s u n spirits. myths and legends exhibition
TRANSCRIPT
September 2019 September 2019 September 2019 Autumn Newsletter Autumn Newsletter Autumn Newsletter No. 41No. 41No. 41
S U N SPIRITS. MYTHS AND LEGENDS EXHIBITION
Held on Saturday 13th July at Brighton University
Fourteen of the thirty-nine U3As in the Sussex U3A Network took part in the exhibition which was housed in the Jubilee Hall of the Falmer Campus. Many different subjects were displayed including, Art, Book Groups, Crafts, Creative Writing, History [including Social and Local], Gardening, Knitting and Crochet, Poetry, Quilting and Patchwork, Reading, and Wine Appreciation.
Our own U3A had eight groups represented with some great displays; the Local History group with its myths and legends theme was lovely, the Patchwork and Quilting group had made a very pretty panel with fairies as their theme, the Knucker Dragon by the Knitting and Crochet group was much admired, and the Wine Appreciation groups stand was very popular with its tasters of red and white! Among other network members, some of the artwork was excellent and the Shoreham and Southwick display on the Green Man was fantastic with a marvellous hat and coat, along
with a lot of information. East Grinstead’s Quilt included St Anne’s Well, smugglers and Winnie the Pooh! Brighton and Hove’s Craft group showed an interesting collage of myths and legends. Meanwhile there were things going on in the lecture theatre and the Piazza, outside the Jubilee Hall. Ukelele groups from Worthing and Uckfield, singers from Crowborough, Brighton & Hove and Worthing, handbell ringers from East Grinstead and mummers from Brunswick entertained those present. All in all, an interesting mix of items which showed lots of thought and imagination had gone into their production, and hopefully next time there will be even more exhibitors, from a greater number of U3As. Brighton University was welcoming and there was a good café adjoining the exhibition rooms so that people could get drinks and snacks if needed. People from outlying areas, without transport, found Falmer a bit if a trial to get to. There were a fair number of members from our U3A which was great to see. Venues for this type of event are often difficult to find, but it would be helpful to have a more accessible location. It was interesting to meet and chat to members from other U3As and hear their ideas for groups etc., and I think most people who attended had an enjoyable day.
ANNE DOBBS
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WINE APPRECIATION GROUP
On Thursday 16th May 2019 the wine appreciation group, nobly led by Peter Bowers and ably assisted by his fabulous wife Wendy, went on an outing to Denbies Wine Estate, near Dorking in Surrey. The weather was glorious and the estate, one of the largest in the U.K, was beautiful.
Before we even got to the wine tasting, one of the group, who shall remain nameless, announced that her shoes were broken and she would have to go barefoot..........
Mona, our very knowledgeable guide started to take us on our tour of the winery, having been briefed re “shoe gate”. Every so often during her very informative talk about the process of the wine making she could be heard saying things like “Madam be careful, theres̓ sawdust here” or “Madam its̓ ok here, this bits̓ been hoovered”. She was very caring! We then moved into the cellar to try six wines, four still and two sparking.
The majority of the group enjoyed the wines and once again Mona was a font of information. After all that wine, lunch was the order of the day, and this was much enjoyed by all. We then had time to wander on our own, where we discovered the beauty of the paintings in the art gallery, the amazing produce in the farm shop, and particularly the selection of English cheeses and the wine in the gift shop! Then it was time to let the train take the strain and tour the vineyard. The view from the top was stunning, and the talk about the history of Denbies was very interesting. After a cup of tea we boarded the coach to come home. A most enjoyable and informative day. Where are we going next Peter?
