SUNDERLAND U3A NOVEMBER 2012 No: 30 Sunderland U3A Fulwell Methodist Church Dovedale Road Sunderland MEETING: 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1.30 for 2.00pm Spirit of the Tyne MEMBERSHIP: 0191 549 0984 Sunderland University of the Third Age: A member of the Third Age Trust NOVEMBER 2012 FROM THE EDITORS CONTENTS The summer weather may have been disappointing, but the U3A still managed to stage lots of interesting activities and events for members to enjoy. You can read about some From the Editorial Team 2 of these events in this issue. If you are still hesitating over trying new activities then From the Chair 3 perhaps the accounts in this edition may encourage you to try something different in Future speakers 3 2013. And remember, we only have such an interesting programme thanks to the efforts of volunteers from among the membership. Group News 4 Tynedale U3A Exhibition 10 On a personal note, this is the fifth year I have been working on the magazine: enough for anyone … so I plan to stand down and make way for someone with fresh ideas to Who’s for Tai Chi? 10 take over. Dorothy will take over the production of the next issue in May 2013 and I Scramston Hall Garden 11 hope you will give her your support (and write lots of material). If anyone would like to Walkers’ Prayer 12 think about taking over in the future, please talk to Dorothy. Edinburgh Book Sculptures 13 Elsie Bringing Music to the People 14 ============================== Fascinating Words 15 Public Sculpture: The Dive, the Surface and the Roll 16 Quiz: Occupations 16 Comet ISON 17 Go to Work on a Christmas Card 18 Singing in the Rain 18 Elephant Artist Sri Computer Woes 19 Si am at work at the Some Computer Firsts 19 Lamphang Elephant Camp in Thailand. NHS Advice on 5 a Day 20 Recipes 21 Anniversaries 22 Dates For Your Diary 23 Regional & National News 25 Answers to Quiz 27 Groups at a Glance 28 Contact Us 29 1 2 FROM THE CHAIR GROUP NEWS Hello Everyone As winter and Christmas approaches I hope you can look back on an enjoyable year in U3A, I’m sure we’ll all agree, is a wonderful organisation and we appreciate our own U3A. Our group leaders have continued to put so much effort and hard work into the branch. We enjoy getting together to meet friends and listen to the Speaker of the running of the groups. I am sure you will all join me in saying a BIG thank you to them. Month. Some of us also enjoy and are very grateful for what the various Group Leaders The new gardening group in 2012 delighted us with visits to exceptional gardens. I was have organised for us. But how many people stop and think ‘What can I contribute?’ able to go to Thorpe Perrow and Scampton gardens, both of which I enjoyed very much. Education and learning, in the widest sense, are fundamental to the organisation, but it The new antiques group has also been successful with the addition of speakers and is all founded on the idea of learning from each other and of active participation. also a visit to an auction rooms in November. This is proving to be very popular.. Increasingly the work and the organising are being done by a small group of people and There are however a few groups that are struggling to get members and it would be this is not a healthy situation. Everyone has skills. More people need to get involved – such a pity if we had to lose them! The science group is one of these although it offers even if it is only to make the tea! such interesting and fascinating subjects. Maybe in the new year we could all look New ideas and new people are needed if we are to progress. Can you offer to lead a closely at the various groups and perhaps join a new one......especially if you have not new Group? Help is always on hand. Do you attend a Group where you could help / been to any for any reason. You will be warmly welcomed and be assured of an work with the Leader to lighten the load? Can you contribute an article to the Magazine? enjoyable time! Please think about it Can you help with the Magazine? Are you willing to put yourself forward for the You may have some ideas yourself either to be more involved with a group or even to Committee? – perhaps shadow someone with a view to taking over when they step start a new one. If so we would be delighted to see you and discuss it with you. Just down at the next AGM. Is there a Group you have thought of attending but haven’t got speak to me, Sheila Humby, or any member of the