EXCERPTS FROM SEPTEMBER 2010 NEWSLETTER
NOTES FROM THE CHAIR........
As we resume our meetings this September it is as well to recognise that the U3A is a self-help organisation and that we all have to do OUR bit to make it vibrant and fulfilling.
I know a lot of people already give of themselves, be it Committee or Group Co- ordinators etc. and we are very grateful to them. However, more people are needed to keep Lymington U3A riding high. It could be that you could man a board at the General Meeting or give a five minute talk about your lifetime experiences at the Drop-in or perhaps organise an outing?
[The best way to make sure we offer outings you really want to do…is to organise one! We have a comprehensive list of 'things to do' - and we will
help you.] Perhaps you have an even better idea for our U3A that will help us to move forward.
Our first social evening on the Beaulieu River was a triumph - not least because of the glorious weather! Our next is a Skittles Evening at Bashley on 14th October.
A couple of advanced diary dates for ALL members:
7th December, 2010: Christmas Lunch at Sway Manor.
16th June, 2011: Lymington U3A 10th Birthday Celebration at Boldre War Memorial Hall. [We are looking for short items from within our U3A for the afternoon - contact Helen Braye 610863 or myself 672825 if your group is willing to do something for our delectation.]
I'm really looking forward to working with you all to forge an even more interesting Lymington U3A!
Hilvary Robinson, Chair
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As we resume our meetings this September it is as well to recognise that the U3A is a self-help organisation and that we all have to do OUR bit to make it vibrant and fulfilling.
I know a lot of people already give of themselves, be it Committee or Group Co- ordinators etc. and we are very grateful to them. However, more people are needed to keep Lymington U3A riding high. It could be that you could man a board at the General Meeting or give a five minute talk about your lifetime experiences at the Drop-in or perhaps organise an outing?
[The best way to make sure we offer outings you really want to do…is to organise one! We have a comprehensive list of 'things to do' - and we will
help you.] Perhaps you have an even better idea for our U3A that will help us to move forward.
Our first social evening on the Beaulieu River was a triumph - not least because of the glorious weather! Our next is a Skittles Evening at Bashley on 14th October.
A couple of advanced diary dates for ALL members:
7th December, 2010: Christmas Lunch at Sway Manor.
16th June, 2011: Lymington U3A 10th Birthday Celebration at Boldre War Memorial Hall. [We are looking for short items from within our U3A for the afternoon - contact Helen Braye 610863 or myself 672825 if your group is willing to do something for our delectation.]
I'm really looking forward to working with you all to forge an even more interesting Lymington U3A!
Hilvary Robinson, Chair
***************************************************
MEMBERS' REPORTS
DURMAST HOUSE
11 members met at Durmast House, near the White Buck Hotel, Burley on Wednesday 14th July. We were met by the owner and Bella the dog who showed great interest in the proceedings. First we had a talk on the history of the house and gardens and how the famous Gertrude Jekyll came to design the garden which was completed in 1910. We then had a tour of the garden and admired the lovely plants and drifts of colour. Of particular interest to me were the old fashioned pink Dorothy Perkins roses growing along ropes
on one boundary of the garden. We were then served a delicious cream tea. The owners have made the restoration of the garden their retirement project and they are to be congratulated. An altogether delightful afternoon.
Thank you Claire for arranging the visit.
Sylvia Bartram
on one boundary of the garden. We were then served a delicious cream tea. The owners have made the restoration of the garden their retirement project and they are to be congratulated. An altogether delightful afternoon.
Thank you Claire for arranging the visit.
Sylvia Bartram
VISIT TO THE MOHAIR FARM
On a hot sunny afternoon in July, a large group of U3A members arrived at the New Forest Mohair Farm in Pilley and were met by Frances & Ian Mason, to be taken round the farm to see first-hand how they ran the farm that had been the subject of the fascinating slide talk given by Frances at the General Meeting in June. We divided into two parties and were taken round by Frances or Ian to see the goats and observe how they lived in social groups in the various fields. They were grouped according to their gender, with the mothers and all the kids born in the same year together. Within these groups there was an acknowledged hierarchy and all the goats had names that they appeared to recognize when Frances called them. She explained how the mohair was very fine on the younger goats, then became more dense and curly with
age. During the winter they were housed in buildings and there was access to covered shade from the heat in summer. There were a few cows in one field but as they were somewhat skittish, possibly due to the heat, we skirted that field to go down to a small area of land near the boundary, which Frances and Ian were managing, over time, to restore to a natural meadow area with wild flowers, grasses, insects and wildlife. After patiently answering all our questions during our walk round the farm, Frances and Ian then served us delicious cakes and tea and even opened their shop, where we could buy a whole array of items made from their own mohair, not to mention the beautiful hand-dyed yarn that the knitters amongst us couldn't resist. We enjoyed a most interesting afternoon and really appreciated Frances and Ian's generosity, both with their time and hospitality.
