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November 2016

Volume 9

Issue 4

Charity No. 1115693

Programme of Speakers for 2016-17

15th November Dr. Helen Patterson Wrexham Borough Council

13th December Christmas Lunch

2017

17th January Tracy Livingston Nursing

21st February Penny Brett-Roberts QE 2 Hotel manager

21st March Peter Mathot Amsterdam—the Friendly City

FROM THE CHAIR November 2016

Many members will know that Peter is very busy with an extremely successful production at the Theatre so this month

these comments are from the Editor .

This newsletter contains information about the Days Out and the Short Holidays for 2017. Our very sincere thanks to

Margaret Hadwin Smith for the care she takes in arranging these visits. The photo gallery of the recent visit to Baddesley

Clinton and Packwood is on Page 6.

We also have some new groups for you to consider : New Dance Experience Group (Page 4),New Sunday Lunch Group

(Page 7) and Bus Pass Group ( Page 7).

On Page 5 you will also find the detailed Short Walks Programme for 2017.

A new feature of this newsletter is the choice made by Gwyneth Jones (Leader of the Music Appreciation Group) of her

Desert Island Discs. This will become an occasional feature in future newsletters.

As I compile this newsletter the clocks have been turned back an hour and Christmas fast approaches.

May I , therefore wish you all a Merry and Contented Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Best wishes.

Edgar Lewis p.p. Peter Beddoes

Items for the January 2017 newsletter must be in the hands of the Editor by 30th December 2016 at the latest.

Items to <edjan2@btinternet.com>. All other correspondence to Wrexham U3A, PO Box 2257, Wrexham LL11 0DE

Wrecsam

Wrexham

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November 2016

21st November Tinsel and Turkey at Belgrave Sands Hotel ,Torquay

(owned by the same group as last year`s Turkey &Tinsel venue)

Four nights DBB including coach travel, excursions and evening entertainment.

Cost £250 for twin or double room £300 single Coach leaves at 7.30am from the

Sainsbury`s Bus stop

Margaret Hadwin Smith Email <hadwin541@btinternet.com> Tel No:01978-310253

Important Notice

Due to the unprecedented number of U3A Members either cancelling or not turning up for visits Margaret Hadwin

Smith, with the approval of the Committee, has been forced into requiring payment ( deposit or full payment) for visits

at the time of booking ( cheques made payable to Wrexham U3A unless otherwise notified) or within 30 days of indi-

cating your wish to be on the trips . If this does not happen it will be assumed that you no longer wish to travel and your

place will be given to a person on the waiting list.

NOTE: Withdrawal from a trip or visit without good reason may lead to the loss of your deposit.

We are immensely grateful to Margaret for all her hard work in arranging a wide range of visits. Please help make

her work a little easier. Thank you. Wrexham U3A Committee

Christmas Awaits

Christmas is almost here

Oh dear I haven`t the goose

I must hurry and get the tree

Do I need more cards?

What about the presents still to be bought?

STOP! Surely there must be more

Something that doesn`t last just one day

Where can I find it?

Where do I look? It`s lost in the hullabaloo

The reason that Christmas exists,

Draw back, go inside and you`ll find

All the peace and calm you require

To prepare for the feast of his birth

The birth of my Saviour Lord

His love will enfold

And show you the way

So Christmas can still be a special birthday.

Margaret Hadwin Smith

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Days Out and Short Holidays 2017

26th March 2017

Loch Tummel Hotel

Six days d/b/b £259 per person No Single rooms

Visiting Perthshire, Trossachs, Blair Castle, Braemar, Callender, Pitlochry and Inverary

All included in the price. Deposit of £50 (Non refundable) required at time of booking

Departing from bus layby opposite Capel y Groes at 8.00am prompt

5th May 2017

Speke Hall

£10 Free entry to N.T. Members. A return Visit. A full day There is so much to see and enjoy at

this time of the year.

