Baddow & Galleywood

Spring 2019 Newsletter

Baddow & Galleywood U3A

Newsletter

Spring 2019

Further Thoughts of Chairman Mo

Firstly, I’m delighted to report back to you all how attendances at our General Meetings have increased over the past few months. In fact, at January’s meeting we had to use every chair that was available in the Church to seat everyone who turned up. It’s certainly very encouraging to see so many coming along and also staying for tea, biscuits and a chat afterwards.

Elsewhere in this Newsletter you may notice that we’ve already had changes to the Committee with Pauline leaving and Wendy Burns coming on board. Wendy has also kindly volunteered to act as Treasurer for the No. 2 Account, which records the finances of our Interest Groups. Pauline will be continuing to assist at General Meetings.

If you find yourself at a loose end and wish to become more involved, why not try the Speaker Secretary role. The Essex Association of U3A’s provide us with a list of recommended speakers and their contact details. From this, the Committee try to devise a varied, interesting, and affordable, range of speakers to entertain and (sometimes) educate us all. The Speaker Secretary checks on the availability of speakers, makes bookings, confirms details closer to the speaking date and welcomes them to the meeting. If you’d like to fill the role but don’t want to have to stand up and introduce the speakers, that’s not a problem - I know a man who can.

If you missed our January meeting, we had an informative talk on how to stay safe online and offline and avoid scams. Since this is an important topic for us all, we recorded the talk and have transcribed it to share with you and act as a reminder of what was said. It’s available on our website, via the Events page. It was chastening to learn a couple of days after the talk that Norfolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner fell victim to a scam regarding renewal of his TV licence. Remember – it could be you! So Be Alert (the world needs more lerts!).

If you’re starting to flag, chin up – the end is nigh. This year, we’ve entered a team in the annual Essex Association of U3As quiz. Teams comprise 8 members who pay £2.50 each for the privilege of competing. Our only minor drawback at present is not actually having a team. So I’ve included some trial questions below.

And finally… another reminder that we do have a closed group Facebook page for our U3A. You can find it by googling “Baddow Galleywood U3A” in Facebook and then apply to join.

I’ve already had the pleasure of chatting to many of you at our General Meetings and am looking forward to meeting more at future ones – just saying hello is a good starting point.

Maurice Crockard

Trial Questions

Here are a few tricky questions with which to test yourselves.

If you can answer all/some/any of them (using only your brain) and you enjoy quizzing, then get in touch with me if you’d like to be considered for our team. (yes I know that sounds optimistic – if more than 8 apply we may have to have a penalty shoot out!)

The quiz is being held in Christ Church, London Road, Chelmsford on Thursday 6th June from 1.30pm.

[Answers appear later in the Newsletter.]

1. How many zeroes follow the digit 1 to make a googol?
2. Which book and author won the 1993 Booker Prize?
3. In which year did Henry VIIIth die? What age was he?
4. Who won back to back British Open Golf titles in 2007 and 2008? Where were they held?
5. How many full length novels did Jane Austin complete in her lifetime? Can you name them all?
6. What word is formed by combining the Chemical symbols for Tin, Iodine, Technetium and Hydrogen in that order?
7. In which City was Yul Brynner born?
8. What was the middle name of Derek Trotter in “Only Fools and Horses”? Who played him in the prequel to OFAH, “Rock & Chips”?
9. Place these 4 countries in descending order of their land area – Sweden, Germany, Ukraine, Norway
10. How many UK Number 1 singles has Cliff Richard had? Can you name any of them? If so, why?

(If you’ve enjoyed the quiz, please let us know and we’ll make it a regular feature)

A Note from the Editor

Welcome to the Spring edition, and thanks to all our contributors. In the last issue I wrote that I hoped I would be deluged with articles from U3A members this time, but disappointingly, this hasn’t happened! However, I am pleased that as well as our usual contributors, (you know who you are!), there are articles from some new authors – thanks to these and thanks too for photographs I’ve used.

