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u3a matters Autumn 2024 - Screenreader Edition

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Welcome

From Sharon Parsons Editor

I worked in the Middle East for several years, and often found myself missing aspects of Blighty that I hadn’t fully appreciated before... especially the weather! It was the autumn months I was most homesick for. I love those mornings that suddenly have a nip in the air, the golden light and, of course, the vibrant colours of the turning leaves. Like many, I also associate this time of year with beginnings - probably because it was the start of a new school year. I can well remember both the anticipation (and nerves!), the challenge of learning new subjects, and making new friends... This issue touches on many of those strands. We urge members to enjoy the season with great walks and visits to glorious historic villages and, not least, make the most of Autumn Al Fresco during u3a Week, when you can really share what the u3a is all about. Indeed, this aim was perfectly captured in July, when the inaugural u3a Festival was held in York. What an achievement! Elsewhere, we celebrate the joy of growing your own, tempt with autumnal recipes, and recommend seasonal immune boosters. And if you’d like to learn something new, you’ll find a wealth of inspiration throughout from both members and Subject Advisers. Finally, when it comes to new directions, u3a’s outgoing Chair, Liz Thackray, reflects on her time in the role, and what the future holds. We wish her well!

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EDITORIAL

Editor Sharon Parsons
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Sub-editors James Hundleby, Amy Beveridge

DESIGN

Art Editor Yvey Bailey
Picture research Jessica Marsh

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Jane Easterman

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Connections

News and views to share what's been happening across u3a

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Fun in the sun

Welcome to our Festival!

Hundreds of u3a members came together for the inaugural u3a Festival 24 in York this summer. Communications officer Eleanor Mair shares a snapshot of this terrific event. Between 18 and 20 July, u3a bunting fluttered across the University of York as nearly 1,000 u3a members met up for three days of fun and learning. It was the largest meeting of members in the movement’s history and, throughout, there was the chatter of members who had never previously met, sharing ideas and stories from their own u3as and making new friends. The opening ceremony featured special guests including the Lord Mayor of York, Councillor Margaret Wells and, not least, Diana Moran, better known as the Green Goddess. Wearing her trademark green, Diana cut the blue u3a ribbon to mark the Festival’s official opening. “I’m proud to be a member of u3a in Surrey,” she said afterwards. “We’re a vibrant organisation providing socialisation, stimulation and such a wide range of activities. The u3a motto is learn, laugh and live – and isn’t that what so many of us want at this time of our lives?” The Festival was the brainchild of Margaret Fiddes, trustee for Yorkshire and the Humber, who worked alongside a team of eight u3a volunteers and staff member Julie Travers, to make the Festival a reality. Together, they planned the programme of 80 activities ning sports, arts, sciences, humanities and maths, all reflecting the diverse range of interests held by u3a members.

Fun and games

A fabulous time was had by all on the sports field and in the sports centre, with members playing against others from across the country. The programme was coordinated by volunteer Glenys Bailey, who has always loved sport, and plays pétanque, croquet and walking croquet at Ripon & District u3a. The Festival also saw the first ever national u3a walking football tournament, with groups from Barnsley u3a, Rotherham u3a and Balsall Common u3a. Having won three games and drawn once, Barnsley u3a were crowned the champions. “The walking football went off very well and it was a great feeling to play and be captain of the winning team,” said Alan Swann,captain of the Barnsley team. “The camaraderie was a joy to behold as all the players had the common bond of u3a membership. This didn’t detract from the competitive spirit, which I think everyone felt!”

Musical interludes

Attendees of the festival were treated to a wide range of musical performances from u3a groups across the UK. There was a 50-piece choir, a ukulele orchestra and a guitar band – to mention a few. It was coordinated by Trevor Barrowcliffe, who recruited musical groups before planning a schedule and venues for the different performances. He was present for every musical performance to ensure that each band had everything they needed. The role was a natural fit for Trevor who has always been passionate about music and plays the organ at Whitby u3a. “I’ve been taking every opportunity to listen to as much as I can – and take part,” he said.

New interests

Many artistic workshops were held across the three days. Highlights included a life-drawing class, a Viking portrait session featuring James Wright from York Museums Trust wearing traditional Viking dress, and a flower crown workshop led by Margaret Fiddes. “I’ve never done anything like that before,” said Rosalynn from Lanark & District u3a, “The things I’ve learnt since joining u3a – it’s crazy!” For Elizabeth, a committee member at Dunstable u3a, the activities at the Festival were an opportunity to explore new skills. She attended slow stitching, ish games, tai-chi, dance exercise, the singing group and doodling. “I’ve tried to do things that can support our groups, or something to stretch me,” she said. “ When you get to our age, you’ve got to do things to rewire your brain!”

A big thank you

The Festival could not have happened without the contribution of numerous volunteers across the UK, many of whom were from the Yorkshire & Humber region. As Margaret Fiddes said: “I want to thank everybody who has had a hand in putting on this wonderful Festival. It’s great to see members doing so many different things and having such a wonderful time over these three days.”

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Podcast news

Our September u3a radio podcast episode is a special Festival edition. Roving reporters Charles Runcie, former head of sport, BBC English Regions, and Janine Aldridge from u3a head office, travelled to York to capture the spirit of this important u3a event. The aim was to showcase the diversity and breadth of interests across the movement and discover what made so many members attend the festival, and what they gained from the experience. There are some fantastic interviews covering a range of the activities that members enjoyed, along with guest appearances from Sam Mauger, outgoing CEO of the Third Age Trust, and the Green Goddess, Diana Moran.

  • Available on 17 September. To listen, go to: u3a.org.uk/ learning/u3a-radio-podcast, the u3a YouTube channel, and the usual podcast platforms.

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Making a difference

In our new series, we recognise members who go above and beyond for their u3a.

Joyce Cook, 84, has been a member of Basingstoke Old Basing u3a since 2014. With a previous career in the travel industry, she became group leader of her u3a’s Excursions and Holiday group soon after joining. Since then, she has made great use of her vast knowledge and passion for travel by tirelessly organising group trips for up to 30 members at a time all over Europe and the UK. “We’ve been to so many fantastic places, and I love sharing these experiences with other people, especially those who who might not be confident enough to travel on their own otherwise," she says. Once a destination has been agreed, Joyce gets to work, coordinating with her trusted travel operators – such as Saga and Success Tours – to bring the itinerary together. “It’s a jigsaw because there’s so much to arrange, especially as there are so many of us,” she says. Earlier this year, Joyce’s dedication and hard work were recognised when she won Group Travel Organiser of the Year at the prestigious Group Leisure & Travel Awards in London. She is using her prize – an Adriatic voyage with Celestyal Cruises - as a ‘familiarisation’ trip with a view to taking her band of happy u3a travellers on the same adventure another time. “Joyce is a shining example of what volunteering with the u3a should be,” says Basingstoke u3a PR Christine Rowley. ”She really does care about our members, and simply says her reward is seeing members laughing and enjoying her trips, making new friends and sharing their experiences.”

  • Is there someone in your u3a you feel should be recognised for all they do? If so, get in touch at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Saving the Scillies

The effects of climate change are sometimes perceived as happening elsewhere in the world. Low-lying islands such as Kiribati and Vanuatu in the Pacific may come to mind where sea level rises are concerned, for instance. Yet closer to home, UK enclaves such as the idyllic Isles of Scilly are also under threat. At a recent meeting of the online group Climate Matters, Linda Wornes, secretary of the Isles of Scilly u3a, explained how climate change is having a detrimental effect on this beautiful archipelago. Here, she and climate reality leader Versha Jones set out the key problems – and the measures required to adapt and mitigate them. Challenges faced Around 30% of the area of St Mary’s, the largest island, is below five metres. The central hub, Hugh Town, is situated on a narrow isthmus, almost at sea level. If pollution levels remain the same, the sea level will rise by 0.5 metres by 2080. At that point, a significant section of Hugh Town, and Old Town further along the coast, will be flooded and the off-islands similarly affected. This also risks saline intrusion into groundwater, which would consequently affect water quality, health, business and tourism. Coastal flooding, waves over-topping sea defences and a poor sea state also risks disruption to sea freight and passenger services – crucial when air services are disrupted by fog. Cancellations of flights cause regular logistical issues for those travelling to and from the islands, particularly in the winter when there is no boat to and from the mainland. Action required In response to the perceived risks, the Isles of Scilly Council initiated the Climate Adaptation Project in 2021 with the aim of building sea defences to adapt to the impact of coastal flooding and erosion by 2045. These works included dune construction and strengthening, and rock armour on St Mary’s, St Martin’s, Bryher and St Agnes, funded by the ERDF and EA.* A further comprehensive study, the Resilient Islands Strategy, together with an implementation plan, was undertaken by the engineering and environmental consultancy RSK. Its report included 22 hazards and 90 potential adaptation actions, and was subsequently approved by the council. Versha concluded the online talk by saying that while the Isles of Scilly are currently experiencing the effects of climate change there is hope: if the world reaches true net zero emissions, global temperatures will stop increasing in three to five years. A very positive message for governments worldwide to act upon.

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Life lessons

WORDS OF WISDOM

As CEO Sam Mauger leaves the u3a after eight years in the post, we ask her to share her thoughts.

SAY HELLO

I originally come from Jersey, and grew up saying hello to everyone, regardless of whether I knew them. It was just part of being a community. Now I live in east London, and am channelling the islander in me to say hello to people on my way to the local shops or café. Virtually everyone says it back. I think communities are often built one hello at a time.

WRITE A CARD

While WhatsApp and texts are great, I love the slowness and time involved to write a note or letter – choosing or making a card, deliberating over my words, and even queueing in the Post Office to buy a real stamp before sending it off. I think it’s so important to occasionally give yourself time to enjoy the experience of keeping in touch with others.

BAKE BREAD

I often bake a loaf on a Sunday afternoon. It’s often said that doing simple, repetitive and familiar tasks is very calming, and I personally find making bread by hand a very settling experience. The kneading is mandatory reflection time – with delicious, edible results!

  • What are your Words of Wisdom? Send your three short and sweet thoughts to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Great North Run

Support our runners!

Cheer on the Great North Run, undoubtedly one of the UK’s most notable running events Cheer on the Great North Run, undoubtedly one of the UK’s most notable running events.

T his year, 60,000 runners will be taking on the 13.1 mile route from Newcastle to South Shields on 8 September, and this year members of Team u3a are joining them. Ashley Pinder, Joyce Archibold, Ken Bailey and Stephen Gagen all stepped up and volunteered to take part, and there is still time to support them in their endeavours. Runner Ashley, a member of Wokingham u3a, says: “The u3a means an awful lot because my parents had such a good experience with the movement. I’m doing the Great North Run in memory of them.” If you are in the area on 8 September, do come and cheer on our four running stars as they tackle this iconic course to support the u3a movement and the work of the Trust.

  • To find out more, and discover how you can donate to help Team u3a reach its fundraising goals, go to u3a.org.uk/great-north-run

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Beacon of success

Over 600 u3as from across the movement are now using Beacon. This is testament to all the hard work and dedication from the team of volunteers that manage this dedicated u3a platform. Beacon is an online management system designed and supported by u3a members, for u3as. It provides a simple way of enabling u3as to manage members, groups, finances and emails in a secure, efficient and effective way. Alison May is head of membership services and works closely with the Beacon volunteer team. “The system was developed by u3a members,” she says. “This means that as a membership management system it is specifically tailored to u3as. Beacon continues to grow, and more and more members are able to benefit from it.”

  • Find out more at: beacon.u3a.org.uk

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Charities

A helping hand

Occupational charities are aimed at helping those who work – or have worked - in a wide range of professional fields: everything from solicitors, engineers and surveyors to medics, teachers and musicians. Many are long-established (The Solicitors’ Charity, for instance, was formed in 1858), and all have adapted to suit the changing times, providing lifelines and well-being services, along with financial assistance to those in need (during the pandemic, for example, £216m was awarded by these charities). Here are just three of the charities that represent professionals:

THE SOLICITORS’ CHARITY helps with challenges that current or former solicitors face. Clients may have issues such as anxiety, money struggles, ill health or domestic violence. thesolicitorscharity.org

FOOTHOLD is for engineers who need support. Whether it’s financial issues, mental health crises or a debilitating healthcare condition, this charity’s support ensures they do not face life’s challenges alone. myfoothold.org

LIONHEART is the charity that supports past and present RICS professionals (surveyors) and their families. Services include grants, support through mental and physical ill health, legal advice and varied career support. lionheart.org.uk

  • To find out more about benevolent charities, and check if an occupational charity exists for your profession, look at the Association of Charitable Organisations’ website: aco.uk.net/about-us/ what-are-benevolent-charities

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u3a Week

Get involved!

This year, u3a Week is taking place between 21 and 29 September 2024, and it’s a wonderful way to showcase the movement in local communities across the UK. The popular Alfresco in Autumn is returning this year and takes place on Friday 27 September – a fantastic opportunity for u3as to get out and about as part of this nationally coordinated event. At the time of writing, full plans for the online programme are still being finalised – so do make sure you visit the website for full details at u3a.org.uk/events/u3a-week We hope you enjoy taking the fun and learning of u3a outside with your interest groups. And however you choose to mark this fantastic occasion, do get in touch and let us know at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Website pioneers!

A huge volunteer effort to provide a replacement for u3a websites is reaching an important milestone.

SiteWorks, the new WordPress-based website template for u3as, is now approaching a commendable 250 u3as with ‘live’ SiteWorks website sites on their servers. The initiative emerged over two years ago, arising from the need to provide a modern replacement for SiteBuilder, which had been instrumental in creating and maintaining over 700 u3a websites. The project is distinctive as it is driven and supported by u3a volunteers, who are involved in developing, testing and supporting the websites. Since February, the team have been working on migrating the 700 u3as using SiteBuilder over to SiteWorks. A group of volunteers, known as ‘The Pioneers’, tested new product features and functions and became the first to adopt SiteWorks, paving the way for others to follow. Many have since transitioned into the role of migrators, assisting fellow web managers in migrating to the new platform. Pam Taylor, one of the volunteers working on the SiteWorks project, says: “It has been challenging at times, but the feedback from web managers makes the work that we have all put into this project worthwhile. There has been the added bonus of working with a great bunch of people within the project team, and also interacting with the wider u3a community. It’s great seeing the results of our hard work being put into practice on so many of the new websites.”

  • Find out more about the project at: siteworks.u3a.org.uk

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What happened next?

In Stories to Share (Summer edition), Pratima Shaw recalled her mother’s escape from an unhappy marriage in India in 1939. We received many emails from members who wanted to know the next part of the story, so asked Pratima to fill us in.

