The Digest Edition 106 Autumn 2019

Two of our Gardening group members enjoying the visit to Myddelton House, Enfield. [photo by Jaki Smart]

Notices [Please note that some of these roles have changed since the September AGM] Co-ordinators’ Day … (by invitation) U3A DACORUM COMMITTEE MEMBERS Thursday 3rd October 10.00am (for members) - and their responsibilities

at Berkhamsted Civic Centre Telephone numbers are prefixed by 01442 unless otherwise stated

Your Committee will be there and coordinators will as usual have the opportunity to ask questions. Tina Howard (Chair) email: [email protected] tel: 248333 Invitations will be sent out in September Laura Rouse (Vice Chair/Diversity) email: [email protected] but please cancel your group meetings for the day tel: 380632 Michael Sapsard (Secretary) email: [email protected] so that you can attend – or send a representative. tel: 212368 Lesley Drake (Treasurer) email: [email protected] Julia Maddox will again be providing the lunch catering. tel: 863041 Alan Osborn (Groups Liaison) email: [email protected] tel: 873025 (Membership Sec) [Vacancy] email: [email protected] Payment to Members There appears to be some uncertainty regarding payment to speakers Barbara Egglesfield (Digest Editor) email: [email protected] and leaders. All U3As agree to follow the three guiding principles set tel: 828539 up by the Third Age Trust nearly 40 years ago. Judith Murdock (Hall Bookings) email: [email protected] tel: 268517 There is a good explanation of these by Ian McCannah in the Summer Jenny Thirlwell (Speakers) email: [email protected] edition of the Third Age News page 35. I have copied the third tel: 831491 Principle below: Terry Thirlwell (WebAdmin/Equipment) email: [email protected] Principle No 3: The mutual aid principle. Each U3A operates tel: 831491 independently, but is expected to follow this principle which means Chris Watson email: [email protected] that a member of any U3A cannot charge or receive payment for a tel: 261546 service given to any U3A (including their own), be it giving a talk to a Tim Thompson email: timothythompson033@gmail group or monthly meeting or acting as a tutor for a group. U3A Dacorum has always followed this important principle.

If you have queries on this we will try to answer them – email me : [email protected] Non-Voting posts

Minutes Secretary: Lorna Grimes email: [email protected] Book Examiner: Jane M E Seymour U3A Dacorum is supported by Dacorum Borough Council Members of U3A Dacorum are welcome to contact any Committee Member with

PRESIDENT: the Mayor of the Borough of Dacorum suggestions, ideas, and complaints, or for advice on matters relating to U3A activities.

(Councillor Terry Douris) Visit us at www.u3adacorum.co.uk Registered Charity 1012612

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224 Table Tennis 2 Mark Chapman 07946 714039 Oct 9, 23 Adeyfield Community Centre, HH [email protected] Nov 13, 27 2nd/4th Wednesdays, 2.00-4.00 Dec 11 005 Tea Dance Mike Sapsard 212368 alt Tuesdays SS Mary & Joseph's Parish Centre [email protected] 2.00-4.00 Notices 2 St John's Rd, Boxmoor Beginning September 3rd Tina’s Musings - from the Chair/ Membership Sec note 181 Ukulele David Northwood 219229 Oct 2 4 Grovehill Community Centre [email protected] Nov 6 Henry Wells Sq, Hemel 1st Weds 9.30-12.00 Dec 4 Editorial 5

192 Ukulele 2 John Gardener 234196 Dates flexible Monthly Meetings - Refreshment rota and Speakers 6 & 7 Various locations; please contact [email protected] Secretary’s Notes - Just a Sec 220 Urban Sketchers Peter Morgan 259358 2nd/ 4th Tues 8 Various [email protected] 10.00-12.00 Group Reports 9-16 050 Shorter Walking (A & B) Liz Eastham 380539 A: 2nd Thurs Group News 2, 16, Thursdays monthly at 10.00 [email protected] B: 3rd Thurs [email protected] 22, 34 Photographs 099 Walking Hilary & Peter Bushill 257899 4thTuesdays 17-20 [email protected] 9.30am A U3A Summer School experience: Jennetta Starling 21-22 091 Whist Jean Hunter 248498 1st Sundays 20 Clinton End, Leverstock Green [email protected] 2.00-4.00 Benefits: TV licences; River Cruises 23 204 Wild Flower Study Jenny Dickson 267887 1st/3rd/4th Outdoors April to October [email protected] Weds Creative pages 24-26 Various venues Indoors Nov, Feb, and March 10.00-12.30 Group Diaries 27-34 078 Wine Appreciation Tony Pye 249089 First Fridays St John's Church Hall, Boxmoor 2.30-4.30 U3A Dacorum Committee contact details 35 195 Writing: Testing the Waters Marjorie Lazaro 769901 Thursdays The Smoke House, Middle Road [email protected] 10.00-12.00 Berkhamsted 3-weekly

Front cover:

by Fred Palfery

Grants to Groups Financial grants are still available from the Committee (via Alan) to provide The Digest is published quarterly in March, June, September and December specialised books dvds etc., for the benefit of a group, for leaders to attend Publisher: U3A Dacorum email: [email protected] an appropriate course, or to hire of a hall for a normally home meeting. The application process is not complicated and is set out in the Editor: Barbara Egglesfield email: [email protected] Coordinators’ Handbook pages 27-29. 5 Wigginton Bottom, Wigginton, Tring HP23 6HN Alan Osborn: [email protected] Printers: The Print Centre, Unit C, Northbridge Road, Berkhamsted

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182 Reading Jill Heller 876390 2nd Fridays - from the Chair Tina’s Musings The Smoke House, Middle Road, Berk’d [email protected] 10.00-12.30 We are now almost half way through the year 2019, having had heat-wave and torrential rain, gales and hailstones. Nights are getting dark earlier and 052 Religions Irene Turtle 01923 260313 Oct 31 St John's Hall, Boxmoor [email protected] Nov 28 lights switched on earlier and our minds (and those of grandchildren) turn last Thursdays, 2.00-4.00 Dec NM to the dreaded word ‘Christmas’ which is heard earlier and earlier each 213 Rug Makers Jane Campbell 403085 2nd Tues year. The manager of the stationery shop informed me that back-to-school 256 Windmill Rd, Boxmoor [email protected] 2.00-4.00 sale equipment was delivered on 15th June, before schools finished for the summer, and the first Christmas cards were delivered on July 1st. I ask 084 Russian Yan Christensen 873604 Every Thurs 9 Briar Way, Berkhamsted [email protected] 10.00 myself has the world gone absolutely mad? Where is the fun of expectation? It’s no wonder that we often refer to the fact that ‘it wasn’t 165 Science & Technology David Eastham 380539 Oct 30 like this in my day‘, but in the true philosophy of the U3A we retain our St Joseph's Hall [email protected] Nov 27 Horsecroft Road, Boxmoor Last Weds 2.00-4.00 (NM Dec) Dec NM enthusiasm for new experiences, new friends and new learning. Great truths are reflected in old verses whose authors are long forgotten - 055 Scrabble (Sunday) Judy Baldwin 211289 2nd Sundays such as this: 31 Washington Avenue, Hemel [email protected] 2.00-6.00 Count your garden by the flowers 185 Sewing Bee Rowena Hirji 264838 Oct Guide Headquarters, [email protected] Nov Never by the leaves that fall; Queensway, Hemel alt Tuesdays 10.00-12.00 Dec Count your days by golden hours 056 Shakespeare: from Pam Langdon-Pratt 243054 Oct 9, 23 Page to Stage [email protected] Nov 13, 27 Don’t remember the clouds at all. St John's Hall, Boxmoor 2nd/4th Weds 10.00-12.00 Dec 11 Count your nights by stars, not shadows, 186 Short Day Trips Lionel Howard 266011 … in Winter Various locations and dates [email protected] Digest Count your years with smiles not tears, More for 2020 ... Count your blessings not your troubles 189 Sign Language Laura Rouse 380632 2nd Thurs Gadebridge Community Centre, HH [email protected] 4th Fridays, Count your age by friends not years. NB November will be 5th Friday 1.30-3.30

