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U3A Address: Peterborough U3A, P O Box 946 Peterborough, PE1 9ES
OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS Chairman Brian Keegan 01733 265769 Vice Chairman & Secretary Brenda Fearon 01733 239848 Treasurer Derek Lea 01733 572245 Accommodation Manager Michael Spencer 01733 570663 Day Visit Organiser Paul Parker 01780 782976 Groups’ Coordinator Terry McCarthy 01733 232518 Membership Secretary Hilary Lewis 01733 265877 Speakers Secretary Jan Bearman-Brown 01733 572201 Other Committee Members Joyce Green 01733 233713 Hilary Keegan 01733 265769 Mary McCarthy 01733 232518 Gill Parsons 01733 263211 Chris Wareham 01733 263006 Conny Yarwood 01733 394669
SOME TELEPHONE NUMBERS YOU MIGHT NEED Accommodation Officer Joyce Green 01733 233713 Day Visits Organisers Paul Parker 01780 782976 Gina Bates 01733 579317 Sandi Osborne 01733 233840 Doreen Dare 01733 260994 Theatre Group Organiser Graham Woods 01733 234892 Travel Club Organisers Arthur Hunt 01733 756883 Ann Pollack 01733 269108 U3A News Editor Conny Yarwood 01733 394669 Website Coordinator Mary McCarthy 01733 232518
HOW TO ACCESS THE PETERBOROUGH U3A WEBSITE
www.peterboroughu3a.org.uk
Direct access to the site is via the address given above. To save re-typing in
future, save the page to your Favourites/Bookmarks.
Most of the site is visible and can be navigated using the menu tabs. Login is only
required for access to My Details, My Activities and Minutes. Use your
membership number and password – you should have received this when you
first joined the U3A.
Please check your personal details under the My Details tab and make any
changes there e.g. to your email address if you have changed it since the start of
your membership. If you record changes here you do not need to contact the
Membership Secretary, remember to click Save My Details at the bottom before
you leave the page.
For help contact Mary McCarthy at [email protected].
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STANDING ORDER SUBSCRIPTION PAYMENTS
There have been a lot of problems with these payments this year. A staggering 30% of those members who paid by standing order failed to make the necessary adjustment to their payments to reflect the increase in subscription rates. Those who have paid the correct amount, by whatever means, may legitimately feel aggrieved that a number of members have ‘got away with’ paying a lower subscription this year.
Why did this happen? Members cannot claim not to have known what to do. There were articles in both the January and April issues of U3A News advising of the increase and giving clear guidance on the procedure to be followed. In addition, a new standing order form was sent out to the whole membership with the April newsletter, which only needed to be completed and taken to the bank. This was, of course, at a cost to the U3A for printing.
These members are possibly ignorant of the difference between a standing order and a direct debit. With a direct debit, the recipient, i.e. Peterborough U3A, can adjust the amount; with a standing order, the sum must be changed by the person paying. This was explained in the April issue of the magazine, but clearly not appreciated by a number of members who perhaps did not read the article.
Some members seem not to know that they have set up a standing order, so they have paid twice – there have even been some double payments by standing order on different dates.
These problems have caused considerable time wasting and inconvenience for both the treasurer and myself. The Committee is looking at a system whereby direct debits can be utilized instead of standing orders. When details are available members will be informed in the next edition of the newsletter of the outcome and if approved you will be given the opportunity to make the change.
I make no apology for the strong wording of this article. Managing the renewals of around 2,700 members is quite time-consuming enough without the need to deal with the inefficiency of a certain proportion.
If you wish the facility to remain, it is up to you, the members, to
remedy the situation!
Hilary Lewis, Membership Secretary
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NEW MEMBERS’ MEETING
SATURDAY 28 MARCH 2015
AT JACK HUNT SCHOOL HALL
Coffee served from 9.30am
Meeting starts 10.30am
Any member who has missed previous
New Members’ Meetings, as well as prospective
members, are also welcome to attend
U3A ANNUAL PARTY
Barn Dance with Dennis Cuddles Starlight Band
At Jack Hunt School Hall
Don’t forget the 23 January 2015
Tickets sold out
Bring Your Own Buffet, Drink And Glasses
To Share With Friends On Your Table
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CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Firstly a very happy New Year to all our members and I hope you all had an enjoyable Christmas, no doubt with one or two U3A Christmas dinners to get you in the mood.
In order to meet our deadline I am writing this column in the middle of November so obviously it is not possible to be bang up to date and it means that the report can be a bit boring and full of items urging you to volunteer for something or communicating Peterborough U3A business. So for a change I thought I would reflect a little and perhaps give you some New Year cheer in the depths of winter.
In the second week of November, Hilary and I went to Marrakesh for a week’s walking holiday with Ramblers Holidays. Before we went one of our granddaughters, hearing that granny and granddad were going to Africa, and being aware of the Ebola outbreak in Senegal and Liberia, was most concerned for us. So our daughter brought her and her sister around to look at a map and explain that we would be a long way from the affected areas.
The holiday was great fun, the fellow walkers were all like-minded and I was surprised by the magnificent views on some of our walks of the snow-topped Atlas Mountains. Marrakesh itself was amazing, the souks vibrant with trading and activity and in the main square at 10 in the evening, it seemed as though the whole of the City were out enjoying themselves. It also reminded me just how much our life opportunities have changed in one generation. Although we range in age from people in the 90s to mid 50s nearly all of us are able to visit places that our parents’ generation often only visited if they were in the armed services and were involved in the world wars. Having said that, I discovered that my 82 year old brother in law, Tom, had visited Morocco 50 years ago with two of his fellow cycling friends, flying to Gibraltar, getting a boat to Tangier via Spain. A much more adventurous outing than our organised trip. As we were waiting at the airport to come home we noticed there were Ryanair flights not just to Stansted but also to Madrid and other parts of Europe, reminding us just how global our world has become.
I am a member of seven groups so I am aware of the time and effort that group leaders put into organising their activities. So on your behalf I would like to thank all our group leaders for the hard work and effort that they put into running their groups for our benefit.
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Cannot avoid some business though! Having been re-elected as your Chair for another year my main task is to find someone to replace me when I have to stand down. The rules quite rightly limit the term of office to 3 years maximum. So by the time you read this there will be a maximum of 21 months or maybe 9 months before a new Chair has to be found. So if any of you are interested in this prestigious, high status opportunity please let me know. I would also point out that it is sometime since we had a female Chair!
Lastly, I both enjoy the opportunity as Chair to visit exhibitions of our work, such as the watercolour and the patchwork & quilting groups, and being a member of the groups that I belong to. In September I joined the woodturning group resulting in most of our family getting bowls for Christmas! I am looking forward this year to our U3A wine tasting and golf holidays as well as the weekly opportunity to find excuses as to why the golf ball won’t do what I want it to at Wednesday’s golf for fun.
So to all of you a very happy new year, resolve to try a new activity and continue to enjoy being a member of Peterborough U3A.
Brian Keegan
THE MONTHLY MEETINGS
AT THE TOWN HALL The meeting at the Town Hall is held on the last Thursday of each month at 10.25am. Coffee and tea are available from 10.00am so that you can meet and talk to other U3A members and members of the committee. It is also a time to learn of any new courses and trips between issues of the newsletter. The speaker will start at 10.25am. 29 January Stuart Orme – 150 Million Years in 55 Minutes The complete history of Peterborough from Dinosaurs to Queensgate. Stuart presents a fast, furious and fun illustrated talk that will surpass even Grandma’s memories...
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26 February Stephen Duffy – Lasting Powers of Attorney/Care Home Funding Stephen is a Partner of Buckles Solicitors and will discuss a serious subject and will approach it in an informative and lighthearted manner. 26 March Gordon Rogers – Deep Space Astronomy Gordon is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomy Society. His enthusiasm is such that he has a state-of-the-art observatory built adjoining his house. At the request of Sir Patrick Moore he wrote a book titled ‘My Heavens’ about the iconic Sky at Night series.
PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE OF VENUE THE APRIL MEETING IS AT THE JOHN CLARE THEATRE
30 April Linda Scoles - Help I need a Lifestyle Adviser! Linda is an American born, now British Citizen, who came to England in 1971 with her AAF Officer husband. Linda entertained and amused us three years ago with "The Yanks are Coming" and I'm sure will do like wise with "Help I need a Lifestyle Adviser!" Drawing on her upbringing in Squilchuck Creek and the family's experiences travelling the world she has developed her own unique style of storytelling.
