Our lead photo shows one of our convenors addressing new members at the New Members Cream Tea meeting, held on 4 November in Castleview’s Sky Lounge.
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Happy Christmas 2024
“An Afternoon of Games, Quizzing, Singing and Dancing”
Gardeners Hall, 213 St Leonard’s Road, Windsor, SL4 3DR
On Wednesday, 11th December we will celebrate Christmas at our Monthly Speaker Meeting. Our ‘speakers’ will be Linda Chanan, who will lead a variety of dances; Adele McNally, who will lead us in ‘Singing for Fun song’; John Wiggins who will entertain with a quiz. Thanks go to them and the ladies helping in the kitchen. Welcome to those members who have pre-booked and apologies to those on the waiting list who are unable to join in due to fire regulations which limit numbers.
Your committee also thank the ladies who diligently register attendance at the Speaker Meetings each month and the members who help set out chairs before the start of Speaker Meetings and stack them away at the end.
Thanks also go to Dave Humphries who is no longer eligible to be a committee member, having served for the maximum number of years. Dave continues his support for Windsor and District u3a as web master and audio-visual technician at Speaker Meetings. Thank you, Dave.
Committee News
Committee Membership and Volunteering
Where have all the volunteers gone? On committees every one?
Could you be a member of the Third Age Trust Board or Council?
The u3a is moving to a new governance structure with a smaller Board, that will focus primarily on the governance of the Third Age Trust, and a new Council that will represent the voice of u3as. Nominations are open now for both Trustees of the Board and Council members. This is an exciting change that gives u3a members more of a voice than ever before. Details of each role and nomination forms can be found on the election page of the u3a website. The deadline for nominations is Thursday, 19th December 2024.
The Third Age Trust has a new CEO. Below is an extract from a letter from him.
“As I start to settle into my role of CEO of The Third Age Trust, one of the big projects I am working on is the formation of the new u3a Council. This marks a major transformation in the governance of the u3a movement, a change that was overwhelmingly supported by members at the Third Age Trust AGM. The first step of this process has begun, with nominations for the u3a Council and the Board open now. I strongly encourage every u3a member reading this to consider putting themselves forward for one of the roles.”
Best wishes
Iain Cassidy (CEO of the Third Age Trust)
…. and from the Thames Valley Network (TVN) of u3as ….
‘To all our members,
TVN are in the process of moving forward and, hopefully, with new ideas. We want to be a network which can assist, advise (when asked) and continue with events as we have been doing in the past. BUT to do all this we need new input.
Thames Valley Network needs members to join the Committee. This is an opportunity to bring in fresh ideas and shape the future of our Network. The work is not onerous, we only meet as a committee 4 times a year and join the Reps meetings 4 times a year. Please do think about this, as without a functioning committee Thames Valley Network cannot continue. The constitution allows us to have 4 officers + no more than 5 additional committee members. To date we’ve been operating with just 3 extras! Although the positions certainly aren’t onerous, there have been times we’ve needed assistance.
Please do think about it. We’ll welcome your ideas and opinions.
Faye Sinai Chair : Faye Sinai Chair@u3atvnetwork.org.uk
Vice Chairman: David Morton Vicechair@u3atvnetwork.org.uk
The objectives of the U3A Thames Valley Network are to advance the education of members of u3as in the region and encourage the provision of leisure activities for their social welfare, all by facilitating cooperation between U3As in the network. TVN belongs to us in Windsor and District u3a in that we are part of it. Much of their current activity is online Welcome – u3a Thames Valley Network. There may be past Windsor committee members who would be interested in volunteering as well as any others and if a member from Windsor sat on the board, may be TVN would arrange more events in this area.
Portable Appliance Testing (PAT)
This involves the inspection of portable electrical appliances and equipment to make sure they are safe to use in work and public places. It usually involves both visual and electrical inspections. To help ensure the safety of our members who use electrical equipment as part of their groups’ activities or at other general meetings, the committee decided to test the portable appliances owned by Windsor and District u3a. Carol Crago, our u3a’s secretary rounded up all the appliances and equipment we own and Dave Humphries, our web master and recently retired committee member was able to undertake testing for us. Dave has a background of working with the BBC to develop their policies and training courses in electrical safety. He is well qualified to carry out this testing. Thank you, Dave.
