charity no: 1083274 u3asites.org.uk/leicester · canasta is an absorbing card game, played with two...

March 2019 Charity No: 1083274

u3asites.org.uk/leicester

Is it Spring Yet?Pictures by Irene and Cliff Ault

March Meeting: Tuesday 12th at 2:45Annual General MeetingThe final documents for this meeting will have been distributed either by emailor, for those not on email, as hard copy by post after the February meeting.The formal meeting will be followed by refreshments with the compliments ofthe committee.

Next Meeting: Tuesday, April 9th at 2:45Speaker: Samantha HancockFighting CybercrimeSamantha is the Cyber Protect Officer for Leicestershire Police and has been inpost since October 2016. Prior to that she worked in traditional Crime Prevention(2003-06 Derbyshire Police; 2006-2016 Nottinghamshire Police.) If you use the internet, email and social media, come along and make yourselfmore savvy! The talk is a NON-TECH overview on Cyber Awareness by a Police CyberProtect Officer and will cover :

Device safety/protection PasswordsProtecting your personal information Social mediaDigital footprint Risks of free or public Wi-FiOnline shopping and banking Scams & FraudRansomware PhishingSextortion Money muling

Attendance at the February Meeting: 124 members, 18 visitors.

Membership 2019 – Additions, Corrections and UpdatesAnyone who did not renew by 31st January has been lapsed from themembership and will no longer receive communications or be able to attendgeneral or group meetings. If you are not sure if this affects you, or know anyoneelse that it does, please contact Margaret as soon as possible. You can either postyour cheque AND renewal form to her or bring them to a general meeting.Badges for those who have renewed will be available then as well. Please collectyours. If you can take theirs for anyone who is not able to come it would be verymuch appreciated.

Margaret Potter (Membership Secretary)

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Message from the ChairI am writing this whilst enjoying the beautiful but unseasonable weather we arecurrently basking in, hoping that we won't be knee deep insnow by Easter.This is my last message as Chair as I will be standing down atthe AGM, although I hope to remain on the committee for onemore year as there are several issues we are hoping to tacklethat I would like to be involved in.I would like to say a very big thank-you to you all for yoursupport during my time as Chair. I think it is the teamwork andcooperation at all levels which make Leicester U3A so successful. Long may itcontinue.I think the thing I have enjoyed most as Chair, is meeting a wider number of themembership than is possible in the groups.This year we have more members standing for the committee than we have hadfor some time, but please don't become complacent. We are always open to newfaces and fresh ideas so please keep coming forward and expressing an interest.Ideally we would like to build up some teams which would be led or mentoredby a committee member but would be working to help the committee withouthaving to be a member of it.I look forward to remaining an active member of Leicester U3A for many moreyears and spending more time talking to people at the Monthly Meetings and AllMembers Coffee Mornings.

Jenny Foxon

SpeakersWe are always keen to hear about good and interesting speakers. If, somewhere other than U3A, you have heard a talk which you would like torecommend for a monthly meeting, please contact the Secretary to let her know. (Contact details can be found on the separate contacts sheet.)

Committee News

The minutes of committee meetings are available at the Secretary’s table atmonthly meetings and also on the members’ page of the website.

u3asites.org.uk/leicester 3

New Members Coffee MorningsThe Wellbeing and Hospitality team are very proud of the New MembersCoffee Mornings - joining a new organisation can be very daunting, buthaving these events in members’ homes means it’s easy to get to knowpeople. If you think you'd be interested in joining our Wellbeing team you'llalways find me at the Monthly Meeting, or contact me, as we'd love to haveyou. Sandra Barker

Wellbeing and HospitalityEnabling everyone to take part

Do you find it difficult to hear or see at the monthly meetings? Do you have any mobility issues?

Is there anything else that prevents you from fully participating? Christchurch is fully accessible with Disabled facilities.

Members of the Wellbeing and Hospitality team (easily recognised wearingblue/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 please tell us.If you would prefer to talk to someone before you attend then please give SandraBarker a call and, if you have any suggestions, we’d be very happy to hear them.

Also, if you know of any member who is unwell or has suffered a loss, thenplease tell Elizabeth Hassall, a member of the Wellbeing team, and she will send

a card. [Contact details on the separate contacts sheet.]

Refreshment Helpers Volunteers are needed to serve refreshments at monthly meetings. If you feelyou could help, please contact Sandra Barker, Wellbeing and Hospitality Co-ordinator. (See the contacts sheet.)

