Winter 2017 Newsletter
Baddow & Galleywood U3A
Newsletter
Winter 2017
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THE WANDERING THOUGHTS OF OUR CHAIRMAN
As we enter this period which for so many holds special thoughts, I realise that for some it is not a happy time but is a time of sad memories, memories that come to the fore every year as we again reach the time of Christmas. A great book says we should weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice. That means doing both as those around us, our friends, our family, our group members and those we barely know as each of them (and each of us) have situation after situation, good and bad affecting us. Health matters, finance matters, personal and family matters.
Let those of us who can support those who can’t, because for all of us those roles will be reversed sooner or later.
I have opened with these remarks because I have reminded myself again that on our committee agenda is an item entitled “Loneliness”. It is an item that we haven’t reached for several meetings and gets put on the next one. In fact, the item on “Loneliness” must be feeling lonely.
As a committee we know that some of you only get to meet with others at their group meeting or the Main meeting. We want to see how we (and I mean Baddow and Galleywood U3A) can help in some way to make an inroad, however small, in what is becoming a major problem – and not just for the less young amongst us. If you have any ideas or personal experience of how you have, or do, deal with loneliness, then let a committee member know so it can be looked at with some knowledge base.
If you have felt the “Wanderings” so far a bit depressing then I apologise you feel that way, but remind you that I’m sure they reflect how some amongst us are feeling at this time.
I’m sure if our Discussion group discussed the subject of Christmas there would be as many views as those participating. Just with my wife and I, she has already begun viewing the Christmas films that are freely available on our TVs now (subject to the system we have) whereas I’m an “all things relating to Christmas should not begin before 1st December” person. I get taken for Christmas shopping (when I can’t get out of it) and look around for what I would like. She takes on the family buying (and I love her for it!).
So, in case you are reading this with your Christmas meal, I am going to close before the gravy gets cold, thanking yet again those who participate in so many different ways to make Baddow and Galleywood U3A work so well and be so popular. Do have a restful, peaceful time and I look forward to seeing you all again very soon. To all of you I wish…
Roy
A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR
MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
It’s that time of year again and our U3A membership re-starts from 1st January. The Treasurer has recommended that the membership fee remains at £12 for members and £9 for affiliates (those who already belong to another U3A).
Due to new data protection regulations being introduced from late April 2018, we need to ask you to positively agree to your details being held on the database and that we can use them to contact you. This means that I will be asking each of you to complete the new form I will be issuing.
Membership renewal forms will be available to be completed from the beginning of December. You can get one from our Baddow & Galleywood U3A website under the Links tab, from your group co-ordinators and also from the Wednesday meetings. You can return them either to your co-ordinator, to me at the Wednesday meeting or to my home address (on the form). Payment is preferably by Standing Order, BACS or cheque.
We would like to encourage you to Gift Aid your membership fee. As a charity, we can claim 25% of the fee which, for a member, is £3 and for an affiliated member is £2.25. It’s at no cost to you but you must be a taxpayer to do this. There will be space on the form for you to complete your details.
Membership cards will be available from the January meeting.
Loretta
Membership secretary
FEEDBACK FORMS AT MONTHLY MEETINGS
Our October general meeting (Shepherdess to Felt Maker) saw the largest number of returned feedback forms from our members. This was the third month in which the forms had been made available, but 37 returns (Yes I admit to force-feeding them to you!) greatly exceeded our previous two attempts to gauge your feelings about the monthly meetings. A number of you enquired why we have decided to do this and for what purpose – so here’s a brief outline.
• We want those members who come along to the general meetings (or monthly speaker meetings as some prefer to call them) to enjoy them and keep returning. Are they seeking entertainment or education (or occasionally both)? Can they hear and see the speaker and any images they project? Is the room fit for purpose? Is the speaker fit for purpose?
• Our Speaker Secretary, Di, is often asked by other U3A’s whether or not she would recommend speakers that have addressed our meetings, but has only been able to give views from people that she’s spoken with and her own impressions. Now she is able to provide them with a broader cross-section of opinion, which should over time improve the standard of speaker for us all (Quite frankly, we know some have dipped under the bar – some have even limboed under it!)
