NEWSLETTER · PDF filefeatured Artie Shaw’s Stardust, ... We then moved on to the needle...
Transcript of NEWSLETTER · PDF filefeatured Artie Shaw’s Stardust, ... We then moved on to the needle...
JULY 2012 ISSUE Number 108
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CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS
(He calls them ramblings!)
Dear Friends,
Following our recent local (national)
event, the Olympic Torch being borne
by our local hero Shirley Waller must
be one event many of us are unlikely
to see again in our lifetime. I think all
of Market Deeping turned out on the
morning of 4th July to watch this event.
However where we were standing all we saw of her was
her sitting in the coach. We therefore ended up watching
it on the TV and the website like many others. In
addition, Shirley and her fellow torch bearer Brian
Holditch (who lives in Deeping but carried the torch in
Peterborough) brought their torches to St Guthlac’s
Church on Sunday morning and received a blessing.
Other local news was the award to two volunteer First
Aiders, Peter Ward and Dave Book. They were both
awarded The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal for their
loyal service as members of the Deepings Lives First
Reponders Group. Each of them have been volunteering
for more than five years. We offer them our
congratulations and although not members of our
organisation yet, we hope they will join us when they
retire.
Best wishes
ROD SLOANE
Chairman
U3A MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
FOR 2012/13
Thank you to all those who have already sent in their
renewals. Please collect your new badge from the
Newsletter table if it has not been delivered to you.
The renewal form was attached to the June Newsletter
so please renew as soon as possible. Forms and cheques
or cash should be either sent by post to me or handed in
at the monthly meeting (in an envelope please).
A big thank you to Liz Noble for printing all the new
cards and to Garth Perry who has the unenviable task of
listing all the cheques to pay in to the bank.
JANICE COSHAM
Membership Secretary
WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS
Jacqueline Hilton from Langtoft,
Linda Hill from Deeping St James
and Neil Mackenzie from Market
Deeping.
The Deepings’ Third Age Group
NEWSLETTER
(Visit our Web site)
OLYMPIC TORCH COMES TO DEEPING
Our member, Shirley Waller, with the Olympic Torch on Market
Deeping Bridge at 8.10am on
Wednesday 4th July. Many thanks to John Bloomfield, David Wilson,
Ann Thornthwaite, David Scott
and Peter Jackson, all of whom sent me pictures. Sorry it wasn’t
possible to use more of them.
ANN
Programme of Speakers
16 July ROAD CRAFT by Malcolm Nichols, Institute of Advanced
Motorists (at DEEPINGS SCHOOL)
20 August THE MAP WHICH CHANGED TH E
WORLD by Garth Perry (at DEEPINGS
SCHOOL)
17 September TO SERVE THEM ALL THE DAY by
Brian Jones (Venue to be advised.)
Committee Members 2011/2012
Rod Sloane Chairman
Audrey Allen Secretary
Garth Perry Treasurer Janice Cosham Membership Secretary
Liz Noble Group Coordinator
John Bloomfield Speaker Finder Kath Allen
Jennie Sharman
Jim Pringle Lyall Seale Co-opted (Publicity)
Flo Sykes Co-opted
Ann Holmes Newsletter Editor
David Scott Contact through website Webmaster
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GROUP NEWS
The Guitar Group will be closing for the
“summer”, back in September we hope.
Anyone interested in joining please contact Ken Moore.
The Torch has now passed through our midst and by the time you
get this St Swithin’s Day too, and it still keeps raining! However all
seems to be very quiet regarding groups but if you have any ideas
for a new one please contact me in the usual way.
LIZ NOBLE
Group Co-ordinator
U3A HISTORY GROUP
A most
interesting visit
took place on
Wednesday 20th.
June. 31 members
of the History
group had a
guided tour of
Peterborough
Museum which
was led by Stuart
Orme.
