Newsletter

Issue No. 93 February 2020 In January our speaker was Chris Vaspar who came to tell us of his experiences of the Marathon des Sables, a gruelling six-day ultra-marathon in the Moroccan Sahara desert in six stages, said to be the toughest foot race in the world. Runners have to be self-sufficient, carrying with them all food and equipment for one week. Water is rationed at 14 litres a day and if you exceed the ration, you get a time penalty. In just six days competitors run over 156 miles through endless dunes, over steep and rocky jebels, and across white-hot salt plains. Each stage must be completed in the time allowed, the fourth stage is two consecutive marathons in 35 hours.The exceptional fifth stage is 52 miles and is run all day and overnight, the final sixth stage is a mere marathon run! A camel train follows the runners with the overnight tented accommodation and if the camels catch up with you - you are out of the race! Former soldier Chris explained that he was looking for a challenge during a quiet time in his life and with a like-minded friend decided to attempt the 2016 event raising money for the forces charity Walking With The Wounded, which helps injured former British Armed Forces servicemen and women transition into civilian life. Once completed he immediately signed up for the 2018 event. Prior to this Chris had no experience of long-distance running, so extensive training was imperative, increasing his running and walking to 80-90 miles a week, gaining heat acclimatisation in a sauna (in full kit) after treadmill exercise, and especially two sessions at Loughborough University’s Ergonomic Training Facility, treadmill running at 40 degrees and 10% humidity. He also trained in Lanzarote which partially replicates the Saharan terrain. Chris’s talk had a wealth of information about the kit and provisions that one was required to carry (including a spot tracker which allows rescue if lost and lets family & supporters across the world see exactly where you are). He showed several video clips (available on YouTube) which vividly illustrated the rigours of the race and also the rugged beauty of the surroundings, especially during the overnight stage. This was a fascinating talk which earned Chris a warm ovation from our very appreciative audience. Nick Clark

An opportunity for new members, and anyone wishing to find out more about the U3A, to meet and have a chat to some committee members and group conveners in a smaller less formal setting than the monthly meeting. Tea or Coffee is for sale and the meeting will take place at the Willowbrook Pub at 10:45 - 11:45 am Thursday 27th February Susan Morley 07960 461942

The http://u3asites.org.uk/carlton-gedling/home Page 1 Newsletter General Meetings

Thursday 20th February 10:30 - Steve Allen - “My Musical History Show” A trip through the 19th Century and the Industrial Revolution in words, pictures and folk song. Thursday 19th March 10:30 - Paul Stafford - “Visit to North Korea” Of all the countries Paul has visited, North Korea was the most unusual, bizarre and astonishing. He shares what he learnt from the visit with stories, experiences and humour.

Could all our members please note that if the weather and driving conditions were bad on the day of a General Meeting, there is a possibility that Richard Herrod, or your U3A Committee, could decide to cancel the meeting.

If that happened we would post a very obvious notice on the Carlton & Gedling U3A website and we would also email all our members, so please check those before setting out from home If you do not have an email address, you may ring our U3A number 0778 742 7200 and speak to a member of the committee.

The University of Leicester would like to invite U3A members to a free evening of neuroscience talks and demonstrations on Wednesday, 18th March 2020. Brain Awareness Week (BAW) is the global campaign to increase public awareness of the progress and benefits of brain research. The University of Leicester are delighted to partner with the DANA Foundation to celebrate Brain Awareness Week. Please see our website for further details - https://www.le.ac.uk/baw This free event is open to anyone who wants to know more about how the brain works and ongoing research into neuroscience, biology, genetics, health sciences, medicine and psychology. Along with presentations there will be live demonstrations on many aspects of neuroscience research, including vision, taste, attention and movement, and the opportunity to meet junior and senior researchers.

5.30pm Doors open 6.00pm Talks: Dr Eleanor Swan - Visual attention declines in older drivers – the impact on hazard detection Dr Ben Warren - Lend me your Locust Ears 7.00pm Demonstrations, posters and refreshments

This event will be held in the George Davies Centre on Lancaster Road and doors open at 5.30pm. If interested please email Pat Downing

The Page 2 Newsletter A group called Schoolreaders are recruiting volunteers in our county to go into primary schools to listen to children reading. Apparently there is high demand for volunteers and they have asked if they are any U3A members who would be interested in doing this. If you are, please email Pat Downing in the first instance.

The Newsletter is published by The Carlton, Gedling & District U3A. (Reg. Charity No. 1157211) Trips and Visits

If you enjoyed the TV series “Gentleman Jack” you might be particularly interested in visiting Shibden Hall, the Tudor house where Ann Lister lived and where some of the series was filmed. The house is set in beautiful parkland in a valley in West Yorkshire near Halifax. A tour of the Hall is included before we leave for a 10 minute drive to the unique Piece Hall. This is a huge Grade1-listed structure resembling a grand Italianate piazza. Built in 1779 to house cloth merchants’ premises, the quadrangle of tiered buildings surround a large outdoor square. It is now a fascinating mix of shops, galleries, cafes and bars, with an informative Welcome Centre and2 Story Room. The site at Shibden Park is hilly and there are no lifts in the Hall. On arrival, visitors need to climb 22 steps (which are not particularly steep) to access the Hall or there is a land train at the bottom of the hill, which costa an extra £2. The visit clashes with May’s U3a General Meeting, but this was the only date available owing to visitor demand and TV filming will be taking place again in June and July. Cost £18 including entrance to Shibden Hall. Leave Richard Herrod Centre 8.30 am, leave Halifax c 4pm, return RHC c. 6pm. Tickets will be on sale at February’s meeting. Maggie Doherty & Janet Whitchurch

STRATFORD UPON AVON WED 25th MARCH 2020

Birth place of William Shakespeare. Leaving from Richard Herrod at 8.30am and departing from Stratford at 4pm approx. £15. A few tickets available at the January meeting. Please collect tickets already reserved

The Page 3 Newsletter New this month, we have nine (YES NINE) new theatre trips. First up is The Theatre visits Flying Dutchman opera by Wagner. François Girard unveils a spellbinding new vision of the composer's tale of a cursed sea captain doomed to sail the open ocean for eternity. With sweeping sets by John Macfarlane, Girard’s new production turns the Met stage into a rich, layered tableau reminiscent of a vast oil painting. Valery Gergiev conducts a brilliant cast led by bass-baritone Evgeny Nikitin as the Dutchman, with German soprano Anja Kampe making her anticipated Met debut as the devoted Senta, whose selfless love is what the Dutchman seeks.

