MONTY Parkin opened the new season on January 14 in the Great Hall of the Civic Centre with a delightful illustrated talk called A Village Remembered.

The village he described was Kemsing, which had the advantage of being on the spring line below the North Downs and in the proximity of an ancient east-west route later known as the Pilgrims’ Way.

The next meeting will be held in the Great Hall of the Civic Centre at 8pm on February 11, when Mary Moore will give an illustrated talk on the subject Impressions of Romania.

She will take members back to their holiday in Romania to marvel at the country’s painted churches, fortified monasteries, wonderful scenery and Count Dracula’s castle.

On February 19 at 2.15pm in the Public Hall, Beckenham, there will be a talk on the Three Ladies of the Red House.

This is an opportunity to learn the inside story.

Everyone is welcome to meetings. There is wheelchair access and a hearing loop at both meeting locations.

For more information, call 020 8658 4338 or visit ntbbcentre.freeuk.com