July 2013

Thatcham Newsletter Reg. Charity No. 1112006

www.u3asites.org.uk/thatcham Newsletter sponsored by

Greenham Common Trust

Members from Thatcham U3A

recently visited Bletchley Park

in Buckinghamshire, historic

site of secret British code

breaking activities during

World War 2 and birthplace of

the modern computer. At its

peak, around ten thousand

people worked at Bletchley

Park and its associated out-

stations. The exact number is

not known, even today. They

tackled the complex task of

intercepting and deciphering,

analysing and distributing the

intelligence derived from

enemy radio signals, while

their work remained shrouded

in the highest levels of

secrecy.

The day out included an hour long guided tour which

was a great way to learn about Bletchley Park. Our

guides covered all the main points of interest around the

site as well as telling the story of how the Enigma codes

were broken. The hut in the picture below was originally

used for the Naval Enigma operation and is now used

for giving talks to groups like us.

Dear Members,

This has been an eventful year in the life of our U3A, and I thank all those

who have supported me through this first year of my chairmanship.

Our new website was set up by members and is now updated regularly by

the committee and conveners. There has been much positive feedback

about the site, and it has improved communications within the group

immeasurably.

We have lost a couple of groups, Heraldry and Music Ensemble, but new

ones have sprung up to take their place, namely Rummikub and Creative

Writing. Also the singing and wine tasting groups have split to give scope for more members to join.

This is particularly pleasing as one of the main problems for prospective or new members is that the

groups they wish to join are full. We have also had successful changes of conveners for the Walkers,

Mah Jong Group and (close to my heart!) Theatre Group. Thank you to all our conveners; without you

our U3A could not continue.

Suggestions for other groups that members would be interested in joining include French Conversation,

Book Club (sets of books available for free loan from Thatcham Library) and Film Club. All are in need

of conveners before they can start. Conversely we have a willing convener for a German conversation

group, but no members so far!

In March we ran a successful study day for Creative Writing, in the wake of which our new group

‘Quills’ has started. Another study day for photography is in the early stages of planning, to run in the

winter or spring of next year.

The Frank Hutchings Hall where our monthly open meetings are held has benefitted from an upgrade to

the sound system, including an induction loop and lapel microphone. This will prove a huge benefit to

those members who use hearing aids, and those speakers who get cramp grasping a microphone for long

periods. Also those of us who set the room up will be delighted not to get the portable sound system out

every time!

Our open meeting speakers this year have been excellent, and all selected from suggestions made by our

members – thank you and please keep them coming!

Our social events have been a great success, especially our Olympic themed summer luncheon, and our

very cheery ‘Beat the Blues’ lunch in February. Thanks go to all involved in the organisation.

I have joined the Lifelong Learning Forum as a representative of our U3A, to assist in the

implementation of the Thatcham Vision regarding the provision of educational and leisure opportunities

for the citizens of Thatcham. We had a display on the Broadway Green on May 18th

to celebrate Adult

Learners’ Week, which is a national event and has never been marked in Thatcham before. It was a

great success, and the U3A stand was well visited.

Finally I would like to thank all those members both on and off the committee who do so much to

facilitate the running of our U3A. Those who make the tea, organise the raffles, keep the accounts,

update the website, take minutes of meetings, circulate information, produce the newsletter, organise

publicity, offer lifts and many other things – without all of you there would be no U3A in Thatcham,

and Thatcham would be a much poorer place for all of us to live.

Julie Wall

Our speaker meetings

have been excellent and

extremely well supported.

Top right: Gill Lucraft from

‘Hedgehog Bottom’, a

rescue centre in West

Berkshire, gave a really

interesting talk at the April

meeting about her work.

Bottom right: At the May

meeting Lee Dillon gave us

a fascinating insight into his

time as Mayor of Thatcham

and all that the role

involves. In March Lisa Ford Stranc spoke about her job

as a plumber and gave us a lot of useful tips.

Julie Wall - Chair

Jane Head - Vice-Chair

Anne Sharpe - Secretary

Sue Rutter – Treasurer

Phillip Green - Treasurer

Ann-marie Riddle - Members’secretary

Ann Walter

Tony Collie

Hillary Beckingham

Gill Pittock

Marilyn Downing

Judith Caton

Computer Training Course

The Adult Community Learning team at West

Berkshire Council have recently run two courses

for us in Thatcham which have been very

successful.

