Cannock Chase

CCU3A Newsletter October 2020

(This is a reproduction of the latest Newsletter issued to all CCU3A members in November 2020. Click on the cartoons and pictures to enlarge them)

Message from the Secretary

Hello Dear Members, life gets no better with this awful Virus rearing it’s ugly head once again. The Committee was so disappointed we couldn’t resume some of our activities and groups as we planned in September. But it’s better to be safe than sorry. Hopefully we will be able to meet up again in the next few months.

On a more cheerful note I hope you enjoy this Newsletter. I have tried to keep it light hearted and I make no excuse for the silly antidotes and stories which hopefully will cheer you up a little.

Stay safe everyone.

Valma Cooper, Secretary

Theatre Group

The year started well for the Theatre Group, we went up to the Vic in Newcastle for what has now become our annual after Christmas show. It didn't disappoint, the production of The Prince and The Pauper was once again an outstanding show. Thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Then like the rest of the country, our going out trips were stopped, everything was cancelled. It looks like it will stay this way until well into the New Year. We do still have our weekly meetings to fall back on under the name ZOOM. Every Friday morning at 10.30 members put the world to rights for a few hours. If you would like to join us you would be very welcome but you need to contact me so I can send you an invitation.

We do have a few trips in the pipeline when and if the country returns to normal. Let's hope it's soon, until then stay safe everyone.

Pam Radcliffe, Theatre Group Leader

Message from the Vice Chair

To all CCU3A Members: It has been a strange year for us all hasn't it? In April because of lockdown I missed my son birthday, first time in 55 years. In November we have 2 special birthdays, 50th and 18th, who knows if they will go ahead.

However back in July I was able to celebrate my birthday in style. Lockdown had eased and I had a family party in the garden, the weather was magnificent, and we spent the whole day outside, eating Italian food and drinking copious amounts of wine. During the fun and chatter I happened to mention that I would love a hedgehog in my garden. A couple of weeks later I walked into my kitchen and there on the floor was a hedgehog. It was ceramic garden ornament with this note attached... “Hi Pauline, You said you wanted a hedgehog in your garden. Well here I am! Sorry I couldn’t make it for your birthday but it was a long walk from Burntwood to Hednesford and I only have little legs. Now I am here I hope you like me and will give me a good home. Love Percy”.

I knew immediately it was from my brother. I laughed and it put me in a great mood all day long. I still would like a real hedgehog in my garden. If any member knows how I can entice a real hedgehog to come and live with me I would be grateful for your advice.

I do miss our meeting. Keep well all of you.

Pauline Di Pretorio, Vice Chair

Twelve Commandments for Seniors

1. It's OK to talk to yourself. There are times when you need expert advice.

2. "In Style" are the clothes that still fit.

3. You don't need Anger Management. Yo need people to stop pissing you off.

4. Your people skills are just fine. It's your tolerance for idiots that needs work.

5. The biggest lie you tell yourself is "I don't need to write that down. I'll remember it".

6. "On Time" is when you get there.

7. Even duct tape can't fix stupid - but it sure does muffle the sound.

8. It would be wonderful if we could put ourselves in the dryer for ten minutes, then come out wrinkle-free and three sizes smaller.

9. Lately you've noticed people your age are so much older than you.

10. Growing old should have taken longer.

11. Ageing has slowed you down but it hasn't shut you up.

12. You still haven't learned to act your age and hope you never will.

...and "one for the road" means peeing before you leave the house.

Mitch Salomonson, Groups Co-ordinator

Challenging Times for Art Group

It all started with Facebook, love it or hate it, it does keep you in contact with people. Around March or April when everything was new and seemed to be happening in another world, there was a lot of activity on Facebook of what people were doing. This included challenges of one type or another eg: walking each day, learning something new. This gave me an idea of a challenge for the art group. I chose the first subject – White flowers and emailed it to the group with a finish date.

They had to come up with an idea then send me a photo of their finished work. I then put them all together in a pdf (like the newsletter I did) and sent it round the group so everyone could see what each other had done.

