South Bucks U3A • Issue No.122 • Registered Charity ...

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newsletter THE SOUTH BUCKS U3A | AUG | SEPT | OCT | 2019

South Bucks U3A • Issue No.122 • Registered Charity 1029873

www.sbu3a.org.ukGarden Lovers Group

visit LongstockPhotos: Val Taylor

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your committeeThe Branch is run by a voluntary committee .. . Who does what?

IMPORTANT: As a member of SBU3A, if you change your address or email, please remember to notify the Membership Secretary Jan Condon, email: [email protected] OR, Tel: 01628 633109

Position Name Phone Email___________________________________________________________________________________ Chairman Phil Taylor 01494 818938 chairman@sbu3a.org.uk.............................................................................................................................................................................Vice Chairman Dorothy Coomer 01628 471538 vicechairman@sbu3a.org.uk.............................................................................................................................................................................Treasurer/Financial Admin Alan Cairns 01628 603465 treasurer@sbu3a.org.uk.............................................................................................................................................................................Secretary John Evans 01494 680979 [email protected].............................................................................................................................................................................Membership Secretary Jan Condon 01628 633109 memsec@sbu3a.org.uk.............................................................................................................................................................................Newsletter Co-ordinator Annie Burkitt 01494 449684 [email protected].............................................................................................................................................................................

Speakers Co-ordinator Jo Plaskitt 01494 676671 meetings@sbu3a.org.uk.............................................................................................................................................................................Groups Liaison Ann Wyllie 01753 644137 [email protected]............................................................................................................................................................................. Website Co-ordinator Nicky Smith 01494 672795 [email protected]............................................................................................................................................................................. Committee Support Christine Phillips 01494 676073 committee1@sbu3a.org.uk.............................................................................................................................................................................Other Officials ___________________________________________________________________________________ Equipment Co-ordinator Roger Browne 01628 526800 [email protected]___________________________________________________________________________________

A big welcome to our newest members:

Suhail Al-Salehi, Ken Burnett, Denis Button, Jean Button, Diana Coombes, Cheryl Leigh, Jane Lunsford, Margaret Maidwell, Hilary McCann, Peggy McKenna,

Faith Perring, Bernie Philpott, Wendy Philpott, Hazel Powell, Ruth Privett, Kie Jo Sarsfield, Sarah Shields, Graham Smith, Jane Waggle

We are always pleased to welcome new members, so if you know of people you think might be interested in joining, please ask them to contact Jan Condon for more information.

Telephone 01628 633109 or email: [email protected]

our newest members

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a message from your chairman

Hello Everyone

We have had a good quarter for new members. Most have heard about SB U3A through word of mouth so well done to you all and keep up the good work.

A special thank you to Dorothy Coomer who has successfully taken on the job of organising our teas for the General Meetings.

Prior to the AGM I would like to pay tribute to our convenors who are the heartbeat of our U3A. Their hard work and commitment mean we have a high number of successful and interesting groups. I look forward to the convenors meeting being planned for late September.

I hope you all have a good summer attending our many and varied groups that emphasise and reflect the educational values of the U3A.

Phil Taylor Chairman

Tea & Chat group enjoy a summer lunch at Prime

in Beaconsfield.

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thames valley network

branch news

The Objects of Thames Valley Network are to advance the education of members of U3As in our region. Also, to encourage the provision of leisure activities for their social welfare, by facilitating cooperation between U3As within the network.

For current detailed information of TVN Events and booking forms please visit: u3atvnetwork.org.uk or the U3A Thames Valley Network page on our own website.

These events are very popular and available places are often filled very quickly, so please watch out for any notifications you receive when relevant to your interest groups and regularly check both websites for the latest information.

30th August The Work of William Morris Kelmscott Manor (fully Booked)

22nd October Ukulele Day Benson

21st November Britain’s Ancient Past Benson

Exploring Local Churches – Change of Meeting DayThis group has now changed its meeting day from the fourth to the third Thursday of the month.

Jazz BandWe are still short of a rhythm jam guitarist. We don’t expect to find another John Williams- just a chord cruncher who can keep a steady beat! Please contact Rod.

AGMOur Chairman introduced the AGM which preceded the General Monthly Meeting at the Beacon Centre on 16th July. Apologies were received from 9 members. It was established that enough members were in attendance to achieve a quorum.The 2018 Minutes were approved along with the Treasurer’s report and the examiner Richard Worland was appointed for 2019/20.Jan Condon was re-elected for another 3-year term and a new member, Christine Phillips, was elected.The proposed motion to increase the SB U3A subscription from £25 to £26 (effective immediately) was carried and as there were no other business items received by the secretary, the Chaiman closed the meeting in a very timely fashion.Members were then treated to an exceptionally entertaining talk by Deborah Anne Brady called “A Female in Fleet Street’ ... a look at her life as a photojournalist who covered news, sport and features for the national press.

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monthly (general) meeting newsAug. 20: A. Willis – History of Harefield Hospital

Sept .17: Martin Holmes – Harold Wilson; a Reputation Revised?

Oct. 15: Mike Farley – Bucks Archaeological Sites from the Air

PAST MEETING REPORTS

April – Cracking Cryptics What is a cruciverbalist? Obviously we all knew the answer – it’s a cryptic crossworder!! Tony Long, a compiler as well as a keen solver of cryptic crosswords, took us inside the mind of the compiler through a humorous presen-tation unravelling the mysteries of the cryptic crossword. Interspersed with a plethora of jokes, he emphasised the three golden rules to consider at the outset, followed by a list of ten types of clue to tease the most dedicated of crossword addicts.

Many of us may have felt quite comfortable with anagrams and abbreviations, but famil-iarity with Roman numerals, the periodic table and foreign languages was often a step too far, yet essential for solving the most demanding of crossword clues. However, as he built up more complex clues we began to become more con-fident in breaking down and even occasionally getting the right answer. Perhaps one day we will all become cruciverbalists!

May– Windsor in WW2 Using photographs and archive material from local newspapers. Brigette Mitchelle provided an interesting portrayal of life in Windsor during the Second World War. Starting with the preparation for war in 1939, she described the yearly events in the town from the arrival of 10,000 refugees through to the building of air raid shelters and the impact of bombing raids, often illustrated with personal stories from residents.

However, alongside the devastation of war, en-

tertainment was still to be found at the Theatre Royal Playhouse as well as in the cinemas and dance halls. In keeping with many communi-ties across the country, a series of special fund raising weeks for the war effort were held, with the Windsor Horse Show contributing to these activities. Overall fatalities in Windsor during the war were small, with only 9 people killed and 111 injured in bombing raids.

June– Inside London’s Airport Policy On the day when the Heathrow Expansion Scheme was published, Paul Le Blond, a mem-ber of our local U3A and former employee of BAA, gave a detailed analysis of the issues facing the growth of aviation over the last five decades.

The talk entitled ‘Indecision, decision and counter-decision’ clearly illustrated the history of airport policies for London, characterised by frequent changes in policy decisions. Paul has conducted extensive research into the evolution of Government strategy, and this has been incorporated into his recently pub-lished book ‘Inside London’s Airport Policy’. The current proposal, which will go through a 3 month consultation exercise, is to build a third runway at Heathrow, and this is likely to have ramifications in our own area. However, might this all change with a new Prime minister?!

