The University of the
Third Age

WOKINGHAM

 NEWSLETTER

JUL-AUG.
2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                       Tuesday 10^th July 2007

At Wiltshire Farm House,

Wiltshire Road

12.30pm to 4.00pm

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

Wokingham is a long-term member of Thames Valley Region, a grouping of thirty five U3As. The Region holds an annual conference and twice yearly meetings of chairmen but several of its members feel that it should do more, perhaps by holding joint study days, running shared visits, supporting group leaders or helping to set up new U3As: I share this view.

Some of Region’s chairmen feel that we can’t do more without a more formal structure including an elected committee and regional funds. Funds would have to come from participating U3As and 10 pence per member has been proposed as the initial annual capitation.

A structured, funded Thames Valley Region could bring benefits to our U3A and the plans leading towards this are:

a. A draft regional structure and Constitution have been developed. Copies will be placed in the members’ area of Wokingham’s web site but you can contact me for a personal copy.

b. A working party will develop further plans for the activities of the Region, these should include outlines for specific activities.

c. 16^th October. Wokingham Special General Meeting (see separate notice) when I will seek your views.

d.  14^th November. Regional Chairmen meet to endorse or reject the proposed plans.

e.  Late 2007. If the Region is formalised individual U3As will be invited to join (and pay the capitation).

I am not convinced that U3A members will benefit from the proposed formal structure and I need YOUR views before the vote in November. Please let me know what you think.

Inter-U3A cooperation does not need to be across a big region. There have been some informal discussions on the subject with Bracknell and other near neighbours and I hope that there will be more; you will be kept informed of progress.

Colin Mitchell, Chairman

Special General Meeting

The monthly meeting on October will be preceded by a short Special General Meeting (SGM) called by the Committee in accordance with paragraph 5.2 of our Constitution.

The SGM will be invited to approve two minor changes to the Constitution: these are:

To change the final sentence of paragraph 6.2 to read “Bank or building society accounts shall be opened in the name of the U3A and withdrawals shall be made on the signature of two Committee members, one of whom is a principal officer”.

Note: The existing paragraph 6.2 refers to a single bank account but the U3A has had multiple accounts for several years. Therefore this change corrects an earlier oversight and will ensure that the Constitution reflects the reality of our financial position.

To change paragraph 6.4 of the Constitution to read “The financial year of the U3A shall end on 31st December in each year and not more than thirteen (13) weeks later the Annual General Meeting shall be convened for the purpose of receiving the Annual Report and examined accounts.

Note: The existing paragraph 6.4 requires the Annual General Meeting to be held not more than eight weeks later than the end of the financial year. Charity accounts are more complex now than when the original Constitution was drawn up and the additional five weeks are now necessary in order to prepare accounts for presentation to the membership and to the Charity Commission.

Additionally, the SGM will provide an opportunity for members to express their views on the proposed more formal Thames Valley Region (see ‘View From The Chair in this newsletter).

Colin Mitchell

Car Sharing And Lifts

Members are encouraged to share cars when they are going to U3A meetings and other activities. Doing so saves fuel, makes parking easier and gives more opportunities for chatting together.  Please remember though that car ownership is not universal: do try to include those members who don’t have a car and could be excluded from U3A unless they are offered a lift.

 

National AGM

The AGM of the Third Age Trust will take place in Falmouth on Tuesday 18^th September. Wokingham has a strong tradition of being represented at AGMs, making our views known and casting our votes. We are entitled to send three voting representatives and have paid their travel, conference and accommodation fees in past years.

Please contact me if you are interested in attending the AGM as one of our voting members.

Colin Mitchell, Chairman

Membership

As usual at this time of year we notice that several members did not renew their membership at the end of March. Some will have chosen not to continue but for others it may be one of those senior moments – meaning to renew but not getting around to writing the cheque or posting the letter. If you meant to renew but didn’t do so please post the form and cheque or contact the Membership Secretary (Carole Beswetherick, 01344 771303) as soon as possible.

Groups & Non-Members

It is an accepted practice that individuals who are not U3A members may attend a group for a one-off ‘taster’ session as long as this has been approved by the group’s leader. Non-members (including lapsed members) should not otherwise attend groups: if they do they are enjoying benefits that the members are paying for and could be keeping out members who are on a waiting list. Additionally, non-members are not insured under the U3A’s liability insurance and under certain circumstances could invalidate the insurance of members who are present.

