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POTTERS BAR
U3A
NEWSLETTER
Spring 2015
Registered Charity No. 1079721 http?u3asites.org.uk/pottersbar
Festive Lunch
December
2014
Thanks to Anne Clarke for
organising this event.
Photos by Peter Ford
Honorary Life President - Lillian Walman
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Chairman
Pat McCannah
patmccannah@aol.com
Co-Vice chairman
Anne Griffiths
anne.griffiths2@ntlworld.com
Co-Vice chairman
Helen Mann
g.mann2@ntlworld.com
Secretary
Pat Patterson
davidandpat.patterson@btinternet.com
Treasurer
Nick Buckland
nickbuckland47@btinternet.com
Membership secretary
Brian Sheridan
sheridan.melrose@googlemail.com
Groups coordinator
Josie Hepple
josephinehepple@btinternet.com
Speakers coordinator
Lynda Armsby
l.p.armsby@btinternet.com
Publicity manager
Margaret Roper
margaret_roper@hotmail.com
Member
Trevor Scammell
tandmscammell@aol.com
****************************************************************
Website manager
Joan Ball
pbaru3a@gmail.com
Please contact Anne Griffiths for Power Point items
Chairman's Message
By the time you read this the days will be a bit longer and hopefully the first
signs of spring will be pushing through. The festive season now seems a
long way off but we should give Anne Clarke a big thank you for the Festive
Lunch which she organised in December - it was a great success and was
enjoyed by over a hundred members. Also, many thanks to Marion Rose and
her Card Makers Forum who, in 2014, raised £500 for the Herts Air
Ambulance, and to Brenda Copping and her Isle of Wight vacationers who
contributed a further £200 to this worthwhile local organisation.
The busy months of membership renewals have now subsided and we
currently have a record 777 members - our thanks to Brian for all his hard
work. We are fortunate to have a steady number of new people joining and it
is important that we make them feel welcome both at the monthly meetings
(anyone should feel free to sit in Row C and chat to new members or visitors)
and in the various groups and activities of our U3A.
At our second Meet the Committee session (for newer members) in
November, some of the attendees indicated that they were having problems
joining groups. This can be a problem when groups are long established but
we do urge Group Leaders to welcome new members, or, if you do not have
vacancies, to be understanding and positive by encouraging anyone
interested in your subject to contact Josie, our Groups Co-ordinator, who will
try to set up a new group if there is enough interest.
It is also difficult sometimes to find replacement group leaders understandably people can often be wary of taking on responsibilities, but
the running of groups can be shared by two or more people which can mean
less work and more fun, and can lead to more active and varied sessions.
Indeed, in its latest guidelines, the Third Age Trust encourages this sharing of
responsibilities and urges all members of groups to be willing to take part in
various tasks such as photocopying or ordering books etc. as well as
contributing ideas for their sessions. The ethos of the U3A is "the teachers
learn and the learners teach", and quite often the limit of a Leader's
responsibility is ensuring that everyone in the group knows when and where
the next session will take place so, on the whole, it is not too onerous. Do
remember that Committee members will also be available to help you in the
initial stages.
I wish you all a happy and productive year.
Pat
PS Our Groups Booklet which gives a short synopsis of each group's
activities will soon be available for consultation at monthly meetings, new
members' Tea Afternoons, and on the website. Do have a look if you would
like to know more about a particular group.
U3A Explores Science at the RI - An afternoon event at The Royal Institute, 21
Albermarle Street, London W1, on 23rd March 2015 at 1.30 for 2pm start.
Tickets are £20 each and include refreshments. The talks include: Social behaviour
of dinosaurs; Epigenetics- Why your DNA is not your destiny; Smashing physics.
Those interested should apply to :
Third Age Trust, 19 East Street, Bromley, Kent BR1 1QE enclosing a second class
stamp. You may also be able to book online in the events section of the website:
www.u3a.org.uk.
Inspiration Day for U3A Members - Workshop/Talks at the Royal Opera House
Workshop, Purfleet, Essex RM19 1AF, on 22nd April 2015 from 11am- 3.30pm.
Tickets are £18 each and include welcome refreshments. There is a choice of
workshops and talks. More details from Third Age Trust, 19 East Street, Bromley,
Kent BR1 1QE,
Tel: 020 8466 6139, and if online apply via the website: www.u3a.org.uk.
Annual Science Seminar, Harper Adams University, Telford, 10th-13th August 2015.
The U3A Science Network will be organising this event for those with a general
interest in science and will include a mixture of talks, visits and socialising with
others. The cost will be £250 fully residential. For more details and booking forms
apply: www.u3ascienceseminar.org.uk or email: u3ascience seminar@gmail.com.
********************************************************************
Congratulations to our very own Ian McCannah who is now the U3A London
Regional Trustee.
********************************************************************************
Thank you to The Isle of Wight 2014 tour members who are supporting the Card
Forum group by adding £200 to their £500 raised, for the Herts Air Ambulance.
Making a total of £700 from Potters Bar U3A members for 2014.
Cultural Heritage Group outing
to the Bank of England Museum and the Cinema Museum
On a pleasant January morning a Golden Boy coach left the Furzefield Centre at the time
specified on its way to the first venue. We arrived at the entrance at 10am and were told to
be back at the same spot at 13.15.
