SARUM U3A

The monthly Coffee Morning of Sarum U3A was held in our usual venue of St Francis Church Hall on Wednesday 15 October.  This month’s Newsletter contained information about group activities and future visits to Burgundy, Eltham Palace, next year’s Edinburgh Tattoo and also theatre trips. Tickets were on sale for the New Year Party on 21 January.

Our speaker this month was Michael Sparkes, a choice pilot for Very Large Crude Carriers in the Solent.  He gave us the historical background of Trinity House which continued to license pilots until 1988.  We also heard about the science which is important when ships travel in shallow water.  The facts and figures (the size and capacity of tankers) were difficult to imagine – the largest tanker in the world coming in to the largest berth in the UK with possibly only 1/2 metre of water under the keel!! 

However Michael puts over information in a most amusing and accessible way and adds a light touch with stories of his life as a pilot.  The history, physics and stories of seafaring, including making the sometimes risky task of getting aboard a tanker, made for a very entertaining morning, leaving the audience asking for more of his stories. 

 The next meeting is on Wednesday 19 November when the speaker will be John Smith who will talk about “SOE at Beaulieu during WW2”. 

Information on the activities of Sarum U3A can be found in the reference section of the Public Library.