FUTURE MEETINGS:

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Antiques & Collectibles

Sue Abbey [email protected]

This is a relaxed and friendly group which meets on the first Friday of the month at 2pm at the Curzon Centre, and new members are most welcome.What is the difference between ‘small, tiny and miniature’? This was the conundrum facing members at our April meeting. In at least the case of ‘small and tiny’ it is just a matter of relative size, whilst a miniature is usually described as an object which is much smaller than normal. Over the centuries the most well-known miniatures have been portrait miniatures and following a brief history of these artists and their work we moved on to the eclectic range of items on display. These included some beautiful hand-made furnishings for dolls’ houses, small miniature teddy bears, tiny scale cars and aeroplanes, a small sample tin of biscuits from Huntley and Palmer (suitable for a doll’s house!), a tiny book of Common Prayer and a tiny bottle containing a 20p piece (how did it get in there!) However, it was a Russian doll which emphasised the dilemma of categorising an item, with 10 increasingly smaller dolls, the smallest requiring a magnifying glass to see it! ‘And now for something completely different’. This phrase could be aptly used to describe our May meeting when we welcomed Richard Anderson to our group. Entitled ‘What is it?’ we competed in teams to determine the origin and

use of various objects. An item was briefly de-scribed, giving its approximate age and current value, with each team having the opportunity to look at it and ask any questions before writing down their ideas and scoring points according to the accuracy of their conclusions. With objects as diverse as an implement to castrate bulls, a coachman’s tummy warmer, an early ear piercing kit, a vibrating instrument to relieve constipation and a small pair of bellows used to spray wigs in the Regency era, it is not surprising that there was much hilarity! In June the sun may not have been shining outside, but inside we had a ‘Golden Afternoon’. This was our summer celebration with a delicious cream tea to follow the main meeting. Balloons and table decorations turned the room into a festive occasion, but before we indulged members talked about the objects they had brought along which were all related to the theme of gold. Sovereigns and a Krugerrand, gilded wood, items with gold leaf edging, a very special and personalised golden wedding present, together with memorabilia from golden anniversary events and a variety of jewellery were all on display. As a finale we listened to a rendition of Bing Crosby’s ‘When the blue of the night meets the gold of the day’ which received a rapturous applause! A big thank you goes to Andrea, Maddy, Brian and Ken for making it such an enjoyable afternoon and in particular for the sumptuous home -made scones.

Future MeetingsAug 2nd - Fruit & VegetablesSept 6th - Visit to Museum of English Rural Life, Reading Oct 4th - Victorian Memorabilia

group activities

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Better Bridge (Formerly Bridge for Beginners)

John Evans Liz [email protected]

The more you play bridge, the faster you will learn and the better player you will become. Join us to play pre dealt hands under supervision, help and advice given. It is not just fun, it is good exercise for the brain and a great way to make new friends.Some very famous people play the game so to quote Martina Navratilova ‘’No matter where I go, I can always make new friends at the bridge table”.All standards of players welcome from beginners to those who just want to sharpen their game.

Future Meetings13 & 27 August, 10th and 24th September, 8th and 22nd October

Bird Watchers (formerly Ornithology)

Bob Moore [email protected]

In April, Pam Lloyd organised the walk around Stockers Lake and in June, I organised the

walk around Dinton Country Park both were very enjoyable but, unfortunately, I have mislaid the details for each so I cannot provide any more information on these. If they turn, up I will include them in the next Newsletter.In May, the walk’s organiser was John Mack and we made our spring visit to Otmoor and sadly the turtle doves did not appear; let us hope that they were not blown out of the sky by a European “hunter”. Otherwise, it did not disappoint as we saw hobbies and cuckoos and heard a grasshopper warbler and Cetti’s warbler but one of the high points was the sighting of a garganey. (below)

This is a small duck rather like a teal and it is rare a summer visitor and was a first sighting for many of our members but even better than that was that we saw two/three cranes. There is one secret breeding site in Britain and some were introduced into Somerset a few years ago and some interesting films were made of people dressed as cranes trying to get the fledglings to feed and then fly.

Future MeetingsAugust 12 –Marlow Gravel PittSeptember 9 –OtmoorOctober 14 –Marsworth

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Book Group ~ Two ~

Rosanna Ogden [email protected]

The Lido by Libby Page was a real joy to read. A gentle, beautifully-written book which tells of the blossom-ing friendship between Rosemary, an 86-year old pensioner, and Kate, a young reporter living and working in Brixton, who is afflicted with panic attacks and loneliness through living in a place where she knows no-one. Until, one day, she is sent to write a report on the threatened closure of Brixton Lido, where she meets not only Rosemary, but a handful of lovely, local eclectic people who also come regularly to the Lido. Set against this is the story of Rosemary’s life. She has lived in Brixton all her life; met her beloved husband in the Lido as a young girl and has swum there every day. The closure of the lido would drastically change this close-knit community. Up in arms, the community unites to fight this closure. Highly recommended. Our next book was

The Enchanted April by Elizabeth Von Arnim. First published in 1922, this Vintage Penguin Classis was enjoyed by all, although some felt it was a little slow in places. A note in The Times advertises a

Book Group ~ One ~

Celia Oram [email protected]

In May we read Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng. There are three different situations woven in about babies either wanted or unwanted. It is set in the USA and was both interesting and a page turner.

We also read Into the Water by Paula Hawkins. We found this a reasonable read but a bit confusing in places and not nearly as engaging as her 1st novel Girl on a train.

In June we read Normal People by Sally Rooney and The Citadel by A J Cronin.

Both provided plenty of discussion. Future MeetingsAug. 27th, Sept. 24th, Oct. 22nd

~ USELESS KNOWLEDGE ~If the population of China walked past you

in a single file line, the line would never end because of the rate of reproduction.

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Bridge

Liz Pratt [email protected]

On June 24th we played a friendly match against Marlow u3a Bridge Group. We all enjoyed the afternoon in their spacious and comfortable new premises. It was a close match but the final score showed that we won by 14 IMPs. We look forward to another match in the Autumn.Many Better Bridge players are now regulars at our group. We hope they will persuade others from Better Bridge to take the plunge. We would still welcome even more players to our friendly & fairly relaxed Monday duplicate sessions with up to 10 tables.On normal Mondays we play 20 - 22 pre-dealt boards. There are hand records on-line and copies to take home for those who need them.We meet on 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 5th Monday each month BUT NOT on Bank Holidays. Please be there by 1.20pm for prompt 1.30pm start. New players do please contact Liz before coming for the first time. Cost: £2 per session.If you need a partner contact Liz beforehand and she will try and find you one on a week by week basis. There is often someone looking for a regular partner. Our website is: www.bridgewebs.co.uk/sbu3a Future meetingsAug. 5/12/19, Sept. 2/9/16/30, Oct. 7/14/21

“Small mediaeval Italian castle in Tuscany, to be let for the month of April. Four very different women take up the offer. Two of the ladies, both young, want to get away from their unappreciative husbands; beautiful Lady Caroline is sick of being “grabbed” by lovesick men, and the imperious, ageing Mrs. Fisher just wants to be left in peace with no social inter-action with the others. As the beauty of the castle weaves its spell, the ladies blossom and open up and return home with their lives totally changed. A beautifully descriptive book which made the group all wish to immediately book a holiday in Tuscany.The Lost Army of Cambyses by Paul Sussman first begins in 523 BC, when the Persian pharaoh, Cambyses, dispatched an army across Egypt’s western desert to destroy the oracle at Sinwa. Legend has it that his army was overwhelmed by a sandstorm and

lost forever. Two and a half millennia later, when several murders occur, seemingly unrelated, Inspector Yasuf Khalifa of the Luxor police is suspicious. The search for the truth suddenly becomes a race against time, which leads deep into the desert’s

unforgiving heat and to one of the great mysteries of the ancient world. Different from the other books we have read, we found this atmospheric and an easy read.

Future Meetings8th August, 12 September, 10 October

~ USELESS KNOWLEDGE ~Los Angeles’s full name is

“El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de los Angeles de Porciuncula.”

~ USELESS KNOWLEDGE ~Scorpions can survive for up to one year

without food

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Croquet

Geoff Youd [email protected]

• NB: This activity is not run by SB U3A, but our members are welcomed by the host organisationThis group is now meeting every Wednesday am from 10.30 - 12.30. Please note that this is a change of time from previous seasons. Telephone me to check if there are places left or go along to observe the game. We play at Hazlemere recreation ground and there is a charge for each session. Equipment is supplied, please wear flat soled shoes.

