A WOMAN whose family ties to fairground life stretch back 1976 will be coming to Sarum u3a to speak about her experiences.

Kay Townsend will speak about her life at the u3a meeting at St Francis Church, Beatrice Road on Wednesday, June 18 from 10am to 10.30am.

She will tell attendees about her world: the rides, the sounds and what life is like on the road.

There will be a chance to see inside the caravans, as well as a closer look at health and safety and what the lights were before the light bulb.

Kay said: “Growing up most of the time on the road, early in the season there weren’t that many other children to play with, not until the later part of the season when other showmen and their families would join us at the fairs; then I’d see more of my friends.

“My school reports would always say the same: ‘Kay does her best’, so it’s true my education was limited, and it was hard catching up with the other children.

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“But I’ve never let it hold me back, to the extent that I’ve now published several books about the showman’s life and history – with considerable help from spell-check and proofreaders!”

Members and guests are warmly invited to attend the meeting, which will start at 10am with coffee. Guests are invited to join Sarum u3a after two visits.

Parking is available at the rear of St Francis Church or in a car park on the opposite side of the main road from the church.

Sarum u3a is an organisation which welcomes people no longer in full-time employment to come together to learn, laugh and live.

They offer a vast variety of interest groups led by members with knowledge, experience or simply an interest in the subject, meeting in their homes.

They hold monthly meetings on the third Wednesday morning of the month with qualified professional speakers starting at 10am with coffee or tea.