HIGHAM & RUSHDEN
Newsletter October 2016
Higham and Rushden U3A has reached
it’s 1000th New member
From the Chair,
January is traditionally the time when we look both backwards and
forwards. The Roman god Janus is usually depicted with two heads
to ease this task!
But for me this time of our U3A year provides an opportunity to
consider the past and look to the future. The end of the month brings
Halloween, a tradition that seems to change almost every year with new ideas
coming over the Atlantic, usually involving the giving of even more sweets to
children! Then there is Guy Fawkes Night another long standing tradition – but
no, we are not planning to hold a Fireworks Display!
I have no doubt that members will be recognising the Remembrance Sunday
commemorations in their own special way. Our Handicrafts Group have been
busy knitting and crocheting poppies which are being sold to raise funds for the
Poppy Appeal. Please look at their stall at the Pemberton Centre on
Wednesday and you haven’t purchased a poppy yet consider one of theirs.
I also look forward at this point. The AGM is traditionally the time when the
Chairman and Committee give a summary of their activities over the year. A
reminder for members of what has been achieved. Keep an eye out for the
reports from Chairman and Treasurer which will be posted on the website after
the meeting. The AGM also marks the beginning of a new year for the
Committee. And this year complete our re-structuring of the Committee so
there will be a number of new faces going in future meetings. I am looking
forward to working with the new members and hope that we can continue to
deliver a busy and vibrant U3A for you, its members.
Phil.
Registered Charity Number 1164952.
www.highamandrushdenu3a.org.uk
Items to Note
Organised by the Family History Group
But Open to ALL H/R U3A Members.
Speaker Helen Dawkins 15th November 2016 At The Full Gospel Church Hall,
High Street South, Rushden. @ 2pm. Usual Family. History. meeting fee £3
Ann Harris
Save the Children?
Quiz sheet for donation minimum £1+ SAE 50 questions from Susan 3 Duchy
Close Higham Ferrers NN10 8BZ
Quingo (Quiz with a Twist) £12 for table of up to 4 people Rushden Bowls Club
October 20th/November 17th
Carols by Candlelight Tuesday December 6th Bede House 7pm for 7.30pm
Rushden Town Band Log Fire, Mince Pies, Pay Bar £9 07773962347 or
superduch5@gmail for more details. Susan Perkins
Fly Fishing and Tying
I am still endeavoring to get the fly fishing / tying group off the
ground -and into the water!!!! A date has been set for our first
fishing trip but would love more people to join us. So, whether
you are an experienced fisherman or a novice like me, please
contact me on, [email protected] or ring
07725055865
Ken Chambers
Handicraft
This month, at the U3A meeting, the Handicraft group will be holding
their annual sale. There will be all sorts of crafted goods for sale,
ranging from cards, jewellery, knitted goods, and lots more. We will
also be selling the knitted and crocheted poppies and the money from
selling these will go to the poppy appeal.
Kathy Arnold
Wine And Dine.
October has been a disappointment as we were due to eat at the
Rushden Town Bowls Club but it was cancelled as the chef had
done a runner or something. He must have known we were
coming!!
However we are looking forward to going to the Golden Lion at Wellingborough
on 11th November. If you haven't got your name down yet, then come and see
me at the wine and dine table at the AGM.
CHRISTMAS LUNCH Knuston Hall, Monday 19th December.
The list for the luncheon will be open to all members of the H & R U3A at the
AGM. If you wish to go then see Lynn and Bob Macintosh at the wine and dine
table. There is a £5 deposit which must be paid when making the reservation.
Don't hang around as the numbers are limited, so it will be first come first
served.
Gerry Burnham.
Registered Charity Number 1164952.
www.highamandrushdenu3a.org.uk
Social Bridge.
Just to let you know that I have taken over the social bridge
from Tricia Drummond who has been running it for a number of
years.
We have been meeting at the Village Hall in Stanwick
on every 2nd and 4th Tuesday in the month but as from the
25th October, we will be meeting at my home, 6 Mallard Close Higham Ferrers
NN10 8JQ from 13.30 to 15.30.
If any of you would like to join our group, please contact me on 01933 770756.
I would emphasise that we are of mixed skills and we do not play on a too
serious basis.
