SUNDERLAN D U 3A

September 2010 No: 22

Website: www.sunderlandu3a.co.uk

EDITORS Elsie Denham Dorothy Scott

The magazine is published quarterly. Copy deadline for the next magazine is the first of the month of publication st 1 March University of the Third Age: 1st June st A member of the Third Age Trust 1 September st 1 December

SEPTEMBER 2010

CONTENTS

From the Editorial Team 2

From the Chair 3 Future speakers 3 Groups’ News 4 My road in the 1930s 7 Free online computer courses 8

Choir sings the code of life 9 The fall of the Maya 9 Robot wards 10 Durham wild racoon sightings 11 Scotland’s first Makar 12

Fascinating words 13

Public sculpture: Bede memorial cross 13 Nothing gold can stay 14 Statins: risk of side effects 14 From retirement to the stars 15 Dancing robots 15 Sunderland U3A The buzzer 16 Fulwell Methodist Icelandic volcano causes devastation 16 Dovedale Road Science myths: Lightning doesn’t strike twice 17 Sunderland Quiz: Test your maths 17 Autumn lawn tips 18 Titanic Awards celebrate the worst of travel 18 MEETING: Healthy food: five common myths 19 Low fat recipes 21 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1.30 for 2.00pm Anniversaries 21 Dates for your diary 22 MEMBERSHIP: International Day of Older People 24 0191 549 0984 Interesting People: Elizabeth Garrett Anderson 24 Regional News and Reports 25 Groups at a glance 28 Contacts 29

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FROM THE EDITORS FROM THE CHAIR How quickly the seasons come round – here we are coming to the end of summer and Hello Everyone already thinking forward to Christmas. To help you while away the coming dark evenings, we’re announcing our great Mini-Tales competition. Even if you’ve never tried Here at U3A we learn a lot of things, some academic, some practical. Do you remember your hand at writing do have a go – details below. Get writing! our speaker from Durham Nurseries, Mr Natrass (one of the ones where there was no problem!)? He said that pots with roses in them sold in shops and supermarkets usually We’re trying to make the website more widely used, so from now on you will find links contain more than one plant and when the roses have finished flowering you should on the website to lead you to further information about stories in the magazine. From take them out of the pot, plant them separately, cut them right down and they should the Welcome page, click on Magazines . flower again. I followed this advice with roses bought for me in February and I now have We hope everyone will find something of interest in this edition but once again, we invite 4 rose bushes in the garden in flower. Similarly, I bought a pot of parsley from a you to contribute something about your interests. Perhaps you can tell us something supermarket and kept it on the windowsill in the kitchen. When it looked past its best I about one of the groups you attend, to encourage new recruits. There are several U3A took it out of the pot and found, to my surprise, over 30 plants which I planted separately events taking place outside Sunderland so look at the reports and announcements on are now flourishing and providing parsley for me to freeze. page 25 to see what’s on offer. Unfortunately, once again, we need someone to take on the role of Secretary. Josie Elsie & Dorothy Thompson was elected at the AGM in April but has been forced to step down as a result of personal problems. Linda Thompson has valiantly agreed to see out the rest of the year but we must have someone to take over in April or we will not be able to function properly. If you feel that you could take it on please talk to me or Linda as soon as possible. There are no new groups to announce but the 10 Pin Bowling Group is now THE GREAT MINI-TALES COMPETITION well established and our next Coffee Morning with Plant and Book swap is on Wednesday September 29th 10 for 10.30. In the 1980s, Radio 4 ran a competition for listeners to write a mini-saga and we’re copying the idea. So, we’re asking you to write a story in When we moved from the United Reform Church which could only accommodate 100 exactly 50 words . The title does not count, but should not be more members to our present venue at Fulwell Methodist Church, we made a decision to cap than 10 words. All entries will be published on our website, and the best our membership at 170 even though the hall is licensed to accommodate 200 because will be published in the magazine. And Martin’s arm has been twisted we didn’t want to grow too quickly or to loose the friendly atmosphere. However, at the so there will be a small prize (apart from the glory!). last Committee Meeting Lilian, the Membership Secretary, reported that there were nearly 30 people on the waiting list. It was felt that we could absorb more members The Death Touch without it causing any problems and so the cap has been removed. Look out for a When a daughter went away to college, she reluctantly left her plants and her number of new faces! goldfish in her mother’s care. Once the daughter telephoned and her mother confessed that the plants and the goldfish had died. Is it too soon to mention Christmas? As we go into shorter and colder days you might There was a prolonged silence. want something to look forward to – Sunderland U3A Christmas Party. We are already planning it and, hopefully, have the entertainment booked. Finally, in a small voice, the daughter asked “How’s Dad?” Regards The original competition had entries from professional writers, prisoners, primary school Judith Ayles children – even Princess Margaret. So come on and get writing and show you can do as Chair of Sunderland U3A well. You can send as many entries as you wish, in any format. The only rule is that it must be exactly 50 words. Having tried my hand, I can tell you it is quite addictive! The Postcard FUTURE SPEAKERS Friendless, he despatched a letter to the twelfth century. Illuminated scrolls October 20 th Derek Hutchinson ‘A Light-hearted look at expeditions’ arrived by return post. Jottings to Tutankhamun secured hieroglyphs on papyrus. Hannibal sent a campaign report. November 17th Vera Baty: ‘Stories in Stones’ But when he addressed the future, hoping for cassettes crammed with wonders, December 15th Christmas Party. a postcard drifted back with scorched edges. It glowed all night.

