NEWSLETTER. The Deepings Third Age Group. (Ctrl and click to our Web site) CHAIRMAN S COLUMN. Programme of Speakers FEBRUARY 2012.

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1 The Deepings Third Age Group NEWSLETTER (Ctrl and click to our Web site) FEBRUARY 2012 ISSUE Number 103 Members of the Thursday Walking Group braving the weather for their first walk of 2012 (Report page 4). Notice the proportion of ladies to gentlemen. Does this tell us something? Also see picture of another brave group on page 3 (Wednesday Gardening Group s trek). Committee Members 2011/2012 Rod Sloane Audrey Allen Garth Perry Janice Cosham Liz Noble John Bloomfield Kath Allen Jennie Sharman Jim Pringle Lyall Seale Flo Sykes Ann Holmes David Scott Chairman Secretary Treasurer Membership Secretary Group Coordinator Speaker Finder Co-opted (Publicity) Co-opted Newsletter Editor Contact through website Webmaster Programme of Speakers 20 February LOST LINCOLNSHIRE HOUSES by Kevin Harrison (at THE METHODIST CHURCH). 19 March SEASONS AND SAYINGS BY Tony Bates (at THE METHODIST CHURCH). 16 April RAF PRESENTATION TEAM The RAF Story, (at THE METHODIST CHURCH). Doors open 9.30 am for start all meetings EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING To amend item 4.2 of the Constitution to read Members of the Committee shall be elected annually at the AGM... (as notified in last month s Newsletter). WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS Margaret Gallie from Deeping St James, Gwen Catling from Bourne, Pamela and Gerald Kelly in Market Deeping. CHAIRMAN S COLUMN Dear Friends A quick introduction to this month s Newsletter highlighting what makes the Deepings U3A unique. The February issue of Saga s monthly magazine highlights many of the activities we in U3A participate in and enjoy. Two of our groups (different from other U3A s), - Carriage Driving led by Judy Robinson who owns her own ponies and trap and Church Mice led by Lyall Seale and Frank Mills visiting churches with a difference. Neither of these are listed as being offered by any other U3A s, so in that we are unique. (although in the case of Church Mice I think it is probably the title of the group.) Many other U3As have groups visiting Churches Peterborough in particular has a very active one. (One wonders what pictures the name Church Mice conjures up in peoples minds!) If you haven t considered either of these groups, I suggest you give them a try although because of its very nature the Carriage Drivers group is strictly limited in number. However the Church Mice are on the verge of creating a second group. You won t be disappointed; their contact details are on the back of this Newsletter. Best wishes ROD SLOANE Chairman. TALK BY MIKE OPPERMAN, 28TH FEBRUARY, THE EVENTUS CENTRE This informal talk is organised by the Gardening s. A reminder to all ticket holders that this will be at for at the Hardwicke Suite, The Eventus Centre, Northfields Industrial Estate, on Tuesday 28th February. There are only a very few tickets left. Please contact me if you would like to obtain one. The cost is EDDIE ADAMS 1

2 COACH TRIP TO OXFORD AND BLENHEIM PALACE 17th JULY Eddie Adams & John Marsh are pleased to confirm that they will be organising a coach trip to Oxford and Blenheim Palace on Tuesday 17 th July. The cost of the trip is for a free day in Oxford or if you prefer Blenheim Palace (including entry to the parks, gardens and the palace, at a much reduced rate). The coach will pick up at: The Cross, Deeping St James (8.30), The Bell (8.40), and The Stage (8.45). We aim to return to The Deepings by 7.30 pm. Oxford, the city of Dreaming Spires which is also full of academic history, has much to offer for a day out. We will obtain information leaflets and maps for those wishing to explore the city. Similarly, Blenheim Palace will prove to be a special attraction. It is described as Britain s Greatest Palace, the ancestral home of the Dukes of Marlborough and famed as the birth place of Winston Churchill. The parks and gardens promise to be spectacular, ablaze with summer colour. This trip will offer something for everyone. Please complete the form below and send it, together with your cheque, for the full amount (either or per person, depending on your destination) to either Eddie Adams, or John Marsh. We are sure that this will be a popular trip and so we advise you to book early. EDDIE ADAMS / JOHN MARSH GROUP NEWS As reported in the last two Newsletters, we have a potential new READING group open at the moment. We have some members very keen to get this group off the ground but need a couple (or more) of interested members to join them. Please do contact me if this might be of interest to you. The second SPANISH Group is now up and