AT THE FLEET The meeting at The Fleet is held on the second Wednesday of each month, from September to March inclusive, from 2.00 until 4.00pm. Coffee and tea are served at 2.00pm with a visiting speaker 2.30pm. 14 January Brian White – History of the Travelling Post Office Brian worked on the System and is now actively involved in its preservation/conservation. Brought to the fore with the 1963 Great Train Robbery, the only surviving vehicle from that infamous event is now being conserved locally by Brian and his colleagues.
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11 February Gary and Sheila Frisby explore ‘The Life of Rudyard Kipling and the Music Hall’ in their own special way. 11 March Geoffrey Lee – Wildlife in the Wash The Wash is the biggest bay in England, one of the most outstanding coastal wetlands in Europe and a Special Protection Area under European Union Legislation.
Jan Bearman-Brown
Speaker List A list is being compiled of people who are willing to be speakers for groups, which group organisers can draw on when compiling their programmes.
If you are able to offer a session on any topic please contact Hilary Keegan on 01733 265769 or email her on [email protected]
GROUPS’ CO-ORDINATOR’S REPORT
Activities Day 28 August 2014 The day went well, and despite the unpromising weather at the start the sun came out in the early afternoon. Our Chairman estimates, from numbers of membership renewals, new members, signatories of the visitors’ book and those involved in group displays and performances, over 1,000 people attended. I thank, most sincerely, all those who put on group displays, performed or helped with the catering, information and welcome desks, assisted Hilary Lewis with Membership renewals, etc. for their efforts, cheerful support and willingness to make the best of things. Overall: 115 invitations to display were sent 27 Group Leaders did not reply at all – one turned up on the day and we managed, more by good fortune, to squeeze them in 18 Group Leaders/Groups chose not to display 74 Groups put on displays or performed, I am very grateful for all your efforts, it certainly surprised and impressed the Mayor, who was
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unaware of the existence of such a vibrant organisation with over two and a half thousand members in Peterborough Feedback indicates it was a very positive ‘show case’ for our activities – well done to you all Most Group Leaders’ wishes accommodated. A shortage of display boards was satisfactorily offset by using wallboards in the classrooms. Ultimately, thanks to a willingness to compromise and co-operate, every participating group received what they requested or a suitable equivalent The weather even played its part, morning rain turned to sunshine for the dancing displays, so the Sports Hall option was not needed Finally, grateful thanks is due The Jack Hunt Facilities Management Team for their help and support before and during the day
Changes in Group Activities since the last Edition of Peterborough U3A News:
Group Title change: To avoid any confusion John Douglas has decided to change the title of ‘Film Club’ to ‘Cinema Club’, with immediate effect.
Groups which have ceased operations: Badminton – Barry Clarkeston informed me in late August that he was retiring from the leadership and winding-up the Badminton Group. Sunday Lunch 3 - due to falling numbers Doreen Waltham has terminated her Sunday Lunch Group. Watercolour-Absolute Beginners – sadly, circumstances led to Mike Henton reluctantly deciding to withdraw his successful Watercolour – Absolute Beginners from the list of U3A Groups as from 28 October.
Groups under new leadership: Rummikub 1 – following her decision to relocate to Sussex Sheila Kostyrka has handed over leadership of Rummikub 1 to Rosemary Dethridge, Telephone 01733 718742 or Email: [email protected] Roses & Castles – Donne Buck is looking for a new group leader from his regular attendees or even the four or so new recruits.
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New Groups now Active: Motorcycling – Roy Turner elicited a sufficient number of potential group members to make a start (see below). Bowls – summer 2015 at both Barnack and Bushfield Bowls Clubs (see below). Concert Party – started 12 September at Copeland (see below) Engineering - Brian Keegan is linking with the Peterborough Engineering Society, with whom we now have an active link.
New Discount Activities: Ceramics – first session held on Thursday 18 September 10.00 at Orton Waterville Village Hall. 18 people signed up on Activities Day, but only 7 members appeared on the day, plus group leader. Discounted payment for U3A Members for 4 weekly sessions - £40 payable by cheque. Tea, Coffee and biscuits free. Zumba Dancing - Jenny Lee, Zumba ‘Golds’ Dancing instructor. Collected a list of 49 names at Activities Day. Classes commenced in September with Peterborough U3A members being given a discount.
Potential Groups which failed to start: Karaoke and Sing Along Group – no contact made with proposer, group deemed a non-starter. Fine Dining – No details received. Sugar Craft – Insufficient response, proposal withdrawn.
Proposed Groups: Are You Ready for Bowls? Orton Woods U3A Lawn Bowls Group U3A and Bushfield Bowls Club are combining to launch a new lawn bowls group early next summer. We shall meet on the first Monday of each month (May, June, July, August and September) at 13.45 and play through until 16.00, with a break for tea at 15.00. Additional group sessions will be arranged as members request.
We shall welcome players of all abilities, including beginners, and provide all necessary equipment, including woods. We shall introduce the game and provide basic tuition as required.
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You will need flat shoes (no heel, ridges etc.). Plimsolls etc. are fine until you decide to buy bowls shoes. There is a green fee of £2.00 per session. Tea is 30p.
U3A members who choose to play regularly are welcome to join the Bushfield Club (£35.00 membership for the season - no more green fees!). Club members bowl any day, Monday to Saturday, from 14.00 to 16.00. Roll up games are arranged to include everyone who turns up on the day.
Enquiries please to Bernard Barker (e-mail [email protected] or on 01733 236241). Keep up to date with the latest developments by clicking the U3A tab on the Bushfield Bowls Club website: http://rekrab3.wordpress.com Bowls at Barnack This is a new group, meeting at the Barnack Bowls Club on Saturday and Thursday mornings from 9.45 to 12.00. Starting next season from mid April to mid September 2015.
The group is for U3A members who enjoy playing a game of outdoor bowls and for members who would like to learn the game of bowls. Sets of bowls and free coaching are available for beginners. The fee will be £2.00 per session inclusive of tea and biscuits.
Activities Day drew a good response with 28 members interested in playing on Saturdays and 19 for Thursdays. For further information contact Malcolm Bayes 01733 571246 [email protected] Opinion Time 2 U3A members have proved themselves eager to debate news and current affairs in a friendly but challenging environment. Opinion Time 1, launched in November 2013, has discussed a wide range of topics from immigration and the European Union to the future of books, libraries and publishing. We have succeeded in creating a climate where members are comfortable expressing their unvarnished opinions but also accept challenges with good grace and humour.
The demand for places has been such that we launched Opinion Time 2 on Thursday 27 November at 14.00, with the meeting to be held at 2 Earlswood, Orton Brimbles, Peterborough, PE2 5UG (01733 236241), with subsequent meetings on the fourth Thursday of the month (M4). A member presents first thoughts on a press cutting,
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media clip or some other item and everyone contributes to subsequent discussion. Sessions will run from 14.00 to 16.00.
Please contact Bernard Barker at [email protected] (or mobile 07516 807936) to express interest. Table Tennis Rod Hatton is interested in establishing a Table Tennis Group. He has a venue in mind. Anyone interested should contact Rod at 01733 551288.
Taster Sessions which could lead to either a new U3A Group or ‘Discounted Activity’: Racketball Peterborough U3A members have been offered a Taster Session of an activity known as Racketball (featured on the Simon Mayo Radio 2 Programme recently). Owing to the offer not being received until after the August News deadline, publicity was limited, consequently only one member attended the first taster session. However, Daniel is prepared to repeat the session on Friday 15 January 2015, 11.00am at Peterborough Town Sports Club.
If there is sufficient interest this could be developed into a U3A Group (NB A U3A member would be needed to act as Group Leader to supervise collection and banking of monies) with weekly sessions, costing about £3 per session, or a Discounted Activity.
If you wish to know more about racketball and/or book a taster session, contact: Daniel McGinn, racXsports Head Coach, Email: [email protected] or mobile 07920828277
FROM THE GROUPS I would like to thank all those Group Leaders who rose to the challenge. Some of the reports are brief, but they are up to date and very welcome.
