Number 119
Welcome to new members:
Carol Allkins, Edna Braben, Matthew Braben, Julie Dennis, Stuart Dennis, Janice Luckett, Brenda Maxwell,
Vivienne Witt, Diane Zakss, Michael Walker, Harold Wilmot.
This month I want to turn to one or two administrative matters. It really has been difficult getting members to renew their subscriptions this year; and even now there are a few outstanding established members. I know this sort of thing is easily overlooked; but it would help a great deal if renewal ran more smoothly and that, at the least by the A.G.M. in mid-March we had a clear idea of our membership and could confidently admit new members. I will return to this subject later in the year.
As regards new members, you may have noticed that at the monthly coffee mornings we have asked them to wear name labels. This will enable you to recognise new members and make them welcome. There is a steady flow of new members each month, which is good for our U3A and I hope to make a practice of meeting those of you who can come to the coffee morning, afterwards. I would ask all new members to let me have a few stamped addressed envelopes to post the Newsletter when you cannot come, and remind all existing members without email contact to do the same. This helps to keep down costs and the annual subscription as well as making distribution easier for me personally.
To end on a somewhat lighter note, with the summer approaching, despite the somewhat variable weather at the moment, I do wish you all a very pleasant and enjoyable few months, wherever you may be and whatever you will be doing. We shall be away later this month and because of this will not be here for the June meeting.
Peter Tee. Tel: 322018
GROUPS
At the beginning of June, all Sarum U3A members who have paid the current year’s subscription (which was due in January 2005) will receive a copy of the new programme for groups September 2005-2006, a description of the activities and a Groups Application Form. As usual, in fairness to the many new members and to cater for those who wish to change, members can apply to join up to 5 Sarum U3A groups stating their priority preferences. The form should be returned at the June Coffee Morning or by the end of June and members will be informed about allocations at the July Coffee Morning or by post. This procedure seems to work well and most people are happy with the outcome. Please note that Salisbury U3A have allocated us only 12 places for Village Visits this year, which will be primarily for new applicants.
Croquet Group
The Group is in urgent need of new members without whom it will cease to function.
Contact Aileen Manchee 01722742368
Strollers Group
Please contact Felicity and Ian on 329243
For details of May walk.
Wednesday 18th May
Still a few seats
Legal and Illegal London
Similar but not the same as tour in 2004
Coach
Tesco's 8. 00am
Coach station 8.15am
Return from London 4.00 pm.
Cost with tour £14.50
Friday 10th June
Osborne House
Isle of Wight
Take a picnic or café and restaurant on site
Coach Station 8.15am
Tesco's 8.30 am.
Return from Osborne House 3.45pm.
Cost £16.25 inclusive
Wednesday 13th July
Highclere Castle and Gardens, Newbury
Fine Victorian house home of the 8th Earl and Countess of Carnavon
Take picnic or use on site facilities
Coach
Tesco's 9.00am
Coach Station9.15 am. Return from Highclere 4.30 pm.
Cost £12.75 inclusive.
Enquiries and booking through John Ewington Tel: 500 699
Flat 5 Arlington House
22 Bourne Avenue
Salisbury SP1 1LS
'Mid-Wessex branch of The Embroiderers Guild' are visiting the V&A on the 21st July 2005 by coach and have some spare seats. The cost is £8.00 per person. Picking up at Herbert Hall car park in Wilton at 8.00am then Salisbury Coach Station at 8.20am.
Return journey leaving the V&A at 4.30pm.
If you would like a ticket please telephone Paddy Archer 01722 717990
or email paddy.archer4@btinternet.com'
| John Summerhayes, writes:- Hong Kong after 30 years |
| I lived in Repulse Bay Hong Kong for 3 years in the early 70`s. How things have changed! I returned for visits in 1991 and 1992 and even then I had difficulty in recognising many parts of what was then still the Colony of HK. A short visit of 6 nights on my way to Australia in April enabled me to check out further developments. The speed of change left me enthralled. As an example the 12 storey block of flats at Royden Court where I lived has been demolished and a new futuristic development of 30 storeys in a concave/convex style is in place though not yet occupied. It was typical of what has happened over most of the Island and Kowloon. There are very few low rise developments left. Almost every site is a minimum of 30 storeys. Similar high rise construction is to be found throughout the New Territories especially the new towns of Shatin, Tuen Mun and on Lantau Island adjoining the new Airport. Every station on the Kowloon to Lowu railway is surrounded by high rise flats. A new railway line linking HK Central and the new airport is in place and an extension from west Kowloon to Tsuen Wan, Yuen Long and Tuen Mun(formerly Castle Peak). An u/g Mass Tansit Rail (MTR) existed in 1991 but has been extended in recent years and is very efficient. This links the Island to Kowloon and much of the New Territories. Three road tunnels link the Island to Kowloon/New Kowloon so most of the former ferries have ceased to operate but the famous Star Ferry continues though primarily for tourists. The HK economy appeared to be reasonably buoyant and it is certainly not cheap, it is much cheaper to shop in south-east Asia or India than HK. Two examples highlight the situation, Disneyworld are opening in HK in the near future. As reported by the newspaper they are unable to recruit sufficient HK staff and are advertising in the Phillipines with pay of around £100 a week, not bad for Asia. Secondly, there are very few Chinese Amahs (live in domestics) most of these are now Phillipinos on work permits. On a Sunday on their day off, they are to be found congregating in HK Central occupying all public open space and even some closed roads – and almost 100% female. There are 1000`s sitting around gossiping etc. Would I recommend HK. Of course it is as fascinating as ever. It is still bustling, exciting, buoyant and efficient (transport especially so). Do not make your visit too short there is so much to see and do and a short tour into Mainland China is easily arranged. |
Coffee Morning meetings are held on the third Wednesday of every month at St. Francis Church Hall, Beatrice Road.
Time: 10.00am. for 10.30am.
| June15th | On Roman glass | Denise Allen |
| July 20th | "The history and preservation of the Fovant Badges" | Tony Pinder |
| August 17th | 1780's A Lighthearted look at the Decade | Ruth Newman |
Orders for Diaries now being taken. Telephone Phyl. 322570 if you are not at the next Coffee Morning.
Please send all contributions for the Newsletter by the Wednesday noon before the meeting to the Editor:
Lydia Dungate
5 Bourne Villas, College Street,
Salisbury SP1 3AW
Tel: 01722 339286
Or e-mail lydiakendungate@fish.co.uk
E-mail or disc preferred