running and Jim Collins is manfully leading both thanks to him for all the organisation of these groups. Ken Moore has now taken over the leadership of the Guitar Group and our thanks to John Burton for his past support. The ITALIAN Group also has a change of leadership. June Wheatcroft has run this Group for many years and I am sure her efforts have been appreciated by its members. Thank you June. Lynne Alcorn has now taken over the job. Her contact details are on the back page of this Newsletter. U3A HISTORY GROUP Elizabeth welcomed the group and introduced two new members. A list of forthcoming events was circulated along with a questionnaire for members. The latter asked for volunteers to assist with talks and organization for the future. Today s speaker was Jim Pringle. The talk was entitled Nelson s Own Hero and was about the life and times of Cuthbert Collingwood (portrait above). The talk was very enlightening and the following is a brief outline of Cuthbert s life: Born in 1748, son of a merchant Educated in Newcastle Joined the Navy at the age of 13 and rose through the ranks. Tried by court martial in 1777 for disobedience but acquitted. Married Sarah Blackett in Two daughters from the marriage and set up home in Morpeth. Served in command of The Excellent in 1797 in St Vincent. Second in command to Nelson at Battle of Trafalgar in Died at sea off Minorca on Ville De Paris in Buried in St Paul s Cathedral crypt, alongside Nelson. The talk conjured up pictures of swashbuckling sailors but also indicated the harshness of life at sea. Many thanks to Jim for his research and hard work. Report by SANDRA JONES s: ELIZABETH PARKINSON / SANDRA JONES U3A GARDEN GROUP 3 Our January meeting was a planning meeting kindly hosted by Lynn. An interesting and varied programme was devised with much to look forward to in the forth coming year. Our thanks go to Lynn for her warm hospitality and for the entertaining quiz she provided. Our next meeting is a talk by Mike Opperman entitled The Opperman Empire on Tuesday 28 th February 10am for 10.30am in the Harwich Suite the Eventus Centre. This is a ticket only event. Tickets available from Janice. Cost 3.00 Report: MARGARET GRIFFITHS : JANICE WILSON U3A SUNDAY LUNCH GROUP All else seems to be very quiet regarding groups but if you have any ideas for a new one please contact me in the usual way. LIZ NOBLE Group Co-ordinator The next Sunday Lunch will be at the Millstone at Barnack on Sunday, 26th February. If you wish to go please contact Tony Semple or Michael Griffiths or put your name on the list at the back of the hall at today s meeting. COACH TRIP TO OXFORD & BLENHEIM PALACE, 17th July, returning by 7.30 Please book your place(s) on this trip; by circling choice of destination: OXFORD or BLENHEIM PALACE NAME Tel No Emergency No... Indicate which pick-up point you wish to join the coach, by circling one of the following: THE CROSS, DEEPING ST JAMES (8.30) THE BELL, DEEPING ST JAMES (8.40) THE STAGE, MARKET PLACE (8.45) Please enclose your cheque (Oxford: p.p. or Blenheim Palace: p.p.) payable to :The Deepings U3A & return it to either: Eddie Adams, or John Marsh. Tickets with timings and other information will be issued as confirmation of arrangements. 2

3 U3A PACERS WALKING GROUP Fifteen members of the Wednesday Pacers met on a very cold but gloriously sunny day for our February walk. We started at Crowland Garden Centre and, for the first part of the walk, followed the roads through Crowland, pausing to admire the lovely Trinity Bridge and learn something of its history from a mixture of tourist leaflet and a knowledgable guide from among our members. We then continued through the old part of the town to Croyland Abbey to learn more about St. Guthlac and take photos of the lovely stone work against a brilliant blue winter sky. The second part of the walk followed field paths in a brisk (invigorating!) wind back to Postland Road and a good lunch at the Garden Centre. Our March walk will start at The Five Bells at Edenham; details will be available at the monthly meeting and by to members. LIZ WATERLAND U3A SCIENCE GROUP In January twelve members met at Alistair s for the second part of an overview/ presentation on the life and works of Sir Isaac Newton, born on Christmas day 1642 at Woolsthorpe-by- Colsterworth, Lincolnshire and who died 20 th March He is widely known for his writing of The Principia which assisted in setting standards for scientific publications right through to today. He was involved in many fields, physics, mechanics, gravitation, mathematics, astronomy, optics, natural philosophy, alchemy and Christian theology to name but a few. He attended the University of Cambridge and later became the MP for Cambridge. Made a Fellow