Page 1 of 4 - August 2019

July’s Speaker meeting Gary Jordan entertained us with an entrancing recital of guitar music interspersed with stories and historical detail of the times and lives of three composers. We heard three lute pieces by John Downland, Variations on a Mozart theme by Fernando Sor, and Granada & Cadiz by Isaac Albéniz.

There are plenty of outings to look forward to so don’t forget to look at what’s coming below, especially the holiday in Sicily in October. I just want to thank Sarah for her excellent work on the Newsletter. I hope it has all the information you need. We are using photos from members in it so don’t forget to offer some of yours to the Newsletter. We would also like to use some on the website.

This month we welcome three new members - Susie Kutas (Long Wittenham), Linda Chilcott (Ewelme) and Alec Hayton (Wallingford). I missed the last speaker meeting as I was away. Gary Jordan, who is a classical guitarist was the star and I was sorry to miss him. I am told that he was excellent. The next monthly meeting is the Garden Party, and there is information about it below. The forecast looks reasonable for the day, so we’ll be keeping an eye on that. However, we always book the Baptist Church Hall as a belts and braces’ back-up to the riverside location in case of bad weather. Will that include very hot, I wonder!

• SPEAKER MEETINGS • Third Wednesday each month

Wednesday 21 August 2:30 pm ANNUAL GARDEN PARTY Chalmore Gardens, Wallingford OX10 9EP This gathering is in place of the August speaker meeting. Sheila Findlay, once again, kindly invites us to use her delightful riverside garden beside the Thames. All members are invited and food for the party is kindly provided by members themselves. You will have received an invitation from Margaret Cone and details by email. Weather forecast looks promising, the Baptist Church Hall is booked as a bad weather alternative. Guests will be informed if this happens. Big Appeal: We need to sign up a ‘Heavy Gang’ to help set up trestle tables and chairs in the morning and a Buffet Team to do ½ hour sessions apiece in afternoon.

Please contact Malcolm chairman@wallingfordu3a.org for the Heavy Gang

and Hilary Baily

treasurer@wallingfordu3a.org for the Buffet Team

Wednesday 16 October John Ericson - Art inspired by wine John Ericson, one of our regular and favourite speakers will lead us on a gallery tour of numerous paintings of wine being made and wine being drunk in celebration and take a look at the numerous wicked cartoons and posters inspired by wine.

We anticipate an informative and humorous afternoon.

• EDITORIAL • Welcome to the August Newsletter – I hope you find something that pleases you. See p4 for what a photography group have been doing and a happy snap of a walking group. Do check the Groups section on p3 for latest information and availability – there are four new groups and one proposed group. Also two Outings over Aug & Sept. Two Editors Awards this month go to the Shorter Walking group mystery photographer whose name is embedded in the water lilies on p4 (see if you can name him/her) and the other to the pigeon photograph author pun. If you prefer the gentle rustle of the printed page and your printer is being awkward or has run out of ink/paper then do drop by the coffee morning and pick up a hot-off-the-press version.

If you are inspired to contribute send fullsize photos and/or text (max 100 words or so)

to Sarah Boyt Robinson newsletter@wallingfordu3a.org or speak to a committee member at a coffee morning or

speaker meeting.

for members and prospective new members first Friday each month

from 10:30 am until 12 noon at Centre 70, (Kinecroft/Goldsmiths Lane)

Wallingford OX10 0DT Friday 2 August

Helpers: Hilary Taylor, Jenny Potter Friday 6 September

Helpers: Jenny Powis, Janie Moore

COFFEE MORNING

Wednesday 18 September 2 pm The Baptist Church Thames Street Wallingford OX10 0BH Captain Kamran Irani Delivering emergency medical supplies Captain Kamran Irani comes to us highly recommended as a speaker and also for his spectacular mode of transport. After a career as an airline pilot Captain Irani now heads up SERV OBN Emergency Riders. This group of intrepid volunteers provide a rapid response transport service to the NHS, carrying urgently needed medical items out of hours, saving lives as well as NHS resources.

He promises to arrive on his top of the range Emergency motorbike!

• CHAIRMAN’S NOTES •

We need new volunteers to help with low commitment ‘pop-up’ tasks such as setting up chairs for the speaker meetings or putting out tables at the coffee mornings or helping with dishing out hot drinks. If you are willing and able, do please contact Malcolm at chairman@wallingfordu3a.org or chat to any committee member.

