Our U3A felt very privileged to commence our new partnership with Middlesex University conducted by Professor Antonia Bifulco, Head of the Department of Psychology at the University and Co-director of the Centre of Abuse and Trauma Studies (CATS).
Lisa Woolfson, Emeritus Professor who is a new member of our U3A and is our University Liaision Coordinator, facilitating the partnership, welcomed our members for the first taster session and introduced Professor Bifulco.
Professor Antonia Bifulco addressing the first session of the HGS U3A partnership with Middlesex University
Antonia’s talk was entitled Family history and the search for identity. This was based on Professor Bifulco’s publication Identity, Attachment and Resilience: Exploring Three Generations of a Polish Family.
Antonia explained that the talk was about family history and ideas about the psychological themes that it involved. Firstly, Antonia described that it was quantitive — personal, illustrative. She clarified that having a family narrative gave its members a sense of security and its storytelling gave a sense of identity. Asking our U3A members at this point to discuss why family history was important to them, one member responded that he had made an album and presentation to pass on to his grandchildren.
Antonia then described that she had set out to research her family history and looked at three generations on her father’s side of the family, which were Polish as her father was Polish. She also included some of her mother’s family because her maternal grandmother had travelled to Poland in the 1930s. The themes of the research were:
Attachment
Resilience
Emotional geography
Secrecy and camouflage
Loss and restoration
Emotional history: Antonia clarified was how it affects us personally; emotional geography was the attachment to certain countries, people, location and places. She also showed us various slides of documentation that she had gathered during her research, including the historical background of Poland. Her personal account of her father’s first wife Myszka (Maria) who worked for the Red Cross in Warsaw and perished in Auschwitz was very moving. This was a piece of history that was not disclosed to Antonia; it had been kept a secret in the family. Yet letters were found that Myszka wrote to Antonia’s father whilst he was in France.
Antonia concluded that the messages about family history ultimately give us a sense of identity, and empathy with the previous generations.
Our members thoroughly enjoyed the talk and were enthusiastic to start the exciting programme in April. We are extremely appreciative of this new collaboration; of having the opportunity to enjoy first class academic lectures and the opportunity for our members to reciprocate by helping students with skills that they may need.
Lisa gave a round of thanks to Professor Bifulco and to our members and explained that the full programme will be commencing in April. The feedback from our members was very positive and they were enthusiastic to start the forthcoming programme. We are appreciative of this new collaboration and the experience and expertise of Lisa in assisting us. This is an opportunity to enjoy first class academic lectures and for our members to reciprocate by helping students with skills that they may need.
Full details of the series of pyschology lectures at the Hendon Campus of Middlesex University can be found on the Middlesex Partnership page.
Several U3As across the UK have arranged partnerships with their local university. We had our first positive experience of Middlesex University in October 2017 when Dr Emma Ward, from their Department of Psychology, delivered a presentation on Memory Matters at our first Topical Talk.
We are delighted to announce that such a collaboration is being launched between HGS U3A and Middlesex University. Our University Liaison is Emeritus Professor Lisa Woolfson who joined HGS U3A recently. The collaboration allows for a reciprocal arrangement and may include attending a series of lectures, working on research projects, and mentoring students.
A programme launch is planned for Tuesday 19 February 2019 when HGS U3A members will have an opportunity to learn what is involved and how to participate.
The first programme offered is Lifespan Psychology, a series of short modules at Middlesex University in Hendon, on Mondays at 4.00 – 5.30 pm. The first module, entitled Family history and the search for identity, is delivered by Antonia Bifulco, Head of Department, Professor of Psychology.
On 9 January Sir Thomas Harris, formerly UK Ambassador to Korea and British Consul-General in New York, led the discussion at our Current Affairs Group 1. The theme was “British Foreign Policy in the Real World.”
He recorded with regret the reduced role of the Foreign Office. Its International Development, Trade, and Brexit roles had been transferred to other Government departments. Moreover, instead of teaching young officials foreign languages and placing them in foreign embassies and consulates, the FO appointed local staff who might be competent but lacked diplomatic immunity which curbed their scope.