We are hoping to run another 6 session course in

the Autumn for another group of people. This

course is particularly good for people who are not

confident using email and searching the Web.

The 6 session course runs over 6 weeks and deals

with:

Email: email management, email folders,

attachments, settings and options for your

email account, choosing what happens to

Spams

Web safety and Security

Searching the Web and finding

information on Web pages

Related topics

The cost of the 6 week Beginners course is

Full price £48 per person (£4 per hour)

30% Concession - £33.60 per person (For

people aged 60 years or over and living in

West Berkshire)

We intend that the hall hire will be paid for out of

central Thatcham U3A funds. If you are interested

in attending the course please contact Ann Walter

via the website.

If members have difficulty getting to our Open

Meetings at the Frank Hutchings Hall we can

arrange a lift for you.

Please contact Jane Head about it

Don’t forget the Summer Luncheon

At the Frank Hutchings Hall

Friday 9th

August.

Doors open 12.30pm and lunch at 1pm.

Tickets are £9

The sun was shining, the weather dry, as the U3A Travel Group boarded the distinctive green Barnes

coach, bound for the Midlands City of Coventry. Our journey north on the A34, M40 and A46 took us

by verges awash with swathes of tall, fresh, white daisies. After a drive of an hour and three-quarters,

the coach approached the skeletal ruins of the old cathedral and slid past the east wall of sand coloured

bricks of the Modern Cathedral with its distinctive, dramatic bronze

sculpture with a green patina, of St Michael, arms outstretched, bestriding a

cowed Devil; we came to a halt outside the Entrance and Visitors’ Centre.

Disembarking, we were led into the Cafe for coffee and biscuits. Feeling

fortified, we were ready for a conducted tour of the cathedrals. From the

downstairs exhibition, which featured an authentic Coverdale Bible, we

made our way up some stairs to the main body of the modern cathedral. As

we ascended, on the first landing we stopped to see the cross made up of

two fire-blackened timbers: during the

fire-bombing of the old 14th

century

cathedral, two lengths of charred wood

fell across each in a cruciform shape and

were wired together. The Cathedral,

designed by Sir Basil Spence, was conceived of as a ‘Casket of Jewels’

and it was this treasury of precious gems the four guides unlocked for

us on our tours. Behind the Sanctuary, you see the Chapel of Christ in

Gethsemane with its mosaic of the Archangel Michael, a mosaic of

gold-leaf and blue tesserae; it shines out and dazzles. A wrought iron

screen comprising of two interlocking circlets of curving, dagger-like

thorns separates visitors from those who want to use the Chapel for

prayer or quiet contemplation. Immediately you step into the Nave you

are struck by the Great West Screen at the far end, an expanse of glass

featuring saints and angels which are etched into its surface. Behind it

you glimpse the outline of the old Cathedral – the two Cathedrals old

and new are linked. The main body of the Cathedral is dominated by the mighty, imposing tapestry, the

biggest in the world, of Christ in Glory, designed by Graham Sutherland. As you lean back to take in the

giant figure of Christ you find there is so much symbolism to

contemplate. In front of the tapestry there is the High Altar

Cross with its Cross of Nails symbolising the most important

theme of reconciliation. The Nave soars elegantly towards the

roof, bordered by ten tall, slender stained glass windows, a

vibrant kaleidoscope of colour; the colours and abstract

shapes again have their own symbolism. Also along the Nave

you cannot fail to see the ten ‘Tablets of the Word’ with their

large uneven lettering: “COME UNTO ME ALL THAT

LABOUR AND ARE HEAVILY LADEN AND I WILL

GIVE YOU REST...” On either side of the High altar stand

three seven foot high candlesticks in the shape of bobbins.

The striking aspect of the Cathedral for me was the simplicity

of the construction, as in the plain walls and the hammered

concrete High Altar offset by the many beautiful works of art,

the gems in the casket. This is exemplified in the riot of

colour in the blazing Baptistry window at the front of which

stands the font, a simple, unadorned, roughly hewn boulder

from a hill near Bethlehem set on a bronze stem.

