|
Faringdon & District | |
| home | membership | notices | diary | groups | contact us | |
| Group News September 2008 KITCHEN HELPERS SEPTEMBER Jane Archer, Jenny Gourlay, Diane Thomas |
News from the groups |
| Astronomy - NEW! The Astronomy group had its 5th meeting on 3rd April. It was the first time we had met when there was a clear sky. However, we were on BST by then and it was still daylight when we met at 7:30. We watched a Patrick Moore video and talked about various astronomical matters. Eventually we ventured outside and had a short observational time using binoculars and my telescope. We looked at Mars and discussed its colour. Is it really red? We finished by looking at Saturn. The rings are still clearly visible, but not as magnificent as they can be. Saturn takes nearly 30 years to orbit the sun and so every 15 years the rings appear edge on to us. Next year that will happen again, so they all but disappear. We will have to wait until 2016 until we see them at their best again. John Campbell, Tel.01367 241748 john-gill.campbell@talk21.com . |
|
| Bird Watching Contact Helen Iremonger 01367 241361 |
|
| Books The next meetings are on the first Mondays as usual and so are October 6th and November 10th, 10.30 am at the Library in Gloucester Street. Sylvia Bowley Tel. 241296 |
|
| Bridge All Intermediate and Experienced groups now take place in the Catholic Church Hall (rear entrance - approach from Portway behind Budgen's Car Park) from 10am to 12 noon on the dates given below: Monday Intermediate Mon Oct 13th and 27th Wednesday Intermediate Wed Oct 15th Experienced Wed Oct 29th I Beginners Mon Sep 1st, 15th and 29th Mon Oct 13th and 27th at Faringdon United Church. 10am to 12 noon If you would like to join a group please ring: Steve Braithwaite 01367 240929 (Experienced/Intermediate) Kay Chamberlain 01367 242647 (Beginners) NEW GROUP - The Gentle Thursday Bridge Club Oct 2nd and 16th Nov 6th and 20th from 2- 4pm This group is intended primarily for those who have been to Steve's classes but other U3A members who do not already belong to a "real" bridge club and would like to play some gentle bridge are welcome. No need to bring a partner as we will find you one on the day. For details please call: Kay 01367 242647 or Carolyn 01793 782836 Bridge Guides The following are now available (all proceeds to charity): Steve's Bridge Guide - Defence New! £4 Steve's Basic Bridge Guide £3 Steve's Supplementary Bridge Guide £3 Please let me know if you would like a copy. |
|
| Cinema Goers Contact Pauline Waywell 01367 242354 |
|
| Computers We will meet again in October - I will circulate members of the group with dates nearer the time. If anyone who has recently bought, or been given, a computer would like to join us to find out how to make the most of it please feel free to get in touch. Ian Clarkson 01793 782836 or ian.clarkson@gmail.com |
|
| Golf Croquet Friday 10th October from 2pm (weather permitting) at Livingstone House, 19 Coxwell Road, Faringdon No previous experience required. Steve & Jenny Braithwaite 01367 240929 Help Wanted! Jenny would like to learn to crochet. Can anybody help her? Could this be the start of another group? |
|
| Cryptic Crosswords Contact Patrick Coleman 01367 860571 |
|
| Country Dancing The Folk Dancing Group is currently in abeyance, but Val Hudspeth is keen to restart the group, possibly next September. If you have an interest in joining the group or have any experience of folk, country, Scottish or similar dancing and are willing to help Val, please contact her on 01367 241 035 or at vanda@frogmore.fsworld.co.uk. |
|
| Family History 1. Reunion I shall be hosting a social gathering at 25 Stallpits Road on Friday 3rd October at 10:00am for all those who have attended the group in the past. The purpose of the meeting is to decide whether we continue to meet, and, if so, how we proceed. If you cannot attend but want to carry on please get in touch before the meeting. 2. Beginners I hope to start a new group for those who would like to learn how to use the Internet to research their family history. We will start towards the end of October, after the Freshers' Fair If you are interested please contact me for further information. All meetings are at 25 Stallpits Rd, Shrivenham - 10:00am start Ian Clarkson 01793 782836 |
