Marple and District Newsletter 2017.pdf · 2017. 6. 16. · Jacky Fantom: 355 0965 A Word from our Chairperson Dear fellow members of Marple and District U3A, It is with much pleasure

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Marple and District

June

We are now well into Summer and all the Summer activities are in full swing. The new Committee

are settling into their roles and we look forward to an exciting programme of talks and outings. I

would like to take the opportunity to welcome our new members and encourage them to take part

in one or more of the many groups, active within our U3A branch.

In this edition of the newsletter Jacqui Airey, our chairperson, offers her vision for our U3A. We

have news of events organised by U3A North West, as well as information relating to our own

branch.

Marple U3A Committee Members 2017

Chair - Jacqui Airey: [email protected] 637 5098

Secretary - Christine Blease: [email protected] 07944771473

Treasurer - Phil Ridgway: [email protected] 427 6007

Membership Secretary - Carol Culley: [email protected] 221 1237

Group Coordinator - Hazel Meakin 427 7343

IT and newsletter - David Jones: 449 8168

Charity link - Cynthia Pitts: 465 0492

Speaker Secretary - Sally D: 456 7359

Jacky Fantom: 355 0965

A Word from our Chairperson

Dear fellow members of Marple and District U3A,

It is with much pleasure that I write to you as the recently elected chairperson for the Marple and

District U3A. As some of you may know, my husband, Martin, and I are relatively new to Marple.

We moved up here in August 2015, having lived the start of our married life in Cambridge. This is

the home of the first U3A group in the UK. When we joined the Cambridge U3A we were

astounded not only at the number of groups (over 250) but at the wide range of interests. These

ranged from Investment strategies to Ancient Greek and from Mandarin to the history of the

Roman Empire from 284- 476 AD! I suspect Cambridge is unusual compared to the rest of the

U3As in the UK but their aims are just the same: to further continued learning and to enable

people to meet socially. Our Committee are keen to promote these objectives and to encourage

people who are new to retirement or new to the area to join our U3A. We would also like to

encourage existing members to offer up their talents or interests to form new groups. You do not

need to be an expert or a leader as often the best groups can be those where people take in in

turn to “facilitate” the meeting.

If any of you out there have an idea for a new group then please do contact Hazel Meakin, our

new group co-ordinator.

Jacqui Airey

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Speaker Meeting- April

On 10th April, the subject of Rob Carroll’s presentation was ‘songs and stories’. As the title

suggests, Rob entertained us by singing a diverse set of songs, from Elizabethan Galliards to the

sea songs of Cyril Tawney, and, to lighten the mood, part of Back Answers, a monologue by Robb

Wilton. Rob introduced each song with a story relating to its origin and context in which it was

originally performed. For example, La Volta was a popular dance in the Elizabethan Court.

Despite the rigid depictions of Queen Elizabeth I, she was in fact an enthusiastic proponent of the

dance and would often be seen cutting-a-rug with her favourite dance partner, Robert Dudley, Earl

of Leicester. La Volta was an energetic dance involving lifts and turns, which, given the weight of

the dresses (and not to be too indelicate, the weight of the ladies) would have been impossible

without the aid of handles sewn in to the frock. Alas, La Volta is now left to those who like to dress

up – for which we can only be grateful – though for the curious: La Volta at Packwood House

In the timeline of Rob’s performance, we are now at WW1 and the place is the Cotswolds. Since

the men and boys were away at war it was left to the women to continue the tradition of the

Cotswold Morris. Songs such as The Whitsun Dance, The Week before Easter and Haste to the

Wedding were songs from this place and time.

Rob sang the words of a Poem by W.B. Yeats – The Song of Wandering Aengus, set to the tune

of The Parting Glass. The current Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy has cited this poem as one that

made her cry.

Rob’s career in performance seems to be a long one since he knew the late Cyril Tawney and told

us of how Cyril had served several years ‘before the mast’ and how that experience informed his

song writing. Rob sang the Cyril Tawney songs The Grey Funnel Line and On a Monday Morning.

