July 2011
3rd August 2011 - Walk Organiser George Robertson & Jane Clark
Tel: 01455 559725
June Walk
On a warm, sunny, early summer morning, 30 members enjoyed a varied 5.5 mile walk around the villages of Stretton- on-Dunsmore and Princethorpe. The field paths and bridleways were quite dry, so mud-free boots were most appreciated for a change! We had several different views of Princethorpe College with its massive tower, before a short refreshment stop in Wappenbury Wood. Lunch was at the 'Three Horseshoes', Princethorpe, and most of us took advantage of the 'special' two course meal for £5.50.
Alan Foster
Opening article
Wycliffe U3A welcomed two new members at this month’s regular meeting. This time, Alan Rimmer came to talk about setting up your own business. Alan set up his own recruitment business, starting from just himself and eventually selling the business to become an independent consultant. Although few members of the audience had in fact run their own businesses, all the members were interested in the observations and stories Alan told. A surprising number of small business start up every year, measured in the hundreds of thousands with the majority still trading after three years.
An unexpected choice of topic but interesting nevertheless. In fact, Alan managed to sell a few copies of his book on the topic.
Lively Discussion June 13th 2011
Diet – who can we believe on the subject of food and weight loss?
The group felt that the medical profession could be believed, but with improved information advice does change. Various diets were discussed including Weight Watchers, the Atkins Diet, Slimming World, the Cabbage Diet, the Mayo Clinic and Rosemary Conley’s Hip and Thigh Diet. For successful weight loss the choice of diet was less important than the decision to lose weight. Faddy diets are dangerous as are the many pressures on women and young girls to be very slim. Girls, as young as 8, worry about how they look. Magazines, newspapers and TV have been a very bad influence, as has advertising which gives a scientific-sounding label to some products.
The discussion covered health through sensible eating and exercise. Why do we see many more overweight people nowadays? It was felt that people on low incomes bought processed food which was often cheaper and contained too much fat, sugar and salt to fill up on and exercise had fallen. There has been an explosion of dining out and buying takeaways where it’s not always possible to know the constituent parts of the dishes being consumed. Also many pubs and restaurants serve enormous portions in an attempt to attract more customers. During World War II bread wasn’t rationed and the government ordered calcium and iron to be added to ‘national’ flour, the result was that rickets was wiped out and that rationing of other foods resulted in few fat or obese people. It is still possible to buy the HMSO publication ‘The Manual of Nutrition’ which gives good advice and is updated regularly by Defra. In summary, many eating problems are a result of plenty.
Hearing Dogs
You may be interested to know that Duke who came to visit us with his owner, Chris O’Mahony, has retired and will be spending his pensioner years with Chris, which they’re both very happy about.
Please save any used stamps for me to pass on to Hearing Dogs so that they can raise more funds. I’m usually at the monthly meetings, but Sylvia Wilson will take them if I’m not there. Thanks to all those who have given them to me already. Dunton Bassett Post Office will also take them in.
Dot Barnard
The quiz group were happy to welcome a new member this month, taking our membership to 18.
As ever we had some very taxing questions to answer this month set by Barbara and Trevor. However we all managed to answer at least a few and sometimes surprised ourselves with what we knew in the deep recesses of our minds.
As from July we will be meeting at a different day and time, Our new day will be the fourth Monday of the month and the time will be 10 am to 11.30am. Venue to remain the same. If this change now means you will be able to fulfil an ambition to join us, please come along to the Methodist Church porch on the 25th July at 10am.
The speaker for August is Stephen George who is an airline pilot and will be speaking on "A Captain's flying experience with additions!!".
French
Several people were away this month. Janet had kindly prepared a conversation topic around hotel bookings which we were all able to join in. We also discussed retirement and looked at some French local newspapers, including the outdated horoscopes.
The next meeting is on Thursday, 28 July, when Anne will provide a topic for us. Advance notice: at the September Meeting we plan to watch a film, ”Jean de Florette” – another film by Marcel Pagnol – at Pearl and Tony’s house.
KILWORTH
Our annual visit to see the summer production at Kilworth House took place on Sunday the 12th June. Unfortunately, the weather gods were not on our side this year with persistent rain and a cool wind ruling out the possibility of a picnic.