Below you will find information on data protection, which is especially important for Group Co-ordinators to read. Any data (such as post or email addresses/DOB) which you keep on your group members must be used only and solely for the specific purpose for which it is intended. Eg: your attendance register or an emergency contact list. Because of data regulations, this information should NOT be used for any other reason or shared with anyone else.

Additionally, before you send me photos for the N/L, please ensure you have asked everyone in the picture for their consent for it to be ‘published’. Everyone in a photo should be aware that it will be used in this way.

I hope you enjoy reading this issue and I look forward to receiving lots of articles for the Summer edition. Let’s make it a bumper Newsletter! Copy for the Summer edition should be sent to me on or before April 14th, please. I’d welcome articles from Group Co-ordinators, Committee members & anyone in the U3A who’d like to contribute a word or two. What have you been doing with your group? / are you enjoying the activities? / have you something funny or profound to say?

Thanks

Maggie – Editor

Membership renewals

It’s that time of year again and our 2019 U3A membership started from 1st January. Group co-ordinators should now be asking members to see their current (2019 cards). The Treasurer has this year reduced the fee to £9 for Full members and £6 for Affiliates (those who already belong to another U3A). We expect to keep the fee to £9 for at least three years.

Some of you have not told your bank to reduce your contribution to £9 so have paid £3 too much. On receipt of your completed form, we can refund this money to you if you contact me (phone or email) or come to the Wednesday meeting. If you are one of these members, please remember to change the Standing Order for next year.

Due to new data protection regulations that were introduced in May 2018 (GDPR), 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, otherwise you cannot be a member. This means that I am asking each of you, both old and new members, to complete the new form.

Membership renewal forms are available now. You can print 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 by Standing Order, BACS or cheque. No cash please!

So far 327 of you have renewed your membership but this still leaves around 100 who have not. Some of these 100 have paid by standing order but you still need to complete a form this year.

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 £2.25 and for an affiliated member is £1.50. It’s at no cost to you but you must be a taxpayer to do this. There is a space on the reverse of the form for you to complete your details.

Membership cards will be available from the Wednesday meetings or, if you have sent me an envelope, by post. Friends can also collect your card if you cannot.

Loretta Riddel - Membership Secretary

Data Protection - Information for U3A Members

GDPR stands for General Data Protection Regulation, and is an example of the many acroynyms with expansions that do little to help the uninitiated. GDPR is a set of European regulations on privacy that the UK has adopted. It applies to any organisation that processes any data about identifiable individuals, which could be anything from a club that maintains a card file of members' addresses to a social media provider with an extensive store of pictures, posts and a history of "likes".

The goal of GDPR is to put us as individuals in control of how our data is used, and this is done via a set of rights such as the right to know what data is processed and who can access it, and the right to object to unnecessary processing. You will no doubt have received many emails and letters in recent months from a wide variety organisations that process your personal data and are creating their GDPR policies.

The Baddow and Galleywood U3A processes personal data, mostly concerning members but also belonging to contacts such as for hall hire and transport. GDPR has initially been embraced via the 2019 membership forms, and the committee are working on a Privacy Policy that addresses the right to know by listing the data processed, the purpose and who can access it. This document will be available via our website, and on request to the committee (please send a SAE if you require a paper copy).

Once the U3A policies have been created there will be training for committee members and interest group co-ordinators so that they understand how to process personal data. B&G is taking a lead amongst the U3As in the UK, and others may base their policies upon ours.

Alan Cullen

What did the U3A ever do for us? (apologies to the Romans and Monty Python)

The U3A is good for your social life and mental health.* Why, you may ask, do I make this claim, let me explain.

Last summer my sister in law succumbed to depression. It was justified I felt when one considered her situation. She was 72, suffered from painful and severe arthritis and a chronic lung condition. In addition, her remote Norfolk village home ensured a very limited social life.

My first instinct was to encourage her to visit her GP and to join her nearest local U3A group for a fresh start social life, intellectual stimulation, a cup of tea and fun. Her doctor was kind and helpful and along with the tablets, he prescribed ‘getting out more and mixing with people.’

To encourage her and her husband I posted several back issues of the U3As’ national and local magazines to give them some idea of the U3As’ groups. They liked what they read and decided to join. Now her physical and mental health are much improved. Who says that mind and body are not related?

