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Newsletter Hartlepool & District U3A Issue 42, November 2020

Comments from the Chair

We managed to conduct a face-to- face Committee meeting at the end of September, which was a big step in the right direction. We met in the Covid-safe Grange Road Methodist Church and followed social distancing. I knew my mental faculties were unimpaired as I recognised the other Committee members and even remembered their names! This meeting gave us the opportunity to sort out the issue of membership fees for this year and next year and came up with a simple solution: those members who had managed to renew their membership this year before the lockdown would renew free of charge next year. Those who didn't manage to renew this year would pay the normal £15 next year.

Looks like the Committee members are back to emails, phone calls and the occasional Zoom meeting for the time being. Ho hum!

I continue to have virtual meetings with the Chairs from SE Northumberland and South Durham and the main message back from these meetings is that we are all in the same boat and doing our best to keep going under these difficult circumstances. An important point which keeps coming up was keeping in touch with each other by all possible means including using Zoom, emails, the phone, and letters. I try and contact all of our members by phone who don't have access to the internet at least once a month.

I regularly see members walking in small groups along the promenade on The Headland and it is good to stop to see them and have a chat with them. My Creative Writing group also maintain regular contact through the phone, emails, and letters. I can't emphasise enough the importance of keeping in contact with each other by whatever means possible in these uncertain times. I think we all have access to a phone so please use it to support each other and have a chat.

Stay well and keep safe.

Roger Say, Chair

Hartlepool & District U3A. Registered Charity No 1153641. www.u3asites.org.uk/Hartlepool Page 1

Hartlepool History Column Chris McLoughlin Group Leader: Archaeology/History

The Pulitzer Prize winning book “The Prize” by Daniel Yergin, tracing the history of the development of the Oil Industry from 1850 through to 1890s, has been through many editions since it was first published in 1990. Anyone with an interest in the development of our carbon-based lifestyle would enjoy it and apparently it has been read by recent US Presidents. The book also includes a small number of maps outlining the major developments in the oil industry such as Titusville in the USA and the Middle East plus of course, a map showing the voyage of the tanker “Murex” in 1892 from Gray’s Shipyard in West Hartlepool via the Black Sea and Suez Canal to Singapore!

The voyage of the Murex from the yard off Middleton Road to the Far East is of importance because it broke the hold of the Rockefellers and Esso (Standard Oil) through the rise of what became Shell Oil. Crude oil had hitherto been carried in small cans before a designer called Fortescue Flannery designed the “Murex” (Latin for ‘’shell’’ by the way) for the Samuel family, founders of what became Shell Oil. After sailing from Hartlepool, the Murex loaded a cargo of Kerosene in bulk at Batum before becoming the first tanker to transit the Suez Canal. And the rest is history as the saying goes.

Another more recent book called, “Someday we’ll understand” by Scarborough author Mark Quinn has also highlighted another local maritime story. An ancestor of Mark had sailed on the Hartlepool owned trawler “Doris Burton” (she was owned by R H Davison’s from Hartlepool and named after a young lady from Stockton, whose family were major shareholders). The vessel left Aberdeen on November 29th 1914 for the fishing grounds and simply put, has not been heard of since. Some nine men and boys from Hartlepool and Scarborough made up the crew and were all lost. She was eventually officially declared as lost early in January of 1915, at that stage of the War there were hopes that she had been stopped by a U Boat and the crew taken off as prisoners but the general consensus is that she struck a mine. The only sign of her was a small boat found around 150 miles from Hartlepool with her name on it. By chance, the Robert Wood Poster collection in our local Museum has a poster advertising a fund-raising football match to raise money for the dependants, and one of our U3A members is a descendant as her Grandfather was a crewman. Mark has cleverly woven the story of the crew and her loss from fragments of the story remembered by the family over the years. The postscript to the story is that divers working off Whitby a decade or so ago, discovered the wreck of a vessel with her stern missing, from the description it is believed to be the remains are the “Doris Burton”.

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As you will see from the dates, the disappearance of the trawler took place against the background of the Bombardment and would have been just one of many tragedies unfolding in the two towns that fateful December.

