HERE we are in July…where has the year gone? However one thing that has happened is that it is my turn to bring you the news from Crediton Probus Club each month so let me thank my predecessor, Keith Barker for his five long years of bringing the news. By the way I am Malcolm Davies.

On June 18, 13 members, including wives, went on the annual outing, this year to the Quince Honey Farm at its new splendid venue near South Molton.

Not wishing to spoil it for folk who would wish to visit this revamped local attraction, suffice it to say, our party had a really worthwhile and informative morning with the multiple honey tastings doing little to dull the appetites for lunch which was to be taken just along the road at the excellent Northgate Inn.

Incidentally Richard Adams was greatly impressed by how docile the bees were...that should be a comfort!

Now for July and as usual, on July 2, the members gathered at Downes Crediton Golf Club and after an hour of convivial chat and discussion the meeting was brought to order by Keith Beetlestone, his first monthly meeting since becoming the newly appointed Club President and his first duty being to propose the loyal toast...God save the Queen!

This was followed by the request that Burford Cupper should provide the months “quote”. These regular quotes have become traditional and anecdotal over the years and can take the form (or no particular form) of succinct good advice or outright humour...this month we all had good laugh at all four quotes! Thanks Burford we can all use a laugh.

The ubiquitous bottle of wine in the raffle was won this month by David Dornom.

After grace, delivered by Dr Christopher Maycock, we had lunch and looked forward to the regular speaker slot introduced by Brian Healey.

Over the years the speakers have covered an amazing breadth of topics...something for everyone.

This month’s was no exception and Robert Hesketh took to the floor in order to acquaint us with Smuggling in Devon during the period 1700-1850 - a career path not generally open to us today, but back then it seems that most Devonians were involved in one form or another!

It appears that smuggling came about as a reaction to the exorbitant rates of duty levied on luxury goods...like spirits, tobacco, silk etc in order that the government might fund the long-running war with the French.

Needless to say the French were happy to deny the British government these funds, so provided most of the product. In order that this vast industry was maintained, some of the recipients of “luxury”, like the clergy, aristocracy and judiciary did their bit to help the Devon fishermen carry on the highly dangerous trade as the state took a dim view of revenue loss.

In spite of vigorous attempts by the revenue men to stamp out this industry it eventually was brought to an end by the simple expediancy of reducing the duty on the said goods.

Thank you to Robert Hesketh for the talk and he can be found at: www.roberthesketh.co.uk together with all the other subjects he likes to talk about.

Our President signed off the meeting with our final toast - “til the next time”.

What can Probus do for you? or better yet, what can you do for Probus? (President Kennedy said something similar way back!)

Well if you are semi-retired or even properly retired and would welcome broadening your friendship base and even meet up with folk you would not normally bump into - all in a relaxed atmosphere, then give Brian Threlfall a call on 01363 772413 to see if we are for you and vice versa.

MD