Mansfield and District U3ANewsletter

Art Group News: Pages 3 and 4_____________________________

Established 1999HMRC Charity Registration No.: XT30525

April 2015Website: www.mansfield-u3a.org.uk

Noticeboard: http://mansfieldu3a.blogspot.com

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Welcome from your chairmanWELCOME to our April meeting, the traditional month for spring to start and when thebarnyard is busy, as a lyric from a song in 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers', goes. Tradi-tionally April starts with April Fool’s Day. How many times we were caught out with somejoke at our expense but harmless fun usually. I tried finding out when it started but no-oneknows, as a little poem says:-

The First of April, some do say,Is set apart for All Fools Day;But why the people call it so Not I, nor they themselves, do know.

We also have Easter at this time, could be in March due to the strange way EasterSunday is calculated.

Please make use of our newsletter and the web site for information of events and groupactivities. We are still hoping for a volunteer to service the notice boards but sadly no onehas stepped forward. Another position that will need filling after the AGM is the role ofSpeaker Finder; please someone consider the above and if you would, step forward andvolunteer.

Our next event is the Coffee Morning on May 8th at the Towers, on the ground floor thistime, so please purchase a ticket and come along for a coffee and a biscuit to supportyour U3A.

The Patron Saint of England, St George, has his day on April 23rd, the Thursday after ourgeneral meeting. Nottingham City Council along with the Royal Society of St George hasarranged a Parade from the Forest Recreation Ground, down Mansfield Road to the OldMarket Square, details on Nottingham City Council web site. Also Ollerton will stage itsannual St. George’s Feast Day parade on the Sunday 26th April, where I think the Dragonis slain!

Keep your eyes and ears open in the coming weeks to spot the first swallow or hear thefirst cuckoo – a good sign spring is upon us. I spotted my first new born lambs someweeks ago at Chatsworth but I am sure there are many more by now. I know gardenerswill be busy preparing for the good weather, making displays we can all enjoy, so I for oneam looking forward to the start of the warm weather and Summer just around the corner.

Our speaker today is Irene Dougan talking about Derbyshire Delights.Bob Longden_______________________________________________________________________________________

In this issuePage 2 Welcome.Page 3 Holiday Updates. Theatre Visits Updates. Book Table Report. Page 4 Groups News (Art Appreciation, Art, Bowls)Page 5 - 8 Interest Groups meetings diary

Page 9 Groups News (Digital World, Local History)Page 10 Groups News (Luncheon Club, Garden Visits, Hikers)Page 11 Groups News (Read a Little Aloud, Afternoon Teas, International Dining) Page 12 Dates for your diary and Notices

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Holiday updatesPenrith, Lake District – 22nd - 26th JuneAll money is in now for this holiday – thank you!

Itineraries, luggage labels, coach plans etc. will be ready to pick up at the May meeting. I will needto know, as for the cruise holiday, how many will choose to get on the coach at Redfern's Garageand if you want to leave your car. Please let me know no later than the May meeting.Margaret Burlinson (01623 632538, marburl@lineone.net)

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Thoresby – 18th - 22nd January 2016 (£174 pp. based on standard accommodation.)FOR the 11th year, the annual U3A Thoresby holiday offers four nights bed breakfast and eveningmeal with plenty of daytime and evening entertainment provided. Room upgrades are available butvery few singles. Ask for details.

At the time of writing, there are 180 people in the party; I have rooms for up to 200 (but no singlesleft). Bookings for this holiday cannot be guaranteed after the end of April unless I have a chequefor £50pp deposit payable to Mansfield & District U3A.

I operate a waiting list so if you have to drop out I will charge you £5 pp IF I CAN FILL YOUR PLACE.Terry Whitehead (01623 626991, 2015@whiteheaduk.plus.com)37 Skegby Lane, Mansfield, Notts NG19 6QS Updates on the website ...______________________________________________________________________________

Theatre Visits updatesLondon Spectacular – September 7th & 8th (Miss Saigon plus visit to the London Eye andguided tour of The Houses of Parliament)

Costs summaryFull price with show & visits included: £220 (£46 S. Sup.); deposit £40 by 18th April, balance by 19th May.No show with visits only: £180; deposit £10 by 18th April, balance by 19th May.No show & no visits: £145; deposit £10 by 18th April balance by 19th May.(Pre-theatre meal extra, details TBA.)

