SUNDERLAND U3A

DECEMBER 2011 No: 27

Website: www.sunderlandu3a.co.uk

EDITORS Elsie Denham Dorothy Scott

The magazine is published quarterly. Copy deadline for the next magazine is the first of the month of publication 1st March st 1 June 1st September 1st December Snow in

Sunderland University of the Third Age: A member of the Third Age Trust

DECEMBER 2011

CONTENTS

From the Editorial Team 2 From the Chair 3 Future speakers 3 Groups’ News 4

Early number systems 8

Health and Safety Guidance on Festive Songs 10 Walking for Health 11 Lend with Care 11 Ageing Britain 13 Fascinating Words 14

Public Sculpture: The Vampire Rabbit 14 That Well-known Composer Bocconcini 15 Royalty Theatre 15 Post-It Wars 16 A Woman’s Touch 17

The Christmas Tree Star Cluster 17 Star of Bethlehem 18 Sunderland U3A Christmas Quiz 19 Fulwell Methodist Out and About 20 Some Christmas Treats 21 Dovedale Road Recipes 21 Sunderland Anniversaries 22 Dates for Your Diary 22 Interesting People: Ignatius Sancho 24 MEETING: Regional & National News 25 rd 3 Wednesday of each month at 1.30 for 2.00pm Answers to Quiz 26 Noticeboard: Forthcoming Events 27 MEMBERSHIP: Groups at a Glance 28 0191 549 0984 Contact Us 29

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FROM THE EDITORS FROM THE CHAIR As I write Christmas & the end of the year approaches. Time does seem to fly as you Another year draws to a close and we hope you have found something in our get older & as I walk my dog in the local cemetery, both the relatively warm weather & magazines to interest and entertain you. In this edition you will find lots of reports on the leaves still on the trees make me doubt that December is upon us. At least winter activities over the past three months and we hope this will encourage you to try new has not started as viciously as last year. I do hope it has been a good year for you. things in the coming year. Without your group leaders, there would be no activities. So if you enjoy attending a particular activity, why not write a piece for the magazine, to show Perhaps the saying that time goes fast when you are enjoying yourself is true. Certainly your appreciation and to encourage others to join you. our U3A provides learning, entertainment and friendship and continues to go from strength to strength. To eliminate the waiting list membership was increased from one Thank you to everyone who sent in their photos for the competition. You will find some hundred and seventy to two hundred, the maximum number of people we can have in of them scattered around this magazine but for colour versions look at our website. The our present venue. However the waiting list has soon appeared again with sixteen more winner will be announced at the Christmas Party. people waiting to join. Two new groups in the area are in the process of setting up. Elsie & Dorothy As the list of speakers for next year appears in the magazine it is traditional to reminisce about this year’s speakers. Unfortunately I have missed quite a few meetings but if the last two speakers are anything to go by you will have had interesting and entertaining times. ALAN ALCOCK The groups continue to be popular and I am sure you will want to join me in thanking the group leaders for their work throughout the year. It is amazing what good work they do. We are sorry to report the death of one of our long-standing members, It is my resolution to join some new groups. I started with the music group which was Mr Alan Alcock. who died on 2 September after many years of illness. excellent & it was a lovely indulgence to sit & enjoy music in the morning. If you have He had been in the Sunderland U3A almost from its formation and he any suggestions for new groups do see a member of the committee. We would be was a regular member of the Walking, Travel and History groups, pleased to help set up new groups. where he will be sadly missed. Members may remember him when he I wish you all a happy Christmas and good health and happiness in the New Year. sang at one of the Christmas parties at the United Reform Church. Our sympathy goes to his widow Enid and his family Ann Aldridge

CAN YOU HELP?

Dr Mike Pearce of the University of Sunderland is researching accent and dialect in North East England – you can read some of his findings on his website at www.drmichaelpearce.blogspot.com. He is currently working on a project which looks at people’s ability to identify speakers from different parts of North East England and needs volunteers willing to record their voices for the experiment. He is am particularly keen to hear from speakers who think that they have a very FUTURE SPEAKERS ‘typical’ accent of the place they come from: ‘genuine’ Geordies, ‘model’ Mackems, 18 January Bernard Hope: George Mallory - Conqueror Everest or ‘true’ Teessiders, for example – but not just these localities: if you are from anywhere in Northumberland, , County Durham, or Teesside you 15 February Vera Selby: Great North Air Ambulance please contact him at [email protected]. Please give your age and 12 March Jim O'Connor: Dorothy's Well where you’re from in your email.

