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Oswestry Borders University of the Third Age
Growing numbers
Special points of interest:
Members’ mirth
Say hello-new members
Festive meeting plans
Tatton Park Visit
Shropshire U3A Network
Borders Bulletin Autumn 2014 Volume 2, Issue 4
Remember to get your
ticket (£1) for the
forthcoming Festive
Members’ Meeting on
Wednesday, December 17.
See Page 10 for more.
Inside this issue:
2015 Summer Schools 2
Interest Groups 3—6
Speakers & Members’ Meetings
7-8
Membership Report 9
Future Meetings 10
Interest Group Information 11
Monthly Planner 12
Autumn 2014 has seen an encouraging rise in new interest groups, increased
attendances at our Wednesday meetings, and a steadily growing membership.
We now have 150 members (105 full and 45 associates).
We’ve seen the introduction of smaller interest groups (German and Aspiring
Music Makers), each with just a couple of members meeting to develop their new
learning. Some groups have combined, with joint leadership. Others, like Singing,
which had a slow take-up in the first year, have suddenly blossomed, leading to
the need for a larger meeting place.
A local public house, the Black Lion in Oswestry, has become a popular venue,
with three of our interest groups (Singing, Rail Rattlers and Art Appreciation)
meeting there each month.
September is a month when many people consider new learning courses. Keen
to tap into this opportunity, the P.R. team, along with several member volunteers,
staged two very successful promotion events at Oswestry Library.
We were asked to
join organisations in
Oswestry to talk
about the U3A to
visitors at the library’s
‘Get Into Learning’
event.
This was followed by
Borders’ own annual
promotion with a
stand in the library foyer for a couple of weeks. Many thanks to all the volunteers
who helped talk and give flyers and information about our meetings and groups to
interested people. Special thanks to Sally Barrett for the display photographs of
interest group activities – a big draw to encourage visitors over to the stand.
Special guest at Rail Rattlers’ October meeting was local sports-
woman, Amy Hughes, who holds the world record for completing
53 marathons (1388 miles), run over 53 consecutive days
across Britain. Amy is very close to reaching her goal of £53,000
for brain tumour charity.
Library stand
Rattlers meet runner
They tell me Christmas is coming but I’m less sure about the fatness of the
geese. We continue to be busy in Borders U3A, with some very well attended
meetings and some quite lively sessions over tea afterwards. This is all good, for
we not only need to have meetings that spark people’s interest in the topic, but
also to knit our community more closely together.
One of the recent innovations, the agreement with Oswestry U3A about associate
membership seems to be rather successful, with each of the two U3As having
substantial numbers of associates from the other one. No doubt this larger pool of
members is part of the reason for the larger audiences, but it is good to see that
many people are getting something from it.
Dave Stirling, Chairperson
Chairperson’s message
U3A Summer Schools 2015
Shropshire’s Harper Adams
University in Newport will
host several U3A Summer
Schools next July (Monday
July 13 to Thursday July 16).
The courses at Newport
include:
Art History
La Belle Epoque, France.
Creative Writing
Short Fiction
Film History
Directors in Focus
French
Regards sur la France
d’aujourd’hui
Philosophy/Literature
Novel ideas- winning words
Practical Theatre
Project – In our Time
Recorder Ensemble
Shakespeare and the
Supernatural
What is this thing called
Mathematics?
Page 2
Borders Bulletin Volume 2 Issue 4
Courses at the other Summer
School venue, the Royal
Agricultural University in
Cirencester, (same dates) are:
20th Century American Drama
Garden Design
Golden Age of Rome
La Bella Italia
Literature
Diaries, letters and memoirs
Music
from around the world
Scandinavian Noir
Science
Skywatching in the 21st century
Singing for Pleasure
Writing
Biography with a Difference
Members’ successes
It’s always very encouraging to hear how members have taken
their interest group work further.
David Ryan, a member of the ICT group, has published his first
ebook with Amazon Kindle. ‘The Last Dinosaur’, a short anthology
of verse, costs £1.92 and contains 28 poems written by David.
Click on the book image to find out more details.
Sally Barrett has exhibited her glass
sculture ‘Kelp’ at Trefonen Garden
Club AGM Art & Craft Exhibition.
This is the first time Sally has exhibited
(except photos) since 1969.
Shropshire U3A Network news
Three Shropshire U3A Network events were held this year, two at Harper Adams
and one at Ironbridge.
