Norton Radstock u3a members were entertained by Sara Hillman who, accompanied by a retired guide dog, provided a fascinating and informative talk about the story of Guide Dogs for the Blind during their July speaker meeting.

Sara talked through the process of the selection of appropriate dogs and the rigorous training which every dog had to undertake. Of one hundred dogs selected only sixty six percent were assessed as being suitable for the various tasks which guide dogs were expected to carry out.

Sara spoke about the breeding programme and the different range of dogs which were eventually accepted for training. The extensive costs of training from birth to acceptance and associated expenses was sixty thousand pounds per dog.

How guide dogs were trained to be able to negotiate crowds, traffic, public transport, accidents, zebra crossings and other dogs was explained in detail.

Sara’s talk was invaluable in reminding members about the value of guide dogs and how much blind people relied on their guide dog to enable them to have as full a life as possible.

The next popular u3a coffee morning will be on Monday 31st July when members will gather at the Somer Centre from 10.00am to share information and exchange news. New and potential members are very welcome to just come along and meet people many of whom they may well know already.

On Saturday 5th August the Norton Radstock u3a will have a stall at the Midsomer Norton Farmers Market. This event is usually a very good meeting place, and we hope that many of our members will support the Uke and Guitar Groups who will be entertaining visitors. This is a good opportunity to let people know about the u3a and members support will compliment this to a considerable extent.

Our speaker meeting at the Somer Centre on 14 August will be a talk by Paul Barwick on the Life and Times of Double Agent Zigzag from being a prisoner in Jersey at the time of the German invasion and subsequently both a German Agent and later an MI5 Officer.

Speaker meetings are from 2pm, with the talk starting at 2.30pm.

New and potential members are very welcome to join the eighty or so u3a members at each meeting.

Providing enough members wish to attend, we shall be running a coach to Bath Races on the afternoon of Wednesday 23rd August, leaving South Road car park at 12 noon.

We hope to have our usual after race meal at a local pub.

Members can book at the coffee morning on 31st July or by phoning 01761 413414.

U3a members were sad to learn that after a lengthy illness Irene Leet, one of our early members, had died.

Irene was u3a secretary some years and provided much sound advice how the u3a should be organised for the benefit of residents of the district with interesting programmes and activities.

Our deepest sympathy is extended to Ronnie who cared for Irene during the time of her illness.

Colin Tincknell OBE