Issue no.59

CRAVEN U3Amagazine

SUMMER 2015

Swanning around in Norfolk - see page 18

1

The AGM passed off without excitement, which is always good. I want to thank again Anne Bancroft and Keith Mollon, who stepped down at the end of their terms, for their excellent service on the committee. Anne Heald and Mick Richings were elected to the committee; and Brian Shuttleworth, already a committee member, has agreed to take on the role of Tutors’ representative. After the conclusion of the AGM business, Gareth Davies gave a lavishly illustrated and well received talk, based on his book, on the First 30 years of Craven U3A. One thing that does worry me, however, is that we don’t have a volunteer to serve as Vice-chairman this year, and to succeed me when I step down, as I must, in May 2016. As you understand, the U3A cannot continue without a Chairman. You may see an increasingly desperate series of appeals over the next few weeks.On a more positive note, I was very pleased with the number of people who have come forward as volunteers to take on the role of Treasurer once Stefan Srutek, the current Treasurer, moves to Kent. Stefan’s departure will be a blow, but having a replacement “ready to roll” means we can continue without problems.Speaking of Gareth’s book, do you have a copy? They are only £10, and I believe he still has a few copies left.By the time you read this, the Summer School will have come and gone. Obviously, I do not know, as I write this, how the event went, but we certainly seem to have a very varied and interesting programme, and uptake of places has been very good. If it is judged a success, we may try again next year, although we might change the format, and we will have to make a charge to cover costs. Enough thinking about what we might do in 2016 – lets get this year’s event completed.Again, because this is written in June, I cannot yet give a date or cost for the U3A Christmas Lunch, to be held late in November at Craven College’s dining room on the High Street in Skipton. The only things I can tell you are that places are limited (the room seats only 36), always in high demand, and that tickets will be on sale at the Open Day on Tuesday August 11th, and at coffee mornings, until they are all gone.

The Chairman’s LetterContents

Craven U3A Magazine No.59 July 2015Editor: Roger French

Craven U3A Registered Charity No.1038617Printed by: Jason Miller - JAYMILL PRINT

1 The Chairman's Letter 2 Calligraphy Class 3 Hand Knitting Class 4 The Coffee Mornings 6 Railway Study Group 8 The Railway Group trip10 Thanks for the Memory11 The Banana Lament12 Honister Slate Mine visit14 Map Reading & Navigation course16 Scottish Dancing Class17 A Tale of Mountain Rescue18 Bird Watching Group goes to Norfolk21 Memories of the Blitz22 Steve Andrew's War26 Walk to Lunch Residential Weekend27 Stories of Scientists Class28 Virtual and Actual(iti)29 Art (multimedia) Group thanked30 Home Truths - and German POWs31 Keep taking the tablets32 Out for a Walk!33 Keep-Going Class34 Boys' Day Out to Quarry Bank Mill35 Recipes 36 The 30th Anniversary Book

Vic Edy

2 3

In this year of significant World War II anniversaries, it is fitting to devote some pages to a time whose memories remain vivid for so many. Those of us who were born soon after that conflict also felt its repercusions in our early years.My thanks to all contributors, including those who did not make it onto the page this time.

Editor’s note

Roger French

Sadly, Sue Burningham has decided to step down as tutor to the U3A calligraphy class and the present group felt it would be appropriate to express thanks for all her inspiration, help and patience over the years.A talented calligrapher, she managed to convey a sense of artistic discipline to her students, although they might exhibit a little bit of individuality at times and certainly did not always enjoy marking out the necessary line spacing! Let’s face it – it’s not as easy reading the millimetres on a ruler when you reach or have passed the U3A qualifying age.Over the years we have been instructed in various styles including Foundational, Italic, Uncial, Gothic and Copperplate and then encouraged to apply them to projects such as cards, invitations, decorative pictures and booklets. Sue endeavoured to teach us the art of gilding an illuminated capital letter using gold leaf (shades of the early gospels) with limited success, however recently we made quill pens from goose feathers and all were deemed fit for purpose.So thank you Sue, we have thoroughly enjoyed your classes and we shall miss your company and quiet efficiency.As a footnote; if a new tutor is not forthcoming, the current class is hoping to continue in September as a Self Help Group. Details will be available in the prospectus for 2015/16.

Calligraphy Class

Pam Greenwood

What a boring, granny-ish thing to do. With endless possibilities opening up, why on earth should I bother?Well, it's a craft you never stop learning about. I have been knitting since I was four, and last week learned two completely new tricks which will certainly improve my output. Should have thought of them for myself, but there you are! And instead of feeling guilty when you are watching TV you can pick up your knitting and feel positively virtuous.Seriously, I have been running knitting classes for several years now and as well as making many new friends - oh,yes! we talk as well! - I have visited local woollen mills, been to fascinating exhibitions - did you know that at least one person in this country knits with strands of molten glass? - and visited the Orkneys with fellow enthusiasts.Knitting is a craft which younger people are coming to appreciate, so you may well find that your children are delighted for you to make clothes for their children, or even for them! If not, there are dozens of charities listed on the internet which are anxious to receive donations. I have always found knitting groups to be very co-operative and willing to join in with other peoples' schemes. A former club Chairman visited us once and found that, at the instigation of one of our members, we had been knitting coats for featherless rescued hens. As a farmer's son he was totally bemused by this and never fails to mention it when we meet! So far we have never taken to yarn bombing or knitting woolly overcoats for motorbikes or cars, but if that floats your boat, we would probably help! Come to think of it, we did provide the yarn for a bicycle to be wrapped in wool to honour the Grand Depart!If you have never knitted and think you would like to try, we will certainly do our best to teach you. No need even to invest in equipment. I have plenty to get you started. All you need supply is the will to learn and the time and patience to practise.

