Some of us had a great day out with the extreme visits trip to Goodwood where we learnt how to control a skid in both an automatic and manual car. Adrian will say more later: but I wanted to say it was a tad windy on the airfield and to try and get this across to you, I have attached a photo of Helen’s hair moving. Those of you who know Helen will know that her hair never ever moves: she is always beautifully and fully coordinated and immaculately
turned out whatever she is doing. This photo could be a first and maybe eligible for the Guinness Book of Records! (Thanks Helen, you are a good sport). A reminder there is no December meeting because Christmas is in the way and no newsletter unless something urgent comes up.
Some time ago I asked if anyone was interested in helping one of our members, June Underwood with her research on persons mentioned on war memorials. June and Peter have a fantastic website called Buckinghamshire Remembers www.buckinghamshireremembers.org.uk which is a valuable resource for anyone researching their family or for local historians. Anyway I did get some responses and I have lost them….So if you are interested in computer research or writing it up then please let me know because it would be great if we could assist June to get the information together and ready for the centenary next year.
I would like to offer Doreen Lister congratulations from this U3A for having completed 50 years’ service volunteering for the British Red Cross. She was recently presented a certificate by an important man in tights. Well done Doreen we are proud of you.
Mandi Simons
COMPUTERS: The computer is moving location to Halton Village Hall from December 2013. Here it is hoped we can hold our lessons without interruption! Cost will increase slightly but you get free coffee (I think). So it is the same day and time just a different place.
Mandi Simons
CHRISTMAS DINNER: The Christmas lunch at Quainton Railway Centre on Tuesday 17th December, 12-5pm. The cost £30 each which is inclusive of food and entertainment. Payment is now due. ALSO we are concerned about the weather forecasts predicting snow until February which may put some of you off driving to Quainton so we can hire a coach which will have several pickup points in Wendover, WT, Aston Clinton Bedgrove etc but need an idea of how many of you would be interested in using it. Please let Carol know by email or telephone or at the meeting so we can see if it is worth doing.
EXTREME VISITS: Skid Pan
6th November – Aylesbury Vale will be a safer place to drive this winter. 22 members of the Weston Turville U3A received “Certificates of Achievement” at the Goodwood Anti-Skidcourse. The day started with our intended coach driver reporting sick, he’d probably heard about the
traffic on the M25 and M3! It was horrendous in both directions, turning our outing into an extremely long but very enjoyable day out.
Beaujolais Nouveau Day 21st November
Weston Turville U3A re-established the Beaujolais Nouveau Day tradition (without all the effort of racing across France overnight, and a sea crossing). I had to capture the moment with a photograph of our empty bottles.
“Très fruité” and actually much better than the vintages I remember from the 1980s. There was a vote to make this an annual event which strangely was unanimously agreed.
The Road Race (My Henry Root moment): How did the wine manage to be ready for us at lunch time in Wendover on the day of release of the 2013 vintage?
I had visions of juggernauts with full tanks of diesel revving up at 12:01 ready for the ceremonial release of this year’s vintage racing across France with teams of drivers changing every hour – Ferries on standby, VIP track prepared to fast track the cargo through customs….etc. Hang on to that image… I decided to email Majestic Wines (who supplied the wine) for an approximate timeline of the trip.
Email Reply from Majestic Wines: Thank-you for your enquiry. The Beaujolais Nouveau usually arrives with us a couple of days before it is available for sale (Thursday 21st November). So we will have it delivered to the Twist on Wednesday 20th November in time for your event at The Twist at Wendover.
Burns Lunch – 27th January
I am looking at a Burns Lunch on Monday 27th January and possibly a dis-organised Chinese New Year on 31st: if anyone is interested can they please contact me.
Sushi Making – 14 January 2014– Event already fully booked!
Krav Maga – 14 February 2014.
The ultimate self-defence, the instructor isn’t even fazed at the thought of students with new hips and arthritis. Tring Dojo. £10.00/head. This event is limited to 30 students. Just two places left! Check the website or contact Adrian for further info on next years events!
TRIPS AND VISITS:
Globe Theatre Exhibition and Tour – Friday 28th February . The cost per head is £30 (this does not include lunch). To confirm your place on the tour a deposit of £15 per head is required ASAP. Cheques to be made out to “Weston Turville U3a Travel”.
The interest in this has been huge so far so early deposits are recommended. The tour starts at 11.00a.m so departure from Weston Turville, depending where you are picked up will be at 0845/0900. The return journey departs The Globe at 1600.
Trip includes Tea/Coffee & Biscuits at Swan at the Globe, Visit the Exhibition, Elizabethan Dressing Demonstration (by the stage), Lunch break, Rose Tour (guided), and Globe Theatre Tour (guided). Contact Mary Duly to reserve your place or pay.
WINE TASTING: Next year’s schedule is on the website but so far is:
- 17th January: “Your” favourite wine. Please bring a bottle to discuss and share.
- 21st February: Wines from Argentina and Chile.
- 21st March: Visit to Vinopolis
- 18th April: Eastern European wines (Bulgaria & Hungary).
- 16th May: Syrah and blended Syrah.
- 20th June: Winery Tour.
- 18th July: Italian Wines.
New members always welcome. Contact Alan Williams, Mary Duly or Carol Theobald for more information.
FLOWER ARRANGING:
The demonstration at Waddesdon went very well with over 20 people turning up.
Meetings resume at Buckland Village Hall from February – July next year on Monday afternoon at 2.15pm – 4pm.
Our first meeting is on February 10th ‘A Spring Floral Design’ Full details are in the U3A diary on the website. Gaynor Edwards.
GARDENING VISITS: I have nearly finished provisionally arranging next year’s visits. The details are on the website but I will be letting you know full details at meetings and in the newsletter nearer the time.
Our first visit is Magnolia House, Woburn Green to see the 10,000 snowdrops. Thursday 6th March. Departure time about 10am. Names being collected now. Contact Gaynor Edwards on her new email address gaynor.edwards2@aol.co.uk or at gardenvisits@wtu3a.org.uk
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM THE POLICE: We have received a number of fraud reports across the vale, where the offender(s) have targeted elderly or vulnerable residents. The victims have received an unexpected phone call from a male with an Irish accent.
The offender pretends to be an officer from the Met Police and says that someone has used the resident’s bank account to withdraw money in the London area. He then asks for their banking details. Please pass this information on to any vulnerable or elderly friends, family or neighbours.
Never give your bank details out to an unknown cold caller and NEVER give out your PIN number. Genuine callers will not ask for the PIN number. If you need to report a fraud or internet crime contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit the Action Fraud website.