nomination of committee members monthly meetings · david jones how tropical rainforests work. they...

Kingston U3A Autumn 2016 Newsletter

In accordance with the constitution of the U3A, notice is hereby given that the AGMof Kingston U3A will take place at the Mayo Hall, The United Reformed Church,EdenStreet, Kingston, KT1 1HZ at 1.30pm on Monday 7th November 2016.

Secretary

We welcome applications from current members interested in joining our activeExecutive Committee to help run our highly successful U3A. A form is available onour website www.kingstonu3a.org.uk, or you can just send the followinginformation in writing:Full name of Nominee, Proposer and Seconder with membership numbers andsignatures of all three, to: Joy Garvey KU3A Secretary, 5, Dennan Road, SurbitonKT6 7RY, or hand it to a committee member by noon on Monday 24th October 2016.

These are usually held on the first Monday of the month at the United Reformed Church, Eden Street,Kingston at 2pm. If this falls on a Bank Holiday, the meeting will take place on the following Monday.

Date Speaker Subject

5th

SeptemberDavid Jones How Tropical Rainforests Work. They are the most

biologically diverse and complex habitats on the planet.

3rd

OctoberTracy Borman

Joint ChiefCurator of Historic

Royal Palaces

The Real Wolf Hall – the life and death of ThomasCromwellNOTE: This talk will begin at the specially early time of1.30pm

7th

NovemberMike Harris Christmas on the Home Front. With a selection of

artefacts from World War 11, illustrating how wecelebrated including typical cards, presents,decorations and recipes.

Advance notice for the December meeting – there will be a mix of old and new withentertainment from Rupert Matthews giving us a biography of Father Christmas, in

costume.

THE UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE www.kingstonu3a.org.uk Autumn 2016 Newsletter Volume 9 Issue 10

IT’S MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL TIME See page 2

Notice of 2016 AGM

Nomination of Committee Members

Monthly Meetings


These remarks are devoted to a veryimportant appeal to our membership. Itis of obvious importance that yourmanagement committee should berefreshed from time to time with newmembers. Our Treasurer has to retire inNovember when our next AGM is held. Iam asking for a volunteer to stepforward by then. Our present treasurerhas put the system in good shape. Thejob consists of administering oursubscriptions which amount to some£15,000. It needs no special skills. Youwill understand how important it is thatthis vacancy is filled. Please contact meand I will arrange for you to meetMartine who will explain everything toyou.

Gisela who has dealt with our GroupActivities for many years needs twohelpers. Please step forward twohelpers and contact Gisela.

Our membership is now over onethousand. In the circumstances I amsure I can rely on three persons fromthat number to answer this appeal.

The green renewal form is enclosed for2016-2017. Please fill in and post with acheque right away, or bring to the nextMonthly Meeting. This eases our

administrative task. Those who havenot renewed by the next Newsletterhave to be sent a reminder, and thosenot renewing by 31 December areassumed to be no longer with us in oneway or another.Your membership number is on theenvelope, eg K4545.

There are now 80 members renewingby Standing Order, and they don't haveto bother filling in forms every year andsending stamped addressed envelopes,because we send their membershipcards with the Autumn Newsletter.

There were a few bank and adminerrors and some members created theirstanding orders for dates other than 1October, but we have learned and theprocess should run smoothly this year.If you wish to join the scheme pleaseread the instructions on the green form,inform your bank, and send the form toJane Hoyland to let us know.

[email protected]

The Mayor will open Kingston U3A’sOpen Day and Fair on October 26th inthe Richard Mayo hall of the UnitedReformed Church. The day will run from10 am to 4 pm and there will beperformances by Singing for Fun in themorning and the U3A Singers at 2 pmand the Line Dancers during the day.Come at 10 am for the opening if you

Chairman’s Remarks

Membership Renewals

Open Day ShowcaseOctober 26th


want a piece of the special celebratorycake the Mayor will cut and then stay onto look at the stalls.Open to the public, there will be standsshowing the activities of the Art Groups,Women in History, Science andPhilosophy, Family History, PoetryGroups, Book Clubs and many others.The Bridge and Scrabble Groups will beplaying and the cycling group will berepresented by at least one bike!The hall will be open the previousafternoon and evening for groups to setup their displays. If you want any helpwith printing or reproducing photos, orthe design of your display, pleasecontact Diane Wilson or MartineRoscorla. Please tell friends and familyabout the day and encourage them topop in.

