Kettering U3A
17th May 2016 Kettering U3A Year 12 Newsletter 11 Today 17th May
A History of Wicksteed Park From the Chairman— May already? How can it be? And what’s more it’s nearly June!! Or it will be by the time you are reading this (and wearing your splendid hats, I trust). May into June means Renewals, Nominations, and the important business of the AGM. Volunteers for Committee, step forward! Make a difference. Also forthcoming next month will be a New Members’ meeting: all ye who have fairly recently joined, please put a note in your diaries for June 10th.
Mary Next Month
21st June
Annual General Meeting In Accordance with Proper Procedures we advise you of 2016’s Annual General Meeting to be held on Tuesday June 21st. It probably goes without saying that members are needed to fill posts that are about to become vacant, in order that KU3A’s very existence be maintained. Those staying in post are Chairman – Mary Wildman has one more year only; Treasurer – Elizabeth Toseland; Secretary – Di Tebbutt, also taking on the rôle of Membership Secretary; Newsletter/website Editor – Richard Boyles. Newly co-opted member, Chris Crick is willing to stand formally for election. Standing down are Cyril Young, Maggie McGuire, Marian Tucker. With an earlier resignation of Helen MacAdams.
Registered Charity No. 1108614
We are looking for at least three volunteers / nominees for the vacant posts; most importantly to meet the terms of the Constitution, we have to have a Vice Chairman. You will find Nomination Papers in your Newsletter. Recently joined members in particular, how about it??
www.u3aKettering.co.uk 1
or
www.u3asites.org.uk/kettering
Kettering U3A
Group Leaders Information
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Check that all members of your group are fully paid-up members of the U3A. Ensure that you have:A written record showing your member’s name, address, telephone number and email address. The name and telephone of each member’s emergency contact. The post code of your venue as this will be required by the emergency services should you need to call them out. Send articles, reports and photographs about your group to the Newsletter Editor. Copy deadline for the newsletter is 2 Saturdays before the monthly meeting. To put additional information and/or photographs on your Group’s web page on the Kettering U3A website, please email to the Web Master, Richard@Boyles.co.uk or send hardcopy to him. Advise the Group Coordinator of any changes to your group arrangements, e.g. venue, timing, group leader etc. Refreshments 2016 The Eden Centre will provide tea and coffee at 50p per cup with the U3A members helping to serve.
Members Information
Welcome to new members Elizabeth Asprey • • • • •
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Ermena Graham
Anne Balding
Advise the Membership Secretary, in writing, of any changes to your address, post code, telephone number or email address. If you are unable to attend your Group’s meeting, please advise your Group Leader in advance. If you know one of our members has a special occasion ahead, e.g. important birthday, anniversary or if they are ill and you feel a card from the U3A would be appreciated, please contact Joan Rolfe on 01536 521531 Bring your membership card with you to the meeting and have it available for checking in. If you cannot get to the monthly meeting for any reasons, you can get a copy of the Newsletter:-from either the Library or the Tourist Information desk, Manor House Museum, Kettering or from Desborough, Rothwell or Burton Latimer Libraries. Or via our postal service direct to your home (£10 per annum) Contact the Membership Secretary to do so. Download the newsletter (in glorious colour) from web site, www.u3asites.org.uk/kettering & click on Links.
Monthly Meeting Dates & Speakers 2016 Jun 21 Annual General Meeting Jul 19 Being Safe & Confident on the Road—Andy Collins Aug 16 Classic Cars—Steve Wardley
Sep 20 Oct 18 Nov 15 Dec 13
Kinky Boots by Steve Pateman The Old Candleworks by Marianne Perry A Tudor Christmas - Martin Sinot Smith U3A Singers (Note meeting one week earlier than normal)
Your Kettering U3A Committee 2015-2016 Chairman Vice Chairman Secretary Treasurer Membership Secretary Speaker Seeker Newsletter/Web site Groups Co-ordinator Committee Member (Co-Opt)
Mary Wildman Cyril Young Diane Tebbutt Elizabeth Toseland Maggi McGuire Marian Tucker Richard Boyles Cyril Young Chris Crick
01536 741 222 marywildman365@gmail.com STANDING DOWN at AGM 01536 392 556 di_tebbutt@hotmail.com 01536 460 029 elizabethtoseland@outlook.com STANDING DOWN at AGM STANDING DOWN at AGM 01536 744 753 richard@boyles.co.uk STANDING DOWN at AGM 01536 501 131 chris.crick@hotmail.co.uk 2
Kettering U3A
News — Interest Groups — Visits and Reports Bridge - We have a very friendly Bridge group who meet every Friday afternoon. If you can play Bridge but perhaps have not done so for a little while then please come and join us. I must say, however, that we do not teach it and therefore you must have some knowledge of the game to be able to join. You would be made very welcome. We start each Friday at 1.30pm at the Bridge Club in Field Street and we pay £2 each week and for that you get good company, a very interesting game and refreshments.