Meanwhile I would like to thank Tricia for all her efforts and hard work in running
the group for so long. Gerry Burnham.
Settlements A - Tuesday
Our September meeting was a visit to Earls Barton. The
weather was kind to us - cool and dry so looking round the
village was more comfortable than it had been for the other
group. We started off in the church with its Grade 1 listed
tower. To avoid walking round the village in a large group we
were given a map and a sheet telling us what to look out for. This enabled
people to go at their own speed concentrating on things of interest to them.
There are a number of fascinating buildings many having a new lease of life
such as the old Fox & Hounds pub where parchment used to be made from
sheepskins. It is now a pair of very attractive private homes as can be seen in
the photo. The old workhouse too is now
a beautiful thatched house - the 18th
century inhabitants would certainly be
amazed if they could see their old
accommodation now! We were intrigued
by the grade 2 listed gate posts and wall
that used to surround Barton Hall and
now enclose an ugly 1960's housing
estate. The village has almost everything
you could want including several shops
and
buses
to
Northampton,
Peterborough and Raunds. Barkers luxury shoes are still handmade in the
village. At 3pm we met in Jeyes coffee shop for an excellent cream tea. We
were sad to learn that Cookies Cake Shop in the village is closing in October
but the bakery will still supply Jeyes with scones so all is not lost. Several
members took the opportunity to visit the top floor in Jeyes with it's various
museums and specialist dolls house shop. After tea some people went to look
at the W J Brookes factory (Kinky Boots) which is now apartments. There is
certainly plenty to see in the village which is well worth visiting.
Our October meeting will be a visit to Rushden Museum followed by afternoon
tea at Mrs B's! In November we will be back at The Heritage Halls for our first
indoor meeting when the talk will be about Sharnbrook. Frances Francis
Registered Charity Number 1164952.
www.highamandrushdenu3a.org.uk
Settlements B.
We had our first indoor meeting after visiting villages/towns in
the summer months. Rae Drage and Kathy Main told us all
about Wollaston.
It looks a very interesting
town and a possible one
to visit in next Summer.
The historic
buildings seems to be marked very clearly.
Scott Bader are the biggest company now
in the town and we heard a lot about the
company. After the talk, I recalled my
experience with the company. When my
two children were in primary school, we
got friendly with one of the teachers who
worked at Scott Bader in his holidays.
My children had just got interesting in sailing at Thrapston. We quite properly
paid for all the materials and moulds etc. We had a long garage when lived in
Raunds. Several friends help with the stippling with the chemicals, then we
had to go away and let it “prove” and I fed
them all, then about 11 p.m. when we were
all tired it was time to get it out of the mould.
Just like a conker looks lovely when it first
comes out of the shell, a lovely bright yellow
canoe appeared out of the mould! The
picture is my son Nigel in the canoe!
Chris Holden.
Family History Group
I would like to thank both Sharon and Angelia for sharing their
part of their ancestry.
Sharon’s ancestors out in the ‘wild west’, part of the wagon
trains, gold rush and American civil war.
With Angelia we shared a trip through Ireland, villages and
houses that still stand and an insight into how to find Irish
ancestors. Both Very interesting and informative.
Thanks again.
NB There will not be an ‘indoor’ meeting on the 18th October- Trip to Southwell
Workhouse Museum, THURSDAY 20th October.
November 15th- Talk from speaker Helen Dawkins- See separate information at
the beginning of this newsletter.
Ann Harris
Registered Charity Number 1164952.
www.highamandrushdenu3a.org.uk
BookMarks Reading Group
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Chosen and reviewed by Anne Edwards
2016 – What a year! One hundred years ago Roald Dahl was
born, five hundred years since Shakespeare died, and two
hundred years since Charlotte Bronte, the author of Jane
Eyre, was born. So this seemed like an appropriate time to
return to this well-loved classic tale.
The group felt it was definitely worth reading again. They
brought a number of many interesting articles relating to the
book, and to Charlotte’s life, to discuss along with the book
itself. The early part of the book echoed Charlotte’s own
experiences of school and as a governess, as well as her
suffering the loss of two older sisters to tuberculosis . Jane’s
only friend, Helen Burns, suffered the same fate at Lowood School. Later in life
Jane was portrayed as an independent, strong-thinking woman who always
expressed her opinions in spite of her status. An unusual trait for a woman in
those days - maybe a good example of an early feminist?!
