The Newsletter - u3asites.org.uk · New Drama War Horse, 2pm Wednesday 28th March 2018, Royal Concert Hall, (around £50) Organiser Anne Porter Sign up and pay for tickets. Opera

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NewsletterThe

Oct 2016Issue No.53

Not to be missed

QUIZ NIGHTFriday 21st October

Gedling Memorial Hall.Tickets £4 per person

Last chance for tickets atthe September general

meeting.

NEW MEMBERS MEETINGThis is an opportunity for new members, and anyone wishing to find out more about the U3A,

to meet and have a chat to some committee members and group conveners in a smaller lessformal setting than the monthly meeting. Coffee is for sale along with the usual range of

beverages and the meeting will take place at the Willowbrook Pub at 11.00 am on Tuesday25th October.

Convenor Sally Bailey

September’s talk was given by Trevor Lee and gaveus a very entertaining illustrated history of Music Hallin general and Nottingham’s Old Malt Cross MusicHall in particular. Opening with a song andaccompanying himself on ukelele Trevor explained how the music halls were a place of popularentertainment, making a living by selling alcohol and providing free entertainment. The Old Malt Crosswas only one of many in Victorian Nottingham, and had a chequered history, opening in 1877 andclosing in 1911 as the large variety theatres became popular. During that time many of the stars of themusic hall such as Billy Williams and Vesta Tilley appeared on this stage. Eventually the licence wasrevoked due to disorderly conduct of patrons, but fortunately since then the building found many usesand has survived to become listed due to it’s exceptional architectural and historical merit.

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Carlton & Gedling U3A 2017Calendar

At the General Meeting on Thursday you will beable to Order Our 2017 Calendar

By popular demand this year’s calendar areviews and events in Nottinghamshire Photo’staken by members of the Photography Group

Classes are held at The Richard Herrod Centre10.15 - 11.15am and are specifically designedfor the over 50's, as we meet on the firstThursday of each month. Joy Parsons alsoencourages us to practise at home (ademonstration CD can be purchased) to getmaximum benefit. Please wear flat shoes andloose comfortable clothing. The cost is £4 persession. All members are welcome - sessionscan be done sitting down as well as standing up- chairs provided. In particular we will belearning Qidong - exercise that combinesflowing, graceful movement with relaxedbreathing and strong mental focus, giving agood workout whilst leaving you energised,supple and relaxed. Exercise that hasmovements that are soft, unforced and precise,improving the function of your organs, nervoussystem and memory as well as your musclesand joints.Dates: 3rd November, & 1st December 2016 (for 2017 see web)

Tai Chi

After its recent break, Table Tennis is backagain next month at a new TableTennis Centre venue at the Carlton le WillowsAcademy, Wood Lane, Gedling(there is plenty of parking on the site)Starting on Friday 4th November between 5-6pm, we now have 8 tables sowe can take up to 30 members and allequipment is provided.The cost will depend on the numbers attendingbut will be around £4-00 persession including the cost of a coach.If you interested in joining this group, BarbaraRogerson will be able to giveyou more information at this months GeneralMeeting.

Table Tennis

Everybody Welcome

The History Groupis hosting two talks

Richard Herrod Millennium Suite2pm - 4 pm

Monday 7th NovemberThe General Strike

Speaker - Neil Kendrick£2

Monday 5th DecemberThe Mary Celeste

Speaker - Bob Massey£4

The Newsletter is published by The Carlton,Gedling & District U3A. (Reg. Charity No. 1157211)Views expressed are not necessarily those of theU3A or Editor

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Twenty six of us set off in two minibuses on our Civil War trail to Shelford and Southwell. Welearnt that Shelford derives its name from 'shallow ford', one of the many places along the Trentwhere crossing by foot was possible. Shelford has its origins in the Bronze Age and ismentioned in the Doomsday Survey of 1086. The Stanhopes of Shelford were a prominentfamily within Nottinghamshire and played a major role as strong loyalists to King Charles Iduring the Civil War.Our first stop in Shelford was St Peter and St Paul’s church. In 1645, during the fighting, someShelford men took over the church tower, drawing up the ladder and bell ropes after them. Fromthere they fired on Roundhead troops, refusing to come down despite warnings that no quarterwould be given if they did not. Straw was sent for, set alight and the defenders smoked out. Thefire scars are still visible. In the church yard isa listed monument - a hollow which was theemplacement for a Civil War gun battery.There are earthworks defining a horseshoe-shaped bank up to 0.6 metres in height and 5metres in width. Tom issued a challenge tothe Photography group to take a photo of thisearthwork (if they could find it).From the church we walked to the pinfoldwhere stray animals were kept until claimedby their owners and War Memorial whichcommemorates the 12 soldiers of Shelfordand Newton who lost their lives in WWI.After a slight diversion across three fields(with stiles and an electric fence!) and a photoopportunity with several horses we arrived at the Mill Bridge. After a pleasant walk through thevillage to the minibuses we set off for Southwell.In Southwell we visited the Archbishop of York’s Palace and garden. In the early stages of theCivil War it is likely that Charles I stayed at the palace en route to the north. At the end ofhostilities the remaining Parliamentary troops stripped the roof of its lead and everything theycould sell for one penny, and as a result the only remaining useful part was the Archbishop’sState Chamber, now called the Great Hall. We all agreed that the Great Hall was still quiteimpressive.From the Bishop’s Palace we headed off to the Saracen’s Head (originally called the King’sHead) for some well-deserved refreshment. It was here that King Charles spent his last night offreedom before being taken away by troops to the Scots camp near Kelham. Luckily no suchevent befell us and we all managed to escape back to the minibuses to be driven home by ourexpert drivers Tom and Mike.The next meeting of the Local History group is a talk on the cinemas of Carlton & Netherfield on18th October at the Richard Herrod Centre, and a talk by Bob Massey on Murder, Mystery andMayhem at Carlton Fire Station on November 15th. The Photography Group meetings are on the2nd Tuesday of the month. See the calendar for further details.

