SEE THE EVENTS PAGE FOR 'DATES FOR YOUR DIARY'
LETTER FROM THE CHAIR
Greetings and Welcome to your August Newsletter
I hope you are all enjoying the summer weather, remember to protect with sun-creams etc. though I often feel like a creche for the grandchildren - wonderful!
A massive thanks and welcome to Simon Baxter who has stepped in at very short notice to be website/newsletter editor.
The Monthly Speaker meetings continue to be very popular and provide a FREE information/IT desk, opportunities for Groups to show their activities to present and new members. The Book Swap table is there next to the regular Questers Desk.
Also, we can support new Groups - just ask!
ALL this and more from September.
NB. NO meeting in August, so see you all on September 9th!
Keep safe!
Richard Lewis Chair Furness u3a
USING COPYRIGHT MATERIAL: GUIDANCE FOR U3A GROUPS
Did you know?
Each year, Furness u3a pays for a Licence from the Copyright Licencing Agency (CLA).
This allows your u3a Group to copy and re-use extracts from digital and print books, magazines, journals and websites. Copies must not exceed one chapter of a book, one article from a publication, one short story or poem from an anthology, or one case report from a published report of judicial proceedings, or 5% of the total, whichever is greater. For digital material, copying must be limited to extracts that are equivalent to these limits.
Copying is only allowed for "educational and teaching purposes" and, although members of a Furness u3a Group are entitled to share copies with one another in person or online, they must not circulate copies more widely. Paper copies intended for a group meeting must not exceed the number of members attending If you have any queries about this, please contact the Furness u3a Secretary, Neil McLaughlin Cook, via Secretary
GROUP NEWS
LOCAL HISTORY
If you have never been to Dalton Castle, it is well worth a visit. It is on your doorstep, full of history and has a small collection of artefacts and stone sculptures that needs more than one visit to fully appreciate. It is part of the National Trust and run by Friends of Dalton Castle.
Nearly 20 members of the local history group were treated to a talk by Neil McLaughlin-Cook about the origins of the building and its importance over time. Built in around 1340 on the site of an earlier structure, by the then Abbot of Furness Abbey as a defensive tower to deter Scottish raids it has developed over peaceful times into the building you can see today. As Dalton was the capital of Furness with a market place the castle became initially a jail and a courthouse, run by the abbots to try crimes and house prisoners until their trial. It was never a prison. The jail can still be seen through a grid looking into the basement. This continued for about 200 years when the dissolution of the abbey caused a breakdown in the local communities when alms, teaching etc all stopped. Once the abbey could no longer take charge the castle suffered as Ulverston, with its successful markets took over. But the castle remained as the courthouse for over 400 years, until recent times when it was no longer needed.
If you visit be aware there are 4 floors to discover, with a modern staircase, and a stone spiral staircase with a rope “banister”, part of which can be accessed, and an original garderobe with a more modern wooden lid!
Our next meeting is on Monday September 8th. Susan Benson from Barrow Archives is coming to talk about William Fleming, a local Yeoman Farmer
INDUSTRIAL HISTORY
Industrial History Visit to Fairfield Mill
On Thursday 24th July, ten members of the group enjoyed a visit to Fairfield Mill and Sedbergh, organised by Julia and Neil McLaughlin Cook. After coffee in the café, we had plenty of time to explore all four levels of the Victorian woollen mill. We discovered a wonderful range of art, craft and fascinating heritage. The mill was built in 1837, and stayed in the ownership of the Dover family for 100 years. Although spinning and weaving was done in the factory, handloom woven goods, using Fairfield wool, continued into the 20th century, and wool spun at Fairfield went out to knitters from Dent to Howgill.
The sun was shining when we visited the weir and the 17th century bridge over the river Rawthey at Millthrop. The mill is still standing, but has been converted into flats.
Next it was a pleasant drive into Sedbergh for lunch and a walk around the town looking at buildings associated with the town’s industrial past. I think we all enjoyed the search for the weavers’ cottages in the two fascinating yards between the shops.
Thank you, Julia and Neil for all the hard work you put into organising such an enjoyable day.
WORLD HISTORY
At our July meeting we had a diverse set of talks about our current topic of” The History of Coffee”
First, we found out how Brazil came to acquire coffee plants; coffee plants were smuggled into Brazil in 1727 from French Guiana. It grew well in the tropical climate. The coffee industry boomed in Brazil in the 18th and 19rh centuries and led to a rise of wealthy coffee barons. Coffee with milk was introduced so that dairy farming in Brazil could also benefit. Brazilians drink lots of coffee, aiding this industry too.
