Last Friday evening's programme was presented by two of our members, Ann Draper and Ros Oak (writes J.R.). The title was 'More Stately Homes', and was in similar vein to the first programme last season.

Ann Draper began with a visit to Cuba she had made last year. This was an absorbing programme which showed how historical events have affected life there in so many ways.

Firstly the architecture of the old buildings reflected the Spanish colonial era, especially in the surviving cathedral and other religious houses.

The Revolution in 1959 has left its mark on wrecked buildings, pock-marked by heavy gunfire and still waiting to be repaired. State finances cannot cover the expense this would require.

Transport is very primitive with bicycle taxis, horse-drawn carriages and old-fashioned cars the main methods of getting about.

Broken down guns and other military items are left lying by the wayside, relics of the American occupation during the confrontation with the Russians in the late 20th century.

In the countryside farming is organically worked as there are no funds for expensive fertilisers. Horses are used in place of modern tractors.

Anne's pictures showed us the beauty of the whole island with its rocky mountains and its fertile valleys. In the far distance we even glimpsed the infamous Guantanamo Bay Prison Camp. But in spite of a general atmosphere of deprivation and poverty, the Cuban people seemed cheerful and welcoming.

It was a very interesting and revealing programme.

In the second part of the evening, Ros Oak brought us back to Great Britain via a short visit to Calais with its ancient and modern buildings, its horse-drawn carriages and its harbour of sailing ships.

Back in England, we visited Canterbury and its impressive cathedral where we were shown Thomas a Becket's shrine and many other historical icons, including the beautiful stained glass windows.

Then, after a brief look at St. David's Cathedral, we travelled to the Cotswolds where, in Chipping Campden, we were reminded of the thriving wool trade of the 19th and 20th centuries in this area. We admired the warm stone cottages along the hilly lanes of Stow-on-the-Wold, and the placid river flowing through Bourton-on-the-Water.

Moving north to Chester, the Victorian clock in the centre of the town was a great attraction, as was the cathedral close by. Outside the town, narrow boats still plied the canal with its five locks.

Ros concluded her travels with a quick look at Highclere Castle, near Newbury, and Sudeley Castle with its numerous historical connections.

These trips north and south of the country had been a pleasant reminder of all the beautiful places in our own country.

In both parts of the presentation we had the benefit of good photography and interesting commentaries which gave us all a very enjoyable evening.

Tonight (Friday), Sally Moss returns to the Arts Club with 'Graham Sutherland in Wales'. Non-members are welcome. Admission of £2 members, £4 non-members. Starting at 8 pm in St. Johns Church Hall. Hearing loop in operation.