Narberth U3A
January 2017
Happy New Year to everyone, and a big welcome to all our new members who have
joined since the autumn.
Inside this issue:

Quiz

Christmas Lunch

Summer Schools and Talks

New Welsh group

News from Groups

Narberth Museum

Committee, Groups and Leaders
The new committee was elected at the AGM and members are listed on the last page.
Do contact any of us if you have a question, if you have a suggestion for a new group
or if you could share your interests - for example, if you have a subject close to your
heart that you could speak on at either the general meeting or one of the other
groups.
Some interesting events organised by the wider U3A are outlined below.
Quiz
Our annual U3A Quiz in November was a great success with 12 teams taking part - six from
Narberth U3A and six from Pembrokeshire U3A. Sadly two Pembrokeshire teams won, but
we hope our teams will win at the ’return match’ in May, as
we did last year. More details will be sent out before May in
the hope that we can encourage more of you to give it a go.
In the meantime here is a picture of a puzzled team
and one of Phil looking distinctly put out with the winners.
Many thanks to everyone who took part or helped with the
organisation and refreshments.
U3A Summer Schools
Three Summer Schools are being held this year:
17-20 July at Harper Adams University, Shropshire
Cryptic crosswords, France, globalisation, history, literature, maths, sexuality in the ancient world,
recorders
14-17 Aug at the Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester, Gloucs:
Creative writing, garden history, Latin, literature, music, poetry, Shakespeare, singing
11-14 Sept at the Royal Agricultural University:
Art history, drama, exploring English, history, music, opera, Russian revolutions, Spanish, writing
Booking opens on 23 January. To have the full brochure and application form emailed to you, contact [email protected]
Astronomy Study Day
Christmas Lunch
Cardigan and Newcastle Emlyn U3As are organising
an Astronomy Study Day on Friday 31 March at
Cardigan Guildhall. We have no further details at
present but if you are interested keep your eye on the websites for
these U3As.
About half of our members attended the
Christmas Lunch at Charlie’s in Reynalton.
A good time was had by all - many thanks to
Alan and Sally Haynes for organising this.
Martin Bell talk
Martin Bell, the retired BBC war correspondent and Independent MP, is giving a talk on Thursday 23
March, 2.30 - 4.00pm at St Mary’s Church, Swansea, on :
‘War Zone Reflections - 50 years in the unquiet corners of the world’.
This is organised by Pontarddulais and Swansea U3As.
Tickets are £3 for U3A members and can be obtained from [email protected]
or phone 07910 332111.
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News from our groups
New Welsh Group
This is a new group led by Lorraine Lloyd. Lorraine will take small groups of complete beginners with no knowledge of the
language, for short courses over about six weeks on alternate Tuesday afternoons. The aim will be threefold: to provide the
tools to pronounce Welsh words with confidence, to teach some useful words, popular greetings and phrases, and to enable
learners to understand common street signs and the meanings of local place names. - and to be able to sing the national
anthem !
This is not a formal language course and is for absolute beginners. As each group finishes their sessions, another group can
start. The first group, which will start in February, is full up, but do let Lorraine know if you are interested in joining one of the
later groups.
Lorraine Lloyd
[email protected]
Tai Chi
Walking Group
The weather continues to be kind to us. I
can't remember the last time a walk was
cancelled – though I'm sure someone can!
We will always walk unless there is thick
fog, heavy rain, ice or snow.
Each leader reconnoitres their walk so that
potential hazards or blocked paths can be
noted. County Council footpaths officers
are always grateful and indeed helpful if a rotten stile or
blocked path is reported ( especially if you can give Grid
References). There are so many trails in the county that
have been used for centuries. Just imagine miners trekking
miles along the Miners' way to work at Thomas Chapel or
Bonvilles Court Mine Saundersfoot!
The next section on the Landsker borderlands trail will fetch
up at Tavernspite.
The photo shows Mike and I negotiating a hazard near
Landshipping on an earlier walk.
In between these walks Mike, Sandra and June have been
recying some of the Weatherman Walking hikes (Derek
Brockway from BBC) and we shall be doing some of these in
the next few weeks.
We have welcomed new members in the last few weeks
who have provided new interest to the ongoing chatter as
we walk.
Geraldine Leach [email protected]
Outings Group
The 35 members of this group have an up to date list of
each others’ contact details Do use it to get in touch with
one another for any 'excursions' you wish to make - or if you
wish to contact the whole group email Nova with the
information and she will forward it to everyone for you.