Dave reports, “The result: all equipment (Class 1 and Class 2) passed tests, but several problems were found with cables, ranging from incorrectly rated fuses for the cable/connector (e.g. 13A replaced by 3, 5 or 10A), disposal or cable retermination to 13A plugs with loose screws, or bad cable sheath gripping, plus destruction of two home-made cables with dangerous internal wiring. All bar one cable problem was identified at the ‘competent/experienced visual inspection’ stage of testing, the exception being a moulded 13A-IEC with intermittent continuity.
Based on predicted usage, I deemed a retest period of three years was adequate for all items. However, the committee should insist that any new equipment or cables introduced into u3a group operations, or damage noticed to existing, are assessed for safety by myself, or another competent person.”
New Members’ Meeting
On November 4th, Kate Fagence, Membership Secretary, organised a well-attended cream tea reception for new members. Kate was supported by committee members and convenors who answered questions and explained how Windsor and District u3a works and how to get the best out of what is on offer.
Interest Group News
Chess
The Chess Group now meets at 10:30 every Monday (apart from Bank Holidays) at The Bridge Cafe in Datchet. Please contact David Oldcorn if you would like to know more
Contact details are visible if you log-in.
Creative Writing for Fun 1
If you are interested, in writing just for the fun of it and having a good laugh this group may be for you. There are places available in the Monday afternoon group.
We do not critique work; the group is all about letting your imagination go wild without fear, in an environment full of encouragement, acceptance, and good will.
We meet on the third Monday of the month at 2-00pm.
Please contact Ann Vaughan.
Contact details are visible if you log-in.
Event Cinema
This group was formed with the idea of viewing theatre, ballet and opera productions that the UK’s top arts companies live-stream to cinemas across the UK.
The nationwide scheme is known as Event Cinema and participating theatre companies include the National Theatre, the Royal Ballet and Opera, based at Covent Garden, and leading theatres, such as The Bridge and the Young Vic.
Our u3a group has chosen to see these events at Norden Farm Arts Centre in Maidenhead, where there is free parking and a friendly bar and restaurant.
The group launched not long before the Covid pandemic struck and, as a result, died a Covid death as the restrictions on socialising tightened.
Sue White, the convenor, is now aiming to revive the group but because such a long time has elapsed, wants to draw the membership’s attention to the group – especially that of our new members.
If you would like to know how the group works, with a view to joining, please contact Sue.
Logged in members can see contact details.
Explore London 1
We have had 2 walking tours this month. The first was the final instalment of Adele and Alan’s Clapham trilogy. We explored the historically upmarket north side, towards Clapham old town. There we saw the palatial residence where Edvard Grieg stayed when he was in London. Adele revealed that he and she share a common ancestor. They obviously share a musical gene as well!
We also visited Holy Trinity, Clapham. We found a plaque to the Clapham Sect, a group dedicated to the abolition of slavery. William Wilberforce and Henry Venn were both members.
Further on we came to Venn Street, which was named after Henry Venn, the philanthropist. A plaque informed us it was dedicated to his grandson, John Venn, the mathematician, who was the creator of the Venn Diagram. We certainly learned a great deal about the history and characters of this part of London. Pictures below courtesy of Alan.
Our next walk was in the London Borough of Ealing where Anne led us through part of the Brent Valley, looking at industrial and architectural sites. We admired Brunel’s viaduct with its magnificent arches and brickwork. Queen Victoria is said to have enjoyed it as she stopped the royal train while crossing it, to take in the view.
After viewing the viaduct, we wended our way along the River Brent until we came to the point where the river joins the Grand Union Canal. The flight of locks here are amazing. Some of us had a go at opening one of the gates. The walls of Hanwell Asylum flanked one side of the canal designed by William Cubitt. This has now become St Bernards hospital, part of West London NHS Trust. The older parts are often used in film sets. Finally, we arrived at Three Bridges, where the road, canal and railway intertwine. Brunel’s solution to adding the railway line was to take it into a cut underneath the canal, a true feat of engineering genius.
We learnt that Hanwell, mentioned in the Domesday Book, holds one of the oldest carnivals in London. The day was full of discoveries of a part of London, so close and yet so unfamiliar to most of the group. Thanks to Anne and also Peter for the photos.
Explore London 2
What a little gem we discovered when we walked round the corner from Faringdon Underground Station. Maggie had booked an Art and Architecture tour of Charterhouse. We found ourselves in Charterhouse Square, a very sedate part of the City of London, entering Tudor style buildings, fronted by a knot garden.