|
| Foreign Language Film Our next film is "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown". This highly rated film was directed by Pedro Almodovar, in Spanish with English subtitles. It will be shown at 2.30 p.m. on Friday 17th October 2008 at 14 The Pines Faringdon. Enquiries to Robin Stewart, 01367 241295. |
|
| French Beginners Contact Carolyn Williams 01367 241208 |
|
| French Intermediate Contact Carolyn Williams 01367 241208 Or Josephine Parkes 01793 782585 |
|
| French Advanced Contact Carolyn Williams 01367 241208 |
|
| Gardening Thursday 18th September 2008 As mentioned in the last newsletter, I have arranged for us to visit the garden at Pettifers, north of Banbury, which has been featured in the Sunday Telegraph. I still need a few more members to make this visit viable. Meet at 12.55pm in the GSCP for car sharing to Pettifers. Admission £6.00 to include refreshments. Please pay Christina in the car park before leaving so that she can pay for the whole Group when we arrive at Pettifers. (She would appreciate it if you have the right money ready) Thursday 16th October 2008 Visit to Westonbirt Arboretum Today we visit the Arboretum to see the Autumn Colours. Admission £7.00. There is a tea room on site. Meet at the GSCP at 12.55pm for car sharing to Westonbirt. ADVANCE NOTICE: I know it seems early to think about Christmas especially as we are still waiting for the Summer! However I would to remind members to purchase their tickets early for the Annual Christmas Flower Arranging demonstration to be held on FRIDAY the 21st November 2008. Tickets will be available at the Freshers' Fair in October. Christina Field, 01367 241265 . |
|
| Italian Contact Jenny Braithwaite 01367 240929 |
|
| Latin Contact Patrick Coleman 01367 860571 |
|
|
Local History On Wednesday 1st October, we will visit the exhibition "Beyond the work of one: Oxford College Libraries and their Benefactors" at the Bodleian Library in Oxford. We will leave GSCP at 1.30pm. It is several years since we visited the Corinium Museum in Cirencester and several members have said they would like to revisit it, so we plan to go again on Wednesday 5th November leaving Faringdon GSCP at 1.15pm. For more information contact Sue Thrower on 01367 240 848 or smthrower@tiscali.co.uk |
|
| Music Appreciation We meet at the home of Anthony Burdall, 2 Ferndale Road, Faringdon, at 2:15 pm for 2:30pm. Contact Beryl Cooper Tel. 01367 242908 |
|
| National Trust U3A NATIONAL TRUST GROUP VISIT TO CHARLECOTE PARK near Warwick FRIDAY 17th OCTOBER 2008 Leave Gloucester Street at 9.00am, back by 5.00pm "The home of the Lucy family for over 700 years, the mellow brickwork and great chimneys of Charlecote seem to sum up the very essence of Tudor England. There are strong associations with both Queen Elizabeth 1 and Shakespeare, who knew the house well - he is alleged to have been caught poaching the estate deer. The balustraded formal garden opens on to a fine deer park landscaped by "Capability" Brown. There is an introductory talk about the history of the house, and the probability of other short talks (free), including one about the costumes worn in Tudor times, for those who want. These can't be guaranteed, because they depend on the volunteers available at the house on the day we go. COST: Coach: £10.00 per person (£11.50 if not a U3A member) Entry: NT members free; Non-NT members £7.50 (payable in cash, on the day) Download Form Here |
|
| Needlework We all meet at 10 Beech Close at 2pm. All types of needleworkers welcomed. Telephone Jo, 241315. |
|
