U3A BULLETIN No 7 – MARCH 2017

Dear U3A Member

MARCH GENERAL MEETINGWe look forward to seeing you at the meeting on Wednesday 8th March (10.30 a.m. in the Malthouse Suite in the Conservative Club, as usual) when we look forward to Jayne Good demonstrating ”Techniques of Painting Pictures”. Members can be assured that this is not only for budding artists but of wide interest to all of us, helping us, perhaps, to develop a wider understanding of pictorial art.PLEASE NOTE that the published date for our April General Meeting is wrong! The second Wednesday is 12th, not 13th as featured in the Monthly Meetings Programme. Apologies for the error and thanks to all those eagle-eyed Members who have pointed it out!

OTHER COMMITTEE NEWS AND NOTICESa) Grants - I am delighted to confirm that we have been successful (again) in our efforts to

raise money through grants to buy equipment necessary for the smooth operation of our General and Group meetings. At their meeting on 21st February, Syston Town Council agreed a grant of £500. Their generous support is very greatly appreciated. We can now move immediately to complete the purchase of most of the items on our “shopping list”.

b) Membership subscription renewal - In response to a number of enquiries, arrangements have been made for Members to pay their renewal subscriptions by Bank Transfer (BACS) to Sort Code 40-30-24 Account Number: 23911454. PLEASE ensure that you quote your membership number to avoid confusion.On the subject of renewals, can I please remind you, dear reader, that if you are one of those who wishes to benefit from a “discount” on your annual membership fee because, for example, you belong to more than one U3A, could you please arrange for the discount to be organised by the other U3A where, with more experience, they have the necessary administrative systems in place to handle discounts. For our part, we will continue to develop to the point where we can handle such requests.

c) Speakers’ Programme 2017-18 – Thanks to great efforts by our Speaker Finder, Pat Wherton, our 2017-18 General Meeting programme is close to completion. Once it is complete, programme cards will again be published for your information. The Executive Committee has decided that we will not have speakers at this year’s AGM, which will be held in June, or November, when we are planning another “Open Day” event. Your copy of the Monthly Meeting Programme is expected to be available for handing out with your new 2017-18 Membership Card.

d) Membership Satisfaction Survey – Attached to this Bulletin is a short survey which everyone is urged to complete and return by the closing date of 12th April. Provided that a large majority of Members complete and return the Survey, the Executive Committee will have a wealth of data which will be of great help to us in planning our future strategy. I thank you in advance and in anticipation of your co-operation. As usual, “hard” copies of this Bulletin and the Survey will be available at the March and April General Meetings for those who do not have email or who do not have printing facilities.

e) Groups – After a deal of discussion, it has been decided (once and for all!) that those volunteers – previously known first as Group Leaders and then, Group Convenors, will

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henceforth be known as Group Organisers. It is hoped that we have eventually arrived at a title which will accurately reflect the true nature of the role – i.e. the Organiser is not necessarily an “expert” in the subject involved but is one who undertakes the necessary administration to ensure the smooth running of the Group.

LINE DANCING LAUNCHEDTwenty-six U3A members took to the floor on Tuesday afternoon 21st

February at Syston Methodist Hall for our first Line Dancing session . The 6 week course is being led by Jan Brogan, a local Line Dance expert. Not a moment was wasted as Jan

demonstrated basic steps and moves. She soon had us dancing to rousing music and we managed to learn 4 dances in just one hour! Not bad going! I don't think anyone noticed when we went wrong and ended up facing back to front! Perhaps our laughter gave us away! If you'd like to join us (we're all beginners) please contact : sheiladriver@hotmail.com

MUSIC APPRECIATION GROUPMy second Music Appreciation Group meeting took place on Monday 20th February and I was delighted to welcome eleven people on this occasion. Everyone seemed to enjoy it and we are going to meet again on 20th March in the Hub Café at 10.00 a.m. - Ros Marriott - rosmar@hotmail.co.uk

