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Chairman’s*Chat Can$I$first$say$a$big$thank$you$to$all$of$our$members$who$have$renewed$their$membership$so$promptly.$$Everyone$seems$to$like$the$new$cards$and$our$group$leaders$and$organisers$tell$me$that$the$distinctive$lanyards$make$it$much$easier$to$spot$everyone$when$they$are$out$and$about.$$An$added$benefit$is$that$the$back$of$the$card$holder$is$a$great$place$to$keep$your$ICE$card.$$My$thanks$to$those$of$you$who$were$so$understanding$with$the$teething$problems$that$beset$the$card$payment$machines.$$“Oh$yes,”$said$Barclays,$“we$should$have$told$you$about$the$use$of$both$machines$at$the$same$time$–$if$you$want$to$use$two$machines$you$need$two$special$accounts$that$then$get$consolidated$into$the$main$account.”$$It$would$have$been$handy$if$they$had$told$us$that$when$they$gave$us$two$machines!$$Just$a$quick$reminder$to$those$who$have$joined$recently,$and$have$not$renewed,$that$you$do$have$to$renew$your$membership$for$the$2019/20$membership$year.$$Apologies$for$the$seating$issues$that$arose$again$last$month.$$We$have$been$in$discussion$with$the$New$Windmill$Hall.$$To$get$the$maximum$number$of$seats$into$the$hall$the$plan$is$to$move$all$the$tables$that$have$previously$been$in$the$main$hall$into$the$side$rooms$and$the$bar$area.$$The$NWH$is$then$going$to$tell$us$the$number$of$chairs$we$can$put$out$and$the$permitted$layout.$$In$the$light$of$the$Grenfell$Tower$disaster,$Health$and$Safety$rules$have$been$reviewed$and$tightened$and$we$will$have$to$adhere$to$the$new$rules.$$I$am$sure$you$will$all$understand$that$Health$and$Safety$is$a$top$priority$and$that$the$rules$cannot$be$bent$under$any$circumstances.$$As$our$membership$climbs$towards$600,$increasingly$we$need$members$to$step$forward$and$lead$or$help$lead$activities.$$The$recent$meeting$of$new$members$was$very$encouraging$in$this$regard$and$we$hope$that$some$of$the$members$who$have$been$with$us$since$the$start$will$follow$their$example$and,$rather$than$just$“take”,$will$volunteer$to$“contribute”$to$all$the$exciting$things$that$are$going$on$in$Upminster$U3A.$$That$is$what$the$U3A$is$all$really$about$after$all.$Finally$–$my$lawn$is$looking$good$at$last$and$thank$you$for$the$nice$comments$about$our$new$wall.$Robert

UPMINSTER U3A NEWSLETTER

April 2019

At*our*monthly*meeting*on*Tuesday*16th*April*we*welcome*our*speakers,*

Kate*J*Cole*“The*Witches*of*Essex”*

*Captain*Mark*Cozens*

“The*Work*of*the*Salvation*Army”*Meeting*Venue:*New*Windmill*Hall,*St*Mary’s*Lane,*Upminster*

Doors*will*not*open*until*12.30pm*and*the*meeting*will*commence*at*1.00pm

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Membership*Renewal*$Many$thanks$to$the$hundreds$of$members$who$renewed$in$March,$and$also$to$those$of$you$who$paid$electronically.$$It$makes$everything$so$much$easier$for$all$of$us$involved$in$the$process.$You$should$receive$your$new$card$within$a$few$days$of$paying$your$fee.$If$you$haven’t,$contact$me$via$our$website$and$I$will$investigate.$Please$don’t$contact$any$other$committee$member,$as$they$cannot$assist$in$the$renewal$process.$We*also*need*a*signed*renewal*form*to*accompany*the*payments.*We*are*currently*130*short,*mostly*from*those*of*you*who*made*electronic*payments.*Could*you*please*download*a*form*and*either*drop*it*in*the*renewals*box*or*post*to*me*at*2*Fairfield*Ave*RM14*3AY.$$Would$everyone$try$and$remember$to$bring$their$cards$to$the$Members’$Meetings$to$enable$us$to$scan$you$in.$Not$only$does$this$cut$back$on$paper$wastage,$but$also$it$should$be$quicker$and$more$accurate.$Lanyards$are$of$course$optional.$$Some$members$have$noted$they$are$a$bit$long$but$that$is$to$stop$them$resting$on$our$(ladies’)$chests,$plus$it$makes$scanning$much$easier.$Regards$Alexis Membership$Sec$

