Borders University of the Third Age

Borders Bulletin Volume 3, Issue 3 Summer 2015

Learn, laugh and live Oswestry Borders U3A has made head- line news this summer, featuring on the Third Age Trust’s national website.

Lorna Borland’s Anti-Ageing Aerobics group made an interesting topic for the recent national U3A ‘Learn, Laugh and Live’ photography competition. Enthusiastic members of the Photography Group, led by Celia Geoff Armitage, husband of Anti-Ageing Todd (centre) show dedication, Aerobics member Janet ,took the action carrying so much equipment to photograph (opposite) and the judges the shoot at Llanymynech Quarry. awarded it a ‘highly commended’.

If you want to take a look at more of the winning entries, click here. Inside this issue:

Meanwhile, back in Oswestry, our mem- Committee News 2 bership continues to grow. We now Interest Groups Report 3 have 142 members, of which 26 are associates with Oswestry U3A. There’s MOOCs 6 a detailed report on Page 8.

In April 2015 we had a balance of £2,714. Since then, income from membership Membership Report 9 fees, meeting charges, equipment fund, TAT mailing, group room payment and outings has been £3,433. Our expenditure from April 1 to date on speaker fees, Monthly Planner 10 room hire, equipment, stationery, refreshments and outings has been £1,748. The current balance stands at £4,399. Future Events 11 Many members have commented how much they are enjoying the development Interest Group 12 of groups, particularly social, with the monthly lunch club at Sweeney Hall and Information Queens Head restaurants, regular coffee mornings at Lepones in Oswestry, a new film group meeting at KinoKulture cinema in Oswestry, and a future Sunday lunch meeting. Trips planned by the Organising Travel group include a July visit to Croft Castle in Herefordshire, a day out to Manchester in August and a Special points of interest: musical evening’s entertainment at Theatre Severn, , in October.  The people of Oswestry Planning ahead for winter when many prefer to ‘study’, a small group has been …...street by street researching MOOCs, a new move in collaborative online learning. (See Page 6).

Beat out that  What are MOOCs? rhythm on the drum—and so we  Tai Chi in Oswestry Park did at Ronnie Prudence’s  Deputy Treasurer Needed ’Percussion’ Speaker Meeting  Interest Groups’ Fair in July. OBU3A’s

Got Talent! Borders Bulletin Chairperson’s message Volume 3, Issue 3 Our National Chairman Barbara Lewis is in her last year as Chair and has started TAT Mailing a campaign to raise awareness of what is the U3A. Her message is for us all:

As always the July mailing "'University' in our title is used in the wider sense of the word - The University of from Third Age Trust (TAT) life. It is a self help educational charity where the ethos is that 'those who teach is crammed full with shall also learn and those that learn shall also teach'. You can learn new skills information and offers. As and pass on your own experiences to others. well as National Executive nomination and voting Live your life and forget your age! Learning is fun with the U3A" forms, there’s theatre information and discounts, The interest groups of our U3A continue to grow with two new groups formed this photography competition month. We are spreading the word about our U3A at the "Big get together event", guidelines, news about a talks in Ellesmere and Oswestry Library promotion event. planned Participative Please contact committee members if you would like to get involved. Learning event and the Ramblers Big Pathway Pam Broomby, August 2015 Project. This aims to get walkers surveying rights of way in and Wales If you’re interested to find out whether they are in telling others open and walkable, and to about our U3A we highlight the best. For more always need more details have a look on our volunteers to help website page. out at our stand. It’s an opportunity to get know each other. Committee members pictured on our stand at Oswestry U3A Presentation Day. Public Relations Events

Oswestry Borders U3A was among We have had a request to talk about some 15+ exhibitors at the recent Big OBU3A to 50 residents at the Jebb Get Together event at St Martins Court development in Ellesmere. School Sports Hall. Drawing together Welcome to new committee to promote organisations for the A date has been secured— September member, Elizabeth Lewis, who villages of St Martins, Weston Rhyn 7 - for our annual promotional display was away when we featured the and Gobowen, our U3A – with its at Oswestry Library. Because of the committee in the Spring BB. ‘borders’ emphasis, attracted much new Hub Centre in the entrance foyer, interest. our display will be located in a different area. A request form for helpers will be Deputy Treasurer Many of us are associate members of circulated at August meetings. Oswestry’s two U3As. In July we th We need a volunteer Deputy celebrated Oswestry U3A’s 25 We have four PR table display boards Treasurer. If you are interested anniversary with a stand at the Group donated by member, Josie Williams. Presentation Day in the Memorial Hall. in finding out more about what’s involved, Dave Pass, committee Committee treasurer, can show you the Excel spreadsheet which he Our committee of 14 uses to keep accounts up-to- members meets every date, and explain banking and couple of months at each payment arrangements. others’ homes to chat Carole Greig will continue as about ways to support relief cashier to support Dave, the continuing success collecting cash at meetings. of OBU3A. If anyone is interested in joining the committee, please talk to Page 2 us at one of our meetings Interest Groups and Meetings Borders Bulletin Volume 3, Issue 3 There have been suggestions for two new interest groups.

