solo sundays · hertfordshire, some with over 20 players/singers, and we were the second group to...
TRANSCRIPT
NO.18 MAY 2018
R O Y S T O N
www.u3asites.org.uk/royston
Spring is
here and
the days
are getting
longer
again so
to keep
Inside this issue:
Chairman’s message Solo Sundays group Ukulele group
1 1 1
March meeting April meeting
2 2
Gardening group Wine Appreciation group
3 3
History group Book Club 1 Current Affairs group
3&4 4 4
Events & Outings
Dates for your diary
Guide to Interest Groups
5 5 5
Interest Groups Contacts
Royston U3A Committee
6
6
A lot of behind
the scenes activity has
been going on lately. We
are planning to start a
Film group, a Golf Croquet
group and a Quiz group.
Details will be posted on
our website when finalised.
I am pleased to say that the recently formed Solo Sundays group has proved extremely popular. Twenty- eight members participated in the first lunchtime get-together. The next Solo Sunday lunch will be in mid-May and I hope it will be another huge success.
A reminder that all Events & Outings not part of an interest group are open to the entire membership with information about them published on the website and announced at monthly meetings. Members with-out web access, who have provided me with stamps, will continue to receive the information by post.
I hope you keep enjoying what your membership has to offer.
Jackie Gellert Chairman
Strumming along in the spotlight There were more than 20 other groups from all over Hertfordshire, some with over 20 players/singers, and we were the second group to perform on stage.
We played and sang Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da followed by Don't Think Twice, Top Of The World, Sailing and This Land Is Your Land. We received
We suspected that the chance to enjoy a weekend lunch out in good company would prove popular – and the first Solo Sunday outing exceeded expectations! Within days of being set up group leader Marion Sweet had been contacted by almost 40 members, and 28 sat down together for their first monthly lunch at Bury Lane Café in Melbourn. “Judging from the noise level, there was plenty of chatting and laughter as some people who knew each other renewed their acquaintance, and others introduced themselves to new friends,” said Marion.
resounding applause and left the stage with big grins on our faces.
The Ukulele group practice every Tuesday at 12 noon at the Coombes Community Centre and would love some more ukulele players/ singers to boost our numbers.
A good used ukulele can be obtained for about £30 and we can do some coaching to help you learn. A uke only has four strings and eight months ago when we started some of us, including myself, had never played any instrument before.
If you would like to join us for a lot of fun with the bonus of learning to play a lovely instrument please contact John Bishop on 01763 246703 or [email protected]
Solo Sundays - a success
The group meets on the second Sunday of the month and the next lunch will be at 12 noon on May 13 at the Pig and Abbot in Abington Piggots. Lifts can be arranged for members who don’t have transport. If you would like to join this new and sociable group, contact Marion Sweet on 01763 273806 or 07754 189911 or [email protected]
The group is exclusively for single people to enjoy a Sunday lunch in the company of other solos, choosing various restau-rants around the area. All the feedback has been positive and several members have emailed Marion saying how much they enjoyed it, thanking her for organising it and looking forward to the next lunch. “Everybody thanked me on the day and a couple of ladies gave me some flowers. That was really lovely and it made it all worthwhile,” said Marion.
Royston Ukulele group’s first public appearance at Rickmansworth U3A Ukefest was a resounding success writes group leader John Bishop.
This was our first gig in front of an audience of over 300 people and as you can imagine the eight of us were somewhat nervous but we did ourselves proud.
Members Paul Cunningham and Tim Shepherd
at Rickmansworth U3A Ukefest
ROYSTON U3A NEWS I MAY 2018 www.u3asites.org.uk/royston
PAGE 2
The history of the world’s most travelled document
He described how the actions of conspirators attempting to assassinate the French emperor Napoleon III in 1858 brought about a change in previously lax passport reg-ulations. The repercussions and the fact that the plot was hatched in England also led to the downfall of the British government.