Terry McCarthy
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Bridge This year we, sadly, lost two of our oldest players.
Win Taylor, 93, widow of a well-known and well-respected headmaster of Jack Hunt School, was a very formidable lady in her own right. Only about three years ago she fought off an attacker with her walking stick whilst she was walking along the riverside, and she could certainly keep her bridge partner, Stuart Osborne, in order. She rarely missed a meeting, although she was in constant pain; she died in her chair after her last game of bridge.
Violet Hutchins, also 93, was another amazing lady, as was revealed by her son who gave the eulogy at her funeral in October. She had played tennis and table tennis, setting a new challenge for herself every decade, including golf and scrabble. After golf, she took up bowls, played for the County, and trained to be a professional coach. She became the first lady president of Deacon’s School PTA. She began to play bridge only three or four years ago, and when we moved from Lincoln Road to Copeland she prevailed upon her daughter, Gill, to take up the game so that she could continue playing at our new venue, and together they formed a very creditable partnership.
Both Violet and Win were always immaculately dressed and looked forward to their weekly game of bridge. Two very remarkable ladies who will both be sadly missed.
Mary Claxton Basic Science After four weeks learning about the innards of the Atom we moved on to Biology. Still innards, but of humans not atoms. Amongst several aspects of Human Biology we have learnt far more than decent about the Lungs and about Diabetes. We regularly have 19 in the class and during November we covered such Black Arts as Electricity and Circuit Boards, hands on!! During December we moved on to the Ice Ages and what they mean for the future of mankind. Super stuff and exceedingly interesting. All of it. Join us at Copeland Centre, South Bretton. Tuesdays 10.00am to 12.00noon
Stuart Osborne 01733 233840 [email protected]
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Ceramics The group has dwindled down to six, but the quality of work has improved greatly and ranges from artistic pieces to fun pieces. It is never too late to still join us on Thursdays at Orton Waterville Village Hall 10.00am to 12noon.
Gwen Vealey Chess We in the Chess Section are still alive and kicking! Our average membership varies between 15 and 18, although a few more faces would not go amiss, especially ladies as we only have three at the moment! So if you know any that want a game and tea and biscuits, you would be welcome and I would be obliged.
Norman Harris Computer Groups 1 and 2
Two small computer groups meet once a fortnight in my home. Each member brings and uses their own laptop so that they can practise using their own systems. The group decides the subjects discussed.
In the past we have covered topics such as adding attachments to emails; surfing the web; downloading and basic editing of photos; computer security including passwords, anti-virus software and firewalls; Skype; keeping track of accounts using either spreadsheets or dedicated money management programs as well as other issues encountered along the way.
There is a waiting list for these groups at the moment and I know there are others who are also interested. I do not have the time to lead an additional group so if anyone is willing to create another, in the way they prefer, to help those unsure of computer use, please contact me. I am more than willing to help set up other groups. My details are in the Newsletter and on the website.
Mary McCarthy
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Concert Party The group, plus mascot, has been very busy rehearsing for our first carol concert in December.
We meet at my house on Friday afternoons, and it is mostly singing at present. New members will be welcome, but please ring me (01733 700896) or email [email protected] beforehand. Over the next few weeks, we intend to polish up our current programme, and perhaps start thinking about the next one. Should be fun.
Brian Haswell Crime Book Reading Club We grew so big we had to split into two groups! The second group meets at Werrington library on Monday.
The Bretton group meets at Bretton Library on the first Wednesday of the month at 3.00pm. Books are provided by the helpful librarians. Our search is for enjoyment and thrills, not great intellectual experiences! We look at crime novels from around the world. From December we will be reading about Italian crime.
Ann Pollack 01733 269108 Earth Science We are a cosy 12 in number and having put the Earth together and discovered plate tectonics we have now moved on to rocks. We’ve fumbled and fondled many different rocks from various parts of the UK. In early November we spent a couple of hours wandering purposefully around Peterborough looking at all the numerous different rock types that make up our town. We concluded our walk looking at the floor of Queensgate in some detail. Why? Fossils, loads of curly whirly Ammonites and plenty of bullet-shaped Belemnites. Quite an eye opener and amazing what can be discovered even in boring little Peterborough!!! Earth Science Mondays 10.00am to 12.00noon at Orton Waterville village hall
Stuart Osborne 01733 233840 [email protected] English Country Dancing
We meet at Marholm Village Hall on Tuesday afternoons during term time at 2.00pm for a bit of exercise. We learn to put one foot in front of the other in time to the music, to dance stars and turns and balances and swings and more pretty patterns. A by-product is that we get to
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distinguish between right and left and clockwise and anti-clockwise. We have a lot of laughs when we get things wrong but do dance beautifully without realising it. If you have enjoyed Ceilidhs and Barn Dances come and join us for more of the same and lots of differences.
Ann Pollack 01733 269108
Film Club/Cinema Club After our summer break, we resumed in September with the 1947 British film ‘Brighton Rock’ as a tribute to Richard Attenborough (who passed away in August). The film was based on the book of the same name by Grahame Greene and Attenborough was ‘Pinkie’ a young gangster with his right-hand man played by William Hartnell (the first Doctor Who).
The November film moved the setting from Brighton to Berlin with Richard Burton in his Oscar-nominated role as ‘The Spy who came in from the Cold’. It is a 1965 film directed by Martin Ritt and co-starring Claire Bloom, and based on the 1963 novel of the same name by John le Carré, about a British agent who is sent to East Germany in order to sow disinformation about a powerful East German intelligence officer.
To close the year we saw a different film to normal – ‘Cinema Paradiso’ an Italian film that was the winner of the 1989 Oscar for the best foreign film. It tells the nostalgic story of a boy working at the local Sicilian cinema after the war, where he develops a passion for films that shapes his life path in adulthood. (Part of the film was shot in Cefalu where our Travel Club will be staying in March 2015)
The group meets on the second Thursday of the month at Copeland, from October to May, and after each showing, we enjoy a cup of tea or coffee with biscuits and have a brief discussion on the film. The programme for this latest session was selected by members who had the chance to vote at Activities Day.
All films shown are normally at least 40 years old and they are guaranteed to bring back memories. Do come along but sorry we have run out of Orange Maids!
John Douglas French Conversation My name is Gigi Stephens and I lead two classes of French conversation a week, one on Monday from 2pm to 4 pm and the other
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from 3.25pm till 5.25pm. Both groups meet at Hodgson community Centre in Werrington. The Monday group has been going since 2007, while the Wednesday group started 3 or 4 years later, as an overflow. Altogether there are 26 pupils, with usually 10 pupils per class attending each week.
My main aim is to encourage people to communicate in French, so the grammar is only explained if the occasion arises. It is all great fun and some of my pupils have been with me from the beginning. Others have joined because they say they want to keep Alzheimer at bay! I can report that to date we are all doing very well and we laugh a lot!
Gigi Stephens
Guernsey Expedition 13 – 17 September 2014 Led by Ann and Malcolm, 31 Travel Club members were gathered from three corners of Peterborough and whisked off by coach to the airport and deposited at the building-site that is East Midlands Airport. We checked-in, passed through security, sought lunch, and awaited our flight. After a thirty minutes delay we boarded an Aurigny ATR 72 and took-off for Guernsey, passing over Winchester, Southampton, the Needles and English Channel. Eighty minutes later we landed at St. Peter Port Airport and, having collected our luggage, headed for the buses taking us to our hotel.
The hotel, Les Roquettes, proved very accommodating. Bags were promptly delivered to well-appointed rooms, whereupon explorations began. Some confined this to the hotel, but the more adventurous strolled down to St. Peter Port town centre, before meeting-up for the first of four excellent dinners and breakfasts, none of which left space for snacks! After dinner several of the party walked to St. Peter Port, sampling the ‘Proms on the Pier’, fireworks and the gradients on the walk back to Les Roquettes!
