Newsletter

July 2013 Reg. Charity No. 1112006 www.u3asites.org.uk/thatcham Newsletter sponsored by Common Trust

Members from Thatcham U3A recently visited Bletchley Park in Buckinghamshire, historic site of secret British code breaking activities during World War 2 and birthplace of the modern computer. At its peak, around ten thousand people worked at Bletchley Park and its associated out- stations. The exact number is not known, even today. They tackled the complex task of intercepting and deciphering, analysing and distributing the intelligence derived from enemy radio signals, while their work remained shrouded in the highest levels of secrecy.

The day out included an hour long guided tour which was a great way to learn about Bletchley Park. Our guides covered all the main points of interest around the site as well as telling the story of how the Enigma codes were broken. The hut in the picture below was originally used for the Naval Enigma operation and is now used for giving talks to groups like us.

Dear Members, This has been an eventful year in the life of our U3A, and I thank all those who have supported me through this first year of my chairmanship.

Our new website was set up by members and is now updated regularly by the committee and conveners. There has been much positive feedback about the site, and it has improved communications within the group immeasurably.

We have lost a couple of groups, Heraldry and Music Ensemble, but new ones have sprung up to take their place, namely Rummikub and Creative Writing. Also the singing and wine tasting groups have split to give scope for more members to join. This is particularly pleasing as one of the main problems for prospective or new members is that the groups they wish to join are full. We have also had successful changes of conveners for the Walkers, Mah Jong Group and (close to my heart!) Theatre Group. Thank you to all our conveners; without you our U3A could not continue.

Suggestions for other groups that members would be interested in joining include French Conversation, Book Club (sets of books available for free loan from Thatcham Library) and Film Club. All are in need of conveners before they can start. Conversely we have a willing convener for a German conversation group, but no members so far!

In March we ran a successful study day for Creative Writing, in the wake of which our new group ‘Quills’ has started. Another study day for photography is in the early stages of planning, to run in the winter or spring of next year.

The Frank Hutchings Hall where our monthly open meetings are held has benefitted from an upgrade to the sound system, including an induction loop and lapel microphone. This will prove a huge benefit to those members who use hearing aids, and those speakers who get cramp grasping a microphone for long periods. Also those of us who set the room up will be delighted not to get the portable sound system out every time!

Our open meeting speakers this year have been excellent, and all selected from suggestions made by our members – thank you and please keep them coming!

Our social events have been a great success, especially our Olympic themed summer luncheon, and our very cheery ‘Beat the Blues’ lunch in February. Thanks go to all involved in the organisation.

I have joined the Lifelong Learning Forum as a representative of our U3A, to assist in the implementation of the Thatcham Vision regarding the provision of educational and leisure opportunities for the citizens of Thatcham. We had a display on the Broadway Green on May 18th to celebrate Adult Learners’ Week, which is a national event and has never been marked in Thatcham before. It was a great success, and the U3A stand was well visited.

Finally I would like to thank all those members both on and off the committee who do so much to facilitate the running of our U3A. Those who make the tea, organise the raffles, keep the accounts, update the website, take minutes of meetings, circulate information, produce the newsletter, organise publicity, offer lifts and many other things – without all of you there would be no U3A in Thatcham, and Thatcham would be a much poorer place for all of us to live.

Julie Wall

Our speaker meetings have been excellent and extremely well supported.

Top right: Gill Lucraft from ‘Hedgehog Bottom’, a rescue centre in West , gave a really interesting talk at the April meeting about her work.

Bottom right: At the May meeting Lee Dillon gave us a fascinating insight into his time as Mayor of Thatcham In March Lisa Ford Stranc spoke about her job and all that the role as a plumber and gave us a lot of useful tips. involves.