In May, we shall be going to see Donizetti’s Maria Stuarda. Donizetti’s operas are incredibly tuneful and we have already enjoyed his delicious comedy La Fille du Regiment. This is drama, focused on the political and personal rivalry between two queens. It returns to the Met with Diana Damrau as the doomed Mary, Queen of Scots, and Jamie Barton as her rival, Queen Elizabeth I. Three hours long, this is a delicious period production with frocks galore.

The National Theatre broadcast of The Welkin is about one woman’s life in the hands of 12 other women. Rural Suffolk in England, 1759. As the country waits for Halley’s comet, a young woman is sentenced to hang for a heinous murder. When she claims to be pregnant, a jury of 12 matrons are taken from their housework to decide whether she’s telling the truth, or simply trying to escape the noose. With only midwife Lizzy Luke prepared to defend the girl, and a mob baying for blood outside, the matrons wrestle with their new authority, and the devil in their midst.

Handbagged is based on the imagined meetings between the Queen and Margaret Thatcher. One believed there was no such thing as societyEnemy and theof theother People had vowed to serve it. Moira Buffini’s sparkling and insightful piece cleverly explores the nature of history – and what might have gone on behind closed doors at the weekly meetings between the Queen and Mrs Thatcher. The story of Britain in the 1980s, and its changing role in the world, unfolds through the relationship between these two formidable stateswomen – two very different characters. The result is funny and fast-moving, taking in snapshots of the historical highlights of the time, and shifting effortlessly from high comedy to occasional moments of tragedy.

And yes it’s the Classic Thriller season 2020 at the Theatre Royal. How else can you get to see four entertaining thrillers in the best stalls seats for just £66? First in the season is A Murder has been Arranged. Sir Charles Jasper, an eccentric with an interest in the mystical, stands to inherit £2 million on his fortieth birthday, which he is celebrating in a supposedly haunted theatre. When the festivities are interrupted by Maurice, Sir Charles’s grasping nephew and beneficiary, we all know whose murder will be arranged….. Maurice, who claims to be a novelist, persuades his uncle to write a chapter for his new book, but too late Sir Charles realises he is writing a suicide note. This production is followed by A Sting in the Tail, Kiss of Death and The Final Twist. Classic Thrillers are playing on 4 consecutive Wednesday matinees from July 15th.

Finally, Nottingham Operatic Society present their first ever production of Frank Loesser’s joyous 1950 musical comedy, Guys and Dolls. Set in 1940s New York, this is one of the funniest, most joyous musicals in Broadway’s history, and has been seen many times in the West End, most successfully at the National Theatre in 1982. This new production is full of New York gangsters, Broadway showgirls, high-rollin’ gamblers and a holy-rollin’ Salvation Army band. With one of the funniest books ever written, and a sequence of sure-fire musical hits like Luck Be a Lady, I’ve Never Been in Love Before and Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat, this promises to be a night of musical theatre to remember. So bring your cheque books and diaries and let’s go to the theatre. Paul Martinez

Collect Tickets: A Servant of Two Masters, 2.30pm Saturday 29th February; Agrippina, 12 noon, Sunday 1st March; Moonlight and Magnolias Saturday 7th March 2.30pm; Mama Mia! Thursday 2nd April, 2.00pm; Oliver Twist Thursday 23rd April,1.30pm.

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The Page 4 Newsletter Theatre Visits cont.. Theatre Trips on offer:

New Opera, Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman, New York Met Live Broadcast, 12 noon, Sunday 15th March, Broadway Cinema, (£15), Organiser Colin Jones. Tickets on sale at February meeting only.

Play As You Like It, 2.30pm Saturday, 28th March, Lace Market Theatre (£11) Organiser Linda Spencer Last chance to pay for tickets

New Opera, Donizetti’s Maria Stuarda, New York Met Live Broadcast, 12 noon, Sunday 10th May, Broadway Cinema, (£15), Organiser Paul Martinez. Sign up and pay for tickets.

New Broadcast Drama, The Welkin, 7.30pm Thursday 21st May, Broadway Cinema, Organiser Coleen Bee, Sign up and pay for tickets

Drama Piaf, Saturday 23rd May 2.30pm, Nottingham Playhouse, (£7.50) Organiser Basia Arch Sign up and pay for tickets

New Drama Handbagged 2.30pm Saturday 20th June at the Lace Market Theatre (£11). Organiser Janet Whitchurch. Sign up and pay for tickets

New Four Classic Thrillers, A Murder has been Arranged (Wednesday 15th July); A Sting in the Tail (22nd July); Kiss of Death (29th July); The Final Twist (5th August), all at 2pm, Theatre Royal, Organiser Linda Spencer. Sign up and pay for tickets.

