BARNSLEY AND DISTRICT U3A

www.u3asites.org.uk/barnsley REGISTERED CHARITY NO. 1077654

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When we joined the U3A over nine years ago, Anne and I knew very little about the organisation. To be honest, the name U3A meant absolutely nothing to us. All that we knew was that by joining we would have the chance to learn how to play crown green bowls as there was a U3A group playing two mornings per week at our local park in Ardsley. Eventually, someone explained to us that the initials U3A stood for the “University of the Third Age”. That explanation caused a bit of confusion and consternation in that it made us wonder what sort of an organisation we might be joining. First of all, the “University” part of it was potentially off-putting. We were both too old to be thinking of going to university and weren’t interested in taking on the normal academic challenges associated with Higher Education and what is the “Third Age” part all about? Clearly, as history shows, we were not deterred and we soon found out the truth and real meaning of the U3A. However, over the last nine years, I have witnessed so many prospective new members taking a step backwards when the initials are explained. I know that in some instances when prospective members step back they turn off immediately and are lost to us. Just as importantly, they have potentially lost the opportunity to join an organisation which could change their lives for the better. The issue of the U3A name has been a topic of conversation amongst our National colleagues for many a year, with a range of options being put forward from all around the membership at different times. Bearing in mind the history and international nature of the U3A movement, the option of a name change is not a real alternative. I am explaining all this as we now have had advice about how to respond when anyone asks what the initials actually mean. I like the advice as it sits comfortably with my own views on the issue. Instead of giving a straight explanation of the title, we are advised to move to an explanation of what we are about and what we do. For example, “The U3A is an organisation for people who are retired from full time employment and who wish to join with others to have fun in social activities with the potential to learn new skills and gain new experiences and get more out of life.” In other words, we don’t get into the “University” bit and risk turning people away at this early stage. The principle of using the initials as the title of an organisation is not new. My car is a BMW, which actually stands for “Bayerische Motoren Werke”……apparently. But who would know that or even ask the question? Similarly, QANTAS airlines are known by that acronym and not by the longer title of “Queensland and Northern Territories Airline Service”. There are many other examples along similar lines which we can all quote and we are taking these as our lead. So, in future, the acronym U3A is all that our members and prospective members need to use, as this will enable us to tell the world who we are and what we do, without the risk of turning people off by avoiding the use of the longer title. In order to show how joined up we are in Barnsley, you will notice that on the front cover of this edition of the Buzz the U3A logo no longer has the words “University of the Third Age” inserted underneath. Let’s be proud to be Barnsley and District U3A, an organisation for people who have retired and want to join with others in order to learn, laugh and live without anybody having any doubts about the implications associated with the word “University”. Finally, you may be aware that this edition of the Buzz has been produced by a new editorial team [Derek Bacon, Deborah Brooks and Trevor Winslow] and I know we will all support them by sending articles for future editions. However, it would be totally remiss of me not to say a massive thanks to Sue Stokes who has done a fantastic job for us over the last few years. Sue has championed the development of our newsletter to a new level of excellence during this time as we continue to produce a magazine in which everyone in BU3A can be truly proud. Merry Christmas everyone.

Alan Swann

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Editorial comment CONTENTS

Derek Bacon & Deborah Brooks P2 CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE P4 Committee Issues, New Members It is a privilege but also a touch frightening Picking up your BUZZ for us to be taking over the joint editorship P5 U3A Constitution, Dates for your Diary of The Buzz from Sue Stokes who has P6/7 Reports on Monthly Meetings done such a great job in the development P8 SANDRA BOOTH of our magazine over the past six years. P9 Choir We hope that you enjoy the members’ P10 Love Later Life, Tuesday Book Forum, German contributions in this Winter 2018 edition. P11 FLIX @ 6 The Front Cover photos: P12 Thursday Bus Pass, Nature Quest, Out & About P13 Bird Watching • Geoff Wilkinson (Old Blowers) at Love P14 Stringalongs, Cycling, Am-Dram Later Life at The Metrodome in P15 INDU KUMAR October. Don’t you just love that smile P19 BURNS NIGHT information of a great guy having BU3A fun? P20 ACTIVITIES DIARY • Eveline Mirfin and Molly Mannion P25 VENUES & BUS INFORMATION welcoming the Mayor of Barnsley to a P26 Tuesday Walks, How Our Ancestors Lived New Members Link meeting in October P27 Wednesday Ramblers • A Ronnie Neville cartoon. There are P28 Thursday Walks, Sunday Strollers dozens more of his superb drawings on P29 Thursday Bus Pass Walkers, Happy Feet the BU3A Facebook page (only for P30 Thursday Longer Walks, Mixed Walking Cricket BU3A members, no one else) P31 Travel, Campervan and Caravan • Members of The One Club in October P32 Crown Green Bowling, Tuesday CG Bowling at the Afternoon Variety at the P33 The One Club Academy Theatre, Birdwell; just one of P34 Stitches, French Conversation, Job Vacancy their many outings. P35 Our Mac, New Members Link • Happy Feet Walkers at Cawthorne P36 Tap & Line, Tuesday Gardeners, Gadgets P37 Thursday 10-Pin Bowling, Literature The Back Cover photos: P38 JAMES NAYLOR • Thursday Longer Walkers taking a P39 2019 MONTHLY MEETING: SPEAKERS & deserved breather out in the hills PERFORMERS • New Members Link meeting at Priory P40 Music for Pleasure, Classical Music & Opera, Campus in October Table & Board Games • Choir soprano soloist Christine P41 Magic, Telephone Survey Whewell with the Choir’s brilliant P42 “Up”, “Knights” pianist Irene Hill after a rehearsal P43 VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES • Flutes Galore at The Metrodome • Getting ready for the start of the In this edition, we carry an important article that ties in November Monthly Meeting at Priory very well, I think, with Alan Swann’s Chairman’s Message • Santa looking a bit shocked! Has he about Isolation and Loneliness in the Autumn 2018 Buzz. lost all our presents? Let’s hope not!!!! ‘Old Blowers’ flugel horn player and Choir alto Sandra

Booth has written a powerful article for us on Page 8. Special thanks to Trevor Winslow for his technical skill in helping the new editors with In this edition we also focus on two members whose this edition of The Buzz. contribution to the present vitality of BU3A is massive.

Indu Kumar (P15) and James Naylor (P38) are people to be admired, are they not? A HAPPY CHRISTMAS

TO YOU ALL If you think that someone should be featured in the Buzz for us all to read about, please let us know. FROM THE BUZZ TEAM Email us at [email protected] or give us a call.

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KEY ISSUES FROM COMMITTEE MEETINGS

1. Following concerns regarding lack of take-up to groups by over 100 members, it was agreed they should be contacted to establish the reasons and to give guidance where possible (see report on Page 41).

2. Max Senior has taken on the new role of Equality Officer.

3. A leaflet has been created to act as a guide/support for new members. This is available via the Membership Team and New Members Link Co-ordinators.

4. A second Barnsley U3A Summer School has been approved. It will take place on 2nd- 3rd May 2019 (see pages 16-17)

5 An inventory of all BU3A equipment will take place in January/February 2019.

A HUGE BU3A WELCOME to 56 NEW MEMBERS: Ann Parkin, David Slater, Keith Kellett, Michael Wood, Anne White, Michael Hawley, Kathy Mitchell, Sylvia Paine, Peter Leigh, Brian Dolan, Sue Price, Helen Rose, Stan Cusworth, Carol Pay, Russell Ogden, David Norcliffe, David Brain, Margaret Turner, Carolyn Hinchliffe, Roger Bagnall, Tina Bradshaw, David Ives, Eric Longford- Jessop, Karen Winnard, Sarah Guifo Guifo, Patricia Basham, Peter Wootten, Helen Smiley, Ann Gibson, Chris Lambert, Mavis Bisby, Gordon Wilson, Meriel Hall, Jane Bews, Kevin Bews, Susan Chipchase, Henry Chipchase, Dawn Northcut, Robin Northcut, Keith Burden, Neil Lunn, Glen Slater, Clare Copestake, Davinder Pinder, Natasha Wilson, Melanie France, Jean Wogan, Charles Wogan, Lynn Fairbridge, BUZZ SUBMISSIONS AND Naomi Coulson, Jackie Wood, ENQUIRIES TO: Margaret Andrew, Joyce Wroe, Christine Brannan, Betty Chapman and [email protected] Margaret Vaines. Closing date for next issue: FRIDAY 8TH FEBRUARY 2019

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BU3A CONSTITUTION Mike Pease (Compliance Officer)

The Executive Committee is proposing to update our current constitution at the next Annual General Meeting in June 2019 as follows:-

1. Update our “Charitable Purposes” clause to agree with the Third Age Trust wording of: “the advancement of education and in particular the education of older people and those retired from full-time work by all means including associated activities conducive to learning and personal development.”

This is simply a more up to date explanation of the overall aims and methodology of the U3A movement.

2. Reduce the quorum percentage of 15% down to 10%.

A quorum is defined as the number of BU3A members required to be present at an Annual General Meeting or Extraordinary General Meeting to enable any vote taken to be valid and the reduction is to take into account increasing membership totals and the limited capacity at Priory Campus .

The resolutions detailing these proposals from the Executive Committee and a more detailed explanation of the reasons will be included in the March edition of Buzz so that all members are aware and can understand the items before the vote at the AGM in June 2019.

If any member wants more information or wishes to comment on these proposals please contact any member of the Executive Committee or the Compliance Officer.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

JANUARY 2019 Thursday 3rd 10.00am Penistone Drop-in St John's Community Centre Monday 7th 1.30pm Monthly Meeting (FOR CHOCAHOLICS!) Priory Campus Friday 18th 10.00am Executive Committee Meeting Emmanuel Church Monday 21st 6.30pm New Members Link Meeting Priory Campus FEBRUARY 2019 Monday 4th 1.30pm Monthly Meeting Priory Campus Thursday 7th 10.00am Penistone Drop-in St John's Community Centre Friday 8th Closing date for Spring Buzz submissions Thursday 14th 10.00am Co-ordinators’ Meeting Priory Campus Friday 15th 10.00am Executive Committee Meeting Emmanuel Church Sunday 17th 12.30pm BU3A Choir 10th Anniversary Lunch Burntwood Court Monday 18th 6.30pm New Members Link Meeting Priory Campus MARCH 2019 Monday 4th 1.30pm Monthly Meeting (Spring Buzz) Priory Campus Thursday 7th 10.00am Penistone Drop-in St John's Community Centre Friday 15th 10.00am Executive Committee Meeting Emmanuel Church Monday 18th 6.30pm New Members Link Meeting Priory Campus APRIL 2019 Monday 1st 1.30pm Monthly Meeting Priory Campus Thursday 4th 10.00am Penistone Drop-in St John's Community Centre Monday 15th 6.30pm New Members Link Meeting Priory Campus Friday 26th 10.00am Executive Committee Meeting Emmanuel Church

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AUTUMN 2018 BU3A MONTHLY MEETING PRESENTATIONS at PRIORY CAMPUS

MONDAY 3RD SEPTEMBER ‘AS CLEAR AS A BELL’ Our splendid guests were Ecclesfield U3A Handbell Ringers and what a revelation they were! There was a bit of doubt from some of us as to how our ageing eardrums might cope with the aural onslaught from a bunch of manic bell swingers for 20 minutes! Would we all be straight off to BDGH A&E afterwards for mass stemming of blood from shattered eardrums !? The wonderful reality was music of a delicacy that took many of us by surprise, I think. The gentleness and accuracy of their playing was amazing. Favourites such as Men of Harlech, Danny Boy, Love Me Tender and Bonaparte’s Advance were despatched with great skill and energy. Alan Swann’s oft-stated desire to add to our own musical empire by creating a Barnsley U3A Handbell team seemed to disappear rapidly off down Grange Lane when he realized that the even the tiniest of the bells costs £250!! What a meany he is!! And his and others’ attempts to impress when we were invited to have a go at ringing ‘Frère Jacques’ seemed to meet with universal scorn from our large audience in the packed hall. But a seriously good afternoon’s fun.

