For the first lecture of the new Hampshire Geographical Association schedule, a topic designed to follow the controversial Earth Summit in Johannesburg was chosen by the committee.

Held at Peter Symonds', Winchester, it t was given by Dr Tony Binns, of the University of Sussex, who spoke on "Sustainability case studies in rural Africa".

Exactly one hundred 15 to 18-year-olds and their teachers, from colleges that included Peter Symonds', Itchen, Barton Peveril and Atherley, and schools such as Testbourne and Kings, attended.

It began with Dr Binns discussing the concept of sustainability before going on to case study details of schemes designed to improve the quality of life for rural people in Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa.

The lecture ended on the merits of gap year and overseas projects which allow students to participate in such schemes.

The next lecture will be at Southampton University on Wednesday, October 23rd, when the association's president, Professor Mike Clark, will be examining the issues surrounding coastal defences.

For further details, visit www.geography.moonfruit.com or ring the secretary, Kim Adams, at Peter Symonds'.