Mansfield and District U3ANewsletter

Groups News; Antiques and Collectables: Page 9_____________________________

Established 1999HMRC Charity Registration No.: XT30525

April 2014Website: www.mansfield-u3a.org.uk

Noticeboard: http://mansfieldu3a.blogspot.com

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Welcome from your chairmanGOOD MORNING Everybody.

Almost Easter and what a lot has happened in the world since we last met! The weather itself isdebatable, flitting between blue skies and doomsday-like conditions. For a few days, or even hours,we can wear unseasonable clothes before the grey skies return. Yet we are told, once again, thatwe are due a very hot summer, for which we are all more than ready.

So the Budget – have we all come in our Lamborghinis and will leave for a pint and to play bingo?What a faux-pas! The news is depressing enough with the terrible tragedy of the missing plane andRussia seemingly doing its own thing. I find I now have to mark everything down in my diary up tosix months ahead, so I hope the world does not end between now and then!

I was very sad to know that Mr Selfridge had finished for another season – and wasn’t the lastepisode a tear-jerker? All the young men going off to war, which leads me to our speaker today, whois a change from the original one printed in your membership card.

'Lest We Forget' this year celebrates 100 years of the First World War and our speaker is Mr DannyWells who is going to tell us about “The Great War – Shattered Illusions”. I am sure many, if not all,of us had ancestors who served their country in this way. If you have not already been, the NationalMemorial Arboretum is a special place to visit. Created in 1997 it is where those who have served,and continue to serve our nation in different ways and wars, are remembered.

I was also interested to read that next year celebrates the 800th anniversary of the sealing ofMagna Carta and that the Chancellor has set aside £1 million for a request to have a 21st CenturyCitizens’ Charter to defend our threatened liberties.

The 23rd April 2014, of course, sees St. George’s Day and I have included an article later in yourNewsletter, which I hope you will find of interest. My thanks go to David Ling who has inserted agood image of St. George for me. We seem to forget our heritage on occasions and we shouldbring this to the fore whenever possible.

Very important to Mansfield and District U3A, however, is our 15th Anniversary Year, so pleaseremember to get your tickets for the Crystal Anniversary Ball on 20 May 2014. These are on saletoday again and final arrangements are in hand to make this an evening to remember! The SocialCommittee have worked hard to make this happen and our thanks go to them for giving much oftheir own time and effort. Black tie is optional.

One last thing, is everyone wearing their name badge?

With that thought I wish you all a Very Happy Easter and look forward to our May Celebrations!Glenis Carr______________________________________________________________________________

In this issuePage 2 Welcome.Page 3 Social Events. (Coffee Morning; Anniversary Ball; NNNG Picnic in The Park).Pages 3 - 4 Holiday Updates. (Thoresby 2015; The London Musical; Hayling Island; The

Algarve).Pages 5 - 8 Interest Groups meetings diary.

Page 8 Book Table. Page 9 Groups News (Digital World; Art; Antiques & Collectables).Page 10 Groups News (Shufflers; Luncheon Club). U3A Art Study Day.Page 11 Member's Contribution. ('St George').Page 12 Dates for your diary and Notices.

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SOCIAL EVENTSCOFFEE MORNING – 9th May at the Towers on Botany Avenue from 10.00. Tickets will be on sale at the April meeting: £2 each, including a hot drink and biscuit.

This is an opportunity to meet everyone, have a chat and a drink, a flutter on the tombola, buy acake and plant and try your luck on the raffle.

The donations are coming in well but we still need lots more so do have a look around and handthem over to members of the Social Committee. Bring your plant and cake donations on themorning. See you there!

CRYSTAL CELEBRATION BALL – 20th May at the John Fretwell Centre from 7pm. Tickets areon sale now: £20 each including food and an entertainer. (Smart dress please.)

This is our 15th year of Mansfield and District U3A and we all decided to have a bit of a 'do'!

The food will be their Premier Buffet, which sounds and looks fabulous; the entertainer is a verygood singer, and we can all have a dance too so do come and join us to celebrate!