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HISTORY GROUPS’ NEWS Meet on the 2 nd Thursday of the month at 11am at Fulwell Methodist Church AMATEUR ARTISTS Linda Thompson 0191 549 5693 Meetings are on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month, at 10.15 at Railway Museum. KEEP MOBILE New members are most welcome and no experience is necessary. No special We are a small friendly group who like to dabble in a variety footwear or clothing is required. We meet every Friday (except 3 rd Friday) at 10.45 of styles and media. Mostly we just like to have fun and am at Fulwell Methodist Church don’t take ourselves too seriously so if you fancy it do come Linda Thompson 0191 549 5693 along and join us – we can make room for one or two more at present.. You don’t need any materials to begin with – LOOKING @ ART just come and try before splashing out. In September the group enjoyed a visit to the Great North Museum Marion Miller 0191 548 1009 Josie Thompson 0191 534 2702 (Hancock) in Newcastle to look at Pharaoh: King of Egypt. We meet to discuss art at various venues on the 3rd Thursday of the CINEMA month and everyone is welcome. Lunchtime Liaisons at the Customs House, - Sheila Humby 0191 548 2259 Rose Marshall 0191 528 1468 specially selected films which vary from period dramas to the biggest blockbusters. You can also join us for lunch prior to the LUNCH film. Details at general meeting. On the 2 nd Wednesday of the month, at different venues. Norma Robins 0191 416 4498 Norma Robins 0191 416 4498 COMPUTER & DIGITAL SUPPORT MUSIC APPRECIATION The Sunderland and Wearside computing groups merged some Each month we look forward to listening to a varied programme of time ago. The resulting group works mostly on Digital Imaging, but music, selected by our own members. The room is comfortable and other forms of computer use are supported. So if you have a the staff are welcoming. Over the last few months we have enjoyed problem, come and see if we can solve it. sessions on foreign royalty, looked at different interpretations of the a Meetings are the first and third Tuesdays of the month in the wide range of works, and ended the year with our Christmas social computer room at Amble Tower, Lakeside, Gilley Law. where we shared favourite pieces of music (and some Christmas food!). Our varied selections started with Bede and ended with Cliff Richards, taking Alan Denham 0191 521 2760 in Bach, Elvis, Tchaikovsky and various Christmas carols on the way. You don't need to know anything about music so come along and relax. Meet at 10 am for GEOLOGY coffee/ tea at Dock St Tower Block for a 10.15 start. The geology group meets on the third Friday each month. In summer we try to have 27 Jan Pat Highton: Jobs for the boys as many outings to places of geological and natural interest as possible and from 24 Feb Dorothy Richards: Overtures September on we meet in the Bangladeshi Centre at 2 p.m. 23 Mar Elsie Denham: Sounding Brass In September we had a feedback session on our summer visits, Joyce Hoseason 0191 548 6041 and successfully extracted copper from the ore samples we picked up at Raisby cutting. In our latest sessions we have looked at the dawn of life and the explosion of species in the Cambrian and ending up with a detailed look of Trilobites, including a hands-on session with actual specimens. John Baty 0191 522 6462

4 5 POETRY APPRECIATION TAI CHI An enthusiastic group who find some varied poems on a chosen The Tai Chi group meets every Tuesday afternoon from 2.00pm to topic to stimulate reminiscences, discussion and some laughs. 3.00pm at Fulwell Methodist Church. Tai Chi involves gentle exercise Everyone chooses two poems on a previously chosen topic. These under the guidance of our excellent tutor Michael. Classes are geared are read and discussed. Everyone seems to enjoy looking through to suit all levels of ability and all are welcome. books for something appropriate. The cost is £3 per session. No special clothing or equipment is needed - you just Over the past few months the group has continued to enjoy a variety of topics and need comfortable clothing and footwear. Come and chill!. authors. In early summer we had an enjoyable outing to Dove Cottage and Hill Dorothy Scott 0191 5652108 Farm in the Lake District. We hired “Ian’s Bus” for a Sunday trip to Newcastle Theatre Royal to attend and evening with Pam Ayres – a very relaxed and entertaining presentation which prompted poems by her for our next session. TEN PIN BOWLING Meetings are held at Monkwearmouth Station on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at This group meets at 10.15 am on the 4th Wednesday each month at 10.15 am. Welcome to new members and “get well soon” to those who have been the Bowling Centre in Newcastle Road, near the Wheatsheaf. poorly. The next meeting is 10 January 2012. when the topic will be “winter” – hope Martin & Primrose Walker 0191 567 8920 it isn’t like last year! Elizabeth Robson 0191 567 1421 TRAVEL GROUP On 1st December 38 members of the Travel Group are booked for a return visit to

READING GROUP the Duke of Gordon Hotel in Kingussie, Scotland for a pre-Christmas break of 5 After a summer break we read “Water for Elephants” by Sara Gruen. days. All the books are provided by the Library and there are no other fees or The travel group meet on the fourth Thursday of each month in Monkwearmouth charges. Sunderland U3A members are invited to come along; Station Museum and our next meeting will be on Thursday, 22nd September, at average attendance is between 12 and 15. Any members who miss a 10.15 a.m. for a 10.30 a.m. start. Why not come and see what we get up to?. meeting can call at the Central Library to collect the next book Bob Younger 0191 549 0984 Rose Marshall 0191 528 1468 WALKING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Our walks are approximately 4 miles and we try to keep to good paths. We walk on the second Wednesday of each month. If you are After the inspiration of a session at the Alnwick Study Day, our October session was interested look out for the sheet at the monthly meeting. Why not give devoted to soap and water and we had fun floating needles and dribbling chemicals it a go? into water. The play school theme continued in November, when we became computers, learned how to count in various systems and discovered how brilliant we Bob Younger 0191 549 0984 were at maths using Napier’s Bones and Genaille’s Rods. In our final session we looked at some rubber geometry and odd shapes before more practical work on regular solids. Our science sessions look at how things work. You don’t need any knowledge of science, just an interest in the world around you. We meet at Monkwearmouth Station at 2pm on the first Monday of the month so come along and join us. No meeting in January. We shall be starting a series of sessions on astronomy from February. Alan Denham 0191 521 2760

