Newsletter Nov 2019

1 of 4  Website: ​www.flintshire-u3a.co.uk​   Volume 14 Issue 5 Email: [email protected]  November 2019    Diary Dates:    November 12th​ - Exploring Science - talk from Sue Foy of Chester U3A on ‘Plastic - an attempt to  discover some truths’ at Mold Methodist Church, 2pm. Seat numbers are limited so please contact Geoff  Newbold: [email protected] or 01352 753 683    January 22nd​ - Closing date for the submission of articles for the February newsletter.    Social Events    Tuesday 10th December - Christmas Celebration at Tyddyn Street Church, Mold at  2.30pm. Tickets are £1 including seasonal light refreshments.      Monday 30th December - Post Christmas Coffee Morning at St David's Church Hall in  Mold. This is a free event and everyone is welcome - 10 till 12 noon    Thursday 16th January at 12.30pm - New Year Lunch at Highfield Hall nr Northop Hall.    The cost is £20 for 3 courses including tea/coffee and the staff tip. This lunch is always  popular and the meal choice forms are now available to download from the website.  Please return completed forms with your payment by cheque. Places are limited so first  120 completed forms with payment will be successful.    Mad Hatters Tea Party    A fun afternoon was had by all with lovely strawberry jam and cream scones to enjoy as well as a table  quiz on Hats of The World and a singalong.        Pictures of the winners of the Mad Hatters Hat Parade  1    Marie Edwards 

2 of 4  Chairman’s Report  Can I firstly congratulate Marie Edwards, Lynda Tiplady, Margaret Cooper, Lynne Ingman, Eleanor Brown  and John Tiplady who not only organised the Mad Hatters Tea Party event but also went out and bought  the food, prepared it, dished it out and then rolled up their sleeves and did the washing up.Three very big  cheers to them. I hope everyone had a very enjoyable afternoon and if you want more of the same please  ask them.​ M​ ay I thank the people who are attending the Open Meetings and hopefully the numbers will  carry on increasing thus making it a good social activity. There are new members joining all the time and  for some it is a difficult experience trying to fit in so I am sure you all will help them.    May I express gratitude to all those who have offered support to me in my role as Chair.​ C​ olin  Adroddiad y Cadeirydd  A gaf i longyfarch Marie Edwards, Lynda Tiplady, Margaret Cooper, Lynne Ingman, Eleanor Brown a John  Tiplady am drefnu'r Te Parti Gwallgof / Mad Hatters a hefyd am brynu'r bwyd, ei baratoi, ei ddosbarthu ac  yna torchi eu llewys i olchi'r llestri ar y diwedd. Mae hyn wedi codi calon pawb. Gobeithio i bawb gael  prynhawn pleserus iawn ac os ydych chi eisiau mwy o'r un peth, gofynnwch iddyn nhw.  A gaf i ddiolch i'r bobl sy'n mynychu'r Cyfarfodydd Agored gan obeithio y bydd y niferoedd yn parhau i  gynyddu gan ei wneud yn weithgaredd cymdeithasol da. Mae yna aelodau newydd yn ymuno trwy'r amser  ac i rai mae'n brofiad anodd ceisio ffitio i mewn felly rwy'n siŵr y byddwch chi i gyd yn eu helpu.    Diolch i bawb sydd wedi rhoi cefnogaeth i mi yn fy rôl fel Cadeirydd. C​ olin  Exploring Science Group      (The schools confirmed permission to take facial photographs of the pupils)    For many years, as part of an ongoing outreach initiative, Groups such as Belle Plates, Singing for  Pleasure and Music Live, have taken their activity into the 'Silver Community'. Last year we held a Science  morning in Theatr Clwyd for 75 Key Stage 2 pupils (age 7 to 11) from three local schools. This was  funded by a grant from the Tesco Bags of Help scheme. The event opened with Techniquest from  Glyndwr University Campus demonstrating a range of scientific experiments, including 'The Human  Battery' and 'The Whoosh Bottle', aided by many eager volunteers. This was followed by a keenly awaited  break for ice-cream, with all pupils taking part in a science quiz and a tie-break 'plastic recycling'  question. The morning closed with a presentation from a local professional underwater photographer,  whose slides of marine life off the coast of North Wales, was, according to the audience, as good as Blue  Planet II, and closer to home! Finally, there were prizes for the quiz answers which, happily, were spread  across all three schools. All the pupils (and their teachers) were profuse in their thanks for a splendid  morning, having seen and heard many new aspects of science, which they would discuss back at school.  The pupils completed a post-event questionnaire, with just one stating they did not enjoy the morning  and over 70% saying the morning would be very helpful for their school work.    Following a further grant from the Co-op Community Fund, we staged a similar event for post-GCSE  pupils earlier this year, and have sufficient money for a primary schools event in October.     Philip Johnson  2 