Anne Palmer

Local History & Photography groups

Editorial apologies over last month’s report for the group, the good people ofNottingham were of course Radical - not Revolutionary, and further apologies formisspelling Jann’s name. I know how annoying that is - I often get an extra “e” in mysurname!

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Trips & Visits

Bromley House Libraryand Lunch £12

“If you have a garden and a library, you haveeverything you need.”Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC)

The library can only facilitate 20 members at atime so we have two time slotsThursday 12th January 2017, 10am to 12 amand 2pm to 4pm

An inclusive lunch for everyone has beenarranged in a private room at the Nedd LuddGastro Pub on Friar Lane at 12:30pmThere will be a choice of Sandwiches, Pittas &Wraps with rustic fries & salad as well aseither a glass of wine, lager, beer or cider.

Your visit to Bromley House Library willcomprise of a talk about the history of thehouse and library in one of the fine readingrooms, followed by a guided tour.The whole visit will take about 2 hours and atthe end of your tour you will have time to strollaround the lovely walled ‘secret garden

Bromley House Library, founded 1816, is aflourishing independent lending library situatedin the centre of Nottingham, one of the fewremaining subscription libraries in the country.The library houses around 40,000 books andhas a tranquil and unstuffy atmosphere. Thereare many fine reading rooms spread overthree floors of a Grade II* listed Georgiantownhouse.In addition there is a beautiful walled garden,one of only two in the city centre. The library isa pleasant place to work, relax or read.

Sue Fairweather

Burghley House review

On a fine September morning, the group set offin two minibuses for Burghley House, Stamford.After a swift journey we arrived at theimpressive parkland setting, landscaped byCapability Brown.A very comprehensive tour of the housefollowed. An impressive array of furniture andartworks, collected during the family’s extensivetravels throughout the centuries, is displayed inthe 18 state rooms open to the public. Perhapsmost noteworthy are the collection of over 700paintings, the wall and ceiling paintings byAntonio Verrio (1639-1707) and the 17th centuryplaster ceilings.The Garden of Surprises has a delightful varietyof water features and plantings that appealed tothe child in all of us as we dodged the spray,paddled or crept into the steaming grotto. TheSculpture Gardens provided opportunities forsome quirky photo shots.

Maggie Doherty

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Theatre VisitsTheatre VisitsNew this month is War Horse. This celebrated West End production is coming to Nottingham in March2018. Yes, that’s in 17 months time. We need to get in quick with tickets, though, as half the tickets in thestalls and tier 1 have already gone. Tickets in the stalls will be around £50 for this once in a lifetime event.

We still have tickets for sale for an opera and a play. In the opera, the great storyteller Hoffmann is losinghimself to drink. His rival in love, Councillor Lindorf, claims that Hoffmann knows nothing of the heart, andso goads Hoffmann into telling the tales of his three great loves – each destroyed by a villain who bearsan uncanny resemblance to Lindorf… The Royal Opera’s production of Les Contes d’Hoffmann setsHoffman’s tales in the late 19th century, the time in which Offenbach wrote his opera. William Dudley’smagnificent set designs and Maria Björnson’s sumptuous costumes realize to brilliant effect theextravagant flourishes of Hoffmann’s imaginative world.

Stephen Lowe’s Touched is a powerful and poignant WW2 drama in the hundred days between VE andVJ days. It is set in Nottingham and focusses on the lives of a family of working class women. It featuresVicky McClure, star of stage and screen.

Collect tickets: The Producers, The Red Shoes, The Revenger's Tragedy

Trips on offer:

New Drama War Horse, 2pm Wednesday 28th March 2018, Royal Concert Hall, (around £50) OrganiserAnne Porter Sign up and pay for tickets.

Opera Les Contes d'Hoffmann, 6.15 Tuesday 15th November, Corner House Cinema, (£14.74) 3.5hours long. Organiser Paul Martinez. Last chance to buy tickets

Pantomime Aladdin Tuesday 29th November at 2.30 pm and Saturday 3rd December at 7.30pm,Nottingham Playhouse, all tickets £7. Organiser Basia Arch. Collect tickets

Comedy Comfort and Joy by Mike Harding. 2.30pm Saturday 17th December, Lace Market Theatre,(£10) Organiser Janet Whitchurch. Pay for and collect tickets

Theatre reviewsSleuth

What an incredible play this was with twists and turns, and excitement a plenty. Technical deviceswere amazing and used to full advantage in a play that had all the ingredients of a top class thriller.

The play by Anthony Shaffer involved sexual conflict and jealousy between an older and younger man,the latter wanting to marry his wife. Milo, the younger, was persuaded to take part in a specially createdchallenge, and the power struggle descends into a sinister and deadly duel of wits.

Totally entertaining with drama, comedy and wit! Something to please everyone, and the standard ofboth acting and production was incredibly high. Thoroughly enjoyed by all the U3A members who wentalong, and thanks to Basia for organising us yet again. Janet Whitchurch. Cont….

