http://www.lhne.co.uk/ Living history NE http://www.taxvol.org.uk/ http://vu3a.org U3A http://www.googleartproject.com/ MARCH 2011 No: 24

Website: www.sunderlandu3a.co.uk

EDITORS Elsie Denham Dorothy Scott

The magazine is published quarterly. Copy deadline for the next magazine is the first of the month of publication st 1 March 1st June Bridge End Gardens, Saffron Walden st 1 September st 1 December Sunderland University of the Third Age: A member of the Third Age Trust

MARCH 2011

CONTENTS

From the Editorial Team 2

From the Chair 3

Future speakers 3 Groups’ News 4 A child in Southwick 8 My road 9 Living history North East 10

Tax help for older people 10 Wedding mania 12 Creative writing 12 International year of forests 13 Quiz 13

Fascinating words 13

Public sculpture: The Journey 14 Wearmouth- World Heritage Site 14 Google Art Project 15 Dementia – some miracle cures 15 Walking to health 16

Bacillafilla 16 Sunderland U3A Happy hour gene 17 Fulwell Methodist Flexible glass 17 Dovedale Road Flower classification 18 Love food hate waste 19 Sunderland Mushrooms 19 Recipes 20 MEETING: Langkawi Sky Bridge 22 Multiplication 22 rd 3 Wednesday of each month at 1.30 for 2.00pm Laws of reality 23 Anniversaries 23 MEMBERSHIP: Dates for your diary 24 0191 549 0984 Interesting people: Adlophe Sax 26 Answers to quiz 27 Regional news 27 Groups at a glance 28 Contact us 29

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FROM THE EDITORS FROM THE CHAIR The winner of the Mini Tales competition was announced at the Christmas Party in Hello Everyone December. Ruby Ball won the prize with her piece Missing You – an evocative piece about the late lamented Woolworths (p10 of the last magazine). Thank you to everyone I think that everyone who braved the elements to attend the Christmas Celebration will who sent in entries – we plan hold another competition this year, and hope more of you agree that we had a great time. The food was very good and although too plentiful did will be encouraged to have a go. not go to waste because members were able to take home ‘doggie bags’ and the entertainment provided by some of the staff from the Customs House was superb. Meanwhile, Ruby’s piece on her childhood street has encouraged others to tell us of Hopefully we will have the funds to provide something similar next year. We also raised their experiences. It is interesting to see how much has changed. On duty at Beamish, over £133 for Sunderland Alzheimer’s Society and I received a letter from them thanking we often get children asking things like “where’s the bathroom”, “where’s the cooker” or us for our continued support and reiterating the fact that donations are used to support (my favourite) “how do we know what it was like in them days?”. My response that I local people. remember it from my childhood is met with blank incomprehension! So it is important that we record these memories before they are forgotten and organisations such as We have started the year with a new group – the Science Group – led by Elsie and Alan Living History North East have been set up to do just that. So if you’ve got something to Denham and we may have a Gardening Group soon and, despite enlarging our say about your childhood memories, we’ll be pleased to print them. membership by 30 to 200, the Waiting List is again growing. We have a Coffee Morning again this month, Wednesday March 30th. This is an ideal opportunity for new The photograph on the front of this magazine was taken on the Buildings group visit to members to meet other members in a relaxed and social setting. Don’t forget to bring Suffolk in spring last year. As the better weather returns and we’re all out and about a books and plants/seeds to swap. bit more, please remember that we also welcome your photographs. As I have said previously, I will (as per the constitution) be stepping down as Chair. I have enjoyed my time in this role. I haven’t found it too onerous and it is pleasing to look Elsie & Dorothy back and see how we have developed and grown over the last 3 years – new groups and our regular Coffee Mornings. My biggest regret is the way we struggle to fill vacancies on the Committee and even getting people to make the tea and coffee is still difficult. Next month is the AGM and it would be great to receive nominations for the vacant positions on the Committee – see your AGM information for details. Please also VOLUNTEERS NEEDED volunteer for the tea and coffee – see Sheila Wilkinson who has the difficult task of organising it. Sunderland U3A now has 200 members. It can be very daunting for new members and visitors I had a very pleasant experience while trying to fill in time before January’s Meeting. I at their first few meetings and we need to make was in Whitburn and stumbled across The Barnes Institute on the main street. A notice said that the coffee shop was open so in I went. The coffee cost 50p a cup and was them, especially those who come on their own, accompanied by a free slice of cake. I was the first person in but soon others began to welcome. arrive. They were obviously regulars. They joined me at my table, explained about the Are you willing to help? Are you willing to be Barnes Institute (it was given to the village by Lady Barnes and it is used as a called upon to ‘befriend’ new members or community centre with various activities on offer) and made me very welcome. They only have limited opening hours (Monday and Wednesday 10.00 – 12.00 and they are visitors, sit with them, talk to them and also open on Saturdays but I am not sure of the time) but it is well worth a visit. generally ‘show them the ropes’ in the Monthly Meeting? Best wishes Judith Please add your name to the list on the signing in desk or contact Judith Ayles. FUTURE SPEAKERS April 20 th J Paterson: Roman History May 18 th John Roughley: Leprosy in India Today June 15 th Julian Harrop: Change of View

