Malcolm Nelson November

speaker

December was the Christmas buffet

Alan Turton January speaker

Professor Averil MacDonald & Professor Alun Vaughan February

speaker

Most of us understand the natural desire during winter to be warm and snug but this year was an interesting exception. You feel good that winter’s been and gone but you sense that it cannot have gone because it never really arrived? Daffodils poking their heads above the ground in January have unnerved gardeners who hadn’t even started on those ‘winter’ jobs and yet there was spring staring them in the face! However, remember the old maxim “don’t panic” and if we did not have ‘weather’ to talk about then what would we do?

The Christmas buffet spread over 2 days was well attended and, for the second year running, music was provided by T&D U3A’s Ukulele group.

By the time that you read this newsletter the 2nd Open Day would have been and gone. This time around we took over most of the Community Centre filling both halls with stalls and demonstrations

from the various groups. The fact that 246 members renewed or joined on the day shows just how busy the event turned out to be, so many thanks to group leaders and their helpers who made the day such a success.

Keeping an eye on Jane Austen’s communications with her sister we find that in the spirit of ‘brevity is the soul of wit’ she texted(!) Clarissa in May 1811 with “I will not say that your mulberry-trees are dead, but I am afraid they are not alive”. Sure to have raised a chuckle?

Monthly Speakers For what’s becoming an annual visit our November speaker ex-HMRC customs officer Malcolm Nelson continued his series of talks with “40 Years of Catching Smugglers - Part 4 “ …Lies and excuses…”

As the title suggests Malcolm took us through the range of lies and excuses used by suspects ranging from the plausible through the possibly to the you’re seriously taking the p*ss. Malcolm was, as usual, a very interesting and amusing speaker and it is worth noting that we are only halfway through his series of talks.

In December the, by now, traditional Xmas buffet was held at the Rec Soc. As in previous years the two days of feasting were sold out with nearly two hundred of our members taking the opportunity to put in some training for the approaching festive season and, as can be seen from the photos, just engaging in chit-chat.

It was very generous of the Ukulele group to provide festive music for the two days albeit with their leader John Knott having a hat problem and the notably rebellious Frank Wallace playing what looks like a grown up electronic Ukulele? As some people found the old group name of 'U3leles' a bit of a tongue twister then twist your tongue no more, they have changed their name to TUGS (Tadley U3A Group Strummers).

Our January talk was entitled "In the meadow which is called Runnymede" –The story of Magna Carta given by Alan Turton. Alan is a local man having been curator of Basing House for 23 years. If anyone in the audience expected this to be a talk on Magna Carta then quite the opposite! Alan explained that the name Runnymede may come from the Anglo-Saxon runieg (regular meeting) and mede (mead or meadow). Runnymede had been a meeting place since at least the 7th century being at the point where the counties of Berks, Bucks and Surrey met and close to Windsor castle. Starting with Magna Carta Alan then

proceeded to progress through English history to the modern day with so much detail that your editor gave up making notes, sorry. A totally enjoyable talk that makes you wish history at school had been equally entertaining.

In February, we were treated to a talk by the impressive double act of Professor Averil MacDonald OBE and Professor Alun Vaughan with the intriguing title 'Please don't buy an electric car'.

Although this subject could have been rather 'dry', the speakers made it both interesting and informative, at times even disagreeing with one another in a light-hearted way.

Apparently, the basic problem with a large percentage of people buying electric cars is that the National Grid would be unable to cope with the demand, with the result that cars could be charged only if house electricity was switched off! The National Grid is 50 years old, but was only built to last 40 years! New power cables would need to be installed at tremendous cost.

Solutions to generating and transmitting electricity in a future without fossil fuels will be a mixed bag including hydroelectric generation, tidal systems, photovoltaics and solar thermal. It is also estimated that over 60,000 wind turbines would also be needed. With natural gas running out, Averil's view was that 'fracking' was indeed the way forward to obtain the required resources. A rather contentious point for some people.

Where the professors differed was on Averil's vision for future transport.........Hydrogen Cars. Prototypes have been built and old town-gas pipes could be used to supply hydrogen.

A thought provoking talk that many people found far more interesting than the title suggests.

Averil MacDonald is Professor Emerita at the University of Reading and leads on both research impact and diversity for SEPnet, the South East Physics network.

Professor Alun Vaughan is head of electrical and electronic engineering at Southampton University – Report by Pat Higgins

Dates for your diary All monthly meetings are held in Tadley Community Centre. Doors open at 10:45 with the meeting starting at 11:15 and finishing at 13:00.