“Lost at sea” is often seen on memorials in seaports and equally often, tragedies seem to fade from memory. As a child I was aware from tales from my extended family of the loss of the “Millpool”, a Ropner vessel from West Hartlepool. It was lost with all hands in early October of 1934 during extreme weather in the North Atlantic whilst carrying a cargo of rye from Danzig to Labrador. A total of 26 crew members– mainly drawn from the Hartlepools went down with the vessel. It seems that although the “Millpool” kept in radio contact until the end, the search vessels were unable to locate her position and the search was eventually abandoned.

This loss was foreshadowed shortly before hand when another Ropner vessel “Ainderby” (on passage from Swansea to Montreal with coal), had a young apprentice also from town, lost when he was swept overboard in the same area of the North Atlantic. “Ainderby” though damaged like the “Millpool”, managed to turn in the storm and get back to Swansea.

Discovering Local History in Hartlepool: ‘Remembrance’ Hartlepool North Cemetery (originally known as West Hartlepool Cemetery) By Wendy Borthwick

On my very first visit at the beginning of lockdown I was struck by the number of Commonwealth War Grave (CWG) headstones. They are themselves iconic and stand out in a crowd. Suffice to say, today there is less of a crowd in this cemetery but the CWG headstones which number eighty- one stand in solitary splendour at intervals across this now virtually bare ground. Not counted among the eighty-one is what at first glance appeared to be a CWG headstone, similar shape, similar coloured stone but there was something that didn’t quite fit. Closer inspection revealed that it was slightly taller, not quite as wide, not quite as thick and the inscription was in French! Research proved difficult until realising it may be better to start closer to home, so I returned to the Hartlepool North Cemetery Web Site (listed below) which states, that there are in excess of fifty-three thousand burials including eighty-one war dead, twelve Nuns of St Joseph’s Convent, over seventy

Hartlepool & District U3A. Registered Charity No 1153641. www.u3asites.org.uk/Hartlepool Page 3 identified as ‘Unknown’ and one ‘French mariner’ interred. Curious indeed but to date little is known about this individual from France or why he is buried in this cemetery – the date given on the memorial is 4.3.1919; he is remembered on 11 November each year.

Commonwealth War Graves are a familiar sight, televised at times of public remembrance. Neat rows, beautifully manicured grass and just the right amount of floral display, all part of the prescribed design. In municipal cemeteries unless there is an area set aside for these memorial items they will be dotted around, snuggling in some cases between the larger more ornate private headstones but still commanding that iconic dignity and are known as isolated graves. Standing in the long grass recently, my research assistant was puzzling over the name on a CWG headstone which also appeared on a close by family memorial. On this occasion the deceased a Private with the Durham Light Infantry (DLI) had lost his life during the Bombardment of the Hartlepools on 16 December 1914. Another positioned close to a family memorial and also named with family, a Major with the Royal Garrison Artillery (RGA) died of wounds at the Battle of Messines Ridge in Belgium. That terrible battle epitomized by the one of the largest man-made explosions in human history using over one million pounds of explosives, the noise from which was heard in London. How touching that loss due to war activity is given due national respect but ultimately, they are returned to the loving embrace of family.

1 www.northcemeteryhartlepool.co.uk

Down Memory Lane: West Hartlepool High School for Girls By Jacky Armstrong

Sitting at home relaxing after a good meal, the telephone rang….

"Is that Jacky?"

"Yes"

"It's Stephen here. Are you the lady who organised the High School for Girls reunion at the school in Eldon Grove?”

"Yes, that's me."

"Would you like to meet me at the school in Eldon Grove. I think that you might like to see what my dog has found there"

"Yes, certainly. I will be round in five minutes".

And so, it started…

I was reasonably intelligent, or fortunate enough, to pass the scholarship to go to the West Hartlepool High School for Girls in 1954. I turned up on 6th September 1954 with my new school uniform and satchel and was shown to the classroom of 1Y. A strange class name, Y stood for Miss Young. Some of my friends went into 1P, the P for Miss Preston (the famous twinset wearing large -bosomed lady). I went into Cavell house and was happy about that as our house colour was purple,

Hartlepool & District U3A. Registered Charity No 1153641. www.u3asites.org.uk/Hartlepool Page 4

a colour I have always loved. I was a spectacular plodding pupil throughout the school but I always felt that I was one of the 'creme de la creme' and had the most wonderful education for life that anyone could ever want. I did not go into the 6th form but went to do shorthand and typing at Tunstall Court Annexe. I came into my own here and excelled. Everything I did I was good at and eventually got a good job, before I left work to have the children. As a mature student I went to Sunderland Polytechnic where I got my Jacky Armstrong's first day at the High School teaching certificate and later Degree in Education.

