Mansfield and District U3A Newsletter Members Day: Pages 3 and 4 _____________________________ Established 1999 HMRC Charity Registration No.: XT30525 February 2015 Website: www.mansfield-u3a.org.uk Noticeboard: http://mansfieldu3a.blogspot.com Page 1 of 12 Welcome from your chairman “FEBRUARY FILL DYKES” as my mother used to say; one of her many sayings from years ago. This refers to the melting snow filling the dykes in a rural location but also a painting by BW Leader, a Victorian artist of some repute. Remembering old sayings, which we commonly use, two cropped up the other day. “He is around the bend” was the first one, referring to someone who is mentally challenged. This saying came about in the Victorian age when they built the asylums. The approach road always had a curve so the buildings could not be seen from the road, hence 'Around the Bend'. The other one concerned pot holes. All drivers know about these and one idea is the name came from the long ago practice of potters digging up the roads in their area for just enough clay to make a pot but never filling them in. Who knows? At the time of writing this welcome, snow is on the ground just in time for the annual trip to Thoresby for our U3A. I know from past reports that come rain come shine, or snow, they always have a great time. This has become one of Mansfield U3A’s annual events due to the hard work of Terry and Lilian Whitehead. Anyone who has tried to organise group holidays will appreciate this, along with Terry and Lilian’s work with the book table Mansfield U3A is lucky to benefit from their efforts. I saw my first snowdrops this past week on a walk from Cuckney. The weather was changeable but a drink in the Greendale Oak, which has just been refurbished, was most welcome. We are privileged to live in and around Mansfield as within a short distance we have some wonderful countryside, as our walkers and hikers already know, to enjoy. I would like to say a few words to our new members. Sometimes it can be daunting when joining a group as large as Mansfield U3A but please do not hesitate to speak to myself or other committee members to help make your membership as enjoyable as possible. One of the best ways to become involved is to join an interest group, details of which can be found in the monthly newsletter and on our website, or form a new group, be it another wine group, as an example. Bob Longden _______________________________________________________________________________________ In this issue Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 - 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Welcome. Quiz Night. Holiday Updates. Book Table Report. Recent Events (Members' Day – Start) Recent Events (Members' Day – End) Interest Groups meetings diary Groups News (New Groups. Art. Art Appreciation – start) Groups News (Art Appreciation – end. Digital World. Tai Chi. Luncheon Club) Groups News (Afternoon Teas. International Dining). Member's Contribution (Good News for Some) Dates for your diary and Notices. Page 2 of 12 Annual Fun Quiz Night SATURDAY 28TH FEBRUARY 2015 AT QUEEN ELIZABETH’S ACADEMY. A reminder to members who are coming to the Quiz night: Social committee will be providing supper but please remember to bring your own drinks and glasses. The Quiz will commence at 6.30 pm. Pauline Boucher, (01623 644798, pauline12boucher@yahoo.co.uk) ______________________________________________________________________________ Holiday updates Danube River cruise 11th-20th April 2015 1. All balances must be paid at the February meeting. For your balance, subtract £120 (£100 deposit + £20 deducted for drivers & tour manager's gratuities) from the original cost of your chosen deck and cabin. This you will find on the sheet given to you last year. Should you be unsure then check with me before you write your cheque, to be made out to Mansfield U3A. 2. The cruise line needs to know if you have any dietary requirements, so see me at the meeting please as I have to send that information off with your balances. 3. All passport & insurance forms must be returned at the meeting please. 