1 A WORD FROM YOUR CHAIRMAN In these days of proliferating TLAs (Three-Letter Acronyms) the term U3A trips of the tongue with very little thought ever given to what the U, the 3 and the A stand for. I mention this because the U (as we all know) stands for university – an institution of learning of the highest level. When the movement was founded in France in 1973, the focus was very much on life-long learning and remains today the guiding principle of the Third Age Trust. Those involved in the SLP (oops! another TLA) – Shared Learning Project – epitomise the joy of continued learning, and the exhibition of their work, recently displayed in the Evesham Library, was testimony to their thorough research and consequent splendid achievements. By the time you read this, the exhibition will no longer be on display in Evesham. However, we are keeping it safe, and hope that others will want to display it, for example, in Worcester. Grahame Percival – Chairman High Earner Short Breaks included a visit to the National Stud and saw several stallions. The record stud fee is £220,000. EVESHAM & DISTRICT NEWSLETTER ISSUE 62, DECEMBER 2017
Transcript
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A WORD FROM YOUR CHAIRMAN
In these days of proliferating TLAs (Three-Letter Acronyms) the term U3A trips of the tongue with very little thought ever given to what the U, the 3 and the A stand for. I mention this because the U (as we all know) stands for university – an institution of learning of the highest level. When the movement was founded in France in 1973, the focus was very much on life-long learning and remains today the guiding principle of the Third Age Trust.
Those involved in the SLP (oops! another TLA) – Shared Learning Project – epitomise the joy of continued learning, and the exhibition of their work, recently displayed in the Evesham Library, was testimony to their thorough research and consequent splendid achievements. By the time you read this, the exhibition will no longer be on display in Evesham. However, we are keeping it safe, and hope that others will want to display it, for example, in Worcester.
Grahame Percival – Chairman
High Earner Short Breaks included a visit to the National Stud and saw several stallions. The record stud fee is £220,000.
Non-Committee Positions Beacon Administrator – Andrew Auger ...................... 442475 Cotswold Link – Jane Mason ..................................... 422187 Newsletter Distribution – John & Barbara Goodwin ....... 244251 Pastoral Care – Joyce Davey .................................... 443755 Short Breaks – Jean Griffin .............................. 01789 750772
General Enquiries ............................................ 07827 637923
You can email most of these people from the Contact page of the
website.
Contents Word from Your Chairman ........... 1 Forthcoming Meetings ................. 3 Concert Group ............................. 3 Day Trips to Come ........................ 3 Short Breaks in Brief .................... 3 SLP Exhibition ............................... 4 Beacon .......................................... 5 Open Day ..................................... 5 Newsletter Online ......................... 6 Line Dancing ................................. 6 Travellers’ Tales ............................ 6 Mar Jongg ..................................... 7 Rummikub .................................... 7 German Conversation .................. 8 Classic Cinema ............................ 8 Art Appreciation ........................... 9 Writing for Pleasure ...................... 9 Walks Over Four Miles 1 ............... 10
Cycling for Leisure ........................ 10 Gardens & Country ....................... 10 Local History .................................. 11 Book Club ...................................... 11 Bookends ..................................... 12 Volunteers Wanted ........................ 12 Playreading .................................. 13 Concert Band ................................ 13 Group List ..................................... 14 Timetable ...................................... 16 Needlecraft .................................... 18 Philosophy ..................................... 18 Mindfulness .................................. 19 Day Trip Outings Past .................. 20 Short Breaks Past – Ireland ......... 22 Short Breaks 2018 ........................ 23 Walks Over Four Miles 2 ............... 24
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Forthcoming Meetings We have a programme of speakers each month, with tea/coffee afterwards. It is free to U3A members, who must show their current membership card. Guests are welcome, at a suggested donation of £2.00.
First Wednesday of the month – 2.00-4.00 pm – Town Hall, Market Place
Monthly Speakers Tea rota
January No meeting
Feb 7th Wonderful World Paul Carpenter Paul travels to tropical forests in search of mini-beasts, like tarantulas, to study and to film.
Village Strolls
Mar 7th Graphology Sandra Grayson – Pioneer of Handwriting (Guest speaker on P & O cruises) Q & A session afterwards.