6 7 Many early cultures used finger or body counting – something which we still use today. We could in base 10, but the Babylonians used a system of finger counting in base 60 counting the knuckles on one hand up to 12 and the fingers of the other hand to count groups of 12. In De Temporae Ratione Bede describes a system of finger counting up to 1 million – a system still in use into medieval times. (You can try it out yourself at Bede’s World.) In Papua New Guinea a system of body counting is still in use today – this time using base 18. Methods of recording numbers also varied greatly, the early ones often being very cumbersome. The Egyptian system used hieroglyphs showing powers of 10. Amazingly, they also had a system of recording fractions, based on the “Eye of Horus” hieroglyph where each section represented half the previous fraction. And we still struggle with the Roman numbers at the end of TV credits- imagine doing sums using either of these systems! Photo by Bob Younger ======

EARLY NUMBER SYSTEMS The Science Group spent a session exploring counting and the development of mathematics. Some animals can count – pigeons, magpies, rats, monkeys are known to be able to count small quantities and distinguish between smaller and larger groups. Many animals can recognise if one of their young is missing. The earliest form of number recording was using tally marks or sticks in a one-to-one relationship. The Wolf Bone, 30,000 years old, is one of the earliest examples and uses the marks we still use today when “keeping tally”.

8 9 HEALTH & SAFETY GUIDANCE ON FESTIVE SONGS Field and fountain, moor and mountain Following yonder star Jingle Bells Whilst the gift of gold is still considered acceptable - as it may be Dashing through the snow redeemed at a later date through such organisations as 'cash for In a one horse open sleigh gold' etc - gifts of frankincense and myrrh are not appropriate O'er the fields we go due to the potential risk of oils and fragrances causing allergic reactions. A suggested Laughing all the way gift alternative would be to make a donation to a worthy cause in the recipient’s name or A risk assessment must be submitted before an open sleigh is considered safe for perhaps give a gift voucher. members of the public to travel on. The risk assessment must also consider whether it is We would not advise that the traversing kings rely on navigation by stars in order to appropriate to use only one horse for such a venture, particularly if passengers are of reach their destinations and suggest the use of RAC routefinder or satellite navigation, larger proportions. Please note, permission must be gained from landowners before which will provide the quickest route and advice regarding fuel consumption. Please entering their fields. To avoid offending those not participating in celebrations, we would note as per the guidelines from the RSPCA for Mr Donkey, the camels carrying the request that laughter is moderate only and not loud enough to be considered a noise three kings of Orient will require regular food and rest breaks. Dust masks for the three nuisance. kings are also advisable due to the likelihood of dust from the camels’ hooves. While Shepherds Watched ======While shepherds watched Their flocks by night WALKING FOR HEALTH All seated on the ground The angel of the Lord came down In the March 2011 Sunderland U3A magazine I read about Walking to Health by the And glory shone around NHS Foundation Trust. Straight away I joined and have only missed one Tuesday, when on holiday with the U3A Travel Group. Tuesday walks are usually The union of Shepherds has complained that it breaches about 4½-5 miles, Thursday a bit shorter. I find the health trainers and fellow walkers health and safety regulations to insist that shepherds watch very friendly and the walks interesting. their flocks without appropriate seating arrangements being provided; therefore benches, stools and orthopaedic chairs are now available. Shepherds have also A few weeks ago we did the “Bede Walk” starting from St Paul’s Church in and requested that due to the inclement weather conditions at this time of year that they ending at St Peter’s Wearmouth. Usually this walk is done once a year and is about 13 should watch their flocks via cctv cameras from centrally heated shepherd observation miles. We did it in three parts, which I thought was really good. Soon another three- huts. part walk is on our November walking sheet. This is from back to Sunderland. Please note, the angel of the lord is reminded that before shining his / her glory all around she / he must ascertain that all shepherds have been issued with glasses Many thanks for letting me know about these health walks. capable of filtering out the harmful effects of UVA, UVB and Glory. Ruby Ball Little Donkey ======Little donkey, little donkey on the dusty road Got to keep on plodding onwards with your precious load LEND WITH CARE The RSPCA have issued strict guidelines with regard to how heavy a Lendwithcare.org is an initiative from CARE load that a donkey of small stature is permitted to carry. Also included in International UK in association with The Co-operative the guidelines is guidance regarding how often to feed the donkey and which enables poor communities – especially how many rest breaks are required over a four hour plodding period. vulnerable, marginalised women – to find sustainable Please note that due to the increased risk of pollution from the dusty ways to earn a decent living. road, Mary and Joseph are required to wear FFP2 dust masks to prevent inhalation of any airborne particles. The donkey has expressed his discomfort at being Microfinance is usually aimed at economically active poor and low-income people who labelled 'little' and would prefer just to be simply referred to as Mr. Donkey. To comment have limited or no access to the services provided by formal financial intermediaries upon his height or lack thereof may be considered an infringement of his equine rights. such as banks. Since there are so few salaried work opportunities, they are usually self- employed microentrepreneurs often working from home. Typically, they operate small We Three Kings businesses such as grocery shops, market stalls, car repair, carpentry or other We three kings of Orient are workshops, and in rural areas they tend to focus on food processing, agriculture and Bearing gifts we traverse afar 10 11 raising livestock and poultry. Around two-thirds of microfinance clients worldwide are AGEING BRITAIN women. To coincide with Older People’s Day In October the Office for National Just like any small business, it all starts with an idea. An entrepreneur in the developing Statistics (ONS) released the latest data on the UK ageing population, world approaches a local microfinance institution (MFI) with a business plan. MFIs are confirming that for the first time, the UK has more people of pensionable effectively local banks. An entrepreneur’s business plan could be anything from age than children under 16. The number of children under 16 was 11.5 dressmaking to expanding a small farm holding. million while people of pensionable age rose to 11.58 million (19% of the Once satisfied that the business plan is sound, the MFI approves the proposal and population). Furthermore, the fastest growing group is the over 80s who provides the initial loan. The MFI then helps the entrepreneur construct their profile for now account for over 5% of the population. The number of centenarians has increased lendwithcare.org. and uploads this profile to the website. to 12,640, five times more than 30 years ago. Lenders can study these profiles and choose where to make a contribution towards the As a result of these increases in the proportion of older people, the median age of the total needed, in increments of £15 or more. When the entrepreneur’s loan is fully UK population is increasing. Over the past 25 years the median age increased from 35 funded by you (and other supporters) this money is then transferred to the MFI, and years in 1985 to 39.7 years in 2010. Life expectancy at birth in the UK has reached its used to replace the initial loan already paid out to the entrepreneur so that the MFI can highest level on record for both males and females, 77.7 years at birth for males and immediately start funding another hopeful business plan. Lenders can follow the 81.9 years at birth for females progress of their entrepreneurs on the website, and as loan repayments arrive, they can be used to fund other entrepreneurs. www.lendwithcare.org

