Committee members
CUPAR U3A Spring 2015 Committee members Chair Alan Hulatt 01334 656721 Vice Chair Trevor James 01334 650279 Secretary Ian Rutherford 01334 828991 Treasurer Maureen Brickley 01334 654484 Membership Secretary Hilary Fraser 01337831943 Publicity Trevor James 01334 650279 Newsletter Editor Ann Cottrell 01334 656668 General Enquiries and Web Master Alan Hulatt 01334 656721 Groups Liaison and Patricia Burnett 01334 838620 Welcoming Joyce Henry Davies 01337 870307 Catering Pam Hulatt 01334 656721 Committee members Veronica Kirk 01334 654809 Victor Bunting 01334 870417 Ruth Lear 01337 827345 Co-ordinators Report from the Chair Hello everyone. Well, the Winter season has been quite kind to us reasonably mild and as yet none of the white stuff. We are moving fast towards Spring and thought will be turning towards gardening. Time to check all the gardening tools and prepare the mower for its first outing. The grass is beginning to turn a better colour and there are signs of life coming from the ground. Very soon we will be able to enjoy the myriad of colours spring will bring. We have had a good year in Cupar U3A with some very good speakers. We have learned about things like the Castle Project Cupar and its contribution to the community. We have had our very own “chocolate factory” and have even trod the length of the Scottish Watershed (that was exhausting). The number of groups we have has increased with the addition of two gardening groups, a film/theatre group and a dance group. Just recently a computer “Help” group has been started, aiming to assist members with those little problems that can occur with computers. Contact details for these and other groups can be found on our web page http://cuparu3a.sharepoint.com. You will have seen a message from Joyce Kennedy, our outgoing Cupar delegate and it would be nice if someone could continue to represent Cupar at these networking meetings. If you are interested then please feel free to contact any committee member. Finally, keep up the good work. The networking and cross fertilisation that happens in our U3A at Cupar is encouraging to see and long may it thrive. AH Cupar U3A is thriving, as you can see from the list of Group Activities near the end of the newsletter. There are now many new groups. Perhaps you should think of trying something new! Here are some reports to tempt :- Local History Group The group continues to flourish with a mixture of visits and presentations by members. In 2014 these presentations included St Andrews’ churches, the rail bridges of Fife, Strathmiglo, Cupar Volunteers, the witches of Fife, and we began 2015 with An Introduction to Wemyss, a topic that promises more to come! Our visits were to: Kirkcaldy Museum The Scottish Fisheries Museum Falkland Palace And MUSA (The Museum of the University of St Andrews.) New members are always welcome to the group. There are currently fifteen of us and we are a very sociable group – one indication being our visits always include lunch! For more information, contact Celia Armitage 01334 656611. Italian Speakers Group Having been active since the start of Cupar U3A, we had lately reached the point where any new recruits would have to form a beginners group. Fortunately, two existing and two new members decided almost simultaneously, and unbeknown to each other, to join the group. The result is that we now have a starters section of four and an old guard of five, both plus one Geoff, who sees himself as the sheet anchor, albeit one that drags a little at times, him having even momentarily fallen asleep during one meeting. Our more advanced section has even poached one fairly fluent speaker from the Edinburgh Italian Cultural Institute, not that he has entirely severed his connection with that body. However this might prove valuable, should the opportunity arise for a little name-dropping. Our Christmas lunches at Capriolo’s Restaurant, here in Cupar, continue to fill a long table, the fever having spread to the Social Group, as witness one recent Monday lunchtime. Two of our members have recently skied the Italian Dolomites, along with their spouses, not quite having put the younger experts to shame, but having had to insist, on one occasion, that one of object of the visit was to practice one’s Italian, not for the locals to practice their English. Anyone feeling themselves to be missing something by not being one of us could still become one of the starters, provided they were to act quickly, and felt able to put in a little catch-up work at home between the fortnightly meetings. Geoff Armitage 01334 656611 The Economics Group continues to meet at Straiton on the last Monday of the month. Two new members have joined in the last 6 months and we are never short of topics for discussion. It may come as a surprise to those who think that economics is a difficult and dull subject for study to know that we experience at least 30 spontaneous outbursts of