Christchurch

CHRISTCHURCH MAGAZINE SUMMER 2018

CHRISTCHURCH

UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE

Learning for pleasure

2

Cover photograph

By Ron Watson

Highcliffe Castle

in the rain.

Photograph by Ann Petrie

3

Christchurch U3A

Life President Norman Richards 01202 480493

All views expressed in this publication are individual and do

not necessarily express the view or policy of the Charity or

policy of Christchurch U3A

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Chair John Wingfield 01202 295039 chair(a)christchurchu3a.org.uk

Hon. Secretary Ginette Porter 01202 619617 secretary(a)christchurchu3a.org.uk

Treasurer Jan Harris 01202 427523 treasurer(a)christchurchu3a.org.uk

Membership Secretary Eileen Lancaster 01202 566387 membership(a)christchurchu3a.org.uk

Group Co-ordinator Jill Dale 01202 475590 groups(a)christchurchu3a.org.uk

Ass. Co-ordinator Dee Collins 01425 272378 asstprogramme(a)christchurchu3a.org.uk

Magazine Editor Ron Watson 01202 429642 magazine(a)christchurchu3a.org.uk

Publicity Organiser Bud Thornley 01202 421025 publicity(a)christchurchu3a.org.uk

Venues’ Secretary Margaret Norris 01425 271865 venues(a)christchurchu3a.org.uk

Vintage Brass Janice Miller 01202 580199 vintagebrass(a)christchurchu3a.org.uk

Programme Co-ord. Helen Heatley 01202 427360 programme(a)christchurchu3a.org.uk

New Members John Fairbairn 01202 424466 newmembers(a)christchurchu3a.org.uk

NON-COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Minutes Secretary Sally Ward 01202 475711

Epicentre Manager office_manager(a)christchurchu3a.org.uk

Speakers’ Secretary Jennet Lambert 01202 476631 speaker(a)christchurchu3a.org.uk

Technical Co-ordinator Archie Hoggan 07905 864455 technical(a)christchurchu3a.org.uk

Social Events Co-ord. Veronica Evans 01202 250067 social(a)christchurchu3a.org.uk

Treasurer (Travel Gr.) Pat Clarke 01202 431123

OFFICE

Epicentre, Druitt Hall Approach, High Street, Christchurch. BH23 1AB

Tel: 01202 480027 epicentre(a)christchurchu3a.org.uk

Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 10.15—12.00 (Answerphone operates when office closed)

WEB SITE

www.christchurchu3a.org.uk

Webmaster Chris Powell 01425 489592 webmaster(a)christchurchu3a.org.uk

Registered Charity No. 1091197 © Copyright Christchurch U3A

4

For security reasons, email addresses are shown in the

magazine with the symbol @ replaced by an (a).

E.g. me@mail.com is replaced by me(a)mail.com

GENERAL INFORMATION

When sending an e-mail to the Editor, please send in plain text.

This will enable the information to be inserted into the software

without the need for correction. Pictures should be sent as a JPEG

image.

Please put “magazine” or “Active News” in the subject line of the

e-mail. This will help to separate from other emails.

NEXT ISSUE (SEP-OCT)

The deadline for copy to be considered for the next

issue of Active News is

SATURDAY 29 JULY 2018

All copy, including photographs, should be sent via e-mail to

the following address:

magazine(a)christchurchu3a.org.uk

If actual photographs are to be offered for inclusion, please

send a S.A.E. so they can be returned,

To Ron Watson 19 Hillbrow Road, Bournemouth. BH6 5NT

If you change your email address, please advise U3A by

clicking on the 'Update your profile' link at the bottom of

any message broadcast by U3A.

This automatically updates all other records.

www.christchurchu3a.org.uk

5

The Third Age Trust has changed the company

providing free legal advice for U3A members. The

telephone number has changed to 03447 701 040. No

code number is required.

The U3A member simply needs to ask for the U3A

Legal Helpline.

EDITORIAL

There have some occasions recently when I have

received a notification by email, that there has

been a “failure to deliver the following email.”

It turns out it was not a failure of my email to be

delivered, but one that had been sent to myself.

So if you had sent me an email since Christmas

and I have not responded to say I have received

an article or photograph, please contact me to

confirm whether or not I have received your

contribution and if I can still use it?