New Musical Guys and Dolls, 2.30pm Wednesday 28th October, Theatre Royal, (£ tbc). Organiser Linda Spencer, Sign up and pay for tickets Theatre reviews

Wozzeck It was good to see so many of the Opera Study Group attending my introduction to Alban Berg’s Wozzeck, one of the most challenging operas in the repertoire. We watched almost the whole of the opera on a DVD of a realistic production from the Vienna State Opera dating from 1987. Half a dozen of us then attended the screening at Broadway a few days later of William Kentridge’s production from the New York Metropolitan Opera. This production, which was a big hit at the 2017 Salzburg Festival and also at the Met, could not have been more different. Kentridge chose to set Wozzeck during the first world war, roughly the period when the opera was composed (1914-1922). The action takes place on a single chaotic set built of platforms connected by rickety walkways, evoking a bombed-out city. Silent actors, most in gas masks, keep appearing here and there. An almost continuous stream of animation, drawings and projections, mostly in black and white, appear on and behind the set: images of blown-up buildings; military maps; charcoal drawings of bedraggled people and stick figures; war-ravaged countryside. This all added to the nightmarish atmosphere but did little to help with understanding what was supposed to be happening on stage. For example, in the first scene, rather than shaving the Captain, as indicated in the libretto, Wozzeck is seen here operating a small movie camera that projects animated sketches of people onto a small screen. One of the more controversial aspects of the production is the depiction of Wozzeck’s and Marie’s young son as a puppet, wearing ragged clothes and a gas mask, rather than as a boy, which rather robbed the final scene of its impact. Despite these negative comments on the production, it was a powerful and almost overwhelming experience, thanks to an impressive cast led by the baritone Peter Mattei in the title role and the soprano Elza van den Heever as Marie, Wozzeck’s common-law wife, as well as the conducting of Yannick Nézet- Séguin, who drew playing that was both powerful and delicate from the terrific Met orchestra. Colin Jones

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The Page 5 Newsletter Theatre reviews cont.. Porgy and Bess Almost Forty of us went to the Broadway Cinema to see Porgy and Bess by the great George Gershwin with his fabulous music, and songs which feature, Summertime, It ain't nessassarily so, and I got plenty of nothin. There was murder, greed, abuse, and drug addicts which was very dark, but also lots of lovely songs and music and dancing intermingled with humour. The main characters Porgy (Eric Owen) and Bess (Angel Blue) were wonderful. I enjoyed it very much and the other U3As said they enjoyed it too. Jean Taylor Nell Gwynn Jessica Swale’s Restoration Drama was on at the Lace Market the same week as we exited the EU. More than once during the performance I found myself thinking how little has changed. King Charles, a Boris Johnson type figure, blusters and poses to his courtiers and lady friends. Maybe he should have solved his political and religious dilemmas with a referendum. We know how well that works! Nell is an up to date female who know what she wants and how to get it. She is smart, pretty and saucy. The “Mechanicals” entertained and amused, the Spaniel was cute and the costumes, set and singing were impressive. Marianne White Interest Groups

The 18th of February session concentrates on movement and exercise and will include Sue’s zumba warm up, movement to Wellbeing Group music (chacha and waltz - so a great way to learn basic dance moves if you’re into Strictly !), controlled stretching exercises and Fun Mindfulness for co- ordination. We will also continue with Nutrition and look at why aspects of a diabetic food plan should be followed by all. Oh - and not forgetting our breathing / meditation / affirmation slot. Mark and Susie

he reported the smuggling only to discover that the Creative Writing local fisherman owned the island and used it to store his equipment. The theme this month was “Over the Water” The fourth story told of a reclusive scientist The first story was very humorous and told of a who lived on an island going ashore to give a lady’s maid who turned out to be a man. The lady lecture on DNA and genetics. He remembered who she/he looked after went over the water to being bullied as a school boy and being a neighbouring island. The “maid” turned out repulsed by two teenage lovers in his class to be Prince Charles who had been defeated at who stuck chewing gum under the desks. The Culloden who went over the sea to Sky. boy was now an MP who was being The second story was a fantasy. A interviewed by the girl who was now a TV young lady had to cross a sea to deliver presenter. They were rather worried something to her father. She had visions when they heard the lecturer say that several magical visions as to how to due to littering and pollution, science cross the sea, but it was a large made it now possible to trace the bear that could run on water who DNA in discarded chewing gum she had been kind to that and track it back to the carried her across. “chewer” by satellite. The third author wrote of an The next theme will be “The adventure whilst on holiday in Cornwall. The hero Mark”. After being approached by the Drama and his wife crossed the bay to a small island that Group, some of our members will try to write it as a was reported as haunted. They stayed overnight humorous sketch. Something new to all of us. but were woken by a small boat landing and things The theme in March will be “The Secret”. being loaded into it. On returning to the mainland Tabby

The Page 6 Newsletter Local History Group

Colwick Hall: The Musters and Byron families Our meeting in January was a talk on Colwick Hall, the Musters and Byron families given by Dorothy Ritchie and enthusiastically attended by fifty members. Dorothy began the talk by telling us that there has been a hall on the site since Saxon times and that the hall was the ancestral home of the Byron family. However, there is no evidence that Lord Byron ever stayed there. Dorothy then took us back to the early history of the site. Colwick itself has been occupied since prehistoric times and the Domesday Book records a timber homestead owned by Sir William Peverell, the illegitimate son of William the Conqueror. The hall was occupied by the De Colwyck family until near the end of the 14th century when it passed to the Byron family through marriage. In the 1530s Newstead parish was granted to Sir John Byron, although the family still regarded Colwick as their main residence. Sir John rebuilt the church next to the hall in the 16th century after the dissolution of the monasteries. He died in 1567 and was buried in the church. By the 1640s a later Sir John Byron was renovating Newstead and had run up debts of £28,000, so sold the Colwick estate to Sir James Stonehouse a London merchant to pay off his debts. Sir James repaired the church in 1643 and added a steeple. He sold the estate to Sir John Musters, another wealthy London merchant and in 1684 Sir John had the church tower and chancel restored and battlements added to the nave. Around 1690 the manor house was rebuilt as a two storey brick medium-sized Georgian mansion. In the mid 1770s the next Sir John remodelled the hall to the shape we see today. Terrible damage was done to the contents of the Hall by the Reform Bill rioters in 1831. They attacked the house, and after looting the contents they set fire to the building. The hall was restored but was sold in 1889 to Horatio Davies who only held it for a short time before selling it to the newly formed racecourse company. Colwick Hall was turned into a hotel in the 1890s. In 1923 the church was closed due to its condition and in 1937 the Byron monuments were moved to Newstead. Thanks to Dorothy for a very interesting and informative talk. February’s meeting will be a talk on the sporting history of Gedling by Neil Kendrick. Graham Palmer

