Honiton branch secretary Tony Simpson, following his journey to Westminster to lobby Tiverton & Honiton MP Neil Parrish concerning pensions, was himself the main speaker on the same subject at an 'Open' meeting in the Royal British Legion on Monday November 22.  A full report will follow soon.

He will talk on a delegation from National Pensioners Convention - Honiton members attended - and will show photographs of their parade outside Parliament.  Mr Simpson's talk under the title "Spending Cuts and Your Pension - what history tells us" will begin with a serious tone following recent promises that the state pension will rise to £140-a-week over the next five years.  He will then switch to a lighter side on the history of pensions from the Workhouse to Lloyd George and from Beveridge to Duncan Smith.  Members and visitors will even be shown actual coins and notes paid out in those distant days.

Chairman Tony Smith,  having attempted but failed to get Cllr John Hart, the Leader of Devon County Council, to add Honiton to his 'Spending Cuts' tour of the county later tried to get another member of the DCC cabinet to come to the November 22nd meeting.  Yet again the reply was negative with the nearest being an apology to our chairman from Cllr Hart saying he couldn't cover every town in Devon but planned to visit Honiton next year.  Our Senior committee members view was spelt out in the local Midweek Herald under the headline - Is Honiton Being Ignored?

Hopefully flyers to all 120 member and posters around the town will bring in a good attendance with another local issue - planned introduction of parking metres along the High street - will have Rev Merfyn Temple seeking answers on whether the town's disabled men and women will be exempted to the East Devon District Council plan to allow 30 minutes free parking then an automatic charge of £1 to £2 for the next hour.

Tea/coffee will welcome everyone before the meeting, a Bring & Buy bookstall follows the meeting and then a British Legion Christmas Lunch is available.