issue 28 autumn 2019 news · 3 thetford university of the third age news issue 28 autumn 2019 right...

newsIssue 28 Autumn 2019

In this issue: l Upbeat message from new Acting Chair l Escape to freedom l Talks with lots of variety l A growing passion l Photo group in focus

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Looking ahead to an exciting future

THETFORD UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE NEWS ISSUE 28 AUTUMN 2019

FIRST, let me say that I am delighted and privileged to

be your Acting Chair. I joined Thetford U3A in

2018 so I am a relative new-comer and in many ways I am still on a learning curve about our U3A.

One thing that quickly became clear to me is that our success is due to the efforts and work of those that lead our many groups and also others who volunteer to help and, of course, especially those who serve as trustees.

I believe we have been immensely fortunate in having people like Lynn Ready, whose fantastic enthusiasm and posi-tive approach as our first Chair did so much to get our U3A off to a good start.

I am also mindful of the part Catherine Dubois has played in supporting Lynn and then taking over the reins as interim chair and finally my immediate predecessor Peter Fenton who I took over from in July 2019. To all of them I say a big thank you.

My job is to maintain their good work and add to the momentum of success. I firmly

believe we have an exciting future, but I am very clear about my role and that of our committee of trustees. We do not run the U3A – you do that. Our job is primarily to facilitate and support groups in the best way we can. And even though our U3A is autonomous and self-financing, my and the committee’s responsibility is to ensure that we comply with the high standards set by the national coordinating body to which we are affiliated, along

Message from our Acting Chairwith the rules governing our charitable status. Whilst on the subject we are always seeking new committee members, if you feel you could contribute please let us know.

One of the great advantages of coming into a new job is bringing a fresh set of eyes to it. I particularly value our monthly ‘Social’ and I hope they will become exactly this, encouraging and developing new friendships. My immense gratitude goes to Lesley Braund who organises the social and without whom we would not have such interest-ing and diverse guest speakers. I’m sure many of you have ideas for the future of Thetford U3A and I welcome them so please do let us have them. Just as a note, the tea and biscuits are complimentary!

The principle that underpins the U3A is self-help. It has proved a tremendous success and I often think that society in general could learn and benefit hugely if this was adopted in many other areas of our everyday life.m

Mike Sweeting Acting Chair Thetford U3A

MIKE Sweeting brings a wealth of knowledge and ex-perience to his role.

For most of his working life he ran his own business, specialising in French polishing and gilding, alongside a directorship in a company coaching defensive and advanced driving.

He has been involved in many other organisations including the Territorial Army where his membership of Mensa might have been a factor in being recruited to the Intelligence Corps. One incident he recalls with some humour is when, as a Terri-torial on duty at the Lord

Mayor’s Show in London, he was reprimanded by an officer for having a fixed bayonet on his rifle. Luckily the Pageant Master came to his defence and there were no serious repercussions.

Mike is proud to be a Freeman of the City of London though doubtful he will use his

About Mike Sweeting our new Acting Chair

3


right to drive a flock of sheep across London Bridge.

He has been a Norfolk Free-mason for many years and is a Provincial Grand Officer.

For the past 17 years he has been a Justice of the Peace and currently sits at Ipswich court as presiding magistrate. He is also a mentor for new magis-trates and an appraiser.

His hobbies and interests

include golf, photography, reading and travel. He has joined our politics/topical dis-cussion and quiz groups.

Perhaps this often repeated belief sums up his attitude to life: ‘Never worry about some-thing until it happens’.

Mike and his wife Judith have lived in Thetford for over 20 years.m

Cover: Greyhound Alice,

waiting to be rehomed, won

the hearts of members when

she was the star of our talk in

April. Here she is pictured

with Dog’s Trust staff Josie

and Kate. Happily, soon after

Alice was rehomed.

MEMBER Jane Howard has raised over £61,000

through organising Easter Sunday boot sales.

This sprung from a very personal tragedy when her son died. He was just 21 and suffered a sudden death, sadly a cause of death for at least 12 young people every week in the UK.

Since losing her son, Jane has devoted much of her time and energy to raising funds for CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young).

Boot sale Working for Tesco for 22

years, but now retired, she came up with the idea of using the car park of the Thetford store on one of the few days in the year when it is unoccupied. So every Easter Sunday for the past 16 years a boot sale has become a fixture attracting wide support. Says Jane, “Management of the store have always been very supportive especially as they are aware of circumstances that were the catalyst for raising funds for CRY.”

