ESTABLISHED 1999
Open to anybody not in full-time employment
"Learn, Laugh and Live"
Welcome to another edition of YOUR West Wolds Quarterly Newsletter – our way of letting members know what is going on, what the groups have been up to, and news in general. As always, the filling of the space is very much in your hands, and the Editors are very grateful for the contributions received for this issue. The article by Chrissie about her involvement with our Discovery Group, and how she has benefitted from this and her U3A membership is, we think, so very indicative of what U3A membership is all about. If another member wishes to express their views on the benefits which he or she has gained from joining us, please write in to the editors. Don’t forget – the U3A ethos is LEARN, LAUGH, LIVE. We hope that you will all try to follow this and will gain from your own membership – whether it is from involvement with one or more of our groups, whether it is from making new friends and gaining a wider social life, or whether it is from learning some new skill or knowledge, do please share your thoughts with others. Your Newsletter is how we seek to communicate with one and all, yet about half our members do not come to Monthly Meetings where it is available to collect and read. Listening to the Speaker is only a part of what the Meeting is all about – here you will find out what group organisers are offering you. If you really can’t attend, then due to the wonders of modern technology, you can read the Newsletter on our excellent website, where you will also learn a lot more about what goes on. Use all the tabs to get the best from the site. Follow the information shown opposite to become a subscriber. Many thanks from Terry Francis – Production Editor, and Brian Ward – Copy Editor
Articles for the next edition should reach the editor no later than 24th August 2018 Send contributions to magazine@westwoldsu3a.org Page 2
The past three months seem to have flown by with so much activity within our U3A. Our membership continues to grow and there are a number of prospective new groups in the planning stages. The committee have been busy addressing such issues as our charitable status and the new Data Protection Act. Brian Ward and Sharon Rupp have successfully organised respectively trips and unique events with many more to come in the coming months. We held a lively meeting for Group Leaders to listen to how their groups are getting along and to discuss ways we can make life easier for people to start new groups. There was also a very enjoyable meeting of new members at my house with significant enthusiasm for being involved in our friendly organisation. As a committee we are always interested in your ideas so if you have any suggestions or would like to help in any way please contact me – chairman@westwoldsu3a.org Steve McCarthy - Chairman __________________________________________________________________________
How to Subscribe on the West Wolds website to receive updates and notice of New Posts by email. Opening the West Wolds website homepage, look for the area shown on the right. Enter your email address and click on the ‘Receive Updates’ button. You will receive an email from Wordpress, which refers you to opening your account. Make sure you click the link shown.
Dutch Bulbfields at Keukenhof Photo by Brian Ward Page 3
Where does all the money go? At our AGM last November, the membership approved an increase of £2 in our annual subscription to meet the cost of running West Wolds U3A. Since then, your Committee have had their thinking caps on and reviewed our membership categories to ensure we’re being fair to all. We’ve agreed the following fee levels for the membership year starting in September 2018:
Newsletter with information about our groups and activities. Your money is used to support new Interest Groups, to buy and maintain equipment, cover stationery and postage costs, and so on – I’ll stop now, I can hear the yawns from here!
The rest of your fee goes to the Third Age Trust. And what, I hear you ask, do the Third Age Trust do for us? Well, quite a lot, as I’ve discovered since joining the Committee. We give them £3.50 £17.00 Full membership ‘capitation fee’ per member and £31.50 Joint membership (for £2.50 per household towards postage costs. In return, they two people living at the same provide Public and Products address) Liability insurance including £11.00 Associate membership damage to a member’s property (for people who pay full while their home is being used to membership to another U3A) host a U3A event, Tour Operators Liability insurance for U3A trips, a Motion Picture Licence and Phonographic Performance Licence West Wolds U3A will keep £11.00 so our groups can watch DVDs, from each member’s subscription stream or download films and play and use it to achieve our charity’s objective of ‘education and personal recorded music. They have national subject advisers who can offer development’ for members. This includes running monthly meetings support to group leaders and a Resource Centre with material for where you can find out about groups to borrow. They arrange Interest Groups, sign up for visits study days and summer schools. and events, meet other members and listen to a range of speakers. It They publish the magazines that drop through your letterbox – 5 covers the cost of printing this Page 4
issues of Third Age Matters with news from U3As and their members around the country, and 3 issues of Sources, the educational journal, with articles on different study topics. They also provide advice and support to the Committee to keep us on the straight and narrow in running the charity.
