+ All Categories
Home > Documents > u3asites.org.uk · Web viewWe shared a wide variety of tracks covering folk music, choral delights,...

u3asites.org.uk · Web viewWe shared a wide variety of tracks covering folk music, choral delights,...

Date post: 23-May-2018
Category:
Upload: nguyenhanh
View: 213 times
Download: 0 times
Share this document with a friend
22
Warmest good wishes are extended to all members of Lutterworth U3A from the Chairman and members of Committee. We wish you a wonderful Christmas Season and a great new year of U3a Activities. Brian Fowler Graham Ruff Issue No. 180 December 2017 NEWSLETTER
Transcript

Warmest good wishes are extended to all members of Lutterworth U3A from the Chairman and members of Committee. We wish you a wonderful Christmas Season and a great new year of U3a Activities. Brian Fowler

Graham Ruff

Strolling Group 2 at Gaddesby Church October 2017

Issue No. 180 December 2017

NEWSLETTER

INTEREST GROUPS AND EVENT REPORTS

Always check online for possible timing variations. Check with the group leader if you are not sure. A number of groups have room for more members. If you wish to join any of them, please contact the Group Coordinator

MUSIC APPRECIATION GROUPCo-ordinators: John Peverley 553614Tony MacDonald 553910

The meeting held in November was an “own choice” Each member had selected a piece of music which was of great sentimental value.We shared a wide variety of tracks covering folk music, choral delights, piano duets, country music and full orchestral tracks.We decided to have a further “own choice” – The theme being “Winter”, for our next meeting, which will be held at the home of John and Glenys Peverley on December 21st

Hazel Francis

The November meeting was held in Caren Simpson’s home, and very enjoyable it was too! Each of the group members selected one of their own favourite pieces of classical music, accompanied by reminiscences and reasons for choosing that particular piece, and there was a huge variety of music played as the two hours just flew by. Now, I am the rookie of the group,(and to be honest still don’t know my Brahms from my Liszt), but I am starting to appreciate and even enjoy most of the music! We are always on the lookout for new members and I would recommend trying it.

Ken Patton

LINE DANCING FOR BEGINNERS Co-ordinator: Carole Harrington   Tel: 553438 The second meeting of this group went well with seven dances covered.  There will be no session this month as it falls in Christmas week.

Carole

HISTORY GROUPCo-ordinator: Linda Patton 01455 556996

At our November meeting, we found out about Alfred the Great.  He was a marvellous

king considering all he had to deal with being under almost constant attack from the Vikings, despite this he built up the first English navy, taught himself to read having missed out on an education in his childhood, made laws, built burgs where the English could be safe from attack, set up schools supported the clergy and ensured that all in power learned to read and write so that they could communicate, and prepared the way for England to become the united country we recognise today.  Graham brought photos of beautiful jewels Alfred had had made and which were sent out to all the bishoprics; you can see some of these now in the Ashmolean museum.  We have no meeting in December and on 22nd January will learn about and discuss the period between the end of Alfred's reign and 1066 which includes Ethelred the Unready and Canute. All welcome.

Linda

QUIZ GROUPCo-ordinator Sue Jones Tel: 556192

Dilys hosted our November meeting and the first question of the afternoon was stuck onto her front door. It read, “Where is Dilys?” Fortunately, she had provided the answer, which was, “Over the road in the Village Hall”. It was a first for us to have our afternoon in a village hall and very enjoyable it turned out to be. Thank you Dilys.Also thanks to everyone in the group for being so willing to host our monthly meeting, next year’s calendar is almost complete.Quiz Group DiaryDec 14th Quiz afternoon hosted by Lynda at 1, Guthlaxton Ave, tel. 553492Jan 11th Quiz afternoon hosted by Sue at 34, Macaulay Road, tel. 556192Members of this group take turns to host the quiz afternoon in their homes and at the moment we have reached capacity, therefore I regret to say we cannot accept any new members. However, we welcome you to join us when attending pub or charity quiz evenings and if you would like me to keep you informed of these events let me know.

If you are interested in joining a second quiz group, please contact Brian Fowler tel. 209336.Answer to last month’s brain teaser. Fly me to the moon!This month’s amazing fact. Shuttlecocks in professional badminton are made of feathers from the left wing of a goose. Feathers from the right wing make them spin in the wrong direction.

Sue

POETRY READING Coordinator: Betty Wilson Tel: 209790

November’s meeting could have been depressing reading the poetry of America’s Emily Dickinson who became obsessed with death and beyond. However, we did find some more enjoyable, beautiful and sensitively written poems about the natural world - probably her earlier work. Emily was born in 1830 in Massachusetts USA to a well to do family and had a normal happy childhood. After the early deaths of several of her friends and family traumatised her she became more reclusive. She wrote nearly 2000 poems of which only 7 were published during her lifetime. In later life, she became more religious, which showed in her poetry.Some of her poems we read were: Because I could not stop for Death, Wild Nights, A Slash of Blue, Ribbons and I Died for Beauty. We concluded we needed lateral thinking to interpret some of her later work.For January 3rd's meeting we aim to start the year with a good laugh the topic being ‘Humour in Verse’, at 7 The Dell, Ullesthorpe, 2pm, new members welcome.

Betty Wilson.

