newsletter no. 101 december 2021
TRANSCRIPT
Newsletter No. 101 December 2021
Contents Page
Editor’s notes 2
Chairperson’s report “Thank You” 3
Art Appreciation (group 2) 4/5
Craft group 5
Learn Chess 6
Cinderella tickets 6
Monthly dates 2022 7
Speakers for the next three months 8
Walkie talkie group 9/10
Sunday Lunch 11
Book reviews x 4 12-15
Quiz 16/17
Jokes 18
New Members and Visitor’s 19
Quiz answers 20
Enfield age Uk – fitness sessions / women recovering from Cancer 21
Registered Charity No. 1070139 Website www.enfieldu3a.org.uk
General enquiries 07925 123763
EDITOR’S NOTE
Over the last few weeks, I have been looking at some previous newsletters
given to me by Joy and I have just noticed that we don’t usually have a
newsletter in December, at some point during this pandemic I have got out of
sequence? But I am sure we may get back on track at some point. Thank you to
all those that have taken the time to send items for the newsletter this year.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support since
I joined the u3a Enfield and the committee, have a wonderful Christmas with
friends and family. Also have a joyful New Year, please stay safe.
New U3A Website
www.U3asites.org.uk/enfield
Great news members we have a new web site for U3A Enfield, colourful and
bright, so as things move forward and we add new and interesting pages with
information for you to view, can you visit the new site and give us feedback on
the layout. We would also like you to give us your ideas of what should be
included on the website, forward you’re ideas to us by email to;
CHAIRPERSON’s REPORT “Thank You”
At our AGM in October we were able to say a proper ‘Thank You’ to three
former committee members. Joy Lewis and Frances Pope both resigned in
October 2020 following many years of service on the Committee.
Joy had held the offices of Secretary and Chairman during her time, and it was
my pleasure to take over the chairmanship from her in 2019. For many years
Joy has organized the Freedom Pass trips. Many members have been able to
enjoy a variety of visits in and around London. She continues to be an active
member, joining the u3a steering group this year.
Frances had also held the role of Secretary and Treasurer, in her latter role
she brought the banking system into the 21st Century by introducing electronic
banking and the convenient BACs system for payments.
Pauline Creer had also held the role of Chairman, and my membership of the
committee is as a result of being in Pauline’s Scrabble group! In addition to
Scrabble and her committee work, Pauline also organized and led the walking
group, an extremely popular group which took members all around the local area
and beyond. Pauline has now left our u3a as she has moved out of the area to be
closer to family.
All three have worked tirelessly and we hope they enjoy the tokens of
appreciation they received. Without such commitment, we would be unable to
have a committee and so run your u3a.
Chris Burnikell
Group 2
We had our 2nd meeting in real time since the easing of the Coved restrictions
- so much better than Zoom! It must be said, in fairness, Zoom did serve a
purpose & we were very grateful for it even if sometimes a little bemused!
At our meeting today we looked at the work of two artists who collaborated
with a series of allegorical paintings depicting, 'The Five Senses'.
Two Dutch Painters - Jan Brueghel - The Elder 1568 to 1625 and Peter Paul
Rubens 1577 to 1640
The paintings are in the Prada Museum in Madrid. They are oil on wood and
2ft.2in x 3ft.7in in dimension.
During this collaboration Brueghel was responsible for the settings of the work
and Rubens the figures.
… ..
Each image is devoted to one of the senses.
In the 'Allegory of Sight' the gallery is filled with precious paintings and
objects e.g. astronomical instruments, carpets, portrait busts and porcelain. All
things relevant to the subject in hand.
During the research for this session I found that one of the earliest known
examples of, 'The Five senses' theme were the 'Lady and The Unicorn' series
of tapestries dating to around 1500.
We also managed to watch a short YouTube piece about the life and work of
Grinling Gibbon (we did smile when the sub-titles gave his name as 'Grinning
Gibbon!!😊) Gibbon was born, lived and did his apprenticeship in the Netherlands
although both his parents were English.