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GEOLOGY GROUPS’ NEWS We meet in the Bangladeshi Centre Tatham Street., on the third Friday each month at 2 p.m. We look at a wide variety of subjects connected in some way with the AMATEUR ARTISTS Planet Earth. All are welcome – there is no scientific knowledge needed, simply an Meetings are on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month, at 10.15 at interest in the world about us, and a sense of humour. Railway Museum. We are a small friendly group who 18 Mar Tsunamis like to dabble in a variety of styles and media. Mostly we just like to have 15 Apr DVD: Earth’s creation fun and don’t take ourselves too seriously so if you fancy it do come 20 May tbc along and join us. You don’t need any materials to begin with – just come and try before splashing out. John Baty 0191 522 6462 Barbara Vaughan 0191 529 5334 Marion Miller 0191 548 1009 Josie Thompson 0191 534 2702 HISTORY Meet on the 2 nd Thursday of the month at 11am at Fulwell Methodist CARD MAKING Church We are a small friendly group who meet on the 4 th Monday of each Linda Thompson 0191 549 5693 month at the leader’s house. KEEP MOBILE Pat Devenport 0191 536 2365 New members are most welcome and no experience is necessary. No special footwear or clothing is required. We meet every Friday (except 3 rd Friday) at 10.45 CINEMA am at Fulwell Methodist Church Lunchtime Liaisons at the Customs House, - specially Linda Thompson 0191 549 5693 selected films which vary from period dramas to the biggest blockbusters. You can also join us for lunch prior to the film. Details LOOKING @ ART at general meeting. We meet on the 4th Thursday of the month and everyone is welcome. Norma Robins 0191 416 4498 In October we visited the Laing Art Gallery for an exhibition called "Vision and Imagination". part of the Great British Art debate programme, COMPUTER & DIGITAL SUPPORT featuring British watercolours by William Blake, Turner, William Morris and others.. The Sunderland and Wearside computing groups merged some We met in November at Monkwearmouth Station Museum intending to watch a DVD time ago. The resulting group works mostly on Digital Imaging, but on the topic of Impressionist painters. Due to an equipment malfunction, we were other forms of computer use are supported. very grateful to Joyce Hoseason who gave us a talk on a recent tour of Liverpool’s Meetings are the first and third Tuesdays of the month in the art galleries and interesting buildings. computer room at Amble Tower, Lakeside, Gilley Law. In December we gathered at Sunderland Museum and Winter Garden for a guided a Alan Denham 0191 521 2760 tour of an exhibition by The Singh Twins, who are 2 girl twins from Liverpool who work together to create fascinating images. DISCUSSION In January we again visited the Laing to be guided by Jean Scott around an exhibition of paintings owned by the gallery, called So last Century, showing the Issues discussed can be national, global or local – read the changes in style in the last 100 years. news and air your views! Bring your own ideas for discussion in addition to the ones set. Meetings are on the first Thursday of February found us back at Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens again, this time the month at 2pm at Monkwearmouth Station to be guided by Emily, who showed us an exhibition of portraits of English Writers, including one of Shakespeare which is 400 years old. Susan Quayle 0191 548 8139 Sheila Humby 0191 548 2259 Rose Marshall 0191 528 1468

LUNCH On the 2 nd Wednesday of the month, at different venues. Norma Robins 0191 416 4498

4 5 MUSIC APPRECIATION SCRABBLE Each month we look forward to listening to a varied programme of music, The Scrabble group welcomes new members. We meet on selected by our own members. The room is comfortable and the staff the second Friday of each month, at the home of the are welcoming. You don't need to know anything about music and we organiser. need Listeners as well as Compilers so come along and relax. Meet at Penny Parker 10 am for coffee/ tea at Dock St Tower Block for a 10.15 start. You’ll be sure of a welcome! SWIMMING 25 Mar Elsie Denham: It takes two April Bank holiday – no meeting Wearside U3A meet at the Raich Carter swimming pool, 27 May Sally Green: Schubert Commercial Road, every Monday from 2pm-3pm. Sunderland members are invited to join them. The cost is £2.20. Just turn up. Joyce Hoseason 0191 548 6041 Doreen Lloyd 0191 567 4484 Mary de Mughn 0191 523 6605 POETRY APPRECIATION TAI CHI An enthusiastic group who find some varied poems on a chosen topic. These stimulate reminiscences, discussion and some laughs. The Tai Chi group meets every Tuesday afternoon from 2.00pm to Everyone chooses two poems on a previously chosen topic. These 3.00pm at Fulwell Methodist Church. Tai Chi involves gentle exercise are read and discussed. Everyone seems to enjoy looking through books for under the guidance of our excellent tutor Michael. Classes are geared something appropriate. One regular attendee just came along to see what the group to suit all levels of ability and all are welcome. was about, admitting to never having opened a poetry book since school days. The cost is £3 per session. No special clothing or equipment is needed - you just Meetings are held at Monkwearmouth Station on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at need comfortable clothing and footwear. Come and chill!. 10.15 am. Dorothy Scott 0191 5652108 Elizabeth Robson 0191 567 1421 TEN PIN BOWLING READING GROUP This group meets at 10.15 am on the 4th Wednesday each month at the Bowling The Reading Group meet at the Central Library at 2pm on the 4th Centre in Newcastle Road, near the Wheatsheaf. Thursday of the month. The books are provided by the library and we Martin & Primrose Walker 0191 567 8920 use the room rent free. We have a reading programme organised up to June 2011. New members are welcome. TRAVEL GROUP Rose Marshall 0191 528 1468 We meet on the 4th Thursday of the month at Monkwearmouth Railway Museum. Visits are also arranged, at home and abroad. SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Bob Younger 0191 549 0984 This is a new group, run jointly with Wearside U3A, which will look at general science and technology topics, including climate, WALKING environment, astronomy, how things work … and any other topic of general interest. No specialist knowledge required – just an Apart from the exercise there is a nice social gathering and interest in the world around you. atmosphere, topped off by a meal in a pub or restaurant, at the end of the walk. The walks are done at a leisurely pace and are around 3 to 4 Meetings will be at Monkwearmouth Station on the first Monday of the month miles long. The walks take place on the second Wednesday of each th starting 2pm. The first session will be on 7 March with An Introduction to Sundials month. Please look out for details at each monthly meeting. 4 Apr The Golden Mean Bob Younger 0191 549 0984 May – bank holiday, no meeting 6 Jun Understanding Weather Alan Denham 0191 521 2760

