CROUCH VALLEY

NEWSLETTER

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

SPRING 2017

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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

B B QAnnual Club Barbecue

Sunday July 30th

Alan & June Saunders and their Ukulele band have agreed to provide the entertainment as last year

(if you didn't hear them you should because they were very good).

Entry by ticket: £2.00 for U3A members and £5.00 for guests.

Please mark date in your diaries.

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A Word from the Chair

Welcome to the April 2017 AGM Newsletter of the Crouch Valley U3A.This year I am retiring from my position as Acting Chairman. I have beenin the chair for four years now one as Acting Chairman and three asChairman and now David Shea has volunteered to take over the post. Iwould like to thank all the committee members who have supported meover these years because I certainly would not have been able to carryon without them, and I would also like to thank the members who haveresolutely smiled through the chaos that has been sometimes describedas the Chairman’s report at the start of all our meetings.We made a few changes to the committee at this meeting. Firstly Davidwill be standing as Chairman and I have volunteered to take over hisposition as Vice Chairman. We asked the members to approve a motionto change the constitution so that we could increase the size of thecommittee to 16 members and it was passed we welcome three newmembers to the committee – Eileen Wendleken, Andy Hull and RichardBradshaw.We have had a good year in that we have some new activity groupswhich have been successful and provided the members with a lot of fun.We have a number of things planned for this year, our quiz on Friday12th May, our Barbecue is scheduled for Sunday July 30th , and this yearwe are holding a 60s evening at the Village Hall on Saturday 28thOctober featuring a live band.We have continued sending committee members to the EssexAssociation of U3As meetings and although we have, so far, nothing toreport from any of them we feel that it is important to keep contact withother U3As in our area for our mutual benefit.I would also like to thank Don Wragg for his continuing work maintainingour website, his efforts to keep the site up to date and relevant have beenvery successful and many more of our members are now using it forinformation of our activities.Thanks to all of you for making our U3A the friendly and successfulorganisation that it has become and we thank all those who help organiseevents for the members and an extra mention of the volunteers whomake the tea and provide cakes at our meetings, and of the Meeters andGreeters, our thanks go out to all of them.Finally, great thanks must go to Jan Campen who has volunteered totake over as editor of this newsletter.

Ray Burns.

A BIG Thank You to Ray for being a splendid Chairman.

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From the Secretary’s desk

A man walks into the office in a school. “Excuse me” he says to theSecretary, “I would like to come to school, I want to learn to read andwrite.” “OK” said the Secretary, “just fill out this form”

Secretary - a person employed to assist with correspondence, makeappointments, carry out administrative tasks and keep records. Noun -Oxford English Dictionary.

So far, so good, but then………………………..

Also involves mastery of word processing, spreadsheet and data basemanagement, desk top publishing, good oral and written communicationskills.

Ah well, can’t win them all.

Secretary - a popular misconception. “It’s women’s work”

Would you like to take the job on next year when I will have completedthree years in the post? New blood and ideas are always vital in our U3Aorganisation, just give me a call.

Finally, remember, there are two times when a man doesn’t understand awoman – before marriage and after marriage.

Ken Walker

Facebook???For those of my generation who do not and can not comprehend whyFacebook exists: I am trying to make friends outside of Facebook whileapplying the same principles.Therefore every day, I walk down the street and tell strangers what Ihave eaten, how I feel at the moment, what I have done the night before,what I will do later, and with whom.I show them pictures of my family, my dog, and of me gardening, takingthings apart in the garage, watering the lawn, standing in front oflandmarks, driving around town, having lunch, and doing thingseverybody does most days.I also listen to their conversations, give them the “thumbs up” and tellthem I like them. And it works just like Facebook. I already have fourpeople following me: A police officer, a private investigator, a psychiatristand a suspicious looking bloke with his hand down his pants.

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Treasurer

I have now completed our Accounts for the Year Ended 31st March 2017and these will be available at the AGM to be held on 25th April. As expected our General Fund had a deficit for the year of £264.64 andmeans that our Reserves carried forward to the New Year total £924.96Similarly our Social Fund had a deficit for the year of £381.81 and meansthat our Reserves carried forward to the New Year total £1,354.66.As you will be aware strictly under Charity Act rules our reserves shouldnot continue to increase and The U3A Trust recommend that they shouldnot exceed more than 12 months running costs and with this in mind wehave reduced our membership fees for the coming year to £15. I hope you agree that the strength of our Social Fund monies has meantthat we have been able to provide the Quiz, BBQ, Cockney night andChristmas Meeting at bargain rates.The donations of “tea money” raised at the monthly meetings is for thisyear being paid over to Four Charities as agreed by you all. This year wehave paid £227.18 to Essex Air Ambulance, £163.18 to Aspire (includes£17.10 donated by Ray Dickens book exchange), £214.50 to LUPUS(includes £50 donated by a speaker) and finally £137.95 to DementiaAdventure. Details of these payments and thank you letters are put onthe web site regularly.Whilst I believe we have done very well I would once again appeal forpeople to slightly increase their donations so that increased funds can besent to these worthwhile causes.

John Gable

Welfare Officer

We were saddened to learn of the death of Connie Bushby. Her funeral was held on 8th May.

At the April AGM a collection was made and generous donations enableda cheque for £174 to be sent to J's Hospice, in Connie's name.

Thank you to everyone who contributed.

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Groups Coordinator

A big thank you to all group leaders who have, once again performed their duties with great enthusiasm and fun and having worked so hard this year the committee felt they should be rewarded with a “Cream Tea” at Bar Vino which was greatly appreciated by all who attended.

