1

Coming up…

In August Ken Warren

will enthrall us with a

talk entitled

‘Visiting Australia’.

And on Sept. 8th Sheila

Lovell will be telling us

about Chinese

painting.

###

Group leaders!

Deadline for the next

newsletter is

22nd August!

Send your copy to

Val Bearman 01769 574799

South Molton Third Age Group

August 2017 Newsletter

Meetings held in Filleigh Village Hall on the second Tuesday of the

month at 10.00am

www.southmoltonu3a.co.uk

From the Chairman: Lorie Jones 01769 574637

It’s that time of year when we spend time in the garden or allotment picking the fruits of our labour. It’s the time once again we are reminded how quickly courgettes become marrows and how beautifully tasty new pulled carrots are, however many ‘legs’ they seem to have. Recipes are pored over to discover something different to do with rhubarb (though I do have a glorious recipe for ‘rhubarb gin parfait’ which tastes wonderful but requires nearly every pan in the kitchen.) The glory of home grown produce is that it does taste good and there is a profound satisfaction in ‘eating your own’. We are lucky though in being able to buy the food we can’t grow ourselves even though there is a lot about it that we don’t know which in some cases might be a good thing. The North Devon Theme Day this year is about just that. We are due to hear about food from people representing very different viewpoints – farming, fishing, the supermarkets and also something about the ethics of it all. It is a topic that affects us all so it should be an interesting day. Theme Day takes place at the Grosvenor Church in Barnstaple on Friday, 6th October. Registration is from 9am and coffee will be available until 9.45am. The first speech will start at 10am and the day should end about 4pm. It is ‘bring your own lunch’ but there will be cakes and biscuits provided. Tickets are £5 and I will have them for sale at the August meeting. Do come along as food plays such an important part in our lives and I just hope the day never comes when a meal will mean simply swallowing a pill.

Do you enjoy word puzzles? Crosswords for example? Have you played

Scrabble? It is a great game for two, three or four players. Our little group

meets every Tuesday in the Coaching Inn where we have a lot of fun, and

some serious games, playing with words. We also play Upwords and

Bananagrams, which a bit are less daunting than Scrabble might be for

some people, but are just as much fun. And, of course, it gets our brains

working, which is good for us. Why not come and give it a go? No need to

come every week. Occasional players would be more than welcome but

you’ll probably get ‘hooked’. Glenys. 01769 573624

.

2

Faze Days.

Over the last twelve years I have enjoyed many holidays and days out

with many U3A members, and would like to continue with the

arrangement. Sadly this is not to be.

I would very much appreciate a U3A member to do this job in my place. It’s not hard,

and the rewards of being with friends are enormous.

With many thanks to all who came with me. Fay Overton

Special Interest Groups

Ambling: Jo Griffin 01769 573368

Wed Aug.23rd.

A walk round The Devon Wildlife Nature Reserve at Knowstone. This is not a long walk but can be muddy in places after heavy rain. Lunch at the Greasy Spoon in the picnic area or The Cabin the other side of the Link Road. Meet S.M.C.P. at 10am.

Art Appreciation: Jonathan Edmunds 01769 574037

Wed. Sept. 6th at 10.30.

Delacroix. A new look at this exciting painter of early nineteenth century France. To include a DVD by Tim Marlow.

Book Group: Muriel Price 01769 572497

The next meeting will be on Wed. Sept. 6th.

Discussion of Harper Lee's 'Go Set a Watchman'. Members of the Book Group can borrow the book from South Molton Library.

3

Basic Bridge: Ted Trill 01769 574482

Every Monday, 10.00 am at 34 East St. South Molton.

Social and not too serious bridge. Beginners welcome. We have a full quota but when

members are away we are looking for occasional players to stand in. If this is of interest

to you please give me a ring.

CooknEat Group: Kath Hasler 01769 550296

We are meeting on the first Wednesday of each month at 10.30 am in Bishop's Nympton Parish Hall. There will not be a meeting in August but we hope to continue on the first Wednesday in September (6th). To book a place contact Kath Hasler on 01769 550296

Croquet: Kathleen Hasler 01769 550296

We have been fortunate in playing each Friday from 2.00pm at Bishop’s Nympton Village Hall. We charge £2 and all equipment is provided. It is a fun game, challenging to the brain, but not too physically demanding and anyone can join in and play. No need to book, just turn

up (weather permitting). If you want more information, or if you think the weather is

doubtful and want to be sure we are playing, give me a ring on 01769 550296

DVDivas: Sheila Farrant 01769 572553

D.V.Divas There will be no meeting in August. (Bank Holiday Monday. ) Next meeting Monday 25th September.

