Website: www.sunderlandu3a.co.uk

EDITORS

Elsie Denham Dorothy Scott

The magazine is published quarterly. Copy deadline for the next magazine is the first of the month of publication

1st March

1st June

1st September

1st December

SUNDERLAND U3A

DECEMBER 2011 No: 27

Snow in Sunderland

Sunderland University of the Third Age:

A member of the Third Age Trust

Sunderland U3A

Fulwell Methodist

Dovedale Road

Sunderland

MEETING:

3rd

Wednesday of each month at 1.30 for 2.00pm

MEMBERSHIP: 0191 549 0984

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DECEMBER 2011

CONTENTS

From the Editorial Team 2

From the Chair 3

Future speakers 3

Groups’ News 4

Early number systems 8

Health and Safety Guidance on Festive Songs 10

Walking for Health 11

Lend with Care 11

Ageing Britain 13

Fascinating Words 14

Public Sculpture: The Vampire Rabbit 14

That Well-known Composer Bocconcini 15

Royalty Theatre 15

Post-It Wars 16

A Woman’s Touch 17

The Christmas Tree Star Cluster 17

Star of Bethlehem 18

Christmas Quiz 19

Out and About 20

Some Christmas Treats 21

Recipes 21

Anniversaries 22

Dates for Your Diary 22

Interesting People: Ignatius Sancho 24

Regional & National News 25

Answers to Quiz 26

Noticeboard: Forthcoming Events 27

Groups at a Glance 28

Contact Us 29

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FROM THE EDITORS

Another year draws to a close and we hope you have found something in our magazines to interest and entertain you. In this edition you will find lots of reports on activities over the past three months and we hope this will encourage you to try new things in the coming year. Without your group leaders, there would be no activities. So if you enjoy attending a particular activity, why not write a piece for the magazine, to show your appreciation and to encourage others to join you.

Thank you to everyone who sent in their photos for the competition. You will find some of them scattered around this magazine but for colour versions look at our website. The winner will be announced at the Christmas Party.

Elsie & Dorothy

ALAN ALCOCK

We are sorry to report the death of one of our long-standing members, Mr Alan Alcock. who died on 2 September after many years of illness.

He had been in the Sunderland U3A almost from its formation and he was a regular member of the Walking, Travel and History groups, where he will be sadly missed. Members may remember him when he sang at one of the Christmas parties at the United Reform Church.

Our sympathy goes to his widow Enid and his family

CAN YOU HELP?

Dr Mike Pearce of the University of Sunderland is researching accent and dialect in North East England – you can read some of his findings on his website at www.drmichaelpearce.blogspot.com. He is currently working on a project which looks at people’s ability to identify speakers from different parts of North East England and needs volunteers willing to record their voices for the experiment. He is am particularly keen to hear from speakers who think that they have a very ‘typical’ accent of the place they come from: ‘genuine’ Geordies, ‘model’ Mackems, or ‘true’ Teessiders, for example – but not just these localities: if you are from anywhere in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham, or Teesside you please contact him at mike.pearce@sunderland.ac.uk. Please give your age and where you’re from in your email.

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FROM THE CHAIR

As I write Christmas & the end of the year approaches. Time does seem to fly as you get older & as I walk my dog in the local cemetery, both the relatively warm weather & the leaves still on the trees make me doubt that December is upon us. At least winter has not started as viciously as last year. I do hope it has been a good year for you.

Perhaps the saying that time goes fast when you are enjoying yourself is true. Certainly our U3A provides learning, entertainment and friendship and continues to go from strength to strength. To eliminate the waiting list membership was increased from one hundred and seventy to two hundred, the maximum number of people we can have in our present venue. However the waiting list has soon appeared again with sixteen more people waiting to join. Two new groups in the area are in the process of setting up.

As the list of speakers for next year appears in the magazine it is traditional to reminisce about this year’s speakers. Unfortunately I have missed quite a few meetings but if the last two speakers are anything to go by you will have had interesting and entertaining times.

The groups continue to be popular and I am sure you will want to join me in thanking the group leaders for their work throughout the year. It is amazing what good work they do. It is my resolution to join some new groups. I started with the music group which was excellent & it was a lovely indulgence to sit & enjoy music in the morning. If you have any suggestions for new groups do see a member of the committee. We would be pleased to help set up new groups.

I wish you all a happy Christmas and good health and happiness in the New Year.

Ann Aldridge

FUTURE SPEAKERS

18 January Bernard Hope: George Mallory - Conqueror Everest

15 February Vera Selby: Great North Air Ambulance

12 March Jim O'Connor: Dorothy's Well

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GROUPS’ NEWS

AMATEUR ARTISTS

Meetings are on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month, at 10.15 at Monkwearmouth Railway Museum.

We are a small friendly group who like to dabble in a variety of styles and media. Mostly we just like to have fun and don’t take ourselves too seriously so if you fancy it do come along and join us – we can make room for one or two more at present.. You don’t need any materials to begin with – just come and try before splashing out.

Marion Miller 0191 548 1009 Josie Thompson 0191 534 2702

CINEMA

Lunchtime Liaisons at the Customs House, South Shields - specially selected films which vary from period dramas to the biggest blockbusters. You can also join us for lunch prior to the film. Details at general meeting.

Norma Robins 0191 416 4498

COMPUTER & DIGITAL SUPPORT

The Sunderland and Wearside computing groups merged some time ago. The resulting group works mostly on Digital Imaging, but other forms of computer use are supported. So if you have a problem, come and see if we can solve it.

