Hickling Broad U3A Newsletter December 2017-February 2018
November Meeting: Great Ormond Street
We had a bit of an ‘upside down” meeting this month - our speaker got lost and didn’t get to us until just after 3.00, so we kicked off with a brief discussion of the Committee’s proposals for a Cluster Group of local U3As and and the proposal to change the term of office of some of the Committee. (Papers about this were included in last month’s newsletter.) There will be further discussion and a vote on these at the next meeting.
Jane - in the absence of the Chairman - then entertained us with a quiz and we had an early tea.
David Taylor finally got to tell us about The Hospital for Sick Children in Great Ormond Street.
Founded in 1852, Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) opened with just 10 beds in one of the rooms in Dr Charles West’s house, and was the first hospital in the UK to offer dedicated inpatient care to children. Today GOSH is over 165 years old and is one of the world's leading children's hospitals. Every day, 618 seriously ill children arrive at GOSH from all over the UK and every day, 53 children undergo life-changing operations.
The hospital offers residential accommodation for parents and siblings of very sick patients, so families are able to stay together through the trauma of major illness. The hospital has a school as well as a large play staff, so life is able to go on as normally as possible for patients and their families alike.
Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity raises money to enable the hospital to provide world class care and to pioneer new treatments and cures for childhood illnesses.
We learned a lot about the hospitals amazing history, medical breakthroughs and ongoing pioneering work to help more children from across the UK and the world.
December 2017-February 2018 at a Glance: 1st December Backgammon
4th December Country Dancing
6th December Walking
6th December Bookworms
8th December Voices of Hickling
8th December Main Meeting in the Barn 11th December Pub Lunches and Gourmet Diggers
15th December Backgammon
18th December BLURR
22nd December Art
3rd January Walking
3rd January Bookworms
5th January Backgammon
11th January Let’s Discuss It
12th January Voices of Hickling
12th January Main Meeting in the Barn
15th January BLURR
17th January Pub Lunches
18th January British History
19th January Backgammon
22nd January Gourmet Diggers
26th January Art
2nd February Backgammon
5th February Country Dance
7th February Walking
7th February Bookworms
8th February Let’s Discuss It
9th February Voices of Hickling
9th February Main Meeting in the Barn
Next Members’ Meeting in the Barn: 8th December at 2.00pm Rock and Roll Will Never Die! As a special Christmas treat, musician and entertainer Paul Adams will take us on a musical journey through the 1950s. This is a mixed audiovisual presentation with pictures, music and live singing: a perfect afternoon of fun and relaxation before the Christmas rush starts in earnest.
HBU3A Committee Monthly Update We would like to thank everyone for attending our November meeting when David Taylor came to tell us about Great Ormond Street Hospital, its history and its current day work.
We would like to thank everyone for their patience when our speaker was late arriving. It means a lot to us that you were so supportive and good humoured about this slight hitch in proceedings! We also heard from the committee about some exciting new ideas for change at our U3A. These include the prospect of joining a cluster group with other U3A’s local to our own, and some minor changes to the constitution to give the committee more flexibility in how it runs. We are still in discussion with other local U3a’s about the possibility of forming a cluster group, and there are still several issues to consider, so rather than rush matters we will defer a members vote on this until the new year.
However, your committee will be asking for your support to make some minor constitutional changes to committee terms of office by way of a confidential ballot at our December meeting. These changes extend the potential periods of office for non executive committee members and for our business and membership secretaries to a maximum of six years. We are a small U3A with a limited number of people who may wish to serve on the committee, so extending maximum service in this way will help to give us more flexibility for the future. We hope that you will want to support us with this proposal.
If you are not able to attend the meeting and would like a postal vote, please contact Andy Fletcher via the Contact form on this site.
As always we would like to say a special thank you to the tea ladies for doing such a sterling job at our meeting, all help with teas is gratefully received, just let any member of the committee know at the next meeting if you are happy to pitch in.
We look forward to seeing you all at the December meeting when our talk will be “Rock and Roll Will Never Die”
Please feel free to bring a small plate of seasonal nibbles to share during the afternoon if you wish.
On January 12th we will be hearing all about The Fen Orchid from speaker Tim Pankhurst Tim is a well known botanist whose work has achieved international recognition. He is Conservation Manager for the East of England for Plantlife, a British conservation charity working nationally and internationally to save threatened wild flowers, plants and fungi. Plantlife was instrumental in the creation of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation and are a member of Planta Europa, a pan-European network of over 60 wild plant conservation organisations. Tim is widely respected as a UK expert on the Fen Orchid which is an endangered species native to this part of Norfolk and his presentation will give us all a unique insight into this rare and beautiful plant.
The committee would like to wish you all the very best for the festive season and thank you once again for your support for Hickling Broad U3A.
From the Interest Group Co-ordinator:
A reminder to all Group Leaders that the next meeting will be held on Friday the 12th January at 4p.m. after the main meeting in the Barn
If there are any issues you wish to discuss please let me know as I will be sending out an Agenda (and invitation for GL’s Lunch on 1st March) as soon as Christmas Festivities are over!
