Canterbury & District

June 2018

U3A Matters The next issue of U3A Matters will be in early September, so please send

contributions to Newsletter@U3ACanterbury.org.uk or get them to the

Orange Street office by 15 August.

Joining Procedures

New members can now join on Joining Days at the office in Orange Street from 10.00 till 12.00. The remaining dates for 2018 are:

Monday 2 July Monday 6 August Monday 3 September Monday 1 October Monday 5 November.

Please contact Barbara Rogers at : barbara_h_rogers@icloud.com

Contents Monthly Meetings ........................................ 2 Borrowing U3A Equipment ............... 6

Please Help our U3A ................................... 2 Late Subscription Renewals ............. 6

Third Age Trust ................................................ 2 Write Something for the Review . 7

Research Update ............................................ 3 Interest Sharing Groups ....................... 7

Autumn Holiday .............................................. 4 Walks ........................................................... 8 –10

Day Trips ................................................................ 4 Short Story Competition ................... 11

Steel Band Event ............................................ 5 Grow your own Produce .................. 12

Who’s for a Cruise? ..................................... 5 EcoFeast .......................................................... 12

Canterbury Society ....................................... 6

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Monthly Meetings At St Mary Bredin Church starting at 2.15:

13 June ‘Ellen Terry—the first Superstar’ by Ann Rachlin

11 July Strawberry Tea

12 September ‘Postcards from the First World War: Love, Morale and Propaganda’ by Helen Allinson

Please Help our U3A

The membership of our U3A has grown hugely in recent years, but the number of group leaders and tutors has not grown proportionately. Part of the thinking behind our organisation is that members should contribute as well as join groups. Probably no-one will be won over by the bribe of a free lunch and a free course for yourself for running ten sessions or more; however, if you have an interest or skill, of whatever kind, do overcome your doubts and get in touch about sharing it. Support and advice are available. The group size is of your own choosing.

The experience is remarkably satisfying and groups are both appreciative and consist always of very nice people! Or perhaps if you don’t feel able to form a group you may be willing to host a modest-sized one in your house, providing backing for some other brave soul. Do give it a thought. Ursula Steiger is our volunteer coordinator, Pam McGregor is Director of Studies and Roy Taylor is Course Administrator, all of whom would welcome any informal discussions should you have any doubts. Their phone numbers and emails are on your membership card.

Carol Stewart

Third Age Trust

The 35th Annual General Meeting of the Third Age Trust will be held at East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham, on Thursday 30 August 2018. Details of the Agenda and Conference booking information are available from chair@U3ACanterbury.org.uk or on the Third Age Trust website.

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Research Update We now have about eighty members active or interested in specific research projects. Please note that current projects are listed in greater detail on the web page address below. We have had two bee identification days and Alastair Noble is

about to organise bee walks. The ‘Carers Create’ study with the Sidney de Haan Centre is well

under way. The ‘Memory and Balance’ study with Kent University has almost

completed data collection and we look forward to our Balance workshop.

We are waiting to find out if Dr Rory Loughnane at Kent University has received the required grant to fund our participation in his study on Shakespeare and ageing.

We have been asked to run focus groups for a national U3A study on the meaning of U3A membership—our members are facilitating the South East area.

Under the leadership of Lesley Griffiths there are now several history projects under way, some already completed.

As our research coordinator, I have been asked to be a representative of the U3A on the UK Advisory Board on Leadership in the Health Professions.

We have been offered institutional membership of the England Centre for Practice Development, which will be Canterbury based and lead to many research opportunities in patient care.

We are developing our MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with Canterbury Christ Church University to emphasise research collaboration.

New members have expressed interest in Science projects— are you interested in joining them to develop this initiative?

Canterbury and District is developing a name for itself as an example of good practice in research in the U3A nationally—we need to keep this up, so please join us with your ideas.

If you are interested in joining our research groups, please contact me by email: Research@u3acanterbury.org.uk (web page https://u3asites.org.uk/canterbury/page/71005).

Rona Hodges

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Autumn Holiday: 11–15 October

The Historic Houses and Heritage of Cheshire and Liverpool

Cheshire. Visiting: Hanbury Hall; Erddig House; and a guided tour of Chester.

