1TheNewsletter Pagehttp://u3asites.org.uk/carlton-gedling/home

Newsletter

Issue No.79 December 2018

Please note that there will not be a New Members Meeting inDecember. Our next meeting will take place at the

Willowbrook Pubat 10:45 - 11:45 am Thursday 24th January

This is an opportunity for new members, and anyone wishingto find out more about the U3A, to meet and have a chat to

some committee members and group conveners in a smallerless formal setting than the monthly meeting. Coffee is for sale

along with the usual range of beverages.

Our speaker for November was Graham Kealwhose talk had the intriguing title of “TerryWogan’s hair weave and other stories” His longexperience as a show-business journalist has ledto him making contact with many stars of stageand screen, and left him with a wealth ofentertaining stories about his encounters.

In the course of the following hour or so weheard how Eric Morecambe could still make jokesabout Des O’Connor’s audiences from his hospitalbed, and that Ernie Wise considered that Eric hadworked too hard after his recovery (and that youreally couldn’t see the join!). Terry Wogan wasanother interviewee, and it became obvious toGraham that Terry benefited from a hair weave. However he was such a popular and likeablecharacter that no-one ever mentioned it. So we won’t here!

Graham has interviewed principal actors in all the popular soaps despite having no interest infollowing them, apart from Coronation Street of which he had been a fan since childhood, and so hewas delighted with the opportunity to interview Pat Phoenix. As a nine year-old he had briefly met herat an event in his home town of Lincoln and made her laugh, Twenty-five years later he was at a presslaunch for a new series starring Pat and was able to remind her of the event. It was a memorableinterview and Graham remembers how gracious she was to her fans even though her health wasalready failing. A true star.

And then of course there was Crossroads! The production company was always generous with itspromotional events and was accordingly popular with the local press. Graham had a story to tell of hisdisaster strewn attendance at one of these weekends in Birmingham where everything that possiblycould go wrong - did go wrong!

A very entertaining collection of tales from an accomplished raconteur.

Guest Speaker

Nick Clark

2TheNewsletter Page

Could all our members please note that if the weather and driving conditions were bad on the day of aGeneral Meeting, there is a possibility that Richard Herrod, or your U3A Committee, could decide to

cancel the meeting.

If that happened we would post a very obvious notice on the Carlton & Gedling U3A websiteand we would also email all our members, so please check those before setting out from home

If you do not have an email address, you may ring our U3A number 0778 742 7200 and speak to a member of the committee.

Christmas Social Event

Doors open 9:50am - Start at 10:15The Drama Group present

‘‘It’s just another Rehearsal’’Afterwards Rock to our resident band

The A3Us

Mince Pies for all !!!

Next meetingThursday 17th Jan 10:30

SpeakerDr Irfan Malik

“First World War contributionof Dulmial Village, Pakistan.”

NoticesThe Newsletter is

published by The Carlton,Gedling & District U3A.

(Reg. Charity No.1157211)

Views expressed are notnecessarily those of the

U3A or Editor

3TheNewsletter Page

Continued over...

New to our programme is Romeo & Juliet by theMatthew Bourne company, with music by Prokoviev.This is a passionate and contemporary re-imagining ofShakespeare’s classic love story. Confined against theirwill by a society that seeks to divide, our two younglovers must follow their hearts as they risk everything tobe together. See below for a review of the company’smost recent production. We are selling tickets nowbecause it will sell out well before performance day.

The December general meeting is the last chance to buytickets for Daughter of the Regiment. Full of wit and invention, Donizetti’s comic opera is a delight.Orphaned as a small child and raised by an entire army regiment, the spirited Marie has grown up asthe regiment’s ‘daughter’, raising morale and spreading joy. There’s a happy ending, virtue is rewardedand no-one dies......all with lots of glorious singing and music. Our Opera Study Group will have acouple of introductory sessions in February, so join now, if you haven’t already.

Due to demand, we have reserved some extratickets for the ever popular musical CalamityJane. This musical put on by West BridgfordOperatic Society, features the sharpshootingCalamity surrounded by cowboys, townsfolkand the famous Wild Bill Hickok. As ever truelove conquers all for Calamity and Katie in thishilarious comedy which features famousnumbers such as ‘Secret Love’, ‘Black Hills ofDakota’, ‘Deadwood Stage’ and Windy City.Finally, if you have reserved Mack and Mabeltickets, could you please pay in December.Paul Martinez

Theatre Trips on offer:Drama Wonderland on Saturday 9th February, 7.30pm, Nottingham Playhouse (£7.50) OrganiserBasia Arch Sold out. Collect tickets in January.

Musical Calamity Jane 2pm Saturday 23rd February, The Space, Nottingham Girls’ High School(£12.50) Organiser Janet Whitchurch, Sign up and pay for tickets

Opera Daughter of the Regiment, 12 noon, Sunday 3rd March at the Broadway Cinema, Broadcastlive from the New York Metropolitan Opera (£15), Organiser Paul Martinez, Last chance to pay fortickets

Musical Mack and Mabel by Carlton Operatic Society, 2.30pm Wednesday 8th May 2019 TheatreRoyal (£22) Organiser Linda Spencer. Please pay for all tickets reserved

New Ballet Matthew Bourne’s Romeo & Juliet, 2pm Thursday 3rd October 2019, at the TheatreRoyal (£31) Organiser Anne Porter Sign up and pay for tickets

Theatre Visits

4TheNewsletter Page

Theatre ReviewsCharles III, at the Lace Market Theatre

The story of this play is one of constitutionalcrisis.  Following the death of our present Queen,Prince Charles, even before his coronation,comes into conflict with Parliament by refusing tosign a journalism-restricting law.  The new king'sinsistence on his own royal prerogative, leadshim eventually to dissolve Parliament.  Chaos!

The play, only written some four years ago,already seems to be a little out of date.  After all,we know now that, in the speeches leading up tohis 70th birthday, Prince Charles stated that, asKing, he would be a "non-meddler"!  The playalso describes the dilemma facing Prince Harry -was he to be a "royal" or a "rebel"?  We nowknow the answer to that as well, don't we?

