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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