Eileen Wendleken has agreed to help me this year, I’m sure you will give her a warm welcome and your support

We have over 20 groups from which to choose and there are others on the way .... The Poetry Group will be launch just after the AGM, we havean Essex Cricket Group just starting and I believe Wine Group No.3 may make an appearance soon ... remember if you have an idea for a new group, talk it over with myself and or Eileen, we will help you set things up and provide initial finances until you get going.

Bob LeBeau

Membership

This year as with past years has seen membership go up and down as you would expect. We finished the year on about 150 members. I don’t have the final numbers for next year as not all the members have responded at the time of making this report, but I expect the figure to be around 140.Can I remind members that if you have not paid by the end of May you will be removed from the membership list.On the new form that you are all required to complete, we have asked foran emergence phone number, it is in your own interest to supply this. In the unlikely event that you are taken ill we can let someone know. If you have not given us this information you can still let your group coordinator know.Please remember to sign in when you come to meeting. This is a health & safety requirement.Some of you have asked when your membership card will be issued. I will complete these when everyone has paid. You can pick up at monthly meetings so look out for them.Don’t forget to let me know if you change any of your details.

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And finally we have a Suggestion Book for you to enter comments on the meeting or any other topics.Please do not hesitate to let us know what you think and how we can do thing better. But you must give us your name so we can respond.

Enjoy your U3A activities. You only get out what you put in.

Membership co-ordinator.

Webmaster

The graph below shows there are over 300 hits per month on thewebsite. As I have indicated before there is little scope to change the lookof the site as we use the standard National U3A template.I am always open to suggestions if you would like information to bechanged.

Please let me know your views.

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

Don Wragg – Webmaster.

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GROUP REPORTS

Aviation

Crouch Valley members are welcome to meet with Maldon U3A.

CV Contact is Brian Austin 01245 329587

Bird Watching

The Bird Watching Group continues to visit reserves once a month.Usually a short report is put on the Groups web page, sometimes withphotos.Although we have seventeen names attached to the group, the numbersgoing on a visit vary between five and twelve. We also are keen to beaware of anything in the natural world such as Butterflies and WildFlowers. You do not need to have any knowledge as members are onlytoo happy to share what they know. We enjoy a not too arduous walkand a visit to a local Pub or Café afterwards.

Please contact me or John Gable if you wish to know more.

Contacts: Colin Martin & John Gable.

Book Group

The SWF Library chooses and supplies us with books each month and we've enjoyed a wide variety of genres and styles. These are some of the recently read novels :-

Murder on The Orient Express – Agatha Christie. It was interesting toread the original story instead of watching somebody's interpretation of it.The Orient Express train ran from Istanbul to Paris very regularly whenthe book was written in 1934; today the trains runs just once a year (in

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September) following the route via Bucharest and Budapest that HerculePoirot traveled. Was the novel's ending immoral?

The Best of Friends – Joanna Trollope. An easy-reading and warmstory of family and friends and relationships tested when love is found tobe not what it appears on the surface. Second Life – S.J. Watson. A psychological thriller, a second novel bythe author of the acclaimed Before I Go To Sleep, that follows a womansearching for her sister's killer online, and flags up dangers on the web.

The Little Red Chairs – Edna O'Brien. A literary novel set in an Irishvillage and London that critics and reviewers thought magnificent but wewere unconvinced.

If you'd like to read books on your tablet, especially when on holiday, thentry the library's e-book service. Download the BorrowBox app and enteryour library number to register, then choose e-books or e-audio booksand search for a title/author you want. Not all books are available as e-books but there is still a big choice!

Contact is Joan Martin.

Computer Help

The Group is now coming up to two years old and from its inception withan active membership with average attendance of 10 or so at ourmeetings at the Village Hall, held on the second Wednesday of themonth. The format at our meetings consists discussing the latest computertopics of general interest aided with the use of a projector. We thenbreak up into pairs or small groups working together on membersspecific problems or issues together. To help members are able to bringtheir tablets and laptops and gain access to the internet whilst enjoyingtea/coffee and biscuits. This provides self help for members, keeps them up to date andimproves their skills in a social, and friendly way. It is not only asuccessful way of improving skills but also an enjoyable time for bothexisting and new members of group who are always welcome whatevertheir current knowledge.

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Amongst topics more recently covered are ways keeping vigilant andmaintaining a secure protection on all our devices. After the introductionof Microsoft Windows 10 operating system we spent time on somemembers problems with the new format but these have all now beenresolved . We are continuing to look at how to use the new informationavailable with Windows 10 and further use of Excel and Word. We continue to welcome new members into our friendly group, whatevertheir differing individual needs and experience, and whilst by no waycomputer experts we do hope to offer an enjoyable way of getting moreout of our tablets, laptops and computers.

Contact is Richard Bradshaw.

Cricket Lovers

Our group is very new and has been formed so that Cricket Loversamong our membership can get together to go to see Essex CCC play.The idea is that if a member is planning on going to watch Essex (orindeed any game) play they let me know and I will circulate members ofthe group who may also want to go and they can meet up either to traveltogether or to meet at the ground.With the season just starting there will be plenty of opportunities to gettogether for a visit to the County Ground at Chelmsford, so if anyone isinterested let me know and I will add your name to the contact list.

Contact is Ray Burns.