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GEOLOGY GROUPS’ NEWS We meet in the Bangladeshi Centre Tatham St., on the third Friday each month at 2 p.m. We look at a wide variety of subjects connected in some way with the Planet Earth. All AMATEUR ARTISTS are welcome – there is no scientific knowledge needed, simply an interest in the world As you read this we will be back in the swing of things after about us, and a sense of humour. Meetings are both serious and light hearted, the aim our August break, with meetings on the 2nd and 4th being to enjoy learning about the Earth and looking at scenery with a fresh approach Mondays of each month, at 10.15 at 17 Sep Alan Denham: Volcanoes Railway Museum. 15 Oct The Solar system and how it was formed 19 Nov Looking at Scenery - what makes it the way it is. We are a small friendly group who like to dabble in a variety of styles and media. Mostly we just like to have fun and don’t John Baty 0191 522 6462 Barbara Vaughan 0191 529 5334 take ourselves too seriously so if you fancy it do come along and join us. HISTORY Meet on the 2 nd Thursday of the month at 11am at Fulwell Methodist Church Unfortunately, Marion has been unwell for some time and we would all like to wish you Linda Thompson 0191 549 5693 a speedy recovery, Marion. You are missed at the various groups you attend and support! Hope to see you back soon. KEEP MOBILE Marion Miller 0191 548 1009 Josie Thompson 0191 534 2702 New members are most welcome and no experience is necessary. The exercise is CARD MAKING designed for persons of ‘a certain age’ and no special footwear or clothing is required. We meet every Friday (except 3 rd Friday) at 10.45 am at Fulwell Methodist Church th We are a small friendly group who meet on the 4 Monday of each month Linda Thompson 0191 549 5693 at the leader’s house, but meetings are suspended until September as Pat is having building work done. LOOKING @ ART Pat Devenport 0191 536 2365 Meets at various venues to view and discuss art. No meeting in September CINEMA Sheila Humby 0191 548 2259 Rose Marshall 0191 528 1468 Lunchtime Liaisons at the Customs House, - specially selected movies which vary from period dramas to the biggest blockbusters. You can also join us for LUNCH lunch prior to the film.. Details at general meeting. On the 2 nd Wednesday of the month, at different venues. Norma Robins 0191 416 4498 Norma Robins 0191 416 4498 COMPUTER & DIGITAL SUPPORT MUSIC APPRECIATION The Sunderland and Monkwearmouth computing groups merged some time Each month we look forward to listening to a varied programme of music, ago. The resulting group works mostly on Digital Imaging, but other forms selected by our own members. The room is comfortable and the staff are of computer use are supported. Meetings are the first and third Tuesdays of welcoming, when we buy our pre-meeting drink. You don't need to know the month in the computer room at Amble Tower, Lakeside, Gilley Law. anything about music and we need Listeners as well as Compilers so come along and Alan Denham 0191 521 2760 relax. Meet at 10 am for coffee/ tea at Dock St Tower Block for a 10.15 start. You’ll be sure of a welcome! DISCUSSION 24 Sep Pat Highton: Animal, Vegetable & Mineral 22 Oct Susan Quayle: Strauss Issues discussed can be national, global or local – read the news and 26 Nov Morag Hutton: A light music quiz (& Christmas eats) air your views! Bring your own ideas for discussion in addition to the ones set. Meetings are on the first Thursday of the month at 2pm at Joyce Hoseason 0191 548 6041 Monkwearmouth Station

Susan Quayle 0191 548 8139

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POETRY APPRECIATION TRAVEL GROUP An enthusiastic group who find some varied poems on a chosen topic. These stimulate We meet on the 4th Thursday of the month at Monkwearmouth Railway Museum. Visits reminiscences, discussion and some laughs. Everyone chooses two poems on a are also arranged, at home and abroad. previously chosen topic. These are read and discussed. Everyone seems to enjoy Bob Younger 0191 549 0984 looking through books for something appropriate. One regular attendee just came along to see what the group was about, admitting to never having opened a poetry book since WALKING school days. Meetings are held at Monkwearmouth Station on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 10.15 am. Apart from the exercise there is a nice social gathering and atmosphere, topped off by a meal in a pub or restaurant, at the end of the walk. The Elizabeth Robson 0191 567 1421 walks are done at a leisurely pace and are around 3 to 4 miles long. .The walks take place on the second Wednesday of each month. Please look out for details at READING GROUP each monthly meeting. The Reading Group met again on 26th August after a summer break. We Bob Younger 0191 549 0984 discussed "Life according to Lubka" by Laurie Graham. The book for discussion on September 23rd is "Night of the Mirage" by Zoe Ferris. Copies are ready for collection at the Central Library. We meet at the Central Library th every 4 Thursday of the month. NEXT COFFEE MORNING & BOOK/PLANT SWAP: Rose Marshall 0191 528 1468 Wednesday, 29 September, SCRABBLE 10 for 10.30 am Fulwell Methodist Church The Scrabble group welcomes new members. We meet on the second Friday of each month, at the home of the organiser. ======Penny Parker

SWIMMING MY ROAD, IN THE 1930S Wearside U3A meet at the Raich Carter swimming pool, Commercial Ours was a very short road. However, apart from the terrace houses, we had an infant’s Road, every Monday from 2pm-3pm. Sunderland members are invited Church of school and the Church itself. There was a pub, Mission Hall, plus a to join them. The cost is £2.20. Just turn up. large allotment area right across one end. In those days, the roads were really busy. Not Doreen Lloyd 0191 567 4484 Mary de Mughn 0191 523 6605 with cars, but traders selling almost anything one could want. Milk, bread, greengroceries, and meat, to name but a few things on offer. TAI CHI Also, because of so many mice within the houses, the cats had their own ‘cat meat The Tai Chi group meets every Tuesday afternoon from 2.00pm to man’! 3.00pm at Fulwell Methodist Church. Tai Chi involves gentle exercise under the guidance of our excellent tutor Michael, and is a wonderful Sundays saw the shrimp and winkle seller arrive in the early afternoon. Ready for our way to improve fitness and find relaxation. Classes are geared to suit teatime meal! all levels of ability and all are welcome. After school hours, when the streets became quieter, we children The cost is £2.50 per session. If you come along and decide you would would go out to play. Whips and tops, skipping ropes, and ball like to become a ‘regular’ there is also a ‘one-off’ payment of £5 to cover costs for weeks games. My favourite was marbles!!!! We were very tiered after when you may be absent. No special clothing or equipment is needed - you just need and ready for bed. comfortable clothing and footwear. Come and chill!. Most Sunday evenings though, throughout the Autumn and Dorothy Scott 0191 5652108 Winter months, we watched the fireworks display from the nearby Chrystal Palace Grounds. Sitting on the kerbstones, we felt as if TEN PIN BOWLING we had theatre seats. Ruby Ball New group which started in June. There were no meetings over the summer so The next ======meeting will be on the 4th Wednesday in September i.e. 22nd at 10 a.m.