Monthly Meetings. 21st April 2016 "More tales of the opera" - The continuing and

entertaining tales of Patricia Purcell's career with the Royal Opera House.

Patricia Purcell

19th May 2016 "A female in Fleet St" - Tabloid tales of a national photojournalist

Deborah Brady

16th June 2016 "The professional Toastmaster" - An informative and humorous look into the mysterious world of the professional Toastmaster.

Neil Hunt

21st July 2016 “Pepys – Fire and Plague” A look at Samuel Pepys’s diaries during this cataclysmic period in London’s history

Colin Oakes

Interest Groups A full list of interest groups and Group Leader contact details can be found at the end of this newsletter.

Group Reports

10-pin Bowling We meet at the Bowlplex at Basingstoke Leisure Park on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month. We do not meet during the school holidays - it's far too busy and they charge us more! The cost has just gone up to £2.99 per game and we usually play one game. We also pay our 50p contribution towards the U3A each time.

You can wear your own shoes. We have players of varying expertise and we enjoy a good sociable game. You are welcome to come and join us!

Group report by Pam Stone

Aviation Group All’s well with the Aviation Group. Our programme for 2016 is under way with our usual eclectic mix of monthly meetings, lectures and visits to aeroplane places.

We have 65 registered in the group with usually around 35 regulars plus others who come along as and when they wish attending the monthly meetings.

So what have we been doing so far this year?

Christmas lunch at the Calleva Arms in December (when else I ask), was a very enjoyable social get-together for around 25 of us.

We have had two monthly meetings, (three by the time you read this, if indeed anybody does). Usual mix of group news and forthcoming visits updates. And of course followed by aviation videos.

So far we have watched an extraordinary video detailing the near disaster of Gemini 8 in 1966, with Neil Armstrong and David Scott on their first space flights. The mission was to dock with an Agena Target Vehicle, but after docking both spacecraft started spinning. Gemini undocked but the spinning continued at the rate of 1 revolution per second. The crew used up 75% of their re-entry fuel to try to stop the spin and eventually made an emergency re-entry and splash down. The problem was caused by a thruster rocket continually firing. Incredible feat of control by Armstrong and Scott to eventually get the spacecraft safely down.

In February we watched a video entitled “The Speed of Sound”. A gem of a film detailing the enormous problems that were encountered as the aircraft industry tried to break the sound barrier but were continually thwarted by the buffeting and vibration encountered and the fact that when any aircraft got close, control of the aircraft was often completely lost, Hence the term “Sound Barrier”.

The government contracted Miles Aviation of Woodley, Reading to develop a supersonic aircraft which they did, but the project was then arbitrarily cancelled and British expertise was offered to the Americans with the proviso that their progress would be shared with Britain. Needless to say, all American knowledge then became top secret and nothing was passed back to Britain.

The Sound Barrier was finally broken by Chuck Yeager in 1947, flying the rocket powered Bell X1 but only after a significant modification was made to the flying controls that the Americans kept under wraps for five years. It then turned out that Miles had already designed this modification but had not passed this on the Americans.

Nothing seems to change. Britain developed the first successful jet engine only to give the knowhow to the Americans and, astonishingly, the Russians who promptly improved it and fitted it into their MIG 15s which then caused mayhem during the Korean War.

Our first visit of the year was to the Biggin Hill Spitfire Heritage Hangar. An organisation that maintains privately owned Spitfires and Hurricanes, as well as restoring recovered crashed Spitfires. A great afternoon, and lunch in a pub in Westerham was also good.

Two lectures at the Heathrow branch of the Royal Aeronautical Society covered the history of Air Britain and the exciting development of the Airlander. A huge British airship project for carrying freight, which is well on its way to coming into service.

Two visits are scheduled for March. The Museum of Army Flying at Middle Wallop, and a further National U3A Day at the RAF Museum Hendon where we will listen to a presentation on the Battle of Britain as well as looking around a Battle of Britain exhibition.

We meet at Heath End Village Hall on the second Tuesday of the month from 3pm until 5pm. Come and visit to see what we get up too. You might just find you like it.

PS. As I write this the sad death of Captain Eric “Winkle” Brown, arguably Britain’s most outstanding airmen, has just been announced. A highly decorated WW2 Fleet Air Arm pilot who became a test pilot during the war testing a world record 487 prototype British aircraft.

At 97 he still drove his open top Porsche with his wife around their home in Crawley Down.

Group report by Roland Higgins

Computing Group The shock and uncertainty caused by the arrival of Windows 10 seems to be abating although everyone admits that every now and then it throws a ‘wobbly’ which is something that really shouldn’t happen!