POLISHBarbara Ayres has kindly offered to setup a Polish Language Group.Contact Barbara Ayre on 01372 464105or [email protected]

SPANISH CONVERSATIONCarmen Lawrie has offered to run thisnew group.Contact Carmen Lawrie 8390 3254 [email protected]

PIANO GROUPThis group would like more members,preferably Grade 11 standard. It meetsmonthly in central Kingston.Contact Wendy Mullen on 8547 1404 [email protected]

MORE WALKSIreni Esler has offered to lead walks onthe first Monday in the month at10.00am.Contact Ireni Esler on 8390 0581 [email protected]

OCCASIONAL WALKSJeanette Hobson has offered to leadoccasional walks.Contact Jeanette Hobson on 07759837053 [email protected]

PLAY READINGThis new group has started with FrancesLeifer as leader. However, there is awaiting list of 7 people. Would anyonevolunteer to host a second group on adifferent day. This should not be difficult.Contact Shirley Miller on 8940 8573 [email protected]

ART GROUP 2There are 9 people on a waiting list forthis group. If we can recruit 6 morepeople we can start another group. Wehave a teacher and a venue but need theextra people.Contact Carolyn Forsyth on 82355 1746or [email protected]

MORE GROUP LEADERSWe are delighted with all these offers,some from very new members butwould still like more Group Leaders,especially for languages, e.g. Frenchand Portuguese.

Anyone with offers of help shouldcontact Shirley Miller on 8940 8573 [email protected].

Group News


Wednesday 12th October andTuesday 18th October

U3A members Sheila Evans and ClaireBletcher will be leading the round tripfrom Waterloo to the O2 Arena by bus,DLR, cable car and Riverbus on 12thand 18th October. We will travel bypublic transport, but the cable car andriverboat cost about £3.50 each with anOystercard/Freedom Pass, and a bitmore without.We go by bus to the Tower of Londonwhere we visit the Timeline and Sundialbefore having a coffee break at theMinories pub. We then take the DLR toRoyal Victoria, and go via the cable carto the O2 Arena, where we stop forlunch in whichever of the 30 or soeateries takes your fancy. After lunch(and an optional visit to the free SkyStudios), we take the Riverbus for thereturn 40 minute journey back toWaterloo.There are steps from Waterloo station tothe York Road bus stop at the beginningand end of our trip and steps up to theTimeline, but the rest of the journey is onthe flat or has escalators/lifts.To reserve your place on one of thesetrips, please complete the Booking Formenclosed with this Newsletter.Date: Wednesday 12th October orTuesday 18th October.Meeting place: Opposite platform 1,Waterloo station, at 10.15 amCost: Free, but 50p contributioncollected on the day.

Pay as you go for coffee, lunch, cablecar and riverbus.Duration: Walk ends between 3.30 and4 pm back at Waterloo station.Please complete the enclosed bookingform, and send it to Claire Bletcher,17, Lower Green Road, Esher, KT10 8HE.

If you do not give an email addressplease also enclose a stamped,addressed return envelope.

Wednesday 14th September

As part of the 25th Anniversarycelebrations we have organised threewalks, of different lengths, in RichmondPark. They all take place onWednesday 14 September starting fromKingston Gate.The longest walk, of about 6.7 milesstarts at 9.30am with stopovers atRoehampton Café and, perhaps,Pembroke Lodge. You can bring yourown lunch and drinks or buy what youwant from the cafés we will be stoppingat.If a long walk does not appeal, youcould opt for a medium length walkwhich will take about 1½ hours,probably through the Isabella Plantationto the Pen Ponds and back via HamCross. This also starts at 9.30 am.The third option is a short walk fromKingston Gate to Pembroke Lodge andback. This will start at 10.30 am.Date: Wednesday 14 SeptemberWhere: Kingston Gate of RichmondParkTime: 9.30 am for the long and mediumwalks and 10.30 am for the short walk