Thameside (Wallingford) www.wallingfordu3a.org

AUGUST NEWSLETTER Published: 30 July 2019 v0.3

A big happy bunch of U3A folk

Credit: Mark and Mary

Thames Barrier Outing in July

Page 2 of 4 - August 2019

Computer iPad Users: New group starting Wed 25 Sept Members bring along their own iPad together with a question or two which they would like to solve. Usually someone around the table will either have the answer or know how to find it. American Railroads: New group proposed. The history and present-day workings of railroads in America are very different from Europe and are an interesting topic for informal study offering glamour, technical sophistication, engineering on a massive scale, commercial efficiency, nostalgia, huge variety and scenic appeal. Ian Wheeler is willing to host an interest group of up to eight members. Activities would include video shows, book sharing and general discussion. There will also be the opportunity to develop and operate Ian’s digitally-controlled American model railroad layout. Daytime weekday in Cholsey once a month. Group waiting lists If you are particularly interested in a group that is Full, you can let Yvonne Griffiths (see above) know that you would like to be put on the waiting list for that group. On the other hand, if you are on a waiting list and have changed your mind, please can you let Yvonne know.

Groups looking for new members Groups with availability = Ask = blue star*s on Calendar. Computer Mac Users 2: More members welcome. Come along, share tips and get the best from your trusty Mac. Sunday Lunch: More diners welcome, come dine in good company. No August Sunday lunch, resume eating Sun 22 Sept.

New and Proposed Groups Writing Life History 2: This new group has been set up to meet in the morning on the fourth Thursday of each month starting at 10:30. The first meeting will be on Thurs 26 Sept. The sessions will follow the same format as Life History 1 where members are recording stories related to genealogy research or more often to their own memories of the lives of their parents, grandparents and other relatives as well as their own childhood, sometimes illustrated with old photos. Contact Yvonne Griffiths.

Antiques 2: This new group will meet for the first time on Wed 31 July from 10:30 until 11:30 to set an agenda for the group. This will be at Maureen Norton's house in Crowmarsh. We will look at people’s interest and particular areas of interest in the Antiques world. The next meeting proper will be Thurs 26th Sept. Please contact groups@wallingfordu3a.org to register your interest and address for the meeting.

Scrabble: New group setup meeting will be at 5 Sept coffee morning. Will start later in the autumn. Its nearly full already but if you are keen still apply, a second grou can be proposed.

Battle of Britain Bunker Friday 13 September

The Bunker housed RAF Fighter Command’s No.11 Group Operations Room from which most of the RAF’s side of the Battle of Britain was co-ordinated throughout the Second World War. The Operations Room is a series of rooms on two levels some 60 feet underground, is reached via 76 steps. (There is a handrail but stairs are steep) We will be going back in time as we experience the Bunker for ourselves with an expert guide.

Organiser: Sue Wright

outings@wallingfordu3a.org

From curvy curlews to spoony billed avocets From haughty cranes to exotic flamingos From gorgeous playful otters to teenie weenie harvest mice!!! Yes, we saw them all and an awful lot more of the hundreds of species of wetland birds. Organised by Sue Wright we took a scenic Cotswold route to Slimbridge, the main reserve of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust founded by Sir Peter Scott the naturalist and son of Antarctic explorer Robert Falcon Scott. There is such a lot of development going on for new and exciting projects that we must go back soon!! Mike Sedman

Links to Battle of Britain Bunker and Compton Verney booking forms are on your August Newsletter email, or you can pick up booking forms at coffee mornings and speaker meetings or look at our Members Only website (see p4)

OUTINGS UPDATES

Please remember that all requests to join an Interest Group or start a new one must be made through the Interest Group Co-ordinator 01491 838214 groups@wallingfordu3a.org

INTEREST GROUPS

Compton Verney Friday 23 August

120 acres of Stunning Parkland, Lake and award-winning Art Galleries. At the time of our visit there is a special exhibition A Tea Journey, from the Mountains to the Table. Tea has inspired all manner of artistic expressions, from ceramics, to paintings, to poetry and this exhibition includes over 150 works of art and teaware; from the Tang dynasty to the present day.

