ON September 6 at the Baptist Church, Alvechurch, Walter Brown, assisted by his wife Madge, gave a talk and slide show on The Life and Works of Charles Dickens.

The talk covered Dickens' life as a clerk in a solicitor's office, journalist and publisher. There were no copyright royalties in those days and Dickens made his money by publishing instalments in newspapers and journals, for which he was paid.

Later in life he gave talks and lectures both in the UK and abroad.

Dickens died in 1870 at the age of 58 after a stroke and is buried in Poets Corner, Westminster Abbey, although he would have preferred to be buried in his beloved Rochester (where there is now a Dickens Centre).

A small group of members went to Nidderdale in Yorkshire for a long weekend.

The numbers were much decreased due to the fact it was thought many paths would still be closed due to the foot and mouth crisis.

However, all the paths were open, the weather was lovely and those who went thoroughly enjoyed the trip. There were some stiff climbs but worth it for the wonderful views.

On September 20, Gordon Forest entertained members with a talk and slides on the Wildlife of Chaddesley Woods.

Mr Forest is a representative of Worcestershire Wild Life Trust, which now has 10,000 members and 2,000 acres of reserve, of which Chaddesley Woods was the first.

Members saw slides of wild animals - fox, deer and badger to name but a few - and many birds also.

He actually found that a tramp had moved in with the badgers for a short while.

Mr Forest had copies of the book he had written about the subject, which were available to buy.

September 23 found 14 members enjoying a canal walk led by Brian Michie. It was just a morning walk which followed the towpath from Tardebigge to the Queen's Head, followed by a circuit of lanes then rejoining the canal.

For membership details, call 870708.