King Charles was played by Robert Suttle - hehad a massive script to learn, but cleverlymanaged many of the mannerisms we associatewith Prince Charles.  Much of the play is writtenin blank verse - this is meant to echoShakespeare's great history plays!  (Thanks,Paul, for explaining that!)

Carolyn Broadhurst

The Madness of King George III atNottingham Playhouse

If I start at the end and mention a standingovation for this play, you’ll know to be sure andbook a ticket if it returns. Celebrate being inculture rich Nottingham, as this play was directedby local man Adam Penford and was broadcastlive to an international audience.

The red carpet rolls out in the first of a series ofshort scenes. On come Mr. and Mrs. King andthis pacey start is filled with quips, very AlanBennett, mostly aimed at the Prince Regent. KingGeorge is played dynamically by the wonderfulMike Gatiss, taking us from humour to pathos ashe becomes mentally ill. He is subjected to thebizarre treatments of a variety of doctors, one ofwhom constantly inspects the contents of theroyal chamber pot! It was a brave decision tohave the doctors played by women and it workedwell.

As the Prince Regent is manipulated bypoliticians, he is more than happy to have hispoor father’s symptoms exaggerated by cruel‘remedies’. Not only will he gain power for hisprofligate lifestyle – but revenge is sweet. Thetimeless theme of political power changes andthe treatment of mental health, currently in thespotlight, are two themes that are intelligentlyportrayed.

A series of rapid scene changes could have beenirritating, but the calm colours were always thesame and the changes so swift it just added tothe pacey production. The casting was superbwith special mention of Adrian Scarborough andDebra Gillet. Tragedy? Comedy? It is all there inthis excellent production.

Maggie Martinez

Swan Lake at the Theatre Royal

The last time I saw Swan Lake was in Bristol in1971 and Dame Margot Fonteyn was dancing thelead role. The Matthew Bourne version could nothave been more different, the only similaritybeing the music. Like all great music andliterature it transforms easily to different forms fora new age. From start to finish this ballet fizzedwith energy and creativity. It was whacky, sexy,beautiful passionate and such fun.

I have to admit to feeling a little uncertainwhether I would be always comparing it to theFonteyn one which seemed to me then to be theultimate performance. My memories of balletmale dancers had pretty much been airbrushedout. It seemed they were only there to make thefemale ballerinas and their lovely white dressesmore beautiful. Then of course Rudolf Nureyevappeared on the scene and everything changed(not least for Fonteyn herself). Those male swanswith their rippling muscles and glistening skinwere so agile and exciting. I was glad I hadtaken my bottle of water!

One slight disappointment was that therewas no orchestra but I imagine the costwould be prohibitively high .Still, the musicwas wonderful and as I didn’t have aprogramme I had no idea until the end thatthere was no live orchestra. Totally brilliant andI’m already booked for Romeo and Juliet.

Marianne White

5TheNewsletter Page

Trips and VisitsSECRET BUNKER AND NANTWICH

WEDNESDAY 27TH MARCH 2019Coach leaves Richard Herrod 8.30am and returns from

Nantwich at 4pm

The Nuclear Secret Bunkier in Cheshire has been a militaryinstallation for 80 years. In the 1980s itwas rebuilt as a blast-proofheadquarters to be used in the event ofa nuclear attack. There are myriads of original items of equipment on show andaudio-visual displays to explain how everything worked. Also there is a cinemashowing previously secret films and the largest display of nuclear weapons in Europe,most of which are now safe (only joking).Around lunch time we will move on to Nantwich which is a charming small town withmany timber framed buildings. There are plenty of pubs, cafes and restaurants forthose who want to eat. There are lots of small boutique shops for those who want toshop and it should be market day as well. A free museum will tell you all about theGreat Fire of Nantwich, the origin of Cheshire Cheese and the source of Nantwich'swealth - salt. Finally St Mary's Church is one of the finest medieval churches inCheshire.Price is £24 which includes entry to the bunker and tea or coffee on arrival.

Sue and Noel Lake

Interest GroupsNot a mince pie in sight for our Decembermeeting, just a gathering of keen gardeners whoare ‘resting’ during the winter months. We werepleased that our PA Gary was in attendance to

keep the meeting in order. One of our members organised a horticultural themedquiz and we had a competition to work out the different items hidden in 20 bags.Cranberries and radishes proved the hardest to guess. Our funds stretched tofabulous chocolate prizes which made a change from the usual ‘well done – butthere are no prizes this month!’ Gold medals (chocolate ones from Tesco) werepresented to the members who have helped in the Sensory Garden on Carlton Hill on the secondMonday in the month during 2018. We will start back in the Garden in March 2019 if the weather is goodenough.We have speakers booked for March and May, and Pam is already looking at possibilities for outings inthe Summer. Thank you to all Greenfingers members who have come to meetings in 2018. I lookforward to our new round of first Monday mornings in 2019 starting on 7th January.

Greenfingers

Nicola Dandie

This month’s meetingconsisted of a clinicfor those who needed

help with their projects and a small celebration of theChristmas season. Next month Gill will revise the principlesof lace knitting with a view to building upon this basicinformation.Next meeting 4th Jan, 10:00 - 12:00 at the Fire Station.

Textile CraftsGill & Lynne

Gill & Lynne

6TheNewsletter Page

Thomas HawksleyThis month saw us remain indoors for the first ofour winter meetings. As part of the bicentennialcelebrations of the Institution of Civil Engineerswe were offered a talk by Tony Keyworth on thecelebrated Victorian engineer Thomas Hawksley.

Hawksley was born in Arnold in 1807 andwas largely self-taught from the age of 15onwards - despite his education at NottinghamHigh School - having at that point becomearticled to a local firm of architects under thesupervision of Edward Staveley that alsoundertook a variety of water-related engineeringprojects.

