Orpington News

Website: u3asites.org.uk/orpington The University of the Third Age Registered Charity 1076544

Issue 130 August/September 2019

IN THIS ISSUE: U3A coffee morning General meetings & Chairman’s Letter P2

Committee contacts P3 On the Tuesday following the Groups news P3-6 General Meeting, members are invited to the BR6 café at Crossword and sudoku P6 Orpington College at 10.30 am to chat with other members and Travel & events P7

group leaders over a cup of coffee Notices P8 or tea and a pastry for £2.50.

YOUR COMMITTEE NEEDS YOU

Would you like to see first hand the working of our U3A Selling skills ? Committee? Why not join us to observe, and contribute on an informal basis at one of our monthly meetings? We are seeking a new committee member or members to help jointly. If you have suggestions and ideas, or would like to observe, please contact William Did you have a career in Advertising and Publicity in an earlier life? The help we require is much less strenuous but very important to our U3A. It is to raise awareness of our place and standing in the community and to give the opportunity to join our organisation. ££££ Could you spare a little time to help publicise with leaflets or posters in Churches, Doctors In the last newsletter William raised awareness of the surgeries, store notice boards etc? cost of sending paper copies of this newsletter to If you can help us in this way please phone members. William It is a very expensive exercise printing and posting six times a year and we do face rising costs. Our subscription is one of the lowest in London and we would like to keep it that way. Already one longstanding member has contacted us to say that they had mastered their printer so didn’t need a THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH paper version any more. If you would like to help us, environmentally and financially but need help with Some folks are wise and printing please contact William on 819698. If you don’t have a computer of course you can some are otherwise continue having a paper copy.

ALL TELEPHONE NUMBERS quoted in the newsletter are as dialled from the Orpington (01689) Exchange

THE LAST DAY FOR RECEIPT OF COPY FOR NEWSLETTER NO 131 IS TUESDAY 17TH SEPTEMBER 2019 Please send your contributions to Mrs Janet Tucker, 130 Repton Road, Orpington, BR6 9HX email: [email protected]

MONTHLY GENERAL MEETINGS 2-4 p.m. in the Main Crofton Hall near Orpington Station August 19: Peter Thompson: You the Jury A light hearted look at the legal profession by a former barrister. September 16: Nick Dobson: The Great Fire of London An illustrated look at events leading up to, during and after the great fire of 1666.

REPORTS FROM GENERAL MEETINGS

June

Ian Bevan’s talk was about legal London which now consists of four Inns of Court but once had many more. They were called inns because originally the barristers would actually lodge there and in some cases still do on a temporary basis. The Inner and Middle Temples were so called because they were on land originally owned by the Knights Templars. When the order fell into disgrace the property was given to the Knights of St.John but they did not need it so it was passed to the lawyers. This was very convenient for them as it was close to the city and, in the days when the easiest form of transport was by boat, the area’s proximity to the river made getting to the courts at Westminster very simple. Ian took us through the Inner and Middle Temples, Lincoln’s Inn and Gray’s Inn by means of photographs. Each inn has five major features; a library, treasury, hall, garden and chapel. Many of the buildings have been destroyed twice, once in the Great fire of 1666 and again in the blitz, but each time rebuilt to the same pattern. The oldest surviving building is the Middle Temple Hall which dates from 1573 and has one of the finest double hammer- beamed roof in the world. We also learned about some of the famous and/or interesting denizens, not all of them lawyers! A most insightful and well-presented talk. Beryl Derby

July

Odd Corners of London, by Jo Livingstone, lived up to its title. The Three Mills site is near the Olympic Park, a very wet area where three rivers meet. The water mill is driven by the tides and the Clock Mill is now TV studios which were used for the Olympics programming. Trinity Buoy Wharf has the only lighthouse in London, though its purpose was purely experimental and it is now an arts Centre. Trinity House still has a repair and maintenance workshop for buoys. Moving on to the City of London, Jo explained why the medieval street pattern still exists. After the Great Fire of London people soon moved back to the streets they knew and started to rebuild before Wren’s grand plan could be put into action. Some of these narrow alleyways can still be accessed unless gated. Many of the modern buildings have gardens on their roofs because they were built on land which was originally open space. There are many proper gardens as well, including St. Dunstan’s in the East and Postman’s Park. Too many quirky facts to mention here concluded with some of the famous blue plaques. At the end of this fascinating talk Jo thoughtfully provided handout lists of the places she mentioned, with details of how to find them. Gwen Jones