The Museum has
recently been partly re-furbished and has been sympathetically
restored to its original style. There is too much to tell in this report
but Stuart was inspirational in the delivery of his tour. He gave
interesting facts that were wrapped in anecdotes and humour. He
brought the ancient artefacts to life with comparison of modern
times. His description of the height of the original owner of an
ancient shield and scabbard and the resulting wear and tear on the
latter object was particularly amusing.
The Museum was once a hospital and the top floor was set out as
the operating theatre. This was authentic as it had, amongst others,
the sound effects of the saw being used to amputate limbs.. Thank
goodness for today’s medicine. If you get chance, go and spend a
morning at the Museum. An additional bonus is there is a lovely
Café.
Report by SANDRA JONES Photo: ALISTAIR SMITH
Group Leaders ELIZABETH PARKINSON / SANDRA JONES
U3A ANTIQUES AND COLLECTABLES GROUP
Only seven of us braved the wind and rain to
attend the Stamford Antiques Fair in the
Meadows. Once we were inside the main
marquee we had a vast array of different types
of stands to peruse, and some of us found
something to buy. We didn't stay too long because of the weather
but enjoyed our morning out.
The next meeting is our trip to Cambridge to visit the Fitzwilliam
Museum. Please be at the Deepings Community Centre by 09.55
am on Wednesday July 25th.
Group Leaders: IRENE BEEKEN / PAM PENDRY
U3A “BOOKWORMS” READING GROUP
‘Keeping the World Away’ by Margaret Forster
A well written story about a small, pleasant painting and
how it touches the lives of it’s six women owners over the 20th
century.
We all enjoyed this book and considered it a good read.
Report by HAZEL MACVITIE
Group Leader: ANN THORNTHWAITE
U3A NATURAL HISTORY GROUP
Swaddywell Pits proved to "bee" a big hit,
with so many Bee Orchids (pictured) and
other varieties!
We were met by three members of the
Langdyke Trust which owns the reserve,
and Jean Stowe showed us the flora and the geology of the place. A
really delightful spot and well worth further visits. If ever you are
near Swaddywell, go and have a look while the orchids are out -
lovely !
Next month, July 26th, meet at 10am at Frampton Marshes. Full
details at the monthly meeting.
ALISTAIR SMITH
Group Leader
U3A CRAFT GROUP 1
We started our meeting this
month by celebrating Sheila’s
her 80th birthday with flowers
and a cake, and later in the
afternoon we toasted her good health with a nice glass of wine.
This month we undertook the intricate craft of Tatting.
There are two methods of Tatting, one using a bobbin/shuttle the
other using a needle. For the first part of our session we tried the
bobbin method and rapidly realised that it would be an advantage to
be ambidextrous. We then moved on to the needle method, which
we all preferred and everyone managed to master the basic stitch
using this method. Although we are continuing with the needle
method next month, we do plan to have another crack with the
bobbins at some point.
Please note : Next months meeting will Tuesday 24th at Ann’s
house.
JULIE MANCEY
Group Contact
U3A JAZZ, SWING AND BIG BAND GROUP
Wednesday 27th June, eight members met
at the home of Jennie Sharman and listened
to various artists playing Jazz, Swing and
Big Band music.
Among the tracks heard was Dippermouth
Blues and Catchy Monkey featuring great
trumpet playing by Peter Rudeford, then followed I Cover The
Waterfront and Darktown Strutters Ball – all by John Softley’s Just
The Job Jazz Band. We heard Ronnie Findon playing clarinet and
tenor and alto sax. Next came tracks by John Elmer on vibraphone,
followed by The Pasadena Roof Orchestra with John Watson
featured on drums for The Golden Wedding. The Late Night Album
featured Artie Shaw’s Stardust, and then Maxine Sullivan with John
Kirby Orchestra playing St Louis Blues. We heard tracks from
Colin Bryant’s Hot Rhythm Orchestra and the morning then came to
a close with tracks from The Number One Jazz Album 2004 and
featured Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, Louis Armstrong and
Quincey Jones.
