friday 21 july at lutterworth golf club · murmuration of starlings and that the somerset levels is...
TRANSCRIPT
June 2017 Bulletin No 116
Hog Roast
Friday 21st July at
Lutterworth Golf Club
Hog Roast
As many of you will know, we are planning to hold a ‘Hog Roast’ onFriday 21 July at the Lutterworth Golf Club. This will be an informalsocial event for U3A members, giving us a lovely opportunity to eat,drink and mingle. The benefit of holding this at the Golf Club is that wecan enjoy the fresh air and great views if the weather holds or becomfortable indoors if it doesn’t.
As there is a fixed cost to holding a hog roast, the price for individualsdepends a little on numbers attending. We are very optimistic ofgetting 100 people to attend which will bring the price down to£6/head. After the first announcement at the last meeting we alreadyhad sufficient committed to bring the price down to £10 so we areconfident of meeting our target of £6.
If you have not already signed up, can you do so at the next meeting on8 June after which we will be able to confirm the price. Monies canthen be collected at the meeting on 13 July. Feel free to invite familyand friends who meet the “age criterion”. If you cannot make the Junemeeting but would still like to attend the Hog Roast please let me knowby email beforehand ([email protected]).
Richard Hill01455 556498
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Monthly Meetings....................................................................................4Report on the May Meeting....................................................................5Notices.....................................................................................................6Group Reports..........................................................................................9
ART APPRECIATION..............................................................................9BOOK CHAT........................................................................................11CYCLING GROUP.................................................................................12FRENCH CONVERSATION...................................................................13GARDEN GROUP.................................................................................14GARDEN LUNCHES.............................................................................16GENTLE CYCLING GROUP...................................................................17HISTORY GROUP.................................................................................18JOINT GOLF GROUP (with Lutterworth U3A).....................................24MOTOR CYCLE GROUP.......................................................................26PHOTOGRAPHY GROUP.....................................................................28POETRY GROUP..................................................................................32PUB LUNCHES.....................................................................................33QUIZ GROUP.......................................................................................34SNAILS PACE GROUP..........................................................................35TRIPS...................................................................................................381st WEDNESDAY WALKING GROUP...................................................412nd WEDNESDAY WALKING GROUP..................................................434th WEDNESDAY WALKING GROUP...................................................45
Committee April 2017– March 2018.....................................................50
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Monthly Meetings
Welcome to the Wycliffe U3A. We meet on second Thursday of each month at the Methodist Church Hall. All are welcome to join.
10am – 10.30am: tea, coffee and biscuits available, and an opportunityto meet friends old and new. Book exchange, information about trips etc. Group co-ordinators will be available to answer any queries.
Speakers (10.30am) June - Karen Dilley - Digestive HealthJuly - Andrew Lound - The Pale Blue Dot - Earth seen from Space
Future Speakers: If anyone has ideas for future speakers at the monthly meetings or has recently enjoyed a speaker from elsewhere, please contact Mike Perry on 01455 556724.
Visitors: may come to one monthly meeting (payment of £1), after which they must become a full member if they want to come again.
Membership: to interest groups is limited to full members only.
Refreshments:June 8th. - Julian Hargreaves, Paul Butler and Gill Diaper
July 13th. - Paula Erett, Marlene Fletcher and Chris Sidey
August 10th : Jane Clark, Barbara Ewen and Sylvia Smith
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Report on the May Meeting
Speaker: Steve Lovell
Title: Garden Birds
Steve Lovell travelled from his home in Lincoln and told us about themany types of bird we may find in gardens in this country. We alsofound out about how some are thriving and others are not because ofthe changing environment and how we can make a difference.
Unsurprisingly the nation’s favourite bird is the Robin. We have aresident Robin and a European winter visitor which explains theterritorial fights between them often seen. No change there then!Did you know that bird baths and tables should be kept clean asotherwise diseases can spread. Did you know that meal worms shouldbe soaked in water in the breeding system as the young need moisturein their food.
Steve, who was passionate and enthusiastic and very knowledgeableabout his topic recommended that everybody should see amurmuration of Starlings and that The Somerset Levels is a particularlygood place to watch this spectacular event.
Mike Perry
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Notices
Annual Subscription Reminder
Annual subscription renewal is due on 1st April each year and, if you have not already paid, the fee for 2017/18 is now overdue. The full year subscription is £15.00 unless you are a member of another U3A, in which case the amount is £11.50.
You can pay directly into the Wycliffe U3A Lutterworth Bank Account The account details are:Lloyds Bank LutterworthSort Code 30-97-17Account Number 01937581Where your bank/building society says reference – just put your name(s) and initial.
If you don’t have access to a computer a cheque is acceptable. Chequesshould be made payable to Wycliffe Lutterworth U3A. You can pay at the monthly meeting or send your cheque to Sue Creeden, 25 Holly Drive, Lutterworth, LE17 4RQ.
Thank you in anticipation.
Membership Cards
If you have renewed your subscription for 2017/18 but not picked up your new membership card, you can collect it when signing in at the monthly meeting. If you are unable to attend the next meeting, please contact Sue Creeden (01455 557888) who will arrange to get it to you.
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BBQ and Big Band Evening at Gilmorton Cricket Pavilion
There will be a BBQ and Big Band evening on 29th July at the Gilmortoncricket pavilion. Organised by the Rotary Club and the Share and CareGroup. Proceeds will go to Share and Care (a Lutterworth baseddementia support charity). The 17 piece band have an excellentreputation, and will be playing a selection of 1940s music we’re allfamiliar with (even if we weren’t actually around at the time). Theevent isn’t a concert in the strictest sense of the word, but a fairly
casual and relaxedperformance while weenjoy a burger (or two)and a cold drink on awarm summer’s evening (Ihope!!). If you areinterested in a ticket ortwo, please let me know,even if you don’t want tofully commit at this stage. This will then give me anapproximate idea of thenumber of tickets I shouldput to one side.
Nigel BonesTele: 01455 209756
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Wine Tasting
Is anyone interested in a wine tasting social evening later in the year,probably sometime in October?
The format would be a wine tutor taking us through a selection of 5 or6 wines, and a buffet supper halfway through the evening. Theevening will be light hearted, yet informative, and will very much beaimed at those who enjoy a glass of wine, and NOT the wineconnoisseur.
The cost of the evening, which will include the cost of the wine tutor,the cost of the wine, and the cost of the buffet supper, will probably bearound £15 depending on numbers. If you are interested, please couldyou let me know or put your name on the list at the next meeting. Many thanks - Nigel
U3A Holiday Group
At our May meeting we enjoyed hearing from Margaret Foster herexperience of going on a River Cruise holiday. It was very helpful andinteresting to members who wanted to join such a cruise.The will be no meeting in June.
Our next meeting will be 10am on Friday 21st July at the Garden Barn,Cotesbach.
Caren Simpson
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Group Reports
ART APPRECIATION Co-ordinator Ursula Kanetis01455 553563
Our meeting was rescheduled to the last Friday in May to takeadvantage of the free admission to the Museum Collection Centre inBirmingham. It is here, where 80% of Birmingham’s Collections arestored. The 2-hour tour around the storage halls allowed us to see avast range of objects, often with a real focus on the city and the West-Midlands.
We all wereexpecting to seepaintings andsculptures, butfound instead inhuge shelving units- think IKEA - a quitecontrasting mix ofobjects, rangingfrom very old cars,bikes, dentist chairs, prams, bread-slicing and packaging machines to smaller items, like Greek terracotta figures, beautifully carved knitting needle cases, very early typewriters, computers and an impressive selection of shoes, to name just a few.
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There was no apparent order in the “display”, it wasreally just a Storage Centre, a bit dusty and unpolished, butan intriguing place to explore. A real treasure trove!
Next meeting: 9th July 2017 2 – 4pm New Walk Museum, Leicester“LITTLE SELVES
Ursula
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BOOK CHATCo-ordinatorMick Curtis01455 554504
The book this month was ‘The Long Song’ by Andrea Levy.
The story is set in Jamaica during the last days of slavery and earlyyears of freedom following the 1831 Baptist War. It tells the story ofJuly, a slave girl born on a sugar plantation. She is taken from hermother, Kitty at the age of 12 by the sister of the plantation ownerbecause she is lonely and wants her for a house slave. She changes hername and tells her that her mother is dead. The story is told from July'sperspective and is both funny and sad at the same time. She gave awaya son to a baptist minister who gave the boy an education. A daughtershe had later, was stolen away from her by the same plantationowner's sister that had taken her from her mother.
The author transports us to another place and time and reminds usthat it was not only the southern states of America that were slaveowners or profited from slaves. All but one member enjoyed this bookand felt that it was really well written.
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CYCLING GROUPCo-ordinatorNigel Bones tele: 01455 209756
The first cycle ride of the season took place during May, and onceagain, we were blessed with perfect cycling weather. The cycling groupwill be repeating a very enjoyable ride we have done before. Althoughwe had done this particular ride before, it remains one of ourfavourites. Starting on the Market Harborough to Northampton(disused) railway near Brixworth we cycled north up the cycle track andthrough the Kelmarsh tunnel (where lights were absolutely necessary). Leaving the tunnel, we left the track and headed towards Kelmarshwhere we stopped off at the Buddhist centre for coffee and cake. Itwas then back to the bikes and cycled through the back lanes toHaselbech, down to Cottesbrooke, and then back to our starting pointon the cycle track. This was followed by a well-deserved lunch and adrink at The Bull’s Head in Arthingworth.
June’s cycle ride is now in the planning phase, so if anyone is interestedin joining us, please contact Nigel Bones on 01455 209756 or [email protected]
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FRENCH CONVERSATIONCo-ordinatorSue Hicks01858 880273
Discussions included the terrible and sobering attack in Manchesterand the minute’s silence.
We translated an article on royal eagles protecting sensitive sites fromdrones and listened briefly to a report on the French elections. Welooked at British pantomime traditions as described in an article byRichard Hill for the Twin Town of Chambourcy.
Next meeting: 22nd June 2017 Conversation topic: Three things on my bucket list.
