Turriff and District U3A Newsletter March 2019 We have had quite a range of speakers since our last Newsletter in October. In No- vember we had Pat Cruickshank form Friends of Turriff Hospital.
In December we were very grateful to Sandy Duncan who stepped in at the last minute to demonstrate how to make a Christmas wreath. Our original speaker had an emergency and couldn't make it but she is booked in again for April.
January saw Ian Matthews with his amazing collection of ties. and in February Wenna Crockatt gave a very interesting talk on Alz- heimer's Scotland.
We have many more interesting speak- ers lined up for 2019 and hope you can mange to come along to hear some of them. Tea/coffee and bis- cuits are always provided and its a good chance to chat to other members and find out more about the various interest groups. If you haven't been to a general meeting yet then come along and see what you`ve been missing.
In February some of the committee members manned a stand at the library to promote Aberdeen- shire council`s new Live Life initiative.
Aberdeenshire's sports and cultural services are op- erated by Live Life Aberdeenshire on behalf of the council. This is an innovative approach to delivering services including libraries, museums, arts develop- ments, sport programmes and development, com- munity sport hubs, leisure and sports facilities, support to clubs and grants.
U3A at the Scottish Parliament - following a promotion of Scotland's U3A at the Scottish Parliament in January our local MSP`s have shown interest in our group. We hope to meet with Stewart Stevenson soon to discuss what we do. Peter Chapman also got in touch to say he would like to visit our group. Group News Archaeology Appreciation The group has been in hibernation for the winter! But after a planning meeting in the library on February 1st we hope to be up and running again soon.
Some of us visited Rhynie on September 7 to see the Pictish stones and explore a couple of nearby Kirkyards. Then a group of us attended the open day and talk by archaeologist Ali Cameron at Aden Park on 20 October 2018, and I was the only one able to attend the rescue dig there on November 14. Very interesting and extremely muddy and one to keep an eye on in the coming year.
In January some of us got the New Year off to a flying start when we visited the Early Scot- tish Silver exhibition at Duff House and then enjoyed lunch and a fascinating lecture there on the same subject on February 7.
We hope to visit Elgin museum soon (dates to be arranged) and some of the many stone cir- cles in the North East. Burghead museum was also mentioned at the planning meeting.
New members are always welcome to join the group on our expeditions. Contact: Liz Jones at [email protected] or tel. 07765590809.
Arts Group On Friday 12th October 2018 the first meeting of our U3A arts group took place at Turriff Library.
Since then the group has gone from strength to strength with meetings well attended and some very good outings enjoyed with more to come.
Our first outing was to an interactive murder mystery play with a Halloween theme at the Baden Powell Centre in Turriff. Before the event we enjoyed a lovely meal at the White Heather Hotel in Turriff.
As the group enjoyed the first event so much we booked the next interactive play called Sleigh Bells Ring at Alva Hall, this time everyone bringing food for a picnic.
The group also attended Phil Cunningham`s Christmas Song Book at the Music Hall in Aberdeen with a meal before hand at Cosmo in Union Square in December. It was quite a magi- cal pre Christmas experience and really put us all in the Christmas mood. Phil was supported by Eddie Reader and Karen Matheson amongst others, a very good time was had by all.
As I write this our plans for January were made at our meeting on Friday 11th at Turriff li- brary. We have some fun things on the go including a Burns Afternoon Tea at the 1909 cafe in Strichen, a visit to Peterhead Prison Museum with lunch at the Harbour Spring Carvery and later on in the year a matinee performance of Josephs Technicolour Dream Coat at HMT after a lunch at the Prince of Wales pub.
On the agenda too are a visit to the V & A in March, backstage tour of His Majestys Theatre and as well as some afternoon events at Duff House and Banff Castle.
We meet on the second Friday of each month at Turriff Library at 2.45 pm. We promise a warm welcome and hope that the group will open up a whole new world of adventures and that you too will be able to help to form this new group by suggesting events or outings that we may not know about. Next meeting is Friday 15th March at 2.45pm
Contact: Anne Reid on 01346 541367 or email [email protected]
Creative Writers The group is still going strong with eleven members now. Things have been quite quiet over the winter months and we had a short break over Christmas and New Year. Now that 2019 is here we are back to it again writing and sharing our ideas and work. Lots of fun and chat over a cuppa and lots of interesting ideas.
We still meet in the library fortnightly in a Tuesday morning at 10:30. Feel free to join us, you will be made most welcome.
Contact Kathleen Smith on 01261 851752 or email [email protected]
Current Affairs The last few months have been fraught with doom and gloom (don't mention BREXIT!) From the chaos caused by Universal Credit to the report that chemotherapy is not working in cases where some people's livers could not deal with the poisons ingested, to reports of asbestos in the House of Commons. We discussed the report that man-made extinctions will take mil- lenia to eradicate, with both the elephant and rhino now endangered species. The wide-spread use of Foodbanks was questioned as it is reported, 'that as a country, we are wealthier than in 1966'! Local news also came into focus with two Fraserburgh sisters selling 'fake' medicines and Aberdeen council suggesting a cable-car route round the industrial sites in Aberdeen with the terminus at the Harbour.
