HIGHAM & RUSHDEN NEWSLETTER

Registered Charity Number 1164952. www.highamandrushdenu3a.org.uk

NOTICE:

It has been agreed by the Committee that all members who renewed their

subscription in the year March 2020 to end February 2021 will receive a year’s

free membership, commencing when their next renewal is due. This is a gesture

of thanks to all who kept the faith and appreciated the work going on behind the

scenes. You will be notified by e-mail at the beginning of the month in which your

renewal is due, with a reminder of your next renewal date. Those who do not

have e-mail will be contacted by phone.

APPEAL: Those of you who were at the August monthly meeting will be aware

that the Chair put out an appeal for anyone who can use British Sign Language to

come and interpret at future meetings. We are aware that growing numbers of

our members are struggling with hearing and would like to address this if

possible. If you use sign language and would be willing to spare a couple of hours

per month, please contact any of the committee members or your group leaders.

APPEAL: We need volunteers to help with checking in at the beginning of the

monthly meetings. If you can help, please contact a committee member or the

Membership Secretary at the next meeting.

Please be aware that if you lose your membership signing in card, there will be a

£5 charge for a replacement. This comes into effect immediately after the October

AGM meeting.

If you know of a u3a member who is celebrating a special anniversary, or who deserves a special vote of thanks please let us know via the contact form on the website. On a more sombre note, if you know of a member who has passed away, please use the same contact form so that we can send a condolences card to the next of kin.

From 8pm on Friday, October 22, until 5am on Monday, October 25, the A45 westbound will be closed between Stanwick and Chowns Mill roundabouts.

HIGHAM & RUSHDEN NEWSLETTER


As many of you are aware we had a visit from Annie Curtis who is a representative of

the Third Age Trust, our parent organisation at our recent monthly meeting.

This is a transcript of a very positive email we received from her:

“Good morning, Trish and Denise

Thank you both for making me so welcome yesterday. I really appreciated it. There

was such a warm atmosphere everywhere and people were really happy to be there,

meeting up again face to face. Many were still there long after the Speaker had

finished, and the notices had been given. There were lots of initiatives in place which

all worked very well. I loved the Meet and Greet sashes. All of these initiatives plus

the warm atmosphere and hard work are such positive assets and a great basis for

any u3a to have when building for the future. Congratulations and hank you both.

Please pass on my thanks and congratulations to your Committee for all their hard

work too. Perhaps the Groups’ Coordinator could pass that message on to the

Group Leaders, please? There are so many positives in H&R u3a! I will reflect on

my list of positives in the next few days. Maybe the Committee might also like to

do that at some point, because there are lots, which sometimes can be taken for

granted.

If you are thinking about purchasing a head microphone, I think that will be money

well spent. Brixworth u3a bought one in late 2019 from Amazon but it took 3

attempts to get a suitable one from them. I think the “Amazon Queen “[ or

someone!!] may have a bit of research to do. The cost then was less than £40 and

it was very successful. To date, the first face to face main monthly meeting at

Brixworth will be the October one, so let us hope that it still works!!

I will be in touch again, closer to your AGM, just in case I can be of any help. It was

encouraging to see people bringing in their nomination forms yesterday, especially

as the Newsletter only went out at the weekend. This again bodes very well for the

future.

Once again, many thanks. It was really good to meet you both and to be introduced

to others too. Off to the allotments now as it is sunny. Hurrah!

Best wishes from Annie.”

Trish Dewar

Meditation & Mindfulness: I’m sorry to say this but, due to unforeseen and difficult personal circumstances, I have needed to delay the start of this group until Spring. Those members who expressed interest have been

informed and they’re remaining on the list. I will let people know when and where the group is opening up in the new year.

Judy Cooper


Special Events Group :

The day coach trips for October and December are full but we always have some last-minute cancellations so if you would like to put your name on the reserve list and we have a cancellation, we will contact you. All prices are inclusive of

venue ticket, private coach fare and gratuity to the coach driver. We pick up at Higham Ferrers Market Square, and Rushden Orbit Tyres bus stop.

