Stroud Probus: Arthur Ball from Cheltenham Bird Club, with a presentation entitled ‘Birds, tigers and the Taj’

THE president Peter Nairn welcomed Arthur Ball from Cheltenham Bird Club, who was the guest speaker for the second June meeting with a presentation entitled ‘Birds, tigers and the Taj’.

He explained that some members of the organisation to which he belongs thought it would be a good ideal to visit India on a bird watching trip, and although at first he was somewhat reluctant he decided to go.

It proved to be a fascinating holiday during which he took numerous slides and we were treated to various aspects of life in India.

In addition to seeing wonderful pictures of birds, there being 284 different species, he also showed the contrast between abject poverty and the beautiful hotels where they were accommodated.

He also took various pictures of transport where people would ride on the tops of trains and buses and in one instance he photographed a family of six on one motorcycle.

In one particular location they went out on elephants and he was lucky enough to photograph tigers, which are now protected by game wardens, although a certain amount of poaching still goes on.

The bones and skins supposedly contain medicinal properties which are much sought after in China.

The group also visited the Taj Mahal at Agra which is said to be one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and was built by the Mogul Emperor Shah Jeham as a tomb for his favourite wife who died at the age of thirty-nine when giving birth to her eleventh child.

The presentation was of such quality that members agreed it was a shame it had to end.

Our next meeting is at 10.15am on Wednesday, July 13, at the Cotswold Bowling Centre, Dudbridge, Stroud, where ample free parking is available, and Probus is open to all retired men.

On this date Richard Osler will be the guest speaker with a talk entitled ‘Flying one day into the next’.