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SPEAKER ORGANISERSitting in a beautiful room listening to an interesting speaker talkingabout a subject close to your heart, or a fascinating topic you’relearning about for the first time, is one of the irreplaceable delights ofbeing a member of Leicester U3A - our Speakers at the MonthlyMeetings.We offer a warm welcome to Guest Speakers, and the intelligentquestions we ask after a talk are evidence of both our interest and ourenthusiasm.Elaine King, our recent very excellent Speaker Organiser has left us forsunny Devon. She has organised many great Speakers in the past andhas ensured we have a full line up for 2019.If we don’t replace her, we may lose our regular date with all mannerof interesting subjects.Could you, or you and one or two friends, be the next SpeakerOrganiser? Or Speaker Organiser team?You will:* Have A Budget* Arrange well in advance, an annual programme of Speakers coveringa wide variety of topics, of interest to all members across all subjects* Chat To The Speakers to know the background of the talk and anyequipment needed.* Host The Speakers ensuring a warm welcome and have all theymight need * Plan for non-arrival of the Speaker* Keep A List of future possible speakers from other U3As,suggestions from members, and ideas from your own experienceThis is a fascinating role for someone, or a group to take on. TheSecretary and the Committee are on hand to answer all your enquiries.So:Are you one who hears something on the radio and says “I didn’t knowthat!”?The one who shouts at the television “I was interested in that!” whenthe adverts come on?Then you may be the next Speaker Organiser, the one who organisesfor the members interesting talks on entertaining subjects for our U3A!

Neil Taylor


General Information from Groups

BackgammonBackgammon is one of the oldest games in existence, alongside Go and Chess. It is easyto learn the basic moves but, in common with Go and Chess, it takes time to becomeproficient. The group is open to anyone, whether beginner, advanced or any stagebetween. Come along and join in this fascinating game of planning and strategy, whereeven a raw beginner can beat the odds and win!

Bridge BeginnersThis group is for those who have never played Bridge but are intrigued by it and want tolearn, or for those who played it in their youth but have forgotten it all. We are all learningtogether in a relaxed and friendly environment. Absolutely no experience necessary!

CanastaCanasta is an absorbing card game, played with two packs of ordinary cards, including thejokers. It is based on the game of Rummy and can be played in groups of 2, 3 or 4persons. All are welcome, both experienced players and absolute beginners.

Gilbert and SullivanWe will watch short portions of an operetta sometimes and will discuss how best to morefully enjoy the details of Libretto and Music with discussions on the details of each.

Paranormal PhenomenaThis group caters for anyone interested in UFOs, ESP, conspiracy theories or any of thewealth of unexplained phenomena out there in the world. We meet once a month toexamine strange happenings, weigh up the evidence and discuss the different theories. Anyone with an open and curious mind is welcome.

Reading MusicFinding how to interpret the dots and squiggles in printed music that seem to make senseto the performers. We have decided to work through set books now, having sorted out andenjoyed some preliminary queries.New enquiries would be very welcome.

Steam RailwaysThis is the group for those who long for the romance of the old steam trains. Were you atrain-spotter in your youth, and mourn the passing of those iconic machines? Fancylearning even more, or sharing your passion with others? This group meets once a month,with discussions, presentations and visits, all with a steam railways theme. Doesn’t matterif you don’t know anything about them, you soon will!

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Reports from the Groups

UkuleleMembers are now equipped with instruments of various sizes and hoping tofind a gentle teacher and suitable learning programme. At the last meeting wefound ourselves able to sing and strum a song or two after only an hour ofexperimenting, ably led by our most able member due to a lot of practising!

Digital PhotographyThe theme for February was a particularly difficult one - Transparent. A pictureof a transparent object would presumably be invisible! However members hadsome inventive ideas and a few by Matt Matthew and Irene and Cliff Ault areshown here.