6 7 youngest sister Edna was waiting for her ‘Mickey Mouse’ mask. I don’t know how long A CHILD IN SOUTHWICK we stayed under the table! I lived in several streets in Southwick until I was 10 Because we were so near the shipyards and Wearmouth Colliery, and my Dad was in years old, Cornhill Road, (gone), Carley Road above a the army, it was considered too dangerous for us to stay in the flat. It takes some newspaper shop, (gone, although half of the street is believing but the powers that be decided we would have to be evacuated. My Mam, my still there). There was a great fish and chip shop, chips two sisters, me, my Aunt Doris and her two children were all evacuated to . cut by hand by Mr Pierrie. I think it’s a Chinese shop We stayed with a Mrs Searle and her two children in a council house in Plains Road. now. We went by tram with all our bits and pieces to the top of Durham Road, past the Bede Then to the ‘terrace’ part of Southwick Road, next door School. I don’t think we stayed there for very long. We got a council house of our own in to Billy’s Billiard Hall. We were all threatened with all Shrewsbury Crescent, not far from Plains Road. It was like living in the country. Barnes kinds of punishment if we went inside. I thought it was Park was at the bottom of our street, off Ettrick Grove, and there were open fields all a den of something awful. Needless to say I had to look inside only to find it full of around. I lived there until I was married to a Southwick man and returned to my roots smoke with big lights over big tables. Nothing happened to me. and I still live in Southwick. We lived in a flat upstairs in no. 24. I slept in the front room with my two sisters. My bed Marion Miller was in the corner and I could hear the tramcars going past our door. The lights seemed ======to move across the ceiling – the artist in me even then. We had two or three rooms, no water and an open coal fire with the oven on the right side. The toilet was in the yard and there was a wash house. Everything had to be carried upstairs, including the tin MY ROAD 1950S – 1990S bath, filled with water boiled on the fire. We still had traders calling. Our milkman delivered milk, The Glass House, a factory, was outside our back door. One of my aunts worked there cream, eggs, margarine and potatoes At Christmas there and I still have a piece of glass made there. At the front of the house the pavement had were different size hampers including turkey, chickens and, two steps down into the road. Even now, although the houses have all gone, the of course, cake. Bread was also available with hot cross pavement still has two steps down to the road. buns at Easter! I remember playing there rubbing plum stones to make little boats. On the other side of The coalman came, as we all had back boilers before gas. the road was a bread shop which sold nice pies. There were several streets going down Soft drinks, Tizer and so on, scissors sharpened and knives towards the river, I think Shilton Street, Vedra Street and others. There were lots of etc. Lots of handymen came down our road, for many years. shops on Southwick Road, going down as far as the Half Way House – the pub is still Children really had no need to play in the road as we all had there. Going up the road there was a big off-licence, newspaper shop, greengrocers and very long back gardens. Some dads put up tree houses as we had a lot of mature trees. butchers. At the bottom of Carley Road was my favourite, a Tents went up in the hot spells and it wasn’t unusual for families to sleep outside. We sweet shop – Granny Rudd’s. She ran it with her sister. I thought did – great fun. they were very old and both were unmarried. They made toffee The road was situated only minutes walk from the London green belt land so we had the cakes and, I think, toffee apples. benefit of miles of open country, commons etc. Being also near public transport we had I started at Grange Park infant’s school, which was very modern. the best of both worlds. We had a garden and used to have some lessons outside. I was Ruby Ball there until the war started, when the school was closed and we had lessons in houses around the school and also in the Colliery

office. I was very impressed. When I was ten I can remember clearly the day war was declared. My Dad had already been called up for the army. For Sale Every Sunday I went to see my Aunt Hilda after church at St Columba’s. She lived in a council house in Newbold Avenue (down the steps). I used to help her make the Sunday Full set of encyclopedia dinner. She taught me to make Yorkshire puddings. I had to go to Carley Road to get No longer needed the milk and I was standing with my jug when the air raid siren went. I was in a dilemma. Wife knows everything I didn’t know if I should go back with the milk or go home, which was nearer. The lady said ‘Go home, the war has started’, so off I went as fast as my legs would take me. My

Mam was in a complete panic. We didn’t have an air raid shelter so we all sat under the kitchen table covered in blankets. My Mam, sister Joan and I had our gas masks but my

8 9 The charity TaxAid is one of many organisations providing free advice. Their website LIVING HISTORY NORTH EAST (http://taxaid.org.uk/) is packed with information, including standard letters for you to In recent years historians have started to recognise the importance of adapt. oral history – the preservation of historical information based on If you are retired and the household income is under £17,000 help is at hand from TOP personal experiences of living people. (Think how fascinating it would (Tax Help for Older People), an independent free tax advice service for older people on be to have access to the memories of an Elizabethan kitchen maid, a low incomes who cannot afford to pay for professional advice. The service is provided Viking settler or a labourer building Durham Cathedral.) Recording by a team of over 700 qualified volunteers. Contact their helpline on 0845 601 3321 or oral histories provides an opportunity for us to hear things otherwise see their website at http://www.taxvol.org.uk/index.htm. hidden from history. How much do you know about tax? Living History North East is a project dedicated to the collection and conservation of living memories across the region, by any means - tape, writing, photograph, film. They 1. What is your personal allowance? work with many local groups, helping them record change and offer training in many The personal allowance is the amount you can earn without paying tax. It aspects of the work (eg interviewing techniques, making photographic records etc). changes each year and depends on age. There are 3 rates: basic (£6,475 in Their database records details of regional collections so that researchers can be aware 2010/11), with higher rates at age 65, and 75. of what is available: the archive includes pictures, audio recordings and transcripts of interviews. 2. How is your State pension taxed? The basic State Pension counts as taxable income but is paid to you without tax LHNE is always looking for volunteers – contact them at the Donnison School, Church taken off. If your total income - including your State Pension - is more than your Road, Sunderland. tax-free personal allowance, the tax will usually be taken off your works pension, but check that you are paying enough. ======3. Should you be completing a self-assessment form? TAX HELP FOR OLDER PEOPLE If you have relatively straightforward tax affairs and already pay tax through PAYE you probably won't need to complete a tax return. But if you have more • Do you worry about your tax affairs? complicated tax affairs - eg income from several sources - you may need to • Do you know if you are paying the right amount of tax? complete one. • Are you afraid of approaching HM Revenue & Customs for help? With the introduction of a new National PAYE But remember it's your taxes that pay for the services you enjoy. The less you pay, the computer last autumn, many errors from the past are less there is to spend on hospitals, schools, free bus passes, libraries, bin collections ... being identified. At the end of last year, letters were sent out concerning the 2008/09 and 2009/10 discrepancies. In addition, it is estimated that there could be another 15 million people affected for tax years from 2007/08 and earlier. For these earlier years the amounts involved are substantial. If you were one of the unlucky 1.4 million people who received notification that you owe tax, you may be wondering what to do next. Have you checked the calculation? When I did so I soon discovered that far from owing them money, I am owed a refund. The adviser I spoke to at HMRC confessed "I can't make any sense of this demand" - so what hope for ordinary mortals! You can contact HMRC for advice on 0845 3000 627, or on the phone number for your own tax office. You will need your NI number. Their website has useful information, including a tax checker. Beware of businesses approaching pensioners and offering to obtain a refund of tax that may have been overpaid. The cost of this service is a percentage of the reclaimed tax, often about

