NEW U3A YEAR

ITALIAN
The first class of the year will take place in the Dry Half of the Craft Room at Hazel Court on Monday 5 October starting at 10am. They meet every Monday morning. This group started less than a year ago under the instruction of Carolina Rosati-Jones who used to take part-time classes at DACE Swansea University. Last year the group spanned a wide range of prior knowledge from total beginners up to O level (many of whom, like me, had forgotten almost everything).

Potential new members, whether beginners or more advanced, as well as past members should just turn up at Hazel Court. You will be welcomed.



CHESS for FUN
The first meeting of this group will be on Monday 5 October in the Exercise Room of Hazel Court from 10am. The very pleasant Exercise Room is on the ground floor (turn right, left, right, - from just before the Reception Desk). Chess sets are provided. As last year Ken Huntley will attend to provide tuition and/or play as required. Last years group ranged from absolute beginners to elementary, though Ken plays in a league team.


During our recent long travels in Bali we were pleasantly surprised to see chess being played everywhere in the interior by Balinese, often sitting on the veranda outside their home in the warm evening. We remember too a coffee shop in Mexico where there was an equal division between those who went to read the newspapers provided and those who played chess with the sets provided. It sometimes seems we have forgotten the simple pastimes.


Anyway Joan and I are hoping to welcome a good turnout on Monday. If you are at all interested just turn up at Hazel Court and try out the group. Chess meets the 1st and 3rd Monday mornings of the month.


POLITICS and CITIZENSHIP
Margaret Hammond's last day in the chair was memorable and there was a full turnout of group members, seated as an audience at a lecture rather than as round table discussion. 


It is one of a several topics I intended to cover last week - but forgot.The delay means I am now talking about a candidate for First Minister of the Welsh Assembly, so I had better stop writing from the hip, and be serious about Edwina Hart.


She came for 40 mins but talked and discussed for well over an hour. I think I speak for virtually the whole audience in being impressed by her grasp of her brief as Minister for Health, the well thought out, clearly explained, vision behind her proposals for reorganisation: fewer, bigger, top class hospitals without competition between units thus improving specialist provision and reducing management overheads; more devolution to local services run by GPs and nurses, less form filling bureaucracy, including elimination of the need for repeated collection of the same personal data from patients that annoys us all, thus releasing more time for staff to practise their special skills.


I was pleasantly surprised how little parochial emphasis she put on local facilities even though AM for Gower, though she did speak of plans for the major development of Morriston and Garngogh hospitals, designed to deepen and widen provision in complementary ways. Overall she was an excellent antidote to the widespread cynicism about politicians.  



I asked for estimates of the percentage savings from reduced bureaucracy, yes 20 authorities would be reduced to 7: and she gave an example where one finance director would do the job of seven, but no, the other six would be re-employed rather than made redundant. Time will tell if it's an over-optimistic cosy socialist vision - but as a socialist myself I hope not.

Reading the papers that evening I read of the £10 billion bid by Kraft for Cadbury and mused, as is my want, that surely Kraft had done their sums, including estimates of the reduction in locations and staff and the cost benefit of reduced competition. They may not make their sums public but for sure they had estimated in monetary terms what the merger (reorganisation) would cost and what it would do for the bottom line. Vital considerations for the NHS too especially given the current economic climate.



NEXT SUNDAY LUNCHEON
Ramada Hotel, Phoenix Way, Enterprise Park on 18 October 12.30 for 1pm. 2 courses £8.95, 3 courses £10.95. Book by contacting Barbara Brimfield 201274 or Margaret Winter 771725.


TAI CHI
Mike's even teaching us how to breath slowly and deeply. How basic can you get!! But it makes you feel more in control.

Convenor Sue Hutson  jkhutson@tiscali.co.uk gave details of websites relating to our routines
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iY-e2Dqp-ZU 

www.taichiwales.com
www.chinese-massage-wales.co.uk
www.chenghsin.org.uk

I hope they are correct. Please send links you want included by email then I can copy and paste and blame you for typing errors!


JIVE 
This group continues to attract new members there were about 20 in all last at The Monkey Cafe last Wednesday and there is still space for a few more. 
One of the notable features of this group is the regular attendance of a group of men, of whom I am one - well done to us!! We hope to find a few more like souls from this years intake of new members. It's a very friendly happy group and an ideal starting point for  those wanting physical activity.


Last week the Guardian carried an article saying dancing which involved memorising complex dance steps and sequences was an extremely effective way to combat mental weakness. Anybody who dances with me knows I'm inclined to ad-lib, what they don't know is that it is a sign of dementia - I just can't remember what comes next. I'm doing something about it. Are You?


MOTO
Talking to a few members of Jive last Wednesday they stressed that it was a group for those without partners.

Demand as I said is such that there is already a waiting list, but members should continue to register your interest for we will always try to satisfy demand. Gerwyn is hopeful of finding convenors to organise related groupings.
He also sent in the following

HOW TO CALL THE POLICE

WHEN YOU'RE OLD

AND DON'T MOVE FAST ANYMORE.

George Phillips , an elderly man, from Meridian, Mississippi, was going up to bed, when his wife told him that he'd left the light on in the garden shed, which she could see from the bedroom window. George opened the back door to go turn off the light, but saw that there were people in the shed stealing things. 

He phoned the police, who asked "Is someone in your house?" 

He said "No," but some people are breaking into my garden shed and stealing from me. 

Then the police dispatcher said "All patrols are busy. You should lock your doors and an officer will be along when one is available." 

George said, "Okay." 

He hung up the phone and counted to 30. 

Then he phoned the police again..

"Hello, I just called you a few seconds ago because there were people stealing things from my shed. Well, you don't have to worry about them now because I just shot them." and he hung up.

Within five minutes, six Police Cars, a SWAT Team, a Helicopter, two Fire Trucks, a Paramedic, and an Ambulance showed up at the Phillips' residence, and caught the burglars red-handed. 

One of the Policemen said to George, "I thought you said that you'd shot them!" 

George said, "I thought you said there was nobody available!"

(True Story) I LOVE IT!

Don't mess with old people

 
FRENCH
The first class of the new academic year was held successfully yesterday (Thursday 1 October) with 8 members present. It was conducted by Beryl Edney who concentrated on getting us to converse in French and the class was largely conducted in French, although given her skill as a ex-teacher I think the whole of a mixed ability class went home happy. They will be held every Thursday morning in Hazel Court starting at 10am. New members welcome.

Just received from my Spanish teacher on one of the topics raised Thursday to my chagrin.  Unfortunately the cartoon seems to self self destruct a short after pasting so here is the text of la blague - hey, that word's a bit too close to blog for my liking

CE QUE LA FEMME DIT
Va au magasin, puis tu dois etendre le linge, lave la voiture. va chercher les enfants a l'ecole, loue des videos et repose l'antenne sur la toit

CE QUE LE MARI ENTEND
Va..................t'...............etendre.........et repose.............toi

Gilly Jordan gillyjordan@talktalk.net
Thanks to Gilly who agreed to take over as convenor of this group. She will replace Jan Phillips at both the Convenors meeting on 7 October at 10am in The Castle Room in Fulton House Swansea University and at the U3A Open Day in the Dolphin on 14 October at 10am till 3.30pm.  