I’m sure you all know the story, but the important and life-changing time when
Jane lived with the Rivers family is often missed from plays and films. This
episode shows that she did have an offer of an alternative life after her rejection
of Mr. Rochester.
Because of the changes in language and speech patterns since Charlotte’s
time, the reader of this wonderful tale will need patience – and at times a
dictionary! The long discourse with St John Rivers about marriage and religion
is a typical example of this, but is well worth the effort.
Jane Eyre – what a story! “ They don’t write books like that anymore”.
.............................................................................................................................
At this meeting we celebrated two very special birthdays within our group –
Brian Shelton and Vera Bean – 165 years between them! Thank you, Anne for
the delicious cake you supplied for this special occasion.
Next month we will be reading ‘The Book Thief’ by Markus Zusak, a moving
novel about a girl, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fistfighter, quite a lot of thievery – and narrated by ‘Death’ himself. Dominica Jones
Crib and Solo Whist
The Crib and Solo Whist Group meet every other Monday evening
at the Windmill Club in Rushden at 7 pm. Each meeting lasts 2
hours. The next three meetings will be held on 24th October, 7th
and 21st November. If you would like to learn the games or are
already an expert then you will be made very welcome. If you would like to join
us then please let the Group Leader know.
Registered Charity Number 1164952.
www.highamandrushdenu3a.org.uk
Cycling Group
Each week on Mondays we have our cycle rides alternating with a
short gentle ride (approx 30 mins each way) and a longer but still
gentle (approx 50 mins each way) and an away ride (approx 60
mins + each way) We also have a social events with varying venues.
As a new project there are 8 + of us training to take part in the London
to Brighton (54 miles) charity ride on the 18th June next year. This is
in aid of the British Heart Foundation for which we pay £40 each to
enter, in addition we are expected to raise sponsorship of £200 per
person for the BHF. We will publishing our statistics of our training
rides...... so watch this space. If any of you are interested in joining us, or
sponsoring us then please contact Lynn Gale or Bob Eames for details.
If this is a success, then we are going to enter the London to Milton Keynes
charity ride (60 miles), which is mainly off road. This takes place sometime in
October next year but we do not have the exact date at the moment.
Who needs Venice when we have Milton Keynes?
The Willen Lake watersports centre (MK`15 9HQ), less than five minutes from
junction 14 on the M1, was a good place to meet for seven cycling group
members
who
wanted
somewhere
different to ride.
The Grand Union canal was only a short
ride on cycle paths from the car park and
we soon had the scenic treat of riding for
miles beside waterways which are home to
what seemed like hundreds of canal boats
cruising or moored along the bank or in
impressive marinas. We followed the canal
route to Great Linford, then south west to Bradville and New Bradwell.
At about half way on this route, the canal widens out to a basin at Linford Wharf,
where former industrial buildings have been converted to impressive-looked
housing. During WW2, tractors shipped from the USA in packs and brought up
the canal were assembled at the wharf and distributed as part of the war effort.
The wharf was also the junction with a branch canal to Newport Pagnell. Later,
the canal was drained and it’s route used for a railway line from Wolverton to
Newport Pagnell.
As we neared our lunch stop, the New Inn at New Bradwell we passed at least
two of the platforms for this railway, its’ route now being used for strictly leisure
purposes. The few metres from canal to pub were the only on-road part of our
route. The canal-side pub had a traditional interior, helpful staff and nice food,
so we enjoyed the break.
For the ride back, we were still off-road but used a different route to see more of
the place. A flat ride with plenty to see makes it well worth the trip to this area
and you can always go to Ikea afterwards to complete the day.
Registered Charity Number 1164952.
www.highamandrushdenu3a.org.uk
Bird Watching.
