July 2012

Thatcham Newsletter Reg. Charity No. 1112006

www.thatchamu3a.org.uk Newsletter sponsored by

Greenham Common Trust

The 2012 Olympics will be the

third time London has been the

host city, the previous two being in

1908 and 1948. On our visit to the

Olympic sites we were met near

Stratford by our knowledgeable

Blue Badge Guide. From the coach

we enjoyed good views of the

finished venues in the Olympic

Park as well as the Olympic

Village. We then went on foot to a

viewing point - an excellent photo

opportunity! It was all extremely

impressive. The tremendous scale

of developments is breathtaking.

The Olympic Stadium (above) and

the ArcelorMittal Orbit (right), the

UK’s tallest sculpture in the heart of

the 2012 Olympic Park, designed by

Anish Kapoor and Cecil Balmond.

In March our speaker was Tom Farrell,

who represented Great Britain in the 1956

Olympics in Melbourne, Australia. He took

part in the Men’s 400 metres Hurdles. Tom

entertained us with some interesting stories

and also showed us some amazing video

footage. It was fascinating to see him as a

young man of 24 - over fifty years ago! We

won 6 gold, 7 silver and 11 bronze medals -

let’s hope we do well this year!

Dear Members,

It has been a struggle to start this letter. The last three years have had many rewarding moments and a

few frustrating ones. Fortunately the happy memories far overshadow the disappointments.

Our constitution talks about ‘objects’ for Thatcham U3A,

‘To advance the education of...’ of the members

Provide ‘...leisure time and recreational activities with the object of improving the conditions of

life...’ of the members.

There has, and will continue to be, much debate about the relative merit of

these two object(ive)s. Some U3As based near big universities tend to have

strong support and interest from the university and conduct quite detailed and

extensive study programs. Other more rural U3As have wider and more

community based programs. But, all U3As have a very strong leisure and

recreational component, because most of us are retired and look forward to

sharing our interests and our moans! However, at the end of the day every

U3A is an autonomous organisation and has to develop its own philosophy and

the one thing we all have in common is that we are a self-help community and

totally dependent on our own human and financial resources. We can only

offer our members what they want and most importantly what some members

are prepared to offer as leaders in their own time and absolutely free.

What is a ‘university’? There has since the formation of U3As in the UK been much debate about

whether we should call ourselves a ‘university’, from the Latin meaning ‘community of teachers

and scholars’. There are those who argue that in its broadest sense this is what we do. Also, how many

modern university courses are devoted to the leisure and recreational pursuits?

Even in the short existence of Thatcham U3A we have explored both academic and leisure interests,

although the latter groups dominate our program. If anybody feels that we should be trying to be more

’academic’ then hopefully they will approach the Executive Committee with their concrete suggestions

and more importantly, offer to convene a new group. The Members’ Survey threw up some interesting

suggestions, it is up to the interested members to now try and initiate their ideas by sowing some seeds,

and I’m sure the Executive Committee will do their best to try and help them germinate their thoughts.

You are all aware of the sad death of Peter Gildersleeves who not only played a prominent role in

Thatcham as Mayor but equally, in his twilight years, contributed thoughtfully and graciously to our

U3A both on the Executive Committee as the Town Council Representative but also within a number of

groups, some of which he helped initiate, notably the Discussion and Wine Tasting groups.

From our out-going Executive Committee we have lost Judy Benwell and Marnie Houslip, both of

whom have given sterling service to the Committee, Judy as the publicity secretary and Marnie as one

who has organised a number of initiatives, notably the Members’ Survey. Sadly we lost Norma Fox as

Treasurer a couple of months earlier when she resigned for personal reasons. Norma served the

Committee diligently as Treasurer, keeping accurate, detailed records of our affairs.

We must wish our new Committee under the guidance of Julie Wall every success. I am sure that Julie

will bring a new vision to the U3A, especially as our first lady Chairman. Also joining the Committee

are Sue Rutter as Treasurer and Philip Green as her assistant as well as Hillary Beckingham as a new

member of the Committee.

It only remains for me to wish all members an enjoyable, successful and productive year and I hope you

all feel invigorated at the end!

