Quiz
The May quiz from Julie Clarke has been loaded to the website and is ready for you to test your general knowledge. (Our quiz page lists all the quizzes that have been set previously.)
Group News
Our u3a wouldn’t exist without our Group Leaders.
Some of our groups will be losing their leaders over the summer. If that applies to a group you are in please think about whether you can help or perhaps share the role with another member. Do talk about helping with your group leader or contact Paula our Groups Coordinator – groups.co-ordinator@sandbachu3a.org.uk
We know it’s not always easy to step forward and offer to help or lead a group so there is plenty of help and support available if you are interested.
Creative Writing
Congratulations to Kathryn Sim who writes:
I’m very pleased to have been awarded third prize in the recent U3A national poetry competition.
My piece ‘Letter from Kharkiv’ was devised for our U3A Creative Writers Group, as a homework task.
It is an edited version of the original, and will appear in the June edition of Third Age Matters.
I’m delighted and I hope it will encourage other writers in the group to get published too.
Kathryn Sim
Leader U3A Creative Writing.
We also have a new poem from Maureen Sawtell, celebrating St. Georges Day – see end of this update.
Trips
Booking for tickets to see 42nd Street closes on Friday 19th of May so this is your last chance to see this song and dance spectacular with our u3a.
42nd Street – The Musical – matinee performace
Wednesday 6th September 2023
Empire Theatre, Liverpool
Price £52 [includes theatre ticket, coach and drivers tip
Departing from the Military Arms at 9am
Local News
Members of our u3a Choir will join with Crewe Male Voice Choir for a “Summer Serenade” on Saturday June 10th.
Tickets will be available at the U3A Information Desk in the Library on Wednesday morning (9.30 – 11.30) 24 May (as well as from Choir members and the Black Cat Cafe, Welles Street.)
On a Lighter Note
What do dentists call their x-rays? Tooth pics.
What’s the difference between a poorly dressed man on a unicycle and a well-dressed man on a bicycle? Attire.
What is the best day to go to the beach? Sunday, of course.
What bow can’t be tied? A rainbow.
People think “icy” is the easiest word to spell. Come to think of it, I see why.
What’s a balloon’s least favourite type of music? Pop.
My teachers told me I’d never amount to much because I procrastinate so much. I told them, “Just you wait!”
What’s a foot long and slippery? A slipper.
What do we want? Low-flying airplane noises! When do we want them? NEEEEYYYOOOOOOOOWWWW!
What building in New York has the most stories? The public library.
Comic Sans walks into a bar. The bartender says, “We don’t serve your type here.”
What’s the easiest way to get straight As? Use a ruler.
We English and our Patron Saint
Shakespeare’s Henry V cried God for Harry, England and St George
Immortalised after his victory over the French at Agincourt.
In 1944 Laurence Olivier brought Henry to the silver screen
Riding ahead of his troops, St Georges banner blowing to and fro,
Designed as a call to arms in World War two,
As once again English troops were fighting and dying in the fields of France
Trying to liberate her from a deadly and defiant foe.
Come peacetime, war weary Britain was still a desolate place,
Bombed out buildings and rationing did nothing to raise the peoples morale
A royal wedding and later a coronation raised some spirits
With thousands of the Union flag decorating our streets and the Mall.
But the England flag of St George wasn’t among my souvenirs to save
It was mainly the Royal Navy flying the White Ensign above the waves.
It wasn’t always so……………….
In 1350 Edward 111 made him patron Saint of England for his courage and bravery
And for the new Order of the Knights of the Garter,
Still the UKs highest order of chivalry.
After Agincourt devotion to the saint grew stronger
With Plantagenet Kings of England wearing his colours as the norm
And Henry V111 incorporating them in his army’s uniform.
1707 saw the Union of England and Scotland and devotion to our Saint on the wane.
A Union flag was born from England s red & white cross and the Scottish Saltire.
But since 2010 world cup, followed by Olympic and Commonwealth Games
The flag of England and St George was widely flown again
Soon legions of England fans would carry it for our National teams
As they cheer on England in football and rugby’s fields of dreams.
Today there’s the Lord Mayors St Georges Day festival in Trafalgar Square
An annual free show for feasting and frolicking and .generally having fun.
But where is St George in all this fervour
Has this martyr’s courage and bravery somehow lost our favour.
Surely we can still make the connections
Celebrating whilst keeping him in the nation’s affection.
The knights of the Garter still process for all to see
And the George Cross and Medal are still awarded for conspicuous bravery.
Awarded to Malta in1942 for withstanding the siege by Italy & Germany.
So on his feast day, Will Shakespeare’s birthday
And soon the crowning of a new king
Let’s be of good cheer and with good intentions to forge
As we proudly cry God for Charles, England and St George.
Maureen Sawtell
23 April 2023