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Autumn NewsletterAutumn NewsletterAutumn Newsletter September 2017 No. 33September 2017 No. 33September 2017 No. 33

PHOTOGRAPHY GROUP VISIT TO ST MARY’S BRAMBER On Wednesday 12th June, the Photography Group visited St Mary’s House in Bramber. We were met by the Curator, Roger Linton, who gave us a guided tour of the house and gardens. The 15th century timber-framed hall-house in Sussex is owned by Peter Thorogood, author and composer. The house and gardens have undergone extensive renovations in the last few decades. The tour started in the entrance hall with its beautiful 16th century parquetry overmantel. The cellars beneath are said to have inspired Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in his Sherlock Holmes story, “The Musgrave Ritual”. Then on to the Monks' Parlour. This room provided lodgings for monks who served as wardens of the Great Bridge of Bramber when St Mary’s was a monastic inn for pilgrims. One notable feature of this room is a massive 'dragon beam'. The drawing room next door has sumptuous Jacobean panelling. The

magnificent marquetry overmantel depicts flintlock guns and military musical instruments in oak, box and burr walnut. In this room is the chair where Princess Alexandra sat when she visited St Mary's House and Gardens to meet volunteers and open the new King's Garden. We admired the hall with its embellishment of exquisite gilded wall-leather, decorated with flowers, fruit and birds. Upstairs we were shown the Octagon room, which the family use as a dining room. A large collection of dolls in period costume is housed in cabinets in this room. False bookshelves conceal doors leading to the fabulous Music Room. Built in the 1890s as a grand venue for musical soirées and weekend house-parties, the Victorian Music Room has an elegant 19th Century 'gothic' appearance. Renovated in

2016, it is used frequently for classical recitals. The Painted Room is unique and displays the earliest examples of trompe l'oeil three-dimensional painting in England, and is said to have been painted for the visit of Queen Elizabeth I. We visited the King’s bedroom and finally the library, containing Peter Thorogood’s unique private collection of works by the 19th century comic poet and caricaturist, Thomas Hood. We stopped for tea and cake in the traditional cottage style Orchard tea rooms, before continuing the tour in the gardens. We wandered through the Topiary garden and then on to the Terrace Garden, used for outdoor performances. We viewed the Secret Garden, the Terracotta Garden, the Jubilee Rose Garden and rounded off the tour in the Museum, which houses a variety of Victorian tools, carts and carriages.

HEATHER STONE

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WHATEVER HAPPENED TO RANDOLH SCOTT?

The phone rang the other day and a voice said "Would you come and talk to us about the U3A?". That did it! Panic mode set in. How can I talk about the U3A for three quarters of an hour? I know who we are and what we do; but for that long? No I don't think so. "Well, can you come and give us a talk on something?" Then I heard this voice, which I now understand was mine, saying "Well, how about a talk on the real west?". "Yes. Oh thank you! " she said. So, after fixing an agreed date and time, down went the phone.

So here was I, committed to giving a talk, in public, to an audience, something I had not done since my 'am -dram' days. The next step was to work out what I was going to say and how I was going to do it with no electronic aids. The memsahib (translators note - female boss ) thought I had finally flipped, walking round the house talking to myself. All my life I have been fascinated with the wild west and the characters who lived there, so getting my hands on subject matter was not a problem, but sorting out who and what I talked about was; and how do I present it? Do I talk about Westerns or just the real thing? In the end I decided that I would compare Hollywood's view of the wild west with the real thing. Now I knew where I was going, I started my research into the fictional world of the film makers. And so began my journey down Memory Lane..... Britain was a wonderful place for growing up in the 50s and 60s. Every week there was at least one Western series on television - "Wagon Train", "Laramie", "Wells Fargo", "Rawhide", "Gunsmoke", "Bonanza". In the cinema you could see two films, the main feature plus a support film. Often the second feature was a Western. One of my earliest memories of television is of being taken with my sister to see my Aunt Jess, who had a TV set. We were given ginger biscuits (hated them then, hate them now!), and watched "The Lone Ranger", with a real American Indian playing an Indian; Jay Silverheels was a full-blooded Mohawk. How's that for political correctness? My earliest cinema memory is James Stewart's burning wagons in the "The Man from Laramie". Overall it was television that fed my interest and enthusiasm. We watched "Gunsmoke" with Matt Dillon and Chester; I wonder how many budding impressionists dragged their leg round the playground shouting out "Mr. Dillon". And we were so innocent in those days; the programme featured Marshall Dillon's lady friend Miss Kitty, who ran the saloon - knowing what I know now makes me think she was probably providing other things apart from drink and gambling. I wonder if our parents knew or realised. "Rawhide" of course starred a young, and in those days unknown, Clint Eastwood, who went on to greater things. Somehow the cattle never got anywhere. "Wagon Train" was another example of something going nowhere; it never reached its destination, but we never asked why, and somehow it never seemed to matter. We all had cap guns, toy guns for which you could buy small explosive caps. They came on a red roll, and when you pressed the trigger the mechanism fed the caps through the gun and went off bang. If you did not have cap gun, hitting the caps with a small hammer or stone had the same effect. Up and down the land, many a shoot-out was replayed with no one wanting to be the baddie. TV Westerns reached their peak with "Bonanza". In its time it was the most expensive Western series ever made, and it showed in the quality of its stories and scenery. What's more it was in colour, something we could not appreciate till much later when we got a colour TV. After that TV Westerns were never quite the same; in fact they seemed to go out of fashion. Not until the "High Chaparral" appeared on our screens in the mid-sixties did they show any sign of a comeback. In the cinema too our tastes and movie-going habits were changing. The films were getting longer; no need for a support film. Movie makers realised if they made bigger films they made more money, and the epic was born. For me the pinnacle of the Western was "The Magnificent Seven". After that nothing was quite the same and it's not until quite recently that Westerns have approached anything like the standard that they were. So if you ask me who my favourite cowboy star is; well funnily enough it's someone I don't ever remember seeing in the cinema as a kid. The plots of his films are very similar, sometimes quite dark, yet he always gets the girl, no matter how rocky the relationship starts out. His costume never varies, and you always know who the villains are right from the start. If you have not guessed already - it's Randolph Scott. DAVID FLECK