Family History

THEY NEVER TOLD US is a refrain that members of the Family Historygroup often expound when stories come to light about their ancestors.But that doesn’t stop some aspects of our ancestors being revealedperhaps 100 years later.One of the gems for family historians is to have a collection ofphotographs. It is a fact that Aunts, Uncles, Siblings and Cousins have intheir lofts or stored away in some dusty corner a box of photographs,unaware of the true historical importance. Well, I have just found something that my Mother never told me about.That something was that she took part before she married, in AmateurDramatics. When my sister-in-law had to sort out my late brother’s study,she found a cigar box of old photos, no doubt he had taken charge of

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them when Mum died and put them high on a shelf forgetting about them.They came to my charge and in the box were some photos of Mumdressed for some entertainment, maybe a Gilbert & Sullivan when shewas a nurse in Boscombe about 1922/3.Then just recently another box of old photographs came into thepossession of my cousin, Mum’s nephew Stuart from Lincoln. This boxwas found in a shed and then stored in various lofts before reachingStuart, he is in the process of investigation and restoration. In it was aprogram from a comic opera. My Mum played/sang the part of Lucy in‘My Lady Molly’ an English comic opera of the Edwardian period, firstproduced in 1903. The story centres on Lady Molly Martingale, avivacious young woman, who disguises herself as a man to win the manshe loves.

The cropped image of my Mother has comefrom the program of the Opera. And I have alsofound a newspaper report of this concert. It wasan amateur production staged for a week in theTheatre Royal, Lincoln in 1920, Mum wouldhave been 19. The Lincolnshire Echo Tuesday 14th December1920 Part of the article says ‘Miss E Baldam andMiss Margaret Pask as Lucy and Allison werealike excellent and only space prevents a moredetailed appreciation’

Finding these stories is part of what makes family history so interesting.

Contact is Colin Martin.

Games

Games group will be closed during May, June, July and August.Commencing again on September 28th.

We meet at the village hall in the Players Lounge upstairs from 2.00pmuntil 4.00pm. We have different afternoons regarding games e.g game ofbingo or a group game or cards. Also there is Snooker and Pool. Halfway we stop for tea, coffee and biscuits.

We always have a good time.

Contact is Julie Ferris.

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Gardening

Gardening - a great way to relax. I find working in my garden is a great way to relax. Have you noticed howyour mind wanders when you are cutting the lawn? I find myself doing theshopping list, deciding what to have for dinner. Sorting out life’s littlechallenges.So I challenge you to get out in your garden, big or small get to work onthose weeds that creep up on you. I’m sure that was not there yesterday!Thin out the borders that have spread over the years and bring theunwanted plants to the plant swap. Make a space and put in somethinginteresting. We are so lucky to have an excellent garden centre justdown the road. Have you been to RHS Hyde Hall recently? It's changing,lots of new building, and new veg garden. Its Right on our doorstep, sogo and take a look, and enjoy.Now to our garden visits: I have had to cancel the first two due to lack ofinterest. This is very disappointing, although my health has not beengreat; I am now on the up thank goodness. This has not made it easy forme. But I am positive that some of you must want to go out. We choosegardens that are interesting and varied, you can get some fantastic ideasjust going round, taking photos and getting advice. So please support thevisits. Please check the web site for dates and times of visits and meetings.

Date for your diary : Hampton Court flower show 4th to 9th July - if youhave not been, you must. I am not organising a group visit.

If you are interested in joining the garden group, please contact me onsheadave@hotmail.com

Contact is David Shea.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:Humanity also needs dreamers, for whom the disinterested developmentof an enterprise is so captivating that it becomes impossible for them todevote their care to their own material profit. Without doubt, thesedreamers do not deserve wealth, because they do not desire it. Even so, awell-organized society should assure to such workers the efficient meansof accomplishing their task, in a life freed from material care and freelyconsecrated to research.

Marie Curie, scientist, Nobel laureate (7 Nov 1867-1934)

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Going Out

Our group exists to organise outings and events which will be of interestto our members.Together with the Local History group we visited the Museum of Brandsin London in March. It is a very interesting museum which featuresordinary things people have used in their homes from Victorian times upto the present. It’s a real nostalgia fest and so it was a pity that only ninepeople attended this one.We need more input from the members of thisgroup, suggestions for outings and people who are willing to arrangeoutings for the group. With the summer coming up there will be plenty ofopportunities for outings so we need other members willing to take thelead.Finally, thanks to all those who have arranged visits in the past and thosewho have made suggestions for visits.

Contact is Ray Burns.

Jazz Appreciation

The Jazz Appreciation Group has been attending gigs at The BelvedereClub which takes place at The Chichester Hotel in Rawreth everyWednesday evening. We have been attending gigs over the winter mostrecently the excellent big band led by Andrew Linham. Upcomingperformances by ‘Jivin’ Miss Daisy’, the Syd Lawrence band have anumber of our members attending, and the Summer Pianorama featuringa trio of pianists, Jonathan Vinten, Ted Beament and Dave Browning, isan annual event which we look forward to very much.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.

A young grandson asked his grandfather how old he was, and the grandpa teasingly replied, "Well, I'm not exactly sure how old I am."

The little boy advised, "You have to look in your underwear, Grandpa. Mine says I'm 4 to 6."

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Knit'n'Natter

We spend the year knitting items that we hope to sell at the Christmasparty or can be of use to any of the charities we have contact with.

Many thanks to those who bought items last Christmas as we were ableto send a cheque for £184.00 to J's Hospice.

We had some baby blankets left and happily sent them to a Nursery inEly who look after little ones, some of who come from troubledbackgrounds and arrive with very little for their comfort. The blankets arein use every day.

Our meetings are held on the 4th Monday of the month in the Small Hallof the Village Hall opposite the Blue Cage. 11 am till 1pm. We moved toa downstairs venue as we were conscious of the problem some of ourladies have trying to get up the stairs. Luckily we were able to changelocations and our ladies have been able to rejoin us.

