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1 Tavy District U3A Newsletter No 76 November 2015 www.tavistocku3a.org.uk Tavy District U3A at Kentwell Hall on the Suffolk holiday Photo from Janet Hunt and see article inside
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Tavy District U3A
Newsletter No 76 November 2015 www.tavistocku3a.org.uk
Tavy District U3A at Kentwell Hall on the Suffolk holiday Photo from Janet Hunt and see article inside
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Message From The Chair
O ur annual U3A holiday was in Suffolk and the whole trip was in bright sunshine. Thirty-five of us had a very pleasant break that took us to Gainsborough and Constable country and I thank the social committee for providing such a professionally run trip.
It now seems incredible that was only four weeks ago and the lovely sunny autumn is turning to winter. We came back to finalise the planning for our Two Moors Study Day that took place on October 20th; it is an event that we only do every four years or so. We had been planning for it since last October and I am now able to relax as the day has passed. Many people said or emailed me to say they enjoyed the day, which is very pleasing. We have had two very interesting lectures. In September we had Heather Welch who manages Victim Support in Devon and Cornwall. She gave us a moving account of problems of those who have been victims of crime and outlined the help that they need and how it is delivered. In October Ian Gasper, one of our members, who is a volunteer and Trustee of Devon & Cornwall Refugee Support, explained with great clarity the exceptionally topical and concerning subject of Refugees and Asylum in the UK with reference to the response in our area. If you don’t usually come to the monthly meetings please come along as the speakers are very good indeed. However as the sun slips away from us we have to start thinking of Christmas. We have managed to get a place in the Christmas Tree Festival in St Eustachius Parish Church and my thanks to Jennie Youngs and Mary Brock who organise our contribution. I have found the experience of visiting this event, particularly on Dickensian evening when mulled wine is available, to be a lovely start to the festive season, and our tree decorators never let Tavy District down. And finally we have organised an entertainment called Christmas Cake and Crackers for the December meeting which we hope will put you in good humour for the festive season. So Happy Christmas to you all. Hilary
PS Don’t forget the Coffee Mornings at The Terrace. The next two are on Wednesday November 18th and Wednesday December 16th at 10.15 am.. It’s only £2.00 for coffee or tea and a piece of cake which is amazing value.
Tavy District U3A Newsletter
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Tavy District U3A Newsletter
Subscriptions 2016
S ubscriptions are not due until January but this is to give you advance notice for the benefit of those members who prefer to pay by standing order or by bank transfer.
Our bank details are Account number 24972360 Sort code 77-09-07 There is no change in the amount payable: £15 for one person or £28 for joint membership for two people living at the same address. If you pay the full subscription to another U3A, then we do not have to pay a second capitation fee to the national office and you may therefore reduce the amount payable by £3.50 per person. If only one person in a joint membership has signed a Gift Aid declaration, then it will be assumed that you would like us to reclaim Gift Aid on the whole of the subscription, unless you let me know otherwise. If you are not sure whether you have signed a Gift Aid declaration please check with me at [email protected] or on 859167. Don’t forget to let me know if you are no longer a taxpayer, as that means that we can no longer reclaim Gift Aid on your behalf. I shall be in my usual place at the back of the hall to collect subs at the January meeting and can accept cash or cheque. If you would prefer to pay by post, please make the cheque payable to Tavy District U3A and send it to: Randall Williams Overdale Buckland Monachorum Yelverton PL20 7LQ We are not using a renewal form this year – just put the name/s of the person/s renewing on the back of the cheque. However, if you have changed your address, telephone number or email address, please let me know. Thanks. Randall Williams
Treasurer
With Christmas on the horizon this quotation attributed to Pavarotti may be timely: “One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating”
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A Lovely Day Out in Totnes
L eaving sunny Tavistock, we were apprehensive about the weather, but very soon drove into sunshine and a very warm welcome from Totnes U3A.
After coffee and a short talk on the history of the area, we made our way into the town and had a short stop at the impressive sixteenth century Guildhall and fifteenth century priory church of St. Mary the Virgin. We entered the Guildhall, which was still in use up to 1974. It was like stepping back in time, where prisoners were held before deportation. We then divided up into groups and continued through the quaint back streets to where the gallows once stood. We then said farewell to our very informative guides and headed for a recommended vegetarian restaurant, Willow, for lunch. Very pleasant indeed! After an hour or two roaming around the many quirky shops, we walked down to the river and sat on a bench watching the world go by and, no, none of us fell asleep! Rounding off the visit, we had afternoon tea at the Vintage Tea Rooms, which was delightful. We would just like to thank Norma for organising such an enjoyable day out. Marion Harris & Jane Rogers.
