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ABERDEEN U3A Newsletter August 2018 THE UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE SCO31940 www.u3a.org.uk/aberdeen
ABERDEENU3A
Newsletter August 2018
THE UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE SCO31940
www.u3a.org.uk/aberdeen
Aberdeen U3A Committee/ Other
Roles2018 - 2019
ChairmanTom Syme
Vice ChairpersonNicky Fyfe
SecretaryFiona Watson
TreasurerJoyce McAdie
Committee MembersSheena Farquhar
May Martin
Maggie McKenna
John Shewell
Teresa Shewell
Louise Sutherland
David Craig (Co-opted member)
Groups CoordinatorSue Dingle
Website ManagerEnid Knutton
Newsletter EditorTina Stockman
Aberdeen U3A Monthly Meetings
Diary Dates 2018 - 2019
Thursday September 6thDr Dan Powell
Why is health-related behaviour change so difficult?
Thursday October 4thYvonne Davidson
Bee keeping
Thursday November 1stLorna Dawson
Forensic Ecology in criminal cases
Thursday December 6thChristmas Party
Thursday January 10thSpeaker to be confirmed
NB 2nd Thursday in January
Meetings take place at Boys Brigade Hall, Crimon Place, Aberdeen AB10 1RX, starting with announcement of notices at 13.30.
This is followed by the Guest Speaker’s presentation after which
tea and biscuits are served.
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From the Chairman Tom Syme
I have been accepted by the committee of U3A Aberdeen as Chairman and have taken over from Derek Melloy with immediate effect. I would like to thank Derek for attending the July meeting and handing over his many faceted role in a practical and organised way. He leaves the committee in good health I wish him well in his well earned “retirement”. The committee have given me a warm welcome and I look forward to working with them. My own involvement with U3A has been limited to 2 years of Intermediate German and I have enjoyed tackling the
grammatical aspects which were previously happily ignored. However I have been aware of U3A for a couple of decades. My mother was an enthusiastic member in St Andrews and waxed lyrical about the presentations and excursions there. I do believe in the benefits that learning gives in the 3rd age in terms of keeping the brain active and general health and happiness.In my position as Chairman I intend to support members, group organisers and the committee in getting maximum benefit from their involvement and participation.
Tom SymeChairman
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I am currently Publicity Officer for The University of Aberdeen Chinese Studies Group. I have been a member of the U3A for several years and have found the experience stimulating and supportive. I welcome articles and photographs from members - so many of you do such fascinating things that it seems a pity not to share your experiences. I thank all of you whom I have press-ganged into helping and advising me.
From the EditorTina Stockman
Just a brief note to introduce myself to U3A members. I am retired from a loved (but not missed) teaching career in Aberdeen. I can now concentrate on my interests and writing reviews and articles for academic journals and papers.
The AGM was held on 7th June 2018 in the Boys Brigade Hall, chaired by Derek Melloy. There was the usual official business, including the election of new office-bearers and committee members. Members were informed that the committee had decided to raise the door cost of the main monthly meetings to £3.00. The new price will come into force at the September 2018 meeting.
It was with great pleasure that retiring chairman Derek Melloy presented Freda Middleton and Margaret Murray with certificates and vouchers to mark their five years of service as group leaders. Freda is leader of the International Lunches group and Margaret is leader of the French group.
Vice-chairperson Nicky Fyfe then presented Derek with a voucher in thanks for his service as chairman over the last two and a half years. The meeting concluded with refreshments.
Derek Melloy
NB. THE COST OF THE MONTHLY MEETING IS NOW £3
AGM June 2018
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UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED, ALL CLASSESWILL MEET AT
THE NORTHERN ARTS CLUB8 BON ACCORD SQUARE
Aberdeen U3A Interest Groups A few words from Sue Dingle
Groups Coordinator
We currently have 23 groups keeping Aberdeen a vibrant and interesting U3A. However, more groups, more subjects and thus more leaders are challenges it would be gratifying to achieve. I hope some of the many talented and capable members we have will rise
to this challenge. Help, support and encouragement is always at hand for those willing to step forward.