Organiser: Valerie Roddan

Annual holiday in Sicily Saturday 5 – Friday 11 October

Midsummer done and the days drawing in already! Christmas just around the corner….but all is not lost. There is the opportunity of enjoying warm sun, balmy breezes and a few nights in comfortable hotels - in October! This year’s U3A Annual Holiday is in Sicily, with five nights half board at Castellammare Del Golfo. But we are not just basking by the sea, although there will be time for that. We will visit Palermo, Mozia Island, Monreale Cathedral and many other places of interest. We leave Wallingford on the 5th October and return on the 11th with pampered luxury all the way. So if you’ve had enough of grey skies and chilly days, give Paul Booker a ring on 01491 825864 or email him

outings@wallingfordu3a.org for a brochure and more information

Slimbridge Outing in June Slimbridge Photos:

Rachel Pettit-Smith (except the duck)

Page 3 of 4 - August 2019

INTEREST GROUPS THAMESIDE (WALLINGFORD) * Status Group Enabler

Antiques 1 ~ No August meeting. Usually second Wed next is Wed 11 Sept Full Carole Johnson * Antiques 2 ~ New group - fourth Thurs starting 10:30 am Thurs 26 Sept Ask Maureen Norton * Art/Painting Thurs 1 10 am at the Red Lion, Brightwell First Thursday Ask Angie Thorrington * Badminton Each Mon 2 til 4 pm Berinsfield Sports Centre £3.50 fee applies Ask Hilly Bailey Birdwatching 1 ~ No August meeting. Usually first Thurs, next is Thurs 5 Sept Full Rosemary Garner

* Birdwatching 2 ~ No August meeting. Usually third Thurs, next is Thurs 19 Sept Ask Pam Johnstone Book 1 Tues 13 I am, I am, I am by Maggie O’Farrell at Barbara’s Full Sue Taylor

* Book 2 Thurs 22 The Lightless Sky by Gulwali Passarley at Mary Valance’s Ask Di Young Book 3 Wed 14 Coastliner by Joanna Harris at Sheila’s Full Sheila Findlay

* Book 4 Thurs 8 Second Thursday pm Ask Dee Clarke * Book 5 Thurs 22 White Houses by Amy Bloom at Dorothy's (Fourth Thurs pm) Ask Sue English

* Bridge 1 ~ No August meeting, reconvene Thurs 12 Sept Usually second and fourth Thurs pm

Ask Sheila Findlay

* Canasta Tues 13 2 pm The Dolphin back room on second Tuesday Ask Hilly Bailey * Computer iPad Users ~ New group,fourth Wednesday starting Wed 25 Sept Ask Sheila Findley Computer MacUsers 1 Tues 6 11 am first Tuesday Full Ann Truesdale

* Computer MacUsers 2 Mon 19 Contact Peter Mason for venue and time. Third Monday pm Ask Peter Mason * Craft Mon 5 Centre 70, 2:30 pm (Summer schedule) Bring a project Ask Angie Thorrington * Cribbage Mon 12 and Mon 26 10:30 am second and fourth Mondays Ask Joyce Kent Current Affairs 1 Thurs 1 2:30 pm first Thursday Full Trudy Davies Current Affairs 2 Mon 5 2 pm first Monday Full Val Mowlam

* Current Affairs 3 Tues 13 2 pm Friendly debate and discussion second Tuesday Ask Jane Milne Digital Photography 2 Wed 14 The topic is Food at Frances’s Second Wednesday pm Full Sylvia Harrison Digital Photography 3 Wed 14 A Visit Somewhere, weather permitting Second Wed am Full Malcolm Brooks

* Euchre Tues 27 2 pm The Dolphin, back room, fourth Tuesday Ask Hilly Bailey French Conversation 1 Thurs 8 10 am chez Mike Sedman Full Janet Franklin

* French Conversation 2 Mon 5 and Tues 20 2:30 pm first Monday and third Tuesday Ask Susan Renn Genealogy 1 Mon 19 Topic is Our oldest Ancestor 10:30 am third Monday Full Linda Matthews Genealogy 2 Tues 13 10:30 am second Tuesday Full Mary Cozens History 1 Wed 7 Meet at 11 am Waddesden Manor. First Wednesday am Full Ted Nelson

* History 2 ~ No August meeting. Usually third Thurs, next is Thurs 19 Sept Ask Mary Hill History 3 Wed 14 Visit to Chiltern Open Air Museum Full Colin Clarke History 4 ~ No August meeting. Usually second Mon, next is Mon 9 Sept Full Jenny Potter

* History 5 ~ No Aug. Usually fourth Wednesday but next is Wed 18 Sept Ask Mary Harrison * Latin for Pleasure Wed 21 Third Wednesday am Ask Roger Morgan * Lunch Club Wed 7 First Wednesday lunchtime of each month Ask Rosemary & Tony Hines

* Lunch: Sunday Lunch ~ No Aug, resume eating Sun 22 Sept. Room for more, usually on a Sunday lunchtime at various venues once a month Ask Paul Booker

