February 2015
Newsletter
Melton Mowbray U3A
Registered Charity No. 1137780
At the meeting this month on Thursday 19 February 2015:
Speaker:
Topic:
Display:
Catering:
Fiona Linday
A Write Time
Beading (Sue Morris)
Peter Simpson, Barbara Simpson, Sue Bown, Margaret Brewer,
Ann Scillitoe
COMMITTEE NOTICES
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The Eighteenth Annual General Meeting of Melton Mowbray U3A will take place at the
Baptist Church at 10.00 am on Thursday 19 March 2015. A separate document containing
detailed information relating to the AGM is attached to this newsletter
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
Annual membership expires on 31 December each year. In order to continue to receive the
benefits of your membership, if you have not recently done so, please complete a renewal form
and either deposit it on the Committee table at the February meeting or send it to the address on
the form. Renewal forms will be available at the February meeting, and have been sent out with
this newsletter via email or post. They are also available for download from the website
NEW MEMBERS’ MEETING/COFFEE MORNING
An informal meeting/coffee morning to welcome new members to the Melton Mowbray U3A is
scheduled to take place on 12 February 2015. Invitations have been sent out to those members
who have joined since the last new members’ meeting was held. This is an ideal opportunity for
new members to meet the Committee, ask questions, learn about the opportunities the U3A has to
offer and to meet other new members. These meetings have proved very useful and popular in the
past and we would encourage new members to make every effort to attend. If you have not yet
replied to your invitation please do so asap so catering arrangements can be finalised.
Bill Shaw (Membership Secretary)
email: [email protected]
FOYER DISPLAYS
Before finalising the programme of monthly meeting foyer displays for 2015, we would like to hear
from any group leaders who do not usually put on a display, but would like to be included in this
year's programme. Please contact Alan Barton
U3A BANNER
All group leaders and members are reminded that we have a canvas banner, some 5 foot long by
18 inches deep, with stand, which bears the legend “Melton Mowbray U3A”. Anyone wishing to
use the banner for display purposes should contact any committee member to arrange collection.
Alan Barton (Vice Chairman) email: [email protected]
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Feb-15
“MEET THE GROUPS” MEETING
A big thank you to all group leaders, our catering and check-in teams, table movers and guitarists
and indeed everyone for such a successful January meeting - record attendance and a big jump in
our membership. New groups included iPad Users, Needlecraft, Patchwork 3, Play Reading 3,
Singles 3, and our Social Chess group which all now have enough members to start meeting. (For
more information on the Social Chess Group please email: [email protected]).
Ideas posted for new groups included: French for Beginners, another Spanish for Beginners, Local
History Project Workshops, Pilates, Wind (or String) Instruments, Birdwatching, Desert Island
Discs, Geology. Any interest, or better still offers to help get these or any other new group going,
let me know at the monthly meeting or at the email address below.
GREEN DOT ‘WELCOME & INFORMATION’ TEAM
The centre point of our U3A is our monthly meeting at the Baptist Church with the opportunity for
us all to meet up and talk. This meeting is often the first contact new members and visitors have
with our U3A, and, although so many of you make a special effort to make our new members and
visitors welcome, many still find it a little daunting. Feedback shows us the New Members and
Visitors Welcome Desk next to the Check-In Desk (look for the Red Dot Notice) is much
appreciated.
As Groups Coordinator I am grateful to all members who have offered to help meet, inform and talk
to our new members and visitors. I would like to now formalise this a little further and ask all of you
especially willing to talk to new members to identify themselves by wearing a Green Dot on their
membership badge.
This is entirely voluntary with no list of names or rota. No need to stand anywhere. Just carry on as
usual while wearing the Green Dot on your badge. If there is a month when, for any reason, you
would prefer not to, just remove your Green Dot. New members and visitors will be told the Green
Dot identifies members who are part of an informal welcome team.
Green Dots are available at the Membership Desk by the entrance and from the New Members
and Visitors Welcome Desk.
Graham Cherryman (GroupsCoordinator)
email: [email protected]
NEWSLETTER CONTRIBUTIONS
Contributions to the March 2015 newsletter must be emailed, or posted no later than 28 February
2015
Christine Bluett (Newsletter Editor)
email: [email protected]
OUTINGS
River Trent Cruise 18 February 2015
A Robinsons coach will leave the slip road in between the Baptist church and the Bowls club on
Wednesday 18 February 2015 at 10.00am for the River Trent cruise/meal.
Other events planned for this year are:
Trip to Leeds on Wednesday 6 May 2015. Departure time 08.30am and will leave Leeds at
5.30pm. Journey time 2.15 hours. Cost £17.50.
