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NEWSLETTER Issue No. 16
August 2003
From the Chairman We have come a long way as a U3A in a rela-
tively short time. However, in order to secure our future, we need more members to become actively involved, both in group activities and in our committee. The latter is important, not least be-cause the committee will necessarily change at our next AGM, at least in regard to the roles of Chairman and Vice-Chairman.
Our constitution stipulates maximum terms of 4 years which David Morgan and I will both have served by the time of the AGM. With these factors in mind it seems desirable to the commit-tee to co-opt additional members. Our constitu-tion imposes no limit on the number of members who can be co-opted onto the committee, though only two can have voting rights in committee meetings.
Fortunately, our membership includes a good number well capable of serving on the committee and of filling the roles of Chairman and Vice-Chairman. Being co-opted onto the committee af-fords an opportunity to see how the committee functions and to get to know the other committee members. It is not a firm commitment. If a co-opted member is interested in remaining on the committee then he or she needs to be elected at the next AGM.
The committee recently co-opted David Pearson, who is our webmaster and is also in-volved in some of our activity groups, and is hop-ing to co-opt one or two more members in the near future. Several names are being discretely considered. If any member has a suggestion in that respect, especially of a potential candidate for the position of Chairman or Vice-Chairman, please contact me or any other committee member.
We also need an activity group co-ordinator, not necessarily a committee member, mainly to help new groups to get started. Any of-fers or suggestions would be welcome.
General Meetings Report Mrs Frances Slade treated the May AGM audi-ence to another humorous saga of her globe-trotting. This episode was Iceland - Land of Ice and Fire. Frances described her tour of the island with a party of 25, in an old bus. She illustrated their route with slides, and introduced other pas-sengers on the trip, including `Madame Elegance' and `Mr. Piggy'. The former was always beautifully turned out in brilliant white. The latter was a lazy, greedy individual, always at the front of the food queue. (Neither was in the audience.) Frances showed slides of geysers, waterfalls and turf houses encountered on their journey and described a hair-raising trek across the Vatnajokull Glacier on the only wet day of the trip. The June meeting saw the welcome return of retired Police Chief Inspector Vic Botterill. This time his theme was Living, Lov-ing and Stress. He explained why many people such as policemen, teachers, taxi drivers and mid-dle managers suffer from `stress' and rarely enjoy a long and healthy retirement. In his usual light-hearted and humorous style he described the dan-ger signals — and their remedies. He finally reas-sured us that 96% of worry is irrelevant! Trevor Ottlewski, our July speaker, gave a presentation, Purpose Built Villages. A fascinating tour of vil-lages built by benevolent business people and fac-tory owners, who, believing that happy people produced better work, set up housing develop-ments with gardens, schools and churches for their employees. Styal Village, near Manchester, built in 1784, at a time when the legal age for marriage was 12 for girls and 14 for boys, housed 400 workers. The second village visited was Prices Village, built in 1853 and the third was Holly Village in Highgate, built by Baroness Burdett-Coutts for her Estate workers. Finally we visited Port Sunlight, created by William Hesketh Lever in 1884 and which boasts many fine buildings including the La-dy Lever Memorial Art Gallery. Port Sunlight is now a conservation area — all made possible by the sale of soap!
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Future General Meetings (all at 2.30pm in Drake Hall, Amersham Community Centre)
August 20th 'Londinion' – Peter Fabian Peter Fabian describes his talk as a kind of entertainment — in his case about a relationship between
a place and a person, his own with London — over 56 years. Londinion is one of many of its names, which it had much longer than Londinium Augusta. His background is language, having once owned London's oldest Language School. He has been a broadcaster for the World Service.
September 17th 'The Great Stink of London' – Stephen Halliday We welcome back Stephen Halliday, author of 'The Great Stink' to talk about Sir Joseph Bazalgette
and the cleansing of the Victorian Metropolis. Bazalgette was one of the greatest Victorian engineers who, between 1856 and 1889, built more of London than anyone else before or since in his role as Chief Engineer to the Metropolitan Board of Works. His sewers, pumping stations and treatment works are still keeping the capital clean. Before Bazalgette's time, London's sewage flowed into the Thames from which it leaked into adjacent springs, wells and other sources of drinking water; hence the cholera epidemics.
October 15th 'Not ours — but ours to look after' - National Parks of England and Wales – Geoff
Sherlock Geoff Sherlock is a geographer and qualified as a teacher after a spell as a meteorologist in Labrador.
Later, he joined the BBC Schools Radio Dept and spent most of the rest of his career there. He has worked with the Council for National Parks in various ways since 1986. He will talk about the history of the Parks, their locations and characteristics and a little about their formal legal position.
November 19th 'History of Hampton Court Palace' – Robert Fromow Robert Fromow has worked as an official registered guide in a number of London's historic build-
ings including Kensington Palace, The Tower of London, Westminster Abbey and Hampton Court Palace for more than fifteen years and has access to 'official' slide photographs, in addition to his private collection. His illustrated talk promises to be very comprehensive and will trace the history of the Palace through the Tudor, Stuart and Georgian periods and will also look into aspects of the Palace which are not well known!
