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April 2015
Charity No: 1083274
www.leicester-u3a.org.uk
The ramblers at Foxton Locks photographed by Cliff Ault
April Meeting: Tuesday 14th at 2:45
Speaker: Michaela Moody
The history of the Movement and the Three Year Plan, Going Forward
— the latest thinking and where we are at.
Michaela has been a member of U3A since 2003. She served as Secretary of
Boston U3A for 6 years, started Woodhall Spa U3A in October 2009 and
acted as Membership Secretary until the death of her husband in 2012 when
she took over the chairmanship at the request of the Members. She has been
associated with her own Network and Neighbourhood group since about
2004 and was co-opted as our Regional Trustee in October 2012.
March Meeting — AGM
Attendance: 71
The Chair, Sue Howard, reported on another very successful year citing the
number of new groups being formed and the steady increase in membership.
She thanked everyone who had helped to keep things running smoothly in
however small a way.
The accounts for 2014, showing a surplus of £1189, were approved and
Denise O’Sullivan was accepted as the new Examiner to replace Noel Freer
who had decided to stand down after many years. Thanks were extended to
Noel for his long service in the role.
It was agreed that the annual subscription for 2016 should remain at £17.
The new committee consisting of Irene Ault, Geoff Brooks, Jenny Foxon,
Sue Howard, Bill Manners, Peter Stanfield and Richard Taylor were voted
in en bloc.
The AGM was followed by a social gathering with refreshments supplied by
members of the (outgoing) committee.
Committee News
At the end of the AGM, the new committee held a short meeting at which
the following officers were agreed:
Chair
Secretary
Treasurer
Sue Howard
Irene Ault
Bill Manners
Elaine King has agreed to take over the role of Speaker Finder from Jan
Hall. Jan will continue to organize the Christmas Lunch.
The minutes of Committee meetings are available at the Secretary’s table at
monthly meetings.
Membership List 2015 – Additions, Corrections and Updates
Please welcome new members: Doreen Denney, Pam and Peter Neale.
The total Membership now stands at 321.
Details, if required, from the Membership Secretary.
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Committee Contacts: page 23
Message from the Chair
Who makes it tick?
Are you a volunteer? I don't mean with U3A but with any organisation. I
wouldn't be surprised if the answer is yes because without us
volunteers it would probably mean that many organisations
would simply grind to a halt whether we're working in charity
shops, on committees, at the CAB, listening to those in distress,
working in playgroups, at tribunals, with charity groups, as
school Governors… the list could go on and on.
Every person on our new committee, elected at our AGM last month, is a
volunteer, as are our group Convenors and RUMS. Every one of them puts
in an enormous amount of time and effort to make it all work whether it's
meeting and greeting, making a group tick, serving teas at Monthly
Meetings, hosting meetings for new or existing members, organising theatre
trips or the Christmas lunch, running the website, putting together a whole
year's Speaker programme, keeping the membership list up to date, doing
the accounts, publicising us, writing minutes, enabling all the groups to
function…
You know who you are and every one of you shows tremendous goodwill
and generosity of spirit in what you do – I just want to take this opportunity
at the start of our new year to say thank you – because otherwise we would
cease to exist. And I hope that seeing our U3A go from strength to strength
you might be inspired to give it a try, there are many ways you can be
involved… we'd love to have you, you only have to ask.
Warm wishes Sue Howard
www.leicester-u3a.org.uk
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Newsletter Interviews with Members
Jill Reville, who has been carrying out the interviews for the newsletter, has
decided it is time for her to give up the role, so if you have ever fancied
being a ‘journalist’, please think about whether you could take it over. It is
not a difficult or time consuming job, and is usually done by email. Jill
would be happy to explain the current process to anyone interested
(jreville@btinternet.com). The interviews have been a popular part of the
monthly newsletter for a while, and apart from giving information about
groups, help to put names to faces.
Interview — Peter Stanfield
Committee Member and Publicity Coordinator
Tell us something about your life before U3A.
I spent my working life as a university teacher and researcher in the
Universities of Cambridge, Leicester, and Warwick. In
fact, I am an emeritus professor of the University of
Warwick, though I don’t do much about it. I was a
physiologist, teaching biologists and medical students,
and I worked on the function of pore-forming
membrane proteins called ion channels. These have
various functions, but I was led into their study by an
interest in function of nerve cells, where they play crucial roles in
nervous conduction and transmission.
How did you find out about U3A? When, and why, did you join?
I knew nothing about U3A until a friend of mine from school days,
now living in rural Norfolk, told me how much he and his wife were
getting from the U3A there. So I joined shortly after I retired from full
time work in 2009. For various reasons, I didn’t get going with my
membership for two or three years.
Which groups did you join?