READING GROUPCo-ordinator: Linda Patton Tel: 556996

At our November meeting, “Rebecca” by Daphne du Maurier was the subject for discussion and it was the first time that I could remember everyone having read the book and enjoyed it.  It is little wonder that the novel was voted as the UK’s favourite book of the last 225 years in a 2017 W H Smith poll although the critics thought it of little worth when it was first published in 1938.  Readers  clearly disagreed as the novel has never been out of print and it was

interesting to learn a little of the novelist’s life which explained the many layers with the book.  At our December meeting we will discuss Patrick Gale’s “A Place Called Winter” and in January “The London Eye Mystery” by Siobhan Dowd.  As always, you will be most welcome to join us.

Linda

1st WEDNESDAY WALKING GROUPJoint Co-ordinators:Julian Hargreaves 01455 557704Roger Watmore 01455 552431

I will not be co-ordinating the First Wednesday Walking Group next year and as no one has come forward to take it over, there are no more walks planned. Many thanks to all the organisers of our walks and everyone’s support over many years.

Roger

1st November Walk:-A fine day welcomed the members to our October walk. Our starting point was the ‘Chequers Inn’ at Ravensthorpe and 31 plus 1 dog turned up for the day. The walk was to take in the Northamptonshire countryside between Ravensthorpe village, the reservoir and on to Coton. Continuing on our walk from Coton, via field and track, taking in the views on offer and returning to Ravensthorpe village and the pub. Of the 31 walkers, 31 decided to eat, a ‘full house’, and the food came up to expectations.

Jill Betts

SINGLES TAKEAWAY SUPPER GROUPCo-ordinator June Clayton Tel:209545

On November 25th, a small group of us thoroughly enjoyed a Chinese supper at June's home during much jovial company. We have not quite finalised the arrangements for our next supper, which will be sometime during January. Happy Christmas and New Year to everyone.

Brenda

2nd WEDNESDAY MEDIUM DISTANCE WALKING GROUPJoint Co-ordinators: Julian Hargreaves 01455 557704Mike Chapman 01455 209972 / 07860 118426

Willoughby Walk November 2017

There will be no walk in December.

Thanks to all the walk organisers who provided some excellent walks during the year.

January WalkDate of Walk: Wednesday 10 January 2018Walk Organisers : Lesley & Mike Chapman 01455 209972Meeting Point: Coventry Road Recreation Ground at 9.25 to leave at 9.30.Start Point and Time: Car park at Draycote water (CV23 8AB) - £3.50 for the day. Walk starts at 10.00amDirections to start: Leave Lutterworth south on A426 towards Rugby. Continue through Rugby and Dunchurch still on the A426. Approx. 1 mile after crossing over M45, the entrance is on the right. Parking charges are £3.50 for the day. Return distance 25miles.Route and distance: As the weather, and therefore the state of fields and paths may not be advantageous to walking in January, here is an easy 5 mile, no stiles, no hills, no

cows, (but unfortunately NO DOGS), walk around Draycote water.

November walk

I arrived at the start in Willoughby to find that there was a little bit of a car parking issue in progress. Some of the walkers had elected to park “in” the village car park as opposed to the small car park “opposite” the village hall. A local soon put them right. Once the issue had been resolved by some car shuffling there were 21 of us who set off on a cold but bright and sunny morning. My concern about the walk was what the farmers had been up to since I last walked the route and a couple of the stiles, which were not particularly walker friendly. The first big field we had to cross had fortunately not been ploughed but in three weeks, the grass had grown and was very wet from the previous day’s rain. The first stile was a little difficult but manageable. We then crossed the A45 and took a track, which petered out into a meadow. We then had to cross a small field that had been ploughed since I last crossed it but had been fine tilthed. However, the mud was incredibly sticky and stuck to our boots like glue making them quite heavy. This made the next navigational “challenges”; a quick jump over a very little stream (which wasn’t there before) and a duck between some wire mesh and some barbed wire just that little bit more difficult. At this stage, although he was not with us on the walk, I could sense a Peter Moore yellow card was about to be shown.  After a field or two more, we reached the break point, a canal bridge overlooking the brand new Dunchurch Pools marina (a £15 million development designed by the same architects who designed the Eden Project) and a panoramic view over the surrounding countryside. After the break, we headed off along the towpath and crossed the spectacular new bridge over the marina basin entrance. The towpath had been made a little slippery from the recent rain and the brambles overgrowth was waiting for unsuspecting victims. Leaving the canal, we walked along a road before crossing another “challenging” stile into a meadow. If you were 7 foot it would have been easy to get over but shorter people needed a hoist to assist them. The next stile was “complicated” with two bars close together to cross. I think by this stage I was fearing the dreaded red card. We crossed back over the A45 and into a

ridge and furrow field before entering back into the village, past the Old School House. At the end, everybody was quite polite and thanked me for leading the walk but on reflection, I think my risk assessment for it was perhaps lacking. For your information, the next walk I will lead is the Christmas Lunch walk. We will not have any stiles. Hooray!! I hear you cheer

Peter Creeden

4th WEDNESDAY WALKING GROUPCo-ordinators: - Sue and Peter Creeden Tel: 01455 557888

Please see Notices page for important notice regarding Wednesday Walking Groups

November 2017 Walk Report

George Robertson led 23 of us on a walk from the Arnold Arms at Barby. The weather was surprisingly mild, importantly, dry but a little breezy. We set off out of the village into meadows reaching some high ground with excellent vistas, and some quite strong winds, before eventually reaching a bridge, overlooking the new Dunchurch Pools marina, to cross the Oxford Canal and then onto the towpath. There was a bit of déjà vu here as last week`s walk included this bridge on its route. We left the towpath at Wood Bridge to pass over the M45 motorway. Shortly after we encountered the walk leader`s worst nightmare, a recently ploughed field. Fortunately, the farmer had had the decency to run a couple of tracks across it to make walking easier. Well, I say easier, this is all relative; our boots were still caked with some good sticky mud after traversing it. We then crossed back over the canal and circuited the Barby marina before making our way across good tracks to Barby Lane. We then crossed the motorway again before leaving the road to take a muddy track, which climbed, up a steep hill to enter back into Barby. It was a really pleasant and enjoyable walk.

