The group leader will continue her art course into the new year with the same students who attended 2008 – 9, but she has space for a few more intermediate students, that is, those with a little knowledge of watercolour painting.  It would be appreciated if those who are continuing would state this on their Group Application form.
Max. no. 20.   Weekly.

This is a self-help painting group for all levels of competence - beginners are welcome. Pick up techniques, tips and skills from the tutor and from those members with greater expertise.  A flexible programme is planned including occasional demonstrations and presentations. Most current class members employ watercolour but the use of oils, acrylics, pastels and mixed media is encouraged.  Autumn and Spring meetings will be held in St George's Church Hall, Harnham and outdoor sessions (weather permitting) are envisaged for the shorter summer term.  Max. no. 20.  Weekly.

The object of this course is to look at some of the basic techniques of watercolour painting and hopefully put them into practice to produce a ‘picture worth framing’.  Techniques - water colour washes (wet on dry, wet-in-wet, graded), lifting out, use of masking fluid, wax resist, scratching out, spattering, sponging etc.  Applications - simple landscapes, buildings, still life. There will be no attempt to teach art as such, but we will consider the use of tone and perspective.  A list of materials will be supplied to successful applicants.  Max. no. 12.   Weekly.

Studying music and instruments from Medieval times, through Renaissance and Baroque and including Classical music up to 1800.  The sessions are held in the tutor's house which has a number of instruments which he will play and talk about.  Recorded extracts are also used to illustrate various points.  Max no. 10.  Monthly.

This is a group activity in which it is hoped members will present their own choices of music. A wide range of music is looked for, from chamber to orchestral, from jazz to opera, and personal opinions asked for by way of introduction to the individual items. Max. no. 8.  Fortnightly.

This is a four-part choir. The repertoire includes rounds, sacred music, spirituals, madrigals, folk songs and carols in season.  All voices welcome, especially sopranos.  Max. no. 40.  Weekly.

We play in a group, one or more to a part. Music is chosen to suit the ability of the group, and sight-reading is essential. Not suitable for beginners. The group is full to capacity and can take no further members; it would be appreciated if members would confirm on their course application form that they intend to continue. Max. no. 7. Fortnightly.

This is a group of descant, treble and tenor recorder players of a range of ability. Our aim is to play together in a two- or three-part consort. Tuition is at all levels. Willing to take beginners. Max. no. 8.  Fortnightly.

We plan to read a variety of American novels from the mid-19th century to the present day.  We will consider Hawthorne, The House of Seven Gables (1851); Edith Wharton, The Age of Innocence (1920);  Faulkner, The Sound and Fury (1929); Scott Fitzgerald, Tender is the Night (1934); Hemingway, For Whom the Bell Tolls (1940);  Saul Bellow, The Adventures of Angie March (1953); John Updike, Rabbit... (1960-90).  We should gain an insight into a range of narrative techniques, and an inkling of America's enormous social and spiritual range over 150 years. Max. no. 10.  Fortnightly.

For those who love reading aloud. Members will entertain with readings from sources old and new, poetry or prose, fact or fiction, learned or light-hearted.  Max. no. 7.  Weekly.

Reading and studying play scripts of the 19th and 20th centuries, followed  by discussion of the social and historical background of the play.   Max.no.12.  Weekly.

A series of meetings for people who enjoy reading plays aloud. The plays are chosen for variety and generally can be read in one or two sessions. Each reader takes a part.  Other activities can be included depending on  the wishes of the course members,  e.g. members bringing and  reading favourite  poems or passages; discussion;  placing plays in context of theatre history; even performance and sketch-writing if desired.  Max. no. 10.  Monthly.

A six session course to cover: What does poetry mean to me? Poetry shapes; Poetry sounds; Poetry magic; Poetry models; Let's get started. Between sessions it is hoped members will produce their own poems.  Max. no. 10.  

We meet to discuss current productions at the Salisbury Playhouse,  after attending them separately so that conversation isn't pre-empted.  It is essential to have seen the play beforehand.  Max. no. 6.  Monthly.

We shall read, discuss and enjoy 'Persuasion' and 'Northanger Abbey' and notice something of the social life of the time.  Max. no. 9. Fortnightly.

Members will read at home many of the books of the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the Apocrypha. At the weekly meetings members will read aloud passages of their choice. I shall try to contribute something of interest about translations and translators, martyrs and monks, saints and stylites.  Max. no.7. Weekly.

Reading and tutor led-discussion of the play.  Max. no. 4. Weekly.

The 19th century author Guy de Maupassant was a master of short story writing, his clever plots dealing with such themes as love, war and social status. We will read one story at each meeting in the original French, translating as necessary. Maupassant’s style is not difficult – don’t be put off if your French is a little rusty! Cheap copies of the stories will be obtained.  Max. no. 7. Fortnightly.

All walks are between 3 and 4 miles long, and will take2-2½ hours, walking at a slower than average pace. You will need stout shoes or walking boots as footpaths and bridleways can be very muddy, and a waterproof is useful. We stop for a drink halfway through the walk and a pub lunch is usually available at the finish.  Members of the group may suggest or lead walks.  Max. no. 20. Monthly.

