NEWSLETTER NUMBER 34
December 2016
www.u3asites.org.uk/Ashford-Wye
Another bumper newsletter, the main purpose of which is to advise the latest information on
activities from January. Following this, there are some contributions from our members, plus
information on some forthcoming events.
But first, an important reminder, and information on the first two trips that have been
arranged for you in 2017.
U3A subscription
Subs were due by 1st December, and thank you to all those who have paid, but there are a
number of members who, at the time of writing, have not. Please remedy this by the end
of December, remember that you cannot take part in any activities or trips if you have not.
Trips in 2017
Your Trips Team have been hard at work, and are in the process of arranging four exciting
trips for next year. As can be seen on your Tri-fold leaflet, the first two are
Duxford Air Museum on Wednesday 5th April – cost to be confirmed but at present
estimated at £30.
Polesden Lacey House & Gardens on Wednesday 14th June, at a cost of £22.50 (or
£12.50 for National Trust Members)
Booking forms for these trips will be put onto the website in due course, and will be displayed
at coffee mornings. Completed forms plus payment (a separate cheque for each trip, payable
to ‘Ashford, Wye & District U3A’, with your name on the reverse) go to Teresa Clark at the
address given on the form. As usual, places will be limited.
Supplement to the Programme
The following information about courses running from 1st January 2017 should be read in
conjunction with the main programme published in September 2016. Full descriptions of the
courses will be found there. Please remember that if you wish to join a course you must
contact the course leader first. If a course fee is required, once you have confirmed with the
course leader that you have a place, please send it to David Mann, contact details in the main
programme.
Continuing Courses:
Gallery Group
The group's visits will continue until the end of June 2017 when it is hoped a new leader will
take over. For more information please contact the current Course Leader: Polly Mellor (01233
).
812690
Poetry for Pleasure
Meetings will be on the third Wednesday of each month, starting 18th January from 2.00 to
4.00 pm. The subject will be “Roads”.
Course Leader: Patricia Mann (01233 623051
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Book Groups
The three book groups will continue in 2017:
Wye 1 Course: Last Thursday each month.
First meeting 26th January at 2.30pm
Course Leader: Polly Mellor (01233 812690
Wye 2 Course: First Thursday each month
First meeting 5th January at 2.30pm
Course Leader Sue Bearder (01233 811736
Kennington/Wye/Willesborough: First Monday each month
First meeting 9th January at 1.45pm
Course Leader: Astra West (01233 626606
).
).
)
Untutored Art Group
The group will continue to meet weekly on Thursdays, 9am to 12 noon, from January 5th until
13th April, 2017, i.e. 15 weeks. Course fee £15.
It is anticipated the group will continue to meet after Easter, details will be given later.
Course Leaders: Ursula Peters (01233 331583
) or Annie Browne
(01233 813113
)
Cinema Group
Visits to the cinema will be arranged for the second Tuesday of each month, starting on 10th
Jan. and times subject to the film selected by members.
Course Leader: Patricia Mann (01233 623051
Play Reading
The group will continue in 2017 on the last Monday of the month at 2.00 pm. The first meeting
is on. January 30th then February 27th. March 27th. April 24th (the May meeting will
be brought forward by one week due to the Bank Holiday). 22 nd May 26th June. Meetings are
at Francis Road Evangelical Church Hall. Fee £2 per session (payable to the course leader).
)
Course Leader: Maureen Andrews (01233 632317
Theatre Visits
For more general information on theatre visits please contact Laura Sessions (07894 128366
or via the web site). Specific visits will be advertised in the Newsletter, on the web site or in
flyers.
Singing for Pleasure
The group will resume sometime in 2017 although at present there are no details of the start
date. If you require more information and are interested in joining the group please contact
Wendy Heaton (01233 631770
).
Yogafit
The sessions will continue as follows: on Mondays 9th January - 27th March. (No class on 13th
Feb). (11 sessions in all), at the Iron Room, Boughton Aluph from 10-11.30am. Fee £22.
Course Leader: Katherine O’Donovan
.
Cross Stitch
The first meeting in 2017 will be16th January, 2-30 - 4-30pm.
Course Leader: Bronwen Harper (01233 621654
).
Digital Photography
The next meeting will be on 16th Jan. from 10.30 am to 12 noon. The subject will be “Seasonal
Photographs”.
Course Leader: David Mann (01233 623051
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Guitar Chords
Guitar sessions will take place on the following dates: 20 th, 27th January, 3rd, 10th, 17th,
24th, February and 3rd March, from 5-6.30pm in The Thomas Berry Hall at Wye Methodist
Chapel. Course Fee: £7.00
Course Leader: Janine Hardwick (07890 426291
).
