2015 Spring - U3A Site Builder Home Page
A-PDF Merger DEMO : Purchase from www.A-PDF.com to remove the watermark POTTERS BAR U3A NEWSLETTER Spring 2015 Registered Charity No. 1079721 http?u3asites.org.uk/pottersbar Festive Lunch December 2014 Thanks to Anne Clarke for organising this event. Photos by Peter Ford Honorary Life President - Lillian Walman COMMITTEE MEMBERS Chairman Pat McCannah [email protected] Co-Vice chairman Anne Griffiths [email protected] Co-Vice chairman Helen Mann [email protected] Secretary Pat Patterson [email protected] Treasurer Nick Buckland [email protected] Membership secretary Brian Sheridan [email protected] Groups coordinator Josie Hepple [email protected] Speakers coordinator Lynda Armsby [email protected] Publicity manager Margaret Roper [email protected] Member Trevor Scammell [email protected] **************************************************************** Website manager Joan Ball [email protected] Please contact Anne Griffiths for Power Point items Chairman's Message By the time you read this the days will be a bit longer and hopefully the first signs of spring will be pushing through. The festive season now seems a long way off but we should give Anne Clarke a big thank you for the Festive Lunch which she organised in December - it was a great success and was enjoyed by over a hundred members. Also, many thanks to Marion Rose and her Card Makers Forum who, in 2014, raised £500 for the Herts Air Ambulance, and to Brenda Copping and her Isle of Wight vacationers who contributed a further £200 to this worthwhile local organisation. The busy months of membership renewals have now subsided and we currently have a record 777 members - our thanks to Brian for all his hard work. We are fortunate to have a steady number of new people joining and it is important that we make them feel welcome both at the monthly meetings (anyone should feel free to sit in Row C and chat to new members or visitors) and in the various groups and activities of our U3A. At our second Meet the Committee session (for newer members) in November, some of the attendees indicated that they were having problems joining groups. This can be a problem when groups are long established but we do urge Group Leaders to welcome new members, or, if you do not have vacancies, to be understanding and positive by encouraging anyone interested in your subject to contact Josie, our Groups Co-ordinator, who will try to set up a new group if there is enough interest. It is also difficult sometimes to find replacement group leaders understandably people can often be wary of taking on responsibilities, but the running of groups can be shared by two or more people which can mean less work and more fun, and can lead to more active and varied sessions. Indeed, in its latest guidelines, the Third Age Trust encourages this sharing of responsibilities and urges all members of groups to be willing to take part in various tasks such as photocopying or ordering books etc. as well as contributing ideas for their sessions. The ethos of the U3A is "the teachers learn and the learners teach", and quite often the limit of a Leader's responsibility is ensuring that everyone in the group knows when and where the next session will take place so, on the whole, it is not too onerous. Do remember that Committee members will also be available to help you in the initial stages. I wish you all a happy and productive year. Pat PS Our Groups Booklet which gives a short synopsis of each group's activities will soon be available for consultation at monthly meetings, new members' Tea Afternoons, and on the website. Do have a look if you would like to know more about a particular group. U3A Explores Science at the RI - An afternoon event at The Royal Institute, 21 Albermarle Street, London W1, on 23rd March 2015 at 1.30 for 2pm start. Tickets are £20 each and include refreshments. The talks include: Social behaviour of dinosaurs; Epigenetics- Why your DNA is not your destiny; Smashing physics. Those interested should apply to : Third Age Trust, 19 East Street, Bromley, Kent BR1 1QE enclosing a second class stamp. You may also be able to book online in the events section of the website: www.u3a.org.uk. Inspiration Day for U3A Members - Workshop/Talks at the Royal Opera House Workshop, Purfleet, Essex RM19 1AF, on 22nd April 2015 from 11am- 3.30pm. Tickets are £18 each and include welcome refreshments. There is a choice of workshops and talks. More details from Third Age Trust, 19 East Street, Bromley, Kent BR1 1QE, Tel: 020 8466 6139, and if online apply via the website: www.u3a.org.uk. Annual Science Seminar, Harper Adams University, Telford, 10th-13th August 2015. The U3A Science Network will be organising this event for those with a general interest in science and will include a mixture of talks, visits and socialising with others. The cost will be £250 fully residential. For more details and booking forms apply: www.u3ascienceseminar.org.uk or email: u3ascience [email protected]. ******************************************************************** Congratulations to our very own Ian McCannah who is now the U3A London Regional Trustee. ******************************************************************************** Thank you to The Isle of Wight 2014 tour members who are supporting the Card Forum group by adding £200 to their £500 raised, for the Herts Air Ambulance. Making a total of £700 from Potters Bar U3A members for 2014. Cultural Heritage Group outing to the Bank of England Museum and the Cinema Museum On a pleasant January morning a Golden Boy coach left the