Hickling Broad U3A Newsletter March/April 2016

February Meeting: 60 degrees north - The Shetland Chapter

We had a full house when our own David Hyams - and his lovely assistant Fiona (the Debbie Magee to his Paul Daniels, as he put it) - gave us a great session about their six years in Shetland - certainly on the evidence a great place to live, but not an easy one!

David told us about his battles to grow veg and flowers in extremely adverse conditions - very thin soil, battering winds and sheep in the garden eating whatever they could get at - and despite it all, he managed to get some prizewinners at the local show!

Their house overlooked the sea and they showed us some wonderful sunrises and sunsets.

We learned about “Captain Calamity” (and saw a clip from Martin Clunes’ visit to this real eccentric who has declared independence for his small island off the Shetland mainland: among other things, he claims his kingdom of Forvik is not part of the EU… There’s lots more about this gentleman on Wikipedia (just search for his name if you are interested).

We also learned about the difficulties of getting to and from Shetland - including a hair-raising video of the small plane that serves the islands taking off and saw the ferry that feature in the TV Crime Series “Shetland” recently. (In real life there is very little crime in the Shetlands!)

“Up Helly Aa” is an annual Viking-themed Fire Festival. David and Fiona showed us some incredible images of this winter festival which goes on for a whole night and day in the depths of winter, with amongst much else a half mile long procession of Vikings with flaming torches culminating in the burning of a Viking ship.

We learned about so much - the hard but enjoyable life, the sheep and the ponies, the farming and the weather, the Shetland dancing and even the impact of the arrival of a Tesco store on the island. Next Month at a Glance: 29th February Art

2nd March Walking

2nd March Bookworms

4th March Backgammon

10th March Let's Discuss It

11th March Main Meeting in the Barn

14th March Wildlife Walk

14th March Art

15th March Country Dancing

16th March Pub Lunches

18th March Backgammon

21st March BLURR Photography Group

22nd March Gourmet Diggers

28th March Art

1st April Backgammon

6th April Walking

6th April Bookworms

7th April Cycling

8th April Main Meeting in the Barn

Next Members’ Meeting: Meeting in The Barn: 11th March at 2.00pm Voices of Hickling - an update

This month’s presentation from the “Voices” Project will introduce each of the voices recorded so far and tell us a wee bit about their birth and very early life. We will then briefly hear about the shops of Hickling - there were many, as well as regular tradesmen visiting from Sea Palling and in those days - about some of the games the children played in summer and winter and intriguingly about the strange custom of Jack Valentine’s Night, a truly local affair only occurring in . Finally, we hope to be able to hear about “The Great Fire of Hickling”, which did such damage to cottages in Town Street as well as a bit about the more recent “Great Fire” when the Hall was destroyed just a year or so ago. Interest Groups

Although we are a small U3A we can boast that we have at this moment in time 15 Interest Groups, going from strength to strength.

Please look at the Interest. Boards on display at the Friday main U3A meeting, giving you the date, time and venue of each group.

If you have a particular interest that you might like to share with others (hang gliding,white water rafting, just a suggestion) please speak to me or any of the committee to get the group up and running, It's not difficult.

Interest Group Meetings:

Art Every other Monday (2.00pm-4.00pm) in the Methodist Hall

The Art Group is growing all the time and as we meet at the Methodist Hall in Hickling, there's plenty of room for more!

We next meet on 29 February – 2:00pm – 4:00pm and then on 14 March at the same time. So if you would like an afternoon, sketching or painting, in the company of a friendly bunch of people then please come along and join us. You will be made very welcome.

Backgammon 1st and 3rd Fridays at the Pleasure Boat Inn (2.00pm-4.00pm)

The Backgammon group meet on the 1st and 3rd Friday of the month at the Pleasure Boat Pub 2-4p.m. Backgammon boards are provided. New members welcome - come along and join us. There is no charge: all Glen asks is that you buy a coffee or something stronger.

BLURR – The Camera Group 3rd Monday each month at The Pleasure Boat Inn (2.30-4.30pm)

This month’s challenge was the colour Blue. As ever, members’ contributions were extremely diverse. We had marbles, birds, coloured glass, water, skies, boats, flowers, tractors, toilet buildings and much more.

Martin’s session this month involved a short presentation on how to take good portraits using natural light.

Tips included asking heavier subjects to turn slightly and put one foot forward and as they lean forward their profile flattens out. (“This allows everything to head south.”)

To cancel out double chins focus from slightly above the subject. To minimise facial lines a strategically placed light reflector (white paper, tin foil etc) brightens the area reducing the shadowy lines. The second part involved a practical session with a sitter using a chair beside the window.

The light to one side of the face was obvious. All took pictures and Martin used the white board and kitchen foil to demonstrate his points. A good practical session, enjoyed by all.