At midday we all paused and sat quietly in the Nave for a short time

of prayer as the Litany of Reconciliation was read out and we were

reminded of the need for peace and reconciliation. Walking through a

door in the screen you pass from the modern into the Old Cathedral

Ruins using the Queen’s Steps. The immediate impression is one of

peace and quiet when you step into the shell of the Cathedral: quiet

despite the people passing through, standing around or sitting;

peaceful despite the

tourists wandering

around. No blaze from

stained glass windows

here; just the sun

shining through the

tracery of empty

windows. At the west

end, towering proudly

above the medieval nave is the 14th

century Tower with

its 15th

century spire. Around the paved area of the nave

with its benches and stone planters are some more works

of art including ‘Ecce Homo’, a statue depicting Christ on

trial before Pilate.

With the tours finished, members of the Travel Group went off in search of food and having eaten to

investigate further Coventry City Centre. Some explored the Coventry Transport Museum and others the

Herbert Art Gallery and Museum just across from the Cathedral. The latter had some fine exhibitions to

wander through including one on Lady Godiva. My particular favourite was in the Sculpture Gallery.

Here there was a life-size bronze of two elderly ladies sitting on a bench; one was leaning back and to

the side reading a newspaper while the other looked out with a straight gaze, both hands tightly

clutching her handbag - beautifully observed. Many of the group

discovered the medieval St Mary’s Guildhall in Bayley Lane running

along the south side of the Cathedral ruins. This was quite a gem! The

Great Hall boasted a fine timber roof decorated with beautifully painted

ceiling bosses. At one end, below its original 15th

century stained glass

windows was a wonderful 15th

century Flemish tapestry which has

remained in that place for the

last 500 years.

The Guildhall was Henry VI’s

headquarters during the Wars of

the Roses, a prison for Mary

Queen of Scots, a possible

location for the staging by

William Shakespeare of his plays and the setting for a scene in one of

George Elliot’s novels. Now it is used for the starting point of the

Godiva Processions. There were other things to look at like the

shopping centre with its statue of Lady Godiva (her hair not covering

her modesty) and the Holy Trinity Church with a beautiful west

window of Christ in Glory, glorious rays of golden yellow light

surrounding his body.

After a last minute cuppa and cake we boarded the coach for home. It

had been a really excellent day!

Art Group 1

We meet on alternate Tuesdays at the Baptist

Church and very much enjoy our two hours. In

June the topic was animals and in July we are

going to try our hand at transport.

Contact: Pat Howard

Art Group 2

We continue to meet at the Baptist Hall on

alternate Thursdays from 2pm to 4pm. New

members very welcome. Some of the work

produced in the Thursday sessions has been

exceptional.

Contact: David Nicholls

Computing Skills Group

Computing Skills Group continues to meet at

Kennet School where we have use of one of

their computer suites for an hour on a Friday

afternoon. We have been concentrating this term

on files and folders and moving files between a

USB stick and the PC. This is particularly useful

for people with photographs on their cameras

who want to see them on the screen or print

them. People are put off by the apparent

technicalities but it's not as difficult as it first

seems! We have got some new members this

term some of whom have been doing the

Computer Training course we organised. There

are plenty of computers in the suite so there is

still room for more people. We welcome both

beginners and more experienced people and we

hope that people with more knowledge can help

others. The sessions for the rest of the Summer

term will be on:

Friday June 21st

Friday July 5th

Friday July 19th If you would like to know more about the group

please contact me on the number below. The

easiest way for those with computers is via our

new website at:

www.u3asites.org.uk/thatcham

Contact: Ann Walter

Craft Group

Since the last Newsletter we have had a box

making session and our long postponed

‘Christmas’ party which was affected by the

snow in January. We decided that any excuse is

a good one and turned it into a ‘Thank you’

party for all Julie’s much appreciated efforts

over the years.

Anne showed us how to make the boxes using

two squares of paper to form a base and a lid

which fitted together perfectly - if we followed

the instructions correctly!

If you would like to join us, we meet at the

Baptist Church on the third Friday of the

month at 2pm.(Report and photo by Ann-marie Riddle)

Contact: Julie Bowles

Quills – Creative Writing

On 5th June seven of us got together for the first

meet of the creative writing group. There was

quite a bit of chat, laughter and writing, so if

you feel that you have a story to tell, or just

want to see if you can write you will be more

than welcome to join us. Don't be shy, we are

all experimenting and at this stage are unsure of

where we are heading - hopefully in the right

direction!