Furzefield Centre at the time specified on its way to the first venue. We arrived at the entrance at 10am and were told to be back at the same spot at 13.15. There are no organised tours of the Bank of England, however there were plenty of booklets etc. and a member of staff indicated the way round to see the exhibition in the correct sequence. The Bank of England was founded in 1694 to raise funds for the government during a time of war with France. It was privately owned and remained so until1946 when it was nationalised. The Bank moved to its present site in Threadneedle Street in 1734. The famous name comes from a James Gillray cartoon published in 1797 and it is still known as the 'Old Lady of Threadneedle Street'. the Bank was altered and made larger on several occasions and rebuilt during the 1930s. Work was completed just before the outbreak of World War Two and survived the bombing during the blitz. The earliest paper money was a form of receipt for deposits of gold left with the Goldsmiths for safe keeping. In time it became more convenient to exchange these receipts rather than the gold itself, so leading to the use of paper money. The Bank has issued bank notes since it was founded. At first they were hand written and later on were printed. In the twentieth century the designs changed from simple calligraphic designs to the colourful notes that we use today. On show were many ways of preventing forgeries by designs woven into the notes. One of the highlights was being able to hold and lift in one hand a gold ingot with a value of over £333,000. Also on show were the actual scales and troy weights used to weigh and value fresh deliveries of gold. Each clerk has his own scales and weights which, despite their age, are still in use today. The portrait of Queen Elizabeth II first appeared on a bank note in 1960. The first historical character was William Shakespeare in 1970 on a £20 note. On the way out there is a large exhibition of coins used during the Bank's existence, but the Bank has no control over their design or issue which is all done by the Royal Mint. If you have not been to this museum it is certainly worth a visit and in 2015 there are a number of special events, all of which are free. At 13.15 we boarded the coach and were on our way to the Cinema Museum in South London. We arrived early for our 2pm booking and were made most welcome. We entered the hallway which was crammed with projectors and other equipment. The corridors had pictures of film stars past and present, posters advertising films, uniforms, prices of seats and other memorabilia. This display continued up the stairs until we arrived in a large hall. This also contained film equipment, books etc. and enough chairs for our party. A talk was given by two gentlemen, who owned the museum, explaining the reason for the location of the museum and its future. For the past 12 years it has been situated in the Master's House of the Lambeth Workhouse where Charlie Chaplin entered as a child when his mother faced destitution. Two years ago it expanded into the whole of this Victorian building. The hall we were in was previously the non-faith chapel of the Workhouse. They hope the space which they have now will provide a permanent home for their collection. The early cinema had three projectors and the reels of film were numbered 1, 2 and 3. As number 1 reached 20 minutes of running time a signal to the projectionist told him to switch onto number 2 reel and so on until the end of the film. We were shown some films, one of which was about the Paris floods of 1910. The film was surprisingly clear and showed the River Seine going through Paris and almost reaching the apex of the bridges. It also showed the streets covered in several inches of water. Another film, made during the second World War, showed how to salvage paper, bone and metals. Two of the stars will be remembered by a lot of us - Kathleen Harrison and Ronald Shiner. There were several other films. Tea, coffee and biscuits were very welcome. We were then given the choice of wandering at leisure or seeing more films. The two speakers were very concise and interesting. It was suggested that it might be possible for them to give a talk to the U3A in the future. The driver was first class and got the coach (also first class) to our destinations on time in spite of the horrendous traffic. Thank you to Jenny and Peter for arranging such a wonderful day for only £17. Tom Dooling Bookworms At one of our recent monthly meetings, members brought along a book that had been significant to them in their childhood. And what an eclectic mix this proved to be. From the Classics, which included Little Women, The Wind in the Willows with its beautiful illustrations by E. H. Shepherd and The Poems of Longfellow to those books which set us on the reading journey, such as Enid Blyton, Malcolm Saville, Noel Streatfield, the short stories in Greyfriars and Blackies Systematic Readers, or Annuals such as Rupert and Uncle Mac. Some books had been given as prizes for ‘Good Fellowship’ , ‘For Progress’ and somewhat prophetically, a prize that Terry Lee received, which was Sue Barton, Student Nurse, a Head Girl’s Prize at her Primary School! However, what emerged loudly and clearly was the importance that the Public Library had played in our lives. When children’s books were not so plentiful, nor affordable, many of us went, or were taken, regularly to the library to choose books for the coming week. We recalled the frisson of pleasure when a much awaited book was on the shelves. Also the librarians who were generally, but