Stroud and District U3A Yearbook 2018 Welcome to Stroud and District U3A From the Chairman We are a self governing organisation working under the umbrella of “The It is with great pleasure Third Age Trust” and established in 1989. We share the common philosophy, that I present you with the aims and objectives of our parent organisation. second edition of the YEAR BOOK. The first in 2015-16 Currently, Stroud and District U3A has over 570 members. As well as interest was well received and we groups, we also hold regular monthly meetings that introduce a range of felt that an updated version speakers of general interest. for existing, new and In the U3A retired or semi-retired people from all walks of life and all ages prospective members would (there is no upper or lower age limit) can meet like-minded people to expand be welcome and useful. their knowledge, share interests and acquire new skills. At present our membership Members can fully involve themselves by organising their own activities in a is approaching 600 a steady wide variety of subjects. and healthy increase year on year. With over 45 There are opportunities to keep your mind and body active, keep interests Groups it is clear that the alive, develop new skills, explore new horizons and meet new people. U3A in Stroud is providing much needed activity, self The current group activities are summarised in the following pages. For more improvement and friendship information, look at our web site: for our members. It helps keep the old grey matter (and other parts) active. With many people moving into the Stroud area, often to be near family or www.u3asites.org.uk/stroud because of retirement, the Stroud U3A is a great way to get to know new people and assist in settling to a new locality. Contents It continues to surprise me how often, when chatting to someone in Stroud, to find that they have never heard of us. To try and remedy this we will be From the Chairman ...... 3 Local Flora Group...... 25 organising our next OPEN DAY on the 13th June in the Subscription Rooms. Country Walkers...... 4 Literature Group 2...... 26 Church History and Architecture Group. . . 6 Music Appreciation 1...... 26 The last one two years ago went very well and a significant number of new Play Reading Group Two...... 7 Music Appreciation Group (2)...... 26 members resulted. Please come and support us and encourage friends and or Photography Group ...... 8 LOST ...... 27 acquaintances to come as well. In addition we will be making efforts via the Days Out Group...... 10 Play reading Group 1...... 28 local media etc., to make our presence known. Nifty Knitters ...... 12 Lost Property ...... 28 Art Appreciation group...... 13 Stroud U3A Recorder Group...... 29 Your Committee continues to work on your behalf to keep things going Black...... 13 Practical German ...... 30 Bridge 4 All group...... 14 The Readers Group...... 30 and try to improve where possible. I as Chairman am very grateful for their Brighton S .A ...... 14 Random Thoughts on being a Charity Shop support and hard work, but we would always welcome anyone who might DIY Learn Italian...... 16 Volunteer ...... 31 feel they can contribute. If you think you can please get in contact. Perkins...... 17 The Charity Shop...... 31 Brief Encounter ...... 18 Social History ...... 33 Thank you all for your support and have great year ahead. Monday...... 18 Red Sky...... 33 French Book Club...... 19 What’s a fair price to pay for an afternoon’s David Nathan Our U3A Family History Group...... 19 U3A Walkers (easy – no stiles) GROUP. . . 35 Croquet Group - King Stanley...... 21 Home “A cup of tea”...... 37 French Conversation Group...... 22 Church History and Architecture group. . . 39 German Conversation ...... 22 Wednesday Walkers...... 42 “Why Germans keep their voices down”. . 22 Monthly Meetings planned for 2018. . . . 48 Happy Feet Walking Group...... 24 2018 Committee...... 48 Literature Group 1...... 24 2 3 Country Walkers The Ups and Downs of walking in the Cotswolds; from a perfect walk full of town and country variations - Nailsworth, Washpool, Tipputs Inn, Barton End.

Our walks take place on the second and fourth Fridays of the month and are usually four to five miles in length. They’re completed by a pub lunch for those who wish.

Jenny Fenyoe Country Walkers do it in STILE! 4 5 Church History and Architecture Group Play Reading Group Two The Church History and Architecture Group has been in existence for a We started the second Play Reading group in September 2013. I cannot long time, for much of which it was under the knowledgeable guidance believe we have been going for four years!! of Roy and Jean Embleton. Prior to his death Roy let it be known that he would like the group to continue, and since then it has, originally under the We first met in my garden cabin, and then as numbers grew, we moved our knowledgeable guidance of Kath Vickers and Pat Harper and now under the venue to the Residents Lounge in Grove Park...thanks to Betty (Nash). less knowledgeable guidance of Pat Harper, who is keenly seeking another partner.

We meet on the third Friday of the month, but not in December – too close to Christmas, or January – churches can be very cold in January. They can be cold in February, so that’s when we have our annual lunch, and March has been known to be cold as well. However, this year March was not cold so we went to Malmesbury Abbey for a guided tour. The Abbey is a warm building!

In the cold months in previous years we have attended workshops at Gloucester Cathedral on the Benedictines, the monuments and the stained glass as well as having a tour of Blackfriars in Gloucester. We have great fun reading a wide variety of plays, from Aykbourn Our usual format is to visit two to Coward, Ibsen, Agatha Christie and Alan Bennett and other more churches, one in the morning usually contemporary playwrights, such as Lynn Brittney and David Summers. There starting at 10.30am, one in the are a regular core of six to eight members, of both sexes, though there are afternoon, starting at about 2pm, with occasional gender changes! During our tea break, lively discussions and lunch at a nearby pub or eatery (if that’s interesting ideas come forward. Yes, it’s fun and light hearted....and is a great a word) of some sort. way to get a dose of drama, theatre, escapism without the stress of a public One of us carries out research of the performance or learning lines. Why not join us, new people will always be church and its history. We start off the welcomed. visit sitting down and hearing about the history and, for later churches, the architect; then we walk around the church, pointing out and discussing interesting pieces of architecture, stained glass windows, memorials and in a few churches - sadly not many as the Victorians had a habit of scraping the plaster of church walls - we have the joy of discussing and understanding wall paintings such as the doom painting at St James the Great, South Leigh (see above a part of the painting where a grinning red devil and a yellow devil haul on the end of the chains securing the damned to pull them into the mouth of hell).

We do everything by e-mail so members do need to have a device that can read and send e-mails.

Pat Harper Ella Gibson 6 7 Photography Group Quenington Our trip to Cricklade in In May the Photography Wiltshire a was great Group visited the Rectory success. A lovely town with Gardens in Quenington to interesting buildings sitting photograph the sculptures. on the banks of the river Each work of art tastefully Thames (what more could blended in lovely summer a photographer want) borders. It was the kind of Practically everyone who place that, as you saw the passed us in the street said wonderful and sometimes good morning, perhaps bizarre sculptures you that’s because there is might reflect on how they a small population and would look in your own strangers are welcome. garden. Our aim today was We happened across the to get some unusual angles Jenner Hall which is the on this modern art and local pop in centre, they immediately offered us a cup of tea and use of the place them on our Flickr page. The church of St Swithin opposite the Rectory facilities. I believe Maureen and Nigel took them up on the offer. Our visit Gardens was well worth a visit. The north and south porches had some included the lovely churches of St Mary’s and St Sampson both of which are really lovely Norman carvings and local children had created some unusual medieval. elephants using plastic milk cartons, well worth a visit.

