Please send items for the June issue to Alan Eagle [email protected]by 17th May May Monday 2 May Bank Holiday Tuesday 3 Main Meeting, Computers, Keep Fit, Pétanque Wednesday 4 Table Tennis, Quilting, Needlework, Pétanque Thursday 5 Model Making, Latin Friday 6 Table Tennis, Poetry Circle 1 & 2, Creative Writing Monday 9 Bridge, French, Short Tennis, Yoga, Italian, Solos Tuesday 10 Computers, Keep Fit, Book Circle 1 & 2, Pétanque, Spanish Wednesday 11 Table Tennis, Walk with PL, Geology, Pétanque Thursday 12 Model Making, Rummikub, Traditional Jazz Friday 13 Table Tennis,, Recorders, Ballroom Dancing, Creative Writing Monday 16 Bridge, French, Short Tennis, Yoga, Italian Tuesday 17 Computers, Keep Fit, Birdwatching, Postcards, Pétanque Wednesday 18 Table Tennis, Five Rhythms, Family History, Needlework, Pétanque Thursday 19 Model Making, Straddlers, Mah Jong Friday 20 Table Tennis, Music Listening, Ballroom Dancing, Creative Writing Monday 23 Bridge, French, Short Tennis, Yoga Tuesday 24 Computers, Keep Fit, Striders, Pétanque, Spanish Wednesday 25 Table Tennis, Pétanque Thursday 26 Model Making, Photography, Anglo-Saxon Poetry, Cycling with PL, Garden Friday 27 Table Tennis, Recorders, Strollers Monday 30 Spring Bank Holiday June Tuesday 2 Main Meeting, Computers, Keep Fit, Pétanque Wednesday 3 Table Tennis, Quilting, Needlework, Pétanque Thursday 4 Model Making, Traditional Jazz, Latin, Mah Jong Friday 5 Table Tennis, Poetry Circle 1 & 2 Fairford & District Fairford & District Fairford & District Newsletter Newsletter Newsletter Issue 228 May 2016 Sex, Drink and Death in the 17th Century by Tim Healey www.fairfordu3a.org.uk Registered Charity No 1072658
Andy Smith arrived with an array of guitars and other stringed instruments, including a ukulele, to entertain us with a programme called ‘Under the Influence’. In narrating how he came to be
involved with music and singing it became clear that there were two major influences on his early life, his mother’s singing and his jolly evenings in pubs and clubs with more than the odd drink. He
helped Fairford’s audience to feel young again by singing songs from the 50s and 60s.
The John Denver quality of his voice made ‘Leaving on a jet plane’ and ‘Sunshine on my shoulder’ natural openers and these were
followed by other hits like ‘Take me home’, ‘Starry, starry night’, and Buddy Holly’s ‘Raining in my heart’. He moved smoothly between songs and instruments and the audience couldn’t resist
singing or humming along. It was just the right kind of entertainment to follow the AGM
where Jan Mills gave a succinct résumé of the year and office holders were gratefully elected. Fairford’s U3A has a well-deserved reputation as being lively, but sadly, despite having 360 members,
it has not been possible to engage a full committee. Last year the local group celebrated its 20th birthday which means that since 1995 many people have worked hard to build its reputation but
new and fresh enthusiasm is needed to ‘keep the ship afloat’. There are currently two vacant positions. Please think about helping. Since the committee meets only once a month it is
actually easier to be a committee member than run a weekly or fortnightly group.
Sylvia Jones
4
Firstly, I would like to welcome: Marion Lloyd as the new Group Co-ordinator,
John Lang as the new Hall Manager, Garry Stephenson as the new Assistant Webmaster and Jo Stitchbury as Member Without Portfolio.
We are now only in need of an Editor-in-Chief and a second Vice Chairman. Do contact me if you can help; thank you.
Regarding this Newsletter, we would like to ask you to consider
accessing this online if you possibly can. It takes a small, dedicated team of people a long time to print, label, collate and in a lot of cases, deliver or post each copy each month. There is also
a growing financial implication as printing and postage costs increase. In fact in some cases the whole membership fee is used up solely by printing and posting the Newsletter. Therefore in
February 2017, our next renewal date, we will assume that if you are online you will access the Newsletter that way and you will only receive a hard copy if you personally request it. If you can
help us by moving from hard copy to online before this, please let Sue Johnson know, or email me and we will remove you from the list. If we do not hold online details for you, we will still provide
you with a hard copy but from February 2017 there will be an addition to the membership fee for this service, probably about £3.
