St Neots & District U3A NEWS SHEET
Monthly Members Meeting
3rd Tuesday in the month. 2pm in the Priory Centre
Today: Tuesday December 16th 2014
Christmas Celebration
The U3A Christmas cards will be on sale today.
Proceeds to St. Neots Parkinson’s Support Group
A big thank you to all for helping to make 2014 a very busy, creative and
exciting year for our U3A. Happy Christmas to you and a healthy and happy New Year. Kindest
regards, Christine.”
Next Month: Tuesday January 20th 2015
Speaker: Rod Morison
Topic: "Nowzad Dogs. Re-homing Afghan strays"
Kilo company of 42 Commando Royal Marines arrived in the war torn town of Now Zad in
Helmund Province of Afghanistan in November 2006. Their mission to provide stability for the
local people during a period of ever decreasing security. The Royal Marines soon realised that it
wasn't only the people that needed their help. Many of the stray dogs that roamed the town now
had a guardian for the first time in their lives in the form of Royal Marine Sergeant "Penn"
Farthing. Please come along and listen to this remarkable story.
Please send contributions for the News Sheet to
Hilda Williams at [email protected]
by the Thursday before the Monthly Meeting
This sheet together with other information will be available on our
website:- www.u3asites.org.uk/st-neots
Group News
Drawing for beginners: A group for those with little or no knowledge of drawing who would like to develop and learn this
skill. We will look at the fundamentals of line, tone, texture and perspective for members to learn new skills, confidence
and produce finished drawings.
Most importantly, we require someone within U3A who is willing to become the Group Leader and get this new group up
and drawing
Please contact: John Bowskill or [email protected] if you are willing to step forward and become the Group Leader for
this new group.
French Group: Meets 2nd and 4th Thursdays in the month at the Priory Centre in the Moot Hall. The next meeting is on
January 8th. We will be focusing on Everyday Conversations this year.
Contact: Dot Morfett
Music Group: Held in The Cloisters at the Priory Centre. On 14th January, a DVD showing German & Austrian orchestral
music. On 11th February, listening to Folk Music from around the world.
Contact: Mary Joyce
Heritage & Culture: Our first 2015 meeting will be on January 21st when we'll plan our next year's activities, so do come
and put forward your ideas.
Contact: Helen Naylor
Art Group: This friendly, supportive group meets at 1.30pm on the first two and the fifth Mondays of the month in the
Pilgrim Hall at The United Reformed Church.
Contact: Jan Pearce
An Intermediate Guitar Workshop is being formed. Details on the
Interest List at today’s meeting.
Contact: Ted Johnson
Line Dancing: January 5th, 12th, 19th, 21st, 26th, 28th, 10am at the Priory Centre.
Contact: Sheila Flavell
Family History: The next meeting at the Priory Centre will be on February 5th at 2pm. The Library meetings will be, as
usual, the 3rd Thursday in the month at 2pm.
Contact: Dennis Flavell
Strummers: The Ukelele group is now under new leadership. We would like to remind members new & old that we meet
on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday each month at the Church Rooms. We’re looking forward to seeing you all.
Contact: Madge Tierney [email protected]
Sparklers: David Taylor is the new group leader, assisted by Christine Haggar. We are a group that enjoys singing and
would welcome new members, no auditions, just come along and enjoy singing. We meet on the 2nd & 4th
Wednesdays of the month, 2pm to 4pm in the Church Rooms. The next meetings are on 14th & 28th January.
Music Contact: David Taylor [email protected]
Admin. Contact: Christine Hagger [email protected]
Group News
Petanque Group: The next meeting will be at 2.00pm on December 19th at the Hyde Park Pub on New Street. New
members welcome. There is an Indoor Area where we can learn how to play Petanque.