This year’s boot sale saw over 100 cars taking space

with a valuable £1752 raised for the charity.

Jane has had a say in how some of the money is spent. One of the first things it went towards funding was a £4000 ECG machine to help with screening those potentially at risk, and several years ago free

Fundraiser extraordinaire

checks using the machine were offered at Thetford Academy. Jane was delighted with the response as nearly 100 people between the age of 14 and 35 took part.

Fundraising isn’t the only thing that occupies Jane’s time as she also runs a slimming group.m

Jane Howard, centre, with friends helping on her raffle stall at the boot sale.

DID anyone know the answers to our ‘mystery corner’ pictures in our last issue?

The curiously-shaped wooden object likened to a cross was a real puzzler, but our picture of it in use explains all. Lynn Ready, who sent it in, says it comes from Australia. Trust the Aussies to keep us guessing, but ‘good on ya’.

So who is the happy youngster on her tricycle? We’ll reveal all at our October social get-to-gether or maybe some-one will know the answer already.m

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It is with sadness that we report the death of local historian David Osborne, one of Thetford’s best-known figures. He was famous for his research on the town’s history and for talks he gave. More on David will be in our next issue.m

SINCE starting in April, coffee mornings have

proved popular and credit for this must go to former chair Peter Fenton and members Lesley Green and Anne Fabian. Together they were responsible for the idea as another way members can get together to socialise and chat.

Fourteen members regularly come along for the twice monthly events held at the Salvation Army coffee lounge in Magdalen Street, and they enjoy discussing a host of subjects. They’ve even had beetle drives which have added

extra competitive fun. Coffee mornings are held on

the second and fourth Thurs-

days of the month from 10 to 11.30am.

Just pop in and join us or if you’d like more information contact Anne Fabian on 01842 761506m

if members are keen to bowl more.

There is also the opportunity to join the league at Mr G’s bowling centre.m Sue Smith Ten Pin Bowling Group leader

WE have been meeting regularly at Mr G’s in Brandon on the 2nd & 4th Monday for the past year and welcome new members to join us. When there are more than four Mondays in the month, we usually fit in an extra session

More for Ten Pin Bowling

An ingenious wine bottle and glass holder.

Members enjoying a coffee morning. Photo: Julian Fabian.

Coffee mornings brew success

Mystery corner


WITH memories of the 100th anniversary of the First World War and all the commemorative events gradually fading, it becomes even more important to remember the sacrifices made by a whole generation and how this affected them and their families afterwards.

And it wasn’t only about those killed in battle. Many survived but were either injured or scarred by their experiences though, when they came home, they received little or no recognition of the contribution they made.

Now a project ‘Peace comes to Thetford – The Forgotten

Soldiers’ aims to remedy this. The project led by the

Leaping Hare’s Community Investment Company and funded by a National Lottery Grant, seeks to find out as much as possible about their lives and then commemorate them with information on display boards placed at Thetford cemetery.

Our former chair, Lynn Ready is spearheading our U3A in-volvement and is keen to recruit members to help in the project.

Our Woodworking group is also lined up to make Christmas trees for a trail to highlight the project during the festive period.m

Search for Forgotten Soldiers

David Osborne dies

NOT without some justifica-

tion, the four-member quiz

team made up of members of

the Wine tasting group call

themselves Premier Cru.

In the third of our highly-popu-

lar Fish & chip Quizzes, Pre-

mier Cru showed their win in

the previous competition was

no fluke. The team took the

honours again although Wind

& Dragon and Spec Girls were

in close contention.

As usual, after the serious

business of being tested on

general knowledge, everyone

relaxed and enjoyed delicious

battered cod fillets supplied by

Croxton Road Fish Bar.

A big thank you goes to

Membership Secretary and

Trustee Gil Roberts , who

confirmed the teams’ composi-

tion and collected entries.

Catherine Dubois

PS See you at our next

Fish & Chips Quiz planned for

January when we have

additional tables available so

more teams can take part.m

which abound in the River

Lark which runs through the

gardens.

Further afield we have

travelled to Gooderstone Water

Gardens and Fairhaven

Gardens and usually transport

can be arranged for members

who don’t have their own.