DIGITAL MEDIA for FUN
As reported earlier whilst Tutor Anthony Hughes is away on work in the Maldives - some would call it holiday - the group intend to keep going as a self help group sharing skills until he returns. The first meeting of the new U3A year was held this morning (Friday 2 October) and was decided to continue with the emphasis on digital photography using Photoshop Elements software and some have know-how with Picasa, the free photo handler from the Google stable.

Meetings will be on alternate Fridays, 16 October, 30 October, 13 November, 27 November and 11 December. Although the group has been planned to start at 10am it would be OK to attend after the first Tai Chi session which ends at 10.30. The room bookings at Hazel Court are for a full half day until 1.30.


New members are very welcome but they must bring a laptop computer, and assuming interest in photography a digital camera.


An Epson scanner is available for those interested in digitising existing documents/photos, 35mm slides or 35mm transparencies.


Although Internet is not available in Hazel Court without hiring a much more expensive room there would be no problem about sharing knowledge amongst the group on say Microsoft Office including Word, Excel spreadsheet (whose uses far surpass numeric accounting work, many use it as a Poor Man's Database with selected sorting facilities etc).



SHORT MAT BOWLS
Angela Ball the new convenor of Group 1 writes to tell me she has 4 vacancies for new or experienced short-mat bowlers with coaching by Dilys Jones. Flat shoes without heel. Further details from her on 412701 or angela.ball2@ntlworld.com 

They meet at West Cross Community Centre every Monday 1.30 to 3.30. Only £1 including refreshments.


Good news also about the previous convenor Bryn Bulpitt who is recovering well from his heart operation and intends to play again soon.



GEOLOGY 
Next trip Monday 19 October at 10.30 to Llandeilo-Llangadog area led by Dr Robert Owens, not too much walking. Picnic lunch. Further details from Yvonne Thomas 01554 832337, the group's secretary.


Meet OS sheet 159 SN 6190 2308


ART APPRECIATION
The first meeting with Constance Hill lecturing went well on Thursday with an audience of around 50. From now on the meetings with Constance are to be held in the Dolphin Hotel.
Mo announced details of the proposed study trip to Holland next April organised by Jean Goodeve of Pembroke U3A. 
 

U3A STUDY HOLIDAY
ART GALLERIES & MUSEUMS of HOLLAND
This holiday is being organised by Jean Goodeve, last year's U3A president from Pembroke U3A. She is inviting our members to join as several did for an earlier trip to Paris.
The dates are Sunday 18 April 2010 to Monday 26 April 2010 by coach pickups and returns at pre-agreed points along A40/A48/M4 corridor in South Wales. It includes a cruise on the MS Arlene from Delft 18/04/10 to Amsterdam 22/04/10. 

Complete Trip Prices, including accommodation and Dinner Bed & Breakfast but not Museum Entrance fees, are £699(double) to £883(single) on the lower deck, and £729/£913 on upper deck.

For further information and booking forms please contact
Jean Goodeve jggoodeve@tiscali.co.uk 
or Margaret Winter771725 or winter728@btinternet.com

or Mo Ellard 363465 or mo.ellard@btopenworld.com


Bookings with a deposit of £150 is required by 31 October 2009 - so hurry. It goes to Phoenix Travel, the balance is payable 8 weeks before travelling. 

SAMARITANS - OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
Judith Gilbody wrote in asking for for anyone interested in volunteering to help, or to donate a box, to contact her either by phone 01792 204492 or by email on judith.gilbody@ntlworld.com 

She writes

I have been a member of the U3A for a number of years and am also heavily involved in the above charity.  It is the world’s largest children's Christmas project and  aims to provide a shoebox of gifts for as many children as possible who are suffering through war, poverty, natural disaster and disease from Africa to Kosovo.  Last year was the first in which Swansea was the site of a warehouse that served the whole of West Wales and 10,000 shoe-boxes were sent.  It is very heart warming to witness so much evidence of charitable giving, both from the donators of the boxes, and the team of people who gave of their time in our warehouse.  Do you think this would be something that Swansea U3A members would be interested in?  We would welcome anyone who would like to get involved, the warehouse will be open from the first week in November, to the first week in December. My telephone number if 01792 204492 or we have a national website
www.samaritans-purse.org.uk  if you would like more information.

YEAR 2009/10

RENEW YOUR U3A MEMBERSHIP for 2009/10
Membership applications for the new year cost just £14 and are now due. We welcome your continued support.

FIRST LECTURES OF YEAR
All lectures unless otherwise stated are held at 2pm on Wednesdays during term time in the Grove Lecture Theatre of Swansea University. The first half hour is preliminary and used to show around thirty slides of future activities and for current announcements by Chairman Bob and others. It is a good way to keep abreast of Swansea U3A activities, but since I prepare the slide show as well as the blog there is a great deal of commonality, though the pre-lecture slide shows have slightly later information. Afterwards you are invited to join others for tea/coffee in the Taliesin Bar.

7 October lecture is 'God's Bankers' by Robert Baggs

21 October lecture is 'Life on the Sea Shore' by Dr Michael Isaac


28 October lecture is 'Richard 3rd - A strange King' by Anna Nicholas


OPEN DAY IN DOLPHIN HOTEL

No prizes for noticing there is no lecture on Wednesday 14 October because that is the day we are holding the Open Day in the Dolphin from 10am to 3.30pm. Each of the currently active groups will have a table at which a member of the group will give you full information on their activities. If you are a new member it is a particularly good place to start and will bring home the wide range of activities on offer.


All groups will take names, telephone numbers and email addresses of anyone interested in their activity. It may well be that in some cases we will have to form another group to cater for increased demand. 

Never forget this a self help organisation, groups are intended to be self financing though they are non-profit as well and the members give freely of their time to run these groups. You should think about how you could contribute, in addition to exploiting the opportunities provided by others.

Anyone who would like to set up a new group (maybe on a new topic) should be sure to seek me out at this event and discuss their thoughts. Last year five new groups emerged directly from this event (Chess, Modern Jive, MOTO (Members On Their Own), Scrabble, Bookreading 4, plus renewal of a failing French Conversation group. Last year we increased the membership by a third. If that is to be repeated we will need plenty of members prepared to put their head above the parapet.



GROUP'S CO-ORDINATOR - Brian Corbett -that's me folks.
Many know I am also a foot-lose traveller who disappears on long trips. Therefore I would particularly welcome some-one prepared to deputise whilst I am away (including editing the list of email addresses to incorporate new members) and to present the Wednesday slide show when I am introducing the speaker.

I would give tuition in the production of the weekly Power Point slide show. As far as using Internet to broadcast information on activities this could be done either by your own Blog (tuition available) or by emailing a Groups Newsletter. In addition I hold the only verified list of members email addresses. None of these tasks is technically difficult, but they worth while and time consuming.


CHRONICLE
I must say I was impressed by the wide-ranging content in the Chronicle magazine, which is being sent out with the 2009/10 membership cards. To think there was a panic over contributions and then so many stood up to the plate.

My eye was caught particularly by the thoughtful article on climate change by Lyn Holt. I guess I have a reputation for scepticism, but that is mainly because over enthusiastic Green's will keep on blaming global warming for every weather event be it flood, storm, wet summer, but never a heat wave. Remember the hot dry summer of 1947, I do because Denis Compton, Bill Edrich, and I think Jack Robertson made an unheard of 3000 runs in the season for Middlesex. I also remember the flooding of Canvey Island in 1952 and the flooding of Lynton at about the same time. Remember too the earth went in and out of ice-ages with no help from humans so let's blame the dinosaurs for that!!