At the same time, the percentage of the population aged under 16 has been decreasing and so this ageing of the population is projected to continue: by 2034, 23% of the population will be aged 65 and over compared with 18% aged under 16. There are regional variations: generally the south east has a higher per proportion of younger people (see graph showing comparison with NE and London). The population of the North East is the lowest of the English regions and one of the slowest growing, but the percentage of the population aged 65 and over is projected to be one of the fastest growing among the regions. All this has huge implications for future social policy. In the last fiscal year, NHS and state benefits, including pensions, accounted for just under half of all government expenditure, with much of this directed at those over working age. Who is going to pay this growing bill in the future?

It is easier to get older than it is to get wiser.

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THAT WELL-KNOWN COMPOSER BOCCONCINI ARTS AND LITERATURE A survey carried out by Reader's Digest revealed that most Britons know very little FASCINATING WORDS about classical music. One third of the 1,516 participants claimed never to have heard any, with older people far more likely to listen to classical music than younger. MASCARON (French masque, a mask, from Italian maschera) A grotesque face on a door-knocker. Everyone's seen and used them, but I'll bet you Elgar's recent stint on the nation's banknotes appears to have done him little good. didn't know there was a word for this. Related to mask, mascaron may ultimately derive 75% of respondents could not link him with Land of Hope and from the Arabic maskharah , a jester or man in masquerade. Glory, and 27% did not know he was a composer. And 68% didn’t know that Tchaikovsky wrote the '1812' overture CARYATID (From the Greek) A female figure acting as a column supporting an entablature. 4% were thrown by a trick question; identifying Bocconcini (Italian Usually a graceful figure dressed in long robes. Male counterparts cheese balls) as a composer. are Atlantes or Telamones . ======GARGOYLE (French – gargouille = throat) A carved stone figure, usually distorted or exaggerated, projecting from the gutter with a spout designed to take rain water from a roof and away from the side of a building (thus preventing it from running down walls and eroding the mortar). Similar fantastic figures without a spout are called Grotesques .

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PUBLIC SCULPTURE: THE VAMPIRE RABBIT

Photo by Lilian Younger ======

Where: 27 Dean Street, Newcastle ROYALTY THEATRE, SUNDERLAND

Architects: Oliver, Leeson & Wood Tucked away in a side street (grandly named The Date: 1901 Royalty) off Chester Road, is Sunderland's independent Royalty Theatre, run entirely by volunteers. The

company stages seven plays each season (Sept to June) including a traditional family pantomime every December. Above the rear door of 17 Dean Street (a solicitor’s office on Amen Corner behind the Cathedral) is a flamboyant doorway painted pink and cream. Above it is a circular The inaugural General Meeting of Sunderland Drama window and the architrave to this has a strange sculpture of a rabbit. The rabbit bares a Club was held on 2 October 1925 at Meng’s Restaurant, pair of enormous canine teeth and this with its long red nails and menacing expression Fawcett Street and at first plays were performed in the has led to its popular nickname “The Vampire Rabbit”. In recent years it has been a Victoria Hall until premises were purchased in Tavistock regular feature of Halloween “spooky” trails. Place for just over £1,000. This became the “Little Theatre”.