The following morning some gathered at the pool for a pre breakfast swim – others had a lie-in! Following a hearty three-course breakfast, we embarked on a coach for a morning tour of the southern and western parts of Guernsey, guided by our entertaining and knowledgeable Yorkshire-born driver! Several points of interest were visited; Jerbourg Point, the Little Chapel - JUST big enough to enter - made from scraps of china and seashells; travelling thence to Fort Grey and Guernsey Pearl, where tea, coffee and a group photograph
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were taken. We returned to St. Peter Port via Cobo Bay, enjoying more of Guernsey’s landscapes: narrow winding roads, beautiful houses surrounded by colourful floral displays, extensive sandy and rocky beaches, pleasant pastures occupying rolling hills and man’s impact over some 6,000 years of war, peace and settlement.
Returning to the Promenade, the Liberation Monument could be viewed, with, behind it, in the centre of a large roundabout, a flagstaff carrying flags of the military services, Guernsey itself and those of the Island parishes. Thereafter, we were free to explore as each wished, visiting places, including a Dog Show with stalls raising funds for Guernsey animal charities, the harbour, Castle Cornet and its museums, Victoria Tower, and the sea shore. Some simply returned to the hotel to relax! All returned in time for yet another delightful dinner!
Monday offered an opportunity to see more of the island. The majority chose to go on the coach, to be entertained again by our driver-guide, this time in the northern part of the island. Places visited included Beaucette (where a disused quarry had been blasted open to provide a marina connected to the sea by a narrow inlet), the Freesia Centre to view the blooms, Castel Church with a monolith outside the door and inside, a splendid pipe organ and Mediaeval frescoes, returning to St Peter Port for lunch and further exploration of the town. Some walked to Victoria Tower and the World War I artillery at its base, or viewed Candie Gardens and Victor Hugo’s house. The independent explorers spent their day touring the Island using local buses (£1 flat fare – no bus passes!) and/or shank’s pony.
After dinner Ann and Malcolm hatched a cunning plan to work off the excesses of dinner - Country Dancing! A small number joined them and enjoyed a couple of hours trying to master the intricacies of various traditional dances, whereupon we wended our weary way to bed.
For some, Tuesday was another day of independent sightseeing, but the majority boarded the coach for a short trip to the harbour to board the boat to Herm, a small island visible from St Peter Port, where the only motorised means of transport are tractors or quad bikes. Some walked the steep path from the harbour, passing the Manor and small fields en route to unspoiled and beautiful beaches at Belvoir Bay and Shell Beach. Others followed the coastal path across the common, but the café at Shell Beach provided many with a welcome place for refreshment. Some intrepid hikers even circumnavigated the
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island. All returned to the jetty for the return ferry, the coach back to the hotel and another sumptuous dinner!
On Wednesday we enjoyed a final Guernsey breakfast, packed our bags and some even managed a quick stroll to town or Waitrose. Instead of elevenses, we boarded the coach bound for the airport. Although our departure was delayed, the flight was smooth. Retrieving luggage quickly we made our way to our coach and set off for Peterborough. Around 6.20pm, on a drizzly evening, we were dropped off at our starting points, leaving us with fond memories of good times spent with good company, extra inches on our waistlines, full SD cards and dirty washing!
Overall, the weather was marvelous and flights uneventful. The hotel was well-appointed and the ample food, served by attentive staff, was excellent. Most of all we have to be grateful to Ann and Malcolm for their work in arranging an enjoyable and memorable holiday.
Howard Lewis & Terry McCarthy P.S. See the U3A website Gallery for images of the Guernsey holiday. Holistic Health The Holistic Health group has been meeting at a private house and changed venue for another member’s home late November.
Alternative anatomy and inclusive language covered the first two meetings; Reiki was explored, practised and enjoyed the following week and two weeks have been spent introducing reflexology and giving and receiving consciously. We are about to do two weeks of autogenic training.
Rosemary Steel
Line Dancing The Friday line dance class is a very friendly group that meets every Friday from 2.00pm to 4.00pm at Matley Community Centre, Orton Brimbles. This class is not suitable for beginners, as no formal tuition is given. We are a self-organised group, which is very popular so there is a waiting list.
If you want to put your name on the list please phone me for further details.
Eileen Neale
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Mah Jong Our numbers go from strength to strength. Meeting at Copeland, South Bretton on Thursdays 10.00am to 12.00noon, we have 45 on the books and we regularly have 9 tables all thoroughly enjoying themselves. The Mah Jong players think it’s pretty good fun too!!
Stuart Osborne 01733 233840 [email protected] Monday Cycling Group An exemplar of a Monday cycling group ride, plus images at the café: A beautiful day, sun shining and the last ride of October, saw 16 cyclists including 3 ladies and newcomer Ollie, not waiting for the Lido to open for a swim but to start our ride, led by Tony for a kind of "guess where you are" outing. We set off to the bottom end of the rowing lake, taking a right turn under the subway, passing the golf course, left past Thomas Cook and freewheeling down to the Roman bridge. At the top of the hill we set off to discover all minor roads in the region, going through places such as Ashton, and Tallington, crossing many bridges, over two railway crossings and in to the back of Market Deeping to the Oasis café. After cycling 23 miles by then we now know why it is called the Oasis! A good refreshment stop; service quick and prices low. Leaving the café we took the short route back through West Deeping, down Lincoln Road, through Werrington to Bretton Park, where everyone made for home. A really good ride with a pleasant breeze keeping us cool on the way home.
Many thanks and well done Tony, a 35-mile Lido to Lido ride. Dave Catling & Dave Moakes
Motorcycling The new U3A Motorcycle Group has had two ride-outs since forming at Activities Day, although numbers were limited by the different groups members belong to. Two of us led by Eric Rayner enjoyed a ride to Naseby Battlefield site covering 104 miles. Later in the autumn, Roy Turner led two others on a 65-mile ride to Buckden Marina where the group enjoyed lunch at the Waterside Leisure Club Café before returning to Peterborough by a different route. A good start and earlier than anticipated! More rides will be organised from next spring.
Roy Turner
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Patchwork and Quilting Group Our group is proud report that at our Quilt Show and Grand Draw held in September we raised a magnificent sum of £1,540.50.
A sum of £1,400.50 was presented to the Deaf and Blind children’s centre at Market Deeping on Monday 20 October and on the same day a sum of £140.00 was presented to the All Saints Church Fund who kindly arranged for us to have the hall. It had been a very successful day with the ladies all working hard to make it so.
Thank you to everyone who purchased Draw Tickets for the very attractive quilt, which was won by Mrs Dawson.
Winnie Wakefield Philosophy There are now two Philosophy groups:
The first group started in October last year and has met monthly ever since. Having started at the beginning – what is Philosophy? and worked through the various essential subjects of Free Will, Ethics and Knowledge, the group is now engaged in discussing the more everyday subjects of, for example: bill of rights, assisted suicide, and mercy killing. The membership of the first group currently numbers about ten.
The second group was started in October of this year due to the high level of interest shown on Activities Day. As with the first group, we started with a discussion of what Philosophy is. Nine people turned up for this meeting. Depending on how the membership works out both groups may be joined together at some time in the future, or may remain as two groups. Significantly, Leicester U3A has three Philosophy groups. Why so many? Because Philosophy is the most interesting, absorbing, and the most important, of all pursuits.
Larry Curley 01487 830803 Pitch & Putt The Pitch & Putt group goes from strength to strength with the numbers attending forcing us to open a second group, which is led by Jeanne Butler. This means that P&P is available at the Thorpe Meadows 12 holes course every Monday morning, weather permitting!
This past week saw 31 turn out on a lovely mild and sunny autumn day, shirtsleeve conditions! We even sat outside at Notcutts’ café afterwards for our usual coffees and chat! A draw held before "tee off”
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produces the usual anticipation as to who will be one another's playing partners - this works very well and ensures the group retains a healthy social element without cliques forming.
There is room for a few more to join us, get in touch please to book your places and enjoy a relaxing hour or so of gentle exercise among friends.
Jeanne Butler adds that she is very pleased that member numbers have grown considerably since the P&P alternate week was entered into the U3A Activities book. She now has a membership list of 31.
Tony Wright Plane Daft (Aviation) After a summer when several members of the group spent time chasing after the visiting Canadian Lancaster, it was almost a relief to resume Plane Daft meetings!
