This Newsletter
is published on the Internet simultaneously with the printing. If any material relating to any individual
should not be so published, please contact the Editor.
West
Oxford U3A is a registered charity and has a Constitution setting out how we go
about the business of running the group. The National Office wants all
U3As which are registered as charities to change the objects clause in the
Constitution so that it reads that the purpose of the U3A is ‘The advancement
of education and, in particular, the education of older people and those who
are retired from full time work by all means, including associated activities
conducive to learning and personal development’
At
the AGM to be held on 25 June a resolution to make this change will be put and
members will need to vote on it.
If
you have any questions or views about this it will be helpful if these are
known in advance of the AGM. Please contact Lis Froggatt on vicechairman@westoxfordu3a.org.uk or at 34 Binsey Lane OX2 0EX
ANNUAL
GENERAL MEETING
Formal notice
is given that the Annual General Meeting of West Oxford U3A will be held on Monday, 25 June, 2018 at 2.30pm in Dean
Court Community Centre. The Agenda,
Committee Nomination form and Minutes of the 2017 AGM are appended to this
Newsletter. The Constitution may be
inspected at any time by application to our Acting Secretary, Mrs Lis
Froggatt. If anyone has any matter that
he/she wishes to raise at the AGM, please contact Lis Froggatt, 34 Binsey Lane,
Oxford OX2 OEX (01865 249828) with
details before 18 June, 2018.
SUMMER
LUNCHEON – MONDAY, 9 JULY, 2018
We have decided to have the Summer Luncheon at The Spires Hotel, Abingdon Road, Oxford OX1
4PS. The cost is £19.00 per head for a buffet lunch and
coffee, including gratuities. Any drinks
should be paid for on an individual basis.
Tickets are available either at the Monday afternoon meetings or from
Elizabeth Stevens, 104 Kennington Road, Kennington, Oxford OX1 5PE. (Cheques should be made payable to West
Oxford U3A).
VISIT TO
SUDELEY CASTLE ON THURSDAY, 14 JUNE 2018
An application form for the visit to Sudely Castle is to be found
at the back of this Newsletter.
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TVN EVENT DAYS – 2018
Please note that there is a link to the TVN website from the Links Button on this website.
This book is now red not blue, it is to be found on the table at
the back of the hall.
Please keep checking this for any Events (formerly called study days) and also the TVN website.
Photography was a big
success and has now got a waiting list for those wishing to re-apply for 17 May.
This, too, is fully booked but always worth seeing if there are any
cancellations
Kelmscott is also fully booked with a waiting list for
future visits.
The Drama of Dunkirk is also fully booked but, again, a
waiting list is open for those wishing to apply.
Polar Exploration will be
booking shortly so please keep trying the TVN site, as usual. This will probably book very fast.
Website Building with Wordpress – TBA.
Medicine and Art – TBA.
Even
if dates are fully booked it is always worth contacting the organizer to be put
on the waiting list as cancellations do occur.
Details are available in TVN folder.
For anyone wishing to go to these Event days please see
Kay/Lorna/Beverley as transport may be available, there is also a very good bus
service to Benson.
More will be advertised as they become available so please keep
checking the red book/board at the meetings to keep up to date.
Please also check
TVN and our website regularly for additions as several others are in the
pipeline. ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
YOUR NEWSLETTER from Elizabeth Stevens
Please
send all contributions,
notices, etc. for the next issue covering
July/August 2018 to: Elizabeth Stevens, 104 Kennington Road, Kennington,
Oxford OX1 5PE (01865 739252) not later
than Friday, 22 June 2018.
A reminder that the current issue can always be
found on http://www.westoxfordu3a.org.uk/
MONDAY TALKS IN DEAN COURT COMMUNITY CENTRE, PINNOCKS WAY – EVERYONE
WELCOME
Meetings are normally held on the 2nd and 4th
Mondays of each month from 2.30 pm onwards. There is always an opportunity for
tea and biscuits and a chat from approx 3.45pm.
All are welcome, and we extend an open invitation to any visitors who
might like to come along and meet us.
