CHESS VALLEY website: www.chessvalley-u3a.org.uk
THE THIRD AGE TRUST CHESS VALLEY website: www.chessvalley-u3a.org.uk Registered Charity No. 1126990 Lacey Green Windmill was the subject for the Photography Group in July. Cambridge and its Colleges were visited by a U3A party in September. October - December 2014 1 More pictures from the ‘Cambridge and Colleges’ outing on 25th September. October - December 2014 2 Speakers for the General Meetings 2nd Thursday of the month at 2pm Broadway Baptist Church 76 The Broadway Chesham Bucks HP5 1EG 9th October Rt Hon John Bercow MP The Dual Role of Speaker and MP John Bercow has been the MP for Buckingham since 1997 and was elected Speaker of the House of Commons in May 2010. In his talk, he reflects on the challenges of reconciling his two demanding, and often conflicting, roles. 13th November The Army Presentation Team The British Army in the 21st Century After visits by the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy, it is the turn of the British Army Presentation Team to tell us about their modern-day role and how they are adapting to the challenges of austerity and the ever-changing geo-political situation 11th December Martin Sirot-Smith A Tudor Christmas This is a return visit by Martin who, in 2011, gave us an excellent talk on “The Washingtons at Sulgrave”. This will be a very topical talk on what Christmas was like in days gone by. 8th January Ian Keable 18th Century Hoaxes Ian is an authority on hoaxes and on the images and contemporary reports associated with them. He is an accountant, a magician and an expert on Dickens. October - December 2014 3 Chairman’s Notes Welcome to our Autumn 2014 newsletter. I do hope that you will find it informative, useful and helpful in planning your activities through to the end of this year. Forthcoming speakers at our monthly General Meeting I never fail to be impressed with the quality of speakers whom Michael Cohn books for our monthly General Meetings. We have a good programme of speakers in place right through to the end of 2015 but one that I am really looking forward to is our meeting on 9 October when the Rt Hon John Bercow MP, Speaker of the House of Commons , will talk to us about his dual role of Speaker and MP. Please note that this is likely to be a very well attended meeting. I would therefore suggest that you arrive early in order to avoid any last minute crush at the doors and to enable us to start promptly at 14.00. Please also keep an eye on our Chess Valley U3A website, just in case there are any last minute changes in the arrangements (that said, we have had confirmation from Mr Bercow’s office that this meeting is very firmly in his diary!). Chess Valley U3A Quiz Night, 15 November 2014 A final reminder about our Chess Valley U3A Quiz Night on 15 November, 18.30 for a prompt start at 19.00, at the White Hill Centre in Chesham. Please support this highly enjoyable event, perhaps by forming a team of six players with other members of your activity groups and/or friends; otherwise, we shall be happy to allocate you to tables, as on previous occasions (a good way of meeting other members!). The cost is £12 per person, including a fish and chips supper (chicken and chips or a vegetarian meal will be available as an alternative, if required). A booking form can be found on page 23 of this newsletter. I do look forward to seeing you there. Communicating within Chess Valley U3A This issue has long been a concern of mine. We rely very heavily on our excellent newsletter to inform members of any developments, changes or activities which are considered of general interest. Another medium for putting our messages across is the Chess Valley U3A website. However, these are both one‐way channels of communication. A major deficiency, in my view, is the relative lack of communication in the opposite direction, where members might have the opportunity to put forward views on how our U3A is run, and to submit ideas and suggestions on possible changes and improvements. The Committee and I can only operate effectively if we get feedback from members. We are therefore taking two steps to facilitate this: The Committee will now meet with Group Convenors four times a year, rather than the previous twice‐yearly meetings. The next meeting will be held from 10.00 ‐ 12.00 on Thursday 16 October, at Chesham Town Hall. I do hope that as many convenors as possible will attend these meetings, and that they will raise issues on behalf of their group members. We have introduced a new e‐mail address – comments@chessvalley‐u3a.org.uk. Any comments, ideas, etc. which are sent to this e‐mail address will be considered at the next monthly Committee meeting, after which you will receive a reply from me, or from one of my Committee colleagues. I do hope you will use this. And finally...... Philip Thomas, Pastor of Broadway Baptist Church, will be retiring in mid‐December. I have enjoyed working with Philip as our “landlord” of the venue for our monthly General Meetings. In particular, he has been the very model of patience and understanding in helping us to get a working knowledge of the impressive – but occasionally capricious – audio‐visual system at the church. On behalf of us all at Chess Valley U3A, I would like to wish Philip and his wife a long and happy retirement and a warm welcome to “The Third Age”. With best wishes Eric chairman@chessvalley‐u3a.org.uk October - December 2014 4 Committee Members Chairman Eric Magson [email protected] 01494 714420 Vice Chairman Tony Biddle [email protected] 01494 725429 Treasurer John Anderson [email protected] 01753 887463 Secretary Chris Kinsley [email protected] 01442 863028 Membership Secty. Brin Harvey [email protected] 01494 714646 Groups Coordinators Marian Bangs Webmaster Valerie Garrood Newsletter Editors Liz Stoelker* 01494 713627 [email protected] Sue Broad James Cadle [email protected] 01494 718128 01494 433585 01494 712164 [email protected] 01494 716992 Speaker Organiser Michael Cohn* [email protected] 01494 763542 Events Coordinator Jackie Cobb [email protected] 01494 773718 The * indicates a non-voting member New Members We offer our warm welcome to our newest members: Wendy Banfield Elaine Barnwell Tony Barnwell Michele Barrett Tony Barrett Avril Berry Bob Berry Andrew Blakesley Berkhamsted Widmer End Widmer End Chesham Chesham Chesham Chesham Little Gaddesdon Maureen Blakesley Jill Collins Bronwen Corrall Pauline Dollman Kay Hinkly Lance Osborne Elizabeth Poole Pauline Schonthal Little Gaddesdon Cholesbury Prestwood Chesham Little Chalfont Prestwood Prestwood Amersham If you know anyone you think might be interested in joining, please ask them to contact the Membership Secretary; contact details above. Groups Coordinators’ report We would like to welcome all new group Convenors to our U3A and wish them well in their new roles. Four meetings have been arranged over the next 12 months and we would like to invite all Convenors and/or a representative from their group to come along and meet us and the Committee. All meetings will be held upstairs in Chesham Town Hall. Also, the cheese and wine evening has been rescheduled for December. This is a “thank you” to the Convenors from the Committee for all the hard work that you do for our U3A. 16 Oct 2014. 10.00am ‐ 12.00pm 11 Dec 2014. 7.00 ‐ 9.00pm, cheese & wine evening 19 February 2015. 10.00am ‐ 12.00pm 21 May 2015. 10.00 ‐ 12.00pm 17 September 2015. 10.00 ‐ 12.00pm October - December 2014 5 You may have noticed that we have introduced a “Welcome Corner” at the General Meetings; this area gives us a space to chat to new members and inform them about the various groups. There is also a Notice Board where there will be information about outings and courses arranged by other U3As. You are invited to add your own information about events happening in your groups which may be of interest other members. Come along and join us at tea/coffee time. Marian Bangs and Sue Broad – Groups Co‐ordinators Chess Valley U3A Convenors (All phone numbers are prefixed by 01494 unless otherwise indicated) Group Convenor/s Phone U3A e-mail Art Lin Spoor 433896 [email protected] Claire Fallowfield 863160 [email protected] Art Discussion Jude Jones 723215 [email protected] Book Group 1 Mary Saywood 868746 [email protected] Book Group 2 Daphne Halsey 771456 [email protected] Book Group 3 Eileen Overton [email protected] Bridge Graham Beavan 01753 891667 775745 Patrick Clarke 727184 [email protected] Computers Joyce Bennett 786070 [email protected] Current Affairs Eileen Overton [email protected] Digital Imaging Liz Stoelker 01753 891667 712164 Dinghy Sailing Wendy Barnes 783790 [email protected] Eclectic Music Juliet Crussell 711159 [email protected] Ron Hartwell 786738 Marian Bangs 713627 Sue Broad 718128 Family History [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Fantasy Shares