Large Halls

The committee has been investigating the availability of larger halls for our monthly meetings. All suitable halls other than Saint Paul’s Parish Rooms are on the fringes of the town and the two largest would charge over £450.00 more than we pay at Saint Paul’s (550 seats for £750.00 and 300 seats for £500.00 with both charging £1.50 per head for refreshments). We have selected the third largest and as a trial the Monthly Meeting on 18^th March 2008 will be held in California Association Village Hall (200 seats). This will cost an extra £15.00 for 60 seats more than Saint Paul’s and we will seek your views after the March meeting.

Waiting Lists

Most groups do not have waiting lists. Where a group does have a waiting list it is held by the group’s leader who is the best point of contact about the list. If you seem to be ‘stuck’ on a list for too long contact the Group Coordinator, Hilary Taylor, 0118 9786475.

Regional Conference

There will be a Thames Valley Regional Conference in Thame on Wednesday 28th May 2008. Its theme will be “Growing Your U3A – The Nuts and Bolts”. Speakers will include Eric Midwinter (academic, writer, U3A member and founder member of U3A in the UK) and Lin Jonas, Company Secretary of the Third Age Trust and ‘wonder woman’ of the U3A National Office.

In case of Emergency

Is your Ice number in your mobile phone?

If not, it’s a good idea to save your contact phone number with the name ICE. Then in an emergency situation ambulance and hospital staff will be able to quickly contact your next of kin.

Badminton

There is a change of venue for Badminton, we are now playing at Loddon Valley Leisure Centre with effect from 1^st June2007.

We are still meeting on the 2^nd and 4^th Monday of each month.

If you would like to join us please contact me: Peter Allen

Art Group

I will not be continuing with the U3A Art group from the end of July. I would like to suggest that the U3A might rent a room so that all members who enjoy painting for pleasure could meet and share each other’s expertise and ideas.

At present Wokingham art group rent a room on Monday afternoons at the "Cornerstone" ;the parish hall attached to All Saints church .Anyone who wants to improve their painting, non Art club  or U3A members are welcome, it's a self help group , so perhaps U3A members would like to go along and test the waters so to speak. In fact two of my U3A group already meet at the Cornerstone "Monday club" The cost is £2.50 which includes tea /coffee biscuits.

U3A members might prefer a different  venue day or meeting time in that case I would be willing to help anyone to set the arrangement up for the U3A . My mobile is 07706911006 tel: 0118 9790275.

Kind regards Barbara

Duplicate Bridge

Please note that DUPLICATE BRIDGE that only meets on the first Tuesday of each month starts at 9.30am.                       

Betty Hughes.

Bridge All Grades

Instead of Improvers’ Bridge we now have Bridge All Grades at St Sebastian’s Sports Pavilion on the 2^nd and 4^th Tuesday mornings at 9.45 for 10am. We try to provide for:

a)    beginners, who may already be in Patsy and Ted Thornton’s group

b)    improvers who want to study instructive hands

c)     improvers who seek a gentle introduction to duplicate and who may already play in Betty Hughes’ group, becoming familiar with bidding boxes, travellers, convention cards, methods of scoring which can seem mysterious at first, and rules which may be hard to follow if you go straight into an outside club.

d)    Experienced players who enjoy fairly serious competition.

Any queries, phone me

Arnold George

Health & Wellbeing Group

It is with regret that unless a new group leader can be found for this group, it will meet for the last time in July. I have been trying since September to find someone but have so far been unsuccessful. If there is a person, or a group of people who would be willing to continue this friendly and enthusiastic group, please get in touch with me ASAP, because I will have to cancel the hall in July if we are not meeting again.

However I hope we will go out with a bang, as we have Dr Philippa Darbre speaking on Cosmetics and Cancer. Everybody is welcome to attend at the Emmbrook Village Hall on Thursday 5^th July at 2.30pm to hear this talk.

Betty Hughes.

Out And About Group

The Group first met on 9 March following discussion about the need for a Group which would be based on the activities of the three thriving MOTO   Groups, but which would be open to ail members, who wished to enjoy together visits and social activities.

Phyllis Smith has convened the first three meetings and her experience with U3A and MOTO has got the Group off to an excellent start with over 20 members. A Convener, Stan Hughesdon, has been appointed together with a Treasurer and Secretary.

