U3A Kettering Newsletter September 2014

Kettering U3A September 2014

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16th September 2014

Kettering U3A Year 11 Newsletter 03

www.u3asites.org.uk/kettering

Registered Charity No. 1108614

Next Month

21st October

Quiz with Prizes Teams of six along one pew.

Select your pew to make up your team.

From the Chairman — aka Attila. Friday September 5th: I

have this afternoon bought two military berets, an army battle-dress jacket and an ex-ARP tin hat - (I got a very good deal from a sweet lad in the antique shop – no U3A monies were involved.) – NOT as a direct consequence of our Group Leaders’ Meeting the previous day but for a garden party, of which more anon.

I particularly want to thank all the Group Leaders for their attendance at the aforesaid meeting, for their most valued input and raising of important issues that we shall certainly do our best to address. As the world changes, costs go up – of everything – and those “in power” become more autocratic, if that’s not too strong a word for the rungs above our own place on the U3A ladder. We in Kettering do listen and will do our damnedest to make “them” listen too. Nearer to home, there is one place in which we are mostly in unison or otherwise in harmony. See somewhere

below. MaryMaryMaryMary

Today

16th September

Children with Cancer in Cameroon

Dr. P.D. Wharin

Kettering U3A

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Your Kettering U3A Committee 2014-2015

Chairman Mary Wildman 01536 741 222 [email protected] Vice Chairman Cyril Young 01536 392 065 [email protected] Treasurer/Membership Sec. Maggi McGuire 01536 392 716 [email protected] Secretary/Speaker Seeker Marian Tucker 01536 510 354 [email protected] Newsletter/Web site Richard Boyles 01536 744 753 [email protected] Groups Co-ordinator Maureen Curd 01832 732 361 [email protected] New Members Coordinator Elizabeth Toseland 01536 460 029 [email protected] Committee Member Helen McAdams 01536 628 304 [email protected]

Group Leaders Information

Check that all members of your group are fully paid-up members of the U3A. Ensure that you have:-

• A written record showing your member’s name, address, telephone number and email address.

• The name and telephone of each member’s emergency contact.

• The post code of your venue as this will be required by the emergency services should you need to call them out.

• Send articles, reports and photographs about your group to the Newsletter Editor. Copy deadline for the newsletter is 10 days before the monthly meeting.

• To put additional information and/or photographs on your Group’s web page on the Kettering U3A website, please email to the Web Master, [email protected] or send hardcopy to him.

• Advise the Group Coordinator of any changes to your group arrangements, e.g. venue, timing, group leader etc.

• Ensure your group members are aware of their turn to do the meeting refreshments at the appointed meeting.

• Refreshment Rota details below:- OCTOBER Water Colour Painting NOVEMBER Discussion SEPTEMBER Writers Group DECEMBER Christmas Meeting

Members Information Welcome to Pat and Georgis Sandos, David Wise, Jean Cobb and Sue Perkins

• Advise the Membership Secretary, in writing, of any changes to your address, post code, telephone number or email address.

• If you are unable to attend your Group’s meeting, please advise your Group Leader in advance.

• If you know one of our members has a special occasion ahead, e.g. important birthday, anniversary or if they are ill and you feel a card from the U3A would be appreciated, please contact Joan Rolfe on 01536 521531

• Bring your membership card with you to the meeting and have it available for checking in.

• If you cannot get to the monthly meeting for any reasons, you can get a copy of the Newsletter:-from either the Library or the Tourist Information desk, Manor House Museum, Kettering or from Desborough, Rothwell or Burton Latimer Libraries.

• Via our postal service direct to your home (£8.50 per annum) Contact the Membership Secretary to do so.

• Download the newsletter (in glorious colour) from the web site, www.u3asites.org.uk/kettering and click on Links.

Monthly Meeting Dates & Speakers

16 Sep Children with Cancer in Camreoon P.D.Wharin 21 Oct Quiz with Prizes 18 Nov Chicago. Mike Leonard 16 Dec Christmas. Terry Smith 20 Jan Long term Care—Clive Langley 17 Feb Up The Cut—Derick Harris 17 Mar Blacksmithing—Bob Nightingale

21 Apr Family History & the Media: Behind the Scenes of BBC WDYTYA—Nick Barrett 19 May Crazy Hats—Glennis Hooper 16 Jun AGM 21 Jul Museum & Gallery— Eleanor Baumber 18 Aug Photo Quiz—Trevor Rudkin 15 Sep WWII—Eric Nixon 20 Oct Bee Keeping—David White