The first was Science and Technology and then Shakespeare; more
recently Shakespeare Sonnets and Spanish Conversation. Before
retirement I had vaguely wondered about doing a degree in English
Literature, but occasional nightmares about taking finals (in 1965) tell
me that I don’t ever want to take an examination again.
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Committee Contacts: page 23
You are Publicity Coordinator. Tell us something about your activities.
Well, I have only just started so I am on the slow process of learning
what I need to do. Alan Silvester will be a hard act to follow, as I am
increasingly realising. Undoubtedly, we need to find additional ways
of publicising what is a great experience for people of the third age.
But given Media insistence on immediate newsworthiness, this is easier
said than done.
What do you enjoy most about being a member of U3A?
The Interest Groups are the real strength of U3A and often these are
great fun and very stimulating. And you meet a number of people with
quite extraordinary and admirable hinterlands.
Tell us something about other activities which you enjoy.
I love music and I sing second bass with the Market Harborough
Choral Society. I read fairly widely, literature and some history and
politics. I have a big garden which takes up quite a lot of time. And,
having started life there, I am a vague supporter of Southampton FC.
If you were marooned on a desert island:
What would you
miss most, and
what would you
miss least?
What luxury
item would you
take?
What one piece
of music would
you take?
What book
would you take?
Most – my step-grandchildren.
Least – cold callers on the phone, who persist in spite of
the efforts of the Telephone Preference Service.
A comfortable bed to sleep in.
Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro, second act.
If Shakespeare and the Bible (AV) are a given, as in the
Radio 4 programme, George Eliot’s Middlemarch. She
and George Henry Lewes were closely involved in getting the teaching of physiology started in the University
of Cambridge and George Eliot founded a studentship
for research in physiology in Trinity College. The interesting character of Lydgate, admirable and flawed at the
same time, reflects these interests of hers.
(Interviewed by Jill Reville)
www.leicester-u3a.org.uk
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2016
2016 is our 20th Anniversary and we intend to stage celebratory events
during the year including an Open Day in June.
We welcome any ideas you may have for the celebration – please let one
of the committee know.
Coffee Mornings
The ‘all members’ coffee mornings are held on the third Tuesday of each month
from 10:30 to 12:00 at Don Leone’s in Queens Road. The next meeting is on
Tuesday 21st April. Please wear your badge - it does help other people to
remember your name!
If any members would like to stay on for lunch afterwards, the restaurant is able
to offer a light lunch of sandwiches with a salad garnish, or jacket potato with
various toppings, at a special rate of £4.50.
If you have any query please contact Barbara Penrose on 2703666 or Elaine
King on 2704188. We look forward to seeing you there.
Barbara Penrose
National Summer Schools 2015
This year the U3A National Summer Schools are taking place at Harper Adams
University, Shropshire (13 - 16 July) and the Royal Agricultural University,
Cirencester (17 - 20 August). Information can be downloaded from the members'
area of the website (see below) under the summer school tab. The information
also appears in your copy of U3A Matters.
For the first time, members will be able to apply and pay online if they wish.
Online applications opened on 1st December 2014, so, if you haven’t already
done so, it would be advisable to book your place as soon as possible.
As at 21 January there were still some places available at both Harper Adams
and the Royal Agricultural University. We have not been able to ascertain if that
is still the case.
Visiting the Third Age Trust Website — www.u3a.org.uk
To access the members’ area of the TAT website you must first register.
Go to the TAT website and complete the User Registration Form found by
clicking on <Create Account> towards the top on the right hand side of the
Home Page. You will need to invent a ‘username’ and a ‘password’. Both of
these are case sensitive so you will need to remember them exactly as you
entered them. You should then receive an email confirming that your account is
active and you will then be able to enter the area to download resources, read the
latest news etc.
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Committee Contacts: page 23
Reports from the Groups
Music Appreciation (Wednesday Group)
Our annual programme is very varied and encompasses many musical genres,
from Jazz through concert classics to Opera. Clearly not all music genres
appeal to everyone, nor should they. Despite this we at the Music Appreciation
Wednesday Group do not just wish to sit and listen to classical music but to
enhance our understanding of music presentations that exists today. Never
before has this been so varied. Although there is still a bias towards the more
classical presentations we try to arrange our meetings in such a way that we
encompass over the year, a larger and varied musical experience. This month it
was the turn of Opera to take the centre stage.
Many people today feel that they don’t understand Opera. Even when they go
to attend a performance, they often need persuading. One has to remember the
old adage that; the beauty of classical music is, “the more often you hear it, the
better it sounds, the more you know it, the more you enjoy it” (anon). Opera is
no different. Persuasion may take us to a classical performance but
understanding what you hear and see will make the experience worth repeating
or not. Put simply the more we know what to expect, the more we will enjoy it.
