3.03.23 Some of John’s Birthday choices.

• Trip to Bavaria a Scottish 4 couple dance by James McGregor Brown. We danced it twice.
• Eastbourne Grove a 3 couple dance by Kevin Prigmore 2015 also danced twice.
• Sam’s Maggot a Traditional 3 couple dance from 1728 reconstructed by Andrew Shaw, also danced twice.
• Posties Jig a 4 couple dance devised by Roy Clowes of Ormskirk. One theory is that the ‘arches’ section of the dance symbolises ‘the tying up of a parcel’ We certainly created a few knots!
• Gasconne see 3.02.23.

10.03.23 No Dancing due to snowy conditions.

17.03.23 with an Irish theme to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

• Dancing with Friends a longways dance choreography by Elizabeth Goossens 2013. Music by Sue Stapleton from Irish tunes from Liverpool.
• (The) bonny lad & the bonny lass by John & William Neal 1726
• Giant Steps a June Jones 4 couple dance to the tune ‘Blind Mary’ played on the Irish Harp.
• Season of Mists a longways dance.
• The Princess Royal a longways dance by Pat Shaw.
• Shandy Hall a 4 couple dance with circles & half stars.

24.03.23 some more of John’s Birthday choices.

• Criss Cross Jig a 5 couple dance.
• Nonesuch 2 a longways dance.
• Trip to Bavaria see 3.03.23.
• Peace be with you a contemporary longways dance by Fried de Metz Herman.
• Fourpence Halfpenny Farthing a traditional longways dance from 1709.
• Dancing with Friends see last week.

31.03.23 still more of John’s choices…

• Frances Ann’s Delight by George Middleton 1975 for his wife Frances Ann!
• (the) Italian Disappointment a longways dance pub. Neal 1726.
• Marching to Praetorius a Gary Roodman 2 couple dance 1996.
• Indian Princess a Colin Hume 1984 longways dance. Danced to the tune of the Indian Queen.
• Upton Priory a 4 couple waltz time dance.
• Nampwich Fair a longways dance Playford 1726.

There will be no dancing next week as it’s Good Friday

Back on the 14th.April.

Lacemaking   by Jayne Shepherd 

Jayne introduced us to her journey and sabatical through lace making.  Very interesting and thought provoking

Followed by refreshments🍰  ☕and a game of bingo   🔢

Film afternoon featuring ‘Finding Your Feet’ – a 2017 British romantic comedy 

Ice creams 🍦were enjoyed at the interval as well as the usual cuppa☕ and cakes 🍰

In March we wrote short stories of 100 words, maximum. Here is a selection:

A Nice Cup of Tea

BY JILLIAN RIDDOCH

She waited with her sister, seeking reassurance. “It will be alright.”  Her sister replied sympathetically. “What if she wakes up?” She fidgeted nervously.” We’ll stay up all night, watch TV and drink tea.” Her sister replied. “She said some terrible things.” Tears welled up in her eyes. “It’s the illness, she can’t help it.” They talked about the past, particularly their childhood, and their mother’s illness.

A noise came from above. A creak, a shuffle of slippered feet on the linoleum floor. The door opened. “Hello girls. You’re up late. Got a nice cup of tea for your old Mum?”

BY VAL HEARN

Avril suspected Brian was up to something when he claimed he had taken up jogging. She followed him but he only got as far as the High Street when he went into a flat above the haberdashers. The Perspex sign next to the door that led to the flat above said ‘Miss Jenkins Piano Tutor, phone number Melton 62145’. The following evening Brian claimed he was going jogging. Twenty minutes later Avril phoned Miss Jenkins on the home phone and simultaneously phoned Brian’s mobile using her mobile. As Miss Jenkins said ‘Good evening’ Brian’s mobile rang in the background.

Gotcha!

Another Phone Call

BY JOAN POTTER

“Oh Mum! Please don’t ring school.”

“You can’t go. It’s my bridge night and your father’s out.”

“But Mum I’m fourteen. I can walk home.”

“Not on a dark, winter’s night you can’t.” Justin cringed as he listened.

“Mr Marlowe? Mrs Carey here. I’m afraid Justin can’t attend your special rehearsal. There’s no-one to collect him. I see, but if he’s really needed, could you change to a more sensible time or arrange for him to be brought home. What’s that? You’ll run him home yourself. Fine. Good evening.”

Rehearsal over, Mr Marlowe pedalled off with Justin running beside him.

Seven members of the group enjoyed a good morning’s bird watching at this Lancashire Wildlife Trust site adjacent to the river Alt and a total of thirty three species were recorded.  A particular highlight of this visit was a young female Kestrel which perched, flew low and hovered quite close to us.  We noticed the bird was ringed and information subsequently seen on Facebook confirms she was ringed as a nestling on 10th July 2022 at Cockerham near Lancaster.

Click ‘Continue reading’ for the full list of 33 species seen:

Continue reading →

Correction from 6.01.23. Floss Galliard should read Slof Galliard. (a Morecambe and Wise moment, all the right letters, in the wrong order!)

3.02.23

• Brighton le Sands a June Jones longways dance x2. People always ask, ‘Where is Brighton le Sands?’ x2

It is between Blundellsands to the North, Waterloo to the South and Gt. Crosby to the East.

• Valentine’s Day a longways dance called by Elfrida in preparation for 14th. pub. 1670 Playford. x2
• Up to no Good another June Jones 3 couple dance. 1st. version.
• No Taxes from 1791.
• A Lady remembered a longways dance remembering all former dancers who have ‘passed on’.
• Gasconne a longways dance from 1706 with interpretation by Pat Shaw.

10.03.23

• Portsmouth a longways dance from 1701.
• Roll the Line a longways dance with some ‘travelling’.
• Harvest Reel a 3 couple dance x2.
• Diamond Diversion unsurprisingly, in Diamond formation for 4 people.
• Morrison’s Reel a 5 couple longways  dance. x2
• Nampwich Fair a longways dance pub. Playford 1726, interpretation by Pat Shaw 1964.

17.03.23 some of John’s Birthday choices.

• (The ) Farmer’s Joy a Joseph Pimentel longways dance.
• Two’s Lead a longways dance.
• D’e’il Take the Warr a 3 couple dance from 1721.
• Triplicate danced with 3 in a line, choreography Peggy Roe.
• New German Waltz a longways dance.

24.02.23

• The Spaniard a longways dance 1777.
• Zephyrs and Flora  a longways dance from the Walsh collection 1715.
• (The) Slof Galliard a Pat Shaw dance 1975 for 4 couples.
• Homebound Duet a 2 person dance by Judy Keeling 2020, to the tune Elizabeth.
• Pilgarlic a 3 couple dance from 1751.
• Comical Fellow always a favourite longways dance with clapping. pub. Thompson 1776.

Continue reading →

In the session we continued our topic of heroes from Greek mythology by looking at Heracles.

The Greek myths credit Heracles as being the greatest of all the heroes.

His famous Twelve Labours showcase his many hero attributes.  Heracles used his hero qualities of superhuman strength, courage, and supreme skill as a warrior to accomplish a series of apparently impossible tasks.

The Labours also illustrate some of the flaws in Heracles’ character.  He could be hot-headed and impulsive with a tendency to over-react to situations.  Hercules was frequently unable to control his superhuman powers and got himself into trouble as a result.  It would seem that the Greeks wanted their heroes to be complex characters with flaws and shortcomings alongside their super powers.

In February our theme was ‘children’. Some wrote the first chapter of a children’s story, a couple of people wrote complete stories, one wrote a poem, and there were two articles about children’s authors. Here is Judy’s story:

The Rainbow Children

BY JUDY INGMAN

Ginta-Marie was eight years old with a rather unusual name and an extra-ordinarily difficult problem. Her close friend Betsy, also eight was blind. Betsy had moved in next door a year before and had become so familiar with both houses and gardens that it was easy to forget she couldn’t see.

Then, yesterday it had rained and when the sun shone through later, there was the most beautiful rainbow that Ginta-Marie had ever seen and without thinking she had shouted out to her friend, “Look, Betsy, see the rainbow and all those fantastic colours.”

Betsy couldn’t understand what she was talking about. Feeling sad for her friend Ginta-Marie tried to describe the rainbow but Betsy grew more and more tearful and cross and as she tripped over a stone running between the hedges to her garden, yelled, “Leave me alone, leave me alone!”

Ginta-Marie raced after her, crying, “Betsy, wait, I’m so sorry. I forgot you can’t see. Wait, Betsy.”

Betsy just rushed into her house and wouldn’t come out again.

Ginta-Marie was so unhappy, she couldn’t eat her tea, went to bed early and sobbed into her pillow.

