Wartime sirens and strains of We’ll Meet Again, wafted through Wooler in July as the U3A’s budding thespians staged their latest play – Wooler at War.Northumbria Region U3A Newsletter October 2008 |
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Here is another newsletter for you all, the last one for 2008, but there is not a lot of copy in this issue. I know I gave until the 31st October to get your copy to me but I did think that it would be prudent to get this issue out before the quarterly meeting at the Angel View Hotel on Wednesday 29th October. So if any of you have copy that you intended sending to me at the last minute, please send it and it will go in the next issue of the newsletter, due to be published during January.
We are getting near to the end of the autumn and the start of the early winter and the Christmas season and before I do anything else I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a Good New Year and all the very best for each you during 2009.
We have got contributions from Darlington, Whickham and Wooler this time, just three U3A’s out of thirty five. To keep the newsletter going we really need a lot more. The deadline date for copy for the next issue of the newsletter is always published in each current newsletter, this time it’s the 15th January 2009. If you are not the U3A member responsible for sending the information to the newsletter editor then give your newsletter contact a reminder. Better still give your newsletter contact something you have written to send on.
I have been asked why I send the newsletter by email and why do I send it in Adobe Acrobat format (dot pdf). Well, sending it by email makes it easy to reach many more U3A members throughout the Northumbria Region. If you feel that you should not be receiving a copy then look on it as a gift from the Northumbria Region U3A and read and email on to some of your U3A friends who may not have received a copy. We are trying to get a copy of the newsletter to every member in the U3A’s that make up the Northumbria Region U3A. We know that not all members in the U3A’s that receive this through their newsletter contact receive a copy, for whatever reason. If you do not have an email address then your newsletter contact should be giving you a paper copy. So, if you do have an email address and you haven’t had a copy then let the editor know your email address and you will forever after receive your own personal copy through your email letterbox.
As to Adobe Acrobat , well the reasons are so numerous I would be in danger of boring you stiff, but the main two are:
If you don’t have it already, Adobe Acrobat can be downloaded from the Adobe website at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html make sure that you download the latest version of the program.
However, for this issue and just for a trial I am sending the file in MS Word 2003 format. See how you like that and let me know which you prefer.
That’s all from the editor except a final happy Christmas and all the best for 2009.
Final date for copy for the next issue of the newsletter is Thursday 15th January 2009
NORTHUMBRIA REGION BIRDWATCHING GROUP
"All members of Northumbria Region U3A are welcome to come out with the regional birdwatching group, whether or not their individual U3A group includes birdwatching among its activities. We are also interested in most branches of Natural History"
For details contact Colin Freeman at this email address : col_free@yahoo.co.uk
Please note : the apparent space in the above email address is an underscore
DARLINGTON U3A
Our membership has now peaked at 290. All of our groups met thought out the year with the exception of August when the meetings were suspended for the summer holidays. The newly formed Poetry group increased its membership. The Carpet Bowls stopped for the summer but resumed in early October. A new group Bridge Beginners was formed, it is expected that these members will graduate to the main bridge group. Sadly line dancing had to be suspended due to the sudden death of the instructor The luncheon club have met regularly, but the coffee morning have had to find a new venue because of a local hotel fire, meetings were not interrupted
The long distance walking group organised an Italian holiday. Initially at Alassio on the Italian Riviera, and after polishing up their sun tan they visited some of the nearby harbour towns. In the second week they got down to more serious walking based on the resort of Limona Pierremont They returned via Nice walking on the Boulevard Anglais.
The short distance walking group met at fortnightly intervals for an afternoon walk of three to four miles, this group is regularly attended by twenty to twenty five members.
The local history group meetings and outings have been regularly attended. They had a very interesting outing to Beamish museum where a visit behind the scenes showed how a living museum really works.
