Newsletter 2020-07
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Newsletter Issue No. 98 July 2020 Lockdown Special Edition 4 CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE that I have got to know and would Firstly I would like to thank everybody who count amongst my has renewed their membership and a big friends, then the U3A thank you to our membership secretary Sue, has opened many who has dealt with things brilliantly in these doors for me. trying times. We do need to keep the Carlton and I’ve just passed another birthday and as Gedling U3A alive. usual I’ve been reflecting on my own past, We are on the way and I’m sure that people outside of the U3A with so many of you have very little idea of the opportunities that re-joining, and if you the U3A gives us, as I didn’t, when I left don’t want to, or can’t work. I certainly never thought that I would meet online, now that be on that stage at Richard Herrod the rules are being attempting to entertain you all with relaxed perhaps we can start being more pantomimes and plays, in fact when I joined inventive about meeting in small groups, the drama group (like most of us) I did so to within the government guidelines of course, help behind the scenes. but walking, cycling and other outdoor I joined the music for fun group when it activities can be considered, even perhaps started, to improve my guitar playing, never meeting at someone’s home and sitting in realising at that point that I would achieved the garden for a discussion or practical an ambition I had given up on years ago, to session? play to an audience in a Rock and Roll band. Birdwatching locally could be a possibility, Add to that the circle of interesting people but we need a new convenor for that, Richard The Newsletter is published by The Carlton, Gedling & District U3A. (Reg. Charity No. 1157211) Views expressed are not necessarily those of the U3A or Editor The http://u3asites.org.uk/carlton-gedling/home Page 1 Newsletter : Many thanks to the 338 members who have renewed this year. With 134 memberships outstanding to date, we are still available to accept subscriptions if you wish to continue membership and, of course, look forward to getting back to our usual meetings when possible. Online renewal is preferred; please see the Membership page of our website, which will take you through the process via PayPal using bank card details. Otherwise we can accept cheques by post; please send, with a note of your name and address, confirming your personal details remain the same, or noting any changes (including to Gift Aid status). Full membership is £10 and Associate membership is £6.50. Renewal will be confirmed by email (if available) and membership cards can be collected when we resume. With very best wishes to all. Sue Morley Welcome to My Miniature Railway Appreciation Group World 3 Continuing our stroll down the main thoroughfare of my model railway layout, we leave Hitchen Scratchett, crossing Aston St. Margaret’s Road to the “Bancroft” the main street through Lindenby-in-Fernleigh. On my left is a row of terrace houses, while to my right, “Lindenby Brewery, purveyors of “Fernleigh Fine Ales.”, owned by Merrymen & Sons. (Beer makes men merry). Down the centre of the road is a centre reservation on which stands a statue of Queen Victoria, looking towards the town Past the terraced house, we have National Westminster Bank, Fred Simpson’s shoe shop, “Gamages’” Department Store. “Anderson’s Wine & Spirits”, and Lindenby’s Post Office., “Brown’s the Bakers, “Robson Bros.”, Undertakers then two vacant shops. To my right, Fred Knight & Sons, Purveyors of Quality Pork, the “Market Hall” standing on stilts and the “Angel’s Reply” Coaching Inn, with Station Road between them. Spanning the road is a gantry displaying “Angel’s Reply”, inspired by the one in Stamford the “Georges Inn”. On the left, The “Regal” cinema, Robin’s Place, selling men’s wear, Bradford & Bingley Building Society, “Henderson & Knight, Estate Agents” the “Crown & Anchor” public house, “Martin’s Bank”, and “Pandora”s Boutique. Last of all on my right “Angel’s Reply” car park, the Bus Station, and the parish Church of St. Margaret, with the town’s War Memorial, an obelisk surmounted by a cross. Down Station Road, there is a Co-op store and Station Approach. I tried to reflect a cross section of businesses one would expect on the High Street of a small town. All the buildings are built from “Metcalfe” laser-cut kits, except the “Market Hall”, which was a “Scalescene” kit. There is a main street