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CALDICOT & DISTRICT U3A
Newsletter
January 2021
www.u3asites.org.uk/caldicot/home Reg Charity No. 1071447
WISHING YOU ALL A HAPPY, HEALTHY 2021
AND A BIG
TO ALL MEMBERS FOR KEEPING OUR
CALDICOT & DISTRICT u3a
MEMBERSHIP ALIVE IN THIS
UNPRECEDENTED TIME
1
CHAIRMAN'S LETTER
Chairs letter
Happy New Year everyone
I say that with a profound sense of hope against the backdrop of a very different reality. As you
will see in the following pages of this Newsletter the reality is much more sobering. The passing of
two of our members and the news of others who have been subjected to Covid-19 or other serious
illness and the effects of this upon them and their families is, unfortunately, a part of our lives at
the moment. From a personal perspective I am also saddened to hear that John and Jen Jefferies
are moving out of the area to be nearer to their family. John was previously Vice Chair and he
worked tirelessly in promoting this u3a notwithstanding the fact that he resurrected our Website
and played a significant part in rewriting our Constitution. John and Jen's involvement in the
Strollers walking group was great and to be truthful Jen was the brains behind their walks, because
John could not pronounce Welsh place names with a Geordie accent.
So what of this New Year when at times when keeping our u3a going in 2021, seems to be a rather
inadequate ambition, in the scheme of things. Well the fact that we kept going throughout 2020
has given us resilience and some of the lessons that we learned, will hopefully see us through the
difficulties ahead.
Ambition has manifested itself in several ways so when you read the Committee News in this
Edition and indeed the articles written by members, then you can see the Genesis of people's ideas
and enthusiasm despite everything.
Please also look at the material for the AGM and our resolve to follow our Constitutional rules by
holding an AGM (albeit an Email and Postal version) because of Covid-19. We also wanted to
annoy Mr Trump. All we need you to do is just to complete the Ballot paper and return it to me, so
that we are quorate and this Committee will continue to work on your behalf for another year.
As an aside Covid has meant, the Committee Members have, for the last 3 months, hand delivered
over 100 paper copies of the Newsletters and other material every month.
Ambition is evidenced also in the fact that our Newsletter and Website development ideas are now
bearing fruit. No one can fail to see the knowledge and wealth of experience, skills and ideas of
both our groups and members.
Indeed if we are to survive, although a poor substitute for physically being able to meet, the more
we use ZOOM, email and whatever other method like this Newsletter and the Website, the greater
our chances are for our future.
Sometimes adversity means that you may well have to adapt and do some things differently. As
such the Committee will be proposing new ideas and possibly new ways of delivering our u3a
themes and sessions. The relative success of any u3a depends upon the ideas and support of its
members.
At the time of writing I am awaiting information on the percentage of past members who have
decided not to renew their annual £10 membership for 2020 and clearly that will be a factor in
future plans, etc.
To conclude, I ask you to remember those, who we have lost and those who are or have been ill
recently. Please think of them and smile at the memory of being in an Interest Group with them, or
sharing a cup of tea and a chat at a monthly meeting. Stay safe.
Rob Harry
2
COPY FOR THE NEWSLETTER
We welcome reports from all groups for inclusion in the Newsletter or forwarding to our website.
Word doc is preferred and should be sent to:
u3anewsandviews@gmail.com or tel. 01291 424997 by midday on the 29th JANUARY 2021
Typed or handwritten notes should be submitted a few days earlier if possible.
Angela Hodson-Hirst
LINK SECRETARY
I would ask that if you hear of any member(s) who reach their 80th, 90th, 100th birthdays, Golden,
Diamond, Platinum Wedding Anniversaries or even Marriages between members to please contact
me so that I can send a Congratulatory card.
Also, if you hear of any member, in your group, or their family who are in hospital, sick or any
other reason I would be grateful if you would please inform me. bettybun55@gmail.com
Tel: 01291 421484
Betty Waite
CONDOLENCES
ROBERT TAYLOR-HEARD
On Wednesday 16 December 2020 we lost another Rare Breed – Rob Taylor-Heard. Rare -
because he had a combination of Artistic and Technical abilities which is, indeed, rare.
Rob and his wife Ann moved to Caldicot in 1979 while running their professional photographer
business from a property in Maindee, Newport. Both Rob and Ann joined the u3a soon after their
retirement from the business in 2000.
Rob was an early member of the Computer, Gardening, Science & Natural History Groups being
especially active in teaching Photo Editing to members of the Computer Group. He also had a
Technical role in the Drama Group for a short time, most memorably producing an “interview” at
the 2007 December Meeting first with Glenice& Adrian Dallow then Gary & Lyn Thompson who
were all, at the time, in Australia and New Zealand respectively. Many members still believe it
was a real live link-up.
Unfortunately, a form of dementia slowly reduced Rob’s direct involvement in u3a activities over
several years, although he attended most of the main group meetings where members were pleased
to see him. Until within the last year he remained a good story-teller. Although his short term
memory was failing he could still relate stories from his mischievous childhood and, if strictly true,
it is surprising he didn’t spend much of his time attending Juvenile Court. Several of these
adventures Rob had written about in short stories (another of his many talents).
Rob will be missed by his many friends but especially by his wife Ann his daughter Samantha and
his grandson Ewan to all of whom we give our sincere condolences.
Jim & Nita Fenton
3
ERIC JOHNSON
Some new members possibly would not know that, apart from being a valued member of our u3a,
he was also a teacher at Caldicot Comprehensive School where amongst other subjects he taught
woodwork. He was a favourite teacher of many pupils.
