Joan is deserting me to lunch at PA's with Dorothy Little's reading group 4. I missed the lunch of Mo's old established reading group 1 last week because of our Easter visitors, who donated the cough which is keeping me away from today's Italian class, the last until 7 June because Carolina will be in Italy. Jive are determined to count me out of theirs on 28 April at the Monkey Cafe knowing full well I will be sweating on my Wednesday lecture that same day - still they have assured me they will be there in time to swell the attendance.
SEASHORE
It's not only lunches I've been missing out on but also Michael Isaac's conducted seashore walk. I am grateful to Barbara Ellis for reminding me of the opportunity we missed with photographs to show others enjoying themselves. She writes 'On Wednesday 14th April 12 members went with Michael Isaac's to Oxwich Bay. This trip was a follow up to his Grove lecture. It was an amazingly informative experience. At low water we saw a wide variety of wild life in rock pools, under stones and in the sand and Michael gave much information about the sea life and it's adaptability to it's environment'.
I say missed opportunity because Jim (now late 40's) and family were here for the week. He and his brother Geoffrey were well known to Michael from their early primary school years when they were imbued with a love of such wonders by Michael and his father on regular walks of the young people's section of Swansea Museum. To show Jim has never lost the fascination for the natural world I add a photograph of a particularly long legged crab he found this Thursday on Oxwich beach.
We would have been there had I looked at the web site recently, so here once again is the link.
http://www.u3aswansea.org.uk/
PROFESSOR MAURICE BROADY
Maurice Broady died 15 April 2010 and the funeral is Thusday 22 April in Coychurch Crematorium, near Bridgend. He will be well known to the older members as a founder member and Past President of Swansea U3A. Thanks to Gabriella Suff for this information.
He will particularly missed by Margaret Hammond and her Research Group who did much of the painstaking study of archives behind the book he wrote on Swansea Stained Glass. They still have hopes the work will be published.
Outing from Barbara Garnham
SPECIAL DAY AT THE U3A LLANDOVERY
Wednesday, 19th May 2010
At the Llandovery Rugby Club
Church Bank, Llandovery SA20 0BA
Llandovery U3A extends a warm welcome to all U3A members to a Special Day on May 19th 2010
The guest speaker will be Keith Richards, a former Chairman and currently Adviser of the Third Age Trust, who will talk on
‘U3As – Past, Present and Future’
Morning tea/coffee and a lunchtime buffet will be provided.
We invite visitors to bring along any information about their activities which can be displayed.
Those wishing to attend, please contact:
Mary MacGregor,
Penhill Lodge,
Myddfai, Llandovery,
Carmarthenshire SA20 0NQ
Tel: 01550 720182
Email: mary@macmyddfai.demon.co.uk
HUMAN RIGHTS
Following up on the last blog posting there was a superb couple of pages in G2 last week summarising the major human rights legislation including Magna Carta and the Beveridge Report which led to our Welfare State and NHS.
Of particular interest was the Slavery Abolition Act of 1883 which abolished slavery throughout the British Empire. Including the pertinent comment that, 'unfortunates enslaved in lands owned by the powerful East India Company were ignored by the legislation'. Giving extra credence to 'An Indian Take' as shown in the posters in the Madurai Gandhi Museum.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
The Former British Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Craig Murray, will talk in Swansea about his experiences, with particular regard to Human Rights abuses in Uzbekistan. The talk will be held at 7.30 pm on 28 April in the Swansea Rugby Club.
All are welcome. Please note there will be no charge for entry assisted by the fact that the Rugby Club are making no charge for hire of the room.
Wikipedia says
Wikipedia says
'Murray complained to the Foreign and Colonial Office in November 2002, January or early February 2003, and in June 2004 that intelligence linking the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan to al-Qaeda, suspected of being gained through torture, was unreliable, immoral, and illegal. He described this as "selling our souls for dross".
