A ring-binder containing information about U3A is to be found in the Salisbury Reference Library shelved with prospectuses of Higher Education under the heading ‘370 EDUCATION’.  The file has a copy of the current Newsletter and programme, Outings News,  and the latest Third Age News.  It also contains recent issues of Sources and sections on Spire and Sarum U3As.

If you want to place information in this file or have any questions about it, please contact Joan New.  

The Salisbury U3A website address is www.SalisburyU3A.org.uk, where you can find the Newsletter and Outings News, course descriptions, subjects of forthcoming monthly meetings, and photos of U3A outings and activities.

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A New(ish) Member’s Impressions….

We moved to Salisbury a year ago when we retired and had to leave the house that went with my job.  The decision to move here was a good one.  The decision to join U3A was even better!  For through it we have met a whole lot of lively, friendly and hospitable people, taken part in enjoyable, mind-stretching activities and are learning new skills and pastimes.  U3A members have also introduced us to other organisations in the city, notably the Salisbury Friends of the Bournemouth Orchestra and a bridge club.  Post-retirement life is full and rewarding.  Like many other retired people, we wonder how we used to find time to work.

At my first monthly Wednesday morning meeting I was grateful that someone took me under their wing and showed me the ropes.  But the next few meetings were quite daunting.  Where could I sit?  Every vacant chair had been ‘bagged’ for a friend.  As we waited for the meeting to begin people were eagerly looking out for their friends and chatting animatedly with one another.  Dare I break in on one of these conversations?  Oh no!  Only a few members seemed to be looking out for newcomers.

Recently I have been going in to my local primary school to listen to children read.  On my first visit I was sitting in the corridor outside the dining hall waiting to meet the head teacher.  Next to the door was a notice listing the school’s dining hall rules.  The last two read:

1.   Help other people
2.   Talk to people on your table.

Perhaps we could adapt those rules for our U3A:

1.    Look out for anyone who looks a bit lost
2.    Talk to the people sitting near you, especially those you don’t know.

And now I am no longer a new member that goes for me too.

-----Catherine Dyer-----

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Cu Chi Tunnels, Vietnam

Seventy kilometres northwest of Saigon (Ho Chi Min City) is the termination of the Ho Chi Min Trail and the site of the Cu Chi tunnels.

There was never a direct order to build the tunnels; instead they developed in response to a number of different circumstances, most importantly the military tactics of the French and the US.  The tunnels began in 1948 so that the Viet Minh could hide from the French air and ground sweeps.  Each hamlet built by hand their own underground communications route through the hard clay and over the years the separate tunnels were slowly and meticulously connected and fortified.

By 1965 there were 200 kilometres of connected tunnel, sometimes at three levels.  As the system grew so did its complexity.  Sleeping chambers, kitchens and wells, were built to accommodate the growing number of residents as well as hospitals to treat the wounded.  Most of the supplies used to build and maintain the tunnels were stolen or scavenged from US bases or troops.

The hot tunnels stank, as did the occupants.  Their food was usually dry for whilst it was possible to cook underground the smoke became unbearable.  American soldiers used the term 'Black Echo' to describe the conditions.  Air, food and water were scarce and the tunnels were infested with ants, poisonous centipedes, spiders and mosquitoes.  Sickness was rampant, especially malaria which accounted for the largest number of deaths after battle wounds.  At any given time fifty per cent of a unit would have malaria and one hundred per cent intestinal parasites.

Inadvertently the Americans supplied the tunnellers with food.  After infantry attacks the Americans always left food lying around and a plentiful supply of tinned meat, dry rice, noodles with prawns, cigarettes and chocolate.  When  this source failed starvation was kept at bay with a plentiful supply of rats which some found delicious when grilled, having better flavour than chicken or duck and providing lots of protein.

The medical system illustrated the ingenuity of the Vietnamese for overcoming a lack of basic resources.  Stolen motorcycle engines created light and electricity whilst scrap metal from downed aircraft became the source of surgical tools.  One of their surgeons performed brain surgery with a mechanics’ drill and amputations without anaesthetics

On Christmas Day 1966 Bob Hope, with the help of the then Miss World, was entertaining 25th Infantry Division.  Underground, at the same time, the Viet Cong listened to one Pham Sang and his party of entertainers who were raising spirits with the song 'A rose in the land of iron' and that old favourite 'Let's fight the enemy together'.

Rarely would any US troops search a discovered tunnel as it was so hazardous.  Besides being too small for most western men to fit into, the tunnels, roughly 3 feet wide and 3 feet high, were often rigged with explosive booby traps or stake pits.  The clever design of the tunnels along with the strategic use of trap doors and air filtration systems rendered American technology useless.

-----Jack Leeming-----

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The Bus Pass Challenge is open from 1 April to 31 October taking advantage of free off-peak bus travel across England for over 60s.   The aim is to see how far you can go and how long it takes you.    Your bus pass is only valid on local bus services and only in England.    Some areas restrict use to after 9.30 am.    The Challenge has three categories:   You Have Come So Far – i.e. covering the furthest distance;  Travel for Charity – the most money raised for charity through sponsorship;  Carbon Footprint Hero – the greatest use of the national bus pass.   For this last category you need to submit a separate entry form for each journey. Further details, entry forms and Terms and Conditions of the challenge can be accessed through www.buspasschallenge.co.uk.

U3A Choir End-of-Term Recital Monday 28 April 2.15 pm Wilton Community Centre (opposite the Church) Admission free

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Salisbury U3As Health Care Research Group 

This group has disbanded until somebody comes forward to take over the leadership.    Joan Brown (334528) has agreed to act as the contact for Salisbury U3A members and Eric and Anne Gould  will continue to act as a link between the hospital, the Primary Care Trust and Salisbury U3As.   We hope that in the August newsletter Joan Brown will tell us something about her work with the Research Group.

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HELP!!

Editor’s Slot

This Newsletter depends on all members in Salisbury U3A.  Please consider writing an item for it.  I need to receive contributions by the General Meeting on the first Wednesday in July.   Whenever possible please send articles to me as attachments to emails – margeryleeming@hotmail.com.

-----Margery Leeming-----

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Your Committee

Chairman Moira Dickson
Secretary Mike Limbrick
Treasurer Tony Rea 
Membership Secretary Hans-Dieter Scholz
Members   Chris Dickson
                 John Ewington
                 Ann Harries 
                 Sue Kenway
                 Anne-Marie Seacroft
                 Marian Sewell