YOGA STRETCHES GROUPThe Yoga Stretches Group meets weekly on Wednesday at 10.00 a.m. (excluding General Meeting Wednesdays) at the Conservative Club's Malthouse Suite. (Everyone knows where that is, so no excuses!) You really need to come along and try it for yourself. Anyway, we go from strength to strength or more literally from stretch to stretch. However we can still find you a space and a warm welcome. The only hard stretch is the one to get here.We use all the available floor space creating a large circle of extra-friendly, happy people dedicated to improving our mobility, wellbeing and the feel good factor - or at least maintaining the status quo.Last session we started with simple, easy chair-based stretches and limbers, then moved to standing - keeping a friendly chair handy for balance. As we gained in confidence, the fun was spread around and we moved to sitting on the floor, kneeling and finally lying on mats for our stretches and for some special 'me time' in the form of stress-free relaxation.As stated, new members are always welcome, the more the merrier, in our non-competitive laid-back environment. So the first exercise is to get to our meeting. The second is to learn how to unwind, then to get a little fitter and enjoy the company of like-minded member-friends. (I fear that's the third and fourth exercise covered as well!)So the message is clear. Come along and share a stretch or two and a smile. The best way to improve your wellbeing is with a friendly greeting and a laugh. It's been a lot of fun so far.Phyl Wilson 01162603407 or email phylvwilson@gmail.com

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WALKING GROUPWalking Thursday 2nd March - Beeston to Nottingham on the canal footpath.5 miles on flat paths. No stiles, No mud (A Winter walk) Everyone welcome!Meet at Syston train station at 9.15 for 9.30 train to Beeston or drive to Beeston for 10 am start. (Please let me know if you are starting at Beeston)Stella and I walked-out the route on Tuesday 7th Feb and found only 1 small diversion around a new bridge. Stella re-joined the canal path down a muddy bank, only to find a new tarmac path 100 m further along the path.As there are no toilets at Beeston station, I have arranged to call into a riverside cafe about a mile from the station. We can use the toilets there. But, like me, you may have a mug of tea and a light breakfast there, to fortify the body to face the next 4½ miles to the Vat & Fiddle pub in the heart of Nottingham.Using a rail card will save about 1/3 off the £11.80 return fare to Nottingham (the conductor assured me a return to Nottingham would be cheaper than a return to Beeston and a single back to Beeston). I will take a careful register in Syston and work out groups of 3, 4 or 5 to save a bit over 1/3 of the cost, i.e. about £7.50, for those without a railcard.Incidentally, when I first thought of this walk I cycled from Beeston along the canal to where it joins the Trent near the Trent cricket ground. I then followed the Trent back to Beeston. It’s all well signed “The big track”. The idea was to see which was the more interesting route for a walk from Beeston to Nottingham city centre. I thought the canal was more interesting and not next to a main road. (Perhaps we could follow the Trent on a future walk!)It’s a relatively easy outing on a bike, about 12 miles. I took the bike on the train to Beeston. There is a pleasant tea stall at Trent Bridge.Hope to see you on this walkRob Crosby – bobcrosby2007@talktalk.net

SUPPER GROUPThe Supper Group will be meeting at The Horse and Groom, Queniborough, on March 22nd at 7pm. We are still staying close to Syston for this meeting and hope to be able to venture further afield in April when the weather might improve. If members will let either of us know if you will be coming by no later than one week before, as we now have to restrict numbers eating as the group is too large to accommodate all the members at each venue.Val D'Arcy - valeriedarcy@yahoo.co.uk and Pam Green – pamelagreen34@btinternet.com

CANASTA GROUPOur canasta card group is steadily growing with fourteen current Members enjoying a social and extremely friendly environment, with beginners and experienced players. Our target is to bring our membership up to twenty. To achieve this, we will be advertising in the “What's On” diary of the Syston Town News as well as by word of mouth from current U3A Members. If you are free on a Monday afternoon from 2pm to 4pm and enjoy card games, why not come along to the Syston Community Centre, School Street. Experienced players and beginners are all welcome. There’s always someone available to help.Tony Hill - 01664 424905

THEATRE GROUP

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a) There are still a few tickets left for our trip to Kilworth for the matinee performance of “Top Hat” on Wednesday 23rd August.Price £45 includes ticket and coach. If you are interested in going please contact Janet Downes. jandow70@aol.co.uk

b) On Thursday 23rd February 5 Members went to the Studio in Curve in Leicester to see “William Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play (Abridged) ” performed by The Reduced Shakespeare Company, three Americans wearing trainers, who presented a barnstormingly irreverent celebration of our cultural heritage.This ‘new’ play by the man himself, as discovered in a Leicester car park at the same time as Richard III, features, in this single work of dramatic genius, most of the 139 characters featured in his subsequent 37 separate plays! (We learned that Walt Disney subsequently plagiarised many of the plots!) The play, mercifully abridged by the RSC from its full original hundred hour running time, to a more palatable ninety minutes, embarks on a frenetic and breathtakingly hilarious melange of the Bard’s work, involving audience participation, in true pantomime style, and including many local references to Leicester and the current political scene. A rib-ticklingly enjoyable evening!