For millenniums the oscillating sea temperature in the Humboldt Current running up the west coast of America results in the El Nino effect which disturbs the whole world's climate every few years and destroyed a sophisticated ancient civilisation in Peru. Let's hope the warming Gulf Stream stays constant or we will find out that we really do live somewhat north of the arctic conditions of say Canada. 


But this just shows my annoyance at what is so obviously a highly complex matter overlaid with huge 'natural' variation in weather. But no-one can deny that the melting of land based ice fields (and that means Antarctic rather than Arctic will result in a very significant rise in sea level with huge consequences to low lying developments including London which already relies on flood defences.


The crux of current concerns is to produce electricity with far smaller emissions of carbon dioxide. Electric cars are a fine way of reducing pollution in cities and hiding the problem, but their batteries will always have to be charged and that electricity will have to be generated. 


It is not realistic to expect me to change rapidly to a low energy way of life, so generating that electricity more efficiently and with lower carbon emissions is vital. My fear, like I think Lyn's, is that we are sleepwalking our way into the nightmare of Major electricity supply failures. Experiencing two 24 hour blackouts of the whole island of Bali brought home the consequences, and all that effected me there was electric light and Internet.

My own conclusion differs from Lyn's in that I think the best short term solution to the problem is to adopt nuclear power, the French after all generate 80% of their electricity this way. Although people fear radiation from the power stations and terrorism, the known major problem is disposal of the radioactive waste.


Like him I think we are crazy not to proceed at full speed with such obvious schemes as the tidal barrage across the Severn, or attempts to suppress the peaks in our demand. Are we really saying that the preservation of the wet lands is more important than the survival of our own species? 

Steam turbines are used by both the Nuclear and the Coal options and both are ideally suited to generating steady base loads in a way that tidal or wind based solutions never will be. Gas turbines are an ideal way of getting rapid starting and stopping generators to adapt to changes in demand, but it's a far more restricted fuel source than coal for the UK. The speed the UK changed from
coal to gas is looking like a huge political risk now the North Sea supplies are running out. Would you buy a second hand car from Gaddafi? 

A recent article by Nicholas Stern brought the staggering scale of the challenge into perspective (He wrote the Review on the Economics of Climate Change several years ago which is credited with kick starting the debate).  He stated that in order to limit the earth's temperature rise to 2 degrees (generally agreed to be close to a tipping point) by 2050 the 9 billion people living on the planet [earth] 'must be producing on average no more than about 2 tonnes of greenhouse gases per year each. Currently China averages 6 tonnes dwarfed by the rich European countries which average 10-12 tonnes each, and the USA with 24 tonnes.


That means starkly that the UK needs to find a way to reduce greenhouse gases in the ratio of 6:1 down to 17% of today's level.

The current target for 2010 is a 10% reduction. But who knows what this really means for an individual - I certainly don't.

There is little more I can do do with house heating after having converted to a condensing boiler some years ago and bringing insulation up to standard in my light (over-glassed) house - we are even delaying switch on by evening use of sweaters. I could go vegetarian which would give about the correct reduction in food - animals being about 9 times as consumptive of energy as plants of equivalent food value. Love red meat as I do I'd rather cut there than forego my car or long haul flights, but I would volunteer for euthanasia before 2050!


CLIMATE CHANGE GROUP
Mike Wiseman has left but I do hope someone will volunteer to takeover the role of running this Group. They could start by measuring the groups carbon footprint and outlining a 10% reduction.


ASTRONOMY GROUP
Nick Hill has circulated a letter to current and past members of this group, but by summarising this letter in this blog I am hoping to attract new members as well.


It is intended to schedule meetings after lectures in the Grove Theatre on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month. The first such meeting will be on Wednesday 21 October at which the group will discuss the years program topics including the possibility of moving to a different venue which also opens up the opportunity of revising dates and times.


Nick (our Treasurer) is unable to continue as convenor of this group and whilst it is hoped that Roly Govier will be able to unentangle himself from other engagements it would be good to hear from others willing to take up the challenge of running this group.



BOOKREADING 2

Barbara Ellis sent me a picture of the group on an outing to Llandrindrod on the Heart of Wales Line showing a wooden troll holding a copy of Gilead - by chance the book I proposed to Mo's group before switching to Home a more recent tale by Marilynne Robinson with continuity of some characters. 

Thanks for the happy picture which illustrates a growing tendency for groups to organise their own social events. Several have used this same railway as basis of a cheap day out - to my knowledge including MOTO going all the way to Shrewsbury, and Astronomy going to the Telescope at Knighton.


MOTO
I knew this would grow into one of our most popular new groups, but Gerwyn has had to set up a reserve list since he feels unable to deal with the expansion alone. It is hard to think of a more worthwhile objective than improving the social life of bereaved or separated members.

Once again the question is of someone taking a significant part of the load from Gerwyn, perhaps by developing a stand-alone grouping. Socialising in pubs, jiving, flying, parachute jumping, Nordik Walking, trips to Shrewsbury and the races, like the current core may not be every-ones cup of tea. 

The thought strikes me that there may well be scope for an older members sub-grouping, another for those interested in lunching in Swansea or further afield, or in trips to the theatre in say Swansea, Cardiff, Bristol, Bath, London or Stratford.


Anyone with ideas especially those prepared to see them through should contact Me on 424702 or Gerwyn on 817229.


FRENCH
Recommences at Hazel Court at10am on Thursday 1 October in the dry half of the Craft Room. Thanks are due to Beryl Edney and Celia Phillips who have agreed to tutor the class this year. We are looking for some-one to replace Jan Philips as convenor, though she will represent the group through Open Day 14 October. 

Best wishes to Steve Johnson whose health is looking better since his return from France. It is nice to hear him praise NHS Wales in face of what many consider the flagship health services in France. Pity the yanks aren't listening.


CONVENORS MEETING
Is to be held in the Castle Room, Fulton House at the University the morning of our first lecture of the year. Modern Jive, Bridge and Research operate on Wednesday mornings and should make special arrangements so that the convenor or a representative attends at 10am on 7 October.


OPEN DAY DOLPHIN HOTEL 14 October
This day aimed in particular at new and prospective new members and the general public are particularly welcome will take place between the hours of 10am and 3.30pm. It is also an ideal opportunity for existing members to register their interest in joining or forming additional groups. 

Last year, my first as Groups Coordinator, was particularly successful in kick starting the year with the formation of several new groups. 

NORDIC WALKING


Gerwyn has been approached by Liz Morris of Age Concern to collect names of members interested in a 5 week course of instruction (1 hour per week) in this technique. I talked in an earlier September Blog of how much MOTO had enjoyed a walk from the Brecon Mountain Centre without realising this was also an introduction to Nordic Walking. An Age Concern initiative with backing from the Welsh Assembly and the Countryside Council for Wales.



The immediate proposal is for two courses run by Liz Morris meeting at 10am at Victoria Park, gate opposite Guildhall

One on Mondays starting 28 September (tomorrow - my fault for short notice), then 5, 12, 19 and 26, of October


The other course on Thursdays 1. 8, 15, 22, 29 of October

Walking shoes, waterproofs and warm clothing will be needed but sticks will be provided for the courses.