Liverpool. Visiting: two cathedrals; Anthony Gormley’s ‘Another Place’ at Crosby Beach; and the Terracotta Warriors and other artefacts at the World Museum Exhibition.

Also included are visits to Dunham Massey; the Wedgwood Factory and Museum; and a cruise at Anderton (boat lift). Cost: £399

More info and application form in your copy of this newsletter.

Day Trips Unfortunately, the planned summer outing boat trip on the MV Pocahontas has been cancelled. The boat is not sailing at all this year following extensive damage to the pier at Gravesend in the February storms. However, we have a fabulous alternative below.

Wednesday 18 July William Morris, Epping, and Lee Valley Cream Tea Cruise

Full details on the application form on our website Events page. Tuesday 11 September – Bletchley Park Visit the museum dedicated to the men and women who broke the Nazis’ Enigma code in the Second World War. Alan Turing and his team saved potentially millions of lives and the museum has many fascinating artefacts from their work.

Thursday 8 November – The People’s Post A gentle, guided stroll around some of the visible reminders of our

postal history in the morning is followed by a visit to the brand

new, state of the art Postal Museum to enjoy an incredible

collection spanning five centuries of our postal history. During the

trip we will get to ride the hidden tunnels of the Mail Rail!

From the Summer Programme:

Steel Band Event Wednesday 1 August

A repeat of the last two years’ successful day out to hear the only Quaker Steel Band in England. We will travel by coach, leaving New Dover Road Park and Ride at 10.45. We will consume our packed lunch (drinks will be provided) on arrival at the Friends’ Meeting House in Sutton. After lunch there will be a concert of a range of music including traditional steel band and some songs to sing along to. The owner of the drums will tell us about their history and the history of this genre of music before those who wish may have a try, under guidance, to play one of these fascinating instruments. We will leave Sutton at about 4.30, aiming to be back in Canterbury by 6.30. Cost: £22 based on 24 participants. This will cover the cost of travel and a small donation to the Quaker Steel Band. The trip can only happen if at least 24 people take part. Meet: 10.30 at New Dover Road Park and Ride. Contact: For further enquiries and more details, or to book, please contact Ursula Steiger (see your personal copy of this newsletter for contact details). In order to confirm arrangements I will need to have names and cheques by 15 June.

Who’s for a Cruise?

U3A Canterbury and District has teamed up with award-winning Fred Olsen Cruise Lines to give you a very tempting 10% membership discount on your first sailing with them—and that’s on top of any current offers. Existing Fred Olsen customers can save 5% in addition to their 5% Loyalty Club discount.

We have a discount code that you can obtain from Ursula Steiger, preferably by email at least 48 hours before you intend to book on the U3A hotline 0800 0355 108. At the point of booking you will need the code and proof of your membership by giving your membership number. The discount is exclusive to qualifying members and their travelling companions only.

This has been made possible by one member who heard about the scheme and asked us to investigate. Thank you.

Ursula Steiger

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Canterbury Society seeks volunteers

The Canterbury Society is responsible for organising the Heritage Open Days—an annual event where properties of interest are opened free to the public for several days each September.

The current organiser is retiring and a replacement is being sought. The work entails mainly getting in touch with venues in the early part of the year, then registering them with English Heritage. Help is also sought for the delivering of the pamphlets in late summer.

For more details see your personal copy of this newsletter.

Borrowing U3A Equipment

We have a volunteer who is responsible for keeping control of all

U3A equipment, signing it in and out of the Orange Street office.

Should you need to borrow or return anything, please phone the

volunteer (see your personal copy of this newsletter for phone

number) to arrange a mutually suitable time to meet for the

handover.

Late Annual Subscription Renewals

The closing date for Annual Renewals for each year is 28 February.

You will be able to make a late payment for renewal at Joining Days which take place from 10 to 12 on the first Monday of each month at the Orange Street Office, as listed on page 1.

Please note that all payments will be processed only on those days.

Anne Darby, Membership Secretary

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Write up something for the U3A Review?

We are already thinking of the next edition of our Review magazine.

