March 2016 Newsletter - South Leicestershire U3A

SLU3A NEWS
Newsletter of the South Leicestershire U3A
Website: http://www.slu3a.org.uk/
Registered Charity Number
1122153
Issue No. 188
March 2016
THE MAY AGM: NEW CONSTITUTION, NEW COMMITTTEE
Constitutions can be tricky things: apparently boring, thought unimportant, at least until something
happens which affects our interest. Constitutions
(written and unwritten) are what lay down the
rules of the game—the way we do our business;
run our country, and even establish a local football
team or charity.
All charities are subject to charity law, overseen by
the Charity Commissioners, and SLU3A is no exception. This is why May’s AGM is important, as
chair Don Collins highlights elsewhere on this
page. Putting it bluntly, if SLU3A is to continue to
exist and flourish it must amend its constitution to
bring it in line with other U3As and the national
body, and ensure it meets the law as interpreted
by the Charity Commission. Your committee has
been working on bringing our existing constitution
into line with the new requirements for almost
two years and now seeks members’ approval for
the changed constitution at May’s AGM. On page
2 of this issue, secretary Eddie Dixon sets out
some of the changes and the reasons for them,
and the process through which we have gone.
Your committee is doing everything it can to make
sure that you are all fully informed about the
“whys and wherefores” of our future and what it
means. To this end you will shortly be receiving a
copy of the new Constitution, the Officers’ reports
and Nomination Forms for the Committee. Please
give these the attention that they deserve and
play your part in making sure that our Association
continues to have a long, happy and successful
life.
The Editor
TODAY’S MEETING
MONDAY MARCH 14TH
ANN BIRD—ROSES
SOUTH LEICESTERSHIRE U3A:A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN
Dear friends and members of MHSLU3A.
AGMs can be very boring and time wasting: few of
us really want to attend one. However, as Chairman I
am writing to you all to “twist your arms” to encourage you to come to our AGM in May. I have very
good reasons for doing this and I hope that you will
read on and give me the opportunity to explain why.
2016 is a very important year in the life of our association. The Third Age Trust and the Charity Commission require all U3As to have a Constitution that is
standard across all the groups and meet criteria laid
down by these two bodies. We have to conform to
these requirements, and you (the members) must
approve the new constitution so that we can operate under the new procedures. Without this approval, we would no longer be able to operate as part of
the national U3A. That cannot be acceptable to you.
Part of this new Constitution also lays down the
rules for formation of your committee. After this
year it and its officers will have to be voted into
office each year. Its increased size (15 as against 10)
means that there will be a requirement for more
members to be put forward or to put themselves
forward for election as committee members. And if
we are unable to form a committee then the association will not be able to continue. The future of
SLU3A lies in the hands of its members! For it to continue people have to be prepared to participate in
the organisation and running of the association. S0
please make sure that it does continue!
NEXT MONTH’S MEETING
MONDAY APRIL 11TH
DAVID GREENHALGH –
OPERATION RUBY TALE
EXPLAINING THE NEW CONSTITUION
Our New Constitution (Subject to the consent of the Charity Commission )
The existing constitution, which was approved by the membership in May 2002, defines why our organisation
exists and how it is managed. A constitution states the organisation’s aims, the rules on how it should be run
and eligibility for membership. The main reasons to amend our constitution are that over the years Charity
Commission rules on charitable benefit have significantly tightened. As a result the Third Age Trust (TAT) advised all U3As to re-examine their constitution against a ‘best practice’ model. Its Model Constitution was
written with the full involvement at every stage with the TAT charity lawyer, the Charity Commission for England and Wales and was agreed by them.
Your committee decided to revise the Constitution to meet these new criteria. There are amendments to most
clauses, but the major change is to the objects clause (now purposes) which details our charitable purpose of
being to advance education and to clearly define who is able to join SLU3A. This change does not affect the
way that SLU3A operates: learning is involved in everything we do.
All of the other clauses in the current constitution have been revised and extended to give greater detail and
accountability including the composition of the committee. There is provision to increase the size of the committee from a minimum of five to seven, with the maximum number of ten increasing to fifteen. With a membership now in excess of one thousand, this gives the opportunity to give better representation and will also
allow for any future growth.
A number of new clauses have been added. They allow for the appointment of an honorary president, defects
in appointments, the number of the executive committee and their election, election rules and term limits for
office holders and executive committee members, the organisation of meetings and proceedings of the executive committee, and rules concerning notices, communications and procedures at general meetings.
Our current constitution allows the membership to approve changes apart from three clauses i.e. objects and
powers, alteration to the constitution and dissolution. Therefore, the new constitution if approved at the AGM
is Subject to the consent of the Charity Commission even though they were fully involved in the TAT model
constitution.
The committee would urge all members to study the proposed constitution when it will be circulated with the
agenda and other documents for the AGM.
Eddie Dixon, SLU3A Secretary.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Will it be coffee or tea for you?
For indeed, we all love our
brew.
But if you don't lend a hand
we can't continue as planned,
so offer your help – please do!
Please contact Enid Sanders today
(details in the newsletter page 12),
or any other committee member.