Eileen Pugh
BEAULIEU RIVER TRIP AND BBQ
On a beautiful summer evening 33 of us intrepid explorers met at the Master Builders Hotel for a trip down
the Beaulieu river on the good ship Oliver B. Unfortunately the hotel failed to tell the Captain. But true
to maritime tradition he gave up his evening beer to take us on what turned out to be a fascinating journey. The commentary told us all about where Nelson's ship was built at Bucklers Hard and where land had been reclaimed for "salterns" (salt collecting fields) leaving the riverside monastery about half a mile inland. We travelled to Lepe and back. On our return the hotel was already preparing the BBQ which was enjoyed by all on the lawns looking out over the idyllic river scene.
Joanne and Gordon Carter
the Beaulieu river on the good ship Oliver B. Unfortunately the hotel failed to tell the Captain. But true
to maritime tradition he gave up his evening beer to take us on what turned out to be a fascinating journey. The commentary told us all about where Nelson's ship was built at Bucklers Hard and where land had been reclaimed for "salterns" (salt collecting fields) leaving the riverside monastery about half a mile inland. We travelled to Lepe and back. On our return the hotel was already preparing the BBQ which was enjoyed by all on the lawns looking out over the idyllic river scene.
Joanne and Gordon Carter
Playing petanque at the Butterworth's
‘Not all work for the French Beginners’ Group’
(photo Jim Butterworth)
(photo Jim Butterworth)
DROP IN
Our speaker in June was local author Nicola Slade. She wrote children’s stories when her three children were growing up, then on to short stories for several national magazines. Winning a competition in Family Circle galvanised her into writing seriously and since then her stories and articles have been commissioned regularly. Scuba Dancing is her first published novel. Her books are also in audio form.
Viv Gosney
Viv Gosney
Monthly Drop-In Coffee Mornings are well worth a visit, now only 25p for a cuppa, a ‘biccy‘, a chat and some very interesting talks!
PAINTING GROUP OUTING
On Monday 28th June we took advantage of the gorgeous weather and with our chairs and painting equipment visited the Water Gardens at Everton. It took sometime for us to settle down as we were enchanted by the setting which included very tame ducks, moorhens with their chicks, ponds, rills, flowers and little waterfalls. Too much choice!
A pleasant morning enjoyed by all who attended.
Claire Hayes
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BOURNEMOUTH & WEST HANTS WATER COMPANY
With 66% of our bodies made up of water and an estimated 85% of our brain also water, it is good to know that the quality of our tap water is in safe hands at Bournemouth & West Hants Water Co. Their representative and excellent speaker, Peter Ferenczy, recommends that children should have an
intake of one litre per day, with adults on two litres. We were surprised to learn that 70% of the water used on earth is for agriculture, that it takes 8 pints of water to brew 1 pint of beer, and 3000 litres to produce 1 kg of beef. 10 million gallons of water are supplied by BHW to its largest customer at Fawley. It is pumped from Christchurch across the New Forest via Sway where there are now two semi underground reservoirs and a large pumping station. The large green tank in Sway Rd out of Lymington, near Scats, and the lovely brick built water tower at New Milton are still being used. Water is collected from rivers (86%) including the Avon & Stour and bore holes (14%). Due to the chalky ground in this area the water is hard. After storage in reservoirs, such as at Longham, it is filtered through sand and carbon layers before chlorine (0.3ppm) is added.
A useful tip given was to put water into a container and place in the fridge for 1 hour or more. This reduces any residual chlorine, adds oxygen and gives it a sharper taste to rival expensive bottled water - x1000 the cost.
BWH have never had to enforce a hose pipe ban and are confident of meeting the July/August periods of peak demand, nevertheless we are rated as a water scarce area. It has 2,750 km of pipe line and replaces 12 km per year as agreed with OFWAT. It supplies 200,000 properties (500,000 population) with 150 million gallons of water per day. BHW claim to supply the cheapest water and is proud of being rated the top UK performing Water Company in 2008/9. A water metre can be fitted free to any house or bungalow (flats are more complicated). We were shown around the reservoirs, the control room, pumping station and the area where chlorine is added to control the bacteria.
Our thanks go to Clare Hayes for arranging this very interesting & informative visit which was well supported.
Maurice Dixon
With 66% of our bodies made up of water and an estimated 85% of our brain also water, it is good to know that the quality of our tap water is in safe hands at Bournemouth & West Hants Water Co. Their representative and excellent speaker, Peter Ferenczy, recommends that children should have an
intake of one litre per day, with adults on two litres. We were surprised to learn that 70% of the water used on earth is for agriculture, that it takes 8 pints of water to brew 1 pint of beer, and 3000 litres to produce 1 kg of beef. 10 million gallons of water are supplied by BHW to its largest customer at Fawley. It is pumped from Christchurch across the New Forest via Sway where there are now two semi underground reservoirs and a large pumping station. The large green tank in Sway Rd out of Lymington, near Scats, and the lovely brick built water tower at New Milton are still being used. Water is collected from rivers (86%) including the Avon & Stour and bore holes (14%). Due to the chalky ground in this area the water is hard. After storage in reservoirs, such as at Longham, it is filtered through sand and carbon layers before chlorine (0.3ppm) is added.
A useful tip given was to put water into a container and place in the fridge for 1 hour or more. This reduces any residual chlorine, adds oxygen and gives it a sharper taste to rival expensive bottled water - x1000 the cost.