Meetings are the first and third Tuesdays of the month in the computer room at Amble Tower, Lakeside, Gilley Law.

Alan Denham 0191 521 2760

GEOLOGY

The geology group meets on the third Friday each month. In summer we try to have as many outings to places of geological and natural interest as possible and from September on we meet in the Bangladeshi Centre at 2 p.m.

In September we had a feedback session on our summer visits, and successfully extracted copper from the ore samples we picked up at Raisby cutting.

In our latest sessions we have looked at the dawn of life and the explosion of species in the Cambrian and ending up with a detailed look of Trilobites, including a hands-on session with actual specimens.

John Baty 0191 522 6462

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HISTORY

Meet on the 2nd

Thursday of the month at 11am at Fulwell Methodist Church

Linda Thompson 0191 549 5693

KEEP MOBILE

New members are most welcome and no experience is necessary. No special footwear or clothing is required. We meet every Friday (except 3

rd Friday) at 10.45

am at Fulwell Methodist Church

Linda Thompson 0191 549 5693

LOOKING @ ART

In September the group enjoyed a visit to the Great North Museum (Hancock) in Newcastle to look at Pharaoh: King of Egypt.

We meet to discuss art at various venues on the 3rd Thursday of the month and everyone is welcome.

Sheila Humby 0191 548 2259 Rose Marshall 0191 528 1468

LUNCH

On the 2nd

Wednesday of the month, at different venues.

Norma Robins 0191 416 4498

MUSIC APPRECIATION

Each month we look forward to listening to a varied programme of music, selected by our own members. The room is comfortable and the staff are welcoming. Over the last few months we have enjoyed sessions on foreign royalty, looked at different interpretations of the a wide range of works, and ended the year with our Christmas social where we shared favourite pieces of music (and some Christmas food!). Our varied selections started with Bede and ended with Cliff Richards, taking in Bach, Elvis, Tchaikovsky and various Christmas carols on the way. You don't need to know anything about music so come along and relax. Meet at 10 am for coffee/ tea at Dock St Tower Block for a 10.15 start.

27 Jan Pat Highton: Jobs for the boys 24 Feb Dorothy Richards: Overtures

23 Mar Elsie Denham: Sounding Brass

Joyce Hoseason 0191 548 6041

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POETRY APPRECIATION

An enthusiastic group who find some varied poems on a chosen topic to stimulate reminiscences, discussion and some laughs. Everyone chooses two poems on a previously chosen topic. These are read and discussed. Everyone seems to enjoy looking through books for something appropriate.

Over the past few months the group has continued to enjoy a variety of topics and authors. In early summer we had an enjoyable outing to Dove Cottage and Hill Farm in the Lake District. We hired “Ian’s Bus” for a Sunday trip to Newcastle Theatre Royal to attend and evening with Pam Ayres – a very relaxed and entertaining presentation which prompted poems by her for our next session.

Meetings are held at Monkwearmouth Station on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 10.15 am. Welcome to new members and “get well soon” to those who have been poorly. The next meeting is 10 January 2012. when the topic will be “winter” – hope it isn’t like last year!

Elizabeth Robson 0191 567 1421

READING GROUP

After a summer break we read “Water for Elephants” by Sara Gruen.

All the books are provided by the Library and there are no other fees or charges. Sunderland U3A members are invited to come along; average attendance is between 12 and 15. Any members who miss a meeting can call at the Central Library to collect the next book

Rose Marshall 0191 528 1468

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

After the inspiration of a session at the Alnwick Study Day, our October session was devoted to soap and water and we had fun floating needles and dribbling chemicals into water. The play school theme continued in November, when we became computers, learned how to count in various systems and discovered how brilliant we were at maths using Napier’s Bones and Genaille’s Rods. In our final session we looked at some rubber geometry and odd shapes before more practical work on regular solids.

Our science sessions look at how things work. You don’t need any knowledge of science, just an interest in the world around you. We meet at Monkwearmouth Station at 2pm on the first Monday of the month so come along and join us.

No meeting in January. We shall be starting a series of sessions on astronomy from February.

Alan Denham 0191 521 2760

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TAI CHI

The Tai Chi group meets every Tuesday afternoon from 2.00pm to 3.00pm at Fulwell Methodist Church. Tai Chi involves gentle exercise under the guidance of our excellent tutor Michael. Classes are geared to suit all levels of ability and all are welcome.

The cost is £3 per session. No special clothing or equipment is needed - you just need comfortable clothing and footwear. Come and chill!.

Dorothy Scott 0191 5652108

TEN PIN BOWLING

This group meets at 10.15 am on the 4th Wednesday each month at the Bowling Centre in Newcastle Road, near the Wheatsheaf.

Martin & Primrose Walker 0191 567 8920

TRAVEL GROUP

On 1st December 38 members of the Travel Group are booked for a return visit to the Duke of Gordon Hotel in Kingussie, Scotland for a pre-Christmas break of 5 days.

The travel group meet on the fourth Thursday of each month in Monkwearmouth Station Museum and our next meeting will be on Thursday, 22nd September, at 10.15 a.m. for a 10.30 a.m. start. Why not come and see what we get up to?.

Bob Younger 0191 549 0984

WALKING

Our walks are approximately 4 miles and we try to keep to good paths. We walk on the second Wednesday of each month. If you are interested look out for the sheet at the monthly meeting. Why not give it a go?

Bob Younger 0191 549 0984

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Photo by Bob Younger

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EARLY NUMBER SYSTEMS

The Science Group spent a session exploring counting and the development of mathematics. Some animals can count – pigeons, magpies, rats, monkeys are known to be able to count small quantities and distinguish between smaller and larger groups. Many animals can recognise if one of their young is missing.

