skye u3a news · as some of us are complete beginners. as well as broadening our knowledge of...
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Contact details
ChairJoy Davies tel: 01470 511727;email: [email protected]
Vice ChairTony Liveseytel: 01470 511207; email: [email protected]
SecretaryJo-Ann Cherrytel: 01470 542777email: [email protected]
TreasurerChad Killington tel: 01470 582384email: [email protected]
Membership SecretariesBarbara Macdonaldtel: 01470 521576email: [email protected]
Peggy Huntertel: 01470 521324email: [email protected]
Group Co-ordinatorsPola and Tony Liveseytel: 01470 511207email: [email protected]
The Isle of Skye U3A has been in existence for over three years. It was originally based around the island’s capital, Portree, but has extended itself to include Broadford. These two centres are separated by 26 miles and many members are scattered in remote locations around the island. This presents special challenges but the Isle of Skye itself is a major compensation, offering rich sources of interest in areas such as archeology, geology, nature, and walking. Given the population of Skye we will never approach the size of city U3As but we are very much hoping to grow and new members are extremely welcome.
Skye U3A news is published irregularly. Copy date for the next issue is 10 June 2014. Send material for inclusion to Ian Burn ([email protected]).
Message from the (arm)chair
Hello everyone,
I am sure you will all be pleased to see that there is only a few words from the 'chair' this month.
Summer is almost with us and hopefully it will shine on all the various outings and trips organised by the interest groups. I am sure we will all prefer to be out in the sunshine and not the wind and the rain!
Joy
Archaeology - Sailean Cottage
Members of the 'dormant' archaeology group have excavated at Sailean cottage a few times now. We have received details of this year's programme which might be interesting. Please contact Joy for further information.
With thoughts turning to archaeology again the plan is to continue excavations on the old house ruin which was started last year.
If there are plenty of people, the plan is to extend the inconclusive trench opened in 2012 in the middle of the circular stone structure, and maybe reveal some more of the stones around the circumference.
This work will try to discover:
(i) the earliest use of the old ruined house (It is known it was roofed in 1835 from an old map) and plenty of 19th century china, glass and metal was found in there last year. There is also an interesting paved area at one end, where the house cow might have been tethered, which it
would be nice to finish exposing. Was the ruin being used as a barn and a dumping place for the (later) house? and was all this material dumped on an older floor? If so, can we find any dating evidence for the earlier floor?
(ii) Why/when was the circular stone structure constructed? What was its use?
The most exciting find from the last day of last year was the pottery sherds in the cist, dated tentatively to about 2300 BC (Early Bronze Age). So it's worthwhile continuing our voyage of discovery!
Planned dig dates are Saturday 19 - Tuesday 22 July and Saturday 26 - Tuesday 29 July. Please let Joy know if you'll be available during these weeks and when would be your best times. The daily plan from the past years seems to work quite well (start 10.00 am - lunch 1.00 pm; start afternoon session 2.00 pm - finish 5.00 pm).
U3A AGM and conference
For those who wish to get more invoved in U3A, a good way to start place is attending the AGM.
This year's AGM and one-day conference is being held in Cirencester on 9-10 September.
The theme of the plenary session is 'More time to learn', and there is a talk by Professor Richard Faragher entitled ‘What is ageing and what can we do about it?’
Full details are availabe together with booking details on the U3A national website.
More Timeto Learn
U3A AGM and one-day Conferenceat the Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester9th - 10th September 2014
THE THIRD AGE TRUST
THE UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE
An ode to counter staff
There was a letter in the latest U3A magazine from a lady complaining about how she was addressed by young counter assistants in shops. I wrote a short poem of supporting her and sent it to the U3A magazine editor but she replied thus: “Thanks – but I am afraid we never print poems, even entertaining ones like this”. So not wishing to waste it …
Please don’t call me, ‘Love’; ‘my dear’, I know that you don’t mean it. To use the term for everyone, Is only to demean it.
And please don’t call me ‘Lamb’; ‘dear heart’; Nor even yet say, ‘Precious’; Nor ‘Cherub’; ‘Sweetie’, nor yet ‘Ducks’. They all sound far too specious.
I’m not your ‘Pet’, nor ‘Angel’ yet, And too old to be your ‘Treasure‘ And ‘poppet’; do not call me ‘Honey’, ’mate’; – I think I’ve got your measure.
I may be ‘lovely’, but I hate These empty terms of endearment; So chuck it ‘Chick’, or in a tick You’ll need a suit of cerement.
