April – May 2015
MKU3A AGM 2015
All members are invited to attend
14.00 Wednesday 25 March 2015
MKCC, Strudwick Drive, Milton Keynes MK6 2TG
Refreshments are included
The meeting is followed by a talk given by Councillor Peter Marland,
Leader of Milton Keynes Council (with an opportunity to ask questions)
The afternoon will finish by 16.15
Milton Keynes U3A Trustees and Team Members
Acting Chairman and Treasurer
Brian Baldwin
01908 670 579
[email protected]
[email protected]
Secretary
Janice Miles
01908 397 944
[email protected]
Current Groups Coordinator
Christine Behrendt
07766 026 357
[email protected]
New Groups Coordinator
Marcel Mallens
01908 618 609
[email protected]
Office Manager
Hilary Beckett
[email protected]
Magazine Editor and Webmaster
Mike Ballance
01908 315 770
[email protected]
[email protected]
Team Members (not Trustees, but very much a part of the Team)
Maggie Dormer, [email protected]
Membership administration
Alison Judd, [email protected]
Treasurer Designate
Phil Mountford, [email protected]
Database project
Sue Giordano, [email protected]
Halls administration
Elizabeth McMillan, [email protected]
Public Relations
Current vacancies
Chair (Trustee)
Open Meetings Coordinator (Team Member)
The final copy date for the next issue is 9 May
You can see this magazine, and previous issues, on our website in full colour
Office: 11 Winchester Circle, Kingston, Milton Keynes MK10 0BA
Telephone: 01908 281 717
e-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.mku3a.org/ Registered charity number 298693
The Third Way April – May 2015 page 2
Chairman's Message
This is my last message in the role of Acting Chairman and it has been my privilege to support
the MKU3A in this way over the last 12 months. By the time this magazine is distributed
several quite important things will have happened, fingers crossed. The AGM is taking place
on 25 March and a new Chairman appointed. Also I will be stepping down as Treasurer after
four years. I am writing this on 11 March so no guarantees but the omens are good and the
Trustee Team just has one important vacancy for the year ahead, more about this later.
Spring will have been officially announced on 20 March and the daffodils will be a little more
advanced than they are this morning. The photo below is one I prepared earlier, from my
garden last year. So in more ways than one this is a time for fresh ideas, new growth and new
opportunities for our U3A to flourish.
My first message to you this time is that we need a volunteer to plan, co-ordinate and
develop the monthly Open Meetings. We had a good attendance of 111 at the February
meeting, which was encouraging, but the 2016 speakers list and the development of the
activities at this key event need a leader. Please come forward and help, you will have plenty
of support to find your way in this important role.
My second message is to encourage you to support
Elizabeth McMillan who is leading a review of our
internal and external Public Relations. Developing a
more welcoming and inclusive Community,
establishing effective links with other agencies tasked
with supporting people in the 'Third Age', good links
with the local press and many more similar principles
are the basis of our approach. Our use of social media
is being investigated.
All good things come in threes so my third message is
to ask all Groups to make sure they have a
representative at the GLs meeting, which will take
place at the Quaker Centre on 30 April. This is all about
the Trustees working closely with the Groups to make
sure we are supporting each other in making MKU3A
an effective and enjoyable environment for members.
I am hoping that the AGM will go well. Included in the Annual Report and Accounts (still
available on our website) is a copy of the Third Age Trust Vision Statement. One of the
reasons for doing this is that there are some concerns by the National Executive about how
U3As across the country are holding firm to the original self-help ethos of this amazing and
energetic organisation. I would like us here in Milton Keynes to have an open debate and
make sure we manage the use of external paid resources effectively.
My very best wishes to you all.
Brian Baldwin - Acting Chairman
The Third Way April – May 2015 page 3
News from the Groups
Theatre Group 2
Meetings are held on the first Thursday of the month at Fulwell Court, St Ledger Drive
Great Linford at 10.00 on 2 April, 7 May, 4 June, 6 August, 3 September
1 October, 5 November and 3 December.
All MKU3A members are welcome.