It was suggested that the best portrait each of us took could be shown at the next meeting.

The group reiterated their intention to make the following trips - weather permitting. - possibly in April to the HB Nature Reserve and/or in May to the Secret Garden at How Hill. The owls at North Walsham Garden Centre and a boat trip from the Reserve are also on the agenda.

'Bookworms' Reading Group 1st Wednesday each month (pm)

At the next Bookworms meeting on Wednesday, 3 March we will be discussing our February book “The Crossing Place” by Ely Griffiths. This book is set along the coast and mentions lots of familiar places.

In March we will be reading “The Distant Hours” by Kate Morton. If you are interested in joining us, please give me a call.

Country Dancing 3rd Tuesday each month (pm):

This month our enthusiastic group was joined by another new member.

We started with a mini workshop when our instructors, Pamela and Charles, walked us through "The Grand Square" a complex and interesting sequence for 8 dancers. We were all rather surprised and pleased when we achieved the movement without error after only a couple of tries. Things went downhill from there and our usual chaos resumed, the room was full of fun and laughter as we tried to get our heads and feet around "Jamaica", Turpsey Curante", "Helena" and the "Rudetsky Dance".

If you fancy a relaxed afternoon of good company and gentle exercise do join us on the 15th March 2pm at Hickling Barn - no experience is necessary or required! Cycling 1st Thursday each month (am)

The next cycle ride hopefully will be on 3RD MARCH 2016 (weather permitting).

Garden Croquet 4th Wednesday each month, May to October, weather permitting, 2.00pm

Gourmet Diggers 4th Tuesday each month (2.00-4.00pm)

Our Gourmet Diggers meeting was a resounding success with all 15 members participating fully and at times rather noisily, but a really enjoyable afternoon had by all.

March gardening to do jobs were highlighted, and we discussed what members had been busy doing as we have had such a mild winter.

Seed swop and plant cuttings exchanged, a trip to How Hill in the late spring to organise, and our in-group competition to see who can grow the best lily and gladioli with prizes to be won.

As for the Gourmet side Helena and Martin turned out two fantastic dishes concocted from our mystery envelope ingredient surprise.

Helena ‘s Queen’s pud with raspberry, balsamic vinegar and fresh cream topping was given 10/10.

Martin’s Geordie pie was also given 10/10 - he made 3 big ones and all were eaten, so the proof goes to say no more. Well done … We had a special birthday to celebrate with Helena and she was presented with a small gift and a really beautiful card made by Kathy, thankyou…

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 22 March will be at Helena’s house from 2-4pm.

I will be in sunny South Africa so will be thinking of you all ……

Dave and Lauraine will be the Gourmet Chefs for that meeting so enjoy.

Best wishes Brenda, see you in April.

'Let’s Discuss It’ 2nd Thursday each month (pm)

Mike Flett hosted the last discussion group on 11th February, and introduced the subject for the month – “The Monarchy”.

We had a very good and unbiased discussion on the merits and otherwise of having a monarch as “Head of State”, and the various activities and roles the royal family play in both the traditional and, for certain members of the royal family, some more modern attitudes to their duties and lives. However, we welcomed the excellence of the pageantry and style with which we, to the envy of some, conducted important occasions. One of the main themes concluded that we were generally fortunate to have a head of state totally accepting of her duties, almost regardless, and respected throughout a considerable part of the world. In particular we felt it suited our peculiarly British characteristics to have such an almost unique relationship between the British people and the monarchy. We didn’t much like the alternatives to the current system, but we considered how the future might be a challenge for Charles to continue the highest regard in which the Queen is held. On the other hand, and probably after not too many years, William we felt was a modern man, although traditional. We briefly talked about the cost of the “Institution”, noting that unlike so many other states in the world our monarchy is overtly non-political, and whatever the alternative there would always be considerable “maintenance and upkeep” costs and possible political influence.

The next meeting of “Lets Discuss It” is to be hosted by Debbie and Ben Young at their house on 10th March, and the “E.U.” will be the subject. Further details will follow in due course and new members are welcome. Outings No regular day

Ten members visited the Van Dahl shoe factory in on the 18th February it was a pleasure to see all the beautiful coloured leather hides and know that somethings in Britain are still handmade. Enjoyed by all. Our next theatre trip is to see King Charles IIIrd on the 16th March April’s theatre trip is to see the ballet “ Swan Lake” on April 21st 2.30 matinee. If you have put your name down for this could you please bring £23.00 to the next meeting to pay for your ticket? If you wish to go to Pensthorpe Wildlife gardens in July could you put your names down as soon as possible?

Pub Lunches 3rd Wednesday each month

The Crown, Banningham, 17th February

The Crown is located in the village of Banningham just off the North Walsham to Aylsham road. There is a very large area of parking and a children’s garden. The pub itself has been extended and although quite large is divided into smaller areas.

