July 2019 Issue No 39

MUSINGS FROM THE CHAIRThe first month of our MaD U3A year has flown by with lots of activities still happening despite the excessive rainfall. Only the short walk couldn’t happen and has been rescheduled to 12 July. Hopefully summer is on its way.

I shall be in France when this Newsletter is sent out to you and I’m sure Sue Cullen along with all our wonderful volunteers will have done an excellent job of hosting the General Meeting in my absence.

You may be wondering if there is something you could do to contribute to our U3A. For example, Jill Cunningham (Refreshments) would like another person to go on the rota to pour the tea. Also, we can co-opt another person onto the committee. Maybe you have an idea for a new group and would like to talk to someone about it or you might know of a good speaker that Heather Wheatley (Speaker Seeker) can contact. We’d like to hear from you so please do speak to or email a committee member.

August is often a busy month for holidays but for those of us who are putting our faith in sunshine over Mapperley, we shall be having a Coffee & Cake morning on 22nd instead of our usual speaker meeting. Jill is looking for some cakes and cookies so please let her know if you can bring a little something. Geraldine Chaffe is organising a raffle and some donated prizes will be very welcome. Marion Wright is bringing a few of the most popular games from her group. We are planning another jigsaw puzzle swap as that was incredibly popular at Christmas so please bring a puzzle and hope to find one that you will enjoy doing.

I am looking forward to seeing many of you on the trip to Lincoln and at the meeting on 25 July.

Carolyn Luckhurst Chairman

RED CROSS COURSE - TRIPS AND FALLS Sadly we had to postpone the second Red Cross course as many people were unable to make the proposed date, but we shall definitely be running another session in the autumn. The date will be announced later in the year. Please contact Maggie Grimshaw if you would like to attend such a course. It just takes a couple of hours and is very worthwhile.

Your Monthly Mapperley and District U3A Newsletter

THE THIRD AGE TRUST

U A3 M a Dmoments

Carolyn Luckhurst Chair Sue Cullen Vice Chair & Newsletter Helen Fulton Business Secretary Anne Elliott Treasurer Chris Padgett Membership Secretary Geraldine Chaffe Social Secretary

Heather Wheatley Speaker Seeker Elaine Wyatt Marketing & Liaison Vic Blake Committee Member Martin Cooke Committee Member Maggie Grimshaw Committee Member Richard Hill Committee Member

Your Committee 2019-20

NOTICES and ITEMS OF INTEREST

AGEING WELL CONFERENCE

Nottinghamshire Network Ageing Well Conference - 19 October 2019. Click here to see the poster for the Ageing Well Conference.

If you are interested in attending the event, please email Paco at the email address on the poster. Applications are by email only, not telephone. Please ask for an application form for the event.

The requests are dealt with on a 'first come, first served basis', so it is probably best to apply as soon as possible as this is likely to a very popular conference.

AgeUKNotts BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Knowing where to start when looking for a local trustworthy trader can feel like a daunting task. In order to offer peace of mind when looking for a local tradesperson or business, Age UK Notts operates the business directory service to make knowing who to call easier. The Age UK Notts Business Directory (AUBD) has details of a wide range of traders and businesses from across the city and county. It includes builders, plumbers, electricians, roofers and many other types of traders and businesses. Through accessing this service, older people can easily find good quality tradespeople who have been through the AUBD rigorous application and checking process. The Business Directory Freephone number is08000114643.Or search the directory online atwww.aubdnotts.co.uk

Thanks to Martin Cooke for noticing this.

DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY? Please contact Elaine Wyatt if you have any concerns, ideas, problems or appreciation of Mapperley and District U3A. Either speak to Elaine at one of our meetings, or email her on ewyatt0@gmail.com and she will do her best to deal with your issue or pass along your comments.

June’s General Meeting - Jazz from New York to New Orleans

A CHANGE OF TEMPO WITH ROGER BROWN A refreshing change to include a musical presentation from our speaker today! Roger Brown, from Stockport, brought a lighthearted commentary to his musical interlude. He took us on a musical journey from his experience of a variety of genres from Operatic to Jazz. His dexterity and expertise on the keyboard were appreciated by a full house. Roger expounded on the Golden Age of Radio, with an eclectic mix of music, which brought back memories! He entertained us with jokes about his religion and his early experiences of theatre - I didn't realise André Previn was a Jazz musician before he became a conductor! Roger also gave us some practical advice on how to keep our tights up, to the amusement of our enthusiastic audience. Elaine Wyatt

