Superstitions surrounding solar eclipses still exist today. Many people believe that solar eclipses can be a dangerous to pregnant women and their unborn child. In India, some people fast during a solar eclipse because they believe that any food cooked during the time will be poisonous, and in Italy it is believed that flowers planted during a solar eclipse are more colourful than those planted at other times of the year. A solar eclipse can only happen at new moon, when the moon directly blocks sight of the sun from certain places in the world. It can take place up to five times a year, though according to Nasa, only 25 years in the past 5,000 have had five solar eclipses. In the last 500 years
What Extreme Heights the WTU3A goes to …
Well, these two do as they were the chief movers in the most recent Extreme Visits activity – abseiling down the side of the Spinnaker Tower at Portsmouth Harbour. They … Read more
For those of you who did not get the opportunity to see the ‘Rivers of Blood’ poppy exhibition at the Tower of London…you missed a treat because it has now been dismantled! However due to public demand they are keeping the waterfall and splash poppies in place until early next year. It is worth seeing even this reduced display. If you have not visited the tower for some time you will be pleased to know they have loads of new exhibitions and have revamped the animal zoo displays so there are animal 
It is not often I start a newsletter with sad news, but this is one of those times. It is with deep regret that I have to inform you of the sudden death of Maureen Absalom, who died this week, Tuesday 14th October, after a fall from a cliff in Dorset whilst on a walking holiday. Maureen was a very popular U3A member who had a happy outlook on life and was always willing to take on new challenges. Maureen was an active member of several groups including garden visits, walking and extreme visits. Funeral arrangements have not yet been confirmed as her daughter has only just flown in from America. I will update you when more details are known. Maureen leaves a son and a daughter and we send our condolences to her family and to her close friends Lynda and Ian Mackay and Helen McCuskie. 
Last month I told you about a slight change in how the newsletters were sent out. It would seem that several of you did not understand, did not remember, or just got a tad confused. So to assist you in remembering I will say it again, louder and slower: I ….STILL…. WRITE ….THE ….NEWSLETTER. …MARY ….DULY EMAILS… THEM …OUT. Got that? So if you have anything you wish published please still send it to me. There is loads and loads of good stuff in this newsletter so I will let you get on with reading it! 
“There is a social revolution under way, which is being led by the baby boomers, who have redefined everything throughout their lives, particularly around the world of work. They are now going to redefine retirement,”