CHAIRMAN’S LETTER

I would like to thank those who have said they are happy to receive the newsletter etc by email, this enables considerable savings on postage, printing and paper. If you wish to join us by reading online please contact myself or any of the committee. I suppose like myself you are enjoying this sunny weather, alas our much heralded initial U3A picnic was a victim of the rain, those of us attended enjoyed a trip to the past with rounders, ball games and the presence of deer who were more interested in our sandwiches than the ethos of Orpington U3A. I enjoyed the event and hope it becomes a regular feature. We have just returned from Spain. While there we met up with the Chair of Javea U3A, this is a very vibrant U3A with 1400 members. If you are on holiday or staying for longer you are most welcome to join, it is €10 a year (£9) while away. There are U3As in all regions down this Mediterranean coastline. Pauline, our Vice Chair and I recently attended a seminar at the Civic Centre on Loneliness and its effects on society, which is a problem across all ages. If you have a friend or acquaintance who you feel would benefit by meeting with us and would like a change of environment please invite them to a Monday General Meeting. This is free initially; if they continue of course, they would be expected to join. The coffee morning at the café in BR6 (ground floor of Orpington College) continues to be a success. Why not join us, especially if you are a recent member, and discuss things on a friendly basis over a coffee and pastry at a special U3A price! I will conclude by thanking you all for making my tenure such a pleasant experience to date and in particular thanks to my fellow committee members who put in so much in to make it the success it is. If you feel you could make an input to our committee, have ideas on leading a group or any other suggestions please contact me on 07570110227. William 2

ORPINGTON U3A OFFICERS GROUP REPORTS COMMITTEE & CONTACTS

Chairman William Sear

Treasurer Mike Winder

Membership Secretary Linda Haward

Group Co-ordinators Sue Howe Janet Holmes

Meetings Secretary Pauline Dawson

Business Secretary Frank Rowe Industrial Archaeology Newsletter:

Distribution Peter Richards At the end of May 19 members of the group visited the two defence forts that face each other across the Thames between Gravesend and Tilbury. The picture Editors Sybil Robinson shows us being introduced to the underground areas Janet Tucker of the New Tavern Fort in Gravesend. At the end of

Database/Web Manager Steve Cooling the trip, 11 members of the group stayed on for a guided tour of the Cold War bunker in Gravesend Network Advisor Pauline Dawson which is maintained in its original condition and is periodically used for filming. Interest in our April Docklands trip far exceeded the number of people who could be accommodated at the Thames River Police Museum, so the trip was repeated in early June. There is an interest group list with this issue. Our annual five-day industrial heritage trip to Sue and Janet try to keep this updated twice a year but another part of the country will be from the 22 to 26 please would group leaders help to keep this accurate July. This year we will be touring the North East of by notifying changes to them as soon as possible. England, a wide range of places including railway and wagonway sites, mines, a historic furnace, a lighthouse and Cragside, the home of one of the greatest Victorian engineers, Sir William Armstrong. On Saturday August 17 we will be at the Weald and Downland Museum in West Sussex for a special event themed around horsepower – both mechanical and equine. GROUP VACANCIES For more information and/or to join our mailing list (email only) please contact Mike Wither: Mahjong 1 has vacancies. Come and learn to play Mahjong in this friendly group. We meet at Jill’s house 10am on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays. Ring Jill for details

