WRECSAM/WREXHAM - U3A Site Builder

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May 2015
Volume 8
Issue 1
WRECSAM/WREXHAM
Programme of Speakers
Charity Number/
May to December 2015
Rhif yr Elusen
19th May
Peter Read
Dylan Thomas
16th June
Paul Kay
Undersea Wales
1115693
Correspondence to:
Wrexham U3A,
21st July
Gavin Hunter
The Port Sunlight Story
PO BOX 2257,
WREXHAM,
18th August
Treasure Hunt around Gresford (See Panel on Page 5)
LL11 0DE
Website:
15th September
Peter Mathot
Amsterdam-the friendly city
20th October
Gareth Wyn Jones
The Hill Farmer
17th November
Glynis Shaw
15th December
Christmas Lunch at Llyndir Hall Hotel
Janet Lewis
The Parks and Gardens of Clwyd
Speaker Secretary
http://u3asites.org.uk/
wrexham
Polite Reminder
You are reminded that your
membership fees for Wrexham
U3A for
2015-16 were due by
1st May, 2015
Please see Ann Herniman
FROM THE CHAIR
Firstly I should like to thank Terry Wales for all his hard work during this year as Chairman and pay tribute to
him for taking on the role of Treasurer at the recent AGM. Also, gratitude is due to Clive Cripps who looked after
our finances so diligently for many years.
As your new Chairman I was reflecting on the nine years since Wrexham U3A began. The first speaker meeting to
be held at the William Aston Hall was on Tuesday 21st March, 2006. Our speaker was Ray Jones who gave a
presentation on `The Landscapes of the Wrexham Area during the Industrial Revolution`. According to Ray this
was no `revolution but a gradual change` and perhaps this is also applicable to Wrexham U3A. We began with
some 100 members and 14 interest groups; today we have 400+ members and over 50 interest groups. No
revolution, rather an evolution of healthy and steady growth.
What a wonderful organization it is and I trust that WrexhamU3A will continue to prosper. Many thanks are due
to all those members who have helped us to innovate and thrive; please keep the ideas flowing.
Mary Woolley
ITEMS FOR THE July 2015 NEWSLETTER MUST BE IN THE HANDS OF THE EDITORIAL TEAM
BY WEDNESDAY 1st July, 2015. Items to <[email protected]
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Forthcoming Visits
13th June 2015
Kedleston Hall
We have been
promised a behind
the scenes visit at no
cost because of the
fiasco over the visit
to the National Trust
property at
Wightwick.
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL TRIPS IN JUNE,
JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER
WILL LEAVE FROM SAINSBURY`S AT
8.30 AM PROMPT
25th July 2015
Ironbridge
A very interesting venue—a World
Heritage site known throughout the
world. Lots to enjoy. £22.50 including entrance to Blist
Hill .
29th August 2015
Eyam
The plague village which isolated itself after a bolt of cloth
from London arrived carrying the
plague flea, thereby saving the major cities of the North. Every year
the wells in the village are decorated and blessed. There is a real village atmosphere with the usual tea
tent, band and craft stalls. The ladies of the parish plan from one year to the next which
theme will be presented.
This will be a morning visit. In the afternoon we will visit
Chatsworth, a majestic house and Derbyshire estate.
£23 combined including entrance to the House and
Gardens at Chatsworth.
9th May 2015 Ludlow Food Fair
The visit in September was such a success I thought I
would try the Spring Fair. £10 plus entrance fee which
also includes entry to the Castle.
The coach will leave the Bus Stop outside Sainsbury`s at 8.30 AM on 13th June
November 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th
Tinsel and Turkey weekend .
A four day trip with dinner, bed and breakfast with
two excursions and
evening
entertainment.
Cost £190 All
cheques to be
made payable to George Edwards.
There are only three double/twin rooms left.
Itinerary
13th November depart Wrexham
14th November Visit arrange to Agatha
Christie`s Summer Home
15th November Visit to Coleton Fishacre
an Arts and Crafts Country Home
16th November after breakfast a leisurely drive home
with lunch and comfort stops-arriving home at
approximately 9.00 pm
Further details about all these visits contact
The coach will leave the Bus
Stop outside Sainsbury`s at
9.00am.
Margaret has arranged a Tea
Stop and Free entry to Stokesay Castle on the return
journey.
