The Committee TAVY Chair David Palmer 612100 Tavy District U3A DISTRICT Vice Chair Paul Ward 610618 Business Secretary Liz Heaton 615129 Treasurer Randall Williams 859167
Membership Barry Smith 07702 871671 Newsletter No 86 Groups Liaison Caroline Paskins 853377 Newsletter Distribution Christine Pleydell 613054 July 2017 Speaker’s Liaison Andy Paskins 853377 www.tavydistrictu3a.org.uk Two Moors Liaison Barry Smith 07702 871671 Equipment Officer Andy Paskins 853377 Catering Liaison Anna Clarkson 614243 Without Portfolio Robin Neave 854766
Tavy District U3A meets on the first Wednesday of Social Committee Norma Woodcock 613597
the month Lillian Taylor 617720 at 2.00pm in Tavistock Town Chris Webb 613884 Hall Diana Smirles 612763 Janet Hunt 613088
Our Speaker Programme for the next few months:
August 9th It’s a Small World - The Wonders of Nanotechnology Richard Hardy
September 6th What has happened to the book? Derek Wilson
Last date for inclusion in the next Newsletter is 20th August
Email to [email protected] The beach near the Minack Theatre.
Vixen Tor on a winter’s morning See Page 15. Photo by John Noblet
Things we have done and places we have seen Social
We enjoyed an excellent talk by Devon Freewheelers, motor cyclists who volunteer to rush Thursday July 6th : 1.30 pm – 4.00 pm: Visit to nuclear submarine HMS blood and medical supplies Courageous. Please make sure you have read the health and safety sheet on the around the county to aid the Social Table. NHS. Thursday August 17th : John’s Annual Town Walk Quiz. Cost £2. Meet between Several of our members were 6.00 pm and 6.30 pm on Bedford Square followed by (optional) supper afterwards so enthused they took turns at Robertson’s. trying to mount the massive 1300cc machine. Friday August 18th: Guided tour of Tiverton and visit to Exeter. Depart by coach at 9.00 am from opposite Bedford Hotel. Cost £15. (4 spaces remaining). What should the caption be for this photo by Hilary O’Neill? Thursday – Monday, September 14th – 18th : Art and Heritage of West Yorkshire Holiday.
Saturday September 30th : Exeter and Canal Cruise down to Exmouth. Depart by coach at 9.00 am from opposite the Bedford Hotel. Cost £17 OR £20.50 to include a cream tea on the boat.
Life’ Details
He has a face like a warthog licking a stinging nettle. A good time was enjoyed at Kingsand. Photo also by The trouble with jogging is that, by the time Hilary. you realise you are not fit enough to do it, you are a long way from home.
The baker went to evening classes so that he could do joined-up writing on wedding cakes.
He is a real big gun - small calibre and immense bore.
Diana’s walkers at If the shoe fits, buy the other one too. Widemouth Bay. Photo by Diana Smirles Ignorance of the law never prevents a lawyer from collecting his fee.
If unlawful means against the law, what is illegal? A sick bird? Thanks to Anna Clarkson
THEATRE NEWS David’s Message
Matthew Bourne is back! Cinderella was one of his early productions and it is am sitting here in my dining room, looking out returning to the Theatre Royal. A love story set in in the Second World War with over the garden. What a lovely sight, mostly due to
Prokofiev’s magnificent score is forming part of the company’s 30th anniversary I my wife’s work! celebrations. We have reserved 30 seats for this show and the deadline for paying is the meeting in September. Yesterday we clipped back the veronicas, planted some cosmos and a centaurea for the summer flowering. The In JULY you will need to pay for Beautiful The Carol King Musical. amazing thing is that six months ago I would never have dreamt I would be writing this. Not only did I not These are the shows available for booking at know what any of these plants were but I never the moment; imagined that I would be interested in gardens.
Beautiful The Carol King Musical What has changed? In May we took the bold step of becoming National Trust Wednesday 20th September 7.30 upper volunteer Garden Guides at Cotehele. There I was sent into the gardens to talk to circle £27.50. Deadline July. visitors, but I soon realised I didn’t know my snowdrop from my comfrey. So I went round with a clipboard and paper trying to learn the names of the plants Beautiful The Carol King Musical (impressive!) and each week as they grow ever larger I test myself and finally can Thursday 21st September 2.30 upper tell people with some confidence and enthusiasm what they are looking at! circle £26. Deadline July. Why mention this? It is true that when we get involved in learning about something Hedda Gabler Thursday 5th October 2.30 new, it can become a passion for us. That is why U3A is unique in opening doors of upper circle £15.50. Deadline September fun and learning which can spark new interests. So please keep exploring and developing new groups and enjoy it. (A plug too for the Garden Visits!) Grease Friday 3rd November 5.30 upper circle £24. Deadline August. A number of people have commented how much they like the newsletter and the Sunset Boulevard Thursday 15th March 2.30 upper circle row C £37.50. new Twenty Questions idea. I really think we should congratulate John on his superb Deadline November. work. This time it is Paul who is in the spotlight, but let John know if you would be interested in taking part in sharing your stories. Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella Thursday 1st February ‘18 2.30 upper circle row C £23. Deadline September . We love to know what is happening in the groups and each group has a slot in the year where they are asked to give a short report on the group. John has asked me to And finally, will you please collect your tickets from the Theatre table at the meeting remind Group leaders to try to get in those reports for the newsletter as early as which is the month after the show deadline. they can so that he can get on with putting the newsletter together.