My mother, brother and I returned to live in Manchester, and when I was about 13, my mother began receiving letters from an Uncle Agit in India. She soon realised these were from my father, and over the next few years, we exchanged letters regularly. Some years later, I met my future husband Arnold. After we got married, we were planning to start teacher training when I saw an advert in the Manchester Evening News for young people to accompany a retired couple on a road trip to India. I saw this as an opportunity to meet my father, and Arnold quickly learnt to drive so he could come with me. Before we left in 1959, the Lord Mayor of Manchester gave me a letter to give to the Indian prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, and when we finally arrived in Delhi after an extraordinary 6,000-mile road trip taking three months, we delivered the letter and had tea with Mr Nehru in his garden. Arnold and I continued to Calcutta by steam train, and finally met my father at Howrah railway station, and there he was in his western clothes and University of Manchester scarf... He eventually introduced us to his second wife and their three children, whom I had never even known about. He arranged a wonderful trip for us to Darjeeling in the foothills of the Himalayas, and we made it to Base Camp Everest: we were even lucky enough to meet the Sherpa mountaineer Tenzing Norgay who had reached the summit with Edmund Hillary in 1953. After three fascinating months, we headed home, travelling third-class on a French steamer ship. We went on to resume our teaching careers and have three sons. I visited my father in India several more times, and in 1970 he visited us in England (he died in the early 1990s). I was very happy to form a bond with him, and discover the culture of my heritage. My mother – who never married again - was happy to see him on his visit, and they both acted calmly and with dignity.

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EXTRA, EXTRA!

Benefit from Friends Extra

Launched in April, your exclusive benefits hub, Friends Extra, is our brand new website packed with the most extensive collection of benefits and savings ever offered in u3a's 40-plus year history. Whether you're looking for savings on everyday essentials, planning your next big trip or purchase, or you simply want to treat yourself, Friends Extra has something for you:

HEALTH AND WELLBEING: Savings on eye care, health tests, gyms, spa deals SHOPPING: Savings on major brands and retail discount cards

TRAVEL DISCOUNTS: For all travel and holiday related needs, from selected partners

LIFESTYLE & LEISURE: Family days out, cinema and theatre, golf membership offers,gym membership, magazine subscriptions, clothing, attractions, coffee breaks

ELECTRICALS: PCs and peripherals (keyboards, printers and so on); mobile phones; domestic appliances

MOTORING: Big savings on new car purchases or leases; electric vehicles; breakdown and maintenance

INSURANCE OFFERS: Medical, car, travel and life insurance

PROFESSIONAL ADVISERS: Access to professional financial advice and a free legal helpline

TOTUM PRO and TASTECARD memberships ... and much, much more.

  • To discover some of the great offers available, go to: u3a.org. uk/news/newsletter

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Forward thinking

Looking to the future

What’s the Fit For The Future (FFTF) debate all about? Allan Walmsley, the Trust’s chair elect, explains the basics.

Why Fit For The Future?

After Covid-19, the Third Age Trust’s board questioned whether the structure of the movement was fit for the future – hence the title – and work began to find a new arrangement.

So why did the board decide on this particular arrangement?

After looking at the structures of similar charities, the board decided that separating the main interests of u3as from the Board’s pure governance responsibilities was the way to go. Creating a separate body that could focus and make decisions about key u3a-related matters would enable u3as to have a greater say in matters that affect their day-today operation.

What are the basics of the new proposals?

Two bodies that operate separately but work together. First, the creation of a new representative body, u3a Council, with powers to feed in ideas, get them evaluated, make decisions about them, and get them implemented. Second, a new smaller board of experienced u3a members that can focus on the oversight and compliance roles.

Surely it can’t be that simple! Why has it taken so long?

It takes time to develop a concept and to consult the membership. At the end of the day, the changes have to benefit both the Trust and u3as.

What was the response when you consulted with u3as?

Really good. We took soundings at presentations throughout the UK and invited written comments, and we have listened very carefully. It was the largest consultation exercise in the movement’s history, and the vast majority of u3as came out in favour of the concept.

At least the board was on the right track. What happens next?

The board knew it had a serious decision to make and, on 19 June, a resolution was agreed. u3as will make the final decision at the AGM on 16 October.

What information is available to u3as to help them make a decision before the AGM?

There’s a special page on the main website under the AGM tab that is dedicated to the FFTF proposal. Here you can find lots of Q&As, secondary documents, and clarification asked for by u3as.

Why should u3as vote for theresolution?

For those u3as that take a keen interest in what’s happening in the wider movement, it’s an opportunity to have their views heard at a key centre of decision-making.

What do u3as need to do to vote at the AGM?

It’s simple. u3as need to register and vote. Once registered, all details and instructions about how to vote will be sent to the contact. There’s also an option for someone else to vote on their behalf – a proxy vote. It’s really important that u3as register and vote if they want this change to  happen.

If the resolution is successful, what happens next?

Vacancies for both the new board and u3a Council will be advertised, with plenty of time for u3a members to put themselves forward. There will be elections and training early in the new year, The first meetings will be held in early April next year, but my guess is that it will take up to five years before the new structure is working well.

Finally, what happens if the resolution is lost?

Well, it will be back to the drawing board - but I think there will be little appetite for change in the near future.

  • If you want to read more about Fit for the Future, log in to: u3a.org.uk/members-area

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Diary dates

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Online learning events

u3a runs a programme of web talks, workshops and events, as well as online initiatives such as competitions, memory collections and puzzles for you to get involved with.

THURSDAY 12 SEPTEMBER, 2PM

Mods versus rockers: a 1960s ‘moral panic’?

In the early 1960s, most young people defined themselves as either ‘mods’ or ‘rockers’. This talk by Dr Jack Fawbert charts the development of this phenomenon

THURSDAY 3 OCTOBER, 2PM

The unification of the British Isles: a lesson in geology

A discussion of how England and Wales collided with Scotland, then Europe with Britain, and finally the breakaway of America. By Martin Eales of Sutton u3a.

THURSDAY 10 OCTOBER, 2PM

Statistical concepts using everyday objects and no formulae

This talk from Sidney Syson is based on popular sessions given over several years to teachers at maths conferences.

  • For more events and to book those above, go to: u3a.org.uk/events

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Learning activities

To participate in, or contribute to, our learning activities, please go to: u3a.org.uk/learning/learning-activities.

Help us remember

Following the 80th anniversary of D-Day on 6 June, we are aiming to create a collection of photographs sent by u3a members portraying Second World War memorials. These could relate to relatives or close connections, or perhaps to the subject(s) of research carried out by u3a members or groups. Where is the memorial, what is the name and why, and are there any relevant photographs or other information? Submit your photo to: u3a.org.uk/learning/learning-activities/ help-us-remember.

Find a u3a speaker

u3a members looking for speakers for either online or in person u3a talks should look no further than the ‘Find a u3a Speaker’ database. Go to u3a.org.uk/learning/learningactivities/ u3a-speakers.

  • To participate in, or contribute to, our Learning Activities, please go to: u3a.org.uk/learning/learning-activities
  • Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you require assistance accessing any of the above, or would like help to set up a learning activity or give a talk.

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Interests:

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Walking

Best foot forward

It’s free, it’s good for you, it’s sociable and rewarding. We step out to discover more about walking the u3a way.

It’s fair to say that National u3a Walking Adviser Jacky Carter knows a thing or two about her specialist subject. Over the years, she’s ticked off some of the country’s most impressive walking routes – from the famous Coast to Coast and the West Highland Way, to Offa’s Dyke and the Dales Way. She has also enjoyed striding out across other stunning terrains, including what is known locally as the ‘Lancashire Lake District’ and the Forest of Bowland with other u3a walkers. Jacky, who belongs to Meols (Southport) u3a, has been a member of the u3a for 14 years, and has long been involved in its walking groups. “It’s such a fantastic, enjoyable and healthy thing to do,” she says, “Walks can be tailored to suit everyone who wants to have a go – be it a gentle amble or a full-on hike.” Jacky and members of her walking group regularly take public transport to places further afield. “We might go from Southport to the Wirral, or up to Lytham St Annes for instance,” she says. “We’ll make a day of it, walking five or six miles, with a break for much-needed refreshments, of course! Sometimes we might plan even further afield: next spring a group of us will be using Buxton in Derbyshire as our base for three days, and taking a different walk from there every day.” “I must admit, after a long hike, I like my creature comforts,” she laughs. “I want to take off my boots and know there’s a nice dinner, a bath and comfy bed waiting!”

A fair exchange

In 2022, Jacky established the u3a Exchange Walking Scheme. This initiative encourages walking groups from one u3a to visit another, and enjoy walking in a different part of the country with quickly made new friends. “The great advantage is that the local group will know exactly where to go and can share so much knowledge,” says Jacky. “They’ll know local history, the best routes or alternative walks; what to look out for, and not least, where to find a great café or pub en route. The scheme is a really simple way of exploring new places with like-minded people, and everyone who has taken part so far has really enjoyed the experience.”

  • To find out more about the u3a Exchange Walking Scheme, contact Jacky Carter at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Member's story

‘There’s nothing like spending a day in the mountains surrounded by nature.'

Walking Subject Adviser Bernard Owen has been a member of Llandudno Area u3a for 10 years, and regularly leads walks in Eryri – Snowdonia – in North Wales.

“I’ve always loved walking and have taken on some fantastic challenges over the years: I jointly led a group to Base Camp Everest in 2010 and, closer to home, I’ve done all 15 Eryri Munros. We retired to the mountains 10 years ago, and getting to know the National Park so well is endlessly rewarding all year round. “Apart from having my own walking group, since becoming a Walking Subject Adviser five years ago, I’ve led various u3a groups on hill walks in our region. There are usually between six and 12 of us, and it’s a full day covering up to 10 miles, so it’s important everyone is aware of their capabilities and fitness levels – and I’m aware of them too, of course. “Having said that, these days I don’t tend to plan walks up in the high peaks, or set out when the weather is particularly bad – that’s just miserable and you usually can’t see anything because of the cloud cover! “We’re never short of new walks to explore: I thoroughly recommend the Unesco World Heritage Slate Trail. This is an 83-mile circular route that takes in the heritage sites of the North Wales slate industry, and can be done in sections – I’ve done half of it so far, and looking forward to doing the rest. “The Exchange Scheme is a great opportunity for walkers across the movement to discover new places, and I’m also more than happy to advise u3a groups around the country who want to experience walking in this wonderful part of the country.”

  • Members can contact Bernard at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

‘There’s always something of interest on an urban walk’

Janice Vale leads enthusiastic walkers from Tower Hamlets u3a on fascinating routes through the capital and beyond .

“It makes me laugh when people say there’s nowhere to go for a walk if you live in a town or city – of course there is! London, for instance, has areas where you are literally walking amid history, and there are some wonderful places to stride out and take in your surroundings such as the Royal parks, or stretches along the Thames. “Our u3a enjoys a number of walks to suit both the pace and interests of our members. “When I plan a route, I research to check exactly how long it is, if there are difficult bits to navigate, and whether it’s interesting enough. I try to plan a route that covers up to five miles: recently, for example, we explored the four Inns of Court: Gray’s Inn, Lincoln’s Inn, Inner Temple and Middle Temple. Once people have signed up for a walk, I send them details, so they know what to expect. It’s best to keep to about 12 people in an urban area as it can be tricky negotiating busy pavements and roads otherwise. I love it if we get a bit lost sometimes – you never know what you’re going to find around an unexpected corner! “Sometimes, we venture further afield and catch a train somewhere. Recent excursions have included the grounds of Forty Hall and Myddelton House in Enfield, and I'm planning a trip to explore Amersham in Buckinghamshire. “I’m also currently putting together a programme of London walks for u3a Week with the help of volunteers, and in the longer term I'm hoping to organise an Exchange Walk with another u3a group too.”

  • To find out about city walks and more, contact Janice on: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The route to health and happiness

There are numerous benefits to walking.

Here are just five:

1. It’s simple and free! You can set your own pace, and decide how far you want to go. All you really need is decent, comfortable footwear.

2. It makes you feel better. Walking releases hormones called endorphins that help to relieve stress and anxiety – so a walk when you’re troubled often helps you gain a better perspective. A change of scene and fresh air is also a great mood lifter.

3. It gets you fitter. Numerous studies show that walking briskly for around 30 minutes every day exercises heart and lungs, burns calories and increases the flexibility and strength of muscles, bones and joints.

4. It’s sociable. Even if you’re shy, walking is a great way to engage with others: strolling along with like-minded other people makes chatting so much easier – there’s always something to get the conversation started!

5. It’s got green credentials. Walking from A to B rather than hopping in the car or on public transport means you’re reducing your carbon footprint and helping to protect the environment.

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Allotments

A love for allotments

What is it about growing your own fruit and veg that is so satisfying – whether you have an abundant allotment or a tiny garden plot? We talk to a respected horticulturist and grower, meet a passionate u3a “lotter”, and dig a little into the allotment’s long history to find out.

Growing success

Nick Hamilton inherited his passion for horticulture from his late father Geoff, who created Barnsdale Gardens near Oakham in Rutland. Over time, Nick has transformed these unique and much-loved gardens, incorporating rambling and naturalistic spaces to offer ideas and inspiration for all who visit. Here he explains how he has developed his skills over the years, and what he especially enjoys when it comes to growing fruit and veg..

How did you get started?

It doesn’t matter what age you are, or how long you’ve been doing it, the excitement of seeing a seed germinate never diminishes – especially when you know there will be something to eat at the end of it! I started as a young boy, with a very traditional little plot of my own in the back garden and, with encouragement and tips from my dad, began with simple crops such as radish, spring onions and lettuce. From there I was encouraged to try growing new and different crops, so my little patch became more and more of our small suburban garden. As a teenager, and by then fairly well-versed in all things veg, I began to help Dad with seed sowing, pricking out and planting out his crops whenever I visited Barnsdale. In 1981, aged 19, I embarked on a three-year course at Writtle College in Essex to study commercial horticulture, and a lot of what I learnt there was first tried out in the veg plots at Barnsdale. We were being taught new ways of doing things, often using simple technology, which particularly interested Dad. One example was having the wires on which tomatoes are grown in a greenhouse or polytunnel ‘agitated’ by just tapping them with your hand, mimicking the method they used commercially, to shake the pollen out of the tomato flowers.

What’s your favourite produce?