Members were told about two new documents. ‘U3A Going Forward’ sets out
ideas to raise the profile of the U3A movement, facilitate growth and promote the
benefits of self help learning. The second document, ‘More Time to Learn’ is
available to view or download from the national U3A website.
Meetings that focus on special topics, such as governance issues or setting up
websites, are being considered for Shropshire U3As.
The University of Wolverhampton is working on a policy to develop lifelong
learning and will be seeking to establish contacts with West Midlands U3As.
The Third Age Trust three year plan seeks to encourage local U3As to make
increasing use of IT for running the U3A, in study day activities and encouraging
interest groups to develop learning through the use of the internet. Shropshire
Network is considering training sessions, drawing on recent findings of the
Regional Trustee for Wales.
Interest Groups
Page 3
Two interest groups have been suggested by member, June Self. Please let me know if you are interested: Biography – to meet monthly with members agreeing subjects to research and present to the group.
Tai Chi – June Self is offering to lead this group. This is what she says:
‘Butterfly Tai Chi is a very soft and gentle form of Tai Chi which exercises internal
organs, such as the heart, liver, kidneys and lungs. It was devised by a Taoist
monk who, when one day watching a butterfly frantically flapping its wings,
realised the butterfly was generating blood flow to every part of its body. It is
based on the theory of Ying and Yang and is often recommended in China for
such illnesses as high blood pressure, etc.’
June reassures us that there is no danger of falling over, having to pretend to be a
bear, tiger or lion, or standing on one leg. ‘I have adapted this form of Tai Chi for
my own needs and am sure you will all feel the benefits after a while,’ she says.
The recently formed Aspiring Music Makers continues to give its two members all
the necessary nudges to practise piano regularly. If anyone wants to start playing
a musical instrument, or, perhaps, polish up some rusty skills, they are very
welcome to join. Similarly, if any experienced players want to come along and help
others, please let us know.
We also have a fledgling group learning German – watch out for further details.
Art Appreciation has a new leader, Pat Evans, a new location at the Black Lion,
Oswestry, and a new time slot, second Wednesday of the month, 2—4 p.m.
Plans are underway for the Walking Group to restart under the joint leadership of
John Scorer and Dave Pass. It is envisaged that these walks will be relatively
challenging. Watch out for further details. If anyone is interested in short gentle
walks, participating and/or leading, please get in touch with me.
ICT has split into two groups – one for skills and the other for special projects.
Archaeology and Local History will combine under the joint leadership of Dave
Stirling and John Scorer and meet on the second Wednesday of the month at
2pm, often at Oswestry Cricket Club, though locations will vary.
The Singing Group has blossomed after a real increase in membership. It now
meets at the Black Lion in Salop Road, 10.30 am on the second and fourth
Wednesdays of each month.
We are steadily building up our Interest Group stats to help us understand the
bigger picture of interest trends and membership numbers. Many thanks to all
group leaders for supplying up-to-date information to Dave Pass, who collates the
information for the committee,
All enquiries regarding Interest Groups – either joining one, suggestions for a new
one or leading one, please contact me in the first instance:
Anne Lynch, Interest Group Co-ordinator
Borders Bulletin Volume 2, Issue 4
The Travel Group’s first trip to
Ludlow Food Festival in
September was a great success.
It was good to get back on the
bus after walking round all day!
Aspiring Music Makers Anne
Lynch and Jane Davies, with
the left hand not knowing what
the right hand is doing, but
having a good time trying.
Come and join us.
The Black Lion pub in Salop
Road, Oswestry, a popular
meeting place for Rail Rattlers,
Art Appreciation, and now,
Singing Interest Groups.
Newcomers, who are interested in
joining Oswestry Borders U3A are
encouraged to try us out first.
Potential members are entitled to two
visits before committing to member-
ship. This could include, for example,
a Wednesday meeting at The Centre
as well as an Interest Group visit.
If you have people in your group who
have used up their two visits, and
want to continue, they need to be
asked to join, either as an OBU3A full
or associate member.
To continue attending an interest
group without joining contravenes
national U3A insurance policy.
Leaders are asked to remind their
interest group members of this and to
give them Sally Barrett’s contact
details for membership forms.
The Art Appreciation Group is meeting
regularly again on the second
Wednesday of each month at 2 p.m. at
The Black Lion Pub, unless out and
about on trips.
In November we had a day out to
Manchester where we visited the Art
Gallery to view an exhibition of Flemish
Painters.
We also visited the Sensory Exhibition
which was very challenging, focussing
on images of war.