Locally, he remains particularly associatedwith schemes in his home county. He wasengineer to the Nottingham Gas Light and CokeCompany and Nottingham Water SupplyCompany for more than half a century, having,early in his career, completed the groundbreaking Trent Bridge waterworks (1831). Thisscheme delivered Britain's first high pressure'constant supply', preventing contaminationentering the supply of clean water mains.Hefollowed with Park Pump Station on TheRopewalk (still there), Bestwood Pumping Station(recently a Restaurant and Health Club), had a

significantinvolvementwithPapplewickPumpingStation, builtMapperleyReservoir,Belle VueReservoir (bothstill in use),RedhillReservoir (stillin use) andPapplewickReservoirwhich is nolonger in use but can be visited.

Hawksley first rose to national prominence atthe time of the Health of Towns inquiry in 1844.His advocacy of a constant supply of water toconsumers brought him immediate acclaim. Thisapproach led him to be appointed to many majorwater supply projects across England, includingschemes for Liverpool, Sheffield, Leicester,Lincoln, Leeds, Derby, Darlington, Oxford,Cambridge, Sunderland, Wakefield andNorthampton. He also undertook drainageprojects, including schemes for Birmingham,Worcester and Windsor.

In 1852, Hawksley set up his own engineeringpractice in Westminster, London. He was the firstpresident of the Institution of Gas Engineers andManagers (serving for three years from 1863), aFellow of the Royal Society, and was electedPresident of the Institution of Civil Engineers in1871 (a post his son Charles later occupied in1901).He achieved national and international fame forhis work as a designer of Dams and reservoirsand pumped water supply schemes.

Hawksley died In Kensington in 1893 and isburied in Surrey. Thomas Hawksley was the firstof four generations of eminent water engineers,having been followed into the profession by hisson, Charles Hawksley, grandson KennethPhipson Hawksley, and great grandson, ThomasEdwin Hawksley (died 1972). The Institution ofMechanical Engineers still holds an annuallecture in his memory.

This was a fascinating talk on a remarkableman, whose work has saved countless lives overthe last 150+ years.

Our next meeting will be our Christmas socialat the Willowbrook on December 18th at 2pm.January sees the return of the ever-popular BobMassey, who will be talking about pubs and beer.

Graham Palmer

Local History

7TheNewsletter Page

Theatre ReviewsTwenty members met at St. Mary MagdaleneChurch, Newark, having travelled there by train,car or bus. We were greeted by Assistant Verger,Rita, who narrated a comprehensive history of thechurch, and pointing out prominent features.

After a tour of the Nave and Chancel, shehanded us over to John, who told about the LadyChapel, before showing us the Treasury in theCrypt, where the majority of the Church Plate isdisplayed in glass cabinets. We were then givenrefreshments, tea or coffee and a choice ofScones, tarts and cake.

The Crypt is the last visible part of theNorman Church, built in 1180. The lower part ofthe Tower (Early English Style) was erected in1220, in 1330-1350, the Spire was added, as wasthe South Aisle (Decorated Style). 1480 saw theNave and North Aisle finished, although 18 yearslater the Choir and Lady Chapels were rebuilt.From 1510 to 1540 The transepts were built in theTudor Style, along with the Rood Screen, ChoirStalls and Chantry Chapels. A Great Gallery wasadded in the 1760s, but this was removed by SirGilbert Scott, 1853-1855, when he re-ordered theinterior of the church. In 1859 to 1930, variousStained-Glass Windows were placed on three

sides of the church in memorial to various localpeople. In 1979 the Nave Platform wasconstructed to bring the celebration of theEucharist closer to the congregation.During the English Civil War, Newark was aRoyalist town, and was subjected to three siegesby the Parliamentarians, the last one lasting 6months. The town was ordered to surrender byKing Charles, who had by then been captured bythe Scots and handed over to Cromwell. Thechurch was desecrated by the Roundheads,using the Nave as stables for their horses anddestroying anything regarded as Catholic.

Mike JohnsonThis time we hadanother set of newsitems guaranteed to

make the blood boil, despite which we stillmanaged to enjoy the company, the banter andthe refreshments.

We’re all doomed it seems, with our coastlineshrinking due to rising sea levels. By 2080 nearly1.5 million coastal properties will be at risk offlooding.

It also seems that we have to expect less helpfrom the police in fighting crime, several forces inEngland and Wales have downgraded the offenceof driving off without paying for petrol, and will onlyinvestigate if there are aggravating factors. Alsosome forces cannot now regularly investigateburglaries and suggest that you watch out for your

stolen goods turning up on online auction sites.We had two new examples of how we are

being forced into a cashless society, Public toiletsin Bridgnorth no longer have a coin slot but arefitted with contactless card readers, (with a creditcard you can pee now and pay later!) We alsoheard that some cash-strapped councils are nolonger accepting cash or cheques for payments oftaxes or fines. Credit transfer only!

And talking of money a recent report estimatesthat Whitehall has paid out over £1.9 Billion in thelast year in compensations, unrecoverable loansand cancellation of projects.

Never mind, Christmas is coming, nextmeeting we’re planning a seasonal meal togetherand perhaps the grumpiness can be put on theback burner. Tarra 2

Religious Architecture

8TheNewsletter Page

The high point for the group in November wasproviding the musical entertainment for a Tea-party hosted by the local Women’s Institute tocommemorate the end of the First World War.

Our singer, Neil, very ably compèredproceedings by setting the scene for W.W.1. byreminding us what life was like for working folk atthat time, giving the background to the songs wewould play and encouraging a music hall stylesing-a-long. The group played a series of medleys,specially written for the occasion by the group,which combined well-known chorus lines frompopular songs of the period.

I’m pleased to say that the event was a huge success and that the feedback was highlycomplimentary. Charles Cracknell

U3A Tea Dancers DoBlackpool

On 2nd November a group of fifteen U3A Tea Dancers set offfrom the Willowbrook for a week-end in Blackpool to danceat the famous Tower Ballroom.After a pleasant journey, which included a quiz supplied byGeoff Smith, we arrived at the Park House Hotel, situated in

a goodposition onthe sea front.