Sir Thomas Harris (right) with the leader of Current Affairs 1 Malcolm Brahams
Much of his initial talk and subsequent discussion dwelt on the perils of a “No-Deal Brexit”. After retiring from the Diplomatic Service, Sir Thomas held senior posts at Standard Chartered Bank and other City institutions; and this lent weight to his analysis of the consequences of leaving the EU. Quite apart from slower growth, we would lose not only our trading relationship with other EU members (accounting for 45% of our exports) but also the benefit of the EU’s trade deals with third parties which accounted for around 17% of our export trade. We should not take it for granted that countries like India were anxious to sign trade deals.
He also recalled Dean Acheson’s comment in 1962 that Britain had lost and empire and had yet to find a role. He speculated we might lose our permanent seat at the Security Council.
The session was attended by twenty-seven members of the Group whose appreciation of Sir Thomas’s contribution was demonstrated by their enthusiastic applause.
Our last outing in 2018 was to Strawberry Hill House in Twickenham on 13 December, when 26 members took a coach from North Square on a lovely sunny morning. The staff at Strawberry Hill House made us very welcome and the guides to the Lost Treasures of Strawberry Hill exhibition were very informative and knowledgeable about all the exhibits. These were originally the lifetime collection of Horace Walpole, the son of the first Prime Minister Sir Robert Walpole.
After Horace died in 1797, the collection was sold at auction and was scattered around the world; and his lovely house went to rack and ruin. In recent years a trust was established, the house has been renovated, and many of the treasures were located and loaned for this exhibition, including two from the Queen’s collection. When the exhibition finishes on 24 February, all the items will be returned to the owners, probably never to be seen in public again.
There will be no outing in January; but the Committee are now arranging the next outings for spring. The first one will be in February. Please keep an eye on Days Out for information.
The Committee wishes all U3A members a very Happy New Year and hopes to welcome you on our outings.
The scene was set for our local U3A’s end of year Festive Tea on Tuesday 11 December, with a full hall of tables festooned with decorations, scrumptious food, celebrating the different festivals around this time of year. Delicious freshly prepared samosas, doughnuts and mince pies were the order of the day.
Over 120 members of our U3A sat down to enjoy an afternoon tea and a full programme of music. Marion Godfrey, performed brilliantly as our MC, firstly introducing our own U3A choir ably led by the choir mistress Francoise Geller which began the afternoon’s entertainment.
This was followed by a mixture of modern jazz, and then a wonderful compilation of classical music performed by the London Flute Quintet.
The finale was a short medley of songs led by two of our members Carole and Jonathan Fenton, with everyone joining in. The afternoon was also a good opportunity for members to meet and socialise, some of whom were very new to our U3A.
The Days Out group which was newly formed in the summer has got off to a very successful start.
Ely, Henry Moore, and Secret Map Makers
On 31 August we travelled to Ely by train from Kings Cross and visited the Cathedral’s interesting Stained Glass Museum. We also visited Oliver Cromwell’s House nearby and sat outside for lunch, an extra bonus as it was a beautiful summer day. There was also time to look around Ely’s Town Centre before heading home.
Our first visit in September was to the Henry Moore studios in Hertfordshire on a very hot day. The tour was very interesting around his studios; and the display in the ‘aisled barn’ of his little-known tapestries was amazing as he was an amazing artist as well as a sculptor. The tapestries are huge and priceless. Henry Moore commissioned them from West Dean College in Sussex. The weavers worked with his original drawings and photographs to dye the wool accurately, to achieve the precise colours and effects of his different drawing media. The work is amazing and so fine, and if you stand back, they look like paintings.
Our second outing in September was to Hughenden Manor and again we were so lucky with the weather. The grounds and garden were wonderful, and the guided talks were very interesting, especially of the secret work that took place there. Hughenden Manor was the base for a secret map-making operation during WWII, code-named ‘Hillside’ and is believed to have been at the very top of Hitler’s hit list. We saw the actual room that the map makers were confined to for months on end. They were sworn to secrecy of the work they did there. Some were so loyal and patriotic that they never told anyone of the type of work they did, not even their spouses, and some even took the secret to their graves.
Masons and Rotherhithe
In November, we kept closer to home, with visits to the Grand Masonic Lodge in Holborn and the Freemasons Hall, and a separate visit to Rotherhithe. Our guide in Holborn was wonderfully entertaining and knowledgeable; and after the tour we enjoyed a delicious lunch at a local Italian restaurant.
