Mansfield and District U3A

Newsletter

The Mallorcan Beachcombers!

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Established 1999Registered Charity No. 1164177

November 2016Website:

www.u3asites.org.uk/mansfield/home www.mansfield-u3a.org.uk

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Welcome from your chairmanWelcome to our U3A November meeting. Having survived Bonfire Night, we're now counting ourpennies to go Christmas shopping. I hope Father Christmas remembers to call at your housewith lots of presents!

May I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year. And, talking ofthe New Year, please come to the January meeting – it is going to be FUN! If you do not have agood excuse for being absent, you may have to go to the naughty corner. Best wishes to you all.Sheila Whalley________________________________________________________________________________Words from the EditorThe U3A movement has now passed 1000 U3As and has over 380,000 members. Its governing body,the National Executive Council, has asked all U3As to consider whether the organisation of themovement should be changed or whether it is still as 'fit for purpose' as it was when it was much smaller.I am not going to reprise the discussion which can be found in the Summer (pg 35) and Autumn (pgs 17-18) issues of the magazine 'Third Age Matters', but we should be aware that any changes could affect us– both in the way we are 'governed' and also through our pockets. Your committee has been asked forits views before the end of December. Perhaps you'd like to help us answer?

In brief, the NEC is asking us how it should communicate and confer with us – directly with us, throughthe Regional Trustee, our local county Network or in another way (online). All charities must havetrustees, but has the time of a 'Regional Trustee' passed? Should they be 'nationwide'? And how shouldwe collaborate with other U3As? Through the region or networks or smaller groups … or not at all?

This is where the questions come closer to home. At the moment, Mansfield U3A is a member of theNorth Notts Neighbourhood Group of seven local U3As, of the Notts Network of 29 (and more) countyU3As, of the East Midlands Association of U3As and, finally, the national body, the Third Age Trust. Dowe need all these layers? Obviously TAT, as that is the source of our own U3A. And, I would think, theNeighbourhood Group as that brings small-scale co-operation and friendship (we can join each other'sInterest Groups, for instance). But the County Network (cost £22pa)? Perhaps. But, above all, the EastMidlands Association (cost £20pa)? Our Network voted in favour of the dissolution of the EMA as it wasfelt it merely duplicated the Network and had little other function, but the proposal was defeated at itsAGM, in spite of the fact that all its officers were to retire or resign by January! What does this extra, non-formal layer do for the movement? Please let us have your views a soon as possible.

Just one more point – there will be no December edition of the Newsletter as I am taking a break. But don'tstop sending material and photos to me – I have the January edition to fill! My thanks to all contributors &proof-readers and my best wishes for a Happy Christmas! Oh … and look at the back page for a photocompetition for the new website – www.u3asites.org.uk/mansfield/home (bookmark this site).

Mike Allen ____________________________________________________________________________In this issue

Page 2: Chairman's Welcome; Words from the Editor

Page 3 – 4: Mallorcan Memories; November Speaker; New Cinema Group

Pages 5 – 8: Groups Diary; Christmas Lunch

Pages 9 – 11: Interest Group News – the James Lewis visit, Hikers, Theatre Trip & others

Page 12: Dates for your Diary and Notices + Photo Competition

Cover photo by Nick Crowe. Other photos by John Hufton, Nick Crowe, David Ling & Mike Allen

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Mallorcan Memories Glenys CarrThe alarm-clock rang at 3.30 a.m. and roused me to ensure I was ready for the Community Bus to begin thejourney to reach East Midlands Airport on time. Isn’t it funny that when we have to get up early our mindsseem to know this and we wake accordingly? All 45 U3A members were bright and cheery and the journeywent without major snags. Our hotel in Puerto Pollensa, the 4* Fergus Pollensa Park Spa Hotel, was a large,recently-refurbished hotel, only a stone’s throw from a wonderful beach and promenade.

It was interesting to learn that the double ‘ll’ in Spanish is sounded as ‘j’ and hence we moreoften than not see ‘Mallorca’ spelt as 'Majorca' in England.

After booking into our rooms and a welcome meeting with the local rep, we were free to explorethe area before dinner – an excellent array of hot and cold food. After the very early start, mostof us had an early night to prepare for the adventure into the mountains the next day – the first ofour four included excursions.

