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| Group News March - April 2008 KITCHEN HELPERS MAY Volunteers please! JULY Steph Muir, Joyce O'Brien, AN Other |
News from the groups |
| Astronomy - NEW! The Astronomy group had its 5th meeting on 3rd April. It was the first time we had met when there was a clear sky. However, we were on BST by then and it was still daylight when we met at 7:30. We watched a Patrick Moore video and talked about various astronomical matters. Eventually we ventured outside and had a short observational time using binoculars and my telescope. We looked at Mars and discussed its colour. Is it really red? We finished by looking at Saturn. The rings are still clearly visible, but not as magnificent as they can be. Saturn takes nearly 30 years to orbit the sun and so every 15 years the rings appear edge on to us. Next year that will happen again, so they all but disappear. We will have to wait until 2016 until we see them at their best again. John Campbell, Tel.01367 241748 john-gill.campbell@talk21.com . |
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| Bird Watching Contact Helen Iremonger 01367 241361 |
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| Books June 2nd at 10.30am-following our missed May meeting due to the bank holiday we HAVE SOMETHING REALLY SPECIAL! Mary Cavanagh the author of THE CROWDED BED which some of us have read, is coming to talk to us about that and also her new book THE PRIEST'S TALE. Something to really look forward to! Also if there is time we meet to discuss crime! Having read an Agatha Christie and a modern female crime author we will be comparing notes. Then JULY 7th at 10.30am to see what our book then will be. Meet at the library in Gloucester Street. Tel. Sylvia 241296 ALL U3A MEMBERS ARE WELCOME TO THE BOOK GROUP TO MEET MARY CAVANAGH WHETHER YOU NORMALLY COME OR NOT! JUST TELEPHONE TO LET US KNOW. Meetings at the library in Gloucester Street at 10.30am Leader Sylvia Bowley Tel. 01367 241296 |
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| All Bridge All Bridge groups meet at Faringdon
United Church (unless otherwise stated) from 10am to 12 noon on the dates given
below: Monday Intermediate Mon Jun 9th and 23rd Wednesday Intermediate Wed May 7th Wed May 7th and 14th Mon May 12th Wed June 11th Experienced No lesson in May Wed Jun 4th and 25th Beginners Mon May 12th and 19th June dates to be arranged (the lesson on May 12th will be in the June Rennie Room) If you would like to join a group please ring: Steve Braithwaite 01367 240929 (Experienced/Intermediate Kay Chamberlain 01367 242647 (Beginners) Bridge Guides The following are now available (all proceeds to charity): Steve's Bridge Guide - Defence New! £4 Steve's Basic Bridge Guide £3 Steve's Supplementary Bridge Guide £3 Please let me know if you would like a copy. |
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| Cinema Goers Contact Pauline Waywell 01367 242354 |
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| Computers I am hoping, if there is sufficient interest, to restart the group in May, and to run fortnightly sessions to fit group members' needs. The first meeting will, I hope, be on Wednesday 14th May when we will be looking at different ways of Mail Merging - to produce address labels (eg for Christmas Cards) or Readers Digest-type "Winners' Letters" . I have also been asked to run a beginners' group for those people who have only recently had access to a computer. The first meeting for this group will be on Wednesday 21st May., and again sessions will, as far as possible, be fortnighly Both groups will be held at Faringdon Community College, from 3:30 pm to 5:00pm. I am currently in discussion with the college trying to ensure that we have access to their computers, so if you want to attend either group please let me know so that I will be able to confirm that the sessions are running Ian Clarkson 01793 782836 or ian.clarkson@gmail.com |
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| Golf Croquet Golf Croquet Will be held on the following dates (weather permitting) Friday May 9th and Friday May 30th Friday June 13th at Livingstone House, 19 Coxwell Road, Faringdon No previous experience required. Steve & Jenny Braithwaite 01367 240929 Help Wanted! Jenny would like to learn to crochet. Can anybody help her? Could this be the start of another group? |
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| Cryptic Crosswords Contact Patrick Coleman 01367 860571 |
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| Country Dancing The Folk Dancing Group is currently in abeyance, but Val Hudspeth is keen to restart the group, possibly next September. If you have an interest in joining the group or have any experience of folk, country, Scottish or similar dancing and are willing to help Val, please contact her on 01367 241 035 or at vanda@frogmore.fsworld.co.uk. |
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| Family History There are no further meetings planned until September, when I hope to get as many of the existing group members together for "catch-up" session. I would also like to start a new "Beginners" group in the autumn if there is enough interest. Please contact me for further information. All meetings are at 25 Stallpits Rd, Shrivenham - 10:00am start Ian Clarkson 01793 782836 |
