Category Archives: Notices
News from the Groups – August 2023
All at The Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury (unless otherwise stated):
Wednesday, 8th November, 2.30pm – Greatest Days – £32.50
The musical follows five boy band obsessed best friends in the 1990s, who reunite over 20 years later to see their heartthrobs one last time in what could be the Greatest Days of their life. Featuring more than 15 record-breaking Take That songs.
Thursday, 23rd November, 2.30pm – The Full Monty – £28.00
As in the 1997 smash hit film, this brand-new production is a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs, laughs and heartbreak. Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the film.
To book or for further details, please contact Melanie Evans at theatre@wtu3a.org.uk.
Trips
Cambridge – Mosque and time in Cambridge
Monday, 18th September
A deposit of £25 secures place. Only 8 places left. Cambridge for a tour of the mosque, free time in the city and a cream tea in Grantchester Gardens. Cost £45-£50 (max).
To book your place please contact Mandi or Jayne at trips@wtu3a.org.uk.
Winchester Christmas Market
Friday, 17th November
Coach only. Visit Winchester’s Christmas Market with five hours free time to visit the market, Cathedral or shops. Cost tbc. Names taken after the Cambridge trip.
Science & Technology
Thursday, 7th September – BMW Mini Plant in Oxford. Cost £15 per person. Tours are 1hr 40 mins. Free to visit the museum before or after the tour. Own transport. There are 12 places available. Full details on the flyer – please read in full as there is important information within.
Thursday, 5th October a visit and afternoon tour to The National Museum of Computing, near Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes. Cost will be £23 for entrance and tour. The 2 hour tour will start at 2pm. They have examples of the earliest computers from The Lorenz/ Colossus to the first digital types. Own transport. Full details on the flyer.
Tuesday, 31st October the rearranged visit to the London Transport Museum, Acton. The fee for the coach and the two tours (Depot and Poster tour) is £40 (subject to change if coach costs rise). Full details on the flyer.
To book your place on any of the above, or if you have any thoughts about future visits, please contact the group leader John Beer for more details at science@wtu3a.org.uk.
Walking Group
Tuesday, 8th August
The next walk will be based at La De Spencer Arms in Downley, north of High Wycombe. The walk is 4 1/2 mile circular trip passing close to Hughenden Manor. For more information please contact Sylv Elliott at walkers@wtu3a.org.uk
Garden Visits
Restarting Soon
This group will be restarting the group shortly, so for more information please contact the new Garden Visits group leader, Heather Marshall at gardens@wtu3a.org.uk
CHESS
The Chess Group meets on the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month at Chandos Arms, Weston Turville (next one is Friday, 11th and then 25th August).
We welcome newcomers of any (or no!) ability. If you are interested in joining or would like more information, either email Geoffrey Howell at chess@wtu3a.org.uk or phone him on 07916 328202
Rummikub
Tuesday,15th August
The game of Rummikub is based loosely on Rummy (but with a twist). The group meets the third Tuesday of the month at 14:00 at The Five Bells, Weston Turville. Contact the group leader Deborah Brown for more details at rummikub@wtu3a.org.uk.
Coffee Morning
Thursday, 17th August
The group (in conjunction with Aston Clinton u3a) meets for tea, coffee or a drink and a chat at The Five Bells, Weston Turville, at 10.30am on the third Thursday of the month.
Please contact Marie Jones for any more information. coffee@wtu3a.org.uk.
Pétanque (weather permitting)
Details for pétanque group sessions:
- They will be every Monday afternoon.
- Timing 2pm to 4pm
- Venue is the new terrain behind Weston Turville village hall
- Parking is available
If you need more information, contact Ken Shaw at petanque@wtu3a.org.uk.
Handbell Ringers (Beginners)
The group meets every two weeks on a Friday morning at 10am at the group leader’s home. For more details and further dates of meetings, contact John Beer at handbells@wtu3a.org.uk
Wendover u3a – Trip to Thursford Christmas Spectacular
Open to WTu3a members:
Thursford Spectacular (with Crusader Holidays).
Thursday 23rd – Friday 24th November
The coach trip includes an overnight stay in Norwich. Full details of the itinerary, cost and how to book can be found on the flyer.
National u3a Newsletter – June 2023
The u3a National newsletter for June is available HERE. As usual there is plenty to read, take part in and enjoy. Including:
Write a letter to your younger self
A new learning initiative asking members to write a letter to their younger self. It’s an opportunity for members to reflect on their lives and think of wisdom or reassurance that they may have appreciated hearing. The u3a would like to hear from as many members as possible. Find out more on the u3a learning pages. Or Submit your letter and share your story.
