Last month I told you about a slight change in how the newsletters were sent out. It would seem that several of you did not understand, did not remember, or just got a tad confused. So to assist you in remembering I will say it again, louder and slower: I ….STILL…. WRITE ….THE ….NEWSLETTER. …MARY ….DULY EMAILS… THEM …OUT. Got that? So if you have anything you wish published please still send it to me. There is loads and loads of good stuff in this newsletter so I will let you get on with reading it! 
Mandi Simons
SPEAKER: Our speaker this month on Thursday 28th J
uly is Sally Botwright talking on ‘The history of the City of London’ Doors open at 2pm unless you want to help set up the hall!
TRIPS AND VISITS: There are three places left on the duck tour (due to cancellations for ill health) and the few of you who haven’t paid, could you please do so! I will let you have the times etc next week. Thanks. Mandi Simons
CHRISTMAS MEAL: Payment is now due. Carol will be at the August monthly meeting to collect money or contact her on 01296 614186 or carolwtu3a@hotmail.co.uk
50+ Show Birmingham 2015. We are proposing to visit this on Friday 13th February 2015, cost will be approximately £21.00 per head. It will be a full day leaving around 0830a.m. The Show focuses on four key topics: Hobbies, Health, Crafts and Travel. We have opened up a provisional list for interested parties. Please either sign up at the General Meeting on the 28th August or let Mary Duly/Mandi Simons/ Dave Johnson know if you wish your name added to the list.
Extreme Gourmet:Last year, some of our most popular “Extreme Events” were Food/Drink related (Ice Bar, Burns, Crazy Bear and Beaujolais Nouveau). We now have three volunteers Rosemary Williams, Pam Wilson and Mary Duly who will ensure this Gourmet thread continues. Their first offering is a visit to Chiltern Brewery on 24th October at 15:00 at £12.50pp for a maximum of 24 connoisseurs. Payment (due with booking) by cheque to “Weston Turville U3A(Travel)” now due. Finalised itinerary and logistics will be circulated nearer the event. Contact Rosemary, Pam or Mary email extreme@wtu3a.org.uk. Reserve 17th June in your diaries for a Jazz Picnic (details to follow) Also Prepare for Beaujolais Nouveau, Burns, Russian New Eve etc. and putting on a little weight.
Abseil the Spinnaker:25th or 15th May 2015 On half a dozen weekends/bank holidays in 2015, it is possible for the public to Abseil 100m down the side of the Spinnaker, group bookings for up to 12 are allowed. It is also possible to privately hire the facility for a group of up to 40 midweek and in term time. In both cases the experience costs about £85 + transport. www.spinnakertower.co.uk/whats-on/Abseiling.aspx To help us plan this extreme visit, we would like to know if you would participate in:- Option 1 = a group of up to 12 from Weston Turville U3A, using a self-drive minibus on 25th May (a bank holiday Monday). Option 2 = a combined group with other U3A’s , on 29th May in a chauffeured coach if there is sufficient demand from Weston Turville.