The U3A group near the Guildhall
German Group
W e are a small group of seven, who meet every first and third Wednesday of the
month at Renate's home. Mike, Renate's husband often jokes that he would love to join us as we seem to be laughing all the time! (In reality, we are working really hard at our German). Recently, Kevin has supplied us with an exciting detective story, which is issued to the group in instalments. We have been eagerly attempting to translate these for our homework and cannot wait to discover what Kommisar Baumgartner and Kommissarin Momsen have unearthed !!! In the Summer we all contributed to a German lunch at Renate and Mike's house, which featured a Currywurst (made by Renate) and German beer. At the moment, we are trying to negotiate a German dinner at The Terrace restaurant and hoping to invite others to join us, including Sarah's German group. Caroline Lorenzi
& Anna Clarkson
Remember, the Coffee
Mornings on the third Wednesday of the month have
moved back to The Terrace.
10.15 ‘til noon
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Tavy District U3A Newsletter
Social Golf Group
I t is now twelve months since I started the Social Golf Group. What are we about and how are we
doing? The idea was for novices only, who had a wish to learn to play golf, with the nineteenth hole just as important as the other eighteen!! Where over a coffee can you discuss just why it took four shots to get out of a simple bunker etc. etc. etc? How is it going? It is like the Foxtrot, slow, slow, quick quick slow, BUT without the quick quick! We started with just one then two where it remained for months, we had a few come and go, bad weather, trips to Australia, Ireland, France and new hips slowed us down. Now at last we have a group of five all (bar one) capable of hitting wayward shots but still able to laugh at ourselves (essential!) I believe the wives of some of us have suffered more, as they have sent their men off to get some golfing lessons so they might have some positive comments after a round. This also means we are coaching each other. Are we improving? Yes, down to three or four balls lost per round. The future? Hurdwick Golf Club have been very kind and friendly but we would dearly like a fresh challenge at various courses. We play on Mondays, it is weather dependant, twice a month if possible. If interested give me a call for a chat on 610535 Derek Mitchell
Art Appreciation Group
T his group meet in the home of our host to learn about and discuss a variety of art and artists.
It is stimulating to share other members views on work we know and also to learn of artists we may not have known and find we enjoy! We have welcomed new members when space has permitted. None of the group have any formal qualifications in art and at least two of us currently enjoy painting. The group began with an overview of art from Medieval times onward, since then we have looked at a variety of artists according to our interests. U3A have an extensive library of DVDs and videos available to us and we have enjoyed such varied artists as Picasso, Gillian Ayres, the Impressionists, Francis Bacon and a series of sessions on local artists in the West Country. Formats vary, with presenters visiting an exhibition or interviewing artists to camera and sometimes looking over the whole of an artist's career. We bring our enthusiasms to the meetings, sharing information on upcoming exhibitions or details of those we have seen. Coffee is always an important part of any morning session. Discussion is relaxed and our views vary widely on the qualities and values of what we see. We are happy to have our eyes and minds opened and surprised from time to time! Diane Richards
Last date for inclusion in the next Newsletter is 20th December
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Tavy District U3A Newsletter
Tavy District U3A Study Day
T he Town Hall saw East meet West this month. On Tuesday 20th October, Tavy
District proudly presented its study day where between them Geri Parlby and
Peter Brinsden gave us a fascinating insight into aspects of life in the East.
Dr Parlby's talk, entitled Harems, Hookahs, Odalisques and Ottomans was a
magnificent tour of 18th and 19th century paintings revealing western attitudes to the
orient and life in a world whose very difference was proving increasingly fascinating to
European eyes. Her absorbing talk provided the enthusiastic audience with a wealth of
information, including what odalisques actually are (courtesans in a Turkish seraglio),
and we left feeling we would enter an art gallery much better equipped to understand
the significance of any paintings we saw on this theme.
