Reports

NEWSLETTER ‘’January to Easter 2024’’

WEST CUMBRIA U3A
Registered Charity Number: 1079934
Newsletter January to Easter 2024

Dear Members,
A very Happy New Year to you all, I hope you have all enjoyed a happy and healthy Christmas.

At the last meeting of the year in December, I mentioned that we have our AGM in February. This is always an important meeting, but perhaps even more so this year. We have a number of committee members who have come to the end of their term of office; we really do need members to consider coming on to the committee to ensure the future of our group going forward. I can promise you will not be left unsupported, we have tried to have a collegiate approach to committee work, we help each other out and share tasks wherever possible. I’ll leave this thought with you.

We have a range of interesting speakers again this term, and hopefully there will be something here for everyone. We are unlike many of the other u3a groups in Cumbria in that we have General Meetings every two weeks rather than the more usual monthly or even quarterly meetings. We have been developing our Interest Groups and are always looking to take this further. As always, if you have an Interest group you would like to see, or even better, offer to organise and run such a group, please speak to me or any committee member. If you have any thoughts or comments about how we can improve our provision, please let us know. Your feedback either positive or negative is useful to help us give our members what they want.
Many thanks.

Kevan Baker Kevan can be contacted on 07851482822 for any U3A related issues
Please refer to our website for latest news and calendar updates, all information about Interest Groups can be found here. www.westcumbriau3a.co.uk

General Meetings:
Meetings are held every other Wednesday at 2pm in the Salvation Army Centre, Catherine Street, Whitehaven.

10th January – “Welcome Back Social Event”

24th January – IAN JACKSON “Cumbria Rocks”.
Cumbrian geologist, Ian Jackson, takes us on a journey across the whole county and 500 million years of Cum-bria’s history and connects its rocks to wildlife, history, economy, art and society. His talk is an abridged version of his latest book “Cumbria Rocks” published by Cumbria Wildlife Trust. This will appeal to everyone curious about their landscape.
Ian’s book contains 128 full page colour photographs which open a window into the Cumbria beneath your feet. Each page encourages you to explore the whole county and its diverse and beautiful places, and understand why they are as they are. The 60 rock sites are wonderfully diverse and range from the Scottish border to Morecambe Bay, and from St Bees Head to the Pennine hills.

7th February – CLAIRE WINTER-MOORE “The La’al Ratty”
The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, the first public narrow-gauge railway in England, was built in 1875 to a 3ft track gauge and served iron ore mines in Eskdale until 1913. It became known as ‘Rat Trod’ (‘Rat Track’)
In 1915 the derelict railway was re-gauged from 3ft to 15 inches when leased by Model maker W.J. Bassett-Lowke and friends. It then became known as ‘La’al Ratty’ (Little Rat Track) and carried tourists in the summer as well as serving a new granite quarry. In 1960 the entire line was bought by the new Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway Preservation Society.
The little trains now carry over 100,000 passengers per year. The 7mile route climbs 210ft through stunning Lake District scenery from Ravenglass to Dalegarth in Eskdale. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2017.

21st February – ALISON COOK a short presentation on “Schoolreaders”
Afterwards we will hold the AGM followed by Coffee and Cake



6th March – SIMON YATES “Mountaineering Adventures”
Simon Yates (born 1963) is an English mountaineer and author who lives in Cumbria. He will tell us about his life as 'an adventurer'.
He is well known as being one of two British mountaineers who conquered the previously unclimbed West Face of Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes in 1985. He and Joe Simpson completed the difficult climb, at times enduring extreme weather conditions. Simpson recounted the story of the dramatic series of events on the descent in his book Touching the Void, which was later adapted into a film. In a recent fall in October 2023, Simon himself suffered five broken ribs and two crushed vertebrae, following an attempt with Mick Fowler to make a first ascent of a route on Patkhor (6083mtrs) in Tajikistan.

20th March – STEPHEN HANCOCK “Transplants”
Stephen is a wonderful ambassador for the NHS transplant programme and will explain how it works and about the many different types of transplants being carried out.
Stephen’s own life was changed in 2016 when he benefitted from the gift of a kidney. “I can’t really fully explain the impact of receiving a kidney transplant as it massively impacts every single aspect of your life and the lives of those around you. From no longer needing to be hooked up to a dialysis machine for 10 hours every single day, to being able to eat an unrestricted diet, to enjoy a soak in a bath, to have the energy to play sport, to enjoy a walk with friends and family, to just feeling healthy……and revelling in the sheer freedom of no longer being poisoned due to failing kidneys.”
Since receiving his transplant, Stephen has been a regular participant in the British Transplant Games, competing in Golf and Archery. The Games are a celebration of life, open to organ transplant recipients aged five and above, with around 1000 participants competing in more than 25 sports.