My second example is when a very dear friend’s husband died twenty years ago. They were about to retire to the Lake District. Instead of giving up on the idea she continued with the move to Cumbria. Immediately she joined the U3A group and was embraced with welcoming and enduring friendship. She continues as a member, is very happy, as are we when we visit. Her walking group always invite us for their scenic walks (hard going for an Essex Girl) and jolly pub lunches.

My local Baddow and Galleywood U3A monthly meeting has provided me with a variety of interesting and sometimes unusual subjects, that previously I may never have considered. I especially enjoyed the recent talks on ‘Scams’, ‘Buckingham Palace Horseguards’, our ‘local hospice’, ‘Industrial Chelmsford’ and ‘canal boats’. All good for our crossword puzzles and quiz nights.

At present there are thirty two interest groups, all organised and led by committed and good hearted members.

So thank you Baddow and Galleywood U3A. You have collectively enhanced the quality of my retirement and also given me the opportunity to meet many new and delightful people.

I am aware the use of the word ‘GIVEN’ in this article and that if we can we must ‘GIVE’ back. After all, the U3A is run for the members, by the members!

So members get involved, can you contribute to any group you belong to? It could help to improve your general health.

Sue

Reference*: Angela K Troyes PhD Psychology. 30 06 2016. ‘The Health Benefits of Socializing’

When I Lost my Husband

When I lost my husband my life ended - what was the point of life. You come home at night excited with life on that day and no one is there to share it with.

That is when you realise you are alone. Nights and nights of sobbing and nightmares follow. You are hoping it’s not true but imagined. But when you wake up and he’s not there you know it’s true. Get on with it girl, life has changed and will never be the same again. What do I do with the rest of my life? One answer is to join U3A. Suddenly there are people who understand and are going through the same agony. Life is what you make of it and alright your loved one is not there, but would he want you to die on a daily basis? If he really loved you he would want you to get on with your life and enjoy what is available.

Wendy

God’s Plan for Aging

Most seniors never get enough exercise. In His wisdom, God decreed that seniors become forgetful so they’d have to search for their glasses, keys and other things, thus doing more walking. And God saw that it was good.

Then God saw another need. In His wisdom He made seniors lose co-ordination so they’d drop things, requiring them to bend, reach and stretch. And God looked down and saw that it was good.

Then God considered the function of bladders and decided seniors would have additional calls of nature, requiring more trips to the bathroom, thus providing more exercise. God looked down and saw that it was good.

So if you find as you age, you are getting up and down more, remember it is God’s will. It is all in your best interest even though you mutter under your breath.

Important facts to remember as we grow older:
- Life is sexually transmitted
- Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
- Men have 2 motivations: hunger and ’hanky panky’. If you see a gleam in his eyes, make him a sandwich.
- Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in the hospital, dying of nothing.
- All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism.
- In the 60’s, people took LSD to make the world weird. Now the world is weird, people take Prozac to make it normal.

Annick

Third Age Matters magazine

Five times a year I am asked for membership details so that you can be sent this magazine. The new form contains a box which I have asked you to tick if you wish to receive the magazine. The reason for the tick box is that you have to give me permission to pass your name and address on to a third party (the Third Age Matters team).

Many of you have not ticked the box which means that you will not be receiving the magazine in February. If this was an error on your part, don’t worry as you just need to contact me and I’ll put you back on the list. Married couples should already only be receiving one copy between the two of you.

Loretta Riddel

INTEREST GROUP REPORTS

Weekenders

A very enjoyable New Year's Day was spent with Sara and Denis. They very kindly had 'Open House' for the afternoon and welcomed us with mulled wine, followed by a buffet of a variety of tasty foods, desserts and cakes.

About fifteen of us were there with plenty of chattering and amusing Christmas stories. The afternoon flew past, suddenly it was beginning to look like evening and we left Sara and Denis with 'a bit of clearing up' to do before they could enjoy a quiet evening. Their generosity is much appreciated.