Time allowing we will visit the Gormley figures on Crosby Beach for a photo call.. Coach leaves

Sainsbury`s bus stop at 9.00am

10th June 2017

Blenheim Palace

An amazing day awaits at Blenheim. A feast for the eyes- the Palace, lakes , gardens.

It has everything!

Cost: Coach and entrance fee

Coach leaves Sainsbury`s bus stop at 7.39 am prompt

1st July 2017

A five day break in Portsmouth

( details to follow)

5th August 2017

Hardwick Hall

A woman who knew what she wanted and how to get it! After four marriages she became Coun-

tess of Shrewsbury. She and her husband were Custodians of Mary Queen of Scots for fifteen

years. She was known as Bess of Hardwick.

During your visit why not have a go at grinding flour in the Mill. Free admission to NT members.

Cost £10.00 Coach leaves Sainsbury`s bus stop at 9.00am prompt

2nd September 2017

Stratford on Avon

Visit all five properties linked with Shakespeare.

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Table Tennis

Anyone who is interested please contact Pam Dean. Alan Price, a new member, has

volunteered to lead this group. As soon as we have names I will organise a meeting to

discuss day and time; in the meantime Alan is looking for a suitable venue.

Discussion group

This group still has vacancies.

It meets at The Ramada hotel on the First Tuesday of the month at 2.00pm and

discusses a wide variety of topics, usually related to news items of current relevance

and interest to participants.

Contact Humphrey Gibson or Brenda Williams on 01978-780135

Days out and Short holidays 2017 (Continued)

7th October 2017

Attingham Park

Admire the colours of Autumn outside while you feast your eyes on the wonders inside.

£10 NT members free. Coach leaves Sainsbury`s bus stop at 9.00am prompt

November 2017 visit

still to be arranged

Local History

At the October meeting over 60 members enjoyed an illustrated talk by one of our members, Kathy

Snodgrass on `Wrexham Cemetery`. The historic Ruabon Road cemetery which opened in 1876 has

buried more than 37,000 people . Many members were able to share their memories and experiences.

On November 7th Deborah Smith spoke about the “Early Days of the Denbighshire Police Force”

There will be no meeting in December but a Christmas Dinner will be held on December 5th at Glyndwr University.

Jill Burton

New Dance Exercise Group

Turn back the clock and have fun to music from our era.

Every second and fourth Tuesday from 12.00 to 1.00pm –starting on September 13th

At The Dance Studio Glyndwr Sports Centre

Leaders– Barbara Thorpe and Wendy Jones

Nominal charge to be arranged.

Members participate at their own risk .

Contact Pam Dean

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Industrial Heritage

September– the group had a very pleasant visit to Llanymynech and the Montgomery Canal

October– the main group was joined by quite a few others to one of Wales` world leading

electricity generating projects at Electric Mountain, Llanberis

November-A visit to the Mersey Tunnel ( the group to meet in Liverpool at 10.00am)

Historic Gardens

Please note that the contact person for the historic Gardens is Ken Jones

Tel No: 01978-357460

Knit and Natter

The Knit and Natter group will be having a “late” Christmas lunch at The Cunliffe Arms on

Tuesday, January 10th, 2017 Noon for 12.30

Those who wish to attend please put your names on the list today. Deposits and choices at November

meeting please

Pam Dean

PROGRAMME OF WALKS FOR 2017

TUESDAY 3rd JANUARY BETWS-Y-COED (LUNCH OPTIONAL)

TUESDAY 7TH FEBRUARY CHIRK CASTLE (SNOWDROP WALK)