His great skill was Woodcarving and unlike most previous carvings that were in
oak he used Lime wood it being a much softer less dense wood he was able to
sculpture 3 dimensionally. He arrived in London as a young man and eventually
became famous for his work in the aftermath of the Great Fire of London
where so much of the city had been destroyed.
His work is to be found in St. Paul's Cathedral, Church of St. James, Piccadilly,
Royal Hospital, Chelsea, Petworth House and Hampton Court Palace.
His skilled craftsmanship is stunning.
Still so much to see & enjoy in the world of art.
Gill Long
The craft group decoupaged some bottles using napkins.
If you are interested in joining, we meet on the second Wednesday in the
morning
Chris
LEARN CHESS
Do you want to learn Beginners/Intermediate Chess? Barnet u3a are starting a
Chess club at Oakwood Library on 1st and 3rd Wednesdays at 3 – 5 pm. Starting
in January 2022 next year. The cost is £2 each per session to pay for the
room. Please contact Ramesh Kapoor - [email protected] for further
details. Phone no. 020 8440 0461.
Andrew Lloyd Webber's CINDERELLA
There are a few tickets available for Andrew Lloyd Webber's CINDERELLA for
the matinee of Wednesday 23rd February. So long as all 20 tickets are sold the
cost will be £35 for group tickets normal price £79.50. If interested please
contact Gaynor Green at [email protected]. It will be first
come first served for the remaining few tickets.
SPEAKERS FOR THE NEXT THREE MONTHS
JANUARY 10TH
Geoffrey Barton “The Tottenham Outrage”
In 1909 robbers carry out a wages snatch next to Tottenham Police
Station. Police preparing for work abseil out of the windows in their pyjamas
and give chase. 400 residents join the chase and having served in the army
bring their own guns. 4 are killed and 26 shot in a chase lasting over 6 hrs.
FEBRUARY 14TH
David Allen “The Making of Gone with the Wind”
Discover the journey from page to screen of this great movie. Watch favourite
clips from the film including behind the scenes footage of "Scarlett" auditions,
the premiere and Oscar ceremony attended by all stars plus author, producer,
directors and writers. With all the gossip, scandals, hiring’s and firings and
backstage bust-ups.
MARCH 14TH
Toni Mount Medieval Medicine
As well as medicines derived from plants doctors also included animal based
remedies, some of which would horrify us today but others, less grim, include
snail slime used to treat burns and scalds that is currently making a comeback
today.
Gaynor x
WALKIE TALKIE GROUP
For the October walk we met up at Pickets Lock Centre (although, once again,
many of us met up on the top deck of a W8 bus). Avoiding the Covid testing
station and the athletics track we made our way down Picketts Lock Lane to the
Lock itself and the River Lee Navigation. Here we were joined by some of our
number who had already walked from the other end.
It was a beautiful autumnal morning and we had a pleasant stroll along the canal
bank. We passed Ponders End Lock and Brimsdown, the Silicon Valley of its day
where some of the first electric light bulbs, vacuum flasks and electric heaters
were made. Now it appears to be a prime warehousing site for online delivery
services. On one side of the water are these huge hangers and on the other
the green slopes of the reservoirs with what looked like wild horses grazing.
We also saw plenty of water fowl, geese, cormorants and even a kingfisher -
although, sadly, no one was quick enough to get a picture.
We walked on passed the Swan and Pike Pool and the boatyard to Enfield Lock.
Some enthusiastic walkers carried on from there to Forty Hall while others
took the bus back to Enfield but some of us called in at the Greyhound pub for
a spot of lunch. This is an old pub which at one time provided a ferry service
across to the Royal Small Arms factory before the bridge was built. However,
now the factory has gone it would appear that it does not usually have that
many customers on a Thursday lunchtime and we were slightly concerned when
the barman announced that he had to go and bake the bread. Luckily, this
didn’t take quite as long as we feared and we all got home in good time.