Peter Lavarack

Julie Wall - Chair

Tony Collie - Vice-Chair

Catherine Hamblin - Vice-Chair

Jane Head - Secretary

Sue Rutter - Treasurer

Phillip Green - Treasurer

Ann-marie Riddle - Members’secretary

Ann Allen - Newsletter editor

Richard Hyland - Programme Planning Secretary

Wendy Jarvis - Communication Officer

Jacquie Manley

Ann Walter

Hillary Beckingham

Martin Holmes, senior research

fellow at Mansfield College,

Oxford, gave a fascinating talk

about Anthony Eden

Chris de Souza (left) entertained us with stories about his

musical career and his love of music. He has worked in the

media as a Theatre director, Radio Music producer and

presenter as well as being a teacher, composer and author.

Art Group 1

We are all satisfied with the move to Thatcham

Baptist Church, and several of our group are

able to walk there. Our topic in June was 'Doors

and Gates' and this month we are turning our

hand to the Olympics.

If anyone interested in coming along we meet

alternate Tuesdays at 2pm in the old cafe.

Convener: Pat Howard

Art Group 2

Although I have been away for an extended trip

the group has continued to flourish with some

new members and some good work being done

in pastel and watercolour. By democratic vote

we have reverted to meeting on alternate

Thursdays. Although this does not suit

everybody the schedule fits in better with the

Art 1 group. Our next project is to prepare our

Olympic themed artwork for the lunch in

August.

Convener: David Nicholls

Snaps Photography Group

Snaps Photography Group has continued to

meet regularly on the 2nd

and 4th Wednesdays

with 12-18 attending each month. We are

always discovering new settings on our cameras

and new ways of using them. With the better

weather and greater knowledge we have become

more adventurous, spending alternative

meetings taking pictures or assessing the results.

We have undertaken the production of a

slideshow to demonstrate the diverse activities

of the U3A in Thatcham and look forward to

demonstrating our new found abilities as the

opportunities arise

We are very grateful to those who devote their

time to helping us achieve what we have and

look forward to our future with great

confidence. All interested are invited to join us

but need to provide me with contact details to be

informed of the programme for each meeting.

We would also welcome ideas for venues and

topics to ensure our success continues.

Convener: Iain Dunn

Computer Group

The group is continuing to meet at the Kennet

School at 4pm on a Friday twice a month

depending on term times. We have looked at a

variety of topics recently. Excel was used to

help construct word games and to calculate costs

and profits for a hairdressing salon. On the Web

we found out how to choose theatre seats for a

particular price and several people have used

Google searches to find out travel and holiday

information.

The group covers a wide range of experience

and we all help each other, so new starters are

always welcome. We have finished now for the

school summer holidays but will be starting

again at the beginning of September.

Convener: Ann Walter

Craft Group

We have all been very industrious since the last

Newsletter. It has been mostly knitting and

nattering but Pat has shown us how to make a

fabric cactus (water-lily, artichoke or whatever it

resembled when we'd finished). The room at the

Baptist Church has given us plenty of space for

expansion so if you want to come and join us

you can contact Julie. We meet at 2pm on the

3rd

Friday of the month.

(Report and photos by Ann-marie Riddle)

Convener: Julie Bowles

Discussion Group

The Discussion Group continues to meet at each

others' homes on the 2nd

Monday of each

month at 2.15pm. We have lively discussions

on a range of topics chosen by members. If you

are interested in joining our group, please call

the contact below.

Convener: Jacquie Manley

Gardening Group

I cannot believe this is my last report as a

Coalition Member. I have really enjoyed the

last three years sharing with you all our love of

gardens. Two places I wanted to organise for

visits were Houghton Lodge and Longstock

Water Gardens and I am pleased to say we did

visit both during my term of office! Thanks to

all the drivers who have unselfishly taken non-

drivers, and those who don’t want to drive, to

our garden visits. Without your generosity

many of us would not have been able to join our

NGS visits nor our day trips needing cars. We

have lots of good things still to come in 2012 - a

visit to Hook End Farm - if we can find it; our

Members’ Garden Share in July which is

looking very healthy with seven Member’s

gardens to visit; our tea and cakes at Marnie’s

garden in August and of course our coach trip to

Compton Acres - a real treat in September.