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FEATURES Using online searches : how to use search tools to find sites and information, how to store website addresses on your computer so you can go back to them, and how to print and save information from websites. FREE ONLINE COMPUTER COURSES ======MyGuide is part of a government initiative to encourage people to start using computers and the internet. Sign up on its website www.myguide.gov.uk and get access to an CHOIR SINGS THE CODE OF LIFE easy-to-use email system and a wide range of online courses: from using a mobile phone through to understanding shopping online and much more. There is also Scientists and composers have produced a new choral work in which singers sing parts information to help you in buying your own computer or choosing a broadband provider. of their own genetic code. The 20-minute piece, Allele , by Michael Zev Gordon with text You can do as many courses as you like in any order. Each one takes between 20 by poet Ruth Padel was performed by the New London Chamber Choir. minutes and an hour but you can go at your own pace and take as long as you want to Dr. Andrew Morley has been testing the genes of 250 musicians and 250 non-musicians complete it. to see if a certain gene determines musical ability. He realized musical notes look a bit like genetic sequences and consulted with Gordon, who viewed the genetic code as raw material that could be translated into notes. Gordon assigned a note to each of the four bases "A C T G" that make up DNA. He mapped a segment of the DNA sequence according to the "do-re-mi" scale, and added a rhythm. "I arrived, to my surprise, at something that sounded quite like plainsong," he writes. The piece begins with a single voice singing a rhythm, and then more voices join in to convey the biological idea of replication and reproduction. At the climax, each of the 40 singers is singing part of his or her own genetic code. The differences are subtle enough to sound harmonious -- a fitting metaphor for the genetic similarities we all share. Follow the link on the website to hear the piece

Beginners should start at Online Basics (www.onlinebasics.co.uk) which is designed to Without music, life would be a mistake. Nietzsche help you get the skills you need to get online, or perhaps give you more confidence in what you are doing.. The course consists of five modules which you can do in any order, skipping ones you feel you do not need:. Keyboard : with over 105 keys, it’s not surprising that keyboards look a bit complicated THE FALL OF THE MAYA: "THEY DID IT TO THEMSELVES" but this module uses simple step-by-step instructions to help you build your confidence. NASA News Service, October 2009 Learn the functions of the different keys and how to use the keyboard to move around the screen and enter letters, capital letters, numbers and symbols. The Maya dominated Central America for over 1000 years. At their peak around 900 Mouse : how to move around the screen, how to scroll up and down and how to use the AD, their cities teemed with more than 2,000 people per square mile and even in rural mouse buttons to select and move text and objects. areas the Maya numbered 200 to 400 people per square mile. But suddenly, the profound silence testified to one of the greatest demographic disasters in human Using email : how to send and receive emails, reply to and forward emails, set up an prehistory -- the demise of the once vibrant Maya society. email address book and attach a file or photograph to an email so you can send it to someone you know. The Maya are often depicted as people who lived in Using the internet safely : This module will help you minimise the risks to you and your complete harmony with their environment, but like many family by showing you how to avoid different computer viruses and spam. It will also other cultures, they ended up destroying their landscape in show you how to protect your own identity and know your rights regarding your own efforts to eke out a living in hard times. They had to burn 20 personal data, as well as protecting your children from the risks that are out there. trees to heat the limestone for making just 1 square metre of the lime plaster they used to build their tremendous temples, reservoirs, and monuments.

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A major drought occurred about the time the Maya began to disappear. By that time The robots use laser technology to find their way around. The technology is similar to they had cut down most of the trees across large swaths of land to clear fields for that already used in car plants and industrial shop floors as well as in hospitals in some growing corn to feed their growing population; for firewood and for making building parts of Europe and the USA. The machines will be loaded and unloaded in a basement materials. Archaeologist Tim Server and his team used computer simulations to area and make their deliveries to wards via a number of special lifts with separate flows reconstruct how the deforestation could have helped effect rainfall. "We modelled the for clean and dirty goods, to minimise the risk of cross contamination. worst and best case scenarios: 100% deforestation in the Maya area and no deforestation," says Sever. "The results were eye In the unlikely event that a robot fails, an electric vehicle can be summoned to tug the opening. Loss of all the trees caused a 3-5 degree robot out of trouble. And should there be problems with one particular lift the robots can rise in temperature and a 20-30% decrease in be re-routed through a special sensor system. There will also be a fleet of 13 separate rainfall." robots to help meet demand during peak periods and provide back-up, if required. However, records show that while some Maya city- Other innovations include a fully robotic pharmacy system, capable of labelling states did fall during drought periods, some survived medicines as well as stocking supplies and picking up drugs. Robotic equipment will also be used to clean the hospital's 16 hi-tech operating theatres. and even thrived. The team believe that localized deforestation caused serious enough problems to push some but not all city-states over the edge. The Maya deforested through the use of slash-and-burn agriculture – a method still used in many areas today. "We know that for every 1 to 3 years you farm a piece of land, you need to let it lay fallow for 15 years to recover." But what if you don't let the land lay fallow long enough to replenish itself? And what if you clear more and more fields to meet growing demands for food? It seems the Maya stripped large areas of their landscape bare by over-farming. Not only did drought make it difficult to grow enough food, it also would have been harder to store enough water to survive the dry season. The cities tried to keep an 18- month supply of water in their reservoirs; for example, in Tikal there was a system of reservoirs that held millions of gallons of water. But without sufficient rain, the reservoirs ran dry. No single factor brings a civilization to its knees, but the deforestation that helped bring on drought could easily have exacerbated other problems such as civil unrest, war, starvation and disease. Many of these insights are a result of space-based imaging, notes Sever. "By DURHAM WILDLIFE TRUST CONFIRMS RACCOON SIGHTING interpreting infrared satellite data, we've located hundreds of abandoned cities not Wildlife Trust cameras have captured the first raccoon previously known to exist. The Maya used lime plaster as foundations to build their ever filmed in the North East. The North American cities. Over hundreds of years, the lime seeped into the soil and so the vegetation mammal was photographed and filmed in a garden in around the ruins still looks distinctive in infrared. Space technology is revolutionizing County Durham by cameras operated as part of the North archaeology." East Wildlife Trusts WildPlaces project. ======The owners of the house are members of Durham Wildlife ROBOT WARDS: LATEST NHS RECRUITS Trust, and contacted the organisation to say that they had seen the animal early one morning. The WildPlaces team then set up two HD video The new Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert, cameras in the garden, both of which filmed the animal. will be the first hospital in the UK to use robots for a wide range of services. The five-foot tall During the footage, the raccoon is seen climbing a tree robots, which resemble mini fork lift trucks, will then taking down and opening a bird feeder to get to the trundle between wards carrying bed linen, nuts inside. meals, clinical waste and medical supplies. Cheryl Nicholson Project Manager at Durham Wildlife Although they are fully automated, there's no Trust, said “Just when we thought WildPlaces had chance of a collision with people as the captured footage of every mammal species in the North machines will glide unseen along separate East a raccoon turns up on film! Obviously, racoons are corridors behind the scenes. not native to the UK and this is the first one to have been filmed here in the wild.

