This document is the newsletter of the Mansfield and District U3A for their September 2014 AGM. It includes the chairman's welcome and report on the past year, the AGM agenda, introductions of new committee nominees, and various other reports from committee members. It provides information on recent and upcoming events, interest group meetings, and holiday updates. The chairman notes this will be her last welcome as she is stepping down, and introduces the new chairman and committee members who will be voted on at the AGM.

1. Mansfield and District U3A
Newsletter
Summer Picnic. (See Recent Events: Page 12)
_____________________________
Established 1999
HMRC Charity Registration No.: XT30525
September 2014 – AGM Edition
Website: http://www.mansfield-u3a.org.uk/
Noticeboard: http://mansfieldu3a.blogspot.com
Page 1 of 16

2. Welcome from your chairman
GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. This will be my last “Welcome” as Chairman of Mansfield and
District U3A.
Time has passed so quickly and I can hardly believe that a year has gone by – whatever will I do
with all of my time? Actually, I can think of a myriad of things! It has been an interesting year – with
trials and tribulations! A fact of life in general!
I have had tremendous support from the members of the committee and I know that I have to thank
them for that. Your new Chairman, Bob Longden, together with the team, will be excellent for our
U3A. I wish them every success in their ventures.
My Chairman’s Report on Page four gives you more details of the new committee and I would like
to be a fly on the wall!
Before we start the AGM at 11.00 am, there will be copies of last year’s AGM Minutes on the table
at the front, at the back and in the annexe, for you to peruse. Any queries please ask a member of
the committee or myself.
As you know earlier this year a copy of our constitution with some proposed changes was placed
on the noticeboard for your attention and has been there for the last 6 months or so. It is necessary
for us now to have members’ agreement to those changes so that the constitution can be finalised
as an agreed document. It is proposed that the September AGM meeting is the best forum for this
to happen and you will see from the AGM Agenda that it is at Item 8.
I draw your attention to para. 3:1:1, which is an important change that will cut the time potential
members on our waiting list have to wait before we can invite them.
On another matter, I am sure we have all been touched by the First World War events – what a
spectacle the Tower of London is, with the 888,246 commemorative poppies being sold until
Armistice Day. I have not yet been to the new exhibition at the Imperial War Museum but hope to
make it in November and also attend at the Cenotaph – “Lest We Forget”.
“I gazed at the stars in the silent sky, When the Earth was calm and still,
And I watched the moon as she sailed aloft, Over the distant hill.
And I wished that this peace could still remain, And last through the coming day,
To calm the world with its stress and strife, And soothe the worries away”.
Continued opposite ...
______________________________________________________________________________
In this issue
Page 2 Welcome
Page 3 AGM Agenda. Introducing New Committee Members (Start).
Page 4 New Committee Members (End). Chairman's Report.
Page 5 Treasurer's Report. Subscriptions Reminder. Groups Report (Start)
Page 6 Groups Report (End). Membership Secretary's Report. Newsletter
Report.
Page 7 Website Report. Holiday Updates and Holidays.
Pages 8 - 11 Interest Groups meetings diary.
Page 12 Recent Events: Summer Picnic.
Page 13 Groups News (Afternoon Teas, Art and Digital World).
Page 14 Groups News (Luncheon Club and Bowls). In case you missed it (Start).
Page 15 In case you missed it (End).
Page 16 Dates for your diary and Notices.
Page 2 of 16

3. … Welcome from your chairman (cont.)
So, there is not much more I can add. We have enjoyed our 15th Anniversary celebrations, which I
mention in my Chairman’s Report, and I reiterate my best wishes for the success of Bob Longden
and the new committee.
I'll close by thanking Rita Turner, who is completing two years as our Honorary President, for her
tremendous support, advice and guidance. Thank you very much Rita.
That’s all Folks!
Glenis Carr
______________________________________________________________________________
AGM Agenda
1. Welcome by Chairman at 11.00am after monthly meeting and coffee.
2. Approval of the Minutes of the 2013 AGM.
3. President's Address: Rita Turner
4. Chairman's Report.
5. Treasurer's Report (inc. approval of the Accounts and re-election of the Auditor).
6. Nominations for Committee.
The following are seeking election to the Committee for two years:
Graham Headworth; Michael Allen (Minutes Secretary); Linda Leivers (Groups Coordinator).
The following is seeking re-election to the Committee for a period of two years:
Marilyn Dibble (Speaker Finder).
