Salisbury & District U3A Newsletter August 2011

From the Chairman

Three months on from my election as your Chairman finds me slowly getting into my role and very much enjoying meeting and getting to know more of you and, of course, representing Salisbury and District U3A as well. I did so in March when I attended the Bath and Wiltshire Network committee meeting in Devizes; the next meeting is in September when Bernice Range, our Secretary, will accompany me. I also represented you at the funeral service in The Cathedral of Lewis Sharratt who sadly died in May. I am sure many of you will remember him as a long time, and much loved and respected Spanish Tutor in our U3A, but he was also a Cathedral Guide, using his Spanish in that capacity too, of course. He will be greatly missed.

“Our” U3A will be 25 years old in 2012 and we, on the committee, would very much like to hear from past or, indeed, current members who might have remembrances of the early days of Salisbury and District to help us to mark the special anniversary. We would also like to invite past members back to attend whatever celebration we devise, so, if names and addresses are known please do pass them on to any committee member. Should anyone like to find out more about how U3A started in the UK in 1982 we have two books which might be of interest, firstly, “500 Beacons The U3A Story” by Eric Midwinter written in 2004 and secondly, a slimmer version, “The U3A Story” by Francis Beckett written in 2009.

The annual Lunch will proceed as planned in November but at present the details have not been confirmed, following the recent fire in St. Francis’ Church Hall, but we will update you as soon as we get more information.

What has now become an annual event, the joint function for the three Salisbury U3As, took place on Thursday 30 June when 90 of us attended Salisbury Museum’s Constable Exhibition and had lunch together in the Lecture Hall there, a most enjoyable occasion.

Our membership remains healthy and I am particularly delighted to report that some of our very new members have offered themselves as Tutors for the courses about to start for the new 2011/2012 year, so, my thanks to them and all the people who run courses throughout the year thus fulfilling the raison d’metre of what is U3A.

May I wish you all a pleasant Summer.

Gillian Gailey

Outings News

On 29 Nov, there will be a trip to The Mayflower Theatre for a WNO performance of “Don Giovanni”, sung in Italian. We have centre stall seats with surtitle views. The cost is £38.50. The coach will leave Wilton at 5.30 pm and Millstream Coach Park at 5.45 pm. We will leave Southampton at approximately 10.30 pm. The Group Booking conditions mean that I will have to confirm numbers by 30 Sep so please book soon.

Full details of outings are found in the monthly Outings News showing the destination, cost and booking arrangements. Those unable to attend monthly meetings on a regular basis should request a copy by providing stamped addressed envelopes for a monthly mailing. The coach departure points are the London Road Park and Ride (L), the Millstream Coach Park (M) and from opposite the Italianate Church in Wilton (W).

Late News. For those who have not cruised with Fred Olsen on their flagship Balmoral previously, a visit to Southampton is planned on 1 Sep, for a guided tour of the ship followed by a hot and cold buffet lunch with wine, soft drinks and coffee included. After lunch we will have some free time in Southampton, perhaps a visit to West Quay Shopping Centre. If you subsequently book a place on our advertised cruise in October 2012 or travel independently with Fred Olsen, an additional £30.00 per person on board credit will be offered. The cost is £35.00 and includes coach travel to Southampton and return, driver gratuity and lunch on board Balmoral. The coach leaves Wilton at 8.45 am, Millstream Coach Park at 9.00 am and London Road Park and Ride at 9.15 am. We leave Southampton at 5.00 pm. Cheques should be made payable to Salisbury U3A.

Cruising in 2012? If you are considering a cruise in 2012 why not join us on 13 Oct aboard Balmoral for a cruise to the Western Mediterranean. This will include visits to Gibraltar, Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona and Lisbon. The cruise will last 15 days and will leave from Southampton. We have special prices for a minimum of 15 persons from £1239 per person in a twin cabin and £1959 in a single cabin inclusive of coach transfer to and from Southampton, a Welcome U3A Cocktail party and On Board Credit of £120.00 per cabin. In addition, those who have traveled with Fred Olsen previously will receive a further 5% discount. Collect a Cruise Pack at the monthly meeting or request one by post. Prices are guaranteed until 30 Sep.

