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Tewkesbury and District U3A
TUTA News No 145May—July 2017
Anne Butler leads the French Discussion Group—Our Featured Group
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Meetings and Speaker Tea/Coffee Rota
May 8th Mike BottomlyRudyard Kipling, the incredible storyOf this writer. Art at Bredon
June 12th Janet DowlingStress Mangement end the importanceof Sleep. Computers
July 10th Tore FauskeGrowing up in Norway underGerman Occupation. Creative Writing
Outing:
To Blenheim Palace Craft Fair on 16th November 2017
In this edition we have more entries from members, and they are most
welcome. We particularly welcome the article by Graham Mealand (p 22),
who many of you know as our ‘roving photographer’.
Graham is one of our longest serving members. Margaret
Carter reports back from U3A National Conference. Eileen
Gilder, another long-time member tells us about her
favourite films on p 23. What are yours? Our groups look
and sound good fun, I wish I had more time! But when I
look at the centre pages I am aware that since I started as editor there are still
some groups that I would love to hear from. Share with us the interesting
things that you do.
Usual thanks to those that help produce this magazine: Graham Mealand for
his photos, Mary Mulrenan for her assistance in editing, Terry Clynes for
proof reading and all the committee for their support.
Andrea Walton Editor [email protected]
All entries for next magazine by July 7th please
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Index
2 Group Meetings and tea rota Editorial3 Index4 Message from the Chair5 Request for help. Ancient Greek6 Computer Group. Bridge for Beginners7 Discovering Music8 French Groups9 Garden Visits.10 French Conversation– Our Featured Group12 German Conversation13 History of Art and Design14 All Our Groups16 Family History18 Latin for Pleasure. Natural History19 Margaret Carter tells us about the National Conference20 Photography21 Roman History. Spanish22 Graham Mealand23 Eileen’s favourite films24 Bank Notes25 The quiz report by Shirley and Steve Channing26 Walking Group27 Walking Group Strolls28 The Committee
New Members:
Mavis Arnold Freddie BryantBrian Harris Yvonne HitchmanFiona McAustin Patricia RyanDiana Sawyer Patricia TannerCarole Thompson Martin Wilks
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Notes from the Chair
Cotswold Link is a group of U3A volunteers whoarrange meetings for U3A groups in the SouthWest area (this includes West Midlands).Cotswold Link offers support to all the U3As intheir area and through members like EileenGilder, helps to support and set up new groups,the latest of which is Winchcombe.At the most recent Cotswold Link meeting wehad a speaker, Samantha Mauger, who is the newChief Operating Executive of the Third Age Trust. She spoke to the groupabout her role and the future of the U3A. She also spoke of theimportance of communication. The Trust is going to appoint a‘Communication Officer’, who will be available to give support toindividual U3A groups.Samantha then spent some time discussing the impact of local U3Agroups on their community. She quoted:‘Half of people over 75 years of age are said to be lonely.’‘One in ten people over 65 years are said to be often or always lonely’.
Apparently the damage to health of loneliness is equivalent to having a 50cigarette a day habit. I have to say this really shocked me! I have livedalone for a lot of years and when I moved to Tewkesbury I joined theU3A. I went to my chosen groups with some trepidation, but on eachoccasion was greeted and welcomed. Then people came up to chat. Thereis nothing worse than arriving somewhere alone, being greeted and then‘abandoned’.I believed that my experience was an exemplar of Tewkesburyhospitality. Sadly, I have recently had a couple of people talk to me aboutbeing a newcomer to a group and not made to feel welcome or valued aswe all would expect or like.Loneliness is a dreadful thing; if you know a retired person who livesalone don’t assume they are OK. Give them a U3A leaflet and then it is apersonal decision whether to join. If you are a group member and a newperson arrives, please remember it takes courage to turn up in a newplace. A new member may not have your skills or aptitude, but pleaseencourage and therefore promote your group and our U3A.Thank you
Fran Valentine
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Would Anyone Like a new role within the U3A?