December 17th 'Ropes, Roses and Rabbit Stew; Joe Mole remembers....' – Runnalls Davis This is not a formal lecture, but a one-man theatre presentation, using, words, pictures, dance and ar-
tefacts to recreate life and times on the canals during the first half of the century. From his birth in the back cabin, through childhood, marriage and later years, our hero describes the hard labour and long hours, and the vagaries of the weather; convivial evenings in the pub are recreated and clothes, cooking, and the daily routine are described and demonstrated, bringing vividly to life a culture which has almost entirely passed into history. Runnalls is a writer, photographer and lecturer on the English Canal System and many of you will recall his most interesting talk last year about the "Idle Women".
(Sincere apologies to those members inconvenienced because we published the wrong date for the July
General Meeting in the May Newsletter. General Meetings are always held on the third Wednesday of each
month, unless a change is specifically highlighted, so our mistake was soon noticed. We tried to notify everyone
at subsequent meetings and by emailing everybody we could, including Group Convenors. Inevitably, not every-
one heard the message, and to them especially, we are extremely sorry.)
ACTIVITY GROUP REPORTS
NTIQUES & COLLECTABLES - Rachel Wayth - Tel: 01494 721970 The group meets on the second Thursday in the month from 2 - 4pm in the Lounge, Amersham Community Centre. Next meetings —
September 11th - Off the Wall October 9th - Hatpins November 13th - Glove Stretchers December 11th - Christmas Lunch
In September members are asked to bring interesting items "off their wall". At our October meet-ing, Barbara Whitaker, (Aylesbury U3A) will show us her collection of hatpins. In November, Sheila Jelley will show us her collection of glove stretchers. The Christmas Lunch venue will be decided in September.
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Where would U3A Groups be without their convenors? In Mona Keir, the Antiques Group has had an inspirational and enthusiastic mentor. She it was who set the standards which have made us a happy and informal group of keen collectors. Sadly, Mona feels her health is no longer up to the demands of running the group. Her knowledge, personal collections and love of things of beauty have inspired us all. The group is greatly indebted to Mona for her years of leadership. Thank you Mona. Rachel Wayth
RCHAEOLOGY - Anne Marshall - Tel: 01494 725952 The Archaeology group meets on the first Monday of each month at 2.00—4pm. Next meetings, all in the Committee Room, Amersham Community Centre —
2 September 6 October 3 November 1 December The Archaeology Group has continued to grow but there is always room for new members.
At our June meeting, Elaine Ring gave a fascinating talk on Greek temples with particular emphasis on Delphi. In July we held a members afternoon where individuals gave a short talk on a site or subject in which they were interested. This is what we will be doing also in August. We have heard about The Rollright Stones, Machu Pichu, Wroxeter, Corinth, rock over 300,000,000 years old and rocks from Egypt. We have Nasca Lines, Pylos and an excavation in Chesham to look forward to. In September we are going to discover the archaeology of Malta. Future talks are to be arranged.
RCHITECTURE - Sydney Howlett - Tel: 01494 726316 Usual day of meeting is 4th Monday in the month: 2-4pm. Meetings usually take place at 90 Hundred Acres Lane, Amersham. Any variations are due to Bank Holidays and the opening
times of buildings. The next few dates are: 25 August – no meeting 20 September – London Open House: Visit to be arranged 22 September – Introduction to Palladian Architecture 3 October – Visit to Chiswick House 27 October – Palladian Architecture During May we visited the church of St Mary the Virgin, Langley Marish, Slough. The flint, brick and
stone exterior of the basically medieval church gives little hint of the riches within. Undoubtedly, pride of place goes to the Kederminster family pew and the stunning Kederminster library in the south transept, which date from about 1630. In June, we enjoyed a fascinating presentation on Japanese architecture by David Turner. Drawing on personal experience and considerable research, David outlined the evolution of Japanese architecture from the Neolithic pit house to modern times. He explained how Chinese architecture was adapted to satisfy differences in lifestyle and climate. We also learned about the influence of Buddhism and Zen Buddhism and the characteristics of Shinto shrines.
On 4th July, we visited Dorchester Abbey and Rycote Chapel in Oxfordshire. The late 12th century Abbey Church was remodelled in the later Middle Ages. There is much to see including the carved Jesse window, the immense east window and the celebrated ‘action effigy’ of a crusader. Consecrated in 1449, the Chapel of St Michael is memorable for its sumptuous 17th century furnishings. The most prominent features of the interior are two roofed pews, both early 17th century.
I regret that we cannot take on new members for the time being.
RT APPRECIATION - Margaret Smith 01494 726361; email: [email protected]
Outings organiser Beryl Shaw 01494 864364 We usually meet on first Friday every month, 10 —12am in the Small Barn Hall, Amersham
Community Centre. If you miss a meeting, phone to check whether we have arranged an outing. Everyone is welcome to our meetings; bring a flask for refreshment! August 1st — N.B. NO meeting in the Small barn Hall. Instead, we are visiting the National Gallery
to see Private Passions, American Grenville L. Winthrop’s collection of French, British & American paintings. Contact Beryl as usual for details. There is also a small exhibition on Pisarro.
September 5 — Small Barn Hall; a free-for-all. Please bring postcards or prints of paintings seen on holiday (with informed comments if possible!) to share using our new digital camera.
October 3 — Outing to Royal Academy to see Andrew Lloyd Webber’s collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings. Contact Beryl ( 01494 864364) for more details and to order tickets
November 7 — Follow up on Pre-Raphaelites – discussions on their lives and times, and our favour-ite paintings. Would you like to contribute?