The earliest form of number recording was using tally marks or sticks in a one-to-one relationship. The Wolf Bone, 30,000 years old, is one of the earliest examples and uses the marks we still use today when “keeping tally”.

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Many early cultures used finger or body counting – something which we still use today. We could in base 10, but the Babylonians used a system of finger counting in base 60 counting the knuckles on one hand up to 12 and the fingers of the other hand to count groups of 12.

In De Temporae Ratione Bede describes a system of finger counting up to 1 million – a system still in use into medieval times. (You can try it out yourself at Bede’s World.)

In Papua New Guinea a system of body counting is still in use today – this time using base 18.

Methods of recording numbers also varied greatly, the early ones often being very cumbersome. The Egyptian system used hieroglyphs showing powers of 10. Amazingly, they also

had a system of recording fractions, based on the “Eye of Horus” hieroglyph where each section represented half the previous fraction.

And we still struggle with the Roman numbers at the end of TV credits- imagine doing sums using either of these systems!

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HEALTH & SAFETY GUIDANCE ON FESTIVE SONGS

Jingle Bells

Dashing through the snow In a one horse open sleigh O'er the fields we go Laughing all the way

A risk assessment must be submitted before an open sleigh is considered safe for members of the public to travel on. The risk assessment must also consider whether it is appropriate to use only one horse for such a venture, particularly if passengers are of larger proportions. Please note, permission must be gained from landowners before entering their fields. To avoid offending those not participating in celebrations, we would request that laughter is moderate only and not loud enough to be considered a noise nuisance.

While Shepherds Watched

While shepherds watched Their flocks by night All seated on the ground The angel of the Lord came down And glory shone around

The union of Shepherds has complained that it breaches health and safety regulations to insist that shepherds watch their flocks without appropriate seating arrangements being provided; therefore benches, stools and orthopaedic chairs are now available. Shepherds have also requested that due to the inclement weather conditions at this time of year that they should watch their flocks via cctv cameras from centrally heated shepherd observation huts.

Please note, the angel of the lord is reminded that before shining his / her glory all around she / he must ascertain that all shepherds have been issued with glasses capable of filtering out the harmful effects of UVA, UVB and Glory.

Little Donkey

Little donkey, little donkey on the dusty road Got to keep on plodding onwards with your precious load

The RSPCA have issued strict guidelines with regard to how heavy a load that a donkey of small stature is permitted to carry. Also included in the guidelines is guidance regarding how often to feed the donkey and how many rest breaks are required over a four hour plodding period. Please note that due to the increased risk of pollution from the dusty road, Mary and Joseph are required to wear FFP2 dust masks to prevent

inhalation of any airborne particles. The donkey has expressed his discomfort at being labelled 'little' and would prefer just to be simply referred to as Mr. Donkey. To comment upon his height or lack thereof may be considered an infringement of his equine rights.

We Three Kings

We three kings of Orient are Bearing gifts we traverse afar

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Field and fountain, moor and mountain Following yonder star

Whilst the gift of gold is still considered acceptable - as it may be redeemed at a later date through such organisations as 'cash for gold' etc - gifts of frankincense and myrrh are not appropriate due to the potential risk of oils and fragrances causing allergic reactions. A suggested gift alternative would be to make a donation to a worthy cause in the recipient’s name or perhaps give a gift voucher.

We would not advise that the traversing kings rely on navigation by stars in order to reach their destinations and suggest the use of RAC routefinder or satellite navigation, which will provide the quickest route and advice regarding fuel consumption. Please note as per the guidelines from the RSPCA for Mr Donkey, the camels carrying the three kings of Orient will require regular food and rest breaks. Dust masks for the three kings are also advisable due to the likelihood of dust from the camels’ hooves.

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WALKING FOR HEALTH

In the March 2011 Sunderland U3A magazine I read about Walking to Health by the South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust. Straight away I joined and have only missed one Tuesday, when on holiday with the U3A Travel Group. Tuesday walks are usually about 4½-5 miles, Thursday a bit shorter. I find the health trainers and fellow walkers very friendly and the walks interesting.

A few weeks ago we did the “Bede Walk” starting from St Paul’s Church in Jarrow and ending at St Peter’s Wearmouth. Usually this walk is done once a year and is about 13 miles. We did it in three parts, which I thought was really good. Soon another three-part walk is on our November walking sheet. This is from Whitley Bay back to Sunderland.

Many thanks for letting me know about these health walks.

Ruby Ball

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LEND WITH CARE

Lendwithcare.org is an initiative from CARE International UK in association with The Co-operative which enables poor communities – especially vulnerable, marginalised women – to find sustainable ways to earn a decent living.

Microfinance is usually aimed at economically active poor and low-income people who have limited or no access to the services provided by formal financial intermediaries such as banks. Since there are so few salaried work opportunities, they are usually self-employed microentrepreneurs often working from home. Typically, they operate small businesses such as grocery shops, market stalls, car repair, carpentry or other workshops, and in rural areas they tend to focus on food processing, agriculture and

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raising livestock and poultry. Around two-thirds of microfinance clients worldwide are women.

Just like any small business, it all starts with an idea. An entrepreneur in the developing world approaches a local microfinance institution (MFI) with a business plan. MFIs are effectively local banks. An entrepreneur’s business plan could be anything from dressmaking to expanding a small farm holding.