We hadan enjoyableevening socialising over dinner and then somemembers of the group chose to have a trip to see theilluminations and others took advantage of theentertainment in the hotel.The highlight of the week-end was the trip to the TowerBallroom – an amazing building that was constructed in1894. The ballroom was extremely busy and as anadded extra you could book an afternoon tea at a costof £20 perperson. On

this day they served 700 teas. Maybe so many bookedbecause they knew our party were arriving!

The music was supplied by the famous Wurlitzerorgans. The atmosphere was very friendly and we had theopportunity to try out our dance moves in the mecca ofballroom dancing.Saturday evening was spent discussing the afternoonevents and on Sunday morning we left at 10 o’clock,arriving back after a good journey to the Willowbrook at2:30pm.

As we left, everyone said it was a great week-end andwe heard comments of ‘Can we do it again next year?’

Hazel and John Hartstone

Tea Dancing

Making Music for Fun

9TheNewsletter Page

Nuthatch

November’s meeting was the second half ofour look at some of the Great Women the worldhas known.

The presentation on Bess of Hardwick wasaptly named “4 Weddings, 4 Funerals” to reflecthow this lady gained wealth and status. We wereleft curious about the ‘dirty doings’ during hertime guarding Mary Queen of Scots, and awed byher building of the new Hardwick Hall – moreglass than wall.

Eleanor of Aquitaine, another feisty lady,was our second presentation. She was wife to 2kings, mother to 2 kings (Richard the Lionheartand John) and mother to the Queen of Spain.She packed a lot into her 83 years.

Going back further in time we looked atIsabella of Castille – very much a ruler, Isabellabrought Castille out of corruption and into amodern and tightly run state. Her 7 children,including Catherine of Aragon, were married intoroyal families across Europe and by sponsoringColombus’ travels she essentially founded theSpanish Empire.

Mary Anning – living in Lyme Regis. Mary wastaken to the beach by her father from a very youngage on a daily bases to look for “curiosities” – theseproved to be the rocks that they split open to revealfossils (not recognised as such in those days). Herfascinating life, story including the discovery of andrecognition of many dinosaur fossils, and herassociation with geologists of the time led to thesetting up of the science of Paleontology. In 2010 shewas included in the Royal Society’s list of the tenBritish women who have most influenced the history ofscience.

We finished the session with two women frommore recent times. Dorothy Lawrence travelled toFrance in 1915 hoping to become a journalist.Thwarted at every turn for being a women she went toextreme lengths to turn herself into Private DennisSmith – a role that she only held for 10 ten days aspoor health (in war conditions) caused her to handherself over to the British Authorities. Treated as aspy, and then censored by the war office for speakingand writing of her experiences, poor Dorothy spent herlife in mental institutions.And lastly a brief mention of Helen Sharmer, the firstBritish astronaut just to prove that new generationsare also producing more “Great Women”. Our firstmeeting of the New Year is 7th January 2pm, Richard

Herrod. Please see the calendar for details of our 2019 programme of meetings.

Bess of Hardwick

Mary Anning

Lynne Jaremczenko

History Group

10TheNewsletter Page

Avocet

ELVASTON CASTLE AND COUNTRY PARK

This is an extensive country park, well-signposted off the A52 and really enjoyable to visit,especially in the autumn, when the vast array of trees look magnificent, and there is plentyto see, even if birds prove elusive. Thirteen of us met up with our binoculars and rainwear-which we didn’t need. We were missing a couple of regular attendees, due to last-minute

car problems and our guru, Rob, who is an expert and a patient teacher, was also absent, but hadthoughtfully sent in a list of what we should look out for and where we were most likely to spot thebirds.

Between us, we managed to identify a good range and special mention has to be made of thenumber of redwings helpfully perched on the very top of a particular tree-easy to see and admire, butup so high our necks ached from craning upwards. The best spots have to be a kingfisher, that onelucky person caught a glimpse of, a kestrelperched close by, a greater spottedwoodpecker and nuthatches, but we also sawthrushes, long tailed tits, black headed gullsand mallards aplenty.

Bird-watching is a calm, cooperativepastime, a chance to get out and appreciatenature, both close to home and further afieldand we welcome newcomers. Take a goodlook at the photo on the right. Can you identifythe species?

Next meeting: Friday 14th December,minibus trip to Carsington Waters (sold out) Leave from Richard Herrod Centre at 9 o’clock.

Nuala Leyden

This month we were to find poems by poets whose names began with the letter "F". Dear Reader, doesanyone spring to to your mind? However, as usual our members came up trumps with Messrs. Fuller,Fielding, Fenton and Frost amongst others. One poem was by a Notts schoolboy whose name I forgetbut whose efforts to "get-a-rhyme-at-the-end-of-the-line" at all costs can only be described as heroic.Thanks Ian for that one.Our poet's subjects ranged from the thoughts of a man who threw his life in a skip to the Rubaiyat ofOmar Kayyam. Omar got in by virtue of his translator Edward Fitzgerald.In January we will start the New Year with something to cheer us up. Any funny, cheerful or downrightsilly poem will be welcome and shared. Irene Battershall

Table tennis is goingwell with several newmembers joining. We

are always looking for new members. No experiencenecessary and we play in the best facility in the EastMidlands. Plenty of tables and all equipment provided.