The following will be completing their two-year terms at the 2015 AGM:
Bob Longden (Chairman); Sheila Whalley (Vice Chairman); Pauline Boucher (Treasurer);
Avril McGee (Membership Secretary), Linda Spray (Secretary) .
7. Election Of New Committee
Election of the above Committee Members and approval of the Committee.
8. Changes to the Constitution.
9. A.O.B.
Date of next AGM: Tuesday 15th September 2015.
______________________________________________________________________________
Introducing the new Committee Nominees
Graham Headworth
g.headworth@ntlworld.com (01623 468883)
Graham rejoined in January 2014 after a few years' absence. He retired 21 years
ago from his Derbyshire County Council Head of Community Education post. An
active member of Mansfield Bowling Club, he has joined the Walking Group to
offset the Luncheon Group excesses. He has finally managed to attend the
Current Affairs Group and says he wouldn’t miss the Thoresby Hall jaunt!
Linda Leivers – Groups Co-Ordinator
lkleivers@hotmail.co.uk (01623 471963)
Linda joined four years ago after living abroad and had a varied career in law
enforcement. She has been Groups Co-ordinator for two years and will continue in
this role. She is also part of the Social Activities Group. As well as organising Move-ment
to Music and Heartstart, she is one of the website managers and a member
of the Antiques & Collectables, Gardening and Caravan & Motorhome groups.
Page 3 of 16

4. Mike Allen – Minutes Secretary
mikeallen@lichfieldave.freeserve.co.uk (01623 653345)
Mike Allen has been a member of Mansfield U3A for a number of years and
belongs to a number of interest groups, as well as leading Wine Group 2. In addi-tion,
he has been Chairman of Mansfield U3A and helps with production of our
newsletter. “Membership of U3A has provided a welcome change from teaching
and a great way of doing things and meeting people”, he says
______________________________________________________________________________
Chairman's Report 2014
MANSFIELD AND DISTRICT U3A has had a very busy, special year with its 15th Anniversary
celebrations. We were honoured to receive Barbara Lewis and husband to our Crystal Ball – a huge
success – and to be asked as second proposer for her 3rd term of office as National Chairman.
We had a photograph with her in the Summer edition of Third Age Matters too – a first!
I will be stepping down as Chairman at the AGM and handing over the reins to Bob Longden, who, I
am sure, will make you a dedicated and excellent choice. He will be supported by three new
committee members – Linda Leivers, Graham Headworth and Mike Allen. With three men on the
Committee it should prove to be a very strong team, together with the current members.
John Troop, Assistant Treasurer, will also be stepping down from the committee. He has served well
for a number of years overall. We must also thank Karen, who has worked extremely hard on the
Social Committee to make the events this year happen successfully. Linda Leivers will be taking
over as the contact from there.
With new U3As springing up all over Nottinghamshire, Mansfield and District still proves to be very
popular and we are told by the Membership Secretary that we have a waiting list of some 50
people, which has been a particular issue over the 5 years or so I have been on the committee.
Rita Turner is also stepping down as our President, the position she has held for the last 2 years.
Her support, advice and encouragement, particularly to myself, has been of great value and she will
be sorely missed at committee meetings. It is not proposed to have a President for the foreseeable
future however.
It should be remembered by all that a lot of members give their time freely, in whatever position, to
ensure the smooth running and success of our U3A. We have some 35-40 interest groups and I
was very interested to hear that the NHS have set up a board looking into the ways the older gener-ation
can keep themselves mentally and physically fit.
The U3A movement goes a long way, I think, in achieving this objective. What we need for our
future is continuity with members coming forward to ensure Mansfield and District U3A remains as
successful as it is today.
The year has “whizzed” by and soon we will have our Christmas Lunch to look forward to again –
hope you have it in hand Norma! So, I will close now and wish the new Chairman and committee
every success in their efforts to ensure we enjoy ourselves.
Thank you very much
Glenis Carr
Page 4 of 16

5. Treasurer's Report
FINANCIAL YEAR 1ST AUGUST 2013 - 31ST JULY 2014
MEMBERS continued their support for our social events and book sales this year. This support,
combined with a further refund of Gift Aid from HMRC, enabled the committee to maintain its
commitment to keep subscriptions as low as possible and to recommend another reduction of £2
for the coming year.
The committee thank you all once again for your support over the year.
Below is a brief summary of our accounts for the year. A detailed financial report will be given at the
AGM and copies of the full accounts are available from the treasurer on request.
