Photo courtesy of 

Mike Fraser, Tristan da Cunha

-The Island of Tristan da Cunha 6th November 2007 

Out of the many talks enjoyed by the Club, this was one of the best given by Mr Richard Grundy,   The subject being the Island of Tristan da Cunha, presenting a very professional show with computerised slides, He traced the history of the Island from the date of discovery 1506, and onwards to the present time, painting a fascinating picture of the life, on what has been described as the remotest Island in the world.

The Population is around 271 persons dedicated to being British, whose lives are centred around fishing and farming, Being an Volcanic Island only a small area is inhabited where the Boats can be landed safely.  Then in the 1960`s disaster struck with the Volcano erupting and the Islanders having to be evacuated leaving Homes and Animals to be taken to Great Britain for safety.  Happily in 1963 they were returned to the Island this then being declared as safe, most of them going back to resume their lives again.

One of the Industries outside of farming ,is catching and processing Crawfish much favoured by the Japanese, also issuing sets of stamps for income, picturing the Island and history for World Philatelists.

This was a most fascinating story full of interest of a self-supporting Community living today between South Africa and South America in the Ocean of the South Atlantic .

We hope Mr Grundy will return for another talk on this remote spot in the World.

Photo courtesy of Butcomber Brewery

Visit to Butcombe Brewery - 11th October 2007

Twenty-eight people left St Martins Close for an evening trip to Butcome Brewery at Wrington to see the Brewery and its workings for this fine range of N.Somerset Beers. We were given a conducted tour, viewing the different making processes, the whole taking from the start to the pint to the Pub about two weeks.

We then returned to the Hospitality Suite where Members were given if they wished generous tasting of the different beers accompanied by a selection of nibbles.. To round off an excellent evening the Coach took us on to a local Pub "Ring of Bells" where we indulged in a Sausage & Mash Supper!

The Secret World of New Road Farm - 2nd October 2007

A talk entitled The Secret World of New Road Farm given by Mrs P Kinder. This was a most informative talk on her experiences and work with non Domestic Animals and Birds, nursing many injured by road vehicles back to good health.

The essence of the recuperation is to ensure that the Animals retain their wild state and do not get too domesticated each needing specialised care, explaining that recently she had to return three Otters to the wild having been raised at New Road since babies.

Mrs Kinder brought along a Bat and Hedgehog to show us but the star of the evening was a Barn Owl perched on her gloved hand to show us. It was found by the RSPCA in a canary cage, which had to be cut open to release the bird. This has been nursed to full health but cannot be released into the wild as it has been now domesticated. She now cares for it and uses it for promotions.  This was a most interesting talk and much appreciated by the Audience,  This was followed by an auction of Harvest produce.

Photo courtesy of

www.visit-exmoor.co.uk

- Life of an Exmoor Ranger 4th September 2007

An audience of 45 Members, gathered together to listen to a talk given by Mr F Collins entitled "Happy days as an Exmoor National Park Ranger".

In 1974, we learnt that with no experience whatsoever, he saw an advert in a newspaper for the vacancy and with no knowledge of the job he applied from working in Industry.  To his surprise he was appointed to the position.   It transpired later that he found that some 300 other People had also applied!

Upon arriving to start work, he was overwhelmed with astonishment to be told that he was to look after as a Ranger, no less than 60 square miles. With nowhere to live he started by hunting for somewhere which was even in those days difficult, as Exmoor was a very desirable place to live, but was fortunate to be then offered for 6 months temporarily, a local Exmoor House which was vacant.    A good start to the job!

Not knowing how to get going as a Ranger he thought it wise to commence talking to Schools, speaking to Children about the beauty, environment, and care of this lovely area, This subsequently developed further by taking older children to help dig out ditches, pruning etc., so they developed an interest themselves in the Countryside.

From this early beginning Mr Collins himself learnt quickly about Exmoor and the problems. and how to deal with them.     Ranging from Visiting Tourists getting lost on the Moors, extreme Winter conditions, keeping harmony with local people and Farmers, even looking after Film Units using Exmoor as locations, meeting famous people visiting, checking wildlife habitats, etc., all on top of his usual work of looking after daily the surrounding Countryside.

Many amusing antidotes and stories were told which gave Members an insight of what the job entailed. This was a tough job especially in the cold and dark winter months but as he told us, a very satisfying place to work.       After 27 years Mr Collins eventually retired, but continued by lecturing about Exmoor and the area, involving some hundred of talks to Schools and Clubs.

Following the talk Members, enjoyed Tea & Biscuits, with a raffle following, of items donated to the Club for the Meeting.

Photo courtesy of www.exeterviews.co.uk

- Visit to Exeter - 3rd July 2007

On a very stormy and rainy morning Members left Fivehead for our Annual Full Day Outing to Exeter including a Boat trip to Topsham.  The rain on the Motorway was torrential, but happily the further West we went the better it got, arriving at Exeter Quay with heavy grey clouds and overcast but dry.

After a brief stay, a Representative from the Tourist Information Centre joined the Coach and then gave us a Tour around Exeter with our excellent Coach Driver Chris manipulating his vehicle around narrow roads including the Campus of the University, Then back to Exeter centre to walk with our Lady Representative around the Norman Cathedral and precincts afterwards given time ourselves to look at the Shops and interesting Buildings of Exeter.

Returning to the Coach a short journey to the waterside of Exmouth, and then a Boat Trip down the Estuary towards Topsham viewing the wildlife and Boats including the modern Lifeboat for Exmouth donated by the City of Birmingham. All to soon it was back to the Coach with the added bonus of a journey in the closing sunset over the Blackdown Hills. A great day out thanks to our Club trip Organisers Jean & John Taylor.

Organic Gardening - 5th June 2007

Members gathered together for a talk on Organic Gardening by Mr Ted Pitman who unfortunately was booked for last year but owing to illness was unable to come

This was a somewhat amusing talk, which involved Audience participation due to our Talker forgetting the names of various flowers and having to be prompted from the floor. Information given by him covered advice on Composting, Pests & Slugs, Root Crops, Collecting seeds, and Saving water, which was most interesting for us Gardeners.

Mr Pitman was enthusiastic in everything organic in the garden, having a small holding for many years. We were then treated to a slide show of examples including the linking up of large plastic drums together to collect water for his garden, and the making of vegetable plots.  Much laughter exploded when one of his slides on Indians collecting crops, was the wrong way up in the projector, showing Peasants in a vertical position as if on a Mountain slope.

A most likeable Person, who also had done great work for Charity, once rowing a tiny Coracle down the Bridgwater Canal to raise money.  The Members greeted the end of his Talk with much clapping showing our appreciation of his visit to our Club.