December 2011 CHAIRMAN’S    LETTER

Hi everyone, Last month’s meeting "Help for Heroes" went down well, with the stall being very busy. To date I have not received information on the amount of money raised. We made a donation of £50.00 in place of a speakers fee.

We have gained another 7 members since last month, the total membership now stands at 414. Last month we asked if anyone was interested in French or Spanish or Table tennis.

Please read the update report in this issue.  The first Aid course we were hoping to start has fallen by the wayside for two reasons. One, we were not able to get a costing to run a course and two, no one put their names forward.

We have now confirmed the booking of the choir hall for the 1st of November 2012, for the South Wales network meeting which we are holding, so a major event to look forward to.

The December meeting is party time with our Drama group. At this meeting we normally have a collection for a suitable charity instead of sending Christmas cards. Last year we raised £50.00.

In this issue you will find information about an on line petition concerning the link road to the M48 off the B2445. Please take the time to read it and follow the web link and vote.

The congestion on the B4245 will not improve with 92 more houses now being built in Magor.

Well it’s that time of year when temperatures fall so make sure you wrap up well and yes I have now stopped wearing shorts at my wife’s request - until next summer.

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

from myself and your committee.   

Jim Hill  Chairman.

 

 

GARDENING GROUP

A record number of 83 members attended the November meeting of the Gardening Group, amongst them several new members to whom we extend a very warm welcome.

We enjoyed two wonderful presentations, the first a film produced by Ann Taylor-Heard (with a little help from Rob), of our holiday to Newcastle and the second a slide show by Ron Lapthorn of photos of all the garden visits we have made during the past year.  They were both excellent and brought back many happy memories of our days out (both in sun and rain).  Thank you very much to Ann and Ron and not forgetting Jim and Nita who bring the screen for us every month and operate the projector and sound equipment when necessary.  Once again I say what would we do without them!!!

As this was our Christmas meeting we enjoyed mince pies or shortbread with our tea or coffee and again I must express our thanks to Marlene and her rota of tea ladies who do such sterling work in the kitchen every month, not forgetting of course our helpers on the door taking the register and money.  Last but not least may I say thank you to my partner Jen King, our treasurer without whom there would be no trips or holidays.

Thank you to everyone who helps to make the gardening group such a success and may I take this opportunity to wish everyone warm Seasonal Greetings and look forward to meeting you all again on Thursday 12th January 2012 when once again we welcome the very popular Sheena Crossley.

Norma Shreeve

 

 

HISTORY GROUP

For the November meeting, the History Group had a talk by Don Wood, on the History of Christmas Carols. The assembled audience had a mini carol service as well as an interesting talk, with Dorothy Bee providing musical accompaniment on the keyboard.

The earliest carols were pre-Christian paeans, sung in about 2000 BC to commemorate the winter solstice (the shortest day of the year) on 21st or 22nd December. By 55 BC, the Greek theatre had recitation by a chorus accompanied by a flute; the combination became known as ‘choraules’, which over time has been corrupted to ‘carol’. In former times, carols were always associated with dance, the tunes used being much quicker than those used today.

The invention of the printing press brought standardization to words and music, but even then there were regional variations across the country. At various times in history, carols have been banned by the church: before 1443, in part of Henry VIII’s reign, and during Cromwell’s rule. However they survived, sung by ordinary people as they celebrated in their own homes.

During the thirteenth century nativity plays and mystery plays were developed; these were spoken in the language of the people, and used local population to put actions to the words. Mystery plays were performed at religious festivals such as Christmas, Easter, and Whitsun, and various Bible stories were illustrated, a favourite being Noah’s Flood and the Ark. These touring plays developed into passion plays (e.g. Oberammergau) and nativity plays (as presented in so many primary schools today).

Carols were sung by various groups, both within and without the church. A choir led worship within the church, and at Christmastime would go out into the community and sing carols, expecting contributions to church funds, together with lubrication for their throats. From the church choirs and some secular groups we get today’s carol singers.

Dave Edwards

 

THE ROYAL INSTITUTION OF GREAT BRITAIN

U3A explores Science at the Ri - Tuesday 27th March 2012

The above will take place in London at the Royal Institute, 21 Albemarle Street, London, W1

The programme is as follows:

2.00 pm -  Introduction by Ian Searle, (Chairman of The Third Age Trust).