JANE LEE
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WALKING WITH MARION WOOD
At 10.30am on 10th June 2019, the following intrepid walkers set forth from Ferry Road Car Park in Shoreham. There were four of us; Marion, June, Alan, and myself. We ventured along the boardwalk on Shoreham Beach. By this time it had started to rain. However it was not cold and there was no wind. Marion pointed out a number of interesting plants along the way. These were the typical plants to be seen on the shingle . It would be easy not to take a lot of notice of them but Marion explained about them and their names, and she had thoughtfully prepared a list to give to the walkers.. There were a number of yellow horned poppies in flower as well as red, white and pink valerian. Silver leaved ragwort was in ample evidence. Sea kale and sea beet are edible when the shoots are young but not so tasty when older. Vipers bugloss and sea daisy were in flower as well as the common mallow. Other plants seen were biting (yellow) and English (white) stonecrop, as well as bittersweet, hedge mustard , hawkweed and the pretty starry clover; Shoreham Beach is the only location in the British Isles where this latter plant is found. There were also two rose bushes, one red and the other white, that had escaped to the beach and survived. There were also some beautiful large red poppies which must have self-seeded from a nearby garden. The rain was increasingly heavy during our walk so we were unable to photograph the plants, but two members of the Group returned to take some photos at a later date. Our walk took us on to the Fort, via the completed boardwalk. From there we made our return journey by the river path and through Emerald Quay. There were some interesting old boats moored here, including a grand wooden sailing boat. It was difficult to imagine that a few years ago this was the site of a number of warehouses which have been replaced by a large number of blocks of flats. On returning to Ferry Road we all decided we were in need of hot liquid refreshment, so coffees x 4 were enjoyed in The Waterside. Thank you to Marion for organising her annual walk along the beach to admire the plants.
ELAINE ANSELL
Saturday 12 October - Ringmer The Role of Place in Myth, Legend and Storytelling - Joanna Gilar An exploration of landscape and environment in storytelling.
Saturday 9 November - Steyning Viennese Joy and Parisian Pleasure - John Hursey Two capital cities famous for different musical masterpieces
Saturday 7 December - Boxgrove Leonardo da Vinci - Kay Blackburn Marking the 50th anniversary of the death of one of
history's great thinkers and artists.
Sussex U3A Network (S.U.N) arranges a programme of study days seeking to cover a wide range of topics, including the arts, humanities, science and current affairs. The study days are intended to enrich our members’ knowledge of the topics covered. They are held at various locations throughout East and West Sussex, and cost £8 per day. Bookings forms are available at least six weeks in advance on the S.U.N website, or from our representative Marion Wood, or at monthly General Meetings.
SUSSEX U3A NETWORK
Future Study Day topics include:
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Would you like to join us? Our membership is open to retired and semi-retired people who wish to enjoy learning new skills, or pursuing an interest within a social group. Our subscription year is 1st April to 31st March
Annual membership: 2019-2020 £12.00
If you are a current 2019/2020
member of another U3A in the UK
your membership fee will be reduced
to £8.50
Membership entitles you to attend our monthly General Meetings and as many of the Interest Groups as you wish. An application form is available from our Membership Secretary.
JAZZ AND MUSIC APPRECIATION GROUP We are a happy band of jazz and music lovers, who meet (usually) on the 3rd Friday of the month at Chesham House. At our meetings we can look forward to two presentations (with a tea or coffee break mid-way) by Group members or visiting presenters. At our July meeting, Margaret Clayton gave us "Fats Waller", followed by John Anthony (our revered Co-ordinator) with "Just a Bit of Swing". August's meeting had David Fleck recalling "Music from the Silver Screen", and Alan Woodrow with "British Bands of the 1950s". We have, in the past, enjoyed video presentations including "Giants of Jazz" and "Wood Choppers Ball: Tribute to Woody Herman". Later this year, we are looking forward to a video featuring Duke Ellington. At our June and December meetings, members bring their own CDs from which to play a track of their choice. This always provides a good range of artistes and music, and is always enjoyable. If you enjoy listening to music with a friendly group of people, why not come and join us? We currently have a couple of vacancies for members.