We had heard very good reports of The Crown and we were not disappointed. The staff were all pleasant, helpful and efficient. There was a large selection of both snacks and main meals. Although there was a large group of us (again!!) we were all served together and with hot food. On offer was a large selection of both snacks and main meals. Most of us had not ordered a pudding ahead of the day, but when a “local” member of our group recommended the puddings many of us succumbed! Excellent.

Under our scoring system The Crown featured the highest of all the pubs we have visited so far and consequently, everyone of us said we would re-visit.

Our next lunch will be at 12.15pm on Wednesday 16 March at “The Bridge” in Acle. Please let me know if would like to join us by Monday 14 March - either by email, phone or at the Members’ meeting on Friday 11 March - so I can confirm exact numbers. Hope to see you there Sailing 1st and 3rd Friday each month (am), April to October

Voices of Hickling Meetings as required

Since the group last met with the “Voices” on 5th December we have been working on refining their stories concentrating on the topics that we will be presenting at the HBU3A March meeting. We now have audio reminiscences from 11 “Voices” who tell fascinating stories of events in bygone Hickling. We have identified a further 4 potential interviewees and are trying to arrange dates to interview them. In addition we are producing written transcripts of these audio interviews and are amassing a comprehensive collection of old and new photographs to illustrate presentations and our embryonic website. We intend, in addition to talks and the website, to lodge these recordings with the Norfolk Records Office where they will be available as a learning resource for students and the general public. We have also registered the project, and received encouragement from, the U3A National Research Database. The HBU3A committee have kindly allowed us the raffle proceeds from our March presentation meeting (please buy lots of tickets!) and these will be used to fund the costs of entertaining the “voices” with any surplus going towards a better quality microphone and also for website development associated with the project. All other running costs of the group are, as with the interest groups, funded by the members.

Walking 1st Wednesday each month

For our February outing, 7 of us met up at Winterton.

We walked along country lanes towards the beach and along the sand dunes back towards Winterton, completing a 5 mile walk .

Two others joined us at the pub (Fishermans Inn) where we had a wonderful meal and put the world to rights.

Thank you, John, for the walk.

Next walks:

2nd March: Roy is leading this walk.

Meeting time: 10am at at South Walsham car park ,drive past Fairhaven Garden centre at Pilson Green turn left car park at the end. Distance 6 miles

We will be stopping at the White Horse in Upton for lunch - all welcome. 6th April: David and Fiona are leading this walk along the North Walsham and Dirham Canal - for further details give them a call.

Meeting time 10am at the free Weavers Way car park off Chapel Road, East Ruston. Distance 5.5 miles.

The walk will take us around Broad Fen Lane and back along the canal. There are options to shorten it if it rains.

NB this route can be muddy after rain! if folks want to eat /drink after the walk, the Butchers Arms at East Ruston is about a mile from the car park.

Wildlife Walks 2nd Monday each month, 2.00pm

Storm “Imogen” got in the way last month and the walk was cancelled. We are going to try again this month, meeting at Winterton Car Park at 2.00pm on 14th March for a ramble on the dunes. Next Month’s Meeting in The Barn - 8th April at 2.00pm - Its Museum and Its History

The Museum of celebrates its 21st birthday in 2017.

It is an established part of Stalham Staithe, welcomes around 8,000 visitors annually and brings the story of the Broads alive. However, the Museum had an uncertain start and only survived due to the dedication of its volunteers.

The Curator, Nicola Hems, charts the story of Broadland’s museum and uses the Museum’s collection to illustrate Broadland’s history and introduce some of its characters.

Nicola will be joined by a special guest who will go behind the public face of the Museum and describe what it’s like to volunteer. Useful websites: If you use the trains a lot to get around the country, you may be interested in the “Rail Easy” site which will plan your journey using a process called “split ticketing”: it works on the basis that each leg of a journey is regarded as a separate journey if the ticket price for that leg is cheaper than buying a through ticket. The site comes recommended by Davis Hyams who saved £50 on the price of a journey for him and Fiona from Hoveton and Wroxham to Lincoln. This very easy to use site can be found at http://raileasy.co.uk Our other useful site this month is one that helps you avoid postage charges from Amazon. All orders of £20 or more qualify for free super saver delivery on Amazon UK. If you are spending less than £20, the postage costs can mount up! What this website does is to find a selection of small items that would bring your order up to the magic £20 figure so you can qualify for free delivery. When we tested it, we were offered a wide range of products, some of which we would possibly have bought next time we went shopping anyway. The URL for this site is http://www.supersaverdeliverytool.com

If you know of or have a favourite useful website that you would like to share, please drop an email to [email protected]