Monthly Bulletin for September 2014
Notices from the Committee
Display Board
We have a display board upon which we would like to publicise and promote our many Interest Groups. If you have, or would like to take photos of special events or outings within your Groups, please let Sue Creeden have them. Displays will be updated each month. You can contact Sue on 01455 557888 or send photos via email to sueandpeter.creeden@talktalk.net
Keep Fit
Following the talk given to us a couple of months ago by the Leisure Centre on the importance of remaining active, would anyone be interested in forming some sort of Keep-Fit Group. This could consist of Pilates, yoga, swimming, step, circuit training, spinning or anything else you can think of. Or maybe a mix of all. The Leisure Centre made it clear they would be happy to tailor something, anything, to our needs. If you are interested, please either put your name to the list on the U3A notice board, or contact Nigel on 01455 209756.
Nigel Bones Interest Group Co-ordinator
Refreshments As our numbers have increased so much ( fantastic!) ,Barbara has found that we need 3 people to make the teas and coffees. She is struggling to get enough people to spread the load, so if you could offer to help it would be much appreciated. She aims to get enough volunteers, so that people would only need to take a turn once a year. If you could offer to help, please contact Barbara Ewen on 0116 2779837, or speak to her at the meeting. Report on the August Meeting This meeting, entitled “Keep the Home Fires Burning”, celebrated the lives of four soldiers commemorated on the Bitteswell Memorial. Combining detailed research by the Family History Group, paintings from the Art Group, and Poetry readings by the Poetry Group together with songs of the period, Chairman Jane linked through lively prose, this poignant presentation. Contrasting poems chosen and read very movingly by members of the poetry group spanned the War years to the present day. In period costume the small singing group led community singing, ably accompanied by organist Mike Chapman, whose arrangements were much appreciated. Poems from the 1900’s to the present day were read by members of the poetry group. with feeling. In character, relatives of fallen soldiers told the story of their demise from their own perspective, and its effect on the family, striking a chord with many present. Finally spirits were lifted whilst trying to sing two songs at the same time. The official meeting having ended, many stayed to examine the precious artefacts on display and look more closely at the paintings.
This stimulating presentation generated a buzz of excitement and lively conversations. We eagerly await the in depth study soon to be available from the Family History Group
Thanks are due to all the members and groups who combined to produce this homespun meeting to such a high standard. WLU3A putting members’ talents to great use. .
GROUP REPORTS
(in alphabetical order)
ART APPRECIATION **** NEW GROUP******
Co-ordinator
Ursula Kanetis
01455 553563
We now have fixed day and time for this new group: Third Monday of each month at 2pm.
Our first gathering will be on Monday, 15.September at 2pm at the Botanical Gardens in Leicester for the Annual Sculpture Show. Entrance: Glebe Road.
Looking forward seeing you then.
ART GROUP
Co-ordinator
Chris Brady
01455 209108
The work we have been doing recently has been very rewarding and all should be proud of the results.
Over the summer we have dabbled in Cubism, which was not to everyone’s taste and have looked at drawing children with minimum detail to capture the roundness of young limbs Each painter has pursued her own interests and progress has been proportionate to practice at home. We continue to enjoy catching up on news and looking at work with positive comments.
We meet again for “Art Therapy” on September 16th.
CYCLING GROUP
Co-ordinator
Nigel Bones
01455 209756
Another terrific cycle ride during August. Once again, bright sunny weather, but with the occasional ominous looking cloud that came to nothing, and a blustery wind.
We parked up at a car park on the Brampton Valley Way (the old railway track between Northampton and Market Harborough), and cycled towards Market Harborough through the Kelmarsh Tunnel where we had to dismount and walk through the dark . Fortunately, we had come prepared with good lights, but still an interesting experience. Coming off the track at Kelmarsh, we stopped for a coffee break at a Buddhist retreat of all places. This turned out to be a gem of a place where we had coffee and cake served from their little coffee shop in delightful grounds. (If you ever want a pleasant morning out with an excellent cup of coffee, you have to try this place - you don't have to cycle there!).
After leaving the Buddhist Centre, we cycled along country lanes and beautiful countryside back to our starting point (16 miles in total), and then drove to Brampton Halt pub for an excellent lunch and drink.
A big thank you to Julian for organising the ride. September's ride will be more local, so if you would like to join us please contact Nigel
ETHNIC DINING
Co-ordinator
Jill Graham
01455 557117
Email: grahjill@hotmail.com
Wednesday 27th August – The Attic, Kilworth Springs Golf Club When we went to Kilworth Springs for one of our Wednesday Lunches earlier in the year, the builders were putting the finishing touches to the spiral staircase that allows golfers to access the Attic Balcony from outside.
Their advertising says that the Attic Restaurant offers modern British cuisine, perfectly cooked and set in contemporary and stylish surroundings. Certainly the 5 of us who went received a warm welcome. The atmosphere was relaxed and while there were other diners present, because of the layout of the tables we felt as if we were the only ones there. We enjoyed the food, the drink and the atmosphere and the attentiveness of the staff – which was good without being irritating. While more expensive than our usual outings, we felt that we had enjoyed the experience and would go back at some future time
Wednesday 24th September – Mobius Greek Restaurant, Braunstone Gate, Leicester
They offer two Menus – The Special Menu – 3 Courses for £10 offers all Greek Dishes – (Choice of 5 Starters, 5 Mains and 2 Desserts) while the individually priced Kokino Menu offers 19 Starters, 22 Mains and 6 Desserts (all the items listed on the Special Menu are also offered on the Kokino Menu)
Interested? Want to know more? Website is www.mobius-restaurant.com We will try to sort out a Car Share to make life easier. Parking is on the street and the Restaurant seemed to think that we would not have any trouble parking in the early evening.
October and November – undecided – but we might change the night again to go back to Le Bistrot Pierre in Leicester.
FAMILY HISTORY
Co-ordinator
Jackie Yeo
01455 552376
Tuesday 26th August
Five members of the group met and reviewed the progress of the Bitteswell War Memorial Book that we have been working on. We discussed printing etc. and Jackie and Bob will be approaching the College to work this out. It is hoped to have the finished book available at the November meeting, to coincide with Remembrance Day.
FRENCH CONVERSATION
Co-ordinator
Sue Hicks
01858 880273
28 August 2014 We discussed articles on women’s rights and pets in general. Sylvie Hitchen suggested some discussion topics for the next meeting. We chose “When we were young, life was sometimes difficult. Do you think it is more difficult for young people nowadays?” and “Dog or Cat?”. People were asked to consider their views and bring a vocabulary list to assist them.
The next meeting will be on 25 September.
GARDEN GROUP
Co-ordinator
Sue Creeden
01455 557888
Fortunately it stayed dry if not very summery for 18 Group Members and five guests from Lutterworth U3A to enjoy a very interesting and informative tour of Hill Close Gardens in Warwick. There are 16 Victorian hedged gardens remaining of the original 32 first established in 1845 for local tradesmen to escape from the crowded town centre, and they have been restored using original photographs and drawings. Our guide was able to give background about many of the families that owned or rented the gardens during the second half of the 19th and early 20th centuries.
There will be two events for the Group in September: On Tuesday 16th September we have been invited back by Mick Cross – the Dahlia Man – to see some of his prize winning dahlias and he will tell us how to stake them and care for them. We will meet at his home – Woodcroft, Ashby Lane, Bitteswell (LE17 4SQ) at 7.00 p.m.
On Tuesday 23rd September (our normal meeting day) we shall be visiting Sulby Gardens, Northamptonshire NN6 6EZ. Originally the gardener’s cottage, walled kitchen garden and orchard for Sulby Hall, the garden has been restored over the last 38 years as a working garden and wildlife habitat. Covering 12 acres, the site includes woodland, wetland and meadow as well as the orchard, kitchen garden and original Victorian carnation house. Please note the formal garden area is limited, it is more woodland and nature reserve and, therefore, paths are uneven and could be muddy in places (stout shoes required).
We will meet at Lutterworth Recreation Ground Car Pak at 2.00 p.m. to share lifts and arrive at 2.30 p.m. There is not a guided tour but we will be given an introduction by the owner, Alison Lowe, and a map to view the gardens at leisure. Refreshments (tea and cake) will then be available. The cost is £4.00 (for the local Wildlife Trust) and £3.00 for refreshments.
If you would like to join us on either of these visits, please contact Sue Creeden by email on sueandpeter.creeden@talktalk.net or telephone 01455 557888 as soon as possible.
GARDEN LUNCHES
Co-ordinator
Jill Graham
01455 557117
email grahjill@hotmail.com
Tuesday 19th August – Manor Farm Shop & Tea Room, Catthorpe Nine of us enjoyed a meal together with about half of us opting for the roast dinner which is available on a Tuesday. Going to Manor Farm also gave us the opportunity to buy fresh produce and I think we all went away with some freshly picked fruit, eggs etc etc. Since it is so close to Lutterworth, it would be a useful choice for the winter months too.
Tuesday 16th September – Stanton Lakes (Broughton Road, Stoney Stanton, LE9 4JA - Tel 01455 283043) As they have another, larger, party there that day, I will try to get their Menu to put out at the September U3A Meeting (11 September) so that I can let them have our choices ahead of the day.
Tuesday 21st October – Caffe Crema, Alma Park, Wibtoft The Caffe Crema can be approached either from the A5 just before Wibtoft or – more easily, I think - coming out of Lutterworth through Ullesthorpe and turning left in Claybrooke Parva just before the School (the road is signposted to Monks Kirby). The Cafe itself is very cosy and they have a room that can accommodate our small party. Very friendly and willing to accommodate. Be warned – the drive from the road is half a mile long! When you reach the car park, drive across to the far left corner near the buildings and Caffe Crema is through on the left.
Tuesday 18th November – I suggest we go back to The Malt Kiln Farm Shop at Stretton under Fosse.
LIVELY DISCUSSION
Co-ordinator
Dot Barnard
01455 208190
11th August 2014 The Commemoration of WW1
CHILDREN IN WW1
Since WW1 is such a vast topic we changed from our normal format and members chose a particular aspect of the War to research. These are detailed below. In addition some shared anecdotes about their ancestors’ involvement in the Great War. A relative of one member had his name read amongst the 140 commemorated each day at the Tower of London on 11th August at 8.40pm, when The Last Post was sounded.
TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENTS in WW1
Technology changed the conduct of war. In the beginning 19th century tactics meant the use of massed infantry and cavalry charges. By 1917-18 smaller groupings of around 10 man squads were used and we saw armoured cars, tanks, and the first portable submachine machine guns together with automatic rifles. Rapid developments followed on land, sea and in the air; as well as in non-military areas. Examples are:
TANKS, AIRCRAFT CARRIERS, DEPTH CHARGES, LORRIES & ARMOURED CARS SUBMARINES & TORPEDOS, AIR TO GROUND RADIO, MACHINE GUNS, AEROPLANES
HYDROPHONES, PILOTLESS DRONES, POISON GAS, TRACER BULLETS
FLAMETHROWERS, BARBED WIRE CUTTING SHELLS, THOMAS LEG SPLINTS,
BLOOD TRANSFUSION APPARATUS, MOBILE XRAY MACHINES
The big breakthrough was the Internal Combustion Engine which made possible these major mobility developments on land, sea and in the air.
LAND
Trench warfare using barbed wire and ‘Up and Over tactics caused huge losses. The deadliest battles were at Gallipoli, the Marne, Cambrai, the Somme, Verdun and Ypres.
1914 saw the advent of the machine gun which was copied by the Germans from Sir Hiram Maxim who came to the UK from the US and invented air cooling for planes. At Waterloo in 1815, a musket could fire 4 rounds per minute, the machine gun in 1914 fired 600. At the Somme German machine guns killed/wounded 60,000 Brits in 1 day. Artillery & high explosives were developed and German guns were the best, causing the largest losses of the whole conflict. There was a new technique of lobbing shells upwards and not straight ahead. "Flash Spotting" and "Sound Ranging" were invented, helping to discern by the sound of guns and their flashes from where artillery fire was coming. There was fragmentation damage and many head wounds.
In 1915 the French Adrian helmet was invented because of the very many head wounds. It was copied by Britain and the US and called the Brodie. Also Germany had the Stahlhelm still used today - with improvements. Fritz Haber invented poison gas in Germany, which luckily for the Russians in January of that year froze in its canisters at Bolimov. By April at Ypres it was used against the French and was windborne from the canisters. Later gas bearing shells were used by all sides. It is estimated that 1.3m casualties were affected - 0.25m civilians due to drifting. Gas masks were invented from necessity. One of Winston Churchill’s programmes conceived a ‘landship’ to crush barbed wire, span trenches and fire on the enemy. Interestingly in 1482 Leonardo da Vinci had envisioned a wheeled armoured shield! Another invention in this year was the flame thrower; first designed by a cricketing fielder in 1901 it was perfected as the flammenwerfer.
By1916 it was in large scale use notably in February at Verdun where each side only suffered between 700 and 1,000 casualties. 1916 saw the British invention of caterpillar tracks which originated in the US as an idea in 1770s. These were first used at the Somme, initially in small numbers. They were slow and unreliable, but spread terror, and the fumes killed more crew than enemy fire.
In 1917 at Cambrai there were 100+ tanks in action, by the Amiens battle this rose to 534, but then reduced in number, mostly because they broke down. Strangely the Germans never took to the concept. Also by1917 the Germans had laid 571,000 miles of telephone cable to improve communications and replace cut ones. However radio was beginning to be used.
AIR
1903 saw the first Wright aeroplane, and by 1911 spotter planes were being used in the Italo-Turkish war. Things progressed and in 1912 hand grenades were dropped and photos were taken from planes.
In 1914 208 Allied and 180 German unarmed planes were spotting troops and artillery. By the war's end the RAF alone had 22,500 aircraft. They spotted that the German army had shifted east not west as intelligence on the Schlieffen plan had indicated and many lives were saved. Cameras were used to map trenches which prolonged the conflict as moves could not be kept secret. Hand guns were in use, together with observation balloons. These balloons housed 2 observers with parachutes as the chutes were too heavy for planes.
In 1915 Frenchman Roland Garos fitted a machine gun and deflector plates to his plane and shot down 5 Germans. Focker perfected interrupter gear to fit to machine guns (patented by Schneider a Swiss in 1913), which could fire through the spinning propellers without striking the blades.1915 – 16 Zeppelins bombed the English coast.
In 1916 German twin engined bombers started to appear.
In 1917 the first radio voice to ground messages were heard, previously hand signals or throwing messages overboard were the methods of communication.
1918 the Handley Page 4 enginned bomber was born. The battle cruiser Furious had 18" guns removed, fearing it might shatter to bits, and a steel deck was welded into place. This was the first genuine aircraft carrier. Planes were launched against the Zeppelin hangers at Tondern. Seaplanes were fitted with torpedos. At the war’s end the RAF numbered 292,000 men and 22,500 women.
SEA
Submarines were possessed by both sides. They were developed by the Germans as their fleet was blockaded by the British Navy. A new use for the internal combustion engine was found. Submarines had the diesel engine on the surface and the batteries submerged. 5,000 Allied ships were lost and 199 U Boats sunk.
In 1914 the hydrophone was invented by Fessenden of Canada (for detecting icebergs following the TITANIC disaster).
1916 the Royal navy developed the depth charge and in April 1916 first U Boat was sunk.
NON MILITARY
In October 1914 the portable X-ray machine was created by Madame Curie to diagnose factures. It was carried in French cars/trucks and 18 were in use by war’s end.
1916 saw the invention of the Thomas splint which was named after its inventor Hugh Owen Thomas, a Welsh surgeon. Only 12% of wounds were to the torso. Leg wounds were the most common often leading to amputation. In 1914 80% with a broken femur died, but in 1916 80% survived.
In 1917 the first blood bank was set up. Initially transfusions were from donor to patient. Then a US Army doctor Capt. Oswald Robertson established the first blood bank, using sodium citrate to prevent coagulation. Blood was kept on ice for up to 28 days then sent forward to casualty clearing stations.
CONCLUSION
Many of these developments would be improved and used with a vengeance during WW2, notably the aeroplane, the aircraft carrier, the submarine and the tank.
THE EFFECTS ON THE CLASS SYSTEM
The War had an enormous effect on the class system. The men in the trenches who had been raised to respect and revere their ‘betters’ found that everyone on the end of a German bullet died in the same way. It didn’t matter if he was an officer, general, gunner or stretcher bearer. This was acknowledged in the cemeteries where men were not buried by rank.
At home in Britain the huge death rate had virtually broken the aristocracy, who by and large provided the officer class. In so many families the heirs were wiped out. The level of taxation was raised and the old way of living was no longer possible. These families were no longer able to maintain the huge domestic staff as they did before.
On the home front women went into factories and made munitions. The Women’s Land Army was formed in 1916 as they replaced men on the land. Many became nurses, a previously despised occupation. Even aristocratic women volunteered for nursing and VAD (Voluntary Aid Detachment) work. At the beginning of the War the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) would have nothing to do with women doctors, by 1916 when things became desperate they took on female doctors. All this previously male work meant women became more independent and had a greater feeling of self-worth.
After the War women were anxious to maintain this and did not want to return to the drudgery of domestic work where they were not treated as individuals. There was a growing feeling of Jack being as good as his master and it gave ordinary people the courage to strive for a better life. In the Forces men found that they were capable of many skills, which they were willing to build on back in Civvy Street.
All these factors slowly eroded the rigid pre-war barriers and eventually contributed to a more equitable society which ultimately made us a more cohesive and stronger society which paid dividends in 1939 when we were called on once again to go to w
THE EFFECTS OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR ON SUFFRAGE
Henry VI established in 1432 that male owners of property worth more than 40 shillings could vote. Changes were made to the detail but no major reforms took place until the Reform Act of 1832
Reform Act 1832 - voting rights given to males renting or owning property and land of a certain value (1 in 7 males)
The Reform Act 1867 extended the franchise to men in urban areas with a property qualification.
Representation of the people Act 1884 addressed the imbalances between boroughs and the countryside and brought the voting population to 5.5 million. But still 40% of males were disenfranchised because of the property qualification, and of course all women were disenfranchised, even if they qualified as property owners. Lily Maxwell, a shop owner, did manage to vote in 1867 because her name was put on the electoral register in error. Her vote was later declared illegal but it gave the women’s suffrage movement great publicity.
There had been concern about the exclusion of women from the vote for many years but it was not until 1872 that it became a national movement. Up to 1903 all campaigning was by peaceful means but following the defeat of the Women’ Suffrage Bill, the Women’s Social and Political Union was formed by Emmeline Pankhurst and it began to employ more militant tactics (demonstrations, stone-throwing, arson, window smashing and hunger strikes).
At the outbreak of WW1, Emmeline Pankhurst, who was convinced that Germany posed a threat to humanity, persuaded the Women’s Social and Political Union (the more militant group) to stop all militant activity. During the War there was a serious shortage of men and women were required to take on many of the traditional male roles
However, lobbying still continued and political movement during the War years towards changes in the law was influenced by the fact that many men returning from the from the front were disenfranchised (because of the property requirements) and large numbers of women who had done vital work both at home and overseas had no vote.
Finally in 1918 the Representation of the People Act was passed. This act allowed all men over 21 to vote and there were no property restrictions. The vote was also given to women over 30 but for them there were property restrictions. This act increased the electorate from 7.7 million to 21.4 million of which 8.5 million were women. It took until 1928 for women’s rights to become equal with those of men.
One other aspect of the voting system was also affected by WW1 – this was plural voting. People with an affiliation to a university could vote in the university and in their home constituency. Property owners with property in a different constituency from the one in which they lived could also vote in both and if they also had a university association they could have three votes. In 1910 the Liberal government wanted to stop this but the bill was shelved because of WW1. This was only abolished in 1948.
THE EFFECTS OF THE WAR ON WOMEN
Jobs in the Civil Service, factories, docklands, tramways, the Post Office and on the land were feminised. In July 1914 3.2 million women were employed in industry. This jumped to 4.8 million by April 1918. 40% of these women were married compared with only 14% prior to the War.