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SEWING GROUP

We thought it would be fun to hold some all-day workshops, learning the art of Japanese Meshwork, which is weaving fabrics with strips. No-one is teaching us but ourselves! This is a new technique which we are all quite excited about. First comes the preparation needed to make padded boards on which to pin the strips for weaving. Next we cut fabric to make the required strips with which to weave. The boards are made by stapling two squares of corrugated cardboard together - kindly provided by Sheila, our Group Co-ordinator, and Cathie, a Group Member. The boards are then layered on top with wadding, and finally covered by cotton fabric, everything being held together with hand stitching. Hey presto! - now only the fabric strips to prepare.

The finished woven pieces can then be used to insert into cushions, bags, etc. At the end of each workshop we shall finish by enjoying a nice cup of tea and a cake, and of course a good natter on how we all did, and see each others' finished work. It's always amazing how different a design can look by choosing different coloured fabrics. Our Group is a happy bunch, always looking to learn and try new ideas, with everyone contributing equally. We are also starting a new Group Quilt, to

be raffled at the Exhibition of Work next year, with the proceeds going to charity. In the next newsletter we will tell you how things went, and include some photographs of the finished work.

SUE ANTHONY

Prepared board and strips Partly completed weave

JAZZ & MUSIC APPRECIATION GROUP

As usual, the recent presentations have been very good over the last three months, starting in May with The History of Jazz by Sylvia Ashdown. Sylvia began with "Midnight Symphony" by Lester Young; "Grooving High" by Dizzy Gillespie & Charlie Parker; "Summertime" by Artie Shaw; "Lover Man" by Sarah Vaughan; "Yardbird Suite" by Charlie Parker & Miles Davis; "Lady Be Good" by Ella Fitzgerald; "Rocking Chair" by Louis Armstrong & Jack Teagarden; and "Embraceable You" by Charlie Parker & Miles Davis.

This was followed by a superb presentation by our guest, John Poulter. This was about Paul Gonsalves, the Ellingtonion sax player. Some of tracks featured were; "Swingin’ The Blues" by the Count Basie Orchestra from 1947; Duke Ellington's "Spacemen" from 1958; "It’s Something That You Ought To Know" from Ellingtonia Moods & Blues in 1960; "Yesterdays" 1960; "Body and Soul"; "Boom-Jackie-Boom-Chick" from 1964; and "You Go To My Head" 1967. As you can see this was an excellent and different selection of songs chosen by John. In June, members of our Group brought along their own CDs, and played a track chosen by them. The following are some of the tracks chosen; "Shiny Stockings" by Ben Webster & Teddy Wilson; "Come Back Sweet Papa" by Graeme Bell & His Australian Jazz Band; "I Gotta A Right To Sing The Blues"; "T’aint What You Do It’s The Way You Do It" by Ella Fitzgerald; "A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square" by Harry Connick Jr.; "What A difference A Day Makes" by Sarah Vaughan; "Do I Love You" by Peggy Lee; "Blue Moment" by Bobby Hackett & Zoot Sims; and "I Put A Spell On You" by Nina Simone. One of the melodies that brought back memories of Sunday mornings of the past was Ella Fitzgerald singing "With A Song In My Heart", the theme tune of "Family Favourites". How nostalgic is that! These were just some of the songs that made a great afternoon's listening. In July, we had two video presentations by me. The first was "The All Star Swing Festival" of 1972 from the Lincoln Center in New York, with Doc Severinson, band leader and trumpet player, who introduced the artistes including Benny Goodman, Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Lionel Hampton, Teddy Wilson, Duke Ellington and Gene Krupa. The second video was from the redeveloped Lincoln Center’s Rose Theater in 2016. This programme was introduced by Wynton Marsalis and his orchestra, who then played music by Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, John Coletrane, and Charles Mingus. This certainly gave us an insight as to how the quality of sound and vision has changed over the last 40 years or so. Some of our Group came to me to say how much they enjoyed these video presentations, so we will have more in the future! I am pleased to say we have four new Members in the Group.