Walks Over 4 Miles 2
Concert Group
Feb 15th 2018 Thursday afternoon
CBSO performing: Grieg Piano Concerto Elgar Symphony No 1
NB: it not Merstow Green
£29 Coach leaves
College Car Park 11.00 am
Jill Armstrong – 831380 Norma Tigwell - 47787
Day Trip Outings
Date Destination Cost Start
March 23rd Tredegar House National Trust
NT £11 Non NT
£19
TBA
April – Portsmouth May – Lyme, Cheshire See website for updates.
Sue Beneke – 49496 07775572803
Short Breaks in Brief
There will be a 4-day trip to Holland in April, and a six-day trip to Jersey in September. See page 23 for more details, and more still on the website.
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Shared Learning Project (SLP) Exhibition The first phase of Evesham U3A Shared Learning Project is over and the exhibition was up in Evesham Library for all of October. Plenty of learning came out of it, not all of it about history. We now know that ribbon looks good but it wriggles when you try to stick it down. The end result was well received, with one lady saying she kept coming back to study it again and again.
We looked at ancient footpaths used by monks in their daily work, including the practicalities of feeding people, and part of that was looking after fishponds and dovecotes. There were vineyards too, and this is reflected in the name or a field, Wynyards, at Clarks Hill on a Victorian map. Vine Street however is nothing to do with vines, but is where the pig market used to be, and it was called Swine Street.
Streets are given names for a reason, and often tell us something about the history of the place. Some streets have the name of its purpose at the time, such as Lime Street, where they burnt lime. Some describe what was there before the buildings, such as Thorn Lea, a thorny meadow. Some were named in someone’s honour, such as Clem Court, after Muzio Clementi, a musician, called the father of pianoforte, who died in Evesham in 1832. Some of the streets are themed, such as Bramley Drive, Crump Way, and Jonagold Place, which are all types of apples – appropriate for a vale of orchards.
Census research, particularly in the Artisans’ Dwellings on Avon Street, showed the pattern of occupations between 1851 and 1911. Some trends are easy to explain. There was a move away from cottage industries like basket making towards factories, and bureaucracy increased, which is in line with social history. But why was there a move away from shoes towards boots? In 1851 there were 44 shoemakers and 6 bootmakers in Evesham. In 1911 there were 9 shoemakers and 31 bootmakers.
The exhibition showed a few of the houses photographed for the Hive’s Historic House project. Historic here means on the OS map in the 1880s, and not listed, as there are already good records of those. The Hive wants a record of what is there now, whether it is the original building, a modern replacement, or an empty site following demolition. All the photographs we took, with some descriptive notes, are now in the Hive’s archives.
A lot of people put in a lot of hours on the SLP, and it was rewarding. It is not a complete work but a milestone, and please come forward if you can expand on it at all. We plan to have more SLPs, whether as continuation of this one, or taking a new line altogether. Please get in touch if there are topics you would like to study, and do join the next SLP team.
Caroline Bagshaw - 244046
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Beacon Beacon is a system developed by U3A members who have been IT professionals, so they fully understand the needs of U3A as well as what technology can do. This system has been taken up by more than 130 U3As and there are many more on the waiting list. Evesham U3A acquired it last January and since then it has lifted a great load from the treasurer and the membership secretary, and with over 1000 members, and growing, the load needs lifting.
It can also make life easier for group leaders, and we are keen to pass on the benefits. We have held two meetings to introduce the system, and a total of 46 group leaders attended. Any new system brings some doubts, and as we have spent most of our lives computer-free we tend to put more trust in pens and paper. There is no obligation to use Beacon, but there really are a lot of advantages. For one thing, there is a ledger where you can put in how much money goes in and how much goes out, then it will do all the sums. We are ready to help any interested group leaders, and we will keep helping. Please don’t hesitate to ask.
Andrew Auger – 442475
Open Day Open Day went very well, with three new groups (Mindfulness, Philosophy and Needlecraft) established, and enough names for a new Family History group to augment the existing very successful one. And 65 new people signed up to U3A on the day (compared with 50 last year), plus several taking enrolment forms home with them to join later as the queues in membership were so long. Despite all that, the rooms seemed to be emptier, so I think our steady tweaking has improved the flow. We did some last minute experiments with various sizes of tables, and putting them at different angles. Amazing how many permutations you can get with simple rectangles. All in all it worked very well.
One inspiration was to move the queues for day trips and short breaks out of the Council Chamber into the main hall where there is a lot more room. Sue even had a sub-table for people to browse through the trip list while waiting to book.
