Mansfield and District U3ANewsletter

Summer Picnic. (See Recent Events: Page 12)_____________________________

Established 1999HMRC Charity Registration No.: XT30525

September 2014 – AGM EditionWebsite: http://www.mansfield-u3a.org.uk/

Noticeboard: http://mansfieldu3a.blogspot.com

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Welcome from your chairmanGOOD MORNING EVERYONE. This will be my last “Welcome” as Chairman of Mansfield andDistrict U3A.

Time has passed so quickly and I can hardly believe that a year has gone by – whatever will I dowith all of my time? Actually, I can think of a myriad of things! It has been an interesting year – withtrials and tribulations! A fact of life in general!

I have had tremendous support from the members of the committee and I know that I have to thankthem for that. Your new Chairman, Bob Longden, together with the team, will be excellent for ourU3A. I wish them every success in their ventures.

My Chairman’s Report on Page four gives you more details of the new committee and I would liketo be a fly on the wall!

Before we start the AGM at 11.00 am, there will be copies of last year’s AGM Minutes on the tableat the front, at the back and in the annexe, for you to peruse. Any queries please ask a member ofthe committee or myself.

As you know earlier this year a copy of our constitution with some proposed changes was placedon the noticeboard for your attention and has been there for the last 6 months or so. It is necessaryfor us now to have members’ agreement to those changes so that the constitution can be finalisedas an agreed document. It is proposed that the September AGM meeting is the best forum for thisto happen and you will see from the AGM Agenda that it is at Item 8.

I draw your attention to para. 3:1:1, which is an important change that will cut the time potentialmembers on our waiting list have to wait before we can invite them.

On another matter, I am sure we have all been touched by the First World War events – what aspectacle the Tower of London is, with the 888,246 commemorative poppies being sold untilArmistice Day. I have not yet been to the new exhibition at the Imperial War Museum but hope tomake it in November and also attend at the Cenotaph – “Lest We Forget”.

“I gazed at the stars in the silent sky, When the Earth was calm and still, And I watched the moon as she sailed aloft, Over the distant hill. And I wished that this peace could still remain, And last through the coming day,To calm the world with its stress and strife, And soothe the worries away”.

Continued opposite ...______________________________________________________________________________In this issue

Page 2 WelcomePage 3 AGM Agenda. Introducing New Committee Members (Start).Page 4 New Committee Members (End). Chairman's Report. Page 5 Treasurer's Report. Subscriptions Reminder. Groups Report (Start)

Page 6 Groups Report (End). Membership Secretary's Report. Newsletter Report.

Page 7 Website Report. Holiday Updates and Holidays.Pages 8 - 11 Interest Groups meetings diary.Page 12 Recent Events: Summer Picnic.Page 13 Groups News (Afternoon Teas, Art and Digital World).Page 14 Groups News (Luncheon Club and Bowls). In case you missed it (Start).Page 15 In case you missed it (End).Page 16 Dates for your diary and Notices.

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… Welcome from your chairman (cont.)So, there is not much more I can add. We have enjoyed our 15th Anniversary celebrations, which Imention in my Chairman’s Report, and I reiterate my best wishes for the success of Bob Longdenand the new committee.

I'll close by thanking Rita Turner, who is completing two years as our Honorary President, for hertremendous support, advice and guidance. Thank you very much Rita.

That’s all Folks!Glenis Carr______________________________________________________________________________

AGM Agenda1. Welcome by Chairman at 11.00am after monthly meeting and coffee.2. Approval of the Minutes of the 2013 AGM.3. President's Address: Rita Turner4. Chairman's Report.5. Treasurer's Report (inc. approval of the Accounts and re-election of the Auditor).6. Nominations for Committee.

The following are seeking election to the Committee for two years:Graham Headworth; Michael Allen (Minutes Secretary); Linda Leivers (Groups Coordinator).The following is seeking re-election to the Committee for a period of two years: Marilyn Dibble (Speaker Finder).The following will be completing their two-year terms at the 2015 AGM:Bob Longden (Chairman); Sheila Whalley (Vice Chairman); Pauline Boucher (Treasurer); Avril McGee (Membership Secretary), Linda Spray (Secretary) .

