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FEATURESTHE BIZ1THE BUZZ2GROUPS3DID YOU KNOW ...?7PICTURE GALLERY 10EVENTS11CONTACTS12CHIT-CHATTHE NEWSLETTER OF EAST RENFREWSHIRE U3ASCOTTISH CHARITY No. SCO44004No. 19January 2015END OF THE ROAD?This sorry-looking vehicle was spotted by Willie Dyer during his trip to Canada. See what else he saw there in Picture Gallery.ELECTRICWillie has also spotted that from 23rd January to 15th February the Electric Garden event (part of this year’s West End Festival) will be on at the Botanic Gardens. Those on the self-guided walking tour will see specially placed lights, sound effects and live music. The forty-five minute walks start every half-hour from 5.30 and the last walk starts at 8.30. Willie will be there in February, with his camera.Youngsters enjoy the spectacle at the Botanics.ONWARDS AND UPWARDSThirty groups are listed in this issue of Chit-Chat, compared with just twenty a year ago.ERRATUMIn the Groups feature in the last issue the What, Where, Who and When list indicated that the Art Appreciation Group’s outing on 29th January is to Pollok House, when it is of course to Kelvingrove. The error has been corrected in the version posted on the website.Jim Hamilton THE BIZMONTHLY MEETINGThe next monthly meeting will start at 2.30pm on Wednesday 18th February in St John’s Church Hall, Barrhead. Guest speaker Dr Maureen Park will be talking about the art treasures in Kelvingrove.Members can bring along retired friends or neighbours interested in joining U3A. Those with physical, sight or hearing disabilities will be accommodated and assisted as far as possible.U3A EVENTSThe U3A Explores Science Seminar will take place at the Royal Institution in London on the 23rd March (tickets ?20). U3A Groups of 15 to 25 are also invited to a series of tours at the Royal Air Force Museum in London on 25th March (?10 per person). Email Brenda Mason at #################### for more information. THE BUZZJANUARY MEETINGAt the meeting in Newton Mearns Parish Church Hall on 21st January, Bridie Stevenson’s opening remarks included a reminder about the new Beginners’ Spanish Group and a mention of the Film Appreciation Group’s outing to the GFT to see Testament of Youth.Some members appeared to be having fun.Guest speaker Stephen Anson gave a talk on the Gathering the Voices Project (), which gathers Holocaust testimonies.Steven’s father came to the UK in 1939 as one of around 10,000 youngsters saved by the Kindertransport scheme. His mother, Beate Einstein, travelled to Bradford and worked in domestic service and was later interned in Port Erin on the Isle of Man. Her father was gassed in Auschwitz in 1943.Steven showed pictures of Nazi ID cards in which the middle-names Israel and Sarah were inserted to flag-up the Jewish identity of the bearers. The big red ‘J’ appeared later, following a request from the Swiss, who were apparently confused by the names.95251924050Travel Pass for a Jew 5981703190875The project explains the survivors’ stories with the aid of graphics on four panels in a mobile exhibition. All the testimonies describe life before and during the war, he project explains the survivors’ stories with the aid of graphics on four panels in a mobile exhibition. All the testimonies describe life before and during the war, immigration, settling-in, integration and reflections on life.The Gathering the Voices DisplayThe talk included a short film about Sel Hubert, who’d experienced the horrors of the notorious Kristalnacht on 9th November 1938, before eventually reaching Britain on the Kindertransport. Douglas Yates has a close encounter with StevenGROUPSBEGINNERS’ SPANISHNine novices turned out for the first meeting of George Sinclair’s new Spanish beginners group at Clarkston Library on Wednesday, 14th January. Following a subsequent change of day and venue, the next meeting will start at 2.00 on Friday, 30th January, in the community room at Tesco’s, Silverburn, and continue fortnightly thereafter. It’s not too late to start. If you think you might like to try it, get in touch with George (####################;#### ### ####).CREATIVE WRITINGOn 7th January six of our creatives relaxed for an hour or three in Sloan’s pub in Argyle Arcade. Lunch was had, some intoxicants were taken, and matters of great moment were discussed. Everyone enjoyed the experience and