Please approach me, the Groups Coordinator, if you are interested. I thank all our current leaders and deputies, a great team, for theircommitment to the U3A's ethos of learning in a shared and pleasurable environment, and to those attending the groups who contribute in numerous ways ensuring their success.
IMPORTANT: ENROLMENT & RE-ENROLMENTIf you already belong to a group and wish to continue to do so, please renew your membership of U3A and the Group(s) AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Should you decide not to continue in a group, please let theGroup Leader know to give others a chance.
If you wish to join a group for the first time, please contact the GroupLeader, contact details are found below, to register your interest and to ascertain if there are vacancies. Please do this BEFORE PAYING FEES. Note you are welcome to attend one meeting of the group before joiningto see if it is to your liking.
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CINEMA May MartinOur aim is to see interesting films which are different from the usual multiplex fare, i.e. independent, foreign, documentary. We meet in the foyer before the start of the film and afterwards we meet to discuss the film. Concession memberships cost £5. Email notifications are sent to group members with details of the forthcoming week’s chosen film. This is an informal group with no pressure to attend every week.
ART APPRECIATIONMay MartinTalks will alternate with visits to galleries, etc. For the first meeting, I will be giving a talk on the architect, Kengo Puma, who was behind the concept of the new V&A design museum in Dundee. For the October 3 meeting, I suggest that a visit to this amazing building would be a good idea.
Aberdeen U3A Interest Groups
BOOK GROUPChristine MichieJo McPherson The groups read a variety of books suggested by members who give a short presentation before a general, usually lively discussion. Group 1 has a membership which fills the meeting space but Group 2 would welcome new members. Please contact us by phone or through the website where we will post details of our reading lists. There you will also find an archive of our diverse past choices.
Date First Wed of month: 5 Sept, 3 Oct7 Nov, 5 Dec
Date Group 1, 2nd Friday of the monthGroup 2, 3rd Friday of the monthTime 13.30 - 15.30. (Both Groups)Venue Central Library (Both groups)
Date Every Tuesday afternoonTime14.00 - 16.00Venue The Belmont, Belmont St.
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CURRENT AFFAIRS John WoodLizann Carwood
The group will debate 3 or 4 items in the news in some depth. Each month we will decide on issues for the following meeting but retain some flexibility in case something of import arises. It is hoped that we can also look at current affairs in the wider context, perhaps including TV documentaries and historical issues that keep re-emerging in every generation. There will be some expectation that group members will have given the issues some thought before the next meeting.
ENJOYING MUSICErica SteeleMichael SteeleWe enjoy sessions of exploration, learning and fun. Having examined the history of music, we have begun to dedicate meetings to a specific instrument or group instruments. We have listened to, ‘cello’, ‘piano’, ‘drums’, ‘clarinet’, ‘bells’ and ‘harp’. Future ideas include ‘double bass’ and ‘the human voice’.The group will start the September session examining traditional instruments of the Middle East. Before each holiday we have a fun evening. The recent end of term challenge was selecting ‘our favourite piece of music’. More details on the U3A website.
Date Monthly,Tuesday evenings, by arrangementTime 19.00-21.00Venue Leaders’ home,Bucksburn
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Date Every third Tuesday of the month Time14.00-16.00
DISCUSSION LUNCHESSheila [email protected]
Join us for a lively discussion of various topics followed by lunch. All welcome. Please contact the group leader by the previous Monday if you wish to join us at the Carmelite on Stirling Street. It is just off Market Street, close to both Union Street and Union Square.
Date Every third Wednesday of the monthTime 11am
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FRENCHMargaret MurrayLorraine Sim
There are two classes this session. The Intermediate class caters for those who already have some knowledge of French and who would like to brush up their skills.It is based on Easy French Step by Step by Myrna Bell Rochester, published by McGraw Hill. In the Advanced class the emphasis is on communicating in French by speaking, listening, reading and writing in the language. It is based mainly on topical items of French news and culture. The atmosphere in both groups is relaxed, informal and friendly. Don't be afraid to contact the group leaders for more information and then come along to join in the fun!
