newsletterDecember 2025 Reg Charity No.1177826HORNCASTLENorthcoteHeavy HorseCentreSo much morethan just horsesNEWS FROM OUR GROUPSNew Committee MembersOur January Speaker Professor Jonathan Van-Tam
December 2025 2 u3a HorncastleMy retirement came about almostincidentally as I had been laid off withrest of the crew by the Screenwritersand Actors’ strike in 2023, afterwhich I decided not to carry onworking, living away from home during the week and commuting hadlost their attractions. I decided tostart a different way of life. Joiningthe u3a was one of my first stepsupon retirement, in order to meetpeople and become involved in various groups. This has worked ratherbetter than I expected and as a resultwhen the committee was looking forrecruits I volunteered and soon filledthe then vacant role of Secretary. Recently I have also taken over theposition of Groups’ Coordinator so Iam busy learning new ropes!Being Secretary means attendingCommittee meetings for an hour oflively discussion followed (usually)by a coffee in Bar Unico for morechat so not too onerous a morning.The Committee members are alsorepresented at the monthly meetings in Stanhope Hall to help set upand run the events. I have somehowbecome involved with coaxing theHall’s sound system into life with JeffJones and Derek Smith which has itsidiosyncrasies. As anyone who attends the meetings will know.In a recent meeting of the committee, we have decided to hold anextended meeting on February 4th2026 to give new, existing and prospective members an opportunity totalk to group leaders in order to select groups they might like to joinand to get a feel for the breadth anddepth of the activities offered byHorncastle’s u3a. A similar meeting was held in October 2024 and was so well attended that we are moving it into thehall this time, this will also give attendees better access to the refreshments. Tea, coffee and cakes. If you have friends who might beinterested in joining our vibrantgroup this would be the time to bringthem along.Inside theCommittee
4 Focus On... Marilyn Makins by Yvonne Mathieson5 A Bumper New Year! Peter Irons pulls off a coup6 An Ambition Achieved by Sue Stevenson7 A Trophy for Walking Cricket by Michael Harrison8 Northcote Heavy Horse Centre by Kirk Bolam10 Obituary: Andy Mathieson Why we smile when thinking of him12 Creative Photography Group by Michael Harrison13 Autumn Leaves by Graham Hutton14 u3a Horncastle Committee15 The MOTO Group by Derek Smith16 Readers’ Group by Janet Disney17 Edible Gardening Group by Jacky Hutchinson18 A Tale of Fun and Friendship by Chris and Elaine Wright19 Farming and Diversity Where does soft plastic go?22 Mark Ogilvie - New Editor22 Upcoming Speakers23 Classes and GroupsInspiring this month’s front cover: Autumn Leaves by Graham Hutton.3In this issue...To contribute to this magazine please contact Mark Ogilvieemail: mark [email protected]: 07725 054212Design and print: Woodhall PhotoPrint & Copy, Station Road, Woodhall Spa LN10 6QL Tel: 01526 354949u3a Horncastle December 2025Being of a nomadic nature - sincewe have been married we have hadeight houses in various corners ofthe country - it’s great to finallysettle down and not pay any morecommission to estate agents! Joining u3a groups and working on theCommittee means I have met morepeople (outside of work) in Horncastle than in any of the places Ihave lived in which is an immediatebenefit.Outside of the u3a I have resumedmodel making, a hobby which kickstarted my career, by finishing amodel boat I started over 20 yearsago and plan to make more now Ihave the time. I also have a garage fullof tools that I like to employ in various ways. I am a keen, non-competitive runner. I do Pilates every week,and have taken up archery. Gardening is another interest I have beenable to spend more time on and theproof of this is a new, bigger pond installed in our garden this summerwhich brought with it the discoverythat we have about 25 frogs living inthere. The autumn is being filled withdecorating our house. So, combined with all my u3a activities the old adage of being busiersince I retired certainly rings true!Anton Prickett