It was a great success! So much so we did another 2 challenges. I do have a talented bunch. Here is some of their work (click to enlarge):

Our May challenge was the seaside. Tenby was by Lesley J and Roosje produced the material/sewing picture of a beach scene. July's challenge was the animal world. Lesley P made the blue bag embroidered with a fish using a sewing machine. The Hedgehog is Herbie by Jill.

Jill Heaps, Painting & Drawing Group Leader

Lockdown

When we first went into lockdown it was a relief. No more worrying about whether to go out or not, the decision was taken away from us. We caught up with a few jobs, decorated the living room which had long wanted doing, but we had better things to do! The weather got better so we did the garden, that done we sunbathed and enjoyed it.

We are very lucky we live close to the Hednesford Hills, so we went for walks and got very excited when we met people and could chat (social distanced). When we were told we could meet up with people outside things really looked up. We started to meet our friends for a walk. But we were still getting a bit stir crazy!

In July the NT opened the grounds to their properties, so our walking friends suggested we start visiting them. So far we’ve visited nine, we have had such a lovely time seeing nature. When the restrictions are over we can go back and look around the houses. These visits have given us something to look forward to and saved our mental health. Yesterday we went to Biddulph Grange (see photo), which I think is my favourite, the autumnal colours are beautiful. Long live the Nations Trust, we feel safe going to them as the numbers of visitors are restricted and social distancing is strictly adhered to.

Ann Round, Membership Secretary

Kurling Group

The Good news is we have a brand new set of stones, 2 new pushers and a new target. This means that we can accommodate more members when we are finally allowed to meet up again. The bad news being, of course, that we don’t know when that will be. So in the meantime I thought I’d share these thoughts with you.

I have been in many places, but never been in Cahoots. Apparently, you can’t go alone. You have to be in Cahoots with someone else.

I’ve also never been in Cognito I hear no one recognises you there.

I have, however, been in Sane. They don’t have an airport, you have to be driven there. I have made several trips there, thanks to friends, family and work.

I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump, and I’m not too much into physical activity
anymore.

I have often been in Doubt. That is a sad place to go, and I try not to visit there too often.

I’ve been in Flexible, but only when it was very important to stand firm.

Sometimes I’m in Capable, and I go there more often as I’m getting older.

One of my favourite places to be is in Suspense. It really gets the adrenalin flowing and pumps up the old heart. At my age I need all the stimuli I can get.

I may have been in Continent, but I don’t remember what country I was in. It’s an age thing.

Dianne Hooper, Kurling Group Leader

Covid News

I have been very good at obeying the rules, but I am sure that just like me you feel frustrated at the curtailment of our lives. Just how bad this has become was brought home to me just before my birthday.

I was facing the big 70 and my family were planning a get together, my three daughters had secretly bought me a new washing machine, (I had asked for money towards one), then the rule of 6 came in and we had to rearrange everything in several disjointed days, not helped by me trying to be sensible. I had a telephone call from Argos about my delivery but cut them off as I had not ordered anything!! Panic calls by my daughters to re-schedule delivery.

The machine arrived and my youngest daughter and her husband arrived to plumb it in for me. It was lovely, but on reading the booklet it was quite technical, I could even programme it, then when I was out of the house, use my phone to switch it on!! I could make up my own programme to suit me. It also stated that the timer would take into account the amount of water used, electrical surges and the weight of washing and adjust automatically.

Well, I put in the first load and Clare and I sat checking that the timer did indeed do what the book said!! Do you know it did!!!!

Enter my son-in-law, asking us what we were doing, but before we could reply he stated that Covid lockdown had gone too far when the only entertainment for two grown intelligent women was watching a load of washing go round. Much hilarity ensued as we realised how silly we looked.

So, don’t worry if you find yourself doing something silly, just enjoy the moment and realise it will be better one day. By the way, I had a lovely extended birthday.

See you soon and take care.

A View from the Chair.

At the moment the Chair is very different to the one I was using this time last year. I have now moved from the Pingle to a flat in Wilson Keys Court, (overlooking the canal). Then I was working on the programme for 2020 which was to include a birthday party (I was 80 in September). Well so much for the best laid schemes of mice and men! I am sure several of you have greater disappointments during the last 9 months.

