A WINE tasting evening was organised by Exbourne and Jacobstowe Community Association Ltd as a way of saying 'thank you' to all the volunteers who have helped the association to operate the temporary shop during the past year.

The event, at the Burrow community shop and café, was opened by association chair Marie Winckler. It was well attended and started fairly quietly and seriously. But after the second or third wine tasted, conversation began to flow freely and much discussion followed each tasting, concerning the merits and origins of particular wines.

A competition was won by Peter Bayfield, whose prize was a bottle of champagne.

Bella Snook, the shop manager, took the opportunity to thank all the volunteers for their hard work, both in helping in the shop, setting up and clearing away after each session and for all those who bake cakes etc. and in general give freely of their time. Bill Clarke, Angie Smith and Hugh and Sally Hordern were given small awards.

Once the wine tasting was over, everybody enjoyed the excellent food provided by volunteers.

Thanks were expressed to all who attended and those who helped and special thanks to Alastair Peebles who organised the wine tasting. Alastair and his wife Carol run the Devon Wine School near Cheriton Fitzpaine, which has been voted one of the top ten places in the UK running a wine course .

Exbourne and Jacobstowe Community Shop and Café is open on Monday and Fridays mornings and Wednesday afternoons at Exbourne Village Hall. For more information pop into the shop or visit http://www.theundergroundshop.co.uk">www.theundergroundshop.co.uk