U3A NEWSLETTER – JUNE 2021 University of the Third Age Registered Charity No. 1125829

Hello everyone, this is your thirteenth Alternative Newsletter from the Committee, to keep in touch with you while the government eases restrictions.

Chairman’s Blog June 21

Hello again – after a long hard winter that seemed never ending, do we finally see summer on the horizon? Let’s hope so. Currently the covid road map indicates 21st June as the day when restrictions will be lifted, but this is by no means certain at the moment. We are therefore keeping a close eye on things, and trying to plan for this uncertainty. Some Sunnyfield House activities have started under procedures established last year, and bookings at other venues have been made. However, starting at these venues relies on all restrictions being lifted on 21st June. It will then be up to each individual, and each group leader, to decide when they are comfortable to restart activities.

An additional difficulty is that some room hire rates have been increased significantly and, whilst we hope that these prove to be temporary, we will need to increase those session fees thus affected to between £1.50 - £2.00. This is to protect our finances, given that all our members will have received a free year, either last year or this.

Moving on, next month’s newsletter will be the last in this “Alternative” format. The plan is to revert back to the pre-covid arrangement of bi-monthly newsletters, the next one being September which is when many of our groups have expressed a wish to restart.

However, we are still urgently looking for a volunteer to take over the newsletter from Pam who, along with other committee members, will help initially with advice and help in its compilation and distribution. If you are interested, please get in touch with anyone on the committee, and we would be happy to discuss it further. The newsletter has been a great way of keeping people in touch, particularly through these difficult times, and to lose it now would be very sad.

John

If you’d like to raise any points for consideration by the Committee, please send them to the Secretary. If you’ve not tried these activities yet, it’s not too late to start. The Group Coordinators would be pleased to hear from you. You don’t have to be a Group member to try your hand at Flower Arranging, Creative Writing/Poetry, or Tai Chi. No previous experience is necessary, and there’s no commitment to continue if you find you’ve too many other things to do when we get back to ‘normal’.  Flower Arranging Group . The Group’s theme for May is “Roses”. Please consider joining us (without commitment to joining the group longer term). Not least, we really enjoy seeing each other on the screen and having a chat. The next Zoom meeting is at 2pm on 8th June. Please contact Pat for advice or to let her know what you’re doing. And Pam can easily arrange a practice Zoom session in advance, if you wish.

 The Photography Group is very active (not face to face) with members taking photos at home and increasingly further afield or drawing on their archives. In June the theme was ‘Water’, with an amazing array of interpretations including raindrops, reflections, a spider’s web, waterfalls, boats, wildlife and much more. Some of the photos are at the end of this Newsletter for you to enjoy.

Please contact Margaret if you’d like to get involved. If you don’t wish to join the Group at the moment and would like to share a special photo(s), please send them to your Dep. Sub. Ed. for the next Newsletter.

 In addition: Some of the walking groups are active, within government, Ramblers Association and Third Age Trust guidance. Other active groups are: Ancient Greek, Latin for Fun, Res Classicae, Science and Middle Eastern Dancing. Most of the other Group Coordinators are planning to restart in either June or September. So it’s very optimistic!

And please see Tai Chi and Creative Writing/Poetry below.

Summer Update on GU3A Tai Chi Group

We practice both Tai Chi and QiGong. Tai Chi is a system of coordinated body-posture and movement, breathing, and meditation used for the purposes of health. It is rooted in the martial arts. Each Tai Chi Form constitutes a set sequence of movement. Qigong is a much more ancient practice rooted in traditional Chinese Medicine. It is traditionally viewed by the Chinese and throughout Asia as a practice to cultivate and balance Qi (pronounced approximately as "chi"), translated as "life energy".

In our group we, normally, only practice 2 Tai Chi Forms: Yang style 24 and Yang style 10. For our Zoom sessions we only practice the 10 Form because of space issues. Fortunately, for those members who have only attended our Zoom sessions all of the moves in the 10 Form are in the 24 Form. Qigong is much easier to follow as it does not involve sequenced sets. We practice Health Qigong and Shibashi Qigong.

Guisborough U3a Tai Chi Group has had Zoom sessions throughout lockdown and is now transitioning back to practicing in Bow Street Parish Hall, Tuesdays 3-4pm starting in late September (all being well). Until then from the beginning of June onwards we will be reducing our Zoom Tai Chi Session to once a week on Mondays at our usual time of 11:30am.

We are pleased to announce that GU3A has obtained kind permission from the Friends of Gisborough Priory Project to practice our Tai Chi sessions in the Gisborough Priory Grounds throughout the summer of 2021.

Our activity is Covid and weather permitting. As the Covid restrictions stand we will require participants to self-assess that they do not have any Covid symptoms and pre-register with us, providing a means of track and trace. Current Covid rules allow up to 30 people to attend outdoor exercise.

Those who have joined us in previous years at Gisborough Priory will know how their practice experience has been enhanced by the beautiful, spiritual and calm environment there. We look forward to practicing Tai Chi in the beautiful grounds of the Priory and after more than a year of virtual group sessions we look forward to live sessions and seeing everyone face to face again.