If you’re still reading this – I know, finance can be so boring! – I hope you’ll agree that your membership fee is good value, giving you access to a whole host of learning opportunities and new experiences. Shelley Franklin Treasurer and Membership Secretary
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DETAILS ON 2018 VISITS For ease of reference, here is an update on the planned visits for the remainder of this year: Wednesday 27 June: Day trip to Yorkshire gardens: Scampston Walled Gardens, Jackson’s Wold, and Yorkshire Lavender. £32.00 pp. About 15 places available. Wednesday 18 July: The newly opened International Bomber Command Centre, Lincoln, and the Memorial Collection at Wickenby Airfield. Fully Booked. Wednesday 22 August: Hitachi Rail EU train building plant at Newton Aycliffe, Head of Steam Museum and P2 Project, Darlington. Fully Booked. Tuesday to Thursday 18 – 20 September: A unique short break with your fellow members and friends. We return to country house hotel Solberge Hall, near Northallerton. Full programme detailed in the flyer for this short holiday. Final cost dependent on numbers. Up to a possible 10 more bedrooms available, which would give us exclusive use of the hotel. And don’t miss the short experience visits arranged by Sharon Rupp as well, see page 25. Brian Ward. Page 5
Market Rasen Ukulele Group Market Rasen Ukulele Band jumped at the chance to put on a display in the Festival Hall at the March monthly meeting to promote our ‘New Beginners Ukulele Group.’ We had permission to break into song or even dance around the tables. On this occasion we took a more sombre approach and performed a few songs with our ukuleles in the corner. We found the morning extremely rewarding, finding in total nine members interested in our new beginners group and a request for another gig. Thank you West Wolds for giving us this opportunity, we are having so much fun. Co-ordinator Heather 01673 849393
GIGS for the rest of 2018 June 20th – 21st Wednesday & Thursday - Lincolnshire Show on the band stand two performances daily—Public event - entry charge applies . July 7th Saturday - Thorpe Camp, Tattershall Thorpe nr Coningsby LN4 4PL, car share where possible, early birds arrive before 10 am for nearest carpark. Two performances, can spend the day there plus museum. Bring wives, husbands, partners or friends along, open to the public but they will be charged entrance fee £5.00 September 14th Friday 10 am – 4 pm - West Wolds U3A Spilsby’s 10th anniversary, two performances. Buffet, exhibitions, crafts and singing etc. November 24th Saturday - Christmas Theme under the auction shed, Market Rasen December 1st Saturday - Wragby Town Hall Variety Show 7.30 – 10pm two sessions December 9th Sunday 12noon - Christmas Theme indoors Methodist Chapel, Wragby Page 6
Speakers for 2018 This is the calendar of speakers at the Monthly Meetings for the rest of 2018 July 12th
Meet Our Tiger – Kathleen & Chris Barnett – adopted a Bengal Tiger rescued from a squalid zoo in Belgium for the Born Free Foundation.
Aug 9th
Tax, Care and Toyboys – Chris Dingley – everything you need to know about future-proofing your assets by taking out the right type of Will and Estate Planning
Sept 13th
Dennetts Ice Cream—Robin Dennett – homemade Ice Cream to Dennetts own recipe since 1926 by four generations.
Oct 11th
Tommy Goes To War—Michael Credland - using a display of uniforms and artefacts to illuminate his talk, Michael takes us through the kit the Tommy took to war. Poppies will also be sold for the Royal British Legion.
Nov 8th
AGM—Plus Social Entertainment
Dec 13th
The Life of a Tudor Musician in a Royal Court—Peter Barnard— playing a variety of reproduction historical instruments.
Editorial Note: The Editors would welcome more contributions from groups about their activities, and what they are planning.