left looking forward to the next regular meeting at Newton Mearns Library on Wednesday 4th February.Writers' BlocFILM APPRECIATIONAt their monthly meeting on 9th January Film Appreciation Group members enjoyed a very lively discussion about the many films that had been watched in the cinema and on TV since the last meeting in November.? As usual, some films had been unanimously enjoyed, while others engendered quite differing opinions. On 23rd January five members of the group saw Testament of Youth at the GFT.? Reactions to the film will be fully discussed at the next meeting on 13th February, but in a very brief chat after the viewing, all agreed that it was an excellent, very moving, film. If you fancy a trip to the pictures with some agreeable company, get in touch with Katherine Matthews to find out what’s in the pipeline (#### ### ####; ####################).JAZZ AND BLUES APPRECIATIONOn the afternoon of Saturday 17th January seven of our jazz appreciators turned up at Trader Joe’s (opposite the Theatre Royal) to eat, drink, listen, and do a bit of socialising.Excellent entertainment was provided by the June Love Trio, followed by the seventeen-piece Trader’s Big Brass Band, which produced some mellow sounds. Sax Appeal.Facilitator John Anderson has suggested two forthcoming gigs as group events. King King (winners of the Best Band and the Best Album at the British Blues Awards in 2012) will be playing at the O2 ABC on 21st March - tickets about ?16. The Chicago Blues Brothers will be performing at the Theatre Royal on 10th July - tickets about ?23-24. If you fancy going along to either, contact John (#### ### ####; ####################).MAH- JONGElspeth Harrison’s Mah-jong group has had a successful and entertaining year, playing the game on the first and third Tuesday of every month. They have all got to know each other and enjoy chatting and relaxing?with a cup of tea or coffee in between games.?On a dreary November day they cheered themselves up by going out for lunch at the World Buffet restaurant on Nitshill Road.? Elspeth assures us that the food, offered on range of menus, was very good.?Mah-jong is an easy game to learn, so beginners are welcome. It is played using 144 tiles, each decorated?with?Chinese characters?and drawings.?They are very decorative and make?the sound?of twittering sparrows (mah-jong) when mixed together on the table.Two games in progressSome concentration is clearly required.?The group meets fortnightly on Tuesday afternoons from 2pm to?4pm in the Salvation Army premises at 210 Main Street in Barrhead (next to Asda). The bright comfortable room has tea and coffee making facilities, and there is plenty parking at the back. ?If you are interested please contact Elspeth?Harrison at #### ### ####.QUIZFifteen quizzers formed three teams of five at Brenda Mason’s fourth monthly quiz on 13th January. The winning team – Five Go to Silverburn – comprised Allen and Marion Walker, Jim Hamilton, Neil Lisle and Norma Harris.Five Go to SilverburnSOAPBOXAt the Soapbox Group meeting on 26th January there was a surprise in store for facilitator Irene Conway. The group members presented her with a gift voucher to mark her eightieth birthday on the 28th. The Birthday GirlIrene admitted to slight nervousness about spending the big day with her daughter and two sons – reunited for the first time in thirty-five years.STITCHESThe Stitches Group’s outing on 13th January was inspiring. They saw the current quilt exhibition many really interesting historic exhibits at the fascinating family-owned Dalgarven Mill.? The tour did not of course overlook the coffee room.Quilts GaloreStitchers break for coffee?THEATRETheatre Group members had their first meeting of the year at their new venue on Monday 5th January. Over coffee, they planned their outings over the next few months, beginning with a trip to Eastwood Theatre at the end of January to see Haywire. As Marbe McNeill revealed last month, this Giffnock Theatre Players’ production is a farce written by Eric Chappell, the BAFTA award winning author of classic TV comedy Rising Damp.Coffee-BreakMembers expressed an interest in To Kill a Mockingbird, which runs from 3rd to 7th February at the Theatre Royal. Booking may prove difficult, since there is a high demand for tickets for a show based on such a well known and popular novel and film. 