Will all members please note the copy deadline in

each issue. I am prepared to wait for a couple of

days after this date, but I do need to know that

an article is on its way, otherwise I cannot re-

arrange the content.

Ron Watson

6

LOOKING AHEAD TO

2018/19

Maybe it’s time to think of

taking up something new

and widening your interests

next year?

Perhaps one of the things

you might take up is

running a U3A Group? I

am always amazed at the

wealth of knowledge and

skills our members have.

It is very satisfying to be

able to pass this on to other

members. If you would like

to discuss an idea for a

group, please contact me. I

would be very happy to meet

you and discuss how to

develop your ideas.

I know we all have other

commitments but you don’t

need to run a group full-

time, i.e. weekly for a whole

year. You can set up a

group for one or two terms,

or perhaps for a six week

course, or even do a

workshop one morning.

M e e t i n g s c o u l d b e

fortnightly or even monthly.

This is a good time of year

to make plans for a new

group to be included in

next year’s programme.

For more information

please contact me by email .

groups@christchurchu3a.or

g.uk or telephone me on

01202 475590. I shall look

forward to hearing from

you.

Jill Dale

Group Co-Ordinator

Photograph by Ron Watson

7

What a great way to spend

a c o l d N o v e m b e r

afternoon! No, not curled

up in front of the telly

watching yet another re-

run of the 1960 Yul

Brynner film, but by being

a member of the audience

taken for a stroll down

memory lane at the first

public performance of

U3A’s Musical Revue

group.

The seven members of the

group, formed as recently

as September, led by Jane

Sykes, gave a packed

house a wide selection of

numbers from Oliver to

Les Miserables, en route

stopping at Fiddler on the

Roof, The Wizard of Oz

and many other musicals.

It was a hugely ambitious

programme for a small

team.

Jane, Ros Scott, Bee Ede,

Marion Taylor, John

Fletcher, Bernard Gardner

and Brian Morgan are to

be congratulated for

sending the audience

home with a song in its

heart. As I left some were

st i l l humming the

uplifting finale, Do You

Hear The People Sing,

from Les Mis.

All tastes were covered

from a wonderfully

moving rendition of

Summertime by Ros Scott

to Jane Sykes’ gently

comedic Don’t Tell Mama.

The programme had no

less than thirty-five pieces

all of which relied upon

the brilliance of the

accompanist Christine

Langton. She was given

two breaks during which

Bernard Gardner, who

clearly has the skill of a

considerable raconteur,

entertained with some

amusing poetry and a tale

from his fire-fighting

days.

No review would be

complete without a special

mention of the costumes.

F o r a n a m a t e u r

production that had such a

short time to prepare for

just one performance they

were a triumph. It’s a pity

that the programme didn’t

i n c l u d e a n y

acknowledgements to

whoever was the costume

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presented her with floral

and cash gifts.

Expressing the group’s

gratitude for all the hard

work she had put into

making their meetings

enjoyable, John Clasby

said everyone, whatever

their own knowledge of

music, had benefited from

Pauline’s enthusiasm. He

had never known a more

friendly group.

They had not only listened

to CDs and watched DVDs

but been entertained by

outside speakers and live

musical performances.

P a u l i n e h a d a l s o

encouraged others in the

group to extend their

learning by preparing

their own presentations.

Earlier, at the final

meeting, Pauline said she

had learned much herself

– so they had all learned

together. Brian Clarke,

who is taking over from

her, admitted he was not a

musician but said he had

come to music through his

interest in history and

language. Music was, after

all, an international

language.

master or mistress.

Next spring the group

promise two performances.

Keep your eyes posted.

Make sure you book early.

Colin Seager

A c h a m p i o n o f

Christchurch U3A’s music

scene, Pauline Richards,

has retired after 10 years

as leader of the Great

Composers’ Group - a

decade in which she

embraced 400 years of the

classics, from the Baroque

to Bernstein.

At a special ‘thank you’

retirement lunch members

hosted in her honour at the

Riverside Inn, Tuckton, 25

of them joined Pauline and

her husband Norman, the

U3A’s Life President. They

9

The U3A International Folk Dance Group has the

following engagements this summer:-

Sat 2 June Highcliffe Community Fete, Wharncliffe

Road 1.30 to 2.15

Sat 9 June Wimborne Festival 12.00 to 5.00pm

Sat 7 July Priory Fete 12.00 to 12.30

Sat 7 July Christchurch Day of Dance –on the

Quomps and in Saxon Square 1.30 to 3.30

Sat 28 July Highcliffe Charity Fete, Highcliffe Rec.