2.05 pm – Dr John Manlove – Forensic Science, an overview

2.40 pm -  Question and answer section

2.50 pm – Dr Suzie Sheehy – Accelerated dreams: How particle  
                 accelerators have changed our lives…..and what they
                will look like in the future.

3.25 pm -  Question and answer session.

3.35 Tea and coffee

4.10 pm – Prof Tim Wheeler – Food production in a changing climate

4.45 pm Question and answer session

4.55 pm – Close

Places are limited. Admission is by ticket only at £18 each including refreshments.  We cannot give refunds but may be able to offer your ticket to any waiting list if you are unable to attend

Applications can be sent immediately. Tickets, programmes and maps will be sent out from January onwards.

Please apply in writing to:
The Third Age Trust, 19 East Street, Bromley,Kent BR1 1QE enclosing a 2nd class stamp for up to 4 tickets or a large letter stamp if you require more (maximum 15 tickets per applicant) and a cheque made payable to The Third Age Trust.

 

HELP FOR HELP HEROES

I have received a letter of thanks from help for heroes, as per the following.

Dear Jim,

Thank you so much for the invitation to speak at the recent meeting of the Caldicot U3A group. I enjoyed my afternoon and do hope that members now know a little more about Help for Heroes and the work that they do.

I was delighted to bank £85-53 in donations as a result of my talk. £50.00 of this being a very generous cheque from U3A. Thank you so much. I was also able to bank £229.30 from sales of merchandise on the day. I am very grateful to the U3A members for their generosity, it is much appreciated.

Thank you once again for your interest in and support of Help for Heroes.

May I take this opportunity to send you and all the members’ best wishes for Christmas and New Year.

Yours sincerely.
Diana McCera.

The full total of money raised came to £314.83 well done everyone.

Jim Hill Chairman.

 

 

Turkey and Tinsel Weymouth 2011

Forty strong, with an estimated combined life experience approaching 3,000 years, think about it!,  a marauding contingent of the usual suspects, minus, on this occasion, our beloved leader and Mel, and other regulars departed on "Christmas Eve" from our various collection points for Weymouth and The Prince Regent Hotel, with it's classic early Victorian style of architecture, on the Esplanade.

Under the firm but benevolent guidance of Marion we duly checked in with time to make a preliminary incursion into the town centre, or take a vigorous stroll on the sea front.

If the weather had been less than promising on our first day it certainly made up for it during the rest of our stay.  It was most glorious, especially for late November.  At this time last year we were almost snowed in at Scarborough you may recall.

The Tuesday was a free day to explore the numerous shops, cafes, local attractions or one of the two Wetherspoons leading to the harbour itself.  We noticed on a plaque that one of the Aldermen, who attended at the opening of the harbour bridge, was a T.J. Guppy.  On a point of interest, John Guppy's family hail from these parts and Grandad had a push bike!

The following two days saw excursions to the renowned Dorchester Market, Portland, where preparations for the 2012 Olympic Games were in due progress, and Poole with, once again its numerous shops, a Wetherspoons or two, for those who like coffee, the huge natural harbour formed at the end of the last Ice Age which Adrian says he can't remember, but I think he must.  All this together with the Poole Pottery gave ample choice to suit all tastes.  Thanks to our driver John.

There was entertainment on hand every night with enough dancing in the form of ballroom, latin and sequence to more than satisfy anyone with that bent.  Pierre, the MC, dance instructor and bingo caller saw to that.

The highlight was the last night, New Years Eve which was quite an occasion culminating, at the stroke of half past ten, with the customary celebrations.

This little account would not be complete were it to fail to mention the food which was most excellent both at breakfast time and at dinner, I would challenge anyone to have needed a lunch in addition.

So yet another success, thanks to Marion who constantly had to review our changing numbers on departures and of course to Pam who was, for family reasons unable to join us as planned on this particular occasion after having charted our course in her usual professional manner.  Next time Pam!

So we said goodbye to Weymouth's front, leaving our hotel and the experience of Pierre's dancing behind.  Watch out for Ron's photographic extravaganza which I am sure will grace our web page in the near future.

Tony Hirst