You are asked to register (book) in advance either with Liz direct on 472904 or with Gerwyn on 817229. There is no charge but you are expected to complete the five week course, and will need to buy sticks if wishing to continue with this technique.


The big advantage of this style, a very fast growing activity in Northern Europe, is that by walking in this manner you will be exercising 90% of your muscles, including arms, shoulders, heart, chest and back. You will also be burning 20+ % more energy than conventional walking at the same speed. It is also said to be less tiring - though how this stacks up is difficult to fathom, perhaps as a result of sharing some of the load normally taken by leg muscles and joints.


In case of bad weather (downpours not showers) please contact Liz on 472904 before 9.30am to confirm.





 

What a spendid lot of idiots we are!

RITA's TWO MILE SKY DIVE

This morning Joan, I, son Peter, friends and several members of the MOTO group were at Swansea airfield to witness Rita Read-Jones join the 2 mile high club, jumping out of the plane at 13,000feet and sky-diving for charity (and devilment?). When I arrived at the terminal she was the only one of the group eating, so given my wicked sense of humour I asked if she was eating her last supper. But she could not be deterred, she left the terminal in her gear with a smile on her face and came back with a broad grin. On further questioning she hadn't enjoyed the preliminary 30 seconds of free fall under gravity, which ensures you are quickly and safely below the aircraft, but there was plenty to enjoy once the parachute was opened. What more can be said. But it is still not too late to send her donations for her charity, Action For Children, that would be a fitting way to round off her very special day. Contact her on 510806 or mobile 07789 153008.






























































PILOT for a day
Not to be outdone Gerwyn announced that he was going to fly a plane for the first time in his life, and Joan and Dorothy Little were keen to go round the Gower with him in his Cessna. Dorothy even picked up a voucher to act as a prize for her Breast Cancer charity. Gerwyn has a certificate to prove his dare devil exploit. (Dare I say it was a dual control plane).

MODERN JIVE
Gerwyn confirmed that the group will recommence at 10.30 in the Monkey Cafe on Wednesday 2 September.

MACMARATHON
Jenny Hill (wife of Treasurer Nick) is one of the lead organisers of the sponsored 22 mile cliff walk (Macmarathon) from Rhossili Car Park to Swansea Cricket Club, on behalf of the Macmillan Cancer Support. People come from miles away to take part and last year they raised £60,000 for the charity. Nick is walking and many of us have already sponsored his efforts, others who don't feel up to the walk themselves should sponsor him, please.

Better still would be volunteers who are prepared to walk and gather their own sponsorship. Those who want a shorter walk can start at Port Eynon. Time is getting short, for the walk takes place on Saturday 5 September. Would be walkers should therefore register ASAP by

1) Downloading the entry form, itinerary, sponsor forms and other details from

www.macmillan.org.uk/gowerwalk

or sending a SAE to either

2) Mrs J Hill
Mor-Awel, Woodend Lane
Langland
SA3 4QC

Tel 369232

or

3) Mrs C Williamson
31 Caswell Drive
SA3 4RJ

The Entry Fee for actually taking part in the Macmarathon is £5

THE UNIVERSE
Roger Knight has sent me this amusing ditty which puts the immensity of the universe and human life into context. You are strongly recommended to try the following link to video clip.

http://dingo.care2.com/cards/flash/5409/galaxy.swf

DIGITAL MEDIA
This group will start on 2 October as a self help group in the entire Craft Room of Hazel Court. Anthony Hughes has major work commitments, including work abroad, but will help when he can. He anticipates being available again regularly from January.

'Itea' (IT Get IT!)
Nancy Johnson writes from Age Concern wondering if we would put on an event to sponsor their Second Annual 'digital inclusion' week for older people, which they are promoting for 21-25 September. It seems a little short notice but anyone with ideas should contact her
Nancy.Johnston@ACE.org.uk

For details of the ideas behind the event supported by BT please follow the link. There do not appear to be any registered events in this locality.

www.ageconcern.org.uk/iteaandbiscuits

JOAN'S GARDEN PARTY
We invited the Gardening Group to brave the weather last Thursday and pay us a visit, at least the third such event this summer after John and Val Day, and, Margaret Massey herself. In fact we were able to spend the whole afternoon on the patio, with only calories and the wind to brave - leading to antics by Bill Massey improvising a windbreak for himself and ...... Thanks to all those who turned up, including those, like long-suffering Bill and I, who only come for the tea, cakes and chat. Thanks too to Joan who put in several days hard labour to ensure the garden looked cared for even if it wasn't a blaze of colour.

August 2009

I did intend to take a break from the blog until September however there are several events I would like to publicise as well as try out the email addresses of the latest to join Swansea U3A . So welcome if you are seeing this blog for the first time.

Joan and I took a six week holiday travelling around Bali and Lombok (Indonesian islands). Some of you followed the Blog as it was being written around each of the ten locations in which we stayed. I have now edited that Blog, added around a hundred photographs, and since that diary is complete I have copy/pasted each posting and reissued them so that they appear in chronological order. Anyone interested can access the blog at the very slightly different address below.

http://rgoldbali.blogspot.com (the 'r' merely indicating the revised order)

It might well be of interest to someone contemplating a holiday in Bali or Lombok, and be of especial benefit to anyone contemplating independent travel.











Balinese Dance at Ubud


















Guests at a Hindu Wedding












Crossing the Wallace Line between Bali and Lombok












Landfall Gili Trawangan, Lombok

















Grupuk, fishing village Lombok






CHANGING POLITICAL LANDSCAPE
Normally an avid reader of a daily broadsheet, I make a point of cutting off from world affairs on holiday and immersing myself in new surroundings. How the world had changed in six weeks, yet as always plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose applied. Decades ago management speak in the USA was 'What is Good for General Motors is Good for America' and as a naive young man I found that hard to doubt of the world's most powerful industrialist. Recently GM collapsed into Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and the rump is now largely nationalised by not one but two countries, USA and Canada, a giant who like the banks could not be allowed to fail.

As for UK news I was amazed to find that MP's expenses were still the big story. How about talking millions instead of thousands of pounds and getting after Investment Bankers instead, they make their money from the volatility of stock markets (up or down) and boy have they created a bonanza for those that survived, a monumental collapse followed by a (too?) rapid recovery since March. Without government bale outs across the world they would all have collapsed and taken the rest of us with them.

Are newly soaring banking profits a candidate for a new windfall tax? No, that would be wholly counter productive whilst we are helping the banks to recover, but how about a windfall tax to the extent of the aggregate of salaries and bonuses paid above say £250,000 per person? Perhaps that would stop the rot, and make them change. Some action has been needed for the last two decades to stop the remorseless rise in salary differentials between finance ant the rest of society. Have the politicians, with both main parties so unthinkingly supporting a free market in financial rewards, begun to learn that action is needed now in order to restore trust, and to re-balance our economy?

SKYDIVE for ACTION for CHILDREN
Rita Read-Jones wrote to me a month or so ago to tell me she was doing a parachute jump (skydive) at Swansea airport on 22 August 2009 for the charity 'Action For Children'. Advertised as the Intrepid Granny she is looking for sponsorship from U3A members and others. I for one was very pleased to contribute to this project - rather her than me. Please contact her on 510806 or mobile 07789 153008 after 17 August, and please sponsor this gutsy woman's jump for a very good cause. Donations can be sent direct to her, or via a website of which we have both lost the full details.