We meet on the first and third Wednesday of

the month at the Council Offices at 10am for a

couple of hours.

Contact: Catherine Hamblin

Discussion Group

The Discussion Group continues to meet in

members’ homes. Recently we have discussed

some interesting topics, the latest being ‘Should

we leave the EU? We meet on the second

Monday of the month in the afternoon. For our

August meeting we will be holding a buffet

lunch. Please contact the number below if you

would like to join our group.

Contact: Jacquie Manley

Gardening Group

We have had good attendances at all our recent

meetings and garden visits. We managed an

extra garden visit to Frogmore House gardens in

Windsor Park, as these were opened as part of

the National Garden System in May. Although

the day was very damp, grey and rather cold, 24

of us braved these conditions and spent a very

good time walking around the grounds and

gardens and also visiting the house. Our next

visit at the end of May took us closer to home to

'Inholmes', the home of Sir Frank Williams,

Formula one racing boss, at Woodlands St.

Mary. This time the weather was good and we

enjoyed an interesting guided tour by the head

gardener. These gardens were being filmed for

a Gardeners World TV programme, so

obviously they were rather splendid.

Photo by Valerie Jackson

Our forthcoming programme includes a visit to

the Tropical Rainforest and a NGS visit to Field

Farm Cottage at Sulhampstead. We end with an

afternoon spent in a member’s garden enjoying

that along with the company, tea, cake and

chat!!

Our Autumn season includes a Q&A session

with Rosie Hardy, from Hardy's Nursery, and

trip to Hilliers at Romsey to see the autumn

colours and then in November we’ll be having

an afternoon of Christmas Craft.

At the end of the year Karen Eggleton and

Denise Symes will have completed

their 4 year stint as conveners, so we are looking

for one or more members to take over. Sue

Bance has had to withdraw due to health issues

and Valerie Jackson is not keen to run the group

on her own!! We will be planning next

year’s programme in September so any new

conveners will be involved in that so they will

be familiar with the programme for 2014.

PLEASE, PLEASE consider being involved or

this very successful and well attended group

WILL HAVE TO CLOSE!

Contacts Numbers: Karen

Denise

Valerie

Sue

Genealogy

The Genealogy Group is still going well. I am

now in a position to reopen my waiting list. This

waiting list includes any help or look ups

required.

Contact: Isabel Trent

Knitting and Cross-stitch

This group meet every first Tuesday of the

month in a member’s home from September to

May. We work on our own projects with much

laughter and talk whilst helping each other if

necessary and passing on tips. After being an

excellent Convener since the group started Janet

will no longer be able to continue as she is

moving to Swindon (very exciting for her and

we wish her well). At the next meeting there will

be discussions to choose a new Convener but in

the meantime please contact the number below

if you would like to come along.

Contact: Doreen Cuthbert

Latin

The Latin group - a joint venture with Newbury

U3A - is making good progress. We meet on

Thursdays at 2.30pm in Upper Bucklebury. We

would welcome new members.

Contact: Dorothy Goode

Bon Appetit Luncheon Club

For the first time since we started in 2005, we

chose the same venue on the same day as one of

our other Lunch Clubs! I think the staff at The

Butt Inn, Aldermaston – as well as Bon Appetit

and Third Course members! - were a little

confused when we all turned up at the same

time! Quite a coincidence! But the staff were

able to cope and we all had a very good meal

there. Margaret Robinson very kindly stood in

for me in May when the members went to Three

Horseshoes at Brimpton – thank you Margaret!

We tried a new venue in June – the Cunning

Man at Burghfield Bridge, recommended by one

of our members. We travelled a bit further

perhaps than we normally do, but the menu was

comprehensive at a very reasonable price and

the service was very good. So - more good

meals with good friends!

Contact: Elaine Fletcher

Second Helpings Luncheon Club

In June we were pleased to visit the new

restaurant in Thatcham, and everyone really

enjoyed their meal at the Bella Vita. In July we

are visiting the Elderflower Café for the first

time. It is excellent to be able to add these two

new venues to our list of places to enjoy each

other's company and good food in Thatcham.