News from the Groups Co-ordinator

Well it’s that time of the month again, when the Newsletter Editor reminds methat the deadline for getting my Group News into the next month’sNewsletter is looming. And as I sit here (again!) wondering whaton earth I can write about, I am stunned to realise this is the verylast time I’ll ever have to do it! At the March AGM I will havebeen doing the job of Groups Co-ordinator for 3 years (including a6 month break from the Committee), and so I am obliged to stepdown. I know people always say this, but I really will miss doing it,looking after the groups, especially starting new groups, has been my ‘baby’.And all the groups that I’ve helped to get started in those 3 years, they areespecially significant to me. Since I became Groups Co-ordinator in November2015, 28 new groups have started. Remember, I had no input whatever incoming up with the ideas for these groups (except for the Botany group), everysingle one came about because a member decided it would be nice to have thatgroup. I also cannot lay claim to having helped all of them get started. Somemembers have such a clear idea of what they want, and are so determined to getit started, that the groups came about with zero input from me: Welsh Beginners(started by Brenda Worrall in late in 2015), Making a Video (started by Bob Hallin Feb 2016), Irish Language (started by Pat Breen in Jan 2017), How Hard CanIt Be (started by Sue Howard and Siham Turvey in July 2018) and Little Theatre(started by Elisabeth Somogyi in Jan 2019). They are so inspiring!

Most groups take a little more nurturing and guidance, which is where theGroups Co-ordinator comes in. Advertising for 3 months in the Newsletter and atthe Monthly Meetings for 3 months will hopefully result in quite a few names onthe sign-up sheets. There’s usually a good correlation between the number ofnames on the sign-up sheets for a group, and how successful the group will be.Where few members sign up for a groups, there has been little point in pursuingit as a workable idea. Sometimes an idea gets resurrected and second timearound, it works: Gardening and Cryptic Crosswords were both ideas whichwhen first suggested had very little interest shown. Both groups have now beenestablished for quite a while, indeed there are now 2 Cryptic Crossword groups.Some groups become established but for one reason or another lose theirmomentum and fail. Of the groups I have helped to start, two have folded. Onewas through lack of attendance by its members, the other was because the groupcouldn’t come to a decision about how they were going to effectively learn theskill they were all keen on learning. It is important to remember that with all thegroups, it is the members of the group who will be teaching each other. If no-onein the group has that skill, there has to be a strategy to find a way to learntogether. It can be done!

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In my time as Groups Co-ordinator, some groups have fallen by the way-side, sowe now no longer have a Folk Singing group, an Italian group, or an Astronomygroup. We did have a Creative Writing group, but they all left the U3A at thesame time, effectively taking the group with them. Such is the drive forcreativity within our members, that it was quickly replaced by our current,thriving Creative Writing group!

I am often surprised by the suggestions made for groups, for example, Foragingwas once suggested by a member as a Budding group. A brief discussion by theCommittee decided that was fraught with potential danger for its members, and itwas quietly dropped! Then there are the suggestions which I expected would beeagerly signed-up for, but which failed to attract much interest: Running,Cycling and Walking Football all attracted so little interest, they were notcontinued as Budding groups. You’re clearly more intellectual than physical!

I’m not leaving you all in the lurch though. We do have a replacement for me asGroups Co-ordinator: Neil Taylor will replace me in this role. He has beencoming to Viability Meetings with me and has been learning the ropes. I amconfident he will do a good job, but I’ll still keep my eye on him anyway!Almost finally then, a huge thank you to everyone who has helped me along theway, in particular all those members who got me out of a tight spot at theViability Meetings by volunteering to become that group’s Convenor. You’re alldoing a fantastic job and all you group members out there, make sure youappreciate your Convenor: because of them, your group can work!

So I’ll finish my Group News as I often have in the past, with some suggestionsof groups that other U3As around the country have, but which we don’t. Havefun, everyone.

Quilting and Patchwork (Warwick District U3A)

Smart Phones & Tablets(Doncaster U3A)

Drama (Porthcawl U3A)

Table Games (Yeovil U3A)

Steph Smith

Budding Groups –those seeking members in order to startWe currently have no Budding Groups to advertise. Orienteering will have itsViability Meeting soon, all the others in last month’s list attracted too littleinterest even after 3 months of advertising and will no longer be advertised. So, time to get your thinking caps on!


Groups Needing New MembersOver time, groups sometimes find their membership dwindling due to variousreasons: people move away and leave our lovely U3A, people decide they’dlike to try something new, so they change groups. And there’s the inevitable,shall we say, ‘natural wastage’. For whatever reason, groups sometimes needan injection of new blood in the form of some new members. If that soundslike your group, do let me know and I’ll advertise it in the Newsletter and onthe Groups table board at the Monthly Meetings for a couple of months.For example:Music Appreciation (Monday): The programme reflects the varied interestsand enthusiasms of group members. Each meeting is normally led by one ofthe group members but contributions are welcomed from everyone. The aim isto share and enhance our appreciation of a wide range of music in a relaxedand friendly atmosphere. No-one needs to have any expertise; we all havedifferent levels of knowledge and interest to share. Every three months weinvite one member of the group to play their “desert island disc” choices andtell us something about their life and the reason for their choices. Thesesessions are among the most popular with all the members of the group.If you are interested, please contact the Convenor, Liz Warren [email protected]

