u3a - February 25 News Extra

IGO February 25 News Extra

Easier to read Padlet version? We are trying this new format for the newsletter. Let us know what you think - editor This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This link is the normal padlet view of the newsletter but you can also see the posts in a slide show

… follow this link to see the slide show which allows you to whizz through the posts just by pushing an arrow - no scrolling!

Helen Titherington, Trust Volunteer – IGO News Extra Editor

How to Join a New Group

Visit the Beacon Members Portal

New and Potential Groups

New Groups

Potential Groups Introductory Meeting

Historical Writers - Thursday 27 February at 5pm

Trouble in Paradise?

We must apologise to members wishing to join our group Milton’s paradise lost – there was a technical problem which we have fixed now and we hope you take the opportunity to rejoin and Michael McConville your group leader can get the ball rolling ….

New Group - Improv

Yes! Our Improv group has started weekly workshops! Improv is like acting but there is no script. You don't need to be gifted to attend our workshops because instructions and practice are provided to help the flow of scenes and conversation - which are all created by ourselves! And a lot of fun and good humour is enjoyed in the process!

This activity is beneficial in improving memory, spontaneity, creativity,confidence, resilience and happiness. It is a lot of fun. Give it a try!

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Thank you and power to your elbow :) Rob Morris

New group - Social Commentary

11am on the 3rd Monday - 17th February

The group will meet to discuss what is happening in society on a day to day basis, this is a wide remit but basically anything that impacts on our day to day lives is up for discussion. A topic will be selected before each meeting, including discussion points to get us going. Members will be invited to select future topic for discussion. Join here.

Group Leader Carol Bogg

New Group - Novice Back-Garden Beekeeping

To assist and work with an expert beekeeper to learn the practical side of the craft. To gain hands-on experience and knowledge of what is involved in becoming custodians of honeybees in their natural habitat as well as within their domesticated traditional beehive.

Meetings to be arranged - Group Leader Mark Gale

New Group - Feminist Discussion group

Initial meeting 25 February

This is a discussion group for us to come together each month to explore issues of specific concern to women. It's an opportunity for us to express our thoughts, raise questions and learn from each other. Member participation will be important, though not obligatory, and the monthly discussion topics will be chosen by the group as a whole. We will discuss a diverse range of topics including; ageing and ageism, health, housing options and social care needs, stereotypes and images of women (including “age appropriate” clothes and anti-ageing products), older women in books/films/television…and growing old disgracefully!

Join Here

Lizzie Medwell, Group Leader

New Group - Music Sharing

2nd Sunday 7pm

Group Leader Diana sets a theme, e.g. “the weather” and emails the group in advance inviting each member to suggest one piece of music of any genre that fits the theme. We then meet on Zoom and Diana plays the music using her Spotify account, followed by an informal discussion. A fun way to discover new music and hear old favourites in a relaxed atmosphere.

Join here

New Group - Writing for Pleasure 2

The aim of the group Writing for Pleasure is to explore ways of communicating and expressing ideas.

There are three parts to each meeting:

Members read a piece they have written, on a theme set at the previous session (5 mins maximum)
There is a short discussion.
Members read from a chosen author (5 mins maximum)

Join Here

Group Leader Maisie Parker

Potential Group - Map Reading

We have 10 members interested in this potential group - a volunteer group leader is required.

Wine Appreciation

Thursday 27 February at 4pm - The wines of the South of France area.

Coffee and Conversation

Opener - Musical instruments I play and/or enjoy listening to.

Successful Group - Film Reviews

3rd Friday at 2pm

The group contact is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Each month, the group agrees on a film/films which they will watch, to be discussed at the next month's meeting.

The films to be reviewed in February 2025 are Murder on the Orient Express (1974 version) and Walk the Line They are both an bailable in the BBC iPlayer for 12 and 18 days respectively so you will need to be quick. After that they should be available on Prime and Apple TV+ for a small fee.

Group members please look to my email for details of access.

Information about the next meeting is on the Beacon Calendar link.

