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August 2015Callington Newsletter
Anthea Lay, one of our members,gave us a very interesting talk onher experiences as a contestant on
the BBC art show. This was not Anthea'sfirst foray into art competitions, as she hadbeen a regular contributor to the BBC'sSketch Club programme in 1959. She andher family were delighted to see her effortson their black & white TV.Over 50 years later she was inspired to at-tempt to become a competitor on the BigPainting Challenge, starting by sending in acouple of paragraphs about her life, andsome photo examples of her work. Nextcame a phone interview, and then she re-ceived a call telling her that she had beenaccepted for the show. Anthea was alreadya winner- 7000 applications were receivedfrom aspiring contestants.She then had to go to London for final in-terviews, and had to do some drawings [ofPudsey Bear], and also an acrylic still lifewhich contained a collection of shiny, trans-parent and hard to paint subjects. She alsohad to undergo an interview with a Psychi-atrist to ensure she was 'of sound mind'Eventually she received train tickets to goto the first venue to be filmed for the show,Alnwick Castle. She packed along with herart materials, her apron - vertical stripes-and her iconic hat. The group were verywell looked after with lots of food and drinkon offer, even a designated person to pro-vide them with their bottles of water. Theywere chaperoned all the time by the BBC
staff. Their first challenge was to paint theessence of the Castle, and Anthea chosetheir heraldic Lion rampant, and one of themany cannon found around the site. It was-n't until she had almost finished her paintingthat the saucy connotation was pointed outto her by the hostess Una Stubbs. The af-ternoon session was a scenic view of thecastle, and when given their designated po-sitions she found she could not see all theview, and the whole group had to bemoved, making it quite late when theystarted painting in diminishing light.The second episode was filmed in Londonand started with a self portrait. Anthea wasdelighted to eventually sell this painting butglad that it had gone to Australia! Her sec-ond attempt was a painting of the actressPam St.Clements [Pat Butcher in Easten-ders] was not so successful, and Pam de-clared it 'looked like her-but in 10 yearstime'.Then to Blenheim Palace for episode threewhere the shooting had to be constantly de-layed by the sounds off camera of theravens, the chiming clock, and the appear-ance of an occasional stray tourist. Anthea'spainting of the façade of the palace wasconsidered to show the best perspective,which she modestly attributed to being po-sitioned in the best spot. It was here thatthey were also asked to paint a still life de-picting their interests.Episode four was again filmed in London atthe Tate Gallery and was to be Life Draw-
ing. The male models covered their mod-esty with a conveniently draped loincloth.The screen shot of Anthea's smirk was, sheassured us, taken at a different time andedited into that episode! The judges com-ment was that she had 'not properly ob-served the skirting board behind themodel'! Editing was to cause a further em-barrassment when her drawing of a Gym-nast shown on that programme was not theone she had wanted submitted. In her pas-tel drawing of the flamenco dancers Antheadrew the 'puny' male dancer somewhatlarger, and was judged as having made himlook like John Travolta. By this time Anthea had a clue that shewould be eliminated when she was placedin the centre of the group, from where it wasnoticed, other contestants had been askedto leave. She was disappointed to miss thefurther episodes filmed in Liverpool andDartmouth where her landscape techniquewould have been more appreciated. Although the constant travelling and filmingwas gruelling, she enjoyed the experience,and has kept in touch with her fellow con-testants, improved some of her painting,and is now sometimes recognised inTesco! We had the chance to see some ofthe paintings included in the programmes,and had enjoyed an amusing and informa-tive talk.
Jane Black
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Officer ContactNumbersChairman: David Seward t: 384631Vice Chair: Jenny Wheeley t: 351662Secretary: Jo Earl t: 382859Treasurer: Ian MacDonald t: 351221Editor: Colin Mills t: 208529Email: [email protected]
Group Leaders and other contributors - Please Note: All Copy to the editor by 25th of the preceding month please.(N.B. I cannot guarantee inclusion of copysubmitted after this date - but exceptionswill be made wherever possible for groupsmeeting in the fourth week of the month)
The Newsletter is published at the start of eachmonth.
Have you checked out the website?:
www.callingtonu3a.org.ukCopies of these Newsletters can be found on theabove website
N.B. Phone numbers without dialling codes are for the 01579 area.
Answer to last month’s puzzle:
This month’s puzzle:
1 Across:Alright?
BiWord1August1 Down:Short medical procedure
1 Across:pardon?
BiWord1July1 Down:short importantnewspaper person
Email your answer to me: [email protected] first correct answer received will be imortalised in print in next month’sissue.
Last month’s triumphant winners: Lesley Cheetham - 1st Ellen Seward - 2nd
ChucklesFrom the HumourGroup...
