The meeting was opened by Trish Shanks telling members that there was a change of speaker for that evening. The original speaker, Dr Nigel Hicks had contracted Covid so therefore had to cancel. Guild member, Carol Fuller, said her daughter had just returned from Kenya and was only too pleased to give us a talk and slide show about her adventure.

Claire was in Kenya for two months and travelled to various different parts of the country. She flew into Nairobi and made her way to the Aberdare National park in the south west of Kenya. She went with a friend and they had a wonderful Safari tour, seeing, Zebras, Elephants, Lions and lots of other fabulous animals and birds. She then travelled inland to climb Mt Kenya, which is over 5,000m. It is an extinct volcano and the second highest peak in Africa, after Kilimanjaro. They didn't quite reach the peak as the weather hindered them. After that adventure she moved across to Lake Victoria to an area called Home Bay County. Lake Victoria is huge and the area surrounding it is very green and fertile. The people there fish in the lake and farm the land. Farming in one of the main industries in Kenya. It produces: Coffee, tea, fresh flowers, fruit and maize.They have very little mechanised machinery and most of the farm work is done with hand made tools, usually by the women. Claire didn't see a tractor any where being used. She stayed with a family in there small mud hut for a couple of days to see how they manage to grow food for themselves. They are using an approach to land management called Permaculture which aims to create self-sustaining ecosystems by mimicking natural patterns. The benefits are: reduces waste, prevents pollution, protects wild life and improves biodiversity. She then travelled to another national park, Amboseli, which is dominated by Mt Kilimanjaro which is over the border in Tanzania. Again she had a wonderful time and saw so many different game animals and birds. She headed for Mombasa at the end of her trip and relaxed on the fantastic white sand and blue sea beaches for a few days. Before she left to fly home, in Nairobi, she visited a medical training college to meet some trainee occupational therapists. Claire is an occupational therapist and was interested there training and what employment there is in Kenya for them. Unfortunately not a lot. She finished up her talk with a lot of interesting facts about Kenya and the people. She found the people friendly, always smiling, willing to help anyone, trusting in strangers and very happy. Trish thanked Claire for coming at such short notice to give such a wonderful, informative and interesting talk. All the members agreed.

Whilst we were having tea/coffee and biscuits we discussed our next meeting in November when Tony Rea, one of the finalists in the 2023 sewing bee is coming to give a talk about the show and beyond. The meeting will be open to visitors and there will be a Christmas buffet afterwards. Visitors will pay £5. All was organised for members on the door, raffle, food and in the kitchen.

The flower competition was: 1, Sue Williams; 2, Sue Hicks; 3, Liz Fisher. The flowers were brought by Sue Williams and given to secretary Trish Shanks for her hard work organising the programme for this season and managing to arrange a replacement speaker for the evening. She was delighted with the flowers and thanked everyone.

The meeting closed at 9.15pm.

‘Confidence with computers’ was the subject of a discussion led by member Jim.

Jim started by saying that confidence was the main barrier to making more use of computers and smartphones. Jim covered two main areas of use - doing tasks and security. He emphasised that computers are very forgiving of mistakes and rarely irreversibly corrupted. It is important not to take on too much at one go, and is best to learn about tasks as you need to do them.

With regard to doing tasks, the discussion covered emails, texts and documents. The members were made aware of other programmes, many of which were available free through apps. Specific reference was made to on-line and phone banking, of particular relevance with local bank branches closing. In Jim’s opinion on-line banking was initially time consuming to set up but subsequently easy to use. Members were concerned about security and measures such as use of good passwords and anti-virus software were discussed.

With regard to security a number of additional measures were outlined. These included avoiding the downloading of suspicious emails, particularly attachments, and not giving away sensitive or personal information. Jim warned that storing information such as passwords on your computer or phone made them particularly vulnerable to access by hackers. Overall Jim said trust your instincts, and if in doubt, don’t!

