S I D M O U T H

Newsletter September 2017 Issue 48 From the Chairman

I closed my piece in the last newsletter by wishing you a great summer unfortunately that has now passed and, according to the met office, we are now officially in Autumn! One of the "hot topics" for the last newsletter was the proposed takeover of the lease of St Francis Church Hall by the Town Band, this has been delayed with no further developments likely until December this year. I'm confident that many organisations, apart from the U3A, hope that the layout of the hall does not change regardless of who operates the lease. It is with some sadness that I've learnt of the passing of Joy Pollock, a founder member of Sidmouth U3A. Joy along with Madge White and June Newbould were the three ladies who met at the Sidmouth Sports Centre and decided to create a steering committee to set-up a U3A branch in Sidmouth. That small seed planted in October 1993 with 15 members has blossomed into our present branch with approaching 350 members. The original membership fee was £5 per head but interestingly the attendance charge for a monthly meeting was 50p the same as it is today! The U3A which Joy helped to start was very different to the organisation we have today, however, when Joy attended the anniversary lunch in 2014 she seemed to approve of the way the branch had developed. There will be those who remember Joy and mourn the passing of one our founder members. Along with 35 other members I enjoyed an afternoon at Cad Hay House, a full report appears later in the newsletter. The weather was perfect as was the Tudor mansion and the cream tea. Once again I must pay tribute to our social committee for their ability in finding interesting places for us to visit. Apart from the main committee the social committee is the only part of our organisation that has to address the full membership. Group leaders have the advantage that their members attend through a common interest in the subject on offer whereas the Social Committee have to try and find activities that appeal across the entire branch. They achieve this superbly and long may it continue.

Next year is the 400th anniversary of Sir Walter Raleigh's death and there will be local and international events to mark the occasion. I have been contacted by Michael Downes, a trustee of the Fairlynch Museum, , who will be compiling a blog of up and coming events. If you would like to be added to the blog list please email Michael at [email protected]

Finally, sadly I have to report that our Secretary, Ian, has decided to stand down at the next AGM - the quest to find our next Secretary starts here! If during your working life you performed an administrative role and could spare the U3A a few hours each month do give the position some thought. Organisations like ours don't just happen, helping the U3A move forward is a rewarding experience and I look forward to introducing our next Secretary at the March meeting. Group Co-ordinator’s Report

I am now entering my final six months as Sidmouth U3A’s Groups’ Co-Ordinator. When I started in March 2015 there were 36 active groups. It has been my ambition to ensure that by the time I finish in March 2018 there will be 40+ groups. With Sidmouth’s continually increasing membership this did not seem a ‘tall order’ but when several groups ran out of steam and fell by the wayside it did, at first, seem to be one step forward, two steps back, but finally at the start of 2017 the 40+ target was achieved and is still growing, with three new groups commencing soon. BEGINNER’S GARDENING starts in September, WRITING FOR FUN in October and RUSSIAN FOR BEGINNERS will hopefully get underway in October or November. They all still have a few spaces. (See the Groups List for further details and Group Leaders’ contact numbers).

Do let me know if you wish to start up a new group, or if you have any queries regarding the current groups list. I am always open to new ideas.

New Group News

Aviation – Group Leader Anthony The first meeting of the Sidmouth U3A Aviation Group convened on the 19th April. The group currently has 14 members with a wide variety of aviation interests with members who have worked in the aircraft industry, RAF and airlines, including airfield history researchers and past private pilots. The first presentation was on civil aviation in North Korea. The group shares aviation experiences through monthly discussions and presentations, share books and journals and plan to undertake visits to aviation related organisations and conduct research, The group meets on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at the Leigh Browne Room of the Unitarian Church, Sidmouth at 10.00 a.m. New members are welcome.

SOCIAL OUTINGS NEWS As the year draws into autumn, we still have two outings to look forward to: SEPTEMBER 19th Agatha Christie’s Greenway House. This has been fully booked for several months, and has a waiting list. NOVEMBER 23rd BSO Concert, Exeter. (details on page 7) The 2018 Programme is well underway with another BSO Concert on February 21st and our Annual Group Luncheon, just confirmed to take place on April 12th. The December newsletter will provide more information about these and further itineraries for the Spring and Summer. It is a shame that we had to cancel (once again) our proposed theatre trip to see Hedda Gabler in Plymouth on October 5th, due to lack of support. Theatre trips need to be ‘block booked’ and paid for well in advance in order to achieve a reduced rate and confirmed seating. This can make it difficult for us to promote them in time, especially as it is hard to find suitable ‘Matinee’ performances, with only the main Theatres in Plymouth and Torquay, offering the occasional Matinee. If you would like to see a specific ‘Matinee’ performance which you think would also be popular with our U3A members, please contact myself, or Veronica (See Social Committee contact numbers). We do have a draft-varied programme planned for next year, but if you have any suggestions about future outings the Social Committee would love to hear from you.