I had to spent a year working in horticulture before I was able to enrol at Writtle College, and I did my work experience at the Lea Valley Horticultural Research Station in Hertfordshire. There they trialled all types of protected veg for the horticultural industry and I worked mostly with the tomatoes. I really fell on my feet there because I absolutely love tomatoes and I’m sure that me stuffing fruit into my mouth every day must have affected the trial statistics – they never knew! Therefore, tomatoes are a must for me, as well as onions, purely because I find that I use both a lot. I also love late raspberries, which have so much flavour, and runner and French beans: we extend their season by planting some out later. Since I started out, the produce we grow has become much more diverse and exciting. Travel has played a huge influence, and the likes of peppers, chillis, garlic, fennel and aubergines are now commonplace in allotments and vegetable plots.

What’s your advice for beginners?

When I run my ‘How to have veg all year round’ course here in the gardens, I always start by talking about the need to make a plan. I believe the most important produce to grow is not necessarily what you eat the most of. For example, if you enjoy lots of maincrop potatoes, organic ones can be bought cheaply enough, and will taste the same as those you would produce yourself. I think the fruit and veg that is most special to grow are those that taste best when they’re really fresh; varieties that you cannot buy locally or are expensive in the shops... and, not least, produce that actually has a flavour when you choose the right varieties. Once you have created your plan with a list of things you want to grow, you need to consider where they are going to go in your plot, so you can factor in crop rotation. You will need to know what should follow each crop once it has been harvested, though sometimes it should not automatically be replaced with more: at Barnsdale, for example, we might follow courgettes with a green manure to benefit the ground: this looks much better too. Bear in mind that because we don’t have much control over factors such as the weather, pests or disease, a plan can’t be set in stone: it has to be fluid to a certain degree in order to accommodate such variations. The most important thing is not to get down about your failures – we all have them! Instead, enjoy growing and eating your gorgeous produce when you do have success.

  • To find out more about Barnsdale Gardens, go to: barnsdalegardens.co.uk

“I firmly believe in regenerative growing”

Helen Howard of Canterbury & District u3a has tended her allotment for many years, and advocates new as well as traditional ways of growing produce successfully: ‘‘I grow different varieties all year round, so I have a constant supply of seasonal homegrown produce – from springtime asparagus to perpetual spinach and purple-sprouting broccoli in winter. I think falling in love with vegetables is a game-changer: so many of us grew up seeing veg as a boring necessity on the plate, but they are so delicious and versatile in their own right. Growing your own is the way to really appreciate them - let them take centre stage on the plate. “On my allotment, I’ve embraced a few modern methods of growing that make life a lot easier and really work. Some are rooted in old traditions too, and I believe that combining both is definitely the way forward when it comes to successful growing.” Here are just a few of Helen’s tried-and-trusted tips:

1. Embrace the no-dig way. “This is so simple, and stops weeds growing too: instead of digging the earth over - which is not only very hard work as you get older, but also causes damage to its infrastructure - cover an area of grass or earth with sheets of cardboard, then put peat-free compost on top for planting or sowing seeds.”

  • For more information, go to: charlesdowding.co.uk/ resources/beginners-guide

2. Use biological control. “My mother taught me not to use chemical pesticides, so I use natural predators as effective pest control instead. For instance, if there is blackfly on my broad beans, I introduce baby ladybirds or lacewings, while nematodes can be used against slugs. You can order these live biological saviours online and they arrive in the post – it’s so clever! I’ve just ordered a sheep’s fleece too. Snails and slugs don’t like walking on it, and it will rot down to fertilise the soil – if the birds don ’t steal it first for lining their nests!"

  • To find out more, go to: rhs.org.uk/preventionprotection/ biologicalcontrol- garden

3. Try companion planting. “This is a very old gardening tradition, and is a good way to control pests: marigolds’ strong scent repels aphids, for instance, while nasturtiums attract pollinators and provide good ground cover that keeps the soil damp. Careful plant combinations can benefit each other in so many other ways, too.”

  • Visit: bbc.co.uk/gardening/ basics/techniques/ organic_companionplanting1.shtml

A potted history

Back in Anglo Saxon times, patches of common land were meant for shared use in the community. However, from the 12th century, wealthy landowners commandeered these areas, eventually supported by a number of Enclosure Acts. This meant ordinary people were not able to use the land for themselves, but gradually various movements for the ‘right to dig’ saw workers allotted a piece of the enclosed land. In the 19th century, as the Industrial Revolution brought rural communities to towns and cities for work, urban land that could be used to grow their own food was required, and by 1907 the Smallholding Allotment Act had been introduced. This made it compulsory for councils to provide suitable spaces where there was demand. Interestingly, another patch of allotment history developed in the 18th and 19th centuries when the middle classes sought out green spaces to pursue a new hobby – growing their own produce. These areas were to become known as pleasure gardens (often called ‘guinea gardens’, as that was the membership’s annual fee), but as large Victorian houses with gardens were built, many of these privileged enclosed spaces became regular allotments, some of which still exist today. The world wars saw an increase in allotment cultivation: in 1939 at the start of the Second World War, the Ministry of Agriculture launched its highly successful Dig for Victory campaign. Along with existing allotments, almost every plot of available land was given over to growing produce. By 1943, it was estimated that over 1,400,000 people had plots of some kind nationwide, growing over a million tons of vegetables. In the decades that followed, food became cheaper and more readily available, and interest in allotments declined. Today, though, there is a new appreciation for homegrown produce, underpinned by a growing awareness of good, honest food. There are also the well-being benefits that come from being busy outside in nature and being part of a community: there are now estimated to be 330,000 allotment plots around the country.

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COMPETITION

Walk this way

Win a fabulous three-night guided walking break in the UK with HF Holidays!

Spend three nights at one of 16 characterful country houses in stunning UK countryside or coastal locations, courtesy of HF Holidays. This award-winning British heritage brand with B Corp certification has been leading the way for walking holidays since 1913. You and your travel companion will enjoy comfortable en-suite accommodation, a cream tea on arrival day, cooked or continental breakfasts each morning, generous packed lunches, three course evening meals, and daily guided walks with knowledgeable guides.

  • Find out more at hfholidays.co.uk To enter, simply go to surveymonkey.com/r/Q9Y6VFQ

Terms and conditions

The prize is a three-night guided walking holiday for two people, staying in one of HF Holidays’ UK country houses. Travel must be before 3 April 2025. (The prize winner would need to arrange their own transport to and from their chosen country house.) Winner’s preferred dates are subject to availability and varied season opening dates – please check website for details. The prize is non-exchangeable and non-transferable. No cash alternative will be offered. Prize value up to £465pp. Accommodation is a classic double or twin room. Room upgrades are available for a supplement. Non-member fee will not apply

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LIVING WELL

How to make simpler, better - and more enjoyable.

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Life laundry

plan your digital legacy

How to decide what will happen to your online estate when you’ve gone...

Most of us recognise the importance of making a traditional will, which outlines how our estate and possessions should be administered in the event of death. However, in recent times a new consideration has been added to this necessary task: what happens to our digital “world”? The traditional way we have always kept and treasured everything from correspondence to photographs is different for so many of us now. “The internet has changed how people work, shop, store possessions and communicate with loved ones,” points out James Norris, founder of the Digital Legacy Association. “These changes have undoubtedly made certain tasks easier, but they can also cause confusion and problems when a loved one dies.” “A good example is the way we use the mobile phone,” he continues. “Our personal ‘phone books’ were once kept in actual booklets; the photos that we took would be printed on paper; and any home videos would be kept on VHS or camcorder tapes. For many of us now, however, the mobile phone has replaced the phone book, photo album, camera and video recorder, and we send texts or WhatsApp messages rather than writing notes, letters or postcards.”

Asset planning

Such content is often referred to as “digital assets” and stored on electronic devices such as mobiles, tablets or computers. “These are invariably password protected: problems can arise when, perhaps, the owner of such content loses capacity and can’t recall their password, or passes away without making plans and sharing the relevant information: then that person’s digital assets may become inaccessible in perpetuity,” James points out. “It becomes even more complex when personal photos, videos and information are spread across various social networks, such as Facebook or Instagram, or online cloud storage accounts, such as iCloud and Google Photos.”

Dealing with digital dilemmas

“Making plans in advance about what you would like to happen to all of this content can help reduce and prevent future problems,” states James. “It isn’t as daunting as it might sound. Have conversations with loved ones about what you would like to happen in advance: you can also appoint a digital executor who you trust with your passwords – preferably someone who is reasonably tech-savvy.”

Create a log

To help the appointed person dealing with your online accounts know which services you used and what you would like to happen to them, it’s important to create an inventory of all the accounts you have – from social networks and email accounts to online-only bank accounts and subscription services. This log is often referred to as a “Social Media Will”. A free template from the Digital Legacy Association can be downloaded at: digitallegacyassociation.org/socialmedia- will-template. Once this document has been completed, print it, sign it and keep it somewhere secure – perhaps with your traditional will. (You might also want to provide a copy of the document to your chosen digital executor, or one or more other trusted people.) You can also create a Digital and Social Media Will using My Wishes: mywishes.co.uk. This is also free, though registration is required. Similar to the above, it can be downloaded as a PDF and emailed to your chosen people. It can also, of course, be printed out and signed for additional gravitas.

What to consider

Expert James Norris provides some

Key guidelines:

1. Photographs: Curate your favourite digital images and email them to a friend or family member, sharing the stories behind each one, or print them out and write a short account on the back. Alternatively, back up your photo library on your computer or an external hard drive – but do tell someone!

2. Emails: Some providers such as Google or Microsoft may delete accounts after a period of inactivity (Google users can set up the provider’s “Inactive Account Manager” and pass on access to their emails and other Google accounts after death). You decide how long your email account is inactive before chosen contacts are given access: they have three months to make copies of anything they wish to keep.

3. WhatsApp messages: Preserving these depends on how your account is set up. You can, for example, have photos shared automatically downloaded and saved on your mobile device, or back up messages to cloud services (log in to WhatsApp and review your account settings).

4. Social media: Each social network has its own terms of service outlining what you can and can’t do. Some platforms have tools and policies to help users make plans and pass on different levels of access. If you have a Facebook or Instagram account, you can request it is either memorialised or deleted. This task is carried out by your appointed “legacy contact” (similar to a digital executor). This feature can be found within Facebook’s Settings. Tutorials are available at: digitallegacyassociation. org/for-the-public

  • Digital Legacy Association aims to raise awareness and improve areas relating to digital assets planning and digital legacy safeguarding. Go to: digitallegacyassociation.org

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Smart ideas

Great buys and clever tips.

The heat is on

Check out the tech and steps that could help keep your heating bills in check this winter.

The decision to axe winter fuel payments for senior citizens who don’t qualify for benefits or pension credits, coupled with predictions that the price cap on energy bills will increase substantially from 1 October, will have exacerbated genuine concerns about the cost of living crisis. Undoubtedly, uppermost in people’s minds is how to to heat their homes efficiently this winter. Internet-connected smart thermostats offer a clever way of controlling your heating and hot water so you save energy and money in the long run. Most set temperature- guided automatic schedules are based on your home habits, but they also let you control your heating from anywhere in the world with a phone or tablet app – handy if you’re away when the weather suddenly changes. You can opt for a wired or wireless model and, in most cases, they are an easy swap with your existing thermostat. Starter kits cost from around £100: take a look at those from Hive, Nest, tado, Drayton and Honeywell. Featurewise, there’s not a lot to differentiate them, so it comes down to your preferred design - and who is offering the best deal. If you live in a larger property where temperatures fluctuate and you need greater zonal control over your central heating, most brands offer smart radiator valves too. They replace existing radiator valves with internet-connected ones allowing you to monitor and adjust temperatures in multiple rooms and spaces. Expect to pay around £50 per valve or around £220 for a multipack of four. Internet-connected smart meters are not the same as smart thermostats. Whereas the latter control your heating, smart meters record your energy use and send the data to your supplier. They’re generally offered for free by energy companies and come with a digital display so you can track your energy spend in real time. The idea is that sharing usage stats with your supplier means they can keep you on the most cost-effective tariff. It’s fair to say not everyone is convinced, so if you remain cautious, ask your installer to put the meter into ‘dumb mode’. This cuts the communication with your supplier but keeps your real-time readings.

  • For free advice on green energy solutions: theecoexperts.co.uk For advice and guidelines on changing suppliers: ofgem.gov.uk For the latest energy price news and advice on switching tariffs: moneysavingexpert.com For advice on energy effi ciency: energysavingtrust.org.uk

Switching suppliers

The Energy Price Cap covers the cost of energy per unit used, so what you pay depends on how much you use. The most recent forecast from consultancy Cornwall Insight suggests this could rise by as much as 10% for a typical household from 1 October. So, should you switch suppliers, or move from a flexible to a fixed tariff where you’ll know exactly how much you’ll pay? According to Ofgem, switching suppliers and moving to a new tariff could save you money, but the picture remains changeable: keep a close eye on moneysavingexpert.com. Checking prices and switching energy suppliers is easier than you think. Most price comparison sites ask for a postcode before offering their best deals, but for a more accurate assessment, some ask you further questions about your energy usage – be honest because the deals offered will only be as good as your calculations. If you do decide to switch, your new supplier will take care of everything and it should be a pretty seamless process.

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Recipes

All in flavour

As the seasons change, give familiar ingredients an unexpected spin with recipes that bring out their best qualities.

The recipe I return to.

Middle Eastern chicken stew.

Serves 4.

Julia Youll from Hereford & District u3a says this flavoursome dish is a firm family favourite. She says: “While living in the UAE for eight years, we enjoyed using Middle Eastern ingredients in our cooking such as chickpeas, cardamom pods and rosewater. Since moving back to Hertfordshire a few years’ ago, we’ve adapted this chicken stew dish slightly to include leeks, and sometimes I substitute the chickpeas with potatoes. It makes a perfect autumn supper.”

Ingredients

2 tbsps olive oil

1 medium chicken, skinned and cut into 8 pieces

1 large onion, chopped

½ tsp of turmeric powder

2-3 cardamom pods

¼ tsp black pepper

Salt to taste

1 ltr chicken stock

2 medium leeks, sliced

1 large potato diced, or 1 x 400g tin of chickpeas (drained)

1 tbsp rosewater (optional)

You will need a large saucepan or casserole to make the dish.

Method

1. Heat the oil in a large pan, then add the chicken pieces and chopped onion. Cook for 10 minutes on medium heat, turning the chicken over frequently.

2. Add the turmeric, cardamom pods, seasoning and chicken stock, and cook for a further 30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.

3. After 15 minutes, add the leek and the potato. (If you’re including chickpeas instead, add to the stew five minutes before the end of cooking time.)