There are no organised tours of the Bank of England, however there were plenty of
booklets etc. and a member of staff indicated the way round to see the exhibition in the
correct sequence.
The Bank of England was founded in 1694 to raise funds for the government during a time
of war with France. It was privately owned and remained so until1946 when it was
nationalised. The Bank moved to its present site in Threadneedle Street in 1734. The
famous name comes from a James Gillray cartoon published in 1797 and it is still known
as the 'Old Lady of Threadneedle Street'. the Bank was altered and made larger on several
occasions and rebuilt during the 1930s. Work was completed just before the outbreak of
World War Two and survived the bombing during the blitz.
The earliest paper money was a form of receipt for deposits of gold left with the
Goldsmiths for safe keeping. In time it became more convenient to exchange these receipts
rather than the gold itself, so leading to the use of paper money.
The Bank has issued bank notes since it was founded. At first they were hand written and
later on were printed. In the twentieth century the designs changed from simple
calligraphic designs to the colourful notes that we use today. On show were many ways of
preventing forgeries by designs woven into the notes.
One of the highlights was being able to hold and lift in one hand a gold ingot with a value
of over £333,000. Also on show were the actual scales and troy weights used to weigh and
value fresh deliveries of gold. Each clerk has his own scales and weights which, despite
their age, are still in use today.
The portrait of Queen Elizabeth II first appeared on a bank note in 1960. The first
historical character was William Shakespeare in 1970 on a £20 note.
On the way out there is a large exhibition of coins used during the Bank's existence, but
the Bank has no control over their design or issue which is all done by the Royal Mint.
If you have not been to this museum it is certainly worth a visit and in 2015 there are a
number of special events, all of which are free.
At 13.15 we boarded the coach and were on our way to the Cinema Museum in South
London. We arrived early for our 2pm booking and were made most welcome. We entered
the hallway which was crammed with projectors and other equipment. The corridors had
pictures of film stars past and present, posters advertising films, uniforms, prices of seats
and other memorabilia. This display continued up the stairs until we arrived in a large hall.
This also contained film equipment, books etc. and enough chairs for our party.
A talk was given by two gentlemen, who owned the museum, explaining the reason for the
location of the museum and its future. For the past 12 years it has been situated in the
Master's House of the Lambeth Workhouse where Charlie Chaplin entered as a child when
his mother faced destitution. Two years ago it expanded into the whole of this Victorian
building. The hall we were in was previously the non-faith chapel of the Workhouse. They
hope the space which they have now will provide a permanent home for their collection.
The early cinema had three projectors and the reels of film were numbered 1, 2 and 3. As
number 1 reached 20 minutes of running time a signal to the projectionist told him to
switch onto number 2 reel and so on until the end of the film. We were shown some films,
one of which was about the Paris floods of 1910. The film was surprisingly clear and
showed the River Seine going through Paris and almost reaching the apex of the bridges. It
also showed the streets covered in several inches of water. Another film, made during the
second World War, showed how to salvage paper, bone and metals. Two of the stars will
be remembered by a lot of us - Kathleen Harrison and Ronald Shiner. There were several
other films. Tea, coffee and biscuits were very welcome. We were then given the choice of
wandering at leisure or seeing more films.
The two speakers were very concise and interesting.
It was suggested that it might be possible for them to give a talk to the U3A in the future.
The driver was first class and got the coach (also first class) to our destinations on time in
spite of the horrendous traffic.
Thank you to Jenny and Peter for arranging such a wonderful day for only £17.
Tom Dooling
Bookworms
At one of our recent monthly meetings, members brought along a book that had been
significant to them in their childhood. And what an eclectic mix this proved to be.
From the Classics, which included Little Women, The Wind in the Willows with its
beautiful illustrations by E. H. Shepherd and The Poems of Longfellow to those
books which set us on the reading journey, such as Enid Blyton, Malcolm Saville,
Noel Streatfield, the short stories in Greyfriars and Blackies Systematic Readers, or
Annuals such as Rupert and Uncle Mac. Some books had been given as prizes for
‘Good Fellowship’ , ‘For Progress’ and somewhat prophetically, a prize that Terry
Lee received, which was Sue Barton, Student Nurse, a Head Girl’s Prize at her
Primary School!
However, what emerged loudly and clearly was the importance that the Public
Library had played in our lives. When children’s books were not so plentiful, nor
affordable, many of us went, or were taken, regularly to the library to choose books
for the coming week. We recalled the frisson of pleasure when a much awaited book
was on the shelves. Also the librarians who were generally, but not always, helpful
and approachable.
I’m sure that many of us still use the library regularly, although there have been
changes to what is on offer, particularly in the technological department. There is a
Mobile Library serving Potters Bar, which was highly praised by some of our group
and with the coming of the Medical Centre next to Oakmere Library, there has been
an upsurge of new members joining.
As has been said “Use it or lose it!”
Vivienne Bell
=====================================================================
GROUP NEWS
1) You will notice that the Weekenders Group and Men's Cooking have been
removed.
The Weekenders Group has had to close due to the fact that June Procter, who ran
it so successfully for several years, feels she can no longer give up the time it needs,
as she leads other groups.
