R O Y S T O N. The house that May Savidge built. Gardening is definitely good for you!

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1 MAY 2017 R O Y S T O N Welcome to our new members and thank you to all our existing members who have renewed for another year. Since the previous edition of Royston U3A News, the Curry Club, History group, Meditation group and Pudding group are all now up and running and several other interest groups are being planned. Our next excursion will be to Sutton Hoo and Woodbridge in July - full details and a booking form are on our website. Happy reading and hope to see you all at the next monthly meeting. Jackie Gellert Chairman Inside this issue: Welcome message April meeting Gardening group March meeting Curry Club Wine Appreciation group French Conversation group Five Mile Walks group Clay Shooting group Birding group Dates for your diary Guide to interest groups Interest groups contacts Royston U3A committee The house that May Savidge built Spring is For a retirement project here and with a difference the why days not try moving your house are getting and rebuilding it 100 miles longer away? again so That s what May to Savidge keep did when her mediaeval home in Ware was threatened with demolition in the 1960s. Unfazed by the challenge of singlehandedly dismantling the house brick by brick and beam by beam, she hired a lorry to transport it to the Norfolk coast where she spent the last 20 years of her life putting her home back together. She thought it would be a lovely retirement project to keep her busy, her niecein-law Christine Adams told members at the April meeting. In an enthralling talk she described how her elderly aunt scaled 40 foot scaffolding in her seventies, in headscarf, skirts and an apron with a pocket to hold Gardening is definitely good for you! The Gardening group had a speaker with a difference in April. Paul Herrington, a psychiatric nurse who took a course in garden design called For My Own Sanity, spoke to us about Gardening for Health and Grow Places a social enterprise he founded in As a nurse Paul specialized in referrals in day care, social inclusion and triaged GP referrals in the NHS her tools. As a trained draughtswoman and first aider during the war she was up for new challenges, and such was her stoical determination that she used an alarm clock to set herself targets each day. Sadly she did not live to see the house completed, dying in 1993 at the age of 82. Christine took on the project and discovered that her aunt had been an inveterate hoarder, never throwing anything away, and the house was crammed with memorabilia from bus tickets and bills to hundreds of diaries and letters. Christine Adams mental health service including Royston. As a garden designer he won a bronze medal at Chelsea in 2004 for a courtyard garden and now designs for private and commercial clients. He gained funding for the Gardening for Health group at Nightingale Park in Cambridge - a disused bowling green site where a wildflower meadow and picnic area have already Selling off some of it raised funds to carry on the rebuild and Christine now lives in Ware House Hall at Wellsnext-the-Sea, the house that had consumed May Savidge s life. Aunt May was very unusual and an amazing person. It was her life being project lady, she said. An excursion to May Savidge s house in Wells-next-the-Sea is being planned for August 9. Details on our website when finalised. been created. People who may be experiencing psychological or physical health problems can be referred and work together with the community. Paul is now instrumental in designing the Roger (Syd) Barrett garden at Addenbrooke s Hospital. Syd, a founder member of Pink Floyd, was a patient at the hospital and staff and patients will be involved in this project. Val Fairbanks