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Card*Payments*$I$apologise$for$the$glitches$at$the$March$meeting$with$our$taking$of$card$payments.$We$have$now$sorted$out$the$problem$and$have$successfully$taken$payments$from$17$members$so,$if$you$want$to$pay$by$card$for$your$membership$renewal$or$for$a$coach$trip$at$the$next$meeting,$please$do$so.$You$can$make$contactless$payments$for$sums$below$£30$or$insert$your$card$and$put$in$your$pin$for$larger$sums$or$if$you$don’t$feel$comfortable$with$contactless.$Pamela Freer Treasurer$

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Whitechapel*Mission$At$our$March$meeting$Tony$Miller$from$the$Whitechapel$Mission$told$us$that$second$hand$clothes$(male$and$female)$of$reasonable$quality$and$sheets,$towels$&$toiletries$would$be$welcomed$at$the$Methodist$Church.$In$fact,$if$you$do$have$any$such$items,$please$contact$$Mrs.*Nichols,*39*Sycamore*Avenue,*Upminster*$and$arrange$to$deliver$them$to$her$house.$To$avoid$a$wasted$journey$a$telephone$call$to$Mrs.$Nichols$on$01708c508089$would$be$advisable.$*

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FOR*YOUR*DIARY*Silver*Surfers$$$Do$you$want$to$polish$up$your$computer$skills$or$learn$how$to$use$a$new$device?$$$Hall$Mead$School$is$having$a$free$'Silver$Surfers'$event$on$Thursday$11$July$from$13.30$to$15.30$at$the$Alan$Wunderly$Centre$at$the$school$in$Marlborough$Gardens,$Cranham.$$$All$U3A$members$with$IT$needs$are$invited.$Attendance$is$free$and$you$don't$have$to$precbook.$If$you$are$not$comfortable$with$computers$this$is$your$chance$to$learn$more$with$nocone$trying$to$sell$you$anything.$Light$refreshments$will$be$available.$$$Pamela

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SERENDIPITY*SPOT**EXHIBITION*OF*THE*MONTH:*DON*MCCULLIN*AT*TATE*BRITAIN*$In$1958$Don$McCullin$took$photographs$of$a$local$London$gang,$The$Guv’ners’,$posing$in$a$bombedcout$building.$$Persuaded$by$friends$to$show$them$to$the$Picture$Editor$of$The$Observer$he$earned$his$first$commission.$$

$$$$$The$Guv’nors$in$Their$Sunday$Suits$(1958)$ *

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*McCullin$became$the$UK’s$foremost$war$photographer$covering$major$conflicts$throughout$the$twentieth$century.$$He$produced$powerful,$sometimes$harrowing$images$and$saw$photography$as$‘a$silent$protest$against$the$futility$of$war.’**$

US$Marines,$The$Citadel,$Hue$(1968)$$

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Compassion$is$at$the$heart$of$McCullin’s$photography.$$Returning$home$from$conflict$assignments,$he$turned$his$attention$to$people$of$Britain,$recording$scenes$of$poverty$and$working$class$life$in$London’s$East$End$and$the$industrial$north.$

