Bearsden and Milngavie U3A Newsletter 2 · PDF fileShaw’s Pygmalion at the second meeting, with some virtuoso performances as Professor Higgins, Eliza ... of play scripts, preferably

h�ps://u3asites.org.uk/bam Bearsden and Milngavie U3A Newsle�er Issue 8, Dec 2017

BEARSDEN AND MILNGAVIE

Bearsden and

Milngavie U3A

Newsletter

Issue 8, December 2017

Report from the Chair

A s 2017 draws to a close, our thoughts naturally drift

towards preparations for Christmas and the New

Year. It is also a time to contemplate the past year and

perhaps even make a resolution or two for the next! There

is no reason, however, why these sentiments, which are so

important to us in our personal lives, should not be just as

applicable to our lives within the U3A. As far as Christmas is

concerned, preparations are well advanced for our

Christmas lunch on 19 December. Following rave reviews last

year, we are delighted that the local firm Posh Tarts will be our caterers once again. Their fabulous

menu, including wine and soft drinks, is there to view on our website. Also, for the first time, as part of

an innovative new programme of Demonstrations organised by Committee Member Jenny Maxwell,

we arranged two additional events this autumn to get you into the festive spirit: a Gift Wrapping

Demonstration at John Lewis and a Christmas Cake Decoration Demonstration.

Looking back on our events and achievements of 2017, we have much to celebrate. With our numbers

swelling to 519 members, it is clear that the appeal of the U3A is penetrating ever deeper into our

local community. Furthermore, thanks to the skills and creativity of our

members, the range and diversity of our activities also continues to

expand. We now have a Bridge for Beginners Group, a Play-reading

Group and two additional Spanish Conversation groups to add to our

already extensive repertoire. In addition, our members have enjoyed a

rich variety of outings, including boat trips on Loch Katrine and the Forth

and Clyde Canal, a Fungus Foray and a scientific survey of air quality and

tree health in Mugdock Wood, and so much more. Looking forward, you

can rest assured that your hard-working Committee is as determined as

ever to support the continued growth and vitality of our U3A.

In this issue

Demonstra<ons ............... 2

News from the Groups .... 3

Seagull Trust Cruises ..... 10

Tree Health Project ....... 11

Fungus Foray ................. 12

Speaker Programme ...... 12

Commi�ee ..................... 12

Wishing all members � BaM U3A a happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year!

The Photography Group on a field trip

Con�nued on page 2

Bearsden and Milngavie U3A Newsle�er Issue 8, Dec 2017 h�ps://u3asites.org.uk/bam

2

Billy Mar�n

The Committee very much welcomes the arrival of two new U3As on our doorstep, Glasgow West End

and Paisley & District, and was delighted to provide advice and practical assistance to support their

development and launches. We have also let them know that we are keen to explore opportunities to

engage with them in future joint ventures. Additional opportunities lie even further afield. For

example, a number of our more pioneering members have attended summer schools hosted by either

U3A Scotland or the Third Age Trust elsewhere in the UK, and have returned with glowing reports. In

fact, the programme for the next U3A Scotland Summer School, which will be held on 21–23 August

2018, has now been finalised and includes such topics as American History, Geology, The Environment,

Hands-on Crafts at Dundee Contemporary Arts, and Genealogy for Beginners. For full details use the

link to U3A Scotland on our website. Third Age Matters magazine routinely advertises

additional UK-wide events occurring throughout the year. Consequently, when you find

yourself mulling over potential New Year resolutions, why not contemplate giving more

to or getting more from the U3A movement, either within our own branch here in

Bearsden and Milngavie, or more widely in the organisation. Lastly, on behalf of the

Committee, I would like to wish all our members a happy Christmas and a successful

New Year.

“... why not contemplate giving more to or getting more from

the U3A movement...”

Demonstrations – a new project for our U3A

T he first demonstration was well attended and enjoyed by everyone. We met in John Lewis at

the gift wrapping department and were treated to a demonstration of gift wrapping

techniques. These included a standard wrap, wrapping a round container and wrapping an item of

clothing. We also learned some decorative ideas for using ribbons and ties. Just in perfect time for

Christmas!