Once satisfied that the business plan is sound, the MFI approves the proposal and provides the initial loan. The MFI then helps the entrepreneur construct their profile for lendwithcare.org. and uploads this profile to the website.

Lenders can study these profiles and choose where to make a contribution towards the total needed, in increments of £15 or more. When the entrepreneur’s loan is fully funded by you (and other supporters) this money is then transferred to the MFI, and used to replace the initial loan already paid out to the entrepreneur so that the MFI can immediately start funding another hopeful business plan. Lenders can follow the progress of their entrepreneurs on the website, and as loan repayments arrive, they can be used to fund other entrepreneurs. www.lendwithcare.org

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AGEING BRITAIN

To coincide with Older People’s Day In October the Office for National Statistics (ONS) released the latest data on the UK ageing population, confirming that for the first time, the UK has more people of pensionable age than children under 16. The number of children under 16 was 11.5 million while people of pensionable age rose to 11.58 million (19% of the population). Furthermore, the fastest growing group is the over 80s who now account for over 5% of the population. The number of centenarians has increased to 12,640, five times more than 30 years ago.

As a result of these increases in the proportion of older people, the median age of the UK population is increasing. Over the past 25 years the median age increased from 35 years in 1985 to 39.7 years in 2010. Life expectancy at birth in the UK has reached its highest level on record for both males and females, 77.7 years at birth for males and 81.9 years at birth for females

At the same time, the percentage of the population aged under 16 has been decreasing and so this ageing of the population is projected to continue: by 2034, 23% of the population will be aged 65 and over compared with 18% aged under 16. There are regional variations: generally the south east has a higher per proportion of younger people (see graph showing comparison with NE and London). The population of the North East is the lowest of the English regions and one of the slowest growing, but the percentage of the population aged 65 and over is projected to be one of the fastest growing among the regions.

All this has huge implications for future social policy. In the last fiscal year, NHS and state benefits, including pensions, accounted for just under half of all government expenditure, with much of this directed at those over working age. Who is going to pay this growing bill in the future?

It is easier to get older than it is to get wiser.

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ARTS AND LITERATURE

FASCINATING WORDS

MASCARON (French masque, a mask, from Italian maschera) A grotesque face on a door-knocker. Everyone's seen and used them, but I'll bet you didn't know there was a word for this. Related to mask, mascaron may ultimately derive from the Arabic maskharah, a jester or man in masquerade.

CARYATID (From the Greek) A female figure acting as a column supporting an entablature. Usually a graceful figure dressed in long robes. Male counterparts are Atlantes or Telamones.

GARGOYLE (French – gargouille = throat) A carved stone figure, usually distorted or exaggerated, projecting from the gutter with a spout designed to take rain water from a roof and away from the side of a building (thus preventing it from running down walls and eroding the mortar). Similar fantastic figures without a spout are called Grotesques.

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PUBLIC SCULPTURE: THE VAMPIRE RABBIT

Above the rear door of 17 Dean Street (a solicitor’s office on Amen Corner behind the Cathedral) is a flamboyant doorway painted pink and cream. Above it is a circular window and the architrave to this has a strange sculpture of a rabbit. The rabbit bares a pair of enormous canine teeth and this with its long red nails and menacing expression has led to its popular nickname “The Vampire Rabbit”. In recent years it has been a regular feature of Halloween “spooky” trails.

Where: 27 Dean Street, Newcastle

Architects: Oliver, Leeson & Wood

Date: 1901

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THAT WELL-KNOWN COMPOSER BOCCONCINI

A survey carried out by Reader's Digest revealed that most Britons know very little about classical music. One third of the 1,516 participants claimed never to have heard any, with older people far more likely to listen to classical music than younger.

Elgar's recent stint on the nation's banknotes appears to have done him little good. 75% of respondents could not link him with Land of Hope and Glory, and 27% did not know he was a composer. And 68% didn’t know that Tchaikovsky wrote the '1812' overture

4% were thrown by a trick question; identifying Bocconcini (Italian cheese balls) as a composer.

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Photo by Lilian Younger

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ROYALTY THEATRE, SUNDERLAND

Tucked away in a side street (grandly named The Royalty) off Chester Road, is Sunderland's independent Royalty Theatre, run entirely by volunteers. The company stages seven plays each season (Sept to June) including a traditional family pantomime every December.

The inaugural General Meeting of Sunderland Drama Club was held on 2 October 1925 at Meng’s Restaurant, Fawcett Street and at first plays were performed in the Victoria Hall until premises were purchased in Tavistock Place for just over £1,000. This became the “Little Theatre”.

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During the war production dates were carefully chosen to coincide with the full moon because of black-out restrictions. In April 1941 the Little Theatre and the Victoria Hall were both destroyed in the bombing. The Royalty Hall, along with other Church Halls, was used for various productions throughout the rest of the war. In 1968 new premises became The Royalty Theatre and in the 1990s the name was changed from Sunderland Drama Club to Royalty Theatre.

The present building was built in late 1800s as a Congregational church, and has been extended using 3 neighbouring houses to make extra rehearsal rooms. During the war there was a soldiers’ hospital here and today there are reports of sounds of things being moved, doors slamming, moans and whistling. It has become a venue for ghost hunts and paranormal investigations.

The society runs other activities including the Book Club (which meets on the second Tuesday of every month from 6.45 – 8pm) and quiz nights (usually held on Saturday evenings after each production).

