Website – www.u3asites.org.uk/cestria July 2019 Newsletter

Chairman’s Corner ….

Members may recall that we asked for written consent to hold personal details on our membership register, this was as a result of the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulations on 25th May 2018.

On 24th April 2019, following advice and information received from the Third Age Trust (the national representative body for The University of The Third Age), the committee agreed to amend our Data Protection and Privacy policies. The lawful basis for holding personal information has changed from Consent to Legitimate Interest.

Legitimate Interest means that, as a membership charity, the U3A has a legitimate interest in requesting and processing personal information from those who wish to join. Additionally, the U3A has a legitimate interest in communicating with existing members.

We have completed a Legitimate Interest assessment form, as k specified by the Third Age Thrust, and a copy is available on our web site together with revised Data Protection and Data Privacy policies.

It will no longer be necessary for members to complete a new consent form at membership renewal time – good news for our membership team!

If you have any queries, please contact either Margaret Pescod or myself. ….Robert Berry

From the Editor…………

An interactive workshop led by Trust Volunteers

and financed by The Third Age Trust, was held at

the Royal Station Hotel Newcastle, 18th March.

This workshop included presentations,

discussions and networking for those who

compile newsletters or manage websites.

It was a fantastic venue and a fantastic day!!!

Can I encourage everyone to take part, if possible, in any networking.

It’s great to meet people from other U3As – you find you are not alone

– we are all concerned about the same things – we lack confidence in

ourselves – but most of all we join in and Learn, Laugh and Live!!!!

…………Christine Logan

Monthly Meetings

1st Wednesday

Cornerstones

Methodist Chapel

9.30 – 10.00 Pre

Meeting Coffee &

Chat

10.00- Noon Main

Meeting

Speakers

5th June

‘20 years a Raw Vegan

– Slowing the Ageing

Clock ‘ ……

Paul Isherwood

3rd July

‘I did it for the Kids –

Children’s Author’…

Carol Dean

7th August

‘The Restoration of

Durham Cathedral’…

Matthew Kirk

4th September

‘Behind the Chequered

Band – Life as a

Special Constable’….

David Dean

Cestria U3A at Chester- le-Street

Cestria Holiday to Criccieth ……..

The bus arrived in Chester le Street having picked up in Lumley. When our cases were safely stored by Chris our driver we were off to Bowburn to pick up our last two passengers and then on to Wales. After a couple of stops we reached Flint and entered Wales. Chris phoned The George IV Hotel to advise our pending arrival. The manager of the hotel, Hamid, came on board the bus to welcome us to the hotel. Our room keys were distributed and the luggage brought to the rooms. There was time to relax or explore before dinner.

Criccieth Castle After a lovely evening meal and a complimentary drink it was time to be entertained by Mandy. We had been given a quiz sheet on parts of the body, which took quite a lot of thought and discussion. Mandy had sung at the London Palladium and encouraged us to dance while she sang. Pauline and Dennis showed us how to twist, while others took it more sedately. Next day after a large breakfast we were off again to visit Caernarfon with its castle, square and statues of two famous Welshmen David Lloyd George and Sir Hugh Owen. The party split up to enable everyone to do what interested them and keep out of the rain. After lunch the rain cleared and we left on a bright sunny afternoon to go to Llanberis. The little steam railway gave a view of the lake and snow topped Snowdon while the Slate Museum told the story of slate mining in North Wales throughout the centuries. We arrived back at the hotel where there was time to relax before dinner. Another quiz on sweets this time. Jenni entertained us with her lovely singing voice. She was not Welsh but of Scottish and Irish descent. She even managed to solve the last clue on the quiz for those of us who had failed to solve it!!!. Our next tour was to Portmeirion, which is a holiday village designed in the Italian style by Sir Clough William-Ellis between 1925 -1975. The flowers and garden areas are very colourful and because the climate is mild flowers were blooming there unlike at home. It is famous as the place where, older people will remember, The Prisoner was filmed. A copper head of Patrick McGoohan, the star of the show, is on display. The pottery is also very famous and very pricey!!! Again, there was time to relax before our evening meal and quiz. Alan entertained us this evening, he played the keyboard as well as singing. Another trip after breakfast, it was off to drive through the valleys to Betws-y -Coed for coffee. We left in sunshine, went through rain, and more sunshine to reach Aber Falls, but with at least 150 steps to get down to reach the waterfall we passed on this. On to Portmadog to see the port, have lunch and do some shopping. On our return there was again a quiz and more entertainment from Mandy. We were up early next morning, as we had an early start for home. We all agreed that we had had a wonderful holiday and the weather had been kind to us. All that was left to do was thank Janet Hattersley for organising it…….Pat Rule

