December 2012 Month bulletin
Report on the November meeting
For a change this month, the Wycliffe U3A talk was given by one of the members, Alan Coltman. Since retiring from the police force, Alan has recently been a tour leader for trips with the Great Railway Company, a role that takes him all over the world. This talk was all about the Glacier Express in Switzerland, the ‘slowest’ express in Europe. The route the express takes in over the 290 kilometres from St Moritz to Zermatt. Tourist train travel in Switzerland really started in the 1860’s with many British explorers wanting to see and eventually climb the Matterhorn. Like many mountain railways in Switzerland, the Glacier Express runs on 1 metre narrow gauge tracks to allow the locomotive and coaches to negotiate tight turns. Alan showed many colour pictures of the trains and the spectacular scenery, typical of much of Switzerland. In fact, through one town, the trains run along the roads mixing with the cars. Alan posed an interesting question when he showed pictures of high viaducts that disappeared into tunnels – ‘which came first, the viaduct or the tunnel?’ One of the more unusual pictures was of a clock tower in Zermatt fully dressed up as Father Christmas!
QUIZ GROUP
Co-ordinator
Sylvie Curtis
01455 554504
We had a good turn out for our meeting this month and enjoyed a music quiz and some varied questions set by Lynn and June.
We are not meeting in December or January and as from February 5th we are changing our meeting day. We shall now be meeting on the first Tuesday of each month from 10.am to 11.30am in the Methodist church porch.
If our change of day will allow you to join us please come along to our February meeting, where you will find a warm welcome
SNAIL’S WALKING GROUP
Co-ordinator
Sheila Eggleton
01455 554387
sheilaeggleton@yahoo.co.uk
Our next walk will be on Friday 18th January. The walk will start from The Green at Bitteswell at 11.30a.m. We will be following a historic trail around Bitteswell/Lutterworth, stopping for coffee etc at PJs in Lutterworth, for a chat about future walks, prior to walking back to Bitteswell to pick up cars. People who wish to end the walk in Lutterworth can do so. If you have not given me your telephone number please do so in the event of extremely inclement weather and there being any last minute change of plans. It would also be helpful if nearer the time you could confirm if you intend to come.
Report on our1st walk
We set out in fine drizzle for our inaugural walk around the lanes of Ullesthorpe. We were a small group of seven but found plenty to talk about en-route, including the forthcoming election for Police Commissioners. We stopped at Palmers Garden Centre for refreshments and to discuss how we should proceed with the organisation of future walks. We were agreed that approx three miles was a reasonable distance and the pace we had walked on our first outing had been fine; however the decision was made to change the day and time of the walks.
The consensus was that future walks should be on the third Friday of the month with each walk starting at 11.30.a.m. It was felt this was a reasonable time to start given that some walks could be up to a maximum of thirty minutes drive away. We made the decision not to have a walk in December, given the third Friday was too close to Christmas and it also gave us time to get the changes into the Bulletin and on the website. Each walk, it was decided, would be led by a different member (with myself doing the co-ordination) to give some variety.
Future Walks:
February 15th Lubbenham Trail (Angela)
March 15th Wistow (Sheila)
If you are interested in joining any of these walks please e-mail me or telephone, leaving a message and number if I am not in, so I can let you have details of starting points for the walk.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all. Sheila
FRENCH CONVERSATION
Co-ordinator
Sue Hicks
01858 880273
22 November 2012
This was a good meeting. We each prepared something to say about a country, in groups of three or four. This led to discussions in French, some with pictures, which included Italian food, painted churches in Romania, holidays in Japan, Norway and Spain and several other interesting places.
We shall not be meeting in December, and the next date is Thursday, 24 January 2013. I shall try to suggest a topic a little
GERMAN CONVERSATION
Co-ordinator
Sue Hicks
01858 880273
November Meeting
We had a record attendance of seven people this time. We started with the topics of trains and photographs from the course book. Then we had various interesting discussions in German including Alan on his trip to India, George on Bad Münster am Stein-Ebernburg in the Bad Kreuznach district of Germany, and Jane on her recent African trip.
The Christmas meeting will have a German theme and will be on 4 December at Sue’s house, 2-4pm, when partners will also be welcome.
