1. home and garden

 CLEEVE CLARION
No. 47
17th March 2015 - 18th May 2015
N e w s le t te r o f B i s h o p ’ s C l e e v e U 3 A
MONTHLY MEETINGS
At Woodmancote New Village Hall on 3rd MONDAYS, at 2.15pm.
We welcome visitors interested in joining Bishop’s Cleeve U3A.
Monday 20th April 2015
CANCELLED — due to Village Hall refurbishment
(Main Hall & Kitchen out of action)
Monday 18th May 2015
“Mary Queen of Scots”
by Dr Gill White
ADMISSION 50p
Refreshments served after the presentation until 4pm
Front cover photo: “Spring Lambs” - taken by Rosemary Pullin
Chairman’s Clarion Call
March 2015
This Chairman job is starting to feel more comfortable now, as I get into it.
The committee are settling down into our new roles, and I have been reassured
by all your good wishes as I get to know more of you. Keith Woodman and I will
be attending the Cotswold Link AGM in Ledbury in a couple of weeks’ time, to get
our heads around the wider aspects of the U3A community. Malcolm Jukes is
leading a group on a national U3A-sponsored visit to the RAF Museum at Hendon
to celebrate the people and machines of WW1. There’s a lot going on, both
within Bishop's Cleeve and beyond!
As you will read elsewhere, we have had to cancel the April Open Meeting
and also a Local History meeting because of the refurbishment works in the
Village Hall. This is unfortunate, but as an investment for the future it is good
news, and we will all enjoy the benefits in the years ahead.
Speaking of Open Meetings, the last two were very successful: Mark
Cummings of BBC Radio Gloucestershire left us entertained and informed about
how radio works, and in particular he banished some lazy assumptions that some
of us had (including me) about his weekday morning programme: a magazine of
Gloucestershire happenings, with no wallpaper music. Why not try it?
Di Alexander’s talk on the Mitford Sisters was also entertaining and
educational – not my usual fare, but interesting nevertheless. It is good for us to
learn about things we don’t think we are interested in: it challenges our habits of
mind, which can be uncomfortable but is stimulating. It was also uncomfortable
and stimulating for the organisers when she didn’t turn up until the very last
minute (she got lost on the way): but I was pleased and surprised to find that we
had two members with talks at their fingertips, ready to step into the breach.
Never despair!
I was also pleased by the response to Debbie Jones’ pitch for her new
Classical Greek Drama group – seven of you were so inspired by her evident
enthusiasm for her topic that they signed up there and then. So if you also have
an enthusiasm for something, however exotic, why not see if you can persuade
others to share your passion? Go for it!
Alan Green
MESSAGE FROM YOUR SPEAKERS’ SECRETARY
Monthly Meetings - If you know of a speaker that will be of general interest to
our members, or a subject on which you’d like to hear about, please contact me
(Speaker Secretary), Joan Hall on 01242 680575 or at [email protected]
I’ll be pleased to hear from you.
FROM YOUR SECRETARY (LIZ REILY)
Hello members,
With spring now here hopefully we’re all enjoying the better weather.
I very much enjoyed my walk with the “Local Walks” group at the end of February
but, oh dear, was it muddy!
Thank you to Barrie Hall for giving me all his back copies of “Cleeve Clarion” for
the U3A’s archive. I now have an almost complete collection. However we are
missing no. 1 and no. 42, so if anyone has a copy of those and can part with them
I’d be very grateful to receive them.
Business Diary:
Cotswold Link: AGM, Half-Yearly meeting and Seminar – 20th March, Ledbury.
Attendees – Alan Green, Keith Woodman
Third Age Trust: AGM – 27th August, Nottingham – Attendees TBA
Liz Reilly
[email protected]
From the editor:
Sorry about the mistake on the back page of the January Clarion! Thanks to the
mass e-mail sent out, most of you will have been informed about it? Of course
our web address should have been www.cleeve-u3a.org.uk (- the “u” got lost
somehow!)
If anyone spots any mistake - or has any suggestions for the Clarion, please
contact me.
Rosemary Pullin
COACH TRIP FOR B/C U3A MEMBERS & FRIENDS
NATIONAL MEMORIAL ARBORETUM, STAFFS
DATE: WEDNESDAY 20TH MAY 2015
COACH PICK-UPS: 8.40 am DENHAM LAYBY, WOODMANCOTE,
8.50 am BISHOP'S CLEEVE, LIDL CARPARK
CONTACT: BRENDA WILSON (01242 679777) - [email protected]
The planning of this trip is well advanced. Most details will be via e-mail,
but for those NOT able to receive e-mail and interested in joining the trip, please
get in touch with me as soon as possible, if you have not already done so.