Mr. Dickens Is Coming….

If you are ever in South Shields, please make time to visit The Word, on the market place. The full title is ‘The Word, National Centre for the Written Word’, it is the most beautiful modern building, with most the fabulous book collection and displays, and the perfect venue for the above show which was part of the WRITE Festival, Be Inspired By Words, 2019.

Gerald Charles Dickens is the great great grandson of Charles Dickens. He now travels the world giving readings, telling amusing anecdotes, and performing the works of the famous writer. I really didn’t know what to expect from this show. But from the very second Gerald Dickens stepped on to the stage, I was transfixed as he slid from one Dicken’s character to another, from Mr. Micawber and his weeping wife to a slithering Uriah Heep, and then had a three way conversation between the callous Miss Havisham, Estella and the terrified Pip. It was fantastic and the other 15 Cestria members who went along agreed wholeheartedly….FANTASTIC!!!!

There was a very short interval, when we could go out onto the viewing platform of the building. The sun came out and the view along the Tyne was so good, I felt really proud of our river. The ferry was ready to set off for Amsterdam and the Shields Ferry was ready for action!!!

When the second half of the show was announced, my heart sank, a performance from ‘The Signalman’, a book I studied for exams at school and not enjoyed at all. How I wish I could go back to school and try again, as Gerald Dickens brought the characters to life, and explained how Charles Dickens had had a brush with death in a train

accident (the Staplehurst Railway Accident) and had been traumatised for the rest of his life from it.

Gerald Dickens’ closing speech was to say that Charles Dickens had died 9th June 1870, the date of the Staplehurst train accident, was 9th June 1865……..how spooky is that!!!! ….Christine Logan

Cestria U3A Theatre Group …..Visit to Newcastle Theatre Royal to see ‘The Girl on the Train’…….

On Saturday May 4th the U3A Theatre Group enjoyed a performance of ‘The Girl on the Train’ a play from the bestselling novel of the same name by author Paula Hawkins. Around 15 members attended with a group enjoying lunch at a Carluccio’s before the performance.

The play was set in England, unlike the film which is set in America, and it was cleverly staged with moving sets depicting the different homes of the different characters and a back projection which gave the impression of travelling on a train. The star was Samantha Womack,

lately of East Enders, who played Rachel. She was depicted as rather dowdy and unkempt in dark clothes in the first half and emerging in the final scene in a paler, prettier outfit when she is supposedly in control of her alcoholism. The story followed the plot of the book and kept you in suspense as to who killed Jess right up to the end.

Many thanks to Anne Lanigan who organised the outing. It was a very enjoyable afternoon that combined culture and a chance to socialise with other members, for those who opted for the lunch. We look forward to more similar opportunities like this in the future. ……..Margaret Chilver