Time TBA

Many thanks, Janet Mason

TERM DATES for 2018/2019

Term Start Date End Date

Autumn 24 Sep 2018 14 Dec 2018

Spring 14 Jan 2019 22 Mar 2019

Summer 29 Apr 2019 5 Jul 2019

10

Christchurch U3A now

has 4 groups who play

Table Tennis each week so

it has approaching 100

players playing on a

regular basis.

Table Tennis worldwide is

o ne o f the mo s t

participated sports with an

estimated 350 million

players.

But what of its early

beginnings. It all started

with tennis.

Most historians believe

that tennis originated in

the monastic cloisters in

northern France in the

12th century, but the "ball"

was struck with the palm

of the hand. It was not

until the 16th century

that rackets were used,

and the game began to be

called "tennis." It was

popular in England and

France and Henry VIII of

England was a big fan of

the game, which is now

referred to as real tennis.

Later this was played

outdoors on an hour glass

shaped court and over

time, the court, the game

and the rules were

modified along with the

equipment used.

In the 1880's during the

winter "lawn tennis"

players adapted the game

to play indoors.

The game was played with

books used for bats

knocking golf balls across

an available table. Later

the game was played with

cigar box lid as paddles or

parchment paper stretched

across a frame and the

balls made from a ball of

string, champagne corks

or a rubber ball.

As the game became

popular it was called by a

number of different

names. Whiff Whaff, Flim

Flam and Ping Pong. The

words, were presumably

derived from the sound

11

that the ball made when it

was hit back and forth.

Many of the games

companies were also very

active during this period

and initially produced

related card games, board

& dice games and even

a tiddlywinks tennis

game where a plastic disc

was flipped across a net.

Around 1898 the English

sports company John

Jaques & Son started

manufacturing the first

table tennis sets and

popularising the game.

In 1901 they registered

one of the more popular

names, Ping-Pong, as a

copyright. They later sold

the trademark to the

Parker Brothers in the

United States. Then in the

1920's the name and the

sport were revived in

Europe as table tennis.

At the turn of the century

many other refinements to

the sport were introduced..

Players started using

celluloid balls after the

English man James Gibb

discovered them during a

trip to the United States in

1901 and proved them to

be perfect for Ping-Pong.

In 1903, E.C. Goode

replaced parchment paper

and cigar box lids with

pimpled rubber on light

wooden blade rackets.

However a lot of the game

companies were adding

sandpaper or cork to the

blade face.

The game quickly caught

on, and as early as 1901,

tournaments were being

conducted with over 300

participants. The Ping-

Pong Association was

formed but was renamed

T h e T a b l e T e n n i s

Association in 1922.

In 1902 a visiting

Japanese univers i ty

professor took the game

back to Japan, where he

introduced it to university

students and shortly after,

a British salesman

introduced it to the people

of Vienna and Budapest,

and so this was the start of

the sport that is now

12

popular all round the

world.

Table tennis was firmly on

the map, and in 1926 the

International Table Tennis

Federation (ITTF) was

formed and the basic rules

were formulated.

The bats being used

generally just had a thin

covering of pimpled rubber

but in the 1950's a new

sponge or sandwich

rubber was introduced

which gave players an

unfair advantage as the

thickness was related to

the amount of spin, speed

and control the player

could produce.

The ITTF decided it was

necessary to control this

new development so they

regulated the thickness of

the rubber or rubber

sandwich.

Many other significant

events have taken place

since 1926 and many of

these relate to changes to

the rules of the game but

like other sports some

changes have been made to

make the sport more

spectator friendly.

Several of the more

significant changes was

the ball size increased

from 38 to 40 mm;

changing the scoring

system from 21 points to

11; racquet inspections;

when serving the ball had

to be visible at all times

and thrown in the air with

no spin; the balls changed

from celluloid to plastic.

In addition in the 1970's

speed glue was first used

to secure the rubber to the

racquet which improved

the speed and spin to the

ball for a short period. It

was initially discovered by

accident when a player

used bicycle repair glue to

fix the rubber to his

racquet. However in 2007

it was banned due to

possible health effects due

to the volatile compounds.

