Hello <<First Name>>
Spring has finally arrived, buds are bursting the birds are singing and for me in the Haute Vienne the Cuckoo arrived at the end of March. April Fool's day has been and gone and I do hope none of you were caught with an April fool!
Spring would not be spring, without bird songs.
Francis M Chapman.
Facts about April
The Romans called this month Aprilis which may derive from the verb aperire meaning “to open”, referring to flowers and fruits opening.
The Anglo-Saxons called April Eostre-Monadh, possibly named after a pagan goddess.
“April is the cruellest month.” (opening line of TS Eliot’s The Waste Land, if you would sooner listen to it click here it is read by Alec Guinness).
April 24th marks the 248th birthday of Robert B. Thomas, the founder of The Old Farmer’s Almanac!
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I sing of brooks, of blossoms, birds and bowers.
Of April, May, or June, and July flowers.
I sing of Maypoles, Hock-carts, Wassails,
Of bridegrooms, brides, and and bridal cakes.
Robert Herrick, Hesperides 1688.
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The first of April, some do say
Is set apart for all fools day
But why the people call it so
Nor I, nor they themselves do know
But on this day are people sent
on purpose for pure merriment
Poor Robins Almanac 1790
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A Few Notable Dates for April - Click the link to read about them:
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When you discover that something you always believed in is fake.....
There is no doubt that we know a lot more today than we did as children but what are some of the things that you still believed until recently?
When you are a kid your parents may have told you a few “porky pies” in order to either get a bit of quiet or stop a line of questioning. What they don’t realise is that some of those things became beliefs that you may have had for ages. Read more
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Fracking - The pros and cons
There is much debate over Fracking in the UK in this article one member explains.
This is an ongoing subject and will be added to.
Introduction
Three times over the last few years I have been asked by my local U3A to prepare and give a balanced presentation on the use of hydraulic fracturing for Oil and Gas production particularly in relation to recent discussions about using it on sites in the UK mainland to bolster our dwindling North Sea Gas production, reduce our dependence on Natural gas imported from and through potentially unfriendly states.
This page is planned to be a distillation of these presentations and allow a discussion of members feelings on this controversial topic......Read More
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This short story I came across while looking for something else on our private wiki. The story is called Barnaby's Cupboard written by Anne Poulton, its a super story and so well written I honestly felt as though I was in that cupboard!
BARNABY’S CUPBOARD
I’m in the cupboard under the stairs again. I thought that I might as well sit in here because I had decided to, rather than because someone else had told me to get in here. It makes me feel better then. It’s completely dark in here and it smells of farts and tea-towels......Read More
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This months feathered health issues:
Osteoarthritis - Treating the cause as well as the symptoms can go a long way to reducing your pain.
Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis usually develops gradually, over time. Several different joints can be affected, but it is most frequently seen in the hands, knees, hips, feet and spine. Read More
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The Bluebell - Anne Bronte
A fine and subtle spirit dwells
In every little flower,
Each one its own sweet feeling breathes
With more or less of power.
There is a silent eloquence
In every wild bluebell..Read More
To listen to this poem click here
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The "Screensaver of Life" or The Idling Brain
A recent program on Radio 4. One member recently bought this up for discussion.
It poses the following question:
How does your mind work when it is allowed to free run when you are relaxing and doing nothing?
It is available via the BBC iplayer radio at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08h0g4y
Over to you....... what sorts of things run through your mind?
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Useful Websites
The Retirement Advice Centre - 'Taking care of tomorrow today.'
Webopedia - Extremely useful site if you are struggling with computer jargon
Age UK - The UK largest charity working with older people
The Open University - Free Courses Open learning courses and Adult Education
Citizen Advice - For a wealth of very useful information
The Old Farmers Almanac - If you love Gardening you will love this site.
Arthritis Research UK - Useful website helpful and informative
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From the 5th May you will no longer be able to spend the old £5 note, so make sure you spend them quick!
Coffee and Walnut Cake - A must at Easter especially if you are not too keen on the Easter Simnel cake or you could try Mary Berry's Easter Biscuits, they are delicious, the kids love them!!
And don't forget,  If you find something of interest in this e-newsletter or previous ones, then you will most certainly find something to interest you on our Private Wiki. If on the other hand you have something to offer then why not join us and share it, and if you want to, get it published. 
Take care and we wish you all a Happy Easter.
Best Wishes
Ann
Web Editor
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Welcome to the April Newsletter 
