Report on the July Meeting Healthy Exercise for the over 50’s
Ashley introduced us to the facilities available at Lutterworth Leisure Centre, - a fully equipped gym, a 25m pool and a sports hall.
Donna then told us of the things available to help the older generation keep fitter and stay mobile for longer. She impressed upon us that there is always a welcome for anyone wanting to try taster sessions, or just chat about what they want to achieve.
Donna spends time trying to motivate College students to find ways they can enjoy getting and keeping fit. It is possibly even more important for older people to keep mobile and flexible. It’s never too late to start. We can all improve on our fitness. The health benefits are great, including gaining strength for recovery from operations, falls etc. There are classes to improve cardiovascular health, movement, muscle strength, flexibility and core strength. A full list is available from the Leisure Centre (telephone 01455 200800 ) and booking is also very easy via the website (www.harboroughleisure.co.uk )
Classes offered include one specifically for over 50’s (Monday mornings), and a concessionary package where the over 50’s can use all the facilities from 9 – 12 on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday for just £3.40. All that’s required is loose clothing and good footwear.
Paul, the gym Manager spoke about his role in helping people to devise personalised gym plans, (sometimes on referral form their GP) which can be changed as the participant gets fitter, or finds they don’t like some parts of the routine.
There are all types of membership, or you can chose to ‘pay as you go’. Ashley stressed that they were always eager to help with any queries, as they are keen to increase fitness in people, especially the over 50’s.
Notices from the Committee
TRIPS AND SOCIAL EVENTS
Many of us enjoy the trips and other social events organised by willing fellow members of Wycliffe Lutterworth U3A and we are really grateful to these organisers for the time and effort they invest in making these events a success. In the course of organisation, they do, however, encounter some problems and this is where we can really help to ease their administrative burden. Events are usually publicised several months ahead and usually we sign up for a trip or event at a monthly meeting.
If we subsequently discover that we cannot participate, it would be a great help if we contact the organiser and let them know in good time. In addition, it is very important that participants pay for the event or trip in time for the monthly meeting immediately prior to it, so that organisers know exactly how many people they are making bookings for. Of course there are always unforeseen circumstances which force people to cancel at the last minute and we shall always try to find someone else to take their place if at all possible, but we ask that members understand that late cancellation may mean that they forfeit the money paid as it is usually too late for the organiser to get it back.
Committee members are busy planning more social events for the coming year and we hope that as many as possible of you will come along.
Jane Clark
SEPTEMBER MEETING (back to normal) September 11th
GROUP REPORTS
(in alphabetical order)
BOOK CHAT
Co-ordinator
Mick Curtis
01455 554504
"The Hills is Lonely" by Lillian Beckwith.
This is a fictionalised version of the author's own experiences living on a remote island in the Hebrides around the middle of the 20th century. While quite amusing in places,the author's approach is rather condescending towards the inhabitants.Some members of our group were revisiting this rambling novel of islanders lives and were surprised how their attitude to it had changed. A tale of it's time and maybe an object lesson in that perhaps it is not a good idea to revisit stories we enjoyed when much younger.
Wednesday 23rd July – The Istanbul Turkish Restaurant Nuneaton – Hughi – the Manager/Chef (half Irish/half Turkish) said that he would discuss the Menu with the Group so that we had something that suited everyone’s taste. We opted for a Two-Course Party Menu where we had a selection of Starters – then a rest! – followed by a selection of Main Course items – chunky, spicy chicken nuggets and lamb nuggets with roast vegetables and rice. More than enough for the 10 of us and even some chunks left over which left the restaurant in a napkin to be fed to someone’s cat (after rinsing!). We left feeling very satisfied although one member of our party felt that the chicken and lamb chunks could have been hotter. As he was fed from the platter on the other half of the table from where I was sitting, I couldn’t comment.
Wednesday 27th August –We have a booking at “The Attic” at Kilworth Springs Golf Club. Not too late to sign up, so ring or e-mail me.
Wednesday 24th September – I am investigating “Mobius” – a Greek Restaurant at Braunstone Gate, Leicester.
Has anybody been there? Where do you park?
FRENCH CONVERSATION
Co-ordinator
Sue Hicks
01858 880273
24 July 2014
We were a cosy group of five this time, for a number of reasons. Sylvia had kindly brought some texts for us to look at, concerning French Hospitality and Playing Tennis in France. A list of family member translations was circulated for discussion. We then considered possible future “lively discussion” topics.
The next meeting will be on 28 August.