GERMANPat McConnachieFiona WatsonThe Advanced Group uses film, Internet and text to widen vocabulary and expand conversational skills. The Intermediate Group will finish the Advanced German Berlitz Course and use other materials to increase their knowledge of the written and spoken language. The Beginners Group uses Logo 4 as a textbook as well as other media to cover the basics in a range of ways. The aim is to make language learning an enjoyable and fun experience.
INTERNATIONAL LUNCHESFreda MiddletonJane CattoInternational lunches are a great way for members to get to know other members a little better. Occasionally we have an evening meal, usually held on the last meeting of the Group. Venues are publicised at the main meeting where sign up sheets are available and we will endeavour to find new venues at reasonable prices.
Date First and third Tuesdays of the monthTime10am Advanced11am Intermediate12pm Beginners
Date: FourthThursday of alternate months.Venue VariousSign up at monthly meetings.
Date Second and fourth Monday of the monthTime 13.00 - 14.00Intermediate14.15 - 15.45Advanced
PHILOSOPHYJudy AddisonEach month, I shall be giving a talk on different aspects of Western philosophy and philosophers. These talks are a platform for free discussion and interpretation from the whole class. Past topics have included Plato, Immanuel Kant, The Ethics of Lying, Scepticism and ‘How To Be Good’.
POETRYSue DingleSally DicksonWe extend a warm and friendly welcome to those who wish to join us. Poetry is a life enhancing activity, one filled with surprises, pleasure, instruction and, often full of fun and laughter as well as emotion - all good for the soul! We read and engage with poets worldwide from all centuries.
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Date Every first and third Monday of the monthTime14.00 - 16.00
MAH JONGVal NeshamMah Jong continues to be popular. Fascinating and captivating, whether dealing with tiles showing different symbolic characters or those with familiar letter forms, the emphasis is to have fun, not stress. Beginners welcome but at present there is a waiting list.
SCRABBLEKathleen CordinerScrabble continues to be popular for those with a lexical bent. The emphasis is to have fun, not stress, though these players take their games seriously! At present places are limited, so there may be a waiting list.
Date: FourthWednesday each monthTime14.00 -16.00
Date Group 1,third Wednesdayof the month Group 2, fourth Tuesday Group 3, first Tuesday Time14.00 - 16.00
As Mah Jong(see above)
SHAKESPEARESue DingleShakespeare Play reading Group. We are an informal and friendly group who meet to ENJOY reading, acting and discussing Shakespeare's plays and times. We watch DVDs of the plays to gain different perspectives on our readings and understanding of them. Places are limited so there may be a waiting list.
Date Second Tuesday of the month Time 14:00-16:00
SCOTTISH HERITAGEHelen OramAnne MurrayJane CattoWe enjoy all aspects of Scottish heritage: history, song, poetry, stories, etc. We enjoy the richness of North-East and Lowlands Scots. Next term we would like to study, among other things; Early Christianity in Scotland; The Scottish Reformation; North-East industries and NE culture; Scottish novels; The Scottish Enlightenment. Both groups are presently full, but if interested please contact one of the group leaders for information on waiting lists.
Date Group1,second Thursday of the monthGroup 2, third Thursday of the monthTime10.00 -12.00
TRAVELEnid KnuttonThe Travel Group welcomes members who like travel:gathering together people to experience other people’s holidays/travels/experiences. From this may come an idea for a different holiday location discovering different aspects of our 7 Continents, re-awakening memories or even occasionally giving insights into e.g. conflicts, ancient civilisations. This group runs with help from everyone. The talks are usually informal slide shows plus a cup of tea/coffee, a biscuit and a chat. This last year we have travelled to Antartica, Canada, the Far East, Budapest, a river cruise in Germany, New Zealand (this was a DVD), Indonesia, Iran and Uzbekistan. If anyone (outside the Group) has been on, or is embarking on, a trip to foreign places, we would enjoy hearing about it (help can be given on the technical/ photographic side) even if they don’t wish to attend the group regularly.
Date Second Wednesday of the month. Time14.00 - 16.00
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WALKINGFiona WatsonWe are a small and sociable group, and new members are most welcome. Each session's programme is a collaborative effort, with individual members volunteering to lead walks of their own choosing, and our monthly walks take us to different parts of the countryside around the North East. Details are shown on the group's web pages.