After all, an opera is a dramatic piece of work performed entirely to music, an
Opera tells a story but music is central. Music is a natural medium for
expressing emotions and as a result, a classical opera tends to be very dramatic.
Most of us in the Group are not Opera experts and don’t necessarily understand
the nuances of the dramatic presentation. We certainly do not understand the
vocabulary and very often the drama is too overwhelming to appreciate.
Despite this we have one or two members who really do appreciate the genre
and one who this month undertook to illustrate some of his knowledge with
some enthusiasm for this music to the other members. This month we had the
pleasure of a presentation by Keith Baker on the theme of “A Night at the
Opera”.
Starting with a brief introduction to the opera structure and using material from
the period circa 1780 to 1900, Keith entertained us with examples explaining
each of the usual phases of an opera production starting with the introductory
chorus, followed by the dialogue between principles before moving through
the solos and counter chorus to the inevitable finale. He adequately illustrated
these with interesting and informative examples of how the famous composers
of their day, were able to develop the themes. His presentation was greatly
enhanced by listening to excerpts from the dramatic musical scores along the
way sung by some of the great aficionados of their age including Maria Callas,
Pavarotti, Joan Sutherland, Kiri Te Kanawa and Bryn Terfel.
Continues overleaf …
www.leicester-u3a.org.uk
7
By listening to Opera favourites, including the opening chorus of The Marriage
of Figaro followed by dialogue from The Magic Flute and grand renderings of
both male and female soloists from The Barber of Seville, Tristan and Isolde
and Madam Butterfly, the group gained an insight into both the music and the
drama. Through these examples he was able to illustrate the magic of the
music written to support and characterize how the plot evolved and how
complex some of the operas stories could be. He finished with a short video
clip from the opera Tosca.
His talk was not only illustrative but enthusiastically presented to the benefit
of all members and I know it was a session that all present enjoyed and will
remember for some time to come.
Next month we will be having a Jazz session with each member presenting
their own favourites of the genre.
Charles Norman
Rambling
The walk on Wednesday 18th March
led by Sue Howard and Liz Brandow
was based on the Bell Inn at Gumley.
They took us over the fields and the
canal to Foxton Locks where we took
time to look at the workings. Then
along the canal to Foxton village and
back via the locks again to Gumley
for lunch.
Picture by Debby Orange
Taken from footbridge over canal
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Committee Contacts: page 23
Digital Imaging
At the March meeting we repeated the exercise from February. Each member
brought along 3 (new) pictures, taken from various positions and angles, of a
subject chosen by them and, choosing one, explained how they had used
Photoshop to enhance it. The effects were quite impressive and we are all
learning something about the presentation of our images. These sessions are
proving to be very instructive and should improve our photographic skills in
preparation for the exhibition in October.
Here are a few of the images taken around Leicester and discussed at the
meeting.
www.leicester-u3a.org.uk
9
U3A Harlaxton Summer School 2015, Grantham, Lincs
This year’s East Midlands Region Summer School is being held, once
again, at Harlaxton Hall.
There are two sessions: 12—15 July and 16—19 July.
Cost: £195 sharing a room; £225 single which includes full board, all
tuition, morning and afternoon tea/coffee and the end of course celebration
meal. It is possible to attend for the whole week.
12—15 July
Buildings of Lincoln
Women Artists
Greek and Roman Myths
and Legends
Art for All
What’s Your Story
Music in a Time of War
Great Glasshouses
and Fantastic Follies
16—19 July
Behind the Throne
Harlaxton and its Occupants
Three Irish Novels
Geology and Scenery
Drama for Beginners
and Improvers
Singing for Fun
Many people return each year and the courses fill up quickly.
Pick up a leaflet by our information boards at the monthly meeting
or ring: 01780 756316 / 01778 341248; email: h@HarlaxtonU3A.co.uk
For more information speak to Helen Parsons 0116 2712365 or Sue Howard
who have both been several times.
Thoresby Hall
Thoresby Hall Hotel, Nottinghamshire
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Committee Contacts: page 23
Every January Mansfield U3A organises a super five day trip to this 4 star
hotel for a mere £175 pp sharing (single rooms sell out fast) half board with
activities laid on and entertainment available if you don't want to just relax
or swim in the spa, read, walk etc.
Every U3A member in the East Midlands region is invited to go, it's very
enjoyable. 204 people went last year from several U3As including 2 of us
from Leicester.
Next year's dates are: Monday 18th to Friday 22nd January 2016 and
booking is now open.
Please see Mansfield U3A's website for an application form or Warner
Holidays website for more details.
Telephone: 01623 626991 or email: 2015@whiteheaduk.plus.net to contact
the organizer Terry Whitehead.
Both Sue Howard and Liz Brandow have been and can highly recommend it
for relaxation (see Contacts to get in touch with them).