T h e f i r s t w o r l d

championships were held

in 1927 and were won by a

Hungarian but since then

the championships have

been dominated mainly by

the Chinese.

13

China with a population of

1.4 million has way more

table tennis players than

any other country and

constantly produces world

top ranking players.

However it was not always

like that in China; during

the Cultural Revolution, a

violent political period, the

sports system was brought

down by the Red Guards

and rebels. Many of the

top athletes, including

table tennis players, were

arrested and subjected to

torture and public

humiliation on trumped

up charges of spying.

Many were killed or

committed suicide.

But the country has

e m b r a c e d t a b l e

tennis since at least the

1950s, when Chairman

Mao declared it the

national sport. The

communist leader realised

that it was a sport that

c o u l d b e p l a y e d

cheaply without much

space and one that wasn't

so popular in other

countries at that time.

Wherever there was space

table tennis tables began to

appear so everyone was

encouraged to play from a

very early age. Talent

scouts would scour the

country looking for

talented young players

who could be trained to

become world class

players.

The standard grip for

most table tennis players

was the shake hand grip

(the racket was grasped as

performing a handshake)

but many of the Chinese

players adopted a pen hold

grip (where the racket was

held in a similar way one

h o l d s a w r i t i n g

instrument) and used it to

great effect. Today several

of the top players still use

this grip.

W h e n e v e r t h e

Chinese appeared in

major tournaments a

whole team of coaches,

a d v i s o r s , t r a i n i n g

partners, physical and

mental trainers, medical

staff and many more

would accompany them.

14

During the year the

Chinese team would train

all year while other

countries would only get

together for training prior

to a major tournament.

Chinese players who won

major tournaments were

treated as national heroes.

PING PONG

In addition since 2011 a

P i n g P o n g w o r l d

championship has been

held each year; The tables

and balls are the same as

for table tennis but the

difference is in the bats

used. All players use the

same wooden bats that are

covered in sandpaper just

like in the early days, so

no advantage for either

player and virtually no

spin produced to deceive

the opponent. The

spectators are therefore

treated to slower ball

movements and longer

rallies. So self control, ball

control, table control, and

opponent control have to

be deployed to plan and

execute a winning

strategy.

The scoring system for

Ping Pong is different to

Table Tennis; games are

played to 15 points

but there is the "double

point ball ".

Once against each

opponent a player when

due to serve can ask the

umpire to switch to the

white ball from the normal

orange ball for one rally. If

they win the next rally

they get 2 points instead

of the usual one point.

However you cannot use

the double point to win the

game directly so you can

use it if you have more

than 12 points. This

technique is often used by

players near the end of a

game to jump a point

ahead.

Malcolm Farnsworth

15

WAR’S EMBERS

BRITISH

COMPOSERS

AND THE GREAT

WAR

A Music Study Day with Terry Barfoot

The Village Hotel, Bournemouth

Sunday 4th November 2018

This event takes place just a week before the centenary of

Armistice Day. We will explore the lives and music of the

British composers who lived at the time of the Great War,

1914-18. The music is from the varied repertoire created

during or inspired by that experience, including

masterpieces by Elgar, Bliss, Butterworth and Vaughan

Williams. Programme notes will be provided.

Fee: £34 including coffee, a hot buffet lunch and tea.

Advance booking is recommended as music study days have

always been popular

and space is limited.

The Village Hotel is opposite the Royal Bournemouth

Hospital and has free parking.

For a booking form and further details please contact: Liz

Hatch

Tel: 01425 674077

Email: liz@tigwas.co.uk

16

Attached are some of photos of

members of Christchurch U3A’s

Tuesdays afternoons Bridge Group

at the ‘Surprise’ 80th Birthday

Snack Lunch, followed by an

afternoon of Bridge, held at Tuckton

Social Club for Les Baker, the leader

of that group, on 13th February

2018.

Thirty one members joined Les

for his celebration to show their

appreciation for the work he does

to make Tuesday afternoons so

pleasurable for us all.

The photos show the hall just

before Les’ arrival, as he enters the

room and him ‘surveying’ the

buffet!

17

U3A Committee Members

Back Row

Sally Ward - Minutes Secretary,

John Fairbairn - New Members, Bud Thornley - Publicity,

John Wingfield - Chair, Ron Watson - Active News Editor.

Front Row

Dee Collins - Ass. Co-ordinator, Jan Harris - Treasurer,

Janice Miller - Vintage Brass, Margaret Norris - Venues’

Secretary, Helen Heatley - Programme Co-ordinator.

18

meeting on Thursdays

a f t e r no o n s a t t h e

Epicentre;

- French Supplement, run

by Ray O’Nelle (01202

479381), a weekly

discussion group on

Thursdays pm at the

Library;

- French Restarted run by

Jacques Halé (01202

432752), a weekly lower

and upper intermediate

study group on Thursday

mornings at the Library;

- French Films run by

Jacques Halé (01202

432752), with one show

per term, Thursday

afternoons at the Library.

L o o k i n g b e y o n d

Christchurch U3A, the

Bournemouth and Poole

U3As offer also French

groups.

There are also Friendly

Associations with monthly

meetings in neighbouring

towns:

- Ferndown French Circle

(Cercle Français de

Ferndown) – Margaret

Sullivan secretary (01202

Where can I hear and

speak French?

I am often asked where

French can be practised

around Christchurch. This

short note is to list some of

the facilities offered to

francophiles.

Christchurch U3A (the

groups are documented in

t h e 2 0 1 7 - 1 0 1 8

Programme, available on

l i n e o n t h e

www.christchuchu3a.org.

uk) : there are four groups

that are suitable for

intermediate or advanced

speakers. The starting

level is typified by people

who “had” to attend

French lessons at school

and have struggled ever

since. There is currently

no group for absolute

beginners, but that could

change if a volunteer

comes forward to start

such a group. The groups

are:

- French Improvers, run

by Barbara Evans (01425

610129), a fortnightly

19

5 2 6 9 1 8 ) , o rg a n i s e s

monthly meetings or films

in French, at the

Barrington Theatre,

Ferndown, on Wednesdays

at 7:30pm. For example

the recent talks were on

“ Q u e l q u e s c o n s e i l s

pratiques pour les Anglais

venant en France en

voiture”, or Emile Zola, sa

vie et son œuvre”.

- The Anglo-French

Society of Poole –

Jacquetta Morris chair

and secretary (01202

7 0 9 1 8 7 ) , o rg a n i s e s

monthly meetings or films

in French on Thursdays

at 7:45 in Parkstone

Conservative Club. A

recent talk was on the

“Cultural aspects of

Brexit”

- The Amical Circle of

Ringwood (Cercle Amical

de Ringwood) - Margaret

Sullivan secretary (01202

526918), holds monthly

meetings on Fridays

7:30pm, in English at the

Greyfriars Community

Centre in Ringwood

Also, do not forget the

Christchurch Twinning

Association – Tina Wright

(01202 531093) is the

membership secretary.

They have close contacts

with Saint Lô in

Normandy - our twin town

- as well as with Aalen in

Germany and Tatabanya

i n H u n g a r y . T h e

Association is based on

regular exchanges with

similar minded French

people. Please notice the

Twinning plaques when

you cross the boundaries

to the town on the main

road.

Finally, if you have an ‘old’

radio or a car radio, that

can receive Long Wave

(LW), there are three

stations covering general

interest topics and news. If

you have access to the

20

internet, using a radio app

gives you access to

hundred of French

s p e a k i n g s t a t i o n s

throughout the world

including Belgian, Swiss

or Canadian broadcasters.

Europe 1, 183kHz or

1638m

R T L ( e x R a d i o

Luxembourg), 234 kHz or

1281 m

Europe 1 and Radio

Luxembourg are on each

side of BBC4 on the LW

wavelengths

RMC (ex Radio Monte

Carlo), 216kHz or 1387m

- France Inter have

stopped broadcasting on

LW

-You can receive free TV

stations, called TNT in

France, with a satellite

dish pointing to Astra 1

(Astra 19.2̊.East) and a

standard decoder ( see for

e x a m p l e h t t p : / /

www.satellitesuperstore.co

m/frenchtv.htm or https://

www.satellitetveurope.co.u

k/allfrench.html).

Jacques Halé, Group

L e a d e r o f F r e n c h

Restarted.

U3A CYCLE GROUP 1.

An evening cycle ride on

Wednesday 13 June.