Future Meetings Every Wednesday morning 10.30 - 12.30

Current Affairs

James Barrett [email protected]

Our meetings take place in the afternoons in the Lounge at St Thomas’ church hall but, bearing in mind the combination of high temperatures without and the steam generated within, perhaps we should move to a morning routine! We try to be up-to-date and the last 2 meetings in May and June have been typical. The May agenda had 9 items for discussion and June had 13. (Our meeting for July takes place at the end of the

Computer Users

Roger [email protected]

Our meetings usually follow a chat room format with discussing matters of common interest and raising computer related queries in anticipation that other members of the group may be able to help (a computer clinic). Also we have discussions on specific topics and occasionally a member of the group will make a presentation on such a topic. At our June meeting Elaine Baudouin gave us a presentation about gmail and then another about Whats App. Thank you Elaine. In July Colin O’Rourke will have given us a presentation about Managing your file folders and email folders. Also managing email distribution lists/groups. Thank you Colin. We have some access to the internet and use a large screen as a monitor. All SBU3A members of any level of experience are welcome. New members please bring your membership card.WINDOWS AT TURN OFF. Whether to choose shut down, or sleep, or hibernation. If you choose shut down Windows closes all running programs and then itself before turning off the computers power. If you choose sleep, Windows puts the computer into a low power state so that Windows can start up again quickly. If you choose Hibernation, Windows saves a snapshot of the PC’s current working state to the hard drive and then turns off the power. It will save time if you want to return to where you left off.

Future MeetingsAugust 14th NO MEETING September 11th & October 9th Normal Meetings. 2nd Wed. of the month at 09.50 for 10.am till 12 noon, at the URC Hall, Crabtree Close, Holtspur. HP9 1UQ.

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month when we will decide whether a meeting in August is wanted.) We piled in with items on Brexit, Mr Corbyn’s opacity on the subject versus Mrs May’s intractable stance got us to yawning pitch, because of course, it was the run-up to the European Parliamentary elections. Mr Farage seemed to attract an equal mix of vituperation and cheers among the members but at least he got attention as was subsequently evidenced by the vote for his MEP’s. Thereafter it was Hunt and Boris, the self-serving BBC, should there be future election debates, queries about the effectiveness of the Labour party, the disrespect paid to the American President by the Mayor of London and that Squeaker of the House. We had concerns about our support for the Iran nuclear deal, the country’s flabby approach to major infrastructure projects and finally, should the Queen consider abdicating and in whose favour. All with no blood spilled! Future Meetings28th Aug., 25th Sept., 23rd Oct., 2019

Dining In

Sandra Bowles [email protected]

If you would like to meet interesting and like minded people please read below.Our Dining In Group is a home run group where three couples put a meal together with the host providing the main course enough for six people along with a welcome drink, biscuits for cheese and tea or coffee. The

other two couples bring along the starter or pudding course, cheese and a bottle of wine to share with fellow diners. Each “couple” means any two people who want to join Dining In. Even if you are not a couple but would like to join us, I will try and pair you with another single person who would also like to join our very sociable group. If you would like to know more, contact Sandra.

Discovering Art

Paddy Cooper [email protected]

On Lanzarote Helen Tippins investigated Cesar Manrique [1919-1992]. Before becoming a major influence on his birthplace, he had studied architecture, taught art and painting in Madrid, and painted in New York on a Rockefeller grant. Returning to Lanzarote in 1966 he realised its tourism potential, but determined to prevent the spread of coastline high-rise hotels, he became a major influence on planning regulations, as well as pursuing his own artistic career. The Cesar Manrique Foundation, based at his home built on an 18thc volcanic site, houses an art gallery of his own work and the art he acquired.

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young travelled in Italy and the Netherlands, becoming a marine and coastal watercolour painter. We agreed that this could be a possible rival to Turner’s “Fighting Temeraire” [certainly clearer!].When Paddy Cooper recognised a painting of Godrevy Lighthouse in her neighbours’ house, it was of course imperative to investigate the artist! In 1844 Louis Grier arrived in St. Ives from Australia. Becoming part of the artistic community, he started a studio school, married a local girl, and stayed!Vickie Bowen was thinking of St. Ives and Alfred Wallis [1855-1942]. The sign over an open door in Quay Street read “A.Wallis - Dealer in Marine Stores” when in 1928 Ben Nicholson and Chris-topher Wood, on a visit to Cornwall, walked past.. Avoiding his ‘rag&bone’ cart, they looked in, and saw paintings of ships and houses on odd bits of cardboard nailed up all over the walls, and Wallis himself, then about 75. His much older wife had died six years earlier and he painted for company. He’d gone to sea aged nine, taught himself to read, never afforded a boat of his own. Inarticulate and undersized, he became a marine scrap-merchant known as ‘old iron’ . A few years after this famous meeting, Wallis would be writing to the Assistant-Keeper at the Tate Gallery as an old friend!In contrast, Vickie showed a DVD of professional artist, Fred Cuming, A.R.C.A., R.A., b.1930, painting on the beach and explaining how he was painstakingly building- up a picture of St. Michael’s Mount.

Future Meetings 2.00p.m. on the 2nd Wednesday in the Rossetti Hall, New Pond Rd., Holmer Green, HP15 6SU.

NO MEETING IN HALL IN AUGUSTSept. 11th: 1870s Paris & Impressionism by Stephen PalmerOct.9th & Nov.13th: TBC Joaquin Sorolla, Diego Velasquez, Karsushika Hokusai & Ando Hiroshige

Lola Sledmere spoke on Surrealist Max Ernst [1891-1976] and his Amazing Women. Born near Cologne of Russian parents, his father’s interest in painting inspired Max to study at Bonn University. Visits to mental institutions where art was therapy were included and he too began to paint. In Cologne he saw the work of Picasso, Van Gogh, and Gaugin. Devastated by WW1 Military Service, he married an art-history student, had a son, worked hard, studied de Chirico’s paintings, produced his first collages, and founded the Dada Group. Marriage ended, he entered France illegally in 1922, and by 1925 had his own studio in Paris. Marrying again in 1927, he learnt to sculpt with Giocometti, Peggy Guggenheim buying some of his work in 1938. Living with Leonara Carrington at WW2 outbreak, [she fled to Spain] he was interned, but escaped with the help of Peggy Guggen-heim who he married in 1942. In 1946 he married the Surrealist Dorothea Tanning and lived in Arizona for a few years. [to be cont.!]Trevor Coe presented “Optical Illusions” - drawings seen two ways, which made us very attentive indeed. These were new to me, and I think should be seen again with more time, and possibly a wider audience.

Trevor also introduced us to some “Non-Stand-ard Media”: Silk-painting [Roses, Eucalyptus], Ribbon-Dancing, Straw-Grass Painting, Paper Cut-outs, Encaustic Wax, heated Beeswax on wood, and, of course, Computer-Aided Design.Darrell Hamley showed “Tug Towing Warship” by Sheffield-born T.B. Hardy [1842-1897], who when

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new members, so if you fancy a nice afternoon discovering new churches please join us, it will be nice to see you.

Future MeetingsThird Thursday in the month, at 2.p.m, until October.

Film Appreciation

Dieter Shaw [email protected]

There are many film festivals in Europe with Cannes and Venice among the most prestigious. With film production for the small screen slowly outstripping that intended for conventional cinema, significant steps by the main players in the streaming business to secure studio facilities are reaching fever pitch. Netflix has taken a lease on a significant chunk of Shepperton Studios, home

Exploring Local Churches

Dorothy Coomer [email protected]

The Exploring Local Churches Group continues to enjoy a lovely summer of finding and ex-ploring churches in our local area, which many of us have never visited before, and in some cases did not know existed. It is amazing what historical and interesting churches we have in our villages and towns. Our visits are preceded by a very pleasant lunch at a local restaurant or hostelry, usually new to some of us but it all adds up to a pleasant day. Our visit in May was to the lovely village of Hurley and St Mary’s Church, and a lunch at the quaint Dew Drop Inn, on its own, buried in the woods near to Hurley. From this July our visits will be on the third Thursday of the month, visiting Holy Trinity Church, Penn Street, with Lunch etc. at the Hit or Miss in the village. We are a very friendly group and welcome

The group enjoyed an excellent visit to St. Giles, Stoke in April

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regime started a killing spree without equal. Pino-chet’s air force set about terrorizing the population and protests across the world did little to stop him. The Scottish workforce refused to work on the engines and for four long years resisted pressure from high on up (Pinchet once stayed with Thatch-er) until the by now quite useless engines mysteri-ously disappeared in the middle of the night.The true story is told about the effect of this magnificent act of solidarity had on the the Chileans and how bit by bit their air force lost capacity to kill. Moving.Monday, 21st October 2019WOMAN AT WAR Iceland 2018, 101 minutes SubtitlesThis is a terrific film. A middle- aged mild environmentalist teacher takes on big industry by sabotaging the building of a local aluminium metal smelter. I won’t give the game away by mentioning crossbow and arrow. It is just possible that her situation could change with the arrival of a small orphan in her life. An offbeat and quite wonderful film with big heart set in the beautiful highlands of Iceland

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France & All Things French

David Baker [email protected]

We meet every 2 months at 2pm on the second Tuesday of the month. Our last meeting was a quiz where each member presented 5 questions on a French topic. Next will be our annual Summer Lunch in Jennifer’s beautiful

to ALIENS and MARY POPPINS RETURNS. The deal guarantees Netflix exclusive use to most of the studios facilities, including its 14 sound stages. With a UK budget of £10.3 billion the fight for streaming services now includes Disney and Amazon and conventional film-making will find itself pushed for cash. This year Cannes film festival had a number of excellent home-grown films but only one international blockbuster, ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA, Quentin Tarantino directing, with Leonardo de Caprio and Brad Pitt. It’s a good one but will it be enough?