Sunday Lunchtime group - Elizabeth Jones would be like to start a group to meet every two weeks or once a month for an informal pub/wine bar lunch on a Sunday. The aim would be to enjoy the company and conversation rather than focus on the food. The Wynnstay in Oswestry was suggested as the initial Registers meeting place as they have a good bar menu plus places to sit outside if fine. Group leaders have been This may appeal to people living alone, but couples would naturally be welcome advised to keep registers of group members and visitors too. should they need to contact Our Type of Music - June Self suggested meeting initially at her house in anyone, e.g. for accident Gobowen. Each member to take a CD of the music they like, be it jazz, be-bop, witness statements. opera, 50's chill-out etc. After listening to selected pieces, to discuss and possibly While the Third Age Trust discover something new. The group would meet monthly with timings arranged to insurance covers for third party risk, members are suit all. reminded they participate in Two groups started successfully in May: U3A events at their own risk and should ensure that their The Film Goers group, led by Jane Asterley, met in June when five members personal insurance provides attended a viewing of the Swedish film Force Majeure. They met to discuss it the any necessary cover. following week. In July they plan to see Timbuktu on July 9 and To Kill a Group leaders should let Mockingbird on July 14, and will meet to discuss them on July 29. Their Lynn Rose know exactly who th discussion group will meet on 4 Wednesday afternoon of the month. Jane is in the group so that she pointed out that members were welcome to join the group to view a film, but may has all contact details. Group members must be members not necessarily want to talk about it at the monthly discussion meeting. of OBU3A, except those The Quilting group led by Carol Fahey meet monthly on 2nd Wednesday after- making their two visits. Group leaders have membership noon at Carol's house. There are currently three members attending. forms for anyone wishing to The Discussion group has been unable to find a new leader, so has ceased to join. meet for the time being. However, at the Speaker meeting on Exceptions to registers are July 1, a new member, Pauline Faulkner, expressed an interest the coffee chat groups which in the group and is considering leading it. She also suggested meet in Lepones, informally, the Lunch Club, which keeps starting a Spanish group. a register of those present at Lynn Rose each lunch, but do not have group membership. Similarly, the Travel group, keep a register of those Interest Groups Fair attending a visit, but there is no general membership. The Interest Groups Fair on September We can put displays on the walls but However, there is a group 16 will be an opportunity for all groups using blue tack, not pins. All groups Organising Travel, who plan to show their activities, not only to will need to allow time to help set up the visits. members, but to the general public. the hall and displays before members and visitors enter. As many groups as possible have been asked to discuss ideas and to display For those interested in joining groups something of their groups' work in on the day, each display will have some form. Lynn Rose needs to know forms for contact details. any needs by the end of August so that we can put on a good show. For any newcomers, remember they are allowed two visits before joining, Please advise Lynn about your power and these can be either meetings at supply requirements, as she will be The Centre or to interest group producing the room plan and group sessions. labels. If you have a table and power extension for your stand, this would be There will be no entrance charge at Members of the Organising Travel helpful. If you would like to include the event, just contributions for group enjoying some ice-creams at photographs in your display, Celia refreshments. their recent visit to see the Vienna Todd has offered to help with printing. Festival Ballet at Theatre Severn.

Page 3 Borders Bulletin Singing Film Goers Volume 3, Issue 3

There’s been a good response to This is a brand new group formed in our request for more men—we now June. Group members plan to have five in the group. visit Kinoculture, Oswestry’s Singer numbers are established at a Community Cinema. In June the good working level. There is a good group saw the Swedish film Force sound from the group and we are Majeure, sharing their reviews at a adding part-singing to our activities follow-up meeting at the end of the and are working towards some month. In July two films were on the ’informal’ performances later in the year. schedule: Timbuktu and To Kill a Mockingbird. The Singing Group take a break to We meet in the Black Lion in Salop All members are welcome to join us buy some excellent refreshments, Road, Oswestry, Sessions are held even if you do not want to come to provided by Black Lion landlady, Claire on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday the Film Goers discussion at the Rogers, which include some home- morning of each month from 10.30 group leader’s home, 1.30 p.m. on made cakes and biscuits (often just out a.m. to 12.15. New members are the 4th Wednesday of the month. of the oven!) always welcome. David Ryan Jane Asterley Garden