Sue Hicks
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GARDEN GROUPCo-ordinatorSue Creeden 01455 557888
What a contrast to last month! The weather for our trip to AvondaleNursery and the Secret Quarry Garden in Baginton was pleasantlywarm and sunny. Brian at Avondale welcomed us and gave us a briefintroduction to his display garden of perennials, explaining that he heldthe National Collection of Asters, Anemone and Sanguisorba. We thenwandered through the garden and were able to ask questions andpurchase plants from the shop before enjoying a cuppa and a biscuit.Next door was John Gillies Nursery which specialises in climbers andshrubs. We then moved on to take a stroll through the secret quarrygarden hidden behind the trees. We were perhaps a week or so late tosee the azaleas and rhododendrons at their best but there was stillplenty of colour. A very quiet and tranquil place to wander or just sit awhile.
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Quarry Gardens
On Tuesday 27th June we have a trip to Evenley Wood Garden nearBrackley (Evenley, NN13 5SH). This is a large woodland garden which,in June, is popular for roses and lilies. The minibus will leaveLutterworth Leisure Centre at 12.30 p.m. to arrive at approximately1.30 p.m. We will then have a couple of hours to wander at leisurebefore refreshments at 3.15/3.30 p.m. The minibus will leave justbefore the garden closes at 4.00 p.m. and be back in Lutterwortharound 5.00 p.m. The cost will be £16.00 including refreshments (£5.00entrance, £5.00 refreshments and £6.00 minibus.)If you would like to come, please let me know as soon as possible on01455 557888 or email [email protected].
Sue Creeden
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GARDEN LUNCHESCo-ordinator Jill Graham01455 [email protected]
Tuesday 18 th April Sapcote Garden CentreThe Café was full and “buzzing” with people. I can’t remember ushaving a long wait to be served, although I do remember a few peopledoing a “When Harry Met Sally” – looking at what someone else waseating and saying “I’ll have whatever he’s having”!
Tuesday 16 th April Stanton LakesOn this occasion we turned up a little earlier so that we could orderbefore the regular Rotary Group turned up. It was fortunate that wedid so as at our U3A Meeting somebody left a pen/felt tip on the tabletop that came out silver on the page – in spite of my leaving peopleusing the biros wrote over the top, and I ended up booking for 5 whenthere were actually 8. However this was soon put right with a quickmove to a larger table and we enjoyed our meal and the views of thelake. It is obviously a popular venue as the dining area was full – theyput the Rotary in a separate Function Room away from the main diningarea and bar. They have a “Roast of the Day”, a good Specials Board aswell as their usual Menu.
Jill Graham
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GENTLE CYCLING GROUPCo-ordinatorSue Creeden01455 557888
Unfortunately our ride in May had to be cancelled due to heavy rain.
Our next outing will be on Wednesday, 21st June at 10.00 a.m. meetingat Ullesthorpe Garden Centre for a ride through the local lanes. Weaim to be out about 1 ½ hours to do approximately 8-10 miles at aleisurely pace (if any hills are a struggle we walk!). We can rewardourselves with refreshments afterwards.
If you would like to join us, please contact Sue Creeden on the abovephone number or email [email protected].
Sue Creeden
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HISTORY GROUPCo-ordinatorViv Weller01455 557136email: [email protected]
History Trail around Lutterworth - May 2017
Despite grey skies and showers, members of the History Group joinedViv for a history trail around Lutterworth. Starting from the Methodistchurch, our route took us up and down some of the older streets of thetown. George Street, formerly known as Hartshill Lane, took us pastthe site of the original 17thC workhouse (now the car park). The boys ofthe first Sherrier school were taught in a building somewhere near herein the 19thC. Turning into Church Gate, past the tiled chemist’s muralfrom 1961, we looked at the 16thC Coach and Horses Inn and then the19thC Mechanics’ Institute; built to satisfy the keen interest in adulteducation in the 19thC. In the early 16thC the town’s bull was pennedsomewhere in this area. To our right, the 19thC Sherrier School stillstands. It was a showpiece school, built to create a place for primaryeducation for all as decreed by the 1870 Education Act. We poppedinto St Mary’s Church to see the medieval wall paintings and then on toSt Mary’s Road and past the elegant Lutterworth House. This datesfrom 1822 and it once had an extensive 100 acre grounds stretchingright up to the Coventry Road and also across Woodmarket.
On Woodmarket we admired the fine architecture of Hythe House andthe many listed buildings in this part of the town. One thatched cottageclearly shows its 15thC origins but many of the others are also severalhundred years old behind their elegant 18th and 19th century brickfacades. Woodmarket is so called because it was once the site of animportant medieval market where wood was sold. This was the main
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road to Coventry at one time. Further along, there were once lessbenign sights; the town gallows stood nearby in the 16thC and later, thePoor Law Union workhouse was placed there in the 1830s. Like manyprovincial Union workhouses, it was built out of town, keeping theuncomfortable sight of paupers away from the more prosperousinhabitants. After viewing the exterior of Hill House, another largemansion dating from the town’s boom years in the early 19th century,we crossed over, turned up Baker St and then on through the Cutchelto Bank Street.