Computer Training Course If members have difficulty getting to our Open Meetings at the Frank Hutchings Hall we can The Adult Community Learning team at West arrange a lift for you. Berkshire Council have recently run two courses for us in Thatcham which have been very Please contact Jane Head about it successful. We are hoping to run another 6 session course in the Autumn for another group of people. This course is particularly good for people who are not confident using email and searching the Web. Don’t forget the Summer Luncheon

At the Frank Hutchings Hall The 6 session course runs over 6 weeks and deals Friday 9th August. with: Doors open 12.30pm and lunch at 1pm. Tickets are £9 Email: email management, email folders, attachments, settings and options for your email account, choosing what happens to

Spams Web safety and Security Searching the Web and finding information on Web pages

Related topics Julie Wall - Chair

Jane Head - Vice-Chair The cost of the 6 week Beginners course is Anne Sharpe - Secretary Sue Rutter – Treasurer Full price £48 per person (£4 per hour) Phillip Green - Treasurer 30% Concession - £33.60 per person (For Ann-marie Riddle - Members’secretary people aged 60 years or over and living in Ann Walter ) Tony Collie Hillary Beckingham We intend that the hall hire will be paid for out of Gill Pittock central Thatcham U3A funds. If you are interested Marilyn Downing in attending the course please contact Ann Walter Judith Caton via the website.

The sun was shining, the weather dry, as the U3A Travel Group boarded the distinctive green Barnes coach, bound for the Midlands City of Coventry. Our journey north on the A34, M40 and A46 took us by verges awash with swathes of tall, fresh, white daisies. After a drive of an hour and three-quarters, the coach approached the skeletal ruins of the old cathedral and slid past the east wall of sand coloured bricks of the Modern Cathedral with its distinctive, dramatic bronze sculpture with a green patina, of St Michael, arms outstretched, bestriding a cowed Devil; we came to a halt outside the Entrance and Visitors’ Centre. Disembarking, we were led into the Cafe for coffee and biscuits. Feeling fortified, we were ready for a conducted tour of the cathedrals. From the downstairs exhibition, which featured an authentic Coverdale Bible, we made our way up some stairs to the main body of the modern cathedral. As we ascended, on the first landing we stopped to see the cross made up of two fire-blackened timbers: during the fire-bombing of the old 14th century cathedral, two lengths of charred wood fell across each in a cruciform shape and were wired together. The Cathedral, designed by Sir Basil Spence, was conceived of as a ‘Casket of Jewels’ and it was this treasury of precious gems the four guides unlocked for us on our tours. Behind the Sanctuary, you see the Chapel of Christ in Gethsemane with its mosaic of the Archangel Michael, a mosaic of gold-leaf and blue tesserae; it shines out and dazzles. A wrought iron screen comprising of two interlocking circlets of curving, dagger-like thorns separates visitors from those who want to use the Chapel for prayer or quiet contemplation. Immediately you step into the Nave you are struck by the Great West Screen at the far end, an expanse of glass featuring saints and angels which are etched into its surface. Behind it you glimpse the outline of the old Cathedral – the two Cathedrals old and new are linked. The main body of the Cathedral is dominated by the mighty, imposing tapestry, the biggest in the world, of Christ in Glory, designed by Graham Sutherland. As you lean back to take in the giant figure of Christ you find there is so much symbolism to contemplate. In front of the tapestry there is the High Altar Cross with its Cross of Nails symbolising the most important theme of reconciliation. The Nave soars elegantly towards the roof, bordered by ten tall, slender stained glass windows, a vibrant kaleidoscope of colour; the colours and abstract shapes again have their own symbolism. Also along the Nave you cannot fail to see the ten ‘Tablets of the Word’ with their large uneven lettering: “COME UNTO ME ALL THAT LABOUR AND ARE HEAVILY LADEN AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST...” On either side of the High altar stand three seven foot high candlesticks in the shape of bobbins. The striking aspect of the Cathedral for me was the simplicity of the construction, as in the plain walls and the hammered concrete High Altar offset by the many beautiful works of art, the gems in the casket. This is exemplified in the riot of colour in the blazing Baptistry window at the front of which stands the font, a simple, unadorned, roughly hewn boulder from a hill near Bethlehem set on a bronze stem. At midday we all paused and sat quietly in the Nave for a short time of prayer as the Litany of Reconciliation was read out and we were reminded of the need for peace and reconciliation. Walking through a door in the screen you pass from the modern into the Old Cathedral Ruins using the Queen’s Steps. The immediate impression is one of peace and quiet when you step into the shell of the Cathedral: quiet despite the people passing through, standing around or sitting; peaceful despite the tourists wandering around. No blaze from stained glass windows here; just the sun shining through the tracery of empty windows. At the west end, towering proudly above the medieval nave is the 14th century Tower with its 15th century spire. Around the paved area of the nave with its benches and stone planters are some more works of art including ‘Ecce Homo’, a statue depicting Christ on trial before Pilate. With the tours finished, members of the Travel Group went off in search of food and having eaten to investigate further Coventry City Centre. Some explored the Coventry Transport Museum and others the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum just across from the Cathedral. The latter had some fine exhibitions to wander through including one on Lady Godiva. My particular favourite was in the Sculpture Gallery. Here there was a life-size bronze of two elderly ladies sitting on a bench; one was leaning back and to the side reading a newspaper while the other looked out with a straight gaze, both hands tightly clutching her handbag - beautifully observed. Many of the group discovered the medieval St Mary’s Guildhall in Bayley Lane running along the south side of the Cathedral ruins. This was quite a gem! The Great Hall boasted a fine timber roof decorated with beautifully painted ceiling bosses. At one end, below its original 15th century stained glass windows was a wonderful 15th century Flemish tapestry which has remained in that place for the last 500 years. The Guildhall was Henry VI’s headquarters during the Wars of the Roses, a prison for Mary