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“We have checked with Natural England, who have confirmed that last year there were crashed through the glass without a sound. three sightings of raccoons in the UK, all of them in southern England. All were He shifted from leg to leg, swivelled his head. suspected escapees, which we assume to be the case with our own sighting.” There was not a fish in the house - only me. Did he smell my flesh, that white one? Did he think To see all of the raccoon HD footage visit www.urbanwildplaces.co.uk and follow links to I would soon open the window and scatter bread? our YouTube site. Calculation in those eyes is quick. .... ======

FASCINATING WORDS Genuine words that have disappeared down the back of the sofa, ripe for rediscovery. Two spaces that everyone needs: GROWLERY : A retreat for times of ill humour. It's similar in meaning to the Latin-derived sanctum sanctorum , with the added connotation that the individual is going to the place to be alone while upset. (English; cf. Dutch grollen , to grumble) PHRONTISTERY : A thinking-place; a place for study. It was first used by Aristophanes to apply to the school of Socrates, and was somewhat mocking in tone. Its intellectual if pompous sound merely adds to its charm. (From the Greek from phrontistes a thinker)

Broadly speaking, the short words are the best, and the old words best of all - Winston Churchill

ARTS & LITERATURE PUBLIC SCULPTURE: BEDE MEMORIAL CROSS SCOTLAND’S FIRST MAKAR Where: Terrace The most dynamic, brilliant, free-wheeling poet around, Sculptor: Charles Clement Hodges endlessly accessible and inventive - The Scotsman A Northumbrian cross erected to celebrate Bede’s life and his connection with the monastery at Monkwearmouth. It Edwin Morgan, the Scottish national poet, died in is carved on all four sides: the south has birds and August at the age of 90. Known for the variety and animals; the east has scenes from Bede’s life; the north range of his writing, he was named as the first Scottish has portraits of bishops, including Benedict Biscop; and national poet, or Scots Makar, in 2004. the west (facing the road) has the main Edwin Morgan (1920 - 2010) was born and educated in inscription which is a quotation from Glasgow, where he returned to lecture in English Bede's Ecclesiastical History in English, Literature at Glasgow University after a period in the army. He was the author of many Latin, runic and minuscule script . The books, including poetry, criticism, essays, translations, plays and works of concrete style of the carving is based on that of poetry, for which he received awards including the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry and the Lindisfarne Gospels. the Weidenfeld Prize for Translation. He was invited to write a poem to open the Despite’s Bede’s importance, there had Scottish Parliament. been no memorial to him in the North Here's a taster - the beginning of his poem A Gull . You can hear him reading this, and East until in 1903 a memorial campaign other poems on the Poetry Archive website - http://www.poetryarchive.org led by the Mayor of Sunderland easily raised £300 to pay for the cross. It was unveiled by the Archbishop of York on 11 th October 1904. It was A seagull stood on my window-ledge today, removed for safety in 1914 and re-erected in 1921, but remained in said nothing, but had a good look inside. position during the Second World War. That was a cold inspection I can tell you! North winds, icebergs, flash of salt 12 13

• NOTHING GOLD CAN STAY Polyunsaturated fats (eg oily fish) reduce both types of total cholesterol. Nature's first green is gold, Note: Not everyone agrees with this. There is a school of thought that says there is no Her hardest hue to hold. such thing as bad cholesterol and that statins should only be taken for some specific Her early leaf's a flower; acute medical problems. Latest medical advice is that doctors should make patients But only so an hour. aware of potential side effects. Then leaf subsides to leaf. So Eden sank to grief, So dawn goes down to day. SCIENCE Nothing gold can stay. Robert Frost

