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NewsletterThe

Issue No. 48 May 2016

This is an opportunity for new members, and anyone wishing tofind out more about the U3A, to meet and have a chat to somecommittee members and group conveners in a smaller lessformal setting than the monthly meeting. Coffee is for salealong with the usual range of beverages and the meeting willtake place at the Willowbrook Pub at 11.00 am on Tuesday24th May.Convenor Brian Shield

NEW MEMBERS MEETING

With this month's Newsletteryou are also receiving theNomination Forms for electionof a new Committee to run ourU3A.Those of you getting this issuethrough your e-mail should findanother 2 attachments whichare the forms.Those getting a paper copy ofthe newsletter will also be givenpaper copies of the 2 forms.

One Form is to nominatesomeone for election as one ofthe Officers (see below). Theother is to nominate someoneas a member of the committee(see below).

The Executive Committee ismade up of members of the U3Awho were:-a) elected as Officers (Chair,Vice-Chair, Treasurer & BusinessSecretary), the statutory posts –for official purposes.b) elected as CommitteeMembers (and haveresponsibilities for specificfunctions (e.g. Website, SpeakerSeeker, Membership, etc.) orc) co-opted by the committee tobring skills or attributes which willbenefit the running of the U3A .Eric Rennie

NominationsCommittee

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Your new Co

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Photos - courtesy of the Police Gazette

Grainger,Tom

Cracknell, Christine

Shield, Brian

Dobbs, David

Martinez, Maggie

Jaremczenko, Lynne

Rennie, Eric

Dandie, Nicola Downing, Pat

Bunting, GraemeMartinez, Paul

Terndrup, Tricia

Downing, RichardBailey, Sally

2016/17

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Our Chairman Tom Grainger

The Newsletter is published by The Carlton, Gedling & District U3A. (Reg. Charity No. 1157211)Views expressed are not necessarily those of the U3A or of the Editor, Eric Rennie.Correspondence should be sent to the Editor by e-mail to eg.rennie@ntlworld.com,or by post to 2 Ivy Grove, Carlton, Nott’m, NG4 1RG.The deadline for items for the next newsletter is Sunday, 5th June.

There was a large amount of submitted items this month (which is good!). To fit them all in, the Editorhas had to carefully edit larger items. Apologies if I have altered the style or meaning of your writing.

TheNewsletter

Are You Ready For Another Election?The Annual General Meeting of Carlton & Gedling U3A will be held onThursday 21st July 2016 at 10.30am at The Richard Herrod Centre.That is our usual meeting day. The meeting will begin with AGM matters andstraight afterwards we will have our normal business, coffee, biscuits, and aspeaker.

A nomination form for committee members and officers is included with this newsletter, but ifyou need another one, extra copies will also be available at the meeting on 19th May.We are allowed to have 12 elected members on the Executive Committee including the Chair,Vice-Chair, Treasurer and Business Secretary.The closing date for the return of nomination forms will be Thursday 16th June – the day of ournormal June meeting. Elections will take place at the AGM meeting on the 21st July.If you wish to stand for election, to nominate another member, or to vote at the AGM, you mustbe a paid up member of Carlton & Gedling U3A, so make sure you have renewed yourmembership before the July meeting.Tom Grainger

Mapperley U3A28th April was the InauguralMeeting for the new MapperleyU3A.  There were 76 peoplejoined, a few of whom werealready members of Carlton &Gedling U3A or Arnold U3A.They are people who live closeto the Mapperley venue, andare happy to have a U3A closerto home, but we don't expect tolose them as members atCarlton & Gedling U3A.Good luck to their SteeringCommittee. As neighbours whowent through the same processonly 4 years ago (and can stillremember), we are here foradvice and support. ER

The baby picturedwas foundabandoned at thelast GeneralMeeting. Can youhelp identify thebaby so it can bereturned to itshome. Describedas: age indeterminate, blue eyes and green hair the baby wasdressed only in red pants. Currently being fostered .Please contact Maggie Martinez at the next General meeting.(But has she/he renewed their subscription for next year?)

ShockHorror!