December 5 — A Christmas theme. Details to be announced Advance Warning: January 2nd 2004 – Outing to 'Turner In Venice'
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RIDGE - Robin Barry - Tel: 01494 873775 email: [email protected] The group meets on the first Tuesday and fourth Thursday of every month (but not 4th Thursday of December) from 2 pm to 4:30 pm in the Amersham Community Centre. On Tuesdays we meet in
the Committee Room and on Thursdays we meet in the Lounge. Next meetings: 2 & 25 September; 7 & 30 October; 4 & 27 November; and 2 December (only)
We are a friendly group and all members are welcome. We use the ACOL convention and the Chicago method of scoring. If you don’t know what this means, don’t worry; friendly help will be at hand. We also play Rubber Bridge if sufficient members who want to, turn up. I share my stock of playing cards and score sheets with Sheila Nesteroff (01494 716828) in case either of us is unable to attend a meeting. Bring 30p if you want refreshment from the machine.
OMPUTER Group A - David Morgan Tel 01494 726916: email [email protected] Meetings are on the third Tuesday of each month, from 10:00 – 12:00, in the Barn Hall, Amersham Barn Hall, Amersham Community Centre. Next meetings:
19 August Fun with Fractals David Morgan 16 September Alternatives to Microsoft Office David Morgan 21 October Desktop Publishing in Word David Morgan 18 November Mailing Labels and Mail Merge David Morgan 16 December to be announced
This programme is subject to change depending on holiday arrangements of the speakers, etc. We will make every effort to give notice of any changes. The most up-to-date programme will be
published in each U3A Newsletter, so please check for any amendments. The next Computer Courses at Newland Park will be on November 1, 8, 15 and 22.
OMPUTER Group B - Geoff Toye Tel:01494 718466: email: [email protected] The second Computer Group [Computer Group B] was founded last year to attempt to assist
and encourage Chiltern U3A members who have recently started to use a computer, or find them-selves struggling. Notes and Exercises on subjects covered are available at cost at the meetings for members to use for reference and practice at home. Many members continue to attend both computer groups, and new members are always welcome. We meet in the Barn Hall, Amersham Community Centre, on the fourth Tuesday of each month, from 10:00am to 12:00 noon [or thereabouts].
There is no meeting in August. Next meetings: September 23rd; October 28th; November 25th; (December 23rd meeting to be confirmed).
It has become clear that insufficient help is given to those new to using computers. Consequently, part of each meeting will in future be devoted to some basics, with our customary pauses for Questions & Answers. This will begin in our September meeting with some universal principles applying to using a com-puter, its programs [or tools], and their application in real life situations. This will be followed monthly in series exploring the Who, How, What, When, Where and Why’s? Why include ‘Who?’, well, come along and find out!
URRENT AFFAIRS - Frances Simon - Tel. 01494 433773
We meet each month on the fourth Tuesday, at 2 pm in the Committee Room at Amer-
sham Community Centre. At most meetings we have a broad topic, advertised in advance so that people
can bring ideas on current aspects of it. The discussion is introduced by one or two members with a particu-
lar interest in the topic (but they are not expected to be experts). The last 20 minutes, if people wish, can
be spent discussing any other current matters. Our programme for the rest of the year is as follows: 26 August: Open Forum: Bring a topical press cutting to share. 23 September: A special session (see below). 28 October: Should we encourage competitiveness in children? (Cassie Sharp) 25 November: Risky living (Helen Clews) No meeting in December.
On 23 September we have a guest speaker, Sir Anthony Meyer, who will present 'The case for British par-ticipation in the work of the enlarged European Union, including the pros and cons of membership of the single currency.' This arrangement results from our May meeting, where members who watched the an-ti-EU video 'Britain and the EU' then felt they would like to hear the other side of the argument. Sir Anthony Meyer has had a distinguished career as a diplomat and as a Conservative MP (1962-92), and
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is now active in the European Movement. All U3A members will be welcome at this meeting for a wide-ranging discussion.
IGITAL IMAGING – Michael Austin – e-mail: [email protected] (note deliberate
mis-spelling of Michael)
Information Officer – Jim Lukmanji – Tel. 01494 715187 e-mail: [email protected]
The new group has made an encouraging start; there is a nucleus of about forty members with a wide range of experience from beginners to specialists. The group has indicated that it wishes to cover all aspects of image acquisition, processing and output but will not concern itself with artistic issues. Initial ses-sions have offered the opportunity to learn basic principles and the use of popular software packages.
The August meeting will be at Barn Hall, Amersham at 10.00 am on Thursday 21st August. Please note that, following the August meeting, because of lack of accommodation in Amersham, the day, time and venue of meetings will change. From September onwards our meetings will be on the third Friday of each month, at 2:30pm in the Rosetti Hall, Holmer Green.
The dates for your diary are, therefore — Thursday 21 August Barn Hall, Amersham Community Centre 10am Friday 17 October Rosetti Hall, Holmer Green 2:30pm Friday 21 November Rosetti Hall, Holmer Green 2:30pm Friday 19 December Rosetti Hall, Holmer Green 2:30pm Subjects of meetings will be advertised on the Chiltern U3A website.
MBROIDERY - Penny Vardy - Tel: 01494 727205
Monthly meetings continue on the third Tuesday of each month, generally at 13 Woodside Avenue Chesham Bois but this may change soon, so please ring me before coming to confirm the venue.
