NEWSLETTERS
Coffee Morning & Social 20th April - 10am -11:30pm @ Whitby Rifle Club
April 2024 NEWSLETTER - CLICK ON LINK OPPOSITE
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Message from the Chair
I have to report some very sad news, the death of Ray Ward, the Caretaker at St John Ambulance Hall. Apparently, he died suddenly of a heart attack on Friday 22nd March. Many of you will remember Ray from the many years when most of our groups met in St John Ambulance Hall – he was always very friendly and helpful to our group leaders, in many cases putting out tables and chairs before the meetings and was very supportive of our u3a. His partner Jane Easton has been appointed as Acting Caretaker until the summer so the two groups which currently meet there, History and Monthly Lectures, will be able to continue. The future of the building after then is not yet known.
I’m pleased to see that we have a number of new groups, definite or proposed, this month. The backgammon group which was mentioned in last month’s newsletter is going ahead, as is a new singing group, and we have proposals for a psychology group and to reinstate the bridge group, which closed some years ago. Details of all these can be found in this Newsletter. Although we have around 40 different groups, it's good to be able to offer a wider range, especially as we have over 100 new members this year, in fact some of the proposed new groups were suggested at our new members’ meeting.
As mentioned in previous Newsletters there are still vacancies for new Committee members, and in particular we are looking for someone to take on the role of publicity officer, to spread the good word about our u3a around the town and surroundings and help recruit more new members. If anyone is interested in joining the committee but would like more details please contact me at twbarrowcliffe@yahoo.co.uk, or on 01947 600963 – you would be welcome to sit in on a committee meeting without any commitment.
Music Appreciation Group
In the March session the group listened to piano music mostly from Scandinavia, with solo piano pieces by Grieg, Sibelius and Nielsen, ending with the Grieg’s ever popular piano concerto. In April we will resume our travels round the world, returning to the Czech and Slovak Republics, with pieces by several composers. The date is the last Friday in April, the 26th, and the meeting will be at our usual venue, Flowergate United Reformed Church, upper room, from 2 – 4pm.
Trevor Barrowcliffe
Concert Outing – Last Chance!
The next concert outing is to the Sage Gateshead on Friday 5th April; just to remind you of the programme: Carl Nielsen: Helios Overture, Sergei Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2, Jean Sibelius: Symphony No. 5.
There is one ticket left; if anyone is interested in going, please contact me (contact details in Message from Chairman). The concert starts at 7.30pm and the coach will leave Whitby at 4.45pm. Cost of the ticket is £35, and the coach fare is £20.
Trevor Barrowcliffe
National U3A Festival, July 2024
As mentioned in the last Newsletter the National U3A Festival will be held at York University from Thursday 18th July to Saturday 20th July. There will be a wide variety of activities - talks, sporting events, musical entertainment and workshops. Details of the schedule and costs are as follows:
• Day 1, Thursday 18th July (from lunchtime) - £25 including buffet supper or £5 without supper
• Day 2, Friday 19th July - £8 for the day (9am to 6pm), £10 for the full day, including the evening session
• Day 3, Saturday 20th July (morning) - £5 for a half day
• Full festival to include all 3 days and a buffet supper on Day 1 - £35
For those who would like to stay for the three days accommodation on the University campus is fully booked, so you would have to arrange accommodation elsewhere in York. Two of our music groups (Whaler Band and Ukulele Orchestra) will be performing on Friday the 19th, and a coach has been arranged (cost £10) – a list is available at coffee mornings to sign up or contact Anne Jackson on annejay1234ra@gmail.com or 01947 810590.
All members, including performers, will have to register online. Registration is not yet open but when it is there is expected to be a huge demand for tickets so you’ll need to get in quick. An email will be sent round when the registration is open; check the national u3a website (www.u3a.org.uk) under Events for further information about the festival.
New Groups
Backgammon
As mentioned in the last newsletter Helen Martin has offered to lead a backgammon group; a number of members have signed up but if anyone else is interested can you please contact Helen on philandhelenmusic@gmail.com or 07854031133. If you haven’t played before it’s an easy game to learn. The sessions will take place on Thursday afternoons at the Rifle Club.
Singing Group
Derek Robinson has offered to start a new singing group
I am hoping to start a new singing group within the U3a here at Whitby, It would be for predominately Folk songs and sea shanties both with and without musical accompaniment.
It is hoped to start as soon as we have enough participants and is scheduled to take place at Whitby rugby club on a Friday starting at 12.30 until 14.00 but this is not set in stone yet.
There is plenty of car parking and there is a coffee machine (not free) if refreshment are required.