PUB LUNCH
Co-ordinator
Jill Graham
01455 557117
email grahjill@hotmail.com
In November 17 Wycliffe Members met up at The Red Lion, Gilmorton and enjoyed an excellent meal. Quality food, locally sourced and very much enjoyed. Certainly the Group will be going back there for more!
On Wednesday 2 January 2013!, the venue is the “Pig in Muck” at Claybrooke Magna. Two of the Lunch Group members go there regularly and recommended it as a good “value for money” place to go in the New Year. Hot food and a warm welcome. Their Main Meals are 2 for £9 and the Menu says that all food is freshly prepared to order. Best to get there early and enjoy the Real Ale after you order!
Contact for January is Barbara Ewen – Tel 01162 779837.
Looking ahead to February, we are planning to go to Ullesthorpe Court where they have a reasonably priced Carvery as well as a range of Bar Food. The Board for that will be out at the January Meeting. Contact for February is Jill Graham.
If anyone knows of a good venue for the Pub Lunch Group to try, please let Jill know as we are always willing to try something new from a personal recommendation.
LIVELY DISCUSSION
Co-ordinator
Dot Barnard
01455 208190
November Meeting :What would life be like now if Guy Fawkes had
succeeded?
At first it seems as though we might have become a Catholic country because if James I had been killed in 1605 the plotters planned to put 9 year old Princess Elizabeth, his oldest child and whose mother was Catholic, on the throne. Her older brother and heir to the throne, Henry Prince of Wales, would have been killed with his father in the explosion and her younger brother, the future Charles I, was 5 years old at the time. Henry died in 1612 and Charles I acceded in 1625.
Charles II was childless, as were William and Mary and Queen Anne. So the protestant George I came to the throne. However, the Princess Elizabeth had married the protestant Frederick, Elector Palatine in 1613. Their daughter Sophie was the founder of the House of Hanover and so even if there had been a Catholic interlude, Britain would have reverted to Protestantism at the time of George I.
As we know James I of England was also James VI of Scotland and he worked on forming a united Britain. He was also ruler of Ireland. It’s possible that if the plotters had succeeded the Battle of the Boyne would not have taken place and our troubles with the IRA would not have come about. What about Oliver Cromwell? Until the English Civil War and the Commonwealth, it seems that non-conformists had been largely more devout than the other Christian religions which seemed more intent on forcing their beliefs on others by trying to change the rulers. And of course, we wouldn’t be familiar with the King James Version of The Bible.
There is a parallel with the White Ship disaster in 1120 when Henry I’s heir William and the heirs to many noble families were all drowned, leaving the country almost without a whole ruling class. Matilda was Henry’s only remaining legitimate child and this situation led to civil war and a period called The Anarchy, 1135 - 1153. If Parliament had been blown up in 1605 some historians have likened the outcome to 9/11 when many other buildings including Westminster Abbey would have been destroyed and the ruling class wiped out.
December: Christmas Meeting
January 2013: Who would your ideal dinner guests be and why?
BOOK CHAT
Co-ordinator
Mick Curtis
01455 554504
Our discussion this month centred on the Dalziel and Pascoe novels of Reginald Hill.
Whilst some members had read many of this series of novels and had seen the television series, some were coming to the stories for the first time, so we were all coming from very different perspectives. Very few could say they would read them again except as perhaps a "holiday read", and most agreed the novels were very lightweight. Some members new to the novels actively disliked them and found the characters unlikeable. All agreed the earlier books were better and like many authors whose books were prominent on TV, we felt the later books formulaic and rather 'churned out' for a profit.
BIRD WATCHING
Co-ordinators
Mary & Peter Rolleston
01455 209156
It was pleasing to be joined by several new members on our trip to Brandon Marsh.
It was a bright, cold day and we walked briskly from hide to hide to keep warm! We were rewarded by sightings of snipe. shelducks, tufted ducks, teal, lapwings and great crested grebes. There was plenty of bird activity at the feeders which we viewed from the warmth of the cafe, enjoying coffee and sandwiches, whilst observing a great spotted woodpecker, nuthatch, greenfinches and several blue and great tits. Our next outing is on Friday, 28th December when all are welcome to join us at a location to be advised.
