LOOE VALLEY
NEWSLETTER April 2010
Committee 2009-2010
Chairman Kate Whittington
Vice Chairman Steve Smith
Secretary / Speakers Wendy Clarke
Treasurer John Hall
Membership Sec. Vivienne Woodgate
Theatre/Social sec. Ute Story
Raffles Cindy Foxall
Craft stall Heather Garden
Members Zelia Crockett
David Barker
CHAIRMAN’S LETTER.
It is a pleasure to look back over the past eight months and see what we have achieved in the Looe Valley U3A. We are building on the solid foundation provided by years of hard work from previous members, excellent Chairmen and Committees, our numbers have risen to over 100 and our special interest groups continue to thrive, thanks to the enthusiasm of those who lead and those who attend. If a group appeals to you do join it. New for 2010 are German for Beginners, the Villages Group and Photography and your PC.
We enjoy a closer relationship with Looe & District U3A and are glad to meet with them specifically at the Dining Club, the Walking and “TATS (Drama) Groups.
In the past six months our U3A has held an energetic Skittles Evening, a very good Christmas Lunch (at which the Mayor and Mayoress were enrolled as members) and a Games Night. A lot of work went into making the Christmas Lanterns – thanks to those who helped and to Ute and Graham for letting us use their house for this. At the General meetings we have had a variety of speakers, which we hope cater for all interests.
No organisation can function without an excellent Secretary and Treasurer – thanks to Wendy Clarke and John Hall who work so hard in these roles.
Thank you too to all the committee members, Steve as Vice Chairman, Cindy for the Raffle, Heather on the Book Stall, Vivienne as Membership Secretary, David for reporting, Ute for Theatre and social events, Zelia for her catering and everyone for their ideas and support.
Our meetings conclude with tea and coffee served by Val and Tony – many thanks to them for their continued hard work and support.
We look forward to the next six months, and remember that in order to move forward we welcome ideas from our members.
Thank you all for your support of the Looe Valley U3A.
Kate Whittington.
Christmas Lantern Parade
Autumn meant busy workshops for the nimble-fingered group who met together to create the lanterns for the Christmas lantern parade. The creative process was assisted by supplies of te a and coffee but we still managed to stick tissue paper not only to the withy frames but also to ourselves.
PVA glue is remarkably resilient stuff and it is amazing that a substance that is mixed with water can also give a certain amount of waterproofing to the delicate lanterns.
The requirement for the figures to be light enough to carry but robust enough to be paraded outside and yet translucent enough for the lights to shine through poses considerable logistical problems, not least where the sizeable figures can be stored. We are very grateful to Graham and Ute for allowing us to work in their conservatory and to monopolize it throughout construction. On the evening of the procession, following our assembly on West Looe Quay, all those with lanterns processed over the bridge, along Fore Street and back to the Fish Market. We assembled outside the building whilst Rev. Brian McQuillen conducted a short service assisted by other clergy and the Mayor. Many members of the public had joined the procession and helped with the carol singing. “
CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON
Our Christmas Luncheon wascelebrated on the 9th December at the Portbyhan Hotel by around 60 members... Our Chairman, Kate Whittington, welcomed our guests, the Mayor and Mayoress of Looe, Cllr. Michael Joy and Mrs Avril Joy, before having a brief meeting in the bar area.
The Mayor gave us an interesting and informative update of future plans and projects for Looe and after Steve Smith, our Vice Chairman, proposed a vote of thanks, we all proceeded to the dining room for our carvery lunch. This was to
the usual high standard of the Portbyhan and much appreciated by all present.
Our Immediate Past Chairman, Zelia Crockett, conducted the raffle for a Christmas hamper and other gifts, and a donation for Shelter Box was raised from a £1.coin game. We all finally left mid-afternoon, replete, full of turkey and Christmas cheer. Many thanks to Wendy and all the committee for arranging it all so well.
Kate was delighted to welcome two new members, as the Mayor and Mayoress, Michael and Avril Joy decided to join our organisation. She ended this most enjoyable day by conveying her best wishes to all the members for Christmas and the New Year.
Guest Speakers
Ken Moore and Peter Creaver from National Coastwatch Institution (NCI)
from Rame Head watch spoke to October’s meeting.
Coastwatch which are part of the Coastguard organisation are completely manned by volunteers. The first watch station was opened in 1994 and Rame Head was opened in 1998. There are a total of 42 stations throughout the U.K. with 3 stations opening up annually.
