CROUCH VALLEY

NEWSLETTER

http://u3asites.org.uk/crouch-valley

WINTER 2017

COMMITTEE 2017/18

Chairman David SheaVice Chairman Ray Burns

Secretary Ken WalkerTreasurer John Gable

Membership Secretary Colin PegrumProgramme Secretary Lynda Burns

Groups Co-ordinator Bob LeBeauCommittee Members Rosemary Green

Eileen WendlekenAndy HullRichard Bradshaw

Welfare Officer Joyce SachWebmaster Don Wragg

NOVEMBER

No sun - no moon! No morn - no noon -

No dawn - no dusk - no proper time of day. No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease,

No comfortable feel in any member - No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees, No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds! -

November!

Thomas Hood (c 1830)

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A Word from the Chair

It is now six months since I was volunteered to be chairman of CrouchValley U3A.

I have read up on all the helpful documents that are supposed to makethe job simple, and still I am not sure if I have grasped the concept ofkeeping everyone happy, however our membership numbers haveremained around the 150 mark so I can only assume that along with mycommittee we must be doing something right.

We have managed to get some interesting speakers that I think most ofyou have enjoyed. And put on some excellent activities, most memorableto date being the summer BBQ. And I am looking forward to the 60s nightthat has been sold out. The planning for the Christmas party is well underway, and entertainment is organised. There will be a restriction onnumbers so get in early!

Your committee has tried to ensure that everyone coming to our meetingas visitors are made very welcome - it is vital that we keep the meetinglight-hearted and friendly so that people feel they want to come back. Wewelcome any feedback from members. This can go into the suggestionbook, don’t be shy in telling us what you think.

I would like to thank all the coordinators that run our groups for all theirhard work, they ensure that we can all go out and enjoy the activities andthe fellowship that the U3A brings to South Woodham.

Finally, join in the group activities because that is what we are about,something for everyone to enjoy. So make sure you get the best out ofyour U3A by getting involved.

Have fun.

Keep fit.

And enjoy life.

David Shea, Chairman.

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From the Secretary’s desk

DID YOU KNOW?

11 rules secretaries were forced to follow in the 1950’s:

1 – smile readily and naturally

2 – be fastidious about your appearance

3 – never wear long earrings (just to be clear, I never wear long earrings, except in the privacy of my own home)

4 – maintain excellent posture

5 – keep a pleasing and well-modulated voice

6 – refrain from sarcasm

7 – conceal your boredom

8 – always avoid gossip

9 – refrain from talking about yourself

10 – know where the boss is every single moment (so you can tell the right people the wrong place)

11 – never expect a promotion (an office boy starts at the bottom and works his way up, a secretary starts as a secretary - and just works!)

And you thought the job was easy………………………………

Ken Walker

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:You can get as much protein as you need from broccoli.

Eric Lindstrom The Skeptical Vegan

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Treasurer

Words of “Wisdom” from your Treasurer.

We started this financial year on 1st April 2017 with strong reserves of£924.96 in our General Account and £1,354.66 in our Social Account. AsI have explained before, strictly under Charity Act rules our reservesshould not continue to increase and The U3A Trust recommend that theyshould not exceed more than 12 months running costs. As aconsequence we have endeavoured to keep the membership figure aslow as possible and provide social events at the cheapest ratespracticable.The donations of “tea money” raised at the monthly meetings for this yearare being paid over to Four Charities in rotation as agreed by you all.Details of these payments and thank you letters are put on the web siteregularly and so far this year we have paid at the time of writing thisarticle, £127.39 to Essex Air Ambulance (2 collections), £54.00 to Aspire(1 collections), £56.74 to LUPUS (1 collection) and finally £60.02 toDementia Adventure (1 collection). Whilst I believe we have done very well I feel strongly that weshould not slacken off with our efforts. Well done everyone.

John Gable.

Groups Coordinator

Once again I wish to thank all the group leaders for another successfulyear and to Eileen Wendleken for her valuable assistance.

We are very lucky to have such a great team here at Crouch Valley U3A.

The number of groups continue to increase, the latest being the creativewriting and poetry group.

Remember, if you wish to start a new group please contact me for anyhelp and assistance.

Bob LeBeau.

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Membership

Our membership has steadied at over 140 plus a couple of peopleinterested in joining, which is on a par with last year.

May I take this opportunity to remind members that renewals will takeplace in March 2018 – details will be on the web site.

When renewing would you please fill out a membership renewal form toaccompany your payment. Forms are downloadable from the web site.

Colin Pegrum – Membership Secretary.

Webmaster

Crouch Valley U3A Website – http://u3asites.org.uk/crouch-valley

The web is still averaging over 300 hits per day. As I have indicatedbefore there is little scope to change the look of the site as we use thestandard National U3A template. I look at other U3A websites to see if itpossible to improve the level of information but I have to be honest basedon members feedback and what I have seen our website has the rightbalance.

I acknowledge some people may not like being bombarded with myemails re updates but I think it is the best way of reaching all members inour club.

I am always open to suggestions if you would like information to bechanged.

The website is only as good as the information sent to me and for that Ithank everyone for their support.

Please let me know your views.

Don Wragg – Webmaster.

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Welfare Officer

Well it’s been about 18 months now that I have been the Welfare Officerfor the Crouch Valley U3A, I’m very happy to report that I have not beenvery busy, meaning that on the whole our members are happy andhealthy. I would like to be informed by phone or e-mail if you know of any memberthat would like a card or note from our committee so they know we arethinking of them and wishing them well. If possible, could you also tell me which group or groups they belong toso I could try and send a card to match their interest.My details are on our website with my phone number.

