The monthly Coffee Morning of Sarum U3A was held in our usual venue of St Francis Church Hall on 16 August (on the usual date of the 3rd Wednesday of the month).

The Chairman, Josephine Hawkins, welcomed a good turnout, which included some visitors, despite the inclement weather.  She asked members to check the notice board regularly as it contained a variety of interesting information.

Members of the Town and Country Inns Group B were asked to meet together afterwards and the Local History Group were given information about meetings.

John Winders, who has been looking after the sound system over the past 5 years, is looking for someone to take over from him.

The Treasurer thanked everyone for their co-operation with the Gift Aid forms saying he would be pleased to receive any more completed forms up until next month’s meeting.

Our Speakers’ Secretary then introduced the morning’s speaker, Geoffrey Brown who works as a volunteer with the National Trust and with Wessex Archaeology, his topic was “A glimpse into the lives of Henrietta and Hilary Bankes of Kingston Lacey”

In general his talk described the life and times of Henrietta Bankes and Hilary, her daughter-in-law, giving an insight into the life of very important local landowners and members of the smart set in the 150 years of the Victorian and Edwardian eras.  The family, whose wealth was based on graphite mining in the Lake District, originally owned and lived in Corfe Castle until it was made uninhabitable in the English Civil War and in 1666 the house at Kingston Lacey was built for the family.

Mr Brown described Henrietta’s whirlwind romance and marriage into the Bankes family and illustrated the local celebrations, which followed with old photographs and clippings from local newspapers.  Henrietta’s commitment to workers on the estate included entertainment, presents and funding, after her husband’s death, of projects such as the building of both Pamphill Church and the Cricket Pavilion.  Hilary married into the family at the time of WW1 and carried on the traditions on the estate started by her mother-in-law.  She moved out of the house in WW2, when it became an American Hospital.  She died in 1953 – the last lady of Kingston Lacey.

Bryan Griffiths gave the vote of thanks.

The next meeting is on Wednesday 20 September at our usual venue when the speaker will be Robina Hattersley on “Make Poverty History – South India 2006”.

New members are always given a warm welcome and information on membership can be obtained by phoning 01722 322570.