I am the Regional Volunteer for the South West which stretches fromTewkesbury in the north to Devon, Cornwall and the Scilly Isles! My main‘job’ is starting new U3As which I find very satisfying. I am proud to havebeen instrumental in starting Churchdown U3A which was the 1000th U3Ain the UK. I have recently started another U3A in Winchcombe, where 120people turned up to the Launch meeting and a Steering Committee of 15came forward. They had their Inaugural meeting where they paid theirsubscriptions and signed up to groups on April 3rd.If anyone would like to continue my work, I would be most grateful – I amgetting old and finding it difficult to get around due to arthritis – please letme know.Eileen [email protected]
Ancient Greek History
The Berkeley Arms 3rd Tuesday 10.15 – 12.15We have been learning about Bronze Age peoples in the EasternMediterranean. The culture that developed on the island of Crete was welldeveloped by 2500BC. They were given the name Minoan by Sir ArthurEvans in 1900 when he excavated the ruins at Knossos in Crete. In realityKing Minos may never have existed and it is not known what these peopleof Crete called themselves. We have considered the eventual demise of theMinoan civilisation and the possible reasons for it, one of which may havebeen the invasion of Crete by the Mycenaeans around 1400BC. We havebeen introduced to the Mycenaeans who appeared in the last phase of theBronze Age in Ancient Greece. They had had widespread settlements inCentral Greece, on the Aegean islands, on the coast of Asia Minor and inthe Levant, Cyprus and Italy. It is becoming increasingly interesting to jointogether the dots of our incomplete knowledge and start to see the biggerpicture.NB: The Ancient Greek History group is changing the time of its meetingsfrom Tuesday morning to Tuesday afternoon. From May (the May class willbe on Tuesday 16 May) the time of the meeting will be from 14.00 – 16.00hours. If you would like to join us please contact John Goldsack – or just turnup!For details on the programme contact John Goldsack on 298922 [email protected]
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Computer Group
4th Mondays 10am to 12 noon at BBHQMembers of the Computer Group have spent the last few months getting togrips with Windows 10, the all-singing, all-dancing new version fromMicrosoft! It is certainly different to Windows 8.1, but reminiscent ofWindows 7 beloved by many of us, as they have had to revert to such thingsas a ‘Start’ button!I have always recommended that beginners take a bi-weekly magazine called
Computer Active, which is written in plain English and which covers everypossible combination of questions/problems. We have followed theirrecommendations to the letter, and have become fairly conversant with thenew system.We continue to be a discussion group rather that a ‘hands on’ teaching group– purely a matter of logistics. We welcome newcomers whatever stage ofunderstanding, because if you don’t know – you ask, and someone will havethe answer!
Eileen Gilder
Bridge for Beginners
We have completed our teaching project and are pleased to say that 8 U3Amembers have been taught to play Bridge at a 'social level'. Peter Jonesfrom the U3A Bridge Club has visited and talked to all of them and he feelsthat they are good enough to join the U3A Bridge Club.
So we are hopeful that some of our 8 pupils will be swelling the numbers ofthe U3A Bridge Club in the not too distant future.
This group has ended now.
Carl and Liz
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Discovering Music
Barton Court, off Barton Street, opposite Morrison’s Supermarket.1st and 3rd Wednesdays 9.40 for 10.00 – 12.00. Charge £1.00.New members are always welcome.
We aim to please a wide range of musical taste by including music in variousgenres, from pop to classical, and discovering lesser-known composers andtheir music, without excluding favourites. The music will range from early torecent, and include not just symphonic but instrumental as well as vocalworks. The aim is to provide a balance in most of the programmes. Theseprogrammes interchange with a sequence of ballet, opera, concert anddocumentary presentations.A brief explanation will precede each piece.
The dates for our meetings are as follows:
May 03 Str ing Quar tets presented by Bob Walton.May 17 ‘A Time There Was’ – documentary about Benjamin Britten.June 07 Dennis Dudley – Piano music by Albeniz, Granados, Grieg, Chopin
and Beethoven.Pat Dudley – Music from the Cinema.