The High School was an amazing building built round a central hall with the classrooms off the ground floor and off the balcony at first floor level. Eventually, we had extensive additions built on with a huge gym and showers (with cold water), a geography room, a library and admin offices. Miss Bell (Ding- dong!) was the headmistress. She would sweep along in her flowing gown. We were very polite young ladies with "yes Miss Bell" and "no Miss Bell". We didn't rush or run in the building, order marks if we did. We all wore the school uniform a navy-blue tunic, a gabardine mac and, for some, a pork pie hat. Life after lessons was governed by doing extra activities for our house and taking part in elocution, flower arranging, skipping to music etc all the things a young girl needed to help her transform into an aspiring young woman. A good friend, Frances Wilson has written extensively on the history of the High School for Girls, which is to be found on the internet on hhsfg.com. There are lots of photographs of the school, staff, pupils, sports days, prize days etc which make interesting nostalgic viewing. Another good site is hhtandn.org.

But I digress…..

Talking to a friend of mine, who was busy writing 'something for Barry', it was suggested that I write something for Barry as well. What could I write? I know, I will write about when my first husband came to our married life with his bottom drawer of a clothes horse (which he had made himself), which contained a beach towel and a gun! And so, I set off into the study to find my research, which was done years' ago. Now you know what is going to happen here....as I was

Hartlepool & District U3A. Registered Charity No 1153641. www.u3asites.org.uk/Hartlepool Page 5 looking for my notes, I found something I wasn't looking for...... Isn't this always the case. Guess what I found, or should I say guess what the dog found.

Are you keeping up, as I am now going back to the beginning? Stephen was taking his dog for a walk and the little pooch started mooching in the rubble of the High School building which they had started to demolish that day. The dog came across a huge pile of books and papers which were buried underneath bricks and rubble. Stephen went to investigate and found that the building had been pulled down around all the registers and stock books from the school. You may remember that this building became part of Brinkburn Comprehensive School.

Stephen helped me to get all the registers, attendance books and stock books out of the rubble and into my car. I was so glad that I had rescued them but what was I going to do with them? That was precisely the question my husband, Peter, asked me when I got home and asked him to help me unload my car. We had a building in our garden with a huge cupboard. This was to become the home of all my new found treasure.

The initial 'old girls meeting' in the school was a huge success. Hundreds of old girls came and even an old teacher Miss Lamb. I made a lot of money with organising a raffle. All the money was given to Brinkburn Sixth Form to buy lights for their drama department. I have lots of photographs of the evening. I was even allowed to walk in via the staff entrance, under the splendid arch (which is now in the grounds of the Museum Service Building but which you will see if you walk past into Morrisons from the town). It was the first and last time I was allowed to walk under the arch as it was a sacred no-go place to pupils from years 1 to 5.

Now back to the booty in the cupboard. A lady from the Family History Society, Olive Widderington, a former High School girl, transcribed each register on an old manual typewriter, even taking a carbon copy for me. The attendance and logbooks went to the Reference Library, but they didn't really need thousands of old registers. I separated the High School Registers from the Comprehensive School registers. For several years I organised an old girl’s reunion, which Mrs Sheila Bruce allowed me to have in her wonderful home, Wilton Grange. I would take the registers with me and say (plead) with anyone to take the one with their name in. This went on for years, but the pile of registers refused to go down. I offered them to the Reference Library but by then we were in Cleveland County and they were unable to take them. Eventually they went to the Cleveland County Records Department in Middlesbrough.

I have the registers of 1Y and 1P from 1954-55 next to me now. My admission number was 3166 and I was not absent that year. In fact, I think I was never absent all my time at the High School. I am still friendly with some of the girls I started 1Y with. Some went on to great things, some I have never heard of since. Some High School old girls are even in the U3A! I wonder if they have got their register! Here is something from the register which would certainly not be allowed these days. ‘ Particulars of Handicapped Children’ and the next column ‘Nature of Defect’. How times have changed. Now about the gun.....I think I will save that for another time.

