The Digest Edition 104 Spring 2019

Interior of St Mary’s by Peter Morgan

U3A DACORUM - COMMITTEE MEMBERS - and their other responsibilities

Tina’s Musings - from the Chair 3 Telephone numbers are prefixed by 01442 unless otherwise stated

Secretary’s Notes - Just a Sec 4 Tina Howard (Chair) email: [email protected] Editorial 5 tel: 248333 14 Willow Way, HP1 3EZ Laura Rouse (Vice Chair/Accessibility) 18 Broom Hill, HP1 2JD Monthly Meetings - Refreshment rota and Speakers 6 & 7 tel: 380632 email: [email protected] Michael Sapsard (Secretary) email: [email protected] Membership Secretary's notes 8 tel: 212368 9 Green Dell Way, HP3 8PX Group Reports 9-13/19 Harvey Collyer (Treasurer) email: [email protected] tel: 874364 Low Dene, Browns Spring, Potten End, HP4 2SQ The Letter - by Nick Hexter 14-15 Alan Osborn (Group Liaison) email: [email protected] tel: 873025 45 Long View, Berkhamsted, HP4 1BY Photographs 16-18 Judy Baldwin (Membership) email: [email protected] Have you Visited … 20 tel: 211289 31 Washington Avenue, HP2 6AB Gill Fountain (Hall Bookings) email: [email protected] A Celebratory Year 21 tel: 218126 7 Manscroft Road, HP1 3HU Jenny Thirlwell (Speakers) email: [email protected] Group News 22 tel: 831491 58 Chesham Road, Bovingdon, HP3 0EA Group Diaries 23-30 Terry Thirlwell (Equipment) email: [email protected] tel: 831491 58 Chesham Road, Bovingdon, HP3 0EA U3A Dacorum Committee contact details 31 Chris Watson email: [email protected]

tel: 261546 16 Concorde Drive, HP2 4AW Barbara Egglesfield email: [email protected] tel: 828539 5 Wigginton Bottom, Wigginton, Tring, HP23 6HN Judith Murdock email: [email protected]

Front cover: tel: 268517 3 Newlands Road, HP1 2NH Grand Union Canal, NON-COMMITTEE POSTS south-east of Berkhamsted by Kevin Griffin Digest Editor: Barbara Egglesfield Refreshment Coordinator: Laura Rouse Webmaster: Peter Bushill email:[email protected] Minutes Secretary: vacant post email: [email protected] The Digest is published quarterly in March, June, September and December New Members Liaison: Sally Merrison tel: 254786; 99 Rant Meadow, HP3 8PQ Publisher: U3A Dacorum Book Examiner: Jane M E Seymour email: [email protected]

Editor: Barbara Egglesfield Members of U3A Dacorum are welcome to contact any Committee Member with email: [email protected] suggestions, ideas, and complaints, or for advice on matters relating to U3A activities. 5 Wigginton Bottom, Wigginton, Tring HP23 6HN Visit us at www.u3adacorum.co.uk Printers: The Print Centre, Unit C, Northbridge Road, Berkhamsted

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050 Shorter Walking (A and B) Liz Eastham 380539 A: 2nd Thurs Thursday mornings @ 10.00 [email protected] B: 3rd Thurs Tina’s Musings - from the Chair As I write we are now in February, and Spring should be round the corner. 099 Walking Hilary & Peter Bushill 257899 4thTuesdays, [email protected] 9.30am Shutting the patio doors having braved the snow to feed the birds, and 091 Whist Jean Hunter 248498 1st Sundays brushed the snow from the car, I wondered what I could usefully achieve 20 Clinton End, Leverstock Green [email protected] 2.00-4.00 during this enforced indoor stay. Should I do this or should I do that? 204 Wild Flower Study Jenny Dickson 267887 1st/3rd/4th Decisions! Outdoors April to October [email protected] Weds In desperation I opened the craft room cupboard and a folder fell out. Hand Various venues Indoors Nov, Feb, and March 10.00-12.30 written notes, newspaper cuttings of poems, words of popular songs and the 078 Wine Appreciation Tony Pye 249089 First Fridays St John's Church Hall, Boxmoor 2.30-4.30 poems which grandmother had written and stored and which I found in her 195 Writing: Testing the Waters Marjorie Lazaro 769901 Thursdays effects when she died at nearly 107, and which in turn I had stored meaning The Smoke House, Middle Road [email protected] 10.00-12.00 to read them when I got around to it. Berkhamsted 3-weekly Three hours later I found myself still sitting cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by her memories; what impressed me most was the care that all End pieces: the verses expressed.

A time when everyone knew their neighbour’s name, would share a laugh or Be nice to your kids. They'll choose your nursing home. two, help in times of trouble, contribute to a celebratory event. A time when

Frustration is trying to find your glasses without your glasses. you talked to the people in the queue not exercised your thumbs on a mobile phone. A ‘chip’ was a piece of wood or fried potato, ‘hardware’ meant nuts Goodbye tension - hello pension. and bolts and ‘software’ wasn’t a word. ‘Grass’ was mown, ‘coke’ was kept in

I don't know how to act my age because I've never the coal house, a ‘joint’ was meat we had on Sundays and ‘pot’ was what we been this old before. cooked in! This all led me to think of our U3A family of 1600 members. Old age comes at a very bad time. The more you give, the more you get,

Once over the hill you pick up speed. The more you laugh the less you fret. Over the hill? What hill? I didn't see a hill. The more you do unselfishly, the more you give abundantly

The golden years, when actions creak louder than words. The more of everything you share, the more you’ll always have to spare; The more you love, the more you’ll find from Joyce Harkness (with apologies to the original writers) That life is good and friends are kind - For only what we give away, enriches us from day to day. We hold the same values as expressed in grandmother’s saved papers. We U3A Dacorum is supported by Dacorum Borough Council learn, and most importantly we laugh together. Cups of tea with friends, a caring word or two, a listening ear for each other, empathy and sympathy for PRESIDENT: the Mayor of the Borough of Dacorum (Councillor Rosie Sutton) each other.

