IT’S not often that we get to meet a scientist, Polar explorer, dog driver, expedition leader, ex-Harlequins rugby player and engaging raconteur all rolled into one. But we did in one of our best ever speakers at our meeting on 30 March.

The legendary David Fletcher of Ledbury enthralled us with his 47 years experience of the Arctic and Antarctic.

His presentation focused primarily on the Arctic which he called an ocean surrounded by continents as opposed to the Antarctic which is a continent surrounded by oceans. He said the Arctic is a place of huge change and described the scenery, the wildlife, plant life and the people.

Although not as extreme as the Antarctic, nevertheless temperatures rarely fall below minus 55 degrees C and the waters teem with abundant food. His images included horizontal trees, polar bears, seals, narwhales, arctic foxes, birds and he even spotted an Eider duck ringed at Slimbridge.

He clearly has huge respect for the polar bear, a fearsome and intelligent beast, which can run at 30 mph, swim for over 80 miles, stands at 10 feet tall and weighs up to 600 kilograms.

The Arctic people, originally Mongolian nomads, have adapted to the harsh conditions and exist mainly on meat and fish. Cancer and heart disease is virtually non-existent and they obtain their vitamin C from raw meat and fish as well as from Narwhale skin.

David is clearly a very special person and he gave us a positive, balanced and humorous account of all the issues that the Arctic raises. He responded fully to our many questions and at the end, President George Bourne thanked him for his beautifully enunciated presentation.

Before the talk, George had presented John Dumelow with his membership badge.

Information about our Club, including our programme of forthcoming talks, is on our website: www.eveshamprobus.co.uk.

CHRIS DONOUGH