AROUND 60 people went along to the Rotary Club of Crediton Boniface’s New Year Afternoon Tea Party for senior citizens on Saturday, January 4.

Bingo underway
Bingo underway (Will Goddard, Crediton Courier)

The free event was held in the Boniface Centre. Guests enjoyed playing bingo with a glass of sherry, and many won prizes, among which were tubs of Roses chocolates.

Enjoying playing bingo with a glass of sherry
Enjoying playing bingo with a glass of sherry (Will Goddard, Crediton Courier)
Among the bingo prizes were tubs of Roses chocolates
Among the prizes were tubs of Roses chocolates (Will Goddard, Crediton Courier)

Sandwiches were served followed by tea, scones and cake while a gentleman played the piano.

Guests enjoying sandwiches
Guests enjoying sandwiches (Will Goddard, Crediton Courier)
Tea, scones and cakes were served
Tea, scones and cakes were served (Will Goddard, Crediton Courier)

A local volunteer choir sang Christmas carols, including Deck the Halls, Ding Dong Merrily on High, the First Nowell and more.

4 January 2024 Rotary Club of Crediton Boniface’s New Year Afternoon Tea Party for senior citizens Piano playing while guests enjoy afternoon tea (Will Goddard, Crediton Courier)
Playing the piano while guests enjoyed afternoon tea (Will Goddard, Crediton Courier)

David and Phyllis Edwards were praised for reaching their 60th wedding anniversary in September, and everybody sang Happy Birthday to Thelma Leach at the event.

4 January 2024 Rotary Club of Crediton Boniface’s New Year Afternoon Tea Party for senior citizens Volunteer choir singing (Will Goddard, Crediton Courier)
Volunteer choir singing (Will Goddard, Crediton Courier)

The festive occasion has been a staple in Crediton for four decades and was last held in 2019 before the Covid-19 pandemic.

4 January 2024 Rotary Club of Crediton Boniface’s New Year Afternoon Tea Party for senior citizens David and Phyllis Edwards, who celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in September 2024, were praised at the event (Will Goddard, Crediton Courier)
David and Phyllis Edwards, who celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in September 2024, were praised at the event (Will Goddard, Crediton Courier)

It was funded by members of the public who donated £400 at Rotary collections on Crediton High Street and at Morrisons supermarket.

Some of the Rotarians who helped at the event
Some of the Rotarians who helped at the event (Will Goddard, Crediton Courier)