Registered Charity 1012612 Tina Howard

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213 Rug Makers Jane Campbell 403085 2nd Tuesdays Just a Sec … Secretary’s Jottings 256 Windmill Rd, Boxmoor [email protected] 2.00-4.00 Do you remember the scene in the Jungle Book cartoon when the four 084 Russian Yan Christensen 873604 Every Thurs Liverpudlian vultures sitting in a dead tree repeatedly ask 'So what are 9 Briar Way, Berkhamsted [email protected] 10.00 we gonna do?' to the reply 'I don't know'. It sounds like the start of a typical U3A sermon - so let's not go there. 165 Science & Technology David Eastham 380539 Apr 24 St Joseph's Hall [email protected] May 29 Horsecroft Road, Boxmoor Last Weds 2.00-4.00 (NM Dec) June 26 I celebrated my 70th birthday in mid-January, much to my surprise, and 055 Scrabble (Sunday) Judy Baldwin 211289 2nd Sundays apparently to the surprise of many acquaintances, so they very nicely 31 Washington Avenue, Hemel [email protected] 2.00-6.00 said. So, why the surprise? Apparently they haven't seen any sign of me 185 Sewing Bee Rowena Hirji 264838 Apr 2, 16, 30 slowing down, but they never went windsurfing through the British Guide Headquarters, [email protected] May 14, 28 Queensway, Hemel alt Tuesdays 10.00-12.00 June 11, 25 Winter. 056 Shakespeare: from Pam Langdon-Pratt 243054 Apr 10, 24 Page to Stage [email protected] May 8, 22 I have my share of aches and pains from fallen arches, but proper shoe St John's Hall, Boxmoor 2nd/4th Weds 10.00-12.00 June 12, 26 inserts from a podiatrist fixed that and I can still do ten-mile walks. 186 Short Day Trips Lionel Howard 266011 See page 13 Perhaps it is because I am always busy with things that interest me. I Various locations and dates [email protected] attend the Magic group and co-ordinate three others, but that takes 189 Sign Language Laura Rouse 380632 2nd Thursdays Gadebridge Community Centre, HH [email protected] & 4th Fridays little effort due to other dedicated helpers, and is basically collecting 158 Snooker Ron Pearce ( 233947 ‘Raging Ball’ - money and sending a cheque to the Treasurer every three months. Unit 8, Verulam Industrial Estate [email protected] Every Weds 224 London Rd, St Albans 10.00-12.00 Outside U3A I have several interests: windsurfing, walking, flying kites, 187 Spanish Beginners Ana Parkinson 862403 Apr 3, 17 fixing things rather than throwing them away, electronics, gardening, Northchurch Social Centre [email protected] May 1, 15 Bell Lane, Northchurch 1st/3rd Weds 2.00-4.00 June 5, 19 Ballroom and Latin dancing, reading the odd piece of pulp fiction, bread 221 Swimming Moira Brook 07731697161 3rd Fridays making (so easy that a bread-maker is a con!) playing with and Watford Leisure Centre, [email protected] 2.45-4.30 teaching my granddaughter, etc. I even enjoy cleaning the house, if my Horseshoe Lane, Garston 217 Table Tennis Sarah Glennie 07585 116411 Apr 3, 17 wife will leave it to the agreed day of the week. I therefore just seem to Adeyfield Community Centre, HH [email protected] May 1, 15 be doing things that I enjoy. 1st/3rd Wednesdays, 2.00-4.00 June 5, 19 005 Tea Dance Mike Sapsard 212368 Apr 2, 16, 30 Luckily for me, I am not alone, and although some of what I do is SS Mary & Joseph's Parish Centre [email protected] May 28 St John's Rd, Boxmoor alternate Tuesdays 2.00-4.00 June 11, 25 solitary, most of it is in the company of others, the significant one or not. 181 Ukulele David Northwood 219229 Apr 3 Perhaps this is the key to being an active 'Senior': stay physically and Grovehill Community Centre [email protected] May 1 mentally active in the company of others - exactly what the U3A is all Henry Wells Sq, Hemel 1st Weds 9.30-12.00 June 5 about! I have just done it all my life. S192 Ukulele 2 John Gardener 234196 Dates flexible Various locations; please contact [email protected] Mike Sapsard 220 Urban Sketchers Peter Morgan 259358 2nd & 4th Tues Various [email protected] 10.00-12.00

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036 Painting for Pleasure Sue Bloch 268586 Apr 17 Adeyfield Community Centre, [email protected] May 15 Editorial Queens Square, Hemel 3rd Wednesdays 10.00-12.00 June 19 A belated happy New Year to all our readers. Let’s hope 2019 196 Painting for You Veronica Stuart 250906 Last Fridays will be a successful year. Warners End Community Centre [email protected] 1.30-4.00 There is a variety of creative writing in this issue; but this will Northridge Way, HH be almost the last in series of the ‘Have you Visited …’ articles unless 209 Painting Unlimited Diana Knapp 405399 Apr 12, 26 anyone has any suggestions? - I’ve run out of ideas for local visiting, but Methodist Church Hall [email protected] May 10, 24 have one more for the Summer issue. Northridge Way, Hemel Fridays fortnightly 10.00-12.00 June 7, 21 Sometimes contributors say to me ‘that’s not quite what I wrote’; but that’s 040 Patchwork Sylvia Ingleby 261414 Apr 3, 17 what editors do - we edit! If the piece you send in doesn’t quite fit the Guide HQ, Queensway, Hemel [email protected] May 1, 15 1st/3rd Weds 10.00-12.00 June 5, 19 space available, I do cut a line or two, or re-phrase what you have written, though I rarely omit anything pertinent that you have said. You will possibly 045 Pencil Drawing Jean Houston 247312 Apr 3 Adeyfield Community Centre, HH [email protected] May 1 not notice that all the pages end on a complete sentence and a full stop. 1st Wednesdays 10.00-12.00 [New members please contact] June 5 That doesn’t happen by accident! It’s called ‘editing’.

061 Philosophy Denis Maclure 873124 Apr 9, 23 January saw me lunching at the top of a volcano with chicken cooked by Quaker Meeting House, 1 The [email protected] May 7, 21 the heat - a weird experience in Lanzarote. My next trip (after two weeks in Alleys, St Mary’s Road, HH Tuesdays fortnightly 2.00-4.00 June 4, 18 Spain in March) will be in April to Hong Kong for the rugby sevens World 041 Play Reading Cathy Ayling 257912 4th Thursdays Cup, where one of the England team is a local player from Tring. Then from The Lounge, Gatecroft [email protected] 7.00-9.00pm May onwards, I will be at The Oval, volunteering at the Cricket World Cup. Bennetts End, HP3 9NA Barbara Daniels 251640 Barbara Egglesfeld 042 Play Reading Ruth Treves Brown 863268 1st Weds Various locations, Berkhamsted [email protected] 10.00-12.00 Jill Southgate 876128 Deadline for entries in Summer Digest: 043 Playing Early Music Derek Guyatt 862545 Last Mondays in Berkhamsted [email protected] 2.00-4.00 to arrive at the latest by 7th May 2019

