SLU3A NEWS Newsletter of the South Leicestershire U3A Website: http://www.slu3a.org.uk/

Registered Charity Number 1122153

Issue No. 188 March 2016

NEXT MONTH’S MEETING

MONDAY APRIL 11TH DAVID GREENHALGH –OPERATION RUBY TALE

TODAY’S MEETING MONDAY MARCH 14TH

ANN BIRD—ROSES

THE MAY AGM: NEW CONSTITUTION, NEW COMMITTTEE

Constitutions can be tricky things: apparently bor-ing, thought unimportant, at least until something happens which affects our interest. Constitutions (written and unwritten) are what lay down the rules of the game—the way we do our business; run our country, and even establish a local football team or charity. All charities are subject to charity law, overseen by the Charity Commissioners, and SLU3A is no ex-ception. This is why May’s AGM is important, as chair Don Collins highlights elsewhere on this page. Putting it bluntly, if SLU3A is to continue to exist and flourish it must amend its constitution to bring it in line with other U3As and the national body, and ensure it meets the law as interpreted by the Charity Commission. Your committee has been working on bringing our existing constitution into line with the new requirements for almost two years and now seeks members’ approval for the changed constitution at May’s AGM. On page 2 of this issue, secretary Eddie Dixon sets out some of the changes and the reasons for them, and the process through which we have gone. Your committee is doing everything it can to make sure that you are all fully informed about the “whys and wherefores” of our future and what it means. To this end you will shortly be receiving a copy of the new Constitution, the Officers’ reports and Nomination Forms for the Committee. Please give these the attention that they deserve and play your part in making sure that our Association continues to have a long, happy and successful life. The Editor

SOUTH LEICESTERSHIRE U3A:- A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Dear friends and members of MHSLU3A. AGMs can be very boring and time wasting: few of us really want to attend one. However, as Chairman I am writing to you all to “twist your arms” to encour-age you to come to our AGM in May. I have very good reasons for doing this and I hope that you will read on and give me the opportunity to explain why. 2016 is a very important year in the life of our asso-ciation. The Third Age Trust and the Charity Commis-sion require all U3As to have a Constitution that is standard across all the groups and meet criteria laid down by these two bodies. We have to conform to these requirements, and you (the members) must approve the new constitution so that we can oper-ate under the new procedures. Without this approv-al, we would no longer be able to operate as part of the national U3A. That cannot be acceptable to you. Part of this new Constitution also lays down the rules for formation of your committee. After this year it and its officers will have to be voted into office each year. Its increased size (15 as against 10) means that there will be a requirement for more members to be put forward or to put themselves forward for election as committee members. And if we are unable to form a committee then the associ-ation will not be able to continue. The future of SLU3A lies in the hands of its members! For it to con-tinue people have to be prepared to participate in the organisation and running of the association. S0 please make sure that it does continue!

SLU3A News 2

Our New Constitution (Subject to the consent of the Charity Commission )

The existing constitution, which was approved by the membership in May 2002, defines why our organisation exists and how it is managed. A constitution states the organisation’s aims, the rules on how it should be run and eligibility for membership. The main reasons to amend our constitution are that over the years Charity Commission rules on charitable benefit have significantly tightened. As a result the Third Age Trust (TAT) ad-vised all U3As to re-examine their constitution against a ‘best practice’ model. Its Model Constitution was written with the full involvement at every stage with the TAT charity lawyer, the Charity Commission for Eng-land and Wales and was agreed by them. Your committee decided to revise the Constitution to meet these new criteria. There are amendments to most clauses, but the major change is to the objects clause (now purposes) which details our charitable purpose of being to advance education and to clearly define who is able to join SLU3A. This change does not affect the way that SLU3A operates: learning is involved in everything we do. All of the other clauses in the current constitution have been revised and extended to give greater detail and accountability including the composition of the committee. There is provision to increase the size of the com-mittee from a minimum of five to seven, with the maximum number of ten increasing to fifteen. With a mem-bership now in excess of one thousand, this gives the opportunity to give better representation and will also allow for any future growth. A number of new clauses have been added. They allow for the appointment of an honorary president, defects in appointments, the number of the executive committee and their election, election rules and term limits for office holders and executive committee members, the organisation of meetings and proceedings of the execu-tive committee, and rules concerning notices, communications and procedures at general meetings. Our current constitution allows the membership to approve changes apart from three clauses i.e. objects and powers, alteration to the constitution and dissolution. Therefore, the new constitution if approved at the AGM is Subject to the consent of the Charity Commission even though they were fully involved in the TAT model constitution.

The committee would urge all members to study the proposed constitution when it will be circulated with the agenda and other documents for the AGM. Eddie Dixon, SLU3A Secretary. __________________________________________________________________________________________

EXPLAINING THE NEW CONSTITUION

Will it be coffee or tea for you? For indeed, we all love our brew. But if you don't lend a hand we can't continue as planned, so offer your help – please do!

Please contact Enid Sanders today (details in the newsletter page 12), or any other committee member.