If you enjoy knitting, chatting, drinking tea/coffee and having a biscuit,you would be most welcome. We are always open to new ideasregarding knitting for new charities.

We could do with any ladies who can crochet, to teach some of us whohave the urge to learn. Also, we would be please to find a use for anywool you no longer have any need of.

Contact is Brenda Neale.

Local History

On 19th April we visited the Fire Power Museum at Woolwich Arsenal.

After refreshment the guided tour started. First we were shown two hugecannons, from which Victoria Crosses are made. The metal comes fromthe breech of a Chinese-made artillery piece, used by the Russians, andcaptured at Sebastopol during the Crimean War. Our tour continuedviewing various exhibits with our guide giving us a commentary on howthe first guns were cast. He told us about many of the guns used inprominent battles of the past centuries. Also interesting was the sectioncontaining the collection of medals of individuals from historic conflicts,including replica Victoria Crosses, the originals are safely locked away!There were also recent artillery pieces to examine and some highlydecorated cannons. As with most museums there was a lot to take in, theguide leaving us to stroll around.

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Also kept at the museum are the records of personnel of the RoyalArtillery. Eileen had an ancestor who served with the RA, she was able toget some documents concerning this relative, an opportunistic piece offamily history research!

A delightful lunch was taken on site. With the sun shining we walkeddown to the River Thames and took the Woolwich Ferry across the riverto link up with the DLR and our way home.

In June we plan to visit Audley End – see website for details.

Contact is Colin Pegrum.

Loose Women (& Men)

We have been re-branded! We were formerly the Discussion group, but that seemed rather a formal and forbidding moniker, so we have borrowed the title of a popular TV show because we tend to follow their format – a topic is raised, a few facts added and then opinions and personal experiences are shared, along with a lot of laughter. We don't have to agree with each other, just enjoy exploring our thoughts, values and ideas.We meet the second Thursday afternoon in the library Meeting Room and each bring a possible topic for discussion – come and join us!

Contact is Jan Campen.

Play Reading

Play reading group has just finished Go back for Murder by AgathaChristie. It is about an artist who is married but having an affair with thecurrent model that he is painting. She announces to the wife that he is tomarry her! Which then leads to his demise. Who dunnit?

Next month Sue will be choosing the play. One of our group is currentlyon grand-parenting duties, so joins Colin & Joan in that department. If anyone else wants to give us a try, they are most welcome. FirstTuesday in the month, room at the back of SWF library, 2-4pm.

Contact is Linda Thomas.

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Strollers

The strollers have enjoyed the lovelyspring flowers and blossom at HydeHall for the last two weeks, we arevery lucky with it on our doorstep.This week we have walked throughthe woods round Hanningfieldreservoir and enjoyed the stunningdisplay of Bluebells.We are resuming our summer walksmeeting at the river car park at theend of Marsh Farm Road.If you fancy joining us we will makeyou welcome.

Contact is Pat Fayers.

Table Tennis

Despite the evenings getting cooler, and the temptation to stay in thewarm is great, our members arrive saying once they start playing theyare pleased they made the effort and thoroughly enjoy the exercise andchatter.

Most of us now know each others’ weaknesses in the game and thereare often shouts of ‘sneaky’ when shots are played which are difficult toreturn but laughter always follows.

In February we spent a thoroughly enjoyable evening at the ChinaKitchen in place of a ‘Xmas meal’ in December and the only regret wasthat two of our players were ill and unable to join us.

If you would like to join us we meet every Wednesday evening from 7.00to 8.00 p.m. in the Activity Room at the SWF Leisure Centre.

Contact is Eira Jonson.

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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 beforehand to payand to collect bowling shoes to start at 10 O'clock we have one gamethen we have refreshments which is in the price then we have a secondgame, usually we finish about 12- 12.30 .

Because we are U3A we 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 come along andjoin us, we are a very friendly group, no need to book in just turn up - wewill make you very welcome .

For more information please find us on the website for contact phonenumbers. Hope to see you at Maddison Heights

Contact is Joyce Sach.

Walkers

The Walking Group has a core of really great members who often step upto the plate at short notice to lead a walk. We would really like a few morerecent or returning members to lead a walk later in the year. Ourwebpage has details of 2 vacant dates for walking in autumn which needto be filled (27th Sept & 29th Nov).

For those thinking of joining us: we usually meet at SWF Village Hall carpark at 10.00 for car sharing. From November to March we go outwalking on the last Wednesday of each month, but not in December.

Then for Spring, Summer & Autumn, we try to fit in an additional earlierwalk on Mondays. Walks can vary from 3–5 miles approx, usuallyculminating in a stop for refreshments at lunchtime.

Contact is Lesley Dearing.

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Watercolour Group

Come join us at the Art Group,Club Woodham is our base,We meet the 2nd Monday,If you can't draw - just trace,Sometimes we paint landscapes,And sometimes we paint flowers2-4 what a lovely way to spend a couple of hours!

Contact is Yvonne Frost.

Weekenders

Our Group has now been going for 18 months and is proving useful forthose members who find themselves at a loose end at the weekends.We do not arrange many trips out during the winter months, but ourregular meet ups are very well attended at 11am on a Saturday at theCoffee Lounge in town. Some brave souls have carried on with the shortstroll along the river on a Sunday, weather permitting, meeting in theRiver Car Park at 12 noon. Hopefully, during the Spring, more memberswill come along to help break up the monotony of some Sundays alone.