Equipment for borrowing by Interest Groups
The following items are available for interest groups of Leicester U3A to borrow
for group activity purposes. To arrange to borrow any of these, members should
contact the Secretary.
Please note that it will be the responsibility of the person borrowing the item to
collect it and to return it after use.
Item
Digital Projector
Laser Presenter
Advent Laptop Computer
Slide Projector
Overhead Projector
Screen
Display Boards
Roller Banner
Advent 3m HDMI cable
Flipchart and stand
www.leicester-u3a.org.uk
Description
Incl: mains & input leads + spare PCB
Model Torino X100 15.6"
Incl: mains lead
95cm × 95cm white area
A 2-fold board; each fold 61cm (w) × 92cm (h)
As displayed at monthly meetings
Connecting tablets to television/monitor
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Thinking of organizing a trip or event?
Please let the Trips Coordinator, Sue Howard, know before you book
anything so that we have a record, even if members are making their own
way there. (Primarily for insurance and financial cover.) Many thanks.
Disclaimer – Trips and Events
Leicester U3A members should be aware that every effort is made to
inform them of any possible difficulties which may be encountered during
trips or events that are organised on their behalf by members of Leicester
U3A.
If members require any help or assistance it is their own responsibility to
ensure that such help is engaged. Such help or assistance may be provided
by a non-member but should be arranged before a firm booking is made
with the trip/event organiser.
Members are advised that we will always try to fill a vacancy from a
Reserve list arising from a member's cancellation. However, there is no
automatic guarantee of either a partial or full refund in the event of
cancellation.
Theatre Trip to Birmingham Rep — tickets still available!
There are still some tickets available for Rebecca at the Birmingham Rep on
Thursday 30 April. This should be a good performance as it is a production
by the renowned Kneehigh Theatre, one of the country’s most celebrated
companies. Based in Cornwall, just a stone’s throw from Daphne du
Maurier's home, the company have grown from humble beginnings and
have carved a global reputation for their extraordinary shows. They have
created productions with the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare
Company and their international hits include Tristan And Yseult and Brief
Encounter.
The multi-award-winning creative team is led by Emma Rice, Kneehigh
Theatre's Joint Artistic Director. Known for her “remarkably inventive, eyecatching theatricality” (San Francisco Chronicle), Emma's credits include
The Red Shoes, Don John, Brief Encounter and Tristan And Yseult. Even if
you are already familiar with Hitchcock’s iconic 1940 movie, this
adaptation has a new twist in the tale so there are lots of reasons to see
Kneehigh’s version.
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Committee Contacts: page 23
The coach will leave Glebe Road, Oadby (Botanical Gardens) at 10:30 expected return by 7:00. The performance starts at 2:00. The Birmingham
Rep Theatre has its own restaurant and café with other eating venues
nearby. The theatre is conveniently located next to the new library and close
to the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and Brinkley Place canal basin.
The cost is £29.60 (ticket £17.20, Coach £12.40). If you wish to go please
contact Kay Relf 0116 271 7637 or email kayrelf@btinternet.com.
Visit to Chester?
We recently responded to a request for help from the History group at
Chester U3A – they are coming down to see the Richard III Visitor Centre
and Bosworth Battlefield in the summer.
They were extremely appreciative of both our help in successfully finding
someone to be with them while they're in the city and they've offered to
reciprocate at any time either now or in the future.
Does your group want to take that up? Sounds like a great opportunity!
Please contact: Christine Robinson robinnosniborc@hotmail.co.uk or Sue
Howard
News from the Groups Coordinator
We now have 47 active groups with Creative Writing 2 and Folk Songs
joining the Established Groups list. We are advertising 11
other ideas for new groups (see below), including three fresh
up this month (Gardening, Singing and Strolling). We aim to
say that 'No group is ever full' – if a particular group begins
to get a little ‘tight’ we can explore a change of venue to
accommodate the growing membership, or look to start a
parallel group. New groups or ideas for new groups are always welcome,
just ask the Groups Team (see contacts).
Latest Group News
With the establishment of Creative Writing 2, the ‘original’ Creative
Writing Group will now be called Creative Writing 1.
Bones for Life
Jean Stone, who convenes this group, has tripped and broken her ankle, so will
be out of action for about six weeks, during which time the group will not be
able to meet. She will let us all know when she and the group are back in
action again. Meanwhile we wish her a speedy recovery.
www.leicester-u3a.org.uk
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Folk Songs
Arrangements for the next meeting are uncertain due to the incapacity of the
current host; we wish her a speedy recovery. Meanwhile contact Barry Reeves
for details.
Travel
Now that summer’s approaching it would be great if members could have trips
and possible short stays away to look forward to. If one or two people would
like to volunteer to have a look at this, please contact Sue Howard, Trips
Organiser.