GARDEN GROUP
Co-ordinator
Sue Creeden
01455 557888
Our thanks go to member, Eileen Spencer, who welcomed the group to her beautiful garden in Willoughby Waterleys in July. Eileen talked about the plants and answered questions as the group toured the garden and enjoyed refreshments in the sunshine. Several members remarked that it was the best garden they had visited.
Our August meeting will be a tour of Hill Close Gardens in Warwick on Tuesday 26th August. They are 16 restored Victorian hedged gardens or plots first established in 1845 for local townsfolk who lived above their business and wanted to escape from the crowded town centre. The Broughton Astley Community Bus (not the same one was last time I have been promised!) will leave the Broughton Astley Co-Op car park at 12.15 p.m. and Lutterworth Recreation Ground Car Park at 12.30 p.m. to arrive in plenty of time for the tour at 2.00 p.m. The tour will last about an hour and will be followed by refreshments. The cost of the tour including refreshments is £8.00 per person and the cost of the bus is calculated on a mileage basis but, if full (15 people), should be approximately £5.50 per person (actual cost to be advised).
I appreciate this is short notice as our August monthly meeting is later than usual, but if you would like to join the visit, please contact Sue Creeden by email on sueandpeter.creeden@talktalk.net or telephone 01455 557888 by Friday 22nd August at the latest.
– Only two of us turned out on 11 July for “The Julie Edwards Trio”, which turned out to be Julie – billed as one of the country’s finest jazz singers - accompanied by Kevin Deardon on jazz guitar – billed as one of the most respected session musicians around. It was a superlative evening – the food good as usual and the weather idyllic. We will certainly look out for this ensemble again.
Other Groups coming up are “The Swing Museum” on Friday 22 August. A quartet of young musicians of guitars, violin and bass playing gypsy jazz. This popular group has been playing at Summersault since the Jazz Sessions started some 6 years ago. They are billed as playing “with polish and verve the superb jazz of Grapelli and Reinhardt of the 40s and 50s.
Friday 5th September - Thomas Spats Langham and his trio “Hotfingers”
Friday 12 September – This will be the start of a special weekend of Jazz & Food & Drink to celebrate Summersault’s 25 years in Rugby. WATCH OUT FOR DETAILS
I will e-mail any details when I get them to those interested.
Should there be restrictions on welfare immigration?
The most surprising fact to emerge from this discussion was that there is a net gain to the country economically from immigration. This is contrary to the view propagated in the popular press. Immigrants are categorised as EU and non-EU.
Non-EU citizens must show that they can support themselves financially before they arrive. There are minimum income levels required depending on the number of people in the family. New laws reduce the ability of migrants to claim benefits. They must work for 3 months before they can apply for job seekers allowance. Benefits Tourism does not seem to be a problem. British residents are usually entitled to free health care. British returners from Spain and others, who have lived abroad, are not entitled to this as they are not British residents. Non-EU citizens can apply for leave to remain, but they have no recourse to public funds.
EU citizens can arrive and stay for 3 months along with other family members provided they do not become an unreasonable burden on the UK system. European law doesn’t permit them to claim on the UK social security system. We see British pensioners living in Spain or British students studying in Germany under reciprocal arrangements After 3 months it’s not enough for them just to be here, they have to be ‘Qualified persons’ i.e. workers, jobseekers, self-employed and providing services, students or self-supporting.
The group expressed concern about the willingness of foreigners to take low paid jobs which we seem to shun. One member felt that we haven’t properly educated our own workforce and have let our citizens down. Many overseas workers want to send money home or save and return to their homes, but are prevented from doing so because they are paid so badly. It appears that hostility is heightened by the press, even the broad sheets. The government has talked of charging overseas students £150 - £200 to use the NHS. This was felt to be short-sighted since our universities depend on the large fees paid by foreign students. We have always welcomed people and it would be sad not to do so now. However, everyone agreed that there must be limits on the numbers coming in as the NHS and other services are stretched too thinly. Also large numbers coming to one area causes problems with schools, housing etc., although only 1.8% of social housing is let to immigrants.
Everyone was pleased that the government is expecting incomers to be able to speak English, and we were pleased to know that translators are no longer provided. So our conclusions were that we urgently need restrictions on immigration per se because of the size and infrastructure of this country. However, it seems that previous governments have caused particular problems. For example since the Empire broke up some foreigners were given British passports; Caribbean workers were invited after WW2 with little thought about provisions for housing, schools, health etc.; the Blair and Brown governments seem to have completely ignored the problem of immigration; and all governments’ records of immigration and migration are questionable.
Most immigrants are very proud because they claim little or nothing from the state, and pay taxes because they are working, hence the net benefit to the nation. The state is under an obligation to protect children at risk of abuse or harm. This is true of all EU countries.