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Our next meeting at the Fuller Church, Gold St. Kettering

Format of the meeting:-

1.30 – 2.15 Assembly Room Tea/Coffee & biscuits available Browse the groups and chat Sign up to groups and trips 2.15—2.30 In Church for U3A notices 2.30—3.30 Speaker 3.45 (approx) Meeting ends

Speaker Seeker

Have you been to a meeting where you listened to a good speaker? If so please could you pass me de-tails, fliers, contact details etc. I am grateful when members recommend good speakers as this infor-mation is very useful to me. Thanks Contact: Marian Tucker [email protected]

Group Leaders Meeting A BIG THANK YOU to all Group Leaders who

came to the annual meeting last week. Without the brilliant work you all do, the U3A would not function.

London Trip Report — A small group of U3A mem-

bers went on the coach trip to London on August 14th. We were dropped off in Park Lane & four of us decid-ed to go to Westminster Abbey, using our free Bus Passes. On arrival there was a huge queue , all around the Abbey & as far as the Houses of Parlia-ment. However, it took only about half an hour to get in. The entrance charge is £15 for pensioners and we were provided with a free audio guide, with which we could go at our own pace. Westminster Abbey is an amazing place, full of history & breath taking architecture. Although not long enough to see it all, after 2 hours we moved on to the Tower of London to see the ceramic poppies commemorating WW1, which are around the moat. That is a sight to behold & quite emotional, as each poppy depicts a person who died in the Great War. It is just a sea of red, spilling out of windows & over walls. We would not have missed seeing them for anything, although it was absolutely pouring with rain & we all got soaked to the skin, but it was worth it. Luckily our photos do not show a drop of rain. We would like to thank Maureen Curd for organizing the trip, as we had a most enjoyable day. Janet Clements

This was a wonderful trip to Buckingham Palace and an afternoon tea on board a river boat. Marian Tucker

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Card Making 1 — As always we enjoyed a good

natter on both mornings before settling down to the serious business of making cards. Again as always cards of high quality were produced for many occasions and two Father Christmases appeared! It brought home the fact that we do need to get cracking for that season once more. Therefore, members the meetings in October will be Christmassy. We will be meeting on October 7th and 8th, Wednesday members please note that this is the second Weds not the first Weds. Looking forward already to seeing you all then.

Bookworms — We discussed "The King's Deception" at our last meeting, a thriller involving spies, special agents, and lots of twists and turns on every page. The mystery concerned Elizabeth the First and, at times, our book characters were in Middle Temple, Hampton Court Palace and other well known landmarks. Opinions were divided on the subject matter of the book. Our next read is "The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry”. Contact: Pauline Parkin 01536 799197

Bridge - We have a very friendly Bridge group who

meet every Friday afternoon. If you can play Bridge but perhaps have not done so for a little while then please come and join us. I must say, however, that we do not teach it and therefore you must have some

knowledge of the game to be able to join. You would be made very welcome. We start each Friday at 1.30pm at the Bridge Club in Field Street and we pay £2 each week and for that you get good company, a very interesting game and refreshments.

Contact: Sue Macfarlane 01536 523754

News — Interest Groups — Visits and Reports

Card Making 2 — It always amazes me that the

ladies in the group always produce such beautiful cards. This month we tackled 'Waterfall cards'. This new technique, well to me anyway, produced a different way of sending Happy Birthday. It is always a pleasure to work with a group so willing to help each other with card making. During October we will display birthday and Christmas cards for you to purchase from us. Please support us on this new venture for fundraising. Contact: Marian Tucker 01536 510 354 [email protected]

Photos by Marian Tucker

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Canals & Waterways — Over twenty of us met in a

coffee shop near Birmingham New Street station for our walk. Most arrived by train but some opted to come by car, which I think is very brave as driving in Birmingham is not easy. We were blessed once again with good weather for our walk. I am always amazed at the beauty of the buildings in Birmingham and the guide we use gives a lot of detail about the area. If you are interested in this walk which is approximately two miles, it can be found by on the website BBC Birmingham Walk Through Time. Some of the group opted for a canal boat trip, whilst others tried to see the back to back houses, but unfortunately this had to be pre-booked in groups of eight so we were unable to see them. This walk is very popular with our group and is on our itinerary most years, I hope to stay longer next time and visit one of the free museums. We shall have been to Stanwick lakes for an evening walk and a meal by the time of this newsletter. Hopefully we may have seen a beautiful sunset. Gloucester docks is our destination in October. We leave on the fifteenth and return on the seventeenth. If you are interested in joining us please let me know.