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Date Second Saturday of the monthTime TBA (Seewebsite)
GALLERYJust a few pictures showing U3A members enjoying themselves in their
diverse ways.
PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU ARE A MEMBER WISHING TO JOIN A GROUP FOR THE FIRST TIME, PLEASE CONTACT THE
GROUP LEADER TO SEE IF THERE ARE VACANCIES PRIOR TO SENDING MONEY TO THE TREASURER
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ANYONE FOR POETRY?Sue Dingle
Why I ponder are people either drawn to poetry or dismissive of it? I find it an intriguingquestion as I so often hear, “poetry is not my thing,” or, “I didn’t like it at school …” and so on.A few years ago, I persuaded a lady to come along to the poetry group to give poetrya try. She came and never looked back. “I’m hooked,” she emailed after her first session. Sadly she died a few months later butamong the many poems she encountered before this, one became deeply memorable to
her as it articulated her feelings for her husband who was in a nursing home with dementia.
“i carry your heart with me ( i carry it in / my heart ) i am never without it(anywhere /i go you go my dear…” e.e. cummings, the American poet ofthis poem also tells us, “the first step to expanding your reality is to discard the tendency to exclude things from possibility,” and, “once we believe in ourselves,” he tells us, “we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight or any experience that reveals the human spirit.”
So why not engage with some poetry with the possibility of being “hooked?” The following excerpts are merely minuscule canapés to tempt your palate. Take the American Billy Collins’ History Teacher with his unorthodox and refreshing look at teaching history (in a PC society ?)“ Trying to protect hi students’ innocence /he told them the Ice Age was really just /the Chilly Age, a period of a million years/ when everyone had to wear sweaters....( later he wondered) if they would believe that soldiers/in the Boer War told long, rambling stories / designed to make the enemynod off.”Britain’s Wendy Cope arouses wonder in her poem Orb,“An illuminated orb ...( which was ) Not a planet in the night sky : “but my eyeball /on the opticians screen. / It’s beautiful. Just one small feature/of amysterious universe/I’ll never explore…” she tells us.
Tennyson’s version of Homer’s Odyssey - Ulysses, highlights the indomitable and tenacious human spirit,
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Erato, Muse of Poetry, byEdward Poynter.
“We are not now that strength which in old days/Moved earth and heaven, that which we are we are...Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will / To strive, to seek, to find and not to yield.”Poetry throws up some wonderfully memorable images too.“ A spider crooning at its loom sewing/its webs of death and dinner.” Or, “ Ants martial marching songs.” One could have fun imagining the words and music!Or, “ A poem trapped in an empty fountain pen.” All from Scottish poet Douglas Dunn. A poet on the syllabus for the autumn.And perhaps a nibble or two from Scotland’s Norman McCaig - from Frogs, “ They die on roads with arms across their chests and/heads high…I Iove frogs that sit/like Buddha, that fall without/parachutes, that die/likeItalian tenors.” (Make up a frog opera …)Or, “A parcel of hinds/gave the V sign with their ears, then/ran off andoff till they were/cantering crumbs/I watched/a whole long day/release its miracles,” as he observes life at Ben Dorain. (Poem One of the Many Days ). Rightly, the American poet Mary Oliver proclaims, “Truly, we live with mysteries too marvellous to be understood,” and notes, “How people come, from delight or the/scars of damage, /to the comfort of apoem,” (Mysteries Yes). Poetry is a vast archive of anything and everything that has been imagined or experienced by humanity for millennia. And, it has been noted, can be a healing and health giving discipline as certainly it is an alchemical medium that can transform and enrich the lives of those who engage with it. “Only connect,” advised E M Forster. Poetry will take you on the journey of a lifetime if you will risk connecting - will you? Or won’t you? Our first meeting in September will attempt to wrestle with the question,”What is Poetry?”
