A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL READING U3A MEMBERS, FROM YOUR COMMITTEE
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A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL READING U3A MEMBERS, FROM YOUR COMMITTEE
NEWSLETTER EXTRA
DECEMBER 2020
Our Website: readingu3a@org.uk
This is an edited version of our usual newsletter, produced to give prospective members an idea
of our activities
CHAIRMAN’S INTRODUCTION
Welcome to your December Newsletter, including some festive colour.
As I write this message, I am looking forward to our Zoom Christmas Party on 10
December which has been organised by Philip Cook and Francis Hayes. During
the event I will be enjoying a couple of mince pies to make me feel like I am at
the party!
I am sure it will be a great success.
I would like to thank Avis and Denise for preparing and publishing our Newsletter
Extra every month, which has meant that we have been able to keep in touch
with all our members on a regular basis, especially those who don’t have access
to Zoom.
I am sure that at some time in 2021 we will be able to start meeting together
again, and the Committee is preparing plans to make sure that we can do this
safely.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all.
Ambling Group
I want to take this opportunity via our end-of-year newsletter to confirm (if you thought we
had disappeared) that the Ambling Group is alive and well with around 15 active members.
As soon as we were allowed to come out of purdah in June, we planned our walking schedule
for the summer and enjoyed several walks both locally and further afield, two in July and
August on the hottest days of the summer and all obeying Covid rules of social distancing and
etiquette.
We have a full schedule of walks from January until March 2021 so if you would like to join our
friendly and sociable group, please get in touch with me.
Wishing everyone all good wishes for Christmas and the New Year.Bird Watching
1. Thursday 24 December – NO MEETING
2. Thursday 28 January 10 am at Thatcham Discovery Centre
This is a multi-return visit (our last being in February 2020). We expect to see many water
birds but also others on the more remote parts near the hide. There are (usually) toilets and
refreshments available at the Centre.
Books Group via Zoom
Thurs 3 December
We had a group discussion on how the pandemic has affected us. It was very successful with
many and varied ways we have got through the last 9 months including walking, gardening,
reading and volunteering.
Thurs 7 January 2021 2 pm
‘My Brother Michael’ by Mary Stewart. A mystery set in Greece in the 1950s.
Thurs 2 February 2 pm
‘The Color Purple’ by Alice Walker. A classic book of enduring appeal first published 25 years
ago.
Thurs 4 March 2 pm
‘Those who are loved’ by Victoria Hislop. Set in Greece during the German occupation, it
follows a family divided by Civil War and the deep scars it caused.
Thurs 1 April 2 pm
‘The Citadel’ by A J Cronin. This book is credited with inspiring the setting up of the NHS.
We welcome new members so do join is if you are curious, even if you haven’t finished the
book your views and comments are interesting and are valued.
Christmas Morning Film Fun: 10.30 am via Zoom
Come and join an hour or so’s film fun on Christmas Morning, including cartoons like Tom &
Jerry plus film excerpts such as Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers, Morecombe & Wise etc.
Circle Dancing in December
Please Note: we are not meeting on our usual 4th Friday in December as this is Christmas Day!
Instead I look forward to seeing you all when we hold our Christmas Zoom at 10.45 on Friday 18
December.
Feel free to don your Christmas finery and have a mince pie/stollen slice handy as well.
Collectables
1. Monday 21 December – NO MEETING
2. Monday 18 January 2.30 pm via Zoom: All Things Copper (or Brass?)
Computer Club
1. No meeting in December
2. Revised meeting dates from January 2021
from January 2021, I propose we move our meetings to the fourth Thursday of the month, at
least while we are meeting via Zoom.Current Affairs
We continue to hold monthly Zoom meetings to review and discuss key issues in the national
and international news. On 10 December, our international news review looked at what is
happening globally with the Covid-19 vaccines and whether there is a ‘vaccine apartheid’, with
poorer countries being left out. Nationally, we looked at the impact of the collapse of the
Arcadia group, Debenhams and others and whether there is ‘too much nostalgia and too little
optimism’ about the future of the high street, as Mary Portas has claimed.
We meet on the second Thursday of the month at 10.30 (next meeting 14 January). Topics
depend entirely on what’s in the news between now and then.
We have an annotated list of current affairs websites which I have recently updated. This is a
selection of websites which take an analytical, explanatory or reflective approach to current
affairs, with a wide range of viewpoints. Over the Christmas and New Year period, if you’d like
to challenge your own prejudices this is a good place to start.
Family History: Friday 8 January 10.30 am via Zoom
Mike Grundy will speak to us about the history of the London Underground, focusing
particularly on the architecture of the stations.