THE FIRST POSTAGE STAMP TO COMMEMORATE

CHRISTMAS WAS ISSUED IN AUSTRIA IN 1937

POST-IT WARS

The war broke out in Paris in the summer – computer gaming company Ubisoft Paris and its neighbour, French bank BNP, started pasting video game characters made of post-it notes into their windows; a lone Space Invader on an Ubisoft window sparking a competition that quickly exploded into Post-it Wars. The movement spread rapidly, with characters popping up on windows all over Paris. The art ranges from simple representations of characters to complex designs covering

several windows and floors.

When asked when it would end, a an Ubisoft company rep replied "No idea. We're letting the team run with it and it will end whenever it ends. Or, maybe when we run out of windows! However, some of the original designs have already been taken down to make way for newer better ones."

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SCIENCE

A WOMAN'S TOUCH

Ian Stewart in his Hoard of Mathematical Treasures tells the story of William Feller, a probability theorist at the prestigious Princeton University. Feller and his wife wanted to move a large table from one room to another, but they couldn’t get it through the door, however much they pushed and pulled and tipped the table on its side.

Eventually, Feller retreated to his desk and worked out a mathematical proof that the table would never be able to pass through the door. While he was doing this, his wife had quietly moved the table through the door.

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THE CHRISTMAS TREE STAR CLUSTER

The image shows the swirling gas around the region known as NGC 2264 — an area of sky that includes the sparkling blue baubles of the Christmas Tree star cluster. This is an area where new starts are being formed and the huge gas clouds are glowing under the intense ultra-violet light coming from the energetic hot young stars.

The cluster appears in the constellation of the Unicorn, near the more familiar Orion and can easily be seen with binoculars. The star at the top can be seen with the naked eye. It was first discovered by William Herschel in 1784

This image was produced by the European Southern Observatory using data from its La Silla Observatory in the Atacama Desert.

Butterflies taste with their feet. A butterfly's sense of taste is coordinated by chemo-receptors on the lowest part of their leg and works only on contact. It is used to determine whether an egg-laying insect's offspring will be able to feed on a leaf before eggs are laid on it.

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STAR OF BETHLEHEM

A comet, an eclipse, a supernova, an alignment of planets - was the Star of Bethlehem, a real astronomical event? Modern interpretations range from acceptance of it as literal truth to assertions that it is pure fiction.

The first reference to the Star of Bethlehem is in the book of Matthew. The Biblical account does not claim that the star was particularly bright, and nor does it appear to have had any significance for anyone other than the Magi. In all the controversy it is important to remember two facts: the date of Christ’s birth cannot be accurately determined and the Greek word generally translated 'star' can also mean planet and could refer to other objects such as a comet.

Assuming that it was a real astronomical phenomenon, there are several candidates.

Planetary Conjunction

A conjunction happens when two celestial objects appear to pass very near to each other from our perspective on Earth so that they look like one large object rather than separate ones. Researchers have put forward several candidates

In 2BC Jupiter met up with one of the brightest stars in the sky, Regulus, known by the Magi as the "little king". Nine months later, Jupiter met Venus, known as the mother planet. The planets would have seemed so close they would have looked like one bright light in the sky

There was a triple conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in Pisces in 7BC. Jupiter, the royal star, and Saturn came together three times over several months. For religious reasons Pisces is often suggested as the location of the Star because a fish is a powerful Christian symbol.

Jupiter

Jupiter was regarded as the royal planet and therefore often figures in theories.

Claims have been made that Jupiter was eclipsed by the moon on 17 April 6BC and this would have been highly significant to contemporary astronomers.

When a planet undergoes retrograde motion, it makes a loop against the stars and appears to be stationary at each end of the loop for about a week. Babylonian astronomers had a keen interest in retrograde motions and the wise men may have been at Bethlehem when Jupiter was at a stationary point.

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Supernova

Kepler seems to have believed that the star was a supernova and this theory has had many supporters since then. However, there is no western record of such an event though some claim that Chinese records show supernova – or “guest stars” as the Chinese described them – that appeared in the sky right around the time when Jesus may have been born, in 4 and 5 BC.

Comet

Comets move across the sky and their tails are often visible to the naked eye. Chinese astronomers recorded a new star in the constellation Capricorn in March--April of 5 BC. which was visible for over 70 days. This new star could have been a supernova or a comet - there is no further detail.

Other Explanations

In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Star of Bethlehem is not regarded as an astronomical event, but as a supernatural occurrence, whereby an angel was sent by God to lead the Magi to the Christ Child.

Paranormal explanations such as a UFO have also been put forward for the star.

Interesting fact: The flag of the new state of South Sudan includes a gold star, the Star of Bethlehem, representing the unity of the people.

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CHRISTMAS QUIZ (answers p26 )

1. Name 3 reindeer whose names begin with D 2. Counting Rudolf, how many reindeer are there? 3. What was Scrooge’s first name? 4. What is Frosty the Snowman’s nose made of? 5. What country started the tradition of exchanging gifts? 6. What two words are normally pre-printed on gift tags? 7. What country did poinsettias originally come from? 8. How many sides does a snowflake have? 9. Who wrote the book that inspired the 1983 animated film "The Snowman"? 10. Which Christmas item was invented by Tom Smith in 1847?

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OUT & ABOUT

Photos by Betty Lenier, Dorothy Scott, Malcolm Scott, Judith Ayles, Elsie Denham

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FOOD

SOME CHRISTMAS TREATS

Czech: The traditional meal (served as dinner on Christmas Eve) consists of either fish soup or pea soup and fried fish (traditionally carp) served with potato salad

Scandinavia: smorgasbord, including ham, salmon, pickled herring followed by rice pudding – usually with cream, almonds, fruit sauces Provence (France): Christmas supper ends with 13 dessert items, representing Jesus Christ and the 12 apostles. The desserts are traditionally set out Christmas Eve and remain on the table three days until December 27. They include fruits, nuts, nougat and sweet breads Philippines: Christmas dinner is called Noche Buena, and is held towards midnight of Christmas Eve. The centrepiece is usually a cured leg of pork, served with a ball of Edam cheese, still covered in red wax, and accompanied by pasta. The dinner would usually be accompanied with hot cocoa, which is made with locally grown cacao beans.