Trip to Black Country Museum on Wednesday 4 November 2015. Departure time 08.30am and
will leave Black Country Museum at 4pm. Journey time 1.75 hours. Cost £22.50.
Frances Waite (Social Secretary)
email: [email protected]
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Feb-15
HOLIDAY GROUP 1 – 7-11 SEPTEMBER 2015
For various reasons, a number of the group members are unable to attend this year’s holiday,
which will be based in Winchester, and we therefore have several vacancies, for both couples and
singles.
The holiday will cost £359 per person, plus insurance, and the itinerary will include Bletchley Park,
Winchester, Petworth House, Beaulieu, Mottisfont Abbey, the Historic Dockyards of Portsmouth,
Salisbury Cathedral and Stonehenge. Anyone who is interested in joining the group for this year is
invited to contact Alan.
Alan Barton (Group Leader) email [email protected]
GENERAL NOTICES
“MEET THE GROUPS” MEETING IN JANUARY
On entering the Baptist Church hall on Thursday, 15 January one was immediately greeted by
chattering voices, coffee drinkers chatting, members gathered around tables which were
demonstrating dozens of group hobbies - and yet more enthusiastic chatter! What a buzz was in
the hall at this meeting of the U3A Groups .
It demonstrated the breadth of opportunity available to us in Melton Mowbray U3A - enabling us
to enjoy hobbies of a wide range. We are indeed fortunate to have a Committee and Group
leaders who give so much of their time for our benefit and enjoyment. Thank you to them all.
Winifred Maine
CONTRIBUTION TO AIR AMBULANCE
As you know, if you forget to wear your U3A badge to the monthly meeting at the Baptist Church
the convention is to put 50p into the charity collecting tins on the booking-in table.
As a result of this, we have just sent off a cheque for £142.28 to the Air Ambulance. Many thanks
for those of you who have contributed
Jackie McMillan (Treasurer)
KEEPING IN TOUCH
Winifred Maine has kindly offered to assist Connie Howling with KEEPING IN TOUCH whereby
members who are seriously ill or are facing other life changing events may be sent a card on
behalf of U3A - the cards are beautifully crafted by the Parchment group
If you know of any such member, please contact Winifred, email [email protected]) or
Connie. Do please let Connie or Winifred know about any member who is ill etc as we know
from feedback how much these lovely cards are appreciated.
GROUP ACTIVITIES
2nd MONDAY WALKING GROUP – 9 MARCH 2015
Meet at the Wymondham Windmill, 10.15am for 10.30am start.
Group Co-ordinator Geoff Harris
4th MONDAY WALKING GROUP – MONDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2015
Please meet at the Horse and Jockey, Manton (LE15 8SU) at 10.15am for a 10.30am start. Lunch
at the Horse and Jockey if required.
Walk Leaders: Vaughan and Jennifer Gregory
Group Leader: Jennifer Gregory
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Feb-15
1st THURSDAY WALKING GROUP Thursday 5 March 2015
Old Dalby 6½ miles approx.
Please meet outside the Crown Inn, LE14 3LF, so that we are ready to walk for 10am. If you wish
to join us please telephone or email us at the beginning of the week.
Richard and Jo Bewell
LUNCHEON CLUB ‘GK’
This month our venue is the Anne of Cleves, Burton Street. As usual, please meet at 12.15 ready
to be seated at 12.30. Those who wish to go on the evening meal on the Steam Train in August,
please may I remind you that I need the deposit by 1 March to ensure we are all seated together.
Any queries please contact me.
Gillian Kilpatrick (Group Leader)
email: [email protected]
COMPOSER of the MONTH
4 February D’Ollone
25 February Tallis
4 March Bargiel
Contact John Playfer email [email protected]
SINGLES GROUP 3
Singles Group 3 will be meeting for the first time in the Cutting Room on St Mary's Way, Melton
Mowbray at 12.00 on Friday 13 February 2015. Please ring Frances for details
Frances Waite (Group Leader)
NEEDLECRAFTS
Our first meeting will be on Tuesday 10 February at Burton Lazaars Village Hal 2-4pm. All U3A
members who want to knit, sew, crochet etc over a cuppa and a biscuit are welcome to attend.
Those who would like to participate but find the time inconvenient should contact Diane Cherryman
or the Groups Co-ordinator at [email protected] as there may well be enough
interest to start a second group.
Diane Cherryman (Group Leader)
PATCHWORK AND QUILTING GROUP 3
Thank you to the ladies who turned out in a snowstorm to attend the first meeting of the group.