The Classical Spectacular – November 19th & 20th (Popular classics with backstage tour ofRoyal Albert Hall and visit to Bletchley Park)

Costs summaryTotal cost: £221 (£45 S. Sup.); deposit £60 by 18th April, balance by 19th May.(Pre-theatre meal extra, details TBA.)

Cheques payable to Mansfield and District U3A. Shelia Whalley (01623 453908) Details are on the website …______________________________________________________________________________

Book Table ReportSALE of books in March raised £38.70; thanks everyone who bought and brought – and everyonewho helps the book table to run smoothly and so profitably for everyone's benefit.

Keep it up!Lilian Whitehead.

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Groups News

Art AppreciationSPECIAL EVENT – FRI. 22ND MAY AT THE TOWERS, BOTANY AVENUEAnyone interested in looking at Art will be welcome to join us on Friday 22nd May to hearOlwyn Hughes discussing how to read a picture and using illustrations from Michelangeloand Leonardo de Vinci and the Modern Romantics.

Olwyn co-ordinates the Art Appreciation U3A national network and is an experiencedspeaker so we hope this will be of interest to both newcomers to Art as well as those moreexperienced members. The event will begin at 12.30pm and the £4 admission will include alight sandwich lunch.

If you would like to join us or require any further information please me.Pauline Boucher – 01623 644798 (pauline12boucher@yahoo.co.uk)

ArtOUR MARCH meeting was the first to last forthree hours, a change made to give membersmore time to complete their work. It also gavemore time for discussion and chat. There wascertainly more chat about the work beingproduced under the title of Architecture.

The group now has the embryo of a grouplibrary from which members are able toborrow a book for a month. If you have any artbooks that you wish to donate do let me know.

A computer was on hand showing paintingsmade by members in the past months. This isto continue so that we all can see the finishedwork.

There is a physical limitation placed upon us in the form of tables. At our present meeting placethere are only six tables. This is usually enough, due to holidays, etc., but it stops us fromexpanding. We are starting a waiting list, which might only be for a short period because we couldmove to premises with more tables but we don't want to move unless there is a demand.

The suggested subject for next meeting is Aspects of Insects.Gordon Howlett

BowlsTHE GROUP moves outdoors to The Mansfield Bowling Club Green commencing Thursday 14thMay for general roll-ups for the experienced players and coaching for beginners and those who feelthey need a little help at a cost of £3 per 2 hour session.

New members are very welcome to join the group for the outdoor season, for further inform-ation contact Don Wright or Pat Gunter (Joint Group Leaders).

I am very pleased to welcome Pat as joint group leader who I am sure will be a great assetto the group.Don Wright

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Key to Meetings details:THIS TABLE SHOWS THE DAY of the month, time and frequency using the first two letters of theday, followed by numbers 1 - 5 to represent the week number. The final letter M (or F, W or V) indic-ates that the group meets monthly, fortnightly, weekly or at variable intervals. So 'Tu2, 2.30 - V M'would mean a group meeting on the 2nd Tuesday at 2.30pm Monthly but with Variable finish times.

The main Mansfield and District U3A meetings are on the 3rd Tuesday of each month (except Augustand December) at the Oakham Suite, 155 Nottingham Road, Mansfield from 10 am - 12.30 pm.

All members are invited to contact the relevant Group Leader if they would like to participate in anyinterest group or attend an event. NB: * indicates a waiting list.

