Mansfield and District U3ANewsletter

Christmas Lunch: Pages 3 and 4_____________________________

Established 1999HMRC Charity Registration No.: XT30525

December 2014Website: www.mansfield-u3a.org.uk

Noticeboard: http://mansfieldu3a.blogspot.com

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Welcome from your chairmanI HOPE you are all ready for the festivities; presents purchased, tree up and decorated, all the foodwe generally consume and of course our favourite tipple.

This year has been memorable for our 15th Anniversary, celebrated by the Ball with the U3A Pres-ident there and good work by the last Committee to formulate our new Constitution. As I have saidbefore I enjoyed working with Glenis and Rita, who have now moved on to different interests. Thankyou to John Troop for stepping in several times as Treasurer and organising the information boards.

Mansfield U3A will need a new Treasurer next year as Pauline is stepping down, so please if youwould like to volunteer for the position please do so and remember we need someone to look afterthe information boards.

I would like to mention Marilyn Dibble, our Speaker Finder, who again has done a wonderful job infinding different speakers with something for everyone through the year. Thanks Marilyn, lookingforward to next year's programme, the painter I thought was excellent.

Thank you to Norma Shillinglaw for all the work in organising the Christmas Lunch at the OakhamSuite, a good time was had by all, good food, good company what more could we ask for!

The visit to Thursford follows the Christmas lunch and thanks to Margaret Burlinson for arrangingthe trip, which I am sure was enjoyed by all who went. Early in February Terry Whitehead, for thetenth year, has arranged the trip to Warner's at Thoresby, a great time to look forward to. The workand time involved on organising these holidays and days out must not be underestimated asanyone who has done similar tasks will know. I have read the news letter and the web page and Itake my hat off to the Group Leaders for their efforts to offer these trips.

This year we remembered the centenary of the start of The Great War. It has been covered extens-ively in the media but perhaps the poppies around the Tower of London were special and hopefullythey will now be used to raise much-needed money for our forces charities.

Have a great time at Christmas and New Year, keep safe and well, and let us look forward to 2015

Merry Christmas and a Happy New year!Bob Longden

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In this issuePage 2 Welcome.Page 3 Quiz Night. Holiday Updates. Book Table Report. Recent Events (Christmas

Lunch).Page 4 Christmas Lunch Photos.Page 5 - 8 Interest Groups meetings diary.

Page 9 Groups News (Hikers. Luncheon Club – start).Page 10 Groups News (Luncheon Club – end. Singing for Fun. Wine Appreciation 2 –

start).Page 11 Groups News (Wine Appreciation 2 – end. Art. Digital World. Afternoon Teas.) Page 12 Member's Contribution (Good news for some.) Dates for your diary and

Notices.

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Annual Fun Quiz NightSATURDAY 28TH FEBRUARY 2015 AT QUEEN ELIZABETH’S ACADEMY.Come along to our annual fun quiz night and you may win a cash prize! Organise yourself a team, (maximum 8 players per team) or just come along and join a team on the night.

Cost £7.00 to include buffet supper. Only a few tickets left.Pauline Boucher, 01623 644798, pauline12boucher@yahoo.co.uk______________________________________________________________________________

Holiday updatesDanube River cruise 11th-20th April 2015Those going on this holiday please pick up a 'Passport and Insurance sheet' from my table, which Iwould like handing back to me completed no later than the February meeting please. I have beengiven an extension for paying the balances which will now be no later than the February meeting.

For the amount you need to pay refer to the sheets you took home earlier with the prices quoted foreach deck and the supplements for sole occupancy. Remembering the deck you chose, subtract£120 from that amount (Deposit paid and money from the free places) I was hoping to take off morebut remembered the gratuity for the tour manager & a probable second driver!

Penrith - Lake District 22nd - 26th April 2015Balances to be announced later must be paid no later than the April meeting please.

If you are interested in any of the holidays, please come and put your name on my waiting list. Margaret Burlinson (01623 632538, marburl@lineone.net) Details are on the website …______________________________________________________________________________

Book Table ReportSALE OF BOOKS in November raised £57.37. This is a big improvement on recent months, it couldbe due to an influx of new members.

For new members the books who are not used to the system might query why the odd pence.Sometimes people come to the stall with a handful of change and tip the lot into the cash basin. Solong as what goes in is more than they should be paying we have no problem with this arrangement.

A new policy is now in place for 2015. No refunds allowed under any circumstances. Due toshortage of time we cannot examine the books to check if pages are missing, unfortunately.Lilian Whitehead.________________________________________________________________________________________

Recent EventsChristmas Lunch CHANGES at the Oakham Suite bore fruit at this year's Christmas Lunch as the standard of foodwas of a different order this year. So if you missed it deliberately after the adequate-at-best meal lastyear I'm afraid you missed a treat. (“Lunch Club standards” was one of the comments I heard.)

