U 3 A Newsletter
April 2018
Broomfield & District
From The Chair
The signs of spring are well and truly here in the gardens and
countryside and let’s hope the weather continues to warm up.
The subscriptions for 2018/19 i.e. year to 31 March 2019, are due.
The rate is £10.00 and our membership secretary would be delight-
ed to receive your cheque as soon as possible. We have managed to
make a further significant reduction in the subscription but do need
your prompt payments to assist with our cash flow.
The monthly meeting on 9 May is also our Annual General Meeting
and formal notification of this is included in this Newsletter. I have
spoken and written many times about the necessity to elect a com-
mittee to run our U3A for the coming year and we still do not have
a full complement of nominations with another 3 required at the
time of writing. The closing date for nominations is our April
monthly meeting and I would be delighted to hear from you if you
would like to be nominated for a post on the Committee. Please
free to telephone me for an informal chat or speak to me at our
meeting on 11 April if you would like to know about the various
roles
There are many of our members who just attend the Groups and not
the monthly meetings. The election of a committee is also a matter
for you so please consider nominations. It is not just the responsi-
bility of those attending the monthly meetings. Give me a call if
you want to talk it through.
Best wishes,
David
GROUPS
Art Group
Badminton
Beer Appreciation
Book Club
Bridge
Bus Pass Group
Canasta
Cookery
Discussion Group
Gardening Club
Geology Group
Handbells
History Group
Lacemaking
Luncheon Club
Natural History Group
Needlework
Photography
Scrabble
Sunday + Club
Table Games
Table Tennis Group
Tenpin Bowling
Travel Club
Ukulele Group
Visits/Outings
Walking Group
MONTHLY MEETING - FUTURE SPEAKERS 2017/2018
11th April Fools Gold Carol and Steve Robson
9th May Transit Maps, the good, the bad and the ugly. Max Roberts
13th June Colchester Zoo Rebecca Moore
11th July Talking Newspapers Pat Wilson
12th Sept The Abberton Scheme Jim Jenkins
10th Oct Essex - a Diocese Tony Tuckwell
14th Nov. My Army Experiences as a bomb disposal
officer Major Lucy Lewis
12th Dec. Mind Games Mystic Mick
This month we have something quite different for us with a visit from Carol and Steve Robson.
Carol and Steve are musicians who perform all over the country under the name "Fools Gold".
Their performance, Stormy Seas, will have lots of songs and music (all live), accompanied by pro-
jected images. They will tell the stories, histories and mysteries behind their songs, both original
and well-known music.
In May we welcome Maxwell Roberts who will take us on a world tour of underground maps
highlighting the best and worst of design.
BROOMFIELD AND DISTRICT WEBSITE – https://u3asites.org.uk/broomfield
WE ALSO HAVE A NEW EMAIL ADDRESS - [email protected]
For Info
****NEW GROUP - BUS PASS GROUP – for more info see Group pages****
CALENDAR FOR APRIL/MAY 2018
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
9th April 10th 11th 12th 13th 14th 15th
Beer Group
Garden Club visit
Table Games
2 pm
Bridge 2pm
Monthly
Meeting 1.30pm
Needlework
2pm
Rural Ramble
16th April 17th 18th 19th 20th 21st 22nd
Canasta 2pm
Handbells
History Group
Visit
Badminton
Walking Group
9.30
Ukulele 2pm
Lacemaking
2pm
Bus Pass
Group
Photography
Group
23rd April 24th 25th 26th 27th 28th 29th
Badminton Natural History
Group 10am
Geology 2pm
Bridge 2pm
Luncheon Club
12.30
Book Group
Scrabble 2pm
Needlework
2pm
Table Tennis
2pm
30th April 1st May 2nd May 3rd May 4th May 5th May 6th May
Badminton
Handbells
Tenpin
Bowling
10am
Ukulele 2pm
Lacemaking
2pm
7th May 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th 13th
Canasta 2pm
Table Games
2 pm
Bridge 2pm
Monthly
Meeting 1.30pm
Needlework
2pm
Cookery
Natural
History
Group
“Woodland
Craft Day”
14th May 15th 16th 17th 18th 19th 20th
Beer
Appreciation
Walking
Group
Garden Group
visit
Ukelele 2pm
Lacemaking
2pm
Photography
Group
Broomfield U3A Group Reports
Badminton Group
Our sessions are held on a Monday at the Chelmsford Sport and Athletic Centre, Melbourne,
between 12 - 1 pm and we will be meeting on the following dates: 16th, 23rd and 30th April Please
contact me if you want to come along, all new members welcome.