Contact: Jane Head

Third Course Luncheon Club

We continue to thrive on all the good food we

are eating from some excellent eating houses we

have visited. In particular the refurbished and

under new management Sun in the Wood was

exceptional value. We have lost two of our long

standing members in Val and Steve Leaver - we

are sorry to see them go, but we have replaced

them with Pat and Richard Drew who are very

welcome. If anyone has any enquiries please

contact Dennis on the number below.

Contacts:

Pauline and Dennis Rowan

The Munchers Luncheon Group

We have enjoyed our monthly get-togethers and

have visited various pubs including The Spotted

Dog at Cold Ash where we were almost a full

house! We can still find room for new members

if anyone would like to join our lively lunches.

We meet on the 4th

Friday of each month so if

you would like to come along us we shall be

pleased to see you.

Contact: Ann Minks

Mah Jong

The Mah Jong group continues to thrive, and

now has over twenty members, though each

meeting usually averages twelve to fourteen. We

have recently had several new members who are

enjoying the challenge of the game.

The Mah Jong group meets in the Gillooly room

at the Catholic Church on the first and third

Wednesdays of each month from 2.15pm to

4.15pm.

There is a charge of £1 per meeting which

includes tea and biscuits, and a donation to the

Church for kindly allowing us to use the room.

Contact: Marilyn Downing

Music Appreciation Group

The Music Appreciation Group continues to

play interesting records (we still like vinyl!) and

CDs from members. We have concentrated

recently on masterpieces of the last century. It is

always a very peaceful and relaxing afternoon in

the company of friends and we certainly enjoy

the cup of tea and Hazel’s delicious homemade

cakes!

We continue to meet every month on the third

Tuesday.

Contact: Richard Hyland

Snaps Photography Group

Inspite of ‘natural wastage’ the members

attending meetings have been maintained at

around fifteen by new entrants who renew

vitality and present a challenge of integration to

existing members. Many original members are

becoming much better acquainted with their

cameras and so are much more adventurous in

their subjects and techniques. They have not

forgotten their humble beginnings, however, and

are very helpful to beginners, which is what the

U3A is all about!!

It has been a pleasure to convene this group and

many thanks to our experts. In particular, Ray,

Tony and Paul have greatly enhanced our

learning. It is never too late to join us even if

you are a complete novice!!

We meet on the second Wednesday of each

month at 10am ‘on location’ and the fourth

Wednesday at 10am at Thatcham Town

Council offices (behind the library). If you

require more details please telephone one of the

numbers below.

Contacts: Iain Dunn

Tony Collie

Play Reading Group

We continue to enjoy reading plays throughout

the year, meeting on the third Thursday of

each month. At present we are unable to take

any more members. However, if there is

sufficient interest, a second group could be

started and a waiting list could be set up. Do

contact me for any information.

The entire group went to a production at the

Watermill in February. Three members were so

anxious to find their seats that they missed the

photo shoot!

Contact: Judy Benwell

Rummikub Group

We meet in the Gillooly Room at the Catholic

Church on the second Wednesday of the

month between 2.15 and 4.15 pm. We are still

a fairly small group and so have plenty of room

for new members. Rummikub is a relatively

easy game to learn and we will, of course, be

happy to teach you how to play, if the game is

new to you. Rummikub has similarities with

Rummy, the card game. We are a friendly bunch

and have lots of fun, so do come and join us.

Contact: Wendy Jarvis

Scrabble

The Scrabble group is flourishing well. This

year we have had new members join us most

months. As we are lucky enough to meet in such

a large venue we can always accept new

Scrabblers!! We meet on the first Thursday of

the month in the Dining Room at Neville Court.

Contact: Angela Robinson

Singing Group 1

Our original band of singers meets on the first

and third Mondays of the month at our

pianist’s home. We enjoy singing a variety of

songs including folk, light classics, and

community. We are restricted by space and are

unable to take any new members at present;

however a second group has been formed, with

space for people wanting to sing. (See below)

Contact: Rita Bottomley

Adagio Singing Group

The second singing group, now known as

Adagio, was formed because of demand from

members, after enjoying performances by the

first group. We are currently singing a selection

of songs, which include numbers from folk,

community, film and musical sources. Sessions

include a physical and vocal warm-up, rounds

and unison singing followed by a chat and

coffee. We hope to graduate to simple harmonic

arrangements in the future. Research has shown

us that singing is beneficial in many different

ways. If you enjoy singing or would like to give

it a try why not join us? You will be certain of a

warm welcome. We hope to move to the Old

Bluecoats School from July and sessions will be

on a Tuesday afternoon.