committee. round to it? Some Groups are in danger of folding because of lack of members and, to coin a phrase, when they’re gone they’re gone. A happy Christmas to everyone and a happy healthy 2013. Please think carefully about the above and contact me with your suggestions of what Sheila Humby you can offer. This is not my usual type of address to members but I have had a meeting with other AMATEUR ARTISTS local U3A Chairs and getting more people involved has been a topic for discussion. I Meetings are on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month, at 10.15 at would so like to report back to my next meeting with them that I got a positive response. Monkwearmouth Railway Museum. Regards We are a small friendly group who like to dabble in a variety of styles and media. Mostly we just like to have fun and don’t take ourselves Judith too seriously so if you fancy it do come along and join us – we can make room for one or two more at present.. You don’t need any materials to begin with – just come and try before splashing out. FUTURE MEETINGS Mar ion Miller 0191 548 1009 Josie Thompson 0191 534 2702 December 19 Christmas Party – ticket only ANTIQUES AND COLLECTORS 2013 Group aims and objectives January 16 The Durham Magnesium Limestone Plateau – Ken Bradshaw • Research origins and dates of artefacts February 20 Life in the 1950s – Phil Curtis • Check provenance/authenticity • March 20 My Life – Ventriloquism and Magic – Ward Allan Group discussion on objects brought along • Check possible valuations via the internet April 17 Scenes of Crime – John Yearnshaw • To discuss tips on restoration and cleaning. May 15 Resources at Beamish – Helen Barker So come along with your small portable items or photos of larger items. We meet at 10.30 on the first Wednesday of the month at Monkwearmouth Railway Museum. Rob Lewin 0789 1942 107 3 4 CINEMA KEEP MOBILE Lunchtime Liaisons at the Customs House, South Shields - films vary New members are most welcome and no experience is necessary. No special from period dramas to the biggest blockbusters. You can also join us for footwear or clothing is required. We meet every Friday (except 3 rd Friday) at 10.45 lunch prior to the film. Details at general meeting. am at Fulwell Methodist Church Linda Thompson 0191 549 5693 Norma Robins 0191 416 4498 LOOKING @ ART COMPUTER & DIGITAL SUPPORT In June we made another visit to the Glass Centre which has This group is run as a ‘Drop-In’ which offers advice and support to become a favourite place for the group. Everyone had an enjoyable anyone wanting to improve their computing skills, for Word processing, day and a delicious lunch. spreadsheets, power-point, internet use, digital photography, sound editing – you name it! Many of the attendees in the past have wanted July. We visited the Winter Gardens Museum for WHAT'S YOUR to do Digital Image work, but there is much more available if required. STORY EXHIBITION of family history and a small art exhibition of paintings mainly on loan from other Art Galleries. There was so With all that on offer, it is a bit disappointing that numbers attending are frequently much variety in the numerous family histories we all found something of personal only two or three – and this group is also open to Wearside U3A, and most of the interest giving lots to discuss & reminisce. ‘two or three’ are usually from Wearside rather than Sunderland. In September we made a trip to Hexham. We all boarded Ian's coach and after a Meetings are held the first and third Tuesdays of each month, 10:30 a.m. in the coffee stop at Brockbushes we went on to The Queen's Hall, Hexham to see the computer room at Amble Tower, Lakeside, Gilley Law. The next meeting will be th Tynedale U3A's Art and Craft Exhibition. (see separate article) Afterwards some of on 15 January, though if numbers continue to be low, the group will die. us went into the Abbey to see another Art exhibition which was very good. Then we Alan Denham 0191 521 2760 found an excellent place to have lunch then free time to look around. Everyone had a VERY enjoyable day. GARDENING Our October meeting was nearer home as we visited St. Andrew's church Roker for Ann Aldridge 0751 2307 518 Judith Ayles 07985 317 478 a guided tour. Our guide Norman gave us a very in-depth tour He knew everything about St. Andrew's and loved telling us all the history. It is a gem in our midst! GEOLOGY known as the Arts and Crafts Cathedral of the North East.