SIDCUP & DISTRICT UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE NEWSLETTER

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1 SIDCUP & DISTRICT UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE NEWSLETTER March 2008 SIDCUP & DISTRICT U3A meets at 2.00 pm on the 3 rd Thursday of every month in the Community Church in Station Road, Sidcup NOTICES Welcome to our AGM We are very pleased to welcome to our meeting the Mayor of Bexley, Councillor Nigel Betts, on the occasion of our Annual General Meeting. Annual Lunch Members who have booked their place for the annual lunch are reminded that we are due to meet at Sophie s Choice in Station Road from about pm on Tuesday 25 th March for a 1.00 pm start. Please let me know beforehand if you will be unable to attend since I can offer your place to someone else. Existing cancellations mean that I still have spare places for the lunch which costs Anne Evans Coach Trips Two coach trips for this year are at the planning stage: Arundel on Thursday 22 nd May and Oxford on Monday 15 th September. As the rising price of diesel impacts upon the fares coach operators charge, the number of passengers is a critical factor for these outings. 29/30 is the minimum number necessary to make any trip viable and a firm commitment some weeks ahead is needed to secure bookings and pay deposits. Please contact me for further information. Anne Evans ' Theatre Tickets Royal Opera House 2.00 pm 17 th May a mixed ballet programme including The Dream and Dances at the Gathering. Tickets are on sale now and Amphitheatre seats cost Royal Festival Hall 3.00 pm Sunday 28 th June Brahms Symphony 3 & 4. Tickets cost although this will be reduced for groups of 10 or more. Please let me have the money for your tickets by the April meeting. Norma Balfour '

As the year of fund-raising for this charity reaches its final month, we would like to thank you for the combined effort by the entire U3A in raising 1,140.51 to date.

2 As the year of fund-raising for this charity reaches its final month, we would like to thank you for the combined effort by the entire U3A in raising 1, to date. This will be higher once our bags of used stamps and boxes of coins have been assessed by H.Q. and our sales in March have been added. We will all miss checking our Birthday Books for forthcoming dates for cards. Last month we found that, since the sale of Hearing Dogs cards ends in March, some members were stocking up for future events. The Bring & Buy has also been busy, with a huge variety of goodies donated for sale. After each meeting there has been the welcome cup of tea and all this has helped raise money for the charity. Their need continues and I am sure we all have a greater understanding of the joy of these Hearing Dogs as well as the ongoing cost of training them. Thank you, everyone. Val, Gay and Annette Group Holiday to Balmoral Hotel, Bridlington, Yorkshire Tuesday 17 th February Saturday 21 st February 2009 Situated on the Yorkshire coast, Bridlington has a fascinating history which is wonderfully preserved in the Old Town which has remained unchanged for centuries. At the heart of the Old Town is the Priory Church. The history of the Priory is told in colourful tapestry panels and there are fantastic stained glass windows. The town s historic harbour is the focal point of the seafront. Three excursions are included: Ripon via Pickering and Thirsk, Captain Cook s Whitby and Harrogate, England s Floral Spa Town. The cost for 5 days (4 nights) Dinner, Bed and Breakfast is Optional cancellation insurance: 8.00 We can enjoy a pre-dinner sherry reception every evening and a complimentary glass of wine at dinner. There will be a Free Bar each evening from Margaret Platt, Travel Group Leader ' Molly Harbert A letter received from Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice confirms that donations made in memory of Molly Harbert amounted to for which they offer their many thanks. John Harbert Newsletter Members who wish to pick up a copy of the current Newsletter from Sidcup Library should look in the newspaper rack to the right of the entrance. Those with internet access may download it from the Meetings page of our website. Issues dating back to last April are also still available. Contributions for the Newsletter are invited from groups with vacancies which do not already submit reports; this is a way of attracting new members. Editor 2