Contact: Christine Strachan 01536 515730 [email protected]

Photos by Richard Boyles

Computer Group —

I STILL HAVE A SECRET BUT I

CANNOT ANNOUNCE IT UNTIL

MONDAY 6th OCTOBER

In the meantime, the Computer Group is re-starting, as before, every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month. Starting next week on 23rd September, 2-4pm in the Assembly Rooms, Fuller Church. 23 Sep Finding things on the Internet-Clever searching 14 Oct PC, Laptop or Tablet—What’s the difference? 28 Oct Communicating. E-mail, Facebook, Skype etc. 11 Nov Writing a letter using Word & FREE software Please sign up (or just turn up) and pay £12 in advance for the 4 sessions which are £3 each. This is to ensure room hire and other costs are covered. Cash or cheque payable to “Kettering U3A No.2 Account” If you joined the computer group in the early days and were confused, fear not. I have learnt a lot in the way I teach and present the class. We now work more slowly, work together, and you learn on your own Laptop as we go along. Please send me your requests and suggestions for future topics. As always, you can contact me for any computer related advice or problems. Information and videos from previous sessions at www.U3AComputerGroup.co.uk Contact: Richard Boyles 01536 744 753 e-mail: [email protected]

Also personal help at www.Computing121.co.uk

Country Matters — During our August meeting we

walked around Geddington village, looking at various houses and discussing the stone used in the village’s construction and also the Eleanor Cross. Whilst standing beside the cross a Canadian, who also lives in the village, joined us giving us an amazing talk about the cross – apparently he gives lectures about the cross and the church – a very interesting chap who certainly knows ‘his stuff’. We thanked him then continued through the village to the old mill site and the dovecote near Newton. Following the river bank we returned to the White Lion for lunch. Please note that there is no meeting in September . Next meeting arranged for 9th October 10.30am outside the Carpenters Arms in Irchester.

Contact: Derek Warren 01536 518 560 [email protected]

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Friday Pop-in - Change of venue to Cransley

Hospice Coffee Shop, Dalkeith Place from 3rd October. We meet 10 – 11.30 on the first Friday of every month. New members please come and join us for coffee, exchange of books, magazines and local news. We need your support.

Contact: Sue Hince 01536 521 023

Discussion Group — We resume next week on the

second Tuesday, 16th September when we hope to be pre-empting the Scottish referendum! In October we meet on the 14th when the topic we be "The costs of care for people suffering from Dementia" and will be introduced by Annette.

Contact: Mary Earl on 01536 522 456

French — Our little group continues to enjoy simple

French stories, modern teaching from CDs and occasional French bingo (no prizes!) I am not taking on more members at present unless someone drops out. Contact: Diana Ellis 01536 723 380

Gardening Group — The group is now taking a rest

until the Spring of next year. Proposals for future activities warmly welcomed.

Contact: Ray Bradbury 01536 516587

Italian Classes — One Italian class is running.

If there is anyone else interested please contact: John Sellick 01536 517 878 [email protected]

Heartbeat— The next Heartbeat meeting will be on

Monday 6th October 2014 at the Eleanor Cross, West

Street, Geddington. We will be walking along Wood Street, and on towards Clay Dick, the track underfoot is good. Afterwards we will be visiting the tea shop in Geddington. Meeting time is 10 o'clock as usual. Hope to see you all there.

Contact: Bridget Ling 01536 414 810

German-2 Conversation for Absolute Beginners—The established group for basic German Conversation remains oversubscribed so this new group for absolute beginners has been formed and is now also FULL. This group meets on Wednesdays 1.30 to 3.00pm fortnightly. Contact: Joe Fletcher 01536 722 399

German–1 Basic Conversation — This established

group for Basic German Conversation is now FULL.

Contact: Joe Fletcher 01536 722 399

Golf — We still meet every Friday at Pytchley GC for

the 1st Tee time at 1.40 pm. We now have 8 regular players since 2 from Ise Valley U3A have joined us. For further details then give me a call.

Contact: Alan Stephens 01536 726 911 or 07931 637 660 or [email protected]

Knit and Natter - I'm sure Janet's vicar will be very

pleased with the knitted image of himself. A lot of hard work has gone into it and she will be presenting it to him when he comes back from his holiday. We are going to show a few knitted item at the October meeting and these can be purchased if people want them. We are now busy knitting for Crazy Hats Christmas Bazaar, I think there is more knitting done after the meeting than at the time but there is so many topics to be discussed including holidays, how useless we are with computers etc.