Here is hoping for the sun to shine.

Dorothy and John.

Creative Writing/Poetry Groups . John Simmonds invites contributions on the following. Entries may be in handwriting or typed in the style you prefer or your Dep. Sub. Ed. could collect and deliver as part of her daily exercise route.

Gandhi once said : “Every thing around me is changing yet there is underlying change a living power that is changeless. In the midst of death life persists, in the midst of untruth truth persists and in the midst of darkness light.” Have you an experience or story that highlights his comments.?

Gandi's quote resonates with me universal-integrated- as I eat toast and drink tea support-system today, 24th of May, which we listening to so often Start The Week threaten

when they speak thoughtlessly of climate change, selfishly of glaciers economically gradually politically disappearing for we

from our world are ignorant exposing of how micro-ecosystems and why existing beneath most things, each river of ice not man-made, and having a role of which we belong as yet know and work nothing, together in our planet's productively, supportively, intuitively. J.S. 25/5/21

BOULES

We are delighted that Boules can re-start at Saltburn Bowls Club on Thursdays 10-11.30. Karin Slade and Howard Leake of SDU3A have agreed to be joint Group Leaders.

All players on Thursdays will be members of either GU3A or SDU3A – we shall have Membership Renewal Forms available for those who need them at the first session. The fee per session is £2. The first session will be early in June (date to be confirmed).

Let’s hope the sun continues to shine and we have a great start to the new season. Peter

SITUATIONS VACANT: Please get in touch to find out more.

Boules Coordinator: Boules is huge fun, with plenty of leg pull and played in a lovely warm sunny spot at Salturn, next to the Bowling Green. After many years as Coordinator, Peter is standing aside, though still intending to play and happy to advise the new Coordinator. Excursions Team: Two or three Members (or more?) are invited to join Edna as members of the Excursions Team. Everyone knows what super excursions have taken place in the past, taking us all over the region and how much pleasure and enjoyment they’ve brought to so many. Everyone is looking forward to them beginning again, so please join Edna in planning and arranging future events. Needlecraft Projects Coordinator: The current Needlework Group is a ‘self-help’ group and has been very successful for many years, but its success meant it had been full for a long time. When it restarts there will be some vacancies, so please get in touch with the Coordinator if you’d like to join. In discussion with the Coordinator it was agreed there was scope for a second ‘Projects’ based group, because Needlework is such a popular and creative activity. Perhaps you feel you could start a “projects” based Needlecraft Group? If so, we’d love to hear from you. Newsletter Editor: Historically, the Newsletter has been produced every 2 months, comprising mainly reports and photos contributed by the activity groups, along with committee news and information about future events. As U3A activities resume, this is an opportunity to play a key part in communicating with our members and shaping the Newsletter for the future. The final ‘Alternative Newsletter’ in this format will be published in July.

************************************************** In the absence of Kath’s uplifting Nature Notes this month, here are some items from the Woodland Trust instead. (Apologies for imported wonky spacing.)

Woodland Trust – received 25.5.21

The Wildlife at Snaizeholme needs your help.

Waiting in the wings is someone very, very special...

Bleak, bare and windswept. Snaizeholme in the Dales National Park is crying out for the life, colour and beauty that trees bring.

We urgently need your help to raise the funds to buy Snaizeholme and transform it into a vibrant and beautiful new woodland.

If we can create the habitat they need, native red squirrels can move in from a neighbouring nature reserve and a host of other threatened wildlife species can survive and thrive.

It’s a wonderful chance to boost biodiversity when the natural world is in crisis.

Watch the film to find out

more

Time is running out. Please help us create a new haven for wildlife at Snaizeholme.

Thank you.

Woodland Trust – received 22.5.21

After thousands joined us to speak up for nature, the Government has promised a new legally binding target to reverse the decline in wildlife. Help us keep the pressure on until it becomes law.

Sign our joint petition

Ancient trees can support thousands of different species of plants, animals, and fungi and we’re working hard to protect them. Find out how you can help.

Discover the ancient tree inventory

Ever tried to decipher the many tunes that make up the dawn chorus? Use our beginners’ guide to birdsong to put a name to the voice. Go out and enjoy the birdsong The dormice at Fingle Woods in Devon are thriving thanks to the vital restoration work we are carrying out there – and we’ve got the video to prove it!

Fingle's thriving dormice

Whatever you do – thank you for your support. We couldn’t do what we do for our woods and wildlife without your help.

Woodland Trust - received 12/5/21 Our vision for a UK rich in native woods and trees has never been clearer.

The benefits trees bring are in growing demand as the urgency of the climate and nature crisis increases. Yet at the same time threats faced by UK woodland are escalating.

I’m writing to you today because I wanted you to be among the first to know about something truly ground-breaking we have been working on and can now unveil. Thanks to the dedication and hard work of our staff, volunteers and partner organisations, we have put together a monumental report which examines in minute and fascinating detail the state of woods and trees in the UK today, the daily threats they face and what we need to do to ensure their survival.