December 2025 4 u3a HorncastleFocus On... Marilyn Makinsby Yvonne MathiesonMarilyn is aforce of nature and avital part of Horncastleu3a. With her enthusiasm and ‘can do’ attitude, she is or hasbeen involved in manygroups, including theKnitters, the Strollers,Readers, Tai Chi movements for health, as well as serving onthe committee, organising outingsand keeping up with the Website andFacebook. She fits all this in alongwith a part-time job, the Over-Fiftiesclub and helping out in Horncastle’sCharity shops.Marilyn hails originally from a bigfamily in Bethnal Green (same area asthe Kray Twins). She’s been heavilyinfluenced by the kindness of hergrandmother and hardworkingmother. She left school at fifteen towork in a variety of jobs, mostly temporary work (which she enjoyed) inadministration. This gave her independence, and enabled her to undertake some European Travels, whichshe loved, before finding her husband, Bill, and settling down. Theyhave brought up fourchildren, of whom sheis very proud. Marilynand Bill have beenmarried for fifty years.Asked to describeherself in three words,she chose ‘Bubbly,Chatty and Compassionate’ and anyone who knows herwill testify to her warm and sympathetic personality. From her East London start, Marilynhas lived in several places, includingBedfordshire, Scotland, Hemingby,and Woodhall Spa. She and Billmoved to this area in the late nineteen eighties. They chose Horncastlebecause of its convenient locationand the fact that the town can supplymost things one might need, including the library, which she values. Sheis enjoying life in Hagworthinghamand finds this suits her. As she is nota car driver, she appreciates publictransport and the fact that the busstop is just yards from her home. Sheloves Horncastle’s positives and cansee no negatives to living in this area.As far as hobbies and interests are
u3a Horncastle 5 December 2025concerned, Marilyn is definitely apeople person, and has introducedsocial aspects to her groups, addinga friendly lunch to some activities.She thinks the MOTO (Members OnTheir Own) is a brilliant idea to fosterfriendships and get people out andabout.Marilyn first heard about u3a fromrelatives and friends and says she receives joy from helping people. Shehas caring charities to support aswell, and ECHO (East Coast HomelessOutreach) is a special interest.Her three words to describe heru3a experience are Friendly, Interesting and Informative and she offeredno criticisms or suggestions for improvements as she thinks the Horncastle organisation is working well atthe moment. Marilyn has a willingspirit and gains happiness and satisfaction from making people smile.Asked about her greatest achievement in life, so far, she says it isbringing up her children to be happyand seeing them succeed at life. Heradvice (on life, the universe and allthat) to a younger self would be LiveLife to the Full, there is always something to feel positive about, and Don’tMarry too Young! nThe new year is looking particularlyexciting following Peter Irons’success in securing ProfessorJonathan Van-Tam for January’smeeting. This is something of acoup at any time but especially asit will be Professor Van-Tam’s lasttalk before he retires properly. As aman at the very heart of eventssurrounding the COVID pandemiche cannot help but be interesting.This is the time to remind youthat guests are welcome for twovisits before they need to join –please bring your friends to thisvery exciting event.In February we are extending themonthly meeting to 12 noon so thatgroups can promote what they dowith a view to inform and recruitmembers. Maybe your group is fullbut has a waiting list and there iscapacity for a second, similargroup. It is also useful to discusswhat being a leader of your groupinvolves as this may give others theconfidence to volunteer. nA Bumper New Year!
