| August 2010 | AGM and MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL As you may know, the AGM will be held on 2nd September. The Agenda and nomination form can be printed from HERE. Most members will need to renew their membership in September. Unfortunately, the membership renewal instructions and forms were omitted from July's newsletter which means that you may not be prepared to renew your membership at the AGM on 2nd September. Click here to find details and forms.
|  | Gardening Group Visits  Our August meeting will be a day visit to Spetchley Park Gardens and Stanway House and Fountain. It will be open to all members.
It will take place on Tuesday, 19th August, leaving Stroud Leisure Centre at 9.30am for Spetchley and leaving Stanway at 5.00pm. There should be time to have about 2 hours at each venue. Please bring a packed lunch, there are plenty of seats around the gardens to enjoy a picnic. Light refreshments are available at both venues. Spetchley is part of the Berkeley Estate and run as an independent charity. "A Plantsman Paradise" - "A garden of surprises" - "and a place to unwind with freedom to meander at leisure".  Stanway House and Fountain: Stanway House is Jacobean noted for its mellow, peaceful atmosphere. The water garden is one of the finest in England and was created in the 1720s. The glory of the garden is the single jet fountain in the canal, opened in 2004.
Please print the booking form and send with your cheque for £20 per person, made payable to Stroud and District U3A to: Phyll Smith,
5 Swifts Hill View, Stroud, GL5 IPR.
Tel: 01453 755450
| | Church Architecture and History. Programme for Friday, August 20, 2010. The three churches selected for this visit are all close to Ross on Wye, and are outstanding.  The first church, St Michael's Garway is a Knights' Templar church. The second church, St Catherine's Hoarwithy, is in Romanesque style, and could well be in Italy.
Lunch will probably be at Hoarwithy. Our third church, All Saints Brockhampton, is a thatched Arts and Crafts church with 20th century furnishings. We will be unavailable from mid June to mid July, but we would ask anyone intending to come, to please let us know by phone or e-mail. The Christmas Dinner has been arranged for Friday, 17th December at the Clothiers Arms, 12 for 12.30. The numbers are limited to 35. Menu and prices later. Roy and Jean Embleton
Tel: 01453 547101
royembleton@tiscali.co.uk
| | Keep Fit Group  There will be no Keep Fit classes during the first two weeks in August. They will restart on Wednesday, 18th August, usual time, usual place.
Please ring Mary Newman on 01453 766489 to find out more.
| July 2010 | From the Chairman Our tea party in June at the Minchinhampton Golf Club was most enjoyable. It was an opportunity, as always, to meet with friends and colleagues and solve the problems of the world! Our thanks go to committee members and others who made it such an agreeable occasion. Recently at the monthly meetings and in the newsletter, I have asked for support both at committee level and in other ways. There has been a very good response. John Tyror has joined us and has taken over as Group Coordinator and Mary has become our Vice-Chairman: Clive has become a fully-fledged member of the committee and not just the Newsletter editor. Betty has been arranging a tea rota for our monthly meetings and no doubt some of you will have heard from her. Phyllis Smith has also offered her services and is a non-executive member of the committee. The new arrangements are on the first page of the July Newsletter and also on our website. Many thanks to Glynn who maintains and updates our website regularly. It is well worth a visit. We have details of suggestions for new study/working groups, which the membership has put forward. There might be something for you. Advance notice of our Annual General Meeting, to be held on the 2nd September, is included in the July Newsletter as a centre-fold or HERE on the website. We do hope for a good attendance. Alan Callender
| | Money Matters  We have had another varied year, ranging from National Debt to Financing ofLong Term Care and from the IMF to The Royal Mint. Our membership has held steady but we always welcome new members.
However, there will me no meetings during July and August as our membership tends to disappear on holiday. Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, September 28th. Glynn H. Nixon 01452812979
| | Writing Groups  This Both Writing Groups continue to flourish. After a shaky start, Writing Group II seems to be firmly established.
However, I think it may be wise for the second group, like the first group to take a break in the summer. Holidays always cause a drop in attendance and this is disparaging for those who do come along. So, if you are thinking of joining, please contact me to make sure we are meeting. Clive Blackmore
| |  New Group Co-ordinator
When Alan Callender made a public appeal for help on the committee, etc. I put myself forward thinking that I would be required to help with the tea making. I was nominally appointed to this post after Mary Newman had made it known to your Committee that she would like to relinquish the Group Coordinator's position which she has held for several years. Mary has now been appointed the Vice Chairman of the Branch. I would just like to say to all members and Group Leaders, that if they need any help or assistance, they only need to contact me (by phone or email) and I will do what I can to assist. In the meantime, I would appeal once again to all Group Leaders and also group members to continue to forward reports (to Clive Blackmore and myself) of what their groups are doing so that your stories can be reported in the "Newsletters". John Tyror
| | Local Flora Group  Eastington's Nature Reserve is in an odd place: the big traffic island as you head towards the motorway from Stonehouse. It is a hazardous venture getting there, but if you have not been knocked down by a lorry on the way, you will find lots of corky-fruited-water dropwort there.