SLU3A News 2
News from our Interest Groups
If you’re a creative sort of person seeking inspiration, why not try the ‘taster menu’ offered by our newest
group So You’d Like to Be Creative and have a go at a different creative activity (or two) each month. Full details
on pages 8 and 10 of this newsletter. Our Architecture group (amateur enthusiasts rather than professional
architects!) goes from strength to strength – and a move to a bigger room later this month allows it to continue
to welcome new members. Contacts: Geoff Woods 01858 468989 geoffwoodsslu3a@gmail.com or Alan Tuck
01858 440034, e mail alantuck.slu3a@gmail.com. We ask all Group Organisers to discuss with the Group Coordinators, Geoff Woods and Alan Tuck, at an early stage any plans or ideas for new groups, expansion or dissolution of existing groups, change of organisers, matters affecting meeting days, times and venues.
Group meeting venues.
To help avoid confusion, meeting venues for interest groups are shown beside the group contact name/s below.
Codes: CC = Congregational Church;
StN =St Nicholas Church, Little Bowden;
O= Other. (Please see the details given in group entry, or contact the organiser for these venues.)
Architecture
4th Tuesday pm
We meet on the fourth Tuesday of each month at
2.00pm in the Congregational Church Lounge. Please
note the change in venue. To date we have 25 members. Because we have a larger room the annual sub
will now be £10. We meet every month except in December. In February, Michael took us along part of the
Silk Road in Uzbekistan. Once part of the Persian Empire, Uzbekistan was conquered by Alexander the
Great in the 4th century BC; occupied by the Mongols
under Genghis Khan in the 13th, became part of Tamerlane the Great’s empire in the 16 th, and was conquered by the Russians in the 19th century. Quite a
history! Michael’s journey took us to Samarkand and
Tashkent among many places and we looked at
mosques, minarets, madrassas and walled palaces,
many beautifully decorated with great areas of coloured ceramic tiles. Quite a journey! Thanks Michael.
The next meeting is on Tuesday 22 March when Trish
will give a talk on textile mills. New members are always very welcome.
CC
Peter Ellement 01858 432966
Art History
1st Mon. am
We meet in the Bowden Room at 10.00. The topic for
March 7th is the DVD Michelangelo by Neil Macgregor.
CC
Linda Carruthers 01858 410019
Belleplates(handbells)
Weds. pm
We meet each Wednesday at 2pm at St Nicholas
church, Little Bowden, M.H.
ST N
Pam Duffin 01858 414975
3rd Mon. am
Bird Watching (Monday)
We are a local (within one hour of Market Harborough) bird watching group who help each other
improve our identification skills. Beginners are very
welcome to join. The light was perfect for bird
watching on last month’s visit to Brandon Marsh,
where several grandparents used the half-term holiday to introduce their grandchildren to birding. On
the day after Valentine’s Day many birds had already
paired for the breeding season though we did encounter three female Bullfinches on a girls’ day out .
We added 21 species (including Oystercatcher,
Snipe, Nuthatch and Jay), making our 2016 total so
far 61. This month’s visit will be on 21st March, venue
to be decided nearer the time based on weather
forecast and reported sightings. For further information, please call me.
O
John Cameron 01858 434155
Bird Watching (Thursday)
3rd Thurs. am
Despite last month’s notice, the Badminton Group
continues to meet on Wednesday evenings from 6.00
-7.00pm at the Meadowdale School sports hall of Ashley way Rockingham Road. All new members are welcome. Please telephone me for details for more information. Look forward to seeing you all.
A new spot for several members last month, but well
within our normal one hour drive limit, was Draycote
Water, just the other side of Rugby. A glorious if cold
day resulted in our first chiffchaff and skylark of the
year. Other notables were meadow pipit, grey wagtail, great spotted and green woodpeckers. The less
said about the teeming, noisy café the better - half
term, need I say more! The sausage and/or bacon
baps though were worth the wait, and I'm sure that
giant children's playground wasn't there before!
O
O
Badminton
Wed. evening
Linda Wenlock 01858 680146
SLU3A News 3
Bruce White 01858 467976
News from our Interest Groups
Board Games
Tuesdays pm
We meet weekly at my house in Great Bowden on
Tuesdays from 2- 4 pm, and ‘part –timers’ are also
welcome!
O
Barbara Cudmore 01858 433763
Carpet Bowls
1st Wed. pm
The Short Mat Bowls Group meets on the first
Wednesday of each month in the Congregational
Hall at 2.30pm - 4.30pm. If you would like to know
more about the Group please contact
CC
Book Club
3rd Fri. am
We meet as usual on the 3rd Friday of the month in
the Bowden Room to discuss a book which has
been provided for free by the Library Service. For
further information contact:
CC
Bridge: Mondays
Cherry Taylor 01858 466308
Anne Cook 01858 555384
Mondays pm
We meet every Monday (except Bank Holidays),
from 1.50 pm to 4.30 pm, all year round, in the Village Hall, Great Bowden, playing Duplicate bridge.
We play in a friendly atmosphere, with a break for
tea and biscuits! If you would like to join this group,
please contact either
O
Chris Graves 01162791505,
e.mail: chris@cjgraves.plus.com,
or Don Oakley 01162796781.
Bridge: Tuesdays
Tuesdays am
We meet at the Evangelical Church in Bath Street,
Market Harborough at 10.00 and play progressive
rubber bridge for two hours except on the first
Tuesday of each month when we hold a ‘Gentle
Duplicate’ (pairs) competition. Last month’s winners were N/S Ann Wood & Mary Hill, E/W Liz
Webb & Betty Hudspith. New members are welcome as long as they have a basic knowledge of the
game and can explain their bidding to opponents if
asked. If you would like to join the group, please
call me on the number below.
