AT the October meeting, Maurice Abney-Hastings gave a talk on Donkeys, Mysteries and Houses in France when he followed in the steps of Robert Louis Stevenson's visit to France 125 years ago, recounted in his book Travels with a Donkey.

He went on to speak of houses bought by foreigners in the country and the mysteries of the Knights Templars, a religious order formed in the 12th century in Jerusalem to protect pilgrims to the Holy Land.

Mr Abney-Hastings was thanked by vice-chairman Mrs E Payne.

At the November meeting, Miss Anne Dickers, JP, will be the speaker on Pot Pourri.