MONDAY 1st OCTOBER ‘FROM THEATRE TO THEATRE’ October’s presentation was a return visit to us (and he’s back next year, too) by Andrew Raftery who introduced himself to us as Actor & Consultant Surgeon (retired). The title of his constantly humorous biographical talk tells of two major passions in his life; first, his unquestionable success as a leading surgeon at the operating table in many hospitals around the country and, second, his real desire to be a stage actor. This ambition began when, as a lad, he saw the film ‘Doctor In The House’ starring James Robertson Justice. This was a talk that kept us intrigued, enthralled yet laughing almost all the way. Despite being virtually “tied to the desk” because of his father’s insistence on hour after hour of homework, Andrew achieved low grade ‘A’ levels and will count himself fortunate to have been accepted by Leeds University to study Medicine. But once in, his progress was rapid and via hospitals in Pontefract, Manchester, Cambridge, Newmarket (to satisfy his love for horse racing!), Sheffield Hallamshire and Northern General’s Kidney Transplant Department, he became the UK’s Senior Examiner for Surgery and Dean of Sheffield Medical School. Quite a career! Then, after retirement at the top of his profession at the age of 65, he knew it was time to start his acting career! Actors and surgeons have many things in common, he told us: they both have to satisfy high levels of expectation from others, they both have feelings of joy and rapture when things go well, they both like the risk that the job entails, they both have massive egos, they both love to be told how great they are! He recalled auditions (at 65!) at Birmingham School of Drama when required to be a chicken and then a mouse when he felt that being a 16 stone sloth would have been more appropriate! But with many after-dinner speeches under his belt he gained his Equity Card and became a fully-fledged actor! Amazingly and fabulously, he has now appeared in 10 productions at Sheffield Crucible and several elsewhere. He has one acting ambition left: “to be a judge in Coronation Street and to send David Platt down for life”; a worthy ambition, I’m sure. A great afternoon.

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MONDAY 5th NOVEMBER DEFINITELY POSH NOSH!! Our very dapper and wonderfully entertaining November guest speaker was Colin Alderson, a Yorkshire lad, the second of six children, from Arkengarthdale, who made it to Head Pastry Chef to the Royal Household. His fascinating stories about the ins and outs of his life left us enthralled and staggered at the detailed dishes and menus demanded by The Queen, Prince Philip, The Queen Mother, Prince Charles et al. His experiences over 5 years spent at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Balmoral, The Castle of Mey and on board the Royal Yacht Britannia were light years away from the culinary fare of us Barnsley U3Aers! I don’t think that the tripe stall in Barnsley Market got a single mention but perhaps I just wasn’t paying enough attention!

After Scarborough Technical College, having qualified as a Chef, he worked at Bolton Castle in Wensleydale. While there, he applied for a job as Chef to the Royal Household and he showed us a slide of the letter from Sandringham inviting him for interview. When he was appointed to work at Buckingham Palace, a whole new world was about to begin. He went to live first in the staff quarters at the back of Buckingham Palace but soon he moved to the front, in the apartment above that of Prince Charles, and we saw lots of photos he took from his room of events in the Courtyard and at the famous entrance.

As we heard about him polishing the 200 year old copper pans, saw photos of impeccably produced tartlets and hors d’oeuvres (starters to you and me!), learnt of Prince Charles’ penchant for salmon fishcakes with poached egg, of the Queen’s refusal to have garlic in any menu (not much entente cordiale there, I thought! Very Brexit!), I think that we were all a bit dumbstruck! But we were simply held by the almost incredible lengths that the chefs have to go to for every single meal for the royals on a daily basis. And I thought that Prince Philip would quite fancy a Big Mac rather than having mango for his sorbet squeezed three times through muslin!!

Colin took us with him on the Royal Yacht to Scotland, Cowes, the Bahamas and Mexico. He told us of the infamous moment when a fish bone got stuck in The Queen Mother’s throat and of the chef who left that bone in the fish and was NOT beheaded. Doesn’t that just tell you how soft we’ve become these days on misdemeanours? Off with his head, I say!

Colin left Royal Service and became owner of the famous Balmoral Hotel in Harrogate and now, unsurprisingly, is a much sought-after speaker at dinners and on cruises.

Well done, lad! Tha done reet good at Priory for us. We loved t’stories! Another great afternoon!

Three of my favourite jokes from the BU3A Facebook Page (only visible to BU3A members) in recent weeks.

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LONELINESS and ISOLATION by BU3A’s SANDRA BOOTH

‘Age UK’ reported recently that soaring numbers of over-50s in England will suffer from loneliness and isolation in the coming years due to widowhood, ill-health and money problems.

I was talking about the Age UK report on loneliness and isolation with some BU3A friends recently and was asked if I would write down what I was saying for The Buzz. I said Yes! This is my personal experience of the problem. These are just a few of the sentences from the diary that I started writing on the 15th October 2009. I hope that Barnsley U3A members and other people will read it, too.

“It’s almost 10 months now since Gerald died. I feel like putting pen to paper to try to make some sense of it all. Since last Friday, I have begun to feel worse and all because of a shopping trip when I overheard two women grumbling about their husbands not coming shopping with them. I thought I would give anything to hear my husband grumble and I decided to tell him that when I got home. Then the realisation kicked in again; no Gerald, this is what it’s going to be like for ever now. The wave hit big time, I was drowning in the big wave of water, it was totally consuming me.”

“Another day; a horror day. I cried a lot today. I just miss him so much and can’t grasp that this is for ever. The loneliness is the most unbearable thing. The days seem endless. I keep busy to the point of exhaustion – or is it my crying that makes me feel this way? I can’t focus on anything. I wish I knew where Gerald is and if he is happy. I worry about him. I feel like I’m falling and there’s nothing to catch hold of to stop me. It’s so quiet here, neighbours at work, no traffic in the cul-de-sac, the silence is deafening. Who can I phone today? I feel so sad. The empty feeling never goes away. I keep getting angry feelings and I shout out and swear at things. A long night that ended in tears again. I can’t deal with this, I just keep sobbing.”

“Another phone call, this time to the Hospice where Gerald died. Amazing! Would I like to help out in the office? So I met Judith there and did a few things to help out and then, one day, she said I'd have to work on my own in the afternoon as she was going to choir. My ears pricked up. I had memories of my school choir. What choir? Where? The U3A choir, she said, it’s only been going 3 months.”

“Could I join this? Would there be an audition? Could this be a lifeline? What if I wasn’t good enough? I’d only ever sung in the house. The following week I sat in my car outside Emmanuel Church watching who was going in and my courage was fading fast. What’s the worst case scenario? They’re not going to kill you! I went over and the first person I saw was John who I’d worked with years ago. “Eh up, lass, what you doing ?” I explained and he said “You’ll love it.”

------

Nine years on and I’m still there and still loving every Tuesday afternoon. And there’s more now. I found ‘The Old Blowers’. I couldn’t really read music and definitely couldn’t play an instrument but they had a spare flugel horn and said I should have a go. I love ‘The Old Blowers’ and although I’ve still got a lot to learn, I’m playing in all our shows and it’s just fabulous. So, loads more friends and I’m having so much fun. I now live part of the week in Barnsley and part of the week in the Cotswolds but I never miss choir rehearsals or concerts and never miss ‘The Old Blowers’ rehearsals or concerts.

If anyone out there reading this relates to it, feels lonely, isolated, angry or sad like I did, take courage and join a U3A group (or two or three!)

On the next page, you can see happy and smiling Sandra on the front row, two places to the right of Choirmaster, Tony Jermy. Page | 8

THE CHOIR

The Choir at Dodworth Parish Church

The Choir is the largest group in Barnsley U3A and undoubtedly one of the many gems in our splendid Group list. THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY Its largest choir is always on show at Emmanuel Church for its two main events of the year; the Summer Concert in August The Choir was ‘born’ at the th BU3A Monthly Meeting at and the Christmas Concert, this year on the 4 December, the day after publication of this Winter 2018 Buzz. Priory Campus on 17th February 2009. This Autumn, the Choir has sung three concerts in three different venues to benefit local good causes. Firstly, our To celebrate its 10th annual concert for the Barnsley Parkinson’s Society, then for Anniversary, it will be having a

The Friends of Monk Bretton Park and lastly for Dodworth lunch at Burntwood Court Parish Church. The wide-ranging repertoire from traditional on Sunday 17th February 2019, ‘Danny Boy’ to Abba’s ‘Super Trouper’ gives an idea of the exactly ten years from flexibility demanded by our outstanding conductor, Tony the day of its founding. Jermy, who is treasured by every single choir member; he has the knack of achieving results through inspiration rather than Some of the ‘key’ players of the through terror! Equally brilliant is pianist Irene Hill who is Choir will be featured in the adored by all for her unparalleled commitment and huge talent Spring Buzz to recognise the at the keyboard. These two are wonderfully supported by massive contribution former Huddersfield Choral Society bass, Neil Stones, who they have made to BU3A life. acts as conductor, pianist and arranger of much of the music we sing. A very fortunate choir, I think you’ll agree.

This photo taken by Susan Grant, Secretary of Barnsley Parkinson’s Society, demonstrates the enthusiasm and effort given during a concert Page | 9

LOVE LATER LIFE at Barnsley Metrodome on 5th October 2018 (from Barnsley Chronicle)

This photo of Alan Swann (again!), The Mayor and Mayoress and Barnsley and Age UK Chairman, Len Collett, is taken from the Barnsley Chronicle of 19th October 2018 which reported on the event. About 300 older people came to the Love Later Life event led by Age UK Barnsley. It was opened by the Mayor, Councillor Steve Green, who enjoyed the varied programme of entertainment put on by various musical groups from Barnsley U3A (Flutes Galore, The Old Blowers, The Stringalongs and the Guitar Group) and the Ilesha Choir. The event was rounded off by a magician (I wonder who?) who held the audience spellbound. Barnsley U3A’s aim is to get older people out of their house and to have some fun. This Metrodome day was to remind people about the opportunities available to them in later life and to show off some of the contributions they can make to society.