The very popular and active gardening group had a very good season despite the poor summer. Their first visit to Littlethorps Manor was marred by high winds but nevertheless they enjoyed the delightful flowers. In July they a five day holiday visiting four gardens. The weather was wonderful and it did not rain until they returned to Darlington.. They were not so lucky on their visit to the Edinburgh Tattoo, it rained throughout the show. Fortunately it was fine for their two days in Edinburgh. Burton Agnes Hall was visited in August and Sizergh Castle in September. There was also a number of well attended lectures throughout the year.
A service of popular carols will be held in Bondgate Church in December.
WHICKHAM U3A – REPORT FOR REGIONAL NEWSLETTER JULY 2008
Our monthly meeting talks have ranged from Music Hall Memories to Coquet People and the National Parks of America and all can be recommended to other U3A’s (details with the Regional Speakers List Coordinator).
Various Groups have enjoyed visits to Harewood House, Leyburn, Constable Burton Hall/Gardens and Lintzford Garden Centre. Our August meeting will be our annual Strawberry Tea with entertainment provided by Groups. The income from this event will be donated to our chosen charity for 2008 – Arthritis Research Campaign.
Sight & Sound Group have produced another DVD, this time “The Story of St. Mary’s Church, Whickham – The First 900 Years” at the request of Whickham Parochial Church Council. Many of the activities that take place in St. Mary’s Centre (including U3A) are in the film.
The Summer 2008 edition of U3A News included a short report on the Extraordinary General Meeting at Birmingham on 22 May about National Constitution changes. Our delegates have reported that discussion about the new Regions would have been easier if maps showing the Regions had been available instead of just the allocation of counties within the Regions. Such a map would have shown why Saltburn U3A and Guisborough U3A, although geographically both are in Yorkshire, they are in our North East Region and not in Yorkshire & Humber Region.
Len Cline
Are there any members of U3A’s in the Region interested in joining a group(s) taking part in a holiday in Austria in June and/or September 2009? It is based on a 4 star hotel in Filzmoos (Salzburgerland) and is suitable for strollers through to serious hikers. Further information can be obtained from Len Cline of Whickham U3A (0191 488 7314) or leonardcline@talktalk.net.
WHICKHAM U3A – REPORT FOR REGIONAL NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2008
Our monthly meeting talks have included Local Police History, Wicked and Worthy Women and In the Footsteps of the Bronte’s (details with the Regional Speakers List Coordinator).
As usual in August we had our Strawberry Tea with entertainment provided by our Keep Fit and Drama Groups.
Outings to Helmsley, Ryedale Folk Museum, Brockhole (Windermere) and The Sage, Gateshead have been arranged and enjoyed by various Groups.
The Annual General Meeting and Conference of the Third Age Trust at Swansea were attended by Margaret Minns and Len Cline who were somewhat disappointed by the proceedings at the AGM. The two resolutions dealing with cooperation between neighbouring U3A’s and the raising of Capitation Fees were the subject of much confusion and we expected that the delegates attending will have reported back at their U3A’s.
Len Cline
WALKING HOLIDAY IN AUSTRIA
When the summer edition of U3A News arrived I read among the advertisements the word FREE. Naturally I read the whole advert and discovered that Accolade Holidays were inviting group leaders to an inspection holiday in the beautiful mountain village of Filzmoos in Salzburgerland from 15 to 19 September, flying from Stansted. My first step was to look at my Austria map to discover where Filzmoos was and found that it was in a part of Austria that I had not visited before. Next I spoke to the organiser, using the telephone number in the advert and he, Harry Smith, explained that he arranged bridge and walking holidays. Sheffield and Kettering U3A’s had already been to Filzmoos in 2007 and 2008 and he was hoping to encourage more U3A’s to follow their example. Their response had been enthusiastic and Kettering were already booked to go again in 2009. He also said that spouses could accompany their other half on this short holiday with a contribution to the cost. All this whetted my appetite so I asked Harry to send me details. A brochure and a DVD duly arrived and after viewing the DVD I sent off the application for Dorothy and myself.
Sunday 14 September came and as arranged we travelled down to Sheffield where Harry lives, leaving Whickham at 9 pm. After a quick cup of coffee we transferred out luggage to Harry’s car and left for Stansted Airport. There we met the other people in the group – all 4 of them! They came from 4 U3A’s in Essex and Northampton and were all female.