Group leaders, could you please be aware that the U3A policy for non members is that they are allowed to attend one group for no more than 3 sessions before being required to join our U3A. This
has implications for insurance liability, so please check that all of your group have joined before attending a fourth time or
participating in a second activity. Thank you. From time to time, we receive posters on courses or activities that
Continued……..
Chairman’s Report:
5
Message from Drill Sergeant Prill Loofa We do hope you spotted the April Fool in last month’s Newsletter
concerning fitness tests for those taking part in physical activities. Those of you who did – even those who were
fooled – enjoyed it and took the jest in good part. That’s it for foolery – until next year?! Alan Topham
Science Special Interest Day Wednesday, 6 July 2016
At the back of the Newsletter you will find a notice/booking form relating to the Science Special Interest Day being held in
Gloucester on Wednesday, 6 July. We hope you will find this a very interesting and informative day, with four brilliant speakers. More details are available on the
Fairford U3A website. Distribution is currently restricted to Cotswold Link member U3As
only and bookings will be accepted on a first come, first served basis so please respond quickly.
Ann Williams Secretary Cotswold Link
may be of interest to members. These cannot always be promoted in the Newsletter or on the website but will be placed on the
noticeboard next to the signing-in table at monthly meetings, so please have a look.
We have now received a grant of £300 from Fairford Town Council for which we are very grateful. We had applied for a larger grant than this, so the committee is now prioritising where this should
best be spent. We will itemise this when decisions have been made. Please contact me with any queries or suggestions you may have.
Jan Mills
Anglo-Saxon Poetry
Thursday 26 May We meet monthly, usually on the fourth
Thursday. At present the group is full. Miriam Scott
01285 713441
GROUP MEETINGS Please contact the group leaders if you are interested in joining any of the groups or visit www.fairfordu3a.org.uk for further
information.
6
Ballroom Dancing
Friday 13 May We meet at the Palmer Hall from 7.00pm to 8.00pm,with instructor Joanne and her partner Mark. There is just one
meeting this month. Why not join our friendly group? It is a great way to keep fit!
Beginners Level: Future dates for your diary 3 and 17 June.
Birdwatching Tuesday 17 May This month we shall spend the morning at the RSPB reserve at Nagshead in the Forest of Dean where the highlights should be
pied flycatchers and, if we are very lucky, a redstart. After lunch at our usual pub we can check out other birding hotspots in the Forest on our way home. Meet in the Fairford
car park at 9.00am. A contribution of £4 from passengers would be appreciated. Toilet
facilities are not available at the reserve nor are refreshments, so it would be a good idea to bring any drinks you might require.
Richard Morgan 01285 712085
Book Circle 1
Tuesday 10 May We meet at Pauline’s to discuss
‘The Tortoise and the Hare‘ by Elizabeth Jenkins. Please let one of us know if you are
unable to come.
Sheila Morgan 01285 810471 Barbara Cobbett
01285 712692
Book Circle 2 Tuesday 10 May We meet this month at
Rosemary and Ian's home to discuss the work of Katherine Mansfield. In June we shall be
reading 'Strangers on a Bridge ' by James Donovan.
If you would like to join our group, please contact us.
We continue to fix our dates from one meeting to the next. If you
are interested in joining us, please contact me. Our sessions are
great fun!
Rosemary Westlake
01285 712329
Advanced Every Monday We start by reading a couple of pages from a
magazine published for groups like ours, and
then discuss matters arising from that, and anything else that
takes our fancy! This is done in two small groups of generally not
more than six people. New members are always welcome!
Barbara Cartwright
07989 353726
Family History Wednesday 18 May This month, we shall meet at Alison's house. Please contact me or Alison(01285 711768) if you are unable to come.
Miriam Scott 01285 713441
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Bridge Improvers
Mondays Do you play bridge?
The group meets every Monday afternoon (except Bank Holiday) from 2.00pm to 4.00pm in the Heritage room, Fairford Community Centre. We are a friendly and informal group, not suitable for
beginners but for anyone with some knowledge of the game who wants to improve.