Race Car Simulator (& Tummies). 17th October £30 (for Race Hut Challenge) +£10 (deposit for lunch).The Race Hut facility is purposely designed and built to allow drivers of all abilities to enjoy the thrill of racing and compete in a great selection of cars on the very best circuits from around the world. Payment of £40 by cheque to “Weston Turville U3A(Travel)” by September meeting. Contact Adrian or Trevor email extreme@wtu3a.org.uk or tel. 0777 150 6055
Behind the Scenes at Brighton Racecourse (Now also open for Sightseers!):15th September £51 (including Coach from Weston Turville, Behind the scenes tour of the Racecourse, Premier enclosure ticket, £2 Tote betting voucher, Raceday programme, One drink voucher). We are not currently constrained on numbers, but need to make a final decision on coach size next week – Places still available. Payment of £51 by cheque to “Weston Turville U3A(Travel)” now due. Finalised itinerary and logistics will be circulated nearer the event. Also let us know if you are interested in a seat on the U3A Brighton Racecourse coach for a daytrip to Brighton – without visiting the Racecourse at £21. Contact Adrian or Trevor email extreme@wtu3a.org.uk or tel. 0777 150 6055
Extreme Campanology: 6th November £32 (including Coach from Weston Turville, Guided Tour of Carillon Tower, and Bell foundry Tour). The Carillon Tower which is not normally open mornings or in the winter, have agreed to open for us and provide a tour – that includes the 47 John Taylor bells. There are plenty of alternatives to this component of the trip should you be unable to climb the stairs. This is another surprise sell-out event, just one place still available. Unfortunately, there is a very finite limit of 35 around the Bell Foundry. That does mean there will be a couple of spare places on the coach should anyone fancy a day trip to Loughborough. A neighbouring U3A has been inspired by the response to this trip and are considering repeating it in March; they are offering to accommodate our wait-list when their members have had the first option on places. Payment of £32 by cheque to “Weston Turville U3A (Travel)” due next month. Finalised itinerary and logistics will be circulated nearer the event. Contact Adrian or Trevor email extreme@wtu3a.org.uk or tel. 0777 150 6055
HISTORIC BUILDINGS: October 10th Osterley Park and House. Cost £12.50. National Trust extra. Leave Chandos at 10.15 shops at 10.20. Please pay at august meeting. Ceinwyne Jones
GARDEN VISITS: For the garden visit to Broughton Grange on Thursday September 11th I have 6 places available leaving Weston Turville at 1pm. Total price £23.00. www.broughtongrange.com
I have 2 places only for St Albans Cathedral Flower Festival on Thursday 25th September pick up at 9.10am at Weston Turville.Leave St Albans 4pm. Total price £22.00. For anyone who missed out on the booking for Highgrove Gardens on Friday October 3rd I have just 1 ticket that has been made available due to a cancellation. Total price £43.00 www.highgrovegardens.com Gaynor Edwards
VISITING CHURCHES GROUP: Unfortunately Margaret Baynes has been very poorly recently but is now improving. I know you all wish her a full recovery very soon. Margaret has still managed to finalise arrangements for our next 2 visits and hopes to be with us for our forthcoming visit. This will be on the THIRD Wednesday in September, namely 17th, and will involve two churches; St Margaret’s, Tyler’s Green (a charming Victorian building) and nearby Holy Trinity, Penn (from late 12th century with much historical detail). Afternoon tea will be provided by the church helpers for an all in cost of £5 per head. If you would like to join us please visit our table at the monthly meeting on Thursday 28th August, or contact John Richardson richardson1688@gmail.com .I shall mail further details to Group Members shortly. As always new members are cordially welcome.
POETRY 1: Poetry 1 now meets on the third THURSDAY in the month. Please amend your books accordingly! Diana Richmond
OVERSEAS NEWS: NEW YEARS DAY (2015) CONCERT at the BARBICAN HALL, LONDON
Thursday, 1st January, 2015 at 2.30pm, The London Concert Orchestra. Leaving The Bell, Aston Clinton (11.30am) and Tring Church (11.40am). (Arriving in time for a light lunch before the concert). Aston Clinton U3A have some spare tickets for this concert. The programme includes The Hebrides Overture, The Liberty Bell March, Finlandia, Swan Lake Finale, the Pearl Fishers Duet (and much more)with a ‘last night at the Proms’ finale. It is described as ‘a traditional celebration of great classical and light-hearted music’.
Cost (including the coach) is £39 and cheques payable to Aston Clinton U3A (Travel) can be given to me at the Aston Clinton U3A General Meeting or posted to reach me by Friday, 12th September. Gloria Crellin (01442 828996) 51 Miswell Lane, Tring, HP23 4DD.
Whilst WTU3A cannot endorse any commercial company for obvious reasons, we can recommend you use trusted tradesmen because that’s what the police and trading standards recommend we all use. Diana Richmond is collating details of such people and would welcome your recommendations. Her details are in the yellow book. So if you have used a tradesman or company that you would trust to do a good job and be honest; please let us know so that none of our members get conned or scammed.