NO.13 JULY 2017 R O Y S T O N Following the AGM, I would like to thank you all for your support and for re-electing me and other committee members for a further year. I would also like to thank standing down committee members Reg and Kathy Hounsell and Deirdre Smith for all their hard work to make Royston U3A the success it is today. A big welcome to our new committee members taking on the following roles:- Vice Chair, Sandra Walker Treasurer & Speakers Secretary, Barbara Andrew Secretary, Karen Heaton Existing Groups Co-ordinator, Joan Westcott New Groups Co-ordinator, Sharon Camilletti My thanks to them for volunteering to come onto committee for the coming year. Jackie Gellert Chairman Inside this issue: Welcome message June meeting May meeting Five Mile Walks group History group Flower Arranging group Pudding group Gardening group Theatre group Wine Appreciation group Dates for your diary Guide to Interest Groups Interest Groups Contacts Royston U3A Committee 1 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 On the trail of the Anglo Saxons Spring is An excavation by here a local and archaeologist in a the quiet days corner of East Anglia are getting led to one of the most spectacular longer discoveries of the 20 th century. again so to keep Veronica Bennett told the story of how Suffolk archaeologist Basil Brown excavated a burial mound in the grounds of a country house at Sutton Hoo in 1939. It revealed an Anglo Saxon ship with a burial chamber containing a stunning collection of treasures dating back to the seventh century. It was quite a haul, with a magnificent helmet, sword and shield, gold coins and beautifully crafted silverware among the objects surely commemorating a high Pearls of Wisdom Pearls have been prized for thousands of years and gem expert Jason Middleton showed us why at May s meeting. The world s oldest gemstone has a unique appeal and he brought along ropes of shimmering pearls of all shapes and shades to illustrate his point. The pearl forms in molluscs which date back millions of years, he said. It s one of the earliest life forms on the planet and is quite simply a miracle of nature. What makes pearls unique is that unlike other gemstones mined from the earth they need no special cutting or polishing to release their natural beauty. Pearl jewellery has been treasured by many cultures and civilisations and for centuries ranking man or even a king. Veronica illustrated her talk with pictures of the treasures replicas are on show at the Sutton Hoo exhibition centre as the originals are in the British Museum. The Anglo Saxons were quite an amazing people and the exhibition centre brings Sutton Hoo to life, informing people about its place in the regional, national and international scene of the times, she said. Paying tribute to Basil Brown she added: He Veronica Bennett divers risked their lives searching for natural pearls before the world s first cultured pearls were created in Japan in the early 1900s. Cultured pearls now dominate the market and Hong Kong is the centre of pearl jewellery activity. Jason gave an insight into the was the son of yeoman farmers. He had an amazing brain and a thirst for knowledge and he was a remarkable archaeologist. vast variety and qualities of pearls from different shores, what to look for and how to care for them to preserve their natural beauty. When it comes to measureing quality, lustre is the main quality to look for in these beautiful natural gemstones he said. Jason Middleton
Stepping out in Barkway On a beautiful summer morning 31 walkers led by Julie Vaughan set off on a five mile walk from the Tally Ho pub at Barkway, taking in the High Street which is part of the old London to Cambridge coaching route and is lined with 15th and 16th century houses, some of them thatched. We continued along footpaths to Reed, stopping to visit the old village school and parish church with its Anglo Saxon entrance. The walk rounded off with a visit to Barkway Parish Church before arriving back at the Tally Ho for a welcome lunch. If you have a favourite walk like Julie that you would like to lead please let us know and Peter Andrew and I will be pleased to walk the route with you to confirm that it is suitable for a future walking day. Our next walk will be on July 12. Details will be posted on the website. Eric Heaton and Peter Andrew The Five Mile