With the help of Rita Turner, Linda Leivers and I have also visited other local U3As who began withour help as we thought it would be great if they could join us to celebrate. Members from Ashfield,Hucknall and Sherwood will be there.

Tickets sales are very good but Linda Leivers will still have some to sell at the April meeting.

See you soon,Karen Troop – 01623 633404, karentroop@hotmail.com. Check for updates on the website.

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IT’S PICNIC TIME AGAIN!The North Notts Neighbourhood Group will be holding its fourth Picnic in the Park on Wednesday 4June 2014. This will take place in and around the marquee at the beautiful Rufford Country Parkand is a free event between 10 am and 4 pm.

There will be singing by massed U3A choirs in the morning and afternoon entertainment providedby Worksop U3A Swing Band who wowed us at our 2012 Jubilee Jamboree. There will be the usualoutdoor games for the fitter members!

Nine local U3As are involved so come along and meet the neighbours. Just bring a picnic and achair and enjoy!

Rita Turner, Chairman NNNGroup – 01623 660003, raymond.turner2@ntlworld.com______________________________________________________________________________

Holiday updatesANNUAL MANSFIELD U3A HOLIDAY AT WARNERS THORESBY HALL. (Mon. 2nd. to Fri. 6thFeb. 2015). £208pp sharing, £248 single, inc. 4 nights bed, breakfast and evening meal. Plenty ofdaytime and evening entertainment provided (from 10am to past midnight if you want it.)

This holiday is open to members of any U3A and friends of members are welcome too.

At the time of writing I am opening a waiting list for singles but doubles/twins are still available. Nocharge to go on the waiting list and with 180 people coming the odds are someone is going to haveto cancel. The previous two years I have filled the cancellations on the Sunday before the Mondaywe started the holiday.

I can be contacted by email on 2015@whiteheaduk.plus.com or by phone on 01623 626991.Terry Whitehead, 37 Skegby Lane, Mansfield, Notts NG19 6QS

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LONDON MUSICAL, Pajama Game (10th - 11th June)All balances must be paid at the April meeting please. As in March newsletter, £160 (singles), £125(theatre goers) and £115 for the rest. Your packs with itineraries, coach plans, etc. may be ready tocollect from my table if luggage labels and maps come through in time for the meeting. Theatretickets will be given out at Porters' restaurant.

LAKESIDE HOLIDAY VILLAGE, Hayling Island (23rd - 27th June.) Balances have been received by the travel company – thank you all for your cooperation in payingon time. Individual packs with itineraries will be given out in May. Everyone has elected to go toPortsmouth Historic Dockyard so I shall need you to pay for the tickets by cheque in May, which willbe handed out when we arrive on the site. Cheques payable to Mansfield & District U3A. £23 pp &£18.70 for those with mobility problems. (By the meeting you will know if you are entitled to thisconcession.)

THE ALGARVE, PORTUGAL (18th - 25th Sept.)1. Balances are due no later than the May meeting. £850 (singles); £760 (twins & doubles).2. If you have not done so already, please collect passport sheets at the April meeting on

which you must follow instructions implicitly, otherwise if errors are found once submitted, it willcost you to have them amended.

3. You must take out your insurance before you pay your balances so please write out on the back of your passport sheet the name of your insurance company, the policy number, the company's telephone number and, most importantly, the 24-hour medical emergency number, which can also be found in your policy details.

4. Please check that your passport does not need renewing before we fly and that it must have more than six months left on it from the date we leave England (18th Sept) or you will not be allowed to fly!

5. Finally, check your EHIC card, which needs renewing every 5 years. (Even I was caught out and had to renew mine by telephone a few days ago!) The telephone contact number is 0300 330 1350. If you have never had one, then you can also use this number.

Margaret Burlinson – 01623 632538, marburl@lineone.net Updates about all holidays are on the website ...