Lunch Club visit to the Raaj……

The end of April saw The RAAJ, a popular local Indian res-taurant; once again play host to our group of ‘seasoned’ diners, all keen to try the great value 3 course lunches on offer. A few initial hiccups with the temperature in the room and drink serving were quickly resolved by the friendly and accommodating staff and definitely forgotten once the food arrived. Everyone was soon eating and, in many cases sharing the great selection of beautifully seasoned and aromatic starters and mains on offer. Much convivial conversation took place during the meal and,

as always, it was a great chance to catch up with old friends or meet other members not met before (as was the case for me.) At the end everyone agreed that they had enjoyed the meal and that the food had been delicious. As organiser, this I felt, was a successful outing. I have arranged another lunch club outing: SPANISH TASTER MEAL to include ANY 3 TAPAS for £7.95 meal at THE VIADUCT in CHESTER LE STREET for 31ST of JULY. I will be able to give menus, take orders and collect money at the July meeting. I am happy for people who may want to go to give me a text or call me on my mobile 07747653153. ……….. Terry Hambleton

Tall oaks from little acorns grow…. On a cold February 15th 2006, an open meeting was held in Chester le Street Parish Centre, to discuss the forming of a U3A group in Chester le Street. A member of Whickham U3A attended and spoke about the aims and philosophy of the U3A movement. She urged the meeting to form a steering committee but unfortunately no volunteers came forward. A second meeting was held on 15th March, with the same result, but with an arrangement of a further meeting on May 3rd. Because of the enthusiasm of David Grundy (who has since moved to France) at the May meeting a steering committee was finally formed. Simon Goode, who is still a member of our U3A, became part of that steering committee, along with David and four others. The name ‘Cestria’ U3A was chosen to reflect the native Celtic name given to us by the Romans, meaning ‘horse people’. The first official meeting of Cestria U3a was June 2006, in our local Parish Centre, with Simon Goode as chairman, and David Grundy Secretary. Within a year our numbers were over 100 and our committee now included names that we know from our present membership. Joan McElroy had become our Treasurer, and groups were supported by Ruth Punshon, Maureen Garbutt, Beryl Ringland, Ken Kay and Michael Jones, apologies to anyone I may have missed out. Outings were organized by Sheila Robinson, and members enjoyed these greatly. In November 2006, David Grundy reported to the AGM, that he was a very proud man, as the Steering Committee has been successful in its job to set up Cestria U3A and lead it to the AGM, when its job would be over!!! Eventually the Parish Centre grew too cramped, and in July 2010, we moved our monthly meetings to the Red Lion Pub, in the centre of town. We still continued to grow, and fire regulation demanded that we ‘move on’. On 2nd July 2014 Conerstones Methodist Chapel became our new home, a super venue and ideal for the needs of our almost 300 members. Over these thirteen years we have had three chairmen, Simon Goode, Ken Kay & Geoff Taylor who have worked diligently on our behalf, steering us through changes in the constitution, and the adoption of the Beacon System. Grateful thanks to them. Our fourth and present chairman, Robert Berry, is now holding the reins!!! Members have enjoyed meetings, outings, holidays and group activities, making lasting friendships along the way. Interestingly, the majority of groups formed in those early days still exist, plus many more!!! The culmination of all the hard work was to be able to host a networking meeting with neighbouring U3As Washington, Wessington, Washington Village and Houghton le Spring – showcasing ‘The History Wardrobe’, followed by a sumptuous buffet lunch, which was such a success. We will be doing it again next year. To Joan McElroy membership no 2, Moira O’Connor membership no 4, Ruth Punshon membership no 7, Sheila Robinson membership no 8 and all the other pioneering members, group leaders and committee

memebers thank you for helping us become the success we are today……’tall oaks from from little acorns grow’. …….Christine Logan (dates and info from Joan McElroy)

Cestria U3A at Chester-le-Street Emergency Contact Details

We would like to ask Cestria U3A members to provide us with the details of a relative or friend who we could

contact in the event of a medical emergency. This information will be kept securely and used only for the purpose

outlined.

We would like to stress that we are requesting this information in the interests of the safety of our members but that

you do not have provide it if you do not wish to.

If you would like us to keep a record of an emergency contact please could you complete the contact form attached

and hand it in at the next U3A meeting or email the details requested to Margaret Pescod at

cestriau3asecretary@gmail.com.

If you tell us which groups you regularly attend, we will arrange for the group leader to have a copy of the details.