She had always accepted Betsy’s blindness and even sometimes she’d closed her eyes and moved around as though she were blind too. It had even felt exciting to pretend she couldn’t see trying to enter into Betsy’s world. She found out that she could hear the birds more clearly. She didn’t just see the flowers she sniffed them and breathed in their scent. She’d shut her eyes at times when eating and had found she enjoyed the taste of food more. It had been like a game.

It had never seemed to occur to her that Betsy couldn’t see colours and her tears fell even more as she realised how black and dark her friend’s world really was. Very unhappily she at last fell asleep.

She awoke to a very noisy chorus of cats and birds. She kept her eyes shut listening and then shuddered as she remembered her dream of a black and white rainbow that kept following her, trapping her into corners of her room as she tried running away from it.

Sitting up in bed she thought of the real rainbow that Betsy couldn’t see or even imagine. She closed her eyes and thought and thought. Betsy could hear better than her, her sense of taste and identifying smells was more accurate and she was always good at guessing what an object was by touching it. Ginta-Marie felt she must help Betsy find a way to imagine a rainbow, so she thought and puzzled until she suddenly smiled to herself and then jumped out of bed.

Much later on, if her Mum was surprised at all the bundles and food from the kitchen, that kept disappearing into the playhouse, she said nothing, although she was curious, as she and Betsy’s Mum had both been upset by what had happened between the girls the day before.

After a quick lunch, Ginta-Marie called for Betsy.

“Please, come and play. I have something to share with you.”

Betsy wanted to refuse, “Its no use, I can’t see.”

“Please, Betsy I really have a nice surprise for you,”

Betsy’s Mum urged her to go.

Ginta-Marie, pulled her into the playhouse taking her hand and leading her to each corner. The first was filled with fruit, the second with flowers, the third had a mouth organ and a recorder and the fourth had some felt tips and paper. She made Betsy feel everything in each corner.

Then she announced, “Betsy, here are four different rainbows. The first corner is the tasty rainbow,” and she giggled as she made her friend taste each fruit in turn, which were all in rainbow colours, strawberry for red, then an orange, banana for yellow and a green apple. The blueberries were from a tin. Finally she made her taste a purple grape and a deep dark plum which was rather squashy. When Betsy had tasted them all and said she would remember this as the Tasty Rainbow, Ginta-Marie led her to the second corner where all the flowers were.

“This,” she declared is “ The sniffy Rainbow corner.”

She giggled again and Betsy did, too, as she sniffed a bright red rose, an orange marigold, a yellow daffodil, some cut grass, a blue hyacinth in a pot, a sprig of lilac from the tree in the garden and finally a small bunch of deep purple Chrysanthemums. In fact the giggling led to sneezing as the leaves tickled Betsy’s nose.

In no time she was trundled to the third corner, where she was given the mouth organ while Ginta-Marie picked up the recorder. She insisted they play all seven notes together.

“ Doh ray me far so la tee “ and then she added the final doh, laughing out loud she said, “This is the Sound Rainbow.”

Betsy was soon laughing along before she was led to the final corner where there was paper and coloured pens.

“This is the Touching Rainbow,” she said solemnly.

She gave each of the pens to Betsy to hold, getting her to feel the notches she’d made on each, one on red, right up to seven on the purple one. Then she guided Betsy’s hand on each pen in turn so that she actually drew her own rainbow on the paper.

Ginta -Marie hugged Betsy, “ you are my bestest, bestest friend and you may not be able to see it, but I’ll help you draw a rainbow, if you want to on a card for your Mum’s birthday next week.”

Betsy hugged her back, very excited about all the different kinds of rainbows.

Together they ran for their mothers, who were already creeping down to the playhouse in search of all the giggling. The girls led them happily round the four corners of special rainbows.

Then Ginta-Marie’s Mum responded, “You mustn’t forget the most important rainbow of all, the Feely one!”

The girls looked puzzled, so she held each of their hands with Betsy’s Mum too, and said,

“Both of you were very sad yesterday, and you went through lots of different feelings.”

They both agreed the range of feelings they had both felt were, sadness, anger, fear, worry, love, excitement and finally happiness.

Then Betsy said holding on to her friend’s hand, “I want to call the Feely rainbow the Friendship Rainbow”

Both Mothers smiled at each other and gave both girls a hug before leaving them to carry on playing with all their new rainbows.

In the session we continued our topic of heroes from Greek mythology.

We completed the story Theseus.

We did a recap of his origins and how he became the accepted heir to the throne of Athens.

His story was as deliberate amalgamation of three characters and how his story was deliberately used to promote an image of a hero.  Theseus was not content to be a prince he wanted adventures and emulated the feats of Heracles.

He defeated the fire breathing white bull which had killed hundreds of men and took it up to the Acropolis and sacrificed it. Crete and Athens had been at war for some time and Minos the ruler of Crete had the upper hand with a strong navy.  King Minos’s son had been killed and he was due recompense for this, so every year seven youths and seven maidens were sent over to Crete and put in the Labyrinth where they were either killed by the Minotaur or died of thirst/starvation.  The story goes that the tribute fell due and Theseus took the place of one of the youths promising if he survived he would fly white sails on his return to indicate he was alive.  He went to Delphi to consult the Oracle who told him to put his trust in Aphrodite.

The back story to the Minotaur was that he was the half-brother to Ariadne King Minos’s daughter, his father was the white bull who had mated with Ariadne’s mother.  King Minos had a labyrinth constructed to contain him.

Ariadne was smitten as soon as she saw Theseus and offered to help him if he would take her to Athens.  Theseus agreed.  She told him to take a ball of thread with him and use it to find his way back out.  Theseus navigated the Labyrinth and slayed the Minotaur in his sleep and followed the thread back out.

Ariadne guided Theseus and his companions to the harbour where they escaped under the cover of darkness.  They sailed to Naxos where Theseus built a shelter for Ariadne and then left her there, breaking his promise to take her to Athens. When she found herself alone she called upon the entire universe for vengeance and Zeus nodded his assent.

Theseus sailed for Athens where he encountered adverse winds which delayed his progress, it took him some time to get there and he forgot about his promise to put up white sails and left the black sails up.

His father Aegeus watched for his son every day and upon seeing the ship with the black sails swooned and fell into the Aegean Sea and was killed.  Some say Theseus did this deliberately.  The original warning by the Oracle had finally come true as Aegeus died of grief.

Theseus became ruler of Athens killing his opponents and setting up a federation of states, a law court and coins with the image of a bull on them.  The mythology also credits Theseus with more adventuring, leaving counsellors and advisors in place whilst he was away.

His adventures also include encounters with the Amazons and the taking of Queen Antiope with whom he had Hippolytus.  He had an alliance with Deucalion the ruler of Crete, whose daughter Phaedra he married, casting Queen Antiope aside.  Antiope attacked them at their wedding and she was hunted down and killed.

Theseus’ grandfather Pittheus adopted Hippolytus as his heir.

There followed Greek tragedy where gods were offended, Theusus’ wife Phaedra was enchanted to fall in love with her stepson Hippolytus, was rejected, and ended with both of them dying.

Another convoluted story involving abducting Helen of Sparta (later of Troy) when she was very young and the consequences of his actions.  He ended up with Hades inviting him to sit in the Chair of Forgetfulness in the underworld from where eventually Heracles rescued him.  During this time the Spartans marched into Athens and set up a Regent.

When Theseus eventually returned he was seriously weakened and unable to do anything so set sail to Crete, he was blown off course and took shelter on Skyros where its ruler Lycomedes initially welcomed him before throwing Theseus to his death from a cliff.

During his life Theseus showed some very bad judgement, not thinking before he acted with some severe consequences for those around him, offended the gods and treated women badly  (for example Ariadne and Antiope).  This may explain why he did not get a hero’s end.

The next session we shall start on Heracles

Following on from the successful collaboration with Edge Hill University on the Ageing Better Project, there was a free Showcase Event on Saturday 11th February in the Arts Centre at Edge Hill University, starting with Reception and coffee at 10am.

Programme

10:00 -10:30 – Reception & Coffee
10:30 – Opening ceremony
10:45 – Talks from guest speakers on health and wellbeing

• Dr Jikta Vseteckova, Senior Lecturer in Health and Social Care, The Open University
• Carol Rogers MBE, Director of House of Memories, National Museums Liverpool
• Dr Jade Thai, Programme Manager of Neuroscience & Mental Health, Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust

12:00 – Lunch and poster session
13:30 – Dance performances

• Base Dance Performing Arts Academy
• 50 Moves – Jennifer Hale
• Men! Dancing! – Jennifer Hale
• u3a Line Dancing – Lorraine Dyke
• u3a Tap Dancing – Irene Arkinstall
• Hard-Wired project – James Hewitson

15:00 Closing ceremony – Dr Dortothy Tse

Coffee

Five members of the group attended our first visit of 2023.  We started by meeting in the café to discuss the programme of visits for the year after which we visited some of the hides and the Reedbed walk before lunch.  This site never disappoints and an excellent variety of species were recorded with several raptors and many woodland and farmland birds as well as waterfowl and waders.  One member was able to stay on for a while after lunch and added a few extra species at some of the other hides we did not have time to visit in the morning.  In total forty six species were recorded on this visit.