Our trip in September was to Hampton Court Palace where 42 of us were met at the entrance by Sarah Slater, our private guide. It was a cold day but despite the weather she wore an off the shoulder Tudor dress and gave us a private tour of the Hampton Court Rooms with a running commentary of the public dramas and private lives of Henry VIII, his wives and children in the world of the Tudor Court. We also had time to admire the world-renowned gardens including the Great Vine which is now 250 years old and planted in 1768 and there were luscious grapes hanging from the vines.

Our next coach trip is on Wednesday 27 October to St Albans for free time to spend how you like, Wednesday is market day, and we also have free tickets for a public guided tour of the Cathedral. Cost per person is only £17 to include the private coach and gratuity to the driver. The last trip for this year will be to the Thursford Christmas Spectacular at Thursford on Tuesday 7 December for the 2pm matinee performance. We booked our tickets over one year ago in August 2020 to secure centre stage seats and the inclusive price for the ticket, coach and gratuity to the driver is £55 per person. We have sold all the tickets, but there may be cancellations, and if you would like to join us for this fabulous show put your name on the reserve list. We are working hard behind the scenes for day coach trips next year and these will soon be displayed on the website. Check out our table at the Goods Shed meeting in October.

Contact Jean Mole or Sylvia Wright for more information/booking.

Pilates Group: We have spaces in the weekly Fridays, 1pm, 2pm and

3pm classes so please come along for a taster to see which class you

would like to join. Our external qualified teacher is Paula Donovan

who runs her own Body Control Business, and she privately instructs

our classes weekly at the Masonic Hall, Rushden. The exercises are adapted to suit

differing levels of mobility and fitness level to encourage better movement with

stronger mental and physical well-being. Class sizes are kept small. More information

on the group page or by contacting Sylvia Wright, group leader.

Beading: Because we are a small group, we can each choose to do something that interests us. From stringing necklaces to bead weaving a bracelet like these. I can supply all the items we use for a small charge. We meet once a month at a member’s home. With the pandemic changing so much we can still be creative on these miserable autumn days.

If you are interested in joining or need more information please contact. Sherry Calvert [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


Country Dancing: Although numbers have recovered slightly, we could do with a few more to enable the group to do a more interesting set of dances i.e., longways, Sicilian circles etc. Lots of space in the hall and well ventilated. Hand gel available. If anyone still has concerns, please ring me on 622827.

Regards. George Hearndon

History Group: We had 70 attendees at the History Group meeting held at the Mason Hall, Rushden on 7 October to listen to a talk by Mike Petty on the Pickwick Cams Scrapbook but he didn’t turn up! However, as our joint Leader Gillian Nursaw-Smith is an Historian, she quickly filled the empty

slot with a second talk on Yelden that has history back to the Neolithic and early Bronze age and was able to add to the talk she gave last month. I am sure that we are all grateful to Gillian as well as all the volunteers who helped with the chairs, teas etc to make an enjoyable afternoon. Our next speaker on Thursday 4 November is John-Paul Car, who you may have heard before as he lives in Wellingborough. This time he will be speaking on the Wonderful Wellingborough Woman with a look at some of the famous and infamous ladies from the town and district. We have also put together some ideas for day coach trips next year and flyers will be displayed at the meeting so that you can add your name to any of the trips you may be interested in, then in the New Year we will make a decision on the program for the year.

Sylvia Wright

Rock & Blues Group: Our next meeting is on Thursday 28th October at 14:00 hours at the leader’s house. The topic is Europe. The group is full but if you would be interested in future please let me know, using the contact form on our website. Jim Morrison

NEW GROUP

MMFC (Monday Morning Football Chat):

The thing I miss most about work (actually the ONLY thing I miss!), is Monday

morning, gathering for a cup of coffee and a chat and a bit of banter about the

weekend’s football. Having found a few like-minded people, I thought, why not? So,

if you agree, this could be the group for you! The intention is to meet at 10am on a

Monday morning for a coffee or tea and a chat about football. Next meeting Monday 1st November.