It was raining when we left Stansted at 6.30 am and it was still raining when we arrived at Salzburg Airport at 9 am Austrian time. An hour’s taxi ride to Filzmoos saw us arrive at our 4 star Alpenkrone Hotel to be greeted with the news that the temperature on the previous Friday had been a hot 30 degrees Celsius. This hotel had been built in 1963 for the Hampshire family – Susan Hampshire of film and TV fame is the cousin of the hotel-owner’s daughter who is the hotel’s receptionist and also called Susan! You will see from the hotel leaflet that it deserves its 4 star rating. Recent additions to the buildings include an indoor swimming pool, sauna and exercise room.
Filzmoos is a picturesque village surrounded by the striking BISCHOFMUTZE and DACHSTEIN mountains. It is one of the most spectacular walking areas in Austria and in the winter season is a popular skiing resort. One evening after dinner Dorothy and I attended a slide and film show in the local leisure centre (we had personal attention from the operator as we were the only 2 in the audience) and we saw pictures of the village over 100 years ago – the church and about 20 houses/ farmhouses compared with the present extent of built-up areas.
After lunch in one of the local restaurants (half board only at the hotel) we were introduced to Anna, the Accolade representative in Filzmoos, and to Dutchman Coen – a local guide and ski instructor. They explained the programme that had been planned for our short stay including walks and an excursion, but was subject to weather conditions. We received the local book of walks which are graded according to level of difficulty.
Blue paths are for those who enjoy the mountain scenery from the valley looking up
Red paths are walks up to 6 hours a day, visiting mountain huts with beautiful scenery
Black paths are for experienced mountain hikers
Possibilities for the excursion were Salzburg, salt mines or ice-caves so it was decided to wait until morning to choose what we would do.
Imagine our surprise on walking up to find it snowing! All the upper slopes of the mountains were covered with snow and through the falling snowflakes the countryside looked magnificent. Naturally when Anna turned up we voted not to walk that day. Of the alternative possibilities for the excursion we finally opted for the ice caves to match the weather.
This involved a taxi ride to Werfen, a ride in a cable-car and a walk on snow to the cave entrance. Joining a group of about 40 people we English speaking folks were placed at the head of the queue much to the good natured banter from the Austrians and Germans. Our youngish guide spoke fluent English for our benefit and then German for the remainder of the group. He first explained that the caves were the biggest in the world (40 kilometres altogether) but we would be covering only about 1 kilometre and climbing and descending almost 700 steps with wooden boarding. What an experience! We received historical and scientific information and he described the ice formations in detail. Electric lighting has not been installed – instead visitors receive hand held Davy lamps – and the ice figures were illuminated by the guide using magnesium flares. One’s imagination can run riot but the visit was over too quickly. Anyone on holiday in Salzburgerland should include an excursion to the ice caves as a priority.
The next two day’s weather couldn’t have been better or more of a contrast. Blue skies, sunshine, clear visibility with wonderful scenery. What more could one hope for?
Needless to say Coen led us on blue and red walks over distances of 6/7 miles involving stops for refreshments and photo opportunities and listening to descriptions of the flora and fauna. As Dorothy could not accompany us on the excursion and walks she stayed at the hotel most of the time and I purchased postcards showing were we ate, drank and listened to typical music for he to see. The walks were not strenuous with easy gradients and were never far away from the sound of flowing water and cowbells! My one regret was that I unfortunately did not remember to check at Stansted that I had collected my camera from the boot of Harry’s car. Therefore no chance to take photographs but my companions have offered to send me some of theirs by email and/or DVD. Harry was recording events on his camcorder and he is using this for future publicity purposes.
A final comment on the hotel. The facilities were excellent, the food varied, tasty and plentiful, the beds were comfortable and no language problems.
An early start on Friday 19 September for the return journey meant that we arrived at Stansted by midday and on our way north and home via Sheffield to transfer to our car.