Remember when raising a teenager was like nailing jelly to a tree? But 158 Snooker Ron Pearce 233947 ‘Raging Ball’ - growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional and wrinkles don’t hurt - Unit 8, Verulam Industrial Estate [email protected] Every Weds these sayings are expressive of experience - how about writing about your 224 London Rd, St Albans 10.00-12.00 own experiences? 187 Spanish with Fun Ana Parkinson 862403 Oct 2, 16 Northchurch Social Centre [email protected] Nov 6, 20 Tina Howard Bell Lane, Northchurch 1st/3rd Weds 2.00-4.00 Dec 4, 18

221 Swimming Moira Brook 07731697161 3rd Fridays ++++++++++++++++++++++++ Watford Leisure Centre, [email protected] 2.45-4.30 Horseshoe Lane, Garston Membership Secretary 226 Swimming (Berkhamsted) Pamela Stonebrook Tues 7.00am Leisure Centre, Lagley Meadow, 07807 031749 Thurs 1.00pm Judy’s reign has come to an end, and there is likely to be a new Douglas Gardens, Berkhamsted [email protected] Membership Secretary by the time you receive this Digest. However, Judy 217 Table Tennis 1 Sarah Glennie 07585 116411 Oct 2, 16 will still be around to help with any photocopying that groups need. Adeyfield Community Centre, HH [email protected] Nov 6, 20 Contact her on [email protected]. [please contact to ascertain space] 1st/3rd Wednesdays, 2.00-4.00 Dec 4, 18

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067 Opera (Introduction to) Maggie Moore 07973 195426 3rd Fridays Bovingdon [email protected] 2.00-4.00 Editorial

075 Out with Friends Debbie Sargeant 462964 1st Fridays There are several ‘creative writing’ pieces in this Digest. St Johns Hall, Boxmoor [email protected] 10.00-12.00 Nowadays I receive more than can be accommodated in a 036 Painting for Pleasure Sue Bloch 268586 Oct 2, 16 current Digest, so if you have sent in something, and Adeyfield Community Centre, [email protected] Nov 6, 20 haven’t yet seen it in print, it’s most likely in my folder labelled ‘for future Queens Square, Hemel Dec 4, 18 3rd Wednesdays 10.00-12.00 use’ and may eventually appear in the Digest. I already have at least two 196 Painting for You Veronica Stuart 250906 Last Fridays scheduled for the Winter Digest. Warners End Community Centre [email protected] 1.30-4.00 Northridge Way, HH On the other hand, there seem to be fewer reports from groups, although this time there are some from groups who haven’t written in for a while, 209 Painting Unlimited Diana Knapp 405399 Oct 11, 25 Methodist Church Hall [email protected] Nov 8, 22 which is good, and makes a change from those that sometimes seem a bit Northridge Way, Hemel Fridays fortnightly 10.00-12.00 Dec 6, 20 repetetive. 040 Patchwork Sylvia Ingleby 261414 Oct 2, 16 Guide HQ, Queensway, Hemel [email protected] Nov 6, 20 Following the recent AGM, details of our new Committee members are on 1st/3rd Weds 10.00-12.00 Dec 4, 18 the back page of this Digest - one or two new names. Welcome to them all. 045 Pencil Drawing Jean Houston 247312 Oct 2 Adeyfield Community Centre, HH [email protected] Nov 6 Barbara Egglesfeld 1st Wednesdays 10.00-12.00 [New members please contact] Dec 4 061 Philosophy Denis Maclure 873124 Oct 8, 22 Deadline for entries in Winter Digest: Quaker Meeting House, [email protected] Nov 5, 19 1 The Alleys, St Mary’s Road, HH Alternate Tuesdays 2.30-4.30 Dec 3, 17 to arrive at the latest by 7th November

041 Play Reading Cathy Ayling 257912 4th Thursdays Please note that my ONLY email address is: The Lounge, Gatecroft [email protected] 7.00-9.00pm Bennetts End, HP3 9NA Barbara Daniels 251640 [email protected]

042 Play Reading Ruth Treves Brown 863268 1st Weds Various locations, Berkhamsted [email protected] 10.00-12.00 Jill Southgate 876128 Copy for the Digest ... 043 Playing Early Music Derek Guyatt 862545 Last Mondays Do YOU have anything to contribute for the next (Winter) Digest - articles, in Berkhamsted [email protected] 2.00-4.00 events, photos, poems, even a short story? Co-ordinators of hall groups 071 Poetry Appreciation Margaret Ainsworth 213788 3rd Weds can send in the next three months (January, February, March) dates at Old Mill House, Piccotts End [email protected] 2.30-4.30 any time - no need to wait for the emailed reminder - please don’t leave it 088 Poetry Writing Audrey Naylor 247230 3rd Mondays until the last minute. Photos should be clear, and not blurred or grainy, 53 Gravel Lane, Boxmoor [email protected] Sep 16th please. (Poetry Reading suspended) … until further notice) 2.00-4.00 Second reminders are no longer sent to co-ordinators who are tardy with 053 Quiz Beth Palfery 258800 Oct 31 their responses; therefore their dates will be omitted! If you’re sending St Joseph's Hall, Horsecroft Rd [email protected] Nov 28 photos or reports, please send these a little bit earlier as it may involve re- Boxmoor Last Thursdays 2.00-4.00 Dec NM arranging pages to fit them; but anyone can send in copy at any time. 167 Railways Jane & Victor Campbell Oct 31 I will normally reply to any email you send. If you don’t receive a reply, Quaker Meeting House, [email protected] 403085 Nov 28 1 The Alleys, St Mary’s Road, HH Last Thursdays 10.00-12.00 Dec NM then I haven’t received it.