Members of the Garden Group had an The more unusual wildflowers found absolutely fascinating guided tour of included the Small-flowered the plants of Llanymynech Quarry in Sweetbriar, identifiable from the June. spikes under the petals,

Celia Todd, an OBU3A member and ex– Wildlife Trust warden of Llanymynech Quarry, had chosen the end of June as being the prime In May we visited Glansevern Hall time for wildflowers in the quarry, and Gardens, Berriew, Welshpool. The day the more we looked, the more we was cold but sunny and at first sight found! the gardens appeared to be rather in We found six between seasons. wild orchids: and the Yellow On closer inspection there was Marsh Fragrant, Rattle which masses to see, and we ended up Common discourages lingering over tea and cake in the Spotted Butterfly, grass, and courtyard until nearly 5 p.m. Twayblade, therefore Early Purple, allows other Bee (opposite), wildflowers to The Pyramid orchid can also be found flourish.. in the quarry later in summer. We also saw numerous insects and Celia shows members how to identify butterflies. All our pictures can be the Small-flowered Sweetbriar. seen on Flickr at https://flic.kr/s/ aHskfeox9i and https://flic.kr/s/

aHskeAp2HY

We visited Broniarth Hall, Guilsford in Carole, a Garden Archaeologist, July..Future visits include The explaining fish scale glazing Rowans, Threapwood, near Malpas, on Monday August 10 and Edge Villa, Edge, near Yockleton on Sunday, Page 4 September 13. Sally Barrett Book Borders Bulletin Volume 3, Issue 3

White Ravens (2009) by Owen Sheers was our May choice. The story is one of a series, in which Welsh writers are being commissioned to produce modern re -workings of eleven tales from the Mabinogion, a 19th century collection of me- dieval Welsh tales. This tale is based on the myth of Branwen, daughter of Llyr. The novella is set in Wales, London and Ireland and the time moves between the 1940s and now. The narrative is rather complex, jumping between a first and third person narrator. Our discussion was enriched by hearing Glenys singing the Welsh folk song that features in the tale. There were mixed views about whether the writer achieved his goal of portraying convincingly situations that are both contemporary and classic, and in particular whether the traditional “folk” view of character and events is fundamentally different from ours.

The Tenderness of Wolves (Stef Penney, 2011) was our choice for our June meeting. Set in 1867 in Canada, the novel features a female Scottish protagonist who is agoraphobic, and has a complex and mysterious past, which includes a spell in an asylum. The plot centres around her discovery of the body of a French Scrabble for Fun trapper who has been murdered and scalped in his house near Dove River. Her This new group meets at 2:30 p.m. adopted 17-year old son Francis has disappeared, as has the victim's money and on the 3rd Friday of each month at a piece of bone which may prove the "Indians" had a written culture. A the group leader’s, home in compassionate magistrate joins with Mrs Ross on an epic journey, tracking her Oswestry, A second monthly meet- son and another set of footprints, across snow and ice. The contemporary context, particularly the political and economic domination of the Fur Trading ing could be held on the 1st Friday Companies, is strongly brought out. As usual, members of our group had widely at the same time and place. The differing experiences of reading this novel, but we all found it intriguing; our group is for all abilities, from discussion ,as usual, ranged far and wide, this time taking in the current Greek experienced ‘scrabblers’ to crisis and the EU. Sandra Harvey complete novices. However, the Photography emphasis will very much be on playing at a fun and not an ultra- serious level. The normal rules of March We also enjoyed the wonderful hospitality scrabble apply, with a relaxed from Jan and Bonita, attitude to checking words and time sampling some of taken. Mary Higgins Bonita’s famous cakes.

May Anti Ageing Aerobics

A few of us met at the Sadly the Great Crested Grebe with new babies The class has been running for two Chain Bridge Hotel, years and has 14 people on the had disappeared from Orchids, butterflies etc. Llangollen. We came register, a maximum at present. Wood Lane but we did across members of a were performing well and photograph some of the Fire Brigade on “training” we all came away with The activity is more than aerobic in other birds from the that the aerobic exercise is a warm exercise, giving us great some lovely pictures. Heron Hide. up for the stretching and muscle photo opportunities. strengthening which is the main objective of the session. April

Unfortunately, the misty Members of the class and friends weather rather spoilt the who have visited physiotherapists and osteopaths have been views from Jan’s house surprised to find that 80 % of the but we photographed the exercises recommended by them lovely garden. June are a significant part of the AAA programme each week. Celia Todd A lovely morning saw us at Llanymynech Rocks Lorna Borland and Butchers Quarry.