Murray was subsequently removed from his ambassadorial post on October 14, 2004.'NICK CLEGG
What a breath of fresh air he has given to the politics of this country by his contribution to the first TV Debate. He is forcing the two major parties to debate the issues, an entirely healthy outcome. I must say I had reservations about whether the Liberal Democrats had chosen right in their last leadership election (mainly because I saw it as a tactical move towards Blairism), but on the basis of what I heard and saw that night I changed my view. He debated from strongly held 'liberal' views and alone began to face up to the need for huge cuts in expenditure alongside a vision of a fair society. I saw the first such debate, Kennedy/Nixon in 1960, from nearby Canada, and I read recently that was 14 years before there was another - I don't doubt it is now a fixed part of scenery.
If only the Welsh Liberal Democrats and the parochial local party organisation had a similar breadth of vision. This very minute a totally negative bulletin is posted through my door headed (political) 'Crime Scene', blaming only Labour and the Conservatives for what is largely yesterday's overblown politician's expenses problem. No mention on Nick Clegg's positivity, issues or vision. The local party sent out a leaflet shortly before the European elections without mention of Europe, and one recently on why one should vote for their councillor. I despair of the quality of MPs who will be returned next parliament from all three parties after the big turnout including good ex-ministers like Purnell. Such is the paucity maybe the Liberal Democrats have as many potential leaders as any party, certainly few would argue with Vince Cable as Chancellor and several others have performed well on Question Time.
I just hope that Nick Clegg stays on principals, issues and vision in the final TV debates and brings each party's policies into the limelight. He needs to stress his beliefs especially on the need for an ultra positive approach to Europe, reminding us that our currency has devalued by 25% against the Euro as well as the US dollar during this financial crisis. They can't be getting everything wrong.
THEATRE
As part of our Jim's week's holiday we spent one day in Bristol, where he met his wife Anne-Marie, and we made our now annual visit to Shakespeare at The Tobacco Factory, this time to see The Tempest. We never expect to see a better one than at Bath last year in the collaboration between the Stratford Memorial Theatre and The Baxter Centre at Cape Town University, which was sublime. The poor review from Lyn Gardener in the Guardian further lowered our expectations. She expressed forcefully the view that the reading of the play with Caliban and Ariel played by a single actor and portrayed as two competing aspects of the character of Prospero did not work.
We too found that there was not the usual impact about this 'Theatre in the Round' performance except during the drunken comic scene. Indeed the production of scenery confused by emphasising the imaginary dinner that never was. It follows huge success with their first play of the winter A Midnight Summer's Dream which played to rave views and capacity audiences (not that there were any empty seats for The Tempest). Not either that Christopher Staines was unconvincing in the role of Caliban or Ariel, but there was no magic about Prospero (the magician) who directs the action. Even the ending lost its punch of freeing Ariel and giving back the island to Caliban.
THE SWANSEA ASSEMBLY
This venture is associated with National Theatre Wales which is also currently in Swansea with Shelf Life, a story about, and inside, the old Swansea Library.
The Swansea Assembly as I understand it is an attempt to get people to voice opinions about the future of Swansea. Our Jive group have been asked to take part in a performance scheduled for 7.15 pm this Thursday 22 April in The Monkey Cafe. They will be performing alongside DJs, performers, hairdressers, social workers etc. The objective I assume being to kick start a discussion to further National Theatre Wales involvement in local communities across Wales. Exactly how it will pan out is anyone's guess at the moment though three rehearsals are arranged before then to structure the evening. Entrance is free so why not come along and support our Jive group and a National Theatre Wales event.
Also in the Monkey Cafe on Friday and Saturday will be several Fringe Theatre Events including Forest Fringe Microfestival who hail from Edinburgh and its fringe. These events will last from 6 to 10 pm and the cost will be £3 for Swansea residents and concessions.
JAZZ and BLUES
I have only been twice to Jazzlands since getting back from India but both have been stellar performances. The first to hear Geoff Gascoyne (string bass), Jim Mullen (guitar), a fine Australian alto/soprano sax Graeme Blevins with Sebastian de Krom on drums. They stuck almost precisely their new CD 'Pop-Bop'.