Transports of DelightAround London

by road, rail, river and air

Richmond Park Walks


Wednesday 9th NovemberA day at the British Museum combininga visit to the exhibition Sunken Cities:Egypt’s Lost Worlds, plus a Blue-Badge-guided galleries tour (Lost &Found) highlighting little knowntreasures of the Museum’s collection.We meet our BB Guide in theMuseum’s Great Court, and after abrief introduction, we will be dividedinto two groups. One group will visitSunken Cities and the other will enjoythe Lost & Found tour. After lunch, thegroups swap activities. The rest of theday is free for you to do as you wish,before you make your own way backhome. The Museum closes at 5.30 pm.Sunken cities Over 1,200 years ago,two cities sank into the Nile Delta. Now,thanks to an amazing underwaterexcavation, we have the chance to getup close with some remarkableartefacts. The exhibition opens with astunning 5m tall statue of the river godHapi, and it doesn't let up from there.Each item includes a picture of it in situon the sea bed, with divers next to it.

Lost & found From the Great Court atthe heart of the greatest museum in theworld we slip away from the crowds.Without walking you too far, our BB

Guide will take us to discover some ofthe lesser known treasures of the col-lection. The tour lasts just over an hour,and is light on the feet but very rich onthe senses. Each gallery has someseating for those who would like to rest.Date: Wednesday 9 November 2016Meeting point: Opposite Platform 1,Waterloo Station, 10.15 am for onwardtravel to the Museum by bus; however,you may prefer to make your own wayto the BM, in which case you shouldmeet us in the Great Court of BritishMuseum (near Ticket Office) at 11.00am.Cost: £30 per person, to includeadmission to Sunken Cities, BB guidedtour (Lost & Found) and tip for guide.Refreshments and lunch are notincluded in the price; the day’sschedule includes a break for lunch,and a comfort stop between meetingour guide and the first activity.To reserve a place, please completethe enclosed booking form, and send it,together with your cheque for £30 perperson made payable to Kingston U3A(GAS) to Stewart Keating, 17 HerneRoad, Surbiton, Surrey, KT6 5BXPhone: 020 8397 5561email [email protected]).If you do not give an email addressplease also enclose a stamped,addressed return envelope.

Saturday, 3rd December 2016

We have celebrated our 25th

anniversary in various ways: walks,boat trips, afternoon tea and even atalk on ‘silver’. Why not finish thisspecial celebratory year with a

What A Swell PartyThis Is

British Museum and theSunken Cities Exhibition


delicious Christmas lunch at The Mill atSonning and then enjoy Cole Porter’sclassic, feel-good musical ‘High Society’in the adjacent theatre. A Christmasextravaganza not to be missed!We aim to arrive at Sonning by coach at11.45 am A typical Christmas Lunchwith all the trimmings and coffee will beserved between 12.15 - 2.00 pm. Thereare vegetarian, gluten-free and lactose-free options available. The show startsat 2.15 pm and finishes at approx.4.30/4.45 pm. Humming all thosefamiliar tunes, traffic permitting, weshould reach Kingston again by6.30/7.00 pm.

Date: Saturday, 3rd December 2016Boarding time/place:

9.45 am at Kingston, High Street,opposite The Rose Theatre

10.00 am at Surbiton, Ewell Road, Busstop ‘Telephone Exchange’

Cost: £ 59.00 – this includes Christmaslunch with coffee, show, transport andgratuities.If you would like to join the party, pleasefill in the attached application form andsend it with your cheque for £59.00 -payable to Kingston U3A (GAS) - to:Gisela Zürcher-Feiß, 37, The Byeways,Surbiton, KT5 8HT.Phone: 020 8399 4990If you do not give an e-mail addressplease also send a stampedaddressed envelope.

