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Monthly Speaker Meeting
14:00 / 2pm Wednesday, 14th September
Gardeners’ Hall, St Leonard’s Road, Windsor, SL4 3DR
Secrets, Scandal and Salacious Gossip of the Royal Court, 1660-1830
Sarah Slater
Sarah Slater is a guide, lecturer and public speaker for Historic Royal Palaces, based at Hampton Court. She has a passion for the history, art and architecture at Hampton Court Palace, but has a particular interest in the human stories of those who in the past have lived and worked within the palace walls. In her talk about Secrets, Scandal and Salacious Gossip of the Royal Court, 1660 to 1830, she will disclose all the naughty bits of history you would probably not have learnt about at school! Beware – it is fun, but rude.
Tea/coffee and biscuits will be available
Future Speakers
- Wednesday, 12th October: The Origins of Place Names by Anthony Poulton-Smith
- Wednesday, 9th November: The History of our Christmas Festivities by Andy Thomas
- Wednesday, 14th December: Christmas Party – to be confirmed
New Members
A New Members’ Coffee Morning was held in the Sky Lounge at Castle View on Tuesday, 24th August. It was good to see so many new members gathered to listen to our convenors describing the activities of the groups they lead. It was good to see the interest shown by the new members following up with questions and engaging the convenors in conversation afterwards. A very successful meeting. Thanks go to Kate Fagence for organising.
Learning with u3a On-Line
Study Days provide members with the opportunity to study, in some depth, a topic thought to be of general interest. They typically run from 10-00am to 4-00pm, with breaks for morning coffee, lunch and afternoon tea. Pre-covid these were in-person events only, but now they are hybrid and can be attended by Zoom as well.
Both the u3a Thames Valley Network (TVN) and the u3a Surrey Network have issued their learning programmes for the Autumn Term. Please take time to look at them and see if there is something to interest you.
Thames Valley Network (TVN) Study Days http://u3atvnetwork.org.uk/
Surrey u3a Network have https://u3asites.org.uk/surreyu3anetwork/events
Short courses are arranged by the u3a Trust. Their relationship with leading organisations, built up over many years, has meant they are able to offer selected online events to u3a members nationwide. This includes events with the National Gallery, Royal Institution, Guildhall Art Gallery, and the British Library (for which there may be a charge). They also offer workshops, webinars and interactive sessions delivered by members for members, which are free to join. Full details here.
Projects, initiatives and competitions covering a wide range of topics are also run by u3a Trust and are free for all members to take part. Their Autumn programme will be available shortly. Click this link to find out more. Projects, initiatives and competitions
Interest Groups are also available online from Trust u3a https://u3asites.org.uk/trustu3a/groups
As you see, much is available online from the National u3a Trust and regional networks. As well as in-person events, interesting and enjoyable events are being delivered via the Zoom video conferencing/webinar platform. Use these ‘How to Guides‘ and ‘Online Tutorials‘ for using Zoom to help you become familiar with this tool and enable you to take part and enjoy online activities.
There are more member’s photos in this month’s Newsletter Extra
Outings and Events
Picnic Time
Eight hardy souls went to the picnic on Tuesday, 23rd August at Queen Anne’s Ride in the Great Park. Unfortunately, there was a shower of light rain at 2:00pm and this deterred people from going. However, it brightened up, as English weather is wont to do and we had a wonderful, sunny afternoon with sausage rolls, sandwiches, lemon drizzle cake, Anzac biscuits, wine, soft drinks, water and beer. The conversation was varied and interesting and a good time was had by all. Kate Fagence
Learn to make the most of your Smartphone (Date to be set)
We are still negotiating a time and place for this meeting. The holiday season has intervened. Peter Todd will contact you with details if you have already given him your name. If you would like to join in and have not yet given your name, please let Peter know. chairman@windsoru3a.org.uk
Sandringham Coach Trip
- Tuesday, 6th September
A visit to Sandringham to celebrate the Queens’ Platinum Jubilee
Only waiting list places available – Jackie Wiggins
Windsor Yard’s Community Event
- Saturday, 17th September
Committee members will be manning this event all day to promote the u3a. On the day, it would be helpful if as many members as possible could visit the stall. If you are able and willing to take a turn to relieve committee members for an hour, please contact Peter Todd. Those who joined in last year, enjoyed this event. There will be free parking for those manning the stall. chairman@windsoru3a.org.uk
Live Musical Performance at Tea and Jazz group
- Tuesday, 27th September at 2:30pm
Tea and Jazz start the Autumn season with another live musical performance. See below for details. Open to all. No need to book. £5-00 payable on the door to cover costs.