Next Group MeetingsPlease remember, you MUST be a member of Leicester U3A and contactthe convenor before joining a group. You can contact the convenor by emailby adding @leicesteru3a.org.uk to the generic address given with eachgroup. For example, to contact the architecture convenor, send an email [email protected] information on all our groups is also available on our website andmembers can contact the convenors from there. The information is also availableas a “Contacts Sheet” sent out by email and at the groups table at monthlymeetings.

If you have difficulty contacting the convenor, try the Groups Coordinatorinstead. Dates included in the following list are for meetings taking place between10 March and 12 April (inclusive).Architecture Susan Martin-Butt architecture1

2:00 on the 3rd Thursday of the month in members’ homes.

Next: 21 March at Mike’s. Watching part 2 of the DVD Brits Who Builtthe Modern World.

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Architectureand the BuiltEnvironment

Peter Kilty architecture2

2:00 on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at the Quaker Meeting House,Queens Road. The group does a lot of local architectural walks (past andfuture walks include the West End, Leicester University, the New Walkand Humberstone Road). Further information from Peter.

Next: 19 March. A walk: Clarendon Park - Virtue and Vice.

Meet at the Quaker Meeting House, Queens Road at 2:00.

Architectureand Design

Veronica Matthew architecture3

2:30 on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at Leicester Progressive JewishCongregation Synagogue, Avenue Road..

Next: 13 March. .Members’ presentations on GeorgianArchitecture - continuing the session from February..

Later: 10 April. A walk round Georgian Leicester.

Art Appre-ciation

Mary Neilson artappreciation

10:00 on the 1st Friday of the month in members’ homes or at an artgallery.

Next: 5 April at Chris’s.

Back-gammon

Bob Collins backgammon

10:00 on the 4th Tuesday of the month in members’ homes.

Next: 26 March.

Bones forLife

Jean Stone bones

10:30 on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month at the LeicesterProgressive Jewish Synagogue, Avenue Road.

Next: 20 March. Later: 3 April.

Bookworms Nick Arlett bookworms

10:30 — 12:00 on the 1st Wednesday of the month at The Exchange Bar(opposite Curve), 50 Rutland Street. Please contact Nick Arlett if you areinterested in joining. For more information, including a list of novels sofar, please see the Bookworms page on the Leicester U3A website.

Next: 3 April. Book: Reservoir 13 by Jon McGregor.

Botany Steph Smith botany

2:00 on the 1st Monday of the month at Steph’s.

First: 1 April.

Bridge 1 Bob Collins bridge1

2:00 every Wednesday at Bob’s.

Next: 13 March. Later: 20, 27 March, 3, 10 April.


BridgeBeginners

Keith Pyne bridgebeginners

2:00 on the 3rd and 4th Tuesdays of the month in members’ homes.

Next: 19 March. Later: 26 March.

Bridge 2 Henry Paulinski bridge2

2:00 every Thursday in members’ homes. Play this wonderful game incongenial company. Ideal for Bridge players with two or more years'experience.


BuspassTours

Denise Buchan buspass

Dates and venues will vary according to destination.

If you are interested in any of the trips and would like more details aboutwhich bus we’ll be catching, where and what time, please send an email tothe convenor, Denise Buchan, (see the separate contacts sheet), or contactSteph Smith. We look forward to seeing you.

Tours may be postponed until the weather improves in the Spring.

Canasta Barbara Sheppard canasta

2:00 on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month at Barbara’s.


Chess Inter-mediate

Graham Williams chess

10:30 - 12:30 on the 1st Monday of the month at Graham’s.

Next: 1 April.

Craft Margaret Potter craft

2:00 on the 2nd Friday of the month at Margaret’s.

Next: 12 April.

CreativeWriting

Stella Memory creativewriting

Usually 10:30 on the 1st Monday of the month in members’ homes.

Next: 1 April. Writing pieces for “Our Memories”, a printedbooklet to be produced in the Summer for the U3A.

CrypticCrosswords

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Diana Barker crosswords

2:00 on the 3rd Monday of the month at Diana’s.

Next: 18 March.