However, this did not dampen our enjoyment of a superb production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Pirates of Penzance”. I think that this year the producers have excelled themselves and staged ,what to me, is arguably the best summer production to date. Personally, I could not find a weakness if I had wanted to, with the entire cast of principals, chorus and musicians blending in to one glorious whole. Although the satirical edge of Gilbert’s libretto might be slightly blunted in the modern world it has not lost its humorous import which the cast brought out magnificently. Whilst Sullivan’s music continues to enthral.
It was also good to see the leader of the orchestra singing along robustly throughout!!
The whole production came across as a happy one with the warmth and enjoyment of the cast being passed on to the audience therby brightening up an otherwise miserable afternoon.
There was an unforgetable moment for one of our members, JH, when the Pirate King sat on her knee and introduced himself. As she said to me later “it was nice but I wished that he had been 20years younger!!”
On a very pleasant spring day in May 14 members took the opportunity to visit Stoneleigh Abbey to learn about its long history and its connection with Jane Austen and her family. I think it fair to say that most of the party had little knowledge of the Abbey and its surroundings so we were not sure what to expect. However, we were not disappointed when we saw such a magnificent building emerge as we approached along the entrance Drive.
The Abbey, which is set in the heart of the Warwickshire countryside, has a long history having started its life as a medieval abbey (the magnificent Gatehouse of which still remains). It then transformed, after the Reformation, into one of the grand houses of England. A goodly amount of the Abbey is now turned over to private apartments but it is possible to visit the ground floor reception rooms and the extensive gardens.
After a light lunch we were met by our guide, resplendent in period costume, who took us back in time to follow in the footsteps of Jane Austen and her mother when they visited the Abbey in the year of 1812. A cousin of Mrs Austen had inherited the property at that time. We enjoyed a very detailed and informative tour around the ground floor rooms learning about daily life in the early nineteenth century.
Afterwards we spent time exploring the gardens before returning home.
This was a very enjoyable day and one that we would certainly commend to you.
WEDNESDAY WALKING GROUP No 2
The Walk:
The walk is approx. 6 miles. It will head off towards Wibtoft but turn to pass High Cross and then onto the Fosse Way. It will pass through Fosse Meadows and then cross to Frolesworth where it will pick up the Leicestershire Round to Claybrooke Magna Mill and Claybrooke Magna. The terrain is gentle undulating countryside and, on a clear day, there will be some nice distance views from High Cross. Lunch will be at the Pig In Muck.
June Walk
Ten members turned up for the inaugural walk for this group. It was a lovely sunny morning and the temperature was ideal for walking. The 6 mile walk started from Ullesthorpe and headed off down Manor Lane turning off to take the footpath to Claybrooke Magna. We then headed for Claybrooke Magna Mill and then onto the Ullesthorpe Scout Camp before heading across a number of fields to Leire. It was a very clear day and along this stretch of the walk we were treated to some stunning panoramic views across to the Charnwood Hills. We stopped for a break in the playground at Leire where, suffice is to say, some members of the group relived some of their childhood. After walking through part of Leire we picked up the Jubilee Walk which is an old railway track. This walk, which is along a deep cutting, is noted for its orchids but our ignorance of what we were looking for meant we were unsuccessful at finding any. Shortly after the official ending of the Jubilee Way we left the railway track for a while to pass along the edge of the Ullesthorpe golf course and then returned to it to finally reach the houses of Ullesthorpe. A very pleasant walk was concluded with a convivial lunch at the Chequers Country Inn.
This is a new walking group. If you would like to organise a walk for this group then please contact Sue and Peter Creeden
Poetry
Despite the potentially uninspiring subject of "Transport" all members enjoyed one of the best meetings of the year. Lutterworth of fifty years ago and the Great Central Railway was brought to life with renditions from poems by John Betjeman and our local poet Bernard Laughton. Poems by Cyril Fletcher (even with the lack of an appropriate accent) and a journey through the Panama Canal with Pam Ayres and her husband together with a "dishy" ship doctor engenered much hilarity.
All members are looking forward to the next meeting 28 July next.
Photography
Seven intrepid photographers ventured forth to Coombe Abbey Country park for a session photographing subjects of their choice. We will share the results of our efforts at our next meeting. Some of us will also be manipulating some of the images obtained and sharing the results in a "before and after format". We all look forward to our next meeting on the 22nd of July.
Book Chat
" A Son of the Circus" by John Irving proved to be a novel that divided opinion in the group. Some felt the issues involved and the graphic nature of their inclusion in the story telling were somewhat too grubby to be an enjoyable read. Others however, those that completed the very long book, seemed to find that looking back on the book rendered it quite interesting. Whilst a third group came to terms with it by imagining it as a collection of short stories.