071 Poetry Appreciation Margaret Ainsworth 213788 3rd Weds Please note that our ONLY email address is: Old Mill House, Piccotts End [email protected] 2.30-4.30 [email protected] 057 Poetry Reading Audrey Naylor 247230 Tues 2.00-4.00 53 Gravel Lane, Boxmoor [email protected] every 2 weeks Copy for the Digest … Do YOU have anything to contribute for the next 088 Poetry Writing Audrey Naylor 247230 Mon 2.00-4.00 53 Gravel Lane, Boxmoor [email protected] Digest - articles, events, photos, poems, a short story? Co-ordinators of hall groups can send in dates for the next three months (July/August/ 053 Quiz Beth Palfery 258800 Apr 25 St Joseph's Hall, Horsecroft Rd [email protected] May 30 September) at any time - no need to wait for the emailed reminder - Boxmoor Last Thursdays 2.00-4.00 June 27 please don’t leave it until the last minute. Photos should be clear, and not 167 Railways Jane & Victor Campbell Apr 25 blurred or grainy, please. Quaker Meeting House, 1 The [email protected] 403085 May 30 I no longer send second reminders to co-ordinators who are tardy with Alleys, St Mary’s Road, HH Last Thursdays 10.00-12.00 *June 27 outing their responses, and therefore dates will be omitted! If you’re sending 182 Reading Jill Heller 876390 2nd Fridays photos or reports, please send these a little bit earlier as it may involve re- The Smoke House, Middle Road, Berk’d [email protected] 10.00-12.30 arranging pages to fit them; but anyone can send in copy at any time. I will normally reply to any email you send. If you don’t receive a reply, then 052 Religions Irene Turtle 01923 260313 Apr 25 St John's Hall, Boxmoor [email protected] May 30 it’s likely that haven’t received it. last Thursdays, 2.00-4.00 June 27

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031 Local History Sylvia Fitzwilliam 242332 Apr 9w, 23h Monthly Meetings (Mondays) St John's Hall, Boxmoor [email protected] May14w, 28h h = hall; w = walk, alternately Tues fortnightly 2.00-4.00 Jun 11w, 25h 157 Lunch Club: Tuesday1 Jerri McCann 01923 268909 2nd Tuesdays Refreshment rota 9.30-12.00 Various venues [email protected] Ring for times 203 Lunch Club: Tuesday2 Jerri McCann 01923 268909 4th Tuesdays It is not necessary for the refreshment group Various venues [email protected] Ring for times to stay for the whole time. 215 Magic John Eaton 254287 Apr 12, 26 Leverstock Green [email protected] May 10, 24 Please note that in the rota below, there may be inaccuracies in either the Village Hall, Buglass Room alt Fridays 2.00-4.00 June 7, 21 venue, or the matching of the group to the venue which is nearest to their meeting place. 060 Mahjong Jenny Thirlwell 831491 Apr 3, 17 St John's Hall, Boxmoor [email protected] May 1, 15 1st/3rd Weds 10.00-12.00 June 5, 19 March 4th Belleplates Boxmoor Playhouse 216 Meditation for Health 1 Diana Walters 878674 Apr 12, 26 Friends’ Meeting House, Berk’d [email protected] May 10, 24 2nd/4th Fridays 10.45-12.45 June 14, 28 April 1st Cribbage Boxmoor Playhouse 216 Meditation for Health 2 Diana Walters 878674 Apr 9, 30 Friends’ Meeting House, Berk’d [email protected] May 14, 28 May 13th Creative Writing (082) Berkhamsted Town Hall Tuesdays 1.30-3.00 June 11, 25 065 Military History Fred Palfery 258800 Apr 3 St John's Hall, Boxmoor [email protected] May 1 June 3rd Computer Support Boxmoor Playhouse 1st Wednesday 10.00-12.00 [email protected] 828539 June 5 025 Money Matters Jan Wheeler Apr 8 July 1st Craft (171) Boxmoor Playhouse St John's Hall, Boxmoor [email protected] May 13 Mondays 10.00-12.00 June 10 August 5th Discussion (090) Berkhamsted Town Hall 034 Music Appreciation Mary & Colin Mitchell 874057 Thurs 2.0-4.0 ‘Karen', Meadway, Berk’d [email protected] fortnightly

If there are any problems with this schedule, please ring Laura Rouse on 035 Music Appreciation (Classical) Sue Frost 866596 Apr 4, 18 St Francis' Church Hall [email protected] May 16, 30 01442 380632 leaving a message if there is no answer. Glenview Road, Boxmoor Thursdays 10.00-12.00 June 13, 27 089 Music Miscellany Bob Day 737494 Apr 11 St Francis' Church Hall [email protected] May 9 Glenview Road, Boxmoor Thursdays 10.00-12.00 June 6 Committee Meetings: 037 Nature Study Chris Lindsay 243884 Every Tues Meet car park, St John's, Boxmoor [email protected] 10.00-1.30 Venue - Box Moor Trust; 10 am-12 noon. All outdoor meetings - call first Fridays - 1st March; 29th March; 10th May; 038 Needlecraft Rowena Hirji 264838 alt Tuesdays 31st May; 28th June; 2nd August; 30th August. Third Oak, Little Heath Lane , Potten End [email protected] 10.00-12.00 067 Opera (Introduction to) Maggie Moore 07973 195426 3rd Fridays U3A Members are always welcome to attend - please let the Bovingdon [email protected] 2.00-4.00 Secretary know in advance, simply to arrange enough seats. 075 Out with Friends Debbie Sargeant 462964 1st Fridays St Johns Hall, Boxmoor [email protected] 10.00-12.00

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021 Geology A Lynn Allen 267525 last Tues Monthly Meetings (Mondays) Various locations 10.00-12.00 184 Geology B Lynn Allen 267525 3rd Mondays Speaker secretary: Jenny Thirlwell Various locations 10.00-12.00 These meetings provide a good opportunity for meeting fellow U3A 059 German Improvers Heather Al-Jawad 769156 Apr 1, 15, 29 members as well as listening to various talks - all at a bargain price of £1. St John's Hall, Boxmoor [email protected] May 13 Doors open 9.30. Coffee, tea and biscuits are served until 10.20am. Alt Mondays 2.00-4.00 June 3, 17 Meetings start at 10.30. 066 G.O.A.L. Yan Christensen 873604 Contact Schools in Dacorum/ weekly [email protected] for details March 4th: Boxmoor Playhouse 168 Guitar Workshop Roy Bride 865349 1st/3rd/5th Chris Scivyer - The Last Flight of Choo-Z-Suzy and her Crew: The 5 Oxfield Close, Berkhamsted [email protected] Wed 2.0-4.00 story of the final flight of USAAF Boeing B17G Flying Fortress 42-107055, 024 Industrial History Arthur Cunningham 265251 3rd Weds Choo-Z-Suzy and her crew, which crashed at Garston near Watford on St John's Hall, Boxmoor acunningham@the iet.org 10.00-12.00 28th December 1944.

