Salisbury and District U3A

NEWSLETTER
Number 54 December 2005

Family History - digging the dirt

How fascinating it is to rummage through old documents, delve into a census and scan the internet to discover the truth about one's forebears. I discovered that a great great grandfather had a school in Fisherton in 1838 and left to take up an appointment as an Assistant Protector of the Aborigines in New South Wales. How did he come by the appointment and what was the task when he got there with his family? Well, that's another story.

Here is a story of an American industrialist who wanted to discover his family's roots. He knew that they stretched back to the early days of the colonies but he was keen to substantiate that he was descended from the Pilgrim Fathers. He employed a genealogist to do the search. The only ancestor he could trace was one of his great grandfathers who was convicted of murder and executed in the electric chair. To reveal this would not have pleased the industrialist nor justify his search fee.

The genealogist reported that it was difficult to trace his family tree far back but he had discovered one of his great grandfathers who could claim distinction. 'He occupied a chair in applied electricity in a principal male institution and had died in harness'.

----David Ensor-----


Handbell Ringers - A Twinning Ringing Experience

Earlier this summer I received a phone call out of the blue from France. Saintes, which is twinned with Salisbury, was to hold an 'English week' to commemorate its fifteenth twinning anniversary and could I bring a small team of my ringers to Saintes to ring for the occasion? If we could get ourselves there, accommodation would be provided and a programme and venues for performances arranged. Without hesitation, or serious consideration, I said yes!.

Then of course the work began: I thought, five ringers - three in hand - fifteen bells - available tunes - practice sessions - who is on holiday - how to get people and equipment there - what to wear - !*?* Fortunately as well as Judy and I, Barbara, Isobel and Muriel were free from the tenth of July. They travelled over with our Mayor of Salisbury Patrick Paisey and his wife who were visiting in an official capacity. Judy and I stuffed my small Fiat with tables, covers, foams, bells, music stands - oh, and a large suitcase, as we stayed on in France for a hurriedly arranged ten day holiday with friends further south. Incidentally, we got some very funny looks from heavily armed security men at Portsmouth when they asked what we were carrying! The next problem was music. My immediate thoughts were La Marseillaise, Frere Jacques, Sur Le Pont d' Avignon etc. but Judy quickly pointed out that we were representing England and the French wanted to hear English songs, Oranges and lemons, Heart of Oak, Oh No John, The Old Bull & Bush, etc., and so a programme evolved. (By the way, try explaining the words of these songs to the French - in French! )

In Saintes the streets, squares and public buildings were bedecked with bunting, tricolours and union jacks. A car park, in a beautiful setting by the river, had been turned into what became known as 'the English village' with small marquees arranged around the perimeter and a beautiful English country garden, Chelsea flower show style, built in the centre. One marquee served English teas, another demonstrated Downton lace making. In others corn dollies, local ceramics and commerce in and around Salisbury - and of course a beer tent to oil the works of twenty-seven Morris men from Chippenham! The day temperatures never fell below 27°C and we were fortunate enough (when required) to set up our tables in the shade of a tree. This sounds idyllic, but for us poor bell ringers, far from it. We did three concerts a day in all manner of places apart from the village. 'Would you mind going to this square - could you play in that pedestrian street - then there is the library outside the museum at four - a children's party down by the bandstand in the park the old people's home - and don't forget the monastery!' And each time the car had to be loaded and unloaded, tables set up and music arranged. If there was a competition for speed and efficiency for this sort of thing I could tell you where to lay your money!

But what fun - and the interest from the French people was unbelievable. They had never heard of handbells, let alone seen any and as soon as we started playing in public places we had an immediate crowd around us. (Saintes is a tourist spot for the Roman remains and the town was crowded). 'Where did you get them? - How do you play them? - How do they work? - Where do you get the music? - May I try please?' were common questions and even 'WouId you play at my wedding? WouId you come and play at Christmas?' One interesting question that I shall pursue was 'Could you perhaps come next summer if we organised a school for a week to teach some French people?' And then there were the more orderly captive audiences .Having had lunch at the old peoples' home we played outside their dining room on the terrace in the shade of large trees. In the home run by Les Petites Soeurs des Pauvres we performed on the stage in a large hall to an audience of ninety residents and the attendant nuns who sat entranced. But the piece de resistance must be the Fete Nationale du 14 Juillet. We were invited to join Madame Bernadette Schmitt, mayor of Saintes and her party for the review of the troops and procession in front of the Palais de Justice before attending a cocktail and brunch party in a most beautiful walled garden, serenaded by a baroque orchestra. Before lunch ended, we were invited to play while the orchestra had a break and the team rose to the occasion before a most prestigious and appreciative audience. This was our swan song. In the evening we attended a most beautiful choral recital in the cathedral from whence Muriel, Isobel and Barbara left for England, whilst Judy and I went to view the firework display by the river. Thus our visit to Saintes ended - what a wonderful experience it had been.

-----Tom Coombes-----


Arts Day

An opportunity to find out about arts activity in Salisbury & South Wiltshire

The Salisbury & South Wiltshire Arts Network (SSWAN) is holding an Arts Day on Saturday 28 January 2006 for the general public to come and find out what is on offer from the arts venues, organisations, amateur groups and individual artists and arts workers based in Salisbury and South Wiltshire.

The day will be held at Salisbury Arts Centre, Bedwin Street, Salisbury 11am - 5pm (admission free) and will involve a wide range of arts groups and artists who will be on hand to tell you about their work and how you can get involved from an audience or participants' perspective.

There will be opportunities to meet members of arts groups you may wish to join, or maybe you want to find out about future plays Salisbury Playhouse is planning to stage, or you may be interested in finding an arts worker who can work with your local community.

It will be a vibrant and exciting day where you can look round a range of stands, see films of different arts activity from across the district and even take part in some taster sessions. Plus the Arts Centre's cafe will be open serving drinks and snacks.

If you are an arts group or artist who would like to have a stand at the Arts Day or if you just wish to find out more please contact Rachel Efemey (Principal Arts Officer) Salisbury District Council, The Council House, Boume Hill, Salisbury SP1 3UZ, telephone: 01722 434307
email: refemey@salisbury.gov.uk


Sunday Lunches

The popularity of Sunday lunches is steadly growing. The lunches are held on the first Sunday after the Wednesday General Meeting (the coffee Morning to some). A list is on the notice board at the General Meeting with details, or telephone me.

-----Sheila Tupling-----