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SLU3A NEWS
Newsletter of the South Leicestershire U3A Website: http://www.slu3a.org.uk/
Our mission is to make lifelong learning and the enjoyment of leisure time and recreational activi-
Registered Charity Number
Issue No. 243 OCTOBER 2020
Another Market Harborough picture puzzle from Geoff Woods. Can you
identify the building? Find the answer later in the newsletter.
Calling all Petanque/Boules players, no experience required The New Experiences group recently enjoyed a morning playing Petanque
at the cricket/squash club in Fairfield Rd. It is a very easy game for
beginners and great fun. It is played outside with a maximum of 6 people ( 3
per side), with your own set of Boules, so it is probably one of the safest
activities to take part in.
I am trying to gauge interest in starting a SLU3A Petanque group that would potentially meet weekly /
fortnightly for some friendly games, possibly Mon, Tue, or Wed mornings.
The large gravel court costs £10/hour, so between 6, it’s great value. If you are interested in joining
the group, please contact me and let me know preferences for days, frequency of playing, if you have
your own Boules, and any experience you may have.
Kevin Millard [email protected] 07526 657199
Forthcoming Events Monday 12th October 10:30 am
Online Monthly Meeting by Zoom Bruce White: Our CoVid-19
Lockdown Walks
Friday 6th November 10.30 am
Group Leaders’ meeting by Zoom
Monday 9th November 10:30 am Online Monthly Meeting by Zoom
Colin Cohen: What did Charles
Dickens say about foodbanks?
Monday 14th December 10.30am
Interactive seasonal quiz
Welcome to the October issue of the SLU3A newsletter.
This month, in addition to plenty of articles from our activity groups, watch out for an
update on our input to the National High Street Project. Also, Dave Martin, our new
committee secretary, has contributed two pieces: a Quick Quiz where gear is the theme on page 14
and a report on a walk from Gumley to Laughton and back on page 12.
SLU3A News 2
SLU3A Details and Committee Items
MEMBERSHIP Joining the SLU3A could not be easier. You can join online through our website at
www.slu3a.org.uk or download an Application form. Contact our Membership
Secretary, Ian Webb, 11 Austins Close, Market Harborough, LE16 9BJ, email
[email protected], Tel. 01858 440851. We will require your full name,
postal address, email or phone number.
The 2020/21 subscription is £20, or £16.50 if you are a fully paid Individual Member of
another U3A. Proof of membership of the other U3A must be provided including
Membership Number. If joining from January 2021 onwards, it will reduce to £8.00 for
a Full Individual Membership or £6.50 for an Associate Membership. Your subscription
can be paid either by cash or cheque, which should be made payable to the SLU3A.
When things have at last returned to normal we look forward to welcoming new and
prospective members at our monthly General Meetings held on the second Monday
morning, 10—12 in the Jubilee Hall, Bowden Lane, Market Harborough. Visitors are
encouraged to make a £2 donation. New members can chat with our welcoming team
and learn about the SLU3A and our Interest Groups.
How do I find the Newsletter? During the current situation the Newsletter will usually only be available online from www.slu3a.org.uk — go to What’s On/Newsletters. We hope to resume printing the newsletter regularly as soon as possible.
YOUR COMMITTEE
Liz Brett (Monthly Meetings & New Member Liason) 07907 631529 [email protected]
Louise Elsome (Groups) 07740 572956 [email protected]
Stuart Irons (Premises) 07969 833342 [email protected]
David Martin (Secretary) 01858 440530 [email protected]
Helen Salisbury (Chair) 07837 410575 [email protected]
Paul Simpson (Treasurer) 07885 808209 [email protected]
Ian Webb (Vice Chair & Membership) 01858 440851 [email protected]
OTHER ROLES Colin Ford (Refreshments) 01858 463129
Maryan Richardson (Trips) 01858 462573
Stephen Joy (Newsletter & Website) 07982 428397
SLU3A News 3
Committee Items
Membership Secretary Further to my note in the September Newsletter, I stilI have the majority of the 2021 U3A Diaries that we were able to obtain from the U3A Trust, available for sale. The cost is £3.50 including postage. These can be purchased by contacting me on 01858 440851 and paying using either a Debit or Credit Card. I will need details of your mobile telephone number to arrange the payment. An alternative method is to forward a cheque payable to the SLU3A to me at 11 Austins Close, Market Harborough, LE16 9BJ. I would like to thank those members who have already purchased a diary.