Pauline Boucher, Treasurer
______________________________________________________________________________
Annual Subscriptions 2014/2015 – Reminder
OUR financial year ended on 31st July and annual subscriptions are now due: £17.00 for new
members; £15.00 if you're renewing and £11.50 for associates.
Please remind any friends who wish to renew their membership but are unable to attend the
monthly meetings to contact the treasurer or any committee member. And please contact me if
you'd like to use on-line banking.
Pauline Boucher
______________________________________________________________________________
Groups Report
SHARED learning is the fundamental principle of any U3A. Mansfield is very proud to have so
many and varied groups doing exactly that. Without that “shared learning” our lives would very
much poorer.
We would not know so many people, have made so many friends, had so many laughs, have
visited so many places nor had so many interesting ways in which to fill our year.
Page 5 of 16

6. New Groups that were formed in the past year:
Afternoon Teas: This is the brain-child of Sheila Whalley and proved to be an instant success.
The group meets on a monthly basis at pubs, restaurants, garden centres and other places of
interest locally to develop friendships informally, while exploring new venues – and sometimes indul-ging
in some retail therapy!
History: Linda Spray has an interest in history in the wider sense. The group, formed in early
summer, aims to cover any period of interest to its members. The group has taken a short break
until September and will continue, with renewed support during the autumn and winter.
Our thanks go to these and ALL Group Leaders for the hard work, time and interest they are giving
in ensuring that their groups are successful.
We need to continue to grow and to that end we need new groups, new subjects and new leaders.
All members, new and old, must know that “you only get out what you put in,” so let us have some
ideas for 2015.
There will be updates after the Group Leaders' next meeting on Friday, 31st October.
Please contact me if you have any ideas or suggestions about forming new groups for the coming
year.
Linda Leivers
Membership Secretary’s Report, 2014/2015
MANSFIELD U3A’s membership remains very healthy. We had hoped that by increasing our
membership to 275 we would be able to offer places to all those wishing to join. As in
previous years, this is not the case and our waiting list for membership continues to grow.
We should all take pride in being part of an organisation with an excellent reputation. It goes
without saying that our popularity is not just down to the hard work put in by your committee
and the 37 group leaders but also by the active participation of all the members.
Following the AGM and when all the fees have been collected we can start the process of
taking on new members; as always I know that you will all give a warm welcome to this
year’s new members.
Avril McGee, Membership Secretary
Newsletter Report
I'M DELIGHTED to be able to report again that we published 12-page issues every month last year
– apart from this special AGM edition that has to be 16 pages in order to include all the necessary
formalities and the August one that I allowed to grow to 13 pages by including larger photographs
as it didn't need to be sent to our printers.
Earlier availability, bigger text and full-colour photos are other advantages of on-line publication of
every edition that over 100 members are enjoying too from around the 10th of every month.
Publication is always announced on the website home page and you could sign-up there to be told
by email when each new issue is available.
I'm sure all members will join me in thanking Mike Allen for his help with the meetings table and the
many contributors whose news of events, future interest group plans and other items make this
newsletter what it is.
David Ling, Editor
Page 6 of 16

7. Website Report
THE MANSFIELD U3A website now has 58 active interest group and general pages and offers
over 100 printable reference documents. Its usefulness to members and other visitors is shown by a
record year for visitor traffic. I hope most members were among the 20,000 visitors to the site last
year and that they found what they were looking for quickly and saved money as a result.
We were honoured to be singled-out by National Chairman Barbara Lewis who told our 15th
Anniversary meeting she “hoped many [other U3As] will learn by visiting Mansfield and District
U3A's superb website."
Terry Whitehead, Linda Leivers and Bob Longden have again helped with maintenance tasks and
are always happy to help group leaders to maintain their pages so that every interest group page is
kept up to date. They, and I, will always be happy to help members with 'their continued learning in
their Third Age' – now one that is truly our Internet Age.
David Ling, Webmaster
Holiday Updates & Holidays
THORESBY (Mon. 2nd Feb. to Fri. 6th, 2015.)
The price has been renegotiated and is now £190pp sharing & £230pp single. I need the
rest of your payment. (Everyone who is coming has already paid £50.) If you are having an
upgrade then add the cost of the upgrade on. Cheques payable to Mansfield & District U3A
dated 15th October. Anyone else who wants to go will now go on a free waiting list.