3 GROUP NEWS Beginners Bridge : Leader Barbara Shilling «For those members who have already completed the six-week introduction course with me I have arranged for separate tables within a group that uses St. Lawrence s Church Hall on Thursdays between 1.00 pm and 4.00 pm. It takes place in the room above the main entrance and costs 1.00 per session. Here you may get some practice and join the main group play as you become more proficient. For those members who wish to learn Bridge I am also able to offer 6 sessions for beginners, but this will be on the 1 st and 4 th Thursday of each month. Please note that I will take only 4 people at a time because it is quite intensive and that there will be an initial fee of 5.00 for the package to cover the cost of materials. Please ring me if you are interested in either of the above. You can improve at Bridge only by playing frequently and learning by your mistakes. Barbara Shilling ' Local History 1 : Leader John Harlow Although it was a very cold day on the 19 th February, 12 members of our group visited The Royal Hospital in Chelsea. Prior to having our guided tour of the Hospital, we visited the adjacent National Army Museum where we were able to have our lunch and enjoy all the various displays on four floors of exhibits. These included The Making of Britain, 1066, to Fighting for Peace, We then proceeded to The Royal Hospital where we were introduced to Paddy, our guide. The building, designed by Sir Christopher Wren for Charles II, was originally intended to house all the Army s expected pensioners and comprised a single quadrangle known as Figure Court. James II s strengthening of the Forces (while the Royal Hospital was still under construction) made its enlargement a necessity with the result that Wren designed the Light Horse and College Courts. He completed his task during the reign of William and Mary by adding some subsidiary buildings most of which have since been demolished. As intended by Charles II, the In-Pensioners have always been organised on military lines, with a Governor and other officers. The military organisation has been preserved to this day and the Governor and Lieutenant Governor are assisted by an Adjutant, medical personnel, a Chaplain, a Quartermaster and four retired officers. The scarlet coats and ceremonial tricorne hats worn by the In-Pensioners are a modernised version of the service dress from the Duke of Marlborough s time. The In-Pensioners who currently number about 300 are drawn from army pensioners with good military character and who are normally not less than 65 years of age. Upon entering The Royal Hospital each old soldier surrenders his army pension in return for which he receives board, lodging, clothing and medical care. Paddy took us into the dining hall where he told us that they were very well fed, having full English breakfasts, lunches and afternoon teas. He told us that is why all the Chelsea Pensioners have what they call the Chelsea Paunch. John Harlow 3

4 Public Speaking Proposed New Group µ George Murrell has agreed to lead this new group. However, we require an interested member to host the group once a month on a day and time to be arranged. If you feel that you could be the host for 4 to 5 people would you please contact me, the Group Co-ordinator. José Steward ' On-line Computer Group : Leader John Harlow This is information for people who have either registered or intend to register for membership of the On-line Computer Group. It will also be of interest to those wishing to use our Forum for different purposes still relevant to Sidcup & District U3A; if this is the case for On-line Computer Group below please read General. 1. Once you are a member of the group, you may visit our Website ( click on the Forum button, and then click on the Register link. If you require help with registering click the FAQ link near the top of the page; this offers answers to any question you might have about the Forum. It is recommended that you read this section anyway. 2. After registering your user name and password of your choice you will be able to post a topic or message to the Forum as follows: Go to our Website and Forum as before, click the Log in link and log in with your registered user name and password. Click upon the name On-line Computer Group. Click the New Topic button below the message list, enter a subject name and then type out whatever question you have in the white box. Finish your message by clicking the Submit button. Please note that the size of the white box does not determine the maximum length of your message. 3. To view the questions and topics: Go to our Website and Forum as before, click the Log in link and log in with your registered user name and password. Click upon the name On-line Computer Group. Click upon the subject about which you wish to read, or to which you wish to respond (by then clicking the Post Reply button below the message). Type your reply in the white box and finish it by clicking the Submit button. 4. You are similarly free to read and respond to messages on the General discussion board and others that may be created in the future. When you have finished using the Forum please click the Log out link before closing your web browser. 5. You must be registered and logged in to post new messages or to reply to existing ones. At the time you post a message you may instruct the Forum to advise you by of a reply by checking the box entitled Notify me when a reply is posted. John Harlow Unfortunately, owing to numerous attempts by undesirables to disrupt our forum with spurious material, in order to thwart them I am compelled to validate each registration before a message may be posted. I shall endeavour to complete this as quickly as possible. At the moment, although unregistered users are allowed to read messages they are forbidden to post them; however, if undesirables cause problems I may have to block unregistered readers, too. When registering I would ask you to use the "Occupation" section of your profile to quote your Sidcup & District U3A membership number; this will help me identify you. Webmaster 4