We should have known what was in store, when John O’Halloran’s opening words referred to the little known fact that the ‘six mile high club’ was inaugurated in a balloon over Paris! Thereafter, things calmed down a little, (though not the projector!) and John proceeded to give us a talk on the history of balloons and airships, interwoven with personal reminiscences of his RAF posting to Cardington working with barrage balloons in the 1960s. It was generally both interesting and melancholy as he related their triumphs and the fiery downfalls of airships in the R101 and Hindenburg disasters. He ended on a more positive note, explaining that there are new airship projects in hand which could bring benefits to us all. Overall, it was good to see John speaking again, he has lost none of his humour, expertise and good common sense and it was a pleasure to be addressed by him on a topic he loves.
The October meeting brought local speaker David Gray to our meeting, when he gave us a presentation on the Hawker Typhoon and Hawker Tempest RAF fighters of World War II. Using copious numbers of images he demonstrated the history and evolution of the two aircraft and how they complemented better known aircraft like the Spitfire by their effectiveness at lower levels and ground attack. David continued the story beyond the war years, showing how the Tempest developed as a more effective fighter when fitted with the Bristol Centaurus engine and was further developed into the Fury, which despite its promise was overshadowed by jet aircraft. Not that the
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Fleet Air Arm thought this as they operated the Sea Fury with considerable success over Korea. Latterly, Sea Furies have achieved fame in the Reno ‘unlimited’ air races, a part of their history David also considered.
TM wishes to thank the group members for their loyalty, with 32 attending in September and 25 in October.
Terry McCarthy Poetry Appreciation I have been running these groups for a few years now and from time to time we have vacancies and then for a period we are full. Please contact me if you are interested and hopefully there will be a place for you, if not I can put you on the reserve list and contact you when a place becomes available.
We cover English poetry mainly from the British Isles and America and sometimes we study poems from other English speaking countries and also poems in translation.
I do not go back beyond the Elizabethan period, as specialist knowledge is required to read and enjoy medieval poetry. So from Spenser and Raleigh, and Sidney and Shakespeare we move forward through the great archives of English poetry to the riches of modern poetry with Armitage and Mahon, Heaney and Dunn and their many friends.
Sometimes my classes are thematic but we always try and cover a good spread of poetry both in style and in historical context. I don’t dwell too much on technical stuff but I do introduce this when it helps. Understanding why poets use words and forms in the way they do is part of the enjoyment of reading poetry.
You won’t need to bring any books as I provide copies of all the poems we are reading at a session. NB. There are vacancies for up to six people in my Poetry classes, split between the Thursday and the Friday groups.
John Hucklesby PS. John also reports that we have some vacancies for walkers, up to four, in his walking group on Tuesday. We would like it if new members might also be prepared eventually to recce and lead a walk.
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Railways Studies The group’s first, well-attended (37 present) meeting of the ‘new’ year welcomed Dave King from the North Norfolk Railway, who spoke to us about the railway and its history as part of the long-lost Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway. The presentation brought back many memories for those who remembered the M&GNJR (mostly closed in 1959 – not by Dr. Beeching!), besides those who enjoyed the Day Trip to the NNR last June.
Our second meeting saw a return of fellow member Geoff Catlin, who treated 31 of us to a very comprehensive presentation on the Art Deco Trains of North America. He identified the main personalities behind the movement which began in the mid 1930s and had fizzled out by the mid 1950s, partly overshadowed by World War II and the spectre of bankruptcy facing many railroads, caused in part by the rush for new technology, besides competition from road and air transport. Nevertheless, it was a fascinating phase in railway history, one that spilled over into the UK, as Geoff suggested to us, with his references to the LNER and LMS ‘Streamliners’. The full story of the decline of the USA railroads and the Art Deco trains will be explored by Geoff next April.
All in all, a good start to the year. Thanks to all members for their loyalty and, hopefully their continued attendance at these very pleasant gatherings.
Terry McCarthy Rowing Five Peterborough U3A Rowers took part in the Milton Keynes Regatta on Saturday 13 September. As far as we are aware his was the first Rowing Regatta entry by U3A in UK!
We won one race .... otherwise all of us were second! For the U3A Rowers entries in Mixed Double sculls, Women’s
Double sculls and Single sculls were their first competitive entries for three members, and the first since at least 1965 for the other two.
Thanks to the City of Peterborough Rowing Club, who have allowed us access to their water and boats and to the guidance of one of their most experienced coaches over the last two years, our Monday morning and Thursday afternoon sculling sessions are now very well supported with a growing group of, currently 20, U3A Rowing members and others who are still to have their taster sessions.
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We were not all looking to take part in competition, yet... but as a symmetrical exercise for the whole body and all four limbs which can be as gentle or as energetic as each individual wants to make it, sculling is a perfect activity.
Our Rowers - actually we only scull at present - can watch the wildfowl on the rowing lake, or Sammy the seal when he is around, or they can blast up and down the 1100 metre rowing course as many times as they like in our two-hour slot. Everyone starts with single scull play boats and can move up to newer stable or Explorer boats and even to racing boats if and when they are ready. There are not just Single Sculling boats but Double Sculls and a Quad too.
We will be back on the water on 5 January. Come and join us at 10.15am on Mondays and at 2.00pm on Thursdays.
Colin Yarwood Spanish Groups The three Spanish groups resumed in September at the Copeland Centre with many new faces. The groups are Basic Spanish on Tuesday morning led by John Douglas, Intermediate Spanish on Monday morning led by Caroline Davis and Improving Spanish on Thursday afternoon led by Claire Bysshe.
Following Activities Day, the Basic group has seen the largest increase in new members who are now enjoying the early stages of Spanish conversation, advancing already from ‘dos cervezas’ to ‘una botella del vino bueno de la Rioja con dos vasitos’
Feliz año nuevo! John Douglas
Tenpin Bowling Tuesdays and League The Tuesday tenpin bowling group is increasing in popularity, but there is still room for more people to join us for a session of activity that is physically satisfying and socially enjoyable. The loyalty of those who enrol is testament to the benefits they gain, no matter what their initial standard appears to be. Every week somebody experiences the thrill of improving their best score, and this pleasure is shared with all around.
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The new League season has just begun with fourteen teams taking part this year. Although the teams are now established, there is scope for anyone who is interested to join a team as a reserve. This means all matches can be played on schedule, even if one of the regular team members is unavailable. Even though play is often fiercely competitive, the typically generous U3A attitude leads to matches that are enjoyed by winners and losers alike.
The strength of our teams was demonstrated in a recent challenge match against Bourne U3A, where we triumphed by more than 500 points!
Hilary Lewis Theatre Group Our Group continues to thrive, thanks to the support of members. 2014 will have seen 18 trips to theatres in London, Nottingham, Birmingham and Leicester. Arrangements for 2015 are well in hand with some shows already circulated. With now over 500 members our trips do get booked up quickly but we will continue to arrange visits covering as many aspects of the popular theatre as possible.
Dorothy & Graham Woods
Visit to Chepstow and the Wye Valley 20-24 July 2014 This was a holiday full of interest and laughter. They say laughter is the best medicine and we all benefited from five days in the Marriott St Pierre Hotel & Country Club. Two golf courses surrounded us and whichever window you looked out, there were stretches of green for miles. On the way to Chepstow we stopped in Worcester on the banks of the River Severn with a beautiful Cathedral to look round.
On Monday we visited Caerleon, the site of a Roman settlement, remains of an amphitheatre, barracks and baths. The weather was fine and warm, ideal for meandering round taking in the atmosphere. After lunch we headed off along the Wye Valley to Tintern Abbey an awesome ruin with a great deal of it still standing.
Tuesday we went to Abergavenny, which although in Wales was hot and sunny all the time. We had a guided tour of a 13th century Tithe barn which among other things held a beautifully embroidered tapestry which was made by over 30 of local women. A tour of nearby St Mary's Priory Church founded in 1087 followed and then a much appreciated cruise on the River Wye.
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Wednesday was a trip to The Forest of Dean where we caught the 10.30 steam train for a ride through the forest arriving back to Norchard station at midday. We spent the afternoon at the Dean Heritage Centre with lots to see including a moving waterwheel, a museum and a Foresters Cottage. There were also a lot of models of The Gruffalo and The Witch probably to interest the children. They interested me!
Thursday we had to go home from a lovely hotel and staff that really looked after us well and made us feel welcome. On the way back we stopped for lunch in Leamington then on to Peterborough station and time to say goodbye to new friends, our excellent coach driver Melvin and our good friends Anne and Malcolm who gave us all such a wonderful holiday.