14 15 During the war production dates were carefully chosen to coincide with the full moon because of black-out restrictions. In April 1941 the Little Theatre and the Victoria Hall SCIENCE were both destroyed in the bombing. The Royalty Hall, along with other A WOMAN'S TOUCH Church Halls, was used for various Ian Stewart in his Hoard of Mathematical Treasures tells the story of William Feller, a productions throughout the rest of the probability theorist at the prestigious Princeton University. Feller and his wife wanted to war. In 1968 new premises became move a large table from one room to another, but they couldn’t get it through the door, The Royalty Theatre and in the 1990s however much they pushed and pulled and tipped the table on its side. the name was changed from Sunderland Drama Club to Royalty Eventually, Feller retreated to his desk and worked out a mathematical proof that the Theatre. table would never be able to pass through the door. While he was doing this, his wife had quietly moved the table through the door. The present building was built in late 1800s as a Congregational church, and has been extended using 3 neighbouring houses to make extra rehearsal rooms. During the war ======there was a soldiers’ hospital here and today there are reports of sounds of things being moved, doors slamming, moans and whistling. It has become a venue for ghost hunts THE CHRISTMAS TREE STAR CLUSTER and paranormal investigations. The image shows the swirling gas The society runs other activities including the Book Club (which meets on the second around the region known as NGC Tuesday of every month from 6.45 – 8pm) and quiz nights (usually held on Saturday 2264 — an area of sky that includes evenings after each production). the sparkling blue baubles of the Christmas Tree star cluster. This is an area where new starts are being THE FIRST POSTAGE STAMP TO COMMEMORATE formed and the huge gas clouds are glowing under the intense ultra-violet CHRISTMAS WAS ISSUED IN AUSTRIA IN 1937 light coming from the energetic hot young stars. The cluster appears in the POST-IT WARS constellation of the Unicorn, near the The war broke out in Paris in the summer – computer gaming company more familiar Orion and can easily Ubisoft Paris and its neighbour, French bank BNP, started pasting be seen with binoculars. The star at video game characters made of post-it notes into their windows; a lone the top can be seen with the naked Space Invader on an Ubisoft window sparking a competition that eye. It was first discovered by quickly exploded into Post-it Wars . The movement spread rapidly, with William Herschel in 1784 characters popping up on windows all over Paris. The art ranges from This image was produced by the simple representations of characters to complex designs covering European Southern Observatory several windows and floors. using data from its La Silla Observatory in the Atacama Desert. When asked when it would end, a an Ubisoft company rep replied "No idea. We're letting the team run with it and it will end whenever it ends. Or, maybe when we Butterflies taste with their feet. A butterfly's sense of taste is run out of windows! However, some of the coordinated by chemo-receptors on the lowest part of their leg and original designs have already been taken works only on contact. It is used to determine whether an egg- down to make way for newer better ones." laying insect's offspring will be able to feed on a leaf before eggs are laid on it.

16 17 STAR OF BETHLEHEM Supernova Kepler seems to have believed that the star was a supernova and this theory has had A comet, an eclipse, a supernova, an alignment of planets - was the Star of Bethlehem, many supporters since then. However, there is no western record of such an event a real astronomical event? Modern interpretations range from acceptance of it as literal though some claim that Chinese records show supernova – or “guest stars” as the truth to assertions that it is pure fiction. Chinese described them – that appeared in the sky right around the time when Jesus The first reference to the Star of Bethlehem is may have been born, in 4 and 5 BC. in the book of Matthew. The Biblical account Comet does not claim that the star was particularly bright, and nor does it appear to have had any Comets move across the sky and their tails are often visible to significance for anyone other than the Magi. In the naked eye. Chinese astronomers recorded a new star in the all the controversy it is important to remember constellation Capricorn in March--April of 5 BC. which was visible two facts: the date of Christ’s birth cannot be for over 70 days. This new star could have been a supernova or accurately determined and the Greek word a comet - there is no further detail. generally translated 'star' can also mean Other Explanations planet and could refer to other objects such as a comet. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Star of Bethlehem is not regarded as an astronomical event, but as a supernatural occurrence, whereby an angel was sent by Assuming that it was a real astronomical phenomenon, there are several candidates. God to lead the Magi to the Christ Child. Planetary Conjunction Paranormal explanations such as a UFO have also been put forward for the star. A conjunction happens when two celestial objects appear to pass very near to each Interesting fact: The flag of the new state of South Sudan includes a gold star, the Star other from our perspective on Earth so that they look like one large object rather than of Bethlehem, representing the unity of the people. separate ones. Researchers have put forward several candidates ======In 2BC Jupiter met up with one of the brightest stars in the sky, Regulus, known by the Magi as the "little king". Nine months later, Jupiter met Venus, known as the mother planet. The planets would have seemed so close they would have looked like one bright light in the sky There was a triple conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in Pisces in 7BC. Jupiter, the royal star, and Saturn came together three times over several months. For religious reasons Pisces is often suggested as the location of the Star because a fish is a powerful Christian symbol. Jupiter Jupiter was regarded as the royal planet and therefore often figures in theories. Claims have been made that Jupiter was eclipsed by the moon on 17 April 6BC and this would have been highly CHRISTMAS QUIZ (answers p26 ) significant to contemporary astronomers. 1. Name 3 reindeer whose names begin with D When a planet undergoes retrograde motion, it makes a 2. Counting Rudolf, how many reindeer are there? loop against the stars and appears to be stationary at 3. What was Scrooge’s first name? each end of the loop for about a week. Babylonian 4. What is Frosty the Snowman’s nose made of? astronomers had a keen interest in retrograde motions 5. What country started the tradition of exchanging gifts? and the wise men may have been at Bethlehem when 6. What two words are normally pre-printed on gift tags? Jupiter was at a stationary point. 7. What country did poinsettias originally come from? 8. How many sides does a snowflake have? 9. Who wrote the book that inspired the 1983 animated film "The Snowman"? 10. Which Christmas item was invented by Tom Smith in 1847?

