In this newsletter:
- Dates for your diary
- Updates
- Group reports
- Short story
- Quizzes
Dates for your diary
July 14th – Havant u3a – a trip to Chartwell, National Trust. All the details can be found here.
July 16th – Jeff Evans – The Quiz Show. The talk will trace the history of TV Quiz shows from 1930 up to the present day, with illustrations Jeff will give an insight into how the shows have developed along with big winners and losers as well as cheats. As well as being a free-lance journalist and author of 30 books he writes questions for quiz shows including Mastermind.
August 20th – John Perry – How to avoid being scammed
August 25th – Visit to Bletchley Park is now open for booking. Bletchley Park was the home of the World War 2 code breakers. It will be a long day out, price £46 including entrance to the site. More details and booking form here.
September 17th – Hayling u3a AGM
October 15th – Ian Worley – Racing through the southern ocean. Ian was chosen to crew on Great Britain II in the 1977/78 Whitbread Round the World Race as a watch leader, taking over as the skipper in the Southern Ocean on a temporary basis. The race was completed after a number of setbacks such as being knocked on her side, several breakages and damage as well as ferocious storms and being struck by lightning.
November 19th – Andrew Negus – Winchester: Bishops, buildings and bones. Andrew a retired history teacher is a recognised local historian and a blue badge holder as an official guide, among his hobbies he lists keeping chickens, bees and daughters. He will cover history from 1100 BC and the development of cities from iron age huts to cathedrals.
December – Christmas Party
Updates
A new service for sending large files to HIU3A members
The Hayling u3a web site allows you to email attachments. We use an Amazon service to send emails and that gives us many advantages including more reliable delivery at a very low cost. There are, however, two issues with attachments:
- There is an absolute limit to the size of any attachment around 10Mb.
- If you send a smaller attachment to several members you can exceed the limits applied to our web site. We show you a warning if there's likely to be a problem with your email.
The The large file trial transfer service allows you to send larger files (to the HIU3A newsletter editor, for example) without encountering limits imposed by email suppliers. We allow you to send attachments up to 150MB and the total size of your attachments can be up to 500MB.
Log in to use the service and use menu options ‘Member services’ → ‘Email services’ → 'Transfer large files'. The link at the top of the page explains how to use the new service.
Andy Henderson
Hayling u3a Facebook
Our Facebook page has more than 150 members and growing. We are looking to keep you up to date on all Hayling U3A activities.
You can join our Facebook adventure by Searching:
Hayling +Island U3A (once logged into Facebook)
or use the link/Address:
www.facebook.com/HIU3A
Walking cricket
Free to Hayling U3A members, Walking Cricket every Monday at 10 am.
Hayling Park, Station Road. PO11 0HB
Contact – Emma, email - haylinghurricanes@gmail.com
Creating a heritage
The Hayling Light Railway trust is proposing to build a new heritage centre at Eaststoke Corner, celebrating Hayling Islands rich heritage.
Any support you are able to give will be appreciated.
You can contact:
Haylinglightrailway@yahoo.com
Telephone: 07902446340
Facebook: haylingrailway
Fraud enablers
All frauds come under Section 2 of the Fraud Act, Fraud by False representation.
By this definition, they involve the criminal scamming the victim by lying, or misrepresenting the situation and this is referred to as Social Engineering.
Social Engineering is defined as “the clever manipulation of the natural human tendency to trust” it is this that the criminals take advantage of.
Usually, the criminals aim is to prey on people’s emotions and get them feeling rather than thinking. This could be a sob story or preying on people financial greed. One of the biggest tactics they use is pressure. This could be you need to do something in the next 5 minutes or else the consequences can be servere.
How to protect yourself:
The best defence to social engineering attacks is knowledge, once you know someone if trying to con you then you have won. However, even if you are suspicious, we are very poor at saying no to people, so if you are uncertain then try these:
- “I cannot make that decision without authorisation. Let me get back to you.”
- “I will not make any decisions without speaking to my family first”
However, do not be afraid to say no to someone. If they are genuine, they will not mind you taking extra time checking them out. If they get pushy or insistent then it is probably a scam, a fraud.
This social engineering can take place over a phone call and especially on the internet, via emails.
Your Bank will not ask you for any personal or account details or passwords and if they do then hang up and use another phone if you have one to contact the bank and let them know.
If it is via email then take great pleasure in deleting the email not only from your inbox but your deleted Folder as well. Or better still report it as a Phishing scam.
Recently I have had emails from someone from Morocco asking for help and the other day someone saying he was Robert Bull and wanting to talk to me, but looking at the email senders address it was not Robert Bull but some other chap. He was quite persistent because he sent 4 emails using my Hayling Island u3a email address and the same number to my private address. All of which I reported as Phishing scams.