Contact: Annette Chidwick 01536 523867

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Lunch Club — Christmas Special Date for your Diary

Tuesday 2nd December 2014 - 11.30 am for 12 Noon. This year we will be returning to the Masonic Hall in Corby to celebrate Christmas with our special lunch. It has proved particularly successful so we will be going back there again. Maps will be available nearer the time for those joining us for the first time or for those who need a reminder. As space is not a problem the event is not confined to lunch club regulars so please bring your spouse or friends to what will no doubt prove a fitting introduction to the festive season. ( I’m sorry to introduce the subject of Christmas so early in the year! ) It will be a traditional Christmas Lunch with Soup, followed by Turkey, Potatoes, Roast Potatoes, Chipolatas and Vegetables in season. Followed by Christmas Pudding with Brandy Sauce and Mince Pies. There will be tea or coffee provided for those who want it. Christmas crackers and things seasonal will be on the table. The cost will be a specially negotiated £15 and a £10 deposit will reserve your seat. Bookings are being taken now. If having booked you find you cannot go then every endeavour will be made to sell your seat. As the Corby Masonic Complex has plenty of car parking spaces parking should not present a problem but please car share if possible.

Contact: Ray Bradbury 01536 516 587

Looking at Churches — A nice large group of 26 of

us went to Lamport Church in August. We were allowed to park in the stable block of Lamport Hall which was very convenient. The church is very light inside & the first thing you come to is the font, which has a very tall ornately carved wooden cover. This has to be hoisted up by mechanism when used for baptisms. Another large feature is the East window, the Resurrection, which was painted in 1847. This came as a surprise to us, as it really looked like stained glass. There are many memorials to the Isham family of Lamport Hall and these are mostly to be found in the Isham Chapel, although the actual graves are in the burial ground around the church. The family name died out after Sir Gyles Isham in 1976, and the Hall is now run by a trust company. After our tour we went across the road to Lamport Hall tearoom, where we enjoyed our tea in very elegant surroundings The next church will be at Earls Barton, which has a Saxon Tower. This is on Wednesday, September 17th at 2.0pm. The charge will be £3 as we have to pay extra for a guide this time. Opposite to the church is the original Jeyes chemist, which is now a museum & teashop, for those who wish to go. I will have to give approximate numbers so that they are prepared for us.

Contact: Janet Clements 01536 507721 or [email protected]

Photos by Alan Robinson &

Marian Tucker

Knit and Natter—”Sub Group?” Having been

approached to do so I am proposing to start a new "sub"group, as you might call it, called something like "Busy Needles and Banter" with beginners in mind, though experienced knitters, crochet-ers, etc will not be turned away should they wish to share their expertise. Venue: my house - I can manage 8, including me, max. Day/time to be decided. Contact: Mary Wildman 01536 741 222 or 07950 767 619 [email protected]

Lunch Club — To start the new season we will be

lunching at The Lamb in Little Harrowden, on Tuesday 23rd September and is being organised by Helen McAdams and Jean Hazard. The menu can be viewed at the U3A Meeting the week prior and I hope to see you all there. New Members - We visit a different venue each month on the forth Tuesday of the month. A menu is provided at the U3A meeting the week prior for you to make a choice and payment is not required until the day. New members are very welcome to join us, we are a very friendly but a little noisy bunch. See our Lunch Club table at the meeting. Contact: Glynis Hall 01536 516249 or [email protected]

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Musical Circles 2 — It started out as the ABC of

composers but lost its way somewhat. However a good start was made with an offering from Albioni, under Christopher Hogwood: His Concerto No 1 played by The Academy of St Martin in the Fields. We then had The Orchestral Suite No 3, otherwise known as ‘Air on a G String’, and Cantata No 147, otherwise known as ‘Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring’, both by Bach. It was then the turn of Chopin and his Polonaise in A Major, played by Vladimir Ashkenasy. Keeping up with the theme of the afternoon we then had a Sinfonia in G Major, composed by Dussek, well known in his time but not played much now. A short piece by Elgar in the form of his Enigma Variations ‘Nimrod’ kept us on track. Light refreshments and a gossip neatly halved the session. Refreshed we then cheated a little by considering and then rejecting a piece by Faure. It could be said that we cheated again by bringing on Goodhall, Howard as the next composer, taking care of the next two letters of the alphabet. We heard ‘Blessed are the Peacemakers’ from his Enchanted Voices, composed during his stint as Composer in Residence for Classic FM in 2009. Absolutely beautiful. We then missed out ‘I’ and went straight to Khachaturian and his ‘Dance of the Gaditan Slaves – Victory of Sparticus’ from his famous opera . To round off the afternoon we skipped ‘L’ and went straight to Mozart and played his Clarinet Quintet in A, a fitting end to an afternoon of good music in good company. If you feel that this is the sort of thing you would like to try then please make contact. Contact: Eileen Mason 01536 725 925

