GRIMSBY AND CLEETHORPES U3A
BROCHURE AUTUMN 2015 Photograph by Christopher Petchey
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 1st October If you have not already completed one you will find in your brochure a nomination form for the election of the principal officers and committee members for 2015/16. A committee member has been proposed as the new chairman with John Wilkinson standing down after three years as current chairman. All principal officers and committee members to be elected should have the signature of the nominee, also the proposer and seconder who is not a current committee member. Himanshu Ghadiali is now standing for a further year as treasurer. All nominations should be with the secretary by 10th September to check all named nominees, as seven of the nine current committee members are willing to serve a further term of office. Similar to lasts year’s Annual General Meeting, after the A.G.M. and refreshment break we shall be continuing with a members’ quiz on each table based on general knowledge questions. Also the raffle and, hopefully, a winner from the name card for the folding cycle generously donated by Pauline and David Campbell for U3A funds.
SPEAKERS AT GENERAL MEETINGS A list of Future Speakers can be found inside the Back Cover of this Brochure. For more detail about each of the Speakers, please refer to our Web-site: grimsbyandcleethorpesu3a.org.uk
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CHAIRMANS CHAT Carole Petchey has decided to cease co-ordinating our quarterly brochure from this issue in September but the brochure will be replaced with the members’ monthly newsletter forwarded by email or collected from our monthly meetings at the Memorial Hall in Cleethorpes. At the July committee meeting there was a proposal and agreement that an Annual publication combining news items, current group activities and events calendar plus relevant information of our U3A be published. Anne Easterbrook called saying due to personal pressure of work she wishes to stand down after the next committee meeting in September from the U3A Committee but will continue as leader of her Family History Group. Any group leader requiring to hire a venue for their meetings please contact John Wilkinson for further details of venues and charges. Thelma reported at the August members' meeting that the interest in the Parchment Craft and Knitting Groups has been well received and members interested on the list would be contacted. The 2015 Older People's Advice Day to be held at the Memorial Hall, Cleethorpes from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday 7th October is free entry with our U3A representatives manning a table in the centre of the hall. All members welcome; lots of free information available. Details from John Wilkinson or Anne Mann. John Wilkinson, Chairman 3
GRIMSBY AND CLEETHORPES U3A AGENDA FOR THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AT THE MEMORIAL HALL, CLEETHORPES – THURSDAY 1ST OCTOBER 2015 1
To receive apologies for absence
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To receive the Minutes of the AGM 2014 Acceptance of Minutes
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Matters arising from 2014 Minutes
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To receive the Chairman’s Report Acceptance of Chairman’s Report
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To receive the Treasurer’s Report Acceptance of Treasurer’s Report
Proposer: Seconder:
Proposer: Seconder: Proposer: Seconder:
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To receive any resolutions submitted by members
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Election of Principal Officers Chairman: (retiring chair John Wilkinson) Elected Chairman Proposer: Seconder:
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Treasurer: Himanshu Ghadiali
Proposer: Seconder:
Secretary - Anne Mann
Proposer: Seconder:
Introduction and acceptance of Committee members: Gill Clarke, Christina Hanson, Janet Cullum, Jenny Dutton, Barry Haden, John Wilkinson, Janet Parratt (Pauline Campbell and Anne Easterbrook retiring)
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NOMINATION FORM FOR THE ELECTION OF PRINCIPAL OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS 2015
Name of Proposed Position for which proposed Signature of Nominee Signatures of Proposer Seconder: This form, properly completed, should be returned to the General Secretary
FORM FOR THE SUBMISSION OF A RESOLUTION TO THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2015
Resolution:
Signatures of Proposer: Seconder:
This completed form should be returned to the General Secretary not later than 10th September 2015
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This page is left blank to facilitate the completion of Nomination and Proposal Forms overleaf