The arrest of a German agent using an American passport to spy on British naval bases during the First World War led to the introduction of photographs in passports. And William Joyce, the infamous Lord Haw-Haw who broadcast Nazi propaganda, was actually born in the United States and fraudulently obtained a British passport while he was at university. Unfortu-nately for him that cut no ice with the British court at his trial. “The misuse of passports brought down the govern-ment of the day, led to the introduction of photographs and killed a man who should never have had one in the first place,” said Martin. ”Makes you think doesn’t it?”
We will look at our passports in a new light after hearing Martin Lloyd’s dramatic account of how they have been misused by assassins, traitors and spies. Author of 11 books, Martin drew on his years of experience working in the immigration service to give a unique perspective on the role passports have played in the course of history.
‘the infamous Lord Haw-Haw
was actually born in the
United States and fraudulently
obtained a British passport’
Stepping off the beaten track in Secret London London’s smallest police station was in a hollowed out lamp-post in Trafalgar Square and is now used as a broom cupboard.
The Victorian London Necropolis Company had its own terminus and special funeral trains to transport bodies to Woking cemetery.
“London is fascinating,” said Mike. “There’s so much culture and history. Above all it’s the sheer variety - the people, the buildings and the languages that make up one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world.” *In case you missed the meeting, Sloane Square is the underground station, there are 1,600 gas lamps, and the Second World War stretchers are used as garden fencing at locations all over the city.
Where can you find a river flowing above an under-ground station platform? How many original gas lamps are still in London? What are hundreds of wartime stretchers being used for today?* Fascinating facts about one of the greatest cities on earth were revealed by Mike Beech to a packed March meeting. Mike seeks out the unusual and eccentric by exploring unknown and surprising
‘London is one of
the most cosmopolitan
cities in the world’
aspects of London. We discovered that:
The most ancient outdoor statue turns out to be not Cleopatra’s Needle but the Egyptian lion goddess Sekhmet over the entrance to Sotheby’s in New Bond Street.
Mike Beech with members
Patricia Lee and George Bennett
Martin Lloyd
signing a copy
of his book for
member
Adrian Insall
‘Ready
ROYSTON U3A NEWS I MAY 2018 www.u3asites.org.uk/royston
PAGE 3
The history of herb growing
Wine appreciation uncorked again
A packed hall of plant lovers and garden enthusi-asts were treated to a fascinating and interesting talk from Zsuzsa Serer from Herbal Haven Nurseries near Saffron Walden.
Herbal Haven grow over 150 varieties of culinary, medicinal and aromatic herbs and Zsuzsa gave us a highly knowledgeable insight into the history and many uses of herbs today.
Zsuzsa explained the individual qualities of herbs, not just to enhance flavour but also their medicinal properties for all kinds of ailments. She also gave us tips on the best way to grow our own herbs.
We all learnt something new and went home full of enthusiasm to try out many popular and lesser known varieties, maybe planting up our own herbal container for a sunny corner of the garden easily accessible to use in our own kitchens and recipes.
Karen Heaton
We knew some very well that are easily obtainable from supermarkets and nurseries to use mainly in cooking. She also introduced us to lesser known varieties of herbs with samples for us to try which we enjoyed tasting - some we liked but others, members were not quite sure about!
After several dry months, metaphorically speaking, the wine buffs of Royston U3A’s Wine Appreciation groups 1 & 2 can finally get ready to replenish the empty spaces in their wine racks.
Until December last year wine appreciation sessions took place each month at The Old Barn. When Gil Riggans, our wine expert, decided to leave Corney & Barrow to join The Wine Society we had hoped he would be able to continue our wine appreciation
sessions after settling into his new position.
After many phone calls and emails, it appears that The Wine Society are not able to accommodate us.
Consequently, wine group members have been suffering an enforced ‘dry’ period akin to Prohibition in the US in the1920’s.