“We make sure there is

something to interest every-

one,” stresses Mary Neal.

“Talks are given by specialists

and experts or by our members

who enjoy sharing their own

experience and knowledge.

Quizzes are popular and these

give everyone the opportunity

to test their knowledge of

gardening.

Sometimes we also play a

DVD or have a demonstration

follow by a group discussion

over tea and biscuits.

If you would like to learn

more about your garden, be it

large or small, come and

join us.”

For more details contact

our Group Leader, Mary Neal

on 01842 761717.m

Report by Anne Fabian

THE Gardening Group has

been running for four

years with an average of 20

members and they have a

novel way of creating extra

interest at monthly get-

togethers.

It’s a competition where

just taking part earns points

while winners and runners-up

score even more.

At the end of the year, points

accumulated are added up and

the top scoring member is

awarded a cup. Says Group

leader Mary Neal: “It’s a fun

way of involving everyone and

at the same time we all learn

more about gardening.”

Regular gatherings are held

at the Church on the Way at

10am on the first Monday of

each month, and on the third

Monday of the month the

group visit different garden-

based locations such as

Thetford Garden Centre and

Lynford (Arboretum) when the

snowdrops are out.

A recent trip to Fullers Mill

Gardens at West Stow offered

plenty to explore and there was

a fascinating talk on crayfish

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Gardening group digs with novel idea

Premier Cru wins quiz double

Gardening group members on their visit to Fullers Mill Gardens.

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Sessions over, smiles and

handshakes exchanged, it’s

time for tea or coffee and an

opportunity to chat with fellow

bowlers and catch up with

news.

The Brecks Indoor Bowling

Club (BIBC) at Breckland

Leisure Centre have gener-

ously dedicated Tuesday

afternoons to our U3A Indoor

Bowling Group and we play

from 2 to 4pm. Recently

another rink was recommis-

sioned making four for us to

play on, and this provides a

wonderful opportunity for

newcomers, who are assured of

free coaching for their initial

three sessions.

If you enjoy being

with people who bring fun into

relaxing bowling, if you are

confident you enjoy fairly

good health and have the

necessary flexibility to deliver

your woods, then you are made

for us.

Interested? In the first

instance, please contact me,

David Stacey, on 01842

766953 or email:

[email protected] I’ll be

delighted to hear from you!

David Stacey Indoor Bowling Group leader (Note: David is also a qualified Norfolk indoor bowling coach.) m

Fun...fit and gently flexible?IF the sound of laughter

echoing around the rinks is

anything to go by, U3A

bowlers of all abilities appreci-

ate each other’s company,

demonstrating their varied

playing skills. It certainly

unites us as a happy and

mutually supportive group.

Super athletes we are not!

But bowlers should be reason-

ably fit to make the most of

our weekly two-hour bowling

sessions.

Relaxing

The pace of games evolves

naturally with no deadlines or

targets to achieve they are

simply relaxing afternoons in

easy company.

Players benefit from a

degree of flexibility since most

of the activity naturally centres

on bowling the woods

– followed by a stroll down the

rinks in readiness for the next

end.

month at the Church on the

Way on the second Wednesday

starting at 2pm. Anyone

interested in history is very

welcome to join us.m

Judi Boutle

History Group leader

Jenny Cox, left, and Val Bick check the placings around the Jack.

THE HISTORY group likes a

challenge and for its current

study and discussion it has

chosen The Reformation.

The subject is enormous

because it affected not only

England, but other countries

across Europe.

History challengeAt their first session on the

topic, members decided how

much they could manage to

tackle and how to approach

their research.

The group meets once a

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Julian Fabian’s name gives little clue about his origins and to those who know him, to

all intents and purposes he is British.

Yet in the mid-1950s it could have been

very different story, for in Hungary, Julian’s

country of birth, his surname is as common

as Smith is in Britain.

Julian was just four when, with his mother,

he was among the thousands who fled their

homeland to escape the Soviet

invasion and brutal crackdown on

Hungary’s attempt to become a democracy.

His memories are vague, but seeing

Russian tanks surrounding Budapest where

he lived have stayed with him.

“It must have been a desperate time for so

many including my parents,” he points out.

“We had the chance to escape and families

had to decide what they would do because

there probably wouldn’t be another oppor-

tunity.”

With only the belongings they could carry,

Julian and his mother managed to flee to

freedom across the border to Austria and

then eventually made their way to England.