Future Meetings:� SeptemberSocial Event - inc.New Members welcome event
� OctoberExhibition Day
� NovemberDiana HolsworthU3A Regional Trustee
hde
Anthea’s ArtThe Big PaintingChallenge - The Real Story
A middle aged man emerged from the hairdressers wherehe'd spent a couple of hours trying to have the clock putback, and then popped into the fishmongers to buy somefish for supper. " What do you recommend ?" he asked."First you need to tell me about your day " the fish mongerreplied.The man looked puzzled " Why? " he asked"Well" said the fishmonger "I always have a little bet with my-self that I can match the fish I sell to my customer's day, andif I can't, you can have your fish for free"The man still looked puzzled."It's like this " continued the fishmonger "If a customer tellsme he's spent the morning at the gym then I'll suggest a bowlof mussels, and if he's taking the kids to the ice rink, well heneeds a couple of skate. If he's about to move house it's ob-viously a nice fresh plaice and if the mother in law's comingto stay maybe a piece of old trout ! "The man laughed. "Well I think you've lost with me " he said
"as there's nothing I've been up to that will match your fishchoice... I’ve only been to the barbers. So I'm looking forwardto my free fish supper " The fish monger stared at the man with his newly coiffed, gingertinged hair and smiled. "I don't think so my friend " he said "Ithink this fish here is exactly right for you." And he pointed to the slab where there lay a large, red mullet ! Jenny Wheeley
Some photos from the Strollers Group from Peter Watson:
dd
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troduction to Spike starting with his birthand early life in India, followed by his arrivalin England and his time in the army duringthe Second WW. A tape recording of Spiketalking about his time in India revealed howmuch he had loved the Indian people andtheir humour. The session was rounded offby listening to a Goon Show. The next meeting will be held at Christine’shouse on September 21st starting at 10am. For more information Contact Keith Lane 370713or by email [email protected].
� ItalianWe continue to meet every month and arehalf way through our course. We cannottake any more new members at the mo-ment. If anyone wishes to join GunnislakeU3A my other U3A Italian group has roomfor one or two more.
Sally Thomas 01822 832017
� Jazz AppreciationAt July’s meeting 10 of us met for a mem-bers’ choice session. Amongst others, welistened to the big band music of JohnnieDankworth, Chris Barber and Stan Kenton,songs from Ella, George Melly, BlossomDearie and Jay McShand. And somethingdifferent, blues from Big Bill Broonzy, sax-ophone from Stanley Turrentine and pianoof Monty Alexander. There will not be ameeting in August. The next meeting willbe on Wed 9th September at Rosemary’s.If you are interested in joining us for an af-ternoon of jazz, contact David Seward 384631
� Music AppreciationThere will be no music appreciation inAugust. September dates will be in thenext News sheet.Contact: Pat Ferguson 384402
�NeedleworkNormally meet on the second Thursday ofthe month. Details from Ann Martin
�OperaThere will be no opera in August. September dates will be in the nextNews sheet.Contact Carol Dowell 382158
�Philosophy
Our philosophy meeting will take place on30th July and will be the conclusion of thetwo books where most of our informationso far has come from, Bryan Magee's‘Story of Philosophy’ and Stephen Law's‘Complete Philosophy Files’. The chapterto be discussed is on virtual reality and theway forward for philosophy. Last monthwe discussed friendship and the ideas onthis by Marcel Proust and this month wewill continue on that theme by looking atEpicurean ideas on the value of friendshipand a happy life.There will be no August meeting andthe next meeting will be on 24th Sep-tember in the CommitteeRoom.
Contact: Doreen [email protected]
�Play ReadingContact Jean Rose350029
�PoetryThere will be no poetry in August. September dates will be in the nextNews sheet.Contact Pat Ferguson 384402
� ScrabbleThe group, led by Lesley Cheetham at herhome, meets in the evening on the thirdWednesday of each month.
Contact Lesley Cheetham 383632
� ScribblersWe will be meeting on August 6th at 3Grenville Close.We are currently working on material forthe next exhibition.Anne Cooper 382267
� Singing for PleasureThere are no meetings for Singing forPleasure in August.Contact: Rosalind Bunkum 383171
� StrollersContact: Pauline Husband 350379
� Table TennisWe meet once every 4 weeks for a couple ofhours of good fun and exercise. All equipmentis provided and you don't need to be an ex-pert, just enthusiastic. You can check the
website or ask for details.
Contact Ray Geatches 350638
�Walking Group 1Contact: Ann Martin
�Walking Group 2Contact: Lucy Thomas 350018
�AllotmentsTwo allotments are being cultivated. Contact Ann Martin
�ArtThe Art group has moved to a more attrac-tive room, basically on the first and thirdThursday of the month. However this mayoccasionally have to change due to non-availability of the room and any suchchanges will be posted in advance hereand on the website.Contact Tony Walpole 833082
�BakingLast month the baking group put its expert-ise into baking for the Group Leaders' tea.The table was laden with scones,madeleines, fairy cakes, biscuits and more,all of which were soon set upon with glee.Everyone seemed to be pleased with ourefforts and there certainly wasn't too muchleft at the end of the afternoon. There willbe no meeting in August so we meet nexton Wednesday, September 3rd at Ellen andDavid's for "Something Fruity".