7. Election Of New CommitteeElection of the above Committee Members and approval of the Committee.

8. Changes to the Constitution.9. A.O.B.

Date of next AGM: Tuesday 15th September 2015.______________________________________________________________________________

Introducing the new Committee Nominees

Graham Headworthg.headworth@ntlworld.com (01623 468883)

Graham rejoined in January 2014 after a few years' absence. He retired 21 yearsago from his Derbyshire County Council Head of Community Education post. Anactive member of Mansfield Bowling Club, he has joined the Walking Group tooffset the Luncheon Group excesses. He has finally managed to attend theCurrent Affairs Group and says he wouldn’t miss the Thoresby Hall jaunt!

Linda Leivers – Groups Co-Ordinatorlkleivers@hotmail.co.uk (01623 471963)

Linda joined four years ago after living abroad and had a varied career in lawenforcement. She has been Groups Co-ordinator for two years and will continue inthis role. She is also part of the Social Activities Group. As well as organising Move-ment to Music and Heartstart, she is one of the website managers and a memberof the Antiques & Collectables, Gardening and Caravan & Motorhome groups.

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Mike Allen – Minutes Secretarymikeallen@lichfieldave.freeserve.co.uk (01623 653345)

Mike Allen has been a member of Mansfield U3A for a number of years andbelongs to a number of interest groups, as well as leading Wine Group 2. In addi-tion, he has been Chairman of Mansfield U3A and helps with production of ournewsletter. “Membership of U3A has provided a welcome change from teachingand a great way of doing things and meeting people”, he says

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Chairman's Report 2014MANSFIELD AND DISTRICT U3A has had a very busy, special year with its 15th Anniversarycelebrations. We were honoured to receive Barbara Lewis and husband to our Crystal Ball – a hugesuccess – and to be asked as second proposer for her 3rd term of office as National Chairman.

We had a photograph with her in the Summer edition of Third Age Matters too – a first!

I will be stepping down as Chairman at the AGM and handing over the reins to Bob Longden, who, Iam sure, will make you a dedicated and excellent choice. He will be supported by three newcommittee members – Linda Leivers, Graham Headworth and Mike Allen. With three men on theCommittee it should prove to be a very strong team, together with the current members.

John Troop, Assistant Treasurer, will also be stepping down from the committee. He has served wellfor a number of years overall. We must also thank Karen, who has worked extremely hard on theSocial Committee to make the events this year happen successfully. Linda Leivers will be takingover as the contact from there.

With new U3As springing up all over Nottinghamshire, Mansfield and District still proves to be verypopular and we are told by the Membership Secretary that we have a waiting list of some 50people, which has been a particular issue over the 5 years or so I have been on the committee.

Rita Turner is also stepping down as our President, the position she has held for the last 2 years.Her support, advice and encouragement, particularly to myself, has been of great value and she willbe sorely missed at committee meetings. It is not proposed to have a President for the foreseeablefuture however.

It should be remembered by all that a lot of members give their time freely, in whatever position, toensure the smooth running and success of our U3A. We have some 35-40 interest groups and Iwas very interested to hear that the NHS have set up a board looking into the ways the older gener-ation can keep themselves mentally and physically fit.

The U3A movement goes a long way, I think, in achieving this objective. What we need for ourfuture is continuity with members coming forward to ensure Mansfield and District U3A remains assuccessful as it is today.

The year has “whizzed” by and soon we will have our Christmas Lunch to look forward to again –hope you have it in hand Norma! So, I will close now and wish the new Chairman and committeeevery success in their efforts to ensure we enjoy ourselves.

Thank you very muchGlenis Carr

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Treasurer's ReportFINANCIAL YEAR 1ST AUGUST 2013 - 31ST JULY 2014

MEMBERS continued their support for our social events and book sales this year. This support,combined with a further refund of Gift Aid from HMRC, enabled the committee to maintain itscommitment to keep subscriptions as low as possible and to recommend another reduction of £2for the coming year.

The committee thank you all once again for your support over the year.