He brought his skills with carpentry to help us in the u3a especially when we purchased a grand
piano. It caused headaches as to where we would house it and when the school offered to store it in
the old Greyhill Hall Eric built what we called the garage to house the piano which could be locked
away to prevent any vandalism.
When the new school was built we presented the piano to the school for the pupils to use for music
lessons and taking their exams.
Eric was an asset to all those who needed carpentry done. He also repaired our wooden bench
which had been situated in the castle grounds but unfortunately although Eric and his son did what
they could it was beyond saving.
Pam Caines
I lost a special friend of more than 46 years, last night. Dear, cheeky Eric Johnson.
Eric, my late wife Jane (who died 31 years ago) and I started work, teaching at Caldicot
Comprehensive School on the 1st September 1974. We hit it off with Eric from the very first day,
when we happened to sit together in the staff room.
Eric was a very skilled cabinet maker who decided that he wanted to teach woodwork and technical
drawing. He even worked on the building of the original Severn Bridge.
He had a wicked sense of humour and was a great practical joker. He one day hid my bicycle in
the staff ladies toilet and enjoyed watching me panic as I thought someone had stolen it. That was
only one of the many antics that Eric got up to.
Unfortunately he was admitted to the Royal Gwent Hospital some weeks ago after a fall at home.
Last week he contracted Coronavirus, in hospital and the inevitable happened. Eric will be missed
by all of his family and friends. Fortunately we will all have special memories of him.
Rest in Peace Eric Johnson (age 83)
Obituary taken from facebook and submitted by a daughter of one of our members
I first met Eric about 27 years ago when I joined his evening woodwork class at Caldicot School.
He was a humorous and artful in every sense of the world. His humour was sometimes difficult to
understand but the longer you knew him the easier it became.
Eric was a first class cabinet maker and he passed his knowledge on to his students, I learnt a lot
from him.
After Eric retired we remained close friends and spent many hours together, still working in his
workshop with his favourite medium of wood.
We had many good days out, lunch would usually be involved, and Eric enjoyed these outings as
he loved meeting people, who enjoyed Eric's company. Eric was my friend and I shall miss him
greatly.
Obituary taken from facebook and submitted by Glenice Dallow
ART GROUP
Eric Johnson will be missed by us all. He was an enthusiastic member of the Art group.
Condolences to Maureen and his family.
Mary Richards
Art Convenor
4
CARDS SENT
Thinking of you and condolence cards sent to Ann Taylor-Heard and family.
CONGRATULATIONS
Our congratulations go to Gill and Barbara Pearce
who celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary
on December 10th
Congratulations to Glenice Dallow who celebrates her 80th birthday this month.
Betty Waite
GARDENING GROUP
On Thursday 10th December, which would have been our normal monthly meeting, we had a small
group meeting at our Cornfield garden plot in Portskewett.
There was chatting, catching up, and mince pies and coffee. Admittedly the coffee was brought by
each member there as of course we have no facilities to use. Pauline and Sheila provided the
mince pies which were enjoyed by all. It was very informal and very pleasant just to be out and
meeting others.
A small Christmas tree given to the Cornfield project by Beryl Lewis and
is decorated and looks really festive. Nita and Jim Fenton donated a Bay
tree which they planted in our veggie/herb
plot.
Maybe when we are allowed a little more
freedom and we are not so anxious about
meeting outside some of you might like to join
us if only to be out and have a stroll around a
very pleasant area and of course a chat to other
members.
Unfortunately we had this first meet that has turned out to be the last for
now, but our newsletter will let you know when we can meet again.
Betty Waite
As we say goodbye to 2020 may the New Year be a Safe, Healthy and Happy one for all members
of Caldicot & District u3a. My wish for 2021 would be for the end of Covid-19 and a safe return to
the enjoyment of our u3a activities and be able to meet again very soon.
Please take care and keep safe.
Best wishes
Glenice Dallow
Group Co-ordinator
5
COMMITTEE NEWS
There is not a great deal to report in Committee news this month except our frustration and
concern.
From a positive position of making new ideas become reality and the consolidation of some our
initiatives we now seem to be taking 2 steps forward and then one back. Here are some of our
ideas that with the help of Convenors and Members are working successfully.
Our plan to fill our Newsletter and Website with our Interest Groups initiatives and
members work was realised.
The Community Gardening Project at the Cornfield Project was flourishing
All of our Walking Groups were meeting every week if not to walk but to visit the wealth
of cultural or historical venues that we have on our doorstep
Similarly those Interest Groups that could meet virtually or at the very least communicate with
members to provide information on our website were going well and indeed there were plans to
also involve other groups.
The Committee was managing to meet every month and we were at the stage of:
Beginning the planning of meetings with Convenors and Treasurers
Looking realistically at the role of our u3a within our Local Communities in the future via
our Public Relations Working Group
Looking forward to hopefully a date in 2021 when we could have a celebration of our u3a
if not for its 25th but 26th year
Then the very stark reality that Covid 19 has revisited our area, but with much more venom swiftly
brought us down to earth . We are an optimistic Committee and we will find a path through these
difficulties. However at present the priority has changed to now assessing the risks involved in our
activities and to following the rules from Welsh Government Announcements (WGA) and TAT.
So the Committee made the decision to suspend the Gardening and Walking Groups. That decision
was not made lightly, given that a lot of hard work had been undertaken by the Committee back in
the Summer to put together the criteria under which we could start those groups and abide by the
strict criteria involved within our Insurance cover. Notwithstanding our members safety.