190506429375Some members are keen to head back to Eastwood for another chance to enjoy Magical Mozart by Candle light. The beautiful settings, costumes and lighting have transported audiences back to a sumptuous past. There will be one performance of the two-hour show, starting at 7.30 on Sunday, 15th February. The evening of classical music and song will include excerpts from The Magic Flute, The Marriage of Figaro, Cosi fan Tutte and other popular Mozart pieces. It was much enjoyed by all who saw it last year.4467225876300Also at Eastwood, the Eros production of Calamity Jane will run from 21st to 25th April. The Group plans to book tickets for this popular show and facilitator Aileen Davidson expects many members may want to sing along. Events for March and May will be considered at the next group meeting, starting at 2pm on Monday 2nd February. For more information, call Aileen on #### ### #### or email ####################.WALKINGAt their latest outing on 22nd January our walkers went from Central Station to Rutherglen and back.Walkers' chic on display in Richmond ParkAs ever, the high-spot was lunch – this time at the cafeteria in the Winter Gardens adjacent to the People’s Palace in Glasgow Green.The next outing, on 19th February, will be a circular walk round Kittochside and Carmunock. It will be mostly on tarmac, although there will be a few farm tracks, and should take around two hours. Walkers will assemble at 10.00am at the National Museum of Rural Life (G76 9HR). After the walk there will be an opportunity to enjoy refreshments at the museum cafeteria.If you’d like to come along, contact Marbe McNeill (#### ### ####; ####################). SUSPENDED GROUPSDue to health issues affecting their respective facilitators, the Digital Photography and Genealogy groups are both currently suspended, possibly indefinitely. Anyone willing to consider taking on the role for either group should get in touch with Iris Adam (####################;#### ### ####).WHAT, WHERE, WHO & WHENGroupVenueFacilitatorTel:EmailDate(s)Art AppreciationKelvingrove Art Gallery and MuseumLinda Davidson### #######################.29th Jan.Beginners’ SpanishTesco Community Room, SilverburnGeorge Sinclair### #######################30th Jan.13th putersN/AAllen Walker### ####################### N/ACraft ClubKirkton Centre, BarrheadAngela Smith### ####################### 25th Feb.Creative WritingNewton Mearns LibraryJim Hamilton### ####################### 4th Feb.Crochet & KnittingClarkston Library“Vivian VallanceAnne McGuire### #######################30th Jan.13th Feb. Crochet & Knitting 2Clarkston Library Anne McGuire### #######################3rd Feb.17th Feb.Digital PhotographyAsda, Newton MearnsStephen Weideger### ####################### tbaFilm Appreciation Clarkston LibraryKatherine Matthews### #######################13th Feb.FrenchClarkston LibraryGeorge Sinclair### ####################### 6th Feb.20th Feb.GardeningCambo Gardens, St AndrewsWillie Dyer Iris Adam### ##########################################24th Feb.GenealogyFamily History CentreJohn Smith### #######################tba.GermanClarkston LibraryGeorge Sinclair### #######################5th Feb.19th Feb.HistoryFamily History CentreDavid Johnson### ####################### 30th Jan.Jazz & Blues AppreciationtbaJohn Anderson### #######################tba.Jewellery-MakingAsda, Newton MearnsJean Kerr### #######################19th Feb.Learn GolfMearns Golf AcademyAnne Hemphill###################tbaMah-jong/ BridgeSalvation Army Hall, BarrheadElspeth Harrison### #######################10th Feb.24th Feb.QuizTesco, SilverburnBrenda Mason###################10th Feb.Reading BarrheadMargaret Janetta’s HouseIris Adam### #######################4th Feb. Mearns Newton Mearns LibraryAnne McGuire### ####################### 20th Feb. Mearns 2 Spoken Word“““Marbe McNeill### ####“###################11th Feb.25th Feb.Science & TechnologyAsda Training Room, Newton MearnsAllen Walker### ####################### 17th Feb.Soapbox (Discussion)Clarkston LibraryIrene Conway### ####################### 23rd Feb.SpanishClarkston Library“Aileen Harrison“###################“10th Feb.24th Feb.Speaking With ConfidenceNewton Mearns LibraryBridie Stevenson### ####################### 3rd Feb.StitchesSalvation Army Hall, BarrheadRae Paton###################10th Feb.TheatrePro-Soccer, Rouken Glen ParkAileen