CrypticCrosswords

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Barbara Russell cryptic2

2:00 on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month at Barbara’s.


CurrentAffairs 1

Denise Aaron currentaffairs1

2:30 on the 1st Tuesday of the month in members’ homes.

Next: 2 April.

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CurrentAffairs 2

Henry Paulinski currentaffairs2

10:30 on the 3rd Wednesday of the month in members’ homes.

Next: 20 March.

DigitalPhotography

Angela Jennings photogaphy

2:15 on the 2nd Thursday of the month at the Quaker Meeting House,Queens Rd.

Next: 14 March. Theme: Fake Images.

Discussion Angela Kendrick discussion

2:30 on the 3rd Tuesday of the month in members’ homes.

Next: 19 March.

Discussion 2Henry Paulinski discussion2

2:00 on the 1st Monday of the month in members’ homes.

Next: 1 April.

Drawing &Sketching

Kamal Ohri drawing

10:30 on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month at Roy Priestley’s.

At each meeting the group decides what they would like to draw on thatoccasion: art objects that participants bring in for the day or flowering potplants etc.


FamilyHistory

Sandra Barker familyhistory

2:00 on the 1st Friday of the month at the Leicestershire and RutlandFamily History Society, King Street.

Next: 5 April.

FrenchAdvanced 1

Fiona Oliver frenchadvanced1

2:30 every 2 weeks on Fridays in members’ homes.

Next: 15 March. Later: 29 March, 12 April.

FrenchAdvanced 2

Peter Hampton frenchadvanced2

2:30 every 2 weeks on Thursdays in members’ homes.


FrenchIntermediate

Ivy Carr frenchintermediate

2:30 every 2 weeks on Fridays in members’ homes.

All members are involved in choosing topics, usually two or threemeetings ahead.


Gardening Angie Barnes gardening

2:00 on the 2nd Monday of the month in members’ homes or on a visit.

Next: 8 April. Topic: Propagation.


GermanConversation

Paul McCann german

10:30 on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at Helen Parsons’.

Next: 19 March.

Gilbert andSullivan

Margot Comer gands

10:00 on the 1st Thursday of the month at Margot’s.

Next: 14 March 4 April.

GuitarPlaying

Pat Breen guitar

Normally10:30 on 2nd Monday of the month in members’ homes.


History 1 Deborah Hartridge history1

10:30 on the 1st Thursday of the month in members’ homes.

Next: 4 April.

History 2 Mike Bates history2

2:30 on the 3rd Monday of the month in members’ homes.

Next: 18 March. Jenni Shelton will talk about History inKnighton and Stoneygate.

How HardCan It Be

Gabrielle (Gabi) Garland hhcib

Morning on the 1st Friday of the month. Time and Venue to varyaccording to activity.

Next: 5 April.

IrishLanguage

Pat Breen irish

2:00 every 2 weeks on Thursdays in members’ homes.

Next: 14 March. Later: 28 March, 11 April

LatinPolish Up

Your Rusty -

Jean Cloud latin

2:30 on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month at Jean’s.


LittleTheatre

Elisabeth Somogyi littletheatre

7:30 on Wednesday of the week of performance at the Little Theatre.

See page 21 for a description of the group’s plans.

Next: 27 March. Play: The Maids.

Later: 3 April. Play: The Unexpected Guest.

Mah-Jong Ann Allsop mahjong

10:30 on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month at Ann’s.


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MedievalPeople

Peter Kilty medievalpeople

10:00 on the 3rd Friday of the month.

Next: 15 March. Topic: Medieval Markets.

ModernNovel

Helen Parsons modernnovel

10:30 on the 3rd Friday of the month in members’ homes.

Next: 15 March at Sheila’s. Book: Some Luck by Jane Smiley introducedby Sheila.

(Mon) MusicAppreciation

Liz Warren music.mon

10:30 on the 3rd Monday of the month at Liz’s.

Next: 18 March. Continuing a group member’s musicalmemories.

(Wed) MusicAppreciation

Jill Reville music.wed

10:30 on the 3rd Wednesday of the month in members’ homes.

Next: 20 March at Aileen and John’s. Topic: Big Band or Mood Music

NaturalHistory

Richard Edwards naturalhistory

10:00 on the 4th Tuesday of the month.

Next: 26 March.

Needleworkand Knitting

Elisabeth Watkin embroidery

2:30 on the 2nd Monday of the month at Elisabeth’s.


ParanormalPhenomena

Alan Baker paranorm

10:30 on the 3rd Monday of the month in members’ homes

Next: 18 March.