not always, helpful and approachable. I’m sure that many of us still use the library regularly, although there have been changes to what is on offer, particularly in the technological department. There is a Mobile Library serving Potters Bar, which was highly praised by some of our group and with the coming of the Medical Centre next to Oakmere Library, there has been an upsurge of new members joining. As has been said “Use it or lose it!” Vivienne Bell ===================================================================== GROUP NEWS 1) You will notice that the Weekenders Group and Men's Cooking have been removed. The Weekenders Group has had to close due to the fact that June Procter, who ran it so successfully for several years, feels she can no longer give up the time it needs, as she leads other groups. As the name implies, it was a group that met at weekends, mostly Sundays, to have lunch together and visit places of interest, etc. It was very helpful for members who find themselves at a loose end at the weekend. Is there anybody out there who could take on this group either alone or with one or two other members? I am sure June would be willing to give advice, as would I. Please contact me. 2) Men's Cooking This very successful group has had to close due to the fact that Owens could no longer offer their Food Technology suite and there were no other suitable venues. 3) Gardening There are several members who would like to join one of our 4 gardening groups, but at the moment there are no vacancies. It seems sensible to start a 5th group, but no one wants to take on the role of group leader. A potential leader would not need to be an expert, just someone with an interest in gardening, who could organise meetings, where members could contribute ideas, etc. THERE MUST BE SOMEONE OUT THERE WHO COULD DO THIS! Please contact me 4) Group Descriptions Booklet We are in the process of producing a booklet with descriptions of the activities of all the groups. It will be available on our website and there will be a hard copy available at the monthly meetings. I will also have a copy for those people who wish to phone me for details. If you are on line but have not given your email address to our webmaster, Joan Ball, I would urge you to do so. It will be quite safe as our website is not available to outsiders and you will be able to access the Description booklet and other news items. Josie Hepple Groups Co-Ordinator [email protected] List of groups - changes and new groups are in bold type Group Amateur Gardeners Antiques & Collectables Art Appreciation Art Gallery Visits Big Band Appreciation Bookends Bookshelves Bookworms Bridge for Absolute Beginners Bridge Beginners' Practice Group Bridge for Improvers Bridge Leader Days and times of meetings Heather Monthly 2nd Jones Wednesday morning Wendy Monthly 1st Bernstein Tuesday 10.30am Anne Monthly 3rd Lamport Thursday 10 - 12 Marion Rose As arranged - all welcome Geoff Sole Monthly 2nd Tuesday 2.30 Linda Toye Monthly 1st Monday 10am Pat Patterson Monthly 4th Monday 10am Vivienne Monthly Bell 4th Monday 10am Marian As arranged Astles Lillian Walman Fortnightly Brenda Copping Bob Clarke Thursdays 2 -4 Monthly 3rd Tuesday evening Bridge - Social Barbara Wednesdays Lewis 9.30 - 12.30 Christchurch Little Heath Card Makers' Marion Rose Monthly 4th Forum Wednesday afternoon Chess 1 Barry Fridays 2 - 4 Eusden Temple Court Chess 2 Chris Cook Wednesdays 10 - 12 Cinema Local Margaret Pattman As arranged Computer David Skills - Basic Collins & Intermediate Chris Cook Wednesdays 10 - 12 Computer Technical Advice Croquet (Short lawn) Cross Stitch Ring for advice Cultural Heritage Trevor Leach Dennis Mondays 2pm O'Brien West Lodge June Proctor 2nd + 4th Wednesdays morning Joan Farran As arranged Current Affairs Valerie Vessey (temporary) Dressmaking & Sewing Machine Tuition 1 Dressmaking & Sewing Machine Tuition 2 English Literature Exercise and Dance Fortnightly Friday 10 - 12 Olive Farrell Tuesdays 2-4 Olive Farrell Tuesdays 10 - 12 2nd + 4th Mondays 10 - 12 Gill Griffiths Fridays 10.30 - 11.30 St Mary's Church Hall Family History Brian Monthly Tomlinson 2nd Thursday 2 - 4 Fitness Walks Vera Tuesdays 9.30am Kellock Meet in Oakmere Car Park Ruth Lewis French Geology Margaret Roper Arthur Bowen & MarieTherese Donegan Lynda Armsby Jill Northwood Pam Thomas Diana Bonner Christine Franklin Margaret Pattman Beryl Kendall Angela Whitcher Ken Cain German for Improvers Laurie Bentall Golf History 1 Michael Earle Phil Bowles Janet Sole History 2 Anne Clarke History of Gothic Church Windows Italian for Improvers Alex Reeve Italian Intermediate Anne Palmer Thursday D&B mornings Hearne Marian 2nd Wednesday Astles 2-4 French Conversation French for Improvers Garden Enthusiasts Gardeners Four Gardening Novices Knitting Margaret Catchpole Monday mornings Tuesdays 10.45 - 12.15 Wednesday mornings Monthly 4th Tuesday 10 - 12 Monthly 1st Thursday morning Monthly Last Thursday Every 2nd Tuesday 10 -12 Fortnightly Tuesday morning Fortnightly Thursday or Friday Monthly 2nd Thursday Monthly 3rd Thursday 2 - 4 Tuesdays 2 -4 Fridays 10 - 12 Latin London Group Machine Patchwork & Sewing Mah Jong Memories Music Appreciation Alex Reeve Fridays from 9.30am John Neal Monthly as arranged Sylvia James Monthly 1st Monday 1.30pm Pat Fortnightly McCannah Thursday 2pm Margaret Anthill Frank Green Natural History Monthly Tuesday morning Thursdays 9.45am Christchurch Little Heath Monthly 2nd Thursday Barbara Armitage Yvonne Waters Painting 1 Anne Riches Fridays 9.30 - 12.30 Dame Alice Owen Term time only Painting 2 Mary Pilbery