JOHN ANTHONY

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LORDINGTON HOUSE The latest adventure of the Garden Appreciation Group was a delightful visit to Lordington House, West Sussex, just outside Chichester in the beautiful Sussex countryside. Thirty-six intrepid members gathered in the driveway of this impressive but homely house, owned and lived in by Mr and Mrs John Hamilton and their family. We were warmly greeted by John Hamilton, who took us on a magical tour of his house and gardens. This 17th century house is colourful and full of interest, surrounded by a listed walled garden and bowling green, and set just above a fish pond and the flint and brick former watermill. It is said that the house is haunted by Margaret Pole, the Countess of Salisbury, who was beheaded by Henry VIII. After a talk by Mr Hamilton, with an illustrated history of the house and how the gardens had evolved over the centuries, he took us on a guided walk around his gardens. An ancient fig tree provided a back drop to a shaded sitting area, with deep borders filled with an abundance of interest and colour. One of the annual highlights in the garden comes in the spring, when it is filled with daffodils and opened under the National Garden Scheme to visitors. Clipped yews and box are a feature, with a lime tree avenue planted to replace elms. Vegetables and fruit are grown, and chickens run freely in the garden. After a sunny walk around the gardens, we were all invited into the house for unlimited tea and delicious homemade cakes. The milk jug required replenishing, and it was a trip back in time when Mrs Hamilton came in with a pint bottle of milk. It was then time, reluctantly, to make our way home, carrying cuttings that Mr Hamilton had given us from the garden. ANN PARRY

A REMINDER

If you are subscribed to a Group which you no longer wish to attend, could you please let your Group Co-ordinator know. Many Groups are over-subscribed, with waiting lists, so by vacating your place you may let someone else join.

Thank you.

RAMSTER GARDENS Ramster Gardens are situated in Chiddingfold. We had a very good journey there through Storrington and Petworth, only hitting a snag when we were almost there. We went down Killinghurst Lane hoping to find the entrance to the gardens, but we should have continued on to the next turning. We were not the only ones from our group who turned off too soon, and only found our way after asking a local resident, so several cars were turning round in a very narrow lane. Having reached our destination everything was fine. We were taken to the tearooms where we had a very nice tea and cakes and were given a talk about the gardens. The Gardens are only open in the spring and autumn. The house, Ramster Hall was not open but dates back to the 17th century. In 1900 the house was purchased by Sir Harry Waechter and it was he, with the help of local nurseries (Gauntletts of Chiddingfold) who laid the foundations for the gardens. Gauntletts were responsible for the Japanese influence which can be seen today. After the talk we were free to roam the gardens which mainly consisted of woodland walks with rhododendrons, azaleas and shrubs, etc., which were beautiful. Every turn you took along the grass pathways had a different view. There was a pond and statues of deer, pigs etc dotted about and some formal gardens. The Group enjoyed a very nice day. GILL ARTHUR

GARDEN APPRECIATION GROUP

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DRIFTWOOD

The Garden Appreciation Group visited Driftwood near Newhaven in June. It is a small garden by the sea. The garden was enchanting and full of character, and more than made up for its small size with lots to see, and every corner filled with interest. There was an abundance of lovely flowers, plants and shrubs everywhere, which were a delight to see. Even Hector, the resident tortoise, had his own garden!

The owner, Geoff, was enthusiastic and gave us a short talk on his amazing garden and how it took shape. He was happy to answer any questions as we explored. We were told that it takes five hours to water the whole garden!