Musical Circles 1 — At our last meeting we had a mixed selection of vocal and instrumental items. Modern, classical and traditional tunes were included. The modern composers were McCartney, Joplin, Lloyd Webber, Stevie Wonder and Roy Williamson. Bach, Puccini, Verdi, Chopin and Bizet were the classical. Contact: Carole Bradbury 01536 516 587

Photography Group — Our August meeting saw us

return to Lyddington, where we welcomed Dave to the group. We still have room for one more to join us if there are any keen, or keen to learn, photographers out there. Sunshine and heavy rain showers were the order of the afternoon, giving some really interesting skies and dramatic lighting. A tour of the village and a look inside the church took up most of the afternoon session, but we did reserve enough time for a coffee in The White Hart pub (thanks, Marilyn).

Five members of the Photography Group braved the weather to meet at Sywell Aerodrome in September. In between the showers some photographs were taken. In fact, these wet/dry conditions do provide interesting lighting for photographs, and it should certainly not mean putting the cameras away. However, care must be taken to protect the cameras from too much water, but a few drops of rain on a camera body will do it no harm. Keep the lens wiped clear of droplets, and wipe the surplus water off the camera when finished, and all should be fine (hopefully). Leave the camera to dry in a warm room if the lens shows signs of misting up. Sywell Aerodrome, and in particular The Aviator Hotel, has some very interesting Art Deco architectural features, straight out of the 1920's and 1930's. I always think of Inspector Poirot when I see the Aerodrome! The Museum has acquired a Hawker Hunter aeroplane, which is now on display at the end of the car park. The interesting "Spitfire" fountain provided some practice at photographing moving water at different shutter speeds. A pleasant chat over a coffee in The Aviator rounded off the afternoon. Then the sun came out... Our next meeting has been moved to a week later in October due to members being unavailable on the first Monday. We are meeting at Summer Leys Nature Reserve at 2.00pm, weather permitting, on Monday 13th October. We still have a vacancy for one more member in the group but you do need to be able to organise your own transport to our days out. Photos taken by this group can be seen on the group’s page of the Kettering U3A website.

Contact: Trevor Rudkin 01536 711 976

[email protected]

Playford English Country Dancing - After the

summer break we shall have our first meeting on Weds. Sept.10th at St. Andrew's Hall 2.30-4p.m. New members will be made very welcome. We meet on 2nd & 4th Weds. of each month from 2.30-- 4p.m.

Contact: Jean Beaver 01933 224474

Pencil Sketching—Beginners Diane Bulley, (who is deaf) is offering a cumulative Beginners Pencil Sketching course that is suitable for all abilities. It will be available as a house group to 4 members only and will be held first Monday of each week. For full details apply either by email to [email protected] or letter to Mrs D Bulley, 72A Weekly Glebe Road, Kettering, NN16 9NR

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Scrabble—Meetings are held at the Parish church

rooms. Time 2.00pm—4.30pm on the 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of each month. New members are wel-come. We enjoy playing in a relaxed atmosphere.

Contact: Pauline Reed 01536 513850

Singing Group — If you turn to the back page of our

Newsletter, near the bottom you will see an entry for the Singing for Pleasure Group. Officially this Group comes under the aegis of our "sister" Ise Valley U3A though it is generously open to KU3A members too. Membership of this group is confined (de facto and that's the way we like it) to ladies but is now more or less 50:50 KU3A and IVU3A. Currently we are full at a score + our wonderful pianist and including Kettering's Chairman. This group of lovely, very caring ladies, is one of the prime reasons I joined the U3A in the first place. We were, as I've already mentioned in these pages, a huge hit at the Regional Conference and were well-received at IVU3A's AGM. We are invited on a regular basis to sing for residents in homes for seniors, a pleasure and an honour. Our next "gig" is a Garden Party at The Lawns commemorating the First War - hence the militaria afore-mentioned. Also on our "dance card"for the immediate future is a joint sing with Oundle U3A at Barnwell - participation in action.