I am looking to start a beginners group. If anyone isinterested please let me know. You can find my details onthe web site

Andrea Stockdale

Bird Watching

Poetry Group

Table Tennis

11TheNewsletter Page

The Group made its way to Wollaton Park on avery sunny Tuesday morning. On arrivaleveryone was given a treasure hunt check list ona variety of subjects to be photographed as wewandered around the hall, gardens, grounds,

lake and various other places of interest.Wollaton Hall is an Elizabethan countryhouse of the 1580s standing on a small but

prominent hill in Wollaton Park, Nottingham.Wollaton Hall was built between 1580 and1588 for Sir Francis Willoughby and is believed

to be designed by the Elizabethan architectRobert Smythson. The building consists of acentral block dominated by a hall three storeyshigh, with a stone screen at one end andgalleries at either end, with the "Prospect Room"above that. From this there are extensive viewsof the park and surrounding country. There aretowers at each corner, projecting out from thistop floor. At each corner of the house is a square

pavilion of three storeys, with decorative featuresrising above the roof line. Much of the basementstorey is cut from the rock the house sits on.The Hall remained in the possession of theWilloughby family until 1925 when it waspurchased from the 11th Baron Middleton byNottingham City Council and opened as amuseum where it remains today. The propertyhas been used as a film location for ChristopherNolan's Batman trilogy of films, featuringas Wayne Manor, then later in Batman Beginsand The Dark Night Rises.For anyone living in or around NottinghamWollaton Hall is well worth the visit.

Frank Newton

Ollerton and Walesby

November's walk took 11 Striders through post- industrial areas ofOllerton (the reclaimed pit bank), open countryside, ancientwoodland, alongside a river (the Maun) and finally into a delightfulVictorian village (old Ollerton).Not even a large seasonal lake blocking the path put them offalthough they did refuse to wade across it.

December's walk will be a local one. Less than 7 miles.Meet as usual, 9 am Ranmoor Road car park, on the 27th

Striders

Keith Sherratt

Photography Group

12TheNewsletter Page

Bonjour.Over in France they were at it again. WorldwideTV coverage showed tens of thousands of "giletsjaune" (yellow gilets) left and right wing rioterscausing mayhem in Paris. I think their motto mustcome from Harry Hill "Fight" or "If you don`t agreetake to the streets then smash it or burn it". Thistime the protesters were demonstrating againstproposed fuel price increases, which must haveworked because since then Prime MinisterEdouard Philipe has postponed them. Meanwhile"Mister Macaroon`s" popularity continues to fall.Believe me though, out in the peacefulcountryside it`s still a beautiful country tovisit.

Last week back home in the muchquieter and peaceful surroundings of

Mapperley Golf Club, the group enjoyed their third"Soiree Buffet". Thirty, made up of fifteenmembers, which is nearly the whole group, andtheir invited guests, mainly from C & G, had areally smashing evening. Super food, good wineand a great atmosphere, all preceded with a glassof champagne and canapes on arrival.You can see how much it was enjoyed, just countthe empty bottles on the tables !Meanwhile we close in December and reflect onthe past year`s massive strides the whole grouphas made to speak French. Bravo `FrenchConversation`. If you`d like to join us please get in

touch. You`ll be made most welcome.Joyeux Noel et Bonne Annee.

A bientot - Brian

French Conversation

13TheNewsletter Page

Sometimes the discussions in our small group are toopersonal to be reported on - such as last month when wetalked about assisted living v assisted dying. It exhibitsthe level of trust and respect that we have in each other.

That also means that we can have opposing views on a wide range of subjects and still remain friends. Ofcourse we also talk about some daft subjects – what superhero trait would you choose – which actuallybecame in reality what would you do to put the world to rights if you had a superpower. We do try everymonth to try and fix the world’s problems and try not to despair that we cannot.This month the main topic was “are security cameras an invasion of our privacy?” – am I the only person tobe astonished that the UK has more cameras on our streets than all but one other country? The generalanswer in the debate was “if you’ve nothing to hide …..”We have a challenging new set of topics to discuss in 2019 – January is Room 101, and then “Is SpaceExploration a waste of time and money?” followed in March by “Does Fair Trade hold back the developingworld?”Just because we are a small and intimate group doesn’t mean that there is no place for you – if you would like to join us you would be very welcome.

Lynne Jaremczenko 07771801957

Water conservation Do we need to shower every day?Not just grouching, lots of action points made by the 36 GGs onthis subject. A quick shower uses much less than a bath and

Severn Trent give out timers to encourage this. You could even direct your waste water to awater butt connected to the outlet pipe. Too much showering dries your skin, so depending onweather and activity, a good wash down is fine. We don’t sweat so much now we’re older and

wearing natural fibres helps us to stay fresh. We should turn off taps when cleaning our teeth,and if we see them left running in public loos. Water meters would help, but so would the

water companies mending the leaks!

School children who don’t offer us wrinklies a seat on the bus. - Ooh we didget a bit worked up! After moaning about youngsters today having no manners, we concededthat even we were known to behave differently when our parents weren’t around! Kids behaveworse when in groups but if spoken to politely will move that school bag to let you sit down. Wedon’t like the swearing and many of us avoid school bus times. What about the adults who useseats for disabled? Some foreigners have cultural differences over queuing but more likely tooffer seats to oldies.

Are skin creams value for money or should we learn to love our wrinkles? Consensusseems to be that expensive creams no better than the cheap ones and many GGbeauties like Nivea and Aldi. Expensive creams have a tiny quantity in lots ofpackaging. We know that the adverts’ claims are unreal and a lot of money made bypharmaceuticals, but we like to have the confidence of looking our best. TOP TIPS!Try Anusol to reduce those bags under your eyes and feel better about your wrinklesby getting a pug dog. Wrinkles are life and we’re more likely to be offered a seat if wegrow old gracefully!

All welcome to Grouchy Girls- just turn up!Maggie Martinez

Are you interested in being a 'calmer you' and alsohaving the benefits of some gentle exercise to start

the New Year, why not come along to a Tai Chi session at the RichardHerrod Centre in the main hall on 3rd January 2019 (or the first Thursday ofsubsequent months). Joy Parsons takes the class and she is very experienced.For the very reasonable price of £3 you can have a 50 min session as a beginner,however if you're more experienced 1hr 15 mins is only £3.50. Water is provided.Just wear some comfortable clothing and flat shoes and come along for apunctual start at 10.00 am, you'll be very welcome.