Saving of information was recognised as being critical. Essentially this needs to be done frequently and on a separate device from your computer, such as a plug in hard drive. This was highlighted as being particularly important for irreplaceable items such as photos.

Jim was then thanked for leading the discussion and it was agreed that there was scope for another meeting on the topic at a later date.

The second October meeting was an illustrated talk on St Thomas Priory.

Are you interested in becoming a Probus member? We meet regularly on the second and fourth Mondays to be entertained by a speaker or partake in an outside visit

For further information on past and future activities of Probus, including talks and visits, visit the website at probusclub.net/launcestoncornwalluk/ which also gives details on how to contact us.

Members welcomed back Mr David Goodyear to continue his look at Britain’s Railways in the landscape through the seasons He started with a number of pictures from the Summer season showing various diesel hauled trains on the south coast of Devon in the 1990’s. There were shots of steam on the Looe branch to mark the 150th anniversary of the branch.

Into autumn the Bodmin Railway was covered with pictures of both Beattie well tanks and the T9 when they were resident and operational on the branch.

A number of other heritage railways around the country were also shown. On the national network Yeoford station was shown in the autumn with pictures of the pacer units that had once run on the Barnstaple branch. There were some wonderful pictures of the Calstock viaduct and the surrounding Tamar valley in the Autumn colours.

Moving on to Winter it was back to the Barnstaple branch with a train in the snow of 2010. Exeter was also seen during a covering of snow. Snow was also seen on both the West Somerset Railway and the South Devon Railway.

David’s way of capturing any railway scene in the landscape is excellent and many of the pictures he showed are available in number of books he has produced.

The next meeting is on November 15. Doug Boden from Cornwall Council will give a presentation about the Mid Cornwall Metro. This will be followed by a presentation about Connect Launceston given by Ewan Murray.

For their October meeting Launceston Stamp Club members were entertained by Ian Knight from the Taw and Torridge Stamp Club.

Ian gave a display and talk on the history and stamps of Lundy Island. His talk was well researched and right up to date with the stamps with many scarce items.

Peter Parsons led Rehoboth Singalong Harvest Thanksgiving on October 13.

He spoke on "the harvest of souls" and described the great revivals under Evan Roberts (Welsh), and Duncan Campbell (Hebridean). Rebecca Martin delighted the greater than usual congregation with a rendition on her flute of Frederick Handel's, "He shall feed his flock" from Messiah.

Rebecca's two little daughters gave poems spoken with excellent diction and clarity. Barbara Uglow played the organ for the hymns.

The chapel was elegantly decorated by the ladies of the chapel who also prepared a harvest supper feast which included beef pasties and a large chocolate cake. The charity box continues at the back of the chapel. The good work of the chapel prospers, and has seen membership more than double in the past four years.

On Thursday, October 3, the president of Altarnun WI Kate Sibborn, welcomed twelve members and two visitors to the meeting.

She then introduced Megan Bass, a pupil at Launceston College, who used to live in Treween with her family and now lives in Bude. She was a member of Penpont Players drama group from a very young age and is now an active member of the Sterts Company.

Having seen an advertisement asking for volunteers to join other students on an expedition to a Ugandan school, Megan filled in the application straight away and after answering many questions was accepted, much to her delight. The hard work then began as all the students had to raise enough money to fund the trip and through several fund-raising activities and also taking on two part-time jobs, she raised enough to guarantee herself a place.

Along with 19 other students, Megan began the journey from Launceston via Gatwick, Entebbe and finally an eight-hour bus drive to Bunjakko School in Uganda. The school both educates and houses orphaned and under privileged children giving them the chance of a better future.

The students had taken with them several suitcases containing materials to be used to repair, improve and expand the school as well as personal items such as clothing, soaps, toothpaste etc plus toys which were distributed to young children when they visited an orphanage, a visit that had a profound effect on all the students.

While there all the students immersed themselves in the daily routine of the school, cooking, cleaning etcetera but also enjoying time with the children, learning about their culture through play and even trying out local music and dance.