called “Bancroft” and there is an “Angel’s Reply” located in a town, but where? Mike Johnson The Page 2 Newsletter Grouchy Girls Zoom! The Good Old Days What a joy to see the 15 GGs after so long, in our first Zoom. A few were Zoom virgins while some are zooming all over the place. I don’t mind housework but hate dusting and have found dust useful for writing the times of Zoom sessions! We had only one topic, positive achievements during lockdown. These ranged from Mary sorting her knicker drawer (50 pairs!) to Sue paddle- boarding on the Trent. Gill can now get inside the garage and Pat dumped years of filing. Needless to say, her husband then wanted something he hadn’t thought about for years- too late! Chris’s husband (also a Chris) tried to join in our Zoom, but was told he could only join in if wearing drag and full make-up. In the photo Shirley is wearing the jumper she knitted - and she is STILL waiting for the spider on the ceiling to move so she can dust. So, gardening, walks, sewing, photography, baking and finishing embroidery and other projects started in years gone by have kept us out of mischief. Lockdown has been most difficult for those who live alone, but we are all happy to phone a friend. Please get in touch if you want to link up with another GG for a chat. Maggie Martinez Convenor Ian has sucessfully hosted several zoom meetings and we’ve enjoyed ourselves so much (as you can see in the picture!) that we’re making it a fortnightly event. Proceedings remain pretty much as usual except that the beer and the sausage sandwiches are obtained from our own domestic supplies. Topics discussed remain much the same, with the same mixture of exasperation and laughter at current news items Anyway, we’re glad to be reasonably healthy, happy and keeping occupied during these unusual times. Tarra II The Page 3 Newsletter During the lockdown some of our members provided us with positive news. Marianne held a successful plant sale for a children’s charity. She erected tables outside her home where people could donate plants and seedlings for sale. People then came to buy, and I have to say, my French bean plants are doing well, so thank you Marianne. Close to £300 raised for a good cause. One of our members, Ann, has been shielded, and has had regular phone calls from members who are friends, plus a daily poem from Gwyneth. Yesterday a poem by Pam Ayers about sausages, cheered them both up! Shirley and Chris both had surprise birthday greetings from their neighbours, which really made their birthdays special. Members on Orlando Drive were part of a WhatsApp group and amongst other events, made scarecrows, had a VE Day party and really got to know each other. If you go down the road you can still see all the yarn bombing on trees and lampposts. Some members on Tennyson Ave also formed a WhatsApp group and used it to track the badgers who visit different gardens. It is so good to know they are now an unofficial badger protection group. My mask making enterprise raised money and goods worth £405 for Bethesda food bank in Netherfield , but more importantly stopped me baking and piling on more weight. Thanks for the generous donations and I still have some made up if you’d like one. Many convenors have made an impressive effort to keep their groups ticking over until the wonderful day when we become ‘real’ again. Today Paul showed me a beautiful photo of a moth that Charlie had sent to the photography WhatsApp group. So a massive thank you to those convenors, and consider joining one of the groups that is out there for your enjoyment, including Singing for Fun. Check our website and, that reminds me, more thank yous are needed for Graeme who keeps it updated, Nick who is working hard for this newsletter and Sue who has dealt with membership renewals. It is good to know so many have renewed in order to keep our excellent group going. Finally, some of us techno-phones have conquered our fears to Zoom etc, have got to know neighbours and realised how valuable our U3A group is. Maybe you could write up a positive occurrence that came out of these challenging times. Maggie Martinez Donations for Maggie’s masks fill boxes for the Netherfield Food Bank. Call 0755 451 8444 If you’d like to collect a mask. The Page 4 Newsletter Poetry Corner OurThe trouble January with Science Rene’s Poetry Quiz Name the poems quoted The trouble with Science is Answers on p9. That it shrinks your ego To Proton proportions . (I wandered lonely as a cloud),1 Sense of Self is left Stagnant at the Event Horizon .