Reports

NEWSLETTER ‘’April to July 23’’

Newsletter April – July 2023 West Cumbria U3A

Dear Members,

I hope you all enjoyed the Easter break and were able to catch up with friends and family. This is a very short newsletter because I wrote to you all at the end of last term; it is just an update of our talks for General Meetings and information for Interest Groups. A reminder that all information including reports, newsletters etc can be found on our website.

Regards,
Kevan Baker.
Mobile: 07851 482822
Website: westcumbriau3a.co.uk

GENERAL MEETINGS:
• 19th April - Dr Butler “History of Safety in Transport” more details to follow
• 3rd May - Natalie Burns will talk to us about her local artworks, there may be prints & cards available for sale.
“As a self-taught Cumbrian artist, based in Whitehaven, I now work full time producing work in a variety of media. My main focus is the landscape of Cumbria particularly my special childhood places. My parents were outdoor lovers so we walked the fells and orienteered through the forests. I also spend a lot of time down at the harbour or along the beaches. Over the past few years I’ve been visiting villages of Cumbria seeking out the special buildings and drawing them in Pen and Wash.”
“I am a regular exhibitor at Eskdale Art Show, Allonby Artex, Gosforth and District Art Show and The Lakes Artist Society Exhibition in Grasmere. I have work for sale in several galleries and shops mainly in North and West Cumbria. I am a regular at Cockermouth URC and Pooley Bridge Craft Fairs. I’m a member of EVAN (West), Gosforth and District Art Society, SAA and a Director of Lowes Court Gallery.”
• 17th May - David Cradduck a former miner is our speaker today.
For 20 years I was a miner at Haig Pit Whitehaven, 1964 – 1984, I was a specialist in Mine ventilation, Methane drainage and - to become the Delivery office manager, when I retired I went back to my roots, my hobbies being mining research, with special interest in “The Levels” these being the methods used to drain the mines of water. I also write poetry, my areas of interest being West Cumbrian dialect, Cumbrian folklore and legends. Brythonic (Ancient Britain ) and of course Mining. As a kid growing up in Whitehaven on dark nights we would ask me mam about Whitehaven Ghost stories, she would tell us the story of the Newtown Boggle, a hellish black hound with glowing eyes who was sent to claim the souls of the dying and that if you looked it in the eye you or a close relative would die before dawn, The Grey Lady haunted the infirmary set back off Howgill St and backing on to Newtown”
• 31st May - Claire Hines from Copeland Age and Advisory Service (CAAS) will speak to us about the work of her organisation which is “giving our older generation the opportunity to live fulfilled and independent lives through providing personalised advice and support”
Copeland Age and Advice Service (CAAS) launched in October 2019 and is a not-for-profit Social Enterprise in West Cumbria that provides information, advice, and support to individuals over the age of fifty-five in relation to financial matters, housing issues and enabling people to continue to live safely and independently in their own homes, or wherever they choose in the Copeland area.
• 14th June - Gillian Johnston Community Engagement Officer for Mid Copeland GDF Community Partnership
The aim of the Mid Copeland GDF Community Partnership is to share information, discuss concerns and find answers to questions its community has about all aspects of the Geological Disposal Facility (GDF)
• 28th June - Ros Downing “Four pioneers in the development of computers and the Internet”
I think we have all heard of Alan Turing in connection with Bletchley Park and computer development but Ros will talk about four other pioneers in the world of computers and the internet who have largely been forgotten.
• 12th July - Steve Wilson “The Litvinenko Polonium Poisoning”

SCIENCE Group:
• 17th April “Should I throw away my gas boiler?”
• 15th May “James Walker and polymers”

The Summer outing in June will hopefully include a visit to the James Walker manufacturing facility in Cockermouth. More details to follow when confirmed.

ART APPRECIATION Group: Maureen Monkhouse
• May – no meeting due to Bank Holidays
• 12th June: Toulouse Lautrec artist and illustrator (talk via video)

10th July “Portraiture” a talk by Anthony Payne. This will be followed by refreshments and a video presentation “Rembrandt. A life in self-portraits”
This session is an extra to our programme and needs at least 15 people for it to be viable. The cost will be £4.00 which is payable in advance no later than 12th June.
FRENCH Group : Deirdre Alexander
The group meet on the third Tuesday of the month at Rosehill Theatre from 10.00 – 11.30. It will cover French conversation and civilisation. Some knowledge of the language is required

FILM CLUB: please purchase tickets from Rosehill Box Office
The group meets at Rosehill Theatre for their matinee film showings, normally on a Thursday at 2pm.
Afterwards there is a chance to discuss the film over ‘coffee and cake’ served in the bar.
Thursday 20th April: Till (15)
Thursday 27th April: Babylon (18)
Thursday 4th May: Tar (15)
Thursday 11th May: Decision to Leave (15)
Thursday 18th May: Rye Lane (15)

GOOD READING Group: This group is now being led by Deirdre Alexander.
Meetings are held monthly usually on the second Tuesday of the month at 10.00am in Whitehaven Library. Please speak to Deirdre for further details.

LET'S TALK DISCUSSION Group: John Fisher 01946 69218. This group meets fortnightly on Tuesdays 2.00 – 4.00 in John’s home to discuss a variety of topics including current affairs. Please contact John or Kevan if you are interested in joining in some interesting debate.
Next dates are, 25th April, 9th May, 23rd May

WINE APPRECIATION Group: For further information please contact Michael Cohen:
Tel: 01946 817485
The next wine tasting will take place on Friday 28th April at Westminster Cafe from 5.00 – 7.00pm.
We will be tasting “Wines of Australia”

Tickets cost £10 and should be bought in advance in order to organise catering.
Please see Lyn Baker at the next meeting.

QUILTING Group: Jennifer Hocking 01946 695682. Every Wednesday morning in Embleton 9.30 – 12.30

MAHJONG: Jennifer Hocking 01946 695682. This takes place in a member’s home in Whitehaven, alternate Wednesday to the U3A meeting. 2.00 – 4.30
Mah Jong is a game that originated in China, commonly played by four players, it is a game of skill, strategy and calculation involving a certain degree of chance.

VISTS Group: Jennifer Hocking 01946 695682. Further information as events are organised.

BRIDGE FOR BEGINNERS: Group Leader - Michael Cohen.
Come and learn to play Social Bridge. No previous experience is necessary.
Michael, who is an experienced player and teacher, invites you to join our new group.
We meet at his house every Friday afternoon from 2-3.30pm
If you are interested or require further information please see Michael at one of our General meetings.
Otherwise please contact us via mobile or our email address.

MUSIC APPRECIATION Group: Mike Cohen. The group normally meets on the 4th Tuesday of the month Rosehill Theatre and will be at a new time of 10.30 – 12.00

NB: April’s meeting has been postponed until Tuesday 2nd May @ 10.30am

SUNDAY LUNCH Group: Judith Jordan 01946 693493
30th April: Seascale Golf Club 12.00 for 12.30
21st May: Seacote Hotel St Bees 12.00 for 12.30
25th June: Hunday Manor Hotel (reopened) 12.00 for 12.30
30th July: Wellington Farm Café, Cockermouth 12.00 for 12.30
20th August: The Countryman, Lamplugh 12.00 for 12.30 (was the Lamplugh Tip)

Summer Lunch: Wednesday 21st June at Hundith Hill 12.00 for 12.30. Please book and give menu choices to Judith Jordan. Payment will be required in advance. Cost £26.50 including tip.

GARDENING Club:
We are planning to start a Gardening Club. For anyone who is interested we will be meeting over coffee to discuss, ideas, plans and format etc after our next General meeting on 19th July.