Many encountered hostility from male workers who were worried about competition and de-skilling of their jobs. The breaking down of complex jobs into simpler tasks was seen as a way to solve the problem of a shortage of male skilled workers without threatening male wages.
The effect of War on working class standards of living was encouraging. There was full employment, rationing, rising bacon imports and increased consumption of milk and eggs. Improved social provision meant that working class families were better off. Average working class incomes doubled between 1914 and 1920. However, price levels dropped in the aftermath of War. Only 1300 were killed when Zeppelins rained bombs on London in 1915.
In 1918 Parliament passed the Representation of the Peoples Act which gave the vote to an additional 5 million men and 8.5 million women. The women had to be over 30, and householders or occupiers of property with an annual value of not less than £5. Ironically the women of the Land Army and who worked in the war industries did not receive the vote until 1928.
WW1 DESERTERS
During WW1 306 soldiers nearly all of low rank, were shot for desertion or cowardice. If a prisoner was accused of desertion he would have a court martial but with no access to legal representation. A condemned man legally had the right to petition the king for clemency but no-one ever did because they weren’t told this unless they were an officer (apparently 15 officers avoided the death sentence this way).
Those shot included men walking around dazed and traumatised with what we would now call PTSD and which was hardly surprising given the principal strategy in trench warfare. This was to send troops over the top to walk across no man’s land with the objective of reaching the enemy’s trenches and shooting them. The distance varied from a few yards to several hundred yards or more. The ground, however, was usually flat, exposed and without cover, deep in mud and littered with bodies and body parts, shell holes and barbed wire. The enemy was equipped with machine guns which could mow down approaching troops with small risk to themselves.
In one well documented case men were shot for desertion, because they were following orders to leave their posts to carry information to another trench. Many of these men were in fact no more than boys, young and vulnerable – several were teenagers who had volunteered and one was just 16 years old.
To be condemned this way was not only a dreadful injustice but also meant their families couldn’t claim a pension, were made to suffer stigma and shame and could lose their homes.
Of course there has now been a blanket pardon for these men but shamefully (in my view) not until 2006.
PARLIAMENT DURING WW1
In 1911 Ramsey MacDonald became Party Leader (formally "Chairman of the Parliamentary Labour Party"), but within a short period his wife became ill with blood poisoning and died. This affected MacDonald greatly. He had always taken a keen interest in foreign affairs and knew from his visit to South Africa just after the Boer War had ended what the effects of modern conflict would be. Although the Parliamentary Labour Party generally held an anti-war opinion, when war was declared in August 1914, patriotism came to the fore. Labour supported the government in its request for £100m of war credits and, as MacDonald could not support this, he resigned the Chairmanship. Arthur Henderson became the new leader while MacDonald took the party Treasurer post. During the early part of the war he was extremely unpopular and was accused of treason and cowardice.
The impact of the First World War on the Commons deserves attention, not least because by January 1915 the number of MPs on active service was 184 out of a House of 690. Altogether during the war, 264 MPs held military rank in some capacity.
Munitions of War Act 1915 and the employment of women This legislation gave the newly created Ministry of Munitions power to declare factories controlled establishments, and restrict the freedom of workers to leave, through a system of certificates and of tribunals. The Ministry was given power to regulate wages in the industry in 1916. Strikes in war industries were made illegal and labour disputes went to compulsory tribunals. In practice, strikes continued in the UK throughout the war. The concern that lower wages paid to women engaged in munition work would prejudice the position of skilled men returning from the war is made clear in this response from the Minister, Lloyd George on 21 October 1915:
Mr. LLOYD GEORGE: It would be a violation of the spirit and the letter of the Munitions Act if the employment of women or unskilled men on munitions work should be utilized for the purpose of lowering the remuneration of men customarily engaged on that class of work.
The proportion of women in total employment rose from 24% in July 1914 to 37% by November 1918. Women had proved themselves in the workforce, a factor in earning them the vote, but after the war employment levels fell back.
Sittings in both Houses of Parliament were suspended on the evening of 18 December 1917 due to the threat of German air raids. The then chairman of Committees, Mr Whitley, suspended the sitting in the Commons at 7pm, but an indignant backbencher Mr Billing put a point of order when the Commons returned after 9pm stating: ”are we to understand that if another warning be given this House will proceed to the cellars again?” Press censorship prevented the evacuation being made public.
CHILDREN IN WW1
500,000 children lost their fathers in WW1. Some had never met them as only 3 days leave was allowed in a year and 9 months later their mothers gave birth. Some children had a distant memory of their parent when he came home for a few days. Deserters were shot as cowards and their widows didn’t receive pensions. Some became homeless and were ostracised by their neighbours. Many women became single mothers and others remarried but some step fathers only treated their own children kindly. Of those children who never or barely knew their fathers, today they say it has affected their whole lives even now in their 80s and 90s.
Rationing meant that children were often mal-nourished. The enormous numbers going off to fight left shortages of workers in every industry. As with women, children began to work in factories and on the land. This at a time when laws against child labour had come into effect. The very first jobs they did were as newspaper sellers as everyone was avid for news of the war. The youngest child known to have done this was 6.
People, including children were excited by the war and boys went out after air raids to examine bombs, and zeppelins which had been brought down. Because of the recruitment drive many young boys believed the propaganda and lied about their ages in order to join up. The Army stopped asking for birth certificates and turned a blind eye. The youngest to sign up was thought to be John Condon from Waterford in Ireland who was 12. On his gravestone his age was given as 14, but he had only enlisted earlier that year. Jack Cornwall, a sailor, died aged 16 and 4 months. He received the VC for bravery posthumously as he kept firing until he died at the Battle of Jutland in 1916. Perhaps the most famous young recruit was Rudyard Kipling’s son John who was 16. His eyesight was so poor that he should not have been taken on, but Kipling pulled strings and he lost his only son John aged 18. After that he and his wife became strongly anti-war. Victor Silvester band leader, joined up when he was 16, and his parents tried to get him back, only succeeding when he was wounded and he was found at a medical station.
Pathe News has many film clips on the internet showing many very young soldiers; and showing children working on the land. In one film a lad in full uniform is attaching a bayonet to his gun and doing drill with it just the same as an adult soldier. There is no sound, but he looks to be about 7 or 8. At public schools many young lads from the same house or form joined up, meaning that almost whole year groups were wiped out.
We can only speculate on the number of young girls who didn’t have the chance to marry and have families.
Many thanks to all Lively Discussion Group members who put this article together
October Topic– Scottish Independence
In addition some shared anecdotes about their ancestors’ involvement in the Great War. A relative of one member had his name read amongst the 140 commemorated each day at the Tower of London on 11th August at 8.40pm, when The Last Post was sounded.
Many thanks to all Lively Discussion Group members who put these very interesting articles together.
Don’t forget to read the articles on the webpage
October Topic– Scottish Independence
POETRY GROUP
Co-ordinator
Sylvia Hitchen
0116 247 8353
Sylvia.hitchen@btinternet.com.
The theme of August's meeting was "World War 1 Poetry" and as I hadn't been able to attend the main U3A group meeting the others repeated the readings they had undertaken there. Jill read the famous Rupert Brooke poem "The Soldier", Peter read "Mother Kissed me in my Dreams", a very sad poem written from the point of view of a soldier anticipating death. Marjorie read Roger McGough's "A Square Dance" which uses dance imagery to bring out the horror of war and Dot read Owen Shears "Mametz Wood", a poignant piece on unearthing soldiers' buried bones for years after this terrible battle.
This was understandably an emotional session, with the sheer horror of the war brilliantly and devastatingly brought into focus by the likes of Wilfred Owen, Roger McGough, Eric Bogle, Edward Thomas, Laurence Binyon and Siegfried Sassoon among others. Also read was Robert Frost's famous "The Road not Taken", written in response to his friend Edward Thomas who couldn't decide whether or not to sign up. (Sadly he did, and so lost his life).
September 's topic is "The sun, moon and stars" and the meeting will begin at 2.30pm.
PUB LUNCHES
Co-ordinator
Jill Graham
01455 557117
email grahjill@hotmail.com
Wednesday 6 August – The Bell Inn, Husbands Bosworth Twenty-one of us turned up for this meal and enjoyed the choice and meals provided. One lady complained about the length of time it took before our meals came. However, since she and the other early arrivals had spent the time chatting rather than ordering their meals, this is what led to a lengthy bottleneck while people made their choices and paid. I must compliment the lady behind the bar who sorted us all out with patience and cheerfulness - she was a real tonic.
SO - PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE - when we go to The Shires in Peatling Parva on October 3rd, will you check the Specials Board on the left as you go in and ORDER your meal straight away.
Wednesday 3 September – The Axe & Compass, Wolvey The numbers opting for this lunch venue has gone up and down like the tide as some people have found themselves unable to go and others have rung up to check that they are on the list. About the same number (25) of us went there for an Ethnic Meal last year and everyone enjoyed it very much. There was a real “buzz” about the place and it will be interesting to see whether the “Lunch Group” enjoy it as much as the “Ethnic Group” did.
Wednesday 1 October – The Shires, Peatling Parva I had made a booking with the Pig in Muck for this date but was told that because we were a party, we would have to go upstairs. I was told that those people having the Carvery would have to carry it up themselves, as well as their drinks. Having thought about it overnight, I rang to cancel, as a lot of us have enough trouble just getting ourselves up steps and stairs without a plateful of food in our hands!
Wednesday 5th November – I am intending to book in at The Brewery and then perhaps go to The Elms on 7th January.
SCRABBLE
Co-ordinator
Pat Hunter
01455 699935
11 Greenacres Drive
The August meeting of the Scrabble Group saw our all-female players welcome Jim Davey into the Scrabble fold. Jim enjoys playing Scrabble so we hope that he will become a regular player with us. We play for enjoyment and are not sticklers to the rules within reason. Although I did hear someone say once “We’re not competitive, we just like to win!” – Whoops, that might have been me who said it.
I would like to ask that anyone in the Scrabble Group who is a regular player to phone or email the day before the meeting if they are unable to attend. I can accommodate reasonably comfortably 10 – 12 players (if 4 of these don’t mind playing electronically on the IPad). However it is difficult and annoying if the furniture has to be rearranged at the last minute to make sure all the games have 3 or 4 players taking part on each board. If you would prefer to send an email rather than phone, my address is pathunter53@gmail.com
Thank you for your co-operation.
