Forum member Keith Worters is a man of many talents, but one that has not hitherto been widely known is his facility with words and rhyme.   He has an enviable ability to conjure up limericks  at the drop of a hat.

The following is one recent example he shared with members at our  weekly meeting:

A man on the way to the Forum
Said   “limericks – yes, I adore ‘em
I can make up a ditty
Which is ever so witty
Guaranteed to amuse and not bore ‘em”.
 
Said his wife : “very good as they are
 I can better them all, and by far”
Then she took out  a pen
And wrote down a quick ten
Every one in its own right a star
 
Said her husband “terrific dear heart,
Why not now get our good  friends to start?
Just a verse from each one
All to join in the fun
With everyone taking a part”.
 
And  all said they wanted to play
Some had finished the verse by next day
Subjects were various
Often hilarious
All Forum got carried away
They appeared - even better -
In next time’s Newsletter
Entertainment with no need to pay!

This will almost certainly appear in our next Members' Newsletter, and if other members follow his example, their offerings may feature also.

Winter may mean short days, wet, cold and uninviting, but at times the garden can still be enjoyed.  The earth may seem dead but under the ground things are slowly changing, those dried up bulbs start to swell with the autumn rains, and tiny rootlets begin to grow.  

As the days lengthen shoots start to push upwards, and by mid January the first white flowers suddenly appear - snowdrops braving the worst weather, even pushing through frosty crust and snow.  Then, hellebores appearing dead after a heavy frost will, with the sun’s rays, soon become upright and beautiful once more. Crocus follow, then narcissi.

Exeter Forum member Margaret Lloyd's garden is especially strong in snowdrops and hellebores.  She has been opening her garden with the National Gardens’ scheme for the past twenty years, and it will open again this coming February. All money raised will go to charities, mainly the Macmillan and Marie Curie nurses and to the Hospices for their care of terminally ill patients.  

This year her garden will be open on Saturday and Sunday Feb 6th & 7th and February 13th & 14th, between 12 noon and 3.30 pm  (other than by arrangement).   The P Bus stops 50 yards from her gate, and runs every 20 mins on Saturdays or hourly on Sundays. There is some roadside parking.  This will be the final year her garden will be opened, so do not miss the opportunity.

Forum committee members will provide location details.