$$$$$$West$Hartlepool$(1970s)$$$$$$$*

*In$recent$years,$the$landscapes$of$Somerset,$Scotland$and$Northumberland$have$been$his$focus.$$However,$aged$80$in$2015$he$travelled$to$Kurdistan$in$northern$Iraq$to$photograph$the$Kurds$three$way$struggle$with$ISIS,$Syria$and$Turkey.$$$$‘I$need$a$challenge.$$My$greatest$fear$is$sitting$and$staring$out$of$a$window$without$the$passion$to$do$anything$anymore.’$Don$McCullin.$$The$exhibition$runs$at$Tate$Britain$until$the$6$May.$$It$provides$an$opportunity$to$explore$the$scope$and$achievements$of$his$work.$Chris Mecham **These*might*be*of*interest,*but*please*note*that*they*are*not*being*arranged*as*UU3A*events$1.$The$National$Flower$Show$at$Hylands$House,$Chelmsford$takes$place$on$Friday$17th$through$to$Sunday$19th$May$2019.$The$show$is$in$its$5th$year$and$it$gets$bigger$and$better$each$year.$Carol$Klein$from$Gardeners$World$is$opening$the$show$on$Friday$17th$and$will$give$question$and$answer$sessions.$The$House$itself$will$burst$into$bloom$with$our$theme$'Around$the$World$c$A$Floral$Tribute'$which$will$be$judged,$we$have$over$300$exhibitors$selling$everything$to$do$with$gardening$and$much$more.$We$have$a$Floral$Pavilion,$home$and$craft$pavilion,$food$and$drinks$pavilion,$entertainment,$and$new$for$2019$is$our$Plant$Village.$We$currently$offer$any$groups$of$8+$a$discounted$door$price$of$£7$per$ticket$plus$a$free$ticket$for$the$organiser$and$I$would$like$to$extend$this$offer$to$your$U3A$members.$If$this$is$something$they$are$interested$in$please$ask$them$to$contact$Emma$Upson$on$07817628548.$For$more$information$on$the$show$visit$http://www.nationalflowershow.co.uk.$$2.$$Julie$Garside,$a$member$of$Canterbury$U3A$has$contacted$us$in$conjunction$with$flights$$in$an$openccockpit$Tiger$Moth$bicplane$from$Damyns$Aerodrome.$This$is,$apparently,$the$aircraft$that$RAF$pilots$were$trained$in$prior$to$flying$Spitfires$and$Hurricanes$during$the$Second$World$War.$The$flights$will$last$about$25$minutes$and$the$charge$will$be$in$the$region$of$£100.$Contact$Chris$Slade$$chrisslade1@sky.com$$07906c433559$if$interested.$**$$

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INTEREST*GROUPS*$Possible*New*Groups*$At$the$recent$New$Members'$Meeting$several$interests$for$which$we$do$not$yet$have$Groups$were$recorded$together$with$a$few$where$we$do$have$Groups$but$would$like,$or$need,$to$start$second$ones.$Board*Games,*Book*Club,*Card*Games,*Flower*Arranging,*French,*Geology/Geophysics,*Historic*British*Railways,*Model*Making,*Photography,*Tai*Chi,*Whist.$If$30$or$so$new$members$can$come$up$with$all$of$these$I$am$sure$that$there$must$be$other$members$who$have$been$with$us$a$while$longer$who$would$also$be$interested$in$being$in$at$the$start$of$one$or$more$new$Groups$for$them.$To$register$an$interest$please$contact$Chris$Slade$at$chrisslade1@sky.com$07906c433559$or$speak$to$him$at$the$next$monthly$meeting.***Mah*Jong*for*Beginners$I$am$pleased$to$advise$that$Alan$Woodhurst$will$be$starting$a$new$Beginners’$Group$on$13$June.$The$Group$will$meet$on$the$second$Thursday$monthly,$with$teaching$from$1.15$to$1.45$and$then$playing$from$2.00$to$4.00.$Will$all$those$interested$in$learning$how$to$play$this$ancient$and$fascinating$game$please$register$in$the$first$instance$with$Chris$Slade$$chrisslade1@sky.com$or$07906c433559.** *$

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Art*History*and*Appreciation*During$the$past$few$months$our$group$has$been$focusing$on$18th$and$19th$century$British$art.$$We$took$opportunities$to$visit$and$enjoy$a$number$of$special$exhibitions.$$The$highlight$proved$to$be$a$small$exhibition$at$the$Guildhall$Art$Gallery,$‘Scene$and$Heard:$Victorian$Childhood$in$the$Frame.’$$Our$visit$was$greatly$enhanced$with$an$excellent$talk$by$the$curator.$$Exploring$the$changing$role$of$children$in$Victorian$society,$she$set$the$pictures$in$their$historic$context$and$brought$them$alive.$ Traditionally$seen$as$small$adults,$children$came$to$be$viewed$with$greater$empathy$and$in$need$of$protection$whatever$their$background$or$social$class.$$Gradually$the$concept$of$childhood$was$born.$$As$social$attitudes$began$to$change,$a$market$developed$for$affectionate$and$humorous$paintings$of$children.$$Two$companion$pieces$by$John$Everett$Millais$illustrate$a$'tongueccheekcawareness'$of$ideal$child$behaviour$together$with$the$reality.$