The demonstrations are intended as a taster or introduction to members, who may then wish to

pursue the subject. If you have been inspired you may wish to join or start a group or request a

workshop or short course. If there are any members who would volunteer to give a couple of hours

of their time to give a small informal group a demonstration of their interests, hobbies or skills, we

can help and support you with this.

Also we need to know what you are interested in. Is there a skill, interest or hobby that you would

like to see demonstrated? Let us know if you have any ideas for demonstrations or tasters and if

possible we will try to organise one.

Contact Jenny Maxwell: [email protected]

3


News from the Interest Groups

Photography

W e are still a very settled group so have not been able to welcome new members as we are at

capacity for our venue. Another interesting six months with field trips to Ross Priory and

Portencross. In addition there have been some new skills learned plus many interesting projects

including creating a BaM U3A 2018 Calendar.

Graham Forsyth

Frank Fisher

Bridge for Beginners

U nfortunately, days and times didn’t suit everyone who enquired, but we have now established

two full tables and if our group is more then the kibitzers (spectators) rotate with players so

that everyone is now having an opportunity to play.

Our meetings are held in the community room in Waitrose, Milngavie, and I suspect some of the

shoppers imagine a gambling school is taking place – there has even been the occasional enquiry as to

how to join.

The group is doing well with everyone becoming accustomed to playing with a partner and although

at present we are playing Mini Bridge, hopefully we can continue to move towards Bridge proper with

everyone bidding and making contracts and slams! Jess Mason

Enjoy Opera

W ith a growing membership of nearly 70 our Enjoy Opera Group is healthy and vibrant with an

ongoing and diverse programme suiting all tastes. Since the last newsletter we have enjoyed

a stimulating array of wonderful arias, melodies, dramas and comedies ranging from La Traviata, Die

Fledermaus, La Bohème etc to performances from the talented graduates of the Royal Conservatoire.

We have had the opportunity for continuing operatic enjoyment in full.

A bit of extra fun and not a little conviviality was also experienced at a recent pre-theatre meal,

photographs shown below, setting the scene for a continuing evening of music from maestro Puccini

in the Theatre Royal.

Finally, below – for those of you who like opera – is an opera question with a choice of answers.

Which is correct?

Rosalinde, Frosch, Prince Orlovsky and Dr Falke can all be encountered in which opera?

○ Ariadne auf Naxos ○ Die Fledermaus ○ The Turn of the Screw ○ Don Carlos

If you enjoy opera or want to learn more about opera you are more than welcome to contact me to

join our group.

PS The answer to the ques<on

is Die Fledermaus.


4

Longer Walks

Michael Lane

T he walks are on the first and third Monday of the month. We have had, once again, a successful

season. The average attendance is about ten but sometimes more. We meet up in Milngavie,

Mugdock Country Park or Bearsden. We usually end the walk with lunch at a tearoom. Some of our

walks this summer are listed below.

5 June – Starting from the car park at Invertrossachs on the south side of Loch Venachar, a circular

walk on the south side of Loch Venachar followed by lunch in Callander.

19 June – A five-mile circular walk starting from Cochno car park up to Jaws Reservoir, Cochno Hill and

Greenside Reservoir, where we had a picnic lunch, and then returned to the start.

3 July – Starting at Dalreoch Station, we walked along the River Leven to Balloch and Lomond Shores, a

distance about five miles, followed by lunch at Lomond Shores.

17 July – A linear return walk of eight and a half miles from Drymen to the start of Conic Hill using

paths, pavements and the West Highland Way, followed by lunch

in Drymen.

7 August – Starting at Edenmill Farm car park, a six-mile circular

walk along the John Muir Way to Burncrook reservoir and back.

21 August – A five-mile hill walk from Killearn to Earl’s Seat starting

on good paths but then walking over some rough parts and boggy

areas. After a packed lunch we returned by the same route. We

had coffee in Killearn at the end of the walk.

Play-reading

T his new group has just held its second meeting. The aim is to explore plays by reading out loud.

We’re trying out different approaches; should we ‘cast’ the play or just use a ‘round-robin’ style

of reading? How long does it take to read a play? Do we interrupt the reading for discussion about the

play?