SNAIL’S PACE WALKING GROUP
Co-ordinator
Sheila Eggleton
01455 554387
sheilaeggleton@yahoo.co.uk
SEPTEMBER WALK: FRIDAY 19TH
Dot has organised this walk. We will meet in the car park of the Fox Inn in Hallaton on the day. A lady called Liz Wilson will take us on a guided tour of the village and will arrange for the museum and church to be open as part of our walk. There will be a charge of £2.00 for this walk/museum tour. Dot will collect the money at the next monthly meeting. If you are not able to go to the monthly meeting can you please ask someone to make your payment for you
NB
I will send final details regarding how to get to Hallaton, menu, footwear etc. nearer the date of the walk, so please make sure that Dot or I have your email address if you want to go on the walk Sheila
AUGUST WALK REPORT
On a beautifully mellow, sunny morning sixteen of us set off from the 'Barley Mow' pub in Newbold on Avon, Rugby. We enjoyed a walk taking in a refreshing variety of scenes, across fields, bridges over the River Avon, arriving at Little Lawford Mill, with the nearby deep ford and former yellow-stoned stable block of the old, now demolished, hall. En route we spotted dragon and damsel flies - even a crayfish at the mill - and befriended several horses! We continued along a sleepy country lane, turning onto the Cathiron green road, featuring black sloe berry trees, before joining the canal towpath. The Oxford Canal was busy with folk cruising along - fledgling swans and butterflies populated the banks. Finally emerging from the very long, dank and dark Newbold Tunnel, we re-grouped at the 'Barley Mow' for a welcome lunch after our three and a half miles trek. Many thanks to Anne Dean for her efforts in organising this most enjoyable walk.
1st WEDNESDAY WALKING GROUP
WYCLIFFE U3A Joint Co-ordinators:
Roger Watmore 01455 552431 and
Julian Hargreaves 01455b 557704
Date of Walk :- 1st October 2014. Walk Organisers :- Peter & Irene Moore. Tel :- 01455 552594
Meeting Point and Time : Lutterworth Recreation Ground car park at 9.20am to leave at 9.30am.
Start Point : Shilton Arms Pub Restaurant, Shilton Nr. Coventry. Leave 10.00am. Toilets available.
Directions to Start :- Via Wolvey towards Coventry, Shilton is the next village after Wolvey. Pub entry
is on a very dangerous bend just after Traffic Lights. Park at bottom of Car Park. Drive very carefully.
Route and Distance :- Starting from the Shilton Arms at 10.00 am. the walk of 5.85 miles is on a mixture of field paths and bridle ways, to include tow path, short quiet road, woods, trains, canal (inc a large Aqueduct), abandoned Medieval village, stately home and remote chuch. Round trip Road travel 16 Miles. Post Code for Pub CV7 9HX. Lunch : An excellent lunch with Special 2 for 1.Order after Walk.
August Walk
22 walkers and one dog started out from the Wharf at Welford. The promised rain had fortunately passed overnight and apart from a short shower the weather was perfect. We passed over the Welford and Sulby reservoirs with a picture perfect view of Canada geese on the water and cattle grazing at the water’s edge. We then walked over the fields into Sibbertoft where we stopped for coffee on the village green, just across from which a memorial is being built to a Polish plane crew shot down in the 2nd World War. There was one rather muddy patch through woods on the way back, but as nobody fell in and an excellent lunch was enjoyed at the end, the walk was declared a success.
Mike and Lesley Chapman
4th WEDNESDAY WALKING GROUP Co-ordinators:
Sue & Peter Creeden
01455 557888 553341
Wednesday 24 September 2014
Walk Organisers:- Peter and Mary Rolleston Tel: 01455 209156
Meeting Point and Time:- Lutterworth Recreation Ground car park at 9.20am to leave at 9.30am.
Start Point: The Friendly Inn, Frankton, Warwickshire. (CV23 9NY). Setting off at 10:00amDirections to the Start:-. Head out towards Magna Park. Take the B4027 from the “Cross in Hand” roundabout towards Pailton to pick up the Fosse Way (B4455) to go through Brinklow and Bretford. Keep on the Fosse Way until Princethorpe. At the Three Horseshoes pub turn sharp left signposted Rugby (B4453). After about 1 mile turn right at the sign for Frankton. Please park at the far end of the car park near the bins.
Route and Distance:- The paths cross fields, so expect some mud, cows, sheep, stiles and gates. Distance is approximately 5 miles
Lunch arrangements:- Orders for lunch can be ordered on arrival at the "Friendly Inn" . Good selection of main courses at 2 for £10.
August 2014 Walk Report
Vicki and Bob Davis lead a large turnout of 26 walkers on a very enjoyable walk. The weather was extremely kind to us with the sun shining a lot of the time. We started from The Anchor pub near Hartshill. Setting off along the Coventry Canal at a good pace after about 25 minutes of walking our leader suddenly realised she was in “unknown” territory. We had been walking so fast the path we should have taken off the canal had come up so quickly she had missed it. We had to backtrack passing some very bemused anglers who were taking part in a competition. Peter Moore went into his wallet deciding on whether to pull out a yellow or red card but he got distracted by the moths that fluttered out. After a bit of a climb we reached Hartshill Country Park and the leaders redeemed themselves when we stopped for the coffee break overlooking a magnificent view across open countryside. We returned via the village of Hartshill and then back along the canal to the pub where most stayed for a very enjoyable lunch.
Sue and Peter Creeden
JOINT WYCLIFFE LUTTERWORTH
And LUTTERWORTH U3A GROUPS
TUESDAY WALKING GROUP Co-ordinator:
Gordon Jones (Lutterworth U3A)
01455 556192
Date of Walk: Tuesday 16th September
Coordinator: Gordon Jones. Tel. 01455 556192
Walk Organizers: Dianne Thorpe, 01455 209584
Meeting Point: Coventry Road Recreation Ground car park
Meeting Time: 09.20, leave at 9.30.
Start Point: The Axe and Square at Countesthorpe.
Route and distance: About five miles of field paths, a bit of canal towpath and a short length of road
Lunch: At the Axe and Square.
Directions to the Starting Point: A426 to Cosby crossroads and turn right. Straight on at the next, offset, crossroads. Left at the mini island onto one way system (Central St.). The Axe and Square is on the left at the T junction at the end of the one way system.
Return Mileage from Lutterworth: 18 Miles.
JOINT GOLF GROUP (with Lutterworth U3A)
Co-ordinator (Lutterworth U3A)
Peter Moore
01455 552594
e-mail :- peter79moore@gmail.com
AWAY DAY - SEASONS FINALE COMPETITION.
Please find listed below the details for our forthcoming tournament, to which you are cordially invited.
Please invite Guests along to enjoy this Superb Day Out .I’ll arrange to include them in 4 balls. Let’s hope for continued GOOD WEATHER DATE:- Friday 17th October 2014
VENUE:- Wollaton Park Golf Club, Lime Tree Avenue, Wollaton Park, Nottingham. NG8 1BT
DIRECTIONS :- M1 North, exit at junction 25, A52 Nottingham, turn left at A6514 Inner Ring Road (with Queen Medical Centre opposite) turn left on slip road into Lime Tree Avenue. Golf Club at end of Drive.
COMPETITION:- Seasons Finale Away Day. Individual Stableford , Full Handicap Allowance.
TEE TIMES:- From 09.30 am.
ITINERARY:- From 8.30 am. Coffee / Tea & Bacon Roll upon Arrival. From 9.30 a.m, 18 holes Golf
Singles Stableford. Full Handicap Allowance. Approx. 3.15 p.m Hot Lunch – Steak and Ale Pie with Vegetables etc or Vegetarian. Puddings and Coffee available at extra cost. Jackets & Ties NOT required.
Approx. 4.00 p.m. Presentation of Seasons Finale Trophy and other prizes to 5th Place. Nearest the Pin: 8th Hole.
Total cost is £36.000p per player (includes Coffee /Tea & Bacon Roll, Green Fee, Prize Fund, & Hot Lunch)
To Reserve your place, send your confirmation with a payment of £36.00p per player to. P. Moore, 79, Orchard Road, Lutterworth, Leicestershire. LE17 4DA.( Cheques Payable to Peter Moore.)
Top Class Course and facilities. NOT TO BE MISSED, Don’t miss this TREAT. A really great day out Look out for the Deer Herd’s, it’s rutting season. Please be watchful.
Peter Moore. Joint u3a Golf Co-ordinator
*PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE*
Next Joint Golf Day - Lutterworth and Wycliffe u3a. Organiser :- Peter Moore Tel:- 01455 552594 email:- peter79moore@gmail.com The next Golf Day will be at Lutterworth Golf Club on Thursday 25th September 2014. 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 19th September 2014
Cost each approx. £28.00 To include Coffee and Bacon Roll, Green Fee, Prizes and Dinner. (Dependant upon numbers) Don't forget to invite your Wives/Partners/Husbands for 2 course Dinner at 6.30pm in the Golf Club Restaurant.Cost £10.50. per person.Coffee/Mints included. Jackets and Ties *not required*
*Please invite your Golfing Mates to join us at Wollaton Park. No need of u3a membership*
Seasons Forthcoming Golf Days
Away Day. Friday 17th October 2014. Wollaton Park Golf Club, Nottingham.
Another top class venue not to be missed. You must attend this event or you will
really miss out on a great day out.
Full details of all above events in future Newsletters.
Would you like to host a foreign University Student?
Margaret Stevens, Publicity Officer for HOST
There are international students at our universities hoping to have the privilege of meeting people who live in the UK. Having a well-educated younger person from another part of the world visit you for a day, a weekend, or over Christmas, is an ideal way of exchanging ideas about your respective cultures. It’s an opportunity to take a pride in our own country and to understand more about another one, while showing kindness to someone far from home. It’s also great fun. If you’re not sure about doing this on your own, why not get together with another U3A member and make a great international weekend of it? HOST is a well-established charity whose hosts are volunteers.
Please see www.hostuk.org or call Margaret Stevens at HOST 020 7739 6292.