Parks andTearoom

Strolls

Cliff Ault (Deputy) strolls

2:00 every 2 weeks on Fridays during the Spring and Summer months.

The first stroll of 2019 will be on 12 April probably at the UniversityBotanic Garden.

Pétanque Anne Harris petanque

4:15 to 6:15 on the 3rd and 4th Mondays of the month at LeicesterBowling Club, Kenwood Rd. A nominal fee of £1 per session will becharged. Please try to provide your own set of boules.

The first meeting of the season will be on 15 April.

Philosophy 1 Matt Matthew philosophy1

10:00 on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month in members’ homes.

Book: Wickedness by Mary Midgley.



Philosophy 2 Judy Hastings philosophy2

Normally 2:00–3:30 every 2 weeks on Thursdays at Judy’s.

Starting Human Nature after Darwin by Janet Radciffe-Richards.


Philosophy 3 Dennis Foxon philosophy3

10:30 every 2 weeks on Wednesdays at Evington Library.

Reading Causing Death and Saving Lives by Jonathan Glover.


PoetryAppreciation

Helen Parsons poetry1

10:30 on the 1st Monday of the month at Helen’s.

Next: 1 April.

Poetry forPleasure

Jane Michel poetry2

11:00 on the 2nd Monday of the month at Jane’s.


Rambling Jan Hall rambling

Every 2 weeks. Days and locations vary.

Next: Week beginning 11 March.

Later: Week beginning 25 March.

ReadingMusic Made

Easy

Margot Comer readingmusic

10:00 every 2 weeks at Margot’s.

Next: 5 April.

Reading forPleasure 1

Jill Reville reading1

2:00 on the 3rd Monday of the month (usually) at Jill’s.

Next: 18 March. Book: The Elegance of the Hedgehog byMuriel Barbery.

Rummikub Barbara Sheppard rummikub

2:30 on the 3rd Monday of the month (usually) at Roy Priestley’s.

Next: 18 March.

Science &Technology

Richard Thompson science

2:30 on the last Thursday of the month at AgeUK, Humberstone Gate.

Next: 28 March. Richard Thompson will talk aboutMathematics and Origami. There will be a practical component, so pleasebring with you about half a dozen sheets of A4 paper and a pair of scissors.

Scrabble 1 Bill Manners scrabble1

2:00 on the 3rd Tuesday of the month in members’ homes.

Next: 19 March at Valerie’s.

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Scrabble 2 Janet Stratford scrabble2

2:00 on the 4th Monday of the month at Janet’s.

Next: 25 March.

ShakespeareLiz Brandow shakespeare

2:00 to 4:00 on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month at the QuakerMeeting House, Queens Rd.

Reading Winter’s Tale.

A small contribution is required towards room hire and refreshments.

New members always very welcome.


Singing forPleasure

Margaret Potter (Deputy) singing

10:00 on the 4th Wednesday of the month at the Quaker Meeting House,Queens Road.

Next: 27 March.

SpanishConversation

Lorna Pollard spanish

2:30 on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month in members’ homes.


SteamRailways

Mike Rowberry steam

2:00 on the 1st Tuesday of the month.

Next: 2 April.

SummerCroquet

Janet Connolly croquet

10:15 – 12:00 on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month at Monks RestGardens Bowling Club, Vicarage Lane, Old Humberstone, LE5 1EE.

The group will meet again in April.

SundayLunch

Patricia Thompson lunch

12:30 on the 2nd Sunday of the month.

The convenor will need definite numbers 48 hours before the meal. Anemail is sent out a week before to enable the booking to go ahead.

We aim for a 12 30 start and would really welcome new members.

Next: 10 March. Venue: The Old Horse, London Road.

Later: 14 April.

Table Tennis Jackie Caunt tabletennis

Every Wednesday at Parklands Leisure Centre, Oadby.

The group is being given different times - not always 2:00 - by Parklandsevery week, Therefore it is advisable for new members and those whohave missed a week or two to contact Jackie before attending a session.



TheatreVisits

Jenny Foxon theatre

About 4 or 5 visits are arranged each year. Anyone wishing details pleasecontact Jenny.

The next trip is to see Wise Children by Angela Carter at the BelgradeTheatre, Coventry. Cost of Ticket + Coach is £39

Meet at 10.15 in Glebe Road, outside Botanic Gardens Entrance

Other members of Leicester U3A are welcome to attend two plays beforeformally joining the group.