The room was packed with members in their best bibs and tuckers chatting and laughing while theservice team scurried about making sure everyone had what they wanted.

Bob Longden thanked Norma Shillinglaw on everyone's behalf for organising everything at our endand she passed on everyone's thanks to the Oakham Suite team.

What a great way to start the Christmas season!David Ling Pictures overleaf and more on the website ...

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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 withVariable 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: Sat. Dec.13th 2pm – Delia's at Carr Bank Park. £15.90 x 2; Sat. Jan.10th 1pm – Lunch at Il Rosso, Nottingham Road, Mansfield. £10; Sat. Feb 7th – Making It Centre. £9.95

Antiques andCollectables *

Tu 2, 10 - 12 M Stanhope Centre, Bridge Street,Mansfield

Pat Blackwell01623 481745

Next Meetings: Dec. 9th – Quizzes (with Prizes!). Get revising the year's meetings!

Art We3, 10 - 12 M Big Barn Lane Methodist Church, Mansfield

Linda Spray 01623 795176

Next Meetings: Dec. 17th; Jan. 21st

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

Pauline Boucher01623 644798

Next meetings: Mon. Jan. 5th – Animals in Art. Bring your favourite painting; Feb. 2nd – Continuing our look at British Art

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 TuW 2.30 – 4.00 Lammas Sports Centre, Sutton

Don Wright01623 628946

Next Meetings: Dec. 16th; Jan. 6th, 13th, 20th & 27th. (Returns to Mansfield Bowls Club on 24th March 2015). Cost £3.00. All welcome, including beginners, but flat / bowls shoes must be worn.

Caravan & M'home Rally

Various Various Terry Lammas01623 471963

Next Meeting: Dec. 11th - 14th – CC site at Castleton for festive meet in Peak Cavern with carols.

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Interest Group Meetings Meeting Place Leader/Contact

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

Doreen Storer01623 407731

Next Meetings: Jan. 19th; Feb. 16th.

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

Norma Shillinglaw01623 466934

Next Meetings: January13th; February 10th

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

Foxglove, Forest Town

David Ling01623 822994

Next Meetings: January 9th & 23rd, February 13th & 27th

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

Max Clarke01623 621744

Next Meetings: No meeting in December. Feb. 27th

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

Next Meetings: Dec. 3rd; Jan. 7th; Feb. 4th

Garden Visits During the Summer Various Janet Whitlam01623 635607

Next Visit: TBA

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

Avril McGee01623 452688

Next Meetings: Winter break until March 2015

Heartstart Various William Kaye Hall, Ladybrook Lane

Linda Leivers 01623 471963

Next Meetings: TBA

History Th 2, 2.00 – 4.00 William Kaye Hall, Ladybrook Lane

Linda Spray 01623 795176

Next Meetings: Jan. 8th

Holidays (Home & Abroad)

Various TBA Margaret Burlinson01623 632538

Next holidays: 2015: Mon. 2nd - Fri. 6th Feb. – Thoresby Hall; Sat. 11th - Mon. 20th April – Danube Cruise; Mon. 22nd - Fri. 26th June – Lake District - Shires Hotel, Penrith

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

Bob & Sue Longden01623 486903

Next Meetings: No meeting in January; Feb. 6th – History of Sutton Road, by Angela Morris

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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: Dec. 11th – Launay's 'Joyeux Noel'; Jan. 22nd – 281 Nott'ham Rd; Feb. 19th – TBA

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: No meeting in December. January 26th – Spanish Music with Peter Hart

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: December – No Meeting. Collect the Pudding Menus from their web page.

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: TBA

Scrabble * Mo2, 2.00 - 4 .00 M Brenda Thurkettle's home

Brenda Thurkettle01623 628136

Next Meetings: As per calendar

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

June Fell 01623 623547

Next Meetings: TBANext Concert: Sunday Dec. 14th – Christmas Concert at St Alban's, 3pm.

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Interest Group Meetings Meeting Place Leader/Contact

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

Cliff Laycock01623 481985

Next Meetings: December 15th; January 12th, 19th & 26th

Theatre Visits Various Various Sheila Whalley01623 45390

Next Visits: Wed. Feb. 4th – Catherine Jenkins £50; Wed. Feb.11th – Barnum £40. Theatre Royal.Check webpage/desk for details

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: Mon. Dec. 15th – Poolsbrook (meal after?); Thurs. Jan. 8th (note change to 2nd Thursday) – Idle Valley Reserve; Mon. Jan. 19th – Belper

Shufflers(short & gentle)

V Lunchtimes Various Sylvia Slack 01623 633981

Next Meetings: TBA

Strollers(a leisurely 2 miles)

We2, 10.30 - V M Various Barbara Massey / Marion Thornton 01623 628357 / 01623651528

Next Meetings: No meeting in December

Walkers(an easy 4 - 5 miles)

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

Next Meetings: TBA

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

Next Meetings: Dec. 10th – Sharing Supper (Bob and Sue); Jan. 21st – Burgundy at Mike's

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

Next Meetings: Dec. 13th (Sat) – Xmas Social with Ron & Carol; Jan 27th – Pomerol with G & E

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

Sue Ford / Hilary Miller 01623 844286 / 620067

Next Meetings: December 8th; January 12th

Two Indian junkies accidentally snorted curry powder instead of cocaine. Both in hospital … one’s in akorma … the other's got a dodgy tikka!

