Speakers at our meetings open new windows on the world

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Essex oddities, Life after Barnardo's and Citizens' Advice

 

   

Frank Turvey (left) kept a big audience fascinated with a talk, illustrated with slides, about corners of Essex with quirky or historic features. Keith

Gargrave, centre, is an old boy of Barnardo's. He told us how his mother's poor health led to his becoming a Barnardo's boy and what

happened to him there and afterwards. Trish Carpenter, right, told us how the Citizens' Advice Bureau works, sometimes unsure of where

its next funds will be coming from. Both speakers answered many questions and stayed on to speak to individual members.

 

Enamel advertisements and the history of fingerprinting

 

 

If you're old enough to remember enamel advertising signs, you're probably older than you thought you were. Neil Smith (left), an avid

collector, talked to us about the enormous variety of enamel signs to be found. Fingerprint and police procedure expert Terry Rockall

(right) returned to elaborate on an earlier talk about scientific approaches to criminal investigations. He screened many pictures to

outline the history of policing and fingerprinting, including the fingerprint chart shown far right.

 

Paddle steamers, photography and forts featured

 

     

Gerald Atwell (left) talked to us about paddle steamers. Photographer Malcolm Keogh (centre) told us there were rules to follow in

taking successful pictures but you didn't have to stick to them. With all the facilities of modern digital image editors available, it was

possible to create pictures that were arresting and full of interest. (Don't forget, Southend U3A has a thriving Photography Group. Call

Jeanette Rothwell on 01702 715005 for details.) Historian Brian Burton (right) told us about Tilbury Fort and Coahouse Fort, in

Thurrock. He said a great deal had been done to make them accessible to the public, with many displays, and he urged our members

to visit and see for themselves.

 

Art and music prove to be popular topics

LEFT:  The speaker at Southend U3A's wintry meeting of Tuesday 3rd February was Colette Bailey,

managing director of Metal, an organisation devoted to developing creative projects and helping artists

and thinkers put their ideas into action. Appropriately, she is pictured here with Southend U3A member

John Boote, leader of our Painting for Pleasure study group. Colette gave an illustrated talk about Metal's

plans for promoting artistic collaboration in Southend. RIGHT: The Rev John Robinson was a welcome

return visitor when he spoke on Tuesday 10th February on Memories of Essex and music of the Period.

 

Musical quiz and Salvation Army tales 

LEFT: Victor Patterson, famous as an entertainer at the end of Southend Pier in the happy days before the pier burned down, was the New Year speaker at our meeting on Tuesday 6th January. His musical quiz - 20 questions relating to radio, films and television of years gone by - was a big hit. RIGHT: Gordon Parkhill was the speaker at our meeting on Tuesday 25th November. He and a colleague showed pictures from a book about the Salvation Army at Hadleigh which he had co-written, detailing the history of this hardworking charitable organisation. Special mention was made of the brickmaking operation, the products from which were shipped by barge to London. Farming and training activities were also covered and Mr Parkhill answered many questions from the audience.

 

Coachman Bill tells all; Don Hunford tells a bit less

 

LEFT: Bill Cook, head of Cooks Coaches, Southend, told us the full history of the company, including its extremely busy period after the Second World War. He emphasised the major effect the frequent introduction of new legislation has had on coach firms. He was called on to answer many questions.  RIGHT: Don Hunford's talk on tigers in India was hampered by his late arrival and difficulties matching his computerised pictures with our projection equipment. The talk was spasmodic but Mr Hunford took some time answering questions.

 

Fingerprint man, photographer and health chief

   

LEFT: Fingerprint expert Terry Rockall gave a fascinating insight into the use of fingerprinting in the apprehension of offenders by Scotland Yard officers. CENTRE: Malcolm Keogh is a keen and successful photographer in his spare time. In addition to talking about photography itself as an art and a pastime, and showing many of the images he has made over the years, he also displayed some of his growing collection of vintage cameras. RIGHT: "We are immensely proud of the range and quality of the services we provide and the people who provide them," John Bruce, chairman of Southend University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, told our members. Mr Bruce spoke of the huge numbers of patients treated at the hospital and referred to strenuous efforts to make their experience trouble-free and risk-free. He reported on progress on construction of a new multi-storey car park ("We were here first, long before the surrounding houses, so the parking problems are the council's fault") and also on plans for a major new treatment building.

 

A high flier, our own expert on butterflies and an Egyptologist 

   

LEFT: Edward Clack, a former RAF aerial photographer and founder of Southend Flying Club was guest speaker at a well attended meeting of the Aviation Group. Edward, pictured with Aviation Group leader Irene Gildert, recalled his RAF training, his flying lessons and his years as a flying instructor, during which he continued his aerial photography, producing many famous pictures and becoming noted as an author. He answered questions from fascinated members of the group. CENTRE: Branch member Don Down has a fine collection of butterfly pictures. He showed them with his trusty slide projector to a large and appreciative audience. RIGHT: Malcolm Taylor spoke to us about Egyptology, illustrating his talk with slides taken at a number of famous Egyptian sites.

 

Poetry in motion...

Members of the Poetry Group took the place of a speaker by giving us an entertaining presentation of poetry readings. John Coppins was in especially good voice, singing a number of stirring sea shanties.

 

 

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