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VOLUME 1, ISSUE 8 SEPTEMBER 2016

R O Y S T O N

Inside this issue:

Welcome message August monthly meeting

1 1

July monthly meeting Theatre trip

2 2

Ipswich excursion Wine Appreciation group

3 3

Gardening group Birding group

4 4

Charity event New interest groups Dates for your diary Guide to interest groups

5 5 5 5

Interest group contacts Royston U3A Committee

6 6

Almost 400 members to

date and still rising.

Ballroom & Latin Dancing

group continues to attract

new members - now

doing the Salsa, Waltz

and Argentinian Tango.

Garden House Hospice

Care is our chosen charity

for 2016 - see coffee

morning fundraiser details

on page 5.

Points of interest:

www.u3asites.org.uk/royston

“

New season-new groups!

PATCHWORK Maureen Strugnell [email protected] CLAY SHOOTING Frank Martin [email protected]

FIVE MILE WALKING Eric Heaton [email protected] It’s good to see the number of groups growing all the time and catering for an even wider range of interests for our members. But there’s always room for more, so if you’ve got an interest or skill why not think about becoming a group leader and sharing your enthusiasm with others.

The

summer months usually mean sitting in the sun

and taking things easy, but that’s not been the case for the Royston U3A Committee.

We have been busy organising new interest groups following several suggestions put forward by members including a complete beginners’ line dancing class, clay shoot-ing at Nuthampstead, a self-help patchwork group and a five mile circular walking group starting

and ending at a pub for a bite to eat - which should prove popular. There are also plans for music and art appreciation groups, and a flower arranging group. That brings the total number of interest groups soaring way past the 30 mark – an impressive achievement in just over a year since Royston U3A was launched.

News of the new groups starting in September has already been circulated to members and full details are also on our website. Contacts are:- LINE DANCING Kathy Hounsell [email protected]

Jackie Gellert, Chairman

choice of three films on offer – Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Dial M for Murder and A Chorus Line. To make the movie experience even more authentic, ice creams were on sale outside

Take one for Royston U3A’s film premiere It was curtain up on the golden age of cinema as members took their seats for a classic movie treat. The parish church was temporarily transformed into a cinema for the August meeting with a

The plot thickens…

courtesy of Gerry Rowe’s ice cream van, as well as the usual teas and coffees.

Despite a technical hitch that meant the top choice Breakfast at Tiffany’s could not be screened, everyone soon settled down to enjoy the 1954 thriller Dial M for Murder. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, the story of how the perfect murder goes wrong still has great appeal and suspense. Thanking everyone involved in the film show, Royston U3A Chairman Jackie Gellert said: “After hours of preparation by Reg Hounsell and Rob Whatmough it turned out to be a most enjoyable afternoon so a big thank you to them both.”

ROYSTON U3A NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 8

Present Laughter…a comedy triumph!

Carry on nursing at Addenbrooke’s The fascinating story of Addenbrooke’s over the last 250 years was charted by Hilary Ritchie at our July meeting. The cash injection that started it all came from local doctor John Addenbrooke who left £4,500 in his will to set up a small hospital in Cambridge for poor people. When it opened in Trump-ington Street in 1766 there was no such profession as a trained nurse. “There was no shortage of applicants but the difficulty lay in recruiting satisfactory nurses who were frequently dismissed for being drunk or selling drinks to patients or other irregularities,” said Hilary. Things improved under the influence of Florence Night-ingale and the hospital grew rapidly during the 19

th and

early 20th centuries.

The introduction of the National Health Service and need for expansion prompt-ed the move to a new site off Hills Road. Building began in 1959 on the Addenbrooke’s we know today – complete with its famous landmark chimneys. With plans to double the site to 140 acres by 2020, the role of Addenbrooke’s as a focal point in the community looks set to continue well into the future.

Looking at the vast metropo-

lis that is Addenbrooke’s

today it’s hard to imagine

that when the hospital first

opened it had just 20 beds

and no trained staff. Now

the internationally renowned

teaching hospital has over

1,000 beds, 8,000 staff

including world leading

specialists and is fast

expanding as a hub of

biomedical research.

