Dear Friends
Whilst I was composing this letter in sunny Gibraltar I was dreading the return to rain and snow, but instead came back to sunny, showery (but cold) Settle with the daffodils and primroses in full bloom in my garden-what a marvellous thing nature is that a week can make such a difference.
And talking of nature I understand things are underway for a possible bird-watching group to start in the autumn-watch this space.
I do hope you enjoyed last month's talk by the Chief Constable-I certainly did and feel somewhat reassured that we have a very sensible, down-to-earth woman in charge.
This month we have the Chief Executive of the Yorkshire Dales National Park
to speak on "The role of the National Park-past present and future".
Sincerely Hilary Baker
Kathleen Kinder, leader of our Cookery Chat group, has been appointed the national Network Co-ordinator for Cookery.
Kathleen has always been keen on cooking, and having travelled a good deal she has a special interest in both international cookery and the history of the subject.
Some years ago she contributed to a New Zealand cookery book and she is currently helping to compile a book all about food which will include recipes and history for the Giggleswick Church Great Sounds appeal.
As part of her new duties she has already produced for central office a Start Up leaflet for any U3A starting up a cookery group. It includes lots of information about possible topics and a list of good cooking-related websites.
The picture shows Kathleen beside her Aga, but she stresses that she also cooks with a gas cooker (especially for jam)!
We have the opportunity to start a birdwatching group. Would anyone interested please let me know as soon as possible. Brian Shorrocks will lead occasional meetings on dates to suit. He cannot manage regular monthly meetings.
A number of groups will be finishing soon (or have finished) until September but there are still plenty carrying on, including the monthly First Thursday in the Month general gatherings in the Victoria Hall.
Those finishing include The Big Conversation, Philosophy, Needlework and (soon) Exercises and Theology.
822313 ( messages) or 822677 or a note through the door of Quaker GarthAll group leaders are invited to arrange for reports (with pictures if appropriate) to be sent in.
Art Appreciation: On Tuesday 16 March our group went to visit an exhibition of prints by Graham Sutherland and Paula Rego at Abbot Hall gallery, Kendal. Never ones to pass up the chance of a good lunch some of us took advantage of the excellent food available there.
Graham Sutherland as Printmaker was a surprise, being very different from
other aspects of his work. The two series on show were illustrations of A Bestiary
by Apollinaire and others from a series about bees. They were intricate etchings,
all with rich details that rewarded close examination.
Paula Rego's Jane Eyre lithographs were powerful insights into the emotional
life behind Charlotte Brontë's novel.
Both shows gave us lots to talk about on the way home. Irene Rawnsley
Cookery Chat: The group meets on the first Monday of each month at 2.00pm at Kathleen Kinder's house. The next meeting will be on 5 April and will be about various ways with cheese. KK
Philosophy: My apologies to the group for cancelling the meetings. The reason was that with known absences, attendance would have been down to 2 while I myself could not have been present on 22 March. Clearly the continuity of study was lost. With hindsight it is easy to see that a systematic study of a particular work was not the right mode for this group of busy people, some of whom were bound to be absent at times. Nevertheless I was very sorry to cancel the meetings as I enjoyed them.
A different format is needed: perhaps short 2 or 4 session talks with discussion on distinct topics. Wittgenstein's picture theory could be picked up at this level and could be followed by his later views on the use of language. "In search of a work of Art" could be an interesting way into aesthetics. "The role of visual representation in education and everyday life"; "Can there be morality without religion?"; these are just some ideas. If I could have some feedback from those who I know are interested in philosophy, I will make out some sort of curriculum for the future. I would very much like the group to continue. All the best, Roy Anderson
Sunday Lunch: Next meeting- Sunday 18 April 12.30pm
at the Falcon Hotel, Settle.
I shall be away the week before so if you can't manage that date please let
Janet Stafford know (825449). Hilary Baker
A smaller number than usual met at the Maypole this month. We have enjoyed meals here before and it did not disappoint us this time. As none of us wanted a starter we ordered the main course straightaway. I had the chicken with orange sauce-delicious. The others had roast beef and Yorkshire pudding; I did hear someone say they had difficulty finding space on the plate for the vegetable but at the end of the meal very little was left. The sweet menu was varied but most of us chose the raspberry meringue. No-one was on a diet today.
Even though it was Mothers' Day and the dining room was busy we were served promptly but never felt as though we were being rushed. Violet Yesson
Theology: The group has met once a month through the autumn and winter, and we have enjoyed the hospitable home of George and Kathleen Kinder.
We have had between 6 and 10 members, and the last meeting of this session will be on 22 April, when we will also consider the future of the group. We followed the previous year's consideration of the four Gospels with a study this year of Paul's Epistles.
What next? At the moment we seem to the thinking of a variety of topics, each to be introduced by a member of the group. Kenneth Jennings
Walking: This month's walks will be -
Wine Appreciation: 18.3.04-A selection of five South African wines was
organised for reviewing. Some had been on sale as "offers" of one
kind or another. (These are always tempting-but guard against the reductions
made to clear the shelves of products which are made to be drunk young and do
not have the capacity to improve with age). The first wine, "Clear Mountain"
Chenin Blanc, was generally liked and considered to be of very good value at
its offer price of £2.69. The "Life from Stone" Sauvignon Blanc
(2003) gave rise to many appreciative "mmm's". The Pinotage Seriti
2002, (bought as part of a 3 bottles for £10 offer) seemed a bit brutish
at first-but "grows on you". Two 2001 Stellenbosch reds followed.
The Groot Constantia (£8.99) and Cabinet Sauvignon (£12.39) were
both very smooth, full bodied and much appreciated-adding grist to the mill
of those who maintain "you get what you pay for"! G H Pattison
U3A Summer Schools 2004
School 1: Tuesday 20 to Friday 23 July
School 2: Tuesday 27 to Friday 30 July
at the University of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham
Courses on offer range from Architecture to Setting Personal Objectives in Retirement. Bookings are taken on a first-come-first-served basis. Application forms from our Secretary, Roy Anderson.
In future there will be two meetings a year (October and February) for group
leaders with the Chairman and the Groups Organiser, to discuss any developments
affecting group leaders, and to talk over any new ideas or common problems.
The
dates of the meetings will be notified nearer the time.
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This month's recipe Omani
Spicy Rice
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Copy date for next issue of Newsletter
All copy for publication in the next issue should reach the Editor
(Pam Servant, Brayshaw Cottage, 23 Duke Street, Settle) by Friday 23 April 2004.
Settle U3A website
The website address is www.SettleDistrictU3A.org.uk and if you want to post a notice, please contact Frank Woodhams on fwdw@cmp.uea.ac.uk or phone 01729 824458.
Birthdays are good for you: the more you have the longer
you live
Judge: Have you been up before me before? Prisoner: I don't know, what time
do you get up?