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FOOD

SOME CHRISTMAS TREATS OUT & ABOUT Czech : The traditional meal (served as dinner on Christmas Eve) consists of either fish Photos by Betty Lenier, soup or pea soup and fried fish (traditionally carp) served with potato salad Dorothy Scott, Malcolm Scott, Judith Ayles, Elsie Scandinavia : smorgasbord, including ham, salmon, pickled herring followed by rice Denham pudding – usually with cream, almonds, fruit sauces

Provence (France): Christmas supper ends with 13 dessert items, representing Jesus Christ and the 12 apostles. The desserts are traditionally set out Christmas Eve and remain on the table three days until December 27. They include fruits, nuts, nougat and sweet breads

Philippines : Christmas dinner is called Noche Buena, and is held towards midnight of Christmas Eve. The centrepiece is usually a cured leg of pork, served with a ball of Edam cheese, still covered in red wax, and accompanied by pasta. The dinner would usually be accompanied with hot cocoa, which is made with locally grown cacao beans. Greece: On Saint Basil’s Day (New Year’s Day) Greek households celebrate by eating a special New Year's bread known as Vassilopita which is only made for this day. Usually a silver coin was hidden just before baking and whoever finds the coin will be lucky for all the coming year. This is the day when Greek families exchange gifts, rather than Christmas Day.

Everything I eat has been proved by some doctor or other to be a deadly poison, and everything I don't eat has been proved to be indispensable for life. But I go marching on. ~ George Bernard Shaw

RECIPES – LEFT OVER CHRISTMAS PUDDING POTTED CHEESE & CHRISTMAS PUDDING 150g left over Christmas pudding 1 tsp cayenne pepper 150g grated Wensleydale cheese 4 whole star anise (decoration) 150g soft cream cheese 50g melted unsalted butter Mash the pudding with a fork. Add both the cheeses and the cayenne pepper and mix together until well-blended. Spoon the mixture into four small pots or ramekins and smooth over the surface. Push a star anise into the surface of each pot. Pour the butter round, tilting the pot so the surface is evenly covered. Leave to set, then chill until ready to serve (will keep for about a week). Serve with hot toasted bread or bagels. 20 21 CHRISTMAS PUDDING FRITTERS transform the Heritage Centre into a Troll Lord's Hall; tickets £6 from For the fritters For the cream 0191 433 6965 300 g Christmas pudding 200 ml double cream 18-20 Dec Afternoon at the Movies : Beamish Hall Country House; afternoon 115 g self-raising flour 2 tbsp sifted icing sugar tea followed by showing of Scrooge. £14.95 from 01207 233 733 25 g caster sugar 1 tbsp orange liqueur (eg Gran Marnier) 150 ml sparkling wine, chilled 22 Dec Darlington Christingle Market noon – 8pm Crumble the Christmas pudding into a mixing bowl, and roll 26 Dec Boxing Day Dip; organised by Lions Club – beach into bite-size balls (about the diameter of a £2 coin). 12 Jan Benedict Biscop Day : events across the city For the batter, whisk together the flour, caster sugar and sparkling wine. 15 Jan Pier to Pier Walk: 8 miles walk from Littlehaven Beach, South Shields Poke a cocktail stick through each ball, dip into the batter to to Pier starting 10am. Free but booking necessary 0191 424 evenly coat and drop into hot oil - the cocktail stick can either be left in or slipped off 7498 while being dropped in the oil. Cook the fritters in batches, removing each batch with a Sing along luncheons , 12.30 – 4pm at Sea Hotel, South Shields; £10 includes 3 slotted spoon. Drain on absorbent paper. course lunch. Dates: 24 Jan, 28 Feb, 27 March. 0191 427 0999 To make the cream, whisk everything together until the cream has thickened to a dipping consistency then spoon into a small bowl. 6 Feb Chinese New Year Lantern Festival : 6-8 pm at Oriental Museum, Serve the fritters on a large plate, surrounded by the cream dip. Decorate with sprigs of Durham; £1.50 redcurrants or festive holly. 1-31 Mar AV Festival : exhibitions, 50+ film screenings and music events,

weekend walks taking place at different times across Newcastle,

Gateshead, Middlesbrough and Sunderland ANNIVERSARIES 8 March International Women’s Day. Celebrated round the world since the

600 years ago: Birth of Joan of Arc (Jan 1412) 1900s. Hundreds of events occur throughout March to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women. 200 years ago: Birth of Charles Dickens (7 Feb 1912) ======150 years ago: Death of Prince Albert, consort of Queen Victoria (14 Dec 1861) REGULAR MEETINGS: 100 years ago: Scott’s expedition reached the South Pole, but FOSUMS (Friends of Sunderland Museums) discovered that Roald Amundsen’s Norwegian team had beaten Meetings at Sunderland Museum, third Thursday of each month 7- 9pm; £1 entry fee them by over a month (23 Jan 1912) Membership enquiries to: David Owens on 07949 613 363 100 years ago: Abdication of Henry Pu Yi, last Emperor of 19 Jan Shauna Gregg: Sunderland Museum’s Art Treasures China (12 Feb 1912) 16 Feb David Bridge