Walks group on their return to Barkway after a very pleasant walk despite demolition of a lot of buildings there are still many in the town centre that are recognisable today Taking a trip down memory lane Umpteen pubs with shops and tea rooms tucked inbetween, plus a host of interesting characters summed up the Royston of yesteryear. Royston historian Mike Lawrence took the History group on an entertaining slideshow walk around the town from the 1880s up to the 1950s. Scenes like The Bull Inn decked in flags for Queen Beales café on The Cross at one time used by a dentist as his monthly surgery! Victoria s diamond jubilee, children paddling in the pool on the Heath in the 1930s, and the brewery on the Morrisons site which burnt down in the early 1900s, all depicted the changing face of the town. Then there was the huge variety of stores from butchers and grocers to blacksmiths and furniture shops, although they were overshadowed by the number of pubs. Mike Lawrence PAGE 2 There were so many it used to look as if almost every door was a pub and on cattle market days pubs near the top of the market opened at 6am, said Mike. The 50 strong audience included four members who grew up in Royston and recalled their childhood memories. John Bishop lived at the Falcon Inn in Melbourn Street where his father was the publican and Sue Bishop's maiden name was Halstead, a close relative of Jack Halstead who ran what is now Mica Hardware. History group leader Reg Hounsell said: What was so striking was that despite the demolition of a lot of buildings there are still many in the town centre that are recognisable today. The group s next meeting will be on July 11. Contact Reg Hounsell on 01763 241805 or regroystonu3a@gmail.com
Saying it with flowers On a cold and windy May day eight flower arranging novices turned up at September Flowers in Market Hill Square for the first Royston U3A flower arranging workshop session run by the owner, Kenia. Her plan for our group was to create a posy fit to present to the Queen. After Kenia demonstrated the fundamentals of how to create a beautiful arrangement, we all then began to put into practice what we had been shown. Kenia made it look easy but the handling, twisting, gripping and securing of the fresh spring flowers took an immense amount of concentration. Stem-by-stem something quite beautiful began to evolve although quite a lot of guidance and assistance was necessary. As complete beginners it was quite difficult and it would have been a lot easier if we each had two pairs of hands. A professional trick we learnt from Kenia was to hold out ones thumb to grip the flowers and use our teeth to tie the string around the posy this manoeuvre actually worked well but was quite amusing to watch everyone trying it. At the end of the session we all left clutching our posies, not for the Queen but for our own homes. Buckingham Palace will just have to wait a while. During British Flower Week in June the group held a further session using a selection of British grown flower to produce a loose bunch arrangement. The group s next meeting will be on Monday July 31 at 10am when we will create a table centre arrangement. Jackie Gellert it was quite difficult and would have been a lot easier if we each had two pairs of hands The group with their beautiful posies Queen Victoria s favourite pudding Pudding group members were treated by Liz Wells to puddings that were favourites of nobility in the seventeenth century onwards. Cooking as we know it today wasn t the case back then; it was the ladies of the house who bought recipe books for their cooks to work from. Most people have heard of Mrs Isabella Beeton (1836-1865); her name is particularly associated with her first book, the 1861 work Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management. There were others who also produced recipe books such as Hannah Glasse an English cookery writer remembered mainly for her bestselling cookbook, The Art of Cookery made Plain and Easy, first published in 1747. She was probably the first domestic goddess well ahead of today s Nigella Lawson. We learnt that Queen Victoria had a very sweet tooth and the royal kitchens were kept busy catering to this particular aspect of their mistress s appetite. Her favourite pudding was the Sussex Pond, a pudding that Heston Blumenthal recently revived by putting an orange into his Christmas pudding the original If you are interested in joining the group contact Jackie Gellert on 01763 248097 or jackieroystonu3a@gmail.com Sussex Pond steam pudding had a lemon in it. Liz treated us to the Sussex Pond followed by Hannah Glasse s cherry pie pudding and to finish with we tasted a scrumptious rice pudding. Thankfully, for the sake of our waistlines, the group meets only once a rnonth. Jackie Gellert The group s next meeting will be on July 20 at 1pm. To join the group contact Liz Wells on 01763 247460 or liz.rosina@btinternet.com Ready Liz Wells PAGE 3