Page 5 Borders Bulletin What is a MOOC? Volume 3, Issue 3

Next Autumn the ICT group is planning Next time I shall embark on a course Nicki Carmody: to lead a new initiative, exploring free during the Autumn/Winter evenings as online learning courses. Central to the that personally is the best time for me In June last year we had a most study will be a closer look at Massive to study. I signed up for Futurelearn's interesting talk at U3A from Dr Peter Open Online Courses (MOOCs). newsletter which provides information Chevins about the mechanics of on new and future courses...all very 'Your Wonderful Brain'. I found the These MOOCs are aimed at providing helpful and relevant. talk so interesting I wanted to learn unlimited participation, open access to more so went onto the website new learning via the web. In addition to I recommend dipping and diving into www.futurelearn.com and found a traditional course materials: filmed the Futurelearn website - there really course called ‘Good Brain, lectures, readings, and set tasks, many are some great opportunities to learn. Bad Brain’, run by Birmingham MOOCs provide interactive user University. (If only Avril had known!) forums to support community interactions between learners and Avril Topham: I'll be honest and say that it really hurt mentors. Interestingly, MOOCs came The first MOOC I tried, over a year my brain to do the course but I learnt to the fore around the sane time that ago, was for three weeks and for four so much that it then encouraged me Oswestry Borders U3A launched. hours a week - ‘Exploring Anatomy: to try another; ‘The Science of The Human Abdomen’. As both Medicines’, run by Monash We will update members as the study on-line study and "Science" were new University in Australia. With this one I develops. Meanwhile, a few group to me, this sounded like a good was still on week 3 when week 6 was members have already joined some introduction - and I loved it! I enjoyed issued but that was not a problem. All courses to feedback in September. the short video lectures and the of these courses can be followed at a Here are some first impressions: demonstrations, even the tests each pace to suit and there is a lot of week to check my understanding. The interaction with other learners. I found Melva Duley course leader was excellent and his a third course on ‘Parkinson's’ too I looked at Futurelearn’s website which various guests gave extra interest. I much so just dropped out. There is no boasts many study opportunities. and often used the transcripts of these to pressure except one’s own the list keeps on growing! I joined a support my learning. I couldn't get determination to learn. It is very easy course about ‘The Power of Brands’, involved in the online comments. I to join and there are such a variety of and another on ‘Childhood in the found the numbers and range of courses on offer that I would Digital Age’. I have no knowledge of abilities of students a bit overwhelm- recommend anyone to try it out. either subject but was curious to learn ing, so I would be interested in joining more. It was very easy to access and other OBU3A members to discuss Jane Davies: provided brilliant information to answer topics and share ideas with offline. I’ve always wanted to develop my all my questions before I started. Both musical skills, so when I saw the courses were only for a few weeks and range of musical MOOCs on offer, two hours per week suggested I started two other courses last year there was no stopping me. study. I found it strange to be back in but had to drop out for family studying mode but was soon feeling reasons. However, the course content The six week Futurelearn MOOC comfortable and part of the network of is still available online for me to pick ‘How to Write Your First Song’ took people studying alongside me. up in my own time. These were ‘Good longer that the predicted three hours Brain, Bad Brain’, another Science per week because it involved getting One course included a short test on course and ‘Football: More than a familiar with new software and what I had learned.....there was no Game?’ certainly interesting but less websites as well as the content, but I need to be fearful! I was astonished challenging. loved the experience and really that I achieved a creditable score. I I shall definitely start a new course in appreciated the helpful suggestions could have opted for a certificate at the the autumn as there are already from more experienced musicians in end of each course for which there several on the website that appeal to the online discussions. We were all was a small fee. Otherwise it was all me. I don't need to qualify to join given lyrics and asked to compose a completely free. and I will not me assessed by anyone song, record it and share it on but myself. I would enjoy some SoundCloud. I managed to get There was absolutely no pressure and personal interaction with others offline melody, harmony and percussion I would recommend this mode of study so if there are any potential learners, tracks done but didn’t do any singing. to anyone. Everything I contributed I would be interested in getting was undertaken online. together occasionally. The Third Age Trust offers a few online courses in the Resources Page 6 Centre on its website. Play Reading Borders Bulletin Volume 3, Issue 3

The group recently decided to extend our meeting time; we now stand a better chance of reading a full play without having to make drastic cuts. We meet at 10 o’clock and continue until around 12.30, with a well-deserved refreshment break.