Fourth Friday Film Fun: Friday 22 January 10.30 am via Zoom
Another hour of classic film clips: Tom and Jerry, Walt Disney, Charlie Chaplin, Laurel and
Hardy, song and dance routines from the 1930s to the 60s and, to finish, Morecambe and
Wise. Those were the days...
Italian
Level 1 (Beginners) continues to meet via Zoom on the first Thursday of the month. We have
recently been discussing holidays we have had (sigh!). The group has now been meeting for
over two years and so are no longer complete beginners. Whilst newcomers are welcome,
anyone without some previous familiarity with Italian, or a strong background in other
languages, might find it difficult to catch up.
Level 2 (Improvers) continues to meet via Zoom on the first Thursday of the month. We have
recently been discussing holidays we'd like to take once Covid restrictions are lifted – ‘nei
sogni - in our dreams’! Buon Natale a tutti.
Line Dancing
It seems such a long time since we last enjoyed a Line Dancing session together.
I do hope you are all well and coping with the very testing times we are living through.
I wish you and your families a very healthy and peaceful Christmas and look forward to the
time we can meet again.
Members' Meeting: Thursday 14 January 2 pm via Zoom
‘Robin Hood’
Monthly Speaker Meeting, Monday 25 January 2 pm via Zoom
There won’t be a Speaker Meeting in December, but do make a note of the date for January.
The topic and speaker will be announced in the January newsletter.Photography via Zoom
Our next Zoom meeting is at 10.30 on Wednesday 25 January 2021 so you have plenty of time
to complete the Alphabet letters U-Z - maybe with a festive feel to them?
This could also be a good time to explore new free websites or different ways to present your
photographs.
Science & Technology Topics via Zoom
There is no meeting in December but in 2021 we look forward to continuing to share
successful virtual meetings with other local Science groups.
Our zoom meeting at 14.00 on Tuesday 26 January will be a talk on ‘The Origin of Life’ by
Professor David Bender of Chiltern u3a.
Last month we discussed recycling so I was pleased to discover that Earley Town Council now
has a local scheme (including crisp packets) supporting local charities, see www.earley-
tc.gov.uk.
Seated Exercise
I would like to wish the u3a committee who have been working so hard on our behalf
throughout these difficult and challenging times, all u3a members and especially all the
members of my Seated Exercise Group, a very Happy & Healthy Christmas!
I do hope to see you back again in a few months’ time when, with luck, Covid-19 vaccines will
be available to us and we can meet again in numbers.
Singing for Pleasure: 2 pm Friday 18 December via Zoom
Today will be our Virtual Christmas Get Together. Sadly, no communal snacks and chocs to
share this year but happily, you can zoom in with your own personal festive food and drink(s).
Be warned! There will be carols and jokes too.
Looking forward to seeing you all then.
Town Study: Wednesday 13 January 2 pm via Zoom
We start 2021 with 2 research sessions on Amersham (2nd one on Wed 10 February).
Thames Valley Network
Study Days during November and indeed this month - all via Zoom - have been very well
received by all who have attended.
There are interesting and varied Study Days being arranged for next year, which will all be via
Zoom until we can actually meet for real. See below for the details.
If you haven't already, but are interested in local history, do look at the results of the shared
learning project undertaken by Reading u3a, Wokingham u3a and more latterly Woodley u3a
about the History of Woodley on the Woodley Town Council Website -
https://www.woodley.gov.uk/about-woodley/history-local-walks2021 Study Days via Zoom (until told otherwise)
Thursday 7 January – The Charge of the Light Brigade study session. The application form can
now be downloaded from the TVN website.
Monday 25 January/ Tuesday 26 January – Understanding Architecture (parts 1 & 2). A repeat
of this popular talk given in September. The application form can now be downloaded from
the TVN website.
Tuesday 23 February – Music from Musicals, Hooray for Hollywood.
Thursday 11 March – Engineering in Architecture
Wednesday 17 March – The Thames and its Boats. Postponed from March 2020.
Wednesday 31 March – Butterflies and the Environment.
March/April (date to be confirmed) – Migration of Birds
Wednesday 23 June – Visit to RHS Wisley. Postponed from June 2020 - gov. guidelines
permitting).
Wednesday 30 June – Repeat of The Thames and its Boats. Postponed from June 2020).
Date to be confirmed – Symbolism of Flowers in Art (provisional title)
Keep an eye on our website for more information, applications forms, and updates -
http://u3atvnetwork.org.uk/
Woodley, Shinfield & Earley Lunch Club
In November we had a booking at The Beefeater but lockdown intervened, so we moved the
date to 14 December. Sadly, lockdown has again prevented us from meeting and eating
together. However, we have our fingers crossed for January. In the meantime four of us have
enjoyed a Zoom update, but otherwise it’s been a case of ‘All Quiet on the Lunch Club Front’.