The pros and cons of single sex couples fostering children was also debated. Of course Presi- dent Trump also frequently made the news but the group tended to look at his less ostenta- tious moves with regard to how his manoeuvring reflected on US/UK relations. There were however lighter moments such as the Harris hawk brought into Waterloo station in London to scare away the pigeons and the 'dozy' burglar who police found asleep in a house he had bur- gled surrounded by his 'ill-gotton gains' ! The group meets on the third Friday of the month in Turriff Library and although serious subjects are aired the social aspect is not forgotten with tea, coffee and biscuits, and sometimes homebakes served.
Contact Marion Rothwell on 01888 544809 [email protected]
Family History Imagine that you are wandering around the book laden shelves of Turriff Library when you overhear snippets of a lively discussion being held around one of the tables. The participants are enjoying some refreshments while listening to each other and your interest has been aroused by something one of them has said.
Was it the possibility of a solar eclipse in the mid 1800's which could have influenced the Greek name given to a cotton mill worker's child? Perhaps you were intrigued by the tale of a man who maintained two households in the same village - one for his wife and children and the other for his mistress and her children. Then there was the mention of those two young boys who died of typhoid - what conditions did they live in? Who knew that unknown distant relatives from far off lands could contact you via the internet and pass on new information about your own father?
Mr. Cartwright Fanny Nettie Cartwright
So many questions to ask and answers to be found that you just want to sit down join in and find out more! Welcome to the monthly meetings of the Family History group. We meet on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 10.30am in Turriff Library.
Contact Wendy Mann on 01261 851139 or email [email protected]
French Conversation We are a group of around a dozen Francophiles who enjoy attempting to make conversation in French. This often causes hilarity and a pleasant sense of bonhomie.
We generally choose a topic for our fortnightly session and also share our news from the previous fortnight. Recent topics have included: Our Ancestors, Anger and its uses, a Cri- tique of a film, play or book, An ideal Getaway, Light, and a Dialogue Challenge. (Maureen won hands down.)
We do have a break during the meeting and allow ourselves to speak English which is a great relief but otherwise try very hard to speak French and build confidence so that we dare to speak to an actual French person when we get the chance.
Many of us visit France and enjoy the different lifestyle and seasons:
We meet from 10am to 12 noon fortnightly at the Gate- way Centre, Turriff.
Next meetings - March 6th, March 20th and then fort- nightly.
If you’re thinking of joining us please contact
Sally Givertz on 01261 851770 or email [email protected]
Note: As the group has now been meeting for over 3 years I think we have to describe it as an Intermediate group. If three or more people want to start a beginners’ class we would be happy to show them how. Geology The group had a nice break over Christmas and New Year after a scrumptious meal at the Kastille with some of the creative writers.
Prior to that we visited the Lecht Mine near Tomintoul in September. The Lecht Mine is a former iron and manganese mining site. Mining first took place at Lecht in the late eight- eenth century. In 1983, the building was restored by Moray District Council.
Photos above at the Lecht mine
A short distance from the small car park just beyond the Lecht Ski Centre it was easily ac- cessed and the group had a lovely walk along the track on a bright dry day.
In October we went to Elgin Museum where Dave Longstaff gave us a talk on the fossil col- lection there and the local geol- ogy. Dr Alison Wright took us into the store and showed us where the specimens were kept and spoke of the logistics of looking after such a large col- lection.
In November we went to the Broadsea shore at Fraserburgh to investigate the pegmatite rich granitic layers which were truly spectacular.
We have a varied programme organised for 2019 beginning with a visit to Clashach quarry, near Hopeman at the end of March accompanied by Dave Longstaff.
If you want to find out more then contact Kathleen Smith on 01261 851752 or email kath- [email protected]
Local History The Local History group has been out and about again this year. Visits included the new Inverurie Heritage Centre which houses a large amount of information about old In- verurie and. of course, the railway as it is sited where the old Loco sheds used to be. Well worth a visit!
In July, after a fine lunch at the Mustard Seed, New Deer we visited the site where Jane White rescued 27 men from the sea when the William Hope foundered over 100 years ago.
The group also visited the old Inverurie Kirk- yard and found the grave of the lady who 'came back from the dead'; having been buried and then revived when being 'body-snatched' by grave robbers.
Maggie's Hoosie in Cairnbulg has been lovingly preserved by local people and is amazing that a small house was occu- pied by two parents and seven children!
We had a talk by Nancy Jardine, a local author who spoke about her books detailing the progress of Roman troops in Aberdeenshire. Very informative.