December 2025 6 u3a HorncastleLast year as I lay in a hospitalbed with a broken hip,uncertain of what my level ofmobility might be in the future, Irealised I had never achieved myambition of going on a walkingholiday. With my new titanium hip, Idetermined to get walking greaterdistances and to go on that holiday.A long time ago HF Holidays wasrecommended to me. You are well fed,meet lovely people, everything is organised for you and they are great fun.So, at the end of June, I set off bytrain on my own to the small hotel runby HF in Alnmouth, Northumberlandfor a three night guided holiday. Thetrain seemed a good idea at the time,but neither journey went to plan andthe train definitely did not “take thestrain”. However, having arrived late atthe hotel, missed my cream tea, gotmy homework done (ordered mypacked lunches etc.), I arrived in thebar, bought a glass of wine and wasgreeted with “come and join us”. I wasimmediately made to feel at homeand welcome so, although I may havetravelled alone, I was never lonely.There was always someoneinteresting to meet should I wish to!My room was in a small squareAn Ambition Achievedby Sue Stevenson
u3a Horncastle 7 December 2025tower. It was perfect apartfrom the many stairs to getup there. Like all old buildingsthe higher the floor thenarrower and steeper thestaircase but, worse thanthat, I could never find it!The first day we walkedalong the coast (8 miles). Theweather and scenery wereperfect, although the lastmile across two adjoining golfcourses was “green”(perhaps it’s different if youhave a club in hand!). I washot and tired, but fine … then Ihad to climb all those stairs!After a good three coursedinner I had no problemsleeping.The second day was in thehills (7 miles). I expected along uphill but then we wentdown, only to go up evenhigher! However, thecompany was good and theviews were really worth it.Definitely a day I willremember for good reasons.By the time I left I had metso many interesting peoplefrom all over so I have bookedagain for next June, this timein the Peak District. I amreally looking forward to it. An ambition achieved andone that didn’t disappoint. Ihighly recommend it.Horncastle u3a WinPrestigious Trophy Victory over Woodhall Spa u3aHaving lost the toss, Horncastle were put in tobat first and achieved a respectable 92 runs,Jeff was top scorer with 23 runs from his twoovers including four boundaries. Everyonebatted well.Woodhall provided half time refreshments,which were well received by all, a really niceselection of cakes.In walking cricket all players have to bat fortwo overs and then bowl for two overs. WithHorncastle bowling and fielding, everyonestepped up to the plate. There were severalexcellent run saving stops near the boundary.I think the match was won by our tight bowling, holding most of their batsmen/ women tosingle figures. Not wishing to big up myself toomuch, but my two wickets in the last over including a magnificent caught and bowledsealed the win restricting them to 78 runs.A good time was had by all and Woodhallaccepted defeat gracefully presenting us withthe magnificent trophy that we will competefor again next year.Michael Harrison
December 2025 8 u3a HorncastleJust outside Spilsby lies a trulyspecial place where people andanimals meet in harmony – theNorthcote Heavy Horse Centre.Founded in 1989, this small Lincolnshirecharity is home to a wonderful varietyof animals, from magnificent Shire andClydesdale horses to goats, pigs, alpacas, ferrets, owls, and parrots. Each hastheir own personality and plays a partin helping visitors learn more about theimportance of care, respect, andunderstanding for all living creatures.The centre is entirely run by unpaidvolunteers, including Centre ManagerTerena, who leads a small but dedicated team giving their time all yearround to ensure the animals are fed,healthy, and happy. While the publicseason only runs from spring throughto autumn, the work behind the scenescontinues whatever the weather. Theteam spend winter tending to stables,maintaining enclosures, and preparingby Kirk Bolam, VolunteerThe Northcote Heavy Horse CentreA Haven for Horses and Friends AlikeChurchill the ClydesdaleKookie theKookaburra
u3a Horncastle 9 December 2025for another busy year of visitors, educational visits, and special events.A day at Northcote offers somethingquite unique. Families can meet theanimals up close and enjoy hands-onexperiences such as pony grooming,meeting the smaller animals, or learning about how the magnificent heavyhorses once worked the land. There’splenty to see, and every visit helpssupport the ongoing care of the animals and the upkeep of the sanctuary.Many locals still fondly rememberCracker and Goliath, once recognisedas the world’s tallest horses, withGoliath even earning his placein the Guinness World Records. Today, their legacylives on through the newergenerations of gentle giantswho continue to capturehearts and inspire admirationfrom all who meet them.While the heavy horses remain at thecentre’s core, visitors are often surprised to discover just how diverseNorthcote’s family is. The mischievousgoats are always keen for attention, thepigs are quick to come running fortreats, and the alpacas are favouritesfor their curious nature and comicalexpressions. The resident birds of prey,owls, and talkative parrots add to thevariety, making the centre a placewhere every corner brings a new faceto meet.Beyond animal encounters, Northcote is also known for its popularthemed events – from Medieval Banquets with knights and jesters toSpooky Halloween Evenings filled withfun and entertainment. These occasions not only delight visitors but alsoraise essential awareness and supportthat keeps the charity running.Support also comes from the centre’sMax the African GreyArthur theHarris HawkBimi
