Chatterbox MARCH 2019 - U3A Site Builder
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Chatterbox MARCH 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
FEBRUARY OPEN MEETING
A large audience gathered
for a presentation on the
history of 'Gin' and the
story behind 'Ely Gin'.
However, no samples were
available as the expense
and logistics for this would
be prohibitive. Therefore,
many were disappointed
and took their pint glasses
home for use at another
time!! James Clark (pictured)
provided some great
insights into 'Gin' and
explained the three types of
Gin; Compound, Distilled
and London Dry. The most
expensive Gin is where the
ethanol is purified by
repeat distillation to reach the magic maximum of 96% alcohol by
volume(abv). At the other end of this scale gin must have a minimum of
37.5% abv. Taste is subjective, however, the original gin must taste
predominantly of juniper, thereafter, gin can include whatever flavourings to
suit personal discernment or market trends.
MARCH OPEN MEETING
On Thursday 1821 March we welcome back Roy Smart who will give a talk
entitled; 'Amy Wonderful Amy', which details the life of the famous aviator
Amy Johnson. Some of you may remember Roy who gave an excellent
presentation on the career of Admiral Sir David Beatty in March last year.
To avoid confusion the photograph to the right is one of Amy Johnson not Roy Smart!
MARCH/APRIL OPEN MEETING
The April Open Meeting will include the Annual General Meeting (AGM)
where Chatteris U3A Officials will be (re)elected. However, the March Open Meeting provides the
opportunity to put forward all nominations for these positions. A number of existing Officials are stepping
down this year after providing great service.
Please consider reaching out to support U3A Chatteris or you could approach someone who you feel would
make a valid contribution and ask if they would wish for you to nominate them. A committee member may
not have a designated task and could participate with new ideas, encouragement and assistance on a
temporary basis on various projects. A form is available to make any proposals accordingly.
Another issue that arises at this time of year is the annual membership
subscription. The cost is being kept the same as last year: £18 for one full year.
Renewal subscriptions can be paid at the March Open Meeting where a simple
process of informing the staff member when entering the meeting room will
generate a tick on a sheet and renewal is complete (together with the £18).
IMPORTANT UPDATES/INFORMATION
Many members will remember EDWARD SAMUEL who served as our Treasurer for several
years before withdrawing from that position in 2017. Sadly he died in hospital on 5 March
after a short illness. The U3A sends warmest wishes and thoughts to his family. The
funeral venue is 'Our Lady of Good Council & St Peter (8 St Johns Road, March, PE15 8RJ).
Date of service is Wednesday 27th March at 1.15pm.
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.
Chatteris Library presents Self-Portrait Masks (series of 3 sessions); Tim Mann will teach
you about the history of self-portraits - from Remdrandt to Tracey Emin - and help you
develop your own unique 3D mask, using papier-mâché, collage, paint and recycled materials.
Saturday 16, 23. 30 March. All session starting at 10.00am.
Pat Barber continues collecting newspapers for the local RSPCA. Therefore, can you please
bring any old newspapers to the open meeting. Thank you.
Community Defibrillators. A Defibrillator will be installed on Saturday 9 March on the
wall of Chatteris Osteopath (near Apple Green Petrol Station forecourt), West Park
Street. Very many thanks to all who attended our race night and afternoon tea, plus
providing support in other ways. Fundraising for further Defibrillators is ongoing. The
objective is to place about 10 more defibrillators around Chatteris. At a cost of about
£2,500 each plus costs for maintenance this is a very big undertaking. The next fundraiser
is a Mothers Day afternoon tea on Sunday March 31st. Tickets are available now.
Children welcome. Help with setting up, serving, washing up and clearing would be very much
appreciated. Please contact Ted Croucher for more information - 07716 858286.
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 enjoy the journey with plenty of banter and gain some
insightful tips & information to research our family history more effectively with modern
technology and current databases. Please contact Georgina Plumb to register interest.
INTEREST GROUPS
The following ideas have been put forward for your consideration with further details to follow depending on the
level of interest. Some groups are missing a Leader or someone to co-ordinate the activity whilst other proposals
have a tentative leader waiting to gauge support before making further arrangements:
All you members who enjoy 'Who wants to be a millionaire', 'The Chase', 'Mastermind', 'Tenable',
'Eggheads', 'Pointless', 'Pop Master', 'Tipping Point' and many other quiz programmes can make that
into a reality show by joining in the U3A Chatteris Quiz Group. More details to follow.
The 'Walking There' Group will be resuming soon. Barry Ransley will be organising these walks,
therefore, watch this space to ensure you can spring into 2019 with a step or two. These walks are
outside Chatteris with transport being arranged in order to visit villages and enjoy scenery from the
Fenlands which you may not ordinarily visit.
Wish to learn a language or become more fluent with a language you have
become rusty with? A French Language group and a Spanish Language group
are being proposed. These would meet separately as confusion may occur if
these were taught in the same session.