We would very much like some feedback from anything you have

found interesting, amusing or downright amazing. We are interested in

all U3A subjects from summer treats and language classes to dancing

and painting. It is always easier if you think ahead and take some notes

as you go along.

We can accept copy in any format, emails, type, hand written to

Review@U3ACanterbury.org.uk, post to Orange Street, or to any

member of the editorial board—Ursula Steiger, Pat Rose, Jocelyn

Thomson or Robert Mathews.

Interest Sharing Groups

Interest Sharing Groups (ISGs), formerly known as Social Groups, have

been renamed to better reflect the nature of such groups' activities.

They often arise from course activities that members wish to continue.

However, other groups may be formed by members who wish to share

a particular interest or passion. Once formed, ISGs are open to all

Canterbury U3A members to apply, though some of the groups’

activities may of necessity require restricted numbers and the activity

itself may require particular skills and or knowledge.

ISGs have a Co-ordinator (see membership card) who can receive

requests for new ISGs and once they are approved by the Director of

Studies will inform the membership in the Newsletter and on the U3A

website’s ISG page. However, prospective ISG leaders are required to

read the ‘Convention’ drawn up by the Committee before embarking

on the process.

Current active ISGs offer Bridge, Allotment Management, Art

Appreciation and Model-making.

Members are invited to put forward suggestions for new ISGs to the

Coordinator, and they can be advertised and set up if a leader and

venue can be found. Robert Potter

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Walks: Summer 2018 For all walks you need to book a place. Contact details for each walk leader are in your personal copy of this newsletter which was sent to you by email or in the post. Thursday 14 June 10:30 A walk of about 5 miles from Wye Church, TN25 5BL, to Wye Crown and along Wye Downs to the Devil’s Kneading Trough for superb views. The descent is stepped and we return across fields to Wye. Parking is available in Church Street near the church or in a small car park opposite. The 10.06 train from Canterbury arrives in Wye at 10.20. Tuesday 19 June 10.30 An Historical Walk around Sandwich Jacqui Linning will lead a two-hour walk round Sandwich, including a visit to her own thirteenth century garden. Maximum: 12. Venue: meet outside Sandwich Guildhall Museum. Paid parking in the Guildhall car park and on the quay. Bus No.43 from Canterbury gets to Sandwich Guildhall at 10.35. Wednesday 20 June 1.30 5-mile circular walk from Chartham Hatch to Harbledown and back with cream tea at finish. Venue: Park at Orchard Mount, Chartham Hatch. Occasionally muddy, a couple of stiles. Finish with a cream tea (donation to Kent and Canterbury Hospital League of Friends). Directions will be given when booking Wednesday 27 June 10.30 ‘Birds, Butterflies and Orchids’: Wye Downs Nature Reserve Meeting Place: in the Reserve car park, opposite the Devil’s Kneading Trough restaurant, Wye Downs, Hastingleigh TN25 5HE. Take the Hastingleigh Road out of Wye heading towards Hastingleigh. As the reserve is very steep, please wear strong footwear and bring binoculars if you have them. Maximum 14.

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Thursday 28 June 10:00 The Yew Tree at Westbere CT2 0HH; Map ref: 194611. (Bus no. 8 to Pennington Close, Hersden and a 5 or 6-minute walk along the lane to Westbere.) Circular walk through Westbere Marshes, past lake and along River Stour. Visit to Fordwich Town Hall, built 1544 and still used by Fordwich Town Council—cost £2, and return to Westbere along another path. Please advise if pub lunch required.

Monday 2 July 10.30–12.00 Tree Walk This site is Canterbury’s Arboretum and is very little known. Come to see 250 species of trees and to look at them in a different way. This is the Summer Walk and the trees will be at their best. The site is flat and there are public conveniences. Maximum: 15. Venue: Canterbury Cemetery, Westgate Court Avenue, Canterbury. Street parking available; bus stop in Whitstable Road.

Tuesday 3 July 2.00 3-mile Sculpture Trail walk in Canterbury Venue: Meet at the first sculpture on Lady Wootton’s Green. This walk is also suitable for mobility scooters and wheelchairs and, as it is mainly in the centre of Canterbury, walkers can leave the walk whenever they like.

