Report on the September MeetingThe speaker at this month’s meeting of the Lutterworth Wycliffe U3A was Jane Barnes form Southfields Farm in Somerby with her Tales from a Farmer’s Wife.
Married to a 4th generation dairy farmer, Jane told us of the 24/7 lifestyle with her precious herd of Friesian and Ayrshire dairy cows. Getting up at 5:00 am every morning of the year, whatever the weather, is certainly not a lifestyle that would suit many, but Jane was absolutely passionate about it. She spoke with pride of her high quality milk being collected daily and taken to the local Long Clawson dairy to be turned into that King of Cheeses, Stilton.
The talk was both informative and highly entertaining, especially with the stories of how the quality pure-bred heard is maintained with the indispensable help of Mulberry and Bandit ( her prize bulls)!
Notices from the Committee
DISPLAY BOARD
We have a display board upon which we would like to publicise and promote our many Interest Groups. If you have, or would like to take photos of special events or outings within your Groups, please let Sue Creeden have them. Displays will be updated each month. You can contact Sue on 01455 557888 or send photos via email to sueandpeter.creeden@talktalk.net.
SULBY GARDENS
The Garden Group thoroughly enjoyed their visit to Sulby Gardens in September so we would like to let all members know that they will be open to the public under the National Garden Scheme for an Apple Day this afternoon, Thursday, 9th October from 2-5 p.m. and also for Autumn Colours on Thursday 13th November from 1-4 p.m. Sulby Gardens is near Welford, Northamptonshire NN6 6EZ and charity admission is £4.00.
YOUR HEALTH ALERT
Our NHS services in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland are changing, adapting to future needs with the Better Care Together Programme.
A five year strategy plan has been developed by BCT as demanded by NHS England.
The plan Includes
Better integration of health and social care – emphasis on more local care so better use of viable community hospitals, including outreach Outpatient Clinics and scans.
Changing the profile of the General Hospital by increasing the scope of their National Diabetes Centre of Excellence (already happening) and concentrating on physiotherapy and rehabilitation services.
Reviewing specific patient needs at all levels pharmacies, surgeries, urgent care centres, hospital stays both planned and emergency.
Clear clinical “pathways” so after diagnosis patients have knowledge of the services available.
The process started in September 2014 – key future dates
October 2014 – March 2015 Continuous dialogue with patients, service users and public on specific work. Ongoing with patient engagement until 2019
Now is the time to take an interest, for yourself, family or friends, contact and comment could make a difference - doing nothing implies satisfaction or no interest.
My thanks to Jane Clark and Christine for giving me space in the Bulletin. I am on the Patient & Public Involvement committee reporting to the BCT board and would be delighted to hear from anyone with their comments. Email p.osborn@homecall.co.uk or 01455 553178
Do you know your blood pressure reading? Could be a start to self help.
GROUP REPORTS
(in alphabetical order)
ART APPRECIATION
Co-ordinator
Ursula Kanetis 01455 553563
Our first group meeting took place as planned on Monday, 15.September in beautiful sunshine. The Harold Martin Botanic Garden in Leicester is a magnificent outdoor gallery to the 48 Sculptures that evoked our imagination. The few hours took us out of our normal lives and encouraged us to see, feel, think and wonder. The lively discussion continued over coffee and even into the drive back home.
Our next venue will be the New Walk Museum in Leicester.
( 20.10.2014 at 14.00 )
BOOK CHAT
Co-ordinator
Mick Curtis
01455 554504
This month we chose to read " Tess of the D'Urbervilles". A revisit for some of our group. This is a classic that caused considerable controversy when first published in episodic form and was brought together as a novel two years later. The plot and events depicted seemed resonant of a modern story and maybe this exercised the more sensitive readers of the late Victorian age. Our group as usual had very varied opinions, many of us not even finishing, having struggled with the language and not being sympathetic with the flowery nature of the prose. But it fulfilled one of the aims of our Book Group by taking some of us out of our comfort zone.
Our next read is in complete contrast " The Illustrated Man" by Ray Bradbury" a collection of short stories by a well-regarded science fiction exponent .