of the Royal Society and Warden then Master of the Royal Mint and was knighted in As director of the Mint he influenced the production of new coinage throughout the realm introducing the milled edge in order to prevent the theft by slicing off the edges, which were being smelted down to create forged coins. Thank you Al for the review and insight into Newton, and to you both for your hospitality. Next meeting 21 st February at John Smith s house, 1 Brownlow Drive. Report by DAVID SCOTT s: GARTH PERRY / DAVID SCOTT U3A BOOKWORMS GROUP The Ice House by Minette Walters. A compelling read once prejudices have been put to one side and providing the reader is not squeamish. The plot thickens as chapters flow and the reader is kept in suspense until the last few pages. A thought provoking end. The group were divided in their opinion of this novel. Report by ANGELA BEDWELL : ANN THORNTHWAITE U3A LISTENING TO MUSIC GROUP Our February meeting was held at Frank Mills house on 8 February. Frank had chosen a wide ranging programme centered on the music of Schubert and his contemporaries. As Schubert is probably best known as a composer of songs, this genre formed a large part of the programme and included the well known Die Forelle (The Trout). Also worthy of mention was the wonderfully silky voice of Fischer-Dieskau singing Gute Nacht (Goodnight). On the orchestral and instrumental side we heard respectively the opening movement of the Unfinished Symphony and the little known Rondo for Violin and Orchestra. Schubert s contemporaries were represented by the first movement of Berlioz s Symphony Fantastique and the Chinese pianist Lang Lang playing Liszt s arrangement of Schubert s Ave Maria. Frank also played a CD made by an astonishing one-handed pianist named Nicolas McCarthy (pictured above) playing a work by the Russian composer Blumenfeld. This was a well worth while morning and our sincere thanks are extended to Frank for providing such a varied programme. Our next meeting is on 14 March at Jim Pringle s house, 10 am. Report by TERRY NOBLE s: TERRY NOBLE / JIM PRINGLE U3A WEDNESDAY GARDENING GROUP As Scott and his colleagues set out on their Polar trek..., sorry its not, it's the Wednesday Gardening Group braving the cold, snow and ice to visit Uffington Church to view the snowdrops. Unfortunately the snowdrops had other ideas and did not want to be seen in this weather. They seem to be a little late this year and are only just showing above the ground. Never mind, we had a look round the church yard and then returned to Tallington to Val's house, were she had hot drinks waiting for us, very welcome. We then confirmed our programme for the coming year. Our next meeting is at Waterside Gardening centre on March 14th. at 10 o'clock where Lynn will give a talk on the care of Fuchias. Anyone is welcome to join us. Report by: AVRIL WILLIS s: JEAN FOSTER / ANGIE DORWARD U3A CYCLING GROUP For the first time in the Group s history we had to cancel our ride in January because of heavy rain. However, several members met up on the due day for a lunch at the Bluebell at Helpston, the pub that we would have used had we done the ride. A very enjoyable time was had by all. If anyone is interested in joining the group for a steady, not rushed, ride through the local countryside, including a very sociable lunch, they are most welcome.. Report by EDDIE ADAMS : IAN TANNER U3A CRAFT GROUP 2 We had a good catch up session and planning meeting for the new year plus arranging our belated Festive Season meal out. Next meeting 20 February, 2pm at 102 Church Street, Deeping St James. LIZ NOBLE 3

4 U3A THURSDAY WALKING GROUP 24 members of the group had a very enjoyable New Year lunch at a different location this year - the Waterside Garden Centre where we were well looked after by Emma and her staff. The 9th February walk was undertaken by 22 members starting from Thurlby up the Carr Dyke to Bourne and returning via the back of Elsea Woods and Northorpe. A pleasant walk, although little detours were required to avoid some icy stretches. Thanks to Fran and Ann for organising the walk and a good lunch at the Horseshoe. The 8th March walk will be commencing from the Watersports Centre (Sailing Club) at Ferry Meadows, where we will also be lunching and will be led by Margaret Griffiths. We will meet there at 9.45am for a 10am start. If you wish to attend this walk, could you please phone or Margaret a day or two before. GODFREY PARKES THURSDAY GARDENING GROUP Our first meeting of the year was held at the home of Margaret and David Scott on Thursday 2nd February. As always we spent some time catching up with each others' news and we passed on our best wishes to Barbara Workman's husband, Keith, who has been seriously ill in