Newark and District http://newark-u3a.org.uk Registered charity

Newsletter July/August 2013

Walking For Beaumond House

Five U3A members undertook to raise funds for Beaumond House by taking part in the Beaumond House Sponsored Walk. Wearing smart Blue and gold U3a insignia, Alison, Pat, Di, Ann, and Jacq, plus Ann’s daughter as a mascot completed the 5k walk around Newark showground. All the ladies completed the course, despite the air being hot and humid.

‘People have been so generous,’ Pat Allen said, and money was still being donated to them even after the event was over, and the fact that they were doing something for the community gave them an extra boost.

1 Ghost seen at Dover Castle

Dover castle sits on top of a hill above the white cliffs. It is not a ruin but looks like a set for a medieval picture. The stairs up to the keep can accommodate 8 people abreast and when you get to the top of the first flight in front of you is a chapel. While studying this chapel a disembodied voice was heard off to my right, I obviously investigated this voice and found it emanated from a small niche which was sealed by iron bars. Imagine my surprise when I saw a translucent figure telling me how he looked after his master. (See photo) I then realised I was witnessing Peppers Ghost. Peppers Ghost is a theatrical device where a sheet of transparent glass is set at an angle to the viewer such that no reflections can be seen. When an image is projected onto the glass the observer sees both the projection and the scene beyond, and the projection comes to life. I have to say this was one of the best implementations of Peppers Ghost I have seen although the 4 others in the castle were a bit obvious. Still English Heritage has done an excellent job in bringing Dover Castle to life. Reg Robinson

Craft Group

At the monthly craft group meeting for June, we made 'Hearts'. This months project was organised by Margaret Marshall. Even though we had all used the same template, every heart turned out differently in the end. For various reasons, not as many of our regular members were at the meeting. 2 News from the Groups Scrabble - Brenda will be away in September so the group are meeting twice in August. Bird Watching - August 14th Frampton Marsh. Meet in Sconce Hills Car Park at 9.30. Walking - 22nd July Kelham Hills. Meet in car park near church at Kelham Hall. August 12th Idle Valley Nature Reserve. Meet at Sconce Hills Car Park at 9.00 to car share Mah Jong There will be no meetings at Charles Street until September.. July - Reg and Janet’s. August - Sonia’s Cards Plus At the Cards Plus this month absolutely NO-ONE turned up. I tell a lie, Sonya came because I had asked her specifically to come with the key to open up. We put out tables and chairs and got the tea things ready .As I only had one apology I can only assume that no-one is interested. I have therefore cancelled the booking of the hall, because we cannot run at a loss, and there will be no more Cards Plus group Early Bird Another new Eaterie for us to try------recommended some time ago by a fellow' worm - eater' , Steve Darke. Thursday 25th July Early Bird will be at The Full Moon, Moreton. Usual time of 6.15 Menu choice available at the Monthly meeting on 11th July or contact Jacq on 01636 650411 Message for GROUP LEADERS Following my request to Group Leaders to consider constructing a promotional board for the 10th Anniversary Celebrations: The Sub Committee and I have decided that the expense and effort involved would not be justifiable for the very short time they could be displayed. I hope I haven't put any group to too much trouble

I would now like to suggest a simple Banner, listing all our Groups and their Leader's names and contact details. This will celebrate our growing number and variety of groups as well as informing new members I would welcome any feedback or suggestions Jacq, Groups Coordinator 3 View from the Chair I am becoming very alarmed by the increasingly depressing media reports on the state of the NHS and services for the elderly. I do not see the issues as purely political but a reflection, also, of changing cultural attitudes towards older people. Unfortunately, as individuals, we have little power to influence decision making but there are small things we can do.

The situation in relation to Newark Hospital has received national publicity and I know many individual members have given massive support to campaigns to save services there. All of us, if we need to see a consultant or receive treatment, should press to be seen at Newark and not accept an automatic referral to another hospital. Of course some referrals elsewhere will be necessary but we should be doing as much as we can to avoid Newark Hos- pital being closed due to under use.