September -Topic Alternative Therapies
PHOTOGRAPHY GROUP
Co-ordinator
Mick Curtis
01455 554504
Our project title for this month was a personal choice from 7 subject titles. The image we chose to share this session was entitled "collections"(Weather Vanes)
Trudy's choice was the one the group picked, but unfortunately the file size wasn't big enough to support a good print, so I have found an image that almost mimics this choice. I know this could be deemed to be cheating but to preserve the spirit of the groups choice I have included it in my report.
July session: The chosen topic was "emotions" and we read aloud quite a wide range of poets and indeed covered quite a wide range of emotions as well. There were the usual poets - favourites to individual members of the group - Gillian Clarke, Pam Ayres and Spike Milligan on inadequacy, love and darker feelings. We explored poems on jealousy, grief, anger and fear by well-known poets such as Larkin, Auden and Blake, and some less well known ones such as Alden Nowlan and Hal Summers. So that we didn't get too depressed we also covered ecstasy, happiness, positivity and hope, with poems by J G Magee, Burns, Sheenagh Pugh and Amelia Burr among others. There were also readings of local Leicestershire poets Bernard Laughton and Molly Bancroft. Obviously "emotions" is a very broad topic and the choice of poems is almost endless so perhaps we will revisit this theme again.
August's theme, in keeping with other activities, will be poetry written during and around the time of world war one.
Wednesday 2 July – Badgers Mount Hotel & Restaurant, 6 Station Road, Elmesthorpe
LE9 7SG On the day, 24 turned out for this Venue and I think all agreed that the surroundings were pleasant, the staff friendly and the food good – served hot on hot plates – but . . . Because we were such a large group, I stressed that people would be turning up in small groups and would be quite happy to order and be served as they came. We also gave them a list of Starters/Main Courses to facilitate their ordering. When I got there, I found one table for 8, three for 4 and two for 2. I pointed out that even though they would be arriving in small numbers, we were a “GROUP” and wanted to sit as a Group. So, they quite happily rearranged the tables so that we had three tables of eight. Then we had quite a long wait for our food after the Starters were served and cleared and ended up with all 24 being served at the same time! So much for our being happy with being served as we arrived. However, the food (and the plates) was hot and plentiful and extremely good value, and everyone agreed that they had enjoyed the occasion.
Wednesday 6 August – The Bell Inn - 2 Kilworth Rd, Husbands Bosworth, LE17 6JZ Tel 01858 880246 Report next month.
Wednesday 3rd September (check??) – The Axe & Compass, Five Ways, Wolvey LE20 3HG
Tel 01455 220240 - £15.95 pp for the “Festa” Menu (The Italian equivalent of “Tapas”) Still time to sign up.
QUIZ GROUP
Co-ordinator
Sylvie Curtis
01455 554504
Ten members met in July to answer varied and interesting questions set by Jill.
Just right to keep the mind active and alive. Members take it in turns to set sixty questions, roughly once a year. If you would like to join us in keeping your mind active just ring the coordinator or join us on the first Tuesday of the month at 10am in the Methodist church porch, you will be very welcome.
We will meet at the car park of the Barley Mow pub in Newbold on Avon, Rugby, where we can have a meal or refreshments at the end of the walk.
The walk will start at 11.30 am and is just over three miles long.
From Newbold we will walk across fields and then follow a bridle path to Little Lawford. Then there will be a short section along a country road, the Cathiron ‘green’ road and the canal towpath (walking through Newbold tunnel) and back to the Barley Mow.
One way to get to the Barley Mow pub is to .follow the A426 from Lutterworth to Rugby.
Turn right at the Avon Mill roundabout (the one after Tesco) on to B4112 to Newbold on Avon.
The Barley Mow is on the right hand side as you begin to ascend the hill out of the village.
The post code is CV21 1HW for those using sat nav.
July 18th 2014
On a beautiful morning eleven of us set off on a walk around Fosse Meadows Nature Reserve. The walk was led by Pat and Dave Hunter who had put a lot of work into organising our stroll. Pat shared with us her extensive knowledge of the local flora and fauna. We learnt about the difference between Larch trees and other conifers, which features help us to tell the difference between a Damsel fly and a Dragonfly and the names of various wildflowers. When we stopped for our photo-call Dave decided we should put into practice some of what we had learnt at the last monthly meeting, on exercise for the over 50s. We hope you can recognise what we spelt out in our photograph!
There is a change of date for our next Snail’sPace Walk, it will now be on Friday 22nd August rather than the 15th.