Eileen

Needles and Pins

We are learning in our needles and pins group that our skills (and lack thereof) are many and varied. Several who are expert needlewoman and good knitters find crochet a total bafflement, despite trying many times. In fact, crochet seems to be the real sticking point for a lot of people. It is one of those things, that if you can do it, it is really easy, but if you can’t, the yarn keeps slipping off your fingers, so to compensate you hold it really tight and then you cannot get the hook through the place where it is meant to go! Once some kind friend has explained it to you, undone your mistakes, wiped your brow and offered you words of solace and a nice cup of tea, you might finally get the hang of it. But then you go away to practise at home, and everything goes pear-shaped again – often literally! However we have had a couple of success stories and are still working with one or two other people to persuade them that crochet really is fun.

Aside from crochet we have created another couple of wonderful quilts for the Linus project. Here the non-crocheters were able to demonstrate their skills with the sewing needle. Those who wanted to join in were given a simple pattern to make a 8”x8” patchwork square using any two pieces of fabric. Some people had not done any patchwork before and learnt how to use a rotary cutter, which is much more accurate and gives you a much straighter line than scissors.

We finally had enough squares to make two quilts, so at one meeting we threw them all on the floor and then decided how to arrange them so they looked ‘right’. Again, some of us have a real eye for colour and design, and others, who maybe are excellent at crochet, lack that artistic frame of mind.

Once the arrangement was made, two members of the group took on the task of joining the squares together and then putting on the backing and quilting them and then sewing on the border.

They will now be passed to the Linus project to be used by young people in hospital or travelling to and from hospital as comfort blankets.

Having created knitted blankets and sewn ones, I really do think that our next joint project should be a crochet one! However, in the meantime we are knitting a nativity scene to be ready for next Christmas, and Sheila is still working on her doll’s outfit. Luckily dolls do not grow!

Debbie

Music Performing

So many people wanted to play, and our ever increasing membership and our enthusiasm meant that if we'd all played or sung as much music as we'd wanted to, our meeting would have gone on until midnight!

"Don't make it too long and don't talk about it too much!" was the order of the day for the Christmas meeting of the Music Performance group. We used the main hall at Christchurch, and entertained guests, who shared our tea and mince pies during the interval! And the concert was just the right length!

After an introductory carol- "Joy to the World", sung by all, we launched into our first piece-"The Buffoon" by Koepke, played by John and Lynn. What a musical feast we had to follow- a guitar duet, Schumann lieder. Two flute pieces were played be Debbie, accompanied by Lorna (at the tender age of 95!), some lovely Mozart, the ever improving and developing singing group. To finish, Lorna returned to accompany Davina in two Jazz numbers.

Another carol introduced the second half, followed by a beautiful performance of a Donizetti Concertino by Penny. More jazz from the clarinets of Jane and Lynn led us to Bach, more from the singing group and a little bossa nova from Kevin. After a Christmas medley, we finished with "Have yourselves a merry little Christmas"- and the 12 Days of Christmas- with actions!

The BIG thing was not just the amount of musical talent this group shares, but how much everyone enjoys it all. Thanks again, Pam.

Ken

Singing for Pleasure

Mike and his wonderfully talented U3A SfP group entertained us at out December general meeting. They played, they sang, they made us cry and they made us smile. Alfred sang two solos, he made us laugh and how we enjoyed listening to his lovely voice! Mike, such a modest co-ordinator, had designed a lively and varied programme of music and singing, and we were encouraged to join in with some of the carols – luckily the words were put up on the screen! It was a marvellous way to end the U3A year, and I’m sure we would all like to thank Mike and the group for giving us such a great performance. I, for one, left the meeting feeling really ‘Christmassy’ and warm – truly Singing for Pleasure.

Maggie

Strollers

Our November Stroll on a beautiful day was to the Priory Arch which is located in Priory Fields at Bicnacre. It is all that remains of the 12th century Bicnacre Priory and is a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Our stroll took us across the fields which originally formed part of a large parcel of land owned by the Priory. We were shown around by David Oxley Goody, who is Secretary of the Friends of Priory Fields, and his knowledge and enthusiasm for the history of the site added to the enjoyment of the day.

