THE Friends of Usk Rural Life Museum were forced to cancel the first of their planned winter lectures, when flu struck down the speaker Leslie Thomas.

"We were really sorry to lose this opportunity to hear Leslie Thomas speak about 'managing small rural estates', and hope to rearrange the evening at some time," said Euphan Tenison, secretary to the Friends.

"We tried very hard to find an alternative speaker but it proved impossible at such short notice. We decided it was better to cancel the evening altogether, though of course we are really sorry if anyone was inconvenienced."

The Friends hope to have better luck with the remainder of their winter programme.

Bridget Woodhead will discuss 'beekeeping past, present and future' on January 19, while the final winter event will be on March 16 and is called 'the rescue of the small hill farm,' with Colin Gardner.

Both evenings will take place at the Three Salmons Hotel, Usk, at 8pm. Lectures will cost £2.50 for friends, volunteers and rural life members, £3.50 for everyone else, payable at the door.

Joining the friends costs £10 for an individual member, £15 for a family membership, £5 for under 25s, senior citizens and registered disabled.

If anyone wants more information on any of these lectures, or on joining the friends, please contact Penny Reeves on 01873-880355 or e-mail penny.reeves@virgin.net for more information.