WOODSIDE U3A NEWSLETTER MARCH 2020 Meeting at The Church of the Nazarene, The

Brow, Woodside, Watford, Herts WD25 7NW On the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 9.30am https://u3asites.org.uk/woodside

Charity Reg.: 1182140

On Sunday February the 9th we arrived at Heathrow airport in the

midst of the foretold storm Denis. Wondering if our 4pm flight from

terminal 4 to Mauritius would take off. Travelling down the M25

towards the airport it was quite eerie, the road was quiet, few cars to hinder our journey, I gathered Laila, Chair

drivers had heeded the met office AGENDA FOR 17 MARCH warnings not to make journeys that 9.30 MEMBERSHIP MATTERS

were unnecessary. We always leave INTEREST GROUPS & BOOK early to avoid traffic problems, VISITS always worried that might miss our 10.00 BUSINESS MEETING flight by not arriving at the airport 10.15 REFRESHMENTS in time for check -in and departure. 10.45 OUR SPEAKER IS STEVE

I had taken the precaution of LESTER TALKING ABOUT ‘THE contacting Air Mauritius before TITANIC’

heading off, and were pleased to be 11.45 ROUND-UP AND CLOSE advised that the flight was proceeding. Though throughout the OUR NEXT MEETING IS ON 21

journey the rain lashed down as the APRIL 2020 OUR SPEAKER WILL wind drifted water across the lanes BE JAMES TAYLOR WITH A

of the motorway like miniature TALK ENTITLED ‘PICTURES incoming tides, beautiful to look at POSTCARDS 1840-1950’ but the buffering underneath the

car was a bit scary. Continued on page 3 Sadly chocolate makes your clothes shrink! SEE BACK PAGE FOR CHANGES TO TRIPS THIS SPRING YOUR COMMITTEE

Ken Appel Linda Williams Vice Chair Treasurer01923672620 [email protected]

Lesley Cummings Membership Secretary 01923 681478 Anita Gullis [email protected] [email protected]

Bernice Caffrey Study Group Coordinator Barbara Elman business secretary 01923 672359 [email protected] [email protected]

Ken Emmons Social Secretary Heather Lace Committee 01923 672139 member

Sheila Ramsamy Alison Theobald Committee Speaker Secretary 01923 510207 member [email protected] [email protected]

Page 2 new virulent virus, but I have Continued from front page asked Jo our Newsletter whizz to Our arrival Terminal 4 was calm, reprint the advice from the plenty of parking, quiet, with few National U3A in March’s people about made for a relaxed newsletter; on how to stay safe in processing and finally coffee and the belief it is better to be safe cake. As it turned out the flight than sorry. I have also advised we was delayed by one our- not down to provide (if the church has none Denis, but some undisclosed available) hand sanitizer for technical fault. The long flight was members use at the March meeting uneventful and passed rapidly. The in various places to be, their Captain announced that actually location to be announced by the storm Denis was pushing us along at Vice Chair. great knots and we arrived on time at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Let us return to Mauritius. Where Airport, which was named after the I hope you will be interested to first Prime Minister following know that this visit coincided with Independence from Britain 1968. the Hindu festival and pilgrimage Also affectionately referred to as of Maha-Shivarati, meaning, Great the Father of the Nation. Night of Shiva, celebrated annually Rigorous health checks made in honour of Lord Shiva. In processing slower, but given the Mauritius the pilgrims set out from current Coronavirus pandemic, it’s the four corners of the Island, understandable for a small Island most on foot on the days leading up with just over a million inhabitants to the main event. Making their to prioritise the safety of its way to Grand Bassin, where the people. I have been impressed by sacred lake Ganga Talao is located, how rapidly Mauritius has taken 1,800 feet above sea level. This steps to protect its people, massive volcanic crater lake is one business and Island when faced of the most significant sacred with such health scare challenges sites of Hindus outside of India from without Mauritius. All shops and the River Ganges it’s self. have clear advice on how to protect According to Mauritian facts from catching and spreading the during this period over 400, 000 virus as have schools, public Hindus make their way to Grand services and businesses. Bassin, bringing gifts and make I am sure most of you have already sacrifices to the 33 metre high seen the measure to be taken to bronze statue of Lord Shiva. avoid contracting or passing on this Page 3 During the journey pilgrims will demonstrating the highest respect carry their own statues of various for the Lord Shiva. The festival is Hindu Gods and themselves receives solemn and marks for all Hindus gifts of food and drink as they the overcoming of darkness and journey along the highways and by- ignorance, in life and the world. ways in the blistering heat, from Where I was staying the returning well wishers. One looks on in awe at pilgrims formed a remarkable and the women, men and children that bold procession through the are so ready to not only village, that was celebratory in demonstrate their stamina but the mood, heralding the end of another faith that keeps them going, till successful Maha Shivarati, which I they reach their sacred destination. was privileged to witness.

