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Chatterbox APRIL 2019
Official Newsletter of Chatteris U3A https://u3asites.org.uk/chatteris
President: Ray Dordery Chair: Ken Robson Vice Chair: Barry Ransley Vice Chair/Minutes: Jeanette Hipkins
General/Membership Secretary: Jan Fieldhouse Treasurer: Lesley Gibbs Groups: Georgina Plumb Speakers: Alison
Robson Theatre/Trips: Chris Coveney Publicity: Sandy Wright Events: Ted Croucher Webmaster: Phil Green
Newsletter: Steve Wright General Enquiries: 07716 858286
MARCH OPEN MEETING
Roy Smart was given a warm welcome on his return to Chatteris; this time
to talk about the life of the famous aviator Amy Johnson.
Amy was born in Kingston upon Hull in 1903. She began flying in 1928
when she joined the London Aeroplane Club, but was told after her first
lesson that she would 'never make a flier'. She ignored the criticism and
gained her pilot's licence and also became Britain's first qualified woman
ground engineer.
Amy was given financial help to buy a two-year-old De Havilland Gipsy
Moth for £600. The aircraft, which she named 'Jason', had no lights, radio or
fuel gauge. She achieved worldwide recognition when, in 1930, she became
the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia with 'Jason'. Amy
went on to set multiple records before her disappearance in 1941.
Amy died, aged 37, on January 5 1941, while flying a new Airspeed Oxford
plane for delivery in Oxfordshire. Her plane crashed near Herne Bay off the
coast of Kent but she bailed out over the Thames Estuary. Her body was
never recovered and the exact cause of her death remains a mystery.
APRIL OPEN MEETING
The next Open Meeting, on Thursday 18 April, will include the Annual
General Meeting (AGM) where Chatteris U3A Officials will be (re)elected.
This is expected to take approximately 10 minutes then the meeting will
proceed as normal.
The scheduled speaker in the diary for April is not able to attend. However,
Alison Robson has arranged for Richard Gibbons to make a presentation
relating to 'D-Day and the Normandy Aftermath'. This is great timing for
the 75th anniversary celebration in June. Richard includes in his talks
original footage and music. A tremendous amount of planning was put into
the D-Day landings, codenamed Operation Neptune, which provides a rich
collection of stories. This was the largest seaborne invasion in history and
remains so today.
Membership Renewals
A reminder that all U3A memberships expire this month. If you did not renew last month we will be open
from 9.30am at the KEC on the April Open Meeting. Renewal should be much quicker this year as there is no
need to fill in a form if your details have not changed. The fee remains the same at £18 each. Third Age
Matters magazine is now £2.90 for five issues. Please arrive in good time to get booked in. Thank you.
INTEREST GROUPS
A number of ideas have been proposed including a Quiz group, Darts,
French Language, and Spanish Language.
The April Open Meeting will see some changes in the
Committee. Therefore, the new dynamics maybe a
catalyst for new ideas and an opportunity to take the lead or support
with an existing Interest Group, any Interest Group proposals or start a brand new Group. To discuss any ideas
please contact Georgina Plumb at the Open Meetings or email georgina4472@sky.com or phone 01354 694234
IMPORTANT UPDATES/INFORMATION
Defibrillator news. After a year of planning and fundraising the first defibrillator went up
in town, situated on the wall of the Osteopath clinic/Apple Green garage West Park Street.
The recent Mothers Day afternoon tea was well attended and raised £300. Thank you to
those who made cakes and attended. The next afternoon tea will be for Fathers Day on
June 16th, 3pm till 5pm at the King Edwards Centre. FREE CPR & Defibrillator training is
being conducted on Wednesday May 29th; 7.30-9.30pm at the King Edwards Centre. For
further information visit the website; e-voice.org.uk/chatterisdefibrillators or the
facebook page 'Community Defibrillators for Chatteris'.
Walking Football (affiliated with Active Fenland) for 50+ takes place every Monday from
10.00am at the Chatteris Town Football Club on West Street. For further information
contact Steve Wright at the open meeting or on 01354 680338.
Pat Barber continues collecting newspapers for the local RSPCA. Therefore, can you please
bring any old newspapers to the open meeting. Thank you.
The Family History Group are proposing a trip to The Genealogy Show at NEC, Birmingham,
on Friday 7 June. This trip is open to everyone as we plan to hire a coach for the day to
make the outing stress free. We can gain some insightful tips & information to research
our family history more effectively with the latest approach, modern technology and
current databases. Please contact Georgina Plumb to register interest.