TRISHA BRISTOW
A NEW RAG RUG MAKING GROUP TO START IN OCTOBER, 2019
A new Rag Rug making group, suitable for COMPLETE BEGINNERS will be starting on THURSDAY, 3RD OCTOBER next, and thereafter monthly on the first Thursday in each month. The time of the sessions is to be agreed but it is proposed that they will be either from 10 a.m. to noon or 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. to suit the members. The Group will meet in the Co-ordinator’s house in East Worthing and she can accommodate 6 people. The Pulse bus stops nearby and the 700 bus stops on the seafront with a short walk to the house. Initially equipment will be provided plus access to books and completed rugs for inspection. Thereafter a small charge will be made for supplies or members can bring their own and recycle their materials. If you would like to try your hand at this craft, please contact the Interest Group Co-Ordinator through the bluebird system on the website or sign up at our monthly meeting.
Illustrations of completed rugs to whet your appetites!
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MILESTONES MUSEUM OF LIVING HISTORY, BASINGSTOKE, HAMPSHIRE
Our Visits Group’s eagerly-awaited first trip of 2019 was arranged by Jan Smyth, who has stepped up as organiser, to ensure that this very popular group continues. Once we were all aboard the coach we set off for Milestones Museum. On arrival, Jan collected our tickets and, along with those, we were given a bag of old pennies for the penny arcade machines, and a ration book which we could exchange for sweets in the sweet shop. This created a little fun and nostalgia from one’s childhood. On entering the museum we stepped into a story of social, retail and industrial heritage. Imagine what life was like, through the decades, from the industrial revolution to modern times, as one explores the life-size streets, buildings, factories, shops and vehicles of a bygone age, all under one roof. Be inspired by wonderful collections of toys, domestic appliances and lots more! We saw how homes developed from the thirties through to the seventies, with authentic room settings. In 1968 Hampshire County Council took possession of the Tasker Collection of traction engines relating to the Waterloo Ironworks in Andover, which closed in 1937. During the 1970s they acquired more redundant agricultural machinery, lorries, steam rollers, wagons etc from Hampshire’s industrial past, including Basingstoke manufacturers Thorneycroft and Wallis & Steevens. Looking for a suitable site to display the items, Hampshire County Council along with Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council went into partnership, and in 1994 land was made available at West Ham Leisure Park. Two years later a £6m Heritage Lottery Fund grant enabled the project to start. A competition was held to find a name for the proposed museum and work commenced in March 1997. Some 21,000 objects in the museum have been laid out as Victorian or 1930s-40s working street scenes, although some household items date back to the early 1700s. Photographic evidence helped to create the façades. An appeal was made, when building commenced, for donations of any old bricks, cobbles, slates and tiles, as well as street furniture, shop and advertising memorabilia. The Basingstoke’s Willis Museum Archaeological Group rescued door furniture and fireplaces from houses which were demolished in the late 1960s as part of the town’s redevelopment. Salvage from Reading bus depot was recycled, and from the, demolished Thorneycroft factory in Basingstoke came granite kerb stones, unwanted tram rail was purchased from Blackpool and wooden blocks from St Mary’s Gas Works in Southampton. All this material was collected by the County’s Museums Services based in Winchester, where staff and volunteers collated, cleaned and restored exhibits, finally fitting out the completed buildings in February 2000. We had great fun touring around, learning about life and industry in Hampshire through those afore mentioned decades. We chose our 2 ounces of sweets, using the ration book and, no doubt, munched our way through them, just as children would have done during rationing; no doubt again, bemoaning having to wait a whole week before they could get another 2 ounces. Finally the Penny Arcade: If, like me, you had followed the guide, the final exhibit was the penny arcade, an array of amusement machines, one arm bandits, bagatelles, What The Butler Saw, automatons, and a fortune teller. I spent my pennies finishing with the fortune teller, who told me I would have a good day. An amazingly accurate forecast! Thank you Jan for a very enjoyable day.
SUE LEANEY.