Peter Creeden

DECEMBER 2017 WALK

Our walk organisers are taking a well-earned break this month so there will not be a walk.

We would like to thank all our organisers for their time and effort to allow us all to enjoy walking in the countryside and you all for your company on this year`s walks

We wish you all a happy “Festive” period (we have to be so PC these days!) and a new year of more good walking.

Sue and Peter Creeden

BUFFET SUPPER GROUPCo-ordinator: Gwenda Jones Tel: 556923

Our hosts Brenda and Mike once again made us all very welcome. Twelve of us sat down on a long table in the conservatory to eat a lovely variety of food, as always the conversation flowed as we put the world to rights. After the meal, our host had a lovely surprise for us, a firework display I think this could be a first but we certainly enjoyed them sitting in the warm, all pretty ones no bangs! Mike you were a brick on a cold night, thanks so much. Howard arrived later and so missed the fun but managed to have something to eat. We retired to the lounge and had coffee and chocolates to round off a lovely evening, thank you Brenda and Mike. Katie Scott

This month I think that we were all back from holidays and short breaks, as both buffet suppers were more than full. I was at Lyn and Derek’s party and our hosts had managed to get us all in one room and seated at tables where we enjoyed the fantastic food we always get. Conversation was mainly concerned with the people who govern our country, whilst it appears in some cases, having a lot of fun. It was quite a contentious subject as many of us thought that we were becoming far too P.C. about ordinary friendly ‘touching’. The other side of the coin is of course that too many females are afraid to speak out and are not taken seriously. An animated discussion with lots of humour and no clear remedy. Thank you Lyn and Derek for your usual very warm welcome and hospitality.On December 11th, we will all gather at Liz and David’s warm and festive house for our annual Christmas Supper. It is customary to push our January Buffet Supper forward one week to take it away from New Year’s Eve, therefore, our January Suppers will be on Monday 8 th January and the hosts will be

Katie & Howard, Tel: 554403 and Brian Fowler, Tel: 209336.Please be there to start eating at 6.45pm and please let your chosen host know what you will be bringing. Gwenda

MUSIC AND MEMORIESCo-ordinator Nohline Ruff tel. 556985

Dilys made us very welcome for our November meeting. Thank you for seating nine of us so comfortably and for our delicious half- time refreshments.I continue to be surprised and delighted by the wonderful variety of music and anecdotes that we share during our get together. This time we certainly qualified for the 'sublime to ridiculous' award! Malcolm Stent, a comedian from Birmingham gave us a laugh with a risqué parody on 'Lucille' and Happy Birthday Sweet 16 took us back (just a few years). We waltzed, in our imagination, to the Blue Danube. The stirring opening of West Side Story had us tapping our feet as did Abba's Dancing Queen, we were treated to details of sassy fancy dress at a Hollywood themed 60th birthday party. The Green Green Grass of home was accompanied by a tale of a Welshman (who couldn't!) singing karaoke. We heard a stirring Hallelujah chorus and gentle ballet music from Giselle. A romantic gesture was recalled when a yellow ribbon was tied round a tree in a front garden and a little happiness was spread by Sting.Our next meeting on December 5th will be at Eileen's home, tel 552037. Please let her know in good time if you will be there or not.In January, our date is the 2nd when you might like to relax in a post-Christmas season session at the Ruffs' house tel 556985

Nohline

PLAY READINGCo-ordinator: Glenys Peverley Tel: 553614

We started “You Never Can Tell” by George Bernard Shaw. What an odd play! An inexperienced dentist falls in love when first meeting Gloria, a committed feminist. This is in the early 1900s. She is one of a dysfunctional family. The only sane person is the waiter of the hotel they are staying at. The play will be completed on Wednesday,

December 13th at Linda's home, Squires House, Valley Lane, Bitteswell at 10:00am.

Glenys Peverley

HANDICRAFTS GROUPCo-ordinator Glenys Peverley Tel: 553614

In November, Pat and Jean were or had knitted Christmas decorations. They were lovely. There is no end to the talent of some people!Our next session is at Pat's home, 33 Holly Drive Lutterworth, on Monday January 15th at 2:00pm. (Please note we are not meeting in December). .Bring anything you enjoy making with your hands which can be accommodated around a dining table. It's a friendly, chatty session and we would welcome new members.

Glenys Peverley

WHIST GROUPCo-ordinator: Glenys Peverley Tel: 553614

We next meet on Thursday, January 4th in Bitteswell village hall at 7:00pm and thereafter each first Thursday of the month. We would welcome new members, so as to have a more interesting session, playing a greater number of people. Please contact me if you are interested.