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DAY TRIP TO NATIONAL MINING MUSEUM, WAKEFIELD June saw the ‘Intrepid 12’ venture off to the wilds of Yorkshire to visit the National Mining Museum just outside Wakefield. After piling off the bus, we all made our way to Reception and purchased tickets to ‘go down pit’ for the Underground Experience! We donned hard hats and were issued with battery lamps before handing over all our worldly goods (known as contraband), including battery operated watches & mobiles. (Fortunately we were allowed to keep our hearing aids & heart monitors in place!) We were then herded into the cage and taken 140 metres down to the depths to begin a fascinating tour of the pit, which documented the history of mining. Our guide, Chris, who had been a Pit Deputy for many years, kept us entertained with a mixture of in-depth facts about the mining experience and his very ‘earthy’ sense of humour. It was very sobering to hear tales of whole families working 13 hour shifts together, with children as young as 4 and 5 opening and shutting the ventilation doors in total darkness, without the benefit of a candle; and of women filling huge heavy bags with coal and dragging them up to the shaft. The museum site is very large with a variety of original buildings, galleries, exhibitions and a nature trail. They also have a lovely café which we found very welcoming after the visit to the mine, as it is quite cold underground, with the temperature averaging a constant 11° throughout the seasons. There is also an aviary housing several canaries (although they have thankfully now been replaced in the mine by more modern gas monitoring technology). We also saw a couple of lovely Shire horses being led across the car park as we were getting ready to leave, which was an added treat. The Museum was fascinating, with knowledgeable, friendly staff and a huge variety of things to see and do. Sadly we didn’t manage to fit everything in during the visit, so maybe a return trip next year? A huge thanks to Geraldine, Marian Donaldson & Paula Bosley for their great work in organising the event as ever, and for making sure that we all had such a lovely time. Thanks also to Geraldine for counting us on and off the bus – 12 went out and 12 came back!! Success! Helen Fulton

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FBIagentsdiscussgrillingtechniques

So Mr Steak, where were you the night of June 12th?

Easy Fred, that type of grilling doesn’t work here

“AndnowIjuststepbackandletthegrillingprocessdestroyanynutriConalvalueitmighthavehad”

“That’snice,butisn’titsupposedtobeagrill?”

MICHELIN UNVEILS ‘REVOLUTIONARY’ NEW AIRLESS TYRES Flat tyres could soon become a thing of the past after a key player unveiled its latest innovation – a completely airless tyre. The Unique Puncture-proof Tire System (Uptis for short) has been created by Michelin, and the French manufacturer hopes to see the tyres on roads by 2024. Created in partnership with General Motors, the new airless tyre could revolutionise the car industry, improving driver safety, fuel economy and sustainability. Although still in the prototype phase of development, the tyres could have significant implications for the future of motoring, particularly in terms of safety. Airless tyres would mean an end to flat tyres, punctures and blow-outs, which would in turn see safer cars and safer roads for all users, whether drivers, cyclists or pedestrians. In fact, manufacturers say the tyres – which are made from resin-embedded fibreglass and an aluminium wheel – would need no maintenance at all. Michelin predicts the improved reliability and the fact existing wheels can be fitted with new treads would eliminate the need for 200 million annual tyre replacements. To read more, follow this link to the RAC site

DON’T LET SOCIAL MEDIA RUIN YOUR HOLIDAY! Heading off on a road trip this summer? Be careful what you tweet about…

Police are warning all holidaymakers that social media posts are inadvertently alerting thieves to empty houses, making them prime targets for burglary. Worst of all – by posting such information yourself, you may even be invalidating the terms of your home insurance policy as some insurance providers will invalidate home insurance claims made in light of a burglary which followed such a social post – claiming it proves homeowners failed to take “reasonable care” to protect their property.

Click here to read the full article from the RAC.

HOW HEALTHY IS YOUR PICNIC? Now that the sun is finally shining many of us will be heading out to enjoy our beautiful countryside, and taking a picnic with us. But, do you know how healthy your picnic is? The British Heart Foundation have put together an interactive article showing a selection of our favourite foods to discover how they measure up and get some nutritious serving suggestions for your next picnic. There’s also useful information on the best BBQ meats, some quick and healthy snack ideas and a protein quiz as well as links to a lot of really interesting stuff. Visit the BHF site

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Australian to Brit “Did you have a good summer?” Brit “Yep. We had a great picnic that afternoon”

MEETINGS July’s General Meeting - Thursday 25 July at 10:00 am The speaker at our meeting this month will be Steve King who will be talking to us about ’Radio Bloopers’.

Future General Meetings Thursday 22 August Coffee Morning No Speaker Thursday 26 September Nottingham Castle Development Cal Warren Thursday 24 October Robin Hood : legend and reality Bob White Thursday 28 November Magician and comedian Dave Moylan Thursday 26 December No Speaker

2020 Thursday 23 January Russian Christmas Cathy McAteer Thursday 27 February Islam & Islamic Culture Dr Javad Hashami Thursday 26 March My Life in Prison Geoff Parkinson

New and Prospective Members’ Meeting There will be an opportunity for new members and those who are thinking of joining MaD U3A to come to Tipsy T, 908 Woodborough Rd, Nottingham NG3 5QR and chat on a one to one basis with Chris Padgett (Membership Secretary) and Sue Cullen (Vice Chair and Newsletter Compiler) on Thursday 4 July 10.30 am to 11.30 am. We want to be sure that new members joining know what is available to them and can ask questions in an informal environment. If you know of someone who may be interested in joining then please bring them or send them along to this meeting or to one of our general meetings.