| Opera After the summer break, the Opera Group will start a new season in September, continuing to explore the repertoire of both the much loved favourites as well as lesser known works. For the coming year the programme will range from Mozart's "The Magic Flute" in an enchanting production from the New York Metropolitan Opera, described last Christmas as the best pantomime to enjoy over the holiday, to the gritty realism of "Lady Macbeth of Mtensk" by Shostakovich form the Royal Opera House. In between we will explore amongst others "Iphigenia en Aulide", and "Turandot" and, of course the next instalment of Wagner's Ring Cycle "Die Valkyrie". The first opera is Verdi's "Aida" in a spectacular production from La Scala, Milan. The first showing is on Tuesday 9 September and the second work will be "Lady Macbeth of Mtensk" by Shostakovich on Monday 6 October 2008. The first showing in each case will start at 5:30pm finishing at approximately 9:30pm. at the home of Anthon Burdall (2 Fernham Road, Faringdon Tel : 240713). There will be an afternoon showing, usually the day after the first showing, at the home of Anthony Burdall and then a final showing at the home of Bobbie Stewart (14 The Pines, Faringdon, Tel : 01367 241295). If you would like to come along to enjoy the opera you would be welcome - and there is space! |
|
| Photography The next Digital Photography Course will take place on Tuesdays 21th and 28th October, from 10 am until noon. Details of the venue (in Stanford in the Vale) will be given to participants. These sessions are aimed at anyone who is trying to get to grips with digital photography Subjects covered include 'How to get better pictures with your camera' and 'Linking camera and computer'. One or two additional sessions may be held later in the autumn, on topics and dates agreed by those who attend. Please sign up at the Freshers' Fair (Wednesday 8th October) or at the October meeting on the Thursday 9th. I will be there on both days, if you wish to discuss the course. Contact: Richard Watts 01367 710725 |
|
| Pilates Pilates will be relocating to the Faringdon Leisure Centre (next to the Community College) this year. There will be just one session a week, so that we can spread the cost of room hire between more of us. This will be on Tuesdays from 4.30 - 5.30pm The cost will be confirmed at the first session. I hope the new arrangements will suit as many of us as possible and look forward to seeing you there! Please contact me for further details: Lynn Pettit 01367 242019 |
|
| Poetry We meet as usual on the third Monday in the library in Gloucester Street at 10.30am. The topics are: September 15th-Children's Poem or Nursery Rhyme October 20th-Night Either write a poem about or find one to read about the above topics. Leader Joanne Collins Tel. 240032 |
|
| Ramblers Advance Notice : please note that I will not be available to lead walks in December. 14th October & 11th November Tuesday local walks- meet Market Place 10.00am. Thursday 25th September :A 7 mile circular walk from Chilton with pub stop at West Ilsley Thursday 23rd October : PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS THE 4th THURSDAY & NOT THE LAST ONE. A 7 mile circular walk incorporating Minster Lovell and Swinbrook, pub stop en-route. Both walks meet 10.00am G.S.C.P. for car sharing. Ken Bowley, Email sylkenbow@talktalk.net Tel. 01367 241296 |
|
| Science & Technology Science & Technology Unfortunately I have had to cancel the meeting planned for Wednesday 17th September for personal reasons. In its place I have provisionally booked a guided visit with wine and cheese tasting to Bothy Vineyard (Frilford Heath) on Wednesday 24th September, beginning at 5.00pm - I have asked for an emphasis on the scientific aspects of wine making. The visit will last 1½-2 hours and we must have a minimum of 12 people (maximum 30); the cost will be £6 per head. I will be contacting regular members of the Science & Technology Group directly to ask if they wish to attend, but other members of U3A will be welcome if there is still room. The meeting for Wednesday 15th October is still in the planning stages, and I will circulate information to group members as soon as possible. For more information please contact Keith Thrower on 01367 240 848 or keith.thrower@ukgateway.net |
|
| Scrabble The scrabble group meets monthly on the second Monday afternoon of the month. October 13th at Lynn's November 10th at Sylvia's December 8th at Lynn's Lynn Pettit 14 Spinage Close Tel. 242019 Sylvia Bowley 53 Town End Road 241296 This group is a good mix and very enjoyable, our two tables are usually taken but there are other possibilities - Computer Scrabble for example!! Please ring to give us an idea of how many to expect. ALSO PLEASE NOTE REVERSION TO 2PM! |
|
| Spanish Contact: Robin Stewart 01367 241296 |
|
