaire and did not return. The story was beautifully told with illustrations from the diary and contemporary news photos. Hardly a dry eye in the house – but much appreciated by all.
After the tea break Diana Kellow gave a report about the recent National Meeting of the Women’s Institutes held in Cardiff. A very long day out for all the delegates from Devon. She covered the items from the day very well and the group all enjoyed hearing about it.
The competition of the day – a 1940s artefact was won by Sue Popham, 2nd Verity Vass and 3rd Rosemary Witt.
The flower of the month was won by Sylvia Fisher 2nd Ann Pascoe and 3rd Wendy Coote.
The next meeting will be on Wednesday, October 3, at 7 pm in the Village Hall, Galmpton. The speaker John Harvey and the topic Autumn and Winter Planters and questions are invited.
Visitors and especially potential new members are always very welcome.
TORBAY WINEMAKERS’ CIRCLE
Chairman Pat Kingdon welcomed everyone to the September meeting of Torbay Winemakers’, giving apologies for those absent. Members were reminded ]their subscriptions were due next month, and their entries for the South West Festival, taking place at the end of October at the Langstone Cliff Hotel, Dawlish, had to be in by October 13.
It was also announced that the Annual Dinner will take place at The Paignton Club on November 24.
A quiz then took place with members having to put names to 72 photographs of famous people, past and present; this proved much more difficult than people expected. So often names were on the tips of people’s tongues but they couldn’t bring them to mind! It was all very enjoyable though rather frustrating for some.
Silence then descended while the group tucked into their fish and chip supper, celebrating the club’s 57th Birthday.
Next month there will be more wine competitions including the Chairman’s Cup for Kit Wine Red Dry.
New members are always welcome. Please contact Pat Kingdon on 01803 550612.
INNER WHEEL OF TORQUAY
On Monday, September 10, the Inner Wheel of Torquay’s members welcomed Jan Davies as a new member to the club. President Carol was pictured with new member Jan outside the beautiful Livermead House Hotel where the group meets once a month.
They were then given a most interesting presentation about Children’s Hospice South West. The group is kicking off its social year with a fundraiser for them: a Pasty and Puds Lunch with a Quiz at St. Matthias Church Hall on Saturday, November 17, 12noon to 2.30pm. Tickets are £10 in advance from iwd17csjc@gmail.com or 01803 211424
BABBACOMBE & ST MARYCHURCH PROBUS CLUB
SEVERAL months ago, Christopher Milner gave the club a talk prior to undertaking a month of voluntary service in Tanzania.
For this week’s meeting, he has returned to tell the club all about his time in Africa.
The volunteers were in a group of about 20 and the domestic chores were shared out democratically; washing clothes and preparing meals. The projects that the group were involved with, revolved around the village school, were numerous and included: sifting sand for making fine grade concrete to help keep the school buildings standing during the wet season!
The group then moved on to a different, more desolate, camp where they were under canvas and much nearer to the local insect population! All their food and personal effects had to be housed in monkey-proof tents! This was their Safari experience.
The Masai children were encouraged to make craft items for sale to tourists. One of their popular lines are paintings done on ‘elephant poo paper’. Seriously! Elephant droppings are collected, mixed with PVA glue, rolled out into sheets and dried in the sun. The resulting paper works very well and is clean and hygienic. There is no smell!
The group’s daily visit included the local watering hole, where they could see and take pictures of all manner of creatures. Warthogs, mongoose, lions, storks, ostrich, and many more. It’s a sad reflection of our present world that they had to be accompanied by armed guards as protection from poachers.
Christopher showed the club many very colourful photographs of birds and animals as well as the array of exotic fruits.
Some of the staple foods of the locals, included bananas, coconuts and wild oranges and lemons.
One of the last projects the group were involved with was making wooden benches and desks for the school. Apparently, this taxed the students’ skill levels especially with the basic tools they had to work with!
For Christopher, it’s off to university for a rest.
The vote of thanks was given by Raymond Bray
THE ROTARY CLUB OF NEWTON ABBOT
THE Rotary Club of Newton Abbot held a black and gold-themed ball at Hannahs at Seale-Hayne, attended by 130 guests.
The event was in aid of Hannahs and other Rotary Club charities.
Richard Morgan, President of the Rotary Club of Newton Abbot, said “We were thrilled to have put on a highly successful ball – hopefully to become a regular event for the Rotary Club of Newton Abbot in conjunction with Hannahs. We are very pleased to have raised lots of money for Hannahs and the charities supported by our Rotary club.”
Meanwhile, Hannahs will be celebrating Halloween at Seale-Hayne in their usual spooky way. Hannahs’ ever popular Halloween Spooktacular will be taking take place on Friday, October 26, from 5.30pm to 8pm.
Hannahs has become infamous for the fiendishly fun Halloween festivities for all the family at Seale-Hayne and last year the huge Halloween Spooktacular attracted more than 500 people in fancy dress. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to “dress to distress” for a night of Halloween hi-jinks and family friendly fiendish fun.
Spooky activities will include a treasure trail, skeleton puzzle, graveyard, games, pumpkin carving and disco as well as monster making with Squircle Arts. There will also be delicious refreshments including a BBQ.
Entry to the Spooktacular event is free but there will be charges for some activities. For more information on Hannahs Spooktacular visit www.discoverhannahs.org/whats-on