Whooper Swans

Greylag Goose

Male and Female Pintail

Teal

Black-tailed Godwit

Male Stonechat

The Black-tailed Godwits can be quite feisty!

Click ‘Continue reading’ for the full list of 46 species seen:

Continue reading →

Bill Soens took some photos of works by the Painting Group.

Continue reading →

Tuesday 4th October

Lancashire Comedians 

Dr Tom Preston joins us to talk about the evolution of local comedy by referencing some of the styles of Lancashire comedians of the past.

As it is Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Anniversary year we will begin with the wit of Her Majesty, Duke of Lancaster.

Tuesday 1st November 

Coal Mining in Lancashire

There were many coal mines in our area, the borough of Wigan for example in 1863 had 48 collieries operating, employing thousands of men, women and children. Mining historian Alan Davies will tell us more about the history of coal mining.

Tuesday 6th December

Christmas in Victorian Lancashire

We begin with some of the Christmas traditions associated with Victorian times. Kate Hurst will continue with her illustrated presentation about Victorian Lancashire at Christmas time.

£3.50 includes sherry (or a non-alcoholic drink), shortbread and a raffle ticket.

Please book for the December meeting with Margaret at the Local History meetings or at Horizons.

Our outdoor visits began Saturday 30 April Milford Junction.

Where? Clue: be careful to avoid getting grit in your eye. We were going for a brief encounter at Carnforth Heritage Centre. Part of the film Brief Encounter was filmed at Carnforth Station, named Milford Junction in the film.

The visit included lunch – sandwiches, cake and tea/coffee in the film set Refreshment Room.

A screening of the film `Brief Encounter` was optional.

Saturday 11^th June

Tour and Tales Around the Ribble Valley.

As we travelled around the lovely Ribble countryside most of which is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, we will listen to the history, legends and stories that shape the area. From views of Pendle Hill to the Forest of Bowland, through historic villages to Dunsop Bridge, declared by Ordnance Survey as the official centre of Britain. We stopped at one, two, three or more (!) of the ancient Inns, some dating back to the 18^th century, all had an interesting ghostly history. Lunch was included.

Our challenge for January was to write something with the theme of ‘dilemma’. Below are two examples that were read and discussed at the January session.

Geoff’s Dilemma

BY LIZ DIXON

‘Geoff, come and meet the latest newbies in the neighbourhood.’ Alan clapped a friendly hand on Geoff’s back and directed him across the grass to the couple who had recently moved into the area. ‘Geoff’s been here longer than us, haven’t you, Geoff? Must be nearly 40 years for you and Mary now!’

         Normally Geoff would have managed more than the mumbled agreement to Alan’s comment but he was feeling far from normal. His mind was all over the place. The neighbours often got together in one garden or another for a drink and a barbecue and whilst Geoff was never the ‘life and soul’ like Alan, he was usually sociable and chatty in a calm, understated way. But without anything to say on this occasion, he looked around and caught sight of Mary talking amiably to another neighbour. His heart sank. His beautiful plum cake (a name he occasionally used in public by mistake) might just have her whole world shattered very soon. Could he put her through that? Would it be worth it? He had no idea.

         Mary wandered over, her comfortable expression turning quizzical as she saw he was not himself. ‘Are you okay, Geoff, love? You look a bit peaky.’ He tried to assure her he was fine and only too happy to nip back home for her cardigan. She raised her eyebrows at the new neighbours as she exclaimed, totally unnecessarily, how unpredictable the British weather was. He left the three of them chatting and headed next door but Mary’s cardigan was the last thing on his mind. He slumped in his armchair and began picking over the agonising memory of his encounter with Amanda at work the previous day.

         Amanda had only joined the office team a month ago. She was good at her job – focused and reliable – but she seemed to find any excuse to talk things through with Geoff. He’d shrugged off the ‘Aye, aye, wink, wink’ comment from another colleague. Why were people in the office so interested in extra-marital gossip? Geoff was totally devoted to his plum pudding and their two amazing offspring, Robert and Claire, both in their late thirties with delightful young families of their own.

         ‘Just checking you’re still alive, love, you’ve been ages!’ Mary had breezed in, too chilly to wait any longer for him. ‘I’ve got to get back because I’ve promised Anita I’ll butter the rolls but if you’re not feeling well why don’t you go to bed.’ He certainly did feel ill, even if it was due to stress rather than a virus. God, he loved this woman so much. She joined in with Dusty Springfield singing ‘I Only Want to Be With You’ as she headed back towards the music and the party.

         Geoff’s head was in his hands. The bomb that had been dropped by Amanda was news that he had, unknowingly, fathered a child 42 years previously and that child was Amanda. She’d been given scant details by her mother but had painstakingly followed up every avenue to arrive at the conclusion Geoff was her dad. Once she was fairly convinced she’d found the right man she had planned to ask his permission to do a DNA test but she’d chickened out in case he’d refused and had gone ahead with it already. For this she was deeply apologetic. The DNA test was the least of his problems. He had seen Amanda as a smart, pleasant woman but now he was staring at another daughter. It excited him and terrified him equally. How on earth was he going to deal with this? He didn’t want to wreck the idyllic life he had with Mary and his children – his other children – but if he kept it a secret, would that betrayal be worse?

         Mary would be back in a couple of hours. Tormented, he took a pad and a pen out of the bureau to make some notes but he couldn’t bring himself to commit his thoughts to paper. Once he’d done that there’d be no going back. So he tried to bring some order to the bewilderment in his head and work out what he would say to Mary if he decided to come clean: He was sorry. It was a moment of irresponsible madness before he’d met her. He’d had no idea until yesterday. He was so sorry. He would understand if she wanted nothing to do with Amanda. He was sorry if she’d preferred not to know but he couldn’t hide it from her. What would they tell Robert and Claire? Please don’t hate me, Mary.

         He sat bolt upright when he heard Mary come in through the back door. His hands began to shake but, with his mind made up, he tried to steel himself for the conversation. ‘Oh, you’re still up, love. I thought you’d have gone to bed,’ she said brightly.

         ‘Mary I’m so sorry.’ But he didn’t have chance to say anything else because Claire came in behind Mary wittering away about how lucky they all were that she and her brother got on so well when many of her friends were indifferent or positively hostile towards their siblings.

         ‘Look who popped in to the party!’ Mary was beaming, happy to have had her daughter to herself for a short time without husbands and small children.

         ‘Hi Dad,’ said Claire. ‘How’re you feeling?’ He didn’t answer the question because all he could think about was that he couldn’t put this off any longer.

         ‘I need to talk to your mother,’ he said and suggested Claire made some tea in the kitchen, out of earshot. And so it began. The words came tumbling out in a jumble of phrases, less coherent than he’d planned but he just had to get them all out. Eventually he took a breath and looked up at Mary. She was stunned. Calm but stunned. The silence was broken by Claire bounding in.

         ‘A sister? I’ve got a sister!’ She was genuinely happy. Mary considered her thoughts for a moment and said quietly,

         ‘Geoff, I have no right to be upset about any of your liaisons before I met you.’ And after another moment’s pause, she said, ‘I reckon we can accommodate another daughter, don’t you?’ and for the first time ever, she saw him shed a tear.

What a Dilemma

BY ANN HENDERS

I hardly ever go to Chorley but a friend told me about the curtain stall on the market so I thought I’d have a run out to get a new net curtain for my front window, freshen the place up for Easter. I’m not very familiar with the lay out of the place and got a bit lost coming out of the car park. I was on a quiet side street when I passed ‘Maisie’s Coffee Shop’ and happened to glance inside. Who did I see but Malcolm, you know, married to Lizzie who’s in the same Knit and Natter group as us. But he wasn’t with Lizzie, he was with a dark haired woman I’d never seen before. All long dangly earrings and shellac nails. They were having a good giggle over something or other but it wasn’t till the waitress brought their order over that I realised they’d been holding hands under the table. Well that had to stop so they could deal with their cappuccinos and all day breakfasts. Well, I didn’t know what to do for the best. I stood back so I couldn’t be seen, not that they were looking anywhere but into each other’s eyes. Anyway, I decided to risk a quick photo, which came out quite well considering.