Quote from OAP Bootcamp on TV “Loneliness and isolation in older people can be as bad for our health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day!” They suggest we keep physically, mentally and emotionally fit as we go through old age. Page 7
Trip to Halifax—March 28th
It started out a mizzly sort of day. Thankfully all of the 26 who were attending arrived well on time and we set off on the 2 hour journey to Halifax. As we arrived it was raining gently but thankfully it ceased as we broke into two groups and started our tour of the Piece Hall. Our guide, Peter, was very informative and tried his best to keep us out of the wind as he regaled us with information about the manufacture of cloth, its importance to Halifax as a developing town and the history behind the hall.
The Grade I listed building is absolutely unique. It is the sole survivor of the great eighteenth century northern cloth halls, a class of buildings which embodied the vital and dominant importance of the trade in hand woven textiles to the preindustrial economy of the West Riding of Yorkshire, from the Middle Ages through to the early nineteenth century.
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Dating from 1779, when it was built as a Cloth Hall for the trading of ‘pieces’ of cloth (a 30 yard length of woven woollen fabric produced on a handloom).
As the promotion material stated, the greatest romantic ballet of all time is brought to life by Tchaikovsky's haunting and unforgettable score. I think we all thoroughly enjoyed the performance not only of the ballet company but also the orchestra which accompanied them.
The Piece Hall was the most ambitious and prestigious of its type and now stands in splendid isolation as the only remaining example. It is one of Britain’s most outstanding Georgian buildings. In an ambitious and exciting new chapter, the Piece Hall has been re -imagined as a new cultural and commercial centre having recently undergone a £19 million conservation and transformation programme, incorporating a visitors’ centre, shops, eateries and other businesses. After our tour many of us headed for some warmth and refreshment and there were numerous establishments within the hall and surrounding town. By 2pm we all met outside the Victoria theatre for a performance of Swan Lake by the Russian State Ballet of Siberia.
As we boarded our bus and made our way home the sun was shining on the picturesque dales. There were comments on the physical prowess of the dancers and Brian noted that perhaps Dawn may be thinking of introducing some new moves into Keep Fit group. I think myself and others really enjoyed the social, architectural and cultural aspects of this visit. Thanks to Brian for once again for producing a Grand Day Out. Lucie Kew
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WALKING WITH ALPACAS—May 1st Eleven animal lovers turned up at Homefield Alpacas near Louth on May 1st to find out about these fascinating animals and walk them around the paddocks. We were treated to an interesting introduction on the welfare and lifestyle of the Alpacas by the breeder Chrissie, how they are bred and take eleven and a half months to produce their offspring. In groups we went twice around the paddock leading three young males, Hank, Hamish and Galaxy and their alpha leader Darwin. We also had a chance to feed other females and then fed ourselves on home made cakes and hot drinks. Many thanks to Sharon Rupp for organising such an interesting morning.
Photos and article by Terry Francis—for further information see West Wolds website post Page 10
Submitted by Margaret White
Cartoon by Gillian Anderton Page 11
July 12th:
‘Meet Our Tiger’ – Kathleen & Chris Barnett:
August 9th:
‘Tax, Care and Toyboys’ – Chris Dingley
Sept. 13th:
‘Dennetts Ice Cream’ – Robin Dennett
Tea/coffee and biscuits served from 09:45 to 10:15. There is a venue hire fee of 50p per person. Please give your name at the reception table.
GREETER ARTICLE MARCH 2018 ISSUE OF WWU3A NEWSLETTER. We would like to point out that the Greeters Team was originally formed by Gail Dennis, assisted by her team. We apologise for this omission in our March issue of the WWU3A Newsletter. A Message from Mandy Murphy If anyone knows of any member who is ill or in any difficulty and would welcome a get well card or some other contact, please let Mandy Murphy know and she will arrange it. Her contact details are 01673 565295 or email mandy.murphy1396@gmail.com.