Contact: Mary Wildman 01536 741 222

[email protected]

Sugar Craft— If anyone who would like to learn, but

feels they are hopeless, come to watch as we work and I guarantee that they will soon realise that they can achieve good results. Contact: Joan Allingham 01536 722610

Safe Driving — Don’t have a ‘taxing’ time over

vehicle tax changes, says the IAM.

With the abolition of the vehicle tax disc taking effect from 1 October and a flurry of confused people asking about the situation through social media, leading road safety charity the Institute of Advanced Motorists has taken the opportunity to clarify what the rules are.

Basically you will still need to buy vehicle tax to keep any vehicle on the road. You will still receive a reminder from the DVLA, and you can continue paying using the previous methods. However now you will be able to pay by continuous direct debit – meaning there will never be a risk of forgetting to pay, and driving with an out-of-date disc. The direct debit will continue as long as there is a valid MOT for the vehicle.

You can apply online to tax your vehicle using the 16-digit reference code from your vehicle tax renewal reminder (V11) or 11-digit reference number from your log book (V5C).

One major change the new road tax rules has created is that vehicle tax can no longer be transferred with the vehicle if you sell it – often an added incentive when purchasing a vehicle. If after 1 October you sell a vehicle and have notified the DLVA, you will automatically receive a refund for any full months remaining on that vehicle tax.

You will now always have to buy new vehicle tax when you purchase a new or used vehicle.

As of 1 October, you will no longer be obliged to display a paper tax disc on your car – so you are free to remove and destroy it. However you might want to keep it as a souvenir, if you are feeling sentimental over the disappearance of an iconic part of UK motoring life!

Simon Best, IAM chief executive, said: “As with all new systems, it will take a little time to get used to. However the move to allow people to set up a direct debit will mean greater peace of mind for many, so your vehicle will never be untaxed.

“However, moving more of these processes online will make things very difficult for those without regular internet access – as ever, the poor and elderly could lose out.

“And it will be interesting to see if some people think that without a visible tax disc it will be easier simply not to buy one. We’ll see in time how effective this has been in catching those who avoid paying.”

For more information visit the website https://www.gov.uk/government/news/vehicle-tax-changes

If you’d like help with any driving related issues or to find out more about the Safe Driving Group, please contact either Steve or Roy.

Steve Clorley Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01832 732342 or 07973 624815 Roy Franklin Email: [email protected]

Spanish Conversation — The Spanish conversation

group continues to meet on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month from 2pm to 4pm. We have now managed to acquire a training room free of charge so our sessions continue to be free. We use the book Pasos 2 which is for second level students We are now at full capacity. However, we would be happy to start a waiting list but because of the level our members are at, having completed two years of study, new students would need to have a reasonable knowledge of basic Spanish. Contact: Bob Thorogood 01933 650551

[email protected]

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Theatre Group — Local Theatre Productions we may find interesting for the coming months are:- Odeon+Culture Royal Ballet – MANON - Thurs October 16th Royal Opera – L'ELISIR D'AMORE (Love Potion) Wed Nov 26th Royal Ballet - ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND – Tues Dec 16th There are 12 members with tickets to see ALICE in the premium seating. If you wish to join us this may be the last chance for me to ensure good seating. Lighthouse Theatre THE FULL MONTY Thurs Oct 2nd 6 members with tickets, please let me know if you wish to join them. THE NUTCRACKER BALLET by the Russian State Ballet - Wed October 22nd 4 members so far have tickets. Masque Theatre A FESTIVAL OF MUSIC - by the Northampton Concert Band - Sun November 9th Tickets only £10 with £1 of each ticket going to BBC's Children in Need KETTERING SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA – Sat December 6th tickets just £9.

Please find more information on the U3A board and at the Theatre Goers table at the monthly meetings. If tickets are required cash or cheque must be produced at the meeting to enable Glynis to arrange tickets and ensure availability.

Contact: Glynis Hall 01536 516 249 [email protected]

Theatre Goers — National Top Hat, performed at the Milton Keynes theatre, is a triple Oliver Award winner: best new musical; best choreography and best costume design. Music and lyrics by Irving Berlin, features such classics as "Cheek To Cheek; Lets Face The Music And Dance and the unforgettable "Top Hat, White Tie And Tails. Bringing Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers` classic musical to the stage, Top Hat tells the story of Broadway sensation Jerry Travers who dances his way across Europe to win the heart of society girl Dale Tremont. An uplifting romantic comedy celebrating 1930s song, style and romance. Top Hat dazzles with superb music, over 200 beautiful costumes, breath taking dance and a love story that will set the pulse racing! as we left the theatre I believe we were all humming, or dare I say, singing quietly to the tune of Top Hat. I would even say some movement of the feet may have been tried: such was the effect of this joyous production.