In November Graham led 16 of us on a tour of the eastern side of the City of
London. We met at St Paul’s and took in many of the famous sights: St Mary le
Bow, with the famous bells which decide if you are a true Cockney or not, the
old Billingsgate market, once the largest fish market in the world and now an
“events space”, HMS Belfast, Tower Bridge, Fenchurch St station and Leaden
hall Market with its beautiful ironwork, the “inside out” Lloyds building, Bank of
England and Guildhall where the Lord Mayor’s coach was on display as the Lord
Mayor’s Parade was the following Saturday. But we also explored some less
well- known alleyways and spaces which were equally interesting.
It happened to be Remembrance Day, 11th November, and as we stopped by the
side of the Thames near Tower Bridge a boat came by with a brass band (it
could have been a recording but we liked to think not) playing appropriate music
which was a nice surprise. It was another beautiful day and the City was
looking its best. At the end of the walk some of us tried the café in the crypt
of St Mary le Bow and heard the bells at least once putting us well on the way
to becoming Cockneys.
For the December walk we are going to Green Park and then on to see the lights
of the West End. In January, all being well, we will be having the traditional
brunch at Whitewebbs.
Gill Fletcher
Sunday lunch group
The Sunday lunch group started in February 2020, convened twice then had to
take a long break along with everything else. However, we are now back on the
road doing our best to support the hostelries of Enfield.
What I don't like about office Christmas parties is looking for a job the
next day. -Phyllis Diller
By Sandra
1. OVER MY DEAD BODY BY JEFFREY ARCHER
This is the 4th book in a series relating to Detective Chief Inspector William
Warwick. Not essential to have read the previous 3, but it helps to understand
this 4th one and make it more enjoyable.
It is fast paced and an unput-downable story of betrayal, revenge and murder.
In London we have the Metropolitan Police set up a Unit known as "The Cold
Case Squad".
In Geneva we have Miles Faulkner convicted of forgery and theft---supposedly
having died 2 months ago---but did he die? and if so, why is his lawyer very
heavily involved in the story.
And then we have a Luxury Liner on its way to New York, and a power struggle
is taking place among the family of the Liner's owners.
And all 3 are linked together by the main character William Warwick.
There is a comment on the back cover by the Daily Mail, and it reads:
"Peerless master of the page turner" which well describes the Author.
2. WHEN THEY FIND HER BY LIA MIDDLETON
The cover of this book states: "You told them your daughter is
missing. They'll soon know the Truth..."
So, you are drawn into the story immediately before you have read the first
page.
It starts when Naomi, recently divorced from Alden, is reluctantly allowed to
have her estranged four-year old daughter, Freya, to stay the night.
What happens that night cause Naomi to tell a massive lie, which could
eventually risk the future of the baby she is now carrying?
We learn through flash backs what went wrong with her marriage and why her
ex-husband was so reluctant to let her have Freya to stay the night.
It is left to us to decide if there is a mental problem here, and when you find
that her ex-husband has married her best friend, you feel tremendous
sympathy for Naomi.
One quote that I think sums up this book was by Sarah Pearse, "I couldn't stop
turning the pages"
3. THE PARTY CRASHER BY SOPHIE KINSELLA
What a light-hearted this book is. I usually associate the author with "scatty"
main characters, but in this book, the main character Effie is a little less
scatty, but hugely loveable and brings much laughter to the story.
This book is about family love and family tensions and is the best kind of
escapism.
Effie is distressed to find her parents are splitting up and that her Dad has
taken a new girlfriend, much younger than him and rather sexy.
Now the couple are selling up the family home they decide to have one last
grand party. I really loved the phrase "House Cooling" as opposed to "House
Warming."
Because of conflict over the parent’s separation, Effie is not invited to the
party, even though her siblings are attending.
However, Effie is going to have to gate crash the party to find where she left
her beloved Russian Dolls and remove them before the house is sold.
Then she bumps into a previous boyfriend and realizes she still cares greatly
for him, and he agrees to help her look for the dolls.
It is a joyously funny story with wonderful characters.
I think this book is summed up by Good Housekeeping with the words:
"Kinsella at her put-a-smile-on-your-face best.