Our next meeting at the Eden Centre, 21, Montague Street, Kettering Format of the meeting:1.30 – 2.15 Renew Subscriptions 2.15—2.45 AGM 2.45 FREE Refreshments and A further opportunity to Renew Subscriptions 3.45 (approx) Meeting ends Wheelchair disabled access is available at the rear by phoning 01536 484 800
Contact: Sue Macfarlane 01536 523754
Newsletter DEADLINE— is 2 Saturdays before the monthly meeting.
Bookworms — The Shack, our latest read, proved to be the most controversial book we have read. One member loved it so much she read it twice - another could not finish it. Opinions differed on the content, the story of a man who goes to The Shack and meets with God after his child is abducted. If you enjoy reading, come and join us. Next meeting - 25th May 2016 Contact:
You can read and download the newsletter in FULL COLOUR from our internet page at
www.U3AKettering.co.uk Contact: Richard Boyles 01536 744 753 richard@boyles.co.uk
Speaker Seeker - Thank you to all who gave me your views on Nick Penny, the harpist from last month, it is much appreciated. I have been up dating my Speaker Seeker file and I write in it all your recommendations for speakers, evaluation of speakers, proposed speakers and planned speakers. However, in the folder labelled "History of Speakers for the Kettering U3A" I am missing 2005 -2011. If any past Speaker Secretary or member has the list of these speakers it would be very useful to go into this file. Still looking for a new Speaker Seeker for the next committee 2016 - 2017. The job is very rewarding and most of 2017 is already planned. I will be able to help you. There is a member reading this who will make a wonderful Speaker Seeker and it could be you. Contact: Marian Tucker 01536 510 354 mariantucker1954@gmail.com
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Pauline Parkin 01536 799 197 paulineparkin@hotmail.com
Kettering U3A
Canals & Waterways—Six of us took a very relaxing journey on the Eurostar via Bruxelles Midi to Amsterdam. Once again we were blessed with sunny weather which enabled us to enjoy the sights. We learned a lot about the city via a canal boat ride, a double decker bus tour with commentary and a visit to the canal museum. The museum told the story of how the city was planned in the seventeen hundreds and the two trips enabled us to see how it all turned out. To top it all we visited the Riijks Museum to see some paintings by Vemeer and Rembrandt.
Busy Needles and Banter — It is a truth universally acknowledged (among knitters, at any rate) that you can never have enough wool, buttons, needles and patterns. BN ladies and our sister tricoteuses, have recently been the beneficiaries of KU3A members’ generosity in this regard. Donors know who they are and we, along with the recipients of our industry, are very grateful indeed for the bags of handicrafting goodies that have been passed on to us. Among the items recently sent to Kettering General were some tiny cardies made by Knit and Natter members; staff at the neo-natal unit were delighted. It is invidious to single out one particular item, when so much love, skill and dedication go into what we make, but I have to mention a quilt made by Janet Bright that took our breath away. Thank you, JB.
The rest of the group went to Rutland Water to visit the blue bell wood, followed by lunch at the waterside. We are going to Lincoln in May. For those who are going just for the day we shall meet at 11am for coffee at Starbucks in the Holiday Inn, Brayford Waterfront. If the weather is good we shall have a boat trip on The Brayford Belle, which is £5.50 for seniors. The Castle will also be open and the Magna Carta is also back. If you wish to join us please let me know.
