THE latest speaker was Professor Roy Peacock, an eminent scientist and author. He holds a Chair in Aerospace Sciences at the University of Pisa.

His subject was 'Entrances and Exits' and he began by saying we are all interested in where we came from and where we are going.

Scientists search for knowledge but the trouble is scientists ask the question how and now why.

Speaking with humour and communicating in layman's terms, what followed was a fascinating insight into the history of science. Nearly 60 years ago Redditch Society was founded in order to provide talks just like this one.

It stimulated thought and developed awareness of the great scientific achievements of Aristotle, Copernicus, Tycho Brahe, Galileo, Kepler, Sir Isaac Newton -and others.

As Professor Peacock taught at Pisa, it was easy to access the diaries of Galileo. He said Newton's law of universal gravitation had been replaced by Einstein's theory of relativity but when he said that science now suggests gravity may not exist, members of the audience were concerned.

He singled out the first two Laws of Thermodynamics, fundamental to all science and engineering, as the laws that contributed most - the first on heat energy (Joule) and the second on the Theory of Entropy (Carnot).

This meant we can never go back to the beginning or point of initiation. Nothing could be done to change our end as Entropy or chaos can never decrease.

This was a sobering thought in terms of our future but his lecture ended on quite a different note. He told of his atheism and conversion to Christianity and then pointed out so many of his scientific heroes like James Clerk Maxwell and Sir William Thomson were Christians.

Members appreciated the story of the great Michael Faraday who once left The Royal Institute while Prince Albert was thanking him for a wonderful lecture because he didn't want to miss a prayer meeting nearby.

Although he did not overstate the fact, clearly his faith provides an answer for him which his science alone hadn't, although clearly they often go hand in hand.

The next meeting will take place at 7.30pm on Friday at Trinity High School when Mike Richter, Customs and Excise Officer, Birmingham International Airport, will talk on HM Customs and Excise.

Visitors welcome, call 01386 792082 for details.