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UNDERSTANDING HOW MEMORY FUNCTIONS As we grow older, we worry about our memory and particularly about the possibility of suffering from dementia. Over the last four years our U3A has successfully run six four-weekly groups on how our memory functions. This is based on the work done by Aughton & Ormskirk U3A. This will be a closed group, which will meet once a week. You are required to attend all four weeks. In the first week we will discuss the nature of memory. In the second week we will explore illnesses affecting memory. The third week will concentrate on diets and activities aiding the memory and in the last week we will explore other factors, with a revision of what we have learnt. The cost of this group will be ÂŁ15.00 which includes a booklet and material for the course. We will run this group in October/November and if there is more demand, February/March. If you are interested in attending this group please give
HERITAGE OPEN DAYS The once-a-year chance to explore the places on your doorstep, unlocked and completely free of charge, otherwise known as Heritage Open Days, will be happening on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 10-13 September. To select a venue, go to the Heritage Open Days website at www.heritageopendays.org.uk. Then click on Go Explore to find details of what's on. These will be listed together with venue con-
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U3A Philosophy/Psychology A new philosophy/psychology group was formed where new and exciting discussions took place in a relaxed environment. Philosophy and psychology are theories concerning every day life issues, which affect each and every one of us. The group meets every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month, with the next group taking place on 9th September at 2pm. The discussion and research area we will be looking and examining into are: Ethics and have things changed in the 21st Century and if so, are they for the good of our society? The second topic for discussion will be on Jeremy Bentham a British philosopher, jurist and social reformer. These are two very interesting topics to get our brains into gear and our thinking caps on. At present there are 11 members, with names of others who might be interested in joining our group to be placed on a list. If there are enough people on the list to get a second group going, then please contact me, and I will be happy to arrange this. My email address is s_laccohee @hotmail.com. At the end of our meetings, we throw open areas of interest to be discussed and researched and vote for the next topics. Our group is one of sharing theories, where one can grow and learn from our shared discussions.
PLAY READING GROUP After finishing Chekov's "Three Sisters", we read the first part of "Celebrations" by Waterhouse and Hall. This was an amusing account of the preparations for a "working class" wedding reception. After our August break, we meet again on September 10th when I am hoping to have copies of Fry's " Venus Observed".
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RUMMIKUB GROUP The new Rummikub Group has started and is going very well. We have 8 members who meet on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month at 2.00 pm and meet at different members’ houses each time. We have two tables, which works just perfectly. Any number above two can play the game so if someone is unable to make it one week we can still continue to play with a reduced number. We are a very sociable group and have a break for tea and refreshments. We usually finish around 4.30 pm. We have decided to have a break during the month of August and will continue again in September. CANASTA GROUP The new Canasta Group is a great success, with 4 members meeting every other Monday evening in a member’s house. Since commencing this group we have also learnt other card games, eg Spades and Cribbage which we alternate with the Canasta so we are becoming a ‘Card’ group rather than just a Canasta Group. There are two members who are also interested in the Group who would like to meet in the daytime, so if more members are interested in the Canasta we could start a daytime group. Ideally this game is best played with 4 players in 2 teams. Please contact the Groups’ Co-ordinator on 01472 813010 if you would like to join the daytime group. A day to suit everybody will be sorted out later. MAH JONG An additional Mah Jong group is now available from 2—4 pm every fortnight on Tuesdays. This is at the home of Carl Massey-Chase, where there are 2 tables available, seating 4 at each table. If you are interested in joining this group, please contact the Groups’ Co-ordinator. 9
M O N
T U E
W E D
T H F R I S U
Family History 3rd Monday 10—12 am Anne Easterbrook
Spanish 10.00 to 11.30 weekly Alan Waumsley
Bird Watching Week 2 am (or all day) monthly
Int C p Marg
Aviation pm week 1 Geoff Lenthall
Enjoying music pm week 3 Frank Marston
Lip Reading pm fortnightly Diana Green
L pm Este
Croquet (in Summer) pm weekly Berenice Dudeney
Calligraphy 3 2-4pm fortnightly Irene Harris
Art 2-4 pm fortnightly Janet Parratt
Calligraphy 1 am weeks 2 & 4 Thelma Sadler