Milton Keynes Theatre Performances 2015 – 2016 are reserved as follows:
27 May 14.30 The Sound Of Music
£32.00 (pay by 15/04/15)
15 July 14.30 Jesus Christ Superstar
£19.50 (pay by 20/05/15)
22 July 14.30 Agatha Christie's: And Then There Were None £10.00 (pay by 26/05/15)
26 Aug 14.30 Shrek The Musical
£35.00 (pay by 15/07/15)
23 Sept 14.30 Cole Porter's musical comedy: Anything Goes £25.00 (pay by 20/07/15)
23 Oct 14.30 English National Ballet: Romeo and Juliet
£25.00 (pay by 20/05/15)
4 Nov 14.30 Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time
£15.00 (pay by 08/05/15)
2016
8 Jan
13.00
2 Mar 14.30
20 May 17.00
Pantomime: Aladdin
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Avenue Q
£15.00 (pay by 22/09/15)
£25.00 (pay by 18/09/15)
£20.00 (pay by 21/10/15)
Milton Keynes Theatre now offers hot and cold food which is served from 13.00 on matinee
days and from 18.00 in the evenings. Orders are taken until half an hour before the show
starts. Tables can be pre-booked by phone, tel: 01908 547 500.
For theatre outings, please contact Czesia Eales-Johnson at [email protected] or tel:
01908 506 706. Please make all cheques payable to 'MKU3A'. Please note that tickets must
be paid for by the dates given to us by MK Theatre, as shown above. If you want tickets sent
to you, please supply a stamped and addressed envelope to Czesia Eales-Johnson.
Outings Group
The visit to Polesden Lacey is now SOLD OUT
Thursday 21 May: Visit to Trentham Gardens. Bookings by 1 April.
A garden tour has been arranged for 11.15 with a duration of about 45 mins to an hour.
Please note that the Wedgwood museum is not open until June. The new-look Trentham
Gardens have matured into some of the finest in Britain. They have been described as "one of
the UK's must-see gardens" by Alan Titchmarsh. See the mile long Trentham Lake, designed
by Capability Brown, take the circular lakeside walk all the way round as it takes you beside
the River Trent, by the bird hide, through Capability Brown's cascading weir and along
atmospheric woodland trails. Refreshments available at own cost at the Italian Garden Tea
Room and the Lakeside Cafe. The cost is £30 and the outing departs from Bletchley at at
08.00 or from John Lewis at 08.15. Return at 19.00 approx.
The Third Way April – May 2015 page 4
News from the Groups
Outings Group
Thursday 18 June: Visit to Dudley Tunnel and Ruskin Glass Centre. Bookings by 7 May.
Arrive at Dudley Canal Tunnel for refreshments at 10.15, then take the 11.00 boat trip.
Discover 420 million years of incredible history with fascinating insights into what makes our
world what it is today, embracing geology, archaeology, engineering, sociology and
economics. Enjoy the music and light show in the Singing Caverns. Depart at 12.00 for the
Ruskin Glass Centre then have lunch (included in the price) at 13.30. The site of the Ruskin
Glass Centre was once home to Webb Corbett and Royal Doulton and was purchased by the
Ruskin Mill Education Trust with the objective of keeping the indigenous trade in the area
alive. The cost is £26 and the outing departs from Bletchley at at 08.00 or from John Lewis at
08.15. Return at 19.00 approx.
The visit to Hampton Court Flower Show is now SOLD OUT
The outings contact is Czesia Eales-Johnson, [email protected] or tel: 01908 506 706.
MKU3A Choir Spring concert
The MKU3A Choir Spring Concert will take place on Friday 22 May at the United Reformed
Church in Newport Pagnell. More information from Janice Miles, [email protected].
Well done TAP!
There was more acclaim in February for MKU3A's drama group, the Third Age Players (TAP).
It gained a Distinction in the annual Milton Keynes Festival of the Arts and Music. Its entry
was a double bill of short plays, Words! Words! Words! by Pip Parry, and A Soliloquy for Two
by John Greenall. Both caricatured how Shakespeare managed to write his famous Hamlet
speech, "To be or not to be …"
Actors representing TAP on stage this time were Allan Thomson, John Greenall and Mike
Rutter. The adjudicator, Vivienne Redford of Bedford, praised the cast's movement, body
language, 'sincerity and spontaneity', delivery and gesture. She added, "A most interesting
and amusing scene. A real privilege. Thank you."