We still have some members visiting the free concerts at ChelmsfordCathedral on a Friday lunch time, although they have been trying to findanother venue to have lunch, other than Wetherstones, as their qualityhas been suffering lately.

Earlier this year, we visited The Three Horseshoes at Althorne for amember’s birthday lunch and were so impressed with the food and costthat we decided to have a Weekenders’ Sunday lunch there. This was onSunday 5 March, with 10 members attending, and such a lovely time washad by all, that we decided to make it a two monthly event, with the nextone being on Sunday 7 May.

At this time of writing, we are planning some visits to The Museum ofPower at Langford, a Steam Day at Mangapps Railway near Burnham, avisit to Stow Maries Fly-in day at the Aerodrome, and the Hyde HallFlower Show, to name but a few. All visits are listed under the

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Weekenders Events on the website and include some coach trips withPhillips Coaches. We are also looking to get tickets for some of thewonderful shows that are coming up at the Cliffs Pavilion in Southend.There will be a write-up of our visits in the next newsletter. We are a very informal and friendly group, and all forthcoming events areadvised by email to group members on a fairly regular basis and they arealso kept updated on the website. However, if any other U3A membersare interested in any of our trips out/visits, they are more than welcome tocome along.

Contact Jan Talikowski.

Wine Appreciation #1

Over the past months we have continued to meet and enjoy samplingwines from around the world.An evening was spent tasting wine from the French regions, where ourhosts for the evening Bob and Sylvi provided us all with a map of Franceshowing all the Wine growing regions.We also had our usual Christmas get together hosted by Lynda and Ray.Then followed our usual New Year’s gathering where we all take anythingthat’s left over from Christmas. This can be any drink and does not haveto contain alcohol. At our latest meeting, where trying to meet the ideals of the U3A, welearnt about the grapes from which our most popular wines are produced.We looked at the optimum terrain and soil, the ideal climate and the bestcountries for the production of the particular wine.We then tasted wine produced from the same grape variety from thetraditional countries of Europe and also a new World country. Memberswere asked to choose not only the one they preferred but also decidewhether it was from a Tradition country or one of the New Worldcountries.I am sorry to say that after nearly 4 years of tasting some of our membersstill cannot get their grapes right. (We will have to keep drinking until weperfect our taste buds).Out of the six different grape varieties tried the New World came out ontop for taste with five out of six and the sixth was a fifty fifty split.We always try to taste wines that are available in most of thesupermarkets and a mixed price range. With some of the special offersthat are available occasionally we get some of the more expensive winesat a very good price.

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We will continue our tastings throughout the coming months, with notonly wine but Cocktails as well.

Here are the notes for the Sauvignon Blanc Grape :

Widely planted everywhere in the world, but most associated with theLoire valley of France. Have you ever had a Sancerre or Pouilly Fumé?That is Sauvignon Blanc! Sauvignon Blanc is the star of the Marlborough,New Zealand and now has an outstanding reputation known the worldaround. Unlike the finicky Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc grows well inmany areas, but a cool, sunny location suits it best.Sauvignon Blanc is a parent of Cabernet Sauvignon along with CabernetFranc. Most Sauvignon Blanc is made for drinking early – so don’t waittoo long to drink this wine.

Sauvignon Blanc is made to be relatively fruity and dry – although you’llsometimes find some examples of sweeter wines. Some New Worldregions tend to leave a bit of sugar on the wine to give it a bit of richness.

There are over 111,000 hectares of Sauvignon Blanc grown all over theworld.

Contact is Andy Hull.

Forgot The Keys

An elderly man had dinner at a very nice restaurant. After he finished his wine, he went to the men's room, then walked out through the bar.

It was a beautiful evening, so he decided to leave his car in the parking lot and walk home.

When he arrived at his front door, he realized he didn’t have his keys. He finally figured they must be in his jacket pocket, which was still hanging in the restroom.

He walked back to the restaurant, found his jacket in the men’s room, and realized he’d left his hat on the table.

He strolled back to the dining room to retrieve his hat, and when he got to his table, his wife asked, “Is anything wrong? You took such a long time in there.”

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Wine Appreciation #2

Our group continues to enjoy tasting thefruits of the vine but we are not adverseto tasting other things too! Recently weenjoyed a night out at the Chineserestaurant In our town and our monthlymeeting in February was spent having atour of the Crouch Vale Breweryfollowed by tasting the beer (and winefor the ladies!) in their 'Tap Room' bar.We highly recommend a visit.

Over the coming months we willcontinue to have fun visiting eachother's houses and evaluating a varietyof wines and hope to intersperse thoseevents with some interesting outingsalong the way.

Like Wine Appreciation group 1, weare full but please let the groups co-ordinator know if you are interested -

you never know, there could be a Wine Appreciation group #3!

Contact is Sue Acton.

New Group Suggestions

Poetry (reading & writing), short stories, creative writing. . .

It is hoped to re-activate the Creative Writing group and extend its remit.

Interested? Contact Bob LeBeau.

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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‘Time to Kill’

You’re almost at the checkoutOne customer awayYou need to get through quicklyYou haven’t got all day

The woman who’s before youHas loads of time to shopYou know because she’s chatting,Crikey will she ever stop

She now can’t find her glassesCan things get any worse?Oh yes, you’ve guessed it, She’s also lost her purse.

At last she finds her glasses,Of course upon her head,But not before you’ve offeredTo lend her yours instead.

Thank God she’s found her money,The whole thing takes an age.By now you’re getting dangerous,Towards the murder stage.

A credit card? Forget it.She’s settling up in cashAnd counting it at snail’s pace Just when you need to dash.

