Bruce Hardy is a retired Baptist minister who worked for 21 years in church-based pastoral work and for 15 years up to retirement in full-time religious journalism.

Bruce holds degrees in Spanish (from Oxford) and in theology (from London). He is married with four adult, married children and five grandchildren.

He said: "Although my working life involved continued studies in theology, my earlier studies in Spanish language, culture and literature have stayed with me as an enthusiasm throughout my life, and I am delighted to serve the society now."

Bruce has presented lectures to the society on Spanish painting; the music of Manuel de Falla; Spanish Islam in the Middle Ages; and the poetry of Antonio Machado.

During his career, Bruce's appointments included minister of Waterlooville Baptist Church; editor of the former Christian Herald newspaper; and president of the Baptist Men's Movement. He served as trustee of two overseas development charities.

The new chairman succeeds Phillip Adams of Havant, a retired lawyer, who was also the society's secretary for two terms of several years.

The Portsmouth Hispanic Society meets monthly from September to June at the Fratton Community Centre, Trafalgar Place, Fratton. Meetings usually take place on the first Thursday evening of the month and begin at 7pm.

The regular programme provides opportunity for informal conversation and light refreshments ('tapas') at nominal cost.

Society members pay an £8 annual subscription to attend meetings; visitors pay £1.50 per meeting. The society, which also offers Spanish language classes for beginners and holidaymakers, and, now in its 51st year, is thought to be the oldest of its kind in Britain.

The president of the society is Professor Patrick Williams of Portsmouth University.

For more information contact Bruce Hardy on 023 9226 6106 or consult the website www.spanishportsmouth.org.uk