Well, I spent a sleepless night that night, I can tell you! I tossed and turned. Shall I tell Lizzie what I saw I wondered? If my Len had been carrying on would I have wanted to know? In the morning my mind was made up, I knew I had to do the right thing. I messaged Lizzie and told her I was popping around. I decided the only thing I could do was give it to her straight. I told her exactly what happened and pulled the photo up on my phone. She said nothing at first but gave me a strange look then told me she did not want to see the photo and she was very sorry that I had seen Malcolm yesterday. I said to her I didn’t know how he could do such a terrible thing to her and she shouldn’t put up with it. I was outraged for her! She put her hand up, palm towards me and said,

‘Stop! You’ve no right to criticise Malcolm or judge my marriage. You know nothing about our private life. I wish it could stay that way but now I feel I have to explain something to you in order to keep my privacy. Will you promise to keep this absolutely confidential?’

‘Well’, I said ‘you know me, the soul of discretion. I won’t breathe a word’. Then she told me about the horrendous health problems she’d had a few years ago. Terrible operation which went badly wrong. Really everything was just a mess and Malcolm had been marvellous throughout. But it left her with no interest in sex at all.

‘I know, so sad. So, her and Malcolm have come to an agreement. He has a lady friend he sees from time to time, if you know what I mean and Lizzie and Malcolm carry on as before and they go on lovely holidays together and have you seen her new kitchen? Fabulous!’

‘What, should I have told you this? Oh my dear I know you’re just like me, the soul of discretion. I know you won’t tell anybody else, so telling you doesn’t count, does it’

Anyway, I’ve decided to put new nets all around now so I’ll just need to pop back to Chorley again next week. I wonder if I’ll come across that café again?

In the session we continued our topic of heroes from Greek mythology.

1/.  We completed the story of Jason and Medea.   Including Jason and Medea’s ruling of Corinth.

He had a close association with the gods with Hera, Atheni and Aphrodite who intervened in his life.

We again looked at where Jason shared characteristics in common with the heroes from Celtic, Germanic and Scandinavian myths and legends and where he seemed weak.  His partnership with Medea continued to be important.  They used deception and magic.

We also looked at the consequences of Jason’s decision to divorce Medea and take a new wife, breaking the oath he had made to the gods to keep faith with Medea.  This had an impact on the rest of his life.  The trust and protection of the gods was vital.  Even though a number of Medea’s actions are quite brutal she maintained a good relationship with the gods and ended her life immortal in the Elysian Fields whilst Jason’s breaking of his solemn oath to the gods meant they withdrew their favours and he spent his last years wandering, hated by all.  In old age he sat in the shadow of the Argo and was killed when it toppled over on top of him.

2/. We started the story of Theseus.

The early myths started in the bronze age and there were originally three characters called Theseus from different areas.  These became amalgamated into a single person; this was done deliberately when the Lapith clan became the senior clan of Athens around 6th C BC. What people wanted at that time was a hero and it was used for political purposes and promulgated by poets and storytellers.

We looked at the early years with Theseus’s father Aegeus going to Delphi to see the Oracle for advice on how to get a son, travelling to Corinth and meeting Medea and then travelling further with Theseus eventually being born to Aethra and raised by her father philosopher Pittheus.  We looked at the symbols and prophecies involved, he had sandals and sword from his father.  These were symbols of royalty and kingship and were part of the real rituals at the time.

Theseus was precocious, strong, intelligent and cultured.  When his mother judged the time was right for him to go to Athens, Theseus insisted on going down the notoriously dangerous coast road.    He wanted to prove himself and have adventures.  He would only react if provoked and any punishment he meted out would fit the crime.  The tale covers an astonishing list of feats and encounters some of which are very similar to those of Heracles.  We looked at the qualities of heroes to see where he matched up.

Meanwhile in Athens Aegeus had married Medea and she had given him a son whom she wanted to be king, so when Theseus arrived in Athens she plotted against him.   Her plot failed as Aegeus recognised Theseus as his son due to the sword he was carrying.  Medea and her son were given safe conduct form the city.

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(Please accept my apologies for not posting individual reports of these visits)

13th September 2022 – Speke Hall

Four members of the group attended our first visit of the Autumn to this National Trust property by the Mersey Estuary.  A total of twenty bird species were recorded on this visit.

11th October 2022 – Leighton Moss RSPB and Morecambe Bay

Five members of the group travelled to this site, the most distant of the sites we regularly visit.  This large RSPB reserve regularly has many less common species including the bearded tits, which we only managed to hear on this occasion, and Marsh Tits.  A total of thirty six species were recorded across the two sites.

8th November 2022 – Burton Mere RSPB

This visit was called off at the last minute when several members had to pull out, however one member of the group didn’t get the message in time and recorded a total of twenty nine species.

The visit was re-arranged for 13th December but again was postponed when only two members of the group were available.  We will try again early in early 2023, hopefully it will be third time lucky!

29th November 2022 – Martin Mere

The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust site at Martin Mere is always a good visit at this time of year and six group members were well rewarded with a total of forty two species being recorded.  A particular highlight was seeing four Marsh Harriers flying over the land beyond the mere, though the hazy conditions made it difficult to capture good photographs.  The number of Whooper Swans in ‘first winter’ plumage indicates they have had a good breeding season.

Click ‘Continue reading’ for the full list of species seen on the above visits:

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(Please accept my apologies for not posting individual reports of these visits)

29th March 2022 – Marbury Country Park

Five members of the group enjoyed a lovely morning’s birding at this extensive country park with its wide range of habitats between Burton Mere and the Trent and Mersey canal.  A total of twenty six species were recorded and a particular highlight was the good views we got of a Mistle Thrush at quite close range.

Thanks to group member Ken for this shot of the Mistle Thrush.

12th April 2022 – Mere Sands Wood

Four members of the group attended this visit on a soggy and misty morning.  It was interesting to see the on going repairs and replacements of the hides and the improvements to the main hub.  A highlight was about twenty Swallows flying low over the water.  A total of twenty six species were recorded.

10th May 2022 – Yarrow Valley Country Park

Yarrow Valley is another extensive country park with a wide variety of habitats alongside the River Yarrow and six members of the group had an enjoyable morning’s birdwatching, recording a total of twenty two species.  Highlights of this visit were the Dippers feeding their young and the Grey Wagtails.

14th June 2022 – Woolston Eyes Nature Reserve

It was good to be able to return after three years to this very special Site of Special Scientific Interest set on an island between the River Mersey and the Manchester Ship Canal close to the Thelwall Viaduct.  Five members of the group enjoyed this visit with a total of thirty species being recorded.  One of the main attractions of this site is the breeding colony of Black-necked Grebes and the timing of this visit was ideal as the adults were seen feeding their chicks.  It was also good to see many other birds with their young.  The Black-necked Grebes were at quite a distance but this one put on a good show for us as it constantly dived for food for it’s chick:

Thanks to Tony and Ken for these other pictures from this visit:

12th July 2022, Lunt Meadows Nature Reserve

Eight members of the group attended our final visit before the August break.  This Wildlife Trust reserve, alongside the River Lunt, has a good variety of habitats and always produces a good range of sightings.  This visit was no exception with a total of thirty seven species being recorded.

Click ‘Continue reading’ for the full list of species seen on the above visits:

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May 2022

Old Boilers and

The End of the Pier Show

November 2021

Death by Paintbrush

April 2019

Two weddings and a Conference

November 2019

Christmas Pudding

April 2018

A Fate Worse Than Death

October 2018

“Slim Chance” and “Commemorate and Celebrate”

April 2017

Get Staffed

and

Love and Marriage and All That Jazz

October 2017

Smalls Talk

and

Cabaret at the K P Club

April 2016

Acting – It’s Not Plumbing

and

Let’s Go To The Movies

October 2016

Death on Delivery

June 2015

Out for the Count

and

Follow the Rainbow

October 2015

S S Persephone

A review of “The Persephone Affair”

It was ‘all aboard’ the S S Persephone when the Drama Group presented ‘The Persephone Affair’ – a murder mystery – in Aughton Village Hall, which was attended on Saturday evening by the play’s author Kevin Green.
The Hall was transformed for the evening into the liner’s first class lounge thus ensuring that the audience felt part of the plot.
All the actors fully immersed themselves in their parts, taking on wonderfully the character being played. It was revealed through the course of the play that each one of them was in financial straits. A touch of humour was supplied every time the Steward appeared when the ship seemed to roll. This was achieved by a superbly choreographed swaying by all the actors who were on
the stage.
When Lady Daphne met an untimely end it was apparent that each one of them had a motive and was a suspect. Miss Marbles, an amateur sleuth, announced that the death was ‘murder by poisoning’. As she led the suspects away, the audience was left to contemplate the means, motive and opportunity for the murder, over an excellent supper.
We all left the hall having had a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining evening.
Sally Bahia

Group members were also able to take part in other activities such as:
Sunday Social

Loitering within Tent

In 2017 the Drama Group were asked for volunteers to take part in a short film being made by
Edge Hill University students.  The film, “Take Care” is now available to view on YouTube and
stars Jackie Roscoe and Maureen Bridge. Congratulations to both of them.

