Torridge Vale Social Club’s Annual Party

Some sixty children, who either have a parent working at the Torridge Vale Dairy Co. Ltd, or have a bachelor ‘uncle’ working there, were guests of the social club at a grand annual party held in the factory canteen.

This was no ordinary ‘do’. First buses collected the guests from their homes. When they arrived they found smiling hosts wearing amazing paper hats, ushering them into a magnificent ‘party tea.’ Perhaps the gayest of the hosts was Mr T R Sandford, a senior director of the firm, who as President of the Social Club, amid great excitement, cut the party cake. Beautifully iced and decorated, this was a ‘work of love’ by Mr Aubrey Hancock, an expert baker and confectioner.

There followed a cinema show, a variety of games, then another film show. Another round of games followed, under the direction of the MCs, Mr Jeff Skinner, the Club Secretary, and Mr Lou Baker, the Club vice-chairman. Finally, there came the parting buffet, and all too soon, the motor-coaches were there to take the young guests home, each radiant with ‘goodbye’ gifts of a bag of sweets, orange and a balloon. What a glorious evening…

Other officials included Mr K P Dowling and Mr R G Williams.

Gazette article dated 28 January 1955