Fridays 1 -3 Dame Alice Owen Term time only Photography 1 Maggie 2nd + 4th Hughes Tuesdays 10am URC Darkes Lane Photography 2 David 2nd +4th Thursdays Collins 10am Play Reading Margaret Monthly Anthill Last Monday Mary Broan 10 - 12 rd Poetry Joyce 3 Wednesday Reading Coleman 2pm Polybooks Remarkable Men and Joan Billington Brenda Copping Wednesday morning Tuesdays 10 - 12 Women Scrabble 1 Ian McCannah Scrabble 2 Daphne Press Shakespeare 1 Pat McCannah Shakespeare 2 Dot Buckland Singing for pleasure Smart phones & Tablets Spanish Beginners/ Intermediate Spanish Intermediate Tai Chi Table tennis Grace Glover Fred Weil Brian Sheridan Jessica Reeve Arthur Spencer David Patterson Judith Wheeler Theatre outings Brenda Copping Understanding opera Anne Clarke Walking group Vera Kellock 1st + 3rd Mondays 7 - 9.30pm D.A.O. Term time only Mondays afternoon 2nd + 4th Mondays Various locations Monthly 2nd Thursday 10 - 12 Fortnightly Fridays 1st + 3rd Wednesdays 2 - 4 Temple Court Wednesday 2pm Tuesdays afternoon Monday morning Wednesdays 9.30 - 10.30 PB Tennis Club As advertised All welcome 3rd Wednesday 2.30 - 4.30 As arranged All welcome Newsletter Editor A reminder to all Group Leaders and those who wish to contribute to the next Newsletter, out on June 8th, that your contributions need to be with the editor by May 14th at the latest please. Please remember that many of our members do not have computers and therefore rely on the Newsletter for information about events. Everything sent to Joan Ball to be put on the website should also be sent to me if you would like it to be included in the Newsletter. Thank you. Jenny Leach [email protected] **************************************************************** THE DANCE AND EXERCISE CLASS WOULD WELCOME SOME NEW MEMBERS So if you would like have some fun and maybe get fitter, come and join us. We have ½ hour of gentle exercise and then try to learn easy dance routines to easy listening music, not easy for the old grey cells but lots of fun. Friday mornings 10.30 – 11.30 At St. Mary’s Church Hall, the Walk Contact Gill Griffiths PBU3A Walking Programme PBU3A Walking Programme Tuesdays, weekly, 09.30-10.30 Vera Kellock There is a regular fitness walk in Oakmere Park, Potters Bar. We meet in the car park and walk around the park. In the middle of the walk we do fitness exercises in the children’s playground for about 15 minutes. Everybody welcome, no need to sign up. Tuesday, March 10th 2015 Trent Park Ann Mason A 4-5 mile circular walk around Trent Park to kick off the walking season. Meet at 10:00 Potters Bar Station, Bus stop C for the 298 bus (leaving 10:12) to Trent Park, or meet at the Café in the car park at 10:30. _____________________________________________________________________ Wednesday, April 22nd 2015 Codicote Margaret Roper Hopefully the bluebells are blooming!! This is a slightly longer walk than usual at 6 ½ miles. We meet at St.John’s church in Baker Street at 10:00 or in Codicote at 10:30, parking near the Village Green. The route takes in Old Knebworth, Tagmore Green and Knebworth Country Park. There are pubs in Codicote for a drink or lunch afterwards or, if preferred, tea rooms at Knebworth House about half way round. _____________________________________________________________________ Tuesday, May 12th, 2015 Highgate and Hampstead Heath Rose Buck This is an all day walk, meet at 09:30 at PB Station for the 84 Bus to Barnet and then the Underground to Highgate. We start off with a guided tour around the Highgate Cemetery (a small charge will apply), then walk across to Kenwood for lunch where we have the option of walking to Golders Hill or back to Highgate. _____________________________________________________________________ Thursday, June 11th, Whitewebbs Park Trevor and Jenny Leach Meet 10:00 am at St John’s Church, Baker Street or 10:30 in the car park of Toby’s Carvery for an easy 4 1/2 – 5 miles walk around Whitewebbs Park, with the option of lunch at the Carvery afterwards. _____________________________________________________________________ Tuesday, August 11th, 2015 “Royal Greenwich” Ian McCannah Explore the Hospital, Palace, Observatory, Cutty Sark, National Maritime Museum, Queen’s House and much more on a leisurely walk. Bring a picnic. Further details after registration opens in June, maximum 40, members only. A WALK AROUND LONDON – THE CAPITAL RING The Capital Ring is a lovely 78-mile circular walk through a hidden corridor of green space around inner London. It takes in parks, woodlands, river banks, tow-paths and historic cemeteries. The walk will visit famous landmarks such as the Olympic site, Thames Barrier, Eltham Palace, Harrow school and Highgate Woods. You will walk through Richmond and Wimbledon commons, visit the Dinosaurs in Crystal Palace Park. It is a real eye-opener for those of you who thought you knew London. The long distance walk is open to all Hertfordshire U3A members who are capable of distance walking at a reasonable pace. It will be led by Maurice Newman of Hertford and Ware U3As. The 78 miles will be walked in 8 monthly stages. Each walk being between 8 and 11.5 miles. The walks will be on the 1st Thursday of the month starting in March 2015. The 2nd Thursday of the month will be a reserve if for any reason it is necessary to postpone. All walks start from a London Underground or Overground Station. We will meet at 11.00 am to set off shortly after. This should give everyone a chance to avail themselves of off-peak fares. We will stop for a packed lunch on route. The walks are all well described in a book called The Capital