POETRY
Co-ordinator
Angela &Stuart Rhodes
01455 554553
Research by members together with information surfed on the internet ensured that all present at the November meeting enjoyed an afternoon of poetry devoted to comedy interspersed with a few limericks.
Due to Christmas there will not be a December meeting. However the Group will reconvene on 24 January 2013 with a session of poetry devoted to birds.
The programme for the rest of 2013 is:-
February - Flowers
March - Water
April - Carol Ann Duffy
May - Gillian Clarke
June - Vehicles
July - Famous People
August - Animals
September - Music
October - Autumn
November - Winter.
The Poetry Group sends best wishes for the forthcoming festive season to all members of Wycliffe U3A.
ART GROUP
Co-ordinator
Chris Brady
01455 209108
What to paint when you haven’t a clue!
Should it be Landscapes? – We’ve done a few.
Let’s change from the photos of places we’ve been
Let’s take a new focus, begin a new scheme.
We’ll all work together on natural things.
Look at the colours that Autumn brings
Red, orange and yellow, deep russet hues
A scrunchy leaf carpet- so many to choose.
Blackberries, hawthorn in hedgerows abound.
Enticing bright berries are easily found.
Armed with this bounty, to hatch a new plan-
Use three colours only and near as you can,
Match that which Nature achieves in the Fall,
Puddling yellow ,red, blue- not hard at all.
Wet on dry and wet in wet,
How to do veins? How can I get
The curl of this leaf, the pattern on that?….
Two hours observing, companiable chat
Brought amazing studies that leapt from the page.
Such pleasing efforts from all at this stage!
Chris Brady
1st WEDNESDAY WALKING GROUP Joint Co-ordinators:
Roger Watmore 01455 552431 and
Julian Hargreaves 01455 557704
WEDNESDAY, 2nd January 2013
Walk Organiser: Julian Hargreaves 01455 557704
Meeting Point and Time – Lutterworth Recreation Ground car park at 09.15 to leave at 09.20am. Note earlier start.
Directions to the Start:- From Lutterworth go down the M1 and onto the A14. Leave the A14 at Junction 2 and go north on the A508 towards Market Harborough. Pass the junction by Kelmarsh Hall and then take the next right to Arthingworth. The Bull is on the left in the village.
Route and Distance:- Fed up with muddy fields then this is the walk for you. The majority of it is on quiet country lanes and along the Brampton Valley Way (the old railway line between Market Harborough and Northampton) where there is a good solid path - so very easy walking for this time of year. On this walk we can pretend to be the Railway Children as there is a long tunnel where we will need torches and who knows what we might find – maybe a skeleton of a paper chase runner!
The total distance is less than 6 miles and the Bull particularly welcomes walkers and those that went on Mick and Brenda’s walk know that the food is good and reasonably priced.
Report on November Walk
From the deluge of Sunday previous, the weather bode well for our walk centred on Welford. A cool start gave rise to a bright morning and most gratefully a dry day. Having walked some of the path on the previous Sunday afternoon, and experienced ‘water over the boots’, we hoped there had been sufficient drying out to at least prevent the wading of Sunday. The promise of fairer weather encouraged 34 of us to venture out.
That was the case and the day proved to be far more accommodating.
Our journey took us through Welford village to leave via Hall Lane and across the fields, leading us to some higher ground from where the fine weather allowed views across the south Leicestershire countryside and taking in the local panorama. We were also treated to one of the best views of the recently installed Swinford wind farm (yuk !!).
Down to join the Grand Union canal, this section of which is very pleasant in the views it offers and the scenery of this particular area. Passing another three bridges to leave the Grand Union to join the ‘Welford Arm’ which winds its’ way back to the village traversing the Welford locks and marina.
Returning to our starting point at ‘The Wharf’ hostelry after de-booting, 24 of us made use of the facilities of good food and ales which proved to be quite a successful occasion and a good day out. Jill & Peter Betts
4th WEDNESDAY WALKING GROUP Co-ordinators:
Sue & Peter Creeden
01455 557888
December Walk
As the fourth Wednesday is so close after Christmas there will be no walk in December.
November Walk
After all the rain there was a good turnout of 17 walkers who set off on a bright sunny morning from the Golden Lion pub in Easenhall. After half a mile, or so, the terrain underfoot for a couple of fields became very “sticky”. This slowed the pace down and there was some muttering!!. George Robertson the leader, however, redeemed himself by “arranging” for a very large puddle for us to clean most of the mud off our boots so that we could continue without ten ton weights on the end of our legs. But more than that he also took sympathy on us and modified the route to avoid anymore mud. We skirted Brinklow and had our break watching some ducks on the canal. Being a clear and sunny day we had some good distant views and the countryside colours were stunning. Lunch was enjoyed at the pub afterwards
TUESDAY WALKING GROUP Co-ordinator:
Gordon Jones (Lutterworth U3A)
01455 556192
NOTE THE MEETING POINT AND START TIME.
Date of walk: Tuesday 18th December 2012
Walk Organiser: Gordon & Sue Jones, 01455 556192
Meeting Point: Meet at the Car Park by the Elms pub, beside the Travelodge.
Meeting Time: Meet at 10.15.
Start Point: See Meeting Point.
Directions to the Starting Point: It is by the aeroplane island at the south end of Lutterworth.
Route and distance: There will be a walk of about 4 to 5 miles with an option for a shorter distance if you wish or if it rains.
Lunch: Lunch for this walk is from the Christmas menu and is pre-booked. If anyone wishes to join us please contact me on the number above before the 18th and I will see if they can fit in extra places. It will not be possible to join the lunch group on the day. We are booked in to sit down at 1.00 p.m. so we will aim get back by about 12.30. Anyone eating but not walking please meet us in Elms before 1.00 p.m
JOINT GOLF GROUP (with Lutterworth U3A)
Co-ordinator (Lutterworth U3A)
Peter Moore
01455 552594
Away Day Trophy Competition
Venue :- Sandwell Park Golf Club
Date :- Friday 2nd November 2012
The weather on Thursday and Saturday was very wet, however our away day on the Friday was blessed with Fine Sunny weather.
How very fortunate we were.
We had an excellent turn out, being joined by our guests from around the county.
The course played as well as ever and proved once more to be a stern test.
Results
1st Place and Away Day Trophy Winner :- Peter Moore
2nd Place :- Mike Harrison
3rd Place :- Brian Asbury (guest)
Nearest the Pin :- Brian Asbury
We were looked after very well (as we have come to expect) with excellent food, good friendly service and good company.
What a lovely clubhouse they have.
I am hopeful of arranging a change of venue next year of equal
quality. Peter
CRAFTS
Co– ordinator
Doreen Barrett
01455 550228
We found ourselves a bit thin on the ground this meeting, but I am sure it was because Christmas was so near. Those of us meeting enjoyed some seasonal treats and a really good natter.
Please note that we will not be meeting again until the fourth Thursday in January. We wish you all a Merry Christmas.
THEATRE Co-ordinator
Eddie Hemsley 01455 554564 (edwardhemsley@btinternet.com )
Very Advanced Notice Sunday 16th June 2013, matinee at Kilworth House “My Fair Lady” by Lerner and Loewe.
Eddie has made a provisional booking to ensure good seats, and take advantage of the top priority we have been awarded. The cost will be £25 per ticket. Whilst he appreciates that it is a long time away he would like to have some idea of the numbers so if you think you would like to go please let him know asap
A Christmas Laugh!
It's coming up to that time of year again when we'll no doubt soon be hearing the festive strains of "Merry Christmas Everybody" from Slade, so I thought you might like this little story about their lead singer, Noddy Holder.
You need to get your heavy Black Country accent into gear for this.
The tale is set in 1974, which I know is before most U3A members were even born.
Noddy is enjoying his Pop Star status, and goes shopping in a trendy boutique for some glam clobber.
He tries on a pair of gold lamé loon pants, and he's admiring them in the mirror when the shop assistant asks if he'd like to try on a silver shirt, too. So, Noddy tries on the shirt, and that looks fantastic as well.
The outfit's really taking shape.
Then the assistant says: "Would you like a kipper tie?".
"Not 'arf" replies Noddy - "I'm parched. Milk and two sugars, please".