I am delighted to advise that a further new member, Chris Orme, has joined us in September through our recently introduced New Membership online portal and I would like to take this opportunity to welcome him to the SLU3A and trust that he will be able to become involved and enjoy the range of events and activities that are currently available. Ian Webb, [email protected]
From the Chair Our first virtual AGM! Thank you to everyone who helped make this a success: the 43 participants and the team that helped make this happen - Louise Elsome, Stephen Joy, Dave Martin, Ian Webb and Denise Smith. Three rehearsals paid off and we all know more about the various features of Zoom! Your Committee is now in place and is at the quorum of 7 - see gallery below. Supporting us in voluntary roles and working with designated Committee members are Maryan Richardson, Trips, Colin Ford, Refreshments and Stephen Joy, Newsletter Editor and Webmaster. The second part of the AGM was an excellent talk by Phil Aldridge, Digital Photography Group Leader, with lots of tips on how to take
much better photos with your mobile phones. It's on our website for a month: https://youtu.be/lpIcxTR5unY October's streamed talk will be by member, Bruce White telling us about his CoVid-19 Walks. I look forward to seeing many of you on screen - we can have up to 100 participants. Behind the scenes, we are planning a virtual meeting with group leaders on 6 November and Committee members will represent SLU3A at the imminent National U3A AGM, as well as the East Midlands Regional Meeting and the Leicestershire & Rutland Network of U3As talk in late October. Finally, yes, it is frustrating to know that we have a long winter ahead where most of our activities do not allow us to meet up in person. However, if anyone has any innovative ideas, simple or otherwise, then do, please, get in touch with any Committee member or myself and let's see if we can make them happen and involve as many SLU3A members as wish to participate: [email protected] or call 07837 410 575.
Helen Salisbury
Liz Brett New Member
Liaison & Monthly Meetings
Louise Elsome Group Enabler
Stuart Irons Premises
Dave Martin Secretary
Helen Salisbury Chair
Paul Simpson Treasurer
Ian Webb Membership Secretary & Vice Chair
Avoiding Identity Theft and online fraud: You can find some useful information on this subject here: https://www.totallymoney.com/identity-theft-protection-guide/ Or this from Which on spotting fraudulent & scam websites (seems to be available to non-members).
Group Enabler
Just when we thought that U3As would benefit from exemption to the 'Rule of
6', the guidelines from National Office changed again making it difficult for
many of our groups to restart. All Group Leaders have been updated with the
changes which can also be accessed in the National U3A electronic monthly
Newsletter.
A Group Leaders' Workshop via Zoom is planned for Friday 6th November at
10.30am, more details of which will follow later this month.
Zoom is being used on a regular basis, both by the Committee and several groups. We have 2 new
'Zoomers' this month - the Transport and Science & Technology groups. The National U3A
continues to offer Zoom Tutorials - 'Zoom for Group Leaders', 'Zoom for Hosting Group Meetings'
and 'Introduction to Zoom'. However, if you are a complete newcomer to Zoom please consider
taking advantage of Denise Smith's 'Zoom for Beginners' session and virtual 'Coffee Mornings' -
look out for more information on these activities later in October.
Calling all Quiz fanatics - Dave Martin, SLU3A Secretary, is keen to start up a regular Quiz Night
and is on the lookout for potential Quiz Masters/co-host Quiz Masters. If you are interested,
please contact him at [email protected] We are trialling the Quiz format at the moment and
hope to get it off the ground soon.
It's great to have some different ideas for these changed times, especially with winter
approaching, and if anyone has other suggestions or wishes to offer their skills/expertise please let
me know.
Louise Elsome 07740 572956 [email protected]
SLU3A News 4
Committee Items
National High Street Project
During September our team of volunteers from SLU3A and MHU3A
have been taking photos and recording information about retail
premises in and around Market Harborough town centre. This
represents our contribution to a national U3A research project
which aims to capture changes taking place in high streets and
shopping locations across the country. September’s snapshot will be
used as a baseline from which to monitor changes over the next couple of years and it will be
particularly interesting to observe the effects that current behavioural changes caused by the
coronavirus pandemic, such as a rise in internet shopping and working from home, may have on
our high streets. The final national project report will be used to help raise the profile of U3A in its
40th Anniversary year in 2022. Geoff Woods (Group Leader)
Architecture: Welcome to the ninth instalment of the Virtual Architecture Group. Thank you for the feedback I’ve
had in response to these messages. Please feel free to contact me if you have any suggestions about
architecture related films or tv programmes that might be of interest to the rest of the group.
The theme last time was modern and post-modern architectural styles, and this time I’d like to offer
you an article about London’s pointiest buildings, a tribute to the architect Richard Rogers who
recently announced his retirement, and news about an interesting looking programme on the Sky Arts
channel. As an antidote to all this modernity, next time I will have something to offer on more
traditional styles of architecture.
The Art of Architecture
The Sky Arts tv channel is now free to air. You should find it on channel 11 on Freeview and channel
147 on Freesat.
On Wednesday 23 September at 7pm a special edition of the Art of Architecture was broadcast. This
particular episode was all about opera houses, and amongst many examples it features the Sydney
Opera House, La Fenice in Venice, and the Harbin Opera House in China. (Although that date has
passed, it may be available on catch up).
