MARTYN Harrison visited us telling us about the many stars of the musicals including Charlie Chaplin, Ivor Novello, Andrew Lloyd Webber and many others.

Another star was Harry Secombe and he told us how he met Spike Milligan during the war in the desert and “the rest is history” as they went on to to create the Goon Show.

Martyn also entertained us, singing hit songs from the West End shows and telling amusing stories. Flower of the month, a daffodil, was won by Monica Bidgood. Some of the members attended the Spring Group Meeting, held at Orsett Village Hall.

Speaker Barbara Faulkner’s talk was entitled Love That Hat, an interesting and funny talk on the history of millinery with a collection of hats modelled by three ladies from the audience.

Our institute’s April meeting found us enjoying the beautiful and breathtaking views of the Lake District shown by Dudley Chignall, as he told us about Beatrix Potter’s life and the books she wrote and illustrated when living in the Lake District.

These 23 books have been translated into 35 languages. Bea Richardson won flower of the month with her tulip.