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028 Literature B Emma Farquharson 875952 Mondays Monthly Meetings (first Mondays) Various homes in Berkhamsted 3 weekly by arrangement 10.00-12.00 [email protected] Refreshment rota 9.30-12.00 030 Literature Sue Hexter 826440 Oct 14, 28 Albert Room, Victoria Hall Tring [email protected] Nov 11, 25 It is not necessary for the refreshment group We have vacancies! Mondays 11.15-1.15 Dec 9, 23 to stay for the whole time. 083 Literature E Pam Langdon-Pratt 243054 Fridays Felden View, 2 Haywood Drive, Boxmoor [email protected] 10.30-12.30 Please note that in the rota below, there may be inaccuracies in either 031 Local History Bernard Lamb 266737 Oct 8w, 22h the venue, or the matching of the group to the venue St John's Hall, Boxmoor [email protected] Nov 12w 26h which is nearest to their meeting place. h = hall; w = walk, alternately Tues fortnightly 2.00-4.00 Dec NM Refreshment Coordinator: Laura Rouse email: [email protected] 157 Lunch Club: Tuesday1 Jerri McCann 01923 268909 2nd Tuesdays Various venues [email protected] Ring for times

September 2nd Industrial History Boxmoor Playhouse 203 Lunch Club: Tuesday2 Jerri McCann 01923 268909 4th Tuesdays Various venues [email protected] Ring for times October 7th French Conversation Berkhamsted Town Hall 215 Magic John Eaton 254287 alt Fridays Leverstock Green Village Hall, [email protected] 2.00-4.00 Buglass Room November 4th Art History (013) Boxmoor Playhouse 060 Mahjong Jenny Thirlwell 831491 1st/3rd Weds St John's Hall, Boxmoor [email protected] 10.00-12.00 December 2nd Italian Boxmoor Playhouse 216 Meditation for Health Diana Walters 878674 2nd/4thTues 2020 Friends’ Meeting House, [email protected] 1.30-3.00 Italian step 2 Boxmoor Playhouse January 6th 289 High St., Berkhamsted 065 Military History Fred Palfery 258800 Oct 2 February 3rd Guitar Workshop Berkhamsted Town Hall St John's Hall, Boxmoor [email protected] Nov 6 1st Wednesday 10.00-12.00 Barbara Egglesfield 828539 Dec4 March 2nd More Italian Boxmoor Playhouse 025 Money Matters Jan Wheeler Oct 14 St John's Hall, Boxmoor [email protected] Nov 11 Mondays 10.00-12.00 Dec 9 If there are any problems with this schedule, please ring Laura Rouse on 01442 380632 leaving a message if there is no answer. 034 Music Appreciation Mary & Colin Mitchell 874057 Thurs 2.0-4.0 ‘Karen', Meadway, Berk’d [email protected] fortnightly 035 Music Appreciation (Classical) Sue Frost 866596 Oct 3, 17, 31 St Francis' Church Hall [email protected] Nov 14, 28 Committee Meetings: Glenview Road, Boxmoor Thursdays 10.00-12.00 Dec 12

089 Music Miscellany Bob Day 737494 Oct 24 Venue - Box Moor Trust 10 am-12 noon St Francis' Church Hall [email protected] Nov 21 Fridays - 4th October; 1st November; Glenview Road, Boxmoor Thursdays 10.00-12.00 Dec 19 037 Nature Study outdoor meetings Chris Lindsay 243884 Every Tues 29th November; and 3rd January 2020 Meet car park, St John's, Boxmoor [email protected] 10.00-1.30 U3A Members are always welcome to attend - please let the 038 Needlecraft Rowena Hirji 264838 alt Tuesdays Secretary know in advance, simply to arrange enough seats. Third Oak, Little Heath Lane , Potten End [email protected] 10.00-12.00

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051 Genealogy Margaret Fairburn 399097 Oct 21 Monthly Meetings (first Mondays) Carey Baptist Hall, Marlowes, HH [email protected] Nov 18 3rd Mondays 10.00-12.00 Dec NM Speaker secretary: Jenny Thirlwell 021 Geology A Lynn Allen 267525 last Tues These meetings provide a good opportunity for meeting fellow U3A Various locations 10.00-12.00 members as well as listening to various talks - all at a bargain price of £1. 184 Geology B Lynn Allen 267525 3rd Mondays Doors open 9.30. Coffee, tea and biscuits served until 10.20am. Various locations 10.00-12.00 Meetings start at 10.30. 059 German Improvers Heather Al-Jawad 769156 Oct 14, 28 St John's Hall, Boxmoor [email protected] Nov 11, 25 October 7th: Berkhamsted Town Hall Alt Mondays 2.00-4.00 Dec 9, 30 Herts and Essex Air Ambulance Rebecca Lord 066 G.O.A.L. Yan Christensen 873604 Contact Today we will learn of the work of this amazing organisation which aims to Schools in Dacorum/ weekly [email protected] for details save lives, reduce or prevent disability by delivering a first class pre- 168 Guitar Workshop Roy Bride 865349 1st/3rd/5th hospital emergency medical service to the people of Hertfordshire, Essex 5 Oxfield Close, Berkhamsted [email protected] Wed 2.0-4.00 and surrounding areas.

024 Industrial History Arthur Cunningham 265251 3rd Weds November 4th: Boxmoor Playhouse St John's Hall, Boxmoor acunningham@the iet.org 10.00-12.00 Medical Assistance Dogs Sonia Enwright - who hasn't heard of the 095 Italian Lang/Culture Jim & Lorna Grimes 255599 Oct 10, 24 wonderful Medical Assistance Dogs? They are able to detect many types of St John's Hall, Boxmoor [email protected] Nov 14, 28 medical conditions, for example Brittle Diabetes. 2nd/4th Thurs 10.00-12.00 Dec 12 December 2nd: Boxmoor Playhouse Home Grown The intention is 156 Italian, Step 2 Tina Leach 251677 Oct 4,11,18, 25 to ask our own members of the Folk Singing, Ukulele and Belleplates Adeyfield Community Centre, HH [email protected] Nov1,8,15,22,29 Every Friday 2.00-4.00 Dec 6,13, 20 groups to once again entertain us as this really went down well in 2017.

092 More Italian Linda Duckworth 249460 2nd/4th Weds 2020: In members’ homes [email protected] 2.00-4.00 January 6th: Boxmoor Playhouse 188 Japanese Lang/Culture Chris Watson 261546 2nd/4th Thurs The Murderous Butler Paul Heslop Various addresses: check first [email protected] 10.00-12.00 Paul Heslop was born in Dilston, Northumberland and has spent 30 years 026 Jazz Appreciation Bernard Newton 826407 Oct 10 in the Police Force. Starting with Newcastle upon Tyne City Police in 1965, St Francis’ Church Hall [email protected] Nov 7 he transferred to Hertfordshire and was stationed in Rickmansworth, Glenview Road, Boxmoor Thursdays 10.00-12.15 Dec 5 becoming Detective Inspector at Watford in 1987 and retiring in 1995. 175 Knit and Natter Lana Linden 265816 alt Weds This morning we will learn how a butler became ‘the Murderous Butler’.

61 Tile Kiln Lane, HH HP3 8NW [email protected] 2.00-4.00 February 3rd: Berkhamsted Town Hall 198 Knit and Natter 2 Sue Cottrell 262861 Every Thurs Life in a Foundling Hospital Lydia Carmichael The Lounge, 1 Great Palmers, Grovehill, HH [email protected] 2.00-4.00 Lydia was a foundling and spent much of her early life in the Foundling 076 Latin Judy Bentley 248455 1st/3rd Weds Hospital which became Ashlyn’s School in Berkhamsted. Her story is In members’ homes [email protected] 2.30-4.00 fascinating - and horrific too. New members welcome March 2nd: Boxmoor Playhouse 022 Line Dancing Joyce Harkness 398116 1st/3rd Thurs SS Mary & Joseph's Centre, Boxmoor 2.00-3.30 Life in the Library Peter Mussett Today we learn about another life: what goes on behind the scenes in a 027 Literature A Brenda Baynes 865853 Tues 10-12.00 library. The Libraries of the future will certainly be quite different when Various homes in Berkhamsted [email protected] fortnightly they are run by volunteers.

