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JuneJuneJuneJune 2012012012014444 www.paignton-u3a.co.uk

Thought for the day Why do women live longer than men? So they can finish their conversation. Ken Faulkner

A Message from your Chairman

Dear Members,

Hopefully Summer has arrived and the season of Summer Fayres, Fetes and Garden Parties will be taking place all

over Torbay in the coming weeks. So many people give so generously of their time and energies to make these

events a huge success, so I hope you all manage to get out and about to some of the things on offer.

A few weeks ago some friends came to stay. The day was sunny and it was decided to go to Lanhydrock. Travelling

along the A38 the fan belt parted company from our friends’ car. Pulling off at the next exit road near Ivybridge,

parking on first straight piece of road overlooking the A38 we telephoned the breakdown service, standing on the

bridge awaiting recovery looking down on the traffic the standard of driving was truly appalling. Waiting for over an

hour for the breakdown truck, then having the car loaded onto the transporter and delivered back to Paignton with

all of us in the cab and Muffin sitting in the sick car, she was not allowed in the cab. The moral of this story is to

make sure ladies and gentlemen is to always have a spare pair of tights and to look round the corner where there

was a garage that could have repaired the car.

The meeting next Tuesday at the Palace Hotel. The hotel is full with delegates for the Waste Management Exhibition

on Paignton Green so parking will be very difficult in the hotel's car park.

At the AGM in April, after the meeting was closed, a question was raised by one of our members as to whether

Group Leaders should have a free lunch as a Thank You. The committee looked as this question. As a Charity the U3A

should abide by Charity Law which clearly states that benefits in payment or in kind cannot be received by any

members. The committee cannot vote for themselves or for other members to receive additional benefits. At least

half of the committee are Group Leaders. The committee hopes this is understood. There is nothing to stop

members of a group giving their Group Leader chocolates, flowers or taking their leader for a meal etc.

BarbaraBarbaraBarbaraBarbara

Renewal reminder

Membership Secretary Cindy Ball reminds those members who have yet to renew their subscription that

they should do so immediately. If anyone has lost their renewal form, they will be available at the general

meeting or from Cindy on 01803 411046 or cindy1945@hotmail.co.uk. If you do not rejoin, this will be the

last newsletter that you receive.

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Trips & Outings & Events

Getting in Touch is a major event at Paignton Library on Friday 20th

June, 9.30am to 12.30pm. It is free

with refreshments provided and Paignton U3A and others will be there offering information and

encouragement to get involved. Why not come and see us?

50 + Exhibition at Westpoint Exeter on Friday 19th September. I have arranged a coach to this event,

leaving Brixham at 9am with designated pick up points along the main road to Torquay. Would anyone like

to join me at £8 per person to cover the coach hire. Entry to the exhibition is free but tickets are needed in

advance/ For more details see the latest U3A magazine (page 37). There will be a list on the information

board at the next meeting for names of those interested. Cindy Ball 01803 411046 (Membership

Secretary).

Torbay U3A are organising a Musical Extravaganza Event on Wednesday 18th

June at 2pm with a 1914-

1918 War Theme uniting the various Devon U3A groups with music and choral presentations. Venue:

Babbacombe Theatre. Tickets £5 are available from the box office or via Barbara Collins.

Forthcoming General Meetings

General Meetings 2nd

Tuesday monthly 11.00 a.m. at the Palace Hotel, Esplanade Road,

Paignton TQ4 6BJ. Entrance £1.50 with coffee available prior in the lounge for £1.50.

If any members wish on stay on for lunch, will they please book with the hotel in advance?

June “My Life Afloat” Carol Stephens

July “It’s Good to Talk” Paignton U3As memories and commemoration

of World War 1

Groups’ News

Chess Group Steve Ward is proposing to start a Chess Group. It will be held twice a month on a Thursday afternoon at Jasmyn

House from 2.00pm until 4.30pm. Steve will have a form to be filled in for anyone interested at the next monthly

meeting. Contact Steve on 403484.