Another period of lockdown in early 2021 means that the above plans to meet with our Convenors
Treasurers and Members face to face is essentially on hold again. However we will keep in contact
with them and draft outline ideas of what we plan to do in 2021 .
The principle aim of the Committee is for our u3a to survive, but also that as a Committee we learn
from this experience. We think that our u3a may well need to adapt to the reality of a changed
world in 2021 but with the continued support of our members we can do that. This u3a will we
hope will continue to provide a lifeline for our current members, but also possibly, for many other
potential members in our communities in the future.
The Committee
6
CALDICOT COMPUTER & FAMILY HISTORY GROUPS
On behalf of the above named groups I am writing to say a BIG THANK YOU to Mr John Jeffery
who is sadly moving to the county of Wiltshire to a little village called Mere, for family reasons, to
be midway between his two sons and their families.
I have known John when he worked for Lucas and then New Express where he was one of the
Directors, when I retired in 1997 I thought that would be the last I would see of him. But like a bad
penny he turns up again on a Friday morning eight years ago when he walks into the computer
group. Paul said I think we have a new member, I was trying to think of his name I said that is
John LUCAS. That name has stuck.
From that day on we continued our relationship as when we both knew each other at Llanwern.
He set up the Family History group and many of the members appreciated the work he did for them
in finding information from past years. His knowledge helped find families worldwide.
He supported the computer group 100% helping members with their problems, he will also be
missed in all the other groups he took part in.
Along the way we all appreciated his work on the U3A committee also as Vice Chair. I can write
so many things he has done for us all but I need to say no more now, just to thank you John for
your loyalty and wish you and Jennifer best wishes and happiness in pastures new.
Well done you good and faithful member, happy memories
John of the valley (John Mills)
Convenor Computer Group
8TH ZOOM DIGITAL COMPETITION
THEME: ANIMALS OR PETS
1st – Maureen Rhymer Joint 2nd – Paul Bennett
Joint 2nd - Nita Fenton
3rd - John Mills
7
HISTORY
TALK ON NAPOLEON’S ARMY GIVEN BY RAY PARFITT
In Napoleon’s time there was conscription; people between 18 and 25, each region had to have a
list. There was no end to the period of service as long as the war was going on. Those who were
foolish enough could volunteer provided they were aged between 18 and 30.
Starting with the headgear this was the uniform that they wore.
This was the bearskin of the French Imperial Guard; it had an
eagle on the front, and a plume at the side. These decorations
were for parade only – during battle they would be removed. On
the back was a badge indicating that the wearer was a grenadier.
There was no chinstrap; the British Grenadier Guards wore
bearskins which were built around a bamboo framework, whereas
the bearskins of the Imperial Guard were constructed on leather.
Another hat was the shako, described by some as ‘like wearing a
bucket on your head’ the pompom on the front indicated that the
wearer was a grenadier. Also for use on campaign and in camp
was a pointed hat reminiscent of a nightcap it was very unpopular
and many ended up in the river. The cavalry helmets were rather
more elaborate and intended to impress, befitting the status of
cavalrymen.
The standard uniform jacket was longer and intended to keep the wearer reasonably warm. It was
made of wool, so it was cheap to make. A soldier often wore a waistcoat for warmth. The stripes
on the jacket indicated the rank and length of service of the wearer. In most regiments each soldier
also wore white trousers, usually worn wet because they had to be washed often. However the
Imperial Guard wore white trousers in the summer and blue in the winter. Gaiters up to the knee
would have been worn with the white trousers, and short grey gaiters with the blue trousers.
Regarding shoes, in those days there was no distinction between left and right feet.
The staple diet consisted of ‘twice-baked bread’ which had all moisture had been removed and
would last a few days longer, but which had to be dipped in something before it could be eaten.
The haversack was made of cow skin; the outside surface was put on the inside so it would stay
dry. A soldier’s entire world was in his haversack – shirt, spare trousers, washing kit, spare
cartridges for his musket, and a device called a martinet, which was a piece of wood with knotted
bits of string tied to it; it was used for beating clothes during the
washing process. Also carried was a marmite, a communal
cooking pot which they carried in turns. They also carried some
dried wood for starting a fire when they stopped for rest.
According to Bernard Cornwell in his ‘Sharpe’ books, these
French haversacks were much prized by British soldiers, since
their own version had a strap across the front which made
breathing difficult when it was full. Also carried (in a cartridge
box) were 35 cartridges for the musket.
Each soldier carried a sword which was largely ceremonial, since soldiers of other armies carried
longer and more suited for battle; the French swords were used more for cutting wood.
The procedure for firing a musket consisted of taking a cartridge from the cartridge case, bite the
end off; and hold the musket ball in one’s mouth. Some of the powder would be tipped into the
‘pan’ to provide a flare path from the spark to the cartridge. The aim was to fire 3 rounds a minute,
no mean achievement in the heat of battle.
If troops were firing in 2 ranks, then the soldiers in the rear rank would rest their muskets on the
shoulders of the men of the front rank. Consequently the muskets in the rear rank would be rested
on the right shoulders of the men in the front rank to minimize the effects of a ‘flash in the pan’ in
8
which the gunpowder in the pan would ignite without igniting the cartridge or firing the musket
ball. If the Imperial Guard were marching as part of an army, then all other troops were expected to
present arms (i.e. to defer to them), since they were Napoleon’s personal guard.
