WOKINGHAM U3A NEWSLETTER MAY - JUN 2006

The May Meeting

 

In Your Dreams - The World of Travel Posters

With David Tinker

If anyone is asked to come up with a picture of England, most people could recall a travel poster image. This is where dreams often started of warm sunny days and contented nostalgia remains! Perhaps we can trigger a few memories.

Tuesday, 16th May 2006

St Paul's Parish Rooms

at 2.00 pm

 

Wokingham U3A

Chairman: Colin Mitchell, 0118 978 2824, e-mail colinfmitchell@hotmail.com

Secretary: Muriel Froom

Membership Secretary: Mrs Carole Beswetherick, 31 Hatch Ride, Crowthorne, RG45 6LF, 01344 771303

Editor: Paul King

Registered Charity No: 1049995

WEBSITE www.wokinghamu3a.org.uk

E-group sign-up: wokinghamu3a-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

A View From The Chair

My plan for this column is to use each one to discuss an aspect of the way that U3As operate. My first is:

Bottom Up Not an appeal to empty your glass but a description of the freedom that British U3As have to choose how they will work. Some of you will know we operate under the umbrella of the Third Age Trust and that there is a National Office where a small staff arranges things like our liability insurance, operates the Resource Centre and organises Summer Schools and other events. However, this is not a head office or headquarters busy making rules and telling us how to run our groups.

Individual U3As are required to abide by the aims and principles of the Third Age Trust and conform to charity and other laws but otherwise it's up to us. By us I mean every member of this U3A; as I said at the March monthly meeting this is not my U3A, nor is it the committee's U3A - it is your U3A.

In my view your U3A is an excellent one. I also think that it is a bottom-up organisation in that every member has opportunities to join the groups that attract them, to tell committee members what they think, to start new groups, to write to the Newsletter, to become a committee member or to raise issues at our annual general meeting. But I sometimes wonder whether I look at our U3A through rose-tinted glasses. Do we have members unable to join the groups that attract them? Are there members who feel that things should change but don't know how to go about it? Could we even have people leaving in frustration because we are not the organisation that they were hoping for?

Is Wokingham U3A really a bottom-up organisation where all of you get a chance to have your say? If not - please tell me and help me to improve matters.

Colin Mitchell, Chairman

Co-ordinator Groups - Phyll Smith

I have just taken over the job of Groups Co-ordinator from Pauline Riocreux who did such an excellent job. With so many members and groups it will take a little while to get to know everyone.

Meanwhile I hope that anyone who needs help or support or who wishes to put forward ideas will contact me.

Martha Mason has taken over the job of looking after new members and a get together was held in the Friends Meeting House at the end of March. I went along to try and help new members into groups of their choice and with the idea of creating parallel groups when a group is full. Your ideas for new groups will be welcomed, supported and helped to flourish. What about Scrap booking, Astrology, Backgammon, - three that have been mentioned. Anyone interested?

We are all indebted to our group leaders for the time and effort they put in to make our various activities such a success. I hope to meet as many group leaders as possible as soon as possible and will be in touch about this. These gatherings will be in small groups on different dates.

Just finally to let you know we hope to have an OPEN HOUSE EVENT in the Autumn and the initial preparations for this are already in hand.

Phyll Smith

Hand bells The Hand bell group were invited by the Breast Cancer Support Group to give an afternoon concert at McMillan House. When we arrived we were dismayed to find their hall in the process of being decorated. The workmen however quickly cleared and hovered one side and we were able to set up our tables. We faced the audience who were sitting in front of piles of furniture which were covered in dust sheets and the workmen busy plastering and painting behind. Our playing covered any noise they were making until Joan Bulpitt read out some poems in the interval and the Irish foreman stopped the workers and joined in the laughter.

We finished the concert with some Old Music Hall favourites and the audience joined in. In spite of our forebodings on arrival the afternoon was enjoyed by everyone, the audience, the players and the decorators!

Come along and join us on 8th May at Heather's for our open morning, 10am.

Beryl Page

French Chat For people who enjoy trying to speak French. Many of us learnt French at school and now want to refresh and improve our French in a relaxing and encouraging atmosphere. No text books, we choose a different topic for each meeting.

