A new monthly breakfast club for Armed Forces personnel and veterans held its first breakfast this morning (Saturday 13 August) at the Smugglers Inn on Teignmouth Road.

The event saw as many as 50 people attend, including the town's mayor.

The new Dawlish club is part of the international Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Clubs network founded by former soldier Dereck Hardman.

'Nobody's been left on their own'

Heather Graham, the founder of Dawlish Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club, said: "My husband was in the army and we joined the Royal British Legion a couple of years ago, and we did a thing for the Falklands recently for the 40th anniversary.

"Seven veterans turned up. I noticed how they were... I got the feeling of loneliness from that. 

"I just thought they enjoyed the evening so much, they needed company, and I thought why not [start a breakfast club]? So I did.

"It's gone from strength to strength, and God bless my daughter who has done a lot of the technical stuff for me. She's just done 22 years in the army.

"Nobody's been left on their own. And I'm sure they'll all come again next month and bring friends."

People chatting at the club's first breakfast (Nub News/ Will Goddard)

Royal Navy veteran Kevin, 72, attending, said: "You'd be surprised how many [serving personnel and veterans] are lurking in the undergrowth and you don't know about it.

"There's probably people here who served way before I did... and people who were serving after, maybe only just recently."

The breakfasts cost £8 per head (Nub News/ Will Goddard)

Mayor of Dawlish Cllr Lisa Mayne said: "Heather's put so much work into it, and to have this many people here at the first meeting is phenomenal. 

"She's chosen a really good venue and she's had a lot of support from the Smugglers Inn.

"They've all got memories they can share, I think it's really, really good."

How can I join?

The club holds its breakfasts, costing £8 per person, on the second Saturday of each month at the Smugglers Inn.

Anyone with a connection to the military is welcome.

Click here to find out more. You can get in touch by calling 01626 862301 or by emailing [email protected].