Trevor Stott
For a change this month, the Wycliffe U3A talk was given by one of the members, Alan Coltman. Since retiring from the police force, Alan has recently been a tour leader for trips with the Great Railway Company, a role that takes him all over the world. This talk was all about the Glacier Express in Switzerland, the ‘slowest’ express in Europe. The route the express takes in over the 290 kilometres from St Moritz to Zermatt. Tourist train travel in Switzerland really started in the 1860’s with many British explorers wanting to see and eventually climb the Matterhorn. Like many mountain railways in Switzerland, the Glacier Express runs on 1 metre narrow gauge tracks to allow the locomotive and coaches to negotiate tight turns. Alan showed many colour pictures of the trains and the spectacular scenery, typical of much of Switzerland. In fact, through one town, the trains run along the roads mixing with the cars. Alan posed an interesting question when he showed pictures of high viaducts that disappeared into tunnels – ‘which came first, the viaduct or the tunnel?’ One of the more unusual pictures was of a clock tower in Zermatt fully dressed up as Father Christmas!
QUIZ GROUP
Co-ordinator
Sylvie Curtis
01455 554504
We had a good turn out for our meeting this month and enjoyed a music quiz and some varied questions set by Lynn and June.
We are not meeting in December or January and as from February 5th we are changing our meeting day. We shall now be meeting on the first Tuesday of each month from 10.am to 11.30am in the Methodist church porch.
If our change of day will allow you to join us please come along to our February meeting, where you will find a warm welcome
SNAIL’S WALKING GROUP
Co-ordinator
Sheila Eggleton
01455 554387
sheilaeggleton@yahoo.co.uk
Our next walk will be on Friday 18th January. The walk will start from The Green at Bitteswell at 11.30a.m. We will be following a historic trail around Bitteswell/Lutterworth, stopping for coffee etc at PJs in Lutterworth, for a chat about future walks, prior to walking back to Bitteswell to pick up cars. People who wish to end the walk in Lutterworth can do so. If you have not given me your telephone number please do so in the event of extremely inclement weather and there being any last minute change of plans. It would also be helpful if nearer the time you could confirm if you intend to come.
Report on our1st walk
We set out in fine drizzle for our inaugural walk around the lanes of Ullesthorpe. We were a small group of seven but found plenty to talk about en-route, including the forthcoming election for Police Commissioners. We stopped at Palmers Garden Centre for refreshments and to discuss how we should proceed with the organisation of future walks. We were agreed that approx three miles was a reasonable distance and the pace we had walked on our first outing had been fine; however the decision was made to change the day and time of the walks.
The consensus was that future walks should be on the third Friday of the month with each walk starting at 11.30.a.m. It was felt this was a reasonable time to start given that some walks could be up to a maximum of thirty minutes drive away. We made the decision not to have a walk in December, given the third Friday was too close to Christmas and it also gave us time to get the changes into the Bulletin and on the website. Each walk, it was decided, would be led by a different member (with myself doing the co-ordination) to give some variety.
Future Walks:
February 15th Lubbenham Trail (Angela)
March 15th Wistow (Sheila)
If you are interested in joining any of these walks please e-mail me or telephone, leaving a message and number if I am not in, so I can let you have details of starting points for the walk.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all. Sheila
FRENCH CONVERSATION
Co-ordinator
Sue Hicks
01858 880273
22 November 2012
This was a good meeting. We each prepared something to say about a country, in groups of three or four. This led to discussions in French, some with pictures, which included Italian food, painted churches in Romania, holidays in Japan, Norway and Spain and several other interesting places.
We shall not be meeting in December, and the next date is Thursday, 24 January 2013. I shall try to suggest a topic a little
GERMAN CONVERSATION
Co-ordinator
Sue Hicks
01858 880273
November Meeting
We had a record attendance of seven people this time. We started with the topics of trains and photographs from the course book. Then we had various interesting discussions in German including Alan on his trip to India, George on Bad Münster am Stein-Ebernburg in the Bad Kreuznach district of Germany, and Jane on her recent African trip.
The Christmas meeting will have a German theme and will be on 4 December at Sue’s house, 2-4pm, when partners will also be welcome.