Lost Baby at U3A Meeting

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Event

June 16th General MeetingRichard Herrod (doors open at 10 am) A reminder that this is a Social Event and nota normal meeting

Membership, Theatre, Visits andInternational Dining tables will be in the

small Meeting RoomPlease book your tickets / pay fees etc.between 10 am - 10.30 and 12.15 - 12.45 only

Then everyone can relax in the MillenniumSuite :-· seating at tables for Tea and Cakes· some musical entertainment· Cake and Hat competitions· time to chat with friends - new and oldIf possible could you bring with you· A cake / small cakes for the tables OR· A teapot or coffee pot (vintage style if

you have such a thing)

Join in the competitions by· Bringing along a Showstopper Cake (let us know if you want to take it backhome again)· Making or decorating your own hat

Poems & MusicApril Poetry Group MeetingThere was a smaller than usualattendance at the Group’s April meetingbut we had an excellent afternoonlistening to that month’s subject “Poemsthat had been set to music”. We had found poems from writers asdiverse as the Lowland Scots “Rabbie”Burns to the Australian “Banjo” Paterson.Following our usual format each of usread the poem we had chosen and insome cases we then heard it sung aspeople had brought CDs to illustrate theitem. Poems from Housman’s “A ShropshireLad” were a favourite with Mary, whoused to be a Shropshire lass. Works frompoets as diverse as Yeats, LeonardCohen, and Joel Houston. Even BobDylan got a look in which goes to provethat we range far beyond the sort ofpoetry most of us learnt at school.And “Banjo” Paterson? Well, in 1895in the Out-back he wrote the poem thatbecame the song “Walzing Matilda” andin 2016 the chorus of this was lustily sungby five Poms of mature years in a loungein Carlton! I think he would have been bestoked (Aussie for pleased) to know.

Our Poetry readings always give rise todiscussion and the sharing of memoriesand experiences and this was noexception as we considered the positionof the indigenous people in colonisedcountries, the merits of the variousperformers heard and the emotions andmemories evoked by the poetry andmusic of the afternoon.As usual, Mary provided the idealwelcoming venue and excellent tea andbiscuits.

If you are considering trying the PoetryGroup I have to say that this was notquite a typical meeting. We usually stickto poetry and we have never beforeactually burst into song. However it wastypical of the effort and enthusiasm ourmembers put into finding and readingtheir chosen poems and the pleasure wehad from sharing them.Rene Battershall

Poetry Group

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Photography Classical Music

Classical Music StudyGroupOn 11th April, Nick Clarkpresented an unusual andinteresting morning starting witha rendition of Bach’sBrandenburg Concerto No 3, 3rdmovement-allegro.Unusual? Yes, a synthesisedversion by Carlos, that wasuplifting and made us smile. Theversion was made in the dayswhen layers of the music had tobe added individually;impressive.We then listened to Concerto No2 English Concert (Pinnock) andit was interesting to compare thetwo. A pleasurable morning wasspent listening to Bach, Handel,Scarlatti and Monteverdi.Thank you Nick, some interestingdiscussion during the coffeebreak and a consensus that we’dall enjoyed synthesised as wellas traditional versions of Bachand Handel.Maggie Martinez

There were only seven membersat our April meeting.  However,we had both of the rooms at thefire station so lots of table spacefor cutting out. This was takenadvantage of with cutting out fora dress, two tops and dungarees. Other members made a bag andshortened a blouse.  Next monthwe may try making a storagecaddy from a pattern bought atthe NEC or make a shoulderbag. We have lots of donatedsmall pieces of material whichcan be used for trying patchwork.We are a friendly, chatty groupwith plenty of advice on anyproject.Pamela Bartram

Sewing

SynthesisedApril’s outing saw 20 of us off toPapplewick Pumping Station, built in1881-1884 We had a guided tour of thebuildings, starting outside by thereservoir, which we learned was thewater used for the boilers. The nextpart of the tour took us inside to the twobig beam engine pumps and to admirethe extremely ornate decor. The guideexplained to us how it all worked andthat each engine could pump over amillion and a half gallons of water eachday from the bunter sandstone below,up to a reservoir on the hill above thepumping station. There is a lot ofcopper work in the building and we

wereintrigued by the copper kettles whichthe guide explained were full of oil forlubricating the beam engines!The guide next took us into the boilerroom where there are six big boilersand explained that there were onlythree used at one time when it wasfull capacity. Each would burn 2tonnes of coal per day.We were amazed at the amount ofdetail in the architecture and interiordecor for an industrial building wayoff the beaten track. It was anexcellent outing, which we allthoroughly enjoyed and we tookmany photographs! Mike Pointon

