Ashfield U3A

www.ashfieldu3a.org.uk

Thursday, 27th July 2017 Your speaker today is Ted Grey

Southern Lights – The Antarctic Peninsula

18 U3A members from Ashfield, Hucknall, Sutton and Ravenshead have just returned from a smashing two weeks at the Valamar Rubin hotel Porec. Our hotel was set among woodlands right on the Adriatic. ………………Contd Page 4

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ARTICLES FOR NEWSLETTERS

Please let me have any information for the August Meeting newsletter no later than Thursday 17th August am (the Thursday before the next meeting). You are welcome to contact me by telephone, text or email. Contact Details for Editor Tel:- 01773 777071 Mobile:- 07443 566131 email:- chrisjch@gmail.com

► Also please inform Ron Britton for the website. ◄

Please let me know if you particularly want any articles keeping in or taking out – and of any corrections needed to pages 8-9 and 15. Chris Chamberlain

CARDS – illness or bereavement I now undertake to send out cards for anybody that is poorly or for anyone who

has suffered a bereavement. Please me know of you would like a card to be sent to another U3A member, and

telephone me on 01623 489785 or e-mail at craftycarole1@virginmedia.com Carole Seymour

Committee Meetings

For your information, the minutes of the Committee Meetings are displayed on the notice boards at each monthly meeting.

SOME DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 2017

October 28th Haloween Quiz Night with pie and pea supper.

December 21st Christmas Fuddle

Membership Details

Please contact the Membership Secretary, Ann Smithson, if any of your

contact details change, ie. address, telephone number, email address. Please

also inform her if you know of any member who is unfortunately deceased.

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We are still looking for someone who would like to take on the

role of Vice-Chair with the intention of becoming Chairman, and

also for people to serve on the committee.

This is your U3A and it is vital for the continued running of the

organization for these positions to be filled, otherwise the U3A

will cease to function.

Due to this problem an Extraordinary General Meeting will

take place at the September meeting on 28th, September to

discuss the issue, and will precede the usual meeting.

If you would like further information please contact our

Chairman, Jacquie Chapman.

With pie and pea supper

Saturday, 28th October 6.30 for 7.00pm

Haloween Dress Optional

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Istria, sea sun and wine (Contd)………………

Porec is a jumble of narrow streets crammed with bars and shops set along an elegant marina - and with ice cream parlours which we partook of regularly!!! On our first day out we hired 2 mini-coaches to visit the mountain villages of Grozjian and Motovun. We were able to dictate our own pace and enjoyed a very full day at these tiny ancient places, which date from Roman times and are still inhabited. Just need to mention lunch, which was a tiny place overlooking the gorge, and could only fit 6 of us in, home-made pasta with asparagus and truffle or rustic Istria soup with truffle dumplings..... .....gourmet peasantry or what!!!!! Our inland tour concluded with a local vineyard where free tasting was on offer.... An offer we couldn't refuse.!!!! From day to day we split-up, people did their own thing and shared experiences at the bar in the evenings. On our next foray, a boat was chartered for a day cruise to Rovinj and Vrsar with a picnic lunch and free flowing wine on board (hm...... is there a theme here???) Ah! beautiful Rovinj, we enjoyed a few hours here but it wasn't enough. Bigger and historically more interesting than Porec, I would recommend a stay here. I actually returned a couple of days later via service bus and had a full day exploring this spectacular town. Finally we visited Pula the capital of Istria and home to the awesome Roman amphitheatre and colosseum, which did not fail to impress!!! Still standing proud 2000 years on!!! The final highlight of our day was meeting a bunch of aged Hells Angels from Munich who were utterly delightful and happy to pose for a photo with us. So, if you're wondering where to go next, then do consider Istria, it has everything - wonderful climate, history, stunning countryside, clean clean beaches, and hotels with great cuisine and lovely friendly people. Caroline

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Tissington Hall

Two visits have been arranged to Tissington Hall this year to tour around the house to see the Christmas decorations and to listen to some ghost stories. The theme this year will be Beauty and the Beast.

The dates are Friday, 24th November and Friday, 1st December and travel will be by mini-coach. The cost will be £24.00 and tickets are now available.

Any-one who is interested please contact Carol Chamberlain. There are already only limited seats available for 1st December.