Family History
The course will start again on Monday 9th January, from 10.30am to 12.30pm. If possible
please bring a laptop, tablet or smart phone to access the internet and a notebook. The venue
is 33 Maidstone Road, Ashford. For more details please contact the course leader.
Course Leader: Patricia Tarrant (07808 801394
)
Bridge
Each Monday from 9th January. to 13th March, from 2.30 to 4.30pm in Wye Methodist Chapel.
Fee £10
Leader: David Harper (01233 813534)
Scrabble
Please contact the Course Leader for more information:
Course Leader: Sheila Chapman (01233 813011)
Dates: Every Monday, from 10.30am to 12.30pm
Mah-Jong
Sessions are held each Tuesday from 2.30 until 4.00pm at the Kennington Scout Hall, which is
booked for 10 sessions. For confirmation of the start date in 2017 please contact the course
leader. Fee approx. £15.
Course Leader: Sue Long (01233 628255
).
Current Affairs
The four groups will continue in 2017. For more details please contact the course leader.
).
Course Leader: Sue Long (01233 628255
Plants and Gardens
The group will continue to meet at 7.30 pm on the third Monday each month from January
16th, until March 20th.
Course Leader: Geoff Chapman Geoff Chapman 01233 813011
Walking Groups
The Wednesday group: will continue in 2017 on the first Wednesday of each month at 10am
throughout the year.
Course Leader: Gillian Lawrence (01233 622351
)
The Thursday Group: will continue in 2017 from March to October inclusive on the 3rd
Thursday of each month at 10am.
Course Leader: Bernie Rogers (01233 642133
)
Lunch Group
The lunch group will continue on the 4 th Thursday each month in 2017. Please contact Laura
Sessions for more details (07894 128366 or via the web site).
Mainly for Men
Visits are arranged once a month to a variety of places which might be of particular interest to
men. For information on future visits please contact Chris Jewell.
(01233 624389
).
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Strollers Group
The Strollers Group is planned to continue in 2017 and the members take it in turn to plan a
stroll. At the moment there is no central organiser but in the meantime if you want further
details please contact Sue Long (01233 628255
) although she is no
longer a participating member of the group.
French Conversation
The course will continue in 2017 meeting from 2.00pm to 3.30pm on Fridays starting Friday 3rd
February to the 7th April.
Course Leader: Noella Board (01227 700991
).
New and Recently Started Courses
Computer Share and Learn
As announced in the main programme this course will start in April 2017 at St. Mary's Church
Hall, Church Road TN24 9DQ (Wifi available) from 6 -7.30pm
Dates: Thursdays 20th & 27th April, (not 4th May) 11th, 18th & 25th May 2017. Fee £5
Course Leader: Janine Hardwick (07890 426291
).
Classical Music Appreciation
This group has already had three meetings and is well attended. They could accommodate
perhaps 1 or 2 more people; otherwise it may be possible to start another group. For more
information please contact the Course Leaders: David or Ursula Peters (01233 331583
).
Dickens Study Group
John Ingram is running another course this time studying Martin Chuzzlewit. You should read
the novel in advance and are advised to use the Penguin Classics version, which you should
bring to all sessions. The course is on Tuesdays starting 7th March to 11th April from 2.30 to
4.30pm in Wye Methodist Chapel. Course fee £5. To register and for more details contact
David Mann (01233 623051
).
Avon’s Swan: Studying Shakespeare’s Plays
Full details of the course aims are given below. The venue is 33 Scotton Street in Wye (TN25
54BU) and meetings last about an hour. Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month
and begin at 4.00pm.
Course Leader: Geoff Chapman 01233 813011
Rhythm
There will be a pause in this course, but assuming further interest, it will resume in September
and October 2017 for 5 weeks between 5 - 6pm at a venue to be confirmed. For more
information, contact the course leader Janine Hardwick (07890 426291
).
Crafting and Card making
Are you interested in being a bit CRAFTY? Learn how to make your own greetings cards and
other crafts. Meet on Thursdays each month starting 5th January. As there is only room to
accommodate 4 people at any one time there are two session 10.00am to midday and 2.00. to
4.00pm. For more information please contact the Course Leader: Maureen Andrews (01233
632317
).
Untutored Spanish
To make this course really viable requires another two or so people to join. If you have any
knowledge of Spanish or none but would like to learn please contact the course leader for
more information.
Course Leader: Annie Browne (01233 813113
)
Yoga
No yoga classes are planned for the first part of 2017 but they may recommence later.