Future MeetingsMonday, 19th August 2019 GREEN BOOK 2018 USA 140 Minutes

This story is set in America’s segregated 1960’s deep south where a white Italian American acts as tour driver for a black jazz pianist. Based on a true story, this insightful film about an unlikely pairing deals with a shameful time in US history.The Green Book is the

guide for black travellers, listing safe havens. A moving and often disturbing film with much food for thought.Monday, 16th September 2019NAE PASARAN - THEY SHALL NOT PASS Scotland 2018, 96 minutes

We are in 1974 where the workers in the Scottish Rolls Royce engine factory are tasked with servicing a number of fighter aircraft engines for the Chilean air force. The brutal dictator Pinochet had just overthrown the socialist Allende and a murderous

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Garden Lovers

Diane Smith Sue Medlock and Jenny Jennings [email protected]

Two areas for exploration awaited us in May during our first coach trip of the year to Kelmarsh Hall near Northampton. We had come to visit the stunning Grade 2 listed gardens which have been restored to recapture the prime of their develop-ment the early 20th century. We were also able to visit the huge basement of the large manor house where the servants’ quarters, bake room, cellars and laundry rooms have been recently refurbished. Would the servants ever have had the time or permission to enjoy the gardens as we had? On arrival at Foxington in Oxfordshire, which we visited in June, one is greeted by a wonderful view of the Chiltern Hills beyond a huge wild flower meadow. The gardens, though only begun in 1980 by the present owner, have been remodelled recently and the owner explained how this had been achieved. She provided us with a plant list for each of the different garden areas- with a challenge to let her know of any mistakes or omissions.A coach trip on a perfect summer day in July took a party of us to Longstock Water Gardens near Stockbridge. This has been voted “the finest Water Garden in the world”. It covers seven acres with lakes, many species of water lilies, fish and beautiful trees and plants. It is a very special place immaculately maintained. What else would you expect from a “branch” of the John Lewis Partnership. This was followed by a visit to the nearby nursery, farm shop and cafe. People were heard to declare that these

garden. Then on Sunday 1st December we will gather at La Petite Auberge to enjoy our popular pre-Christmas lunch. Our first meeting in 2020 will be on Tuesday 11th February. Our 3 new members are competent French linguists and are make a significant contribution to our activities. A la prochaine David

Future MeetingsTues. 13th August - Summer Lunch at Jennifer’sTuesday 8th October - Details TBA Sunday 1st December - pre-Christmas LunchTues.11th Feb. - Details will be emailed to members.

Gallery Goers Information

Nigel Williamson [email protected]

NATIONAL GALLERY Barolome Bermejo: Master of the Spanish Renaissence Though fewer than 20 works by the artist are known and most of his life remains a mystery Bermejo’s paintings set him apart as a technically skilled and visionary master. Ends 25 September 2019. Admission Free.

TATE BRITAIN – Frank Bowling First major retrospective celebrates an artist who pushes the possibilities of paint. Ends 26 August 2019 Admission £13

ROYAL ACADEMY Exploring this year’s Summer Exhibition with coordinator Jock McFadyan RA.Ends 12 August 2019See also: Welcome to the Nation’s Art at artuk.org

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the Dry Garden which is one of the crowning glories of the gardens, created in 2001, it aims to show visitors how they can work with the environment and use drought-tolerant plants. We shall be emailing our members with details.

Geology & Archaeology

Chris Le Blond [email protected]

In May we had a fascinating presentation by Michael Hodges, an enthusiastic metal detector-ist. Michael brought along many of his finds and we were able to examine them in detail.Our June meeting was a social gathering at Hedgerley Hall. Each member brought along a sharing plate, so we had a wonderful spread!! We had a quiz and some members brought along artefacts for a ‘show and tell’ session.

Future MeetingsAugust No MeetingSept. 25 Mike Farley ‘Prehistoric Buckinghamshire’October 23rd TBC

would be worth a visit even when the Water garden is shut!

Future MeetingsOn Wednesday the 7th August we shall be visiting Church Gardens Church Hill Harefield UB96DU. This garden is Harefield’s own ‘secret garden’ being 17th Century Renaissance walled gardens which are undergoing a restoration project. We shall meet at the property at 2 pm. Anyone wishing to go please contact Diane Smith.On Wednesday the 4th September we shall be having a coach trip to Bourton House Garden and Batsford Arboretum , both near Moreton in the Marsh. Bourton House Garden is an award winning Cotswold gem featuring imaginative topiary and magnificent herbaceous borders. The garden was developed over a twenty year time frame (from 1983) to create a perfect setting for the fine Manor House. We shall then visit the close by Batsford Arboreum , home of the country’s largest private collection of trees and shrubs with nursery and cafe. We shall be emailing our members with details but if any other SBU3a member is interested please

contact Diane Smith.On Wednesday the 2nd October we shall be travelling by coach to RHS Hyde Hall near Chelmsford. This is one of the finest gardens in the East of England, it is located among rolling hills and fantastic panoramic views often surprises the visitor. In particular we should visit

Kelmarsh Hall near NorthamptonPhotos: Val Taylor

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much better German than others (me), but we all still manage to make a contribution.If you are interested in joining us, please let me have your email in advance, without any obligation, as the occasional meeting is hosted in a member’s house.

Future MeetingsFirst Tuesday of the month at 13.45pm 6 August, 3 September, 1 October. St Thomas’ church lounge, at the back of the church hall.

History

Christine Phillips Sue Tattersall Trevor Coe [email protected]

We had three short talks in May given by History group members following the theme of ‘My Favourite Town/City’. David Tippins spoke about Jamestown, Helen Tippins’ topic was Port Stanley and Brian Withington talked about Antioch. All three talks were extremely interesting and there were many questions from the group about these little known cities.In June we had a visit to Winchester. A guide took us on a tour of Winchester followed by a visit to the Cathedral. After lunch we then visited the nearby Hospital of St Cross Alms-houses where we were given a tour by one of the residents. All enjoyed the trip and agreed that the tour guides both in Winchester and the Almshouses gave a very interesting insight into the city and the history of Almshouses.Continuing the theme of ‘My Favourite City’, in

German Conversation

Sarah Lewis [email protected]

In May, we borrowed a video link from Marlow U3A German group, about food wastage in Germany (and any Western European country). It seems that, despite the Greens having over 60 members in the Bundestag, and having been the first country to tackle much sin-gle-use plastic waste, their thrown away food “could fill the BodenSee” annually. We talked about our own approaches to food wastage.In June, while we had quite a long exchange on our personal stories and events, we also looked at the planned closure of the coal mines and coal power stations in East Germany. With a deadline of 2035, plans to retrain the workforce in the town of Lausitz, that featured in a video that we could watch at home, are already having an impact.In July, our theme will be our first visit to Germany. I should emphasize that technical German, sometimes required for understanding videos on contemporary life in Germany, are not generally part of our conversation. Some members have

Members enjoy the G & A social gathering in June

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developments on the island of Capri to reduce the amount of non recyclable rubbish. Tea and something sweet is always a feature of these get-togethers.Future Meetings2 &16 Aug, 6 & 20 Sept, 4 & 18 October,

Jazz & Blues Appreciation

Colin O’Rourke [email protected]

All meetings take place on the first Thursday of each month at 10.00 in the United Reform Church Hall, Holtspur, HP9 1UQ.“Now You Has Jazz” was a song sung by Bing Crosby in the film “High Society”. Roger Murphy, our guest presenter, used this as the title for his personal selection of tracks and anecdotes for our May meeting. We were treated to an eclectic range of performers from Barney Bigard to Dudley Moore, plus Roger’s account of the evening he danced with the delightful actress Virginia McKenna, with a photo to prove it!June was an unusual programme, being exclusively devoted to vocal groups, both accompanied and a capella, as curated and presented by Annie Burkitt. Her wide-ranging choices stretched from pre-war classics like the Boswell Sisters and the Ink Spots, through the baby boomer favourites e.g. Lambert, Hendricks & Ross, the Platters, and the Swingle Singers, and right up to date with Apollo 5 and Pentatonix.July 4th, America’s Independence Day, was our source of inspiration for our meeting on that date. We had a strictly all-American theme,

July Jean Hulme talked about Kingston, Ontario. Jean had spent a number of years living in Kingston and gave a fascinating talk about the city’s beginnings and the military history of the city. After tea, Trevor showed a short film about the early days of Rome and the challenges to be overcome in managing a city of its size.

