Friday the 19^th of November saw 45 intrepid explorers, who were members of the J1 Discovering Wessex Group, get up at the “crack of sparrows” to board a coach bound for the Weald and Downland Living Museum, nr Chichester.  This trip was the second topic this year for this talk ‘n walk group – (photo 1 ) The topic leader this time was Bob Reeve who organised an excellent day out with plenty to see all day, looking at the reclaimed rare buildings which have been saved for posterity and brought there (brick by brick) for future generations to appreciate – like a time capsule.  Throughout the park J1 members acted as guides describing some of the buildings saying something about their origins, dates, dismantling and re-erection at the museum.

The day started with the essential coffee in the museum’s popular Café while Bob split the members into two Groups – A led by Bob and B led by Keith.  Everyone was given a large full colour detailed map – (photo 1a) plus an outline of the schedule for the day.  The groups set off separately a few minutes apart to firstly look through the Gallery Exhibition (photos 2&3) featuring both trades and their tools of bygone years preserved for future generations.

They then moved on to the Market Square area where J1 members and official guides described the various buildings (photos 4 to 10). After some smaller buildings, we came to what must be their most famous buildings of all – “The Repair Shop” area – made popular by the long running BBC television show. This area consisted of the Court Barn, plus two smaller outbuildings and the Forge – (photo 11 & 12).  Cast members of the TV show – Steve the clockmaker and one of the Bear Repair Ladies were spotted walking around, at the time.

Next came the working Watermill and Bakery – (photo 13 & 14), where members were able to buy freshly baked bread – still warm from the ovens.  Then back, around the lake and across the grass where members had to run the gauntlet through the large flock of hungry ducks, while still carrying their newly bought bread – (photo 15 &16). Back to the Café for a pleasant light lunch, where the whole party was divided into two different group again.

Bob led his group to continue on a further walk taking in many more of the rare structures in the Southern part of the park, while Keith led his group to The Gridshell Building – (photo 17 & 18),  This green oak timber structure houses space for restoration and research of historic timber structures .  It is the first timber gridshell building of it’s type built in Britain. The lower level houses the Museum’s stored collection of tools and artefacts of rural life from around the region.

When the coach left the Museum it was able to drive past The “Glorious” Goodwood Racecourse and4mrke Motor Racing Circuit, which was the RAF Westhampnett “Battle of Britain” fighter station during WWII. We arrived back at Ferndown dead on time – with a vote of thanks to our regular driver Graham who quite often steers FU3A groups to and from their visit destinations.

A really big round of applause was given to Bob by all, for a thoroughly enjoyable day out – well organized and a really exceptional visit.

Keith Banks – Leader – J1 Discovering Wessex Group.

On Sunday 7th November Ferndown U3A members travelled to the Albert Hall in London for the Classical Spectacular. The concert lived up to its name and was truly spectacular combining of favourite classical pieces and state of the art technology, ranging from a flood of pure white light to electrifying multi-coloured laser displays.  

The Royal Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by John Rigby was joined by the British Imperial Military Band and the London Chorus. We were also treated to some wonderful singing from James Cleverton, baritone, and Jesus Leon, tenor, who sang the duet from the “Pearl Fishers.”   The Ballet Star, Begona Cao gave a truly moving performance of the “Dying Swan”  and the dazzling special effects added to the mood of each piece. The concert ended with the “1812 Overture” which with pyrotechnics,  thundering canons and muskets was a real highlight. 

Thanks goes to the Events Committee for organising the day and to Graham the coach driver for ensuring we travelled safely. 

The PROGRAMME: 

ORFF O Fortuna from Carmina Burana 

SAINT-SAËNS Finale from ‘Organ’ Symphony 

VERDI Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves 

ROSSINI William Tell Overture 

STRAUSS Also Sprach Zarathustra 

STRAUSS Blue Danube Waltz 

SOUSA Liberty Bell March 

GRIEG Morning and In the Hall of the Mountain King 

BIZET Pearl Fishers Duet 

ROSSINI Largo al Factotum 

TCHAIKOVSKY Swan Lake Finale 

HANDEL Zadok the Priest 

STRAUSS Radetzky March 

SAINT-SAËNS Dying Swan 

SIBELIUS Finlandia 

Land of Hope and Glory 

Jerusalem 

Rule, Britannia! 