The Third Way April – May 2015 page 5
Group Leaders' Meeting
For the attention of all Group Leaders
Please note that the first Group Leaders' Meeting of 2015 will be on 30 April from 14.00 to
16.00 at the Quaker Centre, Downs Barn. Please make a note of this in your diary. If you are
not able to attend, perhaps someone else from your group could attend to represent the
group? Further details of the agenda to follow. If you have any item that you would like
included in the agenda for the meeting please let me know as soon as possible.
Chris Behrendt, Current Groups Coordinator
News from the Groups
Transport Topics Group
Our monthly meetings started this year in February with a very interesting presentation of
large scale model aircraft by Bill Blanchard. New members are always welcome to come and
join us at our Neath Hill venue. Numbers attending summer visits can often be limited, so we
do require prior notice.
For the remainder of the year, there are five talks and presentations at Neath Hill, together
with four summer visits. At the presentation on Wednesday 22 April, George Williams will
give a talk on 'Low Cost Airlines'. The programme is as follows:
25 March
Transport films, presented by Frank Banfield
22 April
Low Cost Airlines, presented by George Williams
27 May
Visit to the Accident Investigation Laboratory at Cranfield
24 June
Visit to Brooklands Museum at Weybridge
22 July
Visit to Snibston Museum at Coalville
26 Aug
Visit to the Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden
23 Sept
Bedford to MK Waterway, presented by John Gunning
28 Oct
Circus Trains, presented by Bob Boyd
25 Nov
Bit Transport, presented by John Simeons
10 Dec
Films and Christmas raffle
Art Appreciation Group 2
A second art appreciation group starts on 26 March. Meetings will be at Kingston on the
fourth Thursday of the month in the afternoon. Yve Morris, GL of the first art appreciation
group, will run the group at the start.
The purpose of the group is to learn about art; no previous knowledge is required. Please
contact Yve on artapp2:mku3a.org or tel: 01908 642 445.
The Third Way April – May 2015 page 6
News from the Groups
Open Meetings
The next Open Meeting will be on 22 April where the topic will be Medical Records In A
Digital Age. Dr Rupert Fawdry, a retired obstetrician with MK Hospital who qualified over 50
years ago, intends to stimulate our thinking about the advantages and dangers of current IT
within the healthcare sector. A thought-provoking afternoon on a subject which affects us all.
Rambling Group
All MKU3A members are welcome to join the Rambling Group which starts a ramble at 10.00
prompt every Wednesday morning with a brisk walk lasting about two hours. This is often
followed by an optional lunch at the end of the walk.
Please respect our understanding that parking in a car park (CP) when we start at a pub with
limited car parking space should be kept for those who intend to use the pub after the walk.
The walks programme is as follows:
1 April Leader: Anne Duckworth, tel: 01908 674 748.
Furzton, public car park off Watling Street opposite The Bowl.
8 April Leader: Graham Jones, tel: 01908 606 315.
The Swan, Broughton Road, Milton Keynes Village MK10 9AH.
15 April Leader: Alan Clarke, tel: 01908 510 504
Fayre and Square, Furzton Lake MK4 1GA
22 April Leader: Barbara Fothergill, tel: 01908 866 522
The Betsey Wynne, 21 Mursley Road, Swanbourne MK17 0SH
29 April Leader: Anne Duckworth, tel: 01908 674 748.
Three Locks car park, Leighton Road, Stoke Hammond MK17 9DD.
6 May Leader: David Bowler, tel: 01908 282 535.
The Swan, 2 Court Road, Cranfield MK43 0DR.
13 May Leader: Mike Newman, tel: 01908 232 621.
The Bell Inn, Main Street, Beachampton MK19 6DX.
20 May Leader: Graham Jones, tel: 01908 606 315.
The Coffee Pot Tavern, 30 High Street, Yardley Gobion NN12 7TN.
27 May Leader: Alan Perry, tel: 07873 161 586.
The Wheatsheaf, 21 Station Row, Bow Brickhill MK17 9JU.
The Third Way April – May 2015 page 7
News from the Groups
Italian for Beginners
Shortly we hope to start a new group called 'Italian for beginners' and we have some very
keen members. We have a group leader but what is stopping us is the lack of a tutor who can
help with pronunciation and give some guidance. In line with our ethos it would be nice if
there is someone within MKU3A that could help. Please contact Marcel Mallens, our New
Groups Coordinator, at [email protected] or tel: 01908 618 609 if you can help or know
someone who could.
