Thatcham Newsletter July 2013 Reg. Charity No. 1112006 www.u3asites.org.uk/thatcham Newsletter sponsored by Greenham 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 Berkshire, 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 West Berkshire) 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.