BACK WITH A BANG Ross & District U3A enjoyed a relatively quiet summer period, with the annual July outing, this year to the Severn Valley Railway, (we went on the one sunny day!) and our tea and talk afternoon in August. This month our regular talks began again with a most interesting talk and film show by Mike Pullin about fund-raising for St. Michael's Hospice.

Initially Mike spoke of his overwhelming dedication to his fund raising, how it started with get-togethers, parties and socials; developed into jazz evenings and special events such as pub quizzes and skydiving and finally how he and a friend devised a sponsored Carriage ride from Ledbury to London, along with Frank, the horse.

The riding pair of Mike and Mike organised a tremendous send off, complete with Mayor and Town Crier, all resplendent in their special livery. The horse and carriage bedecked with information and invitations to come and find out about the event and the hospice.

The journey started quite peacefully with the two humans enjoying stops along the way for refreshments (usually a roadside pub) but they never forgot their cause and collected money from the other drinkers. Frank, while resting, always drew a crowd, people of all ages pleased to be able to come so close, to touch and to feel such a beautiful animal. He looked as if he enjoyed the adulation, too.

By day two they had travelled via Churchdown to Cheltenham collecting all the time. Over night Frank enjoyed stabling and meeting new friends. The humans continued to collect and found themselves entranced by the countryside which they did not normally have time to see. Settled in the precinct the public were drawn to such a nostalgic sight. There were many characters filmed, including "Dancing Ken" also a fund-raiser and a one time Minister of Happiness for the Monster Raving Looney Party.

The Cotswold villages provided the backdrop for the next day, and on day four they arrived in Oxford. High Wycombe was the appointed venue for day five, where the support workers back in Hereford had arranged for a mobile farrier to change Franks shoes. The roads were getting busier as the group headed into Chiswick and Ealing.

The final day saw them at Hyde Park, travelling through the park, on to the famous Hyde Park Corner. We didn't see any orators, but two magnificent horses from the mounted police were there to give their support to Frank.

Whilst on the journey, the team raised over £2,000 on top of all the sponsorship money. But they also had a novel way to swell their sums, they collected all the fertilizer that Frank produced and later sold it for over £60.

Having seen all their adventures along the way we applauded their grit and determination - and were then shown why they did it. We were taken inside St. Michaels Hospice, to see their work supporting the terminally ill, (and their families) in the last difficult period of their lives. This physical, emotional and practical support costs over £10,000 A DAY to provide, and only a proportion is covered by our taxes, the rest is up to fundraisers like Mike, Mike and Frank.

A collection was made from the members, and the fee for the speaker was also donated to the hospice's work.

If you would be interested in joining our U3A, you can find details on our website www.rossu3a.org.uk, or ring 01989 567789 or 01989 562884. We are also delighted to say that we are holding an exhibition at the Ross Heritage Centre for the month of October (from 2nd October to November 3rd) which will focus on our interest and study groups. So, why not come along and see if you would like to join?

Our next monthly meeting is to be held at the Larruperz Centre on Monday 20th October at 2.30pm and will be about "The Story of Tyntesfield" a National Trust property not too far from Bristol. Further details can be gained from the numbers given above, or if you would like to come as a visitor, you would be made very welcome.