Our December meeting will be at Watkin
Drive, where there will be an Art Quiz
with a follow on discussion.
New members are very welcome.
Contact Pat Evans 07929914469 or
email [email protected].
Pat Evans
Our September studies were given
traditional Aussie hospitality – a
barbecue at The Drumbles.
Because of our large number we’ve
decided to have collaborative groups
presenting at meetings with short
cameo comments to keep the talk
moving. Others can opt to research a
different topic and relax and enjoy
these contributions
We all continue to enjoy reading many
books, shared by the group, about
Australia and we regularly exchange
book reviews.
A recent discussion about the
Federation raised as many questions
as it did answers.
Was it a Federation driven by the
vision of Sir Henry Parkes, Edward
Barton and Andrew Deacon, a UK
imposition, or fear of an external
threat (Russia, China, Japan)?
Art Appreciation members visited Cineworld in Shrewsbury recently to watch a special screening of The Vatican Museums in 3D.
Borders Bulletin Volume 2, Issue 4
It took twenty years to get the States to
agree to a Federation.
Western Australia and Queensland
played a big part in preventing the
Aboriginal people from getting the vote
(because they felt threatened by their
large numbers).
It was also agreed that Australia saw
itself as operating within the parameters
set by the UK, as an Empire leader.
In October Celia Todd’s wonderful
photos from the Northern Territories of
Kakadu took us to the famous wetlands
at Yellow Water Billabong and the
ancient, spiritual Aboriginal rock art of
Urbino (Crocodile Dundee film sets).
During the course of the 20th Century
Australia’s population expanded from 4
million to 23 million, November’s more
detailed discussion on immigration can
be viewed by clicking here.
Wendy Lodwick Lowdon
Walking
The Walking Group is reviving
itself, under the joint leadership
of David Pass and John Scorer. It
is proposed that there will be two
levels of walks. We are ruling out
over-simple flat walks of under
two hours.
Level 1: Walks of up to two to
three hours along designated
country paths. May involve stiles
and sloping ground.
Level 2: Longer more testing
walks which may be whole day
trips up to six hours. Terrain
could be rough and steep.
Weather permitting, we felt
Blakemere and Colemere would
be a good walk to start with. We
plan to meet at 10.00 a.m. on
December 15 at the car park at
the junction of the A495 and
A528 after Ellesmere.
It will be necessary to complete a
new list of interested members.
Please supply Dave Pass
01691655738
with your telephone number and
email (to help in the event of last
minute cancellations). We
welcome your suggestions for
new and different walks.
John Scorer and Dave Pass
Interest Group Leaders…
Are you covered?
Australian Studies
Page 4
Art Appreciation
Local History and
Archaeology is a newly
combined group, jointly
led by Dave Stirling and
John Scorer.
There is no December
meeting; the next one
will be in January (tba).
When the group is not
visiting specific locations,
it will usually meet at
Oswestry Cricket Club
on the 2nd Wednesday
of each month.
David Stirling
After a good start with
sessions at the Qube,
Oswestry, then a lull, it’s
encouraging to report we
now have six members
in the group, which
meets the first Monday
of each month to paint
and draw at the group
leader’s home in
Knockin.Sue Townsend
Borders Bulletin Volume 2, Issue 4
Page 5
Oswald Road - Carol Fahey
Bailey Street - Bobby Coleman
Willow Street - Dave Boulton
Beatrice Street - Elizabeth Lewis
Ash Road - Nicki Carmody
Welsh Walls- Betty & Eddie Anderson
Church Street - Anne Cherrie and
Jane Davies.
The December meeting at the Library
on Wednesday, December 10, has
been cancelled. Instead, members of
the group will meet at the Prezzo
Restaurant in Church Street,
Oswestry, at 6.30 p.m.
This is getting to be a regular haunt!
Nicki Carmody
Members of the group continue to work
on their family trees on an individual
basis, so we’ve been looking at ways
where we can collaborate more at group
meetings. A recent article in the local
Advertizer by former editor Sam Evans
about street names in Oswestry,
developed into a useful discussion.
We decided to each pick a street in
Oswestry and to start researching the
people living in our chosen street.
Initially, we’ll share the different sources
we’ve used to research. In time, we’ll
present the street and people to other
members of the group. Here are our
streets:
Local History and
Archaeology
ICT has now split into two smaller
groups. One group focuses on ICT
skills, meeting on the third Monday
each month. The range is from
beginners upwards. We have a
guided learning talk and a practical
session. Recently we’ve looked at
bookmarking favourite websites
and creating Table of Contents.