Janis

2 Sidmouth U3A - Recorder Group

On Wednesday, August 2nd U3A Members from Sidmouth, Exmouth and Honiton gathered for a summer 'jolly' at Aylesbeare Village Hall. Despite driving rain and the unexpected road diversions everyone arrived in good heart ready to enjoy making music together in a larger group. From 10.30 a.m. until 12 noon we played a selection of pieces from the early music repertoire and some folk music from the British Isles and Brittany. Each group had also prepared a 'party piece' to play to the other two groups so we enjoyed these listening breaks too. We particularly appreciated hearing the fuller sound of the range of recorders from soprano to bass played in greater numbers. At mid-day we enjoyed lunch with an amazing variety of food and drink – not the picnic on the grass outside we had hoped for - but still very convivial. After all, one of the favourite Tudor pieces we play is entitled 'Pastime with Good Companye'. Thanks are due to Judith from the Exmouth group for smooth organisation and to her husband John for setting out the shared lunch contributions so well.

Monthly Meetings and Speaker Reviews

June 13th Mark Elliot from The Wildlife Trust - Mark presented a fascinating description of the River Otter Beaver Trial, ’s first licensed beaver re-introduction and monitoring project. Despite speculation no one really knows how a population of beavers came to be living on the River Otter since 2010. Recently, responding to evidence of new born beavers, the UK Government planned their removal from the river, DWT consulted locally and formulated an alternative plan: to turn the situation into a five-year trial to monitor the beavers’ effects on the landscape. We were provided with a real insight into the project so far, through a series of captivating diagrams, pictures and video clips. It was amazing to see the way that these surprisingly large creatures have already transformed the environment in ways that will potentially have a positive impact on the landscape; water quality and it’s levels; local farm businesses, communities and infrastructures. This talk created a real buzz, inspiring many of us to go to The Devon Wildlife Trust website (see link below) where it is possible to find out more about this highly rigorous scientific monitoring plan and to check out the video clips of the mother beaver with her kits. www.devonwildlifetrust.org July 11th Experiencing Egypt, Speaker - Janet Diamond

Despite political unrest in North Africa after 2 Arab /Israeli wars along with the Suez crisis, in 1980, Janet’s husband’s work took him to Cairo where they spent an unforgettable 3 years experiencing the sights and sounds of this historical but chaotic city. Their home was in a top floor apartment in the city centre. The many restrictions such as limited electricity, no air conditioning even in the 40- degree heat, shopping was extremely limited making domestic life very difficult and uncomfortable. Inspired by French architects Egypt’s political leader, Khedive Ismail, decided to rebuild Cairo in the Parisian style of architecture. Tahreer Square situated between the old and new part of the city was named after Ismail but renamed Tahreer (liberation) Square after the Egyptian Revolution. The Egyptian Museum is situated on Tahreer Square in Cairo and has over 100 halls, huge statues, small statues, jewels, gold, glass and precious stones and it also is where Tutankhamen treasures and mummies are held. 3

Lack of any order on the roads, Janet drew a detailed picture of the hand signals needed to traverse the city in her car, this caused great amusement of her descriptions while driving in Cairo. Hanging over the city was a blanket of smog and when eventually it did rain, it would fall like a sea of mud bringing down the wet smog to cover everything. Likewise were the sand (Khamsin) storms when they arrived would force the population indoors but even then people would find the sand permeated everything even inside closed windows and doors.

Janet’s apartment overlooked a street where some local people who belonged to a community called Coptic Christians collected the trash from houses – plastic, cardboard and metal placed in a huge container, pulled along behind the donkeys that carried them too. These rubbish collectors take the rubbish home to sort and recycle it as there are no municipal tips to dispose of the rubbish. People sell what they can to survive and on one occasion Janet was driving past a carpet maker where she purchased a huge carpet for £10. Janet told us that particular carpet lasted 20 years. On the other hand cheese was £5 per kilo and milk couldn’t be drunk unless boiled for 45 minutes so everyone went to the Hilton Hotel for fresh milk and bread because the local bread, although only 1 penny, was full of grit. Lamb or Beef was £1 per pound, was covered in flies but Janet told us that she would take meat home, soak it in salt, pick out the grit then freeze it. Recreation came with visits to the Beach Club by the Suez Canal; horse riding at 6 am in the coolest part of the day riding out behind the Pyramids into the Western Desert was magical, art class with days out to Faiyum an oasis in the desert. A Visit to Luxor and the Karnak Temple which is the largest in the world. Here they took donkey taxis fitted with motorbike seats into the Valley of the Kings and visited Thebes where the female ruler of Egypt, Hatshesput, Temple is. Another memorable sight was a visit to King Khufu’s funerary barge that is 4,600 years old, discovered deep in pit in the Great Pyramid, and now recovered and preserved in the Giza Solar Museum. This was a fascinating talk giving an insight into an ancient world many members will be tempted to visit. Future Speakers

Dates 2017 Event Speaker September 12th Seven Deadly Sins of Estate Planning Kelli Wakeham