Canasta 3 has vacancies. If you have ever played Canasta or wish to learn this entertaining card game, we meet 7pm every fortnight at CONCERTS Jill’s house. Ring Jill for details on This group goes to concerts at the South Bank. If there are enough people (usually 10) we can get reduced price tickets. To give you a flavour, the next series of concerts are as follows; GROUP NEWS Friday 27 September : Britten, Tchaikovsky I.E. NOT ENOUGH Sunday 6 October: Brahms, Chopin Sunday 20 October: Mozart, Mendelssohn Orpington U3A has 95 interest groups (see attached Thursday 24 October: Shosakovich, Tchaikovsky list) but we don’t get to hear about the activities of Friday 1 November: A Celebration of British Cinema most of them. Saturday 9 November: Butterworth, Elgar It doesn’t have to be the group leader who puts in an Thursday 28 November: Grieg, Dvořák item and it doesn’t have to be very long (100-200 Sunday 8 December: R Strauss, Beethoven words is ideal). Email preferred but typed or even Sunday 15 December: Grand Christmas Classics handwritten notes sent by post will be accepted. (You only sign up for the ones you want) The deadline date for the next newsletter and the The closing date for ordering tickets will have passed by address to send to is always at the bottom of the the time you read this but if you are interested in front page of the current newsletter. joining us please contact; Sybil & Janet (editors) Ann Downes who will send you the next full programme.

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Science and Technology

In June we had a film A Neanderthal Perspective on Human Origins, which looked at artefacts found in a number of sites where they had lived. Evidence seems to point to substantial breeding between them and Homo Sapiens and a considerable degree of apparent coexistence. Following substantial migration out of Africa by Homo Sapiens, the Neanderthals eventually became numerically overwhelmed and it may be that this is the reason why most of us have a small percentage of Neanderthal DNA, as well as the possible cause of their eventual extinction. Our science news segment presented by Barry Cottrell covered the intriguing notion of ‘hearing through your fingers’ the development of a device that converts speech from touch that enables the hearing-impaired to ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A GROUP TO JOIN? hear what would otherwise be lost to the ‘Cocktail Party Effect’ where useful sound can be lost through We are often asked, if the group I wish to join is full, background noise. He also reported that the first-ever what can I do? spider glue genes have been sequenced, paving the way This perennial problem is solvable but only if to the next biomaterials breakthrough. The glue members really embrace the ethos of self help, which secreted by spiders along with their silk has potential is at the heart of all U3As. uses in disease control. Groups are formed by the members, for the members and are the lifeblood of the U3A. Shared Instead of a regular meeting in July we had lunch at participation and self help learning means each and the Chelsfield pub for the members of the group. This everyone should share the load. was an opportunity to meet others in a sociable environment and we had a very good turnout, most of If you have any ideas for new subjects that may those who are regulars at our meetings were able to form a group, please contact Group Co-ordinators, attend. We were very happy to learn that the pub has Sue or Janet who would like to hear from you. been saved from a planning application that would have New group suggestions open for expressions of destroyed its character as a community pub, and possibly interest are; seen it demolished. We received a very hospitable 1. Coin and Stamp collecting. welcome and were served some very tasty food. All in all this was a very pleasant occasion. 2. Quiz group. 3. Dog walking group monthly, starting at High Elms If readers of this U3A newsletter want to know more cafe. about any of the topics we have covered or wish to join We are currently exploring with Knole (in Sevenoaks) the group, please feel free to contact me and I will U3A sharing a few groups that need more members. endeavour to answer any questions you may have. Two suggested from Knole are; John Mangold 1. Rusty Riders, a cycling group. 2. London Studies, with research and visits. If any appeal to you don’t be shy, let us know, we don’t bite! Sue and Janet (Group Co-ordinators)

Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day. Teach a person to use the internet and they won’t bother you for weeks. LOCAL HISTORY This group meets on the last Monday in the month at All of us could take a lesson from the weather; it the Liberal Hall, Orpington. The leader is Michael Marriot. doesn’t let criticism bother it. On 24th June we had a fascinating talk by Pam Creedy, a local historian, about the Great War and its connection The early bird may get the worm but the second to Farnborough. This included the tracing of individuals mouse gets the cheese. using the Military Ancestry website and war memorials among other methods. She is currently writing a book, 42.7% of statistics are made up on the spot. ‘Living through the Great War’. Pam talked about various aspects including the soldiers Change is inevitable, except from vending machines. and their families. She also mentioned some high-status officers such as Eric Fox Lubbock, related to our own Eric Lubbock, both of whom lived at High Elms. This is a very lively and sociable group who are all interested in local history. Members contribution of £3 goes towards rent of the hall, a cup of tea and biscuits. Helen Cooling