Davidson### #######################2nd Feb.WalkingClyde WalkwayMarbe McNeill### #######################19th Feb.DID YOU KNOW …?TAX TIPThe latest tip from Tax Help for Older People is about changes announced in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement and the last Budget.The Personal Allowance (PA) is being increased to ?10,600 in April 2015. Married people or civil partners who don’t pay income tax above the basic rate can also transfer up to ?1,060 (10%) of their PA to their spouses or partners, if they also pay tax at the basic rate.Partners can now effectively inherit their deceased spouse’s ISAs For deaths on or after 3rd December 2014, surviving spouses will have an additional ISA allowance, equal to the amount held in the deceased’s ISA, which can be used from 6th April 2015. As part of the estate, cash or investments are subject to inheritance tax (although there is no IHT on inter-spouse transfers). A one-off allowance additional to the normal allowance (?15,240 in 2015/16) will be available for the surviving spouse to use on or after 6 April 2015. Note that the ISA wrapper and tax-efficient status are still lost at the date of death, so income and gains from date of death to distribution of the estate are taxable. However, once distributed to the surviving spouse, the value at date of death can be sheltered into an ISA after 5 April 2016. In April 2015 the basic State Pension will be increased by 2.5% (?2.85 per week for recipients of the full basic state pension). The same cash increase will apply to Pension Credit.Inherited pensions, currently subject to income tax at their marginal rate, will be tax free where the first payment of an annuity is after 5 April 2015, and you die before age 75. Additionally, a joint-life or dependant’s annuity will now be able to be paid to anyone after you die. On their subsequent death any value protection or remaining guarantee period can transfer to anyone.With the amount of savings income to which the new 0% rate applies increasing to ?5,000, anyone with a total income of less than ?15,600 will not pay any tax on their savings. More people will be able to complete R85’s, the form allowing their savings providers to pay interest gross (without deduction of tax). Some people paying tax at 20% will need to claim back their overpayment using form R40. Direct Recovery of Debts (DRD) – As announced at Budget 2014, the government will be able to recover tax and tax credit debts directly from the bank and building society accounts (and ISAs) of debtors. Safeguards which will apply to DRD now include:A guaranteed face-to-face visit from an HMRC agent, to identify and offer appropriate support to every vulnerable debtor.Slower implementation in the first year to allow HMRC to start the process on a small, targeted basis, and gain experience and feedback.Inclusion in the legislation of judicial oversight of the process, allowing for appeals to the County Court.The deadline for ‘online’ Self-Assessment filing is 31st January 2015. Go to .uk and follow the instructions to avoid penalties.Tax Help for Older People offers free tax advice to older people on incomes of less than ?20,000 per annum. Their helpline number is 0845 601 3321, or 01308 PUTER SECURITY TIPSAllen Walker warns that there are lots of nasty people out in the Internet. Often by employing scams they will try to steal our money and/or personal data, and can also resort to blackmail, or vindictively damage computers. In addition to targeting individuals, they attack banks, government agencies and companies. It is becoming almost impossible to deal with modern life without access to the internet, yet we are responsible for our own safety.The Computer Group’s members have put together some tips on computer security that all of us, regardless of skills level and experience, should re-visit regularly. They regard the following as essential do’s and don’ts.DO:-Make sure you have a good anti-virus programme. Not all programmes are effective, and price is no guide. There are some excellent free ones, like Avast and AVG, that can be simply and safely downloaded from the internet. There’s also lots of advice to be had.Make sure your built-in Windows firewall is switched on and regularly up-dated. The firewall prevents snoopers from accessing your computer to watch you entering passwords and personal