London’s pointiest buildings
This article from the Londonist blog is all about London’s pointiest buildings. I expect most of these are
like marmite, some people will love them and others will hate them.
https://londonist.com/london/best-of-london/london-s-pointiest-buildings
Richard Rogers retires: Richard Rogers, one of the leading architects of the last 40 years, has
announced his retirement. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/entertainment-arts-53998251
Architecture walks
When we can eventually resume meeting face to face, Geoff and I are hoping to organise a series of
architecture walks. The idea is to meet in one of the local villages, and go on a guided walk to look at
the various styles of architecture. We’re only at the initial planning stage, but possible venues include
Clipston, Geddington, Smeeton Westerby, Kingscliffe, Kibworth Beauchamp and Kibworth Harcourt. If
you would like to volunteer to be a tour guide, please let me know.
Colin Cohen [email protected] 07973 348817
Art History “I may as well confess now that I have been reckless and have made considerable purchases. But I know that I will be forgiven when you see what I have bought.” No, this is not my confession to an extravagant shopping trip! This was written by businessman and art collector Wilhelm Hansen to his wife Henny, in September 1916. I recently managed to get tickets for the Royal Academy Exhibition, Gauguin and the Impressionists. I was a little apprehensive about travelling into London but when I saw the paintings I was really glad to have made the journey. There is something special about being in a room with the actual paintings and however good the reproduction, no photograph can do it justice. In the early twentieth century, collectors Wilhelm and Henny Hansen began
Interest Groups
SLU3A News 5
Art History continued
acquiring French art. Over a short time they collected works by Manet, Monet, Pissarro and Gauguin,
which they displayed in a purpose built gallery in their house Ordrupgaard, in Copenhagen. The
gallery was opened to the public once a week. Over time they acquired more works including those of
Delacroix, Corot, Sisley and Morisot. This exhibition is a selection of 60 works that are being displayed
in the UK for the first time. My favourite from the exhibition, ‘Plum Trees in Blossom, Eragny’ is by
Camille Pissarro. This shows the view from the painter’s house into the garden and the blossom on the
trees appears to be luminous. There is an excellent review of the exhibition in The Guardian
newspaper which you can find online and a virtual tour from the RA on YouTube https://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lExKtbjHdwY
With the continued uncertainty of when we will be able to meet again in person, I am looking into
using Zoom so that the group can discuss artists and paintings. This is the element of our meetings
that we are particularly missing. I will be in touch with the group when I have the details. Meanwhile
look out for art programmes on TV and online. Sky Arts is now available on freeview and will be
showing a new series ‘Inside Art’ which will look at temporary exhibitions in various galleries.
Angela Deane
You might be interest in this newly published book, 'The Painter’s Hidden Masterpiece', by a local historian which illustrates the amazing life of J M Koelz: www.simonlake.co.uk
Bird Watching Our outing last month to Stanwick Lakes was very much an Egret day as we saw
all three species that inhabit the U.K. Little Egrets are as 'common as muck' now
and Great White Egrets are rapidly heading that way too but to see a Cattle Egret
(pictured) was a bit special, though these too are more common than they were a
few year ago. We were entertained as it made its way amongst the cattle helping
itself to the insects on the cattle's sides. Nothing else bird wise to comment on
but dragonflies were still around in good numbers, mainly Migrant Hawkers,
Common Darters and Common Blue Damselflies with the odd Southern and
Brown Hawker thrown in. Bruce White
Crafting for charities These 4 baby blankets, knitted in a 10-stitch zig-zag pattern, have been
made mainly from donated, unwanted yarn. They will be sent to the
Kasupe project in Malawi once travel returns to a more normal
pattern. Lots of lockdown knitting and watching iPlayer and
Netflix! Several of us continue to meet up for a cuppa in the park while
the weather is fine. Helen Salisbury
SLU3A News 6
Interest Groups
Drawing and Painting Our intended September outdoor painting day at Sibbertoft
had to be cancelled just before the event after the
government announced the Rule of Six. Any future attempts
to meet up outside are becoming increasingly unlikely with
the colder weather. So, back to the twice monthly topics.
June has found a delightful painting of a dog which has been
emailed out to members as a stimulus. If any group member
did not receive it, please let either of us know and a copy
will be forthcoming. So, the first topic for October is Dog
Art. Any suggestions for the second half of October will be
gratefully received. Elaine Scarlett and Sue Garman
Local History In view of the latest government announcements regarding groups
meeting together, it is unlikely that we will be able to meet as a group in
the hall until spring or even summer of next year. However, if any
member has any photographs of old Harborough that they are happy for
us to circulate amongst the other members, please forward them to us.
Also, if any members are interested in presenting talks on local history
using the Zoom facility, we will arrange one or more online meetings for
the group. Please contact either Avril or Ian.
David Kyle has very kindly donated a number of Local History posters
from 2002 to 2008 and therefore, to remind us of better days when we
could all still meet and enjoy each other's company, this first poster is
from July 2003. We will continue to issue these over the coming months.
