A BUSY END TO THE YEAR

 

At the last general monthly meeting of 2007 the Ross and District U3A were all treated to a talk by Dr. Anthony Evans about Gardens for Public Enjoyment.  We were all familiar with the "Yellow Book" which advertises privately owned gardens open to the public for a day or two a year, raising money for charity, but we did not know the history behind it.

 

At the end of the 19th Century it was realised by a rich philanthropist that there was a need for what we now call a "District Nurse".  There was nothing of the like available for the poor.  He started a scheme in Liverpool and its environs, and it was soon overcome by its own success. The services were funded voluntarily, and by 1927 there needed to be more regular contributions. Mrs. Elsie Wragg opened her garden and was followed by like-minded people, including George V who opened Frogmore.  They charged one shilling a head (5p) to let others see what was happening in their gardens, and in that first year raised over £8,000.  This arrangement continued up to 1948 when the NHS took it over.  But the tradition had been established. The garden scheme is still going strong, often the gardens are open in the summer and offer teas and maybe plant sales.  The owner chooses which charity should benefit.  The National Trust join in with their properties, the royal link continues with Prince Charles opening Highgrove.

 

Dr. Evans concluded his talk with an impassioned description of his own garden and his favourite plant - the peony.

 

After the talk the group celebrated its 25th Aniiversary (the U3A started in the UK in 1982) with a slice of celebration cake, made by one of our members, Mrs. Hillary Stringer.  The cake, fashioned in the shape of a digital 2 and 5 offered either a rich fruit or sponge cake option. The celebration moved a member of the creative writing group to compose this poem.  

 

U3A Silver Jubilee by Barbara Burden.

 

A quarter of a century.  Well I never!

A quarter of a century since they got together

To turn the Stone-age/ Iron-age Oldies

Into dynamic, alert, vibrant Goldies

Willing to teach.  Willing to learn

And share with each other, and so turn

Vegetable life - with no outgoing

To one of wonderment, one of knowing.

Meeting each other - taking part in study

Meeting each other to look, learn and see.

Perhaps to stimulate a dormant nerve.

Perhaps to trigger some inner verve.

 

Whatever our interests - what part we take,

We never expected a birthday cake

To celebrate a quarter of a century

Of U3A.  Thanks, Hillary.

 

Whilst enjoying the cake we also had a bring and buy sale which kept all the

members busy, rummaging through craft items, christmas decorations,

cosmetics, plants, jams, jellies and nearly new items.

 

Soon after we had an afternoon of skittles, which following a tie-break was

won by Mary Woozencroft, finally beating John Stringer to the bottle of wine.

Lastly we enjoyed a Christmas dinner at the Hope and Anchor with

entertainment led by the Singing group.  Having wished everyone a Merry

Christmas and a Happy New Year we now look forward to 2008.