Issue 19 Page 1

Using the Benfleet U3A website Our website has lots about meetings, groups, outings, etc. But, some members have difficulty finding it. So, just type this address into your browser and press return/enter u3asites.org.uk/benfleet for direct access.

BENFLEET BULLETIN

Issue 19: FEBRUARY/MARCH/APRIL 2019 Website: U3Asites.org.uk/benfleet

MOBILE PHONES

Please switch OFF or on silent during meetings.

Thank you.

MONTHLY MEETINGS

2pm, last Tuesday in month at Richmond Hall.

No December meeting.

PLEASE NOTE!

As U3A policy, member subscriptions are non-refundable

FROM THE CHAIR: Hello Members

Where did last year go, Christmas over, New Year new beginning, lots to look forward too? Maria has new outings and some familiar ones, more new speakers.

In April we have the Beaucrees for the 60s dance.

Our thanks to our new committee, Suzanne Worland who has volunteered, as there were no nominations at the AGM.

On a sad note, over the Christmas period Helene Claxton passed away.

Helene was our first chairperson, which she did for 5 years and then was vice chair for 2 years.

Without Helene there would be no Benfleet U3A as every U3A needs a chairperson and Helene took on this challenge very successfully.

A very active member of our U3A, Helene will be missed by us all. Our thoughts are with Paul and her family.

Keep safe.

Sheila

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SPEAKERS & EVENTS AT FUTURE CLUB MEETINGS Last Tuesday every Month (except December)

2019

26 Feb. The Life of a Bee Keeper. Graham Bendall

26 March The North Bank of the Thames Jennifer and Ed Simpson From Shoebury to Stratford in History

30 April Pounds, Shillings and Pence in Victorian London. David Williams

28 May The Tower of London - Living with Ghosts. Brian Darcy

See the full 2019 list on the Benfleet U3A website

What’s in a name?

In the last bulletin, I asked members to come up with local history and knowledge relating to the local road and place names that we see and pass every day.

Edwina Lay was kind enough to offer this contribution. Thank you Edwina.

A brief history of KILN ROAD – Part of the main LONDON ROAD (A13)

KILN ROAD was named after the brick kiln that dated back to Elizabethan times (1558-1603) situated almost opposite Shipwrights Drive.

It stretches from BREAD and CHEESE HILL – thought to be commonly named after thorn bushes growing on the hill. However, locals favour it being named after the password imposed on travellers by Wat Tyler followers during the Peasant’s Revolt. Head impaled on spikes if password not known, as deemed a foreigner!

You pass THUNDERSLEY GLEN, once arable land, before changing to woodland. The wood being used for charcoal burning. Opposite stands the Council Offices, which were built near the original site of MANSE HOUSE, used by Benfleet Urban District Council from 1929.

The road ends at VICTORIA HOUSE CORNER, where once stood a fine house formerly called HADLEIGH HOUSE, built in the 1800s.

In 1926 at a house called SUNNYSIDE, a dreadful murder was reported when a young girl had her throat cut by a painter and decorator working there. He said she committed suicide following a ‘lover’s quarrel’ but he was found guilty by the Grand Jury of Thundersley Hall and duly hanged.

Edwina’s deeds date back to 1895, when the property was called MAYBANK, set in 4 acres with orchards and glass houses and backed onto Kiln Road. When sold £390 was received with £2 stamp duty!!

Please contact Alan Aldridge via Bulletin Editor with any contributions regarding Benfleet history and historic names – I’m sure members have many additional facts and stories to tell.

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SOCIAL OUTINGS

Monday 4 March 2019

Outing: Newmarket Stud Farm Tour and visit to Saffron Walden Status: Spaces still available. Contact: Maria Kelly at Outings Organiser Cost: £25 per person includes coach/gratuity, tea/coffee, stud tour. Last Payment Date: Tuesday 29 January 2019 [Member Meeting] Pickup: Tarpots Coach Stop - time TBA

Itinerary . 11.00- 13.00 ..Tea/coffee [incl.) and Tour of Stud Farm.

This 500-acre National Stud is home to some of the leading stallions of the racing world and the only stud to open its doors to the general public. During your visit you will get a full insight into the working of a thoroughbred farm and see what is involved before and after the horse time with a trainer. You will meet stallions, mares and foals along the way.

13.05pm. Return to coach then free time in Saffron Walden where Lunch can be purchased and an opportunity to visit this lovely old town.

