May 2018 Issue No 25

MUSINGS FROM THE CHAIRMy main message this month is that our Annual General Meeting will be part of the main meeting in May. All we have to do is to agree a couple of changes to our constitution that have come from the National U3A's recent agreement with the Charities Commission; all 1000+ U3As in the country will be doing the same. The other important task is to elect a new committee for the next 12 months. I am still hoping for some more potential committee members to come forward - we need some fresh blood to stop us getting into a rut. We do try to differentiate ourselves by being small and friendly, but inevitably this means we have to ask just a little extra from our members. As some of you will know, Freddie went into hospital for an operation on the day of the last General meeting and I'm sure you would like to join me in wishing him well and to to have a speedy recovery from all of us in MAD U3A.

Best wishes Richard Hill Chairman

BECOME A MaD U3A COMMITTEE MEMBER! The MaD Committee would love to hear from you if you might be interested in joining the Committee and making our U3A even better for all our members. You don’t need any special knowledge or skills, just be willing to work with the other Committee members to make the monthly meetings run smoothly and to contribute your views, ideas and (some) energy into developing our U3A. We meet once a month for a couple of hours, and occasionally smaller groups get together to deal with specific issues. We are keen for new Committee members to work alongside existing members whenever possible. If you would like to have a chat or to come along to a Committee meeting to see what we do, you would be very welcome. Please have a word with any of the Committee members. We would also be delighted to hear from you if you are willing to volunteer to help without joining the Committee – again, see one of the Committee members. The AGM and election of officers and Committee will be held at our May monthly meeting on 24 May. Nominations for officers and committee members should be given to Maggie Grimshaw, the Business Secretary, by 26 April 2018. A nomination form will be available on the website shortly or ask for one at the Membership Desk at the monthly meeting.

POETRY PLEASE Our MaD member Margaret Taylor has had her second book of poetry published - congratulations Margaret. Please contact Margaret to purchase your copy - proceeds from its sale will go to Emmanuel House.

Your Monthly Mapperley and District U3A Newsletter

THE THIRD AGE TRUST

THE UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE

U A3 M a Dmoments

MAPPERLEY & DISTRICT U3A TAKE DATA PROTECTION SERIOUSLY • We store your contact details on computer and paper for the sole purposes of administering the

group, for internal communications, and for your health and safety • We will not pass your details on to any third party without your consent • We do not share contact details with any third parties e.g. other U3As or marketing organisations

apart from U3A National Office and this is solely for the purposes of sending out your copy of Third Age Matters

• In an incident where you are incapacitated we may use your details to contact a family member or friend whose details you have given us

Data storage • Storing data on computer is a convenient, efficient and inexpensive way to keep up to date and

accurate records. • We retain records for lapsed members for up to 5 years. • Details will be removed from our records on request to the secretary • You may see your records on request to the secretary

Photographic and video images • Making photographs and video images of club members in action is an effective marketing tool and

helps other members and potential new members to see what we do. • All such material is carefully selected for quality before publication. • Anyone requesting that an image of themselves or a relative be removed will have their request

processed as soon as reasonably possible • The names of the persons in the images will not be tagged or displayed without their express prior

permission

TWO CUPS OF TEA The podcast sharing older people’s extraordinary life stories Chris Heath has recorded several conversations that he has had with various older members of the public who are living their golden years alone. They talk and laugh over a cup of tea (and probably a chocolate biscuit). But, this isn’t a hand-wringing, gloomy conversation about solitude. Instead, these podcasts are a celebration of some extraordinary characters and the lives they’ve lived. You can listen to stories of bravery and tales of family life, Sunday roasts and selfless endeavour. From heart-warming tales of first crushes to hilarious stories and narrow scrapes at work, in service and even under fire. It’s not the amazing deeds or achievements that are necessarily the standout moments, but the commonalities and the familiar details that unite Chris with his guests. He declares never to have laughed so much in his life as with these people. First and foremost, this podcast aims to show that everyone has a fascinating story to relate, regardless of age or circumstance. Would You Like To Be On The Podcast? Each of these podcasts is recorded in the interviewee’s home for their convenience and won’t take any longer than 120 minutes. For more information or to nominate either yourself, a neighbour, friend or loved one to be a guest, please email chrisheathpodcast@gmail.com, together with a short description of the person you’re nominating and the part of the country in which they live.