Contact: Mary Wildman 01536 741 222 marywildman365@gmail.com
Contact: Christine Strachan 01536 515730 cestrachan1@gmail.com
Card Making 1 — Contact: Mary Earl 01536 522 456 madearl@virginmedia.com Card Making 2 — A huge thank you to Maggi who drove 5 of us to Anne's for a wonderful card making day. We sat in front of carefully prepared cards from Anne and not one of them was the same. I never realised jars of tiny circles could produce such beautiful cards. Following lunch we played with Anne's die cutting machines. I know what's on my Christmas list. Thank you Anne for having the Card making group and giving us such inspiration. Contact: Marian Tucker 01536 510 354 mariantucker1954@gmail.com
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Kettering U3A
Country Matters — We started our April outing from Sudborough walking to Tichmarsh Wood where we spotted beautiful swathes of bluebells, the perfume of them was also glorious. We also saw primroses and cowslips. We heard lots of birdsong, saw several different butterflies including 4 peacock butterflies.. As some of the paths were very muddy I had to extend the walk to avoid the worst parts although this did allow us to see a new vineyard in a field near Lowick. Once back in Sudborough we enjoyed a most welcome lunch in the Vane Arms. As May’s outing will already have taken place (Queen’s Head Higham Ferrers) June’s meeting is scheduled for 9th June 10.15 for 10.30 start at The Stag’s Head Great Doddington once we have ordered lunches and had a ‘comfort stop’ we will then drive to Summer Leys Nature Reserve at Wollaston. Look forward to seeing you there. Contact:
Derek Warren 01536 518 560 derek@thewarrens.me.uk
Discussion Group — The next meeting of the Discussion Group will be Tuesday 14th June at the usual venue. The subjects for discussion be:- Is your holiday really necessary? and if we exhaust that subject and time permits "What happened to DIY man?" This will be the last meeting before the summer break; we will resume again in September. If you have a subject for discussion you would like included in the next session for example "Why does the group leader choose such boring subjects for discussion?" please forward your suggestions to Contact: Richard Ling
Computer Group — Last week we looked at how to backup all the data and photographs on your computer. In the event that you lose all your data due to a computer hard disk crash, fire or theft or a virus which encrypts all your files, a backup is your only saviour. Hand out sheets are available for anyone who missed the lesson, as well as those who are not members of the computer group. Just contact me. The next meetings are: Jun - No Meeting 12 Jul - Files & Folders Aug - No Meeting 13 Sep- Android Tablets & Phones Information and videos can be accessed from Computer Group link at the NEW web site at
Computer Group
www.U3AKettering.co.uk Contact: Richard Boyles 01536 744 753 e-mail: richard@boyles.co.uk As always, you can email me for any computer related advice or problems.
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01536 515 816 b_r_ling@hotmail.com
Kettering U3A
English Studies— continues to explore the world and language of Shakespeare through his plays. We have also been getting acquainted with Chaucer. Growing enthusiasm for this endeavour has brought us some new members and an additional meeting: we now meet on both the second and the fourth Monday afternoon of the month. There is still some room round my table, so if you are interestedS
Friday Pop-In - A good friendly group enjoyed the pop-in coffee and chat earlier today. With customers in our usual room, we met in the main auditorium with music turned low. Tom and David sent apologies and we look forward to seeing them in June. Next date: Friday 3rd June. Time: 10.00 – 11.30 a.m Kino Lounge, Market Place, Kettering. Contact: Janet Chivers 01536 214 250 janet.chivers@talk21.com
Contact: Mary Wildman 01536 741 222 marywildman365@gmail.com NEW GROUP—Aspects of English Did you miss out on language and grammar teaching at school, but wonder whether BBC English is really correct? Come for a few monthly meetings to help fill the gaps and discover how enjoyable our language is. First Wednesday of the month (PM) at home in Barton Seagrave. Contact: Diana Ellis 01536 723380
French Conversation - We have been busy with numbers until our mind could not think any more. Today we did some revisions and translations as well as story telling. Weekends away, hospital visits and holidays which are always great topics for using a varieties of new words. Our next two meeting will be the 20th of May and 17th of June at the usual place. Both meeting times have been changed to 3.00 to 5.00 pm at Lamb & Holme, West Street, Kettering.
French - 2nd and 4th Tuesday at 2pm
Contact: Michele Junin 01536 671 971 m.p.junin@outlook.com
Contact: Diana Ellis 01536 723 380 Gardening Group — On Sunday 6 June from 2 to 6 pm you can visit three gardens in Finedon, NN9 5JN, 6 miles SE of Kettering at 67-69 High Street, 11 Thrapston Rd, and The Vicarage. Cream teas at 67-69 High Street. Combined admission £3.50, children free, in aid of NGS charities. All three gardens are very different so you will see mixed borders, containers, planters, water features, pergolas, rose arches, soft fruit, apple trees, shrubs, raised beds and sculptures. Home raised plants for sale. All gardens individually signposted from the A6 and the A510. Car share if possible. Mostly wheelchair friendly.
Family History - We had 19 U3A members at our fourth meeting and there is still space for more if you wish to join. We cater for all levels of experience and I am sure everyone will learn something new, novice to experienced. I certainly have. This month, Katrina from the LDS church gave us a very interesting and enlightening tutorial in using one of the major, and the largest, family history databases, Family Search, and using the program Roots Magic.
