North Norfolk U3A Home Page
Welcome to the North Norfolk U3A Website.
The North Norfolk U3A caters for retired or semi-retired people and it is run as a voluntary, self-help organisation; with a membership of circa 700. It is one of over 1000 autonomous U3As in the UK. North Norfolk U3A geographically encompasses Fakenham, Holt, Sheringham and Cromer as well as all their outlying villages.
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Carpe Diem – Seize the Day: Live Longer, Live Well
This was the topic addressed by our September meeting speaker, Professor Richard Faragher. He is a world-renowned expert in the science of ageing, whose primary research is into what causes the human ageing process. (I thought it was “years”, and it turns out it is, but it is also more complicated than that.) Every known species on the planet ages and dies at some point – although there is a clam (Arctica Islandica) that is proven to be non-ageing, at least until caught and cooked for clam chowder in North America!
Prof. Faragher explained how as we age our body’s natural repair mechanisms become exhausted, making us more vulnerable to disease. His key message was that, despite that, old age does not have to be characterised by ill health. Ageing is tractable – we really can extend our healthy lifespan by managing our lifestyle, with a lower calorie diet and more exercise. Just like Michael Mosley prescribes on our TV screens – although Professor Faragher colourfully described his own adverse reaction to the 5:2 diet.
More excitingly, science is pointing the way towards extending our lives while also compressing the years when illness impacts.
One medicine emerging as a potential elixir is Rapamycin. This is an antibiotic and immunosuppressant used to prevent organ rejection in transplants. Research on mice shows it can increase their lifespan. (Google it, and have a look for yourself). The human and economic case for investing in Rapamycin is strong, said the Professor – the level of cost savings for the NHS if we are able to extend life and reduce morbidity will be enormous. Another medicine with anti-ageing potential is Metformin, already used to treat type 2 diabetes, amongst other things.
Professor Faragher was so enthusiastic about Rapamycin as a wonder drug that he urged us to write to our MP and campaign for it to be included in the annual flu vaccination. (Don’t forget that our speaker next month is Norman Lamb MP).
Did Professor Faragher see us attaining Immortality? No - but the chance to spend more of our lives, contented, useful and interesting to know is achievable.
For the time being, until the elixir arrives, we must keep the calories down and do more exercise. The Professor also advocated “getting out in the countryside”; now that is one thing we certainly can all do in North Norfolk.
Quite by chance, just after hearing Professor Faragher I read a poem by one of our Members in the Creative writing Group which seemed so on point that I include it below. Thank you, Pat Pinsent, for such a delightful manifesto for healthy living.
David Riddle, Vice Chair.
Photographs by Frederic Landes (Member of Digital Photography Group)
EVERYTHING IN MODERATION Pat Pinsent
My manifesto I do declare –
And I’ll abide by it with care –
Is freedom of diet, not starvation.
Everything in moderation!
Breakfast, so I’ve heard them say,
Is the most important meal of the day
But others say, don’t eat it at all
(Starving till lunch, I must say, does appal).
Everything in moderation!
Should I drink milk or is that just for cows?
Should I eat cheese (if I don’t, I’ll grouse)?
Should my daily diet be dairy free
(A menu on which so many agree …)?
But for me: Everything in moderation!
And what about gluten, will it make me bloat?
I’m not a coeliac, so should I choose oat?
Will I be better off without wheat?
What sort of cakes would I be able to eat?
Everything in moderation!
Perhaps totally vegan is the way for me?
Vegetarian is not pure enough, I see,
But I do enjoy eating eggs and fish –
Lentils are not my favourite dish.
Everything in moderation!
Something that everyone seems to decide
Is that eating carbs is suicide,
So sugar should never pass my lips,
And there are serious problems about chips –
Not even in moderation!
And what can I drink – no coffee or tea?
Ten glasses of water I’ve heard some decree.
But caffeine, some say, is good for digestion
As long as it’s in moderation
Should I drink wine – if so, how much?
A glass a day, or just a touch?
Will it give me cancer or save me instead?
Should it be white, or should it be red?
Everything in moderation!
So – my manifesto, as I do declare
And will abide by, with care,
Is freedom of diet, not starvation –
Everything in moderation!
EVENTS SUMMARY
NNU3A events are open for members,but guests who are considering joining are welcome to come to hear more of what we do.
To see the detailed information and book for these events and the full programme click here
Our billed speaker, Norman Lamb MP has withdrawn for personal reasons. We hope to get him to a future meeting. At very short notice we have secured another excellent speaker on a very different topic.
On 27th April 1828, the decomposing body of Maria Marten was discovered in a barn in Polstead, Suffolk. A notorious crime for which her lover was convicted and executed. However …
Susan Parry asks who killed her and why?
TITLE The Murder in the Red Barn
DATE Friday 5 October 2018
SPEAKER Susan Parry
Location Blakeney Village Hall
Time 10 am Start - refreshments before or afterwards