At the moment our group is full but if youare interested in joining please contact meto go on the waiting list.
Contact Jenny Wheeley 351662
�Birding GroupSix of us set off at 8.30 pm to hunt forNightjars in Wisley Down. The late start wasimportant because the nightjar is a motheating nocturnal species and becomes ac-tive at dusk. The Down where we startedwas covered by young conifers that pro-vides ideal cover for the birds. We walkedquietly along a track between the trees andstopped when we heard the call of thenightjar. The call is a dry hollow “drilling orchurring” sound that rises and falls. Thismay continue for some minutes. For a pe-riod we heard them from different direc-tions. As we left this location one bird wasseen flying away from us and another flewover us. SUCCESS INDEED!
There will be no Birding trip during August.On September 8th we will be going toRamehead leaving the FCP at 9.00am.Contact Keith Lane 370713
�BookwormsDespite the onset of “Summer Holidays”we had a good number of members at ourJuly meeting, as well as one newcomerwho is very welcome. The book for discussion was “Guernica” byDave Boling. Most of us agreed that it illus-trated the inhumanity of war from the as-pect of the ordinary people who aredestroyed by, in this case, one single act ofbarbarism, portrayed so well in Picasso'spainting. I, for one, had not realised that theBasque people were so oppressed at thattime, not even being able to use their ownlanguage. The novel had occasional lapsesinto humour mostly where the young mendodged the restrictions of the regime, anda partial happy ending, although that felt alittle contrived. I think we would all recom-mend this book.Please note there will be no meeting in Au-gust: the next date will be September 18th.The next book will be available at the Au-gust U3A meeting, or from Hilary after thatdate.
Contact Hilary Howarth [email protected]
�BridgeThe Bridge Group is now meeting everyTuesday evening at 7.30 pm, in theMethodist Church. Please use the side en-trance in Valentine Place. Parking is avail-able at the rear of the church.Contact Roy Burridge 389018
�Computer GroupThe computer group operates as a self helpgroup. If you've a problem come along andsee if we can help. We don't have a setagenda it all depends who turns up. Pleasebring your lap top or tablet if you have oneand we can explore the computing worldtogether.This month topics the group explored in-cluded;1. Down loading photos from a mobilephone.2. Removing programs from a mobilephone.3. Copying a CD.4. Adjusting settings on a mobile phone.5. Registering for windows 10.We meet in members houses so please askme where to meet. This normally takesplace on the third Thursday morning of the
month. The next meeting will be on the20th August at 10.00.Contact Peter Watson 384509
� Cornish Art & LiteratureNo meeting in August - we will resume in September - TBA.Contact Anita & Tony Bowden Joint Co-ordinators 350668
�Crime Fiction AppreciationAt July’s meeting 10 of us gathered at Lucy’shouse. After a break last month, there weremany authors to discuss and books to returnand pass round again. Several new authorswere discussed, including first novels by RayCelestin and Clare Donoghue and books byNora Roberts and Alan Hunter. Many thanksto Jenny for her tea time ginger cake and dateslice and to John T for his ginger biscuits. Ournext meeting will be Thursday 27th August,probably at Lucy’s. If you are interested in join-ing us to discuss or learn more about crime fic-tion please contact:David Seward 384631
� Family HistoryThere will not be a Family History Groupmeeting in August. The next meeting will beSeptember 28th, at Eileen's.
Contact Eileen Sturt 350639
� Flower ArrangingThere will not be a Flower Group meetingin August, the next one will be arranged atthe September General meeting, to suit allthe group members.
Contact Eileen Sturt 350639
� Food & WineContact Maire Warwick 350711([email protected])
�Game OnWe are taking a break until Autumn.Contact Jenny Wheeley 351662
�HandbellsContact Maire Warwick 350711
�HistoryContact Josephine King 350890
�HumourThanks to Michael and Pauline Farr forhosting this meeting. The Focus was SpikeMilligan and was led by Keith. After an in-
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Group Reports
3‘Bella Italia!’
Some photos of the recentGroup Leaders Tea ...thanks to John Wheeley)
From Spike Milligan (on London statues) “It’s due to pidgeons that alight on Nelson’s hat that makes it white”.
Last year the Committee invited Group Co-ordina-tors to tea at the Council Chambers to thank them(on behalf of us all) for the commitment they put into keeping our interest groups going. We repeatedthe event this year and a good time was had byall.
The Baking Group used their monthly meeting toprovide goodies for the occasion and there weresome delicious individual cakes plus traditionalscones, jam and cream, as well as strawberriesand cream. A good assortment and very much en-joyed.
So step up all those considering starting a newgroup - you too could enjoy this event next July!
Penny BeechGroups Co-ordinator
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