Janet 613088 or Carole 618981 Finally, we will not go ahead with a support group, as proposed earlier. Thank you all so much for your responses, but the overwhelming feeling was that members support each other already so we do not need to put anything else in place – a sign Email Addresses of a healthy U3A.
We take the security of our members seriously and for this reason we do not Thank you everyone for being part of Tavy District U3A whatever part you are show most email addresses in the Newsletter (as this is available to read online). playing – it just wouldn’t be the same without you!
If you wish to contact a member of the committee, or perhaps a group leader, David Palmer use the contact form on our website www.tavydistrictu3a.org.uk
TWENTY QUESTIONS
With Paul Ward, our new Vice Chairman Walks
What is your earliest memory, Paul? I have a vague pre-school memory of si ng on the counter in my father’s shop ea ng cheese and tomato sandwiches bought from the café next door. They were very good. I s ll like cheese & tomato sandwiches!
Where was home? My first home was in a flat over my parents’ shop in the centre of Tuesday 18th July Birmingham. When I was four we moved to a house in south Birmingham. A er the flat it was the Walk from Jennycliff to Mount Batten, Radford and Bovisand, returning on coast height of luxury! We later lived in Solihull and Redditch. Wherever we lived was “home” for a while. path. 7 miles. John
What work did your parents do? My father managed a number of newspaper shops. When Thursday 27th July Walk from Peter Tavy to Stephen’s Grave, Horndon, Cudlipp Town and back to he was made redundant my parents bought a grocery shop. Shortly a erwards a supermarket opened optional lunch at the Peter Tavy Inn. nearby and my parents could not compete. They had to sell the business. My father trained as a About 2-2.5 hr walk, please indicate if you would like lunch. Tony telephonist with the GPO and my mother became a sales assistant with the Midlands Electricity Board.
What was your early educa on? I started at the local primary school when I was a rising five. Tuesday 15th August I don’t remember a great deal about it except that I recall being given a biscuit by the headmistress Walk from Saltash (St Stephens) to Trematon Castle and Antony Passage along the a er we had sat the 11 Plus exam. That might not sound much but she was a dragon and receiving a Lynher. 6.5 miles John biscuit from her was not something we were accustomed to!
Thursday 24th August What was your further educa on? I went to Moseley Grammar School for Boys in Birmingham. Circular walk from Helebridge, coastal path from Widmouth Bay to Bude and return A er A-levels I went to Bristol University to study medicine, qualifying in 1977. A long period of medical along the Canal. prac ce, post-graduate study and post-graduate exams followed leading to my appointment as a About 3hrs but very leisurely, bring packed lunch or buy lunch in Bude. consultant paediatrician in Plymouth in 1990. Jennie and Chris
When did you move to Devon? I worked in Plymouth in 1981 although we lived in Saltash. Then, a er a me in Bristol, Norwich and Cambridge, we came back to Plymouth in 1990. We moved to The meeting place and time for all walks is the free car park at Pixon Lane (just below the Tavistock five years ago. Market Inn) at 9.40am. unless otherwise stated above. Bring lunch. Did you enjoy medicine? Enormously! I had the great privilege of looking a er children with cancer and leukaemia. The great majority were successfully treated, making it all the more poignant when we lost a child. I had very long-term rela onships with my pa ents and their families! I looked upon them as part of my own family. Towards the end of my career I became more and more disenchanted with the increasingly intrusive and s fling NHS bureaucracy. However I have no regrets at all about choosing medicine as a career.
How did you meet Jane? At university! We met through a mutual friend however we first got together when I was looking for a partner to go with me to a medieval banquet to mark the closure of the hall of residence I was living in. The first girl I asked refused, the second proved to be already “in Diana’s walkers a rela onship”. Jane was the third girl I asked and she agreed. That was more than 40 years ago and we enjoying an ice are s ll together. cream at Bude
Any family? We have five children and six grandchildren! Our elder son is a head and neck cancer surgeon and the younger is a nuclear engineer. Our daughters work as a BHS Riding Instructor, an accountant, and a psychologist respec vely.