You can listen to the ‘Two Cups of Tea’ podcast on the Acast website, or on iTunes

LGBT NETWORK IN THE U3A

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As reported in the February Third Age Matters, there is to be a new national LGBT network in the U3A and several U3A members in Nottinghamshire have already made contact with it. To reach the national network, e-mail Maggie Jones at maggieinlondon@gmail.com. Anyone in Nottinghamshire who is interested in making links at a more local level can contact Jan Lindley of MaD U3A at janlindley49@yahoo.co.uk. She says "It would be lovely to support each other, share stories and hopefully have some fun!" All details would, of course, be kept completely confidential.

MaD U3A OUTINGS PAPPLEWICK PUMPING STATION WWI Weekend A visit is planned for Monday 28 May to Papplewick Pumping Station - Britain's finest Victorian Water Works and the only one in the Midlands to be preserved as a complete working fresh water pumping station. We shall share cars, so those who would like to go please meet in the car park at Mapperley Social Club in time for departure at 11:00. Alternatively make your own way there. It’s a great day out. For information about Papplewick Pumping Station please click here

TRIPS AND VISITS Geraldine Chaffe is taking over as Convenor of the Trips and Visits group, assisted by Marian Donaldson and Paula Boseley. More details to follow.

NEW E-LEARNING PACKAGE Scams elearning module from National Trading Standards is free to access and easy to use and takes only 30 minutes. Target social isolation and loneliness: Many people (especially older people living alone) are experiencing high levels of social isolation and loneliness. In 2016 Age UK reported that 200,000 older people aged 65 and over had not spoken to a family member or friend for over a month. Research has indicated that older adults who become socially isolated are extremely vulnerable to financial scams (Lubben et al., 2015). Many victims will perceive the criminals as friends especially as this may be the only significant form of interaction they have either in person, over the phone or via correspondence and email. Criminals will play on this vulnerability and groom victims.

MEETINGS

April’s General Meeting Our speaker at the April Members’ Meeting was Samantha Glasswell, who introduced us to the delights of food in ancient Rome (for the wealthy at least!). In some respects, their culinary habits were surprisingly like ours - a light breakfast of cereals, bread and honey; lunch of cooked meats, bread and even, yes, leftovers; dinner consisted of several courses; red, white and rose wine was served. Like some of us, they used mealtimes for seduction and chat, but also had entertainment, including dancers, jugglers and acrobats, when visitors came. However, there were some differences – they shared cups and plates; they had spoons but not forks, so food was mainly “finger food”; they reclined on couches when eating; Seating was on a trio of couches, with lower status people ranked behind, and they always reclined on their left hand sides – left handed people just had to manage. What lying down while eating did for their digestion is not known! Food was flavoured with spices and the equivalent of ketchup was a fish sauce, variably tasty depending on the quality. The range of ingredients showed that the Romans traded as far as India and China. Olive oil and honey substituted for butter and sugar. They enjoyed a range of meats, fish and shellfish, fruits and vegetables – and yes, the Romans did relish dormice dipped in honey! A most interesting and entertaining talk from Samantha, whose day job is at Bassetlaw Museum – well worth a visit. Maggie Smith

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Future General Meetings Thursday 24 May 2018 - Paul Newsham "Biometrics - There Will Never Be Another You" Paul is a lecturer in forensics and this talk is the first in a series. It is a brief introduction to the human genome and each individual's uniqueness. Get ready to be amazed and astounded!

Thursday 28th June 2018 - Jean Townsend “The Last Laugh-Graveyard Epitaphs” Jean is a social historian with a particular interest in the late medieval and early Tudor period. She studied archaeology and discovered her first epitaph whilst clearing a London churchyard. This led Jean to study social attitudes to burial in the past and she collected many unusual and amusing epitaphs. Jean has produced a fascinating talk on this subject - the rest, as they say, is history !

Thursday 26th July 2018 - Christine Adams “Miss Savidge Moves Her House” When the council told May Savidge that her Hertfordshire home would be demolished to make way for a bypass, she had other ideas! She had every nail, brick and beam of her medieval hall house dismantled and carted over 100 miles to Norfolk. May set about singlehandedly rebuilding her house from scratch. She was almost sixty years old and it would take her until the end of her life. This event will appeal to those who still believe that an Englishman’s home is his castle and you will not fail to be moved and awed by this story as told by her niece Christine.