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Cookery Demonstration Course (A repeat of last October’s course)
“Easy Curries that aren’t too spicy! Different ways with Veg and Rice. Simply Stunning Sweets
in minutes.” Please phone Beverley for more details and pre-pay £21.00 if you wish to attend.
Cheques should be made payable to Beverley Jarvis. Maximum 8 people per session (First
come first served). Week 1 will include: Chicken Jalfrezi with tomato Rice, Prawn curry,
Roasted veg with herbs, Plum Meringue Mess.
Course Leader: Beverley Jarvis; (01233 663344)
Venue: Great Chilmington Farm Ho. Chilmington Green, Ashford. Kent TN23 3DP.
Dates: Tuesdays January10th, 17th and 24th. Time 10.15am.
Each day ends with eating the results at approximately 12.30pm!
Note:
If you intend to start a course please let me know the details so that it can be publicised. If I
have missed out any new courses which are already in progress please accept my apologies
and let me know as soon as possible.
David Mann.
Avon’s Swan: The u3a Shakespeare Group
Ben Jonson, in his tribute to Shakespeare, called him ‘Sweet Swan of Avon’, an allusion to
Stratford upon Avon, the town in which he was born, lived and died – hence ‘Avon’s Swan’ for
the name of our group. We started in October this year following a presentation about the
likelihood or otherwise of Shakespeare actually having visited Italy. This raised sufficient
interest for Avon’s Swan meetings to start.
What is it we aim to do? We meet informally, not with a view to putting on the plays but, to
explore their content and try to grasp something of the achievements of the world’s greatest
dramatist. The intention is that it will enhance our enjoyment of the plays we will subsequently
see. One recurring issue is how far a director can depart from what Shakespeare actually
wrote and whether this or that production is a ‘complete travesty’ or alternatively it opens the
playwright to today’s audiences. We will include such considerations.
Again, what about the theatres themselves? Does the Globe, Sam Wanamaker’s brilliant
concept, imprison Shakespeare in his own time or does it open for us the dynamics of theatre
then? How far, by contrast, does the newly renovated Royal Shakespeare Theatre with its
brilliant acoustics, seating arrangements and modern gadgetry make the plays accessible to
modern audiences? Why not just perform the plays in a convenient open space and let the
language create in our imagination everything we need in terms of scenery and atmosphere?
What about Shakespeare himself? Was he a playwright accustomed to including text and ideas
from his contemporaries like Marlow, Beaumont and Fletcher, an actor manager or a
shareholder concerned that the Globe paid its way? Certainly, he was financially sufficiently
acute as to be able to buy New Place, the largest house in Stratford.
Everyone is welcome whether you were put off Shakespeare at school and have never
considered the matter further or you are familiar with some at least of the plays and have an
enthusiasm about them. Above all it is a shared exploration and not without some humorous
moments. The monthly meetings last about an hour and take place at 33 Scotton Street, Wye.
If you would like more information or, wish to join or, just want to sample a meeting, please
contact the undersigned.
Geoff Chapman 01233 813011
‘Miller Plays The Musicals’ – Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone
The Astor Big Band plus singers and dancers from Stagecoach Folkestone present 'Miller Plays
The Musicals' at Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone on Sun 12th February 2017 at 2:30pm.
Full of big band hits from Glenn Miller, The Andrew Sisters and Frank Sinatra, including
American Patrol, In the Mood , Moonlight Serenade. PLUS Songs, music and dance from West
End Musicals such as Les Miserables, West Side Story, 42nd Street, Chess, Grease, Chicago
and more.
All profits donated to the Royal British Legion (The Astor Big Band is their appointed touring
band).
If you are interested in attending, please contact the theatre direct (0844 871 3015
), or to discuss possible group bookings Terry Steel
(01702 511547,
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Mughal India: Art and Culture
Monday 27th March 2017
U3A is privileged to be invited by The British Library Knowledge Centre Theatre to
discover Mughal India at this study day, exclusive to U3A members.
Ruling South and parts of Central Asia from 1526-1858, the Mughal dynasty became one of
the most powerful and opulent empires the world has ever known. Remembered through a rich
artistic and cultural heritage including exquisite paintings, manuscripts and architecture, the
British Library has assembled six key speakers to explore the art and culture of Mughal India,
a world of beauty and exquisite craftsmanship.
Date:
Times:
Tickets:
Venue:
Monday 27th March 2017
10:45am to 4.00pm
£25 (max 2 per applicant)
The British Library
96 Euston Road
London
NW1 2DB
To apply for tickets go to: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mughal-india-art-and-culturetickets-29376576130
Walking Football
U3a member rediscovers a youthful passion!