There were new ideas offered, including new language groups. Russian and basic Italian are wanted, and may start soon. Other ideas are horseracing, sports events, memoir writing, Shakespeare, and antiques. If any of these attract you please get in touch. We can start groups on pretty well anything, as long as we know who would like it. So tell us.
Caroline Bagshaw - 244046
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Newsletter online There is now a choice between receiving a newsletter as a paper copy, or an electronic copy on the website. The 2017-18 enrolment form has a check box to indicate which you prefer, but as this is new, and it’s a small part of the form, people may not have noticed. So this time a paper copy will be provided for all those who have not explicitly stated that they prefer to have it online. Those who do prefer that will get an email with a link that will take them straight to the newsletter. This will be at the same time as, or earlier than, the paper copy is available.
NEWS FROM THE GROUPS
Line Dancing This year has gone by quickly, with a great class, and I thank them for their support, especially Rita and tea-maker Reg. I have some problems with my knees, and have been teaching sitting down or with my crutch.
We did a demonstration at a charity event at the Village Hall in Offenham, where we danced for an hour – sequence dances and Lindy Hop too. This was to support a grandmother who was raising funds to help her grandson to walk properly. Her goal was to do 50 dances, and she did more than 60 -line dancing, ballroom, sequence, Lindy Hop, Latin etc. The whole event lasted for twelve hours.
All are welcome to our Christmas party in Offenham. I wish my class and all U3A members a very Happy and Healthy Christmas and New Year.
Elaine Taylor – 424243
Travellers’ Tales We have had an interesting winter of speakers, 2016-17. Our summer outings have been to Gloucester Docks Museum and a boat trip walking tour at the headquarters of Pershore World Wildlife Trust at Lower Smite Farm, with talk and walk.
Our winter programme for 2017 featured Vale Landscape Trust, a discussion afternoon, Yemen and Mauritius, Sue Ablett on Wildlife in the Highlands, the Duke of Edinburgh gold award, a surprise by Grenville Burrows and a return visit by Merlene Watson and her hearing dog for the deaf – Grace.
New members are very welcome.
Jill Armstrong – 832380
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Mah Jongg 2 Mah Jongg 2, for the third year running, went to play at Compton Verney on their Chinese Day. It was a very good day, with members of the public joining in and playing a game, the youngest participant being about six, and he almost won.
On that day there were also Chinese music and dance, which we could hear but not see, and Chinese painting. The museum section brought out a 3000-year-old bronze bowl, which was not at all fragile. With suitable gloves which they provided, the public was allowed to handle the bowl and look closely at the inscriptions.
Mah Jongg is a Chinese game with similarities to card games, but with tiles. The basic game is simple but there are some rituals that take some time to learn, and the scoring is complex. We have people on hand who know, and crib sheets. If you would like to play, whether for the first time or you have years of experience, get in touch with Carla.
Carla Auger – 442475
Mah Jongg 1, which started years before Mah Jongg 2, meets at various times by mutual arrangement. For more information contact the leader, Jean Taylor.
Jean Taylor - 443204
Rummikub The official Rummikub website says that Rummikub is conquering the world. That’s pushing it, but it is a good game, simple to learn, but you need to keep alert. The baseline is arranging numbered tiles of different colours on the table. Any player can move these around, and combine them with their own tiles to make new sets. They can do this over and over again, so it is constantly changing. It requires an agile mind, but not much arithmetic.
Carla Auger – 442475
Rummikub and Mah Jongg 2 are sister groups, running more or less alternate Monday afternoons, Both are popular and we could do with duplicate groups, and not on a Monday. Please come forward if you could help with either or both. You will of course get every support.
Carla Auger - 442475
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German Conversation The membership during the past year has steadily increased, and it has become apparent that more people are showing an interest in joining the beginners’ group. The current beginners group has no more places available and has also moved on. So I have started another beginners’ group. There are seven new members and we are meeting on the first and third Monday afternoons of the month. I have suggested running this course until April of next year, depending upon the enthusiasm and progress made by the members.
Our usual meetings have been thriving and everybody is making a positive contribution. Two hours for each group often doesn’t seem long enough.
We had our annual summer garden party in August, accompanied by a musical ensemble organised by Peter Scott and we sang the most popular German Volkslieder. The sun was shining and we enjoyed lots of delicious food supplied by all concerned.