Future MeetingsWe meet at St Thomas Church Hall, Mayflower Way, Holtspur on the first Tuesday of the month at 2:00 p.m. We stop for tea at 3:00 and finish by 4:00 p.m.August - No meeting3rd September - Colin O’Rourke will be giving a talked titled ‘A Buckinghamshire Ghost’. After tea, Audrey Bergher will be talking about ‘A History of Stoke Poges’1st October - Paul Whittle will be talking about ‘The River Kwai - The True Story’

.

Italian Conversation

Penny O’ Callaghan [email protected]

We are a friendly group who welcome new members whatever their level of Italian. Isf you lack confidence you can just listen and you will be surprised how after a few sessions you suddenly find you are able to join in.We usually start each meeting with conver-sation about what we have been doing since the last meeting and what future plans we have. Then we move on to discussing a topic chosen by one of the members. Recently we have discussed Italian food and some new

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expect to find another John Williams- just a chord cruncher who can keep a steady beat.

Future MeetingsAugust 1st 15th. September 5th and 19th Octo-ber 3rd and 17th 2.15 - 4.15 pm.But subject to change

Linking with Belarus

Sandra Hurst & Ruti Sobel [email protected]

The group completed their study of Marc Chagall in June with a visit to to Tudeley Church in Kent. This is the only church in the world to have a full set of windows designed by Chagall.

with members bringing their own tracks or selecting an item from our iTunes library. As ever with these meetings when all the members bring a personal choice, the range of jazz and blues tracks was wide and varied, and historical and modern, just to mention a few…….. Scott Joplin, Blind Willie Johnson, Bessie Smith, Aretha Franklin, Charlie Parker, Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, Johnny Cash, and many more.

Future Meetings1st Aug - Jazz Alphabet S - T5th Sep - Excerpts from Cheltenham Jazz Festival3rd Oct - Trumpeters - Bob Thompson)

Jazz Band

Rod Stevens [email protected]

When Nat King Cole dropped out of school aged 15 he was already a talented jazz pianist. He immediately formed a jazz trio and was soon performing in night clubs in Chicago. He became the vocalist for the group and was so good at it that while still only 21 he recorded his first big hit with Sweet Lorraine. So I was surprised to find that the Oscar Peterson group provided the backing for that recording. It seems that Oscar was a lousy vocalist and Nat said that if Oscar would give up doing vocals, he would not play piano again. A most unlikely story, but surely Nat made more from vocals than Oscar ever did from piano playing. In the real world the SBU3A Jazz Band is still short of a rhythm jam guitarist. We don’t

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there for more than 100 years. As a result we were rewarded with a fascinating history of these families told through a pictorial record. The Role of Honour to men who died in WW1 was a valuable starting point and included the names of various men whose relatives still live in Winchmore Hill. These names were also highlighted in a wide variety of photo-graphs from local football teams and pupils at the neighbouring schools to employees of Dancer and Hearn, the local chair maker in Penn Street, where many of the men from the village worked. The photographs provide an excellent record of the social history of the village and are currently on display in Amersham Museum. Thank you, Stephen, for sharing them with us.The following month we were delighted to welcome back Keith Bartlett for a third musical trip, this time along the A40 from High Wycombe to Denham. Many well-known classical and modern composers, musicians and singers were mentioned with local connections. A number of composers were born or lived for some time in Wycombe and the surrounding area, three of which attended the Royal Grammar School, whilst Gustav Holst taught at Wycombe Abbey for a time during WW1. Perhaps not surprisingly the course on ‘Composing for Film and Television’ at the NFTS in Beaconsfield has produced

The planned DVD afternoon watching “Defiance” in July was cancelled as the weather was far too hot to stay indoors. We shall not have a meeting in August and shall next meet on Thursday 5th September when we plan to have a social meeting catching up with each others’ news and discussing the future programme.

Future MeetingsSept. 5th - Discussion, programme planningOct. 3rd - To be decided

.

Local History

Colin O’Rourke (Group Contact)[email protected]

In April, a member of our group, Stephen Palmer, gave us a further insight into the close knit community of Winchmore Hill. Whilst living in the village Stephen had re-searched the families who had been resident

Belarus group visit Tudeley Church in Kent and Olga from near Minsk visited them in May. Photos: Sandra Hurst

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Mah Jong

Judith Evans [email protected]

We are a small group of players, but look forward to seeing anyone who would like to learn the game or who has played in another group. The people are very friendly and will help to make the afternoon enjoyable, fun being the the aim not work. Mah Jong is a Chinese game consisting of 3 dragons and four winds plus three different suits (circles, bamboos and characters). We have a book giving several hands and although easy to learn can become more involved.

Future MeetingsPlease contact convenor for dates and venues.

MOTO Members on Their Own

Ursula Hill Mary [email protected]

We continue to meet at 12 noon for lunch at the Royal Standard, Wooburn Common on the 3rd Tuesday of each month, immediately before the SBU3A General Meeting. Any member on their own is welcome to join us.

Future MeetingsAugust 20th, September 17th, October 15th

eminent, high profile modern composers, amongst them Dario Marianelli whose musical compositions for film have included Paddington 2, Darkest Hour and Atonement (for which he received an Academy Award). Amongst others, Mel B, Barry Gibb, Ozzy Osbourne, Val Doonican, Cilla Black and Roy Castle all lived at some stage in the vicinity of the A40. Yet again, Keith’s highly researched presenta-tion, interspersed with musical excerpts and video clips, emphasises how our area has become a very rich source of musical talent. At our June meeting Alison Bailey, a volunteer at Amersham Museum, gave a fascinating talk on formidable women living in the Chesham Bois area during the early 20th century. Predictably many of those mentioned were associated with the suffragette movement willing to take militant action in pursuit of their cause, but there were also some who were pacifists and became active campaigners in fund raising for the war effort or joined the Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD). Although too many to name, two notable ladies were Alice Wright, a resident of Chesham Bois and member of the Pankhurst Movement, who was arrested and imprisoned in Holloway gaol, and Muriel Matters, famous for her publicity stunts, including being chained to a grille in 1908 at the House of Commons thereby becoming the first woman to ‘speak’ in Parliament! By the end of WW1 perceptions of women in the workforce had changed allowing even those opposed to the suffragette movement to recognise their new role.

Future MeetingsAug 9th - NO MEETINGSept 13th: John Milton in the Chilterns – Colin Oakes

Oct 11th: Lords Austin and Nuffield – Julian Hunt

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hear about Fats Domino as the speaker was unwell so we played tracks beginning with J,K or L and had a selection of songs by Jerome Kern including “Smoke gets in your eyes “ by The Platters, Ella Fitzgerald gave us “A fine romance” and Jennifer Rush sang “Power of Love”. In June, I presented songs by Adele and various British vocalists starting with the fifteen year old east end girl Helen Shapiro with “Walking back to happiness” plus songs from Petula Clark with “Downtown” and Sandie Shaw with “Puppet on a string”. They were followed up by Cleo Laine who is still going strong at ninety plus and Dusty Springfield, a past High Wycombe resident, with “Only Wanna Be With You”.Another local singer is Beverley Craven who sang her hit “Promise me”. I played Katie Melua’s “Wonderful life“ again and Amy Whitehouse’s “Back to black”. We then had a number of Adele’s hits from her number 1 albums. Both Adele and Amy Whitehouse are from North London not far from where I used to live. I played “Rolling in the deep”, “Someone like you”, “Hello” and “When we were young”. There was recently a TV programme featuring Adele which showed her performing at Glastonbury with an audience of thousands singing the words to her song to the lights from their phones. Very moving.