Interest Group Meetings Meeting Places Leader/Contact

Afternoon Teas Sa1, 3 - 5 M Various Sheila Whalley 01623 453908

Next Meetings: May 2nd – Dobbies at Barlborough (£15 for 2); June 6th – Jacksdale Gdn Cent (£7)

Antiques and Collectables *

Tu2, 10 - 12 M Stanhope Centre, Bridge Street

Pat Blackwell01623 481745

Next Meetings: April 14th – Free Choice; 12th May – Birds

Art We3, 10 - 1.00 M Big Barn Lane Methodist Church,

Gordon Howlett01623 627423

Next Meetings: April 15th – Aspects of Insects; May 20th – TBA

Art Appreciation Mo1, 2.00 - 4.00 M Stanhope Centre, Bridge Street

Pauline Boucher01623 644798

Next meetings: Fri. 22nd May (NB date) – Special event at The Towers (12.30 pm) – see page 4

Beginners' Bridge(With Ashfield U3A)

Mo, Various 6.30 - 9.00

Enviro Centre, Derby Rd College,Mansfield

Maxine Rose/Glenis Carr 01623 459081/627735

Next Meetings: TBA (Also ACOL sessions at the Mechanics Institute – Thurs 10 - 12.30 W)

Bowls Tu 2.30 - 4.00 W/Th 1.30 - 3.30 W *

Lammas Sports Centre, Sutton*

Don Wright/Pat Gunter 01623 628946/626250

Next Meetings: *Returns to Mansfield Bowls Club on 14th May. Cost £3.00. All welcome, includingbeginners, but flat / bowls shoes must be worn.

Caravan & M'home Rally

Various Various Terry Lammas01623 471963

Next Meeting: April 9th/13th – Bath Marina; May 21st/July 2nd – France

Chat and Stitch Mo3, 2.00 - 4.00 M St John's Centre, Mansfield

Doreen Storer01623 407731

Next Meetings: April 13th; May 18th

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Interest Group Meetings Meeting Place Leader/Contact

Current Affairs Tu2, 2.00 - 4.00 M St John's Centre, Mansfield

Norma Shillinglaw01623 466934

Next Meetings: April 14th; May 12th

Digital World Fri2 & 4, 2.00 - 4.00 2/M

Foxglove, Forest Town

David Ling01623 822994

Next Meetings: April 10th & 24th; May 8th (No meeting on 22nd)

Family History Tu4, 10.00 - 12.00 M St John's Centre, Mansfield

Max Clarke01623 621744

Next Meetings: April 28th; May 26th – Coach trip the the National Memorial Arboretum *

Film Studies * We1, 1.30 - V M Joy's home Joy Crowe01623 645400

Next Meetings: May 6th

Garden Visits During the Summer Various Janet Whitlam01623 635607

Next Visits: Tues 30th June – Tatton Park (£22); Wed 29th July – Arley Hall (£22)

Gardening Tu1, 10.00 - 12.00 M St Peter's Centre, Mansfield

Avril McGee01623 452688

Next Meetings: May 5th – Steve Lovell 'Planting to attract Wildlife'; June 2nd – Mike Davey 'Ambling Around Anglesey'

Heartstart In abeyance William Kaye Hall, Ladybrook Lane

Linda Leivers 01623 471963

Next Meetings: TBA

History Th2, 2.00 - 4.00 M William Kaye Hall, Ladybrook Lane

Linda Spray 01623 795176

Next Meetings: May 14th; June 11th

Holidays (Home & Abroad)

Various TBA Margaret Burlinson01623 632538

Next Holidays: Sat. 11th - Mon. 20th April – Danube Cruise; Mon. 22nd - Fri. 26th June – Lake District

International Dining We2, 6.30 for 7.00 M Various Jacqui Hampshire01623 239210

Next Meetings: May 13th – Ania, Sherwood (Polish)

Local History Fri1, 10.00 - 12.00 M Bridge Street Methodist Church

Bob & Sue Longden01623 486903

Next Meetings: May 1st – The Myth of Byron's Daughter Ada Lovelace, with Ralph Lloyd-Jones

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Interest Group Meetings Meeting Place Leader/Contact

Luncheon Club Th after 3rd Tu, 12.00 - 2.00 M

Various David Ling01623 822994

Next Meetings: April 23rd – Refined (West Notts College); May 21st – Oakmere Park Golf Club

Movement to Music W 10.30 - 11.30 W St John's Church Hall

Linda Leivers 01623 471963

Next Meetings: Weekly on Wednesdays. Cost £4.00 per session

Music Groups

Classical Music 2 Mo4, 2.00 - 4.00 M Members' homes Peter Hart01623 620940

Next Meetings: April 27th – Ballet Music (Marie); 18th May – Bach JS, JC, CPE etc. (Mike)

