Well the U3A was a great surprise. Eyemouthians must have time on their hands as we had thirty plus attending and expressing interest in the trials and tribulations of the Arab World. Moreover the Overhead Projector worked first time -this was a relief and a change from my last visit to the town when I gave a talk to 100 plus ladies and one elderly man. A talk which depended on being able to show about twenty acetates to turn a mildly boring presentation into a slightly interesting one. I was assured by the chair woman that the latest, all singing, all dancing state of next years art brand new projector would be available. It was. It was even erected and pointing towards a large pristine screen. One problem was when I pushed the switch nothing happened a sibilant hiss of 100 dismays creaked through the hall. The Chairwoman immediately became all womanly helpless and denied any knowledge of electronics(Some one told me later that she had a doctorate in rocket science) Amid mounting impatience and the increasing clatter of dentures, an unnerving sound at at the best of times, I checked the fuses. They seemed fine. The socket was live having tested it with a standard fan. I reconnected everything and tried again. Nothing. Hissing gathered volume. Nerve crumbling I contemplated talking without the benefit of slides. A mass walk out would have solved the problem but the ladies had nothing better to do until the tea
after the lecture. Bums stayed on seats and clattering of dentures upped a notch. Suddenly a sole male voice shouted: 'Try kicking the bugger. It works with the Telly' (I was told later that he was an Emeritus Professor of Electronic Engineering). I did. It did. And the lecture proceeded apace.
I am invited back next week to a different location . I have asked for the same projector to be brought along. I hope it travels well. I'll wear my stoutist boots just in case