Faze Days: Fay Overton 01769 579904

Gardens and Grandeur in Windsor.

7th to 11th September. Five days £345.00.

Staying at the Beaumont Estate, Old Windsor.

If interested, please contact Fay Overton.

Garden Visits: Carolyn Manning 01769 572025

Sunday 10th September 2017 Broomclose, Porlock, Somerset TA24 8NU

1.30pm SMCP for car share.

Large varied garden overlooking the sea. Homemade teas available.

£4 plus car share .

4

History: Derrica Hodgson 01769 573228

Taking a break for the summer.

I.T. Support Group (Computers!): Shirley Bray on 01769 572572

There will be no session in August; the next session will be at the IT

Suite at South Molton library on Thursday September 14th 2017.

Jazz: Jean Winslow-Johnson: 01769 581831 winslow.jean8@gmail.com. Our next meeting will be Wednesday 16th August at GRIFFIN's YARD.

Look forward to a relaxing couple of hours of music of all sorts along with a drink and

chat. See you there and please some of own CD to play. See you there

Local History: Derrica Hodgson 01769 573228

Firstly there is no Local History in August. (I usually miss this month as so many people are away or occupied with grand-children etc.) However, Sheila was talking about going to an exhibition at Barnstaple Museum - I leave that to her to let you know.

Our recent trip to Ten Acres Vineyard, nr. Winkleigh was GREATLY enjoyed by everyone - we only tasted the wine, Honest!

Local History. Derry will be away on our usual day 9th August. Barnstaple Museum are having an Exhibition in August “Hatched, Matched and Dispatched” which aims to tell the history of local people through these important life stages. If any in the local history group would like to go we will meet as usual 10 am South Molton car park. Sheila Farrant 01769 572553

Mah Jongg: Linda Coombes 01769 573545

Mah Jongg will be at the Town Arms every Thursday as usual 2.00 – 4.30pm.

Do come and join us – we have a lot of fun.

Millennium: Jonathan Edmunds 01769 574037 * New Group!

Thursday Sept. 7th in the Methodist Church Halls at 2.30pm

The first of ten sessions, each looking at a century in the world’s history. This one - 1000 to 1100 - the Norman Conquest here but what else elsewhere ?

Music Appreciation: Jonathan Edmunds 01769 574037

5

Thurs. 31st August. 2.30pm. at the Methodist Church Halls. More obscure Baroque - Scandinavia / Central America. A look at Baroque composers you may never have heard before - this time from Scandinavia and Central America.

Patchwork and Quilting: Sue Hedges 01769 650960

We meet at Step by Step in the George Arcade on alternate Wednesdays, where Julia and her daughter Emma instruct us in the intricate but engrossing art of cutting up pieces of fabric, and then stitching them together again in different variations. We meet again on 9th and 23rd August at 2.00pm.

If you are interested please come along and see what we do. Start with a cushion cover, and soon you’ll be making a full-sized quilt!

Poetry and Playreading: Lorie Jones 01769 5737.

We will be meeting at 2pm on 17th

August at Coleford House in the Churchyard.

This month we turn our attention to a play and have what I hope will be a good one - 'Ladies in Retirement' by Edward Percy. Next month we will start looking at some of the WWI poets.

Rambling: Margaret White 01769 573558 margaret.crosseview@hotmail.co.uk

I will not be able to lead a walk in August, perhaps someone might like to volunteer to lead one?

Tuesday 4th September 2017 A 51/2 miles circular walk from Brownsham to Clovelly

Court. The outward section of the route along the Coast Path is rather harder walking, with one steep uphill stretch, than the return along an inland bridle path and a long gentle hill to the car. Bring a picnic and a drink.

We meet at 9.45am in Central Car Park to share lifts

Science: Earth and Sky. Val Bearman 01769 574799

We are taking a break for July and August. We will reconvene on Sept. 19th studying Saturn and its moons. Do come and join us. Plenty of room.

Scrabble and Bananagrams: Glenys

6

Laws 01769 573624

We are a small, friendly, group looking for new members to join us. Scrabble is a good way to keep your mind active. Beginners are welcomed as well as "seasoned players". We also have Bananagrams and Upwords if people want to play those instead. Lots of chat and friendship. Every Tuesday from 1-3pm in The Coaching Inn. Refreshments available at the bar all afternoon. Free parking.