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Double Alan Bennett bill

If you like Alan Bennett's Talking Heads, you would like Say something happened.  Performed in theintimate atmosphere of the Studio Theatre at the Lacemarket, this short play is about Mam and Dad,refusing to recognise the approach of old age, and the visit they received from a young, inexperienced,hugely twitchy, nervous social worker who was trying to complete a questionnaire regarding the needs ofelderly people.

The second short play, An Englishman abroad, tells the story of the actress Coral Browne, and hervisit to Moscow where she met Guy Burgess of the Cambridge spy ring.  Guy, beautifully camp, comesacross as a sad, lonely exile, longing for any connexion with England, wanting Coral to measure him fora suit and get some pyjamas from back home to help him retain his Englishness. Both plays were reallywell performed with small casts taking on huge roles and a couple of delightful small acting cameos.Loved them both! Carolyn Broadhurst

Darkness, Darkness

Charlie Resnick, our hard-drinking,jazz-loving sleuth hit the Nottingham Playhouse stage in thisadaptation of John Harvey's last novel.

It was a basic whodunit murder mystery set in Nottingham 30 years after the miner's strike during theThatcher era. The play exposed the resentment that still runs within mining communities and whichResnick is faced to confront in himself. Initially there was a little confusion as the play flicked back andforth from 1984 to the present day, however when Jenny's body was discovered, all became clearer.

The true stars of this production were the team behind the creative and inspired use of sets and scenechanges. The jazzy background music was important as was the background projection which exposedthese turbulent times - police using truncheons to gain control over the striking miners.

There is something about crime thrillers that seems to capture the imagination of an audience like noother genre. Darkness, Darkness didn't disappoint. Enjoy your retirement, Charlie. Basia Arch

Theatre reviews cont.

The first half of the meeting concerned the history of canals.   The Bridgewater canal is described asthe first true canal in England not using any existing waterways.   The Brindley Canal was built to linkall the major ports in the country using existing rivers and waterways.   Resposible for many firsts incanal  design he engineered the famous Harecastle tunnel at 3000 yards long.   Many  pubs havesigns showing connections with canals, and we talked of the sort of people who worked the barges.Not a lot of documentary evidence as census returns did not bother with them.   A military canal in Kentwas never desinged to carry goods as it was built as a defensive position should Napoleon carry outhis threatened invasion.   We then had a short talk on exploration in East Africa involving a medicaldoctor born a Jew,  baptised a Christian and practised as a Muslim.   Born in Germany he was withGeneral Gordon in Khartoum, marooned in Sudan by the Mahdi uprising, rescued by Henry MortonStanley (of Livingstone fame)  and  murdered by Arab slave traders.   Next month a talk by NealKendrick on the General Strike in the 1920's.

Brian Thomas

History Study

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Striders WalkSeptember Walk. 12 Brave souls decided tocomplete the Keith Sherratt Memorial Walkdespite last month’s disaster. (Rumours ofKeith’s demise are greatly exaggerated).Fortunately the conditions were much betterand everyone completed the walk in one piece.The sun shone throughout and although someof the ups and downs were a bit steeper thanexpected even Barbara said it was worth it forthe views (I think).Refreshments were taken inPoets Corner in Ashover which is, in theleaders opinion, one of the best pubs inDerbyshire Convenor Brian Shield

October Walk. Sue Fairweather is leading thismonth’s walk which is in the area aroundLinacre Reservoirs. The walk is about 7.5miles long and a bit less hilly than the last one.Meet in the car park on Ranmoor Road at9.00am on 27th October and bring a packedlunch. Convenor Brian Shield

Strollers WalkEleven members met for this city walk at Victoria ParkBath Street. Because I missed the last meeting Robinkindly led the walk. Starting at the tomb of the famousboxer Bendigo the walk followed St Anns Well Roadand turned left into Robin Hood Chase, a sharp inclinebrought us to Woodborough Road. Here a membertook the opportunity of an ‘escape route’ and caught abus to town. Carrying on up another incline, a tree-lined walk with some large houses (magnificent intheir heyday) brought us to an urban coveredreservoir. Thankfully a left turn meant the rest of thewalk descended. After more houses and trees (still onRobin Hood Chase) we arrived at Mansfield Road,formerly named Gallows Hill because of the publicgallows being on the corner of Forest Road andMansfield Road. Not being lured by all of the fun ofGoose Fair we entered the Arboretum. This inner citypark with its aviary and lake has not changed sincemy childhood, a jewel in the city’s crown. We walkedpast the monument containing a Chinese temple belland four cannon from Sebastopol in the Crimea,viewed the Dahlias and the exotic birds in the aviaryand found ourselves at the other entrance onGoldsmith Street. Jostling with the many studentsfrom the new university buildings we elected to have alook in the General cemetery. We pondered thememorial to the war dead and looked at thegravestones. I found a grave containing the remainsof a William Henry Robey, my father’s name,uncanny. The most unusual name I came across wasa lady called Lillvan. This sombre end of the walkrequired some light relief so we retired to a localhostelry called the Gooseberry Bush on Peel Street,get the connection.

The next walk will be on November 3rd. MeetBroadmarsh bus station at 10:30am for a walk alongthe canal to Trent Bridge then the Grantham Canal toMorrison’s supermarket in Gamston. I will lead thewalk in December and sadly this will be my last as aconvenor. My sciatica is now preventing me fromwalking any distance, so I am regretfully throwing inthe towel. Thank you for your support and companyover the years and I hope my successor has as muchpleasure as I have had in the future.

Candidates to be my successor can e-mail me or theChairman.