Forthcoming Shows:

Woman In Black. Derngate Theatre 13th November Front Circle Seats. £22.00 Closing date: 30th September 2014

Woman In Black is a gripping theatrical exploration of terror, thrilling audiences of all ages with its unique blend of suspense, drama and bold stagecraft. A real spine chiller.

Calamity Jane Milton Keynes Theatre 27th November Stall Seats £19.50 Closing date: 19th September 2014

Calamity Jane is a classical musical with Oscar nominated scores that include: The Black Hills Of Dakota; The Deadwood Stage and of course the award winning song Secret Love. Calamity Jane can outrun and outshoot any man but she fails to realise she has a strong attachment to a certain Wild Bill Hickok - her secret love

Contact: Helen McAdams on 01536 628 304 07513 119 620

[email protected]

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Wining and Dining - We dined at the Royal Oak

Walgrave in August. The food was good the staff attentive and we were fortunate enough to have the back dining room to ourselves. An interesting piece of information came to light, the children from the village school go to the pub for their lunch once a week. A truly village pub. The details for the venue for October will be available at the September U3A meeting. I hate to say it but autumn and winter will soon be approaching, and I will try and book venues that are on direct driving routes and we could re-visit some of the restaurants we have enjoyed in Kettering If you are interested in joining us on any of our evenings please let me know.

Contact: Christine Strachan 01536 515 730

Watercolour Painting— The Water Colour Painting

Class will resume on 11th September 2014 in the Parish Church Rooms (next to St. Peter & St. Paul Church, Kettering) on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month from 2.00 p.m. - 4.00 p.m. Parking is free, next to the Church Rooms or in the Church grounds. Anyone wishing to join this term will have to be added to our Waiting List, as the class is now full. Contacts: Barbara Goodall 01536 523 259

Walking Group - A six mile walk from Barnwell was

enjoyed by 14 members on Wednesday 3rd

September. Surprisingly a number of people who live in the Kettering area had never been to Barnwell before so proof that the U3A does stretch your horizons. After a dull start the sun came out to play and added to the enjoyment of the walk which was mostly over field edge paths and was mostly level going. Thankfully it was also mud free. We had an excellent lunch at the Montagu Arms. For anyone who has only ever driven through Barnwell there is a lot more to it and it is worth exploring. The next walk will be led by Jacky Rowson.

Contact: Jacky Rowson 01536 515 959

Writers Group — Are you someone with an idea for

a story, a poem, an article, an essay, even a play that you've been dying to get down on paper, but have never got round to it? Or have you something that you've already written and would like to share or improve upon? Why not come along to our friendly group? All you need is a love of words and a sense of humour; you'll find lots of positive encouragement and advice as well as a cuppa. (There is a small levy towards the hire of the room.) We usually meet on the first Tuesday of each month from 2 pm to 4 pm in the Parish Rooms in Kettering: next meeting October 7

th.

For those who like a suggestion to work to - or ignore – the topic is I know a place�. Try a poem, maybe? My thanks as ever to Elizabeth Toseland for holding the fort in my absence

Contact: Mary Wildman 01536 741 222 or 07950 767 619 [email protected]

The Odyssey (retold by Elizabeth Brassington)

There was an old man called Odysseus Who embarked on a trip inauspicious. When the Sirens were wailing He just kept on sailing Though the song that they sang was delicious. A lovely young girl named Calypso Was cross when he gave her the slip, so He sailed off through the rocks And got his socks washed By a laundress who gave him a strip-show. Though Poseidon was making him damp He fled from a giant and vamp, Then gave Penny, his wife, The fright of her life By going back home as a tramp. (If you find this a bit “araldite”, as a dear friend of mine confuses with “erudite”, stick with it! MW)

Trips & Visits Saturday 18th October 2014. Coach trip to London. 40 people at £13 each will cover the cost of the coach and drivers gratuity.

Thursford. January 2015 will proceed with booking as soon as reservations open. Anyone interested please add name to the list supplied.

Market Harborough U3A are arranging a holiday on the Isle of Wight staying in Sandown Mon 21st to Fri 25th September 2015. Please see noticeboard and obtain a leaflet from me.