Chew & Chat

This has been held for many years on the 4th

Friday of the month. Due to the Fine Dining Group meeting in

the same week, Chew & Chat will now meet on the 3rd

Friday. Sarah will resume cooking after the summer

when everyone is back from their holidays. She also asks that members are prepared to move around and

meet new people. Contact Sarah on 698554.

Keep On Singing There will be no meeting in July or August. The next singing session will be on Fri. Sept 5th. Everyone welcome. Rita.

Local History The July meeting is a visit to Torre Abbey on 7

th July. We will meet at The Abbey at 10.30 a.m. in the cafeteria.

Thank you Diana Holdsworth

Pins and Needles This friendly and informal group would welcome new members. We meet on the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month

from 10.30 - 12.30 at Jasmyn House in Midvale Road. Do come and join us, bringing any project you may be working

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on.

For further information phone Jean Turnbull on 403569.

Photography Group A bit more room this month, some of the group members were unable to make this month’s meeting. We started

off as usual judging the entries for this month’s competition on the theme of Composition. There were some really

good entries with Stephen Benkel's photograph of the riverside at Pontrieux, Brittany voted into first place, with

Chris Merry’s shot taken at Widecombe Church, and Bob Tame's photograph of the Steam Train thundering though

Totnes Station and the boat stranded on the mud flats, all tied for the second spot.

We then had a light hearted quiz on a photographic theme, after a coffee break a Photoshop session on adjustment

layers demonstrating how a selected area of a photograph can be altered without affecting the rest of the picture.

Hopefully next month weather permitting we can take our cameras to Cockington Village ( meeting by the cricket

pitch at 10.30 ) to take some photographs, the theme for the June meeting ( Post 19th century architecture ) will be

postponed until the July meeting, and the September meeting theme will be Cockington. If the summer runs true to

form and pours with rain we will meet as usual at Ron and Barbara's house.

Remember the best photograph you will ever take could be the next photograph you take.

Keep snapping Ron Collins.

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st place: Stephen Benkel's “Riverside at Pontrieux, Brittany”

2

nd place = Bob Tame's “Boat stranded on the mud flats”

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2

nd place= Bob Tame's “Steam Train thundering though Totnes Station”

2

nd place=: Chris Merry” Widecombe Church”

Quiz Group

We had a very interesting May meeting when the questions Carol set got some of the grey cells working -

more for some tables than others but we all enjoyed the challenge!!!! This month we meet on Friday 20th

June at Paignton Library 2.00pm - 3.45pm when Wally will be the quizmaster. For more information

contact Sue Allen 01803 556522.

Walking Group

Our May walk was through Scadson Wood and Occombe Wood, with a coffee stop at Occombe Farm. It

was a lovely sunny day and the bluebells were still out. Unfortunately there were only two of us to enjoy

the beauty of the woods. I hope a few more people will be able to come on the next walk.

This will be on Wednesday 18th June, meeting at Anstey’s Cove car park (free) at 10.30am. There will be a

few hilly parts so a stick and good boots would be advisable.

Norma Ellis

01803 405517

If anyone wishes to join a walk with the Livermead and Preston U3A on Friday 4th July, on Dartmoor,

please contact Stan. He says that this one is a bit more of a challenge, but fun all the same. He would like

to take you to the Chapel on the Moor called "Keble Martin Chapel" which is still used for marriage

ceremonies. For the serious walkers, the OSG ref is 666 666 !! Strange isn't it? Details of the day will follow

nearer the time. Contact Stan on 550740, email ewartbs@hotmail.com or home address: 16 Cecil Avenue,

Preston, Paignton TQ3 1LW.

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Contributions for our own members The Price of Carrots

Carrots from a supermarket are not expensive but lack that earthy smell and crunchy taste of the home grown

variety. Sadly, I have not been able to grow my own as, last year, slugs devoured the lot along with my beetroot,

runner beans, tomatoes, broccoli and several flowers.

Aha, thought I, hungry toads are the answer, hence my Newsletter request earlier this year.