This was an excellent day to the top of the Tramuntana Mountains, winding up and up on narrow roadswith deep gorges on either side. Our tour guide was called Albert, articulate and knowledgeable, withperfect English. We discovered that he was a historian and dates and information reeled off his tonguewith no trouble. We hoped we would have him again during the week.

From the mountains, we visited a beautiful cove called La Calobra before taking a boat fromthere to Puerto Soller, renowned for being one of the most beautiful fishermen’s ports of theisland. Many of us enjoyed lunch here before catching the tram (an experience in itself!) to Sollervillage where we took a train called the “Ferrecarril de Soller” back to Son Reus and thenreturned to our Hotel. The train itself was the original one built in 1912 by two engineers toenable trade throughout the region; it was wooden and reminded me of the ones in black andwhite movies where the Indians were on horseback at the side of the trains fighting the cowboys!

Wednesday, September 28th 2016 – my birthday and a day of leisure! Four U3A members hadbirthdays during the trip and Margaret Burlinson had taken the trouble to arrange a small cakefor each of us at dinner. How thoughtful was that!

Next, we went to the Caves of Drach, the eighth wonder of the world, where we enjoyed a shortChopin concert on boats on the underground lake. This was followed by a short lunch stop inPorto Cristo, the home of Raphael Nadal, whose £2million yacht was in the harbour. What adisappointment that he is hardly ever there!

On Friday, September 30th, we visited Valldemossa, where Chopin lived with his lover, GeorgeSands. Our last included excursion was to Palma, a busy city with three cruise ships in theharbour. Some of the group spent time at the wonderful Cathedral of La Seu, while the rest of usexplored the narrow, interesting streets with their Arab and Roman legacy.

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On Sunday, our second day of leisure, welearnt that there was a busy Medieval Marketwithin the walled town of Alcudia whilePollensa town also had a market on aSunday. Many of the group went to Alcudia bybus and a few to Pollensa. Three bravepeople (John Bradbury and Jenny Weaver ofSherwood U3A and I) walked around the bayto Alcudia, some 7 or 8 miles, with the rest ofthe U3A members waving to us as the buseswent past! Were we mad?

On our last day, after breakfast, we left the hotel for our journey home. It had been a lovelyholiday with well thought-out excursions. I will return to the island after enjoying every minuteand making new friends within Sherwood U3A.

Before finishing, I would like to say a special “Thank You” to Margaret Burlinson for her hardwork and care. She has many issues to contend with during any holiday and now I hope shetakes a long rest herself and simply relaxes on any holiday. Over the years, she has workedextremely hard and she will be sorely missed.

Oh! By the way, I have not had the time (or words) to mention the dancing and singing at nightwith ‘Frank Sinatra’, ‘Elvis Presley’, ‘Michael Jackson’ at the bar opposite. But what happened inMallorca stays in Mallorca or, alternatively, you can ask June Fell and Sylvia!

Our November Speaker Norma SmithHow the Tudors celebrated Christmas!Maureen Taylor is very involved in local history; she volunteers at Hardwick Hall, is a HeritageConsultant and is on the Board of Trustees for Codnor Castle. Today she is looking at thecolourful life of the Tudors. Maureen will be dressed in Tudor costume and will bring Wassail(Mulled Cider) to be sampled!

The Book Stall took £40.60 in October. Good, but not good enough – buy NOW for Christmas!

Popular Music Appreciation will hold its annual Christmas Fuddle at the November 22nd meeting.

A New Group!Cinema Group. Would you like to go to the 'flicks' on the last Monday night of the month?Christine Smith (07859 249086) will organise this group for anyone interested, so contact her a.s.a.p._____________________________________________________________

Key to Meetings details:THIS TABLE SHOWS THE DAY of the month, time and frequency using the first two letters of the day,followed by numbers 1 - 5 to represent the week number. The final letter M (or F, W or V) indicates that thegroup 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.

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.

