TWENTY-NINE members gathered at Downes Crediton Golf Club for the March meeting of Crediton Probus Club where our president opened proceedings by welcoming back Reg Note, who came along as a guest.

Grace was given by Richard Adams and after another excellent meal, Ted Staite gave the quote and Victor Palmer won the draw, Russ told us that we had a new member, Arthur Arscombe.

The president then invited Victor Palmer to introduce our speaker, John Musty, chairman of the trustees of Age Concern, Crediton.

John began by saying that Age Concern Crediton was specific to Crediton and was not part of any national organisation. When Age UK was formed by the combining of two charities, Age Concern and Help the Aged in 2010, as Age Concern Crediton owned its premises outright it was decided to remain autonomous.

The charity’s main income of about £7,000 or £8,000 per annum is from the sale of goods in its High Street shop, annual expenditure is between £70,000 and £80,000. Guests at the centre pay £24 daily.

In both the Deep Lane Centre and the shop the charity is very much dependent on volunteer help. The centre has paid management, as does the shop. The catchment area covers Crediton and the villages of Crediton Hamlets.

Age Concern Crediton is open five days-a-week and now looks after around 70 people (John calculates that this is about one 10th of the possible clients in the facility’s catchment area).

Every weekday has a different structure and is aimed at different groups, for example on Mondays the clientele play a variety of word games. A nail-cutting service is given to older people unable to manage their personal foot-care.

The Garfield Weston Trust had granted £44,000 for the purchase of a minibus. It will be delivered in time to make summer excursions this year.

Age Concern Crediton also provides home support on a social and practical level to older people in the Crediton area. Shopping is done for some members and there is a befriending service.

John was thanked by Gerald Hill for his very interesting talk and the meeting ended with the usual toast, “‘Til the next time”.

KB