I was going to wish you all a Happy New Year but it seems so long ago that I have forgotten all about it! January is also running out so I thought I would tell you about February instead… Did you know that Candlemas is celebrated on 2nd February? This is because it is based on an ancient festival which celebrates the midpoint of winter: it being halfway between the shortest day and the spring equinox. There is evidently some weather lore which surrounds this day which states that if the weather is good we have bad weather ahead for February and March and if it is bad: the weather will improve! Well that cleared that up then. Oh and if your Christmas decorations are still up after 12th night then you have to leave them up until Candlemas. On the 3rd February – There is the ‘Blessing the Throats’ at St Etheldreda’s Church, Ely Place, London. Throat complaint sufferers are blessed by invoking St Blaise, the patron Saint of people with throat problems. Bet you didn’t know that!
Mandi Simons
COMMITTEE MEMBERS REQUIRED: I mentioned it briefly last year that we will be in need of one, maybe two new committee members from April (AGM). I have been sent a short paragraph from an existing committee member telling her experiences!
As someone who retired from the business world, and wondered what I would do with myself when I retired, yes I was one of those people who left home at 7am in the morning got home sometime in the evening, grabbed something to eat and then carried on with conference calls until midnight plus. I made a conscientious decision not to get involved with anything for the first two years, and yes I slept for the first year of retirement, not realising how tired I was.
Out of the blue I received an email from my daughter “Mum have you heard about the U3A?” No … As with anything in life within the next three days I heard about 3 U3A’s here in this area.
I found there was a group in Weston Turville, took a deep breath and went to a monthly meeting, the Chairman just happened in her talk (yes we all know her) asked for volunteers. In trepidation I introduced myself and asked what type of volunteer they were looking for, told her my skills, and was immediately asked to come on to the Committee to act as back up to the Secretary, and as they say the rest is history, I have never looked back and am so glad I took the“plunge”.
It has opened a new door to me in more ways than one. To any of our members who feel they have something from their ‘working life’ to offer, want to get involved etc. etc. please do not be shy in coming forward. We learn new things, we explore, we make new friends, we make a difference to people’s lives and have great fun in doing it.
You can see we don’t ask for much! Seriously; we do ask that you are enthusiastic, flexible of mind and adaptable to changing environs and enjoy working in a small dedicated team. A sense of humour and a positive outlook is a pre-requisite. It would really help if you were fit enough to assist with the lifting of tables and chairs to help set up the hall for monthly meetings. You have to be able to attend at least 7 of the monthly committee meetings and main meetings. If you would like to know more then please speak to any one of the committee members.
Mandi Simons
VISIT: Globe Theatre –Friday 28th February.
There are still a few places available on this trip so please contact Mary Duly if you wish to come along on trips@btinternet.com . Cost of this trip is £30 per head, full payment is now required. Those that have paid their deposits please note and either pay at the January meeting or send cheque to Mary at 1 Bridle Manor, Halton HP22 5PQ.
GARDEN VISITS:
Visit to Magnolia House NGS Garden Thursday March 6th. I have a few places left for our first visit to Magnolia House, Wooburn Green HP10 OQD on Thursday March 6th.. This is a late morning visit the cost will be £5 to include tea and cake. Anyone who has put their name down on the list and requires a lift or is willing to be a driver please contact me at the main meeting.
Visit to Overstroud Cottage NGS Garden. I will also be taking names for our visit to Overstroud Cottage, Great Missenden HP16 9QE. This will be an afternoon visit on Tuesday April 8th the cost will be £6 to include tea and cake. Again if you require a lift or are willing to be a driver please could you let me know. I will also have a folder for members who are not on email to be able to borrow and see the information on our garden visits for this year. Most of the year’s visits are in the diary on the website if you want to check them out in advance.
Gaynor Edwards
MONEY MATTERS: Thursday 6th February – “An A-Z of arranging the best care home for one of the family” Chris Cain, Director of Grace Care will be talking about all aspects of finding the best care – to include private funding, reluctant parents, staying in own home, NHS funding and ensuring compassionate care etc. Thursday 6th March – “Travel Insurance for the older age group” Absolute Insurance back again to talk about their bespoke service in finding the right travel insurance. What to disclose about your own and close relative’s medical conditions.