As the name implies, it was a group that met at weekends, mostly Sundays, to have
lunch together and visit places of interest, etc. It was very helpful for members who
find themselves at a loose end at the weekend.
Is there anybody out there who could take on this group either alone or with one or
two other members?
I am sure June would be willing to give advice, as would I.
Please contact me.
2) Men's Cooking
This very successful group has had to close due to the fact that Owens could no
longer offer their Food Technology suite and there were no other suitable venues.
3) Gardening
There are several members who would like to join one of our 4 gardening groups,
but at the moment there are no vacancies.
It seems sensible to start a 5th group, but no one wants to take on the role of group
leader. A potential leader would not need to be an expert, just someone with an
interest in gardening, who could organise meetings, where members could
contribute ideas, etc. THERE MUST BE SOMEONE OUT THERE WHO COULD DO THIS!
Please contact me
4) Group Descriptions Booklet
We are in the process of producing a booklet with descriptions of the activities of all
the groups. It will be available on our website and there will be a hard copy
available at the monthly meetings. I will also have a copy for those people who wish
to phone me for details.
If you are on line but have not given your email address to our webmaster, Joan Ball,
I would urge you to do so. It will be quite safe as our website is not available to
outsiders and you will be able to access the Description booklet and other news
items.
Josie Hepple
Groups Co-Ordinator
josephinehepple@btinternet.com
List of groups - changes and new groups are in bold type
Group
Amateur
Gardeners
Antiques &
Collectables
Art
Appreciation
Art Gallery
Visits
Big Band
Appreciation
Bookends
Bookshelves
Bookworms
Bridge for
Absolute
Beginners
Bridge
Beginners'
Practice Group
Bridge for
Improvers
Bridge
Leader
Days and times
of meetings
Heather
Monthly 2nd
Jones
Wednesday
morning
Wendy
Monthly 1st
Bernstein
Tuesday 10.30am
Anne
Monthly 3rd
Lamport
Thursday 10 - 12
Marion Rose As arranged - all
welcome
Geoff Sole
Monthly
2nd Tuesday 2.30
Linda Toye Monthly
1st Monday 10am
Pat Patterson Monthly
4th Monday 10am
Vivienne
Monthly
Bell
4th Monday 10am
Marian
As arranged
Astles
Lillian
Walman
Fortnightly
Brenda
Copping
Bob Clarke
Thursdays 2 -4
Monthly 3rd
Tuesday evening
Bridge - Social Barbara
Wednesdays
Lewis
9.30 - 12.30
Christchurch
Little Heath
Card Makers'
Marion Rose Monthly 4th
Forum
Wednesday
afternoon
Chess 1
Barry
Fridays 2 - 4
Eusden
Temple Court
Chess 2
Chris Cook
Wednesdays
10 - 12
Cinema Local
Margaret
Pattman
As arranged
Computer
David
Skills - Basic
Collins
& Intermediate Chris Cook
Wednesdays
10 - 12
Computer
Technical
Advice
Croquet
(Short lawn)
Cross Stitch
Ring for advice
Cultural
Heritage
Trevor
Leach
Dennis
Mondays 2pm
O'Brien
West Lodge
June Proctor 2nd + 4th
Wednesdays
morning
Joan Farran As arranged
Current Affairs Valerie
Vessey
(temporary)
Dressmaking
& Sewing
Machine
Tuition 1
Dressmaking
& Sewing
Machine
Tuition 2
English
Literature
Exercise and
Dance
Fortnightly
Friday 10 - 12
Olive Farrell Tuesdays
2-4
Olive
Farrell
Tuesdays
10 - 12
2nd + 4th Mondays
10 - 12
Gill Griffiths Fridays
10.30 - 11.30
St Mary's Church
Hall
Family History Brian
Monthly
Tomlinson
2nd Thursday 2 - 4
Fitness Walks Vera
Tuesdays 9.30am
Kellock
Meet in Oakmere
Car Park
Ruth Lewis
French
Geology
Margaret
Roper
Arthur
Bowen &
MarieTherese
Donegan
Lynda
Armsby
Jill
Northwood
Pam Thomas
Diana
Bonner
Christine
Franklin
Margaret
Pattman
Beryl
Kendall
Angela
Whitcher
Ken Cain
German for
Improvers
Laurie
Bentall
Golf
History 1
Michael
Earle
Phil Bowles
Janet Sole
History 2
Anne Clarke
History of
Gothic Church
Windows
Italian for
Improvers
Alex Reeve
Italian
Intermediate
Anne Palmer Thursday
D&B
mornings
Hearne
Marian
2nd Wednesday
Astles
2-4
French
Conversation
French for
Improvers
Garden
Enthusiasts
Gardeners
Four
Gardening
Novices
Knitting
Margaret
Catchpole
Monday
mornings
Tuesdays
10.45 - 12.15
Wednesday
mornings
Monthly
4th Tuesday
10 - 12
Monthly
1st Thursday
morning
Monthly
Last Thursday
Every
2nd Tuesday
10 -12
Fortnightly
Tuesday morning
Fortnightly
Thursday or
Friday
Monthly
2nd Thursday
Monthly 3rd
Thursday 2 - 4
Tuesdays 2 -4
Fridays 10 - 12
Latin
London Group
Machine
Patchwork &
Sewing
Mah Jong
Memories
Music
Appreciation