In this month’s meeting Textiles Group we held a discussion about new ideas for group’s future. Lynne & I felt that was time for new leadership and thus scope for different ideas and directions. Although we stepped down as convenors we still wish to continue with the group and wish the new convenors every success in the venture.. Best wishes to all Gill & Lynne

The Page 7 Newsletter This month, once again, we had a diverse offering of short talks History Study under the umbrella of Blue Plaques. We had the brief history of some well-known people – Shackleton, Louis Napoleon (nephew of Bonaparte) and Arthur Mee the author of the children’s encyclopaedias. Known to some, but not to others, was Cosy Powell a drummer who had worked with bands such as Black Sabbath. Scary that one of our contemporaries already has a Blue Plaque! Another talk was of Richard Oastler, the Factory King who was moved by pity at the long hours worked by young children in factories and was a tireless champion of the Ten Hours Factory Bill in the mid 1800s. Baron (name not title) Webster contributed to the successful setting up of the trans-Atlantic cable enabling Queen Victoria and President Buchanan to communicate directly for the first time. The most local plaque was for General Ireton from Attenborough. He was an English general in the Parliamentary army during the English Civil War and the son-in-law of Oliver Cromwell. One plaque, also local, had been put up by the National Chemical Landmark scheme at BioCity to mark the achievements of chemists researching and creating the anti-inflammatory drug Ibuprofen which Boots, for whom they worked, patented in 1962. Eclipsing all of these talks was a presentation about the ISOKON building in Hampstead. There are three plaques posted there, but wider interest is in the community of people living in and visiting the 32 minimalistic flats in the 1930s – a community of Avant-garde artists. Names we know include Agatha Christie, Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth and Ben Nicholson, but others were architects of buildings we would recognize, furniture such as the Cesca chair and also a number of soviet agents such as Arnold Deutsch who recruited the Cambridge Five. Thanks to everyone who contributed. Next month (Feb 3rd) our topic is British Streets known for their Historical significance. Lynne Jaremczenko

January 2020. With a number of the group on Striders Walks holiday or otherwise engaged 12 of us enjoyed a ramble around Sherwood Forest. The weather was overcast but at least it didn’t rain and it was quite mild for the time of year. The walk was completed with just one minor detour and it was nice to welcome John back to the group. On returning to Gedling some of the group enjoyed refreshments at the Willowbrook pub. I am deserting you for next month’s walk but leave you in the capable hands of Keith who has kindly agreed to organise and lead the walk. Brian Shield

27 February 2020 Beauvale and Moorgreen from Colliers Wood Nature Reserve About 7.5 miles with some gentle ascents. It will probably be muddy so wear suitable clothing and footwear, A stick might be useful. Packed lunch and drink. Meet at Ranmoor road at 9.00am Keith Sherratt

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The Page 8 Newsletter Birdwatching WOLLATON HALL COUNTRY PARK On a beautiful sunny but cold winter morning, we began our bird-watching New Year in a spectacular way: the sight of ten herons seen all at the same time in a willow tree in an inaccessible part of the lakeside was a treat which kept us fascinated for a long time, as individual herons obligingly hopped about, took flight and preened themselves, enjoying the weather as much as us. They could be seen without the benefit of binoculars and at the other extreme, in terms of size, was the tiny goldcrest, also easy to see without binoculars as he was so close to us, just off the main path. We saw some more usual birds and ducks, such as gadwall, shoveller, pochard, an egret and a teal and there were plenty of geese, clustering around our feet keen for food. The long-tailed tits Heron were harder to identify against a bright blue sky and we saw a pair of colourful jays and the parakeets in the conservation area at the far end of the lake. We finished our walk in the gardens of the hall, at the feeders, where there was a lone chaffinch and lots of nuthatches competing with the squirrels for the seed that had been left out. You can never tell what you will see on a bird-watching trip as it Goldcrest depends so much on the weather, but we went home happy after a splendid outing. Nuala Leyden

Art Appreciation In January the group met at a member’s house, the topic being exhibitions we had recently visited. The first subject was the exhibition, Lucian Freud, the self-portraits, which had been showing at the Royal Academy in London. Lucian Freud was born in Berlin in 1922 but came to England with his parents in 1933. In the late 1940s he chose to make portraiture the main focus of his work, and he became renowned for paintings of great intensity and often frank, disquieting honesty. He often turned this upon himself, and the exhibition was mainly his self- portraits. Although his subject matter remained largely the same, the style in which they were executed changed over the years. In his early period Freud experimented with a graphic, linear style, but by the 1950s this had developed into a more painterly approach, with his strokes bolder and the paint thicker. He continued to portray himself with naturalism, and his later paintings depict his ageing body with great honesty.

The second half of our talk was given by a member who had seen the Bridget Riley exhibition. Whereas Freud had painted in a representational manner, Bridget Riley was purely abstract. She is known for optical illusional work, producing paintings that dazzle the eye, and create a sensation of movement. Whereas her early work was in black and white, her later work developed into colour. An interesting point we learnt was that her early work was shown on traditional canvases, while some of the current work was painted directly onto the wall. At the end of the exhibition they will be painted over and disappear completely.