the show was spectacular with wonderful scenery, dancing and music PAGE 4 The delights of Kathy Brown s garden In May, 46 members of the Gardening Group enjoyed a coach outing to gardens in Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire. Our first stop was The Manor House at Stevington to visit the garden of cookery writer Kathy Brown. With Kathy Kathy Brown with the group Theatre news The Dominion Theatre in London was our destination in April to see An American in Paris - and we were not disappointed. This critically acclaimed and multi Tony Award-winning Broadway musical was inspired by the Oscar winning MGM film featuring many of George and Ira Gershwin s timelessly popular songs including I Got Rhythm, and her husband as guides, we had a very informative tour of the 4.5 acre garden. Started in 1991 as a cottage style garden, new areas have been added over the years including an ornamental grass parterre, winter garden, edible flower garden and wildflower meadow. A bonus for us was that before the formal tour we were able to walk round and then sit in the garden and sample the wonderful cakes Kathy makes to go with a welcome cup of tea. My favourite was the lemon drizzle and lavender cake! They Can t Take That Away From Me and S Wonderful. The show depicting Paris in the mid -1940s was spectacular with wonderful scenery, dancing and music. All in all we had a great time and a big thank you to Anita Crook who led the group when Deirdre Smith was unable to go. Linda Hack Theatre group members at the Dominion Theatre, London After lunch at Frosts Garden Centre in Woburn Sands we visited Ascott House, a fine Jacobean house at Wing in Buckinghamshire with extensive landscaped gardens. Preserved by the National Trust, Ascott House was built in the reign of James I. Donated to the National Trust in 1949 by the Rothschild family, it contains important collections of books, paintings and Chinese porcelain. An unexpected extra on the return trip was our coach driver taking the route through Woburn Abbey Country Park for great views of the deer herds. Reg Hounsell The group s next meeting on July 13 will be a talk about the importance of bees. Contact Val Fairbanks on 01763 230724 or t.fairbanks@ntlworld.com At the beginning of May the Theatre group went to see Arthur Miller s Pulitzer Prize winning Death Of A Salesman at the Cambridge Arts Theatre. Following the production difficulties with the sudden death of Tim Pigott-Smith, we saw in reality the play s premiere in Cambridge. The substitute lead actor Nicholas Woodeson took on the role of Willy Loman and did it well, even though he needed his script on stage. Widely considered to be one of the greatest plays of the twentieth century, Death Of A Salesman is about the cost of not being able to let go of the American Dream. The group enjoyed the play but agreed that at three hours long, it was quite a marathon to sit through. A very cultural afternoon. Deirdre Smith
A perfect summer evening On one of the hottest days of the year 35 members of the two Wine Appreciation groups got together and travelled by air conditioned coach to Newmarket for a Food & Wine Extravaganza. On arrival at Palace House the group spent time touring the National Horseracing Museum exploring works of art, silver, bronzes and artefacts including silks worn by famous jockeys Lester Piggott and Frankie Dettori. the Tack Room head chef Adam Spicer to complement each course of the French themed gourmet menu he had specially prepared for us and what a menu it was! Chef s adventurous food and Gil s selection of wines could not have been better matched and we were so lucky with the weather to be able to sit outside to enjoy the occasion. A great success and everyone wanted to know when can we do it again? Ralph