Tel: 01455 559725
June Walk
On a warm, sunny, early summer morning, 30 members enjoyed a varied 5.5 mile walk around the villages of Stretton- on-Dunsmore and Princethorpe. The field paths and bridleways were quite dry, so mud-free boots were most appreciated for a change! We had several different views of Princethorpe College with its massive tower, before a short refreshment stop in Wappenbury Wood. Lunch was at the 'Three Horseshoes', Princethorpe, and most of us took advantage of the 'special' two course meal for £5.50.
Alan Foster
Opening article
Wycliffe U3A welcomed two new members at this month’s regular meeting. This time, Alan Rimmer came to talk about setting up your own business. Alan set up his own recruitment business, starting from just himself and eventually selling the business to become an independent consultant. Although few members of the audience had in fact run their own businesses, all the members were interested in the observations and stories Alan told. A surprising number of small business start up every year, measured in the hundreds of thousands with the majority still trading after three years.
An unexpected choice of topic but interesting nevertheless. In fact, Alan managed to sell a few copies of his book on the topic.
Lively Discussion June 13th 2011
Diet – who can we believe on the subject of food and weight loss?
The group felt that the medical profession could be believed, but with improved information advice does change. Various diets were discussed including Weight Watchers, the Atkins Diet, Slimming World, the Cabbage Diet, the Mayo Clinic and Rosemary Conley’s Hip and Thigh Diet. For successful weight loss the choice of diet was less important than the decision to lose weight. Faddy diets are dangerous as are the many pressures on women and young girls to be very slim. Girls, as young as 8, worry about how they look. Magazines, newspapers and TV have been a very bad influence, as has advertising which gives a scientific-sounding label to some products.
The discussion covered health through sensible eating and exercise. Why do we see many more overweight people nowadays? It was felt that people on low incomes bought processed food which was often cheaper and contained too much fat, sugar and salt to fill up on and exercise had fallen. There has been an explosion of dining out and buying takeaways where it’s not always possible to know the constituent parts of the dishes being consumed. Also many pubs and restaurants serve enormous portions in an attempt to attract more customers. During World War II bread wasn’t rationed and the government ordered calcium and iron to be added to ‘national’ flour, the result was that rickets was wiped out and that rationing of other foods resulted in few fat or obese people. It is still possible to buy the HMSO publication ‘The Manual of Nutrition’ which gives good advice and is updated regularly by Defra. In summary, many eating problems are a result of plenty.
Hearing Dogs
You may be interested to know that Duke who came to visit us with his owner, Chris O’Mahony, has retired and will be spending his pensioner years with Chris, which they’re both very happy about.
Please save any used stamps for me to pass on to Hearing Dogs so that they can raise more funds. I’m usually at the monthly meetings, but Sylvia Wilson will take them if I’m not there. Thanks to all those who have given them to me already. Dunton Bassett Post Office will also take them in.
Dot Barnard
The quiz group were happy to welcome a new member this month, taking our membership to 18.
As ever we had some very taxing questions to answer this month set by Barbara and Trevor. However we all managed to answer at least a few and sometimes surprised ourselves with what we knew in the deep recesses of our minds.
As from July we will be meeting at a different day and time, Our new day will be the fourth Monday of the month and the time will be 10 am to 11.30am. Venue to remain the same. If this change now means you will be able to fulfil an ambition to join us, please come along to the Methodist Church porch on the 25th July at 10am.
The speaker for August is Stephen George who is an airline pilot and will be speaking on "A Captain's flying experience with additions!!".
French
Several people were away this month. Janet had kindly prepared a conversation topic around hotel bookings which we were all able to join in. We also discussed retirement and looked at some French local newspapers, including the outdated horoscopes.
The next meeting is on Thursday, 28 July, when Anne will provide a topic for us. Advance notice: at the September Meeting we plan to watch a film, ”Jean de Florette” – another film by Marcel Pagnol – at Pearl and Tony’s house.
KILWORTH
Our annual visit to see the summer production at Kilworth House took place on Sunday the 12th June. Unfortunately, the weather gods were not on our side this year with persistent rain and a cool wind ruling out the possibility of a picnic.
However, this did not dampen our enjoyment of a superb production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Pirates of Penzance”. I think that this year the producers have excelled themselves and staged ,what to me, is arguably the best summer production to date. Personally, I could not find a weakness if I had wanted to, with the entire cast of principals, chorus and musicians blending in to one glorious whole. Although the satirical edge of Gilbert’s libretto might be slightly blunted in the modern world it has not lost its humorous import which the cast brought out magnificently. Whilst Sullivan’s music continues to enthral.
