CREDITON and District Conservative Branch held a Coffee Evening at the Crediton Coffee Company at which Dan Webb, proprietor, gave a talk and slide show on “Café Society”.

Mr Webb described the origins of coffee houses and how they became meeting places where business could be carried on, news exchanged and the “London Gazette” (government announcements) read.

Nick Findell, chairman, Crediton and District Conservatives, said: “The audience was interested to hear that one of the earliest coffee shops in England opened next to the Cathedral in Exeter.

“By 1739, there were 551 coffee houses in London; each attracted a particular clientele divided by occupation or attitude, such as different political parties, wits and stockjobbers, merchants and lawyers, booksellers and authors.

“Lloyd’s of London has its origins in a coffee house run by Edward Lloyd, where underwriters of ship insurance met with ship owners and captains to do business.

“Dan concluded the presentation describing current developments in the coffee trade, particularly independant coffee shops and roasters, and showed two short films on what is called the ‘third wave’ in the evolution of coffee shops.”

Mr Findell thanked Mr Webb for his fascinating illustrated talk and then invited everyone to sample a mouthwatering spread of canapes prepared by the ladies of the committee. He also thanked Wendy Quick for organising the raffle.

Alan Quick