Newsletter July 2022

1 of 4 Website: www.flintshire-u3a.co.uk Phone: 07546 094927 Volume 17 Issue 2 July 2022 Flintshire u3a Newsletter Fridays Flyby Is it possible that something good can come out of Covid 19? Certainly, in the case of Fridays Flyby group it can! When lockdown was easing, one of our group, Colin Lewis, who was Chairman of Flintshire u3a at that time, realised how beneficial it would be to the members to get together outdoors and this is how Fridays Flyby was born. The meetings originally took place in the park in Mold but as winter came and eventually indoor gatherings were allowed, the venue moved to Wings Sports and Social Club at Airbus in Broughton. The café is open for drinks and snacks, there is plenty of parking space and the bus stop is just outside. (If this venue is very occasionally unavailable, group members are informed by email or personally, as well as a notification on the website.) We are a very friendly and welcoming group meeting every Friday, 1pm–3pm. We chat together, get to know new people and make new friends and usually there’s some fun and laughter too! Each week we choose an interesting subject to discuss, such as our favourite book, music from our teenage years, gadgets, climate change, our working life. We often have slide shows from our travels abroad. We also have a short, fun quiz. (Not too much rivalry!) There is usually an accompanying background of live music provided by some of our talented group members. This is a very inclusive group and we welcome your input. Your ideas count! So please come and join us on a Friday if you can and maybe put forward your ideas for the group to discuss. Everyone is very welcome. Jude Jones Armchair Travellers Armchair Travellers resumed meetings last September. Since then we have ‘visited’ Japan, New Zealand, Thailand, Ethiopia, Italy, Bath and Portsmouth. We are an informal, friendly group and the talks are always informative, interesting and often amusing. Our members have travelled extensively and have great tales to tell. Not all talks are about exotic places. We have also ‘visited’ places within Britain. Over tea and coffee afterwards, there is always an opportunity to talk and ask questions. Meetings will resume on September 8th at St. David’s Church Hall in Mold at 2pm. There is ample free parking. New members will be especially welcome. The presentations in the autumn will be about The Channel Islands, Cornwall and the intriguingly titled ‘Will We Get Back From Portugal?’ There is no obligation to do a presentation. Each year we hold a ‘Show And Tell’ session when, should a member wish, they can talk for five minutes about an object, souvenir or something which reminds them of a journey they have made. Do join us every 2nd Thursday of each month (excepting December and August). You may learn something, get ideas for a future holiday and, hopefully, you will enjoy yourself too. If you would like further information, contact Lesley Roberts on 01352 840532 or [email protected] Noreen Fisher Judges Required Do you enjoy a good story? Some of the judges of the Wales u3a short story competition are standing down this year. Could you help by joining the panel? If you enjoy reading and appreciate a good story, you are more than qualified. Detailed guidance will be given to you and no work is involved until near the end of the year. For details contact Wales Trustee Sue Shannon-Jones. Email [email protected] Marcia Humphries 1

2 of 4 Chair's Report It has been a joy to see our members meeting up face to face, enjoying each other’s company and the learning within their interest groups. I had a lovely welcome when I visited the Writers Together Group. They were so friendly and pleasant and encouraged me to join in the various activities they did to develop their writing skills. These skills were on display at both our social morning and the Picnic in the Park.The social morning in April was wonderfully noisy! Lots of our members mixing, looking at the various group displays and catching up with friends. I was delighted that a number of members came forward to serve on the committee. We also needed to find a new secretary as Julie Harvey had to stand down due to ill health. Angie Heys has come forward as has Jude Jones and they are going to share the role. Great idea. The other new committee members are Karen Green, Yvon Jones and Sue Evans plus Sue Wilcox who is the new Groups Liaison. My sincere thanks to all of them for stepping forward. We have now had two open meetings and it is great to see more people attending. They will be every two months but do look carefully as we will be meeting in different venues so we can be accessible to more members. Already the committee has events planned, please see the list and note them in your diary. We would welcome a couple more members to help plan these events, contact me if you are prepared to assist by joining the Social