It was also good to see the leader of the orchestra singing along robustly throughout!!
The whole production came across as a happy one with the warmth and enjoyment of the cast being passed on to the audience therby brightening up an otherwise miserable afternoon.
There was an unforgetable moment for one of our members, JH, when the Pirate King sat on her knee and introduced himself. As she said to me later “it was nice but I wished that he had been 20years younger!!”
On a very pleasant spring day in May 14 members took the opportunity to visit Stoneleigh Abbey to learn about its long history and its connection with Jane Austen and her family. I think it fair to say that most of the party had little knowledge of the Abbey and its surroundings so we were not sure what to expect. However, we were not disappointed when we saw such a magnificent building emerge as we approached along the entrance Drive.
The Abbey, which is set in the heart of the Warwickshire countryside, has a long history having started its life as a medieval abbey (the magnificent Gatehouse of which still remains). It then transformed, after the Reformation, into one of the grand houses of England. A goodly amount of the Abbey is now turned over to private apartments but it is possible to visit the ground floor reception rooms and the extensive gardens.
After a light lunch we were met by our guide, resplendent in period costume, who took us back in time to follow in the footsteps of Jane Austen and her mother when they visited the Abbey in the year of 1812. A cousin of Mrs Austen had inherited the property at that time. We enjoyed a very detailed and informative tour around the ground floor rooms learning about daily life in the early nineteenth century.
Afterwards we spent time exploring the gardens before returning home.
This was a very enjoyable day and one that we would certainly commend to you.
WEDNESDAY WALKING GROUP No 2
The Walk:
The walk is approx. 6 miles. It will head off towards Wibtoft but turn to pass High Cross and then onto the Fosse Way. It will pass through Fosse Meadows and then cross to Frolesworth where it will pick up the Leicestershire Round to Claybrooke Magna Mill and Claybrooke Magna. The terrain is gentle undulating countryside and, on a clear day, there will be some nice distance views from High Cross. Lunch will be at the Pig In Muck.
June Walk
Ten members turned up for the inaugural walk for this group. It was a lovely sunny morning and the temperature was ideal for walking. The 6 mile walk started from Ullesthorpe and headed off down Manor Lane turning off to take the footpath to Claybrooke Magna. We then headed for Claybrooke Magna Mill and then onto the Ullesthorpe Scout Camp before heading across a number of fields to Leire. It was a very clear day and along this stretch of the walk we were treated to some stunning panoramic views across to the Charnwood Hills. We stopped for a break in the playground at Leire where, suffice is to say, some members of the group relived some of their childhood. After walking through part of Leire we picked up the Jubilee Walk which is an old railway track. This walk, which is along a deep cutting, is noted for its orchids but our ignorance of what we were looking for meant we were unsuccessful at finding any. Shortly after the official ending of the Jubilee Way we left the railway track for a while to pass along the edge of the Ullesthorpe golf course and then returned to it to finally reach the houses of Ullesthorpe. A very pleasant walk was concluded with a convivial lunch at the Chequers Country Inn.
This is a new walking group. If you would like to organise a walk for this group then please contact Sue and Peter Creeden
Poetry
Despite the potentially uninspiring subject of "Transport" all members enjoyed one of the best meetings of the year. Lutterworth of fifty years ago and the Great Central Railway was brought to life with renditions from poems by John Betjeman and our local poet Bernard Laughton. Poems by Cyril Fletcher (even with the lack of an appropriate accent) and a journey through the Panama Canal with Pam Ayres and her husband together with a "dishy" ship doctor engenered much hilarity.
All members are looking forward to the next meeting 28 July next.
Photography
Seven intrepid photographers ventured forth to Coombe Abbey Country park for a session photographing subjects of their choice. We will share the results of our efforts at our next meeting. Some of us will also be manipulating some of the images obtained and sharing the results in a "before and after format". We all look forward to our next meeting on the 22nd of July.
Book Chat
" A Son of the Circus" by John Irving proved to be a novel that divided opinion in the group. Some felt the issues involved and the graphic nature of their inclusion in the story telling were somewhat too grubby to be an enjoyable read. Others however, those that completed the very long book, seemed to find that looking back on the book rendered it quite interesting. Whilst a third group came to terms with it by imagining it as a collection of short stories.