THREE PLACES STILL AVAILABLE
26th September, 2015
Visit to Birmingham and the Jewellery Quarter
£15 to include guided tour.
This trip is arranged in conjunction with the Antiques and Collectables group with some places
being offered to the general membership.
See Margaret Hadwin Smith.
Margaret Hadwin-Smith on 01978-310253 or visit
her `stall` in the Foyer of Glyndwr University at
our monthly meetings .
Please check your travel Insurance is up to date and any
relevant medical issues notified to Margaret along with
emergency telephone numbers.
Two further Day Trips to come:
19th September to Worcester visiting Greyfriars
17th October The Cotswolds and Hanbury Hall
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Garden Group 5
Led by Lorna Gray with her Deputy Diane Hearn
We had a very good year and enjoyed a nice meal for our Christmas meeting at the Rendezvous, Coleg Cambria.
In January, as it was so cold, we met at Diane`s home and spent the afternoon making greetings cards and were
very pleased with our first attempts!
The programme for the rest of this year (2015) is as follows:
(Note : all meetings are on the second Tuesday of each month at 2.00pm)
9th June at Mary Woolley`s home : Tre Helyg, Sontley, Wrexham
14th July at Audrey Francis`s home: 45 Charles Avenue, Trevor, Llangollen
11th August at Ann Finn`s home:
15 Watling Crescent, Handbridge, Chester
15th September at Ann Aturla`s home: 28 Woodlands Way, Tarporley
20th October at Di Hoggan`s home:
Green Farm Cottage, Holt Road, Rossett
10th November at Lorna Gray`s home
8th December Christmas Lunch
Some suggested outings: Bellis` Nurseries, Water World, Bridgemere Garden World, Grosvenor Garden
Centre, Dorothy Clive Gardens, Bodnant Gardens, Plassey, Erddig, Burleydam, Cholmondeley Castle, Powis Castle, Dingle Nurseries, Tatton Park (with tea in the Gardeners Cottage).
There is also an invitation to visit Dorothy Morris` lovely garden in Burton, Wirral.
Will you please return borrowed books to our ` Library` so other members can take them out and bring along any
other books you may have.
Additionally, if you have any plants ( house or garden) to exchange or have any plant problems to share, any items
for the sales table ( vases, pot covers etc) please bring them along.
Lorna Gray 01978-353450 or 07730 147528
Walking Group
Our February walk at Hockenhull Platts crossed the Roman Bridges at Tarvin where we had coffee. We then
crossed the course at Vicars Cross Golf Club and joined the Longster Trail at Guilden Sutton to cross the Oxen
Bridges over the river Gowy to Great Barrow returning to Tarvin 7.5 miles later. Our tea room stop on the way
home was at the working mill “Walk Mill” at Waverton where they had baked fresh scones for us made from their
own flour.
In March we walked from Kingsley,
nr. Frodsham along the River Weaver joining
the Eddisbury Way at Bradley. On the way
home we called at Lady Hayes Farm for tea
and cakes.
We had fine, sunny days for both walks.
We will be walking at Nesscliffe on 23rd
April.
FUTURE WALKS
Thursday 28th May—Ceiriog Valley and
Pen y Gwely Reservoir
Thursday 25th June - Llangollen
New members welcome
Peter and Jenny Richardson
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Fun with flowers
Please note that
the Fun with
Flowers Group
meets in the
Acton Community
Resource Centre
between 1.00 and
3.00pm on the
last Tuesday of
the month.
Dates for your Diary
Treasure Hunt
Tuesday
18th August
2015
Christmas lunch
Tuesday
15th December
at the Llyndir
Hall Hotel
Splendid Arrangement by
Flower Club Member Helen Payne
For further details and booking forms for the above contact Edgar Lewis on 01978-359681 or email
to <[email protected]>
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Family History Programme 2015
May 29th
Printing Family Trees.
June 26th
Constructing a Family Tree.
July 31st
Annual Meal in Glyndwr University.
NB.
Our venue has changed to the Training Room in Acton Community Resource
Centre.
Meetings start at 1.30pm on the last Friday in each month.
Cost £2.00 per session including refreshments.
With access to laptops and Ancestry it is recommended that members bring a memory stick to each meeting.