Carol Johnson.
WINE APPRECIATION: The Wine Appreciation Group are organising a trip to VINOPOLIS in London on Friday 21st March. We are going for The Classic Package, normally £32 for £20 which includes twelve credits/tokens. A twenty minute demonstration then one to one and a half hours wine tasting! We will be in London in time for lunch before commencing the tour. We have six places remaining on the coach if anyone else would be interested in joining us? The coach price to be fixed when we know how many will be attending! If interested please contact Carol Theobald.
POETRY READING 1 has room for another person. We meet usually the third Tuesday at 2.30 pm in members’ homes. Tea and biscuits provided. Contact Diana Richmond for information. First come first served!
VISITING CHURCHES: Due to ongoing bad health Maggie Coles who has been leading this group can no longer continue as leader. This has been a popular group and the visits enjoyed by its members. Before this group is closed down I am sending out a plea to see if anyone else would like to organise further visits. Maggie can assist but is unable to do it all on her own. Come on: step up to the mark, you know you want to …..
Mandi Simons
HISTORIC BUILDINGS: Visits are being arranged to Oxford Town Hall, Kenwood House and Chiswick House Camellia Festival. More details to follow soon.
Ceinwyne Jones
EXTREME VISITS: Sushi School 14 January – We started the New Year at Sushi school in Yo Sushi Milton Keynes. Fetching chef hats were accompanied by latex gloves kept moist in oil, making photography a challenge. Results looked and tasted great (Editor’s note: I think he means the sushi not the photographs!) Some shopping may also have taken place.
I made an awful mistake asking whether group members would like a Burns event, or a Chinese New Year one. The overwhelming response was both. Lesson learned.
- Burns Luncheon at Twist in Wendover. 27th January One place has become available! If you are interested, contact Adrian. £30 Cheque Payable to “Weston Turville U3A (Travel).
- Chinese New Year Luncheon at the Regal in Berkhamsted. 31st January 3 places available £26.00, Cheque to “Weston Turville U3A (Travel)”
- Krav Maga 14 February 2014 The ultimate self-defence, the instructor isn’t even fazed at the thought of students with new hips, dodgy backs and arthritis. Tring Dojo. £10.00/head. This event is limited to 30 students. Just two places left!
- Pilot a Hovercraft (plus visit to “The Electric Railway Museum”)
- The High Cross Hovercraft Centre (www.hovercraftexperience.com ) has 14th April available and could accommodate 2 groups of 14 students that day for Hovercraft Taster sessions. We are also trying to persuade the Electric Railway Museum at Bagington to open for us that day. To sign up or get further information please speak to Adrian Randall
HOLIDAYS: We have been asked by several people whether we will organise a holiday for our members. We have several members who would like to go away for a week with people they know rather than strangers and we have a dilemma because we do not have anyone who is prepared to arrange and GO on holiday. The holidays are not difficult to arrange through a reputable travel company but we are looking for someone who can assist with this, join the trips team and who is prepared to go on holiday! The only holiday that this U3A has arranged so far was a success and it included the tulip fields of Holland. If you have experience in either arranging holidays or even worked as a travel agent or would like to have a go at arranging one, please contact Mandi Simons. Thank You.
MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS: Membership renewals for 2014 will be due soon and because I know how keen you all are to pay, we will start taking money at the February meeting. The cost will remain the same at £15 and will include the free National U3A magazine delivered to your door.
FIRST AID: At the Group Leaders meeting held this week we covered the subject of basic first aid. It was well received and members were surprised at how much they already knew. The information we used came from the Red Cross site and they have a little quiz to test your knowledge and if you get it right, you get a certificate as well! I thought it may be worth circulating to those people who have access to the internet so here is the link: www.redcross.org.uk/What-we-do/First-aid/Everyday-First-Aid . It will take less than 10 minutes and could save someone’s life or even mine!
Mandi Simons