Tuesday 23rd September – Platform One – This is the Professional Training Restaurant run by Stratford-upon-Avon College at the Rugby College in Technology Drive, Rugby CV21 1AR
We were unable to get to this Restaurant last Session so decided to switch to them this month when they left me a message to say they had started again. Five of us went to their Fine Dining Experience (Tuesday evenings only) where we experienced a sumptuous meal (Silver Service) for £17.50 each. The students (all Third Years) were pleasant and well-trained. They alternate between working in the kitchen and front of house, although their Tutor said that over 80 per cent of them would rather spend all their time cooking!
Tuesday “Fine Dining” is Reservation only and they are already fully booked for their Christmas Dinners from 22 November to 17 December although they are offering a Christmas Lunch Menu for the same dates for £10.95 – Three Courses PLUS Mince Pies and Coffee!
I will leave Menus out for anyone interested to look at. I will also put out Slips for anyone to pick up giving details of when they are open and what they offer. Well worth trying and easy to get to.
Parking, Newarke Street Car Park – Nearest Post Code for Sat Nav is LE2 7AD
Note the change of evening – Le Bistrot Pierre offers a 6 Course Set Dinner for £22.95 on alternate Tuesdays, so we have to go on the dates offered.
No Dinner planned for November – getting too near Christmas and all those Turkey Dinners and Lunches!
FRENCH CONVERSATION
Co-ordinator
Sue Hicks
01858 880273
25 September 2014
We welcomed two new members to the group. French discussions were on “Dog or Cat?” and “When we were young, life was sometimes difficult. Do you think it is more difficult for young people nowadays?” This produced some interesting comments. Some of us are glad we were young then and not now.
The next meeting will be on 23 October, when we shall discuss “If it were possible to invite anyone, living or dead, who would you invite to a dinner party? (3 people)”.
We hope to have a film at the November meeting.
GARDEN GROUP
Co-ordinator
Sue Creeden
01455 557888
We had two events in September: A small group had a return visit to the home of Mick Cross to see some of his prize winning dahlias. Unfortunately many of them were just past their best but he showed us the varieties that were successful at this year’s shows and explained why others were not winners. He gave us lots of growing tips and detailed the stringent rules and what the judges looked for at events. Afterwards his wife Enid kindly served refreshments.
The Group also had a very pleasant afternoon at Sulby Gardens near Welford. The owner, Alison briefly explained the history of the gardens and then issued maps so that we could explore the area at leisure. Originally the gardener’s cottage, walled kitchen garden and orchard for Sulby Hall, the garden has been restored and extended over the last 38 years as a working garden and wildlife habitat. Covering 12 acres, the site includes woodland, wetland and meadow and original Victorian carnation house. Afterwards we were able to enjoy refreshments outside in the warm sunshine.
On 28th October there will be a guided tour of the Leicester Attenborough Arboretum. We will meet at the Broughton Astley car park at the back of the Co-Op at 1.45 pm to share lifts. The Arboretum is in Carisbooke Road, Leicester LE2 3PF (directions to follow) and our guide will meet us in the car park at 2.30 pm. The tour will take approximately an hour and the cost is £4.00. There are no refreshments available on site but we can perhaps stop for a cuppa on the way home.
If you would like to come, please contact Sue Creeden by email on sueandpeter.creeden@talktalk.net or telephone 01455 557888 as soon as possible.
Just for information, Hammond Arboretum in Burnmill Road, Market Harborough, LE16 7JG is open under the NGS scheme on Sunday 12th October from 2-5 pm. Adults £3. The site is just under 2½-acres and contains an unusual collection of trees and shrubs, many from Francis Hammond's original planting dating from 1913 to 1936 whilst headmaster of Market Harborough County Grammar School. There are species from America, China and Japan with malus and philadelphus walks and a moat.
Tuesday 16th September – Stanton Lakes (Broughton Road, Stoney Stanton, LE9 4JA - Tel 01455 283043) Ten of us went and we all opted for the Fixed Price Lunch Menu – 2 Courses for £9.95 with the option of 3 Courses for £12. Six of us chose Starters and 4 the Cheesecake of the Day. Good food and service – definitely somewhere to go back to – especially in the warmer months when we could sit out on the decking and watch the waterfowl.