Eventually Cyril became so famous for his network broadcast performances he was able to buy

himself out of the Navy.

Rob closed his set by telling us of his time with his band on the Coronation Street charity tour and

his friendship with the actor Bruce Jones (Les Battersby). Rob sang China Blue written by fellow

band member - Tony Nyland, and finished with Cyril Tawney’s reluctant encore My Mother Came

from Norway.

It’s worth mentioning that Rob’s fee for these appearances is donated to the charity Mercy Ships;

a team of nurses, doctors, surgeons, and other crew members from all over the world, donating

their time to help on board the world’s largest non-governmental floating hospital.

www.mercyships.org.uk

Thanks to Rob for an entertaining and informative talk.

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Speaker Meeting- May

Even if you shared a cell with Norman Stanley Fletcher, few of us would consider a stay at

Her Majesty’s Pleasure a pleasurable way to pass the time. And so, that notion was firmly brought home to

us on 8th May when Alan Blocksidge gave us an insight into life inside a British prison. Alan is a serving

Discipline Officer in HMP Manchester (formerly Strangeways).

Most of the news we hear about prisons and the justice system is bad and so Alan was here to set the

record straight, or at least to rebalance it.

The 80,000 or so prisoners currently being detained are either convicted prisoners or prisoners on remand.

Prisoners who are held on remand can expect to be held for 28 days but as Alan said, that period could be

as long as several years. Convicted prisoners are categorised from A – the most severe, to D – likely to be

spending their time in an open prison.

As an on-duty officer Alan doesn’t carry much equipment and showed us the almost useless extendable

baton and something he called a ‘fish’ knife, because when closed it resembles a fish. The baton, useless

because the time it takes to deploy would be too long for the average spontaneous attack. The fish knife to

cut the ligatures of successful suicides.

As prisoners are processed, they are searched and strip searched. A simple enough procedure made

complicated by the fact that a proportion of prisoners are transgender and require a different approach. Any

weapons or anything that could be fashioned into a weapon are confiscated along with mobile phones.

When I say fashioned into a weapon I refer to the metal inserts found in underwire bras. And while we are

on the subject of underwear, the G-string has no place in HMP. Functional as it maybe, it can also be

functional as drug launching catapult.

Alan started his career in the prison Service at Long Lartin prison and has seen many changes and reforms

to the Prison Service. With emphasis now being placed on care and rehabilitation. Some prisoners are

trained as Samaritans and counsel their fellow inmates. A prisoner could even leave prison with a Degree.

In prison life reflects art, and Alan has seen parallels to the 1970s BBC comedy series, “Porridge”. It seems

there are real life characters like Harry Grout (Grouty) and countless, not-too-bright ones who make up the

supporting cast.

Though far from comic, Alan has seen the lighter side of prison life and so it was that whilst serving his

term in Long Lartin he was taught the game of Backgammon by a Libyan prisoner convicted of terrorist

acts. I guess that in prison a Mars Bar could be worth more than its weight in Gold – which is just as well,

because when Alan was transferred from that prison, a few Mars bars were the currency he used to settle

his £2.4 gambling debt.

So, between the extremes of officers Mr. Mackay and Mr. Barrowclough, Alan Blocksidge would probably

sit unseen and unheard between the two, which is probably just about right.

Thanks to Alan for the talk and for his public service.