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Groups News

Hikers: A seat with a viewON THURSDAY 7th November the HikingGroup, led by John Ross, went on a short buthilly walk (6) in the area of Crich in Derbyshire.The group totalling 15 consisted of our ownmembers from Mansfield but also includedguests from Ashfield and Sherwood.

Starting from the Hurt Arms in Ambergate wesoon began to climb up through Shining CliffWoods where the track changed from atarmac surface to a leaf-covered path mean-dering through the wood.

Eventually we were met along the path by people on horse-back with some adorned in the familiar‘hunting-pink’. From our conversations we found we were in the midst of the South-Notts Hunt withthe dogs barking as they made their way through the undergrowth following a scented path laid outfor the hounds some time earlier.

As we approached the peak of our walk we found an absolutely magnificent carved seat made outof the trunks of three trees with an adjoining plank all stained in a teak colour having a few brassplaques adorning the rear of the structure.

I have to say that occasionally on our walks we come across a number of unusual items; in fact,once we even came across a settee in the middle of a field providing us with a suitable group photoshot but this one shown in our photograph beats the lot. The view from the seat also added the finaltouch where looking across the Derwent valley you could see the Crich monument on the distanthill.

A little further we were walking on a path called the Midshires Way where we passed a warmemorial set on a hillside overlooking the village of Alderwasley – a very pertinent reminder asNovember the eleventh was only days away.

Eventually, as we descended into the valley and after our lunch-stop we completed this circular walkalong the side of the Cromford Canal just before the rain started as predicted by our weather anorakand Group Leader!Pete Thurkettle

Luncheon ClubOUR NOVEMBER lunch at Fothergill's – the refurbished Lamb's – was arranged by Karen Troopas soon as she'd heard about the change of ownership early this year so it was keenly anticipatedby members who knew the excellence of their Redgate operation.

They were not disappointed as we all enjoyed superb cooking and service. Fothergill's is nowanother candidate for top spot for Mansfield diners so we'll be returning.

There'll be a report on this year's 'Joyeux Noel' fine-dining lunch at Launay's on 11th December inthe January newsletter but members are looking forward to such delights as oysters, searedsalmon, blade of beef Bourguignon, beetroot risotto, guinea fowl, cassoulet, tarte tatin and chef'sfamous chocolate pot.

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Our New Year lunch at 281 on 22nd January will again be organised by Brian and Barbara Harvey.The menu includes roast beef, fried salmon in cream & wine sauce and glazed lemon tart & sorbetand is priced from just £10 for two courses – thanks to our special discount.

We have a large room so guests will be welcome but please pre-book at the Lunch Club table or byemail to dlpruk@aol.com as usual.David Ling (01623 822994) Photos on the website ...

Singing for Fun DATE FOR YOUR DIARYDon’t miss the next concert at St Alban's Church, Forest Town on Sunday 14th December.Hilary Miller

Wine Appreciation 2: Wine tasting in ArcadiaIT SEEMED LIKE ARCADIA at the time – abeautiful country, fertile beyond belief, full ofthe varied fruits of the earth and inhabited bycharming people.

And in this proto-Arcadia of Burma (orMyanmar), on the slopes of the hills beyondLake Inle, at a height of some 3000 feet, liesthe Red Mountain Vineyard.

“A morning spent wine tasting”, said thebrochure, followed by lunch there. Well, yes.But it seemed as if all the tour parties in thearea, plus the FITs (Foreign IndependentTravellers) had descended on this piece ofDordogne-sur-Lac. Our tour of the winerylasted but twenty minutes – great steel casks from Switzerland, empty wine bottle from China andGermany, but no wine gurgling around the pipes. The harvest was not until March. Oh.

So to the tasting & restaurant area. They make a number of wines – Shiraz-Tempranillo, Pinot Noir,Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Muscat plus some others. I leave you to check their website fordetails of their history and the grapes for sitting there, overlooking the lake, I was full of anticipation.

Out came the bottles – 4 of them; no choice. First, the Sauvignon Blanc (all tipples were tiny, by theway, and would have led to death by a thousand comments at our Wine Group). I rolled the glass,sniffed the nose, then tasted it. Too sweet, with an acidic after-taste – no flinty strength. Just drink-able had it been cold, but it was warm.

