We enjoyed a completely new experience at our meeting on Thursday, February 5, when Bob Young introduced us to Hydraulics with Florics.

He tested us with one of the tasks that youngsters, aged 9 to 13 years, undertake as part of their involvement in Imagineering. Imagineering is a charity, set up in 2001, that encourages interest in engineering with the full support of schools and employers. Over 150 schools nationwide, with over 2,000 children involved, now participate in this excellent activity.

We were split into groups and tasked with constructing a hydraulic arm to lift water. Supplied with all the necessary components, and despite having a completed model, it nevertheless took most of us considerable time to work out what needed to be done. It didn’t help of course that some of us were determined that we knew best although in most cases the teams worked well together.

Finally, one team completed the task successfully. Pat’s Professionals, comprising Ron Ind, Gordon Lashford, Jeff Jones, Tom Cotton and Pat Sparrow beat off all competition to win their special prizes kindly donated by Bob.

We all agreed that this had been a most enjoyable exercise, particularly as it had required us to work together as a team, to use our brains and to demonstrate manual dexterity. Well done Bob.

Our next meetings at the Rowing Club Boathouse will be on February 12 with fellow member Nigel Jenkins’ life story followed by Bill Underwood on February 19 with Evesham then and now.

CHRIS DONOUGH