HGS U3A members admiring the splendid interior of the Masonic Lodge
Our visit to Rotherhithe was led by Mary Fraser, who is well acquainted with the area. She led us around old Rotherhithe Village pointing out all the places of interest. At the Brunel Museum an actor who had appeared in Four Weddings and a Funeral gave a talk about the Brunels, father and son.
We decided to go to the Mayflower pub for lunch which was very enjoyable. After lunch some of the group headed home, while the rest of us went on to the Scandinavian Christmas Market which is held every year around the Norwegian and Finnish churches.
More to Come
Our last outing of the year, which is fully booked, is to Strawberry Hill House in Twickenham, the home of Horace Walpole, to see The Treasures of Strawberry Hill, a rare exhibition of his extensive collection.
The Days Out committee wish you all Season’s Greetings and a Happy New Year. We hope we will see you on our outings planned for 2019.
Report by Barbara Bliss on behalf of the Days Out committee
On 17th October Sir Roderic Braithwaite, Britain’s ambassador to Moscow from 1988 to 1992, led a discussion about Russia at a session of one of our popular Current Affairs Groups. Twenty-nine members of Current Affairs Group 1 crammed into group leader Malcolm Brahams’ home to hear Sir Roderic introduce the subject and answer questions.
Among the points he made was a warning not to overestimate Russia’s power. Although their nuclear arsenal was similar to America’s, their economy and their conventional forces were much weaker. He said he was not too concerned about cyber-warfare. His view was that the West was more than capable of defending cyber-attacks and mounting their own. As for targeted assassinations, many countries had indulged in these over the years.
He also compared the current regime to Stalin’s and told members that despite Putin and the FSB (the successor to the KGB), Russia was not a totalitarian state. Information flowed more freely than before and dissent was not entirely crushed. His view was that China was a much more formidable opponent.
Report by Carmel Eilon with her photographs of the event
On Monday 17 September 2018 Daphne Berkovi took a group of U3A ”students” to the Houses of Parliament where she had arranged for Dr Mari Takayanagi to take us on a guided tour of the Vote100 Exhibition of Women’s Place in in Parliament.
Dr Mari Takayanagi, co-curator of the Vote100 Exhibition
Dr Takayanagi, who had co-curated this exhibition along with Melanie Unwin, explained it celebrates the 100 year anniversary since some women and all men were first entitled to vote in Britain. The exhibition, accompanied by fascinating photographs and documents and explanatory texts was divided into four sections.
The first area, The Ventilator, covered the period 1818–1834, when women were not only forbidden to vote but also not allowed to enter the public galleries to watch the proceedings. Well born ladies, usually relatives or friends of the sitting MPs, found an attic space above the chandeliers in the chamber where they could stick their necks through ventilation holes to hear and get a bird’s eye view of politics in action. Drawings from this period by Lady Georgiana Chatterton and Frances Rickman show this octagonal structure and a partial mock-up allows visitors to participate in the experience.
From 1850 the Ventilator was replaced by The Cage. The “new” Palace of Westminster included a purpose-built Ladies’ Gallery so until 1918 women were permitted to peer over the balcony in this enclosed cell-like structure and watch debates through the heavy metal grilles covering the windows. The grilles were constructed to ensure the male MPs below were not distracted by the sight of the ladies above. Meanwhile, as illustrated in Harry Furniss’ sketches and the reconstructed Cage, this area was hot, stuffy and had a poor view of the proceedings. Nevertheless women demonstrated increasing interest in politics, using their network of family and friends to gather 1500 signatures from across Britain to the first mass women’s suffrage petition in 1866, a major achievement in pre-internet days. John Stuart Mill MP (step-father to the feminist campaigner Helen Taylor) who presented this petition to the House said “to say the least (this) greatly weakened the chief practical argument which we have been accustomed to hear against any proposal to admit women to the electoral franchises — namely, that few, if any, women desire it”
Displays of Millicent Fawcett and the Suffragists versus Emmeleine Pankhurst and the Suffragettes explained the different campaigns. The exhibition also included the growing number of men to support women’s enfranchisement, such as George Lansbury MP and Israel Zangwill. Personally I had not realised the sacrifices made by some of the “Suffragettes in trousers”, like Frederick Pethick Lawrence who — together with his wife Emmeline — was imprisoned and forcibly fed. Coverage of the anti-suffrage movements, who strongly believed political activism de-feminised women who should not seek equality but instead concentrate on their different responsibility of caring, being maternal and undertaking practical domesticity.