14 May: Mark Davies – James Sadler, the first
English Aeronaut
Mark is a historian who lives on a barge in Oxford. His research is largely about Oxford
characters, stories and places.
‘King
of Balloons’ James Sadler, defied constraints of his upbringing to build and
fly a hot air balloon in Oxford 1784.
Subsequently, he had a career as an engineer, designer of armaments and
a chemist in the Navy. He and his son
set numerous records while ballooning from some 40 towns in 40 years. Despite his achievements, he ended his days
in Oxford in impoverished obscurity, dying in 1828.
Mark will give us an informative and amusing afternoon.
21 May:
Aidrian Wright - Distraction Burglary and Other Criminal Occurrences
This is a change from the original speaker who has retired from
public speaking
Aidy Wright is a local policeman who is based at Abingdon and has
worked in the area for at least 10 years and therefore knows it well. He is
planning to talk to us about distraction burglary and fraud with the aim of
helping us recognise it and give us ideas as to how best to deal with it. This
is, fortunately, a low crime area but criminal events have been on the increase
recently so I hope some more ideas as to how to discourage them will be
welcome.
11 June: Mark Walsh – ‘Here’s a funny
thing’. A biographal talk on the life
and times of the comedy legends George Formby and Max Miller
Since his childhood, Mark’s idol has been the ‘one and only George
Formby’ OBE. Well known singer
And comedian in 1930s and 1940s, one of his best known songs being
‘With my little stick of Brighton Rock.’
Max Miller, known as ‘The Cheeky Chappie’ was widely regarded as
the greatest stand-up comedian of his
generation.
Mark will present a biographical talk with a flavor of these
iconic entertainers. His presentation
has been
described as ‘This Act is sheer Joy’.
25 June:
Roger Umpelby - X-rated Invertebrates’ Savagery and Sex in the Garden
Roger Umpelby is an experienced Entomologist and a Horticultural
Advisor to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). He has widespread speaking
engagements and is a lecturer at Pershore Horticultural College. He has agreed
to come and talk to us about the minibeasts in our gardens, especially their
darker side! It should prove to be an entertaining way of rounding off this
series of talks with some excellent illustrations and valuable knowledge even
if you are not a keen gardener!
AGM first, Cakes and Tea afterwards. Do come.
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FULL DETAILS OF SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS (SIG) MEETINGS
ART HISTORY/APPRECIATION (10 members) Contact: Terence
Carter (01865 863379)
Visits to the Ashmolean Museum normally take place on the
second Tuesday or the second Thursday of each month, meeting just inside the
main entrance to the Museum. For other locations, directions will be given.
Please let Terence know if you would like to attend. There are spaces available
in this group.
Thursday 17
May, at the Ashmolean Museum.
- A Century of Women in Chinese Art: This
spring exhibition, in the Chinese Painting Gallery, presents a diverse selection of
representations of women in Chinese art over the past 100 years.
- The Tale of Prince Vessantara: This,
the most popular story in the Buddhist world, recounts one of the Buddha’s
previous incarnations as Prince Vessantara, and symbolises the virtue of
generosity.
Meet at the
Museum at 2.30 pm for these free but unguided exhibitions.
Tuesday 12
June, at the Ashmolean Museum.
America’s
Cool Modernism: This major exhibition showcases significant examples of American
art produced in the early 20th century. It is supported by the
Metropolitan Museum of Art and organised by the Ashmolean Museum and the Terra
Foundation for American Art.
Meet at the
Museum at the later time of 3 pm for this guided tour. Anticipated charge
(concessions): £11.25 - may be less with a National Art Pass.
BRIDGE
Contact:
Annie Lorton (01367 718331)
We
are a friendly group of around 22 players who have a game every Wednesday
starting at 2.00pm and finishing around 5.00pm. We meet in each other’s
houses and all can play bridge to an enjoyable level. We alternate the sessions
with one being a bit more structured playing Chicago, and the other {Splinter}
session being a time to learn through playing Rubber Bridge, with pauses to
discuss hands as required.
This
is not a group for total beginners but please enquire if you have a basic
knowledge of Bridge and would like to know more. We are fairly full at the moment, but if you
are interested, I can put you on our reserve list.
