Summer August 2016 Issue No 61
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CRAVENmagazine U3A L A D Y A 6 N 1 N E E G 'S A P W E AY :: SE SUMMER 2016 Issue no.61 Contents The Chairman’s Letter 1 The Chairman's Letter 3 Let's all play fair 4 Walk to Lunch group 7 Popular Music 1920-60 9 What does a retired architect do all day? 10 Westnet Quiz 12 Housing Options class 14 The History of Mining class 16 Lady Anne's Way 20 Christine Lynch retires 22 Railway Study group 24 Fascinated Fungus Forayers 26 The Wairarapa Stonehenge Mick Richings 28 Bridge courses For those of you who weren't at the AGM, I am your new chairman 29 Stories of Scientists class and I thought it appropriate that I tell you something about myself. I've been actively involved with the Yorkshire Dales NPA as a Dales 30 First Class Volunteer for 22 years based at Grassington, being involved in a 31 Italy uncovered variety of activities from patrolling to leading walks and events. My 32 Chicken Goulash recipe employment over some 46 years has seen me sail the world with the Royal Navy as an engineer for 12 years, and then in civvie street at a 33 Lemon Soufflé recipe number of power stations gradually climbing up the greasy pole and 34 Walking back to 2006 ending up as engineering manager. For the past 9 years I've been a 36 Men's Health Alert magistrate, adjudicating in both adult and family matters at Keighley and, when that court closed, at Bradford. I would have continued, but Editor's note you have to fall off your perch at 70 (the official retirement age). Although I've only been a member of Craven U3A for two years, Craven U3A Magazine No.61 July 2016 I'm fully aware of its activities and objectives. My wife Margie has Editor: Roger French Craven U3A Registered Charity No.1038617 been a member for many years and has kept me abreast of its Printed by: Jason Miller - JAYMILL PRINT comings and goings, and I have been affected by how much she's enjoyed the classes attended. During my time volunteering for the 1 Yorkshire Dales I've been a key organiser, managing the activities of Let's all play fair other volunteers and, whilst a magistrate, the chairman of the West Everybody I have spoken to is delighted that course fees have been Yorkshire Magistrates Association. So, between my employment and set at zero this year, which will reduce the overall cost of membership, other activities, hopefully it has prepared me for the responsibilities as even for those enrolled in only one class. your chairman. I have to express my thanks to Vic who has been more than just helpful in advising and helping me to prepare – thank you. However, I have heard the same concern voiced several times: "Won’t this encourage people to sign up for courses that they then I have set myself one or two objectives during my term in office. Firstly, fail to attend?" I have tried to reassure people that this won’t happen during my brief spell on the committee I was struck by the enormous because our members are not selfish individuals – please don’t prove amount of work that is needed to manage the membership, and to me wrong! compound matters, in "computer speak" the membership doesn't talk to the finance. The committee attended a number of presentations on For the vast majority of members, signing up for a course means “I will the options available and decided that we will change to the U3A attend every session unless something serious stops me.” There are a bespoke computer system. There will be changes but we'll take the few, however, for whom it seems to mean “I will turn up for a session membership with us and for those not computer literate there will be if I’m not doing anything else and if I remember in time.” This latter no change. The other objective is to see the development of Westnet attitude mightn’t matter so much for a course with plenty of spaces which is a collaboration of Bradford, Keighley, Ilkley, Settle and and where each session is a “stand alone.” After all, the walking group ourselves to offer additional opportunities whilst each will retain their would be in serious trouble if all of us turned up for a walk! individuality. If anyone has any ideas for events please get in touch. On courses that are full, however, it means that somebody on the Our finances are too healthy, and again the committee agreed a waiting list, who is keener, has been deprived of a place. For courses process whereby they'll be reduced over a seven year period, the that progress, it means that the group leader has to spend time going consequence of this decision is dealt with elsewhere. Suffice to back over what they have already done to allow someone to catch comment that course fees are set at zero with a slight increase in the up. Group leaders work extremely hard to produce their courses – annual membership fee. This will be closely monitored. they deserve your respect and commitment. If you sign up for an oversubscribed course and then take a casual attitude to attendance, The Charity Commissioners' have finally given approval for the U3A be prepared for the group leader to challenge you about this and Constitution after some 18 months of deliberations. More later, on possibly replace you with someone from their waiting list. what will happen next. But what if there is a well-subscribed course that you would really like The membership continues to grow organically and we hope to to do, even though you know that your attendance will be patchy? continue building on the growth of recent years. If anyone has any Talk to the group leader about it. They may be happy to make a note suggestions about courses or would consider being a tutor please of your name and contact you on any occasion when they do have a get in touch. space. In conclusion, I'm enthused about taking on the mantle and a bit So, please think before you sign up – and let’s all play fair. nervous having to follow a very successful chairman in Vic. If anyone has any comments, suggestions on any matter please contact myself or any of the committee. Mick Richings Your Membership Secretary 2 3 Walk to Lunch group Whitby Weekend 15th -18th April Our weekend walking breaks are an established part of this friendly group and have now become a twice yearly event. heavy hail-and-snow shower! Two of us even managed to sneak in an The first one this year was a repeat visit to Whitby, where we went ice cream treat. last October. As we all enjoyed it so much, it was agreed to return The route back was across fields (some of which closely resembled to Larpool Hall as it is such a wonderful place to stay, offering comfy paddy fields) and woodland, which would have been beautiful had it accommodation, great walks, excellent staff, delicious meals plus a not been for the necessity to keep our eyes firmly fixed on the terrain sumptuous packed lunch. beneath our feet, as the mud had to be seen to be believed. Really Fifteen of us arrived on Friday afternoon and soon settled down to challenging! Despite our care, one of our members fell (who shall afternoon tea and the anticipation of a couple of days good walking. remain nameless for the sake of her dignity). Thankfully, there were no Jenny and Stuart, who had planned and recced the walks before our major injuries and she carried on with grit, determination and a smile. visit, briefed us all over pre-dinner drinks. There was a break-away group who did a shorter version of the walk, Our first walk, on the Saturday, was an 8-mile circular walk from the but even they had trouble wi’ t’ mud! Needless to say a hot shower, pretty village of Staithes to Runswick Bay. Although it was cold and followed by drinks from the bar and a delicious three course evening blustery, the skies were blue as we set off along the coastal path, meal were most welcome. After dinner, to the amusement(?!) of the admiring the striking views of the beach below. As we walked along few other guests, we played skittles in the lounge, which was noisier the headland heavy black clouds began to follow us and before too than we had anticipated, but great fun. long we were enveloped in hail showers. But the contrasts of blue Sunday dawned fair. Our circular walk of 7 miles from Ravenscar, skies, dark clouds, bright green fields, white blackthorn blossom wended its way from the coast, across the open moors before and gorse flowers kept our spirits high. On arriving in Runswick Bay leading back to the car park. The weather stayed dry and it was even the sun was shining again so we settled down to enjoy our packed (whisper it) slightly warmer, and the route less muddy. The scenery lunches by the sea shore. We just managed to finish before the next was spectacular, with great views of Robin Hood’s Bay as we climbed 4 5 away from Ravenscar. The moorland section had a bleak beauty Popular Music 1920-60 and, as we left it and walked through gentler terrain, lunch was in A few old friends of mine (and maybe yours too?) a woodland glade near a stream – thankfully, in the sun! Thereafter, it was a stroll across a dramatic expanse of a scree slope prior to My grandparents had a record player.