Members were asked if they could identify the female artist singing
You Sent Me Flying taken from the 2004 Jazz Album and Peter
correctly identified Amy Whitehouse.
The July meeting is Wednesday 25th July at the home of Barbara
and Peter Baylis.
JENNIE SHARMAN
Group Leader .
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U3A TEN PIN BOWLING GROUP
Earlier on this year in commemoration of the Queens Silver Jubilee
Grantham U3A issued a challenge to Sleaford, Bourne and Deeping
to a Ten Pin Bowling Match. July 27th was the due date to play the
Final at Grantham, so six of us drove there and duly played. The
outcome was that Gratham won by 52 points. Our team played very
well with Godfrey being the highest scorer with 155. As we
enjoyed ourselves so much we are thinking of making this a annual
event.
DAVID LUNN / LILIAN SMITH
Group Leaders
U3A GOOD FOOD GROUP
Recipes by Nigella Lawson was the theme of
the meeting of the Good Food Group on
Monday 2nd July. We welcomed one
prospective member, and we had varied dishes
including a lamb curry, an all in one pot
chicken casserole, marinated salmon, and
barbecued ribs, followed by baked summer
fruit.
We all agreed that we loved Nigella's attitude to food, although
sometimes her instinctive way of cooking led to rather erratic
quantities. Next meeting is to be Vegetarian recipes, on Monday 6th
August at 12.30 Visitors and prospective members always welcome
to join us.
KATHLEEN TANNER
Group Leader
U3A “PACERS” WALKING GROUP
We had decided to go ahead with our walk
this month, despite it being on the same day
as the Olympic Torch would be going
through Deeping. As it happened, the torch
event was over very early and so – luckily – was the rain that
accompanied it! As a result, we had a walk in warm and pretty
nearly dry conditions, if cloudy and dull.
Eleven of us left the Coachhouse and crossed to the footpath
alongside the bridge to follow the Welland along a winding and
pleasant footpath, obligingly mowed recently for us. It took us
along the river and under the A15 (where, oddly, the graffitti under
the bridge exhorted us to ‘never give up’!) Apart from one very
muddy few yards the path was firm going despite all the recent rain
and we followed it over the fields until it met Mill Road at Maxey.
A little drizzle went with us for a while along the road but stopped
and the sun came out briefly as we took a dash across the A15 to the
old closed road back to the bridge and to a very pleasant lunch at
the Coachhouse. We were amazed to find that we’d walked about
five miles on what proved to be a very enjoyable day.
LIZ WATERLAND
Group Leader
U3A MONDAY WALKING GROUP
Twenty five of us met at
The Chequered Skipper,
Ashton’ near Oundle on
a wet, damp and drizzly
morning. We set off
towards Polebrook on
road, bridleway,
eventually turning off
onto grass footpath.
Numerous stiles, gates
and kissing gates entertained us along the way. At Polebrook we
crossed the brook ( "bruc" being the olde word.) all 2ft width of it!!
We then proceeded through high wet grass to the bridleway leading to
Armston.
The track to Armston was a gentle slope, once there we followed the
footpath towards Barnwell. This led us to an interesting deep ditch
( but at least it was devoid of water-- thanks goodness). Although it
would not have mattered as we were wet anyhow. We had to pull
people up the opposite side and my right arm is now inches longer.
We walked through Barnwell crossing the A605 and followed the
Nene Way towards Oundle. On reaching the Mill we crossed over
onto the Nene Way and followed the river to the weir crossing. Here
we decided to follow the river only to discover after 3/4 mile there
was no way through. (A Steve Hanson shortcut that failed).
As a consequence we had to walk back to the weirs and cross over
skirting the south of Oundle and back towards the River Nene. Finally
we reached a bridge that would take us back to Ashton. So the 7.5
mile walk ended up as nearly 9 miles; although we were wet and tired
we were in good spirits
Nineteen of us then stayed and enjoyed a good meal at the Chequered
Skipper. The moral is to "recee" all the walk and not forget some of
the map !!! For details of future walks see Brian’s report below.