CROQUET It would be great to get this Group going next year. However in order to do so I feel we need to have at least10-12 members who are interested by the end of January so that equipment can be sourced /venue set etc. It would be even better if someone felt they could lead the group. Please contact me if you are interested asap
Julie Liggitt Interest Groups: Art 4th Friday (2.00pm-4.00pm) in the Methodist Hall
The group enjoyed an early glass of Christmas cheer with some mulled wine and thank you Maureen for making some delicious mince pies.
As the next Art Group falls between Christmas and New Year the group will meet up next on the fourth Friday in January 2018 when we will discuss a mini exhibition of our work at the AGM in May 2018. You're welcome to join us.
Backgammon 1st and 3rd Fridays at the Pleasure Boat Inn (2.00pm-4.00pm)
The next backgammon meetings will be on 1st December, 15th December, 5th January, 19th January and 2nd February in the Pleasure Boat pub.
Boards are provided we welcome new members - instruction can be given. Come along and join us.
BLURR – The Camera Group 3rd Monday each month at The Hickling Barn (2.00-4.00pm)
Several members distributed photographs from newspapers and magazines that had caught their eye. Each explained what their attraction had been and they were circulated for general interest and comment. This was a new activity and it was agreed for it to continue.
All the calendars have been sold and the sales together with donations total £276.00 for our chosen charity.
‘Engines’ were the subject for “Bring and Brag” and were represented in many forms. Steam engines, Fire engines, Foreign cars, dismantled engines and many more formed a large choice for our members. Andy’s steam engine was chosen as photo of the month and will be in the newsletter and U3A website.
All members present then provided photographs for the selection process (pictured above). They were divided into themes ready for the displays.
The next BLURR meeting will be on 18th December - Bring and Brag topic 3 Rivers Race (or yacht racing generally) - and our Christmas Buffet Andy Fletcher’s photo of The Cathedrals Express (The Flying Scotsman) at Kings Cross Station is our photo of the month.
'Bookworms' Reading Group 1st Wednesday each month (pm)
On 1 November the group discussed Small Island by Andrea Levy. Set in London and Jamaica in 1948, Small Island reflects on the influx of Jamaicans into England looking for a better life after the war. Well written and in places very funny, the author has written in the Jamaican dialect giving life to the characters.
The general opinion was good and we would be happy to read other books by Andrea Levy.
On 6 December Bookworms are off to the Star in Lessingham for our Xmas lunch so will meet up again in January 2018 to discuss Agent Zig Zag by Ben Macintyre. Please contact me if you would like to join us in the New Year. British History 3rd Thursday of each month, 2.00pm
For the last meeting of 2017 the group held a quiz session with Steve in the role of John Humphrys (his career as a quizmaster was a case of "he's started but now he's finished"). Two quizzes based loosely on the theme of British social history (if you include identifying brands of sweets!) saw wins for Julie and new member Georgina. The bad news for them was that it was a fun quiz, so no prizes.
The group is not meeting in December so our next meeting will be on 18th January when John will enlighten us on the rise of jazz music between 1920 and 1940.
2018 marks the centenary of the end of World War 1 and in February Julie will lead a talk on "Medical Practice as a result of World War 1" - the first of several WW1 related topics during the year.
We have now virtually finalised our programme of meetings for 2018 - please contact Steve if you would like a copy. The programme, though, may change if the group get the chance to visit sites of interest, re-enactments or other relevant functions.
Country Dancing 1st Monday each month (pm):
If you watched the dramatisation of Pride and Prejudice starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle, you might recall the Netherfield Park ball scene where Mr Darcy and Elizabeth wove their way through a dance while sparring verbally. That dance was Mr Beveridge’s Maggot and we have managed to learn it. So we too can weave our way through it - though we need all our concentration on our steps!
The next country dance sessions are on 4th December and February 5th.
Cycling 3rd Thursday each month (am)
No more cycling until the better weather. Contact Roy for information about the new season.
Gourmet Diggers 4th Monday each month (2.00-4.00pm) in The Barn
What a great group meeting we had today. Lesley Colella (who lives in Hickling and is a trained florist) came along to our group and demonstrated to us all how to do a Christmas table decoration. So armed with oasis, ribbons, candles, fir cones and garden greenery we set too and all created the most wonderful decorations for our Christmas table.
We ended the meeting eating our way through the delicious food that Molly and Fred brought. Thank you.
We would also like to thank Lesley for giving up her time to spend with us.
Wishing Everybody a HAPPY CHRISTMAS
Next Group meeting is on 22nd January 2018 2-4 pm to be held at Helena's home.
'Let’s Discuss It’ 2nd Thursday each month (pm)
November meeting: Brexit – where are we now?
One year on from our last discussion on Brexit we wanted to discuss and update progress, with particular regard to several questions posed in November last year.
We felt very little had, in fact, changed so far, and we did not have many answers. The financial implications, EU and UK citizens’ rights, border controls, and trading agreements, (amongst other things) have not been settled. We also felt there were no statistics available to allow informed discussion on winners and losers in exports and imports, both with the EU and the rest of the world. We agreed rhetoric in media outlets was not very helpful.