June 21 Tales of Beatr ix Potter – The Royal Ballet.July 05 Presentation by Mel Kisby and Vi Bolton.July 19 Andrea Chenier by Umber to Giordano – Royal
Opera House.
Melanie Kisby 01684 295466John Beech 01531 650369
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French Improvers
Methodist Church Reading Room. Tuesdays 11.00 – 12.15.
In September we welcomed some new members to our informal, self-helpgroup. We have enjoyed listening to some French songs by FrançoiseHardy and George Bressan, brought to our attention by various members ofthe group.Our knowledge of the French way of life, its people and places continues toimprove using the magazine “Rendez-vous” and its CD’s. We attempt toimprove our language skills with informal chats about what group membershave been up to.If you are interested in joining us please contact:
Acting Group Leader – Margaret Davies 01242 673928
Intermediate French
Our last meeting will be on June 15th and we will reconvene September21st at Marina Court.If you would like to join a friendly group to improve your language skillswhy not come along in September? You will be made very welcome.We meet Thursday afternoon at 1.30 at Marina Court.
Janet Thomson 01684 294734 or [email protected]
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Garden Visits
3rd Friday of the month
Friday 19th May at 10.30 am
We visit Brenda Graham's garden Cherry Trees, Naunton, Worcs WR80PQ grid reference 878398
Take the A38 from Tewkesbury towards Upton on Severn. About 2 milesafter crossing the M50 take a right hand turn signed to Naunton village.Follow through the village and Cherry trees is towards the end on the right, ina row of newish bungalows, and will be signposted for us.
This will be a return visit to Brenda's lovely cottage garden with a variety ofSpring flowers and shrubs, with lots of interest.Entrance is £4 to include refreshments, plus 50p attendance fee. Brenda'scharity is CLICI am looking forward to seeing everyone on our new Spring visit and it wouldbe helpful if you could let me know if you are coming so that Brenda has anidea of numbers for refreshments.
Shirley Finch 01242 680369 email:[email protected]
A Spring Garden
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Our Featured Group this magazine:
What goes on in French conversation?
Yes, of course we speak French - but what do we talk about? Each week wehave a different topic to be discussed and these topics are very varied.Recently we have been on a desert island where we had to choose a book, apiece of music and a luxury item. The choices made gave rise to much hilarity- especially the luxury item which ranged from an accordion to a jar ofmoisture cream! We have chosen three items to be put into Room 101 wherethey remain for ever and that was when we became a group of grumpy oldmen and grumpy old women!We have been to places all over the world when members of the group havetalked about their holiday, usually with plenty of photos as well. We havediscussed favourite books, favourite films, favourite authors, favourite piecesof music, TV programmes, news items, childhood memories and challengeswhich we have met. Our ‘Bring and Tell’ session was really enjoyable whenwe talked about the object which we had brought in and what a variety we had- an ammonite, African chess pieces, a knitted bee, a small figurine of anelephant, a wooden box from France, a model of a poodle!We have even won a competition in our French magazine " La Vie Outre-Manche" when we wrote the winning story, which was then published in themagazine. This was a real feather in our cap!We keep up to date with what is happening in France by reading from ourFrench magazine and the articles often give rise to further discussion. OurFrench vocabulary is constantly being widened as is our use of the spokenlanguage.Our sessions are always interesting, often amusing, sometimes thoughtprovoking but NEVER boring!
Ann Butler
Mondays 13:30 at Wheatpieces
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Photos byGraham Mealand
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Dropping in on Advanced German
Since there was no U3A walk one Thursday, I took the opportunity to join theAdvanced German group. Firstly we enjoyed a chat (in German) and heardabout a member's plans to walk 1,000 miles and count 200 birds this year -most impressive!