4. Remember the pre-holiday meeting on March 28th at the Junction, Sutton in Ashfield at 11-12 noon, after which you can stay for lunch if you wish. Penrith - Lake District 22nd - 26th April 2015 The balance of £354 (with no single supplement) to be paid no later than the April meeting. Just to remind you that all excursions & gratuity for the driver are included in this final price. Cheques made out to Mansfield U3A will not be submitted until after the April meeting so you can pay now if you wish as it will make no difference to your finances until then. Margaret Burlinson (01623 632538, marburl@lineone.net) Details are on the website … ______________________________________________________________________________ Book Table Report SALE of books in January raised £50.50; thanks everyone who bought and brought – and everyone who helps the book table to run smoothly and so profitably for everyone's benefit. Lilian Whitehead. ________________________________________________________________________________________ Recent Events Members' Day WHAT a tremendous talent our members have! Sue Longden started our January meeting with a brilliant presentation detailing the history of Mansfield's many watermills. We learnt a little of the workings of the cotton mills, with great illustrations of how grand the mills used to be and how neglected they look now. It was fascinating to learn that the upstairs workrooms of the weavers' cottages on Mount Pleasant had glass domes in the centre of the ceilings so that they could catch the last rays of sunshine and could work on for as long as possible. Page 3 of 12 Terry Whitehead followed on with a very humorous account of "How to deal with ..." large holiday companies. He took us, step by step, through his many years of dealing with Thoresby Hall Hotel when booking group holidays. He highlighted the need for good customer service; larger companies sometimes forget that loyal customers are the core of their business. Also he pointed out that unless the staff are happy then this will show throughout the hotel and high turnover of staff leads to poor continuity and communication. Terry's sure to continue the battle for good service and good prices in the coming years. Ian Boucher took us into the future with a talk about artificial intelligence: Robots. The video clips brought to life the capabilities of each robot. One of the most amazing robots could run, hop and balance on one leg; it then kicked a football firmly at the President of the USA! Another use of artificial intelligence was the development of and use of an artificial arm; the video clip showed just how brilliant this technology is and how it changes lives. Lastly, Peter Thurkettle enlightened us to the history of the 'Best Invention' – the toilet! There was a detailed history and illustrations of toilets and their workings. Also there were many obscure facts e.g. Wembley Stadium has one toilet per 34 people; this is the greatest number per head in any public building. Another fact is that there are more mobile phones in the world than there are toilets! It was a fascinating morning and we greatly appreciated the knowledge of some of our members. Marilyn Dibble - Speaker Finder Page 4 of 12 Key to Meetings details: THIS TABLE SHOWS THE DAY of the month, time and frequency using the first two letters of the day, followed by numbers 1 - 5 to represent the week number. The final letter M (or F, W or V) indicates that the group meets monthly, fortnightly, weekly or at variable intervals. So 'Tu2, 2.30 - V M' would mean a group meeting on the 2nd Tuesday at 2.30pm Monthly but with Variable finish times. The main Mansfield and District U3A meetings are on the 3rd Tuesday of each month (except August and December) at the Oakham Suite, 155 Nottingham Road, Mansfield from 10 am - 12.30 pm. All members are invited to contact the relevant Group Leader if they would like to participate in any interest group or attend an event. NB: * indicates a waiting list. Interest Group Meetings Meeting Places Leader/Contact Afternoon Teas Sa1, 3 - 5 M Various Sheila Whalley 01623 453908 Next Meetings: March 7th – Brown's, Berry Hill, £10; April 4th – Dakota, Annesley Woodhouse, £9 Antiques and Collectables * Tu 2, 10 - 12 M Stanhope Centre, Bridge Street Pat Blackwell 01623 481745 Next Meetings: Feb. 10th – Kitchenalia; March 10th – Ivory, bone and Bakelite; April 14th – TBA Art We3, 10 - 12 M Big Barn Lane Methodist Church, Mansfield Gordon Howlett 01623 627423 (NB Change) Stanhope Centre, Bridge Street Pauline Boucher 01623 644798 Next Meetings: February 18th – A winter scene Art Appreciation Mo1, 2.00 - 4.00 M Next meetings: March 2nd – Seurat & Pointillism; March 30th (NB date) – Portraits Beginners' Bridge (With Ashfield U3A) Mo, Various 6.30 - 9.00 Enviro Centre, Derby Rd College, Mansfield Maxine Rose/Glenis Carr 01623 459081/627735 Next Meetings: TBA (Also ACOL sessions at the Mechanics Institute – Thurs 10 - 12.30 W) Bowls TuW 2.30 – 4.00 Lammas Sports Centre, Sutton Don Wright 01623 628946 Next Meetings: Weekly until return to Mansfield Bowls Club on 24th March. Cost £3.00. All welcome, including beginners, but flat / bowls shoes must be worn. Caravan & M'home Rally Various Various Terry Lammas 01623 471963 Next Meeting: April 9th/13th – Bath Marina; May 21st/July 2nd – France Chat and Stitch Mo3, 2.00 - 4.00 M St John's Centre, Mansfield Next Meetings: Feb. 16th; March 16th Page 5 of 12 Doreen Storer 01623 407731 Interest Group Meetings Meeting Place Leader/Contact Current Affairs Tu2, 2.00 - 4.00 M St John's Centre, Mansfield Norma Shillinglaw 01623 466934 Foxglove, Forest Town David Ling 01623 822994 Next Meetings: February 10th; March 10th Digital World Fri2 & 4, 2.00 - 4.00 2/M Next Meetings: February 13th & 27th; March 13th & 27th Family History Tu4, 10.00 - 12.00 M St John's Centre, Mansfield Max Clarke 01623 621744 Next Meetings: Feb. 27th Film Studies * We1, 1.30 - V M Joy's home Joy Crowe 01623 645400 Next Meetings: March 4th Garden Visits During the Summer Various Janet Whitlam 01623 635607 Tu1, 10.00 - 12.00 M St Peter's Centre, Mansfield Avril McGee 01623 452688 Next Visit: TBA Gardening Next Meetings: March 3rd – A-Z of perennials with Don Witton; April 7th – Medicinal Weeds with John Etherington Heartstart Various William Kaye Hall, Ladybrook Lane Linda Leivers 01623 471963 Th2, 2.00 – 4.00 William Kaye Hall, Ladybrook Lane Linda Spray 01623 795176 TBA Margaret Burlinson 01623 632538 Next Meetings: TBA History Next Meetings: Feb. 12th; March 12th Holidays (Home & Abroad) Various Next Holidays: Sat. 11th - Mon. 20th April – Danube Cruise; Mon. 22nd - Fri. 26th June – Lake District International Dining We2, 6.30 for 7.00 M (NEW) Various Jacqui Hampshire 01623 239210 Next Meetings: March 11th – Mint (Asian); April 8th – BB's (Italian) Local History Fri1, 10.00 - 12.00 M Bridge Street Methodist Church Bob & Sue Longden 01623 486903 Next Meetings: March 6th – The Southwell Burgage Project with John Lock; April 3rd Page 6 of 12 Interest Group Meetings Meeting Place Leader/Contact Luncheon Club Th after 3rd Tu, 12.00 - 2.00 M Various David Ling 01623 822994 Next Meetings: Feb. 19th – Fox & Hounds, Blidworth Bottoms*; March 19th – Lion at Farnsfield* Movement to Music W 10.30 - 11.30 W St John's Church Hall Linda Leivers 01623 471963 Next Meetings: Weekly on Wednesdays. Cost £4.00 per session Music Groups Classical Music 2 Mo4, 2.00 - 4.00 M Members' homes Peter Hart 01623 620940 Next Meetings: Feb 23rd – Handel & Purcell (Sheila); March 23rd – Free choice (Geoff) Music 2 * Mo4, 2.00 - 4.30 M Members' homes Eric Prescott 01623 631160 St John's School, Mansfield Peter Haynes 01623 610886 Tu1, 4.00 - 6.00 M Members' homes Sylvia Slack 01623 633981 Th3, 2.00 - 4.00 M Peter Dawson's home Peter Dawson 01623 882191 Ravenshead Library Joan Hufton 01623 557488 Stanton Hill Baptist Church, Skegby Ian Boucher 01623 644798 Next Meeting: As per calendar Popular Music Appreciation * Tu4, 2.00 - 4.00 M Next Meetings: As per calendar Pudding Club * Next Meetings: TBA Reading 1 Next Meetings: As per calendar Reading 2 Tu3, 2.00 - 4.00 M Next Meetings: As per calendar Science & Technical Tu1, 2.00 - 4.00 M Next Meetings: March 3rd – History of the Gas Industry with David Bonsell; April 2nd – Bar Codes Scrabble * Mo2, 2.00 - 4 .00 M