TUESDAY BOOK FORUM Gloria King (Co-ordinator)

Our first meeting of 2019 is January 8, the second Tuesday in the month because the first Tuesday is New Year’s Day.

January 8 The Midnight Line (a Jack Reacher thriller) by Lee Child. The story begins when Jack Reacher sees a West Point class ring (graduation) for 2005 in the window of a pawn shop. Knowing that the ring was very special he decides to track down its former owner.

February 5 Guard a Silver Sixpence by Felicity Davis. This is a local story set around Barnsley. Felicity’s earliest memories are of pain and confusion, of being beaten daily by her Nan and watching her mother being beaten too. She ran away from home at the age of fifteen. Later when researching her family history she discovered a family secret connected to the Wombwell murder.

March 5 Blood and Beauty (The Borgias) by Sarah Dunant. By the end of the fifteenth century the beauty and creativity of Italy is matched by its brutality and corruption. The Spaniard Rodrigo Borgia, a charismatic and powerful man buys his way into the papacy and uses his children, an innocent daughter and a Machiavellian son, to help him succeed in his quest.

April 2 The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne. A story that begins in Ireland in the 1940s and continues until the present. It has been said that it is a book which makes you both laugh and cry whilst reminding us all of the redemptive power of the human spirit.

GERMAN Beth Rudkin

Now this is a lovely group. It’s Sue Button who leads it, and she has books for the members, and a CD so they can pronounce things right. Some of them know a bit. Others are pretty rusty on German. But that doesn’t matter. Sue will smile and help you. I guarantee that everyone who goes will come away feeling uplifted, and knowing just a bit more than they did. Add to that the fact that it’s in Tesco, so the tea and coffee are free too. Brilliant.

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Flix is on the first and third Fridays of the month at 6pm at the Priory Campus. We have fish and chips for those who want it, if you don't want it that's fine. The only charges are the £1 blue box fee and 20p towards the cost of films. Optional extras are 25p for a cuppa, plus whatever you have from the chippy. Friday 14th December: AMERICAN MADE Cast: Tom Cruise, Domhall Gleeson, Sarah Wright Director: Doug Liman Storyline: Follows Barry Seal, a TWA pilot recruited by the CIA to provide reconnaissance on the burgeoning communist threat in Central America. Seal finds himself in charge of one of the biggest covert CIA operations in the history of the U.S., one that spawned the birth of the Medellin cartel and eventually almost brought down the Reagan White House through the Iran Contra scandal.

Genre: Crime/Thriller/True Story Friday 4th January : FUNNY COW Cast: Maxine Peake, Stephen Graham, Alun Armstrong, Bobby Knutt, Paddy Considine Director: Adrian Shergold Storyline: Maxine Peake gives a formidable performance as an aspiring female comedian standing up to a violent husband and the sexist Northern England club circuit. More a film about the power of laughter and how to transform pain into humour than a straight-up comedy, Funny Cow is a fitting showcase for Peake. So often dazzling on stage and television, she's hilarious and heart-breaking here. There's fine support too from cast-against-type Paddy Considine as her middle-class paramour and a swooning, melancholic soundtrack by Richard Hawley.

Genre: Comedy, Drama Friday 18th January: THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY Cast: Lily James, Michiel Huisman, Mike Newell, Glen Powell, Matthew Goode Director: Mike Newell Storyline: The story follows a writer, as she forms an unexpected bond with the residents of Guernsey Island in the aftermath of World War II when she decides to write a book about their experiences during the war. Genre: Drama, Adaptation, Historical

Friday 1st February: ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD Cast: Michelle Williams, Mark Wahlberg, Timothy Hutton, Christopher Plummer Director: Ridley Scott Storyline: Follows the kidnapping of 16-year-old John Paul Getty III (Charlie Plummer) and the desperate attempt by his devoted mother Gail (Michelle Williams) to convince his billionaire grandfather (Christopher Plummer) to pay the ransom. When Getty Sr. refuses, Gail attempts to sway him as her son’s captors become increasingly volatile and brutal. With her son’s life in the balance, Gail and Getty’s advisor (Mark Wahlberg) become unlikely allies in the race against time that ultimately reveals the true and lasting value of love over money.

Genre: Crime, Drama, True Story Friday 15th February: THE LEISURE SEEKER Cast: Helen Mirren, Donald Sutherland, Kirsty Mitchell Director: Paolo Virzi Storyline: An elderly couple -- to the chagrin of their children -- head off on an impromptu RV trip down Route 66, determined to enter their twilight years on their own terms. Genre: Comedy, Drama, Adaptation

Friday 1st March: LEAVE NO TRACE Cast: Ben Foster, Thomasin Harcourt McKenzie, Jeff Kober & Dale Dickey Director: Debra Granik Storyline: Will (Ben Foster) and his teenage daughter, Tom (Harcourt McKenzie), have lived off the grid for years in the forests of Portland, Oregon. When their idyllic life is shattered, both are put into social services. After clashing with their new surroundings, Will and Tom set off on a harrowing journey back to their wild homeland. Genre: Drama

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THURSDAY BUS PASS WALKERS Anne Swann

We have had another successful year of enjoyable walks with our band of happy walkers. We seem blessed with good weather on Thursday mornings, as you can see from the photo. We take a steady walk, not over 5 miles and sometimes less, while enjoying a good old chat (as well as taking in the scenery) and look forward to a drink and a bun at a little cafe when we finish. Occasionally, some of our walks take us a little further afield, for example a day out to Roundhay Park in Leeds where we picnic by the lake to eat our sandwiches.

If anyone is interested in joining us, please contact either myself or Marj Wallace and you will be made most welcome. Don’t forget, though, that you will need a good pair of walking shoes and maybe a walking pole, as sometimes we do encounter the odd ups and downs! We make a stop half way through our walk for a breather and/or a snack or drink, so if you wish, don’t forget to bring these along. Our schedule of walks for the Winter is in this ‘Buzz’on page 29.

KEEP ON WALKING!!!

NATUREQUEST Tony Hunt I'm supposed to respect my elders, December - no meeting (hibernating ! ) but it's getting a bit tough to find many 10 January - 1.30pm Burton Grange Community Centre. now. Wildlife and Scenery of the Upper Derwent Valley (DVD)

14 February - 1.30pm Burton Grange Community Centre. A talk by Janet Mason about Hedgehogs in Barnsley.

14 March - 9.45am Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Doncaster. Details and booking info will be sent out by email in the new year. We need a minimum of 10 to get the group rate.

All U3A members are welcome to attend our indoor meetings. If you are not a member of the group but are interested in going Anyone else for our to the Yorkshire Wildlife Park, please contact Tony Hunt. proposed Seaside Cyclists Group?

OUT AND ABOUT (Saturdays)

19th January York Castle Museum 16th February Wakefield Art Museum 23rd March Temple Newsam, Leeds Travel mainly by train with local buses. Coordinators: Denise 01226 212336 Frank 01226 235422 Another James Naylor BRUSHSTROKES special. See page 38 for more.

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BIRD WATCHING Gillian Richardson

DECEMBER 10 - Wentworth village 9.30am. Please park in the village car park next door to The Bistro restaurant because after our circular village walk we can take refreshment at The Cafe opposite the car park. I have booked the cafe.

JANUARY 14 - Broomhill Flash 9.30am. If sightings are sparse we can go on to Old Moor RSPB to fill the morning's birdwatch

FEBRUARY 11 - New Hall Farm Ardsley 9.30am Mr & Mrs Rhodes would welcome our help in a survey of their farmland birdlife

MARCH 11 - Potteric Carr YWT reserve 9.30-10.00am Meet in the car park ------As usual, we have a meeting too late to report upon for inclusion in this Buzz because on Monday, 12th November, we are visiting Adwick Washlands RSPB. In October, Tony Hunt led the group of twelve from the Bridge car park in Thurgoland on a circular walk behind Wortley Forge and up to the TPT. Sadly, it was too early in the month for Autumn-arriving thrushes because the area teems with hawthorn and rowan but they saw many pheasants and a large finch flock feeding on sunflowers and an under-crop planted beyond Chemistry cottages. There was no sign of the dippers and yet a jay was present because there are oak trees on the TPT.

As usual, further details will be given to the Group before the monthly meeting.

A late addition to The Buzz; this regrettably small photo of the Stringalongs at Darton Darby & Joan Lunch Club was taken in November. The dynamic Coordinator Sheila Metcalfe (in blue top) as brilliant as ever! BU3A bringing fun to the community. Fab! We’ll get a bigger version of it into the Spring Buzz.

These are the Stringalongs

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tel: 01492 582492 Page | 13

STRINGALONGS UKULELES Sheila Metcalfe

In the last issue of The Buzz, I reported on our latest workshop with Chris McShane, a local professional musician and teacher. Chris is now well known to us and we learn so much from him. He has now teamed up with Ralph Shaw who is living locally after returning from many years living in Vancouver, so it was inevitable that we would invite Ralph to run a workshop for us.

Ralph (pictured here) was known as King of the Ukulele in Canada and has travelled extensively to entertain audiences at international festivals and ukulele clubs. He is described as ‘funny, smart and captivating’ and he entertained us with one of his own compositions in his own whacky style of how he made his own ukulele case from cardboard!

He demonstrated several different ways of ‘spicing up’ our strumming. He made it look easy (it isn’t) but it gave us a lot of food for thought and we will definitely try some of his little tricks. Once again, a great afternoon. Ralph and Chris performed together recently at Thurgoland Village Hall and several members of the Stringalongs group went along to experience ukuleles being played to their full potential.

CYCLING GROUP The Cycling Group is having its Winter break at the moment; however, 2019 plans are already in place. We would welcome more members so if you are thinking of brushing those cobwebs off your bike, taking up cycling or need some friends to cycle with, let us know.

The Group meets fortnightly on Tuesdays from late February to early November at 10am. The rides suit all abilities and are on the Trans Pennine Trail, Wakefield Wheel or similar routes. Frequent stops are scheduled in for refreshments & socialising.

For more information, contact the co-ordinator: Les Roberts 01226 297260

Date Meeting place Ride to: Feb 19th Pugneys Country Park Wakefield Wheel/Nostell Priory Mar 5th Kendall Green TPT Car Park, Worsborough Manvers Lake Mar 19th Anglers Country Park, Wintersett Stanley Ferry & Crofton

NEW!!!! AM-DRAM GROUP (amateur-dramatics, to you and me!) Beth Rudkin

So here they are, the members of our newest group! Led by Mac, they talked with enthusiasm of the performances they could give. Some could act, others direct, others sew costumes or act as prompt. They were buzzing with ideas. Next time, they will have some actual scripts to work with, perhaps downloaded, copyright free, others that they would write themselves. They will perform at the Monday Meeting in September. I, for one, will look forward to it!

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A portrait of BU3A’s INDU KUMAR

We believe that Indu is the present record-holder for being in most BU3A groups. Of course, we could be wrong so perhaps YOU should have a portrait of yourself in The Buzz!