2 ROYSTON U3A NEWS MAY 2017 it is now a fine example of one of England s smallest mediaeval churches PAGE 2 The Restoration of Caldecote Church Grazyna Tutak took us on a journey back to mediaeval times in her talk on the chequered history of St. Mary Magdalene Church in Caldecote. The Church could be 1,000 years old and it is sobering to think of the many events its stones have witnessed - conflict, plague, peasants revolt, dissolution of the monasteries - to name but a few that we all know from history lessons. Listed in the Domesday Book of 1086, Caldecote Manor was held by Ralph de Limesey as a loyalty reward from William the Conqueror and consisted of 325 acres and 14 homes. But over the centuries the impact of history took its toll and by the 1870s the population had dwindled to 34. The church, the only ancient building left in the mediaeval village, was declared redundant in The future looked bleak but three of the remaining 17 residents came to the rescue and the fortunes of St Mary Magdalene changed again. Setting up The Caldecote Church Friends, they enlisted the support of Friends of Friendless Churches, an organisation which rescues and repairs historic churches under threat. Through their efforts the church, complete with rare features such as a mediaeval font and 15 th century holy water stoup, has been preserved for the local community and visitors to enjoy. It is now not only a fine example of one of England s smallest mediaeval churches, but also evidence of what a small group of dedicated people can achieve. Grazyna Tutak Knowing your korma from your vindaloo Our recently formed Curry Club has enjoyed two excellent lunchtime meals - at Yuva in Kneesworth and Ashiana Spice in Royston. Supported by information sheets produced by a Curry Club member, the group chooses mainly from the special lunchtime menus. Members who are not so familiar with dishes are helped to make their choices, especially if they are determined to avoid anything too hot or too spicy! At the opposite end of the scale of experience, George Karger entertained Tucking in at Ashiana Spice Diane Glanville the group at the first meal with tales of being fed over 80 years ago by his English mother with curry-type dishes wholly unknown to most of the population at the time. Future Curry Club gatherings are now being planned. The next meeting will also be at lunchtime but group leader Reg Hounsell is more than happy to plan occasional evening meals if members prefer. Additional events may also be arranged in-between the four to six weekly slots. Over time the group hopes to extend its knowledge by having short talks or cookery demonstrations. The next Curry Club meal will be on Monday May 8 in Baldock - check the website for details or contact Reg Hounsell on or regroystonu3a@gmail.com Rob Whatmough

3 ROYSTON U3A NEWS MAY 2017 What a way to start the day Wine Appreciation group members had an early start on a Tuesday morning in late March when we took part in a Champagne tasting. Through Gil Riggans of Corney & Barrow, we were delighted to have a visit from Mathieu Pouchan, a young and extremely knowledgeable sommelier from one of the five oldest wineries in the whole Champagne region, Maison Delamotte. Mathieu brought with him four exceptional Champagnes for us to taste. Not a bad way to start the day! Before pouring each Champagne, Mathieu informed us about the grape variety, the hard work in the vineyard from pruning to harvest, the long laying period in the cellars before final distribution to the market for all to enjoy. Maison Delamotte was founded in Reims in 1760 by vigneron François Delamotte. It produces 750,000 bottles of Champagne annually; in comparison to many other Champagne producers they are a small artisan house. Around two-thirds of Delamotte production represents their basic Brut; another 25% their nonvintage Blanc de Blancs; and there is a bit of Rosé too. Their vines are grown in the area around the Grand Cru village of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and Mathieu stressed that they control their production from A to Z. The four Champagnes we tasted were all stylish and fruity. A splendid tasting where we discovered the subtle differences between the four Champagnes. Jackie Gellert Ready Gil Riggans with Mathieu Pouchan (left) a splendid tasting where we discovered the joy of Champagne French conversation group is on the move The French conversation group has moved to a new location in Royston since Easter. Now well into its second year, the group has moved from its venue at The Plough in Shepreth, to the Old Barn in Upper King Street, Royston. Prior to moving, Shepreth based group leader Elisabeth Goodman-Spain said: "I will miss the friendliness and convenience of The Plough, and it's been lovely to have changing art exhibitions to enjoy as a backdrop. The new venue in Royston will be more convenient for most of the group members, and the Old Barn will also give us better acoustics when conversations are in full flow." The change in venue makes the group more accessible to those members who are unable to drive and will also make it more environmentally friendly. The French conversation group currently has space for one or two new members, so if you are interested in joining the group do get in touch. Contact Elisabeth Goodman-Spain at elisabeth.ecgoodman@gmail.com Main picture: Elisabeth Goodman-Spain (right) with Jennifer Fletcher. Inset: deep in study mode PAGE 3