Discussion Group

Grouchy Girls

Tai Chi

Sally Bailey (Convenor)

14TheNewsletter Page

A circular walk around SouthwellParking near the Old Mill in Southwell the walkersset off on the Southwell Trail along the line of theformer railway that ran from Rolleston to Mansfield.The track was lifted in 1969 and is now a CountyCouncil “multi user track”At Maythorne Cottages the group crossed the mainroad into Norwood Park golf club. On reaching thefruit farm (worth a visit) the walk took the group overthe brow of the hill, between the polytunnels anddown to Hallam road, towards Southwell , past thesite of The Merryweather Nursery, cultivators of theBramley apple, the Merryweather Damson and theSouthwell Redcurrant. The walk continued throughthe town, past The Minster to follow along thecourse of Potters Dyke and back onto theSouthwell Trail. A riverside walk lead back to the carpark and lunch.Despite the damp weather it was an enjoyable and fairly easy walk with plenty of variety.

ArmisticeMichael presented us with a programme of music, some well known and some new to a large sectionof his audience ,which used violent martial themes, nationalism and peace to illustrate the title ofArmistice.An appropriate opening was from Sir Edward Elgar’s “Variations on a original theme”. The Nimrodvariation is heard at the Armistice day remembrance celebrations across the land in military andreligious settings.Following on was Beethoven’s opus 91, “Wellingtons victory at the battle of Vittoria”. This was farremoved from the calm and peace of Nimrod. Nationalist and triumphalist to the core, the orchestrationwas at times more a battle reconstruction than a musical offering.The opening of Beethoven’s symphony No 5 with it’s familiar “Knocking of fate” motif .kept the martialtheme moving forward, ably supported by Shostakovich’s “The assault on beautiful Gorky” from thesuite “The unforgettable year 1919”.There then followed a complete change of mood with Gorecki’s “Symphony of sorrowful songs”(Symphony No 3). Of all the music presented this had the most profound effect, especially as Michaelhad provided us with the libretto in English. From a composer better known to many of us for his early

Webernian, avant guard music thiscomposition from 1976 seemed a “Road toDamascus” conversion.Soon we were back on the more traditionalof war and peace with Tchaikovsky’s 1812overture celebrating with nationalist themes,church bells and cannon fire the defeat ofNapoleon by the Russians at the battle ofBorodino. More warfare followed with the 7thsymphony of Shostakovich, “The siege ofLenningrad” composed during the bitterfighting in 1941.The presentation concluded with JohnWilliams’ “Hymn to the fallen” from the filmscore of “Saving Private Ryan”. Not strictly inthe canon of classical music but a fitting endto Armistice

Classical Music

David DobbsDmitri Shostakovitch

5 Miles and a Cup of Tea

Christine Cracknell

15TheNewsletter Page

The theme this time was “occasion”.The first author wrote of a slightly deaf ladyworking in a cake shop, having difficultieswhen Mr Beckham ordered a cake forBrooklyn.The second author wrote abeautifully descriptive accountof a young Jewish girl making

preparations for her forthcoming wedding.The third author wrote of an expected homecoming of father at the end of World War I, twodisappointments and the final joy of his arrival.The fourth author wrote of a retirement party,

remembrances of other colleagues who hadleft and since passed away, and the usual

gift of a clock.Come and tell us your story, the day

after the general meeting, in thebar of the Richard Herrod centreat 2pm. The theme is “sloth”.

Here is a list of the books read by ourmembers before our last meeting withtheir review comments.

The Light Years by Elizabeth Jane Howard. It is the first of the Cazalet Novels of which there are five.William Cazalet is married to Kitty Barlow, known as ”the Duchy”. They have 3 sons Hugh, Edward and Rupertand a daughter named Rachel. Concentrating on the years of the First World War, a rich family getting gearedup to the war. - A good read.

The Town in Bloom by Dodie Smith is about Molly bluffing her way through becoming an Actress at TheCrossway Theatre – a light read.

The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry – set in a Mental Hospital in Ireland. Roseanne is 100 years oldwriting her story. The Doctor in charge is Dr. Greene and he has to assess Roseanne to see if she can go intoa new home that they are building when Mental Hospitals were closing in the 1980’s. - A good read, but sad.

House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz - about Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson – I thoroughly enjoyed it.The Hope That Kills by Ed James. A D.I. Fenchurch Novel about a Murder of someone who had no ID. -

Informative.Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn – reader would not recommend it.Eleanor Oliophant is Completely Fine. By Gail Honeyman - I can’t wait to read it. Everyone said its

brilliant. I got my copy from Asda for £4.The Golden Crucifix by Joyce Lionarons. A detective story set in 1297. We are told a sumptuous recipe

by this book involving salmon with blackberries and toasted cubes of bread .Chalkman by C J Tudor, a “whodunit”. If you like Stephen King you’ll like this, A chilling story.The Girl Who Saw Eye to Eye by David Langercrantz. This reader enjoyed it but Amazon reviews not

good. This is a continuation of the Steif Larsson novels following the exploits of Lisbeth Salander.The Outcast of Time by Ian Mortimer. Researched well. This is a fictional novel about two brothers who

make a pact with the devil.Dead Man’s Walk by Larry McMurty. He also wrote Lonesome Dove which was serialized on TV starring

Ian McShane. It follows Woodrow Call and Gus McCrae as young men in the Texas Rangers.Enduring Love by Ian McEwan - exciting thriller - couldn’t put it down. About Hot Air Balloon accident,

characters well written and interesting.Found Wanting by Robert Goddard. A thriller about Anastasia set in Copenhagen - well researched and

possibility the author knows Copenhagen well.Trying to Save Piggy Sneed by John Irving. A really good recommendation - best book, not long.

American author - quirky - “laugh out loud” - six scintillating stories.Tombland by C J Sansom. The book is set in the reign of Henry VIII. The Sargeant at Law is Matthew

Shardlake. He is caught up in the Kett uprising protesting against land enclosures At the end of the book thereis a historical essay about the Kett uprising. The author has the knack of combining fact and fiction together.

The Trouble with Goats and Sheep by Joanna Cannon - a woman goes missing from a suburban avenue. A lot of curtain twitching – brings 1960/1970’s back to life. It jumps about a bit, but as the hot summer slowlymelts away the belief thing gets back to normal.