Philosophy 3
This lively group is looking to welcome more members to join in its
discussions; current interests centre around social and political philosophy and
ethics, though new ideas for future areas of study are always welcome.
Contact: Dennis Foxon (Details in next Group Meetings).
Budding Groups — those seeking members in order to start
If you are interested in any of these, please contact the named person or
Richard Taylor, Groups Coordinator. Alternatively, leave your name at the
Monthly Meeting Groups Table.
Intermediate Chess (3rd Advert)
A member has asked for a chess group with others who already have some
experience. Why not come along and play, make new friends and meet others
in 2015?
Current Affairs 3 (3rd Advert)
Enjoy keeping up to date on what's happening in the world and would enjoy
discussing it with others? Want to talk about national and local events and
listen to others' viewpoint in a non-confrontational, supportive environment?
Why not come and join our budding 3rd Current Affairs group?
Bridge 2 (3rd Advert)
Can you already play and want to meet in a friendly group? This is for you.
Contact: Joan Thake: 0116 212 7434; joan.thake@icloud.com.
Medieval Philosophy (3rd Advert)
What is the consolation of Philosophy? (Boethius) Why did Duns Scotus give
us the word dunce? Can you shave with Ockham's Razor? Why in the 21st
century does Oxford University still have an Aquinas Institute? Are the roots of
democracy found in the writings of medieval philosophers? Interested in
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Committee Contacts: page 23
possible answers to these questions? Anyone interested in looking at medieval
philosophy? No prior knowledge needed. Some reading and lots of discussion.
Contact: Peter Kilty 2701404; lizpeter.kilty@tiscali.co.uk
Craft 2 (3rd Advert)
Would you like to enjoy some time with a group of others, bringing along your
craft work, maybe visiting Craft Fairs or sharing a project to produce a
collaborative piece, showing / learning from others how to do something
you've maybe never tried before?
Gardening Group (1st Advert)
Do you love gardening, but have a small or no garden at all? Do you long for
fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs? Members could investigate renting an
allotment and share the work. That would be rewarding – in more ways than
one – fresh air, fresh produce, exercise, and company!
Park and Tearoom Strolls (1st Advert)
A possible new group for people who like walking but cannot manage the
distances or longer times of the Rambling Group. The walks / strolls would
take place in parks where there would be even paths with no stiles and a
tearoom or café to finish off in.
Singing 2 (1st Advert)
Do you want an opportunity to sing with others, not just in the shower? Due to
growing interest in singing, we are seeking to start a further general singing
group to add to the Singing for Pleasure and Folk Songs groups already in
existence. If you think this might be for you, contact Richard Taylor, the
Groups Coordinator.
Next Group Meetings
Please remember, you MUST be a member of Leicester U3A and contact
the convenor before joining a group. If you have difficulty contacting the
convenor, try the Groups Coordinator instead. [Contacts: page 23]
Detailed information on all our groups is available on our website or, as
hard copy, from the Groups Table at monthly meetings.
Dates are for meetings taking place between 14 April and 15 May.
Architecture Susan Martin-Butt
architecture@leicesteru3a.org.uk 2707037
2:30 on the 3rd Thursday of the month in members’ homes.
Next: 16 April. A presentation by Peter Swallow on Midland Railway
Hotels in Derby, London, Manchester and Morecambe.
www.leicester-u3a.org.uk
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architecture2@leicesteru3a.org.uk 2709293
Architecture Malcolm Elliott
and the Built 2:00 on the 3rd Tuesday of the month (usually) at the Friends Meeting
Environment House, Queens Rd.
Next: 21 April.
architecture3@leicesteru3a.org.uk 2703143
Architecture Veronica Matthew
and Design 2:30 on the 2nd Wednesday of the month in members’ homes.
Next: 8 April. Visit to Market Harborough. Meet at the Old Grammar
School at 2:00. Afterwards we will have a walking tour of the architecture
led by Peter Swallow ending at about 4:00 when we will visit one of the
many tea shops for tea and cakes.
13 May at Veronica’s. Denis Cogan, an Irish architect, will give a talk on
The Architecture of Georgian Dublin.
bones@leicesteru3a.org.uk 3194176
Bones for Jean Stone
Life 10:30 on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month at the Friends Meeting
House, Queens Rd.
Next: No meetings for the time being. (See the news item above.)
Bridge Bob Collins
bridge@leicesteru3a.org.uk
2812712
2:00 every Wednesday at Bob’s.
Craft Group Margaret Potter
craft@leicesteru3a.org.uk
2:00 on the 2nd Friday of the month at Margaret’s.
Next: 10 April and 8 May.
writing@leicesteru3a.org.uk
Creative Susan O’Brien
Writing 1 10:30 on alternate Wednesdays in members’ homes.