Queen of Scots, a possible location for the staging by William Shakespeare of his plays and the setting for a scene in one of George Elliot’s novels. Now it is used for the starting point of the Godiva Processions. There were other things to look at like the shopping centre with its statue of Lady Godiva (her hair not covering her modesty) and the Holy Trinity Church with a beautiful west window of Christ in Glory, glorious rays of golden yellow light surrounding his body. After a last minute cuppa and cake we boarded the coach for home. It

had been a really excellent day! Art Group 1 Computing Skills Group

We meet on alternate Tuesdays at the Baptist Computing Skills Group continues to meet at Church and very much enjoy our two hours. In where we have use of one of June the topic was animals and in July we are their computer suites for an hour on a Friday going to try our hand at transport. afternoon. We have been concentrating this term on files and folders and moving files between a USB stick and the PC. This is particularly useful for people with photographs on their cameras who want to see them on the screen or print them. People are put off by the apparent technicalities but it's not as difficult as it first seems! We have got some new members this term some of whom have been doing the Computer Training course we organised. There are plenty of computers in the suite so there is still room for more people. We welcome both beginners and more experienced people and we hope that people with more knowledge can help others. The sessions for the rest of the Summer term will be on: Friday June 21st Friday July 5th Friday July 19th If you would like to know more about the group please contact me on the number below. The easiest way for those with computers is via our new website at: www.u3asites.org.uk/thatcham

Contact: Ann Walter

Contact: Pat Howard

Craft Group

Art Group 2

Since the last Newsletter we have had a box making session and our long postponed ‘Christmas’ party which was affected by the snow in January. We decided that any excuse is We continue to meet at the Baptist Hall on a good one and turned it into a ‘Thank you’ alternate Thursdays from 2pm to 4pm. New party for all Julie’s much appreciated efforts members very welcome. Some of the work over the years. produced in the Thursday sessions has been Anne showed us how to make the boxes using exceptional. two squares of paper to form a base and a lid which fitted together perfectly - if we followed Contact: David Nicholls the instructions correctly! Gardening Group