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Interest Group Meetings Meeting Places Leader/Contact

Afternoon Teas Sa2, 3 - 5 M Various Sheila Whalley 01623 453908

Next Meetings: TBA

Antiques andCollectables *

Tu2, 10 – 12.00 M Bridge Street Methodist Church,Mansfield

Pat Blackwell01623 481745

Next Meetings: TBA

Art We3, 10 – 12.00 M Big Barn Lane Methodist Church,Mansfield

Gordon Howlett01623 627423

Next Meetings: Meetings as per calendar

Art Appreciation Mo1, 2.00 - 4.00 M Stanhope CentreMansfield

Pauline Boucher01623 644798

Next meetings: Dec 5th – Festive Soirée of Poetry & Prose at the Salon Boucher at 6.30pm

Bridge Mo, F 6.30 - 9.00

West Notts Coll. DerbyRd., Rm Dv036

Joan Hufton01623 557488

Next Meetings: Meetings as per calendar

Bowls Tu 2.30 – 4.00 WCoaching / Roll-ups at£3.00 per session

Lammas Centre,Sutton in Ashfield

Jennie & Dave Drew01623 555012

Next Meetings: Indoor season began Tuesday October 11th.

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

Doreen Storer01623 407731

Next Meetings: Meetings as per calendar

Craft Workshop We4, 2.00 - 4.00 M Ruth Colley's home Ruth Colley 01623 472010

Next meetings: Meetings as per calendar as from October 26th

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

Norma Shillinglaw01623 466934

Next Meetings: Meetings as per calendar

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

Peter & Brenda Corbett 01623 424535

Next Meetings: Meetings as per calendar

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

Next Meetings: Meetings as per calendar

Garden Visits Various during the Summer

Various Janet Whitlam/KarenTroop01623 635607

Next Visits: TBA

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

Avril McGee01623 452688

Next Meetings: Dec 6th – Liz Cassell with Christmas flower ideas

Get Away Various TBA Christine Smith07859 249086

2017 Holidays: Jan. & Feb. – Thoresby Hall * (Terry Whitehead). See pg.11 for more holidays.

Golf Last Friday of Month Various Paul Mann01623 615416

Next Meeting: Dec 2nd - Bondhay

History We3, 10.00 - 12.00 M M'field Bowling Club, Chesterfield Road, Mansfield

David Drew01623 555012

Next Meetings: Nov 16th – The History of Costume; Justice before the Magna Carta

Horse Riding Various to suit Carnarvon Stables, Teversal

Christine Smith07859 249086

Next Meetings: Meetings as per arranged.

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

Next Meetings: No meetings Dec/Jan

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

Bob & Sue Longden01623 486903

Next Meetings: Dec 2nd – X'mas Social Meeting

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

Various Eileen & Colin Bell01623 429239

Next Meetings:

Music Groups

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

Next Meetings: Nov 28th – Brahms at Geoff's

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

Next Meeting: Meetings as per calendar

Popular Music Appreciation *

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

Peter Haynes 01623 610886

Next Meeting: Nov 22nd – Christmas Fuddle

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

Next Meetings: Meetings as per calendar: Alternately at Sylvia's and Janet's.

Read a Little Aloud Fri2, 2.00 - 4.00 M St Peter's Community Centre, Bellamy Road

Sheila Haslam 01623 627764

Next Meetings: Meetings as per calendar

Reading 1 Th3, 2.00 - 4.00 M Peter Dawson's home Peter Dawson 01623 882191

Next Meetings: Meetings as per calendar.

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

Next Meetings: Meetings as per calendar

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

Ian Boucher01623 644798

Next Meetings: Nov 29th (note the date change) – Around the world in 60 minutes – theChristmas 'Jolly'; Jan 3rd - TBA

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

Brenda Thurkettle01623 628136

Next Meetings: Meetings as per calendar

Swimming Sun1&3, 2.00 F FitnessFlex Gymnext to MTFC.

Christine Smith07859 249086

Next Meetings: Meetings as per calendar. Cost: £4.00 per session incl. sauna, jacuzzi, etc.

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

Jean Kirk 01623 480207

Next term: Monday Sept. 5th – December 12th, with half term break on Oct. 24th.

Theatre Visits Various Various Sheila Whalley01623 453908

Next Visits: Saturday December 3rd – Oddsocks present 'The Jungle Book' by Rudyard Kipling at the Thoresby Riding Stables. Matinee performance 2pm. Payment by November meeting.