So ended a very enjoyable short break to Austria, our favourite holiday destination.
Len Cline, Whickham U3A
Wartime sirens and strains of We’ll Meet Again, wafted through Wooler in July as the U3A’s budding thespians staged their latest play – Wooler at War.
Young at heart actors from Wooler at war
The play, written by U3A members, was based loosely on actual events in 1941 as remembered by local people and included the mystery of disappearing steamrollers and the broken hearts left behind by one army officer stationed nearby – one Derek van de Bogaerde, later to become Dirk Bogard.
“The central plot was about a gang of kids who were convinced Hitler was going to invade and decided they needed real weapons to fight back with,” says director Frank Mansfield.
“The real dramatic challenge for the cast was to overcome the fact that several of them had to play the parts of ten and eleven year old boys,” says Frank.
Five of the group’s female members were given a chance to prove they were still ‘kids at heart’ and had a whale of a time with their catapults and short trousers.
Caught by the ears by the fuzz
In real life, the youngsters actually raided the town arsenal and shared out the guns, commando knives and hand grenades to be hidden around the town in huts and under beds. It took some time for the authorities to twig what had happened and though most of the munitions were recovered after an accident involving one of the youngsters, no one was ever brought to book for the ‘heist’
Wooler at War is the second ‘home grown’ play Wooler U3A has put on. Two years ago they wrote a play about social reformer Josephine Butler who was born in the area. Both plays have enjoyed a good local response, so they’re now racking their brains to think what they can do next time.
The group
John Leiper, Jane Goodeve and Clive Hallam-Baker choose their weapons for Wooler U3A’s Battle of Flodden study day
The study day, organised by Wooler U3A, dawned bright and crisp, bringing sighs of relief from the organisers as U3A members arrived at Kirk Newton Village Hall for coffee before enjoying two talks which set the scene.
Wooler U3A’s Jane Bowen painted the backdrop to the Battle with a vivid description of the events, political and domestic, which lead the two countries into one of the most bloody battles in history. Local historian Clive Hallam Baker then brought to life the long marches, the gruesome weapons and the battle tactics – both successful and foolhardy – which decided the day.
King James IV’s keenness to be seen leading his men from the front, along with the wily moves of England’s septuagenarian Earl of Surrey who marched his men around behind the Scots to cut off any retreat, were just two of the deciding factors.
The Scots choice of the long French pike and its formation method of battle over the shorter English billhook was also crucial when the Scots found themselves charging downhill into a boggy battleground which broke up their ranks and made the 16 foot pikes difficult to manoeuvre.
At the battlefield
After a brief visit to the Flodden museum in Etal, the group returned to Kirknewton Village Hall and there, against the dramatic backdrop of Yeavering Bell and the Cheviots, the day was rounded off with afternoon tea and cakes.
We at Wooler U3A certainly enjoyed the day and many of our visitors – including U3A chair Jean Goodeve - have been kind enough to say they did too. Our thanks to all who attended and helped make the day such a success.
What is this life if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare…
W. H. Davies poem has inspired Wooler U3A’s latest venture – a poetry window in the town’s High Street.
Wooler U3A was asked by the local development trust, The Glendale Gateway Trust, if it would organise and maintain a poetry window in the local RSPCA shop. Funding, provided through the Trust from One North East, made it possible to provide a corner window in the shop and the equipment to dress the window.
Local youngsters enjoy the Halloween poetry window in Wooler
Poems in the window are changed every two or three weeks and the window decorated in keeping with the theme. As the picture show, the current poem by Charles Causley about Colonel Fazackerley Butterworth-Toast and his castle’s enthusiastic ghost proved popular with youngsters.
Over the summer the poetry window has gained quite a following from local people and visitors. Two holidaymakers were so taken with the poems chosen by U3A member Ann Dawson that they contacted the local tourist office to see where they had come from. They ended up having coffee with Ann and happily went back to Lancashire with copies of the poems.
W
Another reminder about the copy date for the next issue.
It is Thursday 15th January 2009