hospital. Margaret then reminded us of the format of her New Year quiz which we had so enjoyed last year and once again many gardening issues were raised by her questions. Congratulations to Sandra Bowers who was our clear winner and to Margaret for compiling an excellent quiz. Margaret and David were lovely hosts and ensured that we had a very happy start to our eighth year. Next month we will meet at Liz Noble's home and start planning for the Summer! Please keep your eyes open for any new ideas you can share with us. It would be helpful if you could phone me on the number below if you are unable to attend. CHRIS FERGUSON U3A MONDAY READING GROUP Our meeting this month was to discuss the book On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan. This short novel seemed to us all to be overwhelmingly sad in its portrayal of relationship between Florence and Edward, two young people trapped in a marriage doomed to fail on its first night. Whether that failure was due to the repressions forced on them by the sexual conventions of the late 1950s, to family traumas and abuse or to their own personality problems was a lively and fascinating debate. The book is written simply but with great sensitivity and awareness of the two characters interaction and differing characters. We felt that time and patience would have helped them both and perhaps have rescued their relationship from its sudden ending. This is a book to be recommended for its skilful and involving portrayal of two peoples mutual incomprehension of each other s needs. LIZ WATERLAND U3A FAMILY HISTORY GROUP At our meeting yesterday 13 February we looked at documents that are used to compile family trees. First we looked at civil records which include census, birth, marriage and death records. We looked in greater detail at what we could learn from each document. We then turned our attention to church records which covers things like baptism, marriages and burials. War records were discussed to a degree but the subject is so vast we did not linger long. I was extremely grateful to Edna for bringing along a large amount of documents that she has, which she is undertaking to index for the Lincolnshire Family History Society. These documents were all legal papers (should I say parchments!) that have been rescued from being destroyed. Chancery documents and indentures dating back as far as 1790 were perused by the group a great privilege to touch such old documents. A reminder again that the group has taken up the challenge of the Lincs Olympics Family History quiz. This will take place on Tuesday 28 th February in the Baxter Room at Wake house, Bourne starting at 2.15pm wish us luck! We have been told we can have supporters so if anyone would like to come along they will be welcome. I have had no takers for another beginner s course but I will be happy to hear from anyone who would like to take up the offer. Remember this is all for free! Anyone who wants to do their FH privately can also be accommodated just give me a ring. Our next meeting will take place on 12 March from 2.00pm. Anyone interested in joining our group or just having a chat about what we do, please give me a call. PEG TORRANCE U3A GARDENING 4 PETALS & PRODUCE Our January meeting was held at the home of Janet and Colin Ward. We finalised arrangements for the early part of the 2012 programme and also discussed our petals and produce successes and failures during It was concluded that like most years it was a very mixed result. Some things did well, others not so well. A few seeds were exchanged and we all felt that a general discussion on the things that matter to us is always a healthy subject. Our many thanks to Janet and Colin for being generous hosts. The next meeting of the group will be at the garden and home of Robert Marshall, snowdrop expert. This is on Tuesday 21 st February at am. A good number have signed up for this visit and it promises to be something that will be very interesting indeed. EDDIE ADAMS U3A WRITING FOR PLEASURE GROUP It was Valentine s Day and a full house of eleven, when we had our February meeting. Appropriately, our topic for the month was love. As usual there was a wide variety of stories, including a hilarious poem by Anne, about a lady of 95 who found a valentine s card on the door mat! Some pieces looked at the different types of love, for example, love for a person, country or food. There were two stories involving tennis get the connection? There was a piece which was just one half of a phone conversation, and one or two stories were based around our topic for last month which was Cinderella. Next month we will have a go at the Age UK Competition topics, and see if any of our efforts are good enough to send off. JUDY ROBINSON 4