June’s u3a Radio Podcast – Episode 31 – Off the Wall, Poetry, Lyons Tea Houses
In the last episode before the team takes a summer break, hear about the u3a off the wall event; discover the history of J Lyons and Co, and hear some of the winning poems from the u3a poetry competition. Listen now. Members can also listen to the latest episode on our website, and all previous Podcasts on Apple, Spotify, Google Podcasts – and it is still available in captioned video form on YouTube.
You can find lots of events on our online events page. Here is a sample:
Richborough Roman fort and amphitheatre
Thursday 6 July, 10am
Join White Cliffs u3a member and volunteer guide Jenny for a virtual tour of Richborough Roman fort and amphitheatre.
Expedition Cruising: The Scattered Islands
Thursday 20 July, 2pm
Upholland & District u3a member Neil shares his experience of rarely visited, French occupied, coral atolls in the Indian Ocean.
The history of US military aviation in East Anglia
Tuesday 25 July, 10am
Stowmarket u3a member Don reviews four eras of US military aviation throughout East Anglia: WWI, WWI, Cold War and Post Cold War.
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Aylesbury Vale u3a Trip – Monday 7th August
Avebury Circle and Great Chalfield Manor & Gardens – Monday, 7th August 8am to 6.30pm
AVu3a has places available on this trip and is inviting interested WTu3a members to join them.
Avebury sits amidst the world’s largest stone circle and you are free to wander among the stones. The 16th Century Manor has been refurbished in the style of different periods, each room reflecting the lives of past residents. There is an elegant tearoom, cafes and gift shops in the Old Farmyard. Lunch here before leaving for Great Chalfield.
Great Chalfield is a gem of a small fortified manor from the 1400’s, set in 7 acres of gardens. You may recognise it from Poldark, Persuasion or Wolf Hall.
Full details on AVu3a Website here. To book or find how to pay more contact Dan: outings@avu3a.org.uk“
Walking Netball – Free taster session for WTu3a Members
Walking Netball free ‘Taster’ session
Monday 26th June at Aston Clinton Park, London Road, Aston Clinton HP22 5HL from 11am to Midday.
For those of you that were not at the General Meeting last week, it was announced that we have the opportunity for WTu3a members to have a free ‘Taster’ session for Walking Netball with a qualified Netball coach, who has worked for England Netball for the past 10 years.
HOW TO BOOK (Pre-booking is essential) – please email Lucy Prestedge at superpowernetball@outlook.com, to book your place and state you are a WTu3a member.
If enough of our members are interested after the taster session, the Committee will explore the possibility of starting a specific group solely for WTu3a members, where the cost per session would be £5 and a regular 10-15 players would be required.
Walking Netball is a friendly and inclusive sport (open to members male and female). This will be gentle exercise aiding coordination and general well-being, but above all the focus will certainly be fun and enjoyment rather than anything serious or competitive.
National u3a Newsletter – May 2023 👑
The u3a National newsletter for 👑May👑 is available HERE. As usual there is plenty to read, take part in and enjoy. Including:
The u3a winning dish for “Cook for the King” is Pickling Masala Mutton Curry. Please see the recipe card if you are interested in cooking this yourself.
2023 u3a Short Story Competition
The u3a national short story competition is back for its fourth year, and the judges are looking forward to seeing what creative writing talents members have to offer. The theme for this year’s competition is: ‘Decision(s)’.
Enter your short story via this form. The deadline to enter is Monday 26 June 2023. The competition rules can be found here.
May’s u3a Radio Podcast – Episode 30 – Cook for the King, Ancestry, Drones
Members can listen to it, and all previous Podcasts on Apple, Spotify, Google Podcasts – and it is still available in captioned video form on YouTube.
You can find lots of events on our online events page. Here is a sample:
Driving Tips to Save Money and the Planet from IAM RoadSmart
Monday, 5th June, 2pm
Within the context of the current cost of living and climate crisis, this session aims to offer useful driving tips and practical advice for how you can save fuel, and reduce vehicle emissions and other negative consequences of driving on the environment. Many of these tips also encourage more confident and safer driving practices.
Expedition Cruising: An Antarctic Adventure
Thursday 8th June, 2pm
Neil Stevenson of Up Holland & District u3a shares his experience of visiting the Falkland Islands, S. Georgie and the Antarctic Peninsular.
Family History: Parish Registers
Wednesday, 14th June, 2pm
This presentation aims to have something for everyone. Beginners can learn about this vital source of information, but those with more experience will hopefully pick up some hints and tips that will help them get more from these records.
After a brief outline of the history of parish registers, we will look at some of the problems encountered with them.
