Chairman’s Message

Once again l trust this Newsletter finds you in good health. Since last writing it is pleasing to know that the Covid vaccine programme is rolling on at a pace. What a great success it has been! Hopefully by now you will all have had your second ‘jab’. It was unfortunate that just as we thought things were going to improve, we found ourselves having to hold on for another four weeks. Despite this l am delighted to hear that a number of our outdoor activities are up and running albeit within Government guidelines. Members that l have spoken with all agreed what a great tonic it was to be back together and how much they had missed one another’s company.

Clearly our aim is to get all our groups back ‘face to face’ again as soon as it is safe to do so and with this in mind your committee has been working to establish what protocols, if any, the village halls have in place and importantly to what degree these might impact on our members as hirers and users. Additionally, it is important to understand our responsibilities as group leaders and hirers to ensure the safety and well-being of members using these and other facilities. We will of course be briefing our Group Leaders in due course on our findings and recommendations.

Whilst l am pleased to announce that we have had some success in our recruitment drive for new Committee members regrettably we still need to find replacements for our Chairman and Vice-Chairman. As mentioned on numerous occasions these positions need to be filled as the incumbents are required to step down at the next AGM. We are also still on the lookout for a Minutes Secretary. I needn’t remind you that it is imperative that we have replacements, otherwise we will find ourselves having to make some very difficult decisions. So please, if there is anyone willing or considering taking up the mantle, please get in touch with myself or any committee member who would be more the happy to discuss the roles with you.

In the meantime, enjoy the football! Chris Selby

Current Membership (full members) - 348 Number of Groups - 30

Website https://u3asites.org.uk/north-cotswold/welcome

North Cotswold

July 2021 Newsletter

Group News and Events

Covid-19 – Return to Normality

“When are we going to start again?”

The short answer is “As soon as possible”. But we want you to be safe and as a responsible organisation the u3a must take some precautionary steps to manage our return to normal, especially as most of our members are over 70 years of age or in a vulnerable category.

So here is a summary of the work going on behind the scenes to prepare for a provisional restart in September 2021.

The North Cotswold u3a committee has formed a sub-group to coordinate and organise the arrangements necessary to comply with Covid-19 legislation and guidance. This has been done in order to provide a single point of reference, avoid duplication of effort, and to assist Group Leaders in understanding what they may do and when.

Broadly the sub-group actions will be as follows:

Firstly, we recognise that Covid-19 restrictions are unpredictable and will probably continue to fluctuate for many more months. But we are currently researching guidance and best practice amongst similar groups to develop our own basic procedures which will include:

• Meeting venue risk assessments • Provision of simple checklists for Group Leaders and members to follow so that we are

consistent in our approach and can account for our actions if asked to do so.

Secondly, we have written to all the Village Halls used by our groups to request information about their ‘Covid-19 Secure’ arrangements. This includes an understanding of when the halls will be opening, how they will be cleaned and sanitised to prevent infection, and shared responsibilities.

Thirdly, we value our Group Leaders and want to do as much as possible to avoid any additional workload. Clearly some extra precautions will be necessary on meeting days, but we want to streamline these to keep further action and paperwork to an absolute minimum.

As you know we participate in a very successful voluntary organisation with over 350 members and 30 interest groups. We are very keen to move forward and continue enjoying these activities and appreciate your support and participation.

You can be assured that we shall do everything we can to facilitate progress towards re-opening our u3a and will keep you informed of developments.

NC u3a Covid-19 Sub-group: Chris Selby, Sharon Thackeray and Paul Kirby

North Cotswold u3a Silver Jubilee

Although sadly there will be no Soirée or ‘Summer Visit’ again this year your committee are planning a luncheon on 2nd December at Willersey Village Hall to celebrate 25 years of the North Cotswold u3a.

The next newsletter in September will mark our Silver Jubilee. If you are able to contribute an appropriate story, anecdote or photograph (paper copies can be scanned and returned) I look forward to hearing from you.

Kurling Group We are delighted to announce that Sandra Spensley has volunteered to take over from Daphne Bell as Group Leader and the group will be re-locating to Willersey Village Hall. Sandra is also proposing to conduct a local recruitment drive for new membership to the activity (and the u3a).

North Cotswold u3a Trip to the Peak District, 17th to 21st May, 2021

‘Would you believe it? Our walking holiday at Peveril of the Peak near Thorpe, Derbyshire, which should have happened in May last year, was rescheduled for 17th May, 2021, the very day that hotels were allowed to reopen to guests!