Our information-packed, 250-page State of the UK’s Woods and Trees report has just been published and I’d like you to know more about it.

Sadly, many of its headline findings make for stark and alarming reading.

 Although woodland cover is slowly increasing, woodland wildlife is decreasing.  Only 7% of the UK’s native woods are in a healthy state.  Since 1970, woodland bird numbers have dropped by 29%.

The State of the UK’s Woods and Trees gives us crucial evidence of the extent, condition and wildlife value of trees and woodland in 2021. This painstakingly researched document will allow us to frame stronger asks of governments, take more informed decisions about what we do and focus our activities where they will make the most impact.

There is hope on the horizon too. The report’s findings prove just how important our work is: many of the steps that need to be taken are already our key priorities.

The challenges UK woods and trees face are not unsurmountable. But overcoming them will take urgent action from governments, continuing work from charities like us and ongoing support from people like you.

We’ve sent the full State of the UK’s Woods and Trees report straight to our Governments, so they know what needs to be done, and we’re going to keep working tirelessly for native woods, trees and wildlife.

As a treasured Woodland Trust supporter, you know how vital trees are. They play an important part in our everyday lives which the pandemic has thrown into even sharper focus. Trees bring nature and beauty to our gardens, line our streets, enhance our parks and create havens for wildlife and people in our nearby woods.

Thank you so much for all you do already.

We would not have been able to produce this report without the backing of people like you – whether that be through donations, through volunteering, or adding your voice to one of our campaigns.

Now I’m asking for your help in making our Governments listen to the urgent findings of our report. Please visit our website to find out more about the report and the simple ways you can take action to help.

Kind regards, Darren Moorcroft, Chief Executive.

Do your bit to protect our woods and trees Hello Friend of Guisborough Library,

This is a first for a long while – here is a Newsletter with some NEWS in it !! Not a lot, but better than none at all.

We had a Committee meeting a few days ago and have decided to go back to our plan of months ago and, as we are unable to use the Library for events at the moment, we will hold them in Sunnyfield House. This will entail a small / extra charge for events but we think it will be worth it to get up and running again.

We know that an AGM was last held over two years ago and we intend holding one as soon as we can, hopefully later in the year, but let’s see how things go.

What we have decided to arrange are two CRAFT SESSIONS. These will both be held in Sunnyfield House with 12 participants, so they will be on a first come first served basis although we will have a reserve list. Please telephone the library to book your place (01287 632668). There will be a £3 charge for each session to cover the cost of hiring the room.

FRIDAY 9 JULY 1.30 – 3.30pm – DECORATING GIFT BOXES. This will be run by Jennifer and all materials will be provided. This was on our list for last year but obviously never happened – better late than never ! There is a photograph of some I made on our notice board in the library and I assure you that I had never done anything like it before but really enjoyed doing it and it was easy, if a bit sticky !

FRIDAY 13 AUGUST 1.30 – 3.30pm – FLOWER ARRANGING. This will be run by Kate. All necessary materials will be provided but please bring your own flowers – a couple of bunches from the market or a supermarket will be fine. I will be in contact with those of you who sign up nearer the time with more details.

FRIDAY 24 SEPTEMBER 2pm – A TALK. Topic to be confirmed. It will be advertised on the notice board and in a newsletter. We hope that we will be able to get back to our monthly talks after this if it goes well.

We are going to see how these activities work, and how the pandemic plays out, before booking further events but we are confident that we will get going again and ask that you support us and the library.

By the way, some of you who attended our craft sessions 18 months or so ago may remember Andrea who ran some of them. She is now unable to run our sessions as she has started her own art centre business in , which include sewing, youth theatre, art, craft and chat groups and much more. We wish her the very best of luck.

Library info Amongst the lessons this last year has taught us, one is that there is much to be gained from embracing technology, (even for those who’d prefer to give it a wide berth!) You may already be well acquainted with on-line library services but if not, it is well worth checking them out. Although we can now step over the library threshold, you may still find the on-line services useful. Visit and Cleveland Council home page. Click on ‘Libraries’ and scroll down that page to ‘Virtual Library’. Click on ‘Libraries Website’. For example, are you stuck for a little reading inspiration? Have a look at the recently reviewed books listed on that page. Reviews are posted by readers from around the country. You can even add your own book review. For each book reviewed you can see if a copy is available for loan from Guisborough library or whether it needs to be reserved. In addition, there is a list of titles by the same author.

We will remind people from time to time of some of the other features of our on-line library services.

Jigsaw Corner Many thanks to Kathy for sorting the Jigsaw puzzles out and to the library staff for running this. They have proved very popular during the lockdowns, passing many hours for those who do them and some had been borrowed to the point of being worn out ! Kathy has sorted them and those now in the library are in fair condition.

Best wishes to you all and stay safe. Kate

FRIENDS OF GUISOROUGH LIBRARY QUIZ ANSWERS TO THE BOOKS MADE IN TO FILMS QUIZ.