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Walking Groups

Hikers (all-day, 6 - 8 miles)

Th1 & Mo3, 9.30 - V 2/M

Tesco car park, off Oak Tree Lane,Mansfield

Peter Thurkettle 01623 628136

Next Meetings: Mon Nov 21st – Wirksworth; Thurs Dec 1st – Barlborough; Mon Dec 19th - Edingley (Meal after at The Reindeer)

Shufflers(short & gentle)

Th4, 12.00 - V M Various Sylvia Slack 01623 633981

Next Meetings: Nov 24th – Sutton Lawn Visitor's Centre

Strollers(a leisurely 2 miles)

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

Next Meetings: No walk in December

Walkers(an easy 4 - 5 miles)

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

Next Meetings: Nov 23rd – Thieves Wood (Coxmoor Rd car pk)

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

Next Meetings: Nov 23rd (date change) – Chenin Blanc (Norma); Dec 14th – Sharing Supper at Mike's 6.30 for 7.00pm

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

Next Meetings: Nov 22nd – Pinot Noir (Lynn and Barrie);Sat Dec 10th – Christmas Social

Wine Appreciation 4 * Th4, 7.30 - V M Members' homes Jane Kockum01623 407235

Next Meetings: Meetings as per calendar

Writing for Pleasure Mo2, 2 - 4 M Stanhope Centre, Bridge Street,Mansfield

Hilary Miller/Sue Ford01623 620067/844286

Next Meetings: Meetings as per calendar

Harmony (an independent Interest Group) meets every fortnight on Wednesday evenings from 5.45 pmto 7.15 pm at St Alban's Church in Forest Town. Contact June Fell on 01623 623547, Jean Kirk on 01623480207 or talk to them at the monthly meeting to learn more about this singing group of U3A Members.

Mansfield U3A Christmas LunchMonday December 5th in the 1861 Suite at M.T. F. C. 12.30pm for 1pm. Cost: £19 (incl. tips).

Your last chance to book for our first Christmas lunch at the new venue! Choose your meal from the menu at the table and book your places with Norma Shillinglaw now.

Please pay by cheque made out to Mansfield U3A at the October or November meetings.

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Latest Group News …Antiques and Collectables Jackie LingThis eagerly-awaited event, arranged by Pat Blackwell for the A&C group, finally arrived on 11thOctober and it did not disappoint. We were joined by members from Sherwood, Rainworth andForest Town U3As (100 of us in all) to learnabout an intriguing, thought-provoking andperplexing selection of items brought byJames Lewis of the popular BBC TV showsFlog It, Antiques Road Trip and BargainHunt for us to identify, appraise and value.

Identifying the item was crucial and howdifficult that proved to be! A Roman strigil(bath-house body-scraper) excavated fromthe ruins of Pompeii or an alabaster religiousfigure from between 1500 and 1600. Whichwould we fare best with?

It just showed us how important it is to knowexactly what an item is, what it's made of and when it was made. Some of our members werevery knowledgeable while others were less so, but that did not dampen our enjoyment or desireto learn.

James spoke passionately about the plight of large animals, such as the rhino and elephant,hunted by poachers, and about his support for the Born Free Foundation, the internationalconservation and animal rights organization. Many remember Virginia McKenna and Bill Traversplaying the parts of Joy and George Adamson in the 1966 film about their conservation work andJames said he would be delighted to donate his fee to this cause.

Well done Pat and your trusty team of helpers, for a truly engaging event!

Writing for Pleasure Hillary MillerOur group is still going strong with 10 members and another about to join. We enjoyed a good meetingin October when the homework title was Three people you would like to invite to a dinner party.The guests had to be famous (or infamous) and from the present or the past.

It was a great idea, but the question was where to start? We needn’t have worried as the outcome wasexcellent and we enjoyed listening to, and being amazed, by the choices. Comments of ”Oh I never thoughtof him or her” were expressed. In general, we decided it would be fascinating just to sit back and listen to ourthree guests and not bother cooking the dinner!

An 'American Adventure' Pete ThurkettleIn early October, Mansfield U3A Hiking Group went to Shipley Country Park, fortunate to have a bright sunnyday which always adds to the level of enjoyment. Shipley Country Park is in Derbyshire and was developedduring the 18th century as a country estate and coal mining area by the influential Miller-Mundy family.