We
are starting a new group for Beginners on May 1st. Anyone who is
interested should ring me for further details.
CHURCHES AND PUBS (25 members)
Co-ordinator:
Brian Cox (01865 872720)
We meet on the first Friday of each calendar month at
the church to be visited and lunch together afterwards, usually at a local
village pub. Members need to pay for
their lunch please and also, from time to time, arrange and lead one of our
future visits. Potential new members should send their email code to briancox30@btinternet.com who will provide further details together with
a copy of the current programme of visits.
CINEMA GROUP – 1 (new members welcome) Contact: Lis Froggatt (01865 249828)
Cinema Group 1 is the renamed Cinema Group 3, but that
is the only difference. We meet monthly on the second Tuesday at The
Punter pub on Osney Island at 12.30 pm to discuss over lunch films we have
seen and plan to see. New members most welcome lis.froggatt@entitledto.co.uk
CINEMA GROUP - 2 (10 members) Contacts: Pam and David Eyton (pameyton@gmail.com)
We meet on the second Thursday of the month to discuss
a variety of films (mainly from the Phoenix) over a shared meal in a member’s
house. The membership is restricted to 10
because of the dining arrangements.
If you are interested in going on a waiting list or
being invited when space is available, please e-mail Pam.
COMPUTER USERS’ GROUP (7
members – new members welcome) Contact:
Richard Sills (01865 721644)
All meetings will be held at The Map House,
Vernon Avenue, OX2 9AU at 10.30 am. No meetings in May. We meet again on 4 and 18 June.
CRAFT GROUP
Contact: Sally Strang (01865 240310)
Our next meeting is on Friday, 18 May at Sally’s house.
DISCOVERING MUSIC (7 members – new members welcome) Contact:
John Grimshaw (01865 861949)
These convivial meetings are normally held on the
third Thursday of each month, at 2.15 pm.
We meet in members’ homes and the host introduces and plays recordings,
usually on CD or DVD, of broadly classical music which can be secular or sacred
and can include extracts and arias from opera.
Members freely express their reactions.
We may finish with something in lighter mood.
FRENCH CONVERSATION
Contact: Lyliane Doumeche (01865 429281)
Meetings take place at 10.00 am on the 1st
and 3rd Mondays of each month for advanced French speakers and at 10.00 am on the 2nd and 4th Mondays
of each month for intermediate
French speakers, with some exceptions for holidays, bank holidays etc. If you are new, please contact me beforehand
either by phone or by e-mail at doumechehall@hotmail.co.uk Soyez les bienvenu(e)s!
GARDEN CLUB
Contact: Mary Gregory (01865
865887)
Events for the next couple of months include a
“domestic” visit, a plant swap session and a group visit to an NGS garden in
Islip. All interested are welcome to join us – Mary@nandmg.me.uk
LANGUAGES
Contact:
David Taylor (01235 525455)
We have
completed our study of German for the time being, and we shall now turn to
Spanish. Due to the limitations of space, we cannot unfortunately
accommodate any more in the group.
SCRABBLE
Contact:
Margery Dent (01865 862534)
The group meets mostly on the 3rd Monday of the month or on an agreed alternative, from 2 – 4.30 pm. We meet in the homes of different members. Please ring if you are interested in coming.
WALKING GROUP (15 members) Contacts:
Sally Roberts (721596) and Norman Robinson (862845)
Walks normally commence at 10 am on the 2nd
and 4th Fridays of each month
and are arranged a few weeks in advance. It is important to note that if bad
weather threatens, you should ring the named leader of the walk, on the day, to
check whether it is going ahead; otherwise you may have a wasted journey. (If
it is actually raining, the walk will almost certainly be cancelled).
Walks are planned for the second and fourth Fridays
in 2018. Info will be shared on our e-mail link. Walking
boots are always recommended.
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ANNUAL CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 2017-2018
We have had a very successful year with a good variety and quality
of speakers, all due to the hard work of Rosemary Spivey, Cressida Battersby
and, from now on, Mary Gregory. I would
like to thank Mary for joining the Speakers Committee; enough people make life
less stressful for all.