Bank Street was once called Small Lane. It was originally the back laneto the medieval crofts and tenements on the High Street but a fewsurviving grand buildings show us it later rose up in the world. TheBank’s imposing regency style building must have been a considerablestatement in its day. Devonshire House is another sign of local wealth.Bank Street had a convent of Poor Clares for a time at the beginning ofthe 20th century. Later, the street housed one of Lutterworth’s threecinemas and a garage stood on the corner site opposite the Unicornpub. On our left, we could also see into the remnants of the oldcoaching inn yards of the Hind and the Denbigh.
We paused on Regent Road to admire the view down towards SpitalBridge and Springs House in Stoney Hollow. Across the main road, theview is dominated by the elegant early 19thC Terrace. Spital bridgedates from the 18th century, although it was widened later. The originalford can still be seen on the left as you go out of town. Viv told thegroup about the medieval hospital that stood nearby which gave thearea its name and also about the substantial 19thC water mill whichstood there until the mid 20th century. This area was famous for itssprings and wells. There was a healing Holy Well here which was said tohave sprung up miraculously when one of Wycliffe’s exhumed andburned bones fell while the remains were being carried to be thrown
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ignominiously into the River Swift in 1427. This grisly action wasdecreed by Pope Martin V. (Wycliffe died in 1384 but he was stillregarded as dangerous by the Church and declared a ‘stiff-neckedheretic’ at the Council of Constance in 1415). In the 1509 Terrier, a landsurvey of the town, this place was called the ‘Wellegriffe,’ which maybe a reference to that special well.
On Regent Road we tried to imagine the lost houses, pubs and shops inthis part of town, all of which were swept away when the roads werechanged in the mid 1960s. Remnants of these, like the prison whichonce housed Napoleonic prisoners of war, are still rumoured to beburied under the bank which falls away to Rugby Road here. Wecarried on up the hill past the Georgian coaching inns and finemansions on the High Street and paused across from our famous early19thC Town Hall. The market in Lutterworth dates from the reign ofKing John in 1214 and it used to be a major centre for trade for milesaround. The Shambles recalls the butchers and slaughter houses whichonce operated at one side of the market on a track called Fleshamills(now Bell Street). The open area across from the Greyhound used to becalled Neatsmarket. (Neats are young cows). In later times, there wereseveral thriving shops (on what is now the marketplace), including adepartment store just across from Fortnum’s chemists. Many of us canremember Lutterworth’s other department store, Kimpton-Smiths,which was situated on the other side of the town hall (where Subway istoday) and survived until the 1980s.
On down Church Street towards the memorial gardens, constructed onthe site of one of Lutterworth’s largest and most impressive townhouses, once own by Mr Buszard the banker. All the early 20 thCterraced houses nearby in George Street sit on that house’s extensivegardens. They were built by Rourke, a celebrated local builder. Many ofthe buildings in Church Street are much older than they appear, with
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brick facades added in the 18th and 19th centuries. Like the central roadlayout of Lutterworth itself, these buildings still inhabit the plots laidout centuries ago and their crofts once extended into what is now thecar park behind. Some people remembered Burton’s garage (1930s to80s) on the left. Viv also pointed out the site of the Payne family’sbasket making shop, where the riot took place in 1918.
We continued our history trail by turning into Chapel Street which oncehoused two different nonconformist chapels and through the attractiveyard of the Greyhound coaching inn, round through the northernsection of was once ‘The Narrows’ . The main road there was verynarrow and totally unsuitable for mid-20th century vehicles so the roadhad to be widened. Several old and probably distinguished propertiesacross the way and also towards the corner of Church Street weredemolished to achieve this. We passed by the beautifully proportionedManor House which somehow managed to survive the post wardestruction, admired the police station in the distance; the firstpurpose built provincial police station and courthouse in the countryand then on through the former 17thC Ram Inn (Cavalier) yard. Wefinished our walk in what was once called Worship Street (that end ofGeorge St) next to the United Reformed Church and just across fromwhat was once Lutterworth’s stylish art deco cinema (the WycliffeRooms).
Next time you’re wandering round Lutterworth remember to look up!There are many fine old buildings to admire in our town.
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Chemist Shop Tiles Lutterworth Clock
Tailor Sign
Mechanics Institute Sign
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Here is a bit of extra information from a visitor long ago........The writer, Daniel Defoe made a brief visit to Lutterworth in 1724. This was his description.‘From hence we went on to Harborough intending to go forward to Leicester; but curiosity turn'd us west a little to see an old town call'd Lutterworth, famous for being the birthplace of honest John Wickliffe,the first preacher of the Reformation in England, whose disciples were afterwards called Lollards; when we came there we saw nothing worth notice, nor did the people, as I could find, so much as know in general, that this great man was born* amongst them’.D. Defoe, A tour thro' the whole island of Great Britain, divided into circuits or Journies (1724-7; London, 1927)
*Note; Defoe was repeating a common error. Wycliffe was born in Yorkshire.