There will be an additional

ride in June which will be

an evening ride on

Wednesday 13 June. We

will meet at 6pm at the

Riversmeet Leisure Centre

car park and ride on roads

and through Mudeford

Woods to Mudeford

Harbour for refreshments

at the Haven House Inn.

We will aim to be back at

the Riversmeet car park

before dark as I know that

not everyone has lights on

their bike.

We hope as many members

as possible will be able to

join us, and any friends or

other family members are

also welcome to join us.

This date also marks

roughly ten years that the

Group has been going so

we can raise our glasses to

the next ten years!

Paul Newman

Group Leader

21

A tribute to all Grandma's and Grandad's

who have been fearless enough to try and

learn how to use Laptops, iPads and

Tablets.

The computer swallowed Grandma,

Yes, honestly it's true!

She pressed 'control and 'enter'

And disappeared from view.

The thought just makes me squirm,

She must have caught a virus

Or been eaten by a worm.

I've searched through the Recycle Bin

And files of every kind;

I've even used the Internet,

But nothing did I find,

In desperation, I asked Mr Google

My searches to refine,

The reply from him was negative,

Not a thing was found 'online',

So, if inside your 'Inbox',

My Grandma you should see,

Please 'Copy', 'Scan', & 'Paste' her,

And send her back to me!!

Bud Thornley

22

U3A CYCLING PROGRAMME – May – August 2018

Friday 25 May.

Moyles Court. Circular ride to Fordingbridge and return

mainly on quiet roads and lanes Start : parking space

near the ford by Moyles Court School. Grid Reference

163085. Refreshments at Farm shop.

Leader Paul Newman 01425 277997 or email John

Phillips - jhephillips(a)live.co.uk.

Friday 22 June.

Holmsley: New Ride. Start: Clay Hill car park, Burley.

Grid Ref 233025. Circular ride along roads, forest path

and cycle track. Refreshments at Old Station Tea Rooms,

Holmsley .

Leader Paul Newman 01425 277997 or email John

Phillips - jhephillips(a)live.co.uk.

Friday 27 July.

Burley to Canadian War Memorial/ Bolderwood and

return. Start: Oakley Car Park, Lucy Hill, NE Burley.

Grid Reference 226046.

Ride on Forest tracks to Canadian War Memorial and

downhill on Bolderwood Drive and then forest tracks

again to Burley. Possible ice cream stop at Bolderwood

Car Park. Bring drink and snack.

Leader: Paul Newman 01425 277997 or email John

Phillips - jhephillips(a)live.co.uk.

Friday 24 August.

Fritham to Frogham and return on forest gravel tracks,

some uphill sections. Start at car park by the Royal Oak

pub, Fritham. Grid Reference 231142. Refreshments at

Hyde Garden Centre.

Leader: John Phillips. Email jhephillips(a)live.co.uk

23

The Photograph Group

have kindly 'volunteered'

to take photos of group

activities throughout term

2, so would it be possible

for Group Leaders to allow

this to happen? - the

photos will be used on the

Epicentre Notice Board, as

w e l l a s o n t h e

Christchurch U3A website,

and in the Active News.

The Local Eye magazines

have also requested photos

to illustrate the articles

that are published in their

magazines. This is all a

positive way of making the

Christchurch area aware

of the opportunities that

U3A does offer.

Bud Thornley

Alternatively would it be

possible for Group Leaders

of activity groups to take

(say) 3 or 4 photographs

of their own group, and

then send them to Bud

Thornley as an attachment

so that they can be used in

the following: Active News

- local eye magazines -

photograph display board

- display notice board at

t h e E P I C E N T R E .

This will make it a lot

easier for Trevor Lamb

from the Photographic

Group, who has been

assigned to take group

photos - we cannot have

t o o m a n y .

If you could enclose a

short article to accompany

the photo that would be

appreciated. Thank you all

very much for those of you

who have already made

c o n t r i b u t i o n s .

This will be greatly

appreciated, as we are

striving to update all our

boards, as well as making

the local public aware of

Christchurch U3A.

HEARING AID DEVICE

For all members who have

difficulty in hearing - don't

forget we at U3A, have the

very device that could help

you hear better and get more

from your activities whether

you need it indoors or

outside. So please contact

Bud Thornley 01202 421025

f o r h e l p , f u r t h e r

information, or a teaching

session

24

and ending with two

pieces from popular

songs of World War 1

– commemorating

2018 as 100 years

since the end of that

war.