Terry Whitehead (01623 626991)
THE ALGARVE, PORTUGAL, 18th - 25th September
Please keep passports & EHIC cards handy for checking at Walkden St. before we leave for East
Midlands Airport at 12:15 pm prompt. Please be there no later than 11.45am for luggage to be loaded.
THURSFORD SPECTACULAR, 3rd 4th & 5th December 2014
Balances of £160 need to be paid at the September meeting (cheques to Mansfield & District U3A).
Information packs will be given out no later than the November meeting. Due to a cancellation, one
twin room has become available – anyone interested please see me ASAP as I will need to
inform the company when I send the balances on the 16th of September. The cost will be £160 pp
(balance) to 'Just for Groups' & £10pp (deposit) to give to the members who have had to cancel. I
still would appreciate names to put on my waiting list, even at this late stage.
New: (Information that wasn't available for the August Newsletter.)
10 DAYS RIVER CRUISE ON THE DANUBE, 11th - 20th April 2015
Prices for 35 passengers travelling to boat by coach, with overnight stopovers: Main Deck: £1049;
Middle deck: £1189; Panorama Deck: £1339. (Decide which deck you would like to be on and
whether you are willing to share.) The supplement for the 7 singles available is £159.50p.
The ship is the 4-star MS Serenity belonging to the River Cruise Line. It will be full board and 8 excur-sions
are included in the price, including visits to Vienna, Budapest and Bratislava. Deposit £100 to
secure your place (Cheque payable to Mansfield & District U3A). Please see me ASAP as the
company can hold this for a limited time only. (More about the excursions at the meeting.)
4 DAYS IN THE LAKE DISTRICT (Shire Hotel, Penrith), 22nd - 26th June 2015
At the time of writing this all places have been taken for this holiday. However I am desperate for
names to put on a waiting list – because unfortunately there is most likely to be some cancellations
before next June. Cost £370, which covers BB & evening meal, all excursions, coach travel and
gratuity for the driver, no single supplement. Excursions still to be worked out.
Please choose your coach seats ASAP as otherwise you will be put in any vacant seat.
Margaret Burlinson More details on the website...
Page 7 of 16

8. Key to Meetings details:
THIS TABLE SHOWS THE DAY of the month, time and frequency using the first two letters of the
day, followed by numbers 1 - 5 to represent the week number. The final letter M (or F, W or V) indic-ates
that the group meets monthly, fortnightly, weekly or at variable intervals.
So 'Tu2, 2.30 - V M' would mean a group meeting on the 2nd Tuesday at 2.30pm Monthly but with
Variable finish times.
The main Mansfield and District U3A meetings are on the 3rd Tuesday of each month (except August
and December) at the Oakham Suite, 155 Nottingham Road, Mansfield from 10 am - 12.30 pm.
All members are invited to contact the relevant Group Leader if they would like to participate in any
interest group or attend an event. NB: * indicates a waiting list.
Interest Group Meetings Meeting Places Leader/Contact
Afternoon Teas TBA TBA Sheila Whalley
01623 453908
Next Meeting: Sat Oct 4th – Hollybeck Garden Centre, Oxton 3.30 pm (£12 for 2)
Antiques and
Tu 2, 10 - 12 M Stanhope Centre,
Collectables *
Bridge Street,
Mansfield
Pat Blackwell
01623 481745
Next Meetings: Oct 14th. – Quiz: to test your knowledge!
Art We3, 10 - 12 M Big Barn Lane
Methodist Church,
Mansfield
Linda Spray
01623 795176
Next Meetings: Sept 17th – Nottinghamshire Scenes
Art Appreciation Mo1, 2.00 - 4.00 M Stanhope Centre,
Bridge Street,
Mansfield
Pauline Boucher
01623 644798
Next meetings: Oct 6th – Post Impressionists
Beginners' Bridge
(With Ashfield U3A)
Mo, Various
6.30 - 9.00
Enviro Centre,
Derby Rd College,
Mansfield
Maxine Rose/Glenis
Carr 01623
459081/627735
Next Meetings: TBA
(Also Acol sessions at the Mechanics Institute – Thurs 10 - 12.30 W)
Bowls Th, 1.30 – 3.30 W Mansfield Bowls
Club: QE Academy
Don Wright
01623 628946
Next Meetings: Outdoors season continues until we move indoors to the Lammas Sports Centre,
Sutton in Ashfield on Tuesday 14th October (2.30pm to 4.00pm weekly) until 24th March 2015.