Schedule of speakers

Date Speaker Title of talk Synopsis

12.06.17 Paul Beatty 1842 General Strike How it affected Marple and the local area

10.07.17 Richard Edwards The Old Cow Shed: Food as it should be

14.08.17 Alf Molyneux My Mining Life

11.09.17 Maureen Sawyer Scents of Purpose Uses of scented plants

09.10.17 David Seddon Escapism and Nonsense Work of Lewis Carroll and Edward Lear

13.11.17 Cath Comley My Life in Nursing - the first 10 years Nursing in the 1960s with uniforms

11.12.17 Keith Warrender Hidden Gems of Manchester Unusual, untold features and stories brought to light in this illustrated presentation

08.01.18 Josephine Gosling Amazing History Walks

12.02.18 Brian Hallworth tbc

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Our Charity, 2017/2018: The Alzheimer’s Society

Just over £60 pounds has so far been collected for our chosen charity.

Steph Larkin, Community Fundraiser for Greater Manchester said:

“Alzheimer’s Society seeks to support everyone affected by dementia. We are so grateful to

Marple U3A who are fundraising for us this year. Dementia devastates lives, but dementia won’t

win. We need as many people as possible to join us now to unite against dementia. Funds raised

from the group will help us move a step closer to a world without dementia.”

News from our interest groups

Intermediate French, Groups 1 and 2

These are now taking place only once a month. Please see the group timetable, if you are

interested in joining.

We are always looking for members to start new groups, as this is a large part of what the U3A is

all about. If you are interested in setting up a group – maybe you have a new idea- please contact

Hazel Meakin, our Group Coordinator. Please note, you do not have to have been a U3A

member for years before running a group; new members have often started new groups.

If you are worried about committing yourself on a long-term basis, would you consider running an

interest group for ten weeks only? Some hobbies lend themselves to this idea; cake decorating or

flower arranging are prime examples. One or two members have expressed an interest in Italian. A

course in any of these skills would certainly suit some of our members! Could anyone teach the

ukulele?

We are still looking for someone to lead the Classical Music Group.

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Short Walks for Busy People

On 4th May ten of us met in the car park of Etherow Country Park at the beginning of a short walk along the well-defined paths of Etherow Park. The weather on the day gave us bright sunshine accompanied by a brisk north-easterly breeze. Led by Jacky Fantom, we walked easily along the lower path before climbing to the high part of the park. The sight of Spring flowers raised the spirits, with just a sprinkling of Ragged Robin but Wild Garlic everywhere and a woodland carpet of Blue Bells. A short stop for a photo and then off and upwards. I thought I identified a Butterfly that put me in mind of a punctuation mark – yes, it was definitely a Comma - I think. More easily identified was the Orange Tip, by er… yes, its orange tipped wings. Down to the Keg Pool and the nesting Swans. One on the nest the other enjoying the water. We moved swiftly yet quietly past, where within a few yards we met more wild fowl. The almost ubiquitous Canada Goose, the occasional Mallard, and the one with the coat-of-many-colours, the Mandarin Duck. On the homestretch now, passing an errant Terrapin – yes, that’s right. Past their tiny, cute stage and now as large as a dinner plate, this one (I guess) released by its owner back into the ‘wild’. The miniature J Class yachts and the model boat club marked the end of the walk, and for some, a cup of tea.

Walkers in Etherow Country Park

Swan on the nest

Exotic wildlife

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Summer Bowling Summer Bowling has now started on the bowling green in the Marple Memorial Park. We meet there every Wednesday morning during April to October from 10am until mid-day. Group membership is open to all U3A members with the following proviso: An annual green permit must be obtained [via the group coordinator] to be allowed to use the green, which belongs to Stockport MBC. The cost for this is £23.50 this year. It helps if you have your own set of crown green bowls, but we can help if not. If any U3A members have bowls languishing in their attic / garage which are no longer required, we would gladly help to dispose of these if you contact the Group Coordinator. ANY MARPLE U3A Members wishing to join this group please also contact the Group Coordinator, Brian Bircher.

Group Coordinator: Brian Bircher 0161 427 5472 [email protected] Forthcoming Outings

2017 TBC

June 27th Lion Salt Works August 11th The Great British Pageant 2017 September 29th Skipton, Castle Tour & Puppet Festival Outing details will, when confirmed be available on our Web site www.marpleu3a.org.uk at our General Meetings on the 2nd Monday of each month and in future Newsletters. Contacts: Jane Rainford 427 3059, Val Clapp 427 4252, Mavis Alsop 427 3818.