Barbara Bartlett
Book Club
We met on Thursday, 29th March in Broomfield Library where we discussed our book
choices for March 2018 entitled ‘The Missing Alibi’ and ‘On the Ball’ by Emily
Brightwell. These books are part of a series of Victorian murder mysteries featuring a
mild mannered Inspector from Scotland Yard and, more importantly, Mrs Jeffries, his
housekeeper. Opinions differed slightly amongst members, some found them quite te-
dious whilst others saw humour and potential in them. Some of the comments included: would make
splendid farce on the stage; a good television series; good duvet reading and a comfortable read. A cou-
ple of members would read another.
Beer Appreciation Group
Our March meeting was held at the aptly named Moulsham Tap in Moulsham Street. It’s frontage is
rather narrow and it does not look like your typical hostelry. This establishment
caters for the disserning palate! For a mere £5 connoisseurs can purchase three
beverages (third pint), these are served on what can best be described as a thin
cricket bat containing three holes in each of which sits a filled glass. In front of
each glass is a number; the number corresponds with the chosen beverage i.e.
No.11 was Neckstamper’s Squencher IPA - which gained a three star rating from
all present.
In addition to at least 12 different keg beers on tap (the number also corresponded
with a tap on the back wall of the establishment) there were numerous bottled beers and 60 different
gins!
An excellent meeting and I’m sure we will have a return visit in the not too distant future.
Our next meeting will be on Monday 9th April 2018 at 2.00pm at the White Horse, 25 Townfield Street
(behind the railway station). The White Horse is at the far end, past the Royal Steamer (which does not
receive a CAMRA mention) which is on the corner of the road
As always please let me know if you are coming.
Malcolm Taylor
Our next meeting will be on Thursday, 26th April at 2.30 pm in Broomfield Library where we’ll be
discussing ‘The Muse’ by Jessie Burton. New members welcome.
Barbara Bartlett
Bridge
The days and time that our Bridge Group is meeting have changed: We are now meeting on the 2nd
and 4th Tuesdays of the month, from 10.00 am– 12.00 noon.
Perhaps a Tuesday morning will suit some people better than our previous time, Monday afternoon. I
hope so because we would welcome anyone who would like to give this fascinating game ‘a go.’
There is a place for complete beginners, also those who enjoy playing cards – whist players have
found bridge very easy to pick up – and people who might wish to shake the dust off their skills before
joining a Bridge Club (there is space to set up 3 tables of differing abilities – sadly our numbers are
rather low for this at present, so new faces would be very welcome.)
If you are interested or want more information, please contact me by phone, text – or knocking at the
door …. if I’m in! I’ll also be at the next meeting, if you wish to ask some questions.
Looking forward to our next meeting, which is on Tuesday, 10th April at 10.00 a.m.
Melanie Pimm
Bus Pass—NEW GROUP
Don’t drive? Want a day out without using the car? Then
join the Bus Pass Group. The aim is to explore the county
using our bus passes and find interesting things to see and
do. To get things off the ground our first trip on will be at
the end of April. You are free to do what you like on arrival
but one suggestion is to visit the local (free) art gallery for
an exhibition of watercolours and a temporary exhibition,.
Or why not take a stroll to look at some of the sculptures.
Did you know that Harlow has more than 80 sculptures? 20
within a short walk of the town centre. If you are interested please put your name on the list at the
April meeting or contact me.