In the Russian Campaign in 1812 Napoleon’s army was involved in the greatest loss of soldiers’
lives before the First World War. Napoleon took 680,000 soldiers with him when he invaded
Russia, of which 380,000 were killed
Napoleon’s troops had no tents since they were expected to live off the land and march rapidly,
without much baggage. The night before the Battle of Waterloo the French troops got very wet,
since it poured with rain while they prepared to camp, and they were expected to lie down in a
field. Each morning the soldiers were expected to test their muskets and gunpowder to ensure that
they would work. While on campaign French soldiers did not change their clothes for weeks on
end; the consequences of this were disease and infected wounds. Even soldiers in infirmaries
suffered – a common remedy for infected limbs was amputation.
Dave Edwards
THE BRIDGE – by ROB TAYLOR-HEARD
The loud bang made everyone jump, dogs bark and birds fly up from the trees. Ten seconds later,
another, louder bang shook the earth and the crowd cheered.
I came, not to cheer, but to say good bye. I stood in silence and watched with tears in my eyes as
my beloved bridge crumbled in a cloud of dust and rubble.
I had spent many happy hours along this part of the canal when I was young and looked upon this
particular bridge with great affection.
He said, it was unsafe, that demolition man. We'll build a new one, he said, solid concrete and put
a new road through. He called it progress. What does he know about it? He's too young. He can
never know the fun of hay making in the meadow on the other side where the supermarket now
stands. The picnics on the bank, when the men cut slices of hot pork from the roasting spit, and
how we screeched when it burnt our fingers as we tried to eat it.
He can never know the warmth when we squeezed together as we sheltered under the bridge when
it rained. How we giggled when we sat in the long grass watching the reflections in the water of
couples holding hands and kissing, and then wondering if we would do the same when we grew up.
I don't know what my father would think if he was here now. I never knew him he went away to the
war before I was born. My mother never married. When I was growing up and starting to think
about boys, she told me about the bridge. Ever since then it's had a special place in my heart. Now
it's gone, lost forever.
I started forward, thinking I would pick up a piece of the bridge and take it home for my
granddaughter and tell her about the bridge, but the demolition man held me back.
'That was my bridge,' I said aloud, a tear forming in my eye. 'I was conceived from love under
there.'
He picked up a tiny fragment, and placing it in my hand, gently closed my fingers over it.
'God bless you Gran,' he said, 'I understand.'
9
OUR ADVENTURES IN BRITTANY
We have often been asked where in France we keep our boat and this is not surprising as France is
such a huge country. When our children were small our summer holidays were often taken in
Brittany and when we were looking for a new cruising ground it seemed the obvious place to try,
easy ferry crossings, warmer weather, not too far to travel, and plenty of places to visit. Together
with my friend Tony I set off from Cardiff Bay in early September 2018 and arrived at St Mary’s
on the Isles of Scilly after a 24hour passage. Sailing through the night, is a great experience and
with no street lights the constellations are truly remarkable, shooting stars and orbiting satellites are
quite frequent as are the pods of dolphin which often follow the boat sometimes leaping out of the
water and taking a good look at us.
The Isles of Scilly are a really good stop off as there are many safe anchorages and so many bays to
choose from you can usually find a sheltered bay to avoid the many storms. Sailing nonstop
requires the crew to take watches and we usually have 3 hours on and 3 hours off with the one
coming on watch making a nice hot cuppa before he starts his shift. This is always very welcome as
even in the summer it can be a bit cold especially when it is raining.
Anchored in Porth Cressa, we waited for some strong winds to pass before setting off to cross the
English Channel (which the French call La Manche), leaving at 8.00pm with a stiff following
breeze we had to time our arrival at the Chanel du Four with a South going tide.
The most western part of mainland France has two tricky places where the tide runs furiously and
these are the Chanel du Four and the Raz Du Seine both need to pass with careful planning and
never attempted in bad weather. The Raz du Seine is the one that you see in posters with the sea
crashing over the lighthouse. Our crossing was uneventful thankfully so we continued to Audierne
where we stopped for a long sleep.
We had only one more stop at Belle Isle before reaching our destination of La Roche-Bernard
where we met Lindy and Tony’s wife Alayne who had travelled there by car and ferry.
La Roche-Bernard
La Roche -Bernard is a beautiful traditional Breton village situated on the river Villaine extremely
well sheltered from all weather conditions and where I was more than happy to keep the boat, safe
in the knowledge that it would not be wrecked when we were back in the UK.
10The village is a truly Breton community and we have
discovered that a lot of the Breton language is similar to
Welsh. They also have their road signs in two languages
Breton first and French second. The village square is the hub
around which most things happen and I love to sit outside
one of the Cafes with a glass of wine just relaxing, Lindy
often has a cup of tea which the French don’t quite
understand, serving it in a glass with hot milk.
In the summer the square bustles with tourists and locals with
outdoor dancing, bands and even theatre groups who arrive unexpectedly, set up an outdoor theatre
and put on plays. Goodness knows what they are about but really it doesn’t matter it just all adds to
the experience and the more wine I drink the more French I understand (honest).
Being in the North part of the Bay of Biscay the weather can be “interesting” Storms can arrive
very quickly with extremely strong winds and the next day beautiful calm weather.
L’Isle de Houat
Exploring the coastline in this region of Brittany is really interesting with too many places to
describe here so I will just mention two which are the L’isle de Houat and the Gulfe du Morbihan.