International Dining

Our next International Dining will be on Wednesday, 23rd August. ( the fourth Wednesday )

The venue will be confirmed

No Refunds Policy

Your committee have reluctantly decided that when tickets are ordered they must be paid for, unless advised differently, and if you find you cannot attend the event you have bought the ticket for, it is up to you to sell that ticket on, and no refund will be given by U3A, unless there is a waiting list in operation. This is because some events have run at a loss due to people suddenly cancelling and expecting their money to be refunded. After all, if you book seats at the theatre, or a bus trip and found you couldn’t attend, you would lose your money, and, regrettably, we must have a similar arrangement

A REMINDER ABOUT CAR PARKING

This is a reminder that we are not allowed to park in the car park of

the Health and Well-being Centre next to the Ashwood centre.

Also the entrance road to the car park at the rear of the Ashwood building

must be kept clear as this access is required for emergency vehicles.

PLEASE comply with these requests, Morrisons’ car park is free for 3

hours. Thank you

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Singing for Fun Group

Our next meeting will be:- July 28th - please note change of date. If you have never sung before and can’t read music but would like to give it a try, please come along, you would be most welcome. Carol Chamberlain

Friday, August 18th - Damsteed, Barlow, Dronfield, S18 7TJ - Garden -£6.00 It is Carnival Week - Well Dressings and Flower Festival in church and chapel (in NGS Yellow Book No 17 Derbyshire). Monday, September 4th (to be confirmed) - Clumber Park Walled Garden, S80 3AZ- guided tour the history of Clumber £3.00 if National Trust Member (No 10 in NGS Yellow Book Nottinghamshire).

Tuesday, August 1st “ North and South “ ( the second part )

Starring Richard Armitage

Croatia 2018 Regretfully the planned Croatia holiday next year will not now go ahead due to the huge price rises that have taken place over the

past few months. I am looking at doing a Spanish city break instead, probably in

May 2018 All deposits paid for the Croatia trip will be refunded

Thank you Caroline

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Investment Club

Are you are interested in researching shares via the internet, publications, etc, (with help if needed), and helping other members to make decisions regarding the purchase or sales of shares?

This could be an ideal way to learn about the Stock Market, and with only a small outlay, start investing in the Stock Market.

This club has been going for a very long time, with members from all different U3As involved.

If you would like to take up this opportunity, please contact Jill on 01623 400545 or email jill.pullan2@viginmedia.com.

MISCELLANY GROUP

Sunday, 20 August - Renishaw Hall. Car share from Council Offices to depart 11am. Tuesday, 5 September - Belvoir Brewery/Melton Mowbray (market day) to browse round shops etc, then onto brewery for buffet lunch and tour. Pick up from The Original Factory Shop, Kirkby at 9.00am - return by 4.30pm. Cheques for £14.95 made payable to Ashfield U3A for lunch and tour at July meeting please, plus £7 transport payable on the day. Wednesday, 4 October - Cromford Canal trip 11am-1pm £6.50. Car share from Kirkby. Names by end of August. Thursday, 7 December - Uppingham Christmas market (late afternoon/evening) £10. Full but happy to put names on reserve list. 2018 - 2 May. Hodsock Priory. Coffee on arrival, guided tour of house, 2 course light lunch, explore gardens. Cost including transport £25-30 max. Further details on website or contact Sue Taylor coordinator by email taylor07vic@gmail.com

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Interest Group Leaders.

If you wish to join a group, please telephone the group leader beforehand, to check if there is an available place, current venue etc You can email a group leader on ‘theirname@ashfieldu3a.org.uk ART (Ron Britton) tel: 01623 456855 BADMINTON (Jan Hough) tel: 01623 628186

BRIDGE Group (Joan Hufton) tel: 01623 557488

BOARD GAMES Group (Marian wilson) tel: 01623 752780

CANASTA (Geoff Cree) tel: 01623 794485

CARD CRAFT (Carole Seymour) tel: 01623 489785

CLASSICAL MUSIC 1 (Nona Sheriston) tel: 01623 554641

CLASSICAL MUSIC 2 (Ron Walker) tel: 01623 456389

CINEMA 1 (Sylvia Smith) tel: 01623 514357

CINEMA 2 (Sylvia Froggatt) tel: 01623 753778

CRAFT GROUP (Pam Annable) tel: 01623 617259

DISCUSSION GROUP (Marian Wilson) tel: 01623 752780

FAMILY HISTORY (Trish Tootell) tel: 01623 793447

FRIENDLY GARDENERS (Marjorie Woollam) tel: 01773 811755

GARDENING FOR PLEASURE (Sue Appleton) tel: 01623 462652

GARDENING GROUP (Chris Blaiklock) tel: 01623 755674

GARDEN VISITS (Pam Sapey, Kathleen Jones, ) tel; 01623 558700

HOLIDAYS - VARIOUS (Caroline Rhoades) tel: 07724 210563 or 01623 721987

HORTICULTURE FORUM (Lynne Jackson) tel: 01623 750466

INTERNATIONAL DINING (Georganne Barlow tel: 01623 626647 & Julia Porter) tel: 01623 620892

