Kettering U3A
18th October 2016 Kettering U3A Year 13 Newsletter 4 Today
The Old Candleworks By
Marianne Perry From the Chairman—
OK. So this is how it is. There are eight of us; each doing far more than a single job, all of us volunteers, and each with medical conditions and/or other responsibilities and, if we’re lucky, lives outside the U3A. We rely on the support of other members, many of them past committee members and most already loaded with Interest Group responsibilities, (and they, God bless them, know who they are). We are human and therefore fallible; mistakes are made, things that should be picked up slip through the "system". Nobody’s fault: it’s the way it is. But you can change that. Get here a bit earlier and help with the setting out. Look out for anyone who seems unfamiliar, visitors will be sporting badges and show yourself as welcoming as we know you actually are. The Scrabble Group wants a leader, which means someone to host it. Surely someone among 300+ members can manage that. Can you be a welcomer? Or if sitting down is easier for you, can you help on the raffle table, or the book stall? If you do appreciate your U3A, then, please, demonstrate that you do. Will you get lumbered? Quite possibly. But you can change that too by encouraging others to help you help out. If you’re new don’t worry about stepping on toes. Speak up. As a friend of mine would say, “Remember what God gave you a gob for,” and open it - to universal benefit.
Mary Next Month
Registered Charity No. 1108614
15th November
A Tudor Christmas by Martin Sirot-Smith www.u3aKettering.co.uk 1
or
www.u3asites.org.uk/kettering
Kettering U3A
Group Leaders Information • • • • • •
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 In Case of Emergency contact. (ICE) 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, etc. Refreshments The Eden Centre will provide tea, coffee & biscuits at 50p per cup with the U3A members helping to serve.
Members Information
Welcome to new members Tony Loft, Martin Watts, Michael Petch, Jenny Petch Candice Rice and Sandra Brudenall • • • • •
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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 the secretary. 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.U3AKettering.co.uk & click on Links.
2016 Nov 15 A Tudor Christmas - Martin Sirot Smith Dec 13 U3A Singers + Members Fancy Dress Competition
May 16 Making of Miranda—Miranda Ponsonby Jun 20 Annual General Meeting Jul 18 Kicks & Frills: The story of the French Cancan— David Price Aug 22 Police Files—Bob Thorogood Sep 19 General Knowledge Quiz Oct 17 Magic Lanterns—Mr Grove Nov 21 Gilbert and Sullivan—Bernard Lockett Dec 12 Carols By Candle Light—U3A members (Note meeting one week earlier than normal)
Note meeting one week earlier than normal
SEE PAGE 7 2017 Jan 17 Who Do You Think You Are—Nick Barrett Feb 21 Northamptonshire Search & Rescue— Paul Marlow Mar 21 A Career That Lies In Ruins—Colin Oakes Apr 18 Charles Rennie Mackintosh Museum— Rob Kendall
Your Kettering U3A Committee 2016-2017 Chairman Vice Chairman Secretary Treasurer Membership Secretary Speaker Seeker Newsletter/Web site Groups Co-ordinator Committee Member
Mary Wildman 01536 741 222 Shirley Mepham 01536 416 182 Chris Crick 01536 501 131 Elizabeth Toseland 01536 460 029 Diane Tebbutt 01536 392 556 Linda Tyrrell 01536 683 947 Richard Boyles 01536 744 753 Sue Perkins 01536 519438 vacant post 2
marywildman365@gmail.com chris.crick@hotmail.co.uk elizabethtoseland@outlook.com di_tebbutt@hotmail.com lindaj.tyrrell@gmail.com richard@boyles.co.uk lazygirl_tresham@yahoo.co.uk
Kettering U3A
News — Interest Groups — Visits and Reports Ballroom Dancing—Ise Valley U3A — We would like to welcome your members to join us, as some do already. We meet at the Mash Dance Studio, on Grange Road, off Field Street, behind Sainsbury's. We meet on the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month from 12.45 to1.30pm. The cost is £4.50 per session. We have a professional teacher, who asks that we change our shoes to preserve the shiny floor. You don't need a partner and we change partners regularly. As the group is fairly new it would not be difficult to begin now as we are all beginners. Please come and join us to keep fit and have some fun. We need more members as we always have to have a minimum of 6 for each class. If you would like to come or speak to someone please contact either Pat Johnson 01536 483 398 or Matilda Harvey (organiser) 01536 522 195
Our next meeting at the Eden Centre, 21, Montagu Street, Kettering Format of the meeting:1.30 – 2.15 Refreshments and Notice Board observations. Browse the groups and chat Sign up to groups and trips 2.15— Chairman’s notices 2.30—3.30 Speaker 3.45 (approx) Meeting ends Wheelchair disabled access is available at the rear by phoning 01536 484 800 There is now a hearing loop installed at the Eden Centre. You should sit near the sign on the left of the hall when looking towards the stage.