Their role is to monitor all sea going activity and radio transmissions on a daily basis during daylight hours throughout the year. They spot-plot-report and are in constant touch with Brixham Coastguard Station reporting the location of any shipping incidents which may occur offshore.
The members of Coastwatch are mainly visual observers using binoculars but radar is also used in poor weather. Details of all merchant shipping in the English Channel, one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, are taken by NCI. Although the latest technology is used binoculars are still the best instruments for many observations including distress flares and hand signals.
November - Wendy Winstanley, Porfell Wildlife Park and Sanctuary
Most of the resident animals at Porfell have been rescued from the wild and some of these have been hand reared. These include some rare species. Some will be released back into the wild if they are considered suitable.
Wendy has considerable experience of animals which includes working at Newquay Zoo.
Wendy talked about the building of new African Houses at Porfell which are soon to be opened by Masai Warriors who are currently touring the South West.
Wendy brought along a collection of animals including a hedgehog (the species is now in decline) an Egyptian Fruit Bat, a Kenyan Sandboa Snake and a barn owl all popular with the audience.
In December the mayor gave an interesting address which included forthcoming Council issues such as the possible development at Mill Pool car park which would include a skate park and a children’s green play area, traffic management in the Town, the success of CCTV in the Town in helping to combat vandalism, etc.
He also touched on the future appointment of a Traffic Warden in the Town and the improvements to Patients’ car parking at the Doctors surgery since the Town Council took over its management – currently on a 5 year lease.
Other issues included street/toilet cleaning, antique street lighting, and possible move of the Fire Station to Mill Pool and provision of allotments.
There would be lobbying of Cornwall Council to improve street signage in the Town.
The War Memorial will be brought up to date to include the names of those military personnel recently deceased.
Finally there are possible future plans to include more housing development of between 150-170 homes in the Barbican area to accommodate 500 people. The Town Council are currently in talks with the Developer but this would also have to include improvements to the Doctors surgery and possible NHS Dental provision in the Town.
The Youth Intervention Officer who covers the whole of S.E.Cornwall spoke to the meeting in January. He liaises with schools in the area on youth issues.
Some of the schemes currently being run by the Police are C.A.T.S.,
Projects, 121A and Behaviour For Learning.
C.A.T.S. – is a scheme for rewarding young people who carry out community work in their area.
Projects – such as getting young people involved in activities such as non contact boxing and martial arts which are carried out in a controlled environment under instruction at Liskeard.
Moyra Evans spoke to us in February about the challenges of retirement She has written a book on her personal experiences of giving up work and settling in Cornwall, highlighting the adjustments this has required.
March’s Guest Speaker was Simon Thomas,
A local sculptor based at Polruan, his work is mainly commission and he has travelled widely in the course of his work.
He likes to sculpt in natural materials such as wood and stone on topics that range from Quantum Physics to Cosmology.
He has secured the commission for the proposed Celtic Cross to be situated on the Saltash side of the Tamar Bridge for which he has put in a bid.
He presented fascinating samples of his works of art using computer generated projections.
In April Mark Story gave us a fascinating update on the transatlantic rowing race which took place in January. He hopes to take part himself in the December 2011 race.
Talking of computers – here’s a salutary lesson
NEVER TRUST SPELL CHECKERS
Eye halve a spelling chequer
It came with my pea sea
It plainly marks four my revue
Miss steaks eye kin knot sea
Eye strike a key and type a word
And weight for it two say
Weather I am wrong oar write
It shows me strait a weigh
As soon as a mist ache is maid
It nose be fore two long
And eye can put the error rite -
Its rare lea ever wrong
Eye have run this poem threw it
I am sure your pleased two no
Its letter perfect owl the weigh
My chequer tolled me sew
Theatre Trips and Social Events
The pre-Christmas season took us to two superb performances at the Theatre Royal to see "White Christmas", and "Scrooge" with Tommy Steele. Both shows were a resounding success.
January, with its dreadful weather, offered no theatrical light relief, but in February we were rewarded by a spectacular "Holiday on Ice" show at West Point, Exeter. Not only did we have excellent seats but also a very tasty meal on our way back at Smithaleigh Hotel.
A few of us had experienced a beautiful and interesting Bird Watching Cruise on the rivers Tamar and Lynher on 14th Feb. Not only did we have a warm, sunny day (in February!), but also experienced a multitude of sealife on these two rivers. This was brought to life by a leading ornithologist who organised the trip. It is well worth repeating next year.