LATE BREAKFAST (Geoff Cree) tel: 01623 794485

LUNCH GROUP (Carol Chamberlain) tel: 01773 777071

MAH JONG (Jacquie Chapman) tel: 01623 613483

MISCELLANY (Sue Taylor) tel: 01773 860279

MOVEMENT TO MUSIC + YOGA (Pam Sapey) tel: 01623 558700

NATIONAL TRUST VISITS (Trish Tootell) tel: 01623 793447

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ODEON VISITS (Jill Pullan) tel: 01623 400545 PLAY-READING (AM-DRAM) (Jill Pullan) tel: 01623 400545

Reading plays & performing at U3A events

POETRY (Hilary Newenham) tel: 01623 360148 (Robin Tyne) tel: 01623 484632.

PUDDING CLUB (Brenda Paul) tel: 01623 793087

RAILWAY Group (Geoff Cree) tel: 01623 794485 READING Book Group ‘A’ (Len & Sally Hill) tel: 01623 437726 READING Book Group ‘2’ (B) (Gill Ball) tel: 01623 450003 SCRABBLE (Margaret Nunn) tel: 01159 634196 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY (Barrie Jackson) tel: 01623 750466 SINGING FOR FUN (Carol Chamberlain) tel: 01773 777071

SHAKESPEARE (Ron Walker) tel: 01623 456389 (Ann Walter) tel: 07864 291123 SUGARCRAFT & Cake Decorating (Stella Daft) tel: 01623 559133

THREADS & TEXTILES (Lynne Jackson) tel: 01623 750466 THEATRE VISITS Group (Barbara Ives) tel: 0115 9539893

UKULELE (Geoff Tootell) tel: 01623 793447 WALKING Group ‘A’ (Hugh Symonds tel: 01623 443324 More demanding walks 7- 9 miles in length & David Porter) tel: 01623 620892

WALKING GROUP 'B' 4 - 5 miles (Liz Edwards) tel: 01158 401702 WALKING GROUP (6-milers) 5½ - 6½ miles (David Wilson) tel: 01623 752780

WALKING GROUP ‘C’ (Strollers) 1½ - 21/2 miles (Sharon Oakey) tel: 01623 482298 (Joan Wallace) tel: 01623 759412

WINE APPRECIATION (Geoff Cree) tel: 01623 794485

WOOD CARVING (David Hammond) tel: 01623 794392

ASSOCIATED GROUPS

LINE DANCING LINE DANCING (Rita Lomas) tel: 01623 480338 PLATINUM Investment Club (Jill Pullan) tel: 01623 400545

NEW GROUPS: Please contact Carol Chamberlain for advice about starting up new groups

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THEATRE GROUP Some dates for your Diary Wed 4.10.17 Theatre Royal Crazy for You – Musical 14.00 £32.50

Wed 25.10.17 Theatre Royal My Fair Lady 14.30 £18.00

Sat 4.11.17 Derby Theatre Follies 14.30 £19.00

Thurs 9.11.17 Theatre Royal The Little Mermaid – Ballet 14.00 £30.00

Wed 24.01.18 Theatre Royal Tango Moderno – Vincent and Flavia 14.00 £36.50

Wed 31.01.18 Theatre Royal The Son of a Preacher Man 14.00 £33.00

Sat 10.03.18 Theatre Royal Mathew Bourns Cinderella 14.30 £41.00

Wed 21.03.18 Royal Concert Hall War Horse 14.00 £52.50

Thurs 10.05.18 Concert Hall Jersey Boys £39.00

Wed 23.05.18 Theatre Royal Sunset Boulevard £45.00

PS. There are 4 tickets available for the ballet The Little Mermaid. Please email Barbara at ives.barbara@gmail.com if you are interested.