With a favourable wind you can reach the island of Houat in about three hours from our home port
and when you arrive on the Easterly side of the island you can anchor in the most wonderful sandy
bay about 2kilometerslong with crystal clear turquoise water perfect for swimming sunbathing and
snorkelling
11The island is quite small with a population of only 250
people and very quaint cottages, motorised vehicles are
banned on the island so the only way to get around is on foot
or by bike. On the North side of the bay is a harbour where
the ferry arrives from the mainland we prefer to anchor in the
bay if the weather permits as the harbour get very busy in
late July and August and the French are not too careful with
their boats and don’t seem to mind bumping into things.
Very close to Houat is another island named Hoedic which is
just as spectacular and also has beautiful beaches and a
sheltered harbour.
Le Gulfe de Morbihan 2019
Tucked into the south coast of Brittany is a tidal interior
sea sheltered from the Bay of Biscay and containing
around forty individual islands thirty of which are inhabited
and with two major cities, Vannes and Auray accessible by
boat. We arrived in Vannes where we took a berth in the
Marina which is in the heart of the City centre. It was
quite strange being moored so close to the shops and
cafes but really convenient. Our arrival coincided with
Bastille day on 14th July and we were able to watch the
celebrations which involved a parade which took about three
hours to pass by and this was repeated four times over the
weekend.
The parade included people of all ages dressed in
period costume and with stilt walkers, horses,
carriages, dancers and huge models about four
metres high of a man and a woman also dancing
along the route. Most of the people in the parade
were dressed as French aristocracy which I thought a
bit puzzling as on the original Bastille day they were
all taken to a nasty end at the guillotine.
The celebrations lasted until late at night and with
the finale being a firework display on the Saturday
night.
We spent about two weeks exploring the Morbihan and its various islands and would have taken
the boat into Auray but the bridge is too low for the mast to pass beneath so we had to go there by
road.
As with so many places that you find when sailing there are “pinch points” where the tide runs
extremely fast usually between two islands where the channel is narrow and the Morbihan is no
exception. Entering the Morbihan with a favourable tide the boat seems to be flying past the land
and you reach your destination very quickly but if you try to go against the tide you find yourself
sailing backwards. There is never a dull moment when sailing, always a route to plan, a rope to
pull, new people to meet, a language to learn or a bottle of wine to open. For us Brittany has many
more exciting experiences in store and we eagerly await our return hopefully in 2021.
Bon voyage
John and Lindy Calvin-Thomas
12POETRY'S CONTRIBUTION TO HISTORY
There is no doubt that art in all its forms has made a huge contribution to 'History'. We take for
granted the wonderful paintings, soaring architecture, the music, drama and, in later centuries,
novels. Poetry too has its place in revealing the thoughts and feelings of actual people living in
times long past, and helping us relate to them.
Obviously this is a huge subject, so I have chosen English poetry, and just a few poets to narrow it
down.
We will start with Geoffrey Chaucer who lived from 1342-1400 and was the son of a London
wine merchant. Although he was a poet, he worked all his life. He was by turns a customs official,
a soldier, and a diplomat.
He was the first English poet to use the words 'tragedy & comedy' and the first poet to be buried in
Poet's Corner' in Westminster Abbey.
His work 'The Canterbury Tales' was written in poetry and enables us to enter Chaucer's world.
We discover that 600 years ago, when spring came, people's thoughts turned, not to love, but to
going on a pilgrimage. We are invited to journey with them on that pilgrimage and discover the
characters of the pilgrims as they tell their tales. We learn of the role of the Pardoner as he travels
around selling indulgences blessed by the Pope. People bought them so that their sins could be
forgiven – a very corrupt practice, as one of the main tenets of the Christian faith is that Christ was
crucified, so that humankind could have free forgiveness. The Pardoner was not a popular figure.
These pilgrims were travelling to visit the shrine of St Thomas a Becket in Canterbury Cathedral,
which was later destroyed on the orders of Henry VIII.
Many people will relate to the fact that the pilgrims met up in the tavern – the Tabard inn. The
landlord promised a slap-up meal to the teller of the best tale. The most popular tales are those told
by – The Miller and the Wife of Bath, perhaps because they are rollicking, bawdy and humorous.
If you are able to have access to Chaucer's works, you will see that the medieval English is very
difficult to understand, and if we were transported back 600 years, we wouldn't understand a word
they said. So let's be glad scholars have given us modern translations.
In the 15th century the language was just the same, and few poems have survived. One poet was
John Kay 1442-1483 who was 'versificator regis' to Edward IV which sounds similar to a Poet
Laureate. It seems none of his poems remain.
We jump now to the latter half of the sixteenth century when one of the most famous people in
English literature was born and that is William Shakespeare 1654-1616 we think of him mainly as
a dramatist, but the plays were written in verse – known as blank verse and he wrote many sonnets.
Shakespeare wrote history plays, but these are not relevant to his time. They were history to him,
too, and not always historically accurate. However, he made an important contribution to our lives
from that day to this, partly because of his great understanding of human nature and also because
he contributed through his verse, to the idioms we use today.
The phrases he coined we still use in our modern language and most of us probably quote
Shakespeare every day without even realising it: e.g. One fell swoop; (Macbeth); Neither a
borrower or a lender be (Hamlet). Eat you out of house and home, (Henry IV); Be cruel to be kind.
(Hamlet) Shakespeare's plays are still enjoyed all around the world
Eight years before Shakespeare died another great poet was born. John Milton lived from 1608-
1674 and was a Puritan and admirer of Oliver Cromwell. He lived at the only time Britain has been
a Republic and was very anti-Royalist and anti Catholic. He wrote a sonnet (XVIII – The
Piedmontese)
13in which he refers to the Pope as a 'Triple Tyrant'. He also wrote a sonnet (XVI) in praise of
Cromwell of whom he says:
'Guided by Faith and matchless fortitude
To peace and Truth thy glorious way has ploughed.