The projects group meets on the
first Thursday of the month. Our
current project is to produce an
ebook – poems and short stories
around a ‘Family’ theme. If anyone
would like to write one, you are
very welcome. So far we have 10
contributions. We’re not aiming to
become famous or make loads of
money. We just want to understand
more about the process of writing,
publishing and marketing ebooks.
To keep us all united, December
meetings will be combined into
one, for a lunchtime get together at
the Wynnstay Hotel, Oswestry, on
Monday December 15 at 12.30.
Jane Davies
Family History
Art
ICT
Singing
Recent publicity about our Singing Group has finally
made an impact, and several members of the former
OU3A Songsters have now joined us. So, Singing
has finally had to find larger premises than Anne
Lynch’s sunroom. We meet at the Black Lion in Salop
Road – the rent being we all buy a drink and a cake.
The larger numbers (17 at the last meeting, men and
women) mean that we are all enjoying our singing
sessions so much more – enough to agree to
‘perform’ at Members’ Festive Meeting in December.
David Ryan
Despite a good response to the new Jazz Group,
leader Richard Dibble has experienced problems
encouraging members to help organise/run meetings.
Richard will be away for two months in the New Year,
and on his return will be involved with other theatrical
commitments. He has therefore decided to stand
down as leader of the Jazz Group. If anyone is
interested in running the group, please contact Anne
Lynch or Richard Dibble.
Jazz
Those were the days, with no
traffic lights to control vehicles at
the cross roads in Church Street,
just a local traffic bobby.
Notice the Coach and Dogs in the
background, a former Garage, then
a butchers shop, and now it’s the
popular Textile Express.
We had a really good meeting with local sportswoman Amy Hughes, the 53
marathon in 53 days world record holder. This is an amazing feat, considering
that less that fifty years ago women were considered too delicate to do the
marathon, and were not allowed to run the marathon in the Oympics until 1984!
Amy talked about media coverage, practical support from companies, her
wonderful support team and the network of sportswomen who encourage each
other, promoting their achievements. Click here to find out more. Amy discussed
her next steps. She wanted to inspire young women to take up sport, to speak in
schools, to assist disabled and elderly people to extend their physical range, but
all this had to be balanced with earning a living. Our group suggestions included
charging school courses, and involving boys in her training programmes to
change attitudes towards sportswomen. This is Amy's website
December 11 discussion is witches and the winter solstice. There was some
mention of fancy dress.... Well, a hat or a cape or a broom perhaps!
Wendy Lodwick Lowdon
xx
Where has the summer
gone?! It seems only
yesterday when we were
planning visits to lovely
gardens, and now it is
cold and mostly wet, with
no more gardens to visit
this year. But the
Garden Group will not be
idle during the winter!
We had very successful
visits to Stevenshill,
Harnage in August and
Biddulph Grange, Stoke
on Trent, in September
(though I’m not sure that
Biddulph Grange
gardens really justified
the very long drive there
– a point to be taken into
account when planning
next year’s programme).
In October we changed
our planned talk on
Garden Designers to
plan our contribution to
January 21 Members’
Meeting at The Centre.
Rail Rattlers Borders Bulletin Volume 2, Issue 4
We were asked to present
a meeting on Invasive
Plants.
Garden Group members
have therefore been
enthusiastically research-
ing (we are NOT experts,
but are always willing to
learn and to share our
experience). We added
‘Non-Native’ to the title
and are using the RHS list
as guidance.
We will be making seven
short presentations to
include talks about the
Himalayan Balsam,
Rhododendron, Japanese
Knotweed, and the
Cotoneaster. You didn’t
know some of these are
considered invasive
plants?
Neither did we, so come
along, January 21, to find
out why they’re a problem.
Our next meeting on
Monday, December 8,
will be a Bring-A-Plate
meal at Margaret
Pritchard’s home, at 12
noon instead of the
usual 2 pm. We plan to
make a start on next
year’s programme.
We’ll skip January’s
meeting as we are
doing the Members’
Meeting on January 21.
Then on February 9
Garden Group member
Carol Ryan Ridout will
be talking about ‘The
History of Gardens’. On
March 9 OBU3A
member, Celia Todd,
who is also a Shropshire
Wildlife Trust warden,
will be talking to us
about the ‘Wildlife in Our
Gardens’, with emphasis
on flora. Both meetings
will be at my house.
New Garden Group
members are always
welcome – please
contact Anne Lynch in
the first instance.