Discussions have taken place with Corney & Barrow and after a little persuasion, they have agreed to resume our wine tasting sessions but
require us to combine our two wine groups into one larger group which will meet monthly. The new larger group will now also include those members who have been patiently waiting to join wine appreciation.
So, if you see happy and slightly wobbly Royston U3A members leaving The Old Bull once a month on a Wednesday afternoon they may just have been tasting and appreciating some excellent wines.
Jackie Gellert
Shock waves and San Francisco The 1906 San Francisco earthquake has been well documented in photographs but History group members were treated to a compila-tion of film footage showing the devastation at their April meeting. The shock of the quake was horrific enough, but what came next was even worse. Most buildings were built of wood and San Francisco was a city waiting to burn. Gas mains had been snapped, almost all water mains were broken
and fires raged out of control for several days. Large parts of the city were destroyed and over 3,000 people died. But as well as scenes of blackened ruins the film showed the indomitable spirit of the people. Rebuilding began immediately and within three years a completely new city rose up. The real moment of triumph came when San Francisco hosted the World Fair in 1915, putting
on a dazzling display to demonstrate its incredible recovery.
San Francisco burning
‘Herbal Haven grow over 150 varieties of culinary, medicinal and aromatic herbs’
PAGE 4
ROYSTON U3A NEWS I MAY 2018 www.u3asites.org.uk/royston
Shopping through the centuries Around 40 members of the History group were given an illuminating talk on shopping through the centuries from Hannah Vandridge of the Norris Museum in St Ives. Hannah went right back to the days of bartering and moved on through the mediaeval fairs and shops right up to the Amazon experience.
Her illustrated talk showed how important mediaeval
markets were, not just for shopping, but for learning news of national and inter-national happenings - and basic facts like which king ruled the country! Jugglers, after all, were the news-vendors and Twitter users of their day!
She brought along various artefacts including a set of very small scales specifi-cally designed to check the weight of sovereign and
half sovereigns as people were inclined to cut bits from old coins!
Other items included a suitcase purchased in St. Ives in 1948 with a two-year guarantee, but still in good condition to this day.
We came away wanting to know more about the museum and the town, so a follow up visit is being planned.
Annette Guttridge
‘jugglers were the
newsvendors and Twitter
users of their day’
Quiz time for Book Club 1
The group took part in the Book Club Challenge Quiz which as well as being fun really taxed the grey matter!
Organised by the charity Schoolreaders we tackled 30 questions covering authors, quotations, children’s books and literary facts.
Schoolreaders improves childhood literacy by providng volunteers who give one-to-one reading practice to children at primary schools across the country.
We had an enjoyable time thinking of all the answers and, yes, we did answer
them all with no cheating! The quiz was linked to World Book Day and our efforts raised £35.
We had to send our answers away and will get the results at the start of June. Watch this space!
Happy reading everyone!
Deirdre Smith
Current Affairs The group’s subject in March was No Platforming and Helen Powell outlined the background and implications of the policy of the National Union of Students to bar speakers or organisations it considers racist or fascist. Everyone joined in and the discussion included the impact of social media and how it might affect students’ behaviour.
The future of the NHS will be the topic of the next meeting on May 21. The group meets at 4pm at The Old Barn in Kneesworth Street.
The need for organ donations is rising and the Current Affairs group heard the personal experiences of three members when they discussed this emotional issue. More than 7,000 people in the UK are waiting for a transplant and with one of the lowest donation rates in the world a presumed consent scheme in England is being considered by the government. Chaired by John Salmon, the group heard from a donor family member who described how the donated organs had helped others, from the relative of a child who had a life-saving trans-
plant, and from a member who may need a transplant in the future. Members agreed that a key way to improve donation rates would be to follow the example of countries like Spain where each hospital has its own organ donation co-ordinator who can spend time establishing a relationship with families of potential donors.
