Stamford Third Age Group
NEWSLETTER
Issue 163
SEPTEMBER 2014
CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS
At the last meeting I mentioned the ‘Lights out’ campaign
to remember the 100 year anniversary of Britain’s
declaration of war on Germany which started the First
World War. In the event, in addition to no lights in many
public places and events many businesses and homes
also switched off their lights. So much so that at 10 pm
the National Grid demand fell by 500 Megawatts, which
is about 1.5% of the total capacity. Notably at Piccadilly
Circus the giant screens dispensed with the usual
advertisements showed instead pictures of poppies and
black and white pictures of the war. I thought that you
would like to know how well the campaign to remember
had gone.
You will see that the next U3A Summer Schools at
Harlaxton, the 14th, are being launched today. This
event is usually very successful and popular, as its
longevity attests. Quite a number of people have
attended upwards of eight years! Harlaxton Manor is an
inspiring, almost hypnotic place and some people almost
experience the need to visit the place every year.
Details are shown in the newsletter. If you are not
planning to attend, then please pass the word round your
friends, in particular those from other U3As. We are
trying to ensure that these events can continue, but in
the final analysis they depend on our members’ support.
Some or our groups have been doing particularly well,
for example the Social Contact Group. They have
organised a variety of outings and get togethers which
have been very popular. I am grateful to Peter Herrick
for his organisation and efforts to keep this group going.
Stanley Daniel’s brand new group has changed its name
to increase the number of members who might be
interested in joining. The name has changed to the
Board Game Group, and they will be pursuing other
board games in addition to chess to widen the attraction.
Again groups are only successful if they have sufficient
following. So, to old members and new I say - try
something new this Autumn, join a new group. Your
might be surprised how much you’ll enjoy it.
As all group activity restarts after the Summer, I have a
request for group leaders who have available places and
who would like to increase the membership of their
groups - please let me know and give me details and we
will try to include expanded news about your groups in
the Newsletter, ie in addition to your normal news. Just
let me know, and if we have sufficient response we can
start a group drive in the Newsletter for the Autumn.
As you all know we have been trying to get some
volunteers to help with the audio/visual support at the
monthly meetings. After many months of trying we have
not succeeded. I find that amongst some 700 members
we have not had any offers. After all, it is not very
onerous as it would mean helping on two or three
monthly meetings over the whole year! We will stop
asking and if we run out of support - we run out of
support!
Finally, we need some feedback from you on any
subject. If you have any, either good or bad, contact me.
All the best,
Horace
e: [email protected]
COMMITTEE MEMBER S
Horace Farquhar-Smith
Rosemary Peck
Peter Bearne
Jim Guthrie
Lynne Robinson
Michael Crowe
Val Harvey
David Woodman
Jim Duncan
Pauline Horrocks
Molly Roberts
Chairman
Secretary
Treasurer
Membership Secretary
Group Coordinator
Speaker Finder
Joint Speaker Finder
Website
Committee Member
Committee Member
Committee Member
Visit your website
t: 01780 756316
MONTHL Y PROG RAMME
Sep 1st
Oct 6th
Sir Joseph Banks, the man and
his achievements
Pearl Wheatley
Reflections on 35 years of
Lincolnshire Justice
Alan Middleton
Monthly meetings are held on the first Monday of
the month at Barn Hill, except for Bank Holidays.
Coffee at 10 am - the meeting will start at
10.30 am.
Registered Charity Number: 1077090
www.StamfordU3A.co.uk
HARLAXTON 2015
12 to 15 July 2015 School
16 to 19 July 2015 School
Buildings of Lincoln
David Start
Women Artists
Hendy Farquhar-Smith
Greek and Roman Myths and Legends Jack Dawson
Art for All
Barbara Clemence
What’s Your Story?