095 Italian Lang/Culture Jim & Lorna Grimes 255599 2nd/4th Thurs April 1st: Boxmoor Playhouse St John's Hall, Boxmoor [email protected] 10.00-12.00 Maggie Taylor - Living with a Deaf Dog: How do you train a deaf 092 More Italian Linda Duckworth 249460 2nd/4th Weds dog? Maggie describes how she came to own one; how she trained it and In members’ homes [email protected] 2.00-4.00 the difficulties of living with a dog that cannot hear a call. She brings her 156 Italian, Step 2 Tina Leach 251677 Apr 5,12 ,26 dog with her - the dog sits on a blanket and stays close to Maggie Adeyfield Community Centre, HH [email protected] May 3,10, 17,24 throughout the talk. Every Friday 2.00-4.00 Jun 7,14, 21,28 May 13th: Berkhamsted Town Hall 188 Japanese Lang/Culture Kevin Griffin 250060 2nd/4th Thurs Various addresses: check first [email protected] 10.00-12.00 Wendy Hartnell - Where the Wild Things are: A talk about the work of the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, here to make the world wilder 026 Jazz Appreciation Bernard Newton 826407 Apr 25 and make nature a part of life, for everyone. St Francis’ Church Hall [email protected] May 23 Glenview Road, Boxmoor Thursdays 10.00-12.15 June 20 June 3rd: Boxmoor Playhouse 175 Knit and Natter Lana Linden 265816 alt Weds Andy Rodulson - of the RAF presentation team - delivers an exciting 61 Tile Kiln Lane, HH HP3 8NW [email protected] 2.00-4.00 and informative talk about the modern Royal Air Force. Serving RAF 198 Knit and Natter 2 Sue Cottrell 262861 Every Thurs personnel with a wide breadth of experience, including active duty on The Lounge,1 Great Palmers, Grovehill, HH [email protected] 2.00-4.00 recent British military operations worldwide present this talk.

076 Latin Judy Bentley 248455 1st/3rd Weds July 1st: Boxmoor Playhouse In members’ homes [email protected] 2.30-4.00 Elizabeth Gowing - The Rubbish Picker’s Wife. An unlikely friendship 022 Line Dancing Joyce Harkness 398116 1st/3rd Thurs in Kosovo. Elizabeth spent four years working and living with the Roma SS Mary & Joseph's Centre, Boxmoor 2.00-3.30 and Ashkali community in Kosovo.

027 Literature A Brenda Baynes 865853 Tues 10-12.00 August 5th: Berkhamsted Town Hall Various homes in Berkhamsted [email protected] fortnightly Gwyn Williams - Concorde, the beginning and the end. The title 030 Literature Sue Hexter 826440 Apr 1, 15, 29 gives a precis of this talk! We look forward once again to hearing Gwyn Albert Room, Victoria Hall Tring [email protected] May 13 talk about Concorde. We have vacancies! Mondays 11.15-1.15 June 3, 17 083 Literature E Pam Langdon-Pratt 243054 Fridays September 2nd will be at Boxmoor and is also the AGM. Felden View, 2 Haywood Drive, Boxmoor [email protected] 10.30-12.30

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090 Discussion E Ros Ridout 864243 Usually 4th Membership Secretary’s Notes Holly House, 6 Barncroft Rd, [email protected] Tuesdays

Berkhamsted 2.00-4.30 Your new card for 2019/20 is blue. 179 English Lang Awareness Jean Starling 399206 2nd Thurs You should find your Renewal Form in with this Digest. It is for all 193 Washington Ave, Hemel H [email protected] 2.00-4.00 members who joined before 2019 and wish to renew. Please don’t cut 081 Exploring London Carol Gissing 01923 266606 Usually the A4 form. [no walks Dec/Jan/Feb] [email protected] last Fridays Deal with your form promptly to avoid forgetting! And make sure you 197 Exploring Towns/Villages David Northwood 219229 Usually Visits by car share [email protected] 3rd Thurs write cheques payable to U3A Dacorum. We cannot accept postal 079 Film and Discussion Maureen Pye 249089 2nd Fridays orders but - new this year - you can pay by Bank Transfer and you St John's Hall, Boxmoor Peter Bennett 2.30-5.00 will see the special form for this indicated on the Renewal Form which 073 Flower Arranging Christine Linton 251986 Apr 11 St George's United Reform Church [email protected] May 9 you can download, and follow the instructions. We will need a smallish Hall, Chaulden, Hemel 2nd Thursdays 2.00-4.00 June 13 SAE for your card if you want it sent. 159 Folk Singing Brian Jackson 260047 Apr 10, 24 St Joseph's Hall, Horsecroft Road [email protected] May 8, 22 Gift Aid. If you have signed up, you will continue to be on this list Boxmoor New members welcome 2nd/4th Weds 10.15-12.15 June 12, 26 unless you tell us your circumstances have changed. We welcome new 202 French Book Club Lyn Parkyns 255429 Tuesdays 28 Highclere Drive, Hemel [email protected] 2.30-4.00 people signing up for Gift Aid and I have forms for this. The money we Irregular: every two months receive has helped us to keep our Membership Fee stable. 014 French Conversation Bill Gleig 822562 Tue 10.00-12.00 5 The Beeches, Tring [email protected] fortnightly Digest. These are sent to every address and can be replaced if given 214 French Conversation (Adv) Bernadette Streater 866898 1st & 3rd Tues away. Also membership cards can be replaced if lost or stolen. Members’ homes in HH [email protected] 10.15-12.00 015 French & Fun A Judy Baldwin 211289 Apr 9, 23 Third Age Matters & Sources. These arrive 5 times a year and are 31 Washington Ave, Hemel [email protected] May 7, 21 alt Tuesdays 10.00-12.00 June 4, 18 sent to those who have agreed to have them. If, when you have had a 015 French & Fun C Judy Baldwin 211289 Apr 10, 24 few copies, you really do not want them anymore, just let me know - I 31 Washington Ave, Hemel [email protected] May 8, 22 can soon remove you from that list. Don’t contact The Third Age Trust alt Wednesdays 10.00-12.00 June 5, 19 016 Garden Appreciation Anita Russell 258119 Wednesdays about it. Various locations and times New Members who joined in 2019 - Welcome to the growing 017 Gardening A Patricia Beaton 384821 3rd Thursdays Berkhamsted Various locations [email protected] times variable number of new members who have joined this year. I do hope 018 Gardening (Hemel) linphillips@btinternet .com 2nd Thurs everyone is making you welcome and Group Leaders are squeezing in Various locations Mary Wilkinson 253083 2.00 as many new folk as they can. 019 Genealogy (Berkhamsted) Susan Hood 863311 2nd Mondays RC Church Meeting Room, Park St. [email protected] 2.00-4.00 Judy Baldwin 051 Genealogy Margaret Fairburn 399097 Apr 15 Carey Baptist Hall, Marlowes, HH [email protected] May 20 3rd Mondays 10.00-12.00 June 17

