CALDICOT & DISTRICT. Newsletter & Diary April 2018 Meetings in Caldicot Choir Hall at 2.15pm FOLLOWED BY UKULELE GROUP

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1 CALDICOT & DISTRICT Newsletter & Diary April 2018 Meetings in Caldicot Choir Hall at 2.15pm Reg Charity No THURSDAY 19TH APRIL 2018 SUBJECT: TEA ROTA: AGM FOLLOWED BY UKULELE GROUP FAMILY HISTORY THURSDAY 17TH MAY 2018 SUBJECT: SPEAKER: TEA ROTA: TALK ON THE HONOURS SYSTEM ASHLEY JONES GARDENING CHAIRMAN S LETTER It is that time of year when our Annual General Meeting will take place at the April meeting. I am pleased to say we have received two new nominations to which I thank these people. This means that the committee as it stands today will, if voted in by you members who attend the AGM, agree and vote to them standing for another year, will continue in their roles on the committee. It has been a busy last six months as The Third Age Trust has carried out their EGM in order to alter their Constitution which of course means we have to update ours in accordance with rules and regulations. At least this will be done by next year which will make life a little easier for whoever volunteer to take over the positions when some of the present committee retire. The Convenors and Treasurers meeting went well and for those who turned up we explained the changes being made in the future. It would appear that most groups are doing well and continuing to encourage new members. This is a good sign that the U3A is thriving, we now have 484 members. Subscriptions are now required for the New Year and I am pleased to say that these still stand at 10 for the year. That s it for now and I hope to see many of you at the AGM. This is your chance to ask any questions. Best Wishes to you All Pam Caines Chairman 1

2 SPEAKERS LIST 2018 TEA ROTA June 21st The life and works of Ivor Novello Howard Mortimer Handicraft July 19th Drama Presentation Phoenix Players History August NO MEETING September 20th TBA David Harrison Jive Bunnies October 18th OPEN DAY Music Appreciation November 15th Windsor Castle Alan & Jane Denman Science & Nat. History December 20th Drama Presentation Phoenix Players Scrabble COPY FOR THE NEWSLETTER We welcome reports from all groups for inclusion in the Newsletter or forwarding to our website. Word doc is preferred and should be sent to: or tel by midday on the 27th May 2018 Typed or handwritten notes should be submitted a few days earlier if possible. Please try to limit reports to about 300 words. Angela Hodson-Hirst, Editor. LINK SECRETARY I would ask that if you hear of any member(s) who reach their 80th, 90th, 100th birthdays, Golden, Diamond, Platinum Wedding Anniversaries or even Marriages between members to please contact me so that I can send a Congratulatory card. Also, if you hear of any member or their family who are in hospital, sick or any other reason please inform me. Angela Hodson-Hirst leechpool@talktalk.net or THANK YOU We wish to THANK everyone who sent Valerie Birthday Greetings and us Congratulations on our Diamond Wedding Anniversary. Ron and Valerie Lapthorn CONGRATULATIONS Congratulations to Tresna Williams who celebrates her 80th birthday this month. 2

3 GROUP NEWS AND INFORMATION Would all group Conveners send me news and information for the monthly Diary which will be included in the table below. Thank you. Editor ACTIVITY GROUPS INFORMATION ART Every Wednesday 1.30 to 4.00pm, Recreation Hall, Portskewett. Convener...Mary Richards Tel: BRIDGE Every Monday 2.00 to 4.00pm, Council Day Centre No Meetings on Bank Holidays. Convener Madelyn Drake Tel: COMPUTING Every Friday 9.30 to12.30am at the Baptist Church, Neddern Way. Convener John Mills Tel: DRAMA Discussion/Demonstrations Second Friday of the month 10.00am to 12 noon digital image competition with Ann Taylor-Heard Every Friday 2.00pm Portskewett Hall. Conveners Pam Caines..Dianne Payne Tel: FAMILY HISTORY 4th Friday of the month to 12noon. All welcome at Bethany Baptist Church. Caldicot. Convener John Jeffery Tel: GARDENING Indoor meetings run from October to April in the Scout Hall on second Thursday of the month at 2.15 pm Convener Rosa Morgan Tel: HANDICRAFT Apr 12th: Plant hunting around the world. Speaker Nick Macer May 10th: Llysdinham Court and Hay on Wye. Leaving Mill Lane 9am Jun 7th: Aulden Farm Irises then to Berrington Hall National Trust. Leaving Mill Lane 9am Jun 14th: Highgrove. Leaving Mill Lane promptly 8.30am Jul 12th: Stockton Bury Garden then onto Hereford. Leaving Mill Lane 9am Sept 13th: Burnham Orchid Nursery with tour then onto House of Marbles, Bovey Tracey. Leaving Mill Lane 9am 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month to 12.00pm Council Day Centre. Convener Beryl Lewis. Tel: Assisted by Jill Greenhalgh. Tel:

