Spire University of the Third Age
     Newsletter
ISSUE No.37 www.salisburyu3a.org.uk          NOVEMBER 2004
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CHRISTMAS IS COMING ..........

................so please can we have final names and payment if you wish to attend our Christmas party on December 13th so that we can confirm numbers for catering.

Some members have enquired about the annual joint U3A Christmas dinner at the Golf Club. This has been discontinued due to the poor uptake last year and consideration is being given to organizing a summer event next year.

I was interested in the comments by one of our members regarding the seating layout at our meetings and I agree that it is not the most sociable arrangement. Sadly we appear to be outgrowing our present venue but where do we find larger premises, with more parking, without greatly increasing our costs? This has been discussed in Committee without finding a solution. If anyone can suggest a more friendly layout - bearing in mind the constraints of the fire regulations etc - or alternative premises, please let us know.

Finally, it being the 10th anniversary of the founding of Sarum U3A, I have sent a congratulatory card to the Chairman on behalf of Spire U3A members.    
Anne Gould  Chairman
Welcome to the new members

Keith and Valerie Denham       Maureen Davidson                Marion Goddard

A coffee morning is planned for November 22nds at Pat Crossland’s house in the city so you will be hearing from her.  At these informal meetings we introduce you to the way Spire U3A is arranged and it is an opportunity for you to ask any questions and meet others. 

 I look forward to seeing you there.          Sheila (Publicity Secretary)

NEWS FROM THE GROUPS 

FURTHER DI GROUP

We are still running the Spire DI group for beginners but by request we are starting a new one.

This new group will be for those who have been on one of our courses in the past and wish to take Digital Imaging a bit further.  It will be more of an informal discussion all learning from each other whilst ironing out any problems and trying out new ideas.

Even if you know us well, please sign the list at the back of the hall so we know how many are interested before we offer places to Sarum U3A.  You can ring us if you are reading this after the coffee morning!

The first meeting will be on Friday 18th November and the next on December 17th (Mince pies too) at the usual time of 10am to noon.

                                                                 Sheila and Peter Read

VILLAGE VISITS

          Cyril Gordon had run this group since 1992 and we gave him a fond farewell at the end of last season when he retired.  The visits were always well planned and most enjoyable and we thank him for all his hard work.

          John Hawkins is now the course organiser and has themed the six visits of this season as The Five Rivers of Salisbury, the first visit being at the Langfords.

          Spire U3A are unfortunately only allotted ten spaces as Salisbury U3A organise this group.  As it is, there are a hundred on the list and that necessitates two visits per month.

          Should any members be willing to start a Village Visits group for Spire please speak to a committee member who will be happy to help collect together other like minded members to help.  Those of us who have been lucky enough to enjoy visits in past years can also give pointers to successful meetings.                                      Sheila Read



VILLAGE VISIT TO ALDERBURY

February 2004


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ARCHAEOLOGY GROUP

We had an excellent talk in October by David Waymouth on Downton.  It was surprising to learn that the first settlement found was 5000 years ago.  This was well before the wildwood had been cleared to make fields.  The recent discovery that the White Horse dates from the 13th century and that the left hand part was used as the courthouse was news to us all.  The next few meetings are listed here with more details on the web site  www.salisburyu3a.org.uk./

30th November          Martin Wright from Salisbury Museum

25th January 2005      Roger Ayres talks about Silchester

22nd February 2005    Rachael Seager-Smith from Wessex Archaeology

29th March 2005        Nick Griffiths tells us more about the Roman way of life.

                                                                                                Anne Boutell

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FORUM

This group meets on the last Monday of each month in the Memorial Hall, Harnham and is open to all members.  There is no need to contact a course organiser, a fee of £1 is payable at the door.   Meetings start at 10am and are usually over before noon.  These are for those of us who do not have a science background but are interested to learn more.  The following are the subjects yet to come:
November 29th 2004                           Laurie Irons           Crystals
January 31st 2005                                Chris Penfold        Hydro Electricity
Are you having difficulties with modern technology?  Then see below!
Hi Tech Loo

WANTED or FOR SALE 

WANTED
Manual Typewriter.
Not too large and in good working order.
Reasonable price
744179 (answer phone)

FOR SALE

‘Free to good home’  Upright Boyd-London piano in good condition.
Need to provide own removal transport.  Contact if interested.
‘Offers invited  for’
1. Mandolin (Fratelli, Vinacci, Napoli, circa 1920)
2. Spanish Guitar.
3. Olympia portable typewriter in case. 
Phone 339868

Adverts to the Editor please.

Editor of this newsletter can I make a further plea for articles?
This is your newsletter and NOT solely a vehicle for your committee and group leaders to give out notices.  Some months I am sent enough articles and then hold them for the next issue, but this is rare.  More often I am spreading out the type!  So have a go.  The newsletter is bi-monthly and the next is January 2005, so you have plenty of time!
Sheila Read

PS. My name is at the end of too many articles in this issue!

Articles for issue 38 please, by January 1st 2005

Sheila Read

e-mail: s.read.frps@ntlworld.com
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