We tried a shortened version of Macbeth at our first meeting, and then read the first two acts of GB

Shaw’s Pygmalion at the second meeting, with some virtuoso performances as Professor Higgins, Eliza

and Alfred Doolittle! We shall continue with the rest of the play at the next meeting.

Finding suitable plays, without spending much money, is proving a challenge. Many out-of-copyright

plays are available on the internet, but it is more difficult to obtain modern plays. Maybe we’ll try

radio plays and epic poems as well. We would love to hear from anyone who knows of a good source

of play scripts, preferably multiple copies, that our group could borrow for reading.

Earl’s Seat

Janet Holland

Spanish

T he Spanish Group continues to meet on a Tuesday at 11 am in the Station inn with a tutor. The

group were beginners but have been together for a year, so some knowledge expected!

Some of the group have moved to the Spanish Conversation class so there are some spaces available.

We are working through a Spanish book called Gael y La Red de Menitras as well as doing some

grammar/conversation/general useful vocabulary. Liz Ervine

5


Carolyn Flavelle

Learning Italian

T he current Italian Group meet over coffee in the upstairs room of the Station Bar at Bearsden

Station from 10.00 to 11.30 on Tuesday mornings. Classes are very informal with a mixture of

grammar and conversation. As we have been meeting for some time interested new members who

wish to join this group should have an understanding of the present, imperfect and past tenses in

Italian.

We use a professional tutor who is Italian and, at present, each pay him £10 a week on a pay-as-you-

go basis. A commitment to attend, whenever possible, is expected in order to keep the group

(currently eight) viable and to maintain some continuity in our learning.

“If you ... join us you can be assured of a warm welcome”

House and Garden Visits

T he group had another very successful year, with some outings to venues close at hand by car

and others further afield by coach. Our programme began in April with a visit to Dun Dubh near

Aberfoyle. We were treated to an excellent tour by the gardener and despite indifferent weather,

were able to admire the beautifully constructed hillside garden as

well as spectacular views of loch and mountains. In May, beautiful

warm sunshine accompanied our outing to the wonderful Mount

Stuart House and Gardens on Bute. Subsequently, we visited the

historic Royal Burgh of Culross, Fife, as well as the impressive

Dawyck Botanic Garden, near Peebles, and Branklyn Gardens,

close to Perth. Our final outing of the year in September consisted

of visits by car to lovely gardens at Killearn, Fintry and Arnprior.

The membership of our group is now quite large although individual

outings are usually attended by 20–30 members. However, we have no upper limit on membership

and if you would like to join us you can be assured of a warm welcome. Julia Douglas

Mount Stuart House

Gaelic Conversation

W e continue to meet every Tuesday morning, except for the third Tuesday in the month, and

enjoy the hospitality of the West Highland Gate in Milngavie. Tha sìnn ag òl cofaìdh agus tì

agus tha sìnn ag iònnsachadh Gàidhlig. (We drink coffee and tea and learn Gaelic.) The class has been

in operation now for three years, so is no longer suitable for absolute beginners. It was calculated at

our last gathering that, at our present rate of progress, it will probably take us about five more years

to complete the book we use for studying! Our conversations seem to be quite far-ranging and there

have been sorties into several languages: French, German, Latin, Hindi and Glaswegian, for example.

Never let it be said that we are not lateral thinkers! Jill Morley

Around the World Dining

R ecently we have enjoyed Indian street food, Spanish tapas and

Thai and Scottish meals. We meet at lunch time on the last

Wednesday or Friday of the month and group members take turns to

choose and to organise each meal. Joan Cameron


6

Cycling

W e have just finished our fourth year of U3A cycling. It has been an interesting season, but

quite different from the previous years. The weather wasn't as good this year and we had to

cancel two of the runs because of it. We also had five punctures! So very different from the first year

when the main thing we had to remember (apart from the bikes!) was our suntan lotion!

Another difference was that instead of the coordinator arranging all the runs, we all took turns in

doing so. This provided a mix of different runs and helped to involve everyone. It was a new

experience for the group and went down very well. Hopefully this might be repeated next year. This

will be discussed at our meeting in the new year which we have before cycling starts in April.