NEWS FROM INTEREST GROUPS Challenging Photography

The subject elicited a wide range of interpretations and some wonderful photographs. We had two winners with Richard Lally submitting a superb study of a dragonfly. Joining him on the top step of the podium was Pauline Reid with a stunning common blue butterfly. In third place was Elaine Carter-Fox with a brilliant flower picture.

Congratulations to all our winners and commiserations to all our other members who made this another memorable meeting.

Best wishes Malcolm

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One in four frogs is a leap frog

French Conversation and Culture The second meeting of the French Conversation and Culture Group took place on 20th June and the next will be on the 18th July from 15.30 to 17.00 at Haywood Road Community Centre. This week we discussed French texting rules which was a good way of honing our pronunciation, language and just being cool! We still had plenty of time to laugh and ponder though; DAC was an easy shortening of d'accord, the acronym for the English LoL equivalent was MDR … die of laughing … or mort de rire. We also learnt some more colloquial expressions as well as some slightly rude ones. Please join us for an hour and a half of fun learning (well we think so!!) Biz Annabell If you would like to join us, please contact Annabell Bell-Boulé.

Knit and Natter Do you enjoy knitting? Or would you like to start?

The next Knit & Natter get together will be on Thursday 4 July, from 10.30 am to 12.00 noon at The Plainsman on Woodborough Road. Val Girling will be there with her knitting needles ready to welcome you. You may prefer to bring crochet or needlepoint or some other craft.

There is no cost associated with being a member of this group, however the pub would like you to purchase a beverage of some sort please.

Happy knitting!

For more information, or to join the group please contact carolyn@luckhurst.me in the first instance.

Music Appreciation

At our meeting in June Gary presented a great session on the life and work of Mozart. A fairly quick run through the musical development of the man who was possibly the greatest of all composers and the one who has inspired almost all composers who followed on.

Mozart was good at all aspects of composition, never produced a single piece that was not up to the highest standards, right from a very young age, and yet managed to be a real and personable (if at times rude and cheeky) human being.

Gary will provide a list of Mozart compositions that he would recommend to the Group.

The July meeting will be hosted by Paul Wright. The focus for the evening will be ballet music, so if you have a special piece you would like to share please bring it with you.

The group is not able to take any new members at the moment, but please contact Maggie Grimshaw or Joan Davis via the website if you would like to put your name on the waiting list.

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The MaD U3A orchestra played Mozart last night: Mozart lost

Playhouse Theatre Group All Mapperley U3A members are invited to join us for visits to the Playhouse. The price is usually between £7 and £8 per ticket, and we enjoy very good seats. Tickets can be purchased at the monthly meetings or by contacting the convenor via the website. Our forthcoming productions are : Friday 13 and Friday 27 September - An Enemy of the People by Ibsen, starring Alex Kingston An updated version of this timely and gripping play about fake news, whistle-blowers and the corruption of power which challenges both personal and global politics. The tickets for this are nearly sold out! Friday 1 November - Assassins a Musical by Stephen Sondheim Thursday 2nd January 2020 - Sleeping Beauty pantomime (this production will be £8.00)

Don’t forget to ask for your complementary programme when presenting your Hothouse ticket to the Front of House Team. Happy Theatre going. Judith

Shorter Walks Group You will not be surprised to learn that Geoff Girling and I decided to postpone the Caythorpe

walk planned for Friday 14 June. The ground was going to be extremely sodden and slippery along with an over-flowing Dover Beck and over grown nettles. The next date is Friday 12 July and the plan is to keep to the same route and we look

forward to a lovely walk in Caythorpe, starting at 10.00am from the carpark at The Black Horse Inn, Caythorpe NG14 7ED. Please make a note of my mobile number in case of difficulty. 07734 345595. As this is the second time this year we have been affected by poor ground conditions, Geoff is going to design a route for us that will be safe to walk after inclement weather. We will then be able to change the venue rather than cancel the walk. Kind regards Carolyn Luckhurst Please contact me if you are interested in joining this group.

Trips and Visits These are the trips and visits we are hoping will go ahead between now and the end of the year. They are dependent on numbers so if we don’t get a viable groups we may need to cancel so please make sure you put your contact details on when booking. We may add to this list in the coming months so be sure to keep your eyes peeled!