Joyce Sach.

Prose and Poetry Competition 2018

Entries now welcome for our annual Prose and Poetry competition.

We began holding this popular annual competition in 1955 in order tocapture the reminiscences of the older residents of Essex.

Each year a copy of every entry is given to the Essex Record Officeto ensure that future generations of Essex people will learn from yourstory, your experiences, so material with an Essex theme isparticularly welcome.

TITLES :

WINNING AND LOSING or MEMORABLE ESSEX or CHILDHOOD TOYS

The competition is open to anyone over 50 and you must live inEssex. Prose should be no more than 1500 words long and poetryshould fit on one side of A4 paper.

For a full list of entry requirements etc. please contact Jan Campen

Your entry must reach us by 28 February 2018. Good luck!

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GROUP REPORTS

Aviation

The Maldon Aviation group has a consistent meeting group, of approx35+ members, who meet at the Purleigh Sports Field pavilion, on thethird Tuesday of the month at 2pm, unless a visit to an aviation relatedvenue has been scheduled.No meeting was held in August as a lot of members were away.

The July meeting was held at North Weald Aviation Museum. This provedto be very interesting, as the museum had expanded from how Iremembered it, some 20 years ago. It is now housed in the receptionhouse at the old entrance from North Weald Bassett village, close to thememorial to the Norwegian Airforce Pilots, who flew from there in WorldWar 2.A coach trip was organized to attend the Battle of Britain Display atDuxford on the 23rd September. This is a popular event with a goodattendance.The meeting on the 17th September, featured a film of “ColonelCulpeppers Flying Circus”, which relates to the Confederate Air Force inthe USA, now renamed the Commemorative Air force, to be morepolitically correct, in this day and age. At the time the film was made, itwas the 15th biggest air force in the world circa 1980.As the narrator mused that the Colonel does not exist in reality, he doesbear a striking resemblance to the Colonel who declared war on chickenin the Southern Sates of the USA!!Sadly, one of the three ex-Bomber crew who were members of the group,passed away in the spring of this year.

So if you have an interest in all things to do with aviation, you arewelcome to come along to the group on the days listed above.

As a post script, some of you may have seen that Stow MariesAerodrome, has been awarded a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £4.3million. This does come with a bit of a sting in the tail, as the trust has toraise £2 million to get the grant. So this rare site in our area needs all thesupport it can get to return it to the way it was when the RAF left it in1919. Crouch Valley members are welcome to meet with Maldon U3A.

CV Contact is Brian Austin 01245 329587

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Bird Watching

The Essex Wildlife Trust the RSPB and other conservation groupscontinue to work hard to improve and extend their work to provide theright conditions to welcome the natural world. Our group have witnessedsome of these completed projects. This work is so important becausethere is no doubt that we see, on our visits, a lot less wildlife than wouldhave been expected in former years.As you read this the group will be making visits to reserves that welcomethe birds that seek refuge from harsher climates. The Brent Geese arevery often seen on the fields beside the River Crouch and many Waderscan viewed feeding on the muddy creeks in walking distance from ourhomes. Our walks are leisurely, and we always expect the unexpected. We evensaw an Adder being pecked by a Magpie. So why not join us.

Contacts: Colin Martin & John Gable.

Book Group

We've read a wide variety of books, some more enjoyable or memorable than others but all supplied by SWF Library. Here are just a few that we recommend :-

A Perfectly Good Man by Patrick GaleWhen 20-year-old Lenny Barnes, paralysed in a rugby accident, commitssuicide in the presence of Barnaby Johnson, the much-loved priest of aWest Cornwall parish, the tragedy's reverberations open up the fault-linesbetween Barnaby and his nearest and dearest – the gulfs of unspokensadness that separate them all. Across this web of relations scuttlesBarnaby's repellent nemesis – a man as wicked as his prey is virtuous.

Returning us to the rugged Cornish landscape of ‘Notes from anExhibition’, Patrick Gale lays bare the lives and the thoughts of a wholecommunity and asks us: what does it mean to be good?

Dominion by C J Samson A spy-politico thriller and historical 'what if' novel from the author of thepopular Shardlake series that are set in Tudor England.

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1952. Twelve years have passed since Churchill lost to the appeasersand Britain surrendered to Nazi Germany after Dunkirk. As the longGerman war against Russia rages on in the east, the British people findthemselves under dark authoritarian rule: the press, radio and televisionare controlled; the streets patrolled by violent auxiliary police and BritishJews face ever greater constraints. There are terrible rumours too aboutwhat is happening in the basement of the German Embassy at SenateHouse.

Defiance, though, is growing. In Britain, Winston Churchill's Resistanceorganization is increasingly a thorn in the government's side. And in aBirmingham mental hospital an incarcerated scientist, Frank Muncaster,may hold a secret that could change the balance of the world struggle forever.

Civil Servant David Fitzgerald, secretly acting as a spy for theResistance, is given the mission to rescue his old friend Frank and gethim out of the country.

Before long he, together with a disparate group of Resistance activists,will find themselves fugitives in the midst of London's Great Smog; asDavid's wife Sarah finds herself drawn into a world more terrifying thanshe ever could have imagined. And hard on their heels is GestapoSturmbannfuhrer Gunther Hoth, brilliant, implacable hunter of men . . .

Death of an Owl by Piers & Paul Torday

From the bestselling author of Salmon Fishing in the Yemen comes awitty satire. Completed by his son, Piers Torday, after his father's death.

