WOKINGHAM

NEWSLETTER

SEP-OCT.
2004

Chairman’s Notes

It was pleasing to see so many of you apparently enjoying yourselves at this year’s Garden party. It seemed to me that the weather smiled on us, it was not too hot, there was sunshine and occasionally overcast. At least two of our members brought swimming gear and took advantage of Heather’s pool.

We owe a thank you to Paul (King) for organising the marquee from the Wokingham scouts, and a thank you to that group for offering that the donation we were intending to make to them should also be passed to Heather’s charity, which meant that in total the charity benefited by £94.00, including our admission charges.

I must say a thank you also to all the members who organised or helped with the day. I am not going to try to name everyone, there are so many, but you know who you are!

Betty Hughes, Ronnie Beecham and I attended the Regional Conference at Witney, where we were split into working groups. Betty joined the Health & Wellbeing Group where the discussion leader pointed out that health pertains to your physical and mental health, whereas well being is to do with quality of life, happiness & lifestyle and impacts upon your health & how you deal with problems. Ronnie participated in the Study Days group, which considered the possibility of running study days with the whole Region participating, something successfully achieved in Sussex, whereas I took part in the “Does Size Matter (U3A)” group. This discussed the optimum size for U3As, and there was animated discussion among those attending with memberships ranging from about 50 to 800. The principal outcome seemed to be that smaller U3As found monthly meetings more important whereas larger U3As found group activities more important.

Len Smith

Stop Press on Groups

This winter should see Wokingham U3A 500 or so members hell bent on broadening their horizons. There are some firm new groups and lots of potential. If you have a background in any of the subjects listed in the advertisement for the Freshers' Fair, please contact me asap. In the meantime:

Bessie Jared is seeking members interested in her new Needlecraft Group.

Ted and Patsy Thornton are looking for those interested in a Bridge Group for real beginners.

In the pipeline are discussions on Sports History, Beginners Spanish and Beginners Whist.

A fully trained and experienced Yoga teacher has recently joined us and is willing to start a group quite soon.

A Photographer has offered to share her expertise with an emphasis on digital photography.

Heather Bradly will repeat her Breadmaking tuition this winter.

Sign up at the September Freshers’ Fair when all the new start-up groups will be looking for members. Many of the new groups will be small ones run from members’ homes so the numbers will be limited.

I am still desperately seeking someone to help to organise Theatre Visits.

We have been offered membership of Woking Theatre which is accessible by train from Wokingham (using 'funny money').

Don't forget - NOON on TUESDAY, 21st SEPTEMBER - MAKE A FRESH START

Pauline Riocreux  973 3083

Ayudanos Por Favor
The Intermediate Spanish Group is looking for help from native Spanish Speakers in order to improve and correct our Spanish conversation. We meet in each others homes twice a month and would very much welcome some support. No preparation would be required for these sessions.

If you know of any member who is ill please inform Marion Povall on 0118 978 6240 so that she can contact them.

Please 'phone Ian Chambers, 01344 775596

The Nutrition Group

The Nutrition Group has run for nearly two years and is now coming to a natural conclusion, but the members did not want it to close, so the October meeting will be a planning meeting for the future of the group.

I am proposing that it changes to “Health and Wellbeing”. I attended a workshop at the regional conference on this subject and it seems to offer a lot of scope for various topics. The few members who were present at the July meeting were in favour of this change.

I hope lots of people will come and contribute their thoughts, and help shape a different and hopefully enjoyable group.

The September meeting will be a talk by a “Speak Out and Listen” speaker on “Food Additives”. All welcome.

Betty Hughes. 0118 9788452.

Beginners' Bridge

If there is sufficient interest, we propose to start a small group to study the rudiments of contract bridge.  (Those who play already need not apply!  Arnold George teaches the more sophisticated elements, whilst Betty and Ian Hughes provide practice in duplicate.)

The new group would seek to help those who have never played before, though they may well have played whist.  We would go over the principles of counting high card points for the assessment of the hand's potential, scoring for rubber bridge, and the basic conventions. We anticipate meeting at our house on two mornings a month, for a plenary session, followed by some practice hands.

If you are at all interested in joining us, do contact us on the number below, but please do not expect a reply until early September, as we shall be away sailing until then.  Alternatively, come and have a chat to us at the "Freshers’' Fair" before the Monthly Meeting on Tuesday, September 21st.

Patsy and Ted Thornton
01344 774812

The Emm Brook and its Wildlife

Wokingham U3A members, especially those living in the vicinity of the Emm Brook, may be interested to know about a public meeting on the Emm Brook and its Wildlife to be held at 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday 22^nd September 2004 at Wokingham Town Hall. The event is being organised jointly by the Wokingham Society and the Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT).