Our autumn session is in full swing, we talk and discuss and members write in German about everything from a holiday trip to technical engineering or environmental issues. We discuss poems and travel through Germany metaphorically speaking.
I very seldom set an agenda; the member’s enthusiasm is so great that they often set the pace. There is never a dull moment whenever we meet.
Sophie Dodds – 870421
Classic Cinema We introduce, watch and discuss the films of Hollywood’s golden era and the flowering years of the British and continental cinema industry . . . the movies that coloured our youth.
All the pictures we see are at least fifty years old – some seem dreadfully dated, some have hardly aged a bit, and all are fascinating.
We meet on the first and third Friday morning of the month (10 o’clock prompt) at Evesham Methodist Church. We show all films, English-speaking or otherwise, with subtitles whenever possible; always have a tea/coffee break half-way through the morning; and we are always happy to welcome new members to the group.
Our programme plans can be found on the Evesham U3A website . . . or contact me for more details.
Nick Mason – 422187
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Art Appreciation If you read this newsletter early, there will be time to make the Art Appreciation meeting on December 11th, which will be about winter, the misery and the joy, as depicted in art. There will also be mince pies, possibly your first of the season.
The New Year will open (Jan 8th) with a talk from Mike Bagshaw about George Bellows (1882–1925) the American realist painter. He was part of the Ashcan painters who painted the modern urban scene in a raw painterly style while owing much to old masters such as Velázquez and Manet. Bellows had a strong social conscience and his work reminds us that not all Americans were “overpaid and over here”. Mike hopes Bellow’s work will surprise and move you.
At the time of writing the programme beyond January has not been decided, but it will be put on the group page before Christmas.
Caroline Bagshaw - 244046
Writing for Pleasure ‘Writing for Pleasure’ describes this informal gathering of (potential) scribes/ authors (call them what you will) – the title says it all. The aim is to encourage folk who feel their literary talents bursting out, or even just bubbling under the surface. Above all, we aim to make it FUN!
Every member is invited to read out their writing on a subject of their own choosing, preferably of five to ten minutes duration, to allow time for discussion afterwards. It does not purport to be a masterclass on the mechanics of writing, just an opportunity for aspiring writers to give vent to their imagination. They will not be criticised for perceived imperfections, but constructive suggestions may just come out of the woodwork! Even controversial subjects are welcome, as long as they are put forward (and received) in a civilised way.
Later in the session, the group leader may throw out random topics for spontaneous discussion, and hopefully as a catalyst for later contributions. Suggestions from members are always welcome.
The Group meets the second Tuesday in every month between 10am and noon at Wallace House, Oat Street, Evesham, the charge varying between £2 and £2.50, dependent on the numbers attending - the aim is simply to cover the cost of room rental. We look forward to seeing you there.
Patrick Howell - 01789 773801
Most group leaders can be contacted from their group page on the website. https://u3asites.org.uk/evesham
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Walks Over 4 Miles – Group 1 Again this year our 35 members have had a full programme of walks, mainly in the Cotswolds and nearby counties. We have also enjoyed an away day with Group 2 on a very hot day in June along the Wye Valley.
The Cohens and the Cawsons have led the walks for the last three years and because of health issues would like to hand the leadership baton on to others. It takes some time but it is rewarding. We will give help to whoever volunteers in the early stages.
Michael Cawson - 710694
Cycling for Leisure
From the leisure centre we depart, 10.30 is our usual start Photos taken, talking done, We now proceed to do the run. The cyclists come from far and wide and all enjoy a leisure ride. The group are all a hardy bunch Looking forward to a healthy lunch. We settle in the pub the comfort is sublime Back on our saddles it’s hard to recline!! Then pedal away throughout the day, Carefully following the pre-planned way. Back in Evesham we arrive All in one piece and much alive!!
LIFE IS LIKE RIDING A BICYCLE
TO KEEP YOUR BALANCE YOU HAVE TO KEEP MOVING
Christina Ireland – 49965
Gardens & Country
We have enjoyed our summer outings to two gardens in Stretton on Fosse, Whichford Pottery, Renishaw Hall and gardens, Langdale Garden, Offenham, and Stowe Gardens.
Our winter programme of speakers started in October at the Rowing Club.
New members are very welcome.