laughter during our meetings. When obscure and confusing jargon is avoided or translated into plain English, economics is a simple and enjoyable topic about which we are able to learn more. Duncan Pickard, Economics Group Leader. Swallows Report Over the last 3 months we have been blessed with glorious sunshine and have completed walks from Ardross to Anstruther: Morton Lochs and Tentsmuir forest and Broughty Ferry to Monifeith. During our philosophical conversations in local hostelries we have reached the conclusion that the repertoire of walking songs would be much improved if the ballads had been performed by alternative artistes. We conducted a scientifically sound survey of the general public (well, a hastily compiled list over lunch at the Bruach Bar in Broughty Ferry) and have come up with our top 15 hits, "These boots were made for walking" - Chris Brasher Ain't no mountain higher - Hillary I would walk 500 miles - The Naked Rambler The Hills are Alive - Midgie Ure You'll never walk alone - Han Solo and the Shadows I love to go a rambling with a knapsack on my back - Karri Mor Walk through a storm - Cameron Macintosh The Road and the Miles to Dundee - Alex Salmond Heel to heel and toe to toe - Hotter Walk on by – Dr Scholl Walking back to happiness - Victor Meldrew Tiptoe through the tulips - Percy Thrower Is this the way to Amarillo - One Direction Walk in the Light - Edison Where 'er you walk - The Ordnance Survey We wondered if any of your readers could add to the list? Tuesday Sports We’re a very sociable group that meets on Tuesday afternoons between 1.30 and 3.00pm for a bit of exercise on the short tennis and badminton courts; there’s also a lot of chat, a lot of laughs and more than a few miss-hits! Abilities range from novice to not-too-bad to reasonably good, but we all mix in and make sure that everybody has as many games as they can manage. New members would be very welcome, both ladies and gents, and no previous experience necessary. No equipment necessary either as all racquets, balls and shuttlecocks are provided. Ruth Lear Art History Group For the last two sessions in Art History, Mike Sawyer has given us fascinating presentations on David Hockney The first was about Hockney’s research into the artist’s use of a lens for projecting a preliminary image onto the canvas. This is not a new theory, but Hockney very convincingly offers further proof of this technique being used as early as mid 15th century! Videos on this topic are to be found on You Tube. The second meeting we concentrated more on Hockney’s own work – the wide variety of genres and how he delights in using digital photography and computer graphics to achieve his exciting newer work, inspired by his return to Yorkshire. Although he speaks like a true Yorkshireman and his heart lies somewhere between Bradford and Bridlington, he has now returned to LA to chase the sun, seduced by the bright colours he adores. Hockney has expressed his pleasure at taking two weeks to paint this painting, “A Bigger Splash” - a moment that lasted two seconds Mike gave us this quote from Hockney all artists are either "hedgehogs" (one very effective weapon) or "foxes" (eclectic scavengers) Guess which category he puts himself in? AC Film/Theatre Group Although we have just started this Group we've already had a few very enjoyable outings to various events. Initial meetings have been held at the ‘Y’ Cupar, but now we hope to be meeting everyone at the various performances on offer! To encourage more members here are a few details on how the group operates. Any Group member who would like to see a Film/Drama/Opera/Musical / Orchestral Concert/Theatre/Ballet etc.... can ‘post’ an email to members of the group, giving simple details of ‘What/When/Where’ the show is taking place. Any other Film/Theatre member, who might also be interested in going to the suggested show, can reply by email or 'phone to make arrangements to meet up. After viewing there could be a discussion on the event over a cup of coffee? When a member joins the group an email the list will be provided. Contact may also be made by telephone. If you wish to join our group, or need further information please contact me on 01337858634 or at [email protected] Sheila Carter Dance group up and running after a slight delay due to my trip (not an exotic holiday!!) - fractured arm now recovering well. At the moment we are working on a dance routine to "Razzle Dazzle" music from film Chicago using Dance Canes, which are very good for aiding arm movements. We will be working with a variety of popular music at a pace to suit everybody. New members are welcome to join the group at any time and the emphasis is on having a few laughs together with a bit of exercise. We meet every Monday at The Old Parish Church Centre 1.45-2.45. For information contact Jan Knight Tel: 07478329864 or email: [email protected] COME ON IT'S TIME TO BOOGIE!! Newsflash!! Ukulele Group