THE first Open Meeting of the New Year for Crediton and District U3A (University of the Third Age) saw a full house and included 14 new members.

We all gathered to listen to Dr Tim Harrod talk about digging up Dartmoor. Tim is a soil scientist and mapped North-East Dartmoor as a retirement project (500 days of work).

We learned about how soil affects agriculture, ecology, water quality and where and how people live. Tim mentioned memorials he had come across: to Ted Hughes, Frank Whittle and Siegfried Marian.

He spoke about wartime relics – anti-glider defences (sharp poles, pointy sides up!) and the embankments where American engineers practised building railways and bridges before the D-Day landings. A fascinating talk – thank you Tim.

The next open meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 20 and will include a talk by Stewart Raine entitled “History of the British Music Hall”.

At the March 20 meeting Anne and Martin Grieg will talk about “Croeso I Cymru/Welcome to Wales”.

The meeting will take place at the Boniface Centre (doors open at 9.30am for a 10.15am start.

An organisation such as U3A needs a committee. If you would like to join the team working “behind the scenes” we would welcome you – please come along to a committee meeting to see what goes on and how you can help.

For more information please contact our Chair David Agasee on telephone 01363 775698.

The Crediton and District Third Age Group is a not-for-profit organisation with a variety of member-led groups to join.

Jo Poulton