8 - day cruise – 14th - 21st June 2017In a sun-drenched corner of Europe theDouro has created a spectacular valleyas it wends its way from Spain acrossPortugal to meet the Atlantic Ocean. It is

here in the colourful city of Porto that wejoin our ship and set off through milesand miles of rural scenery swathed withendless rows of neatly terracedvineyards and clusters of almond andolive trees, with tiny villages dotted hereand there along the steep slopes.On reaching Spain we turn our courseback to Porto to explore the place thatgave Portugal – and port wine – its veryname. With sightseeing opportunitieseach day and the chance to experiencelocal traditions aboard our ship, it is asummertime cruise that will lull you intothe relaxing rhythm of the Douro, theriver of gold.Day 1: We fly from Gatwick to Porto andare transferred to Vila Nova de Gaiawhere we board our ship.Day 2: We sail from Vila Nova de Gaiato Pinhão and in the afternoon pay anoptional visit (€38.00) to Lamega, anelegant city filled with Renaissance andbaroque mansions. We return to theship and in the evening undertakeanother optional excursion (€48.00) tothe little village of Favaios, at QuintaAvessada, where we enjoy wine tastingand dinner with live entertainment.

Day 3: After a leisurely morning there isan optional visit (€35.00) to CasteloRodrigo which ranks among 12 historicvillages in Portugal and has landmarkstatus. Here you can admire the

River Douro Cruise


medieval treasures and panoramicviews. This evening the captain joinsus for dinner.Day 4: We sail from Vega de Terrón toBarca d’Alva and pay an optional visit(€85.00) to the Spanish city ofSalamanca where you can enjoy lunchand a flamenco show. A traditionalbarbecue on board is planned for thisevening.

Day 5: We relax on board this morningwhile sailing to Cais Espinho where wepay an optional afternoon visit (€50.00)to the Quinta do Seixo winery and theMateus Castle and garden near VilaReal before joining the ship again inRégua. A folk show takes place thisevening.Day 6: In Régua we have an optionalvisit (€20.00) to the Douro Museum, afantastic representation of the historyof the Douro wine region, the firstprotected wine growing region onearth. In the evening we enjoy asunset harbour cruise with traditionalfado music on board our ship.Day 7: Our optional excursion (€45.00)this morning explores Porto’s secrets,leading you from the historic square tothe waterfront and then to a local portwinery for a tour and tasting. In theafternoon we have the option (€41.00)to explore Guimaraes, culture city ofEuropa in 2012 and often referred to

as Portugal’s birthplace with itsmedieval houses and an old castlecomplex set against the deep greenhills surrounding the Pena Palace.Day 8: After breakfast we say goodbyeto the team on board our ship andhead to the airport for our return flightto London and coach transfer to ouroriginal pick-up points.Our ship: Douro Sprit is a new 4*vessel of modern design with a liftbetween the lower and upper deck. Allstandard cabins have floor to ceilingFrench balconies, en suite shower, airconditioning, hairdryer, safe and TV.From the sun deck and the lounge baryou can enjoy a drink and the splendidscenery passing by. The restaurantserves delicious international cuisineas well as special diets - (vegetarian,gluten-free etc.). There is also a 24-hour self service station for tea andcoffee.

Dates: Wednesday, 14th –Wednesday, 21st June 2017Cost: £1,519.00 pp sharing a Middle

Standard 2-berth cabin£1,719.00 pp sharing an UpperStandard 2-berth cabin

These prices include coach transfer toand from the airport and ship, fullboard, entertainment and English-speaking tour guide on board.Single occupancy is available at 50%extra cost, although the tour operatorhas promised to negotiate a better dealwith the ship company. Unfortunatelyat the time of going to press this hasnot yet been finalised.A special pre-book package price forall the optional excursions is availableat £ 230.00. Individual excursions are


bookable once on board but aresubject to availability.Deposit: £275.00 pp payable whenbookingInsurance: £39.50 available throughThe River Cruise LineFor a detailed booking form pleasecomplete the attached application formand send it together with a stampedaddressed envelope – not too smallplease- to:Gisela Zürcher-Feiß. 37, The Byeways,Surbiton KT5 8HTPhone: 020 8399 4990