Contact: Ray Bradbury 01536 516 587 prbrad@live.co.uk Heartbeat— We met in early April in Cranford and enjoyed our brisk walk round the village, we had coffee in the Old Forge. Spring was certainly in full swing with the churchyard; it was full of spring flowers. Our next walk will be on Monday 4th July 2016 meeting out side the church in Geddington NN14 1AH at 10 o'clock. Contact: Bridget Ling 01536 515 816 b_r_ling@hotmail.com
Next Meetings: 13 Jun - Parish Records and how to find them online and in Record Offices. 11 Jul - Back to Basics. How to start researching your family history. For complete beginners and a refresher for those who are coming back after a break. Keep checking the web site below for new hints, tips, tutorials and resources.
www.U3AKettering.co.uk Contact: Richard Boyles
01536 744 753 richard@boyles.co.uk
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Kettering U3A
Golf — Our regular group meets at 1.30 pm Fridays at Pytchley Golf Club still seems to be the most popular time !!
German Basic Conversation — Contact: Joe Fletcher 01536 722 399
Contact: Alan Stephens 01536 726 911 or 07931 637 660 or alanstephens26@outlook.com
Knit and Natter - Everyone has been busy knitting and produced various items, some of which have been given to the neonatal unit at Kettering hospital and some jumpers have gone to the 'fish and chip' babies. This is a charity set up to help babies in Africa that are sent home wrapped in newspaper to keep them warm. I have an easy to follow pattern (knitted all in one) if anyone wanted to make a jumper. I would like to thank all those who have donated wool to us. It is much appreciated.
History - At the meeting on Monday 6th June Fred West from the Aviation Museum near Harrington, will be telling us about the role women played during WWII including flying Spitfires etc. Doors open at 2pm with an entrance fee of £2 6th Jun Women at War 4th July Sir Christopher Hatton & Queen Elizabeth 1 1st Aug The Tresham family 5th Sept The Story of the early Post. 3rd Oct The Growth & Development of Burton Latimer 7th Nov The Gunpowder Plot 5th Dec Kettering Parks Revisited To all U3A members - please let Eileen or Maggi know if you are able to recommend any History Speakers and let us have their email address or telephone number.
Contact: Annette Chidwick 01536 523 867 annette.chidwick@tiscali.co.uk
Lunch Club - Members enjoyed a carvery meal at the Trading Post in April. The next lunch will be at the Thornhill Arms, Rushton and hosted by Jean Hazard and Helen McAdams. Book your place and select your meal from the menu at the monthly meeting on 17th May. A £5 deposit will be required for this venue.
Contact: Eileen Mason
01536 725 925 edmason5@yahoo.co.uk or Maggi McGuire 01536 392 716 maggi.mcguire@outlook.com
Contact: Maggi McGuire 01536 392 716 maggi.mcguire@outlook.com
KETTERING U3A Committee June 2016 – May 2017 I wish to propose SSSSSSSSSSS to stand for election to the Committee. I confirm that the person I have nominated has agreed to stand and is prepared to serve on the Committee. Proposer’s NameSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.. SignatureSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS Please print name
Seconder’s NameSSSSSSSSSSSSSS. SignatureSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS Please print name
Post applied forSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS Please return all nominations forms to Diane Tebbutt (Secretary) by Friday May 27th at the latest for the June AGM meeting. 48 Salisbury Street, Kettering NN16 9LN
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Kettering U3A
Musical Circles 1 — March Following recent wet weather, our theme was “The Flood” 1) The water came after a storm - so we’ll start with some jazz. Ethel Waters singing Stormy Weather. Written in 1933 by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler. 2) On the same theme Beethoven’s Piano Sonata The Tempest played by Alfred Brendel (possibly Shakespeare!) 3) The Creation by Haydn. And God said “Let there be water” and Rolling in foaming billows. And God said “Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that have life and fowl that may fly above the earth” and On Mighty Pens, which mentions several different species of bird but not the seagull which came to our lake! 4) River stay away from my door written by Harry Woods in the 1920s in a collaboration with Mort Dixon, sung by Paul Robeson. Our last piece before the break is what the flood became after the storm 5) The Enchanted Lake by Antoly Lyadov (1855 1914) played by the Rome Orchestra of the National Academy of St Cecilia conducted by Antonio Pappano. 6) Finland is a country of fiords, so excuse for a brass band arrangement of Sibelius’ Finlandia by Thomas Bidgood for his son, the bandleader Harry Bidgood in the early 1920s. Played by the Black Dyke Mills Band. 7) And finally some work by Greig composed in a hut by a lake - Peer Gynt Overture and Peer Gynt Suite No 1
Looking at Churches — In April our group went to St.Peter’s Church in Isham on a lovely sunny afternoon. We had a complete change of itinerary, as instead of a guide to show us around , we were given a quiz sheet with photographs of different things to be found in the church. This made us really look at every detail of the various carvings, windows and banners, and proved to be very interesting. Four of the church members turned up to welcome us and help us to find some of the more difficult items, one of which was a carving underneath a misericord. You would need to stand on your head to find that one! It was all good fun and some of us cheated a bit, but quite entertaining. The church has some lovely windows, including a brightly coloured modern one which was dedicated to a little girl who died in 1995. Another window depicted St.Francis of Assisi, and there was some debate as to how many birds were in the picture, which was one of our questions. After the visit to the church, most of the group went across the road to the Bear & Beignet coffee shop, which was previously the Monk & Minstrel pub, and is now a modern refurbishment.