Papplewick Pumping Station

Sewing

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Trips & Visits

Monday 15th August £24Ticket includes:Transport by coachTea/coffee and shortbread on arrival.A private guided tour of DoddingtonHallEntry to the gardens and sculptures.

If you are feeling energetic there are four signedwalks ranging from 30 to 90 minutesfollowing public footpaths and enjoyinglovely views of the hall.Lunch will be available if required fromthe Doddington cafe.Leave Richard Herrod 9amLeave Doddington Hall 4pm

The HallBegun in 1595 by Robert Smythson, oneof England’s foremost ElizabethanArchitects, Doddington Hall wascompleted in 1600 and has never beensold or cleared out since. An example of afine late Elizabethan Mansion, it is still alived-in and much loved family home,alive with history and interestOver 400 years of unbroken familyoccupation has resulted in fascinating

collections of furniture, weaponry, paintings,ceramics, textiles, household objects, porcelain anda wealth of amusing stories all to be found in andaround Doddington Hall.

Sculptures and Gardens at Doddington HallA wonderful variety of sculpture is very artisticallyplaced around the beautiful grounds. For many, theGardens at Doddington are just as spectacular asthe Hall itself. Remaining faithful to the original

Elizabethan layout, mellowwalls provide theframework for the formalEast Front and WestGardens. Beyond the WestGardens begin the lovinglyrestored Wild Gardens.The two-acre WalledKitchen Garden wasrestored to its formerproductive glory in 2007.The Kitchen Garden nowprovides an abundance offruit, vegetables, saladsand herbs which takecentre stage on the Caféand Restaurant menus andare regularly for sale in theFarm Shop.Sue Fairweather

DODDINGTON HALLWith Sculpture Exhibition in the gardens

Tickets £20The visit to this imposingestate in Lincolnshire willinclude a tour of the Houseand entrance to the grounds, gardens and Sculpture Park. Built and mostly designed by WilliamCecil, Lord High Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth I, between 1555 and 1587, the main part of theHouse has 35 major rooms on the ground and first floors.Visitor facilities include the Orangery restaurant, gift shop, gardens and beautiful walks around thehistoric parkland laid out by Capability Brown and still occupied by a herd of fallow deer.Travel will be by minibus, leaving RHC at 8.45am returning by about 5.30pm.Tickets will be on sale at the meeting in June.Maggie Doherty

BURGHLEY HOUSEWednesday7th September

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History Group Liverpool Wine

Reed Bunting

Redshank

Ruff

Tuesday 29th April - extremelyearly on a sunny morning, 52 ofus set off for Liverpool. After abrief discussion regarding tidalmovements for the day it wasdecided to see the AnthonyGormley Statues late afternoonotherwise we would only see .....well sea.Liverpool was bathed in sunshineall day and looking resplendent.Many of the group took the opentop bus tour which was reallyinformative.  Passing ”The CavernClub”, Both the Anglican andCatholic Cathedrals, the LiverBirds building and the threeGraces.  We learned lots of thehistory of the City.A brisk walk along the banks ofthe Mersey where we saw DeniseLewis and Dominic Littlewood

being interviewed and filmed.After lunch we came across themagain in another part of the city(no: we were not stalking them)A trip on the “Ferry Across theMersey” and a hired bike ride,together with a visit to a hostelrywas enjoyed by some!  Severalof the group visited and Museumclose to Albert Dock, much moretime needed to  make the most ofthis attraction.Definitely a great place to visit fora week-end at some other time.3 pm and we left Liverpool for awalk on Crosby Beach. The artwork covering a 2 mile stretchwas amazing.  Manyphotographs were taken, somenot for publication here!Very damp and sandy we madethe return trip after an excellent