Following the 'greening' of the old coal mines and opencast quarries, former railwaytracks have been transformed into leafy pathways; old reservoirs are now tranquil lakes,teeming with wildlife and the reclaimed spoil heaps are now woodlands, rolling hills andwild flower meadows. At the southern end of the park is the Nutbrook Trail which is a 10-mile traffic-free path for walkers and cyclists taking you to Long Eaton. At about the

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halfway point of our walk, we found a bench-seat where we rested for a while to eat ourpacked lunch and admire the views of the parkland.

Our walk passed through the eastern area of the park that, in the more recent past, was used byan entertainments organisation that gave this location the title of the ‘American Adventure’. I’vebeen told that all properties in a 3-mile radius were given complimentary tickets annually – Isuppose to soften any complaints about the noise and traffic disturbance. The only remains ofthis venture are the large areas of tarmac that were used for car parking.

The final feature on our route was the Mapperley Reservoir, edged with the trees that wereshowing their seasonal change to autumn colours. After admiring the late afternoon sunreflecting in the water of the lake, it was time to walk the remaining mile of our hike back to the‘Ramblers Coffee Shop’ for a final drink before making our way back to Mansfield.

Sherwood U3A Dance Group Jim Bentley (Sherwood member)As part of our Neighbourhood friendship, we offer Sherwood U3A the opportunity to announce theirlatest Group.

If you’re looking for company and wish to socialise with others during those dark winterevenings then why not come along and join our Dance Group? We meet at Turner Hall onthe third Friday of each month at 7.30pm to learn sequence dances old and new, togetherwith line dancing, under the expert guidance of our qualified dance instructor. So if you’venever danced before and would like to learn, or to take it up again after a long break, thenplease do come and give us a try. Our emphasis is very much tohave fun in good company whether you can dance or not.Please come along and give us a go, you may well surpriseyourself and find you’re better than you originally thought!

Gardening Avril McGeeWe have invited Liz Cassell to demonstrate flower arrangingwith a Christmas theme, incorporating garden foliage onTuesday December 6th. Her arrangements will be raffled andwe will enjoy mince pies with our refreshments, so do come towhat will surely be a fun meeting to end our 2016 programme.

The October meeting was devoted to members' interpretationsof 'Harvest Tide', with delicious home-made and home-grownfood. The dishes were voted on and the winner … was ourChairman, Sheila, with her custard-topped, fruit-filled cakes!(see right)

International Dining Jacqui HampshireThe International Dining group is still enjoying evenings out, trying the different foods of othercountries. The beauty of the group is you choose which restaurant to attend and what food toeat! The October 12th visit was to the Gurkha One in Rolleston. Only seven of us went, butthe others missed an excellent, and very different, Indian meal. The next visit is to theCaribbean Queen in Sherwood on Wednesday November 9th at the usual time of 6.30pm.

If you cannot make the meeting, and would like to join us, please e-mail me. There will be noInternational Dining meetings in December or January, many members being at Thoresby. Anyvenue recommendations for our group would be appreciated.

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The 'Beautiful' Theatre Trip Sandra EvansA fine day found 32 members on our way to London for two days. After checking in at the hotel, wespent the afternoon exploring Covent Garden, enjoying the buskers performing their stunts. A grey-haired man walking a tightrope (only a foot or so from the floor) was not to be missed.

Following dinner at Henry's, seven of us made our way to the Aldwych Theatre to see BeautifulThe Carole King Musical. What a great show! A live band on stage and a cast of 18 superbsingers performed non-stop music from the 1960s and 70s, all recognisable from our teenagelife. We didn't realise just how many hits she had written for other artists, including my favouritehit from the show, You've Lost That Loving Feeling by the Walker Brothers.

After breakfast, we set off for The Shard for the greatest view of London as you have never seenit before. At 1016 feet high, it is the tallest building in Western Europe, made from panels ofglass and steel with panoramic views wherever you turn, stretching for over 40 miles. As youstep out of the high-speed lift, you appear to be walking into rooftop garden with grass andflower boxes, until you look up and then, wham, you are almost walking in the clouds! It was themost amazing part of the trip and the main reason I went along.