Venue to be decided and dependant on numbers.

If you are interested give me, Mike Gibbons, a ring on 01933 631531

or email [email protected]



Painting for Pleasure: Mixed ability painters meeting to share gained experiences in a friendly environment. The group will meet on the following Mondays in Colemans warehouse at 2.00pm. 25th October 15th November

29th November 6th December

There is plenty of light and space, lively conversation and also tea and biscuits. Julie Dove

GARDEN GROUP – NEW SHOOTS

The good news is someone has come forward with an offer to take on leadership

of Garden Group. However, the lady does need assistance from A N Other to help

with the admin side of the Group, otherwise known as “job share”!

Please do consider whether you can help. If so, please contact Sandra Cox, the retiring

leader, or Groups Co-ordinator, Linda Walker. We look forward to hearing from you.

Sandra Cox

Bookmarks: The wonderful Dom stepped down as our Group leader this summer and we will miss her. We all wished the group to continue & Mavis (a whizz with Zoom) kept us all in touch over the lockdowns and has kindly agreed to continue so we can

meet and discuss books. Our tentative plans are to meet on 1st November at Podington Garden Centre for a chat and a coffee at 10.30a.m. Any new member who would like to meet us is welcome. We will continue with the Zoom meetings with the regular meeting being the 2nd Wednesday in the month, starting 11th November. We agreed to read HAMNET BY Maggie O’Farrell for the November Zoom Meeting. At the moment we show one another what we have been reading and our recommendations both positive and negative. The next challenge is to read any Dick Francis novel for December. Ann Kemp

Wine Appreciation Last month we had two Rosé both of which were enjoyed although completely different. First one Lagoalva from Portugal pale onion skin colour typical of a fine rose with dry but fruity flavour. From The Wine Society. The other was our old favourite Hardy’s Stamp Shiraz Rose. Pretty in Pink: good, solid, inexpensive wine very drinkable. Hardy’s is available pretty much everywhere since they lost the Chinese market. We bought this from Amazon who have good prices - just have to keep an eye on the price and shipping charges.

Next meeting dates are 26 October Tuesday and 28 October Thursday. We have spaces on both groups. Please ring for details.

Próst Steve and Denise Evans 01933 356784

Driving:

Are you feeling a bit rusty or cautious about driving after lockdown? I am a retired Driving Instructor,


Advanced instructor and RoSPA trained so if you need any help or advice, please email [email protected] and leave a phone number and I will be in touch. There is no charge, and it can be as little as a phone call or several hours in your car as required.

If you have not used your car for a while, make sure tyres, brakes, oil, and water are checked before you set out, as cars do not do well parked for long periods.

Steve Evans

Front of House

Big thank you to everybody form last month’s meeting. Stacking chairs many hands make light work.

Like us, the Goods Shed is run by volunteers and does not have any paid staff to put out and take away chairs, so we are sharing the load. The more we can do to help will be better all round.

See you all for the AGM on 20 October 1.30pm onwards. The AGM will be fairly short and sweet with the speaker following.

Steve Evans 01933 356784

Walking Football: This is not an official u3a group and cannot be listed as such, all liability for payments and insurance etc. are the responsibility of the Pemberton Centre. It is, therefore, not covered by u3a insurance.

Just to update on Walking Football: it has ceased to be a u3a group I would like to thank everybody that supported us and hope for your continuing support in the future however we will no longer be part of the u3a. Bob Eames



Computer Group A: Our first meeting will be Wednesday 20th

October in the hall at Rushden RC Church. Thereafter we will meet

on the first and third Wednesday each month.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Meetings will now be mornings, 10:00 -

12:00.

Jim Morrison

Computer Group B: The Computer Groups are back to St

Peters Church Hall, Wednesdays 10am till 12 noon. – See

Calendar for details.

As the groups have started back up an additional training session

of Beacon usage to Group Leaders took place on 6th Oct. – If

there are any GL’s that missed this session or alternatively now wish to have some

further training, please contact Linda W. as

group co-ordinator.

