Monthly Meetings We hold our monthly meetings on the third Monday of the month in Pontyclun Community Hall at 1:30pm

decided to excavate them.

The more conventionally landscaped gardens around the House have also been brought back to their former glory with magnificent copper beeches, a series of ponds, beds of shrubs and climbers and a magnificent herbaceous border.

Barbara Hancockg

Walking Groupand the over-attentive peacock!Our Walking Group attracted the attention of the resident peacock at the Forest Tea Rooms on a

Pontyclun U3A Newsletter

Issue 7: November : December 2017 August 2017

Groes Faen/Rhiwsaeson Walk

On Monday 9 October members of the U3A walking group based their twice monthly walk on the village of Groes Faen. Too often seen as just a blur on the old Cardiff Road we took time to note the attractive shambles of 19th century stone terraces which had housed the hewers of iron ore and limestone in the areas to the north of Groes Faen - the same workers who put their own cash into creating Babell Chapel.

Our walk took us through fields and lanes to Rhiwsaeson where we considered the route of the old railway from Cross Inn to Creigiau and Cardiff as well as the iron age hill fort. We walked down the broad and beautiful glacial valley of the Clun river noting how the word 'clun' described the same terrain as a Scottish 'glen' and a Welsh 'glan'. From Cross Inn we found our way back to Groes Faen through Mwyndy

Paul Griffiths

Ann Fisher on making the final shortlist of the Wales U3A Short Story competition for her Welsh language short story.

This year we’ll be taking part in the ‘Pwnco’ before the Mari Llwyd enters the room. Pat and Ned will then lead us through some seasonal tunes, including the carols they take with them on their Mari Llwyd tour. And don’t forget your spoons as once again Pat will be giving us a quick spoons workshop that proved so popular last year. And of course, we’ll have festive mince pies and wine as well as the usual tea and biscuits!

November MeetingThere is a change to the scheduled speaker for November following last month’s disappointment. John Prior will be now be talking to us about the Insoles of Llandaff at our meeting on Monday 20 November.

Here in the Pontyclun U3A we have a small but enthusiastic group of players and if anyone would like to join us with a view playing our sport, or even to going to this event, then please contact me for information:- Graham Attfield (07708 464876)

December MeetingOnce again, we will welcome Pat and Ned (and of course the Mari Llwyd!) to our meeting.

Short Story Competition Congratulations to

National Weekend of Petanque 2018Building on the success of the last two years the U3A Petanque Subject Advisor, Andrew Lloyd, is organising another event for 2018. This year there were 175 players in 52 teams from 16 U£As. Bookings can already be made for next year’s event. It will be held over the weekend 21st to 24th September 2018, Friday night to Monday morning, at MillRythe Holiday Village, Hayling Island at a cost of £129 for Evening Meal, Bed and Breakfast.

The competition takes place on the Saturday and Sunday and takes the form of triples throughout, although a team can consist of up to 6 players, playing by rotation. The first day is a 'shake-down' day where teams are organised in mini-leagues with the aim of meeting old friends and making new ones. The results of day one, carry forward to the Sunday so that teams then play teams who have achieved similar results, ending up on the Sunday afternoon with a knockout in several competitions. Apart from any limitations to numbers from the accommodation point of view, the only limitation is that there is space for 64 teams.

Graham Attfield

Here in the Pontyclun U3A we have a small but enthusiastic group of players and if anyone would like to join us with a view playing our sport, or even to going to this event, then please contact me for information:- Graham Attfield

U3A Newton House Trip

On Wednesday, 20th September, the U3A Day Trip Group visited Newton House, built in the beautiful Dinefwr Park in Llandeilo. This National Trust house was originally built in 1660 but most of the present, grand building dates to the 1850s. It belonged to the Rhys family, descendants of the powerful Princes of Deheaubarth who ruled from the nearby Dinefwr Castle, perched on top of the hill overlooking the Towy Valley.

Our band of intrepid day trippers clad for all weather and fortified by cappuccinos and homemade cake from the lovely, on-site coffee shop, set out to walk through the deer park to the ruins of the original castle. Although we didn’t see the renowned herd of deer or the famous ancient breed of Dinefwr white cattle, the landscape, said to be endorsed by Capability Brown, was impressive.The climb to the ruins of the castle made some of us regret the large piece of cake, but the spectacular views from the battlements were worth the effort! Dinefwr was one of a series of castles built along the length of the Towy Valley.

Our visit was curtailed as it began to rain and we returned to Newton House, in time for lunch!After lunch, we toured the house and were shown areas not usually open to the public. Newton House is one of the most haunted houses in Britain. The servants’ basement being an area of high paranormal activity, with visitors hearing strange noises and smelling tobacco smoke. We climbed the beautiful cantilever staircase to the rooms situated at the top of the house which is where it is said, Lady Elinor Cavendish was strangled by her suitor. However, despite being very spooked none of us felt, heard or smelled anything untoward. Finally, we reached the attic which afforded incredible views of the beautifully designed parkland and the 400-year-old tree trunks, still covered in bark, that form the main structure of the roof.A thoroughly enjoyable and informative day was had by all, Newton House and its

Interest Group news The Sewing & Craft Group will no longer be meeting in Café 50. The group will still meet on the 3rd Wednesday of the month but in group members’ homes. Contact Jacqui for more information. The December meeting will be on the 2nd Wednesday - the 13th December when they’ll be making Christmas table decorations.The Welsh Conversation Group will no longer be meeting in Café 50 and the day and date will change from month to month so please contact Margaret for more information.

Tai Chi – Sadly the Tai Chi instructor has decided to finish the Tuesday Tai Chi sessions so there will be no more Tai Chi. Many thanks to Jennie Jorgenson for her efforts in getting this group up and running.

Dyffryn House and GardensThe day trip on 17 January will now be to Dyffryn House and Gardens and not Bath. We will travel from Pontyclun to Dyffryn by car. If you are interested in joining the trip please contact Christine Dickson

Café 50The new Café 50 Welcome Officer Tara Davies joined our Committee meeting in October. She told us about her role to improve and better market Café 50. Groups can help Tara by improving communication with Café 50. If your Group decides not to meet in Café 50 at its usual time/day, please let Tara know as soon as possible. Tara’s contact details are email: cafe50@pontyclun-cc.gov.wales or tel:01443 438500. Can’t make your Group Meeting? then please let your Group contact (or someone else in the group) know you won’t be there, rather than just not turn up. This is particularly important in smaller groups where 2 or 3 people not able to attend may mean the group deciding not to meet.

Interest Group news Café 50 and Tesco Bags of Help Café 50 has been confirmed as one of the groups on the shortlist of local community groups to benefit from this project. Make sure to put your token in the Café 50 box at your local Tesco during November and December! Interested in Art? Exciting news - Sheila Gifford is re-launching the Art Group and is keen to hear your ideas and suggestions about how you’d like the group to function. Not to be confused with the Art Appreciation Group; in this Art Group you will have the opportunity to create your own original art. Join Sheila in Café 50 at 1:30 on Wednesday 15th November and share your ideas or contact Sheila Gifford for more information

Coming Up!U3A website the U3A website has a new look and is certainly easier to navigate. For those of you who use social media you can visit their Facebook and Twitter accounts and keep up to date with news as it happens. Please feel free to Like, Tweet and Retweet and help spread the word.

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Christmas Lunch

This is on 19 December in

Café 50 Quiz Café 50 is hosting a fund- raising quiz night on Friday 17 November at 7:00pm and has invited