Introduction

I hope you’re all well and are enjoying the warmer (and at times hotter) weather and managing through the heavy rains.

 
Earlier optimism about the remaining lifting of restrictions has been realised. A cause for celebration, yes, but at the same time a note of caution – use a measured approach and our common sense. With that in mind I’d like to draw your attention to the interest groups’ update below and the latest Covid 19 advice from the u3a which can be found on our website.

 
Talking of celebrations, we have now had the first of our two summer celebration parties. The sun shone across the cricket field with cricketers playing and a lovely view of Ally Pally in the distance – a great relief given the previous evening’s deluge – and from comments received it was apparent a great time was had. As well as thanking all those who attended, I must give a very big ‘thank you’ the volunteers who helped with setting up, putting out the food and clearing up. Party number 2 is on Tuesday 3 August.
 
We are continuing with our online talks via Zoom into the autumn. As you will see below, talks have been arranged in September and October. Our last July talk was by the inimitable Peter Webb and I would thoroughly recommend you to listen to it if you missed it (see recorded talks below). Peter was talking about David Hockney whom he knew well.

 
Meanwhile, happy reading.

 
Sally
Any queries please email Sally at chair@cedu3a.org.uk

Online talks

There are no talks in August.
 
Tuesday 14 September, 11.00 am – 12.15 pm
Jack Price: The future of brain repair: the prospects for successful stem cell therapy.
 
Tuesday 26 October, 11.00 am – 12.15 pm
Stella Dadzie: A Kick in the Belly: Women, Slavery & Resistance
 

Most of our online talks are recorded and available for you to watch at leisure. Please email cedu3a@gmx.com with your membership number, stating which recording(s) you would like, and copies will be sent to you.

Interest Groups update

The lifting of restrictions is indeed good news for our interest group activities, enabling them to meet face-to-face again, both indoors and outdoors. However, masks are still recommended in busy places (guidance not law), and Transport for London (TfL) has made it a condition of travel that masks must be worn for the full duration of journeys on the TfL network and in stations, if not exempt. This applies to tube, bus, tram, DLR, London Overground, TfL Rail Network, Dial-a Ride Service and the Woolwich Ferry. Those not wearing masks could be refused entry, denied travel or told to leave the station. Many groups have planned activities and visits that involve travel both inside and outside the London area, and conveners will be supporting this mandatory requirement in drawing up arrangements.
 

Please remember, particularly those groups that previously met in members’ homes, to plan for the autumn when meeting outside will no longer be an option. Larger groups may not feel comfortable meeting indoors nor necessarily continuing to meet using Zoom. July’s bulletin laid out some options; there may be others.

Anyone for tennis?

We are hoping to get the second tennis group up and running in September – possibly on a Monday or Wednesday morning. We have had some applications but could do with a couple more. We are also looking for someone to co-convene the group. Applications should be made via the website cedu3a.org.uk/interest-groups/tennis/

Lawn bowls – Hornsey Bowling Club

The bowling club was flooded in the freak storms of 5/6 July; remedial work is in progress. Anyone applying to join the newly-formed group has been alerted to a delay in getting the group up and running and will be contacted when the work is finished.
 
If you are interested in joining apply via cedu3a.org.uk/interest-groups/lawn-bowls-2/

Local History Group

This group is for anyone interested in discussions about local and family history, the content is determined by the members of the group according to their interests. It doesn’t matter if you are new to local or family history; the group is very supportive and will be able to give you excellent advice on how to find out about people and places of the past.Arrangements have been made (Covid infections permitting) for the group to meet on the third Thursday of each month from September, between 2.00pm and 4.00pm, at the Hornsey Vale Community Centre, 60 Mayfield Road, London N8 9LP. To find out more or to join the group contact the convener via the Local History group page at cedu3a.org.uk/interest-groups/local-history-group/

Facebook

Did you know that CEDu3a news often appears on Facebook as an alternative or in addition to the website? Since this bulletin appears only once a month, Facebook gives us a more immediate platform on which to publicise events you might otherwise miss. Recently, for example, there has been information about Haringey walks for the over-sixties and a recommendation for two exhibitions at the Wellcome Foundation, and new dates have been advertised for craft activities. Don’t miss out. Join our group page here: www.facebook.com/groups/300181150556772.

Don’t miss …

our website, where you will find descriptions of our groups, details of upcoming talks and events organised not only by CEDu3a but also by the National u3a and the London Region of u3as. The Don’t miss … section, with items of interest and brief reports of group activities, is updated daily.

Beatrice Offor exhibition at Bruce Castle Museum extended until December 2021

Sisters, Sirens and Saints: Imagining the Women of Beatrice Offor
is a special exhibition of portraits by Tottenham resident Beatrice Offor (1864-1920).
 
The exhibition featutes her beautiful portraits and the imaginings and portrayals of the women she painted. Bringing together her artworks from the collections at Bruce Castle Museum alongside recently discovered paintings, the exhibition draws on new research, the influences in her life and the recent invigorated interest in her art.
 
Beatrice Offor is celebrated as being amongst the first women students who trained at The Slade, going on to become one of the few commercially successful Edwardian female artists. An unusually forward-thinking artist for her time.
 