Jill Armstrong - 831380
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Local History Following the appeal in the last newsletter, some members have come forward to help with leadership, which is very pleasing. As new people are involved, the group will take a slightly different form. There will be more details in the next newsletter.
Pat Ansell - 792643
Book Club
Travels in Time and Space
In just the last year and a half we have been in wartime occupied France, in industrial northern England in Victorian times, in intergalactic space, in a small town in a mid-western state of the USA in the seventies, with the police in an Oxford suburb thirty years ago, and with the super-rich of New England in Monte Carlo and Nice in the 1890’s. That’s just a sample of the recent rewards of belonging to the Evesham U3A book group.
The authors whose work I have mentioned are Joanne Harris, best known for the novel and film Chocolat, Charles Dickens, Douglas Adams (the Hitchhikers’ Guide to the Galaxy), lawyer-turned-writer John Grisham, hugely popular on both sides of the Atlantic, Colin Dexter, creator of Inspector Morse, and Edith Wharton, described as the grande dame of American literature.
When I joined the book group, in 2015, it was weathering a crisis. It was doing its best to adjust to Worcestershire County Council’s decision to end its library service’s support for book groups, as an economy measure. Fortunately online suppliers of second-hand books now offer an enormous choice at low prices, making it quick and easy to lay hands on multiple copies of the same title. This gives book groups a much wider choice of reading than County Library book sets could ever have provided.
Book group memberships need to be of only moderate size, to allow everyone their opportunity to join fully in their discussions. At least a couple more members would be welcome, though, to join our modest eightsome!
In nearly all book groups, outside prisons, there is a female majority. Ours has one, too, but the imbalance is not out of the way, with three men and five women.
If you have read this far, you will see that we embrace diverse reading tastes, and our programme includes personal choice sessions from time to time as well. We meet on the fourth Thursday of the month for just an hour.
John Sutton – group member Sue Griffiths – group leader - 833222
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Book Ends This is a very enjoyable book group which meets once a month in pleasant and comfortable surroundings.
Members are asked to recommend books and we check that these are readily available. One of us gives a review of the book, and this triggers what is usually a lively discussion.
In selecting books we try to vary the genre. Recently we read a book of short stories by the American Nobel Prize winning writer, Alice Munro, and we chose a book from the past ‘The Warden’ by Anthony Trollope.
Among the more modern books we particularly enjoyed...
Little Coffee Shop of Kabul – Deborah Rodriguez
“This is a moving account of some brave women who risk their lives every day but somehow manage to create their own little world of hope and inspiration.”
We all agreed with this review.
The Little Paris Bookshop – Nina George
This has been described as “a love letter to books – and to the complicated, broken people who are healed by them”’.
It is set on a floating barge which distributes books like prescriptions, to those in need of help and comfort. It takes you on a beautiful journey down the Seine.
The Gustav Sonata – Rose Tremaine
“A sad but unsentimental novel” which highlights the enduring power of friendship.
After the discussion our leader cum hostess gives us coffee and homemade biscuits, which is an excellent way to finish,
Susan Wakefield – Member Leader – Muriel Gealer - 446407
Volunteers Wanted Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) needs volunteers to train as advisors in various venues, including Evesham. They need people who are interested in issues that affect the community, who don’t judge, and have good communication skills. There will be full training and support. If interested, phone, email, or call at a CAB office
These are the two questions I am most asked and the answer’s simple:
The clue’s in the title…. We sit around and read plays aloud.
SIT is the operative word. We don’t stand up and move around as if we were on a stage, so the group is suitable for everyone – including those with mobility problems.
It may not sound much fun, but believe me it is. We’ve read comedies, tragedies, mysteries, murders …. Anything that takes our fancy. We sit around in a circle and take it in turns to read parts so that everyone gets a chance to read.
BUT – some people are quite happy to just listen and enjoy and that’s fine. There’s no pressure to read if you don’t want to. We often chat about the play afterwards, but it’s never a philosophical discussion – we like to enjoy ourselves!
We meet at Wallace House on the second Friday of each month from 10.15am to 12.30pm with a short break in the middle for tea and coffee (available from Wallace House Coffee Bar). The cost per session is £1.50.
We can often get through a complete play at one sitting, but sometimes have to carry it over until the next month, which proves challenging for our leetle grey cells – trying to remember what happened.
We currently have room for two or three more people, so why not join us. We’re a friendly, unthreatening lot and you would be made very welcome.