40%. All refunds are paid to these firms who deduct their fee before passing the much reduced remains on to the client. So use with caution. 10 11 WEDDING MANIA - £££ As we approach the mass hysteria that is the Royal Wedding, the INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF FORESTS - 2011 avalanche of overpriced tat grows exponentially. The Centre for Celebrating forests for people Retail Research estimates that retailers will receive a £515m The International Year of Forests — a year-long celebration of the boost in sales, with souvenirs (including 3 million commemorative vital role that forests play in people’s lives — was launched at the mugs) bringing in £222m. (The 1981 royal marriage brought in UN in February, at a ceremony attended by world leaders and UN £680 million – over £2 billion in today’s money.) forest experts. 'Kate and Wills are the nation' s sweethearts and shoppers have said they would Global observance of the Year comes amid growing recognition of love to buy a piece of history while doing their shop.' – Asda spokesman the role that forests managed in a sustainable manner play in everything from mitigating climate change to providing wood, medicines and livelihoods for people around the Within days of the engagement announcement, Ebay was offering a raft of items from T- world. shirts to thimbles and keyrings featuring the pair and we shouldn’t forget the late lamented Woolworths, who took a speculative punt on commemorative china in 2006, “By declaring 2011 as the International Year of Forests,” Secretary-General Ban Ki- just before the couple split up. moon said, “the United Nations General Assembly has created an important platform to educate the global community about the great value of forests — and the extreme Passing swiftly over Condoms of Distinction, it is reported that The Early Learning social, economic and environmental costs of losing them.” Centre plans to re-create the royal couple as plastic dolls, while Sylvanian Families offer a “Celebration (answers p 27) Wedding pack” starring two rabbits. And the alternative QUIZ – COLLECTIONS souvenir industry has a wide range of “not the royal What do you call a collection of: wedding” items, including the Royal Wedding Sick Bag. 1. Bees 6. Geese in flight But if you’re looking for something a bit different, Knit 2. Eggs 7. Geese on the ground Your Own Royal Wedding by Fiona Goble contains 3. Peacocks 8. Toads patterns for 10 key players (including the Queen and 4. Larks 9. Eagles corgi) and the option to include yourself as a guest. A 5. Nightingales 10. Kittens Clarence House spokesman would only say that the royal household did not comment on memorabilia.

THINGS WE HAVE LEARNED ARTS AND LITERATURE According to researchers, 40% of messages on Twitter are pointless babble. FASCINATING WORDS (Only 40 %?) OPSIMATH : Someone who studies or takes up a new pursuit late in life – an old dog that can learn new tricks! (from Greek opse, late and math, learning) Surely this is a CREATIVE WRITING word which should grow in usage as the number of U3A members increases! Are you a beginner writer? Do you know you want to put pen to paper but At the same time, perhaps we should all aim to be not know where to start? The Crafty Writer's free online creative writing polymaths (people educated in many subjects) course is presented by Fiona Veitch Smith, a freelance journalist, author, playwright and writing teacher. This eight-session online creative writing course, based AUTODIDACT: Someone who is self-taught. (Gk on writing workshops she gives in the North East, will give you an introduction to the autodidaktos - self-taught) basic elements of creative writing, from prose fiction to poetry. The course is entirely free and you can work through it at your own pace. Website: http://creative-writing- ======course.thecraftywriter.com/ (And don’t forget to send your creations to the magazine for publishing! – Ed) ======

12 13 PUBLIC SCULPTURE: THE JOURNEY GOOGLE ART PROJECT Title: The Journey Google revealed its latest project in Feb 2001: the Google Art Project is a collaboration with 17 leading galleries and museums from around the world to Sculptor: Fenwick Lawson enable art lovers to explore their collections online. Partners in the project Where: Millennium Square, Durham include our own National Gallery and Tate Britain; they are joined by foreign galleries such as Florence's Uffizi, St Petersburg's State Hermitage , Date: Sept 2008 Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum, New York's MoMA. Each museum was able to choose the number of galleries, artwork and information they wanted to The piece depicts a group of monks include.. All the information on individual artworks was also provided by the carrying a coffin - a tribute to the museums. story of St Cuthbert's coffin which Using Google's Street View technology you can take a virtual tour of each of the was taken from Lindisfarne, after the museums, "walking" down the corridors and looking at the art on the walls; or jumping to monks fled from a Danish invasion, specific rooms, such as the Titian Room in the National Gallery or The Great Hall of the and carried round the north for over Metropolitan Museum of Art. You can even create and share your own virtual collection 100 years until their travels ended in of masterpieces. Durham around the end of the 10th century. The most spectacular feature is the ability to zoom in on specific paintings, to incredible levels The original was carved in wood, but of detail, better than possible if you were actually for its outdoor public display it had to standing in front of the painting (see Van Gogh's be cast in bronze. brush stokes greatly enhanced, for example. So The sculptor Fenwick Lawson was far, this is restricted to one painting per gallery – originally from South Moor in County Van Gogh's Starry Night at MoMA, Botticelli's Durham. Among his many other Birth of Venus at the Uffizi – but it seems works is the statue of St Cuthbert that stands on Holy Island. inevitable that it will eventually include far more of the collections. Around £180,000 was raised by public subscription to commission the piece. Nicholas Serota, director of the Tate, was ======probably right when he claimed the Google project as "the first global art collection" and one which gives us the clearest sense yet WEARMOUTH-JARROW – CANDIDATE WORLD HERITAGE SITE of "the digital future for museums". Wearmouth-Jarrow in North East England is one of Begin your tour at http://www.googleartproject.com/

the most important historic sites in the world, which is

why it is the UK’s nominated site for World Heritage Site status in 2011. The twin Anglo-Saxon monastery HEALTH MATTERS is centred around St. Peter’s Church in Wearmouth, Sunderland and St. Paul’s Church in Jarrow, and was DEMENTIA – SOME MIRACLE CURES home to the Venerable Bede. The Daily Telegraph reported “A walk a day can keep dementia at bay, research shows” … but is it true? A new website has been set up to help everyone understand the importance of the twin monastery. It The study, by researchers in USA, studied just 120 people aged uses 3D tours, games and various interactive between 55 and 80 over a year in which one group did aerobic elements to explain the story of the monastery and exercise and the other light exercise (such as yoga). The the Venerable Bede and also has information about researchers measured success in memory tests and the size of forthcoming events and activities the hippocampus, an area of the brain related to memory. It is important to note the small size of the study, which was Take a guided walk through the churches at conducted over a short time period and did not take account other www.wearmouth-jarrow.org.uk factors that might affect memory, such as stress or alcohol intake.