I really enjoyed this one and though unfamiliar with the tunes most unusually bought a CD. The bass playing was very original and very melodic with Geoff featuring as the major soloist on one number at least. The drumming was also excellent but his only solos were two long sessions to finish off numbers, to my mind an excellent way to let the drummer have his head without upsetting the melodic flow of the front line soloists.
The big comparison between jazz club and CD was that in the former case the numbers were allowed to develop for over 10 minutes as opposed to 4/5 minutes on each CD track. The 'Stop that Train' track was reminiscent of Paul Desmond's playing of 'Plain Song' on Dave Brubeck's little known vinyl album 'Jazz Impressions of the USA' (my favourite!).
This Wednesday 21 April I will definitely go to hear one of my favourite British saxophonists Don Weller. He used to appear annually in the old days when Russ Jones was in the piano seat, like Bobby Wellins with whom he is often coupled he must be getting on a little. But Bobby played excellently a few months ago so I'm expecting Don to do my memories justice. They are often coupled because they were the outstanding jazz saxophonists of their era, but there the similarity stops, Bobby a small man with his frail build being the lyricist, whereas Don is a huge man in a black French beret and a delivery and tone to match.
Don't forget the Mumbles Blues and Jazz festival over the Spring holiday weekend, which this year is two thirds oriented to blues. I fancy the concert of bop saxophonist Simon Spillett and the Dave Cottle Trio 8.45 pm Saturday 1 May in the Conservative Club, and remember the tremendous concert last year of this trio with saxophonist Mornington Locket and the fabulous rendering from The Great American Songbook by Tina May on a glorious sunny afternoon. I'm glad they are no longer using the Ostreme Hall as last years appalling acoustics were not fair to fine musicians.
SALSA
Rita Read Jones sent me details of Nelson's salsa classes now that he is teaching in several new locations. She goes to the original full set of courses at the Dragon on Thursdays, Beginners 7.30 to 8.20, Improvers 8.25 till 9.15, Intermediate 9.20 to 10.10, Music until 11 pm. The others are:-
Tuesdays at Walkabout, Castle Gardens for Beginners and Improvers.
He also gives Beginners courses at
Coach House Glynclydach on Monday 7.30 until 8.30 pm.
The Pen y Cae Inn on Wednesday 6.30 to 7.30 pm
Cwmtwrch Welfare Centre Wednesday 8 till 9 pm
Anyone who went to the party at the Village Inn, SA1, as organised by Gerwyn before Christmas, will be in no doubt that he is an excellent and enthusiastic teacher.
www.salsatoday.co.uk
I just hope that Nick Clegg stays on principals, issues and vision in the final TV debates and brings each party's policies into the limelight. He needs to stress his beliefs especially on the need for an ultra positive approach to Europe, reminding us that our currency has devalued by 25% against the Euro as well as the US dollar during this financial crisis. They can't be getting everything wrong.
THEATRE
As part of our Jim's week's holiday we spent one day in Bristol, where he met his wife Anne-Marie, and we made our now annual visit to Shakespeare at The Tobacco Factory, this time to see The Tempest. We never expect to see a better one than at Bath last year in the collaboration between the Stratford Memorial Theatre and The Baxter Centre at Cape Town University, which was sublime. The poor review from Lyn Gardener in the Guardian further lowered our expectations. She expressed forcefully the view that the reading of the play with Caliban and Ariel played by a single actor and portrayed as two competing aspects of the character of Prospero did not work.
We too found that there was not the usual impact about this 'Theatre in the Round' performance except during the drunken comic scene. Indeed the production of scenery confused by emphasising the imaginary dinner that never was. It follows huge success with their first play of the winter A Midnight Summer's Dream which played to rave views and capacity audiences (not that there were any empty seats for The Tempest). Not either that Christopher Staines was unconvincing in the role of Caliban or Ariel, but there was no magic about Prospero (the magician) who directs the action. Even the ending lost its punch of freeing Ariel and giving back the island to Caliban.