Below is a brief summary of our accounts for the year. A detailed financial report will be given at theAGM and copies of the full accounts are available from the treasurer on request. Pauline Boucher, Treasurer

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Annual Subscriptions 2014/2015 – ReminderOUR financial year ended on 31st July and annual subscriptions are now due: £17.00 for newmembers; £15.00 if you're renewing and £11.50 for associates.

Please remind any friends who wish to renew their membership but are unable to attend themonthly meetings to contact the treasurer or any committee member. And please contact me ifyou'd like to use on-line banking.Pauline Boucher______________________________________________________________________________

Groups ReportSHARED learning is the fundamental principle of any U3A. Mansfield is very proud to have somany and varied groups doing exactly that. Without that “shared learning” our lives would verymuch poorer.

We would not know so many people, have made so many friends, had so many laughs, havevisited so many places nor had so many interesting ways in which to fill our year.

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New Groups that were formed in the past year:

Afternoon Teas: This is the brain-child of Sheila Whalley and proved to be an instant success.The group meets on a monthly basis at pubs, restaurants, garden centres and other places ofinterest locally to develop friendships informally, while exploring new venues – and sometimes indul-ging in some retail therapy!

History: Linda Spray has an interest in history in the wider sense. The group, formed in earlysummer, aims to cover any period of interest to its members. The group has taken a short breakuntil September and will continue, with renewed support during the autumn and winter.

Our thanks go to these and ALL Group Leaders for the hard work, time and interest they are givingin ensuring that their groups are successful.

We need to continue to grow and to that end we need new groups, new subjects and new leaders.All members, new and old, must know that “you only get out what you put in,” so let us have someideas for 2015.

There will be updates after the Group Leaders' next meeting on Friday, 31st October.

Please contact me if you have any ideas or suggestions about forming new groups for the comingyear.Linda Leivers

Membership Secretary’s Report, 2014/2015MANSFIELD U3A’s membership remains very healthy. We had hoped that by increasing ourmembership to 275 we would be able to offer places to all those wishing to join. As inprevious years, this is not the case and our waiting list for membership continues to grow.

We should all take pride in being part of an organisation with an excellent reputation. It goeswithout saying that our popularity is not just down to the hard work put in by your committeeand the 37 group leaders but also by the active participation of all the members.

Following the AGM and when all the fees have been collected we can start the process oftaking on new members; as always I know that you will all give a warm welcome to thisyear’s new members.Avril McGee, Membership Secretary

Newsletter ReportI'M DELIGHTED to be able to report again that we published 12-page issues every month last year– apart from this special AGM edition that has to be 16 pages in order to include all the necessaryformalities and the August one that I allowed to grow to 13 pages by including larger photographsas it didn't need to be sent to our printers.

Earlier availability, bigger text and full-colour photos are other advantages of on-line publication ofevery edition that over 100 members are enjoying too from around the 10th of every month.

Publication is always announced on the website home page and you could sign-up there to be toldby email when each new issue is available.

I'm sure all members will join me in thanking Mike Allen for his help with the meetings table and themany contributors whose news of events, future interest group plans and other items make thisnewsletter what it is.David Ling, Editor

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Website ReportTHE MANSFIELD U3A website now has 58 active interest group and general pages and offersover 100 printable reference documents. Its usefulness to members and other visitors is shown by arecord year for visitor traffic. I hope most members were among the 20,000 visitors to the site lastyear and that they found what they were looking for quickly and saved money as a result.

We were honoured to be singled-out by National Chairman Barbara Lewis who told our 15thAnniversary meeting she “hoped many [other U3As] will learn by visiting Mansfield and DistrictU3A's superb website."

Terry Whitehead, Linda Leivers and Bob Longden have again helped with maintenance tasks andare always happy to help group leaders to maintain their pages so that every interest group page iskept up to date. They, and I, will always be happy to help members with 'their continued learning intheir Third Age' – now one that is truly our Internet Age.David Ling, Webmaster

Holiday Updates & HolidaysTHORESBY (Mon. 2nd Feb. to Fri. 6th, 2015.)The price has been renegotiated and is now £190pp sharing & £230pp single. I need therest of your payment. (Everyone who is coming has already paid £50.) If you are having anupgrade then add the cost of the upgrade on. Cheques payable to Mansfield & District U3Adated 15th October. Anyone else who wants to go will now go on a free waiting list. Terry Whitehead (01623 626991)

THE ALGARVE, PORTUGAL, 18th - 25th SeptemberPlease keep passports & EHIC cards handy for checking at Walkden St. before we leave for EastMidlands Airport at 12:15 pm prompt. Please be there no later than 11.45am for luggage to be loaded.

