Hickling Broad U3A Newsletter July/August 2017
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Hickling Broad U3A Newsletter July/August 2017 July Meeting: Picture Postcards - An entertaining source of local history Well known speaker and presenter Peter Lawrence brought history alive with his talk inspired by vintage picture postcards. Peter took us on a journey through time and social history. He began his collection in the 1980’s. Peter told us interesting facts about the history of royal mail and photography and printing industry. Did you know that Queen Victoria and Albert were the first royal couple to be photographed for public viewing? Or, that the first Christmas and birthday cards were postcards? Churches most photographed buildings but there was a particular interest in Coaching inns, railway stations and the changing high streets of towns and villages. We saw how methods of transport have changed over the years – including our own Potter Heigham railway which is long disappeared. August/September 2017 at a Glance: 2nd August Walking 2nd August Sailing 7th August Country Dancing 11th August Voices of Hickling 11th August Main Meeting in the Barn 14 August Wildlife Walk 16 August Sailing 16th August Pub Lunches 16th August Sailing 17th August Cycling 21 August BLURR 22 August Gourmet Diggers 25th August Sailing 25th August Art 30th August Sailing 31st August British History 6th September Walking 4th September Country Dancing 6th September Sailing 6th September Bookworms 8th September Voices of Hickling 8th September Main Meeting in the Barn Next Members’ Meeting in the Barn: 11th August at 2.00pm Norwich and Norfolk Association for the Blind Donna Minto will come to talk to us about the amazing work of this local charity. Here she introduces her talk: The Norfolk & Norwich Association for the blind is one of the oldest charities in Norfolk and its mission is to help Norfolk's 20,000 plus people with poor sight remain independent, active and to live fulfilled lives. Sight loss affects all age groups and the Association supports everyone from new born to those over 100 years of age. Last year our community workers made nearly 7,000 separate visits to individuals in their homes and there were over 6,000 visitors to the five equipment centres in Norwich, King's Lynn, Great Yarmouth, Cromer and our Mobile Centre. In Norwich we have a residential home for 37 residents and 20 sheltered flats as well as a volunteer presence in all four hospital eye clinics in the County. We have a busy sports and leisure programme and over 200 active volunteers give generously of their time to deliver these essential aspects of the charity. The Bradbury Activity Centre, located in Norwich and opened by our Patron, Her Majesty The Queen, in 2010 acts as a hub for all that the Association does for Norfolk's visually impaired and blind - whatever the age and wherever they are in the County. The Association receives no state funding of any sort instead relying entirely on legacies, fundraising and donations. All the money raised in Norfolk is spent in Norfolk on our service users. HBU3A Committee Monthly Update We would like to thank everyone for attending our July meeting when Peter Lawrence brought history alive with his presentation "Picture Postcards- An entertaining source of local history." We had an interesting and entertaining afternoon learning many interesting historical facts from what can be seen on old postcards. It was great to see so many people there particularly when our date clashed with the mens semi finals at Wimbledon! We are keen to boost numbers at our walking and cycling groups. Please contact Roy on 01692 598060 for more information. The groups run at an easy pace and they always stop for tea or a swift half somewhere! The committee are very keen to hear of any ideas, suggestions from members about how our U3A is run and how we can continue to develop and grow. You can always talk to us at meetings or email to let us know your thoughts. Julie has got some more kind volunteers for the tea rota, but all help is gratefully received, just let us know at the next meeting if you are happy to pitch in. Most people have already paid their subscriptions for the year, but there are still a couple outstanding, if you think your membership may have expired please contact Andy immediately at [email protected] National office have circulated a survey for members nationwide to complete. We will forward this to you in the next few days. The idea is to show us all how easily a research survey can be done on line nowadays. It is totally confidential and there is no obligation at all to complete it if you don’t want to, but if you do we hope you find it interesting. We look forward to seeing you all at the August meeting when Donna Minto will be telling us all about the work of the Norfolk and Norwich Association for the Blind. From the Interest Group Co-ordinator: Looking forward to seeing all the Group leaders on September 8th at 4pm after the Barn meeting, which is to be our next get together. An Agenda will be sent out in good time. However if there are any issues that it is felt should be discussed please let me know in advance so I can do some ‘homework’ if necessary. Unfortunately there has not been enough interest to warrant setting up a croquet group for this year but I hope we can have another go at raising interest early in the new year. Julie Liggitt Interest Groups: Art 4th Friday (2.00pm-4.00pm) in the Methodist Hall The Art Group meet on the fourth Friday each month from 2 – 4pm at the Methodist Church Hall in Hickling. The next Art group is on Friday, 28 July. If you would like to come along, please do so. You will be made very welcome. There's tea and coffee and sometimes cake or biscuits! Backgammon 1st and 3rd Fridays at the Pleasure Boat Inn (2.00pm-4.00pm) Backgammon is now finished for the season and will restart in the autumn at the end of the sailing season. BLURR – The Camera Group 3rd Monday each month at The Hickling Barn (2.00-4.00pm) This month’s Blurr meeting was held for the first time in the ‘Barn’ and it will continue as our venue from now on. Malcolm English a renowned judge of photographic competitions was our visiting speaker for July and presented a great assortment of pictures for our enjoyment. He explained how they were assessed by other judges and why they were rated as they were. Our members interacted with the speaker and much was discussed and learned. An excellent session. Our monthly topic of 'reflections in water' was well supported and diverse. Early plans for next years Calendar were started. Lots going on and lots to come, the future is looking very positive. Our picture of the month this time is by Alan Sellwood and is of the lovely Broads boat Arabella and her reflection in the staithe. 'Bookworms' Reading Group 1st Wednesday each month (pm) Bookworms meet on the first Wednesday of the month. In July we discussed 'This isn't the Sort of Thing that Happens to a Girl Like You' by Jon McGreggor. Odd sort of book consisting of lots of short stories – some good and some not so good. However, it did provide us with quite a good discussion. There is no Bookworms in August so the group will meet up again on 6 September to discuss 'Dominion' by C J Sansom. Please give me a call if you are interested in taking part. British History 3rd Thursday of each month, 2.00pm For this month's meeting the group went on a visit to Felbrigg hosted by Julie Liggitt. Julie is a tour guide at Felbrigg and, although we had all visited before, her knowledge and stories definitely added an extra level to our knowledge and enjoyment. In addition to touring the house we watched a very informative dvd on how the house was opened up at the start of the season. A very enjoyable day was completed by a visit to the tea rooms. Our next meeting is on 31st August at 2 p.m. when we will be going to Norwich Castle to see a re- enactment of one of the old trials held there (possibly the Downham Market rioters trial). Admission is free and we will meet at the Castle just before 2 p.m. and other U3A members are welcome to join us even if they are not members of the British History group. Please contact Steve Whitby on 01263 721227 if you would like to attend as the Castle would like to know approximate numbers. On September 21st we will return to our normal meeting date - 3rd Thursday of the month at 2 p.m. when Joan Lockhart (who was also a Felbrigg tour guide) will give a further insight into the colourful history of Mad Windham, his life, loves and how he squandered a fortune. Country Dancing 1st Monday each month (pm): Cycling 3rd Thursday each month (am) We all started our July ride at the Horse and Groom in Tunstead (formally the Olive Branch). We have cycled this route before so this time we decided to cycle this route the other way round. We got lost almost straight away, but managed to cycle to Dilham and back. At Honing outside the village hall there was a 1917 German Mortar (picture). The weather held but started to rain just as we got back to the pub for lunch which was very good.