History

"History" where this group is concerned covers a wide variety of things. Activities consist mainly of outings (members generally making own travel arrangements) to fairly local places of interest, interspersed with coffee mornings plus a talk of some kind at Pat Ashworth's
house in Blandford. The speaker may be a member of the group, or anyone who can be persuaded to come and talk to a small group about anything of interest. It is a very informal friendly group. About 12 - 20 usually go on outings, 20 - 26 (maximum) support coffee mornings.

March 2010: The Group began the year with an enjoyable visit by 21 members to the Royal Signals Museum in Blandford.  Somewhat surprisingly, for many of us it was our first visit. The museum has a large number of fascinating exhibits, one of the first to meet the eye being a large model of a small cottage surmounted by a very strange wooden structure which once stood on a site known as Telegraph Clump on Blandford Race Course The device involved the use of shutters operated from the cottage beneath by ropes and pulleys. It was a visual signaling device designed by the Revd. Lord George Murray in 1795 and which became part of a system that made fast communication possible between the Admiralty in London and the south coast ports. Very useful when there were perceived threats from the French Navy during the war with revolutionary France.  A prearranged signal could be sent between London and Plymouth and acknowledged back in three minutes. Quite a feat!

 

Why not visit the museum and see for yourself? Staff are very welcoming and there is a café for light refreshments.  Just remember to take identification (driving licence, passport, bank card) and be prepared to have your photograph taken whilst on the camp. It is all part of the experience!

 

Forthcoming activities:

 

April 30th – Three Churches walk and car tour led by Gordon Le Pard of DCC (Environment)

May 27th – Coach outing to Romsey and Uppark

 

The Group is very full (an opportunity for someone to start another group?) and would-be members are put on the waiting list on the understanding that, particularly where coffee mornings (in members’ homes) are concerned, priority is given to members who have been active in the group for a long time. However, it is sometimes possible to offer places on guided visits and outings (non-U3A guests come at their own risk as they are not covered by U3A insurance).

Pictures from the visit to Christchurch and Priory - March 2010: