UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE Learn, Laugh and Live
NEWSLETTER - MARCH 2018 Letter from the Chairman
I was warned when I first became your Chairman that ‘you will never be without challenges or have a dull moment’. It was, therefore with some trepidation that I opened the first mailing of the year from the U3A Trust. Inside was the news that after a period of consultation the Charities Commission had advised the Trust that to maintain its charitable status they required ‘all activity carried out by U3A must be charitable and within the Object Clause in its constitution’. (The Object Clause can be likened to the Mission Statement of a Company and is the basis on which the Trust is granted Charitable status.
In order to comply with this instruction the Trust has been obliged to change its Primary Object Clause and instruct all U3A’s to follow suit, making the adoption of the clause a mandatory requirement for continued membership of the University of the Third Age. The Charities Commission has accepted that to meet its stipulated deadline of 1st April, it may not be possible for everyone. Consequently, as a concession, it has stated it is prepared to accept a blanket ‘opt-in’ to the next clause by individual U3A’s simply reporting their acceptance to the Third Age Trust. To meet the opt-in in deadline, however, members should be aware that your Committee is obliged to inform the Trust by 20th March, that our U3A is prepared to accept this new Primary Object Clause. Naturally, the members must approve this decision, and this will be one of the items on the Agenda at our AGM in April.
Your Committee has been made aware that the new clause has a number of financial, accounting and insurance implications that will have an impact on the running of our U3A.
For the last two years, despite numerous appeals, we have had vacancies on the Committee with the effect that the workload of running this U3A has fallen on the willing few. As two officers and at least one other Committee member must stand down at the 2019 AGM, it is imperative that people come forward to stand for election if our U3A is to continue.
It is a simple fact that without Officers, there is NO U3A ! Richard
You can check out Horncastle U3A’s website at any time for details of activities, events and groups. Our web address is u3asites.org.uk/Horncastle if you have updates that you wish to share, please contact Richard D’Arcy or Robin Wilmshurst. NEWS FROM THE GROUPS Please notify your Group Leader if you are unable to attend your Group Meeting
The Nine Milers – recent activities
Happy New Year to everybody and hoping that you kept fit over the break.
We had to abort the November walk due to the inclement weather but are going to attempt a repeat of that walk. to include the element of the cancellation. A great time was had at the final resting point of Louth Tennis Club when it was decided to make the third Friday of the month to be our walk day for 2018
Starting as usual 9.10 at Stanhope Hall for the filling of cars. Slight change in the starting venue from last time to aid fluency. Wold Newton, North Farm - Map reference 242971 - for 10.00am. Walking in reverse this time getting a Wainwright View of everything. This is a great walk covering one of the most beautiful parts of the Wolds.
February Starting and finishing at the chocolate factory in Willingham, up into the Wolds via Tetford. Terrific Wold views with testing paths taking us to highest Lincolnshire points, extending our powers of interval training, and improving our body metabolism and therefore stabilizing our weight to take part in the intake of chocolate on arrival at the factory. If it rains, forget part of the last sentence, we'll just partake in the chocolate!!
Walks are planned about 3 weeks in advance – if you would like to participate, then please - Contact: Edward Jones 01507 - 524721
The 5 Milers Group
January Walk
After the Christmas festivities, it was good to start the New Year with our first 5 miler. We walked along the Spa trail, across the golf course and into Woodhall Spa.
The sun shone making pleasant walking conditions. The turn out was good with nine members enjoying the walk and the banter.
Group Leader
Ray Wisdom 01507 - 525944
The Financial Forum
The Financial Forum now celebrates its first full year in operation after an excellent “January Christmas” lunch! During the year we discussed a number of important topics, including will preparation, powers of attorney, executorship, funeral policies and taxation, opening up questions (and answers) on each subject to help members understand from each other the benefits and pitfalls from personal experience. Personal anecdotes and wisdom so often triumphs over advice from “experts”. Each meeting is friendly and non- threatening, a vital ingredient for participation. And now for the fun bit- Forum members have each selected a “favourite” share for a virtual portfolio. These have been collated and will be monitored monthly and discussed at each following meeting. Not surprisingly the performances of the shares selected by members to date has not reflected each member’s individual level of understanding of the market and how it works. Maybe some are just lucky! Time will tell, however, and in the meantime we are learning and loving the experience. The Group meets each second Thursday at the Stanhope Hall. Speak to Neil Carter, the Group Leader if you are interested. We do currently have a waiting list, but you can put your name down to join when places become available CONTACT: Neil Carter 01507 - 588295 Exploring Churches Group
Tuesday 20th March
Caborne, St Nicholas – of ironstone, unbuttressed, much renewed C11. Original W doorway with massive chamfered imposts. Plain tympanum Hood mould and keyhole window above.