MOTO (Members On Their Own)
Next up was Gerwyn Thomas, the leader of the Modern Jive and MOTO (Members On Their Own) groups. Rita is an enthusiastic member of both groups. Moto's latest venture was a day's walk from the Mountain Centre in the Brecon Beacons National Park. It was organised under the auspices of Age Concern instructor Glen Little who hails from Cardiff. There were two walks, one short and one several kms, but both were preceded and finished by exercises under Glen's direction. Gerwyn said he was pleasantly surprised to find himself without stiffness the following day after the longer walk, which he ascribed to Glen's Warm Up and Warm Down exercises. There will be further walks from the same venue starting at 10.30 on 15 August 2009, for further details contact Glen on the Monday to Friday daytime number of 02920 431555.

MODERN JIVE
Gerwyn also told me that Modern Jive was starting up again at 10.30 in the Monkey Cafe on Wednesday mornings from 2 September. From personal experience I can tell you there is no easier way of starting involvement in U3A group Activities. Only last week Val Day was telling me that she had three more participants for her Painting Group as a direct consequence of her attendance at the Jive Group. The hard core belong to a variety of other Groups. Jive is an particularly easy entrance into the MOTO Group, because of a big overlap in membership. If jive is not your cup of tea you can make contact during the coffee break downstairs in the Monkey Cafe, around about 11.30am to midday.

GEOLOGY, SOUTH WALES NETWORK
The Geology Group which operates across South Wales has an outing on Thursday 3 September at 10.30 meeting in the Car Park of Garn Fawr in Pembrokshire (Grid Ref OS Sheet 157 SM899 388). The topic is The Geology of the Pwll Deri Area of North West Pembrokshire, and is being led by Dr Dyfed Elis-Gruffydd. Bring packed lunch. For further information please contact the Secretary Yvonne Thomas on 01554 832337, or better still email her on
yvonne@lunn-thomas.fsnet.co.uk
,declare your interest and ask her to email the relevant poster.

POLITICS and CITIZENSHIP
September sees a resurgence of activity in many groups, non less eye catching than The Politics and Civilisation Group on Tuesday 8 September at 2pm in the West Cross Community Centre.
Edwina Hart, Welsh Assembly Member for Gower will be attending. She is Minister for Health and Social Services, topics which interest us all, and is enthusiastic about meeting and discussing the issues of the day with the electorate.
It is also the very last time that Margaret Hammond will be in the Chair, as she is handing over to joint new Convenors, Marian Howells and Marjorie Vanston. Let's give her a good send off. Last time she accused me of under-stating her age in this Blog, though she was the one who miss-led me, I now understand this is her 90th year - and she is still leading the Research Group! They work on archive records at the original Swansea Library. Her age sets us all a challenge. Both of these long standing groups deserve an influx of new members to ensure continuity.

CARDS for PLEASURE
Will meet in the Taliesin at 11am on Tuesday 8 September, and again on the 4th Tues 22 September. Ring Lawmary Champion for details on 299828.

READING LITERATURE
Will be reconvening at St Mary's Church Vestry at 2pm on Tuesday 15 September, thereafter on the 1st as well as the 3rd Tuesday of the month. They will be starting with the play 'A Doll's House' by Ibsen.

TAI CHI
After a months break this group is restarting in the Exercise Room Hazel Court on Fridays from 4 September. As before there will be two 1 hour classes 9.30 to 10.30 and 11.00 till 12 midday. There are currently vacancies in both.


















ITALIAN
Carolina Rosati-Jones will teach next year from 5 October, but she will be in Italy on holiday for 10 days up to 31 September.

FRENCH
Susan Johnson writes to say Steve is now having heart tests in Swansea and hopes to have an catheterising operation later this year. I'm sure we all wish him well. They both offer to help with little tasks to assist the running of the U3A, a splendid gesture.

CHESS
Theo Joannides, a member. writes to invite U3A members to attend the one hour long sessions of the Mumbles 'Chess Mates' club at the Ostreme Hall held on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays starting at 11am. Tuition will be available and as he observes chess has been regarded too long as a boys game and it is time this attitude changed. The charge is £1 per session. He would like to be informed of attendance in advance by email to
theo.joannides@virgin.net

This is an additional option as I intend to continue our sessions at Hazel Court on Mondays. Last year we were 50:50 male:female.

BRECON JAZZ FESTIVAL
This is being in part organised by the Hay Festival, through whom on-line bookings are made for the 7, 8 and 9 August. On each day there is a full programme of very good concerts at £5, £8, £10 and £15. For full details follow the link
http://www.breconjazz.org/index.html
then the link to 'Events & Booking' which leads to the programme listing on the Hay site.
Sorry, I only became aware of this at the last moment from the BBC and apologise for early comments that it was unlikely to go ahead this year, made at the time of promoting the Mumbles Jazz and Blues Festival in May. I was just in time to get tickets for Sunday 9 August to hear Abdulla Ibrahim, a wonderful South African pianist with his trio in the market hall. If you catch this amendment to the posting early enough there is still time for Saturday or Sunday 9 August.

Report from Brecon Monday 10 August
Just the drive up reminded us of how much we had missed in recent years, for though the Gower and Pembokshire coasts are beautiful there is nothing to compare with the Brecon Beacons in South Wales when it comes to walking country. It took us back many years to the time our Sundays were spent on long challenging walks with the Swansea Ramblers and the Gower Society.

As for Brecon Jazz we were directed to the theatre along a river path from the street where we had left our car by a chatty man walking his dog. He said the festival was much quieter than usual, probably due to the last minute arrangements by the Hay Festival, who he hoped would put it on a successful financial footing. We both agreed the first and early festivals were excellent, with the streets full of colour and good nature, but the later festivals, in spite of continuing world class performers, had been spoilt by a drunken element on the streets, and by financial overstretch. The festival stopped in its tracks this year when HSBC withdrew their funding, to be rescued at the last moment by Hay with the support of the UK jazz men.

He was right in saying the streets were quiet, for there was nothing except a few street shows, including a pair of young men who were 'Walking through Great Britain and Singing for their Supper'. Dressed as minstrels might have been years ago, with small camping gear as though to emphasise their low running costs, and singing old folk songs in close harmony, they held the attention of the crowds - and certainly wouldn't have gone hungry that night. A very young violinist and several saxophone players including one entertaining the crowd outside the theatre, who reportedly used to play in one of the big name rock bands (I forget which band and his name, though he obviously is well known in town for his gigs). Gone were the coloured canopies that used to cover the space outside the Wellington Hotel in the town centre, where, at the very first festival twenty odd years ago, we ate wonderful pancakes sold in fours with different fillings including seafood, cheese and tomato, and curry as I recall. Gone were the outdoor venues under coloured canvas, gone too were the Stroller Tickets, though a few pubs kept up the tradition using bands to attract custom, gone thus was the outdoor ambiance but also the unruly element and a visible police presence. The church still sold excellent teas on their lawn, but so many alternate venues had not opened, including one large town house we remember with fondness which sold teas to eat in their back garden.