The sound team of Frank Butcher, John Grimshaw and Russell Ansell
have provided a sterling service and turn up for every meeting. They have recently been joined by Clive
Lorton and Martin Lawrey which is much appreciated. Gilliane Sills provides an excellent computer
set up for those for those speakers who need it with background information on
the screen prior to the meeting.
Our Monday meetings wouldn’t be the same without the tea and
biscuits organised by Priscilla Fisher, Elisabeth Sabey and their team, with
cakes on special occasions, giving us an opportunity to chat and get to know
members. Cilla Waugh opens up the hall
and puts out the chairs helped by the sound team and members who arrive
early. Help with the chairs is always
appreciated.
Ian and Cressida kindly hosted 2 new members’ coffee mornings.
Geoff Paver is busy looking after our Website. It is proving a very useful tool for interacting
with the public and encouraging them to become members.
The SIG’s continue to flourish without too many problems. Don’t forget, if you have ideas for a new
group, the committee will be happy to help.
It was lovely to get together for a sandwich lunch with the group
leaders and the helpers. We don’t often
meet up with the group leaders.
We had two very enjoyable
lunches, in the Summer and at Christmas.
Don’t forget to get your tickets for the next one (Monday July 9th). Lorna is currently busy negotiating, It does help her if people can buy their
tickets early.
Unfortunately we had to
cancel our visit to Kew through lack of support. I saw photos of the orchids and they looked
glorious.
TVN has held study/event days on a variety of subjects with more
coming up during the rest of the year. They are always very enjoyable and
Beverley Birmingham our TVN rep lets us know as soon as practicable as booking
early is essential.
Finally, a huge thank you to our Committee members and Elizabeth
Stevens for all their support. Although
Elizabeth Stevens is no longer on the Committee she is still editing the
Newsletter and her 18 years as Secretary is invaluable when any queries arise. Lis Froggatt has been Acting Secretary as
well as Vice-Chairman for the last few months and has been very busy trying to
sort out the endless “correspondence” from the National Office.
Thank you all for your support over my 2 years as Chairman, I am
sure you will extend the same support to your future Chairman and Committee.
Kay Whittle
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MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF WEST OXFORD U3A
Held on Monday, 22 May 2017 at 1430h in Dean Court Community
Centre
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting which was attended
by approximately 60 members. Apologies
were received from Rosemary Spivey, Sally Strang, Priscilla Waugh and Philip
Stevens.
The Minutes of the 2016 Annual General Meeting had been circulated
with the May/June Newsletter and their adoption was proposed by Gordon Balme
and Cressida Battersby. The Minutes were
adopted nem con.
Treasurer’s
Report:
Ian presented the Summary Accounts for 2016-2017 which had been
certified by our Independent Examiner, Tony Wyatt.
He drew the meeting’s attention to the modest surplus, which we
had achieved largely by tighter control over expenditure on such items as
paper, printing and postage. He noted
that the apparent reduction in Hall Hiring fees was caused by his deferment of
the payment for the hall for meetings in the next financial year. Hall payment years will in future be
synchronised with Financial Reporting Years.
This contribution to the apparent surplus will not be repeated.
Adoption of the Treasurer’s report as proposed by Beverley
Birmingham and seconded by Lorna Kohen.
The members of the current Committee, and willing to serve again,
are Ian Battersby, Beverley Birmingham, Janet Farrow, Liz Jones, Lorna Kohen,
Elizabeth Stevens and Kay Whittle. Lis
Froggatt was nominated to become a member of the Committee.
Lorna Kohen proposed and Sheila Slater seconded the motion that
the Committee be elected en bloc and this was carried unanimously.
Tony Wyatt has agreed to be the scrutineer of our accounts and
this appointment was proposed by Richard Sills and seconded by Lis Froggatt.
Any other
business:
There was no further business and the Annual General Meeting
closed with a talk by Nick Baker on “The Mappa Mundi – What on earth is it?”