Hand Knitting Class

Margaret Frame

4 5

The Coffee Mornings

Jenny Cunnington

Two or three years ago a friend asked me why I didn't go to the U3A monthly coffee mornings. I replied that I had no one to go with and felt diffident about going on my own."There's absolutely no need to feel diffident", she countered, "you'll find you recognise several folk and being the sort of people they are in the U3A they will make you welcome, and" - she added as a bribe - "the cakes are homemade and delicious." So I went and, just as she said, it was great. I made new friends and became better acquainted with people I knew from the classes.These coffee mornings are held on the first Saturday of the month in the Soroptomists' Rooms in Otley Street, Skipton, from October to April. It is an attractive room. Twelve tables with blue and white check cloths and fresh flowers in the middle of each table. All very conducive to a relaxing morning chatting and sharing the latest U3A news.The cakes are made by a team of volunteers, several of whom have been baking for the coffee morning for many years. We charge 80p for a slice of cake ( there is cream and jam to go with the scones ), £1.00 for filter coffee, 80p for instant, 60p for tea and £1.00 for hot chocolate. All monies for U3A funds.

Angela Hollick and I have taken a turn at being the organisers. I only mention this because we would like to pay tribute to the amount of work that the team put in - the bakers of course, the cashier, those who serve, the coffee and tea brewers, and not forgetting the endless washing up. We all enjoy thoroughly the morning's work and we will look forward to seeing you there!

6 7

Railway Study GroupThe spring session kicked off with group leader Ian Appleyard giving a talk on RAILWAY FORTIFICATIONS an oblique reference to the Castle class of Great Western Railway steam locomotives which were all named after castles in their territory. We learned where these castles were. The rest of the spring session included a mix of guest & group speakers.Our guest speakers were retired railwaymen Donald Heath, a Senior British Rail engineer, notably the project manager for the East Coast Main Line electrification, and Chris Green, successively head of Scot Rail, Network South East, Inter City and CEO of Virgin Rail. The group speakers kicked off with our resident Welshman, Tony Evans, speaking about the TAFF VALE RAILWAY in his home territory ‘the valleys’ in South Wales. This mineral railway covered an area between Merthyr Tydfyl and the sea at Cardiff, subsequently Barry Docks. A Brunell inspired diversion of the river Taff created land on which subsequently was built Cardiff Arms Park the home of Welsh rugby. He then showed a picture of ‘the all conquering Welsh rugby team’. It behoves me to mention that we beat them two weeks later in Cardiff at the Millennium Stadium! Yeah!!A slide show by John Holroyd, who is not a member but has entertained us nine times and has joined us on some of our holidays, covered a journey from Capetown to Johannesburg in 1984 when steam still had a significant presence. As usual the presentation was slick and humorous,A half session presented by John Benson included a busy day on May 1st 1976 travelling on a Settle/Carlisle Centenary Special suffering bad weather and steam loco failures and still getting to see the last service train from Haltwhistle to Alston. Peter Bowes did the other half session telling us how in steam days the RESIDENTIAL businessman's train from Morecambe split into two sections for Leeds and Bradford at Skipton. The slick procedure was accomplished in two minutes! The character who did the uncoupling and coupling was reputedly five foot tall and had huge biceps. Not surprised really. Health and safety officials would need medical attention viewing these actions.

John Goodall presented two trips to India to ride the ‘narrow gauge’. A number of lines were covered. One, the GWALIOR-SABALGARH-SHEOPUR RAILWAY was largely a pastoral route. Dismounting to stretch legs at small villages revealed children who generally spoke some English, had mobile phones and supported Man Utd. He also noted on the DARJEELING MOUNTAIN RAILWAY that nobody rode on the roof. Apparently, to do with the 102 tunnels along the route! Pictured, are porters at a major station.

RAIL FRANCHISING IN BRITAIN – THE WAY AHEAD by Chris Nash was an interesting insight into this difficult subject. His final statement – ‘What is clear is that franchising involves a lot of choices for the franchising authority and getting these wrong can seriously damage the outcome of the process.’STEAM LOCOMOTIVES THAT PERFORMED OVER AND ABOVE THE CALL OF DUTY. Peter Fields put forward five locomotives headed by the LNER A4 class 4-6-2 [1935] Gresley streamliner for various reasons. The main one being the class stayed in the top link to the end of steam largely due to its fuel economy in hauling at express speeds the non stop London/Edinburgh 400 mile turn.Mike Savage presented A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE LONDON UNDERGROUND. Suffice to say that the system that grew from the original Metropolitan Line which was opened in January 1863 and carried 9.5 million passengers in its first year, now carries 1.25 billion passengers a year.Bob Swallow told us of THE LIFE AND TIMES OF GEORGE HINCHCLIFFE – AN OBSESSION WITH STEAM. This character probably had a steam-driven heart and was famously involved in the running and repatriation of 4472, Flying Scotsman, which had become impounded in the USA and more adventures with the same locomotive

8 9

in Australia. Many stories exist of this unique person. Suffice to say he married a woman who claimed to be 4 foot 8.5 inches tall.The final session was another twin talks affair opened by John Benson on another bad weather trip to ride THE LAST TRAIN TO CONSETT. A major steel town which had finally to rely on costly imported raw materials leading to the steel mill closure. We all probably remember dramatic pictures of 9F’s hauling iron ore up the grade to Consett from Tyne Dock.Last but not least Glen Rae narrated the history of THE WICK & LYBSTER LIGHT RAILWAY. The light railway ran down the coast for approximately 14 miles from Wick aiming to catch the herring trade from Lybster. At one period the ‘Geddes Express’ was crewed by driver Dan Geddes and his sons Willie and Jimmy, fireman and guard respectively. Shades of The Titfield Thunderbolt film!

the BURY TRANSPORT MUSEUM which had an excellent display of steam traction engines, tractors, buses, trucks etc. Back to the station for lunch followed by bussing to BOLTON STEAM MUSEUM. Here was a veritable cathedral of steam displaying mill engines of various types, most of them running powered by compressed air. The majesty of these machines in motion takes some beating.Back to Skipton, still raining , where the membership dispersed.