Greece: On Saint Basil’s Day (New Year’s Day) Greek households celebrate by eating a special New Year's bread known as Vassilopita which is only made for this day. Usually a silver coin was hidden just before baking and whoever finds the coin will be lucky for all the coming year. This is the day when Greek families exchange gifts, rather than Christmas Day.

Everything I eat has been proved by some doctor or other to be a

deadly poison, and everything I don't eat has been proved to be

indispensable for life. But I go marching on. ~George Bernard Shaw

RECIPES – LEFT OVER CHRISTMAS PUDDING

POTTED CHEESE & CHRISTMAS PUDDING

150g left over Christmas pudding 1 tsp cayenne pepper 150g grated Wensleydale cheese 4 whole star anise (decoration) 150g soft cream cheese 50g melted unsalted butter

Mash the pudding with a fork. Add both the cheeses and the cayenne pepper and mix together until well-blended.

Spoon the mixture into four small pots or ramekins and smooth over the surface. Push a star anise into the surface of each pot. Pour the butter round, tilting the pot so the surface is evenly covered.

Leave to set, then chill until ready to serve (will keep for about a week). Serve with hot toasted bread or bagels.

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CHRISTMAS PUDDING FRITTERS

For the fritters For the cream 300 g Christmas pudding 200 ml double cream 115 g self-raising flour 2 tbsp sifted icing sugar 25 g caster sugar 1 tbsp orange liqueur (eg Gran Marnier) 150 ml sparkling wine, chilled

Crumble the Christmas pudding into a mixing bowl, and roll into bite-size balls (about the diameter of a £2 coin).

For the batter, whisk together the flour, caster sugar and sparkling wine.

Poke a cocktail stick through each ball, dip into the batter to evenly coat and drop into hot oil - the cocktail stick can either be left in or slipped off while being dropped in the oil. Cook the fritters in batches, removing each batch with a slotted spoon. Drain on absorbent paper.

To make the cream, whisk everything together until the cream has thickened to a dipping consistency then spoon into a small bowl.

Serve the fritters on a large plate, surrounded by the cream dip. Decorate with sprigs of redcurrants or festive holly.

ANNIVERSARIES

600 years ago: Birth of Joan of Arc (Jan 1412)

200 years ago: Birth of Charles Dickens (7 Feb 1912)

150 years ago: Death of Prince Albert, consort of Queen Victoria (14 Dec 1861)

100 years ago: Scott’s expedition reached the South Pole, but discovered that Roald Amundsen’s Norwegian team had beaten them by over a month (23 Jan 1912)

100 years ago: Abdication of Henry Pu Yi, last Emperor of China (12 Feb 1912)

75 years ago: Abdication of Edward VIII (11 Dec 1936)

40 years ago: House of Commons voted narrowly in favour (by 8 votes) of joining the Common Market - now the European Union. (17 Feb 1972)

30 years ago: Start of the Falklands War (19 Mar 1982)

20 years ago: The people of South Africa voted in a referendum to back political reform and end apartheid (17 Mar 1992)

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

19 Nov–Feb Christmas at Beamish: with ice skating at weekends until 19 Feb

17-24 Dec The Hall of the Mountain King: St Mary’s Visitor Centre, Gateshead Quayside; a magical installation designed by Verity Quinn will

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transform the Heritage Centre into a Troll Lord's Hall; tickets £6 from 0191 433 6965

18-20 Dec Afternoon at the Movies: Beamish Hall Country House; afternoon tea followed by showing of Scrooge. £14.95 from 01207 233 733

22 Dec Darlington Christingle Market noon – 8pm

26 Dec Boxing Day Dip; organised by Lions Club – Seaburn beach

12 Jan Benedict Biscop Day: events across the city

15 Jan Pier to Pier Walk: 8 miles walk from Littlehaven Beach, South Shields to Roker Pier starting 10am. Free but booking necessary 0191 424 7498

Sing along luncheons, 12.30 – 4pm at Sea Hotel, South Shields; £10 includes 3 course lunch. Dates: 24 Jan, 28 Feb, 27 March. 0191 427 0999

6 Feb Chinese New Year Lantern Festival: 6-8 pm at Oriental Museum, Durham; £1.50

1-31 Mar AV Festival: exhibitions, 50+ film screenings and music events, weekend walks taking place at different times across Newcastle, Gateshead, Middlesbrough and Sunderland

8 March International Women’s Day. Celebrated round the world since the 1900s. Hundreds of events occur throughout March to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women.