* Music (Broader) Tues 6 All the time in the world at Mike Sedman’s house Ask Val Wolsey * Music Classical 1 Tues 27 At Beate's home where she will present music called Dance Ask Mike Sedman Music Classical 2 Mon 12 2:30 pm second Monday Full John Cozens

* Pétanque Each Tues 10 am Wallingford Sports Park, small fee applies Ask Loren Butt

* Play Reading ~ Summerbreak - restart Wed 4th Sept Usually first Wed 9:30 am Corn Exchange Wallingford Ask Philippa Davies

Poetry Reading Wed 14 10:30 am at Jill’s Second Wednesday Full Jill Cooney * Science Tues 20 Third Tuesday, morning Ask Philippa Cullen * Scrabble ~ Setup meeting at 6 Sept coffee morning. Group starts later in autumn Ask Carolyn Newbert * Seminar ~ No meeting. Usually fourth Mon 2 pm, next is Mon 23 Sept Ask Gloria Hamilton-Peach

* Singing for Fun ~ Summer break, restart Fri 13 Sept Usually every Fri fortnight 2-3 pm Baptist Church Thame St Ask Jan Menzies

* Spanish (Improvers) Wed 7 and Wed 21 First and third Wednesdays am Ask Frances Willoughby * Writing for Pleasure Mon 12 Only here, only now or A Woollen Shawl (Second Mon am) Ask Carolyn Newbert Writing: Life History 1 Thurs 11 Non-fiction life history stories of members or their families Full Margaret Pritchard

* Writing: Life History 2 ~ New group fourth Thursday monthly starting Thurs 26 Sept Ask Margaret Pritchard

Page 4 of 4 - August 2019

*Status Organiser:

* Shorter Walking Wed 7 Gentle 3-5 miles Easy reach of Wallingford by bus or on foot

First Wed Ask Paul Booker

* Rambling Thurs 15 Circular walk 5-6 miles followed by lunch Third Thurs Ask Phil Richardson Moderate 1 Wed 14 6-7 miles Second Wed Full Julia West * Moderate 2 Tues 6 6-7 miles First Tues Ask Julia West Longer Wed 28 8-10 miles Fourth Wed Full Julia West

THE THIRD AGE TRUST is the national representative body for U3As in the UK. Information on its activities can be found at www.u3a.org.uk

Contact for members without internet access is Yvonne Griffiths 01491 838214 U3A THAMES VALLEY NETWORK

Thameside (Wallingford) U3A is one of thirty-eight U3As within the Thames Valley Network. Our representative is Committee Member Paul Booker.

FORTHCOMING STUDY DAYS These are announced on the Thames Valley Network website www.u3atvnetwork.org.uk and information is emailed to members and displayed at the coffee mornings and speaker meetings. Please book promptly as these Study Days often fill up quickly.

Flyer and application forms are now on Thames Valley Network website. 25 Aug Summer Jazz Festival 30 Aug The Work of William Morris 22 Oct Ukulele Activities Day at Benson at Kelmscott Manor – now 11 Nov SE Region Autumn Gathering at Alton fully booked – waiting list 21 Nov Britain’s Ancient Past at Benson 26 Nov Thames Valley Network Day at Benson

NEW MEMBER ENQUIRIES If someone asks you about becoming a member, please direct them to Membership Secretary Anna Gordon membership@wallingfordu3a.org

The Committee 2019-20 Malcolm Brooks - Chairman Hilary Bailey - Treasurer Yvonne Griffiths - Secretary & Groups

Co-ordinator Anna Gordon - Membership Secretary Paul Booker - Outings Co-ordinator Jane Milne - Minutes Secretary Neil Kelly - Committee Member Ken Johnstone - Communications Sarah Boyt Robinson - Newsletter

CELEBRATION LUNCH JAN 2020

Is there anyone willing to help organise the annual celebration lunch? Valerie Roddan has ably done this many times and is looking to step down. A volunteer can shadow her for the January 2020 lunch with a view to taking over.

Please contact Malcolm chairman@wallingfordu3a.org

or speak to any committee member.

Photography Group 2

Photography Group 2

Credit: C.Anon

NEXT NEWSLETTER Closing date for September

contributions Friday 23 August 2019

Editor: Sarah Boyt Robinson newsletter@wallingfordu3a.org

Current and past newsletters can be viewed on the

Members Only part of our website www.wallingfordu3a.org

password is

Observe upper/lower case, numbers, no spaces and include the

exclamation mark!

U3A15top!

Shorter Walking Group in July

Credit: John Le Jeune

For all groups above and below, Status = * = Ask = available spaces, please apply to as above.