Peter Brinsden, already well known to the Tavy District audience, grew up in China as
part of a family who, by the time he was born, had already spent over half a century
out there as missionaries. While the West was reeling at accounts of the violence and
brutality of the early 20th century Boxer Rebellion and the Nanking Massacre less than
40 years later, members of his family were recording their own observations in diaries
and letters some of which he was able to show us. Other family members actually met
Zhou Enlai and, indeed, Mao Zedong and Peter himself drove past the demonstrations
in Tiananmen Square.
Fortified by a magnificent lunch which reflected the day's theme in some of its dishes,
participants spent the afternoon on an activity chosen from a range of visits which were
most definitely western in flavour namely a tour of the Guildhall, a walk round
Tavistock or an opportunity to find out more about the Robey Trust who must be
thanked along with the speakers, the activity leaders Alex Mettler, Andrew Thompson
and Simon Dell and the organisers for their contributions to a most interesting and
entertaining day.
Liz Johnson
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Tavy District U3A Newsletter
Dear Editor I wonder if there would be room to squeeze in a hearty vote of thanks from all of us who attended the Two Moors Study Day. It was a great day with two very interesting speakers, and lovely food with an Eastern flavour, and some interesting visits organised for the afternoon. The technical bits worked well and the big new screen really came into its own showing the beautiful artwork illustrating Geri Parlby's talk, and Peter Brinsden's fascinating photos of China. The mikes also worked splendidly and the whole organisation of the day went smoothly. I know this is the result of a lot of hard work behind the scenes planning and organising. I would have like to make a spontaneous public thank-you at the end of the afternoon but not everyone was there, so can I do so through the newsletter? Hilary, Janet, Millicent, Nick, the caterers - and anyone else I have missed out should receive a vote of thanks from all those who attended. Thanks again Rosy Griffith
Photos by Hilliary O’Neill
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Tavy District U3A Newsletter
A Walk in the Park
S ome of you will know that when your Newsletter editor is not editing the newsletter what he likes to do is go for a walk. Keen golfers aspire to taking part in a Masters tournament, cyclists to doing a
Tour and climbers look towards the Matterhorn. So it is that keen walkers aim to complete the Coast to Coast walk. Often known as Wainwright’s Coast to Coast it was devised by one Alfred Wainwright, a curmudgeonly Lancastrian who, by all accounts, would put Doc Martin in the shade for grumpiness. So it is that a small group of like-minded people (keen walkers, not necessarily grumpy) set off in September to go for a walk in the park. To be more accurate, it’s a 200 mile walk across not one but three of England’s National Parks, the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and the Yorkshire Moors. It stretches from a place called St Bees in Cumbria, which has nothing to commend it except for a superb Norman church, to Robin Hoods Bay a few miles south of Whitby on the Yorkshire coast. Three of the group were U3A members, myself and Tony James from Tavy District and Pam Colton from West Dartmoor, but known to many Tavy District U3A members as being the coach driver on lots of the social outings. Others were either non-believers yet to be converted or those who have not yet discovered the best job in the world is retirement! Even people who are not walkers will realise that this is something of a challenge to put it mildly, as it is not just the distance, but the ups and downs along the way, particularly in the Lake District. All together the total ascent is over 26000ft, almost the equivalent of climbing to the top of Everest from sea level. Even worse for the knees, it is 26000ft down as well. The highest point on the walk is Kidsty Pike which is 2559 feet above sea level and a lot of the route over the North York Moors was over 1000 feet. For 15 days we set off with our backs to the Irish Sea and headed east to walk from one side of the country to the other in as straight a line as reasonably possible. People have been asking “What was the best bit?” and this is probably the most
difficult question of all to answer. So what made the walk so memorable?
Well, it’s a walk to which many aspire but few manage to complete, and we did it!
The weather. September was glorious and we only had a few hours of rain (after all
that time getting waterproof gear ready beforehand).
The sheer variety of the walk, from craggy mountains and lakes, rolling dales and
heather moorland, historic towns such as Richmond and small villages.
Pubs and tea shops and the people we met in them from all over the world.
Put simply, the walk of a
lifetime.
John Noblet
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Tavy District U3A Newsletter
Royal Marine Barracks
T he visit to the Royal Marine Barracks, Stonehouse on 22nd October was another successful and educational trip.
Built in 1781, it was the home of one of only 3 permanent Marine regiments (the others being at Portsmouth and Chatham). The impressive façade which
runs along Durnford St was a later Victorian addition as were the iron railings which were made in Tavistock! The sea has also been pushed back over the years to expand the site.