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006 Bowls Paul Mackness 01296 662231 May to Sept Berkhamsted Bowls Club [email protected] 2.00-4.00 Group reports Brief summaries of recent and/or forthcoming activities from some of our groups. 183 Bus Trippers Jane & Victor Campbell 2nd Weds Full listing and contact details of all our Dacorum groups begins on page 23. Various dates/locations 403085 [email protected] 007 Calligraphy Diana Knapp 405399 Apr 1, 15 Armchair Traveller John Clarke Village Hall, Buglass Room [email protected] May 13 Our November meeting completed an earlier presentation on the ‘Rockies to Leverstock Green Mondays 1.00-3.00 June 10, 24 the Pueblos, Colorado and New Mexico’. Picking up in Santa Fe, we moved to 048 Card Making Catherine Lindsay 243884 1st Tuesdays Los Alamos, the birthplace of the atomic bomb, and ended in Taos visiting the 15 Sundew Road, Hemel [email protected] 10.00-12.00 Rio Grande Bridge with the river hundreds of feet below, then Taos Pueblo; 177 Card Making 2 Lesley Drake 863041 Apr 5 the pueblos in both Colorado and New Mexico are considered to be one of the Quaker Meeting House [email protected] May 17 oldest continuously inhabited communities in the United States. The second 289 High St, Berkhamsted 3rd Fridays 10.00-12.00 June 21 half of the meeting was a traveller’s quiz titled ‘52 Weeks, 52 Islands’. 011 Circle Dance Sue Bloch 268586 Apr 3, 17 In January we were off to Madeira walking the levadas with Bev and Jim Carey Baptist Hall, Marlowes HH [email protected] May 1, 15 Davis. Levada walking is not for the faint hearted: they are water channels 1st/3rd Wednesdays 2.00-3.30 June 5, 19 that sometimes run along narrow ledges with steep 219 Computer Programming Mike Sapsard Apr 2, 16, 30 drops on one side; however the views are most Gadebridge Community Centre [email protected] May 14, 28 rewarding. In addition we visited several gardens with alternate Tuesdays 10.00-12.00 June 11, 25 a wide variety of plants. 069 Computer Support Mike Sapsard Last Fridays In February we travelled to Uzbekistan with Sue and St Joseph's Hall [email protected] 2.00-4.30 Fraser Miller. In March we visit ‘Mallorca 50 years on’. Horsecroft Rd, Boxmoor [not Aug and Sept] Finally, in April we will change the temperature with a 171 Craft Sue Cottrell 262861 2nd Fridays presentation by Bernard and Angela Cross - ‘Hot and The Lounge,1 Great Palmers, Grovehill, HH [email protected] 2.00-4.00 Cold Running Water, the Amazon and Greenland’.

077 Creative Writing A Denis Kelly 265303 1st Fridays Art Workshops Peter Morgan 87 Peascroft Road, Hemel [email protected] 1.30-4.30 Originally intended as just four workshops, it is now proposed to add another 080 Creative Writing B Kay Reid 211987 Thurs 3-weekly two covering 'Drawing the Human Head'. The Workshops have been well 20 Wrensfield, Hemel [email protected] 2.00-4.00 received and are now oversubscribed. As a number of members were 082 Creative Writing J Janet Goacher 874633 Apr 4, 25 disappointed that there were no places available, a second series is being Sacred Heart Church Hall, [email protected] May 16 considered, probably starting late September at two-weekly intervals. Park St, Berkhamsted every 3rd Thursday 1.00-3.00 June 6, 27 210 Creative Writing 6 Jean Starling 399206 3-weekly Tues Calligraphy Diana Knapp 193 Washington Ave, Hemel H [email protected] 1.30-4.00 The Calligraphy group was again asked to provide an item for the annual crib festival at the Holy Trinity Church, Leverstock Green, where we meet. The 046 Cribbage & Scrabble Jill Payne 398300 Apr 8, 29 Adeyfield Community Centre, HH [email protected] May 13, 20 theme was 'Follow the star' and we produced an eye-catching collage of star 2nd/4th Mons 2.00-4.00 June 10, 24 relevant lines from carols. And, again, it proved an imaginative project in 064 Cycling Peter Hamson 245308 1st Thurs which we could all take part. We are now preparing a project for the summer Various locations [email protected] 10.00 start Art & Craft exhibition in the village, which will provide fun and surprises.

086 Digital Photography Terence Thirlwell 831491 Apr 4 Classical Music Appreciation Group goes live! Jack Scrutton St John’s Hall, Boxmoor [email protected] May 2 We have established a convention of holding live music sessions at the end 1st Thursdays 10.00-12.00 June 6 of term. Performers included Jill's Lea Rig Band; Don's Sitting Room Singers; 010 Discussion Genefer Gaballa 248965 Apr 26 piano duets by Robert and Mary; a fascinating demonstration by professional St John’s Hall, Boxmoor [email protected] May 24 percussionist, John Grogan; and carols sung by an in-house chorus. 4th Fridays 10.00-12.00 June 28

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Autumn term culminated in a fun session in December, with a participative Group Diaries first half of playing carols on musical chimes, brought by expert Diane Ashton, If you wish to attend a group for the first time, or if anything is unclear, please make with most of the 40 present trying their hand at dinging the dongs. After contact with the person listed to express your interest, find out how it works, and whether there is space. coffee and mince pies, a 9-part choir of group members, led by Robert, our illustrious Director of Music, performed a selection of carols, including one of All phone numbers are prefixed 01442 unless otherwise stated his own compositions, as well as 4 popular carols for audience participation; a 211 Adult Colouring Cathy Ayling 257912 4th Tuesdays fitting preparation for the Christmas season. If you share our love of classical Warner’s End Community Centre HH [email protected] 2.00-4.00 music, new or occasional members are always welcome. 003 Antiques and Collectables Barbara Middlestorb 215507 Apr 18 Computer Programming Mike Sapsard St John's Church Hall, Boxmoor [email protected] May 16 We are learning how to write useful programs, using Object Pascal (free 3rd Thursdays 10.00-12.00 June 20 Pascal compiler) and the Lazarus IDE (Interactive Development Environment), 085 Armchair Traveller John Clarke 256327 Apr 16 which works on Windows, Mac and Linux. If you want to see what is possible St John's Church Hall, Boxmoor [email protected] May 21 download Lazarus from https://www.lazarus-ide.org and then try the tutorials 3rd Tuesdays 2.00-4.00 June 18 on http://lazplanet.blogspot.com. If you like what you see then just come 039 Art Club Ken Russell 393359 Apr 5 19NM along. On the other hand, we also do frivolous, like a ‘shoot-em-up game’. Gadebridge Community Centre, [email protected] May 3, 17, 31 Rossgate, Hemel alt Fridays 10.00-1200 June 14, 28 Computer Support Mike Sapsard We aim to answer questions and demonstrate how to do the basic tasks on 013 Art History Pam Langdon-Pratt 243054 Apr 9 St John’s Church Hall, Boxmoor [email protected] May 14 home computers. The topics vary, so please watch the Group email notices to 2nd Tuesdays 2.00-4.00 June 11 see what is coming up. Microsoft, Apple, Android, Linux are all covered, as are 166 Art History Valerie Standing 866597 Apr 15 alternative Office products, security, etc, etc. Visit u3adacorum.org.uk to see Friends Meeting House [email protected] May 20 many of our presentations. If you need tuition we recommend DCfL for group 289 High Street, Berkhamsted 4th Mondays 2.15-4.00 June 24 tuition and The Paper Trail for one-to-one sessions. Gadebridge and Warner's 222 Art Workshops Peter Morgan 259358 Apr 12, 26 End Community Centres also have learning facilities. Gadebridge Community Centre [email protected] May 10

