Ealing

2023 Talks

AUTUMN TERM 2023

For the AUTUMN term 2023, our Thursday morning meetings continued to be held as 'hybrid' meetings, where many members attend the talks in Ealing Green Church whilst we also broadcast them over Zoom for members to watch from home. Details of the talks this term are shown below and this also includes information on any recordings of these talks that are available. All speakers were present in Ealing Green Church, unless otherwise shown.

• Thur 14th December (EGC + Zoom) - A Seasonal Entertainment (A Musical quiz of all types of music which was followed by coffee/tea and mince pies) presented by Ealing U3A Members Sylvia Stirling and Juliet Edwards. The answer sheet to the quiz can be found here : Musical Entertainment Quiz

A recording of this session is now available - for information on accessing this please contact the Webmaster

• Thur 7th December (EGC + Zoom) - Rubber - a stolen resource (Rubber is used in around 50,000 products today and was originally harvested only in South America. Today it is also widely grown in Africa and Southeast Asia owing to some wily bio-piracy. The characteristics, uses and development of rubber were briefly outlined alongside a very personal interest Jean has in this product, plus all the usual tangents!) with Jean Brewster, Ealing U3A member and ex-University of West London lecturer in Linguistic Science.

A recording of this talk is now available - for information on accessing this please contact the Webmaster

• Thur 30th November (EGC + Zoom) - An American President in Ealing – the diaries of John Quincy Adams (Based on the book produced by the Little Ealing History Group the talk covers the period between 1815 and 1817 when John Quincy Adams (the future 6th President of the United States of America) lived in Ealing. He kept a detailed diary which gives a picture of life in the area at the time) with Mary Woods, member of the Little Ealing History Group.

A recording of this talk is now available - for information on accessing this please contact the Webmaster

• Thur 23rd November (Zoom) - Of Crowns and Coronations (King Charles III was crowned in Westminster Abbey on Sat 6th May 2023. The coronation marked the high point of a long wait for the throne and a deeply symbolic and religious occasion. We hadn’t had the like for almost 70 years. This talk examined crowns and coronations from the 9th century BCE Egyptian Pharaohs, through the Hebrew Biblical narrative and onwards into the Anglo-Saxon and Norman world. Later still the development of high medieval monarchy, Empire and constitutional monarchy, down to our present time) with The Rev Dr Nicholas Henderson who was formerly bishop-elect for the Diocese of Lake Malawi, Central Africa. He has lectured widely and has a particular interest in relating history to the present time.

A recording of this talk is now available - for information on accessing this please contact the Webmaster. Please note that, at the request of the speaker, this will only be available until the end of March 2024.

• Thur 9th November (EGC + Zoom) - The Customs and Traditions of the City of London (This talk explored the colourful pageantry, customs and ceremonies in the City of London’s ‘Square Mile’; the Churches, Worshipful Companies and Civic customs, including the popular annual Lord Mayor’s Show. Many of these traditions are survivals from the Middle Ages and are remarkable for having resisted all political and social challenges) with Mark Lewis, a freelance artist, designer-silversmith, semi-retired university lecturer and public speaker. He is also a folklorist and has been a member of the Folklore Society since 1987.

A recording of this talk is now available - for information on accessing this please contact the Webmaster

• Thur 2nd November (EGC + Zoom) - How London was built – an engineer’s viewpoint (London is one of the world’s great cities, but how did it come to be built as it is. This talk looked at the key development decisions, building designers, buildings, and building materials that enabled London to grow from a sparsely populated riverside into the City we know today) with Alan Browne, Ealing U3A member and a Chartered Civil Engineer who, during his career, focussed on the design and construction of buildings, the majority of which were in London.

A recording of this talk is now available - for information on accessing this please contact the Webmaster

• Thur 26th October (EGC + Zoom) - Photographic Competition 2023 Results (The results of this year’s Ealing u3a Photographic Competition and award of the prizes) with Ian Richardson, a long-time Ealing U3A member and retired journalist, author and foreign correspondent, who chaired the judging panel for this year's competition. This was followed by a short talk Photography - Is it Art? (this talk gave a brief history of Photography and discussed whether Photography can be considered to be Art) by Jill Thumpston, a long-time Ealing U3A member who often leads discussions in our Art Appreciation Group.

