Taunton SMFA – Out & About

On Wednesday 5th August, 30 members and friends from the Taunton Somerset Masonic Friendship Association (SMFA) boarded their Ridler’s coach and travelled west across the border to Sidmouth. The town was hosting the Sidmouth Folk Festival, but the main aim was simply to enjoy a sunny day with good company- and that is exactly what they did.

After being dropped off outside the Belmont Hotel, several of the party went straight in for a restorative coffee. There was no lemon shortbread this year; instead, they enjoyed mini-Danish pastries — a delightful substitute. They even managed to keep them away from the seagulls, as instructed.

The town was beautifully decorated with bunting, flags and splendid floral displays to welcome the Folk Festival visitors, and it looked very pretty in the sunshine. For some of the party – names omitted to protect the innocent – the day was also about shopping, and rest assured, the local Sidmouth economy benefited greatly. There were plenty of holidaymakers around, yet the town never felt crowded.

Lunch choices varied: Lynn Evans settled into a pub for a crab baguette, while others tried a new restaurant, only to find the special had already sold out – skate wing, which took Charlie back to his childhood. Still, the scallop and prawn skewers were very acceptable.

After lunch, they ambled back through the town and up the hill through the churchyard to the Folk Festival. Somehow, they managed to repeat last year’s faux-pas: arriving during the break! Plenty of musicians around, and the gazebos with musical instruments were as colourful and fully stocked as ever.

A final ice-cream and then back to the coach. And if you want the gossip, get Karen to tell you about her bargain of the day… that case (pictured above) went straight onto Ebay by the end of the day!

Report provided by: Charlie Barker – Prov Grand Secretary