Andrew Landford, MP is driving home one night along a dark countrylane when a barn owl flies into his windscreen. It is an accident, nothingmore.

But Andrew sits on a parliamentary committee concerned with theprotection of endangered species, and the death of the owl threatens todestroy his hopes of reaching No. 10.

Also in the car is Andrew's old Oxford friend and political adviser, CharlesFryerne. Will they be able to keep the crime under wraps, or willcircumstances conspire against them?

Contact is Joan Martin.

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Computer Help

The Group is now over two years old and we continue to welcome newmembers into our friendly informal group, whatever their differing needs,knowledge or experience. We are very much a self help group andwhist in no way computer experts, we offer an enjoyable way toincrease confidence in using our devices, be they tablets, laptops orcomputers. This has proved beneficial for instance in improving our skillsin understanding the constant changes brought with MicrosoftWindows 10, and with protecting our devices.

The group meets once a month at the village hall for two hourswith the initial part spent discussing any general topics from themembers and sometimes further details on a previously subject alldisplayed with the use of a projector linked to a laptop. After a break fortea/ coffee & biscuits we split up into pairs or small groups to help eachother. If members bring their devices they have access to the hallsinternet connection which makes it possible to investigate and showsites they wish to share and discuss.

Recent topics have included looking further into the use MicrosoftWord and Excel packages and examining the use of the vast range ofthe computer settings and control panel options. We have been lookingat these latter areas because the current automatic upgrading ofsystems by Microsoft. This is resulting sometimes in loss of somefunctions. but with confidence and knowledge and help we cansometimes avoid a trip to the computer doctor by resolving the problemourselves.

If you don't wish to formally join the group, you can come as avisitor/ observer to see if you like what we are trying do.

Contact is Richard Bradshaw.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:When I invented the web, I didn't have to ask anyone's permission. Now,hundreds of millions of people are using it freely. I am worried that that is goingto end in the USA. ... Democracy depends on freedom of speech. Freedom ofconnection, with any application, to any party, is the fundamental social basis ofthe Internet, and, now, the society based on it. Let's see whether the UnitedStates is capable as acting according to its important values, or whether it is, asso many people are saying, run by the misguided short-term interests of largecorporations. I hope that Congress can protect net neutrality, so I can continue toinnovate in the internet space. I want to see the explosion of innovationshappening out there on the Web, so diverse and so exciting, continue unabated.

Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web (b. 8 Jun 1955)

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Cricket Lovers

The Cricket Lovers Group is a new group this year and our main aim isfor the members to let each other know when they are going to watchcricket and to be able to meet up. It was a propitious time to form asEssex CCC was the winners of the County Championship for the firsttime since 1992.We intended to arrange a guided tour of Lord’s in October but as anumber of our members were likely to be away we have decided toarrange a date in January/February next year which will be suitable formost if not all.If anyone else is interested in Cricket and would like to be kept up-to-datewith what’s on please let me know and I’ll put you on my contact list.Most of the members of this group are also members of Essex CountyCricket Club.

Contact is Ray Burns.

Family History

This Group has continued to make use of the Crouch Valley U3Aprojector for the first part of the monthly meetings. Presentations haveincluded looking at what the County Family History Societies can offer.How various 17th &18th century records can help us learn more about ourancestors. And organising the many records we might locate.Mike Hawker and Jan Talikowski have presented interesting accountsfrom their family’s history. We are also keeping up to date with theongoing developments at the General Register Office who hold all thecivil birth marriage and death certificates from the start in July 1837.For an autumn project we are using the U3A magazine Sources Issue 62September 2017 page 5. We are challenging ourselves to write between500 & 1000 words on someone from our family history. Although we haveset October and November to do this, we hope that we will continue todevelop our writing skills in the years ahead. If there is anyone from our U3A who would like write about a characterfrom their family history we would welcome them to submit it to ourcreative writing folder, you don’t have to be a member of the group. Thepurpose of this folder is to give members ideas on their quest to write uptheir family’s history. Please contact me for any further information.

Contact is Colin Martin.

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Games

Games group has been going throughout the summer, meeting at myhome. We have had Beetle Drives and played Bingo. We had somesessions in the garden when it was hot.

We have now returned to the village hall and we had 12 members attend.We had two schools playing Kalookey (a game played with two packsand something like rummy). They soon got the hang of it! Some interest has been made to play cribbage, we will see if there isenough interest.

Contact is Julie Ferris.

Gardening

Where has the summer gone? All the plans for my garden nevermaterialised, I just ran out of time! Still, winter is on the way, the autumncolours this year have been fantastic and now is the time to think abouttiding up the garden. Jobs for November: last cut of the lawn before youclean the lawnmower and put it away, if you have a petrol one don’tforget to run it until the fuel runs out, don’t leave it with old petrol in if youwant it to start next year. Tidy up the borders. Think about protectingtender plants from frost. New spring bulbs should be in by now. And if youare lucky enough to have a greenhouse, then it should have a springclean before you bring in plants that need to be kept frost-free.Garden visits this year have not been well supported. However thosemembers that did come out enjoyed the gardens we went to. It is alwaysdifficult to know where to go that appeals to everyone. I am organising aChristmas trip to Perrywoods garden centre in Tiptree. Followed by a visitto Tiptree jam factory museum and coffee shop for lunch. I will be havinga planning meeting in December to discuss where to go next year.If you are interested in gardening or just want to go on the visits then youare welcome to join us. You don’t need to have a garden, and even if youdon’t drive we can arrange for you to be picked up.My details are on the web site, just email me and I will put you on mycirculation list.