day and still the sun shone.Maureen Logan

Liverpool Trip Review

On May Bank Holiday Mondaya few of us made our wayindependently to see the1940s Knees Up atNottingham Castle andBrewhouse Yard Museum.This is a wonderful annual eventwith displays of vintage cars andwartime vehicles, a tent of1940s costumes, air-raidshelters set up in the caves,'Winston' making lots ofappearances and things forchildren to do including buyingold-fashioned sweeties.The museums themselves areopen too. The main attractions,

for me,are thedancingdisplays -jiving toGlennMiller andotherbands of the day - and the sing-a-longs with 'Johnny Victory'(pack up your troubles, I've got alovely bunch of coconuts, Sallyetc). Also of great interest arethe number of people that turnup dressed for the part, from the'bobby' in his helmet, to soldiersin both British and US uniforms,landgirls in trousers and ladieswith 1940s tailored suits andseamed stockings. Oh and youcan get your hair and makeupdone 1940s style by a localbeauty salon. We all met up atthe Castle Pub for a bite to eatbefore the inevitable heavyshowers drove us home again.Lynne Jaremczenko

Knees UpWe have just fixed our programmefor the next 12 months. As inprevious years, there is a mixture of‘bring your own’ tastings andtastings where I provide the wine.The tastings are organized bygrape variety or bycountry/geographical region. Weprovide bread and cheese and thecost, including the room hire is £6or £7, when wines are provided and£2 on ‘bring your own’ evenings. Byway of comparison, mostcommercial wine tastings arearound £25 and up. If you’d like togive us a try, you will be verywelcome and can choose betweentastings on 2nd and 4th Mondays ofthe month. Please sign up at thegeneral meetings or contact medirectly.Paul MartinezPS We had our annual ‘sock’ or‘blind’ wine tasting in April, wherewe demonstrated some modestskills development, but concludedin general that we needed ‘morepractice’.

Wine Programme

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Pardon My French Science Group

Bonjour.    Parlez-vousfrancais ?   Tres bien, ou undebutant.   Voulez-vous parlerun peu plus pour vosvancances francais ?Commandez le vin ?    Lire lemenu ?    Payer la factured`hotel ?    Choisissez vos skis?     Acheter les billets.Demander des directions ?Et beaucoup plus.     Eh bien– venir et avoir du plaisir etde se joindre a Elaine et unedouzaine d`entre nous.   Nousrencontrons deux fois parmois au MGC.    A bientot.Contactez - Brian sur 01159265053.   Il promet dereprondre au telephone enanglais !Brian Callaghan

FrenchConversation Science Group Friday 15th April

For a great many DNA means TV programmes such as “CrimeScene Investigation” where the decaying remains of a crime victimare identified by a personable young doctor or, more seriously, theannouncement of yet further advances in medical science andmiracle cures.

At our Friday meeting Jill Drakeplaced our feet firmly back onearth with a tour through theorigins of life on earth, theevolution of the cell, sexualselection and the mechanism ofhow the cells in our bodiesreplicate with such amazingfidelity thanks to the double helixof DNA. The essential chemistrylesson supporting all this wasmade accessible to scientist andlay person alike.The ensuing discussion touchedupon cells that did not obey thecopying rules resulting in cancers;the potential medical value ofgene therapy; blood groups andthe ethics of genetic research.

If you have an interest in science but are apprehensive of coming to ameeting because you are not a scientist then this friendly group isthe one for you.David Dobbs

DNA

International Dining

Eviva Taverna was the venue forthe second outing of theinternational dining group andwhat a night! Excellent food,good company and the wineflowed. The belly dancer waswell received and as sheshimmied and swirled herscarves several our groupjoined in, well done Richardfor being the only brave man!Lets hope our next night out16 June at AMORES, MainRoad Gedling, will be assuccessful. We need to orderour food in advance so pleasesee me at the general meetingin May.Pat Downing