What about re rement? I was fortunate enough to be able to re re at 60 on an NHS pension, something that is denied those following a er me in the profession. As I had had a close encounter with the cardiologists a few years earlier I decided to re re at the first opportunity. My me as a doctor now feels like a previous life. In my new life I have reached the point where I don’t have me to go to work!
Are you very sporty? No. I was always one of the last to be selected for a team during school sports a ernoons. However I do enjoy walking and many of our holidays involve walking somewhere in Europe, usually with our luggage being conveyed for us. I try to keep reasonably fit. I recently joined Bodyzone gym in Tavistock and very much enjoy going there. Everyone is friendly and it is not at all in mida ng.
RHUBARB AND GINGER MUFFINS Other hobbies? I dabble in photography and gardening. I a end a weekly class with Alliance Française in Dar ngton. For some years I have only read novels in French. I read, in English, an eclec c variety of non-fic on. I’m currently fascinated by neuroscience! I love cooking and have 300 g plain flour around 300 cookery books. Cooking is a great opportunity for collec ng “kit”, which appeals to men in 1 tblsp baking powder search of “boys’ toys”. ¼ tsp salt 1 tsp ground ginger Early memories of Tavistock? We visited Tavistock when we lived in Saltash in 1981. At 185 g light muscovado sugar (or light brown sugar) the me I thought it was quaint but otherwise unexci ng. I now realise how li le I knew or understood 100g butter, melted about the town. We used to bring the children to Meadowlands. They par cularly enjoyed the outdoor 2 eggs flume. 185 g milk 1 tsp vanilla extract What do you like about Tavistock? It is just the right size: big enough to offer everything we 200-250 g rhubarb chopped need, small enough to be friendly and accessible. The range of ac vi es the town offers, not just 4 balls stem ginger in syrup, drained and chopped (optional) within Tavy District U3A, astonishes me. It is so easy to meet people. I rarely go in to town without seeing somebody I know. I love the town’s history and heritage. The Benedic ne monks and the Duke Preheat oven to 200°C/400°F/ Gas mark 6/Fan 180°C. Line a 12 hole of Bedford did us proud. And we have the moor on our doorsteps! muffin tin with muffin papers. And what about your travelling? I have travelled widely in Europe but I have rela vely li le experience of long-haul travel. I have visited San Francisco, Montreal, Mumbai and Kerala. Our elder Sift dry ingredients together in a large bowl, pushing muscovado son and his family are going to Brisbane for twelve months in June. We plan to visit them and travel through sieve to remove lumps. around eastern Australia for a few weeks, stopping over in Singapore on the way home. Add chopped ginger balls at this stage if using. Add egg mixture and melted butter to dry ingredients and fold together Do you have other ‘jobs’ in your re rement? We joined the Tavistock Twinning until just combined. Associa on shortly a er moving here and I soon found myself in the role of secretary. Two years ago Add rhubarb to the batter mixture and stir through. when Tavistock Town Council was short of councillors I responded to a call for volunteers for co-op on Spoon mixture into prepared cases. and was accepted. In addi on to my general du es as a councillor I chair the Plans Commi ee. Jane
Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden and works part- me so I am responsible for shopping, cooking, gardening etc … and there is always spring back. grandpa duty!
Why did you join the U3A? I heard about the U3A before I re red and thought that I would Shirley Smith like to get involved in due course. Following re rement I looked for somewhere local where I could prac se my French and discovered the U3A French conversa on group on the website. That led me to come to a Wednesday mee ng as a visitor. The rest is history.
How did you come to start a U3A Italian group? I have studied Italian on and off since I was a teenager and went on a school trip to Florence. However I never studied it systema cally. I tried to join the exis ng, now discon nued, U3A Italian group but it was full. The group leader suggested I start another Italian group. I did and now I lead two: one for beginners and one for improvers. Hopefully I have something to offer the beginners. I try to keep one step ahead of the improvers!
Sunny Afternoon Do you have any pets? We have a pointy-nosed terrier called Babs. When our previous dogs died we resolved to wait un l I had re red before we got another one. However our daughter, e knew we were in for an interesting experience when we were offered who s ll has Babs’s parents, persuaded our then five-year-old granddaughter to ask me to adopt Babs, earplugs on the way into Sunny Afternoon at the Theatre Royal last month. telling me she would otherwise go to the dogs’ home. How could I say no? Men were conspicuous by their absence, just a small group of young at W heart ladies who reflected the audience and whose memories stretched back that How would you like to be remembered? One of the cards I received on my 64 th birthday far! showed a picture of a dewy-eyed dog looking up devotedly at his master and bore text to the effect that “I wish I were the person my dog thinks I am.” If I were to be remembered as even half mee ng Sunny Afternoon showcased the turbulent history of the early days of the Kinks as my dog’s expecta ons I would be happy. observed by their introspective lead singer Ray Davies. His energetic brother Dave
played the role of the hedonistic, troubled rockstar to the full, at one stage being Thank you, Paul knocked out on stage by the drummer Mick Avory and ending up in hospital with 16 stitches to his head. For the bass Pete Quaife, success came with conflict. He just wanted things to be like before they were successful. They were joined on stage by Attendance at Group Events and Outings Rasa, Ray's wife.