The Little Children by Donna Leon . A detective story set in Venice in recent times - Police Force andlaws quite interesting and memories if you have been to Venice.

Sapphire Widow by Dinah Jeffries – light read – love and betrayal.I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes - first book – the reader couldn’t put it down, and this was possibly the most

discussed book – a gripping novel. Pilgrim is the code name for a man who doesn’t exist.

Next meet is the first Thursday in January.

Tabby

Alternative Book Club

Creative Writing

Gwyneth Robey

16TheNewsletter Page

This month we visited anold friend from school days;Charles Dickens. He is

recognised as one of our greatest writers and a master ofdescriptions and social satire.

A Tale of Two Cities, has few characters, but is apowerful historical story set in London and Paris, beforeand during the French Revolution. As a synopsis of part ofthe book, Dickens relates the poverty of the masses andhow their lives were being strained by taxes …. “the taxfor the state, the tax for the church, the tax for the lord, taxlocal and tax general, were to be paid here and to be paidthere, according to solemn inscriptions in the little village,until the wonder was, that there was any village leftunswallowed.” Not only was there exploitation of thepeasants, they were held in contempt, by many of theAristocrats who considered and treated them asworthless.

One in particular was the Marquis St Evremonde, whowhile speeding in his coach through the village, runs overand kills a child. He shows no pity and throws a coin atthe father Gaspard, as compensation for the child’s life. Inretaliation, the father hides under the coach and murdersthe Marquis. He is later caught and hung by the local wellin view of the villagers. The undercurrent of anger againstthe ruling class and the years of injustices spent upon thepeasants, sparks off the French Revolution. The followingyears of sending anyone and everyone connected toAristocracy to ‘Madame Guillotine’ demonstrated how the oppressed can become the oppressors.

Whilst there was some criticism of the novel, considering it lacked strong characters and containedcloying sentimentality, most enjoyed the book and recognised the skill of Dickens as a writer.

Book Club

Jean Berry

Craft GroupFace Flannel Animals

17TheNewsletter Page

Time Group Meet at Details Contact10 Mon 10:00 Classical Music St. A member's house Classical Xmas Crackers David on 0115 955 472610 Mon 10:00 French Conv. Mapperley Golf Club Brian on 0115 926 505310 Mon 14:00 Tea Dancing Richard Herrod Helen on 0115 955 472310 Mon 16:00 Drama Carlton Fire Station Pat on 0791 866 532210 Mon 18:30 Wine Lovers 2 Burton Road C.C. BYO wine and food Paul on 0115 955 928511 Tue 09:45 Photography Carlton Fire Station This year's pictures Frank 0771198523111 Tue 10:30 Grouchy Girls The Willowbrook Maggie on 0115 955 928511 Tue 14:00 Canasta The Willowbrook Lynne on 0777 180 195711 Tue 14:30 Poetry Apprec. A member's house Rene on 0115 841 848112 Wed 10:00 Music for Fun Netherfield Baptist Charles on 0115 915 752512 Wed 14:00 Bridge and Whist The Willowbrook Ken on 0115 956 278012 Wed 14:00 Scrabble The Willowbrook Lynne on 0777 180 195713 Thu 09:30 Cycling For Fun 50 Willow Road Ride to Screveton Tom on 0780 094 939613 Thu 11:00 Coffee Morning Top Spot Club Maggie on 0115 955 928513 Thu 12:00 Religious Arch. The Pitcher and Piano Christmas Lunch Mike on 0794 991 024113 Thu 12:00 Ten Pin Bowling MFA Bowl Brenda on 0115 962 575713 Thu 13:00 Art Appreciation Christine on 0115 953 672513 Thu 13:30 Art Gedling Road Meth. Christine on 0115 915 752514 Fri 09:00 Bird Watching Richard Herrod Trip to Carsington Water Nuala on 0115 960 852514 Fri 10:00 Singing for Pleas. St Georges Centre Allan on 0115 911 304514 Fri 11:30 Grumpy Old Men The Willowbrook Ian on 0115 911 468114 Fri 13:00 Crafts Carlton Fire Station Fuddle for both Craft groups Rofie on 0115 955 447114 Fri 16:00 Table Tennis C-le-W Academy Andrea on 0752 709 032415 Sat 09:30 Cycling For Fun Meet at 50 Willow Road, Carlton Tom on 0780 094 939615 Sat 14:30 Theatre Lace Market Theatre Hound of the Baskervilles Janet on 0115 840073316 Sun 12:00 Opera/Theatre Broadway Cinema La Traviata Broadcast Paul on 0115 955 928517 Mon 10:00 Sewing Carlton Fire Station Note change of date Pam on 0115 926 002617 Mon 10:30 Family History Richard Herrod Brenda on 0774 201 748217 Mon 14:00 Geography Study Richard Herrod Social Sue on 0115 940422117 Mon 16:00 Drama Carlton Fire Station Pat on 0791 866 532217 Mon 18:30 Wine Lovers 4 Age Concern BYO wine and food Steve on 0784 111 143518 Tue 09:30 5 Miles + tea Ranmoor Road Lambley walk Christine on 0115 915 752518 Tue 14:00 Local History The Willowbrook Christmas social Graham on 0115 956 179119 Wed 10:00 Singing for Pleas. Netherfield Baptist Allan on 0115 911 304519 Wed 14:00 Bridge and Whist The Willowbrook Ken on 0115 956 278019 Wed 14:00 Scrabble The Willowbrook Lynne on 0777 180 195720 Thu 10:15 General Meeting Richard Herrod Social: note new start time Tom on 0780 094 939621 Fri 10:00 Science Richard Herrod Bees - what they do Steve on 0784 111 143521 Fri 16:00 Table Tennis C-le-W Academy Andrea on 0752 709 032422 Sat 09:30 Cycling For Fun Meet at 50 Willow Road, Carlton Tom on 0780 094 939622 Sat 17:00 Theatre Royal Concert Hall Family Carol Concert Carolyn on 0115 952 420327 Thu 09:00 Striders Walking Ranmoor Road Local walk Brian on 0115 956 767029 Sat 09:30 Cycling For Fun Meet at 50 Willow Road, Carlton Tom on 0780 094 9396