Recordings of both the Photo Competition results and the talk following are now available - for information on accessing this please contact the Webmaster

• Thur 12th October (EGC + Zoom) - The History of South-West France (A journey through the South-west region of France from a geographical, touristic, and historical point of view, as well as an exploration the gastronomy and wine making (Bordeaux wines) of the region) with Eve Cowell, who is French, married to an Englishman and has lived in the UK for over 30 years. Eve comes from Toulouse, has a great knowledge of this multifaceted area of France and is now a full-time healer and medium.

A recording of this talk is now available - for information on accessing this please contact the Webmaster

• Thur 5th October (Zoom) - Morality and Melodrama in paintings (Paintings with a moral message - often shown in a melodramatic manner – are a staple of paintings, particularly during the Victorian period. This talk was a survey of heroes and villains, the pious and the non-religious, the fallen women, the unfaithful men, and more) with Colin Lomas, Ealing U3A member who had a career in education, as teacher and lecturer in maths and computing. He studied art history at the V and A museum and began giving lectures on art history.

A recording of this talk is now available - for information on accessing this please contact the Webmaster and a copy of Colin's notes for this talk can be found at Morality and Melodrama Handout.

• Thur 28th September (EGC + Zoom) - For Your Freedom and Ours – The Polish Air Force in the West (An account of how so many members of the Polish Air Force reached the UK in 1940, after fighting in Poland and France, and of the role then played by the Polish Air Force to the end of the war. RAF Northolt was home to the most successful squadron in the Battle of Britain – 303 Polish – and their story figures strongly. The talk was extensively illustrated with pictures from the album of General Franciszek Kornicki, the speaker’s late father, and the last surviving Polish squadron commander when he died in 2017) with Richard Kornicki who is the Chairman of the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee – the successor body to the veterans’ organisation of the Polish Air Force. He works closely with today’s Polish Air Force and with RAF Northolt to preserve the memory of Polish airmen in the war. He is a retired senior Civil Servant, serving mainly in the Home Office and also the Representative Deputy Lieutenant for Ealing [the King’s representative in the Borough].

The website of Polish Air Force Memorial Committee can be found through this link and there is also a 30-minute video to commemorate the Battle of Britain 80th Anniversary and the part the Polish Air Force played in this.
A recording of this talk is now available - for information on accessing this please contact the Webmaster

• Thur 14th September (EGC + Zoom) - Long ago in the Congo: Tales from the Rainforest (Jordan is a storyteller who focuses primarily on stories from the Caribbean and Africa and as also fallen in love with stories from around the world. He has been exploring a Congolese epic beginning with the stealing of the Sun) with Jordan Campbell, Outreach Officer with University of West London (UWL). Jordan was a Primary school teacher for 6 years, during which he freelanced as storyteller and educational programme facilitator. He completed a Masters in Anthropology at UCL and is studying part-time for a second Masters in Medical Humanities at Birkbeck.

A recording of this talk is now available - for information on accessing this please contact the Webmaster

• Thur 7th September (EGC + Zoom) - Animal Rescue in West London and beyond and how we can help causes we support (This talk was divided into three parts. The first part set out how Dr Garnett founded the Ealing Animals Fair in 1978 and began writing the weekly column on Animal Rescue for The Gazette in 2011. The second part looked at some of the animal rescue facilities in the local area and the campaigns in which they are involved. Part 3 had a more generic content – it related to animals but talked about aspects that can be applied to helping others more generally. After forming the Community Interest Company (CIC) 'Thinking of Animals' in 2017, this part focused on what is a Community Interest Company and what it means to be one. It then discussed issues surrounding organising events in the area, with special reference to aspects such as choice of venue, advertising, inviting politicians etc) with Dr Marion Garnett, who has lived in Ealing since the mid-1970s and has organised the Ealing Animals Fair annually in Ealing, for thirty years. For the past 12 years Marion has written a weekly Animal Rescue Column in the West London Gazette. Dr Garnett has also been engaged in other voluntary animal welfare work including, at one point, being the Dog Service Organiser for the charity 'Crisis at Christmas' which looks after rough sleepers, particularly over the Christmas period. In 2017, Dr Garnett formed the Community Interest Company, 'Thinking of Animals CIC' - a CIC exists to benefit the community rather than private shareholders.

