THE February Bridgwater Winemakers' Circle meeting started with chairman, Sid Shorter, paying tribute to the dedication of the secretary, Hazel Hingston, whose long and expert service has kept members informed and recorded over many years.

Terry Folkes, Wales and West representative, informed everyone that the Taunton Flower Show would, once again, have a wine section. It was abandoned some years ago when a tramp broke into the tent overnight and drank the exhibits - true!

Pete Godfrey's Mass of Prizes raffle went down well and Mary Spittel won the wine competition for white dessert, with Phil Marshall second and Gordon Perry third.

The proceeds of the Christmas raffle (£100) were donated to the Air Ambulance Service and the new logo was approved on Royal blue polo shirts.

Speaker, David Sebborn, acted out the role of Humphrey Blake, the father of town hero Robert Blake. In full 16th century costume he assumed the speech and manners of the time and took members through the achievements of the Black family (later to become Blake).

Their gradual rise in importance and wealth started around Stogursey when the cloth trade flourished in Bridgwater and they were principal sheep farmers providing wool for the trade.

The wealth allowed the children to be educated to a high standard and they branched out into shipping, carrying wine and cloth to an emerging world, entering the gentry, living in grand houses and marrying well.

The war with Spain in 1569 decimated the trade as the Government seized most large ships for war. In 1592 Humphrey died and his will was split between two sons, one of which was Robert Blake, whose statue stands on the Cornhill.

David was thanked for his well-presented and interesting talk.

The March 28 meeting, at the Northgate Function Rooms, is the annual general meeting, followed by an American Supper and the competition will be for an orange medium sweet wine.