Happy Gardening

Contact is David Shea.

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Going Out

As a group we haven’t been very active this summer, probably down tome as I got a little side-tracked with other things this year.

One visit we made was on September 7th where a number of us took atrip which was organised by Rosemary Green on the MV PrincessPocahontas. We had arranged to meet at the jetty car park at Tilbury tocatch the Tilbury ferry across the river to Gravesend but Rosemarylearned that on that day the car park was to be closed as they weretesting the bollards (and yes, we did all the jokes including one aboutbeing careful about ordering takeaway sandwiches as the company doingthe testing was Bollard Load Testing Ltd. and had the letters BLT writtenlarge on the side of their van). We arranged to park in the car park of theWorld’s End Inn and everyone was on time to catch the ferry across theriver where we boarded the MV Princess Pocahontas to enjoy the tripwhich was shared with Paddock Wood U3A. It was a very pleasantvoyage up the river with an excellent commentary from one of the crew.

On the way some of us enjoyed a more than decent ploughman’s lunch.The boat went as far as Battersea power station before turning round andheading back home. We arrived back about 5.00pm and a number of ushad a meal in the World’s End pub, a condition under which the landlordallowed us to leave our vehicles in his car park. It was a most enjoyableday and we all owe a debt of gratitude to Rosemary for her efforts inarranging it.

Finally, thanks to all those who have arranged visits in the past and thosewho have made suggestions for visits. If you have any ideas for outingsplease contact me and I will circulate your suggestions to all the othermembers of the group.

Contact is Ray Burns.

The following Grace is allegedly given at dinners of the British Association of Urological Surgeons :

Oh Lord our Saviour, Lord Divine,who turneth water into wine,forgive us (we are stupid men):we're going to turn it back again.

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Jazz Appreciation

Members of the Jazz Appreciation Group have been attending gigs atThe Belvedere Club which takes place at The Chichester Hotel inRawreth every Wednesday evening most recently the excellent smallgroup led by pianist Dave Browning featuring Pete Allen on various reedinstruments which played a tribute to New Orleans reedman SidneyBechet. About a dozen of us will be attending the Christmas concert bythe Pasadena Roof Orchestra at the beginning of December which is abit of a coup for the Belvedere as the Pasadena Roof Orchestra don’tusually play clubs.If anyone else is interested in Jazz and would like to be kept up to datewith what’s on please let me know and I’ll put you on my contact list.

Contact is Ray Burns.

Knit'n'Natter

We now have 24 members whothoroughly enjoyed our annual Buffetlunch supplied by The Eatery at ourSeptember meeting.The wine flowed, the natter sparkled andthe room rang with laughter.Our contributions to the sale of our knitsat the Christmas Party in December aregathering pace, so would respectfullyask you to bring along a few extrapounds. Father Christmas and MrsClaus will be making an appearance.Stuffed and ready to raffle.The Charity we will be supporting is J'sHospice in memory of Connie Bushby.Connie was an enthusiastic supporter ofthis charity, raising lots of funds in manydifferent ways. She was part of ourknitting group who passed away

suddenly last April. Here's hoping the amount of money we raise in hermemory will make her smile. So please dig deep.We still miss you, Connie - and your yellow car.

Contact is Brenda Neale.

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Local History

Our Local History group meet on the third Tuesday of the month at 14.00unless we are going on an all day visit.

I took over as group leader of the Local History from Colin Pegrum inMay 2017. Thanks to Colin the transfer went smoothly.

In June, we went the Museum of London where we visited the CrossrailExhibition. Although the engineering for this project is incredible, thearchaeological discoveries are equally so.This was followed in July by an interesting and enlightening visit toMountfitchet Castle where we were able to experience life in NormanEssex.

As the Legal London tour proved very popular in 2016, another visit wasarranged in August. The members attending, visited the Law Courts inThe Strand where they were able to sit in on an appeal hearing or similar.This was followed by an interesting walk through Lincoln's Inn Fieldbefore visiting the Old Bailey where, once again members were able tosit in on criminal trials.

For our meeting in September, we visited the Museum of Childhood,Bethnal Green, London. There was a varied and interesting selection oftoys on display in this historic building.

In October, we visited Bulmers Brick & Tile Co, Essex where we saw theprocess of making handmade bricks from start to finish.Arrangements are now in progress for our group to visit the Bus Museumat Canvey Island in November. This will be followed by a pre-Christmaslunch that day.

To plan our visits for 2018, we will be meeting at Shaw Farm, SWF on Tuesday 12 December. No doubt, there will be more interesting visitsnext year.

Within our group, we each take a turn at organising at least one of ourvisits each year.

As you can see, we're an active group. So, should you wish to join, youcan contact me by email.

Contact is Aileen Langley.

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Loose Women (& Men)

The discussion group took a break over the summer but is now meetingagain at the Library. We enjoy chewing over a wide variety of topics,nothing highbrow but we may include current affairs.

We recently considered the question of older drivers and theircompetence to drive, something highlighted quite often in the media andalso in the latest issue of TAM. Did you take part in the TAM onlinesurvey (https://tinyurl.com/u3asurvey2017)?

We also weighed e-books v paper books, and wondered : if the censusdata shows just a small percentage of people asserting their Christianbeliefs then can we consider we live in a Christian country?

We welcome newcomers, come and join us - especially if you have asense of humour!

Contact is Jan Campen.

