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In this Issue ………..

News from the groups 2 – 7

Social 7 – 8

Publicity 9

Review U3A Study Days 9

Membership 10

Diary Dates 10

Contact List 10

Groups Timetable 11

SWANLEY AND DISTRICT

Newsletter

No 75 April 2019

Hello everyone,

I am sure you are enjoying the lovely weather and it’s good to

feel the warmth again and know the days are lengthening.

As the brighter light streams through my rather dusty windows

and I see the parts of the house that were neglected during the

winter, my thoughts turn to clearing out cupboards and

wardrobes. I should really clean and straighten, [the word my

Mum used] the house and garden. Inevitably the catalogues

come through the letter box with all kinds of items ‘guaranteed’

to make life easier. Flicking through the latest one I am drawn to

a Wheeled Wash Cart that saves me bending down when hanging

out clothes. That could be useful but I have to wheel it over

rough ground; so maybe not. The sliding Gutter Cleaner I see will

surely be just what I need or what about the Damaged Screw

Extractor which will remove rusted or broken screws. I reach for

my credit card and then stop. I ask myself whether or not I need

these things and realise I can do without them----at the moment.

By the time you read this a group of twenty seven members will

have set off for their walking holiday in north Wales. We wish them a really good time and dry

weather and look forward to hearing all about it in the newsletter.

On another matter, may I respectfully ask you not to come to the Alexandra too early for our

meetings?

Members are coming in before we have set up, or before some of the committee have arrived. At

the moment we don’t pay for the time before 10 am as the committee have been given grace to

get organised. It was commented upon, by the management, that the meeting seemed to be

starting earlier! I hope that you will feel able to comply with this if at all possible. I realise you

need to get your name ticked off but please, not quite so early!

Our speaker this month is Chris Buckwell with his presentation on the ‘Experiences of an

Immigration Judge.’ I am sure it will prove to be a very interesting and enlightening account.

Look forward to seeing you.

Sandra Treloar

Group News

It is very satisfying to see that our membership continues to grow in number. What we need to do

next is increase our number of study/interest groups. The U3A ethos encourages the idea of

learning with each other and from each other. Official advice describes “a learning co-operative

which enables members to share educational, creative and leisure activities.” Do you have a

particular interest? Would you like to learn more? Would you like to start a new group? We will

give you plenty of help and support. To find out more, speak to me at the next monthly meeting.

There are several members who are interested in forming a canasta group. We just need someone

to initially act as co-ordinator and/or host. Any volunteers? Finally, many thanks to Dave Collins

for organising our very own U3A quiz afternoon. It was a very enjoyable event. Congratulations to

Bill and his team - winners for the second time!

John Baker

Charity No T1155593

Learn, Laugh and Live!

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News from the groups

Antiques and Collectables Group

Well, we had a plan for our March meeting, which was to visit the ‘Brocante’

event at the Hop Farm where we hoped to have a good old rummage and pick up

some bargains. We sorted out transport for everyone and a meeting place, but at the last minute

(ten minutes before setting off) found out that that the event had been cancelled. It looks like the

company running the markets (not the Hop Farm) has gone out of business. At least we realised

before we made the journey down Seven Mile Lane!

Those of us that were still keen to do something, decided to venture along to Otford to the

antique centre. We arrived 15 minutes before the shop opened but the shop owner was happy to

let us in and we spent an hour or so there looking for bargains and reminiscing over the things

that we had as children or that we remembered from our parents or grandparents homes. We

then headed to the charity shop café across the road to compare notes and eat cake!

Penny found a cute 1960s bobble head kangaroo complete

with Joey which was made by Spanish toymaker Goula.

Dave came across a Bulmer’s promotional publication which

was a Do it Yourself Comedian’s Kit featuring Bob Monkhouse.

This included a vinyl record and a script so that you could

astound your friends by performing a duet with Bob where

you provided the punch lines to his feeder lines. Dave hasn’t

got a record player but he was pleased with it anyway.

Derek purchased a lovely compass in a stainless steel case.

