Odiham & District U3A

Odiham & District U3A Newsletter February 2020

Dear Members,

February already, the snow drops are out and the daffodils are on their way! We appreciate for some of you using a 'link' to open the Newsletter has not been without problems! However, thank you for persevering as using a link means we can brighten up our Newsletter with photographs and extend its length. Group Gossip continues to be popular and this month we begin a series highlighting the villages which make up the extended family of 'Odiham & District U3A'. We begin with North Warnborough, kindly submitted by Viv Needham; if you would like to share the delights of your area, please send them by 'reply' to the Newsletter or pass them on to any member of the Committee.

Cross Barn Monthly Meeting

Wednesday 5th February: David Boag - The Comical Puffin

Those who remember David’s talks on the Kingfisher and the Wilds of Canada will not want to miss this talk. The Puffin was the subject of his second book and is not only a very popular bird but also an amazing bird in its lifestyle.

Groups News

Group Leaders; The Core of our U3A

When one thinks about it, though we are all members of Odiham U3A, the reality is that, apart from monthly meetings and enrolment day, the core of our relationship with the U3A is through the groups we each choose to join.

And core is the theme of the annual gathering we have at this time of the year for group leaders and which is happening at the start of February.

Firstly and most importantly it is the Committee’s way of saying a big “thank you” on behalf of all members to Group Leaders for all they do in running their groups. Quite simply they are the heart of the U3A:

The lecture follows the Puffin throughout its life and reveals to the audience some amazing pictures both inside the underground nest and underwater chasing fish. Whilst enjoying the Puffin’s antics, David will explode the concept that the Puffin is not just a comical bird of the cliff top, but rather an efficient master of the ocean.We will enjoy some unique photography in some stunning locations of a bird that can only be described as a photographer’s dream.

Secondly it provides an opportunity to involve them in all the latest developments, for example Beacon which is our new management system and building on this we have already been able to totally revamp the website and substantially update the newsletter. And looking forward we will be discussing other changes, which will reduce the administrative burden for all our hard-working volunteers.

As we reach our 10th anniversary this year, we will inevitably reach a point where some group leaders, especially those who have been running their groups for a number of years, will wish to step back. It is vital that we encourage a new cohort of members to step forward and lead or co-lead groups or to initiate new groups. We will also be discussing this at our get together.

The day will end with a ‘thank you’ lunch for group leaders and give them an opportunity to exchange experiences and enjoy each other’s company, in the U3A spirit of “learning, laughing and living”.

Nicki Baker & Hugh Thomas (Group Coordinators)

The Groups Team, Philip, Nicki and Hugh who can be contacted at any time at groups@odihamu3a.org.uk.

Four New Trips!

Kathy & Sally are in the process of launching 4 new trips with dates to be confirmed ASAP. Please let them know if you would be interested in any of them as booking will open as soon as dates confirmed.

SPRING: Private Tour of The Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst including the Prestige Rooms of Old College, the RMAS Museum & the Royal Memorial Chapel.

SUMMER: A visit to Chartwell in Kent, former home of Sir Winston Churchill. See newly opened family rooms that have never been seen before by the public with newly acquired historic and personal objects that belonged to Churchill.

AUTUMN: ‘Hello Dolly’ at Adelphi Theatre. Starring Imelda Staunton.

WINTER: Sadlers Wells, Matthew Bourne’s ‘The Nutcracker’, Thursday, January 21st, 2.30 matinee.

Kathy & Sally can be found in the foyer of Cross Barn at the monthly meetings and can also be contacted at trips@odihamu3a.org .uk or phone one of the numbers on Page12 of the U3A handbook.

Events

WANTED! Members to join us for an evening of Dicey Horse Racing at 7pm on Thursday February 27th at Odiham Bowls Club. No experience required, come alone or with a friend (lifts can be arranged). For £12 per head we will provide fake money, large dice, wooden horses and of course SUPPER. Drinks will be available to purchase from the bar.

The event can be as energetic or as sedentary as you wish. Liz and Pauline will be in the foyer of the Cross Barn at the February meeting and can sign you up or supply further information.

Alternatively you can email events@odihamu3a.org.uk or phone one of the numbers on Page11 of the U3A handbook.