A few days in advance group members are sent short articles from Germanmedia by email, often on topical subjects. The text is often challenging, butthere is satisfaction when it is 'cracked', knowing that this is German fornative speakers. I did a little homework to prepare, which helped. We tookturns to read and translate a German article about Donald Trump's forebears inGermany, how his grandparents left their native land and decided to start anew life in the USA, not knowing that one day a grandson of theirs wouldbecome President. We also learned that after the First World War DonaldTrump's mother bravely left her Hebridean island home, aged eighteen, andtravelled alone to the USA to seek her fortune - and met Fred Trump, Donald'sfather.
It was interesting to compare the group with U3A French Conversation, wherewe read out pieces of French writing we have individually prepared anddiscuss as a group, then take turns to read from a magazine designed foradvanced French-learners.
Over tea and delicious homemade shortbread and biscuits we discussed - notall in German! - how we might spend our U3A anniversary small fortune of£100. It was a most pleasant afternoon's 'work', so thank you, Heidrun ourleader, and hosts Tony and Carol.
Anne Trott
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History of Art and Design
1st and 3rd Mondays from 9.45 for 10.30 – 11.45.Please arrive and sign in by 10.25 for a prompt start.Apperley Village Hall, charge £1.00New members are always welcomeWorks of art and design are projected for presentation and group discussion.
The dates for our May to July meetings are as follows:
May 02 (Tuesday) Visit to The Old Baptist Chapel and TewkesburyAbbey. Meet at The Old Baptist Chapel at 10:00. £7 to include coffee or teaand donations. Contact Bob Walton (01684 294676). Cheques made payableto Tewkesbury and District U3A.May 15 René Magr itte presented by John Beech.June 05 Roland Hilder Watercolours and Art by Musicians presented byJohn Beech.June 19 John Martin presented by Steve Fisher .July 03 William Blake presented by Richard and Eileen Har t.July 17 Selection, including Modigliani presented by Fran Valentine.
The presentation details for each meeting and news of any cancellations willbe posted on our webpage on the Tewkesbury U3A website.
John Beech 01531 650369
Winter Landscapeby Roland Hilder
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Family History
Boys Brigade Headquarters - SmallMeeting Room on the Fourth Thursdayof each month.From 10:00 (coffee and biscuits!) until12.00 mid-day
We always look forward towelcoming new members.
Sometimes we have a specific subject, but at most meetings we give membersthe opportunity to bring along their queries and everyone helps each otherwith their research. The installed Wi-Fi has extended the range of activitiesthat we can do here. So whether you are a new researcher or an experiencedone please come along, you will be most welcome.We will be continuing with our visits to local County Archives, havingrecently paid a second visit to Hereford and possible visits to Oxford, WestMidlands and the soon-to-be revamped Gloucester Archives on the horizon.Our archive visits will continue to be arranged for the most suitable dayduring the 2nd week.
* * *At our March meeting, we were given a video introduction and brief talk onthe 1939 Register by Wendy Stow. For other U3A members that are notaware of the existence of this Register, here’s an introduction:The 1939 Register, taken on 29 September 1939, provides a snapshot of thecivilian population of England and Wales just after the outbreak of theSecond World War. Details of around 40 million people were recorded inorder to produce Identity Cards and, once rationing was introduced in January1940, to facilitate the issuing of ration books. Information in the Register wasalso used to administer conscription and division of labour, and to monitorand control the movement of the population caused by military mobilisationand mass evacuation. It’s a very useful resource for family, social and localhistorians. Because the 1931 Census for England and Wales was destroyed byfire during the Second World War and no census was taken in 1941, the 1939Register provides the most complete survey of the population of England andWales between 1921 and 1951.While the 1939 Register is not a census, it is arranged along similar lines andincludes similar, if less detailed, information. It does, however, show exactdates of birth, while census returns simply give a person’s age.