At the Restoration of Charles II in 1660 he wrote anti-monarchy tracts, and was in great danger
because his name was added to the list of regicides who were responsible for the execution of
Charles I. His friends managed to hide him and one of them, the poet Andrew Marvel, was an MP
at this time and helped him to escape the danger of being executed by getting him included in the
Act of Pardon. Milton was blind during the latter half of his life.
John Dryden 1631-1700, was the first official Poet Laureate. Charles II needed some-one to write
in support of the monarchy, when poetry was the most potent form of social media.
As poet Laureate he wrote a poem about the Great Fire of London in 1666. We have the facts. It
was started at a bakery in Pudding Lane in 1666 – raged from 2nd to 6th Sept, destroyed 13200
houses and 87 parish churches but did not reach the area of Westminster or Charles 11 palace at
Whitehall. 70,000 were left homeless. There were only 6 recorded deaths, but this is not likely to
be accurate. Temperatures were very, very high.
In his poem Dryden allows us to see the human side of these facts. In the first verses he tells how
those with homes still standing, take in friends and family left homeless. Others linger in the burnt
out remains of their homes in bewilderment and despair, not knowing where to go or what to do.
Finally:
“The most in fields like herded beasts lie down
To dews obnoxious on the grassy floor
And while their babes in sleep their sorrows drown
Sad parents watch the remnants of their store.
While by the motion of the flames they guess
What streets are burning now and what are near
An infant, waking, to the paps would press
And meets, instead of milk, a falling tear“
There is great poignancy to these verses and they are still easy to relate to for all of us today.
Wouldn't each of us be wondering what was happening with the fire - was it abating or getting
worse; how far had it reached? It makes me wonder:- what happened to them;? What help were
they given? A young family with a toddler and a baby, afraid to sleep in case the meagre
possessions they have salvaged are stolen from them. This emotional side is not captured by
historical fact.
William Wordsworth lived from 1770-1850 and is possibly one of our best known poets. On 24
January 2020 the Daily Mail had an article which began:
'William Wordsworth got himself into a right strop in 1844 about the prospect of the railways
reaching the Lake District, especially at the thought that they might actually manage to get as far
as his beloved Grasmere.'
As the Poet Laureate, he wrote a sonnet about the situation titled 'On the projected Kendall and
Windermere railway', which begins:
'Is then no nook of English ground secure
From rash assault'
Once again, the residents of The Lake District are fighting to keep the railways away, so what
began with Wordsworth is still going on today.
14Wordsworth also wrote a sonnet voicing his disgust at the French people making Napoleon their
Emperor, when they had fought the revolution to get rid of such government. It begins 'Is it a reed
that's shaken by the wind ' and ends with: 'shame on you, feeble heads, to slavery prone!' He could
be writing an editorial in a newspaper
Alfred Lord Tennyson - 1809-1892 wrote ‘Charge of the Light Brigade’ (1854) - This was part of
the battle of Balaclava – a failed military action led by Lord Cardigan on 25 th October 1854. Lord
Raglan's message was mixed up and the Light Brigade were sent to completely the wrong place.
The poem was published 6 weeks later. Tennyson could afford to praise the nobility of their actions
and say how glorious it was, when he was nowhere near the battle and had no part in the
horrendous noise and stench of battle with its cruelly slaughtered soldiers and horses.
Thomas Hardy – 1840-1928 wrote the poem ‘The Ruined Maid’ in 1866 to expose the hypocrisy
of Victorian society.
We are more used to his novels, which exposed the injustice with which so many powerless people
were treated. They showed how difficult life was for those who lived in poverty in rural
communities. The poem takes the form of a conversation between two young women who grew up
together in the country, until Amelia escapes to town in search of a better life. A chance meeting
has the friend saying:
'Whence such fine garments, such prosperity?
(Amelia;) 'oh, didn't you know I'd been ruined?, said she'
It is an entertaining poem, which makes its point.
The twentieth century is rich in the war poetry of the first and second world wars, giving different
insights and points of view. War poetry is a large subject on its own.
So I will end this piece with Matthew Arnold 1822-1888 and his poem 'The Future'. It was
written in the 1800's and he portrays humankind as:
'Born in a ship, on the breast of the river of time' It takes us from early times, when the earth was
peopled with 'her vigorous primitive sons' to his own time and then to his prediction of the future:
And we say that repose has fled forever the course of the river of time
And that cities will crowd to its edge in a blacker, incessanter line,
That the din will be more on its banks, denser the trade on its stream
…........
And never will those on its breast, see an ennobling sight,
Drink of the feeling of quiet again.
Does that strike a chord? It seems quite an accurate prediction of our modern world to me.
Mary Rooney
Member of our History group
15THE DRAGON WALK
Pembrokeshire Coast Path... continued
19-20 May 2012: Marloes Sands to Newgale
A week after the opening of the official Wales Coast Path (see Part 4) we were back in
Pembrokeshire for another weekend of walking. Once again we were staying in The Mariners
Hotel in Haverfordwest with a bus to ferry us to and from the end points.
19 May 2012 - Marloes Sands to Little Haven: 11.6 miles (18.6km) +305m -313m
We left Marloes Sands and walked along the cliff tops past Martin’s Haven and St Brides Haven to
Little Haven.
20 May 2012 - Little Haven to Newgale: 8.3 miles (13.3 km) +514m -515m (20 May 2012)
I also have little recollection of this walk and no photographs. After leaving Little Haven we
walked through Broad Haven, Nolton Haven and on to the car park at the south end of the shingles
at Newgale.