Contact: Maureen Curd 01832 732 361 [email protected]

Kettering U3A

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Kettering U3A Interest Group Timetable

Please contact group co-ordinator for more information before joining a group

Meetings below with Ise Valley U3A

RJB/2014

Day Co-ordinator Tel.no Venue Frequency Time

Monday

Canasta Pam Towns 01536 521160 Kettering Bridge Club Weekly 2.00-4.30pm

Swimming Isabel Collins 01536 520971 Kettering Pool Weekly 9.00-9.45am

Friday

Singing Jill Dee 01536 514054 Fuller Church 2nd & 4th Fridays 10.00-12.00

Day Co-ordinator Tel.no Venue Frequency Time

No fixed day

Safe Driving Steve Clorley 01832 732342 varies varies varies Roy Franklin 01536 482808 varies varies varies

Gardening Group Ray Bradbury 01536 516587 varies varies varies

Heartbeat Bridget Ling 01536 414810 varies varies varies

Travel Groups Maureen Curd 01832 732361 varies varies varies

Monday

Card Making 2 Marian Tucker Maggi McGuire

01536 510354 01536 392716

Home 3rd Monday 10.00 – 12 noon

Musical Circles 1 Carole Bradbury 01536 516587 varies 3rd Monday 2.00pm Knit and Natter Annette Chidwick 01536 523867 Home 1st & 3rd Mondays 10.00 – 12 noon

Photography Trevor Rudkin 01536 711976 varies 1st Monday monthly 2.00 – 4.00pm

Theatre Helen McAdam 01536 628304 Home 4th Monday 10.30—12.30

Tuesday

Computer Group Richard Boyles 01536 744753 Fuller Church 2nd & 4th Tuesday 2.00 – 4.00pm Discussion Group Mary Earl 01536 522456 Parish Church Rooms 2nd Tuesday in month 2.00 – 4.00pm French Diana Ellis 01536 723380 Home 2nd & 4th Tuesdays 2.00pm Greeting Card Making Mary Earl 01536 522456 Home 1st Tuesday 10.00 – 11.30am Italian John Sellick 01536 517868 Home weekly 10.00 – 11.00am Lunch Club Glynis Hall 01536 516249 varies 4th Tuesday varies Sugarcraft Joan Allingham 01536 722610 Home weekly 1.30 – 4.00pm Writers Group Mary Wildman 01536 741222 Parish Church Rooms 1st Tuesday 2.00—4.00 pm

Wednesday

German Conversation 1 Joe Fletcher 01536 722399 Home fortnightly 9.30 – 11.00 am

German Conversation 2 Joe Fletcher 01536 722399 Home fortnightly 1.30 – 3.00 pm

Spanish Conversation Bob Thorogood 01933 650551 varies 2nd & 4th Wednesday 2.00 – 4.00pm

Bookworms Pauline Parkin 01536 799197 varies 4th Wednesday 2.00 – 4.00pm Greeting Card Making Mary Earl 01536 522456 Home 1st Wednesday 10.00 - 11.30am Looking at Churches Janet Clements 01536 507721 varies 3rd Wednesday 2.00pm Musical Circles 2 Eileen Mason 01536 725925 varies 3rd Wednesday 2.00pm Playford Dancing Jean Beaver 01933 224474 St.Andrews Church 2nd & 4th Wednesday 2.30 – 4.00pm Scrabble Pauline Reed 01536 513850 Parish church rooms 1st & 3rd Wednesday 2.00 – 4.30pm

Walking Ann Kemp See Newsletter varies 1st Wednesday varies

Wining & Dining Christine Strachan 01536 515730 varies 2nd Wednesday varies

Thursday

Canals & Waterways Christine Strachan 01536 515730 varies 3rd Thursday 2.00 – 4.00pm Country Matters Derek Warren 01536 518560 varies 2nd Thursday varies Water Colour Painting Barbara Goodall 01536 523259

Parish Church Rooms 2nd & 4th Thursdays 2.00 – 4.00pm Jo Beaver 01933 224474

Friday

Bridge Sue Macfarlane 01536 523754 Bridge Club, Kettering weekly 1.30 – 4.00pm

Friday Pop in Sue Hince 01536 521023 Cransley Hospice Coffee Shop, Dalkeith Pace

1st Fri monthly 10.00 – 11.30am

Golf Alan Stephens 01536 726911 Pytchley Golf Club Every Friday 1.00 – 4.00pm

Pencil Sketching Diane Bully Home Weekly ??