Next meetings: 16 September 21 October 18 November 16 December On 28th June, six members of the Embroidery Group went into London to visit an exhibition at the
Goldsmiths Hall. The exhibition was entitled Love Story, celebrating the romance between weddings and precious metals. The main interest for the group was the collection of wedding gowns, decorated with gold or silver work, but the wedding gifts made from precious metals were also admired. Three main eras were covered: 1900 to 1910, the 1920s and the 1960s. The outing was thoroughly enjoyed and will not (hopefully) be the last!
XCURSIONS - Margaret Stickland - Tel: 01494 431698: email - [email protected] Excursions - varied to suit ALL tastes - for Sept. October, November and December.
Tuesday 9 September: Old Warden Park Nr. Biggleswade. This outing offers a variety of activities including - The Shuttleworth Collection - a celebration of
flight, with over 40 aircraft from 1909 to1955. A number of vehicles, motorbikes and bicycles can also be viewed. Combine this attraction with a visit to their Swiss Garden - a fairytale woodland garden of mystery and surprise: rustic folly buildings, ornamental ponds and bridges. Take a stroll through their woodland walk and visit The Bird of Prey and Conservation Centre where demonstrations, lasting approximately 40 minutes each, are given on "The Owl Experience", "Birds of the World" and "Out of Africa". All exhibits are under cover and lunch can be had in the restaurant which offers meals and snacks.
Thursday 23 October: Firepower Firepower is the major new attraction in Woolwich, which takes place in The Royal Artillery Museum,
telling the story and evolution of artillery. Launch yourself into the ground-shaking field of fire, a unique dis-play that immerses you in the midst of battle and explores the experiences and feelings of those involved. From cannons and mortars to missile launcher and super gun, the impressive array of equipment make Firepower London's most explosive day out. Light refreshments available. Couple this with a visit to Woolwich Market which dates from 1600 and supposedly has over 100 stalls selling everything you could possibly want at knock down prices! Or, take a walk along Woolwich pier.
Friday 28 November: Royal Worcester Factory & Worcester Christmas Fayre An informative tour of Worcester's working factory and see skilled craftsmen and women at work.
Tour lasts approximately one hour and includes several flights of steep stairs. Following tour, visit the Visi-tor Centre, Film and Museum AND their shop where you can buy not only Worcester but Dartington crys-tal, Edinburgh crystal and Spode - to mention just a few makes!
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During the afternoon you can enjoy Worcester's Victorian themed Christmas Fayre with over 100 stalls to find that special present. Be tempted by the aroma of seasonal treats such as mulled wine and roast-ed chestnuts as you browse amongst the craft and gift stalls. Enjoy the period street performers and carol singers. Chance also to visit Worcester Cathedral.
Wednesday 10 December: Theatre Royal, Drury Lane to see Anything Goes by Cole Porter. Please note that this outing was announced during the June General Meeting and sent out to all Members on email as booking had to be confirmed and paid for by early July. Tremendous interest resulting in not only one coach being filled but TWO! Following the show, the coaches tour the London Christmas Lights prior to stopping at Goswell Road for fish and chip supper. Cost £33. Should any Member wish to put their name and phone number on a waiting list, please let me know as I am sure between now and December a few places will become available.
AMILY HISTORY WORKSHOP - Sheila Jelley - Tel: 01494 725124 The group meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 10.00am — 12.30pm at my home,
37 Copperkins Lane, with extra research visits to London, Kew, Aylesbury etc. Next meetings — 11 August - Research visit to the National Archives at Kew - contact Sheila Jelley so transport
arrangements can be co-ordinated 12 August - Research meeting at 37 Copperkins Lane followed by a picnic lunch brought by members,
which we hope to enjoy in the garden. We can mull over what we found (or not) yesterday. 9 September - Research visit to Family Record Centre in Myddleton Street, London. Meet at Amersham
station 9.30am. 14 October - Research Meeting 37 Copperkins Lane where we shall discuss how to go about putting our
research into a family book. Please bring along examples and ideas of how to go about it. 11 November - Research visit to the Newspaper Library at Colindale 9 December - Research meeting 37 Copperkins Lane - with mulled wine and mince pies.
We are now coming to the end of our third year tracing our families and gradually finding our way through the brick walls. There is a great diversity in our research, which makes the group very interesting. The members are very willing to help each other, and we now have several new members coming along and learning their way to what seems to be a lifetime's work unravelling the lives of our ancestors, whether it be in London, Cornwall, Portsmouth or Scotland.
We have had a very interesting time with the help of the U3A equipment available to all groups. We looked at various websites on the Internet, including Family Search, 1901 census, Free BMD & various ways of finding out what is available through the many family history sites for the modern researcher.
RENCH - Graham Lewis - Tel: 01494 763859 Meetings are on the 1st and 3rd Thursday at 2pm at various venues. As from the end of July, Dorothy Williams will be handing over as Convenor of this group to
Graham Lewis. Graham will normally be leading the group on the third Thursday of the month. On the first Thursday, members of the group will meet and organise their own programme of reading, tapes, exer-cises and conversation.
The Group still has a full complement of members, and in future, anyone enquiring about joining should contact Graham Lewis to see whether a vacancy has occurred.
LORIES OF HOLLYWOOD - Helen Ash - Tel: 01494 872054 Usual day of meeting, 1st Monday 2.00pm, all at Chalfont St Giles Next meetings: 1 September; 6 October; 3 November; 1 December
To commemorate the 100th birthday of Bob Hope in May, the Group watched Seven Little Foys. Scheduled for the next few months are Call me Madam, On a Clear Day and another Astaire/Rogers musical. After the December meeting there will be a gap until the SECOND Monday in March (8th).