Avril Pell – [email protected]
Listening to Jazz With new restrictions in place as well as the various requirements for meetings in homes, there is little
prospect of the group meeting in the foreseeable future. Most members are not inclined to use Zoom
as a possible way to hold a session, perhaps understandable given some of the difficulties involved. But
we keep in touch through the leader's Weekly Newsletter, which details the records to which he has
been listening over the previous week - everybody from Duke Ellington to John McNeil (who he?) via
Fats Waller and Susan McCorkle, Freddie Hubbard, Eddie Condon and Rex Stewart this week. When
the leader remembers, the Newsletter is available on the SLU3A website, but as age increases, his
short term memory gets worse unless he writes down what he is supposed to do! Last such memo said
'will try harder', but he failed miserably that time so has written the memo again! If you have never
listened to jazz, why not give it a try - there is plenty of it out there on line, some of it live, as well as on
any DAB or internet radio, occasionally there is some on catchup tv! The leader is trying to watch a
programme of jazz divas on catchup at the moment...some good stuff there including Ella, Nina, and
the Divine Sarah! And even a clip of Betty Bop Carter!
Mike Goldsmith 01536 770122
SLU3A News 7
Interest Groups
By a member of our group.
Interest Groups
Music Appreciation 1 This month’s contribution is a little different from those in earlier months – a little lighter hearted you
might say – and don’t we need a little more light heartedness in these difficult times? My second
granddaughter, Cassia Scarlett Ellement, was fifteen on 2nd September. She was born on the same day,
fifteen years ago, that I had my right hip replaced – now a family joke! Grandad – I am having a record
player for my birthday – will you buy me a ‘vinyl’ to play on it? You know what a vinyl costs these
days? Anything up to £35! I ask her father what she would like – your choice he says, but don’t spend
too much. I start searching Amazon Music. I decide that anything ‘classical’ might not be the most
popular choice and I look for something that is not too outrageous – words and album cover that is –
not price! Eventually I pick on ‘Pretty! Odd’ by Panic! At the Disco, a pop rock band from Las Vegas
(2004) influenced by the Beatles, the Zombies and the Beach Boys – so it shouldn’t be too bad! It went
down a ‘wow’ and is now played morning, noon and night to the despair of the rest of the family. This
got me thinking. I have more than a hundred vinyls in a cupboard in the garage that I haven’t looked at
or played since I moved to Market Harborough in 2000. So, I have bought a new record player and I
am having a wonderful time playing and reminiscing to records from the 60s onwards when I was
learning to love and appreciate classical music. There is a wonderful recording of Dennis Brain playing
the four Mozart Horn Concertos and three records of Karajan conducting the Philharmonia Orchestra
in the 4th, 5th, and 6th Tchaikovsky Symphonies – a pity about the scratches! The prize though is the
Classic Rock series of five recordings in which the London Symphony Orchestra with the Royal Choral
Society play arrangements of some of the great classic pieces of contemporary composition. It’s great
to listen to Bohemian Rhapsody, A Whiter Shade of Pale, Total Eclipse of the Heart, Take my Breath
Away and many more in full orchestra mode.
I finish with a few words from Charles Darwin(1809-1852): “If I had my life to live over again, I would
have made a rule to read some poetry and listen to some music at least once a week; for perhaps the
parts of my brain now atrophied would thus have been kept active through use. The loss of these tastes
is a loss of happiness, and may possibly be injurious to the intellect, and more probably to the moral
character, by enfeebling the emotional part of our nature.”
Peter Ellement 01858 432966 [email protected]
Lovers of Gilbert and Sullivan might be interested in www.gsopera.tv (a subscription is required).
Music Appreciation 2 On reading a glowing review of a second C.D of Eric Coates music played by John Wilson’s remarkable
London Symphonia, I wondered what has happened to the vast library 'Light Music' over the last
twenty years. Today the music available in concerts and broadcasts seems to fall into two groups -
Classical and Pop. Perhaps the Light Music genre is hard to define, and is therefore difficult to
merchandise. The seaside and spa orchestras of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries as
well as the smaller palm court ensembles in large hotels were a significant factor in the demand for
short approachable pieces. When BBC radio broadcasting was introduced in the late 1920s the music
gained more appeal and the launch of the Light Programme in 1945 with programmes like Music While
You Work, Melody Hour and Friday Night is Music resulted in Light Music Festivals with concerts
broadcast in the U.K and across the world.
SLU3A News 8
Music Appreciation 2 continued
The new delineation of the radio channels into Radios 1, 2, 3 and 4 during the 1960s was a significant
factor in its decline. Although Radio 2 was originally named as the channel for light music, it was soon
considered too highbrow for the targeted audience, just as it was thought to be too lowbrow for Radio
3.
Despite this, Light Music is still alive and kicking, mainly because of the efforts of the Light Music
Society which has its own London based orchestra and a library containing the music of 4000
composers across the world.