“The saddest thing was how it split

families,” says Julian. “Like my own

family, many of my relatives including my

grandparents remained. And not being able

to visit Hungary for so many years after the

Russians reinstated their harsh rule we

gradually lost touch with many relatives

and friends.”

Julian has few regrets though about

having left all those years ago and was

young enough to grow up feeling as British

as anyone. He worked mostly in the London

area and moved to Norfolk in 1983 when he

retired from a job in the motor trade.

He and his wife Anne are both active

members of our U3A. He leads the badmin-

ton group and belongs to other sports groups

and the gardening group, Anne organizes the

twice-monthly coffee mornings (see report page four) and is a member of the gardening

and art workshop groups.m

News in brief from around the Groups

Escape to freedom and a new life

Regrettably our Industrial Tourism Group has no visits planned, but it is hoped the programme will restart in the near future. Tennis Group is looking for a new leader to take over from Vivienne Enefer. If you are interested contact: Martin Slater Ellie Hurry‐Palmer is now the contact for the Scrabble Group who meet at The Bell Hotel at 2pm every other Wednesday. To contact Ellie please phone 01842 750081

Julian points to where he came from in Hungary.

8

THETFORD UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE

Talks diary dates for 2020

starters. The programme kicked

off with local auctioneer

Edward Crichton giving an

amusing insight into his job and

with the popularity of TV

programmes such as ‘Flog it’

and ‘Antiques Roadshow’, it

was no surprise that this talk

proved a winner. Some

members also brought along

items which Mr Critchton

happily gave his view of their

likely value.

Special

Our AGM this year also

featured something special –

speakers from the Dogs Trust

plus Alice a greyhound one of

their residents looking to be re-

homed. She quickly became

star of the show.

The work of the Leaping

Hare and its promotional

banner ‘Everything Thetford’

was the focus of Corinne

Fulford’s talk which high-

lighted so many positive things

about the town and the unique-

ness of what it has to attract

visitors.

One of the most fascinating

talks was given by Philp Caine

who started out as a hotel chef

and via various jobs including

working on oil rigs ended up

managing the facilities and

amenities of oil bases in the

Middle East.

Memories of yesteryear were

reawakened by Brian Thurlow,

reprising the role of Master of

Ceremonies to a tee with all the

flowery expressions and

singing music hall favourites

speakers is, ‘will they be

entertaining and interesting’.

Another aim is have a variety

of subjects wide enough to

appeal to everyone regardless

of interests.

Take this year’s speakers for

VARIETY is the spice

of life and if you are

looking for it, our talks

programme certainly boasts

plenty in store for everyone.

They’ve become a highlight

of our social get togethers in the

Carnegie Room, which take

place on the fourth Thursday of

each month.

For those who have not

yet come to any talks, they start

at 2pm with doors open

at 1.45pm.

After brief announcements

and updates about groups and

other items, the guest speaker

(or speakers) is/are introduced

and usually their talk lasts for

about 45 minutes with question

time at the end although some

welcome them during the talk.

The key to the choice of our

January 23rd Fraser Harrison History of Thomas Paine

February 27th Tony Diamond Hoxne Hoard

March 26th Pat Alkar Project Duken

April 23rd Tony Dobbin Making our Magazine

May 28th Bernard Locket Gilbert & Sullivan

June 25th Sarah Doig Ancestral Heritage

July 23rd Horace Parsons Bury Tower

August 27th Karl Lumbers Trinity House

Sepember 24th Lynn Ready Travels in India

October 22nd Anne Newmeiry My Suitcase,

My Patience and Himself

November 26th Doreen Read Festive Themes

December 10th Xmas Party

Variety of talks spoils

9

us for choice NEWS ISSUE 28 AUTUMN 2019

to put everyone in the festive

mood for Christmas.

Talks are completely free for

members, all you need is your

membership card to show at

the door. Non-members can

also attend, paying just £2.

And everyone can enjoy a free

cuppa with biscuits after the

talk.m

sparking laughter and applause

from all.

Feathered friends were the star

attraction for what was more a

demonstration than talk at our

Far left: Corinne Fulford speaking about the Leaping Hare. Above left: Twiglet, a White-faced owl, is a‘watch the birdie’ favourite. Left: With Grandparents duties in August it was good to see these young-sters enjoying the talk on our feathered friends then able to handle Twiglet. Top above: Auctioneer Edward Critchton giving his expert view on a member’s antique. Above: Philip Caine’s books were in demand after his talk.