Hartlepool & District U3A. Registered Charity No 1153641. www.u3asites.org.uk/Hartlepool Page 6

Photographs Down Memory Lane Barry Liddle

These photographs of the former gates from the High School for Girls, are now located in Raby Road opposite the Masonic Hall. Jacky Armstrong remembers them well. “They were the staff entrance in the centre of the building facing Eldon Grove. The pupils went in at two side doors. I always thought the arch was magnificent. We were never allowed to use that door, but I understand at a later date the 6th form were”.

Hartlepool & District U3A. Registered Charity No 1153641. www.u3asites.org.uk/Hartlepool Page 7

The Gardening Column Geoff Law

Sedums

In an uncertain world when we cannot make firm plans for Christmas, next year’s holidays or even plan day outings, the one thing that we can be certain of is that we need to plan now for the best display in our garden for next year.

My father was a teacher so that the half term holiday at the end of October was always the week in which changes were made to our garden. My father was much more conservative than me and much of our work involved reducing plants to manageable size. By contrast, I now make changes to my floral display at this time so that there is some variation from one year to the next.

The challenge that I set myself is to have colour in the garden all year, starting with snowdrops in February until the final flower fades in November, coloured foliage accounting for the winter months. All my plants are perennials and so it is important to have the right selection to achieve all year interest.

I want to make suggestions to you for a family of plants that will provide colour at this time of the year and whilst other displays are starting to fade these will still be eye catching. These are the Sedums, (excluding the Alpine varieties which flower earlier)

Sedums are a family of plants, the most common of which have pink flowers and can be seen in many gardens at this time of the year, but they also come in a range of colours from white to dark red. Incidentally, the pink coloured flowering plants come in a number of varieties and if you select or have a tall variety the flowers you may find they flop under their own weight spoiling the effect. There is a simple solution to this, grow the stems through a course wire mesh cage. The cage need only about 150mm high. Maintenance and care are simple just cut the plants down to ground level once they are finished flowering.

If you see any plant for sale with flowers that are past their best but you would like for next year, it’s worth approaching the seller and in best Bargain Hunting tradition volunteer to take it off their hands at a reduced price of course.

Hartlepool & District U3A. Registered Charity No 1153641. www.u3asites.org.uk/Hartlepool Page 8

Welcome to My Garden Joan Hannon

Images of Joan Hannon’s Garden including her new Potting Shed, just prior to the onset of Autumn.

All photographs: Joan Hannon

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Gardening Quiz Compiled by Barry Liddle

Part 1 - Historical Figures Linked to Gardens & Gardening

1 Name the prominent Hartlepool businessman & politician who has a local park named after him?

2 What was the real Christian name of gardener ‘Capability Brown’? 3 Who often designed the gardens for the architect Sir Edward Lutyens? 4 Which noted botanist rearranged the botanical gardens at Uppsala University in the 1740s? 5 Which famous British politician enjoyed painting his garden at Chartwell. 6 Name the man whose garden is famous for a single apple tree. 7 Which French impressionist painter is well known for painting his garden and in particular- water Lilies? 8 Can you name one of the founding fathers of the United States and 3rd President, who had a keen interest in gardening, farming, and horticulture?

Part 2 - General Knowledge on all things related to Gardening.

1 Hartlepool is developing a reputation for growing plants on verges alongside major roads and on

central reservations of major carriageways. What type of plants are grown?

a) Pampas Grass; b) wildflowers; or c) onions.

2 Father Christmas often says this – although he has never been known to use one.

3 The wood of choice for making the longbows that defeated the French at Agincourt.

4 What name was given to the UK propaganda campaign in the UK during the Second World War

encouraging the populace to grow their own vegetables?

5 Allium, pronounced al-le-um is now the name of all the …….family.

6 What is a ‘Mattock’

a) A small hill covered by grass; b) a hand tool similar to a pickaxe; or c) a type of scythe

7 What is a ‘Dibber’ used for?

8 What is ericaceous compost?

a) a lime rich compost for growing lime -loving plants b) an acidic compost suited to growing lime-

hating plants or c) compost for plants who require good drainage.

Answers on page 16

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The Birdwatching Column: Woodpeckers and such. Ken Williams

I’ve been a fairly serious bird watcher all my adult life, although admittedly not so active in the field in recent times as when I was younger.