– Some Helpful Tips As was the way in the 60s, working class lads who just wanted to play music were
exploited by their managers leading to contractual wrangles and court cases. They aving spoken to a number of group leaders recently, I understand that it is were even thrown out of America for falling foul of the musician's union. very rare that all those who have put their name down for a group or
outing actually turn up and often do not offer their apologies. This can H The set was simple. The actors who doubled up in their roles had great voices and cause everyone to be delayed, especially when transport is involved. Significant showcased the band's turbulent behaviour energetically. Dark moments throughout time, effort and organisation goes on behind the scenes to make arrangements but lots of humour and a reflection of how things were in the 60s. that may look straightforward.
Gerrye Edmunds Whilst we are all busy and many things can crop up at the last minute, it is all too easy to just put your name down for something with every intention of attending and then not do so. Can I suggest, if you don’t already do so, that you write the event in your diary, calendar, computer, phone or iPad together with the name and telephone number of the person running the event. It is your responsibility to check the event is still on and to notify the organiser if you cannot attend. The organiser will go to great lengths to inform those attending of any changes.
Secondly, as Group Liaison, I find it increasingly difficult to decipher people’s handwriting on the monthly sheets. Whilst you know your name and number only too well, I do not. Please print your details clearly as this makes my work so much simpler, otherwise I have to cross check with the U3A Beacon System often starting by guessing. This can be very fiddly and time consuming.
Your attention to these two points would facilitate the smooth running of our U3A to everyone’s benefit. Thank you.
Caroline Paskins (Groups Liaison)
Coffee Mornings
There has been a good response recently to our Coffee mornings so we are going to hold them regularly on the 3rd Wednesday of the month. We meet at Taylors at 10.30 am and the next one is on Wednesday 19th July. It is a chance to meet other U3A members and have a good chat. Hope to see you there.
Garden Visits Jane Eyre – The Play
A Fantastic Day at Caerhays Castle n Thursday 4 th May a small group from U3A went to see Jane Eyre the play at the Theatre Royal. Although familiar with the book, none of us knew quite O what to expect or how this classic novel would translate into a piece of ack in April, the Garden Visits Group travelled to Caerhays Castle, way down theatre. It has had a number screen iterations, some more successful than others, in the beautiful coastal area of Cornwall, above Porthluney Cove. The sun was but with such a strong and unique story it is capable of different interpretations. I B out, although there was a cool breeze, which did not spoil the day at all. We was hopeful that this production would shine a new light on a famous tale. were about 20 in number and Margaret Carter had pre-booked a personal guided tour of the castle. As the owners were still in residence we were only able to see the I have to say that overall I was disappointed though, like the curate’s egg, it was public rooms, which were typically decorated in early 20 th century furnishings. good in parts. It was clever and imaginative theatre, the set for the whole play consisted of ladders, wooden balconies and ramps which the actors ran round and up The extensive estate created by the Williams family, owners for over 150 years, and down for their different scenes. Enclosed in the centre was a small band of contain the National Collection of Magnolias with Rhododendrons, Narcissi and musicians who played and sang some original music and other familiar numbers, Primroses abounding. The grounds were extensive and in places very steep and the occasionally taking part in the action. views over the valleys towards the sea were beautiful. With a very small company most of the actors played The castle was very “picture book” to look at, with turrets and towers, and the café several parts, the exception being the actress playing Jane; provided excellent food and drink. Another superb outing arranged by the group’s this worked well and demonstrated their versatility but leaders, Jennie Youngs and Margaret Carter. made it difficult to empathise with other characters.
Endsleigh House and Estate It was well acted as well as humorous in parts: the actor playing Rochester’s dog Pilot got a laugh every time he appeared, the pyrotechnics were impressive and the device ow, what a beautiful day to of the cast running on the spot to illustrate a coach journey visit this gorgeous house and was funny and clever. However most of the humour came W estate! It was in early May, from the dialogue, which in turn came from the novel. and here was everything that one There were important characters, apart from Jane and could wish for in one place; forest Rochester, who were not developed. This was in part because it was very long; walks, valleys to explore, a large having been originally created as two shows and, although it did not encompass the idyllic lake with old cottages nestling whole novel, little was missed out. This meant that all of the different sections had to among Rhododendrons and Azaleas be compressed and I wondered if more judicious editing would have allowed more all in beautiful colour. focus on character.
