- News from the Groups
Herewith recent news from some of the groups.
The groups' pages contain the meeting details along with some 'older' news to keep this Home page topical and manageable!
The Diary pages contain more details of all the meetings.
- Romans by the River
- There are three articles on the Local History page written by members of the
Local History Group who helped at the excavations at the Galava Fort at Waterhead this summer.
- High Fells on the Map
- Three of our intrepid High Fells Walkers recently found that they each had just one Wainwright to 'bag'.
By careful forward planning over many years before they knew each other, they found that they all had the same last one to climb.
So, what better than to plan the expedition together and to celebrate afterwards in a manner the High Fellsers know best.
- Well done, David, Dudley and Stewart!
The event is recorded in the Picture Gallery, along with a photo of the essential ground support crew (H&S!).
- Canal Cruising
- Are there no limits to the Cruising Group's versatility: several members, along with press-ganged members of other groups commandeered two small (*) narrow-boats at Snaygill Boatyard, near Skipton. They set off to find adventure in the East, well, sort of Southeast, along the Leeds-Liverpool Canal.
Particularly taxing for the average layman were the steering idiosyncrasies of the narrow-boats and the apparent complications of the swing bridge operation. Luckily, some of the Science Group came to the rescue for the latter! The power one had to stop the 'mighty roar of traffic' brought back happy memories of 'In Town Tonight'.
Chug-chugging reasonably quietly and purposefully through the countryside but not on roads was 'different' and very relaxing, particularly when plied with refreshments by the very efficient galley crew. One had time to observe the ducks, heron and canal-side cows squelching in the mud. Also, the canal was of ample width for several of the crew to have a go at the helm even when craft were coming in the opposite direction.
A consultation with the ship's chronometer brought about a gentle manoeuvre, after mooring for lunch, to turn around in the vicinity of Silsden (Rather reminiscent of a 'handbrake' turn in a vehicle!) and then the crew had time to motor back past Skipton to practice that delicate turn-around procedure once more, just at the right moment to return to the moorings at the scheduled hour.
- Many thanks to the skipper for arranging such a voyage.
Images of the event are, of course, in the Picture Gallery.
(*) To the novice, small, when compared to a multi-tonne tanker.
- Reading Group
- The programme to April 2012 is listed in the Diary Pages. The books for later months are as follows:
- May 2nd. - 'The Glass Blowers', by Daphne du Maurier.
- June 6th. - Poetry by William Wordsworth.
- July 4th. - 'Picture of Dorian Gray', by Oscar Wilde.
- Reports
- The Hampton Court Flower Show
- Eleven of the Garden Group joined Bibby’s Coach trip to Hampton Court.
We left on Friday and returned on Sunday.
We had a full day at Hampton Court.
- Penny's favourite display was the Home Front Garden which was charm itself.
There were lots of truly impressive gardens: imaginative, controversial, charming, creative, amusing.
A busy day but a very worthwhile day too!
- Genealogy
- This newly formed group’s initial aim is to share knowledge and experiences of exploring family history, including topics such as ways of recording your family tree, public records and web-accessible databases.
Whether you are an experienced genealogist or a complete newcomer who would like to delve into your family history, if you would like to join us drop in on a first Monday of the month.
- Photography
- After a summer in the darkroom, meetings resumed on 11th October under the new name of 'Photography Group'.
(Well, if 'Living History' can change names a few times!)
- To attract new members and refresh existing members the Group has devoted meetings from November 2011 to a “structured” Photography Course aimed at beginners and those wishing to improve.
- The evenings include both theoretical and practical sessions.
Time will be devoted at each meeting to a “photo clinic” when members will be encouraged to bring along and to talk about their own photographs and to raise any problems they have encountered.
Tips will be given on how to improve your photos and to solve problems.
There will also be guidance on the order in which photographs can be improved with image-editing software.
- Play Reading
- We meet on the third Thursday of the month from September to June.
We are a small and friendly group, and meet in members' houses on a rotating basis. {Just like the modern stage? [web-ed]}
New members can be assured of a very warm welcome and a very entertaining afternoon; no previous experience is needed.
- Local History
- We offer a varied programme of talks, some of which are addressed by outside speakers and some by members, and visits to museums and other places of interest.
Sylvia Foreman stepped down as a co-ordinator after 11 successful years in this position. Our sincere thanks to her. Joan Carus has kindly offered to take over the role.
Pat Campbell has offered to continue until July 2012 when she will also relinquish her role.
- Crosswords
The crossword group continues to meet weekly and usually manages to complete at least one cryptic crossword at each table, sometimes two, from recent copies of the Guardian and Times. Skills at interpreting crossword language continue to improve and some books on the subject are available for members.
- Discussion
- Our meetings are friendly and informal and we always end with a well
deserved tea or coffee.
Newcomers are always welcome — whether they speak or not.
- Yoga
This group meets at random intervals to practice Yoga and movement. If you are interested in taking part or would like further information, please contact the coordinator.
- Somewhat Older News
- To keep this page short and up-to-date some of the 'older' news has found
its way to the relevant Group Pages.
- Additionally, reports on one-off events, short courses and visits or day trips appear elsewhere, along with the reports from our Fly[ing] Correspondent up to 2007 Click here-
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- Crosswords - A First!
- Congratulations to the Crossword Group for having one of their gems published in the Autumn 2011 issue of 'U3A News' (page 7).
