On this visit Tim’s presentation included a collection of music, prose and poetry which had its theme of the English as a unique country. Items included songs and music by Flanagan and Allen, Flanders and Swann, Noel Coward and prose by John Masefield. Mention was made of the contributions of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Thomas Arne. The afternoon concluded with a series of Royal Navy medleys and of course, the enthusiastic singing by the audience of Rule Britannia. A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon.

Future Speaker Meetings will include the return of Brad Aston, who is an international comedy scriptwriter for television and radio, working with many well-known artistes. Locally, the group will learn of the history of the Somerset and Dorset Heritage Railway, a talk providing an overview of the many canals within our region, Gareth William, a mild-mannered maths genius and another return for our special Christmas event, with Tim Lewis providing his own version of the Nativity Story with another selection of verse and songs. All not to be missed.

The next u3a meeting will be on 25th April which is the Group Annual General Meeting (AGM). Given the difficult period during the lockdown two years, members will learn of the difficulties encountered in running the u3a and the steps needed to bring the group back to financial security and inform decisions about future activities.

Th group will restart its events programme on 27th April with a visit to Forde Abbey, near Chard to view the gardens, which include the tulip extravaganza and the historic house. Bookings for this trip can still be accepted from members and non-members. Future visits include the RHS Spring Garden Festival at Malvern (7th May) and the Internationally famous rose garden at Mottisfont in Hampshire (15thJune).

On 13th June, the group will hold an Afternoon Tea Party which will celebrate the Queen’s 70 years reign, together with the 40th Anniversary of the u3a movement. Entertainment will be provided.

The Third Age Trust (TAT), the overarching body providing advice and support to the 1,400 u3a groups in the UK, involving 450,000 members, has recognised the significant impact u3a groups are having in helping people to recover from the trauma, stress, anxiety, mental issues and loneliness felt by many people over the two pandemic lockdown years and are providing the opportunity for members to regain lost confidence and helping to connecting again with community activities, such as those provided by u3a groups. U3a Membership is open to anyone of any age who is not in full time employment and subject groups provide situations for any number of members from two to twenty or more to pursue their interests in really anything which can be available on the self-help principal of the movement.

Further information about the Norton Radstock u3a group can be obtained from the Chairman, Colin Tincknell: (01761 413414) or Secretary, David Pearson: (01761 232081).