If you are still reading this you will have realised by now that I am trying hard to justify my lack of enthusiasm! The Director writes that she wanted to get to the heart of the novel and characters without authentic set and period costume to get in There were also many giant Redwood the way. I felt that the story and characters are so powerful a better adaptation fir trees with their ramrod straight would have succeeded in spite of sets and costumes. I was reminded of the RSC and tall trunks reaching up to the adaptation of Nicholas Nickleby a few years ago which worked wonderfully on stage sky. The house is a hotel and in a Dickensian setting. conference centre but its old character remains and is very However it was clear from the applause at the end that many of the audience attractive. Tea was taken in the enjoyed it so perhaps it is down to me becoming a grumpy old woman! courtyard under a brilliant sun. Carole Thompson Philip Cazaly
The deadline for the next Newsletter is 20th August
Surviving records at the Pietà make it quite clear The Abbots’ Way that this was written for women only, as the names of the performers are written into the sk anybody to name an ancient track on Dartmoor and the chances are that score. So much for musicologists’ theories about the answer will be “the Abbots’ Way”. Most authorities will tell you that the introducing men to sing the lower parts or A Abbots’ Way was the path formed as a means of communication between transposing them up; no need to do either when Buckfast Abbey on the south-eastern side of the moor and Buckland and Tavistock there are women who are well able to do the job Abbeys on the west. unaided!
No doubt this is due to William Crossing supporting the argument and there are few We look forward to more exciting discoveries in who doubt the authority of the redoubtable William Crossing. the year ahead.
In his Guide to Dartmoor , first published in 1909, with facsimiles still in print, Liz and Mick Johnson William Crossing describes 80 or so ancient paths and tracks traversing the moor or connecting different parts of it. Sometimes he was the first writer to refer to them, let alone describe them in detail. Such was, and still is, perhaps, his reputation that Café Français for over 100 years anything that Crossing wrote must be fact. afé Français is a very flourishing group for French Conversation, for those Eric Hemery, however, challenges this perceived wisdom, calling it “spurious” and who perhaps would best be described as 'not completely fluent'. The suggesting that the first mention of a route called the Abbots’ Way was in 1794 by C waiting list keeps growing but over the year one or two members have left a traveller named John Andrews, 250 years after the dissolution of the and, fortunately, an additional group was recently started up by Ron Roberts, who monasteries. Hemery makes the argument that intelligent, educated men who were took on six or seven people from this group. This has meant that we've been able unlikely to be Dartmoor born and bred would choose such a difficult route with few to welcome several new members to our monthly meetings at The Wharf. landmarks and no guideposts. A more likely route, according to both Crossing and Hemery, was probably by way of Holne. The meetings start with some general conversation (mostly in French), always with help from David Palmer, the group leader, when we flounder. Generally we R H Worth also also each bring a short piece of prepared French text, often 'lifted' from a French supports this view and newspaper website, French Wikipedia or book. I think we all find it helpful to read asks why the text as well as hear it spoken. David helps us to translate and explains points of “traditional” Abbots’ grammar. Way is so called and why the route from The subjects chosen are amazingly varied: many in the group holiday in France Buckfast to Nun’s regularly, and bring back fascinating accounts of the areas they've visited. Other Cross is largely recent subjects: endangered wild animals, Donald Trump's language, extracts unmarked by any from detective novels, and even a set of instructions for an electric toothbrush. crosses (Huntingdon We come across so many useful words and phrases - though remembering them cross is the only is another matter. Some of our expressions might be classed as 'Franglais' and I exception) and fear many would not be approved by the Académie Française. involving several river crossings, likely to be We were happy to meet up with the other French Conversation groups in May, for impassable in winter. the traditional 'French Lunch', a great success as always.
The likelihood is that Judy Brown any track, if ever there was one following this route, was much more likely to have been purely secular and used by those involved in tinning and the woollen industry. Tavistock and Ashburton were both Pétanque Stannary towns. Tavistock, Buckfast and Ashburton were centres of the woollen trade in medieval times right up until recent years. If you have signed up for Pétanque, keep heart. There is an old saying about too many cooks, but the Sensory Garden project will be finished one day. To contradict that, there are places along the route with monastic sounding names such as Buckland Ford and Bishops Meads.
