Exeter Foresters ‘Court Semper Fidelis 4938’ Annual Dinner: A Night of Generosity and Purpose

The Exeter Foresters’ Annual Dinner was an unforgettable evening, bringing together members of the storied Friendly Society for a night of celebration, camaraderie, and giving. The guest of honour, national High Chief Ranger Gail Lancaster, captivated attendees with a heartfelt after-dinner speech, during which she introduced her charity of the year, the Alzheimer’s Society.

Guests from across the region, including those traveling from as far as West Cornwall, gathered at the Devon Hotel in Exeter.

The evening kicked off with a stall where guests had the opportunity to purchase branded items in support of the Alzheimer’s Society.

After a warm reception, attendees enjoyed a sumptuous three-course dinner, accompanied by lively conversation, laughter and the sharing of fond memories.

The Loyal Toast was followed by speeches, during which Gail delivered a sobering message, one in three people born in the UK today will be diagnosed with dementia in their lifetime, making it the nation’s leading cause of death. She stressed the importance of raising awareness and funds for this critical cause.

As part of the Foresters’ national fundraising campaign, a well-stocked prize raffle raised a generous sum, with further fundraising events already in the works for both the Devon and Cornwall Area and on a national level.

Founded in 1834, the Foresters Friendly Society has always been dedicated to supporting its members in times of need as well as offering a programme of social events throughout the year.

In addition to this Gail emphasised the Society’s remarkable legacy of community involvement, highlighting that more than £1,000,000 has been raised for charitable causes since 2007.

It was clear from the evening's success that the spirit of giving and fellowship continues to thrive within the Foresters community.