RAYLEIGH GRANGE U3A

Newsletter

Edition – No. 107 2019

Celebrating 10 Years

2009 - 2019

Welcome to the June Newsletter

Next Monthly Meeting is our 10th Anniversary Celebration on Wednesday 5th June at 12.45 pm

For members who have pre-booked a place

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"Dear Committee Members and Members,

On behalf of the Third Age Trust's Board of Trustees and Staff,

congratulations on reaching your U3A 10th Anniversary!

Unfortunately, a diary clash prevents me joining all of you in

Rayleigh Grange when you reach this milestone in your U3A journey.

Enjoy your Celebrations and I hope to meet you on another

occasion.

All the very best,

Ian McCannah

Chair - Third Age Trust"

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10th Anniversary Celebration

We are pleased to tell you that everyone who has requested a place at the 10th anniversary celebration on 5th June will be able to come. Unfortunately, we cannot take any more requests to attend. We have had to limit the numbers due to the size of the hall so if you have not already booked a place please do not come along. Doors will be open at 12.45 pm. Please sign in and go into the small hall. Once everything is set up we will be able to allow access to the main hall where the buffet will be laid out. We hope to start eating just after 1.00 pm. If you have an antique or collectable which may be of interest please bring it along. James Grinter, an Auctioneer and Valuer who has worked for BBC Essex and Flog It, will cast his eyes over and talk about some of them, Photographs will be taken at the event which may be used on our website, in the newsletter or submitted to Third Age Matters. If you do not want your photograph to be used please move away from the camera whilst photos are being taken. Looking forward to celebrating our first 10 years with you.

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FROM THE CHAIR Hi everyone hope you are enjoying the weather as it warms up. It is with regret that, at the AGM, Cyril and I will be standing down from committee duties. We give our best wishes to whoever takes on these posts and offer any help we can to these persons, if required. Linda Stringer

SITUATIONS VACANT By now I hope you have all received your notification for the forthcoming AGM. This year we are faced with many positions to be filled. In fact, there are a total of eight resignations from the committee. We have had some prior notice of vacancies and expressions of interest have been lodged for some of them. However, it has now been made clear that we will be needing a new ‘Chair’. Linda stepped up to the plate at very short notice last year but has decided not to continue with her term of office. Without a Chairman (who becomes one of the trustees of our association) we will not be permitted to continue. It is worth mentioning that all positions are up for re-election – so do not stand back – if there is something you fancy taking on, just get your nomination in. All the job specifications can be found on the web page. Please give this matter your attention and consideration and speak to any committee member if you have any queries.

Nominations must be received by the Secretary no later than 12th June 2019 Gillian Lilleker Hon. Secretary

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SOCIAL NEWS

NEWMARKET - SATURDAY 8th JUNE Our coach to Newmarket leaves Rayleigh Grange at 8.30 am on Saturday 8th June. The tour of the National Stud will be in the morning and then we will be spending the afternoon at the racecourse. We plan to leave after the last race which starts at 5.35 pm, so I would assume between 6.00- 6.30pm. There are food outlets at the racecourse or you can take your own picnic.

NEW DAY TRIP COUNTRYFILE LIVE - THURSDAY 1st AUGUST

Countryfile Live is being held in the grounds of Blenheim Palace from 1st-4th August this year. There will be lots to see on the stands, in the arena and on the stage with presenters from the TV show and TV chefs. We will be going to the show on Thursday 1st August, leaving Rayleigh Grange at 8.00 am. The price is £38 each which includes coaching, driver's tip and entrance to Countryfile Live. Please contact me straight away if you would like to join us. The tickets which I have on hold have to be confirmed and paid early in June.

Pam Green – Social Secretary

Outing to Dad’s Army Museum in Thetford – Members with Captain Mainwaring

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CYRIL’S GARDENING NOTES

Plant out your summer bedding plants as frosts should now have finished.

Put out your hanging baskets.

Cut back foliage on spring bulbs when it has died back naturally, then lift and divide overcrowded clumps of bulbs.

Pinch out the tips of fuchsias to encourage a busy habit and more flowers.