We also enjoyed a tour of the Globe Theatre which most of us had heard of and a handful had actually performed in! The original building (some features of which are still visible today) was erected to play the new-fangled game of Royal Tennis but, as that went out of fashion soon after, it was revamped and enlarged to become a theatre for touring players and bands, a function it retains to this day. It is a beautiful building with comfy seats but no more leg room than the Theatre Royal! The Marines celebrated their 350th anniversary last year and have accrued much memorabilia in that time, some of which is on display in the form of silverware, paintings and commemorative plaques but not Napoleon’s chair which was moved to Portsmouth for safety during the war and they forgot to send it back! Unfortunately the organ in the chapel above the main gate has become redundant and is looking for a good home. Any takers? Rosemary Edwards
Photos by
Hilary
O’Neill
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Tavy District U3A Newsletter
U3A Playreading Group 2
I was amazed to find that it is three years since the U3A Playreading Group 2 was started in July 2012. How time flies!
In that time we have got together in my sitting room and read 34 plays. There have been members missing because of other commitments, leaving and joining, which has sometimes made choosing plays difficult as far as numbers in the cast are concerned. However usually when there are too many, we can swop the parts around part way through so that everyone gets a turn, though this has only happened once. If we have too few, we can double up, which can lead to hilarious moments when one person is reading dialogue between two people. I have to say this has rarely happened, but our readers are usually skilled enough to provide two differing voices, and of course we are all following in our own copies. We have a book for each character and one for the stage directions in the collection from the Performing Arts Library in Exeter, and always stop for a chat and a drink either part-way through or at the end. It’s sometimes interesting to see how the readers react to the characterisation and the motivation, so we sometimes have an illuminating sharing of ideas about the play – or sometimes we just chat! We currently have nine members, and not everyone can make the third Tuesday in the month, so we would happily welcome some new members. We have read a great variety of plays from classics like Pygmalion and Lady Windermere’s Fan, to modern comedy like a Farndale Avenue or a John Godber, murder mysteries and intriguing explorations of theories of time. Rosy Griffith
Mack and Mabel
W ith fond memories of the Local Tavistock Musical Theatre Company’s production of this musical about the love story
between Mack Sennett and Mabel Normand, it was interesting to see a professional production on the big Theatre Royal stage. I was not disappointed. The set was cleverly designed with the orchestra mounted high at the back of the stage with a spiral staircase to one side. The overtures reminded us of those catchy and haunting tunes which are such a feature of the piece. Michael Ball played a convincing Mack Sennett, maker of the comedy ‘two reelers’, often featuring his Keystone cops, which were such a success. His lively leading lady, Mabel Normand, becomes a star and although he warns that ‘he won’t send roses’, they fall in love. Success follows with energetic dance numbers featuring the Keystone cops and the dancing bathing belles – a breathtaking moment as they slide down the screen in the original film and then pop up on stage. The ill-starred love affair founders as Mabel struggles with the driven working pace of Mack’s studio and his relentless obsession with silly comedy, and she succumbs to the drink and drugs culture of the twenties studios. This piece was stunningly staged with the use of film, gorgeous costumes and slick changes of scenery and props, and amazing and energetic dance routines. The end of the story is inevitably moving, but although I left the theatre with tears in my eyes, those catchy tunes have stayed in my ear ever since. Rosy Griffith
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Tavy District U3A Newsletter
Garden Visits Group
S outh Devon Chilli Farm was the “garden” visit for thirteen of us on 21sr September, our group booking having been arranged by Margaret Carter, and one which was enjoyed more than had been expected.