2547624
Next: 22 April and 6 May.
writing2@leicesteru3a.org.uk 2709376
Creative Kevin Beint
Writing 2 10:30 on the 3rd Monday of the month in members’ homes.
A monthly meeting for writers or would-be writers. Poetry or prose, fact or
fiction, silly or serious. There are no limits. Its aims include
encouragement and exploration and learning from one another.
Next: 20 April. Contact Kevin for details.
current_affairs1@leicesteru3a.org.uk 2927438
Current Charles Norman
Affairs 1 2:30 on the 1st Tuesday of the month in members’ homes. The first subject
for discussion being decided by the host.
Next: 7 April and 5 May.
current_affairs2@leicesteru3a.org.uk 2704188
Current Elaine King
Affairs 2 10:30 on the 3rd Wednesday of the month in members’ homes. At the end
of each meeting the first topic for the next meeting is agreed by the group.
Next: 15 April. Members to bring cuttings on current news.
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Committee Contacts: page 23
imaging@leicesteru3a.org.uk
Digital Angela Jennings
Images 2:15 on the 2nd Thursday of the month at the Friends Meeting House,
Queens Rd.
Next: 9 April and 14 May.
We are currently making early preparations for an exhibition in October.
Discussion Elaine King
discussion@leicesteru3a.org.uk 2704188
2:00 on the 3rd Tuesday of the month in members’ homes.
Next: 21 April. Public Relations and Spin.
Folk Songs Barry Reeves
iambarrymusic@gmaiil.com 3196179
Plans for the next meeting are uncertain at present due to the incapacity of
the current host. Please email or telephone Barry for further details.
French Caroline McDermott
Advanced 1
frenchadvanced@leicesteru3a.org.uk
M: 07714 459700
2:30 every 2 weeks on Fridays in members’ homes.
Next: 24 April and 8 May.
frenchadvanced2@leicesteru3a.org.uk 2701425
French Peter Hampton
Advanced 2 2:30 every 2 weeks on Thursdays in members’ homes.
Next: 23 April and 14 May.
frenchbeginners@leicesteru3a.org.uk 2128626
French Chris Thomson
Beginners 2:00 on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month in members’ homes.
Next: 15 April and 6 May.
French Eileen Pott
Intermediate
frenchintermediate@leicesteru3a.org.uk 2701796
M: 07800 774029
2:30 every 2 weeks on Fridays in members’ homes.
Next: 24 April and 8 May.
german@leicesteru3a.org.uk 2387109
German Marjorie Mallory
Conversation 10:30 on the 3rd and 4th Tuesdays of the month in members’ homes.
Next: at Charles Norman’s.
28 April at Dorli Meek’s.
History 1 Deborah Hartridge
history@leicesteru3a.org.uk 2228395
10:00 on the 1st Thursday of the month in members’ homes.
Next: 7 May.
History 2 Mike Bates
history2@leicesteru3a.org.uk 2716134
2:30 on the 3rd Monday of the month in members’ homes.
Next: 20 April. Visit to Bletchley Park.
www.leicester-u3a.org.uk
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italian@leicesteru3a.org.uk 3487095
Italian Judy Hill
Intermediate 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month in members’ homes.
Next: 14 April at 10:00, 28 April at 2:00 and 12 May at 10:00.
latin@leicesteru3a.org.uk 2713537
Latin Jean Cloud
Polish Up 2:30 on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month in members’ homes.
Your Rusty - Next: 23 April and 14 May.
Mah-Jong Ruth Armitage
mahjong@leicesteru3a.org.uk 2708089
10:00 on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month in members’ homes.
Next: 27 April and 11 May.
modernnovel@leicesteru3a.org.uk 2712365
Modern Helen Parsons
Novel 10:30 on the 3rd Friday of the month in members’ homes.
Next: 17 April at Liz’s. Book: Heartburn by Nora Ephron.
15 May at Ann’s. Book: Nora Webster by Colm Toibin.
music_mon@leicesteru3a.org.uk
(Mon) Music Liz Warren
Appreciation 10:30 on the 4th Monday of the month in members’ homes.
Next: 27 April.
music_wed@leicesteru3a.org.uk 2927438
(Wed) Music Charles Norman
Appreciation 10:30 on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at Charles’s.
Next: 15 April.
embroidery@leicesteru3a.org.uk 2708089
Needlework Ruth Armitage
and Knitting 2:30 on the 2nd Monday of the month in members’ homes.
Next: 11 May.
Philosophy 1 Matt Matthew
philosophy1@leicesteru3a.org.uk 2703143
10:00 on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month in members’ homes.
Next: 24 April and 8 May.
Knowledge, a very short introduction (OUP) by Jennifer Nagel.