Reading for Pleasure
The Reading for Pleasure Group meets at Neath Hill on alternate Thursday mornings.
Anybody in the Group can suggest a book they would like us to read. We all read the chosen
book, which we have found either by borrowing from the Library, buying in a charity shop or
on Amazon for £1 plus postage.
At the meetings, which are usually led by Val, but sometimes by another member of the
group, we read selected passages out loud. Everyone joins in with discussion of the plot, the
characters, or the style of writing. The books we read are varied in content and style. They
range from the story of the New Orleans floods, Zeitoun by Dave Eggers, The Woman in Black
by Susan Hill and ghost stories. We have also read the classic Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton,
an historical novel, Lady Jane Grey: The Nine Days’ Queen by Alison Weir, and A Month In The
Country, beautifully written by J M Carr.
The appeal of this group is that we are introduced to books that we might not otherwise
read. We share ideas with others who can often give us background information or make us
think differently. We have vacancies if anyone would like to join us.
Map Reading and Orienteering Group – an appeal
It is with sadness that I have to report the demise of the Map Reading and Orienteering
group in its present guise, unless someone can come up with a formula of management to
keep it going. Two years of indoor and outdoor exercises have been great fun and it's
probably true to say that 'Map Appreciation and Getting Lost and Found in the British
Landscape' might have been a better Group title!
This may not be the end of the group – new blood may come in and take up the cudgels
compasses and forge a new route – any volunteers?
One mountain that group members wanted to ascend was the thorny subject of GPS (Global
Position Satellite) Navigation that of which nobody in the group had knowledge. Again, in the
great ethos of U3A, is there anyone who could offer assistance, or even a Short Course?
There is a possibility of a short course on this subject being contracted, but an internal tutor
would be wonderful.
Nigel Wright, Group Leader
The Third Way April – May 2015 page 8
Open Meeting 21 February – The Training and Use of Police Dogs
The speaker at February's open meeting was Len Little who was a member of Hertfordshire's
Police dog unit. He brought with him items of equipment that were used in the training of
police dogs, including pictures and trophies.
His talk started with how as a young lad he witnessed a policeman using a dog to make an
arrest. This made him decide what he wanted to be when he grew up. His career in the police
force started as a bobby walking the beat, reminding us of 'Dixon of Dock Green', and the
blue phone boxes that used to be around (but are now only seen if you watch 'Dr Who'.) In
those days they did not have personal radios and the blue boxes on the streets were the only
way they had of reporting in.
He told us of mishaps that occurred following the introduction of the radio, for example of
the Bobby on a bicycle trying to hold the bicycle with one hand, and press his radio button to
answer with the other, which often resulted in poking the radio aerial in the eyes, nose or
ears.
Becoming a Dog Handler was a much sought-after position, as for every four vacancies there
could be about 188 applicants. Before receiving your dog, you would be given important
items including a 'fridge (dog food in those days was tripe) and a dustbin for dog biscuits.
The training consisted of playing the bad guy, trying to outrun a German Shepherd. If you
were brought down by the dog you had to make sure that you were not injured. Another
training technique involved being told to climb a tree but to ensure you get high enough up
in the tree to prevent the dog from being able to reach you. Part of the training is to get your
dog on the other side of walls or fences safely. Sometimes the fencing panel will allow the
dog to get over but when it comes to the handler, the panel is not quite as secure as it might
seem. This would result in the fence deciding that it wants to have a lie down and take the
handler with it.
Those who attended the meeting will, I'm sure, agree that it was interesting and funny. Many
thanks Len.
Jinnie Brooks
The Third Way April – May 2015 page 9
Other news
Series Talks by Bill Prescott
Bill returns again to give us yet another series of his ever popular talks. The subject this year
is: Knowing You – Knowing Me, portraits and self-portraits in art, literature and music. The
talks will be held on Tuesdays 3, 10, 17 and 24 March at the Quaker Centre, Oakley Gardens,
Downhead Park, MK15 9BH at 10.00. The cost is £3 per member and £4 for non members.
Beds Plus Quiz
On Tuesday 14 April in the afternoon at Flitwick there is a quiz for U3A groups who are part
of 'Beds Plus'. Milton Keynes won in 2012 and 2013 and are keen to win again in 2015.