A few weeks earlier a

cheque for £568.20

was presented to Sara

A r m s t r o n g , a

representative of

Bournemouth Hospital

Charity, being part of

the amount raised just

before Christmas by

the band playing at

S a i n s b u r y ’ s i n

Christchurch.

During the summer

months the band will

be out and about

playing at Wimborne

Minster on 2nd July at

12 . 30 ; P i n e wa l k

B a n d s t a n d i n

Christchurch U3A

Vintage Brass partner

with Romsey Male

Voice Choir.

The Salvation Army

Citadel in Boscombe

played host to Vintage

Brass Band’s main

event of the year – the

Spring Concert and

was delighted to

welcome Romsey Male

Voice Choir to join

them in a fantastic

concert. “One of the

best” was one of the

m a n y a c c o l a d e s

received by band and

choir members and

t h e i r r e s p e c t i v e

musical directors. The

musical selection was

eclectic with songs and

instrumentals ranging

from Gershwin to

Simon and Garfunkel

25

Bournemouth on 16th July at 2.00pm and at St.

Ambrose Church Fete on 21st July. The band are

keen to extend their concert performances, so if

you or your Club or organisation would like to

know more about booking us, please contact our

C o n c e r t S e c r e t a r y , T o n y K e n t :

ank.music@btinternet.com

26

like to attend, so that food

and provisions are enough

to feed everyone who

accepts the invitation. All

we need now is a nice

warm sunny afternoon!!!!

SHAKE AND STIR

VINTAGE FESTIVAL

will be held again this year

on Saturday 30th June

and Sunday 1st of July in

both the Southbourne

H i g h S t r e e t a n d

Fisherman's Walk.

For the first time

Christchurch U3A will be

having a 'pitch' in

Fisherman's Walk to

hopefully make the local

public more aware of our

organisation and some of

the activities that we offer

to members.

However, we will need

volunteers to help 'man'

the stall for the two days

at the Festival. If you are

able to offer a few spare

VOLUNTEERS AND

HELPERS 'THANK

YOU’ BBQ

Will be held at Bud and

Lynda Thornley's house

20 Heatherlea Road

Southbourne off Belle Vue

Road on the Thursday the

28th of June from 2pm

until 5pm.

We are inviting all those

many volunteers who help

to make the Christchurch

U3A tick over, and run

smooth ly . I t ' s the

committee's way of saying

a very big THANK YOU -

f o r w i t h o u t y o u r

dedication and service we

would not be able to

function as we do.

It would be very helpful, if

you would email Bud on

budlynda64@aol.com, or

ring on 01202 421 025, to

let him know you would

27

- then it can be tough

going!!!!

Don't forget also we have a

very active cycling group

that meets for rides every

month.

For more details contact

Joint Leader John Phillips

on 01202 486713

o r ema i l h i m a t

jhephillips@live.co.uk, or

look in the Active News.

Bud Thornley

hours over those two days,

please would you let Bud

know (either by phone or

email) as soon as possible,

so that he is able to set up

a rota for the weekend.

Thank you in anticipation,

as this is a great

opportunity to 'open our

doors' to the people who

may never have heard of

the U3A.

BIKES FOR USE

As previously reported we

have had a really

tremendous generous

response from members

donating their 'not so old'

bicycles.

I have been able to service

most of them fit for use, to

be ridden around the

streets of town. So please

contact Bud if you would

like to try out a bike.

We also have a wonderful

promenade that is very flat

and easy and safe to use,

provided you are not

caught up in a westerly,

blowing from Sandbanks!!!

The magnificent magnolia

the cherry blossom,

come into bloom.

The air feels different

clocks go forward

life seems to take

another turn.

Visits to the garden

centre,

boxes of plants,

brightly coloured petunias

and yellow marigolds.

Oh how we just love,

the marigolds,

you can wash up in them

too.

©David Williams 2018

28

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Saturday,

Jun 2nd

1.30 - 2.15

U3A International Folk Dance Group

Highcliffe Community Fete, Wharncliffe Road

Janet Mason

Thursday,

Jun 7th

10.30 am

Walking Group

Three Legged Cross Inn GR:SU096050. Walk towards

Verwood and back through Moors Valley Country

Park

From Ashley Heath Round About take the Horton Rd.