Merelene Davis French Conversation Christine Standring 727325 [email protected] French Intermediate Hilary Alleston 581934 [email protected] Gardening Janice Cross 728291 [email protected] German Jenny Lee 863970 [email protected] History Anne Crabbe 785104 [email protected] Ian Hutt 583955 [email protected] Italian Beginners Janet Whitehead 871244 [email protected] Italian Intermediate Janet Steel 862947 [email protected] Jazz Appreciation Alan Crussell 711159 [email protected] Danny Robins 581079 [email protected] Julie Wolstenholme 876908 [email protected] Mah Jong October - December 2014 [email protected] 6 Chess Valley U3A Convenors (continued) (All phone numbers are prefixed by 01494 unless otherwise indicated) Group Convenor/s Phone U3A e-mail MOTO Mo Barnes 786766 [email protected] Patchwork & Quilting Margaret Payne 783167 [email protected] Photography Keith Hoffmeister 766996 Play Reading David Goble 762570 [email protected] no email Poetry Sandy Finlay 862326 [email protected] Science & Technology Mike Christianson [email protected] Peter Twist 01753 890480 01753 883159 837437 Angela Bratton 725312 [email protected] Stephanie Rothwell 729416 [email protected] Spanish Conv (Inter) Hilary Alleston 581934 [email protected] Stamps John Small 762000 [email protected] Theatre Geoff North 726694 [email protected] Amblers Annie Barker 776165 [email protected] Walkers 1 Frances Calvert 782881 [email protected] Walkers 2 Sue Rawbone 713649 [email protected] Striders 1 John Bratton 725312 [email protected] Libby Odell 772842 Striders 2 John Hall 776294 [email protected] Walks into History: Country Walks into History: London Wildlife Tony Biddle 725429 [email protected] Joanna Hughes 814630 [email protected] Belinda Catton 726616 Laura Wyld 764125 Wine Appreciation 1 John Small (acting) 762000 [email protected] Wine Appreciation 2 Muriel Gray 581068 [email protected] Allan Saunders Singing for Pleasure [email protected] Anagrams (from Ian Hutt) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Best in prayer Moon starer A rope ends it They see He bugs Gore 6. Here come dots 7. Dirty room 8. Cash lost in me 9. Is no amity 10. Lies lets recount 11. Alas! No more Zs 12. I’m a dot in place 13. That queer shake 14. Twelve plus one 15. Woman Hitler (Solutions can be found on page 24) October - December 2014 7 Diary Date Group Event 7 Oct Committee Monthly Meeting 7 Oct Family History What and how to research at the National Archives 9 Oct General Meeting Rt. Hon J Bercow MP - The Dual Role of Speaker and MP 13 Oct History A Grandfather's Walk into the Industrial Revolution 15 Oct Photography Review of photos of ‘Dawn, Dusk and the Occasional Tree’ 16 Oct Convenors Meeting at Chesham Town Hall, 10:00 - 12:00 22 Oct Gardening Gardening with Extremes 23 Oct Eclectic Music Popular American composers inc. Copeland and Bernstein 23 Oct Poetry Leonard Cohen 24 Oct Opera & Dance Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (Royal Ballet 2011) 27 Oct Digital Imaging Refining Selections and Adding and Removing Objects 28 Oct Jazz Appreciation Bob Thompson – Some of my favourite jazz pianists 4 Nov Family History Smethurst’s Luck by Peter Maggs 10 Nov History Chesham Grammar School 6th Form Students 11 Nov Committee Monthly Meeting 12 Nov Country Walks into History Berkhamsted and the Norman Conquest 13 Nov General Meeting 15 Nov The Army Presentation Team Chairman’s Quiz 19 Nov Photography Review of photographs of Stowe 19 Nov Patchwork & Quilting Getting the Best from Rotary Cutting Equipment 24 Nov Digital Imaging Layers 25 Nov Jazz Appreciation Social Event and discussion of future programme 26 Nov Gardening Christmas Decoration Workshop 27 Nov Eclectic Music Piano roll instruments - focusing on Mozart’s piano music 27 Nov Poetry World War 1 28 Nov Opera and Dance Mikado - Gilbert & Sullivan (Australian Opera 2008) 3 Dec Family History Christmas Social: My Youth in Bucks by Marjorie Beckett 8 Dec History Christmas Do! 9 Dec Committee Monthly Meeting 10 Dec London Walks Westminster at War 11 Dec General Meeting A Tudor Christmas 11 Dec Convenors Cheese and Wine at Chesham Town Hall, 7.00 - 9.00 pm 16 Dec Poetry Christmas Fare 17 Dec Photography/Dig Imaging Christmas Celebration - favourite and best images 12 Jan History The First British Prime Ministers 14 Jan Country Walks into History Marlow’s Heritage Trail 21 Jan Patchwork & Quilting Big Stitch Quilting 9 Feb History The History of Victorian Magic Lantern Shows 19 Feb Convenors Meeting at Chesham Town Hall, 10:00 - 12:00 12 Jan History The First British Prime Ministers 25 Feb London Walks Visit to London by Coach Copy date for the next Newsletter is 22nd December October - December 2014 8 News from the Groups GROUP MEETINGS While members are generally welcome at any meeting of a group, it is helpful if they advise the Convenor of that meeting before so doing. Most meetings are structured and the arrival of an unexpected member may cause an unnecessary and perhaps unwelcome blip to the arrangements. In public buildings it is important that the Convenor knows who is at the meeting in case of fire. Please, always sign in at the beginning and sign out and in again if you pop out for a while. Also, make sure you know where the fire exits are. Archery This group has been disbanded. Further information on how to take up Archery in the area is still available on the Chess Valley U3A web site. Art Lin Spoor & Claire Fallowfield The Art Group has started the new term in an abstract way by producing small paintings in colour and collage. JMW Turner is big this year with a blockbuster exhibition at Tate Modern, `Painting Set Free`, until January 25th. Plus a Mike Leigh film, `Mr Turner`, to be released on October 31��, with Timothy Spall as Turner. Art Discussion Jude Jones The group continues to meet on the 2nd Thursday of the month at 10.30 at the Convenor's home. We've enjoyed a very well presented talk on Jack Vettriano which forced us to confront some prejudices, and a visit to Waddesdon to see the Lod mosaic found intact near Tel Aviv. Future topics include still life painting and attitudes to modern art. Book 1 Mary Saywood This is a book group with a difference. We don’t all read the same book! Several times a year a group of avid readers meets to discuss the books we have read between meetings. It’s a most stimulating and wide-ranging session in which it’s almost certain that at least somebody will have read the same book or the same author as somebody else in the group. Our discussions have included fiction, biography, history, politics and include authors such as Barack Obama, J.M Coetzee, Sebastian Faulks, Rose Tremain, Max Hastings, David Owen and many more. If you are an avid reader who loves talking and listening about books you will be very welcome to join us. Meetings are at the Convenor’s home in Great Missenden. Please ring for more details. Book 2 Daphne Halsey June: ‘The Bookseller of Kabul’ by Asne Seierstad. This is a portrayal of day-to-day family life in war torn Afghanistan. An insightful narrative by a well known Norwegian war correspondent turned author. Universally enjoyed by the group (an unusual occurrence!) prompting a lively discussion of women’s role in society. July: ‘First Family’ a thriller by David Baldacci. After a daring kidnapping turns a children's birthday party at Camp David into a National Security nightmare, the First Lady enlists the services of former Secret Service Agents to find the President’s kidnapped niece. What follows is a complicated plot showing how far a man October - December 2014 9 will go to get revenge for his daughter. Also, how ruthless politicians can be in their climb to the top. A real page turner and good holiday read, even if it does at times stretch the imagination! August: ‘Slated’ by Terri Teri. A chilling futuristic ‘teen’ read. Kyla - allegedly a terrorist - has had her memory ‘slated’, that is erased, but echoes of her past whisper in her mind. An easy, intriguing read but with a less than satisfactory ending as the book is the first of a trilogy. Some members are reading the follow-up books to find out ‘what happens next’. Those with teenage grandchildren could recommend this book to them! Book 3 Eileen Overton Meetings are held in members' homes at 2pm on the third Tuesday of each month. Availability is governed by the ten books we get each month from the library and there is currently a vacancy for one person; please contact the Convenor for details of our next meeting. We have just chosen our books for 2015 and the list includes: 'Hotel Du Lac' by Anita Brookner, 'Possession' by A S Byatt, 'Amsterdam' by Ian McEwan and 'Catcher in the Rye' by J D Salinger. Once again we have put together a very mixed list chosen by us all. We are currently reading ‘The Reluctant Fundamentalist’ by Mohsin Hamid. For the rest of the year we will be reading ‘Suite Francaise’ by Irene Nemirovsky, ‘November’ by Pat Barker and ‘Trespass' by Rose Tremain. Bridge Graham Beavan & Patricia Clarke We have now settled into our new venue, Chartridge Park Golf Club, where we play every Wednesday, starting promptly at 2pm. Our last meeting before the Christmas break will be 3rd December. As a result of our move we were able to invite all members who were on the original waiting list to join us but such has been the demand since our move that we have had to start a new list. Accordingly if you wish to join us, please contact one of the Convenors in order that your name can be added to the list. Computers Joyce Bennett The Computer Group meets on the third Thursday of the month in Little Chalfont Library at 1.30 p.m. New members are very welcome. You do not have to be a computer nerd (but we welcome you too, we need your expertise!). One of our aims is to reassure those who are not confident. Please contact the convenor by email or telephone to indicate that you wish to join the group so that your email address can be added to the mailing list. July’s meeting on Picasa 3 was very interesting and informative. There was no meeting in August as most people had family commitments and/or holidays. Our September meeting was about Open Office and its benefits, followed by questions and answers. Richard Fenton continues to be our guide and answers our questions. The October meeting will be about ‘Backups’, the cost and the importance of them. If there are tutorials for a meeting these will be emailed to members before the meeting so that they can be printed beforehand. Current Affairs Eileen Overton The Current Affairs group meets at 2pm on the first Thursday of each month in members' homes. We discuss a wide range of current topics in a very friendly manner, everyone gets their say and we love hearing different viewpoints. If you would like to come along and have an enjoyable afternoon of serious subjects and banter please contact the Convenor for details of our next meeting. Jeffrey Archer tells this story against himself. At the christening of his son, the vicar said: ‘May he have the looks of Mary, and the brains of …. (pause) Mary.’ October - December 2014 10 Digital Imaging Liz Stoelker We meet in Little Chalfont Village Hall from 10:00 - 12:00 on the fourth Monday of the month, apart from when this is a Bank Holiday and in December, when the meeting will be on the third Monday. We welcome new members as no previous knowledge is necessary. We explore how to improve our photographs using photo editing software and how to create interesting effects that result in something quite different. The sessions are based on Photoshop Elements but other software can be used. Bringing a laptop with a copy of Photoshop Elements to the meetings is an advantage but not essential. In the last three months we have learnt about ‘Correcting Perspective’, ‘Using Tools’ and ‘Making Selections’, all presented by members of the group. I think they all agree that the way to learn about a technique is to give a presentation on it! There were only a few members present in September but they were spurred on by the offer of a bottle of wine for the best montage which was won by Brian Pratt. Our topics for the next two months are ‘Refining Selections and Adding and Removing Objects’ in October and ‘Layers’ in November. In December we will join the Photography Group for their Christmas Celebration. Dinghy Sailing Wendy Barnes The group continues to expand with new members from various U3As in the area but we never seem to get more than 12 at any one time so are not overwhelmed! The weather has been variable with a couple of capsizes one week but the people concerned just put it down to experience and the water was quite warm. We have 2 actual sailing days left this season, October 14th and 22nd. On November 11th we will meet, but not sail, just do some theory and have a discussion about a sailing holiday next year. There are 2 propositions at the moment—one for a week abroad and another for a few days on the Norfolk Broads. Do come down at 2pm on this occasion. New members always welcome. Eclectic Music Juliet Crussell & Ron Hartwell Ron and I are tuned up for a new season of this fledgling music group. True to our aim of exploring a broad spectrum of music, our first meeting, on 25�� Sept, focused on music used in or composed for films. On the 23�� Oct we will be exploring the music of popular American composers such as Aaron Copeland and Leonard Bernstein. This will include the wonderfully lively Rodeo, Appalachian Spring, Fanfare for the Common Man and Bernstein’s music for West Side Story. On 27�� November, Ron will introduce us to his collection of piano roll instruments at his home, particularly focusing on the piano music of Mozart. The final movement of what we hope will have been a ‘Molto vivace’ term, will be a prelude to the festive season with a free for all of Christmas music of all varieties, along with a few libations and nibbles; this will be on Thursday 18�� Dec, for obvious reasons; venue to be announced. We very much hope to welcome new members to Amersham Free Church (back entrance) at 2pm and to hear how members would like to see this group develop. Family History Sue Broad & Marian Bangs At our August meeting Peter Dixon from Chiltern U3A Family History, told us the fascinating story of his relative, the legendary cat burglar, George 'Taters' Chatham. Taters stole millions of pounds worth of jewels, paintings and cash in some of the country's most spectacular robberies but he gambled it all away and died penniless. Over 50 years Taters robbed the homes of the rich and famous, art galleries and museums. He spent 35 years in jail - he was jailed so frequently that at one time a cell in Chelmsford prison was nicknamed Chatham's Cell - but he also escaped unpunished for many of his crimes. Taters stole the Duke of Wellington's swords from the Victoria and Albert Museum by tying two ladders together and breaking a window 40ft up (the bars seen today on the outside of the windows are a result of that break in). He said of his stealing from the rich: "Some regarded it as a nice thing to talk about at parties." October - December 2014 11 He stole from the safe of Billy Hill who owned a famous gambling casino but Billy did not charge Taters as he knew he would get all his money back and more as Taters was a notorious gambler. When he was arrested for shoplifting, aged 76, he said`: "What have I got left? A lot of sad memories and over 30 years inside. Taters' last crime was at the age of 81 when he was hurt in a fall. He died penniless, aged 85, in a south London nursing home. In the second half of the meeting we talked about our latest project, 'What areas of the country are you researching?'. We then looked at our Family History website as some members are unfamiliar with how to access the site and others had not yet discovered it. Our meeting on 7th October will be a presentation by Brian, one of our members, on what and how to do our research when we visit the National Archives at Kew next January. The 2015 programme is now on the website. New members welcome, no knowledge required, please see the website for contact details. Fantasy Shares Merelene Davis When we last met, in May, we looked at how, in 1990 a £100,000 pension pot bought an annuity of £15,875 but only £6,065 in 2014. This rather called into question how well the financial industry has been regulated to serve ordinary people by successive governments. This certainly should act as an incentive for people to look after their own savings more, especially those wanting to pass more to their children and grandchildren. Forestry is one investment where income is not subject to income tax and, after two years, is free of Inheritance Tax. A copy of the editorial in a recent issue of Forestry Journal was discussed at the meeting. This noted that the value of commercial forestry properties had risen by a staggering 50% in the last year, showing why this is such a popular investment, along with farmland which has similar tax advantages. Trying to buy into forestry has a high entry threshold. Apart from buying outright, ‘limited partnerships’ in forestry begin at £43,550 which is too much for the majority of savers. Undoubtedly, this accounts for why only 1% of our population owns 70% of the land. The answer would be a ‘woodland investment company’ such as exists elsewhere in the world, which if listed on the AIM sector of the Stock Exchange in the UK would, after two years, be free of Inheritance Tax. This would not only have investment and social benefits but could bring into management, many woodlands which today are going derelict. Discussion then ranged over what AIM listed companies that now exist, would be good investments although none came close to the profitability the