Friesthorpe, St. Peter - Tuesday 17th April
Known for wartime family bereavement. Five out of eight sons killed during WW1. New stained glass windows. Medieval tower with E.E bell openings and perpendicular West window. Lancet windows and some geometric tracery.
Beverley Minster St John & St Martin Tuesday 15th May Five star, best non Cathedral Church in England. John Bishop of York founded a monastery in the 6th century on the site where the Minster stands. John died in 721 and his body was buried in a chapel of the Saxon Church. The present church was built around his tomb. It has a superb West front and the Percy Tomb is one of the supreme artefacts of Gothic Art. The nave is alive with carvings of musicians. St. Mary’s church is also worth a visit.
Contact: Edward & Sylvia Jones 01507 - 524721
. To commemorate her 79th birthday, actress/vocalist, Julie Andrews made a special appearance at Manhattan's Radio City Music Hall. One of the musical numbers she performed was “My Favourite Things' from the legendary movie 'Sound of Music'. Here are the lyrics she used.
(Sing It!) – If you sing it, it's especially hysterical!!!
Botox and nose drops and needles for knitting Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings, Bundles of magazines tied up in string These are a few of my favourite things.
Cadillacs and cataracts, hearing aids and glasses, Polident and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses, Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings, These are a few of my favourite things.
When the pipes leak, When the bones creak, When the knees go bad, I simply remember my favourite things, And then I don't feel so bad.
Hot tea and crumpets and corn pads for bunions, No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions, Bathrobes and heating pads and hot meals they bring These are a few of my favourite things.
Back pain, confused brains and no need for sinning, Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinning And we won't mention our short shrunken frames, When we remember our favourite things.
When the joints ache, When the hips break, When the eyes grow dim, Then I remember the great life I've had, And then I don't feel so bad……..
Ms. Andrews received a 4 minute standing ovation from the crowd with repeated encores. Do share Ms. Andrews' clever wit and humour with others.
Contribution from Neil Carter
MONTHLY GENERAL MEETINGS
All members are invited to attend the U3A general meetings held at 10am on the first Tuesday of each month at the Stanhope Hall.
Guest Speakers for the next few months will be:
6th Feb 18 Michael Credland Tommy Goes to War 6th Mar 18 Jim Bailey Heckington Mill History & Regeneration
3rd April 18 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – Social and Quiz
1st May Nigel Macknight The World Water Speed Record 5th June Barbara Meyer On Safari in South Africa 3rd July William Bartle Lincolnshire Chalk Streams 7th Aug Keith Harrison The Tower of London 4th Sept TBA Lincs. & Notts. Air Ambulance 2nd Oct Chrissie Chapman The Larks of the Horncastle Horse Fair 6th Nov Mike Storr ‘Masters of Mirth 4th Dec TBA TBA
HORNCASTLE U3A COMMITTEE
Richard D’Arcy Chairman 01507 - 343396 Chrisandra D’Arcy Secretary 01507 - 343396 Ruth Addison Treasurer 01526 - 399007 Ann Duncan Groups Co-Ord. 01507 - 527723 Ron Fisher Newsletter 01507 - 524450 Shelagh Carter Greeter 01507 - 588295 Eileen Jackson Greeter 01507 - 588273 Ann Duncan Membership Sec. 01507 - 527723 Robin Wilmshurst Membership Sec. 01507- 525958 Neil Carter 01507 - 588295
HORNCASTLE U3A GROUPS Members – If you are interested in joining a group, please check with the person listed below to ensure there are places available.