CC
John Cameron 01858 434155
Bridge
Tuesdays pm
The improvers continues to flourish, though new
members welcome too. We are a friendly group,
and usually play rubber bridge, 2-4pm in the Langton room - just ring one of the numbers below for
more information. There is also a beginners group
running at the same time and if you are interested
please ring Malcolm 01858 466598
CC
Sue Allibone 01858 410385
Anne Mitchell 01858 462393
Jane Wilkins 01858 461801
Card Craft No.1
1st & 3rd Thurs. p.m
We meet 1st and 3rd Thursdays each month at St
Nicholas Upper room. Please let Sheila know if you
are unable For further details please contact
StN
Liz Austin 0116 2478398
Sheila Taylor 01858 464545
Card Craft No.2
1st& 3rdThurs am
In February we were very industrious. During our
first session we made a Japanese lady bookmark card
which was quite fiddly to make but well worth the
effort judging by the finished products and members
reactions. The second session saw us making a card
with a very attractive folded front which could be
used to contain theatre tickets, money, gift vouchers,
etc or as in this case a packet of seeds! In March we
started one of our very popular 'sharing ideas and
catch up ' sessions. Hopefully on March 17th we will
produce two cards suitable for Easter. As always this
will take place in St. Nicholas Church Upper Room on
1st and 3rd Thursday mornings.
StN
Vivian Hammond 01858434272 or
Carolyn Youdan 01858 440620
Civilisations of the Past
4th Thurs pm
In February, John completed “Early Materials used
in Ancient Times,” with a presentation on “Amber”,
and its present-day centre, the Kaliningrad oblast.
Unfortunately our March meeting has had to be
cancelled. We meet at St Nicholas Church, Little
Bowden. For more information on our small, friendly
group, please contact
StN
Ernie Parsons: 01536 76014
mustelid@aol.com,
Creative Writing for Fun
last Friday pm
Usually we meet on the last Friday of the month, 24pm at St. Nicholas Church, Little Bowden. Each
month we read out our 500-600 word pieces and
agree on a title for the following month. There are
varying degrees of skill within the group, from beginners to the very experienced, and new members are
always welcome.
StN
SLU3A News 4
Keith Warren 01858 464362
Jenny Porthouse 01858 434041
News from our Interest Groups
Cycling
see below
At the time of writing we have yet to do the March
ride. The April ride is on Friday April 1st and is being
led by Bruce (01858 467976/07919035486) and
Maryan(01858 462573/07812451010). Please meet
at The Shoulder of Mutton in Great Bowden no later than 10.45 am. to give us time to order lunch
before we set off.
O
Graham Swallow 01858 462368
Discovering Poetry (Fri.)
1st Fri. am
Having considered all things green in March, we will
be turning our attention to poems about transport
at the beginning of April. We meet in the Bowden
Room at 10 am on the first Friday of the
month. New members will be made very welcome.
CC
Jill Hart 01858 469663
Discovering Poetry (Tues.)
2nd Tues. pm
The chosen subject for Tuesday 8th March was Holidays. We meet in the Bowden Room. Do come and
join us – we welcome newcomers.
CC
Phyllis Lord: 01858 431744
Drawing/Painting for Pleasure1st/3rd Thurs
pm
We continue with our own projects and some people are trying out different textures and patterns
with new mediums. As usual we meet 1st and 3rd
Thursdays of each month 2-4pm in the Langton
room. New members welcome. Just ring one of
the numbers below.
CC
Leader: Derek Brittan 01858 410432
Reporter: Anne Mitchell 01858 462393
Exercise and Keep Fit 1
Mon am
The group is currently full, but please contact me if
you would like to go on a waiting list. Remaining
dates for March are the 15th and 22nd. No meeting
on Easter Monday. We meet between 9:3010:30am in the Methodist Church Youth Wing,
Northampton Road.
O
Anne Goldsmith 01536 770122
Exercise and Keep Fit 2
Thurs pm
We are very happy to welcome new members. We
meet between 4 and 5pm in the Youth Wing of the
Methodist Church on Northampton Road. Remaining March dates are 17th, 24th and 31st. We recommend comfortable clothing and trainers. Please
contact me for further details.
O
Anne Goldsmith 01536 770122
Family History
3rd Thursday am
We meet at The Evangelical Church, Bath St. M.H at
10am. Our next meeting is on March 17th.
New enquiries
Judi Derry 01536 760162
O
Other enquiries to Shaun Coles 01858 289543
French Beginners
Mondays am
We are now no longer complete beginners. If anyone
is interested in joining, they would need to have some
background knowledge of French.
O
Judy Starr 01858 445937
French conversation
Thurs pm
'French Conversation' aims to cater for more fluent
speakers to a maximum of 8, the most I can squeeze
into my dining room where we now meet each Thursday afternoon.
O
Jess Penny 01858 432392
French Refreshers
Mon am
Our group meets at 11 am on Monday mornings in
the Bowden Room. We use interesting ways of improving our ability to understand and to speak French.
Our group is currently full, we will operate a waiting
list in case a vacancy arises. For further details please
contact me.