Sally Barrett
Two potential members for
Oswestry Borders U3A?
They seem very interested in
the work of the Photography
Group at Penyfoel recently. Gardening
Page 6
OrganisingTravel Group To kick start the New Year,
we’re planning a ‘Something
for Everyone’ cultural and
shopping visit to Liverpool on
Wednesday, January 14.
Information flyers and booking
forms are available from the
Organising Travel team.
The trip will drop people off in
St George’s Square, close to
Walker Art Gallery, Museum of
Liverpool and St George's Hall
and 160 shops in the nearby
Shopping One Centre. The
coach fare will be around £10
but museum visits etc. will be
up to individuals.
We’ve made note of all trip
suggestions from members.
With Oswestry U3A Travel
Group, we plan to offer a rich
and varied 2015 programme.
The Organising Travel
committee will meet on
December 11 at the Lion Quays
Pam Broomby
Borders Bulletin Volume 2, Issue 4
Speaker Meetings
Tin Bath Short Epic
A challenge for November’s
members’ meeting which
guaranteed to stimulate
memories, association and
much laughter (See next
page).
At the meeting small groups
constructed a 50 word epic
story, with a beginning,
middle and end, containing
three words drawn from the
tin bath (pictured below,
with Wendy explaining the
rules). Some completed
epics, with set words in
italics, are shown below and
Diving dog
My brother and I descended
the river Dane in a sixteen
foot canoe with Glen, a
Jack Russell terrier,
perched like a carved
figurehead. The canoe hit
hidden mud and swerved
left so that Glen fell in. He
bobbed up but was loathe
to get back on board.
It was twilight when
Wendy went into the
garden recently. She was
moved to tears when she
accidentally stabbed
a toad with a fork while
she was gardening. She
placed it under a rock in
the dingy shed by
the pond in case it wanted
to lay some eggs later.
Ornithologist Keith Offord
stepped in at short notice in
September to treat us to a
seasonal journey through
his ‘Wild Wood’ near
Selattyn.
Keith captured many
magical moments for us,
with stories of the previous
owner ‘Bill the Wood’,
visiting native and migrating
birds, colourful flora and
fauna, and his constant
efforts to conserve and
improve the wood, working
on a pond and 40 nesting
boxes.
Travellers on the A5 can’t
miss the bison statue
outside Rhug Estate near
Corwen. In October Gareth
Jones told us about the
Estate’s farm livestock,
production, and marketing
brand. He described the
organic farming benefits of
Aberdeen Angus cattle,
lambs reared on salt
marshes, pigs, free range
chickens, turkey and geese
and wild game, even wild
forage on the three farms’
12,500 acres. Controlling the
whole process was key,
from using local Corwen
abattoir to their own cutting
plant and butchering team,
supplying their own
restaurant and shop, top
London restaurants and
hotels, with exclusive
contracts to Hong Kong,
Dubai, Singapore and
China,
With numerous
accreditations (Soil
Association, Halah Cutting
Plant, and Farmer of the
Year for owner Lord
Newborough) the Estate
has kept bison for eight
years. Not the easiest of
herds, but they are a
recognised attraction,
known for healthy meat, low
in fat and cholesterol.
A real firecracker of an
entertainer – that was the
audience verdict for our
November 5 guest speaker,
Ruth Moore Williams.
Musician and storyteller,
Ruth turned back time with
the history and mystery of
the border lands, the
magical place where
England meets Wales.
Through music, song and
humour, she shared her
stories and legends with us.
Members’ Meetings
A Piece of Music and A
Story included a classical
Canon contribution from
Geraint Pritchard on violin
and Maggie Houghton on
clarinet.
Richard Dibble gave us
Schubert, capturing his
ambitions to play on a
Steinway, and later some
New Zealand Maori rounds
(audience participation).
Rhona Harvey Robson’s
memories of a Moscow
holiday were evoked in
Rachmaninoff’s Second
Piano Concerto.
Paul Simon’s Graceland
transporting us to E. Africa
where Pat Broadhurst
lived for several years with
her family,
Glenys Lloyd played us the
Miners Hymn, written for 266
miners, killed in the tragic
explosion at local Gresford
Colliery. .
Highlight of the event goes
to Carol Carpenter who,
with costume props, played
the accompaniment music
as she shared her
experiences and love for
Morris dancing.
Page 7
Many thanks to
John Barrett for the
photos
xx
Members’ Mirth—The Tin Bath Short Epic Challenge Borders Bulletin Volume 2, Issue 4
Page 8
Our Short Epics (cont.)
