OCCASIONALLY a guest speaker has the ability to grab the attention of the audience with his opening remarks and maintain their interest throughout the presentation.

This was the case when Peter Berry from Gloucester gave a talk entitled 'And the wife came too'.

He told members that he had two hobbies, the first being a love of steam trains and the second photography, which became apparent with the wonderful quality of slides used to illustrate his talk.

He said that his wife Sarah also shared his interests which was indeed fortunate as they travelled to various parts of the world photographing steam locomotives.

The journey he described took him to America, where with several like-minded enthusiasts, they landed in Dallas then took a train ride to Denver to visit a steam engine museum.

From Denver they travelled to various locations to see numerous locomotives, many of which are still in use, and on the way we were treated to some magnificent views of the countryside.

This was a talk which was of such quality, laced with humour that members were sorry when it ended.

During his talk Peter mentioned he had visited other continents in pursuit of his twin hobbies and doubtless he will be invited to return at some future date.

He was thanked on behalf of members by the president, Peter Nairn.

Probus meets at 10.15am on the second and fourth Wednesday each month at the Cotswold Indoor Bowling Centre, Dudbridge, Stroud, and is open to all retired men.

Free parking is avalable on site.