Brenda Thurkettle's home Brenda Thurkettle 01623 628136 St Alban's Church, Forest Town June Fell 01623 623547 Next Meetings: As per calendar Singing for Fun TuV, 5.45 - 7.15 Next Meetings: February 17th Next Concert: TBA Page 7 of 12 Interest Group Meetings Meeting Place Leader/Contact Tai Chi Mo, 9.30 - 10.30 W St John's Centre, Mansfield Jean Kirk (NB Change) 01623 480207 Various Sheila Whalley 01623 45390 Next Meetings: Every Monday Theatre Visits Various Next Visits: Feb.11th matinee – Barnum (£40). Wed. 4th – March 7.30pm – Richard and Adam (£27.50); April 30th matinee – Oklahoma (£32.40) Walking Groups Hikers (all-day, 6 - 8 miles) Th1 & Mo3, 9.30 - V Tesco car park, off 2/M Oak Tree Lane Peter Thurkettle 01623 628136 Next Meetings: Mon. Feb. 16th – Lee; Thurs. March 5th – Maun Valley Way; Mon. March 16th – Lathkill Dale; Thurs. April 2nd – Alfreton; Mon. April 20th – Epperstone / Lowdham Shufflers (short & gentle) Th4, 12.00 - V M Various Sylvia Slack 01623 633981 Next Meetings: Feb. 26th – Fillets Fish, op. ASDA Forest Town, 12.00; March 26th – Sutton Lawn Strollers (a leisurely 2 miles) We2, 10.30 - V M Various Barbara Massey / Marion Thornton 01623 628357/ 651528 Next Meetings: Feb 11th – Vicar Water; March 11th – Sherwood Forest Walkers (an easy 4 - 5 miles) We4, 10.30 - V M Various Joy & Nick Crowe 01623 645400 Next Meetings: Feb 25th – Rushley Woods; March 25th – Edingley and Kirklington Wine Appreciation 2 * We3, 7.30 - V M Members' homes Mike Allen 01623 653345 Next Meetings: Feb. 18th – Rioja at John & Margaret's; March 18th – Italian white at George & Mavis's Wine Appreciation 3 * Tu4, 7.30 - V M Members' homes Graham Allin 01623 473662 Next Meetings: Feb. 24th – Cooper's Vineyards NZ at the Boucher's; March 24th – Hungarian Red at Barrie and Lynne's; April 28th – Riesling at Colin's Writing for Pleasure * Mo2, 2.00 - 4.00 M Stanhope Centre, Bridge Street Mansfield Sue Ford / Hilary Miller 01623 844286 / 620067 Next Meetings: February 9th; March 9th; April 13th I got invited to a party and was told to dress to kill. My turban, beard and pack weren't popular though. Page 8 of 12 Groups News New Groups A GOOD response was forthcoming following the request for ideas for new groups for a new U3A year at the January meeting. It is heartening to find that most of these suggestions came from new members. I feel sure, after speaking to these members, that we can make them into reality for 2015. The first of these is International Dining. Jacqueline Hampshire has already identified dates and venues for a start to this group. The aim of the group is to give members the opportunity to taste the cuisine of other cultures which they might not otherwise choose. Asian, Italian and Polish restaurants start off the year; full details are on page 11 and on the website. Please support her if you can; remember if you eat out someone else does the washing up! (See her item on page 11). Other suggestions include a Golf group, with enough support members would meet up once a month at various golf clubs, of which there are many in our area. A Craft Workshop to enable members to share knowledge and try a craft new to them; card making, glass painting, quilting, the list is endless. Board Games for those who enjoy the mental exercise and challenge of playing a wide variety of games. A Sunday Lunch group is another good idea; why cook when you can eat out with good company? Please keep the ideas coming and support those who are adding to our U3A. Linda Leivers Art DESPITE the falling snow, 8 brave artists arrived at the first meeting of 2015. The subject for January, 'Zebras', was chosen by our tutor Michael Morton, who brought along his own painting of a herd of Zebras which we all agreed was inspiring though not easy to achieve. A happy and industrious morning soon passed producing some good results, including this study by Joy Crowe. The subject chosen for February is, 'A Winter Scene' which certainly fitted in with the one awaiting us outside. Hilary Miller Art Appreciation WE ARE planning to host an event with the U3A National Arts Appreciation Group Co-ordinator, Olwyn Hughes on 22nd May. Olwyn