August meeting, when

Phoenix Owls brought

along several species

of the magnificent

birds.

And for September

it was a rather differ-

ent story of flying by

Keith Thomas speak-

ing about his 35 years

as a pilot in the RAF.

October’s talk title

‘Passports, Assassins,

Traitors, Spies’

sounds so intriguing

that it will be hard for

anyone not to be

tempted to come

along to hear what

Martin Lloyd has

to reveal.

Finally to round off the

year’s talks, Linda Scoles’

‘God Rest Ye Merry’ looks set

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HAVING an allotment and

growing your own fresh

produce can be one of the most

satisfying hobbies.

Linda Chambers certainly

thinks so, for she is a keen

enthusiast enjoying the ‘fruits’

of her allotment near her

home.

Linda became a member of

our U3A soon after she retired

in 2018 and over time joined

the cinema & theatre, quiz,

badminton and woodwork

groups.

Besides this quartet of

activities, it is her allotment

that she especially enjoys and

is where she spends much of

her time.

Open air

“Being in the open air and

seeing the things I’ve planted,

growing and producing a crop

beats going to the supermarket.

Not only do I know how

everything has been grown, but

it is so fresh and really tastes

wonderful and has no chemi-

cals added,” she says.

Linda has worked hard over

the seven years she has had her

allotment, often spending two

to four hours at a time, three or

more times a week depending

on the season and weather

conditions.

The busiest time is early

Above left: Linda with some of her allotment produce. Below: Taking part in the Great East Swim.

complete novice; now she can

play a very competitive game.

The same applies to wood-

working where, with guidance

from others more experienced

in carpentry, she has completed

several projects including a

very impressive bird box.

Her drive to do things well

also applies to swimming. “I

love to swim, and have always

yearned to do the crawl stroke

properly. Then, when I entered

Suffolk’s Great East Swim

event for the first time, I had

the opportunity to learn with a

coach.” Spring preparing her sizeable

plot at Brandon for the wide

variety of things she grows –

everything from aubergines to

potatoes. Fortunately, as well

as being green fingered, the

soil is rich and loamy and at

just £30 a year, Linda reckons

her allotment is a real bargain.

Asked what’s the secret to a

successful allotment, Linda is

emphatic: “Hard work. There

is always something to do,

whether it’s weeding, digging

or watering in dry spells,” she

adds.

Linda is undeniably a

very determined and energetic

person, squeezing a tremen-

dous amount into her busy life

as shown in the way she

approaches other interests and

activities.

When she started badminton

with the U3A group, she was a

Enjoying a hobby that just grows and grows on you

11


Not only did she master the

stroke, which enables her to

plough through the water of

Breckland Leisure Centre’s

pool three times a week covering

a mile in 55 minutes, but she

successfully completed two Great

East Swims and would likely have

done so again this year. It was

only because it clashed with her

birthday when her sons and their

families arranged a special dinner

and theatre trip to London.

The treat was to see the musical

‘School of Rock’ and you could

well say it was a perfect choice

for Linda who, at 70, still rocks in

the many things she does and

shows that being active helps

keep you young at heart.m

This year’s Christmas Party on Thursday 12th December at the Carne-gie Room promises to be a magical event.

Entertainment will be provided by Marco the Magician, performing his tricks around the tables so everyone has a ‘ringside’ seat.

There’ll be the usual Christmas Fare plus a raffle, free to all members, but the com-mittee welcomes and appreciates the donation of any prizes.

Make a date for it in your diary.m

Sign language

starts soon

Sunny smiles from Linda enjoying her allotment.

PLANS are afoot to start a new group with the aim of learning sign language, or signing as it is also known.

The idea comes from Trustee Lesley Braund, who is in the process of collecting names of members interested in joining the group.

If you haven’t already been in touch with Lesley she will be delighted to hear from you.

With 11 million people either deaf or suffering im-paired hearing in the UK, it means that sign language can open up a whole new world of communicating. Learning signing is rewarding and you can choose how proficient you want to be, but even a little knowledge is valuable.