Future MeetingsAugust 21st Andy WilliamsSeptember 18th Tracks with M, N or OOct.16th Gershwin music sung by Ella Fitzgerald

Music

Trevor Coe [email protected]

The group continues to be popular and pursues the promotion of quality music and performance.In August Colin O’Rourke will be giving a presentation on the composer David Fanshawe who has written a vast amount of TV and film music as well as his famous African Sanctus. We look forward to that.We meet on the 3rd Friday of the month at 2.15pm in the URC hall in Crabtree Close, Holtspur. All are welcome.


Musical Pot-Pourri

Bob Moore [email protected]

In April, we had a medley of songs including “food and drink” or “happiness” and we started with several Pasadena Roof Orchestra numbers including “Honey-pie” and “Everyone stops for tea” For “happiness”, we had everyone’s favourite “Home in Pasadena” and then tracks from Katie Melua with “Wonderful Life” and Nina Simone with “Feeling good” In May , we started with a tribute to Doris Day and played “Secret Love” but we did not

Dusty Springfield

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in Jonathan Miller’s unusual ENO production, Leonard Bernstein’s concert performance of ‘Candide’ introduced and conducted by the composer with the LSO from the Barbican, London and the 19th century ballet ‘Sylvia’ in the 3 act version by Ashton to Delibes music as the 75th anniversary tribute to the Royal Ballet.

Future MeetingsFriday 23rd August – Opera - Antonio Vivaldi’s ‘Orlando Furioso’, a drama in 3 acts by San Francisco Opera. Starring Marilyn Horne, Susan Patterson, Kathleen Kuhlmann, Sandra Walker and Jeffrey Gall. Stage Director Pier Luigi Pizzi. Conductor Randall Behr with the Orchestra and Chorus of San Francisco Opera. Recorded in 1989. Video Director – Brian Large. Sung in Italian with English subtitles.Vivaldi devoted himself to opera and the theatre for over 25 years; as a composer he was just as important for his melodramas as for his instrumental music or for his work as a teacher at the Ospedale della Pieta in Venice. In one of his letters he says that he wrote 94 operas! However, reliable evidence can only trace 50 and of those only the music for 20 has survived. This opera is one of those. Run time = 147 minutesFriday 27th September – Opera – Alma Deutscher’s ‘Cinderella’ in 4 acts by Opera San José. Cinderella – Vanessa Becerra, The Prince – Jonas Hacker, Stepmother – Mary Dunleavy and The King – Nathan Stark.Orchestra, Chorus and Dancers conducted by Jane Glover. Directed by Brad Dalton. Violin, piano and organ solos by the composer. Sung in English with English and German subtitles Run time = 150 minutesFriday 25th October – Dance Double Bill – ‘Le Corsaire’ created and choreographed by Marius Petipa to the music of Adolphe Adam, Cesare Pugni, Leo Delibes, Riccardo Drigo and Prince Oldenbourg. Petipa took the main plot idea from the book by Lord Byron ‘The Corsaire’ The dancers of the Kirov and the Kirov Theatre

Opera & Dance

Tony Wells &Trevor Coe [email protected]

Each month, on the 4th Friday from 2pm until 4:30pm approx, we show video recordings of opera, operetta, modern dance, ballet and other dance and opera formats that verge towards the avant-garde and out of the usual. All members are welcome to join us. Just bring your current membership card. We welcome visitors from our other local U3As; just come along and show your own branch membership cards as we have a reciprocal arrangement in place for this.Our meetings are held at the Beaconsfield Rugby Football Club’s clubhouse in Windsor End, Old Beaconsfield HP9 2QS. The rugby club has 2 car parks, the rear one enables level entry to the club house via the terrace doors. There is also penalty-free street parking. Please let the convenors know in advance if you wish to use the rear car-park so it can be opened up for you.Over recent months we have been unable to use the Beaconsfield Rugby Football Club because of extensive building work being carried out on the clubhouse. As we go to press we plan to be back there for our September meeting but until then we shall hold our August meeting at St Thomas’s Church Hall, Mayflower Way, Holtspur, Beaconsfield HP9 1UF. Should this not be the case please look out for announcements and emails advising any changes.Our recent programme has included the operettas: ‘The Mikado’ by Gilbert & Sullivan

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Philosophy

John Corran [email protected]

The Philosophy group meets at 2:00 for 2:15 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month, in members’ homes. In the last quarter, we completed “Eastern Philosophy – the basics” by Victoria Harrison. Then we discussed the links between eastern and western thought. Schopenhauer, a fol-lower of Kant, believed he had come to many similar conclusions to the eastern traditions, especially regarding the unity, or “oneness,” of all nature, including mankind. We discovered, unsurprisingly, that “eastern philosophy” is as varied and contradictory as is western. In general, though, eastern philosophy is less analytic than western, more closely allied with traditional moral teachings or religions – more about how to live. However, it does not justify a moral code and its underlying world-view in the rigorous, analytical way that most western philosophers try to do.We will return to more familiar ground in August with a new topic. So August 8th will be a great time to come and join us. No previous contact with philosophy is needed. We all work together to understand the arguments and enjoy a good-humoured discussion on the pros and cons of our chosen subject matter.

Future MeetingsAugust 8th, September 12th, October 10th.

Orchestra conducted by Viktor Fedotov. Directed for video by Colin Nears. Run time = 83 minutes‘Concerto’ choreographed by Kenneth MacMillan to the music of Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No 2. With stars of the Royal Ballet Yuhui Choe, Steven McRae, Marianela Nunez, Rupert Penne-father and Helen Crawford. Run time = 28 mins

Painting & Drawing 1st

Celia Oram [email protected]

We paint in any medium except real oils.We would love other people to join us even complete beginners.

Future MeetingsAugust 23rd, Sep 27th, Oct 25th URC Hall, Crabtree Close, Holtspur

Painting & Drawing 2nd

Anne Hagyard [email protected]

Very relaxed, all welcome

Future Meetings13.8,... 10.9....8.10. at St Thomas Hall 2pm

~ USELESS KNOWLEDGE ~

In Iceland, Greenland and the Antarctic there are no ants.

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poets Isobel Dixon and Mzi Mahota who were introduced to the group by new members Ivan and Teresa Sheiham.

Future MeetingsWe meet on Thursdays at 2.00 pm. 22 August and 17 October. There will be no meeting in September..

Recorders

Hilary Forbes Nicky [email protected]

Our small, but very enthusiastic group, meet every first and third Wednesday of the month at 2 pm in a member’s home. We play a mixture of music with nothing too fast for arthritic fingers, ranging from classics like Beethoven and Mozart, to sampling more modern tunes, including that from popular musicals. Our main aim is enjoyment in playing, both in unison and duet form and would love to hear from anyone who would like to join us. So if you can read music and know the basics up to high A, then please do get in touch.

Future MeetingsAug. 7th & 21st, Sept. 4th & 18th, Oct. 2nd & 16th

Poetry

Hilda Bronstein [email protected]

Since April members of the poetry group have been exploring poems composed in English by poets living outside of the UK. We began tentatively in April by limiting ourselves to North American and Canadian poets. This proved to be a refreshing and enlightening experience, as in this short example from the poem ‘A Supermarket in California’ by Alan Ginsburg, which was chosen by Pauline Brown:What peaches and what penumbras! Whole families shopping at night Aisles full of husbands! Wives in the avocados, babies in the tomatoes! – and you Garcia Lorca, what were you doing by the watermelons? In May and June we expanded our itinerary to include English poems written by poets originat-ing from anywhere else across the globe. This yielded further delights including these words from St.Lucian poet Derek Walcott describing a lazy Sunday on his island. The poem, ‘A Sea Chantey’, was chosen by Pat Byrne: In the middle of the harbourA fish brakes the SabbathWith a silvery leap. The scales fall from himIn the tinkle of church-bells; The town streets are orangeThe the week-ripened sunlight, Balanced on the bowsprit A young sailor is playing His grandfather’s chantey On a trembling mouth organ.There were also several powerful political poems from across the world, including some memorable words by South African


Koala bears, monkeys and humans are the only animals with an individual fingerprint.