4. A few minutes before the end of cooking, add rosewater to the stew - don’t overdo it, though! Serve the stew with rice or warm bread.

  • Got a favourite winter dessert recipe? Send to editor@ u3a.org.uk

Another one to try...

Cookery writer Beverley Jarvis from Ashford & Wye u3a suggests a simple savoury tart that’s perfect for a quick lunch or easy supper at this time of year.

Autumn vegetable tart

Serves 6.

This delicious tart makes good use of seasonal vegetables. To ring in the changes, sweet potatoes work just as well as butternut squash. You could use approximately 300g mozzarella cheese, drained and sliced instead of the Cheddar and Parmesan, if preferred, and vegetarian cheese also works well.

Ingredients

1 small butternut squash or 2 medium sweet potatoes

3 tbsp olive oil, plus a little for greasing

1 clove garlic, crushed (optional)

1 x 320g sheet puff pastry

2 small courgettes, thinly sliced

3 medium leeks, trimmed, cleaned and sliced into thin rings

1 medium egg, beaten

4 tbsp (approx ½ x 190g jar) ready-made pesto

75g grated mature Cheddar cheese

25g grated Parmesan cheese

Method

1. Preheat oven to 210C, 190C fan, Gas 7. Peel, de-seed and dice the butternut squash (or peel and dice the sweet potatoes). Place in a mixing bowl and combine with 2 tbsp of the olive oil and crushed garlic, if using. Season with a little salt and pepper. Toss together, then turn into a lightly oiled roasting tin and arrange in a single layer. Roast for approximately 20-25 minutes until just tender and golden. Set aside.

2. Remove puff pastry from the fridge for 10 minutes, then unroll and place on a lightly oiled baking sheet.

3. Heat the remaining 1 tbsp oil in a large saucepan. Add the courgettes and leeks. Cook over a medium-high heat, stirring frequently, for about 7 minutes, until softened and any liquid has disappeared.

4. Score a 2-3cm border around the edge of the pastry sheet. Prick the base all over with a fork, and brush with beaten egg.

5. Combine the courgettes and leeks with the squash or sweet potato, the pesto and any remaining beaten egg. Stir gently but thoroughly.

6 Spread the mixture evenly over the centre of the tart base, up to the scored edges.

7. Combine both cheeses and sprinkle evenly over the tart.

8. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the edges have risen, and the pastry is golden.

9. Using a fish slice, carefully transfer to a platter and serve with a green salad.

Veg out!

Easy-peasy ways to enjoy two of autumn’s favourite vegetables.

Butternut squash

hummus. Preheat oven to 210C, 190C fan, Gas 7. Peel, de-seed and cut a small butternut squash into chunks, toss in olive oil and arrange in a roasting tin with 3 unpeeled cloves of garlic for about 30 minutes. Remove and cool, squeeze garlic cloves out of their skin, and then blitz in a food processor with 2 tbsps tahini paste, a 400g can of drained chickpeas, salt and black pepper, a squeeze of lemon juice and a large tbsp of harissa paste. Drizzle with extra harissa before serving with warmed pitta bread or crudites. Serves 4-6.

Sweet leek and cheese on toast. Finely chop a small leek and cook very slowly over a low heat in a little butter and olive oil until really soft. Toast two slices of thick rustic bread on one side, then spread the other side with wholegrain mustard. Pile the cooked leek on top of each slice, followed by 50g strong Cheddar cheese and a grind of fresh black pepper. Grill until bubbling and golden. Serves 2.

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STORIES TO SHARE

u3a members share their poignant, inspiring and illuminating memories and experiences.

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Friendships

Crossing the divide

A letter from a German schoolgirl 76 years ago was to be the beginning of a deep and lasting relationship.

I recently watched the film The Zone of Interest, which focuses on the life of Auschwitz commandant Rudolf Höss, who lived with his family in an idyllic home separated from the concentration camp next door by the garden wall. It brought back some memories of a lady who visited my school 76 years ago, who was to have a big impact on my life. Back in 1948, I was an 11-year-old schoolgirl in York. One day we had a visitor, who arrived carrying a file. When she spoke, we realised she was not English. She was a German Jewish lady who had fled to Vienna before war broke out. She had lost her entire family at Auschwitz. The file contained letters from German children. The lady explained that her desire was for children from different countries that had been at war to start writing to each other, and to build friendships. My letter was from a girl called Gisela. We started writing straight away and continued to do so as we grew up and into adulthood. I went on to become a German teacher and Gisela a journalist. We first met one another in 1964 in Frankfurt when my husband Peter and I stayed with Gisela and her husband Micha (Mike). I remember being amazed to see two huge bomb craters when I got there on the outskirts of the city. Two years later, in July 1966, Gisela, Mike and their three children Sabine, Thomas and Tilman, came over to England and stayed with us and our one-year-old daughter Lindsay in Northampton. It was during the time of the football World Cup, which England won, beating Germany 4-2 in the final at Wembley. Mike said in a playful take on the English language, “Es ist ein Krimi”, and Peter said, “It is a crime”, because of the controversial goal! Peter and Mike would often utter this phrase in the years that followed whenever they described events in news, politics and sport. My daughter Lindsay has many memories of her late father talking fondly about his “great German friend”, despite their very different backgrounds. We all went on holiday to Devon and enjoyed a train trip to London where we had tea in Harrods. I remember Gisela being fascinated by the bowler-hatted commuter brigade. The German-English friendship bond has continued over both the years and the generations with our now grown-up children and their children, and includes visits to each other’s homes. In 2012, Gisela, two of her children and three grandchildren came to Nottingham where I now live, and my son Graham tried to teach Gisela’s grandson Frederik the rules of cricket – he seemed quite bemused! Their thankyou gift was a cherry tree. It blossoms every year, reminding me of our friendship.

In 2016, I went back to Germany to attend Gisela’s 80th birthday. As well as celebrating with her family, I enjoyed spending time again with two of her friends, Jutta and Heidi, and speaking German for more than a week. Today, neither of us are as mobile as we once were but we are still in touch, exchanging letters and Christmas cards and speaking on the phone. We’ve had a lifetime of friendship. I think our visitor that day would be very pleased that from such horror came this small, positive outcome.

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Treasure hunting

The magic of mudlarking

Jenny Ridgwell of Wandsworth u3a has discovered a fascinating pursuit. Here she shares a typical day looking for treasures on the banks of the River Thames.

I pack my rucksack, catch the Thames Uber Boat into the city, and watch as the river flows out, exposing the shoreline and potential treasure. It’s a thrilling journey. Retirement gives me time for my new hobby: mudlarking. It’s a name from Victorian times, given to poor children who searched the Thames mud for things to sell. When I moved to London two years ago, on riverside walks I saw people meandering along the bank, searching the shingle. One day I slid down the slipway and joined them. “What have you found?” I asked a friendly man. “Looks like a worked flint,” he said. “Maybe Neolithic.” He trundled on and then turned around. “You know that if you mudlark, you need a licence?” I didn’t, but that night I bought a three-year foreshore permit from the Port of London Authority, just before it stopped issuing them. This means I can search certain parts of the foreshore from Richmond Lock to the Thames Barrier, although it’s not permitted to dig below 7.5cm. Anyway, today is perfect for mudlarking as recent storms have churned up the riverbank. Uber boats swirl the water: it’s a very low tide and treasure might be revealed. I’m heading for my favourite area near an old city river bridge where, for over 2,000 years, stuff has got lost in the water. I venture down the slippery steps covered in green algae on to the shingle, where other early morning mudlarks quietly scour the stones. I strap my kneepads tight, put my gloves on and place my trowel and ‘finds’ box in my waist pouch. Then I’m down on my knees in the shingle. “You’ll find what you are meant to find,” a famous mudlark once said, and today it starts with a few handmade Tudor pins lying in the sand. Women were given pin money in their dowry, and these were used to hold ruffs, skirts and veils in place. Many got lost and washed into the river. I have a small collection and long to find a pinner’s bone, which was used for sharpening the pins to a point. “Find a pin and pick it up, and all the day you’ll have good luck” is my favourite motto. Today, a small, red-faceted stone glints in the spring sunshine. It’s a cut garnet – probably a lost delivery to a jeweller – which was washed overboard in this part of the river. I lock it in my finds box along with a piece of fool’s gold (iron pyrite), a Victorian button, a few tiny yellow and green beads and some dress hooks. It’s been a day finding fascinating small

things lost long ago. Once home, I’ll clean them, take photographs, research their history and then post online, asking mudlarks if they can help with further identity. Over the months I’ve discovered knowledgeable postings from mudlarks and Facebook communities who share and support us all. It’s amazing how such a quiet hobby can give such joy. If you’d like to experience mudlarking and don’t have a licence, Thames Explorer Trust and Thames Discovery Programme run tours. My book Guide to Mudlarking is available on Amazon, and is a beginner’s guide on how to explore the river, including things you might find and walks in the steps of mudlarks, all based on my own experiences.

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Embracing life

A new chapter

The death of her husband proved the catalyst for Lynn Florkiewicz of Penzance u3a to embark on a journey of new experiences.

When my husband Tad died suddenly from a heart attack at just 61, I unexpectedly settled on facing bereavement head-on. Within two days, I was out visiting the cafés, restaurants and bookshops and open-mic sessions that we had frequented together. Over the weeks and months that followed, I spread the net further, visiting similar venues further afield. Uncharacteristically, I also poured my heart out on Facebook, not just the despair and rawness of loss, but philosophical musings about death and the occasional fun anecdote of our life together. By confronting grief in this way, sharing my feelings and talking to my friends and family, I began coping better and started challenging myself to do things. It was to put me on a series of adventures that continue to inspire. I’m a crime writer by trade and, about a year after Tad died, I resumed writing. Unexpectedly, I found myself working on the authorised biography of Rossano Brazzi, the Italian actor who was in films such as South Pacific, Three Coins in the Fountain and The Italian Job. I travelled to Italy to plug gaps in my research. Researching his life resulted in me meeting wonderful people: Alberto, a nurse at a retired actor’s home in Bologna, who gave me access to a converted chapel to show me their puppet theatre; Fulvio, the manager of the huge Teatro Verdi theatre in Florence, who opened the doors during Covid especially for me to view; Luca, the nephew of Rossano’s tailor who continues to run the bespoke fashion house in Rome; and Carmen, from the Liberation of Rome Museum, who gave me information on the resistance movement during the Second World War (Rossano led a pocket of the resistance during that time). The adventure continued. During my research, I watched the film of which Rossano was most proud: an obscure Italian film made in 1942 called We the Living. I chatted to Duncan Scott, an American who was restoring the film for international release, and was fascinated by the movie and the story behind it (it was banned by Mussolini due to its antifascist content.) My interest extended to investing in the film and becoming an executive producer. I attended the premiere of its re-release in New York in June 2023 with Rossano’s nephew, Carlo, as my guest. The film is now being shown at independent cinemas around the world and I’m attending as many screenings as I can to continue my adventure. I also had a fictional story in my head: recently widowed Kerry embarks on a holiday to take the boat trip that claimed the life of her husband, only to find the one thing she didn’t want or need – love. I drew heavily on those initial Facebook posts for the character of Kerry. The second ingredient in the mix was the theme of the film Summertime, starring Rossano Brazzi and Katharine Hepburn. The theme was loneliness – something very dominant in my life when I first lost Tad. This year, five years after Tad’s death, You Will Meet a Stranger, was published. It is something of which I am immensely proud. I sincerely believe that if I had bottled grief up and not faced it as I did, there is no way that I would have experienced so much in such a short space of time. To this day, I have a desire to make Tad proud of me and be proud of myself. I would recommend anyone who has lost their life partner to grab life and take that first step. Who knows where it will lead you? You Will Meet a Stranger by Lynn Florkiewicz is available on Amazon.

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Your good health

Keep mind, body and soul strong, active and happy with the latest news, expert tips and members' inspiration.

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Six ways to boost your immune system.

Our immune system is a complex network that defends our bodies against factors that can cause infection, like bacteria. As we age, however, it tends to get weaker. Macrophages (cells that help fight bacteria and other foreign cells) work more slowly, while T-cells, which help the body counter infections, become less able to respond to toxins. There are fewer white blood cells capable of countering the threat posed by new viruses, and antibodies are less effective. This may partly explain why illnesses like pneumonia and flu are more common among older people. Nevertheless, despite these indisputable facts, there’s a huge amount you can do to protect yourself – no matter how old you are. Try this advice to keep in with a fighting chance of staying well:

1. Get your vaccines. Vaccinations give us harmless versions of the illnesses we need to be protected against, so that our immune system can recognise and fight them should it ever encounter them for real. The NHS recommends everyone aged 65 and over in the UK has the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV), along with an annual flu jab and a seasonal Covid-19 vaccine. It also recommends two doses of the Shingrix shingles vaccine, six to 12 months apart.

2. Eat well to stay well. We need sufficient energy and nutrients for the immune system to function properly, and poor nutrition can compromise it. There is a large body of evidence that a Mediterranean-style diet positively affects immune health by maintaining a healthy body weight, as well as lowering the risk of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases by reducing inflammation and promoting a healthy gut microbiome. This diet includes plenty of fruit and vegetables, whole grains and beans, and healthy fats from sources such as fish, olive oil, olives, nuts and seeds.

3. Find your T-zone. T-cells are part of the immune system and help to protect the body from infection, but as we age an organ called the thymus gland begins to shrink and produce fewer T-cells. Interesting research, however, has found that taking part in regular exercise may prevent the immune system from declining in this way. In 2018, researchers followed 125 long-distance cyclists, some in their 80s, and found the regular cyclists’ group had thymuses that were similar in size to the young adult cohort, producing similar levels of T-cells. The group of inactive older adults these cyclists were compared against, however, produced very few. Why? It’s thought that aerobic exercise enhances immunity because increasing the heart rate boosts the circulation of infection-busting white blood cells, leading to better immune surveillance.

4. Spend time outdoors. Research led by the University of Exeter found that people who spend at least 120 minutes in nature a week are significantly more likely to report good health and higher psychological well-being than those who don’t. Being outside boosts levels of vitamin D, which plays a crucial role in immune function by regulating the activity of immune cells, which in turn induces antiviral responses. Those intrepid T-cells are intrinsically photosensitive too: when they’re exposed to sunlight, they react by moving more quickly, which can enhance their ability to travel to infection sites and mount an immune response. Not least, spending regular time in green spaces is believed to enhance mood and improve concentration.

