
IGO December 24 News Extra
Hello everyone and welcome to our December edition of News Extra. This month we feature news from existing groups, new groups and potential groups - there’s a current affairs quiz for the more serious minded and some messages from members about their Christmas favourites. We hope you have a safe and happy time as we move forward towards 2025.
Helen, editor:
I hope you enjoy the read.
Helen Titherington, Trust Volunteer – IGO News Extra Editor

New Groups and Potential Groups
New Groups
- Agatha Christie Appreciation
- Latin for Beginners 3
- Photography
- Pre 1850 Family History
- Virtual Walks
New Potential Group
- Dutch/Flemish conversation
Potential Group Meeting
- None - too near Christmas
The Agatha Christie Appreciation group – some words from our group leader, Linda
I would love enthusiasts of the work of Agatha Christie to join me in a monthly reading and discussion group, hopefully to begin early in the new year.
Having read (and reread) Christie's novels since being a teenager, I wondered why some of these novels still sound so fresh today, whereas other Golden Age detective writers can often sound very much "of their time". It is also curious as to why some of the novels seem to be forever rehashed into films, leaving many of her other brilliant stories to be largely forgotten. We all know Murder on the Orient Express, of course - Brannagh has only just revived it with a glamorous film version and an all-star cast. But who can remember Death Comes as the End? Another great story and said to be the first historical whodunnit ever written! Or the cleverly constructed Murder of Roger Ackroyd with the quintessential unreliable narrator.
Her writing has interested me for many years, and I'd love to discuss these kinds of questions, and elements of her style, with like-minded readers. I am hoping that potential members will decide with me which novels to begin with, but I'd like to take some kind of chronological approach.
If you think this might be for you, please join the waiting list.
Tennis Roundup – a fantastic year for Italy and its players
The end of the Women’s tennis season 2024
- Coco Gauff winner - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Rankings 1-4, Aryna Sabalenka, 9416 points / Iga Swiatek, 8370 points / Coco Gauff, 6530 points / Jasmine Paolini, 5344 points
- BJK Cup in Malaga - The 2024 Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Finals will take place in Malaga and will feature 12 teams. Canada, as 2023 world champions, Italy, as 2023 runners-up, hosts Spain and wild card Czechia qualified automatically. They will be joined by the eight winners of the 2024 Qualifiers - Australia, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and USA
- Semi finals - as at 19 November; GB v Slovakia; Poland v Italy
- WINNER - ITALY
The end of the Men’s tennis season 2024
- Sinner wins final tournament in Turin, Italy
- Rankings 1-4 Jannik Sinner, 11830 points; Alexander Zverev, 7915 points ; Carlos Alcaraz, 7010 points; Taylor Fritz, 5100 points
- Davis cup in Malaga - Netherlands v Spain; Germany v Canada; USA v Australia; Italy v Argentina
- Semi finals; Netherlands v Germany; Australia v Italy
- Final, 24 November – Netherlands v Italy – ITALY WON 2,0
Go to The Beacon Members Portal to join the Potential Tennis group.
IGO Intermediate Recorders
One of the challenges for a recorder group is appropriate music in December. My eccentric or eclectic choice this year is:
- Winter Solstice Song, Bartok
- We wish you a merry Christmas, traditional
- Bethlehem Down, Peter Warlock
- Carol of the Skiddaw Yowes, Ivor Gurney
- Verbum caro factum est a 6, Hassler
All are my transcriptions or arrangements. The Winter Solstice is for a group member who celebrates the solstice, the merry Christmas is for figgy pudding lovers and “Bethlehem Down” is a gorgeous tune. The “Skiddaw yowes” is for the group members who live in Cumbria and the Hassler text gets to the Christian meaning behind our celebrations.
Peter Stephenson
A Polish Christmas eve in Nottingham – Maria from Coffee and Conversation
Christmas Eve is a very special day for Poles and full of traditions.
The Christmas tree is decorated on this day and it is usual to fast until the evening meal which starts as soon as the first star appears in the sky.
It is traditional to set a place at the table for an unexpected guest and the meal starts with a prayer and the breaking of a wafer when family members exchange good wishes for the following year.
Traditionally the feast would comprise twelve courses in tribute to the twelve apostles. I am not sure anybody offers as many as twelve courses any more but every little dish counts! It is important to note that no meat is consumed on this day. In my household we will start with barszcz (beetroot consommé) with small filled dumplings, followed by pickled herrings and then a main course of poached salmon. I am sure we will all be stuffed by this point but I will still offer symbolically some “pierogi” (typical Polish dumplings) and golabki (stuffed cabbage leaves). We will skip the traditional dried fruit compote and finally indulge in some cheesecake and poppyseed cake.
After Midnight Mass I will turn my attention to preparing next day’s traditional English Christmas dinner with all the trimmings ….
Top of the Festive Food Pops in Coffee and Conversation
- Stollen
- Panettone
- Yule Log
- Mince pies
- Turkey and the trimmings
- Christmas pudding
The German markets and their Gluhwein in Germany got a big round of applause, but some members reported very expensive food and drink on sale in the UK – particularly the markets in Manchester came in for some criticism.

