SULLY U3A has recently formed a hand bell group, using the hand bells belonging to St John Baptist Church, Sully.

Despite being so newly formed, the ladies gave two performances when the church was open as part of Cadw Open Doors. These were enjoyed by people taking the opportunity to look around the church.

Also a group of members of the local history group visited Hereford Cathedral for a guided tour followed by a visit to the famous Chained Library and the Mappa Mundi Exhibition, the Mappa Mundi being one of the earliest known maps of the world dating from around 1300.

The existing cathedral is the third one on the site and was started in 1079, after the existing Saxon Cathedral was considered to be in too ruinous a state, also probably intended to impress the Saxon subjects with the power of the Normans.

The Norman or Romanesque architecture in the nave and south transept was very impressive. During the visit they were shown the 14th century shrine dedicated to St Thomas de Cantilupe who died in 1282 when he visited the Pope in Italy to appeal against his excommunication by Peckham Archbishop of Canterbury.

These are only two of more than 30 groups at Sully U3A.

New members are always welcome at any of the monthly meetings.

The next monthly meeting will be held on Thursday, October 13 at 2pm in The Old School, Sully, when the speaker will be Gareth Kiddie talking on the restoration of the Galilee Chapel in Llantwit Major.