Dad in the kitchen. Hokey
Pokey for the kids.
Sugar boiling.
Everything melting.
Add bicarb. (Thought) "Bad
time for the phone to ring."
Mixture now boiling ... and
boiling. Massive overflow.
Cooker, floor, cook and
dog soaking.
Lesson for the day - discov-
ered tsp does not mean table-
spoon. Welcome home Mum.
Tragedy on the Beach
Ted didn't expect to trip over
a mangle while he was running
along a part of the beautiful
and tranquil Welsh coastline.
He lost consciousness when
his head hit a rock but the
Coastguards were unable
to resuscitate him. It was a
shame about the jellyfish.
There was a critical village
cricket match on the green
under a threatening sky, when,
suddenly, the heavens opened
and the rain came down as if
a tap had been turned on.
The players were drowning in
the muddy pitch.
"Get him out for a duck", said
the fielding team.
The Mill and the Swan
We stopped for a drink at the
Black Swan on the way to
the Watermill. We ordered our
pints that looked so refreshing.
Several pints later we swanned
off to the Mill only to fall in
the mud.
Whereupon that landlord said,
" That's swan too many."
Tatton Park Visit Membership Report
We must be doing something right -
we’ve only been going for 20 months,
but already we’ve got 150 members!
Our lively Interest Groups are one
reason for our appeal, and these are
going well. A desire to widen our social
circle and make new friends influenced
many of us to join, and Interest Groups
are a good way of doing this.
Wednesday meetings at The Centre
have proved to be very popular, but can
present more of a challenge in making
new friends. Activities at Members’
Meetings do help break the ice, as
these pictures of November’s very
successful Tin Bath Challenge show.
Other approaches can be equally
successful. Like when we hear from
new members about you taking the time
to introduce yourself and sit down with
them over tea and have a chat. A few
friendly words can make all the
difference to someone who might be
struggling to ‘get out there and meet
new people’.
‘I was given such a warm welcome,
with strangers coming up to me and
chatting. It makes you want to come
here again, bring a friend, and get
Involved.’
Given such positive feedback, we’re
encouraging all members at every
meeting to try to talk to someone they
haven’t spoken to before (not just the
friend or partner we came with).
The tea/coffee sessions provide us with
an ideal opportunity to sit down at a
table with people we don’t know, rather
than the people we always sit with.
Committee members are usually busy at
Wednesday meetings with their various
tasks, but we’ve all agreed to make this
an integral part of our meetings.
A useful yardstick as to how friendly we
are is to imagine ‘I am joining anew on
my own, How comfortable would I feel
coming to Wednesday meetings?’
Now that we are more than half way
through the year, full membership of
OBU3A costs only £7.50. Associate
membership, for those people who are
full members of Oswestry U3A, stays at
£5 for the year 1st April – 31st March, but
is only valid while that person is still a full
member of the other U3A - Oswestry
U3A members are due to renew their
membership this month.
This scheme operates for both U3As –
we now have 45 Associate members
(about one tenth of OU3A’s total
membership) and apparently 25 of our
members are now Associate members of
OU3A (which is one sixth of our
membership).
I still have rather too many membership
cards in their plastic clip-on wallets
waiting to be collected by new members.
If you find it difficult to get to Wednesday
meetings, perhaps you could ask
someone in your Interest Group to collect
your card for you.
Sally Barrett
(Membership Secretary and Internal
Communications Secretary)
Page 9
Borders Bulletin Volume 2 Issue 4
Forty four members enjoyed a
magical trip to Tatton Park,
Cheshire, in November, when
the Hall was decorated as an
enchanted Mansion, with
‘Nutcracker’ scenes. We were
entertained by choirs and
glittering festive displays with
parkland garlands.
Costumed kitchen guides
offered festive treats and we
learnt how to create some
beautiful table decorations.
We strolled around the
amazing gardens, and bought
wares at the visiting gift fair.
A day we’ll long remember.
Facts and Figures
Future Speaker and Members’ Meetings
Bulletin contact information Jane Davies, Editor [email protected]
Oswestry was centre stage at the
October members’ meeting, when
Wendy Lodwick Lowdon highlighted
some of the best sources of information
for the town’s many activities. These
can be found on the library’s newsboard
and directory, together with local news-
papers and monthly magazines.
The library as a hub led Geraint
Pritchard, pictured opposite, dressed in
his mayoral robes, to talk about the
changes in government in Oswestry.
