The Ridgeway Local History Group met on Thursday evening to hear Judith Barrow speak on German prisoner of war camps (writes R.G.).

Almost the first thing Judith said was "I'm no historian" and then gave a really interesting talk which was the result of hours of painstaking research.

Judith, who says she now teaches creative writing, is a very able speaker. Her account of the mass breakout from Island Farm, near Bridgend, was fascinating. All the prisoners were re-captured before they left Britain and one felt almost sorry for them after so much effort - digging through clay using empty tin cans! They sawed legs off their beds to use as props which puzzled everyone. Surely the camp guards would have noticed beds suddenly close to the floor!

At the end of her talk she answered questions and several members of the audience added anecdotes of their own.

Our next meeting will be on November 6, at 7.30, when Sue Baldwin will speak on the history of sea bathing. Please note, we now meet at Jameston Village Hall.