Glenys Peverley

SCRABBLECo-ordinator: Glenys Peverley Tel: 553614 We had almost a full house in November. It is good to see new members joining. Linda was the overall champion of the afternoon winning both her games. We next meet on Wednesday, December 20th at Linda's home Squires House, Valley Lane, Bitteswell at 2:30pm.

Glenys Peverley

SINGLES DINING GROUP Co-ordinator: Val Howson. Tel: 552130Email:[email protected] lunch organisers vary

Sue Sharp hosted the November lunch at her local hostelry in Bitteswell and a jolly fine

lunch was enjoyed by all. After drinks in the bar area the diners made their way to the panelled side room for an excellent lunch. Stomachs were patted after partaking of starters and a main course to see if there was room for a dessert but most settled for coffee and time for more friendly chat.The extra bonus of eating out is gained from engagement in conversation with good friends and not having to wash up the dishes. On December 14th the Christmas revelries will have commenced and there will be Festive fayre on offer and Christmas hats to be worn when the group will gather at Ullesthorpe Court Hotel at noon for pre meal cocktails.

New Year Dining is scheduled for January 18th hosted by Brenda Burton and in February, the group will dine on the 15th. Anyone wishing to join the group is invited to sign up at the Monthly meeting in the Wycliffe Rooms where the booking list will be on offer with full details of the venue or by calling Brian Fowler on 01455 209336, e mail [email protected].

Brian Fowler

GROUPS ONE AND TWO STROLLING: 556923Mobile: 07986905319Coordinator Group Two: John Lee Tel: 556923

Group OneWe chose something a little nearer for our November outing when we visited Leire. It was a rather dreary November day but we had an interesting visit to St Peter’s Church, which appeared to have been run by the Rev. Richardson for over 49 years back in the 19th C, a stalwart man! He outlived both of his wives by over 40 years and had two windows in the Church endowed for them. A lovely window at the rear of the Church was paid for, at a cost of £15, by the Sunday School children bringing pence for over five years. We also heard a tale of the old times in Leire written by one of its oldest villagers, which was interesting and brought back many memories for us all. We finished the morning with an excellent meal at The Queen’s Arms in Leire.On January 16th, we will be visiting The Waterfront Restaurant in Market Harborough

for lunch. We will meet at the recreation ground at 11.30am.

Group TwoThe start to the day’s strolling proved to be difficult due to the road closure on the A428 and a badly signed diversion. We all eventually arrived and were then treated to a lengthy, uninvited talk by the Church key holder. He annoyingly covered many of the points researched in the prepared talk, which took up more of the allotted time. However, the morning was redeemed with a short stroll in the winter sunshine before an excellent lunch at the Chequers Pub in the village.Our next stroll will be at Leire on Tuesday 16th January leaving the recreation car park at 11am.

Next month on the 12th December, we will be having our usual joint Group Christmas Party at Lutterworth Golf Club. Please make your way there after the General Meeting and please remember to bring your £15 payment in cash.

Graham Ruff

Strolling Group 2 Gaddesby stroll October 2017

LIVELY DISCUSSION GROUPCo-ordinator: Gwenda Jones Tel: 556923

In Westminster and in Brussels Politicians are spending months arguing the toss and outcome of Brexit. In Bitteswell, at the home of Linda Patton, the members of the Discussion Group provided many of the answers without rancour at the November debate.The topic title was ‘Should we be asking retailers to supply more British goods & should we buy more British?There was 100% approval on both counts but inevitably there now exist many problems with identifying what is British as so many products used in the home, almost all clothing and much of the food we consume is made or grown abroad. Some goods are packaged in Britain and therefore carry a British made label although they may only have been assembled or finished here. Major Foreign companies have bought into or completely taken over British industries so even made in Britain sees the profits going elsewhere. With our nation and many other Western nations now being consumer hungry there is almost total reliance on electrical products made in the East. This was another topic that engaged the group, exercised the brains and left us all with a desire to buy more British and an intent to do so wherever and whenever possible. If more people could be persuaded to do likewise, retailers might be persuaded to stock more.

The Group will take a break in December, resuming discussion in January when on the 18th John Lee will state ‘The Use of Robots by workpeople is gaining pace. What are we to do with the surplus labour?’’ and will then ask the group members to provide the answers.

Brian Fowler

GARDENS GROUP Co-ordinator: Linda Patton Tel: 556996

I have booked a trip to see snowdrops at Easton Walled Gardens near Grantham on

Friday February 23rd.  The gardens are open only for one week to see the snowdrops and other days were booked for groups.  There are eighteen different species to see as well as hellebores and other early spring flowers.  We shall arrive in time to buy lunch and, in addition to seeing the flowers there is a display of botanical prints to view.  There will be a booking form available at the January meeting.  I shall have more details of price and times before then.  I have also contacted Stoneywell near Woodhouse Eaves to arrange to make a visit when their daffodils are in bloom as this is, I’m told, a sight to behold.  This trip will be in mid-April, there will be a guided tour of the garden as well as a chance to view this very unusual house and buy lunch.  I have also contacted the owners of Long Close at Woodhouse Eaves as I was advised that this is a lovely garden to see but the owner is currently unwell although his wife hopes he will be able to accommodate us in late May.  The winners of the Daily Mail Garden Competition 2017 live in Coventry.  They open their gardens together with another local garden and I am waiting for the organiser to come back and tell me when we shall be able to view these gardens.  Naturally, I shall let you all know as soon as I have more information.  The garden holiday coach is fully-booked but I do have a waiting list and if I have enough wishing to join us, I shall ask about the availability of a larger coach, so do put your name down if you are interested in the garden holiday to Kings Lynn from 26th to 29th June.  Here’s to a year of enjoyable visits. If you have never joined us before, do come as we have a lovely day out.