Oct 13,1766 Addenbrooke’s Hospital opened

on Trumpington Street with 20 beds

Downton Abbey, was fabulously wry as Garry's long-suffering secretary Monica. Zoe Boyle was deliciously vampish as femme fatale Joanna and Sally Tatum had the audi-ence snorting with laughter as Garry's spiritualist housekeeper Miss Erikson.

A spot of lunch and shopping before the show was enjoyed by theatre group members, so all in all a good afternoon out.

The theatre group set off for an afternoon of Noel Coward at the Cambridge Arts Theatre. Noel Coward said he wrote this play to show off his talent for "clipped wit and devastating put-down".

Present Laughter is the last of a series of scintillating, brittle comedies that had been on the London stage in the 1920s and ‘30s.

The play is apparently semi-autobiographical. It centres on self-obsessed leading man Garry Essendine (played by the brilliant Samuel West) who is determined to disregard his advancing years by revelling in endless casual affairs.

Samuel West’s comic timing had the audience in fits of giggles. Phyllis Logan, best known for playing Mrs Hughes in

‘Samuel

West’s comic

timing had the

audience in fits

of laughter’

Theatre group members

PAGE 2

Hilary Ritchie (right) and

member Sandra Restall

ROYSTON U3A NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 8

PAGE 3

Exceptional wines from South Africa

What a pleasure it was for members of Wine Appreciation groups 1 & 2 to have the opportunity to meet Lisha Nelson, Wine-maker and Manager of the Nelson Wine Estate in Paarl, South Africa.

Lisha paid us a visit in early September during her trip to the UK to talk about how the family run estate is dedicated to producing the best wine

possible.

Lisha holds both a bachelors and a masters degree in wine technology and explained how behind every label there is a story. She joined her father’s vineyard in 2008.

Wine group aficionados were able to sample a selection of the estate’s extremely palatable wines and took the opportunity to ask lots of questions.

or modern. Unfortunately, I think they might have been missed, had they been removed! I shall just have to return to see them again.

Annette Guttridge

The sun shone on an idyllic summer’s day as 37 of us travelled by coach to Ipswich, arriving on the quayside to board the Orwell Lady.

The 50 minute boat trip passed through historic locks, the Port of Ipswich and down to and under the magnificent Orwell Bridge.

Given the glorious weather we all chose to sit outside and had fine views of the working harbour which has a mix of traditional loading and unloading via cranes, chutes and containers. Goods taken into Ipswich generally consist of materials like cement, sand and gravel, while most foodstuffs are taken to the nearby container port of Felixstowe.

Leaving the harbour we soon saw the impressive span of the Orwell Bridge which has made such a difference to people living on the eastern side of the river. Opened in 1982 it takes some 30 miles off

the round trip to Felix-stowe. From below we could see the bridge’s true grandeur and were shown the resident peregrine falcons’ nest on top of one of the pillars – unfortunately we didn’t see the falcons themselves.

After a leisurely lunch at one of the many quay-side cafes we went on to Christchurch Park and the beautiful Tudor Christchurch Mansion for a guided tour. With over 500 years of history its treasures include furni-ture crafted by Chippen-dale, a magnificent carving from the early 16

th century and a major

collection of paintings by Suffolk artists Constable and Gainsborough.

My personal favourites were two paintings by Constable of his father’s kitchen garden and flower garden. They were quite small and would not look out of place in any home, old

Exploring the beauty of the River Orwell

‘from below

we could see

the bridge’s

true grandeur’

1. The Orwell Bridge 2. The Old Custom House

3. Christchurch Mansion 3.

2.

1.

Lisha Nelson pours Nelson

Estate wine for members

to sample

The tasting, organised by Gil Riggans of Corney & Barrow, was a real treat for Royston U3A wine buffs.

