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“Life as an Aircrew Diver”

Monthly Meeting Talk by Mike Green – 5th June

Pembrokeshire U3A member Mike Green gave a fascinating resume of his life as a Royal Navy Aircrew Diver and a history of the formation of this unusual specialty post.

After joing the Navy he was working as a safety equipment officer when the opportunity arose to become one of the first aircrew divers. This post was established after a particular aircraft carrier landing failure which, unfortunately, resulted in the loss of life of the pilot when the aircraft ended up in the sea in front of an assembled press.

The primary role of the aircrew diver was to enter the water to attempt to rescue aircrew from their crashed aircraft. This could involve jumping from a helicopter stationed alongside the carrier during the landing of returning aircraft. The entertaining talk was amply illustrated with historical photographs, a video clip and personal anecdotes highlighting the varied other related events in his career.

An indication of the importance and risks involved in being an aircrewman is that it is the most highly decorated branch of the Royal Navy. In the 40 year since it was formed members have earned 4 George Medals, 15 Queens Gallantry Medals, 4 Air Force Crosses, 10 Air Force Medals, 3 Distinguished Service Medals as well as 4 MBE’s and 4 BEM’s.

Photos and text MJW

Table Tennis Group – 25th Anniversary Match!!

As part of the Pembrokeshire U3A 25 year celebrations our Table Tennis Group made a return visit to John Wright and his friends who play in Llanfallteg. John had kindly organised a tournament and fifteen of us enjoyed an evening of great fun and lots of activity. The evening ended with a cawl supper and puddings to die for!

We really appreciated the hospitable welcome and friendly atmosphere which helped to make a memorable evening, and a big thank you is due to John and his friends. We look forward to them making a return visit in the Autumn – Could this be the start of a tradition?

Penny Tighe and Sylvie Lloyd

Pembrokeshire U3A Anniversary Quiz

Fifteen teams of four members arrived for an afternoon of brain bending mental exercise applied by Peter and Ann Brown – namely the Pembrokeshire U3A Anniversary Quiz. The teams represented the range of activity available to U3A members from table tennis to music and we were joined by teams from neighbouring U3A in Preseli and Narberth. Some prepared by having a delicious meal at the Neyland Athletics Club while others opted for a quick coffee and a chat as preparations progressed. At 2.00pm the first of nine rounds commenced and throughout the afternoon the lead changed as questions on a wide variety of subjects prepared by Peter and Ann teased out brains.

In the end the French Group lead by Colin Thomas was victorious with a final score of 109 points, closely followed by the Narberth “Know-alls” and The Pembrokeshire U3A team “Densa” (not to be muddled with “Mensa”). A stimulating and enjoyable afternoon ably hosted by Peter and Ann. A vote of thanks was proposed by the Vice-Chair of Pembrokeshire U3A, Bob Matthews.

Photos & text Geoff Winterman

Quiz 2014

The Lifeboat Service (RNLI)

Monthly Meeting Talk by Jan Mathias Thursday 1st May

The subject of our May Monthly Meeting was the Lifeboat Service and the talk, given by Jan Mathias, an education presenter from Milford Haven RNLI. He talk contained some of the following interesting facts & figures.
The Institution, which relies entirely on voluntary funding, was founded in 1824. Around the coast of Great Britain & Northern Island there are 334 Lifeboats, 236 lifeboat stations and 4600 staff – 95% are volunteers.
From the original concept of saving sailors lives the RNLI now has Beach Lifeguards on over 1000 beaches and 6 divisional Inland Flood Rescue teams. 328 lives were saved last year averaging 22 rescues a day.
Overall operating costs last year were £140.7m. The latest all-weather lifeboat, the Tamar class, costs £2.7m and a lifejacket £350. Little Haven Inshore Lifeboat costs £90,000 a year to run. St David’s crew have won the most Gold and Silver medals for gallantry.

Jan, an ex teacher, together with her colleagues give a beach safety training course to all Pembrokeshire Schools each year.
As the numbers of volunteers dwindle each year, Jan hopes her visits to schools help to catch the interest of even the youngest, so that the excellent work done by the RNLI can continue.

Bob Matthews Photo Jan Mathias by MW

U3A Geological Field Excursion to Saundersfoot and Wiseman’s Bridge

Saturday 12th April. Leader John Downes

John Downes, a new member of Pembrokeshire U3A and a former Earth Science Tutor at the Open University, led a Geological field trip around Wiseman’s Bridge and Saundersfoot. Some U3A members may have read his book entitled ‘Folds, Faults and Fossils: exploring the Geology of Pembrokeshire’.

We set out from the car park at Coppet Hall on the east side of Saundersfoot at about 10.30am ,walking to Wiseman’s Bridge along the old railway line (now a footpath) viewing the coal measure structures exposed on the beach, and where we had the opportunity to examine the variety of sediments, structures and fossils exposed in the Coal Measures of the Upper Carboniferous Period of some 300 million years ago when South Pembrokeshire was a tropical swampland. John pointed out many features and examples and answered our numerous questions. At Wiseman’s Bridge we walked a short distance along the storm beach to look at the cross cut channels in the Lower Coal Measures and examine a coal seam and fossil plant remains.

We then lunched at Wiseman’s Bridge Inn where Graham Goodeve joined us for an hour.

In the afternoon we returned to Saundersfoot and hurried to visit the much photographed “Ladies’ Cave” Anticline to the west of the harbour before the tide came in. Here ar ar few photos taken during a fascinating day.