DR F Burroughs, of Bristol Blue Glass, Bedminster, entertained us at our June meeting on the subject of The Wonderful World of Glass.

Beneath a dry approach he hid a very humorous ability to talk about his subject.

After a brief history of the discovery of glass, he showed us some early Egyptian glass beads.

The Roman Empire exported such items as far afield as Britain - some have been found near Avebury.

About 100BC, a new way of processing glass was found, and Venice became a famous centre for the art.

A lot was made in Sussex until it was forbidden by law, as too much wood was being cut for the high heat required in the furnace.

This glass was nearly opaque, until Irish glass became known for its clarity and lead cut.

Dr Burroughs passed around some rare treasures of these processes for us to see and handle, much of it large and weighty.

Unfortunately glass processing became rare in England after the famous blue glass of the 19th century - it costs too much to make.

The meeting ended with the competition of the flower of the month.

Out of several different species, including one towering delphinium, a lovely garden rose won (as usual) and the cup was presented to Caroline Mouland.

Next month Jo Blake will talk about The Dogs Trust on July 16 at 7.30pm.

Then there will be our summer break in August when an outing is being organised to visit Breamore House and gardens on August 20.

We will be running our bottle stall at the Flower Show on August 2.

Donations of bottles will be gratefully received, from champagne to salad cream, anything in a bottle will do.