2016 2017 2018 2016 2017 2018
Jan 878 2,153 1,964 Jul 1,086 1,423
Feb Mar Apr May 1,127 960 1,275 1,266 1,330 1,383 1,253 1,267 1,644 1,583 1,701 Aug Sep Oct Nov 1,386 1,609 1,636 1,170 1,348 1,762 1,651 1,696 Page 12
June 789 1,063 Dec Total 1,466 14,648 1,151 17,480
Remove this insert from your magazine, fold along the lines indicated
Chairman and Website Administration Steve McCarthy Tel: 01673 308364 steve@pigyard.com
Vice Chairman and Greeters Coordinator Linda Brighton Tel: 01673 843925 lindabrighton1@hotmail.co.uk
Visits, Press Liaison and Newsletter Copy Editor Brian Ward Tel: 01472 852273 briandgill@btinternet.com magazine@westwoldsu3a.org Newsletter Production Editor and Technical Support Terry Francis Tel: 01673 842088 terryfrancis22@gmail.com magazine@westwoldsu3a.org
Business Secretary and Third Age Trust Contact Pam Crooks Tel: 01673 565010 pamcrooks14@gmail.com Treasurer and Membership Secretary Shelley Franklin Tel: 01652 678283 shelley_franklin@yahoo.co.uk General Meeting Coordinator David Oliver Tel: 01673 880188 david.g.oliver@btinternet.com
Archivist Paul Davison Tel: 07746 626482 davison216@btinternet.com Support Roles (Non Committee) Catering Co-ordinator Margaret Foster Tel: 01427 668050 gordonmfoster@btinternet.com
Groups Coordinator Ken Howitt Tel: 01652 678490 kenhowitt@btinternet.com Speaker Finder, Special Events Organiser, Minute-taker and Secretary to East Lincs. Neighbourhood Sharon Rupp Tel: 07803 694889 / 01673 857390 sharonrupp@hotmail.com
Welfare Mandy Murphy Tel: 01673 565295 Mandy.murphy1396@gmail.com
Make sure you visit our website at
www.westwoldsu3a.org
and become a subscriber in order to receive all the latest news. Back copies of the Quarterly Newsletter can be read on the website. Page 13
10:00 Beginners Family History 10:00 German
1st
14:00 Bridge 14:00 Digital Photography 14:00 Turkish Delight Desert Dancers
10:00 German
2nd
13.30 Cardcraft 14:00 Bridge
10:00 German
3rd
14:00 Bridge 14:00 Digital Photography
10:00 German
4th
14:00 Bridge 14:30 Art Appreciation
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14:00 Film 14:30 Spanish
10:00 IT Workshops
14:30 Spanish
10:00 Country Walks 10:30 Strollers 14:30 Spanish 19:00 Film
10:00 IT Workshops 10:00 Music Appreciation 10:30 3 Mile Walkers 14:30 Spanish
10:00 Country Walks 10:30 Strollers
19:00 Market Rasen Ukulele Band
10:00 Embroidery 10:00 4 Mile Walkers
10:00 French 10:00 Patchwork * 10:00 Keep Fit
10:00 Latin 10:00 Line Dancing 10:00 Biblical Hebrew 10:30 Cycling
14:00 Drama
14:00 Scrabble
GENERAL MEETING Festival Hall Market Rasen
12:00 Luncheon Group 14:00 Canasta 14:00 Poetry 19:00 Market Rasen Ukulele Band 10:00 Telling our Stories 14:00 Readers Group 1 14:00 Gardening Group 19:00 Market Rasen Ukulele Band
10:00 Embroidery * (*Last Wednesday of month) 14:00 Readers Group 2 14:00 Knitting and Crochet (Oct—April) 19:00 Market Rasen Ukulele Band
10:00 Family History 10:00 Latin 10:00 Line Dancing 10:00 Biblical Hebrew 10:30 Cycling
14:00 Drama 10:00 French 10:00 Keep Fit 10:00 Patchwork * 14:00 Drama
10:00 Cross Stitch 10:00 Keep Fit* (* And 5th Thursday, if there is one) 14:00 Drama
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10:00 Latin 10:00 Line Dancing 10:00 Biblical Hebrew 10:30 Cycling 14:00 Scrabble* (* And 5th Friday of the month, if there is one) 10:00 COFFEE MORNING Advocate Arms, Market Rasen 10:00 Latin 10:00 Line Dancing* 10:00 Biblical Hebrew 10:30 Cycling* (* And 5th Friday of the month, if there is one) 14:00 Mah Jong