New and Prospective Members’ Meetings Please note that these monthly meetings will not be taking place during the summer but will re-commence in the autumn. Watch this space!!

THE LITTLE MaD QUIZ This month’s quiz is at the end of the Newsletter, together with the answer to last month’s quiz. How many can you get without asking Google! 😆

SPOT THE MAD HATTER

Where is the Mad Hatter hiding this month? Can you spot him?

NOTICES and ITEMS OF INTEREST

STOP NUISANCE CALLS TO YOUR MOBILE An article in the Guardian advised how to stop nuisance calls on your mobile – you text TPS and your e-mail address to 85095 to be added to the UK’s official “do not call” database.

SUGGESTIONS BOX

Your ideas about our U3A, its running and groups are very welcome. You can let us have your ideas and suggestions either by putting them into the Suggestions Box at each monthly meeting, by sending an email us by using the contact service on the website. It’s YOUR U3A. Be creative and think outside the oblong receptacle.

FACEBOOK We now have our own Facebook group - Mapperley and District U3A. Do join the group and keep up to date with news, views and information regarding the MaD U3A.

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Be nice to your kids. They'll choose your nursing home 

FANCY LEARNING TO PLAY THE UKULELE? Burton Joyce U3A have a ‘Learn the Ukulele’ group and would welcome any MaD U3A members who wish to give it a go. For more information please contact Richard Hill via the website, or speak to Richard at the main meeting.

PLEASE REMEMBER to let the Membership Secretary know if your personal details change. If you don’t you may stop receiving Third Age Matters, email information and the Newsletter etc.

The MaD Moments Newsletter is published monthly in digital format. Hard copies are available for members who do not have email. Please contact your Chairman Richard Hill or speak to one of the Committee members.

The Third Age Matters magazine is available in a text only format to make it readable with screen reader. (You will have to register with the Resources section. Let me know if you have any problems and I will send you a text file.) If your household receives two copies of the Third Age Matters monthly magazine it would be very helpful to us if you could bring your second copy to the next main meeting, so that new members can have a chance to browse this. With thanks Your Committee

INTEREST GROUPSNew Groups: PROPOSED INDOOR MAT BOWLS GROUP

Formation of this group is under investigation by the Group Co-ordinator but at present it is proving difficult to find a suitable venue for a regular spot at the same time and on the same day, on a weekly or fortnightly basis.

As soon as a suitable venue is found within easy reach of Mapperley, an advice will be sent to the prospective members of the group who have

put their names down on the reserve list. Notice will also be published in this newsletter and by announcement at the monthly General Meeting. Unfortunately, at the present, it is a matter of wait and see!!

SHORT WALKS GROUP A second Walking Group is about to launch. See the Short Walks Group section below for more information. DISCUSSION GROUP We should like to set up a Discussion Group, but are looking for a convenor for this. If you’re interested please contact one of the Committee using this link.

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If you wish to make suggestions for new groups or to join those already set up please get in touch. Ownership of each group lies with the members of that group and they get together to agree on times and places.

Two free taster sessions are available to those who are not members of MaD U3A. To find out more please go to the website. Each group below has a link to the relevant page.

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INTEREST GROUPSEach group has its own page on the website.

Art History Convenor : Julie Rigby Meet : 3rd Thursday from 10.00 to 12.00 am Venue : Mapperley Plains Sports and Social Club The next meeting of the Art History group will be Thursday 24 May.

For more information, contact Julie Rigby at Art History convenor

Bookclub Convenor: Martin Cooke Meet : 2nd Tuesday at 10.30 am Venue : Members’ homes The next meeting will be on Tuesday 8 May, and we are looking at ’The Remains of the Day’ by Kazuo Ishiguro.

We've met monthly since April 2016 – a friendly group, great discussions & varied reading list. People also bring books they’ve read and enjoyed, but do not want to keep, to the meetings to share. We meet at our houses in turn, so keep the membership to max 10 people, which usually results in 6/8 coming along, and being able to fit into the room available! Currently the group is full – but please put your name on the Reserve List and hopefully a second book group will be formed. At our meeting on 12 June we shall be joined by the MaD U3A Creative Writing Group to meet local author Darren Young who has recently published his first book "Child Taken”, which will be our book of that month. For a list of the books we

have already read, please visit the Book Club page of the website, and please get in touch with Martin Cooke via the website about venues or if you have any queries.