Group Leaders – If a new leader or deputy is appointed or there are other significant changes, please inform Ann Duncan, our groups co-ordinator. W=Winter S=Summer
Appliqué 2nd & 4th 2-4pm Ann Duncan 01507 527723 Wed Art & 2nd & 4th 1.45pm- Anne Calvert 01507 525143 Design Tues 4.15pm Bells 1st Thurs 2-4pm Karel Jonkers 01507 524727
Book Worms 1st Mon 2-4pm Brenda 01507 522447 Mumford Bowls Fri 10am Colin & Kathy 01507 523941 (Summer) Fisher Creative 1st Thurs 7-9pm Andy Mathieson 01507 522701 Photography Creative 1st Tues 2-4pm Annette 01507 525958 Writing Wilmshurst For Pleasure Croquet 2nd& 4th 1.45-4pm Pauline 01507 622741 (Summer) Mon Donner Cryptic 4th Fri 10.30am Sylvia 01507 525028 Crosswords Knight Eating Out 2nd Thurs 1 pm Jean Norman 01507 522476
Edible 1st Mon 2-4pm Robin 01507 525958 Gardening Wilmshurst Exploring Tues – 9.30am Edward & Sylvia 01507 524721 Churches dates vary Jones Gardening 3rd Thurs Time Eileen Jackson 01507 588273 varies. Genealogy & 2nd Mon 2pm Colin Gascoyne 01507 526938 Family History
History 4th Wed 2-4pm Malcolm Baxter 01507 522220 & Sheila Jonkers 01507 524727 Music 1st Tues 2pm Colin 01507 526938 Appreciation Gascoyne Nine 3rd Friday 9.10am Edward Jones 01507 524721 Milers Wong car park Pilates Wed 11-11.50 Stefan 01507 524430 Urbanowicz Prose & 1st Thurs 2-4pm Phyll Durow 01507 522356 Poetry 1 Prose & 3rd Tues 2-4pm Alan Baulch 01526 353137 Poetry 2 Reading 1 3rd Mon 2pm Pat Skingsley 01526 352700
Reading 2 2nd Frid 10.30am Sylvia Knight 01507 525028
Financial 2nd Thurs 10-12 Neil Carter 01507 588295 Forum noon Strollers 2nd Thurs 10am Pauline 01507 622064 Maddinson & Diana Darley 01507 524954 Sunday 4th Sun 12.30pm Margaret 01507 588298 Lunch Club Harrison Supper 1st Tues 6.30pm Bridget Barker 01507 523635 Club 1 Anne Fieldsend 01507 522797 Supper 3rd Tues Time Lynn 01507 524430 Club 2 varies Urbanowicz Table Every 2-4pm Malcolm 01507 522220 Tennis Tues Baxter Talking 2nd Tues 2pm Doreen 01507 523702 Heads Sanderson Topical 2nd Wed 2-4pm Stephen 01507 526565 Discussion Holdaway Five Milers 4th Thurs 90am Ray Wisdom 01507 525944
CELEBRATING QUEEN ELIZABETH II – 66 YEARS OF REIGN
Queen Elizabeth II has reigned since 6th February, 1952 (66 years). She was born on 21st April, 1926 (now aged 91 years), and is Queen of the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
She married Philip Mountbatten in 1947, and has 4 children. (Charles – Anne – Andrew and Edward).
Our Queen is the LONGEST SERVING state leader, and exceeds Queen Victoria’s record reign of 64 years.
She acceded to the throne on 2nd June, 1953.
During her reign, she has seen 13 Prime Ministers of Great Britain
Some photographic memories
With Mother & Father Margaret & Elizabeth Elizabeth
Wedding With Charles & Anne Coronation
A multitude of public duties are performed during, and over MANY years Little known facts:
She does NOT have a passport, as they are issued in her name.
She has visited around 120 different countries over the years.
She owns and trains racehorses.
Buckingham Palace (her main residence) has 775 rooms.
There are 1,200 people work in the Royal household.
She is Patron to over 600 charities.
She has seen 6 Archbishops of Canterbury and 6 Popes during her reign.
The Queen and Prince Phillip have been married for a fantastic 70 years !!
