Stapeley Grange is one of four of the RSPCA's wildlife centres based in England that supports the rehabilitation of sick, injured, orphaned and confiscated wildlife. The vision of Stapeley Grange is that "one day we will live in a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion". In 2021, almost 60,000 animals were taken into care including 23,101 wildlife cases.
Stapeley Grange opened in 1994 and Mike told us they receive calls from the public roughly every 30 seconds! . With running costs of around £1.1m per annum the Centre relies on a staff of 40 full and part time staff as well as a band of willing volunteers. Mike related two 'good news' stories: One about 'Barlow' a badly treated horse who, following rescue, is now an ambassador for the British Horse Society which helps to develop confidence and skills in young people; and 'Jay', a dog found dumped in a bramble hedge after being shot several times who, despite losing his hearing, went to Number 10 to lobby for a change in the law against animal cruelty.
Our u3a responded to the Centre's request for newspapers and bedding, which Mike gratefully received at the end of his informative and heart-warming talk.
We were highly entertained by Christine Stockton's detailed and comprehensive history of the five stages of the growth of Flamenco in Spain, which started in Andalusia around 710. Originally ruled by the Islamic Moors, Christianity and Judaism were also tolerated. However from the 9th century Spain was gradually re-conquered by the Christians, Granada being the last of the Moorish kingdoms to fall. Expulsion of Jews and Moors followed; those who didn't want to leave went to live with the gypsies. Around this time, following Christopher Columbus's discovery of the Americas, slave-trading began and many people of African heritage also escaped to join gypsy groups. Christine gave detailed information on the growth of Flamenco from the Cante Jondo, through Siquiriya, Solea, Tangos, Fandangos and Ida y Vuelta (the more familiar dances involving fans and shawls). In addition to the fascinating slide-show, Christine herself showcased many of the dances with lively dramatic demonstrations. Her enthusiasm for her subject was boundless and highly entertaining. A great show!
On Thursday 18th January we were treated to a highly entertaining talk by Simon Michael, a barrister who has drawn on is experiences in court to write several best-selling crime novels. Mr Michael was both amusing and erudite, as he told us of his rise from the east end of London to becoming a barrister in Middle Temple, one of the four Inns of Court in the city. His talk was peppered with fascinating facts about the Middle Temple itself, his confrontations with the notorious Kray twins and the dreadful racism he experienced in his first chambers, where he was called, amongst other things, a 'Jew Boy' and was the victim of those more senior barristers, who refused to let him take their 'returned' cases because of his less-than-privileged background. Simon Michael's talk was very amusing and enlightening, particularly about police corruption and politicians' bad behaviour. The audience was left wanting more...