You can contact Lesley on 01842 824074 or email [email protected]

Party magic

12


AT the Wine Tasting

group’s annual garden

party sampling the liquid

nectar wasn’t the only priority

as the occasion coincided with

one of the members celebra-

ting a ‘vintage’ birthday and

everyone joined in raising a

glass to wish him many happy

returns.

It was a lovely event reports

Judi Boutle who leads the

group. But thank goodness for

conservatories and the shelter

they give from the rain.

Tasty food provided by

members and an interesting

selection of wines including a

surprisingly good sparkling

Shiraz, tenuously chosen with

the ‘birthday boy’ in mind,

made a perfect combination to

enjoy regardless of the weather.

The group’s September

event proved another success

when they visited one of the

oldest English vineyards –

Chilford Hall in Cambridge-

shire. They enjoyed tasting

some of the vineyard’s award-

winning wine followed by an

afternoon tea.

Currently, our group is full

and has a waiting list, but if

anyone is interested in leading

another new group I am happy

to provide advice and

support.m

Judi Boutle,

Wine Group leader

Modern classics are page turners for new group

nom de plumes in order to be

published.

Also ranging further afield

there are many wonderful

writers from other lands to be

read and commented on. Alan

Paton, John Steinbeck and

Pearl S Buck. In fact as a

lovely book group reader

recently remarked “so many

books, so little time”

So come, join us and bring

your suggestions we will have

a “lucky dip” to determine

future books if enough ideas

are forthcoming.

To contact me email:

[email protected] or phone:

01842 765729m

Joy Anderson Group leader

OUR new Modern Classics

group had its inaugural meet-

ing on September 5 when

Daphne du Maurier’s classic

‘Rebecca’ was the first book to

be discussed. Next will be

Thomas Hardy’s ‘Under the

Greenwood Tree’.

As the time range for the

modern classical selection will

be up to the 1930’s some of us

may have read them at school

and now can reread them with

a different mindset in a differ-

ent century. Perhaps in dis-

cussion we can reflect that

many of these books were

written before females were

able to vote, several famous

women writers had to use male

Wine group raise glasses for vintage birthday

What if...? This poem was read recently at our Poetry Group. Few, if any of us, cannot be touched by the beauty and poignancy of these few simple words written 200 years ago, but resonating with us as much today as they did then.

What if you slept And what if In your sleep You dreamed And what if In your dream You went to heaven And there plucked a strange and beautiful flower And what if When you awoke You had that flower in your hand Ah, what then? Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834)

13

continued on page 14

IF NUMBERS are an indica-

tion of success, then our

Photography Group with its’

30 members must surely rank

as one of the most popular.

In a way this should be

no surprise as almost everyone

indulges in taking pictures in

some form or another mainly

thanks to most mobile phones

having built-in cameras.

But to make a group

successful needs a lot more

than a casual interest in taking

snaps. This is where Group

leaders like Carole Herries

with her husband Rae play

such an important part.

For the group’s last Friday

of the month meetings, the

couple ensure interesting

sessions that give members

‘exposure triangle’. In another

session they showed how black

& white continues to have a

part in capturing stunning

pictures.

Members Robert and

Bridget Hubbard led a valuable

practical session on ‘still life’

photography, and in yet

another session, macro photo-

graphy was the focus of a

guest expert from a Cam-

bridgeshire region U3A.

Still to be enjoyed is a

session on Carole and Rae’s

speciality, wildlife photogra-

phy including taking sunrises,

sunsets and snow scenes.

the opportunity to learn new

photographic skills. They also

involve and draw on members’

own knowledge and expertise.

Examples during the year so

far, saw David Fossey and

Robert Hubbard leading a

session on landscape photogra-

phy, visiting some of the most

scenic locations in Norfolk

and Suffolk.

Back to basics

For those keen to learn

more about technical aspects,

member Andy Temple ex-

plained the benefits of High

Dynamic Range (HDR) in

producing great images, while

a ‘back to basics’ session by

Carole and Rae concentrated

on using the camera in ‘off

auto’ and introduced the

So much to make our photography group click


Above: Photograhy group members with cameras at the ready.

14


Instead of the usual drawing or painting, members of our Art Work-shop group tried their hand at clay modelling. Given it was for only one session, they nevertheless produced some creative efforts, though everyone agreed that using air drying clay is quite challenging to master.

A photo-opportunity walk

around the town gave members

plenty to shoot, from the river-

side to the Priory, and from

Kings House Gardens to

heritage buildings like the

Ancient House Museum.

