THE Launceston U3A (university of the Third Age) year started with a bang as over 250 members joined together in the Central Methodist Chapel for their annual lecture day recently.

Members of 15 other U3A groups from Devon and Cornwall joined those from Launceston as they listened, enthralled, to the three speakers whose knowledge and enthusiasm was both very obvious & infectious.

The first on stage was Alison Bevan, Director of Penlee House Gallery and Museum, Penzance, whose talk on the Newlyn school of artists was accompanied by slides of pictures painted by the Cornish group. Her insight into the history and techniques used in the paintings brought them to life for her audience.

After a break for coffee, Cliff Snell, Cornish born and bred, entertained with a talk entitled 'Sir John Betjeman — his life, times and lady friends' (all blonde, freckled and blue eyed!) He briefly described his life, interspersed with relevant verses from the great man, and brought Betjeman's poetry to life, with the added interest of his holiday home so near by at Trebetherick together with his grave in St Enodoc churchyard.

A delicious lunch buffet was provided by Ann Curtis of Newquay, before everyone settled down for an afternoon devoted to 'Fascinating Rhythm — the story of the Gershwins.'

Paul Drayton, pianist, composer, lecturer and conductor, took a spellbound audience on a musical trip through the life and times of the Gershwin brothers, with the added bonus of entreaties to 'join in if you know the songs' — needless to say this was taken up with gusto as the familiar melodies echoed around Central.

Whilst so much of the music was familiar to everyone, their life story was less well known and it was fascinating to hear about them. The audience went home not only more knowledgeable about art, John Betjeman and the Gershwins, but singing some of the most memorable music of all time.

The day was voted a resounding success by everyone who attended, with congratulatory e-mails flooding in to the organisers in the days afterwards.

Launceston U3A now have the job of trying to organise something even better next year!