For many years I was an active ringer, and in years gone by I’ve stayed at bird observatories the length and breadth of the land from Fair Isle in the north to Dungeness in the south, and from Bardsey Island in North Wales to Minsmere in East Anglia.

In the course of my lifetime pursuing birds, I’ve seen comfortably more than 200 species in Britain and I reckon the number of other people in this town who can claim similarly you could count on your fingers - and probably wouldn’t need both hands!

And yet, and yet, - a couple of weeks ago I saw a species, in an oak tree in my garden, that I’d never seen before - a lesser spotted woodpecker. Other people have recorded the species too, indeed I do believe Ray Elliston has a photograph!

Lesser spotted are the smallest and by far the rarest of the three British breeding woodpeckers. It’s about the size of a smallish starling, black back and wings with narrow white bars, and a red crown to its head. Greater spotted are the woodpeckers most regularly seen, - they are blackbird size, but with a much shorter tail, also largely black and white, not barred, but with largish white shoulder patches and red under tail coverts.

A year or two ago it was thought that there were probably twelve breeding pairs in the town. They occur in parks and gardens, and cemeteries, in the town.

The green woodpecker is a size larger again than the greater spotted, and as the name suggests, is largely green – back and wings – but with yellow under parts and a red crown. It is scarce in the town, but is seen occasionally in Castle Eden Dene, the Wynyard area, and in woods near Hurworth Burn.

Country folk used to call it a ‘gaffle’ because of its call, but I think it calls, “Week, week, week!”

Two other species; not woodpeckers, but very much arboreal in their habits; are nuthatch – unknown in the town 40 or 50 years ago, but now not uncommon – and which can climb up and down tree trunks like a little blue-grey mouse; and tree creeper – a dainty little ‘brown job’ with white underparts and which tends to climb a trunk spirally, and then fly to the base of the next one.

None of these species live or are seen in groups, but as individuals are quite splendid, and well worth seeing.

(Ken Williams is a friend of Hartlepool U3A and will be writing an occasional article for the newsletter on Birdwatching).

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Chick Henderson: Hartlepool Legend Barry Liddle, Group Leader: Music Appreciation

Chick Henderson was arguably Britain’s No1 Male Singer in the British Dance Band Era of the late 1930s and early 40s. In a career tragically cut short at the age of 31, he still managed to make over 250 recordings and his version of "Begin the Beguine," sold over 1 million copies – the only 1930s vocalist to achieve such a triumph.

Chick’s real name was Henderson Rowntree. ‘Hendy’ to his friends. He was born on 22 Nov 1912, one of 9 children and the youngest boy. The family lived at 62 Frederick St. in Old Hartlepool. He attended Galley’s Field School and was a member of St Hilda’s Sunday School and later the Young Men’s Bible Class. He remained a Christian all his life. He was a member of St Hilda’s Choir and received vocal training which is evident in his later recordings

Chick’s career began when he joined ‘Ted Ray and his All Star Syncopators’, who practiced at the North Eastern Hotel in Lynne St and performed regularly in Hartlepool. However, his first break nationally came when he won a ‘Grand Talent Spotting Contest’ organised by ‘Jan Ralfini and his Band’ at the Hippodrome in Hartlepool. At this point he became a professional singer and within 3 weeks of winning the contest in April 1934 he joined Ralfini on a tour of Wales.

Ralfini’s Band were however in decline and soon Chick became unemployed. He took lodgings in Slough so that he could be close to Archer street in London’s Soho – the unofficial jobcentre for out of work musicians. In 1935 his big break came in an audition for the bandleader Harry Leader, and was signed up there and then. Over the next 3 years Harry Leader & Chick made multiple recordings in the EMI Studios in London.

In the 1930s the BBC took the view that top band leaders of the day on the BBC (such as ; & ) had a monopoly and unfair advantage. This change in policy allowed access to other bands and this enabled Chick to make his first broadcast in 1935. Joe Loss heard the broadcast, liked Chicks voice and soon Chick joined the Joe Loss Band for the most successful 5-year period of his career.

