Committee Members: JUNE 2019 Newsletter Chairman: John Smith. Vice Chair: Hazel Adkins Secretary: Joyce Parr Treasurer: Derek Sparkes
Wem & District U3A Group Membership Secretary & Data Controller: Chris Fraser Groups Coordinator: Liz Parish Speaker Coordinator: Enid Smith Other members: Kathy Coombs Audrey Moseley
https://u3asites.org.uk/wem/home
Welcome to our Newsletter Upcoming Events
Summertime is finally here! Is it my favourite season? Hard to Tuesday 4th June General Meeting tell, but I always feel happiest in the summer. As the days Wem Town Hall. ALL ARE WELCOME begin to get longer and the temperatures start to climb, this 10am for 10.30am start season brings with it holidays, relaxing evenings on the patio, weekend trips with friends and family, and enjoying outdoor Guest Speaker Alison Utting activities such as lounging in an English country garden, watching or playing cricket and tennis, and even lighting up ‘Eglantyne Jebb - her life, the barbeque. achievements and links with Shropshire’ I was lucky enough to be brought up abroad, right bedside the Red Sea , and I spent many long sunny hours on the beach Eglantyne, and her sister Dorothy, and swimming in the warm seas. Permanent summer! Happy created Save The Children Days! organisation in 1919. She wrote ‘The Thanks to everyone who has sent me articles and information Declaration of the Rights of the Child’ to include in this edition. Very much appreciated. which was adopted by the League of Nations. Her work changed the lives of There are still, however, many Groups who have not millions. contributed anything to the newsletter as yet. I am sure members of Wem U3A would be interested to hear from the Alison Utting lives in Ellesmere. She is a different Groups about their activities and plans for the rest of member of the LADS drama group and the year, so why not send me something to include, a qualified teacher, with a love of photographs or text about what you will all be getting up to public speaking, theatre and history. over this Summer or plan to do this coming Autumn. I look Alison is working with the Ellesmere forward to hearing from you! Sculpture Initiative who will be publishing research later this year Our next newsletter is due out in October 2019 when the (2019), which will lead to a seasons will have turned again and we will be heading for commissioned art installation in the Winter. So take every opportunity to soak up all that this Creamore Gardens summer has to offer to see you over the coming seasons. In the words of Henry David Thoreau, the American philosopher, August - NB- NO MEETING “One must maintain a little bit of summer, even in the middle of winter.”
Peta Smith, Editor [email protected]
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Important Announcement
[To replace a photo with your own,
Further Upcoming Events
Tuesday 9th September General Meeting Wem Town Hall. ALL ARE WELCOME 10am Tuesday 2nd July for 10.30am start General Meeting Wem Town Hall. ALL ARE WELCOME Guest Speaker 10am for 10.30am start Steve Worral “Operation Sabre” Guest Speaker Steve Worral is a former Assistant Chief Fire Sandra Thomas “William Officer with Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service Morris” who was awarded the British Empire medal in the Queen’s 2018 Birthday Honours List, with the
Sandra will talk to us about award given for humanitarian services in Eastern Europe. He is President of Operation Sabre. the fascinating life of William Morris – designer, artist and Shrewsbury based ‘Operation Sabre’ is a charity craftsman, associated with that was set up to help provide vehicles, the British Arts and Crafts equipment, uniform and training of volunteer movement. Sandra will Romanian firefighters while supporting and include information about redecorating several Romanian orphanages and homes for the elderly and special needs. It also many of his activities and works to preserve and protect its communities interests such as his politics, and heritage from the effects of fire and other printing and poetry. emergencies.
“Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful and believe to be beautiful” was a statement from William Morris we may recognise.