The Railway Group Trip on May 6th

The group travelled by coach in pouring rain to Rawtenstall and the EAST LANCS RAILWAY to join the 10.15 steam excursion to Bury. On route we had a pleasant surprise of the return of £2 and free coffee and biscuits at Bury station!The train arrived headed by a LMS ‘CRAB’. There was a dash for the reserved coach through the rain as the loco changed ends. This normally creates a crowd of watchers. Today two people, the other was the driver, who proceeded to skulk under the coach end. However the coffee was heating ready for arrival at Bury!After arrival at Bury the coffee and biscuits were duly dispatched and the group repaired across the road to Michael Laycock

10 11

Years ago, most of us used to go to the cinema a lot more often than we do these days. Looking back, my favourite type of films were “time travel” (Forever Young, Field of Dreams, The Time Machine, etc) followed closely by musicals (any musicals!)And that probably sums up why and how we come to have our POPULAR MUSIC 1920-60 class every Tuesday afternoon at St. Andrew’s Church Hall on Newmarket Street. It’s a combination of time travel meeting popular music. In just one afternoon, we can go back 100 years with Keep the Home Fires Burning (sung by John McCormack in 1915) before moving on to Eddie Cantor singing If You Knew Susie on Broadway in 1920.From there, we dance through the ragtime years of the 1920’s, listening to the Charleston with Paul Whiteman (1923), Blue Skies (with 24 en-cores when it first opened on Broadway in 1927) and Al Jolson singing I’m Sitting on Top of the World in 1926. He really was sitting there and even more so when he featured in the first “talkies”, singing Mammy and Sonny Boy in The Jazz Singer (1927) and The Singing Fool (1928). He almost overshadowed Bing Crosby singing Pennies from Heaven and Paul Robeson singing Ol' Man River from Showboat. And let’s not forget the growth of the jazzbands in the Roaring Twenties with Bix Beiderbecke, Louis Armstrong, and Duke Ellington.Our Tuesday time machine doesn’t have time to stop as we swing into the 1930’s with songs from the British dance band scene sung by Al Bowlly, Nat Gonella, Denny Dennis and Sam Browne, backed by the bands of Ray Noble, Lew Stone, Geraldo, Joe Loss, and Co. Fred and Ginger were now King and Queen at the cinema, closely followed by Nelson Eddy and Jeanette McDonald. Judy Garland, Deanna Durbin and Bing (of course!) were packing in the crowds at the cinema, and here in England, none were more successful than Gracie Fields and George Formby. And amazingly, we’ve sped through the Thirties without mentioning Miller, Goodman, Basie, Dorsey, James, Shaw and Herman. They really were the icing on the cake!There’s often a call from members to pause in wartime, with Vera, Ella, Frank and Hutch. But the time machine moves quickly on to the late Forties with Coronation Scot (Paul Temple), In a Shady Nook (Donald

Thanks for the Memory

Rev. David Wiseman

Peers) and Flanagan and Allen singing Underneath the Arches. But after the war, our tastes changed from Mario Lanza and Gene Kelly to Max Bygraves and Billy Cotton.By now, the Tuesday time machine is slowing down, looking for somewhere to land sixty years ago in the 1950’s. We could land back in the cinema with Brigadoon, Carousel or Singing in the Rain. Or maybe back on the dance floor with Ted Heath and Dickie Valentine? Or at a Blackpool show, listening to Winifred Attwell, Ronnie Hilton or Eddie Calvert? And we could even find ourselves in Rome with Three Coins in the Fountain or Hong Kong with Love is a Many Splendoured Thing or Paris with American in Paris or Gigi.And now it's 4pm on a Tuesday afternoon and time to return to 2015 and Newmarket Street. But still, we will be leaving our time machine, humming a tune or singing a song that we hadn’t heard for ages. No wonder our members can’t wait until next Tuesday to take off again in the musical time machine which flies through the years. Come and join us in October! And don’t forget to bring your memories with you!

OK, bananas are bio-degradableand those bright yellow skins turn black,

but they're still highly visible,they don't go invisible

for two whole years after that.They're a horrible blot on the landscape,festooning the slopes of Pen-y-Ghent,

stuffed guiltily into walls,or, not caring at all,

blatantly tossed out on the hill.I can't understand the mentality

of lazy litter-lout walkers,leaving the remains of 35 bananas,maddeningly slowly decomposing -

you’re driving me bananas!Linda Lee

The Banana Lament

12 13

Chris Norman

Honister Slate Mine visit

On one of those cold, wet days at the beginning of May a small group from Brian Shuttleworth's 'History of Mining' course made their way to the top of Honister Pass in the Lake District. Here the weather was even worse: low cloud, strong winds and icy cold. We seemed to have chosen a really bad day to visit Honister Slate Mine, the last working slate mine in the UK.Slate has been quarried in this area from at least Norman times and mined, for a better quality of stone, from the mid 1700s. The peak of production was towards the end of the 19th century when more than 100 were employed working in two mines, one on each side of the pass. Since then, with closures during the two World Wars, in spite

of improved technology, production has gradually declined. In 1987 the mine was bought by McAlpines and production ceased in 1989. Mark Weir bought Honister in 1997 producing small quantities of high quality slate for specialist architectural purposes and for gift shop items. With the encouragement of the National Park the mine diversified into tourism with a Visitor Centre, tours of the mine and adventure activities. Sadly Mark died in a helicopter accident but the family continues to own and operate the business.Brian's 'History of Mining' course had combined geology, the development of mining and transport technology, and social history. Our lively guide at the mine reflected all these topics set within the context of the local community. After a hair-raising bus ride up a narrow track we entered the mine along a horizontal working. This was no museum but an authentic mine, parts of which are still in use. Our hard hats were essential equipment and our head lamps were the only illumination for much of the fascinating tour.When we emerged from the mine the cloud had lifted and we drove home with shafts of sunlight on the fells, black Herdwick lambs in the fields and a magnificent rainbow so close we could almost touch it.

