Cream teas and dice: the Cornwall Oddfellows’ August

August is usually the month everything winds down. Somebody forgot to tell the Oddfellows. Their friendship groups across Cornwall filled the summer with afternoon teas, a beetle drive, and a quiet decision that a Helston hospital ward will be glad of.

Afternoon tea in Camborne, and a gift for Helston

The Redruth, Truro and Plymouth groups spent the month getting together for friendship, laughter and, by the look of the tables, a serious amount of cake. One of the biggest gatherings was a sumptuous afternoon tea at Camborne’s Conservative Club, where members worked through a spread of sandwiches, sausage rolls, scones with jam and cream, cakes and drinks.

Business was folded in with the treats. During the afternoon the members approved a donation of a coffee maker to the Helston Maternity Unit.

A beetle drive in Truro, and plans in Plymouth

Truro’s turn came at Kea Community Centre, which hosted a lively beetle drive. The dice game has kept village halls busy for generations, and this one arrived with a tempting run of cakes and chocolate biscuits, fruit, and plenty of tea and coffee.

The Plymouth members were in a more forward-looking mood. Meeting in St Budeaux, they set out what is coming next, from coffee meet-ups and Sunday lunches to a Chinese meal and a series of talks. All of it, the group reports, went down with copious cups of tea and a good supply of chocolate biscuits and fruit.

Support that comes with membership

The get-togethers are social first, but each one doubles as a chance to hear what membership actually brings. A welfare update ran through the grants members can apply for towards dental and optical care, alongside emergency financial help, the Members’ Advice Line and other support services.

There was a look ahead too, taking in a visit to St Just, Sunday lunch groups and a photo competition. Every gathering wrapped up in much the same way: a small prize-giving, a fun raffle raising money for local charities, and a puzzle sheet to take home and chip away at before the next meeting.

How to join the Oddfellows

The Plymouth and Truro District Oddfellows is part of one of the country’s oldest and friendliest societies, built on friendship, support and a strong sense of community. It is open to people of all ages and backgrounds, with regular events in Redruth, Truro, Plymouth and the surrounding area.

Membership comes with welfare and care support, access to a dedicated travel club, chances to volunteer and raise money for good causes, and, more than anything, ways to meet people and make lasting friendships.

Anyone after a free information pack and a diary of upcoming events can contact the local Secretary, Peter English, by email at [email protected], by phone on 01209 200810, or by post at The Oddfellows Hall, 49 Green Lane, Redruth, TR15 1LL. There is more about membership and the benefits on offer at www.oddfellows.co.uk.

With the autumn diary already filling up, from a photo competition to that trip to St Just, the quiet month never stood a chance.