On an April afternoon we enjoyed the following:Voice Some of Mozart's Requiem Torna a Surriento sung by Vittorio Grigolo Summertime (Gershwin) sung by Leontyne Price Oh What a Beautiful Mornin' (Oklahoma) If I Loved You (Carousel) So Far (Allegro) all sung by Bryn Terfel Orchestral Symphony no.3. (Organ) by Saint Saens Sabre Dance (xylophone) by Khachaturian Theme from the film Schindler's List by Williams The Humming Chorus from Madama Butterfly by Puccini Piano concerto No.5 (Emperor) by Beethoven Adagio from the Oboe Concerto by Albioni
There will be no church tour in May due to holiday, so on Wednesday, June 15th at 2.0pm, it will be to Hallaton LE16 8TY. This is an afternoon organised by Hallaton villagers, and comprises :. A visit to the museum – Hallaton in the Great War.Tales of the Unexpected. . A tour of St. Michael and All Angels church. . A guided walk round historic Hallaton. A few years ago a horde of Roman coins and treasure was found in a field in Hallaton, and this is now housed in Market Harborough museum, so I hope we will hear a bit about that too. There will be a charge of £5 per person for this.
Another pleasant and relaxing afternoon. Contact: Carole Bradbury 01536 516 587 cabrad@me.com
Contact: Janet Clements 01536 507 721 janet.clements@ntlworld.com
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Kettering U3A
MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS FOR 2016/17
Musical Circles 2 — It was an afternoon of surprises, little heard of composers played by little known artists, starting with the Impromptu No 2 composed by Jan Vaclav Vorisek round about 1800. Then the delightfully named Henryk Wieniawski with his Etude Caprice played by David Oistrakh. Next was the more familiar Franz List with Mikhail Pletnevor playing the awkwardly named Gnomenreigen S 145 No 2 and Ivor Pogorelichol at the piano playing Domenico Scarlatti's Sonato in E Major. We finished the session before refreshments with Morton Gow's Boogie Woogie Etude with Shura Cherkassky at the piano. After the break it was time to hear Joseph Bodin de Boissmortier's Concerto for Five Flutes and Johann Nepomuk Hummel with Dana Pritopopescue at the piano playing his Piano Sonato No 3. We then listened to a Violin Sonato of Charles Auguste Beriot played by Takako Nishizaki. We followed that by the Kyrie from The Heavenly Revelations composed by Hildegard Von Bingen, the earliest composer I have in my collection, who lived from 1098 to 1179. We ended the afternoon with a return to normal by listening to the Withan Quartet playing Beethoven 's String Quartet Opus 18. Despite the strange sounding names of the composers and artists it was an afternoon of interesting and delightful music heard in good company. What more could anyone ask.
Yes, it is almost that time of the year again. First of all we are pleased to tell you that the membership fee will remain at £15.00 for the period 1 July to 30 June 2017. Membership Renewal forms will be ready for collection when you come into the lobby area of the Eden Centre at the April Meeting, Renewal can be made either by post (address on the bottom of the renewal form) Cheques should be made payable to “Kettering U3A” and a stamped addressed envelope must be enclosed (big enough to hold your membership card). Alternatively you can renew your membership, personally, at the May, June or July meetings. IF YOU DECIDE NOT TO RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP PLEASE REMEMBER THAT YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ATTEND THE MONTHLY MEETINGS NOR CONTINUE TO BE A MEMBER OF OR ATTEND ANY GROUPS.