Theatre, ballet, cinema, art exhibitions, meals out - anything
you would like to share with other people. Let Nova know if
you would like to be added to the distribution list.
Mah Jong
We meet three times a month at Williams Court. We're a
friendly, mixed ability bunch of people who enjoy getting
together and having fun, whilst exercising the grey cells.
If you are hesitant to join the group why not come along for a
taster session. You don't have to understand Chinese or
Japanese (we play the Japanese version) - in simplistic terms
it's a sort of three dimensional game of Rummy! If you want
to know more give me a ring.. Rachael Harvey
Unfortunately this group has had to close as there is now
nobody to organise it since the group leader moved away.
If there is anyone who would like to take over, please let one
of the committee know.
Music
Some people say they do not come to the Music Group because
they have heard it is all jazz. When the group first started it was
mainly for jazz enthusiasts, reflecting the interest of the founder
member Brian Harvey, and there was another music group
which met at Robeston Wathen who played more classical music, including the opera 'Madam Butterfly', which brought tears to
some lady members. This group ceased to function when the
group co-ordinator was unwell.
When Brian became unwell, Colin and Phil, technical
assistants to Brian, have kept the group going, but play a
wider range of music. of which jazz is only part, ranging
from Andre Rieu to The Wurzels. We have played concerts by individual singers such as Bob Dylan and Joan Baez.
popular light music and the songs and music from 'Phantom of
the Opera'.
We try to play DVDs (sometimes brought along by members)
rather than CDs so that there is something to watch as well as
listen to. Do not ask Phil to provide the music as you are likely to
get stuff' like Tommy Cooper’s 'Don't Jump Of The Roof Dad' or
'Come Outside' by Mike Sarne and Wendy Richards. But he did
provide two Andre Rieu concert DVDs and his music covers all
genres, classical, operatic, light music and even Rock & Roll.
In February we shall play a DVD of American popular music from
1920 to 1960. It will include work by Count Basie, Glenn Miller,
Billy Eckstein, Hoagy Carmichael, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra,
Stan Kenton, and others - quite a range of musical talent. In
March we hope to play one of the James Last concerts. Like
Andre Rieu, James Last plays a range of music, which appeals
to a wide range of the public.
Art and Drawing
The Art/Drawing Group meets in the Jackson Room
at Bloomfield on the second Monday of each month.
New members are welcome, especially if you have not
really drawn or painted before.
The February meeting will concentrate on line drawing.
Pam Ottley
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History
Having in recent months covered revolutions in France and America, we moved to slightly more recent history
which overlapped events in France, the Unification of Italy. After the collapse of the Roman Empire Italy was a
collection of states, some ruled by foreign powers, including France, Spain and Austria. Garibaldi was famous not
only for biscuits, but the role he played in making Italy one modern nation.
We shall now be looking at much more modern History. Dave, having talked about different decades including the
1920s and 1960s, has chosen the 1930s for his consideration, which he will present in January under the cryptic
title, 'Contrasting Images of the 1930s'. This period, also before and after the decade, gave rise to dictatorships in
Europe. Hitler came to power in Germany, Stalin in Russia, Mussolini in Italy, Franco in Spain and Tito in Yugoslavia. No middle
ground politicians here, there is the choice between the extreme left or right.
In February Phil will cover the Stalin period in Russia. Uncle Joe, who changed his name from Djugashvili to Stalin to confuse the
authorities, was certainly a man of steel (which Stalin means), despite being only 5ft 4 ins tall, with two toes stuck together and a
withered left arm. Like most dictators he was ruthless, perhaps more so than most considering the number of his own people he
had killed or imprisoned.
Hitler and Franco have both been discussed in the past,
Hitler as a 'Nasty Nazi', and Franco in his role in the Spanish
Civil War. Most people know less about Tito who was
president of Yugoslavia from 1953 until his death in 1980.
Even before1953 he held other important offices - during the
war he was a partisan leader, and before the war a political
activist. In March Phil will review the life of Tito and how he
avoided becoming completely under the thumb of Stalin. In
April Phil will deal with the remaining dictator, Mussolini, the
first Fascist dictator in Europe, who came to power in 1922.
Book Group 2
It is rare to find a book that everyone in the group has enjoyed,
but How it all began by Penelope Lively was just that. It was
good to read over Christmas and the New Year because it
contained no horror.
It was a relief after And the mountains echoed by Khaled
Husseini. That book is about Afghanistan, and is challenging
to read. We had also been challenged by Room by Emma
Donaghue which deals with a child of a kidnapped girl knowing
only one room until the age of 5; and then his escape. The
book we are now reading is Suite Française by Irène Némirovsky, written in 1941 describing her life in France under Nazi
occupation. Sadly Irène died in Auschwitz before publication.