5. Practise sleep hygiene. As we sleep, our muscles are repaired, waste products are removed from our cells and immune responses work to ensure that when we wake, our body is fit and ready for another day. Sleep not only increases the immune system function – it has also been shown to play a role in improving antibody responses to vaccinations. Having a regular routine helps to improve sleep: have a set time to start winding down, and go to bed and get up at fixed times.

6. Manage your stress levels. Some stress is actually thought to be good for us, helping the body conserve energy, instigating the natural fight-or-flight response and helping the immune system fight injury or infection. However, chronic or prolonged stress can negatively impact the body’s immune response. So it’s good to recognise when you’re feeling stressed and know how to manage it. The NHS website has videos and guides that can help (nhs.uk/every-mind-matters). Mindfulness and meditation may also be of benefit: more details of u3a help can be found at mindfulageing.org.

What you put in.

Make a conscious effort to include these powerful immune boosters in your diet:

Oranges and lemons. Vitamin C, which may prevent or shorten infections by promoting immune cell functions, can be found in most citrus fruits.

Spices such as cayenne pepper, allspice and turmeric contain components that can help boost your immune system.

Oily fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines are a great source of omega-3 fats, which help keep your immune system in good shape.

Garlic may boost your immune function thanks to alliin, which is linked to supporting the response of white blood cells that fight fl u or cold viruses.

Spinach is an excellent source of vitamin A – a known infection fighter – and it also contains folate, which research shows may strengthen your immune system.

Water helps in the production of lymph, which carries white blood cells and other immune system cells.

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Stand up please

Are you sitting comfortably? Well, before you get too settled, read on. Research shows that sitting – something many of us do for long periods at a time – can cause a raft of medical conditions, from obesity and high blood pressure to serious disease. If muscles are not regularly activated, our glucose levels are affected, which can lead to conditions such as diabetes. Not least, sitting forces our knees, hips and angles to flex and bend at the joints, so blood flow to the muscles, nerves and joints is reduced. Getting up frequently and moving, however, is known to reduce inflammation because it lowers levels of sugar and fat in the bloodstream: one study suggested that those who took breaks from sitting have up to 25% less inflammation than those who do so infrequently. If you exercise regularly, you may think you’re already moving enough, but unfortunately that’s unlikely to be the case, especially if you spend long stretches of time sitting down and remaining largely static (such as when you watch television). Physiotherapist Dr Bhanu Ramaswamy says: “Collectively, our muscles act like a massive organ of the body, helping us to function well in numerous ways. Keeping muscles as strong and healthy as possible has a beneficial impact on our overall health and well-being, so it’s really important to work your body regularly.” Dr Ramaswamy suggests adopting these simple habits in day-to-day life:

1 . Get up when you’re on the phone, and do calf raises. Challenge your balance more by standing on one leg for five seconds, and then transferring to the other.

2. Stand and stretch while you’re watching TV – ad breaks are a perfect opportunity.

3. Don’t immediately sit down in a public place: take the chance to stand.

4. Walk whenever you can. On long car journeys, factor in regular breaks to get out, walk and stretch.

5. Set an alarm to remind you to get up from your chair every half an hour or so to stretch and move your body.

6. If you can’t always get out and about, invest in a pedal exerciser to use regularly at home. Putting in the effort improves circulation, raises the heart rate, and keeps muscles active, whether you work the cycle with your legs or arms (find out more in Mobility issues?).

MOBILITY ISSUES?

Dr Bhanu Ramaswamy recommends exercises for those who find standing and moving difficult: these seated exercises will still prove hugely beneficial:

Sit on a dining chair without leaning on the back, and do alternate heel lifts to work the calves. Push hard as you lift each heel up as high as you can, and repeat 10-15 times.

Use a pedal exerciser to work your arms as well as your legs (place the equipment on a steady table, and pedal fast with your hands). Aim for a couple of minutes to start with – even racing for one minute at a time will raise your heart and breathing rate - and build up the time you pedal as you improve.

Sit on an upright chair and transfer your weight from one buttock to the other, holding the balanced position on each side for at least 5-10 seconds. This gets the muscles around the hips to work hard.

When you’re sitting down, bring one knee up and hug it to your chest for a few seconds. Repeat with other leg. Do 2-3 hugs with each to loosen the muscles and joints of your back, hips and knees.

Dr Ramaswamy is a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

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Health notes

News and views from the world of well-being.

The tooth of the matter

Hygienist Hannah Ripley from East Harling Dental Care in Norwich shares some key tips for good dental health.

It is vital we maintain a healthy mouth, not just to keep tooth decay and gum disease at bay, but to keep our bodies healthy too: plaque has been linked to many diseases such as dementia, heart disease and some cancers. Brush the gums as well as the teeth – plaque not only builds up on the tooth surface but attaches to your gums and tongue.

Brush twice daily with a fluoride-containing toothpaste for a minimum of two minutes (a special sensitive toothpaste is also good for those with receding gums). After brushing, spit thoroughly but don’t rinse with water as you’ll be rinsing away the benefit of the toothpaste.

Use an electric toothbrush: not only is it more effective than a traditional brush, it is very helpful for people who have problems with dexterity. Remember, toothbrushes only clean 60% of the tooth surface, so to reach the other 40% you need to clean between the teeth with floss or an interdental brush. I prefer a DenTek interdental brush as they come in different sizes, are quick and easy to put between your teeth, and can be used on the go. A water flosser can be incorporated into your teeth cleaning routine and helps to flush the gums, but it doesn’t replace an interdental brush or floss as it doesn’t physically remove the plaque.

A dry mouth may be an issue due to age or medication. There are products on the market that help to replace saliva, such as Biotène: ask your pharmacist for advice.

And finally: have regular check-ups. If you aren’t able to find a dental practice currently accepting new NHS patients, contact NHS England on 0300 311 2233 or your local Healthwatch.

Breast cancer breakthrough

As we mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, there is positive news. A team of researchers at the Institute of Cancer Research in London has developed a DNA blood test that could indicate whether breast cancer will return after surgery. The test works by picking out tiny amounts of cancer-specific DNA - called circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) - that can escape from a tumour and persist in the blood even after initial treatment, raising the risk of the disease returning. Now, scientists have found that the NeXT Personal liquid biopsy test can show whether ctDNA will remain after surgery, and use that information to predict when breast cancer patients may relapse: crucially, it will show which women need preventative therapy after surgery. The next step is to study how well that works in practice across bigger patient groups. “This study lays the foundation for a blood test that predicts the return of cancer in those who have had early breast cancer surgery,” says Dr Catherine Elliott, director of research at Cancer Research UK.

Why I play...Racketball

Terry Wassall is Subject Adviser for Racketball and belongs to Bradford u3a “Racketball is a version of squash and played on a squash court. A bigger, bouncier ball is used, along with a shorter racket: this makes it much easier to coordinate because the point of contact between ball and hand is much less. Unlike squash, where the height of the ball tends to be between ankle and knee, racketball plays from knee to waist, so there’s not so much stooping and bending. It’s much kinder to the body! “Apart from being great exercise, racketball benefits flexibility, balance and reflexes. It’s not difficult to learn either. Most of all, it’s a sociable and enjoyable game to play, so anyone can have a go!”

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Experts on call

In our organisation, there are a wealth of national Subject Advisers who offer valuable expertise, knowledge and support to group leaders and members. We meet three to discover more.

Family guy

Stephen Dyer is a member of Sutton Coldfield u3a and Subject Adviser for Genealogy.

What’s your background, and how did you become a u3a Subject Adviser?

I was born and grew up on the Isle of Wight, and have traced my family history there back to the 17th century. In my early 20s I moved to Birmingham to work in the plastics industry, got married and had three daughters. My wife suggested I find an interest outside of work, so I started researching my family history. Like many families, growing up we rarely discussed the past, only the future. However, through my research, I discovered that my grandfather fought at the Somme and my great grandfather served on HMS Southampton in the Battle of Jutland in 1916. He was invalided from the Navy and went on to serve on several large racing yachts, racing on HMY Britannia K1 for King George V in the America’s Cup. When I retired in 2012, I joined my local u3a in Sutton Coldfield and, because of my interest in family history, became involved in starting a genealogy group. From the very beginning there was great enthusiasm for the subject among members. I think when we reach retirement, we have the time to reflect on our family’s past and what it means to us.

What makes genealogy so fascinating?

It can become compulsive. When you find one piece of family history you get the urge to carry on, even into the late hours on your computer, discovering more and more about your family’s history. You shouldn’t be surprised if along the way you find things that have never been discussed by the family... New resources are appearing all the time too. Since the year 2000, more than 49 million people have used publicly available DNA testing services to get in touch with distant family relatives and find out more about their own ethnicity. Recent developments in artificial intelligence and machine learning are going to result in tools that will make a big difference to research.

What support do you provide as national Subject Adviser?

I have many roles, and the first is to help u3as that want to start up a family history group and advise members new to genealogy about where records exist and how to get access to them at a price they can afford. Equipped with the information they need to carry out a successful search, they can then go online at home or at their local library to research their family’s past. As organiser of my local u3a genealogy group, I understand what group members need for a successful programme of research, and I have produced a series of guidance notes group organisers can use to plan their own teaching programme and presentations. I’ve also written a monthly newsletter on genealogy since January 2018, with the latest news and details of available online records. Both the list of guidance notes and the newsletters can be found on my genealogy page at u3a.org.uk/learning/subjects/genealogy. I always stress that a group organiser need not be an ‘expert’, aside from having a certain amount of interest or experience in researching their own family, as it’s impossible for one person to know all the possibilities. My aim as Subject Adviser is to guide each member of the group to be able to follow their own line of research.

Philosophical outlook

Shri Sharma is Subject Adviser for Philosophy and a member of South Solihull u3a. What sparked your interest in philosophy?

Even though my career teaching chemistry and physics didn’t involve philosophy, I’ve been fascinated by the subject since I was in my 20s. Hindu texts like the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads formed part of my regular reading and I was fascinated by Jorge Luis Borges’ Labyrinths, a collection of strange and puzzling stories and essays. I did several courses on philosophy when I lived in New Zealand, including a PhD that I completed but did not submit. I was born in New Delhi, but my father’s job with the World Health Organization took us to Denmark, Congo and Switzerland. My wife and I moved to the Antipodes with the thought that we didn’t want to get to 60 and say: “We wish we had…” It was a risk that turned out to be a wonderful adventure and saw us spending 16 years in New Zealand and two in Australia. An enthusiasm for sport has also influenced the way I view things. These aspects come together nowadays as a love for travel, including camping, walking, cycling and kayaking, always searching for new places and experiences. It’s a privileged life!

What do you think the subject can teach us?

I have a general curiosity about things in the universe: what they are, how they work and how we relate to them. I am also curious about what philosophy can tell us about how we should live and behave in society. I enjoy the philosophical differences and similarities that arise in different cultures: they point us to a variety of ways of approaching how we should look at the world. Newcomers to the subject often think that it is somehow restricted and only to be pursued by certain groups of people, but in reality most people are engaging in philosophical activities on a regular basis. It’s fair to say I’m obsessed with the subject!

Are there ways of running a philosophy group that work particularly well?

I’ve been a member of South Solihull u3a since 2015, but I don’t run any of our three philosophy groups myself – they are convened by Richard Batchelor and Sheila Campbell, who do a great job. We usually begin by sharing some sort of input – that could be a reading, listening to a podcast or watching a YouTube video. We follow this by discussing the main points that have been raised. We analyse the strengths and weakness of the arguments, as well as how they relate to us today. Sometimes, if we can find a suitable online course on a platform like edX, Coursera or MITx, then we follow that – again with an associated discussion between group members. Philosophy is the Great Conversation - although there are many ways to ‘do’ it, it’s important to have a group where discussion takes place. What resources are there for people who want to join or start a group? There are links for details of the three South Solihull groups at: ssu3a.org/interest-groups.html. The Subject Adviser page on the u3a website, u3a.org.uk/learning/subjects/ philosophy, has a link members can use to contact me. I’ve also created three ‘padlets’ (padlet.com/shrisharma108) so that other interested groups and members can connect with each other.

Picture this

Peter Read is Subject Adviser for Photography and belongs to Spire u3a.

What made photography click with you?

I had originally taken up photography at school in the 1960s when the physics teacher asked me to process a film to make black and white slides. My enthusiasm for the subject is an extension of a fascination with astronomy and the use of lenses in home-cobbled telescopes. My career as an electronics engineer ended with redundancy and my wife Sheila wanted to buy a shop selling embroidery items. We found one in Salisbury, and I also began a little photographic business specialising in textile art - embroidery and quilts. I joined Spire u3a in 2000 and currently run three photography classes, as well as participating in the Archaeology group and attending a microscopy course.

How do you help newcomers get started?

Photography is usually something everyone has already tried, and members tend to come along with a clear idea of why they want to join a course and what they’d like to get out of it. Most will only have a basic ‘point and shoot’ type of camera. This limits what they can usefully learn, so I suggest a sixlesson plan at fortnightly to four-weekly intervals, which provides enough time to assimilate what’s been learnt and put it into practice. I also suggest giving members some themes for projects to photograph. Group organisers can aim a bit higher by limiting intake to members with more versatile cameras. This enables a far more diverse range of skills to be covered and a more creative approach to be adopted. Currently, my own sessions are held on Zoom around an online timetable, although this is starting to change. I record each session and upload to YouTube for the benefit of anyone who has missed it. At a meeting, I usually ask members to share the results of some ‘homework’ that I have assigned. When we have jointly discussed the results, I either move on to a new topic or continue with the previous one.

How can photographers share their work with other u3a members?

u3a Eye is a rolling photography project that encourages members to take and submit pictures of their surroundings. We post a different theme every two months at u3a.org.uk/learning/learningactivities/u3a-eye and invite members to submit pictures on that topic. It’s not a competition, and it’s not just about photographic skill – we are looking for interesting photos and interpretations of the theme, anything that has captured

the imagination or caught the eye. At the end of every deadline, we select 15 photos and publish them online.

What support is available for u3a photography groups?

Members can contact me via the Photography Subject Adviser page at u3a.org.uk/learning/subjects/ photography. I usually suggest they look at the website salisburyu3a.org. uk/U3ADI/index.html, which hosts my tutorials and is arranged in two sections – one on camera usage and the other on post-production. There is such a wide range of material on the site that this is all a leader needs to start up a class.

You can contact over 70 Subject Advisers via: u3a.org.uk/learning/subjects. Also find details in our Subject Advisers Directory.

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Subject Advisers Directory

Looking for fresh inspiration for your interest group? Whether you want to share ideas with similar groups or need support to start a new one, find resources and information at u3a.org.uk/learning/subjects.