Summer Social

On Parade

“Summer Serenade” with the u3a Choir

Everything in Moderation

Lost at Sea

“Acting Up”

In 2015 five of our members attended the first session of a pilot scheme called “Acting Up”.
This was run by Kaleidoscope, a Northern Ireland professional theatre company and was held at
the Royal Exchange Theatre Manchester.  Representatives of several other U3A Drama or Play
Reading groups from the North West region also attended.
There were many activities during the day including ice breakers, memory games, learning focus
and stagecraft, improvisation and acting in sketches.  The two excellent facilitators, Kerry and
Karen made it interesting and enjoyable for all.
There then followed two further workshops building on the knowledge  and experience gained
and the icing on the cake was a performance at The Lowry, Manchester on 23 rd  February.  The
Drama Group members performed three sketches, two of which were written by Kerry Rooney,
who is the Artistic Director of Kaleidoscope.
We learned a lot and everyone enjoyed the workshops, especially the opportunity to perform on a
professional stage.
This was an experience which we will remember for a long time.

Wednesday, 2nd November 2022

Emeritus Professor Dr Chris Hunt

The Neanderthals of Shanidar Cave, Iraq

Further details of Professor Hunt’s presentation will be uploaded when available.

If the scientists are to be believed, including our favourite TV presenter, Prof Alice Roberts, all of us north of the Med have a small percentage of Neanderthal DNA.

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In the session we continued our topic of heroes from Greek mythology with Diomedes (also known as Jason- which means healer).

He had a close association with the goddesses Hera, Atheni and Aphrodite who intervened in his life.

We looked at his origins, and why he was brought up by Cheiron a centaur; he grew up to be handsome, strong, and accomplished.  We included why he was tasked with bringing back the Golden Fleece from Colchis; explored in detail his voyage and adventures in the Argo and the setting up of the Argo and crewing it with an elite crew which included Heracles.

We covered the part Medea played in Jason bringing back the Golden Fleece.  Medea was the daughter of Aeetes the ruler of Colchis and was a powerful priestess, brought into the story by Aphrodite who had Eros shoot Medea with an arrow so she would love Jason.

We looked at where Jason shared characteristics in common with the heroes from Celtic, Germanic and Scandinavian myths and legends and where he seemed weak, in these his partnership with Medea was important.

In the next session we shall complete the story of Jason and Medea as they return to his homeland and start the story of Theseus and the minotaur and labyrinth.

Wednesday 21st December 2022

Christopher Wheeldon’s lively Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland transports audiences to the riotous world of Lewis Carroll’s characters, including a tap-dancing Mad Hatter and a comically wicked Queen of Hearts. Bob Crowley’s ingenious mixture of traditional and innovative stagecraft together with the pace and colour of Joby Talbot’s score make Alice a gloriously vibrant experience. Packed with clever choreography – from the memorable croquet scene, complete with flamingos and hedgehogs, to a parody of the Rose Adage from The Sleeping Beauty – this is enchanting family entertainment at its best.

In the session we began our discussion of the heroes from Greek mythology with Perseus and his role in killing the Gorgon Medusa and in rescuing Andromeda from a sea monster.

We noted that Perseus shared many characteristics in common with the heroes from Celtic, Germanic and Scandinavian myths and legends – strength, courage, a skilled warrior but also learned in the arts of poetry and music and philosophy, and a close association with the gods.

In one version of Perseus’ adventures he is also portrayed as an honourable man who followed the warrior code of conduct to the letter, lived an exemplary life and died in old age.

However, in a second version of his story, Perseus is less than honourable and is eventually murdered by his cousin whose kingdom Perseus unjustly usurped. We suggested some possible reasons why the Ancient Greeks might have been attracted to the idea of the “flawed” hero.

Speakers:     Brian Farrimond – Peter Gateley – Peter Hatfield

Anglo Saxon Timeline  can be accessed on this link.

March 22, 2022 –  Talk  – Westminster Abbey – Part 1

On the site of a Saxon monastery, a large new building in the Norman style was ordered by King Edward the Confessor some time after 1042 and consecrated in 1065.  The building has been renewed and embellished over the years and is now largely a magnificent gothic structure, based on the major rebuild carried out under Henry III, which started in 1245.

In Part 1 we will look mainly at the western parts of this large and important building, along with its nearby associated claustral adjuncts.

April 26, 2022  – Talk – Westminster Abbey – Part 2

Edward the Confessor envisaged the new church as a place for his burial and since that time the majority of English kings and queens have been buried here.  Since the days of King Harold and William the Conqueror, in 1066, it has also been the location of the coronation of British monarchs, as well as many royal weddings.

Part 2 will cover the eastern section of the Abbey and the more far-flung buildings around the former royal palace of Westminster, associated with the abbey over many years.

May 24, 2022  – Visit – Lancaster Cathedral and Lancaster Priory.

Formerly known as the Priory Church of St Mary, Lancaster Priory is now the parish church for the city of Lancaster but began as a Benedictine priory established in 1094, though remnants of a Saxon church have also been found on Castle Hill.  The original priory church has been much enlarged, starting in 1360, and was completely remodeled in the Perpendicular Gothic style from 1431 onwards.  The church underwent a restoration as early as 1558.  Today it is a Grade 1 listed building.

The Roman Catholic cathedral church of St Peter was a parish church up to 1924, it is now the seat of the diocese of Lancaster.  The present Neo-Gothic building replaced a mission established in 1798 and was built between 1857 and 1859 to a design by the eminent Gothic revival architect EG Paley, a later baptistry was designed by Austin and Paley.  The notable tower and spire rise to a height of 73m (240ft). The cathedral is listed as a Grade 2* building.

August 16, 2022 – Visit – Beverley Minster and St Mary’s Church.

The coach excursion to Beverley, in Yorkshire’s East Riding has been rearranged for Tuesday 16 August.

Our main aim will be to enjoy the medieval glories of Beverley Minster, a former abbey church that is larger than one third of all English Cathedrals.

The coach will collect us at Four Lane Ends Mission at 9 o’clock and we should arrive in Beverley in time to disperse and find somewhere for a quick lunch. At 2 o’clock we will re-assemble at the West door of the Minster to begin our visit. If time allows, over lunch, the wonderful St Mary’s church is also worth looking into.

We would be leaving Beverley around 3.30 and arriving back around 6.30, depending ontraffic.

The cost of this trip will be £33.00p per person. If you would like to join us for thisvisit, please contact Peter Gateley on 07518 685807.

Situated over in the East Riding of Yorkshire, Beverley Minster is now one of the largest parish churches in the UK, being larger than a third of all English cathedrals.  This Gothic masterpiece, with double transepts, is the latest church on this site, originally  based on a monastery founded in the 8^th century.  There are elements of Early English, Decorated and Perpendicular Gothic all of the highest architectural quality and unified into an harmonious composition by the continuous vaulting from one end to the other.

St Mary’s was established in the 12^th century as a daughter church of the Minster.  Although some sections of 12^th and 13^th century work remain, the church was more-or-less totally rebuilt in the Decorated Gothic style from the late 13^th century up to the 1340s.  There was another major phase of rebuilding, this time in the Perpendicular style, after the central tower collapsed in 1520.  Like the Minster this church is also classed as a Grade 1 listed building.

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The October 25-mile round trip to Ainsdale included a stop for lunch at the Tipple Bar.

and here’s a short video from the recent Ainsdale ride showing that the country lanes are ideal for cycling.

For our September meeting, Sue challenged us to write an obituary. It could be for a real person (living or dead) or a fictional person. As usual, the resulting pieces varied tremendously. below are a couple of examples:

Obituary

BY ANN HENDERS

It is with sadness that I announce the passing of my middle age.  When it first made its presence known, sometime in my early forties I must admit I was not a welcoming host.   It blurred the jaw line and crinkled my décolletage, breasts and buttocks began to slowly slip southwards. The first time I ‘oophed’ upon sinking into an armchair I checked to see if anyone else had heard me.  Fortunately, there was no one else in the room.  This left me at liberty to undo the button on my jeans, while I watched the news.  Sometimes, I was able to ignore my middle aged alter ego, with skilful application of ever more expensive creams and make up I could recapture the bloom of youth, or that was the promise.  I bought ‘shaping underwear ‘ on line but by that time the menopause had kicked in so rolling latex knickers from knee to midriff was like pushing hot stuffing between breast and skin of the Christmas turkey but without the tasty end result.

Over time I got used to the middle aged years and grew to accept and even love the new me.  Sadly, they came to a sudden and shocking end when I had a cataract operation.  I looked forward to the big reveal.  The clarity of vision, being able to recognise a friend before actually bumping into them, or worse, walking past them. I woke the next morning and went to the bathroom.  I instantly realised my loss. My wonderful, liberating, middle years had died overnight. I was now staring old age in the face!  Without the milky, soft focus of my pre operation eyes I had to say goodbye to the middle years, which upon reflection had been marvellous.