Bookworms — We take turns to choose and recommend books, and have read an eclectic selection so far. We enjoy introductions to new authors, and books recommended by members of the group. Winter in Madrid, which we read and discussed recently, is a vivid and haunting depiction of wartime Spain, just after the Civil War. A story of intrigue, spies and a love story. Thoroughly enjoyed by all
Newsletter DEADLINE— is 2 Saturdays before the monthly meeting.
You can read and download the newsletter in FULL COLOUR from our internet page at
Next read - The Lake District Murder by John Budd. Meeting on October 26th.
www.U3AKettering.co.uk
Contact: Contact: Richard Boyles 01536 744 753 richard@boyles.co.uk
Pauline Parkin 01536 799 197 paulineparkin@hotmail.com
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 now pay £1.50 each week and for that you get good company, a very interesting game and refreshments. Contact: Sue Macfarlane 01536 523754 3
Kettering U3A
Canals & Waterways— We enjoyed our annual day boat trip in September, this time to the Union Canal, Market Harborough. Once again we were blessed with
Busy Needles and Banter — The Mills of God may well “grind exceeding slow” but according to a 3rdcentury Greek philosopher, “they grind small” or, in some other versions, “exceeding fine”. The needles and hooks of “Charlie’s ladies”, however, grind not but click and crochet exceeding fast. The output is indeed exceeding fine and in varying degrees small; not small in quantity, but in sizes from preemie to toddlers. See the accompanying pics on line to appreciate in full colour our latest garments and blankies ready for dispatch: tiny pastels to KGH baby unit; the rest ultimately to Africa. See also how far a box of leftovers can go in Marian’s brilliant quilt. The backing was a donation from Glenis Simpson, delivered to my door, unexpectedly and fortuitously! Thank you, Glenis, very much indeed.
good weather which enabled us to have a stop at Foxton Locks. Some of us walked to the cafe at
the top of the locks to have bacon butties whilst others celebrated a birthday on board with wine and cake. A reminder that we are going to the Black Country museum on October 20th and to arrive between 10 and 10.30am. Our annual planning meeting is on November 17th and starts at 11.00am with a walk at Stanwick Lakes followed by lunch for £10 when we can discuss next years activities. If you wish to join us please let me know.
For further information or to donate your no-longerwanted stash contactT Mary Wildman 01536 741 222 marywildman365@gmail.com
Contact: Christine Strachan 01536 515730 cestrachan1@gmail.com Creative Cards — At the first meeting of the Creative Cards Group, we had a very enjoyable time making a start on our Christmas Cards. Firstly we made two easy cards using the Craftwork Cards Candi range, followed by a Snowflake card using shapes that had been die cut. Lastly we made a Christmas Cracker Iris Folding Card, which does take time using strips of different coloured paper but the final effect looks great. Although the group is full at the moment, if you would like to put your names on a waiting list if any vacancies come up, please contact either of the Group Leaders
Card Making — Looking forward to meeting new members to this group. We are are a friendly group and help one another. So, if you would like to learn how to make your own cards come and join us. Please contact me , the only qualifications needed are willing to learn, enthusiasm and to bring your own scissors.
Contact: Eileen Mason
01536 725 925 edmason5@yahoo.co.uk or Maggi McGuire 01536 392 716 maggi.mcguire@outlook.com
Contact: Marian Tucker 01536 510 354 mariantucker1954@gmail.com
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Kettering U3A
Computer Group — At the October meeting the subjects were Apple Mac, iPad, iPhone. To paraphrase Apple, “They just work!”
English Country Dancing — We continue to enjoy our dancing on the 2nd & 4th Wednesdays. a.m. We meet 10.30— noon in St. Andrew Church Room (behind the church). Come & join us. You will be most welcome. You don't need a partner as we change partners.