75 years ago: Abdication of Edward VIII (11 Dec 1936) WEARSIDE FIELD CLUB Meets at 7.30 pm on the second Tuesday of the month at Fulwell Community Centre, 40 years ago : House of Commons voted narrowly in favour (by 8 votes) of joining the Chapman Street (£1 entry) plus one Saturday walk/excursion per month (coach fare for Common Market - now the European Union. (17 Feb 1972) out of area walks). Details from Elsie Denham on 0191 521 2760 30 years ago: Start of the Falklands War (19 Mar 1982) Tues 10 Jan David Grainger: Lawrence of Arabia and the Hejaz Railway Tues 14 Feb Vera Baty: Gardens of Madeira 20 years ago: The people of South Africa voted in a referendum to back political reform Sat 18 Feb Walk: Hawthorne Dene – meet at Stapylton Arms at 10 am and end apartheid (17 Mar 1992) Tues 13 Mar Cliff Banks: Audio-visual presentation Sat 17 Mar Walk: Dene – meet at South Metro at 10.30 am DATES FOR YOUR DIARY MONDAY STROLLERS 19 Nov–Feb Christmas at Beamish : with ice skating at weekends until 19 Feb Walking group meeting locally every other Monday for short gentle walks. For details 17-24 Dec The Hall of the Mountain King : St Mary’s Visitor Centre, contact Margaret Ridley on 0191 581 7235 or email [email protected] Quayside; a magical installation designed by Verity Quinn will 22 23 BEDE LECTURE SERIES Saturdays, 12 – 1pm at Bede’s World; museum admission charge REGIONAL & NATIONAL NEWS 28 Jan Dr Sarah Semple: Anglo Saxon Paganism 25 Feb Dr Alex Woolf: King Egfrith and the Churches of the Tyne STUDY DAY AT ALNWICK CASTLE

The study day held at Alnwick Castle in September INTERESTING PEOPLE attracted members from across the Northumbria region. Participants had previously chosen 3 from a wide variety IGNATIUS SANCHO (1729-1780) of workshops and we were soon sent off in different Slave, Writer, Musician and Businessman directions to our first seminars. Mine was a session entitled The First Duchess and for the next hour we were Ignatius Sancho is thought to have been born in led through the State Apartments and round the grounds 1729 on a slave ship en route from Guinea in as the life and work of the duchess were explained. West Africa to the Caribbean. Both his parents Then off to the second session Architecture and another died soon afterwards - his father killing himself tour pointing out how the castle grew and changed over rather than exist as a slave. When Ignatius was the years. about 2 years old, his owner brought him to England and gave him to three maiden sisters We all met up for an excellent lunch, who called him Sancho. He calls this period of hearing about the other workshops his life "unlucky" - they did not believe in which included tours of the art education, but he taught himself to read and collection, a study of the poison garden write and came to the attention of the Duke of and the battleaxe tour (the latter related Montagu, a former governor of Jamaica, who to the films such as the Harry Potter bought him books. Eventually, he ran away from series which have used the castle as a the sisters to seek refuge with the Montagus, and setting). We then split up for the last remained in their service until 1773. session – architecture, art collection, roots and shoots, origins of the garden Here he was able to indulge in his passion for reading and subsequently wrote poetry, or soap making – before meeting up for two stage plays and a Theory of Music dedicated to the Princess Royal. He was a gifted a final cup of tea before departure – amateur musician and began to compose songs, dances and musical pieces for though some people still had enough harpsichord, violin and mandolin, all of which were dedicated to members of the family. energy to do bits of the garden they He soon became a favourite in London's literary and artistic life. He counted the actor hadn’t yet visited. We all agreed it was a very successful day. Garrick and writers such as Samuel Johnson and Laurence Sterne among his friends. ======When the Montagus visited Bath in 1768 Gainsborough painted his portrait at the same time as he painted the family. GUIDE TO BELSAY HALL'S WINTER COLOUR LAUNCHED He became known as "the extraordinary Negro", and the abolitionists saw him as a Finding the most stunning winter plants in the garden will no longer be a challenge at symbol of the humanity of Africans and immorality of the slave trade. He wrote several Belsay Hall & Gardens, thanks to a 'Shared Learning Project' between members of the letters to newspapers, under his own name and under the pseudonym "Africanus" U3A and English Heritage's education and gardening teams. Visitors will receive a free He left the service of the Montagus in 1773, and with a legacy left to him by the leaflet which highlights twelve 'don't miss' plants that are at their finest over the winter Duchess he opened a grocery shop in Westminster with his wife Anne. As a male months. The leaflet includes a map and a spotters' guide to help locate and identify the householder living in Westminster, he was qualified to vote in the parliamentary trees, shrubs and plants providing seasonal interest around the grounds. elections of 1774 and 1780 and thus was the first black person of African origin known It has been a year since English Heritage's Education's team first contacted the U3A to have voted in Britain. about the possibility of introducing Shared Learning Projects at appropriate sites and the When he died in 1780 his obituary appeared in the press, and when his Letters of the Belsay leaflet is the first initiative to come to fruition. It was unveiled for visitors on Late Ignatius Sancho, an African , were published two years later they were an Saturday 12 November. A group of ten members of the U3A worked closely with Belsay immediate best-seller. Hall's head gardener and English Heritage's local education manager to select the dozen top plants to feature in the guide, photograph each of the specimens and