Bridge : Learn to play Bridge

Convenor : Freddie Davies Meet : Wednesday from 2.00 to 4.00 pm Venue : Convenor’s Home

ThenewcoursewillcommenceWednesday26September2018-15mee>ngs

The course, intended to start on 7 February, has been deferred until a new start date … Wednesday, 26th September. The deferment was due to a number of clashes of dates with other activities with which the prospective members were involved, which undermined the validity of conducting the course. The members have all asked that I retain their details for the new commencement date, and, of course, I am doing this.

If you are interested in joining the course please read my page on the website. If, in the meantime, you wish to comment or enter your details on a waiting list, please see me at the meeting or email me at Bridge Group Convenor

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Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine 

Challenging Photography Convenor : Malcolm Darroch Meet : 4th Wednesday from 2.15 to 4.00 pm (except January) Venue: Room 2 Arnold Library - £2 per head to cover room hire

April’s topic was ‘Numbers’ and with a wide range of interpretations this subject really got us thinking 'outside the box’ - quite literally, as our winning entry from Ruth Smith was 'on a box' and was a Delivery Code. Joint runners up were David Smith with his 'Historic Flood Levels' and Ruth with her 'Early Learning' fridge magnets. Congratulations to the Smith partnership for their clean sweep. Also, congratulations to our remaining participants; this month saw the fewest entries gaining 'nul points’. Theme for May is ‘Proverbs’. Photographs must have a theme related to a well-known proverb, adage or saying. Title of photograph to be the proverb you are alluding to.Closing date 13 May, meeting 23 May

There will be no meeting in June. July’s theme is ‘Reflections’ Closing date 13 July, meeting 25 July

Owing to various changes caused by holidays - It might be useful to list Future Meeting Dates Wednesday 23 May - Wednesday 25 July - Wednesday 29 August - Wednesday 19 September

Challenging Photography - An opportunity for amateur photographers to rise to the challenge of interpreting a given theme, subject or location. This group is open to all members of MaD U3A who use any form of digital photography equipment. We are not judgemental about technical excellence; we are interested in your interpretation of a given subject. In order to provide a level playing field, all composition and editing must be 'in camera'. With the exception of cropping, no manipulation of images allowed. Members will have two months to submit their entries by e-mail attachment and the anonymous photographs will be judged by the group members. All winning photos are shown on the Challenging Photography webpage. Entries must be submitted to Malcolm by the 13th of each month and the picture must not have been taken before the category has been announced. Judging will take place on the 4th Wednesday of each month.

There are currently 2 membership vacancies - why not join this interesting and enjoyable group? Contact Malcolm Darroch for more information or to join the group

Creative Writing Convenor : Carolyn Luckhurst Meet : Once a month, varying days, at 2.00 pm Venue : Convenor’s home

Five of us met on 12 April, all having written a piece on the topic of "Rotten Luck”, plus we had another piece submitted by a member who was unable to come on the day. I find it fascinating that we can produce such different pieces with the same title. Once again, they were all extremely enjoyable and well worth the time and effort. Our next meeting is scheduled for Thursday 17 May at 2.00pm at my home. The subject is "The Waiting Room". As usual, the target is 1,000 words and can be poetry or prose. The writer is able to read his/her piece to the group.

Just a reminder that on 12 June we are joining the MaD U3A Book Club to meet local author Darren Young who has recently published his first book "Child Taken".

Members thinking about joining our Group are very welcome to make a visit to see if it’s something they wish to do. Please contact Carolyn for more information and to book a place.

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Family History Convenor : Claire Wilkie Meet : 4th Monday at 2.00 pm Venue : Arnold Library There will be no Family History Meeting in May, as the 4th Monday is a Bank Holiday. At our June on 25 June, we shall be looking at some of our interesting ancestors.

This group is open to members at all stages of involvement in Family History, from those just taking up exploration of their ancestors, to people who have managed to trace their family back hundreds of years.