FROM RETIREMENT TO THE STARS U3A Science Technology & Society Network Seminar, Abergavenny, August 2010 HEALTH MATTERS Some 50 delegates from all over Britain gathered at Abergavenny for a packed programme of lectures, STATINS: RISK OF SIDE EFFECTS debate and visits (and socialising!). Our lecture programme started with jumbo jets and helicopters (what There is some concern that many patients are being prescribed statins without knowing keeps them up) and ended with the Golden Mean, taking all the risks and without proper monitoring. A study done by Nottingham University, in an eclectic mix of topics en route (the message of published by the BMJ in May calls for the type and dosage of statins to be closely starlight, the Brunels, computers and DNA …). So we monitored for unintended side effects. Overall, for every 10,000 high risk women taking learned to love cholesterol; how to build an energy statins, there would be 271 fewer cases of cardio-vascular disease. However, there saving home; the practicalities of replacing animal would also be 74 extra patients with liver dysfunction, 307 with cataracts, 23 with renal testing with in vitro methods; and how to do a bit of maths, and found time to visit failure, 39 with muscle diseases. Professor Hipsley-Cox, one of the report authors, said Swansea and enjoy guided visits to the sites of two ironworks, and an anthracite mine. “the important thing is to balance the risks and benefits for an individual patient so that Not forgetting the good food, the evenings spent socialising with other delegates and the patient can make an informed choice”. members of Abergavenny U3A (free wine!) and the Great Debate (“zero waste is better So for most people at high risk of heart disease the benefits will outweigh the risks but it than high tech disposal”.) A highly enjoyable (if exhausting) event. Look out for the next is essential that side effects are reported immediately to your doctor. The University of one in August 2011. ED Nottingham has developed a risk calculator to help people assess their personal risk factors: www.qintervention.org ======What do statins do? inhibit the synthesis of cholesterol in the liver, thus reducing the amount in the blood DANCING ROBOTS A troupe of 20 dancing robots What is cholesterol? A waxy substance produced by the liver from made its official debut at the fatty foods. Not all cholesterol is bad: you can’t survive without Shanghai 2010 Expo, wowing it! It is vital for the normal functioning of the body. There are two viewers with synchronized types: “good” and “bad”. Cholesterol is deposited in the arteries where ballet-like movements. it is needed and the good cholesterol takes the excess bad cholesterol back to the liver, where it is either broken down or flushed The Nao robot, designed by out of the body. Too much bad cholesterol can lead to gradual build- French firm Aldebaran Robotics, up of fat in the arteries. Over time, this can increase your risk of weighs about 9.5 pounds and developing cardiovascular disease, such as coronary heart disease, stands roughly 23 inches tall. It as well as diabetes and stroke. has four microphones in its head and is equipped with a How to reduce bad cholesterol? • voice recognition and analysis Avoid saturated fats (eg dairy products, fatty meat, biscuits, cakes). system so it can see and listen, as well as respond to touch. So far, it understands • Avoid trans fats – chemically altered vegetable fats produced by hydrogenation, English and French and can follow commands in either language. found in most processed foods They have no nutritional value and are used to add bulk and increase the shelf life. It also has Wi-Fi connectivity, so various Naos can talk to each other, and it has 25 • Monounsaturated fats (eg many vegetable oils) can lower bad cholesterol, while degrees of freedom, meaning it can dance. . They can be fully programmed to move in maintaining good cholesterol . unison – and so the dance troupe demonstration. The troupe performed several 14 15 dances, including the finale of Ravel’s Bolero. See a video of the dancing robots on our it was killed; and the flies swarmed so in the lanes and hedges that they rendered the website horses half frantic, and riding irksome; ======THE BUZZER” UVB-76 is a mysterious radio SCIENCE MYTHS: LIGHTNING DOESN’T STRIKE TWICE broadcast, consisting of nothing Lightning does strike the same place twice – in fact it is very common. Lightning but an unpleasant buzzing noise, obviously favours certain areas such as high trees or buildings. In a large field, which has been going almost the tallest object is likely to be struck multiple times until the lightning moves non-stop since around 1982, and sufficiently far away to find a new target. The Empire State Building gets struck comes from a station about 25 around 25 times a year. miles northwest of Moscow. Three times during its nearly thirty year history, the buzzing has stopped, somebody has In June 1977 park ranger Roy C Sullivan of Virginia, USA, was sent to hospital read a list of Russian names, and then the buzzing started up again. Nobody knows with chest and stomach burns after being struck by lightning for the seventh time. exactly why. In 2010 transmission stopped briefly, then on 6 June many listeners Previously, he had been struck in 1942 (lost big toenail), 1969 (lost eyebrows), reported transmissions in morse code, after which the buzzing was replaced by a high 1970 (left shoulder burnt), 1972 (hair set on fire), 1973 (new hair set on fire and pitched tone, similar to a modem, with intermittent deeper tones like that of a foghorn. legs burnt) and 1976 (ankle injured). UVB-76 is widely believed to be used to transmit encoded messages to spies. Inevitably, it has its own Facebook page. QUIZ: TEST YOUR MATHS - answers on p 27 ======1. Divide 30 by half and add 10. What is the answer? ICELANDIC VOLCANO CAUSES DEVASTATION 2. Four months have 31 days. How many have 28? in June 1783, the Icelandic volcano Laki started erupting - an eruption that would 3. A farmer has 17 sheep. All but 9 die. How many does he continue for eight months. The resulting ash have left? cloud caused catastrophic effects across Europe, as well as parts of North America 4. How many animals of each sex did Moses take on the ark? and Africa. The Laki eruption and its 5. If there are 4 birds in a tree and a hunter shoots one of them, how many aftermath has been estimated to have killed birds will be left? over six million people globally, making it the deadliest volcanic eruption in historical times. Ships couldn't leave ports due to the thick cloud of ash that hung in the air around Europe for weeks on end, and many crops failed causing widespread famine. The shortages of food and poverty that the volcano helped cause were one of the key factors that led to the French Revolution a few years later in 1789. The naturalist Gilbert White recorded his observations at Selborne, Hampshire: The summer of the year 1783 was an amazing and portentous one, and full of horrible phaenomena; for besides the alarming meteors and tremendous thunder-storms that affrighted and distressed the different counties of this kingdom, the peculiar haze, or smokey fog, that prevailed for many weeks in this island, and in every part of Europe, and even beyond its limits, was a most extraordinary appearance, unlike anything known within the memory of man. By my journal I find that I had noticed this strange occurrence from June 23 to July 20 inclusive, during which period the wind varied to every quarter without making any alteration in the air. The sun, at noon, looked as blank as a clouded moon, and shed a rust- coloured ferruginous light on the ground, and floors of rooms; but was particularly lurid and blood-coloured at rising and setting. All the time the heat was so intense that butchers' meat could hardly be eaten on the day after 16 17

Worst airport situation nominee : Oslo-Torp airport (used by Ryanair and GARDENING Wizzair airlines) is 118km from Oslo. It takes 1 hour, 36 minutes to reach the city centre. By car. Without traffic. If you’re lucky. AUTUMN LAWN TIPS There are lots of jobs that can be done now to ensure you have a Amongst the funny scenarios the public can vote for are the most annoying tourists, the green lawn next spring and summer. rudest waiters and the worst airports. www.titanicawards.com/ • As the days grow shorter and the temperatures begin to fall the rate at which the grass grows will slow, so the lawn will need mowing less frequently. It is a good idea to raise the height of cut as winter approaches. • Use a light rake or brush to keep the lawn free of leaves and debris • Sow replacement grass seed in autumn, whilst the weather is still warm. Sow as soon as the weather conditions permit to ensure good, strong growth before the frosts start. Remember not to mow new grass too soon. (Laying turf is more expensive, but October and November are an ideal time to do this.) • This is a good time to use moss killer and lawn feed to top up nutrient levels to help your lawn through the winter months. • Scarify your lawn using a spring tine rake to remove dead grass and moss. The lawn may look a little patchy but it will soon recover. • If your lawn is compacted you can aerate using a fork or hollow-tine aerator. By opening up the lawn with small holes you will improve drainage and reduce the risk of moss taking hold. • Toadstools can be unsightly during autumn but they won’t cause any long term damage to your lawn.

When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it. If it comes out of the ground FOOD easily, it is a valuable plant . - Anon

HEALTHY FOOD – FIVE COMMON MYTHS Fresh fruits and vegetables are more nutritious than processed ones TRAVEL You may actually get more nutrients from some frozen and canned fruits and vegetables. That's because "fresh" produce may be a lot older than you think: they may have spent days being sorted, TITANIC AWARDS CELEBRATE THE WORST OF TRAVEL packaged, and then transported. During that time, fluctuations in light If you’ve ever wedged yourself into an airplane seat, checked your luggage or stayed in and temperature rob fruits and vegetables of important nutrients such a hotel, you know there are few perfect trips on this planet. Something invariably goes as vitamin C and folate. wrong. The Titanic Awards seeks to take a different approach to these often spectacular underachievements in the travel industry… by celebrating them. Doug The negative side of processing comes down to three factors: taste, texture, and Lansky set up the site because of his frustration at travel writers giving an idealised view additives. Frozen foods rarely taste as good as fresh, and processing can change the of destinations. consistency of many items. Food manufacturers often add salt, sugar, and fat to otherwise healthy products and you should avoid such additives. One final note: Items The Titanic Awards has released a YouTube video celebrating the dubious frozen in bags should move about freely, because clumping indicates that the product achievements of travel such as the worst baggage handlers, the roughest cruises and has been thawed and then refrozen. the longest toilet queue ever.