So, stay safe out there on the internet and when your phone goes and enjoy the moment when you can say no and put the phone down or delete that pesky email.
Group reports
Meals out
There were 10 of us for each of the “Meals Out” in June, when we visited the Golf Club and Royal Edana. We will probably return to the Moghul on Wednesday 15th July and have booked into Seacourt again for Thursday 23rd July. We all very much enjoyed our visit to Seacourt in May, and this time there is the opportunity to pre-order a special Seafood Platter.
Contact Angie Driscoll or Richard North via the group page if you would like to stay informed about future meals out.
Walking
We continue to offer each month 1 walk over 6 miles and 1 walk of less than 6 miles.
We have a walk from Arundel to Amberley of 7.5 miles on Friday 3rd July led by Fiona Pettitt and a shorter walk along the Winner sandbank led by Peter Haskell on Tuesday 21st July.
There is also another bus walk on Tuesday 14th July, getting off the Coastline at Broadbridge and walking to the Ashlings.
Specially for anyone contemplating a walking holiday this summer, we are offering a series of 3 strenuous (10-mile) hilly walks.
Contact Richard North via the group page if you are interested in joining us for any of these.
Current Affairs
There are vacancies again in this group where we meet monthly for lively debate on topics of the day.
Our next meeting is at the British Legion on 8th July, 10.30 till 12.
Visits
There are still places available on our visit to Bletchley Park on Tuesday 25th August, price £46 to include the coach and entry to the site. You can book yourself in online or at the visits desk at the monthly meeting. This will probably be our last visit till Spring 2027.
Performances
Hayling Island u3a’s Island Shanty group and the Ukulele group (D’Ukes of Hayling) will be performing at this year’s Horticultural Society Community Fair at the Black Barn, supporting Hayling Island events.
TV Quiz shows, good, bad and dodgy!!
This month, our speaker is author and free-lance journalist Jeff Evans.
He has written 30 successful books, focussing on a variety of topics but extensively on TV quiz shows. He has set questions for many shows including Mastermind, and has been a participant in the Battle of the Brains and Eggheads. In 2016, with Brian Chesney, he was British Quizzing Pairs champion.
Jeff will explore the origins of the TV quiz show, one of its most successful products, tracking the development from 1930 to the present day.
The programme enables contestants to show how clever they are (or how easily embarrassed) and to win a small reward, or in some cases a very big one.
But where did it all begin? Which shows were the most successful and who were the winners, the losers, and most interesting the cheaters?
Jeff promises a fully illustrated, entertaining talk, showing how the format developed, celebrating the good, the bad and the ugly, and unearthing some dodgy dealings on the way!
Come and listen to this fascinating story and expect to be surprised by what you hear, and there to be many “I didn’t know that moments.”
The talk is at 2pm on Thursday 16th July in the Hayling Community Centre. More details here.
Alan Bartlett
Roger Browne - A brilliant performance
The speaker in June was Roger Browne who did not disappoint us. His brilliant playing and singing and his highly amusing anecdotes kept us spellbound for over an hour.
He told the story of how he grew in up In Salford and how his Catholic up bringing shaped his future. The figure of Father O’Malley featured in many of his tales and the way the two religions, Catholic and Protestant, and the two Manchester Football clubs, United and City were tied together.
Music was constantly part of his early life in the late 40’s and 50, with radio shows like Housewives Choice playing numbers on request.
They played an eclectic mix of artists but he didn’t quite understand how a radio show had a performing magician and a ventriloquist.
He was amazed then and still is to hear artist like Art Tatum, virtually blind and playing from ear, perform an intricate version of ‘Tea for Two.’ It was heard by classical pianist Arthur Rubinstein who asked to see the music score so he could play
it. There is no musical score he was told, so he went away with a recording, and two painstaking years later he revisited Art Tatum expecting praise for the hours it had taken him.
Art said nothing but simply played a new more complex version.
Cole Porter also changed music into a Minor key, and Ella Fitzgerald sings ‘Every time we say goodbye’ to highlight how a small change can influence the melody.
Roger then said goodbye to us, with an upbeat foot tapping performance of ‘I got rhythm’. He certainly has!
Alan Bartlett
Science and technology group
We meet at St Patricks Church Hall 2pm for tea and biscuits, presentation starts at 2.30pm. These presentations are open to everyone in the u3a, so if you are free then please come along, you do not have to be a boffin and it is good value for a £2 donation towards refreshments and the hall hire.
Last month’s presentation was all about Portsmouth Water's challenge to protect the environment given by Jenna Dewhurst. It was quite instructive about the way in which our water is collected, treated and distributed with the emphasis to protect the environment around the catchment area. One interesting fact was that under an Act of Parliament, water companies are required to protect the environment! I was amazed at this especially as Southern Water blatantly defy this by discharging raw sewage into Langstone and Chichester Harbours, since it is by decree then the company needs to be fined even more than the £128Million so far.