On 5 July 1939 Chick recorded his most famous recording ‘Begin the Beguine’ on the Regal- Zonophone label. The record sold over a million copies and yet Chick only received £4 – as the record was catalogued under Joe Loss’s name! This was because in the 1930’s bandleaders not singers, were the Rock Stars. Chick was naturally frustrated by this outcome, so he left Joe to join the Band in June 1940. Roy had a residency at the Café Anglais in London and Chick found more freedom singing and broadcasting with Roy’s fabulous wartime band. In 1941 the inevitable happened and Chick joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR). He served with distinction and in 1944 was promoted to Sub-Lieutenant. During the war he was popular on Canadian radio when he was posted there and on leave back in England also found time to make the occasion recording with Joe Loss -after they renewed their friendship.

Hartlepool & District U3A. Registered Charity No 1153641. www.u3asites.org.uk/Hartlepool Page 12

Tragically everything came to an end on Sunday 25th June 1944 when he was killed in the grounds of the Royal Naval Barracks at Southsea. Mystery surrounds the exact circumstances of his death. My research his uncovered five different versions of how he died. The most likely scenario is that he died from a bullet or more likely shrapnel, from a British Anti-Aircraft Gun during an air -raid. (Various Sources including: The Chick Henderson Story by Frank Wappat; and Wikipedia)

Poetry Corner

Some things don't change. Sally Scarf

A sunny day in the Headland Hello there, meet Sally Scarf, Is something to behold wear her when you’re gloomy ‘cos she’s meant to make you laugh. Makes you feel good to be alive

Be you young or be you old Wear her when you’re skating and your nose is shining red. Even when it's cold and wet Wear her when you’ve got a cold and prone upon your bed Make sure you are well protected

Venture forth undeterred No need to feel dejected Wear her when you’re slumming and you haven’t got a care. Stroll along the promenade Wear her when you’re on a date, with diamonds in your hair. Breathe in the bracing sea air Watch the squawking sea birds Looking for your fish to share Wear her when you’re out with mum its bound to make her smile. Wear her when you’re jogging and you run that extra mile. A vista that never stays the same Changes by the day and by the hour

Watch the waves splashing to and fro And when you’re tired of Sally, come on its only fair, Feel the strength of the North Sea's power Put her in the charity bag let others have a share. See the ships going to and from Teesside A pod of dolphins playing a game Though events have made life a bit harder Joan Hannon A heck of a lot more stays the same Roger Say

Obituary- Michael (Mike) Gray

It is with great sadness that we report the death of Michael (Mike) Gray. His daughter Joanne reported that he died in August. Mike became a member of our U3A in May 2018. He enjoyed our general monthly meetings and was a member of the Music Appreciation Group. He also expressed interest in joining the Photography for Fun Group, but ill-health limited his ability to participate in U3A activities as much as he would have liked. Mike was an accountant by profession and worked for several companies and organisations in Hartlepool and the North East. He also briefly enjoyed working in the USA. Our thoughts are with his family.

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‘Photography for Fun Group’ at North Gare Beach (Seaton Carew) Barry Liddle

Ray Elliston, Sheilah Walsh and I, like vintage characters from the TV show ‘Last of the Summer Wine’, spent an enjoyable afternoon wandering along North Gare Beach taking photographs.

Photography is our shared interest and on a sunny afternoon we found plenty of subjects to photograph, including– driftwood sculptured by the sea; an old crab/lobster creel washed ashore; views across the bay to South Gare-

with the lighthouse, wind turbines and steel works clearly visible.

Our walk along the shoreline culminated in a visit to South Gare Pier and from that vantage point we could see back to Hartlepool and all along the coast to St Hilda’s Church and the old town wall. Retracing our steps back to the car park, we followed the line of sand dunes and grazing marsh. On a previous visit last winter, we were fortunate to see a group of Lapwings in one of the marsh fields between the beach and Seaton Lane.

If you are looking for some fresh air and a nice walk, we recommend North Gare Beach.

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Reasons to be Cheerful Wendy Borthwick

In last month’s Newsletter there was an article on a song by Ian Dury and the Blockheads called “Reasons to be Cheerful, Part 3.” In the song Ian Dury lists everything that makes him cheerful from Buddy Holly to the Bolshoi Ballet. At the end of the article, U3A members were invited to submit their own personal list of ‘reasons to be cheerful.’ Wendy Borthwick accepted the challenge, and this is her selection:

Reading poetry # warmth of the sun # trees # lemon drizzle cake # fresh flowers in a vase # first cup of tea of the day # seasons of the year # seeing people walk past my front window so I know there is life out there # pear and elderflower lemonade # heather on Yorkshire Moors # Private Passions on radio 3 # cheese & apple sandwich # walking along the beach at Seaham watching the waves break on the shore # an apricot brandy # moments of peace and quiet # end result after a good dust and tidy up # art-deco glass # purple & yellow violas in a hanging basket # tiny antique glass bottles # fish & chips # Anthony Gormley’s, Angel of the North # chocolate covered marzipan.