Writing for Pleasure
Our 2 December meeting had the theme of ‘Support Groups’. As usual it caused a good
debate to develop, as we explored the concepts thrown up.
We next meet on the 1st Wednesday of the New Year - 6 January 2021 at 2 pm and will be
writing about ‘The End of the World’, which promises some interesting ideas.
Pick up your pen or sit at the keyboard and add to the fun that we all have. I always stress this
is a non-judgemental meeting, the ‘Grammar Nasties’ aren't welcome, just put it down how
you feel. The stories are the important things, as well as meeting up with like-minded people.
So, cup of tea ready, join us on Zoom.
--------- o0o --------
Theatre Thoughts
What a strange year this has been. In February many of us had a Brief Encounter when we
visited Oxford to see Educating Rita but then by March everyone was talking about
coronavirus. At first I thought this was all Much Ado About Nothing, after all Our Country’s
Good and we could conquer this but life is full of Surprises and before long The Verdict was
that we all had to go into lockdown and say Yes Prime Minister.Tina, Crimes Camera Action and The Watson’s were all cancelled. Our Sense and Sensibility
told us we should all be Wise Children so many a Sunny Afternoon was spent Stepping Out
in The Red Shoes on our own Far from the Madding Crowd.
When we came out of lockdown we all thought It’s a Wonderful Life this is Beautiful but then
some Dirty Rotten Scoundrels decided to live The Life of Riley, didn’t play by the rules and
we were back in lockdown again. Now we have the famous ‘tier’ system – we have built
Fences around our local communities but hopefully we have all now learnt The Importance of
Being Earnest.
The Winter’s Tale is that there is now an approved vaccine and we can hopefully look
forward with Great Expectations to meeting up again in 2021. I’m sure there will be plenty of
Untold Stories to be shared – some Wicked, some Happy and Glorious and some A
Comedy of Errors.
Until we are able to see each other once more I wish all you Guys and Dolls a very merry
White Christmas (well maybe not white) and a happy and healthy New Year, perhaps with a
bit of Seasonal Sauce thrown in for good measure.
A Strictly Confidential note for anyone who has not spotted the references – all the bold
words relate to some of the many shows we have seen over the years.
--------- o0o --------
Our u3a Christmas Party 2020
It was the u3a Christmas Party, and we had decked the halls,
There was marble on the floor my dears, and ancestors on the walls.
But this was 2020 my loves so we're not really in this room,
Because of course we're virtual and this all done by Zoom!
Our virtual backgrounds from many years past, a grand house but no throne,
In a room both smart and vast, but it's nothing like our home.
For we are tucked up by our glowing Mac, eating chocs and all,
Waiting for the festivities as dusk begins to fall.
No bonhomie, no glasses full, to raise and then to clink,
And we'll end the evening yet again, with our hands inside the sink.
--------- o0o --------
The Dreaded Lurgy Lockdown
The corona virus is dangerous, and has caused misery, it’s true.
But there’s seldom a minus without a plus, and I have found a few.
No visitors, that’s a bonus, so my hoover has started to rust.
And there’s no fear of people dropping in, to notice all the dust.When people are allowed again in my home, I’ll be on a cleaning crusade,
Busy with hoover and dusters, and for the loo - a bucket and spade.
Social distancing comes with some blessings, that help to make me glad.
At two metres from Harry Tosis, his breath doesn’t smell so bad.
I don’t have to visit my daughter-in-law, for her ghastly bangers and mash,
Which are either half raw and greasy, or so well done they are almost ash.
I always took some drink with me, but spending too much was a waste.
It was often a bottle of ginger wine, to obliterate the taste.
The children were poor company, as they had very little to say.
So I was entertained by crashes and beeps, as they played on their iPad all day.
Then I was given the baby to hold, they knew the right moment to pick.
As soon as he was on my lap, the little monster was sick.
The family thought it hilarious, but I wish he’d never been born.
They shrieked with glee. “Oh here it comes – the technicolour yawn!”
There was often a very unpleasant smell, I said, “It’s time that you changed him!”
“Nappies are dear,” they replied, “so we wait, till they’re full right to the brim.”
My hair is growing like Ken Dodd’s. I look like Mad Aunt Doris.
But now my grey mane is all the rage, and I call this style “The Boris”.
Staying in, I never wear face cream, so my skin is no longer soft.