Eviva Taverna

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5 Miles and a Cup of Tea in the Vale ofBelvoirOn 26th April 24 of us had a beautiful driveinto the Vale of Belvoir to start our walk fromThe Chequers Inn in the pretty village ofWoolsthorpe by Belvoir.We set off at a brisk pace, as rain, or evenhail, was forecast, but the weather remainedmainly sunny and bright, although ratherchilly for the time of year.The route was very varied, and, according toone walker, ticked all theboxes as it included water(the Grantham Canal),woods, fields andmagnificent views acrossthe sunny Vale. Thehedgerows were full of sloeblossom and we wereabsorbed into a field ofwaist high vibrant yellowrapeseed flowers. The laststretch provided a strikingview of Belvoir Castlebefore we enjoyed thehospitality of the Chequers.Maggie Doherty

Vale of Belvoir

5 Miles and..

An interesting meeting this month. D.H.Lawrence’s The Rainbow wasgenerally regarded as disappointing, wordy and “of its time”. Several of thegroup reported reading it when younger and found that it no longer matched theirmemory of it. It opened promisingly, but soon got bogged down as Lawrencelaunched into wordy, but cleverly written flights of fancy, for example, use ofrepeated words to give punch to descriptions.There was a lot of discussion about his intentions. Was he a lone voice trying tobreak away from earlier styles to promote a more psychological approach tocharacters? Unfortunately, his repeated words seemed to turn into repeatedsections and many of the group failed to finish the story. Keith Sherratt

..a Good Book?

The RainbowReading Group

Striders WalkLiving On The EdgeApril Walk. Despite the weather forecast 19 striders setoff for Derbyshire where the weather proved better thanexpected in the morning before deteriorating in theafternoon. The walk took us from the Robin Hood Inn ontoBirchens Edge via a short scramble and after passingNelsons Monument and his 3 ships we descended to theroad before climbing up to White Edge. Instead offollowing White Edge to The Grouse Inn we descended toCurbar Gap and after a short road walk towards Curbarwe ascended onto Curbar Edge which we followed back toCurbar Gap before a short walk along Baslow Edge tookus to Wellingtons Monument. We then descended to theroad passing a magnificent display of Arum Lilies. Aftercrossing the road we skirted Gardom’s edge beforereturning to the car park where people decided the walkhad been a bit edgy but enjoyable.

May Walk. We are back in Limestone Country thismonth for a walk around Hartington. The walk is about8 miles long and involves a few short climbs, but a lotless steep and not as up and down as last month.Transport is by member’s cars and a packed lunch isrequired. Meet in the car park on Ranmoor Road,Gedling at 9.00 am on Thursday 26th May.Convenor Brian Shield

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Theatre VisitsFollowing a successful visit to a Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty(see review below), we’ve reserved some seats for his Red Shoes,next March. These tickets are selling like hot cakes, so grab yoursnow. We also have tickets for two upcoming Lace Market Theatreproductions and the perennial favourite: Classic Thriller Season atthe Theatre Royal. When paying for tickets, it really does help if youcan pay by cheque or, failing a cheque, give us the exact money.Paul Martinez

Collect tickets: Coal, ChicagoTrips on offer:Drama Betrayal by Harold Pinter, 2.30pm, Saturday 25thJune, Lace Market Theatre, £9, Organiser Carolyn BroadhurstLast chance to buy tickets

Drama Cause Celebre by Terence Rattigan, 2.30pm Saturday23rd July, Lace Market Theatre, £9, Organiser Carolyn Broad-hurst Sign up and buy tickets

Drama Classic Thriller Season, 2.30 pm for four Wednes-days: Arsenic and Old Lace July 27th, House Guest August3rd, Father Brown August 10th and Mind Games August17th, ticket for all four shows: £48, Organiser Linda SpencerLast chance to buy tickets

New Ballet Matthew Bourne’s Red Shoes, 2pm, Thursday9th March, £29.50, Organiser: Anne Porter Sign up and buytickets

This was my first time at a balletand I thoroughly enjoyed everyminute, this production hadeverything; drama, humour andromance. The dancers were sotalented mixing traditional andmodern ballet together. The storyline was different but easy tofollow and the sets blended invery well and they changed withsuch speed. The costumes wereboth traditional and distinctive. Ienjoyed the music andrecognised many pieces. Thehighlight was the puppeteers whomade the baby puppet come tolife which was very clever.Overall a wonderful show and Iwould not hesitate to go toanother Matthew Bourneproduction.Geoff Smith

