Mansfield U3A Newsletter, May 2013

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Mansfield and District U3A Newsletter Chairman's Welcome: Page 2 _____________________________ Established 1999 HMRC Charity Registration No.: XT30525 May 2013 Website: www.mansfield-u3a.org.uk Noticeboard: http://mansfieldu3a.blogspot.com Page 1 of 12

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Our monthly newsletter shows what members of Mansfield and District U3A in north Nottinghamshire have been doing recently and what's planned. http://www.mansfield-u3a.org.uk/

Transcript of Mansfield U3A Newsletter, May 2013

Page 1: Mansfield U3A Newsletter, May 2013

Mansfield and District U3ANewsletter

Chairman's Welcome: Page 2_____________________________

Established 1999HMRC Charity Registration No.: XT30525

May 2013Website: www.mansfield-u3a.org.uk

Noticeboard: http://mansfieldu3a.blogspot.com

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Page 2: Mansfield U3A Newsletter, May 2013

Welcome from your chairmanREFLECTING on Anita Young’s excellent talk last month, I was drawn to the thought that we so rarely listen nowadays to a speaker together as a group or with any great concentration. For an hour we sat in the hall, listening to her selections from Dickens, Mrs Gaskell and George Eliot, read with verve and enthusiasm, with drama and accent. The women came alive for that while and we were drawn into their characters (or, rather, the characters that the writers had given them).

But how often do we listen as a group or carefully? In the past, books were read aloud – Jane Austen talks of this happening after dinner – a piano played, then the reading of a book, improving or not, while others listened or embroidered. Dickens went on lecture tours in England and America when he read from his novels in sold-out halls to thousands of avid listeners. Politicians drew large audiences for their speeches; poets declaimed their works to a paying public.

Before television, families sat round the radio together, listening to music, to comedians and even to the ‘Brains Trust’ (whose popularity now seems difficult to understand). Television once did share that to some extent – families watching the early soaps and comics together, but now we have sets in different parts of the house, more channels than we know what to do with and the internet, social media and programmes on stream to make individual viewing a certain choice.

Of course we go to concerts – the excitement and tension of live music always seems more worthwhile than the perfection of CDs. Theatres and cinemas draw crowds for a shared experience that cannot be matched on the radio or television.

Yet we seem to have lost the art of gregarious and companionable listening to speech. Some poetry is read; literary festivals occur when writers talk and read their works, but all to a lesser extent than once happened.

Perhaps U3As should revive the experience – creating a group prepared to read favourite pieces aloud, to act out episodes from novels, to dramatise poems to anyone who might want to listen. I hope it would reach a wider audience, however, than just those confined in care homes, unable to escape!

And, from a purely personal point of view, the provision of comfortable seats would be a necessity. Nothing so destroys pleasure as uncomfortable chairs; the discomfort of the classroom, of church pews and seats, the strict rows of lecture rooms – all have contributed to our misery in the past.

Perhaps it is just a dream, but I thank Anita Young for encouraging that dream!Mike Allen______________________________________________________________________________In this issue

Page 2 Chairman's Welcome.

Page 3 Holiday Updates. Book Table. Recent Events: Singing for Fun at Mansfield Music Festival

Page 4 Groups News: Hikers faced with snow and ice.

Pages 5 - 8 Groups Meeting Programme.

Page 9 Groups News: Theatre Visits; Luncheon Club.

Page 10 Groups News: Local History; Digital World. Reflections from the Committee Table.

Page 11 Thoresby 2014. Member's Contribution: 'Philosophy'.

Page 12 Obituaries: June Haywood & Win Hewitt. Speaker's Corner. Dates for your diary. Notices.

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Holiday UpdatesAround Britain Cruise – 24th May - 3rd JuneLast minute reminders: remember to put your passports & e-tickets in your hand luggage and bring with you your insurance details. At the time of writing this, not all of us have received information about the shore excursions, luggage labels or our cruise tickets. If they still have not come through to you because you are sharing a cabin please ring me. I hope to see all of you at least 15 minutes before our departure time (7am) in Bay 1 at the new Mansfield Bus Station on the 24th June. I wish you all an enjoyable and trouble-free holiday.

Tenby – 1s t - 5th July Itineraries, luggage labels & coach plans will be ready to pick up from my table at the May meeting. Please read about the optional excursions available on your free day. Because I have to-pre book some of them, I will need to know by the June meeting what you decide to do on that day. It will be cheaper if there are enough people to call a group for each option, but remember these are optional.

If you decide to explore Tenby on that day, may I remind you to bring your National Trust cards if you are interested in a property called Tudor Merchant's House.