U3A Quiz Compiled by Barry Liddle

Where Am I? I am standing at a location in the UK. Can you guess the name of the location from the following clues? Answer on page 16. 1. This is a Cathedral City 2. The Cathedral was appointed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986. 3. A river flows through the city, which encloses the centre on three sides to a peninsula. 4. This is a hilly city, claiming to be built upon the symbolic seven hills. 5. The City is situated on the East Coast Main Railway Line between Edinburgh and London. Who am I? I am a well know British singer. Can you guess my stage name from the following clues? Answer on page 16 1. I was born in 1940 2. I am a singer, musician, performer, actor, and philanthropist. 3. Early in my career I was the lead singer of a rock and roll group called the Drifters. 4. My favourite sport is tennis. 5. My real name is Harry Rodger Webb. What Am I? I am a man-made object. Can you tell what I am from the following clues? Answer on page 16 1. I am a scientific instrument that is sometimes found in domestic homes. 2. I have been used in weather forecasting since the late 19th century. 3. I measure subtle pressure changes caused by weather and elements of weather. 4. I come in several formats, for example some use mercury, and some are dial based. 5. My name is derived from the Ancient Greek word meaning ‘weight’, and from an Ancient Greek word meaning "measure".

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Directory

Committee Members Interest Group Leaders

Chair – • Archaeology/History Group. Chris McLoughlin. Roger Say • Board Games. Irene Williams. Vice Chairs – • Bowls: Ray Elliston. • Bridge: Phil Jefferies. Wendy Borthwick and Jessica Scott • Chess Group. Roger Say. Secretary – • Craft & Arts Group. Anne Tarbitt. Chris McLoughlin • Creative Writing Group. Roger Say. Treasurer – • Dog Walking Group Jessica Scott & Ann Managhan. Phil Jefferies • Family History: Ray Elliston. Membership Secretary – • Film Group. Contact Phil Jefferies. Wendy Borthwick • Fun with Fabrics. Ann Say • Gardens and Gardening Group: Vacant Group Co-ordinator – • Luncheon Group. Stella and Robin Nicholson. Vacant • Music Appreciation Group. Barry Liddle. Speaker Organiser – • Photography for Fun Group. Ray Elliston. Jessica Scott • Quiz Team John Campbell. Minutes Secretary – • Reading Group Irene Williams Linda Sargent • Singing for Fun Group • I.T. Support Spanish Group. Sheila Harper. • ‘View to Vue’. Roger Say. (Website and Beacon) - Phil Jefferies • Walking Group Jen Whalley. Committee – • Wine Appreciation Group Contact Margaret Boddy Keith Alder, Anne Tarbitt

Gardening Quiz. Answers to Part 1 - Historical Figures Linked to Gardens & Gardening on page 10 1 Ralf Ward Jackson; 2 Lancelot; 3 Gertrude Jekyll; 4 Carolus Linnaeus; 5 Sir Winston Churchill; 6 Sir Isaac Newton; 7 Claude Monet; 8 Thomas Jefferson.

Gardening Quiz. Answers to Part 2 - General Knowledge on all things related to Gardening on page 10. 1 Wildflowers; 2 ‘ho ho ho’ or Hoe; 3 Yew; 4 Dig for Victory; 5 Onion; 6 A hand tool similar to a pickaxe; 7 It is a pointed wooden stick for making holes for seeds, seedlings or small bulbs; 8 an acidic compost suited to growing lime-hating plants.

Answers to U3A Quiz on page 15 Where Am I? (Answer Durham City) Who am I? (Answer Cliff Richard) What Am I? (Answer Barometer

Contributions to the next Newsletter are most welcome. Copy deadline for the next issue is 20 November 2020 Barry Liddle, Newsletter Editor.

Hartlepool & District U3A. Registered Charity No 1153641. www.u3asites.org.uk/Hartlepool Page 16