TRIPS
Co-ordinator
George Robertson
01455 559725 email:george9high@hotmail.com
ELY CATHEDRAL and OLIVER CROMWELL’S HOUSE.
TUESDAY 14TH OCTOBER 2014
Trip to visit Ely in Cambridgeshire to visit the cathedral and Oliver Cromwell’s house. We will leave Broughton Astley at 8.15am and leave Lutterworth at 8.30am. On arrival at Ely at around 10.30am, we will have tea or coffee at a hotel near the cathedral. At 11.00am a guided trip round the cathedral has been arranged. We will break for lunch at 12.15pm and have time to find a café, pub or restaurant before regrouping at 1.30pm for the costumed guided tour of Oliver Cromwell’s House. We will then have free time to explore the City and the riverside walks before boarding the coach at 4.30pm to return home. The cost to include the tea on arrival and the visits is £27.00
1st WEDNESDAY WALKING GROUP
WYCLIFFE U3A Joint Co-ordinators:
Roger Watmore 01455 552431 and
Julian Hargreaves 01455b 557704
WEDNESDAY, 3rd September 2014
Walk Organisers: Mick and Brenda Barrows –Tel: 01455-556570
Meeting Point and Time – Lutterworth Recreation Ground car park at 09.15am to leave at 09.25am
Directions to the Start:- Take M1 south to J18, SP Crick, then the A5 towards Kilsby, then the A361 Daventry Rd. Turn right for Braunston, through the village to meet the A45 and the Boathouse Pub. (15 miles).
Route and Distance:-About 6½ miles, walking towpaths and countryside with fine views and no stiles. Lunch at The Boathouse. 2 for 1 meals available.
July Walk: 26 Walkers and 1 Dog left Countesthorpe. We headed over field paths towards Foston, turned west towards Peatling Parva for our coffee stop at the church. We headed North West, to return to the Axe and Square via field paths. Our food was very acceptable and all enjoyed a ‘drink’ after a very hot walk. A yellow card was threatened, due to very negligent farmers not clearing the footpaths through the rape fields, but not actually shown. The views to the East towards Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire from the hill near to Foston were very extensive. We all enjoyed the walk and the *banter* at the pub was entertaining.
Peter and Irene Moore
4th WEDNESDAY WALKING GROUP Co-ordinators:
Sue & Peter Creeden
01455 557888 553341
Wednesday 27 August 2014
Walk Organiser:- Vicki & Bob Davis Tel: 01455 209518
Meeting Point and Time:- Lutterworth Recreation Ground car park at 9.10am to leave at 9.20am. Note slightly earlier time
Start Point: The Anchor Pub Inn, Mancetter Road, Hartshill (Postcode CV10 0RT) at 10:00amDirections to the Start:-. Take the A5 westwards towards Atherstone. Continue passed Nuneaton and the turn off (right) to Ashby de la Zouch (A444) then take the next turning on the left signed for Hartshill (Country Park). Continue until passing under a railway bridge and follow the road (B4111) to the left (not straight on up the hill). The Anchor Pub Inn is approximately 0.5 miles on the left and by the canal just before you go over the bridge.
Route and Distance:- The route follows the Coventry Canal before entering farmland and ascending two hills to enter Hartshill Country Park. The walk passes through a very varied landscape with long distance views and lots of notice boards giving historical information. It will be about 6 miles with no stiles..
Lunch arrangements:- The Anchor Pub Inn which has a very varied and good value menu.
July 2014 Walk Report
Julian excelled himself with this walk which was one of the best that we have been on with the U3A. There were 19 of us who set off on a lovely warm sunny summer`s day, fortunately with a cooling breeze, from the Bricklayers Alms in Creaton. We were then treated to the lovely rolling Northamptonshire countryside and some of its picturesque villages. We crossed the fields to Cottesbrooke, passing the Hall and then on towards Hollowell with views of the Hollowell Reservoir. Having taken a break in the Pocket Park to rehydrate we walked through the village, passing a house adorned with clocks on its outside walls, and then a bit of a climb up to the church before making off across the fields again. We soon had views of the Ravensthorpe Reservoir in the distance before returning to Creaton. The pub does not normally do food. However, Julian managed to persuade the pub landlord to lay on some. He excelled himself with two cottage pies, one with cheese topping the other without or sausages and mash. There was also enough for seconds. He also threw in cheese (six different types), biscuits and grapes and all for just a fiver.