On Tuesday 25th April Salve (Roman for hello) the Photography group We picked the right met in the Abbey at day to visit the Roman Malmsbury for a welcome Villa at Chedworth, it cup of something warm was warm and sunny. before setting off to The mosaics are housed explore the Abbey in a long building and Gardens next door photographing them was (sometimes called the a real challenge because Naked Gardeners) It was of the light conditions. just a well that it wasn’t They advertised re- a naked day because the enactments during the wind was bitterly cold. school break and it was The light was particularly a little disappointing good and I know the that there was only one, group will have some the mosaic man (I had hoped for a couple of Romans in togas or a soldier or stunning images of the two). The Mosaic man was great, he really knew his subject and I enjoyed flowers and garden talking to him. Lunch was served on cardboard plates with the option of features. Abbey Gardens is a place of two halves, the upper garden is full plastic or wooden cutlery. Although I enjoyed the visit I do think the National of flowers and places to sit while the lower half is informal woodland with Trust could do more with this site. riverside walks. The cafe was ok but we had to wait a while for our order, in fact they felt so guilty about it they gave Gill a free piece of cake. (I think she Jenny Bircher shared it with Duncan) 8 9 Days Out Group The pictures below are from the Days Out trip to Bowood House Our outing to Kelmscott Manor on 21 September

On a dull wet day it cheered us all up no end to see Annette waiting to welcome us in one of her gorgeous colourful tops so we set off in anticipation of a happy afternoon. Resisting the temptation to make an unscheduled stop at The Christmas Shop in Lechlade, we arrived at Kelmscott during a lull in the rain where a very jolly little lady jumped onto the coach to greet us and point us in the direction of the lovely barn where tea and shortbread awaited us.

While we enjoyed our refreshments, a charming guide told us the history of the sixteenth-century farmhouse now known as Kelmscott Manor. We learnt that when William Morris first saw the house he described it as “a heaven on earth” and promptly took a three-year lease jointly with his friend Dante Gabriel Rosetti, confident that this country retreat would be a pleasure and an inspiration.

Although William had known the area well from his childhood, he had forgotten that the sun doesn’t always shine and soon used Kelmscott as the family’s summer residence, retreating to their London home for the winters. He continued to rent the house for the rest of his life and eventually his widow Jane purchased it in 1913.

Now we were looking forward to seeing “heaven on earth” for ourselves, pausing briefly to admire the immaculate garden with its standard roses. Inside the house, we found friendly guides all clearly delighted to share their knowledge as they showed us the furniture, artefacts and fabrics in each room. There was so much to discover: sixteenth century furniture and tapestries left by the former owners, pieces brought in by Rosetti including Morris family portraits, and a wealth of examples of Morris & Co manufacturing.

We were able to make our way as we wished throughout the house so that we could spend time enjoying individual treasures, a lovely way to explore a historic house which still had the atmosphere of a creative family home. “The strange and quaint garrets” were apparently a favourite space as they feature in two of William’s novels so we all wanted to climb up to them, even though the staircase is extraordinary, with two sets of steps side-by-side. It was slightly disappointing to learn that this was not a William Morris original but a clever modern replacement for the ladder.

A quick trip to the very enticing shop and then we were on our way home from a memorable outing full of pleasures, for which we are most grateful once again to Annette.

10 11 Nifty Knitters Art Appreciation group Every six months or so we collect all the knitting we have completed together The U3A Arts appreciation Group was set up 18 months ago. It now totals 21 and arrange for the representative of The Peace and Hope Charity to join us members. for our monthly meeting to hand over all our knitting Over this period we have enjoyed a private tour of dutch paintings housed efforts. at The Wilson Gallery in Cheltenham, several visits to Compton Verney in its beautiful setting and visits to The Ashmoleum Museum in Oxford. We have Our monthly meetings are also had a lecture on the Arts and Craft movements in . always busy with members knitting and swapping Between these visits we meet on the second Wednesday of each month using unwanted wool. This the cinema room at Scarlett House, Ebley. These meetings usually involve wool is then turned into the showing of Art related DVDs as well as a discussion concerning recent colourful blankets or warm exhibitions visited by members along with discussions on planning future clothing for toddlers or events and outings. Our meetings have also included bringing personal art babies in Nicaragua. objects or works that have inspired our members. We have recently made links with our neighbouring Dursley Art study group and hope that we may combine mutual interests and activities.

I hope that you will find us an informal and welcoming group. We have a close bond with the Charity and Mervyn Dawe - Group Lead . know that our efforts are appreciated and get to people who need these items. BLACK Sometimes we are When all is black around you, do you accept that, or look for a sliver of joined by a special light? Stand on a deserted beach at midnight under a cloud-laden sky that guest, the Cat, blots out the moon, blots out the stars . There’s no reflection upon the sea to Willow. She has now break the monotony of blackness . No ships on the horizon, so no navigation become a member of lights . No dangerous rocks close to shore, so no lighthouse . the group. When she deigns to honour us So that’s it . Nothing? with her presence she greets us all. We feel But use your senses, listen . The gentle susurration of waves breaking on she has paid her fees the shore . Not necessarily giant roller, but that soft murmur . Step closer . You by presenting us with can feel the surf surely and, as your eyes become accustomed, there… light… a mouse!! Not much, but what that does is lighten your heart, lighten your soul and make you believe; become thankful .

You can see everything, despite the all-consuming darkness, and it’s only black but it’s natures black, and in your mind, black is only one of the many colours in nature’s paint box .

Douglas Easthope

12 13 Bridge 4 All group (47%) was leading to embittered and despairing communities . He was trying in his small way to provide his son with a viable future via the proper use of We meet twice a week on Tuesday evenings and Thursday mornings. Some rich land . All over we had seen large plantations of eucalyptus trees which play on both occasions, some on just one. The games take place in members sucked out all rainfall and spring water below and around them . Far better homes and organised a month ahead. There is usually one game in the hosts said Brighton to plant fruit trees . This he had done on a small area he leased home, hence if there are 3 games there would be three venues. from a mainstream farmer, planting many vegetables in the spaces between the trees . The system played is “Chicago” therefore there is not a requirement to have a permanent partner. Bidding boxes, cards and score sheets are provided. The It might be far better for many of his countrymen, he mused, to quit the standard is reasonable and hence would not be suitable for beginners. rat race of technological development and go back to the custom of each family having a viable piece of land in which they could cultivate all the Anyone interested please contact David Nathan by email: goods needed for their subsistence, and using barter for other products . It [email protected] might be better than sitting around in despair or, like many natives we had seen hanging around the crossroads, with pathetic little collections of clay animals they were trying to sell to tourist bus travellers . Brighton S.A. In many village communities, however, there were also very bright practical people with problem-solving skills . If “scouted out” by the Brighton will probably remain the most glowing memory of my authorities and encouraged in some sort of “think tank” these people could African holiday . He (not the town!) is a fine Zulu guide in his forties, calm, come up with inventive products and new patterns of communication . He philosophical yet deeply worried about the future of his country, South reminded me of some famous Zulus past and present . Africa . This definitely included women, he added . Many were now shunning While we hiked up the slopes of the awesome Drakensburg mountains the old custom of waiting for marriage when the groom would have to pay at a steady pace in temperatures of 35%C, he ducked none of the tricky their parents a going rate of 11 cows for the transaction . To them it was questions I threw at him . For he was undergoing, he explained, his third more important to start up a successful business, and stay single . As for the incarnation . In one previous life he had been a Queen, in another a tribal men, there were other examples . One we had recently learned about (from King, but he was hoping to return next as a prophet . our white South African battlefields guide) was by far the most outstanding military strategist of the 19th century, completely outwitting the British Even now he is obviously much more than a walking guide . As he pointed command with his highly disciplined forces in the Zulu wars . to many leaves and fruits along our route he explained what a plethora of medicines could be made from them . His grandmother, a distinguished But the present outlook, said Brighton was bad . Those distinguished apothecary had taught him all she knew and he collated it in a book which young members of his tribe who received university education were had been published . He’d managed to deal with many fevers, tummy presenting a biting and urgent challenge to authority . The underclass, he problems, and had even relieved his mother’s symptoms of type two diabetes, said, were arming themselves . Pistols and ammunition were easy to get on he said by giving her a special fusion of four different herbs . Her mainstream the black market . And that very week we had seen on TV a march of white doctor had been amazed . South African farmers, all dressed in black, who were protesting at the frightening number of their ranks who had been massacred over the last 12 Part way through our walk a thorny tree tore a nasty scratch along one months . of my companion’s arms . Brighton picked a large leaf with fluffy white underside, known as ‘calf’s tongue’ and covered the wound with it, tying it Violence would never be the answer, said Brighton, but people like in place with thin rushes of grass . It cleared up by the next day cleanly and him who cherished their Christian faith could only pray for a change of without problems . government, a change of heart and another era of Mandela style leadership .