Frances Lewis

Pantomime - Rick Dittington

We are sure that there are a number of you U3A'ers with an unfulfilled ambition to walk onto a stage and utter a few amusing lines. You are the people we would be very pleased to welcome to one of our casting sessions which are planned for June. There are obviously some larger roles which need casting but there are also four or five minor small parts suitable for those with lesser thespian ambitions. The ability to sing is not a requirement.

The dates of the performances are 28th, 29th, and 30th November. Two performances are planned as matinees and the third as an evening performance.

The dates of the casting sessions are listed below with the venue address, together with a contact telephone number which we would appreciate you call to let us know that you would like to attend, so that we can organise things in an orderly manner.

Casting Sessions

Tuesday 13th June from 10.30 am

Tuesday 13th June from 2.30 pm

Thursday 15th June from 10.30 am.

All to take place at Jean Davis's

Contact Jean Davis

A New Recorder Group

A new recorder group for Beginners and Intermediates was formed at the end of last year. We enjoy our ensemble playing which is arranged for three parts - descant, treble and tenor. It is fun. There is a lot of chatting and a lot of laughing, but t we take the playing seriously. New members would be most welcome.

Joan Davis

Photography For Fun

Are you interested in forming a group of U3A members who get their cameras out for the sheer joy of taking a few photographs and comparing the results afterwards? It won't matter whether you use digital or film - the important thing will be to enjoy taking photographs.

Interested?

If so contact Colin Mitchell on 0118 9782824

Canoeing for all

Canoeing for all and ,no, you do not have to get wet! The venue is Wokingham Waterside Centre at Earley on the River Thames. It lies at the end of the A329M - carry right on to the end and as you come off the roundabout the car park is immediately on your left. We will meet there on Monday 22nd May at 2pm. We can view the facilities, learn what is on offer and even give it a go if you want to.

Any queries give me a ring Chris Cooper

U3A Music

Forget the Three Tenors! Of course an occasional concert by the three tenors or a visit to the Festival Hall in London is exciting!

BUT did you know that Wokingham U3A enjoys concerts by internationally acclaimed musicians on the fourth Thursday afternoon each Months at 2.30pm at the Quaker Meeting House in Denton Road? (Admittedly they're on CD's but all are properly presented and introduced)

There is more of the same music on the first Friday evening each Month at 8.00pm also at the Quaker Meeting House in Denton Road.

Whilst there is a core group of Members that come regularly both groups are open to all. There is no waiting list, just come and enjoy a wide variety of classical music presented to suit most lovers of good music.

Don Gardner

Interested in World Music?

Be it Cuban, African, Indian, Balkan or whatever. As some of you are already aware, I am proposing to convene a small, special interest group to listen to, and learn more about the richly diverse music of other cultures. I would anticipate meeting informally in one another's homes about once a month, to share favourites and make new discoveries. Could be a most enjoyable and expansive experience.

I shall be holding an introductory meeting for those interested, in my home in Wokingham on Wednesday 17th May at 2-0pm

If the idea appeals to you and you would like to come along, please 'phone me for further details and directions

Elizabeth Manley

Do You Belong To A Group Or Just Visit?

The question on many lips just before a group meeting will be "How many are coming today?" Most groups can probably rely on most of their members attending regularly and giving advance notice if they are going to be away. But there are always the others who turn up to a few meetings and then give the group a miss for a month or so without saying a word.

We all miss group meetings from time to time because of holidays or other commitments but its good manners to give your apologies to the convenor, leader or host. This is important in any group but particularly so when a group has a waiting list - if you don't say anything your place might be filled by another member when you get back from a long absence.

Colin Mitchell

Copy date for the next issue is Friday 26th May

U3A Summer Event

This year, instead of a garden party, we are arranging a group visit to the house and grounds of The Vyne, a National Trust property near Basingstoke. National Trust members will be admitted free and non members will receive a discount on the admission charge.

You will be able to explore the Tudor house and explore the grounds while meeting up with your U3A friends. Cream teas, or just a cup of tea/coffee if you prefer, will be available in the function room which is being reserved for us.

The visit to The Vyne will be on 25th July (NB this is the 4th Tuesday of the month). We are hoping that this will appeal to our members and that we will have a good turnout.

The Vyne is a 16th century house and estate reflecting changing styles and tastes over 500 years. The house acquired a classical portico in the 17th century and contains a Tudor chapel with Renaissance glass, a Palladian staircase and a wealth of old panelling and fine furniture.