More information and videos can be accessed from Computer Group link at
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. Country Matters — October’s walk we will be starting from The Royal Oak pub in Duddington, PE9 3QE walking the lesser used paths of Fineshade Woods. Please make a note in your diaries for Thursday, 13 October, at 10.15 for a 10.30 start. Contact:
Contact:
Derek Warren 01536 518 560 derek@thewarrens.me.uk
Family History - In our October meeting we had our second, hands-on workshop where eleven U3A members were guided by four LDS experts working
Discussion Group — The Sept meeting took place at the Parish Church rooms. We were without out leader, and a subject. We started off by having a discussion on the merits of the various tea rooms in and around Kettering. This then switched to a debate on the Junior Doctors strike. Several members had tales of woe to tell about the NHS, although everyone agreed that nursing staff do a wonderful job, and are very dedicated. The final consensus was that the NHS is in dire straits, and that public opinion is moving to one of no sympathy for the strike which now seems to be politically motivated. The October meeting subject was "The rehabilitation of offenders, and also those with mental problems, into normal life".
together in small groups to help each other find those elusive ancestors. Starting in September there will be a £5 annual fee which will cover printed handout sheets, refreshments and speakers. As the LDS church request we do not handle cash on their premises, you can give me a cheque made payable to “Kettering U3A No. 2 Account” or I will collect £5 cash at the meetings in the Eden centre. Next Meetings:
The next meeting will be Tuesday 8th November at the Parish Church Rooms at the usual time 2pm. The subject will be "How have we benefited from the success of Team GB at the London and Rio Olympics?" So running spikes on all you prospective Mo Farah’s - starting blocks will be provided If any member of the group is thinking of standing down please let me know soonest as we now have a list of hopeful new members bursting with subjects for discussion. For further information Contact: Richard Ling
Jean Beaver 01933 224 474
14 Nov - Wills & Non Conformist Records - Katrina Friess 12 Dec - My (Somewhat Haphazard) Journey Through Family History - Diane Sweeney 09 Jan - Brick Walls Workshop 3 - Bring Your Laptop & YOUR brick walls & we'll help each other
01536 515 816 b_r_ling@hotmail.com
If you would like to join us, even if just see what it’s all about, feel free to come along, we have plenty of room for new members and visitors. Keep checking the web site below for new hints, tips, tutorials and resources.
www.U3AKettering.co.uk Contact: Richard Boyles
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01536 744 753 richard@boyles.co.uk
Kettering U3A
English Studies/Shakespeare— Same time and place. Next study, by popular request, Chaucer’s Wife of Bath. If you’d like to meet her and hear her tale, come along. Text provided.
Gardening Group — The group is now closing down for the Winter and will restart in the Spring. Ideas for places to visit or gardens to see are welcome. Contact: Ray Bradbury 01536 516 587 prbrad@live.co.uk
Contact: Mary Wildman 01536 741 222 marywildman365@gmail.com
Heartbeat— On Monday 3rd October we met for a walk along the foot path from Poplars Farm Road to Cranford. When we arrived we were not able to take our usual route, so we turned right and followed a path made by what we thought was a house building company. When we descended the hill we found there was an archaeological dig taking place, the archaeologists said the dig was for excavating a Roman Settlement. There were several areas of stone walling to be seen and a large area of land was cleared for further excavation. This all slowed down our walk, but created great interest as no one in our group knew about the dig. We met at Barton Hall Vines Bistro for coffee.
Friday Pop-In - About a dozen of us met at our usual venue, the Kino in Kettering’s Market Place, at 10am on the first Friday of the month. We enjoyed some excellent coffee and (optional) calories - their cakes are very moreish! The main attraction, though, is the company who were in great form. A little serious discussion was complemented by much banter, helpless giggles and uproarious laughter - the best remedy for the blues this side of Mars. Both new members and regulars, everyone there so relaxed in each other’s company. We’re already looking forward to next month’s meeting, same time, same placeT
The next meeting will be in the New Year, Monday 2nd January 2017. Meeting at the carpark at Prologis Park, Glendon Road, Kettering at 10.am. Contact: Bridget Ling 01536 515 816 b_r_ling@hotmail.com Contact: Janet Chivers 01536 214 250 janet.chivers@talk21.com French Conversation - Our venue has been cancelled so it is only upon my return to the UK that I can try to find an alternative. If anyone can suggest a place to meet, please contact me. Contact: Michele Junin 01536 671 971 Knit and Natter - Due to holidays and the heartbeat walk there was no knit and natter this month.