ARCHITECTURE David Oliver 01673 880188 ART APPRECIATION Caroline Foster 01673 844408 BIBLICAL HEBREW Alison Atkinson 01673 849979 BRIDGE Bryan Storey 01673 849625 CANASTA Jan Watkins 01673 308791 CAR ENTHUSIAST GROUP Steve McCarthy 01673 308364 CARD CRAFT Cynthia Burke 01673 849506 CROSS STITCH Cynthia Burke 01673 849506 CYCLING Gordon Jennings 01673 844222 DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY Allen and Alice Forster 01652 678034 DISCOVERY GROUP Mary Howes 01673 849554 DRAMA Gail Dennis 01673 843575 EMBROIDERY Pat Hage 01673 849447 ETHICS and MORAL DILEMMAS DISCUSSION GROUP Steve McCarthy 01673 308364 FAMILY HISTORY Steve Field 01673 857519 FAMILY HISTORY – BEGINNERS Jacqueline Reid 01673 849490 FILM GROUP John Bartlett 01673 857480 FRENCH Pat Spolton 01673 828568 GARDENING Mary Howes 01673 849554 GERMAN Jo Howard 01673 862015 IT WORKSHOPS Steve McCarthy 01673 308364 KEEP FIT Dawn Stopper 01472 851133 KNITTING AND CROCHET Sue Jacobs 01673 828898 LATIN Gwen Parsons 07749 044413
LINE DANCING Margaret White 01673 849274 LUNCHEON GROUP Pam John 01673 844260 MAH JONG Jacqueline Reid 01673 849490 MAN SHEDS Terry Francis 01673 842088 MARKET RASEN UKULELE Heather Barratt 01673 849393 MUSIC APPRECIATION Janis Richmond 01673 843083 PATCHWORK Lyn Henry 01673 843851 POETRY Eva Smith 01673 842218 READERS GROUP 1 Audrey Storey 01673 849625 READERS GROUP 2 Kathryn Wade 01673 849487 RECORDER GROUP Geoff Goddard 01673 842287 SCRABBLE Audrey Storey 01673 849625 SPANISH Alison Atkinson 01673 849979 TELLING OUR STORIES David Atkinson 01673 849979 TRIBUTE BANDS Phyl Murray 01673 838543 TURKISH DELIGHT DESERT DANCERS Gillian Anderton 01673 844382 THE 3-MILERS Ken Howitt 01652 678490 THE 4-MILERS Mary Ellis 01673 842584 THE 9-MILE HIKERS Allen and Alice Forster 01652 678034 THE COUNTRY WALKERS Ken Howitt 01652 678490 THE STROLLERS Cynthia Burke 01673 849506 UPHOLSTERY AND FURNITURE RESTORATION Gail Dennis 01673 843575 VISITS Brian Ward 01472 852273
THE GROUPS CO-ORDINATOR IS: KEN HOWITT
01652 678490 kenhowitt@btinternet.com Please advise any changes to Ken Page 16
Digital Photography Group The Digital Photography group have been asked to provide 12-15 photos of current day Market Rasen for the ‘Picturing the Past’ exhibition to be held in the Old Police Station on Saturday 8th and Sunday the 9th September by the Market Rasen Town Council, Rase Heritage Society and RaseHub as part of the MR Heritage Weekend 2018. There will also be music and events in the Market Place and the vintage bus will offer free rides around town.
Forthcoming Programme Wednesday 20th June 2018 - 'Photography in the Garden and of Plants' A talk with practical demonstration by Ben Skipper, freelance natural history and County photographer. A joint meeting with the photographic group. Bring your own cameras! Wednesday 27th June - All day coach visit to Scampston and Jackson's Wold gardens, and the Lavender Farm, Yorkshire.
Sunday, 15th July, 2pm. - Visit to N.G.S.Garden, 'Inner Lodge', Somerby near Gainsborough, a peaceful cottage garden Sunday 5th August 2pm. - Visit to member Chrissie Larkin's pretty and very colourful garden at Brookenby. Cakes and raffle! Wednesday 15th August, 2pm. - Visit to Pat Spolton's garden at Normanby le Wold. A real plant-person's garden. Indoor Meetings are held at Holyrood RC Church Old School Hall, King St, Market Rasen LN8 3BB. Visitors and New Members welcome. Enquiries/details Mary Howes 01673 849554
A weed is a plant that has mastered every survival skill, except for learning how to grow in rows! Page 17
THE DISCOVERY GROUP - what does it all mean? The Discovery Award booklet states that it is 'An achievement Award for people over 50.’ A feeling of having achieved and a feeling of self-worth are what I have gained from undertaking this, and that is priceless. Added to which, I have made new friends; been able to support others and accept being supported; learned new skills; pushed myself and gained in confidence. I have also enjoyed myself.