He expressed surprise and dismay at
the way in which significant local
governance with its own court and local
responsibilities has ended up in
Shrewsbury. What remains is now
conducted, with little privacy, in the
Library. He did acknowledge that in
some ways it is more efficient, but it
mocked the independence that had
been a characteristic of Oswestry since
it was granted its charter.
Madeleine Pass drew attention the
valuable and friendly work of the local
churches in Town and how they are a
source of support to new people.
Richard Dibble was referred to as a
guide about the Town and people were
informed that it was an entertaining and
interesting way to get to know the area.
David Stirling spoke about the activities
and aims of the Local History Group. He
detailed the visits that they had made to
significant sites in the Town. He outlined
a plan by the group to research the
inhabitants of one street in Oswestry.
David Pass mentioned that, inspired by
an earlier Speaker Meeting, he had
joined the group collating information
about Oswestry's old graves, and had
located a founding fathers’ grave.
One member praised the facilities at the
town’s Leisure Centre.
Wendy Lodwick Lowdon Page 10
Borders Bulletin Volume 2 Issue 4
Date Speaker / Subject
December 3 Sarah Gathercole - 'The Christmas Story in Art'
December 17 Festive Members’ Meeting
January 7 Gareth Tilsley - 'Patagonia - the Welsh Connection'
January 21 Garden Group—’Non-native Invasive Plants’
February 4 Dr Alfred Brameller—Life story from imprisonment
as a boy by the Russians to becoming a UK Doctor
of Science
Oswestry...Members’ Meeting
Festive Meeting
The Members’ Meeting on
December 17 at 2 p.m. will
have a festive theme.
The varied entertainment
programme will, hopefully,
have something for
all. Seasonal refreshments
will be served in addition
to the usual tea and coffee.
There will be a competition
(optional) for the best hand-
made Christmas Card and
Small Christmas Table
Decoration (these are to be
made prior to the meeting).
We will need to know the
number of members attending
for catering purposes, so
admission will be by ticket
only. Tickets are £1 and will
be available at meetings.
Pat Evans, Organiser
February 18 ‘War and Me’ - Members share their wartime
experiences
March 4 John Shone - "Life with Auntie" - 40 years with the
BBC
March 18 Australian Studies Group—’About Australia’
Interest Group Information Borders Bulletin Volume 2, Issue 4
Subject LEADER DAY, FREQUENCY, LOCATION
Anti-aging aerobics Lorna Borland Weekly, Thursday, 10.20 a.m. St Martins Community Centre
Aspiring Music Makers Anne Lynch/Jane Davies Monthly, 3rd Thursday, 2—4 p.m. Anne Lynch’s home
Art Sue Townsend Monthly, 1st Monday, 2—4 p.m. at group leader’s home
Art Appreciation Pat Evans Monthly, 2nd Wednesday, 2 p.m. Black Lion, Location varies
Australian Studies Wendy Lodwick Lowdon Monthly, 2nd Tuesday, 2—4 p.m. at Oswestry Cricket Club
(room hire charge)
Bird Watching Pam Broomby By arrangement
Book Sandra Harvey Monthly, 2nd Tuesday, 10.30am – 12.00 at group members’ homes
Family History Nicki Carmody Monthly, 2nd Wednesday, 4 – 6 pm Library (room hire charge)
Garden Sally Barrett Monthly, 2nd Monday, 2 p.m. Group Visits, shared research on
garden-related issues. Location and dates can vary
ICT Skills
ICT Project
Jane Davies Monthly, 3rd Monday, 2 – 4 p.m., at group leader’s home
Monthly, 1st Thursday 10.30 a.m. – 12.30 at group leader’s home
Jazz Appreciation
Local History and
Archaeology
David Stirling and John
Scorer
Monthly, 2nd Wednesday 2 - 4 p.m. at Oswestry Cricket Club and
various locations (room hire charge)
Organising Travel Pam Broomby Monthly, 4th Tuesday, 10 a.m. at members’ homes
Photography Celia Todd Monthly, 4th Friday 2 p.m. at group leader’s home, various locations
Play Reading Sandra Harvey Monthly 1st Friday, 10. 30 a.m. at members’ homes
Poetry Reading &
Appreciation
Maggie Quinn Monthly, 2nd Wednesday, 1.30 – 3.30 p.m. at members’ homes
Rail Rattlers Wendy Lodwick Lowdon Monthly, 2nd Thursday, 2—4 p.m. Black Lion, Salop Rd, Oswestry
Singing David Ryan Twice monthly, 2nd and 4th Wednesdays 10.30 a.m.– 12.15 at
Black Lion, Salop Road, Oswestry.