5 U3A WEEKENDERS GROUP STAMFORD COLLEGE S OWN MASTER CHIEFS (and our Dave)! The weather and sickness reduced our number to seven on Saturday last. We enjoyed our coffee and a good chinwag. No future events planned but there are one or two ideas. Perhaps lunch one day instead of the coffee morning - can be a week-day. Have a think. Anyone fancy a trip to the cinema and wants company? Next coffee morning 10th March at The Deeping Stage. AUDREY ALLAN / PAT RIGBY s U3A MONDAY WALKING GROUP The March walk will be on Monday, 5 th March 2012 will be Hacconby Spinney and will be led by Ian and Angela Bedwell. We will meet at 9.45am for a 10.00am start in front of the Five Bells Pub in Morton. We will be having lunch in the Five Bells Pub, who are opening especially for us, ordering our food before we start off. If you wish to attend this walk could you please phone Ian or Angela on or them on i.bedwell741@btinternet.com a day or two before. BRIAN THORNTHWAITE THE U3A STROLLERS WALKING GROUP The January walk was replaced with a lunch at the Deeping Stage on Monday 23 rd. The event attracted 24 members who enjoyed a seniors' two-course specially laid on for a Monday. Our February walk will be at Barnack on 27 th, meeting at the Millstone Pub at The new proprietors will be opening especially for us. If you wish to go on this walk please contact the leaders Anne and John Burton 1 or 2 days before. The walk will take about 1.75 hours but has two stiles and some steepish track. There is an alternative flat route available. DEREK NICE The Learn Photography Group celebrated the New Year with a Lunch at the Restaurant at Stamford College on 19th January. As usual it was delicious so we had a photocall for the back-room boys who cooked it and Dave Pendry who arranged it. U3A GUITAR GROUP Our present leader, John Burton, will probably be out of the guitar Group for an unspecified time, so I'm taking over the job for the time being. The venue will be as arranged each fortnight i.e. second and fourth Tuesdays. The group is going quite well, We had a break over the Christmas period, but should be fully functional quite soon. We are always open to new members, and they should ring me. KEN MOORE U3A CRAFT GROUP 1 Although sadly depleted in numbers, this group met in darkest January at the home of Sheila Wilkinson and in between putting the world to rights (as you do!) we each worked on our own projects. The February meeting will be held at Lin s, on Wednesday 29th February at 2 pm. (Please note change of week). ANN HOLMES Going back to the article in the Saga magazine on U3A groups, I understand a Grumpy Old Men Group was also mentioned. Now there s a thought and just to show no favouritism how about a Moody Old Women Group? I could think of several people who might be prepared to nominate me as Leader! Combine the two groups for Christmas festivities and we might have a winner. ANN THIS MESSAGE WAS SENT IN BY DEREK OSBOURNE AND IS IMPORTANT TO EVERYONE WITH A MICROWAVE. PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO READ IT. Microwaving Water! A 26-year old man decided to have a cup of coffee. He took a cup of water and put it in the microwave to heat it up (something that he had done numerous times before). I am not sure how long he set the timer for, but he wanted to bring the water to a boil.. When the timer shut the oven off, he removed the cup from the oven. As he looked into the cup, he noted that the! Water was not boiling, but suddenly the water in the cup 'blew up' into his face. The cup remained intact until he threw it out of his hand, but all the water had flown out into his face due to the buildup of energy. His whole face is blistered and he has 1st and 2nd degree burns to his face which may leave scarring. He also may have lost partial sight in his left eye. While at the hospital, the doctor who was attending to him stated that this is a fairly common occurrence and water (alone) should never be heated in a microwave oven. If water is heated in this manner, something should be placed in the cup to diffuse the energy such as a wooden stir stick, tea bag, etc..., (nothing metal). General Electric's Response: Thanks for contacting us, I will be happy to assist you. The that you received is correct. Microwaved water and other liquids do not always bubble when they reach the boiling point. They can actually get superheated and not bubble at all. The superheated liquid will bubble up out of the cup when it is moved or when something like a spoon or tea bag is put into it. To prevent this from happening and causing injury, do not heat any liquid for more than two minutes per cup. After heating, let the cup stand in the microwave for thirty seconds! Before moving it or adding anything into it. 5