Nessun Dorma 

1812 OVERTURE

25 FU3A intrepid members and 3 dogs undertook a pleasant 4 mile walk on
Saturday morning of the 6th of November. Led by Clare Clayton and Bob Reeve
the walk had to be hastily re-routed due to some submerged footpaths
following heavy rains earlier in the week.  However the new route gave good
opportunities to see some beautiful landscape views across Dorset’s “green
and pleasant”.  As well as taking in the Spetisbury Rings and the remnants
of Spetisbury Railway Station part of the long defuncted Somerset and Dorset
Joint Railway (closed in 1956). But now part of a local restoration project.
Most members retired to the adjacent Café – “The Shack” for some well earned
coffee and cake – very nice too.  An excellent morning all round with some
fair weather too.

Keith Banks

Wednesday 27th October saw members of group H5 Wessex Railways in the Verne Prison on Portland. But not because we had transgressed in any way.

 We were there at the end of a morning spent at the north of the island, an area where railways played an important role in commerce and industry and Henry VIII constructed an artillery fort, part of the chain of forts, the “King’s Device” programme, to protect against invasion from France and the Holy Roman Empire and to defend the Portland Roads anchorage.

Despite the poor, drizzly weather and the best efforts of 4 way traffic lights controlled roadworks on the approach to Portland, eleven members of the group, as well as Monty, John Mullett’s dog, met as arranged in Portland Castle car park before 10.30. After our thirsty drive we were ready to sample the on-site coffee shop but, oh dear, “sorry love, staff shortage. Coffee shop doesn’t open until 11.00”.

Hmmm. Going well so far. Nothing daunted, there was plenty of time for those who wished to tour the Castle itself. If you could see past the Halloween decorations, the interior is well preserved and with an excellent commentary on a gratis audio device. Well worth the visit.

Next, a short walk across the road to visit the remains of the foot of the Merchants Incline where a gravity operated, cable railway system enabled huge blocks of stone from the quarries on the top of the island to be lowered to the quayside close by the Castle in Castletown for onward shipment by sea.

The incline closed when war came in 1939 and never reopened. By then, road transport supplanted its usefulness.

By now, chilled by a stiff breeze and occasional drizzle, we drove up the zig-zag Verne Common Road which crosses the top of the steep section of the Merchants Incline. After a quick stop to look back down the incline, we drove up to the traffic lights controlled tunnel entrance to HMP the Verne. Abandon hope etc etc. But we weren’t there to do “porridge”. Oh no, we were there for something more substantial than porridge at the Jailhouse Café. It’s run by EXPIA which employs prisoners to run the premises, teaching new skills which will help offenders on release to find a job.

This is EXPIA’s mission statement.

The food is inexpensive and don’t expect haute cuisine. It’s on a par with a good roadside caff, soup and a roll, jacket potatoes, paninis and wraps. There are also daily specials too but a little more expensive £9.00.

After a good chat over lunch, the sun had decided to make an appearance which enabled us to go outside to experience the magnificent view across Weymouth Bay laid out before us from our lofty perch.

And here awaited a real surprise. It sounded as if helicopters were buzzing around in the air above Portland Harbour. But wait, what is it? Is it a helicopter? Is it a plane? Well, a bit of both really.

Its official designation is a “tiltrotor” aircraft. The US Navy Bell Osprey presumably being trialled by the Royal Navy. A second aircraft was buzzing around over Weymouth Bay.

Many thanks to Chris Lepine for the above photo.

After this excitement, a passing visitor was asked to take a group photo which appears at the head of this report. Lo and behold, she turned out to be a soon-to-graduate photography student! You couldn’t make it up could you!

We then dispersed to do our own thing. Some went to Portland Museum at Easton and some to the Tout Quarry Sculpture Park and Nature Reserve, really well worth a visit. Then home. A good day!