Iain Corbyn, Director of the BBOWT Berkshire Wildlife Sites Survey until April 2003 will be presenting results from this Survey, including especially a wildlife survey of the Emm Brook carried out by local ecologist, Stuart Colgate. Andy Glencross, Wokingham District Council’s Biodiversity Officer will then consider what might be the implications for the council’s Biodiversity Action Plan. There will be good opportunities for questions and comments as well as displays by various organisations concerned with wildlife.

The finance for the Emm Brook study was made available through a legacy from Miss Kathleen Rowbotham, once an active member of the Wokingham Natural History Society, which was associated with the Wokingham Society. Sadly this group no longer functions but the Wokingham Society, which administered the grant, retains its commitment to the promotion of the study of natural history in the town and to the quality of its natural as well as its built environment.

U3A members are most welcome to come along to this meeting and we are sure that many of you will have useful observations to make. If you would like further details please contact Sue Farrington on 0118 9782371 or Barbara Stagles on 0118 9784013

Origin of Language Workshops

Earlier this year the Archaeology Group focused on the origins and evolution of modern humans. Next winter three meetings will be devoted to the Origins of Language which is a fundamental element in the evolution of our culture and behaviour.

To start us off Prof Steven Mithen will talk to us on the Origin & Evolution of Language at 10.15 Thurs 25 November. Then two Workshops will be held: -

Thurs 27 January 05 - Origin of Indo-European Language

Thurs 24 February 05 - Evolution of Romantic (Latin) and Germanic Languages

Language groups are invited to join the Archaeology Group in this venture but it will be necessary to sign up with me for the three meetings so I can plan for additional numbers.

Good preparation is essential for the workshops so three small teams (Origins, Romantic & Germanic) are planned to do the research. Those interested in joining these research teams please contact me.

Alan Povall

Sixty-Five Years Ago

[For new readers this article is one of a series of extracts from the diaries of Rosemary Goldschmied’s Aunt]

September 1st. Dull with slight rain. Hitler still shouting and cursing. Feel as though we are living in a nightmare. Germans attacked Poland this morning. Blackout tonight. Pinned thick paper over windows. Jim out on duty complete with heavy top boots and steel helmet.

September 3rd. England declared war on Germany at 11.I5. this morning. France declared war on Germany at 5 o'clock this evening. We have been told to carry our gas masks everywhere we go.

September 4th. I am writing this at 3.20. a.m. having come downstairs after the second air raid warning of the war. The All Clear is sounding now, thank God. Later today I went to Mogden hospital and gave First Aid instruction as far as I could.

September 7th. A glorious day and very hot. Could not see of what use I was being at Mogden. Anyway, I told Nurse Tyrell, who is an extremely nice woman, that I thought it better for me to stand off until I was really needed, as they seemed to be so overstaffed,

September 9th. A glorious day. Extremely hot. The War Cabinet met today and based their arrangements on the assumption that the War would last three years or more. Hope to God it doesn't.

September 11th. Not quite so warm. Seems rotten to see everybody going about carrying their gas masks. Trebles had no blackout material at all, and said so bluntly. Went to Edmonds and spent £2-15s-5d. [£2.80] on blackout curtains.

September I7th. Russia has today invaded Poland.

September 20th. Warsaw is still holding out. The Poles are wonderful.

September 21st. A lovely moonlight night. Our road seemed like a quiet village street and if war wasn't the reason for the blackout, I should have said it was an improvement; the stars shining brightly in the soft night sky.

September 26^th. Very little war news except the heroic defence of Warsaw by the Poles. God help them. Ordered a hat at Weiss which I hope will be in on Thursday. Mr. Martin painted the top of the gate and the house number white.

September 27th. Winston Churchill announced in the House this afternoon that the Home Fleet was attacked by German aircraft who were driven off with losses to them, but none to us. Cheers! Emily came but fortunately left about 8 o'clock, for that we have to thank the blackout! I wish she was more interesting, but although I sincerely try, I can't enjoy her visits and it's a relief when she goes. We are absolutely incompatible.

September 29th. Heroic Poland finally defeated by those couple of rough gangsters, Hitler and Stalin. Russia has signed a treaty with Estonia.

October 5th. Jim and I for the first time in months went to the pictures to see Captain Fury, an interesting but highly improbable film; however, we enjoyed it.

October 9th. Teeming with rain. Hitler making frantic offers of peace, which won't be accepted.

October 26th. To the Ritz cinema to see The Hardys Ride High, with Mickey Rooney and Lewis Stone. Jim is going on duty at 11.30 and it's awfully long waiting for him to go. Don't like going lonely to bed, but there are at this moment thousands of lonely women who don't grouse.

Rosemary Goldschmied.

New Opportunity For A Volunteer

I will be standing down as Honorary Secretary of Wokingham U3A at the AGM in February 2005. It is a fascinating and very worthwhile role which I have enjoyed immensely but it is time for me to move on and spend more time on my other interests.