If you have any ideas or suggestions for social activities, or for further information please contact Geraldine Chaffe Best wishes, Geraldine (Social Secretary)

Trip / Event Month Day Date Venue StatusChatsworth July Friday 19 Book nowDowntown shopping August Friday 23 Book nowBlackpool September Fri-Sun 13-15 Book nowEden Project October Thurs-Mon 5-9 Book nowLiverpool November Fri-Sun 1-3 Book nowThursford Spectacular December Mon-Tues 9-10 Fully bookedCryptic crossword workshops

Mon or Tues TBA Sign up now

Escape Room TBA Nottingham Sign up nowChristmas Market December Tuesday 3 Melton Mowbray Sign up nowChristmas Lunch December Thursday 12 Mapperley Golf

ClubTickets £13.00 each Only 90 places

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Wine AppreciationWith Maggie and Vic, and Tomas the dog, away enjoying themselves for the summer we needed a new venue, and Brenda very kindly stepped up to the mark and offered to host our summer wine meetings. A big thanks to Brenda – and to Mac – for allowing us to use their home. The plan was to taste in the garden, but that was abandoned as it was just too cold – but it didn’t dampen our spirits and we had a very jolly afternoon. The theme for June was ‘Quirky Labels’: wines chosen simply because they had unusual or ‘quirky’ labels. A label is quite important, not only in telling us what’s inside the bottle but also it can influence our decision of whether or not to buy. Sometimes a very classy-looking label can convince us that the bottle contains a classy wine, and often a comic or inexpensive-looking label can make us decide against buying. So we set about trying some wines which we might not have bought, merely because of their labels. First up was Cimarosa Sauvignon Semillon (2017) from S E Australia (Lidl - £4.25) . This label has several stylised platypuses on it and doesn’t look especially tempting. The wine was light and easy-drinking, slightly off-dry and was fairly well liked, although nobody raved about it. It was generally thought to be good value for money and would go down well in the garden on a sunny day (if we ever get any!).

Our next white was Lady Sauvignon (2018) from Casablanca Valley, Chile (Majestic £7.99 single bottle or £6.99 in a mixed 6). The unusual and striking label was liked, but the wine had very mixed reviews. Crisp, fresh and dry but very much a ‘Marmite’ wine, being either liked or really disliked. Some didn’t like either the nose or the taste.

We tried two rosés, the first being Cimarosa Shiraz Rosé (2018) from S E Australia (Lidl - £4.49). This label is in the same style as our first wine, but with crocodiles. The wine was a strong, pretty salmony-pink in colour with not much bouquet (a comment was made that it was like seaside rock!). On the palate the first hit was sweet with not much else. The aftertaste was persistent but not rewarding. A couple of us quite liked it, but our ‘rosé expert’ didn’t have a good word for it. We decided it wasn’t one to buy.

Our second rosé was a hit. This was Zingo Malbec Rosé (2018) from Pays D’Oc, France (Majestic £9.99 or £7.99 in a mixed 6). A very pretty label, and a pretty pale strawberry in colour, soft and fresh with loads of fruit and a slight sweet note on the palate. Our rosé expert approved of this one, as did everyone else.

On to the reds, and our 5th wine had what we thought was possibly the best label ever - a smiling or frowning Frenchman, depending on how

you viewed him! Jean Bon Merlot (2017) from Pays D’Oc, France (Majestic £7.99 or £6.99 in a mixed 6). A lovely deep cherry red, not much on the nose to begin with but smooth and easy in the mouth with no sharp edges. Aftertaste of dark chocolate, cherries, pepper and spice. All red wine drinkers thought it was lovely.

Next we tried Morala Riverland Old Vine Grenache (2018) from S Australia (Majestic £10.99 or £8.99 in a mixed 6 when purchased but now selling at £11.99 / £9.99). The pretty label has pink cockatoos. This wine suggested we try it cool - which we did. A clear tawny red, smooth and easy on the palate and good length. We enjoyed it both cool and at room temperature. Overall we thought it was delicious and deceptive, as the taste belies the looks.

Our final tasting was a superhero of a wine, with a superhero label. Hey Malbec! (2017) from Argentina (Majestic £12.99 or £10.99 in a mixed 6). A deep, dense red with spice, fruit and violets on the nose. Soft and sweet in the mouth with gentle tannins leading to dark fruit and some spice on the long finish. Full bodied, rich and satisfying. Comment was “Anton would love this” - bad luck Anton, we drank it all!

Sue

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Quickly, bring me a beaker of wine so that I may wet my mind and say something clever. Aristophanes

NATIONAL U3A NEWSLETTER

If you’d like to read the National U3A Newsletter just click on this link and sign up to receive your copy - National Newsletter.

PLEASE REMEMBER to let the Membership Secretary know if your personal details change. If you don’t you may stop receiving Third Age Matters, email information and the Newsletter etc.

The MaD Moments Newsletter is published monthly in digital format. Hard copies are available for members who do not have email. Please contact your Chairman Carolyn Luckhurst or speak to one of the Committee members.