Events team. Due to members’ requests we are printing more paper versions of this newsletter and also a paper list of interest groups. This list will be updated every six months and will be available at open meetings and via your co-ordinator. I have been invited to visit a couple of groups and would like to visit more (large hint)! It is a great way to get to know the members and hear about their Fu3a experiences. Continue to enjoy the summer and I look forward to seeing you at some time during the next few months. Hilary Flintshire u3a Committee Chair Hilary Jones Vice Chair Lynne Ingman Secretary Angie Heys Assistant Jude Jones Treasurer Diane Watton Secretary Groups Liaison Sue Wilcox Webmaster Steven Ridpath Training Officer Ken Smyth Social Events Karen Green Publicity Yvon Jones Team Members Sue Evans, Alan Lloyd, Helen Lloyd, Jon Payne Meet The Vice Chair This is just a little note to introduce myself to the members of Flintshire u3a as your new vice-chair. First of all, I would like to thank you for your faith in me and electing me to this role and I am looking forward to working with Hilary and the rest of the committee. Compared to most members of our organisation I am fairly new to u3a. Not long after retiring from teaching in 2016 I began my u3a journey. Over the years I have met so many people and forged new friendships within the groups that I attend. I feel that it is a major strength to our organisation that everyone is made welcome wherever they go. Our motto is ‘learn, laugh, live’ – we certainly do that! As I continue my journey, I am hoping to meet many more of you on the way. Lynne Ingman Music Live Some members of Music Live played a gig at Mold Methodist Hall last Saturday (16th July) to say farewell to the present vicar, Rev. Rosemarie Clarke.The event went well and everyone enjoyed Music Live, especially Tony Kendrick's performance playing the sitar. John House 2

3 of 4 2022 Dates For Your Diary 14th September Open meeting – Talk entitled ‘HMY Britannia Remembered’ at St David’s Church Hall, Mold CH7 1LH 10.00 Tea and Coffee available 29th September u3a 40 th birthday lunch at The Holiday Inn, A55, CH7 6HB. Book your place using the form on the website or available from Hilary 01352 780324 14th November Open Meeting - Talk entitled ‘What they did not tell you at Music School’ at St David’s Church Hall, Mold. 10.00 Tea and Coffee available 4th December Christmas Concert at Caffi Isa, Mynydd Isa, CH7 6UH with contributions from some of our groups. A special way to start the festive season 29th December Post Christmas coffee morning 10 -12.00 St David’s Church Hall. A chance to renew your membership too by cash or cheque only. Please note – to assist our Membership Secretary and Treasurer - no renewals by BACS or Stripe until 2023. Family History Group’s Trip to Llanfyllin Workhouse On June 20th, 21 people from the Family History Group and other groups visited the workhouse at Llanfyllin. The visit included a very informative guided tour led by John Hainsworth, one of the trustees, and a 30 minute film. The Llanfyllin Workhouse was built just after the Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834 under which unions of parishes were created and governed by a Board of Guardians, elected by the rate payers, who organised relief for paupers. Conditions in the workhouse had to be sufficiently bad to deter all but the desperate. Men, women, boys and girls lived separately, one courtyard for each. The master lived in a central section from which it was possible to see what was going on in each of the four courtyards. Food consisted mainly of gruel, bread, soup and rice pudding. Boiled meat and salt herring were available once a week. On the positive side children did receive some education and learnt to read. At the age of 12 they were expected to leave the workhouse to start work, generally domestic service for girls and farm work for boys. Adults worked long hours grinding corn, breaking stone, unravelling old rope, gardening, cleaning the workhouse and preparing food. Before leaving the group enjoyed a picnic in glorious sunshine. The inmates of the workhouse would never have had access to such a variety of food. Val Blair Llanfyllin Workhouse courtyard with Master’s section in centre from where he could observe what was happening. John Hainsworth addressing Fu3a members Welsh Improvers Visit Alyn Waters Aeth y Grwp Gwelliant Cymraeg am daith gerdded un pnawn dydd Llun braf I ddysgu am enwau gwahanol goed yn Nyfroedd Alun. Cawsom ni hwyl yn dysgu am siapau a gwahanol liwiau y dail a'r coed yn Gymraeg. Hefyd gwelon ni waith celf ar hyd y llwybr ac adar, yn enwedig yr ehedydd yn canu yn y coed. Cawsom ni baned a bara brith hyfryd yn y caffi. Pnawn bendigedig. The Welsh Improvers Group went walking one fine Monday afternoon to learn the different tree names in Alyn Waters. We had fun learning about shapes, different coloured leaves on the trees in Welsh. We also saw craft work along the path and birds, especially the skylark singing above the trees. We had a lovely cuppa and bara brith in the café. A wonderful afternoon. Vera Williams 3