‘dedicated

to producing

the best wine

possible’

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 8

2

ROYSTON U3A NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

PAGE 4

Ideas from the garden design experts Andrew is a very entertain-ing speaker and we all learnt, remembered and had a laugh with him.

In contrast our September speaker was Anne Luder who talked about Capel Manor’s show winning gardens, illustrated with beautiful photographs.

Capel Manor Gardens in Enfield are part of a further

education college and students help to care for over 60 show gardens and landscapes.

We learnt how these gardens are commissioned and designed for shows such as Chelsea and Hampton Court. They begin life on paper or more commonly on computers these days, we heard how judging is carried out and Anne then talked about the transition from show to permanent placing.

At Capel Manor the gardens are extended to a larger than show plot and planting is redesigned to fit the annual cycle and not just `moment of show` when all must be perfect for a very short period.

Anne is a designer, lecturer and show judge and has a wealth of knowledge. We all enjoyed her talk and hope to visit Capel Manor some time.

Val Fairbanks

The Gardening group was a year old last month when Andrew Sankey came to talk to us about cottage cures and superstitions.

Garden Design at Capel Manor

Tucked away in an industrial

landscape

Rainham

Marshes is a

tranquil ha-

ven teeming

with wildlife -

as members

of the Bird-

ing group

discovered on their

latest outing.

The reserve is

right next to the

River Thames and

was used as a

military firing

range during the

war. Taken over

and transformed by the

RSPB in 2000 it now attracts

wading birds, birds of prey

and rare birds. A circular

were hunting over

the marshes.

“It was very hot and humid, reaching 30.5 degrees, which made walking round the reserve tiring, but we all enjoyed the day, finishing with a refreshing cup of tea in the

cafe before leaving for home,” said Birding group leader Carol McGeogh. Carol would like to attract new members and has a programme of future trips lined up. “We would love more people to join us, so if you’re interested please get in touch,” she said. For more details contact

[email protected]

An oasis of calm at Rainham Marshes walk leads through the

marshes and the

group spotted a

total of 32 birds

including little

egret, ruff, black-

tailed godwit,

lapwing, com-

mon snipe and of course

the hobby, of which several

‘planting is

redesigned to

fit the annual

cycle and not

just a moment

of show’

‘Rainham

Mashes is a

tranquil haven

teeming with

wildlife’

ROYSTON U3A NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 8

PAGE 5 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 www.u3asites.org.uk/royston Announcements about future

theatre trips and excursions will be posted on our website when details become available.

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

MORNING Badminton Fitness Birding Cycling Book Club 2

Seated Exercise Book Club 3 Walking: Strollers

Five Mile Walking

Motorcycling

AFTERNOON Current Affairs Book Club 1 Clay Shooting Ballroom & Latin

Dancing Petanque/Boules

French Conversation Bridge for Beginners Wine Appreciation 1 Gardening Pilates

Pottery

(Handbuilding) Wine Appreciation 2 Golf Ukulele

Tai Chi Mixed Crafts

EVENING Line Dancing Jazz Appreciation

Easy Guide to Interest Groups

We would like to start up

Dates for your diary October

Tuesday 25, 2pm

Royston Parish Church

Richard Priestley will give a talk on

LATIN DIDN’T KILL ME - A WANDER AROUND POMPEII

September

Tuesday 27, 2pm Royston Parish Church

Sir Oliver Heald MP will give a talk on

THE LIFE OF A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT

November

Tuesday 29, 2pm Royston Parish Church

Leanne Walters will give a talk on

THE HISTORY OF PANTOMIME

Join us for a little pre-Christmas cheer!

December

NO MONTHLY MEETING

If you want to get involved or donate a cake for this event please contact Deirdre Smith [email protected]

Garden House Hospice Care provides a wide range of services for patients, their carers and families facing a life limiting illness.

U3A members, non-members and their friends are invited to come and have a cuppa, delicious cakes and a natter to help raise lots of money for this worthy cause.

Royston U3A is holding a coffee morning to fundraise for

Garden House Hospice Care

Care for a Cuppa…

October 26, 10am-noon

Market Hill Rooms

then join us on

A Film group - we have

a licence to show any film

you want.

