An audience of over 60 members and visitors, the largest gathering to date, braved a January evening to hear a most illuminating talk given by John McLeod on "The Social History of the Potato" He told of the potato becoming the Worlds' most widely grown tuber crop; it originated it is believed in the Andes of South America and was introduced to Europe around 1700, probably by the Spaniards. Once established the potato became an important food staple eventually affecting the day to day diet of the European, especially the British. Ireland, particularly, became dependant on the crop so much so that when late blight, a fungal disease, spread throughout the West, circa 1845, "The Great Irish Famine" resulted with thousands of deaths through starvation.

Mr McLeod talked of the many variations of potato now available, now in their thousands, although there were still favourites such as King Edwards and Maris Piper. The uses to which potatoes were put were outlined; blight disease continues as a problem and is held at bay by many sprayings during the growing.

A lively discussion followed with the virtues of organic, genetics etc contributed to a lively evening.

Continuing a food theme, the February Meeting heard a talk on "Eels, Punts and Poaching — a fen family tale" given by Peter Carter of Outwell. With forbears from Isleham dating back to the1600s Peter described his working life as an Eel and Wild Fowl fisher, osier tenderer and willow merchant, a maker of eel hives and griggs, and hedgemender as well as possibly being a poacher or if not one of many poaching anecdotes. Professing not to be a speaker he began his talk with stories of poaching and the outwitting of game and gamekeepers causing much laughter. With slides as illustrations he spoke of the aspects of his work in the fens, the association of the Eel to Ely, and the closeness to how his todays work closely resembled that of his ancestors. His tales of misfiring and recoiling of punt guns told of the hazards of wild fowling. Eels were not now as plentiful as previously, thought possibly brought about by new sluice gates on the Washes which prevented the elver getting upstream. Again, another large audience with more visitors who joined in a lively question and answer session.

Note a change of subject of the 15th April Meeting — Dr Evelyn Lord will now speak on"Jacobite Sir John Hynde Cotton of Madingley Hall"

The Society meets every third Tuesday in the month at 7.30 pm the Lecture Room, SVC and visitors are very welcome. Details of the programme may be had from the Secretary, Carolyne Redmayne on 01954 230037


Bernard Didham — 01954 205446