Report on the January MeetingCivil Defence 1925-45 in the rural districts of Lutterworth
In Lutterworth preparations were in full swing before the outbreak of war. In 1925 an Observer group, led by the Chief Constable was founded. The Volunteers’ duties were to identify aircraft, and estimate their height and direction of flight. Based on the Greenacres site, the observer Group reported on Coventry and Leicester raids. Following the Air raid Precautions Act of 1935, the responsibilities for defence in1937 were passed to counties and rural districts, with the result that by 1939, most Councillors were skilled in defence. A notable character, George (Poker) Morris, Chairman of the Council and Governor of the Grammar School, became an ARP organiser. Air raid wardens were certificated and given an arm band, a tin helmet, a gas mask (only higher grades) a whistle and a wooden rattle to signal a gas attack. Their duties encompassed checking blackouts, putting out fires, notifying Control Centres of gas leaks and administering first aid. Lutterworth and District were targeted many times and although there was no loss of human life, many animals were killed. Exactly 75 years to date, i.e. 8th January 1940, food rationing became statutory. George Morris undertook the billeting of evacuees, 246 of whom arrived with a few teachers in Lutterworth. With just 3 hours’ notice to find housing for so many at the outbreak of war, was a daunting task! A mosaic of organisations pulled together throughout the war, involving women in WVS, the Red Cross and the Land Army. While young men were conscripted into the army, 1940 saw the harnessing of older men to the Home Guard. There were 3000 local volunteers, who patrolled the streets, without uniforms or equipment. The Ullesthorpe and Dunton Bassett Platoon, commanded by John Warren, guarded the A426- a key transit road which was full of troop movements. Church Lane, Dunton had special guards posted and POWs, mainly Italians were housed at Dunton, working by day in the surrounding fields. Weaponry was dated, rifles being imported from Canada and America. The local Home Guard had a Sten gun, a few hand grenades, a Lewis Machine Gun and an anti-tank gun-said to be good at close range. The ditches along the A426 had hidden oil-filled drums, which could be exploded in the event of an invasion. We could all identify with rural Lutterworth and Tony Bailey’s informative talk made us look with new eyes at our peaceful surroundings. We can reflect that the 50,000 Home Guard volunteers were the unsung heroes of World War 11. In our locality 18 died in service and 1000 were injured.
GROUP REPORTS
(in alphabetical order)
ART APPRECIATION
Co-ordinator
Ursula Kanetis 01455 553563 Our first meeting in 2015 took place at my house. Each of the 12 members introduced one of their favourite work of art to the group, stretching from medieval to modern times and from local artists to the world-famous ones. We not only learned a lot about the various chosen artists, but as well about each other, our likes and dislikes, our preferences and ideas. The discussion was so open, lively and encouraging that time just flew by.
For our next session we have chosen the Exhibition “ RECORDING BRITAIN “ at the Herbert Museum in Coventry ( 13.2.2015. at 12.00 ) Our group has now reached the magic number 13, and is therefore full. Any change in attendance will of course be announced.
BOOK CHAT
Co-ordinator
Mick Curtis
01455 554504
"Who Murdered Chaucer" by Terry Jones turned out to have a misnomer of a title. A learn-ed book written in essence by a committee led by an ex Python. Some of our group were intrigued and were able to find hidden meanings and although no conclusions could be drawn they thoroughly enjoyed the read from beginning to end. Others struggled and couldn't finish what was a very long book, but were determined to revisit and treat the book as reference source. Our next read is in complete contrast "Black Butterfly" by Mark Gatiss. An author who seems to be omnipresent on television at the moment. I predict that our group will have a lot to say about this novel.
I have been asked by the committee as to the state of our Book Chat group and have some good news and some bad news. We are very lively group and to date have read over 75 books and had some very lively discussions in our meetings not always about the books. However the bad news is although we like to think of our U3A as being inclusive, we feel the group has reached its optimum size,and we are unable to invite new members. But Sylvie and I are more than happy to help anyone set up another group to run on a day of their choosing. We are contactable on 01455 554504.