There was time for a shopping trip to buy books for the school but also for souvenirs, some of which Megan brought to show us. Megan says she would go back tomorrow and will do should the chance arrive, and it was obvious that the experience had a life changing effect on all the students.

So well done to Megan for her presentation and to all the students for the work they have been doing in Uganda and thank you for a very enjoyable evening.

After Gwen Naylor gave a vote of thanks to Megan, the visitors left the meeting, and the business side of the meeting then took over.

The minutes of the last meeting were confirmed, and members were reminded that the ‘WI Carol Concert’ this year will be held at Lanhydrock on Friday, December 13, at 3pm. Admission is free but as places will be limited tickets must be applied for in advance.

The Altarnun WI Christmas Coffee Morning will be on Saturday, December 7, together with the draw for the Christmas Hamper. The date of our next meeting is Thursday, November 7, at 7.30pm in the Village Hall when we have a talk by Brian Farmer on the Moorland Distillery.

Finally, the Christmas Lunch has been booked on December 12 at The Kings Head. Menus will be available to select main courses in advance.

"Trafalgar" October 21, 1805, was celebrated by a warm mixture of Members & Guests at The Falcon Hotel on Saturday, October 19.

Two local villages and a town were represented by WWII RN vessels on each table setting: HMS Kilkhampton, HMS Bude and HMS Tetcott.

Branch president Chris Darwin was CO for the evening and welcomed all on the night and subsequently with an interesting and revealing assessment of Horatio Nelson and his service, his tactics, his victory and his demise onboard HMS Victory. Table service was swift and efficient (thank you Mahlia and your team) and the fayre very enjoyable.

The Branch was also celebrating 35 years in existence, all started by that "lightbulb moment" between two very good ex-RN friends to create a Bude Branch of RNA. From an initial "Worthy Dozen", branch strength has grown, despite the inevitable "losses" along the way. Honorary secretary provided an account of that "passage" to the strong numbers we currently enjoy as branch members, despite the fact that they are spread somewhat widely around the country. Commissioned August 1989, we have met at a small selection of venues in the Bude area and are now tied up alongside at The Falcon.

The toast to Lord Nelson was taken, proposed by S/m Tom Downie, "To the Memory".

Following the final course, the branch's annual trophies were announced. "The Mick Philp Tankard" nominated by the current branch auctioneer to the member who had done most during the year (October to September) towards the raffle and auction: S/m Chris Darwin (president). "The Golden Spanner Award" (voted individually by those present at September meeting) for the member who had provided most buffoonery etcetera, during the year: John "Tanky" Williams, Branch Rum Bos'n (the eighth occasion!) Also individually voted at September meeting, was "The Shipmate of the Year". A model fire engine spanning back to the earliest days to the person(s) who had done most for the branch October to September: Jointly awarded to S/ms Steve Cowling (PRO) and John "Tanky" Williams.

The final trophy on display, was the Area 4 annual "Mike & Mary Hannah Cup" award to the Area 4 branch with the highest increase in full branch membership in 2023. With an increase of 30 per cent Bude were recipients — it will take a serious effort to retain it next time!

The Loyal Toast was taken (seated, to avoid hitting heads on the overhead beams), proposed by President Chris.

A thoroughly enjoyable event. All are invited to join again in 2025.

Bude & District U3A members held their annual general meeting (AGM) last Thursday, October 17, at the Parkhouse Centre, Bude. Before the official proceedings began, members and guests had an opportunity to visit the groups exhibition tables which offered a view of the various activities available through the U3A groups.

Tina Hyndman, the 2023/24 chair, read the notices and then welcomed everyone to the official business of the afternoon. A number of apologies were recorded and the minutes of the 2023 AGM were approved. Tina went on to present the chair’s annual report. She began by saying that it had been ‘a pleasure and a privilege to serve as chair for the past three years’. ‘It’s hard to believe’, she said, ‘that when I took over we were still living under post-pandemic restrictions’. Now, after a slight dip during COVID, membership is at an all-time high.