The participants do not need to be the best singers in the world the object of the exercise is to enjoy yourselves,
And I believe that everyone can sing it’s just that some sing differently than others and that’s what makes it fun.
I have put together a songbook of about 60 songs but this can be added to by the singers.
I hope this new group will be an extra addition to the already wide variety of musical activities provided and supported by the U3a here in Whitby.
I will be at the next coffee morning to field any questions or queries and to make a list of people interested.
I hope this is enough information for you to include in your next newsletter, any queries then give me a bell 07919364333.
Kind regards
Derek
Psychology Group
A member of the creative writing group, Jenny Waite-Jones, who is a trained psychologist, has offered to lead a psychology group. A list will be available at the April coffee morning but in the meantime if you are interested, please contact Jenny on j.m.waite-jones@leeds.ac.uk or on 07484631560.
From Jenny, herself:
A knowledge of psychology can help in achieving greater understanding of our own thoughts, feelings, and behaviour as well as those of others.
The aim of the psychology group is to explore how some core psychological theories and studies can be helpful in explaining the impact of major changes across a person’s lifespan, including childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and older adulthood. For example:
Childhood, it is important to examine the fast rate of mental and emotional development during infancy and, particularly the development of strong attachments between children and their caregivers to ensure they gain a sense of security, stable self-identity, and ability to socialise successfully with others.
Such development can impact on how people cope with later potentially stressful life-stages including:
Adolescence, when searching for an individual identity as teenagers prepare for new adult roles whilst facing peer group influence and vulnerability to risk taking behaviour during this period.
Adulthood, during emotional partner relationships leading to parenthood, family formation, work-life tensions, physical changes and eventually establishing new ways of relating to teenage and grown-up children.
Older adulthood, when adapting to physical changes, retirement/reinvention and caring for others as well as potential negative attitudes within society.
Sessions will involve information on different psychological theories about these topics, case studies and group discussion. Just in case you need any further information, after speaking to Sandra we agreed that meetings would take place on a Monday or Friday mornings or afternoons. She was going to look at how this could be timetabled in and let me know. I could do any time but expect that 10.00am to 12noon or 2.00pm-4pm would suit people. I thought that it would be useful to offer these fortnightly as 2-hour sessions if this seems ok.
u3a Singers
The u3a Singers have a very important occasion to attend on 13th April.
It takes place at the Whitby Pavilion and celebrates the birthday of the man behind the building of the Saloon, as it was originally called. His name was Sir George Elliot. He was a coal mining multimillionaire who at the time was one of the six richest men in our country. Our performing troupe will be singing a lovely selection of songs from the Music Hall era as part of the evening's entertainment, and they would appreciate your support. The "Friends of Whitby Pavilion" are most grateful to them for giving their precious time in rehearsals. After the Easter holiday we return on Wednesday, 17th April, when in a celebration of the Paris, Olympic Games in July and August, we will put together a selection of songs connected to the French language, some more tenuous than others. You are welcome to come along and join in.
Whaler Band
During March the Whaler Band continued the 2024 European tour with a performance in Sleights. We played at Church House to entertain the Revival group, after their weekly lunch meeting. The event seemed to go well, with most of the audience singing along with our programme of hits from the 1940s, 50s and 60s. We are hoping to play for the Revival group sometime in May, for their meeting in Danby. The Whaler Band is available for parties, weddings, christenings and any event with a buffet.
Recorder Group
As always, members of the recorder group have enjoyed weekly meetings of ensemble playing- so good for the soul! Some new music has been added to the repertoire and we are delighted to welcome a new member.
We resume meetings on 9th April, 11.45 at the Rifle Club. Happy Easter break to everyone.
u3a Theatre Visits Group
Following our first trip to Sunderland Empire and The Drifters Girl on 28th March our next show in 2024 is EDWARD SCISSORHANDS A Matthew Bourne Ballet
Theatre Royal Newcastle Thursday 4th April 2024 2pm Matinee (fully booked) Pick up in Whitby from 8.55am
We still have seats available for LORD of the DANCE. Saturday 24th August at 2.30pm. York Barbican. Please get in touch if you would like to join us.
All other shows are fully booked at present.
Reserves are most welcome as we often have cancellations.
Thank you. Rose Corner 🌹
rosieccorner@gmail.com 07790896062
3rd Age Stagers
Rehearsals for our next show are building to a crescendo: "Pick 'n Mix" is a variety show packed full of songs, sketches, dance and jokes as with any pick and mix there are some well-loved favourites mixed with some new flavours - our regular audiences know it will be fun!