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London Explorers

Walks Visit to Bethlem Museum of the Mind and Gallery

PROGRAMME FOR THE COMING On Wednesday 26 June, over 20 members visited the MONTHS museum and gallery situated in the grounds of Bethlem Royal hospital, Beckenham, which is part of the South All walkers join the walks at their own risk. New London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, providing walkers are welcome to join any of the walks - but in-patient psychiatric care. please telephone us before coming on your first walk. We were given a brief introduction to the history of Please don’t forget to leave your phone number if you Bethlem founded in 1247 in Bishopsgate as a priory have to leave a message! dedicated to St Mary of Bethlehem, to care for the poor. Unless stated otherwise, all walks start at 10 am In the 17th century, the hospital moved to an opulent Please ensure that you wear suitable footwear building in Moorfields. The wealthy were encouraged to for the walks. Also please note that the walk visit the asylum and to donate money for the cruel and description is only a brief guide, not a complete chaotic care of its inhabitants or “lunaticks” - the term breakdown of the walk. used on the donation boxes. Hence, Bethlem became Hazel and Ed Thompson (813778) commonly known as ‘Bedlam’. After two further moves, from the site of the Imperial War Museum, the hospital now stands in over 200 beautiful acres of ground at Wednesday 21 August – Smart’s Hill (Penshurst) Monks Orchard. Meet in car park of The Spotted Dog, Smarts Hill, The museum contains relics, curiosities and even two Penshurst TN11 8EP (Map ref. TQ 522420) short videos demonstrating the effects of a Psychedelic for a 4½ mile circular walk which crosses the Rivers drug and how ECT (Electro convulsive therapy) was Medway & Eden. Two steep climbs, 1 stile and can be administered to a patient. very muddy after heavy rain. Bethlem gallery showcases work from artists who are Optional lunch at Spotted Dog. current or former patients of the trust and seeks to Colin and Chris Thomas develop their careers and experiences.

The visit was both fascinating and enlightening, and Wednesday 18 September – Westerham we were encouraged to wander around the lovely Meet at the Darent Car Park next to Quebec House, grounds. Westerham TN16 1TD for a four mile circular walk Many thanks to Judy Manning for organising this visit. Westerham/Chartwell mostly through woodland. There are two downward slopes and may be muddy Gwen Kellawan especially if recently rained. Optional lunch at the Grasshopper Pub, Westerham. NB : Darent Car Park is free for the first three hours but if staying for lunch you may need to pay an extra London Explorers forthcoming visits hour £1.50. Free or a paid ticket must be displayed on your car. Thursday August 15 Syon House Martin Oram Elaine & Richard (821404)

Tuesday 3rd September at 11 am: the Garden Museum, Lambeth Palace Rd. This is the world's first museum dedicated to the history of gardening. It is housed in the deconsecrated church Android Users/ Computer Discussion of St- Mary-at-Lambeth chosen because it has the graves of two 17th century royal gardeners as well as Are you confused with the amount of new technology those of Anne Boleyn's mother and Captain Bligh of the available? Are you afraid to ask basic questions? Do Bounty. you struggle with Apps? Do you fear hacking and cyber- Cost £6.50 or £8 if under 60 and £5 for Art Fund crime? Do you dread making purchases or booking members. tickets and holidays on line? If so there are two groups For more details contact Judy Manning that can guide you through the maze. In both you can specify the help you require, be it one Thursday 24 October Walk with Kim– Ann Downes to one tuition, sharing your experiences or your has details problems, or just sitting back and listening to the talks, tips and reviews of the latest sites, from a happy band of experienced professionals in a homely atmosphere. November Jan and I are arranging a group visit to the The range can be wide or detailed and subjects vary from quick searches, maps, icons, qr codes and photo Imperial War museum on Wednesday 20th transfers, to printer issues and recovering lost November 2019 . The museum galleries are currently documents. Come and join us. undergoing considerable refurbishment but this will be We communicate by email and meet monthly at:- completed before our visit with new displays and Android Users, 3rd Wednesdays at 10.30 am. artefacts. Details regarding train times will be advised Computer Discussion, Wednesdays or Thursdays nearer the date. If you are interested please contact from 2-4 pm. Margaret Thurgood Geoff and Jan