Walk leader and report STEVE "Shortcut" HANSON
And now Brian’s contribution—I realise this is an extremely long
report this month Steve part is so amusing and Brian’s so
informative I couldn’t see where to cut it so please bear with me on
this occasion. ANN
The next meeting of the Monday Walking Group will take place on
6th August 2012. Those wishing to attend should be at the Fox and
Hounds at Castle Bytham at 9.45 for a 10am start. There is parking
available at the pub but if you could car share it would ease the
pressure on space. The walk itself will be around the local Bytham
area and will take in the Yew Tree Walk at Clipsham and the castle
mound in Castle Bytham itself. We expect to cover about five miles.
For those not familiar with the area the easiest means of approach is
to follow the A15 north towards Bourne and turn left in Thurlby.
Follow the road through Manton and Witham on the Hill to Little
Bytham and follow the signs to Castle Bytham thereafter. We
suggest you allow around 30 minutes for your journey. We are
anticipating a warm, dry and sunny morning. If you are wishing to
attend this walk please let Chris and Chas Ferguson know, if possible
by FRIDAY 3rd August.
We also have an all day walk in Norfolk planned for Wednesday,
22nd August led by Peter Jackson, more details will be available at
the August walk.
BRIAN THORNTHWAITE
Group Leader
U3A SUNDAY LUNCH GROUP
The next Sunday Lunch will be at The Red Lion,
West Deeping, on Sunday, 29 July. Please
contact Tony Semple or Michael Griffiths or add your name to the
list at the meeting on Monday, 16 July, to make a reservation
Pic by David Scott
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U3A CRAFT GROUP 2
Heather Bumfrey produced her usual sterling
ideas for interesting cards despite slightly
temperamental equipment and the finished
products were delightful. She has further
ideas for July, so please bring the usual basic equipment.
Meeting as usual, 2pm.
LIZ NOBLE
Group Leader
U3A SCIENCE GROUP
At our last meeting we examined the life and
inventions of Sir Henry Bessemer.
Our next meeting, to be hosted by David Macvitie,
will hear about the recovery of a crashed wartime bomber. The
meeting will start at 2pm.
GARTH PERRY / DAVID SCOTT
Group Leaders
U3A MONDAY READING GROUP
This month we read ‘The Interpretation of Murder’
by Jed Rubenfeld. The author is Professor of Law at
Yale with an impressive list of legal credentials, a
research thesis on Freud and training in the theatre;
all of which accounts for the brilliant plotting and
background of this complex and fascinating book.
Everyone in the group enjoyed the combination of fictional murder
mystery, with enticing red herrings and plot twists, and fact based
recreation of the visit of Freud and Jung to New York in 1909.
Tightly interwoven with these the author adds in psychological
motivations, his own interpretation of Hamlet, the building of New
York’s skyscraper skyline and the Manhattan Bridge and a cast of
intriguing characters. One of the cast is a young detective who we
felt deserved a series of books of his own, while the others ranged
from the factual (the Mayor of New York of the period for instance)
to the bizarre and twisted fictional protagonists.
We felt we would thoroughly recommend this book to anyone who
loves a complex and brilliantly crafted thriller, packed with interest
and skilfully written.
Our next meeting is on 13th August at Anne Jones’ house.
LIZ WATERLAND
Group Leader
U3A DISCUSSION GROUP
23rd July The topic is Welfare Benefits.
Everyone to contribute.
13th August The topic is To whom do antiquities belong?
Leader is Kathleen.
The Discussion Group has space for more members. This is a very
lively light-hearted group in which individual members are able to
express their own views and opinions freely and have a joke. We
meet on the 2nd and 4th Monday mornings of the month at 11.00
am. Why not give us a try sometime!!
JOY ELLIMAN
(Temporary Leader now IAN TANNER)
ON BEHALF OF EVERYONE, MANY THANKS JOY FOR ALL
YOUR HARD WORK OVER THE YEARS WITH THIS GROUP.
