THE Court Leet and Court Baron of the Manorial Borough of Newton Abbot Held the Annual Portreeve’s Dinner.

Mine host, Portreeve Allan Vizor, declared it was a great successful evening at the British legion in Newton Abbot.

Mr Vizor said: ‘Dave and his staff served up a great dinner with a very wide and pleasing menu.

Eveline Davis, borough cryer, said grace. At the end of the meal the usual toasts were observed.

The Portreeve’s special guest were Sandra Perraton, ambassador, Tindle Newspaper Ltd; and Debbi Shutton, from Rowcroft Hospice the Portreeve’s chosen Charity for his Term of office.

His lordship, Keith Stokes-Smith of the Manorial Borough Courts and Carol Bunday, Mayor of Newton Abbot and her Consort Mike Hocking were unable to attend due to other commitments

The loyal toast to King Charles III was given by the court’s mace bearer, Roger Keys. Roger Keys acting bailiff proposed a toast to the Newton Abbot Town Council (newly formed in 1974). Ann Jones, The Court’s Constable, responded and declared the hope to keep good co-operation between the council and the courts.

Eveline Davis, Borough Cryer, proposed a toast to the courts and the Portreeve responded.

Debbi Shutton, representative of Rowcroft Hospice, thanked the Portreeve Allan Vizor for choosing Rowcroft Hospice as his charity and gave a talk of the details of Rowcroft Hospice do in the Area

The Mace Bearer, Roger Keys, prayed silence for the Portreeve who thanked all his guests and members of the courts and helpers for making the evening a great success. Special thanks to Rosemary and Jonathan Christopher for selling raffle tickets and gifts given by members.

The raffle raised £130 and the Portreeve held an auction for two bottles of whiskey raising £50 with donations of £42, the total raised for Rowcroft Hospice for the evening was £222.

Martin Davey, the newly elected Deputy Steward, appointed by his Lordship, Keith Stokes-Smith, gave a talk about keeping the court’s values and tradition alive. The evening was very successful and they are looking forward to the next year’s dinner.