Philosophy 2 Judy Hastings
philosophy2@leicesteru3a.org.uk 2713008
2:00–3:30 every 2 weeks on Thursdays at Judy’s.
Next: 30 April and 14 May. Continuing The Ego Trick by Julian Baggini.
(Access to the internet is essential.)
Philosophy 3 Dennis Foxon
philosophy3@leicesteru3a.org.uk
10:30 every 2 weeks on Wednesdays in members’ homes.
Next: 15 April at Don Leone’s, Queens Road then 29 April and 13 May.
Discussing Justice: what’s the right thing to do? by Michael J Sandel..
18
Committee Contacts: page 23
poetry1@leicesteru3a.org.uk 2712365
Poetry Helen Parsons
Appreciation 11:00 on the 1st Monday of the month at Helen’s.
Next: 4 May.
poetry2@leicesteru3a.org.uk 2883083
Poetry for Jane Michel
Pleasure 11:00 on the 2nd Monday of the month at Jane’s.
Next: 11 May.
Rambling Jan Hall
rambling@leicesteru3a.org.uk 2109348
9:15 every 2 weeks. Days and locations vary.
Next: Wednesday, 15th April led by Ian Neilson and Mike Goodall.
Tuesday 28th April led by Joan Thake and Jenny Foxon.
readingmusic@leicesteru3a.org.uk 2888063
Reading Margot Comer
Music Made 10:45 every 2 weeks on Tuesdays at Margot’s.
Easy Next: 21 April and 5 May.
reading@leicesteru3a.org.uk 2708015
Reading for Jill Reville
Pleasure 1 2:00 on the 3rd Monday of the month (usually) at Jill’s.
Next: 20 April. Book: The Franchise Affair by Josephine Tey.
reading2@leicesteru3a.org.uk
Reading for Anne Burge
Pleasure 2 11:00 on the 3rd Monday of the month at Di James’s.
Next: 20 April.
Rummikub Anne Harcourt
2433712
2:30 on the 3rd Monday of the month in members’ homes.
Next: 20 April at Mary Campbell’s.
science@leicesteru3a.org.uk
Science & Richard Thompson
Technology 2:30 on the last Thursday of the month at AgeUK, Humberstone Gate.
Next: 30 April. Peter Stanfield will talk on The nervous impulse: its
electrical nature and molecular basis.
Scrabble 1 Ian Simons
scrabble@leicesteru3a.org.uk 2884887
2:00 on the 3rd Tuesday of the month in members’ homes.
Next: 21 April.
Scrabble 2 Ian Simons
scrabble2@leicesteru3a.org.uk 2884887
2:00 on the last Monday of the month at Janet Stratford’s.
Next: 27 April.
Shakespeare Liz Brandow
shakespeare@leicesteru3a.org.uk 2546157
2:30 on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month at the Friends Meeting
House, Queens Rd.
Next: 22 April and 13 May. Continuing Anthony and Cleopatra.
www.leicester-u3a.org.uk
19
shakespeare2@leicesteru3a.org.uk 2882198
Shakespeare Mary Essinger
Sonnets 10:30 on alternate Fridays at Mary’s.
Next: 24 April and 8 May.
singing@leicesteru3a.org.uk 2700481
Singing for Muriel Harrison
Pleasure 10:30 on the 4th Wednesday of the month at Muriel’s.
Next: 22 April.
Spanish Eileen Pott
Conversation
spanish@leicesteru3a.org.uk 2701796
M: 07800 774029
2:30 on alternate Fridays in members’ homes.
Next: 17 April and 1, 15 May.
croquet@leicesteru3a.org.uk
Summer Bob Hall
Croquet 10:15 – 12:00 on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month at Victoria
Park Pavilion. Next: 22 April and 13 May.
Table Tennis Gill Cooper
2707672
2:00 every Wednesday at the Parklands Leisure Centre, Oadby.
theatre@leicesteru3a.org.uk 2700603
Theatre Heather Williams
Visits About 4 or 5 visits are arranged each year. Anyone wishing details please
contact Heather.
Technical Help
computing@leicesteru3a.org.uk
Computer Margaret Potter
Help Contact Margaret for help with computer problems.
photography@leicesteru3a.org.uk
Digital Photo Bob Hall
Help Contact Bob for help with digital camera problems.
Film Group - Oadby & Wigston U3A
All films are shown at 10:30 on the second Wednesday of each month at
Phoenix Square. Cost: £4-60 including a free drink of tea/coffee.
Wednesday 8th April — My Father the Hero – Gerald Depardieu
Wednesday 13th May — A Taste of Honey
Wednesday 10th June — Pride and Prejudice – Keira Knightley
For details contact M Gray at 0116 2714402 or mjgray@talk21.com
20
Committee Contacts: page 23
Venues for Group Meetings
Is your group getting too big for your present meeting place?