Each meeting will have a focus topic, discuss any research individual members have done during the month and also give people the option of spending some time doing further research. Group members who wish to use the Library's WiFi should make sure they have their Library card. If you want to comment or show more interest in this group, please send an email to the Family History convenor via the website

Games Convenor : Marion Wright Meet : Wednesdays from 2:00 to 4:00 pm Venue : The Punchbowl, Porchester Road, Nottingham

Due to demand, the Games Group is now meeting every Wednesday.

We meet in an alcove at the back of the Punchbowl, or tucked away in a cosy corner of the bar. There is no room charge, but we pay £1.00 a head for tea and coffee, which is provided during the afternoon. Generally we play board games. A few (like Rummikub) have become firm favourites, but members introduce new games all the time and that's often been an enjoyable challenge. The card game Canasta is also a regular feature. If you want to play a particular game, then bring it along and see if you can find

fellow enthusiasts to play with you. Remember, you can bring a friend, who is not yet a member, to give them a taster session. New members are very welcome - the bigger the group, the more likely it is that everyone gets to do what they'd like to. Contact Marion via this link - Games convenor

Gardening Convenor : Chris Padgett Meet : 3rd Monday at 10.15 am (ish) Venue : Various Meetings: 21 May 10:15 to 12 noon ) Venues 18 June 10:15 to 12 noon ) to be 16 July 10:15 to 12 noon ) decided

We have 30 members - a friendly, cheerful group of enthusiastic people who share an interest in gardening. None of us are experts, but we all have willing hearts and hands, so why not join us?

For more information, just send an email to the Gardening convenor. Whatever your gardening interest, I look forward to hearing from you!

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Geology 1 : The Magic of our Solar System Convenor : Freddie Davies First meeting: Commenced Thursday 1 February 2018 from 2.00 to 4.00 pm and every 2 weeks thereafter, for 10 meetings Venue : Room 2 Arnold Library This course deals with the spectacular system of which our planet Earth is part and will examine the effect the planets have on us on Earth as well as the various attributes each of the planets have individually – and they are totally individual. It will be a spectacular course and will be thoroughly illustrated. If you are interested in learning about our sun and the neighbouring planets in the vastness of space and what they mean to us on Earth join this course for a voyage into space and time. Please visit the website page for full information.

Geology 2 : The History of the Planet Earth Convenor : Freddie Davies First meeting: Commencing June 2018 from 2.00 to 4.00 pm and every 2 weeks thereafter, for 10 meetings Venue : Room 2 Arnold Library This will be a follow-on from ‘The Magic of our Solar System’ course.

We live on a very tiny planet called Earth that revolves around, and relies for its survival on, our Sun and also on the Moon, which revolves around us, all on the very fringe of our galaxy in the boundless existence of space. How was Earth “born” 4.6 billion years ago? Where did the Sun and Moon come from? What is the story of Earth from then to now? How has our planet been given the glorious scenery which we all admire and travel frequently to enjoy? Why are there earthquakes, mountains, volcanoes, glaciers, deserts, storms, rivers, oceans, and the animal kingdom?

It’s a fascinating story and if you want to know the answers to these questions and also how and when WE arrived and survive on the thin “eggshell” which is the crust of the Earth, then this 10 week short course is for you. To find out more about this course please visit the website page.

Geology 3 : The Earth’s Crust and Us Convenor : Freddie Davies First meeting: Commences 2018 - dates to be announced Venue : Room 2 Arnold Library, from 2.00 to 4.00 pm I am offering a short-course of 10 sessions duration of 2 hours each entitled ‘The Earth's Crust and Us’. It’s about how we survive on it and use it. This will be a follow-on from ‘The Magic of our Solar System’ and ‘The History of the Plant Earth’ courses but it is not vital that you should have attended either of them before joining this course. Among the topics covered will be: • the structure of the planet and how chains of islands, mountains and volcanoes are formed; • how did the map of the world, that we are so familiar with, come into being; • how and why earthquakes occur; • an overview of the geology of the UK & in more detail that of Nottinghamshire; • mining extraction including the controversy around fracking; • sinkholes; • minerals and their uses. • the wonderful (and sometimes weird) formations of landscape and the `whys` and the `hows` of it To find out more about this course please visit the website or speak to me at our general meeting.