THE SWANSEA ASSEMBLY
This venture is associated with National Theatre Wales which is also currently in Swansea with Shelf Life, a story about, and inside, the old Swansea Library.
The Swansea Assembly as I understand it is an attempt to get people to voice opinions about the future of Swansea. Our Jive group have been asked to take part in a performance scheduled for 7.15 pm this Thursday 22 April in The Monkey Cafe. They will be performing alongside DJs, performers, hairdressers, social workers etc. The objective I assume being to kick start a discussion to further National Theatre Wales involvement in local communities across Wales. Exactly how it will pan out is anyone's guess at the moment though three rehearsals are arranged before then to structure the evening. Entrance is free so why not come along and support our Jive group and a National Theatre Wales event.
Also in the Monkey Cafe on Friday and Saturday will be several Fringe Theatre Events including Forest Fringe Microfestival who hail from Edinburgh and its fringe. These events will last from 6 to 10 pm and the cost will be £3 for Swansea residents and concessions.
JAZZ and BLUES
I have only been twice to Jazzlands since getting back from India but both have been stellar performances. The first to hear Geoff Gascoyne (string bass), Jim Mullen (guitar), a fine Australian alto/soprano sax Graeme Blevins with Sebastian de Krom on drums. They stuck almost precisely their new CD 'Pop-Bop'.
I really enjoyed this one and though unfamiliar with the tunes most unusually bought a CD. The bass playing was very original and very melodic with Geoff featuring as the major soloist on one number at least. The drumming was also excellent but his only solos were two long sessions to finish off numbers, to my mind an excellent way to let the drummer have his head without upsetting the melodic flow of the front line soloists.
The big comparison between jazz club and CD was that in the former case the numbers were allowed to develop for over 10 minutes as opposed to 4/5 minutes on each CD track. The 'Stop that Train' track was reminiscent of Paul Desmond's playing of 'Plain Song' on Dave Brubeck's little known vinyl album 'Jazz Impressions of the USA' (my favourite!).
This Wednesday 21 April I will definitely go to hear one of my favourite British saxophonists Don Weller. He used to appear annually in the old days when Russ Jones was in the piano seat, like Bobby Wellins with whom he is often coupled he must be getting on a little. But Bobby played excellently a few months ago so I'm expecting Don to do my memories justice. They are often coupled because they were the outstanding jazz saxophonists of their era, but there the similarity stops, Bobby a small man with his frail build being the lyricist, whereas Don is a huge man in a black French beret and a delivery and tone to match.
Don't forget the Mumbles Blues and Jazz festival over the Spring holiday weekend, which this year is two thirds oriented to blues. I fancy the concert of bop saxophonist Simon Spillett and the Dave Cottle Trio 8.45 pm Saturday 1 May in the Conservative Club, and remember the tremendous concert last year of this trio with saxophonist Mornington Locket and the fabulous rendering from The Great American Songbook by Tina May on a glorious sunny afternoon. I'm glad they are no longer using the Ostreme Hall as last years appalling acoustics were not fair to fine musicians.
SALSA
Rita Read Jones sent me details of Nelson's salsa classes now that he is teaching in several new locations. She goes to the original full set of courses at the Dragon on Thursdays, Beginners 7.30 to 8.20, Improvers 8.25 till 9.15, Intermediate 9.20 to 10.10, Music until 11 pm. The others are:-
Tuesdays at Walkabout, Castle Gardens for Beginners and Improvers.
He also gives Beginners courses at
Coach House Glynclydach on Monday 7.30 until 8.30 pm.
The Pen y Cae Inn on Wednesday 6.30 to 7.30 pm
Cwmtwrch Welfare Centre Wednesday 8 till 9 pm
Anyone who went to the party at the Village Inn, SA1, as organised by Gerwyn before Christmas, will be in no doubt that he is an excellent and enthusiastic teacher.
www.salsatoday.co.uk
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