Classical Music Appreciation Group 1 Whatever the historical truth, a modern route was started in 1962 by Bill Ames. Envisaged as a way of engaging young people it has continued every year on the
first Sunday of October. But, you don’t have to be young! lthough we always set aside time to listen to favourite pieces of music, we have continued to focus on individual composers apart from one special Just to prove this, 15 U3A A session in which Hannah entertained us with her cello and explained its inner members set off on a sunny May workings as well as giving us a mini “concert”. (For more detail see the Newsletter morning from Buckfast Abbey to for January of this year). complete the Abbot’s Way, a distance of over 23 miles. We We’ve covered Prokoviev and enjoyed extracts from his ballets Romeo and Juliet and were not going to do this all at Cinderella as well as his seventh symphony and, of course, Peter and the Wolf which once, you understand, but many of us will remember from our school days. Christmas brought a quiz and then nevertheless it is still a we moved on to Brahms where amongst other pieces we enjoyed the Hungarian challenge. dances. In March we opted for an instrument rather than a composer and brought along our favourite violin pieces where choices ranged from Bach’s double violin The first day was 14½ miles and concerto (played movingly in the version we watched on YouTube by Yehudi Menuhin at times it seemed as if it was all and David Oistrakh) to Peter Maxwell Davies’ Orkney Wedding with Sunrise (replete uphill. The route is along quiet with whisky half way through!). lanes for about 2½ miles to Cross Furzes. Here the track In May we focused on Vivaldi. Undoubtedly descends into the valley of the the highlight of this session was a gem Dean Burn, where we stopped discovered on that totally brilliant resource, for a breather by an old clapper bridge before climbing up to the open moor. From YouTube, namely a broadcast of Vivaldi’s there the going becomes rougher passing high above the Avon reservoir to reach Gloria where the ensemble of singers and Huntingdon Cross. Another clapper bridge took us over the River Avon. A steep players was entirely female in composition ascent up onto the wild open moor within sight of the old Red Lake clay works before so as to sing the piece as Vivaldi had descending to the massive tin streaming works at Erme Pits. It is thought-provoking originally written it. to think that hundreds of men, and they were mostly men, had to work in this inhospitable landscape to earn a crust. In September 1703, Vivaldi became maestro di violino (master of violin) at an The track took us away from the wet and boggy ground in the valley of the Erme to orphanage called the Pio Ospedale della wet and boggy ground on the higher moor by Broad Rock before descending to Plym Pietà (Devout Hospital of Mercy) in Venice at the age of 25. Over the next thirty Steps. (Why is it often boggy on the tops of hills? What happened to gravity?). Once years he composed most of his major works while working there. There were four over the River Plym a clearer track brought us to Nuns Cross and eventually to similar institutions in Venice; their purpose was to give shelter and education to Princetown just in time to get to the café before it closed. children who were abandoned or orphaned, or whose families could not support them. They were financed by funds provided by the Republic. The boys learned a The second day was less arduous and “only” 9 miles with more downhill than uphill! trade and had to leave when they reached 15. The girls received a musical Leaving Princetown the route passes North Hessary Tor with its communications education, and the most talented stayed and became members of the Ospedale's mast before dropping down to the stone rows at Merrivale. From there we passed renowned orchestra and choir. Vixen Tor and Windy Post before descending gently towards Whitchurch Down and
Tavistock. Shortly after Vivaldi's appointment, the orphans began to gain appreciation and esteem both at home and abroad. Vivaldi wrote concertos, cantatas and sacred vocal It was almost an anticlimax to reach Court Gate, one of the few remaining parts of music for them. The girls generally performed in the galleries, or cantorie, of the Tavistock Abbey. church, by candlelight and stationed behind gauze curtains and a metal grille which lent an air of mystery to the proceedings. In the YouTube performance, members of What next? The question that everybody was asking. The walkers have already done the Oxford Girls’ Choir, augmented by a few older outsiders to provide some “beef” the Ten Tors. Well, perhaps not covering the same distances as the youngsters had especially in the tenor and bass parts (down to F below the stave as required in the done earlier in May but nevertheless there WERE ten tors! There must be more Gloria) attired in replica costumes, performed Vivaldi’s Gloria from memory as it was challenges out there …………… originally intended to be sung, with women singing all four parts at written pitch. Answers on a postcard They were filmed, in the actual Pieta, under candlelight and were dressed in 18 th century clothing, thus adding authenticity. John Noblet
Secret Seven Ride Again Magic at the Minack
small coach load of eager U3A aster hols so we will go to a new meeting place shall theatre goers set off on the we?” said Philip. Everyone thought this was a jolly good A morning of 8th June on a rainy E idea. journey down to Cornwall. Luckily upon arrival the skies cleared and the sun “Be jolly careful not to be followed to the meet. We don’t want emerged and we were able to eat our the wrong type of people getting there. They might be coming picnics outside. just to mess things about. Don’t forget your disguises.” The Minack Theatre is a magical site and “Of course” said everyone at once. “Gosh this is going to be the views of the cliffs and the ever fun.” changing sea is beautiful even before the play begins. They were all jolly careful to read the secret ”Antiques for Sale” sign and make the secret left turn signal so they arrived We were in for a treat as the company safely at the secret meeting place without being followed. performing for us was Kneehigh - a Everyone looked jolly nice in their cyclist outfit disguises. superb troupe of talented actors and musicians. On this occasion they tackled “What’s the plan Philip?” asked Neil. “The History of Tristan and Yseult” and we were entranced by the depiction of a “We’re going off on an exciting adventure and part way through we will have a jolly great love affair which was fated to good feast. Watch out for grumpy men on tractors and mysterious places like cause death and grief as well as Germansweek and Broadwoodwidger. There are village idiots around who might incredibly moving love. cause trouble so be on your guard. You will also have to be careful to avoid any terrible potholes in the road and cycle quickly past grumpy farmers spreading smelly The actors employed a huge amount of muck on their fields.” athletic skill as they twisted and gyrated around the stage. The beautiful music helped All agreed that this sounded jolly good fun and they set off in great excitement. convey both the joy and the pain of a love affair which was destined to rock the Everybody got up the first hill with ease. “Well done everybody,” said Philip who had court of the royal family of Cornwall. The audience was enraptured by the been a little worried about the girls not being able to cope. performance and cheered the cast at the end of the play.