The attractive grounds feature herbaceous borders and a wild garden, with lawns, lakes and woodland walks. This year the newly restored Ram Pump is in working order and the Bird Hide has recently been completed.

So please mark this event in your diary now for 25th July. Advance booking is essential. Tickets will be available at the May monthly meeting and from committee members.

Paul King

A Summer Break In Abergavenny

There is another opportunity this year to join U3A members from around the country for a residential seminar in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire.

The dates are 21st to 24th August 2006 The cost is £150.00 for three night's half board

The event is being organised by the U3A Science and Technology Network and will include outings to two world heritage sites and several not too serious talks and discussions on a theme of 'Engineering. Past, Present and Future'.

For further information please contact Colin Mitchell. 0118 9782824

AGM Report

Anyone who missed the Chairman's report at the AGM can read it and access the graphs that were displayed from the AGM page of our website www.wokingham u3a.org.uk

Psychology of Everyday Life

We are a very friendly group and not at all highbrow, as the full title suggests we are looking at the psychology of everyday life. We would welcome some new faces.

Rosemary Ward

It's A Small World.

A couple of days after I had given my talk "the Ladies Sing Jazz" following the AGM, I received an e-mail from Len Smith saying that my mention of the Pete Allen Jazz Band brought back fond memories for him.

Apparently Len used to attend primary school at Yattendon with Pete Allen's dad, Bernie Allen, who later started the Jazz Band, Pete took over when Bernie got fed up with all the travelling they did.

Len also mentioned that he had a 12" vinyl record of the band and offered to lend it to me, I was amazed when I got it home to find the autographs of the band on the back cover, including Bernie Allen and also Beryl Brydon, an excellent "Lady Jazz Singer" I had missed completely. Many thanks Len.

Also if you were there and enjoyed Lynne Harrison, the local lady I included at the end, she and her quartet are playing in the Orangery restaurant at the St Anne's Manor Hotel each Sunday lunch time during April and part of June. (Check with the hotel for details, and I should add that I am not on commission).

Gordon Wall.

Older Women in Feature Films

Wokingham U3A members have been involved in the organisation and development of a national shared learning project with the British Film Institute called Older Women in Feature Films.

Its culmination will be a study day event during Adult Learners Week at the National Film Theatre in London on Tuesday 23rd May 2006 (11am to 4pm). Please see the poster later in the newsletter.

I hope the Wokingham U3A members will support this event, to which we have provided excellent input. It promises to be good day out.

David Tinker

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

Sixty Years Ago

March 5th. Sleeting and cold. Cheered myself up by buying 3 yards pink patterned material for a summer frock.

March 9th. Bitterly cold, but bright. An awful accident at Bolton football ground. Crowds broke down barriers, many killed.

March 16th. Still bitterly cold. England v Scotland at Twickenham this afternoon. Cars and crowds almost like pre-war days.

March 20th. Lovely day. Gardened this afternoon for the first time this year and thoroughly enjoyed it.

March 27th. Got to May's (her sister's. R.) at 10.20. We went to the Victoria and Albert Museum, then off to Harrods. Had lunch at the Tudor Rose - tomato soup, steak with mushrooms, Bakewell tart and coffee. Very good. Walked through Hyde Park to Kensington Gardens where Italian POWs were putting up barbed wire; presumably for their encampment.

April 22nd. Heard the cuckoo and saw him twice, once flying over Secrets ground and the second time saw him sitting on a dead tree from where he glided down and away.

May 24th. Empire Day. A few children about with flags. Called at May's at 2.45. We went to Kensington High Street and were staggered at the high prices. Parachutes cost from 12s-11d. (65p approx.) to 35 shillings (£1.75). No coupons of course, but for the life of me I can't see what use could be made of them other than using as a parachute! God forbid that I should ever have to make use of one. (My mother had no such scruples. I remember she made herself a nightdress and a blouse for me out of parachute silk. R) I bought May a beauty hints book by Jean Cleland entitled 'Be Beautiful" I do hope she'll like it.