But it was Brighton’s analysis of political problems that gripped me . The a Memory by Val Cowley president, he said, was corrupt, the infrastructure like that of a third world country, the education under-funded and the terrible unemployment rate 14 15

DIY Learn Italian PERKINS One of the reasons that I The Duke of Didmarton was held in universal respect; as was his due, Lord joined U3A was to learn Lieutenant of the County, Master of the Didmarton Hunt and scion of one Italian. However there wasn›t of England’s oldest county families . Respect faltered a little when the Duke a group. So I put a note in the rode to hounds in dressing gown and slippers but this was dismissed as mere newsletter, hoping to find one eccentricity . When he started throwing bread rolls at the servants it was put person to join me. down to bad temper but when, during a formal dinner, he tipped his soup over his head the truth had to he faced . His Grace was barking mad . We started in January 2015 with 6 and have grown to The Duke was committed to an institution . He was placed in the County 10. People come and go, and Asylum, a cold and forbidding place hidden behind high walls, for such was come back again, which is the way in less enlightened times . fine as we are not following a course. We are all at different For the family, this would have been a tragedy had it not been for the levels, which works well, as the unexpected intervention of Perkins, a fellow inmate of the asylum . Neat, experienced speakers can help quiet, respectful and filled with a burning desire to be of service, Perkins the beginners, and it is useful took it upon himself to perform the duties of valet and all-round personal to have someone who knows attendant . From the outset, it was Perkins who ensured that His Grace was the correct pronunciation. Our washed, shaved, dressed and taken to the refectory, the chapel and the toilet focus in the beginning was on speaking in Italian for holidays, but we have at appropriate times . Perkins was the perfect servant . Perkins was a treasure . looked at some grammar, and occasionally at Italian history and art. Mental illness is distressing but not life threatening . The Duke of Holiday photos take us to various parts of Italy, which we find on Google Didmarton lived for many years in the Asylum with the faithful Perkins ever maps, and we have played some simple games. As it is DIY Learn Italian it is at his side, performing essential duties and little kindnesses in equal measure . up to the individual how much they do and what they concentrate on. We The family were most grateful . When the Duke finally passed over, his funeral have various reasons for joining the group - one of us wants to talk to their in Gloucester Cathedral was attended by the great and the good . The Bishop half-Italian granddaughter. We meet in Stroud on the 1st and 3rd Thursday dwelt on the Duke’s mighty achievements but did not mention the sad illness mornings throughout the year, except when I am away. We enjoy variety, and that clouded the last years of his life . Perkins, as a lunatic, was not allowed to it is fun to see how everyone interprets a topic - even in Italian you can tell attend the service . who are writers. When the Duke’s affairs came to be settled, Perkins was not forgotten . We are a friendly group and there is no one to make us feel silly, so we are The Didmarton family were good people and they had long since come to not afraid to practise speaking in Italian. I am so pleased that I started the wonder why a responsible and caring person as Perkins should reside in an group, and after 18 months I managed well in a non English-speaking area of institution for the insane . Enquiries were made . Twenty years before, a young Italy. These days there are various resources on the internet, and is surprising woman had gone out on her bicycle; she was found in a ditch with her throat how much progress you can make without a teacher. cut . The young Perkins was found in the vicinity with blood on his clothes .

The main thing is to have a deadline that Viewed from such a distance the evidence was only circumstantial but, concentrates the mind, although there in those days of the death penalty, the verdict of “Guilty but Insane” was a are enough of us that it doesn›t matter merciful one . if you don’t always have time the night The family were not without influence and Perkins’ case was reviewed . before to prepare something! The experts agreed his release was overdue, especially when they learnt Pauline Stevens that the Didmarton family wished it . They planned to provide Perkins with a pension and a cottage on the Estate . They had even bought him a fine tweed suit . When the day dawned for Perkins to leave, he astonished all present by 16 17

announcing that he could not accept the cottage or the pension . Grim and FRENCH BOOK CLUB forbidding as the asylum might appear to others it had, after twenty long years, become his home . The family did not press the issue . They were good The French Playreading Group was one of the first to be established by people full of understanding . Stroud U3A. We decided to be a Book Club when it became difficult to get hold of playsets once the schools stopped stocking them and for many years Perkins asked for nothing more than a single morning out, to walk in the now we have enjoyed revisiting the classics as well as catching up with the world a free man . His request was granted and, dressed in his new tweeds novels French people are currently reading. We are lucky to have members and equipped with a little money, Perkins walked out through the asylum who have lived in France for some time and know about popular authors. It is gates and into the morning sunshine . a bit irritating to find that so often the best-sellers are translations of English books! We have also discovered that French writers often set their novels in He was back by midday, in good time for his dinner at one o’clock, and by America, with an eye to the film rights. half-past two the police had found an abandoned bicycle and, nearby, a girl . . What do we do on our alternate Thursday mornings? We start with coffee, of course, and a catch-up chat. Then we read aloud around the group, enjoying Dead, in the ditch, with her throat cut . getting our tongues around the French. We discuss – in English – any points Robert Smith of interest with the story, the characters, the locations; and raise queries on the grammar, syntax, vocabulary and so forth. We occasionally look words BRIEF ENCOUNTER up in our dictionary but we prefer to let the reading flow, gleaning meaning from context. They bumped into each other in Trafalgar Square . Both apologised profusely in the English manner but, as she turned, he felt something had That sounds rather dry but in fact our discussions are wide-ranging and lively passed between them . as we have differing backgrounds and life experiences to colour our reactions to the books. We aren’t a French conversation group but we share an interest In that moment his heart had been touched . in French language and culture (and talking about that is a lot easier in English, at least for me!) She vanished amongst the crowd of people and pigeons . Anne Brooks And so did his wallet .