5 Classical Music 2 : Leader Derick Johnson º John Mercer produced the programme for February with his usual sprinkling of short pieces, but with two longer additions Borodin s String Quartet 2 by the Chilingirian Quartet, and Beethoven s Symphony 4 by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic with conductor Sir Charles Mackerras. Among the shorter pieces we heard were Puccini s aria E Lucevan Le Stelle {and the stars were shining} from Tosca sung by the great José Carreras accompanied by the Hungarian State Orchestra and conducted by Michael Thomas. This was followed by Rossini s Una Voce Poca Fa {a voice just now} from the Barber of Seville sung by Maria Callas a wonderful reminder of what a magnificent voice she had. We were also treated to Mozart s Overture to the Marriage of Figaro, and the 2 nd movement of Tchaikovsky s 1 st Piano Concerto played by Victoria Postnikova beautifully accompanied by the Vienna Symphony Orchestra. Haydn s Quartet 63, The Sunrise, was played by the Kodaly Quartet, and Erik Satie s Gymnopédie 1 was played by Emma Johnson on the clarinet. Béla Bartók s six Romanian Folk Dances, played at Finchcocks on an 1866 Erad piano, was an unusual recording and an example of what we enjoy in our group. We finished with the Song of the Volga Boatmen sung by the Vivat Vocal Assembly whose dedication reflects that of the song s subjects. Derick Johnson Finchcocks is a Georgian baroque manor in Goudhurst, Kent, which houses a collection of historical keyboard instruments: harpsichords, clavichords, fortepianos, spinets, organs and other musical instruments. It is a music centre of international repute. Editor Ramblers 1 : Leader Annette Jansen On Tuesday 26 th February ten members of the group met at Hampstead Tube Station for a walk that took us through Old Hampstead and then on to Hampstead Heath. It was a bright, breezy day and we could not resist a coffee stop at the beautiful Kenwood House. In the gardens to greet us was a Rhododendron bush in full flower! We continued past the ponds and up Parliament Hill with its wonderful views over London. On leaving the Heath we retired to The George at Belsize Park for a late lunch. We thank Derek Hillier for organising the walk. Gloria Exeter agm agenda 1 Apologies for absence. 2 To receive and approve the minutes of the 2007 AGM. 3 To receive and approve the inspected accounts. 4 Annual reports. 5 Election of Chairman, Secretary, Speakers Secretary, Group Co-ordinator, Raffle Organiser, Membership Secretary, Treasurer, Social Secretary & Welfare Officer. Please note that the Chairman is elected for a two year term in accordance with the constitution. 6 Appointment of Inspector of Accounts for next year. 7 Charity to be supported in Any Other Business. 5

ENTERTAINMENT Impatience Where is that cab? Hovering at the window, I draw the curtain aside: the cars wait reproachfully and silently. Glancing at my watch, Ten minutes late, I mutter.

I fall back again into the yielding chair and wait impassively. The seconds crawl by. A quarter of an hour late! I shout, and bound for the telephone. It s not right assenting murmurs.