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REGULAR MEETINGS:

FOSUMS (Friends of Sunderland Museums) Meetings at Sunderland Museum, third Thursday of each month 7- 9pm; £1 entry fee Membership enquiries to: David Owens on 07949 613 363

19 Jan Shauna Gregg: Sunderland Museum’s Art Treasures 16 Feb David Bridge

WEARSIDE FIELD CLUB Meets at 7.30 pm on the second Tuesday of the month at Fulwell Community Centre, Chapman Street (£1 entry) plus one Saturday walk/excursion per month (coach fare for out of area walks). Details from Elsie Denham on 0191 521 2760

Tues 10 Jan David Grainger: Lawrence of Arabia and the Hejaz Railway Tues 14 Feb Vera Baty: Gardens of Madeira Sat 18 Feb Walk: Hawthorne Dene – meet at Stapylton Arms at 10 am Tues 13 Mar Cliff Banks: Audio-visual presentation Sat 17 Mar Walk: Jesmond Dene – meet at South Gosforth Metro at 10.30 am

MONDAY STROLLERS Walking group meeting locally every other Monday for short gentle walks. For details contact Margaret Ridley on 0191 581 7235 or email mary@prharris.co.uk

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BEDE LECTURE SERIES Saturdays, 12 – 1pm at Bede’s World; museum admission charge 28 Jan Dr Sarah Semple: Anglo Saxon Paganism 25 Feb Dr Alex Woolf: King Egfrith and the Churches of the Tyne

INTERESTING PEOPLE

IGNATIUS SANCHO (1729-1780) Slave, Writer, Musician and Businessman

Ignatius Sancho is thought to have been born in 1729 on a slave ship en route from Guinea in West Africa to the Caribbean. Both his parents died soon afterwards - his father killing himself rather than exist as a slave. When Ignatius was about 2 years old, his owner brought him to England and gave him to three maiden sisters who called him Sancho. He calls this period of his life "unlucky" - they did not believe in education, but he taught himself to read and write and came to the attention of the Duke of Montagu, a former governor of Jamaica, who bought him books. Eventually, he ran away from the sisters to seek refuge with the Montagus, and remained in their service until 1773.

Here he was able to indulge in his passion for reading and subsequently wrote poetry, two stage plays and a Theory of Music dedicated to the Princess Royal. He was a gifted amateur musician and began to compose songs, dances and musical pieces for harpsichord, violin and mandolin, all of which were dedicated to members of the family.

He soon became a favourite in London's literary and artistic life. He counted the actor Garrick and writers such as Samuel Johnson and Laurence Sterne among his friends. When the Montagus visited Bath in 1768 Gainsborough painted his portrait at the same time as he painted the family.

He became known as "the extraordinary Negro", and the abolitionists saw him as a symbol of the humanity of Africans and immorality of the slave trade. He wrote several letters to newspapers, under his own name and under the pseudonym "Africanus"

He left the service of the Montagus in 1773, and with a legacy left to him by the Duchess he opened a grocery shop in Westminster with his wife Anne. As a male householder living in Westminster, he was qualified to vote in the parliamentary elections of 1774 and 1780 and thus was the first black person of African origin known to have voted in Britain.

When he died in 1780 his obituary appeared in the press, and when his Letters of the Late Ignatius Sancho, an African, were published two years later they were an immediate best-seller.

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REGIONAL & NATIONAL NEWS

STUDY DAY AT ALNWICK CASTLE

The study day held at Alnwick Castle in September attracted members from across the Northumbria region. Participants had previously chosen 3 from a wide variety of workshops and we were soon sent off in different directions to our first seminars. Mine was a session entitled The First Duchess and for the next hour we were led through the State Apartments and round the grounds as the life and work of the duchess were explained. Then off to the second session Architecture and another tour pointing out how the castle grew and changed over the years.

We all met up for an excellent lunch, hearing about the other workshops which included tours of the art collection, a study of the poison garden and the battleaxe tour (the latter related to the films such as the Harry Potter series which have used the castle as a setting). We then split up for the last session – architecture, art collection, roots and shoots, origins of the garden or soap making – before meeting up for a final cup of tea before departure – though some people still had enough energy to do bits of the garden they

hadn’t yet visited. We all agreed it was a very successful day.

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GUIDE TO BELSAY HALL'S WINTER COLOUR LAUNCHED

Finding the most stunning winter plants in the garden will no longer be a challenge at Belsay Hall & Gardens, thanks to a 'Shared Learning Project' between members of the U3A and English Heritage's education and gardening teams. Visitors will receive a free leaflet which highlights twelve 'don't miss' plants that are at their finest over the winter months. The leaflet includes a map and a spotters' guide to help locate and identify the trees, shrubs and plants providing seasonal interest around the grounds.

It has been a year since English Heritage's Education's team first contacted the U3A about the possibility of introducing Shared Learning Projects at appropriate sites and the Belsay leaflet is the first initiative to come to fruition. It was unveiled for visitors on Saturday 12 November. A group of ten members of the U3A worked closely with Belsay Hall's head gardener and English Heritage's local education manager to select the dozen top plants to feature in the guide, photograph each of the specimens and research their origins and relevance within the grounds.

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"We hope this will provide the public with more information about the plants and entice them to come back to the gardens at different times of the year. If this is successful we hope to produce further leaflets in a similar format for the other seasons," said Joyce Watts of the U3A.

Sarah Bowden of English Heritage is particularly impressed with the results of the initiative: "Working with U3A, we've been able to create a fantastic resource that draws upon the skills and experience of U3A members to show the gardens from a whole new perspective. Belsay's superb gardens were never intended to be merely for summer displays, and we're confident that this guide will help more people discover the gardens at their most dramatic - including on frosty mornings or snowy afternoons."

Shared Learning Projects are research projects where U3A members work with a cultural institution such as a gallery or museum. As an educational group, U3A members from the U3A Northumbria region enjoyed free visits to the site to take photographs and research the stories behind each of the specimens' planting, many of which were planted by the garden's architect, Sir Charles Monck.