We were served tea, coffee and delicious home-made cake in the garden. This pleasant garden was runner-up in Gardener’s World Garden of the Year (Small Gardens), and is well worth a visit. GAYE SHARPE

HIGHDOWN

On Friday 13th March members of the Garden Appreciation Group, under the new leadership of Barbara Earley and Wyn Scrase, visited the Highdown Gardens in Worthing. We had a very interesting tour given by Gary the Head Gardener. The gardens have been created from a chalk quarry, where there was little soil and very unfavourable conditions. The Chalk Garden is the achievement of Sir Frederick Stern and his wife, who purchased the 8.5 acres in 1909 and worked for 50 years to prove that plants would grow on chalk. The garden was created during a period when many expeditions were going out to China and the Himalayas collecting rare and beautiful plants. Gary pointed out that many of the original plants from the early collections can still be seen in the garden today. Many of the shrubs and trees have been grown from seedlings. On the death of Sir Frederick Stern in 1967 and on the wishes of her husband, Lady Stern left the gardens to Worthing Borough Council, who now own and maintain them to a very high level. All the group had a very enjoyable and informative morning. WENDY BOWERS

WALKING GROUP

Believe it or not, we are now well into our eighth year of Lancing and Sompting U3A’s programmes of walking. Gosh, quite a few miles done, but hopefully encompassing a good deal of enjoyment, necessary exercise and, best of all, fun and friendship. Thinking arithmetically, that will be about 190 walks conceived and led by our willing Leaders, so far. Long may it continue! During the last nine months, amongst others, we have searched for the Old Village of Goring, walked a Bramber circular, and had a wonderful Bluebell walk. We have also walked round Arundel and the River Arun, a circular Henfield to Barrow Hill, a Steyning Summer Stroll, a walk round Widewater ending up with coffee at the Shoreham Airport, and in the next few months we will be up and around Highdown Hill, a Georgian/Regency Brighton stroll, and a circular walk round Steep Down. These are all sourced by our knowledgeable Leaders to whom go many thanks. If you are thinking of joining us on a walk – your name may already be on our list of 60 members who have previously signed up to walk - you will be more than welcomed, especially if you have some of your own preferred walks you could share with us. Look out for the next programmes on the Lancing and Sompting U3A website, or pick up a hard copy at one of the monthly meetings.

MARION WOOD

Would you like to join us? Our membership is open to retired and semi-retired people who wish to enjoy learning new skills, or pursuing an interest within a social group. Our subscription year is 1st April to 31st March.

Annual membership: 2017-2018 £13.00 Reduced part year subscription: 1st October - 31st December £9.50

1st January - 31st March £6.50

Membership entitles you to attend our monthly General Meetings and as many of the Interest Groups as you wish. An application form is available from

our Membership Secretary, Jean

Upton on 01903 750362.

Photo by John Anthony

Photos by Gwen Davies

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VISIT TO MOTTISFONT ABBEY

On 21st June, it was a beautiful day when we went by coach to Mottisfont Abbey in Hampshire. The Abbey is operated by the National Trust. At the heart of this house stands a priory church, a building transformed rather than destroyed. Maud and Gilbert Russell repaired these buildings, and brought Mottisfont back to life in the 1930s. Upstairs there is an art gallery, which holds different exhibitions throughout the year. On the lower ground floor you can see the earliest part of the building, and find out how and why it changed from a priory into a country home. There is a lovely river walk where you can see trout and salmon, and there was once a mill here. The climbing bog looked great fun, with lots of peculiarly-shaped wood to encourage children to climb, and water play features to inspire their spirit of adventure. There are also woods and fields for them to play. To the other side of the Abbey is the Coach House Cafe, with delicious food; there are also stables and a second-hand bookshop.

Just ten minutes walk away is a lovely walled rose garden, with many different varieties of roses, and other flowers. There is also a wetland and a meadow walk, but because it was such a hot day many of us preferred to sit under the shade of the trees, and enjoy relaxing and watching wildlife. The journey itself was a pleasure, seeing Portsmouth harbour in the distance, and pretty countryside. It was a lovely day out.

SYLVIA ASHDOWN

WALKING GROUP - HENFIELD On the 10th July, John Anthony led a circular walk around the Henfield area. It was most enjoyable. The weather was glorious, and we walked with about 20 members.

We began at the car park behind Budgens supermarket, and walked through the car park passage into the High Street, then turned left onto the road leading to Henfield Common. The houses and their gardens were lovely. We then took a path through the woods. At the end of the woods, we followed the path past Henfield Cricket Club and Swains Farm Shop and Garden Centre, where we saw goats, donkeys, and other farm animals. There were lots of sheep in the fields. At the end of a narrow road, we walked along the Brighton Road for 100 metres, crossed the road, turned left, and after 250 metres turned right up a small hill. We then took the left-hand path all the way to Barrow Hill. After 2 more right turns, and another 400 or so metres, we went through St Peter's Churchyard, which featured some very interesting trees which I believe were yews. They were all trimmed to an unusual shape, I had never seen anything like it before.