December 2025 10 u3a Horncastlepartner charity shop, Hooftastic Finds,which has become a much-loved partof the Horncastle high street. The shopis filled with quality pre-loved items,friendly conversation, and plenty ofcharm, helping to raise vital awarenessand support for the animals at thesanctuary. Visitors can also pick up official Northcote charity Christmascards and 2026 calendars at Hooftastic Finds — perfect gifts that helpspread the word about the centre’swork and its wonderful residents.Although the centre closes duringthe colder months, there are still waysfor supporters to stay involved. Animalsponsorships, volunteering opportunities, and donations all play an important role in keeping the work goingthroughout the year. Those who havevisited before will know just howspecial a place it is – and for thosewho haven’t yet, the team look forwardto welcoming you when the gates reopen in spring 2026.As the festive season approaches,the volunteers will be wrapping upwarm, making sure every stable is snugand every animal is content. It’s a timeof quiet reflection and gratitude foranother year of hard work, friendship,and community support – a true reminder of the kindness that keeps theNorthcote spirit alive.For more information about visiting,supporting, or learning more about theanimals, please visit or find The Northcote Horses & Animals on Facebook. nThe Creative Photography Groupare deeply saddened by thepassing of its founder member,Andy Mathieson. Andy formed thegroup over ten years ago and was stillan active participant and valuablemember of the group. Such wasAndy's influence in the group, whenhe became unable to travel due to hisailments, the venue for the group waschanged to Andy's house to allow himto continue to join in. He was an inspiration to all of the group and wasparticularly supportive of newmembers, giving them the benefit ofhis vast experience in the field ofphotography. Andy had a great senseof humour, regularly entertaining thegroup with his stories. He had a keeneye and if he praised your picture,you knew that it was a good one.Some of the pictures that he recentlyproduced for the group are shownhere. The Creative PhotographyGroup will never be the same again.We miss you, Andy.Andy was an active member ofHorncastle u3a, serving on the committee for many years and was GroupCoordinator. He ran the Creative PhoOBITUARYAndy Mathieson
u3a Horncastle 11 December 2025tography group until recently andfreely shared his knowledge of photography with the group. His real interest was portrait and black andwhite photography. He was a member of other groups,always bringing his sense of humourto discussions. He was also a memberof HUG (Horncastle Ukulele Group)which performed several times at ourChristmas meetings. He announcedthe songs in his own trademark humorous way.This is just a small sample of whatAndy was to many people and whywe smile when thinking of him. n
December 2025 12 u3a Horncastle The group continues tothrive with new and interesting themes beingchosen each month to challengethe participants. The latest topicthat was chosen was 'colourfulimages'. The group membersproduced a large number of exciting colourful pictures that wereshown and discussed at the lastmeeting. Some of these areshown here.The group meets on the evening of the first Thursday eachmonth. The task of choosing thesubject each month is rotatedaround the group members, thatperson is also challenged withbringing cake for the tea break.On pages 10 and 11 there is atribute to Andy Mathieson’s photographic work. Michael HarrisonThe photographs shown here are by Michael Harrison, Hilary Boucher and Trish Stokes (top to bottom).The CreativePhotographyGroup
u3a Horncastle 13 December 2025Glorious coloursin crisp, deeppiles of leavesare an ephemeral climax of Autumn as theyfall from the trees.Children love to runthrough them, kickingthem up, making a delightful rustling soundlike snuggling into acrinkly down duvet orpitching them up inhandfuls and throwingthem about like fallingsnow. Piles of leaves arealso a wonderful retreatfor hedgehogs, a vitalplace to hibernate inrelative dryness andwarmth, so no bonfiresplease.Trees are of coursethe architects of all thisbounty, but have youever wondered how itall works? Schoolsteach the amazing roleof chlorophyll in producing nutrients for allmanner of foods, treesincluded, but little mention is made of anthocyanins andcarotenoids. Littlewonder really, they'requite a mouthful. Maplesyrup is much nicer tooand the very mention ofsyrup provides a clue tothose colours. As Autumn unfolds, theshorter days and coolernights cause our treesto draw nutrients backto their roots, effectively recognising thatchlorophyll has done itsjob and the plate isempty. It is the last bitof chlorophyll left behind that producessugars, leaving thosecarotenoids to produceAutumn Leavesby Graham Hutton Photo by Jeff Jones