15-16 September 2012: Newgale to Whitesands
This time I can remember as I was the walk leader because our usual leader couldn’t make it that
weekend but I must have been concentrating on the task because I didn’t take any pictures.
15 September 2012 - Newgale to Caerfai Bay: 8.9 miles (14.3km) +490m -469m
The walk started from the car park at Newgale and initially I led the walk along the shingle wall
that protects the land from flooding. After a few minutes I gave up because it was too tiring and
crossed over the road to walk along the pavement. When we reached the other end of the beach
there was a nice climb to get us warmed up for the day.
The path continued along the top of the cliffs with the occasional dip down to the sea until we came
to Solva where we had lunch. At this point we were less than half way and I was aware that the bus
was going to collect us from St David’s at 4pm.
I therefore gathered everyone up as soon as they were ready and walked the remainder of the walk
at quite a brisk pace. The countryside was the same as the morning with lots of ups and downs and
wonderful views out to sea. Our arrival at Caerfai Bay marked the end of the Coast Path part of the
day. Unfortunately the bus couldn’t get down to the bay so we had to walk nearly a mile up to the
St David’s Tourist Information Office where, because we had walked so fast, we had an hour to
wait before the bus was due. Fortunately for us there was a nice cafe where we celebrated the end
of a good walk with tea and cake.
16 September 2012 - Caerfai Bay to Whitesands: 8.5 miles (13.6km) +333m -354m
This walk took us all round the St David’s headland. The highlight of the day was when we got to
Pen Dal-aderyn which is the most westerly point of mainland Wales. So far we had been to the
most southerly point at Breaksea Point and at some time in the future we will get to the most
northerly at the Point of Ayr. As a matter of interest the most easterly point is Lady Park Wood
near Monmouth but unfortunately the Offa’s Dyke Path doesn’t go near there.
Other than that we passed some interesting places including the harbour atPen-porth-cais, the
lifeboat station at YsysDinas and finished the weekend at the wonderful beach at Whitesands.
18-19 May 2013: Whitesands to Garn Fawr
With only three weekends required to complete the Pembrokeshire Coast Path we moved to The
Fishguard Bay Hotel in Goodwick.
18 May 2013 - Whitesands to Trevine: 11.1 miles (17.9km) +659m -646m
16Early Saturday morning the bus arrived to take us to Whitesands Bay. This was quite a strenuous
walk with over 2000 feet of ascent. The path was mainly along the tops of the cliffs and we didn’t
get to any sign of habitation until we arrived at Abereiddy, a small settlement which is better
known for its surfing and other water sports. The next harbour was Porthgain which was developed
to export limestone. It is now a very popular tourist spot.
A short distance later we arrived at Trefin, our destination for the day. We were very pleased to see
the bus waiting for us to take us back to the hotel. On our return journey, near Mathrey, there was a
strange smell and when I looked back I saw smoke from the back of the bus. Those sitting in the
rear called for the driver to stop and he reluctantly did so at the crossroads. We all got out and it
was more severe than we first thought. The driver called his office and they said a replacement
would be sent out. We waited for quite a time but nothing arrived. Then a service bus, owned by
the same company, came round the corner and this took us back to Goodwick.
19 May 2013 - Trevine to Garn Fawr: 9.6 miles (15.4km) +633m -533m
We drove to Garn Fawr and a bus, a different one to the previous day, took us back to Trevine to
start the day’s walk. As Saturday, this walk was also very strenuous. It took us through Abercastle
and along the cliff tops until we got to Penbwchdy, we then had over a mile of what was essentially
a “ridge walk” along the cliff edge to Garn Fawr.
The viewpoint to the west of Garn Fawr was the end of the walk but, as Dorothy and I had recced
the area a few weeks earlier, we knew that our cars were on the opposite side and there were two
options; either round or over. Going over was the most direct option so we went that way. It was a
steep climb to the 213m summit and then a slightly easier walk down to the car park.
14-15 September 2013: Garn Fawr to Parrog
It was decided we would do the most strenuous walk on Saturday in reverse, ie back to the hotel,
and the shorter walk also ending at the hotel on Sunday.
14 September 2014 - Parrog to Goodwick: 13.0 miles (21.0km) +575m -488m
From The Fishguard Bay Hotel in Goodwick the bus took us to Parrog near Newport. This walk
was extremely strenuous with many ups and downs and a long detour around Dinas Island
(although it’s not) but the views were stunning when we got to Dinas Head. Some of the party
decided not to take this option and cut straight across. The Wales Coast Path allows both routes.
We arrived back at the hotel at about 5pm very tired and looking forward to a long soak in the bath.
15 September 2014 - Garn Fawr to Goodwick: 8.7 miles (14.0km) +514m -515m
On Sunday the bus took us to western side of Garn Fawr so we didn’t have to start with the difficult
climb we finished with last May.
Although shorter than Saturday it was equally demanding as we walked over Strumble Head past
the lighthouse. We were all very pleased when we finally got back to the hotel, very tired and ready
for a rest.
17-18 May 2014: Parrog to Cardigan
This was our final weekend to complete the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. As previously we stayed at
The Fishguard Bay Hotel in Goodwick and had a bus to take us to and from the walks.
Parrog to Ceibwr Bay: 8.5 miles (13.7km) +556m -545m (17 May 2014)
On a beautiful May Saturday we set off for Ceibwr Bay. Once we got to the top of the cliff the
walk was relatively easy. It was made better by the bluebells and coastal views.