Geoffrey Moth 01858 43275 [email protected]
New Experiences The rescheduled Boules/Petanque in September was a great
experience. It is a game that can be played as an absolute beginner,
but it certainly brought out everyone’s competitive spirit and we had
some very close games. There was a lot of interest in playing again,
so I am looking at the feasibility of starting an SLU3A Petanque
group. For more details see separate article or contact Kevin. Here’s
a photo of Lyndsay mid pitch.
We continued the ball sports theme later in September with a
visit to the newly opened Padel courts at the cricket/squash club
in Fairfield Rd. This is a version of tennis, played with short
racquets (Padels) where you can bounce the ball off the walls, a
bit like Squash. The club are looking for new players, so please
contact them directly if you missed the taster session.
On Tue 20th October we are trying another orienteering route
and scavenger hunt, this time at Irchester Country Park, if you
would like to join us for this please contact Kevin.
Kevin Millard. [email protected] 07526 657199
Photography For our September meeting we each contributed 6 photos taken in a village of our choice. Here is a small selection—see more on the SLU3A website.
Interest Groups
SLU3A News 9
Alastair
(Medbourne)
Kenny
(Evington)
Chris Orme
(Welland Place)
Phil
(Sutton Bassett)
Mandy
(Eardisland)
Railway Exploration
This month is the 9th anniversary of the foundation of our group. When I first put forward the idea in
2011 of exploring the background of the Rugby to Peterborough railway line I would never have
imagined what has since developed. The original number of 11 members has increased to nearly 30,
and our activities have become more and more varied, including field trips. Due largely to the work of
Dudley Brown and Tony Cook, we have covered many interesting aspects of railway history, both local
and national.
Perhaps the best part is that we have become a sort of "friendship group", where we have met people
whom we would never normally have met. It is also great that we are a group including women and
men. Sadly, we shall not be together for the anniversary day, and it does not look as though we shall
be able to meet for a long time yet. Meanwhile, we shall try to stay in touch through our weekly
articles, and anticipate that happy "Third Wednesday in the Month" when we can assemble again.
Phil Danks
Science and Technology We ran our first Virtual Meeting using Zoom in September which was a success despite using the Free
Zoom version which limited the time available. We managed to have two talks, John Freeland
explained how Pandemic modelling was achieved and I talked about Computer punch cards and
lipstick. Our next Zoom meeting will take on Wednesday October 28th at 2:00 pm we will be using the
SLU3A Zoom account so there will be no restriction on time. I will be sending the Zoom meeting
details to all members of the group but any SLU3A member who wants to join us just send me an
email. Michael Milsom [email protected]
Tennis We meet every Thursday morning at 10.00a.m at the Market Harborough Tennis Club Courts in Great
Bowden for friendly Doubles.
Rita Moth Tel: 01858 432275
Transport We ran our first Virtual Meeting using Zoom on Wednesday October 7th. For our next
meeting on November 4th at 10am, we will be using the SLU3A Zoom account so
there will be no restriction on time. I will be sending the Zoom meeting details to all
members of the group but any SLU3A member who wants to join us just send me an
email. Michael Milsom [email protected]
SLU3A News 10
Interest Groups
Ukulele Group / Strictly Ukuleles The themes of our recent virtual sessions have included songs from MUSICALS (eg. My Fair Lady),
songs written by SONG-WRITING PARTNERSHIPS (eg. Goffin + King) and songs from the 1950s
explosion of ROCK ’n’ ROLL (eg. Little Richard). All splendid stuff. Some members continue to give
their performances a more public exposure by posting videos to WhatsApp, so we all know how
they are doing. No hiding there, then. Keep strummin’; keep smiling. David Evans 01858 463045
Wildlife Group Visit to Pitsford Water Nature Reserve.
On Thursday 10th September the wildlife group enjoyed a wander around part
of this tranquil nature reserve enjoying the lovely views across the reservoir.
There were a large number of wildfowl including Gadwell, Grebe, Tufted Duck,
Coot and Moorhen. We also saw Grey Herons, a Little Egrit, a Kingfisher and
Buzzards.
When the sun made a brief appearance we were able to observe dragonflies and
damselflies and there were still a few butterflies about including Speckled Wood,
Red Admiral and Small White. Although most of the plants had finished flowering
we did spot Angelica, Marsh Woundwort, Rosebay Willow Herb and Meadow
Sweet and noticed a variety of fungi.
Diana Baxter
Wine Tasting We are conscious that infection rates are rising across the country and that unnecessary social
interaction - albeit distanced - should no longer happen, so this early September get-together was
the last scheduled meeting of the year.
I'm not sure how many of us expected great things from the Portuguese white wines that Shaun
brought us, but the quality was mostly very good and they represent great value of money.
We started with Animus Vinho Verde 2019, made at the northern end of Portugal from the
Loureiro grape, 10.5% £4.99 Aldi which was very fruity and suitable for a summer barbecue,
especially as it has a relatively low level of alcohol - rated by the group in the middle of the
pack. The group gave a similar mark to the second wine - Alvarinho 2019 Minho region Sainsbury
12.5% £7.50 made in a similar area but from the quality Alvarinho grape, also used for premium
Spanish white wine.