PUB LUNCH
Co-ordinator
Jill Graham
01455 557117
email grahjill@hotmail.com
In November 17 Wycliffe Members met up at The Red Lion, Gilmorton and enjoyed an excellent meal. Quality food, locally sourced and very much enjoyed. Certainly the Group will be going back there for more!
On Wednesday 2 January 2013!, the venue is the “Pig in Muck” at Claybrooke Magna. Two of the Lunch Group members go there regularly and recommended it as a good “value for money” place to go in the New Year. Hot food and a warm welcome. Their Main Meals are 2 for £9 and the Menu says that all food is freshly prepared to order. Best to get there early and enjoy the Real Ale after you order!
Contact for January is Barbara Ewen – Tel 01162 779837.
Looking ahead to February, we are planning to go to Ullesthorpe Court where they have a reasonably priced Carvery as well as a range of Bar Food. The Board for that will be out at the January Meeting. Contact for February is Jill Graham.
If anyone knows of a good venue for the Pub Lunch Group to try, please let Jill know as we are always willing to try something new from a personal recommendation.
LIVELY DISCUSSION
Co-ordinator
Dot Barnard
01455 208190
November Meeting :What would life be like now if Guy Fawkes had
succeeded?
At first it seems as though we might have become a Catholic country because if James I had been killed in 1605 the plotters planned to put 9 year old Princess Elizabeth, his oldest child and whose mother was Catholic, on the throne. Her older brother and heir to the throne, Henry Prince of Wales, would have been killed with his father in the explosion and her younger brother, the future Charles I, was 5 years old at the time. Henry died in 1612 and Charles I acceded in 1625.
Charles II was childless, as were William and Mary and Queen Anne. So the protestant George I came to the throne. However, the Princess Elizabeth had married the protestant Frederick, Elector Palatine in 1613. Their daughter Sophie was the founder of the House of Hanover and so even if there had been a Catholic interlude, Britain would have reverted to Protestantism at the time of George I.
As we know James I of England was also James VI of Scotland and he worked on forming a united Britain. He was also ruler of Ireland. It’s possible that if the plotters had succeeded the Battle of the Boyne would not have taken place and our troubles with the IRA would not have come about. What about Oliver Cromwell? Until the English Civil War and the Commonwealth, it seems that non-conformists had been largely more devout than the other Christian religions which seemed more intent on forcing their beliefs on others by trying to change the rulers. And of course, we wouldn’t be familiar with the King James Version of The Bible.
There is a parallel with the White Ship disaster in 1120 when Henry I’s heir William and the heirs to many noble families were all drowned, leaving the country almost without a whole ruling class. Matilda was Henry’s only remaining legitimate child and this situation led to civil war and a period called The Anarchy, 1135 - 1153. If Parliament had been blown up in 1605 some historians have likened the outcome to 9/11 when many other buildings including Westminster Abbey would have been destroyed and the ruling class wiped out.
December: Christmas Meeting
January 2013: Who would your ideal dinner guests be and why?
BOOK CHAT
Co-ordinator
Mick Curtis
01455 554504
Our discussion this month centred on the Dalziel and Pascoe novels of Reginald Hill.
Whilst some members had read many of this series of novels and had seen the television series, some were coming to the stories for the first time, so we were all coming from very different perspectives. Very few could say they would read them again except as perhaps a "holiday read", and most agreed the novels were very lightweight. Some members new to the novels actively disliked them and found the characters unlikeable. All agreed the earlier books were better and like many authors whose books were prominent on TV, we felt the later books formulaic and rather 'churned out' for a profit.
BIRD WATCHING
Co-ordinators
Mary & Peter Rolleston
01455 209156
It was pleasing to be joined by several new members on our trip to Brandon Marsh.
It was a bright, cold day and we walked briskly from hide to hide to keep warm! We were rewarded by sightings of snipe. shelducks, tufted ducks, teal, lapwings and great crested grebes. There was plenty of bird activity at the feeders which we viewed from the warmth of the cafe, enjoying coffee and sandwiches, whilst observing a great spotted woodpecker, nuthatch, greenfinches and several blue and great tits. Our next outing is on Friday, 28th December when all are welcome to join us at a location to be advised.