We are hoping to take a 48 seat coach, which will have space enough for
Spouse/Partner/Friend if required. Cost (with full coach) £10 per head, plus
Donation (see below). Any extra costs will apply for booking of tours, talks or
site transport at the venue. Our party will be met by a Guide in order to advise
arranging our requirements. Any member wishing to book anything ahead of 20th
May, eg: wheelchair or electric scooter, may do so independently.
In order to maintain Free Entry to the site, a request for donations is made. I
would advise that a minimum of £2 per head be added to our coach charge,
allowing a one-off donation to be made. I am open to comments or ideas on this
point.
As our April Open Meeting is cancelled, time is limited for final bookings
and payments. Therefore, I intend a CLOSING DATE of MONDAY 13TH APRIL,
including PAYMENT.
(CHEQUES PAYABLE TO: Bishops Cleeve U3A Events)
I have a quantity of Information leaflets available on request .
Brenda Wilson
WE WELCOME THE FOLLOWING NEW MEMBERS
Ida Austin ; Jackie Bourne ; Sue Brisk ; Deidre Dee
Judith Fryer ; Margaret Goodenough ; Fiona Lawro
Tim Powell ; Anne Rands ; Helen Revell
Jaclin Surman ; Caroline Utteridge
GROUP NEWS
Whether it’s because Spring’s around the corner and the sap is rising but
we’ve had an outbreak of new group suggestions – which shows what a vibrant
U3A we are!
Greek Drama has an eager band of participants and we are slowly
collecting members for the Natural History group – more of that later. Quilting
and Patchwork has attracted enough members to make a workable group and it is
hoped to run it as an informal get-together where members can compare notes,
help each other and socialise - more details from Pat Cornelius on 603894.
Sadly we had no takers for the Bridge group (for those who know how to
play), but the sign-up list will be on the Information Table so think again, you card
players, there’s still a chance to start something.
The Group Leaders’ annual meeting was held at the beginning of February
and leaders and their representatives turned up in force – which shows what a
dedicated lot they are! The question of paying group subs cropped up and, just to
clarify – everyone who attends a group pays their 50p, whether they are a regular
member, someone you’ve brought along as a friend or a non-member trying out
the group to see if they want to join. Anyone from another U3A – in other words,
not a member of Cleeve U3A - can attend one group as a regular member (don’t
forget – the monthly meeting counts as a group), but if they want to attend an
additional group they will need to join Cleeve U3A as a Link Member.
Back to the Natural History group. I will be contacting those of you who
expressed an interest to see if we can sort out a plan of action from what is a
pretty broad subject area. The sign-up list will be on the Information Table again
at the next members’ meeting, so still time to get your name on the list. (You can
‘phone me too if you can’t make the meeting). Watch this space!
Gill
If you wish to join a “membership closed” group, please contact Gill,
who will do her best to try to start a new group.
GROUP INFORMATION
ARTS & CRAFTS - CRAFTY CRAFTERS
Contact: SUE HAMER (672541)
Meet 3rd WEDNESDAY 10am — 12 noon in Woodmancote Village Hall.
The group is working well and at the moment we have a full group.
ARTS AND CRAFT
Contact: CAROLINE UTTERIDGE (01684 299920)
e-mail: [email protected]
This new group meets at 2pm on the 2nd and 4th FRIDAY each month. Presently
only a small group, but hopefully growing. There are no set agendas, but a case
of sharing ideas of knowledge. Anything transportable goes! - from knitting,
crochet, sewing, card making, beads, quilling and calligraphy.
New members will be very welcome.
Please contact Caroline for further information.
BEGINNERS BRIDGE
Contact: DAVE ATKINSON (674169)
Meets every 2 weeks on a MONDAY, 2pm — 4pm.
Marie Brain (674121) has kindly offered to host our meetings. Some variations
may be expected when Marie is not available or when the times clash with the
regular monthly meeting.
Members will be advised when alternative arrangements are necessary.
 APR 6 ; APR 20 ; MAY 4 ; MAY 18 ; JUN 1 ; JUN 15
BOOK CIRCLE (1)
Contact: VI FAIRMANER (673504)
Meet 1st WEDNESDAY at 2pm in members’ homes.
This group is now full.
APR 1
“The Lovely Bones” by Alice Sebold
presented by Moyra
MAY 6
“ And The Mountains Echoed” by Khaled Hosseini
presented by Mary
BOOK CIRCLE (2)
Contact: EILISH TALBOT (675557)
Meets 3rd THURSDAY at 10am in members’ homes.
Membership currently closed.