Ring written by Colin Saunders, available at a price of £12.99. ISBN 978-1-84513-786-1. I would recommend it to anyone joining us for these walks. ------------------------------------------------------------Photographic competition We would like to invite any member who has a photo depicting 'Summer' to submit their entries to the Editor via email st ([email protected]) by May 1 at the latest. These will be judged by an independent judge and the winning picture will be on the cover of the Summer Newsletter - out June 8th. The preferred format is jpeg : size 1400 x 1050. Please also include your name with your entry. Bournville Village and Cadbury World On 11th November – Armistice Day – a full coach load of members set off from Furzefield (and how lucky we are to be able to leave our cars here safely all day) heading for Birmingham. At eleven o’clock, the noisy chattering ceased and the coach fell quiet as each member held their own private two minutes' silence in memory of the war dead. Five minutes later, we drew up at Cadbury World where we were greeted with coffee and wickedly rich chocolate cakes. After that, most of us crossed the road to walk into Bournville Village, originally built by George Cadbury, a dedicated Quaker. Appalled by the dreadful living standards of the back-toback houses in Birmingham, he had a vision of “a factory in the country” and in 1879 he moved his chocolate factory out of the centre of Birmingham to a farmland site beside the small river Bourn. He built houses alongside for his workers so that they could enjoy fresh country air without being separated from their work. We saw some of the original houses, all with gardens, together with other buildings he constructed later – the school with a magnificent carillon of forty-eight bells, the Friends Meeting House, the village green and the church. We also saw the separate men’s and girls’ recreation grounds which George had decorously placed on opposite sides of the road! A small exhibition, the Bournville Experience, explained the ideals of George Cadbury and his brother Richard. We were told that the factory workers all had to take at least half-anhour’s exercise every day and that a girls’ bath house was built (now sadly disused) where the girls were taught to swim during working hours. Where or if the men bathed was not disclosed! After a hasty lunch, it was time for our visit to Cadbury World. Here we embarked on a bewildering journey through the history of chocolate from its earliest beginnings in Central America to the present day. We saw the natives of the Aztec jungle in the 15th century pounding cacao seeds to powder and adding water, spices and chilli to make a frothy drink - the word “chocolate” actually means “bitter water”. From the jungle we sailed to Europe and to John Cadbury’s tea and coffee shop in Birmingham in the early 19th century. After branching out into cocoa, the family began pressing the liquid cocoa mixture to make the first chocolate bars which were an instant hit with customers. We then had a glimpse of the chocolate making story and of Cadbury’s advertising through the years (including the development of the famous Dairy Milk brand – almost called Dairy Maid until the last minute) before moving on to the modern packaging area. This was an incredible space where Heath Robinson-like machines carried naked chocolate bars along endless aerial conveyor belts, wrapped them in their familiar purple covers, fed them into cardboard boxes and lifted the boxes on to pallets ready for distribution to the shops – all untouched by human hand. After that, we were ready for some light relief and were carried on little tramcars through Cadabra, a magic children’s world where cocoa beans danced, played and even skied around us, before moving to a hands-on demonstration of actual chocolate bars being made. Here we were all given a little pot of warm liquid chocolate mixed with jelly babies or dolly mixture to eat – in addition to the selection of free chocolate bars we had already accumulated! Finally, we emerged via the shop full of tempting Cadbury Christmas gifts and just had time for a quick cup of tea before the coach set off for home. A long day but full of interest – and thankfully, not a sign of the wicked predator Kraft anywhere! Thank you, Jenny and Peter, for arranging this fascinating trip. Philippa Phelps ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Third Age Trust event Spring Concert - Vivaldi Brandenburg Singers - Temple Church, Temple, London EC4 Tuesday 28 April 2015, 3pm - 5pm Tickets £18 - max 2 per person On-line booking form on Events page of Third Age Trust website, u3a.org.uk Chichester here we come: Thursday December 4th 2014 A cold and misty day heralded our journey to the ancient city of Chichester but a steady supply of sweets and toffees eased the journey: and, with our driver performing a minor miracle by arriving at our destination at almost exactly the expected time of arrival, we had plenty of time to explore its history. Locally known as 'Chi' it is classified as a cathedral city dating back to Roman and Anglo-Saxon times. It is located on the river Lavant and boasts its own university and marina. The main shopping area seemed to contain mostly jewellers and dress shops which made us men unshamefacedly and very hastily confess to our better halves that we had forgetfully 'left both our credit cards and wallets at home'! There was an absence of supermarkets but it was strange to note that M&S had three positions with 'small shop' entrances each housing different wares. So, after thirst and hunger