Members of the MKU3A quiz group will be entering a team. If any other members are
interested in taking part please contact Stewart Pye by e-mail, [email protected] or
by phone, tel: 01908 225 740. This is subject to having the requisite number for an additional
team.
MKU3A is now on facebook!
The Trustees considered it would be a good idea to have a presence on facebook, so here it
is. If you have a facebook account, have a look at the page MKU3A. If you want to post
something you have been doing, please go ahead. To prevent spam or messages from people
who are not members of MKU3A, all content is moderated before publication.
Milton Keynes Aviation Society
The Society meets monthly at Kents Hill on the second Tuesday at 19.30. At the next meeting,
on 14 April, the topic will be, Marshall of Cambridge: Past, Present and Future. On 12 May,
the topic will be, Pioneers of Aviation. There is a website at www.mkas.co.uk/ which gives
more information, including visits to RAF and USAF bases. special events and more. The
Chairman is Andy Cornwell, tel: 01296 720 793.
The Third Way April – May 2015 page 10
Bill Squires
Bill sadly passed away at the end of 2014. He was loyal, enthusiastic, a
gentleman and a member of a number of groups in our U3A for over 14 years.
Bill sometimes researched then gave a talk, planned and led a Stroll or
prepared refreshments and organised the raffle. All the groups he belonged to
will miss him immensely.
Recommendations
Recommendations in this magazine are personal and do not have MKU3A endorsement.
– two recommendations from Brian Smith
Tailored alterations specialist, 4 Stable Yard, Downs Barn MK14 7RZ tel: 01908 667 312.
They made an excellent job of altering my wife's coat at a very reasonable price.
Alan Hodghton, 3 Poplar Close, Simpson Village MK6 3EF, tel: 01908 395 418, mobile: 07770
416 045. He is an excellent plumber and heating specialist who recently overhauled our entire
heating system including fitting a new timer.
Disclaimers and Copyright
The material in this magazine does not reflect the views of the Trustees, unless specifically
acknowledged to be so. All other material represents the view of the contributing member, for
which no responsibility is accepted by the publisher. Publication of an advertisement does not
imply recommendation by the U3A. Reproduction in any form whatsoever without the written
permission of the editor is not allowed.
© Copyright in The Third Way rests with MKU3A and the contributing members.
All rights reserved.
This edition was printed by Murrays the Printers
98 – 100 Alston Drive, Bradwell Abbey MK13 9HF
Tel: 01908 326 560
The Third Way April – May 2015 page 11
Diary from April 2015 onwards
Date
Event
page
25 March
MKU3A AGM 2015
1
25 March
Transport Topics Group: Transport Films
6
26 March
Art Appreciation Group 2: New group, first meeting
6
1 April
Rambling Group: Furzton, opposite The MK Bowl
7
2 April
Countryside Ramblers: Stagsden, by the church
10
8 April
Rambling Group: The Swan, Milton Keynes Village
7
14 April
Quiz Group: Beds Plus Quiz at Flitwick
10
15 April
Rambling Group: Fayre and Square, Furzton Lake
7
22 April
Rambling Group: The Betsey Wynne, Swanbourne
7
22 April
Open Meeting: Medical Records In A Digital Age
7
22 April
Transport Topics Group: Low Cost Airlines
6
29 April
Rambling Group: Three Locks, Stoke Hammond
7
30 April
Group Leaders' Meeting: Quaker Centre, Downs Barn
6
6 May
Rambling Group: The Swan, Cranfield
7
9 May
Final copy date for the June – July 2015 issue of The Third Way
2
13 May
Rambling Group: The Bell, Beachampton
7
20 May
Rambling Group: The Coffee Pot, Yardley Gobion
7
22 May
MKU3A Choir Spring Concert at the URC Church in Newport Pagnell
5
27 May
Theatre Group 2 outing: The Sound Of Music
4
27 May
Rambling Group: The Swan, Great Horwood
7
27 May
Transport Topics Group: Visit to Accident Investigation at Cranfield
6
18 June
Outings Group: Visit to Dudley Tunnel and the Ruskin Glass Centre
5
24 June
Transport Topics Group: Visit to Brooklands Museum
6
15 July
Theatre Group 2 outing: Jesus Christ Superstar
4
22 July
Theatre Group 2 outing: And Then There Were None
4
22 July
Transport Topics Group: Visit to Snibston Museum
6
The Third Way April – May 2015 page 12