ROMSEY and District
Low-down in the Lockdown Bulletin No.10 - 7 October 2020 What a LOT of rain! We hope you’ve avoided any floods but even with ‘Low-down in the Lockdown’ to read, do dress appropriately if you venture out in this inclement weather. Stay Safe, keep Active & keep Well.
Did you know? Romsey & District U3A is a registered charity. There are some 168,000 registered charities in England and Wales and together they have over 950,000 trustees; we have 12. With about 59 million people in England and Wales that means that approximately 1 in every 63 people is a charity trustee. The combined income of the charities registered with the Charity Commission, as we are, is £81.2 billion. We know because we watched the Charity Commission annual public meeting. You can watch too here. (To my great surprise there are more trustees named Dave than any other first name!) We have vacancies for 2 trustees. If you’d like to learn how you would benefit from joining our committee of trustees please do contact one of the trustees listed on this website page. Dave Lovell : Vice-Chair
DIARY DATES There is still time to order your 2021, dark blue U3A DIARY now from Janet Moody: email secretary or call 01794 517589. Cost £3.
I visited a monastery and as I walked past the kitchen I saw a man frying chips. I asked him “Are you the friar?” He replied “No, I’m the chip monk…”
STAYING IN TOUCH Are you missing your friends; haven’t seen your family recently? If you’d like help to use your computer, tablet or smartphone to see and speak with them but aren’t sure how to, let us know and we’ll organise a workshop or telephone support.
U3A CREATIVE WRITING COMPETITION WINNERS 2020 During the height of the lockdown, the Third Age Trust embarked on a nationwide search to find the best short story penned by a U3A member. The task: write an original story, no more than 1,500 words, around the theme of TIME. From 342 entries, panels of regional judges received all the stories anonymously, selecting 13 regional finalists: 10 from England, plus Wales, N. Ireland and Scotland. The November issue of TAM will feature the winning story by Rosemary Burton, from Oxford U3A with her story ‘The Clock’. Second place went to Penny Holland from Horncastle U3A with her story ‘There’s a time for everything’ and third place was awarded to Gillian Griffith from Much Wenlock & District U3A with ‘Time to Leave’. Their stories, alongside all other regional winning entries, are available now to read on the U3A website with a brief note from each writer detailing the inspiration for their story and their writing background. DO read them – they are enjoyable, and thought provoking! And for a 30% discount from Bloomsbury books for U3A members, use code U3A30 at the checkout. THE HISTORY of HALLOWEEN PUMPKIN CARVING Pumpkins are now a common sight in the countryside, with colours not limited to orange these days. Glowing orange faces scowl at you from doorsteps, as the Halloween tradition of carving pumpkins commences. Obviously this tradition comes from the USA – well NO! The British Isles had a strong tradition of carving root vegetables, going right back to the Middle Ages, but the vegetable they would be carving was the turnip. In Ireland and SW England they were called punkies and in East Anglia they were Jack-O-Lanterns. Irish migration introduced the custom to America where the pumpkin is best for lanterns… and much easier to carve. Here are some of the best places in Hampshire to go pumpkin picking.
Romsey Town Conservation Area Test Valley BC has started a consultation on the Romsey Town Conservation Area. The Conservation area covers much of the town centre and has been in place since 1970. Its purpose is to ensure that the architectural heritage of the town is preserved and that any new development matches the existing architecture. You can see a video presentation about the conservation area, see the proposed changes and comment on the updated policy here. The public consultation closes on Friday 6 November. Page 1 of 2
ROMSEY ABBEY LUNCHTIME RECITALS AUTUMN 2020 Starting on Tuesday 13 October Helena Mole (violin) – plays music by Sibelius, Beethoven and Ysayë Tickets can either be booked online or at the Visitor Information Centre (01794 512987) Admission is free but donations to support the work of the parish are welcome. Covid restrictions will be in force.
Zoom Technology ZOOM is one of the most commonly used video conferencing technologies at the moment - certainly in our U3A. Perhaps you are a Group Leader who would like to improve your skills? Have you experienced a few problems? There are several U3A online tutorials which may help you. Register here but be quick, they soon ‘sell out’! The 2020 Winners of the 4th Summer Photography Competition are decided. Mattea McKinnon took this stunning winning photo of Hurst Spit Lighthouse: "Golden hour glow at Hurst Point Lighthouse in Keyhaven, Hampshire. This lovely landmark was built in 1867 to guide vessels through hazardous waters in the Solent." DO have a look.
Flu jab? Get one where and when you can.
TOWN ANAGRAMS A Quiz (part 2) © Madeley & District U3A Work out the name of the town from the anagram. They are all in the UK and one word. Answers next time. 21. SOLVE ROB
31. RING LIST
22. FRIES MUD
32. SHOOT TRUMP
23. COLD FRAME
33. SHED RED FLUID
24. LED ACHE
34. STASH GIN
25. SHOW NEALE
35. REALLY CHIP
26. WANT CHIN
36. NEVER SINS
27. WART ON GRIN
37. GEAR OR HAT
28. A MINT THONG
38. WAS SANE
29. RICH WON
39. BARE NEED
30. STEER LICE
40. NORA LEFT
What is Sober October? Sober October encourages people to go boozefree in October to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, who need your support now more than ever. Can you help with fundraising? Do you want to be informed if you might have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for Covid-19? Download this app to your mobile. Beware of scams. Contact tracers will only call from 0300 013 5000 or text or email from ‘NHStracing’ and they will never ask for personal info.
RAIN! Need an ark? I Noah guy. SOUTHAMPTON ART SOCIETY’s new programme of ALL CREATURES GREAT and SMALL ANSWERS (Questions : Bulletin 9)
lectures begins on 12 October, with an online webinar on Turner vs. Constable: The Great British Paint-off with Nicola Moorby, an independent art historian and former curator at Tate Britain. Visitors welcome for the usual visitor fee.
1
DOG
11
RABBITS
2
ZEBRA
12
HORSE
3
WEASEL
13
PEACOCK
4
BADGER
14
WREN
5
BEAVER
15
PANDA
COULD YOU BE A SILVER SWAN? The Royal Academy of Dance at Home have free online ballet exercise classes, designed to get the older generation moving to the music at home. From experienced dancers to those that don’t know their plié from their pointe, older learners of any ability are invited to try free Silver Swans classes. Watch Lesson 1 first! They also have Five a Day fitness videos, consisting of five daily fitness exercises for you to do at home.
6
KANGAROO
16
DONKEY
7
REINDEER
17
HEDGEHOG
8
ELEPHANT
18
LADYBIRD
9
GROUSE
19
ANTELOPE
10
SWAN
20
PENGUIN
ISLE OF WIGHT TRAVEL? English Heritage members are being offered 15% (car) or 20% (foot passenger) discount on Wightlink ferries. Book online or by phone but have your EH membership number ready to qualify.
Bulletin 11 is due out on 21 October. Have you anything to tell us or a photo to share? *** THANK YOU to all our contributors this bulletin — you know who you are! *** Contact Gill Hodge 01794 511529 treasurer@romseyu3a.org.uk This Bulletin will also be on our website: romseyu3a.org.uk ‘Low-down in the Lockdown’ team: Gill Hodge, Glenda Taylor, Janet Moody, Margaret Marchbank, Dave Lovell. Do you want to join us? We’re just an email away: news.copy@romseyu3a.org.uk Page 2 of 2