THE Society's October meeting featured a talk by David Briggs, entitled In search of the father of Hi-Fi.

David described his research for a book about his grandfather’s cousin, Gilbert Briggs (1890-1978) whose pioneering work contributed to the sophisticated sound reproduction systems that we all enjoy today.

He founded the famous Wharfedale loudspeaker company in Bradford in 1932 following the collapse of his textile export company in the Depression. He was also communicator par excellence on the rapid developments in sound reproduction after the War through his many books for the amateur enthusiast (which sold over 260,000 copies worldwide) and his international live versus recorded sound demonstrations in major concert halls.

David’s exhaustive research led to contacts in Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia and China and involved several coincidences which made the audience gasp!

His book A Pair of Wharfedales was published by IM Publications in 2012.

At the meeting on Friday, November 28 the speaker will be Lena Dyche on the subject of Sweden - a wide and far-reaching exploration of this area of Scandinavia. As usual, the meeting will be at 7.30pm in the Burgage Hall and visitors are welcome.

MARY WINFIELD