Visit to Lincoln and its Christmas Markets
- Thursday, 1st December to Sunday 4th December 2022
Plans are being made to visit Lincoln and its Christmas Market which runs for only 4 days. The intention is to stay in a hotel for 2 nights on a half board basis. We would arrive in the afternoon on Day 1 and spend Day 2 sightseeing in Lincoln and visiting the Christmas Market. There is much to see in Lincoln – Lincoln Castle, Lincoln Cathedral, a Museum of Lincolnshire Life, a waterside shopping centre – amongst others. (Top 10 Must-Sees in Lincoln | Visit Lincoln Blog) The next day, Day 3, on our way home we will visit Stamford, a bustling, prosperous Georgian market town. (Stamford – Visit Lincolnshire). The cost of this little jaunt will be in the region of £250 – £300, including coach fare. Final details will be available shortly, but please register your interest with Jackie Wiggins as soon as possible. Final numbers affect the price and feasibility.
‘The King and I’ at the Swan Theatre, High Wycombe
- Thursday, 16th March 2023, Matinee Performance 2.30pm
- £52 per ticket (including coach)
The greatest musical from the golden age of musicals adored by the public and critics alike – with one of the finest scores ever written including; Whistle a Happy Tune, Getting to Know You, and Shall We Dance, and featuring a company of over 50 world-class performers and a full-scale orchestra.
Booking Details
Tickets may only be purchased by and for current Windsor u3a Members.
(Please detail names and Membership Numbers when ordering)
Booking and payments details are only visible if you log in (details at top of page)
Local Coffee Mornings
Local Coffee Mornings are for the convenience of members who live in a particular locality, but other members are welcome to attend, too. It is an opportunity to get to know members who live in the vicinity and to catch up on u3a events and outings that may have passed you by, especially if you are unable to attend the monthly Speaker Meetings in Gardeners’ Hall. Datchet now has a regular attendance and two more coffee mornings in local venues will open this Autumn; one starts in Old Windsor in October and one in Dedworth in November.
Datchet Local Coffee Morning at The Bridge Café, The Village Green, Datchet, SL3 9JH
- 10:30 to 12:00 noon on Wednesday, 28th September
- 10:30 to 12:00 noon on Wednesday, 26th October
- 10:30 to 12:00 noon on Wednesday, 17th November
- 10:30 to 12:00 noon on Wednesday, 28th November (TBC)
Old Windsor Local Coffee Morning at The Bells of Ouzley, Straight Road, Old Windsor, SL4 2SH
Jo Wattis has arranged for a coffee morning to be held here on the first Wednesday of each month.
The number 8 bus stops right outside.
- 10:30 to 12:00 noon on Wednesday, 5th October
- 10:30 to 12:00 noon on Wednesday, 2nd November
- 10:30 to 12:00 noon on Wednesday, 7th December (TBC)
Interest Group News
COVID-19 is still with us, so please be considerate – stay at home if you are feeling unwell or think you may recently have been in contact with someone with COVID.
A New Group: Poetry Workshop
This will be a group for writers who are serious about improving their poetry. Members will be able to give and receive feedback. The sessions will focus on work that group members bring, but there will be scope for creative writing exercises if members wish.