June 8th. Victory Day. Jim caught the 5.15. train from Hounslow Central Station this morning, and arrived back home soon after 1p.m. He had a good view of the procession which he said was grand, though he was squashed. The rain teemed down this afternoon. Rosemary was marching in the local Victory procession and got wet through, but came home and dried out and went into town with the Youth Club in the evening to see the fireworks. (You may be wondering what I was doing in a Victory parade, well it wasn't only Hitler who called upon teenagers to serve their country! At the age of 16 I was enrolled as a fire fighter; given some basic training and issued with a tin hat. Fortunately for our neighbours no incendiary bombs fell the nights I was on duty during an air-raid. To quote Spike Milligan- "Adolf Hitler my part in his downfall! R.)

June 16th. John Strachey the new Food Minister made a depressing speech this evening. This Government seems to delight in putting new burdens on us. Bread and flour may be rationed and soap ration cut. What a prospect! What a country! June 30th. Broadcast of atom bomb experiment.

Rosemary Goldschmied

Erratum: March-April newsletter-Sixty Years Ago. January 1st. Fifth line 1943" should read "1948".

Rosemary Goldschmied

The Diary Sheet

A few words of explanation about the Diary Sheet may be helpful.

Where a group meets more than once in a month you will find a single entry on the first date the group meets. There will be an asterisk in the 'start time' column and a note giving the other meeting dates in the 'days venue and topic' column.

This practice has been in use for some groups for several years. It was extended in the last issue to cover the remaining groups. With the large number of groups in Wokingham U3A this is a practical way of still getting all the month's activities on a single A3 side without going to an unacceptably small font.

I have included this note of explanation in the newsletter as a couple of people commented that some dates were omitted for a group that they attend.

The MOTO groups are an exception to the above practice because their activities throughout the month are so varied.

Ed

To all Group Leaders

Starting with the previous edition the forms requesting information for the next edition of the Diary Sheet are prefilled as far as possible. This is done to simplify both the group leader's task and that of the editor and to improve the accuracy of the diary.

If the prefilled information is complete and correct, the group leader need only mark on the form that it is OK and return it to me.

If the information is incomplete or incorrect then please amend or complete details and return to me.

Many of you I know prefer to send the information to me by e-mail. I am happy to receive it that way but would ask that you advise me of changes to the prefilled form that was sent to you rather than giving me all the details again. Please remember to identify which group you are e-mailing about. Finally, thank you to all of you who do not use attachments when e-mailing diary input - it eases my task enormously.

Ed

Information received from the U3A National Office.

Science & Technology Engineering. Past, Present and Future. A Seminar open to all U3A members being held at Abergavenny, Monmouthshire. On Monday 21st to Thursday 24th August 2006. £150 half board. Secretary: Muriel Froom has booking form and all the details

Dulwich Picture Gallery. Rembrandt & Co. From 7th June to 3rd September 2006. In 2006, the four hundredth anniversary of the birth of Rembrandt, The exhibition will show 19 Rembrandts from the 17th century along with his contemporaries. For further information contact, Sarah Pyke in the press office on 020 8299 8711 or e-mail s.pyke@dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk Secretary: Muriel Froom,

A STUDY DAY and Launch Of An On-Line Guide for Adult Learners Week, organised by The British Film Institute and the University of the Third Age Older Women In Feature Films at National Film Theatre South Bank London (along from the Royal Festival Hall by Waterloo Bridge) Tuesday, 23rd May 2006 11am to 4pm Tickets £5 (£4 if BFI member) from NFT box office from April 21st on-line www.bfi.org.uk/nft Tel no 0207 928 3232 or 0207 633 0274 or at the theatre, including on the day (subject to capacity) The programme will include: an expert panel discussion, launch of a publication and on-line guide, analysed results of the survey, a presentation on the theme and a showing of *The Whales of August. *The Whales of August was made by Lindsay Anderson in 1987 and stars Bette Davis, Lillian Gish (in her last film), Ann Sothern and Vincent Price. It is about relationships of older people in domestic and other situations. Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide says it is "…..a lifetime of memories in each classic face"

U3A Summer Outing

to

The Vyne

A National Trust property near

Basingstoke

Visit the Tudor house

Explore the park and gardens

Woodland walks

Convivial company of U3A members

Cream teas

National Trust members admitted free

Reduced entrance charge for non Trust members

Tickets available at May meeting or from any

committee member

Tuesday, 25th July 2006