It was a wonderful sunny morning for our October meeting at
Titchmarsh LNR making it hard to realise we were well into autumn,
although the large number of wigeon on the main lake was sign that
winter is on the
way. There must
have been well over
100, mostly still in eclipse
plumage but a few of the males
had moulted fully into their
winter colours. Walking round
the reserve we saw three or
four little egrets and a similar
number of red kites, both were
rarities 25 years ago but are
now common along the Nene
valley. Other notable species
were a kingfisher seen briefly
along the river and a marsh tit amongst a mixed tit flock. The meeting finished
with and enjoyable lunch at The Fox Inn in Thorpe Waterville. Chris Ebden
U3A Car share Days Out and Theatre Trips.
Christmas Trip.
Five Centuries of Christmas Tuesday 13th Dec 2016 Canons
Ashby.
It wouldn't be Christmas without Canons Ashby. Be inspired by
five centuries of Christmas traditions throughout the house, natural Christmas
crafts, and spirit-lifting treats in the Tearoom.
Canons Ashby 29 miles away N T property. open 11 30- 15 00.Met in Car Park
at 11 am. 5 Centuries of Christmas with festive food in the tearoom N.T. Gift aid
admission £10 50 NT members free. Date Tuesday 13th Dec. 2016 There are
guided tours.
Our next trip is to Sharnbrook Mill Theatre pantomime 'Sleeping Beauty.'on
Sunday December 11th for the matinee 2-30pm performance.This is an
excellent company and should be a fun filled afternoon.
Contact Linda Walker if you are happy to offer or would like transport and for
more details 01933 387892 [email protected]
Payment on booking please.£11 each I am may get a small discount for over 10
seats sold.
Please ring or email for booking details. Linda & Chris Walker 01933 387892
[email protected]
Registered Charity Number 1164952.
www.highamandrushdenu3a.org.uk
Digital Photography
Members of the Digital Photography Group enjoyed a morning visit
to Wicksteed Park in September. Before going off to take their
photographs they were given ‘Key Element’ cards. These cards
have one of the six ‘key elements’ required to help to create striking
photographic images. It was a beautiful sunny morning which could
create a problem with the light aspect of the work. After around one
and a half hours exploring the park and looking around we congregated at the
coffee bar for a well-earned cuppa.
This week’s meeting was spent looking at the
resulting work and also at another ‘challenge’ which
we were given which was ‘Through’ we were asked to
take a picture ‘Through’ something, window, hole in a
wall etc.
It was a very busy morning, with lots of photographs
to admire. The group are planning to have a discussion in the near future on
the variety of storage systems available. We are also working on the
photographs of other groups which we hope to display at the open day in
November.
Scrabble Group:
The Scrabble group meet alternate Tuesday afternoons 2.00 - 4.00
in the Residents Lounge, Kilburn Place, Higham Road, Rushden.
The next meeting is 25th October, we would welcome some new
members, therefore if you are interested please contact the group
leader. Pam Mimms
Registered Charity Number 1164952.
www.highamandrushdenu3a.org.uk
Website
We have a new website that is being created by two of our
members Jim and Maggie Morrison. They will be happy to
receive items that may be of interest to other members
The new web address is www.highamandrushdenu3a.org.uk
See below for contact details
U3A Monthly Meetings
Speakers for 2016
If you or a friend have had experience of speakers at other groups that you
think could be of interest to our U3A then please contact our Speaker Secretary
Note:- The Speaker may be subject to change
October 19th
AGM followed by "Sweet Memories but don't get me started
on the Waggon wheels "
Kevin Varty.
November 16th
"Facets of a French Village"
December 14th Entertainment for Christmas
Peter and Gloria Wright
Flossie
NOTE CHANGE OF DATE
U3A Monthly Meetings
Speakers for 2017
January 18th
TBA
February 15th
Coronation Street
March 15th
TBA
April 19th
Life at the BBC
May 17th
James Gillray Satirist To Insanity Ian Keeble
June 21st
Neil Gynn
Lesley Smith
July 19th
History of a country house
Elaine Nunn
August 18th
Showbiz journalism
Graham Keal
John Allen
Paul Needle
September 20th Victorian Ghosts
Andrew Selwyn
October 18th
Victorian Sewers
Andy Tipping
November 15th
Life as a sea Captain/Ships Pilot
Captain William Wells
Registered Charity Number 1164952.
www.highamandrushdenu3a.org.uk