A recording of this talk is now available - for information on accessing this please contact the Webmaster

SPRING TERM 2023

For the SPRING term 2023, our Thursday morning meetings continued to be held as 'hybrid' meetings, where many members attend the talks in Ealing Green Church whilst we also broadcast them over Zoom for members to watch from home. We continued to have three talks per month, with Coffee mornings at a number of locations on the other week in the month. Details of the talks this term are shown below and this also includes information on any recordings of these talks that are available. All speakers were present in Ealing Green Church, unless otherwise shown.

• Thur 13th July (EGC + Zoom) - The Royals and Richmond Palace (An illustrated whistle stop tour of Richmond’s history, through the eyes of its former Royal residents) by Vicky McGrath who joined the Museum of Richmond in October 2016. Vicky is the Learning Officer at the Museum of Richmond and has over 20 years of experience of working in Museums and Heritage Education, designing workshops and resources for school and families, and delivering talks, tours and workshops for adults. Vicky has a BA Hons in History from the University of Sheffield and a Masters in Heritage, Education and Interpretation from the University of Newcastle, and she has been awarded the Associateship of the Museums Association (AMA).

A recording of this talk is now available - for information on accessing this please contact the Webmaster

• Thur 6th July (EGC + Zoom) - Regent’s Park: From Tudor Hunting Ground to the Present (This talk traced the historical developments in and around Regent’s Park and how different kings and architects brought about the changes in this magnificent park in the middle of our capital) by George Martin former Ealing U3A Chairman who has a degree in English and English Literature and a Diploma for the teaching of English to Foreign Students. He taught students from all over the world and as Director of Studies was involved in teacher training. He also taught English for Special Purposes eg. aircraft engineers, textile specialists, doctors, military personnel. George was Managing Director of an English language school in Greenwich for 8 years then he managed his own business together with his wife for 17 years and retired at the age of 67.

A recording of this talk is now available - for information on accessing this please contact the Webmaster

• Thur 22nd June (EGC + Zoom) - Lille and its Renaissance (A brief history of the French town of Lille and of the conservation of its historic centre over the last 50 years) by Pierre Thomas, who is half French and whose family was for many years based in Lille. He has been visiting the city since 1947 and has witnessed the movement to preserve and completely change its character over the last 50/60 years.

A recording of this talk is now available - for information on accessing this please contact the Webmaster

• Thur 8th June (EGC + Zoom) - The history of St Mary’s church, Perivale (St Mary’s, Perivale dates back to the 12th century, and is the oldest building in Ealing, and is Grade 1 listed – the only one apart from Pitzhanger Manor. It served as the chapel for Perivale Manor and has a list of Rectors stretching back to 1330. It became redundant in 1972 and is now a classical music centre, with national reputation for their broadcasts, numbering 120 per year, which have been viewed in over 50 countries around the world) by Dr. Hugh Mather, who was a Consultant Physician at Ealing Hospital from 1982 to 2006, specializing in Diabetes. He was trained as a musician and is a pianist and organist and has been Chairman of the Friends of St Mary’s Perivale since 2005 and has organized over 1250 concerts there. Hugh was made a Freeman of the Borough of Ealing last year.

A recording of this talk is now available - for information on accessing this please contact the Webmaster

• Thur 1st June (EGC + Zoom) - An introduction to The Selborne Society and Perivale Wood Local Nature Reserve (Perivale Wood is the second oldest nature reserve in the UK, 27 acres of ancient woodland in a surburban setting. It is owned and managed by the Selborne Society, the last remaining branch of a national organisation that shares roots with the RSPB and the National Trust. This talk gave a brief introduction to how the Society was founded and how Perivale Wood was established, coming up to the present day to look at how the reserve is managed today and what it offers to visitors and volunteers) by Sarah Hadland, who has lived and worked in Ealing for over 30 years. She became a trustee of the Selborne Society in 2016 and is currently Treasurer and Membership Secretary.

A recording of this talk is now available - for information on accessing this please contact the Webmaster

• Thur 25th May (EGC + Zoom) - Women’s Pioneer Housing – our legacy of providing, safe and affordable homes for single women (This talk gave a brief history of the Women's Pioneer Housing Association, what they do and why their work, providing affordable homes for women in desirable areas of West London, continues to be important. The challenges they face and their new developments that will continue the work the Founders started over 100 years ago will also be covered) by Tracy Downie, who has worked in the social housing sector for over 25 years, primarily in London-based Housing Associations and with a significant commitment to community, resident engagement and challenging inequality. Over the last 15 years Tracey has held senior, executive and non-executive roles in several housing organisations and is currently Chief Executive of Women’s Pioneer Housing and Chair of Ekaya Housing Association.