Poetry Appreciation pm week 3 Shirley Grant
Rummikub 1st and 3rd week 2 pm Anne Mann
Mah Jong Group 1 pm weekly Irene Kelly Armchair Travel am week 1 John Wilkinson Bowls Indoor Oct-April pm weekly George Bass
Bridge Mah J (in Winter) pm pm weekly Ca Berenice Dudeney Calligraphy 2 10-12 am fortnightly Sue Bullen
Ca p An
Music for Pleasure pm week 3 Margaret Temprell
Play Reading pm week 2 David Muir
Sh
Book Club am week 1 Jill Maltby
Bowls pm weekly May to September George Bass
So
p T
we J
ARR
ternational Cookery pm week 3 garet Sisson
Scrabble pm weekly Pearl Turner
Canasta Alternate Monday Evenings Anne Mann
Literature m fortnightly elle Foulkes
New Age Kurling pm weeks 1 & 3 Pauline Campbell
Table Tennis am weekly John Pitt
Bowls pm weekly May to September
ard Making pm week 2 Anne Mann
Creative Writing pm week 1 George Bullen
Mah Jong Group 4 2-4pm weekly Jean Blair
Philosophy/ Psychology Weeks 2 & 4 2—4 pm Sandra Holmes
hakespeare Group pm week 3 Ted Riley
Ten Pin Bowling am weekly Thelma Sadler
ocial Group am eeks 2 & 4 Jill Maltby
Entertainment pm weekly Christina Hanson
Mah Jong Group 3 2 pm weekly Thelma Sadler
Mah Jong Group 2 2 pm weekly Irene Kelly
Reading Music/ Clarinet Any day Brenda Roffey
Computer Support As required Himanshu Ghadiali
Memory Course As required Himanshu Ghadiali
Jong Group 5 m fortnightly arl MasseyChase
BY RANGEMENT
WANTED I would like about 6 U3A Members to join the 10 pin Bowling group. Recently 4 of my group dropped out of the U3A, so are no longer in the group I have 6 people absent because of illness, unfortunately 4 of these will not return to bowling and the other 2 are doubtful. I would like to build up the numbers again - so please help me out and come along and just give it a try. Thursday morning we arrive at 9.15 to be on the lanes by 9.30. 1 hour’s play then coffee (or tea) and a natter. £3.84 each - shoe hire 50 pence. Most people buy their own shoes (from the bowling shop) when they know they are going to come regularly. COME ON - MY GROUP HAS BEEN GOING STRONG SPANISH GROUP—ALAN WAUMSLEY Venue: Scartho Community Hall, next to Beeches Hotel. Time: 10.00 to 11.30 every Monday.
CREATIVE WRITING - GEORGE BULLEN Two spaces are now available on this group which meets on the first Wednesday afternoon of each month. If you are interested in joining this group please enquire through the Groups’ Co-ordinator, Pauline Campbell on 813010. 12
Where are you Knitters and Natterers?! Would you like to join a new group of knitters? Share patterns. Talk about new yarns. Discuss new ideas. Maybe even have ideas of things to make for charity stalls. Venue and day to be arranged by mutual agreement. Give your name and phone number to Thelma 358651
Possibility of Starting New Groups Parchment Craft Group
If any member is interested in starting a Parchment Craft Group or interested in joining one, please contact Pauline Campbell.
Political Discussion Group
If any member is interested in starting a Political Discussion Group or interested in joining one, please contact Pauline Campbell. Pauline Campbell, can be contacted by email pd@campbell877.plus.com or by phoning 01472 813010. Please share this information with your friends.
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A SPECIAL VISIT TO A NATIONAL TRUST On a recent visit to a National Trust House/Garden I started to think just how many people had a favourite one with a reason to visit it! Whilst living in Sussex for almost 30 years I had such a selection of places to view, unlike Lincolnshire! These were Saint Hill Manor at Standen, close to East Grinstead where I lived, Wakehurst Place, Nyman’s Gardens, Borde Hill, Sheffield Park, Chartwell, and Sissinghurst Castle Gardens my then favourite of southern N.T.’s. Their white garden in July was breathtaking. My reason to visit COUGHTON COURT, Alcester, Warwickshire was to visit my family and then view this historical place, linked very much with THE GUNPOWDER PLOT. As my brother had already been, with an interest in our Surname of DIGBY, he highly recommended the visit since it played a big part in the Midland Uprising of 1605. The Throckmorton family of Coughton Court now celebrate the survival of Catholicism and welcome all faiths and denominations. They have a collection of Catholic treasures/memorabilia and in particular the GUNPOWDER PLOT exhibition. The story bears striking parallels to today with activities of modern day terrorists. I learned more of the life and death of Sir Everard DIGBY who was only 24 years of age when hung drawn and quartered: married at 12 and knighted at 22 leaving a wife Mary and 2 young Children. He was said to be a refined honest trustworthy graceful man who supplied horses and arms when he rented Coughton Court from Thomas Throckmorton only a week before the plotters were discovered on 5 Nov 1605. Of all the 13 major conspirators Sir Everard was the only one to plead guilty. Neverthless all 13 recusants 14 were on trial for high treason and even Guy Fawkes ( alias Johnson) said they were innocent of any crime!