We have had good attendances at all our recent meetings and garden visits. We managed an extra garden visit to Frogmore House gardens in Windsor Park, as these were opened as part of the National Garden System in May. Although the day was very damp, grey and rather cold, 24 of us braved these conditions and spent a very good time walking around the grounds and If you would like to join us, we meet at the gardens and also visiting the house. Our next Baptist Church on the third Friday of the visit at the end of May took us closer to home to month at 2pm.(Report and photo by Ann-marie Riddle) 'Inholmes', the home of Sir Frank Williams, Formula one racing boss, at Woodlands St. Contact: Julie Bowles Mary. This time the weather was good and we enjoyed an interesting guided tour by the head gardener. These gardens were being filmed for Quills – Creative Writing a Gardeners World TV programme, so obviously they were rather splendid.

On 5th June seven of us got together for the first meet of the creative writing group. There was quite a bit of chat, laughter and writing, so if you feel that you have a story to tell, or just want to see if you can write you will be more than welcome to join us. Don't be shy, we are all experimenting and at this stage are unsure of where we are heading - hopefully in the right direction! We meet on the first and third Wednesday of Photo by Valerie Jackson the month at the Council Offices at 10am for a couple of hours. Our forthcoming programme includes a visit to the Tropical Rainforest and a NGS visit to Field Contact: Catherine Hamblin Farm Cottage at Sulhampstead. We end with an afternoon spent in a member’s garden enjoying that along with the company, tea, cake and Discussion Group chat!!

Our Autumn season includes a Q&A session with Rosie Hardy, from Hardy's Nursery, and The Discussion Group continues to meet in trip to Hilliers at Romsey to see the autumn members’ homes. Recently we have discussed colours and then in November we’ll be having some interesting topics, the latest being ‘Should an afternoon of Christmas Craft. we leave the EU? We meet on the second At the end of the year Karen Eggleton and Monday of the month in the afternoon. For our Denise Symes will have completed August meeting we will be holding a buffet their 4 year stint as conveners, so we are looking lunch. Please contact the number below if you for one or more members to take over. Sue would like to join our group. Bance has had to withdraw due to health issues Contact: Jacquie Manley and Valerie Jackson is not keen to run the group on her own!! We will be planning next Latin year’s programme in September so any new conveners will be involved in that so they will be familiar with the programme for 2014. PLEASE, PLEASE consider being involved or this very successful and well attended group The Latin group - a joint venture with Newbury WILL HAVE TO CLOSE! U3A - is making good progress. We meet on Thursdays at 2.30pm in Upper . We Contacts Numbers: Karen would welcome new members. Denise Valerie Contact: Dorothy Goode Sue

Bon Appetit Luncheon Club Genealogy

For the first time since we started in 2005, we chose the same venue on the same day as one of The Genealogy Group is still going well. I am our other Lunch Clubs! I think the staff at The now in a position to reopen my waiting list. This Butt Inn, – as well as Bon Appetit waiting list includes any help or look ups and Third Course members! - were a little required. confused when we all turned up at the same time! Quite a coincidence! But the staff were Contact: Isabel Trent able to cope and we all had a very good meal there. Margaret Robinson very kindly stood in for me in May when the members went to Three Horseshoes at – thank you Margaret! We tried a new venue in June – the Cunning Man at Bridge, recommended by one Knitting and Cross-stitch of our members. We travelled a bit further perhaps than we normally do, but the menu was comprehensive at a very reasonable price and the service was very good. So - more good meals with good friends!

This group meet every first Tuesday of the month in a member’s home from September to May. We work on our own projects with much laughter and talk whilst helping each other if necessary and passing on tips. After being an excellent Convener since the group started Janet will no longer be able to continue as she is moving to Swindon (very exciting for her and we wish her well). At the next meeting there will be discussions to choose a new Convener but in the meantime please contact the number below if you would like to come along.

Contact: Doreen Cuthbert Contact: Elaine Fletcher Second Helpings Luncheon Club We meet on the 4th Friday of each month so if you would like to come along us we shall be pleased to see you.