During the pandemic times, many apps for

mobile devices were developed and introduced

– NHS, Track and Trace, Cashless payments,

online shopping with click and collect, all of these

will develop the future access for data collection,

passports of certification etc – these will have a

direct influence on our day-to-day life.

If you do not already have a smartphone now is

the time to purchase one – the rewards and

benefit bonuses are too many to list but suffice

to say Government figures show that without

utilising all these mobile channels huge financial

savings are being lost.

This computer group B has two sessions per

month 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month,

first session will be primarily for people starting

and improving with mobile technologies and the

2nd session will be for those that can undertake

more complex applications to help improve

everyday life.

Please come along to either or both and measure the changes directly that you will gain.

Email: [email protected] Phone: 07850 789447.

Alan Nixson Computer Group B Leader.



Reminder from May 2021.

A worsening situation caused by Covid-19: a massive increase in online fraud and scams,

which continue today and become more sophisticated.

One of the biggest problems today in the online world is that of scamming people out

of their money, some of which can be prevented by you by being more vigilant. (It won’t

happen to me).

The online world today, compared with the past, can be a very useful and supportive

BUT it can be the worst method of direct communication currently available for a host

of negative reasons.

The abundance of old-style landline telephone cold calls and that scamming has been

reduced considerably by methods employed by service providers and the individual, now

the same must occur for online communications.

STOP STOP STOP

1) STOP opening emails – see the preview only, click no links and immediately delete

and only keep if really essential. This will also reduce your online storage inbox as well.

(Scams can actually see you opened an email and follow up again).

2) Do NOT keep passing emails from one person to another – you are giving your

problems to some else you know who did not request this information AND probably

in real terms doesn’t need it anyway.

3) Plan to reduce ALL YOUR email traffic by 50% because this is the amount of actually

useful information you really need to receive.

4) Everybody sending emails, particularly our group leaders; ensure you send the

absolute minimum number of emails to group members, this will start to retrain people

into NOT opening unnecessary emails that are repetitive habit-forming dangers.

5) Do NOT put any personal information on social media platforms that you do not

want scammers to see, steal and possibly use against you.

6) Start a planned action to “unsubscribe” or block those companies that you have not

chosen to receive or from whom you wish to receive further continuous emails.

7) Only make online payments using secure methods: approved BACS/Credit

Cards/PayPal etc. do NOT pay anybody or transfer any money under time pressure (the

offers will NOT run out) ignore this and call another day when you can check the actual

phone numbers and websites beforehand.

8) Ignore all “free” anything online – shops don’t let you in and give way products, so

why would the online marketplace be different? – only a scam.

Email: [email protected] Phone: 07850 789447.

Alan Nixson Computer Group B Leader.



Liz Thackray, Chair of the Third Age Trust, has written an open letter to u3a members. Read it by clicking the button below and please share with your u3a community. An Open Letter to u3a Members News About Future Newsletters

After feedback from committees about the number of mailings you receive, we have made the decision to no longer send the link to the u3a national newsletter to Chairs, Secretaries and Treasurers, from November.

The National Newsletter is a great way to keep in touch with what is going on across the movement and share ideas. If you have not had a chance to sign up yet, please do so via our website.

Join Our 40th Anniversary Quilt Competition

We know that there are many Craft and Quilting groups in the 1050+ u3as which make up our membership. Would you please ask whether your members are planning to create, or even better, have already created an entry for the u3a 40th Anniversary Quilt competition?

We want the entries to show how versatile, skilful and creative members are in their interpretation of what they believe encourages Positive Healthy Ageing. The more entries we receive the more variety there’ll be.

You’ve still got over a month in which to send in your entries. There’s a recording of the workshop which was run to show you the sort of entry you might create: watch the recording, read more about the 40th anniversary and submit entries on our 40th anniversary webpage.