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| Foreign Language Film Our next film is the 1945 film of Vercors' novel "Le Silence de la Mer". Directed by J.P. Melville, the film is set in Nazi-occupied France, and stars Howard Vernon and Nicole Stephane. It is in French with English subtitles. It will be shown at 14 The Pines, Faringdon on Friday 13th June at 2:15pm for 2:30pm For further details contact Robin Stewart on 01367 241295 |
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| French Beginners Contact Carolyn Williams 01367 241208 |
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| French Intermediate Contact Carolyn Williams 01367 241208 Or Josephine Parkes 01793 782585 |
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| French Advanced Contact Carolyn Williams 01367 241208 |
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| Gardening Thursday 15th May 2008. Visit to Abbey House Gardens, Malmesbury This spectacular privately owned 5 acre garden is located in the heart of Malmesbury's historic town centre. It has been painstakingly and lovingly restored by 'The Naked Gardeners' Barbara and Ian Pollard. Refreshments are available in the garden. Admission £5.75 (concession) Depart from GSCP at 1pm Thursday 19th June 2008. We join with the National Trust Group for a visit to Mottisfont Abbey Gardens, House and Estate, Nr.Romsey, Hampshire. Please contact Jenny Braithwaite for details. ADVANCE NOTICES: Thursday 17th July 2008 Visit to Miserden Gardens, 9 miles north of Cirencester PLUS - AN EXCITING VISIT NOT TO BE MISSED! Thursday 18th September - I have booked a tour of the Garden at Pettifers, Nr. Banbury recently featured in the Sunday Telegraph. I need at least 18 people to enable this visit to go ahead, so please make a note of the date and let me know if you are able to attend. Contact: Christina Field 01367 241265 . DOWNLOAD FORM HERE |
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| Italian Contact Jenny Braithwaite 01367 240929 |
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| Latin Contact Patrick Coleman 01367 860571 |
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Local History Local History On Wednesday 4th June we plan to visit Ashdown House, Lambourn for a guided tour. We will leave GSCP at 1.45pm. National Trust members should bring their cards with them for free entry; the cost for non-members will be around £2.50. There is a grassy walk from the car park to the house, so wear suitable shoes and be prepared if it is wet. Wednesday 2nd July we will visit Avebury, which will be an all-day outing, leaving Faringdon GSCP around 11.00am so that we can have lunch near Avebury. I'll circulate details nearer the time to regular members of the group; others are most welcome to join us - please contact me for details. There will no meeting in August. For more information please contact Sue Thrower on 01367 240 848 or smthrower@tiscali.co.uk |
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| Music Appreciation We meet at the home of Anthony Burdall, 2 Ferndale Road, Faringdon, at 2:15 pm for 2:30pm. The next meeting will be on Tuesday 27th May. Contact Beryl Cooper Tel. 01367 242908 |
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| National Trust U3A NATIONAL TRUST GROUP AND GARDENERS GROUPS COMBINED VISIT TO MOTTISFONT ABBEY, GARDEN, HOUSE AND ESTATE Near Romsey , Hampshire THURSDAY 19th JUNE 2008 Leave Gloucester Street at 9.30am, back by 5.00pm "Set amidst glorious countryside along the River Test, this 12th century Augustinian Priory is now a handsome house with an interesting collection of modern art. The abbey contains a drawing room decorated by Rex Whistler but the key attraction is the grounds with magnificent trees, walled gardens and THE NATIONAL COLLECTION OF OLD-FASHIONED ROSES" COST: Coach: £11.00 per person (£12.50 pp not a U3A member)Entry: NT members free; Non-NT members £7.50 (payable in cash, on the coach) Please send form, cheque (payable to Faringdon U3A Trips Account) and a stamped addressed envelope by 1st June, to Jenny Braithwaite, 19 Coxwell Road, Faringdon. SN7 7EB DOWNLOAD FORM HERE |
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| Needlework Future dates are: 14th May; 11 June; 9th July; and 13th August We all meet at 10 Beech Close at 2pm. All types of needleworkers welcomed. Telephone Jo, 241315. |