No. Question Answer 1 Which book by Margaret Mitchell was made into a film of the Gone with the wind. same name starring Vivien Leigh as the heroine, Scarlett? Clark Gable Which male lead played opposite Leigh? 2 In which Alistair McLean book / film, set during WW11, did No idea Gregory Peck star as a New Zealand mountaineer? 3 Elizabeth Taylor starred in a film about a horse, based on a National Velvet, by Enid book of the same name. What was the title and who wrote Bagnold the book? 4 Whose poems is the musical Cats based on? TS Elliot. Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats 5 The American author, Annie Proulx, had a short story and a Brokeback Mountain novel made into films. What were they called? The shipping news 6 Who wrote the book that Les Miserables is based on? Victor Hugo

7 Who played Dr Watson to Basil Rathbone’s Sherlock Holmes Nigel Bruce in the 1939 – 1946 film series? Who wrote the novels on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle which the films were based? 8 Who plays Harry Palmer, the antithisis of James Bond, in Michael Caine several 1960s cold war films based on Len Deighton books? 9 Which was the first James Bond book to be made into a film? Dr No, starring Sean Connery Who took the starring role? 10 Which Rudyard Kipling book was turned into a film of the No idea same name starring Michael Caine and Sean Connery? 11 Audrey Hepburn starred as Holly Golightly in a film based on a Breakfast at Tiffany’s by novella by which author? What was the name of the film? Truman Capote 12 What was the name of the first Agatha Christie novel about Book: Murder, she said Miss Marple to be made into a film? What was the name of Film: 4:50 from Paddington the film? 13 Who played Hagrid in the Harry Potter films? Robbie Coltrane

14 Who wrote the short story on which Alfred Hitchcock’s film Daphne du Maurier The Birds was based? 15 Which horror story / film is said to have been inspired by Dracula, by Bram Stoker Whitby Abbey and who wrote it? 16 What was the name of the film based on the first book in Film: The golden compass Philip Pullman’s trilogy, His Dark Materials? 17 Who is the author of the book that the musical The Phantom Gaston Leroux of the Opera is based on? 18 What is the name of the film, starring Will Smith, that was I, robot based on a series of short stories by Isaac Asimov What genre Science fiction of fiction is Asimov best known for? 19 Who wrote the book about a vacuum cleaner salesman who Graham Green was caught up in a spy story set in Havana (set in 1958)? The film in 1959 starred Alec Guinness. 20 Which book by John Buchan was first made into a film in 1935 The 39 steps directed by Alfred Hitchcock?

Received 10/5/21

Neighbourhood Watch May Our News Newsletter is Here

Dear supporters

Our May OUR NEWS newsletter is here, and it is a bumper edition definitely not to be missed!

We are delighted to launch the first Neighbourhood Watch Annual Insights Survey open to members and non-members alike. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to have your say. (page 2)

Find out more about how to support our annual Neighbourhood Watch Week in June with a wide variety of online and face-to-face activities for you to LISTEN. TALK. DO! with your community. (page 3)

Learn about our upcoming campaign to help reduce dog theft launching on 17th May, and how you can help now to make dog theft a specific criminal offence. (page 2) Find out about all this and more, such as insurance and discounts for members, in our newsletter. May OUR NEWS newsletter

Kind regards,

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH NETWORK, Central Support Team Follow us.. ourwatch.org.uk / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / LinkedIn Neighbourhoood Watch Network is a charity registered in England & Wales, CIO no: 1173349

Attachments May 2021 OUR NEWS.pdf - 7,510.9 KB

Message Sent By Deborah Waller (NWN, Senior Digital and Communications Manager, England and Wales)

vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

The Neighbourhood Action Partnership (NAP) meetings, mentioned in previous editions of the Alternative Newsletter, receive regular reports from the Police. Normally, separate reports are received for Belmont, Hutton and Guisborough wards. In this instance, all reports can be accessed from the link below. (Received early in May.) Residents are welcome to attend NAP meetings and encouraged to do so, to meet the Councillors and representatives of other organisations and to put questions forward about local issues of concern. If you’d like to do so, please contact Claire Bognar. Or your DsE can put you in touch.

The latest Police Newsletters for wards can be found on the link below, to the Cleveland Police Web page. https://www.cleveland.police.uk/police-forces/cleveland-police/areas/cleveland- police/campaigns/campaigns/2021/ward-newsletters/redcar-and-cleveland2/

Kind regards

Claire Bognar, Community Development Officer – Belmont, Guisborough, Hutton & Lockwood, Public Health South Tees

*********************************************** A life in the day of a retired occupational therapist: 1pm

By: Jennifer Creek

Lunch is usually a sandwich and then, if the weather is reasonable, I go for a walk. Guisborough is beautifully situated between the and Cleveland Hills so there are walks to suit all energy levels. One of my favourite short walks is up Belmangate, straight up the hill, along the edge of the moors and back down via High Cliff. The views along the coast, over the moors and across Guisborough are stunning on a clear day.

Before moving to Guisborough, my daughter and I lived in Greater Manchester. She was born there and we stayed until she was nine, so that her schooling was not disrupted by too many moves. When I was offered the job of setting up a new occupational therapy programme in Middlesbrough, we saw this as an opportunity to move from city-living to the countryside. I had lived in Whitby for a year, after leaving school at the age of 16, and have loved the North York Moors ever since. Returning to Yorkshire felt like coming home.