A recording of this talk is now available - for information on accessing this please contact the Webmaster

• Thur 11th May (EGC + Zoom) - Three Jewels in Feltham’s Crown (The talk briefly touched upon some of Feltham’s unique history of horticultural, market gardens, the three surviving ponds and once famous residents. Starting from the 1800’s to present day 21st Century showing how the local Friends groups are celebrating the town’s history and helping to look after our precious parks and green spaces) by Angela Parton, who has lived and worked in Feltham since 1988. Angela fell head over hells in love with Feltham’s history when she found out the origins of a certain apple named after the town, then started volunteering and community work from 2015 and became Vice-Chair of Friends of Bridge House pond from 2016 to 2019. Angela has Been a member of Feltham History Group since 2016 and became Chair of Friends of Feltham Green in 2019 to present day.

A recording of this talk is now available - for information on accessing this please contact the Webmaster

• Thur 4th May (EGC + Zoom) - The Mercenary River - the story of London’s water from the Tudor era to the 20th century (Today we take water for granted. Turn a tap and the stuff gushes out. But for centuries London struggled to supply its citizens with reliable, clean drinking water. This talk told the tale of remarkable technological, scientific, and organisational breakthroughs but also one of greed and complacency, high finance and low politics. London’s 19th century water companies operated a cartel which worked in their interests, not their customers. The water they supplied was overpriced, deficient in quantity and frequently filthy – described by one scientist as “diluted sewage”. It took the best part of a century of campaigning to bring the water companies to heel) by Nick Higham, a journalist, interviewer and author, and a former BBC News reporter. He was the BBC’s first dedicated media correspondent, spent 14 years as arts and media correspondent, and went on to report on a wide range of subjects on television and radio, wherever possible smuggling history onto the airwaves under the guise of news. Nick is a former BBC correspondent whose history of London’s water supply, The Mercenary River, his first book, is published by Headline.

A recording of this talk is now available - for information on accessing this please contact the Webmaster

• Thur 27th April (EGC + Zoom) - The Significance of the Bayeux Tapestry (The Bayeux Tapestry is a unique survival of Anglo-Norman embroidery. Instantly recognisable today, it is often treated frivolously by cartoonists, as the talk showed. However, it deserves to be treated seriously. This talk explained the importance of the Tapestry as a textile, a historical document, an artwork, a text and a graphic narrative. It showed why, when the pictures celebrate the Norman Conquest of England, the design is considered to be an English creation; and it considered whether there are any subversive, pro-English elements hidden in full sight. Some frequently-asked questions were considered: Why is it called a ‘Tapestry’ if it is an embroidery? Who was it made for? Where was it intended to hang? How did it get to Bayeux? Why are there nude figures in it? Who made it? In relation to this last question the talk considered different aspects of ‘Making’: conception; design; the logistics of sourcing the materials, the weaving and spinning of them, the dyeing of embroidery threads, the provision of working space; the draftsmanship of transferring drawings to the cloth; the embroidering of the cartoon; and the almost invisible stitching together of the 9 separate section) by Professor Gale R. Owen-Crocker who is the Prof Emerita of the University of Manchester, having formerly been Prof of Anglo-Saxon Culture and Director of the Manchester Centre for Anglo-Saxon Studies. She has published extensively on medieval literature, art, archaeology, dress and textiles, including the books Dress in Anglo-Saxon England; Clothing the Past: surviving garments from early medieval to early modern western Europe; and The Bayeux Tapestry: collected papers.