The Acton Community Resource Centre is signposted off both Chestnut Avenue and Herbert Jennings Avenue
Sat Nav
LL12 7LB
Pam Dean
Wrexham U3A MUSIC APPRECIATION
2nd
The group meets on the
Wednesday of the month at
Acton Community Resource Centre from 2 until 4pm.
We explore many styles of music, instruments, artists
and composers and participate in healthy discussion.
PROGRAMME FOR 2015
MAY 13th The Cello – music & artistes
JUNE 10th 20 Classical Works we should know [Part 3
cont.]
JULY 8th The Symphony [Part 2] Mozart
COME & JOIN US ---- ALL ARE WELCOME
Card Making
Leader Diane Hearn
Deputy Pam Dean
Group meetings in the Leader`s home on the third Friday of
the month at 1.30pm .
Sorry the Group is full.
Craft Group
The group meets on the 1st Wednesday of each
month (Now full)
We dabble in all forms of craft, this is a small selection
of items made by members. Brooches made from zips,
angels and Christmas
Trees from paperback
books. Roses and Tea
light holders from plastic
spoons, flowers from coloured tights plus sewing,
card making, felting and
jewellery.
Frances Hughes
Annual Treasure Hunt
Tuesday 18th August, 2015
This year the group will be exploring Stamping and
Embossing and ways of using this medium in cards and gifts
following the set monthly theme.
Programme for 2015
15th May
Using the Light Box Part 2
19th June
Using Templates
17th July
Men`s Cards
5th August No Meeting
18th September Starting Christmas Cards, boxes and bags
16th October Gifts and Tags
13th November Finishing off gifts. Different ways of
wrapping gifts
We have a Christmas meal with friends and family
in December .
Diane Hearn
Start/finish at Gresford Trust Memorial Hall
The Treasure Hunt will be a walking one in
the village
Start between 1.30pm and 2.15pm
Meal at Restaurant 1887, Glyndwr University
at 5.00 for 5.30pm
Cost for the hunt and meal - £13.50.
Treasure Hunt only - £1
Booking for the meal is essential
See Joyce Evans
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CANAL WALKING AND WITTLING FOR 2015
Please ensure I am given all the relevant paperwork before commencing the walk so that U3A insurance applies. If you are new to the group please ensure you wear appropriate footwear and
clothing for muddy canal paths and possible inclement weather. Email me if you cannot attend.
21ST MAY CHIRK HAND HOTEL TO WATERSIDE INN AT LION QUAYS
Park in the Car park behind the Hand Hotel at Chirk. We leave at 11.00 am prompt. We will walk to the canal with
a choice of using the tunnel (bring a torch!!) or the overhead path to the Waterside Inn. Lunch at 12.30 approx.
18TH JUNE CALDY PARK & RIDE TO TELFORD WAREHOUSE
Meet and park at the Caldy Valley Park and Ride area, parking away from the bus stands nearer to the road exit.
We leave at 11.00 am prompt. Lunch at 12.30 approx.
16TH JULY LION QUAYS TO JACK MYTTON
About three miles each way, along canal path. At Lion Quays park near the Waterside Inn/canal area not by Spa or
Hotel. We leave at 11.00 am prompt. Lunch at 12.30 approx.
August holiday month
17TH SEPTEMBER COLEMERE TO ELLESMERE BOATHOUSE
About three miles each way. To get to country park from Wrexham take the A525 to Marchwiel, then the A528
through Overton and Ellesmere. After passing the A495 on the left follow the signs for Colemere Heritage Site.
Take note of the bridge numbers we pass under. We leave at 11.00 am prompt. Lunch at 12.30 approx.
15TH OCTOBER CALDY PARK & RIDE TO PLOUGH CHRISTLETON
This is about two and a half miles each way, much along towpaths but also in places across fields and along
hedgerows. It can be brambly so long sleeves and long trousers might be wise. The lunch venue has a delicious
'two for one' deli menu which is worth sampling. We leave at 11.00 am prompt. Lunch at 12.30 approx.
19TH NOVEMBER REDNAL JUNCTION TO QUEENS HEAD
This is the road walk, not along the canal path as it may prove very muddy. It is just over an hour, so not too long
as the evenings are drawing in. Start walk at 11.00 as usual, lunch at noon. Email <[email protected]>
For our Male Members
Signpost-the international website of U3A
At our recent Committee meeting
the question was raised regarding
forming groups specifically for our
male members.