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| Opera Many U3As have an Opera Group but not all explore outside the main repertoire as we do in Faringdon, nor do many U3As have as many group members watching the operas. Maybe it is something in the air in Faringdon! For the final three meetings of this season, the operas will be "Der Rosenkavalier" by Richard Strauss from the Salzburg Festival Opera production, conducted by Herbert van Karajan on 6th May. Then on 9th June a double bill of 'Cav-and-Pag' (Cavalleria Rusticana by Mascagni and Pagliacci by Leoncavallo). The final opera before the summer break will be our first journey into Wagner with the Royal Opera House production of Das Rheingold with Bryn Terville in the lead. The programme for next season (i.e. form September 2008 to July 2009) has yet to be finalised but will include the usual eclectic range of operas and production styles. The first showing in each case will start at 5:30pm, finishing at approximately 9:30pm. at the home of Anthony Burdall (2 Fernham Road, Faringdon Tel : 240713). There will be an afternoon showing, usually the day after the first showing, at the home of Anthony Burdall and then a final showing at the home of Bobbie Stewart (14 The Pines, Faringdon, Tel : 01367 241295). If you would like to come along to enjoy the opera you would be welcome - and there is space! If you want to find out more and enjoy opera, contact Anthony Burdall |
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| Photography Contact: Richard Watts 01367 710725 |
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| Pilates Pilates will be relocating to the Faringdon Leisure Centre (next to the Community College) this year. There will be just one session a week, so that we can spread the cost of room hire between more of us. This will be on Tuesdays from 4.30 - 5.30pm starting on 8th January. The cost will be confirmed at the first session. I hope the new arrangements will suit as many of us as possible and look forward to seeing you there! Please contact me for further details: Lynn Pettit 01367 242019 |
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| Poetry Poetry Group May 19th-The topic is TREASURES June 16th-The topic is FAMILIES Meet at the library in Gloucester Street at 10.30am Leader Joanne Collins Tel. 240032 |
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| Ramblers Ramblers Group Tuesday 13th May: A morning walk of about 5 miles in the DORCHESTER on THAMES and WITTENHAM CLUMPS area, with an optional afternoon extension to SHILLINGFORD of about 4 miles. Thursday 29th May: An all day walk from RADLEY and SUNNINGWELL to BOARS HILL with lunch at the "Fox Inn", before returning via BAYWORTH and KENNINGTON to RADLEY. The walk is an estimated 7 miles and will be led by Ken Bowley. Tuesday 10th June: A morning walk starting at COATE WATER COUNTRY PARK, SWINDON and crossing (by footbridge) the M4 to access the countryside around CHISELDON and HODSON. This is a really surprising area so close to Swindon. Estimated distance - 5 miles. No afternoon options this time. Thursday 26th June: A full day's ramble (8½ miles) along part of the COTSWOLD WAY, starting and finishing at CRICKLEY HILL COUNTRY PARK, with a pub lunch at the "Air Balloon" Tuesday 8th July: A morning walk of about 5 miles in the KINGSTON LISLE area NB Please remember that all of the above rambles start from GSCP at 10am for briefing and car sharing. Phil does not anticipate a pub lunch on the TUESDAY walks but is happy to be persuaded if circumstances dictate ..... Ramblers will need to know that I have, after much heart searching, decided to retire from my unelected role of leader of the group. The Ramblers' Group was probably the first to be established, with the first ramble to Coleshill in May 2002, and throughout the six years I have enjoyed the companionship of many members. Thank you. Ken Bowley has agreed to take on the responsibility for organising the group and I am relieved to hand over to a worthy successor.Thank you, Ken Phil Chesterton Tel 01367 710308 A Rambler's Appreciation As you will see in Phil Chesterton's notes on the Ramblers Group he has decided to retire after a long stint as the leader. Phil has given much time and effort over the years in organising and leading the Ramblers around many of the local highways and (mainly) byways - with a good mix of local hostelries included! Many thanks, Phil, for all your work. Best wishes to Ken Bowley as he takes over as temporary leader of the Group which will now meet on the last Thursday of the month for the foreseeable future. Keith Thrower - Interest Groups' Co-ordinator |
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| Science & Technology Our next meeting is on Wednesday 21st May when our speaker will be Lewis Lawton. The theme of the meeting is "likely future developments in electronic communications and the internet". Lewis is a retired technical executive of BT, was a Senior Lecturer in electronic systems and telecoms at Kingston University, Cranfield University and Hong Kong technical institutes, and has worked with many MoD IT establishments in the UK. We will meet in the Faringdon Old Town Hall at 2.30pm for what promises to be a most interesting afternoon. There will be a small charge on this occasion to cover the cost of room hire and refreshments. The meeting on Wednesday 18th June will be a "Members Afternoon", again meeting in Faringdon Old Town Hall at 2.30pm. This is still in the planning stages, so suggestions and contributions welcome. Further details will be circulated to members later. We have the minimum number of people (20) needed for the visit to Bletchley Park on Wednesday 16th July but can take more - the visit is open to all U3A members so if anybody wants to come and hasn't yet booked, please contact me. The Premium Tour includes refreshments on arrival so the cost is now £12. Bletchley Park was the centre for the Allied code breaking operations during World War II and the visit promises to be extremely interesting and informative. The tour is split into two parts each lasting about 1½ hours, with a break for lunch which is available at the cafeteria on site, or we can take our own picnic. I will be in contact shortly with people who have given me their names, to arrange transport (we shall go by car) and ask for advance payment of the entry fee. There will be no meeting in August. For more information please contact Keith Thrower on 01367 240 848 or keith.thrower@ukgateway.net. |