Ian Robey

Textile Crafts

The second meeting of this group covered thebasic knitting and crochet requirements toconsider when choosing a pattern, the aim beingto provide a sound platform to build on in futuresessions. It was well attended and received byall present and a lively discussion on variousaspects of our crafts ensued. Lynne announcedour intention to move our sessions from theWillowbrook to the Methodist Church Hall atPark House Corner from the 4th Novembermeeting onwards which will allow more spaceand light. A £2:00 charge per session will coverthe costs of hire and refreshment.

We were delighted to see all the attendees andhope to see you all at the next session.

Gill & Lynne

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New Groups

BirdwatchingDuring these Autumn months  of migration, particularly following favourable winds, where better to focusour 'bins' than the lovely Lincolnshire coast especially with its new visitor centre and exceptional habitats,

Gibraltar Point.On arrival, having successfully bypassed Skegness' otherattractions without a mutiny, 'lattes' were ordered all round,and enjoyed in comfort on the outdoor terrace. From the roofof the centre an all round view of the reserve is offered andon a small sand bar a number of grey seals were relaxingbefore the tide moved them on.A gentle meander through the plantation, voices lowered,eyes keen, produced several willow warblers, replenishingsupplies before continuing south beyond the Sahara. ATreecreeper and Tits in good numbers, moved from tree to

tree ahead of us and we eventually left the wood as a Great Spotted Woodpecker entered.On the recce visit Jackson Marsh produced excellent sightings. This visit did not disappoint. Many 'firstsightings' should have gone in log books with good views of Spoonbill, Avocet, Dunlin, Little Stint,Common Sandpiper, Greenshank and Spotted Redshank, Ruff, Blacktailed Godwits, and Snipe. Themajority of which, like the warblers, are migrants on theirsoutherly passage to S Europe and Africa.We knew again from the reccie that Tennyson Sands wasunlikely to add many new sightings to a good list, but there'salways the chance of a rarity turning up. However, that didn'thappen, but what Tennyson hides lacked in species madeup for it in numbers. Especially those of the Godwits whichcould be counted in hundreds, stitching the fertile mud withlong bills.Following such a great session it was an opportune momentto enjoy the rest of the reserve, and so groups tookadvantage of the weather and wonderful views to enjoy aleisurely stroll southwards through East Dunes and back to the centre. Others , less adventurous, tooklunch under the cooling shade of a pine tree and were rewarded with 2 Goldcrest in the branches doingthe same.Finally, what could be a more fitting end to such a fantastic day than to enjoy 'fish and chips' in Skeggywith your birdwatching friends.Rob Parkes

Ruff

Curlew Sandpiper

On Tuesday 20th September a fairly small, but select, group of us headed to Strelley village, inparticular, Strelley Hall.I was aided in the walk by Liam, who has expert knowledge of the history of the area covered in thewalk. He enlightened us along the way with fascinating information about monks, coal mining, feudsbetween the owners of Strelley Hall and Wollaton Hall and local associations with D.H.Lawrence. Wepaused in Cossall outside a cottage that has links with “The Rainbow” and saw the impressiveWaterloo monument in the churchyard. This area is very close to the city, but you feel as if you are inthe depths of the countryside.Well earned refreshments were taken at the Mulberry Tree café, which is housed in the convertedstables of Strelley Hall.Maggie Doherty

5 Miles and Cup of Tea

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Names' That Tune13 of us crammed into the RHC Meeting Roomand we got through 26 pieces of music (aconvenient 2 each) in our two hours – and wemanaged a comfort / coffee break in the middle.But what was the music like? - I hear you ask.We kicked off in tribute to Prince Buster (thelegendary Ska/Reggae artiste who died theweek before). That stopped the chattering in theback row! From there we rattled through suchnames as Roy Orbison, Joan Baez, The RollingStones, Kirstie MacColl, Rick Nelson, The FourPennies, Hot Chocolate, U2, Tommy Roe, NatKing Cole, Dolly Parton, Michael Buble,Steeleye Span ….as well as lesser knownartistes like Don Partidge, Tim Rose, KateRusby, Alexis Korner, Pete Johnson, Focus.And it wouldn't be our Music App. Group withoutsome downright obscurities. Has anyone (otherthan Ian) heard of the Harry Strutter Orchestra?and a couple of unknown artistes .But thatswhat we like about it – you really don't knowwhat's coming next …...sometimes it's apleasant surprise!Talking of what's coming next – our topic forOctober 25th is “Fruit & Vegetables” in artisteor song title or in the lyrics. Go on – getscrabbling in your attics for those noveltyrecords.At 2.00 in Richard Herrod Centre . Be there orbe …....a parsnip?Eric Rennie

Green Fingers Music Appreciation

Monday  7th November‘A Year in the Hive’

A talk by local beekeeperAlec Thomson

Gedling Road Methodist Church11.am

Coffee/tea from 10.30

On Monday 15th August, seven of us spent themorning tidying up the Garden for the Blind onCarlton Hill.  We had been approached by JaneRichardson from Gedling Council and the idea wasput to the group at our August meeting that we couldadopt the garden and form a working party to keep ittidy.  We cleared eight sacks of rubbish andshrubbery/weeds by the end of our session. PigginsCafe across the road from the Garden kindly broughtus tea and coffee.  There was a second session inSeptember and tidy-ups will be on the second Monday morning of the coming months from 10am.Please join us for this community project.

At our September meeting, we welcomed StuartDixon who gave a  talk entitled ‘How did yoursummer garden grow?’  Members and visitorsenjoyed hearing Stuart’s advice and anecdotes.