 MAR 19 “The Time of their Lives” by Maeve Haran
APR 16
“Daughters of Mars” by Thomas Keneally
BOOK CIRCLE (3) - BOOKWORMS
Contact: ANNE LAWRIE (676225)
Meets 4th WEDNESDAY at 2.30 pm in members’ homes.
This group has vacancies.
 MAR 25
“The Septembers of Shiraz” by Dalia Sofer
 APR 22
“Brooklyn” by Colm Toíbín
 MAY 27
“The Lie” by Helen Dunmore
COMPUTER BUDDIES
Computer Buddies support those of us having problems with our computers or
wanting to brush up our skills. Both Jenny and Dave are willing to help people
on a 1-1 basis. These sessions will last approximately 2 hours (for which you have
to pay the usual 50p sub).
JENNY MACKELWORTH (602286) j.mackelwor th@btintern et.com
DAVE OWEN
(699797) [email protected]
ECONOMICS
Contact: TIM POWELL (676919)
This group meets twice a month at 10.30am on WEDNESDAYS at Tim’s house.
FAMILY HISTORY
Contact: WENDY STOW (701303)
This group meets on 4th FRIDAY of each month 11am — 1.0pm in the
Woodmancote (Small) Village Hall.
 MAR 23 Please bring along any pre-school memories you have to
share with the group
 APR 24 Apprenticeship records
FRENCH CONVERSATION
Contact: MARIE BRAIN (674121)
The group continues to enjoy fortnightly meetings usually at Marie's.
Group membership is closed at present.
GARDENING
Contact: LINDA COOLE (674830)
The group arranges activities each month, themed according to the seasons.
 MAR 23
Visit to Oxenhall Gardens + daffodils.
Arrive at 11.00 (coffee)
Lunch available - £9
 APR 27
Visit to Forest of Dean + bluebells
Arrive at 11.00 - Wenchford area
GERMAN CONVERSATION
Contact: CAROL HARRIS (602872)
This group is for members who have a basic knowledge of German.
Meets twice a month usually on the 2nd and 4th MONDAYS,
10.00 — 11.30am at members’ homes.
GREEK DRAMA ***
NEW GROUP
Contact: DEBBIE JONES (677423)
If interested, please phone for details.
I.T. GROUP
Contact: BARRIE HALL (680575)
[email protected]
Group meets on the 4th THURSDAY at Barrie’s home at 2pm.
It is not a hands on teaching group. Its aim is to share expertise & experiences
and offering mutual assistance. It is intended to provide interest and a stimulus
for those who would like to take on new challenges or whatever members may
wish to raise.
If you are interested please contact Barrie by phone or email.
 MARCH 26 ; APRIL 23
LATIN
Contact: CELIA GORDON-SMITH (677195)
STAGE Ⅱ
This group meets on the 2nd THURSDAY of the month from 10.00 — 12.00, at
Celia's house.
Any more proficient linguists are welcome to join them.
 APRIL 9 ; MAY 14
STAGE Ⅰ
This group meets on the 4th THURSDAY of the month from 10.00 - 12.00, at
Celia's house.
If anyone is interested, please get in touch with Celia.

MARCH 26 ; APRIL 23
LOCAL HISTORY (1)
Contact: HILARY SWAN (674825)
The group meets on the 2nd THURSDAY of the month at 2pm.
Membership currently closed.
LOCAL HISTORY (2)
Contact: JOAN HALL (680575)
This Group meets in the Woodmancote Village Hall, at 2 pm on the first MONDAY
of each month – except for Bank Holidays when the date will be changed
accordingly.
New members will always be welcome.
MONDAY, APRIL 13 NO MEETING ( due to hall refurbishment)
MONDAY, MAY 11 "Richard Pate and his Family" by Eileen Allen
LOCAL WALKS
Contact: SHEILA BROCKMAN (674736)
Local walks starting at 2pm from junction of Millham Road and Station Road
(Woodmancote end) on alternate FRIDAYS.
 MAR 27 ; APRIL 10 ; APRIL 24 ; MAY 8 ; MAY 22
LUNCHEONS
* New Contacts: DOUG & JUNE BEAUMONT (674197)
Bookings for both the next venues will be taken at the March monthly meeting.
MARCH 26 at the Bay Tree Restaurant, 78 Church Street, Tewkesbury.
APRIL 23 at Newlands Park Sports and Social Club, Southam Lane.
MUSIC APPRECIATION
Contact: STELLA CANEY (676143)
Meets at 2.30pm on 2nd WEDNESDAY of the month at a member’s home.