It is so good to meet a new author by reading a book chosen
by someone else in the group; but that is one of the reasons
for being part of a book group.
Jean Williams
Canasta
Following the closure of The Angel we now meet at Williams
Court on the 2nd Thursday afternoon of each month and the
first Friday afternoon.
We were sorry to lose two members recently but two more
have joined and we usually have two or three tables of four.
Until recently I have only been teaching new members, but
now they can all play it is really nice for me to partner some of
them and see how good they are. I hope everyone enjoys the
game as much as I do.
If you would like to try please come along - you will have one
to one tuition and a lot of fun.
Tess Clarke
Bridge
This is a friendly bridge group which welcomes players of all
abilities, even if you only have a little knowledge of the game.
We meet on the 1st, 3rd and 4th Thursdays of the month at
Williams Court at 2pm until 4.30pm. If you would like to try
us out, come along and see if you enjoy it .
Elfrida Jones
Book Group 1
We meet on the 2nd Friday of each month in the Museum Cafe at 1.30 and discuss our
latest book over a cup of coffee.
Members suggest books they have enjoyed and we decide as a group which ones to
read. For the October meeting we read The Road Home by Rose Tremain for November it was The Aftermath by Rhidian Brook, a local author, and for December The Girl
with all the Gifts by M.R.Carey., which most of us disliked intensely even though it was
difficult to put down for some of us We have just discussed Elizabeth Jane Howard’s
The Long View and the book for February is Nutshell by Ian McEwan, and for March
andy Weir’s The Martian. Let Kay Howells (01834 861550) know if you would like to join
us or need any further information.
French and Italian Conversation
Both these groups meet twice a
month. More members are welcome
even if you have only basic skills in
the language - you can always just
listen until your confidence
builds up.
Some of the Italian group
are already planning a trip
to Italy next autumn.
Cribbage
Quite a few people have heard about the game “cribbage” or have even played it or are still playing it with their friends and families. So, a number of us now play regularly in Williams Court – why don’t you join us?
Cribbage is not difficult to play and it’s a very enjoyable game. Even if you haven’t played it before, you can easily grasp it. You
can play individually or as a pair and you only need a pack of cards and a scoring board (even a piece of paper and
pen will do).
We usually have 2 tables at a session. I am always happy to show beginners how to play. New members are very
welcome to join our friendly group.
.Kimie Nunomura - Atkins
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The Discussion Group meets on the 2nd Friday of the month at Williams Court at 10.30am. Topics for the coming months are:
Feb 2017: Can Terrorism be Justified?
In the wake of the shocking events of 11 September 2001, terrorism and the “war on terror” became the number one issue for the
US government. But terrorism has a far longer, more global history.
Political, religious and national/ethnic groups have resorted to violence to pursue their objectives – whether full recognition of their
full equal citizenship (in Apartheid South Africa), a separate national state of their own (Israelis in the 1940s, Palestinians from the
1970s onwards), or the establishment of a religious/ideological state (Iranian terrorism against the Shah). In some cases former
terrorists have made the transition to peaceful politics – for example Nelson Mandela in South Africa and Gerry Adams in Northern Ireland. Is it possible to justify the use of terrorist tactics if they result in the deaths of innocent civilians in bombings and
shootings? This is an issue that calls into question the value we put on our ideals, beliefs and human life itself.
March 2017: Should Ariel Sharon have been tried for war crimes by an international court?
Ariel Sharon, who was prime minister of Israel from 2001 to 2006, died on 11 January 2014 after eight years in a persistent vegetative state due to a massive stroke. Sharon, who held positions in Israeli governance since 1981, was a highly important figure –
but also a highly controversial one. To his supporters, he has been described as the architect of Israel, and a man who aimed to
create a peaceful and sustainable Israel. To his opponents, he was a butcher and a war criminal……..
April 2017: Should large scale cyber-attacks be treated as acts of war?
A cyber-attack is an attack on computer-based systems to sabotage them or to spy on others, through such means as viruses,
hacking, denial-of-service attacks. Large scale cyber-attacks can be referred to as cyberterrorism, and if carried out by one state
against another in a politically motivated attack as cyberwarfare. In this case the potential damage is substantially larger and can
range from disabling websites, stealing classified data to disabling essential services such as power grids.