I have been unable to attend meetings of any sorts as I finally had a date for my replacement hip, that was successful and I am recovering gradually. So I wish to thank the members of the Committee who have made difficult and complicated decisions about the future of CCU3A. I particularly I want to thank our Secretary, Valma, for her continued work keeping us in order and up to date. Pauline for stepping up to the Chair and our new Treasurer, Rob Leeson, who fell in the deep end when Stephen Crutchley retired after 6 brilliant years service. Not forgetting Barry, who helped the Committee and Members, giving help and advice on matters he has had experience with as the former Chair.

Now we are trying hard to plan for the future but the big problem is WHEN can we resume....at the moment probably next year, but we just do not know. So please take care and do not join large groups and I hope to see everyone soon. I really miss our meetings and social activities.

Sheila Simpson, Chair CCU3A

French Group

Bonjour tout le monde

As you are probably aware the advanced French group took the decision not to return to Slitting Mill Village Hall but to continue our Friday afternoon Zoom sessions on line. Although the group is down from 20 members to 12 we still have a lot of fun and linguistically the progress has been fantastic. We now meet weekly for a 2hr session and each participant contributes with increased confidence and enthusiasm.

Homework is prepared, checked by me and then shared amongst the group who discuss the contents. In recent weeks we have looked at animals at risk of extinction, historical characters, geographical locations and of course Covid19 rears its head most weeks .Having struggled somewhat with large numbers this week’s session will cover the year in which we were born. As it happens none of us were born in the same year. We all feel we have earned so much from each other’s efforts to research chosen topics. Many of us also feel we have “got to know each other a lot better”.

Angie and Mike managed a 2 week stay in their beloved Corfu, Chris is a newbie to the group but has already proved to be an absolute asset with her broad knowledge of the language, Derek supports Walsall Football Club(well somebody has to) Hazel is still looking for a small rescue dog to accompany her on her caravan holidays, Janice was able to spend time with her new grand-daughter in France, Jackie’s horses are still fine but last week her builders disrupted her attention during the session (in fact phones ring and tradesmen often arrive during our sessions) Karen has managed to spend most of the summer in her French home. Lin loves Koala, Maureen and Rob love each other dearly and are a constant source of frivolity on a Friday afternoon. Leslie and Sandra spent a very wet but enjoyable holiday in Scotland.

As I was due in hospital last week to have a Carpal Tunnel operation the session was facilitated by Chris who did a great job in getting people asking questions. Other members have now volunteered to lead future sessions. My operation was postponed at the last minute but I know that when I do go into hospital I will be leaving the group in capable hands.

Dave and myself took the decision not to travel to France this year but had a week’s staycation in Cornwall where the weather was beautiful but subsequently attracted a lot of visitors. David has worked hard to produce a vegetable patch in our back garden and the tubs of geraniums, fuchsias etc on the front are still flourishing.

We have tried to go out together once a week for a “walk” and Rudyard Lake, just outside Leek was beautiful at the end of September. Dave would happily lead a u3a walk with 5 others if there is any interest and we remain at Tier 1.

I have stopped doing the weekly quizzes for a while as interest seemed to wane but I have put together a Christmas themed one for later in the year.

In terms of the Speaker meetings all have been rebooked for next year in the hope that we will be able to meet up once more in the village hall.

My very best wishes to all who read this article. Take care, stay safe, here’s to happier times.

Maggie Causer, French Group

Events Update

- The planned Christmas Lunch at the Barns has had to be cancelled for 2020. Better luck next year!

- The River Trent cruise has been rescheduled for 19th May 2021

- The Coach trip to Kew Gardens has been rescheduled for 17th June 2021

- The Coach trip to Hampton Court Palace has been rescheduled for 29th September 2021.

_I hope you have enjoyed this Newsletter, it was just a bit of fun! I would like to thank everyone who contributed and don't forget if you have any amusing tales you wouldn't mind sharing then get in touch.

Love Valma. X