You cough, you start to fidget, You even stamp your feet.Now what’s the woman up to?She’s checking her receipt!

You’re normally good-natured,But people at the tillWho cannot move through smoothlyCan make you want to kill.

– does this give you the feeling of deja-vu?

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FAMILY HISTORY SNIPPETS - STORY #4

My great grandfather was called George Frederick Sharp. He was born in1861 and lived in Dedham Essex all his life, until he died in 1948.According to census records he was an agricultural labourer and he hada variety of addresses in the area including 42 Lamb Corner and 10Grove Hill as well as 8 Brook Street and lastly 2 High Street (the latterfrom the 1939 census).

It has been relatively easy to find my great grandfather’s details due tothe name of Sharp, which although is not rare is not common either, andto live in a more isolated rural area (in those days) means there are lessinhabitants to confuse the records. It is helpful too, that my father told mesmall pieces of information about the family before he died in 2007.

Using ‘Find My Past’ we discover thatGeorge married Ellen Hammond in1883. She came from Stonham Aspallin Suffolk and is registered as a servantliving, and possibly working, at CrownFarm. Stonham Aspall is a village onthe Stowmarket side of Ipswich andtherefore, like many people of thatperiod, we can see that George did nottravel too far from his home in Dedhamto obtain a wife.

They later went on to have 7 or more children. Included in these is mygrandmother – Murial Eva Sharp. Other siblings recorded in the samehousehold with the surname of Sharp are Albert, Adelaide, Ernest,Winifred, Grace and Frederick. The eldest, Albert is registered as agroom and gardener and most of the family it seems went on to beemployed in service or in some aspect of agriculture, as was common inthat period.

George Frederick Sharp was interesting, in that, according to my fatherhe was a great country man and could tell the names of birds from theirsong and the weather in spite of becoming blind in middle age. He alsobecame conversant with the River Stour in all its moods.

Sir Alfred Munnings the traditional Suffolk painter and member of theNewlyn School of painting, known mainly for his studies of horses, we aretold, employed George as a gardener/ help and for his ability inoarsmanship, and the two became friends. In fact my Father told us hecan remember at one time as a young lad sitting on Sir Alfred’s lap. Who

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knows if George Sharp accompanied Munnings whilst he did hispreliminary sketches for ‘The White Canoe on the Stour at Flatford’ or‘Horse Fair at Lavenham’.

Munnings went on to live at Castle House Dedham for many years untilhis death at the age of 80 in 1959. Castle House has been retained as amuseum to house some of Munnings’ paintings ever since. However,unfortunately, unlike John Constable with Willie Lott we can find noevidence of George Frederick Sharp in the works of Alfred Munnings!

My grandmother Murial Sharp(George’s daughter), wasborn in 1896 in the village ofDedham and went into servicearound the age of 15, as sheis recorded as a servant orhousemaid/ domestic in ahouse in Boreham Wood,Hertfordshire in the 1911census. It is thought that inthat capacity she must havemet her future husbandEdward George Heading fromGreat Stanmore in 1920. He was to become a chauffeur and later apoliceman in the city of London.

We can find records of their addresses from the electoral registers 1832to 1965. It is during their married life that they lived firstly in a flat inShepherdess Place Shoreditch and later in Charles Rowan House inIslington.

My grandmother moved in her later years, when she had been widowed,to the growing housing estates of South Ockendon, and must have feltthat she was returning to her country roots at that particular point in herlife. She died there in 1982.

I can well remember as achild visiting my GreatUncle Fred and GreatAuntie Ethel who lived in acharacterful cottage on theHigh Street Dedham. Thesitting room window was setso low that you could lookout at people’s feet walkingby, from the window. Auntie

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Ethel’s favourite way of occupying a young boy was to take him round thechurchyard nearby to visit the graves of ancestors. I wish now I had takenmore notice of the information she gave me concerning family memberswho had 'passed on'!

However, even now, the links with the family and Dedham still exist, asmy second cousin Adrian still lives and works there and there remainsevidence of the family in the graveyard of Dedham church in the verycentre of the village. We have still to explore the latter, and look forwardto doing that at a future date and this time viewing the past through moremature eyes.

Steve Heading

SOCIAL EVENING

Saturday OCTOBER 28th

Dance & Sing along to a 60's Evening at the Village Hall.

The hall and the band have been booked and the full cost will be £12.00 with fish & chip supper

or £7.00 without.

Members friends and families are welcome at this event.

Please note that all drinks must be bought at the Village Hall bar (their rules).

Doors open at 7.45pm for 8.15pm prompt start

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Contribution from Joyce Sach / Connie Bushby

THE AUTHOR IS NOT KNOWN. IT WAS FOUND IN THE BILLFOLD OFCOACH PAUL BEAR BRYANT, ALABAMA, AFTER HE DIED IN 1982

THE MAGIC BANK ACCOUNT

Imagine that you had won the following *PRIZE* in a contest:

Each morning your bank would deposit $86,400 in your private account for your use. However, this prize has Rules:

The set of Rules:

1. Everything that you didn't spend during each day would be taken awayfrom you.

2. You may not simply transfer money into some other account.

3. You may only spend It.

4. Each morning upon awakening, the bank opens your account with another $86,400 for that day.

5. The bank can end the game without warning; at any time, it can say, "Game Over!" It can close the account, and you will not receive a new one.

What would you personally do?

You would buy anything and everything you wanted right? Not only for yourself, but for all the people you love and care for. Even for people you don't know, because you couldn't possibly spend it all on yourself - right?

You would try to spend every penny, and use it all, because you knew it would be replenished in the morning, right?