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| Scrabble June 9th at 53 Town End Road at 2pm (Sylvia) Tel. 241296 July 13th at 14 Spinage Close, Faringdon at 2pm (Lynn) Tel. 242019. Please telephone to book your space, otherwise you may have to wait for a game! ALSO PLEASE NOTE REVERSION TO 2PM! |
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| Spanish Contact: Robin Stewart 01367 241296 |
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| Strollers Tuesday 27th May - No Walk Tuesday 24th June Meet at GSCP at 10.20am for 10.30am start, car sharing to Baulking Church. A 3.5 mile walk via Baulking Green and a small hill, then through countryside to a lake and return to the church. Pub lunch at Fernham after the walk. Please wear boots and bring waterproofs, plus something to drink. Rona Bingham 241384 |
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| Sunday Lunch May 18-at The Horse and Jockey in Stanford in the Vale. Meet 12.15 for 12.30. The cost will be £13.50 for 2 courses with coffee. The meal is to be pre-chosen and I will contact you when I have the menu. June 8-NOTE DATE CHANGE BECAUSE THE 15th IS FATHER'S DAY! At Sudbury House. Meet 12 for 12.30 for a carvery lunch. The cost will be £9.95 for 2 courses, or £14 for three.. Tel Sylvia 241296 to reserve a space for either or both dates SUNDAY LUNCH - A View from Within By some people this is not regarded as a 'true' group of the U3A in that it is not normal to 'learn' anything. Not altogether true as one learns things about Faringdon and the people, and so if you are new to Faringdon, or perhaps needing to make friends and get to know people, this could be for you. Our numbers vary between 15 and 20, and it would be difficult in some venues to have groups any bigger, but there could always be another group! We vary our Sunday lunches in different places around Faringdon, not usually travelling more than 5 or 6 miles. For those who do not drive there is usually a lift to had from somebody, or as has had to be done occasionally 'share a taxi' is the thing. The price we pay varies from less than £10 to £16 and we mostly stick to 2 courses. As you will be aware from reading the newsletter the leader varies - we try to take it in turns to organise the different months - so if you want to join in then give the leader a ring. |
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| Theatregoers On Saturday 12th July I have reserved 30 seats in the stalls at the Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, to see "The Wedding Singer" This was an hilarious film - it's the 80's and wannabe rock star Robbie Hart is everyone's favourite wedding singer until he gets jilted at the altar. Shot through the heart Robbie makes every wedding as disastrous as his own until he meets Julia, a sweet waitress. The only trouble is she's about to be married… On Saturday 9th August The Peter Hall Company at Bath are doing "The Portrait of a Lady" from the novel by Henry James, starring Catherine McCormack, Niamh Cusack, Finbar Lynch,Anthony Howell and Jean Marsh. Set in London,Rome and Florence, it tells the story of Isabel Archer, a beautiful young American heiress, who travels to Europe on a voyage of self-discovery. She is accompanied by the delightful Madam Merle who seems to have many friends but no past. Both the above dates are for are matinees Normal conditions apply for visitors i.e. £1.50 extra each PLEASE send separate cheques for each performance and for visitors, and S.A.E. PLEASE to me at Mrs S.Manners, Hillview, Sevenhampton, Highworth SN6 7QA. DOWNLOAD FORM HERE |
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| Twentieth Century History - New! This is an opportunity to learn about major events of the 20th Century without having to write essays or do homework. The sessions will be held weekly on Wednesdays 10.30 - 12.00 at 19, Coxwell Road, Faringdon, starting Wednesday 5th March. Contact Marnie Binns, Tel. 01367 718608 |
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Yoga A new class is about to start for people who have either never done yoga before, or who have not done it for a long time. It will be a slow and gentle class on some Monday afternoons between 3.30 and 4.30pm. There are one or two vacancies, if you are interested please contact Jane Archer on 01793 782876 |
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| Editor's Final Note | Please
send copy, comments and photographs for the next edition to Ian Clarkson, 25
Stallpits Rd, Shrivenham, Swindon, SN6 8BG or ian.clarkson@gmail.com or on 01793 782836, to reach him by Friday 25th April |