A$First$Sermon$by$John$Everett$Millais$(1863)$ Millais$painted$his$fivecyearcold$daughter$Effie$sitting$in$a$highcbacked$pew$in$All$Saints$Church,$KingstonconcThames.$$Effie$sitting$very$upright$is$alert$and$attentively$listening$to$every$word$of$the$sermon$c$ideal$behaviour.$$It$does$not,$however,$last.$$The$reality$is$seen$in$the$second$painting.$$

$$$$$$$$A$Second$Sermon$by$John$Everett$Millais$(1864$$$$$In$a$speech$the$Archbishop$of$Canterbury$used$Millais’s$painting$as$an$example$to$warn$against$‘the$evil$of$lengthy$sermons$and$drowsy$discourses.'$$$$The$paintings$were$enormously$popular$at$the$time$causing$queues$round$the$block$when$first$exhibited$at$the$Royal$Academy.$$They$were$praised$as$a$charming$depiction$of$childhood$innocence$and$piety. Chris Mecham *

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Cinema*$All$the$films$have$been$very$enjoyable$this$month.$How*to*Train*Your*Dragon$was$entertaining$and$fun;$the$animation$was$very,$very$good.$Instant*Family$is$the$story$of$a$couple$who$find$themselves$in$over$their$heads$when$they$adopt$three$children.$The$teenage$daughter$was$played$by$Isabela$Moner,$an$actress$to$watch$out$for.$She$is$also$a$very$good$singer.$Fighting*with*my*Family$is$based$on$a$true$story$of$a$wrestling$family$whose$daughter$goes$to$the$USA$to$compete$in$the$World$Wrestling$competition.$Surprisingly$we$all$enjoyed$it$very$much.$Fisherman’s**Friends$is$based$on$the$true$story$of$the$Fisherman’s$Friends,$a$male$singing$group$form$Port$Isaac,$Cornwall,$who$sing$sea$shanties.$They$have$been$performing$locally$since$1995$and$signed$a$record$deal$with$Universal$Music$in$2010.$Starring$Daniel$Mays,$Tuppence$Middleton,$David$Hayman,$this$is$a$$feel$good$film$and$one$not$to$be$missed.$That's$another$month$gone.$$Linda Coach*Trips**Boulogne*$Our$first$excursion$as$a$group$beyond$our$shores$is$scheduled$for$Wednesday$26$June.$We$will$have$a$full$day,$leaving$Upminster$station$at$07.30$then$crossing$to$Calais$by$ferry.$Once$in$France$our$English$coach$will$take$us$on$to$Boulogne$where$we$will$have$time$to$see$the$town$and/or$enjoy$an$authentic$French$lunch$before$we$return$to$Calais$and$Cité$Europe$for$an$early$supper$or$shopping$before$catching$the$ferry$back$to$Dover$then$returning$to$Upminster.$So$far$more$than$20$people$have$signed$up$but$we$need$more$members$to$make$the$trip$viable$so,$if$you$are$thinking$of$joining$us,$please$let$us$know$as$soon$as$possible.$Booking$forms$are$on$the$web$site$and$can$be$completed$and$forwarded$electronically$if$you$don’t$have$a$printer.$Alternatively,$we$will$have$paper$forms$available$at$the$April$meeting.$The$cost$is$only$£38.00$for$all$the$travel$and$driver$gratuities,$which$is$cheaper$than$commercial$trips$and$now$you$can$pay$with$your$credit$card$so$you$don’t$have$to$lay$out$the$cash$too$far$ahead$of$the$trip.$ Medway*Trip*Please*note*this*is*fully*booked*and*a*waiting*list*is*in*place.*$Portsmouth*Historic*Naval*Dockyard*&*Mary*Rose,*Portsmouth$Thirty$five$UU3Aers$enjoyed$a$completely$troublecfree$journey$down$to$Portsmouth$and$a$lovely$sunny$day,$marred$only$slightly$by$a$bit$of$a$delay$at$the$Dartford$Tunnel$on$the$way$back$to$Upminster.$Home$to,$among$others,$of$two$of$the$most$iconic$ships$in$British$history,$HMS$Mary$Rose$which,$contrary$to$common$misconception,$did$not$sink$on$her$maiden$voyage,$but$which$was$a$successful$warship$for$Henry$VIII$for$almost$the$entire$duration$of$his$reign,$and$HMS$Victory.$From$when$I$first$saw$the$Mary$Rose$some$30$years$ago$as$a$rather$sorry$skeleton$with$water$being$sprayed$over$her,$she$has$been$transformed$as$the$centrepiece$of$an$impressive$display$housed$in$a$"spacecage"$customcbuilt$building.$The$information$on$show,$together$with$the$large$range$of$recovered$items$and$the$audiocvisual$displays$combined$to$make$it$a$memorable$experience.$$And$then$there's$HMS$Victory,$first$commissioned$for$service$in$the$American$War$of$Independence$and$then, after$seeing$service$in$many$sea$battles,$she$was$declared$unfit$for$service$in$the$late$1790s$and$anchored$at$Chatham$dockyards$where$she$