The Third Age Matters magazine is available in a text only format to make it readable with screen reader. (You will have to register with the Resources section. Let me know if you have any problems and I will send you a text file.) If your household receives two copies of the Third Age Matters monthly magazine it would be very helpful to us if you could bring your second copy to the next main meeting, so that new members can have a chance to browse this. With thanks Your Committee

BEACON NEWSLETTER Beacon is the U3A’s integrated membership, groups, finance and mailing system. The first Beacon Newsletter has just been launched, its aim is to keep U3As informed of news about Beacon, to provide hints and tips, news about the Beacon Upgrade project and profile some of the people who work behind the scenes to make Beacon a success.

ThereadtheBeaconNewsle9erpleaseclick here

FACEBOOK - are you a member of our group? There are lots of lovely photos on our Facebook site - Mapperley and District U3A. Do join the group and keep up to date with news, views and information regarding the MaD U3A.

It’s a closed group, open only to members of MaD U3A (so not visible to anyone else) and it’s easy to join. Just log into your Facebook account, search in ‘Groups’ for ‘Mapperley and District U3A’ and send a request to join the group. If you don’t have an account you can easily create one by going to facebook.com.

1. Kingston is the capital of which of the West Indies? 2. The Idylls of the King is a collection of Arthurian-based poems by which Poet Laureate? 3. In the world of computing, blog is short for what? 4. Which 1894 novel by Anthony Hope is set in Ruritania? 5. In which television series did Captain Jean-Luc Picard appear? 6. Figueres in Spain is home to a museum of which artist? 7. What is the currency of Bolivia? 8. What is the name of the road that crosses the Aintree Grand National course? 9. Where in the UK are there 108 MLAs? 10. What is the capital of Liechtenstein? AnswersattheendoftheNewsle9er

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THE LITTLE MaD QUIZ

NEW INTEREST GROUPSThere is a possible 6 week course on solving Cryptic Crosswords, and we are hoping to have a National Trust Visits group (running in the summer months) starting up soon. Watch this space for more details. Please send an email to Carolyn Luckhurst via this link if you are interested in joining any of these new groups.

If you wish to make suggestions for new groups or to join those already set up please get in touch. Ownership of each group lies with the members of that group and they get together to agree on times and places.

Two free taster sessions are available to those who are not members of MaD U3A. To find out more please go to the website. Each group below has a link to the relevant page.

INTEREST GROUPSEach group has its own page on the website giving details of the group’s activities

Do please remember to let the convener or your group know if you won’t be able to make it to a meeting. They go to considerable time and effort, and sometimes expense, to get the group organised and running smoothly for you - please don’t let them down by just failing to attend. An email or phone call is all it takes.

Occasionallymee-ngdatesmaybedifferentfromtheirnorm Pleasecheckwithyourconvenerforconfirma-onandmee-ngdetails

ArtHistoryConvener: JulieRigbyMeet: 3rdThursdayfrom10:00-12:00amVenue: MapperleyPlainsSportsandSocialClubNextmeeting: Thursday18July-LifeandworksofLeonardodaVinciFormoreinformation,contactJulieRigbyatArtHistoryconvener

BookClubConvener: MartinCookeMeet: 2ndTuesdayat10:30amVenue: Members’homesNextmeeting: Tuesday9July-Book‘ShutterIsland’byDenisLehaneThebookclubisnowfull.IfyouareinterestedinconveningBookClub2pleasecontacttheBookclubconvener.

Bridge:LearntoplayBridgeConvener: FreddieDaviesMeet: AlternateTuesdaysfrom2:00-4:00-DatestobeannouncedVenue: Convener’shomeIfyouareinterestedinjoiningthecoursepleasereadmypageonthewebsite.If,inthemeantime,youwishtocommentorenteryourdetailsonawaitinglist,pleaseseemeatthemeetingoremailmeatBridgeGroupConvener

ChallengingPhotographyConvener: MalcolmDarrochMeet: 4thWednesdayfrom2:00-4:00pmVenue: Room2ArnoldLibrary-£2perheadtocoverroomhireNextmeeting: 28August-subject‘Letters’ NOMEETINGinJuly.ContactMalcolmDarrochformoreinformation.

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Children: you spend the first 2 years of their lives teaching them how to walk and talk and the next 16 telling them to sit down and shut up

CreativeWritingConvener: CarolynLuckhurstMeet: 4thThursdayfrom2:00-4:00pm(latest).Venue: Convener’shomeNextmeeting: Thursday25July-Proseorpoetrywithasunshinetheme-atargetofaround1000words NOMEETINGinAugustThisisaparticularlyinterestinggroupwithavarietyofskilllevelsandapuredesireforenjoyment,friendshipandfun.Weareabletotakeacouplemorepeople.PleasecontactCarolynforfurtherinformation

DiscussionGroupConvener: LynnMajewskiMeet: 2ndMondayfrom2:00-4:00pmVenue: Room1ArnoldLibraryNextmeeting: Monday8JulyComeandjointhegroupinafriendlyatmosphere,liberallylacedwithbeverage,and,perhaps,makenewfriendsintheprocess.IfyouwishtojoinpleasecontactLynn.