Goodbye my middle aged self, we achieved much during our time.  Raised a family, enjoyed a successful career, looked after ageing parents and had some wonderful times together, I will miss you dearly.  I now embrace my new travelling companion, decrepitude.

For a tribute from the National u3a, please visit the National u3a Home Page.

Wednesday September 7th 2022

The first meeting of the 2022/23 season welcomed back retired biology lecturer, Dr Phil Smith, MBE, who gave a most interesting talk about the efforts to conserve nature along the Sefton Coast.

Study site, called The Devil’s Hole

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No meeting held, next sub topic will be Perseus and Andromeda.

BY MIKE McKENNA

Several of you are likely to have passed a fairly undistinguished looking public house en route to your regular Creative Writing Group sessions called ‘The Royal Oak’ situated near Aughton. You may even have graced its doors for a libation or two. Apparently there are about 500 so named in Britain.

But I’m in danger of getting ahead of myself and need to take you back in time. So first things first, my name is Charles, my surname is not relevant at the moment. So, Charles it is.

In the very early days of September I found myself in Worcester. I had come to meet an acquaintance of mine called Oliver. I say acquaintance, but in truth we never actually met, although our lives were inextricably linked, but we had little in common apart from deep hostility and loathing. Thirty one years separated us and Oliver had but seven years to the day before his shrivelled soul would depart from his body. You may think that ‘shrivelled’ is a harsh term for a Christian man to use, but ask any Irishman or woman and they would heartily agree to the accompaniment of curses and oaths.

But I must return to this day in early September. I think I’ve revealed enough of my opinion of Oliver.

Indeed, such was our loathing of each other that we both saw fit to surround ourselves with trusty companions. In my case there were 16,000 ‘companions’ which by any stretch of the imagination is a great deal of companions. They came mostly from Scotland and Worcester and the surroundings were to them a foreign country.

Oliver saw fit to bring 28,000 ‘companions’ with him. Almost double the amount I could call upon. And as it turned out that superiority in numbers was impossible to overcome. Even though we had right on our side. They say that God works in mysterious ways and that day was a case in point.

We toiled for many hours, too many to recall with any accuracy, but sufficient for some 3,000 of my brave supporters to perish. Many times greater than Oliver’s supporters suffered.

When the outcome was becoming ever more apparent some of my closest allies persuaded me that caution rather than obstinate and futile bravery was the only recourse open to me. I had to flee the battlefield. At first I resisted. The sight of so many doomed, dead and bloodied companions was more than I could stand. But I was eventually persuaded and seizing a lull in the skirmishes nearby, we slipped undetected off the main road and into the concealing shelter of a dense wood.

In the weeks that followed. Weeks full of terror and deprivation I became a fugitive in my own country, hunted by Oliver’s followers and sympathisers. I could trust no one.

There was a price on my head. Enough money to keep the locals in food and drink for months. And the description of the ‘tall black man upwards of two yards high’ was posted in all the surrounding towns and villages.

That brief description was sufficient to arouse any suspicion and it was necessary for me to wear borrowed, rough labourers clothing, blacken my face with soot and suffer torn and bleeding feet wearing only makeshift, ill fitting shoes. A far cry from my customary apparel.

But despite the reward for betrayal there were many, nameless for obvious reasons, who risked their lives to conceal my presence. But one family I cannot avoid disclosing were instrumental in my eventual escape. They were the Penderell brothers. Five of them and all devout Catholics. They owned a sprawling manor called ‘Whiteladies’ in Shropshire and there I hid for several tense days and nights.

But Oliver’s men were making increasingly exhaustive searches in the surrounding countryside. The Penderell’s religious allegiance was well known and they knew it would not be long before their home was exhaustively searched and my presence discovered.

And so at the Pendrell’s suggestion, along with a certain Major William Careless, later to become a Colonel, it was decided that we two should hide in the nearby Boscobel Wood until the searches subsided. And so with no more than a two day ration of cheese, bread and a flagon of beer we fled to that dense forest, more in despair than hope.

As we beat a path towards the centre of the wood we heard voices, dogs barking and the sound of bushes being beaten with sticks or clubs. Our pursuers were getting ever closer.

At Major Careless’s urging we climbed up into a large oak tree. I was too exhausted to manage it myself and but for his strength and assistance I would have remained rooted to the ground. But with some difficulty he hoisted me up onto a sturdy branch. As I mentioned earlier I was exhausted and despite the peril I was in I quickly fell asleep on my new friend’s sturdy arm.

At nightfall we deemed it prudent to climb down from our unlikely sanctuary and seek permanent safety.

And that’s how I ended up, up in a tree.

BY LIZ DIXON

‘Gillian? It’s Angela. My day’s been so much fun – I’ve been stuck in a tree! You must meet me for a glass of wine, dear, so I can tell you all about it.’

Earlier that day, Angela had shimmied into an old floral cotton dress. She glossed over the fact that the buttons up the front were straining and admired her shapely legs in the mirror. One has to make an effort, even for gardening, she mused – you never know who might pass by. Indeed, weeding progress was slow as she stopped to pass the time of day with neighbours, dog walkers and a group of youths dribbling a football on their way to the field beyond their cul-de-sac. Sadly no hunky men to amuse her today but she enjoyed the banter with those she spoke to. ‘These weeds are growing like billy-o,’ she said to Millie as the young girl from three doors down wheeled her bike along the pavement. ‘Hold on a minute – why are you looking so glum?’

‘I’ve got a list of things I want to do before I’m 10 and one of them’s riding my bike without stabilisers but I can’t do it. All my friends learnt when they were in infant school and it makes me look stupid.’ Angela was moved by the child’s disappointment.

‘Wait there,’ she said, dropping her trowel, hitching up her dress and climbing over her front wall, ‘I’ll help you.’

She demonstrated; she instructed; she held the back of the seat and jogged along for a few paces but something in Millie wouldn’t allow her to take the plunge, unaided, on two wheels.

Apparently, Millie had already crossed off things like getting her first-aid badge from Brownies and baking a cake without any assistance from her mum. She had two items to go. Angela admired Millie’s ambition to achieve her list of 10 things before she was 10 and, with only a week to go before the birthday, she worried that the girl might be crushed by her failure on the bike. ‘How about you change this item to something else? What about kissing a boy?’

‘Yuk!’

‘Okay, what’s the other thing on your list?’

‘Climbing a tree but I haven’t found a good tree yet.’

‘Your luck is in, Millie, dear! I have a large old sycamore in my back garden just itching to be climbed!’ Angela had held a secret urge to climb the tree but at 53 with a figure to match her general lack of exercise, she’d sensibly dismissed the notion. Here now was a broad smile on a nine year old face and Angela’s heart swelled. Between them they wheeled the bike into the back garden and analysed the route up the sycamore.

‘Well, what could I do? The child needed encouragement,’ she said to Gillian that evening over a glass of wine.

‘You could have offered advice from the safety of the lawn, Angela.’

‘I couldn’t help myself,’ she said with a cheeky smile and went on to describe the rest of the incident in great detail.

Millie had chosen a very sensible set of branches that would get her more than half way up. Half way was a long way off the ground and would certainly count as success. Her energy and agility more than made up for her lack of height and she showed her delight at every step. It was a good route. Angela’s long legs could manage that, no problem. She was sure she could manage it, and without thinking any further she set off after Millie. It was exhilarating. She made it to the branch below her young friend and they sat there admiring the view into other people’s gardens and over to the field beyond where the lads were playing football. But when it came time for the climb down, her foot couldn’t find the first branch on her decent. How had her leg been long enough on the way up yet too short to risk stepping back down again? She shuffled a bit, wondering whether she should face forwards, backwards or just shut her eyes and jump. Millie couldn’t get past her so they were both stuck. Better not show her I’m scared, she thought. Let’s think of something to take our minds off the problem for a while.

‘Millie, dear, you have only one more task to do before you’ve completed your 10 challenges. How about you forget the bike and make that last task singing in a tree. Millie thought it was a great idea but didn’t know Angela’s suggested song – All Things Bright and Beautiful – so they opted for Chim Chim Cher-ee from Mary Poppins. They sang joyfully at the top of their voices not caring who heard them. Angela secretly hoped that a hunky fireman would be passing and come to their rescue. Instead, Millie’s dad strolled round to take a photo of them and he helped the pair down without Angela having to admit to her scary predicament. All three of them were delighted with the achievements of the day.

Angela took another noisy slurp of wine, turned to Gillian and said, ‘And that’s how I ended up, up in a tree.’