The following shows some of the trips we had:

• Cluny Park Bearsden to the Riverside Museum

• Riverside Museum to Cuningar Woodland Park

• Lomond Shores to Luss

• Around the West End

• Drymen to Aberfoyle

• Lochwinnoch to Quarriers Village

• Around Hogganfield Loch to Drumpellier Park

• Strathblane to Kirkintilloch along the Strathkelvin railway track

• Callander to Strathyre

• Bridge of Weir to Port Glasgow

• Clydebank to Dumbarton

• Trip over to Cumbrae

Now the runs are finished for this year and we are all looking forward to our Christmas lunch at Cyan

where we have been the last couple of years. Helen Lane

Music Appreciation

T he Music Appreciation Group meets in the morning on the last Tuesday of every month. We

meet in members’ homes and take it in turns to present themed programmes of recorded

music. We have now graduated from playing CDs from our personal collections to streaming music

from sites such as Spotify and YouTube. This has greatly increased the range of music that we explore.

In the course of the last year we were privileged to have a morning where Dr Myra Souter gave an

illustrated lecture on the history of music. Meetings organised by the members themselves have

included the music of Fauré and JS Bach, Ballet, Choral, Nationalistic and Romantic music, as well as

music for Woodwind and Brass. We even had a morning of music that either makes us cry or makes us

feel very happy.

During the course of our meetings we exchange opinions

and information about recent or forthcoming concerts in

the West of Scotland.

We are delighted to welcome new members who share

our love of music. Alan Foulis

Waiting for the ferry at Cumbrae Slip

7


Peter Davies

Current Affairs

W e have changed our meeting date to the last Monday

in the month, at the Station, Bearsden, but our

discussions continue as before. We are never short of topics

in this volatile and unstable political climate, and we normally

wait until a couple of days before the meeting to find out

what is dominating the headlines. Recently we have been

discussing Brexit (of course!); Catalonia (now that Scottish

Independence has slipped below the radar); Fake News, social media and the future of democracy;

Are our voting systems truly representational and should we be exploring alternatives; and last, but

not least, the dalliances of politicians, and whether the ‘me toos’ have hopped on the fake news

bandwagon; Will the behaviour of members of government bring it down – and what then for Brexit?

It is surprising to hear the range of views of members of the group, and also the depth of knowledge

of world affairs that comes to the fore at times. Never a dull meeting!

Outdoor Painting and Sketching

A s winter draws in, it’s time to reflect on this summer’s Outdoor Painting and Sketching. The

weather forecasts, which can make or break an outing, at least seemed helpfully more accurate,

even if not in entirely in our favour! We were delighted to

return for two outings to Duntreath, try new locations at Ross

Priory overlooking Loch Lomond, Garscube, Killearn and

Finlaystone – thanks due to several group members for helping

recce and organise – as well as return to reliable fallbacks of

Riverside and Glasgow Botanics, at the start and end of the

season. When everything was right, good weather and

inspiring locations, there were record turnouts. In contrast,

with such a wet summer, for the first time ever two outings had

to be cancelled. When we met at tea afterwards, it was encouraging to see the variety of subject

matter, range of media and techniques everyone had used, as we learn from each other. As a fluid

group of loyal regulars and those that come when they can, we have been pleased to welcome some

new and returning members. Why not think of giving it a try in 2018? Ann Neve.

Ross Priory

Art

H elen and I are the new facilitators of the Art Group started up by Julia Karling, which meets

downstairs in the CE Centre, Milngavie, twice a month on Thursdays. Each session includes an

introduction to the morning’s theme, warm-up activities, time to work on individual projects and a

break for tea, coffee and chat. This autumn, our theme is LINE, using plants, leaves and shells as a

focus. Warm-ups have included:

• drawing a shell ‘blind’ and from memory

• exploring the different qualities of lines by drawing short strands of crinkly wool and cocktail sticks

• quick ‘gestural’ drawings of volunteer models, using charcoal.

We refer to the work of artists to illustrate our themes, eg Van Gogh, Hockney, Rembrandt, and also

children’s artwork. Our group is for people who would like to be more creative and try new ideas but

who are out of practice or lack confidence. We hope to encourage and learn from each other.