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Heraldry : An Introduction Convenor : Freddie Davies First meeting: Alternate Tuesdays from 2.00 to 4.00 pm for 10 meetings Venue : Room 2 Arnold Library

This month’s meetings will be on Thursday 3 and Thursday 17 May. This is a short course which runs for 10 meetings and to get the most out of it it’s best to attend every meeting. The current course is full, but if there is sufficient interest it may be run again later in the year.

If you’d like to know more please contact the Heraldry group convenor

Historical Architecture (short course)

Convenor : Freddie Davies Meet : Commencing June 2018 from 2.00 to 4.00 pm and every 2 weeks thereafter, for 10 meetings Venue : Room 2 Arnold Library Historical Architecture is a short course of 12 meetings of 2 hours each. The course consists of talks given by myself, Freddie Davies, who is the Group Convenor. Each talk is fully illustrated with slide projection. Hand-out material (for which I do not normally make a charge) is frequently given to each member to back-up the talks delivered. It is intended that the course should be interesting, entertaining and fun to be involved with as well as educational.

We will concentrate on English Historic Architecture although occasional ‘forays' are made into Scotland and Wales. You will be taken from the pre-historic ‘Shamrock' dwellings of the Stone-age through all the various periods of architectural styles (eg Saxon, Norman, Gothic, Renaissance, Victorian, Modern and many more in between), covering a period of some 4500 years of achievement in building. All the buildings featured in the talks can be seen today and, in most cases, visited.

If you wish to comment or show more interest in this group, please send an email to the Historical Architecture Group Convenor

International Dining Convenor : Margaret Taylor Meet : every 4th Thursday usually at 6.30 pm Venue : Various

Meals will always be arranged for the same Thursday evening as the general monthly meetings of Mapperley and District U3A. Please let me know by the previous week, at the latest, if you wish to come in order that I can advise the restaurant of numbers. You then pay me at the monthly general meeting. For details of this month’s meal, on Thursday 24 May, please contact International Dining group convenor.

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Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it 

Italian Speech Convenor : Joice Hall Meet : Wednesdays from 12.15 to 1.15 pm. Venue : Arnold Library, Meeting Room 2 Ciao. This is a beginners' group for people who want the basics of Italian so that they can get around whilst on holiday in Italy. We have seven members in the group with room for one more. The pace is slow and relaxed with lots of opportunity for practice. We also talk about Italian culture, the regions of Italy and their differences and also share our experiences of Italy.

Local History Convenors : Dorothy Ritchie and Michael Payne Meet : 1st Tuesday from 10.00 to 12.00 Venue : Mapperley Social Club, Games Room If you would like to know more about this group please send an email to the Local History convenor

Luncheon Club Convenors : Sheila Stacey and Martin Davenport Meet : 3rd Wednesday at 12.00 noon Venue : Various

The Luncheon Club will next meet on Wednesday 16 May at The Old Reindeer, Main Street, Edingley, Newark NG22 8BE.

Please contact Martin to for details and to book your place - Luncheon Club Convenor

Music Appreciation Convenor : Joan Davis Meet : Usually 1st Monday of the month at 7:00 pm Venue : Members’ Homes

At our April meeting, Vic started off with an introduction to folk music, mainly voices and instruments in the English tradition. We struggled to find any firm way of defining what might be included in "folk music". We did agree that there were some key elements, including the ability to carry your music with you and set up to play in all sorts of spaces - so portable instruments, use of voice - and a thread that reaches back to an oral (and aural) tradition. Knowledge of folk music was quite variable within the group. We listened to early examples from the folk revival of the 50s and 60s and three versions of Scarborough Fair - Martin Carthy and Simon and Garfunkel, plus Bob Dylan's Girl from the North

Country - and looked briefly at the role of music in social change through protest songs and African American spirituals. We then heard how music from the rest of the world has influenced music in the UK and Ireland - eg Bulgarian music. Members had brought some very different examples from regions such as Catalunya (north east Spain) and Corsica and we finished with Sandy Denny and Kate Rusby, both singers with beautiful voices.

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Parli Italiano?