had been satisfied, it was off to the small but comfortably appointed Clair de Lune theatre to see Terrence Mc Nally's play 'Frankie and Johnny'. The opening scene would have sent that self-appointed guardian of the country's moral welfare, Mary Whitehouse, into a state of collapse. Curtains up! We were presented with a heaving jumble of bedclothes, muffled shouts of encouragement and, finally, approval and then a short pause -----followed by the emergence of the protagonists one female and one male both of whom were, in U.S. slang 'nekid as jaybirds'. Now, from the writer's point of view (about 10 yards at most) the vision of an extremely curvaceous young lady, unclad and unashamed, was disconcerting. Should he avert his eyes from hers which appeared to be looking straight at him? Decisions!! However, concentration returned ultimately and the acting skills and especially the duologue were appreciated. Both actors - Miss DERVLA KIRWAN and Mr NEIL STUKE - deserved the rapturous applause they received. The journey back to Potters Bar was in clearer weather than the trip down but was hit by long delays until we passed the Heathrow turn off(s). During the return journey we were occupied very pleasantly by distribution of mince pies washed down by glasses of sherry, a raffle where everyone on the coach received a gift and we also managed to finish the contents of the gargantuan jar of sweeties. The last few miles of the trip suggested that our excellent driver may well be challenging Lewis Hamilton in the Formula 1 Championship next season! I've left the best to last and it's our thanks and congratulations to Brenda for arranging and organising a wonderful and most enjoyable excursion. Eric Wootten ============================================================ The Geology and Scenery Group The Geology and Scenery Group has now had its fourth meeting and has a membership of 10 so far. This was rather a large number to accommodate at home and so we took the opportunity to hire a room at Christ Church at Little Heath at a very advantageous rate. It also allowed us room to use a projector to illustrate the lectures. At first the group looked at the origin of the actual materials that went into the building of planet Earth and its oceans and from whence they came, with some very big surprises. Next, we saw how the two halves of the British Isles (Scotland and the North, and Southern Britain) developed independently for millions of years and on two widely separated continents but were brought together geologically recently. The next lecture demonstrated how the Mediterranean Sea dried up completely a mere 5 million years ago, (it has of course since been re-filled) and consequently there are now great canyons, deeper than those in America, that lie hidden beneath the Sahara sands. The science of Geology may sound rather daunting but it is the group’s intention to bring it down to earth, so to speak, in order to appreciate the making of scenery and not to bog it down with technicalities. Ken Cain ============================================================ Seen recently: Weight Watchers will meet at 7pm in the church hall. Please use the large double door at the side entrance. Visit to the RAF Museum, Grahame Park Way, NW9 on 17th June 2015 The Potters Bar U3A are planning the above visit to the RAF Museum. The Tour is publicised as "Early Flight and the first World War in the Air". It begins at 1.30pm with refreshments, a talk on Claude Grahame-White, a talk and viewing on "Early Engines", and then a self-led visit to "The First World War in the Air" exhibition. The cost of the tour, talks and refreshments is £10 per person. The tour is led by David Keen and numbers are limited to between 15-25 members per tour. Members interested in this visit, please contact Pat Patterson by e-mail: [email protected] . Requests will be dealt with on a first come first serve basis. If there is a lot of interest, further dates might be available in the autumn. We may be able to arrange a minibus for 17th June if there is enough demand, but otherwise we will arrange car sharing. Please do not be put off by the idea of not being able to get there. Members are always willing to offer lifts. ********************************************************************* Herts Network of U3As Study Day with Workshops, New Technology + YOUR U3A Wednesday 29 April 2015 Woolmer Green Village Hall, Hall Lane, Woolmer Green, SG3 6XA (SG3 6LD for Satnav) 9.30 – 10.00 Registration and Coffee/ Tea on arrival 10.00 – 10.45 Update on 3 Year Plan – Adrian Breacker 10.45 – 11.00 Short break / Networking 11.00 – 12.45 Technology for Learning, Sharing & Efficiency Keynote Speaker: Anthony Hughes, U3A Regional Trustee 12.45 – 13.30 Buffet Lunch with Coffee / Tea 13.30 – 14.45 Discussion Groups – TRIPS / NEW MEMBERS/ MEMBERSHIP ISSUES (email/website/electronic payments) 14.45 – 14.55 Short break / Networking 14.55 – 15.30 Plenary (Adrian Breacker/Anthony Hughes) Cost per Member of Herts Network/ East of England U3As: £5 . Please book early for this popular regional event! Herts Network of U3As/East of England Study Day: Aspects of the 3 year plan: please copy and paste the link below http ://mku3a . org/wordpress/wpcontent/uploads/forward . pdf Wednesday 29 April 2015 (9.30 – 3.30) Booking Form Please send to Maureen Dennis, 2 Churchfield Path,Cheshunt,Herts, EN8 9EG email enquiries: [email protected] by FRIDAY 27 MARCH 2015, indicating your preferred workshop below. Please make your cheque for £5 payable to Herts Network of U3As Please tick your preferred workshop: A/ Organising Trips and Visits – What works well and what to avoid B/ Welcoming New Members – Integration and Involvement of all C/ Membership Issues – Moving to Electronic Communications; non-email members; database access; website management; managing electronic payment of membership fees. Dietary Requirements (if any):................................................................ Member of U3A in.................................................................................. Email: .................................................................. Tel............................. Signed.................................................................. Date.......................... Please note that we expect this Study Day to be popular as it has been opened up to all U3A members in the East of England Region of U3As, so early booking is advised to avoid disappointment. The day is primarily intended for existing U3A committee members, although any U3A members who are interested in greater involvement in their U3A would be welcome to join us to learn more. Organised by Herts Network of U3As and funded by the East of England Region of U3As POTTERS BAR U3A THEATRE GROUP’S VISIT TO THE NEW VICTORIA THEATRE WOKING Wednesday 26th November dawned grey and misty and something was needed to lift our spirits. What better way to spend the day than on a U.3.A visit to the New Victoria Theatre in Woking to see J.B. Priestley’s “Dangerous Corner”. We arrived at 10.30a.m. which gave us four hours in which to explore our surroundings before meeting up with the group again to see the performance. After an obligatory tea and cake in “Pâtisserie Valérie”, we looked around the impressive Peacocks Shopping and Leisure Centre which houses the theatre and cinemas as well as a wide range of shops. It was opened in 1992 but was extended and updated in 2010 so that it has a very shiny, new feel about it. It is built beside and incorporates the redbrick Christchurch Anglican Church which gives added interest. Refreshed and invigorated we made our way to “The Lightbox”, Woking’s museum. This building opened in 2007 beside the Basingstoke Canal which runs through the town. There is a permanent exhibition called “Woking’s Story” which gives a detailed, user-friendly and enlightening account of the history of the area with a wealth of artefacts, photographs, personal recollections and private cards and postcards, including some beautiful embroidered cards from WW1. The temporary, topical exhibition explains the role of horses in WW1 with much material on loan from the Imperial War Museum as well as information from the local area. We browsed through the displays along the corridor but did not visit the upper exhibition rooms. Just opposite is the WWF “Living Planet Centre” which we could not fit into our schedule but, since it is only a short walk from Woking Station, may be a future visit. And so to the New Victoria Theatre: a light and very well-designed building. The play opens with gunshot off-stage. “Dangerous Corner” was written in 1938 and set in a beautiful Art Deco lounge, contemporary with that period. Scene 1 shows the female characters in a light-hearted mood in the lounge after a dinner party and they have just finished listening to a radio play called “Sleeping Dogs”. The gentlemen arrive and the title of the radio play triggers the questions “Should we let sleeping dogs lie?” or “Is it better to tell the whole truth?”. This is the foundation of the plot and the decisions made by the characters form the “dangerous corners” of their dark, sordid revelations and add to the mounting tension of the play. The cosy world of Robert Caplan, the owner of a successful publishing house, is gradually torn apart after the confessions of various characters with references to homosexuality, drug-taking and infidelity. This must have been quite shocking when the play was first staged in 1938. After many twists and turns the play ends in darkness with a scream and a repeat of the gunshot which opened the play. OR DOES IT? The stage reappears and returns to Scene 1 but now the secrets remain unrevealed and the dinner party continues to be happy and carefree. Time has played a trick on us so which version is the true one? Our thanks go to Brenda Copping for organising such an entertaining day. Pat Osterburg. **************************************************************** MEMBERS’ AREA OF THE THIRD AGE TRUST WEBSITE From 1 December the National Office is offering U3A members the facility to download booking forms for study days, summer schools etc, and fill them in and also pay for them on-line. They will offer advice if anyone has a problem. Most times payment will still be possible by cheque and post. The Summer Schools booklet can be downloaded but a hard copy can be sent upon request. There is also an advice sheet now available to download on Cloud Computing. To take advantage of these facilities you will have to log in to the Members’ Area of the Third Age Trust website (u3a.org.uk or google U3A Home Page). It is free and instructions can be found on the Home page of the website. You can then enter the Members’ Area and click on Events to see details of current and future events. The National Office phone number is 0208 466 6139. GARDENERS FOUR Gardeners Four has gone through some ups and downs over the last 2 years. I became a bionic woman, containing more metalwork than any radiographer had ever seen and spent half my time in hospital. Christine Franklin valiantly took over the running of the group, until just before last Christmas when she fell down her stairs, literally