The Act of Parliament that first gave women the vote in 1918
The first woman MP, Constance Markievicz was elected in 1918 but, as an Irish Republican, refused to take her Westminster seat. The first woman MP to sit in House of Commons was Nancy Astor who was allowed access to the new Ladies Members’ Room. Amongst other items on display was her plain black outfit, similar to a man’s suit, which she designed especially because she wanted people to judge on what she said, rather than on what she wore. Viscountess Astor was joined in this room by other pioneering women from all parties, as this was the only place they were allowed to use, whatever their political connections, it soon became cramped and was nicknamed The Tomb. Sitting in the reconstructed room demonstrated to us the insufficient facilities, even chairs!
In showing how far we have reached, the Wall of Names listing all 419 women MPs chronologically shows most were elected since 1997, to the current level of 25% representation. Also noteworthy, despite women like Viscountess Rhondda campaigning in 1918 for women to be allowed to sit in the House of Lords, it was only in 1958 that women were accepted, and then only appointed as Life Peers, and only in 1963 Peerages Act were both men and women allowed equality as hereditary peers.
HGS U3A members gather round Dr Takayanagi as she explains one of the exhibits
Dr Takayanagi was brilliant, explaining the context as well recounting many background stories — such as Emily Wilding Davison who hid in a broom cupboard so she could record the House of Commons and how Tony Benn installed a plaque on the cupboard door; how they found the original bolt clippers used to release the bolt and chain when women secured themselves to the Cage grilles; the petition being hidden in an apple cart and many other fascinating tales. An interesting and informative day — much enjoyed by us all.
HGS U3A’s Share Watch group was set up by our Chair, Jack Berkovi, with the aim of bringing together a group of like-minded members to investigate, select and track FTSE100 shares. After an initial meeting the group gradually became interested in around 30 shares and these have been added to a tracking spreadsheet. The group meets fortnightly and has been addressed by Neil Behrmann, a financial journalist, and also by stockbroker Brewin Dolphin who answered questions from the group.
On 12 July 2018, seven of the group visited the Financial Times (FT) at One Southwark Bridge where the Communications Team, had arranged a programme following contact with Jack. Our group met at reception and was taken to a Conference Room where we were to meet John Hughman, Editor, Investors Chronicle and, later, Malcolm Moore, Technology Editor, Financial Times.
How the FT has evolved
Oliver Stannard, Communications Manager, first told us about the FT and how it has been developing in recent years. The FT was one of the first papers with a subscription model. The FT used to be owned by Pearson and is now owned by Nikkei in Japan, who maintain an arms-length management relationship and share the FT’s goals to develop a more technology focussed vehicle. The FT is facing major changes. People associate it with the pink printed copy, and indeed it is their intention to continue to print a daily edition of the newspaper, promoting their brand by distributing the paper (and exclusively only the FT) at events. Sixty percent of their income comes from subscriptions, and hence there is a reduced reliance on advertising revenues. Their philosophy is that readers want good journalism and this has to be paid for. This approach is supported by their Japanese owners, Nikkei (who also run the stockmarket index in Japan and the NIkkei paper in Japan — the world’s largest financial newspaper, with a daily circulation exceeding three million) who purchased the FT around 3 years ago as a long-term, generally hands-off, investment and who encourage new technology, a transparent and communicative approach and, soon, the physical move for staff of their head office building near to St Pauls.
The Financial Times headquarters on the South Bank of the Thames (photo courtesy of the FT)
What’s more, 60% of total digital traffic comes from readers on mobile devices. The FT is often cited as a fashion icon in that it is seen carried and read by famous people like Sting and Benedict Cumberbatch. The FT brand is very powerful and is considered a leading journal in its field. The FT has more than 600 journalists working in 40 bureaux around the world.