YOUR NAME _____________________________________________________

YOUR U3A NO.____________________________________________________

GROUPS ATTENDED________________________________________________

In the event of a medical emergency I give permission for a member of the U3A team to contact

the following persons:

EMERGENCY CONTACT 1

NAME __________________________________________________________

Relationship to you __________________________

HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER ________________________________________

MOBILE _________________________________________________________

EMERGENCY CONTACT 2

NAME __________________________________________________________

Relationship to you____________________________

HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER ________________________________________

MOBILE _________________________________________________________

These details will be stored securely in accordance with UK Data Protection Act 2018 guidelines. Your details will

only be used in the case of a medical emergency and will be retained for only as long as you are a member of Cestria

U3A.

CESTRIA U3A INTEREST GROUPS

Monday Discussion Group Robert Berry- 3890702 Last Mon. of month 10.15am Ch-le-St Library Scrabble Ruth Punshon-3884019 3rd & last Mon. of month 2.00pm Eardulph Room

Shakespeare Group Carl Belshaw-3878558 2nd Mon. of month 10.30am Ch-le-St Library Singing Seniors Frances Hall-07796011219 3rd Mon. of month 1.00pm Waldridge Parish Rooms Margaret Robertson-3887139 Writer’s Workshop Mary Jennings – 3881464 2nd Mon. of month 2.00pm Eardulph Room

Tuesday Spanish for Beginners Irene Taylor – 3883588 1st Tues. of moth 2.00pm Ring for details French for Beginners Irene Taylor-3883588 2nd Tues. of month 1.30pm Ring for details French Listening Irene Taylor-3883588 3rd Tues. of month 2.30pm Ring for details

Social Bridge Mary Jennings - 3881464 Every Tues. 1.30pm Eardulph Room Ten Pin Bowling Frances Hall-07796011219 Every Tues.10.00am Washington AMF

Bowling Centre

Wed. Board Games Judith Rousseau-3882498 2nd Wed. of month 2.00pm Judith’s house

Family History Joan Durkin-3887066 2nd Wed. of month 10.00am Eardulph Room French Conversation Irene Taylor-3883588 Last wed. of month 2.30pm Ring for details. Good Read Group Gill Dodd- 3884385 Last Wed. of month 2.00pm Maureen Garbutt’s House Music Appreciation Judith Pryke 07771644682 2nd Wed. of month 2.00pm Ring for details.

jKnit, Stitch & Natter Lyn Cutter-3887088 Once a fortnight 1.00pm Lyn Cutter’s house Short Walks Margaret Robertson-3887139 Twice a month 10.00am Ring for details. W/Colour Flower Beryl Ringland -3884594 Once a fortnight at 12.45pm Eardulph Room Painting Wine Tasting June Marshall-4474902 3rd Wed. of month 2.00pm Ring for details.

Thurs. Card Making Irene Taylor-3883588 Last Thurs. of month 2.00pm Eardulph Room

History Margaret Stoyle -3889223 2nd Thurs. of month 10.15am Ch-le-St. Library Majhong Fidelma de Faiote- 1st & last Thurs. of month 10.15am Ch-le-St. Library

3890192 Photography 3rd Thurs. of month 10.00am Ring for details.

Friday Coffee & Amble Joan McElroy-3885333 3rd Friday of month 10.30am Ring for details.

Walking Group Geoff Taylor-3883588 Every Friday 10.00am Ring for details.

Others Lunch Club Anne Lanigan-3875983 Various Ring for details.

Theatre Group Anne Lanigan-3875983 Various Ring for details.

Data Protection Act: Telephone details on this list are not to be disclosed to any third parties. Registered Charity No. 1163334 07/02/2018

Day Topic Contact Date and Time Location

Music Appreciation Group…March, April & May…

A relaxing DVD session proved most acceptable for the March meeting. It featured the young German tenor Jonas Kaufmann, well known by some of the group and less well-known to others. His programme, entitled “You are the World for Me”, featured compositions by Heymann, Tauber, Franz Lehar and other German composers. The accompanying orchestra was the radio Symphony Orchestra of Berlin conducted by Jochen Reiner. Although most of the songs featured were unknown to the group, there were some familiar ones. Kaufmann was joined by Julia Kleiter and together they featured in some fun duets when the orchestra was accompanied by guitars and banjos for some swing time themes. What charming performers demonstrating a skilled and expressive presentation of music and drama. We had the good fortune to see

the streamed version of the opera, Force of Destiny, when Kaufmann played a leading role. It was quite spectacular, a live performance from the Royal Opera house.

The film theme continued as the focus of the next meeting. The first film to use a completely original score was King Kong (1933) composed by Max Steiner. It was not until 1929 that there was recorded synchronised sound in films and any dialogue appeared on title cards with orchestras or pianists filling gaps. Eventually, this was replaced by original music. In the 50s and 60s theme songs and soundtracks became an integral part of films and often gave instant recognition. The English composer of film music, John Barry (1933 - 2011) composed eleven of the James Bond themes and he arranged the original tune written by Monty Norman. Among Barry’s compositions were other legendary themes such as Born Free, Midnight Cowboy, Out of Africa and Dances with Wolves.

Other legendary compositions include those by the Canadian composer, Howard Shaw and include Lord of the Rings. Like Barry, he uses themes for the characters. Ennio Morricone (1928) started his career as a jazz trumpeter who moved on to write for people like Paul Anka and more recently Andre Bocelli. He will be remembered for his music for westerns particularly The Good, The Bad and The Ugly which was considered to be one of the most influential soundtracks reflecting gunfire, the howling of the coyote and a two note melody that becomes a frequent motif. The American composer, John Williams (1932), as well as conducting and being an accomplished pianist, has composed some of the most popular, recognisable and highly critically acclaimed film scores including Star Wars, Superman, Hedwig’s theme (Harry Potter); a haunting and mysterious theme. These are only a few of his works.

The programme concluded with three very famous pieces enhancing the richness of well-known films. There are, of course, numerous examples of classical music but three unmistakable pieces – Mahler, Symphony No. 5 provided the memorable music for Death in Venice; Mozart in the film Amadeus and the classic movie, Brief Encounters, featuring Rachmaninoff‘s Piano Concert No 2.

The focus changed again to the romantic movement which was the literary and artistic movement that arose in Western Europe in the late 1700s. Music became explicitly more expressive dealing with the artistic, literary and philosophical ideas of the time. Composers included Bruch, Chopin, Mendelssohn, Berlioz, Tchaikovsky, Verdi and many more. We looked at two of these well-known

names. Bruch (1838 to 1920) was born in Cologne. His mother was a singer and his father was an eminent lawyer. At the age of nine he wrote his first composition as a birthday present for his mother. Eventually he had a long career as a teacher, composer, conductor and he was well known for his choral work. However most of his work remained in obscurity until efforts have been made relatively recently to revive them. When performed, his music is described as an excellent example of romantic choral music in that it is atmospheric, evocative powerful and heartfelt, imaginatively written and skilfully scored - a very fine collection of work. Today he is best known for his first violin concerto in G minor written in 1886. We listened to the usual three movements but Bruch uses techniques used by Mendelssohn such as linking the three movements together with bridges or linking pasages, thus making very pleasant listening.

Next we had Kol Nidrei written for cello and orchestra, an incantation which begins the Jewish Yom Kippur service. In Bruch’s setting the cello imitates the voice of the Cantor who chants the liturgy. This was followed by the second subject of the piece which is quoted from the middle section of “O Weep for Those That Wept on Babel’s Stream”, a lyric penned by Lord Byron in his collection, Hebrew Melodies. Its success led to the assumption that Bruch was Jewish but despite denials by his family, his music was largely forgotten in German speaking countries.