Architecture 4th Tuesday pm

We meet on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 2.00pm in the Congregational Church Lounge. Please note the change in venue. To date we have 25 mem-bers. Because we have a larger room the annual sub will now be £10. We meet every month except in De-cember. In February, Michael took us along part of the Silk Road in Uzbekistan. Once part of the Persian Em-pire, Uzbekistan was conquered by Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC; occupied by the Mongols under Genghis Khan in the 13th, became part of Tam-erlane the Great’s empire in the 16th, and was con-quered by the Russians in the 19th century. Quite a history! Michael’s journey took us to Samarkand and Tashkent among many places and we looked at mosques, minarets, madrassas and walled palaces, many beautifully decorated with great areas of col-oured ceramic tiles. Quite a journey! Thanks Michael. The next meeting is on Tuesday 22 March when Trish will give a talk on textile mills. New members are al-ways very welcome.

CC Peter Ellement 01858 432966

Art History 1st Mon. am We meet in the Bowden Room at 10.00. The topic for March 7th is the DVD Michelangelo by Neil Macgreg-or. CC Linda Carruthers 01858 410019

Badminton Wed. evening

Despite last month’s notice, the Badminton Group continues to meet on Wednesday evenings from 6.00-7.00pm at the Meadowdale School sports hall of Ash-ley way Rockingham Road. All new members are wel-come. Please telephone me for details for more infor-mation. Look forward to seeing you all.

O Linda Wenlock 01858 680146

Belleplates(handbells) Weds. pm

We meet each Wednesday at 2pm at St Nicholas church, Little Bowden, M.H.

ST N Pam Duffin 01858 414975 Bird Watching (Monday) 3rd Mon. am

We are a local (within one hour of Market Har-borough) bird watching group who help each other improve our identification skills. Beginners are very welcome to join. The light was perfect for bird watching on last month’s visit to Brandon Marsh, where several grandparents used the half-term holi-day to introduce their grandchildren to birding. On the day after Valentine’s Day many birds had already paired for the breeding season though we did en-counter three female Bullfinches on a girls’ day out . We added 21 species (including Oystercatcher, Snipe, Nuthatch and Jay), making our 2016 total so far 61. This month’s visit will be on 21st March, venue to be decided nearer the time based on weather forecast and reported sightings. For further infor-mation, please call me.

O John Cameron 01858 434155

Bird Watching (Thursday) 3rd Thurs. am

A new spot for several members last month, but well within our normal one hour drive limit, was Draycote Water, just the other side of Rugby. A glorious if cold day resulted in our first chiffchaff and skylark of the year. Other notables were meadow pipit, grey wag-tail, great spotted and green woodpeckers. The less said about the teeming, noisy café the better - half term, need I say more! The sausage and/or bacon baps though were worth the wait, and I'm sure that giant children's playground wasn't there before!

O Bruce White 01858 467976

News from our Interest Groups

SLU3A News 3

If you’re a creative sort of person seeking inspiration, why not try the ‘taster menu’ offered by our newest group So You’d Like to Be Creative and have a go at a different creative activity (or two) each month. Full details on pages 8 and 10 of this newsletter. Our Architecture group (amateur enthusiasts rather than professional architects!) goes from strength to strength – and a move to a bigger room later this month allows it to continue to welcome new members. Contacts: Geoff Woods 01858 468989 geoffwoodsslu3a@gmail.com or Alan Tuck 01858 440034, e mail alantuck.slu3a@gmail.com. We ask all Group Organisers to discuss with the Group Coor-dinators, Geoff Woods and Alan Tuck, at an early stage any plans or ideas for new groups, expansion or dissolu-tion of existing groups, change of organisers, matters affecting meeting days, times and venues.

Group meeting venues.

To help avoid confusion, meeting venues for interest groups are shown beside the group contact name/s be-low. Codes: CC = Congregational Church; StN =St Nicholas Church, Little Bowden; O= Other. (Please see the details given in group entry, or contact the organiser for these venues.)

Board Games Tuesdays pm

We meet weekly at my house in Great Bowden on Tuesdays from 2- 4 pm, and ‘part –timers’ are also welcome!

O Barbara Cudmore 01858 433763

Book Club 3rd Fri. am

We meet as usual on the 3rd Friday of the month in the Bowden Room to discuss a book which has been provided for free by the Library Service. For further information contact:

CC Cherry Taylor 01858 466308 Anne Cook 01858 555384

Bridge: Mondays Mondays pm

We meet every Monday (except Bank Holidays), from 1.50 pm to 4.30 pm, all year round, in the Vil-lage Hall, Great Bowden, playing Duplicate bridge. We play in a friendly atmosphere, with a break for tea and biscuits! If you would like to join this group, please contact either O Chris Graves 01162791505, e.mail: chris@cjgraves.plus.com, or Don Oakley 01162796781.

Bridge: Tuesdays Tuesdays am We meet at the Evangelical Church in Bath Street, Market Harborough at 10.00 and play progressive rubber bridge for two hours except on the first Tuesday of each month when we hold a ‘Gentle Duplicate’ (pairs) competition. Last month’s win-ners were N/S Ann Wood & Mary Hill, E/W Liz Webb & Betty Hudspith. New members are wel-come as long as they have a basic knowledge of the game and can explain their bidding to opponents if asked. If you would like to join the group, please call me on the number below.