Contact details are visible if you log-in (ditto for other groups below).
French Intermediate
We meet on the first Tuesday of the month at my house from 2-00 pm till 4-00 pm. For the first hour each member gives an account of what she or he has been doing in the past month and this includes questions or comments from the others. Then comes ‘une tasse de the’. For the second hour, each member speaks for a few minutes on an agreed topic, which might be ‘a memorable holiday’ or ‘one of my relations’ or something general and accessible. Our next meeting’s topic is ‘Le chaleur’; we will all have something to say about heat!
In the last two years we have lost members and are now down to 5, so we would welcome anyone who wishes to join. Some knowledge of French is necessary, but you do not need to be an expert.
Gardening 1
Read and see photos from the previous visit to Bridge End Cottage in this separate feature post.
On Thursday, 15th September, Gardening 1 will visit 68 Church Road, Earley, Reading, RG6 1HU. This is a NGS garden, new this season. There are lots of areas of interest including a pergola with a living roof. There is also an abundance of summer bedding plants. The greenhouse is home to alpines grown year-round. Lots of areas to enjoy. The cost will be £7.50, which includes tea.
History
If you enjoy History, why not join our History Group? Talks given by the members range from local to international events. We are fortunate to have Brigitte Mitchell, a local historian and author in our group, as well as those who just enjoy discussions. If you are interested or would like more details, please email the convenors, Val and Bob Gardner. We meet on the 2nd Monday of each month.
History of Design
The group took a trip to the birthplace of modern democracy this summer. Runnymede, mostly owned by the National Trust, is the site of two famous monuments and one modern work of art which the group wanted to see. Each marks humanity’s struggle for justice and liberty in different ways.
The most famous, the Magna Carta memorial, was erected by the American Bar Association to mark the sealing of the charter by King John in 1215.
The memorial commemorating the life of US President, John F Kennedy, stands on an acre of ground which Britain gave to the US following his assassination in 1963.
The third installation that interested the group was the collection of 12 bronze chairs placed around an invisible table. The artwork is a direct reference to Clause 39 of Magna Carta, which states that no man can be imprisoned “except by the lawful judgment of his equals or by the law of the land”.
Sculptor Hew Locke’s intricate work, entitled The Jurors, incorporates imagery depicting the law and key moments in people’s fight for freedom and equal rights. It features references to the Suffragettes, Gandhi and Nelson Mandela, among many others. Each chair, front and back, has a main image embellished with flowers, keys and other symbols which delighted and informed members of the group. Visitors are encouraged to be seated and contemplate and taking full advantage of that invitation are (from left) Marion and Trevor Andrews, Diana Stacey, Chris Dufty, (convenor), Georgina Blight, John Coke and Gill Hepsworth. I took the photo. Sue White
Local History
We meet in Windsor Methodist Church Hall in Alma Road, Windsor SL4 3HH and talks start at 2-30pm. You do not need to book. Admission is £3.00 on the door, to cover the cost of the speaker, room hire and refreshments. New members are warmly welcome. There are one or two parking spaces on site, but we ask that these spaces are left for Blue Badge holders and others with mobility issues. The nearest borough council car parks are at East Berks College and in Alma Road, details on the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead website. The church hall is accessible by wheelchair and has a toilet for disabled people.
- 26th September: Queen Victoria famously said: “We are not amused” So what did amuse the Victorians? Antony Wood will hopefully tickle our fancy with the answers.
- 31st October: Tony Howe, a Blue Badge guide, will relate the History of St Peter & St Andrews Church and Graveyard, Old Windsor on this its 800th Anniversary.
- 28th November: Grace Evans, Keeper of Costume at Chertsey Museum, will give another fascinating talk to accompany their new exhibition: Styled Bodies – Fashions of the 1930s.