Marian was enchanted by a 1970 Brooke Bond book of

cigarette cards of famous British people, plus an old

Waddington’s game of Lexicon, which didn’t include the rules but

we thought they were probably available online.

My finds included a 1950s wooden pull along toy but also a pen set from Harrods

in a gold coloured case. John was pleased to purchase a cup celebrating peace at

the end of World War One, to add to his collection.

So we all enjoyed a morning of antique rummaging after all, and the cake was good too!

Gill Baker

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Art and Craft

Since Christmas we have made decorative rings, stuffed giraffe toys and Iris folding

Easter cards.

Thanks to Sheena, Pat and Jan for their good ideas and preparation.

Poetry Appreciation

We have been looking at the contrast between traditional poems and modern

ones. Dave discovered a book where popular poems such as 'If' by Rudyard

Kipling have been answered by modern poets such as Carol Ann Duffy. Nikki

found an interesting poem called 'To See the Rabbit' which drew our attention to the future of the

countryside.

Penny Collins

Book Group

This month the group read Frenchman’s Creek by Daphne Du Maurier (our second

nostalgic month) a book that has been described as an adventure story or a

romance with a capital “R”. Daphne Du Maurier herself described it as the only romantic novel

she ever wrote

As the book opens, Lady Dona St Columb is travelling with her two small children and their nanny

to live at Navron, the St Columb country estate on the Helford River close to where it flows out to

sea. In London she and her husband, Harry, had spent much of their time in the company of

Harry’s friend, Lord Rockingham, at the court of Charles II, enjoying a life of aimless fun and

merrymaking. Dona had become disillusioned with the futility of this way of life and, on a whim,

decided to change her lifestyle for a quieter one in Cornwall. But Navron is not as she had

expected it; she had imagined a full staff running the household in the family’s absence and

instead she finds the house closed up and dusty with only William, a manservant, in residence.

However, Dona and the children soon settle into life at Navron. The house is beautiful and the

grounds have a serenity that is soothing and restful. Daphne Du Maurier describes the garden,

the bluebells in the woods and the birds so beautifully that the reader is soon mesmerised by the

charm and tranquillity of this far off place.

One day Dona is visited by a neighbour, Lord Godolphin, who tells her there is a French pirate in

the area and that everyone living along the coast is in danger of being robbed, or worse! The

story that follows is a one of discovery, of love, adventure and pure escapism. When Dona meets

the dashing French pirate she falls in love and joins him in a daring adventure.

The freedom of men and the constraints of women is a theme that runs alongside the romantic

story, with Dona’s desire for freedom and independence in her own life.

One of our readers had read this book as a young teenager and then re-read it this month and

was amazed how differently she perceived the story now as an adult as opposed to her romantic

younger self. Sometimes it is good to re-read our favourite books.

Linda Herlihy

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Birdwatching

March Report – Rainham Marshes ( RSPB )

On Wednesday, 20th March, nine of us met at Rainham Marshes RSPB Nature

Reserve which is adjacent to the Thames Estuary at Purfleet. The sky was overcast but, with little

wind, the temperature was quite pleasant.

Rainham’s landscape has not always been

dominated by open marshes but over thousands of

years has undergone some fascinating

transformations. Its’ geomorphological history

started with the build-up of glacial deposits overlying

the Eocene Marine London clays and gravel up to

about 13,000 BC. After this period the cold treeless

steppe and tundra habitat was replaced with a

covering of birch and pine trees. From 6,000 BC. sea

levels rose and during the Mesolithic and Neolithic

periods spanning 8,000 to 2,000 BC. the site saw

two periods of inundation and each was followed by dense forestation. Remains of this time can

be seen protruding through the silt of the river if visited at low tide. At this period the Thames was

to the south of its present position when the trees were growing. Similar stumps can be seen on

the southern side of the river at Erith.

There is evidence that Rainham area has been occupied by man since the Palaeolithic (35,000 to

10,000 BC) with hand tools found in nearby Aveley shingle terraces and evidence of occupation

during the Bronze and Iron Ages (2,200 BC to 43 AD). From this period to 140 AD there was

Roman occupation. During the Middle Ages monks of Lessness Abbey had sheep on the pasture

and in 1300 AD 400 acres were in arable use.