Walking John Scorer and
Dave Pass
Monthly Monday tba, a.m. Location varies
Page 11
It’s been very encouraging to see so many Associate Members joining us since the pilot with Oswestry U3A began earlier
this year. In the Summer issue we reported that Borders had 21 Associate Members and Oswestry had 14. Three months
later these numbers have doubled, with 45 Associates at Borders and 25 at Oswestry.
The liaison has clearly brought more voices into the Singing Group, now with nearly 20 members on the books. More mem-
bers are signing up for our Travel Group visits – 44 for the Tatton Park trip in November.
From April 1 any fully paid–up members of Oswestry Borders U3A can also join Oswestry U3A for an annual fee of £5. To
find out more about the interest groups available at Oswestry U3A: click here to have a look at their new website.
Associate News
December Morning Meetings Afternoon Meetings
Week 1 Dec 1 – 7
1st Monday Art: Sue Townsend, Group Leader’s home, Knockin, 2 – 4 p.m.
1st Tuesday
1st Wednesday Oswestry Borders U3A Speaker Meeting Sarah Gathercole
‘The Christmas Story in Art’ The Centre, Oak Street. 2 – 4 p.m.
1st Thursday ICT: Project group – No meeting as two groups are
meeting on Dec 15
Anti-ageing Aerobics: Lorna Borland, 10.20 a.m. –
11.50 a.m. St Martins Community Centre
1st Friday Play Reading: Sandra Harvey, 10.30 – 12.30 group
members’ homes
Week 2 Dec 8 – 14
2nd Monday Garden: Sally Barrett, Margaret Pritchard’s home 12 noon Bring a
Plate & Discuss 2015 Season
2nd Tuesday Book Group: Sandra Harvey 10.30 – 12 noon group
members’ homes
Australian Studies Wendy Lodwick Lowdon, 2 – 4 p.m. Oswestry
Cricket Club
2nd Wednesday Singing: David Ryan, 10.30 a.m. Black Lion Pub,
Oswestry
Poetry Reading and Appreciation: Maggie Quinn, 1.30 – 3.30
p.m. group leader’s home
Local History and Archaeology: Dave Stirling, and John Scorer,
2 p.m. No Meeting
Family History: Nicki Carmody, 4 – 6 p.m. Oswestry Library No
meeting as group having Christmas meal, Prezzos 6.30 p.m.
Art Appreciation: Pat Evans, 2—4 p.m. Watkin Drive, Oswestry
2nd Thursday Anti-ageing Aerobics: Lorna Borland, 10.20 a.m. –
11.50 a.m. St Martins Community Centre
Rail Rattlers: Wendy Lodwick Lowdon, 2 p.m. Black Lion Pub,
Salop Road
Organising Travel: Pam Broomby, 3 p.m. Lion Quays
2nd Friday
Week 3 Dec 15 – 21 Walking: John Scorer and Dave Pass, 10 a.m.
Blakemere / Colemere A495/A528 junction, car park
3rd Monday ICT Starters/Skills and Projects Groups: Jane Davies 2 – 4 p.m.
Group Leader’s home No meeting
Whole group Christmas lunch at Wynnstay, Oswestry, 12.30
3rd Tuesday
3rd Wednesday Oswestry Borders U3A Festive Members Meeting 2 – 4 pm
The Centre, Oak Street Seasonal refreshments, Competitions,
Quiz and Entertainment. Ticket entrance £1.
3rd Thursday Anti-ageing Aerobics: Lorna Borland, 10.20 a.m. –
11.50 a.m. St Martins Community Centre
Aspiring Music Makers: Jane Davies & Anne Lynch, Park Hall, 2
– 4 p.m.
3rd Friday
Week 4 Dec 22 -28
4th Monday
4th Tuesday
4th Wednesday Singing: David Ryan, 10.30 a.m. Black Lion Pub,
Oswestry. No meeting
Bird Watching: Pam Broomby No meeting
4th Thursday Anti-ageing Aerobics: Lorna Borland, 10.20 a.m. –
11.50 a.m. St Martins Community Centre. No meet-
ing
Jazz Appreciation: cancelled pending new group leader.
4th Friday Photography: Celia Todd 10.30am location tbc. No
meeting
Monthly Planner - December 2014 Borders Bulletin Volume 2, Issue 4
Page 12