October 10th I. K. Brunel Brian Portch

November 14th Exploring Exeter’s Heritage Robert Hesketh

December Christmas Party

Please Note

Unless otherwise stated, all Monthly Meetings will be on SECOND TUESDAY of THE MONTH at St.Francis Church Hall, Woolbrook Road, EX10 9XH Coffee – 9.30 Meetings start at 10.15 and end at approx. 12.00 noon

Due to Folk Week there was no monthly meeting In August

4 Social Outings

Visit to Swannery & Tropical Gardens – June 2017

After boarding the coach in Sidmouth then on to pick up members at Woolbrook we then continued on our way to arriving at 10.45a.m. There was the chance of a coffee break in the café before heading down to see the swans. Unusually the coach was able to drive down to the Swannery entrance saving several members a ten-minute walk. Having arrived at the swans we could see various enclosures with breeding couples and their cygnets, all fluffy & grey. There was fierce rivalry among adjoining couples that were kept apart by the wattle fencing between enclosures. We were told that orphan cygnets were put with foster parents who generally accepted them as their own. There was also a ‘hospital’ pen for those swans that were feeling poorly! We arrived at the main area where there were close to 1000 swans, some sitting on nests and eggs, others with cygnets under their wings and, many hundreds on the Fleet lake. Feeding time was at noon when the keepers arrived with a wheelbarrow full of grain with scoops and buckets, which they gave to the spectators, some of who were U3A members and who were able to feed the swans. The head keeper gave a commentary with lots of information about the annual rounding up and ringing of the swans. At 1.15 pm. we boarded the coach for the short trip to the Sub-Tropical Gardens where the first stop was the restaurant for a very welcome hot meal after the chilly winds by the lake. Afterwards members had the opportunity to wander at will through the vast gardens with a chance to buy plants or souvenirs. The gardens were delightful, so to allow members more time to view them it was decided to delay the journey home for another half hour. This was a lovely trip although the weather was dull with a chilly wind but stayed dry, however, torrential rain on the way home didn’t dull our spirits. We all had a most enjoyable day.

th Visit to Cadhay House & Gardens – July 5

The weather was glorious on July 5th for our visit to Cadhay house, a Tudor gem in Ottery St Mary.

Parking was in a mown field where many started their visit with a picnic before being divided into three groups for the tour. The house has a long history and links to Henry VIII but also has a cosy informal feel beside the grandeur. We all felt we could live there. Furniture and paintings were a mixture of classic oak of the period of the house as well as

5 beautiful modern pieces by the present owner who is a furniture maker and designer.

Modern paintings sat happily with historic canvases. Our guides were helpful, and well informed. A true Devon cream tea followed the tour of about an hour, with homemade jam, local cream and scones. The staff looked after us so well. Nothing was too much trouble. The gardens and water lily pond looked amazing in the bright sunlight. Lots of notebooks came out in the double herbaceous border. It was a beautiful, typically English afternoon with plenty to learn about and to enjoy.

Bird Watching Group

In July the Bird watching group had an enjoyable day out on Dartmoor. Although the weather wasn’t brilliant we managed to keep dry whilst walking around Venford Reservoir. Lunch followed at the lovely Forest Inn at Hexworthy where we gave the meal 5 stars. Afterwards, on the way home we made a quick visit to Dartmeet and were rewarded with a varied selection of birds on the feeders, a quite uncommon Willow Tit being amongst them. You can never be sure what you are going to see. Janet

Future Social Outings

September 19th 2017 - A Visit to Agatha Christie’s Greenway House – The coach is now full – details of times will be available nearer the event

PLEASE NOTE – CANCELLATION Unfortunately, the trip to The Theatre Royal, Plymouth to see Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler, in October, has been cancelled. Veronica offers her regrets.

6 Bookings taken at Monthly meetings or contact Mike through the Social Committee Cheques made payable to Sidmouth U3A Thursday 23rd November - The Great Hall, Exeter University

Smooth Classics Sublime Music

to Stir the Heart

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra brings an evening of famous, smooth, classical music to the Great Hall at Exeter University. Coach departs Sidmouth Triangle at 4.15 pm picking up at the Radway, Woolbrook & Poppleford. Usually back in Sidmouth well before 11.00 pm. A concert of some of the most beautiful classical music ever written especially selected for a sublime evening as follows.

Grieg Peer Gynt – Morning Beethoven No. 6 – Shepherds Song Mascagni Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana Mendelssohn Nocturne from A Midsummer Nights Dream Mozart Flute and Harp Concerto – andantino, Vaughan Williams – Fantasia on Greensleeves Mozart Clarinet Concerto – adagio Gluck - Dance of the Blessed Spirits Albinoni Oboe Concerto No.2 – adagio Dvorak Symphony No.9 – largo Debussy – Clair de Lune Faure Pavane Conductor Victor Aviat Flute Anna Pyne Harp Eluned Pierce Oboe Edward Kay

Clarinet Kevin Bank

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