Reports
NEWSLETTER ‘’September to December 23’’
WEST CUMBRIA U3A
Registered Charity Number: 1079934
Newsletter September - December 2023
Dear Members,
I hope you have all had a wonderful summer break and are ready for the interesting and varied programme of speakers for this term.
A gentle reminder that more than half of our committee will have to stand down at the AGM in February. We need to recruit new members in order for our group to survive. Please give this some serious thought; without a committee we have no West Cumbria U3A and that would be a real shame. Our meetings are enjoyable, friendly and an important point of social contact for many; don’t let this group fold for the lack of a little bit of input from our members. I promise you it’s not onerous and there is help, support and encouragement there from all of us who have been on the committee for the last few years. I’ll leave the thought with you.
Kevan Baker Kevan can be contacted on 07851 482822 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.
• 6th September - “Welcome back AFTERNOON TEA”
A chance to say “Hello” and catch up on our activities after the summer break.
• 20th September - IAN GEE “Wings over Windermere”.
Ian Gee and Anne Hughes, of The Lakes Flying Company, have written the 80-page Waterbird – Wings over Windermere, featuring 130 photographs.
They tell the story of two aeroplanes: the first Waterbird, which in the morning of November 25, 1911, took off from a hangar at Hill of Oaks, on Windermere, to make history.
Second, the story of the replica Waterbird, and how many challenges resulted in a 13-year programme to take it from dream to reality.
They outline how in 2008 drawings and archive material of Waterbird came to light, and the Lakes Flying Company was formed to find a way of recreating a British ‘first’ to celebrate the Edwardian achievement.They succeeded when, in 2022, the replica Waterbird flew on Windermere along the same stretch of water, this time with photographers and film crews to witness the event.
• 4th October - MIKE SMITH “Drovers Routes through Cumbria”
Before the days of steam ships and railways Cumberland was part of a nation wide traffic in cattle as the cities of England, and especially London drew down tens of thousands of beasts from their home pastures in the wilds of Scotland's west Highlands. A separate breed of men, and it was mostly men, made a life for themselves walking the herds, twelve or fourteen miles a day from one end of the country to the other. After the '45 and the suppression of the Jacobites they were the only Highlanders permitted to carry arms, their trade was considered so important. Trusted with the herds, but also with the money to pay their way, and the proceeds of their eventual sales, they were instrumental in the development of the British banking system during the eighteenth century. Their trails can still be found in places, on the ground, on the map, and in the names of places familiar to us all. Writer Mike Smith talks us through their epic journeys.
• 18th October – PAUL THOMAS “Ambulance and Medical aid for Ukraine”
Paul Thomas, of The Pot Place Garden Centre and Tea Room, was part of the team which delivered an ambulance to a town in Poland, near the border with Ukraine. Today he tells us his story.
“Following our recent journey to Lviv, we understand better than ever the needs of the medical teams in Ukraine, so we are now looking to raise enough money for at least one of the following:
4 x 4 Pickup for evacuation work on the frontline.
Paramedic motorcycle the same as the one we delivered recently.
Ambulance equipped for the movement of the injured between hospitals within Ukraine”
• 1st November - DEANNE SHALLCROSS “The Harbour Commissioners”
Deanne has recently taken up post as CEO of Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners. She joins us today to tell us about the work of the Harbour Commissioners and their links with other local agencies.
• 15th November - PHILIP CAINE “From Barrow to Baghdad and back again”
Born in 1950, in Barrow-in- Furness Philip’s working life began in the hotel business. His career developed in the oil industry and 30 years were spent in places such as the North Sea, Algeria, Nigeria, Kazakhstan and Russia. From 2003, he spent 7 years in post war Baghdad working with the American coalition and a further 3 years running oil services companies in Dubai. He retired in 2015 and began writing and public speaking. Since then he has spoken at over 500 venues all over the UK and written 9 adventure thrillers. All Philip’s books are available in Paperback, eBook and Audio format.
• 29th November – FOOL’S GOLD “Stories Images and Live Music”
Carol and Steve Robson have been presenting their stories and music for many years. The stories are always linked to the songs and music. All their music is performed live using a range of acousic instruments. You can expect guitars, flutes, some keys, a bass or two and perhaps ukes and bouzouki. Some songs are original and written for each show, others are contemporary and you’ll be surprised how many you know.e
• 13th December - THE PILGRIM STORYTELLER “Tales of Christmas”
“Based in South Cumbria, I’m Debbie Haine, The Pilgrim Storyteller. The ability to spin a yarn has been with me since childhood and I’ve honed my speaking/performing skills through years of delivering training and preaching. My relaxed, uncomplicated style brings to life characters from all over the world. I’ve recently published a book of short stories from around the globe called “Truth and Tale” which is available via myself or Kindle version on Amazon”
Science Group
• September 18th - Mike Hind will speak on the topic of the 'Antikythera Machine'.
• October 16th - We will have an inspirational talk on an individual journey to a kidney transplant.
• November 20th - Rob Alves will talk about 'Drug Development”
• December 4th "A light hearted look at science questions you were too afraid to ask but would like answers to - get your thinking caps on"
• January 15th 2024 - Talk on the Hodbarrow Mines (to be followed by lunch - please pay in advance)
Sunday Lunch Group
• Sunday 24th September at the TROUT HOTEL, Cockermouth 12 for 12.30pm
• Sunday 29th October at the HUNDAY MANOR HOTEL, Winscales 12 for 12.30pm
• Sunday 26th November at the MELBREAK HOTEL 12.30 for 1.00pm NB: the time change
• This year’s CHRISTMAS LUNCH will be held at the HUNDAY MANOR HOTEL on Wednesday 6th December 12 for 12.30pm
Please book and give menu choices to Judith Jordan. Payment will be required in advance.
Cost including tip to be advised
Art Appreciation Group
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 and refreshments.
These sessions will be video presentations; hopefully in January, we will be able to welcome Mike and Joan back with their presentations about French Art
October – December 2023 Masters of the Modern Era.
• Monday 9th October Pablo Picasso
• Monday 13th November Henri Matisse
• Monday 11th December Salvador Dali