In 2000 the land was bought by the RSPB from the Ministry of Defence who used it as a test firing

range which has been left as it was. Since then much work has been done to develop the reserve

which is of particular note for its diverse avian population especially wading birds, wintering wild

fowl and birds of prey. The reserve also supports some scarce wetland plants and insects and has

one of the highest densities of water vole in the country although one has to be lucky to see

them.

Whilst at the ‘Shooting Butts Hide’ we met and shared birding experiences with members of

Crouch Valley U3A birdwatching group - a similarly friendly bunch!

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Birds seen on this visit: ( pictures of some on previous page )

Cetti’s Warbler, Robin, Dunnock, Tufted Duck, Wigeon, Shoveler ( above bottom left ), Gadwall,

Black Headed Gull, Mute Swan, Magpie, Moorhen, Coot, Chaffinch, Reed Bunting, Goldfinch,

Canada Goose, Lapwing, Wood Pigeon, Shelduck, Pochard, Grey Heron, Pintail, Blackbird, Teal,

Grey Lagged Goose, Great Tit, Feral Pigeon, Redshank, Skylark ( above top left ), Mallard ( above

bottom right), Starling, Little Grebe, Wren ( above top right ), Blue Tit, Crow, Pheasant,

Cormorant, Little Egret, Marsh Harrier, Herring Gull, Great Black Backed Gull, Lesser Black Backed

Gull, Avocets, Snipe, Peregrine Falcon, Long Tailed Tit, Chiffchaff, Greenfinch, House Sparrow,

Curlew, Barn Owl and Collared Dove. Also seen, a non-avian Shrew.

(Photographs courtesy of Steve Young, except for the Robin)

Valerie Bamber

Wednesday 17th April – Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve ( KWT )

Once more to one of our favourite local destinations, Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve. We shall meet

at the Jeffery Harrison Visitor Centre for a 10:00 start as usual.

The full address is: Bradbourne Vale Road, Sevenoaks TN13 3DH.

Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), is a pioneering nature

reserve which has roughly equal proportions of water and land. It includes five lakes and a mixed

habitat of ponds, seasonal flooded pools, reedbeds and woodland.

This is another opportunity for you to enjoy an adventure into nature with the usual reminder - to

note the weather forecast and be prepared with suitable clothing and footwear on the day.

This expedition is open to all U3A members. Please sign up at the Bird Watching Group desk at

the monthly meeting on Friday, 5th April, or you can contact me by phone or text on 07470

201703 or email at roger.bryan@me.com.

By the way, car sharing is always an option; please inform me if you require or can offer a lift.

Roger Bryan

Dining Group

The Indian is okay for 10th April, the menu choices have been as handed in.

The lunch at the City View on the 1st May has had to be postponed their staff will be

in Italy on that date. I will arrange a new date and let you all know.

I will be at the back of the hall if you have any queries.

Peter Mitchell

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Croquet

CROQ-ET what’s missing ? You are ! We are up and running on Wednesdays at 12

o’clock behind the Oaks Medical Centre. If you want to join us I need your contact

details. The next session is on Wednesday 17th April, if you wish to play please contact me on

billatswanley@yahoo .co.uk by 10th April.

Petanque

The first Petanque session went well. The next one is on 18th April at the Lamb Public

House at 12 o’clock again contact me if you if wish to play.

Bill Hammond

Walking Group ( Friday )

Friday 26 April 2019 10.15 for a 10.30 start

Meet Alan at “The Bull Inn”, Lower Road, East Farleigh ME15 0HD for a walk

of about three miles with some very scenic points of interest en route.

Directions: by car: Leave the M20 at junction 4 and go south on the A228 towards Tonbridge.

After about four miles turn left onto the A26. Just past Teston, turn right onto the B2163 (Teston

Lane) for about half a mile. When you reach a road junction, turn left onto Lower Road and keep

going until you reach “The Bull”.

By public transport: You can get a 22 or 23 bus from Maidstone town centre that stops near the

pub and East Farleigh station is nearby.