POETRY
Co-ordinator
Angela &Stuart Rhodes
01455 554553
Research by members together with information surfed on the internet ensured that all present at the November meeting enjoyed an afternoon of poetry devoted to comedy interspersed with a few limericks.
Due to Christmas there will not be a December meeting. However the Group will reconvene on 24 January 2013 with a session of poetry devoted to birds.
The programme for the rest of 2013 is:-
February - Flowers
March - Water
April - Carol Ann Duffy
May - Gillian Clarke
June - Vehicles
July - Famous People
August - Animals
September - Music
October - Autumn
November - Winter.
The Poetry Group sends best wishes for the forthcoming festive season to all members of Wycliffe U3A.
ART GROUP
Co-ordinator
Chris Brady
01455 209108
What to paint when you haven’t a clue!
Should it be Landscapes? – We’ve done a few.
Let’s change from the photos of places we’ve been
Let’s take a new focus, begin a new scheme.
We’ll all work together on natural things.
Look at the colours that Autumn brings
Red, orange and yellow, deep russet hues
A scrunchy leaf carpet- so many to choose.
Blackberries, hawthorn in hedgerows abound.
Enticing bright berries are easily found.
Armed with this bounty, to hatch a new plan-
Use three colours only and near as you can,
Match that which Nature achieves in the Fall,
Puddling yellow ,red, blue- not hard at all.
Wet on dry and wet in wet,
How to do veins? How can I get
The curl of this leaf, the pattern on that?….
Two hours observing, companiable chat
Brought amazing studies that leapt from the page.
Such pleasing efforts from all at this stage!
Chris Brady
1st WEDNESDAY WALKING GROUP Joint Co-ordinators:
Roger Watmore 01455 552431 and
Julian Hargreaves 01455 557704
WEDNESDAY, 2nd January 2013
Walk Organiser: Julian Hargreaves 01455 557704
Meeting Point and Time – Lutterworth Recreation Ground car park at 09.15 to leave at 09.20am. Note earlier start.
Directions to the Start:- From Lutterworth go down the M1 and onto the A14. Leave the A14 at Junction 2 and go north on the A508 towards Market Harborough. Pass the junction by Kelmarsh Hall and then take the next right to Arthingworth. The Bull is on the left in the village.
Route and Distance:- Fed up with muddy fields then this is the walk for you. The majority of it is on quiet country lanes and along the Brampton Valley Way (the old railway line between Market Harborough and Northampton) where there is a good solid path - so very easy walking for this time of year. On this walk we can pretend to be the Railway Children as there is a long tunnel where we will need torches and who knows what we might find – maybe a skeleton of a paper chase runner!
The total distance is less than 6 miles and the Bull particularly welcomes walkers and those that went on Mick and Brenda’s walk know that the food is good and reasonably priced.
Report on November Walk
From the deluge of Sunday previous, the weather bode well for our walk centred on Welford. A cool start gave rise to a bright morning and most gratefully a dry day. Having walked some of the path on the previous Sunday afternoon, and experienced ‘water over the boots’, we hoped there had been sufficient drying out to at least prevent the wading of Sunday. The promise of fairer weather encouraged 34 of us to venture out.
That was the case and the day proved to be far more accommodating.
Our journey took us through Welford village to leave via Hall Lane and across the fields, leading us to some higher ground from where the fine weather allowed views across the south Leicestershire countryside and taking in the local panorama. We were also treated to one of the best views of the recently installed Swinford wind farm (yuk !!).
Down to join the Grand Union canal, this section of which is very pleasant in the views it offers and the scenery of this particular area. Passing another three bridges to leave the Grand Union to join the ‘Welford Arm’ which winds its’ way back to the village traversing the Welford locks and marina.
Returning to our starting point at ‘The Wharf’ hostelry after de-booting, 24 of us made use of the facilities of good food and ales which proved to be quite a successful occasion and a good day out. Jill & Peter Betts
4th WEDNESDAY WALKING GROUP Co-ordinators:
Sue & Peter Creeden
01455 557888
December Walk
As the fourth Wednesday is so close after Christmas there will be no walk in December.