Robert Smith Our U3A Family History Group Our family history group has been up and running for more than six years and meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month. Unfortunately, we only have an occasional space for a new member but, should there be anyone MONDAY interested in starting a second group they can bank on our support and help to get it going. I am Monday, and I am universally disliked . Why? I give value for money, the full 24 hours, the same as my six brethren, although they say Saturday At our afternoon meetings, members have, over the years, each given and Sunday appear shorter . presentations or short talks about their own family trees, i.e. what they have found of interest and importantly how and where they found it. It’s Yet I bring bad temper, stomach bugs and the doldrums . The high spirits exhilarating when we find another piece to add to the jigsaw of our tree but have vanished and all I hear is depressing and sterile . I would love the naturally it’s not all easy and it helps to bring our problems along and see occasional compliment, the odd happy, and smiley face . Once I click over at if someone else can suggest a way forward. Perhaps it is worth looking at a 24 .00 hours I am forgotten, consigned to the rubbish heap . No one likes me . different site but maybe a trip to the relevant record office is necessary. It’s I’ll get my own back . I’ll be back next week . not always possible to find anything of course, and sometimes we’re stuck at a brick wall. We don’t look only at birth, marriage and death certificates and Douglas Easthope 18 19 fill in our tree with dates although at times that’s all that can be found. We Croquet Group - King Stanley talk about the life and times of the people who went before us.

More recently we began to focus on one person in our tree, such as a maternal grandmother, and find out as much as possible about their life. This has in itself taken several months since all fourteen members have contributed. One of our members has been fortunate enough to discover the written memoirs of a great aunt who lived in a small village near Cheltenham late 19th/20th century. They give an insight into everyday life and are fascinating as she has been drip feeding us by reading a little at each meeting. Photographs are gems and of course the costumes and dress of the times helps with dating them if there is no definite information. Often it’s difficult to name the people in the photographs – they were not necessarily concerned about us poring over them a hundred years later. .

From time to time we have been fortunate to have guests who have talked about their family histories. Should there be anyone in the U3A with an unusual or interesting tale to tell we would be delighted to invite you to join us for a cup of tea and slice of cake one Tuesday afternoon just contact me, Pam Davies on 01453 731171.

Pam Davies

Below: A relaxed (without hats) family group after a wedding in 1905

We have 14 regular players, the equipment for four games to be played simultaneously and our level of expertise is growing! Several of us have been to Cheltenham (to see how the experts play) and have learned how much we still need to learn ... However playing “Kings Stanley rules” ensures a good level of play - and more importantly , a lot of fun, the use of our “little grey cells” and exercise - all in the open air. What more could one ask?!

Best wishes, Jenny Field

20 21 French Conversation Group French/German etc to be more confident on trips abroad or while interacting with European friends or relatives . Our Group meets twice every month – usually in Rodborough. We are very fortunate to have a French lady among us, who corrects our pronunciation Our Practical German group is a mix of long-ago school taught members, and teaches us new words and idioms that never appeared in our school some self-taught and some with German relations . But thanks to our lead dictionaries. Currently we are using a BBC publication with accompanying CD. tutor Isobel it is always great fun as well as a taxing challenge . This has enabled us to improve our grammar and vocabulary by listening and Some of us have been known to break up with laughter as we quiz each answering questions. This has helped us to talk about various subjects and other in German on “who am I?” exercises; we’ve had our smirks and chortles even occasionally complete a French crossword. trying to attach the right punch line to German jokes (from two separate assorted lists), we’ve watched serious newsy and sometimes saucy videos to catch on to the properly paced conversation of real Germans . And there have been match the picture to the word games, and even a form of German scrabble . German Conversation Remembering the jokes, yes it is true that the German sense of humour is somewhat different: but therein lies the challenge . For instance, why do you Guten Tag! have to keep your voice down in a German pharmacy? . . So as not to waken the sleeping tablets . Hallo! We are a small, informal group of people, who share the pleasure of speaking German with each other. We meet twice a month for an hour With Isobel in charge you never know what will come next . And her tact and a half, in a member’s home in Paganhill, with a subject chosen at the in correcting our wobbly (or in my case horrible) German pronunciation is previous session. Background experience of spoken German ranges from bewitching . German as mother tongue, to German A level taken many decades ago. We are always ready to accommodate someone whose knowledge of German is Though I’m not sure what other groups do in the way of homework-- rusty, and needs a few sessions to re-discover it. Mistakes are both inevitable essential for ageing minds like mine when you only meet fortnightly –ours and welcome! Our mistakes help us to learn and improve, with corrections are never TOO taxing . But we can always develop them and do a little more offered by fellow members of the group. We operate without a tutor, if we find the topic specially engaging . Central U3A language experts are a seeking instead to learn from each other’s knowledge. useful resource . Some of us went to meet the German advisor Alastair at a lovely country pub when he was visiting the Tewkesbury area . He opened the If you have enough German grammar and vocabulary to fit together a few door to many new ideas and links to material, including trips to Germany . sentences, and to understand some spoken German, you would be welcome We’ve yet to manage a trip at the time of writing, but partly because some of to come and see if you’d like to join us. We are always ready to receive new us already visit our friends/relatives in Germany quite often . But who knows? members. Thanks to one of our members I recently read an article adapted from Joy Way a speech by my favourite spy novel writer, John le Carre on all the really good reasons to learn German, and was very much inspired . He in turn had been inspired by an excellent teacher at his public school and by another at the University of Bern in Switzerland . The first linguist was teaching during World War II when anything German was considered ugly, unpatriotic and unfashionable, and yet he won his boys over by using old records of classical “Why Germans keep their voices down” actors reading romantic German poetry . Some of the liveliest opportunities within the U3A are those offered by To le Carre, “the German language can attain heights of simplicity and language groups . Members may join them to brush up their skills and start to beauty that make it for many of us, a language of the gods .” He also stressed enjoy the higher realms of foreign literature . Others want to brush up school the educational value of learning another language, quoting Charlemagne: “ to have another language is to possess a second soul” . 22 23 Happy Feet Walking Group Our reading ranges from Smollett’s Humphry Clinker to Dunmore’s Birdcage Walk, from Melville’s Moby Dick (Groan) to Joyce’s Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry (Excellent discussion), from Barbery’s Elegance of the Hedgehog (Wonderfully readable) to ‘a particularly long Dickens’, says a member. Some years ago the Australian David Malouf was much in demand; soon we’ll be tackling Coetzee’s Disgrace. Poetry, short stories, travel and memoirs slip in occasionally. Local Flora Group

Only a small group now but meeting regularly each second and fourth Friday at 10am we have had some very nice walks.

Our last one was from Miserden.

We now walk 3 - 4 miles which as an ageing group we find comfortable. The Flora Group continues to meet at 10.30 am on the fourth Thursday of the month from February to October. We visit various venues to look for wild Twice a year we meet to plan our walks and have lunch together. flowers and often find over 30 different species.

Pat Wright This year we were fortunate to have a member who could direct us to the site where the pasque flowers grow on Rodborough Common. There were Literature Group 1 only a few but you can see one of them in the photograph below.