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REMINISCENCE COLLECTION PACKS
West Sussex Libraries are loaning out Reminiscence Collection packs consisting of objects, books, music, jigsaws and pictures which help to re-awaken peoples' memories of their experiences and lives. They are suitable for those with disabilities, including those with dementia, and are available to borrow free of charge by any library member. The packs are themed and consist of objects, books, jigsaws, CDs and replica items relating to the 1950’s, 1960’s, Baking, General, Household, Seaside, Transport, Washday and World War II, and many others. They can be borrowed for up to seven weeks but cannot be renewed, and can be reserved on line. Full details are available at the local library; By phone on 01243 642111 or email: [email protected] In addition the libraries have a range of books designed specifically for use with people with dementia.
SUE MAXWELL
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Across Down
1 Carrot and leek soup hides the timetable (4) 1 Socialist places notes in a pen for vegetable (3,7)
3 University Challenge ____ for ten (2,1,7) 2 Stubbed toe, fake car protect (4,4,2)
9 Due to include King, nobleman (4) 4 Fight in the closet tow er (3-2)
10 Unbending old river points to nasty criticisms (10) 5 Quotation, "likely to" be suff icient? (4,2,3)
11 Provide shelter for a time in a cold toilet (11) 6 Confused tight Heather losing right, career
15 Brian sw am after porridge, being an idiot (9) pinnacle (2,3,6)
17 Delete from camera sequence (5) 7 Biblical tow n subject to inflation (4)
18 Snarl as girl w ith no heart has argument (5) 8 Impetuous skin problem (4)
19 Ignited one confined to grounds and sued (9) 12 Hi noble poem oddly describes a
20 Heartless Blue Peter clip playing is noticeable (11) communication device (6,5)
24 Maitan cola cocktail is of the body (10) 13 Tim Peak travelling home? (10)
25 Broken tubs rearranged (4) 14 Right in the middle of the graveyard? (4,6)
26 Intended recipients see back at the end of 16 A bit of w ork among friends causes
commercial costume (10) adverse reactions (9)
27 Border of hedges trimmed at both ends (4) 21 Avoid publicity taken in by f irst lady (5)
22 Thanks after father reveals facts (4)
23 Applause for the w orker (4)
Solution on Page 9
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Sadly Gaye Sharpe passed away on May 31st after losing her fight with cancer.
Gaye's funeral took place on 20th June at the H. D. Tribe Chapel in Shoreham, and was attended by her family and many of her friends from U3A.
Our sympathies go to Gaye’s family and all who knew her.
BAPS SHRI SWAMINARAYAN MANDIR, NEASDEN
I recently visited the Hindu Temple or Mandir in Neasden, London, a stone’s throw from Wembley Stadium.
When Idi Amin expelled the Ugandan Asians in 1972 many of them settled in the Islington area. Originally the community created a temple from a deconsecrated church but as the congregation expanded they moved in 1982 to a small former warehouse in Neasden. Ten years later, following a visit by the Head of the Religious Sect, a large plot of land opposite the Temple was acquired and construction of the largest Hindu Temple outside of India began. The total cost of 12 million pounds was entirely funded by the Hindu Community, and the project spanned 5 years, although construction itself was completed in 2½ years. It was built of 2828 tons of Bulgarian limestone and 2000 tons of Italian marble, all shipped to India and carved by a team of sculptors. More than 26,300 individually numbered stone pieces were returned to England. In November 1992, 4500 tons of concrete for the foundations were laid down in 24 hours and the first stone was laid in June 1993; 2 years later the building was complete.