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was$converted$to$a$hospital$ship.$Due$to$the$need$for$more$sea$power$she$was$then$reconditioned$at$a$cost$of$£71,000$(some$£8m$in$today's$money).$She$was$originally$fitted$with$100$cannons$but$now$has$just$one$as$the$weight$would$damage$her$in$dry$dock,$was$manned$with$a$crew$of$830$sailors$and$had$26$miles$of$rigging.$She$is$the$world's$oldest$naval$ship$still$in$commission$c$241$years$this$year.$Chris $$

$The$new$Aircraft$Carrier$HMS$Queen$Elizabeth$$ $taken$from$the$Stateroom$on$HMS$Victory.$ $ $ The$final$resting$place$of$Nelson$on$HMS$Victory.$Angela *Coffee*Mornings*The$next$3$dates$are$April$16th,$April$30th$and$May$14th,$meeting$as$usual$in$Roomes$Café$at$11am.*Angela $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$Computers*and*I.T.$On$April$4th,$six$of$us$namely$Chris,$Terry,$Courtney,$Brenda,$Peter$and$I$met$at$The$Windmill$Pub$for$a$wide$ranging$and$interesting$discussion$which$covered$Chris’s$Group$email$problem$(now$solved$by$itself!);$Peter’s$continuing$iCloud$story;$Brenda’s$Group$email$issue$(solved$by$Terry$at$the$meeting)$and$my$recent$connection$problems$with$Virgin$Media.$We’re$particularly$pleased$Terry$(Smith)$has$joined$the$Group$as$he$worked$in$the$computer$industry$for$various$wellcknown$companies.$Indeed,$Terry$has$kindly$offered$his$technical$expertise$to$help$with$specific$technical$questions$and$queries.$He$can$be$contacted$via$email$on$ts15457@netscape.net$The*Group*agreed*to*meet*next*on*Thursday*6*June*at*The*Windmill*Pub*at*1pm$Andy *

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History*of*London*Guildhall,*Great*Hall Our$Group's$second$visit$to$this$historic$location$which$is$the$third$largest$medieval$hall$in$England$after$Westminster$Hall$and$the$Great$Hall$of$the$Archbishop's$Palace$at$Canterbury.$A$guildhall$is$mentioned$as$long$ago$as$1128$in$a$survey$of$buildings$belonging$to$St$Paul's,$whilst$the$present$building,$although$damaged$in$both$the$Great$Fire$of$London$and$the$blitz$has$been$on$its$current$site$since$1411$and$it$is$the$only$secular$stone$structure$dating$from$before$1666$still$standing$in$the$City$and$has$walls$5$feet$thick.$Once$used$for$important trials,$such$as$that$of$Lady$Jane$Grey$together$with$her$husband$Lord$Guildford$Dudley$in$1553$and$Archbishop$Cranmer$in$the$same$year,$it$is$now$home$to$the$Court$of$Common$Council$(the$governing$body$of$the$City$Corporation)$which$meets,$in$public,$every$month$and$the$City's$Liverymen$elect$the$new$Lord$Mayor$each$year.$The$ceremony$takes$place$almost$entirely$in$silence$at$the$centuriescold$Silent$Ceremony$in$the$Great$Hall.$If$you$are$in$the$City,$near$the$Guildhall,$you$can$pop$into$the$rather$splendid$St$Lawrence$Jewry$church$and$get$a$cup$of$coffee$for$£1!$Chris*$