CC John Cameron 01858 434155

Bridge Tuesdays pm The improvers continues to flourish, though new members welcome too. We are a friendly group, and usually play rubber bridge, 2-4pm in the Lang-ton room - just ring one of the numbers below for more information. There is also a beginners group running at the same time and if you are interested please ring Malcolm 01858 466598

CC Sue Allibone 01858 410385 Anne Mitchell 01858 462393

Carpet Bowls 1st Wed. pm

The Short Mat Bowls Group meets on the first Wednesday of each month in the Congregational Hall at 2.30pm - 4.30pm. If you would like to know more about the Group please contact

CC Jane Wilkins 01858 461801

Card Craft No.1 1st & 3rd Thurs. p.m We meet 1st and 3rd Thursdays each month at St Nicholas Upper room. Please let Sheila know if you are unable For further details please contact

StN Liz Austin 0116 2478398 Sheila Taylor 01858 464545

Card Craft No.2 1st& 3rdThurs am In February we were very industrious. During our first session we made a Japanese lady bookmark card which was quite fiddly to make but well worth the effort judging by the finished products and members reactions. The second session saw us making a card with a very attractive folded front which could be used to contain theatre tickets, money, gift vouchers, etc or as in this case a packet of seeds! In March we started one of our very popular 'sharing ideas and catch up ' sessions. Hopefully on March 17th we will produce two cards suitable for Easter. As always this will take place in St. Nicholas Church Upper Room on 1st and 3rd Thursday mornings.

StN Vivian Hammond 01858434272 or

Carolyn Youdan 01858 440620

Civilisations of the Past 4th Thurs pm In February, John completed “Early Materials used in Ancient Times,” with a presentation on “Amber”, and its present-day centre, the Kaliningrad oblast. Unfortunately our March meeting has had to be cancelled. We meet at St Nicholas Church, Little Bowden. For more information on our small, friendly group, please contact StN Ernie Parsons: 01536 76014

mustelid@aol.com,

Creative Writing for Fun last Friday pm Usually we meet on the last Friday of the month, 2-4pm at St. Nicholas Church, Little Bowden. Each month we read out our 500-600 word pieces and agree on a title for the following month. There are varying degrees of skill within the group, from begin-ners to the very experienced, and new members are always welcome.

Keith Warren 01858 464362 StN Jenny Porthouse 01858 434041

SLU3A News 4

News from our Interest Groups

Cycling see below

At the time of writing we have yet to do the March ride. The April ride is on Friday April 1st and is being led by Bruce (01858 467976/07919035486) and Maryan(01858 462573/07812451010). Please meet at The Shoulder of Mutton in Great Bowden no lat-er than 10.45 am. to give us time to order lunch before we set off. O Graham Swallow 01858 462368

Discovering Poetry (Fri.) 1st Fri. am Having considered all things green in March, we will be turning our attention to poems about transport at the beginning of April. We meet in the Bowden Room at 10 am on the first Friday of the month. New members will be made very welcome. CC Jill Hart 01858 469663

Discovering Poetry (Tues.) 2nd Tues. pm

The chosen subject for Tuesday 8th March was Holi-days. We meet in the Bowden Room. Do come and join us – we welcome newcomers.

CC Phyllis Lord: 01858 431744

Drawing/Painting for Pleasure1st/3rd Thurs pm

We continue with our own projects and some peo-ple are trying out different textures and patterns with new mediums. As usual we meet 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month 2-4pm in the Langton room. New members welcome. Just ring one of the numbers below.

CC Leader: Derek Brittan 01858 410432 Reporter: Anne Mitchell 01858 462393

Exercise and Keep Fit 1 Mon am

The group is currently full, but please contact me if you would like to go on a waiting list. Remaining dates for March are the 15th and 22nd. No meeting on Easter Monday. We meet between 9:30-10:30am in the Methodist Church Youth Wing, Northampton Road.

O Anne Goldsmith 01536 770122

Exercise and Keep Fit 2 Thurs pm We are very happy to welcome new members. We meet between 4 and 5pm in the Youth Wing of the Methodist Church on Northampton Road. Remain-ing March dates are 17th, 24th and 31st. We rec-ommend comfortable clothing and trainers. Please contact me for further details. O Anne Goldsmith 01536 770122

Family History 3rd Thursday am

We meet at The Evangelical Church, Bath St. M.H at 10am. Our next meeting is on March 17th. New enquiries Judi Derry 01536 760162 O Other enquiries to Shaun Coles 01858 289543

French Beginners Mondays am

We are now no longer complete beginners. If anyone is interested in joining, they would need to have some background knowledge of French. O Judy Starr 01858 445937

French conversation Thurs pm

'French Conversation' aims to cater for more fluent speakers to a maximum of 8, the most I can squeeze into my dining room where we now meet each Thurs-day afternoon.