December 2025 14 u3a Horncastleyellow pigments along with the redsand purples of anthocyanins. Truewonders of the natural world.The Fall, as our friends in Americaand Canada call Autumn, also seemsto engender in us a sense of sadnessand loss. It was Leo Marks who wrotea famous poem in 1943 after hisgirlfriend Ruth was killed in anaeroplane when itcrashed in Canada. It’sa sad poem but justlike the children'spoem of Incy WincySpider, it embracesresilience – just whatwe all need as winterapproaches.Edith Piaf sang aboutAutumn too. Her real namewas Gassion, but changed on stageto Piaf, reflecting upon her diminutivestature of 4'8”. It was the colloquialname for Sparrow in Paris, where shewas born. She led a tragic life, butwhat a voice! Her song evokesmemories of summer kisses and it iseasy to imagine leaves flutteringdown with gales sailing through treesuntil their branches stand in solitudeuntil next year.I have chosen no photographsattaching to this little ode,deliberately so, for nothing cancompare to the never-endingwheel of life as it paintspictures in our minds. Itwill be the Editor orPublisher at their wishto embrace this task,but for me it isperhaps a good timeto halt this narrative,remembering fields ofripening barley rippling inthe wind, and of scarletpoppies in their thousands, seedsshaken from ripened stems to liedormant until next year. To lookupwards as the sky brightens and seea baby day be born.Happy Christmas everyone. nu3a Horncastle CommitteeAs there have been a few changes within the committee recently I thought members would appreciate an up to date listing of who’s who and what they do.Chairman Derek SmithMarketing Andrew BarnesMembership Secretary Jeff JonesOutings Marilyn MakinsRefreshments Co-ordinator Jean PrestonSecretary Anton PrickettSpeaker Finder Peter IronsTreasurer Janet SankeyCommittee Member Marilyn AliboneCommittee Member Roger BakerCommittee Member Jacky Smedley
u3a Horncastle 15 December 2025Hundreds of thousands ofelderly people are lonely andcut off from society in thiscountry, especially for those over theage of 75.According to Age UK, more than 2million people in England over theage of 75 live alone, and more than amillion older people say they go overa month without speaking to a friend,neighbour or family member.People can become socially isolated for a variety of reasons, such asgetting older or weaker, no longerbeing the hub of their family, leavingthe workplace, the deaths of spousesand friends, or through disability orillness. Horncastle u3a now has afriendship group designed to address these very problems, MOTO(Members On Their Own) we meetonce a month for coffee and a chat,and can organise ad hoc meetings,suggestions for outings from groupmembers are always welcome. We’vehad several wonderful evening mealsout together, which have been thoroughly enjoyable, Montebello inHorncastle, and recently the IndiaVillage in Woodhall Spa, the foodthere was delicious.Many of us take trips on the bus toLincoln on our own, wouldn’t it makea change to take the bus in withsomeone, you don’t have to followeach other around, simply arrange tomeet up for coffee, or lunch at somepoint.I know how hard it was for me afterI lost my wife, meeting up with family,or friend couples for meals out, andhaving an empty chair beside me,“the empty chair syndrome” as Icalled it, reminding me of where mywife would have sat beside me.So, if you’re on your own, why notjoin our group, for friendship, chats,and a sense of belonging.We meet monthly, on the thirdWednesday of each month, usually atThe Big Chair Company, on TheWong, for a coffee and chat. nThe MOTOGroupby Derek Smith
December 2025 16 u3a HorncastleIhave recently taken over the leadership of the u3a Readers Group following on from Jean Preston who ranit for a number of years and has givenme a lot of help in the changeover.Having always been an avid reader Idecided to do a degree in Literaturethrough the Open University, as I wasworking full time as a School Secretaryin Hertfordshire at this time, and eventually graduated with First Class Honours in 2000. We moved to Horncastlein 2003 and I spent the next 12 yearsworking for the Town Council assistingthe then Town Clerk.Once a month the Collections Teamat Lincoln Central Library send a crateto Horncastle Library curated forbook clubs containing books we mayor may not have requested. This crateis then collected and taken to ourmeeting.We meet on the first Wednesday ofthe month at a member’s house andhaving read thebook we then discuss our individualopinions of it – interesting, gripping, disappointing etc. We often read a bookwe would probably have passed overwhile browsing through the shelves ofthe library and then go on to read moreof that author’s works later on.Our current book is “The Way of AllFlesh” by Ambrose Perry, a grippingtale of murder and medical experimentation in 19th Century Edinburgh –gruesome in parts but also fascinating We have read over the years a widevariety of books – The Reading List byNisha Adams, Night Train by Dinah Jeffries and Away with the Penguins byHazel Prior to name but a few.Our membership is full at the moment but we do have a waiting list andif you would like to become a memberplease email me and I’ll add yourname. nReaders’ Groupby Janet DisneyLAST CHANCE TO BOOK • LAST CHANCE TO BOOK • LAST CHANCE TO BOOKDay trip to Beverley ChristmasMarket 14th DecemberFor details on booking and pick-up points refer to all member email sent on 22/10/25.