The damp start didn’t really matter, as after warm drinks in the neat café/shop, and tasters of some of their products, we went on to be introduced, under shelter, to how the farm got started in 2003. Our host was Steve Waters, one of four partners, whose enthusiasm for growing chillies and a chance conversation at a local farmers’ market led to being able to buy ten acres of a farm at Wigford Cross, Loddiswell, near Kingsbridge to begin this venture. There are 150 varieties of chilli grown from seed there every year, the largest collection of chillies in the country, they believe. On site they grow many of the other ingredients to produce award-winning sauces, chutneys, and chilli chocolates as well as fresh and dried chillies and seeds, young starter plants grown in plugs and mature ones too, dispatched all over the world, and the shop sells associated gifts too – I now have some red and green glass chilli ear-rings. In the “nursery” we saw plants where some were still in flower, the growing season being summer into autumn, some dangled their differently shaped and differently sized fruits, while others were laden with bright spikes of tightly clustered multi-coloured tiny chillies, very decorative. On to the poly-tunnels, Steve picked various of the chillies for us to try, from the mild and sweet to the more distinctively hot ones, not letting us touch the one sample he opened for us to sniff, which is used very carefully and sparingly to flavour their products registering very high on the Scoville Scale, this one would have been as a burn if we had touched its inside flesh. The Scoville Scale identifies the capsaicin level of a chilli, it is the number of dilutions in water needed to remove its “heat”. A large sweet bell pepper, familiarly sold in shops and supermarkets will register at zero, a Jalapeno at 70,000, and orange or red Habanero 250,000 and that small ugly one we didn’t touch comes in at a dangerous 1,000,000! All very interesting to see and learn. After a delicious cream tea and making some purchases we went on to the nearby Avon Mill Garden Centre with lots of crafts and goodies, and where most of us found plants which were just too good to leave behind! Altogether a very good “garden” visit and I shall go to both places again. (For chilli farm info go to www.sdcf.co.uk) Delia Crichton
Photo from Janet Hunt
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Tavy District U3A Newsletter
Historic Houses and Heritage of Suffolk Tavy District U3A holiday 27 September to 1 October 2015
“Wonderful weather, beautiful buildings, fantastic food, scintillating sites.”
C onstable and Gainsborough come instantly to mind when you think of the heritage of Suffolk, and the scenes from those famous pictures came to life as we visited Dedham and Bridge Cottage. The weather was kind, warm and sunny, and the Stoke by Nayland Hotel (with pool, sauna and jacuzzi) very comfortable, with excellent food and service.
As usual on a Tailored Travel holiday we had a very varied programme of art, historic houses and old ruins. The highlights were Kentwell Hall – see the main group photo on the cover of this Newsletter - a Tudor mansion being brought back to life by its very enthusiastic owner and Aldeburgh famed for its bracing walks along the sea front and fish and chips. Framlingham Castle ramparts offered wonderful views of the countryside as well as the poshest Poor House ever seen inside the ruins, while the beautiful Guildhall and half-timbered houses at Lavenham rounded off the experience. Add to this the red moon of the lunar eclipse (yes, some people did set their alarms!) and a Thames barge under full sail – totally wonderful! We should thank Tailored Travel for their excellent organisation, and John, the helpful Berry’s coach driver, for transporting us expertly and safely around all the country lanes. Looking forward already to North Wales next year! Janet Hunt
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Tavy District U3A Newsletter
HAIKU
by Diana Brace
FRAMLINGHAM
English Heritage –
Chimneys of twisted towers
Surround the Poor House.
ALDEBURGH
Magical sea breeze
Home of Britten and Pears
Charms the traveller
CLIVEDEN
Conservation work
Tries to mask its history
But scandal will out
ARTISTRY
Constable country
Home of artistic magic
And English beauty
KENTWELL
Determined couple
Return Tudor house to us -
living history
Photos by
Hilary O’Neil and
Janet Hunt
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Tavy District U3A Newsletter
Discussion Group
W hen the Discussion Group met in June one member sent apologies from Brittany, saying that “in the market here the majority of the 10 varieties of
tomato were produced locally”. Our topic was “Where should our food come from?” In our usual style we started with a factual briefing sheet prepared by the topic leader (me this time) and swept on to questions of politics, economics and personal values that are unresolvable, but stimulating to debate. Did you know:
• an average household in the South West spends £100 per week on food and drink, but throws away edible food worth £9 per week
• 53% of food and drink consumed in Britain was produced in Britain, 28% in the EU, 19% elsewhere
• air freight is 1% of food tonne -km, but 12% of food, CO2 emissions
• surveys show increasing support among shoppers for buying British food. However, the NFU found that 62% of consumers do not know British grown sweetcorn is available or 19% that apples are grown here.
• sales in ethical food and drink, e.g. organic or fair trade labelled, are less than 10% of household food sales, but rising.