co-ordinates the Art Appreciation U3A national network and is an experienced speaker. It is early days yet but our idea is to make this an afternoon event with sandwiches and tea around 12.30 pm. and the presentation following at 2.00 pm. More details will follow including the title of Olwyn’s presentation, which will be related to how to 'read' a picture, using famous paintings as illustrations. Page 9 of 12 Any member who is interested will be welcome to join us so please let me know as soon as you can. (No commitment required immediately – we will contact anyone interested when we have more details.) Pauline Boucher – 01623 644798 (pauline12boucher@yahoo.co.uk) Digital World OUR RELAUNCH with a new, less-formal format seemed to suit members better so we hope to see anyone who'd like help making the best use of their camera if they drop in to the Foxglove in Forest Town, opposite ASDA, on any 2nd or 4th Friday (2.00 – 4.00). Meetings are free and refreshments will be available from the bar. We don't have an agenda so come along and ask or show us whatever you want. It doesn't matter how much or little you know, what camera you use or how basic or technical you want the chat to be. But do please bring your camera and some pictures on a camera memory card or laptop. David Ling (01623 822994) Tai Chi CLIFF LAYCOCK has led this group for several years but is now suffering with health problems. We wish him well at this difficult time. In the meantime, I will be the contact for the group. We have been glad to welcome members from Sherwood and Rainworth U3As. Car parking has become difficult at St John's Centre but we would still like to welcome new members if they are prepared to walk to the venue. But, sorry, no car spaces are available at the moment. Jean Kirk. (01623 480207) Luncheon Club OUR NEW YEAR lunch at 281 on 22nd January, again organised by Brian and Barbara Harvey, was another triumph; spoiled only by the clumsy photographer who smashed a vase. (I wonder who that was!) Next, on 19th February, Mike Allen is arranging for our first visit to the Fox & Hounds at Blidworth Bottoms. This is a delightful but small country pub that has gained some rave reviews and our menu will include breaded whitebait, rump steak, beef & onion pie, fish & chips and apple pie. Cost will be £3.75 for starters, £6.75 for mains and £3.75 for puds. Then, on 19th March, we'll be returning to the Lion at Farnsfield, a long-time club favourite, where Norma and Ian Shillinglaw have arranged an attractive menu at a discount. Fish 'n Chips lovers will be able to compare their version with the Fox & Hounds's but there will be lots of alternatives if they fancy a change, such as steak and mushroom pie, sausages 'n mash and vegetable lasagne. Puds include sticky toffee pudding and creme brulée. Both these sold out very quickly but there are waiting lists if you want to be told if anyone has to drop out. Page 10 of 12 We've had to rearrange the programme slightly thereafter so our outing to Oakmere Golf Club will now be on 21st May. NB all golfers: Mike Allen is trying to arrange for lunchers to be able to play after lunch so please let him know if you'd like details in due course. (mikeallen@lichfieldave. freeserve.co.uk or 01623 653345.) Arrangements are still being made for our lunch on April 23rd but details will be on the website as soon as possible. David Ling (01623 822994 or dlpruk@aol.com) More photos on the website … Afternoon Teas FOR OUR FIRST meeting of the new year, on January 10th, we had a buffet lunch at Il Rosso instead of afternoon tea. Twenty U3A members enjoyed the food, which was delicious. Some of us indulged in a glass of wine as well. It is good to sit and relax with friends, especially on these cold winter days. Sheila Whalley International Dining THE NEW International Dining group will meet on the second Wednesday evening in the month at 6.30pm for meal at 7.00pm. We will choose various venues to give a broad range of the world's food and budgets as possible. The aim of the group is to give members the opportunity to try the cuisine of other cultures, also to give the opportunity for