Naomi Hull’s literature group has been going ever since Stroud U3A was Another highlight of the year was a trip to Lower Woods when a founded; she has learned a great deal in that time! A current member Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust volunteer took the group on a walk and writes: “The important part for me is to have really thought about the book pointed out the rare violet helleborine, which enthusiasts travel many miles whether I liked it or not, and feel comfortable sharing my opinion. We also to see. laugh a lot.” A former member tended to say that she disliked the books we’d chosen – and then frequently became enthusiastic as we discussed Mary Morgan and Greta Barker them. 24 25 Literature Group 2 The fractured mind of dementia At the moment we are at our full complement of 10 members. We meet in LOST Eastcombe twice a month. They weren’t mine to lose, but they have gone today Over the last year we have followed our usual practice of pursuing the many Away somewhere neither he nor I can follow and the varied, including the works of Margaret Atwood, Margaret Drabble, Or find . They went with casual ease, unannounced Chimamanda Ngoze Adichie, Artemis Cooper and Elizabeth Jane Howard Fragmented floating pieces drifting by and and if that appears overloaded with female writers, indeed it is not so for Muddled where first is last and last first . we have also thoroughly enjoyed Philip Hensher’s “Mulberry Empire”, Per His loss first and then my pain Olaf Enquist’s “Visit of the Royal Physician “ and are at present on a steep As his hesitant hand stretches, seeking mine and learning curve with Thomas Mann’s “ Magic Mountain “, a mighty 800 pages Hoping I can find what he has lost of combined philosophy, history and allegory; in fact, a literary tour de force! While staring, questioning at the space between . Not understanding why a changing rhythm has moved We have not yet chosen the next work but, whatever it is, it will no doubt be The time, and night is day and in that day as stimulating and interesting as all that has gone before. There is no light, just shimmering fleeting exposures Anna Al Salim Of a forgotten world where shifting tectonic plates Have altered what once he loved, we both loved, And now confused, hidden behind his shadowy thoughts And fractured speech . A sudden spark of voice, colour, sound, or scent Music Appreciation 1 Ignites a fiery stream of verbal mayhem, The Group meets twice a month in members’ homes to listen and (hopefully) A jumbling rambling web of unpicked ideas appreciate and discuss a wide range of music. The music played includes Briefly picked at random Classical (both old and new), Jazz, Gospel, Choral, Popular and much else From his own jigsaw in a foreign land . depending on the hosts taste. He faces me with undisguised dismay “Who are you?”, is the uncompromising cry The host chooses the music to be played and so often one listens to music you And I reply again “It is I” . are not familiar with. This varies from Bach to Gershwin, from Shostakovitch His needs are met by caring gentle folk to Mongolian Throat singing you just never know! Who keep their patience, that I so sadly often lack . His food is cut and spooned by helpful hands, Music Appreciation Group (2) A bib maintains his smart attire His dignity intact with polished shoes We meet monthly to listen to a programme of recorded music compiled by And buttoned cuffs, always the perfect gent . one of our group. The varied tastes of our members mean that in recent But sometimes there is a glimpse of what is lost months we have heard classical music from the 8th to the 21st centuries and We share a find where laughter heals the growing rift jazz or popular music from any time over the last 100 years. Please bring your And we share that memory however short with joy enthusiasms and share them. And purpose and retrieve what we have lost And enjoy together the spirit of our yesterdays . In addition, we organise a number of concert trips each year - typically to Cheltenham, Bristol or Bath – to hear the finest orchestras, soloists and jazz Liz Johnson July 2016 musicians play live music.

Please contact Martyn Leighton or Hilary Smith if you would like to know more.

26 27 Play reading Group 1 Stroud U3A Recorder Group We meet in a member’s house in Burleigh (off Brimscombe Hill) usually on Places you might find them include: Linden Lea; Fairest Isle; Over the Sea; second and fourth Mondays at 2.15pm. One of us selects a set of scripts from Sunny Island; Yarmouth Fair; Christchurch; Scarborough Fair; Saint Patrick’s Gloucester Drama Library and another member casts the next play so that Cathedral; An Italian Ground;The Road to the North; Moon River and The you can, if you wish, read ahead of the meeting. Rakes of Mallow, but you should really try Nympsfield Village Hall first.

We read a wide range of plays - comedies, historical dramas, classics, You could arrive at: Midnight; Morning; Yesterday; When time was adaptations of novels etc. drawn mainly from the British and American entwining; Early one morning; Bygone Days or When I’m 64, but 2.30 pm on theatre but including well-known dramas from other literatures in the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month would be ideal. translation - Russian, French and Norwegian, for example, and drawn from different periods - Elizabethan, Regency, Romantic and Victorian but mainly Those present may include: Cindy; Marcia; A blue eyed stranger; Mr Playford; C20th/C21st. No acting experience necessary. The Raggle Taggle Gypsies; Celia; Tom Bowling; The Happy Wanderer; Alf and Amy; Mr George Whitehead; The Nutting Girl; The Happy Whistler and For further information, please contact Naomi at naomiandmike@ The British Grenadiers, but, assuming there is room for you to get inside, phonecoop.coop introduce yourself to Liz Rymer. If you can’t find her in the throng try 01453 860520 or [email protected] Leader: Naomi Hull

Lost Property It’s lost, said she, In the post? Said he On the train, said she Where? Said he In Slough, said she In Slough? Said he Yes, said she Once in, you could: Blow away the morning dew; Come with your Weapons I’ll phone, said he Ready; try the King’s Dance or the Helston Furry Dance; Blow the wind No need, said she southerly and try Crossing the Bar but, you are advised to bring your recorder Why? Said he and to play it. It’s gone, said she So, what? Said he If you are looking for: Fine knacks for ladies; Crystal springs; Simple gifts or Don’t ask, said she Tulips from Amsterdam then you might be in the right place, but, don’t go What did you lose? Said he through the Hole in the Wall or you will be back in the car park and have to My heart, said she start again!

Pam Davies You now know the names of some of the 120 pieces in our current repertoire. To find out the others why not come and join us?