14 15 They discovered there was some slight increase in the size of the hippocampus in the students, whose backgrounds include computer science, civil engineering, microbiology aerobic exercise group. However, although this group’s memories did improve over the and biochemistry, was BacillaFilla – a bacteria that can knit together cracks in concrete year, the improvements were not significantly different from that of the control group, structures by producing a special ‘glue’. which also showed small improvements. The genetically-modified microbe has been programmed to swim So the best one can say is that this may indicate that any type of exercise may lead to down fine cracks in the concrete. Once at the bottom it produces a small improvements in memory – more research is needed. mixture of calcium carbonate and a bacterial glue which combine with the filamentous bacterial cells to ‘knit’ the building back together and Alternatively, you could try green tea: “A cup of green tea a day then hardens to the same strength as the surrounding concrete. It appears to protect against Alzheimer’s disease and other forms thus repairs and prolongs the life of structures which are of dementia,” reported The Daily Telegraph (and cancer too, environmentally costly to build. according to the Daily Mail). This study looked at the effects of a concentrated green tea extract on rat cells grown in the Joint project instructor Dr Jennifer Hallinan explains: “Around five per cent of all man- laboratory. made carbon dioxide emissions are from the production of concrete, making it a significant contributor to global warming. Finding a way of prolonging the lifespan of Note that the solution tested was heavily concentrated so it is not known what the effect existing structures means we could reduce this environmental impact. This could be of simply drinking green tea would be. Nor is it known if the lab results can be particularly useful in earthquake zones where hundreds of buildings have to be flattened applicable to the human diseases Alzheimer’s and cancer. A 1999 systematic review of because there is currently no easy way of repairing the cracks and making them 51 studies found that, while green tea is safe if consumed regularly in moderation, its structurally sound.” anti-cancer properties remain unproven. As part of the research, the students also considered the potential risks to the ======environment. The BacillaFilla spores only start germinating when they make contact with concrete and they have an in-built self-destruct gene which means they would be WALKING TO HEALTH unable to survive in the environment. Sunderland Primary Care Trust’s Health Trainers run free walking Inanimate objects are classified scientifically into three major categories - groups on Tuesdays and Thursdays, offering different walks every week. those that don't work, those that break down and those that get lost. All you have to do is turn up on the day with some sensible walking Russell Baker (1925 - ) shoes.

Tuesday walks are a maximum of 4 miles, sometimes over uneven terrain; Thursday walks are a maximum of 3 miles and also suitable for HAPPYHOUR GENE wheelchairs. Some fruit flies have a genetic resistance to getting drunk, The walking groups meet at 10am at Park Lane bus station, near the taxi rank. The according to research by leading fruit-fly drunkenness expert walks are free, but you have to pay the bus fare to the walk starting point. (what?) Professor Ulrike Heberlein. While most fruit flies will consume alcohol until they become uncoordinated, and For more info: 0191 502 7154 eventually fall over, some can party all night with no ill-effects - but only if they have an inactive version of a gene that SCIENCE scientists have amusingly decided to name 'happyhour'.

CRACKS IN YOUR CONCRETE? YOU NEED ‘BACILLAFILLA’ FLEXIBLE GLASS is a legendary lost invention from the first century AD. The International Genetically Engineered Machines contest (iGEM), run by the According to Isadore of Seville (born c 560 AD), its inventor presented a drinking Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is a competition which tries to address the bowl made of flexible glass to the Emperor Tiberius Caesar. When he threw it to question: “Can simple biological systems be built from standard, the floor the material dented, instead of shattering. The inventor was then able to interchangeable parts and operated in living cells? Or is biology simply repair the dent with a small hammer. After the inventor swore to the Emperor too complicated to be engineered in this way?” The aim is to get together that he alone knew the technique of manufacture, Caesar had the man a team of students from a variety of backgrounds to design and beheaded, fearing such material could undermine the value of gold and silver. genetically engineer a bacterium to do something novel and useful.

Over 130 teams from all over the world took part in this year’s event and it is now the third time Newcastle University has won a Gold medal. The project of the team of nine