Music 2 * Mo4, 2.00 - 4.30 M Members' homes Eric Prescott 01623 631160

Next Meeting: As per calendar

Popular Music Appreciation *

Tu4, 2.00 - 4.00 M St John's School, Mansfield

Peter Haynes 01623 610886

Next Meetings: As per calendar

Pudding Club * Tu1, 4.00 - 6.00 M Members' homes Sylvia Slack 01623 633981

Next Meetings: TBA

Read a Little Aloud Fri4, 2.00 - 4.00 M St Peter's Community Centre, Bellamy Road

Sheila Haslam 01623 627764

Next Meetings: April 24th; May 22nd

Reading 1 Th3, 2.00 - 4.00 M Peter Dawson's home

Peter Dawson 01623 882191

Next Meetings: As per calendar

Reading 2 Tu3, 2.00 - 4.00 M Ravenshead Library Joan Hufton01623 557488

Next Meetings: As per calendar

S cience & Technical Tu1, 2.00 - 4.00 M Stanton Hill Baptist Church, Skegby

Ian Boucher01623 644798

Next Meetings: 5th May – GM Foods with Jill Pullan; 2rd June – London U'grnd with Phil Dennis

Scrabble * Mo2, 2.00 - 4.00 M Brenda Thurkettle's home

Brenda Thurkettle01623 628136

Next Meetings: As per calendar

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Interest Group Meetings Meeting Place Leader/Contact

S inging for Fun Tu, 5.45 - 7.15 F St Alban's Church, Forest Town

June Fell 01623 623547

Next Meetings: April 14th & 28th; May 12th & 26th Next Concert: TBA

Tai Chi Mo, 9.30 - 10.30 W St John's Centre,Mansfield

Jean Kirk 01623 480207

Next Meetings: Every Monday

Theatre Visits Various Various Sheila Whalley01623 45390

Next Visits: April 30th mat. – Oklahoma (£32.40); Wed. 6th May mat. – Legally Blonde (£18.00); Wed. 17th June mat. – Anything Goes (£36.00 before discount)

Walking Groups

Hikers (all-day, 6 - 8 miles)

Th1 & Mo3, 9.30 - V 2/M

Tesco car park, off Oak Tree Lane

Peter Thurkettle 01623 628136

Next Meetings: April 20th – Epperstone / Lowdham; Thurs. May 7th – Gratton & Bradford Dales; Mon. May 18th – Southwell; Thurs. June 4th – Tansley; Mon. June 15th – Whaley Thorns

Shufflers(short & gentle)

Th4, 12.00 - V M Various Sylvia Slack 01623 633981

Next Meetings: April 23rd – Hardwick Hall; May 28th – TBA

Strollers(a leisurely 2 miles)

We2, 10.30 - V M Various Barbara Massey / Marion Thornton 01623 628357/ 651528

Next Meetings: May 13th – Rufford Abbey; June 19th – Cresswell Crags

Walkers(an easy 4 - 5 miles)

We4, 10.30 - V M Various Joy & Nick Crowe01623 645400

Next Meetings: April 22nd – Rufford Bluebells; May 27th – Hardwick

Wine Appreciation 2 * We3, 7.30 - V M Members' homes Mike Allen01623 653345

Next Meetings: April 15th – Reds from Lidl at Bob & Sue's; May 20th – Chablis at Norma's

Wine Appreciation 3 * Tu4, 7.30 - V M Members' homes Graham Allin01623 473662

Next Meetings: April 28th – Riesling at Colin's; May 26th – Fitou at Ron's

Writing for Pleasure * Mo2, 2.00 - 4.00 M Stanhope Centre, Bridge StreetMansfield

Sue Ford / Hilary Miller 01623 844286 / 620067

Next Meetings: April 13th; May 11th

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Digital WorldHIGHLIGHTS of our March meetingswere discussions about simple waysto add frames around digital photos toadd impact and reviews of members'photos of the recent eclipse of the sunand some holiday photos fromAustralia – including options toimprove their composition.