November Walk
After all the rain there was a good turnout of 17 walkers who set off on a bright sunny morning from the Golden Lion pub in Easenhall. After half a mile, or so, the terrain underfoot for a couple of fields became very “sticky”. This slowed the pace down and there was some muttering!!. George Robertson the leader, however, redeemed himself by “arranging” for a very large puddle for us to clean most of the mud off our boots so that we could continue without ten ton weights on the end of our legs. But more than that he also took sympathy on us and modified the route to avoid anymore mud. We skirted Brinklow and had our break watching some ducks on the canal. Being a clear and sunny day we had some good distant views and the countryside colours were stunning. Lunch was enjoyed at the pub afterwards
TUESDAY WALKING GROUP Co-ordinator:
Gordon Jones (Lutterworth U3A)
01455 556192
NOTE THE MEETING POINT AND START TIME.
Date of walk: Tuesday 18th December 2012
Walk Organiser: Gordon & Sue Jones, 01455 556192
Meeting Point: Meet at the Car Park by the Elms pub, beside the Travelodge.
Meeting Time: Meet at 10.15.
Start Point: See Meeting Point.
Directions to the Starting Point: It is by the aeroplane island at the south end of Lutterworth.
Route and distance: There will be a walk of about 4 to 5 miles with an option for a shorter distance if you wish or if it rains.
Lunch: Lunch for this walk is from the Christmas menu and is pre-booked. If anyone wishes to join us please contact me on the number above before the 18th and I will see if they can fit in extra places. It will not be possible to join the lunch group on the day. We are booked in to sit down at 1.00 p.m. so we will aim get back by about 12.30. Anyone eating but not walking please meet us in Elms before 1.00 p.m
JOINT GOLF GROUP (with Lutterworth U3A)
Co-ordinator (Lutterworth U3A)
Peter Moore
01455 552594
Away Day Trophy Competition
Venue :- Sandwell Park Golf Club
Date :- Friday 2nd November 2012
The weather on Thursday and Saturday was very wet, however our away day on the Friday was blessed with Fine Sunny weather.
How very fortunate we were.
We had an excellent turn out, being joined by our guests from around the county.
The course played as well as ever and proved once more to be a stern test.
Results
1st Place and Away Day Trophy Winner :- Peter Moore
2nd Place :- Mike Harrison
3rd Place :- Brian Asbury (guest)
Nearest the Pin :- Brian Asbury
We were looked after very well (as we have come to expect) with excellent food, good friendly service and good company.
What a lovely clubhouse they have.
I am hopeful of arranging a change of venue next year of equal
quality. Peter
CRAFTS
Co– ordinator
Doreen Barrett
01455 550228
We found ourselves a bit thin on the ground this meeting, but I am sure it was because Christmas was so near. Those of us meeting enjoyed some seasonal treats and a really good natter.
Please note that we will not be meeting again until the fourth Thursday in January. We wish you all a Merry Christmas.
THEATRE Co-ordinator
Eddie Hemsley 01455 554564 (edwardhemsley@btinternet.com )
Very Advanced Notice Sunday 16th June 2013, matinee at Kilworth House “My Fair Lady” by Lerner and Loewe.
Eddie has made a provisional booking to ensure good seats, and take advantage of the top priority we have been awarded. The cost will be £25 per ticket. Whilst he appreciates that it is a long time away he would like to have some idea of the numbers so if you think you would like to go please let him know asap
A Christmas Laugh!
It's coming up to that time of year again when we'll no doubt soon be hearing the festive strains of "Merry Christmas Everybody" from Slade, so I thought you might like this little story about their lead singer, Noddy Holder.
You need to get your heavy Black Country accent into gear for this.
The tale is set in 1974, which I know is before most U3A members were even born.
Noddy is enjoying his Pop Star status, and goes shopping in a trendy boutique for some glam clobber.
He tries on a pair of gold lamé loon pants, and he's admiring them in the mirror when the shop assistant asks if he'd like to try on a silver shirt, too. So, Noddy tries on the shirt, and that looks fantastic as well.
The outfit's really taking shape.
Then the assistant says: "Would you like a kipper tie?".
"Not 'arf" replies Noddy - "I'm parched. Milk and two sugars, please".
Trevor Stott