m.p.junin@outlook.com
Contact: Annette Chidwick 01536 523 867 annette.chidwick@tiscali.co.uk
French - 2nd and 4th Tuesday at 2pm Contact: Diana Ellis 01536 723 380 German Basic Conversation — Contact: Joe Fletcher 01536 722 399 Golf — Our regular group meets at 1.30 pm Fridays at Pytchley Golf Club still seems to be the most popular time !! Contact: Alan Stephens 01536 726 911 or 07931 637 660 or alanstephens26@outlook.com
Group Leader Christine directing navigations
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Kettering U3A
History - At the September meeting of the group, we had a fascinating presentation by Frances Francis on Earls Barton. It was very interesting to see how it started as a small village and has now become more of a small town with the population increasing steadily over the years. Frances fold us about the way industries had developed and changed, from farming, to lace making, mat making, to shoe manufacturing and now mainly residential with the residents working in Northampton and surrounding towns. The presentation on the 3rd October will concern the Growth and Development of Burton Latimer which should be very interesting particularly for those Group Members who live in Burton. The group meet on the first Monday of each month at the Counties Community Centre, Hertford Road, Kettering (off the Pytchley Road). Doors open at 2pm and the presentation/talk commences at about 2.15pm. A charge of £2.00 is made for each meeting which covers the cost of hiring the hall, the speaker and a cup of tea or coffee and biscuits.
Lunch Club - Advance Notice. Christmas Lunch
We are trying a different venue for the Christmas lunch this year. We will be going to The Stirrup Cup, Woodland Avenue in Barton Seagrave on Tuesday 6th of December 2016 at 12 noon for 12.30. Unlike previous years we will have an extensive choice of starter, main course and dessert with complimentary tea or coffee, all at the competitive price of £17.95. As the restaurant is opening especially for us minimum numbers will apply. To be sure of your place a deposit of £10 per person is required. Menu information. Starters are Prawn Cocktail, Cream of Asparagus Soup, Duck and Orange Pate, Melon and Berry Cocktail, Baby Camembert Rounds and Lamb Samosas. For the Main Course you have a choice between Roast Turkey with all the trimmings, Topside of Beef with roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables and Yorkshire puddings, Salmon Fillet in a mixed cream and herb sauce with roast potatoes and seasonal vegetables, Mushroom, Cranberry and Brie Wellington with roast potatoes and seasonal vegetables. For dessert the choice is between Orange and Cranberry Cheesecake, Lemon Roulade, Christmas Pudding, Salted Caramel Ice Cream, Cheese and Biscuits, Chocolate Brownie with Clotted Cream Ice Cream. All followed by Tea or Coffee ". On this occasion family and friends are more than welcome so why not use this opportunity to push the boat out. Make a note in your diary and watch this space.
7th November The Gunpowder Plot Kettering Parks Revisited 5th December 2nd January 2017 The Last Naval Hero – Lord Beatty 6th February Rockingham Forest through the Ages 7th March The Street Names of Kettering rd Another Icarus. The rise and fall of Percy Pilcher and the 3 April art of Flight. A tragic end in a quiet corner of a Northampton field.
Many thanks to all members who help prepare and clear away the meeting room etc. Their help is greatly appreciated. Please let Eileen or Maggi know if any U3A members are able to recommend any History Speakers and let us have their email address or telephone number. Contact: Eileen Mason
01536 725 925 edmason5@yahoo.co.uk or Maggi McGuire 01536 392 716 maggi.mcguire@outlook.com
Lunch Club - Members of the Lunch Club enjoyed a convivial lunch at The Old Three Cocks in Brigstock. Although there were only 12 attendees we all enjoyed our meals, some of which were different to those normally available. October’s Lunch Club will be held at the “Old Friar, Twywell. If you would like to book a place and select your meal from the agreed menu, please do so at the October monthly meeting . Two courses will be £10.50 and three courses will be £11.50. The menu is very varied and will, I think. meet everyone’s taste. Please arrive about 12 noon for 12.30 pm meal The lunch has been arranged for us by Sue Hart and myself. If you are unable to attend the monthly meeting but would like to book a place and choose your meal, please contact Sue or me. We are a very friendly group and if you would like to come and join us please do so. You will be made very welcome.
Contact: Ray Bradbury 01536 516 587 prbrad@live.co.uk KU3A Christmas Meeting December 13, 2016 Order of Proceedings 1.30pm Doors open. Welcoming Bucks Fizz. (Note: all refreshments are FREE today) Purchase your Raffle Tickets 1.50pm Take your seats, please, for notices. 2.00 – 2.45pm Singing for Pleasure Groups A and B Musical entertainment 2.45pm onwards Refreshments, Judging of Christmas Dressing-up Competition (Note: Chairman is ineligible), Winning Raffle Tickets announced.
