MEMBERS were welcomed to the September meeting of CREDITON by Sylvia Heaton, Vice President in the absence of the President.

Correspondence was then dealt with and members' attention was drawn to the October Group Meeting for which we are the host, to be held at Sandford.

Congratulations were given by the Secretary to the Institute bowls team who had gone through to the third round of the competition this year.

The speaker was Peter Juniper from the British Red Cross, who explained that it is a voluntary service, not funded by the government. He said there were 186 groups world-wide. The first Red Cross was established in Switzerland and the Red Cross came to be their emblem.

Peter then went on to explain what we should do if we came across anyone in difficulty and answered all our questions. A very interesting evening.

The competition, for Flower of the Month was won by Enid Clifton and the competition for a tea towel was won by: 1 June Bragg, 2 Joan Denne, 3 Josie Mashford.

Visitors are always welcome and contact can be made to our President, Daphne Evans (01363 774064) or Secretary, Josie Mashford (01363 773222).

PG

PRESIDENT Margaret Tucker welcomed members at the September meeting of the SANDFORD. Gwen Cleverdon expressed the Institute's thanks to Sonia Irvine, for hosting the summer party, saying everyone had thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon.   

The President said that she had heard from member Pat English who had been in hospital and was unable to be at the meeting,     As their next meeting will be a talk by Hugh Scudder from Christian Response, on what life is like for the poor in Moldova and the shoe boxes which are taken to them just before Christmas, members will be making up shoe boxes to give to him.  

Gwen Cleverdon suggested a visit to Homeleigh Garden Centre, near Launceston, on November 3, as they will then have all their Christmas goods and decorations up and many expressed an interest in this, so it is now being arranged. 

It was agreed to have a fish and chip supper at the Annual Meeting in November, which will be delivered to them by the local fish and chip shop in Crediton.

The speaker for the September meeting was Ann Hosker for a handicraft workshop. Members enjoyed dressing Dolly Pegs, something they had not done since their childhood  and it was surprising what delightful little dolls were created amid much laughter. 

Ann was thanked by Margaret Phillips.   

The competition for the best dressed dolly peg dolls were won by: 1 Gwen Cleverdon and Yvonne Cant, 2 Sonia Irvine and Phyllis Conibere 3 Marion Leach and Dodie Huxter.        Flower of the month winners: 1 Margaret Phillips, 2 Ann Evans, 3 Annie Aggett.

LONDON TRIP

President, Margaret Tucker with friend Viv Simpson, spent a weekend in London when they saw Calendar Girls which Margaret reports was "a fabulous show." They met stars from the show, Jerry Hall, Jill Baker, Anita Dobson and June Brown.

Later they enjoyed We'll Meet Again, a musical salute to the war years, compered by June Whitfield which was a super show.

Both agreed it was a weekend they would never forget.^

MR KING, from Yeoford gave a talk to SPREYTON on bees, a subject, very close to the hearts of Institute members.

With an overhead projector, he spoke of the diseases and problems possible but also of the vital importance of keeping bees. He judged the competition for a piece of commemorative china, which was won by Jean Hall.

Phil Tucker, Ann Winsor, Judith Talbot and Eve Collins reported on their recent visit to Denman College. The raffle was won by Lise Hawkins.

Margaret Lethbridge was congratulated on her forthcoming Golden Wedding anniversary. Happy Birthday was sung to Lise Hawkins, who is 60.

Raffle prizes were brought to the meeting for this week's whist drive, organised by Eve Collins.

MEMBERS of COLEBROOKE had their annual outing to Cothay Manor House and Gardens, near Wellington, this year and unlike previous years, we hired a small coach and had a daytime visit instead of our usual evening one.

The day started in pouring rain but brightened up later and we all had a very enjoyable tour around the house, a ploughman's lunch and then a good wander around the gardens.

We did have the occasional shower but this did not spoil the enjoyment of the day and we finished with a stop for tea or coffee (and a scone or two) on the way home.

We had a break in August and then a members' meeting for September. The committee had no part in arranging this meeting, so thanks go to Linda Rutter for acting as President on the evening, to Marjorie Hockridge for arranging the speaker and to Marion Hutchinson for running a fund-raising book stall.

Our speaker was Mary Quicke from Quicke's Farm, Newton St Cyres, who gave an interesting talk on the history of the cheese production of the farm with a fascinating insight into the methods used and this was followed by a tasting of a selection of Quicke's cheeses - the quality and taste of which was indicated by the empty plates at the end of the evening!

The bookstall helped to raise some funds and more books were sold than there were members there, which shows it was well supported.

Our next meeting in October will be the Annual Meeting with its usual quiz, cheese and wine.

BM