Due to its potentially huge impact on the state should a large scale cyber-attack succeed, it has been questioned whether the
definitions of war and acts of war have to be expanded to non-traditional measures. For instance, as of 2011 USA considers cyber
-attacks as acts of war if they are sufficiently disruptive. However such a definition is not universally and internationally accepted
as at the moment only an armed conflict is considered an act of war, as defined by the UN Charter. More recently, should interference in domestic elections by a foreign power be considered an act of war?
Peter Hughes
Gardening Group
We are now halfway through our winter/spring programme. A good number travelled to the Penrallt Garden Centre,
Moylegrove before Christmas and enjoyed not only the plants, but coffee and lunch too.
Snowdrops are the heralds of spring, and there has been a change of our plans for February to take advantage of the
Snowdrop Weekend being held at the National Botanic Gardens. The varied collection of snowdrops at the gardens can
be seen on a guided walk lead by author and galanthophile Naomi Slade. Naomi will also be speaking on the subject and there
will be opportunities to ask questions. Whilst some snowdrops border the main drive, others are tucked
awaking in the woodlands so appropriate footwear is essential. If the outdoor temperatures are challenging there is always the
warmth of the glasshouses to recover in, as well as good facilities for hot drinks and food.
If you are organising your gardening year, there are a number of treats to note in the coming months. February is also hellebore
time, and the Gardening Weekend from 17th -19th, run by Farmyard Nurseries in Llandysul celebrates them. The Nurseries are
Chelsea gold medal winners for their hellebores and create a Chelsea type display in the village hall. They also organise an
interesting programme of talks throughout the weekend as well as a wide selection of plants to buy. The programme for each day
can be found on the Farmyard Nurseries website.
Our own U3A Gardening Group March session has a Gardeners’ Question Time panel of experts awaiting your gardening
queries. I must stress you do not need to be a regular attendee to put a question, anyone is welcome to contribute, but we do
need questions. In order to give our experts time to research their answers, questions need to be given to Jo Thomas by
Saturday,18th February. This was an enjoyable and informative meeting last year so please get involved and make it another
success.
April is the month not only for showers, but also for the RHS Show in Bute Park surrounding Cardiff Castle, 7 th -9th April, again
more details on the RHS website. The show is more homely than Chelsea but this is reflected in the entry price (£10 in advance).
It expands each year however, and is well worth visiting particularly as it can easily be combined with a look around Cardiff.
Finally, nearer to home is the 23rd Narberth Big Plant Sale held on the Town Moor on Saturday 30th April.
Our April meeting will include planning for our programme of summer garden visits, so if you have any suggestions please come
to the meeting, we always welcome new members.
Jo Thomas
We have not yet received details, but the RHS is giving group discounts for U3A members - more information later.
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Science
For the last three months we have been looking at the beginnings of biotechnology. For thousands of years, without realising it,
people have used biotechnology in brewing, cheese-making, 'retting' flax to make linen, breeding varieties of animals and plants
etc. It was only in the 19th century that the science behind these procedures were understood, and the way was opened to apply
biotechnology in many new ways. This may prove to be important in the future as natural resources become exhausted.
In the next three months we shall be looking at the applications of micro-organisms in new biotechnologies which involve genetic
engineering, where genes from one species are inserted into the DNA (chromosomes) of other species. Already insulin to treat
diabetics is manufactured by bacteria after the human gene for insulin was added to bacterial DNA so that the bacteria do the
work for making the hormone. There are various other medical uses for genetic engineering which are generally acceptable. However, there is much debate about producing genetically modified foods. At the moment the European Union bans GM foods for
human use. That said, animals are fed with GM foods, and we eat animals!
Another controversial area we shall be considering concerns cloning. Already Dolly the sheep has been born, as well as other animals. Will humans be cloned in the future? Should cloning be
banned? We have cloned plants for thousands of years without
realising it. Cloning animals is now possible and, as with plants,
offers the chance of producing reliable and consistent sources of
milk, meat etc.
If you want to learn more about biotechnology and genetic engineering, why not come along to the Science Group. Who knows,
in the future we all may be clones and feed on bacteria (if that is
what we want!).
Phil Mahiques
Art Appreciation
We meet on the 4th Tuesday of the month at Williams Court 2.00 to 3.30-3.45pm.