Contact: Maggi McGuire 01536 392 716 maggi.mcguire@outlook.com 7
Kettering U3A
Looking at Churches — Our September visit was to St.Andrews Church in Cotterstock, which is a delightful village full of history, with the river Nene meandering along by the graveyard. We started by going round the outside of the church which was divided into two very obvious styles of architecture. The tower was very old Saxon stone, and the east end was built many years later as the first college in the country. There are only five such collegiate churches in the UK. Inside the walls had been stripped of Victorian plaster, down to the original stone, and with a very high wooden ceiling, it looked like a medieval castle. There were several colourful stained glass windows and even the plain glass windows were very ornate. Underneath a carpet was a well preserved brass of a past provost of Lincoln. Unfortunately the church has recently had three and a half tons of lead stolen from the roof. To replace it will cost £25,000. The insurance will pay £7,500, but the rest must be raised by the villagers, so a very enterprising PCC member has been busy contacting u3a groups to offer a tour of the church, with tea & home made cakes in the village hall afterwards for £5 each. We were able to give them £100 towards their funds, as they had gift aid envelopes, to increase donations. It was a short walk to the village hall for our tea and cakes so we could admire the houses along the way. I was very proud of our group as the church members said that we were the friendliest people that they had entertained so far in their fund raising tours. We do enjoy a chat over a cup of tea. The next visit will be on Wednesday, 19th October at 2.0pm. to Ashby St. Ledger. CV23 8UN. A bit further than usual, so some of the group are planning lunch in the village beforehand. Again it is a charge of £5 as it is tea and cakes afterwards, but it saves us going to a teashop, which would cost the same at least. November 16th will be Lubenham church in Leics, near to Mkt.Harborough. This will be my last church tour, so I am still hoping that someone will take over as there are lots more places to go.
Photography Group — The Photography Group met in October to further its skills in Photoshop. Levels, histograms, cropping and colour adjustment curves led to layers, monochrome conversions and "colour popping". A lot to get through and, as with many skills, requiring regular practice to confine reliably to memory. With that in mind the group members were given a "homework" image to work on at the end of the session. Because of holidays the next meeting will be a week later, on Monday November 14th, with more images to practise and expand the post-processing skills that are an essential part of modern digital imaging. (The group leader's effort at the homework images are below) Contact: Trevor Rudkin 01536 711 976 trevor.rudkin@gmail.com
Contact: Janet Clements 01536 507 721 janet.clements@ntlworld.com Musical Circles 2 — At its meeting in September the group enjoyed some old favourites as well as some not so well known as they went through the alphabet of composers, starting with Albinoni's Concerto No 1 played by the Academy of Ancient Music. Then it was the turn of Beethoven with his Bagatelle in C Minor with John O'Connor at the piano. Up next was the Impromptu No 4 by Chopin, Opus 66 Fantasies, followed by Dukas and his very lively The Sorcerers Apprentice. After the Amateur Orchestra's competition on TV last weekend featuring Elgar's Enigma Variations it felt right to play 'Nimrod' from those variations. We then heard 'Panis Angelica' by Cesar Frank played by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and sung by the Liverpool Cathedral Choir. Following the alphabet it was then the turn of Grieg and his Piano Concerto in A Major, opus 16. We then heard Haydn's 'Surprise' Symphony No 94, so called because a a rather loud cord in the second movement was said by Haydn 'to frighten the ladies'. Not having a composer with a name starting with an I in my collection we went straight on to Joplin's Maple Leaf Rag played by Roy Easton. Aegina's Dance from Katchaturian's Spartacus Ballet Suite was next, played by the Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra. Then it was Landi and his 'Homo Fugitive Velvut Umbra' which we all had an attempt at translating. Having done well in reaching the M's we then listened to an old favourite by Mozart, his Piano Concerto No 20 played by Alfred Brendel, to round off an excellent afternoon of good music in pleasant company. Not forgetting the refreshments and the gossip. Contact: Eileen Mason 01536 725925 edmason5@yahoo.co.uk 8
Kettering U3A
Spanish, Intermediate —
Safe Driving — "Free Tuition’
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 £12 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 but could start a waiting list for anyone who has a good level of understanding of the language (we are currently studying the imperative and subjunctive of verbs)