It's not water logged; it's perfectly dry. But that's where they were discovered by Val Taylor, a member of the group, who has made a detailed study of Eastington's wild plant population.  It is thanks to Val that the traffic island is now mown only round the edges and that the council's plan to landscape it has been shelved. Various wild flowers flourish on this unlikely site, including fleebane and knapweed.
There is even a stand of young elms still in good shape. Next time you whizz round the roundabout, send a benediction to the corky-fruited-water dropwort in the middle and wish them an undisturbed future. Michael Stott Archived News
| | Solo Group  Valerie Chouls of the Solo Group has recently had a hip operation. She very kindly wrote a letter to me about a Care Centre she had been sent to after her operation called Ashley Intermediate Care Centre to get her back on her feet.
Ashley Intermediate Care Centre is a 15 bed purpose built rehabilitation centre based in Charlton Kings, Cheltenham. On the patients return home the aim of the centre is to improve ability to care for themselves and manage again in their own home. The centre may also include physiotherapy, occupational therapists, community nurse and rehabilitation care assistants. There is also access to a social worker, doctors and a pharmacist who visits regularly during the week to see anyone who needs them. All in all it seems like an answer to a patient's prayer to be cared for by a team of people who know what they are doing. And - the good thing is - it is FREE. Obviously a closely guarded secret. The beds, needless to say, are snapped up as soon as they become vacant. My thanks to Valerie for this very useful information and certainly one to keep in mind. Another interesting piece of information; After my last Solo piece in the Newsletter mentioning Linda Weller's problems I had an email from Fran Sinclair, who is a Village Community Agent about various help lines. I met up with her for coffee to find out more. Village Agents are local people employed on a part time basis and bridge the gap between the local County and Voluntary organisations. They are able to offer help or support and promote access to a wide range of services and identify unmet needs within the community. They make home visits when necessary. The service is aimed primarily at the over 50's and there is a village agent in most of our local villages. More information can be obtained from the Adult Helpdesk on 01452 426868. Rita Shepherd
01453 834116
More News
| May 2010 | New Groups? These new groups have been suggested recently:  BASIC DO-IT-YOURSELF
- This would be a group to enable members to learn how to do some basic jobs about the house, such as how to screw something to a wall, how to replace a fuse, how to wire a three pin plug, how to fit a drilling bit to an electric drill, and how to adjust its speed.
- It would need a leader with simple knowledge, and probably have a fluid membership, with some pooling of information.
 MODEL MAKING
- This is a very wide subject and could be of interest to a variety of people. There has been no suggestion as to what type of model making so the field is wide open.
 SPANISH CONVERSATION
- This is a suggestion which was put forward a few months ago. As far as I know, nothing came of it. But now it has been brought up again. The emphasis would be on conversation rather than a formal class.
 OUTINGS
- I know that some groups organise their own outings, but this suggestion is that we have a group which solely exists to organise outings.
If any member is interested in any of these suggestions, either as a leader or as a participant, please let me know, and I will try to put you in touch, either through the Newsletter or individually. Clive Blackmore Other proposed groups
| | Singing for Pleasure  We meet at Christine Leeding's house at 10.00 am every other Thursday. We sing a great variety of songs, and have a lot of fun.
At the moment our singing has added pleasure, because we are building up to the U3A Singing Day at Worcester. Here, U3A singing groups meet up to work on songs we have already seen and sung through. This year's songs include "There is no Rose", "Music All Powerful", and Bruckner's "Locus Iste". Each group, too, performs its own songs - in our case this includes a Nigerian round, which sounds most unusual. Christine Samuda, who has been helping us is invaluable, and a great inspiration. BUT, we could take more members in now. Or would you like to see us in action at Worcester on 26th May? In either case, please contact Christine Leeding: 01453 883729 or Maggie Jordan: 01453 764840. Kay Finch
| | Strollers Group  When Clive asked for more copy I thought that although I run two groups, bridge and strollers, there is not a lot I can say apart from the fact that both groups are full and that everyone derives a lot of pleasure from belonging, then unexpectedly something happened on our walk which I will tell you about.