Liz Rymer

28 29 PRACTICAL GERMAN Random Thoughts on being a Charity Shop This small group of eight enthusiastic “intermediate” learners meets Volunteer. on alternate Tuesdays between 2.30 and 4.00 pm. The emphasis is on A charity shop works on several different levels, many of which are not communication as our objective is to be able to understand as much as entirely obvious. Firstly of course it’s main aim is to raise money for the possible in a variety of situations and to respond appropriately. A course charity, but it also supports other things. By providing paid employment for book acts as a guideline but we often use videos, games and communicative the staff it helps unemployment in the area. There is the “feel good” factor activities to make the time spent together as enjoyable and enriching as from volunteering, often bringing with it a host of skills and knowledge possible. Improving grammar and vocabulary also forms part of our lessons from a lifetime doing other things. It gives lonely and vulnerable people but during discussions, mistakes and approximations are tolerated in the the chance to meet others and be part of a team thus providing a friendly interest of lively exchange and to avoid inhibition. Understanding and network that survives beyond the shop. It enables customers to recycle goods responding are the keywords. and keep them out of landfill. It provides cheap usable clothing and goods Isobel Hié – facilitator . for anyone in the community who does not want or cannot afford to buy new. Working in such an environment is often fun and backbreaking but always very rewarding! THE CHARITY SHOP Down there on Lansdown, left hand side There sits a shop, doors open wide Stuffed full of goodies, items, surprises THE READERS GROUP All shades and shapes, colours and sizes . We’re raising funds for needy pets The group has met throughout 2017, usually at least twice every month. We The animal centre and the next-door vets, have had a great deal of discussion, though we have not put much on the We all push forward to meet out target: website, and we are at present a small group of six members. We began 2017 Creating cash in the second hand market . . part way through Middlemarch by George Eliot but for most of this year we They arrive at the door, bags large and small have been reading Howards End by EM Forster, at the rate of two or three Strange things in boxes, and some not at all chapters a session. Next year, probably in January, we hope to begin another Wrapped up, and it’s true book. We will put that book on the website as soon as possible. We find things so rude that the air is quite blue! A Readers Group is not a book group, except in the most general sense. It Treasure comes in, and after inspection studies books, mainly but not exclusively novels, to find out how each book Goes into the shop under “Special Collection” . works, what the author intended us to understand, and mainly what we pick In “Ladies Wear” connoisseurs of good taste up by casual reading and what we discover by closer reading. Buy pre loved bargains with unseemly haste! There’s an electric fire, one bar missing We choose our books according to a simple rule: they are books that we “Don’t open that box, I can hear it hissing”, know about but have never read (and think we should) or books that we Boots and bras, belts and braces have read before and think we ought to read them again, with mutual help Books and plates, felt toys and laces . if necessary. Naturally it can be a long process and requires stamina, but it Wooden legs, broken toilet seats does not need particular knowledge or cleverness. Evidently it helps if you Young girl’s trainers, old men’s teeth like reading. We never know what’s coming through that door But it all gets sorted on the floor . John Peters Oh No, this teapot’s lost it’s flaming spout And someone’s heard an excited an excited shout We think we have a Clarice Cliff jug . . 30 31 Stand down, Oh dear, it’s a Wilco mug! Social History Here’s an exercise bike, got no saddle Painful to ride . . . anyone for a pedal? The social history group meets the second Tuesday of the month at Grove Wedding dress (stained) and old straw bonnets Park Road and would welcome new members. We take along a subject we Gosh, is this a first edition Shakespear’s sonnets? have researched or stories we know and invite discussion. Subjects vary Bric-a-brac and broken china widely from pilchard fishing off the Cornish coast, memories and discussions Is this Limoges? Can’t quite decipher . about Stroud in the past, stately homes, theories about Jack the Ripper, What’s this brolly, got no handle the history of R A Lister, Woodchester Piano Works and even the history of Came in with one sock and a half burnt candle . medicine. Plants and records, anything glassy Don’t ever forget we only put classy Generally during a meeting several people produce a short piece for Stuff on the rack discussion so we have a variety but we have had longer presentations about But not too heavy, it’ll break your back! non conformists and Holloways Clothing Company, In fact social history is Grubby drawers, but no elastic such a wide subject anything from nursery rhymes to pirates is of interest. Look quite old . how. very romantic! Here’s a cage for an active rabbit Handcuffs too . .a conjuring habit?? Here’s something unusual, but not very neat Some curtain’s made up from an old grey sheet With a duvet cover that’s seen better days To Remember Grenfell Tower Whoever said that grime never pays! Suits and flutes and cuddly toys Board games, puzzles and hats with poise . RED SKY “Have you got this in blue?” a customer asks Too high “No sorry , this isn’t Marks and Sparks!” Too hot DVDs keep piling higher Too many . Storage space is getting dire No warning “Two for one” our notice said No water And they still kept falling on our head! No air . So with bags and boxes left behind Too clad It’s always exciting to discover a find . . Too dry Gold and jewels, and baggy trousers Too scared . Or Mills and Boon for our reading browsers . Just smoke So as we unfurl what’s wrapped in bundles Just flame It doesn’t seem much, then out treasure tumbles Just quiet . We add value by mixing the old with the new Too hot We may even have that something, just right for you! Too high Too few . Liz Johnson . May 2017 Liz Johnson June 18th 2017

32 33 What’s a fair price to pay for an U3A WALKERS (easy – no stiles) GROUP afternoon’s entertainment? In February we walked through Whiteshill and Randwick and saw two deer – Go to a club/group event having already paid a joining fee of £100 plus per one was lying down (might even have been a baby) and the mother deer was annum and you’re often expected to stump up £5 on the actual day for a looking out for it. diary event with a speaker. Refreshments will be extra. Also in February we did a canal walk and called in at the Council Offices Go to a commercial cafe for an hour’s chin-wag with a friend and you gladly (formerly Ebley Mill) and enjoyed coffee on the terrace in the sunshine. fork out a fiver plus for coffee and cake, or just under £3 for the coffee. A Stonehouse walk through the Go to hear a U3A monthly speaker in St Laurence Church Hall central Stroud, Devereaux fields was in March with tea/coffee and biscuit included, and from November onwards we when a few walkers called in propose charging ... £2 at the Community Café and enjoyed soup and coffee where Already I can hear cries of horror and disbelief from U3A members ...”that’s you pay as you feel. double what we have to pay now”. But, dear reader you forget you have had FREE membership (newcomers excepted) for the last two years. Our Frampton walk in March took us along the canal where Owners of the halls where associations like ours meet are all hiking up their we watched a dredger go past prices. At present the 50 average audience who attend our monthly talks [ and admired white violets once we have paid fee and expenses for the speaker and fee for the hall] are growing along the footpath. being subsidised by our treasurer at £50 plus a meeting. Fourteen of us enjoyed a Chapel Hardly fair on those who can’t/don’t care to attend and who just turn up at lunch consisting of homemade their group meetings. On the Committee we first decided to try and keep soup, bread and cheese plus a homemade dessert followed by coffee for just the £1 fee and find a cheaper venue than St Laurence’s for our gatherings. £6. But many halls had very sparse parking; or involved people from Bussage and Stonehouse for instance, having to get two buses at widely-spaced times. In April we walked over Other premises wouldn’t be able to accommodate our Thursday afternoon where cowslips were growing in abundance. We slot, had poor screen/IT provisions or offered inadequate kitchens for the admired the views and then we made our way to The service of refreshment. Bear for refreshments.

At the time of writing, further venue research goes on. But as the new We had a lovely walk in May when we walked around Speaker Secretary (come September) who’ll be dreaming up speaker ideas the Golf Course in with its wonderful for 2018 and beyond, I would like to try and up the quality of speakers views. commissioned ... provided you are prepared to pay a fair price. On a meadow Valerie Cowley walk in June we past a herd of cows, heifers and a bull who took no notice of us whatsoever. An excellent lunch was enjoyed at The Woolpack Stonehouse.

In July we met at Pike Lock (formerly Blunder Lock) and enjoyed a stroll along the lanes. The Badger at 34 35 Eastington was the venue Home “A cup of tea” for our lunch. should like to go home, please .” In August we walked on Rodborough Common and “I’m sorry, but I’m afraid that will not be possible .” enjoyed the views and flowers. “Why not? I have lived there all my life . It’s where I was brought “Iup with my brothers and sisters . It’s where I belong . I want to go In September we walked home .” part of the way under overcast skies and when “We need the place where you used to live for our own people . There the rain came we sheltered isn’t room for you to live there anymore . You will have to find somewhere under a tree. When it else to go .” eventually stopped we made “But that’s impossible . I have nowhere else to go . How will I live, what our way to The Kings Head Kings Stanley where we enjoyed a lunch or will I do? What has happened to my mother and father, my brothers and coffee. sisters . Where is my family? How can you stand there and not answer my The sun shone for our next walk which was from Minchinhampton to Box. questions? Do you have a home to go to? If so, why can I not go home, too?” We were interested in seeing sedum growing on a flat roof of a bungalow “It is not my business what you should do . All I know is that it is my job to with outstanding views. We also watched two photographers setting up a move you on . Where you came from is not your home anymore . It belongs to row of coloured wellies in a lane and shooting them for advertising purposes. us, now .”