Viv Weller
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JOINT GOLF GROUP (with Lutterworth U3A)Co-ordinator (Lutterworth U3A)Peter Moore01455 552594e-mail :- [email protected]
Organiser: Mike Harrison Tel: 01455 209064 email - [email protected] Golf Day : Ullesthorpe Golf Club on Tuesday 13th June 2017 Meet 12.00pm in club house for coffee and bacon sandwich.12.40pm: - Draw for playing partners1st Tee time: - 12.56pm18 holes of golf – full handicap StablefordPrizes:
1st + Hartopp TrophyEtc.Ladies PrizeNearest the pin – 12th hole
Cost: £28.00 per player all inclusive (dependent on numbers)Guests welcome to join us for dinner - £11.75 per person.Dinner - 6.30pm in clubhouse
To confirm your attendance and for full itinerary, contact Peter Moore by Thursday 8 th June 2017, include meal choices and extra dinner places.
Result at Lutterworth Golf Club 27th April 2017:-1st Mick BarrowsNTP Michael EastellNo Ladies played.
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PLEASE RESERVE THESE DATES
Seasons forthcoming Golf Days
Hinckley G.C. Wednesday 19th July 2017
Whetstone G.C. Tuesday 29th August 2017
Sandwell Park G.C. (away day) Thursday 19th October 2017
Full details in future Newsletters
Peter Moore
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MOTOR CYCLE GROUPCo-ordinatorColin Beadle01455 558013mobile: 07505 [email protected]
Our May ExcursionThe weatherimproved and theroads looked inviting.We decided to headto the West on thisouting – the routetaking us ultimatelyto the town ofStourport on Severn.
Our route was down the Fosse Way – turn right and head forLeamington Spa / Warwick and beyond. All went well until Warwickwhere traffic separated the group and reliance was placed upon thewonderful mobile phone to reunite all. A word of caution if asking fordirections from locals in Warwick – double check. Fair to say a few ofus now know the road systems of Warwick well, also – Sainsbury’s doesnot have a coffee shop. However there area some excellent tea /coffee establishments towards the town centre.
Duly refreshed we made good time to Stourport. Our route took us on minor roads which proved a delight to ride.
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Stourport on Severn - the terminus of the Staffs and Worcs Canal andthe River Severn is an interesting little place. As the writer I mustconfess to living there 1980 - 1985 so have various memories. Theamusement park and numerous fast food establishments remain andbut a stone throw away the tranquillity of the canal basin, the river andall.
Canal Basin at Stourport
After refreshment we headed home making good time to arrive at alittle after 17:00 hrs. The route taken was around 170 miles in total –an enjoyable outing.
In early June we have a visit to the Triumph Motorcycle factory atHinckley. Later in the month the whole group is attending a First Aid –First Response course promoted by the Fire and Rescue Service. A rideout also to be accommodated sometime in the month.
Colin Beadle
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PHOTOGRAPHY GROUPCo-ordinatorMichael Batesmobile : 07899937595
May Meeting – 26th May
The computer is an essential tool for getting the best from digitalphotography. We use computers to store, distribute and enhance ourdigital images. To help us with the first steps in saving and sharing ourdigital pictures, Mike Chapman gave us a presentation with practicaldemonstrations in file handling and sharing our digital images.Mike explained the importance of frequently transferring pictures fromcamera to Personal Computers (PC’s), both for security, you canreplace your camera but not your pictures and to free up the camerasstorage card memory for more pictures. Once the pictures are in thePC, we were shown how best to store them and Mike recommendedthe storage rule of “three’s”, Folder 1 – Store and forget, Folder 2 –Working copies, 3 – Off computer storage. Using this method ofstorage greatly reduces the risk of inadvertently losing the images.Finally, we were shown how to transfer picture files between a PC andan I-Pad and how to use a program called “Dropbox” where picturescan be exchanged with friends and family quickly and safely withoutusing e-mail.
From the above description you may have thought the subject to be alittle boring, but in fact, this meeting was one of the most interactivewe have had, so much so, that our members have asked for the topicto be explored further later on this year.
Being so popular the main topic overran and we only just had time toview our pictures of the month on the subject of “animals”. Having
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expected lots of pets, the range of animals covered was quite wide,with pictures taken in some very exotic places, what a well-travelledbunch we have in our group.
Next Meeting – 10am on Friday 30th June 2017 at the One Stop ShopOur June meeting is the last before we break for the summer holidaysand the main topic will be Landscape Photography. Looking at abeautiful landscape is often quite inspiring, but does that translate toour pictures when viewed later. We will look at some professional workand consider some of the ways in which we can retain the essence ofwhat we saw. We will also have a quick look at how we can re-size ourpictures to make them easier to send by e-mail.
The picture topic for June is “Clouds”. We are looking for interestingcloud formations, shapes or colour, sunrise or sunset. Pictures ofclouds are always a useful store of backgrounds for photographers andit does not matter if there is the odd roofline in shot.
A monthly group electronic Newsletter is available, which includesextracts from each monthly presentation. Members attending ourmeetings will automatically get a copy and distribution to other U3Amembers can be arranged, if required. We are happy to welcome anyU3A member to our meetings, even if they cannot attend on a regularbasis.