Meetings are at the far end of the barat the Foxglove in Forest Town,opposite ASDA, on any 2nd or 4thFriday (2.00 - 4.00). They are free andrefreshments are available from thebar.

We don't have an agenda so just come along and ask or show us whatever you want. It doesn'tmatter how much or little you know, what camera you use or how basic or technical you want thechat to be. But do please bring your camera and some pictures on a camera memory card, CD,stick or laptop for us to discuss.David Ling (01623 822994 or dlpruk@aol.com)

Local HistoryTHE LOCAL HISTORY group wasenthralled with a talk given by IanMorgan about Mansfield's real lifemurder mystery on 3rd April.

The sad and tragic tale of one night'sevents in 1895 that ended in the arrestof one Henry Wright.

Using original archive material Ianrelated the gripping and gruesome taleof a house fire and murder thatshocked the Nation at the time andposed the question, was Jack theRipper at large once again?

And, for those who missed themeeting,:-

Following our talk in May aboutByron's daughter, we will be visiting Newstead Abbey on June 5th.

The cost is £7, which includes parking, a guided tour of the Abbey and access to the gardens allday.

We will be travelling by car, meeting up at the Odeon Cinema car park in the morning. Anyoneinterested please contact Sue or Bob.

Payment in advance please either at the April meeting at the Oakham Suite or the May LocalHistory Group meeting.

Sue and Bob Longden (01623486903 or bob_longden@ntlworld.com)

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Luncheon ClubOUR March lunch, arranged by Norma and Ian Shillinglaw, was a return to the Lion at Farnsfield,a long-time club favourite that reinforced its reputation. (Photos on the website.)

Next, on April 23rd, I've arranged a return to Refined at Vision (West Notts College, Derby Road) tocheck if the college's catering and hospitality department's chefs of the future will reach the stand-ards of those who displayed their skills to us a couple of years ago, when it was very popular withmembers and is likely to sell-out again.

Their imaginative menu priced at just £7.50 for 2 courses and £8.95 for 3 courses includesasparagus, tuna salad, tagliatelle, mackerel, Cajun chicken, pork steak and stuffed aubergine.

Then we'll be exploring two new venues. On May 21st, Mike Allen has arranged a visit toOakmere Park Golf Club and on June 18th Clive and Sandy Joll will be introducing us to therefurbished White Lion at Selston.

Details are on the website; please pre-book at the Luncheon Club table or by email.David Ling (01623 822994 or dlpruk@aol.com)

Garden VisitsTHIS YEAR we are going to Tatton Park on the 30th June and Arley Hall on the 29th July.

The prices for both are £22 unless you are NT Members, when Tatton will only cost you £13, andboth coaches depart from the Odeon Complex, Mansfield, at 8.30am.

For more details and to put your names down see Janet or Karen.

• Tatton Park is a large garden and includes herbaceous borders, glasshouses, topiary,water gardens, an impressive fernery and perhaps one of the finest Japanese gardens inthe country to name just a few that make up this outstanding garden.

• Arley Hall has impressive gardens developed over 250 years and has perhaps the oldestestablished double herbaceous garden in the UK (1846) AND SHOULD BE STUNNINGWHEN WE VISIT. The Hall has elaborate ceilings, impressive stained glass and beautifulcontents that we will be able to see for ourselves on our private guided tour.

Janet Whitlam and Karen Troop

HikersFOLLOWING a sunny, pleasant 7-mile walk in Derbyshire on 2nd April, members of Mans-field U3A Hiking Group presented theirleader, Peter Thurkettle, with a gift of adecorative garden ornament in the shapeof a duck filled with daffodil plants tocelebrate his and Brenda’s GoldenWedding.

Peter has been the leader of the HikingGroup for 13 years with his very ableassistant Brenda and organises walks onthe first Thursday and third Monday eachmonth.

They were married on 3rd April 1965 at St.Paul’s church, Daybrook.Ian Boucher

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Read a Little AloudTHIS NEW Mansfield U3A interest group enables interested members to read aloud from a selec-tion of poetry or prose. The topics could be: Friendship, Love and Marriage or anything thatmembers choose. The idea is to prompt discussion about the subject or our reaction to it. It is notnecessary for all members to read aloud if they prefer just to listen.