ACTUALLY, THIS GAME IS REAL!

Shocked ??? Yes!!!

Each of us is already a winner of this *PRIZE*. We just can't seem to see it.

The PRIZE is “TIME"

1. Each morning we awaken to receive 86,400 seconds, as a gift of life.

2. And when we go to sleep at night, any remaining time is not credited tous.

3. What we haven't used up that day is forever lost.

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4. Yesterday is forever gone.

5. Each morning the account is Refilled, but the bank can dissolve your account at any time WITHOUT WARNING...

SO, what will YOU do with your 86,400 seconds?

Those seconds are worth so much more than the same amount in dollars. Think about it and remember to enjoy every second of your life, because time races by so much quicker than you think.

So take care of yourself, be happy, love deeply and enjoy life!

Here's wishing you a wonderful and beautiful day.

Start spending....

"DON'T COMPLAIN ABOUT GROWING OLD

SOME PEOPLE DON'T GET THE PRIVILEGE!"

This seems a fitting way to remember Connie – she didn't waste time.

Pleased to let you all know that the collection in memory of Connie Bushby raised £174.01. A cheque will be sent to J's Hospice.

STUDY DAY

October 24th

@ The Plume School, Maldon

Wide variety of subjects - £5

Full details on our website from July

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This beats our March speaker's spurious meeting with Kylie Minogue!

MY NIGHT WITH COLONEL GADDAFI

In 1975 I was working as a nurse in a hospital in Tripoli, Libya. I oftenworked night duty as a way of avoiding the madness of the days. It wasvery quiet at night, mostly due to the fact that all the local nurses went tosleep at 10pm and woke at 6am the following morning. Apparently, theyfelt they were doing the hospital a favour being on night duty at all and toexpect them to stay awake was a step too far.

On this particular night, while walking back to the ward office, I saw aman coming towards me. I thought there was something familiar abouthim and as he came nearer I heard him say “Good Evening, I hope I didnot startle you, I am Muammar Gaddafi”. I was by now able to see that itwas indeed him, easily recognizable as his image was plastered on vastbillboards all over Tripoli.

He was charming and courteous and explained that he sometimes visitedhospitals at night without the fanfare and most of the bodyguards thatusually accompanied him, as he wanted to see for himself what wasreally happening. He asked me to share a supper with him and a lovelyspread appeared. The other two British nurses on duty at the time joinedus and we had quite a party at 1am. He wanted to know about thehospital and the experience of foreign nurses in Libya. He was suave,amusing and seemed very interested in what we had to say.

However, easy as it would have been to have been taken in by hisrelaxed, witty and urbane manner, it would have been most unwise toforget that he was the absolute leader of a communist police state, withall the oppression and human rights abuses that that involved. Peoplewho criticized anything in Libya tended to disappear abruptly andpermanently. We shared a few innocent anecdotes and he seemedsatisfied. When he heard that the local nurses slept throughout most oftheir shift, he had them roused from their slumbers and told they were notpaid to sleep. This had the desired effect for a while but, of course, overtime they gradually reverted to their old ways.

As he was leaving, he asked me what I missed most from England.Caught unawares, I said “Branston pickle”. The next night when I cameon duty there was a large jar of Branston pickle waiting for me.

Catherine Elliott

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KATEWhat do you see nurse, what do you seeWhat are you thinking when looking at me

A crabbit old woman not very wiseUncertain of habit with far-away eyes

Who dribbles her food and makes no replyWhen you say in a loud voice ‘I do wish you’d try’Who seems not to notice the things that you do

And forever is losing a stocking or shoeWho unresisting, or not, lets you do as you will

With bathing or feeding the long day to fillIs that what you're thinking? Is that what you see?

Then open your eyes nurse, you’re not looking at me.I’ll tell you who I am as I sit here so still!

As I rise at your bidding, as I eat at your willI’m a small child of 10 with a father and mother

Brothers and sisters who loved one anotherA young girl of 16 with wings on her feet

Dreaming that soon now a lover she ll meetA bride soon at 20 - my heart gives a leap

Remembering the vows that I promised to keep.At 25 now I have young of my own

Who need me to build a secure happy home.A woman of 30, my young now grow fast

Bound to each other with ties that should last.At 40 my young sons have grown and are goneBut my man’s beside me to see I don’t mourn.At 50 once more babies play around my knee

Again we know children, my loved one and me.Dark days are upon me, my husband is dead

I look at the future, I shudder with dreadFor my young are all rearing young of their own

And I think of the years and the love I have knownI’m an old woman now and nature is cruel-Tis her jest to make old age look like a fool

The body is crumbled, grace and vigour departThere is now a stone where I once had a heart,

But inside this old carcass, a young girl still dwellsAnd now and again my battered heart swells,

I remember the joy, I remember the pain,And I’m loving and living life over again.

I think of the years all too few - gone too fast.And accept the stark fact that nothing can last -

So open your eyes, nurse, open and see,Not a crabbit old woman, look closer -

See Me

By: Phyllis McCormack

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FAMILY HISTORY SNIPPETS - STORY #5

This is a story of my Uncle, JOSEPH WILLIAM GILL, who wasunfortunately killed in the First World War. He was my Mother’s eldestbrother and joined the Royal Navy on 8 th February 1916, when he wasonly 17 years of age. After basic training at HMS. Pembroke (an onshorebase at Chatham) he joined HMS Falmouth, a cruiser, on 26th April 1916.

