PRESIDENT Angela Stearn welcomed members to the first meeting of the autumn session.

After the dismal August weather, the planned talk on the beautiful island of Madeira was much appreciated.

This was presented by group secretary Sandra Boreham, who recently went on holiday there.

The island is a green, subtropical paradise of volcanic origin and is famous for its beautiful scenery, flowers and unique embroidery.

A toboggan ride down the mountain is a challenge for tourists.

Samples of real Madeira cake and sweetmeats were much enjoyed.

On September 23, a warm welcome was given to Wolff Wahle, who gave an interesting and amusing talk entitled From the Other Side of the Wire.

Wolff was born in Berlin and after school, trained as an insurance clerk. He was called up at the age of 17 into the German Air Force.

He was involved in action in 1944 and taken prisoner at Dieppe, eventually being shipped to England where he worked in agriculture in the Midlands.

After taking English lessons and mastering the language, he secured promotion in the camp.

Wolff was discharged in 1948 but opted to stay, having married an English girl, and has now resided here for 59 happy years.