AS many as 65 people went along to the Waie Inn at Zeal Monachorum to mark Crediton and Area Vintage Farmers Group’s first anniversary on Wednesday, April 30.

Members enjoyed a roast lunch complete with meat, seasonal vegetables and roast potatoes followed by tea and coffee.

The late Cllr Frank Letch MBE and Cllr Margaret Squires paid for most of the event with cash from their county council locality funds.

The group for retired or semi-retired farmers first met at the Red Deer pub in Crediton on April 16 last year. It was founded by local charity Involve Mid Devon and is supported by the Farming Community Network.

New members have been joining regularly, and the group has been meeting at various local venues and enjoying meals, talks and presentations.

“It's amazing to have reached our first anniversary,” Tamlyn Fraiquin of Involve Mid Devon said.

“It's a really lovely group and it's grown so much, we've got members that have been here right from the beginning, and we've got lots of new members too.

“It's nothing more than what it is, a coffee or a meal with other people.

“They feel comfortable and part of a community and they can talk and share memories.”

Richard Sampson of the Farming Community Network added: “Farmers are a very isolated group in society.

“Getting them out and having some social activity, talking with like-minded people, this is fantastic.”

Sarah Swadling of BBC Radio Four’s Farming Today programme was also at the event.

She spoke with Ms Fraiquin and Mr Sampson about the group’s success and interviewed some of the members.

If you would like to join the group or share ideas for future events, get in touch with Tamlyn Fraiquin by emailing [email protected] or telephoning 07719 014912.