In February the Broadway cinema was showing a screening of the exhibition, so those who were not able to visit the original were able see it there. Christine Russell

The Page 9 Newsletter preferably, an elected Discussion Group government, has to act on We had eleven members at our January meeting our behalf. which is pretty much a full house; and with three After all, who topics to cover we had lots to talk about. wants to go First of all – Libraries – is there still a need for back to a world them? Despite only one of us being a regular user without car of a library, the general consensus was positive – seat belts, with for children and students, for their value as archives smokers and dog poo on the streets. We agreed, and as a source for other research such as family in particular, that many of the laws “imposed” history. We also acknowledged that they are should have a positive effect on NHS costs – sugar diversifying – providing space for exhibitions, talks tax, vaccinations, seat belts, junk food restrictions and internet access. and so on. Our main topic of the session was the Nanny We ended on a positive note – What do we like State. So often this phrase is used in a negative about living in Britain – freedom to walk the way and with an implication that we are being countryside, the UK’s generosity in giving to charity patronised. I think most of us expected to have a and in Volunteering, the NHS, Tea, the Royal grumble over legislation that may be needed in the Family, our history, purity and availability of our tap future – banning of cars in city centres, aviation fuel water, our temperate climate, the education taxes, compulsory vaccinations, etc. However, system, tolerance of ethnic diversity, absence of when preparing for the session I think all of us guns …… maybe you can think of even more acknowledged that in general terms citizens are not th good, universally, at behaving and doing things for Next meeting 24 February. “the common good” . A benign dictator or, Lynne Jaremczenko

At the January meeting most of Sewing Group the group members brought their own work. These included tapestry work, making a toddler’s dress, making cable ties, knitting and quilting. One member used a pattern from our extensive folder of patterns to make pebble filled door stops. These are easy to make with any scraps of material. regards Pam Bartram

Walk Tuesday 21 January Five Miles and a Cup of Tea Twenty six walkers set off from the Riverside Farm pub, Tottle Road on the main dual carriageway to Clifton Bridge. The walk followed the River Leen up to Kingsmeadow Nature Reserve on Lenton Lane. From here we followed the Beeston Canal towards Beeston Rylands before turning back to Clifton Bridge and the River Trent. It was then a short walk back to Riverside Farm where some walkers stayed for a meal.

Walk Tuesday 25th February University Park and Wollaton Park. Details to follow Meet at Ranmoor Road Car Park at 9.30am. Terry Bartram

The Page 10 Newsletter triumph of Hansel und Gretel his Classical Music Appreciation subsequent work is rarely heard today and his name is best known December - Engelbert Humperdinck. Presented through the crooner of the same name. by Colin Jones January - There’s nowt so queer as folk , To hear a 1960s presented By Rene Battershall. crooner opening a meeting of the CMAG Having assured us that there was no personal slant was a shock to the in the title of her presentation Rene explained that system but as Colin some of the music we were to hear was from an quickly made clear, oral tradition of unknown authorship and some was Arnold Dorsey had classical using folk themes. highjacked the name The earliest instrument for any category of of the intended music was the human voice which was used to subject of his help alleviate the drudgery of work, soothe a presentation some fractious child or serenade a lover. 160 years after his To illustrate these categories we heard a birth at Siegburg, near Hebridean weaver’s song followed by a lullaby and Bonn in 1854. then a spinning song. Of all work songs the Sea To many, Shanty is probably the best known and some of Humperdinck the these have become the themes for more classical crooner is a far more familiar name than the works. classical composer whose fame has rested on one With a recording of the Corries, a Scottish single composition, the opera “Hansel und Gretel” group from the 1960s we heard music that In spite of parental opposition, architecture demonstrated that folk music does not have to being a more secure and respectable career than come from the dawn of time. The examples that we music, by the age of eighteen Humperdinck heard, ”A mans a man for all that; Flower of entered the Cologne conservatory. Four years later Scotland and The Cotton millgirls song” covered he won a scholarship to the Munich conservatoire the nationalistic,political and work origins of folk and in 1879, his last year of study he published his song. first orchestral composition, the Humoresque in E As an illustration of the stark reality of life major which subsequently won him the helped by a work song, the recording of a gang of Mendelssohn foundation prize allowing him to convicts from an American southern state travel to Italy where he met and worked with penitentiary brought home the meaning of a work Richard Wagner in the production of Parsifal at song. Bayreuth. The amount of folk music used as themes by In Bayreuth, working as a newspaper critic and classical and editing music for Schotts the publishers modern Humperdinck continued to write his own music. His composers was great breakthrough came in the early 1890s when, demonstrated in at the behest of his sister Adelheid he wrote four the works of folk songs for a dramatized version of the brothers Mozart in his Grimm story of Hansel und Gretel which she had Landler, Vaughan written for her children to perform as a family Williams and his entertainment. He followed this by expanding the Sea Songs, composition, first as a Singspiel with sixteen songs Gustav Holst and and dialogue and then a full scale opera which was Morris dances and premiered as a triumph in 1893 in Weimar. from America, Humperdinck continued composing; Hansel Aaron Copeland’s and Gretel being followed by Konigskinder, the Appalacian spring story of an enchanted goose girl, which was with the iconic premiered in 1910 at the New York Met. Initially Shaker tune hailed as a triumph Konigskinder rapidly “Simple Gifts” disappeared from the operatic repertoire along with Rene’s programme was brought to a close with incidental music for the Merchant of Venice and the American Paul Robeson singing the emotional Dornroschen (Sleeping beauty).Sadly, after the slave song, “Going Home”. David Dobbs