At our October meeting, Michael Proctor fromGedling Borough Council gave a talk on looking aftergardens in the Borough.  This was followed by abrainteaser of anagrams of items found in thegarden.  We had a sales table with  plants to raisefunds for Macmillan and also our usual ‘share’ table.

Alec Thomson will be giving a talk on ‘A year in thehive’ at our November meeting.  All are welcome toattend this talk.

In September the Art Appreciation Group met at amember's house, to discuss the work of two artistsassociated with paintings depicting the secondworld war. One of these artists was Paul Nash,who concentrated on the terrible effect of the waron the landscape. The second artist was AnnaAiry, significant in that she was one of a smallgroup of female war artists. Women were notpermitted to go to the front, so instead shedocumented the war effort at home, such as infactories, and so documented the effect of the waron the civilian population.Our October visit is to the Castle Museum to seethe exhibition, 'In Peace and War'. This shows thework of a local artist, Evelyn Gibbs, which will bythe nature of its content continue our discussion onthe art of war.

Art Appreciation

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French ConversationBonjour.Try out your French on our little article.Notre groupe de conversation en  francais est ungrand succes.Normalement, nous avons une dizaine de membres,mais peut toujours avoir plus, qui serait la bienve-nue.  Nous choississons un sujet et chaque membrepeut parler, ou ils peuvent parler sur les sujets qu`ilsveulent, et nous continuons avec des articles popu-laire francais. Certains parlent beaucoup et d`autres un peu.Nous gardons le grammaire a un minimum, justepour nous aider. Vous ne devez pas etre brillant aufrancais pour rejoindre, parce que nous le gardertres simple et avoir du plaisir.Nous organisons une soiree buffet pour le fin de no-vembre, mais plus de nouvelles la prochaine fois.Pourquoi ne pas venir nous rejoindre tous les deux-ieme et quatrieme lundi matin dans la cadre agrea-ble de Mapperley Golf Club. Vous serez tres bienaccuille.How did you get on? If you understood all or justsome, then we`re the group for you, so do comealong and give it a go!A bientot – Brian (Tel. 9265053)

The theme this month was “The Weather”.

The first offering was a poem about the effectof the weather on a pet dog and asking us toremember the author. We felt this was verymoving and could almost be read at afuneral.

Next was a story of what someone decidedto do on a rainy day: a bus journey into townwith the author’s thoughts on fellowpassengers and their overheardconversations, and a visit to the Crown Courtwith two cases – a stabbing and a childabuse case. The group decided that thecharacters, especially the bus passengers,were very realistically portrayed.

The next story was also about rain but lotsmore of it. The devastating emotions ofbeing rescued from floods and the loss ofone’s home and possessions were very wellwritten.

The next author couldn’t decide on prose orpoetry – or on their thoughts about theweather. After saying that all the types of theweather had their beauty and were veryenjoyable, the opposite ill effects were thenpointed out. In the end it was decided that itwas totally unpredictable!

The last author very cleverly likened goinginto a care home with autumn weather, butthen as the climate changed throughout theyear so did the resident’s attitude to beinglooked after.

A most enjoyable afternoon was had by all.Why not come and join us – the Friday afterthe general meeting, in the bar area at theRichard Herod Centre. The theme next timeis “Transport”.

Lynda Shelton

Creative writing

September - Mansfield ParkThis less popular Jane Austen novel stimulated aninteresting discussion at the September meeting.Although we felt that the heroine, Fanny Price, hasless sparkle and vivacity than some of Austen’s otherfemale protagonists, we found that the writer dealtexpertly with serious issues of morality through thecharacter.The social satire in Mansfield Park lacks the humourand wit of other Austen novels, but we felt the authorprovided a broader perspective of contemporary lifeand most of us felt fully engaged in the machinationsof the plot.We agreed that rereading classics at different stagesin our lives often leads us to revise our opinions ofthe texts.OctoberThis month the topic was Readers” Choices and, asusual, group members came up with a very variedand stimulating selection of novels to recommend.As the darker months approach none of us will becasting around for a book to curl up with. The full listis accessible from the group webpage.Maggie Doherty

Book Group

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The “Grumpy Old Bus” rolls on, still heading forthe cliff edge with the addition of Keith Lemon,Graham Norton and Simon Cowell. The totalnow stands at 13 occupied seats - still plenty ofroom for more. Anyone else get your goat?

Subjects discussed included immigration andintegration - for instance the problems ofdistinguishing between economic migrants andgenuine asylum seekers, the idiocy of a “GreatWall of Calais” approach and the necessity forgood English in those working in the publicsector.

Also the hypocrisy of some in authority,instancing Keith Vaz as chairman of the HomeAffairs Select Committee, and the former head ofSouthern NHS Health Trust Katrina Percy whohas been forced to resign over mis-managementof the trust only to occupy a “new post” on thesame salary and conditions.

On the lighter side we all agreed with a reportthat In general older drivers are safer than the17-21 year olds. (unless they wear hats! Ed.)

Other items of attention beside the fine ales andgood food were memories of school uniformsand CB radios, HS2 – dead or alive? Should were-nationalise the railways? Does a brisk walk orcycle ride offset the effects of alcohol? Andapparently women sleep 19 mins longer thanmen. (so we get up and make the tea.)

G.O.M.SciencePlease note :–

meeting 21/10 is cancelled.Instead on Sunday 30th October we are visitingthe Open Day at the British Horological Society,Upton Hall, Near Newark, NG23 5TE -Everybody Welcome.