Thursford Christmas Spectacular – 4th, 5th & 6th December The balances, which have to be paid by the September meeting, are: singles £194pp & those sharing £169pp. These prices include the driver's gratuity. If my knee replacement goes to plan I will not be at the July meeting but Janet Harford has agreed to cover for me. Cheques payable to Mansfield & District U3A. These cheques will not be handed over to the treasurer until the third week in September, which is after the Mansfield meeting, so there should be no problem if you would like to pay from June onwards. Do remember there is no meeting in August. Margaret Burlinson Details of all holidays are on the website ... ________________________________________________________________________________________

Book TableIF YOU still have last month’s Newsletter you will see we raised £41.41. I have to report a drop in sales for April as we only received £41.40! The total for the first four months this year was £159.47.

Thanks to all concerned, especially my helpers.Lilian Whitehead._______________________________________________________________________________________

Recent EventsSinging for Fun at Mansfield Music FestivalA BIG thank you from Suzy to all choir members for working so hard before our public performance on 29th April – learning your music & words by heart.

She is pleased that we got 85 points & some very good comments from the Adjudicator. We did well with the John Rutter version of All Things Bright & Beautiful. I was thrilled that the Anthem from 'Chess' turned out so well. Personally I'd had great difficulty learning the words, & reaching those very high notes but apparently it came over very well.

Suzy certainly stretches us & I know it's good for our brains. Well done everybody, "keep singing".

We have been asked to sing again at Kirkby in the Summer, date to be announced.

Thank you for your help.June FellPS: Thanks too to Gordon Howlett, whose excellent photo of the choir is on the website.

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Groups News (Check the Interest Group web pages for updates)

HikersAn Alternative WalkIT TAKES more than the coldest winter on record to put off our intrepid Hiking Group who walk twice a month throughout the year.

That said we were very pleased last Monday, the 15th April, to have a bright sunny day with a temperature of 15°C for our local walk from Annesley Church.

However, this walk was not the intended walk on our programme which had had to be changed due to considerable amounts of snow still lying in the Peak District rendering the intended route with too high a degree of danger; after all we’ve nothing to prove as most of us have previously taken on these challenges in our more headstrong days of youth!

Starting from an area near to the Church we proceeded through Annesley Cutting turning left passing the old cottages and along the track towards the level-crossing gates of the Robin Hood line. This track took us into Kirkby Forest before emerging into a more open area having ponds and the occasional Industrial units and where we took our first ‘drink’ stop. Unlike the peaks of Derbyshire this part of Nottinghamshire is very flat and so with a ‘spring in our step’ we eventually continued along a southerly path towards the village of Linby.

As we walk it has to be said that, apart from taking in the scenery and discussing the flora and fauna, the conversations between our hikers varies considerably, from the topics of the day to subjects of a philosophical nature to sharing one another’s health problems to the price of fuel ... the subjects are endless.

Before reaching Linby we found a sunny spot by a pond that provided a very tranquil area to have our ‘lunch’ stop. We are always well prepared for this as all our walks extend into the afternoon. We quickly realised that we were not alone as it became evident that the area was an ideal habitat for the young frogs that appeared all around us.

Walking on through Linby we eventually turned north which took us back in the direction of Newstead Abbey but first we had to negotiate a wood and a farm-yard before reaching the Abbey road that was originally created to transport the gentry from Newstead Abbey to the railway station.

It wasn’t long before we joined the roadway back from Newstead village to Annesley and eventually to a welcome drink at the Badger Box.

Covering a radius of approximately 40 miles around Mansfield, our U3A Hiking Group is so well located to take advantage of the hills of Derbyshire and Staffordshire, the flatter lands and sometimes rolling hills of Nottinghamshire and South Yorkshire.

Within our ‘territory’ and in May, we have a walk planned to the beautiful area of Bradgate Park and the Charnwood Forest in Leicestershire – who said retirement was boring!Pete Thurkettle 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 the day, followed by numbers 1 - 5 to represent the week number. The final letter M (or F, W or V) indicates 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 with Variable finish times.

