AT our meeting on Thursday 2 November, Club members asked that their best wishes be passed to fellow member Derek Bunker who has been unable to attend for several weeks due to ill health.

We then warmly welcomed our guest speaker, very well known local man Richard Dorrell of Harvington. As soon as he started, the title of his talk, ‘Miscellaneous Mechanicals’, became immediately obvious. Richard is clearly an old school engineer – one who has a deep interest and understanding of the design, building and application of engines and machines.

Throughout his hour long presentation, delivered without notes, hesitation or repetition, he talked us through innumerable slides of a wide variety of steam engines, tractors, motorcycles and even aeroplanes. He had inherited his love of machinery from his father and further developed his skills during his 12 year service in the Army, in which he attained the rank of sergeant.

However, there is definitely a softer side to this machine loving man. He met the real love of his life whilst in the Army in Libya and pursued her there and across Scotland before she eventually agreed to become his wife.

Now retired, he has sold all the steam engines and other mechanicals that he accumulated during his busy life, with the exception of his pride and joy, a 1936 Aveling Barford motor roller, which can be viewed at the Ellenden Farm shop on Evesham Road in Harvington. Peter Penney thanked Richard for a marvellous presentation.

We shall be having our Annual Lunch on 10 November at the Three Ways House Hotel in Mickleton before returning to the Evesham Rowing Club Boathouse on Thursday 17 November. For that occasion we have invited members of the Pershore Wychavon Probus Club to join us.

CHRIS DONOUGH