Contact: Lynette Harper

Snooker - 50 Break

We meet on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of

each month from 2-4pm at the Crucible

Snooker Club, off Hambridge Road in

Newbury (enter via Race Course Station

approach road). The emphasis is on fun and

social gathering. The order of play and tables in

play is dependent on member numbers on the

day with no sitting out. To add a little spice

there is a monthly ‘highest break’ award, plus an

ongoing ‘singles ladder’- these provide a

competitive challenge for those who want to

participate. Membership of the ‘Snooker Club’

is necessary following the first visit so come

along and give it a go - equipment is available at

the club at no extra charge.

Contact: Roy Lawson

Spanish

We continue to meet in members' houses so we

do not have room for new members at present.

If there are more people wanting to learn

Spanish perhaps we could start a new group!

Contact: Barbara Nicholls

Theatre Group

The Theatre Group continues to grow with more

people applying all the time. Good job there

isn’t a limit to membership!! Our latest outing

was on Thursday 13th June to see CATS at the

Mayflower Theatre in Southampton. We had a

very good journey down and arrived in time for

coffee and lunch before the performance. The

show was very good, the dancers were very

lively and the costumes very colourful and

lifelike. We were able to see some of them close

up as the performers were sometimes running up

and down the aisles. The music was wonderful

and very Andrew Lloyd Webber. Everyone

enjoyed the show and we arrived back in

Thatcham just after 6 o’clock. I hope to have the

next one organized sometime soon.

Contact: Valerie Jackson

Travel Group

Our day trips so far this year have been very

well supported and at the end of July we have

eighty-two people travelling to Tewkesbury on a

double decker coach!! There will be one more

day trip on 11th

September to Wrest Park

(English Heritage) in Bedforshire. Watch out

for details nearer the time. We will be finishing

the year with our residential trip to Perthshire in

Scotland.

Contact: Ann Allen

Walkers Group

We can’t believe that we have completed six of

our monthly walks already - doesn’t time fly!

All the walks have been very well attended

(double figures) and enjoyed by all - even the

weather has been kind to us staying dry.

Walks until the end of the year are as follows:

July 11th

Elstree School - Grid ref 576675

Led by Denise and Angela

Aug 8th Marlston

Led by Peter and Heidi

Sept 12th

Snelsmore Common - Grid ref

464710

Led by Joan and Mike

Oct 10th

Ladle Hill & Sydmonton - Grid

ref 478580

Led by Ernie Prince

Nov 14th

Bucklebury - more details later

Led by Helen Relf

Dec 12th

Thatcham Broadway

Led by Ann Walter

If you feel a 3mile (approx) walk is for you do

come along and join us at the meeting point.

We start walking at 2.00 pm prompt.

We are a very friendly group and you will be

made welcome.

Contacts:

Joan and Mike Collins

Vintner’s Dozen Wine Appreciation

The damp and cold spring has not dampened the

spirits! After an excellent lunch at

Woolhampton in March we have enjoyed

another variety of wines offered by our hosts,

including some fine home-made liqueurs. After

some dithering we have at last launched a

second wine appreciation group.

Contact: Peter Lavarack

Cheers Wine Appreciation

The newly formed wine-tasting group has held

three very enjoyable evenings so far. If all

attend regularly it is up to capacity but watch

this space!! We meet on the third Tuesday

evening of each month.

Contact: Roy Lawson

Whist

We meet the last Wednesday in the month at

the Gillooly Room, Catholic Church starting at

2.15pm. Any one is welcome. Just come along

and join us for a game of cards, a chat and cup

of tea.

Contact: Pat Howard

Another hectic end of year done and dusted

without too many glitches and we now have a

total membership of 302 having said goodbye to

some old friends and welcome to some new

ones.

Ann-marie