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

Interest Group Meetings Meeting Places Leader/Contact

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

Linda Spray 01623 795176

Next Meetings: June 19th; July 17th

Art Appreciation Mo1, 2.00 - 4.00 M Baptist Church, Rosemary St.Mansfield

Pauline Boucher01623 644798

Next Visit: Wed. 29th May – Walker Art Gallery Liverpool

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: 3rd June; 17th June(Also Acol sessions at the Mechanics Institute – Th, 10 - 12.30 W)

Board Games Mo F, 6.30 The Rushley Inn, Nottingham Road, Mansfield

Linda Leivers 01623 471963

Next Meetings: 27th May; 10th & 24th June

Bowls Th, 1.30 - 3.30 W Mansfield Bowls Club, Chesterfield Road

Don Wright01623 628946

Next Meetings: 23rd, 30th May & 6th June with coaching

Caravan & M'home Rally

Various TBA Terry Lammas01623 471963

Inaugural Meeting: Fri. 31st May to 2nd June – Skellingthorpe, nr Doddington Hall, Lincolnshire

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

Doreen Storer01623 407731

Next Meetings: 20th May; 17th June

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

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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: June 11th; July 10th

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

Stanton Hill Baptist Church, Skegby

David Ling01623 822994

Next Meetings: 24th May – Treasure Hunt at Vicar Water; 14th June – Review of Treasure Hunt entries

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

Max Clarke01623 621744

Next Meetings: 28th May – TBA

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

Next Meetings: 5th June; 3rd July

Garden Visits During the Summer Various Marion Thornton01623 651528

Next Visits: 17th May – Burton Agnes Hall; 19th July – Trentham Gardens and Wollerton Old Hall

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

Avril McGee01623 452688

Next Meetings: 4th June – Outing to Doddington Hall

Heartstart Th3, 1.00 - 3.00 William Kaye Hall, Ladybrook Lane

Linda Leivers 01623 471963

Next Meetings: 13th June*; 18th July*; 22nd August; 19th September

Holidays (Home & Abroad)

Various TBA Margaret Burlinson01623 632538

Next holidays: 24th May - 3rd June – Around Britain Cruise; 1st - 5th July – Tenby; 4th, 5th & 6th December – Thursford Christmas Spectacular

Keep Fit (New) TBA TBA Linda Leivers 01623 471963

Inaugural Meeting: TBA

Local History Fri1, 10.00 - 12.00 M Bridge Street * Methodist Church * NB New Venue

Bob & Sue Longden01623 486903

Next Meetings: 7th June – Local Railways with Bob LongdenNext visit: 5th July – Severn Valley Railway (Joint trip with Sci-Tech)

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

Various David Ling01623 822994

Next Meetings: May 23rd – Countryman, Kirkby in Ash.; June 20th – 'refined' at West Notts Coll.

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Interest Group Meetings Meeting Place Leader/Contact

Music Groups

Classical Music 1 * Th2, 2.00 - 4.00 M Members' homes Alan & Marlene Radford 01623 427934

Next Meetings: 10th June – Delius with Marlene & Alan; 11th July – Your favourite music

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

Next Meetings: 20th May – Waltzes & Marches with Peter Crabbe; 24th June – Overtures

Concert Visits (New)(With Southwell U3A)

Various Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham

David Ling01623 822994

Next Meeting: TBA

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

Next Meeting: TBA

Popular Music Appreciation *

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

Peter Haynes 01623 610886

Next Meetings: May 28th; June 25th; July 23rd

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

Next Meetings: June 25th at Sylvia's; No meeting in July

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

Next Meetings: 20th June; 18th July

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

Next Meetings: 18th June; 16th July

Science & Technical Tu1, 1.30 - 3.30 M Stanton Hill Baptist Church, Skegby

Ian Boucher01623 644798

Next Meetings: 7th July – Linux, with Dr David Marples (6pm at Mansfield Library) Next visits: 4th June – Pleasley Colliery Mus; 5th July – Severn Valley Rly (With Local History)

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

Brenda Thurkettle01623 628136

Next Meetings: 10th June; 8th July

Singing for Fun Th V West Notts College, Derby Rd. Mansfield

June Fell 01623 623547

Next Meetings: May 30th; June 13th & 17th

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Interest Group Meetings Meeting Place Leader/Contact

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

Cliff Laycock01623 481985

Next Meetings: 20th & 27th; June 3rd, 10th, 17th & 24th

Theatre Visits Various Various Sheila Whalley 01623 453908

Wed. 15th May – The Mouse Trap. (Evening at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham.) Wed. 5th June – High Society. (Matinee at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham.) Tues./Wed. 11th/12th June – Billy Elliot. (Evening at the Victoria Palace Theatre, London.)