14 15

Map Reading & Navigation >>

Bathed in wonderful Easter sunshine, the course was hosted from their home by Chris and Anne Heald, ably assisted by Vic Edy. Each day we were split into two small groups, one headed by Chris and the other by Vic. The first part of each morning was theory and then we drove to Clapham to put all we had learnt into practice, navigating a 5 to 6 mile walk around Crummackdale.DAY 1: The map reading course was extremely useful, we plotted a route on an OS map, using the Romer scale. We had paced out our individual number of steps for a 50 metre distance. Using an orientated map for the first time was something of a challenge, but after a while it made sense and the route became easier to follow.Plotting the route on the map helped me to relate to what was actually on the ground e.g. to turn left at the pointy bit along the wall.The course gave me confidence in reading maps, it helped me to distinguish paths, footpaths, bridleways and open access. We also learnt a formula for getting grid references in correct order - BUS (bottom up side!), which will help to remind me of the right way to look at grid references. We did some maths to work out the length of time a walk would take, although I suspect I was a little out with my calculations, either that or we talked a lot about the route!

Jane Allison

DAY 2: "Improvers using a Compass"Having completed the first day, it was now time to learn all about using a compass.We were shown how to take a bearing – the angle between north, where you are, and where you want to go. How to set a magnetic bearing on compass, how to hold a compass when walking on a bearing (making sure there’s no interference from metal belts or bras!), and using the map and compass together.We were set various tests to do, such as a "dog leg", "aiming off" and a "magnetic bearing exercise". All good to know in bad weather, but we just had to imagine it with the sun shining so brightly. By the end of the session we were starting to appreciate that a compass is a "friend" and something to trust!Arriving back in Clapham – in true U3A style we ended up at the Reading Room Café for tea, with the opportunity to chat to each other about our experiences of the day.It was an excellent two days and, from us all, a big thank you to Chris, Anne and Vic for their brilliant preparation, tutoring and organisation – and for making it so enjoyable.

Ann Bancroft

>> a two day course on 8th & 10th April

16 17

Monday afternoon was Scottish Dancing time. Joyce at the helm with Carolyn and Jack setting up the music for our prompt start at 2pm and our warm-up exercises. An expert dancer in her time, Joyce knows all the dances and their origins. From her table she guided, with patience, her group of hopeful, energetic dancers.Step practice was important to Joyce. Skip change, strathspey, highland schottische, reels, poussettes, double triangles and polite turns, to name but a few. However, she allowed the requirement for good footwork to take second place to the geography and enjoyment of the dance. Joyce knows where all the dances originated and where the dancers should be during the dance. "We must" she said "listen to the music" (and Joyce!) "smile and guide your partner if they don't know where they are going. Not that left hand, the other one!" The number of dances we learnt was remarkable and we needed reminders by walking them through.As we hang up our shoes, we shall miss Shiftin Bobbins at Mairi's Wedding. So, let us follow the tradition we shared, as a class, by joining hands in a ring and singing "Here's a hand my trusty friend . . . we'll take a cup o'kindness yet, for Auld Lang Syne." As we remember the fun, friends and frustrations we all shared. We are lucky to have had such a committed teacher. Thank you!

Heather Geldard

Scottish Dancing ClassOn a fine May morning in Assynt, in the north west highlands, we walked up to the Kirkaig falls, a popular beauty spot. The falls are about a 50 minutes walk in, and there is a scrambly path to get down to the best viewpoint.A lady, following us down, slipped and dislocated her shoulder. She said she was in too much pain to try and walk out. At this point the weather was still dry and it was about midday.After sitting for a while she was getting a bit cold so she and her husband donned their waterproof jackets at our suggestion. We said we would call out the MRT.As there was no mobile signal at the falls we went uphill to try for a signal. Still no joy, so it meant a fast walk out to either get a signal or reach a landline.No mobile signal at the road, so it was to the bookshop to use their landline. It was now about 1.15 and beginning to rain. I called 999, and asked for police and MRT. I gave all the info required and when I offered a grid ref. they said "oh yes please", as if it was a bit unusual.Now bear in mind that Assynt is a remote area with MRT team members spread around a wide area. We waited for a while, but had to leave by 2pm. It was now raining heavily.Subsequently we learnt that MRT members were with the casualty just after 3pm.What do we learn from this?...That if you need to call MRT then having all the info listed (CHALET) on the Walking group's emergency card is very necessary and useful for the emergency operator.That if you go walking on a nice day, bear in mind that the weather can change and often does.The lady had a jacket, but did she have overtrousers, and a survival bag? I don't know, but without them she would have had a painful three hour wait in the rain, with the uncertainty of not knowing when the rescuers would appear.

A Tale of Mountain Rescue

Chris Heald

18 19

This year our U3A bird watching trip took us to Old Hunstanton in Norfolk. Eighteen of us decided to stay at the Caley Hall Hotel and another eight elected to stay in nearby cottages. On Monday March 2nd the plan was to break the long journey at Frampton Marsh in Lincolnshire. Unfortunately an accident on the A1 affected everyone’s journey but luckily for us we managed to crawl past the accident site before the emergency vehicles stopped the traffic for two hours. Some managed to turn off and take an alternative route while others had to sit and wait until the traffic could move again leaving no time to visit Frampton. For those who did arrive it was a cold and very windy afternoon but the weather was dry and we made a great start to our bird list seeing plenty of water birds and waders but for me the highlight was the Yellowhammer visiting the feeders. A walk along the bank that separates the reserve from the salt marsh gave us a possible distant sighting of the Hen Harrier but little else apart from windburn. However, three of our gentlemen members, arriving late not only because of the accident but also a breakfast stop followed by a fish and chip lunch, managed to get excellent views of both the Hen Harrier and Barn Owl! There’s no justice in this world! Thankfully everyone made it to the hotel for dinner where we exchanged stories of the day in the bar before an excellent dinner. Plans were made for the Tuesday, before retiring to bed.