Ophir
Skye U3A newsIssue #08 – May 2014 web: u3asites.org.uk/code/u3asite.php?site=325&page=0
Isle of Skye U3A programme 2014
Friday 31 January 2014
Seal-folk and Hungry Fishermen
Iain OughtredBroadford Village Hall, Broadford IV49 9AQ.
Friday 28 February 2014
Basket making
Louise KerrShinty clubhouse, Pairc Nan Laoch, Struan Road, Portree IV51 9EG.
Friday 28 March 2014
Annual General Meeting
Membership due for renewal.Shinty clubhouse, Pairc Nan Laoch, Struan Road, Portree IV51 9EG.
Friday 25 April 2014
Recording Skye Flora and Fauna
Steve Terry Broadford Village Hall, Broadford IV49 9AQ.
Friday 30 May 2014
Quilting
Jenny Lewis Shinty clubhouse, Pairc Nan Laoch, Struan Road, Portree IV51 9EG.
Friday 27 June 2014
Using your local archive: an introduction to the Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre
Anne MacLeodBroadford Village Hall, Broadford IV49 9AQ.
July 2014
Barbeque
Date and venue to be confirmed.
August 2014
No meeting
Friday 26 September 2014*4th Birthday Bash – a special visit from Graham Clark (U3A Trustee for Scotland)
Friday 31 October 2014
RSPB
Dr Alison MacLennan Broadford Village Hall, Broadford IV49 9AQ.
Friday 28 November 2014 *
Crofting: Braes in the 1890s and current legislation
Ian George Macdonald Shinty clubhouse, Pairc Nan Laoch, Struan Road, Portree IV51 9EG.
December 2014
Christmas lunch
Date and venue to be confirmed.
* Note changes to the programme (including a correction to the November date). Ian George Macdonald's talk has moved to November, but still needs to be confirmed.
We meet at 2:00 pm on the last Friday of every month, with the venue alternating between the Portree Shinty clubhouse and the Broadford village hall.
On each occasion there is a guest speaker, but now and again we hold internal events – as quizzes, group presentations, etc.
Tea, coffee, and biscuits are always available.
Meetings passed
Friday 30 May 2014 meeting
Quilting by Jenny LewisMay’s speaker is Jenny Lewis.
The theme of her talk will the history of quilting, covering quilting in America, Japan and Europe. Showing examples of quilts and samples of materials, she will explain how quilting has become both an art form and a method of keeping warm.
Jenny moved to Skye in 2004. She is a textile artist working with both contemporary and traditional patchwork and quilting methods to create wall hangings, throws and bed covers.
A member of the Quilters Guild, Jenny has exhibited in several shows and is Group Co-ordinator of the Skye Quilters Patchwork & Quilting Group, a community group which runs workshops and holds exhibitions. The group's
next exhibition will be held at St Columba’s Church in Portree between 13-15 August. Members of the group will exhibit their work; they will also hold a raffle, sell items and provide home made cakes, tea and coffee.
Jenny is currently very busy setting up and opening her new cabin.
Further information
Skye Quilt Studio: http://skyequiltstudio.co.uk/#
Skye Quilters: http://skyequilters.wordpress.com
Reflections of Fairy Pools 2
Ribbons smallKey West
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Isle of Skye U3A newsletter; issue #8 | May 2014
Butterfly recording sheet
!
Date Location Peacock Small Tortoiseshell
Green-veined White
Speckled Wood
Scotch Argus
Meadow Brown
Small Heath
Common Blue
Orange-tip
Date Location Red Admiral
Painted Lady
Large Heath
Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary
Dark Green Fritillary
Grayling Large White
Small White
Green Hairstreak
Highland butterfly survey
We have received a plea from the Highland Butterfly Recorder (David Barbour, [email protected]) to help with a butterfly survey.
The survey, which is a national one, aims to record all butterfly species present in successive five-year periods. The map shows the number of species recorded so far in each 10km square in the current period 2010-14 As this is now the last year of the recording cycle we are keen to get as much more information as possible, especially from the western and northern parts of Skye where we haven't had many records up to now (areas indicated by the white, blue and green dots).
There is a check list to help with recording (contact either Steve Terry or Ian Burn). The essential information is what, where (OS grid square is adequate) and when. David would be most grateful for any records we can send him; hopefully one or two U3A members will be able to help.
white 0-1 species
blue 2-3 species
blue-green 4-5 species
green 6-7 species
yellow-green 8-9 species
yellow 10-11 species
light brown 12-13 species
dark brown 14-15 species
issue #8 – May 2014 | Isle of Skye U3A newsletter
U3A Skye interest groups’ programme
Geology groupThe Geology Group normally makes a monthly field trip on Skye. We try to read up on an area before and after our trip as some of us are complete beginners. As well as broadening our knowledge of geology in a practical ‘eyes-on’ manner, the outings are also great fun and always involve a mini-picnic.