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GARDENING FOOD

FLOWER CLASSIFICATION LOVE FOOD HATE WASTE As the weather improves and we start to think about summer displays, what do you Households in the UK throw away 8.3 million tonnes of food every plant? Most gardens include flowers of one kind or another, unless you have just a lawn year. Reducing food waste is a major issue and not just about good and patio! But how do we classify the different plants? food going to waste; wasting food costs the average family with There are five basic types in the UK. children £680 a year and has serious environmental implications too. 1. Hardy Perennial : plants that will survive outside from If we all stop wasting food that could have been eaten, the CO2 one year to the next, (includes shrubs, trees as well as impact would be the equivalent of taking 1 in 4 cars off the road. herbaceous plants that will often die down during winter, growing from roots or crowns again next spring). These need to be placed with care and thought if they are to thrive as they will be there for many years. 2. Tender Perennial (also known as half-hardy perennials). Plants which need protection from frost. This group includes most greenhouse or house plants, and winter dormant plants such as dahlias. Why does so much food get thrown away? 3. Hardy Biennial Many root vegetables belong in this group, as they are sown one year and flower the next. Some can be The main reasons for throwing away food can be grouped into "cooking or preparing too forced to flower the same year, but usually they will produce much" (for example cooking too much rice or pasta and it gets left in the saucepan or on seed to allow a continuous supply of yearly flowers. the plate) or "not using food in time" - for example having to throw out fruit and vegetables because they’ve gone off in the fruit bowl or in the fridge, or not eating food 4. Hardy Annual: These can withstand frost, but usually grow, before it goes past its use-by date. flower and die all in one year. As they can withstand cold temperatures, some can be sown in autumn to produce flowers Love Food Hate Waste is the ‘Waste Not Want Not’ of the modern day, providing tips, the following summer. They make excellent container plants, advice and recipes for leftovers to help everyone waste less food. The site includes tips and can supplement herbaceous perennials and shrubs. for storage, tips on planning, recipes and the portion planner removes the guesswork by suggesting how much to cook. If you’re stuck for ideas, What food needs using up? Is 5. Tender Annual: If these plants are frosted, they will die, so must be planted out a useful section in which you click on the food you have to use up and are given suitable when the last of the frosts occur, which for the UK is around the middle of May. They recipes. http://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/ can be grown under glass before this, so when planted out they will have a head start. When the Autumn frosts arrive, they will soon die. MUSHROOMS Mushrooms have been part of our staple diet for years. However, while some foods, such as broccoli and tomatoes are well known for their health properties, it seems that common white mushrooms have been overshadowed, especially by their more exotic cousins, such as shiitake and oyster, which have been revered by herbalists for centuries. But recent studies have declared them to be something of a wonder food – virtually fat-free, full of B vitamins and minerals, folic acid, dietary fibre and anti-oxidants and low calorie. They are also very rich in proteins – more than in any other vegetable. They are a versatile ingredient that can be easily added to many dishes and they can make a nutritious addition to meals, as their high water and fibre content makes them filling. Mushrooms are considered part of the fruit and vegetable food group and each serving (80g is about 14 baby buttons,

or four large closed cup mushrooms) counts towards the 5-A-DAY target.

18 19 Mushrooms are the fruiting body of a fungus. Scientifically, there is no difference M&M Sauce between toadstools and mushrooms – they are all fungi, some of which are good to eat, M&Ms?? Those chocolate things, like smarties, but made by someone else? No, not some not. The ones you buy in the shop, or field mushrooms, are members of the this time. M&M is mushroom and mustard, and it makes a pretty good sauce for meat. agaricus family Collecting wild mushrooms is a specialist skill: don’t be fooled into thinking if it looks like a shop mushroom it’s good to eat – it may not be! Take a large handful of mushrooms. They are going to cook down quite a lot, and the people around your table are going to grab quite a lot of this mix, so be generous – which might mean making this a special dish for when mushrooms are cheap. Anyway, a handful of mushrooms – maybe a quarter? Maybe six ounces. Put them on a chopping board and chop them. We don't want a liquid (I would have said so), but we do want them chopped pretty small – if there is any piece more than half a centimetre in any direction, you probably need to keep chopping for a bit longer. Take a saucepan and drop into it a hefty knob of butter or butter substitute – or even cooking oil. Warm it up and add the mushrooms. Stir thoroughly as they begin to cook. When ready, add some milk (about a third of a cupful should do at this stage) and let it simmer while you find a stock cube. What won't do is beef stock- it is much too strong for this dish, use chicken or vegetable – or omit entirely, but if you do you will need to add a pinch or two of salt. Crush the stock cube – it won't have much chance to spread out otherwise, and you don't want it left in a lump. Add the crushed cube, stir again. Don't worry too much about the colour at this stage – it depends very much on the type of mushrooms you used. I have even known it go a strange dark purple, but it still tastes good. Take a little more milk (maybe another third of a cupful? Maybe a bit less), add about half a teaspoonful of English mustard (maybe less at first if this is the first time you have done this recipe) and mix in some thickening agent (flour will do, cornflour is better, cream comes out too rich) and pour it in. Bring to the boil, with thorough stirring. Check for thickness, check for amount of mustard – you may well need to increase both until the balance suits you. RECIPES Serve over chicken portions or slow-cooked pork chops, with boiled potatoes and a ROASTED MUSHROOM & RICE SALAD selection from cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, and/or peas. 250g mushrooms 2tbsp olive oil 175g brown rice 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar For the brave: Near the end, when you have the mushroom and mustard flavours 1 red pepper, cut in strips 4 spring onions, sliced nicely balanced, crush a clove of garlic and stir it in. The longer you cook it after that, 2 celery sticks, sliced 1 orange, peeled and sliced the weaker the garlic will be. Personally, I use two cloves and cook for about ten seconds after adding, but I am something of an extremist where garlic is concerned. Preheat the oven to 200 oC Toss mushrooms and pepper in the olive oil, Alan Denham season with salt & pepper, then bake for 20 mins or until mushrooms and peppers are lightly "Omit and substitute! That's how recipes should be charred Cook the rice until tender, drain and stir into written. Please don't ever get so hung up on published mushrooms recipes that you forget that you can omit and substitute." Stir in spring onions, celery and orange slices Jeff Smith, The Frugal Gourmet Add balsamic vinegar and season to taste Serve warm or cold

20 21 LANGKAWI SKY BRIDGE, MALAYSIA THE LAWS OF REALITY Law of Gravity: Any tool, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner.

Law of Probability : The probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of your act. Law of Random Numbers : If you dial a wrong number, you never get a busy signal and someone always answers.

Variation Law : If you change lines (or traffic lanes), the one you were in will always move faster than the one you are in now (works every time).

Law of the Bath: When the body is fully immersed in

water, the telephone rings.

Law of the Result : When you try to prove to someone that a machine won't work, it will.

Law of Physical Appearance: If the clothes fit, they're ugly. Law of Commercial Marketing Strategy: As soon as you find a product that you really like, they will stop making it.