In Manchester, my daughter had not enjoyed school and would sometimes refuse to go. Her year at primary school in Guisborough was much better but the problems started again at secondary school. At the age of 13, she started self-harming: I would sometimes be called out of work to collect her from casualty. Until that time, she had seen her father every year, either in the UK or Hong Kong, but that year they had a huge row and she refused to see him again. Her adolescence seemed much more turbulent than mine had been, but perhaps my memory is selective.

After six years working at the university, I made the decision to go freelance. This involved a lot of travelling, as I found myself doing a combination of part-time mental health promotion contracts, university teaching, staff development, consultancy and scholarship. It was very exciting to find there was more than enough work to pay the bills and I loved the variety.

Eighteen months after I became self-employed, my daughter made a serious suicide attempt, jumping off High Cliff in the middle of the night. She was badly injured and spent more than two months in hospital, but returned to school in time to take her A-levels. Despite all the schooling she had missed, she achieved excellent grades but chose not to go to university; wisely, she recognised that the stress of university life would not be good for her mental health. When her friends started their university courses, she moved to Hull while she thought about what to do with her life.

During the years that my daughter was ill, I used to deal with the stress by striding up to the moors and walking until things seemed less overwhelming. Walking is still an important part of my daily routine but is more leisurely these days. Jennifer’s story continues at 2.00pm

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Five Months Down Under Part 2 North Island New Zealand It rained so hard when we went for the ferry that Tony drove to the terminal with Jean and our luggage. We had collected a car lock and a chilly bin for our shop bought food as well as our full rucksacks and 2 bags. Then back to the garage to return our trusty Subaru. This way, only Tony got wet. The ferry crossing across the notorious Cook Strait was very smooth and comfortable on the catamaran, Lynx. This ship operates the crossing in the New Zealand summer, then sails to England via the Suez Canal to operate the Newhaven Dieppe ferry in English summer and then back again. We arrived in the capital city, Wellington on the 5th of March where the shuttle bus took us to the railway station, just opposite the Waterloo. Built in 1928, it was the most prestigious hotel in the southern hemisphere, and in 1953 the Queen stayed here. However, in 1997 it was Down Town Backpackers where we stayed in an en-suite room for $40 (£13). The building overlooked the Parliament buildings, but the area was run down while the city centre had moved away. The Americas Cup was being held in Wellington, so we walked along the quayside to watch the yachts sailing. Sadly, it was too wet and windy for the yachts to venture onto the open seas.. In all we tried three times to see the yachts sail but the crews did not fancy the rough seas. One day we booked tickets at the Circa Theatre as we passed by for "Travels with my Aunt". Later when it was time to walk across Wellington, the rain was torrential, so we arrived in the theatre in full waterproofs and boots, being rather surprised to see all the other guests in full evening dress. The next day we collected our hire car, a Mazda 3 @ $45 per day and drove north to Masterton and then to Napier. A huge earthquake in 1931 destroyed most buildings in Napier and also lifted 40km2 of land by 3m draining a lagoon. The city was rebuilt in 1933 in Art Deco style, so that all the buildings are built in the same style. We stayed in The Criterion Hotel backpackers hostel which had wonderful art deco windows.. A self guided walking tour round the city was provided in a leaflet, so we followed this to see many of the best buildings. It really is a fantastic city.

Jean's embroidery The Criterion Window

There are many volcanoes in central North Island, including Ruapeho, which erupted in 1996, closing Auckland airport. It was still smoking as we drove north, although we were told that the exclusion zone is just the top 500m but that climb was not for us. The access to the famous "Tongariro Crossing", the best one day walk in New Zealand was National Park, a scruffy village in summer without the snow. Le Chateau at 5* was out of our range but Skihaus hostel was warm and comfortable and was great fun as the crowd staying were all here for the walk.

Three volcanoes in winter Misty at the top

Up early next day but the crossing was closed due to high winds. So we walked round the valley and waited. And again the next day. Finally the guide set out in calm but misty weather. The shuttle bus left at 08.00 and took us to the start of the trek. Later, it would bring us back to the Skihaus as the end of the trek was many km from there. The track climbed steadily up to the plateau of Tongariro at 1978m which is largely flat. There are several extinct craters and lakes of many colours in a fantastic landscape, while steam vents have to be avoided. This makes the 20km walk quite difficult. However, the Te Mari crater erupted in 2012 and closed the area for four days. Then it was an easy drive to Spa Lodge in Rotarua, famous for hot springs. The hostel has its own natural spa pool, although the water is so hot is has to be mixed with cold water. We "took the waters" when we could, despite the unpleasant smells. Nearby Waiotapu has a complex of attractions, coloured lakes and geysers. The Lady Knox erupts to order for tourists when a dose of soap is poured down the shaft. The ground is too hot to walk on, so one must keep to the boardwalks. Driving north, Auckland was by-passed as we drove to the Coromandel Peninsular. We spent four days here exploring a beautiful area, visiting glorious beaches and climbing Castle Rock, an old volcanic plug. This was a very difficult climb, giving 360' panoramas from the tiny summit. After a restful stay here, we drove to Auckland and Allan's Place hostel before our flight to Tasmania. About a third of the population of the country live in Auckland, almost 1.7 million people. Exploring the city meant dodging frequent heavy downpours so museums and covered attractions were preferred. After four days, it was time to catch the 04.00 shuttle to the airport and flight to Tasmania, arriving in Hobart on March 25th.