4 HISTORY 3rd Wednesday of the month 2.15pm Council Day Centre Convener..Sheila Ford. Tel: Assisted by. Jean Gilham. Tel: JIVE BUNNIES Alternate Thursday evening 7.00 pm 9.00 pm Portskewett Recreational Hall Convener Wendy Protheroe Tel: Apr 18th: History of Computing. Speaker Dave Edwards May 16th: Tonypandy Riots, was Churchill Guilty? Speaker David Harrison Jun 20th: Wars and their aftermath..speaker Sheila Ford Apr 5th & 19th May 3rd, 17th & 31st Jun 14th & 28th MUSIC APPRECIATION 4th Thursday of the month 2.00 to 4.00pm. Council Day Centre. Convener Jan Potter assisted by Adrian Dallow Tel: (Jan) Tel: (Adrian) SCIENCE AND NATURAL HISTORY Meetings to be held 1st Monday of the month noon. Scout Hall, Sandy Lane Convener. Bob Whitehead Tel: SCRABBLE Alternate Fridays 1.30pm to 3.30pm. Town council Day Centre. Convener Glynis Croft Tel: SHORT MAT BOWLS Wednesday afternoons 2.00 to 4.00 pm. Scout Hall. Friday evening 7.00 to 9pm Convener Roland Carey Tel: SINGING FOR PLEASURE Meet every other Monday 10.30am to 12.30pm. Recreational Hall, Portskewett. Convener. Sue Shepherd Tel: Apr 9th: A sortie in Spain and Portugal...Speaker: Philip Mugridge ARPS Apr 30th: Prosthetics through the ages to present day..speaker(s): Katy Lesley & Hannah Pentin. Bristol Centre for Enablement May 18th: Visit to Oxford city its many historic buildings and the new Watergate shopping centre. Leave Mill Lane 8.30am cost (Coach & hop on/off bus) Jun 4th: Life, Work, Recreation and Conservation of our UK National Parks. Speaker. Katheryn Cook Director of National Parks UK. WALKERS ARE INVITED TO JOIN US FOR THIS MEETING. Jun 25th: Visit to Haynes International Motor Museum including lunch break in the town of Sherbourne. Leave Mill Lane 9.00am cost (Coach & entry) Jul 25th: Visit to Royal Welsh Show at Builth Wells. Leave Mill Lane circa 8.15am cost (Coach & entry) Apr 6th: Apr 20th: Additional Sessions: Our Short Mat Bowls now meets on Friday evenings, in addition to the Wednesday afternoon sessions. So, if you would like to try to roll a ball on Friday between 7pm and 9pm contact the Convener Apr 9th: Apr 23rd: 4

