UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE Learn, Laugh and Live
Registered Charity Number 1177826
Some more of the fantastic floral creations at the Miracle Dubai Garden’s (UAR) – covering 72,000 sq. metres.
NEWSLETTER – SEPT. 2019 Message From the Chairman
I am writing this letter as we enter a warm mid- Summer. No, we haven’t yet left the EU (will we ever?) but we have won the Cricket World Cup and Lewis Hamilton continues to dominate Formula 1 racing. Gardens in Horncastle are resplendent in the rich reds, blues and golds of Summer and the long days mean just a little longer to get that lawn mown or to have long day out! I hope you are enjoying the long days and infusion of Vitamin D from the sun! We also hope that you are enjoying our selection of speakers – we continue to have a lot of original presenters to keep you interested until the end of the year (at least) including a sleep expert, a talk on a local hero, Sir John Franklin, and a live display of wild birds. Since the latter will include a real vulture, woe betide any member who nods off ! Membership is a little down on last year and as usual we make the request to everyone to invite friends along to our meetings as potential new members. I know that many people are reticent about joining new clubs, but I think we are a friendly, welcoming association and do offer a lot to incomers and those wishing to expand their social networks. Our excellent Newsletter is a great way of introducing strangers and we do have extra copies, so please spread the news. The past few months have seen some of our friends experiencing very challenging, poor health and we think of them, their families and friends as we wish them comfort and the best treatment available. Our sadness is, however, tempered by stories of new births, the arrival of grandchildren and even great grandchildren and we marvel at the cycle of life with its welcome renewal.
My thanks go again to my wonderful Committee and the Group Leaders who contribute so much to the success of this organisation. I, and I am sure ‘we’, are grateful to you all.
Sincerely, Neil
MONTHLY GENERAL MEETINGS All members are invited to attend the U3A general meetings held at 10am on the first Tuesday of each month at the Stanhope Hall.
Guest Speakers for the next few months will be:
1st Oct The Hero Vanishes - Chrissie Chapman
5th Nov. Birds of Prey - Derek Tindall
3rd Dec. Christmas Party
HORNCASTLE U3A COMMITTEE Neil Carter Chairman 01507- 523585 Mike Harrison Deputy Chairman 01507- 522674 Graham Hutton Treasurer 01507- 526677 Andy Mathieson Groups Co-Ord. 01507- 522701 Robin Wilmshurst Membership Sec. 01507 - 525958 Ron Fisher Newsletter Editor 01507- 524450 Eileen Jackson Welcomer 01507- 588273 Kathryn Thomas Liaison Officer 01507- 239579 Robert Sessions General support Member 01507 - 522640 Wendy Shaw General Secretary 01507 - 522640 Ann Duncan Minute Secretary 01507 – 527723 Fiona Martin Almoner 01507 - 523387
You can check out Horncastle U3A’s website at any time for details of activities, events and groups. Our web address is: u3asites.org.uk/Horncastle if you have updates that you wish to share, please contact Neil Carter or Robin Wilmshurst HORNCASTLE U3A GROUPS
Members – If you are interested in joining a group, please check with the person listed below to ensure there are places available.