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However, these records do not include the civilian populations of theChannel Islands, the Isle of Man, Scotland (this information is held bythe National Records of Scotland), Northern Ireland (held by the PublicRecord Office of Northern Ireland). In addition, registration of membersof the armed forces was dealt with by the military authorities, so the 1939Register does not include service personnel in military, naval and airforce establishments. Nor does it include members of the armed forcesbilleted in private homes, including their own homes. However, therecords do include members of the armed forces on leave and civilians onmilitary bases.Individuals’ records remain closed for 100 years from their date of birthor until proof of death is produced. From 1948 the Register was also usedas the National Health Service (NHS) Register, and was updated until1991, when the paper-based system was discontinued. This includednotification of deaths, so the records of people born less than 100 yearsago, but whose death was reported to either the National Registrationauthorities or to the NHS, will be open.Open records of the 1939 Register for England and Wales are availableonline at findmypast.co.uk. It is free to search for these records, but thereis a charge to view full transcriptions and download images ofdocuments. The 1939 Register can be viewed as part of an annualsubscription to findmypast.co.uk or on a pay-per-view.For further information, go to the National Archives web page:http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/1939-register/...or come and join our group!Our future programme isAprilNo archive visit planned27th – BBHQ - General research/help session.Mayw/c 8th Oxford Archives27th – BBHQ – Either Surnames, Military Records or WorkhouseRecordsJunew/c 12th - Archive visit – Gloucester (including Family History Centre)22nd - BBHQ - General research/help session
Leader: Roy BoxEmail: [email protected] 780813 or 07852 696336
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Latin for Pleasure
Latin for Pleasure continues todelight and befuddle itsstalwart members. Ably guidedby John Hendy, to whom weare all incredibly grateful. Weare now almost at the end ofbook three of the CambridgeLatin Course from which, aswell as learning Latin, we arealso learning about Romanhistory and even Englishgrammar. We are a smallgroup and have allworked hard both at home and
at our meetings to reach the level we are today.If there are other U3A members considering learning Latin we would behappy to offer advice on how to start a new group.Katherine Parker
Natural History
May 11th Greystones Farm, Bourton-on-the-WaterJune 8th Hobbs QuarryJuly 13th Symonds Yat. Nesting peregrines and a boat trip on
the river Wye
Note that all these tr ips are on the second Thursday.
Please. Always phone ahead as trips are subject to change and are alsosubject to having enough seats (cars)available!
Paul 01684029818
Chris 07486863367
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National Annual U3A Conference 2016
Last August, Steve and I attended the 3 day Annual U3A Conferencewhich was held at Nottingham University. We were not too sure what toexpect when we arrived, but we were given a warm welcome and soonfound ourselves chatting to some of the 150+ delegates there who hadtravelled from all over the UK. The programme outlined that there wouldbe general presentations, smaller group workshops, drop-in sessions andthe AGM. There was plenty of time too for socialising. Pam Jones, theChairman, was in charge of us all.
Do you know what a MOOC is? Are you interested in U3Aresearch? Would you like to maintain a vibrant U3A? Have you a lifestory to tell? These were a selection of topics on offer for the groupworkshops. I opted for 'Getting your message across' and 'Give and take ahand'. The first of these centred on the best ways to communicate withinour individual U3As, and to the general public. Some useful ideas wereshared and swapped. I was less certain as to what the topic content of thesecond workshop would be. It proved to be most interesting, being led bya lady who, as a result of a serious accident, was a wheel-chair user.She also had other health difficulties but still wanted to remain an activeand valued member of her local U3A. She outlined some of thefrustrations and difficulties she had encountered whilst pursuing this andencouraged us all to think positively about how our own U3As mightbegin to address such issues. This discussion was expanded to include allaspects of 'age-related' physical and mental health limitations. Again,many helpful suggestions were forthcoming. I have reported these back toour committee members and we are planning, in the very near future,seriously to attempt to address this aspect within TUTA.For me, there were two other highlights of the conference. Following themeal on the first evening, we were wonderfully entertained by a localU3A guitar group! They played and sung with gusto. We wereencouraged to join in - most of the songs were 'golden oldies' - and it wasa fitting end to the day. The second highlight was a presentation on thetherapeutic aspects of music. It was interestingly and competentlydelivered, and very informative.I would encourage any member of TUTA to attend future conferences,especially if you are interested in becoming more involved in theorganisation and running of our U3A. Oh! And by the way. MOOCstands for Massive Open Online Course. But I am none the wiser as I didnot attend this workshop! Margaret Carter
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Photography
Bredon Village Hall 1st Tuesday
The monthly review topics over the last quarter have covered ‘Night-time/Moonlight’ ‘Dawn/Twilight’ and ‘Opposites’. Forthcoming review topicsinclude: “Waves”, “Window” and “Transport”. The Photography Group webpage carries the full year programme of review topics.