I’ve aged like Dorian Grey’s portrait, hidden in the loft.
I told my nephew I needed something for a cough.
The twit said “Here’s twenty cigarettes. That should start you off.”
The food ordered online from Asda, always comes on cue.
I wait in all day, and then it arrives, when I’ve just dashed to the loo.
When they send a substitution, I wonder what goes through their heads.
Last week I asked for drain cleaner, and got Senna Pods instead.
Why do people write drivel about what they’ve done? Well what is that all about?
It’s like wading through someone’s diary, with all the juicy bits cut out.
The moaning Minnies depress me, I end up crying in my beer,
And if I lived by the seaside, I’d feel like jumping off the pier.
But hearing good news is even worse, as they boast of achievements with glee,
Like learning Greek or digging a pond, and being more happy than me.
I was pleased to hear that my cousin, had transformed their house at this time.
The bathroom is perfectly splendid, the kitchen is quite sublime.
But the news that gave me most pleasure, was when they had finished it all,
They spilled a tin of dark brown paint, on the new carpet in the hall.I don’t want to wear a face mask, but now I’m being frank.
There’s never been a better time, to go and rob a bank.
I’ll go in wearing a black one, and perhaps a ginger wig,
And a padded size 20 raincoat, to make me look twice as big.
I’m not a total villain, so naturally in this instance,
I wouldn’t try to jump the queue, and I’d keep the social distance.
I’d swagger up to the counter, acting like a bully,
Pointing a gun-shaped object, from the pocket of my woolly.
I’d pass a note to the cashier, saying, “I have a gun and knife,
So please put all the money, in this Tesco’s bag for life.
I know I may not look the part, but I’m used to robbing banks”
I’d close, “With love and kisses,” not forgetting to say, “Thanks.”
I planned it and rehearsed it, with several double checks,
But I can’t see a thing with this face mask on - it just steams up my specs.
Now for some this has been a difficult time, and the memories they’ll want to erase.
But as for me, I will fondly look back, and call these the Good Old Days.
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Important New Regulations in the light of Covid-19
1. Crackers must now be two metres long.
2. Mistletoe is illegal.
3. Carol singing is a biochemical hazard.
4. The office Christmas party must now take place over Zoom but that is still no reason to
not embarrass yourself.
5. Dancer must self-isolate because Prancer has tested positive.
6. Santa must scan a QR code with the Track and Trace app before entering every house.
7. Christmas puds can now be doused with your choice of brandy OR alcohol-based hand
sanitiser.
8. All Monopoly-based fallings out are now limited to three households.
9. Santa's elves are now classed as key workers.
10. The three wise men can only form a support bubble between the 23rd and 27th
December
--------- o0o --------READING u3a GROUPS TIMETABLE (ZOOM MEETINGS)
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY
AM 1030 1030 1000
WOODLEY, ITALIAN LEVEL 1 GERMAN
ONE
etc, LUNCH IMPROVER
CLUB CHAT
PM 1400 1330 1400
WRITING FOR ITALIAN LEVEL 2 SINGING FOR
WEEK
PLEASURE 1345 PLEASURE
MADRIGALS
1400
BOOKS
AM 1030 1030 1030
TWO
POETRY CURRENT FAMILY HISTORY
AFFAIRS
PM 1400 1400 1400 FOR 1415
WEEK
SPANISH TOWN STUDY MEMBERS’
CONVERSATION (not December) MEETING
AM 1000
GERMAN
THREE
IMPROVER
1045
CIRCLE DANCING
(December only)
PM 1430 1345 1400
WEEK
COLLECTABLES MADRIGALS SINGING FOR
PLEASURE
AM 1030 1030 1030 1000 1030
AMBLING PHILOSOPHY PHOTOGRAPHY COMPUTER FILM FUN
FOUR
CLUB 1100
(not December) CIRCLE DANCING
(not December)
PM 1400 for 1415 1400 for 1415
MONTHLY SCIENCE &
WEEK
SPEAKERS TECHNOLOGY
MEETING 1400
(not December) SPANISH
CONVERSATION
THIS IS A TIMETABLE OF THOSE GROUPS WHO HAVE TOLD US THAT THEY ARE HOLDING MEETINGS
USING ZOOM.
PLEASE CONTACT THE GROUP CONVENOR (SEE SEPARATE LIST) TO CHECK TIMES AND HOW TO JOIN
NOTE – BE SURE TO CHECK MEETING DATES FOR THE CHRISTMAS PERIOD
PLEASE INFORM THE GROUPS COORDINATOR – groups@readingu3a.org.uk – OF ANY ERRORS OR OMISSIONSYou can also read