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Cryptic Crossword No.64 Submitted by Cryptic Crosswords 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 Rummikub 2 10 11 When I heard that Margaret Greener was looking for someone to take over Rummikub 2 because she was moving, I jumped at the chance. If you enjoy playing cards or board games, you will 12 13 like Rummikub, which combines elements of rummy and Mahjong. Ephram Hertzano invented it in the 1940s and made sets by hand which he sold to his 14 15 neighbours. It grew in popularity and is now played throughout the world. 16 If you’ve never played before, you’ll soon pick it up and maybe, like us, will love its mixture of fun and 17 18 19 strategy. You’re welcome to come along for a taster session. We meet on the third Tuesday of the month, 20 from 9.30 to 11.30. Looking forward to hearing from you. 21 22 23 Janet Maile

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Across Golf 1. Cairo man caught an invasive malignant growth (9) After a few weeks when it seems some members 6. Transport hot shaggy mass of hair perhaps (4) were away on holidays before the school holiday's 10. Quietly left an onion to distribute (5) start, we had a more usual turn out on Monday 15 11. Engaged by having a hotter arrangement in bed? (9) July at Cray Valley and are poised for the next round 12. A sly one taking quick steps at a dance (7) of our Magpie Masters competition on Thursday 18 13. Integral part of a later allowance relating to a sideways July, weather permitting. The last round of this com- movement (7) petition will be on 12 September. 14. Strike after heavy paper bullet holder? (9,4) We have also played our annual match for the David 17. One that may drop more than names or aitches (6,7) Buckley Memorial Trophy and the next Stableford 21. Use a Channel Island pilot for expedience (7) competition will be on August 6 at High Elms. 22. Number ones having nothing on me being offensive to As I write, this is really ‘Summer golf’ weather, long the point of arousing disgust (7) may it continue! 24. A threatening manner is not how a mousy lion moving John Morris would be seen (9) 25. State that initially hot air in tropical islands is necessary (5) 26. Nurse having time to object (4) 27. Maybe Bass with credit cooked lower leg of fowl? (9) SUDOKU Down

1. Workplace where things may look black (8) 1 5 9 7 2. Laxer characters take it easy (5) 3. Would faulty pen irritate – not when used for a personal version (14) 3 4 1 2 4. Gold with appeal retired, having taken a revolutionary path (7) 3 7 2 5 5. Bestial characters may be found in the garden? (7) 7. Trustee eh? No, a cinema escort! (9) 8. Densely packed group hug lovingly, being hot-headed 7 3 instead of cold (6) 9. Nor the Senior Service with slight alteration would 9 6 produce such a spectacular display (8,6) 15. Open armed organised resistance shown by Nellie and Rob? (9) 2 16. Mark where the confused skier sat (8) 18. Pardoned second copper held by former senior 5 9 1 journalist (7) 19. To do this is the object of your hunter (4,3) 5 4 6 20. Begin to grow coming out of a stupor (6) 23. Old bone I recognised as a small antelope (5)

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SE GREATER LONDON NETWORK Information on outings and walks Biggin Hill Memorial Museum; Open Wednesday to Sunday; Pitzhanger Manor; country house of Sir John Soane, newly transformed and now open Time out has teamed up with TFL to produce an interactive cultural map of London. Click on a tube station and it provides details of nearby attractions. The British Geographical Society has a great website for those planning walks; you can search by location, length of time or by type e.g. urban or seaside.