4 ROYSTON U3A NEWS MAY 2017 we collected enough clay on our boots to make several plant pots Kath triumphed with the highest score All action for Five Mile Walks group This group is proving popular with walks to Heydon, Chrishall, Great Hormead and Therfield over the last four months anything to do with the pub lunches at the end? In April, 28 of us set off from Therfield along a section of Stepping out in Therfield Kath is right on target First time entrant Kath Kennedy was in winning form when she beat the competition to lift the trophy at the Clay Shooting group. The sport is proving so popular with women that eight have already signed up after completing the compulsory health and safety training session. the Icknield Way into Hawkins Wood to see the first of this year's bluebells. We continued on to St Faith's Church at Kelshall, spotting three pet alpacas in a garden before heading back to Therfield. The morning rounded off with a welcome lunch at the Fox and Duck. In March, 18 members braved early rain to walk from Chrishall through beautiful countryside, spotting red kites soaring overhead. We arrived back at the Red Cow for lunch a couple of inches taller and a couple of pounds heavier due to the clay on our boots. On a grey February day, 22 of us set off from Great Hormead along the lane to St Nicholas Church where we saw the memorial to a During the actual shoot at the Clay Shooting Ground at Nuthampstead members practised three disciplines - 'driven pheasant' 'down the line' and 'bolting rabbit' - all simulated clay targets. After practice and a coffee break the group split into two for a friendly competition and Kath triumphed with the highest score. local man Lt-Colonel Stables who was killed at the Battle of Waterloo. We returned to the Three Tuns for lunch and our thanks go to Jean and Rita who chose and led the walk. In January, 30 of us set off from Heydon for a two hour walk, visiting Holy Trinity Church where the tower was badly damaged during an air raid in the Battle of Britain. We returned to the King William IV and enjoyed a hot meal with good company. Our next walk will be on May 10, meeting at the Pig and Abbott, High Street, Abington Pigotts, SG8 0SD, and Peter Walden will lead. If you would like to join the group contact Eric Heaton ericroystonu3a@gmail.com Eric Heaton and Peter Andrew The group is organised by Frank Martin and Peter Godfrey and the next meeting will be on Wednesday May 17 at 2pm. Numbers are limited so if you would like to register contact Frank Martin at tf.martin@ntlworld.com PAGE 4 Celebration time for Kath

5 ROYSTON U3A NEWS MAY 2017 Twitchers flock to Lackford Lakes The weather was perfect for the Birding group s April trip to Lackford Lakes, a Suffolk Wildlife Trust reserve not far off the A11 at Barton Mills. The wildlife oasis has several large gravel pits, reed beds, scrapes and woodland, with eight hides and a very good visitor centre. hides to check out the birds on the water and also in the woodland areas for the summer visitors, among which we found chiff chaff, willow warbler and linnet. By about 3pm some of us decided to go to nearby Cavenham Heath to look for the rare stone curlew, which we eventually found just off the track. A very good day was had by all! Carol McGeoch Chiff Chaff We all arrived in good time and started our day by checking the feeders for the tits before heading into the visitor centre for coffee, where huge windows look out onto a lake and yet more feeders. The elusive kingfisher was seen from here by some of our group. We all walked right round the reserve, stopping at the Twitchers in action Dates for your diary Royston U3A excursion to May June July Tuesday 30, 2pm Royston Parish Church Tuesday 27, 1:30pm Royston Parish Church Tuesday 25, 2pm Royston Parish Church Jason Middleton will give a talk on ROYSTON U3A AGM followed by Veronica Bennett will give a talk on Martin Johnson will give a talk on THE PEARL a gemstone admired throughout history SUTTON HOO ancient Anglo-Saxon royal burial site SUTTON HOO and WOODBRIDGE