Another of the composers of the early Romantic Period was Mendelssohn (1809 -1847) and he remained a great favourite throughout his life. He was certainly a favourite of Queen Victoria. She described him “as the greatest musical genius since Mozart and the most amiable man”. He could play the piano, organ, viola, violin, could speak several languages, was a gifted poet, watercolourist, an outstanding gymnast and swimmer as well as a master of a range of academic studies such as astronomy and philosophy! He was a workaholic and died at the early age of 38. We were all aware of his travels and links with Scotland. He was described as being at the forefront of the Romantic Movement; but he also had a desire for classic beauty and balancing all things. He remained a great favourite. His general name reflected a multifaceted religious identity. He was baptised as a Lutheran. His family adopted a second surname and added to his name Bartholdi but Mendelssohn retained his original name. The third Reich homed in on his Jewishness and banned Mendelssohn’s music. We all sat back, relaxed and listened to some of the beautiful pieces he composed. These included the Spring Song – a song without words which was an invention of Mendelssohn’s. The Saltarello from the Italian symphony was a lively energetic piece based on a mediaeval dance. Finally, inspired by his hero Bach and a Swedish opera singer, Jenny Lind, he composed the oratorio “Elijah” premiered in 1846 at the Birmingham festival. This depicted the life of Elijah as recorded in the First and Second Book of Kings.

A really varied programme demonstrating the genius of these two men

Judith Pryke

Senior Singers……

Our U3A Senior Singers group entertained the residents of the Orchards in Brandon on the

18th of February. The residents joined in the singing with enthusiasm and we enjoyed having an audience. Singing, we are told, is good for the body and the mind and our singers always feel better for expanding their lungs at our monthly sessions (the coffee and biscuits go down well too). You don't have to have a wonderful voice to join us, just a liking for singing (even it is just in the shower). We sing a varied assortment of songs from pop to folk to try to suit all tastes and our three guitarists do a great job keeping us in tune. If you are interested in joining us, we meet the third Monday of the month at Waldridge Parish Rooms where you will receive a warm welcome. Contact Frances Hall 07796011219 or Margaret Robertson 07443016665

Photography Group outing to the

Himalayan Garden, Ripon. Pictures by

Trevor Rodger, Robert Berry and Lyn Jones.

Magical place, magical pictures, ideal for a Cestria

U3A outing!!!!!

Cestria U3A at Chester le Street Officials and Committee

2019

Chair: Robert Berry cestriau3achair@gmail.com 0191 389 0702

Treasurer: Tony Morrell cestriau3atreasurer@gmail.com 0747 701 2080

Secretary: Margaret Pescod cestriau3asecretary@gmail.com 0191 388 8340 Group Coordinator: Lyn Cutter lyncutter@yahoo.co.uk 0191 388 7088 Membership: Jean Lloyd jjlloyd45@gmail.com 0191 388 3014 Newsletter: Christine Logan christine_bellerby@hotmail.com 0191 410 4645 Speakers: Margaret Chilver mchilver2@gmail.com 0191 680 1506 Kathleen Atkinson kathleenatkinson23@gmail.com 0191 387 3961 Margaret Bozic margaretbozic@waitrose.com 0191 416 5212 David Easton david.easton@mypostoffice.co.uk 0191 388 0622 Anne Lanigan anne.lanigan@btinternet.com 0191 387 5983 Trevor Rogers rbryncroft@aol.com 0792 145 9551 (Text Only)

Non-Executive Member: Website Co-ordinator: Ray Logan 0191 4104645 raylogan_bellerby@hotmail.com Data Protection Act: the contents of this file are not to be disclosed to third parties.

--oOo--

Cestria U3A at Chester-Le-Street is a Registered Charity no1163334 Cestria U3A (University of the Third Age) is an autonomous, self-help organisation run by the voluntary efforts of its members. It is a member of the Third Age Trust (a Registered Charity) which is its national support and advisory body. The word “university” is used in its original sense of people coming together to share and pursue learning in all its forms. It aims to encourage and enable older people no longer in full-time paid employment to help each other to share their knowledge educational,

cultural, recreational, physical and social.