An in-depth presentation has been made by Geoff Hodgson LRPS coveringthe advantages of shooting and processing RAW files together with thepreference settings in Adobe Photoshop for the RAW converter to become thedigital darkroom. Additional Photoshop presentations have focused uponusing layers to enhance and/or combine images.Alan Marsh [email protected]
St Paul’s Cathedral at night. Taken by Stephen Carter
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Roman History
The Berkley Arms, Church Street 1st Thursday 10:00 to 12:00
We have recently been learning about the exciting life of Livia, second wifeof the Emperor Augustus. Married at fifteen to a cousin and soon with a babyin tow, Livia and her first husband were embroiled in warfare and becamefugitives. Later they were allowed to return to Rome where married Octavian(later Augustus), fell in love with Livia, even though she was by now pregnantfor the second time. Octavian engineered the two divorces and married Livia,whilst she was still pregnant. No pandering to finer feelings in those days.Livia was a devoted wife, highly respected and became a trusted advisor toAugustus. They remained married for fifty one years but had no livingchildren. It should be noted that all the young relatives of Augustus failed tothrive (some quite violently) and this paved the way for Livia’s eldest son tobecome heir to Augustus and subsequently the Emperor Tiberius.Coincidence or treachery? As with our princes in the tower, the jury is still outon that. If you like you could to join us to learn about Tiberius, Germanicus,Claudius, and Livia’s infamous great grandson Caligula.
David Hearn on 01242 674408
Spanish
Tuesday mornings 10:00 at Wheatpieces.
Our topic this year is Leisure Time, and we have been talking about how weare using those endless retirement hours (?) – films, TV, hobbies etc. Alsowe usually listen to a soundbite, and study an aspectof grammar. Last term we considered stemchanging verbs, and ‘to be or not to be’. In this NewYear we are studying the Future and other tenses.To help us to stay focussed we each have apublished Workbook. The highlights are whenvisitors join us – we have welcomed two fromCatalonia and two from Chile in the last year.
John Townsend
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“ Not quite but almost- my U3A Memory Lane”
Like many of us who enjoyed the 25th Anniversary Celebrations ofTewkesbury & District U3A in September last year my memories havebeen revived as I look back over the last 24 years.
When I retired from the Worcestershire County Youth Serviceunexpectedly early in 1993 I asked myself the question ‘What do I donow?’ Fortunately my wife Betty, who knows about these things,offered U3A (which I’d never heard of) as my solution. So, off I went toWorcester, but no thanks, it was full of County Council retirees and Iwanted a change!
Our Tewkesbury U3A (meeting in the Abbey School Room in those dayscompeting with traffic noise) had been offering an increasingly popularprogramme for the past 2 years. As I stepped through the door into my firstmonthly meeting, I met John (Jack) Page who quickly persuaded me to jointhe Walking Group, followed then by heated debates (Left & Right) in theDiscussion Group and wonderful literary experiences in Cynthia Baron’s‘Writers & Places’ Group - happy days.
Soon life as a new boy the U3A Committee beckoned and I shared theirdecision making briefly, before the walking group claimed an increasingamount of my time.
