IGO April 25 News Extra

Hello, I hope you have had an enjoyable Easter.

I was hoping for a simnel cake when my sister said she would bake for our meal on Sunday - her chocolate and raspberry cake was delicious however another year has gone by without me tasting a simnel cake - can you pick it out from Mrs Beeton sweets and gateaux circa 1923?

This month in News extra you'll find a word about how to name your zoom screen and how to politely leave a group you've not been attending. Plus we have five new groups for you to have a look at and a quiz ....  

• Let's write a play
• Canal Boating 
• Linux Discussion 
• The Meeting Room 
• Mindfulness, Meditation and Poetry 

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New Group - Let's Write a Play

Carol Bogg group leader says - I have recently written my first play. There are lots of good groups on the internet, but less so for new writers. This group will be a forum for encouraging each other, and sampling each other's work. We will meet on the last Monday of each month at 2pm. If an evening time better suits, then please let me know.

The first meeting will be an introduction, and each member will be able to share their experience and aspirations in relation to writing plays. Each month one member will be able to present their play, either for constructive critical review, to discuss any issues, or for a reading of the play. We will be reading the work of the members and not including other works.

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We are a group for narrowboat enthusiasts, both experienced and new. We will discuss routes in the UK and further afield. There will be opportunities to offer practical support for inexperienced boaters, whether you are a new owner, a member of a boat syndicate or hiring for the first time. Members will have access opportunities to crew for other owners within the UK canal network and abroad.

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In The Meeting Room, we use our own words and photographs to share, chat and comment about what we get up to, and what we like and enjoy. The saying goes that a picture is worth a thousand words.  The Group is ideal for using your smartphone to join in, it is the simplest means to communicate, share and comment, as well as taking and keeping your photographs that can be shared. Padlet can also be used on most other devices, such as a PC or Tablet. We use an IGO-provided Padlet for all our chats, photos, comments, and anything else.  Everyone is welcome to join in, to participate and to post on the Padlet.   

This group can suit those u3a Members who perhaps do not get out and about much.  You can join in from wherever you may be, at any time.  

The Meeting Room is open 24/7.   Photography skills and experience are not essential, telling the story is.   If you are not very experienced in using your smartphone or taking part in social media, it is not a problem, you will be helped all the way. 

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Linux is a computer operating system that's a free alternative to Microsoft Windows. It runs well on older computers and is 100% file-compatible with Windows (i.e. the same documents, spreadsheets, videos, etc run on both, often using virtually identical software). Replacing Windows with Linux is a possible option for people who will have to ditch their Windows computers this Autumn - this is when Microsoft abandons support for Windows 11 and replaces it with Windows 12, which won't run on many older computers.

Whether you use Linux already or are interested in installing it on your computer, this discussion group is an opportunity to find out more.

Time: 4th Tuesday of the month at 4 pm over Zoom.

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1. O to be in England now that April's here - who wrote these famous words?

2. Count Basie's 1955 recording of what song with April in the title on the album of the same name is the most famous.This particular performance was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

3. In England what do these different names mean around the country, "noodle", "gob", "gobby", or "noddy"?

4. What two zodiac signs cover the month of April?

5. April 6, 1896 on this date, after a break of 1500 years, what happened in Athens, Greece.

6. April 12, 1961 - Who was the first human in space?

7. What is April's birthstone?

8. April 28, 1789 - On board the British ship, who led a famous mutiny?

9. Who was the first European to arrive in Australia on 27th April 1770?

10. What’s the name of this song and who first sang it?

And where you see clouds upon the hills,

You soon will see crowds of daffodils,

So keep on looking for a bluebird,

And list'ning for his song,

Whenever …..

Answers at the end

u3a Essay Competition

It would be lovely to have some IGO entries for the u3a essay competition:

u3a members are invited to write an essay of 1000 words or fewer on the topic: “Make the case for a person, policy, invention, or idea having a positive impact on society.” 

The deadline for submissions is Friday 9 May. 

Test your powers of persuasion and see if you can convince the judges! 

We have had quite a few members who have joined IGO then joined lots of groups but who then have not attended any of the meetings. Please, if you can no longer attend a group, for what ever reason, go to the Beacon members portal to find the group and follow the instructions to leave … Thanks - this will save group leaders a lot of admin time….

If a member has difficulty doing this they should contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

It's Renewal Time

You have until May 1st to renew your IGO subscription.

Naming your Zoom Screen

When you join a group please ensure the name appearing on your screen is appropriate - we advise either

• Your full name or

• Your first name and IGO membership number

To change your screen name go to participants find yourself in the list and click to choose rename

Online learning events - Free to all u3a members

On our main website all the events are listed together with instructions how to book a place

A couple of events coming up attracted me

• The assassination of JFK 2pm, 25th April

• Living with the wildlife on the Galapagos, 2pm, 8th May

Check them out - there’s a fantastic variety to choose from…

Quiz Time Answers

1. Robert Browning
2. April in Paris
3. Fool and April Fool
4. Aries and Taurus
5. 1st Olympics of the modern era
6. Yuri Gagarin
7. Diamond
8. Fletcher Christian on the Bounty
9. James Cook
10. April Showers, Al Johnson, 1921

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