Photography Group — I'm afraid the April meeting of the Photography Group had to be cancelled because only a couple of people could make it in the end. We hope to have a meeting in May, but the scheduled date is Bank Holiday Monday which is not a good time to arrange a group meeting, with so many people arranging their own activities over the Bank Holiday weekend. And the following Monday I shall be on holiday in Herefordshire. Therefore we are hoping to meet at Sywell Aerodrome on Monday 16th May, although I have already received some apologies for that date, so group members will have to wait to hear from me to see if it goes ahead. In the meantime I hope group members have been busy with their cameras. Spring flowers, exciting weather conditions, lots of local events taking place - no excuses for lack of things to take. If you use Photoshop or Lightroom to process your images I hope you took advantage of the Google offer of Nik Efex software absolutely free! It was £95 if you were not a subscriber to Adobe Cloud, but suddenly the powers that be at Google decided to offer it free to all. I love the Silver Efex software, and I attach some monochrome images made with the help of it.
Contact: Eileen Mason 01536 725 925 edmason5@yahoo.co.uk Playford English Country Dancing We have been happy to welcome members of the Ise Valley U3A to our group. We meet on 2nd & 4th Weds. of each month at St.Andrew Church Rooms. 10.30a.m.-noon. We welcome new members to the group. You don't need to come with a partner or in special clothing / footwear. Contact: Jean Beaver 01933 224 474 beaver.jean@yahoo.co.uk
Contact: Trevor Rudkin 01536 711 976 trevor.rudkin@gmail.com Stitchin' Time— Two new members joined us for our Crochet, Knitting and Cross Stitching session. We are learning new skills and enjoying an afternoon with likeminded crafters, creating granny squares, jumpers and pictures. Next meeting - 1st June 2016. Contact:
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Pauline Parkin 01536 799 197 paulineparkin@hotmail.com
Kettering U3A
Safe Driving — Our ability to drive gives us a great deal of independence. Driving should be enjoyable, but for various reasons it can sometimes be stressful. Our years of driving experience should make us safer than less experienced drivers, but as we get older our health and fitness begin to decline and age-related conditions, particularly our eyesight and physical condition, will affect our ability to drive. Increasing age may affect our confidence and a short driving assessment might be useful. Most of us haven’t had our driving reviewed since we took our driving test and as a result we may do things too late or drive too close to the vehicle in front of us. A few ‘tips and tricks’ to improve safety and confidence on the road will make driving more enjoyable and much safer!
Trips & Visits - Thursday 20th October 2016 Bank of England. £27.00 coach only. If numbers reached reduction could be possible. Please pay a deposit today balance at September meeting. NEW. Tuesday 13 September 2016. St Albans Concert for Queens 90th birthday. Music hall celebration (See leaflets). Cost £32.00. Includes concert and lunch. Coach subject to numbers £25.00 total £55.00 per person. I need to confirm this in May so please advise as soon as possible if you are interested. ALL CHEQUES PAYABLE TO U3A KETTERING ACCOUNT NO 2. Contact Eileen Mason at todays meeting . Otherwise phone me. I will not be available 16- 23 April Maureen Curd.
To discuss safe driving and other driving-related issues, I’ve been very fortunate to be able to arrange for Andy Collins to give a presentation to Kettering U3A members at the meeting at the Eden Centre on 19 July 2016. Andy is the owner of the Safe Wheels Consultancy in Kettering, having previously been responsible for police driver training in Northamptonshire. Andy’s wide experience during more than thirty years in the police force enables him to speak with great authority about safe driving and how we, as older drivers, can enjoy driving for as long as possible.
Contact: Maureen Curd 01832 732 361 maureen@u3akettering.co.uk Theatre Goers — Local At the moment, the group is trying to get a new group leader. Walking Group - On what was the brightest day of the year so far for us 16 set out on Wednesday 4th May from the Kings Head Pub in Smeeton Westerby, a small village just outside Kibworth for our monthly walk. Heading out towards Fleckney with the sun shining and the birds singing we strolled down a lane past fields of somewhat noisy sheep hidden behind the hedgerows. We then passed through a relatively new tree plantation with just a few clumps of bluebells which hopefully will spread and naturalise over the next few years to arrive at the Grand Union Canal. Heading over the top of the Saddington Tunnel we followed the canal towpath passing a few narrow boats on the way. Leaving the canal towpath we crossed several fields over stiles and bridged ditches through fields mostly with sheep but one with a heard of young bullocks who happily chose to ignore us and back into the village for a pleasant pub lunch.