O Jess Penny 01858 432392

French Refreshers Mon am Our group meets at 11 am on Monday mornings in the Bowden Room. We use interesting ways of im-proving our ability to understand and to speak French. Our group is currently full, we will operate a waiting list in case a vacancy arises. For further details please contact me. CC Rosemary Holden 01536 418472/

07799627145

Gardening see below In the shed until the Spring. For further information please contact O Margaret Adams 01858 575706

German Conversation Fridays pm

and German Improvers Tues pm Had a cold recently? With 200 viruses causing the common cold it would hardly be surprising. But for early remedies we have to thank a German Egyptolo-gist-Georg Ebers, who in 1874 discovered the Ebers Papyrus, a 65 ft long document that provides incanta-tions and cures for various ailments. To cure a cold one must mix aromatic resin with the milk of a wom-an who has borne a son, place this on the nose for 4 days while repeating a spell! A healthy group, we have not yet had to resort to this kind of spelling so far! CC Sylvia Mountford tel 01858 465561 Please note. The German Improvers group meets eve-ry Tuesday afternoon. For further information, includ-ing time and locations, please contact Barbara Evans on 01858 463045.

SLU3A News 5

News from our Interest Groups

Golf (Ladies: Improvers ) Mons am

We meet on Mondays at 10 am at Blackthorn Golf Club near Cottingham. New members welcome. The course is a 9 hole course with plenty of challenges. For further information please contact O Angela Wade 01858 462293 or 07773 229041

Golf (Men’s) see below

We play regularly at South Kilworth Golf Centre on Mondays and Thursdays meeting at approx. 9.45am for a coffee before drawing for partners for 1st tee at 10.28 am. Members play both 18 and 9 holes at varying standards. For further information please contact me or any other member. O Mike Roberts 01604 505720

Italian: Improvers Mons. pm The group meets at 2.00p.m. in the Bowden Room at the Congregational Church. Anyone interested in join-ing us please contact CC Judith Cook 01858 433861

Italian: Beyond Beginners Thurs. pm We meet on Thursdays from 2.30 to 4.00pm. For any info about this group please contact CC Linda Carruthers 01858 410019

Latin Fridays please check Salvete! We meet at 10.00 a.m. in the Upper Room, St. Nicholas Church in Little Bowden. For more details please con-tact: StN Jackie Hands 01536 711478

e-mail jackiehands@aol.com

Listening to Jazz last Tuesday March’s meeting will be chez Rob (01858 466737) when sounds not yet heard will be featured. Though the group is currently full, If you are interested please con-tact me and I will put you on the waiting list: O Mike Goldsmith 01536 770122

Local History 3rd Tues Tuesday 16th February saw 38 members attend our meeting where we were treated to three films and a quiz given by the Movie Makers of Harborough. It was a thoroughly enjoyable and informative experience. We are all now looking forward to our March 15th meeting when we will be given a talk by Mary Matts about the history of canal boats and the artefacts used in daily life. For further information please contact: CC Jan Tilley 01858 461186

Lunch Club Langton-Wed. last Wed.

This lunch club meets at the Langton Inn on the last Wednesday of each month. Our next lunch will be on March 30th. Members are asked to meet at 11.30 a.m. All orders for food must be placed by 11.45 a.m. Mem-bers are asked to phone me by the Tuesday of that week if they will not be at the lunch. If anyone else is interested in joining us please phone me. O Pauline Cameron 01858 434155

Lunch Club Langton-Thurs. 3rd Thurs. This lunch club meets at the Langton Inn on the third Thursday of each month. March’s meeting is on the 18th. Members are asked to meet at 11.30 a.m. All or-ders for food must be placed by 11.45 a.m. Members are asked to phone me by the Tuesday of that week if they will not be at the lunch. If anyone else is interested in joining us please phone me. O Pauline Cameron 01858 434155

Mah Jong 1st & 3rd Fri. am

We meet at St Nicholas church, Little Bowden, M.H. at 10am. The next dates are 18th March and 1st and 15th April. StN Brenda Lord 07748843328

Music Appreciation (Tues.) 3rd Tues. am

We meet on the third Tuesday of each month at 5 Hold-enby Close, MH. at 10am. Our next meeting is on Tues-day 15 March when Peter will present the music. We have vacancies for two new members. Anyone who is interested please contact me.

O Peter Ellement 01858 432966

Music Appreciation (Fri.) last Friday am

At our February Meeting we listened to music from English Composers. We started with William Walton's Johannesburg Festival Overture, followed by a work new to most members, 'Sinfonietta' by Edward J Moeran (1894-1930). Our mystery piece was a little known Piano Concerto by Delius. We returned to more familiar ground with pieces by George Butterworth and John Ireland, ending with Hubert Parry's 'Elegy for Brahms'. written on hearing of the death of Brahms in 1897. THERE WILL BE NO MEETING IN MARCH BECAUSE OF EASTER HOLIDAYS. Our next Monthly Meeting will be on April 29th as usual at 19 Westfield Close. O Geoff Moth 01858 432275 e-mail: themoths85@gmail.com

SLU3A News 6

News from our Interest Groups

Needlecraft 1st & 3rd Mondays pm

We meet on the first and third Mondays of the month at 2.00pm in the Langton Room. The group does a range of needlecraft, including knitting and stitchcraft. We are a very friendly group and help one another, sharing skills where possible. We occasionally meet to go out for lunch as a group. CC Midge Hasnip 01858 445625 Sheila Southwell 01858 565879 Paper Crafting and More 1st & 3rd Frid am

The small friendly group will meet on 18th March and April 1st in Foxton village hall. If you are interested in joining us please contact me.