It was a cold November day when I arrived in the UK. I was fascinated and intrigued by my first snowfall until I had to walk on it! That was 40 years ago. I tell my young doctors that I am more British than any of them!

I was born in Calcutta, India, along with my identical twin sister! My parents came from educated families and my father and grandfather were scientists. My parents already had three girls and it became a family joke when two more girls arrived! We went to good schools run by catholic nuns and had loads of fun fooling the teachers in school, as nobody could tell us apart.

After completing my medical degree in Hyderabad, India, I took the qualifying exams in the UK and started work in the NHS. My first, brief post was as an anaesthetist in Dewsbury. Then I moved to Barnsley and got a postgraduate degree in Anaesthesiology from London.

But the buzz of what came through the doors in the emergency department was what really appealed to me so I started work in the Accident and Emergency Department in Barnsley Hospital and worked there till retirement. This meant long, hard hours with more responsibility as a senior doctor but I loved it all. There were sad times of breaking bad news to a family about the death of a loved one, a partner, a child or a friend. Heart attacks, strokes, accidents, overdoses, alcoholics and drug addicts, I’ve seen them all. For me the reward always came from grateful patients.

My daughter was born in Barnsley so the hospital means a lot to me personally. Memorable days for me, obtaining registration to work in UK and yes, passing the driving test! My siblings live in New York and Houston and we try to all meet up at Christmas. But UK is home and always will be!

The first day after retirement I joined U3A! On the 20th anniversary of Barnsley U3A at the Metrodome, I looked at the displays and spoke to several coordinators and joined SIX groups in just one day! As my interests grow, so do the groups I join. I have learnt so much from our many talented coordinators.

U3A has been a blessing for me and keeps me going in life.

PS. My attempt at bell ringing at the October Monthly Meeting wasn’t especially brilliant but, as you can tell from the photo at the top, I was so much better than our Chairman, Alan Swann! The other photo of me with a garland of flowers round my neck is, of course, in performance with the fun-time Stringalongs.

Editor’s note: Indu did not include in her article that she is a member of the following groups:

1) Bird watching 2) Photography 3) Tai chi 4) Wednesday Ramblers 5) Stringalongs 6) Creative Writing 7) Brush Strokes 8) Jewellery 9) Tap and Line 10) Magic 11) Nature Quest 12) Photoshop 13) Video and Media Creation 14) Sequence Dancing ……… and counting!!!! Are you impressed? I am!

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BARNSLEY AND DISTRICT U3A SPRING SCHOOL Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd of May at the Ibis Hotel, Barnsley

Hey, if you do nothing else in 2019, it will be a good year if you include this.

Last year it was terrific. The hotel couldn’t do enough for us and the study rooms that we used were perfect, with everything we needed. The subjects on offer this year are almost all different from last year, with the exception of Mixed Media Art, which is coming back by popular demand.

The price will be £60 for the two days, or £30 for one day. For subjects marked with an *, there will be an extra charge for materials. Most subjects are one-day courses, though they may happen on both days. Just a few are two-day courses, so I advise you to check these out carefully. Here are the subjects:

1 Create a portrait of your pet in pastels Paula Harmer (one day) *

A one-day course for people with no experience of pastels, who would like to have a go at creating their pet’s portrait in this lovely medium. Learn about how pastels have been made and used for centuries. See how pastel portraits of pets develop from a blank piece of paper to a finished piece. See what makes a good pet portrait that will be a treasured memory for years to come.

2 DNA Chris and Diane Woolven (two days)

This will have elements of last year’s popular group, but there will be many differences

3 Mixed Media Art Christine Palmer and Vanda Outram *

This is back by popular demand. You don’t have to be an artist, but you will produce something amazing

4 Electronics for the Beginner Chris Green (two days) *

We will do some practical work with basic discrete components and then extend this to construct some fairly simple electronic artefacts; an electronic timer such as an egg timer? I would then like to extend what we have done into a more complex circuit (but not ridiculously so) using micro-processors and use this to make an electronic dice. All of this delivers, what I think, is a satisfying degree of progression for the absolute beginner.

5 Truth or Fiction? Andrew and Sue Green

Are the stories and facts we know true ? Does this matter? Should we believe all we read and discover on family genealogy sites?

In this presentation, we'll look at the grey area between fact and fiction. By examining two great characters from the past, King Arthur and King Alfred, we'll explore what we want to believe and what really happened. We'll also investigate a 'family story' using primary sources which will shed some light on what is fact and what is family myth. If you have any interesting family tales you might like to bring them along and share them. We are hoping for an interesting day with lively discussion and debate as well as discovering something new which will further fuel our fascination for the past!

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6 The Shifting Planet Beth Rudkin

We think we stand still on this earth. Not a bit of it. The tectonic plates we are standing on are moving all the time. There are earthquakes, volcanoes, new mountains, new islands appearing. We shall look at them all.

7 The World of Jane Austen Denise West (two-day course)

This course looks at some of the novels by Jane Austen and the world in which she wrote them. These works of romantic fiction, set amongst the landed gentry, earned her a place as one of the most widely read and loved authors of our time. Georgian society is the ever background to her work. Her realism and biting social commentary is present in the world in which her characters are set. Her novels describe everyday life, with their joys and sorrows and give us an irreplaceable insight into the period.

The course requires some knowledge and an own copy of PRIDE & PREJUDICE, SENSE & SENSIBILITY and PERSUASION.

8 What have the Greeks/Romans ever done for us? Life of Brian but much wider! Jeremy Dinsdale

Stories that could be part of any soap opera (murder, incest, infidelity and worse) Stories that have inspired art, literature and ideas for centuries in both Western and Eastern cultures. Architecture that has shaped the design of buildings across the world. Sculpture that has influenced artists for generations. Ideas that have formed the development of political and philosophical thinking. Our aim will be to look at a variety of sources, both ancient and modern, and to explore the connection and influence of the Classical World.

9 Writing for Children David Harmer (one-day course)

Now is the time to free the children’s author you know lives deep inside you! David Harmer, a successful children’s poet (with collections from Macmillan Children’s Books and Frances Lincoln), will lead a one-day course enabling you to create your own short piece of fiction for children. All you need to bring along is something to write with, something to write on and all the great ideas you have ever had.

We will be looking at examples of children’s fiction, discussing some of the pitfalls and doing quite a lot of writing. As well as a few exercises, you will be given the opportunity to work hard on something you feel pleased with and that children want to read. A lot of the time we will be reading our work out loud and helping each other develop ways of improving our work.

David can’t discuss picture books or books for the very young and the sessions will assume you are writing fiction for the 7 to 11 age range, although if you fancy writing for teens we can give that a go too. No more than 12 people, please.

Beth Rudkin

BELOW IS AN APPLICATION FORM. ______

Name:

Email address:

Telephone number:

Subjects of your choice:

Please tear off this slip and send it with a £10 deposit to: Beth Rudkin, 1 The Lees, Ardsley, S71 5HJ. (We will ask for the balance by the end of March.)

Of course, if you see me, I am happy to accept your form and cheque/cash there and then.

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CALLIGRAPHY Beth Rudkin

It has been on and off the agenda for ages but we now have a definite date for this group. It will meet at Tesco’s every fortnight, on Monday mornings, from 10 am until 12 noon, starting from January 21st

It will basically be a self-help group, under the watchful eye of Gill Errington and Michael Midgely, who both know a bit. But don’t worry, there will be lots of books to help you. It will be helpful, though, if you get yourself a set of calligraphy pens. (Try ‘The Range’); I am told that they are at a reasonable price there.

I think it will be a beautiful and creative way to spend Monday mornings.

THE FIRST AID COURSE Beth Rudkin

I was glad I went to the first session of this 4-week course. ‘It’s common sense, really,’ said Carole.

But it was more than that. I learned a huge amount about what to do in the case of an emergency. ‘You call the emergency services,’ said our leader. ‘But there may be things you can do before they arrive. And those things might save a life.’

So we learned about opening up the airways. ‘In the case of, say, a road accident, with multiple injuries,’ said Carole. ‘Look at the quiet one.’ You see, if you are screaming in pain, at least you are breathing.

Then everyone had a go at recovery position. That’s important, since if you are in that position, at least if you vomit, you won’t choke. ‘Turn rings around,’ said Carole. ‘You don’t want a face lying on a sharp stone, do you.’ There were countless tips like that.

Carole says she will run another course in February if there is a demand for it. I recommend it to everyone.

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Join Us this Burns Night Friday 25th January 2019 ENTERTAINMENT: PIPERS ADDRESSING THE HAGGIS TOASTS RAFFLE DANCING TO BRACKENRIGG

THE BLUEBELL FUNCTION SUITE, DODWORTH

CHOICE OF MENU

STARTER Haggis, Neeps & Tatties

Or Vegetarian Option

MAIN COURSE Roast Beef or Roast Chicken with Yorkshire Pudding & Seasonal Vegetables Or Caramelised Onion & Goats Cheese Tart

DESSERT New York Deli Cheesecake with Raspberry Coulis Or Chocolate Fudge Cake

£25.00 per person to include Dinner, Entertainment & Dancing Contact John MacKinnon on 07500 351927 or [email protected]

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VENUE BUS STAND

AGE UK BARNSLEY, 36a Queens Road, Barnsley S71 1AR

ALDER CLOSE COMMUNITY CENTRE: Off Longsight Road, Mapplewell S75 6JA 1 10

ARDSLEY BOWLING CLUB: Coronation Terrace, Off Doncaster Rd, Ardsley S715BE 219 21

ARDSLEY OAKS WMC: 680 Doncaster Rd, Ardsley, Barnsley S71 5EF 219 21

BARNSLEY BOWL: Carlton Road, Barnsley S71 2AZ 12 8

BIRDWELL COMMUNITY CENTRE: Rockingham Street, Birdwell S70 5TQ 2 / 66 / 67 1

BURTON GRANGE COMMUNITY CENTRE: Wike Road, Lundwood S71 5LT 32 16

CUDWORTH METHODIST CHURCH: Barnsley Road, Cudworth, Barnsley, S72 8SU 27 16

DARTON PARISH HALL: Church St, Darton, Barnsley S75 5HF 93 5

DODWORTH LIBRARY: High Street, Dodworth, Barnsley, S75 3RF 22 4

DODWORTH MINERS WELFARE CLUB: High Street, Dodworth, Barnsley S75 3RF 22 4

EMMANUEL CHURCH: Huddersfield Road, Barnsley S75 1DT 95 5

KING STREET FLATS: Waltham Street, Barnsley, S70 1JU 22X / 6 18 / 17

MANOR COURT COMMUNITY CENTRE: Westend Ave, Royston, Barnsley S71 4LN 57 13

MONK BRETTON METHODIST CHURCH: High St, Monk Bretton, Barnsley S71 2PJ 57 13

PENISTONE BOWLING CLUB: Back Lane, Penistone S36 6DW 22 4

POLLYFOX COMMUNITY CENTRE, Pollyfox Way, Dodworth S75 3QR 22 4

PRIORY CAMPUS: Pontefract Road, Lundwood, Barnsley S71 5PN 27 17

ST JOHN’S COMMUNITY CENTRE: Church St, Penistone S36 6AR 22 4

ST THOMAS’S COMMUNITY CENTRE: Church St, Gawber, Barnsley S75 2RJ 92 / 93 4

SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH: Doncaster Road, Barnsley, S70 3HA 6/22X/218/21 18 / 19

STOCKSBRIDGE LEISURE CENTRE: Moorland Drive, Stocksbridge, S36 1EG 23 5

STAIRFOOT CONSTITUTIONAL CLUB: 466 Doncaster Road, Barnsley S70 3PW 222/226/X19 18 / 19

TESCOs: Wombwell Lane, Stairfoot, Barnsley S70 3NS 22X 18

VALLEY COMMUNITY CENTRE: Manor Road, Cudworth, Barnsley S72 8DG 27 15

WESLEYAN REFORM CHURCH: Spark Lane, Mapplewell S75 6AA 1 10

WOMBWELL METHODIST CHURCH: Summer Lane, Wombwell, Barnsley S73 8HE 22 18

WORSBROUGH BRIDGE SOCIAL CLUB: 3 Walbrook, Worsbrough Bridge S70 5EJ 66 2

WORSBROUGH LIBRARY: Elm House Estate, Queensway, Worsbrough S70 5EN. 66 2

Every effort is made to ensure this information is up to date and correct.