Alex Reeve
Fridays from
9.30am
John Neal
Monthly as
arranged
Sylvia James Monthly
1st Monday
1.30pm
Pat
Fortnightly
McCannah
Thursday 2pm
Margaret
Anthill
Frank Green
Natural
History
Monthly
Tuesday morning
Thursdays
9.45am
Christchurch
Little Heath
Monthly
2nd Thursday
Barbara
Armitage
Yvonne
Waters
Painting 1
Anne Riches Fridays
9.30 - 12.30
Dame Alice
Owen
Term time only
Painting 2
Mary Pilbery Fridays 1 -3
Dame Alice
Owen
Term time only
Photography 1 Maggie
2nd + 4th
Hughes
Tuesdays 10am
URC Darkes
Lane
Photography 2 David
2nd +4th Thursdays
Collins
10am
Play Reading
Margaret
Monthly
Anthill
Last Monday
Mary Broan
10 - 12
rd
Poetry
Joyce
3 Wednesday
Reading
Coleman
2pm
Polybooks
Remarkable
Men and
Joan
Billington
Brenda
Copping
Wednesday
morning
Tuesdays 10 - 12
Women
Scrabble 1
Ian
McCannah
Scrabble 2
Daphne
Press
Shakespeare 1 Pat
McCannah
Shakespeare 2 Dot
Buckland
Singing for
pleasure
Smart phones
& Tablets
Spanish
Beginners/
Intermediate
Spanish
Intermediate
Tai Chi
Table tennis
Grace
Glover
Fred Weil
Brian
Sheridan
Jessica
Reeve
Arthur
Spencer
David
Patterson
Judith
Wheeler
Theatre
outings
Brenda
Copping
Understanding
opera
Anne Clarke
Walking group Vera
Kellock
1st + 3rd Mondays
7 - 9.30pm
D.A.O.
Term time only
Mondays
afternoon
2nd + 4th Mondays
Various locations
Monthly
2nd Thursday
10 - 12
Fortnightly
Fridays
1st + 3rd
Wednesdays 2 - 4
Temple Court
Wednesday 2pm
Tuesdays
afternoon
Monday morning
Wednesdays
9.30 - 10.30
PB Tennis Club
As advertised
All welcome
3rd Wednesday
2.30 - 4.30
As arranged
All welcome
Newsletter Editor
A reminder to all Group Leaders and those who wish to contribute to the next
Newsletter, out on June 8th, that your contributions need to be with the editor
by May 14th at the latest please.
Please remember that many of our members do not have computers and
therefore rely on the Newsletter for information about events. Everything sent to
Joan Ball to be put on the website should also be sent to me if you would like it
to be included in the Newsletter. Thank you.
Jenny Leach
jen@mtjmleach.plus.com
****************************************************************
THE DANCE AND EXERCISE CLASS
WOULD WELCOME SOME NEW MEMBERS
So if you would like have some fun and maybe get fitter, come and
join us.
We have ½ hour of gentle exercise and then try to learn easy dance
routines to easy listening music,
not easy for the old grey cells but lots of fun.
Friday mornings 10.30 – 11.30
At St. Mary’s Church Hall, the Walk
Contact Gill Griffiths
PBU3A Walking Programme
PBU3A Walking Programme
Tuesdays, weekly, 09.30-10.30
Vera Kellock
There is a regular fitness walk in Oakmere Park, Potters Bar. We meet in the car park
and walk around the park. In the middle of the walk we do fitness exercises in the
children’s playground for about 15 minutes. Everybody welcome, no need to sign up.
Tuesday, March 10th 2015
Trent Park
Ann Mason
A 4-5 mile circular walk around Trent Park to kick off the walking season. Meet at
10:00 Potters Bar Station, Bus stop C for the 298 bus (leaving 10:12) to Trent Park,
or meet at the Café in the car park at 10:30.
_____________________________________________________________________
Wednesday, April 22nd 2015 Codicote
Margaret Roper
Hopefully the bluebells are blooming!! This is a slightly longer walk than usual at 6
½ miles. We meet at St.John’s church in Baker Street at 10:00 or in Codicote at
10:30, parking near the Village Green. The route takes in Old Knebworth, Tagmore
Green and Knebworth Country Park. There are pubs in Codicote for a drink or lunch
afterwards or, if preferred, tea rooms at Knebworth House about half way round.
_____________________________________________________________________
Tuesday, May 12th, 2015
Highgate and Hampstead Heath
Rose Buck
This is an all day walk, meet at 09:30 at PB Station for the 84 Bus to Barnet and
then the Underground to Highgate. We start off with a guided tour around the
Highgate Cemetery (a small charge will apply), then walk across to Kenwood for
lunch where we have the option of walking to Golders Hill or back to Highgate.
_____________________________________________________________________
Thursday, June 11th,
Whitewebbs Park
Trevor and Jenny Leach
Meet 10:00 am at St John’s Church, Baker Street or 10:30 in the car park of Toby’s
Carvery for an easy 4 1/2 – 5 miles walk around Whitewebbs Park, with the option of
lunch at the Carvery afterwards.