Contact: Ann Minks

In June we were pleased to visit the new restaurant in Thatcham, and everyone really enjoyed their meal at the Bella Vita. In July we Mah Jong are visiting the Elderflower Café for the first time. It is excellent to be able to add these two new venues to our list of places to enjoy each other's company and good food in Thatcham.

Contact: Jane Head The Mah Jong group continues to thrive, and now has over twenty members, though each meeting usually averages twelve to fourteen. We have recently had several new members who are enjoying the challenge of the game. Third Course Luncheon Club The Mah Jong group meets in the Gillooly room at the Catholic Church on the first and third Wednesdays of each month from 2.15pm to 4.15pm. There is a charge of £1 per meeting which We continue to thrive on all the good food we includes tea and biscuits, and a donation to the are eating from some excellent eating houses we Church for kindly allowing us to use the room. have visited. In particular the refurbished and under new management Sun in the Wood was Contact: Marilyn Downing exceptional value. We have lost two of our long standing members in Val and Steve Leaver - we are sorry to see them go, but we have replaced them with Pat and Richard Drew who are very welcome. If anyone has any enquiries please Music Appreciation Group contact Dennis on the number below.

Contacts: Pauline and Dennis Rowan

The Music Appreciation Group continues to play interesting records (we still like vinyl!) and The Munchers Luncheon Group CDs from members. We have concentrated recently on masterpieces of the last century. It is always a very peaceful and relaxing afternoon in the company of friends and we certainly enjoy the cup of tea and Hazel’s delicious homemade We have enjoyed our monthly get-togethers and cakes! have visited various including The Spotted We continue to meet every month on the third Dog at where we were almost a full Tuesday. house! We can still find room for new members if anyone would like to join our lively lunches. Contact: Richard Hyland

Snaps Photography Group

Inspite of ‘natural wastage’ the members attending meetings have been maintained at around fifteen by new entrants who renew vitality and present a challenge of integration to existing members. Many original members are becoming much better acquainted with their cameras and so are much more adventurous in Contact: Judy Benwell their subjects and techniques. They have not forgotten their humble beginnings, however, and are very helpful to beginners, which is what the U3A is all about!! It has been a pleasure to convene this group and Rummikub Group many thanks to our experts. In particular, Ray, Tony and Paul have greatly enhanced our learning. It is never too late to join us even if you are a complete novice!! We meet on the second Wednesday of each month at 10am ‘on location’ and the fourth Wednesday at 10am at Thatcham Town We meet in the Gillooly Room at the Catholic Council offices (behind the library). If you Church on the second Wednesday of the require more details please telephone one of the month between 2.15 and 4.15 pm. We are still numbers below. a fairly small group and so have plenty of room for new members. Rummikub is a relatively Contacts: Iain Dunn easy game to learn and we will, of course, be Tony Collie happy to teach you how to play, if the game is new to you. Rummikub has similarities with Rummy, the card game. We are a friendly bunch and have lots of fun, so do come and join us.

Contact: Wendy Jarvis Play Reading Group

Scrabble

We continue to enjoy reading plays throughout the year, meeting on the third Thursday of each month. At present we are unable to take The Scrabble group is flourishing well. This any more members. However, if there is year we have had new members join us most sufficient interest, a second group could be months. As we are lucky enough to meet in such started and a waiting list could be set up. Do a large venue we can always accept new contact me for any information. Scrabblers!! We meet on the first Thursday of The entire group went to a production at the the month in the Dining Room at Neville Court. Watermill in February. Three members were so anxious to find their seats that they missed the Contact: Angela Robinson photo shoot! Singing Group 1 social gathering. The order of play and tables in play is dependent on member numbers on the day with no sitting out. To add a little spice there is a monthly ‘highest break’ award, plus an Our original band of singers meets on the first ongoing ‘singles ladder’- these provide a and third Mondays of the month at our competitive challenge for those who want to pianist’s home. We enjoy singing a variety of participate. Membership of the ‘Snooker Club’ songs including folk, light classics, and is necessary following the first visit so come community. We are restricted by space and are along and give it a go - equipment is available at unable to take any new members at present; the club at no extra charge. however a second group has been formed, with space for people wanting to sing. (See below) Contact: Roy Lawson