A recording of this talk is now available - for information on accessing this please contact the Webmaster

WINTER TERM 2023

• Thur 30th Mar (EGC + Zoom) - Exploring Neurodiversity: Autism, ADHD, Dyspraxia and Dyslexia (Neurodiversity was first coined by the Australian Sociologist, Judy Singer, in 1966/68 as a radical and positive approach to thinking about autism. The concept rapidly became one that encompassed a wide variety of specific learning differences, including dyslexia, dyspraxia and ADHD. In exploring these 4 specific learning differences attention was given to separating fact from fiction, exploring strengths rather than weaknesses, and pointing out commonalities. As co-occurrence is the rule rather than the exception this feature was highlighted. Visualisation [the ability to think in mental pictures] is very much an unexplored feature of the everyday experience of many neuro-diverse individuals. Case studies were presented to emphasize that, for some individuals, you can only begin to gain an understanding of how they experience their world through exploring with them the crucial role visualisation plays in their life) by Dr David Grant who in 2012, at the age of 68, was formally recognised by HCPC as an Educational Psychologist. This recognition was based on David having worked as a specialist assessor carrying out diagnostic assessments for 16+ year old individuals (mainly students) since 1999. David has about 58 years’ experience of working in Higher Education, starting as a Chemistry Lab Technician in a research lab at Liverpool University, to becoming Associate Dean of Students (Special Needs) in the 1990s, at what is now the University of West London. David is still working as an Educational Psychologist and is the author of ‘That’s the Way I Think’: Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ADHD and Dyscalculia Explained (3rd Edition, 2017, Routledge Press).

A recording of this talk is now available - for information on accessing this please contact the Webmaster

• Thur 23rd Mar (EGC + Zoom) - Ealing U3A AGM (included the Chairman's report for the last year along with the Treasurer's report and our annual Accounts, plus the election of the Committee for the next year) followed by a talk on Fire Prevention in the Home (The talk focused on our homes and how to deal with the Fire Risk in them, including how to identify Fire Risks in the home, things you can do to minimise the risk, and what to do in the event of fire in the home). The talk was given by Firefighter George Korischar along with other members of the London Fire Brigade, including the Station Officer from Ealing Fire Station.

Recordings of both the AGM and the talk on Fire Prevention are now available - for information on accessing this please contact the Webmaster

• Thur 9th Mar (EGC + Zoom) - Enjoying Light Verse (Catherine started by discussing light verse in general [its characteristics; structure; the differences between light verse and serious poetry; well-known light poets of the past and present and examples of their work]. This was followed by an introduction to Catherine's own book of light verse, “Sweet and Sour” with reading/performances of poems on various topics such as old age, love, gender, religion and political issues – all, hopefully, entertaining rather than controversial) by Catherine Osborn, who has been a schoolteacher, actor, model for book-jackets and charity worker for Voluntary Service Overseas. After retiring, Catherine joined the u3a (U3A in London) and with the help and encouragement she had there, published her autobiography - "Call me `Your Ladyship' ", followed by a book of Light Verse. Additionally, several of Catherine's short stories have appeared in various magazines or won prizes in competitions.

A recording of this talk is now available - for information on accessing this please contact the Webmaster

• Thur 2nd Mar (EGC + Zoom) - Treatment, teaching and research in Cleft Lip and Palate in UK and the developing world (What is cleft lip and palate (CLP) and how does it present? What is the impact of CLP for the patient and his/her family. What is its cause? How is it treated from birth to maturity? What are the controversies surrounding facial growth and speech outcomes? Is some surgery in infancy damaging to facial growth, or is poor facial growth intrinsic to the condition? How do international cross centre studies contribute to better care? How can we provide care in the developing world where CLP is often untreated. How did we cope with civil war in Sri Lanka (1994-2009) and what support was provided after the Boxing Day tsunami in 2004. This lecture attempted to answer these questions) by Dr Michael Mars. Dr Mars is the former Lead Consultant Orthodontist, at the Cleft Lip and Palate Centre, Hospital for Children, Great Ormond Street, London. 1983-2011. He is a former Director of Special Surgery GOS and Hon Sen Lecturer, Dept of Developmental Biology, Institute of Child Health. Dr Mars has also held many senior roles in Sri Lankan medicine as well as being a previous President of the Craniofacial Society of UK and Ireland and previous Hunterian Professor of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. He has also been a Lecturer and course organiser in the UK and many countries worldwide. Dr Mars is the author of 60+ refereed papers and senior co-editor of the textbook - Management of Cleft Lip and Palate in the Developing World.

• Thur 23rd Feb (EGC + Zoom) - The Art of Underground Travel (A fully illustrated view of the world-famous collection of London Transport posters. Illustrating many aspects of London’s life and recent history, the talk set the posters in the context of the high design standards achieved by the underground in the inter-war periods) by David Burnell. David has a life-long interest and enthusiasm, and some university study, relating to the London Underground. He has given talks either singly or as a series to many Greater-London based and beyond U3As, National Trust local branches and local history societies, often with return invitations. David has also recently tutored a course at the City Lit on the history of the Underground.