Lunch Club Jan Fieldhouse
The Lunch Club has now started the 2019 programme, meeting
on the 4th Thursday of every month, usually at 12.30pm to eat
at about 1.00pm. April 24 - The Three Tuns at Doddington,
PE15 0SP - 01354 279593. If you have not booked your place
you need to contact Jan ASAP before 14 April. After that date
there will not be room for you. May 22 - The Isle of Ely - CB6
2FR - 01353 888731 - Green King Pub. Access fine. June 26 - 5
miles from Anywhere, CB7 5ZR - 01353 721654. Nice pub with
river views. Generous meal portions. Access fine. Transport
can be arranged with notice. For any further information
contact Jan on 01354 697701 or jan56fieldhouse@gmail.com.
Archery Group Ted Croucher
The first archery session for 2019 will be Saturday April 13th at 4.00pm.
Venue is the Old Nene Golf Club in Ramsey. For further information and
updates please visit the U3A Website or contact Ted Croucher on 07716
858286 or email teds.shed.events@gmail.com
Walking There Barry Ransley
Walking There still runs on an ad hoc basis. Only last
week three intrepid persons completed a circuit from
Earith, along the east bank of the old west river, crossing
back at the causway and then onto Wilmington and
Over, mainly on field paths, before returning to Earith
atop the south embankment of the Ouse. With the
bright and cool weather, a leisurely and enjoyable 13
miles. We still seek somebody willing to lead this activity
on a regular basis. Pictured is Dorothy, Barry and Brian
Patchwork & Quilting June Rayner
The Festival of Quilting - A trip is being arranged for Sunday 4th August to the NEC
Birmingham for this event. The cost of entry is £17.00 if we pay on the door, however,
discounts are available for pre-booking and groups. Transport will be extra and cost
will depend on numbers. Please contact June Rayner, ASAP, on 01354 692282
or rayfield.102@talktalk.net in order to provide an estimate on numbers interested.
History on our Doorstep Ray Dordery
Following the successful visit to the Pathfinders Museum at
RAF Wyton, there is a possibility of further potential visits for
the ' History on our Doorstep' Group. These are 'Historic
King's Lynn', the Georgian town of 'Stamford', and a two-site
visit to 'Oundle' and nearby 'Fotheringhay'. Because of the
travelling involved and the time required for walking tours,
etc, these would need to be full day visits, with a lunch break
included.
The next meeting will be Friday 26 April due to the third
Friday being Easter Holiday (Good Friday). We will discuss
these options with a summary of what each venue has to
offer. Kings Lynn - 900 years of maritime trading history are
preserved in the historic core of Kings Lynn. Fine houses,
medieval churches/guildhalls, secret courtyards and hidden alleys remain to be discovered with the Town Guides.
Stamford has a unique blend of history, and stunning Georgian architecture area often featured in period films.
Proclaimed by Sir Walter Scott as "the finest stone town in England", it was declared a conservation area in 1967
and has over 600 listed buildings of mellow limestone including 5 medieval churches. Oundle is a beautiful stone
built market town that has served the surrounding valleys since Saxon times. The town centre has many fine
stone houses over 300 years old, divided by alleys/courtyards, above which the graceful spire of the parish church
rises. Founded in the 14th century, the church has a 15th century porch and fine period screen work.
Fotheringhay Castle, is the scene of the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots, in 1587, and birthplace of King
Richard III. There is also the site of the beautiful Fotheringhay church which has an excellent historical display.
Creative Writing Polly Howat
News from our workshops held in the first quarter 2019 using proverbs for the titles of our stories:
February - ALL THAT GLISTENS IS NOT GOLD produced the following stories: An arranged marriage; the life of a
stray cat; how appearances can be deceiving; be careful what you wish for; being conned by fake silver.
March: BETTER TO HAVE LOVED AND LOST THAN TO HAVE NEVER LOVED AT ALL - a
long and fulfilling life of love; friendship and independence; Sibling love that
transcended time and place; childhood love reignited in much later years; fraternal
twins bound up in their weird world of make believe.
April: LAUGH AND THE WORLD LAUGHS WITH YOU, CRY AND YOU CRY ALONE: a highly
popular comic entertainer whose life ended in tragedy when his particular genre went
out of fashion; a sad girl from an abusive childhood who blossomed into a successful
business woman and encouraged similar females to achieve their potential; the
vaudeville husband and wife entertainers who planned and executed their joint suicide
resulting from her terminal illness.
Theatre & Trips Chris Coveney
Everyone agreed we had a wonderful time at Peterborough
Greyhound Racing. Although we didn't all win, it did not
matter as we enjoyed a great meal and entertainment.
Watching doggies racing after the hare. One greyhound
caught the hare to the amusement of the crowd. Everyone
said they would go again even after going for several years.
