THE group held its AGM at the last meeting of the 2005 season. The chairman reported another successful season. Membership had increased and finances were healthy.

He thanked Anne Fox and her team for arranging a programme of interesting speakers and a number of well-attended trips. There being no fresh nominations, Harry Hodgson was re-elected as chairman and Janet Thomas as secretary. The existing committee was re-elected.

The chairman then introduced the speaker, Tim Bridges, who spoke about churches in Warwickshire and Worcestershire, a chronological journey from Saxon times to the present day. He illustrated his talk with some interesting slides.

Studley Church is a 12th century building on an earlier site. It is built from local stones, grey and red. Droitwich Church reflects the area's connections with salt extraction. It is situated on the site of a Roman fort and is dedicated to St Augustine, a rare dedication in England.

Wootton Wawen is an Anglo-Saxon monastic church. The oldest parts are the central tower and the round topped arches. Worcester cathedral has a crypt, begun in the 1080s, which incorporates Saxon work.

Many churches show growth from early Saxon beginnings, through Norman, Gothic and Early English styles. Fourteenth century buildings are more ornate - the style known as "decorated". This style is often found in churches which were in places made prosperous by the developing wool industry, as at Brailes and Shipston.

Old tombs give clues as to the clothing of the wealthy people buried there. During the reign of Henry VIII there was much change brought about by the dissolution of the monasteries. Churches were changed from monastic to parish churches. The pulpit was raised and box pews introduced. The significance of the chancel was reduced. Roman Catholic priests went into hiding, often in priest holes as may be seen at Harvington Hall and Coughton Court.

In the 17th and 18th centuries classical design was revived especially in the design of memorials. Designed by Thomas Archer, Birmingham cathedral is of this period with the addition of Pre-Raphaelite stained glass windows. Wythall Church is an example of the elaborate designs of the Arts and Crafts movement. In recent times churches have been built in older styles as the Catholic church at Coughton Court.

Cookhill looks medieval but is really a 19th century restoration.

Medieval churches were bright places, full of colour but with grim paintings of what was in store if one did not live according to the rules.

A lot of this colour and symbolism was destroyed by Henry's henchman, Thomas Cromwell.

The rest was smashed by the Puritans during the Commonwealth period. The atmosphere of holy gloom in some churches was the work of the Victorians. Today, churches are trying to bring back happiness and colour into people's lives.