These are the spring/summer topics:
January: (PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF DATE - NOW 31 JANUARY)
Four painters. Four muses. Four locations. Four masterpieces - plus forty other related paintings
February: The Glasgow Boys - Scottish painters pick up French ideas
March:
North American Impressionism’ . Americans lived with Monet then took it all back home
April :
The Glynn Vivian Gallery and contemporary Welsh painting
May:
The Heidelberg School and other Australian paintings
June:
Scottish Colourists follow Matisse
July :
The Group chooses paintings to discuss
Scottish Country Dancing
This continues at Robeston Wathen hall , Thursdays
7pm. All welcome but please ring first
David Dando
Narberth Museum
2017 began on Saturday with a well-attended Paperback Breakfast, an opportunity to meet friends, exchange books and enjoy a
breakfast of orange juice, croissants and coffee.
A CASW Award (Contemporary Art Society for Wales) funded outstanding work by four local artists, Linda Norris, Ritta Sinkonnen
Davies, Sian Lester and Jobina Tinnemans. All were extraordinary and the results of their work can still be seen upstairs. The
talented young artist Charlotte Ashleigh launched her first exhibition of stunning black and white etchings/linocuts. Elizabeth
Haines displayed and sold several of her beautiful paintings. The Quilters presented a colourful array of quilts and wall hangings.
Vernon Warder’s nostalgic book of black and white photographs, Arberth Bach, was launched and is for sale in paperback or
hardback, with a selection of framed prints still on view, chosen from the 400 available on line. Several Narberthians have been
curious – or embarrassed - to see their younger selves, and mounted prints can be ordered for only £15.
Jacqueline Thompson continues to offer help on tracing your family tree and is available every Thursday for a drop-in session or
by appointment. There have been a series of fascinating talks by Terry John on local history, ghostly legends, and Christmas in
the Civil War, a session for cricket enthusiasts, “Crafternoons”, storytelling, workshops for Christmas goodies, privately booked
parties, groups of walkers hungry for coffee, cake and a comfy sofa, and a Valuation Day, with advice from Peter Francis Auctioneers on the value of our treasured objects. We are on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and our website
www.narberthmuseum.co.uk/casw will tell you more about the four CASW winners. It is frequently updated with news of forthcoming events.
Elaine Cocciadiferro (Museum Membership Secretary)
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Committee
David Dando (Chair)
Peter Hughes (Vice-Chair)
Juliet Burgess (Secretary)
Val Winter (Treasurer)
Una Hickman
Tess Clarke
Phil Mahiques
Kay Howells
Lorraine Lloyd
Groups and Leaders
Art/Drawing
Art appreciation
Book group 1
Book group 2
Bridge
Canasta
Cribbage
Discussion group
Films
French conversation
Gardening
History
Italian conversation
Lunch Group
Mah jong
Music appreciation
Outings
Photography
Poetry
Recorders
Science & technology
Scottish Dancing
Walking
Welsh
Website/Facebook
2nd Monday, 2pm
4th Tuesday, 2pm
2nd Friday, 1.30 pm
1st Friday, 2.30 pm
1st, 3rd & 4th Thursday, 2pm
1st Friday 2pm, 2nd Friday 2pm
1st Weds, 4th Friday 2pm
2nd Friday, 10.30 am
2nd Wednesday, 2pm
Weds & Friday 10.30 am
1st Tuesday 10.30 am
3rd Wednesday 2pm
Weds 10.30 am & 2nd Sat 12.00
2nd Friday 1pm
1st Weds, 3rd Tues, 4th Fri 2pm
2nd Tuesday, 2pm
4th Wednesday 2pm
Last Friday 2pm
2nd & 4th Tuesday 10.30 am
2nd Thursday, 10am
Every Thursday, 6.30 pm
Mondays, details vary
Tuesday afternoons
Pam Ottley
David Dando
Kay Howells
Jean Williams
Elfrida Jones
Tess Clarke
Kimie Atkins
Peter Hughes
Collin Millington
Nova Husbands
Phil Mahiques
Phil Mahiques
Kay Howells
Alan/Sally Haynes
Rachael Harvey
Colin Millington
Nova Husbands
Dave Unwin
Megan Hughes
Margaret Webley
Phil Mahiques
Jean Elliot
Geraldine Leach
Lorraine Lloyd
Jean Williams
If you would like to try a group, call the leader first in case any arrangements have changed .
By trying a group you’re not committing yourself to going again if you find that it’s not for you.
Each month members are sent (by email if we have your address) a calendar of events for the coming weeks, and this newsletter
is sent out three times a year. If you aren’t on email, you will be given printed copies.
Our General Meetings, held on the 2nd Saturday of each month at 10.30am at the Bloomfield Centre, are a social occasion where
you can meet other members you may not see at your usual groups - and also an opportunity to hear an interesting and enjoyable
talk or presentation by a member or an outside speaker.
And don’t forget our website and Facebook page where you can find more information and useful links.
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