Show at the Rifle Club: Ticket availability: Thursday 9th May 7.30 plenty, Friday 10th 7.30 selling fast, Saturday 11th SOLD OUT. Get your tickets at the April Coffee Morning or from Jan 07949264022 jan.jenn@hotmail.com
Gardening Group
April Trip: Monday 8th April - Trip to Mount Grace Priory & Gardens & Arcadia Garden Centre Lunch, leaving Harrison’s Garage at 9.00am, other locations as agreed.
May Talk: Monday 13th May - The final talk for this year is “Gardening the World” with Jonathan Gilby, Commonwealth War Graves Commission. This is an opportunity to learn more about the horticulture of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission around the world, discover the stories of the commission’s early gardeners, and families who have been tending these sites for generations.
Future Trips: We also have some places left on the Temple Newsham trip and will also be collecting for the final trip of the year on 1st July. Please bring a cheque/cash), plus an envelope with your name, contact number, pick-up point and menu choices where required. Any queries please contact Joyce on 07868 956919
Whitby Neighbourhood Plan (WNP)
Producing a Neighbourhood Plan, that influences the future development of the parish, is the most important thing a town or parish will ever do, so we are keen for all Whitby & District residents to take part. If you have not already done so please take part before May, by completing a simple questionnaire available online at https://bit.ly/48GkBQm
For those people who are either not online, or prefer paper form surveys, I will have paper copies available at the April Coffee morning. More information on this project is available at https://www.whitbycommunitynetwork.org/whitby-neighbourhood-plan/
We are also asking if there is a member (s) of Whitby Whalers u3a who would like to be more closely involved, possibly as a member of WNP Steering Group, if yes please contact Joyce Stangoe joyce.stangoe@gmail.com for more information.
Discussion Group
I am delighted to report that our twice monthly Discussion Group is thriving. We usually attract 15-18 members for each session. Our meetings for the rest of the year are as follows: - 8th and 22nd April; 13th May. Meetings are held at the Coliseum in the Hopkinson Room and start at 2.30pm.
History Group St. John Ambulance Hall Thursdays (weekly). 2 – 4 pm
The series of history talks continued in the period up to Easter, covering a range of topics from internationally significant women to members of an important local Whitby family. Marian Brockway’s presentation on ‘Four special ladies’ introduced us to some particularly special individuals, including one of NASA's famous "human computers". Katherine Johnson stands among NASA’s most inspirational figures: a trailblazer in the quest for racial equality and a contributor to the first triumphs in human spaceflight.
Katherine Johnson
During March, Clair Stones and David Bradley gave excellent presentations on ‘The Chapmans of Whitby’ and ‘A Quartet of Christians’ respectively. We are very grateful to Clair and David for holding the fort while we were away.
Following the Easter break, our programme continues with the following talks:
Thursday, 11th April ‘The First Civil Servant’ Tim Deane
Thursday, 18th April ‘The Cuban Missile Crisis’ Richard Appleton
Thursday, 25th April ‘What did the Romans do for Whitby & North Yorkshire?’ John Gibbins
Can you work out who the ‘first civil servant’ is from the clues in the bookplate shown here? (The motto translates as ‘Mind makes the Man’).
Our programme for April ends with a special guest presentation from John Gibbins on ‘What did the Romans do for Whitby & North Yorkshire?’ [Note that the class fee for this particular lecture will be £3.00].
Map showing the Roman road over Wheeldale moor.
Trips to Barnard Castle and Ripon are planned for the group in May (May 9th and May 23rd, respectively) and details of these will be given out at our meeting on April 11th.
Monthly Lecture Group St. John Ambulance Hall Tuesdays (3rd monthly), 10 – 12 noon.
Our lecture in March was given by David Minter (chair of Whitby Naturalists’ Club) on the role and importance of fungi in many aspects of the natural world (‘The importance of fungi in biodiversity’).
David is an enthusiast and an acknowledged expert in this field and it’s not surprising, therefore, that his talk was fascinating and very slickly presented.
Fungi have been a neglected lifeform in our discussions on biodiversity, so this lecture was very appropriate and parallels the publication of ‘Entangled Life’ – an award-winning and ground-breaking book on the subject.
Our presentation in April will be given by John McEachen and covers a part of the world that is less well known to us but full of intriguing cultural history and unfamiliar wildlife.
Tuesday, 16th April ‘A Glimpse into the cultures & Birds of Central Asia J.McEachen - Lands of Ghengis Khan, vast steppes, yurts, The Silk Road and much, much more.... John has been lucky enough over the past 25 years to be able to join with expeditions run by Zoology Departments from various Central Asian universities to explore these varied, almost mythical lands. Working with locals has allowed him an insight into their cultures, history, geography and wildlife (mainly birds).