One aspect we thought was fairly certain, at the moment, was the cost of European holidays. Current difficulties with various low-cost airlines, and exchange rates not being favourable, have increased the expense of a holiday in Europe.
We briefly discussed the changes in the domestic political scene, and agreed more or less anything could happen within the next year or two.
There will be no meeting December. The next meetings will be on 11th January and 8th February.
The topic for discussion on 11th January: the ethics and morals of the prescription drug business. Outings No set dates
Please see separate BULLETIN for details
Pub Lunches 3rd Wednesday each month
Wednesday, 15 November - The Crown, Catfield
As Margaret is on holiday at the moment I agreed to give a brief report of our Pub Lunches visit for November.
19 of us attended 'The Crown' in Catfield, which can be found on the left hand side as you drive through the village, almost opposite the general stores. There is ample parking to the front and to the rear of the pub. The staff are friendly and helpful and we found the lunchtime menu to be extensive and reasonably priced. Our meals were cooked to order and served hot and all together.
A very good experience for everyone and all agreed they would go back again.
!
Sailing Varied Wednesday and Friday mornings, May to October
Hickling Broad U3A Sailing Group wishes everyone A Very Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year.
Sailing should resume after Easter 2018. Please contact me for further information. Voices of Hickling 2nd Friday each month, 11.30-1.00
At our November meeting we reviewed the tea time meeting of our "voices" at the Methodist hall in October and made plans for the next few months.
The annual “Voices” meeting proved to be successful with 15 people attending including four existing and two possible new “voices”, along with six of us from the group, guests and new contributors including Hazel Nudd and Jackie Cox who are going to help us get the website illustrated with relevant and correctly named photos!
During the meeting we also discussed who we could get to host our website. Martin had done some excellent research and the group approved his choice and asked him to set up hosting facilities to allow the website to go public in the next couple of months. Members also confirmed that one further recording had been made and one written transcription was completed.
Our next meeting takes place on the morning of Friday 8th December with subsequent meetings on the second Friday of each month, timed to be before the monthly Members Meeting.
Walking 1st Wednesday each month
On 1st November, having welcomed the 2 members who were new to our walking group, a total of 9 set off from Mundesley Coronation Hall along the seafront on a dull but dry morning.
We turned onto a footpath up past the mill pond and admired the view back out to sea. The watermill had been built in the eighteenth century and the 1920s was also used to supply electricity to surrounding properties, but it was destroyed by fire in 1956. We continued through Mundesley past the alpaca farm and onto the Paston Way. Crossing the fields we had a great view of the sea and the radar 'golf ball' in the distance.
At Gimingham we passed the site where there had been a watermill since the Domesday Book. In the 19th century the waterwheel was replaced by steam, then later by diesel - it was latterly used for milling animal feeds till the closure in 1976.
The last Crossley diesel mill engine is still preserved by the side of the road. Passing the mill pond which is fed by the River Mun we crossed over several small bridges along the Paston Way and looped back to join Sandpits Lane. Here we were intrigued by the eco-house, Sedum House, which is set into sand dunes with the bedrooms mainly underground and the roof covered in sedum plants - hence the name. We returned along the lanes and after our 6 mile walk enjoyed lunch at the Corner House café.
Our next walk dates are 6th December, 3rd January and 7th February
Wildlife Walks 2nd Monday each month
The next Wildlife Walk will be in March 2018 - watch this space for details.
Launch of National Milling & Millwrighting Academy at Sutton Mill Heritage Centre 7th December at 7.00pm in The Barn
The National Milling Centre CIC (Community Interest Company) is delighted to announce the launch of a major heritage project in North East Norfolk, the creation of the National Milling & Millwrighting Academy at Grade II*- listed Sutton Mill, near Stalham.
As part of a £3m long-term redevelopment programme for the site close to Hickling Broad, the 24 metre-high (80ft) brick-built Tower Mill will be restored to full working order, providing valuable on-site training for a new generation of millwrights and creating a vital tourist attraction for the Norfolk Broads National Park.
This event is open to the public and more information can be found at www.suttonmill.org
Members’ Meeting in The Barn - 12th January 2018 at 2.00pm The Fen Orchid - Tim Pankhurst
Tim Pankhurst is a well known botanist whose work has achieved international recognition. He is Conservation Manager for the East of England for Plantlife, a British conservation charity working nationally and internationally to save threatened wild flowers, plants and fungi. Plantlife was instrumental in the creation of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation and are a member of Planta Europa, a pan-European network of over 60 wild plant conservation organisations. Tim is widely respected as a UK expert on the Fen Orchid which is an endangered species native to this part of Norfolk and his presentation will give us all a unique insight into this rare and beautiful plant.
Members’ Meeting in The Barn - 9th February 2018 at 2.00pm East Anglian Families of Influence
Following his well received presentation on historical references in picture postcards Peter Laurence returns to give us a talk which highlights the coming together of families such as the Gurneys, Buxtons & Barclays, their influence on 19th century Britain, the City of London and their leisure time in Norfolk.