We wore masks around the house and sat at tables of four at meals, but the staff were very helpful and friendly and the food was plentiful, often unusual and always delicious. In the evenings after dinner the fourteen of us gathered in the lounge for tea and coffee and caught up on some of the news of the past year. As usual there were three led walks each day and we participated in the medium and short walking groups. Roger (Thornburgh) led a small group on the first day to the village of Ilam and also to Tissington on the last day, where unfortunately there was no well dressing this year. Herbert’s Fine English Tea Room’s creamy hot chocolate helped to make up for it but torrential rain caused us to beat a hasty retreat to the house for an ‘inside’ picnic.

Anne Robertson walked with the medium group on two days and the easier one on the third and the following narrative is in her words:’

‘Day 1: Lower Dovedale, Mayfield and Mapleton. 10 miles, 1,300 ft. ascent. From Peveril of the Peak we followed a track to the River Manifold, over the ancient Coldwell Bridge, then south on the Limestone Way and over fields to Upper Mayfield. We crossed the River Dove at Hanging Bridge and enjoyed a delightful picnic lunch on the river bank watching the ducks and geese. The return journey included a short section of the Tissington Trail and the village of Mapleton following the River Dove back to the house. Highlights included the pastoral landscape with sheep including Jacob’s, lambs, cows and a couple of Saddleback pigs. Day 2: Dovedale and Alstonefield. 9.8 miles, 1,500 ft ascent. From the house we initially went north on Gag Lane then over high pasture to a narrow footpath high above the east side of Dovedale, dropping down through the bluebell woods to the river by the caves known as Dove Holes. We then followed the riverside path north to Milldale where we met the shorter walking group taking the opportunity to have another cup of coffee. From here we climbed steeply over pastureland to the village of Alstonefield where we had lunch on the green. We visited the Green Well, once the village water supply, then took a footpath downhill to Stanshope. From there we descended Hall Dale with its steep sides covered in cowslips and early purple orchids, emerging in Dovedale by Ilam Rock. We crossed the footbridge and carried on down Dovedale to the ‘Stepping Stones’, marvelling at the impressive rock formations with imaginative names, and over Lover’s Leap with fossils of crinoids in the footpath. From the ‘Stepping Stones’ we returned to the house over pastures full of cows. Highlights were the wild flowers and rock formations.

Day 3: Ilam and the Manifold Valley. 7.5 miles, 1,000 ft ascent. (Planned route shortened due to wind and heavy rain.) We walked to the south of Thorpe Cloud, crossed the River Dove by a footbridge and climbed up the slopes of Bunster Hill to Moor Plantation where we sheltered under a tree for coffee. We continued a short way up Ilam Moor Lane before torrential rain caused us to abandon the planned route into the Manifold Valley. We headed back down the lane to the pretty village of Ilam and Ilam Park. We sheltered in the cloisters under Ilam Hall to eat lunch then, with the rain easing, returned along the Manifold Trail and Coldwell Bridge to Thorpe. Highlights included Ilam and watching our leader release a lamb with its head stuck in a gate.’

‘Some of the group did their own thing with retail therapy in Ashbourne, walking up the tantalising ‘mini-mountain’ Thorpe Cloud (Bob), visiting Chatsworth House and Hardwick Hall, meeting up with a friend and riding in a cable car to the Heights of Abraham (see following article). Normally we would have coaches to take us to explore a wider area but it was not possible this year. However, I think we all enjoyed our break and I look forward to arranging another HF House holiday.’

Hilary & Roger Thornburgh, Anne Robertson

The Heights of Abraham an expedition enjoyed by ‘non-walkers’ Elaine Parker and Sue Horsnell

At a time when Matlock had become famous for its spa water and baths and the Peak District with its attractive scenery was increasing in popularity especially with walkers, an idea evolved to build a pleasure park centred on the surrounding hills. As the area was thought to resemble the Plains of Abraham where General Wolfe’s army defeated the French, and where he later lost his life, ever resourceful, creative and patriotic Victorians set about the creation of ‘The Heights of Abraham’.

Today a state-of-the-art cable car offers an alternative to the steep footpaths ascended by intrepid and no doubt heavily dressed Victorian ramblers and their successors.

Two former lead mines have been transformed with decorative and atmospheric lighting for sure footed visitors and a former mine shaft covered to make a viewing area overlooking spectacular, panoramic scenery all round. Adventure playgrounds enable boisterous and hopefully imaginative children to play and expend energy, and the whole hill top area is well served with good footpaths. The refreshment facilities and picnic areas are also commendable with comfortable seating overlooking spectacular scenery.

So, with a reasonably sunny and dry day forecast Elaine and I decided to visit. Despite our restricted walking abilities, we enjoyed our day. The cable car reminded us of more active times in Europe - but we did not have to jump off to get off! A visit to the fossil exhibition, followed by a film show about the mines, past and present were informative and pleasant to see.