To show how versatile they are, another crossword appeared in our own Newsletter in October 2011. This is reproduced here, on the Crossword Page.
ANSWERS. The answers to this are, as promised, here at the click of a button:
- More Group Reports
- The Jersey Holiday
- 22 members recently spent a most enjoyable week on the island of Jersey.
Travel and accommodation, courtesy of Bibby’s of Ingleton were excellent, with door to door service and flight from Manchester.
- An included all-day tour of the island set the scene for people to make their own arrangements for a variety of activities.
The Hotel’s indoor pool and Jaccuzi were sampled, along with many tourist attractions; Museums, Durell’s animal collection, various remnants of the wartime occupation and a variety of gardens.
- Glorious weather, glorious beaches and a range of walking opportunities were enjoyed.
Bridge and Rummykub filled the evenings along with a number of outdoor concerts in the local Park. Some folk even played Bingo!
- Everyone now wants to know where to go next year. Any ideas to Joan Curphey.
- Mah Jong
- One of the myths of the origin of mah-jong suggests that Confucius, the Chinese philosopher, developed the game in China about 500 BC. The name is derived from the Chinese for sparrow.
It is a great game to play. New members are always welcome — Taster sessions for beginners can be arranged.
- Unfortunately Scrabble is not as popular, so we will not be offering this option in future meetings.
- Natural History
We visit Cumbria Wildlife Trust Nature Reserves, RSPB Reserves, etc. We are interested in all branches of Natural History.
Our late summer programme includes visits to the Cumbria Wildlife Trust sites at Smardale Gill, Burns Beck Moss and Hutton Roof Crags as well as a trip to the splendid RSPB Reserve at Leighton Moss (see diary dates for details).
Anyone is welcome at any of our meetings, but please phone the contact shown for the event by 19.00 on the preceding evening in case of a change of venue or time and to arrange car sharing.
- Walking Groups
Did you know that walking six miles a week boosts the brain? So, come and join the Planning meeting on Monday 19th. September at 2.30pm in Windermere.
Healthy people who walk at least six miles a week have bigger brains, better memories and improved mental ability! The findings of a 10-year study in the United States suggest that as we get older walking is the best way of preserving both mental and physical health.
A good reason for joining one of our walking groups!
Full details on the 'walking' page and in the Diary.
- 2012 Autumn Walking Break
- This is being arranged for Monday September 17th to Friday September 21st 2012 at Halsway Manor, Crowcombe, Taunton.
- Halsway Manor
is the National Residential Centre for Folk Music, Dance and Song and is recommended to us by our members, Joan and Reg Curphey. The Tudor manor house nestles in the western folds of the Quantock Hills and has magnificent views across Exmoor. For further information visit their website (www.halswaymanor.org.uk). Also the coordinators have some leaflets on Halsway Manor which they will try to distribute.
Please book early to avoid disappointment.
- NW Region U3A News
- The latest Regional News is available on the NWU3A website, below.
- Virtual U3A
- The Virtual U3A (vU3A), which went live in January 2009, is an online-only U3A, affiliated to the Third Age Trust.
One of its principal aims is to provide the U3A experience for those who are rendered isolated in some way by circumstances or geography and unable to play a full part in a terrestrial U3A.
More information is available on the public website (link below) where one can also apply for membership. Why not pay it a visit? Also, if you know of anyone who might benefit, please pass the information on.
- U3A Science & Technology Network
- There is now a website set up (See link below) for the U3A Science & Technology Network at the request of U3A science coordinators.
- The idea is to provide a nationwide hub for U3A science groups and the National Coordinator would welcome suggestions for improvement: ie.what use would such a web site be to our group?
- There are also plans for a science newsletter and for a list of U3A speakers willing to talk to neighbouring groups, further details about which are to be found on the 'About' page of the web site.
- ARMITT MUSEUM & LIBRARY
- CENTENARY 2012
- The Armitt's centenary year of 2012 has come and the Museum is planning a spectacular series of events which they hope local residents, organisations and businesses will be proud of. They would like to involve as many people as possible and would welcome ideas and contributions. To be involved or just to be kept up to date with progress, e-mail the Armitt - the link is at the bottom of this page.
- From U3A Signposts:
Free Basic Computer and IT Skills Training at http://alison.com
ALISON ABC IT is a free, online, self-certifiable course which comprehensively introduces the beginner and near beginner to IT literacy.
ABC IT introduces the learner to the very basic concepts of computing and teaches how computing can be an everyday feature of life and work.
This free online training course provides learners with the IT skills so necessary in today's workplace. It covers basic Microsoft Office computer applications and touch typing training.
- On-Line Learning
- As many of you will know, in addition to the above, there is available through the central U3A website (link below) a wide range of on-line courses.
Some of these can simply be started and completed as and when you wish, whilst others allow you work as a small real life group, or entail learning alongside other on-line students, from the UK and further afield, under the eye of an on-line tutor. - A small, one-off registration fee gives you access to a huge selection of learning topics so, if you want something to help you while away these long winter nights, why not give it a try.
- Local Learning
- Whilst we have your attention, there is a wide range of very good courses at the local libraries.
The range includes IT skills (from 'getting started' to 'improving'), further Digital Photography, Introduction to the Internet, Geology for Hillwalkers, Exploring the History of your House, etc.
'Phone 32507 (Ambleside) and/or 62400 (Windermere) for further details.
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