Our June choice was A Chorus of Disapproval, the highly entertaining Ayckbourn play which concerns an amateur drama group in Yorkshire, rehearsing The Threepenny Opera (a wild 18th century musical drama about a den of thieves and outlaws), so we had bits of one very complex play within another. Robin introduced musical excerpts from a recent staging of The Threepenny Opera and attempted to keep order as we relished the familiar Ayckbourn mix: broken hearts, massive naivety and wilful blindness, poignant misunderstandings and miscommunications, conveyed with both British reticence and flamboyant self A scene from the musical -expression, all fuelled by frustrated ambitions, sexual longing and much too drama ‘The Threepenny Opera’. much alcohol.

In July Sue guided us through A Murder at the Vicarage, an excellent 1949 adaptation of the Agatha Christie 1930 thriller in which Miss Marple first makes a proper entrance. We enjoyed taking on the stock roles of 1930s English lowbrow fiction (slightly dim policeman, neurotic curate, flighty young wife, long-suffering housekeeper, arrogant bohemian artist) and discovering which of the many suspects (virtually everyone) had actually committed the dastardly deed, which Christie skilfully kept unclear until the end. St Mary Mead (a hotbed of burglary, impersonation, adultery and ultimately murder) was recreated briefly and as a contemporary review put it, “bafflement was well sustained."

The group is taking a break in August and will meet again at Madeline & David Pass’s home on September 4 for a reading of a Jeffrey Archer play, Beyond Reasonable Doubt. Sandra Harvey Agatha Christie, prolific thriller writer and creator of legendary Miss Marple. Art Appreciation

Whatever one thinks of Perhaps the Davies What is fascinating and In July, as a perfect complement to Baldwin’s politics, he has sisters’ main achieve- surprising about the visit to Gregynog, the Art to be admired for his ment was their donation Gregynog is its Appreciation group travelled by choice of Gregynog Hall of the two hundred and imitation, whether it be in 1936 as a bolt hole sixty paintings that, as a the mock Tudor concrete train to Cardiff’s National Gallery of from the Abdication crisis bequest, now takes pride rendering of the exterior, Wales, keen to see the extensive as a guest of its owners, of place in the National the gloriously over-the- art collection amassed by the the Davies sisters. Museum of Art in Cardiff. top Victorian imitation Jacobean carving of the Davies sisters of Grenynog. Below Gregynog is hidden in Theirs was truly a bold Blaney Room, the Adam- the depths of magnificent is one example: Renoir’s (1874) embrace of art that at the style fireplaces, or the mid-Wales scenery. Blue Lady. time still bore the mediaeval –style rafters However, this is no vestiges of controversy, of the music room, with simple rural retreat. paintings by Cezanne, its touches of Arts and During the first half of the Renoir, Monet, Van Craft design. 20th century, the hall Gogh and Pisssaro. was turned by sisters, For almost two hours our Gwendoline and Hence what paintings guide, the librarian Mary, Margaret Davies, into an remain on view at held us spell-bound with internationally renowned Gregynog is a collection her erudition born of centre for the arts, of work by minor artists thirty years working at attracting worthies such such as Arthur Lemon the hall. It was a tour we as Gustav Holst and together with several of will not forget in a hurry. George Bernard Shaw. It Margaret’s paintings If only we had had the August visit: Jan Singleton’s was in their footsteps imitative of Cezanne. time to explore the that the Art Appreciation beautiful landscaped stained glass workshop at Pandy, group trod earlier this grounds and woodland Glyn Ceiriog. Pat Evans year. walks.Jenny Wilbraham Page 7 Borders Bulletin Travel Volume 3, Issue 3 Travelling by coach In June, after a stop in through the grounds and proved a real bonus for Bakewell, we visited the house, where modern our recent trip to the great country house, chair exhibits had been Ironbridge Gorge as we Chatsworth, and spent cleverly incorporated into were driven around the the day wandering historic room settings. 52 acre site, stopping at In August we will visit Jackfield Tile Museum, Croft Castle, a National once the centre of the Trust manor house, with world tile industry, Blists walled garden, historic Hill Victorian town, the orchards and vineyard in Bridge and Museum of Herefordshire, stopping the Gorge, celebrating at Food Centre the importance of the Members were fascinated by the mid-morning for coffee early Iron industry. detailed exhibits in the Jackfield Tile and shopping therapy. museum at Ironbridge. Pam Broomby