4 of 4 A Royal Celebration It was a real red, white and blue day when Flintshire u3a held its Platinum Jubilee Picnic to celebrate The Queen's 70th year as monarch. More than 100 members, many wearing the colours of the Union Flag, gathered from across the county on Gwernymynydd Community Centre field to share an afternoon of music and fun. After Fu3a Chair Hilary Jones welcomed everyone, all stood for a rendition of God Save The Queen; and a royal toast was raised before the picnic moved into full swing. First up to entertain was social history and wood turning group member Dave Hytch who had everyone joining in with a lively set on his guitar. He was followed by Writers Together who delivered some royal memories and wry looks at the Jubilee all building up to an uproarious tale from group leader Sue Wilcox of how Her Majesty The Queen had been enrolled in secret into Fu3a after arriving unannounced at the home of Chair Hilary Jones. An energetic quiz with questions posed by Alan Lloyd about events from the seven decades of The Queen’s reign had dozens of revellers chasing from pillar to post around the field ending with just three winners who received a huge round of applause. The Platinum Jubilee Picnic ended with a good old singsong performed by Singing For Pleasure ensemble led by Marie Edwards assisted by Erica Ruddal, conducting and Stephen Baldwin on keyboard. Special thanks must go to the team of helpers who were first to arrive and last to leave responsible for setting up and clearing away. Unsung heroes all. Photos can be viewed in the Picture Gallery on the Fu3a website. Jo Shone Tuesday Walking Group Our recent April walk started at Coed y Felin near Hendre. Angela led us on an interesting circular walk of 5.8 miles. We were lucky with the weather that day so we enjoyed a coffee stop and later a pleasant picnic lunch. Our group leader has a wealth of knowledge about wild and woodland flowers. We are in awe of her almost instant recognition of lesser known plants. On route we were delighted to have some pointed out to us. Three in particular that I recall are squill, moschatel and stinking hellebore. I personally liked the moschatel and Angela told us that it is also known as Town Hall Clock having delicate, petite flowers which point in all directions. An enjoyable walk in good friendly company because after all it is Fu3a !! Marie Edwards Quiz Night Group Streetwise The Group meets on the third Friday of the month in the Grosvenor Hall, While waiting for the Park and Ride Grosvenor Street, Mold. Teams take turns to set the questions, so the I heard a voice speak by my side: subjects are an eclectic mix. On-line access is usually available using “Hello, what are you doing here?” Meet for those wishing to join us remotely. An emailed quiz is distributed as a female mallard did appear. to Group members a week prior to the meeting as a brain teaser Answers are sent out after the Quiz Night. New members are welcome and you do The duck was clearly not at home not have to bring a team to participate, individual members are invited to and on wet paving chose to roam - join a team with a shortfall. Our aim is to enjoy a fun evening, the prizes no grasses nor aquatic weed, are a bonus. Eileen Jones no edibles on which to feed. Intermediate German Group But would she stray into the road, Over the course of the pandemic we have unfortunately lost quite a few unaware of the highway code? members, not to Covid but for various other reasons and our number is How I feared that hapless duck now reduced to seven with one new member having joined us. Our original might be hit by a lumb’ring truck! free venue has not yet become available again and with so few members to cover the cost, hiring a room seemed uneconomic. I am therefore Or run the risk of being waylaid extremely grateful to our member Jill who has offered to host meetings in by someone from the dining trade, her home for the time being and this is proving to be a great success. If that offers many a place to eat any other member of either Wrexham or Flintshire u3a would like to join on either side of Pepper Street. us, bearing in mind this is an intermediate level group not one for beginners, they would be most welcome and, in the first instance, should My fears did not materialise, contact me. ‘least not before my own two eyes’ Elizabeth Pettitt 01978 854519 or email [email protected] the duck turned left quite suddenly to head towards the River Dee. David Parry Editorial Team: Martin Hampstead and Jo Shone. Submit articles for inclusion in the newsletter to [email protected] The newsletter can be viewed on the Fu3a web site and copies will be available at the September open meeting. 4