At the initial meeting, at the Community Centre, Bellamy Road, Mansfield, on Friday, 6 March thereading was from Christy Brown's 'My Left Foot', where he relates the time when he first reachedout to pick up a piece of yellow chalk from the floor by using his foot. It was a breathtaking momentfor his family. and we all appreciated the effort it required from him to follow that up.

We read aloud approximately a paragraph each, so it wasn't too daunting, and then the poem'sverses were split. This was about a man watching a spider patiently spinning its web and realisinghow his own spirit had to learn that achievement or dealing with problems demanded that sameapplication and commitment.

The discussion afterwards was extremely heartening, with members telling about their own friendsor relations (or indeed, themselves) and how disability affects – and often brings out the best – inpeople.

Future topics will vary and I hope we will enjoy swapping experiences prompted by the readings. Iwould also like to see other groups developing from this; I can recommend the book I am using,which gives all the prose excerpts and linking poems, together with reading notes, which just needto be photocopied.

Do contact me if you are interested.Sheila Haslam

Afternoon TeasOUR TEA at Gossips, Southwell, on 7th March was a true traditional afternoon tea with finger sand-wiches, delicious scones and scrumptious cakes.

Everything was home-made and accompanied by a copious amount of tea and coffee and friendlyexcellent service.Sheila Whalley

International DiningYET AGAIN Jacqui Hampshire has foundanother interesting local venue for Interna-tional Dining.

Twenty four of us enjoyed a great meal in avenue new to many of us. BBs ItalianRestaurant on Toot Hill Lane, Mansfield mustbe a well kept secret, one that I would recom-mend. The menu was varied and eachcourse was delicious and great value. I forone will be sampling the delights again!

Our thanks to Jacqui and the company ofgood friends.Linda Leivers

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Speakers' CornerOUR SPEAKER today is Irene Dougan, whose illustrated talk 'Derbyshire's Delights' will tell usabout Derbyshire's wonderful NGS (National Gardens Schemes) gardens. This includes the historyand funding of NGS and photos of some of the gardens in the scheme.

Irene is the Derbyshire County organiser with many years of experience and she'll welcome ques-tions.

______________________________________________________________________________Dates for your diary (Check the website for more information and updates.)Fri. 8th May: COFFEE MORNING at The Towers. £2 each, including a hot drink and biscuit. Cake& plant stalls, tombola, raffle, etc.Fri. 22nd May: ART APPRECIATION OPEN MEETING with Olwyn Hughes. Now to be at TheTowers Function Suite (downstairs), Botany Avenue, from 12.30. £4. Details from PaulineBoucher.Wed. 1st July: NNNG PICNIC IN THE PARK at Rufford. 10.00 to whenever. Free, with entertain-ment but bring your own food, drink, picnic tables, chairs, etc. (In the marquee if it's wet!)Tues. 18th Aug: ANNUAL SUMMER PICNIC at Q. Elizabeth's Academy. Details in due coursefrom Linda Leivers. (Indoors if it's wet!)Mon. 11th to Fri. 15th Jan. 2016: WARNER'S THORESBY HALL. See page 3,_____________________________________________________________________________Event and Visit PaymentsMEMBERS are reminded that deposits and payments for events and visits organised by MansfieldU3A and its interest groups are non-refundable, but places so reserved may be offered to others.______________________________________________________________________________Changes of address, etc.PLEASE contact the membership secretary, Avril McGee (01623 452688), if you've changed youraddress, phone number or email since joining Mansfield U3A so that she can update our records.______________________________________________________________________________DisclaimerTHE VIEWS expressed here are those of the contributors, only, and do not necessarily reflect thoseof the editor, the committee of Mansfield U3A or the Third Age Trust. Nor can any responsibility beaccepted for members' announcements or any errors that may occur.______________________________________________________________________________Next IssuePLEASE SEND contributions for the May issue to mansfieldu3a@aol.com, or in typescript, to theeditor as soon as you can and by 1st May at the latest. Thanks!______________________________________________________________________________

Editor: David Ling (01623 822994) Printed by: Portland Print (www.portlandprint.org.uk)

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