Tuesday July ANTARCTICA the White Continent and its amazing wildlife Full details together with booking form on our website. Easy Guide to Interest Groups MORNING Monday Meditation Tuesday Fitness Seated Exercise Wednesday Birding Book Club 3 Five Mile Walks Thursday Walking: Strollers Friday Book Club 2 Patchwork AFTERNOON EVENING Current Affairs Book Club 1 Clay Shooting Curry Club Bridge for Beginners Wine Appreciation 1 French Conversation History Wine Appreciation 2 Pottery (Hand Building) Tai Chi Jazz Appreciation Ballroom & Latin Dancing Petanque/Boules Gardening Pilates Golf Mixed Crafts Pudding For frequency and contact details about all interest groups please see the chart on the next page or check out our website for more information Announcements about future theatre trips and excursions will be posted on our website when details become available. PAGE 5

6 ROYSTON U3A NEWS MAY 2017 Interest Groups Don t forget to check out our website for more information GROUP DAY TIME FREQUENCY GROUP LEADER CONTACT DETAILS Ballroom & Latin Dancing Thurs 4:45pm 2nd & 4th Thurs of month Jackie Gellert jackieroystonu3a@gmail.com Birding Wed 8:30am Monthly 1st Wed Carol McGeoch carol.mcgeoch@hotmail.co.uk Book Club 1 Tues 2:00pm Monthly 1st Tues Deirdre Smith deirdreroystonu3a@gmail.com Book Club 2 Fri 11:00am Monthly Variable Janet Burton janet.a.burton@gmail.com Book Club 3 Wed 10:30am Monthly last Wed Elizabeth (Lee) Towers ladytowers@gmail.com Bridge for Beginners Tues 1:45pm Weekly Mike Thrower mike.thrower@ntlworld.com Clay Shooting Wed 2:00pm Variable Frank Martin tf.martin@ntlworld.com Current Affairs Mon 4:00pm Monthly Variable George Karger Curry Club Mon 12:00pm Monthly Variable Reg Hounsell regroystonu3a@gmail.com Excursions Variable Variable Occasional Annette Guttridge annette@guttridge.org.uk Fitness Tues 9:30am Weekly Kathy Hounsell kathyroystonu3a@gmail.com Five Mile Walks Wed 9:45am Monthly 2nd Wed Eric Heaton ericroystonu3a@gmail.com French Conversation Mon 1:00pm 1st & 3rd Mon of month Elisabeth Goodman-Spain elisabeth.ecgoodman@gmail.com Gardening Thurs 2:30pm Monthly Variable Val Fairbanks t.fairbanks@ntlworld.com Golf Thurs 1:00pm Weekly Ralph Gellert ralphroystonu3a@gmail.com History Tues 2:00pm Monthly Reg Hounsell regroystonu3a@gmail.com Jazz Appreciation Wed 7:30pm Monthly 2nd Wed Reg Hounsell regroystonu3a@gmail.com Meditation Mon 10:30am 2nd & 4th Mon of month John Froggett johnfroggett19@gmail.com Mixed Crafts Thurs 2:00pm Monthly 3rd Thurs Rosie Cowsley rosie.cowsley@ntlworld.com Patchwork Wed 10:00am Monthly 1st Wed Maureen Strugnell maureen.strugnell@ntlworld.com Petanque / Boules Fri 2:30pm Fortnightly John Bishop bishop190@btinternet.com Pilates Fri 2:00pm Weekly Kathy Hounsell kathyroystonu3a@gmail.com Pottery (Hand Building) Mon 2:00pm Fortnightly Variable Rosie Cowsley rosie.cowsley@ntlworld.com Pudding Thurs 1:00pm Monthly Liz Wells liz.rosina@btinternet.com Seated Exercise Tues 10:45am Weekly Kathy Hounsell kathyroystonu3a@gmail.com Tai Chi Mon 3:00pm Weekly Reg Hounsell regroystonu3a@gmail.com Theatre Trips Variable Variable Occasional Deirdre Smith deirdreroystonu3a@gmail.com Walking: Strollers Thurs 10:15am 1st & 3rd Thurs of month David Walker djwalker3@aol.com Wine Appreciation 1 & 2 Wed 2:00pm Monthly Variable Jackie Gellert jackieroystonu3a@gmail.com Proposed New Interest Groups: Buddy Support : Film : Flower Arranging : Shed : Ukulele : Walking Netball. To register an interest in any of these groups Groups Co-ordinator Reg Hounsell at regroystonu3a@gmail.com Royston U3A Committee Chairman Jackie Gellert jackieroystonu3a@gmail.com Vice Chair & Groups Co-ordinator Reg Hounsell regroystonu3a@gmail.com Treasurer Kathy Hounsell kathyroystonu3a@gmail.com Secretary Deirdre Smith deirdreroystonu3a@gmail.com Membership Secretary Marion Martin marionroystonu3a@gmail.com Minutes Secretary Sylvia Fuller sylviaroystonu3a@gmail.com Publicity Pam Dajda pam@dajda.net Royston U3A News Ralph Gellert ralphroystonu3a@gmail.com Committee Member George Karger Co-opted Committee Member Barbara Andrew barbararoystonu3a@gmail.com Co-opted Committee Member Karen Heaton karenroystonu3a@gmail.com Co-opted Committee Member Eric Heaton ericroystonu3a@gmail.com R O Y S T O N Get it in the News If you re involved in a group why not publicise it in Royston U3A News? Send in a short report of your latest meeting or outing - photos welcomed too - to Pam Dajda at pam@dajda.net or phone