Ukulele Margot Comer ukulele

10:00 pm the 1st Tuesday of the month at the Quaker Meeting House,Queens Road.

Next: 2 April.

VideoMaking a -

Bob Hall video

10:15 on the 1st Thursday of every third month in members’ homes.

Next: 6 June at Irene and Cliff’s.

WelshImprovers

Brenda Worrall welsh

2:30 on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month usually at Brenda’s.


WorldHistory

Jenni Shelton worldhistory

10:00 on the 1st Monday of the month in members’s homes.

We meet once a month to learn about the history of other nations, and howthis has impacted on the history of the UK. We take turns to present areasand times of particular interest to us.

Next: 1 April at Elisabeth’s. The Templars (part 2) presented by Elisabeth.

Technical HelpComputer

HelpMargaret Potter computerhelp

Contact Margaret for help with computer problems.

Digital PhotoHelp

Bob Hall photographyhelp

Contact Bob for help with digital camera problems

Venues for Group MeetingsIs 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 Co-ordinator.

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Dates for your DiaryTuesday 19th March — All-Members Coffee Morning at 10:15.Wednesday 27th March — Little Theatre Visit at 7:30 – The Maids.Wednesday 3rd April — Little Theatre Visit at 7:30 – The Unexpected Guest.Tuesday 16th April — All-Members Coffee Morning at 10:15.Wednesday 1st May — Little Theatre Visit at 7:30 – Jane Eyre.Thursday 16th May — Local Theatre Visit at 7:30 – Matthew Bourne’s Romeo

and Juliet - Ballet.Wednesday 12th June — Architecture and Design coach trip to Wisbech (open

to all members). (See below.)Wednesday 3rd July — Local Theatre Visit at 2:15 – The Color Purple.Wednesday 25th September — Local Theatre Visit at 2:15 – War Horse.Thursday 17th October — Local Theatre Visit at 2:15 – Cabaret.Wednesday 27th November — Local Theatre Visit at 7:30 – West Side Story.

Local Theatre Visit details are on page 20.Little Theatre Visit details are on page 21

The All-Members Coffee Mornings take place on the 3rd Tuesday of the monthat 10:15 at the Quaker Meeting House, Queens Road. There is a small charge tocover the cost of coffee and biscuits and hiring the room.

Films at the Phoenix are shown at 10:30 on the second Wednesday of eachmonth. Cost: £6.00 including a drink of tea or coffee.The film to be shown in a particular month can be found through a link on ourwebsite. Otherwise contact the organiser, Malcolm Gray, by email [email protected]

Coach TripThe Architecture and Design Group will be going on a coach trip onWednesday 12th June to Wisbech to look at the Georgian architectureand visit the National Trust property, Peckover House. As usual, this will be open to all U3A members.Contact: Veronica Matthew.


Local Theatre Visits (Curve) — Contact Diana Barker

MATTHEW BOURNE’S ROMEO & JULIET — BALLETThursday 16 May 2019 7:30 £27

Stalls rows AA and BB − 16 Balance due 01/03/19A passionate and contemporary re-imagining of Shakespeare’s classic lovestory. This is a new production of Romeo and Juliet , joined by Leicester’sbrightest young dance talent with live New Adventures Orchestra.

THE COLOR PURPLEWednesday 3 July 2019 2:15 £21

Stalls AA and BB – 12 Balance due 03/05/19This unforgettable story told over the course of 40 years followscourageous heroine Celie with a profoundly evocative score of jazz,ragtime, gospel and blues, set in racially divided southern America.

WAR HORSEWednesday 25 September 2019 2:15 £35Stalls AA and BB – 27 Balance due 24/07/19

War Horse is an unforgettable theatrical event which takes audiences on anextraordinary journey from the fields of rural Devon to the trenches of FirstWorld War France. Based on the beloved novel by Michael Morpurgo, thisis a powerfully moving and imaginative drama.

CABARETThursday 17 October 2019 2:15 £24

WEST SIDE STORYWednesday 27 November 7:30 £17.25

Special pre-view price Balance due 27th September1957. In the midst of gang rivalry and racial tensions, love at first sightstrikes between Tony, of the White-American Jets and Maria, the sister ofBernardo, of the Puerto Rican Sharks. In the face of danger, the two younglovers continue to meet in secret – but the Jets and the Sharks have one lastrumble to fight out.