_____________________________________________________________________
Tuesday, August 11th, 2015 “Royal Greenwich”
Ian McCannah
Explore the Hospital, Palace, Observatory, Cutty Sark, National Maritime Museum,
Queen’s House and much more on a leisurely walk. Bring a picnic. Further details
after registration opens in June, maximum 40, members only.
A WALK AROUND LONDON – THE CAPITAL RING
The Capital Ring is a lovely 78-mile circular walk through
a hidden corridor of green space around inner London. It
takes in parks, woodlands, river banks, tow-paths and
historic cemeteries. The walk will visit famous landmarks
such as the Olympic site, Thames Barrier, Eltham Palace,
Harrow school and Highgate Woods. You will walk through
Richmond and Wimbledon commons, visit the Dinosaurs in
Crystal Palace Park. It is a real eye-opener for those of
you who thought you knew London.
The long distance walk is open to all Hertfordshire U3A
members who are capable of distance walking at a
reasonable pace. It will be led by Maurice Newman of
Hertford and Ware U3As.
The 78 miles will be walked in 8 monthly stages. Each
walk being between 8 and 11.5 miles. The walks will be on
the 1st Thursday of the month starting in March 2015.
The 2nd Thursday of the month will be a reserve if for any
reason it is necessary to postpone.
All walks start from a London Underground or Overground
Station. We will meet at 11.00 am to set off shortly after.
This should give everyone a chance to avail themselves of
off-peak fares. We will stop for a packed lunch on route.
The walks are all well described in a book called The
Capital Ring written by Colin Saunders, available at a price
of £12.99. ISBN 978-1-84513-786-1.
I would recommend it to anyone joining us for these
walks.
------------------------------------------------------------Photographic competition
We would like to invite any member who has a photo depicting
'Summer'
to submit their entries to the Editor
via email
st
(jen@mtjmleach.plus.com) by May 1 at the latest.
These will be judged by an independent judge and the winning picture
will be on the cover of the Summer Newsletter - out June 8th.
The preferred format is jpeg : size 1400 x 1050.
Please also include your name with your entry.
Bournville Village and Cadbury World
On 11th November – Armistice Day – a full coach load of members set off from
Furzefield (and how lucky we are to be able to leave our cars here safely all
day) heading for Birmingham. At eleven o’clock, the noisy chattering ceased
and the coach fell quiet as each member held their own private two minutes'
silence in memory of the war dead.
Five minutes later, we drew up at Cadbury World where we were greeted with
coffee and wickedly rich chocolate cakes. After that, most of us crossed the
road to walk into Bournville Village, originally built by George Cadbury, a
dedicated Quaker. Appalled by the dreadful living standards of the back-toback houses in Birmingham, he had a vision of “a factory in the country” and in
1879 he moved his chocolate factory out of the centre of Birmingham to a
farmland site beside the small river Bourn. He built houses alongside for his
workers so that they could enjoy fresh country air without being separated from
their work. We saw some of the original houses, all with gardens, together with
other buildings he constructed later – the school with a magnificent carillon of
forty-eight bells, the Friends Meeting House, the village green and the church.
We also saw the separate men’s and girls’ recreation grounds which George had
decorously placed on opposite sides of the road! A small exhibition, the
Bournville Experience, explained the ideals of George Cadbury and his brother
Richard. We were told that the factory workers all had to take at least half-anhour’s exercise every day and that a girls’ bath house was built (now sadly
disused) where the girls were taught to swim during working hours. Where or if
the men bathed was not disclosed!
After a hasty lunch, it was time for our visit to Cadbury World. Here we
embarked on a bewildering journey through the history of chocolate from its
earliest beginnings in Central America to the present day. We saw the natives
of the Aztec jungle in the 15th century pounding cacao seeds to powder and
adding water, spices and chilli to make a frothy drink - the word “chocolate”
actually means “bitter water”. From the jungle we sailed to Europe and to John
Cadbury’s tea and coffee shop in Birmingham in the early 19th century. After
branching out into cocoa, the family began pressing the liquid cocoa mixture to
make the first chocolate bars which were an instant hit with customers. We
then had a glimpse of the chocolate making story and of Cadbury’s advertising
through the years (including the development of the famous Dairy Milk brand –
almost called Dairy Maid until the last minute) before moving on to the modern
packaging area. This was an incredible space where Heath Robinson-like
machines carried naked chocolate bars along endless aerial conveyor belts,
wrapped them in their familiar purple covers, fed them into cardboard boxes
and lifted the boxes on to pallets ready for distribution to the shops – all
untouched by human hand.
After that, we were ready for some light relief and were carried on little
tramcars through Cadabra, a magic children’s world where cocoa beans danced,
played and even skied around us, before moving to a hands-on demonstration of
actual chocolate bars being made. Here we were all given a little pot of warm
liquid chocolate mixed with jelly babies or dolly mixture to eat – in addition to
the selection of free chocolate bars we had already accumulated!
Finally, we emerged via the shop full of tempting Cadbury Christmas gifts and
just had time for a quick cup of tea before the coach set off for home. A long
day but full of interest – and thankfully, not a sign of the wicked predator Kraft
anywhere!
Thank you, Jenny and Peter, for arranging this fascinating trip.