The house is amazing, and had on display in the dining room a celebration of the Battle of Britain /Waterloo Ball . I then walked the beautiful walled garden which Alan Titchmarsh visited to meet Clare Throckmorton when her father designed it many years ago. There are lakes and woodland and many picnic areas within. July is a great month to see the kaleidoscope of flowers and trees at their best! Maybe now you can tell me of one you have enjoyed and why.
FAMILY HISTORY We meet on the 3rd MONDAY in a calendar month WHERE? WALTHAM LIBRARY! WHEN? 10 a.m. until 12. 4 Computers are booked for Sept15th, Oct 19th, Nov 16th Remember LDS, Linwood Avenue (828876) will host you for family search if not already booked up.
Tel:310061 or digoldsby@ntlworld.com Group leader: Anne Easterbrook
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CARIBBEAN CAPERS A late booking in January for a bargain package deal saw us winging our way across the Atlantic in a Boeing 757, heading for Jamaica. Escaping from the English winter, we touched down in Bangor for refuelling, then headed south for the West Indies. After some 12 hours total flying time we landed at the ‘Island in the Sun’ in brilliant sunshine with temperatures in the eighties. Neither of us had been before and our knowledge of the island was confined to Bob Marley and Reggae music, Harry Belafonte, rum and cricket. Jamaica is rich in cane sugar, beautiful flowers, lush greenery, mountains and waterfalls, and tourism is its biggest money-earner. It is not difficult to see why, with year round temperatures in the 70’s and 80’s, more or less constant sunshine and clean white beaches caressed the warm, blue Caribbean Sea. When we arrived at the airport, we had no idea in which resort we would be staying, but we were lucky as we found ourselves booked in at the Seawinds complex in Montego Bay. It was a little off the beaten track but ideally situated for a quiet, relaxing holiday, with its own restaurants, swimming pools and private beaches, including a nudist beach for those wishing to get an all-over tan! Our rooms were on the 9th floor with superb views over the harbour and beaches and we were able to see the visiting cruise ships, an impressive sight when lit overall at night. Currency used in town was the US dollar and Jamaican dollar, but in the complex, ‘Sharks Teeth’ were the only legal tender (each worth one US dollar or 28 Jamaican dollars). It was confusing initially, but we soon got used to the idea, although it was a bit of a rip-off. In the restaurants it was more convenient to use credit cards. The weather was hot and sunny with gentle breezes day after day and we spent a lot of time on the beach and in the warm sea. Trips were laid on to visit other parts of the island and entertainment organised every evening . Eating out in town at the many and varied restaurants was very reasonable on the whole and we just rang up from the hotel and a private car was sent to whisk us off to town and bring 16
back after our meal. We did slip up one evening when we booked at an Italian Restaurant 800 feet up in the hills and finished up paying £30 each. That hurt! The only consolation was having a chat to the film star James Coburn and his wife Paula, who were sitting at the next table. As usually happens on holiday, the two weeks flew by and we were soon on our way back, recalling happy memories of the friendly, laid back people who never seemed to get out of second gear. But in that sort of climate, who wants to? It was back to reality when the pilot informed us that it was freezing at Manchester. Having had very little sleep, we were well ready for a rest on returning home, but still retained wonderful memories of this value for money holiday. Geoff Lenthall HOW’S THIS for a Radish ? Sid Petchey has sent this picture for our brochure. On the right side of the picture is a radish of ‘normal’ size. At the left side is of one of his radishes which he has grown this year in his back garden. The ‘fruit’ stands 4 inches tall, not counting the root or leaves and is 10 inches in circumference ! He can’t tell you what it tasted like as he decided it would be rather woody and disposed of it.