I grew up with football and played the game (not very well) until a failed knee ligament
brought me to a halt before I was 30. Participating in the game I love had been limited to
watching from the stands (or the sofa) for several decades until a couple of years ago following
illness and medical advice to 'keep fit but avoid running' I came across a form of the game
created for people like me.
Walking Football is a new participation sport approved and supported by the Football
Association. It is limited to 7 a side and played indoors or out with a special set of rules
making it accessible for older people with a fair degree of mobility. Running results in a free
kick to the opposition, intentional physical contact is forbidden and the ball is kept below head
height. There are breaks every 15 minutes. It's enormous fun and in my opinion taking part
comes remarkably close to the game I recall from years ago. Participation to date is patchy
and in the Ashford area the game is played by just a few of us on a friendly and inclusive
basis. All shapes and sizes, male and female are welcome.
At the recent coffee morning I described my experience and asked if there were others in the
room (or family members known to those present) who may be keen to give walking football a
try and, who knows, establish a U3A team which in time could progress to play games against
other teams in the East Kent area. With the support of our local Committee we have decided to
test the waters to gauge interest. The current players meet on Monday mornings and are keen
to reach out to new participants. Anyone interested or with questions about the activity is
welcome to contact me.
Oh- I should have mentioned Walking Football is excellent cardio-vascular exercise and it beats
a session in the gym every time!
Ian Forward
Contact details:
01233 733517
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Ashford, Wye & District U3A – Globe Theatre trip
On Monday, 12 December, thirty eight U3A members attended the December trip which was to
the Globe Theatre (pictured above) on the south bank of the River Thames in London.
The normal luxury coach collection points at Wye and Ashford were utilised, departing Ashford
at just after 8 o’clock in the morning.
The coach journey was comfortable and we were deposited close by the Globe Theatre, after
which a five minute walk saw us comfortably seated in the refectory attached to the theatre
where a welcome coffee and hot baked cookie was enjoyed by all. Suitably refreshed, we
found the reception centre for visitors, checked in, and enjoyed the first element of the tour,
which was a history of the theatre scene on the south side of the River Thames, opposite the
city of London.
In general terms, it appears that the city was the place to enjoy good living and successful
business, but the south side of the river was the ‘dark side’ where people took their pleasures
of a slightly more unsavoury nature, bear-baiting, alehouses, “ladies of the night”, and the
theatre were enjoyed, not necessarily in that order! London Bridge, some distance
downstream, was the only River Thames crossing at that time, so ferrymen with rowing boats
made a roaring trade.
Originally, the acting profession was a male orientated trade, and ladies were played by young
men whose voices had not yet broken, and with appropriate attire to make the image correct.
The Globe Theatre is now in its third iteration, the first two having been destroyed by fire, and
in the early 1600s being destroyed by the strict nature of non-enjoyment as persuaded by the
government of the day.
It was towards the end of the last century that plans were made to rebuild the Globe Theatre,
and the person who was the driving force in this ambition was Sam Wanamaker who oversaw
the project to its operation, and today the Globe Theatre stands as a faithful reproduction of
the second Globe Theatre, on a site only some 200 yards distance from the original site.
Despite modern building techniques being available, the construction is very much as before,
using oak wooden beams and structural elements, a thatched roof and the dimensions being
very much as before based upon calculations made from the limited foundations of the original
theatre.
We were treated to a full discourse of the structure of the theatre, and where historically, the
best seats were to be found, and, how the centre well of the theatre is filled with up to 700
standing theatregoers, known as ‘groundlings’. The three tiers of seating support up to 900
theatregoers. As most of you will realise, the theatre is a ring configuration, with the centre of
A&WU3anewsletterDec16
the ring exposed to the elements, so if it rains, the ‘groundlings’ get wet, very wet!! The actors
fare better by way of a big structural canopy over the stage.
Another section of the visit was the illustration of what Elizabethan clothes were like, as worn
by actors, and the general public. The main undergarment was rather like a long T-shirt, and
the benefit was not to keep the wearer warm, but to protect the clothes from the body of the
wearer. As it was typical only to have a bath twice a year, winter and summer (hence the
pleasure of summer weddings!) you can imagine the dirt, perspiration and general detritus
close to the body which would be absorbed by the undershirt and not transmitted to the
clothes. How times have changed.
All in all, another thoroughly enjoyable trip, much appreciated by all the travellers and once
again a very big thank you to the organising committee.
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