Cheques payable to “Marple U3A Social Account”

Dining Group

The Dining Group is open to any member and usually meets at a local restaurant for a luncheon one month and an evening meal the following month. Restaurants chosen can be hotels, pub restaurants or training establishments at local universities or colleges. Recommendations for venues are always welcomed. Enquiries to Beryl Kent, 0161 427 5591

The next scheduled event held by the Dining Group will be Wednesday 21st June, meeting at 7pm for 7.30pm at the New Mills Golf Club. Use St Mary’s Road or Eaves Knoll. The cost will be £20 for 3 courses, coffee, mints and tip. Enquiries as above to Beryl Kent.

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Research news

A working party formed from members of the Greater Manchester Network have been meeting with

Manchester University researchers over the past year. The aim of these meetings has been to

establish areas of research that would be beneficial to both U3A members and researchers of the

University. Patience and persistence had now brought together both parties to consider areas of

research which would be of interest to both U3A members and University researchers. This research

will cover all faculties not only ageing or medical issues.

The University has now made a commitment to arrange a joint networking session for interested

academics and U3A members where the working party and university researchers will present

research topics which could be of mutual interest.

In the coming month, the working group will concentrate on several research topics that have been

suggested by members, to develop an outline plan of the research topic(s) which will be presented

in the Autumn to the networking session. It is hoped that this exchange of ideas will lead to projects

which will be of benefit to both U3A members and Manchester University researchers.

Progress and updates of this research activity will be posted on the NW Regional website.

ATTENTION all members of the Greater Manchester U3As - your involvement is required -without

your involvement we cannot participate in this project. After the networking session research topics

will be advertised and you will have the opportunity to get involved.

If you have completed some research in your U3A or Network please share your experiences.

Research projects can be very rewarding and fulfilling.

Any Queries contact Jenny Carley – Research Ambassador, e-mail [email protected]

Regional News

Residential Summer School - 29th August – 1st September 2017

At Newton Rigg College, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 0AH An opportunity to learn in the inspiring setting of the Lake District. This year we are offering ten courses including those which have proved popular in previous years and a number of new courses. Course available are: - About Beauty

Architecture: The ABC of Cities

Digital Digging for Armchair Archaeologists Geology of Lakeland Landscapes Painting with Stitches Medicine in the 21st Century Recorder Playing Russian and Soviet Culture Science is for Everyone Ukulele for Beginners Newton Rigg College is located close to J40 of the M6 and less than five minutes’ drive from Penrith Railway Station. Fees are: £275 for residential delegates and £155 for non-residential. Full details and booking forms are available on the North West Region website.

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Health and Well-being Conference: Thursday 26th October from 10.00 – 4.00. Cost £15 for U3A

members, £20 for non-members.

Lancaster and Morecambe U3A are hosting this conference at the Ashton Hall in Lancaster Town

Hall. A programme, and registration form, are available from either the Lancs-Morecambe website

or the NW Regional website:

www.landm-u3a.org.uk

www.u3asites.org.uk/north-west

You can also contact the organiser, Gill Baynes, at [email protected]

The event is being offered to all members of North West Regional U3As and the programme

consists of a series

of short presentations about various aspects of active ageing, treatment and intervention for

dementia and the role of medical screening and pathological testing. There will be stalls with

information about various support organisations and an opportunity to make a donation to Cancer

care.

Places are still available for the Learning in The Future workshop. This is free to attend and

takes place on Wednesday 21st June in Warrington

June 21 2017 Learning in the Future, online courses. To be held at the Gateway Centre,

Warrington from 11.00 – 16.00.