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010 Discussion Genefer Gaballa 248965 Oct 25 Just a Sec … Secretary’s Jottings St John’s Hall, Boxmoor [email protected] Nov 22 4th Fridays 10.00-12.00 Dec NM As I write this – August - we are about to hold our AGM in early September, when some committee members will step down for at least a year because 090 Discussion E Ros Ridout 864243 Usually 4th they have reached their six-year limit and new committee members will Holly House, 6 Barncroft Rd, [email protected] Tuesdays Berkhamsted 2.00-4.30 replace them. I will also be standing again for my second two-year term. So, what if anything, has been achieved over the last two years? 179 English Lang Awareness Jean Starling 399206 2nd Thurs 193 Washington Ave, Hemel H [email protected] 2.00-4.00 The things that immediately spring to mind are: The sound system used at monthly meetings has improved; 081 Exploring London Carol Gissing 01923 266606 Usually The Constitution was slightly changed for obscure technical reasons [no walks Dec/Jan/Feb] [email protected] last Fridays (yawn)!; 197 Exploring Towns/Villages Anne Bousfield 876349 Usually Membership renewals can now be made via bank transfers; Visits by car share [email protected] 3rd Thurs A new website has been created at https://u3adacorum.org. It also 079 Film and Discussion Maureen Pye 249089 2nd Fridays works as https://dacorumu3a.org; St John's Hall, Boxmoor Peter Bennett 2.30-5.00 A Committee Handbook has been produced, and should now be on the 073 Flower Arranging Christine Linton 251986 Oct 10 new website. This should make the mysterious ways of the committee Belmont Road Baptist Church, [email protected] Nov 14 less opaque, including to ourselves!; Hemel 2nd Thursdays 1.30-3.30 Dec 12 A number of groups have closed and been replaced by others, so that 159 Folk Singing Brian Jackson 260047 Oct 9, 23 we bob along at about 120 (or ten dozen in old money); St Joseph's Hall, Horsecroft Road [email protected] Nov 13, 27 Most changes went largely unnoticed. Boxmoor New members welcome 2nd/4th Weds 10.15-12.15 Dec 11 The new website is the most recent change. Someone told me that the ‘Go- 202 French Book Club Lyn Parkyns 255429 Tuesdays to’ impressive feature is the calendar, which shows how many groups are 28 Highclere Drive, Hemel [email protected] 2.30-4.00 active on any one day. I was surprised to see that it is about ten per day Irregular: every two months rising to about fifteen. If you look around it, you can see what happens by 014 French Conversation Bill Gleig 822562 alternate Tues venue, or categories such as Literature or Arts and Crafts; there are maps 5 The Beeches, Tring [email protected] 10.00-12.00 showing where the group venues are; you can send emails to most 214 French Conversation (Adv) Bernadette Streater 866898 1st & 3rd Tues coordinators (aka group leaders) by using the menu to go to What’s On? > Members’ homes in HH [email protected] 10.15-12.00 Groups and selecting the group you are interested in; and to any committee 015 French & Fun A Judy Baldwin 211289 Oct 8, 22 member by going to the Contacts page. 31 Washington Ave, Hemel [email protected] Nov 5, 19 I found that using Group News emails and writing small pieces in the Digest alt Tuesdays 10.00-12.00 Dec 3, 17 helped double the numbers attending Tea Dance. In addition to these 015 French & Fun C Judy Baldwin 211289 Oct 9, 23 methods, there are two new ways in which coordinators can take advantage 31 Washington Ave, Hemel [email protected] Nov 6, 20 of features on the new website: a static page is available for anyone who alt Wednesdays 10.00-12.00 Dec 4, 18 provides suitable material - photos or graphics - to explain what their group 016 Garden Appreciation Anita Russell 258119 Wednesdays does; and they can use the site for blogging or posting about their group, Various locations and times and receive comments. 017 Gardening A Patricia Beaton 384821 3rd Thursdays Currently, the hands-on work on the website is done by two people, so if Berkhamsted Various locations [email protected] times variable you would like to help with updating and moderating pages and posts or 018 Gardening (Hemel) linphillips@btinternet .com 2nd Thurs wish to let people know more about your group, then email: Various locations Mary Wilkinson 253083 2.00 [email protected]. 019 Genealogy (Berkhamsted) Susan Hood 863311 2nd Mondays Mike Sapsard RC Church Meeting Room, Park St. [email protected] 2.00-4.00

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006 Bowls Paul Mackness 01296 662231 May to Sept Berkhamsted Bowls Club [email protected] 2.00-4.00 Group reports Brief summaries of recent and/or forthcoming activities from some of our groups. 183 Bus Trippers Jane & Victor Campbell 2nd Weds Various dates/locations 403085 [email protected] Full listing and contact details of all our Dacorum groups begins on page 27.