John Ewington

Speakers at Monthly Meetings

Walking Groups

There are three U3A groups who carry out walks. These vary and exact details are not always available for publication in the Newsletter. The only firm information is the date of each walk. Further information is available from the Group Leaders. In every case you are advised to wear stout shoes or boots, to bring a waterproof and a drink and to share cars where possible.

The Fortnightly on Thursdays Group is led by Maggie Hunter. The next walk is on 15 Sep and they continue fortnightly until 8 Dec. NB NOT 29 Sep! Maggie will e-mail details of each walk to the group in good time. Walks are between 5 and 7 miles with a coffee/tea stop. There is generally a pub at the end. Please let the leader or Maggie know if you are NOT coming.

The Mini Walks Group is led by David Wilson. The next walk is on 18 Aug and the walks continue on every third Thursday of every month.

The Second Wednesday of the Month Group is led by Helga Burtt (and sometimes uses public transport to get to and from the walk). The next walk is on 14 Sep and the walks continue on the second Wednesday of every month.

Helga has offered to lead a new shorter afternoon walk of 4 to 5 miles on the fourth Wednesday of the month. The first walk would be on 28 Sep. These walks depend on the demand and so if you are interested, please contact Helga or Chris Dickson.

Saga Rhine Cruise, 11 - 18 June, 2011

Twenty six of us confidently embarked on a journey under John Ewington's expert guidance, flying from Heathrow to Basel where Regina Rheni II was waiting for us. We sailed down the Rhine to Amsterdam, with Saga organizing optional daily trips ashore. These varied from a sail on Lake Titisee in the Black Forest, which inevitably included a large piece of gateau, to a visit to "Siegfried's Music Museum" with a ride on a Noddy train. We also had the pleasure of seeing lovely old half-timbered houses, particularly on the trip to Idstein. There was a visit to the splendid Cologne cathedral and canal cruises in Strasbourg and Amsterdam - plenty of enjoyable, varied opportunities. We even glimpsed the Lorelei, to the accompaniment of the Heine song. We lost count of the castles on each side of the Rhine. At meals we had tables reserved for our party and were able to move to talk to old and new friends. This was another feather in John's "outings" cap.

Olga Illston

Sunday Lunches

On the recommendation of one of our members, 13 of us met at the Old Inn, Allington, on 5 June. The staff were welcoming and there was a tempting choice of dishes, with two roasts as well as other main courses and a good vegetarian menu. There were four desserts to choose from, all mouth-watering, plus a cheese board. The food was well cooked and presented and all were very satisfied. We will certainly return to the Old Inn. On 10 July we paid a return visit to Hamptworth Golf and Country Club. This is a very pleasant venue which offers a Sunday carvery and a large choice of vegetables. The next lunch is on Sunday, 7 Aug, at the Queen’s Head, Broad Chalke. All U3A members are welcome at the lunches. A notice and a list of names is on the notice board at every monthly meeting for you to complete. For further details, please contact one of us.

Barbara Coulson and Jean Seabrook

From The Group Organiser

I hope that you have got places in as many as possible of the groups that you asked for. Here is your opportunity to apply for some more. The list of vacancies in Spire, Sarum and our own group will be on the notice board in August and September.

New Groups All Starting after Christmas.

Peter Curbishley is offering a group called “Can you turn your hobby into a business?” Peter is an experienced professional and can help anyone with dreams in this field.

Yvonne Weir-Willats, a French speaker, offers “Practicing and maintaining French” for those who have a knowledge of the language and would like to keep it up and improve it.

Paula Horton offers two chances to practice your language skills and enjoy a lunch at the same time at an “Informal French or German Lunch”. Conversation will be entirely in the stated language. No beginners.

Chris Dickson

IT Snippets

Following the publication of our U3A Course programme, I was notified that the Government had withdrawn the funding for our computer courses at South Wilts Grammar School. So the courses will no longer be a "free" facility for us. However the School wants to continue and has offered use of the facilities at the school at no cost BUT we have to pay the Tutor's wages plus photocopy costs associated with the lessons. We are still in negotiation. Whatever the outcome, we will be able to offer the courses but at a cost. If anyone wishes to know more details please telephone Neville Jennings.