LIVE AT LUNCH

Dress Circle Foyer - drop in from 12.15pm and enjoy a drink from the bar. Shows start at 1.00pm

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If you were unable to come to the first dressmaking class I am now about to start the course again. The aim of the course is to take a pattern and make it fit you - no matter what your shape. You will make a toile ( a garment made to fit in calico ) so that you can then cut out a garment in your chosen fabric and make it up. The course will run for 6 sessions during which time you should get a garment finished with a bit of work in between. If you are among the many people who have stopped sewing because patterns don’t seem to fit anymore or you just think it would be nice to make something different. This course may help to get you started again. If you can’t sew at all then talk to me before signing Ideally I would like to have some new starters in August and some in September so that you can have the attention you will probably need. The cost will be about £10 to cover the rent for the 6 months and we meet on the first Wednesday of each month. Lynne Jackson - 01623 750466 landbjackson@gmail.com

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WALKING GROUP “A”

Enquiries to David Porter (Co-ordinator) Tel: 01623 620892 E-mail: julia.david@btopenworld.com

or to Hugh Symonds (Deputy Co-ordinator) Tel: 01623 443324 E-mail: hughlin3@hotmail.com

Meet at 9.50 am at start of walk for 10.00 am start. Prospective new members, or for further details, please contact Co-ordinator or Deputy Co-ordinator as above.

Date Walk Details Distance In Miles

Leader(s)

8 Aug Axe Edge Moor 8.0 Rob B

22 Aug Alport Heights 8.5 Hugh/Lin

12 Sept Swarkestone 8.0 Janet/Julia

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6 - MILERS WALKS

Coordinator - David Wilson dwandmw@ntlworld.com

Please check emails on morning of walk to pick up any last minute changes

Contact details for Walk Leaders and starts will be sent by email as usual.

DATE DETAILS WALK LEADER

15th August Stanton Moor & Nine Ladies Caroline Rhoades

29th August Tideswell Mike Dawe

19th Sept Ramsey and Big Moors Ray Sayer

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WALKING GROUP C - STROLLERS 2017 WALKS

Joint Coordinators:- Sharon Oakey 01623 482298 07849 486130 ( Walk days only) sharon.peacock@ntlword.com Joan Wallace 01623 759412 07952 267351 (Walk days only, texts only)

DATE Walking Area Meeting Point

August 9th Papplewick and Mill Ponds Rear car park of the Horse and Groom PH, Main Street, Linby, NG15 8AE

Sept 13th Nottingham canal and Erewash canal

Park on Tinsley Road, Eastwood, NG16 3RL. On A608 keep straight ahead at Mansfield Rd/ Nottm Rd/ Derby Rd junctionand go down Church St. Go across the A610 dual carriageway bridge and turn right at the T-junction

Please note that walks might have to be changed at short notice because of adverse weather conditions or other reasons.

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Friendly Gardeners

The Friendly Gardeners paid a return visit to Newby Hall this month. The herbaceous border was stunning, having been re-planted since our last visit. We had a guided tour of the house, and an added attraction was an exhibition of dolls houses and a sculpture park. With the weather once again at its best an enjoyable day was had by all. Marjorie Woollam

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Katie’s Breast Cancer Garden Party

A big thank you from Ron, Carole and Katie to all those who bought tickets to the garden party, to those who came along and to those who donated to this cause. The garden party raised a total of £1,157.00 for which we are very grateful.

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Late Breakfast Group

The dates & locations for the next few breakfasts are:- Aug. 4th…... Portland College Sept. 1st….. “281” Mansfield

All at 9:30am except 281 which is at 10:00am Geoff Cree

The new Art Group, led by Ron Britton, is looking for more members, whether accomplished professionals, complete novices or anything in between. The group meets at the Ashwood Centre on the first Tuesday each month from 09.30 to 12.30, in the meeting room adjacent to the main kitchen. A full programme of topics appears on the website. Please see the Art Group page on the website for further details. Ron Britton

Book Group B

This group which has been running for many years now needs new members to ensure it’s survival. We meet in Kirkby Library every month ( except December ) to discuss the current choice of book. The meetings are friendly and informal – and there is tea and biscuits. The books are chosen by members of the group and obtained for us by the helpful staff at the library. Occasionally, if a book is not available they will substitute another one. In the next few months we hope to read, amongst others:- “Bring up the Bodies”, “ The Partisan’s Daughter”, “ Cider with Rosie”. If you are interested in joining us, please contact Gill Ball Tel:- 01623 450003