Friday 5 April 2019

Outing: Backstage at the Royal Opera House Status: FULL. Reserve list only. Contact: Maria Kelly at Outings Organiser Cost: £40 per person includes coach/gratuity, tour, 3 course lunch with

tea/coffee and a soft drink. Last Payment Date: Tuesday 26 February 2019 [Member meeting] Pickup: 10:00 Tarpots Coach Stop.

Step inside this amazing venue which has been reopened due to popular demand and following a massive £50 million renovation.

Before your tour there an included three course lunch with a soft drink in the Covent Garden area (approx. 12.30).

To book or for further information on Outings please visit: u3asites.org.uk/benfleet/page/19756 - or contact Maria Kelly via the ‘Outings’ page or via Outings Organiser

If interested in any trip marked ‘FULL’, contact Maria for any cancellations. Coach excursions are generally limited to 48 places: therefore seats will be

allocated strictly on a first come, first served basis. Where food is included, please advise Maria of any dietary/allergy

requirements when booking.

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After lunch, Your Backstage Tour includes an introduction to the colourful history of the theatre, an insight into the redevelopment of the Royal Opera House and a look at aspects of current productions. As the Royal Opera House is a fully working theatre, each tour is a unique experience, and may include opportunities to see The Royal Ballet in class, or the magnificent backstage technology in operation.

After the tour why not spend some free time exploring the Markets and shops before you depart for home at approx. 5.30pm.

Tuesday 14 May 2019; Organised by Theresa Sergeant, Garden Visit Group

Outing: Leonardslee Gardens, Horsham, West Sussex Status: Booking - 4 places left plus reserve list; OPEN TO ALL MEMBERS Contact: Theresa Sergeant via Garden Visits Cost: £23-50p per person includes coach, entrance and gratuities. Last Payment Date: TBA Pickup: At Vic House Corner, Cemetery Corner, Tarpots coach stop. Times TBA

A coach trip has been arranged to visit the newly reopened beautiful Leonardslee Gardens. The Estate covers 200 Acres with 7 man-made ponds containing Carp fish, 2 alpine glasshouses, a rare colony of wallabies and deer who wonder semi-freely throughout the Estate.

For more information please visit leonardsleegardens.co.uk

THE FOLLOWING TRIPS ARE FOR INFORMATION ONLY

This allows members to add dates to diaries for their planning BUT Bookings will only be taken from the dates given. This eases the admin burden on Maria, so PLEASE do not request early booking, lists, leave telephone messages, etc. Thank you.

Further details will be posted on our U3A website and circulated as available.

Friday 21 June 2019

Outing: Wroxham, Broads Cruise & Lunch Status: Taking bookings from 29 JANUARY – Members meeting Contact: Maria Kelly at Outings Organiser Cost: £40 per person incl. coach/gratuity, cruise, lunch. Last Payment Date: To Be Advised Pickup: 08:30 Tarpots Coach Stop

Similar to the 2018 trip, but with free time in Wroxham instead of the Barns. Lunch will be at the Wroxham Hotel, Fish and Chips, Cheesecake, tea/coffee. Then a 2 hour broads cruise and then free time in Wroxham.

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Thursday 18 July 2019 Outing: Buckingham Chilterns Tours with lunch Status: Taking bookings from 26 March – Members meeting Contact: Maria Kelly at Outings Organiser Cost: £45 per person incl. coach/gratuity, lunch. Last Payment Date: To Be Advised Pickup: Tarpots Coach Stop – time TBA More details to follow. Thursday 15 August 2019 Proposed coach trip to Eastbourne. This trip will coincide with the start of the Eastbourne Airshow. Further details, cost, etc. to be advised. Tuesday 3 September 2019

Outing: Notcutt Nursery, Maidstone; Kentish Lady Cruise with Cream Tea; and Allington Castle tour – wow!

Status: Taking bookings from 30 April – Members meeting Contact: Maria Kelly at Outings Organiser Cost: £45 per person incl. coach/gratuity, cruise/cream tea, castle tour. Last Payment Date: To Be Advised Pickup: Tarpots Coach Stop – time TBA Members can purchase lunch at Notcutt Nursery. Incl. Cream Tea served on cruise. October 2019

Looking for member suggestions please Contact: Maria Kelly at Outings Organiser November 2019 – date to be advised Outing: Bury St Edmunds Christmas market All details to be advised Monday 16 December 2019

Outing: Thames Lunch Cruise and London Lights Status: Taking bookings from 25 June – Members meeting Contact: Maria Kelly at Outings Organiser Cost: £50 per person incl. coach/gratuity, cruise, lunch and lights tour.