How did the Grand Bassin location Turning to UK , by the time we go receive its sacred status? to print Lent will, for those who According to Hindu legend it is said are observant, has already begun that the volcanic crater lake is on February 26th, leading up to geographically connected to the Easter Sunday on April 12th. A sacred Ganges in India. The God testing time of reflection and Shiva, known as the transformer endurance with the giving up of and destroyer, with his wife Parvati material comforts. I wish all were flying around the world in a participating well. ship, Lord Shiva determined to show Parvati a most beautiful place, This months General Meeting is an that place being the Island of important one for the Woodside Mauritius. The legends continue by U3A Calendar. A time for stating that the Lord Shiva during membership renewals, your this journey, carried the river committee have been busy Ganges on his head to prevent the organising this event so that it world from flooding. While landing runs as smoothly and efficiently in Mauritius some of the sacred as possible, to ensure everyone water spilled into Grand Bassin who wants to renew on the day has crater, and the origins and legend the opportunity. of Ganga Talao was born. Just a polite reminder to all members, renewals run through to On the final day of the pilgrimage April and May, but all members Lord Shiva is bless with holy Ganga who wish to renew must do so by Talao water the final act, the June 2020 Annual General Page 4 meeting, otherwise it will be assumed your membership has So many options and once you’ve lapsed. This would mean you would had a chat with your group and not be able to attend the AGM, decided what you can do please unless you notify our membership email me at [email protected] so Secretary Lesley, to the contrary. I can co-ordinate the arrangements for the morning of On that note I wish all members a 3rd June. successful March meeting and hope If you’re not involved please come the Spring brings warmer weather along, bring a friend so they can with perhaps less rain. Stay safe see the variety of activities they everyone. could be involved in if they join the Woodside U3A in Learning, Laila Chair Laughing and Living! Alison Theobald

National U3A day – Henderson Latest Advice on Coronavirus Hub Abbots Langley From Chief Executive Sam Mauger U

Wednesday 3rd June 2020

Hopefully this date is in all your Dear Members diaries as we need your help to This is the latest coronavirus update from U3A make it a success! National Office. We have decided to change the At all times members should follow the most location of this event to the up to date government advice about Henderson Hub in Abbots Langley coronavirus. We hope that coronavirus will not where we felt we would be more affect any of our members. visible to people passing. The event The advice currently is as follows: will be open from 10am to 12pm on rd **If a member has returned from one of the Wednesday 3 June and this is areas identified by the government and has any where we need your help. We want of the symptoms identified on the government to show off the variety of groups website they should not hold interest groups in their own homes, or attend interest groups or we currently have and there are attend monthly meetings until they have many ways we can do this. It could followed the NHS advice provided after calling 111 be a display of art work, creative If a U3A finds that a member has contracted writing, flower arranging, board coronavirus, please let the Trust know immediately games, sewing, it maybe photos of the places you’ve visited and one of **The members of interest groups that any our newest groups; Drama will be member with coronavirus has attended should all call 111 to ask for advice performing. **The monthly meeting should be cancelled After the Roman period of rule not for that month (and possibly longer) until the spread of the virus has been assessed. much is known about English gardens until the 11th century. In general a U3A may consider other precautions such as using hand sanitiser gel in Monastries grew plants for ‘the interest groups and monthly meetings and glory of God’, especially herbs near reducing physical contact such as shaking their hospitals. The monks set hands until further information becomes available aside money for gardeners and tools. They also made wine which Before our February general was sold for money. meeting started, Brenda sang a In the 12th and 13th centuries rendition of the well known ditty castles needed gardens to relax in; ‘Coughs and sneezes they were formal with fountains, spread diseases ponds and topiary. catch them in your hankerchief’ Later gardens became important at