We have a rolling membership with a core of committed souls while others pop-in and out for a bit of advice as and when their computer misbehaves. So, whatever relationship you have with your computer if it’s not going well come in and we’ll try to help.

Group report by Colin Hewitt

Cribbage Group

If you want cut-throat play, grim faces, two hours of humourless silence and losers storming out in disgust, you had better not come along to the Cribbage Group. Whilst we are competitive, good humour, friendly banter and fun are paramount and make for a very enjoyable two hours on a Monday afternoon. Even the Library staff enjoy

having us there and they provide us with refreshments, so we can't be all bad!!

Group report by Group report by Andy Imms

Exploring by Bus with Bus Pass The November visit to Fleet was a very successful day especially as we were pleasantly surprised to discover that there was a one day Christmas street market with over a 100 stalls. We took the opportunity to explore the market and the many independent shops spread throughout Fleet. The usual Wetherspoons hostelry was hunted down for the group to lunch and socialise

Exploring was certainly a large part of the day, this became apparent when we discovered that bus routes through the town centre had been altered, since our arrival, due to the main street being occupied by the street market. This presented a challenge to some as it meant a long walk back to the railway station.

Our December trip was Christmas Lunch at BCOT. We were royally treated by the staff and students at the BCOT Training Restaurant with a four course meal. Many very favourable comments were made by the 38 who attended about the quality of the lunch and the welcome we received. Wendy wrote a letter to the Basingstoke Gazette letters page praising BCOT for the lunch (this was published in the next copy of the Gazette).

Our January trip was a visit to the Haymarket theatre in Basingstoke to see the matinee performance of ‘Secondary cause of Death‘a play by Peter Gordon, preceded by a get together for lunch.

February saw the group returning to use the Newbury/Reading bus services with a trip to the Wyevale Thatcham Garden centre. We were given a guided tour of the garden centre together with an interesting and knowledgeable talk on aspects of horticulture by a member of staff. Lunch was taken in the Garden Centre restaurant. After shopping in the centre we made our way back to Tadley via the Newbury link bus and the number 2 from Basingstoke Hospital.

Group report by David Gent

Family History This is a large group of very friendly, supportive people, ready to share their expertise and experiences. We meet twice a month, once in the Library, so that those members who wish to do so can research using the computers there and once in Pamber Heath Memorial Hall where the whole group gets together.

A programme for the year has been proposed and each month members are asked to bring along their stories relating to specific subjects, such as "My ancestors and Law and Order" or "My ancestors in the Military". Last month, we looked at "My ancestors in print". Members who had found newspaper articles and other material featuring their ancestors brought them along, read them out and explained where and how they were discovered. The hope is that by sharing details of what they have found and perhaps more importantly, how they found it, other members will be inspired to take their research into places which may not have occurred to them previously.

The knowledge within the group is very wide ranging and as the year progresses, we hope to hear lots of success stories, which will hopefully spur others to success as well.

Group report by Andy Imms

Italian The Italian Group has been going for several years now and continues to make steady progress, and no-one has dropped out. They are looking forward to a lunch at Sasso’s for Easter.

Group report by Margaret Williams

Model Workshop Christmas is now over and it seems that many of our group flee to sunnier climes to recharge their solar cells. Sadly, I am not one of them. This has not stopped the endeavours of the rest of us and projects are moving forward well. Jane's "3D" light cube was finished in time for a Christmas decoration, she has now moved to the other

end of the technology spectrum and is now restoring a foot stool. Sue has completed her solar powered pond pump and is waiting for ice free weather to try it out. Her next project is restoring some retro Christmas tree lights. John is working on fan designs for his stove fan, Alan is making his Mary Rose cannon.

Mike is playing with an Arduino computer system creating GPS based projects and, simultaneously, getting to grips with a new language called software - I'm sure he is making up some words!

Chris has just joined us and is trying his hand at making a metal detector. These are great fun to use with the grandchildren after 'salting' the lawn with a few coins - it keeps them distracted for hours. If money is short then aluminium foil is a good substitute but has been known to the annoy the little darlings!

Our group meets fortnightly. We are somewhat behind the time as we have yet to have our Christmas lunch.

Group report by Dennis Cowdery

Nordic Walking According to the NHS Choice website " Nordic walking is a full-body exercise that's easy on the joints and suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Regular Nordic walking can lower your risk of chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, asthma, stroke and some cancers. Nordic walking, like any other form of exercise, can also be used as part of an exercise programme to lose

weight."