Tuesday 21st October – Caffe Crema, Alma Park, Wibtoft The Caffe Crema can be approached either from the A5 just before Wibtoft or – more easily, I think - coming out of Lutterworth through Ullesthorpe and turning left in Claybrooke Parva just before the School (the road is signposted to Monks Kirby). The Cafe itself is very cosy and they have a room that can accommodate our small party. Very friendly and helpful. Be warned – the drive from the road is half a mile long! When you reach the car park, drive across to the far left corner near the buildings and Caffe Crema is through on the left.
Tuesday 18th November – I suggest we go back to The Malt Kiln Farm Shop at Stretton under Fosse. Not too far to go and a venue we enjoyed last year.
JAZZ EVENINGS at Summersault Vegetarian Restaurant in Rugby
These have now come to an end with Eileen and Michael Jeffs Celebration of their 25 years at Summersault. Four of us went on the 5th September, dressing in clothes appropriate to the Twenties or Thirties and listening to the music of Thomas Spats Langham and his band Hotfingers. During the evening one of the staff serving us was “murdered” and we had to guess which of the staff was the murderer. Dot Barnard was one of the few people there to guess correctly and won the draw to determine who was the overall winner. Dot went home very happy with a bottle of champagne!
I went on my own on the 12th and we were invited to dress up as animals. Not so many people dressed up but one couple had particularly fine whiskers and nose masks. One hundred pounds was donated to animal conservation (the Sumatran Orangutan I seem to remember) from the Jeffs, the staff and extra given by the diners.
Eileen and Michael are actually closing for a few days in early October for a holiday but say that they will keep us informed through their monthly Newsletters if they decide to start up the Jazz Evenings again. Watch this space for news!
LIVELY DISCUSSION
Co-ordinator
Dot Barnard
01455 208190
8th September
Alternative Therapies
A member brought books and items to display which enabled us to see some of the alternative therapies which are available. The topics covered included acupuncture, osteopathy, chiropractic, reiki, massage, homeopathy, reflexology, colour light therapy, flower and plant essences, therapeutic oils, meditation, cranial osteopathy, cranial sacral therapy and many more. Some chiropractic and cranial osteopathy techniques were demonstrated. The purpose of these is to gently adjust the bones of the body to correctly align the spine. It is aimed at addressing the cause of the problem and not the symptoms.
Pilates, yoga and other forms of exercise were raised by the group. People gave examples of therapies which had worked for them and of course Prince Charles’ support for homeopathy was mentioned. It appears that some local doctors’ surgeries offer alternative therapies alongside the usual medical help. Some members felt that, based on double blind trials which have been carried out, improvements happened because the participants believed that they would. Examples were given of Derren Brown experiments which proved this.
One member spoke of a friend who had tried a ring which touched particular pressure points on her finger. This had the effect of cutting down her very loud snoring to almost nothing. The following discussion raised the fact that anything which uses pressure points on the body seemed to work. It appears that some alternative therapies also work on animals and an example of curing a horse was given.
It was interesting to know how many therapies are on offer and the benefits attributed to them. Some have been used by group members for many years.
OctoberTopic- Scottish Independence
November Topic– Tomorrow must belong to the young and the old
The theme this month was "the sun, the moon and the stars" and the group found plenty of interesting material to read. The poetry ranged from the serious to the amusing, with a sense of wonder being a common theme. We read from a wide range of well-known poets, including several verses by Shakespeare, poems by Tennyson and Blake on the evening star, and Byron on the night. There were several interesting (and one obscure) DH Lawrence poems on the sun and the moon, and while Ted Hughes wrote about the reflective and sometimes frightening image of the moon, Shelley's moon seemed to be lonely and bored. We also read Robert Graves' "Star Talk", a conversation between the constellations on an icy night and a rather sad poem about Laika, the first dog in space. Additionally we explored a little about the life and not terribly appealing personality traits of D H Lawrence and Rupert Brooke.
The next meeting will be 2pm on October 23rd and the theme is "Love and Hate".
Wednesday 3 September – The Axe & Compass, Wolvey Eventually 23 of us sat down to eat and everyone seemed to enjoy the meal as much as the evening group had done last year. As a large party, we had to go for the £15.95 Festa Menu (rather like Tapas) and we found we were unable to finish everything!!
However, they do have an Earlybird/Daytime offer for up to 7 people where you can choose 3 items from a selection of 16 items for £8.95. At the moment this offer is available Monday–Friday, 12-7 pm and Saturday 12-4 pm.
