ON Friday afternoon (June 28), more people than ever tucked into a cream tea at their place of work, thereby helping raise funds for Hospiscare, the local caring charity.

Delivering cream teas to shops, offices and other places of work in the town and Lords Meadow Industrial Estate is all done by members of Crediton Friends of Hospiscare.

This year more people than ever joined in, more than 280 altogether. One place that had taken one cream tea last year took eight this year. Denise Hook, Hospiscare community fundraiser for Mid Devon, said how it had become a tradition in the town, something special to Crediton and how people look forward to the annual delivery. “It is very popular,” she said.

“The team here are always very grateful for extra help, for more volunteers. You do not need to be on the committee but if you have a spare hour or so and want to know more, do email me at: [email protected] .”

Denise added: “People think Hospiscare is for the last few weeks of life for someone but it is referral from the GP as soon as someone is diagnosed with any terminal illness, whether it is weeks or years.

“Some people are happy to have a monthly telephone call from a nurse, others like to have regular visits.

“We have a day Hospice in Tiverton as well as the Exeter Hospice. People can visit for a day, do crafts, look around the garden, and a lot more,” she said.

For the cream teas, each in its individual paper bag, the ladies had used paper plates, a wooden picnic knife, included a tea bag and paper napkin plus individual lidded pots of cream and of jam for the scone.