Linda Patton

TEN PIN BOWLINGCo-ordinator: Alan Kemp Tel: 203009

If you enjoy exercise with a friendly group of people join us for tenpin bowling.  We meet on the 2nd Friday of the month at 9.30am on the car park at the recreation ground.Contact Alan Kemp for more information.

Alan Kemp

TABLE TENNISCo-ordinator: Carole Harrington Tel: 553438We meet every Monday (except for Bank Holidays) together with Wycliffe U3A from 2pm to approx.4pm at Walcote Village Hall. New members are always welcome.

Carole Harrington

BRIDGECo-ordinator: Kathy Scott-Simons Tel: 559945

We meet at a different venue during each month.  If you enjoy a social game of bridge, please contact me for any further information. 

Kathy Scott-Simons

DAYS OUT GROUPCo-ordinators Gordon and Sue Jones Tel: 01455 556192

There is room for one more person on the Chatsworth trip going on 13th December, the day after the December meeting. If you would like to go please contact me on the number above or at the meeting. Cost £31.00.

Gordon

THEATRE GROUP Co-ordinator: June Clayton Tel: 209545

REMINDERWednesday December 13th ‘Scrooge’ an evening performance at The Curve, leaving the Lutterworth Wycliffe Rooms at 6.15pm Thursday February 22nd ‘Beautiful’ the musical, a 2.30pm matinee performance at Milton Keynes, leaving Lutterworth at 10.30. £42 Tuesday April 17th An Officer and a Gentleman’ a 7.30pm performance at the Curve, Leicester, leaving Lutterworth at approx. 6.15. £30 ( Fully booked) PAY BY JANUARY MEETINGThursday May 31st Guys and Dolls a 7.30pm performance at Kilworth House. £35 (ticket only, own transport). PAY BY JANUARY MEETINGARE YOU INTERESTED - OPERA AND/OR BALLET? PLEASE LET US KNOW.

Wednesday April 11th a matinee performance of double bill - DON GIOVANNU & TOSCA at Milton KeynesThursday June 28th a matinee performance of the Prokofiev’s ballet Romeo & Juliet at the Birmingham Hippodrome

June Clayton

JAZZ GROUPCoordinator Graham Ruff -Tel: 556985

We held our pre-Christmas session at Graham’s home on the 28th of November. We were pleased to welcome Bob Davis who though he professed to know little about the music, loves to listen to it. Well, Bob that’s all we need.Graham started proceedings with a potted history of the 1920’s clarinettist Johnny Dodds and we heard examples of his playing with King Oliver,Louis Armstrong ,Kid Ory and with his trio. Next up was some vinyl from Sid Phillips appropriately playing Hors d’oeuvres. Nina Simone and Buddy Greco sang before Malc Hurrells Conscripts took the stage. Charlie Parker played around with White Christmas before Pete Fountaine ended the first set.Tea ,coffee and cake were served and we discussed cataract surgery and the woes of the Health Service before returning to the music .Count Basie Swung the blues, Chet Baker played and sang Lets get lost. We then found ourselves in a Winter Wonderland with Ken Colyer. The Fire House Five ran wild and we heard again the clarinet of Pete Fountaine before Gene Krupa with Opus 1 brought proceedings to a closeThere will be no meeting next month as it would be on Boxing Day ,so we will meet again at Graham’s place 1 Mulberry Close on Tuesday 23rd January. In the meantime may I wish all my readers a very Hippy Christmas and a Jazzy New Year Don’t forget anyone who wishes to join us will be very welcome

Graham

3 rd TUES DAY WALKING GROUP Co-ordinator Gordon Jones Tel: 556192

The next Tuesday walk will be on 16th January, details will be in the next Newsletter.As I wrote in the last newsletter, we decided

not to organize a meal in December for the Tuesday group, as there are so many earlier meals available. November Walk.Nine walkers set off from Butlers leap Rugby. Starting on the Oxford canal across pastures to Clifton upon Dunsmore.Continuing along road paths to Newton. After our coffee stop at the picnic site, we walked the Great Central disused railway track returning on the canal. Ideal walking weather .Finishing with a very enjoyable lunch at Butlers Leap pub.Excellent value meal and a drink £6.

2018 Walking Weekend. The walking weekend is now full.

Gordon

BIRD WATCHING GROUPCoordinator: Rita Nicholls Tel 557412

On a sunny but cold morning, seven of us ventured to Brandon Nature Reserve; with some trepidation as we were without our relied-upon leader who was away hunting feathered friends in warmer climes. By the end of the visit, we had amassed the creditable tally of 35 species due to the pooling of our limited talents and a bit of aid from local experts. We were pleased to have a new member, Barbara, in our midst and it was good that Margaret had a successful christening of her brand new binoculars. It was also good to see that some winter visitors had arrived, so we were rewarded with sightings of field-fare, redwing, siskins and redpolls. It was also gratifying that the shared labour of carrying our somewhat heavy telescope was justified by enabling us to get some excellent views of snipe. Our next outing will be on Friday 22 December, meeting at the Lutterworth recreation ground car park to leave at 9.30am.  Bring a pack-up as usual and the destination will be decided on the day. New members will be welcomed; contact Rita if more info required. Derek Deacon (‘guide’ for the day)