The Page 11 Newsletter All Hallows, Gedling Religious Architecture Thirteen members of our group visited All Hallows’ church, including a guest from Mapperley U3A. We were met by Verger, Dorothy Ritchie, who gave us a tour and a history of the church. The oldest part of the church is the surround to the West Door dating from 1170- 90AD. There is a spacious Early English Chancel of about 1230, and a five-bay Nave with North and South Aisles of about 1260 in an Early Decorated style. The Spire, the second highest in Nottinghamshire, at 180 feet, was added in 1300-1320. The location of the tower at the west end of the North Aisle provides a west front to the Nave. The Roof, which was probably thatched, was replaced by the present lead-covered one in the 15th century, when the Clerestory Windows and the Aisles were also added. Since then the building has changed very little. The parish church of All Hallows’ served the villages of Gedling, Carlton and Stoke Bardolph, when they were small farming communities, but increases in population caused a major reordering in 1872, when Pews for 500 people were installed. A steep Roof replaced the flat lead one of the Chancel at the same time. The services at that time were Morning and Evening Prayer, which were conducted by the clergy from behind the Chancel Screen, but nowadays the Altar in the Nave is used. With a decrease in the congregation, the Pews have been replaced with comfortable chairs. Carlton and Netherfield have since grown to sustain their own separate parishes. Two famous cricketers , who played for Nottinghamshire and England, are buried in the graveyard, Arthur Shrewsbury (died 1903) and Alfred Shaw (died 1907); Shrewsbury, a bowler, committed suicide but Shaw, a batsman, died of natural causes. The graves are just over the length of a cricket pitch (22 yards) apart. Mike Johnson

The subject for January's Craft Group was 'boxes' Craft Group to make or decorate. Gill Clark very kindly donated some boxes she'd saved for us, some of us decorated these with pretty papers, beads, sequins etc. We also learned how to carefully cut out and measure templates for different styles of boxes (see photograph) for gifts in the future, or for the jewellery we'll be making this month on Friday 14th February 1.30pm until 4pm. Sally Bailey (Convenor)

The Page 12 Newsletter streets. Trying to sort it will not be easy, So `Best of British Emmanuel`, or should it be `Best of French Conversation French`. The founder of the famous brand `Georges Bonjour. Duboeuf Beaujolais` has died at the age of 86. He News from our group is quiet at the moment, helped to press the grapes manually on the family although we still have vibrant meetings every two vineyard when he was just six, and at 18 he began weeks, when the members speak some pretty delivering wine on his bike, then began bottling good french. So I thought I`d go through some Beaujolais and formed a syndicate of 45 local news from France to show what happening there. growers. It now produces two and half million You`ll remember the fire that nearly destroyed cases annually. You should try the brand it`s a Notre Dame last April, well there`s still some pretty good wine. Sad news but `Cheers problems, and the head of restoration says the Georges`! removal of fused scaffolding may destroy the Going out for a meal this weekend ? Well vaulted ceiling but the experts feel quite confident spare a thought for Paul Bocuse who runs that they can overcome this. It will take a very long `l`Auberge du Pont de Collenges` restaurant near time indeed to put it right. Lyon. It was one of only 27 to receive a 3 star The President is still having to struggle with his rating and it`s lost that third star which it`s had pension reforms. The trains maybe running but since 1965. Now I know you`ll all be absolutely countless disruptions and strikes by all ranges of mortified at that news, so while you go somewhere workers, including doctors and lawyers, taking to for your 2 for £10, try one that won`t set you back the streets have caused massive problems. the price at the Auberge. It`s only 280 euros Blockades at some city`s incineration plants have (£240) per meal ! left the whiff of overflowing rubbish bins in the A bientot - Brian

Venezuela and can be dangerous places, It’s Kyrgistan have all encouraging to hear that an Grumpy Old Men benefited. review of their roll-out has been Also, some undertaken. Someone in Our January meeting followed state-funded QUANGO chiefs authority must have been the normal pattern of a bite to are receiving six figure salaries listening to us! eat and liquid refreshment to lecture on losing weight or After all that moaning it was before tackling the issues of the getting a flu jab. Apparently 356 a pleasure to hear the tale of day. The first item on the public health staff each received the survival of a cat that climbed agenda was the difficulty in in excess of £100,000 in the under the bonnet of a parked parking at our hospitals, past tax year,. car and was accidentally taken particularly at QMC where the Another example of public on a 130 mile journey. So, the failed multi-storey car park has money wasted is the purchase mildly traumatised tortoiseshell never been replaced. It was by police forces of 448 electric survived an incident that could suggested that access to the cars (in order to satisfy green have been CATastrophic,,,(a site by tram was meant to targets) which they admit are further 20 cat puns ensued) alleviate the necessity for useless for chasing suspects or And finally, we discussed parking but there seems to be rushing to the aid of victims of Vimto. (Do you remember it?) I little evidence of it. crime. was unaware that it still existed, We continue to be Once again we heard of but apparently it is very popular concerned by the way our evidence that Smart Motorways in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, contributions to the revenue especially during of the country are being Ramadan. However, spent, Senior MP's and profits could be hit by a Human Rights groups have new soft drinks levy of up condemned the use of the to 50% and the foreign aid budget to manufacturers have support some of the world’s issued a profit warning. most brutal and repressive Currently the market is regimes, the governments worth £7M annually. of China, North Korea, Argentina, Cuba, Tarra II

The Page 13 Newsletter A small group started the new year off Ale Cider and Lager Group by visiting Mansfield Road starting at the Castle Rock owned public house the Lincolnshire Poacher which still retains its charm, followed by a visit to the Hole in the Wall, and the Fothergill Watson building which houses the Rose of England and lastly the Six Barrels next door. Our next outing is to The Derby Beer Festival on Friday 21st February, meeting at the Victoria Bus Station at 1pm to catch the Red Arrow to Derby with a shuttle bus to the Festival at the Roundhouse. Besides a variety of drinks available there is always a good selection of food…..especially cheese! In March we are going to visit the ever expanding number of venues at Mapperley Top meeting at The Woodthorpe Top on Friday 13th March at 4 pm. Please do come along as this is very much a social group. Lindsay Angus

International dining stayed in Europe for its Christmas meal International Dining and everyone enjoyed an Italian meal at Amores. March will see us venturing further away with to Asia with a Thai meal at Chai Yo Thai. I’ve selected a set menu with a good choice of dishes. The cost will be £20 a head including a tip but excluding drinks. The restaurant is on Parliament Terrace which is runs at the side of the old Co-op building on Parliament Street. Everyone is welcome to join us on Thursday 19 March, the table will be booked for 7pm. To reserve a place can you please pay me £20 at the next general meeting (Feb.20). I will be in meeting room. Pat Downing