REEK LANGUAGE & CULTURE - Pam Fiddimore - Tel: 01494 783472 The group usually meets monthly on a Thursday at 10.30am at members homes by arrange-
ment. The next meeting is to be arranged. Contact convenor if interested.
ISTORY, GENERAL - Kathleen Bailey - Tel: 01494 724283 We usually meet at Amersham Free Church, first Wednesday of each month — 2.00 to 4.00 pm. Next meetings — 6 August, 3 September, 1 October, 5 November and 3 December.
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During the summer months we have been studying various aspects of the Spanish Civil War. Sev-eral members of the group have produced interesting contributions, which have been linked together by Garry Marshall's "overview" of the subject.
On 3 September, Catherine Price will tell us about her Life in the Faroe Islands after she returned from China during the Second World War.
Suggestions for our Autumn/Winter programme include:- A possible group visit to the Museum of English Rural Life at Reading University; Slavery
through the centuries; Scientists of the 18th century; John Lilburne and the Levellers and The uni-fication (and reunification) of Germany. For further information please contact Kathleen Bailey.
ISTORY, LOCAL - Rosemary Markham - Tel: 01494 432104 The group usually meets on the first Friday of the month, at 1:45 for 2pm start at Amersham
Community Centre hallway.
5 September Either Waterperry Gardens and Museum, weather permitting or Buckingham Gaol and Museum.
26 September Walk round Aylesbury — Historic Tour; open to all groups. Janice Foster has made contact with Robert Wainwright who is a guide and well known to the Southern
Tourist Board. He is willing to take up to 25 U3A members on an Historic Tour of Aylesbury on 26 Sep-tember (see note in Janice's Walks Programme). Would anyone who is interested, please let me (or Janice) know as soon as possible. This walk-about will last up to 1½ hours, ending up at Aylesbury Museum for tea. In December I will be retiring from leading the Local History Group!
AZZ APPRECIATION - Mike Pratt - 01494 712354 The group meets on the 3rd Monday afternoon of each month in the Weedon Room, Amersham Amersham Community Centre at 2 p.m.
Next meetings are: 18 August; 15 September; 20 October; 17 November and 15 December. We have got some new equipment!! In the past we have had some difficulty playing audiotapes and
33 rpm vinyls. All should be well now. The only things we can’t play are old 78s. Guest Speaker – August 18th. We are looking forward to the pleasure of meeting Lee Gibson,
one of our foremost Jazz Singers whose CDs we often play. She will spend the afternoon chatting to us about life in the music business and playing tracks from some of her favourite artists’ CDs. We hope Jazz Group members will come along for an entertaining afternoon. Other U3A members are very welcome.
Later in the year we will have another showing of jazz artists performing on video and DVD.
AH JONG, LEARN TO PLAY - George Marks - Tel: 01494 728606 My groups meet weekly on Monday and Thursday afternoons from 2 to 4:30pm and on
Tuesdays at 6:30 until 10pm at my home, 2 Station Court, The Avenue, Amersham, or at members' homes by arrangement.
USIC APPRECIATION - Ivan Hirsh - Tel: 01494 727473 We continue to meet at 10 am on the 2nd Wednesday of each month - usually but not always at 7 Woodfield Park. If you would like to attend any meeting, please telephone beforehand to check the
venue, available space and (if it makes a difference to you) the subject for that day. As in the past, the subject might be an opera with a comparison between 2 or 3 recordings, or compari-
sons between different versions of a number of works, or simply a variety of "classical" works, usually with a choice between a number of works listed for that day. Another type of format, on which Cyril Tapley kindly obliged recently, involves a member presenting a number of works of his or her choice.
USIC MAKING - Rosalind Aspinall - Tel:01494 862331 Usual day of meeting is the first Wednesday, at 9.30am for a prompt 9.45am start.
Three flutes, two clarinets, recorder, viola, cello piano and keyboard players meet monthly. We have to plan ahead as music for the various instruments sometimes has to be transposed or altered. Paul uses his keyboard to add percussion, bassoon, oboe or trombone so that we achieve quite a variety of sounds. As there was no piano available at Rosalind's, Marijke gamely played the second keyboard produced by Paul.
We are really versatile so continue to welcome new members who can read music. Margery has been busy again arranging a delightful Andante Tranquille by Peter Warlock. Several members meet more fre-
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quently to play duets and trios and a couple of members have forged links with South Bucks (Beaconsfield) U3A to improvise jazz. Phone Rosalind for more information.
RNITHOLOGY - Richard Tomlin - 01494 774682 - e-
mail - [email protected] Usual day of meeting - 4th Friday at 9.30 am. Next meetings:
Dates Venue Map Ref August 22 Aston Rowant Nature Reserve near Stokenchurch: SU732968 for passage migrants, kites and buzzards September 26 Steps Hill near Ivinghoe: SP963159
Another chalk downland site with migrant possibilities. October 24 Stockers Lake near Rickmansworth: TQ055935
for incoming winter visitors. November 28 Otmoor, north of Oxford: SP570126
for wintering plovers and birds of prey. December 29 or 30 Not yet decided, and not on our usual day which would be Boxing Day!
