Monthly Meetings - now via Zoom - U3A Site Builder

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January 2021

                                 ASHBOURNE & DISTRICT U3A
                                        Registered charity no. 119048

           It may become necessary to update some of the information that follows.
 Please check the Ashbourne & District section of the u3asites.org.uk website to check whether
                changes have been made to dates, times and meeting places.

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                       Monthly Meetings - now via Zoom
         Details of how to join these events will be sent out, by our secretary, to those who
             have registered an interest, a few days before they are due to take place.

January 8th via Zoom at 2.30pm
Max and Christine Maughan – Wildlife and
Scenery of the Peak District

Max & Christine have had a passionate
interest in wildlife for many years, initially in
b i rd s , b u t t h i s h a s d e v e l o p e d t o
incorporate all forms of wildlife, including
butterflies, dragonflies, bees, mammals
and plants. They have travelled to many
destinations abroad, studying the wildlife
of those areas, and giving talks based on
these.
Max is an ex-teacher, and is currently
Group Leader of the Derby RSPB Group,                      The Salt Cellar, Derwent Edge
and both serve on various local committees
including Derbyshire Wildlife Trust West Derby
Group and East Midlands Butterfly Conservation. Christine is a keen photographer, and all their
talks are illustrated by her photographs.
Their presentation on the Peak District begins with an introduction to the geology of the area and
its effect on the landscape. It then looks at the different habitats that exist, and the wildlife that
inhabits them.

February 5th via Zoom at 2.30pm
Bernard Lockett - The Heritage of Gilbert and
Sullivan

Since 2007 Bernard has been a trustee of the
annual International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival –
www.gsfestivals.org – which takes place in Buxton
and Harrogate, and the National Gilbert and
Sullivan Opera Company, which tours in England
each autumn.
He aims to show how G&S operettas are an
essential part of this country’s cultural heritage and
are the origins of today’s musical theatre.         He
begins with the historical background and then an overall assessment of the shows. He explores
the vast amount of social and political comment within G&S and takes a wry look as to how

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nothing much has changed to the present day – “Dull MPs”, for example. Finally, he will show
how these productions continue in the 21st century, to world-wide appeal, (Russia enjoyed its first
G&S in 2019)

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                                 Chairman’s Message
I would like to wish all our members a very Happy Christmas and Best Wishes for 2021. Thank
you for your support during this very difficult year. I do hope 2021 will be a good year and we can
start to look forward to meeting together face to face in our groups and monthly meetings.
Sheila Allen
Chair

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            Group News
CRAFT GROUP
We start the New Year by continuing with our Zodiac animals - we are half way through the cycle.
We plan to do the dragon at our Zoom meeting on Friday 15th January from 2 to 4pm then
continue with the snake in February.
I hope you can join us - if you have not been making the Zodiac you can start now or just join us
at the meeting and do your own work.
I need to know what colour fabrics you to want for the animals - Mavis and I will deliver them to
you - so please either phone me or email me by 10th January with your choice.
The link for the meeting will be sent to you nearer the time.
Jill Smith 01335 418659

CURRENT AFFAIRS
For our December meeting, our eighth by Zoom, we tried something different. Instead of one
presentation by a member of the group, we all contributed.
We shared our hopes for the future, our plans for what we are looking forward to most when all
these blooming restrictions have been lifted. The experiment was a resounding success. One by
one, all twenty of us opened up our hearts and talked about the happier times that lie ahead (and
now, not too far ahead). Some chats were illustrated with photographs ranging from a close-up of
a scabious flower to pictures of the stars in the sky. Some members simply talked to us, relaxed
and natural and completely at ease with the Zoom medium (this was our eighth session). One
member whose laptop does not have a webcam or a microphone just watched and listened in the
unseen audience and then she brilliantly worked out a way she too could contribute: - she
phoned me, asked me to put my phone on loud speaker and then hold it close to the mike in my
laptop. We students of the Third Age are a bright lot! It was an extremely successful and happy
100 minutes (20 x 5 minutes each) and made us all feel more optimistic and cheerful about 2021.
Next time: an assessment of the economic future - a massively serious subject. On Thursday
14th January we look forward to our very good friend Bob Hodgson, professional economist and
advisor to the World Bank, explaining to us what lies ahead in terms of taxes, austerity and belt-
tightening, not just for us folk in our Third Age but also for our children and grandchildren.
David Holt

FAMILY HISTORY
At our December meeting on Zoom, which hasn’t yet taken place as I write this, we will be doing
some family history, then trying to do something a bit Christmassy for the last half hour.