007 Calligraphy Diana Knapp 405399 Oct 14, 28 Village Hall, Buglass Room [email protected] Nov 11, 25 Armchair Traveller John Clarke Leverstock Green Mondays 1.00-3.00 Dec 9 In May we travelled to the Caribbean visiting Cuba, starting in Havana where we spent two days wandering the streets of the old town and visiting 048 Card Making Catherine Lindsay 243884 1st Tuesdays 15 Sundew Road, Hemel [email protected] 10.00-12.00 museums. We headed west to Vinales to see interesting countryside, after two nights returned to Havana and continued traveling east. Our next stop 177 Card Making 2 Lesley Drake 863041 Oct 18 was Santa Clara where we spent time at Che Guevara’s Monument, then on to Quaker Meeting House [email protected] Nov 15 289 High St, Berkhamsted 3rd Fridays 10.00-12.00 Dec 20 Cienfuegos a nice coastal town on the Caribbean. Continuing west we stayed two nights in Trinidad, a world heritage site since 225 Chaucer & the Middle Ages Pam Langdon-Pratt 243054 1st Weds 2 Haywood Drive, Boxmoor [email protected] NEW GROUP 10.30-12.30 1988. Again we strolled the streets of the old town and visited museums. Next stop Camaguey for one night before heading off to Santiago de Cuba and the 011 Circle Dance Sue Bloch 268586 Oct 2, 16 Maestra Mountains. We concluded our trip to Cuba with a well-deserved rest Carey Baptist Hall, Marlowes HH [email protected] Nov 6, 20 1st/3rd Wednesdays 2.00-3.30 Dec 18 at a beach resort on the Atlantic Ocean. Norman Dugard took us to Marrakesh in Morocco in June. 219 Computer Programming Mike Sapsard Alt Tues Gadebridge Community Centre [email protected] 10.00-12.00 He stayed in a ‘riad’, a townhouse with an enclosed courtyard, in the centre of the old city. From this central 069 Computer Support Terry Thirlwell 831491 Last Fridays location he explored the many souks and mosques. St Joseph's Hall [email protected] 2.00-4.30 A night visit to Jemaa el-Fnaa, the main square, is a must. Horsecroft Rd, Boxmoor [not Aug or Dec] The square comes to life with many stalls selling street 171 Craft Sue Cottrell 262861 2nd Fridays food and while you eat why not take in the entertainment The Lounge,1 Great Palmers, Grovehill, HH [email protected] 2.00-4.00 as well, fortune tellers, musicians, acrobats and the water 077 Creative Writing A Nick Hexter 826440 1st Fridays sellers with their brass cups and pouches of water. Various homes - to be advised [email protected] 1.30-4.30 Norman spent a day exploring the Atlas Mountains on a guided trip, then 080 Creative Writing B Kay Reid 211987 Thurs 3-weekly headed for the coast for a week on the beach at Essouria on the Atlantic 20 Wrensfield, Hemel [email protected] 2.00-4.00 coast before returning to Marrakesh for his flight home. 082 Creative Writing J Janet Goacher 874633 3rd Thurs In July we returned to Cuba with a talk on its history, from its discovery by Sacred Heart Church Hall, [email protected] 1.00-3.00 Columbus in 1492 through several revolutions to the present day. As we Park St, Berkhamsted travelled through time we visited many historic sites and museums that 210 Creative Writing 6 Jean Starling 399206 3-weekly Tues tourists can visit today. 193 Washington Ave, Hemel H [email protected] 1.30-4.00 Art Club Ken Russell 046 Cribbage & Scrabble Jill Payne 398300 Oct 14, 28 We are a small club meeting fortnightly on Friday mornings at Gadebridge Adeyfield Community Centre, HH [email protected] Nov 11, 25 2nd/4th Mons 2.00-4.00 *different! *Dec 9, 16 Community Centre. The members have various levels of ability from some who are outstanding in their work, down to me who can just about put paint 064 Cycling Peter Hamson 245308 1st Thurs Various locations [email protected] 10.00 start on paper. We do have several vacancies so if you are interested why not contact Ken (07973578199) (details in back of Digest) or pop along to see for 086 Digital Photography Terry Thirlwell 831491 1st Thurs St John’s Hall, Boxmoor [email protected] 10.00-12.00 yourself. At present, we do not give instruction but are considering doing so

for those who wish enhance their understanding and ability of art work.

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Art Workshops Peter Morgan Group Diaries The workshops, mainly aimed at beginners and near beginners, held at the beginning of the year were so successful that they are being repeated - on If you wish to attend a group for the first time, or if anything is unclear, please make eight consecutive Thursday mornings starting in October. Within a few hours contact with the person listed to express your interest, find out how it works, and also whether there is space. all 18 places had been snatched up - with a waiting list. Consideration is being given for holding more workshops in a different format. Watch your All phone numbers are prefixed 01442 unless otherwise stated NM = no meeting emails for an announcement. 003 Antiques and Collectables Barbara Middlestorb 215507 Oct 17 Belleplates Dorothy Ingram St John's Church Hall, Boxmoor [email protected] Nov 21 Our group is still thriving after nearly 18 years and we meet twice monthly 3rd Thursdays 10.00-12.00 Dec 19 to practice. To enjoy the group and to make 085 Armchair Traveller John Clarke 256327 Oct 15 music is our aim. Sometimes we give a short St John's Church Hall, Boxmoor [email protected] Nov 19 concert to charitable groups around the area 3rd Tuesdays 2.00-4.00 Dec NM and these seem to be enjoyed. We could not 039 Art Club Ken Russell 393359 Oct 4, 18 keep going if there was no interest from our Gadebridge Community Centre, [email protected] Nov 1, 15, 29 U3A members, so new players would be Galley Hill, Hemel alt Fridays 10.00-1200 Dec 13 welcome. 013 Art History Pam Langdon-Pratt 243054 Oct 8 To be in the group, some musical knowledge is useful but on the whole, not St John’s Church Hall, Boxmoor [email protected] Nov 12 many of us can claim this; we like making music together even if we aren’t 2nd Tuesdays 2.00-4.00 Dec 10 musicians. The main necessity is to be able to count 1,2,3 or 1,2,3,4 and to 166 Art History Valerie Standing 866597 Oct 28 have a sense of rhythm to keep in time. Friends Meeting House [email protected] Nov 25 You do not have to be able to read music - each person has two notes only, 289 High Street, Berkhamsted 4th Mondays 2.15-4.00 Dec NM say a G and an A, and the music is written with the symbols of your note 222 Art Workshops Peter Morgan 259358 10.00-12.00 (say G and A) and you use your Belleplate when you see your note written Gadebridge Community Centre [email protected] Every Thurs on the paper before you. Rossgate, Hemel Starting 3rd October - 8 sessions. (Fully booked) A pleasant-sounding tune results as we are told by the people in the church 223 Arts/Crafts/Skills (Berk’sted) Susan Woodhams 769682 2nd Mondays where we practice. They have even asked us to perform at the Christmas Northchurch Social Centre [email protected] 10.00-12.00 function after hearing us. Bell Lane, Northchurch So why don’t you come along to see what we do. Try something different 190 Practical Astronomy Roger Witts 242356 Oct 7 especially those who feel they couldn’t make a choir. Contact details in St Joseph's Hall, Horsecroft Road [email protected] Nov 4 Diary. Boxmoor 1st Mondays 2.00-4.00 Dec 2

062 Belle Plates Dorothy Ingham 259747 Oct 11, 25 Bus Trippers – a Day of Adventures Jane Campbell Church of the Resurrection [email protected] Nov 8, 22 Wanting to be at Highgate Cemetery for the 11.30 tour we had booked, we Grovehill, Hemel Twice monthly Fridays 2.00-3.30 Dec TBA decided to travel into London by train. We met in good time for the first off- 070 Board Games 1 Laura Rouse 380632 1st Fridays peak train and queued for tickets. This became a saga as we were sold the Sacred Heart Church, Park Street, [email protected] 2.00-4.00 same ticket at two different prices; eventually solved that problem, then Berkhamsted Lesley Kazer 460635 went up to the platform where one of the group 212 Board Games 2 Lesley Kazer 460635 3rd Fridays realised that her ticket was only to Watford; Guide Headquarters, Queensway, [email protected] 2.15-4.15 rushed down again, pushed to the front of the Hemel Laura Rouse 380632 (not Dec) now irate queue, sorted ticket and back upstairs 029 Book Group Doreen Fletcher 251753 alt Mondays to find that the train was delayed. St John's Church Hall, Boxmoor [email protected] 10.00-12.00

