Wells WI December 2019 meeting report.

Our meeting started with Carol from YMCA thanking members for the shoeboxes filled with gifts for distribution to the young people they support.

She told us it means a great deal to the young recipients to know that others are thinking of them.

Sarah and Steve from Roly's Fudge Pantry in Wells then told us about the history of fudge and the story of Roly's.

The word fudge was first coined in 1880. Although the Americans claim to have invented fudge, it was already known before then in Cornwall and in Scotland where something similar is known as tablet.

Roly's Fudge Pantry was started by Peter Riley, a former market gardener, using his grandmother's recipe in 1987 in Torquay.

He moved to Barnstaple, then opened further outlets. There are now 42 Roly's shops, mainly in the South West but also in Liverpool and York.

They are operated as independent franchises by 14 families, most of whom run several shops.

Sarah and Steven first discovered Roly's Fudge in a little shop in a side street in Brighton, where they saw some leaflets advertising the opportunity to "run your own fudge shop".

Being at a point in their lives where they were ready for a career change, they found the idea appealing.

After completing their training on how to make fudge to Roly's recipes they looked for a vacant shop in Wells.

Unable to find suitable premises they opened in Salisbury instead, but the sad events of last year were bad for business.

They jumped at the chance to move into a shop that became available in Wells Market Place.

Franchisees are supplied with packaging, recipes and secret ingredients – even Sarah and Steven don't know what they are.

Vanilla clotted cream fudge is a year-round best seller but shop owners can also develop their own flavours.

Somerset cider, and gin and tonic, are popular in the summer and, at this time of year, Christmas pudding fudge is a hit, along with chocolate and Cointreau.

They also produce some vegan alternatives. They are currently striving to reduce use of plastic and are happy to fill people's own containers.

Samples of fudge were enjoyed with our tea, while competing for a £10 Roly's Fudge voucher by doing a quiz on the subject of fudge.

After buying from a selection of gift boxes, members went away with a 10 per cent discount voucher to spend in the Wells shop.

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday January 7 at Wells and Mendip Museum, from 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start.

We will be trying Greek dancing with Yiannis. Wear casual clothes and shoes.

New women are always welcome at Wells WI and can attend as guests before deciding whether to join. More details are on our Facebook page via the red button below.

By Val Pettman and Veronica Howe