|
Press
Report. Sarum U3A Coffee Morning December 2003.
The December meeting of Sarum U3A at St Francis Church Hall on
Wednesday the 17th
was as usual well attended. The winter chill of a fine morning proved
no deterrent to members, and the hot coffee and biscuits dispensed by
the Coffee Team were particularly appreciated.
The Chairman opened the meeting by drawing attention to the information on the notice boards near the entrance to the hall. She said there was a wealth of information posted on all the learning activities available to members of the U3A, both regional and national. Following that, she hoped members would take advantage of the opportunities offered by 'The Local History Through Museum Group' who will meet again on Monday 26 January 04. Volunteers choose a theme, object, painting etc. and then talk on their chosen subject for five or ten minutes. She encouraged members to take this chance of extending their knowledge of the history of Salisbury and the surrounding area. The Chairman then announced that the 'Painting for Pleasure Art Group' had sold 52 pictures this year, and warmly congratulated them on their success. This announcement drew an appreciative round of applause. She also announced that a trip to Poole was planned for April next year, where it is hoped there will be a unique chance to observe Whales in their natural environment. The Secretary Phyll Mullins asked members to be prompt in paying their subscriptions as this would greatly assist in the administration of our funds. She asked members who were leaving, to let her know in writing, so their names could be removed from membership lists. She reminded members that the January meeting is a New Year Party starting at 11am and not the usual 1030. There was another call for help in assisting the Coffee Teams, particularly in February and March next year. The Speaker Secretary Ena Baldock, introduced Anne Seviour making her second appearance before members of Sarum U3A. Anne is a character. She spoke in her usual lively and inimitable manner of the early geological history of the New Forest and how 5000 years ago the sands and gravels were laid down as a result of the ice age. This accounts for the lack of depth of the soil and is one the reasons for the distinctive ecology of the Forest. Then she moved on to her family history. A family who have lived in the Forest for some 200 years through 13 generations, and who endured the hard privations of country living in an age now gone. Finally, she described, with the aid of numerous excellent colour slides, the flora and fauna of the New Forest, pointing out that the famous Forest ponies with their close cropping of the pasture, were, in the main, the architects of Forest we see today. Her knowledge of her subject is special, and made for not only an entertaining talk, but also a most informative one. |