Pick Sweet Peas as they bloom to encourage more blooms.

Deadhead Roses to encourage more flowers.

Towards the end of June as your hardy Geraniums have finished flowering cut back hard to encourage new growth and more flower.

Tie in and train climbing plants such as Honeysuckle, Clematis and rambling Roses.

Clematis Armandii may need pruning cut dead wood out and where it is overcrowded.

Pinch out the side shoots on tomato plants allowing up to 6 or 7 trusses. Start a tomato feed as soon as the first truss appears.

If there is a prolonged dry spell, lift the blades on the mower to a higher setting, and don’t cut the grass in the hot sun. Leave until later in the day which will let the grass recover more after it has been cut.

Tomato feed can be used on any flowering plants to encourage more flowers.

QUIZ – GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

1. On what subject would a Vexillologist be an expert?

2. What is the name of the currency used in Poland?

3. In what year did Guy Fawkes attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament?

4. Where is the one place in Great Britain that the Monarch is not allowed to enter?

5. Who is the Greek God of the sea? 6. How many squares are there on a chess board?

7. Who wrote the novel Black Beauty first published in 1877?

8. Who wrote Principia Mathematica in 1687?

9. Whose assassination on 28th June 1914 sparked World War 1

10. Which Monarch’s crown has been used for all Royal coronations since his own rule?

Answers on page 8

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WARNING – HMRC SCAM

Ian Springall has asked that this warning be brought to the attention of members. He recently received a phone call from a well-spoken lady saying she was from the HMRC (Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs) she knew his name and asked him to confirm his address (which he didn’t) she then asked if he had been contacted by the Police. When he asked why he was told that there was a warrant out for his arrest for tax evasion. He told her he believed this was a scam and would report this to the police at which point she hung up and didn’t call back. It is an another reminder to us all not to give out personal information over the phone or by email. We will be holding a Cyber Crime Seminar on Thursday 24th October from 10.00 am to 12.30 pm at Rawreth Village Hall – do put this date in your diaries.

ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL - PARK & RIDE SERVICES Our member Heather Meggison has forwarded the following information which she feels might be of interest to some of our members.

Essex County Council is carrying a consultation regarding their proposal to start charging older people with bus passes to use the county’s Park & Ride schemes.

Currently older people with a bus pass do not have to pay to use this scheme, but the council is proposing to start charging older people for the service, albeit at a reduced rate. It appears that the proposal is not going to affect people who have bus passes due to a disability. The consultation closes at the end of July 2019. Please see link below: https://consultations.essex.gov.uk/rci/park-and-ride-fares-consultation/

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ANSWERS – GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

1. Flags 2. Zloty

3. 1605 4. The House of Commons

5. Poseidon 6. 64

7. Anna Sewell 8. Sir Isaac Newton

9. Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria 10. Edward III “The Confessor”

GARDEN GROUP VISITS IN MAY

FURZELEIGH IN DANBURY

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WILKIN & SONS, TIPTREE

Photographs by Lynda Clarke and Ann Rawlinson

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QUIZ – TELEVISION

1. June Brown is most famous for playing which long serving character since 1985?

2. Monica and Ross Geller were brother and sister in which long running American TV series?

3. “Rodney you plonker” and “This time next year we’ll be millionaires” are catchphrases from which well-known TV sitcom?

4. Phil Redmond created which UK TV soap opera 24 years ago?

5. In which TV series do we see celebrities trace their ancestry?

6. In what soap would you expect to find Miffield Hall later renamed Home Farm Manor?

7. What Netflix exclusive programme chronicles the life of Piper Chapman and her experiences in an American state prison?

8. Neighbours is set in the fictional suburb of Erinsborough, Melbourne but what is the name of the road in which it is set?

