JUNE GENERAL MEETING

"LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE" by Mr. David Howe.

Mr. David Howe had us giggling from the start with his talk about laughter
being the best medicine.

He told us how our brains worked physiologically to process humour, and the
fact that we all have an individual sense of humour - what will set someone
laughing will leave another person quite cold!

So, what is humour? Our first encounter with jokes has to come after we understand language. It can be a story with a funny ending, or maybe a play on words.  Homophones (words that sound the same but have completely different meanings) are first understood by the time we are 7 years old. The risque 'double-entendre' kicks in somewhat later!

He then went on to tell us about many of the famous English language comedians and comediennes and pointed out to us that not many have been given royal honours in the past - despite all the enjoyment they bring to others -
especially in comparison with famous actors. He told us how difficult they find it is always to be funny, how stressful a life it can be, and commented that many have died relatively young, thinking of Eric Morecombe, Tony Hancock, and Kenneth Williams to name just three.

Subjects for humour were then analysed, and he spoke about the way these  have changed over the years, Les Dawson's 'mother-in-law' jokes would now be considered not politically correct - even if they did have us rolling in the aisles
some decades ago.

Disability is another subject frowned upon, but there are an increasing number of disabled comedians who say that they can laugh at their own disability if they want. One taboo is still death. However, even this was breached by our dearly departed Roy Castle, who, for his funeral had recorded a message for all his friends and loved ones starting "Sorry I can't be with you......." Leaving us with a smile on our face is what they all strive to achieve.

We thanked our speaker with much applause, and certainly still smiling.  Our U3A does not have a talk in July as we have an annual full-day outing instead. For August we are having a drop in "Tea and cake" afternoon on Monday 18th from 2.30 to 4.00pm and our speakers programme recommences on Monday September 15th with Mike Pullin telling us all about our local St. Michael's Hospice.  Should you be interested in joining us you can telephone either 01989 567789 or 562884 for further information, or you can go to our website on  www.rossu3a.org.uk from where we can be e-mailed; alternatively you can just
come to one of our meetings at the Larruperz Centre as a visitor where you will
be made very welcome.