There are downsides too; slavery kept the coffee industry going at first and the coffee industry has caused ecological damage in Brazil.
In the early 20th century Brazilian coffee amounted to 80% of global supply. It is still the world’s largest supplier of coffee.
Our second talk involved lots of samples, these were interesting but not very tasty!! They were examples of different attempts at roasting coffee beans. You can buy beans which have been dried but not roasted. However, none of the attempts had been very successful from frying to cooking in the oven, perhaps an air fryer would have worked better?
Finally, we heard how the coffee industry had been linked to slavery. In a similar way to sugar or cotton growing it was linked to the transatlantic triangular trade.
The triangular trade, also known as the triangular slave trade, was a historical system of trade in the 16th to 19th centuries that involved three continents: Europe, Africa, and the Americas. The trade routes formed roughly a triangle, with European ships transporting goods to Africa, enslaved people to the Americas, and then returning to Europe with goods produced by slave labour.
We are all looking forward to our next set of talks about Coffee in August.
If you would like to join us, please contact Rosie Kyles
QUESTERS
Biffa Recycling Centre - Barrow
The July trip out for the Questers group was a visit to the Biffa recycling centre in Barrow. Our numbers were very limited so we ended up with two groups of twelve going and were all fascinated to learn what goes on in that huge building. The trip followed on to the talk we had at our general meeting about the facility and we started with a re-run of that, giving us the background to recycling the contents of our black bins and the process that they follow there. They are very proud of the fact that over 99% of the rubbish we put in our black bins is recycled in some form or other. Some ends up on farms, some powers kilns and some ends up on our roads. Next, we all donned the requisite health and safety wear and proceeded to be shown around the plant.
We saw the rubbish coming in for its initial shredding straight from the lorries with a huge grabber picking up two tons at a time to put it into the system. We were able to walk around the high gantry outside the building and see the further processes as it is broken up further, dried out and then automatically sorted out into the various uses. The whole place is so clean and not nearly as smelly as you might expect. Technology working at its best. The biggest problem they have there is fire caused by people putting batteries or vapes in their black bins. Of course good U3A members would never do such a thing! Our very grateful thanks go to Catherine Hindle for organising this.
Our Next Questers Visit
In August, Kate Brown and Sandie Pye are organising a trip to Leighton Hall on the 21st of the month. This has proved to be a popular visit and emails will be sent out nearer the time with the final details for all those who have signed up.
Please see the Questers Group page for details, or contact Tim Evans or Sue Whibley
ENVIRONMENT MATTERS
Swallows, Swifts, and Sewage!
Heavy rain, possible thunderstorms - it looked like our run of fine weather which has accompanied previous excursions for the Environment Group had finally run out.
After driving along roads flooded from heavy downpours, we eventually arrived at Windermere Wastewater Treatment Works. And miraculously the rain stopped!
Richard, our most personable guide was there to meet us and after donning hard hats, high viz jackets and gloves, we set out on our tour. The size of the site was impressive. We were shown each stage of the processing, Richard happy to answer the many questions our group asked. (A lovely bonus was to see so many swifts and swallows in flight!)
We all enjoyed a fascinating and most informative visit.
Should any of you feel like finding out what goes on behind the scenes for yourselves, what a great day out awaits on the shores of Lake Windermere! Simply check out 'Windermere Wastewater Treatment Works Tour' where you will find an on-line booking form.
VISITING GARDENS
It was a very small group of us that braved the weather and visited Sizergh Castle Gardens last month. However, with patience, we eventually managed to see their beautiful gardens without getting wet!!
PLEASE NOTE: I am away for this visit and Sabina Garnett is doing all the arrangements.
On Tuesday 19th August the visit is to 27 Haverrigg Gardens, Walney, LA14 3TH. This is a private garden that is opening specially for our group. Meeting in Victoria Road cul-de-sac at 9.45am for collection of money and car sharing and leaving at 10am. The costs are: £7 for the gardens and refreshments and £2 for a lift. Please book your place by 12th August by contacting Sabina Garnett , and say whether you are a driver or need a lift.
OTHER NEWS
STUDY INTO THE HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF ADULTS WHO GREW UP IN FOSTER OR RESIDENTIAL CARE
Research has shown that care-experienced adults face a greater risk of negative health outcomes compared to the general population.
Researchers, at the University of Oxford, are holding focus groups to understand the health and wellbeing concerns of older care-experienced adults and explore the types of support they would like to receive from health and social care services.
If you, or someone you know, would like to learn more, please contact Jono on Jonathan.Taylor@ndph.ox.ac.uk or 01865 617912.
NB: To email members of the Furness u3a Committee, go to the Commitee page