Play Reading

The most recent play that the group have read was A Woman in Mind byAlan Ayckbourn.Prior to this it was See How They Run – a comedy, some of you mayremember. This was one of the several farces put on at the Whitehalltheatre in London by Brian Rix.

We meet on the first Tuesday of the month between 2 & 4pm, in the roomat the rear of the library. We stop for tea/coffee & biscuits about half waythrough.

Contact is Linda Thomas.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:Literature encourages tolerance -- bigots and fanatics seldom have any use forthe arts, because they're so preoccupied with their beliefs and actions that theycan't see them also as possibilities.

Northrop Frye, writer and critic (14 Jul 1912-1991)

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Poetry & Creative Writing

The newest group within Crouch Valley U3A is The Poetry Group whichmeets on the 2nd Tuesday in the month. The meeting starts at 2pm andcontinues for about 2 hours. Having said that, we are a small group andwe can be flexible when it comes to agreeing the next meeting. Meetings are held in members houses with each member taking theirturn to host the event. We do not restrict ourselves to just poetry - we include short stories anddownloads from the internet. Some of the poems are written bymembers of the group and so are the short stories. Others readpoems/stories from well-known scholars The monthly theme is chosen by the group and we have so far enjoyedAmerican Poetry, Harvest Time and Halloween This is not a highbrow affair ... we have lots of fun, soft drinks and cakeso come a long I’m sure you will enjoy yourselves.

Contact is Bob LeBeau.

Strollers

The Strollers meet up every Tuesday at 10.00 usually at the river car parkand walk on the footpath to Tropical Wings for coffee and chat.

We keep this route until paths gets too muddy.

Over the summer we have had a few walks at Hyde Hall - always alovely destination.

So if you would like to join us even if it's for coffee you will be madewelcome.

Contact is Pat Fayers.

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Table Tennis

The people at the T.T. are a lively bunchOnly happy when they deliver that decisive Crunch.

But when the tables are turned and they miss the ball!The cries echo around as they shout Foul!Anon

The above is a pretty accurate description of our players who enjoybeing in each others’ company, having fun playing table tennis and, ofcourse, winning the occasional game.

Plenty of exercise takes place, both vocal and physical, but when giventhe chance players are just too happy to sit down, catch their breath, andrest.

If you would like an hour of fun, enjoyment and exercise you are welcometo come and join us on Wednesdays from 7.00 – 8.00 p.m. in the ActivityRoom at the SWF Leisure Centre.

Contact is Eira Jonson.

Ten Pin Bowling

Ten pin bowling takes place at Maddison Heights in Maldon, we go twicea month on Thursday mornings (always on the 1st and 3rd Thursday inthe month), we are a very mixed group with different abilities, some takeit very seriously, others treat it as a social event, me included!

The sessions start at 10.00, we allow 10 -15 minutes beforehandto pay and to collect bowling shoes to start at 10 o'clock we have onegame then we have refreshments which is in the price then we have asecond game, usually we finish about 12 - 12.30. Because we are U3Awe get a discount - we pay £4.75 for two games.

So if you would like a bit of exercise and a lot of fun just comealong and join us, we are a very friendly group, no need to book in justturn up - we will make you very welcome .

Contact is Joyce Sach.

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Walkers

The walks organised by our Walking Group usually last for a few hours orso, from 3 to 5 miles and they can be simple routes on made paths and/or across country, usually finishing with a lunchtime lite bite in a pub or café as a reward. We are not ‘ramblers’ so we don’t take our excursions too seriously. In other words if it’s hammering down with rain we don’t go!

We usually meet at SWF Village Hall car park at 10.00 for car sharing.From November to March we go out walking on the last Wednesday ofeach month, but not in December. Then when the clocks change toB.S.T. we try to fit in an additional earlier walk on Mondays. The grouphas almost 50 members, some of whom turn out regularly and otherswho choose to join us, as & when they can.

We welcome new and returning members to the group. So if you fancy agood walk, with good company and good old Essex scenery then dust offyour walking shoes or boots and join us. Our planning meeting for 2018is likely to be one day between Christmas & the New Year holidays,probably Thursday 28th December, venue and time to be confirmed. Wewill be sorting through the walks that we have most enjoyed since thegroup began in 2012 and maybe repeat some for next year. We may alsoconsider one or two walks that take us a little further afield, perhaps overthe county borders?

If you are new to walking or have just got out of the habit, check out thiswebsite if you need a little encouragement:

www.walkingforhealth.org.uk/get-walking/walking-works

Why walking works - Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies, Meet new people,Preventing illness

Contact is Lesley Dearing.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:It's good to have money and the things that money can buy, but it's good, too, tocheck up once in a while and make sure that you haven't lost the things thatmoney can't buy.

George H. Lorimer, editor (1867-1937)

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Watercolour Group

The watercolour group meets 2-4 on the 2nd Monday in the month atClub Woodham. If you feel the Picasso in you calling come and join us.We are a friendly chatty group and it's a lovely way to spend a couple ofhours.

If you haven't got any Art Materials we can sort you out some for yourfirst class to see if you enjoy it, go on give it a try.

Contact is Yvonne Frost.

Weekenders

We have now been going for two years and we are a group catering forthose members who are at a loose end at the weekends.

Our regular meet-ups at 11am on a Saturday at the Coffee Lounge intown are very well attended, with as many as eight members oftenturning up. The short stroll along the river at 12 noon on a Sunday,weather permitting, is taking longer to get going, but a few stalwarts stillcontinue!