After an early breakfast we met in the car park at Holkham Beach. Turning into the car park we immediately spotted a Barn Owl flying alongside the car along with Marsh Harrier, Mistle Thrush and Fieldfare. The day continued in the same vein as we walked through the woods to the beach with many great sightings including a fall of Goldcrest, 4 Grey Partridge and a pair of Rough Legged Buzzards circling overhead causing great excitement. Our next stop was to be Thornham Harbour but the sight of a café was too much for us. We succumbed to a coffee and piece of cake

before venturing out again. In the harbour the tide was out so there were many waders including Greenshank and also groups of Twite and Linnet. Although still cold and windy, some of us waited to watch the Barn Owl hunting in to the early evening. On Wednesday we visited Titchwell, one of my favourite reserves. It felt relatively quiet but the possibility of seeing something really good is always there. Bar and Black Tailed Godwits in big numbers were on the beach and several of us saw Water Rail, Water Pipit and a Barn Owl hunting over the fields. A visit to Chosely Barns on

the way back did not produce Corn Bunting and Yellowhammer. This used to be a guaranteed sighting place but due to new farming techniques, spilt grain is no longer left on the ground. Travelling in Norfolk is not easy as round every bend there might be an opportunity to see birds. Stopping at the side with hazard warning lights flashing became part of our daily routine. This is what was

Bird Watching Group goes to Norfolk

20 21

needed at the Wolverton Triangle where we went to try to see the elusive Golden Pheasant and although some of our group had seen it earlier in the day, we left disappointed.The following day several of us decided to go to Lynford Arboretum to see the Hawfinch and then on to Lakenheath Fen, just over the border into Suffolk, in search of Common Crane. Most of us missed a quick appearance but we all saw the Great White Egret and made a promise to return to this great reserve. We made another unsuccessful stop at the Wolverton Triangle before returning for our meal.Friday meant that it was time to go home. Some left straight after breakfast and others decided to do a bit of last minute bird watching. Our journey took us via the Wolverton Triangle to Dersingham Bog where we were lucky to see a Goshawk fly over before beginning our long journey home. We had all had a great few days in what is fast becoming one of my favourite parts of the country. Many thanks to Sheila Hodgson, our group leader, for organising the trip and we look forward to next year, wherever that may take us.

Pam Boulton

I was a child when the war broke out in 1939. We lived in central London - Clerkenwell EC1, and we were there all through the blitz.I remember the bombing that was heavy and constant in the 1940's when we went to the Air Raid shelter every night with our blankets and books. We lived opposite a 1930's building, incorporating an underground shelter. Perhaps they knew a war was coming.There were bunk beds fitted into the shelter. When the bombing was near, and heavy, the building shook and small clouds of dust came down from the ceiling. Each morning, as we came out of the shelter, the pavements were littered with debris from bombed buildings.My brother was with his fiancé when her house was struck. Her father and brother were killed and my brother badly injured. I went to see him in hospital but there was no public transport and I remember having to walk. He was badly injured, but recovered in time, married his fiance and they had a long an happy married life.I remember once seeing a bus, on its side, in a shop window.Even as a child, I do not remember anyone panicking or being upset in public. Perhaps because we were all in the same situation, knowing that there was nothing we could do to alter things. People came out of the shelter, went home to change, and then went to work.In the 1940's, doodlebugs - small flying bombs - were sent over. Their engine noise was unmistakable, and my thought always was to go out to see them. As they flew over London, their engines would cut out. They could then drift on or dive down, and that was why I would rather see what they were doing!After the blitz ended, my young brother and I were evacuated. It was whilst walking on the South Downs in Sussex that a German Messerschmitt flew over and machine-gunned me. I wore a white beret, and couldn't run as I was recovering from a broken ankle. I may owe my life to the Hurricane pilot who attacked that German fighter.All this was so long ago, but the memories of those times are always with me.

Memories of the Blitz

Hilda Hosker

With pictures by courtesy of John Whiteoak

If, like me, you can't identify this bird, nor the swans on the front cover, perhaps we should consider joining the Bird Watching Group. [Ed]

22 23

My late father-in-law John Henry Stephen Andrew was born in Sneinton, Nottingham in 1911. He married Nancy Lovelock in 1934 and their first means of transport was his faithful motorcycle.At the outbreak of World War II he was working for Rolls Royce in Derby on the team that made the famous Merlin aero engines for the Spitfire fighter and the Avro Lancaster bomber. This was a key job of national importance, and thus a “Reserved Occupation”, which over-rode liability for military service.Suddenly, in 1943 there was a need for a further tranche of conscription and Steve

found himself reporting to Northampton Barracks to join the Army! During basic training his intake were asked questions like “Can you ride a motorbike?” He could! Thus he arrived at Nostell Priory near Wakefield for training as a Despatch Rider and Signaller for the Royal Artillery. Duly trained he embarked on the troopship “Strathmore” in Liverpool en route for the build-up in Burma. Because of the security and censorship laws Nancy had no idea where he was but in his last letter home before sailing he kept referring to “being near their landlady Mrs Carroll”. This was where the family used to stay at New Brighton on summer holidays so Nancy eventually realised where he was and where he was going!

With the recent celebrations on the anniversary of VE Day it is always forgotten that the War was not over in the Far East. Steve was a part of the XIV Fourteenth Army. This was a multinational force, formed in1943, comprising units from Commonwealth countries mainly from the Indian Army and British units but including many African regiments. It was often called the Forgotten Army because its heroic exploits in Burma were overshadowed by those in Europe.It was commanded by Lt General William Slim and comprised four full Army corps totalling nearly a million personnel.When the troops arrived in Bombay their first job, before setting off for Burma, was to clear up the devastation in the docks caused by a huge explosion caused by the Indian Nationalist Army. These were the people who wanted the British out of India and who were prepared to fight alongside the Japanese Army to achieve that end.