(a) A Kazakhstani performer demonstrates the long equestrian heritage.
(b) Central downtown Astana, Kazakhstan.
Do come along to enjoy another interesting presentation – all very welcome.
And finally: the most important note relating to both the History and the Monthly Lecture groups is to record our debt to Ray Ward, the caretaker at St. John Ambulance Hall, for all his help and kindness to us over the years, but most particularly as we have returned to the hall this past year. Ray’s untimely recent death has come as a great shock to us.
Ray was a tremendously steadfast friend to our groups and a very real help to their functioning. He and his partner Jane became real friends and participants in our groups, showing a real, knowledgeable interest in the topics we discussed. Ray will be very much missed by us all and we offer Jane all our support over the coming months. Thank you, Ray, for your cheerful help and friendship over the years.
Philosophy Group
We meet at 2:30pm (to 4pm) on the 1st and 3rd (but *not* the 5th) Monday of each month. 2024 dates begin on 15th January. Our venue is Flowergate URC Church on Flowergate opposite Skinner Street. Entrance is the large glass door on the right-hand side of the stone (not brick) building. We will start the year exploring the thinking of Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau on the Social Contract.
I am looking forward to hearing your thoughtful and constructive contributions.
If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact me on 07 974 145779 or graham.c.robinson@gmail.com
Photography Class
The Photography Class has been running for a number of years now, with members coming & going, hopefully leaving as better photographers. The class now has a new format, Lance Garrard is now giving the talks, going through the theory from basics to advanced., Lance has produced his own AUDIO/VIDEO which is split into sessions for each class. There are links provided so class members can dip in & out in their own time. We are now starting to think about going out for practical sessions as the weather starts to improve. Our classes are on the 2nd and last Tuesday of the month at Whitby Rifle Club between 2pm and 4pm on the ground floor. Both Lance and I are members of Whitby Photography Society. For our last competitions there were two on the same night. The briefs were: A photo which would be “A suitable cover for a book". Lance won this competition.
A photo showing a "frame in a frame " I won this competition. Contact me if you'd like to join. 01947820245 donreadman@gmail.com
Cycling Club
The weather in March conspired against getting out cycling. However, with lighter evenings and, hopefully, improving weather, I am planning to hold group rides as follows:-
Thursday 4th April meet by Beevers at 1.30pm for a ride to the Coast Cafe then back via Hawsker Church and Green Lane. (an easy starter session)
Tuesday 9th April meet by the Castle Park bus stop at 9.30am for a ride via Newholm, Dunsley, Hutton Mulgrave, Egton and Aislaby ( about 90mins cycling)
Monday 15th April meet by Beevers at 6pm for an easy evening ride to Hawsker, Highgate Howe and Green Lane.
Tuesday 23rd meet by the bus stop at Castle Park, 9.30am for a ride via Newholm, Dunsley, Hutton Mulgrave, Lythe and Sandsend (about 90 mins cycling)
Monday 29th April, meet by Beevers at 6pm for evening ride to Hawsker, Gnipe Howe, Whitby Laithes and Green Lane. Alan Holmes
Play Reading Group
The Play Reading Group will continue to meet every Tuesday at the Cricket Pavilion in Whitby from 2-4pm over the Easter period and onwards. We are currently halfway through Agatha Christie’s ‘Death on the Nile’ – but with no Hercule Poirot! How can that be? The book and the film feature Hercule but until we received the play, we did not realise he would be written out. We are enjoying most of it despite that, although some of the use of now out-dated language has raised a few eyebrows. Our future planned plays are Look Back in Anger by John Osborne, Rookery Nook by Ben Travers and Billy Liar by Keith Waterhouse.
Places are available if anyone would like to join our Group. Just turn up at the designated time and place and you will be made very welcome.
George Osborne mandgosb@gmail.com 07753609166
TOAST
u3a TOAST Group 24th March Members enjoying Sunday Lunch at The Stiddy, Lythe. Thank you to Jill Hunter for organising.
There will be the regular monthly TOAST meeting on Saturday 6th April at the Penny Hedge starting at 10am.
Best wishes. Rose Corner
Dates for your Diary
TOAST coffee morning. 6th April 10 am Penny Hedge
Coffee Morning 20th April 2024 10 to 11.30 Rifle Club
National u3a Festival Thursday 18th July to Saturday 20th July York University
AGM Saturday 12th October 2024