Park on the left after 12.3 miles, just beyond the Inn

Paul Bond

01202473911

Friday, Jun

8th

10 - 4pm

MARKET YOUR BOOK WORKSHOP

St Katherine's Hall in Southbourne, BH6 4AR

You've written your book and now it's time to either

find an agent or self promote your fiction or non-

fiction book. This workshop covers how to - Find an

agent and land a publishing contract OR Sell your self-

published book and keep more of the profits with a

campaign that includes advertising, web site platform,

social media, video trailers, guest speaking and book

signing gigs. The workshop will be held at St

Katherine's Hall in Southbourne, BH6 4AR, on Friday

8th June from 10.00am to 4.00pm. Bring your own

packed lunch.

Patricia Todd

Saturday,

Jun 9th

12.00 –

5.00 pm

U3A International Folk Dance Group

Wimborne Festival

Janet Mason

Monday,

Jun 11th

2.00 pm

Monthly Meeting

Christchurch Baptist Church

Christopher Legrand - "Around the World in Music

and Pictures", bringing together a wide variety of well

- and lesser-known music from different countries

around the world, illustrated with pictorial scenes and

events.

29

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Thursday, Jun

21st

2 - 4pm

French Film - Bienvenue chez les Ch'ti

Christchurch Library

Jacques Hale

01202 432752

Monday, Jul

2nd

12:30 pm

Vintage Brass Lunchtime Recital

Wimborne Minster - Free event

Saturday, Jul

7th

12.00 -

12.30pm

U3A International Folk Dance Group

Priory Fete

Janet Mason

Saturday, Jul

7th

1.30 – 3.30

U3A International Folk Dance Group

Christchurch Day of Dance -on the Quomps and in

Saxon Square

Janet Mason

Monday, Jul

16th

2:00 pm

Vintage Brass Pinewalk Bandstand

Lower Gardens Bournemouth - Free event

Band playing until 3:30 pm

Saturday, Jul

21st

10:30 am

Vintage Brass St Ambrose Church Fete

72 West Cliff Road Westbourne - Free event

Saturday, Jul

28th

TBA

U3A International Folk Dance Group

Highcliffe Charity Fete, Highcliffe Rec

Janet Mason

30

Open to all students (past,

present and future), do not

miss the next show on

Thursday 21st June 2018

(2:00 pm until 4:30pm) at

the Christchurch Library,

High Street, Christchurch,

BH23 1AB.

Contact Jacques Halé, 01202

432752.

Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis

(21st June 2018) In French with English

subtitles. Released in 2003,

in French with English

subtitles. The film was

released in English as

“Welcome to the Sticks”.

Duration: 100 minutes. A French Comedy directed,

co-written by and starring

Dany Boon.

Philippe, a French public

servant from Provence is

banished to the far North.

Strongly prejudiced against

this cold and inhospitable

place, he leaves his family

b e h i n d t o r e l o c a t e

temporarily there, with the

firm intent to quickly come

back. Leaving his wife and

child behind, Philippe leaves

f o r h i s f r i g h t e n i n g

destination, a dreadfully cold

place inhabited by hard-

drinking, unemployed and

uneducated, speaking an

incomprehensible dialect

called Ch'ti. Philippe soon

realizes that all these ideas

were nothing but prejudices

and that Bergues is not

synonymous with hell, but

proves to be a charming

place teeming with warm,

friendly people and co-

workers. Three years later,

Philippe receives a transfer

to move south. Accepting the

offer, Philippe and his family

move south. Just as he is

about to say goodbye, he is

reduced to tears, proving

Antoine's theory on the

Ch'tis proverb ("A visitor

brays [cries] twice up north:

once on his arrival and once

at his departure."). The film has grossed more

than $190 million in the box

office in France alone. The French word Ch'ti is

slang for someone from

Northern France, derived

from the Picard language.

31

I have had an enquiry from a member interested in

joining a tap-dancing group. Is anyone else interested.?

The next question is – Do you know anyone who might

lead such a group?

You may contact me by email at

groups@christchurchu3a.org.uk or telephone me on

01202 475590.

32

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71 Southbourne Grove • Bournemouth • BH6 3QU

Scan the QR code below with a smartphone and you will be taken to the Christchurch U3A web site.

LITTLE EGRET

Photograph by Alan King.

Member of the Bird Watching Group.

Taken at Stanpit Marsh