All our members’ monthly pictures can be viewed in the gallery sectionof the Wycliffe Lutterworth U3A website. For more informationregarding the photography group or to receive a copy of the groupNewsletter contact us on [email protected]
Michael Bates
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Selected Pictures of the Month
See all this months submitted pictures on Wycliffe Lutterworth U3A Website – Gallery.
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NZ Southern Island RobinColin Beadle
White HorseTrudy Haddon
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Honey GathererSally Cook
Damsel flyNigel Bones
POETRY GROUPCo-ordinatorSylvia Hitchen0116 247 8353email: [email protected]
The month’s topic was “Wild Animals” and our animals ranged fromlions and tigers, snakes, swans and octopuses through to hedgehogsand birds. Even a cat.
We talked generally about which birds we’d seen and not seenrecently, the plight of some species and what constitutes a snake.
As usual there were a lot of comic poems, I particularly liked MarriottEdgar’s “Albert and the Lion”, especially as we also had the lion’s replyto Albert, and lots of other amusing submissions from the likes ofHilaire Belloc, Pam Ayres and Richard Digance. There were some lovelydescriptive poems from John Clare, Thomas Hardy (one of the earliestliterary voices to rail against animal cruelty), and Martin Armstrong.
The sad plight of animals was depicted, as told by the animals, in “TheAnimal Refugees” by Sheena Blackhall, and badger baiting, in all itsappalling and gruesome detail, was depicted in “The Badger” by JohnClare.
Our next get together is on 22nd June and the topic is “Food and Drink”.
Sylvie Hitchen
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PUB LUNCHESCo-ordinatorJill Graham01455 557117
Wednesday 5 th April The Shires, Peatling Parva Numbers were slightly lower than usual because of the Easter Holidaysand several people, including myself, were away. However, 16 turnedup and enjoyed the wide choice available.
Wednesday 3 rd May The Chequers, Ullesthorpe I think that everybody paired off and chose options from the “Two forthe Price of One Menu”. One hardy soul had enough room for aChocolate Dessert which looked massive in a very large glass goblet.Difficult to beat on choice and value – never mind the good companyaround the table!
Jill Graham
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QUIZ GROUPCo-ordinatorJoan Coiley01455 558658
The May meeting of the quiz group was well supported. We have anew member, John. Welcome!
Sylvia set us some real shockers interspersed with easier questions.These, probably, to lull us into a ’false sense of security’.
Example of a medium-hard question:-Although at least one member of each team knew who the longestserving English football manager was, his duration was not, so nobonus points.Walter Winterbottom was in post from 1946 to 1962.
It was a most enjoyable morning. As usual, we all fully intend toremember, at least, some of the interesting facts that emerged. Will we?
Joan Coiley
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SNAILS PACE GROUPCo-ordinatorSheila Eggleton01455 554397
Snail's Pace Walking Group June 16th 2017
If you have been a member of the walking group since the first yearyou may have done this walk before, although at a different time ofyear. It is a 2.75 mile, gentle, flat walk, on hard surface, some acrossfields and along a tow path. We will start from Wistow Rural Centre,overflow car park at 11.00a.m. The walk should take no more than 90minutes. There is one small stile, but this can be avoided by taking aslightly different route. The cafe at Wistow will not take reservationsfor lunch. At the moment I am reluctant to book tables at nearbyvenues (in Kilby) until I know exactly how many people will be coming. Jenny reserved seating for approx 20 people for the May walk and onthe day only four people ate. For this reason I would like replies by theU3A June meeting. I will then book a venue for those who haverequested a meal. I will email those people who have requestedfood with the details of the venue and how to book their meal. Obviously members are welcome still to come on the walk at the lastminute, as long as they realise they will have to make their ownarrangements for food.
May 19th Walk
For a myriad of reasons our May walk consisted of a small, select groupwho set off, undaunted by the rain, from Cosby Golf Club for a walkaround this small, pretty village. Our walk took us through the heart ofthe village, via parkland and fields back to our starting point where we
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enjoyed the hospitality of the Golf Club. En-route we stopped toadmire the young ducklings sheltering at the side of the stream whowere probably considerably drier than we were. We were all agreedthat this would be a walk well worth repeating in sunnier weather. Our thanks to Jenny for organising this lovely walk. Sheila Eggleton.
Wisteria at Cosby – Dave Hunter
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Mallards at Cosby – Dave Hunter
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TRIPSCo-ordinatorGeorge Robertson01455 559725 email: [email protected]
Cambridge Trip
On Monday 8th May at 8.45 am, 46 members boarded a coach andheaded to Cambridge. On arrival we were dropped off at The ArundelHotel where we had coffee and biscuits and were introduced to ourguides who would take us on a walking tour of the city. The guidesgave us an introductory talk about the history of Cambridge whilst wefinished our coffee. We then headed out in three separate groups toenjoy a very informative look at some aspects of this architecturallystunning and historically fascinating city.