Groups News

Garden VisitsHARLOW CARR (12th June)Our next visit is to RHS Harlow Carr at Harrogate, one of Yorkshire’s famous gardens, where I havebooked a guided tour of the gardens to give us the history of the development of the gardens andJanet has booked the coach.

This year, the RHS has reduced prices for U3A members so we have a bargain for you! The cost isas follows:-

£15 for the coach plus £7 entrance including the tour.(£2 entrance for RHS members but DO NOT forget your cards).

The coach will leave the Odeon at 8.30am and return about 4pm.

There are still a few seats available.Karen and Janet

PS don’t forget there is a 'BETTY’S' there! Groups News continues on page 9 ...

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Key to Meetings details:THIS TABLE SHOWS THE DAY of the month, time and frequency using the first two letters of theday, followed by numbers 1 - 5 to represent the week number. The final letter M (or F, W or V) indic-ates that the group meets monthly, fortnightly, weekly or at variable intervals.

So 'Tu2, 2.30 - V M' would mean a group meeting on the 2nd Tuesday at 2.30pm Monthly but withVariable finish times.

The main Mansfield and District U3A meetings are on the 3rd Tuesday of each month (except Augustand December) at the Oakham Suite, 155 Nottingham Road, Mansfield from 10 am - 12.30 pm.

All members are invited to contact the relevant Group Leader if they would like to participate in anyinterest group or attend an event. NB: * indicates a waiting list.

Interest Group Meetings Meeting Places Leader/Contact

Antiques & Collect-ables *

Tu 2, 10 - 12 M Stanhope Centre, Bridge Street,Mansfield

Pat Blackwell01623 481745

Next Meetings: May 13th – War Memorabilia

Art We3, 10 - 12 M Big Barn Lane Methodist Church, Mansfield

Linda Spray 01623 795176

Next Meetings: April 16th; May 21st

Art Appreciation Mo1, 2.00 - 4.00 M Stanhope Centre, Bridge Street,Mansfield

Pauline Boucher01623 644798

Next Meetings: May 5th – No Meeting (Bank Holiday); June 2nd

Beginners' Bridge (With Ashfield U3A)

Mo, Various 6.30 - 9.00

Enviro Centre, Derby Rd College,Mansfield

Maxine Rose/Glenis Carr 01623 459081/627735

Next Meetings: May 12th; June 2nd & 16th (Also Acol sessions at the Mechanics Institute – Thurs 10 - 12.30 W)

Bowls Tu, 2.30 - 4.00 W Lammas Sports Centre, Sutton

Don Wright01623 628946

Next Meetings: Outdoor Sessions begin and Coaching starts Thursday May 1st. Club Official Opening: Tues. 15th April at 6.15pm. All interested U3A members welcome.

Caravan & M'home Rally

Various Various Terry Lammas01623 471963

Next Meetings: June 1st to 29th – France. See web page for more details.

Chat and Stitch Mo3, 2.00 - 4.00 M St John's Centre, Mansfield

Doreen Storer01623 407731

Next Meeting: April 21st; May 20th; June 17th; No Meetings in July and August.

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Interest Group Meetings Meeting Place Leader/Contact

Current Affairs Tu2, 2.00 - 4.00 M St John's Centre, Mansfield

Norma Shillinglaw01623 466934

Next Meetings: May 13th; June 10th; July 8th

Digital World Fri 2 & 4, 2.00 - 4.00 2/M

Stanton Hill Baptist Church, Skegby

David Ling01623 822994

Next Meetings: 25th April – Visit to Hardwick; May 9th – Review of Hardwick photos; May 23rd - TBA

Family History Tu4, 10.00 - 12.00 M St John's Centre, Mansfield

Max Clarke01623 621744

Next Meetings: April 22nd – Interesting Ancestors; May 22nd – Wills & What they Reveal!

Film Studies * We1, 1.30 - V M Joy's home Joy Crowe01623 645400

Next Meetings: May 7th; June 4th; July 2nd

Garden Visits During the Summer Various Janet Whitlam01623 635607

Next Visits: June 12th – RHS Harlow Carr. Check at desk for details.