9. In which reality show would you expect to find siblings Kim, Khloe, Kourtney, Kendall, Kylie and Rob?

10. Fawlty Towers ran for a total of 4 years but how many episodes were produced and released?

Answers on page 13

CHURCH VISIT – CRESSING ALL SAINTS

It was a glorious morning for our visit to the village of Cressing and its little church of All Saints. At the church gate we passed through an avenue of trees, the churchyard unmanicured with long grass – a haven for flora and fauna – maintenance of this large area now beyond what the tiny congregation can afford. This little gem of a church epitomises the problems faced by rural church congregations – not only in Essex but nationwide. Here the congregation is almost down to single figures with most of the worshippers in their eighties with the day to day running of the church becoming increasingly difficult.

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We were met by Churchwarden Sue who ably told us something of the history of the building – although its true origins of a place of worship on this site are unknown the first written evidence is a charter of 1136. The church, which has little stained glass was very bright but in need of redecoration. Fortunately for the parishioners no major structural repairs or major fundraising for maintenance is necessary – although woodpeckers have seriously damaged the external woodwork of the little bell tower. An unusual feature, which we haven’t seen before, is a small carving described as a “voussoir with chevron ornament” – like a heraldic emblem above the vestry door. The Royal Arms displayed nearby show the Arms of Queen Anne (1702-1714). Here can be seen a stone seat with a corresponding one on the opposite side of the building which date from the time when there were no seats and everyone stood for services. The stone seats were provided for the elderly and pregnant ladies and were the origin of the saying “The weakest to the wall”

An impressive and colourful monument to Henry Smith of Cressing Temple and his wife Anne is on the south wall of the chancel and shows them kneeling with a kneeling daughter – below is a baby in swaddling clothes - the monument dated 1607. In the floor of the sanctuary is a beautiful brass to Dorcas Musgrave who sits pointing at her baby who died with her at childbirth in 1610.

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Photograph by Maureen Cheesewright Photograph by Lorraine Taylor

There is just one bell, housed in a belfry which dates from the 15c, the belfry supported by impressively complex timbers. Sue kindly displayed the church plate for us – normally kept in the church safe - the silver communion vessels date from the early part of the 20c - on a table with an inscription dating it to 1610. All Saints has many interesting features and is seemingly without interference by the Victorians who made alterations to so many of our churches.

On leaving the church we travelled a mile to the opposite side of the village to have lunch at The Fowlers Farm Inn – once a farmhouse and dating back 500 years - we enjoyed an excellent lunch and would highly recommend the food at this picturesque old building.

Ann Rawlinson

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OBITUARY

It is with sadness that we record the death of Maria (Ria) Nicholls who passed away on 8th May. Our sincere condolences to David and all her family. Ria was one of our founder members.

ANSWERS – TELEVISION

1. Dot Cotton 2. FRIENDS

3. Only Fools and Horses 4. Hollyoaks

5. Who do you think you are? 6. Emmerdale

7. Orange is the New Black 8. Ramsey Street

9. Keeping up with the Kardashians 10. 12

From the Editor

As we approach our 10th Anniversary celebration there is surely no better time to thank all those who have, over the last ten years, contributed to what has developed into a very successful U3A – Officers and Committee members, Group Leaders (some of whom have hosted their groups since our U3A began), those who provide our refreshments and man our bookstall at monthly meetings. Thanks also to the ladies who have organised our celebration which we hope you will enjoy.

The deadline for receiving articles for the July Newsletter is Monday 24th June 2019

rgu3anewsletter@hotmail.com

Doors open for registration at 12.45 pm. Please sign in promptly and go into the small hall. Lunch will be served at around 1.00 pm in the large hall.

NEXT MEETING: Wednesday 3rd July 2019

Annual General Meeting Rayleigh Grange U3A Members Only

No meeting in August

Ann Rawlinson Newsletter Editor

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Updated February 2019

If you are interested in joining any of these Groups please contact The Group Co-ordinator – Ian Springall through the contacts page on the website. 1