We moved on to two wines from the Douro valley - the home of port. The first was Vinteiro
Premium White 2019 Douro DOC Aldi 12.5% £5.99 which was rather dull with no distinguishing
characteristics beyond its dullness and was marked to the bottom of the pack by the group. We
ended the evening with the most expensive wine, which was also the clear winner. Douro White
2019 Sainsbury 13% £10 is made from "Typical indigenous white grape varieties" and had the
most fruit and length of flavour of the wines.
Jonathan Shaw 07960 203375
Interest Groups
SLU3A News 11
A Walk from Gumley We did this short walk (3 miles) on Tuesday. It was only the second time that we had taken the car out to the start of a walk; normally we just walk out from home. It was definitely worth the three mile drive to Gumley and there is ample parking in a layby near to the cricket ground, round the double bend from the church. The area around Gumley and the village itself are well worth exploring. We walked down the Laughton road, over two cattle grids which probably had something to do with the fact that we only saw two cars along this stretch. The War Memorial situated near the cricket pavilion, but strangely distant from the village, enjoyed a wonderful situation with long views to the south. The return from Laughton village - although you could easily go further on into Mowsley which has its own pub - is via footpaths and a bridleway. There are a few stiles but mainly gates and a great view as you crest the slope at GR 671892*. Descend gently through a freshly ploughed field before tackling a short steep slope just after Gumley Lodge. The good news for bovinophobics like Ann, is that it is sheep country all the way, apart from a couple of horses which still managed to put the wind up Ann.
Back in the village of Gumley, we enjoyed our walk up Main Street, stopping to admire some wonderful installations, one of them very contemporary on closer inspection, the other reminding me of Wallace and Gromit, GR 681901.* The Bell Inn is open between 12 and 3 if that sort of thing interests you. My idea of a shortcut home via Debdale Wharf not only upset Mrs Satnav but also the passenger who had to leap out three times to open and close the gates.
*My love of Grid references goes back to my grammar school education where they were drummed into you, starting this long relationship with Eastings and Northings. Although I might have a confession to make later… Dave Martin
SLU3A News 12
Christmas Lunch Currently with guidelines as they are we would only be allowed 30 people to attend our Christmas lunch at Hothorpe Hall and we would have to be socially distanced!! It has been decided we will sadly cancel this year and look forward to 2021. However if guidelines change drastically we will let you know. Deborah Ellis
Geoff’s puzzle answer from the front page: Bray & Bray Solicitors.
Don’t forget to visit the national U3A website. There’s a number of interesting articles on their home
page including a discussion group on Amateur Radio, a piece of interest to wildlife lovers on why
birdsong appears to have got louder, the U3A’s weekly Quiz and their Maths challenge which also
changes each week.
Their Learning Page is worth investigating as here you will find several other interesting projects,
including Creative Writing, U3a Eye (for photographers) and the Diary Project.
They also have a page of Covid-19 advice, including a link to Friends against scams.
SLU3A News 13
Cycling We have been meeting up on the 1st and 3rd Fridays and cycling in small groups, making the most of what has been some very nice weather to explore the quiet lanes around Market Harborough. Many thanks to John Church for leading the ride from Rothwell on Friday 2nd October. The 3rd Friday ride on 16th October will start from the café in Welland Park at 10.30. The rides are around 16 - 20miles. We have plenty of space to take new members and anyone who is keen to get back into cycling. If you’d like to join us for future rides, please contact Kevin.
Kevin Millard [email protected] 07526 657199
All day walking The group met in September for a leisurely walk around Pitsford Reservoir, we split into two groups and enjoyed some morning sunshine and lovely views over the water. The walk on Thursday 24th Oct will be led by Kevin and start at 10.00 a.m. from Gumley Church, walking up Smeeton Hill and visiting Saddington and Laughton with a lunch/toilet stop at Foxton Locks. Returning via Foxton village and the canal, a total of 9m. Please email the leader to let them know if you would like to join the walk. This is so that if numbers rise above six we can have a second leader so that we can walk in two groups.
Kevin Millard [email protected] 07526 657199
Evening Walking As members of the group will know all too well, there have been no walks this Summer. It was a difficult decision but in the light of no tennis from Wimbledon, no cricket from Lords and no Olympics from Tokyo, we were in good company. That is not to say that Ann and I have not been thinking about our fellow walkers and hopefully next year, there will be walks again in the evening. Until then, you may have seen some talk about a Quiz group and I am thinking of asking you to be a pilot group (sounds better than guinea pigs). There will even be a special set of questions for you! Hope to see you all soon, on a computer screen at least!