Group Leaders – If a new leader or deputy is appointed or there are other significant changes, please inform Andy Mathieson, our Groups co-ordinator. W=Winter S=Summer
Appliqué 2nd & 4th 2-4pm Ann Duncan 01507 527723 Wed Bells 1st Thurs 2-4pm Karel Jonkers 01507 524727
Book Worms 1st Mon 2-4pm Brenda 01507 522447 Mumford Bowls Fri 10am Colin & Kathy 01507 523941 (Summer) Fisher Creative 1st Thurs 7-9pm Andy Mathieson 01507 522701 Photography Creative 1st Tues 2-4pm Annette 01507 525958 Writing Wilmshurst For Pleasure Croquet 2nd& 4th 1.45- Pauline 01507 622741 (Summer) Mon 4pm Donner Cryptic 4th Fri 10.30am Hazel Crook 01507 525609 Crosswords Edible 1st Mon 2-4pm Robin 01507 525958 Gardening Wilmshurst Exploring Tues – 9.30am Pam Browne 01507 526267 Churches dates vary Financial 2nd Thurs 10 – 12 Neil Carter 01507 523585 Forum Noon Five Milers 4th Thurs. 9.30am Debbie Ridyard 01507 534111
Genealogy & 2nd Mon 2pm Colin Gascoyne 01507 526938 Family History
History 4th Wed 2-4pm Malcolm Baxter 01507 522220 & Sheila 01507 524727 Jonkers Music 1st Tues 2pm Colin 01507 526938 Appreciation Gascoyne Nine 3rd Frid. 9.10am Edward Jones 01507 524721 Milers Wong car park Pilates Wed 11-11.50 Stefan 01507 524430 Urbanowicz Prose & 1st Thurs 2-4pm Phyll Durow 01507 522356 Poetry 1 Prose & 3rd Tues 2-4pm Alan Baulch 01526 353137 Poetry 2 Reading 1 3rd Mon 2pm Clare Crick 01507 526850 Margaret Dickson 01507 527641 Reading 2 2nd Frid 10.30am Sylvia Knight 01507 525028
Strollers 2nd 10am Pauline 01507 622064 Thurs Maddinson & 01507 524954 Diana Darley Sunday Lunch 4th Sun 12.30pm Margaret 01507 588298 Club Harrison Supper 1st Tues 6.30pm Bridget Barker 01507 523635 Club 1 Supper 3rd Tues Time Lynn 01507 524430 Club 2 varies Urbanowicz Table Every 2-4pm Malcolm 01507 522220 Tennis Tues Baxter Talking 2nd Tues 2pm Doreen 01507 523702 Heads Sanderson Topical 2nd Wed 2-4pm Stephen 01507 526565 Discussion Holdaway Visiting 3rd Times Eileen Jackson 01507 588273 Gardens Thurs. vary
Growing Old
There’s nothing wrong with growing old, It’s just a fact of life, We can relax and recollect, Bereft of stress and strife.
We make such plans, devise such schemes, We join this club and that, We laze till lunch then meet at three For coffee and a chat.
Some choose the pipe and slipper brigade And doze through the afternoon, Others make jam, play golf and bowls Or join the whist platoon.
But grey hairs creep and bones do creak, We find life isn’t easy, We do some stretches, have a meal And end up feeling queezy!
That trip we’d planned to San Tropez Just didn’t work out right, We walked too far, we ate too much And couldn’t sleep at night.
I wonder what the secret is Of never growing old, How do those oldies at the gym On life maintain their hold?
This much I know, think positive, Be active every day, Keep mind and body on full alert And send those blues away.
Do not succumb to apathy, With life fully engage, And if you follow these simple rules, You’ll live to a ripe old age! Kath Thomas
Nine Milers Group
'A dozen Nine-mile walkers shown here standing up, bright and energetic, at the start point of the walk, and again, some of us on our knees(!), in the same place, at the finish of the nine miles. Our friends from Woodhall Spa U3A joined us for our excursion. Edward and Sylvia chose this undulating circuit starting from Nettleton Top. The lovely route leads eastwards to Rothwell, down a pretty valley, past the Black Horse Inn, and ascends to return on a high- level path with fantastic views. The hawthorn blossom is at its best in May and Edward had arranged some good weather too. The Dunn Deal Tearoom is just around the corner and we all enjoyed drinks and some excellent cakes in the sunny garden.'
Contact: Edward Jones 01507 - 524721
* * * * * * * * * *
The Strollers Group - Rest of 2019 programme
12th Sept.2019 - Hagworthingham - Jan and Eileen
10th Oct.2019 - Wragby Woods - Mandy and Jan
14th Nov.2019 - Planning Meeting (TBA) Pauline and Diana
12th Dec.2019 - Stourton Estates - Diana and Pauline
Please note that Pauline and Diana will continue as Leaders to the end of the year. The Planning Meeting would be an ideal time for a change of leadership.