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Cooking destroys vitamin content LOW FAT RECIPES For some vegetables, cooking actually boosts the body's ability to absorb the nutrients. Guacamole with veggie dippers For example, the cancer-fighting lycopene is stronger in cooked tomato sauce than in 2 Avocado 1 Red onion 1 clove Garlic Lemon juice raw tomatoes. However, many nutrients will be lost with the wrong cooking technique. For dipping: Red pepper Yellow pepper Celery The most important rule: Do not overboil veggies! Nutrients will leach out into the boiling water, so all that goodness will be lost. To retain the most nutrition, steam, roast, or Peel two small ripe avocados and remove the stones. microwave with as little water as possible, and keep cooking time to a minimum. Chop one small onion, and crush and chop one clove of garlic. Mash the avocado, then add the onion, garlic and finally a tbsp of lemon juice. Eggs are not healthy Serve in a bowl with strips of pepper and celery for dipping. Eggs are not healthy if you eat too many of them. An egg a day is actually very good for Baked Lemon and Vanilla Cheesecake you, because it is full of protein. Poached eggs are the healthiest. 125g (4½oz) digestive biscuits, crushed 40g (1½oz) suitable low fat spread, melted You need eight to ten glasses of water each day 2 x 200g tub low fat cream cheese The truth is that how much water you need each day differs from person 2 eggs to person and depends on how much fluid you lose throughout the day. finely grated zest of 2 lemons plus juice of 1 What you eat provides a significant portion of your fluid needs: on 1 tsp vanilla extract average, about 20% of total water intake (many fruits and vegetables, for example, are 110g (4oz) caster sugar over 90% water). The remaining 80% comes from beverages of all kinds (remember a few raspberries or other fruit for decoration milk, juice, tea, coffee, etc are composed mostly of water). Use your urine to determine Preheat the oven to 160C. Line a 20cm (8in) spring form tin. whether you need more or less water. If it is clear, you need less water. If it is dark, you Mix together the biscuits and melted low fat spread and press into the base of the tin. need more water Chill until required. “Although not trained in medicine or nutrition I intuitively knew that the In a large bowl, beat together the remaining ingredients, except the raspberries. advice to drink eight glasses of water per day was nonsense. The Pour over the biscuit base and bake for 40-45 minutes until just set. advice fully meets three important criteria for being an American health Leave to cool before chilling. Decorate with fruit urban legend: excess, public virtue and the search for a cheap "magic bullet." - Letter to New York Times ANNIVERSARIES 400 years ago: Henry Hudson sailed into what it is now known as Hudson Bay, You need vitamin supplements to be healthy thinking he had found the Northwest Passage and reached the Pacific Ocean. (August This depends on the individual, the foods they eat, and what their body is doing. Only 1610) your doctor can determine whether you need supplements or not, which supplements 350 years ago: Royal Society founded when 12 men resolve to set up “a Colledge for you need, and how much of those supplements you need, and this information is usually the Promoting of Physico-Mathematicall Experimental Learning”. (28 Nov 1660) based on blood tests. 275 years ago: Sir Robert Walpole became the first British Prime Minister to occupy 10 And some more easily recognised superstitions: Downing Street (22 Sept 1735) • Keeping an onion in your pocket protects against heatstroke – India • Eating corners of a piece of bread ensures good relationship with mother -in- law. – 200 years ago: Birth of novelist Elizabeth Gaskell (29 Sept 1810) Romania 180 years ago: William Huskisson MP killed at the • After eating a boiled egg, push the spoon through the bottom of the empty shell to opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway after let out the devil – England being hit by the locomotive engine Rocket. (15 Sept • Eating crusts makes your hair curly - England 1830) 150 years ago: Abraham Lincoln elected US President (6 Nov 1860) If you’re afraid of butter, as many people are nowadays, 100 years ago: Death of Leo Tolstoy (20 Nov 1910) just put in cream. Julia Child, American TV Chef 50 years ago: Election of John F. Kennedy as President of the (8 Nov 1960) The last call-up papers sent out as National Service ended (31 Dec 1960)