The last walk before going for print was on a glorious day when we walked “Who gave you the right to take my home away from me? Why don’t through a vineyard in Ryeford and were amazed to see at least ten Red you go back to your home and leave us in peace?” There is plenty of land for Admirals feeding off the grapes which had been picked. We walked back everyone if it is shared out properly . We are not after your home .” along the canal towpath where lots of cyclists and joggers were enjoying the fine weather. Some of us called in at Ebley Mill where we enjoyed a meal and “Well, I don’t know about that . We think you might just be thinking that coffee to round off an excellent walk. you might like a bit of our land, our home, for yourselves . In which case we would have nowhere to live .” Margaret Adams “Now, let me get this straight . You are taking my land away from me because you think if you don’t I might come along and take your land away from you . You don’t believe me when I say that all I want is to go home . I am afraid of you, angry and frightened, but it seems to me that you are afraid of me, so we are both in the same boat . We both need homes and because, for the moment, you have guns, and power, I have to do what you tell me . If we had the guns, and power, would it make it right for us to say we want your land?”

“I see what you mean, but I am a soldier and I obey orders without asking questions about what is right and what isn’t . For the moment, I have the right to move you on because I have a gun, and you don’t . If I didn’t do my job I would get locked up, and where would I be then? Same as you, probably . Sent away for God knows how long for asking questions .”

“So, we are both prisoners, unable to do what is right . We have more in common with each other than meets the eye . You, a soldier with a gun, and 36 37 me an ordinary farmer being moved off his land . Who told you to move us Church History and Architecture group off our land?” We joined the Church History and Architecture group this year and it has “My captain, of course . An order . Move the people out of those houses taken us to some churches that we haven’t been to before. We are interested and make sure they don’t come back . Clear enough, and I obey orders .” to see the craftsmanship, and marvel at how they built them in days gone by

“Where did he get his orders from? Who told him to send us away?” Malmesbury Abbey has a highly decorated porch, and you don’t need to strain your neck, as there is a mirror to see up high inside. “Oh, I don’t know . The generals and the politicians, I suppose . I never get to see them, but somehow the orders come down to us, the PBI who have to do the dirty work . And not ask questions, like you are doing .”

“But it’s important to me; my life, in fact . What can be more important than that?”

“Just look up the road, will you? There are thousands more just like you, having to move . You are only one among this crowd, and your little life doesn’t mean a thing in this business of clearing the country so that our people can live here .”

“But that’s just the point . Don’t you see that it’s important to me . It means everything, even if someone living hundreds of miles away in their comfortable houses, decided that I have to go . It may look to them that they are solving a problem, but it looks very different to me .”

“Again, that’s not my problem . Now, are you going to go peacefully? You know that I will shoot you if you don’t do what I tell you .”

“Yes, of course I know that . I also know that it will not be easy for you to have to shoot me, since this little conversation has brought the two of The organ at Wotton-under-Edge Church was played by Handel, when it was us closer together . I would not like to put you in the difficult and painful in a church at Trafalgar Square position of having to shoot me . You have stepped out of the anonymity of your soldier’s uniform, while I have stepped out of the crowd to meet you .”

“Well, yes . There is little enough I can do for you, but would you like a cup of tea? I can share my flask with you, at least .”

“Why, that’s very kind . Thank you .”

“It’s a very funny thing, but your face seems familiar . Do I know you? Who are you? What is your name?”

“Now, you are asking the questions! It all depends . Once I was ‘The Enemy’, now I am your ‘Friend’ . Some people call me ‘Everyman’, to other people I am ‘No-one’ . But to you, I am ‘Some-one’ because you offered me a cup of tea . And now you seem to know me .”

Stephen Hall

38 39

Fretherne Church was rebuilt by the Victorians and is very highly decorated Painswick church has a model ship and we heard that the word nave is related to navy

At Miserden there are life sized effigies of Sir William Sandys (died 1641) and his wife

Woodchester Roman Catholic Church has the architect’s model of the Priory that was once attached to the church. In contrast Arlingham Church has had little alteration since it was built in the 14th century

Sometimes we have a guided tour, but more often Pat Harper has done the research. We learnt that one of the reasons for such a lot of modification and rebuilding of churches in Victorian times was the availability of government grants.

Pauline and David Stevens

40 41 Wednesday Walkers Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday in the month we meet for a 2-3 hour walk, depending on distance. We do try and finish between 12 and 1pm so that we have time to do other things in the afternoon.

This year we have had walks discovering the north and south coast of Arlingham; have strolled gently from Painswick over Painswick Beacon returning via Edge. We have gazed in wonder at the vineyards of Woodchester as we made our way up to Common. On another occasion we strolled from Sheepscombe and took in Cranham Common before returning via Damsells Mill. You could have joined us on a recent walk from Whiteshill Playing Field going via Pitchcombe through the glorious Autumn colours of the woodland there as we made our way to (Scottsquar Hill) before progressing to the topograph at Shortwood and returning via Randwick Transmitter and Ruscombe to Whiteshill.

We usually have an annual day out and in the past we have walked the Malverns (not all in one go, I might add).

Come and join us!

Lynn Tyror

42 43 Peter Isles 01453 822780 Mervyn Dawe 01453 884664 Linda Nicholls 01453 885246 [email protected] Catherine Lillington 01453 757105 [email protected] David Nathan 01453 824533 [email protected] Margaret Adams 01453 763902 [email protected] Pat Harper 01453757412 [email protected] Clive Blackmore 01453 751686 [email protected] Bernice Boss 01453 759231 Linda Nicholls 01453 885248 [email protected] Pamela Davies 01453 731171 [email protected] Barbara Costello 01453 750343 Jenny Field 01452 741471 01453 450836 Annette Jefferies [email protected] Pauline Stevens 01453 759641 [email protected] Pamela Davies 01453 731171 [email protected] Linda Nicholls [email protected] Kestin 01453 883910 Tim [email protected] Ann Brookes 01453 886210 [email protected] 01453 756838 Sue Watts [email protected] 01453 450836 Annette Jefferies [email protected] 01453 833762 Joy Way [email protected] Pauline Edgington 01453 767850 [email protected] Bernice Boss 01453 759231 [email protected] Naomi Hull 01453 884922 [email protected] Anna Al-Salim 01453 882703 Mary Morgan 01453 548514 Greta Barker 01453 542161 CURRENT INTERE S T GROU PS Mondays, 10.00am Cotswold bowling Club, Dudbridge Various Locations Various 1st, 3rd and 5th Fridays, 10am Cecily Court, Cambridge Way, Minchinhampton 2nd Mondays, 2.30pm Minchinhampton, Uplands, Cainscross and Ebley venues Evenings & Thursday Mornings Various Tuesday Weekly, venues 2.00pm Reserve list open Various Tuesdays, venues 3rd Friday in Month, 10.30am Various of the Month Pagan Hill. 10-12am 1st Tuesday of the month 2nd Tuesday venues in Month, 10am Various 3rd Tuesday 10.00am Westrip Tuesdays, Easter to October Kings Stanley Playing Field Weekly, 10.00am Wednesdays, to places of interest arranged Monthly Trips Regular, 1st and 3rd Thursday 10am to 12 in Month, 2.00pm 4th Tuesday in month, 10am-12noon 2nd Wednesday venues in Month, 10.15am Various 4th Tuesday Bi-weekly Thursdays, 10.00am Minchinhampton in Month Rodborough 2nd and 4th Tuesdays 3rd Thursday in Month, 2.30pm Maypole Hall, Paganhill and venues Various 2nd and 4th Thursdays @ Paganhill 2.30pm Thursdays, 10am until 11.15am, Brimscombe 2.00pm Maypole Hall, Paganhill Wednesdays, 1st & 3rd Mondays, 2.00pm Burleigh in Month Eastcombe 2.15pm 1st & 3rd Wednesdays venues 4th Thursday in Month, 10.30am Various Art Mixed Media Art Appreciation Art Group Minchinhampton Book Club Bridge4All Bridge Group 1 Church History and Architecture 1 Creative Writing 2 Creative Writing 3 Creative Writing Crochet Croquet Days Out DIY Learn Italian Family History Food Appreciation Foreign Cultures/Travel French Book Club French Conversation Gardening Group German Conversation Intermediate Spanish Conversation Keep Fit Literature 1 Literature 2 Local Flora Group