Programme

I’m still buzzing from seeing MichaelFrayn’s play Benefactors. The fouractors portrayed brilliantly the twistsand turns of two couples’professional and personalrelationships. All of the characterswere brought to vivid life by anexcellent cast, in an electrifying taleof architecture, high rise flats, andlow politics set in the East End ofLondon in the 1960s and early 70s.It’s quite unusual to find a play sofull of emotion and also fuzzing withideas. And all of this was takingplace in the intimate space of thestudio at the Lace Market Theatrewhere the actors were only 10 feetaway from the audience. We’ve gottwo more trips to the Lace Marketthis season. If you haven’t found outalready how good this theatre is,grab this chance now.Paul Martinez

Tai Chi Dates for 2016Richard Herrod 10.15 - 11.45 amFirst Thursday each month(except Sept).Dates for your Diary5th May2nd June7th July4th August6th October3rd November1st DecemberThe cost per session is now £4and there is always room for newmembersPlease wear loose casualclothing and flat shoesChairs are provided for anyonewishing to be seatedLynne Jaremczenko07771 801 957Sally Bailey 07787 541 145

Tai Chi

Review: Benefactors Review:Sleeping Beauty

The Drawing, Sketching &Painting Group session dates arebooked for the rest of this year.Wednesdays at 10.30 to 12.30 inthe Carlton Fire Station rooms.They are:- 18th May15th June20th July17th August21st September19th October16th NovemberWe each work on our own art, inwhatever medium we want to use,but in a convivial group setting. Oursmall group has some space towelcome new members.Eric Rennie

Drawing GroupDates for 2016

Drawing

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Local History GroupGedling ChurchThe sun was shining as16 members of the LocalHistory Group met at AllHallows Church, Gedlingfor a tour guided by NeilKendrick who led usinside and seated us inthe controversial newchairs, which replacedthe pews last year. Fromhis lectern at the front,Neil gave us a short

history of the church, parts of whichdate back to the 11th century.The most striking part of the churchis the spire, (early 14th C.) and isthe 2nd tallest in the county (thespire itself is 91 feet tall, and thetower is 89 feet). The spire is notedfor its ‘entasis’, or bulge, whichmeans that the tip of the spirecannot be seen when one looksupwards from the base of the tower.The entasis is intended to give theillusion of straightness, but thisbulge is actually larger thanintended, which gives the spire aunique profile.We then embarked on the tour ofthe church, firstly to view theVictorian font, (the original font nowstands just outside the entranceporch. A wall panel lists all the pastRectors and Vicars of Gedling. Neilexplained that Gedling had 2parsons; a Vicar appointed by thePrior and Convent of Shelford and aRector appointed by the patron ofthe living. High on the walls are fivecanvasses - the funeral hatchmentsof members of the family of the

Earls of Chesterfield, from early19th c.The West Window is a new addition(2002) to the church, showingscenes in Gedling at the end of themillennium, including the colliery,the Fountain and Gedling House.

A 24 candles chandelier is one of apair which provided all the light inthe church during the 19th century.As we approached the choir vestrywe saw a panel on the wall whichgave details of the eight bells whichhang in the tower. We had a quickdiversion into the vestry at the footof the tower, and noted the namesof past bishops (of Southwell andYork) and rectors all over the walls.On the North wall is the memorialtablet to those men of Gedling who

gave their lives in theFirst World War. Furtheralong on the wall is afragment of what isbelieved to be the crosswhich was situated atthe road junction withMain Road. Behind thesmall altar is a paintingby Jovenet, which isbelieved to be the oldestitem in the church. Thepulpit is made up of four