‘the UK has one of the
lowest organ donation rates
in the world’
Just about anyone, at any age,
can become an organ donor
PAGE 5
For frequency and contact details about all interest groups please see the chart on the next page or check out our website for more information.
Announcements about future Events & Outings and Theatre Trips will be posted on our website when details become available.
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
AM Meditation Fitness Birding Walking: Strollers Book Club 2
Seated Exercise Book Club 3 Scrabble &
Board Games
Five Mile Walks
Patchwork
Reading Ulysses
PM Solo Sundays Current Affairs MONTHLY MEETING last Tuesday of month Clay Shooting
Ballroom & Latin Dancing
Petanque/Boules
Curry Club Book Club 1 Creative Writing Gardening Pilates
French
Conversation History Wine Appreciation Golf
Pottery
(Hand Building) Ukulele Mixed Crafts
Tai Chi Pudding
EVE Jazz Appreciation
ROYSTON U3A NEWS I MAY 2018 www.u3asites.org.uk/royston
Dates for your diary June
Tuesday 26, 1:30pm
Royston Parish Church
ROYSTON U3A AGM followed by Frances Hughes will give a talk on
THE MASTER: Noel Coward as writer, actor and painter
July
Tuesday 31, 2pm
Royston Parish Church
Leanne Walters from MK Theatre and Aylesbury Waterside Theatre will give a talk on
SEASIDE PIERS, PUNCH & JUDY
Easy Guide to Interest Groups
May
Tuesday 29, 2pm
Royston Parish Church
Ted Childs OBE, executive producer on an extensive range of films and television series will give a talk on THE PRODUCTION OF
Events & Outings Cambridge
Tuesday July 17 & 24
CAMBRIDGE COLLEGES walking tour with a Blue Badge Guide
Members to car share and bus into Cambridge
July 17 - SOLD OUT
July 24 - spaces available
contact: 01763 241896 or [email protected]
London
Thursday May 17
LEGAL LONDON walking tour with a Blue Badge Guide
SOLD OUT
contact: 01763 241896 or [email protected]
Cambridge
Saturday June 30, 7:30pm
CITY OF CAMBRIDGE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Music from the Movies
West Road Concert Hall
Cost: £26 per person inclusive of ticket and coach.
Leaving King James Way at 6:15pm and returning to Royston at approx.10:30pm
Booking form on the website.
contact: 01763 248097 or [email protected]
London
Wednesday December 12
ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS KEW Christmas Lights Extravaganza
Cost: £45-£50 per person inclusive of entrance fee, lunch and coach.
Leaving King James Way at 12 noon and returning to Royston quite late. Entry into Kew Gardens at 5pm.
We have a late lunch planned at a restaurant near Kew before we go through the gates at Kew.
contact: 01763 242989 or [email protected]
The following Gardening group visits are being offered to all Royston U3A members:
May 10 - PIONEER NURSERY, Letchworth July 12 - CAPEL MANOR September 13 - FURALEZE
contact: Val Fairbanks on 01763 230724 or
ROYSTON U3A NEWS I MAY 2018
Chairman Jackie Gellert [email protected] 01763 248097 Vice Chair Sandra Walker [email protected] 01763 241896 Treasurer & Speakers Secretary Barbara Andrew [email protected] 01763 245363
Secretary Karen Heaton [email protected] 01763 242989
Membership Secretary Marion Martin [email protected] 01763 246876 Minutes Secretary Sylvia Fuller [email protected] 01763 243006 Existing Groups Co-ordinator Joan Westcott [email protected] 01763 220812
New Groups Co-ordinator Sharon Camilletti [email protected] 07725 847303
Publicity Pam Dajda [email protected] 01763 246234