Are you a writer? Do you have a creative skills? Could you be the Drama Group next Agatha Christie or Alan Bennett? The drama group will be meeting again on Monday 2 March 4pm at the fire station. We will be looking at and writing scripts for our Christmas production. Even you don’t want to act we would welcome people with ideas to help write our own scripts and we always welcome help with costumes and props. Are you a budding actor? Then come and give it a try – experience is not necessary. Come along don’t be shy, we’re a very friendly group! Pat Downing

The Page 14 Newsletter Carlton & Gedling U3A Diary: FEBRUARY 2020

Date Time Group Meet at Details Contact 15 Sat 09:30 Cycling For Fun Meet at 50 Willow Road, Carlton Tom 0780 094 9396 17 Mon 10:30 Family History Richard Herrod Brenda 0774 201 7482 17 Mon 14:00 Tea Dancing Richard Herrod Pat 0779 028 0338 17 Mon 18:30 Wine Lovers 3 Age Concern Northern Italian wines Steve 0784 111 1435 18 Tue 10:00 Wellbeing Richard Herrod Mark 0750 517 6780 18 Tue 14:00 Local History Richard Herrod Sport in Gedling by Neil Kendrick Graham 0787 652 7285 19 Wed 10:00 Bonsai A member's house Shaping/wiring/repotting part 1 Paul 07305 071206 19 Wed 10:00 Singing for Pleas. Netherfield Baptist Allan 0773 329 7393 19 Wed 14:00 Bridge and Whist The Willowbrook Ken 0798 224 8504 19 Wed 14:00 Scrabble The Willowbrook Lynne 0777 180 1957 20 Thu 10:30 General Meeting Richard Herrod Talk/Singalong re Industrial Revolution, part 1 20 Thu 14:00 Opera Study A member's house Intro to Handel's Agrippina Paul 0750 376 1075 21 Fri 08:30 Trips and Visits Richard Herrod Wakefield Rhubarb Festival Lesley 0775 1354 654 21 Fri 10:00 Science Richard Herrod Steve 0784 111 1435 21 Fri 13:00 Ale, Cider & lager Victoria Bus Station Derby Beer Festival Richard 0751 421 2134 21 Fri 16:00 Table Tennis C-le-W Academy Andrea 0752 709 0324 22 Sat 09:30 Cycling For Fun Meet at 50 Willow Road, Carlton Tom 0780 094 9396 24 Mon 10:00 French Conv. Mapperley Golf Club Brian 0115 926 5053 24 Mon 10:00 Sewing Carlton Fire Station Pam 0779 290 5454 24 Mon 10:15 Discussion A member's house Technology and Tourism Lynne 0777 180 1957 24 Mon 14:00 Committee Meeting Richard Herrod 25 Tue 09:30 5 Miles + tea Ranmoor Road University Park & Wollaton Park Terry 0797 084 2736 25 Tue 14:00 Music Apprec. Richard Herrod Theme of "Fire" Eric 0781 476 9670 26 Wed 10:00 Music for Fun Netherfield Baptist Charles 0750 593 0234 26 Wed 14:00 Bridge and Whist The Willowbrook Ken 0798 224 8504 26 Wed 14:00 Scrabble The Willowbrook Lynne 0777 180 1957 27 Thu 09:00 Striders Walking Ranmoor Road Beauvale & Moorgreen walk Keith 0781 485 6297 27 Thu 10:45 New Members The Willowbrook Sue 0796 046 1942 27 Thu 11:00 Coffee Morning Top Spot Club Maggie 0755 451 8444 28 Fri 10:00 Singing for Pleas. St Georges Centre Allan 0773 329 7393 28 Fri 14:00 Canasta Richard Herrod Lynne 0777 180 1957 28 Fri 16:00 Table Tennis C-le-W Academy Andrea 0752 709 0324 29 Sat 09:30 Cycling For Fun Meet at 50 Willow Road, Carlton Tom 0780 094 9396 29 Sat 14:30 Theatre Lace Market Theatre A Servant of Two Masters Carolyn 0115 9676267 MARCH 2020 1 Sun 12:00 Theatre Broadway Cinema Handel's Agrippina Paul 07305 071206 2 Mon 10:30 Greenfingers Gedling Road Meth. John Cullen: Pollinators Nicola on 0115 940 1507 2 Mon 14:00 History Study Richard Herrod Historical food and recipes Lynne 0777 180 1957 2 Mon 14:00 Tea Dancing Richard Herrod Pat 0779 028 0338 2 Mon 16:15 Drama Carlton Fire Station Readings & planning Pat 0791 866 5322 3 Tue 10:00 Railway Enth. Carlton Fire Station Railway Films Nick 0790 991 7127 3 Tue 14:00 Book Club Carlton Fire Station Chance by Joseph Conrad Maggie 0795 129 9113 3 Tue 16:30 Indoor Bowls Richard Herrod Indoor Bowls Mick 0115 987 4239 4 Wed 10:00 Singing for Pleas. Netherfield Baptist Allan 0773 329 7393 4 Wed 14:00 Bridge and Whist The Willowbrook Ken 0798 224 8504 4 Wed 14:00 Scrabble The Willowbrook Lynne 0777 180 1957 5 Thu 10:00 Tai Chi Richard Herrod Sally 0778 754 1145 6 Fri 10:00 Knit & Stitch Carlton Fire Station Jeanette 0775 828 5352 6 Fri 14:00 Canasta Richard Herrod Lynne 0777 180 1957 6 Fri 16:00 Table Tennis C-le-W Academy Andrea 0752 709 0324 7 Sat 09:30 Cycling For Fun Meet at 50 Willow Road, Carlton Tom 0780 094 9396 7 Sat 14:30 Theatre Nottingham Playhouse Moonlight and Magnolias Linda on 0115 958 3567 8 Sun 16:00 Deadline for March newsletter submissions Nick 0790 991 7127