Contact: John Greig
Photography group: Some tickets are still available for the London Lights & Sightseeing trip on December 17th. The coach
will leave Riverside Car Park at 1.00pm and will drop us off at Marble Arch for us to Photograph, Shop, Sight-see etc. The
coach will pick us up at Marble Arch at 7.30pm when we will have a short tour around the Christmas Lights before setting
off for home
Contact: John Greig
Snooker Group: The next meeting will be on Friday 23rd January in the Oast Lounge.
Contact: Clive Tierney ([email protected])
Ballroom & Sequence Dancing: The Beginners Class takes place on
Fridays, 10am to 12 noon at the Priory Centre.
Contact: Barry & Doris Sharples
Exercise to Music: Mondays at 3.45pm in the Church Rooms and continuing as usual alternating with Country Dance.
Contact: Joan Breacker
Country Dance: Mondays at 3.45pm in the Church Rooms and continuing as usual alternating with Exercise to Music.
Contact: Pat Hills
Friendly Whist: This group meets on the 1st & 3rd Thursday each month. More members would be welcome to this small
& friendly group. Please contact Val for more information.
Contact: Val Potter
Cinema Group: The January film will be “The Imitation Game”. This is the story of Alan Turing a Cambridge mathematician
and logician who, at Bletchley Park, was a key figure in code breaking during WW2. He is remembered too for his
developmental work with computers and, rather more sadly, for his eventual suicide after authorities discovered his
homosexuality.
The part of Turing is played by Benedict Cumberbatch, and the film also stars Keira Knightley. The film will be shown on
January 7th and tickets will be on sale at the December meeting, and by phone afterwards.
Contact: Len Cripps
Bridge Group: The group resumes after the holiday, on Monday 5th January 2015, 2pm at the Priory Centre.
Contact: Sheila Povall
Transport Group: The next meeting is on Friday 16th January, 2pm at the Priory Centre. We have a DVD-”Great Liners,
famous ships from the Golden Age of Travel.”
Contact: Graeme Eadie
Italian for Beginners: The class will be each Thursday from 11am to 12noon at the Priory Centre.
Contact: Dave Lynam
NOTICE
There are still a few places available for the Peterborough Dogs evening on January 14th 2015. Enjoy a two course meal,
also take in the experience by placing a bet, with drinks all served at your table. Coach leaves Riverside at 5.15pm. Price
£23. See Barbara today.
Raffle tickets will be on sale today in aid of the Air Ambulance service.
Forthcoming Events
Warners Holiday to Sinah Warren, April 2015. Invoice for balance of
payment will be sent to participants in the middle of January. Basic
cost now £278 pp, plus extras according to individual requirements.
Contact: Mary Joyce 01480 474119
National U3A Information
The National office will be closed from 19th December to January 5th.
"Summer Schools 2015 - details now available - see flyer on notice board. For the first time members will be able to apply
online or submit a hard copy application form. See Heather Blaney for Information Booklet and Application Forms and
these can also be downloaded from the members' area of the National website under the Summer School tab.
Royal Air Force Museum, London 25th March. Early Flight and First World War in the Air. See Notice Board.
Languages Group Study Day 26th February 2015, Gerrards Cross. See Notice Board.
Great British Bake Off Anybody interested in applying for the 2015 series should visit www.thegreatbritishbakeoff.co.uk.
Closing date for applications is Sunday, 11th January."
Visit the Events page in the Members Area of the National U3A website to find further details of the following special
events.
“VC10 and Her Royal Connections” at Brooklands Museum, Weybridge. £15. Several dates in 2015. See details on
notice board.
"New Photography Competition - photographs needed for use in publicity material and image requests from the media
and external organisations. See Notice Board for details.
Help Wanted - with a 3 year research project at Swansea University on the everyday language used in connection with
mental health. U3A members are asked to complete a 20 minute survey online by visiting www.JustSpeakYour Mind.co.uk.
Free Group Entry to English Heritage “- The U3A is included in the list of learning groups entitled to free group visits
providing the group applies in advance. Go to the offers for members section on the national website for links to the
relevant sites,"