To teach the basics of bowling on an indoor rink to those with little or no experience.  Flat shoes without heels required. Bowls are provided. £2 charge per session.  Max. no. 12.  Weekly.

This is a group for keen gardeners. We shall have slides, talks and demonstrations. Members will be encouraged to take part by bringing in plants, talking about their favourite plants, or problems with plants. Some summer outings may be arranged.  Max. no. 60. Monthly.

This group will use the Senior Citizen free bus travel to visit a variety of sites of natural history interest.  We will walk 2-3 miles sometimes in muddy and uneven places.  Most outings will return in the afternoon so we will take a picnic or have a  pub/café lunch.
Max. no. 10.  Monthly.

Usually 6 per term. Leader decides on route etc. Walkers need wet weather gear and stout footwear. The organiser is not prepared to have more than 20 people walking at any one time, although not everybody comes every time, so she is happy to have up to 25 on the list.  Walks are about 5 to 6 miles, if longer we will stop for a picnic lunch. We always have a coffee break/comfort stop and usually try to find a pub for lunch at the end.  We are trying to do more car sharing.  Dogs are welcome, if well behaved, and the decision is up to the leader of each individual walk. Max no. 25 (see above). Fortnightly.

We are fortunate to have two associated Bird Watching groups this year, which hopefully will be enjoyed by greater number of people on different days. Each will involve some walking in areas around the city; each will require a camera, binoculars and sturdy footwear. Meeting places will be announced in the newsletter.  Max. no. 12 each group.

Basic Modern and Latin dance steps with simple variations.  Couples preferred, but single men always welcome and perhaps two or three extra ladies.  Max. no. 26. Fortnightly.

An afternoon of dancing with tuition.  Excellent exercise for body and brain, with good music and good company. Beginners welcome. Max no. 24. Weekly except first Wednesday of month.

A systematic survey on how to research the history of your family starting from scratch.  The course includes talks about birth, marriage and death certificates, censuses, parish registers, how to record your information, using the Internet, and much more.  It may include  a visit to the National Archive at Kew if there is sufficient demand. A repeat of last year's course with additions.  As in previous years, every third meeting will be an 'Open Session' when anyone interested in Family History is welcome to come and discuss their problems, boast of their achievements and make use of my collection of books. Max. no. 12. Fortnightly.

This course will look at how the medieveal house, with the great hall, developed over the centuries into the stately homes we know today, in Wiltshire.   It will look at some of the well known, and the lesser known houses, in the county and in particular at their owners. Some owners who were more successful than others, some who held high office in government and are now totally forgotten, and those who were always in trouble. Many of these house owners made enormous fortunes, only for the next generation to lose them. Max. no. 8.  Fortnightly.

An opportunity and encouragement to look back over your life and produce some account of it, in written, oral, picture, scrapbook or collection of memorabilia form for your children and grandchildren.  It is surprising what memories are aroused by discussion and comparing notes! Max. no. 10. Monthly.

This is a conversation course open to anyone with a reasonable command of French.  Members will be expected to initiate conversation by bringing newspapers, articles, pictures or anything which stimulates communication.  Max. no. 7. Fortnightly.  

This is a course to continue the study of Italian from last year. Max. no. 7.  Weekly.

The German Discussion Group tries to combine a little bit of formal learning with lots of fun and free discussion in German. We watch and discuss movies with German sound track, movies about Germany and German language current affairs programmes.  We are also planning a short theatre sketch in German. This material we accompany with short grammar and translation exercises.  Max. no.10.   Fortnightly.

A discussion group meeting to discuss topical issues of national and international interest; e.g. Green Issues, Judiciary v State, Nuclear Power and Obesity. A member volunteers to open the discussion, and we hope that everyone will join in. Max. no.10. Fortnightly.

Stimulating discussion, supportive friendship with time for reflection and shared insights are all part of the 'Searching Issues' group meeting each fortnight.  Topics for discussion vary from adapting to changing life-styles, philsophical questions that concern us all to lighter moments in shared amusement and laughter.  Examples of such questions are:- 'To have or to be' are choices in life?  How do you deal with such choices? 'Morals are merely a matter of opinion.' 'What is perfection?'  Is it possible to attain it and is it desirable?  A warm welcome awaits you and transport can be arranged if necessary.  Max. no.10.  Fortnightly.

This is a self-help group, exploring some of the science and technology issues of the day.  It is a two-hour session: the first hour being taken up by discussion of current events which members have selected.  During the second part, a member presents a pre-prepared topic in more detail.  The range of items discussed is extremely wide and includes perennial topics such as Global Warming and Nuclear Energy as well as the more obscure - Greek Computers, Moonquakes and decoding Neandertal genes! No special knowledge required, just a curiosity about the world around us and willingness to contribute. Max no. 7.  Fortnightly.

