It is not often I start a newsletter with sad news, but this is one of those times. It is with deep regret that I have to inform you of the sudden death of Maureen Absalom, who died this week, Tuesday 14th October, after a fall from a cliff in Dorset whilst on a walking holiday. Maureen was a very popular U3A member who had a happy outlook on life and was always willing to take on new challenges. Maureen was an active member of several groups including garden visits, walking and extreme visits. Funeral arrangements have not yet been confirmed as her daughter has only just flown in from America. I will update you when more details are known. Maureen leaves a son and a daughter and we send our condolences to her family and to her close friends Lynda and Ian Mackay and Helen McCuskie.
Mandi Simons: Editor.
SPEAKER: Our speaker this month on Thursday 23rd October is Martin Lloyd talking on “Passports, Assassins, Traitors and Spies” Doors open at 2pm unless you want to help set up the hall!
PLANT SWAP – if anyone has cuttings or plants they would like to swap, we will be running a plant swap stall at the November (26th) Monthly Meeting.
Mary Duly.
U3A DIARIES: Glynn White reports that the 2015 diaries have arrived and he will hand them out at the monthly meetings in October and November.
CHRISTMAS MEAL: As Halton House is on Ministry of Defence land we need members to use as few cars as possible, can you organise car sharing and the let me know who is with whom and the car registration being used pleased? Also cheques will be taken for this event at next Thursdays meeting. As a reminder it is £40 each and cheques made out to: Weston Turville U3A (Travel). Thank you all for your assistance with this as it could become a big headache otherwise!
Carol Theobald carolwtu3a@hotmail.co.uk
SINGING FOR FUN GROUP will hold its Christmas Presentation on Wednesday 10th December in Halton Village Hall at 11 am. The first half will consist of songs and readings relating to WW1 and the second half will be Christmas songs when the audience can participate. Mulled wine and stollen will be served in the interval. There are a limited number of tickets available at £1 each from Liz Mitchell at the next monthly
meeting or ring her on 01296 631695.
TRIPS AND TRAVEL: 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 8.30a.m. and returning early tea time. 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/Mandi Simons/Dave Johnson know if you wish your name added to the list.
HISTORIC BUILDINGS:
November 4th. Tower of London. Pick up Chandos 9.0 a.m.: Shops 9.5 a.m.
November 28th. Christmas tea at Waddesden Manor and the Christmas Market. Timed tour and lighting display. Limited number. Contact Eileen Langford for details or to reserve a place.
MONEY MATTERS: Thursday Nov 6th The work of The Swan Credit Union (Aylesbury & Milton Keynes district). Meet in the Chapel @ 2.30 pm. Carol is looking for someone to help her with this group; if interested please contact her.
THEATRE: Two fantastic classic musicals at the Waterside Theatre:
Anything Goes – Thursday February 12th 2015 at 2.30 – Price £25.00 Circle one – payment due by November meeting
Oh What a lovely War -Thursday April 30th 2015 at 2.30 – Price £22.50 Circle one. Payment due by January meeting.
If you are interested please email me or I will be at the next meeting.
Rosemary Williams
EXTREME GOURMET: The next date is: 20 Nov 2014 for a Nouveau Beaujolais Lunch:
Tasting 3 different Nouveaus – accompanied by suitable regional quinine. Cost is £25 each.
Contact Rosemary, Pam or Mary email extreme.gourmet@wtu3a.org.uk
SHOEBOX SCHEME: LAST CHANCE- if you have gathered together or bought or created anything to go in the shoeboxes for “Operation Christmas Child” could you please bring it along to the October general meeting where there will be a box to put it in. We are happy to accept hats, scarves, gloves, socks, small cuddly toys (with labels), colouring books, pencils, pens, small toys and other gifts as well as toiletry items (but no bottles of liquid). Many thanks in advance.
Pat Housego.
BRIGHTON RACES –
Great day out, but the only major winners were actually with Aston Clinton U3A. Does anyone who attended have any photos , with or without your shirts!– we’ve nothing in the Gallery for this event?
RACE CAR SIMULATORS – A great day out in Slough! The winners at the Race Hut were (1) Damien Campbell, (2) Andrew Thomas and (3) Trevor White. Though it looks very male oriented, a larger podium would have included Janet Campbell and Mandi Simons. Lunch at Tummies presented some parking and calorific problems.
Happy Anniversary to Chris and Doug Barrow, hope you had a memorable day.
Does anyone who attended have any worthy photos?
EXTREME CAMPANOLOGY – 6th November £32 (including Coach from Weston Turville, Guided Tour of Carillon Tower, Bell foundry Tour) lunch at “The Three Nuns”, not included in the price. Payment of £32 by cheque to “Weston Turville U3A (Travel)” now due. WE NOW HAVE 3 EXTRA PLACES! RSVP
Contact Adrian or Trevor email extreme@wtu3a.org.uk or tel. 0777 150 6055
APPRENTICE LOCKSMITHS: 8th December 2014; £42 (Master Locksmiths Association / “British Folk Art” at Compton Verney) lunch at the Cross Tree, not included. The Locksmiths Workshop is limited in space to about 30. Now full, but there is an empty waiting list. Contact Adrian or Trevor email extreme@wtu3a.org.uk or tel. 0777 150 6055
ABSEIL THE SPINNAKER: I have now met with the Operations manager at the Spinnaker and 15th May is reserved for us. We will need to link with some other U3As to reach the required 40 abseilers, I’m hoping to contact some based on the South Coast to take the early morning slots. The experience will costs 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
WINTER DRIVING WORKSHOPS BY BUCKS COUNTY COUNCIL
A Winter Driving Workshop provides a presentation on how to drive safely in challenging conditions followed by a demonstration on what essential vehicle checks you should make yourself in order to keep your vehicle maintained during the winter. Our next workshops are:
Tuesday 4th November 2014, 7-9pm at STS Tyre Pros, Aylesbury. (Park Street, Aylesbury, HP20 1DX)
Tuesday 11th November 2014, 7-9pm at STS Tyre Pros, Chesham. (Amersham Road, Chesham, HP5 1NG)
Wednesday 12th November 2014, 7-9pm STS Tyre Pros, High Wycombe (511 London Road, Wycombe Marsh, HP11 1EP). You can book and pay for the course online.
Whether you are an experienced motorist, older driver or just passed your test, here are a few tips on how to stay safe this winter: Only travel when absolutely necessary. Allow more time for your journey. Listen to local and national radio for travel and weather information. Slow down and leave increased space between you and the vehicle in front. Be prepared when travelling. Keep the following in the car: Ice scraper. De-icer. Torch. Warm clothes. Blanket. Spade. Food & drink. High visibility jacket. First aid kit.
Check: Your tyres are at the correct pressures. Your vehicle lights are clean and working. Your wiper blades are effective. Your battery is in good condition and fully charged. Your vehicle anti-freeze is the right concentration (your garage can do this for you). Your windows and mirrors are clear of ice or condensation.
Further information is available from the Highways Agency. For more information please call: 0845 2302882 or 01296 382450 or email tfb@buckscc.gov.uk
(Note from the Editor: this is very good advice but it is not essential to take sandwiches and a drink or warm clothes if you are only going to the village shop!)