Jill Moran - 443184
Concert Band In August we held a very successful concert in Broadway on one of the hottest days of the year, and were rewarded with a delicious cream tea. We performed with the Evesham Brass and Woodwind Ensemble as Evesham Concert Band at the very first Hampton Flower Show in September and must have played well as they asked us back next year!
We welcomed several new members in September, but we have room for anyone who plays a brass or wind instrument, and we particularly need percussionists. You don’t have to have done it before; just a sense of rhythm. Instruments will be provided, unless you happen to have your own!
Denise Tandy – group member
Group leader – Roger Wyatt - 765673
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Group List Most groups have an email address, but to help in the battle against spam, we do not reveal these. You can email group leaders through the website. On the group page there is a messenger pigeon. Click on this, and a page will come up for you to write your message.
Those groups with asterisks have no email at present.
Group Name Contact Phone Fee
Architecture
Art Appreciation
Aspects of Modern History
Badminton
Bird Watching
Book Club
Bookends
Bridge for Fun
Brunch Club (Sundays)
Choir
Classic Cinema
Computers & Digital Media
Concert Band (playing)
Concert Group (audience)*
Country Dancing
Croquet
Current Affairs
Cycling for Pleasure
Day Trip Outings
Exploring Language
Family History
French Conversation 1
French Conversation 2
Gardens & Country
German (4 groups)
Golf for Fun
Home Cinema
Italian (2 groups)
Line Dancing
Listening to Music
Local Amateur Theatre
Local History
Mah Jongg 1*
Mah Jongg 2
Ian Lloyd-Oswell
Caroline Bagshaw
Sheila Himsworth
Cefn Blundell
Tony Stephens
Susan Griffiths
Muriel Gealer
Liz Rodway
Pat Ansell
Mark Wells
Nick Mason
John Scotland
Roger Wyatt
Norma Tigwell
Derek & Sylvia Coupe
Paul Griffin
Tony Lane
Christina Ireland
Sue Beneke
Chris Robinson
Judith Smart
Sally Hammond
Peter Scott
Jill Armstrong
Sophie Dodds
David Bentley
Jenny Salcedo
Keith Bridgwater
Elaine Taylor
Jill Armstrong
Betty Ballard
Georgie McArdle
Jean Taylor
Carla Auger
881666
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01789 773640
833222
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48794
792643
429498
442187
881594
765673
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832898
01905 840855
48799
49965
49496
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765284
859130
01789 774518 831380
870421
244010
443429
48734
423233
831380
443950
861004
443204
442475
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Group Name Contact Phone Fee
Mindfulness
Modern Greek
Needlecraft
Not Alone*
Painting for Pleasure
Papercraft
Patchwork & Quilting 1
Patchwork & Quilting 2
Petanque
Photography 1
Photography 2
Playreading
Poetry
Putting the World to Rights
Questions of Belief & Doubt
Quiz*
Rock Band
Rummikub
Science & Engineering
Scrabble & Upwords
Short Breaks
Short Mat Bowls 1
Short Mat Bowls 2
Skittles 1
Skittles 2
Social Saunters
Spanish Improvers
Table Tennis
Tai Chi
Travellers’ Tales
Village Ambles with Camera
Village Strolls
Walks Over 4 Miles 1
Walks Over 4 Miles 2
Walks Under 4 Miles
Wine Tasting
Writing for Pleasure Yoga 1
Yoga 2
Orlando Leslie
Mike Fraser
Helen Barlow
Norma Tigwell
Mary Simpson
Maggie Price
Pam Overd
Linda Dunbar
Paul Griffin
Mike Tittensor
Mary Haines
Jill Moran
Andy Brister
Ian Simpson
Jane Couper
Eileen Hann
Grahame Percival
Carla Auger
Alan Eames
Jean Simpson
Jean Griffin
Fred/Sue Copestake
Muriel Barnett
Mary Greenwood
Sue Beneke
Ken Pearce
Chris Robinson
Ken Maden
Derek Arnold
Jill Armstrong
Clive Allen
Deirdre Sutton
Mike Cawson
John & Mary Head
Betty Ballard
Grahame Percival
Patrick Howell
Jane Mason
Lyn Heaney
421390
07866 443215
421127
47787
832528
49717
831159
831001
01905 840855
41105
442214
443814
47132
41667
839458
47535
45406
442475
832258
41667
01789 750772
424046
424587
45932
49496
45195
300670
830510
860800
831380
870003
442307
710694
01789 491148
443950
45406
01789 773801
442187
244694
TBA
50p
£1.50
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£1.25
50p
2.50p
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Group leaders – to avoid spam, please don’t put your personal email on the website.