Tony The final instalment of Tony and Jean’s wonderful holidays follows next month.

/////~~~~~~/////~~~~~/////~~~~~/////

MORE OF ME MUM’S STORIES. I have a Correspondent (no, not Mrs. Trellis from Wales) in response to one of my Mum’s stories in May. “Many thanks for the U3A newsletter. One of the articles where the daughter was called Jim because she wasn’t a son could have been me – I had two much older brothers and they did not want a sister so they always called me Jim !”

Thank you, dear Correspondent. Lovely to hear from you. DsE. Midnight Delights. Was ever shopping such an entrancing adventure? A fairy land of oil lamps lit by gaslight, butchers wearing straw boaters and blue and white striped aprons. Stall holders selling every sort of imaginable wonders reciting in their own brands of humous patter, persuading people to look and buy their goods. Dad got paid on a Friday – 30 shillings a week, so Friday meals were skinny thin. The rent had to be paid first, then we waited to go shopping on Saturday nights, as everything was so much cheaper. It was also FUN night, full of free entertainment. In this Carnival like atmosphere, I soon got “fell in” and, clutching a few pennies used to dash off and hunt till I got the best and most for my finances. I found most delight in standing right in front of the crowds gathered for bargains outside the Butchers’ shops. Time I had plenty of and the more patience one had, the cheaper meat became. Stoically, I used to stand and stare, clapping and join in the banter of the Butchers. They often used colourful descriptive adjectives which improved my vocabulary immensely. It was a triumph to acquire a loin of lamb with chump chops and a kidney for ten pence, hand spring of pork for three bob – this usually entailed a real battle of wills. H bone of beef was threepence halfpenny a pound. Life wasn’t hard, this was LIVING. Another thing was, that if I hung on long enough, I got all sorts of extras thrown in for nothing. We loved struggling home with all of our bargains and bounty, even though it was up the hill. We didn’t mind if it was almost 1am on Sunday morning, we had the fun of unpacking and admiring our hard won purchases. On Sunday lunchtimes we gathered round the big table loaded with a roast, crisp browned roast spuds, golden Yorkshire pudding and lots of lovely vegetables. For the rest of the coming week our meals would all be made up out of the left overs, but we were used to that. Dinky would be sitting at my feet, drooling and waiting his turn. Indeed, Dinky flourished so much that he produced a Family and carried every one of his kittens over the busy main road, placing them under the table, proudly displayed for us to see. Mum said ‘NO’ and, in a death defying act, he carried them all back over the road to their mother. After that Mum had him ‘dun’. What fun days. The butter was patted just so with a pattern on the side and how carefully it was carried so as not to squash the pattern. The corner oil shop, with all its generous pungent smells where one could just stand and sniff, the Bakers with the delicate yeasty freshness wafting out to tickle my nose, all so very sniffable. The rousing thrill of the Salvation Army with my Cousin Margaret marching, her magnificent participation and uniform filled me with pride. By now I was old enough to have a real treat with my Sunday lunch, a small glass of light ale in the summer and a small glass of black ‘n tan in the winter. Dad was attached to the Territorial Army and was a stickler for fitness so, after we’d finished Sunday lunch, no matter what the weather, we all had to go on a route march, a sort of keep fit with blisters. Exhausting as they were, we were rewarded by a magnificent ‘high tea’ on our return. Then it was a bath, in the big zinc bath in front of the fireplace, summer or winter, then to bed.