Wednesday 1 October – The Shires, Peatling Parva Always advisable to get there in good time as I have noticed that it can take people up to 10 minutes to sort out their Menu Choices.
Wednesday 5th November – I am intending to book in at The Brewery and then perhaps go to The Elms on 7th January.
QUIZ GROUP
Co-ordinator
Sylvie Curtis
01455 554504
This month Dot stretched our brain cells, especially with questions about Leicestershire.
This must have done us good as later in the month we entered two teams into a quiz at Broughton held in aid of the British Legion. We are proud to report that our teams came 1st and 2nd. Quite an achievement!
The next walk will be on Friday 17th October. This will be a guided tour with Viv leading around Coventry City Centre. The walk will leave from outside Coventry Transport Museum, Millennium Place, Hales Street, Coventry CV1 1JB. There are no parking facilities at the museum but several within walking distance including: Bishop Street (CV1HU) New Union Street (CV1 2NT) Lower Precinct, Queen Victoria Road (CV1 3JH) Gosford Street (CV1 5DL). The museum is approx a 15 minute walk from the Railway Station and a very short walk from Pool Meadow Bus Station. Bus No 86 (Stagecoach) goes from Rugby Town Centre to Coventry City Centre (Further details on Internet). We will both start and end our walk at the museum. Entry to the Museum where there is a cafe is free, there are also a variety of eateries in the area.
Please let me know if you are going on the walk so we make sure we wait for you to arrive. Sheila
Early Warning
Our walk for November 21st is our last before Christmas. I am planning to do a walk around Great Bowden ending (I hope) with a set meal at a local pub. I am currently trying to negotiate this and will send further details when I get them. Our first walk in January (date to be confirmed) will be around Gilmorton. If you would like to organise a walk during 2015 please let me know. Many Thanks to everyone for your support over this year.
September Walk Report
On a somewhat murky morning over twenty of us – a record number – set off for a guided tour of Hallaton. I am sure many of our U3A members are familiar with Hallaton, if not because of the annual bottle kicking competition between teams from Hallaton and Medbourne which takes place every Easter Monday but for the wonderful archaeological finds (now in the Museum at Market Harborough). Our guide Liz Wilson was an enthusiastic fount of knowledge on both of these events and so much more. We saw at first hand a wide range of architectural styles in the village, incorporating into our walk former public houses, shops, Hallaton Hall, the Stenning Almshouses, areas where cattle, pigs and sheep would have been bought to market. The latter testified to the fact that Hallalton has been an important agricultural centre from the mid-13th century onward. Local villagers obviously still have a love of the land if their wonderful allotments are anything to go by. There were an abundance of healthy crops on show. Liz had kindly arranged for the Church and Museum to be open for us , we were lucky to gain access to the latter for it is almost the end of the season. I would highly recommend a visit to this award winning museum where you can read about the archaeological finds of Hallaton. We ended our walk with a lovely lunch at The Fox Inn. Our thanks go to Dot for all of her hard work in organising this lovely event.
THEATRE
Co-ordinator
Eddie Hemsley01455 554564
RSC production of Love’s Labour’s Lost.
The First World War ‘bookends’ the RSC’s autumn productions of Love’s Labour’s Lost and Love’s Labour’s Won ( better known as Much Ado About Nothing ). Gregory Doran, RSC Artistic Director, has recognised the possibilities of setting Love’s Labour’s Lost in the summer of 1914 and Love’s Labour’s Won in the autumn of 1918, as both plays are about young couples falling in love but who have problems to overcome first, including separation due to issues beyond their control, as happened to many during the war years.
I have made a provisional booking for 15 seats in the stalls in the main theatre for the production of Love’s Labour’s Lost on Monday, November 3, at 7.15pm. Tickets cost £33 each. If you would like tickets, please email me at ea.smalley@virgin.net by October 14 at the latest. Alternatively, see me at the October U3A monthly meeting when I shall be in the coffee hall at one of the tables, ready to answer any queries that may arise, before the meeting begins. Ticket payments can also be made at the same time for those of you who have already decided to buy some.
Tickets for Love’s Labour’s Won will be arranged at a later date.