THURSFORD SPECTACULAR, 3rd 4th & 5th December 2014Balances of £160 need to be paid at the September meeting (cheques to Mansfield & District U3A).Information packs will be given out no later than the November meeting. Due to a cancellation, onetwin room has become available – anyone interested please see me ASAP as I will need toinform the company when I send the balances on the 16th of September. The cost will be £160 pp(balance) to 'Just for Groups' & £10pp (deposit) to give to the members who have had to cancel. Istill would appreciate names to put on my waiting list, even at this late stage.

New: (Information that wasn't available for the August Newsletter.)10 DAYS RIVER CRUISE ON THE DANUBE, 11th - 20th April 2015 Prices for 35 passengers travelling to boat by coach, with overnight stopovers: Main Deck: £1049;Middle deck: £1189; Panorama Deck: £1339. (Decide which deck you would like to be on andwhether you are willing to share.) The supplement for the 7 singles available is £159.50p.

The ship is the 4-star MS Serenity belonging to the River Cruise Line. It will be full board and 8 excur-sions are included in the price, including visits to Vienna, Budapest and Bratislava. Deposit £100 tosecure your place (Cheque payable to Mansfield & District U3A). Please see me ASAP as thecompany can hold this for a limited time only. (More about the excursions at the meeting.)

4 DAYS IN THE LAKE DISTRICT (Shire Hotel, Penrith), 22nd - 26th June 2015At the time of writing this all places have been taken for this holiday. However I am desperate fornames to put on a waiting list – because unfortunately there is most likely to be some cancellationsbefore next June. Cost £370, which covers BB & evening meal, all excursions, coach travel andgratuity for the driver, no single supplement. Excursions still to be worked out.

Please choose your coach seats ASAP as otherwise you will be put in any vacant seat. Margaret Burlinson More details 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 TBA TBA Sheila Whalley 01623 453908

Next Meeting: Sat Oct 4th – Hollybeck Garden Centre, Oxton 3.30 pm (£12 for 2)

Antiques andCollectables *

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

Pat Blackwell01623 481745

Next Meetings: Oct 14th. – Quiz: to test your knowledge!

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

Linda Spray 01623 795176

Next Meetings: Sept 17th – Nottinghamshire Scenes

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

Pauline Boucher01623 644798

Next meetings: Oct 6th – Post Impressionists

Beginners' Bridge(With Ashfield U3A)

Mo, Various 6.30 - 9.00

Enviro Centre, Derby Rd College,Mansfield

Maxine Rose/GlenisCarr 01623 459081/627735

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

Bowls Th, 1.30 – 3.30 W Mansfield Bowls Club: QE Academy

Don Wright01623 628946

Next Meetings: Outdoors season continues until we move indoors to the Lammas Sports Centre, Sutton in Ashfield on Tuesday 14th October (2.30pm to 4.00pm weekly) until 24th March 2015. All welcome, including beginners, but flat / bowls shoes must be worn.

Caravan & M'home Rally

Various Various Terry Lammas01623 471963

Next Meetings: TBA

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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: Sept 15th; Oct 20th; Nov 17th

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

Norma Shillinglaw01623 466934

Next Meetings: Oct 14th; Nov 11th; No meeting in December

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

Stanton Hill Baptist Church, Skegby

David Ling01623 822994

Next Meetings: Sept 12th – Travelling Light, DVD Masterclass for users of compacts; Sept 26th – Visit TBA; Oct 10th – Reviewing Members' submissions

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

Max Clarke01623 621744

Next Meetings: Sept 23rd; Oct 28th

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

Next Meetings: Oct 1st; Nov 5th

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: Oct 7th – 'Staff Only Beyond This Point Please' with Gail/John Summer-field; Nov 4th – Autumn into Winter/Christmas Design. (Restarting in March)

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: In abeyance

Holidays (Home & Abroad)

Various TBA Margaret Burlinson01623 632538

Next Holidays: Sept. 18th - 25th – Portugal; Tues. Dec. 3rd - Thurs. 5th – Thursford Xmas Spect.; 2015: Feb. 2nd - 6th – Thoresby; April 11th - 20th – Danube Cruise; June 22nd - 26th – Lake Dist.

