ON May 18 a total of 39 Shobooke Friendly Club members and friends from Crediton enjoyed an outing to Sidmouth and Otter Nurseries, at Ottery St Mary.

The weather was dry when they left Shobrooke, and also when they arrived at Sidmouth, where most of the party enjoyed a coffee and snack. However, it was not long before there was a very heavy shower, which thankfully did not last long, and the rest of the time at Sidmouth was relatively dry.

Everyone enjoyed a wander around the shops for a spot of retail therapy and the sea front.

After lunch it was back on the coach to Otter Nurseries, for tea and cakes. No doubt some diets were forgotten.

Who was the Club Member spotted at Otter Nurseries enjoying 40 winks in one of the easy chairs in the cafe?

As is usual on outings of the club, a draw was held on the coach on the way home. The first prize being a £10 voucher at Cox’s, butchers of Crediton, with two £5 vouchers for Four Seasons, and Oliver’s Bakery.

The coach arrived safely home at Crediton/Shobrooke, a little before 6.30pm, thanks to the driver, Wesley Powell of Powell’s Coaches, Lapford. Everyone agreed that it was a very good day out.

The next meeting of the club will be on June 15 at the Village Hall, when there will be a talk and demonstration on “Exercises that can be done whilst sitting in your chair”. Anyone interested is welcome to attend. No need to feel guilty anymore whilst watching TV!

On July 20 the club is running an outing to Bishops Lydeard and Minehead. The coach will first travel to Bishops Lydeard, where those wishing to take the steam train to Minehead can do so.

Anyone not wishing to take the train can stay on the coach and go directly to Minehead.

The cost of the train is £10 per person provided that there is a group of 16 travellers. The cost of the coach will depend on the numbers going on the outing.

Anyone wishing to go on this outing should please contact Mrs Margaret Gale on 01363 773282. As there is already a fair amount of interest in this trip, anyone wishing to go on it is advised to contact Margaret as soon as possible, as there are only a certain number of seats on the coach.

Norman Gale