Having been a car driver for many years, both for work and pleasure, due to a change in my personal circumstances I lost my self-confidence and driving became a chore, I felt stressed, nervous, fearing large roundabouts, diversions and wouldn't even contemplate driving on the A14. These feelings greatly impacted on my day-to-day life including shopping, social events and trips further afield. I bucked up courage and booked a refresher driving course with Roy, his driving experience soon put me at ease, I am now feeling much more confident, calm and enjoying the pleasures of driving once again now that he has helped me to understand my car better, using the gears, mirrors and being aware by looking ahead and braking and changing gears as and when it is necessary. Thanks to Roy who made it a very pleasurable experience I am now re-assured and ready for whatever the future may hold. I would encourage anybody who feels that they would benefit from a few lessons to go for the “Safe Driving” experience. Freda Giddings
Safe Driving — Don’t blow it - good planets are hard to find Driving style has a huge impact on fuel consumption and is key to reducing your impact on the environment. You can buy the greenest car on the market but if you drive it badly or use it too much, you simply undermine all the benefits. There are however some things you can do to save money and reduce CO2 emissions and pollution. Here are some environmental driving tips from IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards, Richard Gladman. Get your car serviced regularly. A well-maintained car is safer and greener. Make sure you are using the right engine oil; if you have any doubts, check your handbook. Make sure your oil is checked regularly and if you need to top it up ensure you use the correct grade. Avoid unnecessary loading. Putting too much weight on your vehicle can burn more fuel. Take off any unused roof racks, roof boxes or cycle racks as they will also waste fuel. Check your tyre pressures – under-inflated tyres waste fuel. Check your handbook as some vehicles now have an economy option in their settings for tyre pressures If possible choose a parking space you can drive out of quickly. Time spent manoeuvring out of a space with a cold engine wastes fuel. Try to reverse park so you can drive away quicker Richard said: “The key to green driving is to take a gentle approach when braking and accelerating combined with looking as far ahead as possible to plan a smooth path through traffic. There isn’t any point in rushing to the next traffic light just to have to wait. These are just the sort of skills that advanced drivers take for granted but can make a big difference to your wallet and to air quality around you. Consider investing in the IAM RoadSmart eco-driving course as it could pay for itself very quickly in fuel savings.”
Contact: Bob Thorogood 01933 650 551 bob@rltservices.co.uk Singing For Pleasure — Hark the herald members’ trilling Not amid the winter’s snow, Practising and ever-willing To put on a Christmas show. Fuller’s kitchen’s being done up, But no coffee for a while Does not deter us in the run up, Putting on the Christmas style. A Group’s songs are p’raps more well-known, Trusting that you’ll join in too; Some of B Group’s aren’t all home-grown But bring us joy at what we do. Contact: A Group. Jill Dee 01536 514 054 B Group. Mary Wildman 01536 741 222 marywildman365@gmail.com Stitchin' Time— We meet monthly, have a Show and Tell of any recent creations, and continue to learn new techniques. If you enjoy knitting, crochet or cross stitch, come and join us. You may even be able to teach us something new. Next meeting November 2nd. Contact:
Pauline Parkin 01536 799 197 paulineparkin@hotmail.com
If you’d like help with any driving related issues or to find out more about the Safe Driving Group, please contact either
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.
Steve Clorley 01832 732342 or 07973 624815 stephen.clorley@yahoo.com Roy Franklin 01536 482808 or 07751 106617 r.franklin672@btinternet.com
Contact: Joan Allingham 01536 722 610 9
Kettering U3A
Theatre Goers — At the moment, the group is trying to get a new group leader.
Water Colour Painting Classes The dates for the Autumn Term 2016 are as follows:October 13th, 27th November 10th, 24th December 8th (last class) (The Winter Term will start again 12th January, 2017)
Trips & Visits - The trip to the Bank of England is now fully booked.
We meet in The Parish Hall, Market Place, Kettering, from 1.15 pm to 3.15 pm on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month. We are very lucky to have Michael McGuire giving up his free time to help anyone wishing to improve their painting skills. Chinese Pictures We are pleased to announce that David Clayton, a Member of the U3A, will be bringing his Chinese pictures which he purchased on his travels to China, along with masks from the Chinese theatre and a piece of painted leather from Thailand to our Water Colour Painting Class on 27th October.
The trip to the Bank of England takes place on the 20th October 2016. The coach leaves the Cornmarket at 8.30 am – so all those going, please be there in good time. Any questions, please contact Eileen Mason 01536 725 925
If anyone would like to come along and see these pictures which I feel will be of great interest to all, then please arrive at 1pm at The Parish Hall, Market Place, Kettering.