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

Bob & Sue Longden01623 486903

Next Meetings: Oct 3rd – Royal Connections to Mansfield with Pauline Boucher; Nov 7th – Bolsover Colliery Company with John Danbury

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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: Sept 18th – Cockcliffe Country House Hotel; Oct 23rd – Denby Lodge

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: Sept 22nd – Preludes & Introductions at Marie's

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

Next Meeting: TBA

Popular Music Appreciation *

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

Peter Haynes 01623 610886

Next Meetings: Sept 23rd; Oct 28th

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

Next Meetings: No Meeting in September; Oct 7th – Sylvia's House

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

Peter Dawson 01623 882191

Next Meetings: Sept 18th; Oct 16th

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

Next Meetings: Sept 16th; Oct 21st

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

Ian Boucher01623 644798

Next Meetings: Oct 7th – J B Dancer: Hidden Genius by Clare Wilkie; Nov 4th – Higgs Boson by Barry Jackson

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

Brenda Thurkettle01623 628136

Next Meetings: Sept 13th; Oct 10th

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

June Fell 01623 623547

Next Meetings: Sept 2nd; Sept 16thNext concert: Sunday 28th Sept at St Alban's Church. 3pm. £6.00

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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: Weekly on Mondays

Theatre Visits Various Various Sheila Whalley 01623 453908

Next Shows: Sun Oct 25th Festival of Remembrance (Palace Theatre); Thurs Oct 30th – Gervase Finn (Palace Theatre). Payment due Tues 16th Sept

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: Oct 2nd – Tithby / Cropwell Bishop (7 mls); Oct 20th – Clumber / Thoresby (7+ mls)

Shufflers(short & gentle)

V Lunchtimes Various Sylvia Slack 01623 633981

Next Meetings: Fri 19th Sept (12 noon) – Edwinstowe Craft Centre; Fri 10th Oct – Savile's at Rufford

Strollers(a leisurely 2 miles)

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

Next Meetings: Sept 10th – Hardwick Hall (Hardwick Inn overflow car park); Oct 8th –Thoresby Park (Park Gallery shops; pre-book for lunch at the Lawns)

Walkers(an easy 4 - 5 miles)

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

Next Meetings: Sept 24th – The Carrs (3.5 mls; Church Warsop Public Car Park)

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

Next Meetings: Oct 15th – Shiraz from Oz with Ron; Nov 17th – Soave with Norma

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

Next Meetings: Sept 23rd – Chardonnay with Jill; Oct 28th – Riesling with Colin

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

Sue Ford / Hilary Miller 01623 844286 / 620067

Next Meetings: Oct 13th; Nov 10th

My mother taught me about behaviour modification. "stop acting like your father!"

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Recent Events

Summer picnicEVENTS are not events if people don’t participate, and despite an unpromising weather forecast, alarge number of members came to Mansfield U3A's annual summer picnic, held as usual at QueenElizabeth’s Academy.

At one point we had to go off in search of more chairs as people kept arriving. The array and rangeof food brought for consumption was tempting and the tables swayed under the sheer volume.Many talented cooks had spent hours in the kitchen creating sumptuous delights enough to temptus from any diet.

We weren’t able to eat outside but that didn’t stop us from enjoying ourselves. It is always a greatpleasure to sit and chat to friends, old and new; the dining hall in Queen Elizabeth’s School isconducive to chatter.

It would be a lie to say the sun shone, but it didn’t rain and, on full tummies, we ventured outside toplay games. The photographs on the website tell a graphic story of grown-up, mature adults playingsilly games and why not? Lillian Whitehead is champion Jenga toppler, see photos! To add to thepleasure of this, Bob Longden had set up outside speakers to play the sort of songs and music weall remember; some of us can even recall the words and actions. A little dancing was engaged intoo.