Pat

Art Appreciation

The Art Appreciation Group is really gelling and we are getting to know who likes what. So when a picture goes up on the screen it is usually possible to predict who will like it and who won’t. It is very difficult to put into words why you do or don’t like a painting – but generally people are struck by the colours (or lack of), the fine detail (or lack of), the subject matter (or lack of) and the structure of the picture (or lack of). However, one of the joys of the group is that someone who perhaps initially disliked a picture, after listening to other people’s opinions and looking at it in a different way, can change their minds and see the merits of it – although if they did hang it in their house it would probably not be the main feature.

In November the theme was Buildings and there was, as always, a great range of pictures, some familiar to all and some that were completely unknown to most of us.

There were a few true representations of buildings in context – Canaletto of course, and Russian Courtyard by Polenov (who nobody had heard of!). Edward Hopper had painted a fairly realistic picture of a House at Dusk, but the composition conveyed a great sense of loneliness and isolation. We then looked at some French Impressionist pictures of buildings, and even had we not known that Van Gogh is considered a greater painter than Marquet, we would have worked it out for ourselves. The Van Gogh chapel at Auvers is just a beautiful representation of a fairly squat church, with glorious colours and the sharp edges softened into curves. We had a couple of stylised, almost cubist, paintings and then some quite disturbing ones of cities. The Big City (Berlin) by Grosz and Moscow by Lentulov both brilliantly conveyed the pace of life and overwhelming claustrophobia of city life by using perspective, shapes and colour to exaggerate certain aspects of the scene.

The highlight for me however was Breughel’s Tower of Babel, particularly as we listened to an analysis of it from the Khan Academy – well worth finding on YouTube. This gave the political background to the painting, picked out some interesting details and made us realise that nothing changes and that in the 21st Century we are repeating the mistakes that were made five centuries earlier.

However, despite that depressing thought, we finished on a high by planning our next meeting with the theme of Food.

Debbie

Table Tennis

The Table-Tennis group is alive and well, with a membership of 16, which is growing. The vicar of Meadgate Church has now allowed us to use the church for our Tuesday practice sessions, rather than the side room. With this extra space it has encouraged me to apply to the U3A Committee for funding for a third table, to supplement the 2 loaned tables which I acquired for free from Table-Tennis England a few years ago. Fitness and Fun are the watchwords for our merry group. Do you want to join?

Allen

Photography

It’s been a sad time for our Photography group with the loss of John Westwood, our dear friend who lost his battle with illness. John was generous person, a talented photographer who would go out of his way to help anyone with his sound advice. The success of our group was in no small part attributable to John’s help & support; his talent also extended to editing our newsletter for our group. He judged our members photo competitions with thoughtful & humorous comments, providing realistic advice for our members to help them improve their photography enjoyment.

John was liked by everyone & will be remembered for his kindness and his good humour. He was first to recognise the improvement by our members during his time with us.

We’ve encouraged our members to share their photography experiences by displaying images from unusual travelling locations or demonstrating some different practical skills. This was recently put into practice by one of our members who visited Germany with some interesting action shots from a sports meeting from the original Berlin Athletic Stadium & also unusual street scenes & architecture.

Our members continue enjoying their monthly photo-shoots, followed by the review & assessment of their images from these shoots, which typically include wildlife at Fingringhoe, rural history at Dedham & Flatford Mill & Autumn at Danbury Park.

We ended the year with a photo competition that show cased members’ best work, which was well supported although challenging for our judge, as the standard was high. These can also be seen on our group webpage.

We start the New Year with a new plan & renewed optimism for more good fun.

Mike

Strollers

The first meeting of the year for Strollers took place on the 16th of January, the day after THAT vote, so there was quite a lot to talk about.

I had faced the day with some uncertainty due to health difficulties with our membership, weather and the temporary lack of a webmaster. However, in the event, eight members turned up for a walk at Danbury Lakes, which we all enjoyed. We visited the icehouse, saw the very first tentative signs of Spring and reminisced how we took our children there in the past, or fished the lake, when parking was free and the lakes were a real amenity for young families.

Four more members joined us at the excellent Millennium Centre where we enjoyed a very good value for money lunch and continued our animated discussion about the political future of our country.