The Strollers Group
Strollers December walk in the grounds of the Staunton Estates with Helen (with the dog). We were so lucky. On a bright, cold sunny day we saw the deer. Followed by coffee and mince pies in the barn room (with a wood burner) and a talk by Anthony about the deer and the Estate.
Contact: Pauline Maddinson 01507 – 622064 or Diane Darley 01507 – 524954 If you enjoy fresh air and walking, contact the group leader to participate.
PLEASE NOTE 12th April Goulceby Iris & Diana THESE DATES: 10th May Woodhall Spa Bridget & Pauline 14th June Tattershall Mandy & Pauline
THE CROQUET GROUP Croquet will recommence on Monday 9th April. Details and sign up form will be on the table at the March meeting. Looking forward to previous and new members joining our group for the coming Season. CONTACT Pauline Donner: 01507 - 622741
Outings for 2018
These are among the plans for outings during the coming year. Please check at monthly general meetings for the latest information – or contact Sylvia Ravenhall or Pam Browne (SEE BELOW) for more details.
Beverley – TUESDAY 15TH MAY. This is an Exploring churches Group outing and is open to ALL U3A members.
Flag Fen or Peterborough – TUESDAY 12TH JUNE. Members can choose a few hours to themselves in Peterborough city centre OR travel to Flag Fen Archaeology Park for a guided tour of the historic site.
Hampton Court Palace – TUESDAY 10th JULY.
Cambridge – with optional guided walking tour – date to be confirmed.
Birmingham – with optional tour of the BBC studios – date to be confirmed.
*** Members can always consider organising an outing themselves to a place they would like to visit.
? Why not put your ideas forward for future trips to a Committee member for consideration?
Booking forms will be available at our monthly meeting but will be mailed to anyone on our data base unable to attend. Details will be on our website. CONTACT: Sylvia Ravenhall 01507-526014 [email protected] OR Pam Browne 01507-526267 [email protected] The Creative Photography Group – January Meeting The subject for the December Creative Photography Group was ‘ANYTHING’. This gave the photographers free range to produce a wide range of images. Andy Mathieson, the group leader, was looking forward to seeing some of the results. He was not disappointed. There didn’t seem to be evidence of “Christmas spirit” affecting the photographic outcome. No blurry snaps taken half-way through Auld Lang Syne, and no photographs of the photographer’s own feet when the camera ‘WENT OFF’ on its own during the Hokey Cokey. In fact, as you can see - the quality of this group’s efforts is improving month by month.
“CONKEY” – cross between a cow and a donkey from scrap metal !
(Photo by Eileen Jackson)
Beach Scene by Ced Shurben Flowers by Rosie Price
Contact Andy Mathieson: 01507 - 522701 Antiques Group It is with great regret that the antiques group has now been closed. I would like to thank all the group members for a most enjoyable and interesting couple of years. Together we have explored so many items and learnt not only some interesting facts but some fascinating histories connected to them. Wednesday will not be the same now. Maybe someone else would like to restart the group at some point, there are so many more things to discover. I do hope so
It has been a privilege to run such a happy, enjoyable group. Thank you all. Ann Duncan
Message from Lincolnshire Police Headquarters, Engagement Team,
HM Revenue & Customs A scam email with HM Revenue & Customs heading has been reported to Lincolnshire Police, including a sub heading 'You may be able to get a tax rebate of £--:-- from the last year annual calculation of your fiscal activity.' HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) will never use texts or email to tell you about a tax rebate or penalty, or ask for personal or payment information. Please report any misleading website, email or phone number to: Action Fraud www.actionfraud.police.uk/report_fraud or contact Lincolnshire Police Tel 101
Anniversary of the Suffragette Movement
The movement in England was led by Emmeline Pankhurst.
Possibly following the Russian pattern, much violence took place with letter boxes set on fire, or acid poured through them, windows smashed, telephone wires cut, and cricket and golf courses damaged.
There were some 250 arson and destruction attacks that took place in 6 months during 1913.
The most militant years were 1910 – 1914, resulting in many arrests, hunger strikes and the force feeding of those refusing food.
This militancy ceased when the war started, and women gave sterling effort by working in factories, on the land and many forces support services.