We reached a fair degree of consensus that we didn’t care where and how our food was produced, though this did affect the local economy and environment, and favoured local producers and shops when and if it was convenient. While not directly addressing the “Tesco question” we recognise the dominance of supermarkets as a major influence on consumer choice in practice, but also the national pattern of more online and “spot” shopping. Most of the group shop locally. Ian’s delicious home-made biscuits and Ethiopian coffee also passed the ethics check with ease! Kit Harbottle
Break a Guinness World Record with
CHICKS
F or several years a group of us have travelled down to the CHICKS Cornwall retreat to help wrap
thousands of presents that are sent to the children. This year, Mick Ryan (who came a few years back to talk to us) has advised me that they are planning to break the Guinness World Record for the ‘Most People Wrapping Simultaneously’ when the 3,600 presents are wrapped. The event in itself, of course, will generate publicity for this amazing charity. To break the record they need at least 250 people to come along and wrap! We usually go in a group of about 10 but I would like to think for this record to materialise we could perhaps be a group of about 30 to make this Christmas special for every CHICKS child. So are you free for the day on Thursday 3rd December? I do hope many members can come along. We will meet at Pixon Lane to car share at about 09.15 (precise timings to be advised) and probably be back late afternoon. As the event will be taking place in RAF St Mawgan, near Newquay, this year I have to make a precise list of people coming for security on the site, so please make a decision soon. Please get in touch (854792 or 07802.730549) or see me, Jennie Youngs
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Tavy District U3A Newsletter
Cribbage Group
O ur Cribbage Group is now back in action after a break from meetings for Jennie to move house. We meet on the first Thursday
evening of the month from 7.15 until whenever, in Horrabridge. Many of us enjoy cribbage with fond memories of playing the game as a youngster with maybe our Dads or Grandads. You may remember too and might like to come along for some serious refresher sessions! Maybe you have never played before and would like to learn. All are welcome as we can manage to set up games with however many come. Last month seven of us played, in a game of 4 and 3 people. We were pleased to be back together playing and have not laughed so much for ages! Jennie Youngs
Science and Technology Group
T he group has met nine times this year and has discussed newspaper reports on science based subjects. These are selected entirely on
their interest value and the discussions have reflected this.
Topics have been wide ranging: examples are GM crops, the Rosetta Spacecraft, drones, development of graphene, artificial intelligence, the Pluto spacecraft, the current nuclear power programme and many more. The group has available places and we would welcome new members. Bernard James
Seen in a ladies toilet by
Christine Playdell
Think About It
• The fattest knight at King Arthurs round table was Sir Cumference.
• I thought I saw an eye doctor on an Alaskan island, but it turned out to be an optical Aleutian.
• She was only a whisky maker, but he loved her still.
• A rubber band pistol was confiscated from algebra class, because it was a weapon of maths disruption.
• No matter how much you push the envelope, it'll still be stationery.
• A dog gave birth to puppies near the road and was cited for littering.
• A grenade thrown into a kitchen in
France would result in Linoleum Blownapart.
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Tavy District U3A Newsletter
The meeting place and time for all walks is the free car park at Pixon Lane (just below the Market Inn) at 9.40am.
WALKSWALKSWALKSWALKS Tuesday 3rd November Walk Long Ash to Double Waters 4 miles Optional lunch at café Diana
Tuesday 17th November Walk Meldon reservoir circuit 4 miles or 6 miles Optional lunch at Castle Inn, Lydford John
Thursday 26th November Walk Princetown to Nuns Cross. 2/2½hours Optional lunch at Fox Tor Café. Chris
Tuesday 8th December Christmas Walker’s Lunch
Walk Lyford and Fernworthy Down 4 miles Christmas lunch at Castle Inn Preordering your meal would be helpful All walkers welcome Diana & John
Tuesday 5th January. TBA depending on weather but usual 4/5 miles Diana
Spot the deliberate mistake
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Tavy District U3A Newsletter
The Recorder Group
invites you to
A Concert
on
Wednesday, November 25th 10.30-12.00
at
The Rock Methodist Church
Yelverton
This is the first time the group has performed publicly
and there will be an entertaining programme with a wide range of music to suit all tastes.
Entrance is free (collection at the end).
Refreshments will be served.