• After each meeting, Norma, our Co-ordinator of Co-ordinators, has analysed the forms and produced some statistics for the Committee (and especially the General Meetings Sub-Committee) to consider as we continue to try and improve the experience for everyone. Much as we’d love to share the bar-charts with you, we think you might rather be spared this delight.
So we’ll continue asking for your co-operation in completing and returning the forms (there’s a box available at the end of each meeting for completed forms at the signing-in desk) and hope for an even greater number of returns now that you know how helpful they are to us all.
Maurice
NOTES FROM THE INTEREST GROUPS' CO-ORDINATOR
At the end of September, we held a Group Co-ordinators meeting followed by a lunch to thank co-ordinators for their efforts over the year on your behalf. The minutes of this meeting have now been sent out to all co-ordinators who I hope are passing on any useful information to their group members.
During the year, I have visited many of our groups to learn more about their activities and I must say that I think we have some very talented people in B&G U3A. I still have some more groups to visit which I hope to be able to do early in the New Year.
I am very pleased to be able to let you know that we have two new groups starting in January, namely German Improvers and Painting and Sketching. The German group is for those who have perhaps learnt some German many years ago and wish to become more proficient with their conversational skills. Painting and Sketching will be a self-help group covering mixed mediums.
I am also pleased to be able to tell you that Sue Wells has volunteered to replace Val and Doreen who are retiring from their tea/coffee making duties at the end of December. However Sue (as with Val and Doreen) will need help with serving the teas/coffees at the General Meeting and it has been suggested that each group provides two volunteers on a rota basis for this task – this would mean that your group’s turn would only come round once every 2 years or less. If you are willing to help, then please let your group co-ordinator know.
Norma
Interest Groups’ Co-ordinator
EDITOR'S NOTE
Welcome to the Winter Newsletter; I hope you enjoy reading it. Some pieces have been edited in order to fit everything in. There are some lovely photographs** in this issue; thanks to all our contributors (Did** you know that if you view it online, you can zoom in to the photos to get a better view?)
I am very pleased that some group members have sent me articles, but it is really disappointing that only 6 Group coordinators have contributed anything this time. (We have 32 interest groups!) Lots of our groups surely must have interesting items to tell us about: Travel, 3 x Languages, Rambling , Walking, Gardening – come on , we only need a few lines from you or someone in your group, and we’d like to hear from you!
There are 2 new groups starting in January – see p 5, Membership information is on p 4, and see p 15 for details on how, when and where to send an article for the next Newsletter.
Have a Happy Christmas
Maggie
INTEREST GROUP REPORTS
ART APPRECIATION
On a pleasant Friday afternoon, the group met to discuss the paintings chosen by Marion Farmer based on a theme of music.
The first painting was 'A woman playing a Theorbo to Two Men', dated 1660. In the Dutch genre music making often suggest love and there were some suggestions that the room illustrated was a brothel, because of a bed in the background and the ace of spades playing card on the floor. The group found this suggestion amusing and in our view the respectable dress of the trio did not indicate anything untoward.
In the Caspar Netscher painting of 1665, a man is playing a theorbo, a member of the lute family, to four other people. | A seated woman has the music and may be singing to the others. The eye contact between the man seated at the table and the woman standing to his right is again suggesting an amorous look.
Jan Steen's painting of 'A Young Woman playing a Harpsichord', 1659, shows perhaps a more innocent scene with a young girl playing, perhaps even to a tutor, but in the background a boy is playing the theorbo as troubadour might.
The next two paintings by Jan Vermeer, 1670, were thought to be a pair, 'A Young Woman standing at a Virginal' and 'A young Woman seated at a Virginal '.The woman standing and the young girl seated, are sumptuously dressed . The theme of fidelity and love and the clean Dutch interiors of a wealthy family are clear to see.
The next painting 'Girl with Tambourine by Josepe de Ribera (1637) showed just the head and shoulders of a girl, from her dress assumed to be a gypsy and caused strong reactions in the group, from frank dislike to real pleasure. It was the first painting that showed the joy of music making. The Spanish derivation was not thought to have a love interest.
