Weston Turville U3A Newsletter – May 2014

A FEW WORDS FROM OUR NEW CHAIRMAN: My Blue Roan Cocker Spaniel is called Spock. He is neither Vulcan nor particularly logical. He has a sense of humour but prefers the old jokes. Each morning, he greets me full of enthusiasm, energy and curiosity. He is ready to seize the day. They say dogs take after their owners. I hope I take after my dog. I would encourage WTU3A members to seize the day and, perhaps, occasionally wag their tails.

Dave Johnson

At the AGM there were a total of 83 votes for the new committee members and the new committee members details will shortly be sent to you in the update of the yellow welcome book. However for those impatient persons it is as follows:

 – Dave Johnson; Chairman.
 – Glynn White; Secretery.
 – Martin Auger; Treasurer.
 – Mary Duly; Membership.
– Rosemary Williams; Speakers.
 – Mike Bean; Webmaster,
 – Carol Theobald; Liaison.
– John Cowling, Janet Hawkins and Barbara Turner: Committee Members.

MEMBERSHIP: FINAL CALL for Membership renewals. Please send cheque for £15 payable to Weston Turville U3A to Mary Duly at 1 Bridle Manor, Halton, Aylesbury. HP225PQ or you can pay at the monthly meeting. If you have not paid by Friday 23 May you will be removed from the data-base.

SPEAKER: Our speaker this month is Hugh Davies ‘How great was intelligence in the Great War’
The committee appreciates the members stacking the chairs after the meeting. If people would box the books and puzzles it would be helpful. If they can help collapse the tables and put them near the chair storage cupboard this would be Greatly appreciated.

WESTON TURVILLE SUMMER FETE: We are again having a stall at this year’s summer fete which is on Saturday 21st June 12-5pm. It will be held at the village hall and the playing fields behind. Our remit is not to get additional members but to promote retirement as an entertaining and fulfilling pastime!
Mike Bean and John Cowling are organising the stall but would we would like another couple of members to assist. Please contact Mike or John if you are willing to play on the day. You will get a good view of the dog show which is normally entertaining…..

CHRISTMAS MEAL: Unfortunately we have to change the Christmas Party Lunch at Halton House from Saturday 6th December to Sunday 7th December, this is beyond our control and we do have to fit it with RAF Halton.
Can all members who have put their names down please contact me, Carol Theobald on carolwtu3a@hotmail.co.uk or 01296 614186 to confirm that they WILL or WILL NOT still be able to attend.

EXTREME VISITS: Over the O2: 9th June If you are really quick, there may still availability for the walk over the O2. Tourists/Shoppers/Spectators also welcome. Contact Adrian if interested.

Behind the Scenes at Brighton Racecourse: 15th September:
£51(including Coach from Weston Turville, Behind the scenes tour of the Racecourse, Premier enclosure ticket, £2 Tote betting voucher, Raceday programme, One drink voucher)

Bucks GeoTrail with Dr. Thomas Hose: 8th August:
We had “fossil hunting” on the bucket list. So here it is – but not where you were expecting. The rocks in North Bucks were laid down in a Tropical sea about 170 million years ago in an area that looked like today’s Bahamas. There aren’t many places in the county where you can see the evidence, but the now disused branch line from Wolverton to Newport Pagnell did cut through Jurassic rocks making the geological record visible today. Dr. Thomas Hose has offered to provide explanations and asides along the route. This event is filling up fast. Contact Adrian if interested.
Gallery: If you’ve photos of past events that are not already in the gallery on our website, we’d love to see them!

BOOK CLUB 2: Due to the popularity of the book club a second one has been started. We will meet on the second Wednesday of the month (next meeting is 11th June) between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. at 31 Brook End WT. Contact the group leader on 01296 613772 if you are interested in joining this popular group.

Rosemary Williams

GARDEN VISITS: I now have available 8 tickets for Highgrove Gardens on Friday October 3rd. Total cost at a reduced rate for our group £42.00. We will leave Weston Turville at 8.30am. Return by 6.30pm. This trip should not be missed and is HRH. Prince Charles favourite month in his garden at Highgrove.
I have 11 tickets available for our afternoon visit to Coton Manor on Thursday 12th June. Coton Manor is a beautiful ten acre garden with streams and a lake and a wildflower meadow. We will leave Weston Turville at 12 noon and will return to Weston Turville by 6pm. Cost £12 for the coach payable on booking.
Admission to the garden on the day £6.

The visit to Hitchen Lavender has been cancelled a new visit has been arranged to Upper Chalford Farm that has an NGS rated garden on the same date – Thursday July 17th. The farm has a Jacobean farmhouse garden with old roses, shrubs and perennials, unusual trees and an ancient black pine. There are hidden gardens with different plantings and peaceful places to sit. A spring-fed pond and stream with damp planted banks leading to reclaimed woodland features a treehouse. There is a newly established bog garden and landscaping.
If you are a new member please join us. Please note the guidelines for booking and cancellation of trips in the yellow handbook. Thank you.

Gaynor Edwards

REMINDER FROM THE COMMITTEE: If you put your name down for an event and do not inform the organiser that you can no longer attend you will be liable for any costs incurred as there is no opportunity to resell your place. A deposit will be required which should cover the cost of non-refundable expenses. The group leaders spend a lot of time and effort in arranging these trips for us to enjoy: it is disheartening for them to be let down at the last minute and shows thoughtlessness by group members. Please be aware for future visits.

PATCHWORK AND QUILTING: The Patchwork and Quilting group were sad to say “goodbye” to Cynthia Lowry this month as she is moving away from the area. To remind Cynthia of the many happy hours we have spent together we gave her a “friendship” quilt, as a leaving gift. All the members of the group made a different block for the quilt and embroidered their names on it. Cynthia has been an enthusiastic and active member of the group and we will all miss her and wish her well in her new home.

Maureen Reeves. Group Leader.

VISITING CHURCHES GROUP: On Wednesday 28th May we shall be visiting the historic church at Stewkley, refreshments at the church. If you would like to come but have not yet put your name down please let us know urgently. Then on Wednesday 18th June we have arranged a visit to Nether Winchendon church, details to be advised by e-mail. Since this latter visit is before the June monthly meeting would you please let us know at the May monthly meeting if you intend to come along. John 01296 481351 or Margaret 01296 630987.

ANTIQUES AND COLLECTABLES: I look forward to seeing you all on Monday 19th May in The Chapel Hall at 2.30pm, when the subject will be Post Cards and Cigarette Cards, so bring along anything you feel is relevant for us all to enjoy.

Carol Theobald

Carol Theobald CANASTA: There are vacancies in the canasta group which meets on a Wednesday after at 2pm. Contact Mike Bean or Carol Theobald for information.

Extreme Visits Group – Trip Report 13 May A contingent of the Extreme Group gathered at the Three Horseshoes in Towersey to steady their nerves, then drove in convoy (for the benefit of those without GPS) to College Farm Shooting Ground in Long Crendon. A beautiful rural location with views of the Chilterns, surrounded by sheep and cows grazing peacefully in a sunny break in the showers. The tranquillity of was shattered by the Group attempting to shatter clay pigeons flying through the air or skipping across the ground. (The results of this enterprise are covered by The Official Secrets Act – sorry – WebEd)