u3a Horncastle 17Our November meeting (the last beforethe winter break) is lunch in a localhostelry to chat about successes andlook ahead to next year. But we all looked forward to October’s meeting, where we concentrated on the ‘edible’ element of ourgroup, and brought along samples incorporating the foods we have grown. And what aspread it was!Herbs are easy to grow - they can be grownin pots and are used extensively in the foodswe cook; the herb bread one memberbrought was gorgeous. We also sampledapple cake, cheese & onion scones, andvarious jellies (raspberry & rhubarb waspopular). There were various chutneys(which need to mature before eating) andwe also sampled a lovely green spread/dipmade from French beans. But our favouritealternative to serve with crackers andcheese was a carrot ‘halva’; it was delicious.If you’d like to join us and have a go atgrowing vegetables and fruit – contactRobin Wilmshurst at a u3a meeting, or on07729 875 937. nEdible Gardening Group by Jacky HutchinsonTry giving this a go:Ingredients250 gm grated carrot250 ml milk6 green cardamon (separateseeds from husk and grindcoarsely)65 gm castor sugar30 gm butter1 tablespoon raisins1 tablespoon chopped nuts (egalmonds, walnuts, cashews)MethodMix the milk and grated carrot ina heavy bottomed saucepan.Add the ground cardamon seeds,bring to boil and simmer foraround 20 mins until soft.Continue on low heat until themilk has evaporated, leaving noobvious liquid.Stir in the sugar (I also added apinch of salt).Melt the butter in a frying pan,stir in the carrot mixture andsauté until the colour hasdarkened (about 5 mins).Stir in the raisins and nuts andheat for a further 5 mins.Serve hot or cool and store in thefridge for a few days.
December 2025 18 u3a HorncastleWe moved to Horncastle lastJune and - not knowingmany people here - my wifeElaine and I decided to get out there,and get involved in some of the manythings our town has to offer.We had already joined the local walking group, the indoor bowls, and quizteams, along with being keen gardenerswith a reasonable size garden to tend. We thought we'd do even more byjoining u3a and meet even morepeople. Now, while I'm sure you'll agreethat knowing lots of people is great,remembering all their names at ourage is another thing. But we're gettingthere! We joined the New Age Kurlinggroup, which is awesome fun withhealthy competition to win the trophyor duck!Then came the Strollers group - talk,take photos, and stop to look at scenery. ‘Have a cuppa and cake group’, itshould be called! First trip out for uswas Tealby, with its glorious countryside, pretty houses and lovely tearoom- a great introduction to the group.Then came Cadwell Park, which wewould never have thought about. Itwas a track day, so all sorts of carswere buzzing around the track. Thewalk around the park through prettycountryside was fantastic, and ofcourse we had to go to the cafe.The last adventure was at Saltfleet,which was made more interesting bythe unusually high tide. The walk alongthe coast path was somewhat soggy,to say the least, with me wadingthrough the water. Luckily, my waterproof boots meant I could help someof the others make their way throughthe bushes and undergrowth - all toget to our goal of the New Inn, for theobligatory cuppa and bite to eat. Greatfun was indeed had by all!We’re both so glad we moved toHorncastle. nA Tale of Fun and New-found Friendshipsby Chris and Elaine Wright