Philippa Phelps
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Third Age Trust event
Spring Concert - Vivaldi
Brandenburg Singers - Temple Church, Temple, London EC4
Tuesday 28 April 2015, 3pm - 5pm
Tickets £18 - max 2 per person
On-line booking form on
Events page of Third Age Trust website, u3a.org.uk
Chichester here we come:
Thursday December 4th 2014
A cold and misty day heralded our journey to the ancient city of Chichester but a
steady supply of sweets and toffees eased the journey: and, with our driver
performing a minor miracle by arriving at our destination at almost exactly the
expected time of arrival, we had plenty of time to explore its history.
Locally known as 'Chi' it is classified as a cathedral city dating back to Roman and
Anglo-Saxon times. It is located on the river Lavant and boasts its own university and
marina. The main shopping area seemed to contain mostly jewellers and dress shops
which made us men unshamefacedly and very hastily confess to our better halves that
we had forgetfully 'left both our credit cards and wallets at home'! There was an
absence of supermarkets but it was strange to note that M&S had three positions with
'small shop' entrances each housing different wares.
So, after thirst and hunger had been satisfied, it was off to the small but comfortably
appointed Clair de Lune theatre to see Terrence Mc Nally's play 'Frankie and Johnny'.
The opening scene would have sent that self-appointed guardian of the country's
moral welfare, Mary Whitehouse, into a state of collapse. Curtains up! We were
presented with a heaving jumble of bedclothes, muffled shouts of encouragement
and, finally, approval and then a short pause -----followed by the emergence of the
protagonists one female and one male both of whom were, in U.S. slang 'nekid as
jaybirds'.
Now, from the writer's point of view (about 10 yards at most) the vision of an
extremely curvaceous young lady, unclad and unashamed, was disconcerting. Should
he avert his eyes from hers which appeared to be looking straight at him? Decisions!!
However, concentration returned ultimately and the acting skills and especially the
duologue were appreciated. Both actors - Miss DERVLA KIRWAN and Mr NEIL
STUKE - deserved the rapturous applause they received.
The journey back to Potters Bar was in clearer weather than the trip down but was hit
by long delays until we passed the Heathrow turn off(s).
During the return journey we were occupied very pleasantly by distribution of mince
pies washed down by glasses of sherry, a raffle where everyone on the coach received
a gift and we also managed to finish the contents of the gargantuan jar of sweeties.
The last few miles of the trip suggested that our excellent driver may well be
challenging Lewis Hamilton in the Formula 1 Championship next season!
I've left the best to last and it's our thanks and congratulations to Brenda for arranging
and organising a wonderful and most enjoyable excursion.
Eric Wootten
============================================================
The Geology and Scenery Group
The Geology and Scenery Group has now had its fourth meeting and has a
membership of 10 so far. This was rather a large number to accommodate at home
and so we took the opportunity to hire a room at Christ Church at Little Heath at a
very advantageous rate. It also allowed us room to use a projector to illustrate the
lectures.
At first the group looked at the origin of the actual materials that went into the
building of planet Earth and its oceans and from whence they came, with some very
big surprises.
Next, we saw how the two halves of the British Isles (Scotland and the North, and
Southern Britain) developed independently for millions of years and on two widely
separated continents but were brought together geologically recently.
The next lecture demonstrated how the Mediterranean Sea dried up completely a
mere 5 million years ago, (it has of course since been re-filled) and consequently
there are now great canyons, deeper than those in America, that lie hidden beneath
the Sahara sands.
The science of Geology may sound rather daunting but it is the group’s intention to
bring it down to earth, so to speak, in order to appreciate the making of scenery and
not to bog it down with technicalities.
Ken Cain
============================================================
Seen recently:
Weight Watchers will meet at 7pm in the church hall.
Please use the large double door at the side entrance.
Visit to the RAF Museum, Grahame Park Way, NW9 on 17th June 2015
The Potters Bar U3A are planning the above visit to the RAF Museum.
The Tour is publicised as "Early Flight and the first World War in the Air". It
begins at 1.30pm with refreshments, a talk on Claude Grahame-White, a talk
and viewing on "Early Engines", and then a self-led visit to "The First World
War in the Air" exhibition.
The cost of the tour, talks and refreshments is £10 per person. The tour is led
by David Keen and numbers are limited to between 15-25 members per tour.
Members interested in this visit, please contact Pat Patterson by e-mail:
davidandpat.Patterson@btinternet.com .
Requests will be dealt with on a first come first serve basis. If there is a lot of
interest, further dates might be available in the autumn.
We may be able to arrange a minibus for 17th June if there is enough
demand, but otherwise we will arrange car sharing. Please do not be put off
by the idea of not being able to get there.
Members are always willing to offer lifts.