17This picture ended up on TV as a background
to Derek Brockway’s weather forecast
When we got to Ceibwr Bay we had a long
walk up to Moylgrove where the bus was
waiting to take us back to the hotel.
18 May 2014 - Ceibwr Bay to Cardigan: 8.9 miles
(14.4km) +560m -569m
This was our final day on the Pembrokeshire Coast
Path.
After the bus had dropped us off at Moylgrove we had
the same
long walk
as the previous day back to the coast. It was easier
today because it was downhill.
Once again it was a hot day as we walked in a northerly
direction to Cameas Head.
We then turned and headed towards Cardigan. There
were three ends to this walk. The first was at Poppit
Sands where there is a stone commemorating the path opening in 1970 by Wynford Vaughn
Thomas.
The second, and this time the official end of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, is a few miles down the
road at St Dogmaels.
But Cardigan was still 2 miles away and at this point the Wales Coast Path took over and I led
everyone not down the Teifi estuary but inland through a number of fields and finally over the
bridge to the start of the Cerdigion Coast Path.
As we crossed the river, we threw the stones we had
collected 3 years earlier into the water.
Over the 19 days walking from Amroth to Cardigan
we had, by my calculations, walked 178.2 miles. In
reality we had walked much further if you include to
and from buses and cars, and on the odd occasion
when we had got lost.
It had been a great experience. We now had the bit between our teeth and really wanted to walk
round Wales but first we had to join up the paths between Chepstow and Amroth which would take
another 2 years.
Distance walked so far: 313.9 miles – 728.4 miles to go
Next – Wales Coast Path 2012-13
Maurice Turner
Member of the Strollers
18STROLLERS
Our intrepid Strollers at Cleddon Falls, Llandogo in November.
MUSIC APPRECIATION
ANSWERS TO LAST MONTH'S MUSIC QUIZ
South Pacific
Robin, Maurice and Barry Gibb
Camille Saint-Saens – The Swan from Carnival of the Animals
Jonny Dankworth
Flowers in the Rain by The Move and the DJ was Tony Blackburn
Judy Garland and Liza Mannelli
Symphony No. 5
Mack the Knife
Gilbert and Sullivan
Ravi Shankar
19CRYPTIC CROSSWORD
ACROSS DOWN
1. Discover star, zany jungle character (6) 1. Despots in publicity rant session (7)
4. Vehicle decay creates vegetable (6) 2. Survived the past in barrel ice (5)
8. Fruit available in suitable month (5) 3. Drifting target lower (7)
9. Brass instrument device located in carnival 5. Block found in Roman village (5)
venue (5) 6. Attend to something special? (5)
11. Crane rearranged for part of a shell (5) 7. Young prince is part of the deal (5)
12. Brave but sounds like a hollow insect (7) 10. Thin school head relies on support (5)
13. Lowest risk in salsa festival (6) 14. Replace the head of a furniture item with
15. Items thrown overboard produced a flow of letter beginning of February for a story (5)
water and weapon, initially (6) 16. Body of written work with no heading
19. Show variety, bet a car (7) finishes and reaches out (7)
21. Secure youth leader, cheap (5) 17. Perhaps arctic region suitable for dancing
23. Found neat vehicle answer (5) around (7)
24. Decorative illusion? (5) 18. Personnel can be symbolic when carried (5)
25. Confused crude with hearty (6) 19. Sounds like a hoard of money (5)
26. Take for granted confusion amuses (6) 20. Veteran chaps located farm (5)
22. Large rodent in decoy puzzle (5)
Last month’s solution
20STANDARD CROSSWORD
ACROSS DOWN
1. Consigns (8) 1. Ridicule (8)
4. Upkeep (4) 2. Still legally
8. Majestic (5) acceptable (5)
10. Young swans 3. An extreme
(7) attainment (6)
11. Svelte (7) 5. Alarm (5)
12. Short letter (4) 6. Facilitate (4)
14. Musical interval 7. Order of
of eight tones (6) business (6)
16. Plant fibre (6) 9. Outstanding (5)
19. Long narrative 13. Famished (8)
poem (4) 15. Empty (6)
21. Kind of 17. Confronted (5)
nonfictional prose 18. Seldom (6)
(7) 20. Ski run (5)
24. Nonattendance 22. Public transport
(7) (5)
25. Sound (5) 23. Immense (4)
December's solution 26. Large woody
plant (4)
27. Mental state
induced by
suggestion (8)
LET’S DO SUDOKU!
December's Sudoku solution
Solutions next month
21CALDICOT & DISTRICT U3A
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE & TRUSTEES
Chairman Rob Harry 01291 421282
Vice Chairman Linda Stewart 01291 420005
Treasurer Tony Hodson-Hirst 01291 424997
Business Secretary Linda Stewart 01291 420005
Committee Secretary & Elaine Yeomans 01291 420666
Network Contact
Membership Secretary Angela Hodson-Hirst 01291 424997
& Direct Mail
Newsletter & Diary Editor Angela Hodson-Hirst 01291 424997
Gift Aid Co-ordinator Glenice Dallow 01291 422925
Groups’ Co-ordinator Glenice Dallow 01291 422925
Speakers Secretary Anne Duke 01291 408216
Link Secretary Betty Waite 01291 421484
Linda Howells 01291 423395
Helen Wormald 01291 423765
Pamela Caines 01291 420750
OFFICERS
Registration Alma Gaskell
Public Relations Dave Edwards
Webmaster Ann Taylor-Heard
Facilities Officer John Duke
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