Elizabethan panels which wereends of the pews replaced in 1871.Passing the choir stalls, Neil told usof the three wall seats (sedilla) andtwo stone bowls (piscina) beingatypical as one is more usual. TheEast window is a memorial to thosewho died in the Great War and wasdonated by Sir John Turney, wholived in Gedling House, in 1919. Asmall, low window was then pointedout to us; this is known as a LepersWindow but was more probably justan opening through which a handbell was rung at the point ofconsecration during Mass. This waslater glazed, to provide some morelight.Neil told the theory that FrancisLovell, known to be Richard III’s‘oldest and dearest friend’ liesburied within the church - Lovelldied whilst crossing the River Trentfollowing the Battle of Stoke in1487. Perhaps we’ll see a visitorcentre before too long?Out into the graveyard, Neil told usthe stories of the great Victoriancricketers Arthur Shrewsbury andAlfred Shaw, who lie a cricket pitch(plus a bowler’s run up) apart.There is also the grave of JohnFlinders (died 1798) who served asa soldier for 62 years. When hecame home to Gedling he foundliving with his relatives intolerableand went to live in the Workhousebecause it had the sameregimentation he had been used toall his military career. The earliestgrave marker is dated 13 May 1712.At this point the tour concluded andwe drifted off into the sunshine afterproffering profound thanks to Neilfor sharing his knowledge with us.An extremely interesting afternoonwas enjoyed by all.For the July meeting, we shall bevisiting the National HolocaustMuseum at Laxton, in a joint visitwith the History Group. Pleasevisit our table at the May meetingto register and pay the £7 fee.Graham & Anne Palmer

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Music Appreciation

???????????Numbers were a little depleted this month but nevertheless we hada lively debate. In the case of 'should the voting age be dropped to16', I was totally outvoted - most people feeling that 16 year olds arenot mature enough, or have enough broad knowledge to make ajudgement. The other issue ' local, regional devolution' came asfairly new information to the group. We discovered that not onlyManchester (the northern powerhouse), but also Sheffield, Teeside,Lincolnshire, West Midlands and several other areas are well downthe line towards regionaldevolution and will alleventually have theirown Regional Mayors(Boris lookalikes) tocontrol an extra budgetfor local infrastructure,transport, housing etc.Sadly Notts and Derbyshave fallen out and inthe East Midlands weappear to be at astandstill with no agreedproposal to put forward.

Next month the meeting is on Monday 23rd May and we will betalking of various animal matters - badger culling, fox hunting and'should our zoos be closed?'.Lynne Jaremczenko

DiscussionVoting For 16 Year Olds?

(it shouldn’t have happened to us - but did!)Michael Harrison gave an illustrated talk about his days as aMidland Red Bus Driver in Birmingham in the 60s and 70s.Not quite what some expected – funny situations on the buses,perhaps?Transport enthusiasts would have enjoyed some of it but too muchinformation about the “infamous Model D9 buses”. Some of thedescription of the primitive driver's cabs was interesting – 'crashboxes', 'double de-clutching', the cabs having no seat (driversbrought their own cushion to sit on top of the fuel tank), the cabhaving only a gear stick, a brake and an iffy speedometer.

But it was long! I thought it was a good sign when he reached aslide titled 'It Shouldn't Happen To a Bus Driver' – this is where hefinishes and says thank you? Oh No.The best parts were what most of you in the audience couldn't see –Pat Downing, our speaker seeker, standing at the back of the roomfrantically waving her arms trying to get Mr Harrison's attention tostop (and failing heroically). I think the U3A needs to invest in a bighook!Eric Rennie

April Guest SpeakerIt Shouldn’t Happen To A Bus Driver

Speaker

On the 26th April, our musicaltheme was 'Questions' in the title.12 of us brought in a motleyselection of tracks in variousrecorded formats befitting theages of our members.The pieces ranged from Bowie'sclassic 'Life On Mars?' (the recordlabel has the ?) through to AmyWinehouse's fabulous version of'Will You Still Love MeTomorrow?'.There was Folk – Sandy Denny'Who Knows Where The TimeGoes?', Bert Jansch 'Do You HearMe Now?'There was Rock – Led Zeppelin'Hey Hey What Can I Do?', Queen'Who Wants To Live Forever?',Jimi Hendrix 'Hey Joe (where yougoing with that gun in your hand?)'There was RnB – The Contours –'Do You Love Me?', WhitneyHouston 'Where Do Broken HeartsGo?', Frank Wilson 'Do I LoveYou?'.There was Pop - The PoppyFamily 'Which Way You GoingBilly?' The Everley Brothers 'WhenWill I Be Loved?', CreedenceClearwater Revival 'Who'll StopThe Rain?'…..not fogetting Jazz - BillieHolliday ‘Am I Blue?’.+ many more. Someone evencheated with the group called ?and the Mysterians performing ‘96Tears’.Our next session is May 24th at2.00 in Richard Herrod Centre andthe chosen theme is “Locations”.More rummaging in the atticsthrough those long forgottenrecords? (is that a question?).Eric Rennie