O Jan Collins 01858 462409

Patchwork and Quilting 1 2nd & 4th Thurs pm Quilty Pleasures

Quilty Pleasures is a thriving and enthusiastic group meeting in Foxton village hall. We help people new to patchwork, quilting and appliqué gain a basic knowledge of these lovely crafts, but more experienced stitcher will find a place too! We’ve welcomed some new members and hope they get as much enjoyment from Quilty Pleasures in the future as the rest have in the past. We're back in the groove now and looking forward to all the exciting things this year has to offer: we had Chris's incredibly popular free-motion quilting sessions in Janu-ary and we'll have more later in the year; last month was February Foundations when we revisited founda-tion piecing and this month we will start our group pro-ject. Want to have a go at patchwork and quilting? Don't know where, or how, to start? Then come and join us at Quilty Pleasures, all are welcome! We have a progressive, informative and enjoyable programme planned for 2016 so come along to any Quilty Pleasures meeting to get a taste of these beautiful crafts, or you can always contact me by telephone or email for more information on our lovely group O Lesley Sinclair 0116 2152104 quiltingslu3a@gmail.com Patchwork and Quilting 2 1st and 3rd Thurs Quilter’s Corner We are a group of very friendly ladies who meet at East Farndon Village Hall at 2 p.m. on the 1st and 3rd Thurs-

day of each month. The group is a mixture of all different levels of Patchwork knowledge from begin-ners to the more experienced. Some prefer to sew by hand while others like to use a machine - either is fi-ne. Please feel welcome to call in to one of our meetings and see if you would like to join us. The group is almost full, and we can only take one more at present. Contact me for details: O Jan Clarke 01858 464634

Sue Willis 01536760817 Photography Digital 3rd Friday pm For the February meeting four members gave a short talk on subjects of their choice aided by photographs. An Av was also shown. Thanks to the contributors. Ten out of the fifteen members attended. In March the subject is “Motion and or Night-time” (or both). Members are asked to present 8-10 photographs on either or both topics. We were pleased to welcome a new member in February, all will be made very wel-come. The group is striving to provide a varied pro-gramme to appeal to photographers old and new - experienced or not.

St N Chris Mosley 01536 771258

Play Reading (Modern) 3rd Tuesday pm

Last month we began reading ‘Pygmalion’ by George Bernard Shaw, first performed in public in 1913. Pro-fessor of phonetics, Henry Higgins, bets that he can train a cockney flower girl, Eliza Doolittle, to pass as a duchess at an ambassador’s cocktail party by teaching her to speak properly. The play is a lampoon on the rigid British class system of the day and later became a successful musical re-titled ‘My Fair Lady’. We will continue with this play at our next meeting on Tues-day 15th March at 2pm in the Bowden room. Addition-al members are very welcome and if you would like to join us please call me on the number below.

CC David Ginns 01536 505773

Play Reading (Shakespeare) 2nd Wed. pm

We will be watching a DVD of Romeo and Juliet at our next meeting in the Bowden Room If you are interest-ed in Shakespeare’s plays, why not come and join us: - newcomers are very welcome!

CC Phyllis Lord: 01858 431744

SLU3A News 7

News from our Interest Groups

NEXT COPY DEADLINE: MONDAY 28TH MARCH 2016.

Please send copy to: Mike Goldsmith, e-mail: mikgold_22@btinternet.com.Tel.01536 770122

Railway Exploration see below

The last session continued our study into station name toponomy. Our next meeting on Wednesday 16th March will look at some facets of the railway as seen through cigarette cards in addition to any other materi-al brought by members. We meet on the third Wednesday of every month (except December) at the Kettering Road Bowling Club. New members are very welcome and further information is available from the Group Leader.

O Phil Danks 01858 463922

Relaxation for Life see below The dates for March are the 8th and the 22nd. We meet on the 2nd and the 4th Tuesdays of the month. New members are always welcome, if interested con-tact me.

O Susanne Trevorrow 01858 431759

60’s Music Sunday see below

The next meeting is on March 20th at the Oathill Pub commencing at 7.00 pm. All welcome. See you all there. O Alec Hodgson 01858 288923 Science and Technology Group 4th Wed. pm Our next meeting will take place on Wednesday 23rd of March in the Langton Room at 2:00pm. Hilary Hearn-shaw will be presenting a talk entitled “Patient’s adher-ence to treatment”. New members are always wel-come. Until Hilary’s talk I will just continue taking the tablets.