ANN
GARDENING 4 PETALS & PRODUCE
On 19th June a small group of us visited the beautiful garden of Tim
Meakin at Outwell. The weather was glorious (unusual for this
summer) and we were able to wander around his amazing garden.
There were some changes from our last visit two years ago, but
generally the garden still has the same feel about it with lots of little
planting features hidden along side the many meandering pathways.
We were treated to refreshments on the vine patio and at the end we
all selected plants to buy at very modest prices.
Our next meeting is the coach trip to Blenheim and Oxford on 19th
July and our August one will be the Bean Tasting on 21st at 11.30
am.
EDDIE ADAMS
Group Leader
U3A FAMILY HISTORY GROUP
Today we had a general meeting and we
discussed what we had been doing over the past month. Some of the
group were distracted by the tennis but most had done some work. A
couple of the group had spent time tidying their files and putting
things into order. That is a must with this hobby. It’s all too easy to
collect information then get it all muddled up and then not be able to
make sense out of the remaining mess.
We discussed the pros and cons of some of the web sites and at our
next meeting we will be looking at some of the sites in greater detail.
Information is increasing day on day and it pays to keep looking all
the time. A few of the group are having a one to one so that they can
address the problems they have.
I was recommended a book a while ago, The Blood Detective by
Dan Waddell. I downloaded it to my Kindle so unfortunately can’t
loan it out, but, for someone interested in family history and
detective novels it’s a must!
Brian brought our attention to the fact that The Oddfellows will be
putting on a display of historical documents at the Oddfellows Hall
over the August Bank Holiday (26th-27th). For anyone who have
local connections it will be worth a trip to see what they have.
Our next meeting will be on 13th August, same time, same place.We
would be more than pleased to welcome any new members who
would like to either start or enhance their family history. Anyone
interested in joining our group or just having a chat about what we
do, please give me a call.
PEG TORRANCE
Group Leader
IMPORTANT REQUEST
Volunteers required to serve coffee and tea at monthly meetings.
No expertise required just the ability to add hot water to coffee
granules and tea bags! If you quality please add your name to the
list at the “Boards” table.
5
U3A GARDENING GROUP 3 For our June meeting we
took advantage of the
National Garden Scheme
and visited a garden at
Greatford Mill, owned by
Mr and Mrs D Lygo. The
lovely garden is half an acre
overlooking St Thomas'
church. It has the original
water wheel and unfenced
mill pond, and is most
interesting the way the
old water mill is made a
feature in the garden, and
the plants are taken right
down to the River
Glen. We were
pleasantly rewarded with
a fantastic garden full of
beautiful plants and
wonderful colour, with a
formal parterre garden of fruit and vegetables. Several members of the
group attended, and it was an ideal time to sit and talk about the garden
over a nice piece of cake and a welcomed cup of tea. We entered a
Duck race but unfortunately none of us won. There was a wonderful
selection of plants for sale at a reasonable cost. It was a most enjoyable
sunny afternoon and well worth another visit next year. Our thanks go
to Josie for arranging the visit.
At the next meeting on 24th July at 10.30 am we join Freda at her
Cabin by the River Nene for our Summer gathering. Directions:
Please follow the road to Orton Mere just off the Parkway Bridge. Park
in the Car Park at the end of the road just before the railway crossing,
and Freda will meet us all there.
JANICE WILSON
Group Leader
U3A WEDNESDAY GARDENING GROUP
This morning we met at Dot's house in Langtoft for our
Carrot tasting session. Unfortunately some of us had had
more success than others. Dot had made sausage and
mash to go with our carrots. We tried six different
varieties with the winner by quite a long way being
Nantes Early, followed by Bangor and then Nigel. They were judged
mainly on flavour as the colour of them, being young, was just about
the same. The other types we tried were Chanteney, Ideal Baby Carrots
and Amsterdam. Dot also provided us with some very tasty deserts and
our thanks go to her for her generous hospitality.