Steve Andrew's War

Recalled by U3A member Martin Winterton

Steve’s Royal Artillery role in Burma was as a signaller attached to a Forward Observation Officer. They worked ahead of the front line reporting targets and the fall of shot for the gun batteries.They supported the 2nd Infantry Division whose emblem was the famous Crossed Keys. Being exposed ahead of the main fighting they had a protection party of a section of Ghurkas whose presence Steve said “Relieved me greatly”.The aim of the campaign in early 1944 was to enter Burma from the northwest and push south into Akyab and the Arakan Peninsula

Damage to Bombay Docks 1943 © Imperial War Museum

24 25

and north into Kohima and Imphal where the fighting was extremely heavy with huge losses on both sides. Whilst these areas were being secured the centre battlefront concentrated on capturing Meiktila and Mandalay and ultimately pushing on to Rangoon.

included the notorious Deolali base! Steve reckoned when he watched “It Ain’t ‘Arf ‘Ot Mum” on the TV he could tell you where the NAAFI was because the studio set was so accurate! Of his service at Abbatabad the only account Steve gave of the station was:“It was a superb monitoring station in the Hindu Kush at which we could monitor transmissions from all Allied forces and the Japanese in Burma and India; all the radio traffic from the Chinese front including American, British, Chinese and Japanese and all the Allied and German transmissions from the Middle East.Our job was to listen for radio ‘indiscretions’ from friendly forces and to follow up similar lapses by the enemy”. A good signals reception site will always be a good signals reception site. Abbatabad is now in Pakistan and it is no surprise to find that it is the intelligence centre for the Pakistani Military. Their equivalent of Sandhurst is also based there. More recently it was found to be the place where Osama Bin Laden was hiding.As a family historian I was content to record what I thought was quite an eventful military life for a 38-year old father of three. Steve died in 1998. More recently we visited Bletchley Park, the famous Station “X” where the Enigma messages were decoded, to discover by chance that the original messages were fed in by various monitoring stations around different theatres of war designated Stations “Y”. Abbatabad was one of those stations. Churchill called the staff, “The geese that never cackled”. Steve was one gander that remained silent unto the grave.

Steve entered Burma through the Buthidaung Tunnel at the head of the Buthidaung Pass road to Maungdaw, a small coastal port. It was during the advance on Maungdaw that Steve was wounded and, also suffering from chronic dysentery, was evacuated as walking wounded to Cox’s Bazaar, now in Bangladesh, to Calcutta. He ended up alone on the dockside with no assistance thinking he was going to die from the wound and dysentery when a passing military policeman saw his plight, put him in a jeep and he ended up in the Loreto Convent (where Mother Teresa worked), which at that time was being used as a military hospital. He recovered sufficiently to convalesce on the coast at a place called Puri.Once he was passed as fit Steve was not sent back to Burma but, because he was a signaller, he was posted across India to a monitoring station at Abbatabad on the Hindu Kush trail. Armed with a travel warrant and a ration chit it took him three weeks by train to travel right across India, travelling from one camp to another. This

Buthidaung Tunnel & Royal Artillery Gun Team in action in Burma

26 27

be had! So we drove back to Keswick and indulged in a spot of retail therapy in the excellent outdoor clothing stores before a leisurely stroll back to the accommodation in time for dinner.Evenings were well catered for with activities for those who wished to join in. There was a slide show in the bar, presented by a gentleman from the Fell Rescue Association, and a couple of quizzes to test the little grey cells.After a hearty breakfast on the final morning we went our separate ways home, a little disappointed that the weather had not been kinder, but glad of the lovely companionship of our wonderful group, grateful to its selfless organisers, and already looking forward to our next long Autumn weekend in Whitby.

On the last weekend in March, the Walk To Lunch group held its now well-established residential weekend, in a Holiday Fellowship property near Keswick in the Lake District.Holiday Fellowship, founded in 1913, was the brainchild of Thomas Arthur Leonard, a Congregational minister in Colne, who wanted to create the opportunity for working people to enjoy an activity break with the emphasis on wholesome outdoor pursuits.A hundred years on, that ethos still holds true, and we were comfortably housed, fed and watered in a lovely old house set in glorious surroundings, along with other groups from around the country.The weather was not at its best for either of our planned walks, but we set off undaunted, with waterproofs and a packed lunch, for the first outing to Catbells Terrace. The sun did emerge briefly just as we arrived at the summit of our walk, and we were rewarded with stunning views of the lake below before the rain once again closed in.The next day we were scheduled to walk round Buttermere lake, however on arrival in the village, it became apparent that there was an alternative event taking place, with not a single parking place to

Walk to Lunch Residential Weekend

Christine Patrick

Did you know that:- Edison electrocuted an elephant to prove that AC current was dangerous?The inventor of Vaseline used to eat a spoonful every day?Leonardo’s study of river erosion convinced him that the Earth was much older than the Bible claims?Mussolini was best man at Marconi’s wedding?Leo Fender, inventor of the Stratocaster and Telecaster, couldn’t play guitar?No-one knows who invented the fire hydrant as the patent was destroyed in a fire?Charles Richter, who invented the Richter Scale for earthquakes was a nudist?Percy Spencer invented the microwave oven when a chocolate bar in his pocket melted during a radar experiment?Hitler regarded Henry Ford as his ‘inspiration’ and had his photograph behind his desk?Carleton Village Hall on Wednesday mornings, from 13th January, for more fascinating facts about scientists and inventors!

Stories of Scientists Class

Andy Botherway - course leader

28 29

There are probably many readers who, on seeing a picture of "graffiti" in a previous magazine, instinctively winced – even though they may have quickly realised that some rascal had ‘Photoshopped’ it in.When I was with the National Park Authority and such software was rare and expensive, I had to deal with some actual graffiti. We were preparing a new Geology booklet. A colleague had done the drawings and text and I had to sort out the cover. The Dales are, of course, full of classic geological features, but they are not often obvious to the general public. So, I thought the strange otherworldly boulders of the Norber Erratics might have more impact. I went out to our ‘preferred’ photographers (who also generously discounted a cash-strapped National Park) and found a large-format beauty by the accomplished Simon Warner. However, on checking it under the magnifying glass, some large, carved initials jumped out at me. As there were no real contenders, I sent the transparency to the long-established Messrs Leach at Elland. They had a reputation for restoring old prints.They did a great job; the graffiti was "lost", and all was ready for printing. That done, I 'phoned the Area Warden with the location of the boulder, and asked if he would "weather" the graffiti away.Graffiti is a strange thing. The older it is, the more respected it becomes. There is graffiti from many ages inside the Pyramids. There is old graffiti, some by the pupils of Westminster School, on the Coronation Chair in Westminster Abbey. Church monuments (e.g. West Tanfield) are particularly vulnerable. Even the fastidious Swiss are prone. In the small mountain-town of Champéry, which we visit, there is, along one side, a high limestone cliff.More than halfway up there is a wide, painted, white band, and on it in very large, amateur, red letters is painted GALERIE. It denotes an accessible ledge that was cleared in the 1860s.Graffiti can be witty, democratic, puerile, and boring. It can be destructive or enhancing. Just keep it out of the Dales!