Langkawi is a Doctors' Law: If you don't feel well and you make an appointment to visit the doctor, by pedestrian suspension the time you get there you'll feel better. Don't make an appointment and you'll stay ill. bridge 700 metres above sea level with a 125 metres span ANNIVERSARIES across a spectacular chasm. It is curved to 300 years ago: Publication of Authorised (King James) bible (2 May 1711) provide different views 200 years ago: Chang and Eng, the original Siamese twins, over land and sea. The born 11 May1811 Andaman Sea and Thailand’s Tarutao 150 years ago: American Civil War began (12 April 1861) Island can be seen in 100 years ago: Death of Gustav Mahler (18 May 1911) the distance 50 years ago : Yuri Gagarin the first man in space (12 April 1961) 50 years ago : Amnesty International was founded in London ======50 years ago : (28 May 1961) MULTIPLICATION – A MATHEMATICAL JOKE

The Flood is over and the ark has landed. Noah lets all the animals out EARTH DAY is an annual event that aims to inspire awareness and says, “Go forth and multiply.” A few months later, Noah decides to see of the environment. There are two different dates both held how the animals are doing. Everywhere he looks he finds baby animals. annually during spring in the northern hemisphere. The United Everyone is doing fine except for one pair of snakes. “What’s the Nations celebrates Earth Day on the spring equinox; while a global problem?” he asks. “Cut down some trees and let us live there,” say the observance in many countries is held on 22 April. snakes. Noah does this. Several weeks later he checks on the snakes again. Lots of little snakes, everybody is happy. Noah asks, “Want to tell me how the trees helped?” “Certainly”, say the snakes. “We’re adders, so we need logs to multiply.”

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PICTURE THE PAST DATES FOR YOUR DIARY A programme of lectures at the Donnison School, Church Walk, SR1 2BJ; Mondays, 1.30 to 3.30 pm; £2 for visitors 11 Mar–Sep John Martin Heritage Festival – various venues in and around 28 Mar Phil Curtis: Sunderland in the 1960s Haydon Bridge and exhibition at Laing Art Gallery 18 Apr George Nairn: The postcard man 22-23 Mar Science Museum Live : spectacular science at Journal Tyne Theatre; 23 May An audience with … ordinary people with ordinary lives £12.50 New this year … 26 Mar Chill out at Gibside : Tai Chi and Yoga sessions; £4 per hour (and The Friends of the Donnison School have a huge collection of photographs. also on last Sat of Apr, May) They will be showing these on the first Tuesday of every month, starting 1pm. £2 14-17 Apr Great North Steam Fair ; Beamish Museum Add your own photos to the collection 27 Apr Monkwearmouth Station Museum: Easter fun day 29 Apr–1 May Morpeth Northumbrian Gathering SUNDERLAND COMMUNITY LECTURES Tom Cowie Theatre, Sunderland University; Wednesdays at 2.30pm; free 30 Apr Candlelit concert at Gibside ; £10 4 May John Grundy: The buildings of Sunderland 13-14 May The Late Shows : events and exhibitions cultural venues in 1 Jun John Derry: Hadrian – the man who built the Wall NewcastleGateshead that are usually closed in the evening. Free TUNSTALL HILLS PROTECTION GROUP buses link up the venues Series of gentle guided walks on Sunday afternoons. Meet at 2pm at changing room car 21 May–5 Jun Northern Rocks: The North Pennines Festival of Geology and park on the hill (opposite Hollymere pub). Free. Details from 0191 528 4659 or Landscape at various venues http://www.northpennines.org.uk/ www.tunstallhills.org.uk 1 May Dawn chorus walk; meet at 5.30 am 25 May The Evolution of Botanic Gardens : talk followed by guided tour at 29 May Beating the Bounds Durham Botanical Gardens; £4 12 June Wild flower of Tunstall Hills 3-5 Jun Seaton Sluice Festival of Music : various venues 19 June Butterflies of Tunstall Hills

MONDAY STROLLERS REGULAR MEETINGS: Walking group meeting locally every other Monday for short gentle walks. For details FOSUMS (Friends of Sunderland Museums) contact Margaret Ridley on 0191 581 7235 or email [email protected] Meetings at Sunderland Museum, third Thursday of each month 7- 9pm; £1 entry fee LIT & PHIL Membership enquiries to: David Owens on 07949 613 363 Programme at http://www.litandphil.org.uk/html Reserve a seat by calling (0191) 232 14 Apr Norman Kirtlan: Characters of Victorian Sunderland 0192, or emailing [email protected] ; 19 May John Kilcoyne: Science is fun 16 Jun Annual Dinner AFTERNOON TEA & MUSIC at Souter Lighthouse; 3-5pm on second Wednesday of the month, starting 13 Apr to 12 Oct; Entrance free; food and drink available to WEARSIDE FIELD CLUB purchase. Meets at 7.30 pm on the second Tuesday of the month at Fulwell Community Centre, Chapman Street (£1 entry) plus one Saturday walk/excursion per month (coach fare for out of area walks). Details from Elsie Denham on 0191 521 2760 Tues 12 Apr Janette Hylton: The old East End THIS SPORTING DEATH … Sat 16 Apr Walk: Elsdon & Rothbury Jockey Frank Hayes holds the dubious distinction of being the only Tues 10 May John Baty: Sunderland Rocks jockey to have won a race while dead. In 1923 he suffered a heart Sat 21 May Walk: Chester le Street circular attack mid race while riding at Belmont Park in New York. By the time Tues 14 Jun Liz Walsh: Daily life in Saxon times the horse Sweet Kiss (a 20 to 1 outsider) crossed the line in unexpected triumph Hayes was dead although he managed to stay in the saddle. SUNDERLAND CIVIC SOCIETY Thurs, 7.15 (coffee) for 7.30 at the Age Concern Building, Stockton Road 12 May Anniversary Meal