Sunday 25th January2015 –Burns Night Dinner at Lutterworth Golf Club. I think 22 of us went last year and it was obviously an experience that people wanted to repeat, as this year 27 signed up and said afterwards how much they had enjoyed the evening. The piper was magnificent – a joy to behold. However, the pipes starting up behind you unexpectedly as they brought in the Haggis is not an experience I would like to repeat!
I suggest that you pencil in Monday 25th January 2016 on the Memo Page at the back of your diaries for the next Burns Night Dinner.
U3A QUIZ NIGHT – Friday 30th January – I lost count of how many “Ethnic Diners” signed up for this event which we all enjoyed and asked Nigel to repeat SOON! –
Wednesday 25th February – I will make a booking at “Toro Latino Tex Mex “ – the new Mexican Restaurant at No 8 Church Street Lutterworth. (Their entrance is two shops beyond “Sound & Vision” - just before “Pizzaman”)..
Three of us went on a “Scouting Expedition” on Wednesday 21 January, and thoroughly enjoyed the experience and our choices. The Restaurant is well laid out and surprisingly spacious – rather like the Tardis. My two companions chose the Sirloin Steak and were surprised by the size of the meat portion and how tender it was! I went for the Fish Dish called “Puesta del Sol – ‘Sunset Fish’” and found it suited my palate. I like my tea and coffee hot but my spicy dishes “muted” and found that the sauce was flavoursome with an afterglow that didn’t make me feel as if my mouth had been assaulted by a flamethrower!
However – we all also went for Desserts – so I blew whatever calories I had saved on having a Fish Dish! The chocolate dessert I had was sumptuous without being sickening – quite a feat.Sign up today!
Wednesday 25th March – I will book for Camis Lounge – 19 -21 Market Street, Lutterworth – the “eaterie” that opened up in November – just above “The Greyhound”. During the day it serves hot beverages, cakes, afternoon teas and light lunches. Then sharing platters, tapas and nibbles in the evening, when it transforms into a Champagne/Tapas Bar serving premium beers and ciders, fine wines and champagnes by the glass and bottle. I had a “snack” there one evening before a Concert and their dipping oil was the nicest I have tasted in a long time. Other U3A members have also been and enjoyed it – again, a surprisingly spacious venue. I will make a provisional booking for 10.
Any Suggestions for NEW venues in April would be gratefully received.
FRENCH CONVERSATION
Co-ordinator
Sue Hicks
01858 880273
22 January 2015
We welcomed two new members to our group who introduced themselves in excellent French. Our first discussion subject was Christmas, followed by an article about the French New Year and chat about our plans for 2015. We have been invited to a French film by the Twinning Association and hope that several of us will be able to attend.
The next meeting will be on Thursday, 26 February 2015, when one of the topics will be a discussion of our views on astrology and horoscopes.
GARDEN GROUP
Co-ordinator
Sue Creeden
01455 557888
Our January meeting was a very inspiring talk by Margaret Richards, Co-ordinator of Market Harborough in Bloom volunteers. Margaret explained that the group of just over 20 volunteers plant up all the pots and baskets in the town for both the winter and summer seasons, tend the rose garden in Welland Park and maintain many other garden areas in Market Harborough. They also work with other voluntary groups, businesses, schools and youth groups. They have their own glass house and poly tunnels in which they grow most plants, mainly from small plugs. Thanks to the volunteers, Market Harborough has won several awards including Best East Midlands Large Town 2014.
In view of the winter weather, we will have another speaker for February. George Marshall, volunteer at the Hammond Arboretum in Market Harborough will tell us its history and about the work that has been carried out at the Arboretum over recent years. The talk will be on Tuesday, 24th February 2015 and, as in January, will be in the Sue Foggatt Room at the One Stop Shop, Wycliffe House (which houses Lutterworth Museum), Gilmorton Road, Lutterworth, LE17 4DY. We shall start at 2.00 p.m. and the talk will be about an hour followed by refreshments. The cost will be £5.00 (£2 towards room hire and expenses and £3 donation to Arboretum funds).