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Good times

Make the most of life – great places to visit, new things to try, what to watch, read and enjoy.

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Special places

It takes a village. Explore the little places with big stories to tell.

History on the doorstep.

Discover the past of these unique villages.

Cornwall. Polperro.

The name, Polperro Heritage Museum of Smuggling & Fishing, spells out exactly how Polperro Village both survived and thrived in the 18th and 19th centuries. Britain’s frequent wars with France saw the duty levied on high-value goods such as tea, tobacco and alcohol soar. Polperro’s fishermen, spotting a business opportunity, quite simply smuggled them in from Guernsey instead. It was a fairly haphazardly-run operation until, sometime in the 1770s, Zephaniah Job arrived and turned the whole trade “professional”. He managed the business side of smuggling, hired lawyers to represent smugglers in court and sent money when they were in prison. But he was a legitimate businessman too: he took charge of Polperro’s pilchard export trade with Italy. He was also an estate manager, a government contractor and an accountant who advised local people, including members of the gentry. If it wasn’t for Zephaniah Job, Polperro would have been a much poorer place in many ways.

Hampshire. Selborne.

It’s quite something for a small village to be acknowledged as the home of the Father of Ecology, but that’s the privileged position Selborne finds itself in. Gilbert White (1720-93), the ‘parson-naturalist’, lived most of his life there, observing the natural world in a way that was new. He wasn’t a scientist – he was a vicar – but he loved nature for its own sake. His contemporaries studied the physical characteristics of animals and insects to categorise them, but he studied their behaviour too. He was the first to observe the migration patterns of birds – swifts, swallows and house martins, in particular. He saw that soil needed earthworms to thrive, while others killed them as pests. Whether it was in his garden, or on his walks and rides around Selborne, he listened, looked and then recorded it all.

White’s book, The Natural History of Selborne, published in 1789, is still bought by naturalists worldwide today.

Cambridgeshire. Stilton.

These days the village of Stilton is mainly associated with the cheese named after it. However, in earlier times its location on the Great North Road – which linked London, York and Edinburgh – made it an important overnight stop for the coach trade. Stilton was only a day’s ride from London, so well situated for stagecoach passengers, travellers in private carriages, solo riders and cart drivers to stop for refreshment, stable or change their horses, or stay the night. At its peak there were 42 stage and mail coaches stopping daily in Stilton, with 14 coaching inns to choose from. The most famous of these were the Bell Inn and the Angel Inn. Incredibly, the Bell Inn survives to this day - albeit restored as an hotel. And, in an interesting twist, the first person to sell blue Stilton cheese commercially was the landlord of the Bell in the 1740s, Cooper Thornhill.

Somerset. Dunster.

It is called the most complete medieval village in England and it’s easy to see why. To start with, there’s fabulous Dunster Castle perched on a hilltop: it has existed for over 1,000 years, and was owned by the Luttrell family for 600 of those, until they gifted it to the National Trust in 1976. The village had become a woollen centre by the 13th century - it even had its own broadcloth called ‘Dunsters’ – and its prosperity depended upon it. The former yarn market – now a Grade I building - was built in the 17th century to encourage trading and keep traders dry. Next up, on the Dunster estate, there’s a working watermill, which was created in 1779 and still produces milled flour, and finally there’s the famous 15thcentury Gallox Bridge, which was built for horses loaded with side bags of wool fleeces to cross the River Avill. And if all that isn’t enough, Dunster also boasts over 200 listed buildings.

Village life. More to explore.

1. One of the oldest working shops in the UK opened in Chiddingstone Village, Kent, in 1453. The building it is in was later bought by Thomas Boleyn, the father of Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII’s second wife.

2. The ruins of wonderful Tintern Abbey, founded in 1131, have brought Tintern Village, in Monmouthshire, its own share of fame. Poet William Wordsworth, painter William Turner and Thomas Gray (of Gray’s Elegy fame) all visited in their day.

3. Culross Village, in Fife, is regarded as Scotland’s most complete and authentic burgh of 17th- and 18th-century buildings. With its red-tiled rooftops, cobbled streets and yellow ochre castle, it has often appeared in the popular TV series Outlander.

4. Blanchland Village, in Northumberland, is a conservation, 18th-century model village, built for lead mining workers, with stone from 12th century Blanchland Abbey. The current day ‘Abbey’-cum-village church holds records showing generations of the same families having lived there for centuries.

5. Northern Ireland’s coastal Cushendun Village was built in 1912, in the style of a Cornish village, because the builder’s wife was a Cornish lass. Ironically, however, its architect was Sir Bertram Clough Williams-Ellis: he was the Welsh creator of Portmeiron, in North Wales, which was designed in the Italianate style!

Member’s story

Alison Edwards, chair of Dene Valley u3a, tells us about her home village in Warwickshire Tysoe is three distinct villages – Upper Tysoe and Middle Tysoe, which border each other, and Lower Tysoe. Across all three, there’s about 1,200 people. All of the shops and the village hall are in Middle Tysoe, but the medieval Market Cross is in the garden of a house in Lower Tysoe. I’ve lived in Middle Tysoe for 11 years History has always been my passion – my degree is in history - and this is a hugely

historical area. There are the remains of a Roman settlement here, and the roads are very straight because they are Roman built. In the Domesday Book Tysoe is mentioned as one of the top four villages in Warwickshire yielding the most taxes to William I. The church is 11th century and Grade-l listed, and a lot of work has been done classifying the gravestones. The Grade-II listed village primary school was designed by Sir Gilbert Scott, better known as the architect of St Pancras and the Albert Memorial, while the 18th-century windmill on top of Windmill Hill is arguably the iconic symbol of Tysoe. Overall, there are 49 listed buildings in the parish. My own project is to achieve listed status for the four well heads in Tysoe, which are unique within Warwickshire. Maybe we can even get them filled with water again, and then dressed by the schoolchildren. Tysoe is a very special place because of its history, and the community here.

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What’s on

Take a quick look at what to watch, visit and listen to now...

Film and TV critic Mark Adams of Chichester u3a recommends the following.

Big screen action

Lee. Kate Winslet plays acclaimed American war photographer Lee Miller in the powerful new film biopic Lee. Determined to document the truth of the Nazi regime, and in spite of the odds stacked against female correspondents, she captured some of the most important and iconic images of the Second World War, for which she paid an enormous personal price. RELEASED ON 15 SEPTEMBER.

ARMCHAIR CINEMA.

Double Indemnity (1944) is one of the truly great film noirs, and arrives in a beautifully remastered edition from Criterion Video in September. Working with co-writer Raymond Chandler, director Billy Wilder delivered the epitome of film-noir fatalism from James M Cain’s pulp novel, with salesman Walter Neff (Fred MacMurray) entranced by dissatisfied housewife Phyllis Dietrichson (Barbara Stanwyck) and lured into a murderous scheme. Also from Criterion (and again based on a Cain novel) is magnificent melodrama Mildred Pierce (1945), starring Joan Crawford as a single mother determined to give her children a better life.

STREAMING NOW.

Slow Horses.

The critically acclaimed and highly entertaining British spy series Slow Horses returns, and as with the previous three seasons, the new run will be based on the next book in Mick Herron’s series – with fourth novel Spook Street this time serving as the source material. Gary Oldman returns as the grumpy head

of the Slow Horses (deeply dysfunctional reject MI5 agents), with key agent River Cartwright (Jack Lowden) due to find out some dark truths about his spy grandfather (played by Jonathan Pryce). PREMIERES EARLY SEPTEMBER ON APPLE TV+.

Worth a listen

Talk Art. Art lovers can truly indulge in the podcast Talk Art (which has been running for more than 18 seasons), co-presented by actor Russell Tovey and gallerist Robert Diament (also friends in real life), who talk with artists, curators and contributors from acting, music and journalism. Guests have included actor Pedro Pascal, musician Elton John and sculptor Antony Gormley.

Calling all foodies!

Wiz and Stripey Tehel are members of Dartmouth u3a, and huge advocates of the Devon town’s famous food festival that is commemorating its 20th year. “We love this annual event for so many reasons. Foremost, it’s a wonderful opportunity for local suppliers to showcase their specialities. Plus the whole town gets involved as many venues host special events and functions. “It’s more than sampling wonderful food and drink, taking part in workshops, and watching chefs demonstrate their skills. This festival leads on so many important issues that are timely and especially concern and interest us all. There are talks from experts in their respective fields related to food production, and the festival organisers host intelligent discussions on everything from regenerative farming and sustainability to good (cost-effective) nutrition, and the challenges faced in the food industry today. These gatherings are so engaging and enlightening. “We give up eating at home for the duration of the festival, and instead eat delicious freshly prepared local produce. We’re always full of appreciation for all the hard work that makes this festival one of the best!” The 20th Dartmouth Food Festival takes place on 25-27 October. To celebrate, the Dartmouth Food Festival Cookbook: A celebration of food, friendship & feasting has been specially created and is available to pre-order. Go to: dartmouthfoodfestival.com

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BOOKS

My Life In Books.

Helen Elliott of Stratford-upon-Avon u3a shares her memorable reads.

Best childhood book: Animal Farm by George Orwell. I first read it when I was about 10 and, when I went to secondary school, I was the only person who had done so! It was an early introduction to modern politics.

Favourite book of all time: Silas Marner, by George Eliot, which impressed me deeply when I read this at secondary school, aged 11. I knew nothing about myopia and catalepsy, and it was very moving and sad: it taught me more about hidden disabilities. I have read it since, and still think it’s brilliant.

Currently Reading: I find the work of economist and journalist Will Hutton compelling reading. My current read is his book How Good We Can Be: Ending the mercenary society and building a great country (2015). It follows on from The State We’re In (1996). I next intend to read his latest book, This Time No Mistakes: How to remake Britain (2024).

  • Tell us about your best childhood book, favourite book and current read. Send an email headed BOOKS to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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MAILBOX

We love to hear from you, so please email your letters, including your name and u3a, with ‘Mailbox’ in the subject line to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or post to the u3a office.

Precious days

An ode to autumn.

As we move into a new season, one member suggests this may also be the perfect time to reflect on – and appreciate – this golden stage in our own lives.

For some, spring is the best time of year, with everything new and all it has to offer, but for others autumn is better. True, everything in spring is fresh and green, especially after the drabness of the winter landscape, but autumn holds the glory of colour. The colours and tints of gold, yellow, brown and red are painted on the hillsides, in the forests of the countryside, and in our gardens too, and there we behold the glory of nature and wonder at it. Our own autumn years are beautiful too, or can be. An attitude of mind is important because life is how you look at it, as well as the reality. Many bemoan their loss of flexibility, their energy and their good looks, but like the trees, this is a time of beauty, if you can see it. Robert Browning wrote: “Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be...” He might have been talking of heaven, but nevertheless it could also be our best time. Perhaps we have gained wisdom, certainly experience and know what is important in life. These are our golden years and can be our best too. Live life to the full. Carpe diem, and rejoice.

Clive Rogers, Cheltenham u3a.

Caroline calling

Nick Bailey’s podcast story regarding his legitimate early days as a broadcaster on Radio Caroline (Summer 2024 edition), reminded me of my own teenage adventure: my second try at reaching Radio Caroline to do the same. During my first attempt, I’d been woken by police while sleeping in my car in a car park near Frinton-on-Sea, and ‘advised’ to return home. For the second, I went by train to the Essex coast. I spent days enquiring about boat-owners or fishermen of Clacton, Frinton and Walton on-the-Naze, who could take me to the Mi Amigo Caroline South ship anchored just three miles off-shore. Finally, an off-duty lifeboatman spoke of a fisherman who ‘might’ take me out there. I would need to go by train to find a particular pub in Harwich, and ask for ‘John’. Having stayed the night in that pub and handed over the princely sum of £25, I jumped down into the hold of a small fishing boat, where I was told to remain. When we arrived, we circled round the Mi Amigo, surprised not to have been spotted. Once I’d boarded, I waited for my moment to introduce myself as a free-radio-supporting Daily Sketch reporter (the truth came out when it transpired the person ‘signing’ my fake permission-to-board letter had long since left the company). It was agreed I could stay as long as I earned my keep. At first, my jobs included peeling potatoes, making toast, laying tables and repainting the green decks, and eventually being night-watch on the bridge. Initially, I was never unaccompanied as they feared I was a spy from the Home Office! Eventually a tender boat took me to Holland and I then got a ferry back to Harwich, from where I hitched a lorry to London, to stay with my nan. Afterwards, I made a point of visiting the Cue newspaper offices. They allocated me a desk and typewriter, and told me to write my story. All was fine until the news one morning that Radio Caroline was no more. We don’t know for sure why the Mi Amigo was tugged away, but not long later those perfectly painted green decks were rusting away beneath the sea. It also meant I named my subsequently born daughter, Caroline, after a rusting hulk.

Colin Gibbs, Great Oakley u3a.

Mind your language

Further to the letter from Hilary Hicklin in the Summer 2024 edition, I agree: I am old or elderly, retired and a pensioner. I have no problem with any of those terms. However, before I retired as a nurse, I worked as a nursing sister, initially on an acute medical ward for the elderly, then later in a facility for longer-term care. Care of the elderly is known as geriatrics, in the same way as the care of children is known as paediatrics. However, I have heard people referring to old people as geriatrics. Now, that is unacceptable.

Katherine Regan, Carmarthen u3a.

A voice from the past

In your Summer edition, I enjoyed reading John Gardner’s insight into the broadcasting abilities of John Arlott. I’ve never been a cricket fan, but my son was obsessed with it. He rarely played but would always tune into all the matches, no matter what time they were broadcast. I remember that, as a teenager, over 40 years ago, he always watched the cricket on television with the sound muted. With his earplugs attached to his transistor radio, he would tune in to John’s commentary. I would question why he needed two devices to watch the cricket. His explanation was that you could only enjoy the cricket on the television when it was accompanied by John’s dulcet tones. I was bemused. Now John Gardner has explained why and brought back very fond memories.

Pat Davies, Crewe & Nantwich u3a.

A turn of phrase

Sue Richardson’s challenge to readers to recall old sayings and phrases got a few of you thinking back – often to things our mothers said!

MY MOTHER WOULD OCCASIONALLY say in exasperation: “This knife’s about as sharp as I am!” More resignedly, my father would say (of a television programme or something else that was boring him) “I’ll be glad when I’ve had enough of this.” Hilary Temple, Kenilworth u3a

THE PHRASE I HEARD most often from my grandmother and mother was “Between you, me and the gatepost”. As a young teenager, I remember being very disappointed at not having a new pet when my mother said: “I’m going to see a man about a dog.” Chris Rigg, Luton u3a.