Make your own way there in your own time andvisit the museum at your own pace (open 10am -4pm £5 entrance fee). Meet up with U3A friendsin the cafe around lunch time.

"Join us as we host our 2016 ‘Fall BackShow’ and take a weird and wonderful lookaround the British Horological InstituteMuseum’s collection, which for one day onlywill be inspired by Victoriana, and design andtechnological elements of wacky Steampunkculture, featured alongside the museum’sfabulous collection of clocks and watches.

It takes place at the home of the BHI Museum,at Upton Hall in Nottinghamshire, nearNewark-on-Trent, on Sunday 30 October, theday the clocks go back one hour to endBritish Summer Time."

At the September meetings we tasted whites from the Veneto and reds from Tuscany. Many thanks toSue for running WineLovers2 and to Kath for getting the cheese and totting up the scores. I think it's fairto say that WL2 was less than overwhelmed by the whites, although the Waitrose Trebbiano scoredwell. Generally, we seem to prefer the fruitier and slightly smokey Alsace style pinot gris to the Italianpinot grigio versions of the same grape. Top reds were the Chianti riserva and the Villa Antorini, alsofrom Waitrose.

At WineLovers4 there was quite a lot of disagreement, controversy even! Generally, we liked theWaitrose pinot grigio, disliked the Morrisons version and liked the Trebbiano. But one table really likedthe Morrisons pinot. Top red was the Villa Antorini, which was also the favourite red of WL2. AtWineLovers4, top whites and reds all scored higher than the most expensive wine of the evening! Manythanks to Maurice and Sue for the bread and cheese.

In October, we shall be tasting wines made from Muscat and Gamay grapes. In the past we have likedthe generous aromas and taste of the Muscat and we have never tasted wines made from Gamay, so itshould be interesting. Meet at our usual time and place. The charge will be £6. Paul Martinez

Wine Lovers

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Discussion GroupUnder the guidance of Phil Barlow, this month westayed on subject for almost 2 hours discussingGreen Energy. This is a subject close to Phil'sheart, having installed water heating solar panels athome almost 18 years ago, and currently involved inthe use of solar to bring electricity to St Phillip’sClinic in Tabora, Tanzania.

Phil talked us through the various forms of green /renewable energy - Solar, Wind, Geothermal, Waterand Wave, Hydro and Biomass. The group couldthink of various small / local green energy projectsthat have been in operation for a number of years(such as maize growing at Stoke Bardolph toprovide bio fuel for their own electricity), but thecommon lament was why had these provenschemes not taken on a greater, wider, nationalscale?

How can countries such as Norway and Icelandalready have 100% electricity from renewables - wedecided that not only because they have immediateresources of green energy but mostly because theyhave political systems more decisive than ours. Ourprojects take far too long - nuclear energy wassupposed to provide a stopgap whilst we developedrenewables and yet many more years later we haveonly just given the go ahead to Hinckley, whilstgreen energy tariffs are being reduced.

Our group consensus is that Green Energy is vitalto ward off the threat of Global Warming. Whenthe Ozone layer proved to have a hole in it allowingdangerous UV waves into the atmosphere thepeoples of the planet banned CFCs with decisiveurgency - why cannot the world take similar actionon energy ?

Next meeting 18th November - More Important -Friends or Family ?

Lynne Jaremczenko

TEA DANCINGThe new sessions of tea-dancing have begunwith some gusto, and despite the fact that wehave temporarily lost our instructor, Kathy, thegroup are grateful to Lynn and John who havefilled Kathy’s dancing shoes admirably, evendemonstrating both waltz and jive with someaplomb.Those who thought that ‘Balmoral Blues’ wassomething Her Majesty gets at the end of herholidays were in for a pleasant surprise, when,at the last session we were taught the first partof this sequence dance-and it was muchenjoyed!The rest of this dance to be continued at thenext meeting.Sessions during October are onMondays:3rd,17th and 31st all at the RichardHerod Centre commencing at 2pm.

Attempts to set up an absolute beginners grouphave not been successful so far but if anyonewho is keen on this would like to convene a newgroup, we would be happy to support and workwith you for the first few months to help get itestablished. Please get in touch.

Finally the Square Dance was a great successand after a slow start to ticket sales, they were asellout. Thanks to everyone who helped makethis a success from raffle prize donations,wonderful bunting, setting up, serving tea andcoffees and of course clearing up which wasdone in record time. The event made £260.95for the U3A.