I sincerely hope that someone will step forward

and replace me to support Karen and Denise

going forward. It has worked well with four of

us - making it much easier to run our very

successful Gardening Group.

Jackie Shore, Retiring Coalition Member

Conveners: Karen Eggleton

Denise Symes

Genealogy

The Genealogy Group had its first meeting in

March, with a lively cross section of members.

We have enjoyed delving into Wills, Emigration

and Births, Marriages & Deaths. Some members

have already found long lost family members

here and abroad! We meet on the last Monday

of each month.

The group has a rather large waiting list already

and would welcome anyone willing to set up a

second group.

Convener: Isabel Trent

Knitting and Cross-stitch

We have a very good mixed ability group

who help and assist each other. At the

present time the group is full, and if every

member came each month I would need

elastic walls! Our next meeting after our

summer break is on Tuesday 4th

September.

Convener: Janet Dowd

Latin

The Latin group - a joint venture with Newbury

U3A - is making good progress. We meet on

Thursdays at 2.30pm in Upper Bucklebury. We

would welcome new members.

Convener: Dorothy Goode

Bon Appetit Luncheon Club

We have been out for three lunches since March

when we went to an old favourite, The White

Horse of Hermitage, where we always get

excellent service as well as good food. In April

we visited the White Hart, Hampstead Norreys

and in May we went to the Coach & Horses

along the A4 and enjoyed meals at both these

establishments. In June we tried the Calleva

Arms at Silchester - a new venue a bit further

away. The food was very good and the staff

friendly and welcoming.

I would advise anyone taking a group of over 10

out for a meal to ensure beforehand that you are

not going to be charged a “10% service charge

for a large party” as I have experienced this

problem! If anything, I feel one should get a

discount for taking nearly 30 people for a

midweek lunch, especially when there is

virtually no-one else having a meal! But my

consolation is that I have such a lovely group of

people who enjoy each other’s company as

much as the food - so ‘thank you’ to them.

Convener: Elaine Fletcher

Second Helpings Luncheon Club

In March we enjoyed our meal at The White

Hart, then in April we were delighted to return

to The Crickets to sample Linda's amazing

cooking. We met at The Swan in May and are

looking forward to our June meal at the

Mandarin Court, where the service is excellent.

We have enjoyed meeting our two new

members, who I hope are feeling at home with

us all.

Convener: Jane Head

Third Course Luncheon Club

The Third course Group are still going strong.

We have been to some nice pubs this Spring and

had some tasty meals.

Our attendance numbers have not been so good;

we put it down to members going off on early

holidays. We still have a couple of vacancies.

Conveners: Pauline and Dennis Rowan

The Munchers Luncheon Group

We have enjoyed our monthly get-togethers and

have visited various pubs including The

Travellers Friend at Crookham Common where

they serve a very good carvery! This month we

will be at The Castle, Donnington. We meet on

the 4th

Friday of each month so if you are

interested in joining us we shall be pleased to

see you.

Convener: Ann Minks

Mah Jong

The Mah Jong group still meets in the Gillooly

room at the Catholic Church on the first and

third Wednesdays of each month from 2.15pm

to 4.15pm. We are a friendly group and

welcome new members, or visitors who feel

that they would like to watch the game before

deciding whether they would like to learn. There

is a charge of £1 per meeting which includes tea

and biscuits, and a donation to the Church for

kindly allowing us to use the room. If you

would like to know more, please either give me

a ring or come along to one of our meetings.

Convener: Val Thomas

Music Appreciation Group

We meet every month on the third Tuesday to

listen to a wide variety of great music. At our

most recent meeting we enjoyed listening to

music by virtuosic groups Blazin’ Fiddles and

the Carolina Chocolate Drops as well as music

by William Walton. If members have a favourite

piece of music they are encouraged to bring it

along. It is a great way of being introduced to

different types of music in the company of

friends. We always have a cup of tea, and thanks

to Hazel for the delicious homemade cakes!