As for the music it was wholly concerts, the ones attracting large audiences were in the Market Hall, the Theatre where the Studio was in use as well as the main Auditorium, but we didn't go to the Cathedral, which featured for the first time, or to the Castle Hotel. Neither the Guildhall or Christ's College were in use, hardly retrograde steps.

We were determined to hear Abdullah Ibrahim and chose between hurrying on Saturday to hear him playing solo piano and then a concert by Courtney Pine, or to make a leisurely start on Sunday and hear Abdullah with his trio and an unknown quantity called 'Quantic and his Combo Barbaro', whose description in the programme included the misleading adjective psychedelic - which almost put us off. We opted for Sunday and a experienced day of contrast beyond our wildest expectations.

Abdullah and his trio played non-stop for 70 minutes, without verbal introduction and interrupted, seldom and briefly, by applause. More than that the music was incredibly slow, quiet and delicate, very beautiful, relying almost entirely on his original melodic themes as they rippled onto the shore. The programme stated that the aim was 'to explore his musical heritage from Arabic and Moorish roots, township jazz, his work with Ellington and Monk, and the canon of classical piano virtuosity'. There was something about his work, the timing and harmonics, that made it jazz rather than classical for me, but others would argue. Only for a brief period did he sound conventionally jazzy in a musical reference to Theolonius Monk. His accompanists Belden Bullock on double bass and George Gray on percussion (who on occasion made his quiet cymbals shimmer) blended perfectly with the mood. They held a capacity audience (800?) spellbound in the Market Hall - hardly an ideal location for a performance of such finesse.

In spite of the confusion stirred by the programme notes, Combo Barbaro turned out to be Latin American as we had hoped. Apparently they had been formed rapidly for this tour and were playing together for only the second time since arriving in the UK on Friday.

A Peruvian pianist, several Colombians - one on electric bass, Cubans and others based in London made up the band. There were three percussionists, one on bongos, another on a couple of drums and special effects, the third with a complete drum kit produced the Latin feel. Single trumpet and saxophone players added the melody and the jazz. Two singers, the first West Indian born but now from Panama added the 'pop', whilst the second, a little lady from a remote Colombian village in a beautiful voluminous dress, alternately sang and danced, swinging her hips in provocative Latin style.

The band was knitted together by Quantic on guitar and accordion, often with his back to the audience as he directed his band of strangers. He was introduced only as Harrison from the UK who had been living and working in Columbia for three years. Together they belted out loud, up tempo, exciting Latin music, and got rapturous applause at the end from an enthusiastic audience that barely filled the stalls of the theatre. A few had used the empty space in the Dress Circle to dance.

When I mentioned today that our West Indian from Panama with the black skin and long pony tail reminded me of Tom Jones, Joan asked 'was it the leather trousers?' But, no, for me it was his stature and his delivery of songs, albeit with a pronounced Latin rhythm.

Summer Break, Research Group and European Elections

This is the 29th and final posting of Brian's Blog this U3A year, the next will be heralded by the usual Update email probably in September. I have enjoyed doing it, and believe it has made a difference. The pleasure expressed by so many at the crocus and daffodils of earlier posting encouraged me to use the diary to keep a record of Joan's lovely flower garden.

Thanks for all the words of support I have received during the year, the latest from Susan Hodge, at their second home in Brittany, who says The Smugglers at Port Eynon 'is a favourite place'. Unfortunately Steve still has some health problems and I am sure his friends from the French Class and other readers of this blog want to join me in wishing him well. Susan would have liked a trip to Wells and enthuses about the embroideries on the walls of the Nave, so don't miss them!

Internet is a wonderful thing as far as communication at least. I first started blogging to keep a diary of my travels in China and then Chile/Argentina which had the additional advantage of letting friends in the UK know what we were doing and thinking as we travelled. All you need, anywhere in the world, is a computer with Internet access, say an Internet cafe or your own laptop and wi-fi access. E-mail is OK but Blogging is better if like us you otherwise kept a hand written diary. If anyone wants to try blogging then sign on free at Google for your own blogspot (a rather long winded pain but the main issue is to choose the type of blog( either a private blog which is accessible only by those to whom you release the address (like this one), or a blog accessible to every-one via an Internet search engine like Google. Once set up a blog is far simpler and thus easier to use than say Microsoft Word - which is too clever by half for the likes of me.

BILL MASSEY
We all wish him well as he prepares to celebrate his 80th birthday, little dreaming of the kick in the tail.












BEWARE OF DEVIOUS AMAZON
Joan has just been taken for £47.97 by Amazon in payment for a Prime Membership which she didn't even know she had asked for.
It appeared on the monthly bank statement with the following unhelpful details

10 April Prime Member Fee 8002796620 £47.97
(Recurring Visa Transaction)

Not even a whisper of which company it had come from. Nationwide (any bank) could not help and because it was a Visa transaction, so we would have to contact the firm issuing the authorisation, but Nationwide at least could point out that the number was a contact telephone number when you added a leading 0. It turned out to be an out of date number for Amazon but the recorded message gave the modern number. Yes she said it could be cancelled and we would be sent details by email. That email gave a web link top Amazon's Prime Member site where we discovered that there was absolutely no way it could in fact be cancelled, though they did say that had stopped the charge recurring in future years.

We could not even find an email to register a complaint, though we did lodge one on an irrelevant order number - probably futile.

UPDATE 18 MAY (one day later original posting)
In response to the email complaint we were sent a link to details of Joan's Prime Membership and apparently given a second chance to cancel and a refund if the service had not been used, clicking 'cancel' led to the same old page asking 'do you really want to cancel?' But providing absolutely no opportunity to confirm and thus complete the transaction.

Even worse the offer of a 'month free'was shown to mean she had been given 13 months for the price of 12, from 9 March 2008 to 9 April 2010!! (the first time we realise about the charge was 16 May). SO BEWARE OF DOUBLY DEVIOUS AMAZON. COM, I say.

END of UPDATE

HOW DID IT HAPPEN?
Our best guess that on a recent order, probably 9 April, Joan was confronted with 3 delivery options something like the following

Free Delivery
Another forgotten option
A month's free trial of express delivery

The form would not accept choice of Free Delivery, so she opted for the Months Free Trial. A month and a week later, just a few days after receipt of the bank statement we could not Cancel, even though the few books we had received were obviously delivered by camel!

ADVICE TO READERS
First be very careful on the Internet and remember there is no such thing as a 'Free Lunch'.

You need to be especially careful with so called free software which is often only a free trial. Some like AVG anti-virus have a good free version called 'avg_free', but even they attempt to persuade you to try a unnecessary professional version on a free trial.

More helpful instead of shopping at Amazon go to the book comparison site where you will find listed possible sources for the book you require and will find that Amazon is by no means always the cheapest supplier.
For instance try
http://www. booksprice.co.uk

RESEARCH GROUP
I had a talk with Margaret Hammond about the functioning of this group. All the current work is carried out on the archives in the old Museum by two groups of four under the direction of museum's own researcher. There are currently two vacancies and it would be ideal to get new members in place to ensure continuity of the group so that it eventually passes seamlessly to a new generation. Anyone interested to know more should contact Margaret Hammond on 883680.