*********************************************************************
Herts Network of U3As
Study Day with Workshops, New Technology + YOUR U3A
Wednesday 29 April 2015
Woolmer Green Village Hall, Hall Lane, Woolmer Green, SG3 6XA (SG3 6LD for
Satnav)
9.30 – 10.00 Registration and Coffee/ Tea on arrival
10.00 – 10.45 Update on 3 Year Plan – Adrian Breacker
10.45 – 11.00 Short break / Networking
11.00 – 12.45 Technology for Learning, Sharing & Efficiency Keynote Speaker:
Anthony Hughes, U3A Regional Trustee
12.45 – 13.30 Buffet Lunch with Coffee / Tea
13.30 – 14.45 Discussion Groups – TRIPS / NEW MEMBERS/ MEMBERSHIP ISSUES
(email/website/electronic payments)
14.45 – 14.55 Short break / Networking
14.55 – 15.30 Plenary (Adrian Breacker/Anthony Hughes)
Cost per Member of Herts Network/ East of England U3As: £5 . Please book early for
this popular regional event!
Herts Network of U3As/East of England Study Day: Aspects of the 3 year plan:
please copy and paste the link below http ://mku3a . org/wordpress/wpcontent/uploads/forward . pdf
Wednesday 29 April 2015 (9.30 – 3.30) Booking Form Please send to Maureen
Dennis, 2 Churchfield Path,Cheshunt,Herts, EN8 9EG email enquiries:
maureen.dennis@live.co.uk by FRIDAY 27 MARCH 2015, indicating your preferred
workshop below.
Please make your cheque for £5 payable to Herts Network of U3As
Please tick your preferred workshop:
A/ Organising Trips and Visits – What works well and what to avoid
B/ Welcoming New Members – Integration and Involvement of all
C/ Membership Issues – Moving to Electronic Communications; non-email members;
database access; website management; managing electronic payment of
membership fees.
Dietary Requirements (if any):................................................................
Member of U3A in..................................................................................
Email: .................................................................. Tel.............................
Signed.................................................................. Date..........................
Please note that we expect this Study Day to be popular as it has been opened up to
all U3A members in the East of England Region of U3As, so early booking is advised
to avoid disappointment. The day is primarily intended for existing U3A committee
members, although any U3A members who are interested in greater involvement in
their U3A would be welcome to join us to learn more.
Organised by Herts Network of U3As and funded by the East of England Region of
U3As
POTTERS BAR U3A THEATRE GROUP’S VISIT TO THE NEW VICTORIA THEATRE
WOKING
Wednesday 26th November dawned grey and misty and something was needed
to lift our spirits.
What better way to spend the day than on a U.3.A visit to
the New Victoria Theatre in Woking to see J.B. Priestley’s “Dangerous Corner”.
We arrived at 10.30a.m. which gave us four hours in which to explore our
surroundings before meeting up with the group again to see the performance.
After an obligatory tea and cake in “Pâtisserie Valérie”, we looked around the
impressive Peacocks Shopping and Leisure Centre which houses the theatre
and cinemas as well as a wide range of shops. It was opened in 1992 but was
extended and updated in 2010 so that it has a very shiny, new feel about it. It
is built beside and incorporates the redbrick Christchurch Anglican Church
which gives added interest.
Refreshed and invigorated we made our way to “The Lightbox”, Woking’s
museum.
This building opened in 2007 beside the Basingstoke Canal which
runs through the town.
There is a permanent exhibition called “Woking’s
Story” which gives a detailed, user-friendly and enlightening account of the
history of the area with a wealth of artefacts, photographs, personal
recollections and private cards and postcards, including some beautiful
embroidered cards from WW1. The temporary, topical exhibition explains the
role of horses in WW1 with much material on loan from the Imperial War
Museum as well as information from the local area. We browsed through the
displays along the corridor but did not visit the upper exhibition rooms.
Just opposite is the WWF “Living Planet Centre” which we could not fit into our
schedule but, since it is only a short walk from Woking Station, may be a future
visit.
And so to the New Victoria Theatre: a light and very well-designed building.
The play opens with gunshot off-stage.
“Dangerous Corner” was written in
1938 and set in a beautiful Art Deco lounge, contemporary with that period.
Scene 1 shows the female characters in a light-hearted mood in the lounge
after a dinner party and they have just finished listening to a radio play called
“Sleeping Dogs”. The gentlemen arrive and the title of the radio play triggers
the questions “Should we let sleeping dogs lie?” or “Is it better to tell the
whole truth?”.
This is the foundation of the plot and the decisions made
by the characters form the “dangerous corners” of their dark, sordid
revelations and add to the mounting tension of the play.
The cosy world of
Robert Caplan, the owner of a successful publishing house, is gradually torn
apart after the confessions of various characters with references to
homosexuality, drug-taking and infidelity.
This must have been quite
shocking when the play was first staged in 1938. After many twists and turns
the play ends in darkness with a scream and a repeat of the gunshot which
opened the play. OR DOES IT?
The stage reappears and returns to Scene
1 but now the secrets remain unrevealed and the dinner party continues to be
happy and carefree. Time has played a trick on us so which version is the true
one?
Our thanks go to Brenda Copping for organising such an entertaining day.
Pat Osterburg.
****************************************************************
MEMBERS’ AREA OF THE THIRD AGE TRUST WEBSITE
From 1 December the National Office is offering U3A members the facility to download
booking forms for study days, summer schools etc, and fill them in and also pay for
them on-line. They will offer advice if anyone has a problem. Most times payment will
still be possible by cheque and post.
The Summer Schools booklet can be downloaded but a hard copy can be sent upon
request.
There is also an advice sheet now available to download on Cloud Computing.