Tuesday 3 June 2014Duntulm… layering.
Tuesday 8 July 2014Trip to Eigg.
Tuesday 5 August 2014Elgol.
Tuesday 2 September 2014Trip to Harris.
Tuesday 7 October 2014Lealt.
Tuesday 4 November 2014Talisker.
December…Christmas do.
If the weather is bad on any of these days we will meet at Aros at 11.00 am to discuss the geology of the planned event.
Remember to visit the geology blog http://u3askyegeology.blogspot.co.uk/.
Group co-ordinatorJo-Ann Cherry
tel: 01470 542777
Walking groupGroup co-ordinatorsDavid Hammond
email: [email protected]
Linda Shove email: [email protected]
Nature groupThe Nature Group has a field trip each month to see what the Isle of Skye has to offer in the realm of nature.
23 May 2014Balmacara – woodland birds, otters, n’stuff.
15 June 2014Kilmuir cliffs – nesting sea birds.
23 June 2014Camas Malag (near Torrin) – limestone-dwelling flowers.
8 July 2014Eigg (10.15 ferry from Mallaig) –joint outing with geology group.
23 July 2014Isle of Oronsay.
15 August 2014Neist Point – sea birds, whale, sharks, n’stuff.
23 August 2014Ardtrek – sea mammals, otters.
15 September 2014Leitir – Fura.
23 September 2014Greshornish Point – sea mammals, birds, plants.
These dates are provisional and subject to change nearer the time. All changes will be announced by e-mail.
The February U3A nature blog for is now available at http://u3a-skye-nature.blogspot.co.uk
Group co-ordinatorJohn Kennedy
tel: 01470 532765
Forthcoming news and events
YOUTIME programme April – July 2014The YOUTIME programme for the second quarter of 2014 runs between 21 April and 4 July.
Individually bookable activities at a cost of £4.90, £2.45 (60 years+), £0.50 budget High Life card holders or free for High Life Highland All Inclusive Members.
If you would like to know more about YOUTIME, contact the Fingal Centre on 01478 614819.
Start Writing 23/04/2014 Wednesday 14.00 - 15.30 Library
Computer Buddies – one to one sessions for novices (45 mins per session)
30/04/2014 Wednesday 13.00 - 13.45,
14.00 - 14.45,
15.00 - 15.45
Library
Bookbinding with Laura West
07/05/2014 Wednesday 14.00 - 15.30 Library
Beginners Gardening –Growing Veg in Skye (block of 3 sessions)
14/05/2014, 11/06/2014, 02/07/2014
Wednesday 14.00 - 16.00 Library & H Forrest’s Garden
German for the complete beginner – language taster (block of 3 sessions)
21/05/2014, 28/05/2014,
Wednesday 14.00 - 15.30 Library
Mobile Photography – just bring your phone (block of 2 sessions)
18/06/2014, 25/06/2014
Wednesday 14.00 - 15.30 Library & out and about
U3A Summer Schools 2014More information these residential courses is available in the members’ area of U3A website (http://www.u3a.org.uk/members-area/events-and-competitions/summer-schools-2014.html?view=docman)
Courses at Harper Adams University, Newport 14 – 17 July
Ancient Civilisations of the Americas; Canal History; Cinema History; Creative Writing; Current Affairs; Drama through the ages; A France d’aujourd’hui; Latin – a Toe in the Tiber; Philosophy; Recorder Ensemble.
Courses at Royal Agricultural University Cirencester 18 to 21 August
Arts & Architecture – the House Beautiful; Digital Photography; Drama: Power and Cruelty; Gardening: How does your garden grow?; Literature – women’s voices of World War 2; Music – making friends with the great composers; Poetry – the transforming language of Poetry; Science: light and Sound in Nature; Singing for Pleasure.
National Annual AGM of the Third Age Trust 2014The National Annual AGM of the Third Age Trust 2014 will be held at The Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester on Wednesday 10 September 2014. Details pending.
National Chess by emailA reminder that there is a National Chess by email group within the U3A. Email [email protected] for further details.
The Creation of Glen Brittle Glen Brittle is a glacial valley, scoured out over the course of cold periods during the last Ice Age which began around 750,000 years ago. The last cold period occurred 115,00 – 116,000 years BC. [For further information, see the Geology Interest Group's blog (http://u3askyegeology.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/glen-brittle-glacier.html].
Isle of Skye U3A newsletter; issue #8 | May 2014