Virtual and Actual(iti)

Geoff Wood

Thanks go to the Art (multimedia) Group

30 31

After the war, German prisoners of war were housed at Newlaithes Hall, close to where I lived in Horsforth. I and my friends sometimes leaned over the high wall to look down on them playing football in the courtyard. One day one of them shouted: “Do you have any big sisters?” I replied: “No, but I have a big brother.” End of exchange!Some time after they left, we went into the Hall (door unlocked) to look around. Outside some of the doors of what must have been dormitories were lists of German names, and inside there were a few large beautiful paintings of German countryside, painted on the walls.If only I'd had a camera, then!

Linda Lee

– and German POWs

Deafening booms woke me up - Kirkstall Forge was being bombed.

I was six, and petrified, sobbing inconsolably.

My mother appeared: “What on earth's the matter?”

“I think a German is climbing up a ladder

to get through my bedroom window.”

“Don't be silly!”, she scoffed. “Why would he want to see you?”

Shocked – I realised this was true - calmed down – and went back to sleep.

Keep taking the tabletsIs wine tasting classed as recreational drug taking? Maybe not if you spit it out. Who does that? Or is it a competitive sport? I guess it depends what sort of crowd you mix with. After four years I thought the time was due for revising the format of the web site, and I thought it would be a good idea to put classes or groups into categories. That must have been after a good wine tasting class. Now I am not so sure. Languages, Walking and Science are easy. Where to put History and Geography? And WW1? is it history, geography or music? I don’t think it is recreation. Whatever I do, it is bound to upset some (maybe most) of the tutors. There may be aspects of a class that I am not aware of (or ever likely to be in the case of Ballet DVDs or Belly Dancing).Why I am being so ambitious? Well I think it is time for the U3A to move with the times. I know that some of you are reading this by candlelight but there are now a few folks with smart phones and tablets who have been taught how to use them by their grandchildren. Traditional web sites don’t work well on smart phones unless you have a magnifying glass. So it's time to have a separate web site for mobile devices – with a different way of displaying the list of classes, an alternative to an alphabetic list. I have devised several categories as a way of displaying the classes.I am aware that some tutors may be unhappy with my categories, and I am open to constructive suggestions. This is a first attempt and it will improve in time. I am also aware that some tutors will take up the challenge to devise classes that can’t fit into any category. They already challenge me with titles too long to fit on the web site. The mobile site is structured as a collapsible concertina type of menu which can be swiped with your finger or stylus. Your grandchild will show you how to do it. Right now, I am having trouble with my Popups – only to be expected at my age, and I don’t think I will crack the problem before this article is published. However I am hoping to have it up and running in time for the Open Day and Enrolment.The mobile web site address ishttp://www.cravenu3a.org.uk/cravenu3amobile.html

Doug Hirst

Home Truths –

Kirkstall Forge, which produced supplies for the aircraft industry, was bombed in August 1942

32 33

Many people walk in groups but others are solo, as I was for 70 miles of the route. My husband met me at most of the fifteen checkpoints, just missing a few out while he slept in the car. He then walked out to meet me early on Monday morning, accompanying me to the finish at the Anderton Centre where I arrived at 2.05 on Monday morning.There is a limit of 550 walkers each year. Success varies with the severity of the route and the weather. This year about 150 walkers failed to complete the hundred miles. I have attempted four of these hundred mile events, this being my second success. I was pleased with my time of 40 hours and 5 minutes. Then, I read of another Skipton lady who had completed the event in about 30 hours!If you would like to walk “the 100”, the next one is in Dorset, with our home county hosting the event in the North York moors in 2017.

It was the middle of the afternoon on the Sunday of the late May Bank Holiday weekend. I was having an argument with myself:1st voice: “I can’t walk another thirty miles. I’m tired.”2nd voice: “Don’t be so soft. You can make it to the next checkpoint, only five miles. Think of this section, not how far it is to the end.”1st voice: “But I haven’t eaten properly since last night”On cue a real voice spoke “Are you going to have some mint cake and a drink? You haven‘t had anything for an hour.”I was about eighty miles into the Red Rose 100. I’m a member of the Long Distance Walkers’ Association, a national body with regional groups. Each year, a different group organises a hundred mile walk over the late May Bank Holiday weekend. This year was Lancashire’s turn. The route started at Rivington Reservoir near Bolton, went up to Darwen Tower before heading to Witton Park, Blackburn. The third checkpoint was at Whalley, followed by almost going up Pendle Hill but veering off from Spence Moor to Newchuch and then Barley. The route planner was a masochist. We then went up Pendle Hill to the summit. In my case, in the dark, arriving at the summit at about 11 o’clock at night, giving me a tricky descent, down the steep side of Pendle Hill to Downham. It was after that I felt nauseous, surviving for the next sixty miles off small helpings of rice pudding, custard, porridge and a few cornflakes plus lots of mint cake and jelly sweets.I continued on through Bolton by Bowland to Tosside. The weather was kind to us, staying fine until about 2 o’clock on Sunday morning (after starting at 10 am on Saturday). For a few hours there was drizzle, increasing slowly to heavy rain about 7 o’clock on Sunday morning for half an hour. By then I was at Slaidburn, the ‘breakfast stop’ where sausage, bacon, egg, black pudding and baked beans were on offer. That’s where I ate porridge and cornflakes being unable to face anything more substantial.At Dunsop Bridge my friend, Sue, joined me to encourage me along. She walked with me through Chipping and Hurst Green to the river Ribble at Ribchester Bridge where Mark took on the task of keeping me going as far as Hoghton (famed for the knighting of the sirloin).

Out for a Walk!