single persons to enjoy evening meals out, something perhaps they wouldn't do alone. All this in a friendly, informal and enjoyable way! Our first dinner will be on March 11th at the award-winning Mint, Clarkson St., to sample Indian food so see me at the back of the hall, next to the Luncheon Club table if you'd like to come. Please contact me for any further information if you'd like to join us or would like to suggest a venue you think the group would like to try. Jacqui Hampshire (01623 239210 or jhampshire09@ talktalk.net) ______________________________________________________________________________ In case you missed it … Good News for some. I HAVE KNOWN for some time that when you reach 75 you do not have to pay for a TV licence and was looking forward to my next birthday in February 2015. However, I have paid monthly by direct debit for some years and earlier this month (November) I received my annual email telling me the TV licence which I had paid for was on the Internet to download. Then it said I was now 74 and eligible for zero payment. Some quick computer work and I had applied for a zero cost licence and received an acknowledgement that details would be in the post. Today I got a letter from TV Licensing informing me a refund of £40 odd would be returned to my bank account from where the direct debit was coming and on logging into my bank account the money was there and the relevant direct debit had vanished. So, two pieces of good news: 1. When you reach 74 investigate the cost of a TV licence, do not wait until you are 75, and, 2. A Government website has worked at least once. Terry Whitehead Reprinted from the December on-line edition Page 11 of 12 Speakers' Corner OUR SPEAKER today is Colin Wilde who will be telling us about Nottingham's Castle Rock Brewery. Castle Rock was originally founded in 1977 by Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) chairman Chris Holmes. The first pub was The Old Kings Arms in Newark. There are now 12 pubs in the group and the brewery has won many awards for its beer. Colin is the Managing Director of the brewery and will talk about the history of the brewery and some of the production methods. Keep your fingers crossed that he may bring some samples. ______________________________________________________________________________ Dates for your diary (Check the website for more information and updates.) Sat. 28th Feb: FUN QUIZ NIGHT at Q. Elizabeth's Academy. (Sold out) Fri. 8th May: COFFEE MORNING at The Towers. Details in due course. Tues. 18th Aug: ANNUAL SUMMER PICNIC at Q. Elizabeth's Academy. Details in due course. Linda Leivers Mon. 11th to Fri. 15th Jan. 2016: WARNER'S THORESBY HALL. Details in due course. Terry Whitehead _____________________________________________________________________________ Event and Visit Payments MEMBERS are reminded that deposits and payments for events and visits organised by Mansfield U3A and its interest groups are non-refundable, but places so reserved may be offered to others. ______________________________________________________________________________ Changes of address, etc. PLEASE contact the membership secretary, Avril McGee (01623 452688), if you've changed your address, phone number or email since joining Mansfield U3A so that she can update our records. ______________________________________________________________________________ Disclaimer THE VIEWS expressed here are those of the contributors, only, and do not necessarily reflect those of the editor, the committee of Mansfield U3A or the Third Age Trust. Nor can any responsibility be accepted for members' announcements or any errors that may occur. ______________________________________________________________________________ Next Issue PLEASE SEND contributions for the March issue to mansfieldu3a@aol.com, or in typescript, to the editor as soon as you can and by 1st March at the latest. Thanks! ______________________________________________________________________________ Editor: David Ling (01623 822994) Printed by: Portland Print (www.portlandprint.org.uk) Page 12 of 12
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