By the time you receive this January newsletter the end of the first month of the New Year will almost be upon us. So to all those people I have not yet met this year, the committee and I would like to wish you a happy, satisfying, adventurous, educational and healthy New Year. The New Year is traditionally the time for people to make resolutions and changes and the U3A is no exception. You will see in this newsletter that a few changes have occurred over the past months but I trust none will detract 
from your enjoyment of being a WTU3A member. There are lots of things being planned for this year, some like garden visits are already on the website whilst others are still be worked out and we will tell you about them later. We hope that you will enjoy another year with us and indulge yourself with entertaining company, interesting speakers, exciting visits, new adventures and good food!
Mandi Simons Editor
CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE: I would like to inform the members of some changes to the committee. Martin Auger will continue to be a committee member until the AGM but, because of personal circumstances, he finds he is unable to continue as treasurer. Martin has been treasurer since the foundation of Weston Turville U3A. On behalf of the members I would like to thank him for his contributions over the years in keeping us financially in line and in credit! I hope some of you will have the opportunity to wish him well for the future.
The committee have managed to co-opt Arlene Bocking who has kindly volunteered to act as treasurer until the AGM when I hope she will be elected to the committee. Thank you, Arlene, for coming to our aid.
I would also like to inform you that the committee has unanimously elected Mike Bean as Vice Chair. Hopefully he will keep me on my toes. Mike, as web-master and an active group leader, has lots of inside knowledge of WTU3A which we will all benefit from. I look forward to working with him.
Dave Johnson
SPEAKER: This month’s speaker on Thursday 22nd January is Ian Keable on Three Conjurers and a Hoax: an 18th century mystery told through contemporary prints.
TRIPS: Visit to BBC and Wallace Collection in London, Wednesday 6th May 2015
Step inside the exciting world of broadcasting! You are invited to peek behind the scenes of a dynamic live broadcasting hub and hear what goes on at the beating heart of the BBC! Followed by a Private Guided Tour of the Wallace Collection. The Wallace Collection is a national museum in 
an historic London town house. In 25 galleries are unsurpassed displays of French 18th-century painting, furniture and porcelain with superb Old Master paintings and a world class armoury. This will be a full day and cost is £32 per person. Limited to 50 people. Please either sign up at the General Meeting or let Dave Johnson know if you wish your name added to the list.
Visit to 50+ Show has been re-arranged. The Show is taking place at Olympia, London in July 2015 and we are proposing a visit on Tuesday 14th July 2015. It will be a full day leaving around 8.30a.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 or let Mary Duly know if you wish your name added to the list.
IMPORTANT CHANGES TO EXISTING GROUPS: Due to Jean Palmer’s move to Freemantle Court Nursing Home in Stoke Mandeville the Poetry 2 group will now be run by Susan Connolly at 43, Main Street, Weston Turville. The discussion group will now be run by Dorothy Smithies. Barbara Turner has agreed to take charge of the Family History Group.
NEW ART GROUP: A new monthly art group in acrylics and oils is starting in February at Weston Turville Chapel hall every third Thursday morning from 10.00am to 12.30. All are welcome, beginners and seasoned campaigners. Whatever your previous experience; come along and explore the exciting medium of acrylics creating many varied and textured effects. If you are a water colourist, why not broaden your painting experience. Advice and guidance will be on hand from Felicity Thirtle, a local artist who will be running the group.
SEWING: The sewing group are planning a visit to The Knitting and Stitching Show which takes place at Olympia from Thursday 6th to Sunday 8th March. Public transport will be used and tickets can be purchased at £10 each if more than 10 people which to attend.
The Spring Knitting & Stitching Show is the biggest Spring craft show in London, offering over 200 exhibitors selling specialist supplies, hundreds of workshops in a huge range of subjects, plus inspirational features including a knitted farm! Contact Joan Bridges for more information on how to get discounted tickets.
http://www.theknittingandstitchingshow.com/spring/
CRAFTS: The craft group are planning to visit Art in Action at Waterperry Gardens on 17th July. For those people who have never visited this international art show it is described as “Being inspired by the simple principle that people are fascinated when artists and craftsmen openly demonstrate their skills and discuss their work, a place where you can learn, buy and enjoy, exhibitions, classes and performances of 400 demonstrating artists, teachers, musicians and performers. If you are interested in this visit please contact Pat Housego. Priority will be given to members of the craft and sewing groups!
EXTREME VISITS:
Ice Karting 23rd Jan 2015. 
We have 25 Ice Karters (and 35 for lunch). Absolutely last opportunity to join the experience (or just for lunch) contact Adrian or Trevor email extreme@wtu3a.org.uk
‘Extreme Chill Out day’ 23rd February 2015
At Nuffield Health Aylesbury. Come and try a day of gentle age empathetic exercises such as Tai Chi and body balance to help you relax into 2015. Nuffield Health have created a day dedicated to U3A members backed up by the use of facilities that are similar to those in a top hotel including sauna, steam room and pool. Get 2015 off to a relaxing start and treat yourself to a wonderful day.
£17-50 contact Adrian or Trevor email extreme@wtu3a.org.uk
Ice Sculpting 13th Mar 2015: Hamilton Ice Sculptors in Wimbledon have agreed to take all our wait list on the tour. We are now re-organising the coach and trying to get access to the snowboard simulator at the Leather Bottle. More details and final pricing next week. Contact Adrian or Trevor email extreme@wtu3a.org.uk
Solar Eclipse 20 Mar 2015 08:30 – 10:30 approx.
Not so much and adventurous visit, more 90% of a happening. No signing up for this event, no money (other than parking) required. Just turn up at Wendover Woods (gates open at 08:00). We’ll be near the Café in the Woods (it opens at 09:00). If there is anything to see, we will be there together some method of safely viewing the eclipse (if you have any instruments to project an image of the eclipse, we’d love to hear from you, otherwise it’s going to be a bit Heath Robinson). Note. We won’t be there if there’s nothing to see. You can buy your own Eclipse viewing glasses at www.harrisontelescopes.co.uk Contact Adrian or Trevor email extreme@wtu3a.org.uk
Abseil the Spinnaker; 15th May 2015 Now working with U3As on the South Coast, so we don’t need to get up so early and to ensure we meet the 40 abseilers target. (We currently have around 30). The experience will cost about £85 + transport. www.spinnakertower.co.uk/whats-on/Abseiling.aspx Should you feel as if this is too adventurous – checkout Doris Long’s abseil, she’s 100 and already booked again for next year. www.itv.com/news/meridian/story/2014-05-16/dorislongoldestabseiler/
Contact Adrian or Trevor email extreme@wtu3a.org.uk
From the Editor:
Since I have not been given any further information for this newsletter I thought I may fill the space with a couple of funnies:
As we Silver Surfers know, sometimes we have trouble with our computers. I had a problem yesterday, so I called Eric, the 11 year old next door, whose bedroom looks like Mission Control and asked him to come over. Eric clicked a couple of buttons and solved the problem. As he was walking away, I called after him, ‘So, what was wrong? He replied, ‘It was an ID ten T error.’ I didn’t want to appear stupid, but nonetheless inquired, ‘An, ID ten T error? What’s that? In case I need to fix it again.’ Eric grinned…’Haven’t you ever heard of an ID ten T error before? ‘No,’ I replied. ‘Write it down,’ he said, ‘and I think you’ll figure it out.’ So I wrote down: ID10T. I used to like Eric.
(Thanks to Lyn Park for that one and Susan Connolly for the photo)