Seaford u3a News Like other organisations u3a has been restricted during the Covid crisis by being unable to hold face to face meetings and events. This has been a difficulty but fortunately Seaford u3a has some clever computerbuffs who have been able to set up online events. The monthly coffee morning has continued via ZOOM and provides a meeting point for those members who can access the technology. This is enjoyed on average by about 25 members per month though they have to provide their own coffee and biscuits. Virtual biscuits just don’t taste the same! Members were online again for a talk in March. It’s surprising how little people know about the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918 and 1919, so it was interesting to take part in an illustrated Zoom lecture by u3a member Dr Di Parkin, which explained the origin and horrifying death toll of this virus, with particular reference to the effect on Brighton. Di was part of Brighton group Spanish Flu in Brighton (https:// www.spanishfluinbrighton.co.uk) who researched the pandemic in 2019/20 and obtained contributions from people with family memories of that time. The first mention of a strange type of influenza came from the United States where it was identified in military personnel in April 1918. This was a time of war, with global troop movements and so the virus spread and caused at least 50 million deaths worldwide. There were important differences with the current pandemic as mortality mainly killed younger people and also of course, there were no vaccines. Seaford did not escape and the Commonwealth War Graves section of the cemetery on Alfriston Road includes those of Canadian soldiers who returned successfully from the war only to die from the virus. The second recent talk online was by Dr James Taylor MA (Hons), FRSA, expert on maritime art and former curator at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich. His talk was entitled Ocean Liners and was generously illustrated with photos of famous liners, some of them showing the opulent interiors, and artwork produced at the time. The 1935 poster shown here was by the French graphic designer, Cassandre, and shows the French flagship Normandie which sailed in the same
era as the Queen Mary and vied with that ship to take and re-take the Blue Riband for the fastest Atlantic crossing. The Normandie was fabulously furnished with the best French craftsmanship, including pillars in the dining room made by Lalique, but met a sad end in New York harbour when she caught fire whilst being refitted as a troop ship in 1942 and could not be salvaged. Dr Taylor started his talk with the Brunel-designed ships, Great Western, Great Britain and Great Eastern and also told of the Titanic and her sister ships the Lusitania and the Mauretania as well as going further through famous ships to the liner Queen Elizabeth 2 which was the last ocean liner designed for the transatlantic crossing. After that the cruise market became more popular. This is the third talk which Dr Taylor has done for Seaford u3a. Members have been well entertained by his professionalism and excellent illustrations. At Seaford u3a there will be a continuing programme as circumstances allow. For more information about Seaford u3a (particularly pre-Covid ) see the website www.u3asites.org.uk/seaford. To find out about membership email seafordu3a@gmail.com sending your postal address for a welcome pack.
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