2 Wed 14:00 Bridge and Whist The Willowbrook Ken on 0115 956 27802 Wed 14:00 Scrabble The Willowbrook Lynne on 0777 180 19573 Thu 10:00 Tai Chi Richard Herrod Sally on 0778 754 11454 Fri 10:15 Textile Crafts Carlton Fire Station Lynne on 0777 180 19574 Fri 14:00 Canasta The Willowbrook Lynne on 0777 180 19575 Sat 09:30 Cycling For Fun Meet at 50 Willow Road, Carlton Tom on 0780 094 93966 Sun Deadline for January newsletter submissions Nick on 0115 987 2594

Carlton & Gedling U3A Diary: DECEMBER 2018

Date

JANUARY 2019

18TheNewsletter Page

Time Group Meet at Details Contact7 Mon 10:30 Greenfingers Gedling Road Meth. Nicola on 0115 940 15077 Mon 14:00 Committee Meeting Richard Herrod Tom on 0780 094 93967 Mon 14:00 History Study Richard Herrod On This Day Lynne on 077718019577 Mon 14:00 Tea Dancing Richard Herrod Helen on 0115 955 47238 Tue 10:00 Photography Carlton Fire Station Frank 077119852318 Tue 10:30 Grouchy Girls The Willowbrook Maggie on 0115 955 92858 Tue 14:00 Book Club Carlton Fire Station Readers' Choices Maggie on 0115 952 31858 Tue 14:00 Canasta The Willowbrook Lynne on 0777 180 19578 Tue 16:30 Indoor Bowls Richard Herrod Note change of date Mick on 0115 987 42399 Wed 10:00 Music for Fun Netherfield Baptist Charles on 0115 915 75259 Wed 14:00 Bridge and Whist The Willowbrook Ken on 0115 956 27809 Wed 14:00 Scrabble The Willowbrook Lynne on 0777 180 1957

10 Thu 09:30 Cycling For Fun Meet at 50 Willow Road, Carlton Tom on 0780 094 939610 Thu 11:00 Coffee Morning Top Spot Club Maggie on 0115 955 928510 Thu 12:00 Ten Pin Bowling MFA Bowl Brenda on 0115 962 575711 Fri 09:30 Bird Watching Richard Herrod Visit to Gedling Country Pk Nuala on 0115 960 852511 Fri 10:00 Singing for Pleas. St Georges Centre Allan on 0115 911 304511 Fri 11:30 Grumpy Old Men The Willowbrook Ian on 0115 911 468111 Fri 13:00 Crafts Friday Carlton Fire Station Kusadama folded paper flowers Rofie on 0115 955 447111 Fri 16:00 Table Tennis C-le-W Academy Andrea on 0752 709 032412 Sat 09:30 Cycling For Fun Meet at 50 Willow Road, Carlton Tom on 0780 094 939614 Mon 10:00 Classical Music St. A member's house Vienna to Vict'n Dining Rooms David on 0115 955 472614 Mon 18:30 Wine Lovers 2 Burton Road C.C. Rose wines Paul on 0115 955 928515 Tue 14:00 Local History Richard Herrod Bob Massey: Pints and Pubs Graham on 0115 956 179116 Wed 10:00 Singing for Pleas. Netherfield Baptist Allan on 0115 911 304516 Wed 14:00 Bridge and Whist The Willowbrook Ken on 0115 956 278016 Wed 14:00 Scrabble The Willowbrook Lynne on 0777 180 195717 Thu 10:30 General Meeting Richard Herrod Dr Malik: WW1 in Pakistan Tom on 0780 094 939618 Fri 16:00 Table Tennis C-le-W Academy Andrea on 0752 709 032419 Sat 09:30 Cycling For Fun Meet at 50 Willow Road, Carlton Tom on 0780 094 939621 Mon 10:30 Family History Richard Herrod Brenda on 0774 201 748221 Mon 14:00 Committee Meeting Richard Herrod Tom on 0780 094 939621 Mon 14:00 Geography Study Venue to be advised Sue on 0115 940422121 Mon 14:00 Tea Dancing Richard Herrod Helen on 0115 955 472321 Mon 16:15 Drama Carlton Fire Station Drama discussion & readings Pat on 0791 866 532223 Wed 10:00 Music for Fun Netherfield Baptist Charles on 0115 915 752523 Wed 14:00 Bridge and Whist The Willowbrook Ken on 0115 956 278023 Wed 14:00 Scrabble The Willowbrook Lynne on 0777 180 195724 Thu 10:45 New Members The Willowbrook Sally on 0778 754 114524 Thu 11:00 Coffee Morning Top Spot Club Maggie on 0115 955 928524 Thu 13:00 Crafts Thursday Carlton Fire Station Kusadama folded paper flowers Rofie on 0115 955 447125 Fri 10:00 Singing for Pleas. St Georges Centre Allan on 0115 911 304525 Fri 14:00 Canasta The Willowbrook Lynne on 0777 180 195725 Fri 16:00 Table Tennis C-le-W Academy Andrea on 0752 709 032426 Sat 09:30 Cycling For Fun Meet at 50 Willow Road, Carlton Tom on 0780 094 939628 Mon 10:00 Sewing Carlton Fire Station Pam on 0115 926 002628 Mon 10:30 Discussion A member's house Room 101 Lynne on 0777 180 195728 Mon 18:30 Wine Lovers 4 Age Concern Rose wines Steve on 0784 111 143529 Tue 14:00 Canasta The Willowbrook Lynne on 0777 180 195729 Tue 14:00 Music Apprec. Richard Herrod Dances Eric on 0115 952 375730 Wed 14:00 Scrabble The Willowbrook Lynne on 0777 180 1957

Date

Carlton & Gedling U3A Diary: JANUARY 2019