I am now inundated with tadpoles and quickly realised that the temporary garden ’pond’ was woefully inadequate.

They thus reside in 5* luxury in my lobby, enjoying lots of TLC, three meals a day and fresh water every other day.

Cost wise there is a teensy problem.

Pond weed – £1.99 a throw (5 buckets min.)

Lettuce - 90p a pack (3 ‘Little Gems’ / week)

Water de-chlorination drops – £2.04 per bottle (20 drops / bucket)

Copious quantities of fresh water – at extortionate SW Water rates

Gestation period –many weeks

The cost /benefit ratio begins to look a little one sided (projected cost per carrot – astronomical!) and the little

critters won’t even be sufficiently mature to protect this year’s vegetable crop.

Post-graduation they will also need ‘sheltered housing’ i.e. compost heap now turned into roofed rockery.

Q. Should I see an economist or a psychiatrist!?

Ken Faulkner

PS If only 10% of them survive to maturity and return to spawn their offspring will require a pond of Olympic

proportions.

PPS Cost and inconvenience are far outweighed, however, by the pleasure of watching my ‘new’ family grow. One

of life’s simple pleasures!

Third Age Trust News

U3A AGM and one-day Conference 2014 at Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester on Tuesday 9

th-

Wednesday 10th

September. If any members wish to attend, please contact Barbara Collins on 669238.

Exploring Elgar at The Elgar Birthplace Museum, Worcester Wed 15th

October

Details available at monthly meeting.

U3A Walking Guides are now available for Dartmoor, Bodmin Moor, Dee Estuary & Settle

PAIGNTON U3A DETAILS OF GROUPS Days and times are subject to change so please check with Group Leader. Day Activity Venue Time Contact Tel

1st

Monday LOCAL HISTORY Various 10.30am to 12 noon Diana Holdsworth 557578

1st

Monday PINS & NEEDLES Jasmyn Ho, Midvale Rd. 10.30am to 12.30pm Jean Turnbull 403569

1st

Tuesday TABLE TENNIS Preston Cons Club 2.00 to 4.00pm Eugene Cox 525079

1st

Tuesday Intermediate BRIDGE Paignton Club 7.30 to 9.30pm Mary Ward

Mike Jeffs

403484

606053

1st

Wednesday DOG WALKING 10am to 12.30pm Sue Lewton 557040

1st

Wednesday GENEALOGY 10am to 12noon Carole Giffen 391614

1st

Thursday BOOK CLUB 10.30am to 12 noon Marion Whiter 403323

1st

Thursday Beginners & Improvers Paignton Club, 2.30 to 4.pm Mary Ward 403484

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BRIDGE The Esplanade Mike Jeffs 606053

1st

Friday WALKING with L&P U3A Stan 550740

1st

Friday BALLET Torbay School of Dance

Totnes Rd

10am to 11am Jo Hall 843197

1st

Friday KEEP ON SINGING St Andrews Centre,

Sands Rd

2.00pm to 3.30pm Rita Wood 559793

1st

Friday WINE TASTING Various 8 to 10pm Marie Handyside 845336

2nd

Monday GARDENING Various 10.15am to 12.15pm Barbara Collins 669238

2nd

Monday RUMMICUB 3 2.00 to 4.00pm Gill Bowie 845116

2nd

Tuesday GENERAL MEETING Palace Hotel 11am

2nd

Tuesday Intermediate BRIDGE Paignton Club, 7.30 to 9.30pm Mary Ward

Mike Jeffs

403484

606053

2nd

Wednesday DOG WALKING 10am to 12.30pm Sue Lewton 557040

2nd

Wednesday SCRABBLE 2.00 to 4.30pm Elizabeth Mills 557215

2nd

Wednesday DRESSMAKING Member’s home Preston 7.00 to 9pm Pam Bushby 550229

2nd

Thursday ART Jasmyn Ho, Midvale Rd 2.00 to 4.00pm Wendy Leishman 522407

2nd

Thursday Beginners & Improvers

BRIDGE

Paignton Club,

The Esplanade

2.30 to 4.30pm Mary Ward

Mike Jeffs

403484

606053

2nd

Friday BALLET Torbay School of Dance

Totnes Rd

10am to 11am Jo Hall 843197

3rd

Monday CREATIVE WRITING 10am to 12 noon Carole Giffen 391614

3rd

Monday PINS & NEEDLES Jasmyn Ho, Midvale Rd 10.30am to 12.30pm Jean Turnbull 403569