Jane Standley
MOTO 3 (Members On Their Own 3)
This group meets on the second Sunday of every month. The next meeting will be on 11th September, venue is to be the Fifield Inn. If you would like to join, please email the convenor, Kate Fagence.
Kate’s contact details are visible if you log-in.
Members of MOTO 3 enjoying a pre-lunch drink and a chat at the Bridge at Paley Street in July.
Kate Fagence
Music Groups
The three music groups hosted by David Oldcorn will meet on the usual days in September; Ballet on the 1st September, Show Music on the 15th September and Classical Music on the 25th September, as far as holidays allow.
The Ballet Group will watch a superb ballet performed by the Royal Danish Ballet.
The Classical Music Group will watch and listen to a full-length concert.
The Show Music Group will have the chance to make their own choice as to what to watch and hear.
David often selects the music to share with his groups, but he is happy for any group member to make a request. He can usually locate, show, and/or play them on his large television screen or excellent sound system. Newcomers are always welcome.
Tea and Jazz
On Tuesday 27th September we will meet at 2-00pm in Datchet Village Hall and will feature a talk and live performance by Jon Woodhouse. Jon played the clarinet in army bands before embarking on a career as music teacher, teaching clarinet, saxophones and jazz improvisation. In addition to telling us about his life in music, Jon will play his clarinet and saxophones to recorded backings and explain how they function. There will be 5 sizes of saxophone on show. We are sure this will be an interesting and enjoyable presentation and look forward to seeing you. As usual there will be a £5.00 charge towards the cost of hiring the hall and refreshments.
Shorter Walks
Shorter Walks Walking Group: Meet at 2:00pm on Wednesday, 28th September at Marsh Lane Car Park, Dorney. Lynda Eadle is organising this walk which will follow a flat, gravel path to Taplow Lake. There is a café at Taplow Lake. To get to the car park you need to go through Eton Wick; turn left as if you were going to the Dorney Garden Centre and follow the road passing the entrance of the rowing lake. Pass over the bridge (M4 below). On the left-hand side is a white gate and a 30mph sign. Turn left into the car park to start the walk. Members of the group please contact Lynda or Pat Oldcorn to confirm.
Contact details are visible if you log-in.
Windsor Area Walking Group
This month, starting from Dorney Court Garden Centre car park, we will walk along the Jubilee River towards Maidenhead, cut across farmland to Bray Lock, then return along the Thames Path, which is about 5 miles.
Contact details, time and exact venue details are visible if you log-in.
Committee Contact Details
Simply rotate your screen horizontal to see full width of table.
| Committee Members’ Contact Details | ||
|---|---|---|
| Chairman: | Peter Todd | chairman@windsoru3a.org.uk |
| Secretary: | Dave Humphries | secretary@windsoru3a.org.uk |
| Treasurer: | David Treder | treasurer@windsoru3a.org.uk |
| Data Administrator: | Derek Gadd | dataadmin@windsoru3a.org.uk |
| Groups’ Coordinator: | Sue White | u3agroups@windsoru3a.org.uk |
| Website Administrator: | Dave Humphries | webeditor@windsoru3a.org.uk |
| Membership Secretary: | Kate Fagence | membership@windsoru3a.org.uk |
| Newsletter Editor: | Jackie Wiggins | newsletters@windsoru3a.org.uk |
| Speaker Organiser: | Joanna Wattis | speakers@windsoru3a.org.uk |
Credits and Contributions
This Newsletter was compiled by Jackie Wiggins, then adapted for web publication by Dave Humphries. This web version allows us to make minor updates after release, typically to correct errors and omissions notified shortly after release (at the beginning of the titled month).
We welcome contributions from any member, not just convenors, so if you have enjoyed a u3a organised event, why not share that (and show appreciation to the organisers) by writing a short report, ideally with some photos, please send to newsletters@windoru3a.org.uk
Readers may notify an error or omission via e-mail or logged in members can use the Comments area below to convey their thoughts on this particular edition.