Contact: Pauline Maddinson 01507 - 622064 or Diana Darley 01507 - 524954
(New Members are Welcome to join us !!) Further to the “Mercy Ships” presentation at our June Meeting, I spoke to Dr John Rhodes to ask about his involvement – below is his response and further information about this fantastic project. (Ed)
“I retired from my GP practice 26 years ago, and Iris had secretarial skills. The first half of our retirement was spent in voluntary service for up to 4 months at a time in third world countries. Then, there were good reasons for changing to something which was based in the UK. We had visited the “Africa Mercy” a number of times whilst it was being converted on the River Tyne from being a train ferry. We applied to Mercy Ships to be a representative, and have spent the last 12 or so years doing that. This has taken us all over the North of England visiting many different types of organisations - Rotary, Inner Wheel, U3A, Professional organisations and many more. We have also represented Mercy Ships at Medical, Nursing and Theatre Technician's Conferences, all over the UK & Ireland, and also in Northern Europe, plus annual Rotary Conferences in England Scotland and Wales. It has been a most fulfilling time as we have met a great number of fascinating people, opening their eyes to what is being achieved in another continent”.
Mercy ships is a faith-based international Organisation that deploys hospital ships to some of the poorest countries in the world, delivering vital, free healthcare to people in desperate need. Founded in 1978 by Don and Deyon Stephens, Mercy Ships has worked in more than 70 countries, providing services valued at more than £1.2 billion. By improving healthcare delivery in every Country it visits, Mercy Ships is working to eradicate the diseases of poverty and effectively do itself out of a job. Mercy Ships follows the 2,000-year-old model of Jesus by “bringing hope and healing to the forgotten poor”, helping people of all faiths and none. In sub-Saharan Africa, up to 69% of people live on less than £2 a day. Healthcare in these countries either doesn’t exist or is unaffordable to the majority of the population. (Courtesy of Lisa Johnston (Mercy Ships)
Mercy Ships have: (Courtesy of Wikipedia)
Performed 445,000 dental procedures for over 175,000 patients. Trained over 6,315 local professionals (+ surgeons) who have trained others. Trained over 42,250 local professionals in their area of expertise (anaesthetics, midwifery, sterilisation, orthopaedic and reconstructive surgery, leadership). Taught over 239,000 local people basic healthcare. Completed over 1,110 infrastructure development and Agriculture project
To find out more visit the website: www.mercyships.org.uk Joint Trip between U3A and Horncastle History and Heritage Society
“On a Wednesday morning in early June, 22 intrepid adventurers set off on the Stourton Estate Safari Wagon to see the sights. The Estate Safari Wagon is very comfortable, even over the ruts and bumps, and gives an elevated view of the landscape. The driver and guide, Antony Strawson was full of anecdotes and history which brought the Estate to life
The highlight was getting very close to the Scottish Red Deer herds. After a hectic tour, it was back to base for a cuppa & some excellent cake. A Marquee was under construction for a forthcoming wedding - showing the range of facilities and activities on offer at the Stourton Estate. If you haven’t been, why not consider a visit. Please see the website for full details www.stourtonestates.co.uk”
CROQUET Group – Contact Pauline Donner: 01507 - 622741
On Saturday 8th June, the Summer left Woodhall Spa for the day to be replaced with rain. I know we needed the rain, but not between 9am and 5pm especially when we have a croquet tournament arranged! Despite the vagaries of the English weather, we carried on playing a mixture of single and double games with teams representing Horncastle U3A, Woodhall Spa, Richmond Park, Gainsborough and Branston croquet clubs. After 5 rounds Horncastle U3A were the clear winners only losing one single and one double throughout the day. For the second year running Horncastle U3A represented by Jim Forgham, Roy and Pauline Donner brought home the cup !