Moira Davis Walkie Talkie Walking Group Members of the Walkie Talkie Walking Group have planned and led 38 walks within a 30 miles radius of Peterborough so far this year. In addition, we have had four All Day Walks (Burrough Hill, Foxton Locks, Brancaster and Blakeney).
In September fifteen members enjoyed a five-day holiday in Robin Hood’s Bay (RHB) despite the persistent sea fret! On the way there Janet Hopper led a walk near to Castle Howard and Lynn Turner led a walk from Knaresborough Castle on the return trip. During the stay in the bay, we did two cliff walks one near RHB and one at Whitby (including a Fish and Chips lunch). On the Wednesday we took a steam train ride to Goathland from where we did a hill walk incorporating Mallyan Spout Waterfall, before visiting the village green which was used as the location for the Heartbeat television series.
More walks are planned to complete our walking program. Roy Turner
Watercolours just for enjoyment When I last reported on our group the six original members had decided to seek an increase in membership to 20 and we were eagerly awaiting Activities Day to recruit the extra members. Activities Day was a great success for us and we have increased our members to 20 with two more on the waiting list.
The group has a very friendly mix of like-minded people interested in enjoying the wonderful medium of watercolours alongside others.
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Monday afternoons have become a haven of both activity, concentration and exchange of ideas and experiences.
We have been very fortunate to have a number of visits from Mike Henton, who introduced many of us to watercolours, and we are most grateful for his continued interest and help.
Whilst we have to limit numbers because of the limited facilities in the hall, we are considering increasing the group by perhaps five members, so if you think that you would like to join us – and have perhaps been through one of Mike Henton’s introductory courses - then drop me an email and I will keep you advised of changes and possible vacancies.
I think our experiences really do show that if there is no U3A group available at any time, then do consider starting your own group. It only takes a little practical organisation and it can be so worthwhile.
Don’t sit back and wait – you won’t regret it. Trevor Cross [email protected] 01733 208727
Wednesday Cycling Group Every week we have a leader who has planned a route whenever possible on cycleways. We meet in all weathers on Wednesday mornings! Since Activities Day more new members have joined and we are approaching our maximum number. If you would like to enjoy our good company and fresh air please phone me on 01733 390970 and come join us at the Lido at 10.00am.
Jean Stamford Wednesday Readers My sympathies to you in trying to get a helpful response to your requests for reports. In another place and time I used to have to seek such feedback and learnt that oft times few responded. However it might be said that "no news" - or perhaps little news - may be read positively by assuming "all's well"....
To take my own case, the reading group is proving very successful, as measured both by the lively debates we have on the books and the excellent attendance but I would struggle to give a report saying that!
I think the success of our U3A may be measured by the number of people within it and the number and variety of groups it contains. Individual groups may come and go but our U3A Committee may be
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congratulated on maintaining a lively and thriving U3A for Peterborough. Well done and keep up the good work.
Mike Street
Wednesday Walkers No prizes for our highly imaginative title, but I am pleased to report that our group is still very much alive and well. Suggestions that we rename ourselves The Wednesday Talkers have not so far been followed, although it might be appropriate.
Our format is simple – meet 10.00am sharp at a pre-arranged starting point, usually well within a 20 mile radius of the City centre, walk for about 5 miles at a leisurely pace with a short coffee break at the halfway stage. The routes of the walks are assembled into three-monthly programmes by a committee of three and we get a volunteer to recce and then lead the walk of their choice from the programme. We try to provide a varied programme and keep a record of where we have walked to avoid repeating any particular route too soon. Apart from our Christmas celebration, we don’t build a pub lunch into the programme, although several of our regulars make their own arrangements – with the advantage of being able to use the pub car park.
The group was launched by John Hucklesby, Jean Matthews and I in September 2003. Six others joined us immediately and many more followed. We did the ever popular Landy Green Way walk on our first outing and we celebrated our tenth birthday in 2013 by another stroll around that attractive route but, on that occasion we paused on the NVR bridge in Mill Lane for a glass or two (or possibly three) of fine sherry.
Country walking is an ever growing past time and our membership numbers have grown accordingly. At one stage we were up in the fifties. This has dropped a bit and we have a turn-out each week of 15 to 20, which represents only about half of our membership.
Some U3A members who apply to join our group say that they were turned down by other groups on the grounds that they were full-up. Obviously there has to be some limit in numbers – too many cars parking in narrow village streets can become a problem, and 30 odd members taking their turn to scale a high and wonky stile can take a surprisingly long time. However, our experience has been that family commitments, holidays, other activities, illness and bad weather
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(including the fear of mud) will usually keep the numbers down to the sort of manageable numbers mentioned above. So, perhaps in some cases a slightly more relaxed view could be taken with recruiting new walkers, it might help reduce the waiting lists.
Congratulations to the U3A Committee on another successful year and a well attended AGM.
Duncan Hallam All Matters Welsh This year it is a little easier to set out dates and times of various meetings as All Matters Welsh members appear to have settled down to certain days of the week. Please note that meetings are held as follows: Weekly meetings Mondays pm Welsh language for beginners Friday pm Welsh language intermediate Friday pm Welsh conversation – for those wishing to practise and
improve their knowledge of the Welsh language. Members meet at Thorpe Hall Cafe Fridays pm.
Monthly Meetings held on the 1st Thursday of every month Monthly meeting for ‘All Matters Welsh’. Members meet at the Peterborough Sports and Social Club, Bretton Gate.
Meirion Griffiths Werrington Crime Readers
We continue to enjoy reading crime fiction, which provokes lively debate. The group has just read the first books by popular authors including Michael Connelly, Henning Mankel, Kathy Reichs, Lee Child and Patricia Highsmith. Discussions have included the importance of character development and how different writing styles affect us.
Being a small group, we are able to unravel our responses and develop as critical readers. Alyson at Werrington Library looks after us brilliantly. She is more than happy to accommodate another group if anyone would like to start one. Please get in touch if you are interested.
Mary Purdon [email protected]
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Writing Life Stories On the 2 September the 32 members of the four groups met at Alwalton Village Hall to share lunch, participate in a short workshop session, then each group gathered to plan their various topic titles for the year.
The titles ranged from ‘Why I Joined The U3A’, ‘Holding Hands’, ‘Meeting the In-Laws For the First Time’, ‘Learning to Drive’, ‘A Special Event’, Two Dinner Guests’ and so on.
The four groups then re-assembled to listen to Wendy Ritchie speak on ‘How to Become Relaxed, Prior to Writing’. As the groups practised the various exercises, we felt ready to return home to set the pen to paper.
Helen Henton Helen and her group have asked for the accompanying piece of work produced by long-term U3A member Wallace Giddings to be included. Wallace is to leave the ‘A’ group after the December meeting, he has also attended every Writing Life Stories meeting over the last six or so years, so this will be our tribute to him.
The Dinner Party Sometime in the late fifties, Joyce was secretary to a French Chartered Surveyor, who earlier in his life had been involved with the French Resistance during WW11. Through him, Joyce and I met a number of well known Resistance people, often being invited to join them at various functions. By then I could speak French quite well and this helped at dinner parties, where after each course the host would come around the table and ask certain guests to move to another place, so you were now meeting and talking to several different people during the four or five course meal. Fascinating stuff!
I now propose this moving idea at my dinner party, as I would like to invite 8 different people and during the meal I would get to talk to each one.
At the initial sitting I was next to a lady probably 7 or 8 years younger than me but we both remembered the pre-war and after times, in respect of good manners, respect for others and the courtesies in life which have disappeared. She told me about the time she became a housemother for deprived and orphaned children, her stories were most interesting.
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On my other side was a tall chap much younger than me, but we found we had a mutual interest in music and the theatre. We recalled many of the shows we had both seen over the years, various actors and actresses and something that happened that provoked a lot of laughter.
The first course over I moved to sit between two ladies, the one on my right had been a nurse in her younger days and had stories to tell. She now played host to a number of life story groups and as we used to say in my Navy days, she ran a very happy ship. She also contributed her own stories and her comments often led to improvements in our own story telling. We chatted about members who had come and gone and those who had been present since the group started. The lady on my left told me about living in the Services in another country, I was particularly interested in her compilation of photos and records for her children and generations to come.