Friday 13 July 10.30–12.30 A Walk round Victorian Canterbury Pigs in the streets, sewage in the Stour, elegant shops and grandiose banks. See some of Canterbury’s surviving Victorian buildings and learn how its inhabitants lived. Maximum: 20. Venue: Meet at Canterbury Castle, Gas Street entrance.

Wednesday 18 July 2.00 Stroll through Westgate Gardens 45-minute walk through Westgate Gardens followed by tea. Meet at West Gate Towers (inside the park) CT1 2DB.

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Friday 20 July 10.15–1.00 From Hollywood to Fascism by Way of Billy Bunter

6-mile walk. We’ll pick up on a few interesting historical events in this part of Thanet. In the afternoon you could call in to the Turner Gallery!

Meet at the Botany Bay Hotel, Broadstairs CT10 3LG. For lunch call 01843 868641.

8.55 bus 8A from Canterbury bus station arrives at The Nineteenth Hole at 10.03.

Or from Margate Station (cross the road to the Nayland Rock Hotel). It leaves at 09.45.

Tuesday 7 August 11.00 Fordwich, the Front and Back Door to Canterbury

Since the early seventh century Fordwich has been the front door to Canterbury as the port to bring in every conceivable requirement for medieval living. It has also been the place of departure and landing for dignitaries bound for the continent. The church has a history possibly stretching back that far. After a look inside the church there will be an illustrated talk in the Town Hall, outlining the history of the port, the Town Hall’s use as a council chamber and court of law, which reflect the vivacity and antagonism of the quayside.

Cost: There is a £2 entry fee to the Town Hall—unless you live in Fordwich!

Venue: Meet at St Mary’s Church, moving to the Town Hall.

Lunch is available locally.

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Canterbury, Saxon Shore and Faversham U3As

Short-story Writing Competition 2018 –19

After a year’s gap the short story competition is open again, and

this time it is even bigger! Canterbury is joining with Saxon Shore

and Faversham U3As to invite submissions from a wider member-

ship. The competition will, as always, be judged anonymously by

three judges selected from published authors across the three

U3As.

The topic is usually very open to a range of interpretations for

the writers; previous years have been ‘Journeys’ and ‘Reflections’

respectively. This is the first notification of the competition, so

there is plenty of time to get those thoughts flowing; the main

details are outlined below:

Theme:

‘Memory is the diary that we all carry about with us.’ Oscar Wilde

Word-Count: Maximum: 2,000

Entry Date: 9 November 2018

Closing Date: 3 December 2018

Entry Fee: £5

Notification of Winners: February 2019.

Conditions of Entry: A current member of one or any of

the following U3As: Canterbury and District, Saxon Shore,

or Faversham.

First, Second and Third winners will be awarded a small cash prize

and be published in the Canterbury U3A Annual Review. The Top

10 writers will be notified and it may be possible to make a

publication of their entries in a small volume available to buy.

Watch out for September’s Newsletter when full details plus a

submission pro forma will be available.

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Grow your own Produce

There are still a few places available in our allotment group which

has a plot on the Pilgrims Way allotments. Now is the time to

think about joining and planning for the coming autumn. A small

plot is manageable, the soil is fertile, there is a water supply and a

shed for keeping tools in. No experience is needed as help is at

hand, knowledge is shared as well as produce, and spending a

couple of hours outdoors, engaging in a rewarding and sociable

activity—what’s not to like? For contact details see your

personal copy of this newsletter.

EcoFeast

Continuing the link between U3A and the University of Kent the

project named EcoFeast, a cookery course, as mentioned in our

December issue, is now ready to move forward. The plan is to

pass on conservation-focused cookery skills from the older to the

younger generations in local schools. The food is currently being

sourced from various local shops—food that would otherwise go

to waste despite being perfectly edible (e.g. food that has gone

past its sell by date, or is misshaped so not aesthetically pleasing

to sell). Enactus* will provide full information regarding the plans

for the project and the training sessions/certification that is

expected by any school involved.

If you are interested in this project, please, in the first instance,

see your personal copy of this newsletter for contact details. We can then arrange a meeting with someone from Enactus to

take the idea forward.

* Enactus is a student organisation at the University of Kent working to empower communities and improve livelihoods through their projects.