The final discussion was on 'The Music Lesson' by Sir Frederick Leighton (1890) which showed a woman teaching a child to play the lute. The subjects may well have been a mother and daughter and there is affection, not erotic love, in this English painting. Although over 200 years separated the paintings under discussion, the detail of the lush clothing was evident in all.
Marion was thanked for her presentation that afternoon and Debbie for allowing the use of her home and providing tea, coffee and biscuits.
Marion
ART APPRECIATION
Sir Alfred Munnings 1878 – 1959 b Mendham Suffolk - son of a miller
An English Artist who lived at Castle House Dedham www.munningsmuseum.org.uk
The paintings chosen were as follows:-
Major General The right Hon J E B Sealy – 1918 – Canadian War Museum
Munnings was unable to fight in the First World War. He lost the sight of one eye in his early 20s when helping a dog over a style and was caught by a briar. His ability to paint horses enabled him to take up the post of Canadian war Art. Many commissions from the United States, Great Britain came in the post war period
The Friesian Bull – Reworked 1920 – 1947 – Lady Lever Gallery, Liverpool
This picture reflects Munnings love for the rural landscape and country life
St James Street – decorations for the Coronation of George Vl – 1937
He was well thought of in Royal circles
Does The Subject Matter – exhibited at the Royal Academy 1956
Munnings was President of the Royal Academy. This is a controversial painting where Munnings takes a swipe at Modernism. ‘If you want to paint a tree, make it look like tree’
Under Starters Orders
Munnings was a keen horse racing enthusiast. He said of himself that going to the races made him feel alive
Taggs Island – painted in 1919 – exhibited at the Royal Academy 1920.
This is a large picture (below) which is on display at Castle House Dedham capturing the euphoria at the end of WW1.
Sue Simpson
STROLLERS
The weather has largely defined Strollers outings this year. We undertook The Maldon Trail in bitingly cold weather but had record numbers.
In February our walk at Hylands was blessed with bright bracing weather and the Maldon Maritime walk also had bright sunshine as we walked to the last recorded pre conquest battle site. Sue and Tony Nelson organised an enjoyable visit to Abberton in April and May saw us back in Viking territory at Goldhanger, a place full of interest and home to the Chequers, one of our favourites.
June was hot, very hot indeed and only a very few brave souls ventured to Norsey Wood. In July we were back in Billericay strolling around Lake Meadows and then enjoying a leisurely garden lunch in John and Isobel’s home.
It was decided that although I think that Ann and I have been coordinators for long enough it would be very sad for Strollers to finish. Sue and Tony offered to help when they are in the country and John has offered his support, so we press on.
In August we went to Heybridge Basin and had lunch in the tea rooms. In September seven of us enjoyed a lovely stroll around Queens Park Country Park, we then finished the walk with coffee and biscuits at John and Isobels, where we had a useful discussion on what the U3A means to us all. The consensus was that fun and friendship are what we want and need.
Ever one to get important things right I have already booked Christmas lunch at The Bell. If you are a stroller old or new please let me know if you wish to join us, we always welcome everyone. Remember, even when you are past walking or rambling, Keep Strolling!
Isobel
MUSIC PERFORMING.
‘The man who never made a mistake never made anything’ would be a useful motto for our group. We aim to improve as we go along and often push ourselves out of our comfort zone. Our last review mentioned the concentration apparent on the performers’ faces. Perhaps we need to display our fun side as well – for we do have fun. We often laugh when we make mistakes because we know we are amongst friends who understand our frustration. Oh dear, is there an introduction? How many verses are we going to sing? Was that a wrong note? Am I next? And all gone in a flash ….until the next musical challenge. Not forgetting the indescribable wonder when it goes well!
We had a number of laughs and much delightful music on 28th October. Lorna and Barbara devised a musical quiz and their knowledge and imagination was impressive. The best part was their quite charming presentation of the questions. No, we didn’t have to own up to our marks!
John displayed his versatility by performing, in German, some Schumann songs, accompanied by Pam. The accompaniment was of equal value to the voice and the overall effect was sublime.