Group Gossip

Current affairs - Odiham has its own election guru. In fact it has two!

As an election diversion the Current affairs Group asked members at its November meeting to predict the number of seats that each of the two major parties and all others would win. With his prediction of 364 Roger Booth came within 1 seat of the actual number of seats the Tory’s won but Gordon Wrenn was the closest to the overall election result.

Certainly they both demonstrated the close attention that members pay to current events but in a year when it would have been all too easy and frustrating to get “bogged” down in Brexit as the country seemed to, the Group has consciously sought to keep an eye on wider matters.

Thus along with trying to understand and anticipate the “snakes and ladders” of negotiations and extensions and even how Brexit came about, members have led fascinating discussions covering a wide range of issues. They have included:

Prisons and prison reform: Reassuringly there was no firsthand experience to call upon! Education: Not only a room full of personal experience but also a wide range of professional

expertise to ensure a good discussion. Artificial Intelligence:

Examining different democratic systems: Then different groups attempted to design their ideal system but, in the best democratic tradition, there was no consensus.

Reviewing the changes in the world during our lifetime: Not only has global population doubled but also overall the quality of life has substantially improved. This sparked a lively discussion as to why we generally have a negative perception regarding progress.

The “me too’ movement: Its genesis and implications for gender equality and the obstacles in the way of true equality.

And looking ahead the Group will turn its eagle eyes onto railways, global warming and whether we need a written constitution, while no doubt following closely how the new government tackles its large agenda.

The one certainty is that Current Affairs will never run out of interesting subjects!

Hugh Thomas (Co-Group Leader)

U3A Family

North Warnborough

'Shhhhhhh block out the sound of modern-day traffic. Close your eyes and picture this approach to North Warnborough ...'

What actually is it and how it could develop. This sparked a wide-ranging discussion on what could be its implications for our lives and future employment and requisite skills as well as its possible implications for civil liberties.

Start your journey by coming past the Hogget, formerly The Dorchester arms and head to the motorway roundabout except now you see, instead, a race course! This operated for nearly 120 years until 1879 when the Sportsman reports on a special train running to Winchfield for a meeting in June. The end is confirmed when, in June 1880, Sporting Life said, 'Hampshire week used to open with Odiham but after flickering once or twice the socket appears to have died the death of the weak.' The grandstand, previously filled with large crowds of reveller’s cheering on as many as 35 runners in a race, continued to be used as a venue for auctions into the 80s and 90s.

Continue your journey along the North Warnborough road and cross the River Whitewater passing The Mill House on your right. This was formerly called Kings Mill and is one of two mills in North Warnborough (eight are listed under Odiham in the Domsday book). Although it burnt down in 1345, it was rebuilt and remained in the ownership of the Lords of the Manor until 1920. Some parts of the mill date from the 17 th Century.

Amble on past Castle Bridge admiring the 16th and 17th Century cottages and then on toward to The Cat which was a beer house from 1875-1908. Sadly it no longer serving drinks to the thirsty and the once busy blacksmith's shop, which was attached to it, has also disappeared. Next, it's up over the canal to Priors Corner where we now have a roundabout. However, back in the day, there was a large pond here and next to the village hall, was Priors Store.

Finally turn right, being careful not to get your feet wet in the pond, and stroll up North Warnborough Street. Resisting the temptation of the mid 19th century pub, The Anchor, on the right wander up to The Compass, a beerhouse on the opposite side of the road also mid-19th century, closing in 1920. A short stagger takes you to The Jolly Farmer, which is now the old Post Office on the corner of Laurel Close; it opened 1847 and closed 1908. Finish your journey by looking right to find the 15th century Cruck Cottage, surely one of the highlights of the Street. It's unique construction using a crook frame, a pair of curved timbers supporting the roof of the building, makes it stand out in an already distinctive North Warnborough street.

Viv Needham U3A member from North Warnborough

Although nothing can be seen of this now, part of the course runs nearby and this is where The Lord Derby pub gets is name. If you have visited Bartley Heath and walked on the tarmac near the Lord Derby, you have walked on the road that led to Hook and the Dorchester Arms; it forked just north of the Pottery.