Our stroll was from Chalford to Frampton Mansell along the canal. When we got to Bakers Mill, the home of Daphne Neville, who is the proud owner of three otters, I spoke to Mr Neville who was gardening and asked him about the otters.  To my surprise he said he would check with his wife, who incidentally was on the phone arranging a meeting with Alan Titchmarch to appear on his Show. Daphne said she would show us the otters so we were split up and half of us were taken to a large cage where the three otters were playing. Daphne picked one up and it snuggled inside her anorak; another was biting a cardigan belonging to one of our group as she was too close to the cage. Occasionally they are allowed to swim in the river but they do not like the lake. One of us was able to stroke its paws which were velvet to the touch - they have beautiful coats and are waterproof. In fact the Cambodians kill them for their fur and actually skin them alive so they are very cruel. Daphne is raising money to give the women the opportunity of making money in a different way. Apparently the waterways there are clogged with wild hyacinths which can be used to make cloth which would be a better alternative to killing otters. While we were listening to Daphne the rest of us were on the lawn by the lake with Mr Neville. The Nevilles have lived at Baker's Mill for fifty years and the lake used to be covered in weed but now they have cleared it, swans and water fowl use it as their home. There was a swan nearby who had lost its mate - she had been attacked by a dog which bit her neck badly. Mr Neville said a wild otter was seen in the lake - it had caught a carp and had left the scales in a neat pile. After spending a fascinating half an hour at Baker's Mill we thanked Mr and Mrs Neville and gave a donation for the Cambodian Appeal. Margaret Adams
| | Solo Group The Friday Coffee Morning at Egypt Mill, Nailsworth, appears to be taking off. It started shakily a month ago. I had mentioned to a few members I was thinking of starting another coffee morning at Egypt Mill on a Friday but I hadn't mentioned a starting date.  On 12th March Carol Broughton and I were having coffee at Egypt Mill when 4 Solo members turned up. After that - for the next 2 weeks - only 1 member turned up for coffee and then Friday 26th March - 11 appeared.
I think the Friday Coffee morning has sort of launched itself!! Egypt Mill appears to be a popular choice for our Friday Coffee Morning. Not only is it a comfortable venue - it has a large car park - so here goes... Solo now have 3 Coffee Mornings a week - all at different venues - but I still say it is by far the best way to meet up with other members and generally find out what is going on. Linda Weller is recovering after her knee operation in March. After complaining to David Drew about her lack of support on her return home he got in touch with the hospital concerned. I still feel not enough care is given to people, especially pensioners, who live on their own after an operation and have nobody to help them. Any ideas??? Rita Shepherd 01453834116 More News
| | 'Get Well Soon' Cards  The Pressed Flowers, Cards & Pictures group, who make these cards, do so free of charge.
If you know of a U3A member who is not well, and would like one of these cards sent, then all you have to do is contact Avrielle Perrin on 01453753505, give her the details and she will send a hand-made pressed flower card to the person concerned. This card will be from the U3A and not from any individual.
| Mar 2010 | German Group  Michael Stott's German Group, is now quite established with an average of 6 members at each meeting. Although their ability is very varied, we all seem to learn something, some reading from prepared "homework" whilst others speak aus den Stegreif (off the cuff). Some members are concerned with the grammar, others prefer to learn the language "as she is spoke".
Clive Blackmore
| | Social History  Would you please note that the Social History venue has changed to the Bowls Club at Dudbridge. Same date and time.
We would like to thank Joyce Longhurst for hosting our meeting for such a long time and making us all so welcome. We have become too many car drivers for her to accommodate our vehicles of late. We have really enjoyed her hospitality and the wonderful views from her conservatory. Thanks again Joyce from the Group. Betty Nash
| |  Historic Walks
Are you interested in taking part in a walking tour led by the Gloucester Civic Trust, around Gloucester to start with. If we, as a U3A Group wish to do the walking tours usually done during the summer, it can be arranged that we will be the only participants. There are many, many historic places in Gloucester that we can read about, but I would like to see. If anyone is interested in taking part please contact me. Should there be a good response there is no reason why I can't start a regular group meeting, say once a month, to visit historic places. Annette Jefferies 01453 753417
| | Solo Group Spring IS on the way in spite of a cold, hard ,long, drawn out winter - the weather will get better - well that's what I tell myself when I feel entrapped in the deep, dark, dreary days of this winter. To escape I started looking at future holidays that I had seen advertised in the Rover brochure. The outcome - I have booked up a 5 day holiday back to St. Agnes. I don't normally book up the same holiday two years running, but this was such a lovely venue and the hotel and food were good so I had no doubts about booking it up again. So far 8 Solo members are returning so that speaks for itself. Unfortunately there are no singles left but if anyone is interested either book up direct with Rover on 832121 or give me a call.  Another Rover holiday that looks good is a 8 day trip to Lake Thun, Mountain Railways and Swiss Alps. Here again there are no singles left and it is a coach journey all the way overnighting in Reims. So far 3 of us have booked up this one to Switzerland.