Contact: Rita Bottomley

Spanish

Adagio Singing Group

We continue to meet in members' houses so we The second singing group, now known as do not have room for new members at present. Adagio, was formed because of demand from If there are more people wanting to learn members, after enjoying performances by the Spanish perhaps we could start a new group! first group. We are currently singing a selection of songs, which include numbers from folk, Contact: Barbara Nicholls community, film and musical sources. Sessions include a physical and vocal warm-up, rounds and unison singing followed by a chat and coffee. We hope to graduate to simple harmonic arrangements in the future. Research has shown Theatre Group us that singing is beneficial in many different ways. If you enjoy singing or would like to give it a try why not join us? You will be certain of a warm welcome. We hope to move to the Old The Theatre Group continues to grow with more Bluecoats School from July and sessions will be people applying all the time. Good job there on a Tuesday afternoon. isn’t a limit to membership!! Our latest outing was on Thursday 13th June to see CATS at the Contact: Lynette Harper Mayflower Theatre in Southampton. We had a very good journey down and arrived in time for coffee and lunch before the performance. The show was very good, the dancers were very lively and the costumes very colourful and lifelike. We were able to see some of them close Snooker - 50 Break up as the performers were sometimes running up and down the aisles. The music was wonderful and very Andrew Lloyd Webber. Everyone We meet on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of enjoyed the show and we arrived back in each month from 2-4pm at the Crucible Thatcham just after 6 o’clock. I hope to have the Snooker Club, off Hambridge Road in next one organized sometime soon. Newbury (enter via Race Course Station approach road). The emphasis is on fun and Contact: Valerie Jackson Travel Group Vintner’s Dozen Wine Appreciation

Our day trips so far this year have been very well supported and at the end of July we have eighty-two people travelling to Tewkesbury on a double decker coach!! There will be one more The damp and cold spring has not dampened the day trip on 11th September to Wrest Park spirits! After an excellent lunch at (English Heritage) in Bedforshire. Watch out in March we have enjoyed for details nearer the time. We will be finishing another variety of wines offered by our hosts, the year with our residential trip to Perthshire in including some fine home-made liqueurs. After Scotland. some dithering we have at last launched a second wine appreciation group. Contact: Ann Allen Contact: Peter Lavarack

Walkers Group Cheers Wine Appreciation

The newly formed wine-tasting group has held three very enjoyable evenings so far. If all attend regularly it is up to capacity but watch We can’t believe that we have completed six of this space!! We meet on the third Tuesday our monthly walks already - doesn’t time fly! evening of each month. All the walks have been very well attended (double figures) and enjoyed by all - even the Contact: Roy Lawson weather has been kind to us staying dry. Walks until the end of the year are as follows: July 11th Elstree School - Grid ref 576675 Whist Led by Denise and Angela Aug 8th Led by Peter and Heidi Sept 12th Common - Grid ref 464710 We meet the last Wednesday in the month at Led by Joan and Mike the Gillooly Room, Catholic Church starting at Oct 10th Ladle Hill & Sydmonton - Grid 2.15pm. Any one is welcome. Just come along ref 478580 and join us for a game of cards, a chat and cup Led by Ernie Prince of tea. Nov 14th Bucklebury - more details later Led by Helen Relf Contact: Pat Howard Dec 12th Thatcham Broadway Led by Ann Walter If you feel a 3mile (approx) walk is for you do come along and join us at the meeting point. We start walking at 2.00 pm prompt.

We are a very friendly group and you will be Another hectic end of year done and dusted made welcome. without too many glitches and we now have a total membership of 302 having said goodbye to Contacts: some old friends and welcome to some new Joan and Mike Collins ones. Ann-marie