The Mandir is a complex. It is not only a centre of worship but also houses an adult learning centre and an adjacent school. Visitors enter an impressive Haveli – a multi-functional culture centre - incorporating a prayer hall for 2500 people, a gym, medical centre, conference halls, an exhibition detailing all aspects of the Hindu faith, a shop, and restaurant. The walls of the Haveli are lined with oak panels and the carved entrance canopy and supporting columns are carved teak from sustainable forests. 226 English oak trees were use for the panelling, and ten times that number of saplings were planted to compensate. The inner Sanctum is on the first floor and has 7 shrines housing sacred images of the Deities. The interior is covered in marble, with carved pillars supporting a cantilevered dome. Worshippers pray 5 times a day and are vegetarian, although they can consume cheese and milk.
The outside decoration is also very elaborate with statuary and ornate carvings on the walls, and seven tiered pinnacles topped by golden spires on the roof, with 5 ribbed domes. There are also gardens with pretty flower beds and cooling rills, most welcome on a hot day.
There is a small entry fee of £2 to the exhibition but otherwise entry is free, and well worth a visit. SUE MAXWELL
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SPANISH U3A? On a recent holiday in Spain, we visited San Roque - a town which has a mixture of steep cobbled streets and a modern plaza with landscaped gardens, cafes, etc. We came across a purpose-built building, attracted by the plaque on the outside wall. Inside was a small cafe, a library and rooms labelled for various activities. A notice board offered organised trips to places such as Seville and Granada. My first thought was that I had discovered an obscure branch of the U3A. However, the sign on the plaque translates as ''Day Centre for the Elderly" - but isn't it great that the "Third Age" in a small town has been specifically catered for, and shown that their lives are important?
MARGARET CLAYTON
PSYCHOLOGY TODAY — MAUREEN CONDICK
The Psychology Today Group meets on the 1st Wednesday of each month, when we discuss topics led by members of the Group. The following topics have featured in the past few months up to April 2019. 5th September 2018 Eddie - Stress Part 1 3rd October Maureen - Maslow’s heirachy of needs 7th November Pat - Phobias – fear of lifts 15th December Social get together 9th January 2019 Greetings cards - everyone 6th February Eddie –Stress Part 2 6th March Maureen – Empathy 3rd April Pat - Environmental psychology
MILITARY MATTERS GROUP
The Military Matters Group recently visited the Cold War exhibition at the Public Records Office at Kew in West London, and despite the train delays and rain trying to put a damper on things, we had a good time . The Cold war is something that those of a younger generation might not understand, but it was something that affected all of us. Among the exhibits are photos and documents which give a view of some of the thinking that was going on at the time. These ranged from a Special Branch report on the author George Orwell, who came under suspi-cion because of his "Bohemian lifestyle" and his unexplained resignation from his job as a police inspector in the Burmese police, to a letter from the then Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, urging the athletes of Great Britain not to support the Moscow Olympics. At roughly the same time Burgess, Philby and Mclean were preparing to betray their country. There are documents from Winston Churchill, Clement Atlee, concerning Britain's development of our own hydrogen bomb. Among the more interesting documents is a transcript of the confession of the atom spy Klaus Fuchs, al-though they only show you the last page, not all of it. It seems that even after all this time there are secrets that must be kept. Also included are documents relating to the "Buster" Crabbe affair, the frogman who disappeared in mysterious circumstances in Portsmouth Harbour in 1956. At the time it was rumoured that Crabbe (who made his name during World War Two defusing mines left on ships by Italian frogmen) was in fact working for M16, trying to examine the hull of the Russian cruiser berthed in Portsmouth harbour at the time. Although a body was later recovered, there is still some doubt as to his eventual fate. Interestingly, the incident inspired Ian Fleming to include a similar incident in "Thunderball", only this time the hero James Bond resurfaced and carried on to complete his mission. Among the audio visual exhibits is a short segment from a BBC documentary which takes you into a secret bunker somewhere in England. In the event of a nuclear attack it would become a regional centre of govern-ment. The country would have been run by a series of these centres and decisions regarding rescue and recovery operations would have been taken by civil servants whose job it would have been to leave their families and bury themselves in a self contained hole in the ground. When questioned by the interviewer as to whether or not everyone would be there at the appointed time, the man designated as regional controller was unable to give any guarantees that all those required would be there, including himself. We have lived without the threat of nuclear holocaust for nearly thirty years now, but since then the number of countries with a nuclear capability has grown, and we face a different type of threat from different aggres-sors. One hopes that we are as well prepared for them as were told we were all those years ago.