They are rightly proud of their achievements. The Research Group was set up in the early days of Swansea U3A in the late 80's at the request of their first President who asked for a team to help Professor Maurice Broady catalogue the archives of Swansea Celtic Studios , manufacturers of stained glass windows from 1948 to the mid 1990's. He had acquired an extensive archive of 1o00 plus files. The documentation of that company, included informative, and sometimes very amusing, correspondence from across the world. In 2000/1 cartoon designs for 450 stain glassed windows for delivery abroad, especially Canada, were added to the team's resources.

Maurice was determined to write a book on the subject, but as some of you may know he is severely afflicted with the aftermath of a stroke. However the cudgels have now been taken up by the County Archivist Kim Collis, who directed the initial exercise, Maurice's daughters Alison and Elsbeth, and Alan Adams who was our excellent stand in lecturer earlier this year on the topic of Stained Glass. It looks as though a book will finally be published.

The research essentially consisted of reading, understanding and cataloguing the interesting information with clear references to the location of the source material. In this they were aided by the first U3A Computer Group led by Roger Knight.

By then fully conversant with the techniques needed to research archives, they were asked by the old Swansea Museum who had as a multi-faceted project to research the history of Social Life in Swansea to choose a topic. They elected to study Swansea Markets using material held by the Royal Institution (museum), University Library, University Archives and Press clippings. That project finished a couple of years ago when they handed over the catalogued information to the Swansea Museum staff. It concluded with the publication of 12 copies of the now structured information and photographs three of which they were able to keep as personal memoires.

The third project was to research and catalogue the history of the Swansea branch of The Royal Institution (the founders of the museum). There were vast archives, including many boxes which had never before been opened, of the proceedings of the Royal Institution of South Wales. Students are now editing of this material.

Research has now turned to the study of Scrap Books mostly dating back to 1880-1920. Marjorie Vanston explained the material as cataloguing boxes of cuttings from newspapers, photographs and documents which had been donated by individuals or organisations to the museum. I keep a few boxes of a similar nature, mostly concerning my interest in non-party politics, world events, travel and sport, which I will bequeath to the U3A if they still have a Research Group!!

There must be younger members who would share their enthusiasm for this type of study, and I do hope they will contact Margaret. It would be a shame to lose the experience of the group handling archive material, which has played - should continue to play - and is recognised by the museum as playing a very valuable role in recording key aspects the history of Swansea.

SMILE TRAIN BARN DANCE
This event was run on her own bat by Joy Gillard. It was not an official U3A event, though perhaps more than half those attending and a large proportion of those helping were our members. The proceeds went to the charity Smile Train who treat patients with hare-lip and other facial deformities in 76 of the less prosperous parts of the world. She collected £800 for the charity by the way of entrance tickets, refreshments, raffle and donations, that is after expenses for the hire of the Ostreme Hall ecetera.

She is to be congratulated on the success of the event, which must be very satisfying considering she had initially been warned of the danger of making a loss.

EUROPEAN ELECTION HUSTINGS
Last Tuesday Gabrielle Suff led the second phase of a discussion on the EU in the Politics and Citizen Group with an excellent exposition of the workings of the EU. Contrast the unreasonable and uninformed hostility, led by virtually the whole UK press, to the European Process. She pressed people to exercise their democratic right to vote, whether for parties intent on co-operation or withdrawal from the EU.

The following discussion was concerned with how to decide which of the twelve UK parties to vote for, which ranged from UKIP to Arthur Scargill's Socialist Labour Party, via Conservative, Liberal, Green, Plaid Cymru and The Labour Party. It highlighted the lack of information on the issues, with the press, the main UK parties and the EU itself to blame. I got an amused response when I pointed that in the past few days I had received a flyer from the Liberal Party (the one party apparently unwavering in its support for the EU process), which did not mention Europe at all!

Marjorie Vanston circulated details of Hustings at which the main contenders including UKIP will be represented by candidates. The meeting headed 'Come and Meet the Candidates' takes place at the Swansea Guildhall on 19 May at 7.30pm. Which one hopes will not be drowned by controversy about the current expenses corruption in our parliament. Surely the current expenses debacle, a 20%+ devaluation in our currency, and failure of banking practices in the USA and UK should allow the thought that there may be a better way - maybe there is merit in Euroland after all.

French and German banks and financial firms were largely non contributory bystanders to the banking crisis, but neither they nor other blameless countries of the world have been able to escape the consequences of the banking crisis - a global recession and unemployment brought about by the 'credit crunch'.

The fury which was directed at bankers is now being directed at MPs. These expenses had been treated as an entitlement which came with the job by far too many. I see them as minor (albeit dishonest and wrong) if only because it is necessary to multiply by a thousand or more to reach the similarly 'within the rules' backscratching and tax avoidance by directors and senior officials in the finance industry. Our 'winner take all' society is displaying a lack of moral underpinning. I fear an angry undiscriminating voting backlash which could open the door to increased support for fascist parties such as the BNP, and that could start the sort of popular revolt which led Germany to Hitler.

PAINTING FOR PLEASURE
Mary Lane is starting a new group next year with this title which is definitely not for beginners. She is going to keep it to twelve members and envisages there will be plenty of applicants from her original beginners classes.

This emphasises the demand for painting and the necessity to find other Group Leaders. If you are interested in taking such a role please let me or anyone on the committee know.

WEDNESDAY LECTURE SLIDE SHOW
Nick Hill the Treasurer and the Convenor for the Astronomy Group has agreed to take over from me the production and display of the slide show of U3A activities for the last five Wednesday Lectures in the Grove Theatre Swansea University.

Group Leaders should notify him by of any activities they want to publicise by email
hill_n_j@hotmail.com

BUILDING UP SQUAD of PLAYERS for SWANSEA U3A
By choosing to go on extended holiday I have highlighted the paucity of our reserves. Ideally my tasks should not have to be picked up by hard working members of the committee like our Treasurer and Astronomy Group Leader Nick Hill who has taken over the Wednesday slide show.

What applies to me applies even more to Chairman Bob Hughes, who has recently taken on production/communication by regular printed newsletter for dissemination by the Group Convenors plus the editing and assembly of the Annual Report which will go out before the AGM, on top of his heavy commitments as Chairman. I add too a well deserved recognition of the very dedicated and time consuming work by Pat Herbert (and husband Mal) in her role as Membership Secretary.

People, especially younger members, prepared to commit to assist with some of these roles, outside formal membership of the committee, will become evermore essential as this organisation grows at its present rate.

People with experience in specialist IT tasks would be exceptionally valuable for that undoubtedly is the efficient way forward to ease everything from membership records to pamphlet production. We ought to have a good informative Web Site and the maintenance needed to keep it up to date.

GEOLOGY GROUP
They are arguably the most attractive of the Network groups in South Wales. They have revised their proposals for their June Meeting which will be an 8 mile return coastal walk from Dunraven Bay to Nash Point, leader Tom Sharpe. Meet at 10.30am on Monday 22 June at Dunraven (Southerndown) public car park, Grid Reference OS Sheet 170 SS 885 732. Take a packed lunch.

If you leave your email address with Yvonne Thomas (01554 832337) she will send details of subsequent walks direct to you.

DISCUSSION GROUP
Roly Govier writes to say that the next meeting of the group scheduled for 26 May has been cancelled as St Mary's Church is celebrating th anniversary of the Post War Rebuilding. The next meeting will thus be 23 June, and an extra meeting has been arranged for 25 August.