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are a new way of learning about subjects that interest

you. MOOCs:

• Are easily accessible using the Internet

• Are open to everyone who wants to learn

• Are (mostly) free to use

• Allow you to learn at your own pace

• Offer a choice of over 5000 courses.

•

Ian Hunt, Perth U3A, will present. Registration is now available on the website, where more info is

available.

Cruise Offer

Discount has been negotiated with Fred Olsen Cruises thanks to a member from Halton and

Warrington U3As who is a guest speaker on Fred Olsen Cruises. The discount is available to U3A

North West members only.

For a flyer (or several) please send a s.a.e. to G. Russell, 71 Barn Hey Crescent, Meols, Wirral,

CH47 9RW. The offer is available until September 2017.

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Marple and District U3A Group Activities

Monday

Bridge Beginners 2.00-4.00pm Every Monday Eric Magee 221 2091

Bridge Intermediate 1.30-4.00pm Every Monday Dorothy Grace 427 7974

Canasta 2.00-4.00pm 2nd & 4th Monday Linda Turton 427 0016

Geology 10.00-Noon 3rd Monday Mary Howie 427 2965

Photography 2.00-4.00pm 3rd Monday Lynda McLackland 427 7387

Play Reading 2 2.00-4.00pm 1st Monday Felicity Hancox 449 8859

Intermediate French 10.00-12.00 3rd Monday Pam Wakefield 427 5794

Keep up with your

French conversation 10.00-12.00 1st Monday Jacqui Airey 637 5098

Tai Chi 2.00-3.00pm Every Monday Joyce Garside 430 6503

Tuesday

Creative Writing 10.00-12.00 1st Tuesday Jacky Fantom 355 0965

Ballet Appreciation 1.45-4.00pm 3rd or 4th Tues Wendy Carleton 456 1948

Discussion 2.00-4.00pm Tuesday after GM Roger England 427 5089

Gardening 1 10.00-Noon 1st Tuesday Donald Farthing 427 3250

Gardening 2 2.00-4.00pm 1st Tuesday Brian Marshall 427 4522

Play Reading 2.00-4.00pm 3rd Tuesday Pauline Henshaw 494 7780

Poetry and Discussion 10.00-12.00 4th Tuesday Ruth Wilbey 494 6847

French Intermediate 2 1.00-2.30pm 4th Tuesday Pam Wakefield 427 5794

Scrabble 2.00-4.00pm 2nd Tuesday Mavis Lewis 484 5524

Guitar 10.00-12.00 Every Tuesday Malcolm Melia 427 6927

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Wednesday

Summer Bowling 10.00-Noon Every Weds from April Brian Bircher 427 5472

Folk Appreciation 2.00-4.00pm 4th Wednesday Peter Royle 285 0651

German 2.30-4.00pm 1st Wednesday Janet Burridge 427 2380

Jazz Appreciation 2.00-4.00pm 2nd Wednesday Brian Strickland 427 3943

Open Garden Group 9.45-12.00 2nd Wednesday Margaret Hogg 449 8571

Poetry 2.00-4.00pm 2nd Wednesday Chris Farnsworth 427 6080

Table Tennis 1.15-3.15pm Every Wednesday David Wilkinson 427 6487

Ballet Appreciation 2 1.45-4.00pm 3rd Wednesday Wendy Carleton 456 1948

Practical Gardening 4 2.00 -4.00pm 4th Wednesday Jacqui Bassett 427 4463

Thursday

English Literature 2.00-4.00pm Thurs after GM Joan Charman 427 2609

Reading Group 10.30-noon 2nd Thursday Rhona Hunt 449 7470

Short Walks for 10.15 4th/5th Thursday Pam Wakefield 427 5794

Busy People

Friday

Art 9.45 12.45 Alt Fridays Kath Fraser 427 7658

Maureen Paton 427 5430

Ballroom Dancing 2.00-4.00pm Alt Fridays Ann Reynolds 427 3209

Modern Sequence Dance 2.00-4.00pm Alt. Fridays Kate Hellar 449 8830

Gardening 3 10.00-Noon 4th Friday Christine Birchall 430 2943

Geology 10.00-Noon 3rd Friday Mary Howie 427 2965

History of Culture 10.00-Noon 3rd Friday David Matthews 427 0372

Rummikubs 2.00-4.00pm Friday after GM Mavis Alsop 427 3818

Beryl Kent 427 5591

Singing 10.00-Noon Every Friday T and M Glynn 01663 762386

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Other