$$$$$Group*visit*vacancies*(first$come,$first$served)$Royal$College$of$Physicians$Garden,$The$Regent's$Park$c$3$May$c$a$free$guided$tour,$two$places$only.$The$Charterhouse$c$28$May$in$the$afternoon$c$a$90$minute$guided$tour,$charge$£15,$six$places.$Contact$Chris$chrisslade1@sky.com$or$on$07906c433559*******

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Photography*In$February$the$group$met$in$Covent$Garden.$"Street$photography$was$the$theme$for$the$U3A’s$visit$to$Covent$Garden$in$February.$With$indoor$and$outdoor$markets,$live$music,$there$was$plenty$of$opportunity$to$capture$people$coming$and$going.$Another$very$enjoyable$day$with$the$photography$group."$$$*$$$$$$$$

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In$March$we$met$in$Bristol$.$"Rain$showers$and$hail$stones$didn't$stop$us$touring$the$dockyard$at$Bristol.$Plenty$of$history$(e.g.$The$SS$Great$Britain),$cranes$and$rail$tracks$are$all$there$as$a$legacy$to$the$past$glories$of$this$harbour.$Our$group$met$up$early$afternoon$and$set$off$for$a$walk$across$the$wet$cobblestones$down$to$the$dock$to$photograph$the$industrial$heritage$of$Bristol.$Then$it$was$back$to$use$the$hotel$to$dry$out$with$the$room's$hairdryer,$warm$up$and$prepare$for$evening$dinner."$$* *$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$We$ended$our$Bristol$trip$with$a$very$enjoyable$visit$to$the$Hippodrome$to$see$'Kinky$Boots'.$Many$thanks$to$Pauline$for$arranging$the$tickets.$Terry Sims $

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S.T.E.M.M.$DOES*MY*(CARBON)*FOOTPRINT*LOOK*BIG*IN*THIS....?*$Well,$to$go$by$the$results$from$this$month’s$STEMM$meeting,$it$probably$does.$Members$were$asked$to$calculate$the$carbon$footprint$of$their$travels$last$year,$by$plane,$train,$car,$ship$and$cycle$c$with$the$results$recorded$in$a$league$table$and$plotted$on$a$world$map.$$$Lyn$had$provided$data$to$convert$travel$miles$into$CO2$according$to$the$type$of$transport,$as$well$as$atlases$to$work$out$miles$travelled$and$calculators$to$help$when$we$ran$out$of$fingers!$$$For$some$of$us$the$maths$was$quite$challenging,$converting$miles$to$kilometres$and$then$to$kg$of$carbon!$ When$the$journeys$were$recorded$on$the$world$map,$the$purple$trails$(flights)$and$blue$lines$(cruises)$outnumbered$the$rail$and$road$trips....$and$orange$cycle$trips$were$invisible,$possibly$because$of$their$scale$on$the$map?$$Or$it$may$just$be$a$reflection$of$our$demographic?$$$$On$the$league$table$of$shame,$flights$were$very$carbon$intensive,$and$even$a$cruise$racks$up$an$average$of$0.83$tonnes$of$carbon$per$trip.$$$$However,$it$may$not$be$quite$as$bad$as$the$list$would$seem$to$show$c$it$could$be$simply$that$UU3A$members$have$more$leisure$time$to$travel,$and$we$are$making$sure$that$we$cram$as$many$experiences$into$our retirement$as$possible.$Courtney *Theatre*(Matinées)$The$Theatre$Matinee$Group$has$seen$two$shows$this$past$month$c$firstly$the$extraordinary$play$c$The*Curious*Incident*of*the*Dog*in*the*NighthTime.$$This$play$won$seven$Olivier$Awards$including$best$play$from$a$book$by$Mark$Haddon$about$a$young$boy$with$autism$c$Christopher.$$$Thoroughly$enjoyed$by$all.$$$