CC Michael Milsom 01858 419874 m_milsom@hotmail.com

Scrabble For Fun 2nd & 4th Weds. Am

Our meetings this month are on Wednesdays 10th and 24th February at 10.00am in St. Nicholas Church, Little Bowden. New members are always welcome. St N Betty Hudspith 01858 410409

Singing for Fun 2nd and 4th Fri. pm

Do you like singing for its own sake? Come along and enjoy all kinds of song. We are not a choir, we just like singing together, having fun the while---with musical accompaniment too. We meet in the Coffee Room of the Methodist Church from 2 to 4pm. For more details phone

O Robert Cook 01858 469337

Singles Sunday Lunch Groups

Sunday 7 February saw Group 2 of the Singles Sunday Lunch Groups meet for the first time in 2016. Ten of us met at The Crown pub in Tur Langton for what proved to be a very lively and sometimes loud lunchtime. It was so enjoyable to catch up with eve-ryone's news whilst drinking and eating a good lunch. This Group meets every 1st Sunday in the month. Meeting every third Sunday in the month, the third Singles Sunday Group met on Sunday 21 February at the Waterfront restaurant in Market Harborough. Ten of us enjoyed lively conversation over a delicious lunch. As the weather had stayed remarkably fine, some of the Group finished the meeting with a walk along the canal bank, taking advantage of the sun-shine. Group 1 meets on the 4th Sunday. For further information on these groups please contact

O Jan Tilley on 01858 461186 / 07792915559

SLU3A Singers 2nd & 4th Tues. am

We continue to enjoy the programme of songs we started after Christmas. We meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month from 10.30 am -12 noon. New members are always made very welcome. CC Joy Swallow 01858 462368

Society Today—Have your Say 2nd Thurs. pm

The March meeting at 2.00pm on Thursday March 10th has two visiting speakers who will discuss supermar-kets’ trading practices and their dealings with UK agri-culture and other suppliers. New members welcome. StN Tom Gilmore Tel: 01604 743676

So You'd Like to be Creative 2nd Wed am February was a creative session folding leather and paper making a range of animals and other ob-jects. March is likely to be another "craft" session, probably involving wood, but you will have to come along to find out what! Start time will be 11.15am.

CHANGE OF VENUE. We have a change of venue for future meetings. This will be at Richard's house off Kettering Road. For further information please ring Richard at the number shown.

O Richard Boyes 01858 432223

Spanish Wed. am

A small intermediate group meets each Wednesday morning to improve our understanding and conversa-tional skills. Newcomers welcome.

O Jess Penny 01858 432392

News from our Interest Groups

SLU3A News 8

Spanish for Beginners Thurs am/pm

Thursday morning’s group now is for people wanting to improve their language, whilst Thursday afternoons are available for Beginners. Anybody interested in ei-ther of these groups will be welcome. O Don Collins 01858 462409 or 07808611369

Strollers see below

Our walk in April is on Friday 8th and starts from Laun-de Abbey LE7 9XB – travel via Hallaton, East Norton and Loddington. Meet in car park at 10.15am and or-der lunch/snack. If the car park is full, park on road-side grass. It’s a 3 mile walk including (quiet) road, bridlepath, nature reserve. Please telephone Kath or John Capps on 01858 440069 by Tuesday 5th April.

O Colin and Julia Ford 01858 463129

Table Tennis (Mon.) Mon. am

We meet each Monday at the Harborough Leisure Centre from 11.15am—1.15pm.

O Judith Burdon 01858 467531

Table Tennis (Thurs.) Thurs. midday

This group is at full capacity. Anyone interested in joining please ring or e mail me and I will have a re-serve list should someone leave us. O Jenny Acaster 01858446862 email: jen.acaster@live.co.uk Tai Chi & Chinese Wand Exercises Thurs pm We meet on Thursdays from 1:30 to 3:30 at the Meth-odist Church. Dates for March they are the 17th, 24th and 31st. For more information call. O Clarice Hosein-Crick 01858 462307

Tennis Thurs. am

We meet every Thursday morning at 10.00 a.m. at the Market Harborough Tennis Courts in Great Bowden for friendly mixed doubles.

O Rita Moth 01858 432275

Transport Group 1st Wed. am

We meet at the Little Bowden Bowling Club, Kettering Rd, Market Harborough, on the first Wednesday of the month from 10am until noon. The next meeting will take place on the 6th of April when Colin Ford will

SLU3A News 9

News from our Interest Groups be presenting a talk entitled “7+1 Wonders of the Waterways'”. New members are always wel-come.

O Michael Milsom 01858 419874 m_milsom@hotmail.co

Ukelele Group Alternate Tues

We’ve recently played some great songs, includ-ing pop, folk, country and rock ‘n’ roll. The Ukule-le Players next meetings are on 29th March and 12th and 26th April. We have beginners as well as more experienced players. If you might be inter-ested in joining us, then why not give it a go – you’ll enjoy it, and quite possibly amaze yourself ! Just call me. O David Evans 01858 463045

Walking – All day last Thurs.

The next walk, which will be led by Alec and Carol Hodgson, is on 31st March starting from Pytchley (Turn off junction 9 on the A14 Kettering) at 10.00am. As you enter Pytchley take the 1st turn-ing left (almost opposite the church) and park in Stringers Hill. Please car share where possible, as parking is limited. The walk is 8 miles with a pub stop, after a picnic lunch, in Isham. O Eddie & Edith Dixon 01858 468758

Walking—Half-Day 2nd Wed

The March walk will already have taken place pri-or to the publication of the Newsletter. Currently this group is full -please consider joining one of the other walking groups.