Day Trips Various Mavis Alsop 427 3818

Dining Out Various Beryl Kent 427 5591

Jeanette Webb 427 2433

Matinee Club Various Sue Humphris 427 2474

Jean Howells 427 5691

Music Concerts Various Sandy Maclean 483 3743

Almoner

Please do remember that Beryl Kent, although no longer on the committee, is continuing to serve

as our U3A Almoner. So, if you know of any member who is ill, has been bereaved, or if you think

Beryl could help in any way, please let her know and she will contact them, send a card, a plant or

flowers, as appropriate, funded by your kind, voluntary donation from those of you who chose to

contribute when you renewed your membership. It is important that members know we care about

them and miss them, but Beryl does need your help by keeping her informed.

Telephone number: 427 5591.

WALKING GROUP

Walk Grading

Very Easy – More or less flat, good surface, few stiles Easy – Small sections of hill, not too rough, limited stiles

Moderate – Typical of local terrain Moderate plus – more climbing and/or more stiles

All walks meet IN Brabyns Park Car Park for prompt departure at 9.45 am. Car passengers are asked to contribute

10p per mile to petrol cost.

Walking safety: Footwear (walking boots), clothing and equipment need to be suitable for the conditions likely to be

encountered. This area is famous for changeable weather so come prepared for all eventualities. Bring your mobile

phone and inform the leader of your phone number and that of an emergency contact. Provide your own first aid kit.

Refreshments: Bring more than adequate food and drink for the length of walk and weather conditions. Remember

delays sometimes occur.

(D) indicates that walk is some distance away and will therefore take longer. All walks are subject to change.

Please stay with the group unless you have arranged with the leader to do otherwise.

June and July 2017 walks

Tuesday 6th June Dove Stone/Yeoman Hey Reservoirs. 5 miles Moderate Judith Lynch

Tuesday 13th June Circular walk from Disley. 7.5 miles Moderate + Judy Rhodes

Wednesday 21st June Fernilee/Coombs area. 6 miles Moderate Jean Mitchell

Tuesday 27th June Buxton. 5 miles Moderate Sheila Stafford

Wednesday 5th July Hague Bar to Thornsett and New Mills. 6 miles Moderate Wendy Greenwood

Tuesday 11th July Clough House to 3 Shires Head. 4.5 miles Moderate Sue Ward

Wednesday 19th July Castleton. 5 miles Easy + Carole McConnell

Tuesday 25th July Brabyns car park to Chadkirk. 6 miles Moderate Val & Roy Bradshaw

Walking group co-ordinators are Judith Lynch (0161 449 7507) and Sue Ward (0161 312 1621)

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Walking Group This is a joint group with Marple Bridge and Mellor U3A. If you

need information about the various walks which usually take place weekly on Tuesdays or

Wednesdays, please consult the Marple Bridge and Mellor U3A website. You will find the

information in the “Groups” section or in their Newsletter, telling you the length and grade of each

walk. Details are also posted on our Notice Board at the General Meetings.

N.B. This is a completely different group from “Short Walks for Busy People”. Please refer back

to Thursday, if you require a shorter walk.

The groups were correct at the time this Newsletter went to print and it will be in every Newsletter

from now on, updated accordingly.

Please send items for inclusion in the next Newsletter, the August edition, to David Jones by

no later than 7th August. As usual, many thanks to Mavis Alsop for her continued hard work in

the printing of the documents.

[email protected]