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Watch the BirdiesBirdwatchingAttenborough in MayA reminder that the May birdwatching trip on Friday 13th May is tothe Attenborough Nature Reserve, due to the cancellation of Whisby.Monies will be returned to those who originally booked the Whisbytrip, but we can visit it in the future.Attenborough is a lovely site, with varying landscape and two hidesavailable to the public. There are cafe, shop and toilet facilities plusplenty of help on hand from the wardens should you need it.

Mild, Sun/cloud/rain, Slightbreeze (SW).Sixteen enthusiastic membersturned out, bins to hand, hearingaids switched on. Conditions wereideal with a warming sun, a wispof a breeze and still very littlefoliage cover. Good southerlywinds had moved in migrants inincreasing numbers days earlier.A

Chiffchaff from south of theSahara, was the first warblerheard some distance away. Notto be outdone, another warbler, aWillow Warbler, from tropicalAfrica displayedwell. These twowarblers wereprevalentthroughout thereserve, an oasishidden behind anindustrial estate inNetherfield. A truegem.Cetti's warbler,unlike the otherwarblers areresident in theseisles but thesefurtive, skulkingbirds are easily

heard but rarely seen.Other long distance migrants, theSand Martin and Barn Swallow,were seen trawling between therailway bridge arches for smallinsects. Good photographicsightings of Reed Bunting, moreeasily seen now in the breedingseason. Towering Buzzardsoverhead taking advantage of thethermals. A single good sighting aBlackcap, up to three NorthernWheatear, ground dwelling birdsfrom Africa, were seen on a newlyploughed patch of earth. Finallyas we began to think of headingback the Green Woodpecker in itsmournful call said cheerio. A veryenjoyable visit and with morearrivals in coming weeks it’ll getbetter. However more foliage willcreate more cover and thewarblers which spend most oftheir time concealed in vegetationwill be harder to find.Joan Miller & Mo Logan

Netherfield Lagoons - April

Don’t know what you call this flock!

Chiffchaff

We recently went to a rollickingperformance at the Playhouse of theabove play.Written in 1835 by Ukrainian, NikolaiVasillyevich Gogl-Yanovski itremains very relevant today. Itportrays a Russian town run by acorrupt, lazy Mayor and others inoffice, yet the ordinary folk areignored and undervalued. TheMayor hears that a GovernmentInspector is coming incognito andhe gives orders to quickly rectifymany neglected aspects of life in thetown. A dissolute stranger ismistaken as the Inspector, invited tostay at the Mayor’s house and givenfine hospitality and can’t believe hisluck. Needless to say it all leads tohigh farce and fast action, which isnightmarish.The set was wonderfully presentedas the foyer to the Mayor’soffice/home complete with varioussmall balconies, a working lift andvarious staircases, and a revolvingdoor. The actors frequently chasedaround this set with great agility.The unique production wasperformed by the Birmingham Repin conjunction with Ramps on theMoon, which promotes disabledactors. The cast included ablebodied actors as well as those whowere profoundly deaf or physicallydisabled but the performance wasso good that one forgot this and justenjoyed an excellent cleverproduction. There were threesigners who were actors too andsigned for their fellow actors as wellas the audience.The Nottingham Playhouse is one ofa handful of theatres, around Britain,actively promoting disabled actorsThe aim is to make suchperformances more commonplaceand I would recommend anyone inany doubt to go to see thisperformance or others like it andenjoy a wonderful evening ofexcellent acting and thoroughlygood entertainment.Brian & Jill Thomas

Theatre Review:The GovernmentInspector