The Award is set out in very much the same way as the D. of E. award, with some subtle changes to allow for age and infirmity. There is no rush; you take this at your own pace. It has to be challenging but not stressful.
Our monthly meetings have proved invaluable. The support gained from hearing of each other's frustrations, successes and problems has moulded us together and allowed us all to move forward. If it was easy it Owing to unswerving pressure from wouldn't be worth doing. Mary, (sorry, that bit should have been deleted!) to join the Discovery Challenging myself was something Group, I gave in and did so. Mary that I had not had the need to do for has been a brilliant advocate for the some time. I was forced into early award and has organized, informed retirement owing to disability, and and supported us throughout, ably that came as a shock being, as it was, fifteen years earlier than planned. I assisted by Shelley. no longer faced the day-to-day A hundred or so years ago I did the obstacles at work and so ceased to Duke of Edinburgh's Award and experience the highs of having found that, at times, to be achieved something demanding. The challenging. However, a visit to the U3A itself has probably been a lifePalace and returning with an saver but the Discovery Award asks embossed piece of toilet paper made a few more questions and so the it all worthwhile! I will be expecting feelings, when challenges are something similar when I get the achieved and signed off, are that Gold Award - Mary and Shelley, much more exciting. please note....
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The four criteria are: Service in the Co mm u nit y; Ho bby / Inte res t; Recreational Pursuit and Journey of Discovery. For my Service I volunteered at The A rk A nima l Rescue, North Somercotes, specifically to sit with and listen to the more anxious dogs, although I do find myself stuffing donkeys full of (managementapproved) ginger biscuits on a frequent basis. I would not have pushed myself to volunteer here had it not been for the Discovery Award and I plan to continue to volunteer. The Centre Manager, who signed off this part, has written some really lovely things about me and that means so much.
My Hobby/Interest was to plan and work on a programme to make my beloved garden a great deal easier to manage. I took photos of 'areas of concern’(!), and have catalogued progress made throughout last year. I have succeeded in what I set out to do. I would not have organized things so specifically had it not been for the Discovery Award and, therefore, would not have felt such a sense of achievement at having realized that I can continue to enjoy my garden and also allow myself to let things go a little without feeling I am failing. More semi-wilderness = more wildlife!! (Big successes in the hedgehog department, very much enjoying the company of Hilda and Humphrey, each with their own little painted house – one with outdoor lighting!).
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My Recreational Pursuit was dog training and to try to increase the amount of walking I do with them, which, following health issues, was almost none. I have a wonderful dog -walker, but wanted to try to take over a bit more myself.
family about their achievements and showing off medals and rosettes!
My Journey was originally entitled, 'My Journey through fibromyalgia'. When I realized there is no, 'through', I renamed it, 'My Journey alongside fibromyalgia - from anger to acceptance.' It helped enormously to write about how angry I am but also to see there, in words, everything I have done, and continue to do, to help myself overcome my difficulties. I don't think I would have written it down My dogs and I have regularly had it not been for Discovery and attended fun training classes with writing it down has most certainly Little Tinker’s Pet Services in helped me in my journey. Brookenby, and the difference they have made to my, already very close, relationship with my dogs, has been totally unexpected and wonderful.
Again, we will be continuing these, as possible. In undertaking these classes I have helped my dogs to feel fulfilled and happier and even when they do well in little competitions, I have to admit to bragging to the Page 20
I have to admit to feeling very proud of myself for having completed my Bronze Award and I have now started my Silver. For my Service, and following a U3A talk from members of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, Roadsmart, I have re-taken my Advanced Driving Test. I passed with an 'Exceptional First Class.’ Even I cannot put into words what that achievement means to me! I have now progressed to become an Observer (instructor), and so am able to teach occasional students advanced driving. I will feel useful again. I will be contributing.
undertaken a fitness programme. To date I have lost 19 lbs and become fairly proficient on the rower and the bike! Taking it very slowly and steadily and with great help from, and thanks to, Mr. Jon Bon Jovi, I aim to continue. Again, very proud of myself and feeling very much better. My Silver Journey will detail all the work involved in planning a year's worth of trips in my motor-home with my two canine pals.