Display Board
We have a display board upon which we would like to publicise and promote our many Interest Groups. If you have, or would like to take photos of special events or outings within your Groups, please let Sue Creeden have them. Displays will be updated each month. You can contact Sue on 01455 557888 or send photos via email to sueandpeter.creeden@talktalk.net
Keep Fit
Following the talk given to us a couple of months ago by the Leisure Centre on the importance of remaining active, would anyone be interested in forming some sort of Keep-Fit Group. This could consist of Pilates, yoga, swimming, step, circuit training, spinning or anything else you can think of. Or maybe a mix of all. The Leisure Centre made it clear they would be happy to tailor something, anything, to our needs. If you are interested, please either put your name to the list on the U3A notice board, or contact Nigel on 01455 209756.
Nigel Bones Interest Group Co-ordinator
Refreshments As our numbers have increased so much ( fantastic!) ,Barbara has found that we need 3 people to make the teas and coffees. She is struggling to get enough people to spread the load, so if you could offer to help it would be much appreciated. She aims to get enough volunteers, so that people would only need to take a turn once a year. If you could offer to help, please contact Barbara Ewen on 0116 2779837, or speak to her at the meeting. Report on the August Meeting This meeting, entitled “Keep the Home Fires Burning”, celebrated the lives of four soldiers commemorated on the Bitteswell Memorial. Combining detailed research by the Family History Group, paintings from the Art Group, and Poetry readings by the Poetry Group together with songs of the period, Chairman Jane linked through lively prose, this poignant presentation. Contrasting poems chosen and read very movingly by members of the poetry group spanned the War years to the present day. In period costume the small singing group led community singing, ably accompanied by organist Mike Chapman, whose arrangements were much appreciated. Poems from the 1900’s to the present day were read by members of the poetry group. with feeling. In character, relatives of fallen soldiers told the story of their demise from their own perspective, and its effect on the family, striking a chord with many present. Finally spirits were lifted whilst trying to sing two songs at the same time. The official meeting having ended, many stayed to examine the precious artefacts on display and look more closely at the paintings.
This stimulating presentation generated a buzz of excitement and lively conversations. We eagerly await the in depth study soon to be available from the Family History Group
Thanks are due to all the members and groups who combined to produce this homespun meeting to such a high standard. WLU3A putting members’ talents to great use. .
GROUP REPORTS
(in alphabetical order)
ART APPRECIATION **** NEW GROUP******
Co-ordinator
Ursula Kanetis
01455 553563
We now have fixed day and time for this new group: Third Monday of each month at 2pm.
Our first gathering will be on Monday, 15.September at 2pm at the Botanical Gardens in Leicester for the Annual Sculpture Show. Entrance: Glebe Road.
Looking forward seeing you then.
ART GROUP
Co-ordinator
Chris Brady
01455 209108
The work we have been doing recently has been very rewarding and all should be proud of the results.
Over the summer we have dabbled in Cubism, which was not to everyone’s taste and have looked at drawing children with minimum detail to capture the roundness of young limbs Each painter has pursued her own interests and progress has been proportionate to practice at home. We continue to enjoy catching up on news and looking at work with positive comments.
We meet again for “Art Therapy” on September 16th.
CYCLING GROUP
Co-ordinator
Nigel Bones
01455 209756
Another terrific cycle ride during August. Once again, bright sunny weather, but with the occasional ominous looking cloud that came to nothing, and a blustery wind.
We parked up at a car park on the Brampton Valley Way (the old railway track between Northampton and Market Harborough), and cycled towards Market Harborough through the Kelmarsh Tunnel where we had to dismount and walk through the dark . Fortunately, we had come prepared with good lights, but still an interesting experience. Coming off the track at Kelmarsh, we stopped for a coffee break at a Buddhist retreat of all places. This turned out to be a gem of a place where we had coffee and cake served from their little coffee shop in delightful grounds. (If you ever want a pleasant morning out with an excellent cup of coffee, you have to try this place - you don't have to cycle there!).
After leaving the Buddhist Centre, we cycled along country lanes and beautiful countryside back to our starting point (16 miles in total), and then drove to Brampton Halt pub for an excellent lunch and drink.
A big thank you to Julian for organising the ride. September's ride will be more local, so if you would like to join us please contact Nigel
ETHNIC DINING
Co-ordinator
Jill Graham
01455 557117
Email: grahjill@hotmail.com
Wednesday 27th August – The Attic, Kilworth Springs Golf Club When we went to Kilworth Springs for one of our Wednesday Lunches earlier in the year, the builders were putting the finishing touches to the spiral staircase that allows golfers to access the Attic Balcony from outside.
Their advertising says that the Attic Restaurant offers modern British cuisine, perfectly cooked and set in contemporary and stylish surroundings. Certainly the 5 of us who went received a warm welcome. The atmosphere was relaxed and while there were other diners present, because of the layout of the tables we felt as if we were the only ones there. We enjoyed the food, the drink and the atmosphere and the attentiveness of the staff – which was good without being irritating. While more expensive than our usual outings, we felt that we had enjoyed the experience and would go back at some future time
Wednesday 24th September – Mobius Greek Restaurant, Braunstone Gate, Leicester
They offer two Menus – The Special Menu – 3 Courses for £10 offers all Greek Dishes – (Choice of 5 Starters, 5 Mains and 2 Desserts) while the individually priced Kokino Menu offers 19 Starters, 22 Mains and 6 Desserts (all the items listed on the Special Menu are also offered on the Kokino Menu)
Interested? Want to know more? Website is www.mobius-restaurant.com We will try to sort out a Car Share to make life easier. Parking is on the street and the Restaurant seemed to think that we would not have any trouble parking in the early evening.
October and November – undecided – but we might change the night again to go back to Le Bistrot Pierre in Leicester.
FAMILY HISTORY
Co-ordinator
Jackie Yeo
01455 552376
Tuesday 26th August
Five members of the group met and reviewed the progress of the Bitteswell War Memorial Book that we have been working on. We discussed printing etc. and Jackie and Bob will be approaching the College to work this out. It is hoped to have the finished book available at the November meeting, to coincide with Remembrance Day.
FRENCH CONVERSATION
Co-ordinator
Sue Hicks
01858 880273
28 August 2014 We discussed articles on women’s rights and pets in general. Sylvie Hitchen suggested some discussion topics for the next meeting. We chose “When we were young, life was sometimes difficult. Do you think it is more difficult for young people nowadays?” and “Dog or Cat?”. People were asked to consider their views and bring a vocabulary list to assist them.
The next meeting will be on 25 September.
GARDEN GROUP
Co-ordinator
Sue Creeden
01455 557888
Fortunately it stayed dry if not very summery for 18 Group Members and five guests from Lutterworth U3A to enjoy a very interesting and informative tour of Hill Close Gardens in Warwick. There are 16 Victorian hedged gardens remaining of the original 32 first established in 1845 for local tradesmen to escape from the crowded town centre, and they have been restored using original photographs and drawings. Our guide was able to give background about many of the families that owned or rented the gardens during the second half of the 19th and early 20th centuries.
There will be two events for the Group in September: On Tuesday 16th September we have been invited back by Mick Cross – the Dahlia Man – to see some of his prize winning dahlias and he will tell us how to stake them and care for them. We will meet at his home – Woodcroft, Ashby Lane, Bitteswell (LE17 4SQ) at 7.00 p.m.
On Tuesday 23rd September (our normal meeting day) we shall be visiting Sulby Gardens, Northamptonshire NN6 6EZ. Originally the gardener’s cottage, walled kitchen garden and orchard for Sulby Hall, the garden has been restored over the last 38 years as a working garden and wildlife habitat. Covering 12 acres, the site includes woodland, wetland and meadow as well as the orchard, kitchen garden and original Victorian carnation house. Please note the formal garden area is limited, it is more woodland and nature reserve and, therefore, paths are uneven and could be muddy in places (stout shoes required).
We will meet at Lutterworth Recreation Ground Car Pak at 2.00 p.m. to share lifts and arrive at 2.30 p.m. There is not a guided tour but we will be given an introduction by the owner, Alison Lowe, and a map to view the gardens at leisure. Refreshments (tea and cake) will then be available. The cost is £4.00 (for the local Wildlife Trust) and £3.00 for refreshments.
If you would like to join us on either of these visits, please contact Sue Creeden by email on sueandpeter.creeden@talktalk.net or telephone 01455 557888 as soon as possible.
GARDEN LUNCHES
Co-ordinator
Jill Graham
01455 557117
email grahjill@hotmail.com
Tuesday 19th August – Manor Farm Shop & Tea Room, Catthorpe Nine of us enjoyed a meal together with about half of us opting for the roast dinner which is available on a Tuesday. Going to Manor Farm also gave us the opportunity to buy fresh produce and I think we all went away with some freshly picked fruit, eggs etc etc. Since it is so close to Lutterworth, it would be a useful choice for the winter months too.
Tuesday 16th September – Stanton Lakes (Broughton Road, Stoney Stanton, LE9 4JA - Tel 01455 283043) As they have another, larger, party there that day, I will try to get their Menu to put out at the September U3A Meeting (11 September) so that I can let them have our choices ahead of the day.
Tuesday 21st October – Caffe Crema, Alma Park, Wibtoft The Caffe Crema can be approached either from the A5 just before Wibtoft or – more easily, I think - coming out of Lutterworth through Ullesthorpe and turning left in Claybrooke Parva just before the School (the road is signposted to Monks Kirby). The Cafe itself is very cosy and they have a room that can accommodate our small party. Very friendly and willing to accommodate. Be warned – the drive from the road is half a mile long! When you reach the car park, drive across to the far left corner near the buildings and Caffe Crema is through on the left.
Tuesday 18th November – I suggest we go back to The Malt Kiln Farm Shop at Stretton under Fosse.
LIVELY DISCUSSION
Co-ordinator
Dot Barnard
01455 208190
11th August 2014 The Commemoration of WW1
CHILDREN IN WW1
Since WW1 is such a vast topic we changed from our normal format and members chose a particular aspect of the War to research. These are detailed below. In addition some shared anecdotes about their ancestors’ involvement in the Great War. A relative of one member had his name read amongst the 140 commemorated each day at the Tower of London on 11th August at 8.40pm, when The Last Post was sounded.
TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENTS in WW1
Technology changed the conduct of war. In the beginning 19th century tactics meant the use of massed infantry and cavalry charges. By 1917-18 smaller groupings of around 10 man squads were used and we saw armoured cars, tanks, and the first portable submachine machine guns together with automatic rifles. Rapid developments followed on land, sea and in the air; as well as in non-military areas. Examples are:
TANKS, AIRCRAFT CARRIERS, DEPTH CHARGES, LORRIES & ARMOURED CARS SUBMARINES & TORPEDOS, AIR TO GROUND RADIO, MACHINE GUNS, AEROPLANES
HYDROPHONES, PILOTLESS DRONES, POISON GAS, TRACER BULLETS
FLAMETHROWERS, BARBED WIRE CUTTING SHELLS, THOMAS LEG SPLINTS,
BLOOD TRANSFUSION APPARATUS, MOBILE XRAY MACHINES
The big breakthrough was the Internal Combustion Engine which made possible these major mobility developments on land, sea and in the air.
LAND
Trench warfare using barbed wire and ‘Up and Over tactics caused huge losses. The deadliest battles were at Gallipoli, the Marne, Cambrai, the Somme, Verdun and Ypres.
1914 saw the advent of the machine gun which was copied by the Germans from Sir Hiram Maxim who came to the UK from the US and invented air cooling for planes. At Waterloo in 1815, a musket could fire 4 rounds per minute, the machine gun in 1914 fired 600. At the Somme German machine guns killed/wounded 60,000 Brits in 1 day. Artillery & high explosives were developed and German guns were the best, causing the largest losses of the whole conflict. There was a new technique of lobbing shells upwards and not straight ahead. "Flash Spotting" and "Sound Ranging" were invented, helping to discern by the sound of guns and their flashes from where artillery fire was coming. There was fragmentation damage and many head wounds.
In 1915 the French Adrian helmet was invented because of the very many head wounds. It was copied by Britain and the US and called the Brodie. Also Germany had the Stahlhelm still used today - with improvements. Fritz Haber invented poison gas in Germany, which luckily for the Russians in January of that year froze in its canisters at Bolimov. By April at Ypres it was used against the French and was windborne from the canisters. Later gas bearing shells were used by all sides. It is estimated that 1.3m casualties were affected - 0.25m civilians due to drifting. Gas masks were invented from necessity. One of Winston Churchill’s programmes conceived a ‘landship’ to crush barbed wire, span trenches and fire on the enemy. Interestingly in 1482 Leonardo da Vinci had envisioned a wheeled armoured shield! Another invention in this year was the flame thrower; first designed by a cricketing fielder in 1901 it was perfected as the flammenwerfer.
By1916 it was in large scale use notably in February at Verdun where each side only suffered between 700 and 1,000 casualties. 1916 saw the British invention of caterpillar tracks which originated in the US as an idea in 1770s. These were first used at the Somme, initially in small numbers. They were slow and unreliable, but spread terror, and the fumes killed more crew than enemy fire.
In 1917 at Cambrai there were 100+ tanks in action, by the Amiens battle this rose to 534, but then reduced in number, mostly because they broke down. Strangely the Germans never took to the concept. Also by1917 the Germans had laid 571,000 miles of telephone cable to improve communications and replace cut ones. However radio was beginning to be used.
AIR
1903 saw the first Wright aeroplane, and by 1911 spotter planes were being used in the Italo-Turkish war. Things progressed and in 1912 hand grenades were dropped and photos were taken from planes.
In 1914 208 Allied and 180 German unarmed planes were spotting troops and artillery. By the war's end the RAF alone had 22,500 aircraft. They spotted that the German army had shifted east not west as intelligence on the Schlieffen plan had indicated and many lives were saved. Cameras were used to map trenches which prolonged the conflict as moves could not be kept secret. Hand guns were in use, together with observation balloons. These balloons housed 2 observers with parachutes as the chutes were too heavy for planes.
In 1915 Frenchman Roland Garos fitted a machine gun and deflector plates to his plane and shot down 5 Germans. Focker perfected interrupter gear to fit to machine guns (patented by Schneider a Swiss in 1913), which could fire through the spinning propellers without striking the blades.1915 – 16 Zeppelins bombed the English coast.
In 1916 German twin engined bombers started to appear.
In 1917 the first radio voice to ground messages were heard, previously hand signals or throwing messages overboard were the methods of communication.
1918 the Handley Page 4 enginned bomber was born. The battle cruiser Furious had 18" guns removed, fearing it might shatter to bits, and a steel deck was welded into place. This was the first genuine aircraft carrier. Planes were launched against the Zeppelin hangers at Tondern. Seaplanes were fitted with torpedos. At the war’s end the RAF numbered 292,000 men and 22,500 women.
SEA
Submarines were possessed by both sides. They were developed by the Germans as their fleet was blockaded by the British Navy. A new use for the internal combustion engine was found. Submarines had the diesel engine on the surface and the batteries submerged. 5,000 Allied ships were lost and 199 U Boats sunk.
In 1914 the hydrophone was invented by Fessenden of Canada (for detecting icebergs following the TITANIC disaster).
1916 the Royal navy developed the depth charge and in April 1916 first U Boat was sunk.
NON MILITARY
In October 1914 the portable X-ray machine was created by Madame Curie to diagnose factures. It was carried in French cars/trucks and 18 were in use by war’s end.
1916 saw the invention of the Thomas splint which was named after its inventor Hugh Owen Thomas, a Welsh surgeon. Only 12% of wounds were to the torso. Leg wounds were the most common often leading to amputation. In 1914 80% with a broken femur died, but in 1916 80% survived.
In 1917 the first blood bank was set up. Initially transfusions were from donor to patient. Then a US Army doctor Capt. Oswald Robertson established the first blood bank, using sodium citrate to prevent coagulation. Blood was kept on ice for up to 28 days then sent forward to casualty clearing stations.
CONCLUSION
Many of these developments would be improved and used with a vengeance during WW2, notably the aeroplane, the aircraft carrier, the submarine and the tank.
THE EFFECTS ON THE CLASS SYSTEM
The War had an enormous effect on the class system. The men in the trenches who had been raised to respect and revere their ‘betters’ found that everyone on the end of a German bullet died in the same way. It didn’t matter if he was an officer, general, gunner or stretcher bearer. This was acknowledged in the cemeteries where men were not buried by rank.
At home in Britain the huge death rate had virtually broken the aristocracy, who by and large provided the officer class. In so many families the heirs were wiped out. The level of taxation was raised and the old way of living was no longer possible. These families were no longer able to maintain the huge domestic staff as they did before.
On the home front women went into factories and made munitions. The Women’s Land Army was formed in 1916 as they replaced men on the land. Many became nurses, a previously despised occupation. Even aristocratic women volunteered for nursing and VAD (Voluntary Aid Detachment) work. At the beginning of the War the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) would have nothing to do with women doctors, by 1916 when things became desperate they took on female doctors. All this previously male work meant women became more independent and had a greater feeling of self-worth.
After the War women were anxious to maintain this and did not want to return to the drudgery of domestic work where they were not treated as individuals. There was a growing feeling of Jack being as good as his master and it gave ordinary people the courage to strive for a better life. In the Forces men found that they were capable of many skills, which they were willing to build on back in Civvy Street.
All these factors slowly eroded the rigid pre-war barriers and eventually contributed to a more equitable society which ultimately made us a more cohesive and stronger society which paid dividends in 1939 when we were called on once again to go to w
THE EFFECTS OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR ON SUFFRAGE
Henry VI established in 1432 that male owners of property worth more than 40 shillings could vote. Changes were made to the detail but no major reforms took place until the Reform Act of 1832
Reform Act 1832 - voting rights given to males renting or owning property and land of a certain value (1 in 7 males)
The Reform Act 1867 extended the franchise to men in urban areas with a property qualification.
Representation of the people Act 1884 addressed the imbalances between boroughs and the countryside and brought the voting population to 5.5 million. But still 40% of males were disenfranchised because of the property qualification, and of course all women were disenfranchised, even if they qualified as property owners. Lily Maxwell, a shop owner, did manage to vote in 1867 because her name was put on the electoral register in error. Her vote was later declared illegal but it gave the women’s suffrage movement great publicity.
There had been concern about the exclusion of women from the vote for many years but it was not until 1872 that it became a national movement. Up to 1903 all campaigning was by peaceful means but following the defeat of the Women’ Suffrage Bill, the Women’s Social and Political Union was formed by Emmeline Pankhurst and it began to employ more militant tactics (demonstrations, stone-throwing, arson, window smashing and hunger strikes).
At the outbreak of WW1, Emmeline Pankhurst, who was convinced that Germany posed a threat to humanity, persuaded the Women’s Social and Political Union (the more militant group) to stop all militant activity. During the War there was a serious shortage of men and women were required to take on many of the traditional male roles
However, lobbying still continued and political movement during the War years towards changes in the law was influenced by the fact that many men returning from the from the front were disenfranchised (because of the property requirements) and large numbers of women who had done vital work both at home and overseas had no vote.
Finally in 1918 the Representation of the People Act was passed. This act allowed all men over 21 to vote and there were no property restrictions. The vote was also given to women over 30 but for them there were property restrictions. This act increased the electorate from 7.7 million to 21.4 million of which 8.5 million were women. It took until 1928 for women’s rights to become equal with those of men.
One other aspect of the voting system was also affected by WW1 – this was plural voting. People with an affiliation to a university could vote in the university and in their home constituency. Property owners with property in a different constituency from the one in which they lived could also vote in both and if they also had a university association they could have three votes. In 1910 the Liberal government wanted to stop this but the bill was shelved because of WW1. This was only abolished in 1948.
THE EFFECTS OF THE WAR ON WOMEN
Jobs in the Civil Service, factories, docklands, tramways, the Post Office and on the land were feminised. In July 1914 3.2 million women were employed in industry. This jumped to 4.8 million by April 1918. 40% of these women were married compared with only 14% prior to the War.