The Spring Festival in May gave us all the

opportunity to hear some world class live

musicians and many of the group attended

concerts.

Convener: Richard Hyland

Music Ensemble

If you play an instrument and would like to get

together with some other musicians then please

give me a ring.

Convener: Veronica Chisholm

Play Reading Group

The Play Reading group continues to thrive and

when everyone is present we are almost full to

capacity. We could accommodate a couple more

people but if others would like to join perhaps

someone would like to start a second group. We

have a wide repertoire and enjoy our reading

enormously. Every reading is a surprise and we

do not know what will turn up until the day!

We meet on the third Thursday of the month

at 2.00 p.m.

Convener: Judy Benwell

Scrabble

The Scrabble Group is flourishing with about 12

members, an average of 8 playing each month.

In the last report I mentioned that our venue

would possibly be changing. Fortunately this did

not have to happen. The new warden at Neville

Court was only too pleased for us to continue

using their facilities. Thus we continue to meet

there on the first Thursday of the month at

2pm. New members are always welcome as the

venue caters for plenty of people.

Convener: Angela Robinson

Singing Group

The singing group continue to meet on the 1st

and 3rd

Mondays of the month at our

accompanist’s house. We have a waiting list of

people wanting to sing, but do need another

accompanist. Can anyone help? The current

group enjoy singing a variety of songs including

light classical, songs from the shows and folk

and community songs. If you can play an

instrument and would be willing to join a new

group, I will help to set it up.

Convener: Rita Bottomley - 01635 862845

Snooker - 50 Break

We meet on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of

each month from 2-4pm at our new venue, the

Crucible Snooker Club, on Hambridge Road in

Newbury. It’s a relaxed and friendly atmosphere

for anyone to play, and we currently have 13

members with room for more. The emphasis is

on fun, but there is a monthly ‘highest break’

award to add a little spice, and the ‘singles

ladder’ competition adds another challenge for

those who wish to play. Equipment is available

at the club if you’d like to come along and give

it a go. Currently we have no convener so if

anyone is willing to take on the job or just to be

a contact, please let a committee member know.

Spanish

The Spanish Group has seven members who

meet in each others` homes on the first and

third Tuesdays of the month. We are using a

mixture of CDs, translations, reading and

games.

Convener: Barbara Nicholls

The Vintner’s Dozen

We have had some thirsty and enjoyable

sessions with some delicious wines and warm

hospitality in member’s homes - thank you. The

Jubilee and other distractions brought the

cancellation of our June meeting as few

members were free. Hopefully our summer

BBQ in August, and celebration of the summer,

will be the usual high-light of this time of the

year. Did somebody say which summer? We

meet in members’ homes, which does limit the

number of participants, but if anybody would

like to join we could probably help set up a

‘sister’ group and I would not be surprised if

there were a few members who’d like to be both

brother and sister!

We meet on the first Monday afternoon of each

month.

Convener: Peter Lavarack

Theatre Group

The Theatre Group continues to be really well

supported and we are looking forward with

excitement and anticipation to the forthcoming

trip to ‘Dreamboats and Petticoats’! We will be

leaving as soon as the Olympic torch has passed

through Thatcham, and hope to have a lovely

day in Oxford. The next trip will be in

September, details to be announced later.

If you wish to join the group, please email me or

let me have some stamped addressed envelopes.

Convener: Julie Wall

Travel Group

We will have had three day trips since the last

Newsletter. At the end of March on a glorious,

sunny day we visited Lacock Abbey, Fox Talbot

Museum and Village. I think that was our

summer! (More photos on the back page)

Our Olympic Tour was at the beginning of May

and at the time of writing we are looking

forward on 5th

July to visiting Finchcocks

Musical Museum in Kent - more about that in

the next Newsletter.

Elsie enjoying a delicious dessert on our

Olympic Tour!

There will be another day trip in September and

in October forty-nine of us will be going by

coach and ferry to Waterford in Ireland.

Hopefully we’ll get some good weather then for

the crossing!