£10 non-refundable deposit at time of booking Last Payment Date: 16 October 2019 Pickup: Tarpots Coach Stop – time TBA With early booking, Maria has been able to secure this trip at 2018 prices. Well done.

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SPECIAL OCCASION

Friday 26 April 2019: Celebrate the 60s with The BEAUCREES TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE

7:30pm to 11:00pm at RICHMOND HALL the Benfleet U3A will celebrate the 60s [that’s the decade not our ages].

The 60s Music will be provided by THE BEAUCREES – see thebeaucrees.co.uk

Cost: £12-50p per person including Fish and Chips. Bring your own drinks.

To book please either: • Contact Mavis Regan via Business Secretary OR • Sign up at the Members Meetings.

Benfleet U3A members may bring a non-U3A partner or friends.

ALLERGIES/DIETARY REQUIREMENTS Please contact Mavis Regan. Via Business Secretary if you have any allergies or specific dietary requirements such as gluten free. For these requirements we will provide a suitable alternative.

Requests regarding non-U3A activities Items listed are for your information only and are not U3A organised.

Benfleet Library As some of you will know Benfleet Library is under threat of closure by Essex CC. It is classed as ‘Tier 3’ which means they will only consider keeping some services open providing a local group will provide resource and administration. Ex-U3A member, Peter Chipperfield, is leading an attempt to lobby Essex CC and possibly provide the service. For more details and to offer support please contact make contact via email to Peter Chipperfield Castle Point BC – Runnymede and Waterside Sports Centres There is a new membership scheme devised for the over 65s giving wide access to all activities at both centres. For those fit enough to take full advantage please make contact via email to Jonathan Vadden CPBC Royal Hotel in Southend – at top of Pier Hill To confirm that Benfleet U3A members 20% discount on all FOOD now runs until 31 March 2019 and is available every day. Just show your U3A membership card.

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RECENT OUTINGS AND EVENTS St Paul’s area

Thames Cruise and London Lights

New Year Lunch – The Arlington

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PROJECTOR and SCREEN – are available for group use.

Please contact Sheila Sears via Chairperson

GROUP NEWS

A full list of group contacts is given on page 10

Lunch Club – NEW group contact needed We are still in need of a Group Contact OR for a different member to organise each lunch. This input is needed otherwise this group will not work. For interim group operation or to enquire about taking on the Group Contact role please contact Iris Mead via Interest Groups Coordinator

Walking 5 miles Plus – Second Group Just to confirm that Freda Antoniou is now group contact for this group. You can contact Freda via Walking 5 miles+ Group 2 There are lists of proposed new groups at the Members Meeting for you to sign up to. Any suggestions for new groups can be discussed with Iris Mead at the Members meeting or contact Iris via Interest Groups Coordinator YOUR GROUPS: Tell us about what activities your group are doing, provide a few photos and we will include in both the next bulletin and on the Benfleet U3A website. A taster of group activities is shown in pictures on the next two pages. Forward information to Alan Aldridge via Bulletin Editor

Recent Group Activities

Photography Group – Canvey Concord seafront

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Local Interest Group – Southend Lifeboat Station

Wildlife Group - Canvey Heights

Walking over 5 miles – Canary Wharf area

Photography Group - Image of the Year 2018 A ‘non-competitive competition’ for the group to select the best images taken during 2018 by group members. Joint 2nd Place Jean Terri Youell Waters

WINNER – Dave Balthasar 3rd Place Terry King

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SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS

SUBJECT CONTACT MEETING DATE Badminton 1 Brian Boyce Mon. pm weekly

Badminton 2 Fred Simpkins Thurs 7.30pm weekly

Book Club Pat Cluness Monthly: variable

Card & Board Games Ann Sayer 2nd Wed. pm

Comparative Religion Cheryl Kirby 2nd Tues. pm

Culinary Experience Barbara Webb 4th Mon.

