The April gathering of Taunton Castle Probus Club saw incoming president Martin Straus take the reigns from outgoing president Geoffrey Morton.

Nick O’Donnell, the mayor of Taunton, was present to witness the installation.

In the past year, the club, which meets monthly at Taunton Racecourse, has attracted a number of new members, bringing the membership to 49.

Attendees were treated to an engaging talk from Brian Jones, who lives on the Blackdown hills and was one of two pilots aboard the Breitling Orbiter balloon which was the first to fly non-stop around the world in March 1999.

The epic journey saw Mr Jones and his co-pilot traverse 30,000 miles in 19 days, enduring severe temperatures while soaring at various altitudes, including peaks of 35,000 feet.

The question and answer session highlighted several technical, weather and avionic concerns.

Lunch, held overlooking the racecourse, featured an address from Mr O’Donnell, marking his inaugural visit to a Probus Club.

He praised the group's camaraderie and highlighted his enjoyment of the talk.