We found this visit very enjoyable, with a good welcoming atmosphere and very pleasant and friendly staff.

A huge thanks to Hilary and Roger for all their hard work in enabling us all to have such an enjoyable few days away.

Sue Horsnell

North Cotswold u3a Website Manager

We are looking for a volunteer to take over the running of our website from Colin Sagar.

This entails approximately one hour per month and being a u3a developed and supported package requires no special computer skills.

Interested?

Please contact Colin on tel. 01386 849168

Engineering and Transport Group

The Group is seeking a volunteer to help David Dunbar with the running this very popular activity. Interested?

Contact Keith Horden tel. 01386 852145 for further information.

19 Members of the Medium Walking Group enjoying some glorious Cotswold scenery and weather on their first hike since ‘lockdown’.

North Cotswold u3a Subscription Fees 2021/2022

The Committee has recently carried out a financial review. I know you will appreciate that our finances have been severely affected by 16 months of lockdown. However, despite the loss of opportunities to generate essential additional income we invested in a limited programme with no return which hopefully has provided some level of continuity. Additionally, we are faced with a larger than expected increase in fees associated with membership of the national body.

Regrettably we believe that we have no choice but to raise this coming year’s subscription to £14 per person. We still believe this is great value and trust that you will continue with your membership secure in the knowledge that in doing so you are supporting the North Cotswold u3a.

Our Open Meetings Programme From Joan Rees and Marilyn Watts

We hope that our Open Meetings at the newly refurbished Willersey Village Hall will re-start in September with the provisional programme below. Thursday – 9th September (NB. Change in programme)

Places to see and things to do after Covid – Helen and Steve Wilkes ‘A collection of photographs from the places we have visited in our travels all over the world’.

Thursday – 14th October

Severn Freewheelers Severn Freewheelers is a group of advanced motorcyclists, providing a free out-of-hours courier service for hospitals in Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, North Wiltshire and Herefordshire. We carry blood, pathology samples, patient scans / x-rays, human milk, in fact any medical essentials, between hospitals and healthcare facilities in the area.

This meeting will be followed by our AGM.

Thursday 11th November

Tuneful Tubes? – David Wornham A light hearted demonstration of the world-wide history of musical, and some not so musical, wind instruments. A cornet player from the age of 10 to 20, led from the school orchestra to the local town band. I played bugle and military flute in my school Army Cadet Force, then played nothing for over 40 years whilst working. On retirement from full-time work, I bought a euphonium and, five years later, joined a band again and now play in three local concert bands. I am a collector of musical wind instruments, giving talks and demonstrations to local groups using a selection from my assembly of over 300.

Welcome New Members

to North Cotswold u3a Katre Zuill

Rosina Pullman Carol Hallman Zoe Simmonds

NORTH COTSWOLD u3a ACTIVITIES 2021

Group Venue Day Time Contact

Art Appreciation (meetings plus visits)

Willersey Methodist Community Room

1st Thursday

PM Peter Grant 01386 858268

Discussion & Debating Private House – Greet 1st Wednesday

9.45 for 10 am till 12.30 pm

Nick Hoskins 01242 352805

Effortless Entertaining (Aga Cooking)

Private House - Willersey 4th Thursday & 4th Friday

AM Fiona Tierney 01386 854654

Engineering & Transport

Childswickham Memorial Hall

4th Friday

April – July AM Aug-March PM

Keith Horden 01386 852145

Exploring Music Willersey Methodist Community Room

2nd Wednesday

10 AM Andrew Mackrill 01608 684884

Food & Cookery (1) Private House - Broadway 2nd Tuesday

PM Phyllis Andrews 01386 641361

Food & Cookery (2) Private House - Broadway 1st Thursday

PM Phyllis Andrews 01386 641361

French Conversation (some knowledge required)

The White Hart Royal Hotel, Moreton-in-Marsh

3rd Wednesday

2.00-3.30pm Ghislaine Craik 07733112089

Gardens & Gardening Childswickham Memorial Hall (winter) Garden visits (summer)

2nd Friday

10 am (winter) 2.30 pm (summer)

Mary Burfitt 01386 859661 Jackie Emsley 01386 858342 Di Johnstone 01386 853578

Golf Croquet Behind Methodist Church, Willersey

1st Wednesday

PM May to October

Penny Ingles 01386 853306

Handbells Private House – Northwick Park

1st & 3rd Monday

10.00-12.00 Freda Cannan 01386 701539

History Weston-sub-Edge Hall 1st Tuesday

10.00 AM David Pegg 01386 858232

Historic Churches Various 3rd Wednesday

AM John Thompstone 01386 852930

Kurling Willersey Hall 4th Monday

AM Sandra Spensley 01386 858637

Mahjong Moreton-in-Marsh 2nd & 4th Monday

PM Diana Lucas 01608 238092

Opera Appreciation (in conjunction with Winchcombe u3a)

