Upton St Leonards WI with a talk on SS Great Britain

DISCOVER the man beneath the hat - yes, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, one of our finest inventors of the Victoria era, a visionary builder of our railways, Bristol Suspension Bridge and a builder of three great ships.

SS Gt Britain, his second ship was the worlds first transatlantic liner, the first ocean going steamship with an iron hull and driven by a propeller.

Launched on July 19, 1843, by Prince Albert from Pattersons Boat Yard, 38 years after the Battle of Trafalgar.

Welcomed back home to her original berth she has been lovingly restored for us all to view in dry dock beneath the glass sea.

A warm round of applause was given to our speaker, Mr Ian Caskie followed by a vote of thanks from Marlene.

After tea and biscuits the business followed.

Lynne welcomed a visitor whom we hope to see again.

The Lunch Club meet at Fagins Brookthorpe on Tuesday, Februay 26.

Judy is holding a sewing workshop on Thursday, April 4 – cost £12.50 – all welcome.

All other news in the GFWU news sheet.

On Tuesday, May 14, we have organised a coach trip to Kew Gardens.

The cost is £34.

We still have seats in the coach.

Anyone interested please contact Angela Harris 01452 616755 for details.

We meet again on Monday, March 4, 7.30pm, Upton Village Hall for a 'social evening' which is a change to our advertised programme.