Lanhydrock was once painted red, members of Callington U3A were told at their October meeting. This was to emulate red brick, fashionable in the mid-1700s. Granite was a poor man's building material. Paul Holden, who looks after the house and its contents, gave a fascinating account of its history and occupants over the years since 1620 when Richard Robartes acquired the estate. The family fortune was based on tin, members heard, and, by 1624, Richard Robartes was the wealthiest man in the West. He bought himself a baronetcy for £20,000. Despite being known as 'Old Grumpy', Richard seems to have done well for himself both politically and socially. Judiciously, by being out of the country, he was unable to sign the Death Warrant for Charles I which undoubtedly saved his neck on the Restotation of the Monarchy under Charles II, Paul Holden told members. The Robartes family, like many, had mixed fortunes over the ensuing centuries, with sometimes an excess of children and at others no direct heirs. The house has been altered over time, according to the tastes of the various owners, and the contents have followed fashions although, thankfully, the exterior has not been re-painted. Mr Holden talked of some of the fascinating people who had lived at Lanhydrock, finishing with an account of Tommy Agar Robartes, who was larger than life. He was, for example, disqualified from his seat in Parliament in 1906 for plying the voters with meals and entertainment. However, he was an exceptionally brave leader and, despite being wounded in France, insisted that he returned to the Front, whereupon he was killed. The family never recovered from this blow because Tommy had never married. Eventually, in 1953, the house was taken over by the National Trust and six rooms were opened in 1954 for a charge of 6d. Jo King thanked Paul for the talk. It has been the group's month for involvement with Cornish houses because they enjoyed a day out at Pencarrow, with a guided tour of the house. Ron Thomas and David Barnett are encouraging members to find out about digital presentation and two workshops have been planned. The U3A would like to start a Spanish group but needs a leader for their novices. The next general meeting will be in the Town Hall at 10am on Monday November 7. For details, call secretary Pam Barnett on (01579) 384309.