17th – 21st September 2017

Day 1: We board our Executive coachat the four pick-up points in theKingston area and make our journeynorth for our lunch stop at Moseley OldHall (NT) – an atmosphericElizabethan farmhouse that saved aKing. Find out about the dramatic storyof King Charles II hiding fromCromwell’s troops after he fled theBattle of Worcester in 1651. After lunchwe continue to Cumbria where wecheck into our 3* AA Cumbria GrandHotel at Grange over Sands for fournights on half-board basis.Day 2: Today is dedicated to a guidedtour of the stunning Lake District. Wewill visit many areas of outstandingbeauty and small villages, steeped incharacter and history: Hawkshead andBeatrix Potter Gallery (NT) and Hilltop(NT), Beatrix Potter’s 17th centuryfarmhouse, Grasmere and 400 year

old Dove Cottage, once home of thefamous poet William Wordworth.Day 3: This morning we will board theWindermere Lake Cruise for a 40minute cruise to Bowness. After lunchwe visit Holker Hall & Gardens, thefamily home of Lord and LadyCavendish. This is a delightful familyhome with fine displays of antiquefurniture and art.

Day 4: Today we start by visitingKendal with its many historicalbuildings, castles, bridges and a streetmarket on a Wednesday. In theafternoon we visit Sizergh Castle andGardens (NT).Day 5: This morning we check out ofthe hotel and on our way home westop at Leighton Hall. Stepping insidethis house is like taking a step back intime, but it still retains the atmosphereof a family home. An enthusiastic guidewill reveal the Gillow Reynolds’ familyhistory and habits. Each room from theGothic Hall to the principle bedroomand the charming library has someinteresting secret to reveal or tale totell. Why is there a lock of James II’shair in the Drawing room, and why isthe table in the hall shaped like adaisy? A light lunch is included herebefore we retrace our stepshomeward.

The Beautiful Lake District


Date: 17th – 21st September 2017Boarding:

8.30 am. – Kingston, High Street,opposite The Rose Theatre

8.40 am. – Surbiton, outsideCoronation Hall Pub

8.50 am. – Surbiton, Ewell Road, Busstop ‘Telephone Exchange’

9.00 am. – Tolworth – Bus stop ‘JPrinces Avenue’ – outside ‘OurLady Immaculate’

Cost: £499.00 pp Half-board, sharinga twin/double bedroomIncluded: All entrance fees (except toNT properties) plus 1 light lunch on day 5Single room Supplement: £39.00 (4nights)Deposit: £85.00 pp (non-refundable)Balance due by 04.08.2017Travel Insurance: £30.00 (No upperage limit - conditions apply)For a detailed booking form pleasecomplete the attached application formand send it together with a stampedaddressed envelope – not too small,please – to Gisela Zürcher-Feiß, 37,The Byeways, Surbiton KT5 8HT –Phone 020 8399 4990If you do not give an email addressplease enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

On April 24th 37 of our members setoff for Skipton and a return to winter!We enjoyed a comfortable coachjourney, with hot and cold drinksserved in transit, and an interestinglunch stop at Calke Abbey – a largely

un-restored house crammed with theeccentric collections of previousowners.Our base for the week was thewelcoming Rendezvous Hotel outsideSkipton, next to the Leeds-Liverpoolcanal, and with a pleasant view of theDales from the dining room.On our first full day, Monday, werelaxed on a short narrow-boat trip tothe centre of the attractive town whereour guide led us to Skipton Castle.There we discovered the fascinatinghistory of the Clifford family’s medievalstronghold. The afternoon was takenup with a drive through lovely sceneryto Howarth and the Bronte Parsonage.We got a very strong impression ofhow cold and bleak it must have beenin the winter but the house itself wascosy, with an excellent collection in themuseum giving a unique insight intothe lives and interests of the Brontefamily.

Our Holiday In NorthYorkshire

Ripley Castle


Tuesday dawned cold and wintry but wewere soon to get used to this weatheras we headed to Ripley Castle.This was a wonderful place,continuously occupied by the Ingilbyfamily for 700 years and sitting in thecentre of a French-inspired modelvillage. Lunch was taken in Harrogate,with pubs and cafes offering a welcomeshelter from the hail and sleet, then onto RHS Harlow Carr. There was muchto explore there but the weather drovemany of us to spend most of our time inBetty’s tearoom!