Darts Chris Hicks Last Wed. pm

Discussion 1 Jenny Brown 2nd Mon. pm

Discussion 2 Jenny Brown 1st Tues. am

Family History Grahame Harris 1st Tues. 2-4pm

Flower Arranging Brenda Liberty 2nd Fri. am

French Linda Aldridge Wed am Monthly variable

Garden Visits Theresa Sergeant Various

Gardening Jenny Brown Monthly: variable

Keep Fit Suzanne Worland Mon pm. Evening term time

Knit & Stitch Pauline Everett 2nd Tues. pm

Local Interest Sue Lewsey 1st Wed

Lunch Iris Mead On hold [see group note]

Meditation Richard Newall Tues. am; weekly

Naval & Military History Phil Lloyd-Worth 2nd Wed. 2pm

Paper Craft 1 Ann Sayer 1st Fri.am

Paper Craft 2 Ann Sayer 3rd Fri. am

Paper Craft 3 Ann Sayer 1st Fri.pm

Photography Sue Lewsey 3rd Mon. pm

Sewing Joan Daly On hold - restart soon

Singing Linda Burdett 2nd & 3rd Thurs.

Social History Lorraine Langridge 3rd Thursday

Spanish Sheila Radford Wed. pm weekly

Ten Pin Bowling Jim Regan 3rd Fri. am

Walking Group upto 5 miles Eve Burgess 1st Thurs. am

Walking over 5 miles Doreen Wiggans 4th Thurs. Am

Walking over 5 miles-Group 2 Freda Antoniou 3rd Wed. am

Wildlife Janet Humphrey 2nd Thurs. am

Women in History Jean Askew 3rd Fri

To join a group please call the contact number given above. If full, or for any queries, please contact Iris Mead via Interest Groups Coordinator

Monthly unless specified

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QUIZZICAL LOOKS

Brain of Benfleet U3A 2018

We are pleased to announce that the winner of this quiz, first to answer all questions correctly, was Maria Kelly.

Well done Maria you are now officially the Brain of Benfleet U3A 2018.

QUIZ – answers from Issue 18 1. What is the ‘road to hell’ paved with? Good intentions 2. What French term describes a mixture of dried flower petals? Potpourri 3. Which novel begins, ‘A single man in possession of a

good fortune must be in want of a wife?’ Pride and Prejudice 4. What square is directly opposite GO on the Monopoly board? Free parking 5. In which organ do the helix and tragus belong? Ear 6. Who was the PM at the start of WW1? David Lloyd George 7. What did Jason and the Argonauts seek? The Golden Fleece 8. Which cocktail comprises half gin or vodka and

half lime juice and is also a tool? A Gimlet 9. In which country is Plunket a province? Thailand 10. What links costume, queen, and school? Drama GIMLET – this proved the most difficult question as most people think it is a screwdriver – wrong. A gimlet tool is like a bradawl for making holes in wood but here is some naval history behind Gimlet the drink and Gimlet the tool.

In 1747, James Lind, a Scottish surgeon, discovered that consumption of citrus fruits helped to prevent scurvy, a common illness on-board ships due to vitamin C deficiency. So in 1867 The Merchant Shipping Act made it mandatory for all British ships to carry lime juice for the crew.

After trying to solve the problem of keeping citrus juice fresh for months, Lauchin ROSE, a shipyard owner in Leith, Scotland, patented a process for preserving fruit juice without alcohol. He sweetened the mixture and packaged and sold it by the name ROSE’S LIME CORDIAL.

British sailors mixed Lime Juice with rum and water (grog) and the British became known as LIMEYS. Naval officers added lime cordial to gin to create the GIMLET.

The Gimlet was originally a small tool used to tap into barrels of spirit and could therefore be the origin of the name of the drink.

A GIMLET – 2 parts Gin + 1 part Rose’s Lime Cordial See, Benfleet U3A is an educational charity!

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Committee Members

Chair

Sheila Sears

Chairperson

Vice-Chair

Marion Coleman

Vice-Chair

Treasurer

Jill Parr

Treasurer

Business Secretary

Mavis Regan

Business Secretary

Group Coordinator

Iris Mead

Interest Groups Coordinator

Membership Secretary

Bob Munson

Membership Secretary

Outings Organiser

Maria Kelly

Outings Organiser

Bulletin Editor/Webmaster

Alan Aldridge

Bulletin Editor

Committee Member

Philip Lloyd-Worth

Committee Member 1

Committee Member

Suzanne Worland

Committee Member 2

Bereavement and Unwell: Please contact Suzanne Worland via Committee Member 2 to confirm details of any bereavement or illness, and an appropriate card will be forwarded.