The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

A TRIP TO EUROPE Seventeenth article in a series by Miss Margaret Laundy. SOMMERSET As we looked over Sedge Moor from the Mendip Hills in north Sommerset we were told that the last battle of England was fought here in 1679 between the Duke of Mammouth (for Cromwell) and James II, The Duke was defeated. "Bloody" Judge Jeffreys conducted trials of the citizens taking part in the uprising against the Crown and had some six hundred hung and another eight hundred sent to labour in the West Indies, On the flat of the plain stands a mound, Tor Hill, topped by a monument to commemorate those who were ruthlessly hung, and can be seen for many miles around. "The Prospect of Whitby" one of London's oldest pubs boasts that the "Bloody" Judge used to sit with his feet up and a pint in his hand watching the bodies swing on the other side of the River Thames. How- ever he eventually landed up, like so many notable Englishmen, in the Tower of London but died the death of an alcoholic before he could be executed. The lovely old city of Wells has one of Englands most beautiful but smallest cathedrals, Contrasting with the old carved oak doors and lacey stone work of the 16th century is the hand woven tapestry of the pew seats and pulpit back done in 1947. To one side of the cathedral stands the Archbishops Palace still surrounded ty a moat containing water (most moats are dry and grassy now). In this moat swim some most unusual and famous swans, who at 10 a.m. and 4 psm. on the dot, ring a bell attached to the moat wall telling the war- dens that they are hungry and it's time to eat, Another fifteen miles on, we came to Cheddar (yes, the cheese cheddar) and were directed to the hostel by a young architect who offered to take us driving the next day, We drove back into the Mendip Hills next morning to have a look at a small village built of greystone with thatched roofs, Then, parked on the brow of a hill we had another view far over Sedge Moor and Tor Hill. We came back down thro! the Cheddar Gorge, the road winding between steep rock cuts to the Caves which have been open to the public since 1880, The caves were originally a river bed with rough cut walls and smaller caves off the main one formed by the incessant lapping of waters thro! the centuries, The stal- agmites and stalactites, which you've all probably seen, are formed at the rate of (Cont. on next col.) Page 4 A TRIP TO EUROPE (Cont. ) i" in 4,000 years from the salts deposited after the water from the drip has dried (if you follow me). Small grottos in the walls were most effectively lit showing formation and colouring of the 'mites and 'tites. In one, a pool of black water reflected a perfect Swiss village with a Church on the hill above and a white picket fence running down the hill between the two, With the guides help and a little imagination we saw Solomor's Temple frozen rivers, and pixie villages, Out- side the caves we met five Scots, one of whom was visiting from Buffalo. They were good enough to treat us to a roast beef dinner at a little restaurant in the Gorge, Across the plain again we were shown the monument which supposedly marks the spot where King Alfred burned the cakes, On we went to Glastonbury to see more of Cromwells work, Tall graceful stone pillars and a few pieces of walls sur- rounded by lovely green lawns are all that perpetuates the memory of the Abbey which once stood there, The legendary King Arthur and his wife were said to be buried there and the story of the Holy Grail enacted in this south west comer of England, 0-0-0 C.WeL. ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of the Catholic Women's League was held Sunday in St. Martin's Parish Hall, The meeting opened with a prayer by Father Morris after which the minutes of the past assembly were read by Mrs. D. Campbell followed by the treas-~ urer's report given by Mrs. J. Marcella, Mrs, P, Helmink gave her summary as sick visiting convener, Retiring president Mrs, W. HE, Cavanaugh presided for the first part of the meeting. Mrs, J. Hale of the nominating committee assisted by Mrs, R. Kenney and Mrs. J. Kennedy presided for the election of officers, The following were elected: President - Mrs, J. Semeniuk First Vice President - Mrs. J, Kennedy Seconc Vice President - Mrs. J. Marcella Third Vice President - Mrs, Betty Cavanaugh Secretary - Mrs. E, Falzetta Treasurer ~ Mrs, O. Adamo, Reverend Father Morris congratulated the members on their good attendance for the evening and the successful year ended, He also stressed cooperation of the League (Cont. on page. 5)