We also had a look round her garden with its full boarders, lawn
and veggie plot. Its suprising how many varieties of plants one could
find in her garden. A very pleasent morning was had by all. Our next
meeting is on August 8th at Shirley's house, where the theme is
a 'Fragrant Flower'. The meeting starts at 10 o'clock.
Report by AVRIL WILLIS
Group Leaders: JEAN FOSTER / ANGELA DORWARD
U3A THURSDAY WALKING GROUP
Twenty three
members enjoyed
a pleasant and
very sunny walk
from Dyke,
through
Cawthorpe and
around part
of Bourne
Woods before
returning
to The Wishing
Well for lunch.
Many thanks to Pat and Michael for leading the walk and organising the
lunch and bringing good weather as well.
U3A THURSDAY GARDENING GROUP We have had an unintentionally busy time since the last newsletter. As
June came to an end we had two unexpected treats. Firstly we enjoyed
coffee in Barbara Workman's impressive "easy care" garden. Not only
did we admire her expertise with plants but she had also arranged for the
sun to shine - quite a feat this Summer! From Barbara's it was a pleasant
walk over the river to Val and Paul Whiston's garden in Deeping
Gate. We had visited the garden earlier in the year and seen it in its
Springtime glory but Val was keen for us to see how it had
developed since then. This year she has planted fewer bedding plants in
favour of perennials and it was interesting to see her new herbaceous
borders and discuss her choice of plants all of which looked happy and
healthy in their new beds. As always Val and Paul were very
welcoming and we thank them for their time and advice.
The following week saw
us driving to Surfleet
Seas End to a
rearranged meeting with
broadcaster, journalist
and blogger Daphne
Ledward. She invited
us into her garden at
Little Thatch and we
were amazed to see so
many different plants in
such a small space. Her
garden was full! Daphne told us how she had developed the garden over
30 years from a very rough plot. She loves to buy new plants and there
were certainly many good specimens to be found. We drove on to
Daphne's "Patch", an altogether different project in the middle of the
Lincolnshire Fens. She explained her plans for this newer and more
spacious garden and proudly showed us the new wood she had
planted. We were then shown the large vegetable plot as well as "John's
shed"! We are very grateful to Daphne and John for so generously
providing us with refreshments and spending time with us in their
gardens.
Our next outing will be to Style Roses on Thursday 19th July, a visit
kindly arranged for us by Pat and Michael Moss. We meet at Style
Roses in Holbeach at 10 am. This visit is open to all U3A garden group
members but please ring me on the number below by Monday 16th July
if you would like to join us. Yet another visit this year will be, as
requested, to Tim Meakins's garden at Outwell near Wisbech. This will
be on the first Thursday in August and we look forward to Tim's tour of
his fascinating garden, hopefully on a sunny day! Please ring me on the
number below if you are unable to attend.
CHRIS FERGUSON
Group Leader 017783 344126
U3A WRITING FOR PLEASURE GROUP
The task for the July meeting of our Writing Group was
to write about an animal. This produced several
entertaining stories, mainly about cats, with one centred
on a donkey called Dobbin.
One or two of us had taken last month’s challenge instead, which was to
write a conversation between more than two people. Geoff managed to
write a whole short story around a conversation between three
people. We were very impressed!
Next month Jenny would like us all to write a piece on any subject in
exactly fifty words. She then plans to put our work into a larger
project. For those who want to write more than fifty words, a separate
subject for next time is ‘A Disaster’. Should make interesting listening!
JUDY ROBINSON
Group Leader 01778 343383
The next walk on 9 August will be led by Brian and Linda Watkins and
will be around the Pinchbeck and Surfleet area returning along the River
Glen. Please meet at The Ship, Northgate, Pinchbeck PE11 3SE at
9.45am for a 10am start, where we will also be having lunch. If you
wish to attend this walk, could you please phone or e-mail Brian and
Linda a day or two before .
GODFREY PARKES
Group Leader
Pic: Dave Scott