Dave Martin
Strollers Pleased to say we are back. In two groups of six (socially distanced) and at a 5 minute interval we Strolled around the lovely village of Medbourne, the weather was kind and towards the end a warming sun came out. We will not be meeting in October, but will be out again on Friday 13th November for a Stroll in and around Clipston with no stiles. Park near the Bulls Head or in the pub carpark if you are stopping for a meal, (which you need to book for yourselves, tel 01858 525268, post code LE16 9RT). We meet at 10.30am (a little later than usual) for an hour’s stroll, bring hand sanitizer as there are several gates to go through. We will stroll in 2 groups of 6 on a first come first served basis: ring 01858 463129. We may have to start a waiting list so if you have to cancel your place please let us know so that we can invite others. For the foreseeable future Julia and Colin are happy to organize and lead our strolls, if that’s alright with everyone. Stay safe.
Julia and Colin Ford, Group Coordinators 01858 463129
Wednesday half day walking on page 14 →
Walking and Cycling Groups
Quick Quiz Hello fellow members,
As the evenings draw in and the prospect of living U3A life on Zoom becomes more of a way of life, it
did cross my mind that the solution of the Live! Learn! Laugh! conundrum might be via a quiz night
hosted by SLU3A.
The committee members and others are looking at various formats and how this might be achieved
(maybe on a weekly basis.) But for now, to whet your collective appetite, here is a quick quiz. The
answers will soon be available on our website and will appear in next month’s newsletter.
Dave Martin
SLU3A News 14
Walking Wednesdays Eleven of us, in two separate groups, set off from the Old School Car Park in Kibworth. Skirting around
to the west of Smeeton Westerby via many fields and not many less stiles(!) we reached the Grand
Union Canal. Turning to our left we followed the canal for a couple of miles, stopping for a coffee at
the Gumley Road bridge, to reach Debdale Wharf. Turning left again we walked the farm tracks
leading to, and then from, Grange Farm to arrive at the Golf Course. A careful traversal over the
greens brought us back into Kibworth. A very easy walk without any hills but by all accounts much
enjoyed by everyone.
As Covid-19 rules stand at the moment I have decided to limit the numbers walking to 12 i.e. two
groups of six. Any more than this I feel becomes unmanageable. If you made the cut for this month's
walk you will have heard from me by now as to where the walk is and the hazards involved.
Of general interest and to prove that age is no barrier to long distance walking, one of our lady
members has just recently completed the Yorkshire Wolds Way, 70+ mile in 8 days on her own!!
Congratulations Joy from the whole group. Bruce White
Walking and Cycling Groups
SLU3A News 15
GROUP DETAILS
MONDAY
Art History Angela Deane 01858 431111 Cong Church 1st Monday 10.00 am Crafting for Charities Helen Salisbury 07837 410575 Louisa’s Place 3rd Monday 10.30am Exercise/Keep Fit 1 Anne Goldsmith 01536 770122 Methodist Church Weekly 9.30-10.30 French Refreshers Rosemary Holden 01858 682623 Please call Weekly 11.00am Golf Ladies Angela Wade 01858 462293 Cottingham Golf Weekly 10.00am Italian Not Absolute Beginners Sharon Webb 01858 440851 Please Call 1st & 3rd Mondays 2.30pm Italian Improvers Judith Cook 01858 433861 Please Call Weekly 2.00pm Table Tennis 1 Keith Keeble 07795 434076 Please Call Weekly Morning Wine Explorers Melanie Nash 07939 872204 Please call 2nd Monday 7.30pm
TUESDAY
Architecture Colin Cohen & 07973 348817 Cong Church 4th Tuesday Afternoon Geoff Woods 01858 468989 Book Club Ronnie Leech 01858 410072 Please call 2nd Tuesday 10.00am Bridge—Rubber John Cameron 01858 440686 Evangelical Church Weekly 10.00am Bridge—Social Sue Jones 01858 433210 Bowls Club Lt.Bwdn Weekly 1.30-4pm Country Dancing Sharon Webb 01858 440851 Cong Church 4th Tuesday 2-4pm German Improvers Barbara Evans 01858 463045 Louisa’s Place Weekly 2-4pm Listening to Jazz Mike Goldsmith 01536 770122 Please call Last Tuesday 2.15-4.15 Local history Avril Pell 01858 414871 Cong Church 3rd Tuesday 2-4pm Music Appreciation 1 Peter Ellement 01858 432966 Please call 3rd Tuesday 10.00am Play Reading David Ginns 01536 351328 Please call 3rd Tuesday Afternoon Singers—Ladies Choir Joy Swallow 01858 462368 Cong Church 2nd/4th Tues 10.30am Ukuleles David Evans 01858 463045 Methodist Church Alternate Tues 2-4pm Walking Half Day 2 Diana Baxter 0116 279 2947 Outside 1st Tuesday Various
