U3A BULLETIN No 9 – MAY/JUNE 2017
Dear U3A Member
JUNE (ANNUAL) GENERAL MEETING
We look forward to seeing you at the meeting on Wednesday 14th June (10.30 a.m. in the Malthouse Suite in the Conservative Club, as usual) when we look forward to the important Annual General Meeting giving you the opportunity to review and comment on the activities of the SADU3A over the past year and to offer advice and guidance on how you would like to see the organisation develop over the coming year.
After the AGM, we are promised a lively and entertaining presentation from Mike Bull who will tell us about the history of the Little Theatre in Leicester.
Following the success of the Gardening Group’s display in May, another of our Groups will be taking the opportunity to demonstrate their work at the meeting.
OTHER COMMITTEE NEWS AND NOTICES
a) Membership subscription renewal - We are delighted to be able to confirm that by the final date for subscription renewal (31st May) we have 286 fully paid-up Members. We have “lost” a small number who, for a variety of reasons, decided not to renew their membership. Several of these have said they intend to return once the current problems, which have led them to withdraw, have been sorted.
b) Elections – As you will have read in the AGM papers already circulated, most places on the Executive Committee have been filled with all but 3 positions filled by unopposed nominations received by the closing date. We are still seeking a Minuting Secretary and there are 2 vacancies for Committee Members without specific responsibilities at the present time. Nomination of volunteers to fill any of these positions will be sought from the floor of the AGM. If you are interested in having your name put forward, please contact any member of the Committee who will be very pleased to give you more information about what is involved.
c) Newsletter Editor – I am delighted to be able to confirm that Margaret King has been elected as Editor, taking over from me with immediate effect. While it has been my pleasure and privilege to act as Editor for the past year and a half, I am more than happy to hand over the responsibility to Margaret who, I am confident, will further develop both Bulletins and “Vitality” in the months ahead. I wish her every success.
From now on, therefore, anyone wishing to have something included in our publications should send material to Margaret at
d) August Summer Social - As announced in the last Bulletin, the Executive Committee are planning a Summer Social event to “replace” the General Meeting scheduled for 9th August. Final details are awaited at the time of writing. Once again I urge you please to keep the date free and watch out for further information in due course.
e) Training course in use of audio-visual aid equipment - Vice-Chairman, Derek Burdon, writes: Following the success of our first AVA training session, Group Leaders are invited to the next in the series which will be held in the Committee Room of the SAD Volunteer Centre, 18 School Street, Syston from 10.00 a.m. to 12 noon on Friday 2nd June when John Baker and I will offer a second training session to 6 Group Organisers (and any other interested Member, subject to space availability). If any Member is interested in attending, please contact Derek () or John ()
f) Groups and Group Organisers – Efforts continue to set up additional Groups and volunteers to act as Organisers to meet known demand from Members.
PLEASE NOTE: Group organisers do not have to be experts in the subject(s) involved. A Group Leader simply undertakes the necessary administrative tasks which enable the Group to function efficiently. Very often U3A Groups operate on a self-taught basis using learning materials obtained from the Third Age Trust or other sources.
NEWS FROM THE GROUPS
PHILOSOPHY GROUP
‘I cannot teach anybody anything – I can only make them think’ Socrates
The Syston and District U3A philosophy group has been meeting now since December 2015, and we’d like to welcome more members to join us in the process of thinking clearly and with purpose. We all know that as we get older, it’s important to keep the muscles active and exercised, and the brain is a muscle that needs plenty of exercise too. What better way to do so than to examine the thoughts of philosophers through the ages, to look at the circumstances in which they lived, and most importantly, to see what lessons we can learn from their experiences.
The statement above was written last year as an introduction to the group, and I am pleased to report that we continue to grow as we explore the ideas of different philosophers, and debate subjects arising from their thoughts. Of course, we apply modern day thinking to the issues raised, as it would difficult to see things through the eyes of someone from a different era.
We structure the monthly meetings by discussing a particular topic. Two recent examples were, ‘Ethics’ with attention to the medical dilemmas faced daily by hospital staff and ‘Art appreciation’, trying to establish what it is, and what function it plays in our daily lives.
Since the Brexit referendum, and with the UK elections coming soon, it becomes more important to try to separate truth from ‘spin’. With social media and the popular press telling us what to believe, deciding what is true is more necessary than ever.
I cannot guarantee that we get a definitive answer but it will gives us plenty to think about.
What’s next for the group.
We are about to review 20th century philosophers and their interpretation of previous thinkers. Some of these philosophers, Jean Paul Sartre, Bertrand Russell, and Richard Dawkins have been alive in our lifetime. We will continue to discuss a topic of our choice for open debate.
If you are interested in learning more, contact Michael Wherton () for details of the next meeting date and venue.
BOWLING
Members are reminded that they are welcome to attend coaching sessions at both Syston (Mondays 5.30 p.m – free coaching; Tuesdays 2.15 p.m. friendly bowling sessions £3.50 per session) and Sileby Bowling Clubs (Tuesdays 5.00 p.m. free coaching sessions) All equipment is provided except for flat shoes, which are essential to protect the surface of the green. Trainers are acceptable. Contacts for Syston – Gary Kilbourne 0116 2607 922 for coaching; John Lamble 01509 732 688 for Tuesday friendly games. Contact for Sileby – A Dawson 07840 124 810
THEATRE GROUP
Elaine Yarwood writes: “I am organising the theatre trip for December, anticipating a trip to the Curve on 6th December to see “Scrooge - the musical” based on “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens. I will be putting up a poster and would like interested people to enter their names on a list. I have organised the “Blood Brothers” trip for 18th October and will confirm the minibus for those people who have requested transport.