We then went on to Church Road, which leads to the High Street, where we crossed to the car park from which we started. For those who wanted, there was Henfield Community Centre for refreshments, with lots to see there. Everyone agreed it was a lovely walk. SYLVIA ASHDOWN

Photo by John Anthony

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SHORT MAT BOWLS GROUP Tracey Ford has put forward a proposal for a short mat bowls group to be held on alternate Fridays from 2 pm to 4 pm at East Worthing Community Centre (next to the Range) at the roundabout on the junction of Dominion Road and Ham Road. The next session will be on 8th September next. The Pulse bus runs from Lancing along Brougham Road and stops opposite The Smugglers pub, then there is a short walk up the road. The No. 9 and 106 buses also run along the same road. (There is limited parking at the Community Centre). Members will have to take out an annual subscription with the Community Centre of £2.50 running from January to December in each year, and each session will cost an additional £3. Tea and coffee can be purchased at 60p per cup. There is a maximum of 4 lanes and up to 6 players to a mat. Players should wear soft, flat shoes; the Centre will provide the rest of the equipment, if required. Booking is essential, so if you wish to join the group please contact Tracey direct on 01903 751568 or email: tracey6210@gmail.com

CRYPTIC CROSSWORDS : what are they? Would you like to unlock the mystery of cryptic crosswords? John Leaney and Heather Stone will be running a Cryptic Crossword Group soon. The 8 weekly sessions will be progressive and will show you how to solve cryptic clues in a friendly and fun manner. What is meant by a cryptic clue? It is a word game with each clue being a word-play: -

Two parrots sat on a perch. One said to the other “Can you smell fish?”

Look at the following: -

The woodworker makes the fish come in (9)

The answer is a 9 letter word that means a woodworker. The clue to this word is that it contains a word that also means fish, plus a word that also means come in.

So Carp + enter = Carpenter

This is only one type of cryptic clue, and you will learn many more over the weeks. The course will run on Thursdays, from 10-12 at Heather’s home, starting on the 5

th October. If you would

like to know more about the group, or to join the group then contact either John or Heather on:- John sujoco@live.co.uk 07808 052060 Heather h.stone20@yahoo.co.uk 07949 249757

CAN YOU WRITE AN ARTICLE?

Many thanks to those members who have written articles for this newsletter. It makes for interesting reading when a variety of Groups contribute.

The Newsletter is written by members, for members. We welcome articles from anyone with something to say with a U3A or local connection, especially if you attend a Group which is not often reported in the Newsletter. If you have attended an interesting meeting of one of your Groups, heard a speaker, gone on a visit or field trip, let your fellow members know about it; or perhaps you have some general observations about your U3A experience. Photos or artwork are always welcome too. Articles can be submitted in any form, computer files, typewritten, or hand written. Contact details of the editor can be found on the back page of this newsletter. Publication and deadline dates for the next 3 issues are:-

WINTER 2017 Published on 1st December Deadline for articles 10th November SPRING 2018 Published on 1st March Deadline for articles 10th February SUMMER 2018 Published on 1st June Deadline for articles 10th May

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VISITS GROUP - WADDESDON MANOR

Mayor Amschel established the de Rothschild family in Frankfurt in the 16th century, and by the 19th century it had become one of the richest and most powerful European families, providing banking and financial services to wealthy noblemen. One of the five sons of the founder was Nathan de Rothschild, who moved to Manchester in 1798, aged 21 years, trading in textiles. He subsequently married, and set up his own Bank in London. In 1815 the family funded Wellington’s army in the months leading up to the Battle of Waterloo. His grandson Anselm continued in the banking business, but was also an avid collector of art and antiques, and took his son, Ferdinand, to markets all over Europe. Anselm died in 1874, and shortly afterwards the Duke of Marlborough put his 600 acre estate on the market following an agricultural depression. Ferdinand sold his shares in the Bank to his partners and bought the land. In August 1872 the foundation stone of the mansion was laid. It was built in the French Chateau style with 165 acres of parkland, ornate gardens, a parterre, a rose garden, an outside aviary and classical and contemporary sculptures. Inside, Ferdinand was able to display his priceless collection of Dutch Old Masters, English portraits, rich textiles and tapestries, elegant furniture, fans, cameos, clocks, porcelain, pottery, chandeliers and cut-glass, and a spectacular musical elephant automaton. After his death the property passed to his youngest sister Alice, and then to James, whose wife, Dorothy, handed it over to the National Trust in 1957 under joint management, at that time, with her nephew, Nathaniel. We had a most enjoyable visit to the mansion and were only able to see a small number of the attractions on offer as there are so many. If you ever travel near Aylesbury, I would recommend that you take time to view this amazing collection.

