Issue 7

Ash U3A Newsletter February 2020 Bringing people together

Chairman’s Roundup by Derek Monds

YOUR HELP NEEDED Sally Barnard

Sally joined Ash U3a “probably 2012 or 2013”, then Efficient and accountable joined the committee as Secretary in 2013. She management is essential for added on Groups Secretary when Rod Dengate all organisations, including departed. She said she also had Bookings and large and small charities like Venues as well, at some point She did both jobs Ash U3A. then “got shot” of the Secretary role, although she “can’t remember when” “Bit of a mug aren’t I, At the heart of Ash U3A is the team of Group really!!” - she dared me to print this, but I have done Leaders, who give up a huge amount of time to so because it illustrates she was prepared to take stimulate activities, provide help where needed and on anything, was full of enthusiasm and imagination ensure their members get what they pay for - and and had great energy. Thank you, Sally. have fun. I am pleased to say that most of our new groups are But we also need a small team who can oversee all doing well. Progress reports on these are set out on this by ensuring — the following pages. I would particularly pick out one of the first language groups we have ever had—our  overall support for groups is provided and Spanish Group, run by Victoria Akass . Victoria new activities are stimulated where possible; says progress is slow, but that’s because it is a  your money, whether it is by subscription or beginners group. If you want to try out some payment for activities, is correctly spent and Spanish look at her report on page 5. accountable; Sadly, one of the leaders of the Theatre Visits  we operate within the rules applicable to a Group, Marija Currell, due to ill health, is no longer charity; able to help her co-leader, Diane Dobinson. This  one of our highlights—the Monthly Meeting - is means that Diane no longer feels able to continue continuing; organising these visits by herself. We therefore  appropriate venues for activities are found and need two or three volunteers to help Diane form a maintained and paid for; team to lead this group. If you are interested, please  your security is protected; let me know.  you are kept fully informed of activities, and new members sought. Finally, for the record, we now have - 364 members These are reasons why we need a Committee, and a committee that is fully staffed. 39 New members 33 different activities At the moment we are one short, with the resignation of Groups Secretary, Sally Barnard. If you would enjoy getting round the groups, Thankyou supporting them wherever possible, identifying and To Alan Hayes who once again stimulating new activities and on rare occasions superbly organised our troubleshooting, please give me a ring. appearance at the 11 November In a few months, Judy Hill, who organises the Remembrance Service. Monthly Meetings, will be leaving. She has made arrangements for well into 2021, so there is not a great deal to do immediately, but Judy would be keen to work alongside you for a period to show you Learning is a treasure that will follow its the ropes. owner everywhere—Chinese proverb

I have made numerous appeals to fill these two gaps—so I make no apology for another one. 1 Village Hall and one of our members has Groups Looking for made a recording of our singing. It's great fun and we New Members look forward to more people joining. We meet fortnightly in Tongham Village Hall on Wednesday mornings." Music Appreciation If you are interested in singing or can play an

instrument, join us. Join us. We mostly listen to classical music, which is chosen and presented Contact - Les Billig 01252 783977 or 07770 by one of the members. Each session 866579 has a particular theme, for example, Virtuoso, which was music performed by people like Joan Sutherland, Alfred Brenden and Around the Groups Nigel Kennedy . A number of new groups have been formed in Other titles include Viva Le France (French recent months, and other groups re-started. composers); Knights of the Podium (music This is a progress report. conducted by famous conductors who have been knighted); and Sea Interludes (music with a sea theme) and 1685 (music composed by the 3 Computer Support composers born that year, Bach, Handel and Scarlatti): also, many other interesting themes like Our approach— From Russia with Love and "Let Music be the no such thing as a silly question! Food of Love. No matter how basic the When no one can be persuaded to do a presentation I question please ask – The group usually suggest everyone brings music to play with a relies on audience participation. particular theme like "Spring" and that usually results in a very interesting and entertaining afternoon. This year we have looked at:  Protecting yourself and device online – for We meet on the 2nd Wednesday of the month in term example learning how to identify typical scam time at St. Peter’s Centre. There is a small charge emails, keeping your device secure and up to each term to cover the cost of hiring the hall. date, plus learning about passwords. Contact— Pam Jarmain– 01252 325762  Encouraging group members to realise that with common sense and the right tools the internet isn’t such a bad place.  Basic use of email and using a browser on the internet, how to setup an email account, how to use an email application, and the main features of a browser.