Carol Greatrex
Canasta
The Canasta Group will now meet on the first and third Mondays. Same time, same place.
Marie Mackie
Cookery
Next meeting Friday 11th May. Delia Smith
will be the theme of the day
Jackie Barnaby
Discussion Group
Our last meeting on March 21st was attended by only two members. I have enjoyed the meetings but
feel that it is time to accept that the group has not progressed as I had hoped, so I am calling it a day.
Thank you to all of you who attended the meetings.
Thelma Nickerson
Gardening Group
We were so lucky with the weather for our trip to Chippenham Park
Gardens!
After the cold and snow the daffodils were a bit slow in coming out
but there was still a good show and of Hellebores too
The gardens have many unusual features and, for anyone who
ventures there, do have a look at the pond with frog fountains.
Our April outing is to Jericho Cottage at Blackmore on 9th
April. Meet there at 2o’clock.
On May 16th we are visiting Horkesley Hall. The owner has
still to confirm the time but it will be a morning visit with a
light lunch.
We do need to have a planning meeting on Monday June 4th to
plan the summer outings.
For further details of any of these please contact me
Pat Radford
Geology
Danbury Church on hill Broomfield & Chelmer Valley
Well, another "full house" when you came to get your toes burnt and, more likely, covered in hot ash
from the nasty volcanoes that surround the Pacific, with the mechanism demonstrated by diet Coke and
Mentos!
Our next talk is about features much nearer to home, interesting we hope, but not so devastating! Ian has
been out and about viewing the Essex landscape in preparation for our next session on Local Landscape
and
Geology. Why is that hill there? What makes that river change direction? Basically, why isn't Essex flat -
as walkers and cyclists well know!
Come and share in the ups and downs of Essex with rocks! - on Tuesday 24th April, 2.30pm , usual
place.
Ros And Ian
Handbells
Due to Bank holidays, our dates will change from month to month.
April dates are 16th and 30th .
If you cannot make these dates in April, we will be ringing on the
21st May.
All are welcome, please bring along cotton gloves to help with the grip and the protection of
the bell.
Barbara Thomas
History Group
Monday 16th April Halstead Visit
This trip is now fully booked.
Sunday 10th June Suggested visit to Layer Marney Tower
This is NOT an official Group outing, but admission price includes free optional tour of the Tower.
Further details from Jan White or www.layermarneytower.co.uk
Monday 9th July River Stour boat trip
There are only 2 places left on this trip.
Further details from Sylvia.
Jan is stepping down as co-leader of the History Group, but Sylvia will be continuing with Valerie
Morgan. Therefore after the AGM, any enquiries regarding the Group should initially be directed to
Sylvia.
Lacemaking
The Lace Group continues to meet on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month at 2 pm at the home of
group leader Wendy Talley. The group is still small and new members would be welcome. We have
equipment which can be lent to anyone so that they can try out lacemaking without any financial
outlay. Help will be given, printed instructions are available and there are several books that can be
borrowed.
Wendy Talley
Luncheon Club
We finally made our trip to Vita Bella, East Hanningfield and none of the 18 of us were
disappointed. This really is a special place and I am sure the Group will agree with me, at the very top
of our list, they really do go out of their way to make each one of us special.
Our next meeting is on 25 April 2018 at 12.30 and it will be at The Castle, Great Leighs one that we
have visited before and a trusted one.
Just by way of a gentle reminder, that if you put your name down for one of these events that if
you are unable to attend that you please do give me 48 hours notice.
Muriel Whiting
Sunday+ Club
Not to be confused with the Rose & Crown at Writtle, 4 of us attended at the Rose & Crown at Great
Waltham and we all agreed that we thoroughly enjoyed our meals. Yes, and Thelma was again
treated with an extra jug of chocolate and she really did enjoy it!!!
The next meeting is on the 8th April 2018 12.30pm at The New London, 147 London Road,
Chelmsford which should be interesting as it has had some wonderful reviews.
