Seaford U3A News

As the dark nights draw in and our activity outdoors diminishes, attention turns to good old-fashioned table games.

Seaford U3A runs four groups of such pastimes, Scrabble, Bridge, Canasta and Mah Jong. Most will need no introduction to readers and really are probably better played than written about – but here goes!

Scrabble, which has been around since 1938, could perhaps be described as a ‘make-your-own-crossword’ game. It can be played with two to four players who use tiles with a single letter on to make interlocking words reading either right to left or downwards in a column. Words must be included in a standard dictionary which can cause trouble for players with more vivid imaginations. One hundred and fifty million sets have been sold worldwide and Seaford U3A group is one of

You keep us flying high Christmas with KSS

Christmas will not be the same this year, but at KSS we have been working hard to put some sparkle back into your festive season.

Brew with the (Christmas) Crew – Join us virtually at 6.30pm on the 15th December. Register for your invite below

Why not give your virtual Christmas get together a KSS twist and download our fun party pack

Or simply donate to our Christmas appeal to help our life-saving work CORONAVIRUS EMERGENCY APPEAL

Please help us to support the NHS and our communities Christmas Appeal

Chris as Pa y Pack

Chris as Crown

Alphabetically which of Santa’s reindeer comes first? Blitzen

Which country donates the Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square? Norway

What time is the Queen’s speech traditionally broadcast on Christmas Day? 3pm

In which country is Lapland located? Finland

How many Home Alone films have been made? 5

Who is the leading actor in the film Jingle All The Way? Arnold Schwarzenegger

The song ‘Walking in the Air’ features in which Christmas film? The Snowman Who played Buddy in the 2003 fi lm Elf? Will Ferrell

In which country was eggnog invented? England

What is the biggest Christmas single of all time? White Christmas

In what year did Bob Geldof & Midge Ure write the song ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas’? 1984

What would you fi nd under the icing of a Christmas cake? Marzipan

Traditionally served hot at Christmas, what 3 ingredients are used to make mulled wine? Red wine, sugar and spices

What should you eat one of on each of the 12 days of Christmas if you want good luck? Mince pies

Who was the fi rst company that used Santa Claus in advertising? Coca-Cola

Which Hollywood actor played 6 di erent role in ‘The Polar Express’? Tom Hanks

What do people traditionally put on top of a Christmas tree? An angel

How many days are there on a traditional advent calendar? 24

What is the name of the ballet traditionally performed around Christmas each year? The Nutcracker

How many missions did we attend on Christmas and Boxing Day in 2019? 3 Chris as Cocktails and Mocktails

Clementine Margherita Mulled Apple Juice

Juice 6 clementines , plus 2 for serving 100ml vodka 100ml Cointreau 1 bottle prosecco , Cava or Champagne, chilled

STEP1 Put some Martini glasses (or champagne flutes) into the freezer. Mix the clementine juice, vodka and Cointreau in a jug, then chill for 1 hr (or up to 1 day). Thinly slice the 2 clementines to use as a garnish. STEP2 To serve, put a clementine slice into each frosty glass. Fill almost halfway with the chilled jug mixture, then open the bottle of fi zz and top up the glasses. 1 litre apple juice

Strips of orange peel 1 cinnamon stick , plus extra to garnish, if you like 3 cloves

Sugar or honey, to taste

STEP1 Simmer the apple juice with the strips of orange peel, cinnamon stick and cloves for about 5-10 mins until all the flavours have infused. Sweeten to taste. STEP2 Serve each drink with a little orange peel and a piece of cinnamon stick, if you like.

Scavenger Hunt

The idea of this game is to retrieve the Christmas item asked for by the host, in the fastest t t time possible and ti bring it back to the virtual party to display on screen. Remember you maybe ask to explain the item you picked – so no cheating!!!! The fi rst person back with a suitable item wins the round. You can play up to 10 rounds - remember to keep score and the winner is the person who has been the fastest the most amount of times.