Just to let you know, I have the 2015 programme of visits arranged for the Lutterworth U3A garden group. The next visit will be to Titchmarsh House, Northamptonshire on Thursday, 23rd April. If you would like to join them or would like information on their other visits, please contact me.
Tuesday 20th January Palmers Garden Centre. There were 10 of us who enjoyed a meal together – with choices ranging from huge Yorkshire Puddings with a delicious filling, to the Soup and Sandwich Offer. My only disappointment was that they have moved the bird feeders from the garden by the Cafe – forgot to ask why. I don’t know about my fellows diners, but for once I managed to “escape” without buying any more orchids or biscuits!
Tuesday 17th February - Palmers Garden Centre, Ullesthorpe
In view of the recent snow, I think we should play safe and book at Palmers again. It is close to Lutterworth – warm! – and has a reasonably priced set of options on the Menu.
Tuesday 17th March – Farndon Fields Farm Shop Farndon Road, Market Harborough, LE16 9NP Tel 01858 464838 (Fork right on to Welland Park Road at the bottom of Lubenham Hill and then take next right on to Farndon Road and the Farm Shop is on the right after about half a mile.)
Nine of us went last May, enjoyed the meal and were very impressed by the range and quality of the goods on sale in the Shop - particularly the fresh vegetables. Farndon Fields philosophy is to serve top-quality seasonal food with low food miles, using the large range of quality ingredients sold in The Farm Shop. They aim to source primarily from their own farm, secondly from other local farmers and producers and thirdly from quality suppliers within the UK.
They have a Lunch and Light Bites Menu with items ranging from (Home Cooked Ham, 2 Fried Eggs & Twice Cooked Chips £8.00) - to (Beer Battered Cod, Twice Cooked Chips, Mushy Peas & Tartar Sauce £12.00) as well as various Paninis/Sandwiches/ Baguettes (Egg & Mayonnaise £3.50 – Steak £8) Baguettes 75p extra . It is also possible to order items from the Restaurant Menu such as Soup of the Day for £5
LIVELY DISCUSSION
Co-ordinator
Dot Barnard
01455 208190
12 Jan 2015
The role of religion in our lives
It was agreed that the ideal role of religion was to provide us with the moral code by which we should lead our lives. In the UK, Christianity has for centuries provided this, even for non-believers. As well as having a personal role, religion has also provided a huge cultural legacy such as wonderful cathedrals, music and art.
There has been a decline in the attendance at traditional churches because it was felt that they were not giving people what they wanted. Many churches were trying to address this by becoming more ‘child and community friendly’. Some evangelical churches seem to be more popular these days, presumably because they are responding better to modern day needs. Surprisingly enough, many of those who do not attend church still want to be married and buried there!
Over the centuries there have been numerous religious wars and conflicts. The current conflicts such as those in the Middle East, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nigeria and Libya are ruining the lives of millions of both Muslims and Christians. In addition, there were obvious concerns about the recent terrorist attacks in Paris. There have always been religious fanatics but the numbers seem to be increasing and the question of what to do about them was left unresolved. Clearly, religion has a lot to answer for. A final quote on this topic ‘Good men do good things and bad men do bad things. For good men to do bad things religion is needed’.
As a nation, we have not been strong enough in standing up for what we believe in and this has allowed other religious codes to grow and erode our traditional values. It was thought that more should be done in schools to address this problem
February Topic: How do we deal with childhood obesity?