Insch Museum was worth visiting also as the amount of literature and photographs stored there and available for the public to read is amazing. We rounded off the visit with a cuppa in the 'Drop Dead Vintage Parlour' along the road in Insch.
For more details of the group Contact Marion Rothwell on 01888 544809 or [email protected]
Nature walkers. The central heating is on and every so often showers of hail stones rattle against the window, driven along by the northerly gale. A time to reflect on the warm days of 2018 when the Na- ture Walkers were out and about enjoying the wonders of Mother Nature and to remember some of the highlights.
There was that enormous bright green Elephant Hawk Moth caterpillar and the taste of ripe cherries and brambles on our walk to Wrae Lake. How about those bright red toadstools and the 'Fairy Rings' on the lawn of Forglen House or the autumn colours of the trees reflected in the River Deveron.
We watched birds, wondered at the variety of wild flowers and occasion- ally glimpsed insects and mammals as we wandered along.
Unfortunately our trip along the coast at Portessie to look for lichen was cancelled due to the adverse weather - but has been re-scheduled for 2019. Our last meeting of 2018 was held in Turriff Library when Glen Roberts from NESBReC came to explain how our re- cords of all sightings can contribute to the knowledge of the natural world in this region. Having planned a list of walks for 2019 that cover a variety of habitats, the group should be able to send in our own records.
We meet on the 3rd Wednesday of the month and full de- tails of these outings will be available at the Open afternoon or via the Turriff & District U3A website or Facebook page.
Contact Wendy Mann on 01261 851139 - or email [email protected]
Photography - Interesting venues, a theme to photograph and a fine fly cup with affa fine folk combine to make our monthly photography group meeting a pleasure. Thanks to Wendy Mann who makes all the arrangements for us and sends out the welcome reminders.
Lately we have been to An Cnoc distillery near Huntly; it also had a very interesting museum and we had an excellent guide. Highly recommended. Visit by appointment as it is not advertised as open to the public.
Group members with our guide
Barrels in the warehouse (above)
An ingredient for An Cnoc Whisky (left)
The Turriff Heritage Centre and Doric Neuk reminded us of our school days and on display was a collection of bottles that coincided with our photography theme “Bottles”. Seeing the old pictures of Turriff led us to our next theme “Now and Then”.
Delgatie Castle was our venue for our “Portrait” pho- tos. A few ‘selfies’ and many pet and animal photos were produced. Every month we show our six fa- vourite photos to each other by means of memory sticks and a laptop. The photos have been taken by phone, tablet or camera and it’s interesting to see how everyone interprets the subject. Comments are positive and feedback always welcome and encour- aged.
Other themes have been Bridges; Black and White; Autumn; Transport and Skies. Feel free to come along when you can.
Contact Wendy Mann on 01261 851139 or email [email protected]
Spanish - The Spanish Group has had a good half year from the autumn of 2018. We are at 6 mem- bers and meet every 2nd Thursday at the Gateway Centre.
When we lost Andy nearly two years ago we really felt that a major prop was lost to us. He was such a good teacher with enormous patience and a seeming fount of knowledge. But, as the saying goes, we are where we are. John Smith took on a sort elder statesman having been to Spain quite a few times, and was not actually frightened of reading the language out loud. He delved into text books and gleaned nuggets of info with which to tease and en- courage the other members.
Roz Rhodes did a similar task and nearly every meeting a PC was dragged onto the table and bits of DVD would be shown.
The two hours would race past, and if Spanish words were not always to the fore, laughter was. The other members Dorothy Grant, Aileen Forbes, Marion Harley and Anne Milne enter into the spirit one hundred percent, and when the time comes to an end there is a genu- ine feeling of not wanting it to end.
As it happens, Marion has now joined the Open University. She told the rest that she was really uncertain at first but the time spent with the U3A in Turriff has given her a great sense of confidence. She intends to join us at our regular meetings, unless her tutorials/TMAs get in the way.
Hasta luego todos
For more info please contact Ros Rhodes on 01466 730327 or email [email protected]
Walking group - Late last year The group tackled Cairn William which is a wee gem of a hill not far from Monymusk. It is a gentle climb to get up, fol- lowed by a relatively flat walk, then the de- scent. Our walk was accompanied by inter- mittent showers. There is a stone circle just off the path and you get wonderful views of Bennachie.
Since David`s illness the group members have been taking turns organising walks for the group. The January one was around Gardenstown and the next one is round about Portsoy. If you want to get involved then contact David—details below.
Contact David Liebnitz on 01888 563772 or email [email protected]
Committee
Chairman – David Liebnitz
Vice-Chair – Marilyn Lyall
Business Secretary – Eva Collins
Treasurer – Helen McGill
Group Coordinator – Kathleen Smith
Membership Secretary – David Liebnitz
Publicity – Pat Wood
Speakers– Marilyn Lyall
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