Well done and thank you Julian. Sue and Peter Creeden
JOINT WYCLIFFE LUTTERWORTH
And LUTTERWORTH U3A GROUPS
And groups open to WLU3A members
TUESDAY WALKING GROUP Co-ordinator:
Gordon Jones (Lutterworth U3A)
01455 556192
Date of Walk: Tuesday 19th August Walk Organizers: Peter and Irene Moore, 0455 552594 Meeting Point: Coventry Road Recreation Ground car park Meeting Time: 09.20, leave at 9.30.
Route and distance: This time heading East not West, as we did before. The approx. 6.25 miles walk starting at 10.00am from Cosby Golf Club Visitor Car Park heading towards Whetstone Pastures and skirting both Willoughby Waterlees and Ashby Magna and returning via a *Hidden Bridge* over the M1 to the Golf Club for Lunch. A very pleasant fairly flat walk across the meadows. Some country lanes towards end of walk.
Lunch: Special U3A menu, a good selection of quality food (inc. vegetarian) all at £6.00 each. Very pleasant restaurant and Very Good Chef awaits. Order before setting off. Directions to the Starting Point: Head into Cosby from Broughton Astley cross roads traffic lights. The entrance to Cosby Golf Club Visitors car park is on the right, after Shuttleworth Lane, at the speed limit signs. Please park at the far end. Toilets available for all.
Next Joint Golf Day - Lutterworth and Wycliffe u3a. Organiser :- Peter Moore Tel:- 01455 552594 email:- peter79moore@gmail.com The next Golf Day will be at Lutterworth Golf Club on Thursday 25th September 2014. competing for the Hartopp Trophy and Prizes. Meet at 12.00 Hrs, for 1.00pm Tee off, in the Golf Club Bar. Coffee and Bacon Roll included on arrival. To confirm your attendance or for full itinerary, including Meal choices, please contact Peter Moore, by 19th September 2014
Cost each approx. £28.00 To include Coffee and Bacon Roll, Green Fee, Prizes and Dinner. (Dependant upon numbers) Don't forget to invite your Wives/Partners/Husbands for 2 course Dinner at 6.30pm in the Golf Club Restaurant.Cost £10.50. per person.Coffee/Mints included. Jackets and Ties *not required*
*Please invite your Golfing Mates to join us at Wollaton Park. No need of u3a membership*
Seasons Forthcoming Golf Days
Away Day.Friday 17th October 2014. Wollaton Park Golf Club, Nottingham.
Another top class venue not to be missed. You must attend this event or you will really miss out on a great day out.
Full details of all above events in future Newsletters.
PETER MOORE. Joint u3a Golf Co-ordinator
Tel: (01455) 552594
e-mail :- peter79moore@gmail.com
JOINT LUTTERWORTH AND WYCLIFFE u3a GOLF SECTION
AWAY DAY - SEASONS FINALE COMPETITION.
Please find listed below the details for our forthcoming tournament, to which you are cordially invited.
Please invite Guests along to enjoy this Superb Day Out .I’ll arrange to include them in 4 balls. Let’s hope for continued GOOD WEATHER ! !
DATE:- Friday 17th October 2014
VENUE:- Wollaton Park Golf Club, Lime Tree Avenue, Wollaton Park, Nottingham. NG8 1BT
DIRECTIONS :- M1 North, exit at junction 25, A52 Nottingham, turn left at A6514 Inner Ring Road (with Queen Medical Centre opposite) turn left on slip road into Lime Tree Avenue. Golf Club at end of Drive.
COMPETITION:- Seasons Finale Away Day. Individual Stableford , Full Handicap Allowance.
TEE TIMES:- From 09.30 am.
ITINERARY:- From 8.30 am. Coffee / Tea & Bacon Roll upon Arrival. From 9.30 a.m, 18 holes Golf
Singles Stableford. Full Handicap Allowance. Approx. 3.15 p.m Hot Lunch – Steak and Ale Pie with Vegetables etc or Vegetarian. Puddings and Coffee available at extra cost. Jackets & Ties NOT required.
Approx. 4.00 p.m. Presentation of Seasons Finale Trophy and other prizes to 5th Place. Nearest the Pin: 8th Hole.
Total cost is £36.000p per player (includes Coffee /Tea & Bacon Roll, Green Fee, Prize Fund, & Hot Lunch)
To Reserve your place, send your confirmation with a payment of £36.00p per player to. P. Moore, 79, Orchard Road, Lutterworth, Leicestershire. LE17 4DA.( Cheques Payable to Peter Moore.)
Top Class Course and facilities. NOT TO BE MISSED, Don’t miss this TREAT. A really great day out Look out for the Deer Herd’s, it’s rutting season. Please be watchful.