We started our January session with a bit of fun - a poetry quiz brought by Dot complete with a bookmark prize for the winner. After that we read poems on our January topic which was "Births, Marriages and Deaths". There weren't many "Birth" poems - Gillian Clarke on the birth of a calf, some lines from William Blake and Langdon Smith, a naturalist who wrote a very interesting poem on evolution which combined themes of birth and love. There were however many "Marriage" poems, and most of those chosen were very sharp and funny, with poems by Pam Ayres, Judith Viorst, Carol Ann Duffy, W H Auden, Alma Dewey and Wendy Cope. The poem "The Best of Husbands" by John Saxe was more darkly comic while D H Lawrence's "Wedding Morn" was thought provoking, Gillian Clarke's "Overheard in County Sligo" somewhat wistful and Pauline Stainer's "The Honeycombe" very touching.
"Deaths" was not completely a sombre topic - we read Wendy Cope's very funny "My Funeral" complaining about egos let loose at such ceremonies and what she wanted for hers, and Marriott Edgar's very funny "The Lion and Albert" which was familiar to everyone (except me). On the other hand we also read excerpts from Tennyson's very moving poem "In Memoriam" and Tony Harrison's deeply touching "Long Distances".
The next meeting will be 26th February at 2pm and the topic is "Places", which may be buildings, cities, gardens or whatever catches the imagination.
PUB LUNCHES
Co-ordinator
Jill Graham
01455 557117
email grahjill@hotmail.com
Wednesday 7th January 2015 – The Elms, Lutterworth. A few senior moments surfaced with one or two “unbooked” extras appearing as well as 2 regulars who only came to say “Hello” because they were lunching with another group! However the Special Deal I mentioned has been discontinued over the Christmas period and I think most of us just went for the small Carvery. Someone commented on their vegetables being cold but I have wondered since if the plates were cold, and we didn’t notice because they are passed to us with a napkin holding them..
Wednesday 4th February 2015 – The Brewery again!– I know it is only 3 months since we last went there, but it is always a popular venue. It is near Lutterworth and on a well-used road – something to consider during the winter months. Report in Bulletin 89.
Wednesday 4th March 2015 – The Greyhound.in Market Street Lutterworth.
They have a Lunch and Light Bites Menu with items ranging from (Home Cooked Ham, 2 Fried Eggs & Twice Cooked Chips £8.00) - to (Beer Battered Cod, Twice Cooked Chips, Mushy Peas & Tartar Sauce £12.00) as well as various Paninis/Sandwiches/ Baguettes (Egg & Mayonnaise £3.50 – Steak £8) Baguettes 75p extra . It is also possible to order items from the Restaurant Menu such as Soup of the Day for £5
On the 16th January twenty five of us followed a historic trail around Gilmorton. It was a bitterly cold but dry morning which probably explains why we completed the walk at a brisk pace. The village of Gilmorton is of Saxon origin. In the nineteenth century it was primarily an agricultural community but had a thriving cottage industry, with many cottagers involved in producing woollen goods. Even as late as the 1950s the village boasted a large number of working farms, today there are far fewer. Most of the farm houses are now purely domestic dwellings. Architecturally they represent one of the most interesting and attractive aspects of the village, varying greatly in style and embellishments. Another interesting feature of the village, which for many of us was a real surprise, was to discover that it has, in the field alongside the church, a motte and the remains of what is believed to be a mediaeval fishpond.
Next Walk: Friday 20th February 11.30a.m.
We will be walking in Watermead Country Park, Leicester. The best way to get there from Lutterworth is to go North up the M1 to junction 21A and then follow the A46 towards Syston. There are signs to the park along this road. The main entrance is off Wanlip Rd (LE7 1PD) and we will meet in one of the main car parks in the centre of the park. There is an entrance fee (per car). Afterwards it is proposed we go to a nearby pub for our usual coffee and chat. The park is flat with some tarmac paths so it should be ok for our walk whatever the weather. Viv will email those of you on the mailing list nearer the time.