The Nine Milers Group – Contact Edward Jones 01507 - 524721
Margaret and Keith Grant were Leaders for the 'Nine-Milers' in June, and a cracking job they did too. Binbrook Village Market Place is an excellent place to visit, whether or not you are going for a walk. The bus shelter houses an impressive landscape mural, and the War Memorial, with poppies, names and the soldier silhouette is both artistic and moving. And if you manage to be here at 3.30 pm on a Friday, the Fish 'n' Chip van will be along. As it happens, we missed this treat, but we did enjoy a warm welcome and afternoon tea in the newly opened B17 cafe, which also boasts a large mural.
We were very lucky with the weather. It was a perfect June day and our route led us up through beautiful scenery with some big Summer skies. The circular route, 7.8 miles, takes in fishing lakes, fields, trees and hedgerows with wonderful views. Birdsong accompanied us all the way and while we ate our lunch, a buzzard circled lazily above us, riding thermals (air currents, not underwear!). We hope Edward and Sylvia have enjoyed their holidays and look forward to them rejoining us next month.
Big Binbrook Sky ! A Whale of a Tale OR A Tale of a Whale
In February 2006, Four Sperm whales were stranded along the East Anglian coast, and one of them was washed up on North Shore beach, Skegness. Historically, dead whales are a valuable resource, and all rights to them belong to the Monarchy. However, in 1913 these rights were transferred to the Natural History Museum – their partners, The Zoological Society of London take samples of tissue, skin and blood for testing in an effort to increase our knowledge of these sea mammals. If not already dead when stranded, most whales die from suffocation as their weight compresses their lungs. This whale had died shortly after stranding according to the first policeman at the scene. This thirty foot Sperm whale had to be cut into sections to be loaded on to two articulated lorries for shipping to the landfill site in Boston. It had to be buried as the only animal renderers large enough to deal with it were dealing with another whale stranded in The Humber. In the course of one month in 2006, there were two Sperm whales and two smaller Northern Bottle Nosed whales stranded along the Lincolnshire coast. Despite the rights of the National History Museum, it is the District Council’s job to dispose of the carcass - a very costly exercise. Ten years after this incident, 26 whales were stranded in countries bordering the North Sea – including 3 more Sperm whales at Skegness. The disposal costs for those three whales amounted to £26,000 – some of which was recovered from the Receiver of Wrecks.
Article and pictures contributed by Johnie Skears (U3A Member)
Do other Members have an interesting story they would like to share ? (Ed) Horncastle U3A Committee
Back Row – left to right:
Graham Hutton Mike Harrison Neil Carter Robin Wilmshurst (Treasurer) (Deputy Chairman) (Chairman) (Membership) Ron Fisher Robert Sessions Andy Mathieson (Newsletter Editor) (Support Member) (Groups Co-Ordinator)
Front Row – left to right
Fiona Martin Wendy Shaw Eileen Jackson Kath Thomas (Almoner) (General Secretary) (Welcomer) (Liaison Officer)
The Committee thought that the wider Membership might be interested in seeing a photo of themselves, so that you can put ‘faces to name’s’. These Committee Members donate a great deal of their time and effort for the benefit of the wider Membership, and to ensure that Horncastle U3A thrives and grows., rather than withering and dying. This growth can only happen by YOU encouraging friends and acquaintances to come along to one of the monthly meetings, to enjoy and hopefully join our ranks. Also, contributions to the Newsletter will ALWAYS be required for it to survive, and to have content varied and interesting to all – and I look to ALL Group Leaders and Members to feed information to me. (Editor).
Please note my correct e mail address for all contributions:
Exploring Churches Group at Derby Cathedral
Derby and its splendid cathedral turned out to hold unexpected delights for the 32 U3A members who travelled to the city on our coach trip in June. In the middle of the long, rainy spell, we struck lucky with the weather and enjoyed a dry, warm day for exploring. Members enjoyed browsing the shops of the old Cathedral Quarter and some of us spent time in the city's museum or in Pickford's House, a four-storey 18th century town house with the main rooms preserved as they were when Georgian architect Joseph Pickford and his family lived there.
