Special guests at U3A VdP's first 2019 meeting
Our first speaker of 2019 was David Shute, who is now retired and living in Calpe, who came to share with us some of the highlights of his career as a News Reporter with the BBC.
David was born in Essex but managed to develop, what in the 1950/60s was known as perfect BBC English – as he explained clear pronunciation was what the BBC required, even if it was delivered with a regional dialect.
After some time as a journalist on a weekly newspaper in Reading David was lucky enough to be appointed to follow David Dimbelby in the BBC based in Bristol. David said at that time the BBC insisted on professionalism but wanted their teams to have fun, and for correspondents to address their story on a one to one basis with each listener, giving the facts in a clear and simple way. Oh, for such clarity at the start of the Brexit saga!!
David identified an early opportunity in outside broadcasting, which was then in its infancy, and long before autocue had become standard practice. He is credited with making the first live broadcast from a plane breaking the speed barrier, and played us a recording of his live commentary from a glider doing stunts, yes, a glider – no engine, doing stunts at an air show.
A fascinating talk ended all to soon for an enthralled audience of U3A members. Many thanks David from us all.
Congratulations
Our President, Bob Welham, took the opportunity at the start of our first general assembly of 2019 to allow the U3A Vall del Pop members to give the wholehearted congratulations to, our fellow member, Elaine Horton on her New Year Honour award of an MBE. It is a thoroughly well-deserved recognition of Elaine’s dedication to Jalon Valley Help, of which she is the President.
Elaine was very gracious in her address to the assembly and whilst being immensely proud to have been honoured, in recognition of her service to the community, British and other nationalities, in the Jalon Valley, she felt the award was not just to her but to all the many helpers who give of their time in the help of others. She will be delighted to go to the Palace, Buckingham not Benidorm, to receive her award.
Whilst they say, “behind every good woman there is an even better [my embellishment] man”, and Richard deserves also recognition with the JVH Team in Elaine’s “My B ····· Effort” award, or as she puts it “My-Team’s B ····· Effort”.
Ever the gracious lady, welldeserved congratulation Elaine from all the VdP U3A members.
For further information on U3A Vall del Pop check our website http://u3avalldelpop. com.
The U3A is all about enjoyment and learning, and this is particularly evident in the U3A Vall del Pop, whose members hold their General Assembly generally, fiestas and holidays permitting, on the first Thursday of each month at the Centre Polivalent in Murla, and have a diverse range of groups for the interest of the members.