Recently I have often thought of the lines in Mike Silk’s beautiful carol “Shining Star”. “As we face uncertain futures, may we ever thankful be”.

We strollers, like all of us, face uncertain futures. Will we continue walking, strolling or just lunching? None of can say for sure, but how thankful most of us are that after so many years we still meet, get into the open air, and I like to think, care for and look out for one another.

We always welcome new members, we are very easy going and our strolls are increasingly undemanding. If you would like to sample a stroll please ‘phone me.

Isobel

Local History 2

On October 11th 2018 we visited the Monastery at Tolleshunt Knights. It was a lovely day and we had a good attendance. It was important for Janet and Brian to do a trial visit earlier in the year. We were met by one of the members of the Monastery at the entrance. She walked us towards the Monastery buildings. As we approached, she pointed out a wonderful mosaic mural depicting the animals of the Arc. We were shown many buildings and introduced to their way of life; the atmosphere was calm and serene. The art on view was impressive.

Another visit could easily be enjoyed and of course residential stays are on offer (for a break from hectic modern life.) We enjoyed a delightful tea and biscuits.

In December we had a meeting in the Millenium Hall to discuss the Programme for next year 2019.

Janet

Reading 2

I've been a member of our reading group for nearly 10 years now and during that time have read many books of different genres.

Belonging to the group has widened my interest and introduced me to authors that I wouldn't previously have been drawn to. We have different tastes but always enjoy discussing each book and listening to each other's opinions. We all seem to like psychological thrillers and one series by Susan Hill, featuring Simon Serailer, we were particularly drawn to. We also enjoy writers such as Rose Tremain and Helen Dunmore and try to include one classic a year eg: Anna Karenina and A Tale of Two Cities.

We have become very friendly over the years and the monthly meetings are something I very much look forward to.

Marian

Family History

We made a good start to 2019 when Lesley gave us a fascinating talk called ‘from Prussia with love: the Orphan Homes, Ashley Down, Bristol’. She had found Louisa Jane Clark in Cheshunt in 1861, but could not find her in 1871. When she widened her search she was surprised to find her in an orphanage in Bristol. She found that the Orphan Home had a website and an archive, and reluctantly paid to get Louisa’s records, but when she got the records she was very happy as there were copies of certificates that confirmed it was the right person, plus a lot of other information. The admission procedure for children took about a year and Louisa’s 9 year old brother did not get in, remaining in Cheshunt near his adult siblings, and ending up in the Workhouse. Louisa left the Home in 1872 to work as a servant in Bexley Heath and married in 1878.

Lesley told us the story of George Muller who opened the homes and this included films of the orphanage. You can see his story here -https://www.mullers.org/timeline. It was good to have the story of this benevolent man whose homes looked after so many children from all over the country at a time when poverty was so great.

By the time you see this we will have had our February meeting when we are sure to have some interesting successes and problems and may even have found out if DNA testing is worth it! Our plans for the year include talks by Isobel, Tony and Linda; plus a return visit by Kate J. Cole with ‘Al Capone’s gangster car and the Kursaal in 1930s Southend’. We are also planning a visit to Valence House in May.

Linda

Weekenders

Our group continues to meet for our regular Sunday lunches and coffee morning, all of which are very well supported. For our Christmas Lunch at the County Hotel we had 22 members present. We were very well looked after, and the meal was very good; we will probably return next year. Our programme which is renewed every two or three months is made from items suggested by members. A copy can be seen on the U3A notice board.

Our annual early spring break away this year commences on 11th March; 17 of us are going to Eastbourne.

The Weekenders are open to everyone. Mainly, but not exclusively to people who are on their own. If you would like to join us, please contact me or a U3A committee member.

Denis

Answers to the Quiz

1. One hundred
2. Paddy Clark Ha Ha Ha by Roddy Doyle
3. 1547 at the age of 55
4. Padraig Harrington, Carnoustie and Royal Birkdale
5. Six
6. SN I TC H
7. Vladivostok
8. Edward, James Buckley
9. Ukraine, Sweden, Norway, Germany
10. Fourteen