I hope you’ll be able to enjoy Andy’s presentation in July, but if you’d like help with any driving related issues or to find out more about the Safe Driving Group, please contact either Roy or Steve. Steve Clorley 01832 732342 or 07973 624815 stephen.clorley@yahoo.com Roy Franklin 01536 482808 or 07751 106617 r.franklin672@btinternet.com Singing For Pleasure — Singing Group A continues to go forth with joyful voice, adding to our repertoire. No resting on laurels nor allowing grass growth under our feet! Group B are equally enthusiastic and a joy to be with. More disparate perhaps than Group A they come together to have a go at anything thrown at them from whatever musical genre. I am immensely proud of them all. But, oh, we need more men. Gordon and Geoff are wonderful but are particularly desirous of – and indeed deserving of - more male support. So come on, lads, be brave. Think Nelson Eddy: “Give me some men who are stout-hearted men ...”
The next walk will be on the 1st June starting from the White Horse Inn at Stoke Albany LE16 8PY and will start at 10.15 a.m. Lunch can be pre-ordered. Walk leaders are Ann and John Kemp on 01536 761241 or 07789 415720 or annkemp88@talktalk.net. Contact: Helen Neale 01536 723 899 or 07763 980 840 or Neil Burton 01536 526 966 neb2804@hotmail.co.uk
For further information, or even to volunteer!! Contact: Mary Wildman 01536 741 222 marywildman365@gmail.com
Wining and Dining - We had a lovely evening at The Neville Arms, good food good service. I shall be booking The Swan at Lamport on June 8th at 7.0pm. If you are interested in joining us please let me know by June 1st.
Sugar Craft— If anyone who would like to learn, but feels they are hopeless, come to watch as we work and I guarantee that they will soon realise that they can achieve good results.
Contact: Christine Strachan 01536 515 730 cestrachan1@gmail.com
Contact: Joan Allingham 01536 722 610 10
Kettering U3A
Writers Group— A small gathering but perfectly formed. We were taken round in circles (luckily not everdecreasing) in ‘Ringing the Changes’; we were offered a beautiful meditation on the nature of love in ‘On This Delightful Land’; we were given a fascinating short (but powerful) story ‘In Mummy’s Shoes’ with an unexpected punch-line on gender; and ‘Cuckoo’s Egg’ was a hilarious mix of ‘Call the Midwife’ and ‘Dracula’. Sharing writing like this that’s both entertaining and involving is a joy.
Water Colour Painting Classes - The Group meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month from September to March. Our classes are held in the Parish Hall, Market Place, Kettering, NN16 0AL, from 1.15pm to 3.15pm. The Autumn Term starts again on 8th September 2016. Fees for each term are around £10.00 (6 classes). If you are interested in painting or drawing then come along to our classes. You may use oils, water colours, acrylics or pastels. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced painter we welcome everyone. You must be a fully paid up member with the U3A before you are able to join us.
We also took a little time to discuss writing courses and competitions (Arvon, mslexia) and to congratulate Elizabeth Brassington on being shortlisted for the Nottingham Writers’ Club’s National Short Story Competition 2016. We’ll be meeting again at 2pm on the first Tuesday, 7 June as usual at the Parish Church Rooms in the Market Place. Plenty of free parking! For those who aren’t bringing along a text of their own choice Sally organised a round robin of subjects last month to give us inspiration they are still up for grabs: * Too many coat hangers. * The moment I knew I had won. * Apparently it’s in fashion again. * Ringing the changes. Thanks again, Sally! We still have room for one or two more members. Whether you write a journal or a diary, memoirs or stories, you will be welcome to come and chat to us at the U3A monthly meeting, third Tuesday of the month at the Eden Centre, Montagu Street, Kettering.
"The Windmill "is painted in water colour by Sandy Childs.
Contact: Tom Piercy 01536 712 581 tom@tom-and-ann.demon.co.uk Spanish, Intermediate — The Spanish conversation group continues to meet on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month from 2pm to 4pm. We have the use of a training room free of charge so our sessions continue to be free. Just occasionally we cannot have the ASDA room and when this happens we have an alternative at a total cost of £10 per session. We use the book Pasos 2 which is for second level students and we are now well on the way to completing that. Because of the size of the ASDA room, we are now really at full capacity. However, we would be happy to consider one or at most two more members but because of the level our members are at, having completed more than two years of study, new students would need to have a reasonable knowledge of Spanish and be able to converse at a fairly fluent level.