To take advantage of these facilities you will have to log in to the Members’ Area of the
Third Age Trust website (u3a.org.uk or google U3A Home Page). It is free and
instructions can be found on the Home page of the website. You can then enter the
Members’ Area and click on Events to see details of current and future events. The
National Office phone number is 0208 466 6139.
GARDENERS FOUR
Gardeners Four has gone through some ups and downs over the last 2 years. I
became a bionic woman, containing more metalwork than any radiographer
had ever seen and spent half my time in hospital. Christine Franklin valiantly
took over the running of the group, until just before last Christmas when she
fell down her stairs, literally now leaving her without a foot to stand on. We
don’t think anyone else should volunteer for what is obviously a dangerous
position, so I am taking up the reins again until Chris is well, at which stage
we will do a joint effort.
In spite of our problems our members have stayed loyal and Chris and I
would like to thank them for all their support. We have put together a full
programme for 2015 and hopefully will get to some pastures new.
We are a wonderful group of people and Chris and I always feel fully
supported by our members.
Margaret Pattman
****************************************************************
From the Card Makers' Group
I would like to thank everyone who has supported our fund-raising effort in
2014. With your help, we raised over £500 from the sale of our hand-made
greetings cards and your generous donations. As the Herts. Air Ambulance
Service seems to be a charity that everyone supports and approves of, we will
once again, have it as our chosen charity for 2015. Our little group of just 6
members make all the cards we sell and we are working on new and unusual
designs to sell at our monthly meetings at the Wyllyotts. It is a hobby that we
are all passionate about and we are very grateful for your support.
With thanks,
Marion
CULTURAL HERITAGE GROUP - FORTHCOMING TRIPS
SPRING 2015
Thursday March 26th 2015 - BROOKLANDS MUSEUM , Weybridge - Members £31.50,
Non- members £32.50
We will be visiting Brooklands, home of the world's first purpose-built motor racing circuit,
constructed in 1907. Brooklands Museum displays a wide range of motoring and aviation
exhibits, ranging from giant racing cars, to bicycles and an unparalleled collection of
Hawker/BAC aircraft, including the only Concorde with public access in South East England.
On arrival we will have tea/coffee and cake, followed by a short talk on the history of Brooklands
and the museum. Included in our visit is the opportunity to take your seat and enjoy a 35 minute
CONCORDE EXPERIENCE with pre-flight briefing, a virtual flight, a viewing of the flight deck
and you will receive a Concorde Flight Certificate!
For the rest of the day you will be free to explore the museum at your leisure. Don’t miss the
period atmosphere in the 1907 clubhouse, the Vicker’s Aircraft Park, the Motoring Village and
Test Hill, with part of the original track. We will be leaving for home at about 4.30pm.
Check this venue on line - www.brooklandsmuseum.com
SOME SEATS STILL AVAILABLE – Contact Joan Farran at farranjoan@aol.com for more
information.
Thursday 23rd April 2015 - SPRING AT WADDESDON MANOR - U3A members £34.00
National Trust members £21.00, Non U3A members £35.00 and £22.00 for National Trust
members.
FULLY BOOKED – WAITING LIST ONLY
Waddesdon Manor was built for Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild in the 1870s to display his
superb collection of 18th century art treasures.
On arrival we will start our day with coffee/tea and homemade biscuits. After coffee we will have
about an hour to explore the area near the house. This includes a stunning parterre garden and
rare Victorian aviary where endangered birds are still being reared. At midday, we will begin our
free-flow tour of the house. The tour is estimated to take about one and a half hours.
After visiting the house, there will be time to have a picnic or buy lunch and a further chance to
explore the gardens, shops, stables and wine selections.
Finally, we will return to the Manor Restaurant at 3.45pm for a cream tea, before leaving for
home at about 4.30pm.
Check this venue on line - www.waddesdon.org.uk
As our outings are usually very popular and are booked very quickly, we ask members to pay
£5.00 per annum to receive booking forms, by first class post, 3 times a year. This ensures that
interested members all receive booking forms and information about the trips, on the same day,
and no-one is at a disadvantage if they do not have a computer.
SPECIAL OFFER - Join this year and you will be registered until September 2016. For more
information e-mail Joan Farran at farranjoan@aol.com
If you would like to go on our MAILING LIST and receive priority booking, please pick up a
Mailing Registration Form at the Cultural Heritage Group table at the monthly U3A meeting.
CHG members- Look out for information about our summer outings – Booking Forms should
arrive on your doorsteps in early April.
Potters Bar U3A Monthly Meetings
Monday 2nd March
800 Years of the Magna Carta
Gary Fisher
............................................................................................................................................
Monday 13th April
The Energy Crisis Renewable, Nuclear & Fracking options
Dr John Hodgson
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Monday 18th May
My time at Windsor Castle
Revd. Canon Edward Carter
..............................................................................................................................
Monday 8th June
'You couldn't make it up'
Sarah Harrison
............................................................................................................................................
All the above meetings will be held in the main auditorium of the Wyllyotts Centre.
Meetings start promptly at 10am. In the interests of safety, please be seated well before
the start time; and please make sure that your mobile phone is turned off.If you need to
leave early please choose an aisle seat in order to cause as little disruption as possible to
the speaker and other members of the audience.