Handicrafts: The Handicraft Group will have their first meeting since lockdown on Thursday, 28th October 2021, 2-4pm at Rushden Bowls Club led by Kathy and Jenny. All old and new members will be made very welcome. The first meeting is

‘bring along your own craft’ and we will be discussing the future programme. You also need to bring your own drink as tea and coffee is not provided. The fee is £2 to cover the hire of the room. As we are bringing our own craft there will be no extra charge for this meeting. Here is a taster of things to come. Thank you. Kathy and Jenny. If you want to contact us here are our contact details

Kathy - [email protected] Jenny- [email protected]

Knit & Natter: I now have a short waiting list, and if anyone else is interested in joining please let me know. I will consider running a second group if I get a few more people interested. Details for contacting me can be found on the Higham and

Rushden u3a website. Thanks.

Kathy Arnold

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Linda Walker is the Groups Coordinator. Linda’s own groups are:

Sunday lunch Group. Is reverting to bi-monthly lunches on the 4th Sunday each month. Please see calendar for details. Ideal for new to u3a and singles we will make you most welcome. Booking essential with Linda Walker [email protected].

A Little Aloud meets on the 2nd & 4th Friday at leader’s home between10.00-12.00 or on Zoom 10.00 & 10.45-11.30. New members welcome. Please contact leaders for more information.

Non-Fiction Group: Next meeting is on 20th September 2pm, at leader’s home. An opportunity to share books we can recommend for future reading. New members welcome.

Days out/car share group.

We are starting to come out of our shells. Our first trip to Rushden's museum in the park with coffee first and a short walk is fully subscribed. Another will be arranged on their reopening next spring. Any ideas from members gratefully considered

Linda and Chris Walker

Popular Music Appreciation: This group is now closed, unless someone would like to take it over. Linda Walker

GROUP LEADER CONTACT DETAILS

In accordance with GDPR we do not publish contact details for group leaders, on a publicly available website or newsletter. There is a contact form on the website which can be used to email group leaders and u3a officers. If you wish to telephone a group leader you will need to log into Beacon at https://www.u3abeacon.org.uk/u3aportal.php?u3a=118&sc=LUDE.

You do not need a password or username just your own personal details.

Clicking on the Higham & Rushden u3a groups link opens a page listing all our current groups and gives telephone numbers for each leader.



Post-Covid and retirement of some group leaders some groups will need to change venue/time or

will be cancelled. The table will be updated as and when the I am advised of changes, they will be

highlighted in red.

GROUP VENUE/DAY TIME

A Little Aloud Alternate Fridays 2nd & 4th Friday on Zoom 10.00 & 11.00

Badminton Beginners &

Improvers Pemberton Centre Wednesday 1400-1500

Badminton for fun Pemberton Centre Tuesday 09.00-10.00 & Friday 11.00-13.00

Bookmarks Zoom 10.00-11.00 2nd Wednesday every month

Canasta Saxon Hall, Raunds 1st & 3rd Thursday 10.00-12.00

Computing & Technology

Grp A St Peters RC Church Hall

Rushden

Afternoons 13:00-15:00 1st & 3rd Wednesday

every month

Computing & Technology

Grp B Beginners

Afternoons 13:00-15:00 2nd Wednesday & 4th

Thursday every month

Country Dancing HF WMC Alternate Mon 14.00-16.00

Country Park Walks Various Parks 2nd Sunday 10.30

Cycling multi-Groups Rushden Lakes Every Monday

Digital Photography A Rushden Hall 2nd & 4th Wed 10.00 to 12.00

Driving On the Rd

Garden To be advised

Golf Various Alternate Wed & Fri

Guitar Improvers ASDA Training room Tue 17.00-19.00

Handicrafts Rushden Bowls Club 4th Thursday each month 2-4pm. No group

in December.