ARCHAEOLOGY GROUP

Summer break. As usual, there will be no Archaeology Group events in July and August. The programme for the period from September to the end of the year has been produced and was available at the last General Meeting. If you would like a copy please let me know.

September 19 th , 2013. We will continue the Richard III theme with a visit to the Bosworth Field Heritage Centre and Country Park. On the way we will visit the ruins of Ashby de la Zouch Castle, the backdrop to the famous jousting scenes in Sir Walter Scott's classic novel of 1819, Ivanhoe. We will then proceed to the Bos- worth Heritage Centre in time for lunch and a tour of the Centre and grounds. The coach will leave Northgate near Aldi at 9.30am and return to Newark at about 5.30pm. The charge will be £14/person. Please pay by cheque made out to the Newark & District U3A not later than September 12th. The list for names will be at the General Meeting on Thursday, 11 th July. Peter Foden, 704241

4 Exploring St Pancras

The June speaker was Mike Higginbottom, a NADFAS lecturer, and he held us spell- bound with his history of St Pancras Station, explaining why the station site was on the Euston Road, and the political and economic factors that dictated its design and development.

We were introduced to the personalities that became part of its history, and saw how Kelham Hall acted as a blueprint for the design of the station. Mike also introduced us to the Midland Grand Hotel, built to accommodate travellers, a truly grand and sumptuous building that had fallen into disuse, and was closed in 1933. Now it is being gradually renovated to its former glory, and Mike advocated a tour of the building was well worth the money. The hour flew by, and I’m sure many members of the audience would be delighted to listen to another of Mike’s presentations.

Programme of Speakers

11 July Wendy Freer - Going below stairs

8 Aug Graham Keale - Terry Wogan’s Wig & other stories

12 Sept 1AGM + 10 year celebration Newark & District U3A

Comparative Religion There will be no meeting in August (Sheilah very busy with family matters).

Newsletter contributions to [email protected] no later than 27th of the month

5 Here are the contact numbers for group leaders. Some groups can cope with unlimited numbers whilst others are limited by lack of space. So If you would like to join a group please contact the group leader to make sure there is space. Archaeology Peter Foden 01636 704 241 Armchair Travel Di Illingworth 01636 681494 Art for all David Blake 01636 650 676 Art Appreciation Pat Thompson 01636 685 097 Bird Watching Reg Robinson 01636 702 388 Indoor Boules John Proctor 01636 673736 Book Circle Barbara Hatton 01636 683 640 Cards Plus Veda Collingwood 01636 700 882 Craft Group Carole Tweedale 01636 672989 Creative Writing Barbara Hatton 01636 683 640 Comparative Religion Sheilah Andrews 01636 703219 Dance (Line & Circle) Audrey Blake 01636 650 676 Discussion Maggie Johnstone 01636 708 624 Drama Geoffrey Foulds 01636 659 239 Early Birds Jacq Cartwright 01636 650 411 French Conversation Tony Williams 01636 813 763 Gardens Barbara Hatton 01636 683 640 Geology Niki Whitburn 01636 706 339 German Corri Moss 01636 706 573 Horticultural Appreciation Janet Hatton 01636 679343 Investment Reg Goodall 01636 651 838 Knit and Natter Alma Ratcliffe 01636 701 096 Literature Geoffrey Foulds 01636 659 239 Local History Colleen Bergman 01636 689 294 6 Mah Jong Sonya Sinclair 01636 672 921 Music Appreciation Geoffrey Foulds 01636 659 239 New Technology Reg Robinson 01636 702 388 Nordic Walking Alan Williams 01400 281986 Out and about Chris Handson 01636 677514 Philosophy Tom Chamberlain 01636 636 508 Photography Duncan Boreham 01636 893 016 Play Reading Geoffrey Foulds 01636 659239 Recorder Playing Alison Wilson 01636 673298 Scrabble Brenda Williams 01636 704 282 Singing for fun Pat Allen 01636 613 312 Tai Chi Di Illingworth 01636 681494 Ukulele Happy Band David Hall 01636 613312 Walking Reg Robinson 01636 702 388

Tenth Birthday Celebration - September 12th, 2pm.