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GUEST SPEAKERS Over the past few months we have had speakers who have spoken on widely varying subjects which I hope you have found entertaining and informative. In May we had Beryl Lee who, along with her husband, runs a Charity set up by her daughter Stephanie, to aid the Karennic Refugees of Burma. Beryl and her husband took on this huge commitment after their daughter was tragically killed in an accident whilst working in Burma. Beryl explained that KSDP (Karenni Student Development Programme) provides funds to support the Karenni people, both those in refugee camps (in Thailand) and those living in near poverty in the Karenni State within Burma. The charity has so far raised funds for orphanages, schools, skills development programmes and teacher training projects inside Burma and in the refugee camps, and now also funds a brand new clinic inside Karenni State. Beryl’s talk was poignant and thought-provoking. She had brought with her a selection of the beautiful clothing and accessories made by these people which she brings back for sale in this country. She has promised to let us know when she will be hosting the next sale so that those interested can go along. June saw Doreen Reed, a very accomplished poet and storyteller, in the same vein as Pam Ayres, who made us all laugh with her clever and witty poetic observations of human nature, based mainly around belonging to the ‘older generation’. I know that several people spoke to Doreen after the meeting about how much they had enjoyed her poetry and I believe she also sold a number of her books. She told me that she makes notes of poems and stories she has told to her audiences so that she doesn’t repeat them if asked back. Another good reason to book her again in the future. Dr Stephen Bloy was our speaker in July. He is a local author with a particular interest in the Grimsby Fishing Industry. Dr Bloy is a retired Director of the Grimsby Institute with an interest in the fishing industry. He gave us a very informative talk about how the fishing in- 18 dustry grew up in the 1840s
with the coming of the railways, and the appalling conditions under which the seamen, especially the apprentice boys, worked. His talk was very well received and I have been asked to get him back to give the second part of this subject bringing the fishing industry in Grimsby from 1910 to its decline in the 1970’s. He also speaks on a trip he made to Machu Pichu which I also know several people would like to hear. In August, Jennie Mooney, Development Officer from Lincs Inspire Libraries, gave us an insight into the process of researching family history. She spoke about the fantastic amount of material held at the Grimsby central library, in original documents, such as newspapers, trade directories, street directories and photographs; microfiche and digital records; not to mention books. All these resources are available to the general public. She told us how they receive requests for information from people all over the world researching their ancestry. The library had also taken part in piecing together the information on actor John Hurt’s connection to Grimsby for the ‘Who Do You Think You Are’ TV programme. Jennie left us a list of useful research websites, many of which are free, for those inspired to start the hunt.
SPEAKERS AT GENERAL MEETINGS 3 September
Jackie Adams Living in the Falklands
1 October
No Speaker AGM Followed by Quiz
5 November
Nigel Burn—Friends of Lincoln Castle History of Lincoln Castle
3 December
Colin Horsey “From Rocks to Riches”
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COMMITTEE Chairman: Secretary: Treasurer: Vice Chair: Group Co-ordinator: Webmaster: Speaker Finder: Publicity
Catering Team: Welfare:
John Wilkinson Anne Mann Himanshu Ghadiali Margaret Sisson Pauline Campbell Himanshu Ghadiali Janet Parratt Anne Easterbrook Janet Cullum Christina Hanson Barry Haden Jenny Dutton Gill Clarke Marj Dalby (non committee)
316597 348833 343474 235445 813010 343474 239165 310061 599482 871333 505629 873613 312820 599750
Neighbourhood and Network Representative: John Wilkinson and Another
MEMBERS’ WELFARE If you know of any member who is unwell please contact Marj Dalby on 599750 who will usually send a get well card and/or speak to the Member who is ill, to help to cheer them and let them know that their friends at the U3A are thinking of them.
Details on this page are correct as up to the date of printing and brochure issue, but may change after 1st October due to the Annual General Meeting on that date.