 Simple troubleshooting steps users can take to tackle issues encountered – this covered phones, tablets, laptops PCs and printers.

For each group meeting a handout has been produced and shared with the members reflecting what was discussed during the event. Copies of these documents can be found on the Computer Group’s Singing at the Ash U3A December Monthly Meeting page, on the Ash U3A website.

Singing for Pleasure Group Next year we plan to spend time learning about tablets and mobile phones (both Android and Apple We started in Sep 2018 and currently have about 13 devices). Further group topics to be decided by the singers, of mixed ability, but all sharing a fondness group towards the end of each term. for singing. We don't have music scores, so no need to read music. As a group we sing a wide variety of Contact—Tom Gardner songs from Moon River to Rock Around the Clock [email protected] and everything in between!

We have even started to bring in bits of harmony. We performed at a Burns Night supper last year in

2 Garden Visits Photography After a brief interlude the Ash U3A gardening group is now named Garden Visits and has been running After several years absence we have a since February 2019 with an increased number of Photography Group back in Ash U3A. enthusiastic supporters. This has been made possible by U3A members getting together to form an We covered 14 venues during the year visiting Organising Team. We meet monthly in some of the most stunning gardens and the friendly and relaxed environment of Sussex has to offer, notably: Ash Victoria Hall and have welcomed back many Lenardslee Lake old members as well as those new to the U3A. We and Garden in are delighted that a few of our members have joined Lower Beeding, Ash U3A specifically so that they can attend the Horsham famed for Photography Group. their displays of rhododendrons, Around half of our members mainly use Digital SLR azaleas, camellias, or Compact Cameras to take photos but even they magnolias and have joined the increasing numbers who use a bluebells was truly mobile phone or tablet.. It is for this reason that we inspiring. are a Photography Group and not a Camera Club, with as much emphasis on the story behind the The Sculpture Park, photo as its technical merits. Churt, Farnham with The skill and level of knowledge of the membership its displays of varies hugely and whilst this presents a challenge in modern and keeping our ‘experts’ happy, without going over the contemporary heads of our ‘novices’, it is so rewarding to see sculptures, from the them proudly imparting knowledge to those with less quirky to the truly experience. We do encourage members to bring outstanding and along their cameras or devices so that they can be lavish creations by helped. renowned sculptors; Our meetings are split into two parts. Each month definitely a must see members submit (by email) up to three photos on an again. agreed topic. So far the topics have been water, autumn, weather festivities and table top photography, with wildlife to come. Around 70 photos a month are submitted and reviewed. Members are growing in confidence and welcome constructive comments about composition and quality. The second part of the meeting is devoted to technical topics and we have spent time looking at composition and how to organise and edit photos on a computer. Quite a few of our members are very interested in Family History and have seen how treasured old and damaged photos can be Kew Gardens enhanced. We all know that Kew Gardens is renowned for its diverse collection of living plants, but this year they amazed the public with a magnificent display of 32 glass installations situated across this London landmark by celebrated American artist Dale Chihuly. The sheer scale, vibrant colours and stunning depictions, was simply staggering. We meet on the last Friday of each month at 10.00am in the car park opposite Victoria Hall before setting off to our chosen venue. The new timetable of events for 2020 will be published shortly and will be available on the Ash U3A website. Members are encouraged to follow the two rules of the group. If you are interested in joining the Group Contact Peter Barker 01252 344288, or and would like more details please contact Rod Adrienne Evans 01252 333038 Dengate 01483 423699 or come along for a taster [email protected] 3 session. Social History Pat Scott reports on the Social History Group visit to Cathedral. When five of us volunteered to take on We had a very interesting visit including The the running of the Social Treasury, which houses gold and silver plate from History group at Sally the Cathedral and other churches in the Diocese, Barnard’s emergency and most of our Group had not seen the “Ganges meeting last year, we Cross” outside the eastern part of the Cathedral, knew nothing about which not only marked the site where the Cathedral each other’s various was to be built in 1933, but the timber was English skills or abilities. But Oak from HMS Ganges! how lucky it turned out to be that in Peter Barker we had a whizz in the computer department; Pam Also, many were fascinated with a map showing all Jarmain was more than capable of overseeing the churches in the Diocese drawn by John Clark as a membership monies and registers; Jill Townsend local school boy, but was happy to continue with organising and making updated by him in 2000! the teas at each meeting. It seemed that nothing We all found the freedom