https://u3asites.org.uk/chatteris

Chatterbox!

The official newsletter of Chatteris U3A

FEBRUARY OPEN MEETING

On Thursday February 15 Alan Moser-Bardouleau spoke at our open meeting. His presentation took us on his career journey with the Printer's darkroom being the focus of his narrative. We were left reflecting on the future of the traditional British Newspaper as the market is shrinking, digital devices are in fierce competition and communication is forever advancing with technology.

MARCH & APRIL OPEN MEETING

The March Open meeting is scheduled for March 15 at the King Edward Centre. Mr Roy Smart will be speaking about Admiral Beattie with a talk entitled: The last Naval Hero.

A reminder that at the Open Meeting/AGM in April the committee will need to be (re)elected and we would welcome any new members putting themselves forward. The March Open Meeting presents an opportunity to put forward nominations and express an interest in providing support accordingly. No special skills are needed, just a little of your time and perhaps a few fresh ideas. Chatteris U3A, like all others, is run by our members for our members so please give it a thought.

INTEREST GROUPS

An exciting aspect of membership in the U3A is the many different groups that we can attend. However, they need your support; either to maintain the existing groups or to start new ones. It need not be a big job to start a new group and once established they should run themselves. You DO NOT have to teach or lead, it just needs someone to get things started. SO PLEASE, PLEASE give some thought to how you might be able to help either by attending a group or maybe starting a new one.

Please be advised that members may bring one guest to one taster session for any of the groups, but the respective group leader needs to give their approval in advance and normal fees (if applicable) will apply.

For further information on group activities or to start a new group contact Georgina Plumb on georgina4472@sky.com or phone 01354 694234

February 2018

President: Ray Dordery

Committee members

Chairman: Ken Robson

Secretary/ Talks: Jan Fieldhouse

Treasurer: Lesley Gibbs

Vice Chair: Jeanette Hipkins & Barry Ransley

Membership: Jeanette Hipkins

Trips/Events: Barry Ransley

Theatre/Trips: Chris Coveney

Groups Admin: Georgina Plumb

Catering: Alison Robson

Publicity: Sandy Wright

Web Site: Phil Green

Events & Projects: Ted Croucher

Enquiries: 07716 858286

GROUP REPORTS

The Gardening Group Susan Newman The February meeting was hosted by Stuart and Sue, who provided home-made scones, tea, and coffee. We discussed and agreed the Agenda for garden visits over the next few months. The first of which is Barnsdale

Gardens near Grantham on March 14th. A general discussion took place covering a variety of subjects relating to plants and general gardening maintenance. Sandra brought some Box seedlings for the group members, which were shared.

Creative Writing Group Polly Howat

Each member has chosen a picture of an unknown person taken from various media sources, given him/her an imaginary name and invented their story that will be written in three parts until the project ends at the beginning of May.

May I introduce you to: -

Alfred Murdock, an 86 years old man from East Belfast with a 'past,' loved by men and women. What is his sordid secret?

An Edwardian aristocratic young lady with a strong social conscience

The mysterious Edwin Echerhart who in the 1930's entertained in the night clubs of Tangiers

The hash tag Me Too Movement and social media are hounding the respected Charles Fanshaw MP for alleged inappropriate sexual behaviour. How will this affect his wife, Anne?

Who is that lady with an enigmatic smile?

Singing For Pleasure Joan Deller

Unfortunately, we had to cancel our February Singing session owing to illness and holidays. I am hoping that everyone will be present for our next one on Thursday 22nd March at 10.30 am in the Emmanuel Church small hall. Any new-comers will be made most welcome, so please come and join us in singing songs ranging from ABBA to Andy Williams via Elgar and one or two songs from the musicals. If you would like any further information, please contact Joan on 693279 or email joandeller@talktalk.net.

Gardener’s World Show and Good Food Show Jan Fieldhouse

The trip to Gardeners World and Good Food Show on Friday 15th June will be running as planned. We are leaving Furrowfields Car Park at 7.30am, travelling to Birmingham NEC. Cost will be £35.00 per person which includes both entry and coach cost. Can you please pay at the March Open Meeting as tickets require payment as soon as possible. Please make cheques payable to Chatteris U3A and give to either Merci Dulson or Lesley Pomfrett at the Open meeting. Thank you.

For further information or to clarify any arrangements please contact Jan on 01354 697701 or jan56fieldhouse@gmail.com

Family History Georgina Plumb

The February meeting welcomed Margaret Curley who has a great insight into Family Research and the many opportunities that are constantly being made available by various websites including 'familysearch'. Her ideas, tips and suggestions provided a lot of routes to pursue in order to reveal additional names to our family trees. Our March meeting will be a workshop to share and support each other with our own experiences, knowledge and access to different websites. April meeting will see the return of Katrina Friess who visited our group last year and presented a lively discussion on family research, especially on the history of will making and the useful information that can be gleaned.