Just one of our group was not able to make it.
I hope you all enjoyed the afternoon. I look forward to seeing your efforts at the next meeting.
Anne Arthur (Group Leader)
SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING
The forthcoming dates for the 2015 sessions as far as the summer break will be:
11 and 25 February
11 and 25 March
8 and 22 April
13 and 27 May
All sessions will be at Burton Lazars village hall from 2pm until 4pm. We are still actively seeking
new members.
Paul Woolston (Group Leader)
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Feb-15
THEATRE GROUP
“BEST OF BROADWAY” Wednesday 18 March, Royal Albert Hall
There are still some tickets to be collected for this show and they will be available at the February
meeting. If you will not be there PLEASE confirm that you will pick them up on the coach. We will
depart from the Baptist Church at 12.30pm. Please use their car park and NOT the Bowls Club
unless you want to be locked in!
**NEW SHOWS**
We will have lists for you to show your interest in the following two shows. Having tested the
waters at the January meeting we think that both of these can go ahead but would like your show
of interest ahead of our final decision. Unfortunately Tolethorpe did not attract sufficient numbers.
PUTTING YOUR NAME ON THESE LISTS DOES NOT GUARANTEE YOUR PLACE, this will only
be done once money has been collected.
NORTHERN BALLET PERFORMING “MADAM BUTTERFLY” AND “PERPETUUM MOBILE”
Friday 5 June, 7.30pm, Curve Leicester
Cost will be between £27 & £32 depending on the size of the group and we will be taking payment
at the March and April meetings.
AGATHA CHRISTIE’S “AND THEN THERE WERE NONE”
Wednesday 22 July, 2.30pm, Milton Keynes Theatre
Cost will be between £21 and £26 depending on the size of the group and we will be taking
payment at the April and May meetings. This show has a very good cast which those of you with
computers can look up. We are suggesting that we go early enough for people to have lunch
and/or shop before the show.
Anne Dyster, Group Leader. email: [email protected]
Eileen Burdett email: [email protected]
BEGINNERS SPANISH
Seven members expressed an interest in joining a Beginners Spanish group at the January
meeting. The current group is full but if any other members would like to join we may be able to
start a second group. If you are interested please ring Jackie.
Jackie McMillan, Melton Mowbray email [email protected]
ANNUAL GROUP REPORTS
BRIDGE GROUP 1
Bridge Group 1 was formed by Margaret Caulfield when the U3A first started. It still continues to
meet on Tuesday afternoons at the Melton Bowling Club. The aim of the group is to improve our
bridge playing but the atmosphere is relaxed and we often discuss hands after we have played
them. There is room for more tables so anyone who enjoys playing bridge is welcome to join us.
For more information contact Frances Playfer
Frances Playfer (Group Leader)
Email:[email protected]
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Feb-15
CLASSICAL MUSIC GROUP
This is unique as a truly interactive group in which everyone contributes equally; each of our
members takes it in turn to deliver an afternoon of music. Since “classical” can be interpreted in so
many ways, these programmes vary widely in content and style but invariably provide an afternoon
of interesting and enjoyable listening and an appreciation of the thought and effort which has gone
into preparation. A typical programme is largely from the mainstream repertoire but may include
something unfamiliar to provoke discussion.
We meet at 2.30 pm on the second Wednesday of each month at the homes of those members
who are suitably equipped. There is room for one or two more and any classical music fans who
would like to share our pleasure can be assured of a warm welcome. For more information contact
any present member whom you know or Peter Maine.
Peter Maine (Group Leader)
COMPOSER OF THE MONTH
Since the group's inception in 2004, the music of 180 different composers has been reviewed in
the group's bimonthly meetings. In future, meetings will occasionally be devoted to a composer
already featured at an earlier date.
The main aim of the group's meetings has been to widen the knowledge and appreciation of
classical music by playing the music of little known and neglected composers as well as little
known works by the great composers. Some popular and familiar pieces are included and
prominence is given to performances by leading instrumentalists and vocalists.
For more information contact John Playfer.
John Playfer (Group Leader)
Email: [email protected]
ANNUAL REPORTS DUE FOR MARCH 2015 NEWSLETTER:
Discussion, Drama Workshop & Performance, Emergency First Aid, French Conversation,
French Improvers, German
CATERING GROUP FOR NEXT MONTH’S MEETING ON 19 MARCH 2015:
Sue Morris, Peter Morris, Cecil Robinson, Netta MacDonald, Susan Pymm
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Feb-15