Beacon now puts new joiners on a waiting list until the group leaders accepts them into the group. This make take a day or two.

Successful Group - Great Albums of the 70s

Group leader Richard - We may have only started three months ago but already the group has doubled in size. We've enjoyed lively and well-informed discussions about Led Zeppelin 4, Joni Mitchell's 'Blue' and Bill Withers' 'Still Bill'. Next up is Van Morrison's 'Moondance'. The variety of album choices and the generosity of spirit members show in the sharing of views has been a delight.

We might need two groups at this rate!

Using Zoom – some hints and tips

As most Interest Groups Online meetings take place on Zoom, it's important we stick to some Zoom etiquette. Have a read below.

- For the benefit of everyone, please make sure that your name and surname, or your first name and membership number are clearly displayed. If you need to change the wording in the meeting go to Participants and click on your name and follow the instructions to RENAME.
- If you are in a discussion group, please try to have your camera on if you are able to. Being able to see each other helps to facilitate lively discussions.
- Don't talk over each other - respect is key when it comes to a Zoom meeting. Including staying muted when a presentation is on!
- If you are in a discussion group make sure that everyone has a chance to speak.
- How to hide your own view of yourself.
  - Hover over the video symbol and click the three dots when they appear.
  - Choose 'Hide self view.'
- How to set a background:
  - Click the 'more' button and scroll down to backgrounds and effects.
  - Follow the instructions, add from your own photos, you’ll need to play around with this feature depending on what you want to achieve – to disguise your location or introduce a picture to link to the meeting's theme.

Quiz

What two zodiac signs cover the month of February?
On the 2nd of February we celebrate a particularly British pudding, but which one is it?
On the 4th of February 1926 Malcolm Campbell set a new world land speed record – how many mph?
What happened to the tanner and the bob in Britain on 15th of February 1971
The most famous British writer after Shakespeare was born 7th February 1812 – can you name this person?
What is the main birth stone associated with February?

We Turned Up, Didn't We?

The Online Quiz League, link above, has a U3A team called ‘We turned up Didn’t we’  and they are looking for a couple more members - here’s what IGO member of our own 40 question quizz group Angela has to say,

"Would you like to be the new Jeremy Paxman or Amol Rajan?  Our online quiz team is looking for an additional U3A member (or two)  to take on the role of Reader/scorer for next season.

We Turned Up Didn’t We? are enjoying our best ever season playing in the Online Quiz League (OQL) on Wednesday evenings.  We are currently top of our division.  Our team comprises 5 U3A members from across the country."

More about the role:

We are looking for an additional team member familiar with Zoom videoconferencing.

The Reader needs a laptop or desktop computer (either Windows or Mac OS) with microphone and webcam and a reliable internet connection.

You will need to be available once a fortnight on a Wednesday evening, from 8pm (if more than one person appointed then this could be just once a month).  The season is played over 11 weeks.

Training will be given on using the online scoring system.

There may be an opportunity to play some matches (including friendlies) during the season, depending on availability.

Interested?  Please contact Angela Bell on 07747670262 for more information.

Recipes

Asparagus pate

Gently cook the asparagus until soft but not squishy. Drain - add to a dish of clotted cream or thick natural Greek yogurt with salt and pepper and whizz.

Smoked Trout pate

Whizz cream cheese lemon juice and horseradish. Flake the hot smoked trout. Add to cream cheese and whizz again until chunky or smooth to your taste.

Smoked Mackerel pate

Whizz cream cheese, lemon juice and horseradish. Flake the mackerel fillet – I like to use the peppered variety. Add to cream cheese and whizz again until chunky or smooth to your taste.

Mushroom pate

Lightly fry shallots garlic salt and pepper - add button mushrooms or chestnut mushrooms and whizz. Once the mushrooms have released their juices blend with soy sauce, dried rosemary and chopped sunflower seeds. Serve sprinkled with sweet paprika or thin strips of roasted red peppers.

Quiz Answers

Aquarius and Pisces
Yorkshire pudding Day
174 mph
Decimalisation
Charles Dickens
Amethyst

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