Linda Weller is back from Cheltenham Hospital after her knee operation. She was in the hospital for a week. She still does not sound at all well. Her daughter, Elizabeth, is with her until Sunday but then she has to return to Slovenia where she is working. Solo continues to grow and the Monday and Thursday coffee mornings are doing well. A lot of the members are making friends and arranging holidays amongst themselves which is a brilliant idea. Believe it or not British Summer Time begins on 28th March which means - the clocks go forward!! Roll on Spring... Rita Shepherd 01453834116 More News
| |  New Group?
After reading the U3A Sources magazine, and of all the groups who are researching their family histories, I wonder if I am the only one in the Stroud & District Branch who would love to find out about granny, and possibly far back relations. Reading the magazine, one can see that you need good leaders, who are at ease with computers, and know a lot about genealogy. As we have over four hundred members, I do hope someone can start a group to help in this, learning, absorbing, addictive hobby. This novice would be the first to join. Avrielle Perrin.
| | Croquet Group  If you would like a 100 minute stroll, never more than 50 yards from your car, with frequent stops, just occasional arm swinging, with plenty of fresh air in a beautiful setting, then come to Kings Stanley Playing Field on Wednesday morning, starting on 21st April, and play croquet.
We do not play in the rain, so telephone Noreen on Stroud 824011 between 9.15 and 9.40 am if you need an estimate of weather conditions there at 10 o'clock. The No 14 buses from both Stroud and Stonehouse arrive at the playing field at 9.55. If you cannot play on Wednesdays, there is a less genteel game on Monday afternoons at 2.00. (The Monday group replace croquet with a game of Bridge throughout the winter and if it is raining) If you would like to play - or learn as you play - even if you can only manage a different day, telephone Noreen, or tell me at the 15th April meeting. Noreen Menendez
| | Temari Group  Due to ill health the Temari classes have now finished. Those of us who have participated over the past few years have enjoyed a warm welcome and great hospitality from Audrey. She taught us the techniques and, with endless patience, coaxed us along, encouraging us to move away from our usual safe choices of colours and to be more daring. Our friends and families have been inundated with our finished results!
As a multi-talented craftswoman, Audrey also shared her knowledge of other crafts with us - giving us the opportunity to experiment with new things and passing on many useful tips. All this was accompanied by lots of conversation and much laughter. We shall certainly miss those happy afternoons. Molly Walker
| Jan 2010 | Art & Calligraphy  This Group will be restarting on January 15th (weather permitting) otherwise the following week.
There are vacancies for 3 more members of this group Joyce Adamson
| | Tai Chi Group  Tai Chi will restart on Thursday, 7th January at 11:30am. New members are welcome. The cost is £12.00 for four week, paid in advance.
Please ring Joyce Perkins on 01453791411 to find out more.
| | Patchwork and Quilting Group  Congratulations to the Patchwork and Quilting Group for their splendid display of work at the November General Meeting. The hours of detailed design and careful workmanship that this represented was fully appreciated by everyone. Owing to their generosity in donating a quillow to be raffled, £45-50 was raised for the Cotswold Care Hospice in Minchinhampton. A big Thank You to all concerned.
| | New Music Group? I have had an enquiry as to the possibility of forming a group interested in playing music. Pat Banks, who is herself a cellist, would be glad to hear from anyone who plays an instrument. Please contact her on 01453 812895 or 0797673284.
| | Show What You Do! Following the success of the display given by the Patchwork and Quilting Group at our November meeting, I feel everyone would be interested to find out about other groups' activities. We tend to beaver away within our own groups where much interesting work is done but few people outside the group know about it. Do, please, think about how your group could show the rest of us what goes on. If you can help in any way, please let me know. Mary Newman (01453 766489)
| |  U3A and Stroud FM
I have been approached by Richard Lewis of Stroud FM about the possibility of offering a course in radio production/presentation to our members. Stroud FM is a community radio station, broadcasting 24 hour a day every day of the year. It has been running for about eighteen months and broadcasts programmes made by and for the people of Stroud. At the end of the course he anticipates that we will have a programme which can be broadcast and which he says "wouldn't be dry and theoretical but fun and practical". I have asked Richard to come to our monthly meeting on 4th February and give us a brief presentation about how we might take advantage of the Stroud FM offer. Alan Callender Click for earlier reference to Stroud FM
| Dec 2009 | 
This stunning photograph of the Christmas Tree exhibited in St Lawrence Church by U3A Craft Groups was sent in by Sheila Maddock
| | Christmas Lunch 
Our Christmas Lunch at Egypt Mill, Nailsworth was a great success. Good food and good company made the whole thing go with a swing. It was well attended and a good time was enjoyed by all.
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