You had to reflect on the fact that we do not consider where the water has come from when we turn on the tap and the impact it can have on nature. Hayling Island sits on top of an artesian well, which is filled with water trickling down through the chalk of the south downs. Portsmouth Water pipe water from a number of springs around Havant into the water system and only have to chlorinate the water to kill any bugs and the water pressure you get from your tap is the natural South Downs gravitational pressure.
The next presentation on 22nd July is all about ‘Medical Scanners – X-ray and MRI’ by Bob Hornby, HIU3A, so I look forward to seeing you all there.
There will be no meeting in August and we will start again in September. If anyone has any suggestions for presentations then please get in touch and let me know.
Thanks. Bob Hornby S&T group leader, robertH@haylingu3a.org
Island shanty
A small part of the Island shanty crew was pleased to support the Beach Railway's pirate week at the end of May.
The full crew were back performing at the Horticultural Society's show and summer fayre at the Black Barn on Hayling on Saturday 27th June.
On the 27th July, a full crew will be performing as part of the Island's Hi Fest weekend at the Olive Leaf, Eastoke Corner at 2.00pm in support of the Wave Charity.
Please come and give your fellow u3a members a cheer!!!
John Cushion
Short story
A life-changing experience
The cat was sitting on the doormat. It sat there as if it was the most natural place for it to be in the whole wide world. It was quite a sorry scrap of claw and fur, but the look in its eye had to be seen to be believed. As Jess pondered in mild amazement at it, the cat got up and walked inside, looking back over its shoulder, daring Jess to throw it out.
“Well,” muttered Jess, “You had better come in then. We’ll have to find out who you belong to, then we can take you home.” The cat sat down, then started to wash, first its paws, then its face and finally, with its leg vertical, under its tail. Jess watched this performance with bemusement, slightly mesmerised.
This was the beginning of a completely new chapter in the life of a shy and reclusive young man, which up to then, had been fairly straightforward. Jess never did find out who, if anyone, owned Cat, but it was very obvious who the cat owned from that moment on. Meals were expected on time, and not just any old cat food, but real food, which had to be cooked and served. Bedding was interesting as all the offerings of cushions and rugs were sneered at in favour of a high shelf in the kitchen, with a clear view of all that went on in the house.
Jess purchased a cat flap for the cat to come and go at will. This was tolerated, but Cat much preferred to have the door opened for him, as he stalked out to inspect the surrounding area.
Overnight, it seemed, Jess was in the local pet shop, buying bowls and treats, with cat toys in the basket as well. He began talking to other pet owners in the shop, swapping tales of amusement or horror, and he started to have a few visitors, curious to see this tyrant who was ruling the house. Cat, meanwhile, had morphed from a sad scrap of skin and bone covered in tatty fur, to a glossy rounded feline who was actually very pretty, especially after a brushing, when it would preen itself, stretching out to pose for anyone who might be looking.
The cat wasn’t the only one to change. From a shy reclusive young man, Jess had become quite the extrovert. Joining in at his place of work with conversations in a confident manner, unheard of in previous times. His colleagues noticed the transformation with amusement and pleasure, especially one, who suggested going for a drink after work. Jess was flattered and accepted on condition that it would have to be just one as he had to be home for Cat. In a bold move, he invited her to come home with him to meet Cat. The invitation was accepted, and a suggestion was made that they skip the wine bar and just get a bottle to take home and share. This was readily received, and so the two of them set off together, while their workmates watched with amusement and pleasure. They picked up a pizza on the way as well, so the evening was set. What could possibly go wrong?
On arrival, Cat came to the hall of Jess’s home to greet him and demand to know where he’d been and WHO was this?
Miaowing loudly, he wound his way between legs, in danger of tripping the owners up, as they all made their way to the kitchen, where the pizza was warmed and Cat was fed, while Anna poured two large glasses of wine. On enquiring, Jess related the story of Cat and the difference he had made, transforming Jess’s life from this shy young man into a normal human being.
Quizzes
General knowledge
- Who was the first woman to cross the Atlantic by air, solo?
- Who was the second man to step onto the moon?
- First person to win two Nobel prizes?
- Name the second highest mountain in the world?
- We all use them, what does ATM stand for?
- First person to reach both the north and south poles?
- Who was the highest paid sportsperson in 2025?
- Who was the shortest serving Prime Minister of the UK in history?
- Name the largest cruise ship (gross tons) still in use?
- What town or village is the furthest from the sea in England?
Countdown conundrum
Find the anagram of:
| T | L | G | N | I | I | A | N | F |
Countdown numbers game
Make 774 using these numbers:
| 75 | 25 | 7 | 10 | 6 | 2 |