Please contact Alan at alan.anstead@btopenworld.com or 01322 384050 to let him know you are

coming and to let him know if you will be staying for lunch.

Clive Rayner

Gardening Group

Beginning our garden calendar for the year on 27th March tucked away in Teston,

Offham ME19 5NA, eighteen of us met in this independent charity run garden

nursery which was started in May 1984 called ‘SPADE WORK’

We were greeted by one of the enthusiastic managers Gill Street who gave us a talk on how this

venture began and a tour of the centre. Which was followed by a scrummy cream tea in their

lovely café with bone china tea sets no less and home - made scones, home - made jam and

cream. The café is open seven days a week.

Now the fascinating bit. The charity runs a day to day opportunity for over a hundred adults with

learning difficulties and other disabilities to help them gain confidence and reach their full

potential as independent members of the community service. The trainees are involved in

everything they produce, the healthy well stocked plants are sold in the garden centre, fruit and

veg served in the café is also sold to farm shops and the farmers market in Offham. They help to

make cakes jams and chutneys. The small shop on site is well stocked even selling their home

made elderberry wine. This is quite a little industry running like clock-work. There are

opportunities for all, including a craft room full of wools, materials, paints etc. and a wood work

room. Their crafts are also sold at Offham farmers market.

There are the nitty gritty jobs of weeding, dead-heading plants, folding pieces of wrapping

material to pack the orders in, emptying tea bags to add to compost. There are three different

types of compost heaps. Stacking wood and logs for delivery is another job. I could go on and on

Needless to say we parted easily with our money, coming away with plants, shrubs and goodies

from the shop. Now you have the address go visit yourselves, you won’t be disappointed. Have a

meal or just a coffee.

Chrissie Rowley

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Walking Group (Wednesday)

On 13th March on a chilly but thankfully dry morning, nineteen members of the group

met at The Sydney Arms for a walk around Scadbury Park Nature Reserve. This covers

an area of over 300 acres - not all of which is accessible to the public - consisting of

meadows, hedgerows and woodland with some beautiful ancient trees.

Although very muddy underfoot in parts, we enjoyed walking the Acorn Trail. Stops were made for

the compulsory group photograph and at places of interest, specifically the remains of the Manor

of Scadburt, the history of which can be traced back to the 1200's.

Once back at The Sydney Arms we were joined by two extra members for a really good lunch.

Annie Cheale

Wednesday 10 April. Meet at 10.00am for a 10.15 start

Meet Mark at “The Crown Point Inn”, Seal TN15 0HB for a walk of between three and four

miles.

Directions: By car: The pub is between Seal & Ightham on the A25.

By public transport: Kemsing station is about 1.5 miles away and the 306 and 308 buses that

run between Bluewater and Sevenoaks stop nearby.

Please contact Mark at fittock75@gmail.com or 01322 665026 to let him know you are coming

and to let him know if you will be staying for lunch.

Clive Rayner

Social

Sandown Park Racecourse

Friday 14th June - Afternoon Racing

Winners Package @ £25 per person includes: *Grandstand Admission Ticket

*£10 food/drink voucher

*£2 bet

*Racecard

Timings approx: 12pm Gates open, 130pm First Race, 530pm Last Race

Ray Craddock

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Trip to Oxford on 7th May

Please pay as soon as possible.

Coach Pick ups Wilmington 9.35 a.m.

Hextable 9.40 a.m.

Swanley Asda bus stop 9.45 a.m.

Arrival for lunch at 12.00 [ fish and chips and tea]

Approximate arrival home 8.30 pm

Two future events

5th July History Walk / Wilmington

9th September Postal Museum

Penny Collins

Inns Of Court Walk – 26th February

It was like an early spring day, blooming February 26th when 23 of us

met at Swanley Station on our way to London Town to see the historic

gems of the Four Inns of Court.