A Christmas decoration

A kitchen utensil or crockery item that mostly gets used at Christmas

Something displaying the word “Merry” Wrapping paper Something you usually eat at Christmas

A gift you’d normally fi nd in a Christmas Stocking Your favourite Christmas present

A condiment used frequently at Christmas

Something beginning with “C” Something that makes you feel festive

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON OUR FESTIVE ACTIVITIES Visit: www.aakss.org.uk/christmas-with-kss/ Call: 01634 471 900 4,000 Scrabble clubs worldwide. Seaford U3A group is a friendly group of mixed ability which plays for two hours during which the players move round to form different tables, sometimes of two or three players but more usually of four.

Bridge is probably the next best known of the table games, the game becoming popular in the 1920s. The basis of it is that two competing pairs of players at a table bid to make a ‘contract’ to take so many tricks whilst the opposing pair tries to stop them succeeding. There is scope for competitiveness as the film actor Omar Sharif (of ‘Doctor Zhivago’ film fame) showed most effectively when he became a world-class player. However at Seaford U3A the 16 participating members play strictly social Bridge and make it a social occasion.

Canasta is probably less well known. It is hard to beat the words of the Seaford U3A group leader: ‘A brilliant game played by two players or more. Once played and you’re hooked. Can be frustrating!’ This game was invented in Uruguay in 1939 and reached a peak of popularity in the 1950s in the US and in the UK. There are still many clubs and leagues in many countries. The game has its roots in Rummy but is played with two full packs of playing cards and has special scoring. Seaford U3A group is strictly social – no big leagues here.

Probably the least well known table game is Mah Jong, a game which has spread worldwide since the 1920s, having been played in China for many years, perhaps centuries before. It is played with tiles showing Chinese characters and is described as a game of skill, strategy and calculation. In the Far East the outcome of games can be the subject of heavy betting, but not in Seaford U3A! When the group started it grew quickly until at the time of Lockdown – there were regularly seven tables of players. The group leader says: ‘there is a new vocabulary too. You will hear cries of Pung! Kong! Chow! Fishing! We Twitter the Sparrows between each game, and we play hands called Lily of the Valley, Four Blessings, Hitler’s Blunder. It is a game endlessly interesting and still evolving’. Each new player is mentored so that it is not quite so daunting for the complete beginner.

Happy gaming!

For more information about Seaford U3A visit the website www.u3asites.org.uk/seaford.To find out about membership email: seafordu3a@gmail.com sending your postal address for a welcome pack.

B

Benwick Kennels & Cattery 01273 587809

We love wet noses & little dribblers l Going on holiday? l Work commitments? l You or a family member become ill? l Builders arrive and you need help with pets?

Benwick can help! We look after your little ones as if they were our own. Licenced by Lewes Council as 5* rating, fully insured and all staff trained in various animal care qualifications. Pop in anytime to see our facilities & have a chat……we can’t wait to meet you. find & follow us on facebook @BenwickKennelsandCattery www.benwickkennelsandcatteryboarding.co.uk Email:BenwickKennelsandCattery@gmail.com maple Road (just off the a259), Peacehaven, East Sussex, BN10 8UT

what’s On in Seaford?

If you are planning on holding a ‘What’s On Monthly’ or ‘What’s On Weekly’ event/meeting in January, whether virtually, online or via social distancing, and would like the event listed in the next January Seaford Scene, please email: fran@seafordscene.co.uk, write to: Seaford Scene, 4th Floor, 60 Lansdowne Place, Hove BN3 1 FG, tel 01273 710793. deadline 4th december 2020. Turn to page 128 for What’s On in December

Lewes, Seaford and District Branch

Please contact: Jean 01323 892930

have you got room for a LoneLy PuSS Who’S Been Living on the StreetS? neutering We can also help towards the cost of neutering your cats and kittens. Please phone 01273 813111 (option 3) and leave a message including your phone number so that we may contact you.

Do you have room for a furry frienD? Phone for uP-to-Date information if you can heLP