Gardening Tu1, 10.00 - 12.00 M St Peter's Centre, Mansfield

Avril McGee01623 452688

Next Meetings: May 3rd – Lilies and Chillies; June 3rd – Plants in Literature

Heartstart Check Day below 1.00 - 3.00

William Kaye Hall, Ladybrook Lane

Linda Leivers 01623 471963

Next Meetings: New series starts Monday March 24th. More dates later

Holidays (Home & Abroad)

Various TBA Margaret Burlinson01623 632538

Next holidays: June 23rd - 27th – Warner's, Hayling Island*; Sept. 18th - 25th – Portugal; Tues. Dec. 3rd - Thurs. 5th – Thursford Xmas Spect.; 2015: Mon. Feb. 2nd - Fri. 6th – Thoresby

Local History Fri1, 10.00 - 12.00 M Bridge Street Methodist Church

Bob & Sue Longden01623 486903

Next Meetings: May 2nd – Visit to Temple Newsam. Cost £15; June 6th – Early Non-Conformists, Why Mansfield? With Rev. D. Smith; July 4th – 1st World War: members' contributions

Luncheon Club Th after 3rd Tu, 12.00 - 2.00 M

Various David Ling01623 822994

Next Meetings: April 17th – The Earl of Chesterfield at Shelford; May 21st – Anniversary Lunch at The Hostess. Details on the website or at the desk.

Movement to Music (New)

W 10.30 - 11.30 W St Peter's Church Hall Linda Leivers 01623 471963

Next Meetings: Weekly on Wednesdays

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Interest Group Meetings Meeting Place Leader/Contact

Music Groups

Classical Music 2 Mo4, 2.00 - 4.00 M Members' homes Peter Hart01623 620940

Next Meetings: April 28th – Schubert with Marie; May 19th – Italian opera at Alan's. NB Date

Music 2 * Mo4, 2.00 - 4.30 M Members' homes Eric Prescott 01623 631160

Next Meeting: April 23rd – Your Desert Island Disc with Ray & June; 28th May – Something in theAir with Elisabeth Ellis

Popular Music Appreciation *

Tu4, 2.00 - 4.00 M St John's School, Mansfield

Peter Haynes 01623 610886

Next Meetings: April 22nd; May 27th; June 24th

Pudding Club * Tu1, 4.00 - 6.00 M Members' homes Sylvia Slack 01623 633981

Next Meetings: May 6th & July 1st – Sylvia; June 3rd & August 5th – Janet

Reading 1 Th3, 2.00 - 4.00 M Peter Dawson's home Peter Dawson 01623 882191

Next Meetings: April 17th; May 15th; June 19th

Reading 2 Tu3, 2.00 - 4.00 M Ravenshead Library Joan Hufton01623 557488

Next Meetings: April 15th; May 20th; June 17th

Science & Technical Tu1, 2.00 - 4.00 M(NB Change)

Stanton Hill Baptist Church, Skegby

Ian Boucher01623 644798

Next Meetings: May 6th – Renewable Energy Discussion; June 3rd – Visit to JCB Factory

Scrabble * Mo2, 2.00 - 4 .00 M Brenda Thurkettle's home

Brenda Thurkettle01623 628136

Next Meetings: May 6th; June 10th; July 8th

Singing for Fun Thur, 6.30 – 8.30 Methodist Church, Chesterfield Road

June Fell 01623 623547

Next Meeting: Thurs. April 17th. Fortnightly until further notice. (Plenty of parking on side road.)