▷ Book your vist

Our current membership stands at 750 members and our Facebook group over 300 members.

News from the St Mellitus Organ Restoration Project

Following the success of our walking podtour exploring the musical heritage of Stroud Green, we have launched a self-guided, cycling tour exploring Stroud Green at the time of the First World War.
 
This 35-minute audio tour – presented by CEDu3a members Oonagh Gay and Paul Sinclair of Islington Guided Walks – is designed to be downloaded and taken on location on two wheels. Through stories of the soldiers commemorated by the organ – researched by our archive volunteers – this podtour will transport you back to Stroud Green at the start of the twentieth century and will reveal what the area was like during the war.
 
  The tour can be downloaded with a map from the project website here
 
  Should you wish not to take the tour by bicycle, the tour is walkable and also works as a documentary you can listen to from the comfort of your own home.
 
▷ Find out more

CEDu3a member and qualified guide Oonagh Gay is offering a series of free local history walks for Haringey residents over 60 during the summer months.
 
  Although this is not a CEDu3a organised activity, members who are eligible are welcome to take part.
 
  The walks are free, with free refreshments. GLA Walks can also help pay for transport, with funding from Transport for London and the London Marathon Charitable Trust.
 
  If you would like to join Oonagh on any of the walks, contact her on 07986 504894 or email oonagh.gay@icloud.com, It is OK to let Oonagh know on the day, but you do need to let her know you are coming in advance for Track and Trace and to limit numbers.
 

Upcoming walks

Thursday 5 August, 11 a.m.
Lordship Recreation Ground
Meet outside the Hub Cafe, Lordship Recreation Ground N17 6NU

Thursday 12 August, 11 a.m.
Crouch End
Meet outside Lydia Brasserie, 120 Crouch Hill N8 9DY

Thursday 19 August, 11 a.m.
Tottenham High Road
Meet outside White Hart Lane station White Hart Lane, London N17 8HH

Tuesday 24 August, 11 a.m.
Stroud Green
Meet outside Park Theatre Clifton Terrace, Finsbury Park, London N4 3JP

Research project : How the brain uses sound to understand its surroundings

Participants are invited to partake in an online study that investigates how listening abilities change during healthy aging.
 
Interested participants will be sent a link to the study, which they can then complete at any time. It should take about 40 minutes to complete. As a token of our appreciation, participants will be awarded a £5 amazon gift voucher after completing the study.
 
To participate you must:
 
(1) Be over 60 years old
(2) Be a native English speaker
(3) Have no known hearing problems (not using a hearing aid and not previously told that you need one)
(4) Be in generally good health (no major surgery in the last 2 years)
(5) Have access to a desktop computer or a laptop with a good internet connection and a set of headphones
 
The study will involve listening to various artificial and speech sounds and answering some questions about them. It will take about 40 minutes to complete, including brief breaks and instructions.
 
Participants will be asked to sit in a quiet room, where they can complete the tasks without any interruption. All procedures comply with the latest data protection legislation and have been approved by the UCL Ethics Committee (project 1490/009).
 

The u3a is often asked to publicise research studies and trials to our members. Where we do so it is because we believe it may be of interest to you although we are not endorsing or promoting the research study in any way. The u3a has not undertaken any checks or due diligence on the relevant department or the study itself and accepts no liability whatsoever if you decide to agree to participate. If you choose to take part in any study, you do so at your own risk and in your own capacity (and not as a u3a member). You should make sure that you understand all the risks associated with any study before you sign up and ensure that you understand the time commitment, any restrictions and possible side effects. You should also ensure that you will be insured as part of the study.

Request from: Fahad Alhathal, University of Southampton

Grocery shopping is considered one of the instrumental activities of daily living which helps older people live independently. My research aims to explore grocery shopping experiences in a physical store of customers aged 65 and over in the UK and to design better solutions by using emerging technologies that supermarkets could adopt.
 
I should like to recruit around 300 participants aged 65 and over to complete an online-based questionnaire based on their grocery shopping experiences. Completing the questionnaire will take approximately 10 minutes.
 
▷ Find out more
 
All collected data will be used for research purposes only and will not be shared with third parties.

This research was approved by the Faculty Research Ethics Committee (FREC) at the University of Southampton (Ethics/ERGO Number: 62401).

The u3a is often asked to publicise research studies and trials to our members. Where we do so it is because we believe it may be of interest to you although we are not endorsing or promoting the research study in any way. The u3a has not undertaken any checks or due diligence on the relevant department or the study itself and accepts no liability whatsoever if you decide to agree to participate. If you choose to take part in any study, you do so at your own risk and in your own capacity (and not as a u3a member). You should make sure that you understand all the risks associated with any study before you sign up and ensure that you understand the time commitment, any restrictions and possible side effects. You should also ensure that you will be insured as part of the study.

Our Green London Wayfarers Group has finally completed its long distance circular walk around the London area. This project was guided by Bob Gilbert’s book The Green London Way (London, 2012). So if you feel inspired to learn more about your city’s history, and more important, wildlife, why not follow our own guide based on our experience of walking the route …
 
▷ Follow our guide