MOTO Groups have lent support in opening a number of visits to the new Group and members enjoyed a visit to Saville Gardens on 30 March and are visiting the South Bank in London on 1 June. Members have produced numerous ideas for future visits covering a wide range of interests and the problem will be to agree a suitable programme rather than any lack of suggestions. The cost of activities is considered so that a range of expenses is achieved allowing all to take part. Members are meeting on the second Friday of each month in the evening at the Friends Meeting House to discuss the programme. Both the day and venue are being reviewed but members agreed evening meetings would be best to avoid clashing with other activities - including other U3A Groups.

Additional members would be welcomed warmly into the Group and would have every opportunity to contribute further ideas. Come and join us!

John Stevens

Researching your Family History

A three week course to introduce members to the absorbing hobby of ‘Researching your Family History’. If you have watched the BBC ‘Who do you think you are?’ programme but don’t know how to start, this course will set you on the right road to discovering your own roots. A minimum of just six members are needed for the course to take place.

Please contact me if you wish to join or have any queries.

Tony Weston    

 

  

Electronic Communication

At almost all conferences, whether National or Regional, the same old question comes up as to how to communicate with members. Communication is a two-way street needing some sort of dialogue, but it is very difficult to get feedback from the membership.

The Newsletter goes out every two months and with this, information is passed to members, also various surveys have been conducted to try to obtain members’ views on differing subjects with varying degrees of success.

However, the E-Group we set up at Yahoo to give members the chance to air their views on any subject has not so far had a good take up. We have 330 email addresses recorded for members, but only 34 signed up to the E-Group. The principle is very simple you sign up to the E-Group and you can then contribute a view which can be read by all the others who have signed up. When I put interesting new links on the website, I put out a message to the E-Group publicising this new link, else, how might you know? Wouldn't you want to be informed?

Possibly, you may be worried that you will be inundated with e-mails, this is most unlikely, my experience with other E-groups has been that not many e-mails come through and those that don’t interest me or on which I don’t have a view can be deleted straight away.

The system is very safe from spam as the e-mail addresses are not listed anywhere publicly. It is, however, desirable that signed up members should have up to date virus protection on their machines and I am sure you do, as good free anti virus is available.

To sign up to become a member of the group please send a blank e-mail to wokinghamu3a-subscribe@yahoogroups.com  by clicking on this link. You will then receive back from Yahoo an e-mail asking you to confirm your wish to become a member. When you have done that you will receive another e-mail giving you an e-mail address for you to communicate with whenever you wish to make a contribution.

If, perish the thought, you decide you don’t want to continue there is an “unsubscribe” address at the bottom of any e-mails received.

Len Smith

Members Area & Diary

The two month diary is now published in the Members area of the website and I would recommend you to take a look. The way Paul has configured it is excellent. The access codes, in case you haven't kept them from the previous time they were published are in the hard copy Newsletter

    

Len Smith

Digital Photography

A number of members are, no doubt, considering buying a digital camera and are beginning to feel bewildered with the range of choice. The Digital Photography (Advanced) group have put together the following guidelines, compiled and edited by Don Louth, to help you on your journey into the world of digital photography. The list also appears on the Wokingham U3A website (www.wokinghamu3a.org.uk). The Digital Photography group, both beginners and advanced members, meets on the third Monday of every month at 2.00pm. Please check the diary for where we meet.

Philip Lewis

Hints on selecting a digital camera

Choose a camera of appropriate size and weight – too small and light can be just as problematic as too big and heavy. No good fitting a shirt pocket if the controls are too cramped to operate and symbols too small to understand.

Simplicity – enables the user to get on with taking pictures. Just Auto and Program settings cover 99% of general use. No good having numerous features if you have to keep looking at the instructions to remind you how to use them.

 

 

Proper viewfinder – preferably optical with eyesight adjuster.  Many small cameras have only the rear screen for view finding. By forcing you to hold the camera at arms length it can cause camera shake. However, many viewfinders are hopelessly inaccurate. Some make no provision for close-up shots (parallax adjustment) and result in photos with heads cut off. Others show a narrower view than will be taken by the camera so that the resulting photo shows unwanted material around the subject

A decent size rear screen allows better after-shot assessment. A fold-out rear screen is invaluable for high or low shots. Like the old box cameras, it allows waist- level shooting - ideal for grandchild photography.

Shutter lag (the time between you pressing the shutter release and the photo being taken) should be as short as possible. Excessive lag is a major cause of missed photo opportunities with digital cameras. A lag time of  no more than 0.4 seconds is essential – the shorter time the better. Check the camera spec for this figure.

