SEVEN members of MORCHARD BISHOP set off on a gloriously sunny morning to visit Mortehoe. They were greeted by ladies of Mortehoe WI, who made them coffee and served biscuits.

They were given a detailed and informative map of two routes. All the Morchard contingent chose the shorter, two-and-a-half mile route rather than the one of five miles!

They made their way from the village hall, past the cemetery with the best view in Britain and on to the coastal path. They looked north to Bull Point lighthouse and then turned south to Morte Point, where they had spectacular views of Lundy, the Welsh coast and Hartland and Baggy Point.

From here they made their way back to Mortehoe, taking in the wonderful scenery and rock formations.

Mortehoe WI put on a wonderful lunch for about 75 ladies. After lunch they had a guided tour of the lovely church with its magnificent stained glass and a mysterious tomb.>

THE first meeting of the winter season for members of NORTH TAWTON was a very interesting demonstration of various media of artwork presented by Mrs Kay Peerless.

On October 7 Mr Richard Grundy gave a talk about the Tristan da Cunha islands and on October 15 we hosted the Red Earth Group meeting when Dr Gavin Haig FRCS spoke about "The trials and tribulations of being a surgeon".

To end a busy month we have arranged a first-time visit to North Tawton of the Exeter Police and Community Choir for a concert that will also feature local guest soprano Katie Wright.

The concert begins at 7.30pm on October 29 in North Tawton Town Hall.

Tickets are £5 and are available from North Tawton Post Office, Angels Hairdressing Salon or Barbara Peart (Telephone 01837 82746).

BP

OCTOBER was the month for the AGM of ZEAL MONACHORUM. Twenty members were present and president Jan Brealy was in charge. Several notices from the DFWI were read out.

Jan reminded members that the annual subscription for 2010 would be £25.50, due to be paid in January. She reported that a letter the Institute had written to the DFWI about the seemingly excessive cost of office equipment had not, to date, been acknowledged. An email had subsequently been sent and an acknowledgment and explanation is awaited.

Thanks were expressed to Mary Bracewell for arranging the programme for 2010.

Members and friends had brought 13 shoe boxes containing gifts to be sent to an orphanage in Bulgaria and members felt the contents would bring delight to those who received them, hopefully in time for Christmas.

Erica Eden reported that she had obtained some Fairtrade coffee for use at a coffee morning the Institute would be arranging.

After referring to several Christmas dinner menus and much discussion it was finally agreed to go to the Waie Inn on December 2.

Winners of the flower of the month competition were: 1 M Dennis, 2 M Quick, 3 J Brealy and E Harris.

Then followed the main business of the AGM. Jan remains president, Ruth Friend as secretary and Anne Thorne as treasurer. The committee is unchanged. We are all so grateful to the officers and committee for their work in keeping the Institute running so well.

Winners of the year prizes for most points in the flower of the month contest were: 1 M Dennis, 2 M Deacon, 3 E Harris. Winners of the most points for other competitions were: 1 M Dennis, 2 J Drinkwater, 3 R Friend.

The next meeting of Zeal WI will be on November 4.

New members are always welcome. Please just come and you can be sure you will be made most welcome.

MQ

IN the absence of the president, Barbara Paddon due to injury, vice-president Margaret Steer welcomed members and three guests to the October meeting of CHERITON FITZPAINE.

Nomination papers were distributed to members to vote for the Officers and Committee. The AGM will be held on Wednesday, November 4 and will take place after lunch at the Ring of Bells (assembling at 12.30pm.

We will have a cake and preserves stall at the Parish Hall Christmas Fair on November 28 and Mary Burchmore is now able to take orders for cakes and puddings. All proceeds from the stall will go to hall funds.

A Christmas Outing to Otter Nurseries will be arranged for November 18.

The speaker for the afternoon was an old friend, Mike Perriam who, as usual, was able with the help of slides to keep us enthralled with his tales of "Curious Devon".

Whilst hardly glancing at his notes, Mike described various oddities, ranging from memorial obelisks; narrow streets, which one could only access single file and walking sideways; disused "plate ways" constructed of granite on Dartmoor; Belvederes and the Sherman tank at Torcross.

The competition, for photos of old Devon, was won by: 1 Barbara Paddon, 2 Eleanor Roth, 3 Mary Burchmore.

MN