Time to move again and the gentleman on my right was very much younger and represented a totally different generation. I listened to tales from his student days and those when he was a teacher and they were so different to my times. Tastes in music were miles apart, as he recalled so-called bands, normally guitars and voice, whilst I preferred what I called proper music with a blend of different instruments, so we agreed to differ. I was properly defeated when the lady on my other side agreed with him, telling me in her soft Irish brogue, I was behind the times. It was a pleasure to listen to her stories about her early days back in Ireland before she married and came to England.
Before the last course I moved again and now sat between two ladies once more. On her best side, so we could converse, this lady had a gentle Scot’s voice, coming from the Edinburgh area. I was able to tell her that brought back memories of my flying training days, when I was based at Turnhouse, now Edinburgh Airport. She talked about her earlier days, mentioning the Forth Bridge and other landmarks, whilst I in turn could see myself flying over the Pentland Hills and looking down on the area she knew so well. My last guest used to live in North London, the very place I used to work and so we were able to talk about places we knew and the many changes that had occurred over the years. She moved to Duxford and she had stories around the wartime aerodrome.
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Dinner over and coffee time, so I was able to thank all my guests, I
had listened to all sorts of bits and pieces of their lives, shared in some secrets and generally have a snapshot of eight very different people.
It has been a privilege to have been part of such an interesting group and now, following the Christmas dinner I will take my leave of you and wish you all you wish yourselves for the future.’
Wallace Gidding A poem, which is rather appropriate at this time, written by Jean Butler for the Writing Group,
THEY WERE THERE TOO
Childhood memories of the war, this is what they recall:
Popping tar bubbles on a shelter roof, not afraid to fall.
Collecting jagged, shiny shrapnel on the way to school
then show and swap their spoils of war, (really rather cool).
Long fearful days playing on school fields were spent,
broken by canteen meals, or air raids when they'd be sent
down the dim, dank shelters where, defiantly they would sing
daring ditties of the day, boldly… bravely pretending.
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The constant drone of the night raids were
distressing…like swarms of mutant bees hidden in the veil of the night.
Long silent arms, broad and straight, urgently searched the sky,
the white sword-like beams crossing as if in ancient battle. Loud gunfire,
breaking dreams, drowning the drone. Frightening…futile…
the enemy survived. Spewing seams that traced across the sky,
fighters dodged and dived; two brothers cheered when, whirling,
whining they’d drop... under the stairs, their sister praying,
‘please, please make it stop’. Deafened, at the same time thrown high
by an explosion, silently floating through the air
in utter confusion, the heat and dust choking from
debris falling…pushing, stinging water jets hurting, when
strong arms holding carried a child to safety. The siren wailed
the all clear. The welcome sound gave brief respite,
allayed the fear, affording time to weep, to pray or sleep…
such breaks were few. Energy and resolve recharged, courage
returned anew.
Facts of war are penned and many tales told (that must be true) But what about the children...they were there too.
Jeanne Butler
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HARLAXTON SUMMER SCHOOL 2015 12 to 15 & 16 to 19 JULY
Harlaxton summer schools have taken place for 12 years, organised by Stamford U3A. The Summer Schools make use of many of Harlaxton Manor’s Staterooms as classrooms providing a unique learning environment in palatial surroundings. The manor is a beautiful and unique 19th Century country house, which has been lovingly restored by the University of Evansville, in Indiana, USA, as their residential college in the UK. Attending a course at Harlaxton is a great experience, go and enjoy it. Some Peterborough U3A members attend one or both schools most years, but attendees come from many parts of the country and many come every year. Where is Harlaxton Manor? It is about three miles west of Grantham. Go north on the A1 and take the A607 towards Melton Mowbray. This is just after the first Grantham turn. This year’s courses: 12-15 July Buildings of Lincoln, Women Artists, Greek and Roman Myths and Legends, Art for All, Music in the time of War, Great Glasshouses, Fantastic Follies and What’s Your Story? 16-19 July Behind the Throne, Harlaxton and its Occupants, Three Irish Novels, Geology and Scenery, Drama for Beginners and Improvers, Singing for Fun. Costs: £195 per person sharing a double room, £225 per person for a single room. If you attend both schools the cost is £390 (£450 for single rooms). There is a charge of £40pp (£50 single) for the day between the courses. This includes all meals plus tea and coffee morning and afternoon. There is also a bar open in the evening. Accommodation is in the Manor or the separate Carriage House but there are no en-suite facilities. I am quite happy to give you more information. Also for more information visit their website www.HarlaxtonU3A.co.uk, email: [email protected]. You can also contact Hendy Farquhar-Smith [01780 756316] or Pat Leggett [01778 341248].
Paul Parker 01780 782976
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DAY VISITS 2015
Please read this carefully if you intend to book for any day visit. Any member of any U3A can book a Day Visit. Non-U3A members are welcome as guests, but have to pay a slightly higher charge. Please use the booking forms, the bottom form first! (Additional booking forms are usually available on day visits and at monthly meetings, and on our website.) Please pay by cheque whenever possible and these should be made payable to Peterborough U3A. Enclose a stamped addressed envelope with your form if you wish to have a receipt. Refunds will not normally be made after the booking deadline. If you cancel we will try to re-sell your place, although you will have to pay the costs of this, which will normally be about £2 per person. If there are spare seats we will often accept bookings after the deadline. It is best to book as early as possible if you want to be sure of a seat for a particular visit. I am happy to deal with all queries, except booking queries, by phone on 01780 782976. If you cannot get hold of me, Sandi Osborne or Doreen Dare may be able to help (see inside front cover of this ‘News’). Booking enquiries only, should be made to Gina Bates [01733 579317]. Book with Gina by phone and then send the booking form and cheque to Gina at Peterborough U3A c/o Mrs G Bates, 82 Temple Grange, Werrington, PETERBOROUGH, PE4 5DW within seven days. If you are booking for just one visit just cut off the bottom slip. If the visit is already fully booked it is a good idea to put your name on the waiting list, as you may be able to replace someone who has to drop out. If the waiting list gets very long we may book a second coach or run the same visit but possibly on a different day. Note: Full details of conditions, etc. are published annually in the April ‘News’.
Paul Parker – Day Visit Organiser 01780 782976
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BRITISH MUSEUM Saturday 21 February 2015
Leaving Bright Street Coach Station at 7.30am, Crab & Winkle, Werrington at 7.40am, Bretton Centre bus stop at 7.50am and Thorpe Meadows at 8.00am, arriving back in Peterborough at about 7.30pm.
The British Museum dates from 1753. Entry to the museum is free but some special exhibitions are charged for. In most cases you can book these on line in advance, or pay on the day. In recent years it has been updated and much improved. It is described as the national museum of archaeology and ethnography. Ethnography is a detailed description of culture of a particular society based on fieldwork and observation. This includes British as well as many other parts of the world. You will find much fuller descriptions on the British Museum website.
Cost: £18.00 U3A members (£20.00 non-members) Deadline for Booking 6 February
THE TATE GALLERY Thursday 12 March 2015
Leaving Bright Street Coach Station at 7.30am, Crab & Winkle, Werrington at 7.40am, Bretton Centre bus stop at 7.50am and Thorpe Meadows at 8.00am, arriving back in Peterborough at about 7.30pm.
The Tate Gallery, that is the original Tate, is dedicated to British art and opened its doors in 1897. It is on the site of a former prison. John Shearman has arranged the visit to this Gallery. It will include a guided tour, details of which you can obtain from John (01733 761759). This visit is arranged for his Art Groups but other U3A members can book from the 1 January 2015. Members of John's Art Group should state on their booking form, where this not printed on it, 'Member of John Shearman's Art Group'
During our visit we will enjoy a one hour conducted tour of paintings by JMW Turner, particularly looking at his development as an artist. Turner was considered a controversial figure in his day, but is now regarded as the artist who elevated landscape painting to an eminence rivaling history painting. Although renowned for his oil paintings, Turner is also one of the greatest masters of British
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watercolour landscape painting. He is commonly known as ‘the painter of light’ and his work is regarded as a Romantic preface to Impressionism. Some of his works are considered as examples of abstract art prior to its recognition in the early twentieth century.
Tate Britain houses a significant part of the original Turner bequest.