Bits and Bobs Membership

We’ve recently ordered a batch of Membership renewals of 2016 U3A diaries, so if you’d like one HELP is also needed with Organising the renewal please ask a committee at future Oswestry Borders U3A the task of Membership of membership in April meetings. has shown just what a Secretary! This involves and maintaining the flourishing organisation helping with: database of members The Centre we’ve become in 2 years (currently on Excel) Manning Membership We’ve been told by managers of The At the time of writing desk at Wednesday It does not need to Centre in Oak Street, Oswestry, there are only 16 full meetings—a very good include helping with the where we meet on the first and third members and 11 way to meet new people! Internal Communications Wednesday of each month, that its associate members who Secretary role, though have not renewed for Supplying the New services to the community will include this would be very a drop-in information hub. We plan to unspecified reasons. Members Packs welcome (and is not at have a session, perhaps at one of our Of course, there are a Organising a couple of all arduous). members’ meetings, to explain this host of reasons why New Members’ feature in more detail. If you feel you could be people do not renew, meetings a year, One is involved with this – and and at our age these planned for October. more than one person often include ‘moving to Our current membership be nearer the family’ etc. would be welcome – of 116 full members and as well as simply forget- please talk to me at a ting, but our Committee 26 associate members Wednesday meeting, or is anxious that our U3A includes a steady number email me on obu3amem- should reflect members’ of new members, who are [email protected] . needs, and so I have vital if OBU3A is to Sally Barrett contacted non-renewals continue to be a vigorous asking for their feedback. organisation.

Accessibility for All The membership has recently been circulated with some very helpful guidance on accessibility for disabled members. Advice included transport and general access to buildings for general meetings, facilities like loops in sound systems, access to heating and lighting controls, a designated person to provide help and meeting timing, length and appropriate breaks.

For the interest groups, a key point made was to explore solutions to making Our Members’ Meetings continue to group members’ homes, including disabled members, more accessible to all. provide the opportunity to meet new people and share views and opinions Another suggestion was for a committee member to be responsible for maintain- ing contact with disabled members, and to explore ways to support them, e.g. car Page 8 share to meetings. Speaker and Members’ Meetings Borders Bulletin Volume 3, Issue 3 Attendance at Speaker and Members’ We travelled to Meetings has been up on last year. The Japan in May, ‘Fracked or Fiction’ talk in April by transported by Rina Martin Carruthers drew an audience of Tillinger’s humourous 61 and member Dave Pass gave a talk look at teaching there on the Fitzalan family in July to 51. in her talk ’Sushi, Saki and Sumo’. It’s been a programme offering every- thing. Ronnie Prudence brought in a June Self (below, right) shared her love of Singapore, describing its growth from fishing village to Metropolis.

Members of the Local History and

Archaeology Group at the top of Gaer Fawr.

Local History & Archaeology In May the Local History & Archaeology Group visited the hill fort at Gaer Fawr, We explored ’The Voice’. Members near Guilsfield. This is on top of a hill huge range of drums for us to raise the read extracts, revealing accents and there, but because it is heavily wooded, it is less well known than the hill fort at roof at The Centre, following his drum dialects from areas throughout Britain. Old Oswestry. rhythms in ‘Percussion’. We welcomed OWL, Oswestry Writers As it was a beautiful day we enjoyed the Historians amongst us were treated to a Lab group, led by Ron Turner, who views and the bluebells as well as the timeline tumbling with monarchs in treated us to poems and short stories. hill fort. One curiosity was a tree with a small metal door fixed into its base, Dave Pass’s ‘From Fitzalan to pictured below. Suggestions to the Oswestry’s First Charter’, A History of Editor, please, about what it might be. Oswestry’s Kings from Pybba (570) (Mercia) to the Tudors and Stuarts. We heard about the Oswestry Charters granted to the town in 1262, 1398, 1407, 1617 and 1673, which remained in force until Local Government re -organisation in 1835. Tai Chi

The Tai Chi group is closing for the summer but will resume in early September. Tai Chi will then be held every Monday afternoon from 2 – 3.00 p.m. in the Cambrian Room at the Memorial Hall, Oswestry. Rail Rattlers Programme The fee per person for each session will be £2 to pay for hall hire costs. It would Thursday, August 13 – Eugenics help with the payment for the room if members would agree to paying in advance (gender selection, “designer babies” for, say, four weeks. This will cover absences and holidays. As we progress, the September 10 – Women in Trades moves will become more advanced, but I will take into account ages and October 8 – The Truth about Pornography physical abilities. November 12 – The Women’s Equality Party We’ve discussed doing some December 10 – Christmas Gathering sessions out-of-doors so we gave it January 12 – Preparation for a a trial one recent sunny day by Presentation to the Members’ Meeting practising in Oswestry Park. June Self Page 9 Borders Bulletin Monthly Planner - August 2015

Day Morning Afternoon

German for Beginners: Sandra Harvey, Wendy Lodwick Lowdon and Ann Cudmore, twice monthly

August 3 / 1st Mon Informal Coffee Get-Together, Lepones, Art: Sue Townsend, 2 – 4 p.m. Group Leader’s home, Knockin Oswestry, 10.30 a.m. Tai Chi: June Self, 2 – 3.00 p.m. Memorial Hall NO MEETING August 4/ 1st Tues

August 5 / 1st Wed Oswestry Borders U3A Speaker Meeting The Centre, Oak Street. 2 - 4 p.m. Gareth Owen, Manager of Pavilion Theatre, Rhyl: a light- hearted talk of his work and the people he has met.