THESE ARE JUST SOME of the sayings I used to hear regularly as a child in the 1940s, 50s and 60s in south London, but haven’t heard since I left over 50 years ago:

“If you fall and break your leg, don’t come running to me.”

“You think I’m silly because I’m daft.”

“No pockets in shrouds.”

“He’s her fancy man.”

Frank Grace, Peterborough u3a.

MY MOTHER HAD AN expression when she was surprised by something: “Well, I’ll go to the foot of our stairs.” I don't know why she would want to! It may be a northern expression.

Sylvia Chubbs, Orpington u3a.

WE DIDN’T HAVE ‘ELEVENSES’ or an afternoon tea break, but ‘ten o-clocks’ or ‘three o-clocks’. I lived on a farm, and the farm hands also used the word ‘lowance’, presumably a shortening of ‘allowance’, showing that this mini-meal was provided by the employer. It consisted of a couple of pieces of mother’s baking, a scone and a piece of cake, perhaps, for each person. There’d be something for me too, if I had carried the basket and can of sweetened tea to them in the fields. Perhaps my favourite childhood phrase was about bedtime: going “Up the wooden hill and down sheet lane to the land of shut-eye.”

Susan Perkins, Bedale u3a.

MY MUM'S FAVOURITE saying to me as a child was: “The best helping hand in the world is at the end of our own arm.” I've followed this all my life, and still try to sort things out myself and be independent.

Christine Beale, Carterton u3a.

Worth sharing

We often receive letters from u3as or members who have started unique new groups. Here’s one to consider.

Norwich u3a started a new group several months ago called ‘Time to share and discuss inspired readings’, which has turned out to be a great success. We have eight very enthusiastic members in the group, and we meet twice a month. At each session, readings or poems are shared: these have to be short and can be from any religion, or none. We normally include three readings: nobody has to bring one with them, although everyone is, of course, welcome to do so. The coordinator always has three examples to offer if needed. After each reading there is a silence of six minutes before we can share what we all think about it. Only one person can speak at a time, and must hold a chosen object when they do so, to demonstrate they have ‘the chair’. At the end of the meeting, we finish with a discussion on all the different readings. It’s a fantastic way to discover and enjoy inspiring text and poetry, and other group members’ opinions and ideas are so interesting and thought-provoking.

Mary Cozens, Coordinator, Norwich u3a.

  • Ed’s note: Let us know about unusual groups in your u3a!

Time to act

It is easy to be disheartened by the news, statistics, articles and books about the effect that human activity is having on our planet. The evidence is relentless about pollution, floods, droughts, seriously high temperatures and loss of biodiversity. On Saturday 22 June, more than 300 organisations and tens of thousands of people walked from Park Lane to Westminster to raise awareness so that those in power act to restore nature. I found this very heartening. The event was very well organised, and the marchers were a good-natured lot, with punchy messages about the urgency to allow nature to heal our environment. Five from my u3a were there, along with members from other parts of the organisation. One marcher had the Native American saying on her back: “Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish caught, will we realise that we cannot eat money.” Nearly 150 years later, when will we realise?

Sheila Kemble, Croydon u3a.

Saving the stories

After reading the last edition’s Mailbox segment on ‘Keeping a record’, I thought you might be interested in the following processes my family can use to sort my belongings, as and when the time comes. I’ve compiled into a document various photographs of the many inherited items, heirlooms and trinkets passed down through the years. Attached to each one is a note about its provenance and the stories associated with it over the years, to keep those little tales alive. Furthermore, my mother

requested that when she passed, we children would each draw counters numbered one to five (in our case) to dictate the order in which we’d choose items to keep. We would randomly draw these from a hat, repeating the process until finished. Pot luck every round! These, I hope, will help to save a few stories that may well be lost otherwise, and possibly lighten a bit of the burden of sorting my rubbish!

Judith Rose, Hale & District u3a.

Special relationships

u3a transformed my life!

I was recently talking with my wonderful husband about how the u3a has made such a difference to our lives, and I recalled the many wonderful people I’ve met since joining the u3a Twickenham branch in 2010. Not long after doing so, I gave a talk on the connection between the quality of our health and the quality of our relationships. Afterwards, a lady called Felicity invited me for coffee. It was to be the beginning of a lovely friendship, and she soon suggested I lead a group, which is how The Life Enhancing Group first began. The intention was to share the tools and skills to create strong and loving relationships. It ran for nine years until Covid struck. I also set up my practice as a relationship coach, and wrote a book Dancing With The Mask: Learning to Love And Be Loved. I started attracting wonderful friendships. One of these was Steve: he’s 94 to my 79 and every week we love putting the world to rights over a croissant and a hot chocolate! Perhaps, though, the most significant relationship I formed happened in 2015 when I decided to start another group called ‘Come lunch with me’, and a gentleman called Dave expressed an interest. Little did I know then that this was the man I would grow to like, love and marry! (I had previously been married for 37 years until I finally found the courage to leave, and then lived alone for 10 years.) I never imagined I would find love again at 70, and I have the u3a to thank for that –along with all the strong and loving relationships I have formed since I joined.

Sue Plumtree, Twickenham u3a.

  • Ed’s note: Have you found great friendships – or even found love – through the u3a? Do tell us more if so!

A problem shared

In our Summer issue, Catherine wrote about an old colleague who has joined her u3a. The lady has proved very opinionated, implying that Catherine always agrees with her. Here’s what you advised.

I SYMPATHISE WITH THIS DESIRE TO avoid confrontation, but a little gentle assertiveness is different, especially if done with a smile. Think what you’d like to say and practise it beforehand, out loud, in front of a mirror. Sounds bizarre, I know, but it can really work wonders. Something like: “Hang on, that’s not quite how I see things. But I don’t want to start a big discussion on that just at this moment. Let’s hear more about…” The other thing is to share your problem with someone else in the group and enlist some backup. If two of you are supporting each other in deflecting the loud member, it will encourage others too. Be brave! And good luck.

Jenny Selley, Teesdale u3a.

THE SIMPLE ANSWER IS TELL HER! The key is that you believe that “underneath it all, she is a good person”. People who make their presence felt are often not sure about themselves and believe they need to make noise and get support. Arrange to meet up for coffee and ask what she thinks about the different groups. That will be your opportunity to say what you think and make a joke of how you can be different and still friends. Find some way of praising her, building her self-esteem. Secondly, speak to the facilitators so that they guide the discussions while building your friend’s confidence. When your friend speaks for you both, they can turn to you and ask what you think.

Su Axton, Stubbington u3a.

YEARS AGO I WAS once told that if we had a problem with one of the group we should tell them. One of them had bad body odour, and eventually I plucked up the courage to tell him as everyone else was talking about him behind his back. After the initial shock, he took it very well and said that he hadn’t realised. There were various reasons but he changed afterwards. I think the issue is we tread on eggshells too much. Perhaps Catherine’s friend would appreciate being gently told that she is a bit loud or dominates the conversation, or that she shouldn’t speak for her. As Catherine is trying to distance herself from her friend, what has she got to lose?

Gordon McCalmont, King’s Lynn u3a.

THERE IS NO EASY ANSWER TO THIS but Catherine says “I think she is a good person”, which seems significant. She sounds like a lonely person who wants to make friends but finds it difficult to do so, and becomes louder and more opinionated as she tries. Catherine could try explaining some of this to other group members and asking them to help by ‘sharing out’ their friendship and time. Perhaps then the lonely woman would gain enough confidence to become more balanced and less demanding. She could also suggest to some of the group leaders that they could ask the woman to take an active role at meetings. If this doesn’t work she could ask other members to pick her up or offer to take a less able member to the group, leaving her car full!

Janice Richardson, Crowborough u3a.

I THINK THE ANSWER LIES in your description: “She implies that I agree with everything she says, which is really annoying.” You must butt in immediately and say that actually you think differently and explain to the class what your opinion is. Whether you think that or not doesn’t matter: do it consistently and maybe she will get a hint. Outside of the class, do not offer lifts, avoid her as much as possible and then just ignore. I am sure all of this goes against your nature, but what I am trying to do here is to encourage you to be more assertive. Stand your own ground and do not let her spoil your life.

Hanna Kelly, Camberley & District u3a.

Another dilemma.

We didn’t have much money when raising our family, and never took holidays abroad. However, my husband and I are fascinated by different countries and cultures, and have always wanted to travel when we retired. We’ve saved really hard, and we’re now planning a few exciting adventures, not least visiting my brother in Australia, followed by a cruise to places that have long been on our bucket list: it’s the most practical and economical way to visit them all in one go. There is, however, a problem. Over recent years we have – like so many – become increasingly aware of climate change, and of course we recognise that by fulfilling our dreams, we are increasing our carbon footprint. Not least, several friends (and u3a members) have expressed open disapproval that we are choosing to take these holidays, which has made things very awkward. We try our best to be as environmentally friendly as possible in our everyday life, but should we really be expected to spend the rest of it as ‘armchair travellers’ rather than experience the real thing?

Shirley (Name has been changed.)

  • How would you advise Shirley? Send your thoughts to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject ADVICE: A PROBLEM SHARED. If you have a dilemma you’d like help with, head your email DILEMMA and send this to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. (Alternatively, send a letter to the u3a office.) All letters and answers are anonymous.

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Members pinboard

What have you been up to? Got an event to celebrate, news to share, or something to commemorate in your u3a world? We want to know about it!

25 fabulous years

West Wolds u3a, based in Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, recently held a special general meeting to mark its 25th birthday. More than 100 members attended, and the committee worked hard to put on a memorable occasion. In his opening address, current chair Steve McCarthy recalled the response of one of the founder members when asked if a u3a could work in Market Rasen: “We will never know unless we try.” Further events are planned for later in the year, including a treasure hunt, a garden visit and a trip to the headquarters of beekeeping equipment supplier EH Thorne.

Search for knowledge

In May, 68 u3a members from across Northern Ireland came together to compete in a regional quiz hosted by Causeway u3a. The quiz saw 17 teams of four people each gather at the Adair Arms Hotel in Ballymena. Glens & Dalriada u3a (pictured, with a team name of Four Sheets to the Wind) came out on top, ahead of Causeway in second place, with a buffet lunch put on by the hotel.

Chemical revision

Members of the Alton u3a Popular Science group recently paid a visit to the chemistry labs at Bedales Senior School, where one of their own, Lesley Morris, works as a chemistry technician. The aim was to experience some hands-on lab work and refresh some basic science knowledge. It was also a chance to reminisce about their own education. Lesley says: “There were many tales of school and university chemistry classes: an ‘explosion’ during a chemistry exam, sodium dichromate volcanoes making a terrible mess, and how it was always best to leave the practical work to the girls!”

Anyone for boccia?

Boccia (‘bocha’) became a Paralympic sport in 1984 but has now arrived at Flintshire u3a. The game is similar to bowls, but played indoors, seated and with soft, lightweight balls. “We have 16 players who, despite the ‘usual’ aches and pains, can participate in a sport and enjoy the social interaction,” says Philip Johnson, who heads up the group. “There is a lot of good-hearted banter, especially when playing the final round of six ends.”

Prison breakout!

Two brave members from Shepton Mallet u3a took on the challenge of abseiling down the local prison to raise money for SOS Africa. Acting independently of u3a, Janet Sherwin and Janet Saxon (pictured), with about 40 others, braved wind and drizzle to bounce down the high wall of Shepton Mallet Prison in June. They both agreed the first step into the abyss was terrifying, but felt great when it was over!

  • Send brief details of your memorable event – and a good clear photograph – to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Mark your email: PINBOARD.

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Brain games

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Crossword

From Tynedale u3a Cryptic Crossword Group.

Across

8. Monumental rocky precipice without price (4)

9. Scotch prohibition on port (4)

10. Inebriated doctor and endless rocker? (5)

11. Tom’s watery voyage? (6)

12. Hesitation before returning a sailor results in mistakes (6)

13. I hear bees have left the sweet, but one remains inside this allium (5)

14. Lays to rest Will’s seasonal story, lacking opening direction and usual ending (6)

17. Rock star chose hero in splendid tribute initially (6)

20. Hurled, or moved it around (7)

21. Couple returned to hotel in front of remarkable hole he used to escape (7)

23. Maybe dismal harvester? (6)

26. A grand is added to the rebuilding of crowded urban area (6)

28. Extremely posh student returns craft (5)

29. Initially exhausted marathon entrants, regaining ground, eventually come into view (6)

31. Edward scored zero over tree (6)

33. Starts to finish off lengthy Iliad on single sheet (5)

34. Shock saint with a French one (4)

35. Seed embraced in rachial grass (4)

Down

1. Urge to ignore pointlessly (4)

2. Busy part of play before one on 8th May (6)

3. Recording devices can provide osprey nests with protection (6)

4. Hard to find us in switched-on state after Europe (7)

5. Right inside half scores. Result - badges (6)

6. Hotel rings artist. He, though lacking energy, offers cheer (6)

7. Teas freshly brewed in part of Timor (4)

15. Fiddle on the radio in Florida (5)

16. Get the point after mixed layer and fasten once more (5)

18. Reflex, sounding like an endless resting place (5)

19. Fool eyes little Dorothy - out of order! (5)

22. Caress a Queen’s knee (7)

24. Mum or Dad's personal assistant's payment (6)

25. Does true, full heart make you feel sad, like this? (6)

26. Former US vice-president is confused aplenty (6)

27. Castrato’s painful exclamation loses nothing following regular return (6)

30. Have you heard the one about the spinster with a speech impediment? It’s legend! (4)

32. It’s terrible to live outraged (4).

Crossword SOLUTION

Across: 8. Epic. 9. Oban. 10. Drunk. 11. Cruise. 12. Errata.

13. Onion. 14. Inters. 17. Schist. 20. Vomited. 21. Houdini. 23. Reaper. 26. Ghetto. 28. Ultra. 29. Emerge. 31. Linden. 33. Folio. 34. Stun. 35. Chia.

Down: 1. Spur. 2. Active. 3. Videos. 4. Elusive. 5. Tokens. 6. Hoorah. 7. East. 15. Tampa. 16. Retie. 18. Cough. 19. Idiot. 22. Patella. 24. Parent. 25. Rueful. 26. Galore. 27. Eunuch. 30. Myth. 32. Evil.

  • To submit a crossword, grids should be no bigger than 15 square. Email it This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject ‘CROSSWORD SUBMISSION’.