HERITAGE GROUPCo-ordinator: Peter Carter Tel: 552886

On a bright crisp afternoon a group of members set off to travel just over the county boundary 6miles north of Northampton, to visit the 7th century Anglo-Saxon church of All Saint’s, Brixworth. The building is the largest complete Saxon church anywhere in Europe and was founded as a monastery by Bishop Sexwulf of Mercia in 675 AD, although the present building dates from around 750 AD. Built as a basilica church in the Romanesque style, its unique feature is the construction of the windows and arches using Roman bricks and stone, which have been analysed to have come from Roman buildings in Leicester and Towcester. Recent finds include a Reliquary, which contained a piece of bone fragment, possibly from a Saint, and this would have been kept in the Ambulatory under the West End Apse. This is a building regularly still in use as a place of worship and was well worth the visit. There will be no visit or meeting in December. Members on the e.mail list will be contacted with a list of planned visits for 2018. Season’s Greetings to all members and thank you for your support.

Peter Carter

UKULELE GROUPCo-ordinators: Peter Sneath and Barbara Wilkinson Tel: 553254

The Ukulele Group will be taking a rest over the Christmas period so the next meeting will be on January 8th in Bitteswell Village Hall at 10.00.

New members are always welcome.  There is no prior musical knowledge required and the basic chords are easy to pick up, so you would soon be playing along and singing with everyone else.  There are a number of spare ukuleles available for you to have a go before investing in an instrument yourself. Make a New Year resolution and come and learn something new - it’s good for the brain!

Barbara WilkinsonPeter Sneath

ART APPRECIATION GROUPCo-ordinators: Rae Flowerday Tel. 556942 & Sue Woodhead Tel. 01455 558037

For the group’s November meeting we took as our stimulus the first programme in Andrew Graham-Dixon’s series on The Art of Russia. The presenter is one of the group’s favourite art historians and the programme, focussing on the emergence of Russian art forms called ‘Out of the Forest’, did not disappoint. A central feature in the development of an artistic tradition was the adoption of Christianity in the C11 and the associated creation of painted religious icons. Such icons became central to spiritual life and to the sense of national identity that emerged over succeeding centuries. They remain of great importance today with the revival of organised religion and the continued search for authentic symbols that underpin Russian nationhood. An interesting by product of the religious icon has been the way in which rulers from Ivan the Terrible [C16] through to the present day have usurped religious imagery to promote their own autocratic rule and cult of personality. We await the next programme with interest, as it will shift the focus to Russia’s engagement [& uneasy relationship] with the western artistic tradition from the time of Peter the Great [early C17] onwards.Our next meeting will be on Thursday 25th January. Details of the topic /artist to be considered will be circulated to members prior to the meeting. Andrew Graham-Dixon may have to wait.Venue: 7, Magnolia Drive. Apologies to Glenys [Tel 553614].

John Turner

SHORTER WALKS GROUPCo-ordinators:Lyn Foxwell Tel: 01455 553492Fay Goodwin Tel: 01455 207822

November WalkA cold but lovely sunny morning enticed 14 members to come out for Alan and Linda's very pleasant walk, which took us along the tow path from the Barley Mow pub in Newbold-on-Avon to Elliott Fields in Rugby.  A few narrowboats passed us en route and although the going was a bit muddy, all walkers managed to keep upright and emerged safely from the towpath at the rear

of Debenhams.  We debated whether we dare go for coffee in M&S but thought the muddy boots would not go down well.  The same was said of Debenhams so we headed for Cafe Nero where we were made most welcome and took our break there.  We returned to the Barley Mow via the same route and enjoyed lunch at the pub. Pauline Reeves

There is no walk arranged for this month, instead we will be having Christmas lunch at the Greyhound Coaching Inn.  The January walk will be stated in the next issue of the newsletter.Thanks to Pauline for the report.Merry Christmas everyone.   

Lyn and Fay

MUSIC FOR FUN - SONGSTERS GROUPBill Tomkins Tel: 01455 552864/07913 [email protected]

The Songsters are looking forward to singing for you at the December meeting (today). We have been working very hard on a medley from Les Miserables and one rather tricky song from Guys and Dolls. We hope you will also enjoy some community carol singing during the meeting.

We shall not be meeting on the first Monday in January as it is New Year’s Day. We shall resume on the third Monday, 15 January, at 10.15 in St Mary’s Bitteswell. We have decided to learn more songs from Guys and Dolls and also learn some from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dream coat. This will tie in nicely with the summer programme at Kilworth House. We shall be delighted to welcome anyone who wishes to join in the fun working on these two selections.

There will also be a new (surprise) element in the rehearsal on 15 January. Are you curious? If so, then come along and find out what it is!!

Meanwhile, very happy Christmas to you all and very best wishes for the new year.

Bill Tomkins.