A recording of this talk is now available on the Ealing U3A YouTube channel - for information on accessing this please contact the Webmaster

• Thur 9th Feb (EGC + Zoom) - Filming for BBC Television at Ealing Studios (This talk related how Bill Dudman joined the BBC Film Department and progressed to become a Film Cameraman and Director of Photography. As a cameraman he mainly worked on comedy and variety shows including Black Adder, Two Ronnies, The Young Ones and Keeping Up Appearances but was also involved in special effects (including for Dr Who), music and other drama series. The talk included clips from many of these programmes) with Bill Dudman, an Ealing U3A member. Bill joined the BBC in 1965 as a trainee engineer and went on to work in Radio Links at BBC Outside Broadcasts in Acton, he then transferred to the BBC Film Dept at Ealing Studios where he became a Film Cameraman before taking early retirement in 1997. Bill then became a member of the Sony UK professional marketing team before leaving in 2001 then mainly worked as a freelance trainer at the National Film and Television School at Beaconsfield. Bill finished paid work in 2007 and is now an active member of the City of London Phonograph and Gramophone Society (CLPGS), this is the oldest Society of its type in the world and has a permanent exhibition at the Music Museum Brentford.

A recording of this talk is now available - for information on accessing this please contact the Webmaster

• Thur 2nd Feb (EGC + Zoom) - From Rags to Riches to giving it all way – the Story of Andrew Carnegie, the world’s richest man (Andrew Carnegie came from a slum in Dunfermline, made his fortune in America as a ruthless steel magnate, then at the start of the 20th century gave it all away by setting up philanthropic foundations all over the world. In his day he was worth more than Bill Gates and earned so much interest on his wealth that he couldn’t give it away fast enough. This talk explained his rise, his motivations and his unique personal story in the context of the dramatic industrialisation of America) by Jeremy Holmes, a trustee of the Carnegie UK Trust for many years. Jeremy has now retired, but is a non-executive director and a trustee of several bodies and gives regular talks to U3A and other groups. He took a Double First in English from Oxford, and had a career which included a national role in higher education and as CEO of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

A recording of this talk is now available on the Ealing U3A YouTube channel - for information on accessing this please contact the Webmaster

• Thur 26th Jan (EGC + Zoom) - The Story of Paper (Paper is such a familiar material to everyone that many take it for granted. In spite of the electronic revolution we still read newspapers, magazines and books, print documents, wrap presents, decorate our homes, carry shopping, and clean up messes. Some of us might write letters or poems, do calligraphy or drawings, fold, cut, glue, or otherwise create with paper. This talk explored the origins, manufacture and history of paper, from hand papermaking in the fast east to industrial processing worldwide) by Alan Donnithorne, Ealing U3A Member. Alan had a career in paper conservation, working at the British Museum and latterly at the Royal Collection, Windsor Castle. He specialised in prints, drawings and photographs, with occasional forays into Egyptian papyri, Mexican manuscripts and fans. He retired in 2016, following which he undertook a research project on the drawing materials and techniques of Leonardo da Vinci, resulting in a book: Leonardo da Vinci: A Closer Look, which was published in 2019.

A recording of this talk is now available on the Ealing U3A YouTube channel - for information on accessing this please contact the Webmaster

• Thur 12th Jan (EGC + Zoom) - The Welsh Poet Dylan Thomas (famously housed in Laugharne) (Dylan Thomas was born in Swansea in 1914, became a reporter in Swansea, and then lived in London, Cornwall, Oxford, Newquay Wales and finally with family in Laugharne, South Wales. This talk covered the mystery of his death in New York in 1953, aged 39, his poetry and short stories and his famous play for voices, “Under Milk Wood,” published posthumously in 1954) by Mike Perry, Ealing U3A Member. Mike is a teacher by background but moved to Wales in early 1970s to try farming. After five years running a dairy farm, changed career again to antiques dealing, specialising in silver, silver plate and decorative porcelain and glass. Mike moved from rural West Wales to urban West London in March 2021 and joined Ealing U3A where he is convener of the Antiques Group.

A recording of this talk is now available on the Ealing U3A YouTube channel - for information on accessing this please contact the Webmaster