Any errors or changes please notify the Buzz team on [email protected] or speak to them at a monthly meeting. For further information contact BTI on 01226 213313 or Traveline on 01709 515151

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TUESDAY WALKS

Co-ordinators: Helen and Syd Swift (email: [email protected]. Tel: 01226 385454) All walks will meet at 9:45 for a 10.00 start and will be approximately 5 to 6 miles long. We estimate that they will be completed by 1.00pm. The walks vary in severity so please do check with the leader if you have any concerns about suitability. There is usually a nearby refreshment venue if members wish to socialise after the walk. Unfortunately, we have reached full capacity and are unable to take new members at the present time.

Date - 2019 Meeting Place Walking Area Leader(s)

15 January Heath Common Car Park, Wakefield WF1 5SL Heath Common Pauline Haigh Refreshments: Local 29 January Dodworth Co-operative Dodworth to Silkstone Pauline Rowland Barnsley Rd, Dodworth, S75 3RF Refreshments: Local 12 February Turn right after Engineers Arms Higham to Cawthorne Kim Keep right down Royd Lane (Parking on side of road) Refreshments: Local Cafe 26 February Strafford Arms Public House Stainborough Helen and Syd Park Drive, Stainborough, S75 3EW Refreshments: Strafford Arms 12 March Main Car Park (near Rockingham Arms) Main Wentworth Mollie Street, Wentworth S62 7TL Refreshments: Local Cafe 26 March The Crown, Ludwell Close, Denaby Ings Lynda and Dave Doncaster Rd, Barnburgh, DN5 7JQ Refreshments: The Crown 9 April Cawthorne Village Hall, Tivy Dale, S75 4EH Cawthorne/Hoyland Carmel Park on road outside Village Hall Refreshments: Local Cafe 23 April Meet village green in the middle of High Ackworth and East Hardwick Pam and Dot Ackworth, near St Cuthbert’s Church WF7 7EL Refreshments: Garden Centre

An Afternoon with HOW OUR ANCESTORS LIVED Beth Rudkin

Well, not exactly my ancestors. This happy lot are far too young.

No, I am talking about How Our Ancestors Lived, led by Barbara Lukey, assisted by Linda Dale

This group ran at Penistone last year and was so popular that Barbara started another group, meeting at the Dodworth Miners’ Welfare Club. They meet on the first Friday of each month, 2pm until 3.15pm (except January, when it will be the second Friday).

Now, I went to the first one in September and the talk was of our grandparents and of how they coped. The group planned to move on from that to the period when our Grandparents were young - the time before we knew them. They are looking at the social history of the time, from 1880 to 1930. And then on to the things they were reading, concentrating especially on Thomas Hardy, D H Lawrence and George Gissing.

It is a small, but very interesting group. I think it will make at least some Fridays a real joy.

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WEDNESDAY RAMBLERS

As usual many thanks to all our walk leaders for a diverse and interesting selection of walks. Please contact

Dave Webber or David Osborne (numbers on contact list) if you are interested in joining the group.

Date Meeting Place Walking Area Leader(s)

12th December Crown Inn, Barnborough Christmas Lunch (to be Pat Butcher, Sandra DN5 7JQ booked in advance) Bailey, Lynda Gensavage Barnborough area 19th December Alam’s Lounge car park. Higham and Hugset Wood. Dave and Helen Webber Hermit Lane, Higham, Mince pies and mulled wine Barnsley S75 1PL after walk. 2019 Howell Wood car park, Burnt West Haigh Wood and Lady Dave and Helen Webber 2nd January Wood Lane, Brierley, S72 9EZ Wood, Grimesthorpe 9th January Smawell Lane car park, Off Notton area David and Carole Chevet Lane B1362, Notton Osborne Wakefield WF4 2PB 16th January Dunkirk Inn, 231 Barnsley Rd, Denby Dale Rod Coysh Denby Dale, HD8 8TX 23rd January Billingley Village Hall, Around Billingley Dave and Helen Webber Back Lane S72 0JF Hot drinks and ‘bacon Toilets in hall. butties’ after the walk 30th January Thrybergh Country Park Thrybergh Pat Butcher and Doncaster Rd, Thrybergh, Sandra Bailey Rotherham S65 4NU 6th February Cherry Tree Inn Emley Woodhouse Pauline Rowland High Hoyland, High Hoyland Lane S75 4BE 13th February Dearne Valley Country Park, Monk Bretton and towards Pauline Haigh Hoyle Mill, Pontefract Rd, Tesco Barnsley S71 1HS. 20th February Marquis Pub and Carvery, Hoober Stand and the Eye Linda and Steve Wild Low Stubbin, Rawmarsh, Rotherham S62 7RX. 27th February Village Hall, West Bretton Yorkshire Sculpture Park Jose Firth WF4 4LB. (voluntary contribution for parking) 6th March Car Park behind Wickes, Dearne Valley Sheila Metcalfe Old Mill Lane, S71 1LS 13th March Strafford Arms, Stainborough Stainborough area David and Carole S75 3EW. Osborne 20th March On side of road at Tivydale, Cawthorne area Rod Coysh Cawthorne. 27th March Kendal Green Road car park, Worsbrough and Sue Walshaw Worsbrough S70 6TT. Stainborough

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THURSDAY WALKS

Date Meeting Place Walk Area Distance Leaders

Dec 6th Monk Bretton Priory Lundwood/ 5/6 Pat/Jean/Denise CP Cudworth

Dec 20th Common Lane CP Bolsterstone and 5 Pat/Jean Deepcar mince pies at Pat’s

Jan 3rd Tesco Penistone Hartcliffe 5/6 Andy/ Margaret in front of shop

Jan 17 th Old Moor CP TPT and Darfield 6 Jean/Pat

Jan 31st Elsecar Heritage CP Wentworth 7 Michael and (extra walk) Lynda

Feb 7th CP near Waggon and TPT and Dove 5.5 Brian/Carol Horses, Oxspring. Valley Trail Linear walk so car share to Kendal Green CP

Feb 21st Kendal Green CP Worsbrough / 5/6 Pat/Jean Stainbrough

March 7th Oughtibridge Park Beeley Wood / 6 Rae Grenoside

March 21st Heath CP Aire and Calder 6 Les canal

April 4th Winscar reservoir CP Winscar 6 Dave / Di

SUNDAY STROLLERS

The Sunday Strollers, meeting on the second Sunday of each month at 11 am, enjoy short walks, usually lasting an hour or less, usually finishing with a cup of something afterwards. They are specially designed for those who struggle with hips and legs and things, ideally with no steps, and definitely no stiles. That doesn’t mean we don’t welcome those who normally walk for miles, run marathons or climb Everest. It’s a perfect run up to your Sunday lunch.

Sunday, December 9th Hemsworth Water Park, led by Gordon Wilson

If you approach from Ryhill, follow the B 6428 until you reach a crossroad, take the right hand turn on to the B6273, follow this thru Fitzwilliam and Kinsley, look for a sign to HWP and turn left. Follow the lane to the bottom and park near the café, ignore a locked gate at the top of the lane. Parking is free

Sunday, January 13th Manvers Water Park, led by Beth Rudkin

Sunday, February 10th Dearne Valley, led by Trish and Keith Atkinson. Meet in the car park just behind Wickes

Sunday, March 10th Pugneys Water Park, led by Jeff and Kath Jones

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THURSDAY BUS PASS WALKERS This list uses timetables available at time of going to print but routes and timings can change at short notice. If an alternative walk has to be submitted, it will use a bus journey from original meeting place at the same meeting time. In case of inclement weather, please telephone early either Marjorie Wallace (723399) or Anne Swann (241200). It is recommended that good footwear be worn and if required the use of one or two walking poles. It is advisable to bring a drink and a piece of energy food with you.

DATE LEADER DETAILS

6 December Marj Wallace Meet at Barnsley Train Station at 9.45 am in order to purchase 2018 This is the last ticket for 10.01 Huddersfield train on Platform 2 to Silkstone 2018 walk. It is Common. also the BU3A Walk along TPT to Wigfield Farm. Refreshments available Annual Dinner at Farm or Reservoir Cafe. Return bus to Barnsley. (5 miles)

17 January Anne Swann & Meet at Barnsley Bus Station for 10.24 bus, route 66, stand 2, to 2019 Marj Wallace Elsecar Heritage Centre. Walk along the canal to Cortonwood Retail Park. After a refreshment break we will retrace our steps to the Heritage Centre where frequent buses return to Barnsley. (5 miles)

7 February 2019 Anne Swann & Meet at Barnsley Railway Station for 10.14 train to Marj Wallace Sheffield. Walk alongside the canal from Sheffield Quays to Meadowhall where refreshments can be purchased. Return by train or X17 bus, stand C4 at 27 minutes past the hour, to Barnsley from Meadowhall. (4 miles)

21 February Marj Wallace Meet at Barnsley Bus Station for 10.10 bus, route 57, stand 13 to 2019 Royston. Royston Circular Walk. The route will depend on the weather on the day but will not be longer than 4 miles.

7 March 2019 Anne Swann & Meet at Barnsley Bus Station for 10.25 bus, route 226, stand 18, Marj Wallace to Stairfoot Tesco. Walk to Old Moor Bird Santuary along TPT via Wombwell. Refreshments available at Old Moor Cafe. Return buses from Pontefract Road, Brampton, on the hour and half hour. (5 miles)

HAPPY FEET WALKING SCHEDULE (THURSDAYS) Date Leader Time Meeting Place The Walk 10th Jan Ann 10.30 The Sands Car Park Coffee at the post office, walk Bradfield Village Hall S6 6LB round reservoir, lunch at The Plough. 24th Jan Bren 10.30 Park on Walking by Thundercliffe Grange, Droppingwell Service Road lunch at Droppingwell pub. S61 2DJ 7th Feb Ray 10.30 Parking at Wentworth village Walking in Wentworth Estate. car park S62 7TL lunch at Antique centre. 21st Feb Kathryn 10.30 Meet at Potting Shed Walk and lunch & Joan S75 4JU to be decided later 7th Mar Keith 10.30 Meet at Potting Shed Walking round Silkstone, S75 4JU lunch at Potting Shed 21st Mar Gwenda 10.30 Meeting place to be Walking at Broomhead Reservoir, arranged later lunch at Castle Inn, Bolsterstone.