6 ENTERTAINMENT Impatience Where is that cab? Hovering at the window, I draw the curtain aside: the cars wait reproachfully and silently. Glancing at my watch, Ten minutes late, I mutter. The room behind me reflects my chaotic thoughts the screwed up newspaper, the neglected cup, pens and combs awry. Oh, to rest without anxiety; oh, to act with the clear purpose of a bird! I fall back again into the yielding chair and wait impassively. The seconds crawl by. A quarter of an hour late! I shout, and bound for the telephone. It s not right assenting murmurs. Assuaged, I slump back again and doze away into another world. Brr! The doorbell pierces my world. Jumping up, I crash to the door. And on opening it I see the jovial face of the cab driver. Ready, dear? Smiling broadly, I catapult out of the home all my recriminations drying up, and, held up on the reassuring cushions of my cab, I am taken happily to my destination. Betty Deutsch Anagram It give info there Thursday (Solution next month) Music Appreciation The definition of a true music lover is a man who, when he hears a woman singing in the bath, puts his ear to the keyhole! The Oval, Sidcup 6

7 GROUP VACANCIES group name leader vacancies Amblers (Group 1) (3 miles) John Harbert Yes 3 rd Wednesday (morning) Antiques Appreciation Martin Baker 1 2 nd Friday (10 am - noon) Beginners Bridge Acol Barbara Shilling Vacancies on future 1 st & 4 th Thursday (11 am - 1 pm) courses (6 sessions) Bird Watching Gay Braybrook/José Steward Yes. Notice on board 1 st Wednesday (morning) / at meetings Darts (at The Alma pub) Fred Green Yes 2 nd Monday (midday) Freedom Pass Explorers Val Gosden Yes 2 nd Monday Local History (Group 3) Pam Kirk 4 2 nd Wednesday Music (Group 2) Derick Johnson 3 2 nd Friday (2.30 pm) National Trust/English Heritage John & Olive Mercer Yes Various dates & times Online Computer Group John Harlow Unlimited Does not meet Ramblers (Group 1) (6-7 miles) Annette Jansen Yes 4 th Tuesday (10.30 am) Saturday Ramble (4-5 miles) Gay Braybrook 3 1 st Saturday (morning) Pin Bowling (Bexleyheath) Gay Braybrook Yes Mondays (10 am) except school holidays Theatre (Group 2) Joan & John Somerset Yes. Notice on board Various matinées at meetings The above lists, unless I am told otherwise by Group Leaders, are the ones with vacancies. Please contact the Group Leader concerned in the first instance, and, if accepted, inform the Group Co-ordinator. José Steward, Group Co-ordinator ' Why not start a new group? If you are on the waiting list to join a full group why not create a new one and then advertise it in this Newsletter? It s not difficult to run a group and leaders of a full one can advise you how it s done. 7

8 2008 March Annual General Meeting and display of group activities April Mr. J. Ripley An afternoon with John Ripley at the Music Hall May Mrs. B. Stevens Tales of Downe June Mr. M. Matthews Around the world with music July Mr. M. Lloyd Passports, Assassins, Traitors and Spies August Mrs. Eavis The History of Blue and White China September To be announced October Mr. T. Western Magic as Entertainment November Wing Cmdr. Patrick Coulcher Natural History of the South Downs December Mr. J. Buttress Royal Parks committee members Chairman John Mercer Vice-Chairman Annette Jansen Minutes Secretary George Murrell Treasurer Dennis Brittain Membership Secretary John Harlow Speakers Secretary Valerie Gosden Group Co-ordinator José Steward Raffle Organiser Valerie Gosden Welfare Officer Gay Braybrook Social Secretary Anne Evans useful contact numbers Travel Group Leader Margaret Platt Newsletter Editor & Webmaster David Smith Please either contributions to me at or post them to me at 56 Crofton Avenue, Bexley DA5 3AR typed if possible. Please submit contributions by 3 rd of the month. website and forum Afterthought He who is afraid to ask is afraid of learning. 8

SIDCUP & DISTRICT UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE NEWSLETTER

SIDCUP & DISTRICT UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE NEWSLETTER May 2008 SIDCUP & DISTRICT U3A meets at 2.00 pm on the 3 rd Thursday of every month in the Community Church in Station Road, Sidcup NOTICES U3A