Burland Hall, Stanton 3rd Wednesday

2.00-5.00 Colin Davison 01242 603317 Ann Pitcher 01242 621328

Painting Moreton-in-Marsh Bowls Club

1st & 3rd Thursday

AM Alan Andrews 01386 641361

Photography Childswickham Memorial Hall

2nd Monday

AM Paul Kirby 01608 651640

Reading for Pleasure Private Houses - Various 1st Monday

PM Phyllis Andrews 01386 641361

Recorder Consort Private House - Blockley 4th Thursday

PM 2.00-3.30

Hilary Thornburgh 01386 701235

Group Venue Day Time Contact

Science for All meetings, field trips and videos

Wickhamford 3rd Friday

AM Nick Bury 01789 773620

Scottish Country Dancing Bourton on the Hill 2nd & 4th Friday

AM Diana Lucas 01608 238092

Singers Group Willersey Village Hall

Every Wednesday except 3rd

AM Keith Horden 01386 852145

Skittles The Snowshill Arms 4th Thursday

7.15 PM Alan Andrews 01386 641361

Sunday Lunches Childswickham 3rd Sunday

Lunchtime John Bissett 01386 859319

Table Tennis Willersey

1st & 3rd Thursday

5.30 PM Helen Trussell 07496 112706

Ukulele Private House - Blockley

2nd & 4th Tuesday

PM Legh Richardson 01386 701072

Walking (nature rambles up to 4 miles)

Optional pub lunch 3rd Tuesday

AM Sue Lindsay 01386 446541

Walking – Five Milers Optional pub lunch 1st Friday

AM Phyllis Andrews 01386 641361

Walking – Medium Walks Optional pub lunch 4th Tuesday

AM John Bissett 01386 859319 Chris Selby 01386 853512

Walking – Long Walks (6.5 to 11 miles)

Optional pub lunch 1st Friday & 3rd Thursday

AM Victoria Shipton 01386 830888

Any changes please contact Sharon Thackeray 01386 858973

Grand Opening of Willersey Village Hall

The opening of the refurbished hall will take place at 2.30pm on Saturday 24th July. Your first opportunity to see the improvements and support the u3a who will have a promotional display at the event.

Keith Horden’s General Knowledge Quiz

1. ‘Barnacle Bill the Sailor’ is the theme tune to which long running TV programme?

2. What is the Tynwald? 3. What is the Alþingi? 4. Which is the largest lake (by area) in the British Isles? 5. What was Margaret Thatcher’s middle name? 6. What is Bill Clinton’s middle name? 7. What is the UK’s largest beetle? 8. To date, how many men have walked on the moon? 9. What does the ‘A’ stand for in the acronym DNA? 10. Elderly Russian women are sometimes called ‘babushkas. What is a

babushka? 11. Where was the British tennis player Johanna Konta born? 12. The Battle of Tewkesbury took place in May 1471, during which war? 13. St Petersburg is on the coast of which sea? 14. What is the currency of Mexico called? 15. Which pop due were previously known as ‘Tom and Gerry’? 16. By what name is the diagnostic technique ‘computerised tomography’

better known? 17. What have Catherine, Alfred and Peter got in common? 18. What is the name of the light-sensitive panel of cells at the rear of the

eye? 19. Who designed the Houses of Parliament? 20. Who designed the iconic red telephone box?

Question 4

Question 3

CONTACT YOUR COMMITTEE

Chris Selby, Chairman 01386 853512

Colin Sagar, Vice Chairman 01386 849168

Eric Watts, Treasurer 01386 854661

Alun Davies, Business Secretary 01386 842944

Barbara Matthias, Minutes Secretary 01386 300245

John Bissett, Membership Secretary 01386 859319

Sue Lindsay, Welfare Officer 01386 446541

Sharon Thackeray, Group Coordinator 01386 858973

Peter Grant 01386 858268

Paul Kirby 01608 651640

Judy Thompson 01386 852765

The next Newsletter will be published at the beginning of September

The deadline for copy is 21st August

Your Newsletter Editor can be contacted via the Contact Link on the North Cotswold u3a website.

Quiz answers:

1. Blue Peter 2. The Parliament of the Isle of Man 3. The Parliament of Iceland 4. Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland 5. Hilda 6. Jefferson 7. The Stag Beetle 8. 12 9. Acid 10. A headscarf 11. Sydney, Australia 12. The War of the Roses 13. The Baltic 14. The Peso 15. Simon and Garfunkel 16. CT scan 17. They were all ‘the Great’ 18. The retina 19. Sir Charles Barry 20. Sir Giles Gilbert Scott