editor of Forestry Journal had mentioned! French Conversation Christine Standring Notre groupe est composé de personnes ayant de bonnes connaissances en français. Nos réunions, très amicales et divertissantes, ont lieu deux fois par mois; notre premier rendezvous se tient le deuxième mercredi du mois, à 12h30, autour d'un petit repas convivial dans un pub local. Nous avons également plaisir à nous retrouver le quatrième mercredi du mois, à 10h00, autour d'un café, chez un des membre du groupe. L'accueil est toujours très chaleureux et nos discussions se font dans la bonne humeur. Nous organisons de temps en temps des soirées autour d’un bon vin et de quelques plats. L'objectif est d'offrir aux membres de notre groupe le moyen de s'exprimer et de converser en français sur des divers sujets d'actualités, de pratiquer les expressions idiomatiques mais aussi de passer un bon moment ensemble. French Intermediate Hilary Alleston We meet on the 4th Wednesday of the month in Amersham at 11 am. We are a small friendly group with a fairly basic knowledge of French but we manage to chat with assistance from the Convenor and, often, a native speaker who is a great source of vocabulary and help with pronunciation. Any enquiries to the Convenor. October - December 2014 12 Gardening Janice Cross This last quarter, we have learnt how to grow different flowers for cutting, visited in virtual reality some stunning gardens in Southern Sweden, and discovered the many delights of Cambridge University’s Botanic Gardens. Looking ahead, we have a talk on ‘Gardening with Extremes’ in October, and our Christmas Decoration Workshop will be back once again in November. There is no December meeting. Our meetings are held on the 4th Wednesday of the month (except when we have a trip) at the Amersham Free Church in Woodside Road, Amersham, from 2pm to 5pm. We welcome new members to the group, whatever your level. German Jenny Lee Our very small but friendly group continues to meet on the first and third Wednesday of each month. We meet in each other’s houses and always cover a wide range of subjects. Recently we have covered the fascinating life of Angela Merkel and have discovered that the British are now ahead of the Germans in the race to reserve sun beds with their towels !! For further information please contact the convenor. History Anne Crabbe & Ian Hutt Chesham historian Neil Rees was a sparkling speaker at our July meeting with his account of the Royal family of Albania and King Zog's time in Bucks during WW2. We shall certainly ask him back. Two of our members, Christine Ogbourne and Ian Hutt, concluded their accounts of the Jewish community in England since the Middle Ages; this tied in with the group's recent visit to the first synagogue in the City, Bevis Marks, and continues the group's ethos of using willing members' knowledge and research. Our church crawl, organised by Jackie Cobb, went to the north of the County, to Hillesden, Nether Winchenden, Chetwode and Wooten Underwood. We had speakers at each of the very different churches and, for lunch, Jackie had organised two large tables for us at The Pheasant in Brill. This was the fifth August church crawl and once again we were all humbled by the beauty and endeavour invested in these wonderful buildings, still there for us to appreciate. We had another new speaker in September and another that we shall certainly ask back. Edward Dixon gave an illustrated talk on the WW1 artists, both British and German; he was factual and moving. The History Group meets on the 2ⁿ� Monday in the month at Chesham Town Hall. October 13 A Grandfather's Walk into the Industrial Revolution November 10 Presentation by 6th Form Chesham Grammar School Students December 8 Christmas Do! January 12 The First British Prime Ministers February 9 The History of Victorian Magic Lantern Shows Italian Beginners Janet Whitehead Our small, friendly group continues to meet at 2.30pm on the first and third Thursdays at the White Hill Centre in Chesham. We are currently using the book CONTATTI 1. We are revising early sections and are now on units 7 and 8, sometimes working independently when our tutor has other commitments. The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of the blessings. The inherent blessing of socialism is the equal sharing of misery. Winston Churchill October - December 2014 13 Italian Intermediate Janet Steel The intermediate Italian group has completed Book 1 of ‘Contatti’. We are a small informal group and we are learning without a teacher. We usually meet on two Wednesdays in the month in the houses of members. If you already have some knowledge of Italian and would like to join us, please contact the Convenor. Jazz Appreciation Alan Crussell & Danny Robins We are a friendly and like-minded group of jazz enthusiasts. All types of jazz are covered with members’ participation. We have excellent speakers using a wide variety of audio/visual equipment. Members share their knowledge and enthusiasm in an informal relaxed atmosphere. New members are very welcome. We meet on the last Tuesday of the month at 2 pm. NEW VENUE: The Owen Room, Amersham Free Church, Woodside Road, Amersham, Bucks., HP6 6AJ The church has its own car park. Meetings for 2014 : October 28 Bob Thompson – Some of my favourite jazz pianists. November 25 Social Event : Wine and Cheese, Jazz Quiz, Prize Raffle and future programme of events discussion. December 30 Holiday Break. Please contact one of the convenors if you have any questions. Mah-Jong Julie Wolstenholme Mah Jong is a game played with tiles and originated in China. It’s a very sociable and fun game played by 2, 3 or 4 people. There is no competition involved as each person plays their own game and any mistakes are easily hidden! Don't worry if you haven't played before; if you have ever played the simplest of card games you will quickly pick up the basics of Mah Jong. This is a friendly group who enjoy each other’s company for an afternoon, playing, chatting with a cup of tea/coffee and a biscuit. Anyone is welcome from beginners to the more experienced players. We meet on the 2nd and 4th Mondays (except Bank Holidays) at 2.00pm in The Free Church, Amersham. The entrance to the church is locked so please call Julie on 01494 876908 if you would like to come along and I can meet you at the entrance to let you in. MOTO (Members 0n Their Own) Mo Barnes The MOTO group continues to thrive as a smallish (20 to 30 members), informal, networking group for members on their own looking for the company of like minded people. As usual, several lunches and outings continue to be enjoyed and new friendships forged. In fact, the group has been so successful that it is now outgrowing it's original concept and outings are becoming unwieldy. Therefore, for the time being, we are unable to take in any more members. I will start a waiting list and if it grows, would be willing to help someone else start a second group. Opera & Dance South Bucks U3A Contrary to what was said in the last Newsletter, the South Bucks Opera Group has been resurrected and this is the latest news. We now have a provisional convening team who will run the group up to the end of 2014 but as none of us has the immense depth of opera knowledge that Geoffrey Spencer had, we have had to modify the format of our sessions somewhat. We have renamed the group Opera & Dance to widen the appeal somewhat. October - December 2014 14 Our provisional programme in the Beacon Theatre, Holtspur Way, Holtspur, Beaconsfield HP9 1RJ till year end is as follows: Friday September 26�� Opera - Medea by Cherubini (1797) Friday October 24�� Ballet - Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (Royal Ballet 2011) Friday November 28�� Comic opera - Mikado - Gilbert & Sullivan (Australian Opera 2008) There is no session in December as the 4�� Friday is Boxing Day. You can contact the new organisers of the group at: [email protected] Attached to the email was a questionnaire which they would like you to complete and return by email. If you would like a copy of the questionnaire, please email the Editor at [email protected]. Patchwork & Quilting Margaret Payne The Patchwork and Quilting Group continues to be very productive and the new format of 1st Wednesday morning of the month (9.30am until 12 noon) at the Convenor’s house in Hyde Heath and the 3rd Wednesday 9.30am until 3.30pm at Hyde Heath Village Hall has been well received. Our library of P&Q books continues to grow and members are encouraged to borrow books to help their imagination. The group broke for the summer recess on 16�� July after an excellent lunch provided by members. To remove the strain of hosting this from any one member, we used our regular venue of Hyde Heath Village Hall and plan to do this each summer. Our next social event will be getting together at a local pub on Wednesday 10�� December (venue and time to be decided). The normal routine of 1�� Wednesday mornings at my house and 3�� Wednesdays all day at Hyde Heath Village Hall is being disrupted throughout the autumn because I need to help with childcare of my grandchildren. By the time you receive this we will have resumed our meetings at Hyde Heath Village Hall on Wednesday 17�� September. Our next two meetings will be Wednesday 15�� October and Wednesday 19�� November at the village hall. The former will be working on your own work and the latter will be a talk and mini workshop with Margaret Armstrong to teach us how to get the best out of our rotary cutting equipment. Please note this was originally scheduled for October but has been moved to November. The final routine meeting before Christmas will be Wednesday 3�� December at my house. All being well normal meetings will resume in January, the first being Wednesday 7�� January. We have another workshop scheduled for Wednesday 21�� January, the topic being Big Stitch Quilting and the tutor will be Sally Stott. New members are always welcome. Please email or telephone the Convenor for further information. Experience of sewing, but not necessarily patchwork, is an advantage, as is the possession of and familiarity with a sewing machine. In the light of my family commitments in Aberdeen this autumn, please be aware there may be a few days delay in replying to your email or phone call. Any phone messages will remain on my answer machine for me to collect on my return or you may phone in the evening and leave a message with my husband. Photography Keith Hoffmeister The field trip to Whipsnade Zoo was a great success. Again, we were blessed with more or less perfect weather and had a most rewarding day. The programme for the autumn and winter meetings is set out below: October meeting: We will look at the pictures on September’s theme of ‘Dawn, Dusk and the Occasional Tree’, will discuss future plans and arrange a field trip to Stowe for the autumn colours. November meeting: We will look at the Stowe pictures. December meeting: The Digital Imaging Group will be invited to join us for our Christmas celebration. Members will be invited to bring along a print of their 'favourite picture' and also 'the best picture I have ever taken.' October - December 2014 15 Play Reading David Goble The Convenor is on holiday. Poetry Sandy Finlay Our group meets on the fourth Thursday of each month. Meetings are held in members’ homes which places a necessary limit on our numbers. Anyone wishing to join the Poetry Group should, in the first place, contact the Convenor to determine availability of places. July : Simon Armitage & Derek Walcott Simon Armitage provided us with poems containing dry, native Yorkshire wit including ‘The Poem’ and ‘The Tyre’. Armitage’s seemingly off-the-cuff, popular style was further enjoyed with ‘In Praise of Air’, ‘Gooseberry Season’ and ‘I Am Very Bothered’. Derek Walcott, the West Indian poet & playwright & recipient of the Nobel Prize for Literature, provided poems ranging from celebrating his Caribbean landscape’s natural beauty to his personal feelings on black folk cultures and experiences of divisions between European and Caribbean race and culture. Powerful examples included: ‘A Far Cry from America’, ‘Sea Grapes’, ‘Dark August’ and ‘The Blues’. August: Christina Rossetti & Silvia Plath Christina Rossetti was an English romantic poet associated with the Pre Raphaelite movement. Her poem ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’ was set to music by Gustav Holst and is now a popular carol. We read ‘Consider the Lilies of the Field’, ‘Song’, ‘De Profundis’ and ‘The One Certainty’. Christina sat for several of Dante Rossetti’s most famous paintings. During the 19th century, Christina and Dante visited their grandfather Gaetano Polidori’s house in Holmer Green. For her devotional poems and works she was honoured with a feast day (27 April) in the liturgical calendar of the Anglican Church. Sylvia Plath’s frequently intense poems were absorbing, as was recounting details of her relatively short, troubled life. A superb example of this intensity is to be found in ‘Lady Lazarus’, dealing with the subject of suicide to which she eventually succumbed. In a converse mood we read of her motherhood and her child in ‘Morning Song’. ‘Elm’, ‘Mirror’, ‘Daddy’ and ‘The Applicant’. A very admired, yet complicated, poet. 23 Oct 2014 Leonard Cohen 27 Nov 2014 WW1 16 Dec 2014 Christmas Fare Science & Technology Mike Christianson, Allan Saunders, Peter Twist As Eric Savory has now stood down as convenor of the Science and Technology Group, his role has been taken by a triumvirate to take the group forward - Mike Christianson, Peter Twist and Allan Saunders. Between us, we will organise the events and manage the venue and finances. We have also decided to change the format of our meetings, having speakers some months but also having member-led discussions on specific topics. Our speakers are sometimes external but also members who have researched a topic and then present their findings for discussion. We meet at 2pm on the third Monday of each month at the Amersham Free Church, Woodside Road, Amersham HP6 6AJ. Emails directed to [email protected] will be seen by all three members of our steering committee. Singing for Pleasure Stephanie Rothwell & Angela Bratton It was good to welcome back members after the summer break. Voices were a little rusty but Kathryn, our tutor, soon warmed up our vocal chords and we all enjoyed getting back to singing again. This coming year appears to be quite an eventful one for the group. Besides our weekly sessions we shall be entering a couple of local festivals and there is even the possibility of going on tour for a weekend! We may also perform a charity concert again, as we did earlier this year. October - December 2014 16 There are still places for new members and we have already welcomed two new singers into the group this term. If you would like to join us please contact one of the convenors. We are a very friendly group. The sessions are lively and light hearted even when practising more challenging pieces! Spanish Conversation (Intermediate) Hilary Alleston ¿Hablas español? ¿Quieres practicar? We are a small friendly group with varied Spanish experience and levels of language. We meet in Amersham on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month at 11 am. Don't feel shy: even if your Spanish is a bit rusty you will be very welcome but absolute beginners should start elsewhere. Please contact the convenor for more details. Stamps John Small July saw John Richards as our visiting speaker who delivered a very entertaining talk on his superb collection of New Zealand stamps. He has an excellent example of the first New Zealand stamp, issued in 1855, plus many more. He also showed a number of stamps with faults and flaws, both old and newer issues. We all agreed to watch our NZ post a little more closely. The September 29�� meeting will be after the newsletter deadline – but we have U3A member, John Gover, visiting us and talking about Channel Islands stamps. A full report will be given in the next newsletter. Our next meeting is on the 24�� November - topic still to be decided. Our meetings are very friendly and certainly some of our number are ‘inactive philatelists’ but still enjoy learning from stamps. We meet on the 4�� Monday, bi-monthly (the odd months - January, March, etc.), and welcome further like-minded souls (we have both female and male enthusiasts) to spend an occasional afternoon developing a common interest in stamps. If you have an old album or collection, why not rekindle your interest and come along. Please call John Small on 01494 76 2000 for an update or further details. Theatre Geoff North We will have a meeting in October to discuss the 2014/15 Season. There are many new shows coming to the West End and local theatres, something to please everyone. As this will be my final meeting as Convenor, I have arranged for us to have afternoon tea at Chartridge Park Golf Club (mid-afternoon parking there is both free and easy). A slightly subsidised afternoon tea with scones, cream and strawberry jam will be a modest £4 each. The date for your diary is Tuesday 21�� October at 3.30 pm. Cheques (payable to Chess Valley U3A) to me please at Dashwood, 15 Weedon Lane, Amersham HP6 5QT. Deadline is Friday 17�� October 2014. A close-fisted businessman in the North of Scotland had fallen on hard times and his creditors were increasingly insistent that he meet their demands. After trying to ease his situation in various ways, without success, he learned of a major lottery which was soon to take place. And despite his religious scruples, he decided there was nothing else for it. ‘O Lord,’ he prayed, ‘help me win the raffle.’ As the day for the draw approached, and his debts loomed ever larger, he doubled his prayers and begged on his knees in increasing desperation, ‘Lordie, Lordie. O help me win the raffle.’ And finally, a voice came from heaven, in exasperated reply: Prof. the Revd. J Mahoney ’Angus! Meet me half-way. Buy a ticket.’ October - December 2014 17 Walking Groups Members come on walks and accept lifts from other members at their own risk and carry their own simple first-aid kit, water etc. and should be responsible for their own safety when crossing roads or climbing stiles. Our walks are on uneven and sometimes hilly ground and paths are often muddy so good walking boots are essential for most walks. Suitable warm and waterproof clothing is necessary – we will not usually cancel in case of rain! Car-sharing is recommended; talk to other group members and find out who lives near you. In fairness to all, Walkers 2 & 3 have decided not to allow dogs; for other groups, please check with the Convenor. Walks can only go ahead if there are at least 3 members present - one to break a leg, one to stay with the injured person and one to get help. Amblers (3 to 4 miles) Annie Barker Amblers walk once a month and the day can vary as the member leading the walk chooses a day to suit them. Our circular walks take between 1½ and 2 hours, starting at 10.30. We usually start from a pub where many of us finish off the morning with a congenial lunch but this is optional. Well-behaved dogs are welcome. Information about walks is e-mailed directly to members. Walkers (5 - 6 miles) Information about walks is sent directly to members by e-mail. Walkers 1 Frances Calvert We've had some wonderful walks through the summer. We are so lucky to have so many footpaths in such lovely scenery. Didn't get soaked by the rain, and nobody had to be pulled out of the mud! Let's hope the Autumn term will be as kind. We walk every first and third Tuesday of the Month, starting at a pub and ending there with a well earned lunch. If you would like to join this group please contact the Convenor. Walkers 2 Sue Rawbone Walkers 2 meets monthly on the 4th Thursday of each month except December, starting at 10:00 or 10.30 am and walk for about 2½ hours, covering 5 to 6 miles. Members take it in turns to act as leader for the day: planning, testing out each walk, sending out details by email and taking the bookings. We generally restrict the numbers to a maximum of 18 walkers so that we can keep up a fairly good pace and cope with queues at stiles so book early to be sure of a place. We walk in all weather conditions. Part of the joy of walking is to meet up with like-minded people, get some exercise and finish at a local hostelry for a drink and a bite to eat. After the walks, we like to collect an optional £1 per person which goes towards a fund to replace old stiles and gates in the local area as part of the Chiltern Society aim to make walking easier for everyone. We have so far contributed to two gates, one along the Chess Valley near Latimer and one in Little Missenden. Both gates have been dedicated to past members of the group who have passed away. Over the summer months we have included four extra walks on the third Thursday of the month to try to accommodate the large number of people in the group. However the take up on all the walks has been quite low so an assessment will be made at the beginning of 2015 as to whether to continue with these additional walks. As each walk leader chooses his/her own location we have had some lovely walks including a walk from Wigginton, the highest village in the Chilterns, to Hurley and the River Thames. Hopefully the numbers will pick up over the next few months now that major holidays and helping with grandchild sitting over the summer are over. I look forward to seeing as many of the group as possible. Why is it at class reunions you are younger than everyone else looks? October - December 2014 18 Striders (7 - 14 miles) We enjoy a good active social life and look forward to welcoming any new members to the Striders groups; please contact one of the Convenors for further details and you will be made very welcome. Booking arrangements for Striders 1 and Striders 2 Members of Striders 1 and Striders 2 can book walks with either group; check with the Convenors for the details. Striders 1 (7+ miles) John Bratton & Libby Odell If you would like to join this group, please contact the Convenors. For a list of future walks email [email protected] Striders 2 (7+ miles) John Hall Walks are on the first and third Tuesdays in the month. Country Walks into History Tony Biddle The walks are on the second Wednesday of each odd-numbered month. Each walk leader organises the directions, parking, lunch, visits and keeps records of those attending each walk. Each walk/visit involves some fun in a little pre-reading or research and then pre-walking the route to ensure familiarity with the paths when leading the group. 12th November 2014 Berkhamsted and the Norman Conquest By popular request, Tony will once again lead us around the historic parts of Berkhamsted and cover the castle and the Norman Conquest through to the development of the town and the canal in the industrial revolution. Contact Tony Biddle on 01494-725429 or e-mail: [email protected] 14th January 2015 Marlow’s Heritage Trail Peter Schweiger will lead this walk around Marlow’s Heritage Trail through the old parts of the town. Contact Tony Biddle on 01494-725429 or e-mail: [email protected] 11th March 2015 Old Aylesbury and the Heritage Trail By popular request, Peter Schweiger will once again lead us around Aylesbury’s Heritage Trail through the old parts of the town. Contact Tony Biddle on 01494-725429 or e-mail: [email protected] The Historic Pathways of Chesham and Ley Hill – 9�� July 2014 Andrew Clark led this walk together with a team of Jean Staveley, Alan Gray and Jackie Cobb who were all very knowledgeable about the history of both Chesham & Ley Hill. We were led along the ancient trails and lanes that lead up from the Chess Valley and told about the history of the local brick making industry, farming and the changes in the landscape made by man. We took a fine lunch at the Crown Pub at Ley Hill. Old High Wycombe – 10�� and 24�� September 2014 16 Chess Valley U3A members benefited from the 2014 Indian Summer as, on September 10��, we were led by Peter Schweiger on an interesting tour of the older parts of High Wycombe. We met at the car park off Easton Terrace which includes a small park on what was once a Quaker burial ground. From there, Peter took us through a pedestrian tunnel beneath the Chiltern Line and then along Totteridge Road to cross the A404 to the Wycombe Museum. After a brief look round, a briefing on the museum and a cup of tea, we re-crossed the railway using the Priory Avenue footbridge and descended to Castle Street, proceeding from there to the Church of All Saints, established in the 13�� Century and added to and amended in more or less every century since. It’s a huge place and one of the more interesting people buried there is prime minister William Petty, Earl of Shelburne (1737-1805) who negotiated the peace with the American colonies. There are two fascinating stained glass windows. One dedicated to 50 notable women, the other is modern and concerns America. Next came the Cornmarket and the Guildhall. We saw a plaque mentioning the first Royal Military Academy, now Greggs October - December 2014 19 the Bakers. Plenty of sticky buns now but no cannons. Another building in the Main Street had wooden urns attached. These are very rare and were apothecaries’ signs for the illiterate. We walked past the old and new council offices and the police station in Victoria Road, and across to the Rye to conclude at the Pann Mill, one of dozens that once drew their power from the River Wye. Our walk ended at The Sausage Tree, a pub/restaurant whose specialities can be guessed at. The service was a bit chaotic but very friendly and the food itself was agreed to be excellent. Altogether, a fine expedition and many thanks go to Peter for organising and leading it. James Cadle Walks in London Joanna Hughes Treasurer: Mick Rothwell Walks are generally on the second Wednesday of each even-numbered month. However, there will be a change in 2015 for our February walk – PLEASE NOTE THE DATE FOR YOUR DIARIES. This will take place on 25 February 2015, the only Wednesday date available for an obviously very popular guide. This time we will be taking a coach into London. Pick-up from Chesham and Amersham to be advised. Briefly the itinerary will be as follows: Coffee and Comfort stop at St. Paul's Cathedral, Olympic Park, Canary Wharf - free time for lunch here, Isle of Dogs, City Airport, Visit Thames Barrier Park and Green Dock Garden – optional trip on Cable Car Full details will follow by email early in November to those on the Walks in London mailing list; we will need to ensure booking costs will be covered. Places will be limited by coach size, so early booking is advised following receipt of the booking email. 