CC
Rosemary Holden
01536 418472/
07799627145
Gardening
see below
In the shed until the Spring. For further information
please contact
O
Margaret Adams 01858 575706
German Conversation
and German Improvers
Fridays pm
Tues pm
Had a cold recently? With 200 viruses causing the
common cold it would hardly be surprising. But for
early remedies we have to thank a German Egyptologist-Georg Ebers, who in 1874 discovered the Ebers
Papyrus, a 65 ft long document that provides incantations and cures for various ailments. To cure a cold
one must mix aromatic resin with the milk of a woman who has borne a son, place this on the nose for 4
days while repeating a spell! A healthy group, we have
not yet had to resort to this kind of spelling so far!
CC
Sylvia Mountford tel 01858 465561
Please note. The German Improvers group meets every Tuesday afternoon. For further information, including time and locations, please contact Barbara Evans
on 01858 463045.
SLU3A News 5
News from our Interest Groups
Lunch Club Langton-Wed.
last Wed.
This lunch club meets at the Langton Inn on the last
Wednesday of each month. Our next lunch will be on
March 30th. Members are asked to meet at 11.30 a.m.
All orders for food must be placed by 11.45 a.m. Members are asked to phone me by the Tuesday of that
week if they will not be at the lunch. If anyone else is
interested in joining us please phone me.
Golf (Men’s)
see below
Pauline Cameron 01858 434155
We play regularly at South Kilworth Golf Centre on O
Mondays and Thursdays meeting at approx. 9.45am for
3rd Thurs.
a coffee before drawing for partners for 1st tee at 10.28 Lunch Club Langton-Thurs.
am. Members play both 18 and 9 holes at varying
standards. For further information please contact me or This lunch club meets at the Langton Inn on the third
Thursday of each month. March’s meeting is on the
any other member.
18th. Members are asked to meet at 11.30 a.m. All orO
Mike Roberts 01604 505720
ders for food must be placed by 11.45 a.m. Members
are asked to phone me by the Tuesday of that week if
Italian: Improvers
Mons. pm
The group meets at 2.00p.m. in the Bowden Room at they will not be at the lunch. If anyone else is interested
the Congregational Church. Anyone interested in join- in joining us please phone me.
O
Pauline Cameron 01858 434155
ing us please contact
Golf (Ladies: Improvers )
Mons am
We meet on Mondays at 10 am at Blackthorn Golf Club
near Cottingham. New members welcome. The course
is a 9 hole course with plenty of challenges. For further
information please contact
O
Angela Wade 01858 462293 or 07773 229041
CC
Judith Cook 01858 433861
Italian: Beyond Beginners
Thurs. pm
We meet on Thursdays from 2.30 to 4.00pm. For any
info about this group please contact
CC
Linda Carruthers 01858 410019
Latin
1st & 3rd Fri. am
We meet at St Nicholas church, Little Bowden, M.H. at
10am. The next dates are 18th March and 1st and 15th
April.
StN
Brenda Lord 07748843328
Fridays please check
Salvete!
We meet at 10.00 a.m. in the Upper Room, St. Nicholas
Church in Little Bowden. For more details please contact:
StN
Jackie Hands 01536 711478
e-mail jackiehands@aol.com
Listening to Jazz
last Tuesday
March’s meeting will be chez Rob (01858 466737) when
sounds not yet heard will be featured. Though the
group is currently full, If you are interested please contact me and I will put you on the waiting list:
O
Mike Goldsmith 01536 770122
Local History
Mah Jong
3rd Tues
Tuesday 16th February saw 38 members attend our
meeting where we were treated to three films and a
quiz given by the Movie Makers of Harborough. It was
a thoroughly enjoyable and informative experience. We
are all now looking forward to our March 15th meeting
when we will be given a talk by Mary Matts about the
history of canal boats and the artefacts used in daily
life. For further information please contact:
CC
Jan Tilley 01858 461186
Music Appreciation (Tues.)
3rd Tues. am
We meet on the third Tuesday of each month at 5 Holdenby Close, MH. at 10am. Our next meeting is on Tuesday 15 March when Peter will present the music. We
have vacancies for two new members. Anyone who is
interested please contact me.
O
Peter Ellement 01858 432966
Music Appreciation (Fri.)
last Friday am
At our February Meeting we listened to music from
English Composers. We started with William Walton's
Johannesburg Festival Overture, followed by a work new
to most members, 'Sinfonietta' by Edward J Moeran
(1894-1930). Our mystery piece was a little known Piano
Concerto by Delius. We returned to more familiar
ground with pieces by George Butterworth and John
Ireland, ending with Hubert Parry's 'Elegy for Brahms'.
written on hearing of the death of Brahms in 1897.
THERE WILL BE NO MEETING IN MARCH BECAUSE OF
EASTER HOLIDAYS. Our next Monthly Meeting will be
on April 29th as usual at 19 Westfield Close.
O
Geoff Moth 01858 432275
e-mail: themoths85@gmail.com
SLU3A News 6
News from our Interest Groups
Needlecraft
1st & 3rd Mondays pm
We meet on the first and third Mondays of the month at
2.00pm in the Langton Room. The group does a range
of needlecraft, including knitting and stitchcraft. We are
a very friendly group and help one another, sharing skills
where possible. We occasionally meet to go out for
lunch as a group.