The guides were very knowledgeable and provided a lot of detailedinformation together with humorous anecdotes. We then had time toexplore the city on our own and this included choosing one of manyvenues to have lunch. Coffee stops and shops were used at times to getus out of the cold wind which was the only downside of the trip. Thereturn journey was smooth with no real traffic problems and wearrived back in Lutterworth just after 6pm.
The guide indicated that if we ever wanted to return again in the futureshe and her colleagues could provide a totally different tour for us toenjoy. It is certainly well worth considering.
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A
glimpse into the grounds at Trinity College
Chilling outing on the River Cam
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Admiring the Architecture of St. John’s College entrance
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1st WEDNESDAY WALKING GROUPCo-ordinatorsRoger Watmore 01455 552431Julian Hargreaves 01455 557704
WEDNESDAY 5th July 2017
Walk Organisers: Tony Allen 01455 552087 Paul Butler 01455 699437
Meeting Point and Time: Lutterworth Recreation Ground car park at 9.20 am to leave at 9.25 am.
Directions to the Start: The Wharf Inn Welford NN6 6JQ. Lunch £6 or£9 with pud. Specials £10 for moneyed folk. Leave at 10am. Drive takes20 mins. Go through North Kilworth then right after Canal Bridge andright again at T junction. Wharf Inn is on right past the 30mph sign.Twin parking entrances last one is best. Return 20 miles.
Route and Distance: A 2.3/4 hour, circular 6.7 mile walk (viz. minorroads/pavements 2.7, fields/wood 2.4, canal1.6). Just one stile.Heading S up Welford High Street and West End we cross the SouthKilworth Road and gently ascend Hemplow Drive before turning W intoscenic Hemplow Hills. Briefly entering Hemplow Wood we emerge toadmire the distant view ahead and descend grassy field boundaries tocross the Grand Union Canal at Bridge 34. After taking a break there were-cross the canal at Bridge 38 and climb E through fields onto HallLane and back to the Wharf.
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May Walk
21 walkers set off on a 5½ mile walk on a cool, breezy but dry springmorning. From Peatling Parva we crossed over several fields beforeturning right along a track on the Leicestershire Round towardsPeatling Magna. After a coffee stop in Peatling Magna we returned toPeatling Parva via the Parish church across meadow grass fields. ACarvery and Sweet Lunch was taken at the Shires pub in Peatling Parvawhich was enjoyed by all. We didn’t eat anything else for the rest ofthe day.Jean & Peter Williamson
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2nd WEDNESDAY WALKING GROUPCo-ordinators:Julian Hargreaves 01455 557704Mike Chapman 01455 209972 / 07860 118426Last minute update (until 8:45am on day of walk)see www.ashbyparva.net/u3awalk
Date of Walk – Wednesday 12th July 2017
Walk Organiser – Jean & Pete Williamson 01455 209882
Start Point and Time - The Cock Inn car park, at Peatling Magna (opposite Pub) to leave at 10.00am.
Directions to Start – take road from Gilmorton to Peatling Parva. AtPeatling Parva turn left and then immediately right to Peatling Magna(signpost 2 miles). Enter Peatling Magna, the Cock Inn is on the left (carpark opposite).
Route and Distance –The route goes from Peatling Magna over fieldspaths to Arnesby and then Shearsby before returning to PeatlingMagna. There are approx.. 14 stiles including 4 doubles. Distancebetween 4.50 and 4.75 miles.May Walk
17 walkers plus 2 dogs successfully found the starting point on abeautiful sunny morning. This easy walk took us through woodland,parkland, arboretum and lakesides. There were lots of stops to admireducklings, cygnets and herons and enjoy an ice cream. We returned toour cars having enjoyed a 5.03 mile walk. V. Davis
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Future walks
We are still looking for short walks for September and October. Pleasecontact either Julian or Mike. If you've never organised one before whynot give it a try. We can help you with any of the details.
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4th WEDNESDAY WALKING GROUPCo-ordinatorsSue & Peter Creeden 01455 557888
28 June 2017
Walk Organisers:- Sue and Peter Creeden Tel: 01455 557888
Meeting Point and Time:- Lutterworth Recreation Ground car park at 9.25am to leave at 9.30am.
Start Point and Time:- The Queens Arms, Main Street, Leire (Postcode LE17 5HF) . Toilets available. Walk starts at 10.00am.
Directions to the Starting Point:- Leave Lutterworth to Bitteswell. Rightat crossroads to Ashby Parva. Third right into Ashby Parva. At the endof the village right to Leire. At the T junction left and, after a couple ofhundred yards (at the church), right. The Queens Arms is immediatelyon your left.
Route and Distance: The route sets off through the village to pick up afootpath to Broughton Astley. We then take a footpath south ofPrimethorpe before turning to Frolesworth. At Frolesworth we join theLeicestershire Round to return to Leire. The walk is approximately 5.5miles comprising a mixture of field tracks and road with approximately17 stiles.
Lunch Arrangements:- Choose before setting off.
