IN his presentation Neutrals At War Christopher Massy Beresford gave a peek into a shadowy world; the compromises which have to be made, the skill of individuals to steer a path through history, bigotry and morality, and to find courage and strength in weakness.

We heard how during the Second World War the neutrality of Switzerland was maintained by Henri Guisan.

His task was to inspire a small volunteer army to become a no-surrender guerrilla force.

This gave the Swiss time to reach accommodation with the Nazis, allowing them unfettered freight use of the Swiss railway network.

Portuguese neutrality was preserved and the country saved from Nazi hegemony by the skill and foresight of American George Kennan whilst allowing the building of a vital Allied airbase on the Azores.

Sweden maintained its neutrality by trading iron ore and ball bearings with both Allied and Axis powers. Count Folke Bernadotte met secretly with Himmler to organise the rescue of 15,000 neutral prisoners in Germany.

We heard the gripping story of Monica de Wichfield. Anxious to encourage Danish citizens to join a resistance movement she became a regional leader. When she was eventually arrested and put on trial her dignity and courage inspired Danish civil disobedience, which the Nazis found difficulty in controlling.

All lesser known characters and incidents which encourage further investigation.

Chairman, Gordon Pardy encouraged members to join the U3A choir at the Maltings on December 23 Tickets for the Sarum U3A party are now on sale.