We learnt that the name Charterhouse is a corruption of the French town ‘Chartreuse’. After the Reformation, an order of Carthusian monks from Chartreuse was housed in the building. One of the ‘public’ rooms is in the footprint of the monastery’s refectory. The original Tudor buildings suffered significant bomb damage during WW2. They have been sympathetically restored and now demonstrate the colour and ornate detail that would have been seen in that period.
In the Chapel we found memorials to famous past scholars of Charterhouse School. Among them are Baden-Powell (Scouting movement), Robert Boyle (chemist), William Beveridge (social reformer), Robert Graves (poet and novelist), David and Jonathan Dimbleby (TV presenters), Ralph Vaughn-Williams (composer). The school was founded by Thomas Sutton in 1611 on the site of the monastery. Today, the school is an independent, boarding school in Godalming. Many of our group were surprised. We thought the school was still in the City of London!
Our day continued with lunch in a pie and mash shop and a bonus visit to St. Bartholomew’s, just the other side of Smithfield meat market. In the church we were able to appreciate the atmosphere, architecture and artwork to the strains of a professional music group, including a singer, in rehearsal for a concert in the church, that evening.
Although St. Bartholomew’s is London’s oldest parish church, it houses some very modern pieces of artwork. Thank you, Maggie, for leading an inspiring day out.
Jackie Wiggins
Having Fun with Puzzles
This group meets on the 2nd Monday of each month at 2-30pm in The Bells of Ouzeley, the Harvester on the Straight Road, Old Windsor. The group would welcome more members to join them for a bit of thinking and a lot of laughs.
Convenor contact details are visible if you log-in.
Jane McGrath
History of Design
Georgina Blight, was a member of the History of Design group. Her passing really feels like the end of an era. She was a founder member of Windsor and District u3a and Number 1 on our membership list. Georgina was always ready to share her knowledge of architecture and design – her insights were invaluable to us all. Georgina’s presence will be sadly missed. Chris Dufty.
Georgina was a member of many u3a groups and convenor of some, including Ethics, the original Explore London group, a Current Affairs and an Economics group. A wonderful lady and extremely active u3a member.
Logged in members can see contact details.
Jazz at The Hope
Bob Parsons writes, “Louden Masterton’s recitals are always very thoughtful and on the button as far as accessible jazz is concerned. There is always a theme, and there is always gentle humour.
The theme last month was held back until the end, when Louden revealed that all the recordings were released in 1957, a very good year for the young Louden, and he rounded off with Francis Albert Sinatra’s beautifully understated “It Was A Very Good Year” (composer Irvin Drake. Arranged by Gordon Jenkins and starting in the very plaintive D Minor). This was recorded by Sinatra in 1966. The 1957 recordings were:- “Splanky” featuring The Count Basie Orchestra; written and arranged by Neal Hefti, with Tenor solo by Eddy “Lockjaw Davis: “When the World Was Young”, sung by June Christy with an all-star backing band: “Gee “Baby, Ain’t I Good to You”, Humphrey Lyttelton’s Band, featuring Kathy Stobart on tenor sax. … I won’t list the rest but am happy to supply if anyone is interested…”
“All members of u3a are welcome to join the group at The Hope. Our next meeting is on (sorry) Friday, 13th December. This will be a ‘Members’ Choice’ programme of CDs. Kick-off is at 10-30am, but you are advised to arrive before that so we can get everyone settled for a prompt start. I (Bob Parsons) am scheduled to present at the meeting on 10th January. I am still working on my recording, but I can tell you I am starting with a couple of items from Benny Goodman’s landmark concert at Carnegie Hall on 16th, January 1938 – 87 years ago! and still sounding excellent.”
Please come and meet us at The Hope pub in Alma Road on Friday, 13th December between 10-30am and 12-30pm. Please contact Pauline Thompson with any queries.
Convenor contact details are visible if you log-in.
Local History – A Royal Christmas?
Our last meeting of the year is on Monday, 25th November at 2-30pm in Windsor Methodist Church and will get us into the festive mood with mince pies and other Christmas goodies. We are especially delighted to welcome Siobhan Clarke, who is a guide/lecturer for the Historic Royal Palaces based at Hampton Court, as well as a published author. Her talk explores Christmas over the centuries and how the royals have shaped our own celebrations.
Jane Standley
Music Appreciation
Please contact David Oldcorn for details.
Contact details are visible if you log-in.
National Trust Outings
The National Trust Outings Group has had a busy year and their calendar for 2025 is filling up with offers from members to lead outings, which is encouraging for the convenors. If there are any members who would like their names added to this group, please contact Pat Oldcorn or Jackie Wiggins.