Next year someone will win the jackpot!
Important Notice: Woburn Safari Park, proposed for
Wednesday 24 April, has now been cancelled.
Britain's largest collection of individually designed gardens,
Barnsdale Gardens is teeming with great ideas. This is the
number one UK garden to visit. With 38 individual gardens
in an eight-acre site, there is plenty to see and do.
Whether you are a keen gardener, an armchair gardener or
a visitor looking for a wonderful day out with a great lunch
in the tea rooms, then Barnsdale Gardens is for you.
Enjoy the Bure Valley Railway Steam train to the Norfolk Broads and
Wroxham Boat Trip. Experience a nostalgic trip by steam on Norfolk’s
longest narrow gauge railway which runs between the historic market
town of Aylsham and bustling town of Wroxham, at the heart of the
Norfolk Broads. The single journey between Aylsham and Wroxham
takes 45 minutes. We re-board the coach to take us to the boat and
free time is given to purchase lunch in Wroxham before boarding the
boat. You and your fellow passengers will enjoy a commentary on your
outward journey and allowed to take in the beauty of The Norfolk
Broads National Park as you return to Wroxham Bridge.
Hunstanton plus Princess Theatre - Simon & Garfunkel. The elegant resort of Hunstanton
is the ideal base to enjoy the superb coastline of Norfolk and the magnificent colourful
sunsets. In summer, look out for the colourful Tractor Train which carries visitors the
length of the seafront. Take a sea trip to see the seals and along the promenade is the
Hunstanton Sea Life Sanctuary. And do not forget fish & chips as they taste so much better
at the seaside. In the evening we meet up at the Princess Theatre at 7.00pm to settle in
our seats for a performance of Simon and Garfunkel. What a great way to conclude a
lovely day. . 30 PLACES AVAILABLE
River Trent Cruise, Nottingham, with Princess
Cruises. Enjoy a comfortable, leisurely cruise along the River Trent
Nottingham. Experience the river in all its seasonal glory whilst being
pampered in deluxe, warm surroundings. We will enjoy a lovely 3
hour boat trip with a Sunday lunch. Sunday Lunch menu is:
Traditional Roast Dinner (wait on service) Hand carved Roast Beef or
Roast Chicken Breast, Roast Potatoes, Minted Potatoes and 2
Seasonal Vegetables plus Yorkshire Pudding and Rich Gravy plus Hot
Apple Pie and Custard. Complimentary Tea or Coffee. Vegetarian
options available. 30 PLACES AVAILABLE
DIARY
DATE: ACTIVITY: PRICE: CONTACT:
10 April - Wednesday GREASE at Spotlight Theatre, Hinchingbrooke £10.00 Chris Coveney
Using your own School, Huntingdon. Performance starts at Opportunity to car share
Transport to Venue 7.30pm. SOLD OUT - see Barry Ransley
18 April - Thursday OPEN MEETING (including AGM) at KING Alison Robson
10.00am. EDWARD CENTRE (KEC). Speaker: Richard
Gibbons - 'D-Day & the Normandy Aftermath'
20 May - Monday BARNDALE GARDENS - Oakham, Rutland. £20.00 Chris Coveney
Leaving Furrowfields Eight acre site of beautiful gardens. Tea Rooms
at 9.30am. with Lunch menu available at venue.
01 July - Monday BURE VALLEY RAILWAY & WROXHAM BOAT £30.00 Chris Coveney
Leaving Furrowfields Experience a Railway Journey before taking
at 9.00am. lunch at Wroxham and then enjoy a Boat Trip.
12 July - Friday HUNSTANTON plus SIMON & GARFUNKEL £35.00 Chris Coveney
Leaving Furrowfields Experience a Railway Journey before taking
at 2.30pm. lunch at Wroxham and then enjoy a Boat Trip.
18 August - Sunday RIVER TRENT CRUISE - NOTTINGHAM £35.00 Chris Coveney
Leaving Furrowfields Enjoy a lovely 3 hour cruise with Traditional £3 non-
refundable
at 10.00am. Sunday Roast Dinner. deposit
30 October - Wed KINKY BOOTS at Milton Keynes Theatre. £40.00 Chris Coveney
Leaving Furrowfields Performance starts at 2.30pm. SOLD OUT
at 10.00am. However, reserve list taken for any returns.
27 November - THURSFORD SPECTACULAR £52.00 Chris Coveney
Wednesday Show Performance starts at 2.00pm.Details to
Leaving Furrowfields follow in the New Year. SOLD OUT
at... TBC. However, reserve list taken for any returns.
For further information and more events visit the Chatteris U3A website https://u3asites.org.uk/chatteris
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