MAYOR of Chard Jenny Kenton chaired the annual meeting at Chard Guildhall.

All committee members were re-elected for the coming year.

Following the meeting, members enjoyed another film, produced by The Anoraks, a group of keen film-makers from Crewkerne U3A.

Their subject this time was Damsel in Distress, which dealt with local watermills. Members learnt that watermills were mentioned in the Doomsday Book and were first used in China, as long as 5,000 years ago.

Clapton Mill was milling corn as long ago as 1257, was restored in 1850 and still commercially producing flour and animal feed until 1991. It is the oldest working mill in the area and can still be seen working, using water from a tributary of the River Axe.

Sturminster Newton Mill draws water from the River Stour – it was rebuilt in 1650, destroyed by floods and again rebuilt. It is now run by turbine and still produces flour which local baker Roger Oxford uses to bake bread when the mill has open days. The mill and adjoining lake were beautiful and it is a pity the mill suffers from frequent flooding.

Rowlands Mill is near Ilminster – a mill on the site was mentioned in the Doomsday book. It was restored between 1990 and 1995 and is not now used commercially.

The adjoining pond/lake looked idyllic as it was filmed when full.

Other mills were shown.

Members came to local Hornsbury Mill, now a hotel and wedding venue. The water wheel can be seen working, behind glass, although is not often switched on as it is noisy.

It was a delightful insight into water mill heritage.

The next meeting is on Monday, April 13, when the talk is The History of Magic.

All details of Chard, Ilminster and District U3A can be found on the website, u3asites.org.uk/chardilminster or by phoning membership secretary Margaret Martin on 01460- 64800.