I also plan to order tickets for “Flash Dance” at De Montfort Hall in March.”
Ann Winter writes: “On 18th May 20 members of the SADU3A visited Curve Theatre to see “The Red Shoes” and we could not have gone to a better production.
Based on the 1948 film, with music by Bernard Hermann and choreography by Matthew Bourne, it tells the tale of a girl’s dream to become the greatest dancer in the world, but her ambitions become entangled between two men who inspire her passion.
A proscenium arch swivels from front to back stage creating a wonderful effect and lighting and film projection give stunning visual effects.
The theatre was packed to capacity and had the whole audience rapt, including our group, who I can safely say enjoyed every moment.
SUPPER GROUP
The Supper Group continues to be well supported. Our May trip was to the Black Boy, Hungarton. For June we have booked at the Hunting Lodge, Barrow upon Soar. Once again, this has been tried - but who knows what will happen on the night! It’s all part of the excitement!
All meetings are held on the 4th Wednesday each month starting at at 7p.m.
Anyone interested in joining in should contact Val D'Arcy - or Pam Green –
GARDENING GROUP
Sue Blaxland writes: “Pictures show the Gardening Group keeping up their reputation for sunny day visits! It rained solidly for most of the week, but the sun shone on us for our visit to two lovely private gardens in Hungarton on a beautiful May afternoon”
JAYNE GOOD PAINTING WORKSHOP
Pat Glover writes:
Eleven eager people arrived for the Jayne Good painting workshop on the morning of the 22nd May. Many of us never having painted with oils before, were, understandably,a little nervous. Jayne soon put us at ease with her humour and easy-going manner asshe explained the equipment set out in front of us - and what we would be doing - and off we went. There was much laughter amidst the groans of "My trees don't look right!" and "My sky looks all wrong!" etc, but Jane was very reassuring and we finished up with what were - although maybe not masterpieces – surprisingly good pictures. We were all quite pleased with our efforts and the morning was very enjoyable.
Patricia Wherton has supplied the following photographs of the day’s event:
WORLD DINING GROUP
This May, the SADU3A Worldwide Dining Club crossed the Atlantic to Brazil. To the Preto Churrascaria in Loughborough to be exact. 19 of us booked in for a Brazilian barbecue with a difference.
We were seated and the system of service explained to us. We should help ourselves to salad and vegetables from the buffet and then the meat (16 different cuts) would be brought to us at the table. We were given cards to put in front of us. If the green side was face up, we wanted to try more meats. If the card was turned to the red side, we wanted to give our tummy a rest or were full up.
At first some of our ladies were a little wary of burly Brazilians bearing machetes but we soon got the hang of it and some members challenged each other to try all 16 skewers of meat as they came round. It was amazing how much some of our smaller ladies could eat as they left their cards on green so as not to miss trying anything.
But one member, determined to get his money’s worth kept going, even collecting unwanted cards to try and get more helpings and eat faster than the spits could barbeque. In the end he had to admit defeat.
Next month we continue around the
world going to the “Little Tokyo” Japanese restaurant – but Brazil will live a long time in the memory – Well worth a visit!
WALKING GROUP
Wandering through the Bluebells
On Thursday 27th April, Rob Crosby arranged a special treat for his group, extra to the schedule, to view the Bluebells growing in the woods at the side of Rutland Water. 8 of us met at East Goscote and drove over to Barnsdale Woods, where a picture in blue awaited us.
The Walking Group has members who also belong to the Wildlife Groups and so cameras were at the ready for the beauty we had come to see. The walk often came to a halt to take photos.
Fortunately we also had members of the Gardening Group present and the difference between our native bluebell and the Spanish invader was explained to us. Also that the Spanish plant was a “thug” which would, if left to grow and spread, crowd out our English Bluebell.
A native bluebell has flowers all on one side of the stem, which is firm and in an upright position”
A Spanish invader has flowers all around the stem, which droops over when in flower.”
Following the now established tradition of the Walking Group, after a very slow but rewarding walk back through the woods, we retired to a public house in Oakham for a well-deserved lunch. One car was carrying the four members of the Wildlife Group present and a special treat for them as they drove out of the woods was to see a Green Woodpecker at work, followed by the sighting of a Bullfinch nearby. They kept the others waiting. It was too much to ask birdwatchers not to stop and admire these beautiful birds.
A lovely day out.
MUSIC APPRECIATION GROUP
Ros Marriott reports: I am on the mend and off to my sister’s home in Worthing for the rest of my recovery! I plan to re-start my Musical Appreciation Group on the 3rd Monday in June at 10.00 a.m. at The Hub . Best wishes to everyone.
PLAYREADING GROUP
The Playreading Group meets every first Tuesday of the month in TheHub, Main St. Syston at 10.00a.m. (Buy a coffee as rent!}. We have 10 members who come regularly - but only one male member - if you will excuse the expression! So far, we have read two plays - “The Bed Before Yesterday”by Ben Travers, and “Timeof your Life” by Alan Ayckbourne. More members will be welcome, especially males!
Enquiries to Phil Snelders at .