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First week Second week Third week
17
Bir
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94
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tory
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Fourth week Final week
18
NEW GROUPS
Needlecraft This is a new group, and the first session will be on Thursday November 9th, and thereafter on the second and fourth Thursdays every month at the group leader’s home, with two sessions, morning and afternoon. Refreshments will of course be provided and the cost per session will be £1.50.
It is proposed that this group will be for any craft work that involves a needle, including cross-stitch, embroidery, tapestry and maybe dressmaking too.
Beginners and experienced needlecrafters are welcome and I hope that the group will develop into a supportive and social group where new techniques and crafts are explored, individual projects are started (and completed) and that from time to time we will visit local craft fairs and demonstrations.
So, if the last time you did any needlecraft was at school, you want to learn or are an enthusiastic amateur don’t be shy, give the group leader a ring and see if this group is for you.
Helen Barlow – 421127
Philosophy
“Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!”
Dr Seuss
Melvyn Bragg has suggested that the impetus for the recent growth of philosophy/ideas groups is the 1960s expansion of higher education, which created a hunger for mental stimulation and the desire to explore ideas. But we don’t intend to restrict our membership to people who have been through higher education. I’m sure people from all walks of life are interested in exploring the big ideas and questions about life. Everyone has a perspective and we wouldn’t want to prejudge where the best ideas come from.
This group has barely started, but we anticipate getting lots of fun choosing topics, examining assumptions, exploring differences, logical consistencies and inconsistencies, objections and alternative viewpoints.
We hope to find out about the major philosophers and their relevance to life today in a spirit of learning and inquiry. Energetic debate is expected in a spirit of mutual respect and thoughtful and reflective philosophical sharing.
Mike Bagshaw - 244046
19
Mindfulness The Third Age brings life challenges – health issues for ourselves and those close to us, loss, grief, loneliness, sadness and worry about the future, and this may be overwhelming. But greater age also gives us greater life experience and most of us are no longer tied to careers and childcare. We have the chance and choice to be who we are and explore the wisdom age can bring.
Mindfulness meditation is one way to do this. The essence is the here and now, consciously living in the present moment, not the past which has already occurred, or the future over which we have little influence. The practice of meditation is simple and involves concentration on and experience of the body as it functions. For instance breathing, following the breath in and out continuing until mind and body work as one. This may seem simple, but the mind abhors a vacuum and will try to fill the space with a multitude of thoughts, ruminations and emotions. We chide ourselves about past mistakes, and worry about the future.
In a sense the mind is doing what it was made to do: learn from the past and plan for the future, but the mind is judgemental and tends to bring on thoughts and fears which, when seen from the here and now, have no basis in reality. Part of the learning of mindfulness is to recognise these thoughts and emotions for what they are, passing clouds in the sky, and recognise that they will always change and be replaced by others of equal significance.
Because of the way the mind works, constant meditation for 10 to 20 minutes daily is the ideal way to build up the experience of mindfulness. Recorded guided meditation tapes of 10 to 15 minutes provide an excellent basis for practice and can be obtained online or from libraries.
The U3A meditation group will endeavour to help members to persevere by providing a safe haven for sharing experience, engaging in meditation together and sharing meditation resources.
As an individual your experience will be unique to you. Some of the benefits may include a sense of stillness and space within yourself, a better understanding of yourself and your relationship to others, a greater sense of calm and composure when life throws wobblies, and many others!
At the time of writing no decisions have been made about times and venue, but these will go on the website as soon as possible. You can email me through the website, from the Mindfulness group page, or phone Orlando.
Orlando Leslie – 421390
20
DAY TRIP OUTINGS July and off to the Black Country Museum and a barge trip through the limestone caverns and tunnels of the Dudley Canal System – an amazing underground light show and video showing how the caves formed millennia ago. And we had VERY fetching headgear – I love hats.
Our own Terry efficiently pushed us through the tunnels – nice legs by the way Terry.
Then it was time to sample their fish and chips before going on to the museum proper. Am I alone in feeling slightly alarmed by all the things now in museums that I have used in the past, some of which I still have and use today. Am I really that old?????