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Creative Writing 6 - The assignment was to make a ‘boring' event i.e. Train arrived and there were sufficient seats - what a surprise! Met a chatty a traffic jam, a bus journey, alive and interesting by good writing. conductor who asked where we were heading and what group we were, then wished us well as part of his announcement as we approached Euston. Bus Journey ... Relieved to be well on our way we headed to Bus stop C as directed only to There didn’t seem to be many people waiting for the bus today, find that, due to a burst water main, buses were unable to use the bus but when boarding time came passengers appeared from station. Off we trotted to the nearest stop (British Library) and luckily caught everywhere. I spotted an empty seat by the emergency exit, a bus quite quickly. afording more room for my long legs. The man sitting by the Arriving at Archway we easily found the bus stop we needed as we watched window didn't seem to want to share, mumbling he’d move and the bus we wanted pulling away from it. started getting up, but when I told him it looked like being a Five minutes later the next one pulled up but was running so late it was going full bus as somebody had been turned away, he sat back no further; worried, I rang the cemetery but the number was unobtainable (I down. The young lady who had not been allowed to board came later found out the one on the documentation I had was misprinted). Finally the bus arrived, quite full, so most of our group was standing when I on at the very last minute, but had to squeeze into one of the noticed that one of the priority seats was in use by a young women who had smaller seats at the very back. her dog sitting beside her. I asked her to allow me to sit and she became We left on time and the journey was smooth. I chatted for a quite angry – telling a friend on the phone that a rude old woman had made while to the lady on the other side of the aisle who was her move her dog who was now squashed on her lap. travelling home with her two daughters. She told me they With 10 minutes to spare we alighted for a quick walk through delightful usually caught the train but this weekend there were Waterlow Park. At the cemetery we were met engineering works being carried out and it would have meant by really helpful staff who allowed time for a two difcult changes for them, so they decided the bus was the comfort break before we started our tour of the Victorian West Cemetery. The tour takes over easier option. It looked like others must have done the an hour and is well worth the effort. The café in same. Just my luck, I thought, the one occasion I travelled this Lauderdale house is an excellent watering hole way circumstances meant the bus was packed. and close to all the bus stops. Our tickets allow The bus started of from Victoria in London, travelling north us to revisit the East Cemetery again for a towards Hemel Hempstead. As we left the city, even though we month so some of us are planning another visit soon. This time there will be were on a motorway, when the surrounding area becomes no time pressure so we can use the Green Line to Brent Cross and a bus from there and hopefully everything will run smoothly greener and more natural I fnd it induces a calming efect. However this was soon interrupted by the worrying Calligraphy Diana Knapp hissing sound coming from the rear left of the bus whenever This year the group produced, for their annual entry into the local Art and the driver applied the brakes. craft exhibition, a collage of items loosely linked to 'House and Home'. Several passengers put coats and bags on the overhead rack. I These items hang in the village hall, and give other hall hirers something to smile about, as we never take our subject too seriously, but they are always watched as a few of these items worked their way towards the produced with care and enjoyment. edge and, despite one coat dangling a sleeve, the people underneath paid no attention until it landed on them. I was Exploring London Carol Gissing quite disappointed that a bag which was also precariously As the saying goes ‘be careful what you wish for’ and, wishing for good close to the edge never quite made the leap. weather for our walks, we did not anticipate the heat experienced during our July walk but, undaunted, we explored Kentish Town led by Sue Miller. Our In the end, despite the hissing brake and overhead hazards, we eyes were opened to the many hidden gems in this once-Victorian suburb. arrived safely and on time. Ros Hammond

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Earlier in the year a much greener May walk was led by Ken Livermore around Regent’s Park, where we saw only a fraction of the Park but learned much of its history. June saw us exploring Highgate, frequented by many THE MOBILE PHONE famous authors and poets such as Charles Dickens, A E Houseman, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, John Betjeman and William Wordsworth. Denis Kelly She is a beautiful young mother, pointed out these and many other famous people who had enjoyed visiting Slender, with the regulation torn jeans Highgate, some of whom had stayed longer than intended in the famous Of this early millennium. Cemetery. Absently, with supple arm She negotiates a pushchair onto the bus, Flower Arranging Christine Linton Head sideways to clamp the phone Members of the group took part in the Flower Festival at St John’s Church, Betwixt cheek and shoulder, Boxmoor on the weekend commencing Friday 7th June. The title was ‘A Year So as not to lose a crumb in Flowers’ and our display of ‘Easter Bonnets’ was designed by our co- While she fshes in her pocket for the fare ordinator, Irene Forward. A number of our members were involved creating And smiles one word to the driver. hats, handbags, shoes, a large Easter egg and many other floral items. The child faces the passengers down the bus, The group has been running for quite a few years and our members become A girl with huge enquiring eyes more and more adept at designing and creating arrangements to the given That drink us in. title each month. An afternoon with friends and flowers is indeed relaxing Her mother keeps on talking. and enjoyable. Old women coo and smile, The venue is changing in September (to Belmont Road Baptist Church) due One pulls amusing faces. to a parking problem and we are currently at the maximum number of I wave. We have to. members that we can take. However, we would be happy to start a waiting The mother dangles a hand over the pram's hood list should anyone wish to join us when space becomes available. And keeps on talking. Gardening (Hemel) Mary Wilkinson That infant delight in window-gazing, This year we have had a very varied programme of visits. We have been to At cows a-munching, Kew where we saw Dale Chihuli's amazing Autumn leaves, a sheep, police sirens, glass sculptures among the beautifully Smoke and boys on bicycles maintained floral gardens, also to council Is never tenderly abetted. run gardens in Watford and those kept well And as after half an hour by trusts or ‘Friends’ in Hemel and Bushey. The lovely mother adeptly steers Members of the group asked to plan visits The buggy of the bus and strides away, to each others’ plots so we have been Still she gaily chatters. privileged to see some lovely examples of Perhaps, when she is dying, their hard work. Her daughter, well-tutored, Will droop a languid hand Latin Judy Bentley To sense when breath shall cease Our numbers have dwindled recently owing to ill health and people moving And fll the tedious wait away, so we would welcome new members. We are a friendly group who In phone-talk of important things. meet in my home, usually on the first and third Wednesday of the month. We can accommodate anyone who is interested, whether they be a complete Janet Goldfnch beginner or are more advanced: our teacher is very patient with us! Details in the Diary.

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From Audrey Naylor (Poetry Writng group) Local History Bernard Lamb Over the summer the group has been exploring the history of Chipperfield. Our exercise was to include as many of the following words as possible in This project will continue into the autumn. We a poem: dribbling / capacity / correct / match / fxated / hardworking / are very much indebted to local resident Mary labelled / build / mental / populaton … Nobbs who has collected a vast amount of information about the village. We were Afer Brexit ... fortunate to be able to visit the private gardens of two of the historic houses in the village and All UK citzens over 80 years requestng relocaton to France must fll discovered unpublished details of the private in form O>L>D>overeighty. This cannot be done online. life of Henry Irving. We also learnt the origin of the phrase ‘Beyond the pale’. Do you sufer from mental dribbling? The Blackwell family have been associated with the village for many Are you capable of any useful work? generations and the name continues in use today with the café and bar that bears the family name. In 1830 Edmund Crosse and Thomas Blackwell Have you the capacity for correct understanding of things French? borrowed £600 from their families to purchase a provisions merchant and Do you speak French at degree level, GCSE, or under 5 words? Honest created the well-known company of Crosse and Blackwell. answers please. If you would like to discover more about the history of Dacorum then you are most welcome to join us. Does your passport match reality? Meditation for Health & Well Being Diana Walters How slow is your rate of decline? Slowish / quite slow / even slower? The group meets at the Quaker Meeting House in Berkhamsted, fortnightly on Tuesdays. Relaxation and Meditation can support our well-being through Can you build, with 10 wooden blocks, a tower? simple techniques. We would welcome new members ... Are you fxated on non-productve actvites? (eg holidays / watching How we think and feel impacts on our health and well-being, but by TV in the daytme?) learning how to still the mind for a short while enables us to let go of the stress and concerns we carry in our daily life. Meditation allows us to focus How will you beneft the populaton? our awareness on our breath and breathing, a process that plays an What is your bank balance? (over £500,000 is the regulaton). important role in reducing stress and anxiety, lowering blood pressure, increasing concentration and focussing the mind, and developing a calmer How would you wish to be labelled? and more balanced approach to life. A gentle guided process of relaxation, visualisation and meditation Apart from your age, are you further disabled? exercises will be used as an enabling tool towards a healthier way of being. Check all answers are correct. To find out more, please contact me - details are in the Diary.