Shakespeare: Lorie Jones 01769 574637

We meet in the Coaching Inn at 1pm on Monday 14th

August at 1.00pm..

This month we will start to read 'The Taming of the Shrew' and there should be much interesting discussion about where the real power lies!! Library copies have been ordered and will be available to borrow for £1 for the duration of the play.

Our visit to 'The Comedy of Errors' is later that week so make sure you have arranged a lift if you need one.

Singing Group: Jonathan Edmunds 01769 574037 Our next meeting will be August 28th and September 4th. (2.30 in Newtown, lifts at 2.10 from the church car park). Four part unaccompanied singing. A variety of music covered from folk songs through renaissance madrigals to Victorian gems.

Skittles: Barry Jones 01769 574637

We meet every Friday at the Town Arms, at 2.30 pm. During August we will continue to combine the groups and just have the one session at 2.30. There have been some really close games lately and a lot of laughter.

Sunday Lunch: Margaret Ramsden 01769 573572 Every Sunday in the Coaching Inn. Please ring for details.

Table Tennis: Peter Hardwick 01769 572641 Weekly on Wednesdays at YMCA at 3.20pm (not 2.30pm) Open to all levels of experience. Good humoured group. Equipment supplied. Sports shoes required. Come and try. First visit FREE.

7

We have four new members this month. Peter and Norah Joslin, and Shaun and Toni Molloy. Make them feel at home so they’ll keep coming.

********** Gardening Success ********** As the membership may be aware, three group members last year took on the responsibility for looking after the garden at Umberleigh station. Each year there is a competition between stations along the line and the team were very disappointed not to have done well in the judging last year. A year on and it has been a different story. The efforts involved in cutting back excessive growth, installing new troughs and tubs and choosing new plants for them has paid off – at this year’s judging, which took place on July 19th, the team were awarded second place, and there is now only one step to the top spot!

Congratulations and many thanks to Ruth, Francesca and Richard for all the time and effort expended – if you want something done properly call the U3A! Andy Hedges Tarka Rail Association

8

Coach trip to Historic Cathedral City of Wells in Somerset

Wednesday 16th August 2017

£25, which includes driver's tip. I am delighted to say that take-up has been so good I am able to give participants cash back on the day.

There is the option to visit the Bishop's Palace and Garden or you can spend the day visiting the

Cathedral, shops, tea-rooms,etc. (Entrance to Bishop's Palace and Garden is £7.99 - Concession £6.90.Bring your Gardeners' World 2 for 1 card if you have one.) We now have a 35-seater coach so if you decide you want to join us, please see me at the coffee

morning on the 8th.

Diary Dates for July and August.

Day Group August September Location Time Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri

Fr

Sunday Lunch Basic bridge. Singing DVDivas History Shakespeare Rambling Scrabble Science Ambling Art Appreciation Book Group CooknEat Jazz Local History Patchwork Table Tennis Great Britons Music Appreciation Mahjongg Poetry/Playreading IT (Computers) Croquet Skittles

Weekly Weekly 28th *SB 14th weekly *SB 23rd 16th 9th 9th,23rd Weekly 31st Weekly 17th 13th Weekly Weekly

4th 25th *SB 4th 19th 6th 6th 6th 6th,20th 3rd

Coaching Inn 34 East St. SM Newtown 2 Little Rock Close, SM Mayfield, S. Molton Coaching Inn SMCP Coaching Inn Coaching Inn SMCP Methodist Hall Sunnyside, GN Bish. Nym. Parish Hall Griffin’s Yard Methodist Hall Step-by-step YMCA Mill St. Methodist Hall Margaret Ramsden’s Town Arms Coleford House Library Bish. Nym. Parish Hall Town Arms

12.30pm 10.00am 2.30pm 2.30pm 2.30pm 1.00pm 9.45am 1.00pm 1.00pm 10.00am 10.30am 2.00pm 10.30am 2.00pm 10.00am 2.00pm 3.20pm 2.30pm. 2.00pm 2.00pm 2.00pm 2.00pm 2.00pm 1.45pm

*SB = Summer break. *tba = to be arranged. SMCP = South Molton Car Park.

If your item does not arrive by the deadline, 22nd August I cannot guarantee that it will be included!

Send to: newsletter@southmoltonu3a.co.uk Tel: 01769 574799