CC
Midge Hasnip 01858 445625
Sheila Southwell 01858 565879
Paper Crafting and More
1st & 3rd Frid am
The small friendly group will meet on 18th March and
April 1st in Foxton village hall. If you are interested in
joining us please contact me.
O
Jan Collins 01858 462409
Patchwork and Quilting 1
2nd & 4th Thurs pm
Quilty Pleasures
Quilty Pleasures is a thriving and enthusiastic group
meeting in Foxton village hall. We help people new to
patchwork, quilting and appliqué gain a basic knowledge
of these lovely crafts, but more experienced stitcher will
find a place too! We’ve welcomed some new members
and hope they get as much enjoyment from Quilty
Pleasures in the future as the rest have in the past.
We're back in the groove now and looking forward to all
the exciting things this year has to offer: we had Chris's
incredibly popular free-motion quilting sessions in January and we'll have more later in the year; last month
was February Foundations when we revisited foundation piecing and this month we will start our group project. Want to have a go at patchwork and quilting?
Don't know where, or how, to start? Then come and
join us at Quilty Pleasures, all are welcome! We have a
progressive, informative and enjoyable programme
planned for 2016 so come along to any Quilty Pleasures
meeting to get a taste of these beautiful crafts, or you
can always contact me by telephone or email for more
information on our lovely group
O
Lesley Sinclair 0116 2152104
quiltingslu3a@gmail.com
Patchwork and Quilting 2
1st and 3rd Thurs
Quilter’s Corner
We are a group of very friendly ladies who meet at East
Farndon Village Hall at 2 p.m. on the 1st and 3rd Thurs-
day of each month. The group is a mixture of all
different levels of Patchwork knowledge from beginners to the more experienced. Some prefer to sew by
hand while others like to use a machine - either is fine. Please feel welcome to call in to one of our
meetings and see if you would like to join us. The
group is almost full, and we can only take one more at
present. Contact me for details:
O
Jan Clarke 01858 464634
Sue Willis 01536760817
Photography Digital
3rd Friday pm
For the February meeting four members gave a short
talk on subjects of their choice aided by photographs.
An Av was also shown. Thanks to the contributors.
Ten out of the fifteen members attended. In March
the subject is “Motion and or Night-time” (or both).
Members are asked to present 8-10 photographs on
either or both topics. We were pleased to welcome a
new member in February, all will be made very welcome. The group is striving to provide a varied programme to appeal to photographers old and new experienced or not.
St N
Chris Mosley 01536 771258
Play Reading (Modern)
3rd Tuesday pm
Last month we began reading ‘Pygmalion’ by George
Bernard Shaw, first performed in public in 1913. Professor of phonetics, Henry Higgins, bets that he can
train a cockney flower girl, Eliza Doolittle, to pass as a
duchess at an ambassador’s cocktail party by teaching
her to speak properly. The play is a lampoon on the
rigid British class system of the day and later became
a successful musical re-titled ‘My Fair Lady’. We will
continue with this play at our next meeting on Tuesday 15th March at 2pm in the Bowden room. Additional members are very welcome and if you would like to
join us please call me on the number below.
CC
David Ginns 01536 505773
Play Reading (Shakespeare)
2nd Wed. pm
We will be watching a DVD of Romeo and Juliet at our
next meeting in the Bowden Room If you are interested in Shakespeare’s plays, why not come and join us:
- newcomers are very welcome!
CC
Phyllis Lord: 01858 431744
NEXT COPY DEADLINE: MONDAY 28TH MARCH 2016.
Please send copy to:
Mike Goldsmith, e-mail: mikgold_22@btinternet.com.Tel.01536 770122
SLU3A News 7
Railway Exploration
News from our Interest Groups
see below
The last session continued our study into station name
toponomy. Our next meeting on Wednesday 16th
March will look at some facets of the railway as seen
through cigarette cards in addition to any other material brought by members. We meet on the third
Wednesday of every month (except December) at the
Kettering Road Bowling Club. New members are very
welcome and further information is available from the
Group Leader.
O
Phil Danks 01858 463922
Relaxation for Life
see below
The dates for March are the 8th and the 22nd. We
meet on the 2nd and the 4th Tuesdays of the month.
New members are always welcome, if interested contact me.
O
60’s Music
Susanne Trevorrow 01858 431759
Sunday see below
The next meeting is on March 20th at the Oathill Pub
commencing at 7.00 pm. All welcome. See you all there.
O
Alec Hodgson 01858 288923
Singles Sunday Lunch Groups
Sunday 7 February saw Group 2 of the Singles Sunday
Lunch Groups meet for the first time in 2016. Ten of
us met at The Crown pub in Tur Langton for what
proved to be a very lively and sometimes loud
lunchtime. It was so enjoyable to catch up with everyone's news whilst drinking and eating a good lunch.
This Group meets every 1st Sunday in the month.
Meeting every third Sunday in the month, the third
Singles Sunday Group met on Sunday 21 February at
the Waterfront restaurant in Market Harborough. Ten
of us enjoyed lively conversation over a delicious
lunch. As the weather had stayed remarkably fine,
some of the Group finished the meeting with a walk
along the canal bank, taking advantage of the sunshine. Group 1 meets on the 4th Sunday. For further
information on these groups please contact
O
Jan Tilley on 01858 461186 / 07792915559
SLU3A Singers
2nd & 4th Tues. am
We continue to enjoy the programme of songs we
started after Christmas. We meet on the 2nd and 4th
Tuesdays of the month from 10.30 am -12 noon. New
members are always made very welcome.