Our trusty guide, John Baker, introduced us to Pegasus, a sheep, a red

lion and a griffin, all heraldic symbols of each inn. We learnt that the

legal professionals have their own language. ‘Inns’ were really

lodgings and training rooms and ‘Butteries’ were not dairy based food

halls but where the wine butts were stored and that the access gateway between the cities of

London and Westminster, the Temple Bar, caused traffic chaos and

was removed in 1898. As we stood admiring the building of the

glorious Middle Temple Hall we were momentarily taken back to a

night in 1602 when cheers and laughter must have erupted from the

royal audience at the first performance of ‘Twelfth Night’ as

Elizabeth 1st and her courtiers honoured the playwright

Shakespeare. We realised we were walking in the footsteps of

giants. As the historic names and events were absorbed the present

day inhabitants wandered out from their offices.

We took our leave of jurisprudence, government and power to head to the pub for lunch, the

Black Friar stands sentinel outside the modern glass fronted station and is an Art Deco delight of

carvings and tiling.

A very enjoyable trip, local history with a dash of arts, culture and a walk in the lovely sunshine.

Maggie, Gill and Sandy

Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms

Six or seven of us met as a small study group for three one and a half hour sessions to discuss

the history of the period from about 350 to 1066. We were examining the rise of the Anglo-Saxon

kingdoms until the genocide of their aristocracy after the battle at Hastings.

Law, manuscripts, culture and warfare were just four of our topic preparations for a visit to the

exhibition of manuscripts and artefacts at the British Library. The exhibition was “Anglo-Saxon

Kingdoms – Art, Word, War”.

The format of research, study and discussion was short, intense and enjoyable. It provided a

seemingly acceptable way of introducing a vast topic in a lively manner for all. Feedback after the

exhibition from two members who attended was positive about the exhibition and our somewhat

novel approach. Geoff Parsons

Outside Templar Church

Kings Bench Walk

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Publicity

Swanley residents will have seen the editorial item for Swanley And District U3A in the Winter

edition of the Town Crier that was distributed to Swanley households at the beginning of the year;

and we have now been given the opportunity to contribute to the next edition that will be

distributed at the end of April. If you have not yet seen the Winter edition and would like to view

it please speak to me at the next meeting.

There is always a very short lead time when a new edition of this journal is planned but we have

submitted copy and photographs that hopefully will be used when this new edition is printed.

Looking ahead, it would be good to have a supply of photographs that can be used if we are

offered space in a future edition, so if anyone has a photograph of a group activity that could be

used in this way please email it to me so that I can have a supply to use if and when the time

comes.

Linda Herlihy

U3A Study Days – Review by Swanley U3A member

How many of you attended the Science Study Day for U3A members back in October? This is a

reminder to members to avail themselves of any study days that the U3A put on. They really are

interesting and informative.

How thought provoking the Science Day proved to be. The science itself tended to range in

difficulty. Some areas more difficult to understand than others but I was pleased that I could

follow most of it and was able to later Google areas that I was unfamiliar with.

Experts in their field gave three talks. The themes were Time, Space and Conservation. Dr. Chris

Goodall discussed the attempts to regularise the calendar. We looked at the influence of the earth

and moon’s orbit around the sun and the earth’s rotation. Because these do not synchronise there

are anomalies in our calendars most notably Easter. We looked at the history of Julian and

Gregorian calendars.

Professor David Southwood gave a breath-taking talk outlining the history of “Cassini-Huygens”

journey to Titan, which is the major moon of Saturn. Dr. Southwood built a space magnetometer

at Imperial College and this orbited around Saturn in the Nasa Cassini spacecraft from 2004-2017.

30 years ago Europe and US agreed to jointly explore the outer planets Cassini-Huygens was to

go to Saturn and Titan. The programme finally ended in 2017 when the Cassini mother ship

deliberately dived into the Saturn atmosphere.

Professor Alan Chadwick gave an interesting account of the strategies employed in the

preservation of the wood of the Mary Rose. He gave a brief history of the ship, which was a

flagship of Henry V111’s navy. He then discussed the effects of iron and sulphur species on the

Mary Rose Timbers using X-ray Techniques and possible chemical remediation processes to stop

the degradation of the wood structures by these species.

As you can see there was a lot on offer in that day. This is the case with all of the study

programmes delivered by U3A. All of which are worth attending whether they be Science, English

or History. There is something for everyone and it helps to keep our mind active whether it is a

subject you are familiar with or not.