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. 20th May – Bradgate & Charnwood: Thurs. 6th June – Kiveton Park; Mon.17th June – Taddington & the Dales; Thurs. 4th July – Hickling / Colston Bassett

Shufflers(short & gentle)

V Lunchtimes Various Sylvia Slack 01623 633981

Next Meeting: TBA

Strollers(a leisurely 2 miles)

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

Next Meetings: 12th June – Portland Pk. Kirkby; 10th July – Pleasley Pit Trail

Walkers (an easy 4 - 5 miles)

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

Next Meetings: 22nd May – Vicar Water & Tall Pines; 26th June – Teversal Grange

Wine Appreciation 2*

We3, 7.30 - V M Members' homes Mike Allen01623 653345

Next Meetings: June 19th – Macon-Blanc Villages with K/NS

Wine Appreciation 3*

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

Next Meetings: May 28th – Sauvignon Blanc with Colin; June 25th – New Countries with Ron

Writing for Pleasure * Mo2, 2.00 - 4.00 M The Stanhope Centre (Bridge St. Methodist Church), Mansfield.

Sue Ford / Hilary Miller 01623 844286 / 620067

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

Yoga We, 1.00 - 3.00 W Bridge Street Methodist Church

Linda Leivers 01623 471963

Next Meetings: May 15th, 22nd & 29th; June 5th, 12th, 19th & 26th

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Groups News (cont. from page 4)

Theatre VisitsTHE LONDON MUSICAL – BILLY ELLIOT, 11TH & 12TH JUNEPlease be in Bay 1 at the new Mansfield bus station 15 minutes before our 9am departure, to allow the driver time to load our luggage. For those going to see Billy Elliot, I shall be giving out your theatre tickets on the coach. Remember for those eating in Covent Garden, we shall be assembling at 4.45pm at Porters restaurant so please don't get lost because we are due to eat at 5pm!

Whatever you've chosen to do in London, I hope you have a wonderful time. Margaret Burlinson/Sheila Whalley (01623 453908)

Luncheon ClubAPRIL at Mansfield Manor gave members a chance to see what changes the new owners have brought to the Portland-Hotel-that-was and the progress they had made towards becoming another worthy addition to Mansfield's fine-dining scene. The menu promised well and the service was faultless so the prospects look good, although members thought some dishes needed further development.

May 23rd will see us exploring The Countryman at Kirkby in Ashfield, which has also had major refurbishment to bring a more modern feel to this traditional, family-owned country pub. Sheila Whalley has chosen an attractive menu with dishes priced individually from £9.00 for 2 courses (min) to £16.45 for three (max). Most tastes will be catered for with several vegetarian options. Garlic mushrooms, home-made pie and death by chocolate have caught my eye!

Then, on 20th June, Mike Allen has arranged for us to have a foretaste of the future by visiting the new West Notts College training restaurant 'refined', where students refine the cooking and service skills they've been taught by contact with real customers. I gather from Mike's review that we're in for a treat at a bargain price:

'refined' review'West Notts College has had an excellent reputation over the years for producing good chefs / cooks and good food, and now has opened its new restaurant ‘refined’ (trendily lower-case) in the just-completed extension – that oddly shaped building alongside the Nottingham Road.

'You can park under the building, though how many spaces will be available, I don’t know, and get a lift to the main floor. Or go through the main entrance and past the Beauty Salon, the computer rooms to the bar / reception where your ‘greeter’ passes you over to your waiter and you enter the restaurant itself.

'The room is high, with jagged windows on the road side and a vast south-facing window. The tables and chairs are conventional bistro-style; tables for 6 or 8, set reasonably well apart on the wood floor. All fine for lunch, but perhaps too bare and cold a design for dinner, although I believe that plants and couches are to be added to soften the décor.

'Don’t forget that this is a training restaurant, so the service may well be a bit erratic, although it is always enthusiastic and polite. The food though was good when I went – a choice of three dishes per course, all freshly cooked – though not necessarily ‘fine dining’.

'The cost? £4.50 for just a main course, £5.95 for 2 courses or 3 for £7.50. The equivalent of a pub meal, but freshly cooked, not microwaved, and with fresh ingredients, in pleasant surroundings with eager, if stuttering, service.'Mike Allen

Bookings are open today.David Ling Menus are on the website ...

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Local History THE GROUP met for the first time at Bridge Street Methodist Church in May. The room was good, with more space than the Rushley, and we had a lively meeting.

• Graham Allin talked and showed pics of Skegby, • David Ling read out a very interesting email from a school History Club near Lincoln, NA,• Ian Boucher briefed us about Sci-Tech's visit to Pleasley Colliery Museum on 4th June,• Carole Justice spoke about the Chartist troubles in Mansfield, and • Jean Kirk gave a potted history of Forest Town.

It was a very interesting meeting so well done to our speakers who again showed that the local knowledge of our group is excellent!Bob Longden

Digital World SUBMISSIONS for our recent 'Sharp' and 'The Sun' topics showed real imagination, with much discussion about the editing technique used to give the appearance of a kitchen knife cutting a glass bottle. * (See below.)