colleges (Oxford and Cambridge) February General Meeting and as large houses became Our speaker in February was established in London. By Tudor Philippa Bernard, who gave a talk times when life was more peaceful, entitled ‘English Gardens’. professional garden designers worked at places such as Hampton Court where Italian design was the main influence. Building high mounds where the perspective was different was popular. By the time of Elizabeth 1 plants were being brought back from the Americas. Our local Tudor Hatfield House She said the earliest gardens were had a popular knot garden which built by the Romans in England, though not original still has that creating leisure areas with ponds, design. fragrant flowers and walkways. An By the 17th century market example of this is at Fishbourne, gardens were developed to feed Chichester. Pollen samples from the growing population. The rich other Roman garden sites show that had not eaten vegetables before as they imported plants from overseas it was the food of the poor, but especially from hotter areas in now it was becoming popular. On mainland Europe; for example country estates glass houses were grapes and olives. becoming popular to ensure a Page 6 longer growing season for fruit and vegetables. The Dutch designs became popular as William & Mary took the throne – gardens became more formal with lawns, topiary and pleached lime avenues and all symmetrical. By the 18th century and the The Chelsea Physic garden started influence of Launcelot Brown, in the 18th century for medicinal gardens became more romantic and plants. blended into the surrounding Many designers over the years countryside around country estates. have influenced what we grow and Rivers were diverted, follies and how. The annual RHS Chelsea temples. Humphrey Repton used Flower Show shows us upcoming watercolour paintings to show trends. Formed in 1804 at ‘before and after’ illustrations to Chiswick, the RHS encouraged new clients. plant collectors to bring back to the UK newly discovered plants. These made huge changes to what gardeners could plant that suited our climate such as dahlias, fuchsias, winter jasmine etc. The trends continue from William Robinson, Gertrude Jeykell and the

arts & craft movement to Deep borders with a mix of plants Japanese, cottage, city and organic Favoured by Gertrude Jeykell gardens. Once wildlife was banned

from gardens but now gardeners In Victorian times and the are encouraging wildlife in to industrial revolution gave more enhance our gardening experience. income to working people so houses were built with small backyards or Refreshment rota 2020 gardens. On large estates the March - Books and Bowls invention of the lawnmower meant April - curry group sheep were no longer required to May - crafters and cycling keep the grass short. June - drama and family history

July - environmental and flower arranging Page 7 WOODSIDE Trips by Coach Interest Groups Contact Martin Rodel on 01923 442417 March 2020 Creative Writing: Contact Mary Art: Contact Sue Walters on 07989 Miller on 07887 991892. Suspended at 250483. Thursday, Fortnightly 10- the moment,if members would like a new 12am, at Tanners Wood Hall. group please do. Eastern Exercise: Contact Bernice Language (Spanish 2)Contact Caffrey 01923 672359. Meeting 2 nd Alison Theobald on 01923 463573. and 4 th Monday at 11.30 – 12.30 at All Meeting every other Wednesday at Saints Church Hall. 10am to 11am starting from the 20 th June. Lunch Group: Contact Joyce Gray on 01923 263213 or Swimming. Central baths- [email protected]. Monthly Monday Wednesday and Fridays between 8.30 and 10.00am. Tea Ukelele: Contact Trevor and coffee in the Library Boardman on 01923 244016. afterwards. Meet 1 st , 3rd and 5 th Thursday and 2 nd , 4 th and 5 th Wednesday at American History. Contact Stewart 2.00pm at Tesco Extra Watford Lewis on 01923 260410. Next meeting Community Room.Joint SWH 25th February starting at 10.00am at Stewart’s house. Badminton: Contact Susan Coultrup on 01923 334387. Wednesday, weekly, Cycling; Contact Derryck Croker on at Watford Leisure Centre. This is a 01923 673719 as times to be arranged joint group with SWH