There is a restaurant, café and a shop of course. Cost (including guided tour): £28.00 U3A members
(£30.00 non-members) Deadline for Booking 6 February
SOUTH KENSINGTON FOR THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, SCIENCE MUSEUM, AND/OR
VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM Monday 16 March 2015
Leaving Bright Street Coach Station at 7.45am, Crab & Winkle, Werrington at 7.55am, Bretton Centre bus stop at 8.05am and Thorpe Meadows at 8.15am, arriving back in Peterborough 7.30pm.
This visit is initially for Stuart Osborne’s Groups and friends, etc., but is open to all U3A members. For the rest of us it is a chance to visit any one or more of the South Kensington museums. All of them have free entry, although there may be charges for certain special temporary exhibitions. All of them have at least one restaurant and one café. There are places where you can eat packed lunches in the Science and Natural History museums. The V&A has free Introductory Tours lasting an hour at 11.30am, 1.30 and 3.30pm and also are free as are the British Gallery Tours at 12.30 and 2.30pm. Each of the tours last one hour. There are galleries for furniture, ceramics, glass, Asia, fashion & jewellery, photography, sculpture, etc, architecture as well as special temporary exhibitions. If you have not been to the V&A you will be amazed by what is there, it is the largest museum of art and design in the world - eight miles of galleries. Something to interest everyone. The same can be said about the other two museums. You can find their special exhibitions and more details on the internet.
Any queries about pickup points etc, but not booking enquiries contact Paul Parker (01780 782976)
Cost: £18.00 U3A members (£20.00 non-members)
Deadline for booking: 1 March 2015
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BIRMINGHAM & CBSO CONCERT IN SYMPHONY HALL [1]
Wednesday 25 March 2015 Leaving Bright Street Coach Station at 7.40am, Crab & Winkle, Werrington at 7.50am, Bretton Centre bus stop at 8.00am and Thorpe Meadows at 8.10am, arriving back in Peterborough at about 7.30pm.
When Brahms went on holiday, all his troubles fell away – and that is exactly the effect of his lovely second symphony, 45 minutes of glowing landscapes, jubilant trumpets and tunes that never seem to end. The very English serenity of Vaughan Williams is a gentle, short prelude to Beethoven’s most brilliant second piano concerto, played by Steve Osborne, one of Britain’s brightest keyboard stars. The conductor is Andrew Manze.
There will be time to look round some of Birmingham before the concert; we usually arrive before 11.00am and the concert starts at 2.15pm. It is the UK’s second city, with all the shops you would expect. There are also some superb museums and art galleries and the canals. You will be dropped off and picked up fairly near to the city centre just outside Symphony Hall.
Further details from Paul Parker [01780 782976] Cost: Travel & Concert: £34.25 (Non-U3A members £36.25)
Cost: Travel only £11.25 (Non U3A members £13.25) Deadline for booking for the concert 7 January 2015
You can book for travel only after 8 January 2015 Deadline for booking for travel only 11 March 2015
HARROGATE SPRING FLOWER FESTIVAL Friday 24 April 2015
Leaving Bright Street Coach Station at 7.20am, Crab & Winkle, Werrington at 7.30am, Bretton Centre bus stop at 7.40am and Thorpe Meadows at 7.50am, arriving back in Peterborough at about 7.45pm.
The Harrogate Spring Flower Show is probably the best and the biggest in England. The show is held at the Great Yorkshire Showground near Harrogate. Over 70% of the show is under cover. All the marquees are fully ramped and floored. Nearly 100 horticultural firms will be exhibiting, competing for medals, selling plants and giving
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advice. It is suitable for wheelchairs. Many of the national plant societies will be there, with helpful hints and practical demonstrations. A full range of catering facilities is available plus a picnic area.
Cost, including entry: £32.00 (non-U3A members £34) Deadline for booking: 8 April 2015
BIRMINGHAM & CBSO CONCERT IN SYMPHONY HALL [2] Wednesday 6 May 2015
Leaving Bright Street Coach Station at 7.40am, Crab & Winkle, Werrington at 7.50am, Bretton Centre bus stop at 8.00am and Thorpe Meadows at 8.10am, arriving back in Peterborough at about 7.30 m.
Programme: Haydn – Symphony No. 103 (Drumroll); Mozart - Violin Concerto No. 4; Prokofiev -. Violin Concerto No. 2; Haydn – Symphony No.104 (London). No two great composers were ever closer than Mozart and Haydn, and there is a smile in every bar of this delightful entertaining concert. Two of the wittiest and warmest symphonies ever written frame lively concertos by Haydn’s best friend, and his 20th century fan, Andris Nelson’s school friend Baiba Skride is the soloist. This is going to be fun; this spring put a spring in your step!
There will be time to look round some of Birmingham before the concert; we usually arrive before 11.00am and the concert starts at 2.15pm. It is the UK’s second city, with all the shops you would expect. There are also some superb museums and art galleries and the canals. You will be dropped off and picked up fairly near to the city centre just outside Symphony Hall.
Further details from Paul Parker [01780 782976] Cost: Travel & Concert: £34.25 (Non-U3A members £36.25)
Cost: Travel only £11.25 (Non-U3A members £13.25) Deadline for booking for the concert 17 February 2015
You can book for travel only after 18 February 2015 Deadline for booking for travel only 22 April 2015
NOTES: [1] Also being planned are trips to:
12 May – RAF MUSEUM 28 May – COMPTON VERNEY 16 June – SEVERN VALLEY RAILWAY
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Details of these will be in the April edition of this NEWS. Costs have not been finalised and in the case of Compton Verney the date is not yet set in stone.
[2] Other day visits will also be in the April NEWS.
Paul Parker [Visits Organiser] 01780 782976
TRAVEL CLUB NEWS
Since our last entry in the newsletter we have travelled to many interesting places. Arthur and Pat have taken two coaches to Austria and a luxurious cruise to Iceland. Ann and Malcolm led a group to sunny Chepstow and the Wye Valley and another group in September to Guernsey, which was even sunnier. Some of these trips are described in more detail elsewhere in this newsletter.
We will have been to Warner’s Turkey & Tinsel at Bodelwyddan by the time this is published. This will have been our biggest group ever at 100 people.
In 2015 there will be many new destinations for you to choose from, both in the UK and abroad. Arthur's Holidays
CHINA: 9 March 2015 - 15 days - 14 nights - £2,130pp Includes all meals, full sightseeing and coach to airport
THE SPLENDOUR OF SICILY: 15-22 April 2015 - 8 days - 7 nights - £849 pp.
MALTA: 3-11 June 2015 - 8 days - 7 nights - £750 pp. All inclusive. Ann & Malcolm's Holidays:
GUERNSEY BY AIR: MURDER MYSTERY & MAYHEM: 27-30 March 2015 - £375 pp 'Morse' guided walking tour of Oxford, guided coach tour of 'Midsomer' villages and a long-running murder mystery in the evenings at this 4-star hotel.
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CHATEAUX AND WINES OF THE LOIRE: 13-18 May 2015 - £654 pp Travel by coach to Angers; visit the chateaux of the region and taste the wines. Visit a troglodyte village and explore Tours.
HISTORIC CINQUE PORTS OF KENT: 21-25 September 2015 - £385 pp Discover these charming old towns and delve into their smuggling past. Our trip includes a visit to Canterbury Cathedral and a ride on the Romney, Hythe and Dimchurch railway.
STRASBOURG AND THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: 8-13 October 2015 - £599 pp Travel by coach to Strasbourg, visiting the European parliament (with a €200 rebate) with trips to Colmar, Heidelberg and Metz.
WARNER'S TURKEY & TINSEL Details to follow. Travel Club Meetings Meetings are held at Jack Hunt School, Bradwell Road, Peterborough and start at 10.00.
Saturday 7 February Saturday 4 April
Arthur Hunt 01733 756883 – email [email protected] Ann Pollack 01733 269108 – email [email protected]
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Reports and articles for next U3A News should
reach the editor not later than
Monday 16 February 2015
Items can be given to Conny Yarwood
or sent by email to [email protected]
or by post clearly writing NEWS in the top left hand corner
of the envelope to the address below:
Peterborough U3A News PO Box 946
Peterborough PE1 9ES
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