Just by way of a gentle reminder, that if you put your name down for one of these events that
if you are unable to attend that you please do give me 24 hours notice.
Muriel Whiting
Natural History Group
The Natural History meeting at Goldhanger was cancelled owing to inclement weather conditions.
The next meeting will be at At Norsey Woods on the 24th April
Sue Browning.
Needlework Group
Our next needlework session are on Friday 13th & 27th April. They will be at the usual address, unless
unforeseen circumstance arise and then I will let you know, but on Friday 11th May it will have to be
elsewhere as I am away.
New folks are welcome to come and knit, sew and/or natter. Lots of projects have come to fruition in-
cluding my own, so bring along your ufo's (unfinished objects)!
Ros
Photography
Next meeting is at Little Waltham Memorial Hall on Sat 21 April. At this meeting we’ll be looking
ahead to possible photo shoots outdoors for the Summer, as well as reviewing our photos since the last
meeting.
As always, we are happy to welcome new members or anyone who may wish to come along for a taste
of how the group works...
Please contact Glynn Wadeson, Group Leader for more info.
Scrabble
A pleasant afternoon as always. A few less but still able to have 2 games and one group managed
more games than the other. We have also been having a small knock out competition which some of
our members had played in and the final was played last week and the winner was Jean Hatley. Next
scrabble as always on the 4th Thursday of the month 26th April at 2pm , usual venue.
Heather Steed
Table Games
Table Games are on 2nd Tuesday of the month.
Marion Khoshuei
Table Tennis
Only one session this month due to the school holiday children’s activities. Friday, 27th April at 2pm,
cost £1.50. Do come along to Chelmsford Sports & Athletics Centre at Melbourne for a social time
playing a few games. Some bats available to give it a try.
Jean Lock
Tenpin Bowling
Meetings take place on the first Thursday of the month at 10.00am at City Bowls near the University if
any new people would like to give it a try please contact me.
Lorna Stuart
Travel Club
Trip 1.
Dunoon - The Esplanade Hotel Includes Three Excursions:
Scotland Thursday 31st MAY 2018
BROOMFIELD U3A CONTACT CHRIS EVANS -
The Esplanade Hotel: looks out over the sea, in the West Bay in Dunoon, Argyll. All rooms are en-suite
with bath and shower and include TVs, radios and tea & coffee making facilities. There is a lift which
services all floors. Entertainment is provided most evenings and there is a Garden Sun Terrace for
relaxation.
Location:Dunoon is the main resort on the beautiful Cowal Peninsula and the maritime gateway to the
Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park. One of the Firth of Clyde’s foremost resorts, it is built around
the historic Castle Mound and famous for its large Victorian pier and attractive promenade.
8 Days - 7 Nights 1st night staying in Lancashire area followed by 6 nights in Dunoon Half Board Meal
basis £ 529.00 Per Person
For Further Information ask for the poster
Trip 2.
The Deep South – USA 26th October - 14 day tour. - ask for poster
Trip 3.
Skipton East Yorkshire 20th August 2018 - 4 nights – ask for poster
For all of the above also contact CHRIS EVANS
GREAT BADDOW AND GALLEYWOOD U3A TRAVEL GROUP
Following the success of our trip last year to Holland we have arranged, again with Just For Groups, a
half-board coach trip to Yorkshire from 12th – 16th July 2018 to visit some of the area’s many inter-
esting attractions. We shall be staying at The Queens, a QHotel very centrally located in City
Square, Leeds which is ideal for our afternoon of free time.
Visits are planned to the National Memorial Arboretum, the Rennie Mackintosh designed house at
78, Derngate , Lister Park with its David Hockney Gallery, and Southwell where we shall also have a
tour of Southwell Workhouse. There will be guided tours of the Hepworth Wakefield Gallery, York-
shire Sculpture Park, Ripon Cathedral, Fountains Abbey and Newby Hall and Gardens with plenty of
time for the all important coffee stops. There will also be a Blue Badge guide to take us around Sal-
taire.
