Photo by Donna Ambler NEWSLETTER Bourne End & District U3A Reg. Charity 1178428 AUTUMN 2019 Chairman’s Message Your Committee has met three times since the previous newsletter was published. We have worked through how to claim back the 25% gift aid on subscriptions, which will have a positive effect on next year's fees. We have reviewed the format for the monthly meetings so that now we give brief updates before rather than after the talk. We have also set up a communication system through Sue Weston for members who prefer to be alerted about U3A events by phone rather than by email (see Reminders at the end of this newsletter). Our membership numbers have again exceeded 400 this year and the range of activities continues to grow. We are also wanting to increase our value to the community by linking more with local organisations, such as through social prescribing from GPs. Other ideas welcome. This and all previous newsletters have been put together by Brian and Hilary Jackson. As planned, at the next AGM in March they will be stepping down, so need to hand over to a new collator/ editor. They are happy for any members who are interested in taking over to join them in compiling the next edition in November. Please contact Brian or Hilary on 01628 525420 or [email protected] for further information. Mike Bellamy - Chairman of the Executive Committee Words from the Groups Coordinator Some of our many groups have had a bit of a break over the summer but others have carried on, such is the enthusiasm of their members. There are spaces in some groups for new members so keep an eye on the convenor reports in the newsletter and feel free to get in touch with me to see what might be available to you or if you have ideas for other activities. At least two new groups are up and running and others are planning to start. I have been looking at some other U3A websites and we have as many interest groups as some of the very well established U3As so I think we should feel very pleased with ourselves. There are some interesting ideas which we might be able to develop – archaeology, geology, poetry? And although our board games group is no longer running, I know many U3As have a specific Scrabble group. Let me know what you would like to be involved in or even convene… [email protected] 07752 454009 Vivienne Strayton - Groups Coordinator 1 Monthly Meetings for all Bourne End & District U3A Members SEPTEMBER 24th The Work of the Thames Valley Air Ambulance Learn about the fantastic service the team offer across Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. One of their volunteers will join us to explain more about their life- saving work and to answer your questions about their invaluable service. OCTOBER 22nd The Miller of Mapledurham Cory Starling will cover the history of the Mapledurham Water Mill, how the machinery works, the difference in the flours the Miller produces, what he will be doing in the future and a brief explanation about the Archimedes turbine adjoining the mill and their new Tours & Tearoom venture. NOVEMBER 26th Wycombe District Neighbourhood Watch Association A talk by Director of Operations Geoff Pegg on Doorstop Crime, Postal and Telephone Scams, and David Gresswell talking about Cyber Crime. There will also be a table display of crime prevention literature and of inexpensive crime prevention products. DECEMBER 17th Bourne End & District U3A Christmas party. To get you into the Christmas spirit, we will once again host a Christmas party at the Community Centre, with party food and desserts, mulled wine, Christmas quizzes and entertainment. Look out at the end of October for more details of this event and get your tickets early. GROUP NEWS Aerobics Class Convenor Leah Thompson 01628 522409 [email protected] We have space for more people, why not come along and try us out? If you are interested, contact me (Leah) as the convenor. We meet in St Mark’s Church Hall, Station Rd, Bourne End, every Tuesday from 11am to 12noon. Each session costs £2 to cover the costs of hiring the hall. Art Appreciation Convenor Sue Weston 01628 520728 [email protected] Following an interesting visit to Compton Verney and a study of the arts and crafts movement earlier in the year, during the latter part of 2019 we will each be looking at the women artists whose work excites us, the development of photography and its impact on art, and David Hockney, through his art and photography. We meet on the 3rd Wednesday of the month in Bourne End library from 1pm to 3pm. 2 Bird Watching Convenor Jim Rose 07957 254723 [email protected] (preferred) In July the group met at Ivinghoe Beacon and we walked to Pitstone Hill looking for birds along the way. While there were plenty of butterflies, interesting birds were a little hard to find, the best being a Corn Bunting which a few group members saw. However, on the way back to Bourne End we stopped off at the disused Canal at Wendover where we had excellent views of a Great White Egret (see photo), a scarce species in Buckinghamshire. In August we visited a new site for the group and that was Dorney Common and the Jubilee River. Here we managed to see a total of 47 species of birds with another 4 being heard. The best of these were passage migrants, with three Ringed Plovers and a Dunlin seen on a flooded area of the common and a Wheatear on a fence on a farm along the edge of the common. It was a pleasant walk enjoyed by all. Meetings are normally held on the 3rd Wednesday of the month starting at 9.30am at various locations, usually within a 45 minute drive from Bourne End. The convenor notifies group members of the location a few days before the meeting is due to be held. Book Group Convenors Andy Becker [email protected] Fritha Irwin 07891 421096 [email protected] We are a lovely stable group of 14 people and usually have around 9/10 attending each meeting. In the last few months we have read a variety of books and, yet again, had mixed views on them, especially the July book. In June we read ‘The Banker’s Wife’ by Christine Alger and scored it as 6. In July we read ‘The Life to Come’ by Michelle De Kretser and after long discussions scored it as 3.5. For August we are reading ‘The House on the Strand’ by Daphne Du Maurier, having decided to try a classic for a change. We meet in the café at Flowerland Garden Centre in the raised sitting area at the back on the last Thursday of each month at 2.30pm. We would welcome new members, please email either convenor to let us know that you would like to come. Bridge Convenor Janet Irvine 07940 272761 [email protected] We are a friendly group of mixed ability. When we started in April 2018 several players were complete beginners or quite inexperienced. They are now competent players and we all have a good time. New members are always welcome. We meet from 10am to 12noon on Fridays in the Target Room at Bourne End Community Centre. 3 Bus & Walk Convenor Bernard Johns 01628 521936 [email protected] (preferred) Leader Jane Dunsterville. A magical touch was added to a gentle, level walk along the river bank when a very beautiful family of swans glided over to see us. Seconds after this photo was taken, the magic was shattered by an aggressive little terrier bursting onto the scene. The parents had everything well under control at once, and we helped to distract the dog. 1. Peace was restored. We hear that the family is still complete with seven young, all in good health. 2.Then after a brief consultation - off to Cookham and the bus home. 3.The hottest day of the year presented Walk Leader Jane Dunsterville with the greatest challenge so far. Starting from this south-facing hillside view of Little Marlow and the Thames, she explained how Flackwell Heath was split between three other Parishes. In those days, births, marriages, deaths and schooling meant a trip to Little Marlow, Wooburn, or Loudwater. Keen now to take advantage of some shade, we followed the old Trade Routes across the Common, passing some of the oldest cottages, heading for the refreshing coolness of Fennels Wood. Down Treadaway Hill, on the shady northern slopes of the hill, we soon found an easy walk under the trees along the old railway line towards Kingsmead, and a bus home. Our meeting day is the first Wednesday of every month. We meet up (rain or shine) at the bus stop adjacent to Bourne End railway station. We meet there with bus passes, at 10am. All the walks are easy and level or downhill. The outings usually take up about two hours (bus+walk/talk+bus) and always start and finish at the railway station. The buses towards Cookham are not conveniently timed for us to ride first, so we have been starting by walking in that direction and then returning on the 11:48am bus back to Bourne End. The news items above have been contributed by various members of the group. 4 Calligraphy Convenor Ruby Lunn 01628 522721 [email protected] We are a small group and would welcome newcomers. We share ideas and skills. We are on a break from calligraphy in August but meet again in the Library in Wakeman Road, Bourne End, from 1.30pm to 3.15pm on the following dates, Tuesday, 10 September, Tuesday, 15 October, Tuesday, 12 November, Tuesday, 10 December.