more was needed really but then up stepped Len to wander about so many and Pat Scott with years of valuable experience on parts of the Cathedral committee work and bags of enthusiasm and ideas which we had not been to keep the group afloat. That left me – someone aware of before, was a real who is very good at digging holes for herself and pleasure. jumping in feet first! I can’t even, like Oscar Wilde, Result—a successful visit say I have nothing to declare but my genius, but I and all Members of Social knew that with the other members of the committee History thoroughly enjoyed we would do our best to keep the Social History the afternoon. group thriving, so Jane Morgan would know her Ganges Cross being dedication and hard work had not been in vain. erected in 1933 The main point of this article is to say a big ‘thank you’ for the continued support we’ve had from ‘old’ Creative Crafts members of the group and the new ones who’ve joined us over the year. We have been well supported at all our meetings. We celebrated May Day with DVDs of past and present May Day activities around the country; in June we learned how vital an institution the pub was in war time, with some very humorous but bitter-sweet films, and, even closer to home, Pat & Len had a photo montage detailing the last months of The Standard of pub. July gave us an, at times, hilarious meeting on the history and ‘joys’ of the driving test with members volunteering their own memories of this. Beginning our new year in September we had a presentation on the history of Sainsbury’s (celebrating their 150th anniversary in 2019) with evocative pictures of their rise from one small shop in Drury Lane to the almost world-wide ‘empire’ of The new Thursday Creative Crafts group has today. In October Rod Dengate, an Ash U3A started off very well and we have made lots of nice member, gave us a fascinating insight into the things and learned some new skills. influence of geology on the way we live, and in Sadly, one lady has dropped out so there is ample November we had an outing to Guildford Cathedral room for anyone else who would like a morning of (see below). Our last meeting of this first year of our coffee and chat and leave with something creative regenerated group was on a wet and windy day in at the finish. December. Nothing deterred many of our members and we had a lively meeting reminiscing with old None of the projects are too taxing, and we help toys we brought to show each other, and memories each other out when we are stuck. You do not of childhood Christmases. have to be a craft genius! The object is to make We have a full programme planned for the something nice for yourself or a friend/loved one coming year, so if you’re at a loose end on the and have a bit of fun while you do it. second Thursday afternoon of each month why not give us a try in the Victoria Hall – you’ll be more One of my Wednesday ladies has moved so you have a choice of days as well Give me, , than welcome. 4 Chris Moss a call on Anne Hill 01252 687423 01252 285830. Spanish Book Review El Grupo de Espanol, los by David Murray miembros son amistosos Esta progresando, lentamemte, Leader, Book Circle porque es un grupo de principiantes. Usamos El Libro de la BBC “TALK SPANISH” The Hogs Back Mystery libro 1. Escuchando un CD, Es facil,y espero que los by Freeman Wills Crofts miembros estan felices. This book is an old-style murder mystery, written Or, to put it in English - in the 1930’s and full of the atmosphere of the period, very much like an Agatha Christie novel. The Spanish group, is a friendly few members. It is The special interest for Ash U3A readers is that it progressing slowly because it’s a beginners group. is set in the local area, starting out at Ash station We use the BBC Talk Spanish book 1, backed up and with most of the action taking place between by listening to a CD. It is easy, and I hope the Farnham and Compton. members are happy. An inspector from Scotland Yard has been called Group Leader: Victoria Akass 01483 812198 down to help Farnham police find a missing semi -retired doctor. The doctor has been murdered, but his body hasn’t been found and the likely suspects all have good alibis. The writer follows the inspector’s thoughts and actions as he tries to solve this mystery – he spends much of his time cycling between the various locations, as well as sitting, smoking, and thinking. Two other I am always looking for members to join my disappearances follow, also turning out to be Quiz Team., If you are interested, try murders. Eventually all three bodies are found, these….? and the inspector works out how the murders were done despite the apparently solid alibis. 1. Where is your Patella. This is a comforting but interesting read, 2 What are the bones of the spine called. pleasantly old fashioned in its writing style, and 3 In your hand you have three sets of bones, the way the author the carpuls the metacarpuls and what else. explains how it was done 4. What leaves your body at 100mph. is pleasingly direct. The 5. How many taste buds does the average Book Circle readers human have. enjoyed this one, liking its 6. Which is the smallest bone in the body. straight-forward and retro

style. Answers on page 7 Verdict Penny Thomsett—01252 655914 “Meticulous and nostalgic”

Why people join the U3A Scores—8s and 9s out of ten

Odd Ode

Mrs Reece had a niece Who wrestled with a flea. When one fell down in the second round It bit her on the knee.