In 1893, New Zealand was the first country to grant votes for women over the age of 21.
In England, women over the age of 30 (with some property qualifications) were given the vote in 1918.
Emily Davison died under the King’s horse whilst protesting at the Derby in June 1913. Some say she was trying to attach a banner to the horse, rather than suicide.
The Equal Franchise Act of 1928 gave women the same voting rights as men.
Finally a few lines from the Editor,,,,
Well, Christmas is a pleasant distant memory and we look forward to greatly improving weather to allow all those outdoor activities to take place. Gardening looms its head again with more, but hopefully rewarding hard work. Perhaps some members will ‘sample’ other groups outdoor activities by asking to join in, which may lead on to them becoming regular participants in something new. My sincere thanks to those Group Leaders that regularly submit news and photographs for the Newsletter - it would be very boring without them !
Criticism, suggestions AND CONTRIBUTIONS for the Newsletter content direct to me please, and as early as possible to allow me to compose the Newsletter.
It would be very nice to hear news of activities (with photos) during the New Year from ‘other’ than those that contribute regularly…………??
Contact: [email protected]
Whilst in the USA over Christmas, my sister in law gave me these quotes from students’ test papers, from a school that she worked at.
Laugh – cry – or despair, but enjoy them !!
Dew is formed when the sun shines on to leaves, and makes them perspire.
A turbine is a type of hat worn by an Arab or a Sheik.
Terminal illnesses occur when you get sick prior to boarding an aircraft.
The climate in the Sahara Desert is so hot, its inhabitants live elsewhere.
Mushrooms grow in damp places, which is why they look like umbrellas.
A ‘stand- alone’ computer is one that comes without a chair.
A Dentist and a Manicurist got married. – they fought tooth and nail.
A thief who stole a calendar got 12 months.
A Caesarean section is a housing district in Rome. And finally ………..
Q. Where was the Magna Carta signed? A. At the bottom, of course!
Creative writing group News flash. Group member, Ken Argent, won a Library Competition with a winning “Evacuee” poem. This he sent to Radio Lincolnshire hoping they would read this over the air, and he received a telephone call inviting him to record an interview with Melvyn Prior. This was broadcast on 22nd January, where Ken was asked to relate his experiences as a 5 year old evacuee, which were as traumatic for him as they were for many others. Ken and his friend and fellow U3A member, Joyce Mangan, do give talks to Clubs, schools and associations on the subject if requested. There is a British Evacuee Association, and if you are interested to learn more, Ken can give you further details by ringing him 01507- 622314.
Creative Writing Group leader is Annette Wilmshurst. 01507 - 525958
Some doubts in life that need clarifying:
What should you call a male ladybird?
Why are the numbers on a telephone and calculator keypads reversed?
When dog food has a “new and improved taste” – who tests it?
Why don’t birds fall out of trees when they sleep?
The International Bomber Command Centre project includes recording, preserving and relating the stories of all those involved with, or impacted by, Bomber Command during the Second World War. Covering the contribution of the men and women from over 60 nations, at all levels, the project will bring to life not only the period of the War, but the fight to gain recognition and the work undertaken to rebuild Europe’s cities.
Lincoln has been chosen for the site as it provides a central point for all 27 bases that earned Lincolnshire the title of ‘Bomber County’.
Lincoln’s Cathedral provided a landmark for crews both leaving and returning from missions and, for those who failed to return, the Cathedral was often their last image of home. The county housed over a third of all the WWII Bomber Command Stations, making it the ideal home for this commemoration of the bravery of the men of Bomber Command.
The IBCC will provide one of the most comprehensive records of Bomber Command in the world and will ensure that generations to come can learn of their vital role in protecting the freedom we enjoy today.
The Centre opened early in 2018, and will be well worth a visit. It is a fitting Memorial to all the young men and women that are commemorated.
(It is worth checking the excellent website for more information)
The Walls of Names remembers the 58,000 men & women serving or supporting Bomber Command during the war.
The Walls surround the Memorial Spire in 9 series of circles - there are 27 panels. Every life lost was considered an equal sacrifice – as a result no Wall recognises rank or medals awarded.
International Bomber Command Centre Canwick Hill, Lincoln, LN4 2RF