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THURSDAYS LONGER WALKS $ = Additional walk details on our Facebook page

Date Leaders Meeting Place Walking Area Miles 13th Challenging $ Meet for 10:00 start by Wigtwizzle 9 Dec. John & Broomhead Reservoir Sue Sands (limited parking) Grid Ref. 255 959 27th Brian & Meet for 10:00 start at Yorkshire Up to 8 Dec. Carole Smyth West Bretton Village Hall Sculpture Park car park (fee payable) Grid Ref. 287 138 10th Challenging $ Meet for 10:00 start at Bradfield circular 9 Jan. Dave Hallas Lower Bradfield car park Grid Ref. 263 920 24th Michael Swift Meet for 10:00 start at Newmillerdam, 9 Jan. Newmillerdam car park Anglers Country Park (fee payable) Grid Ref. 158 331 14th Challenging $ Meet for 10:00 start Stainborough area 9 Feb. Les Walshaw at Locke Park car park Grid Ref. 336 052 28th Tony Hunt Meet for 10:00 start Royston/Carlton 10 Feb. at Rabbit Ings, Boundary Walk Lundhill Lane, Royston Grid Ref. 376 117 14th Challenging $ Meet for 10:00 start at Lathkill Dale & 10 March Brian Smyth Over Haddon car park Magpie Mine (fee payable) Grid Ref. 203 664 28th David Meet for 10:00 start at car park Thurgoland Round 9 March Leadbeater next to Coach & Horses, Oxspring Grid Ref. 272 019

MIXED WALKING CRICKET

Barnsley U3A’s Newest Group! (well, so new it’s not even a group) YET!

Mixed Walking Cricket is the new craze (recommended by Age Concern) that is starting to grow in the country, especially designed for the over 50s. It is planned to start this group in January, as it is an all year round sport – although of course we will not be playing in adverse weather.

Two teams of mixed players (either 6 or 8 per team) play a match on an AstroTurf 5 a side football pitch, using a plastic cricket bat and specially designed soft cricket ball.

Players play in pairs, and each player bats and bowls while fielding. Everybody, including the bowler (there are penalties) must walk. A match lasts about two hours, and is interspersed with good activity, and periods when less activity is needed. Boring it isn’t!

No protective clothing or equipment is needed, and injury risk is minimal. It is anticipated that matches will take place at the the Dodworth Miners’ Welfare Club, 10am to 12 noon every other Wednesday, and will cost £3 person per person per match.

But, we need at least 12 members in the group, preferably 16

If you are interested, contact Mac McKechnie. His details are under Am-Dram or Magic Group on the contact list.

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TRAVEL The Travel Group propose arranging the following trips during 2019:

1. Norfolk Broads and Sandringham House on a date to be announced. The price of approx. £399 per person in a twin/double room includes: * Four nights dinner, bed and breakfast at the Dunston Hall Hotel * Use of the indoor pool, sauna, steam room and gym * Excursion on the North Norfolk Railway with a visit to Cromer * Boat trip on the Wroxham Broads with a visit to Norwich * Visit/Entry to Sandringham House * Door-to-door pick up service (subject to area). A limited number of single rooms are available at a supplement of £77.

2. Stratford, Warwick Castle and National Arboretum departing on July 5th for 2 days. The price of £115 per person in a twin/double room includes: * One night dinner, bed and breakfast at the Mercure Warwickshire Walton Hall Hotel (Wellesbourne) * Visit to the National Arboretum * Visit to Stratford upon Avon * Visit/Entrance to Warwick Castle A limited number of single rooms are available at a supplement of £25 per person and porterage can be pre-booked at a cost of £1.00 per bag each way.

3. Day trip on the Lancaster Canal The price of approx £32: travelling northbound over the 200-year-old Lune Aqueduct with fish and chips served on board.

4. Day trip to the Emmerdale Studio Experience (Indoor) The price of approx £35 including entrance fee, with an afternoon in Harrogate

CAMPERVAN AND CARAVAN Lynda Handley 2018 was a very good year weather-wise and members of our group certainly made the most if it.

The first outing was to the Camping & Caravan site in the Wirral in April. This area was chosen because some wanted to visit the Chinese Terracotta Army exhibition in Liverpool. Varying views were expressed about the exhibition but it was generally enjoyed. Visits were also made to the Anthony Gormley exhibition “Another Place” at Crosby and the Ness Botanical Gardens, where students from Liverpool University learn their horticultural skills. A communal BBQ was held as one thing we campers like to do is eat, all made more possible with the lovely weather. Get-togethers were held in the evenings in Colin & Trudy’s awning.

The next outing was to the CC site in Scarborough 2-6th July and again we were blessed with lots of sunny days. Individual visits were made to Whitby, Peasholme Park in Scarborough and Dalby Forest where there was some confusion over parking charges but thankfully no summonses have been received. Again, a communal BBQ and Geoff Handley prepared an amazing paella for us all.

Our final visit was to the CC site at St Neots, Cambridgeshire in September. This was our biggest group outing with 13 vans in attendance. Visits were made to Cambridge and Little Paxton nature reserves, where birdwatchers were trying to capture a sighting of a kingfisher. The opportunity to walk into St Neots town centre alongside the river was a very pleasant walk. The walkers in the group took full advantage of the weather and the area. The evenings were spent in Colin and Trudy’s lovely awning where lots of chatting and socialising took place, which is what the BU3A is all about.

We have a meeting in January to discuss destinations and dates in 2019. If anyone has a campervan or caravan, is interested in joining our group and would like to come to the meeting, please contact Trudy Atkinson on 07768325382 or email [email protected].

Many thanks to Colin and Trudy for co-ordinating this wonderful, successful and social group.

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CROWN GREEN BOWLING – BARNSLEY LEAGUE Mike Pease

This year 33 BU3A members registered to play in Barnsley League matches with 6 ladies and 4 men ‘new’ to league bowling. So we were able to register an additional team in the league and all teams had a good season. The season starts in April and ends in September with matches played almost every week. This year the long dry weather made the greens very dry and often more ‘brown’ than ‘green’ and playing on our green at Ardsley and on the away greens was interesting, to put it mildly, but we always played to the best of our ability, had fun and socialised with the opponents in true BU3A style.

Monday Doubles (6.15pm)

We entered a team in Division D of this league for the first time, captained by Pete Wassell. Matches have 8 players in a team split into 4 pairs and each pair plays a pair from the opposing team. There were 11 teams in this division and teams play the others home (Ardsley) and away over the season. We finished in 8th place winning 8 out of 20 matches and in our first season this was really pleasing especially as ten people were playing in the league for the first time. All the ‘new league’ players won some of their pairs games and gained experience in both league and pairs bowling as well as enjoying themselves; well done, everyone!

Vets Doubles (Tuesday 1.30pm)

Last year, this team finished top of Division C. We were promoted to Division B and captained again by Mike Pease. Matches have 8 players in the same format as Monday doubles. It was a mixed season against better quality opponents than last year but we managed to finish in 8th place winning 7 out of 18 matches and avoided relegation. Six ‘new league’ players took part, helped to get us the points needed to avoid relegation and gained experience for 2019, so a big thank you to them and to all the other players. With Jeff Jones and others in the squad there were lots of laughs, as you would expect.

Friday Vets (1.30pm)

We remained in Division B and the team was captained by Roy Newbould. Matches have 6 players per team and each individual plays a member of the opposing team as a singles game. There were 10 teams in this division; we had good and bad days but managed to finish in 7th place, winning 7 out of 18 matches. We not only avoided relegation but also finished above ‘Ardsley A’ who are the original and very experienced team that we share our name with; that pleased us a lot.

League matches are a bit more competitive than our usual social bowling mornings but lots of the social members bowl to league standard and we would love more people to join the league teams. Over the season, many of us have played for two or even all three teams, as we all know that BU3A members love their holidays. It would be nice to have more players in each squad for flexibility so please think about it and take the step up to the next level as we know that you are more than capable.

We will register players for next season in March/April 2019 so don’t be shy; put your name down!

PS We are having our annual bowling trip to Blackpool again next May. Anyone from BU3A is welcome (whether a bowler or not) so if you are interested please get in touch with Roy Marsden who is the organiser (see contact list for phone number).

TUESDAY CROWN GREEN BOWLING

These five (above) are enjoying their tea/coffee break outdoors, thus avoiding the heavy ‘Brexit’ discussions taking place in the Bowlers Hut. The other photo shows most of the twenty Bowlers who meet up at Ardsley Park on Tuesday mornings. Looks like our Chairman is needing a bit of a rest more than the others do! Is he alright? Or perhaps he’s just demonstrating his advanced bowling action?

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The end-of-season Crown Green Bowling lunch took place at the Boatman's Rest and Roy Marsden presented flowers and a bottle of wine to Sandra Naylor in recognition of all the The TRAVEL GROUP’s trip to the River Trent was support that she has popular. Val Summerscales, Gill Errington, Audrey Eyre given to our teams and Sylvia Lewis seemed happy!! Only two bottles of wine, ladies? I won’t tell on you. It’s our little secret! over the season.

THE ONE CLUB Gwenda Midgley

The One Club has reached its first birthday and what a year it has been!!!!! We started with a small tentative group and have now grown into a membership of 50 with between 20 and 30 of us regularly attending our monthly meetings. Our get-togethers are in the form of a social evening where we chat over a cuppa, put forward ideas for future events and generally end with a challenging quiz provided by Pam Turton. We have formed new friendships, have had great days out, lunches, evening meals, theatre trips and ten-pin bowling is a popular night too.

Thanks go to Joy Dearden who has done a sterling job in organising our Sunday lunches and last but not least a big thank you goes to Vanda who has ‘worked her socks off’ to make our group the success it has become.

We will move forward into our 2nd year with a confidence to provide friendship to people who are on their own and we look forward to new and exciting things to do.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ONE CLUB!

CHRISTINE PALMER’S BRILLIANT, QUICK AND DEAD-EASY PARKIN THE COLD WINTER’S DAY TREAT one cup of wholemeal flour (I use an ordinary tea mug) one cup of self raising flour one cup of medium oatmeal Apologies half a cup brown sugar for the 4 oz marg American 1 small tin treacle rinsed out with 1 cup boiling water spelling! 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp ginger mix all ingredients together thoroughly (mixture will be sloppy) and pour into low cake tin lined with greaseproof paper. bake at 180o/gas 4 for about 1 hour or until firm and golden brown. best left wrapped in foil for a few days until nice and sticky.