In the afternoon, group members met our knowledgeable and entertaining tour guide (Dr Tim Woods) in the cathedral, which was built as a large and beautiful parish church in the 1720s by architect James Gibbs. He retained the 1530s tower from a previous church on the site and added his magnificent Neo-Classical building. He went on to use a similar design for a more famous church – St Martin In The Fields in London's Trafalgar Square. The Derby church was declared a cathedral in 1927 when the newly created Diocese of Derby needed a seat for the newly appointed Bishop. Among famous Derbyshire residents buried in the cathedral is Bess of Hardwick and the impressive monument she designed for herself dominates the South aisle.
After the visit we were provided with tea and coffee in the cathedral's own stylish coffee shop across the road, The Sanctuary.
Exploring Churches Group
Pam Browne
01507-526267 Creative Photography Group
The July meeting of the Creative Photography group was, as always, great fun. Sometimes we even get to talk about photography. Last month's project was 'ONE ITEM' The members of the group were asked to produce at least ten creative, original, well composed, inspiring photographs of one item. the subjects chosen were, a watch, the moon, a beer bottle, a cow, a toy giraffe called lofty, a shiny frog, a model Moggy 1000 van, a jewellery box, a shot glass, another watch, and an apple. The end results were excellent. Every photograph deserved to be framed and mounted on a gallery wall. For the next project the group have been asked to take 'CLOSE UP' Photographs of anything. If the results are anywhere as good as this month's photos I will be a very happy chap.
The Moon – Jeff Jones Frog – Eileen Jackson
Moggie 1000 Ced Sherban Apples
Robin Wilmshurst Watch Annette Wilmshurst
If you are interested in photography, contact Andy Mathieson: 01507 522701 Summer Bowls Group
We are halfway through the season which finishes at the end of September. We are a group of 10 members who meet every Friday at the outdoor Bowling Club at the rear of The Admiral Rodney Hotel. Progress is being made and laughter and entertainment continues. We all look forward to our weekly get together. New members are always welcome to enjoy our less formal Bowling gatherings.
Interested ? then Contact Colin or Kathy Fisher on 01507 - 523941
Horncastle U3A – Looking Back
The recent passing of Jean Norman, one of our Founder Members, made me wonder just how many of those present at the inaugural meeting (under the Chairmanship of Sue Walker) in 2001 are still attending Meetings. Hence these few reminiscences.
Advertised locally and led, I believe, by Members from two Lincoln U3A Groups – the Meeting was held in the conference hall at “Homeleigh”, off the Mareham Road.
If my memory serves me correctly, this building was part of the Social Services administrative block. It was situated next to the 11 homes which from 1935-1968 formed the “Homeleigh” Children’s Home.
The Meeting was well attended and we queued to get in, giving our names and addresses as we did so.
The Speakers explained the ethos of the U3A, as well as giving us information on the groups in the areas, and how to set them up.
Following the Meeting, a Committee was formed and general Meetings followed. Initially, both Committee and general Meetings were held on the Homeleigh site (owned by the County Council. This is now occupied by Fortuna Business Park, and is the home of various enterprises).
As Membership grew, the general Meetings were moved top the Queen Street Methodist Church Hall – where numbers had to be restricted to 100 people.
The U3A moved to the Stanhope Hall (where it remains) following the refurbishment of that building in 2010. *** (Shirley Oliver)
(Photos Marion Manson)
*** NB The Stanhope Hall (formerly the Town Hall) was saved from demolition, prior to its refurbishment !! (Ed)
Book Worms Reading Group
I am the leader of the U3A Reading group, called ‘The Bookworms’. Our group continues much the same, with the exception of a new member who joined last month, being very welcome, and will make a lovely addition to an already enjoyable group of fellow readers. I made a recent enquiry to the library organisation that supplies our monthly quota of books regarding the items that we receive, some of which don’t seem to bear any resemblance to the ones we chose at the beginning of the year ! I was told that when a particular choice is unavailable that month they send something of their own choice which is as near to the subject as possible. Needless to say we have often ended up with some very strange choices ! We try to be philosophical about it. A reading group is, after all, about sampling all kinds of literature, and we end up reading about things that we would never have picked off a library shelf given the choice. (Brenda Mumford 01507 – 522447)
(There are no vacancies at present – but contact Brenda for more information)
Not a specific U3A Group activity, but enjoyed by several of our members.