These courses are run jointly for all three Salisbury U3As, i.e. Salisbury, Sarum and Spire therefore the places available are distributed between all three groups.
The Beginners course lasts for 19 weeks meeting during the school year and allows for half-term breaks in the school calendar. Course 'A' commences in September and finishes in February Course 'B' commences in February and finishes in July at the end of the school term.
The Intermediate course commences in September and lasts for 38 weeks with breaks as per school calendar and finishes in July the following year at the end of the school term.
All courses last 1½ hours per week, from 4.15pm to 5.45pm.
The Tutor for both Beginners and Intermediates is Fiona Green provided by South Wilts Grammar School and funded by Government.
This will be our sixth year and all students thus far have expressed their appreciation of the tutor's abillities and her skills in making the courses most enjoyable and satisfying.
If you do not own a computer and cannot utilise your local library facility please do not commence these courses as it is essential to have some practice between sessions.

Why not become a Virtual Tourist this winter, exploring the planets from the comfort of your own home?  The Group Leader will begin each session by describing his own exploration of the chosen planet.  Tourists will be encouraged to report on their own expeditions using down- loaded illustrations (e.g. from a flash drive).  Then the Group Leader will describe the next planet to be explored, and show you how to explore it via the internet.
Potential tourists must have some familiarity with aeospace technology and scientific methods and have broadband internet access at home.  To see if this format is for you, try Google-ing these key words to find websites that let you explore Mars: Mars Global Surveyor; NASA Phoenix; ESA Mars Express; Mars Russian and refer to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars to understand the context of what you have found.  Max. no. 20. Monthly.

Bored with tent stitch?  Join my group of 'embroidery stitching on canvas for learners and improvers'. Learn from 8-40+ stitches and apply them to your own creative design.  Max. no.  6. Weekly (not first Wed of month).

We solve the Times and Daily Telegraph cryptic crosswords.  We learn the basic rules of clue setting and try to get into the twisted mind of the compiler.  We also solve various quizzes, play an anagram game, etc..  Max. no.8. Fortnightly.

This is aimed at members who are considering changing from film to digital photography, or have recently obtained a digital camera and are unsure about its capabilities or applications.  Max. no.8. Fortnightly.

This course is designed to help people to read and interpret maps so that they can inform their driver of the route to follow in the clearest and briefest manner.  We will look at all the common maps in use in cars, including Ordnance Survey, learn what the various symbols mean and how to visualise the geographic features depicted.  We will discuss what the driver needs to know and how much information the driver needs at any one time.  The course will not be academic and will not need any prior knowledge.  It should be fun.  Max. no.6.  Fortnightly.

A repeat of last year's course.  We shall explore ways of making attractive greeting cards, mainly using paper-folding techniques – mini-origami, teabag folding and iris folding. We shall also make envelopes and small gift bags and boxes. Neat fingers required! There will be a small charge for materials – exact amount not known at the time of writing but it won’t be more than £5.  Max. no. 6. Fortnightly.

Use of:- Rubber stamps, Embossing powders.  Heat embossing.  Dry embossing on card.  Card designs covering Christmas, Birthdays,  Mother's Day, Father's Day, Easter, etc. Boxes and various card shapes. Demonstrations of each method given and participants encouraged to make their own cards during class.  Scissors and ruler required.  Max.no.10.  Monthly.

My aim is to teach people to play a competent game of Bridge.  The benefits are mentally stimulating and will extend your social circle.  A pupil needs to be motivated to achieve these benefits.  Bridge is a tremendous help in keeping the mind active but it does require effort.  Pupils are advised to have a preliminary discussion with me before starting a course.

Decorating and making cakes with delicate and lifelike sugar flowers.  Max. no. 3 at each level of continuation and beginners. Weekly.  

This course is intended to read and discuss the books of the Bible in some detail.  It also convers historical background and what message the Bible has for the worlde today.  We will begin by studying the letters of John. We shall look at them against their contemporary background and their relevance for today. Max. no. 8 .  Fortnightly.

This course aims to offer an overview of religious practice from the Neolithic to the present day. We shall look at a wide selection of religions, and touch on the psychology and physiology of religion.  We shall not be discussing Darwin or Genesis/Intelligent Creaation, nor the merits of any particular current religion.  Max. no. 20.  Fortnightly.

Using 'Classical Mythology' by Morgord and Lenardon, as our reference book, we shall explore - explore being the operative word, since the more one studies mythology the more there turns out there is to learn - creation myths, especially as they apply to the gods; we shall look at the Greek sagas and local legends; the nature of Roman mythology and, finally, the survival of classical mythology through literature, art, music, dance and film. 
We will also try and determine whether or not, as one writer suggested in her book, 'In looking to mythology we are looking into ourselves.'   Expect plenty of discussion and provocation for we are dealing with the mysterious side of life. This is not a voyage for the faint-hearted.  Morford and Lenardon's Classical Mythology will be essential reading. An inexpensive paperback edition is available.
This course will be continuing into 2009-10 with the same members.  If there is a vacancy it will only suit someone who is able to join in the course at a late stage, and perhaps who has some previous knowledge. Max. no. 8. Fortnightly.

Members of U3A are invited to take the opportunity to experience Healing at a house in The Close. Valerie Quinton, a registered healer will be there each month. Everyone is welcome, whatever their belief. There is no commitment to attend every time and no need to put this on your application form.  Just telephone the leader to let her know you would like to attend. Max. no. 8.  Monthly.