We hear from the IGO Book Group, the British Cemeteries Group and have a few crosswords clues for you to try. Plus, find the answers from the February IGO News Extra quiz!
Download a PDF of the February 2023 News Extra for IGO members: February IGO News Extra (398.53 KB)
Longer Article - from George, member of the IGO Book Club
We are a small group of avid book readers seeking to expand our membership. We meet monthly on zoom to discuss a book we have all read that month. The meetings last an hour on a Monday afternoon. Our choice of book is strictly democratic; we nominate a book to read and decide by voting . What I like most about the group is its friendliness and inclusiveness. Nobody seeks to prove or demonstrate how well read they are; we all listen to and appreciate the often different perspectives of others .The choice of books is broad; we dip into the literary 'canon' but read plenty by contemporary writers from many different cultures and in a variety of styles. Our discussions often veer off into other matters (culture, lifestyle, politics) but our able and patient facilitator Peter gently brings us back to the task in hand.
The group for me has been interesting, educational but above all else enjoyable . I do hope you will join us ;we don't bite and our sessions are very rewarding and positive.
Note from the Editor – If you are a member of the Book group but haven’t been attending for a while why not remove yourself from the group via Beacon - this will free up places for other people who can attend - many thanks for your kind cooperation.
Longer Article - from Carol, leader of the IGO British Cemeteries Group
The British Cemeteries Group is busy putting together a varied online programme for 2023.
Among others, we already have confirmed speakers from the Commonwealth Graves Commission, Calderstones Cemetery and a lichen monitoring group. We have u3a members who have volunteered to present their own stories/research about cemeteries near where they live and we will also be holding a couple of meetings where each member can join in, either by bringing along a photo of a grave that interests them, or by researching a
name on a war memorial local to them.
There is no pressure to present or talk - every group needs listeners as well. So, if you have ever been fascinated by a cemetery, or found yourself wondering about the stories and social history behind the headstones, then please come along and join us on the first Wednesday of every month at 3pm. Every story we uncover will be treated with empathy, compassion and respect.
Crossword Clues - from our editor Helen
Decapitation is the device of taking the first letter from a word to reveal the answer to the clue - off with their heads - see the two examples below:
Clue : Bird decapitated dog (5)
So here, you take a word for dog, BEAGLE, and remove the first letter for a five-letter word denoting a bird, EAGLE.
Clue : Snakes and their associates decapitated (6)
This time it's a six-letter word for "snakes" that you're looking for. So you think of some serpentine associates - LADDERS - and remove the L to give you ADDERS.
Here are two for you to try:
Clue 1: Cut festival flower (5)
Clue 2: Hair needing highlights with a bit off the top (7)
Find the answers at the bottom of this page...
Photo by Smartphone Art group member Ann
Answers to Crossword Clues and Quiz in IGO February News Extra:
Crossword Clue Answers:
1: Change Easter to Aster
2: ‘take a bit of the top off’ stresses to leave you with tresses
Quiz Answers:
1. Martin Luther King Jr
2. Dame Nellie Melba
3. Marilyn Monroe
4. Omar Sharif
5. Princess Diana