We enjoyed the well- known Boccherini Minuet played by Mike, Shirley and Barbara. An unusual trio of two oboes and piano was played by Fiona, John and Ken. Another trio was composed of Bruce on violin, Kevin on clarinet and Barbara at the piano, playing items by Piazzolla. The singers performed a Gaelic song unaccompanied – pushing out of their comfort zone! The solo singer showed her mettle coping with some glitches. Ann entertained us to some ‘easy listening’ music on her violin. The afternoon was rounded off by an invitation to dance along with the tango music performed by Jenny, Kevin, John and Davina.
Thank you to all performers for an enjoyable afternoon.
Liz
LOCAL HISTORY 2
In July we spent the afternoon at Horham Hall, Nr Thaxted which is a 16th Century House. In 1939 during the war it was a Barnado's home for girls and boys. It closed in 1945 (pictures attached). We were taken into the main reception room where the owner still lives and she talked about her life at the Hall. We had a tour round the house and gardens and then had tea and biscuits.
In August we went back to Beeleigh Abbey to see the Beeleigh Steam and Water Mill which is now being renovated. Last time we only went to Beeleigh Gardens as the Mill wasn't open due to a problem with the bats. The renovations were well underway but there is still a lot of work to be done. No doubt we will go back again when the work is more complete.
In September we had a talk on the Great War in Maldon by Stephen Nunn with slides and personal anecdotes.
Brian Moss gave us a talk on Local Walks. I hope we will be able to take advantage of this knowledge for future visits.
Janet
ARTS AND CRAFTS
The Arts and Crafts group are still having fun on the second Friday mornings of the month. Recently we had another session on Encaustic wax with pleasing results. We also made a mini bin for putting our rubbish in – we do try to keep the table tidy! No excuses now!
The needle felted insects using our old zips was an interesting morning with great results, as were the pretty folded greeting cards made on another occasion. We look forward to a pussy cat pin cushion at our next session.
Yvonne
LOCAL HISTORY 1
Did you win the egg and spoon race?
Our September meeting proved to be as interesting as expected when we learnt about the fascinating lifetime of Henry Winstanley. Born at Saffron Walden, his many occupations ranged from gardener at Audley End, clockmaker, engineer, and of course designer and builder of the first Eddystone lighthouse in which his died during a storm. Regrettably the house he built at Littlebury and opened to the public as a local museum is no longer there.
In October, due to the arranged speaker being admitted to hospital, we enjoyed a film of historic snapshots of our County. These included such events as school fetes, carnivals and days at the seaside as well as looking at farming practices, local industry and more. Whilst much predated our lifetime, as a lot continued well into the second half of the last century, I am sure the clips brought back memories of our, or our children’s early years – many of us must have followed the rotating reaper, helped with sheaves or worked at Marconi’s as well as run the egg and spoon race!
The enthusiasm for, dedication and knowledge of his hobby were more than evident at our November meeting when the speaker explained how the development of the railways in the 19th century led to the expansion or development of seaside towns, Southend and Clacton among them. Day trips, works’ outings, long weekends and eventually holidays to the coast became possible. Adrian Wright then illustrated the history of the City to Coast (C2C), Fenchurch St to Shoeburyness line with further excellent slides to support his brilliant presentation.
Come and join us in January when Linda Knock will give us another insight into the history of Hylands. All welcome.
Brian
Co-ordinator
COMPUTING WORKSHOP
We meet once a month in the Parish Hall to help each other and discuss any problems or queries we have. There is Internet access there so I encourage you to bring along your phone, tablet or laptop. Some members just come along to listen, take notes and contribute if they feel they can – but you don’t need to. It also sometimes helps to chat to someone else who is having the same sort of problems as yourself.
Anything from four to ten members turn up each month and there are usually four helpers there, including myself, to help you on an individual basis.
I usually start with a general help session where members can put questions to the group as a whole – and the group can also contribute with answers. We cover all sorts of topics; no problem is too small for us to discuss. If we can’t help at the time we may come back with an answer after the session. This doesn’t happen a lot but we don’t have immediate answers to everything!
Topics covered in the last few months include:
How do I use my Smart phone?