The two monthly coffee mornings remain popular and speakers at the open monthly meetings have taken us to distant places as well as covering very local topics, Tina continued. There was a special thank you to speaker secretary, Valerie Langdown, who has arranged the monthly meeting talks for the past five years and is stepping down from the role.

Tina went on to remind everyone that ‘the basic principle of U3A is that it is a co-operative run by the members for the members’. ‘I believe that each and every member can make a difference, and every member, if able, should be volunteering in some way’, she added, and went on to mention and thank several members who have volunteered to help at monthly meetings and coffee mornings.

Next Tina thanked the ‘awesome’ group leaders of the (currently) 37 activity groups, the newest one being ‘Allotmenteering’ (practical gardening). She added that groups co-ordinator, Ian Dew, is always open to ideas for starting new groups.

Turning next to the elected committee, Tina reminded members that: “We are a registered charity, and as Trustees the members of the Committee are responsible for ensuring our compliance with the financial and legal requirements of the Charities Commission. The Chairman is ultimately responsible for everything that happens, but it is not as daunting as it may sound if you are as lucky as I have been to have a brilliant, hardworking and dedicated team in support.”

She then thanked each committee member while saying something about their individual roles and contributions.

Tina’s report ended with a further thank you to all volunteers. She said that the friendships she has made during her time as Chair ‘have been second to none’. She concluded: “We have something very special here in Bude & District U3A. It's up to all of us together to keep it going so that we can all continue to Learn, Laugh and Live.”

The report was greeted by applause and was then accepted. In the absence of treasurer Robert Cole, the Accounts for the year were presented by vice chairman Jim Buck and duly accepted by the members present.

Elections for officers and committee came next. Having served as chair for three years, Tina was stepping down in line with the requirements of the U3A constitution. Jim Buck was then elected chairman for 2024/25 and Robert Cole was re-elected as treasurer.

Elected as committee members were: Nick Faulks, Denise Weller, Ian Dew, Sheila Mahoney, Mary Dobson, Pam Williams, Kay Lillie and Anna Crew.

Tina was presented with a bouquet of flowers and roundly thanked for her time as U3A chair.

A general knowledge quiz, complied by Wilf Diggle, rounded off a successful afternoon.

The talk at the next open meeting on November 21 is on the History of Bude Sea Pool. Deb Rosser is the speaker. Information on Bude U3A, group activities, and other events can be found on the U3A website at: www.budeu3a.co.uk

The AGM of Holsworthy Hamlets Flower Club took place on October 8 at the Holsworthy Methodist Hall. Several members were present and they were invited to observe a minutes silence in memory of Committee member Geraldine Gifford who had passed away recently. The minutes of 2023 AGM were read by Mary Barfett, secretary. The chairman's and treasurer's report were presented and thanks were expressed to the auditor. The 2023 committee were re-elected with the intention of further members elected when available. Proposed Maralyn Bailey and seconded by Bernadette Sluggett. The committee were thanked for all the work they do during the year.

Mention was made of the very successful lunch and garden visit made to celebrate the club's 40th anniversary and the wonderful Ruby Anniversary demonstration by Elaine Reynolds which was followed by cutting a celebration cake. Members were thanked for their support to fundraising events during the year. Three members were thanked for arranging the Flower Club exhibit at Holsworthy Show. Club and area forthcoming events were advertised. For many years Holsworthy Hamlets Flower Club have maintained the garden in Manor Court as a contribution to the town but committee and members are now disillusioned with the state of the surrounding area and it was decided reluctantly that Mrs Harris should contact Torridge District Council with this decision and remove the plaque erected previously.

After the meeting closed a foliage workshop took place and what lovely arrangements were created.

The next meeting will be on November 12 at 7.30pm at Methodist Hall, Bodmin Street when florist Danielle Stephens will be the demonstrator. Everyone welcome.