In addition to your own bi-monthly newsletter you will all
Gentlemen, if you feel that too little
attention has been paid to your specific needs then please let us know
what particular activities may be of
interest to you.
View it at http://worldu3a.org/signpost/april2015.htm
CONTACT Pam Dean
be receiving “Third Age Matters” giving details of U3A activities across the United Kingdom.
Urgent plea for articles / items for the newsletter
You will notice that this issue of the newsletter includes a number of items from
external sources. This is because I did not receive sufficient material from members
and interest groups. To ensure that the newsletter continues to be relevant and of the
greatest interest to members please ensure a stream of articles / items. Editor
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U3A Creative Writing Group
My name is Ruth Pearce and I am a member of the
Creative Writing Group. This is convened brilliantly by Sue
Payne. As we meet in each others houses, it is necessarily a
small group and is complete at the moment. At our last
meeting we were given an exercise in spontaneous writing.
This was to choose one of the three following topics and
write about it for ten minutes. Needless to say, I could not
choose so attempted all three topics and wrote about them
in a light hearted manner.
The Journey
Today we start again.
An adventure to explore,
Where does this road lead?
Down tracks as yet unknown
What troubles lay in wait?
What adventures are in store?
These questions will be answered
When we reach our destination.
What ifYou`re left £3000 by an aunt
Auntie left me 3k,
I can`t believe my luck.
I don`t know what I`m going to do
To immortalise the duck.
A holiday, designer bag,
A deposit on a car,
New kitchen, bathroom or jewellery
I`ve coveted from afar.
I know, I`ll take her ashes
First class to gay Paree.
I`ll sprinkle her from the Eiffel Tower,
It`s where she`d like to be.
You`re asked to organise a leaving party.
I`ve been asked to do a party
To say goodbye to you.
I`m doing it quite wittingly,
I`ll say good riddance too!
Your fairy godmother has granted you ONE wish
I`ve been granted a wish by a fairy,
I really could have died!
I don’t know what I really want,
I WISH I could decide—AAAAGHHHHH!
Ruth Pearce
Back of the Cupboard Craft
Meetings are the second Friday of the
month
Leader Diane Hearn Deputy Pam Dean
It has been a pleasure to run this group.
They have diverse interests and we enjoy
each other`s company-more like meeting friends than a working group. But
they work hard to learn the new crafts as
well as finishing their older projects.
Each session there is something new to
look at or admire.
Pat, a group member, and over eighty,
has learned to cross-stitch while in the
group. She then went on to make a beautiful sampler for her brother and sister–
in-law's Golden Wedding. It has been
designed by Pat; she looked in books to
find the motifs she wanted connected
with the couple`s life. She then made a
design around the edges to set it off.
Diane Hearn
Writing for Pleasure Group
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North Wales Police
Advice to Householders
In recent months burglars have been targeting homes
in North Wales. Jewellery and high value gold and silver items have been stolen. Thieves pose as tradesmen
or scrap metal merchants, often parking near a home
waiting for residents to leave. Please see the useful
advice from the Police in the panel below.
All-Wales U3A Short Story Writing Competition
Following the success of last year`s competition, we are pleased to announce that this year`s
competition is NOW OPEN.
Last year`s winner was Marie Geary from Carmarthen U3A-will she win again? Or will we
have a new winner from another part of Wales?
The closing date for this year`s entries is August 31st and the winner will be
announced in November. Again, there will be a £25 prize and the winning entry will be published on the Wales website. Hopefully we may also be able to publish
all entries onto
an eBook ( watch this space).
We have decided to keep the rules as last year i.e. a Welsh theme and a maximum of 1,500 words.
Best of luck. Send your entries to: [email protected].
Did you collect your 2015-16 Handbook from the desk in the Foyer. It has useful information about U3A Wrexham
including the Speaker programme to April 2016, a listing of all the Interest Groups with contact details,
Committee Members and Officers and useful names and contact numbers
CORRECTION TO HANDBOOK Page 8
Peter Beddoes` Tel. No. should read 01978-359451
Sorry Peter/Sorry Mary
Edgar Lewis Editor
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