CC
Joy Swallow 01858 462368
Society Today—Have your Say
Science and Technology Group
4th Wed. pm
Our next meeting will take place on Wednesday 23rd of
March in the Langton Room at 2:00pm. Hilary Hearnshaw will be presenting a talk entitled “Patient’s adherence to treatment”. New members are always welcome. Until Hilary’s talk I will just continue taking the
tablets.
CC
Scrabble For Fun
Michael Milsom 01858 419874
m_milsom@hotmail.com
2nd & 4th Weds. Am
Our meetings this month are on Wednesdays 10th and
24th February at 10.00am in St. Nicholas Church, Little
Bowden. New members are always welcome.
St N
Betty Hudspith 01858 410409
Singing for Fun
2nd and 4th Fri. pm
Do you like singing for its own sake? Come along and
enjoy all kinds of song. We are not a choir, we just like
singing together, having fun the while---with musical
accompaniment too. We meet in the Coffee Room of
the Methodist Church from 2 to 4pm. For more details
phone
O
Robert Cook 01858 469337
2nd Thurs. pm
The March meeting at 2.00pm on Thursday March 10th
has two visiting speakers who will discuss supermarkets’ trading practices and their dealings with UK agriculture and other suppliers. New members welcome.
StN
Tom Gilmore Tel: 01604 743676
So You'd Like to be Creative
2nd Wed am
February was a creative session folding leather and
paper making a range of animals and other objects. March is likely to be another "craft" session,
probably involving wood, but you will have to come
along to find out what! Start time will be 11.15am.
CHANGE OF VENUE. We have a change of venue for
future meetings. This will be at Richard's house off
Kettering Road. For further information please ring
Richard at the number shown.
O
Spanish
Richard Boyes 01858 432223
Wed. am
A small intermediate group meets each Wednesday
morning to improve our understanding and conversational skills. Newcomers welcome.
O
SLU3A News 8
Jess Penny 01858 432392
News from our Interest Groups
Spanish for Beginners
Thurs am/pm
Thursday morning’s group now is for people wanting
to improve their language, whilst Thursday afternoons
are available for Beginners. Anybody interested in either of these groups will be welcome.
O
Don Collins 01858 462409 or
07808611369
Strollers
see below
be presenting a talk entitled “7+1 Wonders of the
Waterways'”. New members are always welcome.
O
Michael Milsom 01858 419874
m_milsom@hotmail.co
Ukelele Group
Alternate Tues
Our walk in April is on Friday 8th and starts from Launde Abbey LE7 9XB – travel via Hallaton, East Norton
and Loddington. Meet in car park at 10.15am and order lunch/snack. If the car park is full, park on roadside grass. It’s a 3 mile walk including (quiet) road,
bridlepath, nature reserve. Please telephone Kath or
John Capps on 01858 440069 by Tuesday 5th April.
We’ve recently played some great songs, including pop, folk, country and rock ‘n’ roll. The Ukulele Players next meetings are on 29th March and
12th and 26th April. We have beginners as well as
more experienced players. If you might be interested in joining us, then why not give it a go –
you’ll enjoy it, and quite possibly amaze yourself !
Just call me.
O
David Evans 01858 463045
O
Walking – All day
Colin and Julia Ford 01858 463129
Table Tennis (Mon.)
Mon. am
We meet each Monday at the Harborough Leisure
Centre from 11.15am—1.15pm.
O
Table Tennis (Thurs.)
Judith Burdon 01858 467531
Thurs. midday
This group is at full capacity. Anyone interested in
joining please ring or e mail me and I will have a reserve list should someone leave us.
O
Jenny Acaster 01858446862
email: jen.acaster@live.co.uk
Tai Chi & Chinese Wand Exercises
Thurs pm
We meet on Thursdays from 1:30 to 3:30 at the Methodist Church. Dates for March they are the 17th, 24th
and 31st. For more information call.
O
Clarice Hosein-Crick 01858 462307
Tennis
Thurs. am
We meet every Thursday morning at 10.00 a.m. at the
Market Harborough Tennis Courts in Great Bowden
for friendly mixed doubles.
O
Transport Group
Rita Moth 01858 432275
1st Wed. am
We meet at the Little Bowden Bowling Club, Kettering
Rd, Market Harborough, on the first Wednesday of
the month from 10am until noon. The next meeting
will take place on the 6th of April when Colin Ford will
last Thurs.
The next walk, which will be led by Alec and Carol
Hodgson, is on 31st March starting from Pytchley
(Turn off junction 9 on the A14 Kettering) at
10.00am. As you enter Pytchley take the 1st turning left (almost opposite the church) and park in
Stringers Hill. Please car share where possible, as
parking is limited. The walk is 8 miles with a pub
stop, after a picnic lunch, in Isham.
O
Eddie & Edith Dixon 01858 468758
Walking—Half-Day
2nd Wed
The March walk will already have taken place prior to the publication of the Newsletter. Currently
this group is full -please consider joining one of
the other walking groups.