Alan Gibbons – About the New Photography Group
This is your opportunity to unleash your imagination and create your own masterpieces.
No previous photographic experience required, just enthusiasm to join in and have some fun.
You decide whether to use a phone or camera.
We share our photographs and communicate regularly via WhatsApp. We also use Zoom for meet-ups.
Access to WhatsApp and Zoom is important for participation.
Share your photos on WhatsApp knowing no-one is judging you. Learn from other people’s photos and ideas. Creativity is encouraged and appreciated.
There are no set subjects or themes. Photos can be taken in your home, garden and local neighbourhood, so travel is not essential for joining in.
Why not join the group now via the Beacon members portal?

Current Affairs Quiz Questions
Last month I mentioned the government office website giving details of winter fuel payments. It prompted members to write in with some feedback which has led me to improve my personal knowledge of the following topics, how’s yours?
- What is fuel poverty and how is it measured in England (where there are 12-13% of households suffering from fuel poverty) as opposed to Scotland (where 30% of households are deemed to suffer from fuel poverty) see House of Commons briefing
- Do you know which Uk coastal towns are the ‘most deprived’ – where is Jaywick?
- Do you know what these initials stand for DESNZ?
- Do you know what a floating wind turbine is and whether the waters surrounding our coasts could support this type of low carbon energy production?
Remember you can join our IGO current affairs groups via the Beacon members portal.
Answers at the end of the newsletter
Pictures and Season's Greetings from Members

A Christmas display from David

Connie's cat, Sonny

A Christmas wreath from Connie

Catherine's kitten in a Christmas tree

Char's environmentally friendly Christmas decorations

A little tree on the bar of the Baobab Cafe, from Linda

Trifle from Ben instead of Christmas pudding

Brussels sprouts - we love them, Lindsay and Keith

What kind of dates are these? asks Helen.

Atmore's Puddings advery from John
Boston Public Library, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Request from Alison - please tell us your IGO stories
The IGO team believe that learning is a lifelong journey, and we are always inspired by the incredible stories of growth and transformation from our community.
We would love to hear from you about how participating in learning activities has changed your life. Whether it's a new skill you've mastered, a hobby that has brought you joy, or a course that has opened new doors, please let us know!
Tell Us Your Story
- How has learning something new impacted your daily life?
- Have you discovered new passions or interests through our groups?
- Have you forged new contacts with friends or family through what you have learned through IGO?
Please email your stories to
Zoom Etiquette Reminder
Please could we remind all members to clearly name themselves in group meetings by changing their group name. You could do this using your firstname and surname, or by your first name and membership number if you don't want to use your surname. This allows Group Leaders to verify who they have in every meeting.
For more information about Zoom etiquette for IGO, please read the Guidance for IGO Members.
Current Affairs Quiz Answers
1. The criteria measured in England to define a household as fuel poor do not include the price of energy to the household where in Scotland it does…
2. Jaywick is in Clacton on Sea ….
3. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero – Gov Uk .
4. There is a large floating wind turbine off the coast of Scotland but no real consensus about the depth of water and quantities of wind required for successful generation but so far technical difficulties and the overall high costs involved have made projects difficult to get off the ground .