At present we are looking at bidding for strong hands. We enjoy making mistakes and learning together. All
players welcome, partners and refreshments provided.
We meet every week on Tuesday mornings at my home where I aim to help members in the use of computers, the internet and
more. If you are interested in joining, please contact me and you will be welcome. For those just starting, I have a desktop computer that is available for members to use, although it is
helpful if you have a laptop to bring along. If you want to start using email, I can allocate you a personal email address for your sole use.
Nick Humphris 01285 711740
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Creative Writing
Fridays 6, 13, 20 May We meet on Fridays from 10.30am to 12.30pm at each other’s
houses. The programme for May will be: 6 May - Convey movement
13 May - Inspiration from material 20 May - How to create tension.
The focus for some will be continuation of previous work. All the term’s work is ongoing, endeavouring to get the feel of a 'long' piece of work.
Homework will be set each week and will require the writing of seven hundred words. This will be strictly adhered to. Word games, exercises, points of view, and inspirational ideas will be
shared between members in the hope of inspiring 'THE GREAT WORK' whether it be a novel, epic poem or limerick.
Pétanque Tuesdays and Wednesdays There are now two Pétanque groups running each week. Both are held at the U3A piste at Farmor's
School, Leafield Road in Fairford at 9.45am for a 10.00am start. There are vacancies for the Tuesday group but the Wednesday group is full. We welcome any new members and
have spare boules for anyone to borrow.
Dave and Heather Baber 01285 711343
Philosophy
For details of the next meeting, please contact Dan Deane
01285 851408
15
Poetry Circle 1
Friday 6 May, 3 June The group usually meets on the
first Friday of the month at 3.00pm when we read and enjoy poetry and verse of all
kinds. Anyone interested in joining us would be most
welcome
Barbara Cottam
01285 711054
Tuesday 17 May
Our meeting this month will be a “Nostalgia Postcards” Quiz with Heather in the chair. As usual a valuable prize is to be won!!
The meeting will be at 2.30pm at the usual venue. John Higgs
01285 712488
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Poetry Circle 2
Fridays 6 May, 3 June This month we shall be at
Helen’s (01285 713431) to read some of the poems of William Wordsworth. Then in June we
shall be at Maureen’s (01285 711362) to look at epic poetry.
Please let me know if you are unable to come.
Barbara Cobbett 01285 712692
Recorders Fridays 13, 27 May We start with anyone who would like to play the treble (from 2.00 to 2.30pm) followed by
the main group at 2.30pm to finish at 4.30pm, with a break for tea.
We will be in the Heritage Room on the ground floor of the Fairford Community Centre and will let you know if we have to use another room. As usual, we will be playing a varied selection of
music arranged for Descant, Treble, Tenor and Bass with the addition of Great and Contra basses in the occasional piece.
If there are any more recorder players (no matter how rusty) who would like to join a friendly, non-judgemental group you would be very welcome - please contact:
We have some spare instruments and stands; please ask if you would like to borrow one.
17
Quilting Wednesdays 4 May, 1 June This group meets on the first Wednesday of the month from 12.30pm to 2.00pm in the Barker Room of the Community Centre.
New members welcome. Please phone me for more information Jan Mills
Tuesday 24 May Due to illness I am having to file this ‘unrecce - ed’ but it is a
repeat of the second ever Striders walk which we led just after the war! Based on The Butcher's Arms at Oakridge Lynch, the circuit of about 6 miles takes in minor roads, field paths and the canal
towpath. There are a couple of steep descents and ascents, so a reasonable level of fitness will be required.
Leave Fairford Car Park at 9.16am or meet at the Butcher's arms at 10.00am to pre-order lunch. The pub has a web-site with
menus. Suggested passenger fee £2. Please let me know by the evening of Sunday
22 May if you will be joining us as I have promised to let the landlord have numbers on the Monday.
Our group has grown to the extent that we have chosen to run an additional session. So you can
now come along on Wednesday from 2.30pm and Friday (new session) from 10.00am.
Sessions are held in Keble Room in the Fairford Community
Centre. Players of all abilities are welcome.