Please note: Military History Fred Palfery In any year only ten people over 80 will be allowed in – so your Our Summer programme included, in July, author Kathleen Tyson’s second chances are slim. presentation to us, a history of ‘4000 years of Sea Armies’, followed by John Waller with a celebration of Berkhamsted’s ‘Comrades’ football team; Requests with spelling mistakes, poor grammar, scrufy writng, ink this year is the 100th anniversary since the team’s inauguration by soldiers blots, or a tendency to be wity will be automatcally discarded. returning from the Great War. Bonne chance. As I write, we anticipate August’s annual trip with a visit to the Battle of Britain Bunker at Hillingdon, arranged by Tim Thompson.

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In September John McKenzie will describe TV licences for the over-75s The Defeat and Death of General Edward Braddock in the Pennsylvania Woods in From the July U3A National Newsletter - Good News! : 1755. This event, in the early stages of the war with France, has been described The BBC has announced details of the TV Licence fee concession for as one of the most disastrous defeats for those over 75 which will be implemented from June next year. the British in the 18th century. This will be followed by Malcolm Allen with The As a result, from June 2020, any household with someone aged over 75 Battle of the Somme. who receives Pension Credit, will be eligible for a free TV licence funded October brings the return of Richard Coles with Hiroshima and Bob Towell by the BBC. We would really encourage members who are eligible, to apply for pension with the roles of the Herts’ and Beds’ Yeomanries at Arnhem, 1944. credit and the concession. In November, another double bill with Hugh Jenner on The Falklands Conflict and if there is enough time, Fred Palfery will present another ‘True Tale’. You can see details of how to apply here: https://www.gov.uk/pension- In December we look forward to visiting Boxmoor Lodge for our Christmas credit/how-to-claim Lunch preceded at St John’s by the annual quiz prepared by Carole and Chris Coshan and Malcolm Pitt. For advice and eligibility you can go to Age UK https://www.ageuk.org.uk/ information-advice/money-legal/benefits-entitlements/pension-credit/ Music Miscellany Bob Day We are having a great year. Some presenters are producing interesting and much appreciated audio/visual offerings while the CD presentations, restfully allowing inspection of the back of the eyelids, are as varied and enjoyable as ever. Our sociable Thursday mornings complement the Jazz and Classical ones really well. All welcome; come, see & hear!

Railways Jane Campbell River Cruises … … Benefits for your U3A Our group uses the summer meetings to travel to visit heritage railways. This year 14 of us travelled to Bradford by train where we booked into a budget A popular form of holiday these days is a river cruise, appealing to older hotel for three nights. people as the cruise explores parts of Europe, as well as other countries, After checking in we walked to Bradford Cathedral in a leisurely manner. which has been beautifully restored. We were lucky to There are many companies providing these cruises but an advertisement meet a group of needlewomen who were making new in a recent edition of Third Age Matters by one of them, Riviera Travel, kneelers for the altar and one of our group was makes the point that they will pay 10% commission to any local U3A offered the chance to add a few stitches which she providing they are told when booking that the lead name on the was delighted to do. booking form is a member of U3A. They will not consider any bookings Our second day was on the Keighley and Worth Valley retrospectively. railway, a five-mile line run mainly by volunteers. The If any member of U3A Dacorum is considering making a booking with first train of the day was so heavy that the locomotive Riviera Travel please note they will require a ‘commission invoice’ to be had trouble hauling it up the incline from Keighley raised by U3A Dacorum in order for the commission to be paid direct to station but managed it on the second attempt and we us. Our Treasurer (see back page) will be happy to assist in this process. travelled through the wonderful Worth Valley passing Haworth (home of the Brontes) and Oakworth station [This does not in any way endorse the quality of Riviera Travel – just informs you (featured in the film of The Railway Children). that there is a benefit for your U3A, not the members themselves]

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When we arrived, we were told that the Mitre has no loos, so some of We were shown round the engine sheds and workshops and spent time in us had to return to the nearest main building and on our way, also the museum. Then we travelled by bus from the amazing rail/bus Interchange to Bradford warned those who were coming to the flm! The returners from the Industrial Museum, an old mill retaining many of the machines from its Theatre said they had had to concentrate hard on the ‘Plenty’ play. working days, packed with relics of the industry of West Yorkshire and

On Wednesday, in class, I received backhanded praise for my seascape. including many Jowett vehicles, manufactured locally, as well as a steam locomotive, a variety of pumps and an exhibition of hand-made models. The far distant land visible over the horizon was said to be ‘good’. Then: Returning to the Interchange we went our separate ways, to the Media “more by luck than good management”. Then came the moment of Museum, to Saltaire (a world heritage site) and to explore Bradford. After adding the real shells, my piéce de resistance. Only to be told “Collage meeting for a final meal in a local hostelry we prepared to return home, tired is not Art. It is a Craf.” However, I stll stuck to my guns, and the shells but happy. stll stuck to my picture. In July, on the hottest day of the year, we went by bus to Princes Risborough, for a day on the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway, a By Thursday, I had forgiven our tutor Gail for not appreciatng my shells, delightful country railway, and travelled steam-hauled to Chinnor where a and on the last day, helped design a ‘thank you’ card for her. Signed by short walk found us a pub with a shady garden for a long lunch. all, it read, from our hearts, the legend ‘With love and thanks to Gail: Unfortunately the heat was too much for the locomotive and the last train of Your U3A Mixed Media class, Chichester 2019’ which pleased her a lot. the day was cancelled so we had to return earlier than planned. We were further delayed when the bus overheated in Northchurch meaning a by Jenneta Starling thirty minute wait in hot sun for the next one to arrive. Our August outing was to the Vivarail factory in Warwickshire where we saw .,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,..,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,. the work to convert old underground stock for use on the mainline.