10 tickets have been provisionally booked to see a RSC production of Love’s Labour’s Won, better known as Much Ado About Nothing, on Monday March 2 at 7.15pm. Tickets cost £33 each. If you would like tickets, please contact Eddie Hemsley or myself before February 16. My email address is: ea.smalley@virgin.net or telephone 01455 556031. Thank you, Anne Smalley.
TRIPS
Co-ordinator
George Robertson
01455 559725 email:george9high@hotmail.com
Bletchley Park.
Friday 1st May 2015 £24.00 (£21.50 if you were on the Ely Trip)
I have booked a visit to Bletchley Park where you can see the work of the WW2 codebreakers and the Enigma Machine. Each visitor gets an interactive hand held video pad and can make their own way around the site. There are cafes for light refreshments. We will leave Lutterworth Leisure Centre at 10am and leave to return at 4pm. I don’t intend to continue providing the Broughton Astley pick up because it is time consuming and I don’t think those living in outlying villages gain much of an advantage. It also makes my job as an organiser much simpler. The Journey time should be less than 90 mins. Traffic permitting
Sign up sheet will be out at the next couple of meetings.
ELGAR’S BIRTHPLACE MUSEUM
ANDSPETCHLEY PARK GARDENS
I am looking at a combined visit to the above venues near Worcester on Thursday July 2nd.
The package includes :-
Refreshments on arrival at The Elgar Museum and a video presentation followed by time to explore the museum and the birthplace cottage.
Re-join the coach to go to Spetchley Park (8 miles away) where a light lunch would be served followed by an optional guided tour of the gardens and free time to explore the 30 acres of gardens and deer park.
We would arrive at The Museum at 11.00am and leave from Spetchley Park at 4.30pm. About 1hr 45mins journey time.
The all-inclusive cost would be £36.00
Since this is a more expensive trip than previous outings, I would appreciate an indication of interest before I proceed further.
1st WEDNESDAY WALKING GROUP
Co-ordinators
Roger Watmore 01455 552431
Julian Hargreaves 01455 557704
Date of Walk - 4th March 2015
Walk organiser– Lesley & Mike Chapman 01455 209972
Meeting Point and Time:- Lutterworth Recreation Ground Car Park at 9:20 to leave at 9:25am.
Directions to the start:-From Lutterworth take M1 and A14 to junction 2. Turn left on A508 towards Market Harborough. After driving through Kelmarsh, take first on right to Arthingworth. The Bulls Head is on the left on the main road near the top of the hill. LE16 8JZ.
Route and distance – 5.3 miles and no stiles. The route takes us via a bridle path to the Brampton Valley Way, through the Kelmarsh tunnel. Bring a torch if you have one, but we will have spares, and then returning to Arthingworth for pre-ordered lunch. At time of writing, 2 courses for £6.95 or main menu selection. Round trip distance from Lutterworth, 36miles.
January Walk
It was good to see 32 walkers and 3 dogs turn out for the first walk of the New Year, especially as rain was forecast for later. We were very lucky as the rain kept off apart from a few spots part way round. Upon returning to Brinklow after a very varied and interesting walk 27 walkers enjoyed a very good lunch at the Bulls Head.
Gill
4th WEDNESDAY WALKING GROUPCo-ordinators
Sue & Peter Creeden
01455 557888
IMPORTANT NOTICE
We are desperately looking for walk organisers for 27 May, 24 June and 22 July. If you can do any of these walks please can you contact Sue and Peter. Thank you
Wednesday 25 February 2015
Walk Organisers:- Peter and Mary Rolleston Tel: 01455 209156
Meeting Point and Time:- Lutterworth Recreation Ground car park at 9.10am to leave at 9.15am.
Start Point and Time:- The Red Lion Hellidon (NN11 6LG) to start at 10:00am
Directions to the Start:-. Go south on A5 to Kilsby then take A361 to Daventry to pick up the A45 then the A425 (Daventry is blessed with a lot of roundabouts but follow the signs for Staverton). In Staverton turn left to go through Upper Catesby and Catesby and then Stockwell Lane to reach the pub at Hellidon.