Are you thinking of starting a new group?
A Suggested Venues List is available from the Groups Coordinator, Richard
Taylor.
Dates for your Diary
Tuesday 21st April — All Members’ Coffee Morning – 10:30 to 12:00 at
Don Leone’s, Queens Road.
Tuesday 19th May — All Members’ Coffee Morning – 10:30 to 12:00 at
Don Leone’s, Queens Road.
Tuesday 16th June — All Members’ Coffee Morning – 10:30 to 12:00 at
Don Leone’s, Queens Road.
Monday 19th October to Monday 2nd November — Digital Imaging Group
Exhibition at Bishops Street Methodist Church.
Wellbeing and Hospitality
Enabling everyone to take part
Do you find it difficult to hear or see at the monthly Tuesday meetings? Do
you have any mobility issues? Is there anything else that prevents you from
fully participating?
Members of the Wellbeing & Hospitality team (easily recognised wearing blue/
yellow sashes) are there if you need to have an end of row/front seat. If there is
anything else we can do that enables you to take part then please tell us.
If you know of any member who is unwell or has suffered a loss then please
do tell Elizabeth Hassall, a member of the team, and she will send a card.
[Contacts: page 23]
www.leicester-u3a.org.uk
21
About the Newsletter
Delivery
The Newsletter is normally delivered to members by email as a pdf file
with one page per side. If you would prefer to receive it as a pdf with two
pages per side (easier for printing), please let the editor know.
If you have trouble reading the Newsletter from email (or do not have
email) and cannot attend the monthly meetings to collect a hard copy,
then either:
• you can have them posted to you for the cost of postage (contact
the Secretary for details of the scheme); or
• you may be able to collect one from Evington Library or AgeUK,
Queens Road where a few copies are deposited each month after
the meeting.
Contributions
The deadline for items to be included in the May 2015 Newsletter is
Tuesday 28 April. Contributions (from members) should be sent to
newsletter@leicesteru3a.org.uk. If you want to submit your entry as hard
copy, please contact the Editor, or the Secretary, to get an address to which
you can send it.
I am pleased to have received brief reports from several groups about their
recent activities and I extend my thanks to all the authors. Please keep them
coming. The occasional picture would be welcome as well. [Ed.]
RUM (page 23) — What’s that?
RUMs are Really Useful Members!
There are many people who help make our U3A tick, but are not on the
Committee, for example, Newsletter Editor, Wellbeing & Hospitality
Coordinator, Refreshments Team members etc. They constitute our RUMs.
22
Committee Contacts: page 23
Committee and RUM Contacts
Committee Members
Sue Howard, Chair
Trips Coordinator
2810297
chair@leicesteru3a.org.uk
Irene Ault, Secretary
Membership Secretary
2737237
secretary@leicesteru3a.org.uk
membership@leicesteru3a.org.uk
Jenny Foxon
Assistant Secretary
2883778
assistant_secretary
@leicesteru3a.org.uk
Bill Manners, Treasurer
2703112
treasurer@leicesteru3a.org.uk
Peter Stanfield, Publicity
2718472
publicity@leicesteru3a.org.uk
Geoff Brooks
Communications
2102291
comms@leicesteru3a.org.uk
Richard Taylor
Groups Coordinator
2921206
groups@leicesteru3a.org.uk
Cliff Ault
Newsletter Editor
2737237
newsletter@leicesteru3a.org.uk
Liz Brandow
Wellbeing and Hospitality
2546157
wellbeing@leicesteru3a.org.uk
Elizabeth Hassall
Illness / Sympathy Cards
2714512
cards@leicesteru3a.org.uk
RUMs
Elaine King, Speaker Finder 2704188
‘All Members’ Coffee
programme@leicesteru3a.org.uk
coffee@leicesteru3a.org.uk
Jan Hall
Christmas Lunch
2109348
christmaslunch
@leicesteru3a.org.uk
Diana Barker
Local Theatre Trips
2708676
dianabarker6@gmail.com
Jane Taylor, Groups Team
2921206
groups@leicesteru3a.org.uk
www.leicester-u3a.org.uk
23
Leicester U3A meets on the second Tuesday of each month (except
August and December) at Christchurch Hall, Clarendon Park Road,
LE2 3AH, and there are special interest groups that meet regularly in
members’ homes and elsewhere.
You can find out more about the U3A by visiting our website
www.leicester-u3a.org.uk, or by contacting the Secretary.
Interested in joining?
You can find out more about joining Leicester U3A by visiting the
website or by contacting the Membership Secretary.
Application forms are available to download from the website or they
can be posted to you on request to the Membership Secretary.
The form includes information on where to return your application and
the annual subscription of £17.
24
Committee Contacts: page 23