If you wish to register interest in any of the ideas above, take the lead or support with any
interest group proposal or start a new group please contact Georgina
Plumb at the Open Meetings or email georgina4472@sky.com or
phone 01354 694234
Lunch Club Jan Fieldhouse
Lunch Club will meet on the 4th Thursday of every month
starting in March. Arrival time will be 12.30pm to eat at about
1.00pm. Therefore our schedule is as follows: March 27th -
Hartford Marina, Huntingdon, PE28 2AA - 01480 414311.
Access fine for all abilities. They do a three plate size carvery,
small, med and large plus all the usual menu items. April 24th
- The Three Tuns at Doddington, PE15 0SP - 01354 279593.
Access fine for all abilities. Good quality English food. THIS
WILL BE A PRE BOOK EVENT AND WILL NEED NAMES BY 14TH
APRIL. NO NAME NO GO. May 22nd - The Isle of Ely - CB6 2FR
- 01353 888731 - Green King Pub menu's. Access fine. June
26th - 5 miles from Anywhere, CB7 5ZR - 01353 721654. Nice
pub with river views if you get there early enough. Generous
meal portions. Road leading to pub goes from tarmac to dirt road, access fine. July will probably be a Sunday
Lunch; details to follow. Transport can be arranged with notice.
For any further information contact Jan on 01354 697701 or jan56fieldhouse@gmail.com.
Archery Group & Darts Group Ted Croucher
The first archery session for 2019 will be Saturday April 13th. Time
will be either 2pm or 4pm (TBC) at the Old Nene Golf Club in
Ramsey. However, if you are interested to attend please inform me
as numbers are important in order to ensure sufficient equipment is
available.
Venue for the Darts Group is likely to be the Wimblington Social
Club and dates will be
available soon. For
further information on
both these groups and
for updates please visit
the U3A Website or
contact Ted Croucher on 07716 858286 or
teds.shed.events@gmail.com
Theatre & Trips Chris Coveney
Fancy going to the Dogs? Peterborough Greyhound is back by popular
demand on Wednesday 13 March. Price of £28 includes coach travel,
entrance, 3-course meal plus hot beverage. For your convenience a full
drink and tote messenger service is provided to your table.
Woburn Safari Park has been a favourite destination for many years
and remains one of the most popular places to visit in the UK. The
coach will drive through the Park allowing some amazing close-up
views of the wild animal reserves before parking in the leisure area.
From there you can enjoy walks and activities to observe many
amazing animals to many to mention. A brilliant day out and an
opportunity to get close to some beautiful animals.
With 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.
'Kinky Boots', the musical, is based on the 2005 British film and
was inspired by true events. A great opportunity to catch a very
popular show. This is a comfortable and relaxed journey to Milton
Keynes with very good seats in the theatre for Wednesday 30
October.
The Christmas 2019 outing will be to the Thursford Spectacular. This is an extravaganza of non-stop singing,
dancing, music, humour and variety. It is a fast moving celebration of the festive season featuring an eclectic mix
of both seasonal and year-round favourites. You can sit back and be taken on a magical journey of music, sound
and colour which you never thought possible.
DIARY
DATE: ACTIVITY: PRICE: CONTACT:
13 March -Wednesday PETERBOROUGH GREYHOUNDS £28 Chris Coveney
Leaving Furrowfields at First Race at 7.05pm. Cost includes Coach Travel,
5.30pm. entry and a 3 course meal in the Raceview
Restaurant. SOLD OUT
21 March - Thursday OPEN MEETING at KING EDWARD CENTRE. Alison Robson
10.00am. Speaker: Roy Smart - 'Amy Wonderful Amy'
10 April - Wednesday GREASE at Spotlight Theatre, Hinchingbrooke £10.00 Chris Coveney
Using your own School, Huntingdon. Performance starts at
Transport to Venue 7.30pm. SOLD OUT
18 April - Thursday OPEN MEETING at KING EDWARD CENTRE. Alison Robson
10.00am. Speaker: Michael Fieldhouse -
'Toastmaster/Policing'
24 April - Wednesday WOBURN SAFARI PARK, Bedfordshire. £30.00 Chris Coveney
Leaving Furrowfields at Money for this trip is required at the March Open
09.30am. Meeting. SOME TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE but...
SELLING FAST
20 May - Monday BARNDALE GARDENS - Oakham, Rutland. £20.00 Chris Coveney
Leaving Furrowfields at Tea Rooms with Lunch menu available at venue.
9.30am.
24 June - Monday BURE VALLEY RAILWAY & WROXHAM BOAT Trip TBA Chris Coveney
Departure TBA. Further details to follow.
30 October - KINKY BOOTS at Milton Keynes Theatre. £40.00 Chris Coveney
Wednesday Performance starts at 2.30pm. There will be an
Leaving Furrowfields at opportunity to purchase lunch before the show.
10.00am. SOLD OUT
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
You can also read