All welcome, including beginners, but flat / bowls shoes must be worn.
Caravan & M'home
Various Various Terry Lammas
Rally
01623 471963
Next Meetings: TBA
Page 8 of 16

9. Interest Group Meetings Meeting Place Leader/Contact
Chat and Stitch Mo3, 2.00 - 4.00 M St John's Centre,
Mansfield
Doreen Storer
01623 407731
Next Meetings: Sept 15th; Oct 20th; Nov 17th
Current Affairs Tu2, 2.00 - 4.00 M St John's Centre,
Mansfield
Norma Shillinglaw
01623 466934
Next Meetings: Oct 14th; Nov 11th; No meeting in December
Digital World Fri 2 & 4, 2.00 - 4.00
2/M
Stanton Hill Baptist
Church, Skegby
David Ling
01623 822994
Next Meetings: Sept 12th – Travelling Light, DVD Masterclass for users of compacts;
Sept 26th – Visit TBA; Oct 10th – Reviewing Members' submissions
Family History Tu4, 10.00 - 12.00 M St John's Centre,
Mansfield
Max Clarke
01623 621744
Next Meetings: Sept 23rd; Oct 28th
Film Studies * We1, 1.30 - V M Joy's home Joy Crowe
01623 645400
Next Meetings: Oct 1st; Nov 5th
Garden Visits During the Summer Various Janet Whitlam
01623 635607
Next Visit: TBA
Gardening Tu1, 10.00 - 12.00 M St Peter's Centre,
Mansfield
Avril McGee
01623 452688
Next Meetings: Oct 7th – 'Staff Only Beyond This Point Please' with Gail/John Summer-field;
Nov 4th – Autumn into Winter/Christmas Design. (Restarting in March)
Heartstart Various William Kaye Hall,
Ladybrook Lane
Linda Leivers
01623 471963
Next Meetings: TBA
History Th 2, 2.00 – 4.00 William Kaye Hall,
Ladybrook Lane
Linda Spray
01623 795176
Next Meetings: In abeyance
Holidays
(Home & Abroad)
Various TBA Margaret Burlinson
01623 632538
Next Holidays: Sept. 18th - 25th – Portugal; Tues. Dec. 3rd - Thurs. 5th – Thursford Xmas Spect.;
2015: Feb. 2nd - 6th – Thoresby; April 11th - 20th – Danube Cruise; June 22nd - 26th – Lake Dist.
Local History Fri1, 10.00 - 12.00 M Bridge Street
Methodist Church
Bob & Sue Longden
01623 486903
Next Meetings: Oct 3rd – Royal Connections to Mansfield with Pauline Boucher;
Nov 7th – Bolsover Colliery Company with John Danbury
Page 9 of 16

10. Interest Group Meetings Meeting Place Leader/Contact
Luncheon Club Th after 3rd Tu,
12.00 - 2.00 M
Various David Ling
01623 822994
Next Meetings: Sept 18th – Cockcliffe Country House Hotel; Oct 23rd – Denby Lodge
Movement to Music W 10.30 - 11.30 W St John's Church
Hall
Linda Leivers
01623 471963
Next Meetings: Weekly on Wednesdays. Cost: £4.00 per session
Music Groups
Classical Music 2 Mo4, 2.00 - 4.00 M Members' homes Peter Hart
01623 620940
Next Meetings: Sept 22nd – Preludes & Introductions at Marie's
Music 2 * Mo4, 2.00 - 4.30 M Members' homes Eric Prescott
01623 631160
Next Meeting: TBA
Popular Music
Appreciation *
Tu4, 2.00 - 4.00 M St John's School,
Mansfield
Peter Haynes
01623 610886
Next Meetings: Sept 23rd; Oct 28th
Pudding Club * Tu1, 4.00 - 6.00 M Members' homes Sylvia Slack
01623 633981
Next Meetings: No Meeting in September; Oct 7th – Sylvia's House
Reading 1 Th3, 2.00 - 4.00 M Peter Dawson's
home
Peter Dawson
01623 882191
Next Meetings: Sept 18th; Oct 16th
Reading 2 Tu3, 2.00 - 4.00 M Ravenshead Library Joan Hufton
01623 557488
Next Meetings: Sept 16th; Oct 21st
Science & Technical Tu1, 2.00 - 4.00 M Stanton Hill Baptist
Church, Skegby
Ian Boucher
01623 644798
Next Meetings: Oct 7th – J B Dancer: Hidden Genius by Clare Wilkie; Nov 4th – Higgs
Boson by Barry Jackson
Scrabble * Mo2, 2.00 - 4 .00 M Brenda Thurkettle's
home
Brenda Thurkettle
01623 628136
Next Meetings: Sept 13th; Oct 10th
Singing for Fun TuV, 5.45 - 7.15 St Alban's Church,
Forest Town