The Page 15 Newsletter Carlton & Gedling U3A Diary: MARCH 2020

Date Time Group Meet at Details Contact 9 Mon 10:00 Classical Music St. A member's house David 0777 261 2605 9 Mon 10:00 French Conv. Mapperley Golf Club Brian 0115 926 5053 9 Mon 18:30 Wine Lovers 2 Burton Road C.C. Wines from New Zealand - BYO Paul 0750 376 1075 10 Tue 10:30 Grouchy Girls The Willowbrook Maggie 0755 451 8444 10 Tue 14:00 Canasta The Willowbrook Lynne 0777 180 1957 10 Tue 14:30 Poetry Apprec. A member's house Spring Rene 0758 266 5908 11 Wed 10:00 Music for Fun Netherfield Baptist Charles 0750 593 0234 11 Wed 14:00 Bridge and Whist The Willowbrook Ken 0798 224 8504 11 Wed 14:00 Scrabble The Willowbrook Lynne 0777 180 1957 12 Thu 09:30 Cycling For Fun Meet at 50 Willow Road, Carlton Tom 0780 094 9396 12 Thu 09:30 Religious ArchitectureMeet at Nottm Station Trip to Derby Cathedral Mike 0794 991 0241 12 Thu 11:00 Coffee Morning Top Spot Club Maggie 0755 451 8444 12 Thu 11:00 Ten Pin Bowling MFA Bowl Brenda 0115 962 5757 12 Thu 13:30 Art Gedling Road Meth. Christine 0787 523 4264 13 Fri 09:00 Bird Watching Richard Herrod Minibus trip to Potteric Carr Nuala 0743 718 7748 13 Fri 10:00 Singing for Pleas. St Georges Centre Allan 0773 329 7393 13 Fri 11:30 Grumpy Old Men The Willowbrook Ian 0115 9114681 13 Fri 13:30 Crafts Carlton Fire Station Gift card teapot with Sally Sally 0778 754 1145 13 Fri 16:00 Ale, Cider & lager Meet at the venue Mapperley Top pubs and Micros Richard 0751 421 2134 13 Fri 16:00 Table Tennis C-le-W Academy Andrea 0752 709 0324 14 Sat 09:30 Cycling For Fun Meet at 50 Willow Road, Carlton Tom 0780 094 9396 15 Sun 12:00 Theatre Broadway Cinema Wagner's The Flying Dutchman Colin on 07881 289298 16 Mon 10:30 Family History Richard Herrod Brenda 0774 201 7482 16 Mon 14:00 Tea Dancing Richard Herrod Pat 0779 028 0338 16 Mon 16:15 Drama Carlton Fire Station Readings & planning Pat 0791 866 5322 16 Mon 18:30 Wine Lovers 3 Age Concern Rioja Steve 0784 111 1435 17 Tue 10:00 Wellbeing Richard Herrod Mark 0750 517 6780 17 Tue 13:30 Local History St Marys, Nottingham Guided tour of St Marys church Graham 0787 652 7285 18 Wed 10:00 Bonsai A member's house Shaping/wiring/repotting part 2 Paul 07305 071206 18 Wed 10:00 Singing for Pleas. Netherfield Baptist Allan 0773 329 7393 18 Wed 14:00 Bridge and Whist The Willowbrook Ken 0798 224 8504 18 Wed 14:00 Scrabble The Willowbrook Lynne 0777 180 1957 19 Thu 10:30 General Meeting Richard Herrod Paul Stafford: Visit to North Korea 20 Fri 10:00 Science Richard Herrod Steve 0784 111 1435 20 Fri 14:00 Creative Writing Richard Herrod Theme - The Mark Ian 0753 596 7655 20 Fri 16:00 Table Tennis C-le-W Academy Andrea 0752 709 0324 21 Sat 09:30 Cycling For Fun Meet at 50 Willow Road, Carlton Tom 0780 094 9396 23 Mon 10:00 French Conv. Mapperley Golf Club Brian 0115 926 5053 23 Mon 10:00 Sewing Carlton Fire Station Pam 0779 290 5454 23 Mon 10:15 Discussion A member's house Genetically modified children Lynne 0777 180 1957 23 Mon 14:00 Committee Meeting Richard Herrod 24 Tue 09:30 5 Miles + tea Ranmoor Road Colwick Park and Woods walk Terry 0797 084 2736 24 Tue 14:00 Music Apprec. Richard Herrod Theme of "Air" Eric 0781 476 9670 25 Wed 08:30 Trips and Visits Richard Herrod Trip to Stratford Upon Avon Lesley 0775 1354 654 25 Wed 10:00 Music for Fun Netherfield Baptist Charles 0750 593 0234 25 Wed 14:00 Bridge and Whist The Willowbrook Ken 0798 224 8504 25 Wed 14:00 Scrabble The Willowbrook Lynne 0777 180 1957 26 Thu 10:45 New Members The Willowbrook Sue 0796 046 1942 26 Thu 11:00 Coffee Morning Top Spot Club Maggie 0755 451 8444 27 Fri 10:00 Singing for Pleas. St Georges Centre Allan 0773 329 7393 27 Fri 14:00 Canasta Richard Herrod Lynne 0777 180 1957 27 Fri 16:00 Table Tennis C-le-W Academy Andrea 0752 709 0324 28 Sat 09:30 Cycling For Fun Meet at 50 Willow Road, Carlton Tom 0780 094 9396 28 Sat 14:30 Theatre Lace Market Theatre Shakespeare's As You Like It Linda on 0115 958 3567 30 Mon 14:00 Tea Dancing Richard Herrod Pat 0779 028 0338 The Page 16 Newsletter