For more details please go to the South East Greater London Network website

BOB TRAVEL GROUP HIGHLIGHTS OF NORTH WALES IN ASSOCIATION WITH SIMPLY GROUPS

WHAT’S INCLUDED

6 days/5 nights duration departing Thursday 12 September 2019 Return Executive CoachTravel 5 nights half board accommodation at the 3* Celtic Royal Hotel, Caernarfon

Excursion package as follows: Arbury Hall with lunch, Gwydir Castle, Llanberis Lake Railway, Caernarfon, Plas Newydd House (NT) Bodnant Gardens (NT), Llandudno, Portmeiron Village, Ffestiniog Railway and Wollerton Old Hall

PRICE & SUPPLEMENTS

Price based on a minimum of 35 paying persons from £699 pp Two share Single room supplement £89 pp (5 nights) - maximum 22 rooms Deposit £100 pp (non-refundable / non-transferable) Balance due date is 12.7.19 Optional Travel Insurance £40 pp – No upper age limit but conditions apply.

Booking forms and more details are available at the monthly general meeting or from Mrs Renee Evenett This tour is operated by Simply Groups, Dalton House, 1 Hawksworth Street, Ilkley, West Yorkshire, LS29 9DU TEL 01943 605999 [email protected] www.simplygroups.co.ukSimply Groups Ltd is an Appointed Representative of ITC Compliance Ltd who is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

CELEBRATING THE CAPITAL'S INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE FRIDAY 4 OCTOBER AT THE LONDON METROPOLITAN ARCHIVE . This year we are partnering with the Greater London Industrial Archaeology Society and the event will be open to both U3A Network Members and Members of GLAIS. BOOKING NOW OPEN TO MEMBERS OF THE FOLLOWING U3As AND TO GLAIS MEMBERS Bexley. Croydon, Dulwich & District, Norwood, Orpington, Sidcup and South East London Following the undoubted success of Down the Drain we are organising another study day at the London Metropolitan Archive. We are planning to have sessions on, Manufacturing in the Boroughs South of the River, Docklands all changed, a session on Goodbye Earls Court, a session on the Railways of South London and a general session on the future of Industrial Archaeology given by Professor Marylin Palmer the U3A subject advisor on Archaeology. Also there will be a few short films from the LMA and it will be an opportunity to visit the Underground London exhibition. The cost for this event will be £25 which will include refreshments on arrival and lunch. Bookings for this event are being handled by Eventbrite on our behalf, so to book please go to https:// www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/celebrating-the-capitals-industrial-heritage-a-study-day-tickets-65250994481

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N O T I C E B O A R D

CHURCHILL THEATRE GROUP IS STILL LOOKING FOR A LEADER!

Perhaps a small team could share the job? It was a very popular group when Margaret led it before retiring

Knole Picnic- Fun in the Park!

Despite the inclement weather forecast putting off the majority, the small number of intrepid picnickers who ventured out to Knole Park were rewarded with an afternoon of fun and laughter. We enjoyed playing Any of our members may sign up rounders, boules and catch in between trying to out do for each other with bottomless picnic baskets. We sat and chatted with new friends and old and were thrilled by the email version of the National U3A the close visits of some of the braver deer. Newsletter All agreed it was a worthy addition to the Orpington at U3A calendar and we should try again in the future u3a.org.uk and hopefully get a better weather forecast and much larger turn out. We would welcome your feedback on the location we chose, alternative locations to consider, or other factors that might encourage you to attend.

Roger Howe

ODD CORNERS OF LONDON

For those of you who weren’t at the July meeting, here are some of the websites for the places Jo mentioned.

Three Mills www.housemill.org.uk Trinity Buoy Wharf www.trinitybuoywharf.com City Alleys www.ianvisits.co.uk/london-alleys Leadenhall Market www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leadenhall_Market St Paul’s Wellington is to the left of the main doors and Nelson is in the crypt. City Gardens www.en.wkipedia.org/wiki/st_Dunstan-in-the-East www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postman’s_Park www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/green-spaces/city-gardens Bridewell Institute www.sbf.org.uk Wilton’s Music Hall www.wiltons.org.uk Blue Plaques www.english-heritage.org.uk/discover/blue-plaques Oxo Tower www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OXO_Tower Crossrail Roof Garden www.cityam.com/215334/how-new-canary-wharf-sailing-21st-century The Sky Garden www.skygarden.london Garden at 120 www.lookup.london/the-garden-at-120 HighLines and Pedways www.camdlenhighline.com www.hammersmithsociety.org.uk/hammersmith-highline www.greenwichpeninsula.co.uk/the-tide

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