June Fell
01623 623547
Next Meetings: Sept 2nd; Sept 16th
Next concert: Sunday 28th Sept at St Alban's Church. 3pm. £6.00
Page 10 of 16

11. Interest Group Meetings Meeting Place Leader/Contact
Tai Chi Mo, 9.30 - 10.30 W St John's Centre,
Mansfield
Cliff Laycock
01623 481985
Next Meetings: Weekly on Mondays
Theatre Visits Various Various Sheila Whalley
01623 453908
Next Shows: Sun Oct 25th Festival of Remembrance (Palace Theatre);
Thurs Oct 30th – Gervase Finn (Palace Theatre). Payment due Tues 16th Sept
Walking Groups
Hikers
(all-day, 6 - 8 miles)
Th1 & Mo3, 9.30 - V
2/M
Tesco car park, off
Oak Tree Lane
Peter Thurkettle
01623 628136
Next Meetings: Oct 2nd – Tithby / Cropwell Bishop (7 mls); Oct 20th – Clumber / Thoresby
(7+ mls)
Shufflers
V Lunchtimes Various Sylvia Slack
(short & gentle)
01623 633981
Next Meetings: Fri 19th Sept (12 noon) – Edwinstowe Craft Centre; Fri 10th Oct – Savile's
at Rufford
Strollers
We2, 10.30 - V M Various Barbara Massey /
(a leisurely 2 miles)
Marion Thornton
01623 628357 /
01623 651528
Next Meetings: Sept 10th – Hardwick Hall (Hardwick Inn overflow car park); Oct 8th –
Thoresby Park (Park Gallery shops; pre-book for lunch at the Lawns)
Walkers
We4, 10.30 – V M Various Joy & Nick Crowe
(an easy 4 - 5 miles)
01623 645400
Next Meetings: Sept 24th – The Carrs (3.5 mls; Church Warsop Public Car Park)
Wine Appreciation 2 * We3, 7.30 - V M Members' homes Mike Allen
01623 653345
Next Meetings: Oct 15th – Shiraz from Oz with Ron; Nov 17th – Soave with Norma
Wine Appreciation 3 * Tu4, 7.30 - V M Members' homes Graham Allin
01623 473662
Next Meetings: Sept 23rd – Chardonnay with Jill; Oct 28th – Riesling with Colin
Writing for Pleasure * Mo2, 2.00 - 4.00 M Stanhope Centre,
Bridge Street,
Mansfield
Sue Ford / Hilary
Miller 01623
844286 / 620067
Next Meetings: Oct 13th; Nov 10th
My mother taught me about behaviour modification.
"stop acting like your father!"
Page 11 of 16

12. Recent Events
Summer picnic
EVENTS are not events if people don’t participate, and despite an unpromising weather forecast, a
large number of members came to Mansfield U3A's annual summer picnic, held as usual at Queen
Elizabeth’s Academy.
At one point we had to go off in search of more chairs as people kept arriving. The array and range
of food brought for consumption was tempting and the tables swayed under the sheer volume.
Many talented cooks had spent hours in the kitchen creating sumptuous delights enough to tempt
us from any diet.
We weren’t able to eat outside but that didn’t stop us from enjoying ourselves. It is always a great
pleasure to sit and chat to friends, old and new; the dining hall in Queen Elizabeth’s School is
conducive to chatter.
It would be a lie to say the sun shone, but it didn’t rain and, on full tummies, we ventured outside to
play games. The photographs on the website tell a graphic story of grown-up, mature adults playing
silly games and why not? Lillian Whitehead is champion Jenga toppler, see photos! To add to the
pleasure of this, Bob Longden had set up outside speakers to play the sort of songs and music we
all remember; some of us can even recall the words and actions. A little dancing was engaged in
too.
This has prompted the idea that we should have a 50s/60s evening so more singing and dancing
can be enjoyed, activity is good for you, so watch this space. The raffle, which pays for the venue,
was as usual, well subscribed to and some lucky people won next year’s subscriptions to Mansfield
U3A, myself included (thank you).