Route and Distance:-. The walk is along mainly gated roads passing through Lower and Upper Catesby and crossing a disused railway. There are no stiles. Distance will be approximately 5 miles.
Lunch arrangements:- The pub is serving food.
January 2015 Walk Report
The weather forecast for the morning, and a downpour on the way, did not deter 22 committed walkers starting off from the Chandlers Arms in Shearsby. After 20 minutes walking and having traversed an extremely sticky muddy field I sensed that there may have been some regrets. Peter Moore was seriously having to restrain himself from pulling out a double red card but remembered that he had been warned and, on this occasion, I would not accept one. We then walked up an incline, which it was pointed out to me was more a hill than an incline, to reach Knaptoft . Having passed through an extremely muddy farmyard, as we turned towards Bruntingthorpe, the weather lived up to its forecast and rain, sleet, and hailstones were thrown horizontally at us by a strong wind. We sheltered as best we could in the lee of a hedge. Fortunately it was over fairly quickly and we were able to continue. Entertainment was laid on as we crossed the Bruntingthorpe Road where we watched a car that had slid into a ditch being recovered. After another muddy field I decided that, because of the mud, the walk needed shortening to avoid mutiny. We stopped for a break at St Mary Church in Bruntingthorpe and then returned back to Shearsby along the Leicestershire Round having only to contend with a small downpour, a muddy field and a couple of inclines (or hills!). The Chandlers Arms looked after us very well and served lunch very promptly despite our early return.
Sue and Peter Creeden
JOINT WYCLIFFE LUTTERWORTH
And LUTTERWORTH U3A GROUPS
TUESDAY WALKING GROUPCo-ordinator
Gordon Jones (Lutterworth U3A)
01455 556192
Date of Walk: Tuesday 17th February Coordinator: Gordon Jones. Tel. 01455 556192 Walk Organizers: Brian Thorp. Tel 01455 209584
Meeting Point: Coventry Road Recreation Ground Car Park. Meeting Time: 09.20, leave at 09.30.
Start Point: Ullesthorpe Court Hotel
Route and distance: About 5½ miles of field paths and tracks.
Lunch: At the Ullesthorpe Court, carvery 2 for £10.00 or select from the menu. Directions to the Starting Point: From Lutterworth through Bitteswell to Ullesthorpe. Turn right towards Frolesworth, the Ullesthorpe Court is on the right after about 300 yards. Park toward the rear of the car park. Set off at 10.00.
Return Mileage from Lutterworth: 8 Miles.
JOINT GOLF GROUP (with Lutterworth U3A)
Co-ordinator (Lutterworth U3A)
Peter Moore
01455 552594
Next Joint Golf Day - Organiser :- Peter Moore Tel:- 01455 552594 email:- peter79moore@gmail.com The next Golf Day will be at Lutterworth Golf Club on Thursday 16th April 2015. competing for the Hartopp Trophy and Prizes. Meet at 12.00 Hrs, for 1.00pm Tee off, in the Golf Club Bar. Coffee and Bacon Roll included on arrival. To confirm your attendance or for full itinerary, including Meal choices, please contact Peter Moore, by Sunday 4thApril 2015
Cost each approx. £30.00 To include Coffee and Bacon Roll, Green Fee, Prizes and Dinner. (Dependent upon numbers) Don't forget to invite your Wives/Partners/Husbands for 2 course Dinner at 6.30pm in the Golf Club Restaurant.Cost £11.00p. per person.Coffee/Mints included. Jackets and Ties *not required*
Seasons Forthcoming Golf Days. Hinckley Thursday June 11th 2015. Ullesthorpe Thursday July 30th 2015 Whetstone Thursday September 17th 2015, Away Day Leamington and County G.C. Friday 9th October 2015, These are all provisional dates to be confirmed.
Full details of all above events in future Newsletters.
