THE group welcomed a new member to our January meeting and birthday wishes were given to two members. Names of people wishing to attend the Spring Meeting on April 9 was requested.

The Annual General Meeting is to be held at the Cliffs Pavilion on March 6 and names were taken of those people wishing to attend although tickets were restricted.

We then had the pleasure of welcoming Ian Currie who spoke to us about gales, greenhouses and global warming illustrated with some lovely slides.

advertisement We were reminded of the various climate changes over the centuries. Of the severe winters, the gales, the Thames being frozen over in 1740 and how our climate is now becoming warmer. Pat Crawley thanked him for a very interesting and thought provoking talk.

After refreshments the raffle was drawn. The winners of the competition A hat' were:1st Phyliss Ford; 2nd Jean McManus; 3rd Pat Crawley.

Next meeting is February 6 at Orsett Village Hall at 7.30pm. Visitors are always most welcome.