- How can I make my laptop go faster as it has slowed down recently?
- How can I save my photos from emails into folders?
- How can I transfer photos on my phone onto my laptop?
- How do I use my tablet?
- I’m running out of space on my tablet/phone. What can I do about it?
- What’s the difference between Apple and Android phones? Which should I buy?
- How do I delete Apps I don’t want?
- How do I set my laptop up to use emails using Mail (Windows 10)?
And many more ……..
Loretta
READING 2
{The Year of the Runaways} – Sunjeev Sahota
I found it a bit difficult to get into at first and abandoned it for a while, but when I went back to it, the stories of Randeep and Narinda, Tochi and Avatar were fascinating. Too many foreign words made some parts difficult to follow. It gave a completely different slant on immigration, and describes in detail, through each of the characters, a hopeless quest for a better life, and is only about survival. I liked the way that it was written, it was an interesting narrative, and I found it a really good read; it was hard to put down. I thoroughly enjoyed it and was sorry that it ended on a sad note for Narinda, but I was glad she had broken away from the restrictions of her family.
Betty M
READING 2
One of the reasons I enjoy the Reading group is listening to the different views of each person. The book we read in October caused a lot of discussion, and we agreed that it is odd how some books have this effect.
It was This Must be the Place by Maggie O’Farrell, one of our most accomplished women authors, whose other novels we have enjoyed. It is set in Ireland and America and at heart is a tale of Daniel, a middle – aged man looking back over his life: his mistakes / failures / things he should have said / the choices he’s made, and past events which still ‘haunt’ him. Seen from many different viewpoints : his wife, his (various) children, his friends, it meanders back and forth over four decades, which makes it quite confusing to read, and it was rather long ! Marian decided to read each time period in a block, Betty and Audrey made a list of the many characters, and Margaret and Diana found it too dense to finish. I have just finished it and I found it moving; it’s a book which I would recommend.
Maggie O’Farrell writes so descriptively, and occasionally adds a humorous touch, and we all agreed that we love her characters who are often quirky but always seem real, with real life anxieties and concerns. She writes about the ‘stuff’ of life, the important and the unimportant, the things we wish we had done or events we would have liked to have turned out better or perhaps differently, and our regrets, which sometimes fly through our minds! We didn’t think this is her ‘best ‘book but it did make us think, and on Friday it got us talking for more than an hour!
Maggie
I am a Seenager (Senior teenager!)
I have everything I wanted as a teenager only 60 years later.
I don’t have to go to school or work.
I get an allowance every month.
I have my own place.
I don’t have a curfew.
I have a driver’s licence and my own car.
The people I hang out with are not scared of getting pregnant,
nor do they use drugs.
And …. I don’t have acne.
LIFE IS GREAT!
(With thanks to Doreen)
PHOTOGRAPHY
Since the Summer, the group have been engaged in a wide range of activities that have enhanced their skills in planning, seeing and creating good photographs. The latest skill is to be able to complete creative criticism of not only their own work but also others in the group. It is a skill that will take time as we are quite protective of what we produce, but it is often the only way to assimilate what is being said and adapt it into the next level of photography. But it is happening and the results are very encouraging.
Cambridge proved to be a popular shoot. Our day included a very sociable lunch at the Mill Lane pub next to the canal where we enjoyed chat over a very nice pub lunch. The cows sprawled around the back meadows near colleges provoked some interesting & farm yard atmosphere.
As a lone photographer on a mission it can be both a daunting and exciting an adventure. Canary Wharf was the target of Denis Ketley with its tall buildings and challenges. 'The escalator transported me to the top and up to the business area of the Wharf where the sky was almost obliterated by the surrounding high-rise offices. For me it was an alien environment being used to the open areas of our Essex towns.'
During August we completed a four week course on learning how to use Photoshop Elements at Galleywood Heritage Centre, learning the basics of how to edit photographs. The course came about after a recent internal competition revealed that many of the photos were being entered as taken. We will be extending this course into next year as a bolt on to the normal sessions we have planned.