Gellert After a short break to cool down the group reassembled in The Tack Room courtyard for an al fresco Food & Wine Extravaganza. The wines were chosen by Gil Riggans of Corney & Barrow in collaboration with Dates for your diary July August Royston U3A excursion to September Tuesday 25, 2pm Royston Parish Church Tuesday 26, 2pm Royston Parish Church Martin Johnson will give a talk on Bill Barr will give a talk on ANTARCTICA the White Continent and its amazing wildlife FROM PLOUGH TO PLATE SUTTON HOO and WOODBRIDGE Postponed from July 18 until Autumn 2017 Look out for full details and a booking form on our website. Easy Guide to Interest Groups MORNING Monday Flower Arranging 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
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 01763 248097 Birding Wed 8:30am Monthly 1st Wed Carol McGeoch carol.mcgeoch@hotmail.co.uk 01223 207354 Book Club 1 Tues 2:00pm Monthly 1st Tues Deirdre Smith deirdreroystonu3a@gmail.com 01763 244700 Book Club 2 Fri 11:00am Monthly Variable Janet Burton janet.a.burton@gmail.com 07984 600295 Book Club 3 Wed 10:30am Monthly last Wed Elizabeth (Lee) Towers ladytowers@gmail.com 01763 241488 Bridge for Beginners Tues 1:45pm Weekly Mike Thrower mike.thrower@ntlworld.com 07737 400348 Clay Shooting Wed 2:00pm Variable Frank Martin tf.martin@ntlworld.com 07831 898234 Current Affairs Mon 4:00pm Monthly Variable George Karger 01763 245988 Curry Club Mon 12:00pm Monthly Variable Reg Hounsell regroystonu3a@gmail.com 01763 241805 Excursions Variable Variable Occasional Annette Guttridge annette@guttridge.org.uk 01763 241818 Fitness Tues 9:30am Weekly Kathy Hounsell kathyroystonu3a@gmail.com 01763 241805 Five Mile Walks Wed 9:45am Monthly 2nd Wed Eric Heaton ericroystonu3a@gmail.com 01763 242989 Flower Arranging Mon 10.00am Monthly Variable Jackie Gellert jackieroystonu3a@gmail.com 01763 248097 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 01763 230724 Golf Thurs 1:00pm Weekly Ralph Gellert ralphroystonu3a@gmail.com 01763 248097 History Tues 2:00pm Monthly Variable Reg Hounsell regroystonu3a@gmail.com 01763 241805 Jazz Appreciation Wed 7:30pm Monthly 2nd Wed Reg Hounsell regroystonu3a@gmail.com 01763 241805 Meditation Mon 10:30am 2nd & 4th Mon of month John Froggett johnfroggett19@gmail.com 07900 210808 Mixed Crafts Thurs 2:00pm Monthly 3rd Thurs Rosie Cowsley rosie.cowsley@ntlworld.com 07809 047380 Patchwork Wed 10:00am Monthly 1st Wed Maureen Strugnell maureen.strugnell@ntlworld.com 01763 241967 Petanque / Boules Fri 2:30pm Fortnightly John Bishop bishop190@btinternet.com 01763 246703 Pilates Fri 2:00pm Weekly Kathy Hounsell kathyroystonu3a@gmail.com 01763 241805 Pottery (Hand Building) Mon 2:00pm Fortnightly Variable Rosie Cowsley rosie.cowsley@ntlworld.com 07809 047380 Pudding Thurs 1:00pm Monthly Liz Wells liz.rosina@btinternet.com 01763 247460 Seated Exercise Tues 10:45am Weekly Kathy Hounsell kathyroystonu3a@gmail.com 01763 241805 Tai Chi Mon 3:00pm Weekly Reg Hounsell regroystonu3a@gmail.com 01763 241805 Theatre Trips Variable Variable Occasional Deirdre Smith deirdreroystonu3a@gmail.com 01763 244700 Walking: Strollers Thurs 10:15am 1st & 3rd Thurs of month David Walker djwalker3@aol.com 01763 241896 Wine Appreciation 1 & 2 Wed 2:00pm Monthly Variable Jackie Gellert jackieroystonu3a@gmail.com 01763 248097 If you have an interest that you would like to share with others let us know by contacting Sharon Camilletti, New Groups Co-ordinator Royston U3A Committee Chairman Jackie Gellert jackieroystonu3a@gmail.com 01763 248097 Vice Chair Sandra Walker sandraroystonu3a@gmail.com 01763 241896 Treasurer & Speakers Secretary Barbara Andrew barbararoystonu3a@gmail.com 01763 245363 Secretary Karen Heaton karenroystonu3a@gmail.com 01763 242989 Membership Secretary Marion Martin marionroystonu3a@gmail.com 01763 246876 Minutes Secretary Sylvia Fuller sylviaroystonu3a@gmail.com 01763 243006 Existing Groups Co-ordinator Joan Westcott joanroystonu3a@gmail.com 01763 220812 New Groups Co-ordinator Sharon Camilletti sharonroystonu3a@gmail.com 07725 847303 Publicity Pam Dajda pam@dajda.net 01763 246234 Royston U3A News Ralph Gellert ralphroystonu3a@gmail.com 01763 248097 Committee Member George Karger 01763 245988 Co-opted Committee Member Eric Heaton ericroystonu3a@gmail.com 01763 242989 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 01763 246234