5 SPANISH Monday Mornings to various venues. Convener Julian Woods Tel: SPECIAL EVENTS Convener Pam Caines Tel: SUNDAY LUNCH CLUB Convener Pam Caines Tel: Apr 22nd: The Cellar, Caldicot 12.30pm TABLE TENNIS Monday 2.00 to 4.00pm Scout Hall, Sandy Lane Convener Les Mitchell Tel: UKULELE Every Tuesday 2.00 to 4.00 at the Recreation Hall Portskewett Convener. Pauline Fryer Tel: WALKING GROUPS For further information please contact Conveners WHEN: WHERE: Every Tuesday 9.00 & 9.30 am Caldicot Choir Hall Car Park. ALL WALKS SUBJECT TO CHANGE STRAGGLERS 3 4 miles easy and moderate Convener Derek Watson Tel: AMBLERS Around 4 miles some hills/stiles Conveners Gaynor Pask Tel: Jeanette Trask Tel: STROLLERS Convener Rob Harry Tel: STRIDERS 5-7 miles - moderate & strenuous Convener. Richard Harding Apr 3rd: Itton with Derek. Lunch: The Huntsman Apr 10th: Aylburton, Daffodil Walk with Linda & Clive. Lunch: Two Rivers Apr 17th: Wentwood with Jan & Claude. Lunch: The Cellar Apr 24th: Magor Area with Gill & Ann H. Lunch: The Wheatsheaf May 1st: Catbrook with Brian. Lunch: The Fountain Inn Apr 3rd: 14 Locks with Jenny & Stan. Lunch: Rising Sun Apr 10th: Caerleon with Jeanette & Gaynor. Lunch: Ship Inn Caerleon Apr 17th: Bigsweir Woods with Sue & Ann. Lunch: Village Inn, Sedbury Apr 24th: Clytha with Sue & Francesca. Lunch: Raglan Garden Centre May 1st: Sedbury with Gaynor & Jeanette. Lunch: Village Inn, Sedbury Apr 3rd: Yorkley with Rob H. Lunch: The Nags Head Apr 10th: TBA with Joy & Judy. Lunch: TBA Apr 17th: Lydney Harbour with Bill & Jen. Lunch: Rising Sun, Lydney Apr 24th: Broadway Bus Trip with Judi H May 1st: NO WALK Apr 3rd: Bigsweir Bridge with Richard. Lunch: The Sloop Apr 10th: Hewesfield with Richard. Lunch: The Brockweir 5

6 Tel: Apr 17th: Feddw Wood with Carol. Lunch: The Huntsman Apr 24th: Redbrook with Peter & Anne. Lunch: The Sloop May 1st: Sirhowy Valley with Marlene. Lunch: The Darren, Risca NP11 6GU TREASURERS CORNER I would like to thank those extremely organised Treasurers and Conveners who have already collected from their respective groups this year s renewal which is for full membership and 6.50 for accredited associates (members of other U3A s). It is of great assistance to me if group officers provide a list and payments in respect of their members against which I will provide to them the new pink cards and allocated membership numbers for the year. May I gently remind you that you need to renew in order to vote at the AGM and benefit from such insurances as the Third Age Trust provides to individual U3As ALZHEIMERS DONATION We have received a special thank you letter for the proceeds of the raffle held at our Christmas party. Dear Mr Hodson-Hirst.... We can achieve so much more when we come together. Thank you so much to everyone at Caldicot and District U3A for uniting against dementia and raising a fantastic We will ensure that we make every penny count to drive our crucial work. Dementia devastates lives. By 2021, 1 million people will be living with the condition. But dementia won't win. Until the day we find a cure, Alzheimer's Society will be here for anyone affected by dementia wherever they are, whatever they're going through. Everything we do is informed and inspired by them. We ll make sure that your donation is put to good use, whether it s spent on campaigning activity to stand up for people with dementia, funding research to develop a cure, or delivering vital services across the UK; it s going to make a huge difference. Just one of the vital services we provide is Side by Side where we focus on the individual needs and personalities of people with dementia, allowing them to continue doing their favourite activities and making sure people living with dementia don t feel alone. After a whole year of not going out, I now can't imagine staying indoors.' Val, living with dementia, using Side by Side We re taking on dementia to put a stop to it, any way we can. Once again, thank you. With your help we hope to one day win the battle against dementia. Yours sincerely Katie Hooker Customer Care Administrator 6

7 GARDENING GROUP Things to do in the garden Feed soft fruit with fish blood and bone or groundmore Water plants in pots if close to wall or fences Try sprinkling seeds of hardy annuals like poppies, love in the mist through flower beds for extra colour Cut back hardy honeysuckle, winter jasmine and ivy Chillies are easy to grow once germinated they need heat in the early stages. They can be planted outside in mid-june Pinch out fuchsia, sweet peas and pelargoniums to encourage bushiness Divide hostas before they come into leaf Sow peas, broad beans, brassicas, leeks, root veg, spinach, swiss chard, salad and hardy herbs Rosa Morgan HANDICRAFT Thank you letter for the proceeds of raffle of quilts. Beryl Lewis 7