TABLE TENNIS GROUPThe Table Tennis Group is now established and progressing well, but we are looking for a few more members. The Group meets between 1pm and 3pm each Friday at the South Charnwood Leisure Centre, Syston. The Centre offers excellent facilities, including a full-size table in a large, heated/air conditioned room. The cost is £1 per session. If you don’t have your own bat, don’t worry, you can borrow one to get started.Don’t be concerned if you are not of a high-standard because neither are any of the current members. “It’s not the winning, it’s the taking part,” as they say.We currently have around 9 members and are looking to increase this number. So, if you think you might be interested, please come along to the next session and see if you enjoy a bit of competition…….as well as keeping yourself a little more agile! Alternatively, if you have any questions, you could telephone the Group Leaders Richard Oswin - (0116) 3673497 or Jim Storer on (0116) 2608396 for a friendly chat.We look forward to hearing from you.

BRIDGE GROUP “RELAUNCH”We are pleased to be able to announce the re-launch of a Bridge Group for “Absolute Beginners”. Volunteer Group Organiser, Brian Austin, says “I am happy to offer a course for beginners and for those who have not played bridge for some years and would like to refresh their knowledge. The timing and venue for such a course will be decided when the number of members who are interested, is known. If you are interested, therefore, please contact me at “Brian Austin”<syston159@gmail.com>

WORLD DINING CLUBWe meet during the evening of the 2nd Wednesday of every month at a different venue each month. Our group has 24 listed members and we generally have between 14 and 20 members present each month. We would love to see you but, as we pre-book the table at the restaurant, you need to tell us in advance if you wish to come to one of our meetings.After a splendid Christmas Party in December at ”Salty’s” in Syston to close our first year, 19 members met again on February 8th at the “Alloro” in Syston to make outline plans for the year ahead sampling the cuisines of as many different countries as possible..

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In March we are visiting the “Everest” Nepalese restaurant. We are investigating Lebanese, Mexican, Spanish and Greek restaurants for this year along with revisiting our favourites from 2016.Top of our list is the 2017 Christmas Party to be held again at “Salty’s”. Nick and Tina from “Salty’s” had us up on our feet last December, reliving our youth as we danced and sang to the tunes of the 60’s and 70’s . Indeed, half of the available places for this event in 2017 are already booked! No-one who went last year wants to miss out on this year’s repeat. Also requested for a return visit is the ”Turtle Bay” Caribbean restaurant in the Shires, where, despite being twice the age of anyone else there, SADU3A showed that our generation knew how to enjoy dining out with friends. A return visit is also planned to the Yum Sing Cantonese in Oadby.

Our thanks to Barry Marshall who, at our February meeting (left), “volunteered” to become Assistant Group Organizer, helping to sort out arrangements during Cynthia’s holiday absences.Unfortunately, when Cynthia asked for a volunteer, Barry didn’t realize why the Group had gone silent allowing his voice to be heard at the far end of the table. Following a round of applause from the assembled members, he was thanked for volunteering and his appointment was confirmed! Cynthia is not going on holiday until the Summer, by which time we hope Barry will have recovered from the shock – (See picture left.)For further details of this Group, contact Cynthia Baker cynjohnbaker@gmail.com

PARCHMENT CRAFT GROUPIn January we welcomed two new members to our group. Our craft is very adaptable and projects can be tailored to the beginner or more advanced 'Parcher'. We looked at different ways to produce a decorative edge on a greetings card or other piece of parchment work.At our February meeting, when we were visited by one of our Group Co-ordinators, Janet Downes, the topic was “boxes”. For those who wanted to make a parchment box there were three patterns available. Of course, as always, anyone wanting to work on an existing project or would prefer to make something different is most welcome to do so. In March we will be looking at creating items with several layers of parchment. We meet on the third Wednesday afternoon each month at St Hilda's church hall and anyone who would like to try this unusual craft is most welcome to come along.For further information please contact Lyn Palmer- lynpalmer192@btinternet.com or by telephone on 0116 2606889.

PLAY READING GROUPThe Play Reading Group will meet next on 7 th March at 10 am in The Hub to read 'Rookery Nook', a farce which is often read at Play Reading groups, or performed by amateur Drama groups.