Wednesday group leader: Friday Group Leader: Nick Stroude Barry Aylett-Warner 01295 521067 01367 253788
Traditional Jazz Thursday 12 May The group meets on the second Thursday of each month at our house from 2.00pm to 4.30pm to listen to recordings of Jazz from
New Orleans, Chicago and Europe in the Traditional style All U3A members welcome.
The Yoga Group meets weekly on Mondays at the Community Centre at 10.00am. I am
sorry there still is a waiting list.
Sylvia Jones
01285 712657
Walking with a Pub Lunch Wednesday 11 May The Slad Valley & Laurie Lee walk, not a walk for the less agile amongst us. We start at Laurie Lee’s favourite pub, The Woolpack,
Slad; look for his grave in the church opposite, then a slow descent over stiles, and through gates, past The Vetch Cottage and Nature Reserve. Past Steanbridge Mill, then a gradual upward
climb to Bulls Cross, making our way through Frith Wood to the pub in time for lunch.
Meet at Fairford Car Park in time to leave at 9.30am or meet at the pub at 10.10 am. The pub doesn’t open until 12 but does have
outside loos. No need to order food. Suggested travel cost £2.50. Post Code for pub is GL6 7QA Parking is limited on the road outside the pub.
Ann Wightman 01285 712723 Jackie Ephgrave 01285 712042
22
Anglo-Saxon Poetry
At our March meeting we read two sharply contrasting poems, ‘Deor’ and ‘The Battle of Brunanburgh.’ Unusually, ‘Deor’ has a very haunting refrain: “that passed away, and so may this from
me.” The poem refers to episodes in the myths of Wayland the Smith, and so we looked at the Franks Casket, made in Northumbria about 700, which illustrates these and gives the titles
in runes. As usual, we ended the meeting listening to the next track from
Seamus Heaney's translation of ‘Beowulf.’ Miriam Scott
GROUP REVIEWS
23
Birdwatching Although further away than our usual visits, Blashford Lakes near
the New Forest always proves a popular venue with an excellent variety of birds. The reserve consists of a series of gravel pits interspersed with wooded areas and so provides a variety of
habitats. Although the wind was cold, the sun was out and gave us great visibility as we looked out over the largest of the lakes from two different hides. Amongst the many species of duck there
were several Goosanders and a large number of Shovellers. A rare Slavonian Grebe near the far bank was continually diving for
food and re-surfacing well away from its last seen position and proved a challenging bird to see clearly. After lunch we were very unlucky to miss seeing a Bittern close to a hide on a different lake
as it hid in the reeds until our patience and time ran out. One hide overlooking several bird feeders in a wooded area provided great excitement as no fewer than 15 species of bird were coming
in to feed, including such difficult species to find as Brambling, Siskin and Redpoll. An excellent day out with one of our highest species lists.
Richard Morgan
24
Book Circle 1
‘Walking Home’ by Simon Armitage Simon Armitage is at present Oxford University Professor of Poetry, but his versatility as a writer includes many kinds of prose.
A recent choice for us was ‘Walking Home’, an account of his challenging 2010 walk of the Pennine Way, some 250 miles of bleak but beautiful terrain.
The conventional approach to undertaking this walk is from south to north, with the wind and rain behind you, but he decided to
tackle it from north to south so that he would be walking home towards the Yorkshire village of Marsden where he was born. He took no money with him. In return for his overnight bed and
board he gave poetry readings in village halls, churches, pubs and people’s living rooms.
Much of the appeal of the book lies with the characters he met on the way. At the end of each session he passed the hat round (well, a sock actually), a practice which did not sit easily in the
heart of one of our readers. His beautifully written prose is contemplative, moving, amusing and very atmospheric. As you read you feel the tempestuous wind, the lashing rain and the
squelching mud. He had to admit that there was a lot of sense in walking in the opposite direction; he could tell what weather to
expect by the condition of oncoming walkers! Barbara Cobbett
25
Book Circle 2
This month’s novel was ‘Possessing the Secret of Joy’ by Alice Walker. The main subject is female genital mutilation. The principal character has a sister who dies after this is performed,
causing her to have a lifetime of mental illness and a need for revenge. Other characters are woven throughout the book, giving some light relief in this very dark story.
It was a difficult book to read, though cleverly broken up into
short chapters. It was relentlessly horrifying and made an impact. The general consensus was that there is a need for this subject to be talked about, but thank goodness we have finished the book!