AINTING & DRAWING - Jean Ogilvie - Tel: 01753 885103
Meetings are on the fourth Tuesday from 1.30 - 4.00pm in the Small Hall at the Amersham Communi-ty Centre, or outside in the nice weather. Next meetings are: 26 August; (meet on Church Mead, Old Amersham at 12.30 for a picnic – or 1.30 to paint); 23 September; 28 October; 25 November; 9 December
Once again we have been lucky with the weather so far this Summer. In May, ten of us met for lunch at The Lee and sketched or painted round the village green. In June, we enjoyed painting the cottages and church in Little Missenden and in July we went to Bulstrode Park in Gerrards Cross. Hopefully, we will have plenty of photographs and sketches to work on in the autumn, if we grow tired of Still Life.
November is time to prepare for Christmas and on 9 December we will have our usual mince pies while we plan next year's programme.
LAY READING & THEATRE STUDIES - Doreen Bateman - Tel: 01494 728161 Usual days of meetings are the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays at 2.30pm, at Amersham Community Centre. Next meetings: August 13 & August 27. Contact convenor for more information.
OETRY - Tair Hirsh - Tel: 01494 727473 We meet monthly in members' homes on the 2nd Tuesday at 2.30pm.
Future meetings are: Dates Subject Venue 9 September The Joys of Summer 14 Hillfield Road, Chalfont St Peter 14 October Ogden Nash Skyline, Hotley Bottom Lane, Prestwood 11 November Parting and Farewell 384 Chartridge Lane, Chesham 9 December Humerous Poems 7 Woodfield Park, Amersham Sadly, our convenor, Monica Risby, died in May. She started the group and set out its form. Hers will
be a hard act to follow. We are a small, informal, lively but keen group. We follow, not too strictly, our cho-sen subject and enjoy each other's selection of poems. We would welcome a few more members - to in-crease the variety of choice and points of view.
EADERS GROUP - Judy Ranicar – Tel: 01494 862290 The readers group is flourishing. We now have a few spaces available if people would like to join us.
We meet in members’ homes on the first Thursday of the month at 10:15am. Phone Judy for details.
CIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY - Gwen Grant - Tel: 01494 873612 We meet on the third Thursday of each month at 2:00pm in 24 Denham Lane, Chalfont St Peter. ter. Next meetings: 21 August Bringing Medicine to the Market Mike Pratt 18 September Building a Dam Robin Barry 16 October The History of Patents Ivan Hirsh 20 November Plant and Animal Cells Gwen Grant
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In May, Gary Marshall gave us some interesting ideas on Computing, rather different from the familiar struggles with keyboard and icons; in June Gwen Grant discussed some of the theories which have influ-enced Schools Science Teaching, and in July Cyril Tapley gave an interesting talk on radiation.
CRABBLE & RUMMIKUB - John Frankel - Tel: 01494 765781 E-mail - [email protected] Future meetings of the group will be held in the Lounge, Amersham Community Centre, at 2pm, on the
following Fridays :- August 8 & 22 September 12 & 26 October 10 & 24 November 14 & 28
New members will always be welcome.
WIMMING GROUP - Jill Davis - The Group meets on Tuesdays 12 noon to 1.30pm. We swim (the water is very warm!) for about half an hour, then visit the cafeteria upstairs for coffee and a chat afterwards.
We have decided not to meet during school holidays as the pool gets too busy and noisy. All wel-come – either for a swim at mid-day or coffee at 12.45pm.
ALKING GROUP – Janice Foster – Tel 01494 725850, Mobile 07973 206901;
Email: [email protected]
‘Nature’s particular gifts to the walker, the sun and the wind, the road and
the dusty hedges set the mind free to think……the road should always give
way to the field path when choice offers.’ Kenneth Grahame
We do short and long walks and some easier afternoon strolls. Full details are given in the Walks Programme below. If you would like to join the Walking Group, please ask the convenor for a form at a U3A monthly meeting or come on one of the walks and ask for one then. Please contact the leader(s) whose
names are given in the details of each walk, not the convenor, if you would like to come on a particular walk. The leader(s) of each walk will be able to answer questions about their walk and will make a decision about whether to cancel if conditions are bad. On some occasions, because of the capacity of the pub or the park-ing or simply because numbers are becoming unmanageable, we may need to restrict numbers, so it is in your interests to ring early! In any case, please try to ring well before the event, as leaders have to liaise with the pub in good time about numbers, and please avoid calls on the morning of the walk unless you have to cancel at the last minute. The GR numbers given in the descriptions below are the National Grid Reference System numbers used on Ordnance Survey maps. If you are able to go online, you can look at the Walking Group section of the Chiltern U3A website, www.chiltern-u3a.org.uk where there are links to maps show-ing the exact starting points.
We now have a set of local OS Explorer maps (1:25,000 scale), so anyone who would like to lead a walk for us but does not have the right map will be able to borrow one.
WALKS PROGRAMME
Mon 11 Aug: Short walk: ‘Stonor Park and the hills around’ – approx 4 miles. Leader:
Janice Foster, Tel 01494 725850, email, [email protected] Several hills, including one long steep one, lovely views and a possibility of seeing deer if they’re
not hiding as usual. Please meet at the Walnut Tree pub in Fawley. To find Fawley take a small turning to the right off the A4155 Marlow to Henley road. Turn right at the T-junction and the pub is on your left, OS Explorer 171 Chiltern Hills West GR: SU757873. Please share cars if you possibly can, as the pub is concerned about too many cars parking. If you are not staying to lunch, maybe you can find a space on the road somewhere nearby – but the lanes are narrow, so allow time to find somewhere. The pub serves ‘light lunches’ but not sandwiches as such. Please let the leader know if you are coming and if you require lunch. Walk leaves at 10.30am.