Are your golf clubs gathering dust in the cupboard? Would you like to see if you still have the old magic? Over the last two years a group of us have been enjoying an hour’s golf on the six-hole academy course at Woodhall Spa Golf Club. We are now looking for three new members to join our little group. If you would like to know more please contact:
Chrisandra D’Arcy (01507) 343396 or email: [email protected].
Congratulations to Richard D’Arcy, Mandy Morrish and Ray Wisdom who all recently passed their advanced driving test. If you would like to learn more about the IAM RoadSmart organisation, its training programmes, arrange a taster drive or start a course of lessons leading to an advanced driving test please contact
Richard D’Arcy on (01507) 343396 or email: [email protected] . .
(This is in addition to others who passed the course following the excellent presentation at our January Meeting).
U3A Nine Milers Friday 19 July – Contact: Edward Jones 01507 - 524721
Seven walkers, seven different mobile phones, each forecasting a different arrival time, but all agreeing that rain was inevitable. Undaunted, we parked at the Winceby Nature Reserve car park and set off through Snipe Dales. The footpath is beautifully maintained and recently mown, so it made very pleasant walking all the way to Hagworthingham, where there is a handy seat, for some of us anyway !! North from Hagworthingham is a slightly different story. Crops and wild plants grow very fast in July. It was a pleasure to walk through some pea fields, nicely ripening (yum), but not quite so much fun tramping through long grass looking for a tiny bridge. However, one eagle-eyed walker spotted that elusive bridge so we soon arrived at Ashby Puerorum Church, where tea things are laid out for visitors, and even a picnic table. While we were inside enjoying our lunch break the rain started in earnest, so it was a case of pull on the waterproofs, put up the hoods, and tramp back along the lane to Winceby. A thoroughly good day and a good nine mile jaunt.
Edible Gardening Group
Our July meeting was a trip to Doddington Hall “walled vegetable garden”. Although small in numbers attending this month, it didn’t dampen the day as we were able to have the attention of the head gardener, David Logan, who gave us a very interesting explanation of the cropping rotation. He explained that the majority of flowers grown went to decorate the Hall and rooms, while the vegetables were used by the family and any excess sold in the farm shop and used in the restaurant and café. After a well-deserved cup of tea, we moved onto Pennell’s garden centre for lunch, followed by shopping for plants and other goodies. Our August meeting was a photographic record showing of our own home grown produce with photographs taken at various stages of growth. Any problems such as pests or diseases were discussed. The September meeting is to be competition time, as the season so far has been a somewhat difficult time for crops to grow. The competition subject will be decided at our August meeting, our judge this year will be Chairman Neil Carter who will preside over the produce and decide the winner who will receive the competition cup for the next two months plus a certificate.
Contact: Robin Wilmshurst 01507 - 525958
Almoners News (Fiona Martin)
Very many congratulations to Neil and Sheila Carter on the safe arrival of their new Grandson (Arthur, Alistair) on 31st July, 10.20pm. He weighed in at a sturdy 9lb 1oz – Mother & Father delighted.
For Newsletter Contributions Contact: [email protected] (Phone 01507 – 524450)
Has anyone noticed the deterioration in our language these days ?
Eg: people NOT pronouncing the letter ‘t’ – ie “BE tt ER” – “LA t ER” etc etc
Also, the irritating insertion of “like” between every few words they utter.
And saying “absolutely”, instead of simply saying “yes” – or beginning a sentence with the word “So” - followed by what they are going to say !
This is very noticeable on the media, and perhaps not corrected in schools, with the latest trite saying from the USA – “It is what it is” !!
And “getting a sense of” is frequently used by commentators on media.
Almost as irritating as the “mobile phone zombies”, that seem unable to exist without looking at, or playing with their mobiles every few minutes. So SAD.
Unusual picture of a bird table imprinted on to a conifer bush by the sun. (Joyce Fisher)