They cycled in fine style and got to the lovely café on the lake in only a few minutes We set off tor Tavistock satisfied that we had been treated to a moving and skilful more than half an hour. Philip and Neil were really pleased with everybody. performance. The Social Committee of the U3A have scored another success with this well organised outing. The fat lady serving in the café was not really all that nice to the gang. She seemed much friendlier towards the locals. When the soup arrived it was just mush with Diana Brace lumps of white bread floating in it. “I think that horrible man in the kitchen has got it in for us” said Joan M. Still, the scones and baked potatoes were nice and Joan D enjoyed her crab sandwiches.
The ride round the back of the lake was a little harder. “This hill is jolly steep and Boys Toys rather long” said Di and everyone agreed. Still, we enjoyed the lovely view on the bridge at the end of the lake. One of the Colins was able to point out the highlights Tornado visited Bodmin and mysteries of Germansweek. In spite of the hills we made good time and got in early June and John safely back to the secret meeting place less than an hour after the end of our Noblet just happened to lunchbreak. be walking in the area!
Philip and Neil were pleased with everyone especially the girls. All had cycled well, been very brave and not at all frightened by the village idiots, grumpy farmers, fat waitress, or the horrible man in the kitchen.
History Group Embroidery Group
Moment in Time (Acrostic poem) his group began at the start of ne of the accompanying photographs is of the building where our U3A. It was already running
Tavy District's U3A History Group meets. If you want to pick in the other local U3A. the right one, here are some clues; our place has a roof, it's Momentum's rhythm is defined T O not up a tower and it's a bit cosier than, well, the Hall of Mirrors at Members can embroider anything they Versailles. It's the Lincoln Room at the back of the Robey Trust Originally by its velocity and force wish or can learn new stitches and Building. It can accommodate our numbers and does have facilities techniques. We have completed for making tea and coffee, which gives it the edge over the Momentarily staying the course. several large projects, one was a Parthenon - that and being a bit closer to home. banner called A Hundred Years where Energy slipping through the net we designed and made the year 1952. The other buildings were amongst those chosen by group members when
we discussed how the past survives amongst us in Nonetheless measured in degrees We have made two books of bricks and mortar, stone, wood, wattle; not just illustrations of children’s poetry for the materials, but also the values, aspirations, Together with an endless freeze Gulworthy primary school, have fears, beliefs and ideologies that went with them. learned mountmellick work which is Our group's choices ranged across the centuries Irish white on white, have done some and from the grandiose to the humble, those Increasing the illusion goldwork and made cords and tassels. which symbolised major departures in history, Some people refurbished a church those which reflected Nothing can be as simple frontal and we are in the process of how history washed documenting other church pieces for over an individual or St Eustachius. a family. Though a thought is but a thought
We have dyed and coloured fabrics in We took the same group approach recently to food. We Increasing the phase various ways ready to embellish. We considered the story of bread making over thousands of use many types of thread, stranded years. That led seamlessly on to a discussion of the Merely makes this a timeless cottons silks, wool and combine many names of the simple bread bun and then on to various methods of work. So from poetic and personal reminiscences of high tea. (Do you Expectation of everyone's days. cross stitch to silks there is always still wear a hat for high tea? I mean, a really, really weird hat? Perhaps you should.) something for everyone. We scoured the Spice Road over the centuries for exotic foods and we lingered over the diet of the Lakeland farmers. Coming down from the fells we found ourselves The meetings are held fortnightly at tunnelling through a three mile mountain of buckwheat porridge (tall tale, long Beverley Beck Susan Reynolds house where her wide story) and struggled into the light to consider humanity's ancient dietary partnership experience and help filters down to us with one specific organism - the sheep, you might guess, the cow, or maybe wheat all. and cereals. Well no, the organism in question was yeast. There's a lot of mileage in yeast, especially if you end up not being able to walk in a straight line. Kylie Martin
The mosaic approach to history is one we frequently take. Anyone can contribute and it provides the group with many detailed and illuminating insights but allows for Mah Jong Group the big picture too. he Mah Jong group has 24 active playing members. We meet once a fortnight The relationship between literature and history is on the agenda soon and we will in the Bowling Club and have a break half way for coffee and biscuits. We do also be crossing the Atlantic to hear just how snooty not play the game at the speed the Chinese would play it, but we do have a T Anthony Trollope's mum could be about Americans and lot of fun. to learn of the epic construction of the Canadian Pacific and those massive mountain railway tunnels that do If there is anyone who knows how to play, and would like to join us on a Tuesday anything but go in a straight line. (Yeast had nothing to morning, or those who would like to learn, come along to the beginners session, do with it.) which will be starting up again in the Autumn.