Remember to check e-mails for information on

upcoming trips and let me have stamped

addressed envelopes if you are not on e-mail.

Convener: Ann Allen

Walkers Group (Thursdays)

The group still needs a convener or joint

conveners following Ernie's 'retirement'. Ann

Walter has offered to be the Contact until a new

convener comes forward. This means that it

will be up to the members to take it in turns to

plan and lead walks (there could be several

people, to share the work). We decided to

continue with Ernie's planned starting points for

the rest of the year and all these now have

leaders. Please ring Ann Walter if you want to

check the starting point or if you need a lift.

Walks start promptly at 2pm.

July 12th

- Snelsmore Common Car Park, Grid

464710

August/September - No walk

October 11th

- Hungerford Common, Grid

345679

November 8th

- Thatcham Garden Centre

December 13th

- Thatcham Discovery Centre

Our walk in April was in beautiful country north

of Boxford and we had a bright, warm day. By

contrast the May walk along the canal and

reedbeds in Thatcham was in rain, until we got

back to the car park!

Contact: Ann Walter

Whist

We are a small friendly group who meet on the

last Wednesday in the month for a game of

cards and a cup of tea. Anyone is welcome, just

come along at 2.15pm to the Gillooly Room,

Catholic Church.

Convener: Pat Howard

Since our last excellent newsletter you have all

been very good and paid your subscriptions for

this year. Thank you. We now have a total

membership of 274.

Ann-marie

Thank you to everyone who completed the

questionnaire. The forms returned represented

approximately 26% of our membership and

interestingly, four times as many ladies

participated as opposed to the men.

The results indicated:

Most of you attend all or most of our

Open Meetings. Generally, you were

happy with the format. The majority of

those not attending frequently stated it

was due to a conflict of activities.

Although members belong to anything

from 1 to 9 groups, on average most of

you belong to 3 groups.

Some of you suggested new groups which

might be of interest. They are:

Creative writing

Drama

Exercise for Older Folk

Family History - names on the list have been

referred to IsabelTrent.

French

French Conversation

Italian Conversation

Learn to Draw/Paint - both Art Groups are

happy to have beginners.

Rummikub

Singing - names on the list have been referred to

Rita Bottomley who has enough names for a 2nd

group but an accompanist is required.

These lists will be available at future open

meetings with the exception of Family History,

Learn to Draw/Paint and Singing.

The results of the questionnaire were presented

to the Executive Committee at our last meeting.

Any suggested changes/comments made by you

were discussed and their feasibility considered.

Some were easier than others. There will be

further discussion at future committee meetings.

The committee always remains interested in

your comments and to this end we propose to

have a 'comments box' available at our Open

Meetings. Your comments can be anonymous

but if you want to discuss anything personally

you will need to give your name.

Marnie Houslip

If you have difficulty getting to Open

Meetings at the Frank Hutchings Hall we can

arrange a lift for you. Please contact Jane

Head about it.

August 10th: Summer Luncheon

Tickets are £8-50 and will be on sale at the July

Open Meeting. The Luncheon will take place at

the Frank Hutchings Hall and doors will open

at 12.30pm. Please bring your own drinks and

glasses.

September 14th

: Ian Lewis - Thatcham Motor

Research

November 9th

: Phil Hamilton - Reptiles and

other Animals

December: Christmas meeting

Although a little later this year, the Beat the Blues

Lunch was well attended and I do hope everyone

enjoyed themselves. The afternoon followed the

usual pattern, with a light lunch interspersed with

quizzes. Congratulations to all, especially the

winners- Well done!! I couldn't answer all of the

questions from The Guardian- and I typed them up!!

Many thanks to the willing band of helpers,

who made table decorations, ensured the room

look so welcoming, greeted the diners on

arrival, were waiters/waitresses for the

members and made the welcome cuppa at the

end. Without you all, these events simply

couldn't take place. I also hope you all met

new faces when the dreaded 'napkin table

move’ occurred. This is included to enable

you all to meet someone new and I hope new

friendships will form from this bit of fun. I

hope to see you all at the Summer Luncheon.

Jane