A SOCIETY’S winter programme of monthly meetings featuring illustrated talks have just started but already proved to be very popular.

Once the summer draws to an end and Harwich Society’s visitor attractions close for another year, the society organises monthly meetings, which take place at the Navigator, in Barrack Lane, Harwich.

The events will be held on the last Friday of each month and entry is free of charge for Harwich Society members.

Colin Farnell, the society’s chairman, said: “As well as unlimited free entry to all of the Harwich Society’s visitor attractions, membership gives all members free entry to the winter programme of talks and these are again proving very popular.

“Peter Mockford’s talk is titled ‘Beer and Balls’ which is very appropriate as it was this naval encounter that decided the Adnams brewery to name their famous beer Broadside.

“One of the society’s real ale loving trustees suggested that after the talk everyone will go home feeling hoppy, but I would never crack such a terrible joke.”

The next talk will take place at 7.30pm on Friday, November 29, where Peter Mockford will tell the story of the 1672 Battle of Sole Bay, in which an Anglo French fleet fought the Dutch off the coast at Southwold.