Investors Chronicle
John Hughman explained the Investors Chronicle began 157 years ago and is the second oldest continuous publication (after The Spectator). It is owned by the FT and concentrates on UK and Irish Equities and recommends to investors how to build these into portfolios. It looks at the trends in specific sectors and companies, and well as examining major trends developing in the markets — such as increasing interest in cannabis for medicinal purposes or market shifts away from hydrocarbons. John explained the term “shuttlebutt” which means to examine first hand what is happening in the world around and builds a picture of major developments. He also explained the increased interest in behavioural economics and how this affects investment decisions and the importance of investors understanding their own motivations. For many it is the concern that the value of cash/money in the bank is nibbled away by inflation whilst the need continues to fund our long term needs through sensible investments.
In addition to the weekly press deadlines each Wednesday, they now also issue podcasts on company and personal finances as well as online updates in extra depth for professionals. He discussed the importance of not over-trading equities, of seeking diversity, with 10–12 shares in a portfolio covering the range of different markets, including not only geographical but also bonds, commodities and emerging markets. He suggested that around 5.5% growth above inflation was a reasonable goal, rather than seeking more spectacular but increasingly risky alternatives. We also discussed the competitors in the field like data servers and broker’s reports and the increasing role of PR/lobbyists necessitating a questioning, and sometimes cynical, approach.
The IC has a staff of around 30 based in London, and is primarily focused on UK markets but has expatriate readers globally. A large part of their overseas subscribers come from Ireland because of the dually-listed companies on the Irish and UK Stock Exchanges, in sectors like building and food. The IC is aimed at investors and its average reader age is around 60. The IC’s content comes from its journalists covering such features as “Why I’m building up my biotechnology exposure”, “Tips of the Year”, company news with share and fund news. It features regulated news like the Tesco/Carrefour deal and implications on markets. The IC develops selective broad investment themes and topics relevant to shareholders and has a sector focus, within which there are clusters of related groups; grocery retail and retail are linked, consumer products/services/gambling and travel are linked. The IC has developed a number of related services such as IC alpha — Alpha Asset Allocation Review looking at key investment issues and a weekly Podcast and tablet version that looks at factors affecting markets. Template portfolios are provided to assist new investors. Marketing Manager, Beth Clarke, joined us and we were all given a bag containing an edition of the IC, Alpha, a notebook, drinking cup, pen, and an exclusive subscription offer of a 20% discount for U3A members. The IC costs £4.90 per week, whereas the offer saves 66% on the cover price. Interested subscribers should follow this dedicated link or call 01858 438 808 quoting M87U3A20. It is interesting to note that the technology sector is not represented very significantly in the UK, with the recent departure of ARM Holdings going to a Japanese buyer, and just a few UK software companies remaining. The IC provides content to FT Money in the weekend edition of the FT.
John was asked what should U3A members do about investing and he explained the various options available which are covered by the IC. His guidance included investing for the longer term say 10–20 years, to “buy and hold” shares rather than dipping in and out with short term buying and selling. A shrewd investor can expect around 5.5% long-term return vs the current interest rate of around 0.5%. He suggest starting slowly, following no more than 10-12 companies, to “get rich slowly”. He suggested looking at trends, emerging markets around the world that could impact our economy.
John was asked to name some of the top tipsters to follow and he cited IC’s Algy Hall and Simon Thompson, Associate Editors, as two of the leaders in their field.
How the FT is adapting to future demands
Malcolm Moore explained the structure of the FT was changing from the current four main desks — UK, World, Markets, Companies — to now incorporate a 5th desk reflecting the increased impact of new technologies. He discussed his current role (Editor UK Desk) and future role (Editor New Technologies) and the need to understand the developments primarily in Asia and Silicone Valley and the interface between government and finance. He explained the impact of readers increasingly reading online, in understanding the limitations of scrolling on mobile phone platforms and the need for short articles incorporating chapters, bullet points and presentations very different from the ”inky fingered” printed version of the newspaper. Online news and the introduction of fastFT with its breaking news wire also provides fast and constantly updating information, whilst still promoting thoughtful and best quality articles. This brings its own challenges. The impact of this virtual “hamster’s wheel” with investors’ needing to feed immediately on the latest news must not be at the expense of carefully investigated journalism. In addition, despite an increased emphasis on brevity, articles still need to explain the complexities of the situations. Journalism in the future will undoubtedly face these issues. . One key move Malcolm is making is to have a regular global conference call link with key markets – he has found that midnight UK-time is the best time to get all countries together.