SUE MAXWELL

LOCAL HISTORY GROUP - BIGNOR ROMAN VILLA

Roman remains and Georgian buildings Eleven of us thoroughly enjoyed a visit to the Bignor Roman Villa, located in wonderful countryside close to the South Downs and the Roman Stane Street - the modern name given to an important 90-kilometre-long Roman road that linked London to Chichester. The weather was perfect. A very friendly and informative young lady took us around the site and pointed out all the amazing mosaics and the stories behind them. We could get a good idea of how the original site was set out as there was a model of the villa as it would originally have been. We were

amazed at the condition of the mosaics and the size of the site, although, of course, much has been lost over the years. We all agreed it was well worth a visit and would recommend it to our friends and family. We completed our tour with a very reasonably priced tea and snacks in the delightful tea room.

SUE BUCHANAN

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VISIT TO HAMPTON COURT PALACE The first visit of the year in March was to Hampton Court Palace. It was a bright, sunny day, which turned out to be a warm one. Although most people know Hampton Court as a Tudor Palace, its origins go back to the Conquest and it has an entry in the Doomsday Book. It was gifted to Sir Walter de Saint Valery by the Conqueror, and one of his descendants donated the property to the military order of the Knights Hospitaller (better known as the Knights of Malta who defended the island against invasion by the Turkish forces of Suleiman the Magnificent in the 16th century). They used the manor to grow food for their headquarters at Clerkenwell and for their mission in the Holy Land. The bell above the astronomical clock is the oldest existing artifact at Hampton Court, cast in the 14th century; it once hung over the Hospitaller’s chapel. They granted the lease of the manor and lands to various owners, Henry VII is said to have visited his Chancellor, Giles Daubney, there. In 1514 the Hospitallers granted a 90 year lease to Cardinal Wolsey, Archbishop of York, and he commenced the building of a palace. King Henry VIII is once supposed to have said to Wolsey (obviously very jealous) that he “came from his house to your palace”. Wolsey fell out of favour with the king over the royal divorce from Katherine of Aragon and the king’s wish to marry Anne Boleyn. The Cardinal handed the palace over to the king in an attempt to keep his favour, but he was still arrested on his way back from York and died on the journey, saving him from the executioner’s axe. Henry’s son, the future Edward VI was born at Hampton and his mother, Jane Seymour, died two weeks later. On the king’s break with the Church of Rome, he kicked the Hospitallers out of England (they still owned the property technically) but he was not giving that back! It remained a favourite Tudor palace, but with the accession of William and Mary in 1688, they had half of the Tudor palace torn down and redesigned by Sir Christopher Wren. William also built the Little Banqueting House for his private entertainment - a place to get away from it all and drink Holland’s gin (which he brought over from Holland) with his friends. We started our visit by passing the heraldic beasts and through Anne Boleyn’s Gateway into the clock court which has the astronomical clock and the Hospitaller's bell. It also had statues of various Roman Emperors mounted into niches in the walls. We were also intrigued to find what appeared to be somebody lying down, only to find that there were various models dressed in Tudor costume all over the court, this one appeared to have been indulging in some beer! We started in Henry VIII’s Great Hall with its hammer beam roof and magnificent tapestries. William Shakespeare’s company (the King’s Men) performed here for James I over Christmas and New Year 1603/4. There were large numbers of school parties and one group were in the Great Hall sitting at the tables being given a history lesson by a guide dressed in Tudor costume. We also visited various other Tudor rooms and into the Chapel Royal with its replica of Henry VIII’s crown used for his coronation. It was here in 1540 that Archbishop Cranmer handed Henry VIII a letter outlining various accusations of naughty behaviour before her marriage by the king’s new wife, Catherine Howard. Henry was besotted with her and took it badly, ordering her imprisonment and subsequent execution in the Tower. The legend goes that she haunts the corridor leading to the chapel, trying to reach the king before he received his letter! After exploring the Tudor section and arriving at the Fountain Court, it was time for some lunch. After refreshment, we went into the Baroque section of the palace and were told about the fire which took place 30 years ago, which started in the grace and favour residences. The Cartoon Galley was destroyed and we were told that on removing panelling in one room, they found a hand print believed to have been put there by Christopher Wren as a signature. We also saw the paintings of the Hampton Court Beauties, paintings commissioned by Charles II of his favourite “ladies” painted by Godfrey Kneller. We were told by the guide that most of them would not have had very good teeth (no dentistry in those days) and their cheeks would not have looked plump enough, so the artist made them put plums in their cheeks to make them look fuller, which gave rise to the saying “a plum in the mouth”. One of the ladies, Frances Duchess of Richmond was the original model for Britannia on our coins. Her descendants live at Goodwood House. The same guide also showed us the original outline of the medieval manor in one of the courtyards. After looking round this part of the palace we decided to have a walk round the grounds and to enjoy a cup of tea and an ice cream. We thought we would have a look at the Magic Garden, a new attraction, but unfortunately, this did not open until Easter. Hampton Court is also the host to the RHS Flower Show which is held in July. We decided to sit in one of the walled gardens and enjoy the sunshine. Soon it was time to rejoin the coach for the journey home. A lovely visit, but you do need more than one day to take everything in.