JOINT GOLF SECTIONLutterworth and Wycliffe u3aCo-ordinator Peter Moore Tel: 01455 552594E-mail – [email protected]

Details of further meetings will be in future newsletters

HOLIDAYS GROUPCo-ordinator: Caren Simpson:  mob 07708304858 or landline 01455203554

In November, we were treated to a most informative talk given by Alan Coltman who, after retirement, fulfilled his ambition of worldwide travel on railways. He accomplished this by working as a tour guide for the Great Railway Journeys Company The company was started by two British Rail employees, Ian Macbeth and Howard Trinder in the mid-1980s as "Mac's Tours", which organized international holidays for British Rail staff who were entitled to discounted foreign rail travel. The company was restyled as "Great Rail Journeys" in 1994. Originally this was designed for ‘train buffs’ but now caters for those people as well as offering a method of transport where one can enjoy the view!! Great Rail Journeys focuses on first class escorted rail tours across four different continents, primarily travelling on prestige or historic trains, accompanied by a tour manager. Excluding tours within the United Kingdom, journeys begin at St Pancras station or an airport, depending on the destination. The majority of the itineraries are within Europe, but tours are also offered in Africa, Asia, Australasia and North America and include journeys on The Trans-Siberian Express, The Glacier Express USA Coast to Coast, India’s Palace on Wheels, The Marrakech Express and The Arctic Circle Express. Alan was very enthusiastic about the tours in which he had participated. He went into more detail about the train journeys in Switzerland to towns such as Chur, Zermatt, Zurich and the Glacier Express. This was of particular interest to those of us who had visited these areas. Since the company’s origins in the 1980’s, it has expanded into a very successful organisation, offering a superb range of holidays to suit most tastes and pockets.

THERE WILL BE NO MEETING IN DECEMBER.Our January meeting will be at 10am Friday 19th January 2018, at The Garden Barn, Cotesbach.

Caren Simpson

WINE APPRECIATION GROUPCo-ordinator: Sue Sharp Tel 556255

Our next get-together will be in Bitteswell Village Hall on Thursday 14th DecemberPlease let Sue Sharp know if you will be joining

NOTICES AND MEMBERSHIP MATTERS

WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS

HOPING TO JOIN LUTTERWORTH U3A?If any members have friends who are interested in joining us, please give details of their address, telephone number and email address to our membership secretary, Alan Shean Tel: 01455 283512

Current Committee Members

Post Name NumberChair Linda Patton 01455 556996Vice-chair Ken Patton 01455 556996Secretary Sue Woodhead 01455 558037Treasurer Gill Alford 01455 553431Assistant Treasurer Gordon Jones 01455 556192Membership Secretary Alan Shean 01455 283512Newsletter Editor Carmel Kerslake 01455 553790Programme Secretary Margaret Foster 01455 553258Minutes Secretary Gwen Edwards 01455 209649Groups Coordinator Brian Fowler 01455 209336Committee Member Liz White 01455 230899Co-opted member Mick Barrows (Equipment Organiser) 01455 556570Co-opted member Peter Sneath 01455 553254Co-opted member June Clayton 01455 209545Co-opted member Kate Ayres (Online Co-ordinator) 01455 209074

MONTHLY MEETINGS

These are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 9.45am, in the Wycliffe Rooms, George Street, Lutterworth.Between 9.45am and 10.15am, coffee and tea will be served. The speaker will commence at 10.30am and the speech will last for 45 minutes.

FORTHCOMING SPEAKERSDecember 12th - Christmas Extravaganza! (Members)January 9th - Wainwright’s Coast to Coast Walk

NEWSLETTER BY POST; E-MAIL or ONLINE

IF YOU CHANGE YOUR E_MAIL ADDRESS PLEASE LET ME KNOW SO THAT YOU DO NOT MISS OUT ON YOUR NEWSLETTER

The newsletter is available on our website:https://u3asites.org.uk/lutterworth/newsletters

Please contact the editor if you need one posted or emailed.

Contact details:

Carmel Kerslake - 3 King’s Way, Lutterworth, LE17 4QA Tel: 01455 553790or 07815410167 (mob)email: [email protected]

JANUARY NEWSLETTER ENTRIESPlease ensure group reports, notices and news are submitted before Friday 29th December 2017 pm

EVENTS FOR THE DIARYEvents details are available online at

https://u3asites.org.uk/lutterworth/events

Wednesday 13th December 2017Days Out Group – Chatsworth House Christmas

WEDNESDAY WALKING GROUPS – IMPORTANT CHANGE!!

As you may be aware Roger Watmore is standing down from his role as joint walk coordinator of the First Wednesday Group and Julian Hargreaves is leaving the area and, therefore, will also be standing down from his role as joint coordinator of the First and Second Wednesday Groups. Both have been longstanding and hardworking contributors both as coordinators and walk organisers and we must thank them for their hard work over the years, from which we have benefited and appreciated. Mike Chapman and Peter Creeden have reviewed what this means for the future of the Wednesday Walking Groups. Our concern is that we have no natural successors to the coordinator roles and, also, we have been facing, and it will only get worse with Julian`s departure, a lack of walk organisers (leaders).We have, reluctantly, come to the conclusion that we will have to reduce the number of Wednesdays that we walk from three to just two. Mike has volunteered to continue to coordinate the Second Wednesday Walks. These will be shorter, approximately 3.5 to 5 miles with no pub lunch. Peter Creeden will continue to coordinate the Fourth Wednesday Walks of approximately 5 to 6 miles starting at a pub and with lunch afterwards.We are saddened that we have to take this action and hope you appreciate that without walk organisers the problem will not go away. There are some stalwart organisers who are already leading three or four walks a year which involves significant commitment and it would be unreasonable to ask them to do any more. So please could we have more volunteer organisers to enable us to keep the Wednesday Walking Groups alive to give us all the opportunity to enjoy some exercise, the local countryside and importantly each others` company. If you would like to organise a walk but think that you might need assistance then Mike or Peter would be glad to provide some support.Mike Chapman & Peter Creeden

