The monthly Coffee Morning of Sarum U3A was held in its usual venue of St Francis Church Hall on Wednesday 15 February.

Volunteers were asked to add their names to the Coffee Rota for the monthly Coffee Mornings.
Members were reminded to collect their February Newsletter which gives information about the dates for the Health Care Group, the Science Forum, the Playhouse Discussion group, the Strollers and the Town and Country Inns Group. It also contains information about the outings to Bristol, Dublin and London as well as the Summer Schools.

The speaker for the morning was Ann Seviour, a commoner in the New Forest, a Parish Councillor and a Special Constable. Her ancestors had come to England in 1650 and had lived in the same hamlet in the New Forest for 13 generations where she keeps 20 ponies and some dairy cattle. Her topic was a year in the life of the New Forest Pony.

She described the different activities in each season and illustrated the happenings of the year with some beautiful photographs which did wonderful justice both to the ponies and to the spectacular scenery which she lives and works among.

Ann emphasised that the forest is a man made landscape with the ponies very much the architects of what we see today. Many members were surprised to hear that the ponies were quite happy with cold, dry weather (even to a temperature of minus12 degrees); frost on their coats indicating a good winter coat and a healthy pony. Demand for them is increasing as they are not afraid of the traffic and make excellent riding ponies. We heard about their intelligence (knowing where the best grazing is and which places to go not to be worried by flies). Useful tips on choosing a good riding pony to buy in the autumn sales will make us all look differently at the ponies we see next time we are in the Forest. Dramatic stories of the Autumn round-ups and amusing tales of a life devoted to looking after ponies kept the audience enthralled. Everyone was pleased to have explained that the necessary process of hot-branding was not painful to the ponies and fascinated to discover that it changed the hair growth in such a way that the brand always remains visible.

Ann Seviour answered questions about the organisation of the Forest and about how the creation of the National Park will affect the organisation. She was thanked for a most interesting and informative talk by John Gilbert, a resident of the Forest.

New members are very welcome to join Sarum U3A. The next meeting is the Annual General Meeting to be held on 15 March. Information on membership can be obtained by phoning 01722 322570