But before that - Tewkesbury U3A were keen to expand their membershipand I offered to organise an advertising campaign “If you’re over 50 andretired U3A could be 4U”…..Yes, people did retire in their 50’s in thosedays with pensions too, (not any more) and there were lots of under 60’s inour ranks. At the following September enrolment day many new membersarrived responding to the adverts inserted in all of the appropriatemagazines, in all of the Tewkesbury newsagents (before these becamewrapped in clingfilm).
Our small walking group started by John Page in 1991 quickly grew and,following John’s retirement in 1996, I found myself organising treks on theMalverns and the Cotswolds. Ever increasing numbers meant bookings hadto be introduced in fairness to those who were being left out.
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I read a description of a television film tonight which said ‘ it can beenjoyed time and time again’, and I thought of the films I can watch overand over –
Die Hard with Bruce Willis – the originalMama Mia – I know every word!Independence Day – brilliant actingET – fantastic that he gets homeThe Shawshank Redemption – again brilliant acting and a powerful filmBeverley Hills Cop with Eddie Murphy – great laugh. Actually all of thisseries was good.I am sure that this will start you off on your list of ‘repeats’ which can beenjoyed again. Think about your list, you’ll have fun.
Cheers.
Eileen [email protected]
Photo albums were filled torecord our muddy pursuits(I still have them to remindme, sadly, of walkingfriends no longer with us).Nowadays all our weeklyactivities are painstakinglylogged with photos onlinefor all to see.So here we are now 24years later, still getting ourboots muddy. My camerahas also been busier in the
last few years and I have the very pleasant task of visiting many U3A Groupsto record their activities for our colourful & informative TUTA News. I’m soglad there isn’t an upper age limit for membership of the Tewkesbury &District U3A!!
Graham Mealand
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Bank Notes
So, are you ready for the new one pound coin?If, like me at the time of writing, you have not yet seen one, the new coin isvery different from its predecessor. The new coin was put into circulation atthe end of March and is slightly larger in size than the old one but thinner andlighter and is a 12-sided bi-metallic coin rather like the love-child of a two-pound coin and the old threepenny bit.Close on the heels of the new polymer fiver, why has the Bank of Englanddecided to change the coin we have used for over 30 years? Well, it hasbeen estimated that there are over 46 million forgeries of the old coin incirculation so the new coin, which will have integrated security featuresincluding a type of hologram which reveals a different design when turned, a£ sign changes to 1, will help drive out the counterfeits.So if you are ready for the new coin, the rest of the country may not be.According to the pundits in February it seems unlikely that some of themachinery, e.g. vending machines and parking meters, will be converted forsome months yet so the advice is to keep some other value coins in reservewhen you plan your visit to town. The old pound coins will cease to be legaltender after 15 October so time to get that hoard from under the bed to thebank. Banks, at their discretion, may continue to exchange them after thatdate but some banks may provide this service for customers only.
Is your brain working logically today?
3 business men booked a hotel room for a meeting and they were told the costwas £30 so they paid £10 each in advance. When they arrived for theirmeeting the room they booked was not available so they were given analternative room. The hotel manager called the bellboy and said :"That roomonly costs £25. Take this £5 and give the 3 men a refund."The bellboy, for whom maths was not a strength, thought:"3 doesn't go into£5 very easily so I'll give them a pound each and keep £2 for my tip”. Theboy gives each of the men £1 which means each of them has now paid £9.3×£9 = £27, the boy kept £2, so what happened to the other pound?....