BY SUE WATKINSON

I’ve been on my own for far too long. The litter tray is full and my bowls are empty. The cat flap is locked shut, just in case I decide to escape or that pesky cat from next door climbs in to annoy me. I gave it a good beating last time that happened and we haven’t been on good terms since then. But it might forget and try again one day. I’m going to find a look-out position to check when the car comes in. Then I’ll saunter down the stairs, turning my back on the family to show my extreme displeasure at being left all day and most of the evening too.

AT last, here they are. Action stations – top step, ready, steady go – down one by one, lazy saunter, head turned away. I can hear the calls and coos but something is amiss. I can smell – dog! And it’s in my house. It’s an instinct, a primeval response. Cat hates dog. No arguments. Whatever are they doing, why ever have they allowed a dog to come in here?  Mistress bends down to show me a bundle wrapped in a blanket.

‘Look,’ she says, all soppy baby talk voice, ‘we’ve brought a little friend for you to play with.’ couchie, couchie, coo. ‘Look Theo, here’s your big sister come to say hello.’

And there it was, a small creature smelling of dog, looking like dog but tiny, smaller than me, with a squashed tomato sort of face, hair sticking up on its ears and big, wide eyes.

Of course I reacted as only a cat can do. The fur on my back rises stiffly, my claws extend ready to fight, my eyes narrow to slits and a low growl comes from my throat. I must make my position clear.

Mistress tries again. The bundle is opened up and the contents tipped out on the carpet. She picks me up and puts me close to the creature. Without being able to stop myself I lash out with one paw, catching the material with my claws. Dog retreats looking anxious. Good, cat one, dog nil. ‘Don’t do that,’ Mistress tells me, ‘Theo is a new friend, be kind to him, he’s just left his Mummy.’ As if I care, my Mummy is a long distant memory, I make my own way in life, that’s what cats do. They walk alone. ‘Make Theo welcome,’ they tell me, ‘he’s going to live here with us.’

How could they do this to me? I’ve been their loyal and constant companion for the past three years. I’ve put up with their nauseous children: being dressed up and taken for walks in the dolls’ pram, having my tail pulled and my fur rubbed the wrong way by the clumsy, fat paws of their young son and daughter. I’ve been patient and thought of my regular meals, my warm bed, Not once have I reacted badly, no biting, scratching, yowling or, as they call it, caterwauling like that tom cat from two gardens’ away. How is he going to react to Theo? My money is on the tom. All these thoughts race through my head as I back off, watch and wait for developments, cursing gently as only a wronged cat can do.

Master is losing patience, I can tell. He goes to the back door, opens it. Then he picks me up and throws me out into the garden. The indignity of it, in front of new dog. And then, as if inspired by this unnecessarily cruel treatment, dog growls too and, on tiny legs, begins to run towards the door. He sees me outside and increases his pace.

I do, quite instinctively, what cat has done throughout millennia. I run away and reach the only tree of any size in the garden. I leap and clamber up the trunk until I reach a low branch where I sit and spit and curse. Theo puts his front paws on the trunk and makes a sound that might be an embryo bark, now more of a squeak. But I’m safe and here I’m going to stay until he’s removed from my territory. Theo can’t reach me, dog cannot climb, cat is safe. ‘Well stay there,’ shouts Master, carrying Theo back into the house. The door is slammed shut.

And that’s how I ended up, up in a tree.

BY ANN HENDERS

All week people have been talking about the visit, as if nothing else was happening here. Of course, they weren’t actually talking to me about it but as I went about my work I heard them. What day would he come? What time would he come? How many of his friends and supporters would come with him? I almost joined in myself but I didn’t. I can’t waste my time on chit chat and anyway I have to keep a professional distance. I have a very important job. If anyone thought I was interested in something like that they may use it to press for a favour. ‘A little more time please’, ‘not so much interest please’. No! I keep my own counsel. I say nothing but hear all and sometimes, I hear secrets and secrets are powerful currency. I can work them to my advantage. I have a good home, a full larder. Soon I will be asking Thaddeus for his daughter in marriage.  An offer to good for him to refuse.

So, today is the day of the visit. Some of his supporters arrived last night to prepare the way, sort out a venue, spread the word. From early this morning people were at the city gate to greet him and line the street to the main square. It was mayhem. I walked the length of the route searching for a gap but no one gave way to me. All I could see was the back of people’s heads and shoulders. The children slipped through and under the crowd, I had to resort to jumping up but that was too undignified.

 In the square is a big sycamore tree. A lot of older people and women were taking advantage of the shade, they were a bit easier to push through so I could climb the lower branches of the tree. There I waited. In the distance I heard the first roar of the crowd as they saw him approach, the sound rolled and rose like thunder through the narrow street then exploded into the square. I saw him quite clearly, this famous leader of men. What was all the fuss about? He was just a man, dark, average height, dusty feet and clothes but the crowd went wild. As he moved through the square he stopped and looked into the tree. Smiled and waved to me as if he expected me to be there.

‘Zacheus! My friend! Hurry up and get down from that tree, I will be dining at your house tonight’.

The crowd was silent, then someone shouted

‘But he’s a tax collector and he’s been cheating us for years’

The Leader looked at me and smiled and I heard my own voice say

‘Don’t worry, I will give you back four fold all the money I have taken’

The crowd cheered, the leader continued on his way and I remain, up this tree, dumbfounded by the words that have just left my mouth and wondering what I have at home to feed my guest this evening.

BY JUDY INGMAN

“No, listen, Sue, I know it sounds silly but I’ve been watching him.”

“My God Mother, don’t tell me you’ve drilled a hole in the fence. Although the way you’ve been obsessed with him, I wouldn’t put it past you! Look I’m going now, see you next week and take care.”

With that Sue blew me a kiss banging the front door on the way out.

“I knew she would be like that, Puss, I shouldn’t have told her. From now on it will just be our secret.”

Puss looked at me adoringly. After all I was the lady who fed her. Purring throatily she moved to her dish as I crept out to climb the oak tree. Luckily Sue hadn’t noticed the stepladders leaning against the first branch. I giggled out loud at the face I knew she would have made had she seen them. I could hear her teacher voice,

“Mother, for heavens sake what are you doing climbing a tree at your age? Have you no sense?”

‘What can she know about my age , anyway,’ I thought grumpily as I climbed up and sat safely down on the firm thick branch. Then I moved along slowly to heave myself onto the cushion I had strapped round it. Snuggling down into it I took out my telescope and gazed down through the leafy fronds into Mr Merryweather’s garden. I focussed the telescope onto his back door which I knew would open like clockwork at half past five precisely. Sure enough he came out as usual looking round to check if he was being watched. Then he went to the same exact spot and dug up a rather dirty looking bag, took something out of it, looking round furtively all the time and then buried it back into the earth just as he’d done on the other occasions when I had observed him.

I knew I was quite hidden behind the foliage and could not be seen, but I remembered with embarrassment the first time when I had climbed up during the end of Winter and he had looked up and seen me.

He had shouted out shaking his fist,

“You Tildy lady, you big busybody, you watch out.”

I’d done very well by promptly saying that I had a mobile phone and could only get reception from a height. I’d waved it at him to confirm the truth as I always carried it in my apron pocket. I think he believed me because he had tutted and said that I must have one of the very first to be brought onto the market!

Mr Merryweather had moved in towards the end of Winter and I, Tildy, had been suspicious from the start. As I’d said to other neighbours,

“Merryweather in itself is a funny name for an Arab and he has such funny visitors at all odd times of the night.”

Sadly the other neighbours didn’t seem interested so I knew it was all down to me to keep an eye on him. I’d tried bringing it up with Sue but she’d told me it was none of my business and if I wasn’t careful I’d be accused of being racist and then I would be in trouble.

She didn’t realise how unsettling it was having a stranger next door having visitors late at night and digging up packages in the garden. So I’d ended up confiding in Puss telling him I was convinced Mr Merryweather was a spy and the more I watched him the more convinced I was that there was something very wrong and that some day after all my observations I would be recognised as a saviour of my country. Maybe I’d even be invited to the Palace and meet the queen. That would make Sue and the neighbours sit up and realise they should have listened to me.

I’d already written an anonymous letter to the Police about him but of course as it was anonymous I didn’t know if they had acted at all and I hadn’t seen a single police car come down our avenue so I knew it was down to me. At first if I had heard a siren on the main thoroughfare near us I would put my outdoor shoes on and rush to the front door ready to discuss ‘the Merryweather case’ as I now called it in my mind. But no one came!

I relaxed into position as I quietly looked through my telescope again into his garden but while I’d been musing he’d disappeared back into the house again.

I realised the evening was darkening and it was time for me to climb down. Then, I heard a rustling through the leaves near me. I nearly fell off the branch but then saw it was Puss, who gave a leap and landed in my lap nearly over balancing me. Luckily I managed to hang onto the branch saving myself from a fall but not before my mobile phone and purse fell out of my pocket.