“We want to raise the level

of pride amongst residents and

encourage the development of

a positive culture in the town.

“The end product of the

project will be a handsome

‘coffee table’ book for free

distribution to all 10,000

households in Thetford. Addi-

tionally, it is hoped to display

photographs at selected venues

throughout the town.”m Carole Herries Photography Group leader

Night time photography will

also see that no one is in the

dark about this challenging

area, and a private view of the

Burrell Museum will capture

some of the town’s industrial

past. Finally, at Christmas,

members will ‘show and tell’

some of their favourite

photographs.

Taking pictures in ‘the field’

has already figured in the

group’s programme with a trip

to Wells for seascapes and

landscapes, but it is Thetford

that comes into the spotlight in

an exciting and ambitious

project called ‘Our Beautiful

Thetford’. It’s exactly what

members aim to show in

pictures they take of all that is

great and good about Thetford.

Dad’s Army’s Captain Mainwaring in the picture with our photog-raphy enthusiasts.

Art workshop finds clay a challenge

She is delighted with the

finished result and also that she

was able to save a lot of

money.

Her most recent project was

also challenging, though very

different. Made from various

woods ranging from English

oak to Brazilian mahogany – a

clock of distinctive design.

“I love the thought that it is

unique and unusual,” she adds.m

EVEN if you’ve never tried

your hand at making things,

joining our Woodwork group

opens up many opportunities

to do so.

DIY is not only very satisfy-

ing, but it can also save

hundreds, if not thousands, of

pounds as Vivienne Enefer

discovered.

After getting a frighteningly

expensive quote for fitted

wardrobes she decided to

make her own. “The great

thing about our woodwork

group is that help and advice is

always on hand,” Vivienne

points out, “so tackling an

ambitious project becomes

much easier.”

Woodwork time and moneysaver

Unique design for timepiece.

15

Useful contact informationMike Sweeting Acting Chair of Trustees 07770 432088 [email protected]

Jenny Bird (Secretary) 01842 752182 [email protected]

Lesley Braund (Publicity) 01842 824074 [email protected]

Gil Roberts (Membership) 01842 766166 [email protected]

Rosemary Madders (Vice Chair) 01842 761812 [email protected]

Paul Vice (Trustee) 01842 755442 [email protected]

Peter Fenton (Trustee) 07836 507847 [email protected]

Martin Slater (Groups Facilitator) 01842 890360 [email protected]

Tony Dobbin (News magazine) 01953 718449 [email protected]

Chris Hayes (Website) 01842 762356 [email protected]


THERE was lots to see and

do on the Holiday group’s

Spring break at Eastbourne.

With Brighton not far away

along the coast, a day trip to

the resort was one of the high-

lights and a visit to the famous

Pavilion was a ‘must’.

Lynn Ready’s impression of

the Regency building sums it

up. “Amazing and fantastic!”

The interior proved just as

exotic as the outside with

fascinating displays, an eye-

catcher featuring hats worn by

famous people, one even in the

shape of frying pan complete

with bacon and eggs.

Other excursions took the

group to Rye and Hastings,

where some chanced a ride on

the country’s steepest funicular

railway to reach the top of the

town’s West Hill.

Less scary was taking the

train to nearby Lewes, where

members saw the house that

Thomas Paine, Thetford’s most

famous son, occupied when

he lived in the town for a

Spring holiday offers plenty to explore

number of years.

A holiday destination is yet

to be decided for 2020, but

Devon has been mentioned as

a possibility.m

Lynn Ready

Holiday Group leader

Members of the Holiday group pose with Brighton’s Regency Royal Pavilion in the background. Below: Thomas Paine’s house in Lewes.

