Welcome all, to our Summer ’25 newsletter which I hope finds you all safe and well, but if not, then on the road to recovery. At the time of writing, it has been a hot June summer “weather wise” although now it’s Wimbledon fortnight, it will either be a “scorcher” or start raining again.
Since last April we have had a wonderful cream tea at the Hartnoll Hotel, Bolham and our late Spring lunch at the Belmont Hotel in Sidmouth where we were made very welcome with 51 signed in for an excellent meal with lovely company.
Most recently we have enjoyed a coffee morning at the St George & Dragon near Topsham, out on the Exmouth Road just beyond Darts Farm– this was a new venue for us to try as well as offering the opportunity to pop next door to Darts Farm.
In this newsletter you will find details and booking forms for our next events which will be our Sidmouth Theatre visit (Thurs 14th August) to see a mystery play based on that well known Hitchcock film “Dial M for Murder” ; followed in September by a free Cream Tea at King’s GardenCentre, Sidmouth (Tuesday 30th September) and in October by an informal Pub Lunch at The White Horse, near Aylesbeare (Weds 22nd Oct.).
Beyond that , we have the Bickleigh Mill Coffee morning with the opportunity of some Christmas shopping (11th Nov.) and our usual Christmas Lunch at the Victoria Hotel in Sidmouth (4th Dec.).
It is a full programme to see us through this year. Please do come and join us at one of these events which are either free or heavily subsidised.
Financial review
Our finances are in good shape with a grant received this year of £4285 from H.O. which we are keen to spend! Mind you, that won’t take long judging by the prices at the Victoria Hotel this year!!
As always, your Committee is working hard to keep the Club going, finding new venues and things for us to do together, so if you have any bright, practical ideas, do let us know. Also, we are looking for some “fresh blood” on the Committee or as part of Ray’s Wellbeing team. Pleaseget in touch to volunteer.
And now congratulations to our member David Evans on reaching his 90th Birthday on 31 st July. Well done DBE!
Finally, I look forward to seeing many of you at our remaining gatherings and wish you all a relaxing summer.
Best wishes,
Garry Adams, Chairman and Treasurer
Secretary’s Notes
We are organising a further 5 Events this year and these are listed later on in this Newsletter. Do please put all the dates in your diaries and take careful note of final dates for advising us. We don’t want you to miss out as we, the committee, have deadlines to keep in advising the different venues of numbers, menu choices etc.!
Would any of you be willing to join us on the Committee? We do need some extra help and following the sad loss of Carole Searle earlier this year, we have a big gap to fill. As the time-old saying goes, “many hands make light work” and the commitment isn’t too onerous.
The committee meets quarterly for a working lunch, usually at The White Horse Inn, near Aylesbeare (no cooking a meal that night!) and there are various ‘jobs’ that we need help with: for example, producing the newsletter, researching ideas for future events, writing a brief report and/or taking photos of events for our Website and Facebook etc. to name but a few of the things we do. Please, give this some thought and contact any of the committee for more information.
And, don’t forget that if any of your details change e.g. new telephone number, please let me know in order for me to update your records.
Thank you.
I hope you are all enjoying this pleasant summer, albeit a little too hot at times, and I look forward to seeing you at the various events.
Best wishes,
Barbara Johnson, Secretary
Wellbeing
Sincerely hope that you are enjoying the additional sunshine hours seen so far this year. There is always a flip-side to anything, and the gardens and reservoirs may wish to lodge a few comments here!
As far as our Wellbeing Team goes, there is potential good news with the vacancy for Chris Leigh’s area being filled – watch this space!
Ray Cavill, Wellbeing Co-ordinator
Forthcoming Functions
Theatre Visit Manor Pavilion Theatre, Sidmouth Thursday 14 th August, Curtain up 8.00pm
Please see Application Form below, complete and return as soon as possible if you wish to attend. (cut-off date 28 th July –so not much time) We have booked our usual block of seats for this performance of “Dial M For Murder”. This gripping thriller is a razor-sharp tale of betrayal and murder full of twists and turns.
Free Cream Tea at King’s Garden Centre, Sidmouth Tuesday 30th September @ 2.30pm
We need to know numbers to advise Kings how many scones to provide. Please call or text Wendy Mitten (07980 945651) by Friday 19th September. Also note earlier start time of 2.30pm.
If texting please remember to include “ESEC” and your name at the start of your message.
