THE immense variety both of landscape and places of interest which comprise Warwickshire and the West Midlands was the topic of the most recent meeting, when the speaker was Bernard Pumfrey, well known to several generations of Alcester scholars for his work as a popular teacher in local schools.

Mr Pumphrey's object was to point out the rich heritage contained within our area by highlighting places which could be visited within the distance of about 30 miles or else about an hour's journey by car.

The whole talk was accompanied by an excellent selection of slides.

The City of Birmingham itself provided the first port of call, with several places of interest brought to the audience's attention, ranging from Aston Hall, dating from the time when the village of Aston was actually of greater size and importance than the lowly Birmingham, which has only been a city for just over 100 years.

Aston Hall, with its numerous leaded windows and annual illumination by candlelight, was once owned by the famous James Watt.

Lacey Hall in nearby Yardley is of even older vintage, being an ancient black and white timbered building which belonged to another famous Birmingham family, the Smallbrooks, after whom Smallbrook Ringway was named.

Birmingham City Art Gallery is another nearby treat, housing one of the largest collections of pre-Raphaelite paintings in the world and the only known painting of Oliver Cromwell, which was actually painted from life.

Birmingham Cathedral is a fine baroque building dating from 1750 and its interior is unique in that it is the only such building which has galleries. Sir Edward Burne-Jones created the brilliant stained glass windows.

Moving further afield is Hagley Hall, a great Palladian house, which has some of the finest plasterwork to be seen in England. Nearby is the Glyne Arms pub, which leans in much the same way as the leaning tower of Pisa due to old mine workings and which has to be regularly inspected by the Health and Safety Executive.

Among many other places which Mr Pumfrey recommended to visit was the Black Country Museum and the magnificent new art gallery at Wolverhampton, which continues to revitalise the whole surrounding area.

Nearby is the smallest church in Warwickshire, that of St James in Alveston.

After a wonderfully knowledgeable and humorous ramble around these neglected parts of our area, Mr Pumphrey answered questions from the audience before receiving a warm round of applause.

The next meeting on September 13 will feature the City of Birmingham archaeologist Dr M Hodder, whose subject will, not unnaturally, be "Archaeology in Birmingham".

Meetings are held at the Greig Hall, Alcester, starting at 8pm, when members and non-members are welcome.