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Wem U3A Groups and Group Leaders
Groups and Group Leaders For details of the groups, meeting Bridge Jan Cuthbert times and venues, planned activities Chess - Paul Young and contact details please see the Computing - Glynis Nicholls Wem and District U3A web page. Craft - Hazel Adkins Cycling - Bob Millington Dog Walking/Strolls - Peter Brown Any information required about Discussion - Daphne Smewing Groups, could you please either Family History - Ralph Tracy / contact the Group leaders directly or Sue Young if you have difficulty in contacting a Films - Julie Bushell group leader please contact Liz French - Sue Bichener Gardening – Hazel Adkins Parish, Groups’ Coordinator, by email German – Clyde Aylin [email protected] Geocaching – Mary Sparkes Literature – Daphne Smewing who will pass on your message. If you Local History (1) - Kath Coombs wish to start a new group or test an Local History (2) - Audrey Moseley activity also contact Liz Parish Mahjong - Ralph Tracy Natural History - Alan Johnson - group currently inactive Most groups meet monthly unless One-off / Bucket list - Clive otherwise specified. Please bear in Smewing Photography - Peter Knight mind that this list is by no means Rummikub - Hazel Adkins definitive, as we are always interested Scrabble - Wendy in forming new groups that are not Gonsalkorale covered elsewhere. Please let us Social Activities - Liz Parish know if your interest area is not Spanish - Derek Farnfield covered and we can ask others if Ukulele - Mike Bendall Walking – Derek Sparkes they would also be interested forming a group around your topic.
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Social Group Notice LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS!
Any one from any group in Wem U3A can join these social activities. If you have an ideas and would like to arrange something for others to enjoy with you, please contact Liz Parish Social Activities Group Leader
An Outline of a Provisional Programme for Social Group Activities 2019
July: Visit to Style Mill. Volunteer needed to co-ordinate
Aug: Bangor on Dee Races. Kathy Coombs. Details will follow
Sept: Football Shrewsbury Town. Volunteer needed to co-ordinate.
Oct: Visit to Hencote Winery. Maggie and Allan Boyle. Details will follow
Nov: Ten Pin Bowling. Volunteer needed to co-ordinate.
Dec: Gathering at ‘The Castle’, Wem. Liz Parish. Details will follow
Members who chose to organise an outing/social/trip will receive help in co-ordinating details if they wish. There is no specific time of the month to hold a social event and there can be more than one a month if people wish to arrange something in a month that has a proposed event.
Please let Liz know if you wish to plan or help to plan something. It may be that several people may wish to get together to organise something...that's fine...and again any help needed only has to be asked for. The purpose of holding these social events is for fun and a chance for people to get together.
Liz is looking forward to hearing from you all!
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GROUP NEWS
Local History Group 2
MEETING IN THE 'COW SHED’!
Our Local History Group had a very interesting and unusual meeting venue this year - in an ' Old 1840's Cow Shed' in Clive. We combined our annual ’ Programme Choice' meeting with an interesting history tour and talk by Dr Jeff Sumbler and his wife Avril, who kindly laid on tea/coffee and snacks for all 20 member, accompanied by the lovely 'Old Woofah’ Katie, and not one but three pussy cats namely Bathsheba, Raphaer, and Oliver - but alas to say minus the cows!
Avril and Jeff have exposed all the original old oak beams of the original cow shed and many other features and incorporated them into a now lovely home.
The cow shed and piggery were once part of The Old Manor House and when standing in the farm yard, now a quiet and peaceful garden, and looking across at the Old Manor House one can almost feel yourself being transported back in time!
The sleepy village of Clive reportedly goes back to Roman times, and the Triassic age. The quarried stone can be seen in many of the houses and walling in Clive and many of the surrounding villages. There are underground tunnels around the village. The Manor House is a late 16th century Elizabethan property, Jeff has very kindly offered to treat us to another of his Shropshire History talks, at Clive Village Hall in February next year, This event is open to all U3A members – do check out our programme on our website and join us for this event.
Everyone very welcome.
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Walking Group Cardington, May 2019
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Local History Group 1
We began the year with a talk by Rod and Ally Owens on Dame Agnes Hunt, a British nurse who is generally recognized as the first orthopedic nurse. In 1933 the Shropshire Orthopaedic Hospital was renamed the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in commemoration to them both after the death of Sir Robert Jones. Robert Jones was an eminent Orthopaedic Surgeon, whom Agnes Hunt met when she consulted him about her own hip condition, and who in 1904 became an honorary surgeon at the convalescent home for children Agnes Hunt had opened in Baschurch in 1900.