Stick to established camera or electronics manufacturers. New names that are very cheap might be good, but let someone else take the risk until the name is established.

Do not buy a digital camera as an investment. Depreciation is savage, especially on compacts, as replacement models are launched every few weeks.

Many digital cameras have only basic ‘set up and go’ printed instructions. You may need a computer with Adobe reader or similar software to see the complete instructions and specification

Look in the ‘Buyers’ Guide’ pages of photo magazines, or at the numerous web sites devoted to the subject, to see the advantages and disadvantages encountered with the camera model you are considering.

Consider the use to which you will put your digital camera and set an affordable budget. This will simplify the list of models from which to make your choice. 

Consider non-current models. ‘Must have’ cameras of six months ago have prices slashed to clear the way for replacements models. Many traders, including Canon’s own ‘Canon Outlet’ sell ‘A’ grade, demo stock, or returns via their e-bay shops at good savings. Goods have normally been checked, repaired and re-issued - often with full guarantee; or are just stock in damaged boxes with a lead or accessory missing.

Don Louth                                                          April 2007

 

Committee Meetings

A copy of the approved minutes of the Wokingham U3A committee may be obtained by sending an A5 size sae to the secretary, Muriel Froom. These minutes are also published on the website.

AGEnet Meeting – Ageing Research Update

Several of our U3A members attended a fascinating meeting at Reading University on the 20^th April held by AGEnet, the Network for Ageing, Impairment and Disability Research.  Prof Peter Lansley, AGEnet Director, opened the morning session which comprised the three reports headlined below:-

1)      Results of the Reading Volunteer Cohort Survey by Prof Christina Victor & Veronica Williams (Health & Social Care)

2)      An evaluation of the Community Matrons Project run by the newly formed Berkshire West Primary Care Trust by Dr David Oliver, NHS Consultant & Senior Lecturer

3)      Progress on the New Projects:-

KISS (Keeping Individuals Safe & Secure) by Prof Victor & Julia Barrett

ENABLE (a wearable system to Enable people to live well, independently and at ease) by Dr Rachel McCrindle & Dr Matt Cross. 

The presentations were high speed and complex and are not easy to summarise here.  However details are available on the AGEnet website 

www.fp.rdg.ac.uk/AGEnet/PreviousMeetings/April2007/ageing_research_update

After a buffet lunch three workshops were formed.  The one I attended discussed high tech devices to meet the ENABLE criteria.  An example was a waterproof wrist-attached device designed to enable the wearer to make emergency calls via a mobile, to monitor movement and pulse in the event of fainting or a fall, to provide a locator if lost.  The other workshops focussed on Q & A of the morning topics.  All I spoke to said they found the meeting most interesting.  If you would like to join AGEnet contact Verity Smith, the AGEnet Coordinator by email to h.v.smith@reading.ac.uk or Tel No 0118 3787179.

For a wider appreciation of the ground breaking work carried out at Reading Univ have a look at the Institute of Health Sciences Website www.reading.ac,uk/ihs.

Alan Povall

Summer Garden Party

We are holding a garden party this year on Tuesday 10th July from 1.00p.m. to 4.00p.m. at Wiltshire Farm House, Wiltshire Road, Wokingham.

We have arranged for the Reading Barbettes to entertain us.

Everyone is asked to bring a plate of finger food which will be shared to provide a varied selection.

Please also bring your own plate for eating off, your own drinks and glasses and a chair or rug for sitting on.

The cost will be £1.50 (to cover the entertainment).

if anyone had any queries regarding the venue please get in touch with Peter Harms on 0118 9782709 or myself on 0118 9781647.

Muriel Froom

Sixty Years Ago

July 5th. I felt quite panicky when the Piccadilly Line train broke down and we had to transfer to another; that too, running on the District  Line, was very slow, so I was all on edge by the time I arrived at May's (her sister. R.) However, we got to the Lyric Theatre in Shaftesbury Avenue in good time to see "The  Winslow Boy".

July 10th. Dad seems pleased that Fred (her sister Frederica R.) and May are going to be with him whilst we're away. He clings to bed and sleeps a lot. Shall be glad when he has more energy. Announcement of the engagement of Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten.

July 26th. Glorious summer morning for the start of our holiday.

July 27th. Up just after 7am for our first dip in the sea. Invigorating and lovely. Spent all day on the beach until this evening when we went for a walk towards Eastbourne.