now leaving her without a foot to stand on. We don’t think anyone else should volunteer for what is obviously a dangerous position, so I am taking up the reins again until Chris is well, at which stage we will do a joint effort. In spite of our problems our members have stayed loyal and Chris and I would like to thank them for all their support. We have put together a full programme for 2015 and hopefully will get to some pastures new. We are a wonderful group of people and Chris and I always feel fully supported by our members. Margaret Pattman **************************************************************** From the Card Makers' Group I would like to thank everyone who has supported our fund-raising effort in 2014. With your help, we raised over £500 from the sale of our hand-made greetings cards and your generous donations. As the Herts. Air Ambulance Service seems to be a charity that everyone supports and approves of, we will once again, have it as our chosen charity for 2015. Our little group of just 6 members make all the cards we sell and we are working on new and unusual designs to sell at our monthly meetings at the Wyllyotts. It is a hobby that we are all passionate about and we are very grateful for your support. With thanks, Marion CULTURAL HERITAGE GROUP - FORTHCOMING TRIPS SPRING 2015 Thursday March 26th 2015 - BROOKLANDS MUSEUM , Weybridge - Members £31.50, Non- members £32.50 We will be visiting Brooklands, home of the world's first purpose-built motor racing circuit, constructed in 1907. Brooklands Museum displays a wide range of motoring and aviation exhibits, ranging from giant racing cars, to bicycles and an unparalleled collection of Hawker/BAC aircraft, including the only Concorde with public access in South East England. On arrival we will have tea/coffee and cake, followed by a short talk on the history of Brooklands and the museum. Included in our visit is the opportunity to take your seat and enjoy a 35 minute CONCORDE EXPERIENCE with pre-flight briefing, a virtual flight, a viewing of the flight deck and you will receive a Concorde Flight Certificate! For the rest of the day you will be free to explore the museum at your leisure. Don’t miss the period atmosphere in the 1907 clubhouse, the Vicker’s Aircraft Park, the Motoring Village and Test Hill, with part of the original track. We will be leaving for home at about 4.30pm. Check this venue on line - www.brooklandsmuseum.com SOME SEATS STILL AVAILABLE – Contact Joan Farran at [email protected] for more information. Thursday 23rd April 2015 - SPRING AT WADDESDON MANOR - U3A members £34.00 National Trust members £21.00, Non U3A members £35.00 and £22.00 for National Trust members. FULLY BOOKED – WAITING LIST ONLY Waddesdon Manor was built for Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild in the 1870s to display his superb collection of 18th century art treasures. On arrival we will start our day with coffee/tea and homemade biscuits. After coffee we will have about an hour to explore the area near the house. This includes a stunning parterre garden and rare Victorian aviary where endangered birds are still being reared. At midday, we will begin our free-flow tour of the house. The tour is estimated to take about one and a half hours. After visiting the house, there will be time to have a picnic or buy lunch and a further chance to explore the gardens, shops, stables and wine selections. Finally, we will return to the Manor Restaurant at 3.45pm for a cream tea, before leaving for home at about 4.30pm. Check this venue on line - www.waddesdon.org.uk As our outings are usually very popular and are booked very quickly, we ask members to pay £5.00 per annum to receive booking forms, by first class post, 3 times a year. This ensures that interested members all receive booking forms and information about the trips, on the same day, and no-one is at a disadvantage if they do not have a computer. SPECIAL OFFER - Join this year and you will be registered until September 2016. For more information e-mail Joan Farran at [email protected] If you would like to go on our MAILING LIST and receive priority booking, please pick up a Mailing Registration Form at the Cultural Heritage Group table at the monthly U3A meeting. CHG members- Look out for information about our summer outings – Booking Forms should arrive on your doorsteps in early April. Potters Bar U3A Monthly Meetings Monday 2nd March 800 Years of the Magna Carta Gary Fisher ............................................................................................................................................ Monday 13th April The Energy Crisis Renewable, Nuclear & Fracking options Dr John Hodgson --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Monday 18th May My time at Windsor Castle Revd. Canon Edward Carter .............................................................................................................................. Monday 8th June 'You couldn't make it up' Sarah Harrison ............................................................................................................................................ All the above meetings will be held in the main auditorium of the Wyllyotts Centre. Meetings start promptly at 10am. In the interests of safety, please be seated well before the start time; and please make sure that your mobile phone is turned off.If you need to leave early please choose an aisle seat in order to cause as little disruption as possible to the speaker and other members of the audience.
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