THE Chandos Society of Artists welcomed distinguished lecturer Peter Haggett to mark the society's 50th anniversary with a special talk at Bridgwater Arts Centre.

Bridgwater-born Professor Haggett, a former Dr Morgan's School pupil, delivered the Jean Rees memorial lecture on the history and literature of the Quantocks; the event also gave visitors a taste of the society's spring exhibition.

Prof Haggett studied at St Catherine's College in Cambridge before becoming a don at the University College London. He then taught at the University of California before becoming Professor of Geography at the University of Bristol.

He holds seven honorary degrees from universities in Britain, Scandinavia and North America, and has published more than 20 volumes of research.