We went to see "Whistle down the Wind" on 22nd April. Forthcoming events are: "The Bartered Bride" (Smetana) at the Minack Theatre on 23rd July, "Hairspray" with West End stars Brian Conley and Les Dennis on 5th Aug. and "The Sound of Music" on 26th Aug. No doubt these will be as successful as our previous shows.
For bookings and/or suggestions, please ring Ute.
Games Night
On 12th March an inaugural Games Night was held at Pelynt Social Club. Zelia and Ute conjured a tasty selection of Bangers’n Mash or Pasties from the minuscule kitchen followed by a lovely selection of puds or cheese and biscuits. Members were able to take full advantage of the club facilities and try out the skittle alley, short mat bowls, snooker or darts while those who remained in the lounge bar area played various board or card games. Grateful thanks must go to the organizers and special mention to the chap who showed endless patience whilst trying to impart the basics of short mat bowls to rank amateurs!
German
January 2010 saw the start of a new language course – German for Beginners. This course takes place each Monday from 4 – 5 pm at Havenford House. At the moment we are a group of 8 members. With expert and patient help from our tutor Ute, we are really enjoying the challenge of learning a new language.
We feel we are making good progress and can already put a few sentences together in German. Why not come and join us?
Wir können schon ganz lange Sätze sprechen. Unsere Klasse ist montags um 4 Uhr – wir freuen uns schon sehr darauf. Wollen Sie mit uns kommen?
A Coffee Boy's view of the Spanish and French classes run by Ute
Tuesday is language day at Havenford House. Four classes are held during a day which commences just after 9 am and continues until after 6 pm.
My duties are to provide coffee and tea with cake and biscuits at appropriate breaks. Naturally close proximity to such a talented bunch of linguists impresses a considerable amount of vocabulary subconsciously on me and I am able to say "Ole", "por favor", "cafe con leche", as well as "Bonjour", "comment allez-vous?", and "je m'appelle Graham".
Whatever all this means, I'm sure it would go a long way assisting me
to negotiate holidays in France or Spain. I enjoy my Tuesday job, for every class seems to have great fun and they seem very quickly to move from reserved hesitancy to confident sentence structures.
I have now started German lessons on a Monday afternoon. Yes, I do still make the coffee and I still have my Tuesday job.
I understand there are still some places for beginners - French, Spanish and German and Intermediate French and Spanish.
The Cook to Eat Group
It seems unbelievable but we are coming up to our second anniversary and I assume, we'll do something a little more special to mark this occasion.
Our very first get together was on 18th April 2008 - and our first hands-on session was the bread making on 23rd May 2008.
We have now compiled all the recipes into a handy kitchen reference and that, at the moment includes 36 separate dishes which we have, over the past 2 years, prepared, cooked and eaten at our meetings
The week 1st - 7th March 2010 was British Pie Week and, in order
to underline our awareness of this great occasion, the Feb 26th meeting made pies with short crust pastry.
We sat down at 4 o'clock with 6 savoury pies and 6 sweet pies and proved that there are a number of methods to produce excellent short crust pastry.
Details of these dishes and the pastry methods will appear in our next recipe book.
Poets and Writers in Cornwall
We are continuing the discussion group started by Ann Olner about poets and writers in Cornwall. We meet monthly and so far have discussed Walter Greenwood, John Betjeman and A.L. Rowse. We have continued in a lighter vein with Jean Plaidy. Later in the year we plan to visit places which are particularly associated with these authors. Differing points of view make for a lively discussion and we shall probably never run out of works by writers who at some time lived in Cornwall!
Other Group Activities
In Art History, Michael opens up for us the work of a wide range of artists, both European and Oriental, which we discuss.
The Bridge Group, Mah Jong and Euchre groups are still going strong as is the History Group which has a visit to Prideaux Place planned on 11th May.
The Village group researching history of local villages is organized by Zelia. It has researched and visited Pelynt and St. Germans.
The Dining Club lunches on the last Sunday of the month.
The Dolphins (swimming club) continues to be organized by David.
There truly is something to interest everyone.
Walking in Dorset
An intrepid group of walkers from the morning and afternoon groups recently enjoyed a five day walking holiday in Dorset. We were blessed with very good weather for walking (apart from Thursday morning, when our spectacular view disappeared!) and anyone who completed all the planned expeditions will have walked over thirty miles. We recruited our strength with excellent meals produced by a combination of cooks and then increased our wordpower each evening with games of Scrabble, Rummikub and Upwords. Many thanks to Roger for organizing such an enjoyable trip.
The editor would like to express thanks to all who contributed to the newsletter with particular thanks to Graham for his delightful sketches.