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Do come along if you want to take part, or even if you want to hear a play reading - no set, no props, just use your imagination! But do buy a coffee downstairs as our rent!Phil Snelders - philsnel@aol.com

ORNITHOLOGY GROUP Three Syston Members (Elizabeth Chew, Diane Kachelski & Robin Perry) joined a Naturetrek 5 day trip to Iceland to see the avifauna, Northern Lights and the volcanic geology of this fascinating country. The trip was a great success in very suitable weather conditions, although the Northern Lights activity was only 3 on the nine point scale. This is their report, followed by two original poems and photographs:ICELAND - THE ARCTIC FRONTIER Iceland is the final island bastion between North-West Europe and the Arctic. It sits there like a lava encrusted giant brooding over its past, present and uncertain future. An island population of 350,000 hardy, even redoubtable, people both enjoy its uniqueness but inwardly perhaps query its future existence as an island community.The past looms up at you in terms of geo-thermal and steaming mud pools, and lava statuettes recalling trolls, gargoyles and other misshapen creatures. Sweeping far across the winter wastelands, snow pockets are interlaced with stretches of scrubby heathers, small berried bushes and expanses of lichened rock presenting a curious lattice work of browns and lime green. Every so often, the eye picks out steam escaping from rocky fissures where lava has poured out in the various historical eruptions that have occasionally devastated this country. The whole picture evokes a sense of ruggedness combined with mystery that forms the living present. This picture is enhanced by the spectacular Aurora Borealis, the Northern Lights, that start with mini spirals of grey light rising as if from nowhere, then changing into larger sweeping cloudlike patterns followed so often by curtains of light rising and dominating the sky, turning it into a theatre of activity and changing shapes and patterns. What the naked eye cannot see in terms of its inherent colours, the camera unveils, as greens and blues dominate but dull reds and oranges also seep in to the patterns. The whole display can be further illuminated by a rising moon that sheds its own cold, silvery glow upon proceedings producing a heavenly spectre beyond all imagination. Onlookers, whether visitors or inured residents, stand spellbound.The future looks less sure. While technological and industrial progress have certainly affected the south-west of Iceland in the Reykjavik area with its good potential for tourism as well as fishing etc, there is the knowledge that magma continues to build under the earth’s surface and will eventually seek its own release causing a massive eruption. This creates a sense of philosophical caution and possible apprehensiveness in the residents. They know they have to get along with their lives and exist – but for how much longer? How much will a largescale eruption interfere with their established way of life in Iceland?The following poems and the photos, aim to capture something of the atmosphere and landscape of Iceland as well as paying tribute to their national avifauna symbol, the Gyrfalcon.

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LAVA SENTINELS300 years you have stoodjust here - gargoyles on guarddaily of this lava kingdom.For you time is frozen,one instant is a year,your neck craned slightlyto view visitors from another time,their day much shorter than yours.Perhaps when darkness fallsand northern lights pulse downtheir fingertips of energy,you’ll catch that magic dustand turn your head to the seaand wish one moment for your end.

GYRFALCONMy talons find youstraying into open scrub – trapped.I drop incising surgicallythrough your frail feathering,you who strayed just metresfrom deep recesses, rocky slopes.

Lifeless after one sharp kissof death’s ultimate operationyou’ll stray no moreand fit in snugly to my claws.

I lift away with banquetheld tightly to craggy ridgewhere I watch imperious -and no one watches me,where I feed greedily - and no one queries why.

The clouds close in, curtains to dayof drama where life yields its bounty.Tomorrow will be early snow, then clear,I’ll rise late to test talons once more

ORNITHOLOGY GROUP 2Good news for those on the waiting list! A meeting was held on February 24th, with Robin Perry, Sheila Driver( S.A.D. Groups Co-Ordinator ) and those members on the waiting list who could make it. We all decided to start the new Group off as soon as possible, despite not yet having a Wildlife Guide or permanent Group Organiser. It was decided to start the season’s birdwatching off at

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If you have a poem or other piece of original work to share with fellow Members, please do not hesitate to submit it for inclusion in a future Bulletin or Newsletter. Send to:“Editor”<u3abiz@btinternet.com>

Watermead Park, as there may be some nesting activity round the lake, and lots of other wildlife too, including Kingfishers. Robin Perry has kindly agreed to come and help us get started.Date: Friday 7th April Meet at the Worcester Avenue entrance. Time: 9.15amWe currently have no Group Organizer and Cynthia Baker has offered to take on this role initially, on a temporary basis until June, after which time she will not be available. If anyone feels up to volunteering to do it on a more permanent basis, please let her know. We hope also to find Group Wildlife Guides to help us with identifications on our walks.Cynthia is going to contact all members who have expressed interest and send round some general guidelines put forward by Robin about what to bring, wear, books etc. It would help start the group if you could let Cynthia know whether or not you will be going on the visit. U3A members who have not already registered an interest in joining us are invited to contact Cynthia at cynjohnbaker@gmail.com for details.I am sure it will be a very enjoyable outingIf anyone has specific birdy or venue queries, please email Robin Perry at robin.perry@ntlworld.com.Elizabeth Chew – 55cbe19@gmail.com