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DATES FOR YOUR DIARY SUNDERLAND CIVIC SOCIETY 18 Sept Washington Heritage Festival ; Albany Park, free Thurs, 7.15 (coffee) for 7.30 at the Age Concern Building, Stockton Road 11 Nov Len Gibson: Sunderland 125 Anti-Tank Regiment 19 Sept Local History Fair at Sunderland Museum; free 25 Nov Christmas Party - at The Hearts of Oak 25-26 Sept Greenfest , Wildfowl Centre, Washington; usual admission charge 13 Jan Ron Lawson: History of the pubs of 25 Sept Family Sculpture Day , Saltwell Park, , free PICTURE THE PAST A programme of lectures at the Donnison School, Church Walk, SR1 2BJ; Mondays, Older People’s Festival – various venues throughout October. 1.30 to 3.30 pm; £2 for visitors Starts with a fun day at Temple Park Centre, 1 Oct, 1pm-4pm; tel 0191 456 6903 27 Sept Brenda Graham: Children in the coal mines 1841 1-3 Oct NewcastleGateshead Art Fair ; at the Sage; £6 25 Oct Peter Baron: Cloudy, rain later 29 Nov Ann Chisholm: Why we say these things 3 Oct Mad about horses at Bede’s World; 12-5pm 20 Dec Annie Burlison's pie and peas 8-17 Oct Houghton Feast , various venues MONDAY STROLLERS 30 Oct Family & Local History Day at South Shields Museum Walking group meeting locally every other Monday for short gentle walks. For details contact Margaret Ridley on 0191 581 7235 or email [email protected] 31 Oct Engines steaming and classic car rally TUNSTALL HILLS PROTECTION GROUP 4 Nov Miriam Stoppard lecture : Why we need not get old; at Newcastle Series of gentle guided walks on Sunday afternoons. Meet at 2pm at changing room car University Herschel Building, 7.30pm; free park on the hill (opposite Hollymere pub). Free. Details from 0191 528 4659 or www.tunstallhills.org.uk 27-28 Nov Open Studios ; various venues in Ouseburn area of Newcastle; free Sun 17 Oct Fungal Foray led by Tom Kirby Sun 14 Nov Geology led by Sylvia Humphrey 28 Nov Frost Fair ; Washington Old Hall, 11am – 3pm; free LIT & PHIL 1-31 Dec NewcastleGateshead Winter Festival ; various venues Programme at http://www.litandphil.org.uk/html Reserve a seat by calling (0191) 232 0192, or emailing [email protected]; 2-5 Dec Durham Victorian Christmas Festival FRIENDS OF BEDE’S WORLD 11-12 Dec Victorian Christmas Market Lectures on last Saturday of the month at 12noon; normal entrance charges 18 Dec Victorian Christmas at Donnison School ; 1 - 4pm; £5 for children to 30 Oct Bede’s writings and the Anglo Saxon Myth see Father Christmas 27 Nov The Staffordshire hoard: Dr Kevin Leahy 26 Dec Boxing Day Dip ; 11am at NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY INSIGHTS LECTURES 5.30 pm at Herschel Building, opposite Haymarket Metro; free Thu 7 Oct Paul Younger: Coal – it’s not all black! REGULAR MEETINGS: Tue 19 Oct Bruce Valpy: Offshore wind farms Thu 21 Oct: Janet Gardiner: The blitz FOSUMS (Friends of Sunderland Museums) Tues 26 Oct Pakaj Vadgama: Making biosensors to track an unstable world Meetings at Sunderland Museum, third Thursday of each month 7- 9pm; £1 entry fee Tues 2 Nov Grace McCombie: Architecture: a bridge linking Newcastle- Membership enquiries to: David Owens on 07949 613 363 Gateshead 21 Oct W Angawa: Unfair Trade Thu 11 Nov Chris Hutchison: How and why we age 11 Nov Pete Edwards: The Hadron Collider Thu 18 Nov Roddy Doyle: Developments in children’s literature (advance booking) 9 Dec Christmas Party: Stuart Miller: Lola Montez Tues 30 Nov Simon Stuart: The extinction crisis – is there any hope?

WEARSIDE FIELD CLUB Meets at 7.30 pm on the second Tuesday of the month at Fulwell Community Centre, Chapman Street (£1 entry) plus one Saturday walk/excursion per month (coach fare for History is the version of past events that people have out of area walks). Details from Elsie Denham on 0191 521 2760 decided to agree upon. Napoleon Bonaparte Tues 12 Oct Cliff Banks: An audio-visual presentation Tues 9 Nov Norman Kirtlan: Victorian customs Sat 20 Nov Visit to Leeds Tues 14 Dec Christmas social 22 23

In 1902, Anderson retired to Aldeburgh on the Suffolk coast and in 1908 she became INTERNATIONAL DAY OF OLDER PERSONS the mayor of the town, the first female mayor in England. She was a member of the On December 14, 1990, the UN General Assembly declared October 1 as the suffragette movement (led by her younger sister Millicent Fawcett) and her daughter International Day of Older Persons and Louisa was also a doctor and a prominent suffragette. it has been celebrated worldwide ever since to recognize the contributions of older persons and to examine issues What we have learned … that affect their lives. The top of the Eiffel Tower leans away from the sun - it can This is the fourth year that the day has move as much as 18cm, as the metal on the side facing the sun been marked in the UK and the theme expands in the heat and pushes the other side away. It can also for 2010 is ‘getting and staying active in get as much as 15cm taller when the weather is hot. later life’. Under the Full of Life banner, the government and other

supporting groups are arranging a

variety of activities, with the main events on UK Older People’s Day on 1 REGIONAL NEWS October. NOW BOOKING: ….

DURHAM RESIDENTIAL SCIENCE SCHOOL , 11-14 th April 2011 at Durham University INTERESTING PEOPLE Bookings are now being taken . The subjects will be: Biology, Earth Sciences, Physics

ELIZABETH GARRETT ANDERSON (1836 - 1917) Cost including three nights accommodation and all meals £220. There are some places for day delegates for which the cost will be £100. Make your bookings now. The first Englishwoman to qualify as a doctor and the first female mayor Details from John Leiper, Marlfield Lodge, by Coldstream, Berwickshire, TD12 4JT. Elizabeth Garrett was born in London, one of the 12 Email [email protected] or follow link from our web site children of a successful businessman, who could send his children to good schools. Her decision to become a doctor was unheard of in 19 th century Britain and she was denied ======entry to several medical schools. The Society of Apothecaries did not specifically forbid women from taking REGIONAL VISIT TO ST MARY’S HERITAGE CENTRE their examinations, so in 1865 she passed their exams and A small group from Sunderland U3A met at St Mary’s Heritage Centre on the gained a certificate which enabled her to become a doctor. Gateshead Quayside on 28th June. In total there were approximately 70 members from (The society immediately changed its rules to prevent other several branches of Northumbria U3A. It women entering the profession this way.) was a beautiful day with blue skies and The next year she established a dispensary for women in sunshine. London and in 1870 was made a visiting physician to the East London Hospital where First we explored the churchyard where she met James Anderson, marrying him in 1871. She was still determined to win her there are a number of well-known people medical degree, but to do so she had to teach herself French and study at the University buried. Then we entered the church, which of Paris. The British Medical Register refused to recognise her qualification. is now the heritage centre and has not In 1872 she founded the New Hospital for Women in London (renamed the Elizabeth been used as a church for many years. Garrett Anderson Hospital in 1918), staffed entirely by women. In 1873 she gained There are still features of the original membership of the British Medical Association and remained the only woman member building, but some years ago a fire for 19 years, due to the Association's vote against the admission of further women. But destroyed many parts of it. The fire was so fierce it spread across the Tyne and her determination paved the way for other women, and in 1876 an act was passed destroyed buildings on the Newcastle side. permitting women to enter the medical professions. In 1883, she was appointed dean of the London School of Medicine for Women, which she had helped to found in 1874, and After lunch at the Baltic we assembled at the Millennium Bridge. Crossing the bridge, oversaw its expansion. we walked along the quayside and saw two sculptures. One was divided into six tiers – all solid metal sculptured by blacksmiths from all parts of the country. The first five tiers 24 25 were named after the senses, and the top one was intuition. We then walked towards Partly, I think, as a result of this, staff at Sunderland Library are hoping to stage a the Tyne Bridge and saw a wall with different engravings depicting local scenes. We ‘Houghton Feast Literature Festival’ from 7 th to 16 th October. The event is not continued to Trinity House where we saw a new sculpture which is in construction – a finalised yet but you may want to look out for further details in the local press or on the ‘Giant Wave’. Internet. Our last visit was to Bessie Surtees House, from which she eloped with her sweetheart Also, they are planning to mark National Poetry Day on 7 th October by inviting (her father wanting to marry her to a richer man). A ladder was placed under her window members of the public to submit their own verse. The entries will then be displayed and off they went and were duly married. onscreen as a rolling display at various venues in the area (I don’t have full details but I think Sunderland and Washington libraries are likely to be two of them). If you would like We ended an excellent day with tea at the Copthorne Hotel. to submit some poetry you can email it to margaret.simpson @sunderland.gov.uk. DS ======WASHINGTON U3A 10TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION As part of Washington U3A’s 10th anniversary celebration they organised a boat trip on the Tyne on July 3rd and invited local U3A members to join them.