4. WHERE THE GRASS IS GREEN BY LAUREN WEISBERGER
The first book I ever read by this author was The Devil Wears Prada, and
anything else she has written is just as good, and sometimes even better.
Peyton Marcus is a lady who has EVERYTHING. She stars in a morning TV show
and is brilliant at this job. She is happily married, and has a seventeen year old
daughter, Max, who is preparing to go to one of the finest colleges in the
States.
There is also Peyton's sister Skye, who unlike her sister is a stay-at-home
Mom....so very different to her Sister.
However, when the sky falls in for Peyton and Max, it is to her that the run for
help.
There is a huge lie that changes everything, puts Peyton's career in jeopardy
and risks Max's chances to go to this wonderful University.
But who is responsible for this lie?
Jane Green writes: "Lauren Weisberger hilariously skewers affluent
suburbia....such a witty, well-observed world" and Adele Parks says "Feisty,
funny and dishes up glamour and scandal in spades."
Well, we haven’t been able to have quiz for a while, so here’s something to
keep you thinking…..
(Answers at the back)
TO NEW MEMBERS AND VISITORS
On behalf of the Committee, a warm welcome to all new members who have
joined since the last issue of the Newsletter.
I hope you will enjoy your time in our U3A and take every opportunity to take
advantage of what is on offer. Please don’t be shy to make your own suggestions
and ask anyone if you are at all unsure about anything.
If you enjoy the social aspect of our meetings at u3a, it is suggested that we
start coffee mornings that will be held on the fourth Monday of each month,
perhaps in the “Dugdale Centre” when it reopens. Other suggested venues are
The “Moon under Water” or the “Skylight Restaurant” in Pearson’s. In the
meantime, a sign-up list will be on Eileen's table to see how much interest there
is.
CONTACTS:
General enquiries; Michael Witter 07925 123763
Group Information; Eileen Flack 020-8350-3679
Membership; Chris Truran 07881 711508
Treasurer; Stephanie Milverton 07968 286560
ANSWERS to WACKY WORDS
1.forget it 7. Bee line 13. Bump in the night 19.Thinking outside the
box
2. Black Jack 8. Cancelled Cheque 14. First Aid 20. 6 feet under
3. Somewhere over the
rainbow
9. Once upon a time 15. 1 in a million 21.Won by a nose
4. Back door 10. Green eggs and ham 16 Apple pie 22. Too big to ignore
5. Reading between the
lines
11. Try to understand 17. ice cube 23. Half baked
6. Blood is thicker than
water
12. Downtown 18. Rockin’ around the
Christmas tree
24. Neon lights
Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing up
is like shoveling the sidewalk before it stops snowing.
-Phyllis Diller
Age UK Enfield’s NEW service: tailored fitness sessions for women recovering from Cancer treatments
Age UK Enfield have launched a new service for women over 50 living in Enfield or Haringey who are recovering from cancer treatment. This Girl Can, which is funded by Sport England, provides a series of exercise sessions, trying out different sessions each week, with the aim of building self-confidence and wellbeing. Often getting back to exercise, or starting out with exercise, can be daunting after completing treatment for cancer. You may be nervous about the impact that exercise will have on your post-treatment body, or unsure how hard to push yourself. Our trained staff can advise and put your mind at rest. Jo Partridge, This Girl Can Co-ordinator said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for people who are recovering from cancer treatment to come together to sample a range of different exercises. Hopefully they will find one that really fits with them and they will continue beyond the course. ‘Exercise is such an important part of recovery, helping with both physical and mental health, strength and flexibility. This Girl Can provides this within a friendly and supportive environment. ‘The free exercise book and resistance band we provide is proving popular as it enables women to continue the exercises we cover in their own homes’. The sessions take place on Thursday afternoons at Southgate Methodist Church, 47 The Bourne N14 6RS. Sessions are suitable for all levels. Please contact us to book your place on 020 8375 4120 or email [email protected]
www.ageukenfield.org.uk