Lockdown Quiz
The latest quiz from Julie Clarke (number 42) has been loaded to the website as well as the answers to number 41. Go to the quiz page where you’ll also find this week’s music quiz (number 41) and the answers to music quiz number 40. Our quiz page lists all the quizzes that have been set previously.
Group News
Some more good news – this week it’s about our Practical Photo and Video Group.
This group is currently active and meetings are held “Virtually” using ZOOM. A monthly assignment is set and work displayed using Screen Share Function. The meeting date will normally be the second Friday of each month but is flexible to suit members.
Meetings start at 2:30. Finish time is flexible depending on number of images to view and length of critique but no later than 4:00.
The group is for all camera users, whether you have a compact camera, hi-tec sophisticated kit or even just a mobile phone. This group is for you, whatever your knowledge or previous experience.
We are exactly what it says on the lid and the aim is to help each other to produce better photographs or, for some group members, if they wish, to produce videos. We share ideas and try to develop our skills and our knowledge. Whatever your field of interest, be it holiday snaps, family photos, landscapes, or any of the many other genre or fields of interest we can try and help you achieve your aims.
This is a hands-on group and you will be encouraged to participate by sharing your images and knowledge so that we can all learn from everybody’s experience. An assignment that is enjoyable but will encourage members to “think different” will be set after each session and the resulting images will be shown where possible, at the next session. This assignment is of course not compulsory but all group members including the group leader can participate.
It is also hoped that we can arrange photo-shoot events that we can all take part in and enjoy.
Go to https://u3a.simplemembership.co.uk/Sandbach/groups to join this group.
Don Rickards,
Practical Photo and Video Group Leader
The Creative Writing Group
The Creative Writing group have also been active via Zoom. Members were challenged to write a short paragraph where a person is given the characteristics of an animal and the idea is to guess what the animal is.
The piece below was written by Simon Wisbey, do see if you can guess what the animal is. The answer is at the bottom of this weekly update.
He was a deliberate man, well known for blending in with his colleagues.
Every move was carefully chosen to maximise impact, he would pause often to survey his surroundings. Sometimes in meetings he would sit stock
still and stare, just waiting for the next person to speak. Invariably
someone cracked, and then he pounced. You just didn’t see it coming – he
seemed to be invisible, part of the furniture almost, but when he made
his move he was sure of success. His grasp of the subject was strong,
his arguments well prepared, and escape was impossible.
Simon Wisbey
Local News
Sandbach Library
Cheshire East Council is launching a new order and collect service to encourage people to continue using library services in Sandbach and other towns during lockdown. While the authority’s digital services are available to access reading and information, the new Covid-safe order and collect service provides an alternative for those who prefer a physical book to maintain their positive mental health and wellbeing.
To use the order and collect service, simply;
– call or email your local library and say which subject you are interested in
– provide a library card number and contact details
– give a brief description of the books, providing authors and genres if they know them
– arrange a suitable collection time with the librarian
Residents can ask for eight titles upon each request and can use the service as many times as they want.
The order and collect service is available for adults and children’s books, so parents and carers can receive books on behalf of children and young people as well.
Collections can also be made on behalf of residents, who may be less comfortable leaving their homes or who may be self-isolating.
The well-used online services will be continuing during lockdown. E-books, e-audio and e-magazines are still there for everyone and can be accessed at https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/libraries/eresources/eresources.aspx
Vaccination Update
We’ve been asked to keep members updated about Covid vaccinations:
A partnership of 7 local GP practices (SMASH): Merepark Medical Centre, Green Moss Medical Centre, Cedars Medical Centre, Ashfields Primary Care Centre, Oaklands Medical Centre, Waters Edge Medical Centre and Haslington Surgery are working at sites in Alsager and Middlewich. This is the latest update:
The Middlewich site is also open and running well. 300 vaccinations were done in one morning with lots more clinics coming.
As of 12th January the totals vaccinated cross SMASH were 312 in care homes, 3643 over 80, 3244 aged 75-79, 4384 aged 70-74. In total we have 56500 to vaccinate in the different groups. We are projecting that we will have all over 75s done in next 2-3 weeks with all over 80s done by middle to end of next week though vaccine supply is crucial to meet these targets.
https://healthwatchcheshireeast.org.uk/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccinations/ and https://www.facebook.com/SandbachGPs
On a Lighter Note
Some thoughts during lockdown:-
- If poison passes its’ expiration date, is it more poisonous or is it no longer poisonous?
- Which letter is silent in the word “Scent,” the S or the C?
- Why is the letter W, in English, called double U? Shouldn’t it be called double V?
- Every time you clean something, you just make something else dirty.
- The word “swims” upside-down is still “swims”
- 100 years ago everyone owned a horse and only the rich had cars. Today everyone has cars and only the rich own horses
- At the theatre, which arm rest is yours?
- If people evolve from monkeys, why are monkeys still around?
- Why is there a ‘D’ in fridge, but not in refrigerator?
- Who knew what time it was when the first clock was made?
Creative Writing Group challenge answer:
Chameleon