ExploringOurWorldConvener: FreddieDaviesMeet: 1stWednesdayfrom2:00-4:00pmVenue: ArnoldLibraryNextmeeting: Wednesday3JulyAmembers`participationgroupdiscussingthecharacteristicsofvariouscountries.FormoreinformationpleasecontactFreddieDaviesviathewebsitepage

FamilyHistoryConvener: ClaireWilkieMeet: 4thMondayat2:00pmVenue: ArnoldLibraryNextmeetings: Monday22July-TalkfromDenisHill,thistimeaboutOldandCuriousOccupations. Ifyouwanttocommentorshowmoreinterestinthisgroup,pleasesendanemailtotheFamilyHistoryconvener

FrenchConversationandCultureConvener: AnnabellBell-BouléMeet: 3rdThursday-HaywoodRoadCommunityCentreNextmeeting: Thursday18Julyfrom3:30-5:00pm

Ifyouwanttocommentorshowmoreinterestinthisgroup,pleasecontactAnnabellviathis link..

GamesConvener: MarionWrightMeet: Wednesdaysfrom2:00-4:00pmVenue: ThePunchbowl,PorchesterRoad,NottinghamWemeeteachWednesdayinanalcoveatthebackofthePunchbowl,ortuckedawayinacosycornerofthebar.Thereisnoroomcharge,butwepay£1.00aheadforteaandcoffee,whichisprovidedduringtheafternoon.ContactMarionviathislink-Gamesconvener

GardeningConvener: ChrisPadgettMeet: 3rdMondayat10:15am-12noonVenue: VariousNextmeeting: Monday15July,venuetobedecidedWehave30members-afriendly,cheerfulgroupofenthusiasticpeoplewhoshareaninterestingardening.Noneofusareexperts,butweallhavewillingheartsandhands,sowhynotjoinus?Formoreinformation,justsendanemailtotheGardeningconvener.Whateveryourgardeninginterest,Ilookforwardtohearingfromyou!

GlampingGroupFORALLMOTORHOMEANDCARAVANOWNERS-ACTUALORASPIRINGWemeetoccasionally,ratherthanonafixedbasis,andatvariousvenuestobedecidedbythegroupthemselves.Itisenvisagedthatmuchoftheactivitywilltakeplacebetweenmeetingswithtipsandinformationbeingexchangedasrequiredbetweenmembersandbyavarietyofmeans.Ifyou’reinterestedpleasecontactVicBlakeformoreinformation

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How do you get a sweet 80 year old lady to cuss? Get another sweet 80 year old to yell ‘Bingo’

Heraldry:AnIntroductionConvener: FreddieDaviesMeetings: AlternateWednesdays2:00-4:00pm(10sessions)Venue: ArnoldLibraryNextmeeting: Wednesdays10,17and24JulyAcolourfulbookletIhavepreparedwillbehandedout.Ifyou’dliketoknowmore,pleasecontacttheHeraldrygroupconvener

ItalianSpeechConvener: JoiceHallMeet: Wednesdaysfrom12.00noon-1.15pm(nomeetingsduringtheschoolholidays)Venue: ArnoldLibrary,MeetingRoom2Ciao.ThisbeginnersgroupmeetseveryWednesday.

KnitandNatterConvener: ValGirlingMeet: TobedecidedamongstmemberofthegroupVenue: ThePlainsman,WoodthorpeDrive/MapperleyTopNextMeedng: Thursday4Julyfrom10:30-12noonIfyouwouldliketoknowmoreaboutthisgrouppleasesendanemailtotheKnit&Natterconvener

LocalHistoryConveners: DorothyRitchieandMichaelPayneMeet: 1stTuesdayfrom10:00-12:00amVenue: MapperleySocialClub,GamesRoomNextmeeting: NextmeetingTuesday2July-guidedtourofAllHallowsChurch,Gedling Nofee-pleasegiveasmalldonationIfyouwouldliketoknowmoreaboutthisgrouppleasesendanemailtotheLocalHistoryconvener

LuncheonClubConveners: MartinDavenportandSheilaStaceyMeet: 3rdWednesdayat12:00noonVenue: VariousNextmeeting: Wednesday17July-TheWheatsheaf,BurtonJoyceComealongandenjoygoodcompanyandmakenewfriends,whilsthavingabitetoeat.WedineeverythirdWednesdayinthemonthchoosingdifferentvenues,meetingatnoon.PleasecontactMartinfordetailsoffuturelunches.

MusicAppreciationConvener: JoanDavisMeet: Usually1stMondayofthemonthat7:00pmVenue: Members’HomeNextmeeting: Monday1July-BalletmusicThegroupisnotabletotakeanynewmembersatthemoment,butpleasecontactJoanDavisorMaggieGrimshawifyouwanttoputyournameonthewaitinglist.