London Visit Invitation — invitation to join the Ise U3A on trip to London on Thursday November 24th to visit the Westfield Shopping Centre (near to the Olympic Village) and then a drive through London to see the Christmas Lights. The cost is £13.50. Anyone who is interested should contact: Julie Bates on 01536 725 538 Walking Group - meets on the 1st Wednesday every month at different locations for a walk lasting 2 to 2½ hours starting at 10:00am. These walks are usually between 4 and 6 miles and taken at a relatively leisurely pace. The group generally end the walk with lunch at a local village pub. New members are very welcome; just call or email me using the contact details below. Please note that the next walk details might change (weather, pub issues etc.) so if you are not on my contact list please contact me to confirm the location.
Michael giving help to Gordon Wallam.
Our last walk was joined by fourteen members who met at Foxton on Wednesday, 5th October for a circular walk of just over 5 miles. We headed out across fields from Foxton towards Debdale Wharf and then along the canal back towards Foxton diverting to Gumley before returning for lunch at the Black Horse Pub. The weather on the day was ideal for walking. Our November walk will be from the Piper public house on Windmill Ave (opposite Tresham College) on Wednesday 2nd November @10.00am for a 10.15 start. The walk will be about 6 miles. For further details about this walk please contact Neil Burton 01536 516966 or Helen Neale 01536 723899 E-mail neb2804@hotmail.co.uk or on the day only 07935487117 or 07763980840
"Vineyards & Rocks" painted in water colour by Gordon Wallam. Contact: Jo Beaver on 01933 224 474 or Barbara Goodall on 01536 523 259
Contact: John Flower 01536 764 541 john@7678.co.uk
10
Kettering U3A
Writers Group—
“Aches and pains of old age”
Writers Group— ‘There is nothing permanent except change.’ That’s as true today as when it was first noted two and a half thousand years ago. Change is in the air for us too; this month we had both a change of venue to Kettering Library and also a change of membership, with two new members. Welcome Sandy and Shirley! Our best wishes also to Mary for a swift recovery - we hope to see her again soon. Our subject this month, ‘Aches and pains of old age’, was also a six-word memoir and to set the ball rolling Sandy brought along a further trio of six-word memoirs: Needle poised, I sew, I wince. I prepare, I cook, I sigh. I aim, I work, I achieve. This set the scene for the sharing that followed. We had a tale comparing youthful vigour with the aches and pains of old age. We had the story of a dramatic pub exit; only at the last minute did we discover that it was all an accident and the subject was actually sober. We had an extract from a forthcoming children’s novel. The new members seem to have brought a renewed energy with them; we covered a lot of ground and time seemed to fly. The library was a good location and the staff were friendly and supportive, so we decided to meet next month as usual on the first Tuesday (1 November), at the same place (Kettering Library) and at the same time (from 1:45 to start at 2pm, until about 4pm). If you can’t find us just ask at the reception desk - we’ll let them know where we are. You are welcome to write something on your own subject but if you are stuck for content you can have ‘Food and Drink’ - but you’ll have to pay for your own! This is also the subject for next February’s Nottingham Writers' Club Short Story Competition so here’s your chance to have a dummy run. A suggested format is a Mini-Saga (exactly 50 words and harder that you might think) or you may prefer to go for the NWC’s up to 2,000 words. If you haven’t already, do bring along a six-word memoir or two. If you enjoy writing, anything from journal to story, from prose to verse, come along and join us for an afternoon of pleasure and delight.