Rather scared and shaken I straightened myself only to hear a voice beneath me, a foreign voice, a Mr Merryweather voice.

“Enjoy your evening, I’ll be away for a while so you can spy to your heart’s content, busybody Tildy Lady. You like the tree, eh? So you can stay there all night yeah” and laughing he took my stepladders and put them in my shed.

He even turned and waved grinning at me, “ciao, busybody lady.”

I suddenly realised my predicament and wailed to Puss,

“Oh Puss, no mobile phone and Sue won’t be back until next week!”.

And that’s how I ended up, up in a tree!!

For July’s session Judy set us the challenge of ending our stories with the words ‘and that’s how I ended up, up in a tree.’

Here’s a selection of finished stories:

Bad Luck Comes in Trees

Hard Landing

Short Man Problems

Escape

An Exciting Day

And that’s how I ended up, up in a tree

If anyone is interested in an afternoon tea cruise on the canal during July or August, please contact the  Leader of the Helping Each Other Group – Judy Ingman – 01695 423141. The boat allows 12 passengers. The cost is £22.50p per person for a 90 minute cruise with full afternoon tea. All u3a members are welcome.

Monday 20th June:  A trip to Knowsley Safari Park. Price was  £20 which included Coach costs and entry fee. There were 3 pickups 10.10 St Anne’s Social Centre, 10. 15. Long Lane by Scout Hut and 10.25 Aughton Village Hall.  Anyone could take a picnic lunch (seats in the park) or lunch in the cafe. Any u3a members were also welcome.

Monday 1st August: a Social Meeting with light refreshments costing approximately £; held at the Scout & Guide HQ, 2.00pm to 4.00pm.

Tuesday October 18th Trip to Turbury Woods Bird of Prey Sanctuary

Leaving Aughton Village Hall 11.30am. Cost £10 approx.  £5 extra to view the bird display. Cafe on site for any refreshment required.

On Thursday 11th August we will welcome Jeanette Lupton and Gaynor Caldwell from Macmillan Cancer Support at our Horizons Meeting. In addition to general information about the services provided by Macmillan, Jeanette and Gaynor will be telling us about the Aughton Support Group, which meets on the 2nd Friday of every month, from 9.30 – 11.30 am, in Christ Church Ministry Centre.

In this session, we carried on from the last session to say more about the sky god Zeus.

He was a the strong, powerful, dangerous guardian of the universe and leader of the gods.  We reinforced the view that Zeus was not portrayed as a remote god, mysterious and unknowable.  On the contrary he was given a very definite character, with weaknesses as well as strengths, and some quite ‘human’ failings.  He was proud, vengeful, vindictive, lustful and he enjoyed meddling in the affairs of both the gods and men.  On the one hand, he needed to be able to interfere as part of his role as a guardian of the universe, but he also seemed to have enjoyed it as well.

Zeus hurried along the start of the Trojan Wars because he wanted to see the numbers of people on the Earth reduced by a long and bloody conflict.

He gave his daughter Tyche the ability to bring both good and bad fortune to mortals in a totally random way and was entertained by the trouble that she caused.

He fathered numerous offspring with both goddesses and mortal women, the latter with the aim of producing heroes who could help to safeguard the earth.

We also included Aphrodite in the session and discussed the argument that she may have begun her career as a manifestation of the Great Goddess.  When she became established in Greece, she was given a different character, but elements of the Great Goddess mythology are still evident in the Greek Myths.

In Summer 2022, the Local History group made another trip to the beautiful Forest of Bowland and Ribble Valley areas of Lancashire.

Here are some photos: click on any photo to see the slide show.

2019 Highlights

The Annual u3a CHRISTMAS LUNCH

(in December at Christ Church Ministry Centre)

Although the weather was quite awful outside, those at the Christmas Lunch didn’t really notice – they were generally just too busy enjoying themselves!

Click or tap on any photo in the gallery to run it as a full-size presentation.

Photos courtesy of Alan Nolan

In June:  Our ‘Antiques Road Show’ was a great success!

It was a full house at Aughton VH in late June for our ‘Antiques Road Show’ style social evening. After a delicious hot buffet supper, local auctioneer/valuer, Mike Litherland, then went through the antiques & curios that members had kindly offered to bring along for display & valuation. It was a most entertaining & interesting evening.

Mike rounded matters off by presenting some of his own items, including a pair of samurai horse spurs and that Victorian kitchen essential – a ‘serving spoon warmer’!

Click or tap on any photo in the gallery to run it as a full-size slideshow presentation.

Photos courtesy of Peter Gateley

In August:  Our ‘Song & Dance Social’ – a great evening!

Following a splendid hotpot supper, we had a great evening’s entertainment provided by local excellent guitarist/singer KEN WATERS. He played lots of our favourite songs, to both listen to & join in singing with, plus plenty of dancing too. A particular thank you to Diane & Jim Higgins for their marvellous CHA-CHA-CHA to ‘Under the Boardwalk’ – very much enjoyed by the audience!

Ken Waters, singer/guitarist…

…captivated the audience

Photos courtesy of Alan Nolan

2018 Highlights

Anniversary Celebration – 19 May, organised by the Anniversary Working Party

Summer Social 2018 – 31 August, organised by the Social Subcommittee

15th Birthday Celebration & Groups Showcase – 13 October, organised by the Anniversary Working Party

Christmas Lunch – 14 December, organised by the Social Subcommittee

Click or tap on any image below to run a slideshow.

Talented Textile Exhibits

Summer Social entertainment

Queen’s Award 10 years on

Dancing after the Christmas Lunch

In this session, we started Greek Mythology by returning to creation mythology.

This involved Zeus and the Olympian gods’ take over of the universe from the Titans.

We made the point that the Greeks portrayed their gods and goddesses as powerful figures but also with ‘human’ failings such as jealousy, vindictiveness, lustfulness etc.

We looked at two contrasting aspects of Zeus’ character as the powerful protector and guardian of the universe and social order but also an unbelievable ‘womaniser’, vindictive and cruel and sometimes petty minded with regard to anyone who offended him.

The next Speaker Meeting will be at 11 am on Thursday 9th June at the Scout & Guide HQ, when David Hearne will speak to us about Sir William Brown.

Notice of the 19th Annual General Meeting of Aughton & Ormskirk u3a

Our 19^th Annual General Meeting is to be held on Thursday 30^th June, 2022 at 10.30 a.m. at the Ministry Centre, Christ Church, Aughton. Coffee will be available at Horizons at the Scout & Guide HQ prior to the meeting. The Agenda and supporting papers will be available at HQ, and published on our website after 8^th June, 2022 or available by request from the Secretary.

Nominations are invited for election to the Management Committee and for any Motion which must be received by the Secretary in writing. If you would like a Nomination Form please contact any member of the Management Committee but please note that Nominees must have agreed to stand for election and each Nomination and Motion must be proposed and seconded by a member of Aughton & Ormskirk u3a.

I would like to add that the position of Honorary Secretary will become vacant as from 30^th June, 2022 and our u3a cannot continue to run without this position being filled. The role of Honorary Secretary does not have to continue for more than 12 months unless the holder wishes to do so but it is a position, along with Chair and Treasurer that must be filled if we are to continue to function as a u3a.

Megan Tomlinson
Secretary

We had a lovely trip to Morecambe and Leighton Hall on May 12.  The sun shone for us and the wind blew – but not too strong.  We started with morning refreshments at the famous Midland hotel, a walk down to the jetty, and back to say hello to Eric Morecambe – then time to board the coach again.

Day Trip to Morecambe

From there a comfortable journey to Leighton Hall where we were given a guided tour and the history of the house and family – which was fascinating.  Following that, some of us had tea and cake or took a walk in the walled garden until the owls were ready to show us what they could do.

We were back home at a nice time around six o’clock.  A good day was had by all!

Wednesday, 4th May 2022

Eric McEvoy’s talk, “An introduction to Coastal Habitats and Marine Pollution” covered the full two hour meeting.

Wednesday April 6th

Our u3a member, Bill Hale, gave a fascinating talk about “The Galapagos Islands” illustrated as usual with his stunning photographs.

Large turtle at the sea edge on background of a tropical landscape

Wednesday, 2nd March 2022

This meeting was rescheduled from January, and was well worth the wait. Visiting Southport u3a member and leading light in Southport Astronomical Society, Bob Mount presented a fascinating Introduction to Astronomy and Astro Physics.

Wednesday, 2nd February 2022

We were delighted that the Science Group meetings resumed after having to postpone January’s meeting due to Covid.
Our own member, Edmund Moynihan, presented :-
“Rocket Science: Getting to the Moon, Mars, & Beyond”