Space in the hall is limited so we would appreciate some idea of the number of people who wish to attend the event. If you would like to be there, please sign the list at the next monthly meeting or contact Pat Thompson on 01636 685

Full groups

Some groups have reached capacity as venues are often limited by size. A new waiting list system is to be drawn up and wherever possible a second group started. Further details will follow in the next newsletter.

7 The Newark U3A Annual Archaeology Field Study Trip

Monday 20 th May arrived dank and dreary but everyone turned up on time determined to enjoy the journey despite the weather. Peter introduced us to Malcolm the driver who stepped in at the last minute. After an excellent lunch we drove towards the Abbey, where we walked through interesting grounds, and then met the guide who conducted a tour round the Abbey Church of Waltham Holy Cross.

We were told of the church’s varied history, the first church being built c610. It was a place where pilgrims came to seek healing, one of the se being Harold Godwinson, Earl of Essex, who in gratitude rebuilt a grander building which was consecrated to the Holy Cross in 1060. In 1177, Henry 2 nd as part of his penitence for the murder of Thomas Beckett, re-founded Harold’s college as a priory for Augustinian monks. The Abbey prospered as a favourite place for Kings to visit. Henry 8 th particularly valued Waltham as a place to escape the cares of state.

Refreshed from a good nights sleep, we ate a really good FULL ENGLISH. ( No worries there Peter!) Tight drive negotiated safely, we headed to our first port of call, Richborough Fort, where the first Romans landed in AD43. Later in AD410 it was developed from fort to early fortified civil town before returning to a military site with a building of a Saxon shore fort. The poor weather made a full exploration of this site nearly impossible and so we moved on - 8

- to Dover Castle, where the sun was shining making the castle look very imposing on the cliff top. What a place to explore, from the Napoleonic tunnels where we experienced the fabulous visual presentation Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsey directing the evacuation from Dunkirk in 1940, code named 'Operation Dynamo' to the underground hospital—awe inspiring.

To the Keep – with it's floors of visual displays, winding staircases (was it here you captured a photo of a ghost, Reg?) and stunning roof top views of the whole site, the 80ft Roman lighthouse of which Dover has two, the church and surrounding buildings/ museums. We all enjoyed the visit and wished we could have spent longer there.

After another 'Full English' we made our way, some on foot and some in the coach, to St Martin's Church, the oldest English speaking church in continuous use in the world and the private chapel of Queen Bertha of in 6th century. We were met and given a guided tour of this delightful church. The guide showed us where sections of wall were of Roman tiles, others of the period after Gregorian missions in the 7 th or 8 th century. In the graveyard we saw the graves of Mary Tourtel, creator of “” and of Thomas Sidney Cooper RA (artist)

9 A short walk down the road and we visited the remains of St Augustines Abbey, burial place for Anglo-Saxon Kings and Bishops, a very tranquil place. After that we spent the rest of the day in , first lunch then exploring the city, some on the river, some in the Cathedral while others hit the High Street, and some visited the museums. . On the way home we called at Lullingstone Roman Villa, yet another historical treat. We travelled through the attractive Darent Valley to the Villa, which began it's life in about AD100 and was later developed to suit the tastes of successive wealthy owners reaching the peak of luxury in the mid 4 th century. We viewed spectacular mosaics, rare wall paintings, a heated bath-suite and a house-church. A light show brought the villa to life. Our thanks go to Peter and his band of helpers for making it so unforgettable, also to Malcolm, our driver for getting us out of many tight corners (you had to be there!). Di Illingworth

(Many more pics on Website. Anyone got any more?)

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