All enquiries to [email protected]

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Little Theatre — Contact Elisabeth Somogyi([email protected])

THE MAIDSWednesday 27 March at 7:30 £8-50

A psychological thrillerBooking (through the Little Theatre Group) is open until 15 March

THE UNEXPECTED GUESTWednesday 3 April at 7:30 £14-00

A thriller by Agatha ChristieBooking (through the Little Theatre Group) is open until 15 March

JANE EYREWednesday 1 May at 7:30 £14-00

Romantic drama adapted from Charlotte Bronte’s novel by Polly TealBooking (through the Little Theatre Group) is open until 15 April

Pre-performance meals are available at 10% discount atthe Last Plantagenet pub for those holding Little Theatre ticketsInterested parties meet at the pub at 6:00 before the performance

The Little Theatre Past and PresentA presentation given to the Greater Wigston Historical Society

by Mike Bullon 20 March 2019

at Age UK, Paddock Street Wigston, LE18 2ANstarting at 7:30

Non members £3-00Free car parking opposite the venue

Meetings are popular, arrive shortly after 7 pm to secure a place


About the Newsletter

DeliveryThe Newsletter is normally delivered to members by email as a pdf file with onepage per side. If you have trouble reading the Newsletter from email (or do not have email) andcannot attend the monthly meetings to collect a hard copy, then either:

• you can have them posted to you for the cost of postage (contact theSecretary for details of the scheme); or

• you may be able to collect one from AgeUK, Queens Road or EvingtonLibrary where a few copies are deposited each month after the meeting.

ContributionsThe deadline for items to be included in the April 2019 Newsletter is Tuesday26th March. Contributions (from members) should be sent to the editor.[[email protected]]If you want to submit your entry as hard copy, please contact the Editor, or theSecretary, to get an address to which you can send it.I am always pleased to receive brief reports from groups about their recentactivities and I extend my thanks to all the authors who have done so, so far.Please keep them coming. The occasional picture would be welcome as well.

Subscriptions for 2019 Individual Associate*Joining between 1st November 2018 and 30 June 2019£15.00 £11.50Joining between 1st July 2019 and 31st October 2019£9.00 £6.00

Membership runs from the date of joining until the end of 2019.*Associate membership is for those who have paid a full subscription to anotherU3A this year.

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!! STOP PRESS!!URGENTLY REQUIRED! NEWSLETTER EDITOR

We’re sure that everyone would agree that one of the (many) delightfulfeatures of Leicester U3A is our great, informative and entertainingNewsletter. It’s the first thing many people will see and our first andmost important contact with New Members and interested people.They say that First Impressions are Lasting Impressions - ourNewsletter certainly presents a bright, lively view of us to the outsideworld.Our long-standing brains behind the Newsletter, Cliff Ault wishes tohand over the reins after an excellent period editing. July’s edition mayhave to be the last of many great editions Cliff has produced.We’re searching for someone, or some people, to take over putting theNewsletter together. Cliff will give as much advice as is needed andshow the new editor, or editors, the tricks of his highly prized trade.Though the role might seem scary, it needn’t be if one or two friendsgot together and shared it.Could you, and one or two, or maybe more, friends make up a teamthat would:Gather articles and photos from the Chair, Groups Co-ordinator,Speaker Organiser, group convenors, and others involved in trips andeventsPut The Newsletter Together ready for the printing and for emailSend proof copies to the Chair and others for checkingArrange Printing ready for the Monthly MeetingArrange Distribution to Age UK, Queens Road and libraries

It may be that one person does the gathering; one person, the computerenthusiast, does the compiling; and another the distribution. And youmight decide to write everything up as Word. Then it could be evenmore straightforward.It’s up to the people who wish to take over, with the expert guidance ofCliff at the start. So: Who’s going to set the presses rolling?Deliver Breaking News to the Leicester U3A masses and beyond? Have a go - keep our cherished Newsletter alive!!

Neil Taylor


LEICESTER U3A meets on the second Tuesday of each month(except August and December) at Christchurch, Clarendon Park Road,LE2 3AH, and there are special interest groups that meet regularly inmembers’ homes and elsewhere.

INTERESTED IN JOINING?You can find out more about joining Leicester U3A by visiting thewebsite or by contacting the Membership Secretary.Application forms are available to download from the website orthey can be posted to you on request to the Membership Secretary.

(Email: [email protected] Tel: 2911814)The form includes information on where to send your applicationand the annual subscription. (Details of subscriptions for 2019 are on page 22)

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