Numbers are healthy but please get in touch if you’d like to join in. Tam Spaeth and Helen Paisley


8

Carol Rogers, group member

Science

M embers are increasingly becoming more involved in the group – either volunteering to give a

talk and so share their knowledge or getting their hands and feet dirty in Mugdock Wood (see

the Tree Health article on page 11).

So far this session we’ve heard topics as diverse as the use and misuse of radioactivity, optoelectronics

as developed by Barr & Stroud and how a single sentry kept the Anniesland factory safe in WWII

through to beekeeping science. Our overall numbers continue to grow, but we retain our informal

group discussion after each talk. Julia Southco.

Painting and Drawing

W e had a break over the summer and since then have been

concentrating on watercolour painting. Alison has recently

been delivering a set of watercolour/print workshops based on

autumn leaves. She decided that as the colours this autumn were

fabulous, it was a good opportunity to use them as inspiration. The

members of the group brought in colourful leaves and have enjoyed

trying out a variety of different techniques to produce autumn-themed pictures. Val Perman

Mindfulness and Meditation

T he Mindfulness and Meditation Group has met weekly on Tuesday mornings (except for the

third Tuesday) with a break in July and August for holidays. Our venue is Westerton Parish

Church and members pay a small weekly fee towards the cost of the hall. Our numbers have varied

from six to ten and we are always happy to welcome new members. It may be helpful that new

members have previous experience of meditation or relaxation techniques, but it is not necessary.

Mindfulness is a non-religious practice, although its influence is Buddhism. Taught nowadays in many

settings, from industry to schools, it has been proved to be of great benefit to health and wellbeing.

The meditation we do is based on Mindful Awareness. Our programme is as follows: 20-minute guided

sitting meditation by coordinator Anna, then 15–20 minutes of Mindful Walking (a slow and calm

walking practice) and finally 20 minutes of silent sitting meditation focusing on the awareness of the

breath. A group discussion of our experience in the meditation follows, with wide-ranging topical

issues, and bringing in the experience of the practice of Mindfulness in everyday life.

Reading List

Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Finding Peace in a Frantic World (2011), Mark Williams and Danny

Penman, Piatkus

Start Where You Are: How to Accept Yourself and Others (2005), Pema Chödrön, Element Books

Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation for Everyday Life (2004),

Jon Kabat-Zinn, Piatkus

Jane Bex

Outings

T his group continues to prove popular with names regularly being added. In August we had a sail

on Loch Katrine. Typical Scottish wet weather but still enjoyable. This was followed by lunch at

Callander. At the beginning of December we are going to the Christmas Fair at Hopetoun House, South

Queensferry, and then to Culross for lunch, and then a guided Town Tour. This outing has attracted a

lot of interest. As yet no definite plans for 2018, but hope to revisit the Tattoo in August, as it proved

popular the last time. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions, please get in touch.

9


Spanish Conversation

O ur group started two years ago. We meet for Spanish conversation fortnightly on Mondays at

10.30 am in The Station restaurant at Bearsden station. The group began with five members

and we now number thirteen. We are a very friendly and sociable group. The standard of Spanish

within the group ranges from intermediate to advanced.

Although a topic is agreed in advance for each meeting, the conversation

is always flexible and develops naturally. As well as speaking in Spanish,

we also spend some time reading in Spanish on the subject. This can lead

to informal discussions on grammar and vocabulary. We also play the

Spanish version of Taboo as well as other general knowledge question-

and-answer games. These are good fun, help our fluency and stimulate conversation on other topics.

We sometimes recommend and exchange books, leaflets and other sources of information in Spanish.

We occasionally meet for a tapas lunch and watch out for any Spanish films on at the GFT. Some of the

varied topics we have covered recently are: Schooldays, Holiday jobs, Dream homes, Autumn,

Hallowe’en, Pets, Myths and legends, Cinema, Superstitions and many more. Mary Wilson

Kenneth Brown

Margaret Fisher

Mahjong

T he Mahjong Group has grown slowly but steadily since it started in June last year. It all began

when Margaret decided it might be nice to play mahjong again after so many years. At one of

the monthly talks, she asked Elaine to add a request at the end of the

announcements for anybody who might want to make up a four for mahjong

to play at her home. Elaine, however, persuaded Margaret to start a new

group, which developed into teaching those interested in learning.