During the Summer 2017, our regular visits have included Sunday lunchonce a month at The Three Horseshoes at Althorne and Afternoon Tea, orLunch at The School Room Café in Woodham Ferrers, which hasrecently opened. We have been to Jazz at The Bell, Woodham Ferrers,and the Rotary Trad Jazz evening at Hyde Hall, and an Exhibition ofLocal History at St Mary’s Church, Woodham Ferrers - old photos, andmanuscripts, etc., which was extremely interesting.

Two of us paid a visit to theMuseum of Power in Langford,which was surprisingly interestingand educational, with electricalarticles such as hoovers, toastersand irons etc., from the 1940supwards, which brought back lotsof childhood memories. There wasalso a rally of classic cars therethat weekend and it was wonderful

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to see so many cars that were part of our younger life. We have visitedthe Hyde Hall Flower Show again this year, and NOT The Last Knight ofthe Proms in Danbury, but sadly our visit to a Karen Carpenter sound-a-like was cancelled as the singer was unwell. We didn’t make it to any ofthe Suffolk towns this year as other events got in the way, but these havebeen postponed until 2018.

Just recently, we supported two events in Woodham Ferrers for theMacmillan Nurse appeal, with some of us greedy ones having breakfastat The School Room Café and then lunch at the Bell. Both places raisedwonderful amounts for the charity. Some members are still making theodd visit to the free concerts at Chelmsford Cathedral on a Friday lunchtime, mostly to hear the choirs, and having lunch afterwards inChelmsford.

I inform members of some of the shows available at the Southend,Chelmsford, and Basildon Theatres so that interested members can gettogether and book tickets. I also list some of the weekend coach tripsout, run by Phillips, in which some of our members have been interested.

The Weekenders Group is a lovely, informal and friendly group, and allforthcoming events are advised by email to group members on a fairlyregular basis and they are also kept updated on the website. Anymembers not actually a member of the Weekenders are very welcome tojoin us on any outings.

Contact Jan Talikowski.

Wine Appreciation #1

Over the last six months we have tasted a number of very interestingwines from all over the world. These have included wines from countriesthat you would not expect to produce them. Also wines with an unusualname and even wines with animals on the label. Our June meeting this year was held at Linda Sinclair’s home where wecelebrated her birthday by all dressing up in Arabian costume.In October we decided to have a get together at the China Kitchen in thetown centre where we all enjoyed an excellent Chinese meal and ofcourse wine.Our November meeting is being held at Bar Vino in the town, where wewill be tasting 10 wines and will be given information about them byDevide Hantonie (a wine expert) of Hills Prospect, the wine supplier to

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Bar Vino. To supplement the wine we will be served with Cheese andCanapés.Our Christmas get together is to be held at Carole and Ian’s house. It isto be a Spanish evening, so I am told, with the usual end of year party. Our programme for next year has been arranged and last year’ssuccessful wine tasting at Russells in Great Badow has been requested,so we will hold another in 2018. At the time of writing, the possible datewill be 11th October 2018. If you are interested in attending or requirefurther information please contact Andy Hull – Wine Group 1 co-ordinator.

You do not have to be a member of the wine groups to attend.

Contact is Andy Hull.

Wine Appreciation #2

Wine Appreciation Group 2 continue to appreciate some lovely wines andwe are, amazingly, slowly learning to identify one or two of the grapes!

Our group has enjoyed a variety of very interesting evenings hosted byour members including a tour of the Crouch Valley Brewery, a SummerGarden Party and more recently, a highly entertaining 'Wine Cocktails'evening. We are looking forward to ending our second year with our now,annual meal out at the Chinese Restaurant in January.

Because we each host in our own homes, membership numbers arelimited. However, if anyone has an inkling - you may want to start a thirdgroup or put your name on our waiting list.

Contact is Sue Acton.

New Group Suggestions

Maybe you have an idea/passion/suggestion for a new group – please

have a chat with the Groups Co-ordinator Bob LeBeau.

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FAMILY HISTORY SNIPPETS

FAMILY HISTORY - STORY #6

THREE TRAGEDIES

Most of our family history research involves ferreting out dates and listingbirths, marriages and deaths. Sometimes we need to look behind thosedates and see what stories are hidden and then tragedies are revealed. Ihave several tragedies in my family tree, here are three of them, allconnected by the year 1872.

Firstly, great-great aunt Letitia, who married John in March 1868 inWiltshire and gave birth to a daughter in September. In spring of 1871the child died, then a few months later husband John died, aged only 24.Soon afterwards baby William was born, but died in December. Finally,Letitia died in February 1872. So, 4 deaths in less than a year and thewhole family wiped out. Was the cause consumption (TB)? I could buydeath certificates to satisfy my curiosity but a cost of nearly £40 seemsan indulgence.

The next tragedy involves Letitia's older brother, Frederick (my greatgrandfather). He married Emma Nash in Bath in 1859 and they lived inWiltshire. When daughter Emma was born in early 1861 they were livingin Southwark, and son Frederick William was born in 1863. Baby Emmadied in 1864. The 1871 census shows husband Frederick lodging withMr & Mrs Locke in Islington and son Frederick W as 'nephew boarder'with his uncle – no trace of wife Emma. The 1881 census showsFrederick, Emma, Fred W and several more children living in Lambeth.The truth is hidden behind these dates – in fact, Emma died in 1864when Fred W was only a year old, so I image he was living with his uncleand family for quite some time. The news of sister Letitia's death musthave arrived by post in late February 1872 while Frederick was planninga second marriage (he re-married later in 1872) - another Emma,daughter of Mr & Mrs Locke. But sadly she died aged just 46 in 1891,when her youngest child was only 8 and my grandfather Royden was 13.A lot of sadness to be endured by Frederick, and I don't know who caredfor the children after their mother's death, but first-born son Fred Wemigrated to America in 1884, so he was not around to hold the familytogether and I suspect the duties fell on Lillian, eldest daughter agedabout 16.