We meet twice a week; our "fixed" walk at 10am every Friday from the carpark adjacent to The Broomsquire on the corner of Silchester Road/Tadley Common Road/Broadhalfpenny Lane and our "rolling" walk when we meet up at 10am at the chosen starting point which varies from week-to-week i.e. Monday 1st week, Tuesday 2nd week etc.. For the "rolling" walk we always go further afield to take the opportunity to explore the beautiful countryside we have on our doorstep. Due to the recent appalling wet weather and poor conditions underfoot our "rolling" walks have tended to be around Crookham & Greenham commons where the paths are well laid out and less muddy but once the weather improves we'll return to the numerous, popular walks we have in our repertoire.

In March 10 members, some of them for the first time, are attending a training course with a qualified Nordic walking instructor to help to improve their technique and so gain maximum health benefits from the activity.

We have a spare pair of poles to enable new members to try out the activity without committing to any expense so why don't you give it a try? If you should have any health issues you are strongly advised to seek doctor's advice before trying it out.

Group report by Linda Evans

Petanque/Boules Group Petanque is the French version of bowls and is playable on virtually any surface. Since Christmas we have been looking for an alternative venue and have now settled on The Pelican where Reuben, the new landlord, has kindly agreed to dig-out a new pitch for us. It is hoped this will be ready in the next month or so, depending on the weather. The members of the group are extremely friendly whilst matches are competitive, but

only between the sexes, resulting in good fun and lots of gentle banter.

When we can't play due to the weather or until our new pitch is dug-out, we still meet and play Uno or Rumikub or darts etc.. New members are always welcome so come along and give it a go. We meet on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday in the month at 11am at The Pelican on Silchester Road. We start off with a coffee and a chat until everyone has arrived. We always have spare boules so really there's no excuse!!!

Group report by Linda Evans

Quilting Group Our dedicated quilters have been working on their own projects these last few months.

We have welcomed new members bringing our numbers up to 13. Eight of the group are looking forward to the annual coach trip to the Knitting & Stitching Show at Olympia in March where, no doubt we'll spend more than we should, but who can

resist all that beautiful fabric???

Quilting doesn't have to mean large, bed-sized quilts. Small projects are probably best tried by beginners and we have patterns and books with lots of ideas if you want to give it a try. Come along to one of our meetings on the 2nd and 4th Mondays in the month between 1:45-3:45pm at the

Salvation Army Hall on Mulfords Hill (opposite the Esso garage). It's a hobby that can get very addictive but the results can be amazing!!!

Group report by Linda Evans

Reading Circle

An interesting collection of books this time around. Kathy Reichs’ was a fairly standard dead bodies every which way, you either like her or you don’t?

Our second book, The Husband’s Secret, showed promise - the wife discovers an unopened letter in her husband’s handwriting that she secretly knows she shouldn’t open but she can’t resist the temptation! It’s downhill from there on. Unfortunately, the book wandered off into a number of parallel plots that, although well constructed, didn’t really add anything to the overall story.

We read The Disinherited by Robert Sackville West in January and the general opinion was that although it was an interesting book it wasn't really very well written! This wasn’t helped by the fact that there were 3 people with the same forename (I blame the parents) which made it even more difficult to keep track, nonetheless we all managed to finish the book and most of us enjoyed it.

The book for February was totally different and very informative. Deep Sea and Foreign Going by Rose George is about a voyage made by the author aboard a huge container ship. It high-lighted the attitude of most people to the Merchant Navy as a very lowly service (forgetting the dangers faced by Merchant Seamen not the least being pirates). The changes to freight carrying since containerisation has resulted in endless days at sea with minimal time in port with the result that crews quite often have not put their feet on dry land for months on end. We all learned a great deal from this book and maybe we won't take for granted all the imported products we enjoy.

The new list for the next few months contains new and old fiction and non-fiction - some light and some a bit heavier, but we shall all read them and most probably find that we enjoyed them.'

Group report by Colin Hewitt & Sherry Worley

Scottish Country Dancing My usual justification for Scottish Dancing, that the weather, the cold, the rain are what makes Scottish Dancing so meaningful at this time of year is slightly upset by the weather being so warm and mild. Nonetheless you don’t really need an excuse to come together with a group of people who just enjoy the dancing. So do join us Southdown Road Scout Hut, 2:30pm every second

Wednesday, 30th March will be the next meeting.

Group report by Colin Hewitt

Theatre Group Back in October 2015 thirty-two Theatre Group members enjoyed a trip to see Flare Path at The Theatre Royal in Winchester. Set in 1942, against a backdrop of heartache and quiet bravery, Flare Path painted an evocative portrait of life in wartime Britain for the RAF bomber crews, their wives and sweethearts who were

left awaiting their return.