st MONDAY OF MONTH French Conversation 10.30-1.00pm Margaret Randall

Family History 1 2.00-4.00pm Ann Rawlinson

Maritime History Group 2.30-4.30pm Sue Howarth-Reading

Rummikub 2.00-4.00pm Jill Cogger

2nd

MONDAY OF MONTH Digital Photography 2.30-4.30pm Geoff Kittle

Canasta 1 2.30pm Doreen Brown

3rd

MONDAY OF MONTH Scrabble 2.00-4.00pm Ian Springall

Canasta 2 2.30-4.30pm Pat Hadden

Film Appreciation 2 Joan Hanscomb

1st

TUESDAY OF MONTH Family History 2 2.00-4.00pm Ann Rawlinson

Singing for Pleasure 11.00-12.30pm Joan Wayman

Crime/Thriller Books 7.00pm Pat Hadden

2nd

TUESDAY OF MONTH Book Club 2 2.00-4.00pm Denise Humphreys

3rd

TUESDAY OF MONTH Singing for Pleasure 10.45-12.30pm Joan Wayman

4th

TUESDAY OF MONTH Book Club 1 2.00-4.00pm Angela Bartlett

Trivial Pursuit 2.00-4.00 pm Ian Springall

1st

WEDNESDAY OF MONTH U3A Monthly Meeting 1.30-4.00pm

2nd

WEDNESDAY OF MONTH Family History 3 2.00-4.00pm Ann Rawlinson

Beading 2.00-4.00pm Lyn Farrow

3rd

WEDNESDAY OF MONTH Church Visits 10.00-1.30pm Ann Rawlinson

Poetry 2.30-4.30pm Irene Jones

Garden Group Theresa McAninch

Beginners Canasta 2.30-4.30pm Ann Clarke-Overy

Art Appreciation 2.00pm Geoff Pearce

4th

WEDNESDAY OF MONTH Family History 4 2.00-4.00pm Ann Rawlinson

Bird Watching 10.00am Peta Turner/Jackie Ginn

Beading 2.00-4.00pm Lyn Farrow

3rd

THURSDAY OF MONTH Wine group 7.30pm-late Susan Neil/Ann Newman

Discussion Group 10.00-12.00pm Alan Phillips

4th

THURSDAY OF MONTH Cribbage 10.00-12.00pm Sue Neil

Calligraphy 10.00-12.00pm Geoff Kittle/Peta Turner

1st

FRIDAY OF MONTH Textile Crafts 1.00-4.00pm Lynn Farrow

2nd

FRIDAY OF MONTH Local History 2.00pm-4.00pm Pam Green

3rd

FRIDAY OF MONTH Friday Photography 10.00am Jeff Goodman

Textile Crafts 1.00-4.00pm Lyn Farrow

Shakespeare Appreciation 10.30-12.30pm Paula Whittle

4th

FRIDAY OF MONTH Wine group 7.30pm-late Susan Neil/Ann Newman

LAST FRIDAY OF MONTH Art 1.30-4.30pm Brian Stammers

1st

SUNDAY OF MONTH Lunch 12.30pm Lillah Akerman

3rd

SUNDAY OF MONTH Lunch 2 Susan Neil

LAST SUNDAY OF MONTH Walking 10.30am Denise Humphreys

Strollers 10.30am Pam Burchill

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FORTNIGHTLY TUESDAY Tenpin Bowling 11.00am Jacqui Butcher

Short Mat Bowls 2.00-4.00pm Sue Neil

FORTNIGHTLY WEDNESDAY Badminton 2 10.00-12.00pm Brian Felstead

FORTNIGHTLY THURSDAY Badminton 10.00-11.00am Jacqui Butcher/Jane Green

FORTNIGHTLY FRIDAY Table Tennis 1.30-3.30pm Lynda Cornell

MONTHLY VARIOUS DATES Weekday Lunches 12.30pm Edna Webb

Theatre/Events Group Sue Mahoney

Out and About Peta Turner/Ann C-O

Mid-week walkers Theresa McAninch

MONTHLY VARIOUS DATES Garden Group 2.30-4.30pm Theresa McAninch

CHANGEABLE WEDNESDAY Family History 5 Suspended Lynda Rooke

Cinema 11.30am Christine Shaw

1st

/3rd

FRIDAYS Ipad/tablet 2.00-4.00pm Mark Wiseman

FORTNIGHTLY - TUESDAY Mahjong 10.00-12.00pm Keith Robjent