Wednesday was given over to a wholeday in York. Luckily the weather held forthe two hour guided walking tour of thisbeautiful city, and we discovered manysites and buildings that we might nothave found without our guides – notablythe Assembly Rooms, now an ItalianRestaurant, and the roman walls andruined Abbey. As the hail began to peltdown we once again found shelter inrestaurants and cafes.By Thursday the tops of the Dales weresnow covered and looking very beautifulas we drove to Settle to join the train toAppleby. Settle station itself was worththe visit and the hour long journey tookus through the remote Dales and overthe Ribblehead viaduct. The scenerywas awe-inspiring in the rare sunshine,with the snow glistening on the summits

of the Three Peaks. Our coach met usat Appleby, a pretty little town, and wedrove on to Hawes, through thepicturesque “hidden valley” of the riverEden. Our coach driver was extremelyskilful in negotiating the winding roadsand narrow bridges and David, ourguide, was very entertaining and alsoan expert on sheep breeds. He gave usmany interesting facts about thegeology of the area, dry stone wallingand barn repair. Should we wish tobecome sheep farmers I think we nowhave all the information we need.Lunch was taken at the WensleydaleCreamery and the coach was wellstocked with cheese on our returnjourney, with a stop for a deliciouscream tea in the attractive village ofGrassington. We might have spentmore time exploring there but theweather had closed in again, so it wasoff to the hotel and a welcome finalsupper.We were sorry to leave the beauty ofthe Dales but our final treat was to bethe lunch stop on our way home – themagnificent Chatsworth House. We hadenough time to explore the impressivestate rooms and admire the collectionsof porcelain and sculptures before thelast leg of our drive back to Kingston.The whole week was a wonderfulchance to experience a different part ofEngland and to see it in all weathers. Itcertainly made me appreciate howtough the sheep and the farmers haveto be to survive in the Dales andopened my eyes to new and interestingattractions.Many thanks to Stewart for organising amost enjoyable holiday.

Harlow Carr


The three MOTO (Members On TheirOwn) groups joined together for a silverthemed lunch to celebrate KingstonU3A’s twenty-fifth anniversary. A smallplanning group co-ordinated the event,which was hosted by kind invitation ofMary Tucker, leader of MOTO 2.Silver clothes, a tiara and a silver wigcomplemented the silver serving dishesand napkins. Silver themed foodincluded silver-topped meringues,chicken drum sticks in silver foil and asilver decorated cake. Starting with afruit punch and nibbles, membersmoved into the garden for a groupphoto.They then tackled a wonderful spread.This had contributions from everybody,

including two Japanese specialities,various salads, quiches, coronationchicken, cheeses, sandwiches andeggs.Puddings followed and then everyonetackled a quiz set by Dizz Sagar, thewinners receiving a U3A notebookeach. The cake was cut and membersenjoyed tea and coffee before a willinggang set about the clearing up.

MOTO CelebratesSilver Anniversary


Financially self-supporting, theKingston U3ASingers (theChoir) recentlyheld their AGMand heard fromtheir treasurerthat there is asmall surplusafter putting ontwo concerts thisyear. Expensesinclude the hireof rehearsal andconcert hall andthe services ofthe conductor, Glyn Harvey. Income isfrom subscriptions and concert tickets.Chaired firmly by Val Meredith, therewas spirited discussion aboutattendance, timekeeping, remunerationlevels, repertoire and membership. Thegroup is planning to perform at theOctober Open Day in October andhopes to recruit more singers. There is

no audition and all voices are welcome.There is an informal buffet in the NewYear preceded by entertainments frommembers. Member David Barkeragreed to take rehearsals if Glyn is everaway, but was very firm that thesewould not be "sing songs”.

Following a ridearound Bushy Park,members of ourCycle Group, led byPamela and StuartCrisp, crossed theThames via HamptonFerry before makingtheir way – on twowheels of course – to‘Thyme by the River’at East Molesey.Then it was time for acoffee break.

Cycle Group

Choir

nomination of committee members monthly meetings · david jones how tropical rainforests work. they...

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