Then the Shiraz-Tempranillo blend. It was red, but that was all. No peppery Shiraz power, noTempranillo body, but a bland, tasteless drink. The Rosé was musty and smelled of wash cloths, the‘White Wine’ was appalling and tasted of – well, I can’t describe it, and even Jancis would not havethe vocabulary to do it justice!

What did I learn? After 12 years, the winery needs more time to develop strains of grapes that cancope with the high temperatures. Ambitious planting needs to be controlled if the end result is to bedrinkable.

If wine-tasting is to be offered, then it needs to be done properly – taste a wider choice of wines, notjust a slapdash slurp, then sell it in glasses, and follow up with offering bottles at the same price asthe local shops, not a couple of quid dearer!

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I had intended to bring back a bottle or so for the January meeting, but the wines were just not goodenough. Unfortunate, for the intention is good – a new industry for a poor country that just mighttake off. After all, there are vineyards in India, Thailand, Vietnam and China so let’s not be snobbish.Remember the comments years ago about Australian wine and the taste of the early Chilean andArgentinian reds, not to mention the raw taste of much French vin tres ordinaire? And that’s not tomention the student party stand-by of Algerian Red in the 60s – I always suspected student rebel-lion was fuelled by the purple stuff!

The country is beautiful, the spicy food glorious, the service charming, the people eager to help so Ido hope that the wines improve, that the food becomes edible, that the staff actually take an interestin the punters. Not one bottle was sold, even to the party of French tourists at the next table. Ah well.Mike Allen

ArtWE MET on 15th October with 15 membersto tackle our Birds project.

Everyone was enthusiastic and producedsome excellent interpretations of their chosenbird pictures.

Next time, Michael has asked us to take thecompleted work to the session for a gallery. Iam pleased to announce we had one morelady member today and I am told will soonhave a couple more. Looks like we'll soonneed more tables!

We meet again on 17th December, when wewill be decorating pots. Not chamber or plantones, but maybe a delicate urn or vase.

Imaginations may run riot on this one. Couldbe the charity shops will make big sales onpots this month!Linda Spray More photos on the website ...

Digital WorldWE WILL be relaunching in January with a new, less-formal format that I hope will better suitmembers. So drop in to the Foxglove in Forest Town, opposite ASDA, on the 2nd or 4th Friday(2.00 – 4.00) if you'd like to chat about how to make the most of your camera or anything elsevaguely photographic. Meetings will now be free and refreshments will be available from the bar.

I know some members will be showing some festive photographs on their laptops, or our own largeone, but we won't have an agenda so come along and ask or show us whatever you want. Itdoesn't matter how much or little you know or what camera you use.David Ling (01623 822994)

Afternoon TeasIT WAS a dreary day for our November afternoon tea as we arrived at Reg Taylor's tea rooms andthere was torrential rain so we had to scuttle for cover.

It was warm and cosy in the tea room once again we enjoyed another delicious tea; the sconeswere scrumptious. I never need an evening meal after a three-course tea.Sheila Whalley There's a photo on the website ...

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Good News for some.I HAVE KNOWN for some time that when you reach 75 you do not have to pay for a TV licence andwas looking forward to my next birthday in February 2015. However, I have paid monthly by directdebit for some years and earlier this month (November) I received my annual email telling me theTV licence which I had paid for was on the Internet to download.

Then it said I was now 74 and eligible for zero payment. Some quick computer work and I hadapplied for a zero cost licence and received an acknowledgement that details would be in the post.Today I got a letter from TV Licensing informing me a refund of £40 odd would be returned to mybank account from where the direct debit was coming and on logging into my bank account themoney was there and the relevant direct debit had vanished.

So, two pieces of good news:

1. When you reach 74 investigate the cost of a TV licence, do not wait until you are 75, and, 2. A Government website has worked at least once.

Terry Whitehead

______________________________________________________________________________Speakers' CornerJANUARY is our members' day so expect some surprises at the next meeting when membersshow us their talents.

______________________________________________________________________________Dates for your diary (Check the website for more information and updates.)Sat. 28th Feb: FUN QUIZ NIGHT at Q. Elizabeth's Academy. Tickets: £7.00pp, inc. buffet supperon sale at the monthly meetings. Don't leave it too late or you might miss out!Fri. 8th May: COFFEE MORNING at The Towers. Details in due course.Tues. 18th Aug: ANNUAL SUMMER PICNIC at Q. Elizabeth's Academy. Details in due course.Linda Leivers_____________________________________________________________________________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 January issue to mansfieldu3a@aol.com, or intypescript, to the editor as soon as you can and by 1st January at the latest. Thanks!______________________________________________________________________________

Editor: David Ling (01623 822994)

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