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Tavy District U3A Newsletter
We have been privileged recently to see magnificent theatre - Mack and Mabel was amazing, and it was good to see quite a few people taking the opportunity to go to the theatre together. Some more tickets have just become available at the Theatre for next year so I have reserved 20 for each of the shows. The deadlines are well ahead as you can see, but if you are interested in going with our group do please sign up as soon as you can so I can gauge the interest and book more seats if necessary as I think both shows will be very popular.
Mary Poppins Thursday 01 September 2.30 upper circle rows C and D £47.50 (NO discounts) deadline February 16.
The Wind in the Willows Thursday 20 October 2.30 dress circle row G £35 deadline June 16.
If you saw the local news last week you will know Matthew Bourne has created a new ballet. There is no name or dates yet but it is premiering in Plymouth next autumn. There will be a list for you to express interest now, and as soon as I have details of the show I will reserve seats at the Theatre and you can make a definite commitment. You can still book tickets for: King Charles lll Thursday 10 December 2.30 circle row G £18.50 and you will need to pay by the November meeting. Susan Neal is arranging a meal in the Theatre restaurant before this show and you can sign up for this at the Theatre table at the November meeting. Please collect your tickets for Billy Elliot and Breakfast at Tiffany’s this month. Carole 618981 [email protected] Janet 613088 [email protected]
THEATRETHEATRETHEATRETHEATRE
NEWSNEWSNEWSNEWS
Wharf Live Broadcasts Jewels - Bolshoi Ballet Monday 9th November 8pm Viscera/ Afternoon of a Fawn/ Tchaikovsky Pas De Deux/ Carmen - Ballet from ROH Thursday 12th November 7.15pm Of Mice and Men Thursday 19th November 7pm The Winter’s Tale Thursday 26th November 7.15pm The Mikado - ENO Thursday 3rd December 7.15pm Cavalleria Rusticana / Pagliacci - ROH Thursday 10th December 7.15 Nutcracker - Royal Ballet Wednesday 16th December 7.15pm Nutcracker - Bolshoi Ballet Sunday 20th December 4pm
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Tavy District U3A Newsletter
Contributions for the Newsletter to John Noblet, please.
Email to [email protected]
Last date for inclusion in the next Newsletter is 20th December
Thursday November 5th
Guided visit to the Plymouth Synagogue 11.00 am – 1.00 pm. Meet at the Synagogue or in front of St Andrew’s Church on Royal Parade at 10.50 am. Tuesday November 10th
Skittles at the Blacksmith’s Arms, Lamerton at 11.15 am followed by optional lunch. Monday December 7th Skittles (as above). 2016
For 2016 plans are in hand for - - our traditional quiz at the end of January - a visit to the Citadel in Plymouth - a guided walk from the Barbican along the waterfront to King William Yard in Ply-mouth followed by lunch and boat ride back to the Barbican - more skittles - coach for a visit to Falmouth followed by river cruise up the Fal to Truro - our annual visit to the Minack Theatre - coach visit to Penzance and visits to the art galleries Dates and further details for these will be in the following newsletters as and when they can be confirmed.
THETHETHETHE
SOCIAL TABLESOCIAL TABLESOCIAL TABLESOCIAL TABLE
2016 Holiday The Historic Houses and Heritage of North Wales - September 11th to 15th
Organised with Tailored Travel as have been our holidays in previous years.
Details of programme, cost and hotel will be on the social table November 4th.
Sign up on November 4th or contact Norma (613597) if you may be interested.
Don’t forget the Coffee Mornings at The Terrace on the 3rd Wednesday of the month from 10.15 am
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TAVY
DISTRICT
Tavy District U3A meets on the
first Wednesday of the month
at 2.00pm in Tavistock Town
Hall
Chair Hilary O’Neill 854565
Vice Chair David Palmer 612100
Business Secretary Liz Heaton 615129
Treasurer Randall Williams 859167
Membership Sheila Byworth 610597
Groups Liaison Sally Hill 819706
Newsletter Distribution Sue Hutton 619608
Speaker’s Liaison Pat Dickinson 610658
Two Moors Liaison Hilary O’Neill 854565
Equipment Officer Nick Turner 834740
Catering Liaison Millicent Wallworth 610536
Social Committee Norma Woodcock 613597
Lillian Taylor 617720
Chris Webb 613884
Diana Smirles 612763
Janet Hunt 613088
The Committee .
Tavy District U3A Speaker Programme
Our Programme for the next few months:
2nd December
Christmas at the Town Hall
6th January TBA