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The third tragedy befell another set of great grandparents – Lewis andCaroline, who lived in Mile End Old Town. Their first child died as a babybut they had three more, in 1857 (Caroline), 1862 (Lewis H) and 1864(Frederick, my grandfather). I can find no record of the marriage and nocensus entries for the family (I sense a deliberate avoidance ofofficialdom!) so have no idea where Lewis was born and so no familydetails or background. He was employed as a Brewer's Clerk and died in1865 leaving Caroline a widow with children aged 8, 3 and 1. She doesappear on the 1871 census and gives her occupation as 'Laundress'.Caroline was born in Hampshire but does not seem to have turned to herfamily for help, instead taking on the role of providing for her children bybecoming a washerwoman. Did she take in washing or work in a bighouse or maybe a commercial laundry? And who looked after thechildren? I think the work took its toll, because she died in 1872, agedjust 45. I don't know what happened to the children, although probablydaughter Caroline (now aged 17) took responsibility for her brothers aged10 and 8. The 1881 census shows that Lewis H had joined the RoyalNavy but the other two siblings are not recorded anywhere. Fredericklater became a successful leather shop owner and is fondly rememberedby my father.

Jan Campen

"Will I Live To 90?"I recently picked a new primary care physician. After two visits andexhaustive lab tests, he said I was doing "fairly well" for my age.

A little concerned about that comment, I couldn't resist asking him," Doyou think I'll live to be 90?"

He asked, "Do you smoke tobacco or drink beer or wine?" "Oh no," Ireplied. "I'm not doing drugs, either." Then he asked, "Do you eat rib-eyesteaks and barbecued ribs?" I said, "No, my other Doctor said that all redmeat is very unhealthy."

"Do you spend a lot of time in the sun, like playing golf, sailing, hiking, orbicycling?" "No, I don't," I said.

He asked, "Do you gamble, drive fast cars, or have a lot of sex?" "No," Isaid. "I don't do any of those things."

He looked at me and said, "Then why do you want to live to 90."

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CHRISTMAS WINE?

Wine Group #1 offer the following suggestion : the Merlot grape, thiswould make a good accompaniment to the traditional Christmas dinner!

Merlot is one of the most popular wine grapes across the world, comingin second in terms of plantings right behind Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlotmakes a far different wine than Cabernet, due to its total lack of tannicbitterness, and can create a light, almost juicy wine that still has greatcapacity to age. The Merlot grape is much less finicky than Pinot Noir,and is considered relatively easy to grow, which explains its explosivepopularity. It can be grown in cool climates, medium climates, and warmclimates, and arguably does best in Bordeaux, where it is the most widelyplanted grape.Despite its lack of tannins, Merlot ages excellently. When aged, usuallysoftens the tannic boldness of grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon,mellowing out the wine a bit.There are plenty of New World Merlots, coming from California as well asother places in the USA. Cheaper Merlots have been criticized for lack ofsophistication, but the better ones can undoubtedly be world class. Ofcourse, in California's Bordeaux-style blends, Merlot is often used for thesame softening effects as it is elsewhere. Argentina and Chile are doing avery good job of producing Merlot, Australia and New Zealand are alsocreating worthy examples.The great thing about Merlot is that whatever the climate, and evenwhatever the grape crop is like, there are different flavours that the grapecan create. Though it is the opposite of Cabernet Sauvignon, the twocomplement each other well, and Merlot offers a wine style to those whodon't like their wine big, tough, and needing age to be drinkable.

THE GARDENING DOCTORDo you suffer form Plumbago? Is your back a little sore?Or perhaps it’s Pyrancanthus that you caught in Singapore?You’ve a nasty little Hosta which I think I’ll have to lanceAnd I notice a Spiriea has been leading you a dance!Are you getting so forgetful? Is Nemesia the cause?Does your Antirrhinum pain you when you’re walking out of doors?You’ve had Skimmia Fubella, I can see that by your noseAnd was it Erica Vulgaris who played havoc with your toes?How is your Vibernum Tinus? Have you lost your sense of smell?Use a Syringa Reflexa, that should help you keep it well.I’m afraid your Macrocarpa isn’t really up to scratch,and do avoid Nigella, that’s a nasty thing to catch!Still, I think you’re doing nicely - watch the Quercus in your knees,

Take your Berberis twice nightly. Cheerio! Next patient please.

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P4$$w0rd H3l1

Your passwords are all wrong and it isn’t your fault . . .

“Darling, what’s the Netflix password?”

“It’s just ‘password’ isn’t it?”

“I’ve tried that. With a cap?”

“Yes. Wait. No. And the S's are dollar signs.”

“Are they? I thought that was Spotify?”

“No, no. Spotify has a ‘4’ instead of the ‘a’.”

“That’s the eBay one.”

“Blast, you’re right. Try it. Try them all.”

“No luck. I’ll say I’ve forgotten. So I need to click the link. In your old email.”

“Ah.”

“You don’t remember the password for your old email?”

“It’s your name. Or maybe my name. Or one of the kids’ names. Or the dog’s name.”

“Oh, never mind. I keep thinking we should start watching DVDs again, anyway. I’ll buy some on Amazon. What’s the password?”