Belsay Hall and Gardens is open every weekend from now until 31 March (closed 24-26 Dec and 1 Jan). Note that there is free entry to English Heritage sites for educational groups.

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ANSWERS TO CHRISTMAS QUIZ (page 19 )

1. Dancer, Dasher, Donner 6. To, From 2. 9 7. Mexico 3. Ebenezer 8. 6 4. a button 9. Raymond Briggs 5. Italy 10. Christmas cracker

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*** NOTICEBOARD ***

CHORAL WORKSHOP Saturday, 24 March 2012 at Ponteland

Led by Simon Fidler

For details contact Brian Prickett - prpandajp@talktalk.net Cost: £12 approx

WEARSIDE LITERARY LUNCH 24 April 2012 at Lumley Castle

Guest speaker: Ann Cleeves (author of TV series Vera)

Cost: £17.50

NORTHUMBRIA REGION BIRDWATCHING NETWORK We have been operating for 12 years and organise day, and half-day trips every month. We sometimes have trips lasting a few days or a week eg Mull, The Solway, New Forest, Norfolk and we have had trips abroad, e.g. Spain, Hungary, Bulgaria. A programme of trips for 2012 is available

First meeting of 2012: Tues 10 Jan at North Shields Fish Quay

We welcome members from any U3A group in the Northumbria Region including beginners - the more experienced help the novices. Car owners give lifts where necessary, and petrol costs are shared. Bring binoculars, sandwiches and a drink

Contact leader before to find meeting place Tel (0191) 4555215

RESEARCH IDEAS FROM THE THIRD AGE: A Competition for U3A Members in the Northumbria Region

Northumbria Region U3A and VOICE North are holding a competition open to all U3A members in the region. Our aim is to identify good ideas for research to address a question either in some basic or applied area of knowledge. There will be prizes of £1000, £500 and £250 for the three best entries but, more importantly, applicants with good ideas will have the opportunity to collaborate with researchers at Newcastle University (and possibly elsewhere) and hopefully see their proposal taken forward in partnership. Many of you will say that you have no idea what to submit but if you write down everything you come across during the day where you think "this could be improved" then I am sure you will find plenty of inspiration. Learn more at a meeting at the Bangladeshi Centre, Tatham Street, at 10.30 on Thursday January 5th with coffee from 10.00. More details from John Lloyd 0191 567 4484

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GROUPS AT A GLANCE

MONDAY (Not Bank Holidays or some school holidays – see notices & web site)

1 Science Monkwearmouth Railway Museum 2pm 2 Amateur Artists Monkwearmouth Railway Museum 10.15am 3 --- 4 Card Making Leader’s home 10.00am 4 Amateur Artists Monkwearmouth Railway Museum 10.15am

TUESDAY

1 Computer Support Amble Tower, Lakeside Village 10.30am 1 Tai Chi Fulwell Methodist 2.00 pm 2 Poetry Appreciation Monkwearmouth Railway Museum 10.15am 2 Tai Chi Fulwell Methodist 2.00 pm 3 Computer Support Amble Tower, Lakeside Village 10.30am 3 Tai Chi Fulwell Methodist 2.00 pm 4 Tai Chi Fulwell Methodist 2.00 pm

WEDNESDAY

1 ----------- 2 Lunch TBA each month 2 Walking TBA each month Morning 3 MONTHLY MEETING Fulwell Methodist, Dovedale Rd 1.30 for 2pm 4 Ten Pin Bowling Bowling Alley, Wheatsheaf 10.15

THURSDAY

1 ---------- 2 History Fulwell Methodist 11.00am 3 Looking at Art Various venues 10.30am 4 Reading 2

nd Floor, Central Library 2.00 pm

4 Travel Monkwearmouth Railway Museum 10.30am

FRIDAY

1 Keep Mobile Fulwell Methodist 11.00 am 3 Geology Bangladeshi Centre 2.00pm 3 Keep Mobile Fulwell Methodist 11.00 am 4 Keep Mobile Fulwell Methodist 11.00 am 4 Music Appreciation Dock Street 10.00am

CINEMA – this group happens on an ad hoc basis –details at monthly meeting COFFEE MORNING: held at Fulwell Methodist Church, at 10 for 10.30 am, whenever there is a fifth Wednesday in the month.

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CONTACT US

Chair: Ann Aldridge

3 Rockville, Seaburn, SR6 9EL; 0751 2307 518 aldridgeann3 @ gmail.com

Vice-Chair: Judith Ayles 18 Hunter Close, East Boldon, NE36 0TB; 07985 317 478 judithbldn @ btinternet.com

Secretary: Betty Lenier

Treasurer: Martin Walker

85 Ryhope Rd., Sunderland, SR2 7SZ; 0191 567 8920

Groups Secretary: Sheila Humby

07890 982 569 shumby @ talktalk.net

Membership: Lilian Younger

103 Dovedale Rd. Sunderland, SR6 8LS; 0191 549 0984

Speakers Sec: Susan Quayle

53 Ambleside Tce., Sunderland, SR6 8NP; 0191 548 8139

Mag Rep: Dorothy Scott 4 Kenton Grove, Sunderland, SR6 0HH; 0191 565 2108 dorothy.mse @ btinternet.com

Committee Members:

Minnie Cochrane 0191 522 0937 Alan Denham 0191 521 2760 Joan Walton Jim Wilson

Editor: Elsie Denham 61 Orkney Drive, Sunderland SR2 0TB; 0191 521 2760 elsie.denham @ googlemail.com

Sunderland U3A email address: sunderlandu3a @ gmail.com

Website: sunderlandu3a.co.uk