The items in the old pharmacy were something else again – did they ever make mistakes with the prescriptions – and those lacy shelf edgings are made from newspapers all cleverly cut to be decorative.
21
After the glorious sunny day at the BCM – the next month was not so kind – August we were off to Stowe House and Gardens – and a wet and soggier day it would be hard to find.
We trundled up to the entrance gates and ahead of us stretched the three-mile long drive – they certainly knew how to impress visitors. The second arch at the top of the hill perfectly framed the house in the distance – and WHAT a house! Never mind the 750 acres of land that surround it.
All this splendour was passed unencumbered to a son, who lost the lot and in just a few years was millions in debt. He was forced to sell almost everything. His father must have turned in his grave. Thankfully, Stowe House School acquired the house before it collapsed into ruins, and now the National Trust have taken over the gardens.
The house has an unusual oval entrance hall, with a ball embedded in the ceiling, a reminder that boys have no respect for history! The school has had many illustrious pupils, two being David Niven and Richard Branson. The latter began his empire from a phone box in the Egyptian Hall where he told the exchange the machine had taken his money so they put him through for free – from small beginnings great things grow. I find it amusing that old boys are called ‘Old Stoics’ – though I suppose they spell it ‘Stowics’.
Then it was back to the umbrellas and out into the rain to explore the gardens, or not. I retreated to the coach to read. Gardens are not my thing at all.
Sue Beneke – 49496-
Thanks to Jim and Mary for the pictures.
22
Short Break – Ireland
We set off from Evesham on a Monday, had a pleasant ferry crossing, and stayed in a lovely hotel in beautiful grounds. Our rooms were a pleasant surprise, and the meals were very good. On Tuesday we went to the Irish National Stud, where the guide explained the complexities of mares and stallions mating! Later we saw the stallions out at pasture. They had fancy names, like Invincible Spirit, but they were very friendly and took the treats we offered.
We went through a little Hobbit house - duck everyone – and the Japanese Gardens. It was a Japanese man who made the lovely statue at the entrance – a copper tree with its branches extending and a copper man rather like the compere of a circus. Next was lunch, then a leisurely stroll around the beautiful grounds, before returning to the hotel where we availed ourselves of the facilities, (swim/sauna/ steam etc.) before dinner.
On Wednesday we went to Galway, with typical Irish weather, (very wet), and the driver got lost, but we got there eventually. We had an informed talk about Galway, and on the way back the guide tested us with a quiz, creating a few laughs. I think he was impressed with the knowledge of our passengers
23
Thursday dawned bright and beautiful for our day in Dublin, again a guide gave us a very detailed and at times rather funny talk, so armed with our knowledge we all scattered far and wide. Myself Jim and Mags, decided to take an open top bus after walking around for a while, BUT I didn't ask the question, how long does it take!! We were on the one that went everywhere, not just the main areas of
interest but all around the houses and villages. Time was getting short, so it was ‘hop off a bit quickly and get a taxi’’ and a good job the driver knew the way round the side streets. Can you imagine what my passengers would have said if I was the one late back having impressed on them to be on time!! We made it with two minutes to spare.
Alas Friday arrived too soon, and we were on our way home, but not before a very relaxing and pleasant morning in Bray, a lovely seaside town. The ferry was on time and soon brought us back to Wales. I think every one enjoyed it, and will hopefully come again on another trip.
Jean Griffin - 01789 750772
Thanks to Jim Coombes for the photos
Short Breaks for 2018
Apr 25-28th Dutch Delights A visit to the bulb gardens of Amsterdam, De Haar Castle, and Oudewater. An optional extra is an evening canal cruise in Amsterdam when the city is lit up.
£355 B & B
EM on days 1 and 3
Sep 24-29th Jersey NB, this has been increased to six days, hence the higher price.
£406
24
Walks Over Four Miles – Group 2
The walking is only a bit of it.
Some good features of our group:
1. 100% talking time
2. Fascinating people
3. New friendships quickly formed
4. Fun social time over lunch
5. Outstanding countryside with great views
6. Welcoming group of folk, we are all new to one another
7. Walks of five to six miles
8. A little climbing to tickle your heart
9. Costs almost nothing!
Just look at some of our friendly members!
GWR diesel train at the new Hailes Halt, close to the old abbey site