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Line Dancing Hello Everyone. I would like to ask if anyone would like to come and join us at Line-dancing, we are a happy group who like to dance and have fun at the same time. We meet twice a month on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month. Our tutor is very patient and takes time for us to learn the dances at our pace. The price is only £3 for two hours including tea, coffee and biscuits. We want to keep this group going, but need more people to cover the cost of tutor’s fees and rental, which is going up in September this year. So please give it some thought and give line-dancing a try, thus keeping the group active. You can reach me on 01623 480338 or 07766 583427, or speak to me at the meetings at the Ashwood Centre. Rita Lomas

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Are you interested in playing Petanque? Mansfield Petanque Club have agreed to open up the club at Carr Bank Park for just U3A members on the 4th Wednesday of the month. There is free car parking available at the Mansfield Manor Hotel on Windmill Lane, Mansfield NG18 2AL. The pavilion will be open and the facilities cost £2.00, refreshments included. Please come along or contact Steve Evans for more details:- steve.jackie84@ntlworld.com

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Telephone Scam

We have been informed that there are several telephone scams going around from people who claim to come from HMRC Tax Office. They claim that HMRC is about to bring a lawsuit against the individual and that they should ring a number, 0203 1296983 is one example, and press 1 to speak to the officer dealing with the case. Do not ring this number. If you have any doubts, then ring HMRC on another number such as the one given on your tax coding return.

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1st in the month 2nd in the month 3rd in the month 4th in the month M O N D A Y

Ukulele 10.00

Plat. Invest Gr 10.30

Gdng F Plsure 10.30

Class. Music 2 14.00

Bridge 18.30

Card Craft 10.00

Current affairs 13.30

Friendly gardeners 10.00

Ukulele 10.00

Book Gr. B 13.30

Bridge 18.30

Horticultur Forum10.00

Lunch Group 12.30

T U E S D A Y

Art 9.30

Cinema gr’p 1 13.30

Cinema gr’p 2 13.30

Walking gr. A 10.00

6-milers walkgroup10.00

Garden Group 14.00

Walking Gr. A 10.00

Poetry 10.30

W E D N E S D A Y

Sugarcraft 10.00 Pudding Club 15:00 Mah Jong 19.00

Book Gr. A 10.00 Strollers gr. C 10.15 Wine Appreciate 19.30

Threads & Textiles 10.00

Mah Jong 19.00

Class music 1 14.00

Sci-Tech 14.00 International Dining (Last Wednesday) – venues and times

vary T H U R S

D A Y

Line Dancing 10.00

Move to music 10.00

Scrabble 13.30

Badminton 14.00

Woodcarving 17.30

Family History 13.00

Scrabble 13.30

Badminton 14.00

Woodcarving 17.30

Walking gr. B 09.45

Line Dancing 10.00

Shakespeare 14.00

Badminton 14.00

Woodcarving 17.30

Ash Meeting 10.00

Badminton 14.00

Woodcarving 17.30

F R I D A Y

Late breakfast 9.30

Play reading 10.00

Singing for Fun 14.00

Committee Meet 10.00

**Craft ** (always the Friday after the main meeting**)

S A T

Board Games 19.00

Canasta 19.00

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The Garden Group Members held their monthly meeting on Tuesday 18th July, hosted by Linda Housley at her home in Kirkby. The meeting was held outside in the garden as it was nice sunny day, and it was well attended. The meeting started with the onion growing competition with exhibits displayed on the garden table. The consensus was that Jan Blaiklock had grown the best exhibit of three onions grown from sets started off in a 10'' pot in October 2016. Linda spoke about one of her favourite plants a white lily, which was growing in semi-shade in one of her borders. It had been started off from bulbs given to her by a kind neighbour, and it was a very good looking healthy specimen plant to be proud of. Members then gave an account of their own garden activities this past month including some plant problems which were discussed. Chris gave an account of the recent trip to East and West Sussex, describing some National Trust gardens and properties. The most interesting and inspiring were the gardens of the late Christopher Lloyd at Great Dixter. Having seen them all through the television medium, it was a treat to see them first hand in July, when the borders and gardens were at their peak of perfection. Members were given the opportunity to roam freely around Linda’s garden which was well maintained, my eye was drawn to the many specimen Phlox which Linda was growing in variety of colours, and a most unusual black coloured Hollyhock at the back of the border. Refreshments were kindly provided by Linda. There will be no meeting in August due to members on holiday and other garden visits. The next meeting, to be hosted by Norma Crawford at her home address, will be on Tuesday 19th September. Chris Blaiklock