For further information contact Georgina Plumb on georgina4472@sky.com or phone 01354 694234

Walking Here Phil Green

On a crisp and bright Friday morning, 12 humans and two dogs sallied forth on the February walk.

Along the way we met Dave Boy Green, our town’s very own former British and European Welterweight Boxing Champion. After chatting awhile with us, Dave was given the honour of taking a photograph of our group. Two of the people in the picture are blood relatives of Dave. Can you pick them out? (Big Clue –They both look really tough!!).

Trips Barry Ransley

The visit to Peterborough Greyhounds gave everybody an enjoyable evening out, although nobody won enough money to retire. We rode on the latest addition to the C and G fleet, which, after it had warmed up, proved a very comfortable ride. The day at Oxford is running at the end of April (based on people signed up but yet to pay) but lots of seats are still available for what should be a great day out. Fish and chips with coffee after are provided (you can add extras as you like at the time) but it is a long day and I would suggest that everyone has a water bottle and packet of munchies with them.

Later in the year we still offering days out to the National Arboretum, Kew Gardens and Chatsworth House.

Defibrillator Fundraiser.

As many of you will have seen in the recent Centrepoint magazine, we are hosting a Horse Race Night with Fish and Chip Supper to raise money towards purchasing another Defibrillator for Chatteris. Defibrillators cost in the region of £1500. The event will be held in The King Edward Centre on Friday August 17th, 7pm till 10.30pm.

Tickets for this event will cost £7 to include your supper and will be available soon. However, sponsors are sought for each race at a cost of £20 per race. There will be six races and the sponsor can be commercial, social or corporate. There will also be sponsors for each individual horse (£3) with eight horses per race. Winning 'owners' will receive a prize.

Very many thanks to 'Slimming World' who was the first sponsor via Georgina Plumb. Donations for prizes above and for the raffle would be most welcome. For further information and to offer sponsorship contact Ted Croucher on: teds.shed.events@gmail.com or at the next meeting.

DIARY

DATE: ACTIVITY: PRICE: CONTACT:

15 March - Thursday 10.00am

OPEN MEETING at KING EDWARD CENTRE. Speaker RAY SMART - LAST NAVAL HERO

Ken Robson Jan Fieldhouse

17 March - Saturday Leaving Furrowfields at 10.00am.

CLASSICAL SPECTCULAR at THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL, LONDON. Matinee performance at 3pm. ONLY ONE TICKET LEFT

£55 Chris Coveney Money required at the March Meeting.

11 April - Wednesday 7.30pm

SISTER ACT at HINCHINGBROOKE SCHOOL, SPOTLIGHT THEATRE, HUNTINGDON Use own transport or arrange lifts. SOLD OUT

£10. Chris Coveney Money required at the March Meeting.

19 April - Thursday 10.00am

OPEN MEETING/AGM at KING EDWARD CENTRE. Speaker GEOFF HODGE - GARDENING

Ken Robson Jan Fieldhouse

26 April - Thursday Leaving Furrowfields at 08.00am.

OXFORD, THE ISIS & IFLEY. Including a FISH & CHIPS Lunch. SEATS STILL AVAILABLE

£55 Barry Ransley

31 May - Thursday 2.30pm Matinee

THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG at CAMBRIDGE ARTS THEATRE. Use own transport or arrange lifts.

£30 Chris Coveney

05 June - Tuesday Details to follow

THE NATIONAL ARBORETUM Details to follow

Barry Ransley

18 July - Wednesday Details to follow

KEW GRADENS Details to follow

Barry Ransley

01 August - Wednesday TBC

THE RAPTOR CENTRE Details to follow

Barry Ransley

06 September (Thurs) - 11 September (Tues)

ARMISTICE COMMEMORATION BATTLEFIELD TOUR This is organised by HUNTINGDON U3A; British History of World War 1. Further details to follow

£399 Single supp £140

Karen Aspinall – 01480 385579 kjaspinall@ntlworld.com.

19 September - Wednesday TBC

CHATSWORTH HOUSE Details to follow

Barry Ransley

26 September - Wednesday 2.30pm Matinee

WAR HORSE at MILTON KEYNES THEATRE PLEASE NOTE this is a MARCH THEATRE TRIP, therefore, all cheques payable to G. Osler please

£47.50 exclusive of transport

Chris Coveney Money required at the March Meeting.

28 November - Wednesday TBC

BURY ST EDMUNDS Christmas Market Barry Ransley

For further information about Chatteris U3A and the activities mentioned above visit the website https://u3asites.org.uk/chatteris or attend an open meeting or contact a member direct.