44 45 Vera Chapman 01453 755953 Vera David Nathan 01453 824533 [email protected] Martyn Leighton 01453 873129 Hilary Smith 01453 872569 [email protected] Mollie Chance 01453 827382 [email protected] Wendy Cheek 01453 823324 Wendy Judy Quick 01453 764553 01453 75327 Freda Bonner-Barlow Jenny Bircher 01453 756001 [email protected] Naomi Hull 01453 884922 [email protected] Ella Gibson 07890380160 [email protected] Judy Newman 01453 762849 [email protected] Pearl Waggett 01453 883683 Pearl Waggett Isobel Hie 01453 833290 Sylvia Pearse 01453 827597 [email protected] John Peters 01453 824459 [email protected] Liz Rymer 01453 860520 [email protected] Pearl Waggett 01453 883683 Pearl Waggett Sheila O’Bryan 01453 762905 07748913234 Penelope Sell 01453 750783 Margaret Jordan 01453 756794 Betty Nash 01453 762 762002 [email protected] Rita Shepherd 01453 834116 Joyce Perkins 01453 791411 Jenny Fenyoe 01453 883693 [email protected] Patricia Wright 01453 834502 Patricia Wright [email protected] Judith Edwards 01453 882291 [email protected] Margaret Adams 01453 763902 [email protected] Lynn Tyror 01453 752326 Tyror Lynn [email protected] 1st & 3rd Tuesday in Month 1st at member’s homes 3rd at in Month 1st at member’s 1st & 3rd Tuesday Stonehouse, 10.30am Monthly, Monday pm Monthly, 1st Wed of the Month 10 am – 12am 1st Wed 4th Tuesday in Month, am Stonehouse 4th Tuesday 4th Thursday in Month, 2.00pm Various venues 4th Thursday in Month, 2.00pm Various 4th Tuesday in Month, morning or afternoon depending on 4th Tuesday locations season - Various 2nd & 4th Mondays, 2.15pm Burleigh 2nd & 4th Monday of the Month Grove Park, 1.00 – 3.00pm Last Thursday in Month 1st Tuesday in Month, 2.30pm 34 Besbury Park Minchinhampton 1st Tuesday Alternate Tuesdays – 2.30pm Alternate Tuesdays 3rd Wednesday in Month. Various venues in Month. Various 3rd Wednesday Certain Thursdays at 2.00pm Stonehouse 2nd & 4th Thursday in Month Nympsfield Village Hall Nympsfield, 2nd & 4th Thursday in Month Nympsfield 2.30 – 4.00pm Fortnightly Sundays Minchinhampton 2.00 – 4.00pm 3rd Wednesdays in Month Various venues 10.00am in Month Various 3rd Wednesdays Thursdays, 10.15am Springfield House Chalford 2nd Tuesdays 2nd Tuesdays Mondays 11.00am Conservative Club Stroud Thursdays 10.30-11.30 Maypole Hall, Paganhill 2nd & 4th Fridays in Month Various venues 10.00am 2nd & 4th Fridays in Month Various 2nd & 4th Fridays in Month 10.00am, Various locations 2nd & 4th Fridays in Month 10.00am, Various 1st & 3rd Fridays in Month Various Locations, 10.30am 1st & 3rd Fridays in Month Various 2nd & 4th Fridays in Month Various locations, 10.30am 2nd & 4th Wednesdays in Month 2nd & 4th Wednesdays Locations , 10.00am Various Music Appreciation 1 Music Appreciation 2 Nifty Knitters Patchwork and Quilting 1 Patchwork and Quilting 2 Photography Group Play Reading 1 Play Reading 2 Poetry Workshop Poetry Workshop Poetry for Pleasure Practical German Psychology and Mental Health Group Readers Group Recorder Group Scrabble Singing for Fun Singing for Pleasure Social History Solo Group Tai Chi Tai Walking - Country Walkers (4-5 - Country Walkers Walking miles) Walking - Happy Feet Walkers (4-5 - Happy Feet Walkers Walking miles) Walking - Strollers (3 miles) Walking Walking - Walkers (easy-no stiles) - Walkers Walking 2-3 miles Walking - Wednesday Walkers - Wednesday Walking

46 47 Monthly Meetings planned for 2018 held at St Laurence Church Hall, The Shambles, Stroud at 2.30pm 4 January Perfect, Perfect - Are You Being Served? Department Stores The Old Fashioned Way...... Richard Chris Burton 1 February Saving Near-Extinct Species - The Inspiring Story Of The Seychelles...... Al Venebles 1 March My Life in Opera ...... Norman White 5 April Yeoman of the Guard...... Shaun McCormack 3 May U3A Tea Party...... Venue TBC 7 June Funny/Amusing Poems and Stories...... Jill Campbell 5 July Talking about the River Severn...... Paul Barnett 2 August Stroud’s First Hot Air Balloon Ascent...... Mark Davies 6 September Suffrage Movement...... Sue Jones 4 October Stroud and District U3A Annual General Meeting and Election of Officers 1 November Subject TBC...... Ian Cooper 6 December U3A Christmas Lunch...... Venue TBC

2018 Committee

Chairman DAVID NATHAN 01453 824533 [email protected] Vice Chairman CLIVE BLACKMORE 01453 751686 [email protected] Treasurer JUDITH SILVERWOOD 01453 755640 [email protected] Business Sec BERNARD KNOWLES 01452 771080 [email protected] Minutes Sec SANDY COOPER [email protected] Speaker Sec/Information Officer VAL COWLEY [email protected] Group Co-ordinator/Social Sec LINDA NICHOLLS 01453 885248 [email protected] Membership Sec/ Newsletter Editor JOHN TYROR 01453 752326 [email protected] Webmaster SIMON WRIGHT 01453 759100 [email protected]