Kate Mitchell
Music in the Time of War
David Lovell Brown
Great Glasshouses & Fantastic Follies
Andrew Sankey
Behind the Throne
Jean Townsend
Harlaxton and its Occupants
Hendy Farquhar-Smith
Three Irish Novels
Sue Love
Geology and Scenery
Martyn Bradley
Drama for Beginners and Improvers
Maggie Hale
Singing for Fun
Paul White and the Team
Attend one or two courses at Harlaxton next year. The Manor is a beautiful and unique 19 th Century country house which
has been lovingly restored by the University of Evansville. Attending a course at Harlaxton is a great experience, come
and enjoy it! But hurry because places go very quickly!
www.HarlaxtonU3A.co.uk
OR
contact Hendy Farquhar-Smith 756316 or Pat Leggett 01778 341248
WILLIAM MORRIS GALLERY
INVESTMENT GROUPS
Hendy is organising a private visit to this gallery on
Tuesday 23rd September on behalf of the Art Fund. The
cost will be £45, to include a guided tour and buffet
lunch. Danish Invader only pick up at 9 am.
There are two Investment Groups actively looking for new
members. These groups are not part of the U3A and
therefore you don’t need to be a member to join.
See Hendy at the meeting or ring her on 756316 if you
are interested.
HARROGATE FLOWER SHOW
There will be a coach trip to this event on Friday 12th
September. The cost will be £30 including admission.
Coach will leave the Bus Station at 8.15 am and Danish
Invader at 8.20 am. We will leave Great Yorkshire
Showground at 4.00 pm.
Bookings with deposit will be taken at the September
meeting or contact Sandy Ellis 763377
STRATHSPEY DANCING
There will be no meetings in August and September.
The next meeting will be on 1st October.
Graham Creedy 481084
ART HISTORY
The next meeting of this group will be on Wednesday
10th September when there will be a change to the
advertised programme as we will be beginning a series
looking at the work of Women Artists
10th September Sofonisba Anguissola and
Lavinia Fontana
24th September Artemisa Gentileschi
The meetings are held in the small upper room at Barn
Hill. Coffee from 10 a.m. Talk starts at 10.30 a.m. New
members always welcome.
For more information contact Hendy 756316
SINGING FOR PLEASURE
One of the groups is the Four Counties Group, while the
other is the Priory Group.
If you are interested in joining one of these groups, or if
you would like more information please contact Hendy or
Horace on 756316.
SELF HELP FOR HEALTH
The next meeting will be held on Monday, 15th
September at Ryhall Village Hall 2 pm.
The subject will be 'The Importance of Being Prepared
(financially, legally and medically).'
Pauline Horrocks, Carer and Sarah Westwood, Solicitor
will explain how you can prepare for the unknown.
Everyone welcome.
Elaine Ward 756012
INDOOR BOWLS
Free taster Session
On Saturday 20th September and Saturday 27th
September Stamford and District Indoor Bowls
Association are holding FREE taster sessions from 9.30
am – 12 noon at their club in Exeter Gardens. Equipment
will be provided. Everyone welcome.
STAMFORD AND DISTRICT LOCAL HISTORY
SOCIETY LECTURE
On Thursday 11th September David Marcombe will be
giving a lecture on The Daughters of Durham – St
Leonard’s Priory, Stamford in context. The lecture is
being given in Barn Hill Methodist Church at 7.30 pm with
refreshments from 7 pm. Entry is £3 for members and £5
for non-members.
GILBERT AND SULLIVAN PLAYERS
There will be no meetings of this group until Thursday
11th September and the meeting will be at the United Reformed Church Hall.
The next production by this company will be Ruddigore at
the Corn Exchange Theatre from 8th to 11th October.
Tickets are available from the Corn Exchange Theatre
766455 or by using the booking form on the website
Rita Wood 766345
www.stamfordgandsplayers.co.uk
WALKING GROUP
CHURCH VISITING
5th September
Ryhall – meet in Sainsbury’s Car
Park by the steps. Mary 752497
The next visit will be to St George's Church, Stamford
meeting at 2.30 pm. Tea will be arranged. Please note
change of time.
19th September
Ferry Meadows – meet in Yacht Club
Car park Joan 754012
rd
3 October
Laxton
Barbara 07762112182
–
meet
by the
Church.
Walks start at 10 am. New members always welcome.
Helen Wright 01733 252988
PETERBOROUGH TRAVEL CLUB
This Club meets every six weeks and have lots of
holidays on offer – both in the UK and abroad. The next
meeting is on Saturday 6th September at 10 am at the
Jack Hunt School PE3 9PN
Membership of the club is £2 per annum and if you wish
to get priority booking the join Peterborough U3A for £8.