Art Appreciation group -

to visit galleries, enjoy

discussing different artists.

Tea Rooms Outings

group - for a relaxed

brunch, munch and a

chat - car drivers willing

to take non-drivers.

A Scrabble group

A Quiz group

To get these groups up

and running we need

group leaders…nothing

will happen otherwise.

If you would be willing to run one of the above

groups contact :-

Jackie Gellert

[email protected]

or

Reg Hounsell

[email protected]

We would like to start some new interest

groups but need members to lead them

ROYSTON U3A NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 8

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 [email protected] or phone 01763 246234

Chairman Jackie Gellert [email protected] Vice Chair & Groups Co-ordinator Reg Hounsell [email protected] Treasurer Kathy Hounsell [email protected] Secretary Deirdre Smith [email protected] Membership Secretary Marion Martin [email protected] Minutes Secretary Sylvia Fuller [email protected]

Publicity Pam Dajda [email protected]

Royston U3A News Ralph Gellert [email protected]

Committee Member George Karger 01763 245988

Co-opted Committee Member Barbara Andrew [email protected]

Co-opted Committee Member Karen Heaton [email protected]

Co-opted Committee Member Eric Heaton [email protected]

Non Committee:-

Web Management Rob Whatmough [email protected]

Royston U3A Committee

R O Y S T O N

Interest Groups GROUP DAY FREQUENCY GROUP LEADER CONTACT DETAILS

Badminton Mon am Weekly Deirdre Smith [email protected]

Ballroom & Latin Dancing Thurs pm Fortnightly Jackie Gellert [email protected]

Birding Wed am Monthly Carol McGeoch [email protected]

Book Club 1 Tues pm Monthly Deirdre Smith [email protected]

Book Club 2 Fri am Monthly Janet Burton [email protected]

Book Club 3 Wed am Monthly Elizabeth (Lee) Towers [email protected]

Bridge for Beginners & Improvers Tues pm Monthly Mike Thrower [email protected]

Clay Shooting Wed pm Monthly Frank Martin [email protected]

Current Affairs Mon pm Monthly George Karger 01763 245988

Cycling Thurs am Monthly Frank Martin [email protected]

Excursions Occasional Annette Guttridge [email protected]

Fitness Tues am Weekly Reg Hounsell [email protected]

Five Mile Walking Wed am Monthly Eric Heaton [email protected]

French Conversation Mon pm Fortnightly Elisabeth Goodman-Spain [email protected]

Gardening Thurs pm Monthly Val Fairbanks [email protected]

Golf Thurs pm Weekly Ralph Gellert [email protected]

Jazz Appreciation Wed eve Monthly Reg Hounsell [email protected]

Line Dancing Tues eve Weekly Kathy Hounsell [email protected]

Local History proposed group Reg Hounsell [email protected]

Mixed Craft Thurs pm Monthly Rosie Cowsley [email protected]

Motorcycling Wed am Monthly Frank Martin [email protected]

Petanque / Boules Fri pm Fortnightly Sue Bishop [email protected]

Pilates Fri pm Weekly Kathy Hounsell [email protected]

Pottery (Handbuilding) Mon pm Fortnightly Rosie Cowsley [email protected]

Seated Exercise Tues am Weekly Reg Hounsell [email protected]

Tai Chi Mon pm Weekly Reg Hounsell [email protected]

Theatre Trips Occasional Deirdre Smith [email protected]

Ukulele Fri pm proposed group Reg Hounsell [email protected]

Walking: Strollers Thurs am Fortnightly Jeremy Burr [email protected]

Wine Appreciation 1 & 2 Wed pm Monthly Jackie Gellert [email protected]

Don’t forget to check out our website for more information www.u3asites.org.uk/royston

And finally…. If anyone has a physical disability and would like to get involved in a group activity, please contact Jackie Gellert, Chairman, in the first instance to see if suitable arrangements can be made.