A public look at Private Godfrey

Members of the Widcombe Association have arranged for the son of Bath born actor Arnold Ridley to give a talk on Wednesday, December 2.

Organiser Sarah Lewis says that Arnold was a well loved figure in Widcombe and has recently been featured in an exhibition of famous Widcombe residents organised by the local history society. "His grave is pointed out during tours of the Abbey Cemetery", she said.

Arnold Ridley, well known as Private Godfrey in Dad's Army, was a well known playwright as well as an actor. He grew up in Sunnybank, Lyncombe Vale, was educated at what is now Beechen Cliff and at Bristol University and fought in the First World War before beginning his career in the theatre.

Nicolas Ridley (pitured above) will be talking about his father following the recent publication of his father's biography.

The talk takes place at Widcombe Baptist Church at 7.30pm. Tickets can be bought on the door for £3 to include refreshments.

There has been huge local interest in Neil McMillan's new book about the Fuller's Earth mines which relied heavily on the contributions of former workers at the Odd Down site.

Following a Memories piece in The Bath Chronicle earlier in the year, a meeting arranged by Good Companions at Odd Down attracted huge interest.

Such were the memories evoked by the book at the meeting that the Good Companions Group was asked to arrange another get together.

Edgar Evans has now arranged this and the date is Wednesday ,November 18 at 2.30pm at the St Philips Church Institute. Neil McMillan will be there to add to the recollections which it is hoped stalwarts of Fullers will take along to the reunion.

If you need more information contact Edgar Evans on 01225 832107.

The Box Art Group will be holding its 16th annual open exhibition in the Selwyn Hall, Box this weekend on Saturday and sunday from 10pm to 4pm.

More than 200 pictures by 45 local artists will be for sale at prices from £20 to £200 .

To encourage interest in art in local schools, entries have again been submitted from the pupils of Box C of E Primary School.

Professor Ron George, Head of the Art Department of Bath Spa University based at Corsham Court, will judge all the entries.

Admission is free.