ROZ HARDING

Entrance to Palace showing Heraldic Beasts

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ATTEMPTS TO COMPOST by Jean Whale

“Green is good” - I try to be good. I decide to compost. Not on an open heap where vermin will gather but In a container for which I am prepared to pay good money. I scour the internet for inspiration. Yay - Tesco has them. I visit the store the following day.

Plastic rejected in favour of a wood beehive; Amateur construction a doddle, they say, Straight on to the earth – with this I comply and start off With weeds, apple cores and shredded cardboard. I leave it all in there for a month. Nothing happens. I check again the following day.

Too dry? add water or a compost activator – So implores the garden guru in print. In rebellious mood, I decline, adding more paper, More greens, more carrots cooked and cooled. I leave it for a further month. Nothing happens. I check again the following day.

Weeds grow freely on the lawn in the front garden – I will not kill them with a proprietary spray. Healthy clippings only in the beehive compost bin Now almost filled and smelling of deceased apple cores. I leave it again for another three months. Nothing happens. I check again the following day.

Six months have now passed and still no compost – It is hot in the garden and dry. Dry too in the now full beehive which sits in a quiet corner Where I could have had my hammock. I have “done a blunder” – maybe I need water. Something may happen if I get to work the following day.

I heave out the dry contents in the midday sun When I should be cooling down in the shade. Council bags are filled with the failed material As the bin men are due to collect them tomorrow. I am parched; the bin has been parched. The guru was right, water is essential for the survival of us all. Now something will happen If I add water every following day.

RENEWAL by Roger Sutton

It had not rained for a month and more. The soil had started to turn to dust. The birds had gradually stopped singing And the plants had started to wilt. Spring had well and truly been put on hold.

But the storm clouds rolled in from the South And it rained continuously for a full twelve hours. Gradually, oh so gradually, the plants righted themselves And belatedly started to bloom.

The birds started to sing again And resumed their nest-building. From the depths of the soil the worms returned to the surface. The natural order had been restored and renewal had

begun.

SE REGION U3A RESEARCH CONFERENCE

5th July 2017 at Royal Holloway College Campus, Egham (London University)

Our U3A Committee kindly supported my attendance at this new event, and that of three ‘Exploring Psychology’ Group members (Pat Frewin, Barbara Earley and Benita Everett). The Conference was arranged to promote the research culture in the U3A, and to remind members that research was envisaged as an important part of the activities within U3As, as evidenced by the founders in our ‘Aims and Principles’. The all-day Conference opened with an absorbing presentation by Dr Matthew Smith, Project Director of the Magna Carta – ‘Citizens 800 years in the making’ Research Project. If you are interested in his presentation, take a look at this link- http://southeastmuseums.org Several U3As are already engaged in helping with this research project. Over the course of the day, delegates heard presentations from U3A members involved in research on: ‘The historic footpaths of the Thames Valley’; ‘The coming of the railways and their impact on Crawley’; ‘Bees’; ‘The effect on the people of Portsmouth of the Battle of Jutland’; ‘The cognitive neuroscience of remembering and forgetting’; ‘The experience of interviewing end-of-life patients at a hospice’; and ‘A study of memory with U3A members’. Delegates pre-booked attendance at one of four afternoon workshops. Those on offer were: - Research Ethics, Rona Hodges (Canterbury) & Zara Bergstrom – (attended by Pat Frewin) - Archival Research, Colin Mitchell (Wokingham) – (attended by Benita Everett) - Curious Minds, Andrea Edeleanu (Guildford) – (attended by Barbara Earley) - The journey from interest group to research , Anne Richardson (Lancing & Sompting) – (OBVIOUSLY, attended by me) I offered to design and present this Workshop to show others how our U3A ‘Exploring Psychology’ group members had progressed from simply ‘looking up information’ to becoming aware of, and competent at, researching a topic. In order to involve others in ‘research’ we will be sharing information about our ‘journey to research’ with Interest Group Co-ordinators at a specially designed Workshop - details of this will be announced towards the end of this year. The Conference was interesting and informative and all four of us were grateful to our Committee for enabling us to attend. (After the Conference, I was pleased to receive a letter from the organiser congratulating me on my ‘brilliant Workshop’)! Hopefully, it will have inspired others to have a go at ‘research’.