O
Tony or Enid Sanders 01858 432237
Walking—Half-Day
1stTues
New members are most welcome. For more details please contact
O
Diana Baxter 0116 2792947
Email kibhardi@hotmail.com
Walking—Half Day
Third Thurs
Our next walk is on Thursday 17 March. It will be
along parts of the Brampton Valley Way to
Lamport and Hanging Houghton. It will start at
10.00am, cover 5.5 miles over mainly hard surfaces, and finish at about 12.30pm. The meeting
point is Draughton Crossing, east of Maidwell. Travelling from MH head south on the A508
to Maidwell village. Then turn left towards
SLU3A News 9
News from our Interest Groups
Draughton and after about a half mile park at
Draughton Crossing. New members welcome.
O
Alastair & Christine Willis 01858 419262
e-mail: williswalks@hotmail.com
Wine Tasting
3rd Thurs
At our February meeting we tried out our new ranking system on a selection of delicious sherries chosen by Mick. These ranged from a bone dry Manzanilla to a rare 30 year Pedro Ximinez, which was so
dark that it looked like treacle and poured like a
thin syrup: it stained the glasses yellow! This wine
was given maximum score by most of us, and considered a wine fit for a royal banquet. Unfortunately it cost £19 for a 50cl bottle. Our next meeting is
on 11th March when Pat will continue our tour of
the Mediterranean with a selection of wines from
the south west of France. The group is at full
strength.
O
Michael Switzer 01858 555268
The Society Today group recently held debates on two important subjects—devolution and
EU membership. On devolution we surveyed some
existing regional changes in a few European countries only to find that we could summon little enthusiasm for a similar status here: how, being a
relatively small state, could we justify the change;
who really wants a change and how those in favour
of it could claim to need it. Would it be economically and socially worthwhile? The most we could
suggest was the preservation of cultural identity in
some regions. Would we trust regional authorities?
We remember the creation of Police Commissioners, thought a waste of money. What should never
become a regional matter: the law, agriculture,
flood risks, Health or Policing. Was it true that regional centres were really being proposed for reasons of self-aggrandisement? Finance would, of
course, be crucial. Overall we dismissed the idea.
On EU membership we reviewed all the benefits of
membership, from subsidies to good standards of
Union –wide regulation and the advantages of ex-
MY ANNUAL PLEA…
Help! Help! Help! Subs are due
before May 1st. Please help me
out by paying early—and I
don’t mind if you pay often!
David (I keep the books) Kyle.
SLU3A News Page 10
ports towards Europe. Yet our reservations were
manifold: what real expectations of further benefits
could the British expect? Mere tinkering! There
seems little Union support for our case. Worst of all,
with no thought or advice given about the other
fundamental move, i.e. to quit the EU, we were all
very concerned. We needed guidance, but none has
been offered to the UK. We risk a long period of isolation until new patterns could perhaps be created.
We also had little confidence anyway in our partners! But less than half of us wanted 'Out'.
Tom Gilmore
Editor’s Note:
I suspect that tom’s group may not be the only people in search of guidance! With the EU referendum
now announced for June, I can only repeat what I
said in my January talk: please make sure you have
as much information about what such a decision
means before casting your vote, whether you are for
staying in or for coming out!
The Editor
So You’d Like to be Creative:
Our group has now been meeting for four months
and we have already covered a wide range of creative activities. We started with “Words” and during
our initial two hour session came up with several
memorable company names including Scaffolders –
“Higher & Hire”; Fishmonger – “Sole Trader.” Month
two had a guest from Harborough Theatre who, with
the aid of models and plans, demonstrated how a
stage set was designed, from the description in the
playwright’s script through the director’s interpretation and into a practical design for the set builders to
follow. Not always an easy thing to achieve! We
then had a painting and drawing session in month
three before creating objects from leather and paper in the latest meeting. Despite the diversity of
activities the group remains small resulting in a
change of venue from March 2016. The new venue
will be at the organiser’s house off Kettering Road.
If you are interested in coming along, ring me on
01858 432223. Future topics will include card craft,
digital photography and devising puzzles. Group
members are encouraged to suggest any other creative pursuits that we can try out.
Richard Boyes
___________________________________________
NEXT MONTH – SPACE PERMITTINGFIND OUT ABOUT BEING A SEENAGER,
COURTESY OF GEOFF MOTH
THEATRE VISITS, TRIP
LINCOLN
THURSDAY 14 APRIL 2016
Lincoln was built as a legionary fortress by the Romans and substantial
structures can still be seen today. There are many ancient and medieval
buildings in High Street & Steep Hill. Lincoln Cathedral is a fine example of
English Gothic architecture, once the tallest in the world. Lincoln Castle, an
11th Century Norman Castle is home to one of only four surviving Magna
Carta and has a medieval Wall walk & Victorian Prison. There is a walking
tour of the historical parts of Lincoln.
A combined ticket for both the Cathedral & Castle costs £13.
Cost of coach and walking tour is £16.
The coach will leave Market Harborough Bus Station at 8.30am
To book contact Maryan Richardson Tel. 01858 462573
COUNTRYFILE LIVE—Blenheim Palace Thurs 4th August
Hosted in the grounds of Blenheim Palace, BBC Countryfile Live will show the very
best of the countryside. Live arena shows, talks, hands on activities, animal displays
and shopping with over 600 stalls and craft producers. Adam Henson is bringing his
farm to Blenheim, so you can see some of his rare breeds, farm livestock, and animal
celebrities, together with other members of the TV show.