History Masonic Hall, Rushden 1st Thu 14.00-15.30

Holiday Spanish

Beginners Alternate Mondays 10.00-12.00

Holiday Spanish

Intermediate Alternate Wednesdays 10.00-12.00

Home Dining Various Twice per Month varying days

Jewellery Making Members’ Homes 1st Mon 13.30-15.30

Knit & Natter Leader’s Home Alternate Mon 10.00-12.00

Mah-jong for fun Windmill Club 1st & 3rd Friday 19.00 – 21.00

Meditation & Mindfulness Postponed until Spring 2022

MMFC** Venue to be decided Weekly Mondays at 10am

Non-Fiction Books Leader’s Home 3rd Monday 14.15-16.00

Painting for Pleasure Coleman’s Craft Warehouse Alternate Mondays 14.00

Pilates Grp A The Masonic Hall, Rushden Fridays 1pm – 2pm

Pilates Grp B Fridays 2pm – 3pm

Pilates Grp C Fridays 3pm – 4pm

****Monday Morning Football Chat Continued…


GROUP VENUE TIME

Play Reading To be advised 1st Tue 13.15-

Popular Music Appreciation NOW CLOSED

Reading Bookmarks Waitrose Community Room 2nd Wednesday

Rock & Blues

Appreciation

Leader’s Home Last Thursday 2-4pm

Scrabble Residents Lounge, Kilburn Place

Higham Rd Rushden

Alternate Tue 14.00-16.00

Settlements Vestry Hall, St Mary’s Church

Rushden

4th Tue 14.00-16.00

Singing for Fun Rushden Hall, Hall Park Alternate Thu 14.00-16.00

Special Events Various Various

Sunday Lunch Every two Months Venue varies

Table Tennis Pemberton Centre Wed at 13.00

Ukulele Rushden Transport Club 13.30-15.30 Every Monday

Video Editing Leader’s Home 2nd & 4th Tues 10.00-12.00

W.A.LT. Various Various

Walking Various Various

Wine & Dine Various Various

Wine Appreciation Leader’s Home 4th Tues & 4th Thurs 14.00-16.00


u3a MONTHLY MEETINGS Please note there is a small charge for non-members. Details can be found on our website or call 01933 522934 for further information.

Speakers for 2021 If you, or a friend, have had experience as a speaker at other groups on topics which you think would be of interest to our u3a members then please contact the Speaker Secretary. Note: - The Speakers may be subject to change.

20th Oct Michael Long TV Licencing Officer

17th Nov Lucy Swales History of Madame Tussauds

15th Dec Singing for fun group Carols & Other Seasonal Songs 2022

19th Jan Dr Michael Leach Animals behaving Badly

16th Feb Dave Eagle Astronaut Tim Peak & ISS

16th Mar Craig Fisher Stranded in Gambo

20th Apr Charlie Haylock The History of Spoken English.

18th May John Hope Time Through the Ages

15th June Neil Hanson Ghost Writer for Celebrities

10th July Paul Robbins Great British Eccentrics

17th Aug Rev Kevin Woolmer Nicker to Vicar

21st Sep Sandy Leong Black Cats, New Moons & Ladders

Oct TBA

6th Nov Danielle Handley I Did Not Know That

Some Famous Quotes.

Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience

of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so: Douglas Adams

Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes: Oscar Wilde

Education is when you read the fine print. Experience is what you get if you don't: Pete

Seeger

Imagination is more important than knowledge: Albert Einstein

A light heart lives long: William Shakespeare


HEDGEHOGS

Everyone is sure to know what a hedgehog looks like. The

hedgehog’s back and sides are covered in 25mm (1 inch) long

spines (which are really modified hairs). These are absent from

the face, chest, belly, throat and legs which are covered with a

coarse, grey-brown fur. There are between 5,000/7,000 spines

on an average adult hedgehog. What many people do not know is that a hedgehog has

a small tail.

Hedgehogs are certainly noisy eaters as people who have encountered them “at table”

will testify; but what do they actually eat? They eat a lot of beetles, along with slugs,

caterpillars and earthworms. Most people are aware that hedgehogs are mostly insert

eaters.

Hedgehogs may give birth to their hoglets late in the year. Such youngsters will not have

enough time to build up sufficient fat reserves to enable them to survive hibernation.

The absolute minimum weight to see them through the winter is 450gms (1lb) and any

hedgehog below this weight will have problems.