8 Caldicot and District PROPOSED CHANGES TO CALDICOT & DISTRICT U3A CONSTITUTION The Third Age Trust has been in discussion with the Charity Commissioners to produce a common definition for the role of each U3A. It is proposed to update the Objectives of Caldicot & District U3A at the Annual General Meeting and adopt the revised wording. FROM: 3) Objects The Objects of the U3A are: (i) (ii) To advance the education of the public and in particular the education of older people no longer in full time gainful employment in Caldicot and its surrounding locality. The provision of facilities for leisure time and recreational activities with the object of improving the conditions of life for the above persons in the interests of their social welfare. TO: 3) Charitable Purpose The charitable purpose of the U3A is: The advancement of education and, in particular, the education of older people and those who are retired from full time work, by all means including associated activities conducive to learning and personal development in Caldicot and its surrounding locality.. 8

9 DRAMA GROUP We are now busy rehearsing for the July meeting. We have put together a selection of Television sketches which I am sure you will all recognise on the day and will probably be able to name the shows they are from. (We hope!). Pam SPECIAL EVENTS WINE TASTING AT CARMARTHEN WEDNESDAY 11th APRIL 2018 Would everyone who is on this trip note that the coach will be picking us up at Mill Lane Bus Bay at 9:15am. We are expected to be at the Vineyard at 12:30 so leaving this early will allow for traffic and any other unexpected hold-ups. Please be on time and thank you. THE ROYAL WELSH SHOW - WEDNESDAY 25th JULY 2018 I have arranged a day at the Royal Welsh Show as above. We will be leaving Mill Lane Bus Bay at 8:00am in order to give us the maximum time at the show. We have to allow for traffic etc. so I hope the early start will not upset you. You can always sleep on the coach!!! Our coach is with Edwards (as always) so please don t get mixed up with the other trip from Science and Natural History who will be leaving on the same day. A SUMMER HOLIDAY IN JUNE THE ISLE OF WIGHT As stated in previous newsletters I have now arranged this holiday to the Isle of Wight on the above date. The cost of this is per person (there will be a single supplement unfortunately, but I will try to keep this to a minimum). At present I am only able to take names for the reserve list as this has filled up pretty quick. Can I now ask those of you who have not yet paid your deposit of 50 per person for it to be paid before or at the latest the April meeting. Pam SUNDAY LUNCH CLUB Following the lovely meal we all had at the The Huntsman in Shirenewton the Sunday Lunch Club is still popular. Our April lunch will be held on the 22nd April at The Cellar in Caldicot, (this is behind the Co-op). We will be in the Cwtch. Again please be there for 12:30pm. Can you please let me have your names before then so that I know who will be attending. I would hate to start eating before you had all turned up!! I will let you know where the May meeting will be so watch this space. Pam HISTORY The March meeting of the History Group had a talk by Peter Strong entitled Gwent The year 1918 began with a German offensive which penetrated allied lines, but eventually failed, largely because the British and French armies co-ordinated their operations, but a sense of foreboding prevailed. The Home Front was just as pessimistic many foodstuffs became difficult to obtain, and the government was forced to introduce rationing, which it did in The scheme was masterminded by D.A. Thomas, Lord Rhondda, food controller in Lloyd George s cabinet. 9