Roger Moss Source: Third Age Trust 5 World War I, however, was to have a seismic impact U3A Study Day: on London in every facet of its future development. The Architecture of London At the start of the 20th Century, London was the largest city in the world created by a huge population Various parts of the U3A movement organise explosion in the previous century which produced a Study Days to help develop members’ interests radical shift in design ideas. Edwardian architecture or to give an insight into specific topics. gave way to the Modern Movement and new building types included development of health centres, Liz Hampton, a member of the Social History cinemas and underground stations. Group attended one of these recently, and here is her report: Some of the most innovative and controversial new The Architecture of London buildings appeared in the second half of the century transforming the face of London forever. After the “In November, I austerity of the post-war era, new technologies and attended this national event at the iconic home of the Royal Institute of British Architects in Portland Place, London, RIBA Headquarters showcasing one of the largest and most diverse collections in the world spanning four centuries of London’s architectural heritage.

Architects are concerned with everything which Grand Union Walk housing makes up the built environment: buildings, garden landscapes right down to pieces of furniture. construction and changes in the economic situation We were introduced, via many rare examples from informed different responses in architecture and over four million items, to models; drawings; planning. photographs; books and personal archives. From the symmetry and splendour of its A fascinating day closed with London’s post- Georgian façade to today’s Millennial architecture showing three stylistic trends monumental structures in at its forefront: High-tech; Gestural Modernism and glass, London evolved amid Contextual Modernism. Reassuringly, in future, for different architectural styles less environmental impact, contemporary architects and movements from Gothic aim to focus on finding creative ways to repurpose Revival to Modernism with its existing buildings.” great architects and designers. If you are interested in Study Days, as a member of the U3A you can subscribe (free) to the national U3A During the Georgian period magazine. There is a page devoted to national and the long 18th Century, ten events and study days on all kinds of topics. The times bigger than any other Architecture of London Study Day cost £25. British city, London competed Albert Memorial with Paris as the greatest The Surrey U3A Network also organise interesting metropolis in Europe. We days. Examples were shown the ways in which it grew and developed, with solutions devised by its architects to Astronomy—Moons of Solar System & Debunk- respond to these rapid, large-scale social and ing Moon Landings Controversy. -21 February economic changes. The Most Famous Pharaoh of Them all: Georgian architecture persisted deep into the 20th Tutankhamun, the Boy King - 17 April Century, but the dawn of the machine age saw Victorian entrepreneurs and engineers developing Two Centuries of British Design—presented by ever larger commercial, public and government Paul Atterbury, BBC Antiques Road Show—15 May buildings. Churches were built in greater numbers and the suburbs and the railway network grew Understanding Turner—19 June exponentially. If you are interested, contact Ian Funnell— Classical and Gothic were replaced in the Edwardian [email protected] - 01372 374236 era by the Baroque style and a French influence. 6 Monthly Meetings Ash U3A Committee by Judith Hill Chairman– Derek Monds—

01252 337460 Secretary—Anne Everitt— Forthcoming Events 01252 342101 All Meetings are at 2.30pm, Treasurer —Brian Everitt— 01252 342101 St. Peter’s Centre. Membership Secretary—Gay Buckingham— 01252 656210 Venues and Bookings Secretary— Penelope Thomsett—

17 March 01252 655914

" " Speakers Secretary- Judy Hill— Singing the Beatles 01252 336819 by Publicity Officers—Barry and Linda Sutlieff— 01252 654727

Andy Smith Non Committee Support

Equipment—Ron Jarmain 01252 325762 Refreshments— Sue Baker 01252 336633 Web Administrator—Jim Forsyth 21 April 01252 342877

“The Secret Wood” Quiz Answers 1. The Knee By David Boag 2. Vertebrae

3. The phalanges Woodland wildlife 4. A sneeze photography 5. 9000 6. The Stirrup

Keep in Touch

19 May Please regularly watch “Five Generations of a our website— British Raj family, seen www.ashu3a.org.uk through the eyes of their Or if you would like granddaughter" any information ring by Jenny Mullin 01252 656210 Or contact me, Barry Sutlieff, 01252 654727

16 June “Metaphors, Ash U3A proverbs and sayings - don't touch them www.ashu3a.org.uk

with a barge pole 01252 656210

by Warren Ashton Registered Charity No. 1091390

7 Ash U3A Activity List

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