Royston U3A News Ralph Gellert [email protected] 01763 248097
Committee Member George Karger 01763 245988
Co-opted Committee Member Eric Heaton [email protected] 01763 242989
Royston U3A Committee
www.u3asites.org.uk/royston
Interest Groups
Get it in the News
If you’re involved in a group why not publicise it in Royston U3A News? Send in a short report of your latest meeting or outing - photos welcomed too - to Pam Dajda at [email protected] or phone 01763 246234 Next deadline for submissions: Monday June 18, 2018
If you have an interest that you would like to share with others let us know. Contact Sharon Camilletti, New Groups Co-ordinator
GROUP DAY TIME FREQUENCY GROUP LEADER CONTACT DETAILS
Ballroom & Latin Dancing Thurs 4:45pm 2nd & 4th Thurs of month Jackie Gellert [email protected] 01763 248097
Birding Wed 8:30am Monthly 1st Wed Carol McGeoch [email protected] 01223 207354
Book Club 1 Tues 2:00pm Monthly 1st Tues Deirdre Smith [email protected] 01763 244700
Book Club 2 Fri 11:00am Monthly Variable Janet Burton [email protected] 07984 600295
Book Club 3 Wed 10:30am Monthly last Wed Elizabeth (Lee) Towers [email protected] 01763 241488
Clay Shooting Wed 2:00pm Variable Frank Martin [email protected] 07831 898234
Creative Writing Wed 2:00pm Variable Susan Maylor [email protected]
Current Affairs Mon 4:00pm Monthly Variable George Karger 01763 245988
Curry Club Mon 12:00pm Monthly 2nd Mon Reg Hounsell [email protected] 01763 241805
Events & Outings Variable Variable Occasional Sandra Walker [email protected] 01763 241896
Fitness Tues 9:30am Weekly Kathy Hounsell [email protected] 01763 241805
Five Mile Walks Wed 9:45am Monthly 2nd Wed Eric Heaton [email protected] 01763 242989
French Conversation Mon 1:00pm 1st & 3rd Mon of month Elisabeth Goodman-Spain [email protected]
Gardening Thurs 2:30pm Monthly Variable Val Fairbanks [email protected] 01763 230724
Golf Thurs 1:00pm Weekly Ralph Gellert [email protected] 01763 248097
History Tues 2:00pm Monthly Variable Reg Hounsell [email protected] 01763 241805
Jazz Appreciation Wed 7:30pm Monthly 2nd Wed Reg Hounsell [email protected] 01763 241805
Meditation Mon 10:30am 2nd & 4th Mon of month John Froggett [email protected] 07900 210808
Mixed Crafts Thurs 2:00pm Monthly 3rd Thurs Rosie Cowsley [email protected] 07809 047380
Patchwork Wed 10:00am Monthly 1st Wed Maureen Strugnell [email protected] 01763 241967
Petanque / Boules Fri 2:30pm Fortnightly Sue & John Bishop [email protected] 01763 246703
Pilates Fri 2:00pm Weekly Kathy Hounsell [email protected] 01763 241805
Pottery (Hand Building) Mon 2:00pm Fortnightly Variable Rosie Cowsley [email protected] 07809 047380
Pudding Thurs 1:00pm Monthly Liz Wells [email protected] 01763 247460
Reading Ulysses Wed 10:5am Variable Hugh Pollock [email protected] 01763 260253
Scrabble & Board Games Fri 10.45am Variable Sharon Camilletti [email protected] 07725 847303
Seated Exercise Tues 10:45am Weekly Kathy Hounsell [email protected] 01763 241805
Solo Sundays Sun 12:00pm Monthly 2nd Sun Marion Sweet [email protected] 01763 273806
Tai Chi Mon 3:00pm Weekly Reg Hounsell [email protected] 01763 241805
Theatre Trips Variable Variable Occasional Deirdre Smith [email protected] 01763 244700
Ukulele Tues 12:00pm Weekly John Bishop [email protected] 01763 246703
Walking: Strollers Thurs 10:15am 1st & 3rd Thurs of month David Walker [email protected] 01763 241896
Wine Appreciation Wed 2:00pm Monthly Variable Jackie Gellert [email protected] 01763 248097