Anne Smalley
1st WEDNESDAY WALKING GROUP
Joint Co-ordinators:
Roger Watmore 01455 552431 and
Julian Hargreaves 01455b 557704
WEDNESDAY, 5th November 2014
Walk Organisers Peter and Jill Betts 01455 554110
Meeting Point and Time – Lutterworth Recreation Ground car park at 09.25 to leave at 09.30am
Directions to the Start:- From Lutterworth either cross country to the A5199 (Walcote – South Kilworth) or A14 on a good day. Follow A5199 through Thornby then in about a mile turn right to Guilsborough. Turn left through the village, continue to the ‘Coton’ road and follow through to Ravensthorpe. The Chequers is situated in ‘Chequers Lane’.
Route:- The walk takes in the surrounding countryside culminating in a walk around Ravensthorpe reservoir and back to the village.
Parking and toilets available at the pub, additional parking on roads adjacent.
Food orders taken pre-walk and the menu offers snacks and pub grub from under £5 to £10.
4th WEDNESDAY WALKING GROUPCo-ordinators:
Sue & Peter Creeden
01455 557888 553341
September 2014 Walk Report
Peter and Mary Rolleston lead 26 walkers on a beautiful October morning on a very pleasant rural walk from Frankton mostly across fields with some fine views across the Warwickshire countryside and returning via Bourton on Dunsmore. Most stayed for lunch at the Friendly Inn.
Sue and Peter Creeden
Wednesday 22 October 2014
Walk Organisers:- Sue and Peter Creeden 01455 557888
Meeting Point and Time:- Lutterworth Recreation Ground car park at 9.15am to leave at 9.20am.
Start Point: Tollemache Alms, Harrington NN6 9NU. Setting off at 10:00am
Directions to the Start:-. There are various options but we have found the M1 A14 option the fastest if the Catthorpe interchange is working otherwise go out through South Kilworth skirmishing Welford to Junction 1 of the A14. Come off the A14 at Junction 2 and turn left on A508 towards Kelmarsh. After approximately 0.5 miles turn right to Harrington. After about 2.25 miles you reach a T junction. Turn left to drive through Harrington. The Tollemache Alms is on the left.
Route and Distance:- A relatively easy walk to Arthingworth via Newbottle Bridge and back to Harrington. The terrain is undulating countryside over fields and along tracks and lanes. There are only 2 stiles. There was not any mud when we did the walk but there were a couple of stretches that could get a bit sticky if there is a lot of rain. The distance is 5.75 miles.
Lunch arrangements:- Lunch orders can be placed before we depart for the walk.
U3A 1st and 4th Wednesday Walking Groups Christmas Walk Lunch
Date: Wednesday 3rd December 2014
Venue: The Coach and Horses, Lubenham
Time: 1:00pm (after the morning walk of no more than 6 miles)
Cost: £11.00
Menu
Main Course
·Farm reared roast turkey with full accompaniments
·Roast topside of beef and Yorkshire pudding
·Goats cheese parcels with cranberry sauce encased in a filo pastry (Vegetarian)
All to be served with a selection of seasonal vegetables and potatoes
Sweet
·Christmas pudding with brandy sauce
·Chocolate orange cheesecake
·Christmas bread & butter pudding
Coffee or tea
·With mince pie
If you would like to join the festive lunch please can you speak to Sue and Peter Creeden advising your meal choices and submitting your payment (cash preferred) by no later than 14 November 2014. If you have any queries then please talk to them, Roger Watmore or Julian Hargreaves on one of the walks or contact them on 01455 557888 or email sueandpeter.creeden@talktalk.net.
JOINT WYCLIFFE LUTTERWORTH
And LUTTERWORTH U3A GROUPS
TUESDAY WALKING GROUPCo-ordinator:
Gordon Jones (Lutterworth U3A)
01455 556192
NOTE THE START TIME
Date of Walk: Tuesday 21st October Walk Organizers: Fred and Dorothy Milsom. Tel. 01455 552430 Meeting Point: Coventry Road Recreation Ground car park Meeting Time: 09.10, leave at 9.15.
Start Point: The Old White Swan Inn, Newbold Verdon
Route and distance: About six and a half miles of field paths and tracks and a short length of road.
Lunch: At the Old White Swan. Directions to the Starting Point: From Lutterworth take the A426 to Whetstone/Blaby. At the island with the B582 turn left for Enderby.
Follow the B582 through Enderby and Desford to Newbold Verdon. Turn left into Main Street and follow the road to the White Swan on the left. Parking is on the road.