PETANQUE
Contact: Dave and Tricia ATKINSON (674169)
This group plays at the new bouledrome at the Woodmancote Village Hall on the
3rd FRIDAY of the month at 10.30 am.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Contact: KEN ROSS (672874)
The group meets monthly on the 2nd MONDAY, and aims to meet all levels of
ability and interests.
 APRIL 13 Show and Tell — sharing images from recent Gloucester outing
+ Topic of the Month "Animals" — 2.15 pm
in Woodmancote Village Hall — please bring images on a memory stick.
 MAY 14 - Thursday
Visit to Showborough House Sculpture Garden,
Twyning, nr Tewkesbury.
Please bring cameras — for sculpture and garden photographs.
PLAY READING
Contact: GILL TARLING (674983)
Meets at a member’s home on the last TUESDAY in the month at 2.30 – 4.30pm.
POETRY FOR PLEASURE
Contact: KAY DUCK (672474)
Meets on second TUESDAY of the month at 10.30 a.m. in a member's home.
New members welcome.
 APRIL 14
Seamus Heaney and other Irish Poets
 MAY 12
Poetry in Song (old or modern)
MORE POETRY FOR PLEASURE
Contact: TRICIA ATKINSON (674169)
Meets on the fourth WEDNESDAY at 2.30pm in a member's home.
RAMBLING GROUP
Contact: ROY BUTLER (529664)
Roy hopes to organise a walk once a month . The day and time may vary — and it
will depend on the weather. Details will be sent (by e-mail) to those members
who have shown interest in joining this group. If you would like your name to be
added to this list, please contact Roy.
FEBRUARY ramble:- Met at 10 am at Woodmancote Village Hall and drove on to
the start of the walk in Dumbleton. The weather was good and not too bad
underfoot. We made our way to Alderton where we had lunch at the Gardeners
Arms. After being fed and rested we continued around Dumbleton Hill back to
our start point. The length of the walk was about 6 miles.
New people are always welcome.
SINGING FOR FUN
Contact: CHRIS LAMMIMAN (461169)
Meets at the Methodist Church Hall, Bishop's Close at 10.30am on the second
FRIDAY of the month.
SOLOS
Contact: DIANA JONES (672454)
Meets at 2.30pm on first THURSDAY of the month.

RECENT ACTIVITIES
LOCAL HISTORY (2)
On Monday 5th January 2015 we met at Woodmancote Village Hall to
hear a talk by Mick Kippin, a local military historian and researcher entitled
"Richard Rogers - the Dick Whittington of Cheltenham". Mick Kippin spent over
32 years in the army hence his interest in Ald. Col. Richard Rogers and military
history.
Richard Rogers was born near Oxford and came to reside in
Cheltenham in 1860 where he practiced for many years as a dental surgeon
eventually becoming Vice President of the British Dental Association.
He first entered the Town Council in l892 to fill an Aldermanic vacancy
and three years later was elected Mayor a role which he performed 5 times once
more than Dick Whittington who was Lord Mayor of London 4 times!
Richard Rogers also served as a volunteer with the 1st Gloucestershire
Royal Engineers for 44 years (1859 - 1903). His first commission in the Corps he
finally commanded was given him in 1876 and he become Colonel twenty years
later. Owing to the great efficiency of the 1st Glos. Royal Engineer Volunteers he
was allowed no fewer than three extensions when his regulation period of service
expired.
Among his many other services to his adopted town he served as a
magistrate and Governor of the Grammar Schoool. At his funeral the people of
Cheltenham lined the streets to pay their respects.
Our thanks to Mick Kippin for sharing his research with us on the life of
Alderman Colonel Richard Rogers - who like Dick Whittington had devoted much
of his life to public service.
Annie Clement
15/1/2015.
LOCAL HISTORY (2)
“150 Years of the Battledown Estate, 1859-2009"
On 2nd February 2015, David O’Connor, the Estate’s historian, gave us an
interesting slide-talk, where we learned that Battledown is one of the few
remaining Victorian private residential estates in England. Regulated by a deed of
covenant, it covers 120 acres, with 2 miles of private roads and about 180 homes,
developed slowly over many years, resulting in a wide variety and size of houses
and bungalows. Much more housing was developed since 1950, when large
properties were erected, with existing housing stock rebuilt and extended, but all
on half acre plots with no possibility of breaking up the gardens to build on them
and sell them off! There is a restful semi-rural feel to this estate. Since 1992, 3 of
the 4 entry roads have been closed by automatic barriers to through traffic, but
the 4th road - Battledown Approach - is always open, and David said that walkers,
joggers, cyclists and tradespeople come and go freely, admiring the quiet verges.