A number of members from Sunderland U3A accepted the invitation and had a very pleasant afternoon.

The weather was bright and sunny, if a little breezy. We left the South Shields Ferry Landing at 2 pm and sailed down to the mouth of the Tyne where we turned round and headed up river to the Gateshead Millennium Bridge which was raised for us to pass underneath. After turning round we passed under the bridge again and headed back to the starting point. Throughout there was a commentary from a local guide. We arrived back at about 5 pm having also enjoyed a plentiful buffet en route. JA

======

These stunningly detailed sculptures are made from paper by Allen and READ REGIONAL Patty Eckman. They mix an acid free paper pulp which is cast into moulds made from original clay sculptures. The pieces are dried by On Saturday July 17th Judith (our Chair) and I went to South evaporation, the hard cast is removed and the process of chasing, Shields Library for an Authors Reading as part of the Read sculpting and detailing begins.. Some works are so pains takingly Regional campaign. This was just one event in a rolling detailed they can take many months to complete. Find more pictures on programme which is aimed at introducing local authors to readers their website. in our area. On arrival the writers were on hand for a book signing opportunity and then Kachi Ozumba read extracts from his novel ‘The Shadow of a Smile’ and Cynthia Fuller read some poems from her anthology ‘Background Music’. It was interesting to listen to such Answers to Maths Quiz p 17 diverse works from two authors who currently call the North East home and to gain 1. 70 (if you said 25 you divided by 2) some insights into their lives and work in the question and answer session. 2. All of them - all months have (at least) 28 days The Read Regional campaign runs until December so there is still a chance to catch an 3. 9 (all but nine …) event. On 16th September Janette Jenkins will be doing a book signing at Durham 4. None. Moses was not on the ark. Farmers Market and Kachi Ozumba will be at Houghton Library on Thursday 14th 5. None – one dead and the rest will be scared away by the noise October at 6pm – but there are other events throughout September, October and November in other locations. You can get full details by visiting www.readregional.com or by ringing 0191 2333850. 26 27

GROUPS AT A GLANCE CONTACT US

MONDAY (Not Bank Holidays or some school holidays – see notices & web site) Chair: Judith Ayles 18 Hunter Close, East Boldon, NE36 0TB; 07985 317 478 judithbldn @ btinternet.com 1 Swimming Raich Carter Centre, Commercial Road, 1.45 for 2.00pm Vice-chairman: 3 Rockville, Seaburn, SR6 9EL; 0191 548 1878 2 Amateur Artists Monkwearmouth Railway Museum 10.15am Ann Aldridge 2 Swimming Raich Carter Centre 1.45 for 2.00pm 3 Swimming Raich Carter Centre 1.45 for 2.00pm Hon. Secretary: 12 Lee Street, Sunderland SR6 9BA 4 Card Making Leader’s home 10.00am Linda Thompson 0191 549 5693 4 Amateur Artists Monkwearmouth Railway Museum 10.15am 4 Swimming Raich Carter Centre 1.45 for 2.00pm Treasurer: 85 Ryhope Rd., Sunderland, SR2 7SZ; 0191 567 8920 Martin Walker TUESDAY Groups Secretary: 07890 982 569 shumby @ talktalk.net 1 Computer Support Amble Tower, Lakeside Village 10.30am Sheila Humby 1 Tai Chi Fulwell Methodist 2.00 pm 2 Poetry Appreciation Dock Street 10.15am Membership : 103 Dovedale Rd. Sunderland, SR6 8LS; 0191 549 0984 2 Tai Chi Fulwell Methodist 2.00 pm Lilian Younger 3 Computer Support Amble Tower, Lakeside Village 10.30am 3 Tai Chi Fulwell Methodist 2.00 pm Speakers Sec: 53 Ambleside Tce., Sunderland, SR6 8NP; 4 Tai Chi Fulwell Methodist 2.00 pm Susan Quayle 0191 548 8139 WEDNESDAY Mag Rep: Dorothy Scott 4 Kenton Grove, Sunderland, SR6 0HH; 0191 565 2108 1 ------dorothy.mse @ btinternet.com

2 Lunch TBA each month Committee Members: 2 Walking TBA each month Morning 3 MONTHLY MEETING Fulwell Methodist, Dovedale Rd 1.30 for 2pm Minnie Cochrane 0191 522 0937 4 ------Marion Miller 0191 548 1009 Jim Wilson THURSDAY 1 Discussion Monkwearmouth Railway Museum 2.00pm Editor: Elsie Denham 61 Orkney Drive, Sunderland SR2 0TB; 0191 521 2760 2 History Fulwell Methodist 11.00am elsie.denham @ googlemail.com 3 Looking at Art Monkwearmouth Railway Museum 10.30am 4 Reading 2nd Floor, Central Library 2.00 pm Sunderland U3A email address: sunderlandu3a @ gmail.com 4 Travel Monkwearmouth Railway Museum 10.30am Website: sunderlandu3a.co.uk

FRIDAY 1 Keep Mobile Fulwell Methodist 11.00 am 2 Scrabble Organiser’s home 2.00 pm 3 Geology Bangladeshi Centre 2.00pm 3 Keep Mobile Fulwell Methodist 11.00 am 4 Keep Mobile Fulwell Methodist 11.00 am 4 Music Appreciation Dock Street 10.00am

CINEMA – this group happens on an ad hoc basis –details at monthly meeting

COFFEE MORNING: held at Fulwell Methodist Church, at 10 for 10.30 am, whenever there is a fifth Wednesday in the month.

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