I cannot thank West Wolds U3A enough, and Mary and Shelley, in particular, for guiding me along this extremely gratifying course and For my Hobby/Interest I WILL learn would absolutely recommend to crochet! Discovery to anyone and everyone. For my Recreational Pursuit I have Chrissie Larkin Art appreciation group meeting in April. We met at Linda’s home for a demonstration on how waves are painted, followed by a discussion on seascapes. Thank you to U3A member John Blundell for the interesting and informative demonstration. Next meeting is a group trip to Ferens Art Gallery in Hull in June. Caroline Foster Page 21
KEUKENHOF COLLAGE Here are some photos from our group visit in April to the Dutch flower displays at the Keukenhof Gardens, as part of a long weekend away. Further images of the whole trip were posted on the website’s News page in April, including travelling on the Hoorn – Medemblik steam tram, and Friesland on the Ijsselmeer (formerly the Zuidersee).
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Photos and words by Brian Ward
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Across 8. Breakfast consisting mostly of slime? (6) 9. High flying rating displays a sign of quality. (8) 10. A bit like an alarm clock but with more shattering effect. (4-4) 11. Somewhere, we hear, the fish, when caught, ends up on this. (6) 12. Her rest is relatively confused. (6) 13. The gentle sounds of bees cure a child's sleeplessness. (8) 14. To create a burning passion. (7)
16. Dressing up in an agreeable manner. (7) 20. The slow and painful work of a dedicated sadist, perhaps. (8) 23. This super-grass cheats endlessly. (6) 25. Solidly built right in the den. (6) 26. To show affection to someone is also cute. (8) 27. Quick stepping pigs, could be! (8) 28. How this old Russian car, identified, can be so Affected. (2-2-2)
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Down 1. Procedure for finding a star? (8) 2. Must adopt a different stance in order to achieve this rise. (6) 3. This lethal message carries weight, we hear. (8) 4. Winter travel undulations made by these off-road bicycles. (7) 5. Rest up or become bemused! (6) 6. The slim man enters almost immediately in here. (8) 7. A disturbance involving a motoring organisation and an eminent surgeon. (6) 15. Competence is a trait found in an eel! (8) 17. Unharness and straighten out. (8)
18. Is the middle of the day awash with this? [8] 19. Adopt the idea of a partner? (7) 21. No interior tears over this complaint. (6) 22. An hydroxy generator provides vital gas. (6) 24. It almost sounds a sick way to address a high ranking woman! (6) Thanks for the Crossword Puzzle compiled by Roger Howes as part of his ‘New Hobby’ challenge for the Discovery Award. Answers to be posted on West Wolds website within next two weeks.
———————————————————————————UNIQUE EVENTS—EXCITING ONE-OFFS FOR ALL TO ENJOY!! Here’s your chance to enjoy something different, and not have to get involved with a regular group date. Sign-up sheets will be available at each Monthly Meeting. E H Rand Beehives 3RD July 10am Beehive Business Park, Rand, near Wragby, LN8 5NJ 10.30am-12pm Come and tour this interesting site and learn all about bees, beehives and honey production, will include refreshments. £5. Red Cross First Aid, Holy Rood Church Hall – 4th September 10am First Aid training, delivered by the British Red Cross, focusing on the
most important key skills to make an impact when first aid is required. £3 to include refreshments. LIMITED TO 25 PEOPLE. Please let Sharon or any Committee member know if there is anything you would like to see on the programme.
(All arranged by Sharon Rupp)
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STROLLERS WALK TO WHISBY NATURE RESERVE - 7th MARCH 2018 The day began on a bright crisp morning at Whisby Nature Reserve and for a nice change there was NO RAIN OR SNOW!!