BWH have never had to enforce a hose pipe ban and are confident of meeting the July/August periods of peak demand, nevertheless we are rated as a water scarce area. It has 2,750 km of pipe line and replaces 12 km per year as agreed with OFWAT. It supplies 200,000 properties (500,000 population) with 150 million gallons of water per day. BHW claim to supply the cheapest water and is proud of being rated the top UK performing Water Company in 2008/9. A water metre can be fitted free to any house or bungalow (flats are more complicated). We were shown around the reservoirs, the control room, pumping station and the area where chlorine is added to control the bacteria.
Our thanks go to Clare Hayes for arranging this very interesting & informative visit which was well supported.
Maurice Dixon
BEE UPDATE
Two days before the school holidays, in the ECO garden of Priestlands School I demonstrated to the pupils how to take a super of honey from a hive. A super is a box that sits on top of the hive containing 10 frames of comb that the bees fill with honey. The super was taken to a science room where I spun the frames in my centrifuge to extract the honey. With the help of the pupils the honey was strained to remove bits of wax, put in jars and labelled. Earlier in the year a large swarm took up residence high in a tree in the ECO garden. With the help of Kit Rogers the science master, I put the swarm in a hive which I have now donated to the school. This new swarm is doing exceedingly well, at a guess 70,000 happy friendly bees and I hope to take a super of honey off next week. I will spin this and store the honey until the school reopens in the Autumn. So we now have two strong colonies which augers well for the future. Bees can fly 3 miles so keep those Lymington flowers blooming.
Bill Nisbet
Two days before the school holidays, in the ECO garden of Priestlands School I demonstrated to the pupils how to take a super of honey from a hive. A super is a box that sits on top of the hive containing 10 frames of comb that the bees fill with honey. The super was taken to a science room where I spun the frames in my centrifuge to extract the honey. With the help of the pupils the honey was strained to remove bits of wax, put in jars and labelled. Earlier in the year a large swarm took up residence high in a tree in the ECO garden. With the help of Kit Rogers the science master, I put the swarm in a hive which I have now donated to the school. This new swarm is doing exceedingly well, at a guess 70,000 happy friendly bees and I hope to take a super of honey off next week. I will spin this and store the honey until the school reopens in the Autumn. So we now have two strong colonies which augers well for the future. Bees can fly 3 miles so keep those Lymington flowers blooming.
Bill Nisbet
THE ANNUAL SPANISH LUNCH
Two groups meet on Wednesdays at Margaret Gimson's home to learn Spanish. Margaret, who – as her lively book Eugenio's New Neighbours in Spanish Galicia describes – lived many years in Northern Spain, runs the weekly beginners’ class. The fortnightly conversation group is run by Tina Groves, a Spaniard who gently tries to improve those of us who are purportedly more advanced. We enjoy sampling each others’ Spanish cooking at an annual summer luncheon in Margaret's wonderful garden, which, despite the tables nearly blowing away this year, gave us a convivial chance to thank both group leaders for all their
efforts in helping us master the language.
John Gabbay
Two groups meet on Wednesdays at Margaret Gimson's home to learn Spanish. Margaret, who – as her lively book Eugenio's New Neighbours in Spanish Galicia describes – lived many years in Northern Spain, runs the weekly beginners’ class. The fortnightly conversation group is run by Tina Groves, a Spaniard who gently tries to improve those of us who are purportedly more advanced. We enjoy sampling each others’ Spanish cooking at an annual summer luncheon in Margaret's wonderful garden, which, despite the tables nearly blowing away this year, gave us a convivial chance to thank both group leaders for all their
efforts in helping us master the language.
John Gabbay
HEROES RETURN 2
Apply before 3l January 2011. Anyone who served in a War Zone in WWII is entitled to return for free - courtesy of Lottery Funding. For details refer to Celia Pilling who has enjoyed two nostalgic return trips to South Africa - with a friend.
Tel: 01425 618014 email celia.pilling@virgin.net
or Google 'Heroes Return 2'
Have you put ICE in your mobile?
Nearly everybody carries a mobile now, but did you know that the emergency services are trained to check for the ICE number. There is no simpler way of letting the emergency services know who to contact if you are involved in an accident. Standing for ‘In Case of Emergency‘, ICE will allow the emergency
services to contact a nominated person (probably a family member) who, if necessary, can give consent for emergency medical treatment.
Viv Gosney
Apply before 3l January 2011. Anyone who served in a War Zone in WWII is entitled to return for free - courtesy of Lottery Funding. For details refer to Celia Pilling who has enjoyed two nostalgic return trips to South Africa - with a friend.
Tel: 01425 618014 email celia.pilling@virgin.net
or Google 'Heroes Return 2'
Have you put ICE in your mobile?
Nearly everybody carries a mobile now, but did you know that the emergency services are trained to check for the ICE number. There is no simpler way of letting the emergency services know who to contact if you are involved in an accident. Standing for ‘In Case of Emergency‘, ICE will allow the emergency
services to contact a nominated person (probably a family member) who, if necessary, can give consent for emergency medical treatment.
Viv Gosney