Into the mind of an artist. Van Gogh Part 1
Thursday, 22nd June, 10am
Guns, knives, self-harm and excessive smoking and alcohol were aspects of Van Gogh’s life and through these, we may discover something of his state of mind at times throughout his life.
We trace some of Van Gogh’s life and works until he encountered a watershed in his artistic career.
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Don’t forget u3a Click and Save
Thames Valley Network – Latest events
Unless otherwise stated all the events below will be on Zoom. Click on the links in the boxes below for the flyer with full details of costs and how to book through TicketSource or Eventbrite.
NEW
Friday, 2nd June
2.30pm on Zoom
Closing date: Wednesday, 31st May
NEW
Friday, 27th June at 1030am on Zoom
CONFLICT “What has happened, what is happening and what is likely to happen in Ukraine”
A talk by Rear Admiral Dr. Christopher Parry
Closing date: Friday, 23rd June
A new Summer Quiz for TVN Members
Friday, 2nd June, 2023
at 2.30 p.m. on Zoom
Quizmaster: Avis Furness
The fee for this event is free. To download or view the flyer click on the link here.
Closing date for applications is Wednesday, 31st May.
Friday 27th June – Conflict – ‘What has happened, what is happening and what is likely to happen in Ukraine’
A talk by Rear Admiral Dr. Christopher Parry at 10:30am on Zoom, who will reviewthe Ukrainian and Russian military campaigns in Ukraine, highlight some of the salient lessons and forecast what the conflict might mean for the future of geopolitics and warfare.
Full details on the flyer. The fee is £2 per device.
Closing date for applications is Friday, 23rd June.
‘TICKETSOURCE’ icon immediately below the event on the TVN website. You will receive an acknowledgement immediately and the Zoom link a few days before the event. PLEASE CHECK THAT YOU ENTER YOUR DETAILS CAREFULLY WHEN YOU BOOK.
News from the Groups
All at The Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury (unless otherwise stated):
Wednesday, 8th November, 2.30pm – Greatest Days – £32.50
The musical follows five boy band obsessed best friends in the 1990s, who reunite over 20 years later to see their heartthrobs one last time in what could be the Greatest Days of their life. Featuring more than 15 record-breaking Take That songs.
Thursday, 28th November, 2.30pm – The Full Monty – £28.00
As in the 1997 smash hit film, this brand-new production is a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs, laughs and heartbreak. Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the film.
To book or for further details, please contact Melanie Evans at theatre@wtu3a.org.uk.
Trips
Cambridge – Mosque and time in Cambridge
Monday, 18th September
A deposit of £25 secures place. Only 8 places left. Cambridge for a tour of the mosque, free time in the city and a cream tea in Grantchester Gardens. Cost £45-£50 (max).
To book your place please contact Mandi or Jayne at trips@wtu3a.org.uk.
Winchester Christmas Market
Friday, 17th November
Coach only. Visit Winchester’s Christmas Market with five hours free time to visit the market, Cathedral or shops. Cost tbc. Names taken after the Cambridge trip.
Science & Technology
Thursday, 7th September – BMW Mini Plant in Oxford. Cost £15 per person. Tours are 1hr 40 mins. Free to visit the museum before or after the tour. Own transport. There are 12 places available. Full details on the flyer – please read in full as there is important information within.
Thursday, 5th October a visit and afternoon tour to The National Museum of Computing, near Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes. Cost will be £23 for entrance and tour. The 2 hour tour will start at 2pm. They have examples of the earliest computers from The Lorenz/ Colossus to the first digital types. Own transport. Full details on the flyer.
Tuesday, 31st October the rearranged visit to the London Transport Museum, Acton. The fee for the coach and the two tours (Depot and Poster tour) is £40 (subject to change if coach costs rise). Full details on the flyer.
To book your place on any of the above, or if you have any thoughts about future visits, please contact the group leader John Beer for more details at science@wtu3a.org.uk.
Walking Group
Tuesday, 11th July
Full details of the next walk will be sent to everyone on the group leader’s mailing list, but if anyone else wants information please contact Sylv Elliott at walkers@wtu3a.org.uk
Rummikub
Tuesday,18th July
The game of Rummikub is based loosely on Rummy (but with a twist). The group meets the third Tuesday of the month at 14:00 at The Five Bells, Weston Turville. Contact the group leader Deborah Brown for more details at rummikub@wtu3a.org.uk.
Coffee Morning
Thursday, 20th July and 17th August
The group (in conjunction with Aston Clinton u3a) meets for tea, coffee or a drink and a chat at The Five Bells, Weston Turville, at 10.30am on the third Thursday of the month.
Please contact Marie Jones for any more information. coffee@wtu3a.org.uk.