July 28th. Thunderstorm early this morning, but it was glorious later when we took our dip. In the afternoon we went to Pevensey. It was lovely to see the old castle walls standing out against the blue sky. Had an interesting tour of the Old Mint House, although I think the effect is spoilt by having a collection of items gathered from all around the country which have no real connection at all with the Mint House.

July 29th. Lovely in the water this morning. Later, we sat in the sunshine and listened to the band. We were much attracted by a little French boy who seemed to live the music and for whom the accordionist was certainly a hero. This evening we walked to the top of the cliff along the promenade in the direction of St. Leonards. Had hot chocolate and cake at Forte's on the way back.

July 30th. Writing this in our bedroom overlooking the sea: the tide was well out when we went for our dip this morning. Mrs Jones, a lady staying here with her friend, Mrs Butcher, suggested we should go to Fairlight Glen with them this afternoon. So we all caught the 2.20 'bus. The day was very hot however and the path to the cliffs steep and narrow. We all got very tired and I had a wretched stomachache.

July 31st. Hot. Spent all day on the beach. This evening Mrs Jones and Mrs Butcher joined us in a walk to Collington  woods.

August 1st. We went by coach to Alfriston, a delightful ride to a delightful little village, though it's rather self consciously olde worlde, and where every other shop is a tea-shop, rather spoils it I think, though I'd love to live for a month in one of the cottages to see what it was like.

August 2nd. Well, our brief holiday is over and it's raining. Mr Thorpe arrived at 2pm to take us home. We had a good journey and called first to see Dad. He seemed very tired and frail, but no worse than when we went away.

Rosemary Goldschmied

My First Love Affair

It was love at first sight; Our eyes met across a crowded school playground and POW!! THAT WAS IT. I was five going on six, and he was six going on seven. He was in the class above me, so it was the attraction of the older man I suppose. Small boys from my own age group wanted me to share their dolly mixtures or sherbet dips, but I only had eyes for Derek, and he for me. We rushed to each other as soon as the bell rang for break, morning and afternoon. Perhaps Derek would have painted a picture for me, or I would present him with one of my paper cut-out designs Close together, lost in our own little world, oblivious to the rest of the noisy playground, we were in blissful ignorance of what Fate had in store for us.

I had aimed high. Derek's father, Mr Warner, was a schools inspector and one day, Mr Warner, in full regalia of black pin-striped trousers, black jacket and bowler hat, and carrying a' neatly furled umbrella, visited our school. Derek introduced me to his father and I received a fatherly pat on the head from this illustrious figure. My cup of happiness overflowed.

The death blow to our idyll came when Derek woefully announced that after the summer holidays we were to be parted, as he would be seven and moving up into the primary school. We consoled ourselves with the knowledge that at least the two playgrounds adjoined and had the same break-times, so we could speak to each other through the railings that separated us.

This arrangement lasted for about a week, but it was not enough to sustain the relationship, and the meetings gradually dwindled to three times a week, then two, until finally they faded away altogether. By the time I moved up into the primary school myself I think the affair had already become part of my past. I made no attempt to seek out Derek nor he me. In any case by this time my short-sight had been diagnosed and I had been fitted out with a pair of round owl-like spectacles, and you know the saying 'men never make passes at girls wearing glasses'.

A few years later a more sensational love affair grabbed the nation's attention, and we girls skipped together in the playground singing the following little rhyme-

 Who's this coming down the street,
 Mrs Simpson with cheesy feet.
 She's been married twice before,
 Now she's knocking at Edward's door.

and I remember we all gathered in the assembly hall to listen to the broadcast of Edward VIII's abdication speech. Derek Warner, my first love/where are you now? The last time I saw the school, the scene of our romantic interludes, it looked pretty much the same, but the tuck-shop across the road where we used to buy our little bags of sweets is now a shop selling and hiring out videos. How changed from our innocent pleasures of those long ago days.

Rosemary Goldschmied.

Free Educational Visits to English Heritage Sites:

English heritage have over 400 sites. Visits to about 150 properties should be booked in advance. Some sites are closed during the winter months but may accept pre-booked educational groups. English Heritage welcomes educational groups to its properties free of charge and it delighted to offer paying groups a discounted fee. The free scheme includes U3A groups.

Booking form is available and any additional information about the sites, please contact Secretary Muriel Froom 0118 9781647.