December saw our first ever trip to a Pantomime when 12 of us ventured to see Jack and The Beanstalk at The Anvil. There were plenty of opportunities for boos and hisses, ‘he’s behind you’ and lots of laughter as Jack, his brother Simple Simon, his Mother Dame Trot, the evil ‘Fleshcreep’ and The Forest Fairy told the story of Jack’s adventure to the land of the Giant at the top of the Beanstalk.

On 9th March almost 60 of us are going to see Round and Round the Garden, an Alan Ayckbourn play about one man’s attempts to keep the many women in his life happy – it will be a story of secrets, lies and deception simmering beneath the surface of family relationships.

Des O’Connor and Jimmy Tarbuck Live on Stage will be our April outing. These legends of television, show business and of the Royal Variety Performance come together, accompanied by music and video clips to reminisce and entertain us in Southampton for one night only.

In May we are off to The Noel Coward Theatre in London to see the musical Mrs Henderson Presents. The story of the eccentric Mrs Henderson, the feisty impresario Vivian Van Damm and the Windmill Theatre and its variety acts and the introduction of the Windmill Girls who posed as nude statues, all set in war time Britain.

All U3A members are welcome to join us, and we usually benefit from group rates at the theatres. Suggestions for future shows are always welcome so keep your ideas coming in. A coach is arranged for most of our theatre trips, and we aim to have time to do some sightseeing or have a meal before the shows.

Group report by Ann-Marie Dalton

Ukulele Group "TUGS"

The ukulele group used to be a quiet haven where likeminded souls congregated for a convivial strum or two. We still do that, but not so often now. The past Christmas season saw us dashing around the Tadley area entertaining at several venues. At the start of February I did think we had finished, could wind down, take stock, even learn a few new songs, but not so; a week or so ago we played at the Hollies Care Home in Burghfield, with some welcome backing from members of the Tadley Singers. In a couple of weeks we are

due to play at the U3A open day.... it never stops.

Due to problems with our contacts having difficulties with the old name of 'U3leles' we have changed our name to TUGS, standing for Tadley U3A Group Strummers. We will shortly be sporting new tee shirts carrying this logo.

Group report by John Knott

Walking Group The problem with trying to find a winter walk is that so many are very, very soggy! There is one solution to this, walk a soggy walk but on a cold day when the ground’s frozen. This is

what we did in January on a delightfully chilly but sunny day. The walk started near Grazely where we anticipated parking problems but in fact with only six walkers and three cars the parking wasn't an issue although finding the

right lay by was! It would be a good walk to repeat again some time, no big hills and lovely views but it clocked up at 6.12 miles so a little longer than advertised.

The route is Stratfield Mortimer to Beech Hill past Trunkwell House and Great Farm Barn back to the start.

Group report by Lynn Jones

Wine Appreciation Our display at the U3A open day generated interest from several potential new members which was very encouraging. At our meeting just before Christmas we tasted some festive fizz and nibbles. Thereafter we have met regularly every month where we have tasted a variety of wines both memorable and some less so!

In the future we are hoping to arrange visits to Bombay Gin and local wineries. Why not join us – we meet every third Wednesday at Pamber Heath Village hall from 2.30pm to 4pm.

Group report by Tony Pounds

Your Committee

Chair: George Porter GL: Bridge, Bus Pass Trippers, History, Jazz

Vice Chair: Ken Pickering GL: Country & Western

Secretary: Mike Batson

Treasurer: Mervyn Pugh

Membership: Jacki Cassidy GL: Birds & Wildlife, Croquet

Group Liaison: Michael Cassidy GL: Cycling, Photography & Discussion

Hospitality: Margaret Grinstead GL: Lunch Club

Newsletter/WebMaster: Colin Hewitt GL: Computing

Speaker Secretary: Roland Higgins GL: Aviation

Trips & Events: Angie Pickering

Assistant Treasurer: Bob Bone

For general enquiries on any subject then do mail us on tadleyanddistrictu3a@hotmail.co.uk .

The Newsletter For the next newsletter we would like to introduce a Letters and Features section so if you have a

view, opinion, observation, comment, etc. then do send the editor an e-mail for inclusion in the Letters section. Alternatively if you have an article of general interest, preferably local, suitable for the Features section then likewise e-mail the editor at

tadleyanddistrictu3a@hotmail.co.uk . Please note that the editor reserves the right to edit, accept or reject any letters or features sent for publication.

Please e-mail us on tadleyanddistrictu3a@hotmail.co.uk with suggestions for items that you would like included in the Newsletter, content that may prove of interest or any comments that you may have on the content/layout/etc. of the Newsletter.