This has prompted the idea that we should have a 50s/60s evening so more singing and dancingcan be enjoyed, activity is good for you, so watch this space. The raffle, which pays for the venue,was as usual, well subscribed to and some lucky people won next year’s subscriptions to MansfieldU3A, myself included (thank you).

This picnic was the last of the U3A year social events before the onset of autumn; we look forwardto more of the same and some different for next year.

This picnic was also the last event over-seen by the Social Activities Group withKaren Troop as our chairman.

Over many years Karen has guided usthrough the organisation of socialevents. This was her last event on oursocial committee, she is stepping downto allow herself time to devote to hermany other organisations.

The Social Activities Group memberswill miss her and the evenings spent ather house discussing, planning and arranging forthcoming functions (usually over a glass of wine,we are social after all).

To mark this Karen was presented with an orchid and a bottle of wine by the group members, plus acard from the main committee. Karen has promised to come back to the group in a while, thankgoodness. Thank you everyone who was able to attend and to those that could not – you missed agreat afternoon. Linda Leivers More photos on the website ...

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Groups News

Afternoon Teas

SIXTEEN U3A members went along to Timmermans Garden Centre on 3rd August and enjoyedanother delicious tea.

We managed to enter and leave in between showers; some people wandered round the healthylooking plants; finding them irresistible we had to buy.

It is a pleasurable way to spend an afternoon in good company.Sheila Whalley More photos on the website ...

ArtTHIS GROUP continues to be popular with 11 attending in August. We welcomed a new memberwho has joined us from Sherwood U3A.

We began by looking at the sketches produced from our outing to Rufford in July and I have to saythey were all jolly good.

We meet again on 17th September, when Michael has proposed the theme of NottinghamshireScenes. However, bring along your own project if you wish.

Hopefully, after the September meeting, we may have a few more members.Linda Spray

Digital WorldWE RECONVENED on 12th September at Stanton Hill Baptist Church after the holidays and allfound much to learn from a DVD 'Travelling Light' in which a professional landscape photographershowed how simple compact cameras can give superb results in skilled hands. (It was quite an eye-opener to those so wedded to big DSLR cameras that they sometimes miss opportunities.)

We also looked at members' submissions on our holiday theme of 'Play' and had another shortback-to-basics session to help less-experienced members with the camera settings that may seemdaunting until they're explained.

We have a few vacancies so do come along on any second Friday in the month (2.00 - 4.00) andjoin in. It doesn't matter how much or little you know or what camera you use as we all gain bylearning from each other.David Ling (01623 822994)

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Luncheon ClubOUR NEXT lunch will be hosted by Pauline and Ian Boucher at Cockcliffe Hall Hotel in BurntstumpCountry Park on 18th September where their selected fine-dining menu will cost £12.95 for twocourses or £16.95 for three.

We'll be able to do some pre-Christmas shopping on October 23rd as Gordon and Sue Howletthave arranged a very economically-priced menu at the recently-refurbished Denby Lodge at Ripley,which is very handy for Christmas shopping at the Denby Pottery factory outlet. (Two courses from£7.50 and three from £9.50) and then, on 20th November, Karen and John Troop have arranged alunch at Fothergill's – the refurbished Lamb's – where two course will cost £12 and three £15.

Please pre-book at the Lunch Club table or by email to dlpruk@aol.com.

Bookings for this year's 'Joyeux Noel' at Launay's on 11th December will open next month.

Regrettably, following a couple of no-shows, all lunchers will now be held responsible for the cost ofthe meals booked on their behalf unless cancelled 24 hours beforehand.David Ling

BowlsMANSFIELD U3A's Bowls Group move indoors to the Lammas Sports Centre, Sutton in Ashfield onTuesday 14th October (2.30pm to 4.00pm weekly until 24th March 2015). Cost £3 per session.

New members are welcome; come along and have a go, coaching and equipment is available, butbowling shoes (flat sole shoes, i.e. trainers O.K.) must be worn.