“Welcome to spring” “Benvenuto in primavera”

Music Appreciation (Continued) It may be difficult to define "folk music" but we all agreed that it isn't suited to the voices of classically trained singers. Perhaps part of the definition is that folk music is often learned through making music with other people rather than through being taught or trained, a more democratic approach to making music that more people can aspire to join in with. An interesting evening, finding out more about a genre of music that has had a surprisingly significant influence on all kinds of music, including classical and rock music. Our next meeting will be on the 2nd Monday in May due to the Bank Holiday - Monday 14 May at 7.00pm when we will look at how music is structured - understanding more about the architecture of music. The group is not able to take any new members at the moment, but please contact Joan Davis or Maggie Grimshaw if you want to put your name on the waiting list.

Philosophy Convenor : Vic Blake Meet : Usually 4th Tuesday from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm Venue : Convenor’s home This is not intended to be a taught course in philosophy. As with many other interest groups, the members of this group have agreed among themselves what the format and aims of the group should be and how it will best work for them, while the convener aims to help the group as best he can to achieve these aims.

As such, we have decided to work predominately from a thematic basis, looking at everyday ideas and seeing how they stand up to a more rigorous and critical analysis. Any reading should flow out of the discussion at any given moment, rather than the reverse. A key aim of this group is to be able to move beyond everyday 'common-sense' notions of the world and how it works towards a more critical understanding of what makes 'good sense' or 'sound sense' (i.e. that which can be supported by rigorous and detailed argument). We hope to be able to access a wide range of resources, not just books, in developing these arguments. The group is currently full but if you want to comment or show more interest, please send an email to the Philosophy group convenor via the website.

Playhouse Theatre Group

Convenor : Judith Gamble Meet : Various Venue : Nottingham Playhouse Friday 31 August - Sweet Charity Musical comedy featuring stunning set-piece choreography and hits Friday 5 October - Kinder Transport Raw and poignant story Friday 2 November - Madness of King George III Starring Mark Gatiss. An epic multi award-winning drama. Expect grandeur and royal pomp alongside nail-biting tension Thursday 10 January 2019 at 19:30 - Robin Hood, Pantomime To book tickets, or for more information, please contact Judith via the website.

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Sigmund Freud 1856 - 1939

He who smiles in a crisis

has found someone to blame War does not determine who is right – it determines who is left

Play Reading Convenor : Sue Cullen Meet : 1st Thursday from 1.30 to 4.30 pm Venue : Members’ Homes

This is a very friendly, supportive and encouraging group and we have a lot of fun. The purpose of this group is to read plays. We choose texts which interest us, and then get together to read them. We have explored a wide variety of plays and really enjoyed both the serious and light-hearted styles. Meeting for 3 hours enables us to complete a whole play in one afternoon, which makes it much more interesting. Our play in May is Alan Ayckbourn’s blistering comedy and black morality play ‘A Small Family Business’.

The group is now full, but if you’d like to put your name on the waiting list please send an email to Sue via website.

Short Walks Group Convener : Judith Gamble Meet : Monthly Venue : Various First Meeting : Friday 8 June Venue : Gedling Country Park Meet outside Café 1899 alongside the car park at the Spring Lane entrance at 9.45am for a start at 10.00am This Group is designed for those of us who would like to walk between 3 and 5 miles using fairly local routes and just once a month. The first walk is being led by Judith Gamble on 8 June at Gedling Country Park. An email will be sent to those who have registered interest. If you wish to join in, please contact Carolyn Luckhurst via this link to be sure of receiving all relevant information.

Spanish Conversation

Convenor : Vic Blake Meet : Various times Venue : Convenor’s Home

This is simply an opportunity for those who feel competent enough in Spanish to meet together occasionally and practice through free conversation. Vic, the convener and the host, is reasonably fluent but not perfect and interested parties need only to be able to contribute to the conversation and be prepared to develop. If you want to find out more contact Vic Blake - in either language, or speak to him at one of our main meetings

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“welcometoSpring””Bienvenidaalaprimavera”

Walking

Convener : Chris Padgett Meet : every other Friday at 10:15 Venue : Various Next Meetings : Friday 4 May ) Details to follow Friday 18 May ) Details to follow

Hello there, my name is Chris Padgett and I am the convenor for the walking group. We number 40 members at the moment, but there's always room for more! We walk alternate Fridays.