research their origins and relevance within the grounds. 24 25 "We hope this will provide the public with more *** NOTICEBOARD *** information about the plants and entice them to come back to the gardens at different times of the year. If CHORAL WORKSHOP WEARSIDE LITERARY LUNCH this is successful we hope to produce further leaflets Saturday, 24 March 2012 at 24 April 2012 at Lumley Castle in a similar format for the other seasons," said Joyce Ponteland Guest speaker: Ann Cleeves (author of Watts of the U3A. Led by Simon Fidler TV series Vera ) Sarah Bowden of English Heritage is particularly For details contact Brian Prickett - Cost: £17.50 impressed with the results of the initiative: "Working [email protected] with U3A, we've been able to create a fantastic Cost: £12 approx resource that draws upon the skills and experience of U3A members to show the gardens from a whole new NORTHUMBRIA REGION BIRDWATCHING NETWORK perspective. Belsay's superb gardens were never We have been operating for 12 years and organise day, and half-day intended to be merely for summer displays, and we're trips every month. We sometimes have trips lasting a few days or a confident that this guide will help more people week eg Mull, The Solway, New Forest, Norfolk and we have had discover the gardens at their most dramatic - including trips abroad, e.g. Spain, Hungary, Bulgaria. A programme of trips for on frosty mornings or snowy afternoons." 2012 is available Shared Learning Projects are research projects where U3A members work with a First meeting of 2012 : Tues 10 Jan at Fish Quay cultural institution such as a gallery or museum. As an educational group, U3A We welcome members from any U3A group in the Northumbria Region including members from the U3A Northumbria region enjoyed free visits to the site to take beginners - the more experienced help the novices. Car owners give lifts where photographs and research the stories behind each of the specimens' planting, many of necessary, and petrol costs are shared. Bring binoculars, sandwiches and a drink which were planted by the garden's architect, Sir Charles Monck. Contact leader before to find meeting place Tel (0191) 4555215 Belsay Hall and Gardens is open every weekend from now until 31 March (closed 24-26 Dec and 1 Jan). Note that there is free entry to English Heritage sites for educational RESEARCH IDEAS FROM THE THIRD AGE: groups. A Competition for U3A Members in the Northumbria Region ======

ANSWERS TO CHRISTMAS QUIZ (page 19 ) 1. Dancer, Dasher, Donner 6. To, From 2. 9 7. Mexico Northumbria Region U3A and VOICE North are holding a competition open to all 3. Ebenezer 8. 6 U3A members in the region. Our aim is to identify good ideas for research to 4. a button 9. Raymond Briggs address a question either in some basic or applied area of knowledge. There will 5. Italy 10. Christmas cracker be prizes of £1000, £500 and £250 for the three best entries but, more importantly, applicants with good ideas will have the opportunity to collaborate with researchers at Newcastle University (and possibly elsewhere) and hopefully see their proposal taken forward in partnership. Many of you will say that you have no idea what to submit but if you write down everything you come across during the day where you think "this could be improved" then I am sure you will find plenty of inspiration . Learn more at a meeting at the Bangladeshi Centre, Tatham Street, at 10.30 on Thursday January 5th with coffee from 10.00. More details from John Lloyd 0191 567 4484

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GROUPS AT A GLANCE CONTACT US

Chair: 3 Rockville, Seaburn, SR6 9EL; 0751 2307 518 MONDAY (Not Bank Holidays or some school holidays – see notices & web site) Ann Aldridge aldridgeann3 @ gmail.com 1 Science Monkwearmouth Railway Museum 2pm Vice-Chair: Judith Ayles 18 Hunter Close, East Boldon, NE36 0TB; 2 Amateur Artists Monkwearmouth Railway Museum 10.15am 3 --- 07985 317 478 judithbldn @ btinternet.com 4 Card Making Leader’s home 10.00am Secretary: 4 Amateur Artists Monkwearmouth Railway Museum 10.15am Betty Lenier

TUESDAY Treasurer: 85 Rd., Sunderland, SR2 7SZ; 0191 567 8920 Martin Walker 1 Computer Support Amble Tower, Lakeside Village 10.30am 1 Tai Chi Fulwell Methodist 2.00 pm Groups Secretary: 07890 982 569 shumby @ talktalk.net 2 Poetry Appreciation Monkwearmouth Railway Museum 10.15am Sheila Humby 2 Tai Chi Fulwell Methodist 2.00 pm Membership : 103 Dovedale Rd. Sunderland, SR6 8LS; 0191 549 0984 3 Computer Support Amble Tower, Lakeside Village 10.30am 3 Tai Chi Fulwell Methodist 2.00 pm Lilian Younger 4 Tai Chi Fulwell Methodist 2.00 pm Speakers Sec: 53 Ambleside Tce., Sunderland, SR6 8NP;

WEDNESDAY Susan Quayle 0191 548 8139 Mag Rep: Dorothy Scott 1 ------4 Kenton Grove, Sunderland, SR6 0HH; 0191 565 2108 2 Lunch TBA each month dorothy.mse @ btinternet.com

2 Walking TBA each month Morning Committee Members: 3 MONTHLY MEETING Fulwell Methodist, Dovedale Rd 1.30 for 2pm 4 Ten Pin Bowling Bowling Alley, Wheatsheaf 10.15 Minnie Cochrane 0191 522 0937 Alan Denham 0191 521 2760 THURSDAY Joan Walton 1 ------Jim Wilson 2 History Fulwell Methodist 11.00am 3 Looking at Art Various venues 10.30am Editor: Elsie Denham 61 Orkney Drive, Sunderland SR2 0TB; 0191 521 2760 4 Reading 2nd Floor, Central Library 2.00 pm elsie.denham @ googlemail.com 4 Travel Monkwearmouth Railway Museum 10.30am

FRIDAY Sunderland U3A email address: sunderlandu3a @ gmail.com Website: sunderlandu3a.co.uk 1 Keep Mobile Fulwell Methodist 11.00 am 3 Geology Bangladeshi Centre 2.00pm 3 Keep Mobile Fulwell Methodist 11.00 am 4 Keep Mobile Fulwell Methodist 11.00 am 4 Music Appreciation Dock Street 10.00am

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

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

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