10 Throughout the summer, while food problems remained, the situation improved significantly. Rationing was beginning to have the desired effect in providing a fairer distribution of foodstuffs and the queues disappeared. Lord Rhondda died in July that year, and was hailed a hero. He is even commemorated on the Magor War Memorial, something very unusual for a civilian. Also there were some indirect benefits. Bread and potatoes were not rationed, the theory being that if people could get as much of them as they liked, they could at least keep their stomachs full when other foodstuffs were not available. When the fighting stopped and the armistice was announced, the news quickly spread through the land; communities celebrated, church bells rang, hooters sounded, people cheered and the result was an enormous cacophony of sound. Throughout the country, workers left work and schools closed down for the day. However amidst the signs of jubilation there were many tears, not just of joy but also of grief the much-feared telegrams had not stopped arriving. The page of the Weekly Argus that gave details of local armistice celebrations also contained photographs of 17 local men who had recently been killed or posted missing. So many families had paid a heavy price. Dave Edwards SIGHTFIRST PROJECT LIONS Unwanted spectacles/sunglasses will continue to be collected at the Monthly Meeting. The collecting box will be on the bar at the back of the hall. Lions Clubs International is a leader in providing support for preventing avoidable blindness and restoring sight for people around the world. Rowland Searle WALKERS VISIT TO ST FAGANS On a cold winter morning 45 intrepid strollers and friends set off for St Fagan's Museum. The group were wrapped up warmly against the elements and looking forward to seeing the new editions to the museum as well as revisiting old favourites. On arrival the group split into two with 25 people choosing to spend the day in the museum and ground and another 20 opting to go on a walk around the village of St Fagan's and surrounding areas. The walk was led by Liz Gillum a staunch royalist. Liz lead the walkers to several sites of historical significance including a 13th century church and Napoleonic windmill. We also visited the site of the battle of St Fagan's where the royalists had been soundly defeated by Oliver s army (what do you expect when going into battle wearing a floppy hat and a feather). We enjoyed the walk and managed to arrive back at the museum for lunch in the new restaurant. There we met up with the rest of the group who were also impressed with the new instalments now almost finished. They related to the beauty of St Teilo's Church and of the memories brought back when visiting the terraced cottages from Merthyr and the working men's institute from Oakdale, contrasting with the grandeur of the castle and grounds. As usual the Strollers related to the food on offer whether it be the new restaurant, the Gwalia Café or the recently opened café in the middle of the site all of which offered excellent fare. Everyone said they had a good time and we arrived home safely having spent the day in good company with fond memories of the past to share in the future. Rob Harry 10

11 APRIL CROSSWORD In this crossword there are TWO clues for each word. Can you work out which is TRUE and which is FALSE? March Crossword Solution Across 1. Mariners / Doctors (7) 5. Recital / Spontaneous remark (5) 8. Legendary bird / Legendary horse (7) 9. Animal / Fish (3) 10. Lengthen / Shorten (7) 11. Frequently / Infrequently (5) 13. Grabbed / Dropped (6) 15. Pop songs / Sacred songs (6) 18. True / Untrue (5) 19. Broke away / Captured (7) 21. Insect / Bird (3) 23. Fruit / Vegetable (7) 24. Charity / Larceny (5) 25. Sincere / Insincere (7) Down 1. Gloves / Footwear (7) 2. Fair / Unfair (9) 3. Square / Eggshaped (5) 4. Vocalist / Instrumentalist (6) 5. Tense / Relaxed (7) 6. Girl / Boy (3) 7. Start / Finish (5) 12. Gardening tool / Communication device (9) 14. Clumsy / Graceful (7) 16. Happiest / Unhappiest (7) 17. Close / Distant (6) 18. Snack / Banquet (5) 20. Piece of cake / Piece of furniture (5) 22. Part of the hand / Part of the foot (3) APRIL HUB WORD How many words can you make from the letters in the wheel? Each word must contain the hub letter C. Can you find a 9-letter word and at least 20 other words of five letters or more avoiding proper nouns? March s Hub Word Solution 9-letter word - ACROBATIC Some other words of four letters or more containing the hub letter R: airt, aria, boar, brat, brit, cart, coir, crab, crib, riot, rota, taro, tori, trio, abort, actor, aorta, atria, bract, carat, carob, circa, cobra, orbit, raita, ratio, riata, tabor, taira, tiara, aortic, rabato, acrobat, carioca. Solution next month 11

12 TRUSTEES Chairman Pam Caines Vice Chairman John Jeffery Treasurer Tony Hodson-Hirst Committee Secretary Jackie Hicks Speakers Secretary Network Contact Newsletter & Diary Editor Link Secretary Committee Committee Committee Committee Anne Duke John Duke Angela Hodson-Hirst Susan Gilbert Jean Gilham Rob Harry Merrill Lang OFFICERS Public Relations Membership Secretary Dave Edwards Alma Gaskell 12