We meet at the start point at 10.15am for 10.30 am start (prompt). Details of the walk and a map will be sent out by email prior to the walk so, if you would like to join us but you're not already a member of the walking group, just drop me a line (see below)

All members of the walking group are encouraged to take an active role. This can be anything from suggesting an area we may like to walk in to offering a particular walk and leading it. Please don't be put off by this, it is not that difficult, it's great fun and you've got me to help you!

Walking is one of the best forms of exercise you can do and what better way to do it than with a bunch of like-minded people? So, what are you waiting for? Come and join us!

If you want to comment or show more interest in this group, please contact the walking group convenor Walking Group convenor

Wine Appreciation Convenor : Maggie Grimshaw Meet : Mostly 3rd Wednesday at 2.30 pm Venue : Convenor’s Home Our April winetasting was held on the first glorious day this spring. We had an eclectic range of wines with a "members' choice" - six of our members brought wines for the group to try, all costing under £10. Hazel brought the lovely Brancott Estate NZ Sauvignon Blanc (£8.00 from Sainsbury's, with 25% discount, so £6.00) - a favourite with many members. Lovely nose, good length, grapefruit and gooseberry, generally first rate. Brenda brought an excellent Viognier from Abbots and Delauney (Majestic £7.99 mix 6) - floral, honey with a hint of resin and a perfect accompaniment to a ripe camembert - a new and welcome discovery for most of us. From Val, a Californian Zinfandel rose by Beringer (Asda £6.00 on a roll back) - strawberries and candy floss, quite sweet, so not to everyone's taste but a very enjoyable rose which would be ideal with a fruit salad. Maggie offered the Vina Alarde Reserve Rioja (Majestic £7.99 mix 6) which had a lovely nose but was dryish, oaky and a little harsh on the palate. Not to all tastes but some liked it a lot. It's worth reporting that 3 hours later it was soft, smooth and ripe - clearly needs to be opened several hours before drinking! Joan brought Casarossa Chianti Classico (Waitrose £10.00 on offer). A lovely peppery nose, full tasting with a good finish. Quite dry, but smooth and soft and deceptively strong at 13.5%, much appreciated by the group. Finally, Barbara brought the Sicilian NeroOro (Majestic £9.99, £8.99 mix 6) made from NeroD'Avola grapes, some of which were "appasimento" - dried outside in the sun before going into the wine. A great hit - smooth, rich, sweeter than today's other reds, dark fruit and raisins, long finish. A great success, with really enjoyable wines from 6 different countries and a range of grapes and wine styles. We will do this again some time! This group is not taking new members at the moment, but we will keep the situation under review. Please contact me if you want me to put you on a waiting list.

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THE LITTLE MaD QUIZ

1. What was Shropshire officially called between 1974 and 1980? 2. What was the only top ten hit for the Dave Brubeck Quartet? 3. How many parts are there to Shakespeare’s Henry VI? 4. The Britannia Bridge crosses which stretch of water? 5. Although also an actor and director, in what capacity was Busby Berkeley best known in cinema? 6. Which two countries are to be found on the island of Hispaniola? 7. In which novel does the ship Hispaniola play a major role? 8. Who was the Confederate President during the American Civil War? 9. The Sangha is the monastic order in which religion? 10. Which type of grass is often planted as a binding agent on sand dunes?

AnswerstoApril’sQuiz1. Cycling, 2. Luxembourg, 3. Perquisite, 4. Seven, 5. Having a bath, 6. Anthony Trollope, 7. East Pakistan, 8. A Camel, 9. Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation, 10. Captain Alfred Dreyfus

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And finally …….

A linguistics professor was lecturing his class one day.

'In English', he said, 'A double negative forms a positive. In some languages, though, such as Russian, a double negative is still a negative. However, there is no language wherein a double positive can form a negative.'

A loud voice from the back of the room piped up, 'Yeah, right.'

Your Committee Richard Hill Chair Maggie Grimshaw Business Secretary Anne Elliott Treasurer Vic Blake Membership Secretary Freddie Davies Vice Chair and Groups Co-ordinator Mike Anthony Speaker Seeker Margaret Taylor Social Committee Carolyn Luckhurst Newsletter Sue Cullen Newsletter

Chris Padgett Committee Support

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THE THIRD AGE TRUST

THE UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE

U A3Mapperley&DistrictU3ADiaryofEvents–May2018