PhilosophyConvener: VicBlakeMeet: 4thTuesdayfrom10:30-12:30pmVenue: Member’shomeNextmeeting: JulydatetobedecidedDuringthesummermonths,andwhileVicisaway,JohnHeesonwillbeconveningthisgroup.Thegroupiscurrentlyfullbutifyouwanttocommentorshowmoreinterest-orperhapsconveneasecondgroup,pleasesendanemailtothePhilosophygroupconvenerviathewebsite.

PlayhouseTheatreGroupConvener: JudithGambleMeet: VariousVenue: NottinghamPlayhouseNextMeeting: Fridays13and27September-‘EnemyofthePeople’MaDmembersarenowabletoexperiencecertainproductionsofgreattheatreataspecialprice(between£7.00and£8.00perticket).Ticketswillbeavailableatthemonthlymeetings,whenyoucansignupandpay.Tobooktickets,orformoreinformation,pleasecontactJudithviathewebsite.

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Are you reading it? Are you enjoying it? Is there something you’d like to add?

This is YOUR Newsletter - if there is something you’d like to add, or remove, or if you would like to share with us an article you’ve seen, or a story or poem you’ve written - anything you feel would be of interest to the members of MaD U3A, please contact the Editor with your submission or suggestion for consideration. We would love to hear from you ……. but keep it polite!

HOW ABOUT A RECIPE SWAP-SHOP? Do you have a favourite recipe, tried and tested, that you’d like to share with us? Or a really useful cookery-related tip? If so, send it along to this email address and it may be included in a future edition. So, to get us going, here’s a recipe for a delicious cold pasta dish ideal for summer BBQs and a hot tip for poaching eggs ….

PlayReadingConvener: SueCullenMeet: 1stThursdayfrom1:30-4:30pmVenue: Member’sHomeNextmeeting: Thursday4July-‘OurTown’byThorntonWilderThisfriendly,supportiveandencouraginggroupmeetsfor3hourswhichenablesustoreadawholeplayinoneafternoon.Thegroupisnowfull,butifyou’dliketoputyournameonthewaitinglistpleasesendanemailtoSueviawebsite..

ShorterWalksGroupConvener: CarolynLuckhurstMeet: 2ndFridayVenue: VariousThenextwalk: Friday12July-MeetatBlackHorseInn,Caythorpe,NG147ED.Wearsensibleshoes.ThisGroupisdesignedforthoseofuswhowouldliketowalkbetween3and5milesusingfairlylocalroutesandjustonceamonth.ForfurtherinformationpleasecontactcontactCarolynviathislink

SpanishConversationConvener: VicBlakeMeet: TobedecidedVenue: Convener’shomeThisgroupisn’trunningatthemomentbutifyouwouldliketoshowinterestorgetmoreinformadonpleasecontactVicviathewebsite

WalkingConvener: MartinDavenportMeet: 3rdFridayat10:15amVenue: VariousNextMeeting: Friday19July-7.5milesstartingfromBurntstumpPark

Fordetails,pleasecontactthewalkinggroupconvenerWalkingGroupconvener

WineAppreciationConvener: MaggieGrimshawMeet: 3rdWednesdayat2:30pmVenue: Member’sHomeNextmeeting: Wednesday17July-Germanwine PLEASENOTE:DuringsummermeetingswillbeheldatBrenda’shomeThisgroupisnottakingnewmembersatthemoment,butwewillkeepthesituationunderreview.Pleasecontactmeifyouwantmetoputyouonthewaitinglist.

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IT’S YOUR NEWSLETTER … we need your

MaD COOKERY

PASTA WITH VODKA• Dried Fusilli, farfalle or penne Pasta

(8-10 oz uncooked weight) • 1 large Onion - chopped • 2 cloves of Garlic • 150g Bacon lardons or Pancetta • Handful Fresh Basil leaves • Oregano (dried or fresh) to taste • 1 tin or box chopped Tomatoes • Vodka (about a wineglass) • Crème fraîche to mix • Parmesan, to taste • Seasoning, to taste

Cook the pasta in a large pan of boiling water until done. (Pasta hardens and gets chewy as it cools so as it’s not being served hot or with sauce, it benefits from an extra minute of cooking, but don’t let it get mushy!)

Sauté together the onion, garlic and pancetta. Add the herbs and tomatoes and cook together for a short time.

Add the vodka and cook for a little longer, then add the crème fraîche and parmesan.

Stir into the cooked pasta whilst still warm. Serve cold.

PERFECT POACHED EGGS

Half fill a shallow pan (frying pan is ideal) with water, add a splash of vinegar and bring to the boil. Using a slotted spoon, gently add the egg in its shell to pan and leave for 20 seconds, gently rolling the egg in the water.

Remove the egg, turn down the heat so the water is simmering then crack the egg and add to the simmering water. Poach until your desired level of ‘done-ness’ is reached, flicking the water over the egg as it cooks.

Carefully remove the egg with a slotted spoon [or slice] and rest the spoon on a wad of kitchen paper to absorb excess water before serving.