Exploring London Carol Gissing Rossgate, Hemel Fridays 10.00-12.00 We will be exploring again in March when 2019 and will include new ventures 223 Arts, Crafts and Skills Susan Woodhams 769682 March 11, into the East End as well as some old favourites in the West End. However Northchurch Social Centre [email protected] Apr 8, May 13 Bell Lane, Northchurch, Berk’d 2nd Mondays 10.00-12.00 June 10 well you think you know an area of London, our walk leaders always find something to intrigue or amaze. We welcome new explorers joining our 190 Practical Astronomy Roger Witts 242356 Apr 1 friendly group so look out for our emails each month. St Joseph's Hall, Horsecroft Road [email protected] May 6 Boxmoor 1st Mondays 2.00-4.00 June 3 Gardening (Hemel) Mary Wilkinson 062 Belleplates Dorothy Ingham 259747 Apr 12 The group enjoyed an interesting programme of events during 2018 despite Church of the Resurrection [email protected] May 10, 24 the weather. The visit to Kew in March was cancelled because of the snow, Grovehill, Hemel Twice monthly Fridays 2.00-3.30 June 14, 28 but we plan to go this year in April! One of our 070 Board Games 1 Laura Rouse 380632 1st Fridays summer outings was to Bushey Rose Garden. We Sacred Heart Church, Park Street, [email protected] 2.00-4.00 also had a visit to the Jellicoe Gardens in Hemel with Berkhamsted Lesley Kazer 460635 Kate Hargreave. 212 Board Games 2 Lesley Kazer 460635 3rd Fridays Our 2019 programme includes Kew, Myddelton Guide Headquarters, Queensway, [email protected] 2.15-4.15 House, Reveley Lodge in Bushey and Serge Hill, Hemel Laura Rouse 380632 Bedmond, plus more home visits to members’ 029 Book Group Doreen Fletcher 251753 Apr 8, 29 gardens, with informative talks and discussions. St John's Church Hall, Boxmoor [email protected] May 20 alt Mondays 10.00-12.00 June 10, 24

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Group news Local History Sylvia Fitzwilliam For further information on any items below please contact Alan Osborn. Although there is evidence of Roman activity around the Leverstock Green Tel: 01442 873025; email: [email protected] or [email protected] area, it is still a distinct village. The oldest part is made of up of a few (Contact details for all groups are in the Diary section.) 15th/16thc cottages and farms in Westwick Row. The major development of Is there a shortage of Groups? Leverstock Green began around the 19thc with brickmaking works east of We hear comments that one of the reasons for members not renewing is Bennetts End and south of Adeyfield. The largest, Leverstock Green & Acorn because they can’t get into the group of their choice, or not a group covering Brick Works, owned by Mr Norris of Berkhamsted, is reckoned to have been their interests, and - more recently - the general shortage of groups in started around 1850. The clay diggings and brickmaking gave rise to road Berkhamsted. names - Tile Kiln Lane and Brickmakers Lane; bricks were known as ‘reds’ and The answer is in the members’ own hands to volunteer to start a new group, or can be seen on some of the houses around the village. double up on an existing one. Suggestions for new groups are always welcome; Population increased rapidly during this time and the old parish boundaries of your Committee will do all possible to help. St Michaels (St Albans), Abbots Langley and Hemel Hempstead gave way to a Could you run a group? new parish of Leverstock Green with its own Holy Trinity Church, built in 1849 If you have had a job, raised a family – yes, you can!! and now designated a grade 2 listed building. The Church is proud of its Our co-ordinators are the lifeblood of our U3A, without them we wouldn’t have a short history having been built on land given by Lord Verulam with the help of U3A. But it should be pointed out that our co-ordinators aren’t people who have John Dickinson, the Apsley papermaker, and of its two beautiful stained glass more time on their hands than you do, or fewer commitments. windows, one of which is dedicated Being a co-ordinator is rewarding; it is done for a variety of reasons, sometimes to the Westminster Rifle Brigade, under a little duress, sometimes because we want to put something back into billeted in the village during WW1. our U3A or we have knowledge we are happy to share with others. Sometimes The Rifles commissioned the it’s because “if I don’t do it this group will close”! Whatever the reason, most window in gratitude to the people people enjoy being a co-ordinator. for their hospitality; a similar What does a co-ordinator do? Well that varies group to group, depending on the subject and the amount of help from other group members. They and group window in Westminster Abbey was members build their knowledge together, the co-ordinator usually setting the unfortunately destroyed in WW2. programme. The village also had a Baptist Chapel in the mid-19thC but which is no longer The group meeting date, time, frequency and location etc is set by the co- there. The first Church School opened in Bedmond Rd at about the same time ordinator. Of course the input of other members is considered but in the end it but as the pupil numbers increased, it moved to Pancake Lane and again to has to suit the co-ordinator, as they give up their time for the benefit of others Green Lane. Village life revolves around the Community Hall with its Library, so the co-ordinator’s needs must be met first. Like ‘Animal Farm’ – all members modern shops, the Cricket Club on the Green and of course The Olde Leather are equal – but some are more equal than others. Bottle Inn dating back to 1727. The co-ordinator decides the number of members attending and who attends - Our group is growing steadily but there are one or two spaces for anyone not all applicants to a group are guaranteed a place; they also set the internal interested in Local History. Contact Sylvia 01442 242332. guidelines within the group. Military History Fred Palfery Our co-ordinators work to a handbook which the committee hope covers all eventualities. It is in two parts (Financial and Organisational) with a note to say December saw the very enjoyable Annual Quiz followed by a popularly that the organisation and content of a group is very much at the discretion of attended lunch at Boxmoor Lodge, thanks to Carole and Chris Coshan and individual co-ordinators; however in financial matters the manual has to be Malcolm Pitt. I believe next year’s lunch is already booked. followed. A highlight, with sad connections, was the presentation to retiring Co- If you are interested please contact me [email protected] ordinator John Waller of a substantial gift including items entirely appropriate to the ethos of the group. Thanks very much to the members for their Co-ordinators’ Questions: the answer to many queries and questions can be generous contribution. Thanks also to John Waller who has done so much for found in the handbook. If you can’t locate your copy a complete version is on the group over the last three years. our website. www.u3adacorum.co.uk

