FORTY-four whist players and four non-players recently visited Torquay and stayed at the Cavendish Hotel, for their annual whist holiday.

Organised by Sue Wonnacott of Bude and Edwina Broad of Tintagel, assisted by their husbands, John and David, everyone had a very enjoyable time.

During the day there were various excursions around the Torbay area, with visits to Brixham, Torre Abbey, to Buckfastleigh and the Valiant Soldier museum, followed by lunch at Buckfast Abbey. Thursday was a free day and everyone did their own thing with some visiting relatives and friends, while others sat on the sea front in beautiful hot sunshine for November 1.

Friday was a round robin day when the steam train was taken from Paignton to Kingswear, followed by a ferry crossing to Dartmouth. After lunch, it was back on the water with a boat trip up the River Dart to Totnes. On Saturday the homeward journey saw the morning spent at Paignton Zoo.

Following their trip to Buckfastleigh, the morning became very wet, so after lunch it was back to the hotel and rainbow whist was enjoyed. After dinner each evening the travellers settled down to play their 24 hands, followed by a six hand miniature. David Broad was MC each time and after the 24 hands the scores were kept, with the highest and lowest winning a snowball prize. The winner of the highest score was Mr Tom Barriball of Bude and the lowest was Mr M Andrew of Sutcombe.

Each evening there was a raffle and on the Friday there was an extra special raffle of given prizes. Afterwards Ivor Pellow gave a vote of thanks to the organisers and helpers and presented both ladies with a thank you gift. Thanks were also accorded to the staff for their excellent service and before the first travellers left at Okehampton, a big thank you was given to Steve Tilley of Tilley’s Coaches, the driver.

The week was not only a social occasion, but raised £500 for The Long House at Holsworthy and a cheque was recently presented by the holiday organisers.