He sat heavily on the edge of the bed. Gingerly he lent forward to open a chink in the curtain, hoping that the recent bout of rain had stopped. It had; his spirits rose as he began to anticipate the day ahead. The begonia corms needed separating into their different colours and the greenhouse itself was an absolute disgrace, full of drooping tomato plants and the last forlorn, green fruits. His motto these days was, do a bit and leave a lot. He found that this worked for him as long as he worked steadily every day. He had changed the layout of the garden to be as low maintenance as possible, installing tubs instead of borders, laying lawn instead of a vegetable patch. A strategically placed table helped with the bending and lifting and that sack barrow, bought at the car boot sale, had been an absolute God send. His arthritis had slowly but surely taken over his body as the years past, with the same inevitably of the Japanese Knotweed which took over great swathes of the countryside. The pain and stiffness began to fade a little as the medication started to work and he carefully stood, half afraid that his knee would give way on him but no, this was going to be a better day. It had not always been like this. In his youth he had been amazingly strong and fit He had started work on the farm at 13years old raking the chaff from beneath the bailing machine. He harvested and graded the potatoes as winter began to spread tendrils of ice along the furrows of black soil. As he grew older and stronger he lifted 2cwt sacks of corn ,climbing a ladder up to the top of a grain store. He often pondered the logic of taking them up only for them to be tipped down again in a chute leading to the cleaner. He tended 400 pigs every day, including Xmas day. He always said that pigs were the cleanest of animals and that it was the humans who kept them in filthy conditions who were the dirty ones. At harvest time he sat for hours and days combining. He worked from early morning into the blackness of the night, chugging up and down, at one with nature and his machine. Later on he had worked two jobs, surviving on very little sleep, in order to buy his first house, something that those from his background rarely managed, but he did. However, one thing he insisted on was that he would have time off to play cricket on Saturday afternoons. He had been a magnificent cricket player, a good all rounder but his reputation was linked to his demonic fast bowling. He made a name for himself not only locally but countrywide too. He could run like the wind and his strong muscular arms sent the ball rocketing into the distance. His greatest satisfaction for many years was all about playing talking and watching cricket. In fact, come to think of it he still revelled in talking about and watching cricket. Only the other week he had been trundling around a car boot sale on his mobility scooter when a chap stopped to talk, remembering him from those past days, bitter-sweet.
Contact: Tom Piercy 01536 712 581 tom@tom-and-ann.demon.co.uk Wining and Dining -. Our last evening was at Exotic dining and although we enjoyed the meal we had a forty minute discussion with the owner over the bill. It was eventually resolved but was a bad ending to our evening.
Now his knees hurt, his wrists and fingers hurt, his ankles had lost their flexibility and he would never walk quickly again, days of running long gone. However some things are never lost, he still had an indomitable spirit and a tenacity that would never be quashed. His resolve to finish a task never faltered under any circumstances ( a certain level of obstinacy is required to maintain this approach) but he still has all of this. This is the man he is today, undefeated.
I have booked the Snooty Fox for December 6th , it is a three course set menu for £25 and requires a £10 deposit. If you wish to join us please let me know.
Contact: Christine Strachan 01536 515 730 cestrachan1@gmail.com
Sandy
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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
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
01536 510354 01536 523867 01536 392716 01536 725925 01536 744753 01536 711976
Home 3rd Monday Home 1st & 3rd Mondays Counties CommunityCentre 1st Monday
10.00 – 12 noon 10.00 – 12 noon 2.00 – 4.00pm
Family History Photography
Marian Tucker Annette Chidwick Maggi McGuire Eileen Mason Richard Boyles Trevor Rudkin
LDS Church, Rothwell Road 2nd Monday varies 1st Monday
2.00 – 4.00pm 2.00 – 4.00pm
English Studies
Mary Wildman
01536 741222
Home
2nd & 4th Mondays
2.00 – 4.00pm
Richard Boyles Richard Ling Diana Ellis Maggi McGuire Sue Hart Joan Allingham Tom Piercy
01536 744753 01536 515816 01536 723380 01536 392716 01536 724635 01536 722610 01536 712 581
ASDA, Kettering Parish Church Rooms Home varies
2nd Tuesday 2nd Tuesday 2nd & 4th Tuesday 4th Tuesday
2.00 – 4.00pm 2.00 – 4.00pm 2.00pm varies
Home Kettering Library
weekly 1st Tuesday
1.30 – 4.00pm 2.00—4.00 pm
Maggi McGuire Eileen Mason Joe Fletcher Bob Thorogood Pauline Parkin Janet Clements Eileen Mason Jean Beaver John Flower Pauline Parkin Christine Strachan
01536 392716 01536 725925 01536 722399 01933 650551 01536 799197 01536 507721 01536 725925 01933 224474 01536 764 541 01536 799 197 01536 515730
Home
2nd Wednesday
10.00-12 noon
Home varies varies varies varies St.Andrews Church varies Home varies
Fortnightly 2nd & 4th Wednesday 4th 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 2.00pm 2.00pm 10.30—12 noon 10.00 start 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 Lamb&Holme, West Street 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
Ballroom Dancing
Pat Johnson
01536 483398
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
Gardening Heartbeat Travel Monday Card Making Knit and Natter History
Tuesday Computers Discussion Group French Lunch Club Sugarcraft Writers Group Wednesday Creative Cards German Conversation Spanish Conversation Bookworms Looking at Churches Musical Circles 2 Country 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 2nd & 4th Friday
12 RJB/2016