However, hedgehog carers prefer to get autumn

juveniles in care to an optimum weight of 600gms (1lb

6oz) or more. Autumn juveniles, i.e., youngsters found

alone and under 450gms (1lb) after the end of September

will need extra help, even if just additional feeding in the

garden. Call the BHPS for further advice on 01584

890801 and contact an experienced local rescue centre

to check the hedgehog over as soon as possible.

SOME GOOD JOKES

≈ My husband and I divorced over religious differences. He thought he was God,

and I didn't.

≈ Marriage is a three-ring circus: Engagement ring, wedding ring, and suffer-ring.

≈ The woman applying for a job in a Florida lemon grove seemed way too qualified

for the job. "Look Miss," said the supervisor, "have you any actual experience in

picking lemons?" "Well, as a matter in fact, yes!" she replied? "I've been divorced

three times."

≈ An old man goes to the Wizard to ask him if he can remove a curse he has been

living with for the last 40 years. The Wizard says, "Maybe, but you will have to

tell me the exact words that were used to put the curse on you." The old man

says without hesitation, "I now pronounce you man and wife."

≈ I was in the express lane at the store quietly fuming. Completely ignoring the

sign, the woman ahead of me had slipped into the check-out line pushing a cart

piled high with groceries. Imagine my delight when the cashier beckoned the

woman to come forward, looked into the cart and asked sweetly, "So which six

items would you like to buy?" Wouldn't it be great if that happened more often?

≈ Because they had no reservations at a busy restaurant, my elderly neighbour

and his wife were told there would be a 45-minute wait for a table. "Young man,

we're both 90 years old," the husband said. "We may not have 45 minutes." They

were seated immediately.


Some Interesting Days in Late October

October 20: National Brandied Fruit Day

Finding fresh peaches or strawberries in the middle of winter is no easy task. But preserving your fruits in alcohol makes it possible to enjoy seasonal flavours all year

long—and National Brandied Fruit Day is the perfect time to try this. All you need is the fruit of your choice, white sugar, brown sugar, high-quality brandy, and at least a month of preserving time.

October 26: National Pumpkin Day

With Halloween only five days away, it's pumpkin time. The uses for the season's favourite gourd are extensive. Create an amazing carved pumpkin for your doorstep, make tasty pumpkin seeds with your favourite seasonings, or blend pumpkin flesh into baked goods for seasonal flavour.

October 28: National Chocolate Day

Today is a good day to indulge in chocolate. Make a chocolate-centric recipe, such as cake, brownies, ice cream, or homemade sweets, or splurge on some quality chocolate that you can

enjoy on its own.

October 31: Halloween

After creating costumes, carving pumpkins, and setting up a scary display at the front door, Halloween is finally here. Relax and admire your spooky work with some witches' brew (also known as sangria, punch or some other alcoholic drink) and a few sweets before the trick-or-treaters snag them all.


EDITORIAL

This is a new feature compiled by the News Editor, addressing current issues. (These are my own personal thoughts, not necessarily those of the u3a).

Now that autumn is upon us and we are approaching the turning back of the clocks on 31st October, it is gratifying to note that many of our groups are coming back to life. I feel that once again we need to take control of our own lives while still being Covid-cautious. I have now been News Editor since July 2018 and what a lot of changes I have witnessed, but throughout it all I have been encouraged and inspired by our members and their resilience. I have already had my yearly flu vaccination and am waiting for the booster Covid jab (next month) which I understand some of you may have already had. I am of the opinion that if the medical profession want to give me prevention medicine, then I willingly accept it. I cannot understand the anti-vaxxers and how they can justify putting not only themselves but others at greater risk.

The latest news is that people who have had Covid are at increased risk of complications if they catch influenza.

Maggie Morrison

From the Secretary:

This has been a very difficult year, proof that many unpredictable things can happen. The most successful and happy people are not those who have a plan, but those who can adapt and overcome obstacles. Hopefully, we can now look forward with renewed energy, and an invigorated committee after the AGM. To enjoy life, we need to leave our personal bubbles and interact with others and the u3a is the perfect place to do this.

I want to thank everyone who has supported us through these stressful times.

Denise Evans

Documents

HIGHAM & RUSHDEN NEWSLETTER