Tai Chi Mo, 9.30 - 10.30 W St John's Centre,Mansfield

Cliff Laycock01623 481985

Next Meetings: Weekly on Mondays

Theatre Visits Various Various Sheila Whalley 01623 453908

Next Meetings: Wed. 16th April – Cats; Sun. 27th April – Monty Don; Thurs. 29th May – Sister Act. (See web page for venue, time, cost and future trips)

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Interest Group Meetings Meeting Place Leader/Contact

Walking Groups

Hikers (all-day, 6 - 8 miles)

Th1 & Mo3, 9.30 - V 2/M

Tesco car park, off Oak Tree Lane

Peter Thurkettle 01623 628136

Next Meetings: Mon. 21st April – Hope / Edale End; Thurs. May 1st – Farnsfield; Mon. 19th May – Everton Mattersey; Thurs. 5th June – Cromford; Mon. 16th June – Youlgreave & Middleton

Shufflers(short & gentle)

V Lunchtimes Various Sylvia Slack 01623 633981

Next Meeting: Thurs. Wed. April 23rd – Rumbles Café, Sutton Lawn (1pm)

Strollers(a leisurely 2 miles)

We2, 10.30 - V M Various Barbara Massey / Marion Thornton 01623 628357 / 01623 651528

Next Meetings: May 14th – Rufford Abbey; June 11th – Sherwood Pines

Walkers (an easy 4 - 5 miles)

We4, 10.30 – V M Various Joy & Nick Crowe01623 645400

Next Meetings: April 23rd – Teversal Bluebell Woods; May 28th – Rowthorne Trail

Wine Appreciation 2* We3, 7.30 - V M Members' homes Mike Allen01623 653345

Next Meetings: April 16th – Ron's Own Choice Whites; May 21st – Rosé with George & Mavis

Wine Appreciation 3*

Tu4, 7.30 - V M Members' homes Graham Allin01623 473662

Next Meetings: April 22nd – Thai Wines with Colin; May 27th – Pomerol with Graham & Eileen

Writing for Pleasure * Mo2, 2.00 - 4.00 M Stanhope Centre, Bridge Street,Mansfield

Sue Ford / Hilary Miller 01623 844286 / 620067

Next Meetings: May 12th; June 9th; July 14th

Book tableSALE of books in March raised £49.00 exactly; the total this year since January is £142.60.

Many thanks to the loyal ‘volunteers’ who work behind the counter month after month and also to the donors and purchasers of the books every month. We LITERALLY could not run this enterprise without you.Lilian Whitehead______________________________________________________________________________

Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning staysyoung. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.

Henry Ford

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Digital WorldOUR Spring started with a photographic walkabout atThoresby on March 28th when we met in the Courtyard andlet our cameras lead us where they willed. It was rather dullbut members were able to show and discuss many inter-esting and creative shots at Stanton Hill on 11th April.

It doesn't matter if you just use a simple point-and-shoot or acomplex DSLR so you'll be very welcome if you'd like to joinour next walkabout, at Hardwick on 25th April.

You'll be free to follow your instincts or walk around with an-experienced member if you'd like tips. And please comealong to Stanton Hill Baptist Church at 2.00 on any 2nd Friday to see what we've have been up to.David Ling (01623 822994)

ArtOUR MARCH session marked our first year's anniversary and was attended by 13 members.Michael had set us the task of portraying an animal, so various artefacts, pictures and photographswere tackled. Next time we are assembling these contributions for a photoshoot which, hopefully,we can display at the 'Picnic in the Park' this year. Watch this space!

Our next meeting will be on 16th April, when we are going to try perspectives in buildings.

If you want to give art a go (talented or not) please come along and join us, as you will be madevery welcome.Linda Spray

Antiques and CollectablesAS THE SAYING goes ‘Doesn’t time fly when you’re having fun’? It has flown and I have certainlyhad fun seeing the wide variety of things emerge from shopping bags and boxes each time wemeet. I can hardly believe that we have already had six meetings since we began in October 2013.

We have varied the topics from a list made by the groupmembers and so far we have looked at Royal memorabilia,glass, treen (small wooden pieces), silver and textiles. OurDecember meeting covered Christmas and seasonal itemsand also included a quiz to test our knowledge.