3rd April – Still to be arranged

17th April – MARK FISHPOOL “Crime Prevention & Life as a PCSO
Police community support officers (PCSOs) support the work of Cumbria Constabulary by providing a visible and reassuring presence on the streets. PCSOs deal with a wide range of crime and disorder problems. PCSOs share some, but not all of the powers of police officers. They work alongside them but do not have the powers of arrest.
PCSOs work closely with police colleagues and partners in the community to provide an approachable, uniformed presence with the aim of addressing crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour, thereby improving the quality of life in local communities. Overall, they assist in making the public feel safe, satisfied and reassured.

1st May – Still to be arranged

15th May – CHRIS DONALDSON “History” (details to follow)
Dr Chris Donaldson is a Senior Lecturer in Cultural History at Lancaster University
His research concerns the cultural history of landscape, primarily in Britain, with an emphasis on the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. He has published widely on the history of northern England, especially Cumbria, the English Lake District and the Anglo-Scottish border region. Other research interests include print history and historical geography. He is an affiliate of the Regional Heritage Centre and the Cumbria County History Trust. Details of the talk to follow.

29th May – BRIAN TOPPING “Tales of a Customs Officer”
At the start of his career at Heathrow, the bulk of a customs officer’s work involved checking what passengers arriving in the country had brought with them, particularly what they had obtained abroad, in order to ensure any duties liable had been paid or were declared by the traveller. Brian will recount amusing stories of passengers checking into the 'nothing to declare' area.
Brian will describe the aptitudes which are required of customs officers. As well as observance, they need to have an awareness of the workings of the airports, airlines and procedures at foreign airports. They acquire knowledge of different types of luggage and clothing used by smugglers and evasion tactics of criminals trying to enter the country or launder money. Away from the constant surveillance, vigilance and awareness of everyday activities, customs officers also have to act quickly when a threat is imminent.
During his long career, Brian has been an undercover officer, and also worked with the Treasury Department and the Cabinet Office. It can be a hazardous occupation and we will be reminded of the dangers faced by all law enforcement officers.

Interest Groups
We have many interest groups which meet regularly at different venues. (see below and visit our website)

We are always keen to start other groups if members have specific interests and hobbies to share with others.

Science Group
We normally meet at the Chase Hotel, Whitehaven on the 3rd Monday of the month at 9.45am

Monday 15th January 2024 - Talk on the Hodbarrow Mines
to be followed by lunch - please book in advance with Sue Casson
Monday 19th February - Subject to be confirmed
Monday 18th March - Subject to be confirmed
Monday 15th April - Subject to be confirmed

Sunday Lunch Group
We meet at various venues, usually on the last Sunday of the month. Please book with Judith Jordan

Sunday 28th January 2024 at the CHASE HOTEL, Whitehaven 12 for 12.30pm
Sunday 25th February at the PARKSIDE HOTEL, Cleator Moor 12 for 12.30pm
Sunday 24th March at MORESBY HALL HOTEL, Whitehaven 12 for 12.30pm
Sunday 28th April at ENNERDALE BREWERY, Rowrah 12 for 12.30pm
Sunday 19th May at HUNDAY MANOR HOTEL, Winscales 12 for 12.30pm

Art Appreciation Group
We meet at the Methodist Church Hall, Hensingham on the 2nd Monday of the month at 10.30am

We need at least 10 people to make this viable. Cost for three sessions will be £10.00 payable in advance to Maureen or Lyn. This covers the cost of hall hire, speakers and refreshments.

We will be welcoming back Mike and Joan who will be giving three presentations about Leonardo Da Vinci
Monday 12th February 2024
Monday 11th March
Monday 8th April

Wine Appreciation Group
The next wine tasting evening will be held at Westminster Café, Whitehaven, on Friday 26th January 5-7pm
Tickets £12.50 from Lyn Baker

Bridge for Beginners
The group meets every Friday at Michael Cohen’s house, Frizington at 2pm

French Group
The group meets on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at Rosehill Theatre at 10.30am

Film Club
The group normally meets at Rosehill Theatre for the Thursday matinee film at 2pm

Garden group
The group normally meets once a month at various venues

Good Reading Group
The group normally meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at Whitehaven Library at 10am

Holidays
Trips are arranged each year please see Jennifer Hocking and Judith Jordan

Let’s Talk Discussion Group
The group meets every other Tuesday at John Fisher’s house, Hensingham at 2pm

Quilting Group
The group meets every Wednesday at High Abbey, Embleton at 9.30am

Mahjong group
The group meets every other Wednesday at Jennifer Hocking’s house, Whitehaven at 2pm

Music Appreciation Group
The group meets on the 4th Tuesday of the month at Rosehill Theatre at 10.30am

Supper Club
The group normally meets on the last Friday of the month at various venues. Please book with Shelagh Fox

Visits & Trips
We aim to arrange visits to Museums, Galleries, Gardens and other places of interest during the year