Line Dancing: Contact Judy Lovell Family History: Contact Bea 01923 893368 1 st and 3 rd Mondays. Luffrum on 0771 1709039. Meeting 10.15am and 11.15am If possible monthly on the 1st Wednesday in the please attend the second class as morning at members homes. the first class is full. Joint Group with SWH Philosophy – Contact Jeanne Johnson on 01923 263598 Table Tennis: Contact John Meeting monthly 1 st Monday 2.00- Simpson on 07531 542605. 4.00pm.Joint Group with SWH Fortnightly at 10,00am until Noon at YMCA Haines Way Weekenders are a group of people who will participate in Antiques. Contact Lesley Barrett on organising events and visits for 01923 676427. This group will meet the weekend. Contact Teresa 07712 710811 at varying days and times. Please contact Lesley for details Board Games: Contact June Dyer on 01923 265229. Meeting Monday Drama: Contact Barbara Elman afternoons. Monthly at members [email protected]. Twice monthly Tuesday11am and 12 Flower Arrangement: Contact Jill Asda Community Suite. Macey on 01923 221634. Meet monthly on a Friday at Asda Listening to Music: Contact Diane Reilly on 01923 261840.Meeting Photography: Contact Ken Jones on monthly on the 1st Tuesday 01923264855. Meet monthly on afternoon at members homes the 2nd Monday at 2.0pm at members homes Whist: Contact Gwen Barker on 01923 510699 1st and 3rd Woodside Strollers Contact Thursday 2pm-4pm Joint Group SWH Gloria Barber on 01923 462462 or mobile 07708 020583. Meeting Books: Contact Libby Crawford on monthly 2 nd Tues at 1pm 01923 247847. Meet 3rd Wednesday at 10.30am Curry Group: Contact Anne Mitchell on 01923 671662. Thursday – times Folk Dancing at All Saints Church and venue vary. Hall on the 2 nd Friday of the month at 2.00 – 3.30pm. Language (French): Contact This is a joint group with SWH Heather Lace on 07951937064 Fortnightly on Monday at 2.30pm at Play Reading for Fun: Contact Members Houses. Derek Giles on 01923 270971. 1st Monday 10-12 at Asda Sing for Pleasure. Contact Ady Joint Group with SWH Shaw 01923 518021 meeting fortnightly on a Thursday at 9.30am Woodside & SWH Pathfinders. until 11.30. Contact Patrick Turner on 01923 263511 or 07954640263 for details Woodside Walk 5: Contact of next meeting Derryck Croker on 01923 673719. Monthly morning meetings 2 nd Bowls (outside and indoor): Contact: Wednesday Anne Howarth on 01923 673110 Crafters: Contact Janet Perry on Garden Visits and Outings: Contact 01923 679844 or 07778056026. Teresa Brunswick on 07712 710811. Meetings fortnightly on Monday Venue, days and time vary evenings at 7.30 – 9.30pm.

Scrabble. Contact Christine Hunt Language (Spanish): Contact Carol on 01923 573236. Meeting the 1st Stanton on 01923 676471. 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month between Monday at St Hilda’s Room, All 2pm and 4pm. Venues member’s Saints Church Hall at 1.30 to 2.30pm home. Social Group: Contact Ken Woodside & SWH Striders. Emmons on 07775578091 or email Contact Patrick Turner on 01923 [email protected] contact or 263511 or 07954640263 for details Joan Gillett [email protected] of next meeting tel:07881768793 3rd Wednesday at 1.30pm at Room 2 Asda Bridge Improvers: Contact Judith Community Suite Evans on 01923 260354 1 st and 3 rd Mondays at 1.30-4.30pm Asda Room Quiz Group. Contact Sue Brown 3 Joint Group with SWH on 01923 661516 or 07812840047. Monthly quizzes- dates and History for All : Contact Joyce times vary - held at Asda Crawford on 07970271243. Community Suite. Meeting monthly on the 1st Thursday at 2.00-4.00 Venues vary Yoga. Marta Hall. Meet at the Harebreaks Community Hub at Sewing: Contact Tina Photi on 10.00 – 11.00am. Weekly Fridays 07427866825. Meeting 1st This group is a commercial Wednesday of the month group which we list for 10-00 and 12.00 at Tina’s house members. Interest Group News meeting on 11 March was Martin Following the Interest Group Rodel. Leaders meeting in January, and Bernice Caffrey – IGC feedback forms completed, there is an overwhelming request for more Photography Group participation from other members Our photography group recently of the groups concerned. It was visited the Wildeye Gallery in Amersham. The owner, Drew also suggested that the interest Burnett gave us a talk on how he group leaders may like to talk sets out taking his wildlife briefly about their group at general photographs worldwide. This meetings, perhaps a couple each included his camera types, settings month. I will be approaching and techniques. It also included Interest Group Leaders with this in advice on photographing wild lions, mind. tigers etc although at present this is not on our horizon but who The Current Affairs Group knows ! arranged to meet on 4th March to see how this group can proceed and I will advise if this is a viable interest group and when/where they meet in next month’s news. I can very much recommend a visit The Eastern Exercise has two new to Wildeye for anyone interested members following change of name in wildlife photography. All of the from Belly Dancing. We hope to photographs on sale in his gallery cover a broader range of eastern have been taken by him personally. Ken Jones dance. The aim of this group is exercise not performance, so come Quiz News and Dates and join us. The next quiz will be held at on I have sent emails to the members Thursday 26th March at Asda Community Rooms 6.30 - 8.00pm interested in the computer/tablet The April quiz will be at the same group with a view to finding a venue, venue and time on Thursday 16th as yet I have only had a couple of April. replies. To those concerned please Any further information please let me know your thoughts.The contact Sue Brown by email member attending the committee [email protected] Woodside U3A strollers