Magazine production team: Tony Dobbin & Gil Roberts. Printed by Rollmark using vegetable-based inks on paper from woodland with a continuous programme of replanting to offset the CO2 production used in its manufacture.m

Every effort is made to ensure information in TU3A News is correct at the time of going to press. All personal information provided by members will be used only in accordance with the Data Protection rights of individuals, and will be kept secure and used only for U3A contact purposes.m

Mahjong Claire Norris 07958 977326 Tuesdays 2.00pm Café One

Music Linda Brightman 01842 761739 Mondays 9.30am Croxton Village Hall and Church on the Way

Photography Carole Herries 01842 761889 4th Friday of month 10.00am Church on the Way Poetry Gil Roberts 01842 766166 3rd Wednesday 10am

Politics/Topical discussion Catherine Dubois 01842 750866 2nd Friday 10.30am

Quiz Group Irene Vaughan 01842 764566 Last Friday of the month 11.00am

Science & Other Stuff Chris Hayes 01842 762356 3rd Tuesday 10am

Scrabble Ellie Hurry-Palmer 01842 750081 Alternate Wednedays 2.00pm The Bell Hotel

Short Tennis Margaret Swinger 01842 755891 Tuesdays 12.15pm Leisure Centre (not in school holidays)

Spanish-Beginners Shirley Arnold

01842 750544 Thursdays 10.30am

Spanish-Advanced Shirley Arnold

01842 750544 Fridays 1.00pm

Spanish Conversation Liz Aguilar

07818 803049 Weds 11.00am The Bell Hotel

Sunday Lunch Club Anne Pearson

01842 338251 2nd Sunday - Conservative Club

1pm and

last Sunday of the month - The Bell Inn 12.30pm

Table Tennis Vivienne Enefer 01842 754018 Fridays 12.00 noon Leisure Centre

Table Tennis 2 Colin Hill 01842 810890 Mondays 12.00 noon Leisure Centre

Ten Pin Bowling Sue Smith 07941 828646 2nd & 4th Monday 10.30am Mr G’s Brandon

Tennis Vivienne Enefer 01842 754018 Thursdays 10.00am King’s House Garden courts Walking 5-10 miles David Stacey 01842 766953

Walking under 5 miles Teresa Richens 01842 765951 Alternate Mondays 9.45am The Light cinema

Wine Tasting Judi Boutle 01842 753365 email:

[email protected] Monthly

Woodwork Paul Vice 01842 755442 Mondays 10.00am

World War History Ken Teesdale

01842 752430 Last Friday of month10.00am

For more information about Thetford U3A see our website www.thetfordu3a.org

Antiques & Collectables Catherine Dubois 01842 750866 2nd Wednesday 10.30am

Art Workshop Lynn Ready 01842 338267 3rd Thursday 2.00pm Church on the Way

Badminton Julian Fabian 01842 761506 Wednesdays 10.00am Leisure Centre

Book Club Jenny Bird 01842 752182 First Wednesday 2.00pm Thetford Library

Bridge Steve Hodgson 01842 752389

Mondays pm

Chess Colin Hill 01842 810890 Tues & Thurs 9.30am Salvation Army coffee lounge

Cinema/Theatre Shirley Arnold 01842 750544 Last Tuesday of month 12.30pm Café One

Coffee mornings Anne Fabian 01842 761506

2nd and fourth Thursday 10am

Salvation Army coffee lounge

Cookery Carole Herries 01842 761889 2nd Tuesday 12.00 noon Church on the Way

Day Trips Gerald Bass 01842 752947 4th Weds 2.30pm United Reform Church

Dog Walking Ellie Hurry-Palmer 01842 750081 Mondays 10.30pm

Family History Sandra Slater 01842 890360

Alternate Wednesdays

French-Inter Catherine Dubois 01842 750866 Mondays 10.00am

French Upper Catherine Dubois 01842 750866 Alternate Fridays 2.00 pm

Gardening Mary Neal 01842 761717 1st Monday 10.00am Church on the Way

Genealogy Jean Barnbrook 01953 681533 1st Thursday 10.00am Thomas Paine Hotel

German Joan Scherb 01638 780749 2nd Wednesday 1.30pm

Handicrafts Lynn Ready 01842 338267 3rd Thursday 10.00am Church on the Way

History Judi Boutle 01842 753365 2nd Wednesday 2.00pm Church on the Way email:[email protected]

Holidays Lynn Ready 01842 338267 1st Monday 2.00pm

Indoor Bowls David Stacey 01842 766953 Tuesdays 2.00pm Leisure Centre Modern Classics Joy Anderson 01842 765729 1st Thursday 2pm Thetford Library

Thetford U3A is a Registered Charity Number: 1161699

A to Z Groups guide THETFORD UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE NEWS ISSUE 28 AUTUMN 2019

issue 28 autumn 2019 news · 3 thetford university of the third age news issue 28 autumn 2019 right...

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