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STITCHES Suzanne Dinsdale (coordinator)

A STITCH IN TIME

The latest project in STITCHES was to make these amazing clocks! We all started by thinking that making an embroidered clock was an impossible task, but by following the instructions which were wonderfully explained by Sue Johnson, we ended up with these different interpretations. It’s fascinating to see how different they all are.

FRENCH CONVERSATION Gloria King (Co-ordinator)

Flowers of Remembrance / Fleurs du Souvenir

We are all used to seeing the poppy worn to commemorate the sacrifice of soldiers who died or were wounded at war; this association goes back a long way. During the time of the Napoleonic wars of the early 19th century, the link between poppies and battlefields had already been made. However, it is not so well known that in France the flower of remembrance for WW1 is the ‘bleuet’ or cornflower (see picture). The colour of the cornflower reminded people of the blue uniforms of the ‘Poilus’ (hairy soldiers). Cornflowers were also present on the battlefields and symbolized in France the sacrifice of soldiers during WW1. In 1915 the veterans still wore the red-madder trousers (making them easy targets for German snipers) so the younger recruits were dressed in the new blue French uniform. They were then called the ‘Bleuets’ or Cornflowers. A replica of the French Cornflower is still sold during the commemorations of May 8 (even though that day celebrates the victory of 1945) and November 11, but all year at French Military Museums.

Belgium has its own commemorative flower, the marguerite, and Germany favours the white forget-me-not.

B_3A? JOB VACANCY Liaison with Staff at the Priory Campus to handle the What’s missing? Audio/Visual equipment for the Monday Monthly Meetings. This involves ‘U’ some knowledge of the equipment, adaptability, thinking on your feet, Show your hidden talent! Help BU3A to thrive by offering patience and tact too! your skills

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OUR MAC Beth Rudkin

Don’t you just sit up and be amazed at Mac? Not content with running the Magic Group, he is now starting an Am-Dram group. (That’s Amateur Dramatics to you and me). By the time this Buzz is printed, the group will have met, and be well on their way to the Hippodrome, or wherever stars go these days.

Mac had a serious health problem recently but did that stop him? Did it ‘eck. He has now joined the Walking Football group and is planning Walking Cricket (see page 30). And this is all on top of being a pastor to his church.

His wife Maureen worries about him, but there is no stopping our Mac. Here he is entertaining the multitudes at Love Later Life at The Metrodome.

NEW MEMBERS LINK

Eveline Mirfin and Molly Mannion do a great job every month at Priory Campus, welcoming new BU3A members with a brief history of U3A and BU3A (so much so that they’ve got themselves on the Front AND Back covers of this BUZZ!) Below we see some new members who attended the September meeting.

A warm welcome to them all.

This beautiful wooden bowl in the photo on the right was created by a BU3A member. At his house, I saw that he’s a true expert in wood turning. There’s Men in Sheds but this one works in t’garage!

Are we in need of a Mixed Woodworking group? Beth, where are you?

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TAP & LINE - ‘KEEP ON DANCING’ Sheila Metcalfe

As many of you will be aware, I have decided to retire as co-ordinator of the tap and line dancing group. Sadly, there were no volunteers within the U3A membership to take over from me and the group was in danger of folding.

HOWEVER! a dancing acquaintance has offered to help out. Michelle Ruse, the daughter- in-law of Judith and Tony Hunt, is the Principal of Dramatise Theatre School in Barnsley and she has offered to take over. She does not fit the criteria for being a U3A member, therefore the group could not be classed as a U3A group but she will run the group privately at her own studio in Stocks Lane.

The group will run completely outside the auspices of the U3A but Michelle is willing to keep the group ‘ring-fenced’ for the existing members and any other member of our U3A who would like to join. It would still feel like a U3A unit. There will be no blue box and the agreed sum of £2 would be paid directly to Michelle for her professional teaching and overheads. (A bargain!). All members will be covered under Michelle’s insurance.

I can no longer appear on the contact list as a group co-ordinator but my name will remain as a link for any interested U3A members who require further details.

Michelle visited our group on several occasions to meet everyone and invited us down to her studio for our final session which we thoroughly enjoyed. The group members are delighted that the group will continue. Michelle will take over after Christmas. I am so pleased that the group will continue as they are a lovely bunch of ladies and I have enjoyed every minute with them, but the group will benefit greatly from new, fresh ideas and this is a very exciting way forward.

TUESDAY GARDENERS 1 January No meeting. Bank Holiday 15 January DVD at Burton Grange. 29 January Another visit by Don Whitton who will be speaking on “Great Yorkshire Gardens” 19 February Please note change of date. A visit to York Gate Garden, Adel, Leeds LS16 8DW during their snowdrop week. 26 February A visit to the garden of Mr & Mrs Ferrari at Bridge Farm House, Great Heck, near Selby DN14 0BE 12 March A visit to Felley Priory Gardens, Underwood, Nottinghamshire NG16 5FJ 26 March A visit to the gardens of Wortley Hall. S35 7DB

GADGETS Help with your phone or tablet – problems solved Beth Rudkin

The fabulous Vanda Outram plans a short course for gadgets in the New Year. It will probably be at the Emmanuel Church, probably on a Thursday or a Friday. It will last for six weeks. Vanda can cope with the mysteries of your phone or your tablet. All those things that seemed so mysterious.

Let her know if you plan to join the course, because she can only take 12 maximum.

Her details are on the contact list.

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THURSDAY 10-PIN BOWLING Mike Maher (07763 441523)

In October, the group held another ‘Just-for-fun’ Handicap Competition which this time was won by new member, Richard Pendree, who narrowly beat Peter Smithies (the handicapping system means that anyone taking part, whether proficient or not has a good chance of winning, particularly if they can manage to bowl slightly better than their average score.)

The Ladies’ Hi-Score trophy for the highest ‘Scratch’ score was won by Jean Wroe and the Men’s Hi-Score trophy by Peter Smithies. The photo shows the trophy winners with group co-ordinator Mike Maher.

Peter Smithies won the prize for most ‘strikes’, scoring 7 over the two games and Richard Pendree won the prize for the most ‘spares’, achieving 13. The ‘Wooden Spoon’ for the lowest score including handicap was won by Robert Docker. Sue Price won a spoon for the lowest ‘scratch’ score by a lady and Robert won a second spoon for his collection for the lowest ‘scratch’ score by a gent.

We enjoy lots of banter and always have a laugh. New members are made very welcome. The group meet at Barnsley Bowl (on Carlton Road at Athersley) from 9.45 for about two hours and have two games with a break for coffee. Usually there are 15 to 20 players with 4 or 5 people per lane, and it costs just under £7.00 inclusive of shoe-hire, plus the cost of the half-time drink should you wish to buy one.

Interested? Why not give it a go? Give me a buzz! Hope to see you there.

LITERATURE Beth Rudkin THE MAN HE KILLED

"Had he and I but met In January we start on a new By some old ancient inn, author. We are going back to the We should have sat us down to wet nineteenth century to look at Right many a nipperkin! Thomas Hardy. "But ranged as infantry, Do you remember ‘Far from the And staring face to face, Madding Crowd,’ and ‘Tess of the I shot at him as he at me, D’Urbevilles’? And what about And killed him in his place. ‘Jude the Obscure’? The Bishop of Wakefield burned that one, "I shot him dead because — apparently. That did no harm to Because he was my foe, sales at all. Just so: my foe of course he was; That's clear enough; although

"He thought he'd 'list, perhaps, I read them all a thousand years ago and am looking forward Off-hand like — just as I — to reading them again. Was out of work — had sold his traps — What I did not read was his poetry, so that will be new to me, No other reason why. and maybe to others in the group. "Yes; quaint and curious war is! What about this one in the box? You shoot a fellow down You'd treat if met where any bar is, Or help to half-a-crown."

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A portrait of BU3A’s JAMES NAYLOR One of the undoubted 1,050 stars of Barnsley U3A is trumpeter extraordinaire, James Naylor. Born in Barugh Green, he went to Woodlands Secondary Modern in Doncaster but, being dyslexic, a term and condition not known or understood at that time, he left school still unable to read or write. However, he could read music because his father had a banjo and two of his sisters were excellent musicians and played all over the world in the famous Ivy Benson Band. James started playing the trumpet at the age of 13 and four years later, in the late 50’s joined the Black Watch Regiment in Perth on a 3-year commission as a bandsman and toured the USA and Canada playing in all the big arenas, including Madison Square Gardens in New York. James also played in the Edinburgh Tattoo. On leaving the Black Watch (he’s in the photo), he became a professional trumpeter, playing in towns and cities across Southern England but then returned home and spent three years playing four nights a week in the clubs of Barnsley when people went out to ‘proper’ dances just before the rock-and- roll era. He also remembers well a date in Berlin, playing ‘Summertime’ and standing with The Tiller Girls in the wings of the London Palladium as he and they waited for their ‘spots’ to begin. (I wonder why he remembers that so vividly). Then, at the age of 30, he stopped playing the trumpet and took a 48 year break!!!!! During that break, he • set up a motor dealership at Stairfoot • bought and ran Featherstone Rovers Social Club • built houses and worked on the improvement and renovation of buildings • bought the Black Bull Farm at Midgley (on the Barnsley to Huddersfield road) where he intended to raise beef cattle but instead kept race horses and greyhounds; this will have satisfied his and his wife’s passion for horse and dog racing. It was poignant to hear that James scattered his wife’s ashes at the winning post of Doncaster Racecourse. • continued buying and selling cars, cleverly displaying them on the notorious sharp S bend where everyone has to slow down! It has been a varied life, to say the least, but another odd twist came when Max Senior advertised a couple of years ago in The Buzz for people to learn about music. James answered and found out that same trumpet he had as a thirteen–year-old. We now listen enthralled when he stands up to play his fabulous solos with The Old Blowers; that technique has never left him. And have you seen his art? He goes to Brushstrokes with Mary Ross and posts some of it on the BU3A Facebook page for us to enjoy. His technique of white pen on black paper seems pretty special! Barnsley U3A is proud to have James as a huge contributor to its activities.

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BARNSLEY U3A SPEAKERS/PERFORMERS AT MONTHLY MEETINGS IN 2019

MEETING SPEAKER/PERFORMERS DETAILS

7th January 2019 Andrew Thwaite FROM BEAN TO BAR – THE HISTORY OF CHOCOLATE and a Presentation of making chocolate

4th February 2019 Guitar Group Four pieces of music with audience participation

4th March 2019 Magic Group Learning and presenting magic tricks

1st April 2019 Jeff Jacklin IT ONLY HURTS WHEN I LAUGH

13th May 2019 Barnsley U3A Choir & Selection of songs & popular tunes (bank holiday on 6th May) Flutes Galore

3rd June 2019 AGM MEETING ELECTION OF OFFICERS. MINUTES OF LAST AGM

1st July 2019 Old Blowers Selection of music

5th August 2019 Fools’ Gold Acoustics ‘Stormy Stories’

2nd September 2019 Am-Dram Group One act play; could be comedy or drama

7th October 2019 Sheffield U3A Various tunes and audience participation Hand Bell Ringers

4th November 2019 Andrew Raftery Coping with retirement

2nd December 2019 Old Blowers / Stringalongs Christmas Carols

At the BU3A Monthly Meeting, we do like our guest speakers to be able to tell a decent joke. Just in case any of 2019’s speakers can’t manage it, here’s one for you now. “Just relax”, the hospital staff kept saying to Alan, but it was to no avail. Alan’s wife was in labour and he was a nervous wreck. After what seemed like a week to both Alan and the hospital staff, a nurse came out with the happy news, “it’s a girl”, she cried. “Thank God, a girl”, said Alan, “at least she won’t have to go through what I just went through!”