Fri 29 August: Long walk: ‘A Hill Walk in the Vale of Aylesbury’ – approx. 8 miles. Leader:
Janice Foster, Tel 01494 725850, email [email protected] Maybe you thought that the Vale of Aylesbury is too flat for a hill walk? Why not come and see?
This walk takes in three hilltop villages and involves climbing 770ft in total… We shall meet on the Green in front of the church in Brill. Brill is NW of Thame and the church is located on the southern
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side of the village, OS Explorer 180 Oxford, GR SP656138. There is parking along the Green, but ra-ther than swamping it, maybe you can spread out a bit and find parking round about on village roads as well. It takes 40 mins to get to Brill from Coleshill using the M40 via junction 7. We will set off on the walk at our usual time of 10.30am. Lunch at a small country pub en route – please let me know in good time if you are coming, to give them plenty of warning.
Mon 8 Sept: Short Walk: ‘The Upper Misbourne Valley around Dunsmore’ - approx. 4 miles.
Leaders Jane and Gordon Acaster, Tel 01494 725618, e-mail: [email protected] An easy walk with just a short climb at the start. Please park in Cockshoots Wood Picnic Area car
park. About half way between G. Missenden and Wendover on A413 turn left at small Garden Centre into Cobblers Hill Lane and follow narrow road, bearing left at fork, to find Picnic Area about half a mile up on the left. OS Explorer Map 181 Chilterns North GR SP872043. Pub lunch will be at The Firecrest about half a mile up the A413 towards Wendover. Please be ready to leave at 10.15 am and let the leaders know if you are coming and if you wish to have lunch.
Fri 26 Sept: Historic afternoon stroll “The other side of Aylesbury” Organiser: Janice Foster,
Tel 01494 725850, email, [email protected] (In conjunction with the Architecture and Local History Groups) What do you know about Aylesbury? Have you only seen the shopping centre and the
County Library? There is an interesting historic centre waiting to be discovered on this afternoon stroll led by a blue-badge guide. The walk will last about an hour and a half
and there will be an opportunity for tea afterwards. Please meet at John Hampden’s statue at the top of the market square in Aylesbury GR SP 819137 and be ready to leave at
2.00pm. (allow plenty of time for parking in Aylesbury on a Friday afternoon – or come by train and celebrate European Car-Free Day!) NB Numbers are strictly limited: please ring or email to book your place as soon as possible. Members of other groups are welcome. There is no charge for the guide.
Tues 30 September : Long walk: 'Up Flow Down Flow' - 10 miles. Leaders Ruth and Jeremy
Duffy, Tel 01494 775446, email [email protected] A fairly easy walk which explores the north bank of the Thames around Shiplake. Take the A4155
Reading road out of Henley and after approx. half a mile, turn left into Mill Lane (signposted 'Henley Football Club') just before a 'Jet' petrol station and park in the free public car park on the left at the bottom of the lane; OS Explorer 171 Chiltern Hills West, GR SU771817. Please be ready to leave at 10.30am and let the leaders know if you are coming.. Pub lunch en route
Mon 13 Oct: Short walk: ‘The Misbourne Valley near Amersham’ – 4.5 miles. Leaders Anita
and Lance Walton, Tel 01494 726549 A descent down to the Misbourne followed by a climb back up; there are several stiles. Please park
at the far end of the car-park of the White Lion pub in White Lion Road, Amersham, OS Explorer 172 Chiltern Hills East GR SU986976. The walk will start out at 10.30am, but please arrive in time to order your food from the menu before setting out. Please let the leaders know if you would like to come.
Wed 22 Oct (provisional date): Teapot walk, ‘Two new waterways’– 4 miles : Leader Janice
Foster, Tel 01494 725850, email [email protected] This walk is dependent on the re-opening of the new Jubilee River path: please contact me nearer the time, to check if it is likely to go ahead. Easy walking, with the exception of one awkward stile. The Jubilee River is the name given to a diversion from the Thames which is part of a flood prevention scheme. The other new waterway is the Eton Rowing
Lake. Please park in the free car-park at Boveney, which is next to the River Thames SE of Dorney. To find it, go through Dorney village (Dorney is south of Burnham) and continue along the B3026 as if heading for Eton Wick, but just beyond Dorney look for a right turn across the common, signposted to Boveney. Follow this small lane round a bend and you will see a discreet sign to the car-park on the right, OS Landranger 175 Reading and Windsor, GR SU939777. The walk will start at 1.45pm. Please let the leader know if you would like to come.
Thur 30 Oct: Long walk: Berkhamsted - 8 miles. Leader: Doris Bonwitt, Tel 01494 433156 An undulating walk, but flat after lunch until a final climb back to parking place. The parking place
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is NE of the castle in Berkhamsted: go up New Road behind the castle and park to the left of the T-junction opposite the war memorial, OS Explorer map 181 Chiltern Hills North, GR TL005093. Lunch at a pub en route; please let the leader know you are coming and be ready to leave at 10.30am.