Backing up these sessions the next photo shoot was confined to Galleywood. We started at one of the members gardens, equipped with all the tripods and close up equipment we had. Some of the more experienced members took the role of “Teachers” and helped less experienced members with setting up close-up and macro settings. The whole group were pleased with the results and what they learned on the day. 
The last week in September we headed for the coastal town of Brightlingsea. First stop was the harbour area where many yachts were moored. This area has also been transformed by many new buildings and was also home to a very distinctive timbered building which made for many photo opportunities. After exploring the area, the group proceeded to "The 
Yachtsman's Arms" where a lovely lunch was eaten. After lunch, the members moved to another area where there are many, pretty beach huts and a paddling pool. There is also a tower known as "Bateman's Tower", a folly built in 1883. Some of us were lucky enough to find a café selling ice cream which was enjoyed by several of us.
You will be able to see the results of the days shoot in next month's Photography Groups U3A webpage, http://u3asites.org.uk/baddow/page/9230
John W
FAMILY HISTORY
On Saturday 14th October a group from the Family History group, plus friends from the Travel Group, Weekenders, and a 
Reading Group set off for the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. It was an early start but we were pleased to see we had a brand-new coach [with an excellent driver]. On our arrival we were met by a group of NMA volunteers. The volunteers were marvellous – enthusiastic and knowledgeable with an obvious love of the Arboretum. 
There was time to get some lunch before meeting together for a ride on the land-train for a journey round the site. 
Then it was time to explore – there is so much to see. Many of us went to see the Shot at Dawn memorial and heard the very moving talk. The memorial commemorates 306 British and Commonwealth soldiers who were shot for desertion or cowardice during World War I. Most were sentenced after a short trial at which no real opportunity for defence was allowed. Today it is recognised that many of them were underage and suffering from shell-shock.
After a busy afternoon we set off for our hotel, less than 30 minutes away. We met in our own area for dinner and the next morning for breakfast. One of our group commented that it was the best hotel breakfast she had had!
We set off for the NMA giving ourselves plenty of time to settle into the Millennium Chapel for the daily Act of Remembrance which incorporates the Last Post, Silence and the Reveille. This was followed by a very interesting talk by one of the volunteers about the history of the NMA. In the chapel are carvings by Essex Woodcarvers and we were told that the very first memorial – a large polar bear was also carved here in Essex, and that when it was moved to the NMA the travel bulletins included the fact that a large polar bear was on its way from Essex to Staffordshire!
The rest of our time there was free and some went to the far end of the NMA on buggies with drivers who gave their own interesting commentaries. We left at 2.30 and met lots of Sunday traffic, but I think we all agreed we had had a wonderful time. Next year we may be able to show our photos to remind those who went, and to show those who were unable to join us, what a wonderful place the NMA is!
Linda
FAMILY HISTORY – A fabulous weekend away
Thanks to Linda, of our Family History group, a number of us spent a very enjoyable weekend in Staffordshire visiting the The National Memorial Arboretum. A stunning place. I only managed to see about one-third of the areas I was interested in, at least one more visit is needed! We had a brilliant coach driver, a very comfortable hotel, all organised like clockwork, thanks to Linda, and most importantly, excellent companions.
Eileen A
I agree entirely – it is a wonderful place to visit – highly recommended. Can we go again please? Ed.
NOTES ON RECENT SPEAKERS
In August Rebecca Perry, Director of Conservation at Colchester Zoo gave us a very informative talk on the history of the zoos which started centuries ago, when royalty kept menageries in their royal parks. The Tower of London’s menagerie moved to Regents Park in 1848 and in those days was only open on Sundays for visitors Nowadays most zoos concentrate on conservation and education. Colchester has 38 species on their breeding programme.
September’s speaker was Lindsey Hurrell from CHESS the Churches Homeless Emergency Support Scheme. This charity aims to help homeless single adults in Essex who wish to change their lives. CHESS has recently acquired extra accommodation in Chelmsford, and is busy raising funds to refurbish the premises.
In October Kris Marriott reminisced on her life as a narrow boat operator on the canals delivering a variety of cargoes around the London and Midland canals, barrels of lime juice, bags of coal, and clay from the midlands which was sold at Camden Lock to the craft potters there She later became a Romany Shepherdess in Kent and eventually a felt maker in Essex , teaching pupils on their art courses in schools and at village craft days.