TUESDAY 7TH MARCH RHEWL LADY BAGGOTS’ DRIVE

TUESDAY 4TH APRIL NANT MILL - BRONWYLFA

TUESDAY 2nd MAY LLANGYNHAFAL A HENDRERWYDD

TUESDAY 6TH JUNE ERDDIG

EXTRA WALK FOR SUMMER SOLSTICE JUBILEE TOWER EVENING

TUESDAY 4TH JULY OFFA’S DYKE PATH PENTRE BYCHEN

TUESDAY 1ST AUGUST RUABON HILL FORT

TUESDAY 5TH SEPTEMBER LLANGOLLEN

TUESDAY 3RD OCTOBER GRESFORD QUARRY

TUESDAY 7TH NOVEMBER AFON CLYWEDOG & FOEL GANOL

TUESDAY 5TH DECEMBER CHRISTMAS LUNCH

ALL WALKS START AT 10.00am

MEET IN CAR PARK TO THE REAR OF SAINBURYS AT 9.30am

ALL WALKS ARE SUBJECT TO ALTERATION

PAM SHARRATT 01978 761313

Short Walks Group Aberfan Disaster 1966

As I prepare this edition of the Newsletter I am

constantly reminded of the disaster which befell

Pantglas School, Aberfan on that fateful October

day in 1966.

At the time I was a young teacher at a primary

school in Llanidloes, Montgomeryshire when the

landslide engulfed Pantglas school. Everyone in

education in Wales at that time could not help

being affected by this disaster caused by the

negligence of the leaders of an industry in the

South Wales valleys which had made many people

wealthy.

The tributes to the people of Aberfan on radio,

television and on stage have been an effective

way of remembering the pupils and their

teachers.

Edgar Lewis Editor

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Day Trip to Baddesley Clinton and Packwood House

A coach load of Wrexham U3A members enjoyed an excellent visit to the two National trust Properties

near Solihull. These images are a selection from the visit:

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German group

This group has vacancies.

Some prior knowledge of the

language would be beneficial.

Contact Elizabeth Pettit on

01978854519

New Sunday Lunch Group

Needed urgently volunteer to lead a

new group.

Please see Pam

Dean

Bus Pass Group

Volunteer needed to run this new

group.

Please see Pam Dean

Walking Group

The September Walk started from Bwichgwyn and continued along good tracks through Nant y Ffrith forest diverting on

the trig point at 1,250 feet. We had coffee here admiring the views over the Dee Estuary and further to the Liverpool

skyline before making our way back to Bwlchgwyn, a total of nearly eight miles.

In October we started at the Loggerheads Country Park to walk around Ffrith Mountain and then towards Cilcain. The route

then turned south through pleasant woodland and the leete path to Loggerheads and the Tearoom.

FUTURE WALKS: 24th November - Gadlas and Nany y Flint from Bagillt

8th December - Llanferres and Maeshafn– a short morning walk followed by Christmas Lunch at Plas

Hafod Hotel.

If you would like to join us in 2017 contact Peter and Jenny Richardson.

Coffee at the Trig Point

The Leete Path

Around Ffrith Mountain

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DESERT ISLAND DISCS

Castaway ---- Gwyneth Jones

To become a ‘Castaway’ is surely a mixed blessing. Whereas one would be thankful to have survived a major trauma of some kind one would

then have to face the enormous test of initiative and adaptability in continuing to maintain a solitary existence. However, after the initial

domestic tasks have been dealt with I may find time for some relaxation and reflection and my eight pieces of music will certainly help in

that direction since the material I have chosen will not only soothe body and mind but also illustrate some of the episodes in my life.

Let’s begin on a happy note with DISC NO 1: -- LOUIS ARMSTRONG – WHAT A WONDEFUL WORLD. His ‘gravelly’ voice sings out a beautiful

message of love and friendship.

I grew up in the sleepy little village of Northop Hall which boasted a strong tradition of Methodism and musical culture. Both my parents

had been a part of a local choral society and were active trustees of our church. They urged me from an early age to participate and perform

and use my talents.

DISC NO 2: -- THE DEW FAIRY SONG from HUMPREDINCK’S HANSEL and GRETEL opera will help to remind me of seven years at Ha-

warden Grammar school. I was chosen to sing this aria in my second year in the school production of the work.