information. Other, stronger, firewalls are available.Ensure your passwords are ‘strong’ and change them regularly. Use combinations of upper and lower case letters, numbers and allowed symbols (No pets names, dates of birth, ideally no family names - in case you have revealed them publicly elsewhere). It can be hard to remember them, but you can use a Password Manager, and PC Advisor magazine gives advice on sourcing reliable ones, or store on a protected memory stick.Update the computer’s programmes regularly. The manufacturers send these out because they are aware that some hacker has found a weak point and the update plugs it. Update!Clean up your computer’s innards regularly, not just the keys and screen. Computers accumulate junk, so use the de-frag and disc clean-up tools. Also clear out your internet browsing history data and cookies. Be sure you know who you are in contact with when buying by debit or credit card. If banking or buying, double check the address bar at the top of the page. There should be a padlock symbol, signifying ‘secure’, and safe addresses start with https rather http. It is better for you to be the caller, especially if you are giving the security number on the back of the card. If in doubt, check up safely on Google.Take care when browsing the internet. Some sites are designed to browse you! Again, you can check up first on Google’s safe addresses lists.Learn to distrust incoming e-mails, even from someone you know, if it looks unusual. Your address could have been harvested or bought by criminals. You can always contact your friend first, if in doubt. There is another check: hover the cursor over who it’s from, (don’t click) and a pop-up will tell the URL i.e. the real address of the originator. Fakes are usually similar to the real one, but with extras. For instance, is the genuine address for ebay, but secure. is a fraudulent company featured on BBC Rogue Traders. Beware of adware. Some of it carries viruses and other malware. It’s best to set blocks on it if at all possible. If not, check it out before allowing it on. Run an anti-spyware programme like or - free off the Internet - alongside your anti-virus programme.DO NOT:-OPEN AN EMAIL THAT LOOKS SUSPICIOUS. Dodgy emails almost always ask you to click (open) an attached link – usually a complex set of numbers and letters. If you do, you have handed the computer to a criminal, who will happily strip out everything of value. Never do it. Once you have, it’s too late.Respond to a “bank” requesting you confirm your details. Banks will never ask for secret details by email or phone. Ignore/delete/report.Do not use the same password for everything. If it is cracked, the hacker has access to everything.The above precautions apply also to smart phones and tablets, especially when they are synced to your computer. Contact Robert Humphrey at ####################, or ##########, or members of the Computer Group for advice.FUNNY MONEYIn a recent issue of New Scientist, experimental philosopher and conceptual artist Jonathan Keats reviews Cryptocurrency: How bitcoin and digital money are challenging the global economic order by Wall Street Journal writers Paul Vigna and Michael J Casey. They see cryptocurrency as ‘a force for transparency and accountability ... that promises to shift the control of money and information away from the powerful elites ...’.The plan to create an ‘electronic cash system’, proposed six years ago by a person or group using the name Satoshi Nakamoto, involves transactions taking place with no oversight from government or bank on a decentralised computer network. An open ledger called the blockchain would track all credit and debt. All transactions would be transparent, although account-holders would remain anonymous while controlling their accounts cryptographically. There are now over five million bitcoin accounts and hundreds of cryptocurrencies using variations on the bitcoin protocol.Scandals, such as the theft by hackers of bitcoins from an exchange called Mt. Gox, and the shutting down of a bitcoin-based illegal drugs emporium called Silk Road, have caused fluctuations in value but haven’t impacted on the trustworthiness of the blockchain ledger, according to Vigna and Casey. They hope that with the blockchain concept supporting various transactions, including personal loans, retail sales and