O Tony or Enid Sanders 01858 432237 Walking—Half-Day 1stTues New members are most welcome. For more de-tails please contact O Diana Baxter 0116 2792947

Email kibhardi@hotmail.com Walking—Half Day Third Thurs Our next walk is on Thursday 17 March. It will be along parts of the Brampton Valley Way to Lamport and Hanging Houghton. It will start at 10.00am, cover 5.5 miles over mainly hard surfac-es, and finish at about 12.30pm. The meeting point is Draughton Crossing, east of Maid-well. Travelling from MH head south on the A508 to Maidwell village. Then turn left towards

SLU3A News Page 10

News from our Interest Groups Draughton and after about a half mile park at Draughton Crossing. New members welcome. O Alastair & Christine Willis 01858 419262

e-mail: williswalks@hotmail.com Wine Tasting 3rd Thurs At our February meeting we tried out our new rank-ing system on a selection of delicious sherries cho-sen by Mick. These ranged from a bone dry Manza-nilla to a rare 30 year Pedro Ximinez, which was so dark that it looked like treacle and poured like a thin syrup: it stained the glasses yellow! This wine was given maximum score by most of us, and con-sidered a wine fit for a royal banquet. Unfortunate-ly it cost £19 for a 50cl bottle. Our next meeting is on 11th March when Pat will continue our tour of the Mediterranean with a selection of wines from the south west of France. The group is at full strength. O Michael Switzer 01858 555268

So You’d Like to be Creative:

Our group has now been meeting for four months and we have already covered a wide range of crea-tive activities. We started with “Words” and during our initial two hour session came up with several memorable company names including Scaffolders – “Higher & Hire”; Fishmonger – “Sole Trader.” Month two had a guest from Harborough Theatre who, with the aid of models and plans, demonstrated how a stage set was designed, from the description in the playwright’s script through the director’s interpreta-tion and into a practical design for the set builders to follow. Not always an easy thing to achieve! We then had a painting and drawing session in month three before creating objects from leather and pa-per in the latest meeting. Despite the diversity of activities the group remains small resulting in a change of venue from March 2016. The new venue will be at the organiser’s house off Kettering Road. If you are interested in coming along, ring me on 01858 432223. Future topics will include card craft, digital photography and devising puzzles. Group members are encouraged to suggest any other crea-tive pursuits that we can try out. Richard Boyes

___________________________________________

MY ANNUAL PLEA… Help! Help! Help! Subs are due before May 1st. Please help me out by paying early—and I don’t mind if you pay often! David (I keep the books) Kyle.

The Society Today group recently held de-

bates on two important subjects—devolution and EU membership. On devolution we surveyed some existing regional changes in a few European coun-tries only to find that we could summon little en-thusiasm for a similar status here: how, being a relatively small state, could we justify the change; who really wants a change and how those in favour of it could claim to need it. Would it be economi-cally and socially worthwhile? The most we could suggest was the preservation of cultural identity in some regions. Would we trust regional authorities? We remember the creation of Police Commission-ers, thought a waste of money. What should never become a regional matter: the law, agriculture, flood risks, Health or Policing. Was it true that re-gional centres were really being proposed for rea-sons of self-aggrandisement? Finance would, of course, be crucial. Overall we dismissed the idea. On EU membership we reviewed all the benefits of membership, from subsidies to good standards of Union –wide regulation and the advantages of ex-

ports towards Europe. Yet our reservations were manifold: what real expectations of further benefits could the British expect? Mere tinkering! There seems little Union support for our case. Worst of all, with no thought or advice given about the other fundamental move, i.e. to quit the EU, we were all very concerned. We needed guidance, but none has been offered to the UK. We risk a long period of iso-lation until new patterns could perhaps be created. We also had little confidence anyway in our part-ners! But less than half of us wanted 'Out'.

Tom Gilmore Editor’s Note: I suspect that tom’s group may not be the only peo-ple in search of guidance! With the EU referendum now announced for June, I can only repeat what I said in my January talk: please make sure you have as much information about what such a decision means before casting your vote, whether you are for staying in or for coming out!

The Editor

NEXT MONTH – SPACE PERMITTING-FIND OUT ABOUT BEING A SEENAGER, COURTESY OF GEOFF MOTH

THEATRE VISITS, TRIP

SLU3A NEWS 11

DISCLAIMER: SLU3A members should be aware that every effort is made to inform them of any possible difficulties which may be encountered during group activities, trips or excursions and holidays organised on their behalf by members and group organisers of the SLU3A. If members should require any help or assistance to enable them to enjoy the experience, it is their own responsibility to ensure that such help and assistance is engaged. Such help or assistance, which may be pro-vided by a non-member, should be arranged before firm bookings for the event are made with the Organiser. Members are advised that we always use every possible effort to fill vacancies arising from members’ cancellations. However, whilst we take every care, there is no guarantee of a refund—full or in part—in respect of monies handed over.

THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE Kilworth House Theatre Thurs 8th September 7.30

Its 1922 and small town girl Millie Dillmount has arrived in New York. Millie plans to find a job as a secretary for an eligible bachelor and then marry him. Millie’s plan goes wrong. The film was a

winner of 6 Tony awards including best musical. Cost £33.00 Make your own way. To book please ring Sue Colledge 0116 2593209

Last chance to book R.H.S. HAMPTON COURT PALACE FLOWER SHOW, ON SUNDAY 10TH JULY 32016.