•••Corals are chemically so similar to human bones that they are used to treat fractures.

26

chewing teeth for grass. Human teeth are most like those of pigs because they will eat almost anything! The use of teeth in forensic work is well known; less so that cobblers would wear out their teeth by holding nails in their mouths and clay pipes damaged the teeth of thousands of smokers. In some cultures front teeth were damaged deliberately to improve appearances! In archaeology, when there is nothing left of a skeleton but teeth, the strontium content can determine a person’s date and birthplace. .

Future Meetings1 Aug. No meeting, 5 Sept.TBA, 3 Oct. Topical debate

Shorter Walks

Paddy Cooper Janet Walker [email protected]

A fine day in April for a walk through fields and woodland above Wooburn Green with extensive views across the valley, returning for lunch at The Old Bell, Wooburn Town, but not so in May when the phrase ‘soaked to the skin’ took on a grim reality. A walk along the Wendover Canal had been long planned to coincide with the ducklings’ arrival [and we did see some!] , but the pleasant return from Halton across fields with views of Coombe Hill and the Monument was an utter washout. However, The Red Lion, Wendover, was accommodating. Rain in June around Seer Green and Jordans?

Science

Paul LeBlond Deidre Smaje Alex Wingfield [email protected]

In May Sandy Sell talked to us about metal fatigue. He used a stress-strain graph to show that the yield point of a steel sample must not be exceeded by engineers, however failure can be reached at a smaller loading if the load is changed repeatedly. Railway wheel axles were the first to be investigated. His later examples concerned the wings of planes where the stress changes frequently in flight and in landing. If transparent plastic models of components are viewed with polarised light, points under stress can be visualised. The modern solution is often to replace sharp angles in structures with smooth curves. For June’s meeting Dan Rea of landscape architects Periscope Studio described the plans for a large development of the Gomm Valley, one of the last remaining dry valleys of High Wycombe. The principle of development has already been established, so the planners are looking to create an eco-friendly environment where the majority of the land is retained as open space, and the homes are designed with green roofs, plenty of trees and shrubs and con-sistent with a sustainable lifestyle. While there was some scepticism from the audience, there was also hope that the proposals could indeed be a positive enhancement and an exciting way forward for residential development.In July Chris Wege delivered a talk about teeth: they vary greatly between different species. A beaver, for example, has orange front teeth for strength (they contain iron) whereas a cow has

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No, this isn’t RAIN: we’ve experienced rain! This is only a very slight drizzle, ceasing well before Three Horseshoes lunch!

Future Meetings11.00 on the second Thursday: August 8th, September 12th, October 10th, for walks of up to one and a half hours in the Bucks., Berks., & Herts. countryside. For location please contact a Convenor during the week of the walk.

Singing for Fun

Sue Bailey and Jenny Gibbons [email protected]

We continue to be a thriving, harmonious group led by Sara, our patient and enthusiastic teacher. We sing a wide variety of traditional and modern songs. Everyone is welcome and previous experience is not needed; the emphasis is on having fun. Several men are much-valued members of the group. We have tea and coffee at the end of each session and plenty of friendly conversation.We have made return visits to the Young at Heart and Kiln Court groups in Holtspur to entertain their members . The afternoons are good fun and enjoyed by both singers and audience.

Future MeetingsWe begin singing at 10.15 am on the second Tuesday of the month but there will be no meeting in August.September 10th; October 8th

Spanish Interest

Ruth Youd [email protected]

A busy time for all means that some of our meetings have had to be cancelled. Hopefully all will return to normal as members are enjoying the challenge of translating our new book in the series. .

Future MeetingsAugust ?, September 26th, October 24th

Stretch

Elaine Baudouin [email protected]

Our Stretch class continues to thrive as we try to keep some flexibility in our joints and muscles! Should you have difficulty with any of the exercises, Sharon will help you to find a way, even if it means sitting on a chair from time to time.There is space but please contact Elaine before attending for the first time. We meet at the URC, 1000 start on the 2nd 3rd and 4th Thursdays of the month. Please note we will be taking a break in August and will not recommence until September 19th.

Future Meetings No meetings in August. September 19th & 26th, October 10th, 17th, 24th

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Tea & Chat

Joan Branter Joyce Arnold Lorna Gawne [email protected]

The Tea and Chat Group continue to meet on the second Wednesday of the month in members’ homes at 2.00 pm. The meetings are very well attended. In view of this we have unfortunately had to close the membership.


Tennis

James Barret (Provisional) [email protected]

This group has been running for more than 20 years: remarkable when one considers the age make-up of the members. We meet at the Hazlemere Tennis club, near the Cross-roads, every Tuesday morning at 10 am. The mix is of rusty, corroded and elegant players. It’s a good easy workout and we are all friendly. Membership could do with improvement in numbers - currently there are 10 of us. We don’t hold competitions and everyone gets a game. Break for coffee at 11 am. Please come along even with a wooden racquet, the cost is £2.50. Balls and refreshments are provided.

Table Tennis

Christine Miller [email protected]

We continue to meet at the Beacon Centre 1.30-3 on the 2nd and 4th Friday monthly. New members are very welcome. Bats and balls are provided. Please wear sensible footwear.

Tapas & Starters

Sandra Bowles [email protected]

Hello to you all. Some of our Tapas & Starters members have either moved or joined other groups. I would like to invite some new members to our HOME RUN Group which we do all take in turn to host. However if you are on your own you could always join with another group member to host an evening. We are a very sociable group who meet every 3rd month starting March on the 3rd Thursday at 7.30pm by bringing along to share either a bought or home made Tapas or Starters. We each contribute by putting £2.50 in the pot towards a glass of wine or a non alcoholic drink plus tea or coffee. We do need more members either couples or singles to join us to keep our group the success it has become. However we do need more men please to keep the conversation flowing so if anyone is interested we would love to hear from a.s.a.p. Email Sandra for more information about our group as there is more to know.

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Theatre Visits

David Baker Gill Field [email protected]

If you wish to be on the Theatre Visits group list please email the Convenor including your telephone number. If you do not have email, then please arrange with a friend who does, to act for you.Our visits are almost always to afternoon performances and we have the great advantage of having a coach to take us from the Beacon Centre to the door of the theatre – normally in the West End but also sometimes to Aylesbury, Windsor or Oxford. Tickets are not advertised in this Newsletter or at a General Meeting so having your name on the Theatre Group list is essential to be informed of trips.The money you pay covers parking at the Beacon Centre (round the back please and share cars where possible), drivers gratuity, coach from Beacon Centre to the theatre and back, as well as theatre ticket.

Travel Group

Judith Collier Rosanna OgdenChris Le [email protected]

Not every outing is put in the Newsletter due to timings. If you would like advance notice of these days away please contact us on [email protected] giving us your email address. You will get a notification as soon as details are available.

LONDON WALK - OLD KENSINGTON Tuesday 8 October - 14:00Hr Outside of London was a sleepy village and a two-storey Jacobean mansion known as Nottingham House. William and Mary came to the throne and in 1689 they bought the property as a country residence. Sir Christopher Wren was hired to expand the house. This became a palace which grew and grew and became the residence for princes and princesses right into the 21st century. The wealthy built grand houses to be near royalty. Tucked away behind the shops of Kensington High Street and this palace is a maze of tiny alleyways and garden squares to explore. Join us to discover the secrets of this area. Cost: £9 for the Blue Badge Guide - travel into London will be at your own expense.Meeting place: outside High Street Kensington underground station 13:45hr for a prompt start at 14:00 If you are interested please contact JUDITH on [email protected]


Slugs are able to sleep three consecutive years.

• • •The starting melody of Windows was

composed on a Mac.

• • •Although the Incas had a huge empire,

they did not possess money. The inhabitants paid their taxes in the form of man power

and got food in exchange for this.