The group began with four to six members and now has ten to twelve who

play regularly each fortnight, most of whom have learned the game quite

quickly while playing it. We meet on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 7.15 pm in the

upstairs room of The Station pub/restaurant at Bearsden station. There is no cost other than the

requirement to buy a drink of your choice (including non-alcoholic or a coffee) as we get free use of

the room. Details are on our U3A branch’s website under Groups, Mahjong.

New members are welcome to come along and give it a try, or just watch to see if you may be

interested in learning.

Poetry Appreciation

M embership of our group remains fairly constant, as we have been joined by enthusiastic new

members to compensate for the few we have lost. We have been discussing poetry for three

and a bit years now, and still find pleasure and excitement as we discover new fields to explore. Many

members are prepared to lead us into the works of some less familiar poet or to explore a more

complex poem in depth. Yet a majority of our meetings involve members bringing in poems of their

own choice and discussion at all meetings ranges widely. When our original meeting place in

Brookwood Library was closed, we didn’t like what we were offered at the new Hub, so we moved to

West Highland Gate restaurant. The surroundings are pleasant and the coffee is good! We are at

optimum size at present. Anyone interested in joining can be put on our waiting list, or you could

begin your own group.


10

Seagull Trust Cruises

A s you may be aware, during 2017 I organised four cruises with Seagull

Trust Cruises on the Forth and Clyde Canal for BaM U3A members and

friends. From the feedback I have had I think everyone thoroughly enjoyed the

trips and subsequently I was asked to provide an article for the newsletter

explaining how I became involved and what the Seagull Trust does. I am not a

great writer, but this is my attempt.

I worked beyond retirement age as a civil engineer in the construction industry.

I enjoyed my work; however, in February 2013 I retired to care for my wife who

sadly had contracted an incurable lung disease. After she passed away in September of that year I

found I had gone from full-time working to full-time carer to having nothing to do to pass my time.

Through friends of friends I was put in touch with the Seagull Trust and after a sail on one of their

boats I was hooked. It is so peaceful on the canal and I enjoyed being allowed to steer the boat under

supervision. I joined the trust initially as a trainee and after about nine or ten sailings became a crew

member. I fulfilled this post for two seasons then qualified as skipper.

Seagull Trust Cruises is a charity that offers ‘Free Canal Cruising in Scotland for people with Special

Needs’. There are four branches, Kirkintilloch, Falkirk, Ratho and Highland (Inverness). The Trust has

an Executive Committee that oversees the four branches who in turn have local committees. There

are no paid members of staff; every member is a volunteer. The Kirkintilloch branch operates from

Southbank Marina where we have an office and boathouse. We have two boats, the Yarrow Seagull

and the Marjorie Seagull. I don’t have this year’s figures but in 2016 the Kirkintilloch branch provided

719 cruises and carried 6601 passengers of which 427 were children. Of the total passengers 915 were

in wheelchairs for which the boats are specially adapted. Like every charity we have operating costs.

Although every member is a volunteer we have running costs such as the office, boathouse, fuel,

insurance, servicing and repairs. The annual costs to provide the service we offer are about £27,000,

which is raised entirely from donations and the sale of souvenirs. I could go on and on but hope this

gives you an idea of what Seagull Trust Cruises does. If you would like more information then could I

direct you to the Seagull Trust website. Also if you think you would like to volunteer as a crew member

or a steward then I would be happy to act as a contact whereby you could come on one of the boats

at the start of next season and experience what we do. Bob Lynch

The helm for the journey People exited the boat to visit Cadder Church

Kent and John Rollo in front of the canal boat

Photos of one of the BaM U3A canal trips in July 2017 (kindly supplied by Kent and John Rollo)

11


Which lichen was this?

Mary Webster and Julia Southco.

