TREMENDOUS enthusiasm was shown for the establishment of a memory caf� in Honiton at a meeting held in the town last week.

TREMENDOUS enthusiasm was shown for the establishment of a memory caf� in Honiton at a meeting held in the town last week.

More than 20 people, representing local organisations, attended the event, hosted by Honiton Senior Council at the Methodist Church.

Councillor Alf Boom, on behalf of Honiton Town Council, chaired the meeting.

Jenny Richards, the strategic commissioning officer of Devon Partnership NHS Trust, was among those to attend.

She revealed the Trust is very keen to see the initiative move forward in Honiton. She said there is a tremendous need locally for such a facility.

The senior council believes the need is growing for a memory caf� and that it could be a great help to those suffering from conditions that affect the memory.

"What we have agreed is to establish a steering group to implement the caf� by May this year," said the council's secretary, Tony Simpson.

"By that time, we hope to have in place the resources, the volunteers and a co-ordinator needed to make it a success.

"We have a number of people in mind, who we will be approaching."

Mr Simpson added: "Those at the meeting agreed that a memory cafe would be very useful for users and carers in the Honiton area, but it must first be community-based, not hospital based, and must be very open, user-friendly for people to 'pop in'.

"The Methodist Church Hall, so near our town centre, the town council offices and seniors citizens' centre, would be ideal."

Anybody willing to help is asked to call Tony Smith, chairman of Honiton Senior Council, on (01404) 46358.