This ship was attached to the Third Light Cruiser Squadron of the GrandFleet and after my Uncle joined it took part in the Battle of Jutland, whichwas the major Naval engagement of the entire war. Two and a halfmonths later the ship again was on duty in the North Sea and had brokenaway from the main fleet to fire at a Zeppelin, which was shadowing thefleet. Unbeknown to the navy the Germans had set a trap with a line ofsubmarines and as the Falmouth was proceeding to regain station shewas torpedoed by U-boat 66. Two torpedoes struck home and the shipwas badly damaged. She did not sink and after getting 340 men off, shewas eventually put on tow with a skeleton crew, which included my Uncleand tried to make port. Unfortunately the ship was caught the next day byU-boat 63 and she was sunk and one of the torpedoes killed eight menon board including my Uncle.

Copies of official navy papers from The National Archives at Kew showedthat the Captain complained that if more powerful tugs had been used theship would have made port and not been caught, with all that would havemeant for my Uncle.Subsequently my Grandmother received the Memorial Plaque that nextof kin received for people killed in the war and she refused to accept it asit had on it the name HENRY JOHN JAMES.

Whilst we have not got the story from within the family it seems that myUncle volunteered to join the Royal Navy, when he was under age,because if he had waited until he was eighteen he would have beencalled up to join the Army (The Military Service Act of 1916 hadintroduced conscription).He obviously used the false name to help him join the Navy and hisRecords show “According to relatives this man’s correct name is JosephWilliam Gill, served as Henry John James”.My Uncle is commemorated on the Naval Memorial at Chatham and thisshows both names. As a word of warning for Family History enthusiasts ifyou search for Henry John James it comes up as a proper person!!!!

John Gable

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GROUPS & CONTACT DETAILS

NEXT NEWSLETTER

I plan to issue the next newsletter at the NOVEMBER 2017 meeting.Articles of interest to members are very welcome and will be included,

space permitting.Please send Group Reports and other items to me by 24th OCTOBER.

Thank You.Jan Campen

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Aviation Brian Austin 329587 b_austin@talktalk.net At Maldon U3A

Bird Watching Colin Martin 327129 cs.martin@live.co.uk Third Wednesday

Book Group Joan Martin 327129

Computer Help Richard Bradshaw 323420

Family History Colin Martin 327129

Games Group Julie Ferris 320732 jklfferris@gmail.com

Gardening David Shea 324645

Going Out Group Ray Burns 323226 Non specific outings

Jazz Appreciation Ray Burns 323226 By Arrangement

Knit & Natter Brenda Neale 320396

Local History Colin Pegrum 321214 Third Tuesday in the month

Jan Campen 321905 jj.campen@yahoo.com

Play Reading Linda Thomas 321290

Strollers Pat Fayers 322567 patriciafayers@btinternet.com

Table Tennis Eira Jonson 321958

Tenpin BowlingJoyce Sach 324936

Rosemary Green

Walkers Lesley Dearing 325147

Watercolour Painting Yvonne Frost

Weekenders Jan Talikowski 329560 jancarter947@uwclub.net Various Sat & Sunday

Wine Appreciation 1 Andy Hull 320957

Wine Appreciation 2 Sue Acton 324805 sue_acton@hotmail.com Second Friday 7.30pm

jm.martin@talktalk.netThird Monday at 2.30pm in the Small Hall at Village Hall

r.bradshaw644@btinternet.comSecond Wednesday 10.00am at the Village Hall

cs.martin@live.co.ukFourth Thursday 10.00 Village HallFourth Thursday at 2.00pm in the Village Hall

sheadave@hotmail.comAfternoon of the third Thursday

burns4@waitrose.com

burns4@waitrose.com

nanaben@hotmail.co.ukFirst Monday at 11.00am in the Village Hall

colin_pegrum@hotmail .com

Loose Women (& Men)

Second Thursday 2.15 Meeting Room SWF Library

billintho@talktalk.net SWF Library Small Room First Tuesday 2-4pm.Tuesday 10.00am River Car Park near Marsh Farm

jonson702@btinternet.comEvery Wednesday 7-8pm William de Ferrers

joycesach@hotmail.co.uk Madison Heights, Maldon. 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month at 10.00 am.rodav60@hotmail.co.uk

sdearing@btinternet.comSummer - 1st or 2nd Monday Winter - 4th Wednesday

01268 762948

malcolm@hhcotts1.force9.co.ukSecond Monday 2 pm Club Woodham Shared with SWF U3A

harrowcot1@yahoo.co.ukSecond Thursday or Friday 7.30pm

FUTURE MEETINGS

Tue Jun 27th

Monthly meeting starting at 2.00pm.The speaker this month is Paul Spracklin

'An introduction to exotic gardening'.

Tue Jul 25th

Monthly meeting starting at 2.00pm.This month's speaker is Roy Wood (no, not that one)on 'How to enjoy ahealthy, wealthy retirement', a humorous look at something we all enjoy.

Tue Aug 22nd

Monthly meeting starting at 2.00pm.Pam & Mark Bathurst will speak about 'The Medway Queen' a paddlesteamer, heroine of Dunkirk. It's history and the story of it's restoration.

Tue Sep 26th

Monthly meeting starting at 2.00pm.A welcome return to Sharon Gould who will speak on 'Who is H'.

Tue Oct 24th

Monthly meeting starting at 2.00pm.The speaker for this meeting is Roger Smith whose subject will be

Stow Maries WW1 aerodrome.

Tue Nov 28th

Monthly meeting starting at 2.00pm.The speaker will be Steve Scruton of BBC Essex

on his life in broadcasting.

Monday Dec 11th

Christmas meeting in the Main Hall at 2.00 pm.

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