Malcolm showed us that the FT’s website is accessed by 75% of its readers and the digital revolution has meant a complete behavioural and attitudinal change for seasoned journalists. The immediacy and speed of access of mobile technology is having a massive impact of the journalist — whereas in the past “inky paper” allowed journalists plenty of time to get their story to press, the position has now changed dramatically. The digital or mobile first strategy adopted by the FT requires stories in and added to the website and mobile platforms rapidly, with further details added throughout the day. This results in greater in-depth coverage which is a key feature of the FT brand.
The FT operates a “call out” service where subscribers can contact journalists to add new insights to their stories. A microsite “Future of Europe” was launched last year as a new service especially aligned with Brexit and key questions for the Europe project. The FT also runs many events throughout the year and has a high level of audience engagement to keep the vibrancy it needs in a very competitive market.
Finally, Malcolm assured us that the FT doesn’t feature “fake” news and always follows a golden rule of having more than one source of material to validate stories.
A trip through the office
Oliver then took us through the area where we saw journalists and supporting teams covering graphics, marketing and reader contact. Then on to the FT’s sixth floor canteen where we had a very enjoyable lunch with Oliver. A few hours well spent.
Report by Carmel Eilon and Jack Berkovi
Post visit comments from members of HGS U3A ShareWatch:
Hi Jack – it was a brilliant tour on Thursday 12 July 2018. Thank you very much for arranging it. And thanks too to Oliver Stannard, John Hughman, Beth Clarke and Malcolm Moore for hosting us so well and for their interesting and thought provoking talks — and not forgetting the FT Editor who made the whole visit possible!
The walking tour around the newsroom and lunch in the canteen were a wonderful end to a really interesting day. Thank you very much indeed.
We were delighted to host at our monthly Topical Talk on 28 June, our guest speaker Richard Storer, Community Relations Manager, Crossrail. We were literally taken on a whirlwind journey of the construction of Crossrail. Richard’s talk described the chronicling of Europe’s largest infrastructure: 43km of new train tunnels and 8 new underground stations, now at 92% completion.
Richard also explained that the cost of Crossrail was £14.8 billion and the major benefit to the economy was £42 billion. Twenty four trains will be operating each hour in each direction at peak periods through the centre section, with 200 million passenger journeys per annum. He also described one of the tunnel boring machines (TBM) being named Sophia on St. Barbara’s day 2012, which is a continental tradition of giving the TBMs female names.
Following the timeline, Richard gave us details of where the funding had come from for this extraordinary project. He stressed the importance of being sensitive to the surroundings where the construction work took place. An example was Wallasea Island where the excavated material (6 million tonnes) was shipped to an area of low grade agricultural land. The RSPB bought this land and Richard related that this development is now home to thousands of migrating birds. There was also special care taken around the area of Smithfield (meat market), during the building of the new Farringdon Station, as care was taken not to allow dust to fall on the meat. An art work of tumbling diamond shapes was installed within the design of the station to reflect the close proximity of Hatton Garden (the jewellery area close by).
There is still further development with Liverpool Station, Finsbury Circus, and Moorgate. A mass plague burial site was excavated at Bedlam, Liverpool Street. Richard told us that an archaeology team documented and removed the remains, where they were taken to Canvey Island to be buried.
Equally at Whitchapel where unusually the underground station is sited above the Overground; the construction team built a new car park for Sainsbury’s and temporarily rehoused 60 family units. The new station will be fully accessible with no steps at the entrance, but with ramps and a small lift.
Continuing with commitment to aesthetics a roof garden was established at the new Canary Wharf station in May 2015.
Alongside the construction work Richard paid tribute to the 15,000 skilled workers, including 1000 apprentices, (the original target had been 400) and that the project benefitted the whole of the UK and was not just ‘London centric’. Over-site developments will take place above most of the stations, providing new commercial, and residential properties. An exhibition of the project can be seen at the London Transport Museum.
It was a delight for our audience to hear Richard explain the journey of this monumental project and there was a great sense of pride of British engineering, coupled with the sympathy to the surroundings. Some of our members were so enthused they have now asked to take the journey down to Reading, as we can all use our Freedom Passes!
We are delighted to announce that such a collaboration is being launched between HGS U3A and 
On 17th October Sir Roderic Braithwaite, Britain’s ambassador to Moscow from 1988 to 1992, led a discussion about Russia at a session of one of our popular Current Affairs Groups. Twenty-nine members of 