WEDNESDAY
Badminton Carole Winfield 01858 432540 Meadowdale Weekly 5.45-7pm Stuart Irons 01858 465287 Belleplates Pam Duffin 01858 414975 Community Church Weekly ‡ 2-4pm Langton Lunch 1 Luella Freston 01858 431248 Langton Inn Last Wed 11.45am New Age Kurling Jane Wilkins 01858 461801 Cong Church 1st Wed 2.00pm Shakespeare for Fun Ernie Parsons 01536 760141 Desborough FC 1st Wed Afternoon Railway Exploration Phil Danks 01858 463922 Bowling Club 3rd Wed 10.00am Science/Technology Michael Milsom 01858 419874 Cong Church 4th Wed Afternoon Scrabble for Fun Lesley Milsom 01858 419874 Bowls Club Lt.Bwdn. 2nd/4th Weds Morning Table Tennis 3 Jeff Cawdell 07981 133168 Leisure Centre Weekly 1.30pm Transport Group Michael Milsom 01858 419874 Bowling Club 1st Wed 10.00am Walking Half Day 1 Bruce White 01858 467976 Outside 2nd Wed Morning
THURSDAY
Aspects of History Ernie Parsons 01536 760141 Desborough FC 4th Thursday Afternoon Birdwatching Bruce White 01858 467976 Outside 3rd Thursday Morning Drawing & Painting Elaine Scarlett 01858 432029 Oxendon Village Hall 1st/3rd Thurs Afternoon Exercise/Keep Fit 2 Anne Goldsmith 01536 770122 Methodist Church Weekly 4-5pm *except third Wednesday
GROUP LEADER TELEPHONE VENUE WHEN TIME
Published by Stephen Joy for SLU3A, 1 Dunslade Rd. LE16 8AQ E-mail: [email protected]
SLU3A News 16
GROUP DETAILS CONTINUED
GROUP LEADER TELEPHONE VENUE WHEN TIME
THURSDAY cont. French Conversation Melanie Nash 07939 872204 Please call Weekly 2.30-4.30pm Family History Shaun Coles 07801 364033 Community Church 3rd Thursday Morning Italian Post Beginners Linda Carruthers 01858 410019 Please call Weekly 2-4pm Langton Lunch 2 Luella Freston 01858 431248 Langton Inn 3rd Thursday 11.45am Quilty Pleasures Diane Miles 01858 468357 Gt Bowden Ch. Hall 2nd/4th Thurs Afternoon Quilters Corner Jan Clarke 01858 464634 Farndon VH 1st/3rd Thurs Afternoon Society Today Jim Callcutt 01858 468218 Please Call 2nd Thursday 2.00pm Spanish Beginners Don Collins 01858 462409 Methodist Church Weekly 2.00pm Spanish Improvers Don Collins 01858 462409 Methodist Church Weekly 10.00am Table Tennis 2 Jenny Ancaster 01858 446862 M H Leisure Centre Weekly Midday Tennis Rita Moth 01858 432275 Tennis Courts, Gt Bowden Weekly 10.00am Ukuleles Unplugged Steve Elsome 01858 469166 Methodist Church 1st/3rd Thurs 10am-12 Walking All Day Eddie/Edith Dixon 01858 468758 Outside Last Thursday Various Walking Half Day 3 Alastair/Chris Willis 01858 419262 Outside 3rd Thursday Various Wildlife Diana Baxter 0116 279 2947 Outside 2nd Thursday Various Wine Tasting Jonathan/Naomi Shaw 01858 682133 Please call 3rd Thursday Various
FRIDAY Bridge—Beginners Jef Cawdell 07981 133168 Bowls Club, Lt.Bwdn Weekly 2.00pm Cycling June Dix 07904 701832 Outside 1st Friday 10.30am Cycling 3rd Friday Kevin Millard 01858 468015 Outside 3rd Friday 10.15am Photography Phil Aldridge 07734 903737 Welland Place 3rd Friday Afternoon German Conversation Sylvia Mountford 01858 465561 Please Call Weekly 2.00pm Mah Jong Brenda Lord 07748 843328 Community Church 1st/3rd Fri 10.00am Music Appreciation 2 Geoff Moth 01858 432275 Please call Last Friday 10.00am Music Workshop Alan Clementson 01858 461088 Please call Weekly Afternoon Papercraft & More Jan Collins 01858 462409 Foxton VH 1st/3rd Fri Morning Poetry Jill Hart 01858 469663 Please Call 1st Friday 10.00am Walking—Strollers Colin &Julia Ford 01858 463129 Outside 2nd Friday 10.15am Singing for Fun Ann Tonkin 01858 432242 Methodist Church 2nd/4th Fri Afternoon
SUNDAY Singles Sunday Lunch Jan Tilley 01858 461186 Various 1/2/4 Sundays Various Music - 60s Alec Hodgson 01858 288923 Oathill Pub, M H 3rd Sunday 7.00pm
OTHER Chess For Fun TBC Various Various Various Walking—Evening David Martin 01858 440530 Outside Various Various New Experiences Kevin Millard 01858 468015 Various Various Various
NEXT COPY DEADLINE Thursday 29th October2020. Please send contributions to:
Stephen Joy, email: [email protected] Tel. 07982 428397