BRITISH HISTORY (FROM 1603) GROUPThe first Group session on British History from 1603 was held on Monday 20th February. 17 of us in the room signalled a terrific start, and augurs well for the future.The timing of 2.00 p.m. to 3.30 p.m. seems to be generally convenient, and the venue of the Community Centre is perfectly adequate for the numbers attending.We agreed that the best way to learn is to participate, and a special thanks are due to the 5 volunteers who came forward to research a 10 minute presentation on the times of James the First in preparation for our next meeting on 20th March. We are already aware that we have a very good “prefect” in Christine, who will no doubt ensure that we keep to time!The agreed running order will be:1. Cynthia – the early years of James 1st

2. Julie - the King James Bible and its importance3. Carol – Arabella Stuart – a tragic tale4. Reg – the monetary reforms of James 1st

5. John - Witchcraft – how James 1st dealt with this issue.With these 5 areas of study, we have a varied set of topics associated with the developments both within the Stuart Royal family, and in the social, economic, and political events of the early 1600s. Well done!Anyone else who would be interested in joining will be warmly welcomed or if you would like a copy of our proposed programme for the remainder of the year, please contact: Patricia Wherton – pat@wherton.freeserve.co.uk

COMPUTERS FOR BEGINNERS COURSEOnly 4 Members have registered to date and attended the first two weeks of this planned six weeks’ course. Nevertheless, the aim of reducing the initial fear and anxiety of handling computers has been successfully achieved. While the first week was spent largely identifying specific areas of interest and standardising the setting up the of individual tablets and laptops, the second week was spent identifying and sampling many of the useful functions of internet access – shopping, atlas, videophone links, DIY manual, recipe book,

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games, radio/TV watching live and “catchup”, banking, betting, travel agency, cinema, newsagent, art gallery/museum, encyclopaedia, dictionary/thesaurus, sales and auctions, medical centre etc.Because of the Group Organiser’s holiday plans, it was expected that the course would have to be suspended. However, U3A Member Pierre Castille has kindly stepped into the breach to cover. At meetings held on March 2nd and 9th, Pierre will concentrate on email use. Each session is largely self-contained. It is therefore not too late for others to join in. Just turn up to the Jubilee Room in the Community Centre from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday afternoons.Colin Grimes – u3abiz@btinternet.com Pierre Castille – pc@qbsit.com

WHAT MY CITY MEANS TO ME

SADU3A Member, Surbhi Rayarel, writes:

Lively Entertaining Inspirational Caring/creative Educational/ethnically diverse Supportive

Tasteful Eventful/exciting Responsive to community needs.

Editor’s note: Please let’s have more of such imaginative writing from individual Members.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE NOTICESi) Photocopying service – Members are reminded that on production of your U3A membership card, a free photocopying service for U3A materials is now available at the Syston Community Centre. Please telephone the Centre in advance to check that the room in which the copier is available is accessible.ii) NewsletterEditorial material, with or without photographs, suitable for the April edition of our quarterly Newsletter, Vitality! (Number 6) is now invited. Email format preferred to Editor, Colin Grimes. This is a service for ALL Members. If you have something to share, serious or light-hearted, please make use of this important (and simple) line of communication. email: “Editor”<u3abiz@btinternet.com> by no later than Monday 27th March, please.iii) Publicity

a. Membership car stickers are available, free, and can be picked up from the Reception Desk at any of our monthly General Meetings.

b. Group Leaders please make a monthly habit of informing Fiona Henry the Editor of "Syston Town News" of the dates(s) of their Group Meetings to be featured in the Diary section of the newspaper. ("Fiona Henry" email: fiona@systontownnews.co.uk; Tel: 0116 2693 221).

c. Those of you who live in neighbouring locations which have community newspapers can do the same with the respective Editors.

iv) Member CommunicationsIf you don’t have access to email, please provide the Membership desk with stamped addressed envelope(s) for future editions of communications.v) Group OrganisersAs always, ideas for new Groups and volunteers to lead new Groups will always be welcomed. If you have something to contribute, please contact our Group Co-ordinators to discuss the matter further.

COLIN GRIMESChairman/PRO28th February 2017

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