u3a Horncastle 19 December 2025The fastidious couple had beentogether for over 50 years. Wellbefore the “plastic way of life”began. Although it felt like yesterday,to be honest. This morning they werepreparing for their monthly visit tothat supermarket. The one wherethey collected all that soft , filmy,baggy, plastic which they MUST NOTbe put in the Silver grey bin. Theyknew it was their duty to protecttheir earth from the consequences ofirresponsible disposal of this soft, sovery useful material.They were thinking of turtles withguts full of polythene bags, microplastics being ingested by the marinecreatures, passed to the fishes, withevery gulp, passed to the humanswith every mouthful of delicious friedfish. They could not see them butthey had seen the documentaries.They had listened to the discussionsby the sincere environmentalists.They were going to do it again, likethey had for every month since thesupermarket had put that special binnear the door. They were helping tosave the world! They knew it wasgoing to be recycled, used again.Here in East Lindsey all collectedplastic waste is sorted and either reFarming and Diversity: The fate of that soft plastic
December 2025 20 u3a HorncastleLouth and DistrictVoluntary Car ServiceWe take people to any medical appointment:doctors, hospitals, chiropodists, opticians, dentists, visiting hospitals or care homes. Our service is staffed by volunteers, bothdriving and on the phone. The office operates from 9am to 2pm, Mondayto Friday, to take bookings, although drivers operate outside of those days and times. The driver will collect the client from their home,take them to their destination, wait for them, andreturn them home, at a cost of 50p per mile fromthe driver’s home, to be paid in cash to the driveron return home. (If the client expects to be significantly in excess of the usual two hour wait, ie allmorning, or all day, this can be accommodated butwould involve two trips, so twice the cost.) We tryto allocate a driver as close as possible to theclient to minimise the cost. We have drivers overa wide area of Lincolnshire. We are always in need of more drivers. Shouldyou wish to become a voluntary driver pleasecontact the service. What will be required arecertain ID documents, and your email address. Itwill be necessary to secure DBS certification.Most insurers regard this as equivalent to givinga neighbour a lift as there is no ‘payment’ involved, simply reimbursement of expense.Voluntary drivers have clearance at severalhospital car parks where we do not pay, but ifparking charges are incurred these will be passedon to the client. Please do not hesitate to contactthe service for any further information on 01507609535.Carole Faulderused or incinerated but nosoft plastics are collected.Reality check: realitycheck! In the UK over500,000 tons are usedeach year Approximately290,000 tonnes of plasticbags and filmy, soft wrappings are collected for “recycling” each year in theUK …. mainly Low-densitypolyethylene (LDPE). Byplacing trackers insidepackages of soft plasticthat were collected bySainsburys and Tescos inJuly 2023 and February2024, campaigners foundthat most of them (70%)ended up being incinerated rather than reused.Recycling capacity in theUK is not sufficient. Eachyear we export over300,000 tonnes (mainlyto Turkey) half of the unsorted plastic waste fromlocal authorities. Not muchis known of the fate of thatexported other than muchis burnt in poorly run unitswhere many people arecrushed by the sortingmachinery, mainly asylumseekers, undocumentedimmigrants on minimalwages. n
December 2025 22 u3a HorncastleHorncastle u3a Speakers January, February, MarchJanuary: Professor Jonathan Van Tam will be speaking to us about his COVIDexperiences which were so different to the rest of us in some ways, but probablyso similar in other. February: Liz McIntosh. Liz will be talking about creating and nurturingCommunity Choirs. Choirs are thought to provide so many benefits for theirmembers, social and personal.March: Roxanne Warwick. Roxanne leads the strategic direction for healthy livingacross the South & East Lincolnshire area, focusing on reducing health inequalitiesand improving health