The group’s most recent outing was to Stourhead NT to see the house dressed for Christmas and to appreciate features of the landscape garden. Photos from the trip are visible here.
On Facebook Sheila Allen wrote, “Just back from a super day with the u3a NT group. A coach trip to Stourhead in Wiltshire. A beautiful house with a lovely Christmas tree in every room. We were then whisked away for afternoon tea at a nearby village and were fed like royalty. And the finishing touch was back to Stourhead for the woodland light show. Very beautiful. Thank you, Jackie Wiggins for organising it.”
I must compliment the Codford Tea Room owner and staff. They gave us an extremely warm welcome and paid full attention to special needs and requests. Scones and cakes were both baked in their kitchen and servings were more than adequate. Most of us came home with our cake wrapped in tin foil !! We were too full to eat it all.
Thanks go to members who visited Stourhead NT on 29th November. They trialled instructions for entering ICE (In Case of Emergency) information into their mobile phones. . All, but two succeeded. They do not have phones capable of carrying this information and the two ladies concerned will carry a written note of their emergency contact details in their phone case or purse.
Singing For Fun
I am sorry to report that our dear friend and loyal member, John Turner recently passed away. He had a beautiful singing voice and we enjoyed listening to him. As convenor, I especially valued his contribution. For many years at St. Agnes, he took responsibility for opening up, putting the heating on, setting out the chairs and refreshment table. He helped me unload the car and pack everything away again afterwards. I am sure Singing for Fun members will miss him and count themselves fortunate to have known him. He was a real gentleman.
Adele McNally
Tea and Jazz
Please note there will be no Tea and Jazz in December, but we have already booked a band for January next year. On 28th January 2025 we will welcome back the Dixieland Swing Kings, a 6-piece band who were very popular with members when they played for us in July.
We would like to thank members for their support in 2024, this has enabled us to book top, professional jazz bands throughout the year. Special thanks are due to Marie, Michael, Ann and Elizabeth for all their kind help.
All u3a members – from any u3a branch – are welcome. There is no need to book – just turn up on the day. There is a fee of just £10.00 cash to pay towards the cost of the band, hall hire and refreshments.
Performances start at 2-00pm, with a break halfway for tea and cakes and finish at about 3-45pm.
There is some parking outside Datchet Village Hall (SL3 9HR) and when this is full, there is a public car park a short distance back towards Datchet village centre that is also available.
Peter Cheeseman
Convenor contact details are visible if you log-in.
Ukulele
The Merry Ukes of Windsor has had a busy, productive year. In May, Phil Doleman, our ukulele maestro, ran another Workshop afternoon for us. We were delighted when he joined us in the morning, too for our Singing with Ukes session when he was happy to participate and be part of the group. His workshops are challenging, fun and always stretch us, bringing fresh ideas to incorporate into our sessions.
In the meantime, Clive has been nurturing the Beginners Class and we’re looking forward to them joining us for general group sessions next year.
We have performed gigs at Foxleigh Nursing Home in Holyport, Spencer Denney Centre in Windsor, George VI Day Centre, the Mountbatten Grange Care Home, the Welsh Society and Castleview. We enjoy engaging with the audience and aim to provide an entertaining, relaxed atmosphere. We even had a brush with ukulele “royalty” when a lady at Mountbatten Grange remembered a school coach trip to the London Palladium to see George Formby. Luckily, “Leaning on a Lamp Post”, one of our songs that day, sparked a happy memory!
When Adele’s neighbour invited us to perform at the Welsh Society in September, we were keen to connect with some appropriate songs for our audience. Joined by some of our stalwart singers, the repertoire included “All Through the Night” and “Delilah” – both were sung with great gusto and enthusiasm by everybody.
At our most recent gig at Castleview, our fifteenth since we started, eleven players performed. Four of the group were people who joined us two years ago when we ran a course, ‘Learn to play the Ukulele for Xmas in 8 weeks.’ Their sterling performances showed that they could no longer call themselves ‘Beginners’!
Some members of our group researched and introduced songs for the first time. Addressing an audience was daunting for them. The group performed admirably. Comments such as “Very professional!”, “Enjoyable!”, “Great fun and good choice of songs”, were gladly received!