Peter Creeden
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May 2017 Walk Report
It continues to puzzle me why on the odd occasion the numbers forwalks are down. This was one of them with just 14 walkers setting offon an absolutely gorgeous spring day. It was a shame because Julianhad done his homework and prepared a real gem of a walk in thecountryside and away from busy roads. We set off from the lay-by justnorth of Welford taking the route of the old A50 before crossing fieldsto reach Honey Hill, It was so clear and not very windy so we stoppedon the top for the break to soak up the vista (admittedly you do needto have a penchant for wind turbines to fully enjoy it - I think wecounted 42 or 43 of them). We then dropped down to Elkington beforepicking up the canal towpath and then on to Hemplow Hill. This isbluebell territory but unfortunately they were mostly over. Ascompensation, however, we did see an abundance of cow parsley onthe walk. Once over the hill (not a reference to the walkers I mustclarify) we then made our way along lanes back to the lay-by.
Peter Creeden
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Interest Group Meeting Days and Times
GROUP CO-ORDINATOR TEL.NO* FREQUENCY TIME
MONDAY
Card Games Cynthia Griffith 554308 first & third 2.30— 4.30
History Viv Weller 557136 first 2 – 4 One Stop Shop Shop
Lively Discussion Dot Barnard 208190 second 10.30—12.30
2nd Bridge Anne Hetherington 203498 second 7.00 pm
Table Tennis Nigel Bones 209756 weekly 2.00-4.00
TUESDAY
Art Chris Brady 209108 1st,3rd,4th,5th 2.00-4.00
Quiz Joan Coiley 558658 first 10.00— 11.30
Rusty Racket Tennis Sue Hill 553369 fortnightly 2.30-4.30
Book Chat Mick Curtis 554504 third 10.00-12.00
Joint Tues Walking Gordon Jones 556192 10am(9.30 Rec)
Book Group Anne Dean 202327 second 2.00-400
Garden Lunches Jill Graham 557117 third 12 for 12.30
Garden Sue Creeden 557888 fourth 2.30-4.30
*All phone numbers are 01455 unless otherwise stated.
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WEDNESDAY
Pub Lunch Jill Graham 557117 first 12.00 for 12.30
1st Wed Walking Roger Watmore Julian Hargreaves
552431 or 557704 first morning
2ndWed WalkingMike Chapman Julian Hargreaves
209972 or 557704 second
a.m. only No lunch
Scrabble Pat Hunter 699935 second 10.00-12.00
Supper Club Ann Hetherington 203498 second 7.30pm- 10.30pm
Canasta 3 June Hartopp 553418 ex/d third 10.00-12.00
Gentle Cycling Sue Creedon 557888 third 10.00-12.00
Ethnic Dining Jill Graham 557117 fourth varies
4thWed Walking Sue & Peter Creeden 557888 fourth morning
THURSDAY
Bridge Bob Howes 550027 1st and 3rd 2.00-4.00
Eng Science & Technology Chris Ridley 209920 third 10.00-12.00
Poetry Sylvia Hitchen 01162 478353 fourth 2.00-4.00
French Conversation
Sue Hicks 01858 880273
fourth 10.00-12.00
Breakfast Group Jill Graham 557117 Fourth 9.00am
*All phone numbers are 01455 unless otherwise stated.
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FRIDAY
Canasta 1 June Hartopp 553418 ex/d first 10.00-12.00
Art Appreciation Ursula Kanetis 553563 second 2.00
2nd Supper Club Nigel Bones 209756 second
10 Pin Bowling Bob Howes Dave Beaumont
550027 or 553341
second & fourth
10.00 onward
Snail’s Pace Walking
Sheila Eggleton 554387 third 11.30 onwards
Photography Michael Bates 07899937595 last 10.00-12.00
Singing for Pleasure
Jane ClarkChris Brady
554449 209108
varies
VARIOUS
Social Events Nigel Bones 209756 varies daytime
Theatre Eddie Hemsley 554564 varies day/evening
Trips George Robertson 559725 varies day/evening
Joint Golf Peter Moore 552594 varies daytime
Cycling Nigel Bones 209756 varies daytime
Motor Cycle Colin Beadle 558013 varies
Please contact the group co-ordinator to ask for further details if you would like to join a group. If you have an interest/hobby not covered by the existing options, why not think of joining with like-minded people to form a new group.Contact Nigel Bones (01455 209756) for assistance and advice.
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Committee April 2017– March 2018
Chairman Nigel Burt 01455 554498Vice Chairman Tony Allen 01455 552087Treasurer Jan Newman 01455 209179Membership Secretary Sue Creeden 01455 557888Minutes SecretarySpeaker Finder Michael Perry 01455 556724Interest Group Co-ordinator Viv Weller 01455 557136Committee Members: Ann Hetherington 01455 203498
Richard Hill 01455 556498Linda Goy 01455 554497Mike Chapman 01455 209972
You can join the Wycliffe U3A at one of the monthly meetings or you can apply online at www.wycliffelutterworthu3a.org
Contributions for the website should be sent to Mike Chapmanemail: [email protected]
Articles, Reports, News items etc. for inclusion in the next bulletin should be sent to Trudy Haddon:[email protected]
Deadline for inclusion in the next bulletin is on the last day of the month.
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