Our last stop was Windsor Castle, the most magnificent of all the Queen's 'homes', and shearrived there from her holiday at Balmoral during our visit. We were told by one of the guides tolook for the flag changing from the Union Jack to the Royal Ensign. We didn't manage to catch aglimpse of her, as she sneaked in by the back entrance. Do you think someone warned her wewere there? We arrived home tired and weary but our thanks must go to Sheila Whalley for hersuperb organisation – as usual.

Theatre Trips Sheila WhalleyPlease pay for tickets for 'La Cage aux Folles' by December 1st (cheques to S.J Whalley); for'The Wedding Singer' by January 10th; for 'Funny Girl' by Jan. 14th (both to Mansfield U3A).

The Getaway Group Thoresby Hall Holiday 2017 Two holiday dates: Monday January 9th to Friday January 13th at £182pp and Monday February 20th toFriday February 24th at £220pp. It's 'waiting lists only' now so contact Terry Whitehead on 01623 626991or 2017thoresby@whiteheaduk.plus.com.

Potters 5* Leisure Resort in Norfolk, Monday June 12th to Friday June 16th4 meals per day + daily activities + evening entertainment + a cruise on the broads on Wednesday + anafternoon in Norwich with packed lunch.Cost: £359pp in bungalow accommodation or hotel available at an extra cost of £140pp. Somesingles still available with no supplement. Cut off date for deposits is 27/01/2017

Lake Garda 4* half board, Hotel Maderno, Toscolano, on south of the lake.8 day holiday from Wednesday Sept. 13th – Thursday Sept. 21st 2017. Return coach fromMansfield to East Midlands airport + transfers + excursions to Venice & Verona + a lake cruise.Cost: £1019 (S/S £139), deposit, £153, insurance £51 (may be cheaper to get an annualinsurance). 12 twin rooms and 8 single rooms available.

For both holidays, contact Christine Smith on 07859 249086 or at the monthly meeting.

Thursford Christmas Spectacular Thursday November 30th – Saturday December 2nd 2017Coach to the 3* Links Country House Hotel at West Runton (near Sheringham and Cromer). Twonights DB&B + tickets for the Thursford Spectacular Show + full-day excursion to Norwich +some hours in Holt on the return journey.

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Cost: £239 (single supplement £25pp) £1 deposit by December 15th 2016, with £10 Holidaydeposit by March 6th 2017. See Jacqui Hampshire at the monthly meetings, or contact her on01623 239210.

Dates for your diary (Check the website for more information and updates)Monday December 5th Mansfield U3A Christmas Lunch, 1861 Suite, Mansfield Town Football ClubCost: £19 (incl. Tips). 12.30 for 1 pm. Book at the November meeting.________________________________________________________________________________

Saturday February 25th 2017Annual Fun Quiz Night and Buffet at Queen Elizabeth’s Academy.

Tickets will be on sale at the monthly meetings.Come along to our annual fun quiz night and you could win a cash prize!

Organise a team (maximum 8 players per team) Or just come along and join a team on the night. Cost £8.00 to include buffet supper. Bring your

own drinks and glasses.Details from Pauline Boucher on 01623 644798 or pauline12boucher@yahoo.co.uk

____________________________________________________________________________

Photo Competition Our new website is up and running! But … we would like a new photo (or photo collage) to grace theHome Page. Photos that will express the true spirit and story of Mansfield. If enough good ones aresubmitted, then we can change them two or three times a year! Different seasons or views, etc.Send the first ones e-mail or give them on a SD card to Mike Allen (e-mail address below) by the endof January, and the winners will win a prize (of some kind) as well as all the glory! _______________________________________________________________________________Subscriptions remain at £15 for the year 2016-2017. Have you paid? If not, you may lose yourmembership! Cheques payable to Mansfield and District U3A or see below for online details.Online Banking is now available to members to pay their subscriptions online:Sort Code: 60-14-03 Account Number: 40396835Account name: Mansfield and District U3A REFERENCE: Member's name (for identification)______________________________________________________________________________

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, Marilyn Dibble 01623 634805, if you've changed youraddress, phone number or email since joining Mansfield U3A so that she can update our records.______________________________________________________________________________DisclaimerTake 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 next issue to mikeallen@lichfieldave.freeserve.co.uk or by handto Mike Allen as soon as you can and by the 1st of the month at the latest. Thanks!

Editor: Mike Allen 01623 653345 Printed by: Portland Print

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