Many encountered hostility from male workers who were worried about competition and de-skilling of their jobs. The breaking down of complex jobs into simpler tasks was seen as a way to solve the problem of a shortage of male skilled workers without threatening male wages.
The effect of War on working class standards of living was encouraging. There was full employment, rationing, rising bacon imports and increased consumption of milk and eggs. Improved social provision meant that working class families were better off. Average working class incomes doubled between 1914 and 1920. However, price levels dropped in the aftermath of War. Only 1300 were killed when Zeppelins rained bombs on London in 1915.
In 1918 Parliament passed the Representation of the Peoples Act which gave the vote to an additional 5 million men and 8.5 million women. The women had to be over 30, and householders or occupiers of property with an annual value of not less than £5. Ironically the women of the Land Army and who worked in the war industries did not receive the vote until 1928.
WW1 DESERTERS
During WW1 306 soldiers nearly all of low rank, were shot for desertion or cowardice. If a prisoner was accused of desertion he would have a court martial but with no access to legal representation. A condemned man legally had the right to petition the king for clemency but no-one ever did because they weren’t told this unless they were an officer (apparently 15 officers avoided the death sentence this way).
Those shot included men walking around dazed and traumatised with what we would now call PTSD and which was hardly surprising given the principal strategy in trench warfare. This was to send troops over the top to walk across no man’s land with the objective of reaching the enemy’s trenches and shooting them. The distance varied from a few yards to several hundred yards or more. The ground, however, was usually flat, exposed and without cover, deep in mud and littered with bodies and body parts, shell holes and barbed wire. The enemy was equipped with machine guns which could mow down approaching troops with small risk to themselves.
In one well documented case men were shot for desertion, because they were following orders to leave their posts to carry information to another trench. Many of these men were in fact no more than boys, young and vulnerable – several were teenagers who had volunteered and one was just 16 years old.
To be condemned this way was not only a dreadful injustice but also meant their families couldn’t claim a pension, were made to suffer stigma and shame and could lose their homes.
Of course there has now been a blanket pardon for these men but shamefully (in my view) not until 2006.
PARLIAMENT DURING WW1
In 1911 Ramsey MacDonald became Party Leader (formally "Chairman of the Parliamentary Labour Party"), but within a short period his wife became ill with blood poisoning and died. This affected MacDonald greatly. He had always taken a keen interest in foreign affairs and knew from his visit to South Africa just after the Boer War had ended what the effects of modern conflict would be. Although the Parliamentary Labour Party generally held an anti-war opinion, when war was declared in August 1914, patriotism came to the fore. Labour supported the government in its request for £100m of war credits and, as MacDonald could not support this, he resigned the Chairmanship. Arthur Henderson became the new leader while MacDonald took the party Treasurer post. During the early part of the war he was extremely unpopular and was accused of treason and cowardice.
The impact of the First World War on the Commons deserves attention, not least because by January 1915 the number of MPs on active service was 184 out of a House of 690. Altogether during the war, 264 MPs held military rank in some capacity.
Munitions of War Act 1915 and the employment of women This legislation gave the newly created Ministry of Munitions power to declare factories controlled establishments, and restrict the freedom of workers to leave, through a system of certificates and of tribunals. The Ministry was given power to regulate wages in the industry in 1916. Strikes in war industries were made illegal and labour disputes went to compulsory tribunals. In practice, strikes continued in the UK throughout the war. The concern that lower wages paid to women engaged in munition work would prejudice the position of skilled men returning from the war is made clear in this response from the Minister, Lloyd George on 21 October 1915:
Mr. LLOYD GEORGE: It would be a violation of the spirit and the letter of the Munitions Act if the employment of women or unskilled men on munitions work should be utilized for the purpose of lowering the remuneration of men customarily engaged on that class of work.
The proportion of women in total employment rose from 24% in July 1914 to 37% by November 1918. Women had proved themselves in the workforce, a factor in earning them the vote, but after the war employment levels fell back.
Sittings in both Houses of Parliament were suspended on the evening of 18 December 1917 due to the threat of German air raids. The then chairman of Committees, Mr Whitley, suspended the sitting in the Commons at 7pm, but an indignant backbencher Mr Billing put a point of order when the Commons returned after 9pm stating: ”are we to understand that if another warning be given this House will proceed to the cellars again?” Press censorship prevented the evacuation being made public.
CHILDREN IN WW1
500,000 children lost their fathers in WW1. Some had never met them as only 3 days leave was allowed in a year and 9 months later their mothers gave birth. Some children had a distant memory of their parent when he came home for a few days. Deserters were shot as cowards and their widows didn’t receive pensions. Some became homeless and were ostracised by their neighbours. Many women became single mothers and others remarried but some step fathers only treated their own children kindly. Of those children who never or barely knew their fathers, today they say it has affected their whole lives even now in their 80s and 90s.
Rationing meant that children were often mal-nourished. The enormous numbers going off to fight left shortages of workers in every industry. As with women, children began to work in factories and on the land. This at a time when laws against child labour had come into effect. The very first jobs they did were as newspaper sellers as everyone was avid for news of the war. The youngest child known to have done this was 6.
People, including children were excited by the war and boys went out after air raids to examine bombs, and zeppelins which had been brought down. Because of the recruitment drive many young boys believed the propaganda and lied about their ages in order to join up. The Army stopped asking for birth certificates and turned a blind eye. The youngest to sign up was thought to be John Condon from Waterford in Ireland who was 12. On his gravestone his age was given as 14, but he had only enlisted earlier that year. Jack Cornwall, a sailor, died aged 16 and 4 months. He received the VC for bravery posthumously as he kept firing until he died at the Battle of Jutland in 1916. Perhaps the most famous young recruit was Rudyard Kipling’s son John who was 16. His eyesight was so poor that he should not have been taken on, but Kipling pulled strings and he lost his only son John aged 18. After that he and his wife became strongly anti-war. Victor Silvester band leader, joined up when he was 16, and his parents tried to get him back, only succeeding when he was wounded and he was found at a medical station.
Pathe News has many film clips on the internet showing many very young soldiers; and showing children working on the land. In one film a lad in full uniform is attaching a bayonet to his gun and doing drill with it just the same as an adult soldier. There is no sound, but he looks to be about 7 or 8. At public schools many young lads from the same house or form joined up, meaning that almost whole year groups were wiped out.
We can only speculate on the number of young girls who didn’t have the chance to marry and have families.
Many thanks to all Lively Discussion Group members who put this article together
October Topic– Scottish Independence
In addition some shared anecdotes about their ancestors’ involvement in the Great War. A relative of one member had his name read amongst the 140 commemorated each day at the Tower of London on 11th August at 8.40pm, when The Last Post was sounded.
Many thanks to all Lively Discussion Group members who put these very interesting articles together.
Don’t forget to read the articles on the webpage
October Topic– Scottish Independence
POETRY GROUP
Co-ordinator
Sylvia Hitchen
0116 247 8353
Sylvia.hitchen@btinternet.com.
The theme of August's meeting was "World War 1 Poetry" and as I hadn't been able to attend the main U3A group meeting the others repeated the readings they had undertaken there. Jill read the famous Rupert Brooke poem "The Soldier", Peter read "Mother Kissed me in my Dreams", a very sad poem written from the point of view of a soldier anticipating death. Marjorie read Roger McGough's "A Square Dance" which uses dance imagery to bring out the horror of war and Dot read Owen Shears "Mametz Wood", a poignant piece on unearthing soldiers' buried bones for years after this terrible battle.
This was understandably an emotional session, with the sheer horror of the war brilliantly and devastatingly brought into focus by the likes of Wilfred Owen, Roger McGough, Eric Bogle, Edward Thomas, Laurence Binyon and Siegfried Sassoon among others. Also read was Robert Frost's famous "The Road not Taken", written in response to his friend Edward Thomas who couldn't decide whether or not to sign up. (Sadly he did, and so lost his life).
September 's topic is "The sun, moon and stars" and the meeting will begin at 2.30pm.
PUB LUNCHES
Co-ordinator
Jill Graham
01455 557117
email grahjill@hotmail.com
Wednesday 6 August – The Bell Inn, Husbands Bosworth Twenty-one of us turned up for this meal and enjoyed the choice and meals provided. One lady complained about the length of time it took before our meals came. However, since she and the other early arrivals had spent the time chatting rather than ordering their meals, this is what led to a lengthy bottleneck while people made their choices and paid. I must compliment the lady behind the bar who sorted us all out with patience and cheerfulness - she was a real tonic.
SO - PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE - when we go to The Shires in Peatling Parva on October 3rd, will you check the Specials Board on the left as you go in and ORDER your meal straight away.
Wednesday 3 September – The Axe & Compass, Wolvey The numbers opting for this lunch venue has gone up and down like the tide as some people have found themselves unable to go and others have rung up to check that they are on the list. About the same number (25) of us went there for an Ethnic Meal last year and everyone enjoyed it very much. There was a real “buzz” about the place and it will be interesting to see whether the “Lunch Group” enjoy it as much as the “Ethnic Group” did.
Wednesday 1 October – The Shires, Peatling Parva I had made a booking with the Pig in Muck for this date but was told that because we were a party, we would have to go upstairs. I was told that those people having the Carvery would have to carry it up themselves, as well as their drinks. Having thought about it overnight, I rang to cancel, as a lot of us have enough trouble just getting ourselves up steps and stairs without a plateful of food in our hands!
Wednesday 5th November – I am intending to book in at The Brewery and then perhaps go to The Elms on 7th January.
SCRABBLE
Co-ordinator
Pat Hunter
01455 699935
11 Greenacres Drive
The August meeting of the Scrabble Group saw our all-female players welcome Jim Davey into the Scrabble fold. Jim enjoys playing Scrabble so we hope that he will become a regular player with us. We play for enjoyment and are not sticklers to the rules within reason. Although I did hear someone say once “We’re not competitive, we just like to win!” – Whoops, that might have been me who said it.
I would like to ask that anyone in the Scrabble Group who is a regular player to phone or email the day before the meeting if they are unable to attend. I can accommodate reasonably comfortably 10 – 12 players (if 4 of these don’t mind playing electronically on the IPad). However it is difficult and annoying if the furniture has to be rearranged at the last minute to make sure all the games have 3 or 4 players taking part on each board. If you would prefer to send an email rather than phone, my address is pathunter53@gmail.com
Thank you for your co-operation.