August 6 / 1st Thurs ICT Project: Jane Davies, 10.30—12.30 a.m. Group Leader’s home NO MEETING Anti-ageing Aerobics: Lorna Borland, 10.20 a.m. - 11.50 a.m. St Martins Community Centre

August 7 / 1st Frid Play Reading: Sandra Harvey 10 a.m.—12.30 group members' homes NO MEETING August 10 / 2nd Mon Gardening: Sally Barrett, 2 p.m.The Rowans,Threapwood, Malpas, Tai Chi: June Self, 2 – 3.00 p.m. Memorial Hall NO MEETING

August 11/ 2nd Tues Australian Studies Wendy Lodwick Lowdon, Llynn Rose’s home Corwen, time to be arranged

August 12/ 2nd Wed Singing: David Ryan 10.30 a.m.—12.15, Black Poetry Reading and Appreciation: Maggie Quinn, 1.30 – 3.30 p.m. Lion, Oswestry NO MEETING group leader’s home Local History and Archaeology: Dave Stirling and John Scorer, 2 – 4 p.m. Oswestry Cricket Club Art Appreciation: Pat Evans, 2-4 p.m. Jan Singleton’s stained glass workshop at Pandy, Glyn Ceiriog Family History: Nicki Carmody, 4.30 – 5.30 p.m. Oswestry Library, NO MEETING Quilting: Carol Fahey, 2 p.m. Group Leader’s home

August 13/2nd Thurs Anti-ageing Aerobics: Lorna Borland, 10.20 a.m. Rail Rattlers: Wendy Lodwick Lowdon, 2 - 4 p.m. Black Lion, – 11.50 a.m. St Martins Community Centre Book Group: Sandra Harvey 10.30 - 12 noon Oswestry group members' homes August 14/2nd Frid

Sunday August 16 Travel: Pam Broomby, 9.30 a.m. Trip to Croft Castle and Ludlow Food Centre. Tai Chi: June Self, 2 – 3.00 p.m. Memorial Hall NO MEETING Coffee Get-Together, Lepones,10.30 a.m. ICT Skills: Jane Davies, 1—3 p.m. leader’s home. NO MEETING August 17/3rd Mon

August 18/3rd Tues

August 19/3rd Wed Oswestry Borders U3A Members' Meeting 2—4 p.m. The Centre, August 20/3rd Thurs Anti-ageing Aerobics: Lorna Borland, 10.20 a.m. Aspiring Music Makers: Anne Lynch Jane Davies, NO MEETING - 11.50 a.m. St Martins Community Centre

August 21/3rd Frid Scrabble for Fun: Mary Higgins, 2.30 p.m. group leader’s home Organising Travel: Pam Broomby, 3 p.m. Lion Quays August 24/4th Mon Walking: John Scorer and Dave Pass dates, Tai Chi: June Self, 2 – 3.00 p.m. Memorial Hall NO MEETING times and locations vary according to weather tbd August 25/4th Tues

August 26/4th Wed Singing: David Ryan 10.30 a.m.—12.15, Black Film Goers: Jane Asterley, 1.30 p.m. Group Leader’s home Lion, Oswestry NO MEETING August 27/4th Thurs Anti-ageing Aerobics: Lorna Borland, 10.20 a.m. Lunch Club: Joy Burgess, 12—2 p.m. Queens Head - 11.50 a.m. St Martins Community Centre

August 28/4th Frid Photography: Celia Todd 10.30 a.m., tbd Bird Watching: Pam Broomby, date and location varies

Page 10 Borders Bulletin Volume 3 Issue 3

Future events

Date Speaker and Members Meetings

August 5 Gareth Owen, Manager of The Pavilion Oswestry Borders U3A Borders Theatre, Rhyl, - a light-hearted talk on his Bulletin contact information work and the people he has met All contributions to Editor, Jane Davies August 19 tbd