Clan Huggins – Grandma’s Birthday It was Grandma Huggins’ Birthday and we were all at fever pitch. A PARTY was to be held in her honour – even tho’ no one knew what number of years it would be. Her fourteen sons, daughters plus sons in law, daughters in law and their population explosions, large or small, were determined to do her proud. Each had to contribute to the food, drinks, sweets etc. A banquet fit for a Queen, plus a huge cake, was to be prepared. Grandma had to know as her youngest daughter, May, had the only space for us to all wodge in. Meantime, being a bit older, I was allowed to go to my Auntie Lottie. My Mum’s Sister, Auntie Lottie, lived in – of all romantic places – a Mews and was also in charge of THE PIANO, a very vital necessity for the party. To remove the vital orang from the upstairs of a tiny mews flat was an education. It would have to be manouvred out of the top window as the staircase was too narrow. Uncles and brothers in law were bunched together under the names of ‘boys’ and had been detailed to deliver the Piano to Auntie May. The boys had borrowed a barrow, block and tackle. Now it sounds quite simple, but in the Mews there were a myriad of crossed clothes lines on pulleys strung from window to window. After a generous round of beer and a round table discussion, a committee was formed for the Removal of the Piano. The conclusion was that Auntie Lottie’s Uncle Will would take charge of the removal from the upper story. Four boys would stay with him to make sure that the ropes were placed securely under the Piano. Naturally, they had to be physically capable. Then the Piano would be attached to the block and tackle and, with due attention to the washing lines, pull of gravity, wind direction and strict cooperation, lowered gently to the ground. Thus, having a plan, the boys worked with the coordination and regimentation of the Royal Engineers. Throughout the whole of the hazardous operation advice and encouragement were freely given by animated and interested neighbours with their heads stuck out of windows. Drama was not lacking. On several occasions the Piano tilted precariously, with a satisfactory chorus of ‘ooooohs’ from the audience. But our stalwarts eventually eased the Piano onto the barrow, lashed it securely and turned to bow to the cheers of the appreciative Mews audience. This having been completed without a scratch, the boys then hauled and pushed their barrow load of piano, whilst I skipped along beside them. We had just rounded the bend in the Mews when by unanimous decision the boys declared for liquid refreshment at the corner Pub. I was perched on the barrow with a bottle of pop and a huge biscuit to guard our treasure. I was in seventh heaven and full of pride at my acceptance into the ‘boys’. Well, in those days there was virtually a Pub on every corner in the Harrow Road. We stopped at every one! The pace of the hauling and pushing had to brisk in between stops, as the boys were under dire threats from their beloved spouses that woe betide them all if they arrived late and over merry. Finally, flushed and puffing after the last gallant dash, the Troops arrived in the best traditions of discipline. The barrow and Piano were outside Auntie May’s front door. The next testing of endurance of physical strength had arrived. The Piano had to be heaved off the barrow and up a winding staircase. This was accomplished in fine style and the Piano was gently placed in the space that had been cleared for it, next to Grandma’s seat. The boys’ chests swelled and the girls gathered round in admiration. What a party we had. We all had to do our party piece for Grandma. She was so much fun. And the Piano had a lovely time too, the icing on the cake. Jemima and I were able to regale Jim, George and Dinky with tales of Grandma’s Birthday Party for ages. Under the table of course. Joan (Pam’s Mum)

There’s still time to send a story to the Alternative Newsletter. Don’t delay, last chance is for July’s edition!

Do you remember? We have John Webb to thank for these photos of Guisborough in a previous era:

A SMASHING TIME ON FOUNTAIN STREET Come on, time to confess! Do you remember this smashing event? Were you there? What did you do? Please let us know. ‘In the late nineteen-sixties a piano smashing competition was held to raise money for the charity “Guide Dogs for the Blind”.’ Photos (not reproduced here for space reasons) show the audience assembling on Fountain Street carpark while an organ grinder takes a rest; the collection box being taken round the crowd; pianos and assassination teams assembling with sledgehammers; on page 57, a photo includes the Sparrow Lane footbridge over the railway line with Blackett Hutton in the background; and the event itself. Please see the book available from Guisborough Library: Guisborough Past and Present, by Pam Wilson, Westgate Publishing 2005, ISBN 1-905544-02-2.

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ALTERNATIVE GARDENING SECTION: I asked the Gardening Group for an article for May, but Dave said they weren’t active at that point. So here’s an alternative offering from the DsE.

Experimental gardening slot. Alwyn having encouraged the use of sustainable planting, I decided last autumn was the time to overwinter the pelargoniums from the cenotaph planters and others from the stone planters etc around town. Peta told me a while ago that you could put a pelargonium in a drawer over winter and it would grow in the spring. Having downloaded the instructions from the web, I launched in. Well, it has to be said that if I was advising someone else, I wouldn’t have started from the position I did. It rained for a couple of days after lifting and shaking the compost off the plants, so they were left in black bin liners and got damp. Pelargoniums may be dried by hanging them in a garage (etc) individually in paper bags, or tied up and hung separately or laid in cardboard boxes. Having cut the flowers and buds off so as not to stress the plants too much, I laid them tenderly in cardboard boxes, well spaced and labelled the colours. The big problem was continually having to cut off black rot – but I did have a damp start, so some of that was my fault. You’re to soak them once a month to stop them drying out, but I suspect that is for much warmer climes than the UK in winter. Mine were soaked once. Which led to more black rot. Hmmmm. I need to rethink that. Having started with 60 plus plants, I gradually mixed up the colour labels and chopped more and more off them, throwing several away when they became hopeless. The photo shows the position in February. It’s labour intensive at the start and important to check them once a week (which I neglected to do, making matters worse!). The black rot was relentless and unforgiving. How many did I end up with? Not many, but I have rooted some cuttings in water as well. Probably a dozen or so. Would I do it again? Yes, but I’d start from another place. Lift a few at a time during dry sunny weather and immediately trim and hang them on string round the garage, a bit like Christmas cards. I hope that will allow the air to circulate and reduce the rot. Has anyone else had success with overwintering pelargoniums? It would be good to hear how you got on.

What are you re(up)cycling?

Hazel has used empty yogurt pots for tomato plants this year and last, piercing a hole in the base for drainage.