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Then$we$saw$Nine*to*Five$c$what$a$joy$c$Bonnie$Langford$and$Brian$

Conley$were$amazing$c$a$colourful,$funny$musical.$$$$$$$Carole and Susan **Visits*To*Places*Of*Interest$Museum*of*Brands*$The$Visits$to$Places$of$Interest$group$seems$to$have$a$good$weather$angel$as$our$March$visit$was$also$blessed$with$sunny$and$warm$conditions,$which$enabled$us$to$take$full$advantage$of$the$beautiful$garden$at$the$Museum$of$Brands$in$Ladbroke$Grove.$When$we$could$tear$ourselves$away$from$the$sunshine$we$had$a$fabulous$trip$down$memory$lane$looking$at$the$examples$of$branded$products$which$were$all$arranged$chronologically$along$a$‘time$tunnel’.$We$betrayed$our$ages$by$admitting$to$recognising$products$from$the$1940s$and$50s.$$The$collection$was$all$the$work$of$one$man,$Robert$Opie,$who$began$collecting$packaging$while$still$a$child.$He$started$his$career$in$market$research$then$moved$full$time$into$the$study$of$branding.$He$is$now$an$acknowledged$expert$on$the$subject$and$has$written$over$20$books$and$regularly$appears$on$TV$and$radio.$It$was$apparent$from$the$collection$how$important$branding$is$to$everyone$wanting$to$sell$a$product,$from$the$makers$of$soap$powder$to$the$Royal$Family.$A$series$of$film$clips$about$Shell$petroleum$illustrated$how$a$company$can$update$its$logo$and$associated$branding$while$continuing$to$remain$a$clearly$recognisable$brand.$They$have$done$this$for$over$100$years$using$the$same$clam$shell$idea.$$There$was$also$a$small$exhibition$of$new$ideas$for$sustainable$packaging$(recusable$and$biodegradable$drink$bottles$for$example)$which$gave$us$a$glimpse$of$what$we$might$be$using$in$the$near$future.$Unfortunately,$photography$was$not$allowed$but$there$are$some$pictures$on$their$website$if$your$interest$has$been$stimulated.$It$is$very$easy,$albeit$quite$far,$to$get$there$from$Upminster$so$you$could$go$and$see$the$real$thing$for$yourself.$$Pamela $

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Walks*h*Medium*$*$$$$$$$$$$

January$walk$around$Paglesham$n$the$Essex$marshes$$

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$Rotherhithe$to$Wapping$with$a$pub$lunch$

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Pimlico$to$Putney$via$Battersea$Park$**

***Norman ****Walking*and*Exploring*On$Monday$18th$March$we$caught$the$bus$from$North$Greenwich$to$Oxleas$Wood.$There$is$a$fine$cafe$with$views$into$Kent.$The$route$involved$walking$through$the$ancient$woodland$past$Severndroog$Castle,$built$by$a$wealthy$widow$in$honour$of$her$husband$who$worked$for$the$East$India$Company.$Then$we$continued$onto$Carlton$House,$now$owned$by$Greenwich$Council.$After$a$longer$than$planned$lunch$we$headed$downhill$through$Maryon$Wilson$&$Maryon$Parks$to$the$Thames$Barrier.$We$continued$along$the$Thames$Footpath$through$the$industrial$part$of$Carlton$until$we$reached$the$Ecology$Park$finishing$at$North$Greenwich$station.$Michael