Lyn Thornhill
Cycling with a Pub Lunch
24 March
The first ride of the season. How many would turn up? Was it
perhaps a bit cool? Apologies were received from a couple of folk,
indications were not good. In the event we had ten riders, how
good is that? We welcomed three new riders, Jim, David and
John.
The sun shone as we left Quenington, a gentle ride all the way to
The Hare and Hounds at Fossebridge via Calmsden. A very nice
lunch was had by all, a big table as they were expecting us.
Suitably re-fuelled we glided back to Ready Token where we each
went our separate ways. A smashing ride in good company on a
very nice day. Thanks to one and all.
Paul O'Shaughnessy.
Pétanque groups
Tuesday group - A favourable start to the season was made by the
second Pétanque group with 10 new members joining us on the
first day, and this has now increased to 13, (making our combined
total 45) It was good to have a couple of the Wednesday group
players joining in to give advice and support.
Wednesday Group - Although the weather could have been a bit
more springlike, the initial game of the season was well attended.
On Saturday, 16th April, a group of 7 will be playing in a friendly
melee at The Red Bull, Malmesbury, which we hope will be a great
success. Five U3A groups will be represented, totalling 34 players.
The Pétanque embroidered logo has now been approved and
sample garments should be available from Wednesday, 20 April.
Heather Baber
26
Poetry Circle 1
Last month the review from the Poetry Circle 1 on ‘Kings and
Queens’ was wrongly attributed to Barbara Cottam. Please note
that the review was actually written by
Rosemary Westlake. Apologies from the editor
for this error.
Poetry Circle 1
March meeting
"The man recovered from the bite. The dog it was that died."
Almost everyone will recognise this ironic couplet, but at our
recent meeting we were reminded of its origin. They are the last
two lines from Oliver Goldsmith's "Elegy on the death of a mad
dog," one of the poems read on the topic Of Eighteenth Century
Poetry. The subject presented problems since poets of that period
were not noted for their brevity. They wrote at such length that
many poems were divided into 'Parts', 'Cantos', or even 'Books'.
However all our readers had found shortish passages for our
pleasure. One that we all liked was 'The Pauper's Funeral' from
book one of ' The Village' by George Crabbe. He wrote movingly of
the pauper's coffin being followed to the grave by the children of
the village who remembered the games the old man had played
with them. The parson was too busy to attend. Many of our
offerings were satirical in type as we would expect from that
century in which Pope, Swift and Gay were famous. We were
amused by Gay's ‘The Fox at the Point of Death', Leigh Hunt's 'To
a Fish' and 'The Fish Answers', by William Cowper's 'The Pineapple
and the Bee' and by Matthew Green's 'The Sermon.' More serious
was Lady Mary Chudleigh, an early feminist, in her 'To the Ladies'
in which she warned women away from marriage because it took
all their freedom and status from them. Most of us had attended in
expectation of a scholarly and solemn session and were delighted
to find that we laughed even more than usual though we are
seldom a serious group.
Should anyone wish to join us we meet next at Celia's on 6 May
when our topic will be 'Nothing changes'. Enquiries to Barbara
Cottam 01285 711054.
Joyce Deane
27
28
Solos
On the 12th April on the suggestion of one of our members 13 of us visited the new restaurant Côte Brasserie Cirencester in Black Jack Street. We found the food very acceptable, we were looked
after very well and the company was great. Annie Tayler one of our talented members who plays guitar and
sings with her folk band Moonshine, put together a concert at St Mary’s Hall Highworth in aid of Great Weston Hospital Radiotherapy Appeal. Ten of us supported this worthwhile cause.
There were five other supporting folk groups. We all thought the concert was excellent, I had no idea there was so much talent in the Swindon, Highworth and Lechlade folk clubs. Annie’s aim was
to raise £1000. I am glad to report they made £1500.
Mike Johnson
Recently a number of Solos went to Bristol to see Tommy Steele in The Glen Miller Story and what a foot tapping, hand clapping show it was. Of course we did have lunch beforehand to build up our
strength for all the excitement. At 79 ,Tommy Steele is as a good a showman now as he was in the 50s. He can still sing songs which have a melody and words which we could understand. The rest
of the cast were excellent, the dancing first class. There wasn't a person in the audience under 70, some of whom were dancing in the aisles. We reminisced about our youth (what stories!) and had
a thoroughly entertaining afternoon. Thank you, Mike, for arranging it.