Our March meeting was about textiles and as usual we hadan excellent selection of items to look at and discuss. We hadChristening gowns and shawls, wall hangings from China, aWW1 embroidered handkerchief, lace evening gloves and ahandbag were among the things we saw.

The oldest item, I think, was a framed sampler embroideredin 1832 by an eight year old girl and the most recent was the‘retro’ tablecloth on the front of this issue. There was even alittle boy's dress worn by one of the U3A members whose name I have promised not to reveal!

Quite a few of members have been to antiques fairs and have told us of their bargains; by the timeyou read this we will have had our first outing to Hemswell Antiques Centre, near Lincoln.

I will be looking forward to seeing what emerges from the shopping bags next time.Pat Blackwell

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ShufflersTHE SHUFFLERS are going from strength to strength. On March 27th, twenty-four of us gatheredfor tea in the elegant surroundings of the refurbished Manor Hotel.

We sat looking out over Carr Bank Park and enjoyed an excellent selection of sandwiches andcakes. The occupants of one table (who shall be nameless) even demolished a second plateful ofcream scones!

In spite of the rather poor weather we did manage a short shuffle in the park between showers. It isso good to be able to go at our own pace without feeling guilty about holding other people up. Manythanks to Sylvia and Rita for organising this group. Our next meeting will be at the Rumbles café,Sutton Lawn, on Wed April 23rd at 1.00 pm when we will celebrate St George's day.Marjorie Smith

Luncheon ClubOUR MARCH LUNCH at Woodborough Hall, near Calverton, was another success for Alan Milleras it was a great success generally, although their event management and housekeeping standardsdidn't match those of the kitchen and service teams.

The bread and butter pudding test, previewed last month, was an honourable draw with somepreferring their butterscotch variation and others still fans of the Maypole's white chocolate andmarmalade one!

Next, on 17th April, Sheila Whalley has arranged for us to try The Chesterfield Arms nearGunthorpe, which is gaining fame as one of the first community-run pubs in the county after villa-gers resisted the brewer's closure plans. The simple and attractive menu is priced at just £9 for twocourses and £11.50 for three. Please pre-book at the Lunch Club table or by email todlpruk@aol.com.

Then, on 22nd May, our 15th Anniversary Lunch is being arranged by Norma Shillinglaw at TheHostess at Sookholme that was a favourite of the Luncheon Club's first leader, the late EdithSenior, who was also Mansfield U3A's first chairman. Their full carvery will cost just £7.50 or choosetheir 2-course special menu for £10.95. Order on the day.David Ling______________________________________________________________________________

U3A Art Study Day at the National Gallery, London

BEST OF BRITISH – Exploring 18th C. painting through the National Gallery Collection.Over 250 U3A members from various parts of the U.K. attended this study day at the NationalGallery and what a treat we had.

Presentations were made by curators of both the National Gallery and the Royal Collection andfocused on both the artists and selected works by British painters in the 18th century. Works byThomas Gainsborough and William Hogarth were looked at in detail and we were also shown howpatrons and promoters of British art had helped to develop the National Gallery as we know it to-day.

A lively discussion followed and members agreed that this was indeed a most successful venturefor the U3A. This was the first time the U3A and the National Gallery had organised such an event –I’m sure it will not be the last!Pauline Boucher

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England and St. George

ST. GEORGE’S DAY is on 23 April 2014, which is England’s nationalday. As many of us know, he is the patron saint of England. Hisemblem, a red cross on a white background is the flag of Englandand part of the Union Jack.

Whenever discussions take place about St. George and his Day,usually in the press and in the media in the run-up to 23 April, anumber of issues are always raised and questions asked! WasEngland’s patron saint a real person? Did he actually slay a dragon?Why did he become such a revered figure in the country?

He was, in fact, a real historical figure and it is believed he was bornin either Cappadocia (present day Turkey) or Lydda (Palestine) inaround 280 AD. It can be asked, therefore, why is he the patronsaint of England when he wasn’t actually English?