We have also had our first real looks at RAW image files and processing them with Photoshop Elements to give better quality results when conditions are challenging, such as when trying to photograph the sun. It's a pity that many cameras don't allow access to RAW files as most people who've tried using them want to keep doing so.

Our next meeting, on 24th May, will take the form of a photographic treasure hunt at Vicar Water so please come along with your camera if you fancy looking for 12 subjects, photographing them and submitting them for discussion at Skegby on 14th June (2.00 - 4.00).David Ling * None; the knife is resting in a slot cut into the bottle with a tile saw.

_______________________________________________________________________________________Reflections from the Committee TableI JOINED our hard working Committee in September 2012.

I volunteered my services as I could see what a great and necessary job they did and wanted to help in any way that I could.

What I didn't know was how welcome I would be made to feel and the friendship offered has been exceptional.

Four of us started on the same day and we all came to easy decisions as to our individual job roles; mine was as Speaker Finder.

I have really enjoyed the task of finding a variety of speakers on a range of topics.

I know I can't please everyone all the time and it is difficult to know how a speaker will "come across", but I hope there is something for everyone over the course of the year.

I have been on a U3A training workshop for Speaker Finders that was very useful.

It is true that 'the more you put in the more you get out'. I have had a very enjoyable first 8 months and look forward to many more.Marilyn Dibble - Speaker Finder.

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STOP PRESSAnnual Mansfield U3A Holiday Warner's Thoresby Hall, Mon. 27th - Fri. 31st Jan. 2014Warner's are not able to give a price for upgrade rooms at the moment but I have reserved standard rooms for 180 guests. The price per person is £220. I have been allowed just 12 singles at a price of £265. First come first served but by announcing singles at the meeting last month not many are left. If you want to come I need a cheque for £50pp made payable to Mansfield & District U3A. Any ‘profit’ will be distributed via prize draws.

So please write your name, address and email on the back of your cheque and note if you might want an upgrade so that I can let you know how much it will be in due course. At that stage you can decide if you do in fact require the upgrade. I also need you to specify twin/double and any wheelchair or easy access. If you know which room number you want, put that down as well.

I will have a new email address soon but [email protected] will become redundant very shortly.Terry Whitehead _______________________________________________________________________________________Philosophy – a member's contribution.A PROFESSOR stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of gravel and poured some into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The gravel rolled into the open spaces between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous ‘yes.’

The professor then produced two beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

‘Now,’ said the professor as the laughter subsided, ‘I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things – your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favourite passions – and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The gravel is the other things that matter, like your job, your house and your car. The sand is everything else – the small stuff.

‘If you put the sand into the jar first,’ he continued, ‘there is no room for the gravel or the golf balls. The same goes for life.

'If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

'Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.

'Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit grandchildren. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and mow the lawn.

'Take care of the golf balls first – the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the beer represented. The professor smiled and said, ‘I’m glad you asked. The beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of beers with a friend.'

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_______________________________________________________________________________________

June Haywood: It is with deep regret that we record June's passing after a long illness. The committal at Mansfield Crematorium on Friday 26th April was followed by a service of thanksgiving for her life at Bridge Street Methodist Church. Also: Win Hewitt, on 24th April and also after a long illness. Her committal was at Mansfield Crematorium on Friday 3rd May.

_____________________________________________________________________________Speakers' CornerOUR SPEAKER today is Dr. David Amos, an ex-coal-miner and a now much-acclaimed academic who spent 24 years at Annesley Colliery up to 2000 before exploring further his great love of history.

He will be tracing the birth of railways and canals in the East Midlands and is sure to make this morning very interesting with his accounts of the local sights and stories of the area around Cromford Canal and the Erewash Valley.Marilyn Dibble______________________________________________________________________________Dates for your diary (Check the website for more information and updates.).Tues. 2nd July: U3A East Midlands Regional Conference at Northampton Holiday Inn. £10. See noticeboard.Sun. 28th July: OPEN GARDEN at Sheila Whalley's home in aid of Air Ambulance. 1.00 - 5.00. Details & tickets from Jean Hinds (414393)._________________________________________________________________________

Event and Visit PaymentsMEMBERS are reminded that deposits and payments for events and visits organised by Mansfield U3A 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 your address, 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 those of the editor, the committee of Mansfield U3A or the Third Age Trust. Nor can any responsibility be accepted for members' announcements or any errors that may occur.______________________________________________________________________________Next IssuePLEASE SEND contributions for the June issue to [email protected], or in typescript to the editor, as soon as you can and by 1st June at the latest. Thanks!______________________________________________________________________________Editor: David Ling (01623 822994) Printed by: Portland Print (www.portlandprint.org.uk/)

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