In November we had a more serious talk on ‘Being a Magistrate’, which was very informative.
Di
SINGING FOR PLEASURE
Following on from the success of their last ‘soiree,’ (during which £160 was raised for Farleigh Hospice,) our Singing for Pleasure group are once again opening their doors for a new performance on Tuesday February the 6th 2018 from 2.15 until 3.45. It will follow a similar format to our last concert with free refreshments and a retiring collection in aid of the hospice. Bearing in mind the time of year, we have adopted a Valentine’s Day theme and chosen a selection of love songs in contrasting styles and tempos.
The venue for our Valentine’s Performance will, as before, be the Great Baddow United Reformed Church and we very much hope that you will be able to join us for what promises to be an entertaining afternoon of harmonious singing.
Mike
A word from the Membership Secretary.
I have just been asked to submit membership details for those of you who would like to receive the Third Age Matters magazine from head office (in June). This happens five times a year. Some of you have asked not to receive the magazine in future and I have left your names off the mailing list.
If there are any more of you who would prefer not to receive the magazine, please let me know before August 1st when I have to submit the next list.
The rush for membership has now slowed down and I’d like you to start to think about how you will pay next year.
We have over 400 members and it would make the process much easier for both you and me if we could all pay by Standing Order or Direct Debit. This could be set up to be paid on January 2nd and would be an automatic procedure which can be stopped at any time by you. Forms for this, giving bank details, are on our website or can be obtained from the Treasurer or myself.
Loretta
THE GREAT WAR 1914 - 1918
Lest we forget
As the Passchendale offensive petered out, the British launched a surprise attack on the German lines near Cambrai. It was spearheaded by 378 tanks, the first mass tank attack in history. Over the winter of 1917- 18 as Russian troops laid down their arms, up to forty more German divisions would be available to face the Allies on the Western front.
Lieutenant Henry Williamson
Machine Gun Corps
One night when we weren’t being shelled we heard that the old Hun, as we called him, had pulled out his heavy howitzers and gone. Rumours went around that the Hun was packing up altogether; he was going to the Siegfried Line, and bit by bit we followed. At last we got to green fields and roads that weren’t shelled. All the railway lines and all the buildings had been blown up, but it was almost virgin country and we could gallop on the downs and see hares and larks. After months of ‘browness’ and chaos and everything going to ruin, to see that open country again was marvellous.
Between 1914 -1918, where much of the fighting took place in Western Europe, previously beautiful countryside was blasted, bombed and fought over again and again. The landscape swiftly turned to fields of mud: bleak and barren scenes where little or nothing could grow.
Bright red Flanders poppies, however, were delicate but resilient flowers and grew in their thousands, flourishing even in the middle of chaos and destruction. In early May 1915, shortly after losing a friend in Ypres, a Canadian doctor, Lt Col John McCrae was inspired by the sight of poppies to write (a now famous poem) ‘In Flanders Fields.’ The Royal British Legion, formed in 1921, sold the silk poppies (made by an American woman and brought to England by a French woman), on November 11th that year. The money raised was used to help WW1 veterans with employment and housing – and to date millions of poppies have been produced and sold as a symbol of Remembrance.
IN FLANDERS FIELDS
In Flanders’ fields the poppies blow We are the dead. Short days ago
Between the crosses, row on row, We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
That mark our place: and in the sky Loved and were loved, and now we lie
The Larks, still bravely singing, fly In Flanders’ fields.
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
THANK YOU!
We’d like to say a huge thank you to our two tea monitors: Doreen and Val, who are retiring at Christmas, after more than five years of hard work behind the scenes.
Not only have they made sure that everything is in place for tea and biscuits at our monthly meetings, but they have also helped at Co-ordinators’ meetings twice a year. Doreen has also contributed some little ‘extras’ for the Newsletter – much appreciated !
They are always cheerful and smiling and we hope that they will enjoy a well-earned rest, and have a happy retirement.
Thanks also to Sue Wells who has agreed to take over as Tea Monitor in the New Year.