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INTERESTING PEOPLE ANSWERS TO QUIZ (p13) ADOLPHE SAX (1814 – 1894) 1. Swarm of bees 2. Clutch of eggs 3. Muster of peacocks 4. Exaltation of "There does not exist another larks 5. Watch of nightingales 6. Skein of flying geese 7. Gaggle of geese musical instrument that I know of 8. Knot of toads 9. Convocation of eagles 10. Kindle of kittens that possesses this strange resonance, which is situated at the edge of silence." Hector Belioz praising the saxophone in 1842 REGIONAL NEWS Contrary to the popular joke, there was a famous Belgian: Adlophe Sax who REMINDER was born in Dinant in 1814, the eldest DURHAM RESIDENTIAL SCIENCE SCHOOL , son of musical instrument maker 11-14 th April 2011 at Durham University Charles Joseph Sax. He was Bookings are still being taken – some non-residential places remain . christened Antoine Joseph Adolphe Sax. Despite a childhood of ill health The subjects will be: Biology, Earth Sciences, Physics. Details from John Leiper, and accidents ("He's a child condemned Marlfield Lodge, by Coldstream, Berwickshire, TD12 4JT. Email [email protected] to misfortune; he won't live," his mother or follow link from our web site said), he showed his father’s skills, ======making his own instruments at an early age and at the age of 15 he entered two NORTHUMBRIA REGIONAL AGM of his flutes and a clarinet into a competition 27 April – venue and details to be confirmed While his father continued to produce conventional instruments, Adlophe started to ======experiment with new designs after he left school: he was 20 when he made an entirely new clarinet, with 24 keys, going on to create many new designs, including a new VIRTUAL U3A double-bass clarinet and a steam organ "capable of being heard throughout the province". In 1840 he presented nine inventions at the Belgian Exhibition but was Virtual U3A (vU3A), which began in January 2009, “meets” denied the gold medal because of his age. only on the internet and is intended to recreate the U3A experience for anyone who cannot attend their local U3A Such was his fame that he had offers to set up business in St Petersburg and London, group for any reason – such as illness, or difficulty travelling. but chose to move to Paris in 1841 where he began work on a series of keyed bugles, Just like other U3As, it has several interest groups - art, far superior to existing designs, which became known as saxhorns and are still used in family history, bookclub, gardens, science, philosophy, brass bands today. creative writing … and many more. There is also a Common Room where members can contact one another with suggestions for topics of interest and for new groups, and a But his most famous invention was the saxophone which was Coffee Shop for a relaxed exchange of views, gossip and getting to know each other. patented in 1846, after he had exhibited a full range of saxophones (from contrabass to soparino). These instruments made his Membership is open to all retired or semi-retired people, including those who already reputation, and he moved on to a job teaching at the Paris belong to a local U3A group. Further information and a membership form is available Conservatoire. He wanted to create an instrument that would both on their website: http://vu3a.org. be the most powerful and vocal of the woodwinds and the most adaptive of the brass, which would fill the then vacant middle ======ground between the two sections. Sax continued to make instruments later in life, as well as presiding over saxophone classes at the Paris Conservatoire. His rivals plagued him with a long series of court The Irish gave the bagpipes to the Scots as a joke, but cases, all of which he won, though as a result of the mounting costs he was declared the Scots haven't got the joke yet. ~ Oliver Herford bankrupt 3 times. He died in Paris in 1894.

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GROUPS AT A GLANCE CONTACT US

Chair: Judith Ayles 18 Hunter Close, East Boldon, NE36 0TB; MONDAY (Not Bank Holidays or some school holidays – see notices & web site) 07985 317 478 judithbldn @ btinternet.com 1 Science Monkwearmouth Railway Museum 2pm Vice-chairman: 3 Rockville, , SR6 9EL; 0191 548 1878 1 Swimming Raich Carter Centre, Commercial Road, 1.45 for 2.00pm Ann Aldridge 2 Amateur Artists Monkwearmouth Railway Museum 10.15am 2 Swimming Raich Carter Centre 1.45 for 2.00pm Hon. Secretary: 12 Lee Street, Sunderland SR6 9BA 3 Swimming Raich Carter Centre 1.45 for 2.00pm Linda Thompson 0191 549 5693 4 Card Making Leader’s home 10.00am 4 Amateur Artists Monkwearmouth Railway Museum 10.15am Treasurer: 85 Rd., Sunderland, SR2 7SZ; 0191 567 8920 4 Swimming Raich Carter Centre 1.45 for 2.00pm Martin Walker

TUESDAY Groups Secretary: 07890 982 569 shumby @ talktalk.net 1 Computer Support Amble Tower, Lakeside Village 10.30am Sheila Humby 1 Tai Chi Fulwell Methodist 2.00 pm Membership : 103 Dovedale Rd. Sunderland, SR6 8LS; 0191 549 0984 2 Poetry Appreciation Dock Street 10.15am Lilian Younger 2 Tai Chi Fulwell Methodist 2.00 pm 3 Computer Support Amble Tower, Lakeside Village 10.30am Speakers Sec: 53 Ambleside Tce., Sunderland, SR6 8NP; 3 Tai Chi Fulwell Methodist 2.00 pm Susan Quayle 0191 548 8139 4 Tai Chi Fulwell Methodist 2.00 pm Mag Rep: Dorothy Scott 4 Kenton Grove, Sunderland, SR6 0HH; 0191 565 2108 WEDNESDAY dorothy.mse @ btinternet.com 1 ------2 Lunch TBA each month Committee Members: 2 Walking TBA each month Morning Minnie Cochrane 0191 522 0937 3 MONTHLY MEETING Fulwell Methodist, Dovedale Rd 1.30 for 2pm Alan Denham 0191 521 2760 4 Ten Pin Bowling Bowling Alley, Wheatsheaf 10.15 Marion Miller 0191 548 1009

THURSDAY Jim Wilson 1 Discussion Monkwearmouth Railway Museum 2.00pm Editor: Elsie Denham 61 Orkney Drive, Sunderland SR2 0TB; 0191 521 2760 2 History Fulwell Methodist 11.00am elsie.denham @ googlemail.com 3 Looking at Art Various venues 10.30am 4 Reading 2nd Floor, Central Library 2.00 pm 4 Travel Monkwearmouth Railway Museum 10.30am Sunderland U3A email address: sunderlandu3a @ gmail.com Website: sunderlandu3a.co.uk FRIDAY 1 Keep Mobile Fulwell Methodist 11.00 am 2 Scrabble Organiser’s home 2.00 pm 3 Geology Bangladeshi Centre 2.00pm 3 Keep Mobile Fulwell Methodist 11.00 am 4 Keep Mobile Fulwell Methodist 11.00 am 4 Music Appreciation Dock Street 10.00am

CINEMA – this group happens on an ad hoc basis –details at monthly meeting

COFFEE MORNING: held at Fulwell Methodist Church, at 10 for 10.30 am, whenever there is a fifth Wednesday in the month.

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