Marion Lloyd
Photo Album If you have any interesting photographs of U3A activities, please
pass them to Ann Wightman (01285 712723) for inclusion in the album
Walking with a Pub Lunch
Wednesday 13 April On a warm sunny morning thirteen walkers set out from the Crown of Crucis for a walk which took us through the Harnhill
Centre and on to Driffield. We walked past St Mary's Church towards Charlham Farm House and from there we returned to the A417 at
Ampney St Peter. Having crossed the road we headed for Dudley Farm at Ampney Crucis and
then back to the Crown. The walk had several stiles and gates which we all managed successfully!
Back at the Crown we had a very enjoyable lunch in the bar. Jean and Doug Crowley
29
Postcards
If you occasionally read the Postcards reviews, you may well wonder what the anagram challenge is all about. Each month we decide on a subject or theme; for instance Girls’ names. Group
members then have to produce up to seven postcards where the first letters of the captions are used to form the name. The object of the procedure is to provide an opportunity for members to
share with one another items from their collections. Needless to say, some letters are difficult to find – “u”, “x”, “z” etc. As can be imagined some cheating takes place and the session usually ends
up with much hilarity! Nevertheless, many good and interesting cards appear.
Special Interest DaySpecial Interest DaySpecial Interest Day
“Life on Earth “Life on Earth “Life on Earth ––– Sciences for Today”Sciences for Today”Sciences for Today”
On Wednesday, 6 July 2016On Wednesday, 6 July 2016On Wednesday, 6 July 2016
The Farmers Club, 1 Tewkesbury Road, Longford, Gloucester, The Farmers Club, 1 Tewkesbury Road, Longford, Gloucester, The Farmers Club, 1 Tewkesbury Road, Longford, Gloucester,
GL2 9ASGL2 9ASGL2 9AS We have planned what we hope will be a very interesting and informative day, with four brilliant speakers : Professor John Gordon Beverley Adams-Groom Dr Lewis Dartnell Professor Helen Whitwell The venue has ample parking and is close to the centre of the city. The Special Interest Day fee of £18.00 for Cotswold Link members, £20.00 for non-Link members includes participation in the full programme, free car parking, coffee/tea on arrival and lunch. For further enquiries please contact Ann Williams, telephone number 01452 723901 or email [email protected].
ProgrammeProgrammeProgramme
10.00 Arrival, registration and tea / coffee
10.30 Introduction - Brenda Morton, Chairman, Gloucester U3A Auriol Ainley, Cotswold Link Chairman
10.35 Our Immune System – The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Professor John Gordon
11.35 Break
11.45 How to Rebuild our World from Scratch
Dr Lewis Dartnell
12.45 Lunch
14.00 The Real Silent Witness Professor Helen Whitwell
15.00 Break
15.10 Pollen Forecasting to the Media Beverley Adams-Groom
16.15 Finish
30
BOOKING FORMBOOKING FORM
Special Interest DaySpecial Interest DaySpecial Interest Day “Life on Earth “Life on Earth “Life on Earth ––– Sciences for TodaySciences for TodaySciences for Today”””
Wednesday, 6 July 2016 The Farmers Club, 1 Tewkesbury Road,
Longford, Gloucester, GL2 9AS
I / We would like to attend the Special Interest Day “Life on Earth – Sciences for Today” on Wednesday, 6 July 2016
Please complete further sheets if there is not enough room for you to list
everyone and their contact details
Full Name(s)…………………………………………………………………
Address………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………..
Telephone No(s) ……………………………………………………………
Email address(es) ………………………………………………………….
Member(s) of …………………………………………………………..U3A
Please provide your personal Membership Number given by your U3A ……………………………………………………………….
The cost of £18.00 for Cotswold Link members, £20.00 for non-Link members includes attendance at the seminar, free car parking, coffee/tea on arrival and lunch. Deadline for receiving entry forms is 15 June 2016. They will be dealt with on a first come, first served basis.
Please return completed forms to Lynn Glaze, Brook House, Manor Road, Eckington, WR10 3BH
Number of places required ……………….
I enclose a cheque for £.................made payable to Cotswold Link