11 SPACES LEFT, booking closes on 6TH APRIL 2016

THE COST OF ENTRANCE AND COACH IS £34.75. THE COACH LEAVES MARKET HARBOROUGH BUS STATION AT 8.00AM AND THE GARDENS AT 5.30PM.FOR BOOKINGS CONTACT VAL CUNNINGTON ON

0116 2402 368/07771 996567 OR EMAIL: vcunnington@btinternet.com

COUNTRYFILE LIVE—Blenheim Palace Thurs 4th August

Hosted in the grounds of Blenheim Palace, BBC Countryfile Live will show the very best of the countryside. Live arena shows, talks, hands on activities, animal displays and shopping with over 600 stalls and craft producers. Adam Henson is bringing his farm to Blenheim, so you can see some of his rare breeds, farm livestock, and animal

celebrities, together with other members of the TV show.

Cost £34. Coach leaves Market Harborough Bus Station at 08.00am and

from Blenheim at 4.30. To book please ring Sue Colledge 0116 2593209

LINCOLN THURSDAY 14 APRIL 2016

Lincoln was built as a legionary fortress by the Romans and substantial structures can still be seen today. There are many ancient and medieval

buildings in High Street & Steep Hill. Lincoln Cathedral is a fine example of English Gothic architecture, once the tallest in the world. Lincoln Castle, an

11th Century Norman Castle is home to one of only four surviving Magna Carta and has a medieval Wall walk & Victorian Prison. There is a walking

tour of the historical parts of Lincoln. A combined ticket for both the Cathedral & Castle costs £13.

Cost of coach and walking tour is £16. The coach will leave Market Harborough Bus Station at 8.30am

To book contact Maryan Richardson Tel. 01858 462573

Published by Mike Goldsmith for SLU3A, 21 Rushton Rd., Wilbarston, LE16 8QL. E-mail: mikgold_22@btinternet.com

SLU3A News 12

NEXT COPY DEADLINE MONDAY 28TH MARCH 2016. Please send reports, information, photos etc. asap to:

Mike Goldsmith, e-mail: mikgold_22@btinternet.com. Tel. 01536 770122

SLU3A DETAILS How to join SLU3A. Joining the SLU3A could not be easier. Please contact our Treasurer, David Kyle at 3

Dunslade Close, Market Harborough, LE16 8AF, tel. 01858 463545 or e-mail marganddave@btinternet.com Al-ternatively you can download an application form from our website: www.slu3a.org.uk or just pop SLU3A into your search engine followed by ‘enter’ and then follow the Home Page links. We require your full name, postal address and phone number. Subscriptions for the current year, or any part thereof, ending May 2016 are £15 per member (cheques payable to SLU3A, please). We look forward to welcoming new and prospective mem-bers at our General Meetings which are held monthly, on the second Monday morning, in the Jubilee Hall, Bowden Lane, Market Harborough. There is a visitor’s fee of £1. Members enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, meet friends and Group Organisers, hear about our groups, and book holidays and coach trips etc. New members are able to chat with our welcoming team and learn about the SLU3A and our Interest Groups.

Membership Data Base– important!

If you have changed your name, status, address, or telephone number in recent times and not conveyed the details to the SLU3A, please get in touch with David Kyle as soon as possible. Similarly if you are about to set sail for pastures new in a different county or country or galaxy, do please let David know, tel: 01858 463545. Thank you.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE NEWSLETTER!!! The Newsletter is available from Simply Simon’s Delicatessen and Bistro Cafe at 23 Adam and Eve Street, Mar-ket Harborough, Market Harborough Library, the Reception Desk of the Congregational Church in Bowden Lane and from Desborough Library. Contact Treasurer David Kyle if you have difficulty obtaining a copy!

SLU3A COMMITTEE Don Collins (Chairman) 01858 462409 guirri35@yahoo.co.uk Eddie Dixon (Secretary) 01858 468758 eddiedixon2000@btinternet.com David Kyle (Treasurer ) 01858 463545 dave@thekyles.co.uk Janet Fox 01858 464639 janet.fox07@gmail.com Mike Goldsmith 01536 770122 mikgold_22@btinternet.com Maryan Richardson (Vice Chair) 01858 462573 maryanr52@hotmail.co.uk Enid Sanders 01858 432237 tonyenid@googlemail.com Lesley Sinclair 0116 2152104 quiltingslu3a@gmail.com Alan Tuck 01858 440034 alantuck.slu3a@gmail.com Geoff Woods (Vice Chair) 01858 468989 geoffwoodsslu3a@gmail.com

Treasurer’s desire/demand/plea/hope/wish/command….

Subscriptions for the year 2016/2017 Subscriptions for 2016/2017, due to be paid by 1st May 2016, remain unchanged at £15 for each member or £11.50 if you are fully paid up at another U3A. Your cheque (made paya-ble to SLU3A) now or in the very, very near future will oblige. With well over 1000 mem-

bers to cater for the subs renewal exercise is by no means a doddle. Please avoid the customary last minute rush as this places enormous strain on the Treasury Team. Your help in minimising our pain and agony will be most sincerely appreciated!!!!! Thank you in anticipation.

Margaret & David Kyle, 3 Dunslade Close, LE16 8AF 01858 463545