In February we learned all about 100 years of RAF Shawbury with a talk by an officer based on the camp. In March and again in April we explored and learned the history of two local churches. We were privileged to hear of the history and characters associated with St. Peter and St. Paul, Wem from Rev. William Price and the Vicar.
At the beginning of May we had a visit to Lea Hall and Pimhill Barn at Harmer Hill which dates back to 1584. Each event was followed by a pub lunch.
We know how to live! Ahead of us is a history trail on Whixall Moss, a guided tour of Weston Park, Ludlow, Montgomery and Oswestry Hillfort. History was never as exciting at school!!
Kathy Coombs Group 1 Coordinator
St Peter and St Paul Church, Wem
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Local History Group 1
Visit to Alberbury
Thanks to Chris Fraser and Julia and Bob Millington for an interesting guided visit to the very pretty village of Alberbury, Shropshire in April. Chris had researched the history of the village and gave us a guided tour. Alberbury castle is in the centre of the village, as is Loton Hall and deer park. The church warden and Vicar provided us with very welcome refreshments of tea, coffee and biscuits as we learned about the history of this building, researched and presented by Julia and Bob.
The visit ended with a lunch at the local Hand and Diamond Inn. A good day had by all!
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CHILDHOOD - A Poem
by Enid Smith
No X Box, iPod, mobile phone, I helped my mum around the home with little jobs like cleaning brass, washing windows or cutting grass. No plasma TV to hypnotise but snakes and ladders, especially if there was a prize!
I helped with baking puds & pies and lovely cakes - a delight to the eyes.
Our Sunday roast transformed for days, to other meals – mum had her ways – to make things stretch that little bit more, remembering still the severities of war.
An onion here, some cabbage there, corned beef hash with beans to share. No space or room for growing veg, but pots of plants on window ledge; with roses growing round the door, a carpet of pansies on the floor; were pretty and brightened up the gloom, the dull grey slabs, black coal shed and freezing outside loo! With newspaper squares hanging from a nail, dodging spiders and the odd slow snail. No 3 ply Andrex to be found, not even that slippy stuff was around.
Making pies from water and mud - in old baking tins, they did look good. My dolls and Teddy all had a taste, not even Mr Potato Head’s share went to waste.
My jumble sales went very well with mum at work down at the mill. A rummage round in all the drawers found soap and scarves and so much more. Cotton hankies, ribbons & lace and a bit of loose powder to whiten your face! My friends came by to spend their cash and sorted through my looted stash.
Then later on when mum came home she’d sent me off, the streets to roam. To return their pennies, recover the goods and “tomorrow you won’t be going down the woods”! No cake or sweets today I’d see - but still she’d cook a delicious tea. Such carefree days when I was young, just playing out in rain or sun. Our simple pleasures filled the day when school was out and we used to play
Why not send in one of your poems or a piece of prose to share with our members?
The Editor
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On behalf of Wem U3A we would like to express how sorry we were to hear of the sad passing of Anne Hannaford in February. Anne was one of the earlier (founder) members of our U3A. She was the original leader of the literature group. She was a fantastic leader, encouraging members of the group to consider things they perhaps hadn't considered previously - writing, poetry, classics, authors not considered before etc. Unfortunately her health issues eventually forced her to give up the leadership of the group, although she did remain an active member while her health allowed.
Anne was also a valued member of the discussion group often suggesting interesting topics for discussion. Anne was an intelligent, gentle, lovely lady and she is sadly missed by the groups she attended.
Daphne Smewing, Wem U3A member.
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Former Professional cartoonist Mike Watson has used his artistic skills to capture a taste of the activities taking place at the U3A where he is a member.
See more at
https://www.u3a.org.uk/about/news-archive/433-u3a-in-cartoons
If you are interested in finding out more about the above groups or require any further information about joining these groups please contact the Group Coordinator Liz Parish, [email protected] who will pass on any enquiries to the group leaders concerned.
Disclaimer The articles in this newsletter are written by our members and are not necessarily the views of the committee or the national U3A
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