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Our January meeting will be on the second Thursday of the month, as usual, Thursday 14th
January. At this stage I can’t announce a topic.
Sheila is also happy to run some DNA workshops on Zoom. She can show you how to make use
of your DNA results to link up with living distant relations or to discover who some of your
ancestors were. She is well placed to know that the results may be very surprising!
Anyone wishing to join the group should contact me : email to tiano121@btinternet.com or leave a
voice message on 079 9981 7759.
Vivien Tiano

FRENCH
In December we are having a Christmas meeting on Zoom with each group, then we will have a
short break until January. We have not had a break all year! As from 4th January we will be back
to the improvers meeting on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month and the advanced group on
the 2nd and 4th Mondays.
Our meetings usually consist of a topic of conversation and a little grammar, and the Advanced
Group is reading a book, L’Héritier des Beaulieu by Françoise Giroud, which most members seem
to be enjoying.
There is room in both groups for new members so anyone wishing to join us should contact me :
email to tiano121@btinternet.com or leave a voice message on 079 9981 7759.
 Vivien Tiano

GARDEN GROUP
Our activities are currently curtailed by Covid but we did manage to hold a Zoom meeting this
week to discuss possible outings next year and to discuss gardening tips and problems. I was
very pleased with the attendance given relatively short notice and people’s busy Christmas
schedules.
The following suggestions were made for possible visits:
Alton Towers, Highgrove, John’s Garden, Thenford Gardens & Arboretum, Wentworth Woodhouse,
Naturescope Wildflower Farm, Bishton Hall, Cascades Gardens Bonsall, Tatton Hall, Dorothy
Clive, Newby Hall and Hopton Hall.
Given the changeable nature of Covid restrictions, we will not plan a full schedule of dates and
tours this year but may organise last minute visits in our own transport or with Community
Transport or by coach – possibly closer to home than in previous years.
We will hold another Zoom meeting on 20th January at 3pm – I will send the invitation by email
Organisers Patti Green 07720 812278 sidewaysw@aol.com and Sue Dandy 01335 345157.

GERMAN
The amalgamated German sessions have continued successfully via Zoom with a Christmas
themed celebration at the end of the year. We plan to restart at a new time of 10.30 am until 12
noon on Tuesday, January 12th. All enquiries can be made to Rhona Hunt via the website.
Rhona Hunt

U3A HIKERS
The hikers will meet twice in January, on the 5th, and 26th. The first walk is deferred from the
end of December. We will, for the time being, continue to walk in groups of not more than six, and
throughout winter months walks will be shorter, and nearer to home, with fewer, shorter breaks.
For further details please contact Judy via the website.
Judy Harrison

LANDSCAPE AND HERITAGE GROUP
Our first speaker meeting on Zoom, in November, was very successful with an interesting speaker
from The Friends of the Peak District with a good number of members taking part.
At the next meeting on 15th January, the professional photographer Ashley Franklin will present
My Derbyshire at 10:15am via Zoom. if you want to take part in this meeting and have not yet

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paid the subscription to cover the costs of the speaker, please get in touch with me as soon as
possible. pamela@boura.org
Pamela Boura

PHOTOGRAPHY GROUP
December's meeting was again held via Zoom with members displaying festive hats, jumpers,
earrings etc.
The theme was Trees and we again had a good variety of photographs, one photograph from
each member can now be seen on the website.
We had a new member join us for a “taster” at the November meeting and Sue has now joined the
group so welcome Sue.
Next month's meeting will again be held via Zoom on Thursday 7th January 2021 at 10:00 when
the theme will be Enhancements.
A reminder will be e-mailed before the next meeting.
John and I would like to wish all members a very Happy Christmas ! and hope we will be able
to meet up again face to face in 2021.
John Green (john.green122@outlook.com)
Helen Bluff (helenbluff@hotmail.com)

SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING GROUP
At our last meeting Phil Ruffles gave us a superb presentation entitled The History of the Rolls
Royce RB211 Turbofan Engine. At the beginning of the talk, I was beginning to think that I will
never fly again as Phil outlined all the engineering problems that beset the engine. As the
presentation progressed we were reassured by the way these were dealt with and the safety
figures on the current Trent engine are nothing short of amazing. A big thank you to Phil for
getting our Group off to such a great start.
The programme set up for the coming months is: -
Thursday 31st December NO MEETING
Thursday 28th January at 09.30 via Zoom John Barnett will give a presentation - The Wonder of
Wood
Thursday 25th February. Hopefully, a face to face meeting (watch this space) Peter Marston will
give a presentation - Sand to Silicon
Thursday 25th March Bob Ruffles will give us a presentation – From Operation Backfire to the
Space Station and Beyond.
Finally, may I wish all of the Group a suitably safe Christmas and a back-to-normal New Year.
All U3A members are welcome to join us. For more information please contact me via the blue
envelope in the Ashbourne & District U3A website under Science & Engineering Group.
Tony Walden (Group Leader)

STROLLERS
The group is looking forward to resuming its walks on Monday afternoons. We have to keep to
groups of 6 so booking is essential. Our usual January walks both keep to quiet lanes avoiding
muddy fields. We set off at staggered start times. The members are very grateful for the volunteer
leaders and I am always pleased to hear from anyone who is prepared to lead a group of 6.
January 11th Snelston 2½ miles: Circular walk from the church. There is a long gradual climb at
the start of the walk. No stiles. Fine views weather permitting. Booking essential. Staggered start
times.
January 25th Ilam 2 miles: Circular walk from the NT car park at Ilam Hall. Level walk except for
short climb from Ilam towards Alstonefield before turning off to Castern. Returning to Ilam Hall
along the river bank. Maybe a patch of mud as we join the riverside path. No stiles. Fine views
weather permitting. Booking essential. Staggered start times.
I take this opportunity to send Strollers every good wish for Christmas and for the New Year. Let’s
hope for better times in 2021.
Kind Regards, Karen Tallant

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TABLE TENNIS
The Leisure Centre was closed throughout November. We hoped it would re-open when the
month lockdown finished but it is only open for certain activities, ie swimming and a few limited
exercise classes. So, no table tennis for us. It is a pity as we have our brand new table and have
only had the opportunity to use it twice.
Happy Christmas to all and let us hope the New Year will give us more freedom, eventually.
Wendy Goddard. 01335342532 .

WALKING GROUP.
                                        On 9 December, 29 members in 5 separate groups
                                         participated in an enjoyable walk in the Thorpe & Tissington
                                         area, coordinated by Peter Marston. This would have been
                                         our annual Christmas walk preceding a festive lunch. At
                                         least the weather was kind & it was nice to be out in the
                                         fresh countryside air.
                                         Plans are provisionally in place to arrange walks from
                                         Waterside on 6 January & 3rd February & from Brailsford
                                         on 20 January, all in compliance with whatever
                                         Government Covid-19 regulations then apply, but obviously
                                         these plans will need to be kept under review. The
                                         organisers of these 3 walks are Peter Smith, myself, & Doug
   Tissington dog celebrating 2020       Billings respectively. Assuming the “Rule of 6” will apply to
              Christmas                  these walks, several volunteers will be needed to assist by
                                         leading the individual groups. Please contact any of the 3
                                        organisers to whom you are willing to offer assistance.
Up to date details will be periodically announced on our website & in emails to all members who
have notified me of their interest in the Walking Group.
Peter Worboys

WORDPLAY
There is still no chance of meeting for our usual games sessions. Hopefully though, with the
chance of having the vaccine in the next few months, it shouldn't be too long before we can do
so. In the meantime I would like to wish everyone a Happy and Healthy Christmas.
Margaret Marsden

WRITING GROUP
Like many groups, we are getting using the Beacon system to keep in touch. I email out a theme
with a deadline, the group members email me their writing, I collate all the contributions and send
them out to all members. If they wish, members email me their thoughts on the writings. Our
latest theme was A Proud Moment, which gave us some interesting insights into our members’
past experiences.
We have also had a couple of Zoom get-togethers which, although better than nothing, are never
as satisfactory as our face-to-face meetings. We’re happy to welcome others who would like to
join us - just email me at granimal999@gmail.com.
Leader: Gina Harris Tel. 01335 300041

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  Please send contributions for the February Newsletter to Mavis Lund by January 18th