Mon 10 Nov: Walks with Writers: ‘A Kenneth Grahame walk’ - 4 miles. Leader: Janice Foster,
Tel 01494 725850, email [email protected]
A walk around the Cookham Dean area, where Kenneth Grahame lived and which in-spired his “Wind in the Willows”. Full details in next Newsletter.
Mon 8 Dec: Christmas walk and lunch! I hate looking this far ahead, but by the time the next Newsletter comes out I hope to have found somewhere for our 2003 Christmas Walk and Lunch – probably for 70 people! So put the date in your diaries and keep your fingers crossed that somewhere will be available. Any suggestions very welcome!
THE COMMITTEE
Chairman Ivan Hirsh 01494 727473 [email protected]
Vice-Chairman David Morgan 01494 726916 [email protected]
Secretary Kathleen Deighan 01494 771222 [email protected]
Treasurer Gerry Taylor 01494 773043 [email protected]
Membership Secretary Angela Dexter 01494 675348 [email protected]
Newsletter Editor Patrick Williams 01494 726161 [email protected]
Committee member Janice Foster 01494 725850 [email protected]
Speaker Organiser Ruth Duffy 01494 775446 [email protected]
Publicity Sydney Howlett 01494 726316 [email protected]
Committee member Margaret Stickland 01494 431698 [email protected]
Co-opted committee member David Pearson 01494 721813 [email protected]
Obituary It was with great sadness that we announced, at the June and July General Meetings, the recent
death of Monica Risby. While acting as convenor of our Poetry Group, she fought bravely against ill-ness to which she finally succumbed.
Several members joined her husband, John, and members of their family on a memorial walk. She is fondly remembered.
Please send any contributions for the November newsletter, including amusing anecdotes,
news items and obituary notices, to the Editor, Patrick Williams,
24 Hundred Acres Lane, Amersham, Bucks HP7 9EA
email [email protected]
to arrive by 15 October 2003
A Gift of Learning
We are grateful for a donation by Tom Wray of a large amount of booklet and other material, which he used in obtaining an Open University BA and MA in the 1980s. They cover a wide range of subjects including history, philosophy, and social science and are available for loan. A list is being prepared by Ivan Hirsh.
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GENERAL MEETINGS (all at 2.30pm in Drake Hall, Amersham Community Centre)
August 20th 'Londinion' - Peter Fabian
September 17th 'The Great Stink of London' - Stephen Halliday
October 15th 'National Parks of England and Wales' - Geoff Sherlock
November 19th 'History of Hampton Court Palace' - Robert Fromow
December 17th 'Ropes, Roses and Rabbit Stew; Joe Mole remembers...'.- Runnalls Davis
~ Please see page 2 for further details. ~
Activity Group Convenors - with usual dates/times where applicable
Antiques & Collectables 2nd Thursday, 2pm Rachel Wayth 01494 721970
Archaeology 1st Monday, 2pm Anne Marshall 01494 725952
Architecture 4th Monday, 2pm Sydney Howlett 01494 726316
Art Appreciation 1st Friday, 10am Margaret Smith 01494 726361
Bridge 1st Tues & 4th Thurs, 2pm Robin Barry 01494 873775
Chiltern Investors Contact convenor John Deakin 01494 866178
Computers — Group A 3rd Tuesday, 10am David Morgan 01494 726916
Computers — Group B 4th Tuesday, 10am Geoff Toye 01494 718466
Current Affairs 4th Tuesday, 2pm Frances Simon 01494 433773
Digital Imaging 3rd Thurs, 10am (Aug)
3rd Fri, 2.30 pm (Sept)
Michael Austin
Jim Lukmanji
01494 715187
Embroidery 3rd Tuesday, 2pm Penny Vardy 01494 727205
Excursions Various Margaret Stickland 01494 431698
Family History 2nd Tuesday, 10am Sheila Jelley 01494 725124
French 1st & 3rd Thurs, 2pm Graham Lewis 01494 763859
Glories of Hollywood 1st Monday, 2pm Helen Ash 01494 872054
Greek Language & Culture Varies – contact convenor Pam Fiddimore 01494 783472
History, General 1st Wednesday, 2pm Kathleen Bailey 01494 724283
History, Local 1st Friday, 2pm Rosemary Markham 01494 432104
Jazz Appreciation 3rd Monday, 2pm Mike Pratt 01494 712354
Mah Jong Mon/Thurs. 2pm + Tues eve George Marks 01494 728606
Music Appreciation 2nd Wednesday, 10am Ivan Hirsh 01494 727473
Music Making 1st Wednesday, 9.45am Rosalind Aspinall 01494 862331
Ornithology 4th Friday, 9.30am Richard Tomlin 01494 774682
Painting & Drawing 4th Tuesday, 1.30pm Jean Ogilvie 01753 885103
Play reading & Theatre Studies 2nd & 4th Wed, 2.30pm Doreen Bateman 01494 728161
Poetry 2nd Tuesday, 2.30pm Tair Hirsh 01494 727473
Readers Group 1st Thursday, 10:15am Judith Ranicar 01494 862290
Science & Technology 3rd Thursday, 2pm Gwen Grant 01494 873612
Scrabble & Rummikub 2nd & 4th Friday, 2pm John Frankel 01494 765781
Swimming Tuesdays 12 noon Jill Davis 01494 763164
Walks
Short: 2nd Monday am
Long: last week, various days
+ occasional extras
Janice Foster 01494 725850