The cost of the guided tours, admission to the galleries and other venues is all included in the price of
the holiday which is £568 with a single supplement of just £40 per person. For those who do not be-
long to the National Trust there will be the additional optional cost of entrance to Fountains Abbey
and The Workhouse at Southwell.
If this is of interest to you or any of your friends – all are welcome, not just U3A members – and you
would like any other information please contact Sylvia Perry, and I’ll be happy to send you the full
itinerary and answer any questions you may have.
Ukulele Group
Meetings take place twice a month at members' homes, normally on a
Thursday at 2pm.
If you are interested contact John Williams
Walking Group
Ten hopeful walkers set off from the Cross keys at White Notley, with the hope that the sun would ap-
pear – thankfully we did not feel the ‘benefit’ of the breeze until the last legs of our journey.
The Cross Keys is a Grade II timber framed building which has been serving ale to weary travellers since
the 16th century. Heading out along field boundaries we soon reached Fairstead’s Grade I listed Church
of St.Mary the Virgin, originally constructed in the late 11th century, the tower was added about 1200,
part of the chancel in 1230 and the porch in the 15th century. Further doorways date from the 14th & 16th
century whilst a major restoration was undertaken in the 19th century.
It was this restoration that discovered the remnants of 13th century wall paintings. The tower’s bells date
to 1601, whilst the pews date to century earlier. The current font was installed in the 18th century.
After our divergence to the church we met the Essex Way outside the churchyard and followed past Troys
Hall along a picturesque green lane called ‘Pinks Lane’. Crossing the main road from Witham we again
followed field boundaries before reaching White Notley Church and it’s churchyard. Opposite was our
objective – the Cross Keys.
Food is not served on Tuesday’s but the landlord and his wife had graciously consented to serve us a lim-
ited menu. A limited menu it may have been but the locally produced meat and excellent home cooking
rounded off our walk, accompanied by a choice of beer. My thanks to Gary & Lois for their hospitality.
Next month’s walk will take us around The Naze at Walton-on-the Naze starting and ending at the Essex
Wildlife Trust visitor centre. The Visitor centre serves a variety of sandwiches, wraps and hot drinks.
We will meet for 9.30am sharp at the Royal Br itish Legion car park, Saxon Way on Tuesday 17th
April 2018. Please let me know if you are coming so that I can ensure we have sufficient seats to car
share – transport costs £4/£5 each (dependent upon numbers). As usual mobile 07375 604506 will be
operative on the day.
Mindful of our safety I have been reminded at a recent walk leaders event that we should be adhering to
the Highway Code especially Rules 2 & 3. Could I ask you to remember please?
Rule 2 If there is no pavement, keep to the right-hand side of the road so that you can see oncoming traffic. You
should take extra care and -
· be prepared to walk in single file, especially on narrow roads or in poor light
· keep close to the side of the road.
It may be safer to cross the road well before a sharp right-hand bend so that oncoming traffic has a better
chance of seeing you. Cross back after the bend.
Rule 3 Help other road users to see you. Wear or carry something light-coloured, bright or fluorescent in poor
daylight conditions. When it is dark, use reflective materials (e.g. armbands, sashes, waistcoats, jackets,
footwear), which can be seen by drivers using headlights. They can be seen up to three times as far away
as non-reflective materials.
It would be great if we had to abide by Rule 5 on occasion -
Rule 5 Organised walks. Large groups of people walking together should use a pavement if available; If
one is not, they should keep to the left. Look-outs should be positioned at the front and back of the group
and they should wear fluorescent clothes in daylight and reflective clothes in the dark. At night, the
look-out in front should show a white light and the one at the back a red light. People on the outside of
large groups should also carry lights and wear reflective clothing.
An early note for your diary, the Heart & Sole Summer Solstice Stride will be on Thursday 21st June
2018 further details to follow. The Winter Solstice Stride which I know many of you supported raised
£700 for it’s charities.
