Early in April a group of members and friends enjoyed an evening of musical drama with Helston Theatre Company’s excellent production of Oliver at the Epworth Hall, Helston.

Every aspect of the well-known Dickens story of the young hero’s progress, from workhouse to happy ending, to arch-villain Bill Sykes, acting and singing was well up to West End theatre standards: sets and costumes perfect, and musical accompaniment top-class - A thoroughly memorable evening.

April’s first outing was to A&P at Falmouth Docks. After passing scrutiny and signing in at security, members and friends were kitted out with safety equipment by their guide for the evening, Penny Phillips. Penny led us around the extensive moorings, dry-docks and workshops, explaining the wide range of activities taking place. Imports and exports, passenger cruise liners, services craft, test-rigs: just a few of the multitude of facilities available. The liners bring thousands of tourists into the port. A fleet of coaches transports them to every corner of the Duchy, making a huge contribution to the tourist industry. A massive crane, running on rails, was hoisting a piece of machinery aboard one of the vessels in dry-dock. The 24-hour schedule had the workshops buzzing and clanging. By contrast, Penny explained that the very clean water around the moorings supports much marine life. Ashore, there is a swannery and a duck pond. Sadly, a high proportion of the tiny birds fall victim to predators, such as black-backed gulls.

After an hour’s tour, the group emerged much better informed of the vital role played in the local economy by A&P. Anne, who organised the visit, and leader Rosemary, thanked our guide. The Harbour Lights was ideally situated to provide a view of the docks from the outside, and a sociable hour was spent enjoying the prospect, and a very welcome supper.

The following week we paid our annual trip to Country Skittles at Townsend. After much hilarity and competition members enjoyed a lovely supper.

The final April meeting was our perennial favourite ‘Any Questions’. Questions on any and every subject may be submitted by members for discussion by a panel of residents from Mullion and The Lizard area. This year’s widely-travelled quartet consisted of Vee Green, chapel steward and ex-primary teacher; Roger Jenkins of Skyburriowe Lane, proud Welshman and brilliant photographer; Kate Taylor, passionate Northumbrian and historian and her husband Barry, an equally proud Cornishman, rugby player and teacher. Kate and Barry are much involved with Mullion’s popular monthly Farmers’ Market.

Between them, our guests dealt with an hour’s questioning on a wide range of topics, from literature to Post Office reorganisation; favourite food, pastimes and evocative aromas; innovations and future possibilities. Leader Rosemary Bray thanked Vanessa Carpenter, who arranged the evening, introduced the panellists and expertly guided them through the questions. Warm applause and much laughter from the appreciative audience punctuated proceedings, which concluded with sincere thanks and a small gift for each participant.

The cold season delayed by two weeks a planned afternoon expedition to Enys Garden near Penryn. It was worth the wait and members enjoyed the panorama of vivid blue blooms carpeting Parc Lye, beneath the bright green of unfolding beech leaves. Showers held off until teatime, but umbrellas protected the delicious homemade cakes and welcome cuppas, after an hour’s ramble in the extensive grounds. Mandy and Jo’s recent Treasure Trail began with a walk around Mullion Village centre for answers 1–9 of a 50-clue puzzler. Back to four wheels and a challenging tour via several local coves, through Cury and back. Going astray is part of the fun, but no one needed to open their Rescue Envelope. When the scores were totted up only six points separated first from last, both receiving appropriate prizes. Club leader Rosemary thanked Mandy and Jo with a pot plant each and supper was enjoyed at clue 50, the Mounts Bay Inn (or MNTIYOSNUANB).

On one of the sunniest days of the year so far members had an evening at Poldhu Cove beach café where Ross and Tom kindly provided us with bacon baps and chips! Vanessa, who organised the evening, gave out scavenger hunt questionnaires and for those who preferred there was the opportunity to play Boules. At the end of the evening Vanessa was thanked for organising such an enjoyable evening.

We visited the Lizard Lifeboat station the following Monday where the weather the winds blew and rain descended as we arrived at the station. After tottering down 200 steep steps we were entertained with an informative video presentation and talk given by Andy Putt, the Coxswain. This was followed by a question and answer session together with a walk around the state of the art station. The highlight was the tour of the Rose lifeboat by Dan, the mechanic and Andy. It was interesting to see all parts of the craft and the proud lifeboat crew answered numerous questions. As we filed out of the lifeboat station we reflected on the knowledge and courage of the crew. The weather had deteriorated further leaving us with a bleak impression of the conditions at sea level. It was good to see that our fund raising in 2009–10 had assisted such a worthy cause. The evening concluded with refreshments and further discussion at the home of member Trish.

Members are delighted that Mullion’s new community bus is now in service. It was the objective of our 2011-12 fundraising, resulting in a £1400 donation last September. Our current charity is Cornwall Air Ambulance.

New members are always made very welcome. We meet every Monday at 7.30pm at Mullion Methodist Chapel.