While still at school and in my fourth year I was thrown into the deep end of choral music when the school choirs of Flintshire combined to

learn Verdi’s Requiem for a performance with orchestra and soloists and conducted by Arwel Hughes at the Urdd Eisteddfod in Mold. This

experience took my breath away. Here is DISC NO 3:-- SANCTUS – 4th Movt. – a fugue in double chorus from the mass. At the time I did not

believe that music for the dead could be so happy and joyful!

Student life in the Sixties was very exciting and life changing and the three years spent at Bangor Normal College were full and active. Alt-

hough we were bounded by a strict regime of ‘lights out’, ‘early morning bells’, ‘ signing in and out’ ‘room inspections’ and ‘no boys in hostel’

we still managed to contribute to a thriving and successful community. It was here that I studied Music and Drama and also found my hus-

band, Delwyn – the President of the Student Council. DISC NO 4:-- ULTAVA by SMETENA always makes me smile since I associate it with the

choreography we had to arrange as we interpreted this piece into dance. A few of the girls in the group could neither dance nor appreciate

the music. Their cumbersome antics caused hysterics from the rest of the group while our tutor became all the more frustrated.

DISC NO 5:-- The anthem YR ARGLWYDD YW FY MUGAIL by Dr. Caradog Roberts will strongly remind me of my links, through marriage, with

the village of Rhosllannerchrugog. Having married and set up home I said my goodbyes to Hawarden Singers and was invited instead to join

Cynwrig Singers by Brian Hughes who had recently formed the choir in the village. The music is a setting of Psalm 23 from a compilation of

his hymns. I well remember recording this music and using it very successfully in competitions with other choirs in and out of Wales.

It was not until both our sons left home in the early nineties to pursue their chosen careers that I was nudged into a new challenge and so I

was accepted into three choirs based in Chester –Festival Chorus, Bach Singers and Music Society. The realm of momentous musical works

had presented itself and it is here that I wish I had a dozen more discs to take to the desert island!

My choice of DISC NO 6, therefore, had to be a toss up between the GERMAN REQUIEM by BRAHMS and the SEA SYMPHONY by VAUGHAN

WILLIAMS – these being two of the many works learnt and enjoyed after 60 years as a chorister. The first reflects a sense of calm and reas-

surance while the second portrays nautical excitement and majesty. The excitement won the day although the learning of the Brahms cer-

tainly helped me through a school inspection just before I retired after nearly 30 years of teaching!

DISC NO 7 :-- THE HOLBERG SUITE by GRIEG is a great favourite of mine. I was fortunate to enjoy a cruise of the Norwegian fjords this year

and visited the composer’s home and surroundings. No need for the photographs – this music will help me to visualise that wonderful scen-

ery of glaciers, waterfalls and lakes.

My final choice -- DISC NO 8:-- is THE MUSIC MAKERS by ELGAR and I make no apologies for including another choral work since this piece

sums up the importance of music in my life. The work appreciates and applauds the ‘movers’ and ‘shakers’ in the arts world who saw their

dreams fulfilled in written and performed music to be enjoyed by future generations. Elgar is able to compose such sensual music around

the profound lines of poetry resulting in a moving and uplifting work. [ I shall need that on the island – I must not become morose!]

The book to have with me would be TESTAMENT OF YOUTH by VERA BRITTEN and instead of the Complete Works of Shakespeare I would

seek permission to have a volume of Tommy Cooper’s jokes which have always appealed to my sense of humour.

The one disc to have above all others: -- ELGAR’S MUSIC MAKERS

My LUXURY ITEM would be a TEA CHEST. On a desert island this would be very useful and could serve as a shelter, table, cupboard, stage, drum, skiffle instrument and even a boat if I decide to be adventurous enough to explore beyond the horizon . Gwyneth Jones Group Leader Music Appreciation Group