Saturday night saw the annual dinner dance which was held at the Belmont Hotel.

Over 70 people attended and all were dressed to the nines in their finest lounge suits and gorgeous dresses.

Nick Bater Captain of Sidmouth Golf Club for 2010 was Master of Ceremonies, spoke very well and thanked all for coming and gave his thoughts and report on his year at the helm.

It was then over to Col Jim Hutton who was there to represent Nick's chosen charity for his year, The C Group.

The C Group is made up of a small nucleus of Royal Marines and a rapidly expanding membership of businessmen and women, drawn initially from the South West but now including increasing numbers from throughout the UK.

Membership is by subscription and from the original 15 founders, the C Group now comprises over 50 businessmen and women, ensuring that our support programme is well under way.

The C Group had its inception in 2007 and was the brain-child of Major General Andy Salmon, the then Commandant of the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines.

Through his daily contacts with the local East Devon community, he learned that there were many outside the military who wanted to become actively involved in supporting the Royal Marines who lived and worked in their community.

Col Hutton said: “It is our aim to see The C Group network expand over time to cover all areas in which Royal Marines serve and live. Our mission is to generate targeted support for the Royal Marines from within the business community and to channel that support to wherever the need is greatest.

“In light of current operations, the focus of our attention is with the injured and their families, some of whom will need our input, to varying degrees, for the rest of their lives.

Nick was delighted to hand over a cheque in the sum of �2,837.37 which has been raised during the year from various functions and events.