Battledown is seen from a distance as a green wooded hill, where the houses are
hidden by the trees - “Rus in Urbe” (rural but in reach of the town)
Originally known in Saxon times as Baedala’s Tun(farm), it became
Badleton by 1617, Battledons by 1799, and Battledown by 1810. Atop the hill,
there are remains of an iron fortress and an ancient monument called the Camp,
but there was no battle here, merely a minor skirmish during the Civil War. In
1856, Charles Higgs put Battledown up for sale - 65 acres of arable land and 25 of
pasture, with house and barn. A successful solicitor, George Ridge, envisaged an
estate for the gentry near town, and teamed up with Somerset Tibbs and William
Bain, who owned adjoining land, to buy and develop the hill. Pittville park
provided the inspiration *see Clarion no. 30*. The three original trustees spent
£14,000, but disastrously underestimated the costs of road laying, trees, and
fencing, and plots sold too slowly. Poor George Ridge plunged into debt, his
associates deserted him, and he died a penniless and disappointed man in 1884.
However, in the 20th century, plots were taken up steadily by minor aristocrats,
civil servants, clergymen, senior members of army and navy, and Cheltonian
professionals. This era ended after World War 2, when allocations were changed
to the smaller half acre plots of the present day-enabling more diverse cross
sections of the public to buy. We saw some contrasting photos of the buildings,
old and new, and enjoyed the sheer uniqueness of this estate. George Ridge
would have been proud of it had he lived on to see it grow!
Kay Duck
GARDENING GROUP
Visit to Boddington Manor gardens
On the afternoon of Sunday 15th February, members of the Gardening Group
visited Boddington Manor and Gardens. The Manor, mentioned in the original
Doomsday Book, was purchased in 1976 by Robert Hitchens and both the house
and the grounds have undergone sympathetic restoration. The old garden has
been developed since 1985 and now includes wild flowers, mature specimen
trees, extensive lawns and lakes.
We were free to wander the grounds and view, in particular, the many
varieties of snowdrop and yellow winter aconite. The weather was good, the
gardens delightful, the company great, and the photography opportunities
excellent.
Having enjoyed the gardens, we were treated to tea and cake in the
conservatory where there was also a book and card sale. For those wanting to
take home “a little bit of Boddington” there was a stall with snowdrops and
miniature cyclamen plants for sale.
A much enjoyed first outing for 2015, a big “Thank you” to Linda for
arranging the visit.
Sally Lavis
POETRY FOR PLEASURE
Sometimes our poetry meetings coincide with events happening around us and in
the world in general — and it feels very satisfactory!
In September, for instance, we chose Autumn for our subject, and what a lot of
material we found for the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness. In November,
we chose war poetry, and this felt so appropriate in 2014 as we discussed and
read about World War 1, 100 years before. We especially enjoyed looking at the
poem by the poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy entitled "The Christmas Truce" printed in all the national press in that month. In January we enjoyed humerous
poems to keep cheerful during the post Christmas anti climax. We re- arranged
Scottish poetry to February to be close to Burns Night, but have no members with
a Scottish accent, so had to imagine it as best we could since no one fancied trying
to be a Scot! Soon we will try something new when we look at the poetry in songs
- a lot of scope there, both old and new. We look forward to warmer months
ahead when our thoughts will turn to Spring and then Summer with all its delights.
Would anyone like to join our group? - It really does give us pleasure, and we will
share it with any new comers!
Kay Duck
CHRISTMAS LUNCH
at
FARMER’S ARMS
APPERLEY
DEC 1st. 2014
Photos taken by
Hilary Swan
Current Committee
Chairman
Alan Green
01242 672964
Vice-Chairman
Keith Woodman
01242 679301
Secretary
Liz Reilly
01242 674253
Treasurer
Celia Gordon-Smith
01242 677195
Groups Co-ordinator
Gill Tarling
01242 674983
Membership Secretaries Sheila Gardner
01242 236885
Margaret Merry
01242 262998
Clarion Editor
Rosemary Pullin
01242 321983
Committee Members
Margaret End
01242 672686
June Hall
01242 675711
www.cleeve-u3a.org.uk
Speakers’ Secretary
Webmaster
Refreshments Organiser
Joan Hall
Jenny Mackelworth
Pat Backhouse
01242 680575
01242 602286
01242 517992
NOTE: For Copyright purposes – No items printed in this Newsletter to be
copied or printed in any other publication without reference to the Editor
and/or originator.
*** PLEASE NOTE ***
Copy for the next newsletter must be sent to ROSEMARY PULLIN by
Sunday, MAY 3rd, 2015
[email protected] or Tel: 01242 321983