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Pitcherwits

ACROSS

1. Children who no longer like first season? (9)

5. Cold reaction, say, to rough edge (3)

6. Antelope, in increasing numbers (3)

7. Nation ending in gold pot? (7)

10. Have to clown around a bit! (3)

11. Good old guy from Seville is actually outside Rio (7)

12. Eyeshadow, to conceal all the fuss (3)

13. With the arms open like a rodent (7)

16. Finally admits the thing's in there (3)

17. Pot found in journalism (3)

18. Making plans, while coming alongside? (7,2)

DOWN

1. Groans, “I’m mad” - about being alive (8)

2. A number of our letters have gone missing (4)

3. Weather said to be the rule (4)

4. She’s an adult, having to put on a warm gown (5,5)

5. Previously he took on a bored fan (10)

8. Stupefy when saddled in the middle (5)

9. Disintegrates, as rakes go on a pub crawl (6,2) 14. Demonstrate how the pig goes in headfirst (4)

15. Call is something of an astringent (4)

pitcherwits SOLUTIONS

Across: 1. Offspring. 5. Bur. 6. Gnu. 7. Rainbow. 10. Own. 11. Isidore. 12. Ado. 13. Hamster. 16. Its. 17. Urn. 18. Drawing up.

Down: 1. Organism. 2. Four. 3. Rain. 4. Grown woman. 5. Beforehand. 8. Addle. 9. Breaks up. 14. Show. 15. Ring.

  • For more free Professor Rebus puzzles visit pitcherwits.co.uk

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Maths challenge

QUESTION 1

Using at most one each of the numbers 1, 3, 9 and 27 and just addition and subtraction we can form various numbers such as 2 = 3 − 1, 4 = 1 + 3 and 17 = 27 − 9 − 1. What is the first whole number we cannot form in this way?

QUESTION 2

In another two years, Anne will be four times as old as she was four years ago. How old is Anne?

Maths challenge solutions

QUESTION 1

All whole numbers from 1 to 40 can be formed. The first whole number we cannot form is 1 + 3 + 9 + 27 + 1 = 41.

QUESTION 2

If Anne’s age is A, then A + 2 = 4(A – 4) = 4A – 16 i.e., 3A = 18 and so A = 6. Therefore, Anne is six.

  • Problems and puzzles are posed weekly online by Rod Marshall, Ian Stewart and u3a Maths & Stats Subject Adviser David Martin, and can be found at u3a.org.uk/learning/learning-activities/maths-challenge

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Bridge

From Michael Cleaver, of Lancaster & Morecambe u3a

Drawing trumps?

Draw trumps, take finesses, cash winners. This is the plan on almost any hand where you are declarer, taking the three steps in that order. However, there are frequent occasions where the fi rst task has to be postponed.

North.

♠ 8

♥ J,10,3.

♦ 6,5,4,3,2.

♣ A,7,4,2.

West.

♠ K,9,6.

♥ 8,7,4.

♦ A,K,J,10,9.

♣ Q,9.

South.

♠ A,J,7.

♥ A,K,Q,9,6.

♦Q,7.

♣ K,6,3.

East.

♠ Q,10,5,4,3,2.

♥ 5,2.

♦ 8.

♣ J,10,8,5.

The Auction

South.

1 ♥

4 ♥

West.

2 ♦

Pass.

North.

2♠

Pass.

East.

Pass.

Pass.

The Play

West leads the ♦A, ♦K and ♦J. East throws small spades on the second and third rounds. South should ruff the third round of diamonds and continue with ♠A and another spade, trumping with dummy’s ♥J. She then returns to hand with ♣K and trumps another spade with ♥10. Now she can draw draw trumps and cash ♣A, making 10 tricks: five hearts, one spade, two spade ruffs and two clubs. In this instance, declarer discovers that her total number of winners is only eight(♠A, ♣A,K and five trump tricks). Therefore she must plan to develop two extra tricks by taking two spade ruffs in the dummy. Note that a ruff in the short trump hand is always pure profit – on this occasion South makes seven trump tricks instead of five.

  • What other puzzles and quizzes would you like to see in u3a Matters? Let us know by emailing: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Personal ads

contact Jenni Murphy 020 8466 6139 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Copy to Jenni Murphy
Third Age Trust
The Foundry
156 Blackfriars Road
London, SE1 8EN

Email: advertise@u3a org uk

Deadline for next issue:
30 September 2024

Rate £1.87 a word + VAT @ 20%
Box number charge: £10

A box number is essential for any advertisement seeking contact with others, as we do not publish private postal or email addresses, nor phone numbers, in such advertisements.

Send box number replies to: Jenni Murphy, Third Age Trust, The Foundry, 156 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8EN. Write the Box No above the address on the envelope and remember to enclose your contact details.

As soon as your order is accepted, you will be sent a formal invoice with the details of your order, and you will be asked to pay this before the deadline. Please include a full postal address (not for publication unless requested) with your advertisement and state if you are a member of a u3a and, if so, which one. Remittances should be sent to Jenni Murphy at the national office and cheques made payable to the Third Age Trust.

Holiday advertisements

Readers should ensure any offer complies with UK and EU regulations governing package holidays etc, if appropriate, before parting with any money. The Third Age Trust cannot be held responsible for this.

For sale

SALE: Cottage in Central Brittany. 2 beds, garage, small garden. Ideal holiday home. Picturesque, peaceful village. 60,000€

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Holidays, Canary Islands

TENERIFE Los Cristianos. Luxurious one-bed apartment quiet area close to sea. Karen 07801 472954.

Holidays, Cyprus

CYPRUS, NEAR PAPHOS. Members’ one-bedroom apartment, aircon/heating, large sunny terrace, panoramic sea views, fantastic sunsets, large pool, undercover garaging, Wi-Fi/TV. christine.foster277@

ntlworld.com 01159 312571.

Holidays, Italy

PALERMO, SICILY. Private accommodation for individual or couple. Airport pick-up, drop-off. All meals with Italian host. Programme of accompanied visits. Practise your Italian or just relax. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Holidays, Spain

ALTEA, COSTA BLANCA. Modern 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom, heated apartment. Pool, tennis, garden, garage. Shops, restaurants, beach close. Warm winter area. Transfers available. 029 20759314; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Holidays, UK

POOLE HARBOUR. Shoreline cottage sleeps 4. Stunning views. Close Poole Quay. www.sandbanksview.co.uk. Simon 07860 866183.

BEAUTIFUL RETREAT with stunning views in peaceful National Park location. Ideal for The Lakes and The Dales. www.theroostcottage. co.uk. 07927 295262.

WEST BAY, DORSET. One-bedroom apartment with stunning sea view. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CORNWALL. Just for 2. Comfortable and well equipped. Free Wi-Fi. Village near Truro/ Falmouth. EV charging. No dogs/smokers. Tel: 01209 860402.

www.cornwallallyear.co.uk

NORTH NORFOLK near Holt. Period cottage, sleeps four. Dogs welcome. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 01206 298302.

TOPSHAM, DEVON. 2-bedroom cottage overlooking Exe estuary and hills. Local shops, inns, tea shops, walks. Coast, moors, Exeter nearby. Tel 029 20759314. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

SUFFOLK: Near Woodbridge apartment for two/three. 01473 737717. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

KNODISHALL, SUFFOLK. Cosy Victorian cottage, sleeps 4. Dog friendly. Thorpeness & Aldeburgh 10 mins. Ideal for Minsmere. Visit www.aldeburghcoastalcottages. co.uk/cottages/hazels or call 07786 801379 for further details.

OLD AMERSHAM. Cosy S/C annexe. Sleeps 2. Convenient shops, restaurants, tube and country walks & pubs. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

NORTHUMBERLAND. Comfortable coastguard cottage overlooking sandy beach. Books. Nice pubs. Excellent walks. Warm and well-equipped for six but cosy for two. Regret no pets. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Personal

LOVE CHANGES LIVES Experienced professional dating agency - we introduce attractive, intelligent people for companionship, romance and maybe more. Relaxed, confidential personal interviews in your home. Call Sandra at Affinity, 020 8832 9030. www.affinitylondon.com.

LADY, YOUNG 60s, WLTM N/S gentleman. Enjoys varied interests especially travelling. London based. Reply to Box No 488.

GENTLEMAN WLTM a special, interesting, financially secure lady 60-72. I am young at heart, caring, fun, well spoken and polite. I enjoy good conversation, walking, ballet &much more. Reply to Box No 419.

MALE, 68, MIDLANDS AREA. I have an independent spirit and sense of adventure. WLTM a woman with similar features to develop a mutually respectful but pleasurable relationship. Looks, age or size not important providing you have the above characteristics. Can accommodate or travel. Throw caution to the wind! Reply to Box No 372.

WIDOWER (ACTIVE RETIRED ENGINEER) WLTM lady over 70 living in Bradford-on-Avon area. Reply to Box No 438.

N. STAFFS. EDUCATED LADY, dog lover and nature. Enjoys good conversation, theatre and gym. WLTM gentleman for friendship may be more. Late 60s. Reply to Box No 491.

SURREY WIDOW 78 (YOUNGISH!) WLTM widower 69-79 for companionship and visiting theatre, eating out. Must like dogs. Love all music of 60s/70s/90s. Love The Rolling Stones. N/S Reply to Box No 492.

KENT LADY, YOUNG AT HEART, LATE 70s. Sociable varied interests seeks gentleman for days out companionship etc. Reply to Box No 493.

“BROWN EYED GIRL”, 72 YRS, attractive, youthful, into classical music, rambling, volunteering, WLTM gentleman to enjoy life’s adventures together. Bath & Market Harborough areas. Reply to Box No 393.

CHRISTIAN MALE, 71. GSOH, kind, free spirit who has an appreciation of nature and all creation. Enjoys reading, cycling, keeping fit and travelling in Europe. WLTM lady with similar values and interests. Co. Antrim, N. Ireland. Reply to Box No 494.

GAY WOMAN, 65, enjoys cooking, reading, film, board games, crosswords WLTM similar for laughter and contentment. London. Reply to Box No 380.

SURREY FEMALE, 60s enjoys walking, cycling, travel, theatre, music, laughter, real ale. WLTM man 60-70ish to share interests. Reply to Box 495.

CULTURED N. YORKS LADY, 60s, enjoys theatre, concerts, cinema, walking & travel WLTM like-minded gentleman. Reply to Box No 490.

WIDOWER SLIM, ACTIVE, with many interests including theatre, music, rambling, dancing, travel, dining out. Seeking interesting lady to share pleasures of life. Berkshire & neighbouring counties. Reply to Box No 383.

Wanted

BOOK COLLECTIONS - best prices paid. Martin Johnson 01253 850075.

MINDERS KEEPERS, long established, highly respected home and pet sitting company is looking to recruit mature, responsible house-sitters for paid sits. Please call 01763 262102 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Back to Contents

PRIZE DRAW WINNERS

Well done, winners

Everyone had a great time at the first u3a Festival – but for two members in particular, there was even more to enjoy!

Phil Tweddell from Blyth u3a is the lucky winner of the prize draw from Saga, sponsors of the Festival. He wins a Holiday Voucher worth £6,000, entitling him and his wife Dawn to any Saga escorted tour, hosted holiday or tailor-made itinerary they choose. “When we got the news I’d won, we couldn’t believe it,” he recalls. “There was a lot of cheering and hugging, and shouting out of places we have always wanted to go, like the Maldives, Mauritius and the Caribbean. We’ve already starting looking at places on the Saga website - it will be a tough decision to make!” The couple joined Blyth u3a in 2021,only a year after it started. “We've made some great friends, and nine of us travelled to the Festival,” he says. “The weather was fantastic, and the variety of activities on offer was incredible. Yet the best thing was meeting people from other u3as over meals or drinks, and at the events, workshops and tournaments. The icing on the cake was getting the news that I’d won such an amazing prize from Saga!” Let us know where you decide to go, Phil – and send us a postcard!

Back to Contents

INSIGHT

Thoughts from the chair:

‘This role has been rewarding, challenging, and life-affirming’

As Liz Thackray steps down as u3a’s chair, she shares her memories, observations and hopes for the future.

This is the last contribution I will make to the magazine as chair of the Trust, and is an opportunity to reflect on the past three years and look to the future. Since the word go, I have been very much aware of a tension between celebrating all that is good in the u3a movement – which we did in our anniversary year and continue to do - and recognising that a degree of change is necessary in order to be fit for the future. I have been accused of throwing the baby out with the bathwater, which has never been my intention: rather, we should accentuate the positive while asking what we can do better. We have had change forced on us by the pandemic. I am proud to have led our use of Zoom, leading to others (better qualified) increasing our online presence, developing ‘Let’s Talk Tech’ and working on our digital strategy. I also lay claim to having thrown the first pebble in the pond that led to the Fit for the Future recommendations – and the resolution to be voted on at the next AGM (see page 19 ). It is crucial we have mechanisms that keep us legal, accentuate the u3a voice, and support u3as when things go wrong. As a movement we are dependent upon volunteers, but volunteering must never become too onerous or place too high an expectation on individuals. As chair, I have had the privilege of visiting u3as and participating in group activities in almost all regions. There have been discussions, presentations of certificates, and speaking to large and small gatherings. Just as important have been the opportunities to learn from u3a members and share stories with other u3as. Highlights must include meeting the 16th-century Bishop of London with the Burnham-on-Crouch Archaeology group; a u3a guided tour of Derry/Londonderry; sharing in wine tasting with Causeway u3a; participating in several creative writing groups (including the Oban group that met on the island of Kerrera and involved a ferry and four-wheel drive!); marvelling at craft and art work; attending language groups (where I didn’t understand a word); and participating in a German group. Some u3as are essential parts of their local community – I’ll never forget Gilwern in Monmouthshire – while others provide a place for incomers to find friendship. I have eaten countless biscuits and sandwiches, and drunk many cups of u3a coffee. Many thanks to the numerous u3a members who have welcomed me, challenged me and made me feel at home. Although there have been many positive experiences, I have also been made aware of the challenges faced by u3as: problems recruiting active new members; finding committee members; paying the rising costs of room hire while keeping subscriptions affordable; groups not open to new members... the list goes on and on. Sometimes the experiences of others can help - for example not relying on individuals, but making every committee and leadership role a ‘job share’ – but there can also be resistance to doing things differently. The u3a has been a lifeline to many seeking new friendships, activities and opportunities in new phases of their lives. Many describe it as a well-kept secret, stumbled upon by accident. Our goals for the future must include continuing to raise our profile by whatever means possible, staying loyal to our founding principles, maintaining strong foundations and not over-burdening any individual volunteers. I’m looking forward to being an ordinary u3a member once again!

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