If you want to serve your poached egg cool [e.g. on an open sandwich] gently place it in cold water for a short while, then remove and drain. The cold water stops the cooking process and leaves your egg soft. [Heating the egg in its shell slightly cooks the white so it doesn’t separate and go stringy in the water]

THE LITTLE MaD QUIZ - ANSWERS

1. Jamaica, 2. Alfred, Lord Tennyson, 3. Web log, 4. The Prisoner of Zenda, 5. Star Trek: The Next Generation, 6. Salvador Dalí, 7. The Boliviano, 8. Melling Road, 9. Northern Ireland (they are the Members of the Legislative Assembly), 10. Vaduz

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And finally …… A young couple are trying to save money on their summer vacation. and have booked tickets with a discount airline. The lady at the check-in desk asks “Do you have reservations?”. “More than a few,” the young man answered, “but we’re flying with you anyway.”

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THE THIRD AGE TRUST

U A3Mapperley&DistrictU3ADiaryofEvents–July2019

Occasionally meeting dates may be different from the norm Please check with your convener for confirmation and meeting details

Date Day Time Group Meetat Details Contact

1 Mon 19:00 MusicAppreciation Member’sHome Balletmusic JoanDavis

2 Tues 10:00 LocalHistory GuidedtourofAllHallowsChurch,Gedling

Pleaseleavesmalldonation

DRichie&MPayne

3 Wed 12:15 ItalianSpeech Arnoldlibrary Room2 JoiceHall

3 Wed 14:00 ExploringOurWorld ArnoldLibrary,Room3 FreddieDavies

3 Wed 14:00 Games Punchbowl,PorchesterRd Canbringowngame MarionWright

4 Thurs 10:30 KnitandNatter ThePlainsman,Mapp.Top Bringpreferredcraft ValGirling

4 Thurs 10:30 NewandProspectiveMembersmeeting

TipsyTea,MapperleyTop ChrisPadgett&SueCullen

4 Thurs 13:30 PlayReading Convener’s’home ‘OurTown’ThorntonWilder

SueCullen

8 Mon 14:00 DiscussionGroup ArnoldLibrary,Room1 LynnMajewski

9 Tues 10:30 BookClub Members’homes ‘ShutterIsland’byDenisLehane

MartinCooke

10 Wed 12:15 ItalianSpeech Arnoldlibrary Room2 JoiceHall

10 Wed 14:00 Games Punchbowl,PorchesterRd Canbringowngame MarionWright

10 Wed 14:00 Heraldry Arnoldlibrary FreddieDavies

12 Fri 10:00 ShorterWalks MeetatBlackHorseInn,Caythorpe,NG147ED

4.5miles–2hoursplus Val&GeoffGirling

15 Mon 10:00 Gardening Venuetobedecided ChrisPadgett

17 Wed 12:00 LuncheonClub TheWheatsheaf BurtonJoyce

MartinDavenport&SheilaStacey

17 Wed 12:15 ItalianSpeech Arnoldlibrary Room2 JoiceHall

17 Wed 14:00 Games Punchbowl,PorchesterRd Canbringowngame MarionWright

17 Wed 14:00 Heraldry Arnoldlibrary FreddieDavies

17 Wed 14:30 WineAppreciation Member’shome Germanwine SueCullen

18 Thurs 10:00 ArtHistory Mapp.PlainsSocialClub LeonardodaVinci JulieRigby

18 Wed 15:30 FrenchConversation&culture HaywoodRdCommunityCntr AnnabellBell-Boulé

19 Fri TripsandVisits Chatsworth GeraldineChaffe

19 Fri 10:15 Walking StartatBurntstumpPark 7.5miles MartinDavenport

22 Mon 13:45 FamilyHistory Arnoldlibrary Old&CuriousOccupations ClaireWilkie

24 Wed 12:15 ItalianSpeech Arnoldlibrary Room2 JoiceHall

24 Wed 14:00 Games Punchbowl,PorchesterRd Canbringowngame MarionWright

24 Wed 14:00 Heraldry Arnoldlibrary Finalmeeting FreddieDavies

25 Thurs 10:00 GeneralMeeting Mapp.PlainsSocialClub RadioBloopers

25 Thurs 14:00 CreativeWriting Convener’shome ‘Sunshine’–1,000words CarolynLuckhurst

31 Wed 14:00 Games Punchbowl,PorchesterRd Canbringowngame MarionWright

31 Wed 12:15 ItalianSpeech Arnoldlibrary Room2 JoiceHall

July Philosophy Member’shome JulydateTBD

Wed28August ChallengingPhotography ArnoldLibrary,Room2 ‘Letters’ MalcolmDarroch

Fridays13&27Sept PlayhouseTheatreGroup ‘AnEnemyofthePeople NottinghamPlayhouse JudithGamble

Tuesdays Bridge Contactconvenerfordates Convener’shome FreddieDavies

Various Glamping VenueTBD VicBlake