13 August – Walk into Old Mayfair 49 of us met for our August walk into the Old Mayfair areas, which are bordered by Oxford Street and Piccadilly. At one time this would have been pasture land with six large estates. We stopped outside Cambridge House, also known as the In and Out Club, a now derelict building, undergoing possible refurbishment, which had also been the Naval & Military Club and a house where Lord Palmerston had lived. We then turned into the interesting area known as Shepherd Market where once the annual May Fayre would have been held; an area that looked like it housed many exciting restaurants off the beaten track. We passed many interesting places: the Saudi Embassy, Curzon Cinema, Chesterton Street, once the homes of Anthony Eden, Beau Brummell and Somerset Maugham and then into the charming Berkeley Square. One of the highlights of the walk was entering the Jesuit Church in Farm Street, from which we exited into Mount Gardens, a beautiful, tranquil place. Passing the Connaught Hotel with its novel water feature outside, we went into Grosvenor Square, fronted by the American Embassy, a statue of Roosevelt and the wooden oak living memorial to 9/11 with its charming garden of white roses. The walk ended by passing Claridges and into Brook Street where the plaques of Jimmy Hendrix and George Frederick Handel can be seen as very close neighbours, finishing in Old Bond Street, the home of Sotheby’s, Bonham’s and Christie’s Auction Houses where the walk ended and we all went our separate ways. Future walks : 10 December 2014 Westminster at War 25 February 2015 Visit to London by Coach Offers of help from group members would be appreciated to enable the group to carry forward in the future. Would anyone be interested in forming a committee? Shortly after the war, while things were still scarce, I happened to come in one day when my wife was listening to ‘Woman’s Hour’, and heard the lady announcer say, ‘I am glad to tell you that corsets are coming back into the shops at last, but at present only in the smaller sizes. We larger women will have to go on looking round for a while.’ Revd. Canon Richard Tydeman October - December 2014 20 Wildlife Belinda Catton and Laura Wyld We are the new, joint convenors of the Wildlife Group and would like to thank Steve Epps for all his hard work in running the Group over the past few years. Meetings will be held every odd numbered month on the morning of the third Monday of that month, commencing September 2014. In September the Group paid a successful visit to Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital (followed by lunch at a local pub) and future visits will include the Wetlands Centre at Barnes, SW London on Monday 17�� November. On Monday 19�� January John Catton will be giving a talk entitled ‘What’s that bee, is it a bee?’ New Members are most welcome. Please contact one of the convenors for further details. Wine Appreciation 1 John Small (Acting Convenor) The new quarter started with a new theme – the Hawkins this time choosing France, but more particularly a region and selecting the lovely Burgundy area. There was no test so members were not able to show the knowledge they had gained from previous meetings! All appreciated this as we toured the whites of Buxy Cotes Chalonnaise), Macon (Chardonnay) and Lugny (Burgundy). For the reds we sampled Pinot Noir from Nuits St. George, a Louis Jadot blend of Gamay and Pinot Noir and finished with 2 identical Cote Chalonnaise Pinot Noir red – one bottle having been opened 24 hours earlier to experience the longer breathing. July found us in Little Chalfont Library courtesy of Betty and Jeff Waters who majored on Chilean wines with a selection from the local Tesco sommelier. They had managed to find some different wines and we sampled Chilean Riesling, Carmenere and a Pinot Noir rose. The Waters also eliminated any test and we all enjoyed the varied wines for tasting on a very pleasant summer’s evening. Returning to the library for August, the Smalls also presented an evening without test – although the first wine up was Mateus Rose and its distinctive colour was recognised by a few. This wine last appeared in the 60s and with a candle sticking out from the top of the bottle (who remembers that?)! Did you know that in the 80s this wine sold 39 million bottles annually? The evening’s theme was “Should you judge a book by the cover - or wine by the label?”. Whilst some of the labels were rather gaudy – the contents of the bottles were much better - including the Transylvanian Pinot Noir. Our conclusion was that there is much to be gained from opening the bottle! Wine Appreciation 2 Muriel Gray Our wine tasting experiences have been extended yet again, having tasted wines from Spain (courtesy of Laurie and Althea Batten) and a selection of ‘Wines of the Month’ from the local supermarkets. Laurie and Althea held their Spanish evening as in an 'al fresco' environment (ie their patio) and I do hope their neighbours weren't disturbed too much with the inevitable noise we made! Ginny Thulbourn then hosted the Wines of the Month, i.e. those on offer, which was an interesting exercise. We decided in the end that those on offer in July/August were there because the supermarkets couldn't sell them at the normal price as they were, on the whole, somewhat indifferent! Eskimos are known for their taciturnity. Two of them were in a boat fishing for several hours, without success. Not a word passed between them. Suddenly, one felt a tug on his line and, after a short tussle, he landed his catch - a beautiful mermaid. After a while and whilst his companion watched, expressionless - he grasped the mermaid and threw her back into the water. An hour passed, and then his companion said: “Why?” After a lengthy pause, he replied, “How?” Montague Waters QC October - December 2014 21 “Renaissance Treasures” A U3A study day at The National Gallery Wednesday 26th November 2014, 11am to 3.30pm This study day focuses on the Italian Renaissance treasures of the National Gallery. The meeting will introduce key themes in Italian Renaissance art and discuss painting practices in use during the period. The speakers will include: Caroline Campbell (Curator of Renaissance paintings before 1500); Jill Dunkerton (National Gallery Restorer); Richard Stemp (Gallery Educator and author of Renaissance art books); and Matthias Wivel (Curator of 16th century Italian paintings). The day will provide a well‐rounded experience of this fascinating period of art history. Tickets cost £18 per person (lunch and refreshments not provided) and will be issued on a first come, first served basis, with a maximum of two tickets per applicant. No refunds can be made but, if you are unable to attend, it may be possible to offer the place to another U3A member if there is a waiting list. Any queries should be made to the U3A National Office on 020 8466 6139. Please write to The Third Age Trust, 19 East Street, Bromley, Kent, with a cheque for £18/£36 payable to The Third Age Trust. Remember to include your address, telephone number and email address and a self‐addressed envelope. Answers to the food quiz Here are the answers to the food quiz that appeared in the last newsletter: 1. SAGO 2. PASSION FRUIT 3. DOUGHNUTS 4. TURKEY 5. SPOTTED DICK 6. BAKEWELL TART 7. TRIPE 8. MEAT BALLS 9. KNICKERBOCKER GLORY 10. PICCALILLI 11. APPLE CHARLOTTE 12. TOAD IN THE HOLE 13. HOT POT 14. MILK SHAKE 15. WELSH RAREBIT 16. FISH FINGERS 17. ROAST BEEF 18. DUMPLING 19. CANDIED PEEL 20. SWISS ROLL 21. ICE CREAM SUNDAE 22. QUEEN OF PUDDINGS 23. MINT 24. PLAICE 25. RUNNER BEAN 26. DANISH BLUE 27. MANGO 28. GROUSE 29. BANGER 30. SCAMPI 31 BAKED ALASKA 32. PIECE OF CAKE 33. TRIFLE 34. PEANUTS 35. STEAK Eight people submitted entries and the winner was Helen Graham, who got 32 correct answers. Our congratulations to her and she wins the £5 M&S voucher. Additional U3A discount at Arty’s art shop in Amersham Further to the list of discounts featured in the January ‐ April newsletter, we have learned that Arty’s art shop, at 129 Station Road Amersham, has now increased their discount for U3A members to 10%, which makes it an even more attractive place to shop for art supplies. When I am abroad, I always make it a rule never to criticize or attack the government of my own country. I make up for lost time when I get home. Winston Churchill October - December 2014 22 Chess Valley U3A – Chairman’s Quiz Night Date: Time: Venue: Cost: Saturday 15th November 2014 6:30 pm for a 7:00 pm start White Hill Centre, White Hill, Chesham, HP5 1AH (free car parking available) £12 per person including fish and chip supper Wine and other drinks will be available for purchase at the bar. Tables will consist of six players forming one team. If you wish to enter a whole team, please give all the names below and send one cheque for the team. You can invite non-U3A friends to join you in your team. If you can’t form a whole team, enter anyway and Brin Harvey will put you together with others. Chicken & chips or a vegetarian meal will be available as an alternative, if necessary, in which case please indicate against the name what is required. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Please complete this form and send it, with a cheque (payable to Chess Valley U3A) for the full amount to: Brin Harvey, Membership Secretary, Chess Valley U3A, 32 Mulberry Court, Holmer Green, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP15 6TF. Number of players: Total cost: £ Your name and address: Telephone number: Email address: Names of all team members or other players you wish to share a table with: October - December 2014 23 “Cinderella” Sergei Prokofiev’s enchanting ballet from the Dutch National Ballet at the Amsterdam Music Theatre Odeon, Covent Garden Cinema, Shaftesbury Avenue Wednesday 26th November 2014, 1.40 to 4.10pm Critically acclaimed and choreographed by the internationally renowned Christopher Wheeldon, this fresh production was premiered by the Dutch National Ballet at the Amsterdam Music Theatre. Influenced by the story from the Brothers Grimm, Wheeldon has created an enchanting ballet set to Prokofiev’s magnificent score with stunning sets and costumes by British designer Julian Crouch. The superb cast includes Anna Tsygankova and Matthew Golding, Principal with The Royal Ballet. More2Screen has arranged for U3A members to have exclusive use of the superb Screen 2 at the Odeon Cinema, Shaftesbury Avenue, Covent Garden. Filmed in high definition and with surround sound, this cinema screening offers U3A members a fabulous alternative to live performance. Doors open from 1.15pm. There will be a short introduction at 1.40pm and the ballet will commence at 1.45pm. There is one 20 minute interval. Tickets cost £14 per person and will be issued on a first come, first served basis, with a maximum of two tickets per applicant. No refunds can be made but, if you are unable to attend, it may be possible to offer the place to another U3A member if there is a waiting list. Any queries should be made to the U3A National Office on 020 8466 6139. Please write to The Third Age Trust, 19 East Street, Bromley, Kent BR1 1QE with a cheque for £14/£28 payable to The Third Age Trust. Remember to include your address, telephone number, email address and a stamped, addressed envelope. HOST – an opportunity for U3A members? There are international students at our universities hoping to have the privilege of meeting people who live in the UK. Having a well‐educated younger person from another part of the world visit you for a day, a weekend, or over Christmas, is an ideal way of exchanging ideas about your respective cultures. It’s an opportunity to take a pride in our own country and to understand more about another one, while showing kindness to someone far from home. It’s also great fun. If you’re not sure about doing this on your own, why not get together with another U3A member and make a great international weekend of it? HOST is a well‐established charity whose hosts are volunteers. Please see www.hostuk.org or call HOST 020 7739 6292. October - December 2014 Solutions to anagrams on page 7 1. Presbyterian 2. Astronomer 3. Desperation 4. The eyes 5. George Bush 6. The Morse Code 7. Dormitory 8. Slot machines 9. Animosity 10. Election results 11. Snooze alarms 12. A decimal point 13. The earthquakes 14. Eleven plus two 15. Mother in law 24 A Day Out (In the first of an occasional series, Liz Stoelker describes her day out in and around Greenwich) Greenwich hosted a Tall Ships Festival over the first weekend in September and it was possible to cruise the Thames on one of the ships. This really appealed to me but getting there seemed a bit daunting at first. A bit of research revealed that it was possible and I booked my ticket only four days beforehand; I’m not good at committing a long time in advance! By then there only seemed to be tickets for 10:30am or the more expensive evening cruises. Heigh ho, I needed to be at Woolwich Arsenal by 10 am and decided to come home via The Tower to view the ceramic poppies placed in remembrance of those who died in WW1. I got the 8:16 am Metropolitan Line train from Little Chalfont (too early for the One Day Travel Card rate), changed to the Jubilee Line at Finchley Road and went all the way round to Canning Town; may be not the quickest route, but easy. Then, the DLR to Woolwich Arsenal and a five‐ minute walk to the registration point. The cruise was great, going most of the way round the Isle of Dogs, I think (it all looks different from the river), before turning back. It’s worth going to Woolwich Arsenal at other times as there is the Greenwich Heritage Centre and the Firepower (Royal Artillery) Museum, neither of which I had time to visit this time. On the train, I’d realised that it was a one‐stop hop from Canning Town on the DLR to North Greenwich and the O2 Arena. I’d always regretted not going on the Emirates Cable Car before my son moved from Welling. On the ship, someone had pointed out that you can walk over the O2 Dome and that the views are fantastic so I had a double incentive to take a diversion. So, from Woolwich Arsenal back to Canning Town on the DLR and then to North Greenwich. Watching people walking up the Dome in groups, attached to a safety wire, I realised that it looked to be quite hard work. When I found that it cost £26 I wavered and the advice that it takes 1½ hours was the clincher; I had lunch instead! My ‘flight’ on the cable car was fun as I had a cabin to myself and was able to take photographs in all directions. It’s a short walk to Royal Victoria station on the DLR and a direct line to Tower Gateway for the Tower and the poppies (certainly worth a visit before Remembrance Day). There are several options on the Tube to get back to Little Chalfont but I decided to take the easy one; a 10 minute walk to Aldgate Station and a fast Amersham train with no changes. Tired but satisfied. (We hope that articles like this might become a regular feature in our newsletter but that depends on you, our U3A members. We envisage short articles suggesting a place, or a combination of places, to visit and how to get there. Please send your contributions to [email protected].) October - December 2014 25 Chess Valley U3A Groups Schedule FIRST in month MONDAY Singing for Pleasure (eve) TUESDAY Walkers 1 Striders 2 Family History (pm) Monday groups sometimes have their schedules interrupted by public holidays; contact the Convenors for more information SECOND in month MONDAY TUESDAY History (pm) Mah Jong (pm) Singing for Pleasure (eve) Striders 1 Art Discussion (am) Dinghy Sailing (pm) The Chess Valley U3A Committee meets on the first or second Tuesday of each month THIRD in month MONDAY Science and Technology (pm) Singing for Pleasure (eve) TUESDAY WEDNESDAY Patchwork and Quilting (am) Spanish Conv’n (am) FRIDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY Current Affairs (pm) Italian Beginners (pm) German (am) Books 2 (pm) Bridge (pm) WEDNESDAY Walks into History OR Walks into London (alternate French Conv’n (am) Photography (pm) General Meeting (pm) Books 1 meet at irregular intervals throughout the year Jazz Appreciation meet on the last Tuesday of each month (pm) Bridge (pm) Wine 2 (eve) WEDNESDAY Walkers 1 Patchwork and Quilting (all day) Striders 2 German (am) Books 3 (pm) THURSDAY Spanish Conv’n (am) Photography (pm) Play Reading (pm) THURSDAY FRIDAY Computers (pm) Italian Beginners (pm) MOTO (Members On Their Own) have an ‘anchor meeting’ on the first Saturday morning of each month Bridge (pm) FOURTH in month MONDAY TUESDAY Digital Imaging (am) Mah Jong (pm) Singing for pleasure (eve) Stamps (odd months only) Striders 1 Jazz Appreciation (pm) WEDNESDAY THURSDAY French Conv’n (am) French Intermed (am) Dinghy Sailing (pm) Eclectic Music (pm) Gardening (pm) Wine 1 (eve) FRIDAY Walkers 2 Poetry (pm) Bridge (pm) October - December 2014 26 The Garden Group were rewarded with colourful, autumn flower beds when they visited the Cambridge Botanical Gardens in September. The Jesuit Church, Farm Street, Mayfair - it was in one door and out the other on a London Walk. The Digital Imaging Group were challenged to make a montage after learning about ‘making selections’ and the winner was Brian Pratt. These days, you can’t believe everything you see in a photograph. October - December 2014 27 Feeding time at Whipsnade Zoo …. and other animals captured by the Photography Group in September. October - December 2014 28
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