Cost £34. Coach leaves Market Harborough Bus Station at 08.00am and
from Blenheim at 4.30.
To book please ring Sue Colledge 0116 2593209
THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE
Kilworth House Theatre Thurs 8th September 7.30
Its 1922 and small town girl Millie Dillmount has arrived in New York. Millie plans to find a job as
a secretary for an eligible bachelor and then marry him. Millie’s plan goes wrong. The film was a
winner of 6 Tony awards including best musical.
Cost £33.00 Make your own way. To book please ring Sue Colledge 0116 2593209
Last chance to book R.H.S. HAMPTON COURT PALACE FLOWER SHOW,
ON SUNDAY 10TH JULY 32016.
11 SPACES LEFT, booking closes on 6TH APRIL 2016
THE COST OF ENTRANCE AND COACH IS £34.75. THE COACH LEAVES MARKET HARBOROUGH BUS
STATION AT 8.00AM AND THE GARDENS AT 5.30PM.FOR BOOKINGS CONTACT VAL CUNNINGTON ON
0116 2402 368/07771 996567 OR EMAIL: vcunnington@btinternet.com
DISCLAIMER: SLU3A members should be aware that every effort is made to inform them of any possible difficulties which
may be encountered during group activities, trips or excursions and holidays organised on their behalf by members and
group organisers of the SLU3A. If members should require any help or assistance to enable them to enjoy the experience,
it is their own responsibility to ensure that such help and assistance is engaged. Such help or assistance, which may be provided by a non-member, should be arranged before firm bookings for the event are made with the Organiser. Members
are advised that we always use every possible effort to fill vacancies arising from members’ cancellations. However, whilst
we take every care, there is no guarantee of a refund—full or in part—in respect of monies handed over.
SLU3A NEWS 11
SLU3A DETAILS
How to join SLU3A. Joining the SLU3A could not be easier. Please contact our Treasurer, David Kyle at 3
Dunslade Close, Market Harborough, LE16 8AF, tel. 01858 463545 or e-mail marganddave@btinternet.com Alternatively you can download an application form from our website: www.slu3a.org.uk or just pop SLU3A into
your search engine followed by ‘enter’ and then follow the Home Page links. We require your full name, postal
address and phone number. Subscriptions for the current year, or any part thereof, ending May 2016 are £15
per member (cheques payable to SLU3A, please). We look forward to welcoming new and prospective members at our General Meetings which are held monthly, on the second Monday morning, in the Jubilee Hall,
Bowden Lane, Market Harborough. There is a visitor’s fee of £1. Members enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, meet
friends and Group Organisers, hear about our groups, and book holidays and coach trips etc. New members are
able to chat with our welcoming team and learn about the SLU3A and our Interest Groups.
Membership Data Base– important!
If you have changed your name, status, address, or telephone number in recent times and not conveyed
the details to the SLU3A, please get in touch with David Kyle as soon as possible. Similarly if you are about to
set sail for pastures new in a different county or country or galaxy, do please let David know, tel: 01858
463545. Thank you.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE NEWSLETTER!!!
The Newsletter is available from Simply Simon’s Delicatessen and Bistro Cafe at 23 Adam and Eve Street, Market Harborough, Market Harborough Library, the Reception Desk of the Congregational Church in Bowden Lane
and from Desborough Library. Contact Treasurer David Kyle if you have difficulty obtaining a copy!
Treasurer’s desire/demand/plea/hope/wish/command….
Subscriptions for the year 2016/2017
Subscriptions for 2016/2017, due to be paid by 1st May 2016, remain unchanged at £15 for
each member or £11.50 if you are fully paid up at another U3A. Your cheque (made payable to SLU3A) now or in the very, very near future will oblige. With well over 1000 members to cater for the subs renewal exercise is by no means a doddle. Please avoid the customary last minute
rush as this places enormous strain on the Treasury Team. Your help in minimising our pain and agony will be
most sincerely appreciated!!!!! Thank you in anticipation.
Margaret & David Kyle, 3 Dunslade Close, LE16 8AF 01858 463545
SLU3A COMMITTEE
Don Collins (Chairman)
Eddie Dixon (Secretary)
David Kyle (Treasurer )
Janet Fox
Mike Goldsmith
Maryan Richardson (Vice Chair)
Enid Sanders
Lesley Sinclair
Alan Tuck
Geoff Woods (Vice Chair)
01858 462409
01858 468758
01858 463545
01858 464639
01536 770122
01858 462573
01858 432237
0116 2152104
01858 440034
01858 468989
guirri35@yahoo.co.uk
eddiedixon2000@btinternet.com
dave@thekyles.co.uk
janet.fox07@gmail.com
mikgold_22@btinternet.com
maryanr52@hotmail.co.uk
tonyenid@googlemail.com
quiltingslu3a@gmail.com
alantuck.slu3a@gmail.com
geoffwoodsslu3a@gmail.com
NEXT COPY DEADLINE MONDAY 28TH MARCH 2016.
Please send reports, information, photos etc. asap to:
Mike Goldsmith, e-mail: mikgold_22@btinternet.com. Tel. 01536 770122
SLU3A News 12
Published by Mike Goldsmith for SLU3A, 21 Rushton Rd., Wilbarston, LE16 8QL. E-mail: mikgold_22@btinternet.com