Helen Madden and Neil Kendrick

Dancing

Contributions for next month’s issueby Sunday 6th November please

13PageTheNewsletter

Carlton & Gedling U3A Diary of EventsDate and time Group Meet at Details ContactOctober17/10/2016 10:30 Family History Richard Herrod Centre Brenda on 0774 201 748217/10/2016 14:00 Tea Dancing Richard Herrod Centre Helen on 0115 955 472317/10/2016 16:00 Drama Richard Herrod Centre Millennium suite, stage end Pat on 0791 866 532217/10/2016 18:30 Theatre Cornerhouse Opera - Cosi fan Tutti - Royal Opera Broadcast Paul on 0115 955 928518/10/2016 14:00 Local History Richard Herrod Centre Talk - Going To The Flicks. Graham on 0115 956 179119/10/2016 10:00 Bonsai A member's house New projects - what to try next Paul on 0115 955 928519/10/2016 10:00 Singing for Pleasure Wednesday Netherfield Baptist Church Allan on 0115 911 304519/10/2016 10:30 Drawing & Sketching Carlton Fire Station Alyson on 0115 847 809419/10/2016 14:00 Bridge and Whist The Willowbrook Ken on 0115 956 278019/10/2016 14:00 Indoor Games The Willowbrook Lynne on 0777 180 195720/10/2016 10:30 General Meeting Richard Herrod Centre Speaker Stephen Wright - Moscow & St Petersburg Tom On 0780 094 939621/10/2016 10:00 Science Richard Herrod Centre MEETING CANCELLED Lynne on 07771 801 95721/10/2016 14:00 Creative Writing Richard Herrod Centre TBA - check with Ian Ian on 0115 998 880321/10/2016 17:00 Badminton Carlton Forum Leisure Centre Tricia on 0115 940 170721/10/2016 19:30 Gedling Memorial Hall Quiz - Teams of up to 6. Bring own drinks and picnic. Nicola on 0115 940 150724/10/2016 10:00 French Conversation Mapperley Golf Club Brian on 0115 926 505324/10/2016 10:00 Sewing Carlton Fire Station Pam on 0115 926 002624/10/2016 10:30 Discussion Carlton Fire Station More important family or friends Brian on 0115 987 829324/10/2016 14:00 Richard Herrod Centre Committee Meeting Tom on 0115 955 447124/10/2016 18:30 Wine Lovers 4 Burton Road Community Centre Tutored Tasting Gamay and Muscat Paul on 0115 955 928525/10/2016 09:30 Five Miles and a cup of tea Meet at Ranmoor Road car park Farnsfield and Southwell Trail walk Maggie on 0115 955 928525/10/2016 11:00 New Members Meeting The Willowbrook For new and prospective members Sally on 0778 754 114525/10/2016 13:00 Badminton John Carroll Leisure Centre Tricia on 0115 940 170725/10/2016 14:00 Music Appreciation Richard Herrod Centre Theme - Fruit & Vegetables Eric on 0115 847 809426/10/2016 10:00 Making Music For Fun Netherfield Baptist Church Charles on 0115 915 752526/10/2016 14:00 Bridge and Whist The Willowbrook Ken on 0115 956 278026/10/2016 14:00 Indoor Games The Willowbrook Lynne on 0777 180 195726/10/2016 14:30 Theatre Theatre Royal Musical -The Producers by Mel Brooks Linda on 0115 958 356727/10/2016 09:00 Striders Walking Meet at Ranmoor Road car park Linacre Reservoirs walk Sue on 0115 961 314027/10/2016 11:00 Coffee Morning Top Spot Club Maggie on 0115 955 928527/10/2016 13:00 Crafts Thursday Carlton Fire Station Chuck it and see!! - 3 of 3 Rofie on 0115 955 447128/10/2016 10:00 Singing for Pleasure Friday Bethesda Ministries Church Allan on 0115 911 304528/10/2016 17:00 Badminton Carlton Forum Leisure Centre Tricia on 0115 940 170730/10/2016 10:00 Science Meet At The Venue Horological Society, Upton Hall, Newark, Open Day Lynne on 07771 801 95731/10/2016 14:00 Tea Dancing Richard Herrod Centre Helen on 0115 955 472331/10/2016 16:00 Drama Richard Herrod Centre Millennium suite, stage end Pat on 0791 866 532231/10/2016 19:45 Theatre Nottingham Playhouse Drama - The Revenger's Tragedy by Thomas Middleton Basia on 0115 9539780November01/11/2016 10:00 Railway Enthusiasts Richard Herrod Centre Welsh Narrow Gauge Nick on 0115 987 259401/11/2016 14:00 Book Club Carlton Fire Station Talking to the Dead by Helen Dunmore Maggie on 0115 952 318501/11/2016 16:30 Indoor Bowls Richard Herrod Centre Mick on 0115 987 423902/11/2016 10:00 Singing for Pleasure Wednesday Netherfield Baptist Church Allan on 0115 911 304502/11/2016 14:00 Bridge and Whist The Willowbrook Ken on 0115 956 278002/11/2016 14:00 Indoor Games The Willowbrook Lynne on 0777 180 195703/11/2016 10:15 Tai Chi Richard Herrod Centre Sally on 0778 754 114503/11/2016 10:30 Strollers Walking Meeting Place TBA Walk details TBA Ian on 0115 998 880304/11/2016 10:15 Textile Crafts The Willowbrook Crochet - basic, edging and other techniques Lynne on 0777 180 195704/11/2016 17:00 Badminton Carlton Forum Leisure Centre Tricia on 0115 940 170706/11/2016 18:00 November Newsletter Deadline Nick on 0115 987 259407/11/2016 10:30 Greenfingers Gedling Road Methodist Church A Year in the Hive', plus honey for sale! Nicola on 0115 940 150707/11/2016 14:00 History Study Richard Herrod Centre The General Strike - talk by Neil Kendrick Brian on 0115 987 829307/11/2016 16:00 Drama Richard Herrod Centre Millennium suite, stage end Pat on 0791 866 532208/11/2016 09:45 Photography Carlton Fire Station Details TBA Tom on 0780 094 939608/11/2016 13:00 Badminton John Carroll Leisure Centre Tricia on 0115 940 170708/11/2016 14:30 Poetry Appreciation A member's house Sound e.g. music, speech, sounds from nature Rene on 0115 841 848109/11/2016 10:00 Making Music For Fun Netherfield Baptist Church Charles on 0115 915 752509/11/2016 14:00 Bridge and Whist The Willowbrook Ken on 0115 956 278009/11/2016 14:00 Indoor Games The Willowbrook Lynne on 0777 180 195710/11/2016 09:00 Cycling TBA - Kath Robins organising Lynne on 0777 180 195710/11/2016 11:00 Coffee Morning Top Spot Club Maggie on 0115 955 928510/11/2016 12:00 Ten Pin Bowling MFA Bowl Brenda on 0115 962 575710/11/2016 13:00 Luncheon Club See Ian for venue and details Ian on 0115 998 880311/11/2016 08:00 Bird Watching Meet at Richard Herrod Kingsbury Water Meadow Joan on 0776 307 165511/11/2016 10:00 Singing for Pleasure Friday Bethesda Ministries Church Allan on 0115 911 304511/11/2016 12:00 Grumpy Old Men The Willowbrook Ian on 0115 911 468111/11/2016 13:00 Crafts Friday Carlton Fire Station Locker Hooking - 1 of 2 Rofie on 0115 955 447111/11/2016 17:00 Badminton Carlton Forum Leisure Centre Tricia on 0115 940 170714/11/2016 10:00 Classical Music Study A member's house If music be the food of love.... David on 0115 955 472614/11/2016 14:00 Tea Dancing Richard Herrod Centre Helen on 0115 955 472314/11/2016 16:00 Drama Richard Herrod Centre Millennium suite, stage end Pat on 0791 866 532214/11/2016 18:30 Wine Lovers 2 Burton Road Community Centre Languedoc Paul on 0115 955 928515/11/2016 10:30 Gedling Road Methodist Church Group Convenors Meeting Tom on 0780 094 939615/11/2016 14:00 Local History Carlton Fire Station Murder, Mystery and Mayhem A Talk by Bob Massey Graham on 0115 956 179115/11/2016 18:15 Theatre Cornerhouse Opera - Les Contes d'Hoffmann Paul on 0115 955 928516/11/2016 10:00 Bonsai A member's house Overwintering Paul on 0115 955 928516/11/2016 10:00 Singing for Pleasure Wednesday Netherfield Baptist Church Allan on 0115 911 304516/11/2016 10:30 Drawing & Sketching Carlton Fire Station Alyson on 0115 847 8094