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Our new Co-coordinator, Barbara Egglesfield, has been very busy over the winter, putting together a 2019 programme. In February, Bev and Jim Davis A Celebratory Year presented part 2 of their Torpedoes talk and Fred Palfery played more Music These days, the strangest things seem to be designated the Year of this or that of War. In March, Captain Marie Burr will describe the Salvation Army’s role but how many of you I wonder, know that UNESCO has declared 2019 as the in two World Wars; and Derek Watson introduces ‘Samovars on Bodmin’, a Internatonal Year of the Periodic Table of the Elements. A chemist by talk about the Cold War J.S.S.L. (Joint Services School of Linguists), the profession, I have known the dear old Periodic Table for well over half a graduates from which have enriched the highest levels of British professions. century and as an undergrad student I had to learn it by heart, although it In April former Berkhamsted School pupil, Barrister, looked quite diferent those days from its modern form. Now, it’s a litle more Grenadier Guard Captain and author (Junior Officers widespread in the public consciousness. You can buy Periodic Table mugs and Reading Club etc) Patrick Hennessey, has prime position as a jigsaw puzzle. My 12-year old granddaughter even has had to learn the followed by True Tales of WWII with Fred Palfery. frst two rows of the Table of by heart. It appears in the credits on TV for the Subsequently, we have a ripe crop of presenters including programme QI: in University Challenge, questons based on it are quite group members, and Andrew Houseman on the US Civil War, but the later order of battle is not yet set in concrete. common. (I ofen get them wrong, I’m afraid). We do hope that members will come forward with more Why all the fuss then for 2019? It was 150 years ago that Dmitri Mendeleev, a presentations, secure in the knowledge that if they need Russian professor, frst presented his table in a form that chemists today

help, Fred Palfery is willing. would recognise. He had arranged the elements not only in order of their

Music Miscellany Bob Day atomic weights horizontally but also so that elements of similar chemical 2019 started with an a/v selection of music from Mike as wonderful & wide propertes lay vertcally under each other. His great triumph that has led to as ever. We enjoyed classical to comedy (Victor Borge no less) and early 20c him being given the honour that he has this year, was to realise that some to much more recent. Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers looked as good as ever! elements were missing and he lef gaps for them in his table to be discovered. Our 14th February meeting allowed Peter to explore Love is in the air! Not only that, but he was able to predict what the chemical and physical Our Thursday mornings complement the Jazz & Classical ones really well. propertes of the missing elements would be, and these tallied very well with All welcome; come, see & hear! those of the elements when they were discovered a few years later.

Religions Irene Turtle All the pictures of Mendeleev show him to look more like a The new Religions Group got off to a very good start towards the end of Russian monk or anarchist than a professor; he had very long September last year with a visit by Audrey Pitchforth on 'A Brief History of hair and beard and resembled pictures of Rasputn. As ofen the origins of Quakerism and how it developed in Hemel Hempstead'. This happens in science, others had published previous was followed by a visit from Lizzie Hood, Vicar at Holy Trinity, Leverstock arrangements of the elements that did have some of the Green in October and finally a visit by Captain Marie Burr of the Salvation features of Mendeleev’s table but he claimed not to have Army in November. All totally different and all wonderfully interesting. known of at least some of them. It’s a measure of the Our first meeting of 2019 will be a visit by David Chamberlin attached to isolaton of Russia from the rest of Europe in the 19th century Hemel Hempstead Jehovah's Witnesses. The programme beyond March is being worked on; it is hoped we shall receive visits from representatives of that his claim could be right. Fairly recently, one of the the Catholic and Jewish faiths and possibly the local Pentecostal Church. artfcial and short-lived elements that physicists have made, All are welcome to join us – details in Group Diary. element 101 in the modern form of Mendeleleev’s table (although he of course had no idea of its possible existence) has been named Mendelevium. Rug Makers Jane Campbell I hope that this will give you just a litle glimpse into why scientsts consider We have been running for about 2 years and have learnt a good deal about the techniques and tools used to produce different rugs. The group has this discovery a keystone of modern chemistry. At the very least, it will help changed as members complete their creations and new members join. you stay just one step ahead of your grandchildren. Norman Parkyns Science and Technology Group

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Have you visited … ? featuring localites you may not already know, but We have collected a variety of tools, some about 100 years old and others which are suitable for you and the family and/or grandchildren. made more recently by companies such as Readicut. We suggest you contact these places beforehand to confrm Most of us are producing rag rugs using hessian and strips of opening tmes, booking and admission details. fabric; we find colourful t-shirts are ideal and scour charity shops and jumble sales for a particular colour for a planned design. This is a most creative form of recycling which was 13: The de Havilland Aircraf Museum, Salisbury Hall, developed by our grandmothers and their grandmothers long London Colney, AL2 1BU before the word was invented.

This is the oldest aviaton museum in the UK, dedicated to the preservaton Science and Technology David Eastham and display of de Havilland Aircraf. The company played an important role All members of our U3A are welcome. No previous scientific knowledge is in the history of aircraf development in 20thC Britain. They created world- necessary, just a curiosity about what is currently happening in our ever- beatng aeronautcal innovatons including many iconic aircraf such as the changing world. If you have any queries about any of the topics please call de Havilland Mosquito (The Wooden Wonder), one of the co-ordinators: details are in the Diary section of the Digest. Comet (the world’s frst jet airliner), Tiger Moth The programme until June is as follows: (the backbone of the RAF’s training aircraf in Mar 27: Robert Carnaghan on Fluoridation, teeth, & the atom bomb. WWII) and Airspeed Horsa Glider, used extensively April 24: Ken Pallet (University of Herts) on GM agricultural crops. by airborne troops in 1944 during D-Day, Arnhem May 29: Aris Dacanalis Antikythera mechanism - an ancient Greek and the Rhine crossing. astronomical calculator found at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea. It took a long time to restore and sort out how it worked. It is a ‘working museum’, stafed mostly by unpaid volunteers who perform June 26: Stephanie Westwood on new drugs for Diabetes. a wide range of tasks according to their skills; some are actvely restoring de Havilland aircraf, so you are likely to see them at work, and they are always Short Day Trips Lionel Howard Thankyou to all members who sent me the trips they were interested in. willing to answer your questons. Details & prices of our first four trips in 2019: Accessibility: There is wheelchair access to all the main display buildings in Tuesday 16th April: Brooklands Museum Trust, Weybridge Surrey. Cost the Museum and toilet facilites for the disabled. Carers for disabled visitors £25.50 includes coach, entrance & driver’s tip. have free entry. Open aircraf are accessible only via stairs. Refreshments Thursday 23rd May: Kenwood, (English Heritage) Hampstead. Cost £12.50 are available, from confectonary and hot food & drinks to sandwiches and includes coach & driver’s tip. Entrance is free. ice creams. There is also free parking. Tuesday 11th June: Mottisfon, (National Trust). Romsey Hampshire. Cost Dogs are not permited - with the excepton of guide dogs. Groups are very £27.50 includes coach, driver’s tip & entrance, (NT members £14.80). Thursday 11th July: Hastings, East Sussex. Cost £16.50 includes coach & welcome and guided tours are available by prior arrangement. driver’s tip only. Please contact the Curator at: [email protected]. To book please send a separate SAE & cheque for each trip made out Children must be accompanied and supervised by an adult at all tmes. to U3A DACORUM with the following details: each passenger’s full name, The Museum Shop stocks a wide range of Kits/Models/Books and other membership number, telephone number, email address & pick up point (Tring products that will appeal to all ages. 9.30am Berkhamsted 9.40am, Gadebridge P&R 10.00am or Hemel Old Bus

