SHOBROOKE Friendly Club had two outings in September.

The first outing was on September 5, when 35 members of the club, including friends from Crediton, paid a visit to the ceramic Poppy Wave at Plymouth.

The group left Shobrooke at 10.30am with a stop of about two hours at Endsleigh Garden Centre, for lunch, before continuing on to Plymouth Hoe, and the Naval War Memorial to view The Wave.

The Wave comprised 6,000 of the ceramic poppies which had formed part of the larger display at the Tower of London.

The display is touring the country, but Plymouth is the only venue where the display is attached to a War Memorial.

The 6,000 poppies saw many suspended from a wire framework, spreading up and over one of the walls of the Naval War Memorial.

The name of “The Wave” was given to the display, as the wall of the memorial represents the front wall of a Great War trench, with the poppies sweeping up and over it to depict the soldiers as they “went over the top”, many never to return.

Everyone found the display moving and worthwhile.

On September 20, 33 members and friends from Crediton paid a visit to Clarks Village at Street, arriving in time for coffee. After a heavy round of shopping, 31 of the party continued on to Wells, where many enjoyed an afternoon tea, whilst others did more shopping or simply enjoyed the architecture of the Cathedral.

Thankfully the rain which had been forecast held off until we were back on Powell’s coach heading back to Street, to pick up the two who had remained there.

The usual draw was held on the way home, and the prizewinners were Sheila Metherell, Ann Ridley and Gill Halsey.

The AGM of the Club will take place at Shobrooke Village Hall on Wednesday, October 11 at 2.15pm. This is a week earlier than set out in the Club Calendar.

Norman Gale.