Jackie Griffiths

Newsletter

The closing date for the next newsletter will be Friday 26TH April please send articles to

pfjc@btinternet.com or text to 07732 804042, thank you.

Peter Cudd

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Membership Reminder

Since January, more than 200 members have already renewed their membership for 2019/20 –

well done and thank you very much for helping to spread the Membership Secretary’s workload. If

you haven’t already received your new membership card, please collect it from me at the April

monthly meeting.

A reminder for the remainder whose membership will expire on 31st March 2019 – the expiry date

is shown on your card. If it is your intention to renew, we should be grateful if you would do so as

soon as possible – the April monthly meeting would be an ideal time.

If there is any problem, please do not hesitate to contact me – by phone or text on 07470 201703

or email at roger.bryan@me.com.

Thank you.

Roger Bryan

Diary Dates

Date

5th Apr

Experiences Of An Immigration Panel Judge – Chris

Buckwell

3rd May

AGM / Quiz

31st May

N.B

REVISED MEETING

DATE

Behind The Scenes At Chelsea Flower Show - Chris

O'Donoghue

Contact Details

Chairman Sandra Treloar sandratreloar04@btinternet.com

Vice Chairman David Collins dacollins53@hotmail.com

Business Secretary Maddy McCubbin maddy079@btinternet.com

Social/Outings Coordinator Penny Collins pennycollins@hotmail.com 01322 669724

Membership Roger Bryan roger.bryan@me.com Mobile 07470 201703

Linda Herlihy linda.herlihy@talktalk.net 01322 664287

Group Co-ordinators John Baker johnbaker52@talktalk.net

David Collins dacollins53@hotmail.co.uk

Website - https://u3asites.org.uk/swanley

The views and opinions expressed in this newsletter are of a general nature and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Swanley and District U3A or any part of the University of the Third Age unless specifically stated. All rights reserved, any reproduction without permission is prohibited.

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Groups Timetable

Group Leader Group meets

Antiques and Collectables John and Gill Baker 3rd Tuesday morning

Art & Craft Penny Collins 4th Tuesday afternoon

Art Appreciation Margaret Austin 1st Monday morning

Art Outdoor Gill Baker As notified

Art Painting Drawing Gill Baker Tuesday evenings fortnightly

Bird Watching Roger Bryan 3rd Wednesday morning

Book Group Linda Herlihy 2nd Tuesday afternoon

Chess Terry Bennett 4th Wednesday morning

Computer Paul Brenchley 4th Thursday afternoon

Creative Writing Penny Collins 1st Thursday morning

Croquet Bill Hammond As notified

Family History Susan Polden Last Monday of month in morning

Fishing Mike Axford 2nd Wednesday

Food Appreciation Anne Cudd 3rd Thursday afternoon

Gardening Peter Cudd 4th Wednesday afternoon

Geology Ethna Cooke 2nd & 4th Friday morning

History Modern Jackie Griffiths 4th Tuesday afternoon

History of London 1 John Baker 2nd Thursday morning

History of London 2 John Baker 4th Thursday morning

Lets Speak French Barbara Ramsay As notified

Music Making Mark Fittock Every Tuesday morning

Petanque Bill Hammond As notified

Poetry Appreciation Penny Collins 3rd Wednesday morning

Photography Digital Alan Hayward 2nd Friday afternoon

Play Reading Penny Collins 3rd Friday morning

Quiz Team David Collins Tuesday and Wednesday evenings

fortnightly

Rugby Appreciation Alan Hayward tba

Singing Group Sue Scott 3rd Tuesday afternoon

Table Tennis Bill Hammond 1st and 3rd Friday afternoon

Theatre Group Madeline McCubbin As notified

Wednesday Walking Roger Bryan 2nd Wednesday morning

Friday Walking Clive Rayner 4th Friday

Wine Tasting Bob Brickell 4th Wednesday evening

For contact details of group leaders please contact John Baker

johnbaker52@talktalk.net or David Collins 01322 669724

or dacollins53@hotmail.co.uk