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Editor’s Note.Before I undertook the newsletter, I visited a number of groups to help me obtain a general overview. I found each and every one absolutely fascinating. However, I have to admit that I was precisely the sort of person who said, “Poetry is not my thing,” or “I didn’t like it at school …” and so on. Of course, that was before I had visited Sue Dingle’s group where I discovered that my preconceptions regarding poetry were quite misplaced. Not only was I impressed by the materials, I was also charmed by the relaxed and accepting nature of the group. Maybe poetry does make you a better person!TRS
Trip to Swedish Lappland April 2018
Enid Knutton
Seven members from Aberdeen U3A flew to Northern Sweden for a 5 day visit to Kiruna and its environs. Kiruna is dominated by an iron ore mine, one of 6 in the region owned by the Swedish Government. The mine has been operational for over 100 years. It has now caused subsidence of many of the buildings of the town which is built above the mine, necessitating major relocation of those buildings 2 miles to the East. We visited the mine, and we also had a day trip to Narvik in Norway from where the iron ore pellets are shipped overseas from its ice free harbour. The importance of the mine caused a railway to be built from Narvik to Kiruna in the early 1900s and these days 8 trains daily move 66 wagons containing 100 tonnes of iron ore pellets.
In World War II, although Sweden was neutral, the Germans allowed the maintenance of these daily shipments because of their importance to Germany's war effort. Whilst in Narvik we also visited a museum dedicated to WWII which showed the help and contribution given by The Allies to Norway's defence at the beginning of the war until the ships and forces were recalled to support the forces fighting in France, Belgium and the Netherlands. Narvik surrendered to the Germans in 1940 and suffered very badly throughout the rest of the war.
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On a lighter note, we learned a little about the Sami culture - of course the Sami have also been displaced from a lot of their land - and their reindeer herding life style; we had a sledge ride over a frozen lake behind a snow mobile at Nikkaluokta and investigated many of the designer rooms in the magnificent Ice Hotel. At least one of our group managed to down a dram of Famous Grouse in a glass made of ice. I personally managed to capture a photograph of the Northern Lights from the icy grounds of our Youth Hostel, where we were staying. Our sincere thanks should be recorded for our hosts in Kiruna, for whom we held a Burns Night supper. A tribute should also be made to Gunilla and others in the Group who pushed and hauled me around the snow covered streets and tracks in a wheelchair - an experience to remember!Enid Knutton, June 2018
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The German Groups enjoyed a happy Sommerfest at the end of the summer session. We had a wonderful selection of goodies to eat - Leckereien zu essen - and a quiz to test our knowledge of Germany which was honourably won by Douglas Gourlay.
News from the PKZs*Pat McConnachie
* PKZ stands for Pensioniert, keine Zeit which means ‘Retired, no time’ which tends to sum up the busy lives led by most U3A members who get lots of pleasure out of constantly learning new things.
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The Advanced Group had a most enjoyable outing to Gardenstown organised by Gunilla Smith. We had a gloriously sunny day and met a German couple who were visiting the area and who were happy to have us practise our conversational skills with them.Our three groups of PKZs are looking forward to further immersion in the German language and culture in year ahead.
1 “Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore.”2 “Magic mirror on the wall, who is the fairest one of all?'3 "Round up the usual suspects.”4 “You just put your lips together and blow."5 “Fasten Your Seatbelts, It's Going To Be A Bumpy Night.”6 “You talking to me?”7 “I have a bad feeling about this.”8 “Greed, for lack of a better word, is good.”
1 The Wizard of Oz; 2 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs; 3 Casablanca; 4 To Have and Have Not; 5 All About Eve; 6 Taxi Driver; 7 The Empire Strikes Back (and other Star Wars movies); 8 Wall Street
A Quick Quiz For The Film Fan
Derek Melloy has a quiz for all you film buffs out there. (Answers at bottom of the page.)
U3A SUMMER TRIPMay Martin
Our trip this year took us to Scone Palace and Perth. On Friday, 22nd June, thirty-eight members set off in glorious weather for Perthshire.
Today, the Palace is the home of the Earls of Mansfield. Fifteen hundred years ago Scone was the capital of a Pictish kingdom and an important seat of the home of parliaments and the crowning place of kings. In 1651, Charles II was the last person to be crowned at Scone. It has housed the Stone of Scone and been immortalised in Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’.
The original palace in 1803 was in a sad state of repair and David Murray, the 3rd Earl of Mansfield set about rebuilding the house as a Georgian gothic palace. Landscaping of the grounds included the removal of the entire village of Scone to a new site two miles away.