One of our groups spotted deer in the distance which they said was a lovely sight! After coffee our walk began with our 31 Strollers + our dog Belle breaking off into groups with our more intrepid walkers taking on the longer Teal Walk (approx. 2.5miles and 1hr 45mins to walk). Our less energetic Strollers took The Thorpe, Grebe or Coot walks which are around 1½ miles each. Some of our members did a combination of the 6 walks which were all accessible due to the set pathways which were all clear of snow although there were some mighty big puddles to be avoided!
Whilst it was a cold morning it was bright and sunny and so was a very enjoyable walk in the fresh air and sunshine. We all met back at the Whisby Centre Boardwalk Bistro for an excellent lunch which was very well organised by the staff, who, apart from a couple of glitches got all our food out at the same time and piping hot.
There were many water fowl and birds to watch including heron, coots, moorhens and geese and they were all very busy gathering food after the bad weather of the previous week.
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A very good time enjoyed with friends and healthy walking on a lovely morning. And just so we didn’t forget it was still only March, as we drove away from Whisby it started to rain!
So straight home to the central heating and a hot chocolate for us all! Linda and Terry Brighton Whisby Nature Reserve Strollers Leaders
———————————————————————-Thoughts of an Older Person Remember that we older folk are worth a fortune, with silver in our hair, gold in our teeth, stones in our kidneys, lead in our feet, and gas in our stomachs. Whilst I may have become a little older since I saw you last, I have become a frivolous old Gal, I am seeing six gentlemen every day. Will Power helps me get out of bed, then I go to see Jimmy Riddle. After that it is time for breakfast with Mr. Kellogg, followed closely by the refreshing company of Mr. Tetley or my other friend whom I only know as Mr. P.G. Then Arthur Ritus never leaves me alone. He is not welcome but he insists on being here and what is more, he stays for the rest of the day. Even then he does not like to stay in one place, he goes from joint to joint. After such a hectic day I’m glad to get to bed (maybe with Johnny Walker too). What a hectic life! The preacher came to me the other day, he said that at my age I should be thinking about the hereafter. I told him ‘Oh, I do that all the time, no matter where I am, in the Living room, the Study, in the kitchen, the garden or upstairs— I always ask myself ‘Now, what am I here after?’ Anonymous Page 27
GOLDEN YEARS Before 1940 ‘Made in Japan’ meant junk, the term ‘making out’ referred We were born before television, to how you did your exams, and penicillin, polio shots, frozen foods, ‘stud’ was something that fastened a Xerox, plastic, contact lenses and the collar or shirt; ‘going all the way’ Pill. meant staying on a double-decker ‘bus to the depot. Pizzas, We were born before radar, credit McDonald’s and instant coffee were cards, split atoms, laser beams and unheard of. ball point pens, before dish washers, electric blankets, air conditioners, In our day, cigarette smoking was drip dry clothes … and before Man fashionable, ‘grass’ was mown, walked on the moon. ‘coke’ was kept in the coal house, a ‘joint’ was the piece of meat you ate We got married first and then lived on Sundays and ‘pot’ was something together (how quaint can you be?). you cooked in. ‘Rock Music’ was a We thought ‘fast food’ was what you fond mother’s lullaby, ‘Eldorado’ ate in Lent, a ‘Big Mac’ was an was an ice cream. A ‘gay person’ oversized raincoat and ‘crumpet’ was the life and soul of the party and was what we had for tea. nothing more, while ‘aids’ just meant beauty treatment or help for We existed before house husbands, someone in trouble. computer dating, dual fuel cars, when a ‘meaningful relationship’ We who were born before 1940 must meant getting along with cousins, be a hardy bunch when you think of and ‘sheltered accommodation’ was the way in which the world has where you waited for a ‘bus. changed, and the adjustments we have had to make. No wonder we We were before day care centres, are so confused and there is a group homes and disposable generation gap today … nappies. We had never heard of FM BUT … by the Grace of God … we radio, tape decks, electric have survived … HALLELUJAH!!! typewriters, artificial hearts, word processors, yoghurt or young men Joe Willisch wearing ear-rings. For us, ‘time sharing’ meant togetherness, a ‘chip’ was a piece of wood or a fried potato, ‘hardware’ meant nuts and bolts and ‘software’ wasn’t a word. TO THOSE BORN BEFORE 1940
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