Anne-Marie Grindley

Joan Hardy

Keep-Going Class

The Golden Oldies on Red Nose Day. Having a fun time, keeping fit.Together with the Three Links Zumba, class we collected and donated nine bags of food to the local food bank. Well done everyone!We finished the year with a buffet lunch which was enjoyed by all.Now we look forward to more fitness, fun & friendship in October.

34 35

Glenys Swallow

Method1. Steep the dried beans overnight, covered by water. Drain and rinse.2. In the open pressure cooker, fry the onion and pepper in vegetable oil until softened.3. Add all other ingredients except salt and pepper.4. Bring to pressure and cook for 20 minutes.5. Reduce pressure slowly.6. Season with salt and pepper.7. Serve with crusty garlic bread.

Mixed Bean Casserole serves 6

This recipe is cooked in a pressure cooker and is for vegetarians, but can be adapted for carnivores.

For carnivores, add garlic sausage or Frankfurter cut into chunks - re-heat until the sausage is hot.

4oz dried red kidney beans *4oz dried white haricot beans *4oz dried chickpeas *1tbsp vegetable oil1 large onion - chopped small1 green/red pepper - chopped small

3tbsp tomato puree1¼pint vegetable stock2tbsp demerara sugar1tbsp dry mustard powder1 large tin chopped tomatoesSalt & freshly ground black pepper

* Any preferred combination of dried beans may be used.

8 chicken thighs with skin on1tbsp vegetable oil1pinch black pepper, salt, paprika 1 (10.75oz) can condensed creamof mushroom soup

1oz pack dry onion soup mixOR 2oz dry sage & onion mix1cup sour cream1tbsp lemon juice1tbsp dried dill

Method1. Brown chicken in oil over medium heat. Place in a 9 x 13 inch greased baking dish. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and paprika to taste.2. Combine mushroom soup, onion soup mix, sour cream, lemon juice and dill together. Pour over chicken.3. Bake at 180C/350F/Gas 4 for 1 hour until chicken is tender.

Chicken in Sour Cream serves 4

Of our 17-strong group, about half were "boys" on a hot 1st July trip. This large water-powered mill, set in beautiful surroundings on the outskirts of Styal in Cheshire, is one of the best preserved textile mills of the Industrial Revolution. Owned by the National Trust, it is now a museum of the cotton industry.Arrival was at 10.30, which allowed time for a cuppa, etc. before starting a conducted tour of the mill. After lunch in the café, there was ample time for a stroll around the mill, its grounds and gardens, before the 3 o'clock conducted tour of the Apprentices' House.The mill was built in 1784, by Samuel Greg. It was designed to use water frames (newly out of patent) to spin the increased supply of cotton following the cessation of the American War of Independence. Continually developed and extended, the mill was able to run 3452 spindles by 1805. In 1838, newly-added weaving sheds now housed 305 looms. Production continued until 1959. Throughout its history, it has relied upon water power from the river Bollin. When the mill was restored in 1983, a 25ft diameter waterwheel of similar design to the mill's Great Wheel of 1818 was moved from Glasshouses Mill, near Pateley Bridge, and installed to provide power for the machinery. The industrial architecture and machinery are fascinating, but so too are the insights into the lives of the workers. The Apprentices' House is particularly enlightening - they were unpaid until the age of 15! RF

A school party, in costume, joined us for this demonstration

A Boys Day Out to Quarry Bank Mill

36

Craven U3A Magazine

Copy for the Spring Edition should be sent to the editor

before Monday 18th January 2016

by email:magazine@cravenu3a.org.uk

or by post:R.French, 6 Cross Lane Mill, Bradley BD20 9QB

The editor welcomes contributions of articles about groups, activities, visits, recollections, poems, or anything that you think may be of interest to other members.Colour photographs will be printed as black & white, but will be in colour when the edition appears on the website.The editor reserves the right to edit, use, or not use any submitted material. The preferred form of submitted material is an email containing plain text or attached documents.All received emails will be acknowledged.The editor cannot be held responsible for any submissions that are lost in transit.The magazine appears twice yearly and articles may be held over to appear in a later edition.

DO IT - BUY THE BOOK !

The Craven U3A book is certainly a fine effort and perhaps more readable than ours. However, it is too late to revise ours now.Chairman, Salisbury and District U3AI just wanted to let you know how impressed we all are with the above publication. It’s so impressive and a credit to Craven U3A.Lin Jonas, Company Secretary, The Third Age TrustThe thing that came across to me was how well you had brought out the comradeship and determination of a presumably quite normal group of people. TBIt really does look very impressive and rather beautiful. JFIt is particularly welcome to have reminders and photographs of . . . all of whom have delightfully contributed to the quality of my life. KR

Craven U3A the first thirty years, written by Gareth Davies, is a personal view

inspired by the Craven U3A archives and Gareth's own recollections.

The seventy-two page A4-size coffee-table style book is printed

in full colour and is packed with photographs and stories from

across the years.You may recognise many

old friends and perhaps even yourself!

The cost is £10 per copy. All proceeds go to Craven U3A.

You can buy your copy at the Open Day, or from

Gareth Davies tel: 01756 790903 email: garethbach@hotmail.com

The 30th Anniversary Book

Dates for your Diary

Open DayTuesday 11th August 20152pm at Skipton Town Hall

Postal Enrolment CommencesMonday 17th August 2015

Carol ServiceTuesday 15th December 2015

2pm at St Andrew's Church, Newmarket Street

Craven U3A WebsiteFor details of events (and more) go to:

www.cravenu3a.org.ukItems for inclusion on the website should be sent to:

website@cravenu3a.org.uk

Craven U3A NoticesItems for the monthly Notices should be sent to:

notices@cravenu3a.org.uk

Coffee Mornings at Swadford Centre from 10am

Saturday 1st August 2015Saturday 5th September 2015

at Soroptomist Rooms from 10amSaturday 3rd October 2015

Saturday 7th November 2015Saturday 5th December 2015Saturday 9th January 2016Saturday 6th February 2016

Saturday 5th March 2016Saturday 2nd April 2016