WEA Programme

Stop Press: Forty five members are on this course, the highest number on roll for many years!!

The Spring Course, “The Weather and Climate of the British Isles” began on Tuesday 9th January in Helmdon School. The tutor, Greg Spellman, aims to explore the weather’s fundamental characteristics, and to examine the main mechanisms that explain its day to day changes. Further topics include the meteorology of extreme events (with case studies), a discussion of regional climates of the British Isles, and the application of climatic knowledge.

The interest in weather in Britain is always immense, with talk about it often a prelude to a conversation whether with friends or strangers, and there has also been increasing talk of global warming recently, and concern about the disastrous floods just before Christmas, so the course could not have been more timely. Thirty seven people showed their interest on the first Tuesday, and they were not disappointed. Greg Spellman’s teaching style included the use of satellite images and charts, and a copy of the day’s weather map, so the first evening of the course was very satisfying.

The fact that the moon was in eclipse added spice to the first evening – we dutifully traipsed outside the school to inspect it! NB. There will not be a half term break.

Outing to Swindon Railway Museum, 21st April 2001
The day was a great success – a report will appear here shortly.

Summer Event
There is a branch summer event at The Old Glebe, Radstone Road, by kind permission of Will Watson, on Tuesday 26 June (regretfully, because of numbers, for members (and partners) of the “Weather Class” only).

It WILL be a lovely summer evening (!), and the garden will be open from 6.00 pm for members to wander round, look at the plants and chat. A pot luck supper will be available from 7.15. (If you have not yet given in your slip to Ann Smith please phone her on [phone number removed]).

After suppper, Jenny Burt will talk about “The Plant Hunters”, illustrating her talk with plants from Will’s garden.