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Walking*with*Wildlife*Our$walk$this$month$was$round$Thorndon$Country$Park,$to$the$southeast$of$Brentwood.$I$hoped$to$find$treecreepers$and$nuthatches$there,$as$on$my$visit$the$previous$week$they$were$in$abundance,$however,$the$only$ones$we$saw$were$wooden$carved$ones$in$the$visitor$centre$shop.$The$walk$is$largely$in$beech$and$birch$woods.$The$ground$was$covered$with$wood$anemones,$their$white$flowers$dotting$the$floor$of$the$wood.$$Tits$were$very$vocal;$both$great$tit$and$blue$tits$were$seen$flitting$round$in$the$trees.$The$"teacher$teacher"$$call$of$the$great$tit$and$the$musical$sound$of$the$blue$tit$filled$the$air.$We$saw$great$spotted$woodpeckers$drumming$on$dead$trees$to$claim$their$territory,$and$heard$green$woodpeckers$with$their$laughing$call,$known$as$a$yaffle.$We$completed$the$circuit$of$the$park$by$crossing$a$small$stream$into$Little$Warley$Common,$which$is$an$area$of$open$grassland$surrounded$by$hedges.$There$we$saw$two$jays,$robin,$chaffinch,$chiffchaff$and$a$song$thrush.$The$chiffchaff$is$a$migrant$and$the$males$arrive$in$the$UK$about$2$weeks$earlier$than$the$females$in$order$to$claim$a$territory.$The$song$thrush$treated$us$to$a$rendition$from$its$repertoire,$typically$repeating$each$phrase$three$or$four$times.$In$the$grassland$we$saw$lesser$celandine,$one$of$the$earliest$spring$flowers.$A$lot$of$the$hedgerow$was$made$up$of$blackthorn$and$at$this$time$of$year$is$full$of$white$flowers.$The$blackthorn$can$be$distinguished$from$the$hawthorn$because$the$blackthorn$flowers$before$the$leaves$appear,$whilst$it$is$the$opposite$in$the$hawthorn.$Leaving$Little$Warley$Common$we$went$back$through$the$woods,$where,$through$the$trees,$we$saw$a$buzzard$circling$overhead.$$Finally$we$returned$to$the$visitor$centre$for$some$refreshment$before$departing.$

The$photos$show$wood$anemone,$lesser$celandine$and$blackthorn$respectively$The$next$walk$will$be$on$the$25th$April$and$we$will$see$the$bluebells$in$Belhus$woods$this$time.$Terry Smith

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AND*FINALLY…$We$grew$up$in$such$a$great$time$with$extra$education$right$in$our$own$homes.$I$am$sure$most$of$you$have$either$lived$by$these$sayings$or$have$in$some$way$been$reminded$of$the$consequences$of$not$obeying$the$parents$who$were$in$charge$of$discipline.$$Most%of%our%generation%were$HOMEhSCHOOLED$in*many*ways.$$$1.$My*mother*taught*me*TO*APPRECIATE*A*JOB*WELL*DONE.$$"If$you're$going$to$kill$each$other,$do$it$outside.$I$just$finished$cleaning."$$$2.$My*mother*taught*me*RELIGION.$$"You'd$better$pray$that$will$come$out$of$the$carpet."$$$3.$My*father*taught*me*about*TIME*TRAVEL.$$"If$you$don't$straighten$up,$I'm$going$to$knock$you$into$the$middle$of$next$week!"$$$4.$My*father*taught*me*LOGIC.$$"$Because$I$said$so,$that's$why.”$$$$5.$My*mother*taught*me*FORESIGHT.$$"Make$sure$you$wear$clean$underwear,$in$case$you're$in$an$accident."$$$6.$My*father*taught*me*IRONY.$$"Keep$crying,$and$I'll$give$you$something$to$cry$about."$$$7.$My*mother*taught*me*about*CONTORTIONISM.$$"Just$you$look$at$that$dirt$on$the$back$of$your$neck!"$$$8.$My*mother*taught*me*about*HYPOCRISY.$$"If$I$told$you$once,$I've$told$you$a$million$times,$don't$exaggerate!"$$$9.$My*mother*taught*me*about*ANTICIPATION.$$"Just$wait$until$I$get$you$home."$$$10.$My*father*taught*me*HUMOUR.$$"When$that$lawn$mower$cuts$off$your$toes,$don't$come$running$to$me."$$$11.$My*mother*taught*me*HOW*TO*BECOME*AN*ADULT.$$"If$you$don't$eat$your$vegetables,$you'll$never$grow$up."$$$12.$My*father*taught*me*about*JUSTICE*.$$"One$day$you'll$have$kids,$and$I$hope$they$turn$out$just$like$you!"$

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