Any Questions or for further information please give me a ring on 01623 628946 if you'd like toknow more.Don Wright______________________________________________________________________________

In case you missed it: (Some extracts from the August on-line issue)

Art Appreciation and Sci-Tech Groups visit to CambridgeBRILLIANT summer sunshine greeted our explorers of Cambridge on 1st August and stayed withus throughout the day – up to the moment we disembarked from the coach on our return to Mans-field, when the heavens opened.

The arty types were in heaven as the Fitzwilliam Art Gallery has a world-class collection; the teccieshad a guided tour of the intimate Whipple Museum of the History of Science, where manymemories were rekindled by displays of slide rules and 'early' calculators that many rememberedfrom their school days; others explored this beautiful city on foot or or a sightseeing bus.

Ian and Pauline Boucher had arranged another 'Grand Day Out' and fully deserved the warmapplause of their grateful charges.David Ling Photos on the website ...

Theatre Visit to see Taming of the Shrew at TolethorpeONCE again, the sun shone on the righteous U3A members on 15th July for their visit to the annualStamford Shakespeare Company production (this year 'The Taming of the Shrew').

After eating their meals on the lawn in the warm sunshine, the audience was transported to 1950sItaly, to the town square in Padua. The updating by director Ken Walsh worked superbly and wewatched with fascination as the young characters drove in and out on Vespas and motor bikes,dressed in the latest 1950s fashions, while the old men looked like Mafia Godfathers. A live bandplayed 'Italian' pop songs of the period as characters moved round the square, in and out of the café.

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The play is more misogynistic than I recollected and the taming of lively, waspish Kate, well acted byNatasha Andrew, into an obedient wife offends us now, but was part of life in Elizabethan Englandand 1950s Italy.

James Rushton, as Petruchio, not only acted convincingly, but mastered Shakespeare’s languageas so few do nowadays. Though one or two of the minor characters were rather stolid, the mainones acted well and the liveliness and humour of the play did come across to a responsive audi-ence, which joined in with the songs.

It was a good production, successful in its setting and acting; even the cutting of Shakespeare'sintroduction in exchange for the gender violence of a Punch and Judy show worked. Add in thebeautiful weather and our evening was a success.Mike Allen Photos on the website ...

Caravan and Motorhome Rally group in FranceIT OCCURRED to me that whilst away for a month over June and July the group of us havetouched many aspects relating to groups already existing in Mansfield U3A.

As you would imagine we walked,hiked, strolled and shuffled alongmany glorious beaches, old fortific-ations and market squares; on ourvisits to the Loire Valley we coveredAntiques and Collectables, Art andArt Appreciation; just to see theTapestry of the Apocalypse inAngers Château covers all of those.There were many other instances,the paintings of Leonardo da Vinciin Amboise displayed on voile andhung in the trees to catch thesunlight, was yet another.

Science and Technology wouldhave been proud of us we playedwith and climbed on the workingrecreations of Leonardo’s inven-tions in the Clos D’Luce. Gardenvisits and gardening merged onmany occasions. Luncheon clubwould be astonished by the numberof times we ate “fruit de mer.” Pudding club could have gathered recipes from our restaurant menusand the many patisseries we sampled.

Wine Appreciation got a great deal of attention from our enthusiastic if undiscerning palates.

The most significant event brought Family History, History and Current Affairs together on the sameday when we were at the 70th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings in Normandy. We saw all nation-alities celebrating together, old veterans proudly wearing medals, pipe bands, and brass bands. TheRAF memorial flight overhead, paratroopers landing just yards away. Floral tributes and fireworkswent side by side.

Needless to say we will be going again in 2015.Linda Leivers More photos on the website ...

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______________________________________________________________________________Margaret Davis. It is with deep regret that we have learned that Margaret passed away on 7th August. Her funeral was on 21st August. Our thoughts are with Geoff at this sad time.

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Dates for your diary (Check the website for more information and updates.)Tues. 16th Sept: AGM at Oakham Suite, 155 Nottingham Road. 11.00

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Next IssuePLEASE SEND contributions for the September issue to mansfieldu3a@aol.com, or in typescript,to the editor as soon as you can and by 1st September at the latest. Thanks!

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

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