Open daily (except Mondays) 10.30-5.00 from February to 3rd November. Station 10.10am) and we leave the venue at 4pm to return home - to Mr L

For further informaton on tmes and prices, etc. please visit the website: Howard, 25 Crackley Meadow, Hemel Hempstead, HP2 7SQ. htp://www.airscene.co.uk/aviaton_museums/UK/de-Havilland-Aircraf- For more information please phone or email Lionel, contact details page 29. Museum.php You are NOT booked on a trip until I receive your cheques. Please book or phone: 01727 826400, or the Curator, Alistair Hodgson: 07748 490820. early; seats are booked on a first come first served basis. Tickets are sent out in your SAE when there are sufficient seats sold to run the trip.

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The Leter From Creative Writing A group Tea Dance Mike Sapsard by ‘Octoplume’ My mother always called tea 'The drink that refreshes but doesn’t inebriate'. However, if you come to our Tea Dances, you'll see plenty of tea drunk! We do Ballroom, Latin and popular Sequence

dances, refreshing ourselves with tea, cake and a chat. We do not

th give lessons, but encourage people who wish to progress to try 4 AM Sunday 15 November, 1931 rsbdance.co.uk at Carey Baptist Church, The Marlowes or www.gbdance.co.uk

at Warner's End. Don’t be shy, we try to be welcoming and look forward to My hope died yesterday – for months, years, I’ve wrestled meeting you. with a longing to be your one true love. Urban Sketchers Peter Morgan Ever since that day when I stumbled into the lift; you broke This group continues to be popular with usually about a dozen or more my fall, caught me in your arms. attending. During the colder months we find interiors, drawing both the My delicate little fingers gripped your bare forearm; warm, structures and some of the people there and meeting just once a month on solid, strong. I gently placed my other hand on your arm, the second Tuesday. Recently we have drawn the interiors of The Forum, St Mary's and The Marchmont Arms. From May we will be back outside and pulled upright. Your jacket, casually slung over your meeting twice a month. Members seem to appreciate the community spirit of shoulder, fallen to the floor. the group, comparing sketches over a cup of coffee afterwards, and that they

can come and go at times to suit themselves. New members welcome and Most nights I lay awake, planning how I might instigate help given to those starting off. intimate contact with you; these plans never came to fruition. On many an occasion our paths crossed, in the Shorter Walking Liz Eastham The two new Shorter Walking groups (A and B) met for the first time in restaurant, in reception or when visiting the typing pool. January. Those that came enjoyed the circular walk from Cassiobury Park, Was that a nod of recognition? Were you returning my Watford. Group A had a dry but cloudy day whilst Group B were luckier with smile? lovely sunshine although the paths were muddier. It was great to see some

new faces and to renew contact with other walkers. We look forward to the I could never bring myself to initiate a conversation; next walk in March (starting in Wigginton). anyway what would I say? I didn’t want to appear presumptuous, brazen. Closed groups: Ballet Appreciation; many thanks to Liz Atkins and David Sporadic business meetings bound us together for a glorious Collet for running this group. hour. Evidently, amongst colleagues, I could not advance a Changes to groups: personal conversation. A new leader is needed for Local History to take over from Sylvia. Then, one lunch-time you approached my dining table. You G.O.A.L has a new Leader, Jan Christensen, taking the place of Julie Burton. Wildflower study group has a new co-ordinator, Jennifer Dickson. spoke to me; “May we join you?” It was my lucky day. As I opened my mouth to welcome you, a colleague of yours New Groups: called out, encouraging you and your friend to sit at her Susan Woodhams has begun a group called Art, Crafts and Skills to be table. She had recklessly caused my good luck and held in Berkhamsted at the Northchurch Social Centre in Bell Lane. The idea is to have taster sessions/workshops on new crafts, develop new skills, opportunity to dissipate amongst the refectory’s astringent exchange ideas and learn off each other through Group participation, in aromas. addition to friendly social interaction.

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Yesterday, in church, walking arm in arm, you looked straight at me. You didn’t know me. I hadn’t been invited.

During the brief seconds of that glance, your expression passed quickly between, doubt, recollection, recognition and perplexity.

Just as quickly you were gone, to be embraced by family and friends.

I dared not turn to look, I dared not stir from my pew, for when the expressions flit over your face and your features uttered confusion, then it seemed as if perhaps you had been mistaken, so that I might think you wanted me after all, and you would return and whisper something loving to me in "Parlons" (Advanced French conversation) group celebrating your deep, clear voice. their second birthday and the start of the New Year with the traditional Galette des Rois, a puff pastry cake with frangipane But I know that you are married, I will arm myself against containing a charm; whoever finds the charm gets crowned King or further hope, further disappointment, I will not look at you Queen! again. I know it is true, I know my hope died yesterday - so now all I had in the world - you, you who knows nothing about me, you who are now sharing yourself with your

pretty new young wife; without a care in the world - I refuse Joyce White wrote: to imagine what you are saying, what you do. My daughter invited me to Murcia for a few days so I sat on a patio and composed this: I had only you, who never knew me, and whom I always loved. A winter tale … It's very plain why I like Spain. In spite of this, I am sure you will soon get to know This time of year festivities over, something of me; in all likelihood via the office grapevine. resolutions made to try and stay sober. How long will it take to reach you? The gossip? Nothing clear when I read about Brexit; Was invited to Spain so made a quick exit. In my delicate little fingers, my Sheaffer fountain pen was Packed up my case, flew to the sunshine. cast aside for my father’s Webley revolver…. Saw sunhats and glasses, That's a good sign. Farewell, my love, Sat under this tree. Hope you agree - Chris A large glass of orange - small drop of gin. Forget resolutions - they went in the bin.

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Members enjoying the Barn Dance.

John Waller receives a surprise gift on his At Lesley Drake’s Card Making group we took a departure from cards and retirement as Co-ordinator made Christmas wreaths in November, Sue Woodhams showed us how. of Military History.

Classical Music Appreciation’s carol choir at their Christmas meeting.

The Hemel Gardeners visited Bushey Rose Garden.

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