3 of 4  Poetry  Wine Group  These are our October best wine  I was so moved by the Remembrance Day  recommendations:  service at Mold Methodist church last year that    when I got home I was inspired to write this. I  Best White - Kendermanns,  Qualitatswein Pfalt 2017 11.5%  wondered if other U3A members would be  Germany, Morrisons £6.00  An Elegant Riesling made from grapes  interested in sharing my thoughts.  harvested late with nuances of  grapefruit, peach and lime. It’s    deliciously smooth and full of fruit and  very refreshing. The sweetness of the  THE SILENCE  wine is balanced by crisp acidity to  give a very fresh feel to it. It’s great  What is that sound that fills the air, now roars of guns are  with fusion food or dishes with a little  sweetness or spice. Well worth a try.  stopped    The planes are stood upon the ground, their last bombs have  Best Red - Bio Bio Irresistible Malbec  been dropped  2017 13.5% Chile, Co-op £8.00  A deep purple colour with fine legs and  The warriors cry to join the fight, its energy has lost  a cheeky aroma of summer fruits. The  taste is smooth, low in tannins and  That eerie sound that fills the air,  acidity with rich plum like taste and a  simple but pleasant aftertaste. Ideal  It is the sound of silence.  for red meats, curry or chilli dishes and  medium strength cheeses. Suitable    for Vegetarian/Vegan.  The factory whistle now is quiet, that called men and women    too  Our group of 16 members selected  these 2 as their choice.  To make the tanks, to make the ships that sailed the ocean blue  The people stand around in awe, to hear the sound anew  That wondrous sound, so strange so fair,  It is the sound of silence.    Eleven o'clock, eleven, eleven, the sounds of war gave way  The world did hope, that moment short, for a brighter day  But men of peace, their voices stilled, had nothing left to say  A tired sound prevailed the air,  It was the sound of silence.    Soon children laugh, soon church bells ring, soon birdsong fills  the air  But pause awhile, and think of all, who's anguish we must share  Remember those who gave their lives, and show them we still  care  With poppies bright, with heads bowed down, stand straight,    In time of silence.      John Tiplady  Arthur Kemp    Poetry Groups    Flintshire U3A currently has two poetry groups.    Poetry 1- We usually pick a poet, or sometimes one poem. Group discussion about the subject brings  better understanding and increases the depth of meaning. It is not difficult! Please come and join us.  4th Thursday of the month from 2.30 to 4.30pm. T​ ina​ -​ 01352 753860    Poetry 2 - We look at a different poet each month and a lively discussion follows. 4th Thursday of the  month from 2 to 3.30pm. The Methodist Church, Mold. ​Jenny - 01352 713368    Social History    Monday 2nd December. Ewloe Social Club, Mold Road, Ewloe CH5 3AU. 10.15am start.    ‘A further look at our country through old postcards.’     Brian Bennett - 01244 544564  3 

4 of 4  Genetics and Genomics for the 3rd Generation (3G) conference     Wednesday 13th November 2019, 10 - 2pm at Catrin Finch Centre, Wrexham, LL11 2HS     Would you like to find out more about the fascinating field of DNA, genetics and genomics and discover  how it affects our everyday lives? Join us for the 4th annual Wales Gene Park 3G conference!     You can hear expert talks on a range of DNA and genetics-related topics. Join us all day or drop in for  some of the talks (talks are 25 mins with time for questions with our expert speakers). There will also be  stands showcasing some of the latest research and projects in Wales.    The event is aimed at members of the public over 50, but everyone is welcome. Lunch and refreshments  provided! Attendance is FREE but registration is required via Eventbrite: h​ ttps://tinyurl.com/y2ka3gqo   Mathematics / Numeracy Group    The Maths Group has been running for over a year and we hope to continue this year with our main focus  on the new GCSE syllabus. Further information can be found under 'General Interest Groups' on the FU3A  website.    If you would like to join contact D​ erek -​ ​07979 358920.​   National U3A 2021 Sailing Event      With over 40 other national U3A members I am sailing in one of nine yachts out of  Dubrovnik next April. For a planned 2021 repeat, it is expected that these numbers  could double at least and I have been invited to assist with the organisation of this  adventure. If you are interested in receiving further details please contact me asap.    Ken Archer - 07493 445592  U3A Wales Photographic Competition 2019    Open to all members of U3A’s in Wales with a closing date of 30th April 2020  The theme is ‘Castles in Wales’.​ C​ ompetition rules and other details are available from  your local U3A and at www.u3asites.org.uk/walesu3a     Queries to ​[email protected]  Tenpin Bowling Group    The Group meets at Flint Leisure Centre. 1st and 3rd Monday of the month from 2 to  4pm. This is an ad hoc arrangement – you pay on the day. Cost £4.00/ game  including a drink. Numbers are needed in advance so please register your interest  with Alan. New members are welcome.     Alan - 01244541022  Art Appreciation    November 19th, 10 to 12 noon at the Methodist Church, Mold    ‘Annie Swynnerton’. Talk given by Sue Matthias.    Elisabeth - 01352754519   This edition of the newsletter was edited by Martin Hampstead, Helen Lloyd and Muriel Vernon.      4