DAVID FLECK
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GENERAL MEETINGS
General Meetings are held at Lancing Parish Hall, South Street, Lancing on the first Monday of the month 2 - 4pm (except when the meeting falls on a Bank Holiday).
Invited speakers talk on a wide variety of subjects, many on local interests. Non-members are welcome to come to one of these meetings to gain an insight into our activities. We respectfully ask that you become a member before attending further meetings. Refreshments are available.
Future Meetings
SEPTEMBER 2nd - Exhibition of Work
OCTOBER 7th - Charlotte Owen – Sussex Wildlife Trust – Sussex Safari A guide to our local wildlife, and what we can do to help maintain it.
NOVEMBER 4th - Brian Freeland - The View from the Wings Developed from my experiences with everything from variety (Butlin’s Holiday Camps and the London Palladium) to the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre, Scottish Opera and Sadler’s Wells Ballet. The stage manager’s view from the prompt corner is very different to that from your comfortable seat in the stalls or circle. Reality theatre; no retakes. And as the review says - slightly saucy!!!
DECEMBER 2nd - Christmas Party (MEMBERS ONLY)
1 R O 2 T A 3 A 4 S A 5S T 6 A R 7 T E 8R
E A E U T Y A
9 D U K E 10 S T R I C T U R E S
C E T T H E H
11 A C C O 12 M M O D A T E
B A O S H 13 E 14 D
15 B I R D B R 16 A I N 17 E R A S E
A E I L O I R A
18 G R O W L 19 L I T I G A T E D
E F E E H H C
20 P E R C 21 E P T I B L E
22 D 23 H H G V O N
24 A N A T O M I C A L 25 B U S T
T N N E D N R
26 A D D R E S S E E S 27 E D G E
SOLUTION TO CROSSWORD
Crossword compiled by Cryptic Crossword Group
The new 2020 U3A diaries are now available at £2.75 each. They will be on sale at the Exhibition of Work in September and every monthly meeting. If you cannot get to the monthly meetings, please ask your Group Co-ordinator to order them for you.
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18th Century Social History History
Ancient History Interactive Travel
Art Appreciation Jazz & Music Appreciation
Art Painting and Drawing Knitting and Crochet
Bird Watching Local History
Book Group 1 Mah Jong
Book Group 2 Military Matters
Bridge Group Patchwork and Quilting
Card Making 1 Petanque
Card Making 2 Photography
Card Making 3 Play Reading
Creative Writing Poetry
Cryptic Crossword Practical Gardening
Cryptic Crossword Basic Psychology Today
Current Affairs Rag Rug Group
Easy Cycling Scrabble
Exploring Psychology Sewing
Family History Visits
French Language Walking
Garden Appreciation Wine Appreciation
INTEREST GROUPS
COMMITTEE MEMBERS 2019 - 2020
Chair Judie Dicson
Vice-Chair/Speakers/ Sue Maxwell
Interest Groups Co-ordinator
Treasurer Heather Stone
Secretary Sue Leaney
Membership Secretary Tony Dobbs
Committee Member/Publicity Vanessa Haddrell
Committee Member/Equipment Mary Hill
Committee Member/Visits Jan Smyth
Committee Member Jane Lee
SUN Representative Marion Wood
Webmaster/Newsletter Editor Alan Woodrow
Welfare Officers Tracey Ford
Margaret Foley
The next Newsletter will be published on December 1st 2019. Deadline for articles is 10th November.
Email address for articles: [email protected] Tel: 01903 752419
NON-COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Please let your Welfare Officers know if any member is sick or has suffered a bereavement