September 2 An information session with speakers on several topics of interest

September 16 OBU3A Interest Groups Fair

October 7 Psychology and Homicide – Paul Cordey

OctoberDate 21 Bird WatchingSpeaker Interestand Members Group Meetings

November 4 Book Artists: Great Illustrators from Durer Fulfilling a lifetime ambition, to Matisse – Sarah Gathercole Margaret Houghton lets go on the drum kit at the recent November 18 A Significant Object ‘Percussion’ Speaker meeting. December 2 My Kind of Music and All That Jazz – Derek Family History Harrison

Taking a break from our December 16 The Christmas Event independent family history studies, members

will collaborate on a Australian Studies project about the people The group’s May meeting focused on living in Oswestry during Gallipoli. We heard about Lyn The inevitable possibility of wine tasting was a 20 year span when the O’Connor’s moving experience at the raised and we agreed to make our August Railway came to the cenotaph in London to commemorate two family members, along with so meeting a special event at Lynn Rose's house town. Each member has many men from a number of nations with plenty of wine tasting to celebrate our chosen a street to who died in that war. continued studies, welcome Wendy back to research the people the fold, and make arrangements for our stand While leader Wendy ’s away in living there, find out at the Interest Groups’ Fair in September. about their families and Australia for a few months, the group has kept busy, with book and film Margaret Pritchard their jobs, working from reviews, including ‘The Water Diviner’, local Census records. a film about Gallipoli.

The group will start again In June and July we discussed food (pineapple, mangoes and ginger), and in September, meeting at wine production, exploring the wine Oswestry Library from growers of Australia, their formation, 4.30 to 5.30 p.m. on the marketing and percentage of the second Wednesday of global market, and how they have each month. been affected by the boom in Australia. Members of the Poetry Group Nicki Carmody Page 11 Borders Bulletin Interest Groups Information Volume 3, Issue 3

Subject LEADER DAY, FREQUENCY, LOCATION

Anti-ageing aerobics Lorna Borland Weekly, Thursday, 10.20 a.m. St Martins Community Centre Art Appreciation Pat Evans Monthly, 4th Wednesday, 2—4 p.m. Location varies Art / Collage Sue Townsend Monthly, 1st Monday , 2—4 p.m. at group leader’s home Aspiring Music Anne Lynch, Monthly, 3rd Thursday, 2—4 p.m. Anne Lynch’s home

Australian Studies Wendy Lodwick Lowdon Monthly, 2nd Tuesday, 2—4 p.m. at Oswestry Cricket Club Bird Watching Pam Broomby By arrangement Book Sandra Harvey Monthly, 2nd Tuesday, 10.30am – 12.00 at group members’

Coffee Chat Anne Lynch 1st and 3rd Monday of each month, 10.30 a.m. Lepones, Os- westry, open to all members Family History Nicki Carmody Monthly, 2nd Wednesday, 4.30—5.30 p.m. Library (room hire

Film Goers Jane Asterley Monthly, 4th Wednesday, 1.30 p.m. Group Leader’s home to

Garden Sally Barrett Monthly, 2nd Monday, 2 p.m. Group Visits, shared research on

German for Beginners Sandra Harvey, Wendy Twice monthly, variable times and locations, group members’ Lodwick Lowdon, Ann homes Cudmore ICT Skills and Project Jane Davies Monthly, Project: 1st Thursday 10.30 a.m. – 12.30. Skills: 3rd

Local History and David Stirling and John Monthly, 2nd Wednesday 2 - 4 p.m. Oswestry Cricket Club and Archaeology Scorer other various locations Lunch Club Joy Burgess Monthly, 4th Thursday, 12—2 p.m. Alternating Sweeney Hall

Organising Travel Pam Broomby Monthly, 4th Tuesday, 10 a.m.—12 noon. Members’ homes Photography Celia Todd Monthly, 4th Friday 10.30 a.m. at different locations Play Reading Sandra Harvey Monthly 1st Friday, 10. 30 a.m. at members’ homes Poetry Reading & Maggie Quinn Monthly, 2nd Wednesday, 1.30 – 3.30 p.m. at members’ homes

Quilting Carol Fahey Monthly, 2nd Wednesday 2 p.m. Group Leader’s home Rail Rattlers Wendy Lodwick Lowdon Monthly, 2nd Thursday, 2 p.m. Black Lion Oswestry Scrabble for Fun Mary Higgins Monthly, 3rd Friday, 2.30 p.m. Group Leader’s home Singing David Ryan Twice monthly, 2nd and 4th Wednesdays 10.30 a.m.– 12.15 at Black Lion, Oswestry Tai Chi June Self Weekly, Mondays, 2-3 p.m. Memorial Hall, Oswestry Walking John Scorer and David Monthly, 4th Monday, time, date and location varies

Page 12