Considerable interest has been shown in starting a Ukulele Group. If you would like more information, please contact Patricia Burnett 01334 838620 Do you like Sherry? Do you still drink Sherry? Having just spent five days in the interesting town of Jerez de la Frontera, I have discovered that I do really like Sherry and that I will still be drinking it – but perhaps I’ll be a little fussier in the types I drink! Just a 4 of the types available, including Fino, Palo Cortado, Amontillado, Oloroso and Piedro Ximinez. We visited the fascinating Bodegas Tradicion, had a most interesting trip round seeing all the barrels, learning how sherry is produced and the British influence – apparently our ‘pirate’ (as he’s known in Spain!) Drake played a part – and, of course finishing with a tasting. For art lovers, the Bodegas Tradicion also houses the permanent exhibition from the Joaquin Rivero Picture Collection. Imagine our surprise coming face to face with a couple of Goyas, an El Greco, a Velázquez, and some tiles by Picasso, amongst other paintings! A real treat. However, if you prefer horses, then there’s the wonderful Fundacion Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre. Training taking place. Also note the storks nesting on the chimney of the Sandeman Bodega! The school is situated in beautiful gardens and the visit includes museums – harnesses, carriages, the story of the Andalusian horse – stables, saddle making, and of course a wonderful show (no photos allowed at the show). We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Jerez, the people are very friendly – particularly our host at La Fonda Barracano, a small centrally situated hotel - the food good (washed down with a glass of sherry – one restaurant served us a 5 course menu with a different sherry to accompany each course, each carefully matched with the dish, delicious!), and many other sites to see. We made brief trips to Sevilla and Càdiz, but will have to return to do those cities justice. Hasta luego Jerez! Anne Hughes Hallett CUPAR U3A GROUP ACTIVITIES Group Leader Telephone Email Day Art History Bill Cadden 01334476873 [email protected] Monthly on Thursdays Book Club Ella Aitken 01334654465 [email protected] Monthly on Thursdays Computing Alan Hulatt 01334656756 [email protected] To be arranged Craft Sheena James 01334650279 [email protected] Alternate Tuesdays Dance Jan Knight 07478329864 [email protected] Monday afternoons Economics Duncan Pickard 01334870203 [email protected] Monthly on Mondays Film/theatre Sheila Carter 01337858634 [email protected] To be arranged French 1 Ann Cottrell 01334656668 [email protected] Weekly Mondays am French 2 Sarah Wood 0i334 828655 [email protected] Alternate Tues am Gardening 1 Maureen Brickley 01334654484 [email protected] Monthly on Mondays Gardening 2 William Duff 01334870787 [email protected] Monthly on Mondays Gardening 3 Edna Ansdell 01334682388 [email protected] Monthly on Mondays Golf Helen Johnston 01334652389 [email protected] By arrangement Indoor Sport Freda Walsham 01337831331 Weekly Tuesdays pm Italian Geoff Armitage 01334656611 [email protected] Weekly on Thursdays Jazz Appreciation John Davie 01337827254 Monthly on Thursdays Local History Celia Armitage 01334656611 [email protected] Monthly on Fridays Lunch / Social Yolande Warner 01334657618 [email protected] Monthly on Fridays Majong/ Freda Walsham 01337831331 [email protected] Alternate Mondays pm Mosaic Heather Sharpe 01382330911 [email protected] To be arranged Music Alastair MacFarlane 01337810466 [email protected] Alternate Fridays Philosophy Les Meade 01334477350 [email protected] Monthly Thursdays pm Poetry Peter Jarvis 01334828312 [email protected] Monthly on Fridays Sketching Margaret Graham 01334870822 [email protected] Monthly on Wednesdays Solo Lunches Nadia Willard 01334652756 [email protected] Monthly on Sundays Walking 1 J+M Sawyer 01382542311 [email protected] Monthly on Wednesdays Walking 2 Bruce + Bethan Murray 07801540988 [email protected] Monthly on Wednesdays Walking 3 Marlyn Halley 01333329812 [email protected] Monthly on Wednesday [email protected] [email protected] Scrabble CUPAR U3A PROGRAMME OPEN MEETINGS 2015 Meetings are held in the Baptist Church Hall, Bonnygate, Cupar (unless stated otherwise) on the second Wednesday of the month. The usual programme format will be:2.00pm Doors open 2.15pm Chairman’s welcome and General Administration 2.45pm Main Speaker, followed by questions 3.15pm (approx) tea and coffee, biscuits DATE TITLE SPEAKER April 8 Crawford Priory and the Cochrane Family Derek Thomson May 13 Sir Walter Scott and Abbotsford Hamish Read June 10 Blacksmithing in Balmullo David Wilson Sept 9 St Andrews Botanic Garden James Hearsum Oct 14 Shelter Box John Kerr Nov 11 Eyemouth Fishing Disaster, 1881 Robert Oliver Dec 9 Christmas Party For further information see our website:- http://cuparu3a.sharepoint.com
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