This group is a true testament to what the U3A can do for us all and the wider community, if we care to engage! We are proud of them and their leaders.
u3a Amblers
Dave Humphries writes: “On Thursday 7th November, I was joined by 17 members for an amble along the relatively new, gravel Thames-side footpath that runs between the French Brothers moorings in Old Windsor and the recreation ground in Runnymede. It was a dull, grey morning and in order to keep out of the wet grass, we simply walked there and back and enjoyed an extended chat in the National Trust Tea Rooms, from where we had set off.“
Convenor contact details are visible if you log-in.
Coffee Mornings
Come And Meet Each Other
Coffee mornings run from 10-30am to 12-00pm, why not drop in between those times?
All members are welcome to attend any and all of coffee mornings.
Central Windsor
Cinnamon Café in Windsor Central Station
These are held on the first Tuesday of each month, organised by Linda Saunders.
Next on Tuesday, 3rd December.
Logged in members can see Linda’s e-mail address and number.
Old Windsor
The Bells of Ouzeley, Straight Road, Old Windsor, SL4 2SH
These are held on the first Wednesday of each month, organised by Jo Wattis.
Next on Wednesday, 4th December. This month, the group will be lunching after the coffee morning.
Logged in members can see Jo’s e-mail address and number.
West Windsor
The Vine and Fig Tree Café, All Saints’ Church, Dedworth, SL4 4JW.
These are held on the third Wednesday of each month, in the newly refurbished café, hosted by Jackie Wiggins and others.
NO COFFEE MORNING THIS MONTH.
Next on Wednesday, 15th January 2025.
Logged in members can see Jackie’s e-mail address.
Sunningdale
The Restaurant, Hilliers Garden Centre, off A30 between Sunningdale and Bagshot, GU20 6LQ
These are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month, organised by Ollie.
NO COFFEE MORNING THIS MONTH.
Next on Tuesday, 28th January 2025.
Logged in members can see Ollie’s e-mail address.
Datchet
The Bridge Ecumenical Café, The Village Green, Datchet, SL3 9JH
These are held on the fourth Wednesday of each month, hosted by Jackie Wiggins and other lovely people in Datchet.
NO COFFEE MORNING THIS MONTH.
Next on Wednesday, 22nd January 2025.
Logged in members can see Jackie’s e-mail address.
These coffee mornings are for all members, not just new members, but new members are welcome.
Although in specific neighbourhoods, all members are welcome to attend any and all of the coffee mornings.
They are a good way to meet members who are not in the same Interest Groups as you.
If you arrive and find the ‘u3a table’ is fully occupied, PLEASE make yourself known before settling elsewhere on your own or in a splinter group. Depending on the venue, it may well be possible to enlarge the circle, or take over/join on another table.
U3A Online
Thames Valley Network Diary Dates
All events are on Zoom unless otherwise stated.
NB You must book a few days in advance of the date(s) shown below and often a small cost is involved.
View TVN home page and scroll down to list of events with TicketSource booking buttons.
Flyers with more information are available there too.
Further events are always being planned, keep an eye on their diary via link above.
National u3a offerings
The national u3a runs many projects, initiatives and competitions – available for all members.
See their Latest News page for national events and opportunities.
Use their Podcasts Playlist (on YouTube) to listen to something interesting (with subtitles).
Interest Groups Online (IGOs)
Interest Groups Online (IGO) is an online community of learners. Those who subscribe to IGO can participate in our online interest groups and also access the u3a national learning.
IGO Help and Information
u3a Friends
Read the Newsletter in your browser.
u3a Friends Extra
A new range of benefits, offers and services exclusively for members of our u3a Friends community. The benefits include discounts for shopping, travel, insurance and more – and we hope really to add to your u3a experience.
Access the Friends Extra website here.
Credits and Contributions
Thank you to all who have contributed to this month’s newsletter.
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
The copy date for our next Newsletter is 15th December 2024
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.
This Newsletter was compiled by Jackie Wiggins, then adapted for web publication by Dave Humphries. This web version allows us to hide certain data from all but logged in members, plus occasionally make minor updates after release, typically to correct errors and omissions notified promptly.
Committee Contact Details
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| Committee Members’ Contact Details | ||
|---|---|---|
| Chairman: | Peter Todd | chairman@windsoru3a.org.uk |
| Vice Chair: | Martin Pritchett | vicechair@windsoru3a.org.uk |
| Secretary: | Carol Crago | secretary@windsoru3a.org.uk |
| Treasurer: | David Treder | treasurer@windsoru3a.org.uk |
| Data Administrator: | Derek Gadd | dataadmin@windsoru3a.org.uk |
| Groups’ Coordinator: | Mo Salter | 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 |