I have been asked to include details regarding Broomfield Footpath Society Walks in the newsletter. The
Sunday afternoon walks have already commenced and these will switch to Wednesdays in May. April
walks, all leaving Church Green at 2:15pm are detailed below; the full list of walks and meeting points
can be accessed from the Walking Group page on the Broomfield & District U3A website.
April 1 - Broads Green - Fanners Green “Primrose Walk” Cars to Broads Green
April 15 - Walthambury – Green Man Cars to Howe Street
April 29 - Danbury Common “Bluebell Walk” Cars to NT opp. Cricketers
---o0o---
I have been advised that Helen Rollason Cancer Charity are having a ‘Rural Ramble’ on Saturday 14th
April 2018. Walks 1 mile, 4 miles or 10 miles – all walks include a garden visit and cream tea at the
Gardens of Easton Lodge. Registration £15.00 - £8.00 dependent upon walk length. I have further details
if required.
Malcolm Taylor
Additional Activities
1. A NIGHT OF CRIME
on 19th May 2018 at 7.15pm to 9.30pm in Broomfield Village Hall—£15 each
Please bring your own drinks and nibbles
The Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) event will include:
a brief presentation on CSI and your roles
you will be in teams of about 5 (you can choose your team or we can randomly select)
you will be supplied with CSI suits that you may keep
each team will attend a crime scene to look for evidence & clues
searching a recovered item for clues
forensic examination e.g. finding invisible fingerprints
Investigating a suspicious death with powerpoint pictures and deciding whether it
is murder or suicide or an accident
2. GARETH MALONE & THE SWINGLES
at the Cliff Pavilion, Southend on Sea on 28th May 2018 at 8.00pm
Seat & return transport £50 each
Transport would be with Chelmsford Community transport minibus with a volunteer
driver. The minibus holds 14 passengers. By holding a bus pass we get a reduced rate.
If you are interested in either event please contact Barbara Thomas
BROOMFIELD & DISTRICT U3A
The Annual General meeting of the Broomfield & District U3A will be held on
Wednesday 9 May 2018 at 1.15pm
in the Village Hall, Broomfield.
AGENDA
1. Meeting opened and welcome.
2. Apologies for absence.
3. Approval of Minutes of AGM held 10 May 2017.
4. Matters arising from the minutes.
5. Chairman’s report.
6. Treasurer’s report.
7. Approval of the examined accounts.
8. Constitution Change.
9. Election of Committee Members and Trustees for period to 31 March 2019.
10. Any other business and questions from U3A Members.
11. Date of next AGM - 8 May 2019.
The Committee
Chair David Marcus
Vice Chair Jo Bowman
Secretary Jean Lock
Treasurer John Godfrey
Speaker Coordinator Carol Greatrex
Membership Secretary Jo Bowman
Newsletter Editor John Williams
Group Coordinator Thelma Nickerson
Publicity Kim Taylor
Website/ Assistant Newsletter Editor Malcolm Taylor
Assistant Group Coordinator Ros Skelcher
Assistant Membership Secretary Gill Sturman
Assistant Speaker Secretary Ursula Randall
GROUP LEADERS
Badminton Barbara Bartlett
Beer Appreciation Malcolm Taylor
Book Club Barbara Bartlett
Bridge Melanie Pimm
Bus Pass Carol Greatrex
Canasta Marie Mackie
Cookery Jacqui Barnaby
Discussion Group Thelma Nickerson
Gardening Pat Radford
Geology Ros Mercer
Handbells Barbara Thomas
History Jan White
Lacemaking Wendy Talley
Luncheon Club Muriel Whiting
Natural History Sue Browning
Needlework Ros Mercer
Photography Glynn Wadeson
Scrabble Heather Steed
Sunday + Group Muriel Whiting
Tables Games Marion Khoshuei
Table Tennis Jean Lock
Tenpin Bowling Lorna Stuart
Travel Club Chris Evans
Ukulele Group John Williams
Visits/Outings Barbara Thomas
Walking Group Malcolm Taylor
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