Chairman
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ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF WEST OXFORD U3A
Notice is
hereby given that the Annual General Meeting will be held on Monday, 25 June
2018 at 1430h in Dean Court Community Centre
A G E N D A
1. Welcome and Apologies
for Absence
2. Adoption of Minutes of
2017 Annual General Meeting (circulated with Newsletter issue 147)
3. Treasurer’s Report
4. Committee Elections: Nominations must be provided to Mrs. Lis
Froggatt, 34 Binsey Lane, Oxford OX2 OEX,
vicechairman@westoxfordu3a.org.uk in writing, no later than 3 weeks prior to
the Annual General Meeting ie. by Monday,
4 June 2018 at the latest – see Nomination Form circulated with Newsletter
issue 147.
5. Appointment of
scrutineer of accounts
6. Other Business (items
should be submitted in writing to Mrs. Lis Froggatt (as above) at least 1 week
in advance of the Annual General Meeting)
7. Closure of Meeting
After the AGM there will be a talk by Roger Umpelby on “X-rated invertebrates’ savagery and sex in
the garden” PLEASE BRING THIS
AGENDA WITH YOU TO THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
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NOMINATION FOR THE COMMITTEE OF WEST OXFORD U3A – TO BE CONSIDERED
AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING ON 25 JUNE 2018
I nominate (printed)
...............................................................................................for
election to the Committee of
West Oxford U3A to serve for one year from May 2018
Proposed by
.....................................................................................................................................................................................
I second the nomination
.....................................................................................................................................................................................
I, being nominated above, duly agree to serve on the above-named
Committee
Printed
name of Candidate
........................................................................................................................................
Signature
of Candidate
...............................................................................................................................................
Date of delivery of nomination to Mrs. Froggatt
........................................................................................................ TO
PRINT THE ABOVE NOMINATION FORM PLEASE CLICK ON THE
FOLLOWING LINK WHICH WILL OPEN IT IN A SEPARATE WINDOW Nomination Form
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WEST OXFORD U3A
A visit to Sudeley Castle on Thursday 14 June 2018
This castle
has something for everyone. A rich
history with many royal connections, it was once the home of Katherine Parr,
the last of Henry VIII’s wives. Her
tomb is in the 15th century church in the grounds. The castle’s various exhibitions (mostly on
the two upper floors, without a lift) include:
paintings by Rubens, Van Dyke and Turner; Tudor miniatures; mementoes of
Katherine Parr, a published author; an extensive needlework display with Anne
Boleyn’s work and Elizabeth I’s christening gown; and William Morris stained
glass windows. On the ground floor
there is a David Starkey video about the castle.
Ten (award-winning)
gardens include a rose garden with over 100 varieties of roses, the knot
garden, and the queens garden where four queens of England walked. The pheasantry has rare and endangered bird
species for conservation.
The tour
starts with a 35 minute introductory talk during which we will have tea or
coffee and biscuits (included) followed by questions. The coffee shop is at the entrance. The terrace restaurant is in the banqueting
hall.
Cost: Entrance, coach and driver’s tip - £32.00
Coach pick
up: Hids Copse Road at 8.30 am
Seacourt Bridge Pub - 8.45 am
Seacourt Park & Ride - 9.00 am
We expect to
start back at 3.30 pm ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOOKING
FORM
West Oxford U3A Sudeley
Castle 14 June 2018
To: Joyce
Encer, 37 Barn Close, Cumnor Hill, Oxford OX2 9JP
Phone
01865 861949
I/We wish to
book ....... places
Enclosed
cheque for £..............payable to West Oxford U3A
Name(s)
......................................................................................................................................................................
Address.........................................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................................................
Board the coach
at ............................................................ Contact
phone.................................................
Email................................................................
Mobile no
.........................................................................
(for
emergency on the day only)
Acknowledgment
will be by email unless a stamped addressed envelope is enclosed
DEADLINE for
applications: 24 May
CANCELLATIONS:
We can only refund in full if there is a waiting list or if you find a
replacement
TO
PRINT THE ABOVE BOOKING FORM PLEASE CLICK ON THE
FOLLOWING LINK WHICH WILL OPEN IT IN A SEPARATE WINDOW Sudeley_Booking_Form
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