U.P.V.C. DOOR AND WINDOW JOHN & MARTIN SERVICE ENGINEERS ADJUSTMENT AND REPAIR SERVICE THE DOOR DOCTOR QUOTES FOR REPLACEMENT WINDOWS AND DOORS. STEAMY GLASS UNITS, LOCKS AND HANDLES, PLACEMENT DOOR PANELS, LETTERBOXES & HINGES, ETC (No call out charges) TEL: 07742080207/07722086250

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MUSIC FOR PLEASURE Robert Seager (Co-ordinator)

Yet again, the year has passed very quickly, but our meetings have proved very successful and attendances have remained steady with an average of 15. One highlight of the year was Beth Rudkin's presentation in August that included visual extras to bring added enjoyment for us. Well done, indeed! We look forward to another similar afternoon next year! I am always very grateful to the small number of members who are able to present a programme of their own choosing, it helps greatly to my own efforts.

The group has decided that from next year our meetings will begin in March and continue through until early December. This means our first meeting will be on Wednesday 13th March. Hopefully, this arrangement will allow for any bad weather to pass us by!

CLASSICAL MUSIC AND OPERA Anthea Robertson

We have enjoyed another year of music, programmes varying considerably from well-loved classics to the discovery of a number of little known composers. The latter have included such luminaries as Potter, Bache and Bennett – all principals of the Royal Academy of Music. We have also heard the music of Amy Beach – a 20th Century American who, being prevented from performing by first her mother and then by her husband, has fortunately left a legacy of beautiful music for us to cherish. This coming year will include an equally inspiring array of both old and new.

Opera this year began with Richard Strauss’ comedy ‘Der Rosenkavalier’ and finished with Verdi’s ‘Rigoletto’ – the tragic tale of a court jester who himself becomes a victim of those he has humiliated.

My thanks go to all those who have helped on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month, at Monk Bretton Methodist Church Hall, 2pm - 4pm. New members always welcome.

TABLE & BOARD GAMES (with Chess & Maj Jong) Martin E King – Coordinator

When this Buzz edition hits the streets of Barnsley, the contest for the title of World Chess Champion will be underway in London. Magnus Carlson, holder and widely regarded as one of the best players ever, will be up against a new contender, Fabiano Carauna, who has negotiated his way through several elimination rounds to contest the title for the first time. It is likely to be a close-run affair, but the eyes of the chess world will certainly be focused on London for the next few weeks.

Our attention was also caught by a chess-related item when on holiday in the Black Forest, recently. In the village of Triberg we spotted a wall plaque commemorating the Russian Grandmaster, Ewim Bogolyubov. Originally from the Ukraine, his career in chess was interrupted by WW1, and although he had achieved Grandmaster status as a Russian, after the war he settled in Triberg, the town where he had been interred by Germany during the War as an enemy civilian. He married a local girl and was eventually granted German citizenship. He died in 1952. His chess fame led to his being mentioned alongside other chess ‘greats’ in Stefan Zweig’s fascinating novella, ‘Chess’, a work that brings together the game of chess, and an intriguing response to the experience of war-time incarceration. Anyone with anything more than a passing interest in chess would really enjoy this short read.

Give me a ring if you fancy having a go at this game or others enjoyed by our members.

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MAGIC

Going to church Knowledge is Did I read that right? Outside a secondhand shop: doesn't make knowing that a WE EXCHANGE ANYTHING - TOILET OUT you a Christian, tomato is a fruit. BICYCLES, WASHING MACHINES, OF ORDER. any more than PLEASE USE Wisdom is not ETC. WHY NOT BRING YOUR THE FLOOR standing in a WIFE ALONG AND GET A BELOW garage makes putting it in a WONDERFUL BARGAIN?

you a car. fruit salad.

BARNSLEY U3A TELEPHONE SURVEY – AUGUST 2018 Derek Bacon

In August, 135 Barnsley U3A members were contacted on behalf of the Committee because our lists showed that they were not attending any group at all despite paying for membership. We wanted to know if there was any help, assistance or advice that we could give to them.

The overriding experience for Pam Clayton, Eveline Mirfin, Molly Mannion, Trudy Atkinson and me in making these calls was that it was a superb experience because the members were so pleasant and interesting and they often expressed huge gratitude to us for taking the trouble to call. We felt privileged to be talking to such lovely people.

Forty people were found to be already in one or two groups but their attendance at groups was not on record and we have now rectified this.

A number of our members have permanent or temporary physical conditions that make travel to groups difficult or impossible and it brought to our attention again Beth Rudkin’s recent initiative to try to get others to give a lift to the sick and infirm if that is at all possible. It is a difficult thing to match up need to availability but we must ‘keep our ears to the ground’ so that we can match people up when we can.

Other members spoke to us, often very movingly, of difficult and demanding personal and family commitments. Public transport was also an issue due to dark nights, lack of self-confidence in going out, access to bus routes and unreliable bus services.

We did not speak to a couple of dozen members on our lists because we had no phone or email address and some did not reply to messages left on answerphones.

All in all, the exercise was felt to be successful in that there was a resounding, positive response from members who said they were very happy with Barnsley U3A, with what it had to offer and they would not leave even if they were only able to get to the occasional ‘class’ or social event.

The Monthly Meeting was highlighted as an important event as was The Buzz which is enjoyed because it keeps them up to date. Also, the monthly Monday evening New Members Link Group was explained where it was felt relevant.

Our sincere thanks to all of you who took part in this survey.

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An amazing 2-letter word: UP Read until the end ... you should laugh.

This two-letter word has more meanings than any other two-letter word. It is listed in the dictionary as an adverb, preposition, adjective, noun or verb.

It's easy to understand UP, meaning towards the sky or at the top of the list, but when we awaken in the morning, why do we wake UP? At a meeting, why does a topic come UP? Why do we speak UP and why are the officers UP for election and why is it UP to the secretary to write UP a report? We all call UP our friends, brighten UP a room, polish UP the silver, warm UP the leftovers and clean UP the kitchen. We lock UP the house and fix UP the old car. People stir UP trouble, line UP for tickets, work UP an appetite and think UP excuses. To be dressed is one thing but to be dressed UP is special.

And this UP is confusing: a drain must be opened UP because it is plugged UP. We open UP a store in the morning but we close it UP at night. We seem to be pretty mixed UP about UP!

To be knowledgeable about the proper uses of UP, look UP the word UP in the dictionary. In a desk-sized dictionary, it takes UP almost 1/4 of the page and can add UP to about thirty definitions.

If you are UP to it, you might try building UP a list of the many ways UP is used. It will take UP a lot of your time, but if you don't give UP, you may wind UP with a hundred or more.

When it threatens to rain, we say it is clouding UP. When the sun comes out, we say it is clearing UP. When it rains, the earth soaks it UP. When it does not rain for a while, things dry UP. One could go on and on, but I'll wrap it UP, for now . . . my time is UP!

Oh . . . one more thing: What is the first thing you do in the morning and the last thing you do at night? U P Did that one crack you UP? You could send this on to everyone you look UP in your address book . . . or not . . . it's UP to you. Now I’ll shut UP!

From Don Smith: Canasta, Choir

“KNIGHTS” TO REMEMBER from Audrey Moxon

Thursday 20th September 2018 – you’ll all remember it rained, and rained, and rained very heavily all afternoon and evening. I went to Canasta and was delighted that some 40 other U3A souls braved the downpour. When I returned to my car at 8.45pm, in the still pouring rain, the car wouldn’t start! Thankfully, two friends, Roy and Alan, came to my rescue! They tried using jump leads to start the car – it wouldn’t. Then the Priory caretaker came to offer his help. These three wonderful men got wetter and wetter! In the end they tried to “jump start” the car in the empty car park – and they succeeded! I was very hesitant about driving it home wondering what I would do if it stopped again. Alan, bless him, offered to drive it home with me - an offer I gratefully accepted. The only reason I Those three gentlemen, who were extremely wet by the end would take up jogging of their efforts, were simply the best rescuers – I cannot thank them enough. is so that I could On reflection, I realised what great friendships the U3A hear heavy breathing creates. What a wonderful spirit of care there is in this group. again. Erma Bombeck To my “Knights” in very wet armour, my very grateful thanks.

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Local Volunteering Opportunities

We have been contacted by three local Charities which wish to offer our members the opportunity to support their activities.

Barnsley Civic Trust was founded in 2007 and is an independent, non-political organisation made up of local people who live and work in the Barnsley area. The Trust invites people who take a pride in the town and wish to contribute ideas about the future of the town. Projects include Shops and Business Awards, Big Debates, Planning and Design Consultation, The Blue Plaque Scheme and a range of Social Activities. The Trust can be contacted at barnsleycivictrust.org.uk

Bluebell Wood have asked us to advertise as follows. A big need in the Barnsley area is for community volunteers to help at our various fundraising events in the town. It takes £4 million a year to run the hospice and we have to raise 90% of that ourselves so such events are a vital source of income for us. When our Community Event volunteers sign up they commit to receiving a regular update telling them what events are coming up and what help we need. They then choose which events they want to help with and if there aren't any they just wait to see what comes up the following month. It is an easy and flexible way of supporting us, with a low level of commitment in time but which can have a huge impact. For further information, contact Terry Lowell Volunteer Coordinator | Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice 01909 508116 | www.bluebellwood.org

Beacon South Yorkshire Carer Support are seeking to recruit four skilled trustees to join their existing board of six. They state that “You do not need to have any personal experience of caring. We are looking for people with strategic vision, independent judgement and a willingness to give time and commitment to being a Beacon trustee”. We are particularly looking for someone with either finance experience at senior level or a business development background. However, if you are interested in the opportunity to be part of the board at this exciting time of growth and development for Beacon South Yorkshire and feel you have other skills to bring to the board, we would be happy to discuss this opportunity with you. The post of trustee is unpaid but will provide you with a great deal of experience and satisfaction. All reasonable expenses are reimbursed. We are looking for people who can commit to attending bi-monthly 2-hour board meetings, which are held at our Barnsley office and usually at 10am”. Further information from Nick Bussey on 07766 752573 [email protected] www.beaconsy.org.uk

BUZZ SUBMISSIONS AND ENQUIRIES TO:

bu3anews@ outlook.com

Closing date for next issue: FRIDAY 8TH FEBRUARY 2019

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