| Strollers Tuesday 23rd September Meet at GSCP at 10.00am for car sharing to White Horse Hill NT car park. (Car drivers bring NT car stickers if possible, otherwise a parking charge) A 4.5m walk on downland via Knighton Bushes Plantation. Pub lunch after the walk at Ashbury. Please note earlier time for this walk. Tuesday 28th October Meet at GSCP at 10.20 am for 10.30am start, car sharing to Badbury Hill car park. A 4m walk via Brimstone and Oldfield Farms and, hopefully, autumnal woodland. Lunch, after the walk, at NT restaurant, Coleshill. Please wear boots and bring waterproofs, plus something to drink. Rona Bingham 241384 |
|
| Sunday Lunch Sunday Lunch September 21 at The Lamb, Wantage Choice of Chicken, Lamb or Beef Main Course, Dessert, Coffeee/Tea : £12.50 12noon for 12.30pm Contact Marian Chestney 01235 765283 October 19th Lunch at a local house to raise money for charity. Please sign list if you want to go, there will be a limit of seats to this. Details later. Tel. Sylvia Bowley 01367 241296 SUNDAY LUNCH - A View from Within By some people this is not regarded as a 'true' group of the U3A in that it is not normal to 'learn' anything. Not altogether true as one learns things about Faringdon and the people, and so if you are new to Faringdon, or perhaps needing to make friends and get to know people, this could be for you. Our numbers vary between 15 and 20, and it would be difficult in some venues to have groups any bigger, but there could always be another group! We vary our Sunday lunches in different places around Faringdon, not usually travelling more than 5 or 6 miles. For those who do not drive there is usually a lift to had from somebody, or as has had to be done occasionally 'share a taxi' is the thing. The price we pay varies from less than £10 to £16 and we mostly stick to 2 courses. As you will be aware from reading the newsletter the leader varies - we try to take it in turns to organise the different months - so if you want to join in then give the leader a ring. |
|
| Theatregoers On Saturday 22nd November, I have reserved 30 seats in the stalls at the Oxford Playhouse, for the matinee performance of "AN IDEAL HUSBAND" This is Sir Peter Hall's acclaimed West End Production of this old favourite of Oscar Wilde. It has an excellent cast including Kate O'Mara, Michael Praed, Carol Royle, Tony Britton and Robert Duncan. The Price for this is £29.00 TO BE PAID BY 30Th SEPTEMBER I have been unable to find anything suitable for December but two dates for your diaries for next year:- both are matinees and both are at the Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham. 1) "Murder with Love" by Francis Durbridge on Thursday 15th January 2) Ellen Kent's production of "Coppelia" music by Delibes on Thursday 26th February. This is the Russian classical ballet theatre starring Kristina Terentiev. Full details for these two performances will be in the next newsletter. Normal conditions apply for visitors i.e. £1.50 extra each PLEASE send separate cheques for each performance and for visitors, and S.A.E. PLEASE to me at Mrs S.Manners, Hillview, Sevenhampton, Highworth SN6 7QA. Download Form Here |
|
| Twentieth Century History - New! This is an opportunity to learn about major events of the 20th Century without having to write essays or do homework. The sessions will be held weekly on Wednesdays 10.30 - 12.00 at 19, Coxwell Road, Faringdon, starting Wednesday 5th March. Contact Marnie Binns, Tel. 01367 718608 |
|
|
Yoga A new class is about to start for people who have either never done yoga before, or who have not done it for a long time. It will be a slow and gentle class on some Monday afternoons between 3.30 and 4.30pm. There are one or two vacancies, if you are interested please contact Jane Archer on 01793 782876 |
|
| Editor's Final Note | Puzzle
Corner A few more of what I think are called "Dingbats". What well known phrases do the following suggest? 1. PE A 2. AMILOVEST 3. GROUND GOING 4. V I O L E T Answers to July's threesome were: A. Reading between the lines B. Squaring the circle and C. Surfing the Net Please send copy, comments and photographs for the next edition to Ian Clarkson, 25 Stallpits Rd, Shrivenham, Swindon, SN6 8BG or ian.clarkson@gmail.com or on 01793 782836, to reach him by Friday 31st October |