This picnic was the last of the U3A year social events before the onset of autumn; we look forward
to more of the same and some different for next year.
This picnic was also the last event over-seen
by the Social Activities Group with
Karen Troop as our chairman.
Over many years Karen has guided us
through the organisation of social
events. This was her last event on our
social committee, she is stepping down
to allow herself time to devote to her
many other organisations.
The Social Activities Group members
will miss her and the evenings spent at
her house discussing, planning and arranging forthcoming functions (usually over a glass of wine,
we are social after all).
To mark this Karen was presented with an orchid and a bottle of wine by the group members, plus a
card from the main committee. Karen has promised to come back to the group in a while, thank
goodness. Thank you everyone who was able to attend and to those that could not – you missed a
great afternoon.
Linda Leivers More photos on the website ...
Page 12 of 16

13. Groups News
Afternoon Teas
SIXTEEN U3A members went along to Timmermans Garden Centre on 3rd August and enjoyed
another delicious tea.
We managed to enter and leave in between showers; some people wandered round the healthy
looking plants; finding them irresistible we had to buy.
It is a pleasurable way to spend an afternoon in good company.
Sheila Whalley More photos on the website ...
Art
THIS GROUP continues to be popular with 11 attending in August. We welcomed a new member
who has joined us from Sherwood U3A.
We began by looking at the sketches produced from our outing to Rufford in July and I have to say
they were all jolly good.
We meet again on 17th September, when Michael has proposed the theme of Nottinghamshire
Scenes. However, bring along your own project if you wish.
Hopefully, after the September meeting, we may have a few more members.
Linda Spray
Digital World
WE RECONVENED on 12th September at Stanton Hill Baptist Church after the holidays and all
found much to learn from a DVD 'Travelling Light' in which a professional landscape photographer
showed how simple compact cameras can give superb results in skilled hands. (It was quite an eye-opener
to those so wedded to big DSLR cameras that they sometimes miss opportunities.)
We also looked at members' submissions on our holiday theme of 'Play' and had another short
back-to-basics session to help less-experienced members with the camera settings that may seem
daunting until they're explained.
We have a few vacancies so do come along on any second Friday in the month (2.00 - 4.00) and
join in. It doesn't matter how much or little you know or what camera you use as we all gain by
learning from each other.
David Ling (01623 822994)
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14. Luncheon Club
OUR NEXT lunch will be hosted by Pauline and Ian Boucher at Cockcliffe Hall Hotel in Burntstump
Country Park on 18th September where their selected fine-dining menu will cost £12.95 for two
courses or £16.95 for three.
We'll be able to do some pre-Christmas shopping on October 23rd as Gordon and Sue Howlett
have arranged a very economically-priced menu at the recently-refurbished Denby Lodge at Ripley,
which is very handy for Christmas shopping at the Denby Pottery factory outlet. (Two courses from
£7.50 and three from £9.50) and then, on 20th November, Karen and John Troop have arranged a
lunch at Fothergill's – the refurbished Lamb's – where two course will cost £12 and three £15.
Please pre-book at the Lunch Club table or by email to dlpruk@aol.com.
Bookings for this year's 'Joyeux Noel' at Launay's on 11th December will open next month.
Regrettably, following a couple of no-shows, all lunchers will now be held responsible for the cost of
the meals booked on their behalf unless cancelled 24 hours beforehand.
David Ling
Bowls
MANSFIELD U3A's Bowls Group move indoors to the Lammas Sports Centre, Sutton in Ashfield on
Tuesday 14th October (2.30pm to 4.00pm weekly until 24th March 2015). Cost £3 per session.
New members are welcome; come along and have a go, coaching and equipment is available, but
bowling shoes (flat sole shoes, i.e. trainers O.K.) must be worn.
Any Questions or for further information please give me a ring on 01623 628946 if you'd like to
know more.
Don Wright
______________________________________________________________________________
In case you missed it: (Some extracts from the August on-line issue)
Art Appreciation and Sci-Tech Groups visit to Cambridge
BRILLIANT summer sunshine greeted our explorers of Cambridge on 1st August and stayed with
us throughout the day – up to the moment we disembarked from the coach on our return to Mans-field,
when the heavens opened.
The arty types were in heaven as the Fitzwilliam Art Gallery has a world-class collection; the teccies
had a guided tour of the intimate Whipple Museum of the History of Science, where many
memories were rekindled by displays of slide rules and 'early' calculators that many remembered
from their school days; others explored this beautiful city on foot or or a sightseeing bus.