3rd

Monday RUMMICUB 4 2.00 to 4.00pm Gill Bowie 845116

3rd

Tuesday PHOTOGRAPHY Member’s home Paignton 10.am to 12 noon Ron Collins 669238

3rd

Tuesday Intermediate BRIDGE Paignton Club, 7.30 to 9.30pm Mary Ward

Mike Jeffs

403484

606053

3rd

Tuesday MAH JONGG Member’s home Preston 7.30 to 9.30pm John Battison 690592

3rd

Wednesday DOG WALKING 10am to 12.30pm Sue Lewton 557040

3rd

Wednesday WALKING GROUP Various am Norma Ellis 405517

3rd

Wednesday RUMMICUB 1 7.00 to 9.00pm Sheila Biggs 524559

3rd

Wednesday RUMMICUB 2 Member’s home Preston 7 to 9pm Pam Bushby 550229

3rd

Thursday MUSIC Park Hotel, The Esplanade 10am to 12 noon Jo Innes-Lumsden 812654

3rd

Thursday Beginners & Improvers

BRIDGE

Paignton Club,

The Esplanade

2.30 to 4.30pm Mary Ward

Mike Jeffs

403484

606053

3rd

Thursday CARDS & BOARD GAMES Temporarily halted

3rd

t Friday BALLET Torbay School of Dance

Totnes Rd

10am to 11am Jo Hall 843197

3rd

Friday TRAIN ENTHUSIASTS Various 10am to12 noon David Hudson 666293

3rd

Friday QUIZ Paignton Library 2.00 to 4.00pm Sue Allen 556522

3rd

Friday CHEW & CHAT Member’s home 7pm Sarah Malcolm 698554

4th

Monday SIGNING GROUP 10am to12 noon Martyn Powell 551369

4th

Monday COFFEE MORNING Redcliffe Hotel,

Marine Drive

10.30 to 12 noon Judy Punshon 843780

4th

Monday DISCUSSION GROUP 1 Member’s home 2pm to 4pm Audrey Kibby 666321

4th

Monday DISCUSSION GROUP 2 2.15 to 4.15pm Colin Porter 698377

4th

Tuesday CYCLING Various Connie Powell 551369

4th

Tuesday PATCHWORK 10am to 12 noon Norma Cox 525079

4th

& (5th

)Tuesday Intermediate BRIDGE Paignton Club, 7.30 to 9.30pm Mary Ward

Mike Jeffs

403484

606053

4th

(&5th

)

Wednesday

DOG WALKING 10am to 12.30pm Sue Lewton 57040

4th

Wednesday KNIT & NATTER Jasmyn Ho, Midvale Rd 2.00 to 4.00pm Brenda Russell 521544

4th

Wednesday DRESSMAKING Member’s home Preston 7.00 to 9pm Pam Bushby 550229

4th

(& 5th

)

Thursday

Beginners & Improvers

BRIDGE

Paignton Club,

The Esplanade

2.30 to 4.30pm Mary Ward

Mike Jeffs

403484

606053

4th

Thursday SHAKESPEARE Member’s home 10am Diana Holdsworth 557578

Last Thursday DINING OUT GROUP Various Jeanette Taylor 557450

4th

Friday PLAYREADING 2 to 4pm Wendy Penning 267734

4th

(& 5th

)Friday BALLET Torbay School of Dance

Totnes Rd

10am to 11am Jo Hall 843197

Ad hoc SPANISH

CONVERSATION

6/8 WEEK COURSE Carole Giffen 391614

If you are a member of a group and cannot attend, will you please let the group leader know?