CHESS
The Chess Group meets on the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month at Chandos Arms, Weston Turville (next one is Friday, 23rd June then 14th and 28th July).
We welcome newcomers of any (or no!) ability. If you are interested in joining or would like more information, either email Geoffrey Howell at chess@wtu3a.org.uk or phone him on 07916 328202
Pétanque (weather permitting)
Details for pétanque group sessions:
- They will be every Monday afternoon.
- Timing 2pm to 4pm
- Venue is the new terrain behind Weston Turville village hall
- Parking is available
If you need more information, contact Ken Shaw at petanque@wtu3a.org.uk.
Handbell Ringers (Beginners)
The group meets every two weeks on a Friday morning at 10am at the group leader’s home. For more details and further dates of meetings, contact John Beer at handbells@wtu3a.org.uk
Aylesbury Vale u3a – Mid-Summer Party with live music from The Blue Moons – 22nd June
Aylesbury Vale u3a are holding a Mid-Summer Party on Thursday 22nd June from 7.00 at Rivets Sports and Social Club.
Featuring live music from the 50s/60s Rock’n’Roll tribute band ‘THE BLUE MOONS’, with a licensed bar and raffle.
All u3a members are welcome and if any WTu3a members wish to join in you can purchase tickets by Cash, Cheque or Bank Transfer. Tickets are £10 in aid of a local charity supporting children with brain tumours and cancer.
Please email John Wilford sound@avu3a.org.uk for more information and how to purchase tickets.
News from the Groups
Science & Technology
**IMPORTANT UPDATE – PLEASE NOTE**
TRIP CANCELLED. The visit on 2nd May to the London Transport Museum, Acton has been cancelled due to lack of numbers, but will be rescheduled for early November.
Friday, 5th May, a visit to Chiltern Open Air Museum. Entry and tour cost £10. Full details on the attached flyer.
Thursday, 1st June, a visit to the Battle of Britain Bunker and Museum near Uxbridge. The cost is £10 for a private tour of the Bunker and to visit the museum. Own transport is planned and other arrangements can be made for those who cannot make the 70 odd stairs down to the Bunker Operations room. The trip is planned for 11-00 and the cost is £10. Refreshments are available in the entrance hall.
Thursday, 7th September (tbc) BMW Factory in Oxford. All details to be confirmed.
Thursday, 5th October a visit and afternoon tour to The National Museum of Computing, near Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes. Details and cost to follow.
Full details of the above events on the flyer here. To book your place on any of the above, or if you have any thoughts about future visits, please contact the group leader John Beer for more details at science@wtu3a.org.uk.
Walking Group
Tuesday, 9th May
The walk will be just over 4 miles long, from the car park at the Ashridge monument and afterwards drive to the Greyhound for lunch. Full details of the next walk will be sent to everyone on the group leader’s mailing list, but if anyone else wants information please contact Sylv Elliott at walkers@wtu3a.org.uk
Rummikub
Tuesday, 16th May
The game of Rummikub is based loosely on Rummy (but with a twist). The group meets the third Tuesday of the month at 14:00 at The Five Bells, Weston Turville. Contact the group leader Deborah Brown for more details at rummikub@wtu3a.org.uk.
All at The Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury (unless otherwise stated):
Wednesday, 3rd May, 2.30pm – Around the World in 80 Days. £22.
Wednesday, 10th May, 2.30pm – Buddy. £35.
Thursday, 1st June, 7.30pm – Healthy the Musical. £28.50.
Wednesday, 14th June, 2.30pm – Strictly Ballroom. £26.
To book or for further details, please contact Melanie Evans at theatre@wtu3a.org.uk.
Coffee Morning
Thursday, 18th May
The group (in conjunction with Aston Clinton u3a) meets for tea, coffee or a drink and a chat at The Five Bells, Weston Turville, at 10.30am on the third Thursday of the month.
Please contact Marie Jones for any more information. coffee@wtu3a.org.uk.
Pétanque (weather permitting)
Details for pétanque group sessions:
- They will be every Monday afternoon.
- Timing 2pm to 4pm
- Venue is the new terrain behind Weston Turville village hall
- Parking is available
If you need more information, contact Ken Shaw at petanque@wtu3a.org.uk.
CHESS
The Chess Group meets every other Friday at Chandos Arms, Weston Turville (next one is Friday, 28th April then 12th May). We welcome newcomers of any (or no!) ability. If you are interested in joining or would like more information, either email Geoffrey Howell at chess@wtu3a.org.uk or phone him on 07916 328202
Handbell Ringers (Beginners)
The group meets every two weeks on a Friday morning at 10am at the group leader’s home. For more details and further dates of meetings, contact John Beer at handbells@wtu3a.org.uk