Terry ClynesAnswers, explanations, calculations (email only) to :[email protected]
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TUTA Quiz Night
47 of us gathered at the newly refurbished Bowling Club for Tewkesbury andDistrict’s first quiz night. Having been reassured by our quiz master BobWalton that the questions should not be too challenging we settled to awaitthe first of 7 papers, sympathising with grandchildren awaiting their GCSEexam papers.Having negotiated Round One, we were rewarded with a very tastyPloughman’s Supper, which miraculously appeared thanks to the efforts ofthe hidden crew beavering away in the kitchen. Suitably refreshed, weembarked on 3 more rounds of questions which challenged our knowledge ofeverything from butterflies to baseballs, and from alleys to operas. Teamsapproached the task with varying degrees of solemnity, with some seriousshushing going on amid much suppressed giggling as the answers wereannounced. More questions were asked by the competitors such as ‘doesGeorge Formby count as a composer?’ And ‘is Mike Tingle a Gloucestershireand England rugby player?’The ultimate winners, called ‘Apperley Ever After’, were appreciative of theirprizes and the rest of us were appreciative of a fun and educational evening.Thanks to the outstanding preparation and presentation of the quiz by Boband Andrea Walton and Richard Hart, the organisation of the evening by AnnScott and the preparation and presentation of the food by Fran Valentine,Mary Tanner, Pauline Dickinson and Margaret Carter.
Shirley Channing
Photo by Terry Clynes
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Walking Group
So far this year we havebeen lucky with theweather on our walks.On Wednesdays andThursdays the cloudsseem to part and thetemperature rises and wekeep our boots fairly mudfree. We have seenspring flowers inprofusion and the woodsstarting to come into leaf.A couple of our memberswho are not able to walkat the moment because of
impending knee jobs are getting itchy feet and we hope that their wait willnot be too long.We are planning to walk the Winchcombe Way over the coming months andhave broken it down into bite-sized chunks for our regular programme. Ithink we have walked it all before over the past few years but it would begood to do it linearly from end to end.
If you would like to see thecurrent programme, along withreports and pictures of previouswalks, then go to:
http://home.freeuk.net/stanfagg/u3a.html
or for more details contact the WalksCoordinator,:Richard Hart, on01452 780505 [email protected]
We were very pleased to see the Air Ambulance when a member becameunwell on the top of the Worcestershire Beacon.
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Walking Group Strolls are gentle walks for memberswho would like the companionship of an organized walkwithout being too challenged. They take place on the 2nd
Tuesday of each month between March and October andstart at 10.30, finishing at about 12.00 noon. There aredifferent leaders for each Stroll so there is plenty ofvariety.
Our next Strolls are:
Tuesday 9th May Haresfield BeaconLeader Stan Ring 01684 293319 to book on to theStroll.Start 10.30 We meet at Shortwood N.T. car park GL6 6PPM5 to Jn 11a, through Painswick and after 1 mile turn right up Wragg CastleLane. At top, right again on A4173 to Edge. Turn left after church, spRandwick towards Shortwood and Haresfield Beacon. In 2 miles take rightfork and then keep left.A stroll through Standish Woods hoping to see bluebells and other springflowers, and to admire the views from the topograph.
Tuesday 13th June Upton-upon-SevernLeaders Nick, Gill & Josie Ring 01684 772147 to book on to the Stroll.Start 10.30 We meet at Upton free car park opposite the churchFor a stroll around the town (not in it!)
Tuesday 11th July KemertonLeader Pamela You must book on to this Stroll. Numbers are limited. Ring01386 725547Start 10.30 Meet in the lane by Kemerton Church for a stroll around theNature Reserve.
Group Leader: Eileen Hart 01452 [email protected]
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email addresses https://u3asites.org.uk/tewkesbury/home
Telephone Number for all calls:01684 325013
[email protected] ChairpersonFran Valentine
[email protected] TreasurerTerry Clynes
[email protected] Membership SecretariesCalvynPrice/Mary Mulrenan
[email protected] Minutes SecretaryStephen Carter
[email protected] Business SecretaryAnne Trott
[email protected] Equipment OfficersBarry Minett-SmithKen Flude
[email protected] Tuta EditorAndrea Walton
[email protected] WebmasterShirley Channing
[email protected] Meetings OrganiserAnne Scott
[email protected] Group LiaisonMargaret Carter/ PaulineDickenson
[email protected] Deputy ChairBarry Minnet Smith
[email protected] Vacant
[email protected] General Enquiries
Meetings Organiser Bill Bush