Joint Project with Mugdock Country Park –

Tree Health

I n February 2017 Julia set up our first meeting with the Mugdock Country Park Ranger. He was

delighted to hear that our U3A Science Group was interested in carrying out some survey work in

conjunction with the park. By April we had picked an appropriate survey, namely Air Quality involving

the study of lichens on trees in Mugdock Wood. These lichens are important indicator species for air

quality, hence for tree health, and the rangers have little knowledge of that area. We obtained

suitable survey material, namely leaflets of the lichens, and a grid for results. Julia and Mary then

made a few forays into the designated Mugdock Wood area to set specific ‘routes’ and decide how

random samples could to be taken.

Details were announced and packs provided to interested parties after the Science Group meeting on

9 May. It was positive to note small groups being formed between members. The project was also

opened to all members of our U3A.

The info mentioned ‘Should you be unfamiliar with lichen (think of them as a jam sandwich – the bread

is fungi and jam algae/bacteria), please take a few minutes to study the ID leaflet and ensure they are

not confused with moss (which is very easily pulled off the trunk).’ A few lichen photos from the

leaflets are shown below.

Each group was given a map and a specific transect (a line to follow) with an OS grid reference and

asked to ‘consider trees within the strip of your outstretched arms to ensure a random sample’. They

were also asked to remember that a non-result is as valid as a tree covered with numerous types. The

free App OS Locate was used on a mobile phone. Other groups had specific small paths to follow.

Apart from a mobile phone in the group the only equipment needed was a tape measure.

By now the undergrowth had sprouted and dry weather was infrequent, but many members did

venture forth in sturdy footwear. (It was the wettest summer for 80 years.) Lichens on photos and

lichens on trees sometimes gave rise to healthy debate and consultations with the Ranger. Summer

holidays to sunshine intervened. Autumn was easier and often drier underfoot. The subsequent

results were much appreciated, with some groups still collecting data now the bracken has receded.

The results are entered into a database, for both local results and for wider surveys across the UK.

See the OPAL website www.opalexplorenature.org

or this? Tree debating/recording or this?


12

Bearsden and Milngavie U3A Contact Details

• Website: h2ps://u3asites.org.uk/bam – send us an email via the Contact page

or group pages.

• Telephone: 07592 501648 – leave a message and we will ring you back.

Bearsden and Milngavie U3A Committee and Honorary President

Billy Martin Chair

Elaine Miller Vice-Chair and

Groups’ Coordinator

Julia Southcott Secretary

Martin Blackwood Treasurer

Jane Martin Membership Secretary

Jane Bex Programme Coordinator

Val Perman Communications Officer

Aileen McDonald Welfare Officer

Peter Davies Short Courses Coordinator

David Watt Minutes Secretary

Mary Kennedy Committee Member

Julia Douglas Committee Member

Isabel Robb Committee Member

Jenny Maxwell Committee Member

John Gair Committee Member

~~~~~~

Janet Holland Honorary President

Fungus Foray

T he foray on 5 October has become an annual autumnal event, and we have been fortunate to

be led again by Alan McBride, a Ranger at Mugdock Country Park. After an introductory talk on

the fascinating world of fungi in all their forms (the largest living organism is a fungus!) we set off into

the Plantation region of the park, and spread out with eager eyes. The haul of mushrooms in

particular was not as good as in previous years. But part of the fun of the hunt is that what you will

find is totally unpredictable. We may try a different woodland next year and hopefully may find some

penny buns (ceps) or chanterelles to take home. Peter Davies

Speaker Programme for 2018 Monthly Meetings

16 January – Morag Thow will give a talk on AcAve Ageing. There will also be a short talk

by Ed Link, U3A Trustee for Scotland.

20 February – Douglas Annan will give a talk on Old Glasgow through the Lens.

20 March – Jon Cossar will give a talk on David Livingstone.

17 April – Dr Irene O’Brien of the Mitchell Library will give a talk on Family History.

15 May – BaM U3A’s fourth AGM.

19 June – Michelle Berry will give a talk on Beekeeping.

17 July – Dale Gormley will give a talk on Canine Partners (dogs for disabled people).

18 September – Carrie Morton will give a talk on Trading Standards/Scams.

16 October – Jon Berry of Carers Link will give a talk on Mindfulness.

Documents

Bearsden and Milngavie U3A Newsletter 2 · PDF fileShaw’s Pygmalion at the second meeting, with some virtuoso performances as Professor Higgins, Eliza ... of play scripts, preferably