Many adopted saints do not actually come from the country theywere born in and we have to bear in mind around 1,700 plus yearsof history. St George is also patron saint of numerous other coun-tries, including Hungary, Malta, Portugal, Lithuania, Russia andothers. It is said he was a brave Roman soldier who protestedagainst their torture of Christians and he died for his belief. His popularity in England stems from thetime of the early crusades and his emblem was adopted by Richard The Lion Heart and brought toEngland in the 12th Century. The king’s soldiers wore it on their tunics to avoid confusion in battle.

On 23 April 303 he was executed by the Roman emperor Diocletian for resisting the persecution ofChristians and steadfastly refusing to renounce his faith. It is what he has stood for throughouthistory which has enshrined him as our patron saint and, indeed, a number of legends do connecthim with various English places. In Dorset a church is dedicated to him and some of Sussexchurches depict St. George in battle.

The story of St. George slaying the dragon and rescuing the princess allegedly took place at Silenein Libya and in 1483 William Caxton published the first English translation. There are numerousother legends linking St George with England. Some stories like to believe he was born here, inCoventry or Cornwall, and that he married the princess he saved and had three sons, one beingGuy of Warwick.

The story of St. George, therefore, is a complicated tapestry of historical truth, colourful legend andfanciful fairytale and, whether or not he ever did visit England does not really matter. He is all aroundus – in churches bearing his name, in paintings, carvings and stained-glass windows and in the red-cross flags that are waved and shown on special English occasions. And as Shakespeare said inHenry V: “God for England, Harry and St. George”.

Famous people born on St. George’s Day include William Shakespeare, JMW Turner (the artist),Roy Orbison, Shirley Temple and many others.

To quote Winston Churchill yet again:

“There is a forgotten, nay almost forbidden word, which means more to me than any other. Thatword is England”. (Winston Churchill 1874 - 1965)

How strongly I second this!Glenis Carr

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______________________________________________________________________________Speakers' CornerOUR speaker today is Danny Wells who will be telling us about the shattered illusions of the GreatWar.

World War 1 (1914-1918) was one of the greatest upheavals in history involving upwards of 70million combatants. It set off shock waves that were felt world-wide long after the Armistice of 1918.Over 8 million people are said to have lost their lives, leaving 3 million widows and 10 millionorphans. This talk will look at the romanticised image of war on the run up to 1914 and the shatteredillusions that followed thereafter, including the works of some of the First World War soldier poets.______________________________________________________________________________Dates for your diary (Check the website for more information and updates.)Fri. 9th May: COFFEE MORNING at The Towers. 10.00 - 12.00. Tickets £2.00. See p3.Tues. 20th May: CRYSTAL CELEBRATION BALL at The John Fretwell Centre. Tickets £20inc. food and entertainment. See p3.Wed. 4th June: PICNIC IN THE PARK at Rufford. 10.00 - 4.00. Free but bring your own picnicand chairs/tables. See p3.Tues. 15th July: EAST MIDLANDS REGIONAL U3A CONFERENCE AND AGM at Trent College,Long Eaton._____________________________________________________________________________Event and Visit PaymentsMEMBERS are reminded that deposits and payments for events and visits organised by MansfieldU3A and its interest groups are non-refundable, but places so reserved may be offered to others.______________________________________________________________________________Changes of address, etc.PLEASE contact the membership secretary, Avril McGee (01623 452688), if you've changed youraddress, phone number or email since joining Mansfield U3A so that she can update our records.______________________________________________________________________________DisclaimerTHE VIEWS expressed here are those of the contributors, only, and do not necessarily reflect thoseof the editor, the committee of Mansfield U3A or the Third Age Trust. Nor can any responsibility beaccepted for members' announcements or any errors that may occur.______________________________________________________________________________Next IssuePLEASE SEND contributions for the May issue to mansfieldu3a@aol.com, or in typescript,to the editor as soon as you can and by 1st May at the latest. Thanks!______________________________________________________________________________

Editor: David Ling (01623 822994) Printed by: Portland Print (www.portlandprint.org.uk)

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