AFTER our 10 days of Christmas and New Year high living and a week later than usual, 23 members gathered at Downes Crediton Golf Club for the first meeting of Crediton Probus Club of 2018 on January 9.

Grace was given by John Marshall, after which we enjoyed an excellent meal.

The meal over, the quote was given by David Dornom and the draw prize won by Peter Bryan.

Our president, Gerald Hill then asked Keith Beetlestone to introduce our speaker, George Marshall.

George had retired from the RAF in 1979. He then worked in Broadmoor Psychiatric Hospital for three years to raise funds towards the fulfilment of a dream that he’d had for many years – walking the entire length of Britain’s coast.

He had worked as a registered mental health nurse in the RAF, so his experience in this role had helped a great deal at Broadmoor.

Realising that loneliness might be his biggest enemy he tried (unsuccessfully) to persuade one of his friends to join him in the enterprise, but eventually took as a companion Jack, a collie obtained from the Blue Cross.

He set off from Topsham on March 1, 1983 and made his way through East Devon and on into Dorset.

He had started the walk in his RAF boots but realised as he tackled the 18-mile long Chesil Beach (entirely composed of pebbles) that these weren’t the ideal foot-wear and swapped them for a pair of walking shoes.

George continued his always amusing narrative of the first part of his walk, telling us of his adventures en route.

These included going along the southern shores of the Thames estuary into London, where he slept on the steps of St Paul’s. Here someone trod heavily on one of his dog’s paws and bystanders started an impromptu collection for his treatment that eventually totalled more than £60!

Continuing up the coast of East Anglia, he nearly drowned as he walked along Bacton Beach in Norfollk.

He had been strongly advised by locals to keep to the cliffs, but instead he followed the shoreline and was very nearly completely cut off.

Today’s account finished at Boston in Lincolnshire and George promised to return to take us further along his journey.

The whole walk took a total of 292 days and George’s achievement is recorded in the Guinness Book of Records.

Burford Cupper then thanked George for his amusing and fascinating talk.

The president. Gerald Hill, then proposed the final toast “to the next time”.

KB