We enjoyed a lovely walk at Rickmansworth Aquadrome in A small February. group of Jan daffodils

growing Garden visits Group against a On a bitterly cold but sunny day the backdrop garden visits group led by Teresa of fallen visited a garden in Little Missenden trees. to see the snowdrops and other early spring flowers. After a welcomed hot drink we made our The church of way around a large and interesting St John the garden. Baptist which we visited after lunch Here we saw the amazing wall paintings; some of these were only discovered 18 months ago, and the photo shows The garden owner had lived in the an enhancment overlaid on one of house for many decades and had the paintings by digital guide to developed the garden according to show what they may have looked the needs of her growing family. like originally, nearly 1000 years Now that her children had moved ago. on, she has developed a lower maintenance garden planting over 1000 trees and thousands of spring bulbs and plants. The river Misbourne runs through the far side of the garden (the Well worth a visit. river rises in a field near Great Jan Missenden and flows under the M25 before joining the river Colne). Coach trips by Martin Rodel DECEMBER 10 or 11th (Just Please remember to bring payment before Christmas) THIS YEARS with you when you book CHRISTMAS MARKET (cheques payable to Woodside U3A) IS...…………….. Stratford-upon-Avon Victorian THURSDAY APRIL 23rd Christmas Market 'THE CHOCOLATE LADY' Cost £16pp THIS TRIP IS CANCELLED FOR Depart The Brow (opp the THE TIME BEING – MAY RUN shops)8.45 Return approx. LATER IN THE YEAR 6.30pm(traffic dependent) CHEQUES/MONEY PAID WILL BE RETURNED AT THE NEXT SOCIAL GROUP ACTIVITIES GENERAL MEETING. All trips have to be paid for at time of booking to secure your place. Remember to bring a cheque THURSDAY JUNE 4th book or cash if you wish to join the Bressingham Gardens & Museum. trip. Cost is £16pp plus £10pp entry to THE TRIP ON 29TH APRIL TO Bressingham (Group rate) to be paid THE BLACK COUNTRY IS on the day CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER Depart The Brow(opp shops) 8.45 NOTICE Return approx. 6.30pm (traffic dependent) WANTED:NEWS&PHOTOGRAPS suitable for publication please send to THURSDAY JULY 2nd The Webmaster, Andrew Cummings at Seaside Trip. Margate or [email protected] Broadstairs (The choice is yours) The newsletter available online Cost £15pp https://u3asites.org.uk/woodside Depart The Brow (opp shops AND FOR THE NEWSLETTER 8.45am) Return approx. 6.30pm Copy date for the April Issue of the Newsletter is 1st April. (traffic dependent) Send to Jo Bromwich, 01923 443758 or email [email protected] SEPTEMBER ?? IMPORTANT CONTACT DETAILS Moreton in Marsh Market & [email protected] Bourton on the Water (TUESDAYS [email protected] ONLY)Broadway & Bourton on the [email protected] [email protected] Water (Any Day, preferably NOT

Tuesday) Cost £/time TBC