contractual agreements, cryptocurrency will make movement of money more efficient and curb the power of banks. AVOIDING THE OBVIOUSHere’s some more transatlantic fun (passed on by Eddie Woods) in the form of a seniors’ exam Q and A session. How long was?Hundred Years’ War?Which country makes Panama?hats?From which animal do?we get cat gut?In which month do Russians celebrate the October Revolution?What is a camel’s hair?brush made of?The Canary Islands in the?Pacific are named after what animal?What was King George?VI’s first name?What colour is a purple?finch?Where are Chinese?gooseberries from?What colour is?the black box in a commercial aeroplane?Answers 116?years: 1337 –??1453EcuadorSheep and?HorsesNovemberSquirrel?furDogsAlbertCrimsonNew?ZealandOrangeSENIOR MOMENTS EXPLAINEDBridie Stevenson has passed on this amusing piece about the occasional absent-minded episodes we all experience.‘Brains of older people are slow because they know so much.?People do not decline mentally with age, it just takes them longer to recall facts because they have more information in their brains, scientists believe.? Much [as] a computer struggles as the hard drive gets full, so too do humans take longer to access information when their brains are full.?Researchers say this slowing down process is not the same as cognitive?decline.?The human brain works slower in old age, said Dr. Michael Ramscar, but only because we have stored more information over time. The brains of older people do not get weak. On the contrary, they simply know more.Also, older people often go to another room to get something and when they get?there, they stand there wondering what they came for.? It is NOT a memory problem; it is nature's way of making older people do more exercise.’Recipients are asked to forward this to friends, if they can remember their names.PICTURE GALLERYGONE WESTWillie and Myra Dyer spent Christmas in Western Canada, and saw these impressive lights at Calgary Zoo. Willie explains that, although there seems to be nobody there, it was in fact very well attended. The use of a slow shutter speed for night shots causes moving people to disappear.left266700321945026670019050314325032385003743325Willie was unable to resist the two old Chevys pictured below. One for the petrol-heads, he reckons.EVENTSDAYDATEEVENTCONTACTThursday29th JanuaryArt Appreciation Group outing to KelvingroveLinda Davidson, #### ### #### email ####################Wednesday18th FebruaryMonthly Meeting at St John’s Church Hall, BarrheadDr Maureen Park – Art Treasures in KelvingroveBridie Stevenson, #### ### #### email ####################Thursday19th FebruaryWalking Group outing to Museum of Scottish Country Life, KittochsideMarbe McNeill, #### ### #### email ####################Wednesday18th MarchMonthly Meeting at Mearns Parish Church Hall, Newton MearnsRodger Watts – Bangkok to the Burmese BorderBridie Stevenson, #### ### #### email ####################Monday23rd MarchU3A Explores Science Seminar at the Royal Institution, LondonBrenda Masonemail ####################Wednesday25th MarchRoyal Air Force Museum Tour, LondonBrenda Masonemail ####################Monday - Thursday13th – 16th JulyU3A Summer School at Harper Adams University Newport, ShropshireBrenda Masonemail ####################Monday - Thursday17th – 20th AugustU3A Summer School at Royal Agricultural University, CirencesterBrenda Masonemail ####################For information on regular group meetings see the ‘Groups’ feature.CONTACTSDRIVER(S)LOCATIONTELEPHONEEMAILJohn AndersonEaglesham#### ### ########################Stewart MartinEaglesham#### ### ######################## Aileen & Donald Davidson Giffnock#### ### ########################Douglas YatesBarrhead#### ### ########################Robert HumphreyNeilston#### ### ######################## Thomas & Elizabeth CoulterNeilston#### ### ######################## Mobile enquires call/text 07758 344 252 .uk/eastrenfrewshire President: Bridie Stevenson ####################Vice President: Jan Duman ####################Branch Secretary: Brenda Mason #################### Treasurer: Donald Davidson ####################Membership Secretary: Dorothy Campbell #################### Group Co-ordinator: Iris Adam ####################Newsletter Compiler: Jim Hamilton #################### ................
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