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muddy. Lunch will be in the Harte & Magpies (post code: HP7 0LU).Monday 23rd September: Meet at 10:30 park in the Royal Oak car park in Farnham Common, OS Explorer 172 SU 960 856. Leader: Joseph Rodger: This is a walk of approximately 4.75 miles on the woodland paths and Drives of Burnham Beeches, it is flat with 9 stiles. Lunch in the Royal Oak (post code: SL2 3HS) we will need to pre-order.Monday 28th October: Meet at 10:30 park in the Prince Albert pub car park (parking is limited) in Moor End, Frieth, OS Explorer 171 798 906. Leader: John Mack: . This is a walk of approximately 5 miles taking in the villages of Fingest, Turville, Skirmett and Frieth. There are two climbs, one long and some stiles. Lunch will be in the Royal Oak (post code: RG9 6PY) we will need to pre-order.

Wine Club

Annie Burkitt [email protected]

Since we have moved to our fixed venue at St Thomas’s Lounge in Holtspur our wine club goes from strength to strength. We rarely have less than ten members attending now and have had some very enjoyable evenings and tasted a wide selection of wines. Our simple fare of French bread, paté, cheeses and pork pie (a particular favourite of Alan!) always seems to go down well.In May John Mack presented us with an interesting selection and in June John Corran gave us M&S ‘six-pounders’. Every wine was

Walks

John Pearce [email protected]

On a mild April day 12 walkers set out from Bledlow Village along the Ridgeway to the top of Lodge Hill, here everyone stopped to admire the view and to regain their breath, before continuing downhill to Saunderton and then back to the start. Lunch in the Lions of Bledlow pub was very tasty, the lone barman was certainly kept very busy, that’s another one of my superb walks completed, ably led by me! On a dry overcast May day, 10 members met in the road outside Beaconsfield Rugby club before setting off on an interesting walk around the southern end of Beaconsfield using little known paths and lanes. A jolly lunch was taken in the Hope and Champion pub situated in the Beaconsfield M40 services, thanks to Jenny Jennings for the interesting venue for lunch.On a mild, cloudy June day 15 walkers met in the car park of the Hit or Miss pub in Penn Street to walk in the woods and countryside around the village. Lunch was enjoyed in the Hit or Miss, thanks to Joanna Hughes for organising this lovely woodland walk.

Future Meetings Monday 26th August: Meet at 10:30, park in the Harte & Magpies car park on the Amersh-am Road (A355), OS Explorer 172 SU 956 941. Leader: John Pearce: This is a 5.5 mile walk going up through Hodgemoor Woods onto the wide open country of the Chiltern Way. There is one short climb and only one stile, it can be

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selected from their £6 a bottle range. Some mixed response but in general, excellent value.If you would like to join us for a relaxed social evening, please contact Annie to be added to the mailing list... if you enjoy a glass of wine...even better. No snobs here!

Future MeetingsAugust 21– Annie: “Vinhos Typicos” …wines associated with various regionsSeptember 18 – Alan: TBA October 16: TBA

Garden Lovers visited Longstock Water Gardens near Stockbridge

Photos: Val Taylor


The two oldest cats in the world reached an age of 34 and 38. Both belonged to

the same owner. She exclusively fed her cats bacon, eggs, broccoli and coffee.

• • •Eight out of ten people who have been

struck by lightning are male.

• • •Goosebumps are a reflex from the times

when man had much more hair. When our hair stands up, we appeared bigger

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MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

BRIDGE* 1.30pm St. Thomas’

Church Hall, Holtspur

TENNIS10.00am (Weekly)

Hazlemere Tennis Club

GARDEN LOVERSVisits to Gardens

JAZZ & BLUESAPPRECIATION

10am Coleshill Village Hall

ITALIAN CONVERSATION 2pm Members’ Homes

SINGING FOR FUN 10.15am Farnham

Common Village Hall

CROQUET10am (Weekly/Seasonal)

Hazlemere Recreation Ground

SCIENCE 2.15pm U.R.C. Hall,

Crabtree Close, Holtspur

ANTIQUES & COLLECTABLES2pm Curzon Centre,

Maxwell Rd, Beaconsfield

JAZZ BAND2.15pm (Twice Monthly) Holmer Green Village Hall


BIIRD WATCHERS 10am

See Report for location

TENNIS10am (Weekly)


COMPUTER USERS10am - U.R.C. Hall,


SHORTER WALKS 11am


LOCAL HISTORY 2pm Curzon Centre,

Maxwell Rd, Beaconsfield



2nd PAINTING 2pm St Thomas’ Church

Hall, Holtspur

DISCOVERING ART2pm - Rossetti Hall,

Holmer Green

STRETCH10am

U.R.C. Hall, Holtspur

TABLE TENNIS1.30pm

Beacon Centre

FRANCE & ALLTHINGS FRENCH 2pm Members’ Homes



PHILOSOPHY 2.15pm

Members’ HomesMember’s Homes

MAH JONG 2pm See Report for Venue

BOOK GROUP 22pm

Members’ Homes

BETTER BRIDGE 2pm St Thomas’ Church

Hall, Holtspur




TENNIS10am (Weekly)




FAMILY HISTORY, Holtspur

ITALIAN CONVERSATION 2.pm Members’ Homes

FILM APPRECIATION2.pm - The Memorial

Hall, Hedgerley

MOTO(Members On Their Own) 12pm See Report for Info

MUSICAL POT- POURRI

2pm U.R.C. Hall, Holtspur

POETRY2.00pm Members’ Homes

MUSIC2.15pm - U.R.C. Hall,


MONTHLY (GENERAL) MEETING

2pm Beacon Centre

WINE CLUB 7.30pm St Thomas’


TAPAS & STARTERS(Quarterly)

Members’ Homes

GENERAL MEETING

2.00pm Beacon Centre



WALKS10.30am


TENNIS10am (Weekly)


CURRENT AFFAIRS 2pm St Thomas’


STRETCH10am

U.R.C. Hall, Holtspur

OPERA & DANCE2pm

Beaconsfield Rugby Club

BOOK GROUP 12.15pm

Members’ Homes



SPANISH INTEREST

2.30pm Members’ Homes

1st PAINTING2pm U.R.C. Hall,


BETTER BRIDGE

2pm St Thomas’ Church Hall, Holtspur

GEOLOGY & ARCHAEOLOGY2.15pm The Memorial

Hall, Hedgerley

EXPLORING LOCAL CHURHESSeasonal – Venues TBA

TABLE TENNIS1.30pm

Beacon Centre


JAZZ & BLUESAPPRECIATION

10am U.R.C.Hall, Holtspur

LINKING WITH BELARUS

2pm Members’ Home

SCIENCE 2.00pm U.R.C. Hall,



TENNIS10am (Weekly)


HISTORY 2pm St Thomas’ Church

Hall, Holtspur

MAH JONG2pm

Beconsfield Library

GERMAN CONVERSATION

1.45pm St Thomas’ Lounge

2nd PAINTING 2pm St Thomas’ Church

Hall, Holtspur

FRANCE & ALLTHINGS FRENCH 2pm Members’ Homes


BETTER BRIDGE 2pm St Thomas’ Church

Hall, Holtspur

SINGING FOR FUN 10.15am Farnham

Common Village Hall

TENNIS10am (Weekly)


RECORDERS 2pm U.R.C.Hall, Holtspur

RECORDERS 2pm 17 Crabtree Close

3rd weekin month

4th weekin month

* N.B. Bridge will also be held on the

fifth Monday of the month when applicable

2nd weekin month

1st weekin month

ADDITIONAL GROUPS DINING IN THEATRE GOERS TRAVEL

TEA & CHAT2pm - 4pm

Members’ Homes

STRETCH10am U.R.C. Hall, Holtspur

EXPLORING LOCAL CHURCHESSeasonal – Venues TBA

POETRY2pm Members’ Homes

TAPAS & STARTERS(Quarterly)

Members’ Homes


For more information or to join any group listed please see Group News and contact the appropriate Convenor

New Groups Not run by SB U3A, but our members are welcomed by the host organisation

SOUTH BUCKS ACTIVITIES

South Bucks U3A • Issue No.122 • Registered Charity ...

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