New Groups: Science and Technology David Eastham All are welcome to these meetings, and the last quarter's topics brought in Geoffrey Chaucer and the Middle Ages Leader Pam Langdon-Pratt. many people who have never been before. We hope some of you will find Started 4th September 2019. Meeting 1st Wednesdays of each month 10.30 our wide ranging subjects of interest. If you have any queries please contact to 12.30 (may change) at Pam’s home: Felden View, 2 Haywood Drive, one of the co-ordinators. Boxmoor HP3 0SA. Tel: 243054. Oct 30 Norman Parkyns If Hydrogen's the answer, what's the question? Sign Language Possible new (beginners) group starting in November - Nov 27 Sally Bride Progress in computer programming contact Laura for details. Dec No meeting

Swimming (Berkhamsted) Sign Language Laura Rouse This group has now started: meeting at Berkhamsted Leisure Centre, Lagley The group is progressing well and members are supportive of each other. Meadow, Douglas Gardens, Berkhamsted HP4 3QQ, on Tuesday mornings at I have had several enquiries from people wishing to join and I take this 7.00am (!) and Thursday afternoons at 1.00pm. opportunity for apologising to anyone who has not received a reply from me. Contact Leader Pamela Stonebrook. Email: [email protected], or My new grandson and his mother, ie. my daughter, have kept me busy. tel 07807 031749 As there is another grandson expected in September the class will remain the

Table Tennis 2 Sarah reports that “… the numbers attending are still very same at present. good, and lots are playing every week now we have Table Tennis 2 at However, I am hoping to start a beginners’ group in Adeyfield. And we have another table - so it is great to have 4 tables and to November; this will probably be on Wednesdays to begin see 16 playing at a time!” with. The long-term aim will be to combine both groups.

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Shorter Walking Liz Eastham Would you enjoy a U3A Summer School? Despite the wet weather for the first group in June we enjoyed a flat walk around the four lakes from Rickmansworth Aquadrome. This was followed If you enjoy learning, meetng people, fancy, like Virginia Woolf, having a in July by a walk around Batchwood, St Albans, across the golf course and room of your own in which to write, read, study or do your homework - through Hawkswick Farm, a large Pick-your-Own farm. Our August walk took us uphill from Bourne End into the open with lovely views and then in fact all the reasons you joined U3A in the frst place - Summer School down to the peaceful canal. In September we will be walking near might be just the thing for you.

Wendover. All our walks are between 4 and 5 miles; if you are interested If you go, make sure you have, above everything, comfy shoes. in joining us please contact me or Jenny Thirlwell. University campuses have endless amounts of distances to be walked. Urban Sketchers Peter Morgan Try to take on board the route from your Hall of Residence, to the dining The group continues to flourish, sketching twice a month during the summer room, to the room where you are going be taught and also the way back in various locations including the White Bridge in Gadebridge Park, from them. Yes, there are maps. Beter stll, make a friend of someone Dickinsons Quay and the Water Gardens. From October through to April we meet once a month on the 2nd Tuesday mornings at inside locations. New who is good at all this stuf. Especially make sure of the locatons, in members please watch for emails and just turn up. No session fees payable. every building, of the whereabouts of the loos.

On Monday, fve of us from Hemel taking the same ‘mixed media’ class, ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ went in two cars. We did meet one other Hemel lady who was ‘doing’ Group changes: Psychology. She might have chosen Falconry, Maths, Family Research, Dancing or Yoga. We (thirteen in class) had been instructed to bring ‘pre Adult Colouring Cathy has decided to close the Adult Colouring Group due to lack of numbers because: ‘‘Last month there were two of us and -drawn’ pictures, either landscape or seascape and were told we would yesterday I found myself alone. I have been hanging on to give it a chance be ‘adding’ things to our paintng. Unsure what this meant, my thought but feel the time has come to stop”. was that it might be to atach some collage and, to add to my seascape,

Creative Writing A Denis Kelly has relinquished his role (held for a long I took down some real shells and superglue! time) of leader of this group and his place will be taken by Nick Hexter. The U3A Summer School at Chichester University, as well as the ever- (email [email protected]; phone 01442 826440). friendly U3A crowd and frequent, delicious meals has, in Chichester, the Exploring towns and Villages Anne Bousfield has volunteered to take beneft of the Festval Theatre. ----------. On Tuesday, an evening visit to the David Hare play ‘Plenty’ had been arranged and atendees had booked their seats when applying for a

Meditation Diana Walters has decided to close the Meditation group which place at the Summer School. It was an opportunity for lovely evening met on Fridays. The Tuesday group will continue. dresses to be put on, wafing round the campus before departure, on a beautful evening. Some people, even in their light organza skirts made Attendance at your group All Coordinators understand that on occasions the trip to the theatre, across the University grassland on foot. I did not it is not possible to attend a group on a regular basis; after all we have notce what shoes they wore. another life and commitments. However it is very helpful if you can let the Those who stayed behind had the chance to see the flm ‘Mary Queen of group coordinators know as early as possible, so they are aware what to Scots’ in the Mitre theatre on campus. As we already knew, Mary was to expect. Alan Osborn: [email protected] come to a sorrowful end.

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Avro Lancaster bomber seen over Hemel Hempstead commemorating Armed Forces Day,

29 June. by Laura Rouse

‘Peel-back’ design cards made by Card Making2 group after a demonstration by a group member, Susan Baldwin.

Seascape, by Jennetta Starling - for Chichester Summer School. From the Flower Arranging group.

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Some of the Railway group await their bus outside the Industrial Museum.

The Japanese group’s very interesting meeting when our member, Giovanna Stevenson, demonstrated Ikebana, the art of Japanese flower arranging. Then the group all tried their hands at making arrangements themselves.

Sir Keith Park (Air Officer Commanding Syliva No. 11 Group 1940) Ingleby’s welcoming visitors Patchwork to the Battle of group, busy Britain bunker at learning Hillingdon, which the Manx the Military style. History group visited in August.

The finished blocks have made two quilts for us to give to the Linus charity. They are then given to children and adults undergoing treatment in hospital.

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Some of the Railway group await their bus outside the Industrial Museum.

The finished blocks have made two quilts for us to give to the Linus charity. They are then given to children and adults undergoing treatment in hospital.

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Avro Lancaster bomber seen over Hemel Hempstead commemorating Armed Forces Day,

29 June.

by Laura Rouse

‘Peel-back’ design cards made by Card Making2 group after a demonstration by a group member, Susan Baldwin.

Seascape, by Jennetta Starling - for Chichester Summer School. From the Flower Arranging group.

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On Tuesday, an evening visit to the David Hare play ‘Plenty’ had been arranged and atendees had booked their seats when applying for a

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at Berkhamsted Civic Centre Telephone numbers are prefixed by 01442 unless otherwise stated

If you have queries on this we will try to answer them – Digest Editor: Barbara Egglesfield email: [email protected] email me : [email protected] Refreshment Coordinator: Laura Rouse email: [email protected] DataBase Manager: Peter Bushill Minutes Secretary: Lorna Grimes U3A Dacorum is supported by New Members Liaison: Sally Merrison Book Examiner: Jane M E Seymour Dacorum Borough Council Members of U3A Dacorum are welcome to contact any Committee Member with PRESIDENT: the Mayor of the Borough of Dacorum suggestions, ideas, and complaints, or for advice on matters relating to U3A (Councillor Terry Douris)

Registered Charity 1012612 Visit us at www.u3adacorum.org

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The Digest Edition 106 Autumn 2019

Two of our Gardening group members enjoying the visit to Myddelton House, Enfield. [photo by Jaki Smart]