This is a letter from the Chairman to all the members of The Paignton Probus Club regarding a club outing for its members (Plus, if they wish to come along: their Spouses / Partners, Family members, and / or, friends).
The plan is:
To travel by train (hopefully, if there are no strikes) from Paignton to Exeter Central on Thursday 30thNovember 2023, to see and enjoy the pre-Christmas Market held on the Cathedral Green, plus, the Exeter shops decorated and lit up for Christmas.
We are also hoping to be able to pre-book a restaurant for lunch, the cost of this meal is not included, so must be paid for by the individual(s) and is only ‘for those that wish to attend’. Current thinking is possibly at the Cote restaurant on Cathedral Square?
Departing from Paignton Railway Station at 10.24 a.m. and arriving at Exeter Central at 11.18 a.m. It is a level walk from here into the main street and Cathedral Green.
Then returning from Exeter Central, departing at 15.50 hours (3.50 PM) and arriving back in Paignton at 16.45 hours (4.45 PM). **It is hoped that this train will largely miss the impact of children leaving school to travel home, and workers returning to their homes.
Note: Both trains, the outgoing, and the returning one, are without any changes (also, they are the quickest trains).
The Costs – Thanks to a ‘GroupSave Discount Scheme’ which saves a third on fares, this is operated by the National Train company for groups of people ‘travelling together’ of between 3 to 9 people, is at a cost of £6.40 return per person for our intended trip.
“Not bad value I feel”, as parking a car in Exeter is quite expensive these days and add to this the travel costs of a car (fuel, & wear-tear.
In addition to the train cost, an administrative charge (paper and printing etc) of £1.00 per member is payable. This £1.00 is going directly into Paignton Probus Club, thus making the total payment due £7.40 per member, and only £6.40 per accompanying person.
For those wishing to attend the lunch meal (if we can organise it), the restaurant may ask for a deposit per head. As this may depend on the number of persons wishing to eat, I cannot quote a deposit cost just yet, but if there is a deposit it will be added to the above.
Note: For the eagle eyed of you! The maximum number per group is 9, therefore, we will have to form into a number of individual groups, with the smallest group being 3 persons.
***Should it not be possible to form a group 3 – 9, Paignton Probus Members will take priority over other family members, and friends, who may then have to pay full train travel fare to come along.
To book your attendance on this outing please kindly give your name and party total number (who is coming with you) to John Osmond along with your £7.40, plus, £6.40 multiplied by the number of others in your party. The lead name for each group of between 3 to 9 persons travelling on the train, will have to be decided later once we know who is coming, and our groups total numbers wanting to attend this outing.
I hope this all makes sense. It should be a pleasant day out for all. Regards Chris.
Paignton Probus Club 