LOCAL HISTORY GROUP
Bob Hughes sends the following

Local History Group Outing is on 14 July:

Tour & Tasting at Penderyn Whisky Distillery (£3.50).

Lunch at The Glancynon, Hirwaun. Visit Brecon.

Coach £9. Deposits of £5 to Barbara Brimfield a.s.a.p. please.

NICK Please make a slide of this for Wednesday 20 May

APPLE and ELM BLOSSOM TIME

The apple is in the foreground but the light green behind is Elm in flower (not yet leaf). Dare we hope it will continue to defy the beetle which killed off the majority of these beautiful trees.












MUMBLES MOSTLY JAZZ and BLUES FESTIVAL
Who would have been aware of music let alone an important new departure for Mumbles and Swansea. We walked along the sea front from West Cross on Sunday and saw hardly any sign of such an event. The one poster tied to a signpost in the square did acknowledge the festival with pictures of some of the main attractions, but absolutely nothing gave a schedule of four days of concerts, not even the time, location, price and where to buy tickets. Nor was there any sound of music or any sense of festival, though there were times when it sounded like the venue of a motorbike rally. Tickets and details it appeared were available from the Tourist Office, but the Tourist Office is closed on Sundays.

Yet we already had tickets for the festival marquee, purchased earlier from Jazzlands in Swansea, to one of the most enjoyable concerts we have ever attended, everyone we spoke to seemed of the same mind. Jazz is the one arts idiom in which Swansea has shone during my forty years here, this concert was amazing.

Tina May sang beautifully with a style reminiscent of Cleo Lane. Tina stage managed the event so joyfully that she got the very best from her supporting four piece band, mostly interweaving her singing with solos from all the instrumentalists and the drummer Dave Owm. They were improvising on well known standards up to Duke Ellington's time.

Like her tenor saxophonist Mornington Locket is a top British jazz star and nothing surpassed the duet between her voice and his sax towards the end of the concert, passing by even her duet with bassist Alun Vaughan which showed off her low register, plus songs with conventional accompaniment from Dave Cottle on the keyboards - a skill I have never heard from him before. The Dave Cottle trio (keyboards, bass guitar and drums) are the backbone of weekly Jazzlands concerts, and they emphasised how lucky we are to have them here in Swansea.

It made up for the disappointment of the Saturday evening concert in the Ostreme Hall, when Laurence Cottle, who featured in this months Jazz UK magazine, backed Mornington Locket and excellent front line guitarist Paul Stacey. They were let down by a poor sound system in the Ostreme Hall, where even the magnificent bass voice of Jazzlands announcer Berry Ray was unrecognisable. Laurence's bass was scarcely evident, contrast the excellent sound for Alun Vaughan the following day in the marquee.

OUTDOOR THEATRE at ST FAGANS
Marjorie Vanston as usual has organised tickets and buses for groups to attend firstly The Gondoliers and a second day for King Lear. Having taken the bookings and paid in advance for the party she is now collecting £20 from those who signed up, which covers coach and entrance tickets.

CREATIVE WRITING 1
Jill Govier's new group have now transferred to Hazel Court and meet the 4th Monday morning of the month in the Exercise room. She is looking to consolidate this group and would welcome additional support. A non-U3A Art painting group normally share the Crafts and Hobbies room with U3A Italian on the 4th Monday.

POLITICS and CITIZENSHIP
The second session on 'Contacts with Europe' will be held at 2pm in The West Cross Community Centre on Tuesday 12 May. Gabrielle Suff will lead the discussion. The topic is very timely for those who, like me, are confused about the issues and importantly need to decide which party to vote for in June's Election of the European Parliament. The Credit Crunch and the resulting world recession has highlighted the scale of global interaction. International cooperation is vital in the modern world - what better place to start than Europe. You disagree, then come and argue your point in a well mannered forum.

This is a group with a large and keen membership but one which would benefit from the injection of some new blood. Come, I think you will find the discussion stimulating - I did.

The AGM
Is just around the corner and the committee are calling for nominations for Officers and Committee members. This year there has been a supportive influx of new members, who number about 20% of the total membership of 688, it would be wonderful to see some encouraged to take a more formal role. There are three vacancies on the committee, but all posts are up for election.

VOLUNTEER HELPERS required.
Maybe you have specific IT skills like Desk Top Publishing, Web Site Design, Relational Data Base Design, or are prepared to help maintain the website. Maybe you would be willing to help in less specialist ways like preparing the content for newsletters, stuffing envelopes ready for posting, or help with social events. In all cases please make yourself known to me or any other member of the committee.

THE CHRONICLE
Publication has been put back since posting will now be with the request for membership renewal at the end of August, which seems more appropriate than original plan of rushing it out for the AGM. In consequence the last date for contributions has been put back to 30 June. Please submit articles to

derrick.jenkins@ntlworld.com

or by conventional mail to
Derrick Jenkins
122 Belgrave Road
Gorseinon
SA4 6RB

OUTING TO WELLS on 8 JULY
Organised by Barbara Garnham, the committee member responsible for Outings. The cost will be £11, but make your own arrangements for lunch. Until the coach leaves Wells the time will be entirely your own to visit the cathedral, market, or any way you choose. The coach will return after the nominal lunch break and stop at the Clark's Outlet in Street, where there will be an opportunity for shopping.

To book a place please contact Barbara Garnham on 773072 after 6pm
or Mo Ellard on 363465

NARBERTH U3A JAZZ DAY 20 MAY

Featuring New Orleans Jazz study plus performance by the Ken Colyer New Orleans Heritage Band.
Cost is £14, including lunch, coffee and tea at The Nant-Y- Ffin Hotel, Llandissilio. If you wish to attend please contact Margaret Massey on 205028 who I feel sure will also try to arrange group travel by car. This is the final call for this event.

SUNDAY LUNCH?
With our 50th wedding anniversary coming up we have been looking around for possible venues for a small family gathering. In the course of which we were advised to try out The Smugglers Haunt Restaurant at Port Eynon which is run by no less than three young chefs. That advice came from my daughter but she got it from a friend whose mother turns out to be the wife of Steve Johnson (French Tutor). Anyway it was good advice though we finally opted for Welcome to Town in Llanrhidian, for its restaurant rather than gastro-pub ambience.

A beautifully cooked set lunch at the Smuggler's Haunt is £10 for two courses or £12.95 for three. In place of which there is a choice of fresh local fish on the blackboard outside, in fact they specialise in using local ingredients. The meal I chose was from simple, cheap ingredients but all beautifully cooked with subtle flavours, freshly scrambled Gower eggs with baked red peppers and herbs (it's been added to our weekend breakfast menu), then a risotto of sherry, spring onion and ginger, and finally lemon posset, in fact all three deserts offered were outstanding. Between the three of us we sampled 75% of the whole lunch menu and only Joan's choice of rump steak was found wanting - as an avid red meat eater that would normally be my choice of main course, but I thought it was better avoided at the price. I normally drink red wine with anything, but thank goodness on this occasion I went for the subtler taste of white wine or I would have swamped the delicious cooking. Highly recommended, they offer a more traditional set menu at a slightly higher price for Sunday Lunch, and of course serve evening meals.

We intended to take visitors yesterday (the Tuesday after Bank Holiday Monday), but found they were unexpectedly closed due to staff shortage, so phone first on 391257.