ANNE RICHARDSON

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GENERAL MEETINGS

General Meetings are held at Lancing Parish Hall, South Street, Lancing on the first Monday of the month 2 - 4pm.

Invited speakers talk on a wide variety of subjects, many on local interests. Non-members are welcome to come to one of these meetings to gain an insight into our activities. We respectfully ask that you become a member before attending further meetings. Refreshments are provided.

Future Meetings

September 4th Mitch Egan – Jail Tales October 2nd Pip Henderson – Actress and stunt woman November 6th Pam Brewer – Owls out and about (part 2) December 4th Groups from U3A to perform at the meeting (MEMBERS ONLY)

If you find that you are sitting next to someone you have not met before, please say hello and introduce yourself, they may well be a fairly new member who has not had a chance to meet many other members. Please help us to make everyone welcome, and to live up to our reputation of being a friendly U3A.

REFRESHMENT TEAM LEADER After years of sterling service, Jean Davey has retired from her position as Tea Supervisor, and we are looking for a replacement. Applicants will need the following: A car to transport equipment to and from the Parish Hall for the monthly meetings, plus storage space at home for it; equipment comprises a storage crate, large plates for biscuits, jugs used for the Christmas Social, tea towels, trays, 2 Thermos jugs for coffee, sugar, tea and coffee, washing up gloves and liquid. Duties include:

Supervising 2 or 3 assistants and preparing a rota for 2018; purchasing tea, coffee, sugar, biscuits, milk, tea towels, rubber gloves, and washing up liquid as and when required (for which the Committee will reimburse you); washing the tea towels after use.

Serving over 100 members with refreshments at meetings, supervising the washing-up of dishes, cleaning and tidying the kitchen afterwards.

The role could be shared by 2 people. Unfortunately unless a replacement can be found the Committee will be unable to provide refreshments at the General Meetings. If you would like to volunteer for the role, please contact Sue Maxwell on 01903 411094 or e-mail: sjmax@icloud.com

COMMITTEE MEMBERS 2017—2018

Chair David FleckVice-Chair Barry UptonTreasurer Heather StoneSecretary Sue LeaneyMembership Secretary Jean UptonWeb Administrator Gwen DaviesInterest Group Co-0rdinator Sue MaxwellCommittee Member and Speakers Sue ShoosmithCommittee Member Hilary FarnworthCommittee Member Jane LeeCo-opted Member for SUN Marion Wood

Welfare Officers Tracey Ford

Margaret Foley

Please let your Welfare Officers know if any member is sick or has suffered a bereavement

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GROUP CO-ORDINATOR

18th Century Social History Sue Maxwell

Ancient History Ron Richardson

Art Appreciation Wendy Bowers

Art Painting and Drawing Peggy Smart

Bird Watching Gwen Davies

Book Group 1 Kay Martin

Book Group 2 Mary Appleton

Bridge Group Brian Partridge

Card Making 1 Diane Webber

Card Making 2 Tracey Ford

Card Making 3 Tracey Ford

Classical Music Appreciation Hazel Clyne

Current Affairs Candy Welch

Easy Cycling Terry Pashley

Exploring Psychology Anne Richardson

Family History Brenda Hester

French Language Pauline Smith

Garden Appreciation Barbara Earley

Wyn Scrase

History David Fleck

Interactive Travel Anne and Ron Richardson

Jazz & Music Appreciation John Anthony

Knitting and Crochet Anne Dobbs

Living History Anne Richardson

Local History Hilary Farnworth

Mah Jong 1 Barbara Franklin

Mah Jong 2 Mary Appleton

Mah Jong 3 Florrie Chivers

Military Matters Don Kinnear

Petanque Sue Fleck

Photography Sue Hibberd

Play Reading Roger Frewin

Poetry Jean Whale

Practical Gardening Gwen Cole

Psychology Today Margaret Howard

Quilting Judie Dicson

Scrabble Valerie Thomas

Sewing Sheila Taylor-Bennett

Singers and Shakers Frankie Wohler

Visits Gwen Davies

Sue Shoosmith

Jean Upton.

Walking Marion Wood

Mike Hester

INTEREST GROUPS AND CO-ORDINATORS

The next Newsletter will be published on December 1st 2017. Deadline for articles is 10th November.

Email address for articles: u3a.lancingsompting.editor@gmail.com Tel: 01903 752419