At each meeting there are lots of stalls, each dealing with
a particular trip. Members register their interest in a
holiday and are then contacted if there are enough
people to make a trip.
All information is available on the Peterborough U3A
website. Specifically, you can find details of their current
trips at http://www.peterboroughu3a.org.uk/activity/337.
Itineraries, interest lists and booking forms at http://
tinyurl.com/klc7ckx can be viewed, printed or downloaded
to your home computer or tablet. Phone on 01733
269108 if you are interested in any of their trips.
Pauline Horrocks
e: [email protected]
SECOND SUNDAY LUNCH
The next meeting of the Second Sunday Lunch Group
will be on September 21st at the Black Bull, Market
Overton 12.30 pm for 1.00 pm. Two courses £13.95,
three courses £17.95. Please let us know which you
prefer of beef/lamb/pork/fish. If you are coming, let us
know by Friday 12th September.
John and Edna Jakeman 757849 or
e: [email protected]
Mavis Sharpe 755004 Elaine Ward 756012
U3A NATIONAL EVENTS
U3A Explores Science. 30th September at the Royal
Institution of Great Britain, 21 Albemarle Street, London
W 1 from 1.30 pm – 5 pm, with talks on Poisons,
Psychopaths and Materials Science. Admission by
ticket only - £20 from The Third Age Trust, 19, East
Street, Bromley, Kent.
Cheltenham Literature Festival. This will run from
3rd – 12th October and a special U3A price of £8 per
member per event has been organised. Preferential
advance booking for U3A members has also been
arranged from 29th – 31st August. For the full programme
visit cheltenhamfestivals.com.
Inspiration Day for U3A Members. This is being
held at the Royal Opera House Bob and Tamar
Manoukian
Production Workshop in Thurrock on
Wednesday 8th October 11 am – 3.30 pm. The day will
consist of a tour of the building, a talk on Scenic Art and
a Hands on Costume Workshop. Cost £18 to include
refreshments with an optional sandwich lunch @ £5.
Tickets from the Third Age Trust, address as above.
U3A West End Sing Out!
This will be held on
Wednesday 22nd October at the Playhouse Theatre
Northumberland Avenue, London from 10.30 am – 4.30
pm. It will be led by Louisa Ridgeway and will cost £35
to include workshop, sandwich lunch and CD recording.
Ring Horace on 756316 if you want an application form.
POETS AND THEIR POETRY
The Poetry Group will resume on Friday, September 12th
at Barn Hill at 2 pm. We are now at the letter O. Anyone
interested in joining the group will be most welcome. For
more details contact
Irene Beeken 01778 342300.
CYCLING GROUP
We meet at the Rutland Cycling shop in Normanton Car
park. Whether you are an experienced cyclist or a
beginner, all are welcome and guided by experienced
leader Lee Wigginton.
Cycle hire and helmets are available at a special low
price if you don’t want to bring your own bike.
More information contact Ann Johnson 07753 328896.
BOARD GAME GROUP
WEBSITE www.StamfordU3A.co.uk
There is now a members-only section which is password
protected. There you will be able to see minutes,
accounts and Newsletters with all the members’ details.
Non-members will still be able to see the Newsletters
but without personal details.
If you haven’t received any instructions on how to visit
the members’ only section, please contact David
Woodman on [email protected]
We aim to introduce chess to those who
either never played the game or have played
it but not since they were youngsters. We’ll
encourage people to learn and practise, all in
friendly and non-competitive environment.
To renew your subscription, or to become a member,
please contact the Membership Secretary, Jim
Guthrie:
The group will meet in my house, on the second and
fourth Mondays every month. The next meeting will be
the 8th of September from 2.00 to 3.30 pm.
Please send comments and contributions to the Editor,
Hendy Farquhar-Smith:
If you would like to join us, call me or email
[email protected], and I will give you full details.
Stanley Daniels 752706
t: 01780 752755 e: [email protected]
t: 01780 756316 e: [email protected]
October deadline 24th September