Have you seen the brilliant use of plastic packing for propagators, eg from cup cake holders that have ‘hinged’ tops, for seeds and cuttings on the Beechgrove gardening programme?

Watching Alan Titchmarsh one Sunday morning, a demonstration showed how to cut a plastic milk bottle on the slant. Retaining the longer handle etc makes an excellent compost scoop. (Demo’s given on request.)

The DsE gets through lots of plant labels. Joy of joys, I’ve found I can make them out of Tesco large yogurt pots and Lurpak spreadable butter tubs. Some other containers work, but not all of them, although the plastic looks the same. I try them with a permanent marker and if it doesn't rub out, they get recycled as plant labels; otherwise it’s the recycling wheelie bin. I cut 14 labels from a Lurpak tub this morning [and more from the lid] and was very pleased. (Bit sad probably!)

STOP PRESS. Morrisons plant tray “handle” strips can be cut down the centre and cut into 3 to make good labels.

Plant pots. Thank you for your magnificent response to my appeal for plant pots of all shapes and sizes. I now have an absolutely splendid collection and also acquired an interesting selection of plants, 2 bags of compost and two slugs. My pot collection is a joy to behold, as I’m sure you’ll agree!

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THE THIRD AGE TRUST U3A NEWSLETTER has plenty of interesting articles worth looking at, including: The podcast highlights writing talent with a focus on Poetry, Prose and Plays. Learning News includes Social Cycling, Yoga, Creative Writing, Plymouth u3a’s new , and the World Cuisine Cookery Challenge featuring a groundnut stew from East Africa. Talks etc: 7 June, 10am. Marine Wildlife with Hampshire and the Isle of Wight u3a 11 June, 10.30am. An Introduction to Climate Change. 21 June, 10.30am. Chef Alex from ‘Vegetarian Life’ demonstrating vegan ‘Al Fresco Food’. And much more!

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News from Northumberia Region

1. Ashington u3a is willing to share their monthly meeting talk on Zoom

For details about the talk …Living the African Dream

To ask about details to let you join the Ashington meeting click there and scroll down the page xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

2. A new Eco Group - just short term - by request is repeating its Taster Session on Climate Change join in to see if you would like to be part of the group Click here to find how to ask for more detail xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

3. Would you like to let us know which of these helpful courses produced and presented by National that you might attend? Read More Details? …….Click here Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

4. Slow Ways Project. A National network of walking routes linking all cities, towns and villages within the UK- https://beta.slowways.org/

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Online talks attended by the DsE this month (free): 1. Sutton Hoo Treasures, British Museum exhibition Curator. Excellent. 2. The Geology of Britain in the Palaeozoic, the Era of Early Life. Brilliant. 328 attendees 3. Thomas Becket. Murder and the Making of a Saint. British Museum exhibition 22 April-22 August. Brilliant presentation by the Curators. 4. Knee Pain for women only. OK but more of a sales platform for the presenter’s courses. Audience 605 internationally. 5. Thomas Becket Miracle Window on display at the British Museum’s exhibition. Brilliant presentation. 6. Nero, the Man behind the Myth – Curator’s introduction to the exhibition 27 May-24 October, British Museum. Close to 2K attendees from 40 countries. Very good. 7. A Dead Good Job. Gravedigging Municipal Cemeteries. Interesting in parts. 297 attendees. 8. All Things Hydrangea. Broadcast from Washington East, USA. Mainly promotional sales pitch and I missed the bit I wanted to see, so will have to attend the next one!

I hope some of you are also attending the wonderful range of free illustrated talks online. I sincerely hope they continue in the future, now the powerful use of this international platform has been discovered by so many organisations. It’s one of the few positive things to have come out of the pandemic and wonderful that I, in Guisborough, have access to this rich source of discovery.

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Back to Guisborough and environs. We’re all looking forward to getting out more but in the meantime, please don’t be lonely. Lynda Bennett kindly says “If you ‘re feeling a bit lonely or bored and fancy a chat, please give me a ring on”. You may also get in touch with either Diana Wardill, our Membership Secretary or the temporary deputy sub ed.

FINALLY, THE PHOTOGRAPHIC SECTION DEMONSTRATING THE TALENT OF OUR MEMBERS:

Flower Arranging Group – Peta’s Maypole.

A selection of the Photography Group’s ‘Water’ photos:

Ann Willis - Waterfall Park at Great Ayton on a Sunny Day Pauline Taylor - Ingleton Waterfalls.

Martin Davis – Alchimilla Mollis

Margaret Wallen - The Kennet and Avon Canal Pam – Crete

EDITOR’S CHOICE (I hope the contributors will forgive me for selecting these super photos to show you)

Ed – Hartlepool Headland Margaret

Dorothy

Barrie Vera – Chatsworth House

Joan – Hutton Village Please be advised that, because the Newsletters are published on the GU3A website, their content may be seen by members of other U3As, as well as members of the general public. The GU3A Alternative Newsletter Deputy Sub Editor (DsE) [temporary!] and Secretary may be contacted via the website..