"A Cornish Village" is painted in acrylics by Bob Thorogood. Contact: Jo Beaver on 01933 224 474 or Barbara Goodall on 01536 523 259
Contact: Bob Thorogood 01933 650 551 bob@rltservices.co.uk 11
Kettering U3A
Kettering U3A Interest Group Timetable Please contact group co-ordinator for more information before joining a group Day No fixed day Safe Driving Gardening Group Heartbeat Travel Groups Monday Card Making 2 Musical Circles 1 Knit and Natter History
Co-ordinator
Tel.no
Venue
Frequency
Time
Steve Clorley Roy Franklin Ray Bradbury Bridget Ling Maureen Curd
01832 732342 01536 482808 01536 516587 01536 515816 01832 732361
varies varies varies varies varies
varies varies varies varies varies
varies varies varies varies varies
Marian Tucker Maggi McGuire Carole Bradbury Annette Chidwick Maggi McGuire Eileen Mason Richard Boyles Trevor Rudkin
01536 510354 01536 392716 01536 516587 01536 523867 01536 392716 01536 725925 01536 744753 01536 711976
Home
3rd Monday
10.00 – 12 noon
Mary Wildman
01536 741222
Richard Boyles Richard Ling Mary Earl Diana Ellis Maggi McGuire Sue Hart Joan Allingham Tom Piercy
varies 3rd Monday Home 1st & 3rd Mondays Counties CommunityCentre 1st Monday
2.00pm 10.00 – 12 noon 2.00 – 4.00pm
LDS Church, Rothwell Road varies Home Home
2nd Monday 1st Monday 2nd Monday 2nd & 4th Mondays
2.00 – 4.00pm 2.00 – 4.00pm 10.30—12.30 2.00 – 4.00pm
01536 744753 01536 515816 01536 522456 01536 723380 01536 392716 01536 724635 01536 722610 01536 712 581
ASDA, Kettering Parish Church Rooms Home Home varies
2nd Tuesday 2nd Tuesday 1st Tuesday 2nd & 4th Tuesday 4th Tuesday
2.00 – 4.00pm 2.00 – 4.00pm 10.00 – 11.30am 2.00pm varies
Home Parish Church Rooms
weekly 1st Tuesday
1.30 – 4.00pm 2.00—4.00 pm
Joe Fletcher Bob Thorogood Pauline Parkin Mary Earl Janet Clements Eileen Mason Jean Beaver Ann Kemp Pauline Parkin Christine Strachan
01536 722399 01933 650551 01536 799197 01536 522456 01536 507721 01536 725925 01933 224474 See Newsletter 01536 799 197 01536 515730
Home varies varies Home varies varies St.Andrews Church varies Home varies
Fortnightly 2nd & 4th Wednesday 4th Wednesday 1st Wednesday 3rd Wednesday 3rd Wednesday 2nd & 4th Wednesday 1st Wednesday 1st Wednesday 2nd Wednesday
9.30 – 11.00 am 2.00 – 4.00pm 2.00 – 4.00pm 10.00 - 11.30am 2.00pm 2.00pm 10.30—12 noon varies 2.00 - 4.00pm varies
Christine Strachan Derek Warren Mary Wildman Barbara Goodall Jo Beaver
01536 515730 01536 518560 01536 741222 01536 523259 01933 224474
varies varies Home
3rd Thursday 2nd Thursday Fortnightly
2.00 – 4.00pm varies 10.00-12.00
Parish Church Rooms
2nd & 4th Thursdays
1.15 – 3.15pm
Sue Macfarlane Janet Chivers Michele Junin Alan Stephens
01536 523754 01536 214 250 01536 671 971 01536 726911
Bridge Club, Kettering Kino Lounge, Market Place To Be Advised Pytchley Golf Club
weekly 1st Friday 3rd Friday Every Friday
1.30 – 4.00pm 10.00 – 11.30am 2.00—4.00pm 1.00 – 4.00pm
Co-ordinator
Tel.no
Venue
Frequency
Time
Canasta
Margaret Hall
01536 512215
Kettering Bridge Club
Weekly
2.00-4.30pm
Swimming
Isabel Collins
01536 520971
Kettering Pool
Weekly
9.00-9.45am
Singing A
Jill Dee
01536 514054
Fuller Church
Fortnightly Fridays
10.00-11.45
Singing B
Mary Wildman
01536 741222
Fuller Church
Alternate Fridays
10.00-11.45
Family History Photography Theatre English Studies Tuesday Computer Group Discussion Group Greeting Card Making French Lunch Club Sugarcraft Writers Group Wednesday German Conversation Spanish Conversation Bookworms Card Making 1 Looking at Churches Musical Circles 2 Playford Dancing Walking Stitchin’ Time Wining & Dining Thursday Canals & Waterways Country Matters Busy Needles Water Colour Painting Friday Bridge Friday Pop In French Conversation Golf
Joint Meeting with Ise Valley U3A Day
Monday
Friday
12 RJB/2016