16/11/2016 14:00 Bridge and Whist The Willowbrook Ken on 0115 956 278016/11/2016 14:00 Indoor Games The Willowbrook Lynne on 0777 180 195717/11/2016 10:30 General Meeting Richard Herrod Centre Speaker Tracey Akehurst - Once Upon a Time at Christmas Tom On 0780 094 939617/11/2016 14:00 Art Appreciation A member's house Introduction to the work of Victor Pasmore Christine on 0115 953 672517/11/2016 19:00 International Dining Meal - venue to be confirmed Pat on 0791 866 532218/11/2016 14:00 Creative Writing Richard Herrod Centre TBA - check with Ian Ian on 0115 998 880318/11/2016 15:00 Science Richard Herrod Centre 3D Printing - Brian Lynne on 07771 801 95718/11/2016 17:00 Badminton Carlton Forum Leisure Centre Tricia on 0115 940 170721/11/2016 10:30 Family History Richard Herrod Centre Brenda on 0774 201 748221/11/2016 14:00 Richard Herrod Centre Committee Meeting Tom on 0115 955 447121/11/2016 16:00 Drama Richard Herrod Centre Millennium suite, stage end Pat on 0791 866 532222/11/2016 09:30 Five Miles and a cup of tea Meet at Ranmoor Road car park Bleasby and Fiskerton Walk Maggie on 0115 955 928522/11/2016 11:00 New Members Meeting The Willowbrook For new and prospective members Sally on 0778 754 114522/11/2016 13:00 Badminton John Carroll Leisure Centre Tricia on 0115 940 170722/11/2016 14:00 Music Appreciation Richard Herrod Centre Theme - In The Sky Eric on 0115 847 809423/11/2016 10:00 Making Music For Fun Netherfield Baptist Church Charles on 0115 915 752523/11/2016 14:00 Bridge and Whist The Willowbrook Ken on 0115 956 278023/11/2016 14:00 Indoor Games The Willowbrook Lynne on 0777 180 195724/11/2016 09:00 Striders Walking Meet at Ranmoor Road car park Walk details TBA Brian on 0115 956 767024/11/2016 11:00 Coffee Morning Top Spot Club Maggie on 0115 955 928524/11/2016 13:00 Crafts Thursday Carlton Fire Station Locker Hooking - 1 of 2 Rofie on 0115 955 447125/11/2016 10:00 Singing for Pleasure Friday Bethesda Ministries Church Allan on 0115 911 304525/11/2016 17:00 Badminton Carlton Forum Leisure Centre Tricia on 0115 940 170728/11/2016 10:00 Sewing Carlton Fire Station Pam on 0115 926 002628/11/2016 10:30 Discussion Carlton Fire Station Young people Brian on 0115 987 829328/11/2016 14:00 Tea Dancing Richard Herrod Centre Helen on 0115 955 472328/11/2016 16:00 Drama Richard Herrod Centre Millennium suite, stage end Pat on 0791 866 532228/11/2016 18:30 Wine Lovers 4 Burton Road Community Centre Languedoc Paul on 0115 955 928529/11/2016 14:30 Theatre Nottingham Playhouse Pantomime - Aladdin Basia on 0115 953978030/11/2016 08:45 Trips and Visits Meet at Richard Herrod Trip to Victorian Christmas at Rockingham Castle Janet on 0115 840 073330/11/2016 14:00 Bridge and Whist The Willowbrook Ken on 0115 956 278030/11/2016 14:00 Indoor Games The Willowbrook Lynne on 0777 180 1957

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