FAMILY HISTORY

I am very happy to help people with their family history research, so whether you are a just beginning to research your family tree or more experienced and have come to a halt and need advice, do get in touch. Please contact me by phone 01455 554455or at [email protected]

Sue Turner………………………………………………………

Charity Corner

Postcards for MAF:- Please remember to save your postcards and let Brian Fowler have them, either by post to him at 16 Roman Close, Claybrooke Magna LE17 5DU, or at any General Meeting

Stamps for the ‘Medical Alert’ Charity Please remember to save your used postage stamps for Liz White, who is collecting these for the charity.

Knit and Stitch needs volunteers like you to join us at Lutterworth Methodist Church on the first Thursday of each month between 2 and 4pm to help make Linus quilts (for children in need of a hug) or to knit items for charities and good causes. All equipment and help is provided. Knit and Stitch is also looking for donations of cotton fabric, threads, wadding and knitting wool. Just turn up to a meeting or for more information ring Sue Turner on 01455 554455

Christmas Shoebox Appeal 2017

Thank you very much to all the people who kindly donated shoeboxes, wrapping paper and small items to this year’s Christmas Shoebox Appeal. We have managed to fill over 160 boxes, which have been sent to Africa and Europe to put a smile on the faces of children who will receive very little this Christmas. On their behalf can I thank you most sincerely for your generosity and ask that you keep saving any large shoeboxes, unwanted Christmas wrapping paper and hotel toiletries as we are hoping to support the scheme again next year! Many thanks, Sue Turner

.

LUTTERWORTH U3A GROUP MEETINGS – TIMING GUIDE

GROUP LEADER TELEPHONE FREQUENCY TIME

MONDAYBuffet Supper Club Gwenda Jones 01455 556923 1st From 7.00 pmTable Tennis Carole Harrington 01455 553438 1st & 3rd 2.00-4.30Music for Fun - Songsters Bill Tomkins 01455 552864 1st & 3rd 10.15Music for Fun - Ukulele Barbara Wilkinson

Peter Sneath01455 553254 2nd & 4th 10-12noon

Handicrafts Glenys Peverley 01455 553614 3rd 2.00-4.00History Group Linda Patton 01455 556996 4th 2.00-4.00TUESDAYReading Group Linda Patton 01455 556996 1st 10.00-12.00Music & Memories Nohline Ruff 01455 556985 1st 2.00-4.00Strolling Group 1 Gwenda Jones 01455 556923 3rd am - variesStrolling Group 2 John Lee 01455 556923 3rd am - varies

3rd Tuesday Walking Gordon Jones 01455 556192 3rd 9.30 onwardShort Walks Group Fay Goodwin

Lyn Foxwell01455 207822 01455 553492

4th 10.00 onwards

Jazz Group Graham Ruff 01455 556985 4th 2.00-4.00Heritage Group Peter Carter 01455 552886 4th 1.00 onwardsLine dancing for Beginners Carole Harrington 01455 553438 4th 2.30-4.00WEDNESDAYPoetry Betty Wilson 01455 209790 1st 2.00-4.001st Wed. Walking Group Roger Watmore

Julian Hargreaves01455 55243101455 557704

1st 9.30 onward

2nd Wed Medium Distance Walking Group Julian HargreavesMike Chapman

01455 55770401455 209972

2nd 9.30 onward

Play Reading Glenys Peverley 01455 553614 2nd 10.00-12.00Scrabble Glenys Peverley 01455 553614 3rd 2.30-5.004th Wed Walking Sue & Peter

Creeden01455 557888 4th 9.30 onward

THURSDAYWhist Group Glenys Peverley 01455 553614 1st 7pmQuiz Group Sue Jones 01455 556192 2nd 2.00-4.00Wine Appreciation Group Sue Sharp 01455 556255 2nd EveningMusic Appreciation John Peverley

Tony MacDonald01455 553614 01455 553910

3rd 10.00-1200

Lively Discussion Gwenda Jones 01455 556923 3rd 2.00-4.00Art Appreciation Rae Flowerday

Sue Woodhead01455 55694201455 558037

4th 10.00-12.00

FRIDAYBridge Kathy Scott Simons 01455 559945 Weekly 2.00-5.00Ten Pin Bowling Alan Kemp 01455 203009 2nd 10.00-1.00Holidays Group Caren Simpson 01455203554 3rd 10.00Bird Watching Group Rita Nicholls 01455 557412 4th 9.30 onwardVARIOUSGarden Visits Linda Patton 01455 556996 Varies DaytimeTheatre Group June Clayton 01455 209545 Varies Varies

Jean Williamson 01455 209882Pauline Harrison 01455 209064

Days Out Group Gordon & Sue Jones

01455 556192 As Arranged Varies

Singles Takeaway Group June Clayton 01455 209545 Varies EveningSingles Dining Val Howson 01455 552130 Varies VariesGolf Section (Lutterworth & Wycliffe) Peter Moore 01455 552594 As arranged Varies

Always check the online newsletter for possible timing variations. Check with the group leader if you are not sure.


Recommended