Mary Piper Kevin Dickens
Visit to Cawsand and Kingsand Visit to Cawsand and Kingsand (continued)
e came by car, bus, foot and ferry. A formidable force assembled by the Cawsand and Kingsand have been on Social Committee gathered in Cawsand car park. Jane Gibson, our blue the defensive throughout their time, W badge guide, was unphased. She had met our groups before. Cawsand was under attack by nature and man. They equally unphased though on first acquaintance. Perhaps that was due to the bright have survived by their wits and their sunny day. We could be clearly seen. Perhaps it was because the cold brisk East will. The latest incursion, the second wind kept the populace indoors so that they never even noticed us. More realistically home owner or the holiday let, is to be it was because only one third of the houses are permanently occupied. The second combatted by the St. Ives defence. homes and holiday lets are empty in early May just after Easter and a bank holiday New builds should only be sold to weekend. permanent residents. This should improve the age profile and so the The two villages of Cawsand and Kingsand are in the parish viability of these two delightful villages. of Maker-with-Rame and Cornish, though for a period the natural county boundary of the Tamar was ignored in Sadly, the ferry back to Mayflower Steps could not run because of that brisk East favour of a diversion along the Maker stream which placed wind. We retreated by car, bus, foot and the Cremyll and Torpoint ferries. Kingsand in Devon until 1844. A boundary marker still exists on a cottage wall. Val Turner Photos by Philip Cazaly
The villages grew up on fishing, providing pilot gigs and a little gentle tax avoidance - though the smugglers tunnels Garden Visits Group are now closed. No longer do any of the local ladies owe a buxom appearance to pigs bladders filled with brandy and carried about their persons. July 18 th Marsh Villa Gardens, Par, PL24 2LU A magical 3 acre water and woodland garden in a former tidal creek, The position of the twin villages on the south west of Plymouth Sound meant that rich in variety and conservation significance. Plants for sale; Make they were incorporated into the string of defences along the south coast to protect your own tea available, and bring picnic lunch. £5 Leave Pixon Lane at against our seemingly endless difficult relations with our neighbours. In the 1600s 11 a.m. gun emplacements were useful for the Royalist villages facing Parliamentarian Plymouth. Cawsand Battery Fort, built on the site of a 1799 battery, with Fort August 13 th Winsford Walled Garden, Beaworthy, EX21 5XT Picklecombe was to protect Cawsand Bay during the American War of Historic Victorian walled gardens brimming with colourful summer Independence. The impressive fort had little effect. After seven years of building in planting and artistic inspiration. Artist in residence. No teas so the 1860s it is said that the guns supplied, by then obsolete, blew out so many Roadford Lake Café on return journey and/or bring picnic. £5. Leave windows in the surrounding houses on their trial firing that they were never fired Pixon Lane at 10 a.m. again. Another of Palmerston’s Follies and abandoned in 1926 it, like its Picklecombe neighbour, now provides housing by conversion and new build. Sept. 3 rd Riverford Field Kitchen Garden, Buckfastleigh. TQ11 0JU An NGS Open Day £4 – impressive kitchen garden with organic Cawsand beach is now under assault by the owner of The Range who is having vegetables, herbs and flowers. Demonstrations throughout the day apartments built there. The tradesmen employed there and in maintaining the and drinks and snacks available. Pre-booked lunch available at £23 – second homes and holiday lets cannot afford to live there. please contact Jennie a.s.a.p.
The outstanding building in Kingsand is the Clock Tower, built to commemorate the To book or for any queries please contact Jennie Youngs on 854792 or 07802 coronation of George V. Badly damaged by storms in February 2014 it was reopened 730549 or Margaret Carter on 855711 or 07974 890208, and sign up at the in May 2015. Worth its £600,000 repair bill it is the focal point of this very pretty monthly U3A meeting. bay. Beyond it, the rocky beach is a geological SSSI. During the emplacement of the Cornubian batholith there were some surface volcanic events. The Permian lava flow on the foreshore is the only such feature visible in Cornwall. Its origin is believed to The last date for inclusion in the next Newsletter is 20th August be a vent near Withoe which formed the flow in a single eruption. Other volcanic rocks more widely spread by explosive eruption are now incorporated in Permian sediments. Email to [email protected]