The tour took us through sumptuously decorated rooms; e.g. the Ambassador’s room with its magnificently embroidered bed canopy. Also in this room is the well-known Zoffany portrait of Lady Elizabeth Murray who is accompanied by a black girl, her cousin, Elizabeth Dido Belle. The film ’Belle’ tells her story. Amongst other paintings are two huge 18th century portraits of George III and Queen Charlotte. They are by the Scottish artist, Alan Ramsay. In the many beautiful cabinets, porcelain from Britain, France and Germany is displayed.
There is no longer an abbey. It fell victim to the Reformation when, “a riotous mob from Dundee pilage and burn it”. There is, however, a chapel built at the same time as the Palace. Outside the chapel on Moot Hill is a copy of the Stone of Scone. Most people will be aware of its history. Where is the original? Who knows?
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The extensive grounds include a maze, a pinetum, gardens and, unavoidable, many peacocks which beg for food!
The coach then took us to Perth where we had some free time. Some of us went to the J D Fergusson Gallery. John Duncan Fergusson (1874-1961) was born in Leith and though spending much of his career in France and England, he was classified as a ‘Scottish Colourist’ along
with Cadell, Hunter and Peploe.
The gallery has an amazing collection of his works showing his development through various styles. There is at least one of his paintings in Aberdeen Art Gallery. When Fergusson died, his partner, Margaret Morris – one of his muses – wanted to establish a permanent home for his work and Perth and Kinross bid for the collection. They had a suitable building which could be converted, a disused water tower, hence the odd shape.
Our next venue was the Red House Hotel at Coupar Angus for an excellent high tea.
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Fergusson liked a comely wench.
Some U3A comely wenches!
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PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION Michael Steele
The theme for this year's Photographic Competition will be, ‘Pleasures of aThird Age', closing date October 31st. Rules as before: no limit onnumber of entries but images must have been taken by the entrant, useof Photoshop or similar processing software is allowed, and where people are featured, permission must have been granted, in writing where minors are involved.
The Fainthearted TravellerTina Stockman
I read of other U3A members’ travels with envy. You are brave and intrepid. My husband and I have travelled to many parts of the world and have succeeded in being terrified, embarrassed or vomiting in most of them. In 1971, as an impoverished pair of newly-weds, we chose to go on a summer holiday language course in Austria. We drove to the front door of the University of Vienna in a second-hand Renault 4, the nearest thing to a motorised biscuit tin. We were expecting to stay in a student hostel but no, we had been placed in a convent - for girls only! My husband’s name is Norman - apparently unheard of in Austria - and it was assumed his name was a misprint for Norma. As we share a surname, the administrators decided we were sisters. Let me digress briefly. Are you familiar with the film The Addams Family? One of the characters is Cousin Itt. Itt has floor-length hair, covering his face and body with just a pair of glasses where his
eyes might be. He is inexplicably attractive to women. This was the 1970’s and the description of Itt pretty much fitted my husband (mmm, maybe apart from the inexplicable attractiveness). They resolved the problem by placing us in ‘married quarters’ i.e. a bare cell with bars at the windows, two small iron bedsteads, a steady supply of mosquitoes and no washing facilities. We presumed the logic was that as we were married, we didn’t need a view or a wash. On the up side, we can now say all of the above in German. Auf wiederschauen zu allen verzagten Reisenden!
Where in Aberdeen?Have you noticed some of the street art going up around Aberdeen? May Martin, Art Appreciation Group Leader, certainly has and draws your attention to some of them. This street art initiative is the brain child of Stavanger based group, Nuart, which seeks to encourage and promote practitioners of street art. (No answers, seek them for yourself!)
Where in the world?Derek Melloy has sent in some of his magnificent photos from around the world - but where were they taken and what are we looking at? (Answers at foot of the page.)
Where in the World? 1 Pisa, Italy 2 Ayres Rock, Australia 3 Palaces of the Winds, Jaipur, IndiaWho’s the Artist? 1 Bosch 2 Velásquez 3 Goya 4 Breughel
1 2 3
1 2 3 4
Who’s the Artist?Can you name the artists who painted these various body parts?(Answers at foot of the page.)