Why not volunteer to take on the role? There are no boring job descriptions to read through and no complex application forms to fill in – but I would be delighted to chat about the job to anyone who thinks that they would like to ‘give it a go’.

Colin Mitchell, Hon. Secretary

Tel 0118 9782824

Diary Dates

The National Institute for Medical Research, London NW7, will be holding a meeting for U3A members on Tuesday 19th October 2004. The 2003 meeting was very well received by those U3A members who attended.

"U3A Explores Science at the Ri" will take place on Monday 11th April 2005 at 2pm.

The U3A Summer School dates for 2005 are:
School 1- July 19th to 22nd
School 2 - July 26th to 29^th

Further information on all of these is likely to be received later in the year and will also be published on the National U3A website.

Colin Mitchell

An Appeal - Wokingham Job Support Centre

The Wokingham Job Support Centre (WJSC) is a charity of 12 years standing providing assistance free of charge to those seeking employment - often over 50s following redundancy, single parents, recent graduates, those with impediments etc. As well as jobsearch and communication facilities, an adviser is also on duty to assist with CVs, interview techniques, general advice and information. WJSC currently needs more voluntary advisers  to help at the offices at the Cornerstone (All Saints Church) for a couple of hours each week. We believe many U3A members have the right employment background and skills for this task, which is extremely rewarding. If any members are interested in coming forward, please contact John Porter on 01344 775953 or myself as Secretary on 0118 9786459 or look at its website www.wjscen.org.uk

Thank you.

David Tinker

FREE Courses to support Wokingham lone adults

Thanks to Wokingham District Council Lifelong Learning Partnership, Reading College and School of Arts and Design are able to provide information, advice and courses to help lone adults cope with the changing demands of life, family and community.

From September 2004 we will be running FREE short courses in:

Confidence building
Get started IT
Financial literacy
Health, nutrition and fitness

Courses will run in Wokingham district area. If you know anybody who would be interested in taking part please phone Diane Sanderson to book a place or for more information on tel 0118 967 5508

A Summary of Information received recently from the U3A National Office

q Poole U3A is organising a Holiday to South Africa for 16 days in October 2005. For details send large s.a.e. to Gina Pointing, 39 Glynville Close, Colehill, Wimborne, Dorset BH21 2SL or ‘phone 01202 880362

q There is now a U3A Group Travel Organiser’s Guide to the Package Travel Regulations. This is four A4 pages packed with essential information for anyone organising a group holiday. (see web site or s.a.e. to me for a copy)

q ‘U3A Hosts Science at the RI’. The 2005 U3A event at the Royal Institution will take place on Monday April 11^th. The programme and ticket details will be available in November 2004 – (s.a.e. to me if you would like a copy of these when they arrive).

q The National Office is suffering problems with both incoming and outgoing post. Anyone who has been waiting over a week for a response from the National Office should contact them by telephone. This applies also to e-mail communications.

q A U3A Accident Report Form should be completed if any accident, however minor, occurs during the course of U3A activities. The completed form should be held on file in case of subsequent need. (Accident Report Forms should be held by convenors and committee members or s.a.e. to me for one).

q U3A Shared Learning Projects based on Somerset House London.

§ Archive of the Building. A shared project between Somerset House and U3A members to provide the basis of an archive on the original Tudor Palace. Project starts on 28^th September 2004 with fortnightly meetings until Christmas. Co-ordinator is Daphne Sirett on 01635 31726

§ Ice Fairs Project. Aim is to work with Somerset House to research all aspects of the 17^th century Ice Fairs in anticipation of holding an Ice Fair on the ice rink in front of the building in the Christmas Season of 2005. Project starts on 6^th October with fortnightly meetings until Christmas 2004. Co-ordinator is Glenys Tuersley 020 8950 3030.

(s.a.e. to me for A4 sheet giving further information on these projects)

q U3A Shared Learning Project at the Museum of Garden History, Lambeth. U3A members who participate will be working on a variety of topics. Project starts on 8^th October with fortnightly meetings until 10^th December 2004. Co-ordinator is Mrs Max de Boo on 020 8922 5623. (s.a.e. to me for an A4 sheet giving more details)

q BBC Survey on sleep. The BBC is seeking volunteers over the age of 60 to take part in a nationwide survey on sleeping patterns and problems. If interested contact Lucy on 020 8225 7360 or Rachel on 020 8225 7316.

Further information on many of the above may be found on the members area of the U3A National website (http://www.u3a.org.uk.) with most of it then copied onto the Wokingham U3A website (http://www.wokinghamu3a.org.uk )

Colin Mitchell,

0118 9782824 : 1 Tudor Close, Wokingham RG40 2LU

The OCTOBER Meeting

David Vaisey CBE returns to tell us more about

The Treasures of the Bodleian Library

Tuesday, 19th October 2004
St Paul’s Parish Rooms

At 2pm