Ian and Pauline Boucher had arranged another 'Grand Day Out' and fully deserved the warm
applause of their grateful charges.
David Ling Photos on the website ...
Theatre Visit to see Taming of the Shrew at Tolethorpe
ONCE again, the sun shone on the righteous U3A members on 15th July for their visit to the annual
Stamford Shakespeare Company production (this year 'The Taming of the Shrew').
After eating their meals on the lawn in the warm sunshine, the audience was transported to 1950s
Italy, to the town square in Padua. The updating by director Ken Walsh worked superbly and we
watched with fascination as the young characters drove in and out on Vespas and motor bikes,
dressed in the latest 1950s fashions, while the old men looked like Mafia Godfathers. A live band
played 'Italian' pop songs of the period as characters moved round the square, in and out of the café.
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15. The play is more misogynistic than I recollected and the taming of lively, waspish Kate, well acted by
Natasha Andrew, into an obedient wife offends us now, but was part of life in Elizabethan England
and 1950s Italy.
James Rushton, as Petruchio, not only acted convincingly, but mastered Shakespeare’s language
as so few do nowadays. Though one or two of the minor characters were rather stolid, the main
ones acted well and the liveliness and humour of the play did come across to a responsive audi-ence,
which joined in with the songs.
It was a good production, successful in its setting and acting; even the cutting of Shakespeare's
introduction in exchange for the gender violence of a Punch and Judy show worked. Add in the
beautiful weather and our evening was a success.
Mike Allen Photos on the website ...
Caravan and Motorhome Rally group in France
IT OCCURRED to me that whilst away for a month over June and July the group of us have
touched many aspects relating to groups already existing in Mansfield U3A.
As you would imagine we walked,
hiked, strolled and shuffled along
many glorious beaches, old fortific-ations
and market squares; on our
visits to the Loire Valley we covered
Antiques and Collectables, Art and
Art Appreciation; just to see the
Tapestry of the Apocalypse in
Angers Château covers all of those.
There were many other instances,
the paintings of Leonardo da Vinci
in Amboise displayed on voile and
hung in the trees to catch the
sunlight, was yet another.
Science and Technology would
have been proud of us we played
with and climbed on the working
recreations of Leonardo’s inven-tions
in the Clos D’Luce. Garden
visits and gardening merged on
many occasions. Luncheon club
would be astonished by the number
of times we ate “fruit de mer.” Pudding club could have gathered recipes from our restaurant menus
and the many patisseries we sampled.
Wine Appreciation got a great deal of attention from our enthusiastic if undiscerning palates.
The most significant event brought Family History, History and Current Affairs together on the same
day when we were at the 70th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings in Normandy. We saw all nation-alities
celebrating together, old veterans proudly wearing medals, pipe bands, and brass bands. The
RAF memorial flight overhead, paratroopers landing just yards away. Floral tributes and fireworks
went side by side.
Needless to say we will be going again in 2015.
Linda Leivers More photos on the website ...
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16. ______________________________________________________________________________
Margaret Davis. It is with deep regret that we have learned that Margaret passed away on 7th
August. Her funeral was on 21st August. Our thoughts are with Geoff at this sad time.
______________________________________________________________________________
Dates for your diary (Check the website for more information and updates.)
Tues. 16th Sept: AGM at Oakham Suite, 155 Nottingham Road. 11.00
______________________________________________________________________________
Event and Visit Payments
MEMBERS are reminded that deposits and payments for events and visits organised by Mansfield
U3A and its interest groups are non-refundable, but places so reserved may be offered to others.
______________________________________________________________________________
Changes of address, etc.
PLEASE contact the membership secretary, Avril McGee(01623 452688), if you've changed your
address, phone number or email since joining Mansfield U3A so that she can update our records.
______________________________________________________________________________
Disclaimer
THE VIEWS expressed here are those of the contributors, only, and do not necessarily reflect those
of the editor, the committee of Mansfield U3A or the Third Age Trust. Nor can any responsibility be
accepted for members' announcements or any errors that may occur.
______________________________________________________________________________
Next Issue
PLEASE SEND contributions for the September issue to mansfieldu3a@aol.com, or in typescript,
to the editor as soon as you can and by 1st September at the latest. Thanks!
______________________________________________________________________________
Editor: David Ling (01623 822994) Printed by: Portland Print (www.portlandprint.org.uk/)
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