Pub Lunch at the White Horse Inn, Wednesday 22nd October @ 12.30pm
Please see Application Form below , complete and return with your menu choices if you wish to attend. We have opted to have similar selections as last year with the addition of Scampi. (Payment at the Bar on the day – don’t forget to settle-up!)
As in previous years, our beloved Treasurer will be handing out “a little something” towards the cost of your meal.
FUTURE EVENTS
Free Coffee Morning at Bickleigh Mill, Tuesday 11th November @ 10.30am (Opportunity to stay on for lunch)
Christmas Lunch at Victoria Hotel, Sidmouth, Thursday 4th December @ 1.00pm
Full details of these events, and booking forms where required, will be available in subsequent Newsletters.
Exclusive Discount for our Club members:
We have received another great holiday discount offer which includes Solo Travellers for our club members from Wendy Wu Tours (www.wendywutours.co.uk) If you are contemplating a trip of a lifetime, do let Barbara know and she will forward you their latest Flyer with the details. This Summer Sizzler Sale applies to a variety of great tours.
Wendy Wu Tours is the UK’s leading touring specialist, offering extraordinary tours to Japan, China and the Far East, Southeast Asia, India, Sri Lanka, the Middle East, Central Asia, South America and Europe. To find out more visit www.wendywutours.co.uk. To book call their reservations team on 0808 3046 343 or email Keith Norman at Keith@wendywutours.co.uk
THEATRE VISIT – MANOR PAVILION THEATRE, MANOR ROAD, SIDMOUTH, EX10 8RP
THURSDAY, 14th AUGUST 2025 – CURTAIN UP 8.00p.m.
For this year’s outing we stay with the theme of “Thriller” and have chosen a performance of “Dial M for Murder” by Frederick Knott (famously adapted by Alfred Hitchcock). We have reserved a block booking of up to 30 seats. Come and join us for what promises to be another enjoyable evening together.
A theatre discount applies for our block booking and a further subsidy from club funds means that on this occasion we can offer seats (maximum of 2 per member) at just £12.00 per ticket (the full advertised price being £23.00) which represents excellent value. (Non-refundable)
We need to confirm numbers and make payment to the Theatre by 31st July, so if you would like to attend we need your confirmation and payment, preferably by BACS please (or by cheque payable to “Exeter Spread Eagle Club”) as soon as possible and no later than Monday 28 th July. Please return the booking form attached to Peter Johnson (by e-mail if preferred).
MANOR PAVILION – THURSDAY 14th AUGUST 2025 AT 8.00 P.M.
“Dial M for Murder” by Frederick Knott
I wish to apply for ……………………….. tickets (max. 2 per member]
I have paid by BACS £…………….. (£12.00 per ticket) – Please give your surname as reference.
(Account name: Exeter Spread Eagle Club Account number: 10138878 Sort Code 20-30-47)
OR – I enclose my cheque for £………………. (£12.00 per ticket) payable to “Exeter Spread Eagle Club”
NAME ………………………………………………………………………………
ADDRESS …………………………………………………………………………
Telephone No ……………………………………. E-Mail …………………………………
Please return to Peter Johnson, “Fairways” 98 Beer Road, Seaton, Devon EX12 2PU e-mail: peteraj@talktalk.net
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BUT NO LATER THAN 28th JULY 2025
PUB GRUB LUNCH MENU – Wednesday, 22nd October 2025 at 12.30pm at the White Horse Inn, Sidmouth Road, Woodbury Salterton, EX5 1EP
Main Course
Fried Wholetail Scampi, Chips & Peas SCAMPI
Ham, Egg & Chips HAM
Curry of the Day with Rice & Naan Bread CURRY
(please state MEAT or VEGETARIAN)
Pie of the Day with Chips & Peas PIE
Fish (breaded Haddock) with Chips & Peas FISH
Salmon Fillet with Mushroom sauce, New Potatoes & Veg SALMON
Butternut Squash, Spinach & Mushroom Lasagne,
Garlic Bread LASAGNE
(Optional) Dessert
Choice from board
Please complete and return (either by post or e-mail) by Friday. 10th October 2025
To – Barbara & Peter Johnson, 98 Beer Road, Seaton, EX12 2PU or Email to barbj@talktalk.net
Lunch at the White Horse Inn, Woodbury Salterton – Wednesday 22 nd October 2025
Date___________ Signed_________________________ Name__________________
Please print your name(s) below with your choice of main course, e.g. FISH
Name ___________________ Main__________________
Name____________________ Main____________________
Telephone No ……………………………………. E-Mail …………………………………