SNAIL’S PACE WALKING GROUP
Co-ordinator
Sheila Eggleton
01455 554387
sheilaeggleton@yahoo.co.uk
SEPTEMBER WALK: FRIDAY 19TH
Dot has organised this walk. We will meet in the car park of the Fox Inn in Hallaton on the day. A lady called Liz Wilson will take us on a guided tour of the village and will arrange for the museum and church to be open as part of our walk. There will be a charge of £2.00 for this walk/museum tour. Dot will collect the money at the next monthly meeting. If you are not able to go to the monthly meeting can you please ask someone to make your payment for you
NB
I will send final details regarding how to get to Hallaton, menu, footwear etc. nearer the date of the walk, so please make sure that Dot or I have your email address if you want to go on the walk Sheila
AUGUST WALK REPORT
On a beautifully mellow, sunny morning sixteen of us set off from the 'Barley Mow' pub in Newbold on Avon, Rugby. We enjoyed a walk taking in a refreshing variety of scenes, across fields, bridges over the River Avon, arriving at Little Lawford Mill, with the nearby deep ford and former yellow-stoned stable block of the old, now demolished, hall. En route we spotted dragon and damsel flies - even a crayfish at the mill - and befriended several horses! We continued along a sleepy country lane, turning onto the Cathiron green road, featuring black sloe berry trees, before joining the canal towpath. The Oxford Canal was busy with folk cruising along - fledgling swans and butterflies populated the banks. Finally emerging from the very long, dank and dark Newbold Tunnel, we re-grouped at the 'Barley Mow' for a welcome lunch after our three and a half miles trek. Many thanks to Anne Dean for her efforts in organising this most enjoyable walk.
1st WEDNESDAY WALKING GROUP
WYCLIFFE U3A Joint Co-ordinators:
Roger Watmore 01455 552431 and
Julian Hargreaves 01455b 557704
Date of Walk :- 1st October 2014. Walk Organisers :- Peter & Irene Moore. Tel :- 01455 552594
Meeting Point and Time : Lutterworth Recreation Ground car park at 9.20am to leave at 9.30am.
Start Point : Shilton Arms Pub Restaurant, Shilton Nr. Coventry. Leave 10.00am. Toilets available.
Directions to Start :- Via Wolvey towards Coventry, Shilton is the next village after Wolvey. Pub entry
is on a very dangerous bend just after Traffic Lights. Park at bottom of Car Park. Drive very carefully.
Route and Distance :- Starting from the Shilton Arms at 10.00 am. the walk of 5.85 miles is on a mixture of field paths and bridle ways, to include tow path, short quiet road, woods, trains, canal (inc a large Aqueduct), abandoned Medieval village, stately home and remote chuch. Round trip Road travel 16 Miles. Post Code for Pub CV7 9HX. Lunch : An excellent lunch with Special 2 for 1.Order after Walk.
August Walk
22 walkers and one dog started out from the Wharf at Welford. The promised rain had fortunately passed overnight and apart from a short shower the weather was perfect. We passed over the Welford and Sulby reservoirs with a picture perfect view of Canada geese on the water and cattle grazing at the water’s edge. We then walked over the fields into Sibbertoft where we stopped for coffee on the village green, just across from which a memorial is being built to a Polish plane crew shot down in the 2nd World War. There was one rather muddy patch through woods on the way back, but as nobody fell in and an excellent lunch was enjoyed at the end, the walk was declared a success.
Mike and Lesley Chapman
4th WEDNESDAY WALKING GROUP Co-ordinators:
Sue & Peter Creeden
01455 557888 553341
Wednesday 24 September 2014
Walk Organisers:- Peter and Mary Rolleston Tel: 01455 209156
Meeting Point and Time:- Lutterworth Recreation Ground car park at 9.20am to leave at 9.30am.
Start Point: The Friendly Inn, Frankton, Warwickshire. (CV23 9NY). Setting off at 10:00amDirections to the Start:-. Head out towards Magna Park. Take the B4027 from the “Cross in Hand” roundabout towards Pailton to pick up the Fosse Way (B4455) to go through Brinklow and Bretford. Keep on the Fosse Way until Princethorpe. At the Three Horseshoes pub turn sharp left signposted Rugby (B4453). After about 1 mile turn right at the sign for Frankton. Please park at the far end of the car park near the bins.
Route and Distance:- The paths cross fields, so expect some mud, cows, sheep, stiles and gates. Distance is approximately 5 miles
Lunch arrangements:- Orders for lunch can be ordered on arrival at the "Friendly Inn" . Good selection of main courses at 2 for £10.
August 2014 Walk Report
Vicki and Bob Davis lead a large turnout of 26 walkers on a very enjoyable walk. The weather was extremely kind to us with the sun shining a lot of the time. We started from The Anchor pub near Hartshill. Setting off along the Coventry Canal at a good pace after about 25 minutes of walking our leader suddenly realised she was in “unknown” territory. We had been walking so fast the path we should have taken off the canal had come up so quickly she had missed it. We had to backtrack passing some very bemused anglers who were taking part in a competition. Peter Moore went into his wallet deciding on whether to pull out a yellow or red card but he got distracted by the moths that fluttered out. After a bit of a climb we reached Hartshill Country Park and the leaders redeemed themselves when we stopped for the coffee break overlooking a magnificent view across open countryside. We returned via the village of Hartshill and then back along the canal to the pub where most stayed for a very enjoyable lunch.
Sue and Peter Creeden
JOINT WYCLIFFE LUTTERWORTH
And LUTTERWORTH U3A GROUPS
TUESDAY WALKING GROUP Co-ordinator:
Gordon Jones (Lutterworth U3A)
01455 556192
Date of Walk: Tuesday 16th September
Coordinator: Gordon Jones. Tel. 01455 556192
Walk Organizers: Dianne Thorpe, 01455 209584
Meeting Point: Coventry Road Recreation Ground car park
Meeting Time: 09.20, leave at 9.30.
Start Point: The Axe and Square at Countesthorpe.
Route and distance: About five miles of field paths, a bit of canal towpath and a short length of road
Lunch: At the Axe and Square.
Directions to the Starting Point: A426 to Cosby crossroads and turn right. Straight on at the next, offset, crossroads. Left at the mini island onto one way system (Central St.). The Axe and Square is on the left at the T junction at the end of the one way system.
Return Mileage from Lutterworth: 18 Miles.
JOINT GOLF GROUP (with Lutterworth U3A)
Co-ordinator (Lutterworth U3A)
Peter Moore
01455 552594
e-mail :- peter79moore@gmail.com
AWAY DAY - SEASONS FINALE COMPETITION.
Please find listed below the details for our forthcoming tournament, to which you are cordially invited.
Please invite Guests along to enjoy this Superb Day Out .I’ll arrange to include them in 4 balls. Let’s hope for continued GOOD WEATHER DATE:- Friday 17th October 2014
VENUE:- Wollaton Park Golf Club, Lime Tree Avenue, Wollaton Park, Nottingham. NG8 1BT
DIRECTIONS :- M1 North, exit at junction 25, A52 Nottingham, turn left at A6514 Inner Ring Road (with Queen Medical Centre opposite) turn left on slip road into Lime Tree Avenue. Golf Club at end of Drive.
COMPETITION:- Seasons Finale Away Day. Individual Stableford , Full Handicap Allowance.
TEE TIMES:- From 09.30 am.
ITINERARY:- From 8.30 am. Coffee / Tea & Bacon Roll upon Arrival. From 9.30 a.m, 18 holes Golf
Singles Stableford. Full Handicap Allowance. Approx. 3.15 p.m Hot Lunch – Steak and Ale Pie with Vegetables etc or Vegetarian. Puddings and Coffee available at extra cost. Jackets & Ties NOT required.
Approx. 4.00 p.m. Presentation of Seasons Finale Trophy and other prizes to 5th Place. Nearest the Pin: 8th Hole.
Total cost is £36.000p per player (includes Coffee /Tea & Bacon Roll, Green Fee, Prize Fund, & Hot Lunch)
To Reserve your place, send your confirmation with a payment of £36.00p per player to. P. Moore, 79, Orchard Road, Lutterworth, Leicestershire. LE17 4DA.( Cheques Payable to Peter Moore.)
Top Class Course and facilities. NOT TO BE MISSED, Don’t miss this TREAT. A really great day out Look out for the Deer Herd’s, it’s rutting season. Please be watchful.
Peter Moore. Joint u3a Golf Co-ordinator
*PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE*
Next Joint Golf Day - Lutterworth and Wycliffe u3a. Organiser :- Peter Moore Tel:- 01455 552594 email:- peter79moore@gmail.com The next Golf Day will be at Lutterworth Golf Club on Thursday 25th September 2014. 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 19th September 2014
Cost each approx. £28.00 To include Coffee and Bacon Roll, Green Fee, Prizes and Dinner. (Dependant upon numbers) Don't forget to invite your Wives/Partners/Husbands for 2 course Dinner at 6.30pm in the Golf Club Restaurant.Cost £10.50. per person.Coffee/Mints included. Jackets and Ties *not required*
*Please invite your Golfing Mates to join us at Wollaton Park. No need of u3a membership*
Seasons Forthcoming Golf Days
Away Day. Friday 17th October 2014. Wollaton Park Golf Club, Nottingham.
Another top class venue not to be missed. You must attend this event or you will
really miss out on a great day out.
Full details of all above events in future Newsletters.
Would you like to host a foreign University Student?
Margaret Stevens, Publicity Officer for HOST
There are international students at our universities hoping to have the privilege of meeting people who live in the UK. Having a well-educated younger person from another part of the world visit you for a day, a weekend, or over Christmas, is an ideal way of exchanging ideas about your respective cultures. It’s an opportunity to take a pride in our own country and to understand more about another one, while showing kindness to someone far from home. It’s also great fun. If you’re not sure about doing this on your own, why not get together with another U3A member and make a great international weekend of it? HOST is a well-established charity whose hosts are volunteers.
Please see www.hostuk.org or call Margaret Stevens at HOST 020 7739 6292.