WHEN a group of volunteers decided to hold a coffee morning back in 2005 to raise much-needed funds for The David Hall performing arts centre in South Petherton, they never realised that the monthly event would still be going strong a decade later.

Following its successful debut, The David Hall coffee morning became a monthly fixture and has not only provided valuable income – some of which helped pay for an improved heating system – but also a regular meeting place for local residents.

Each coffee morning attracts between 60 and 70 people and raises at least £200 from the sale of cups of real coffee and home-made cake as well as second-hand books and bric-a-brac.

The next coffee morning, on Wednesday, August 26, 2015, will mark the tenth anniversary of the inaugural event. Entry is free and the doors will be open from 10am to midday.

Traditional music is still provided by the local group, Airs and Graces, who entertained the original visitors in 2005, and books and bric-a-brac have become so popular that tables of them now line all the walls of the hall.

Wendy Neave, one of the volunteers who started the event, remembers that embroidered linen tablecloths which she inherited from family members were originally used on the tables.

They have since been replaced by more practical oilcloth but Mrs Neave is thinking of bringing them out again for the 10th anniversary.

“It used to take me hours to remove the stains after each coffee morning so I’ll need to give it some thought!” she said.

Mrs Neave added that the team of volunteers who organise the coffee morning – which includes all members of the original group – would like to reintroduce sales of cakes and made a plea for more cake-makers to support them by donating home-baked goods.

A coffee morning is held at The David Hall on the last Wednesday of every month, except December, and in November, it is replaced by a Christmas tea party which is timed to coincide with the switching on of the South Petherton Christmas lights. This year, it will be from 3pm to 5pm on Sunday, November 29, 2015.