outcomes. A major role in our district.Ishall be the newsletter editor startingin the New Year. Marion Prickett hasdone a sterling job and set a veryhigh standard – thanks, Marion! I onlyrecently joined u3a and don’t knowmany people, so this is to give you anidea of your new editor.I retired in February of thisyear, and I’m still getting usedto it – not having to worryabout endless trivia for someorganisation or other is a bigbonus. I think we over-identify with our past careers, butfor what it’s worth I trained asa chemical engineer, choosing the food industry ratherthan petrochemicals. Factory-based design andtroubleshooting was followed by marketing and sales, mostly looking aftersupermarket buyers. Their only goal isto grow share and get promoted – remember this and all is well. I fitted in ayear’s backpacking around the world,before email and the internet kept youin touch. I escaped with a payoff whenmy last corporate employer was splitup by a venture capitalist fund, allowingme to set up as a freelance consultant.I worked with small businesses, creatingentire marketing identities for them –much more fun than the corporates.I retrained in my 50s in renewable energy, working inthe sector for 7 years. I’ve designed many heat pump, battery and solar PV systems,and yes, they do work.I read, listen to Radio 3,swim and cycle. I like films,gardening and walking. Withu3a, I’m trying to do things I’venever done before – art andPilates, plus the book group whichmakes me read fiction rather than biography and history. It’s never too late,is it?I’m sure my new role will bring me intocontact with most of you, and I lookforward to having a chat. nMark Ogilvie u3a Newsletter Editor
Group When Time Group leader and contact detailsThe Art Enthusiasts 3rd Wednesday 2-4 pm Grace Barrett (07759) 384295Farming and Biodiversity 4th Thursday 10 am Peter Irons (07939) 575611 [email protected] Game Group 2nd-4th Monday 2-4pm Vaughan McKay [email protected] (07724) 078967Book Worms 1st Monday 2-4pm Brenda Mumford (01507) 522447Creative Crafts 2nd Thursday 2-4pm Shelagh Carter (01507) 523585Creative Photography 1st Thursday 7-9pm Mike Harrison (01507) 522674 [email protected] Writing 3rd Tuesday 2-4.30pm Helen Peters [email protected] (summer only) Every Tuesday 10am-12pm Wendy Cotton (01526) 352885Dog Walking 1st Saturday 10am Mike Harrison (01507) 522674 [email protected] Gardening 1st Monday 2-4 pm Robin Wilmshurst (07729) 875937Exploring Churches 3rd Tuesday 10am Jeff Jones (01507) 588421 [email protected] Forum 2nd Thursday 10am-12pm Neil Carter [email protected] Ringing 1st &3rd Friday 10-11am Ann Willows (01507) 343964Knitting for Charity 2nd-4th Thursday 2pm Marilyn Makins [email protected] 3rd Wednesday 2-4pm Derek Smith (07526) 718253(Members on Their Own)New Age Kurling 2nd-4th Friday 2-4 pm Mike Harrison (01507) 522674 [email protected] Occasional Marilyn Makins [email protected] Every Wednesday 11-11.50 Yvonne McKay [email protected] & Poetry 1st Thursday 2-4 pm Phyll Durow (01507) 522356Readers’ Group 1st Wednesday 2pm Janet Disney (01507) 524134 [email protected] 2nd Thursday 10.15 am Marilyn Makins [email protected] Lunch Club 4th Sunday 12.30pm Margaret Harrison (01507) 588298 [email protected] Club 2nd Wednesday 6 for 6.30pm Carolyn Lyle (01507) 523738 [email protected] Tennis Every Tuesday 2-4 pm David Smith (01526) 353955Topical Discussion 2nd Wednesday 2-4 pm Stephen Holdaway (01507) 526565 [email protected]
[email protected]: 01526 354949Open: Monday 9am-5pm | Tuesday 9am-5pmWednesday 9am-4pm | Thursday 9am-5pmFriday 9am-5pm | Saturday 9am-12.30pmStation RoadWoodhall Spa LN10 6QLWOODHALL PHOTO PRINT & COPYSHOP LOCAL FOR PERSONALISEDGIFTS THIS CHRISTMASANY TEXT, ANY PHOTO ON MUGS • CUSHIONSPLACEMATS • COASTERS~~~~~~~~~~~CANVASES & PRINTS~~~~~~~~~~~PICTURE FRAMES