“Oh I wish you wouldn’t do this.”

“Okay, okay. Never mind. Let’s just listen to music instead.”

“So do you have the Spotify password? Or do you want the iTunes one?”

“Which one do you definitely remember?”

“Neither.”

“This is ridiculous. We should get one of those password managers. You know?”

“Yes! I used to have one! But it stopped working.”

“Why?”

“Because I forgot the password.”

“Darling, don’t feel bad. It’s not your fault. I was reading an article in The Times. The man who first recommended how passwords should work now thinks he was wrong. It shouldn’t be strange words, with odd symbols in them. That’s too hard to remember and too easy to crack. Instead, it should be a memorable string of words. Go on. Log into the website and read it now.”

“Okay. What’s the password?”

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WHAT IS A SENIOR CITIZEN?

A Senior Citizen is one who was here beforethe pill, television, frozen foods,

contact lenses, credit cards,… and before man walked on the moon.

For us 'Time Sharing' meant togetherness,not holiday homes, and a 'chip' meant a piece of wood.

'Hardware' meant nuts and boltsand 'software' wasn't even a word!

We got married first, then lived together,and thought 'cleavage' was something butchers did.

A 'stud' was something that fastened a collar to a shirt, and 'going all the way' meant

staying on a double-decker bus all the way to the bus depot.We thought 'fast food' was what you ate in Lent;

a 'Big Mac' was an oversized raincoatand 'crumpet' we had for tea.In our day, 'grass' was mown,

'pot' was something you cooked in,'coke' was kept in the coal house and

a 'joint' was cooked on Sundays.We are today's Senior citizens. A hardy bunch

when you think how the world has changed!

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

The President is merely the most important among a large number of publicservants. He should be supported or opposed exactly to the degree which iswarranted by his good conduct or bad conduct, his efficiency or inefficiency inrendering loyal, able, and disinterested service to the Nation as a whole.Therefore it is absolutely necessary that there should be full liberty to tell thetruth about his acts, and this means that it is exactly necessary to blame himwhen he does wrong as to praise him when he does right. Any other attitude inan American citizen is both base and servile. To announce that there must be nocriticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right orwrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to theAmerican public. Nothing but the truth should be spoken about him or any oneelse. But it is even more important to tell the truth, pleasant or unpleasant, abouthim than about any one else.

Theodore Roosevelt, 26th US President (1858-1919)

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LOCAL MEMORIES

I attended an interesting talk at the Aviation Meeting recently, on Maldon& Dengie Peninsula during the 1939-45 war years. The speaker was Stephen Nunn, an Historian as well as Deputy Mayor ofMaldon and someone who has done lots of research on the crash sitesand historic buildings in the area. I was astonished to hear that, Maldon had 740 men serving in the HomeGuard as well as 600+ in the ARP(Air Raid Precautions), out of apopulation of 4,000 during the war. He had also managed to interview, a couple of survivors of Churchill'sSecret Army. These were a guerilla force set up to harass the Germans, ifthey had succeeded in invading the UK in 1940.Even years later, they remained very tight lipped but a couple did divulgesome things. Beeleigh Mill had a secret hide, which was checked out andsome 303 rounds found there. The other one was even more astoundingas the guy had explosives and ammunition hidden behind a secret wall inhis out-building. One of the party at the interview, who had been in theSBS, smelt the decaying explosives, which led to them being exposedand removed. He went on to describe a Heinkel 111 crash at Heybridge, where all thecrew were killed, when it crashed and blew up as the bombs were still onboard, apart from 1 who survived a low bale out. He related that he wascalled up to France and assigned to that aircraft, where the pilot askedhim if he had flown on ops before. He replied that he had not, to whichthe pilot replied that he would be lucky to survive 1 mission. He waslucky, the others not so. See Stephen Nunn here:-http://www.mahg.org.uk/books.php

Brian Austin.

NEXT NEWSLETTERI plan to issue the next newsletter at the MAY 2018 meeting.

Articles of interest to members are very welcome and will be included, spacepermitting.

Please send Group Reports and other items to me by 24th APRIL.

Thank You. Jan Campen

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POETRY CORNER

The Poetry & Creative Writing group chose a theme of 'Harvest' for a recent meeting and a surprise on an evening walk by the river prompted this poem :-

GOLDEN HARVEST

I followed the 'Sound', the Annual sound, that's aroundThe dusky evenings and darkening cloudsAs I wandered Along the path, and its uneven groundtowards the River where the chickweed and loosestrife abound

The 'Sound' grew ever closer, as I climbed the grassy moundWhilst the evening sun shone its last round,Then through my eyes the sight was to astound The glow of dust and chaff of the huge CombineTackling the wheat as it shredded into line.

Enthralled as I was with this Grim ReaperMy startled eyes watched as it turned a Rich Golden Brown,Reflecting on its everlasting journey reaping to feed the World.

Then as my senses embraced all around Came another eerie sound, nearer the groundThe silent flight of a Tawny Owl heading my wayIntent on his evening prowl

My heart leapt making my heart poundSuch a wondrous evening, so profound!

Marina Partridge

The group grappled with a Japanese form of poetry called a Haiku. Itmust consist of 3 lines, totalling 17 syllables (5,7,5) and be on a theme ofNature. Sound easy? Just try to write one and you'll find yourselfscrabbling for the right word whilst counting syllables on your fingers!Here's an example :-

Dawn Chorus

Early morning song

Trilling, soaring, repeating,

Disturbs my night's sleep.

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