Issue 254

October

2018

www.fairfordu3a.org.uk Registered Charity No 1072658

Fairford & District

Newsletter

Alan Brewer

UP IN THE CLOUDS

with some Fluffy Bits

Forthcoming Meetings

6 November: Plant Conservation at the National Trust Simon Toomer works for the National Trust. He talks about the conservation of cultivated plants in the National Trust gardens and parks. 4 December: Christmas Meeting Chloe Green of ‘Midnight Story Tellers’ will perform ‘21st Century Scrooge’, a modern take on ‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens. 8 January: Banish Scams and Fraud The Coventry Building Society will be advising us on how to stay safe.

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Main Meeting 2 October 2018

Up in the Clouds with some Fluffy Bits Alan Brewer

2.30pm in the Palmer Hall

During a 38 year career with the BA, this former steward and BBC chef has looked after Royalty, Prime Ministers, Pop Stars and Celebrities. In this light hearted presentation, Alan shares with us some of his interesting encounters and anecdotes.

Christmas Lunch

Monday 10 December 2018

12noon for 12.30pm at ‘THE CROWN OF CRUCIS’

The Menu and booking form for our Christmas Lunch can be found at the back of this newsletter.

Welcome to New Members

Jean Brown Josephine Price

Anne Speed

Exercise Tiger The Slapton Sands Disaster

To say Paul Barnett entertained members at the September U3A meeting would hardly be appropriate, because his topic was very sobering. Luckily, as a well-informed maritime historian, he was able to explain in an engaging manner the disastrous way in which Exercise Tiger played out on Slapton Sands, Devon in April 1944.

The location was ideal for mimicking the terrain the army would encounter during the D-day landings in Normandy. The whole operation was supposed to take place without communications so that as each complication arose the soldiers, who knew the exercise was intended to be as realistic as possible, thought the problems were all part of their training.

Paul continually repeated ‘and if you thought that was bad enough wait until you hear this.’ For instance, of the two ships assigned to protect the exercise convoy, only one was present because the other had suffered damage and headed back to Plymouth. Its replacement did not reach the scene in time. The American commander decided to delay the start by an hour but word about this was not circulated. The landing craft were arranged in a straight line, making them an easy target. The soldiers, with no marine training, had not been instructed how to wear their lifebelts and put them on in such a way as to be pulled into the water by their heavy packs, so that they drowned. The quiet and lack of activity alerted German U-boats, which were able to spot the convoy and attack it. One calculation of the number of deaths is 749 but record keeping was poor and not surprisingly logs got lost.

News of the debacle was restricted and (like the Bletchley Park story) seeped out only much later. Not until the 1970s did a local, Ken Small, begin discovering metal, shells and remnants of army and naval equipment which eventually led to him acquiring a whole Sherman tank – this, after its own series of ‘would you believe it vicissitudes’, is now at Torcross as a memorial to those who died.

Sylvia Jones

Tea Rota

November : Walk with a Pub Lunch December : Committee January : Yoga

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The leaves are starting to turn and summer is definitely behind us; the grandchildren are back at school and hopefully we will see a lot more of our membership having time for our activity groups.

The new ‘relaxed’ table tennis group on a Friday has got off to a good start but still has room for plenty more so please come along on Fridays at 11.30am.

The Christmas lunch at the Crown of Crucis has been booked this year and will cost £24.50 per member – see the form attached with this Newsletter. This is always a popular event so book without delay.

We are still waiting for the scheduled programme of works for the Palmer Hall which will be taking place soon; they have a crowd funding page for those who would like to contribute towards the renovations – the internet address is: http://uk.gofundme.com/thepalmerhall

There was no response to the suggestion at the September General Meeting that our membership might like to comment on the viability of the August outdoor meeting. If you do have any suggestions and cannot get to the meeting, you can phone me if you have a view. We shall be debating this at our next Committee meeting so your views will be heard.

Finally, a big ‘thank you’ to Chris Pooley who is standing down from his role as proof reader. Chris has done this for 6 years and feels that it is time for someone else to take over. We have really valued his contribution to this important part of our Newsletter production. This particular job can be done sitting down in an armchair (!) so if you have a good command of English, a computer and the time, please speak to Alan Eagle, Acting Editor in Chief: 01285 712515.

Marilyn Gibbon - Chairman 01285 713928 chairman@u3afairford.org.uk

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

Photo Album

If you have any interesting photographs of U3A activities please pass them to Ann Wightman for inclusion in the album.

01285 712723

Members

Should you change your email address or any other detail will you please let me know so that our records can be kept up to date.

Sue Jonson: Membership Secretary MembershipSec@fairfordu3a.org.uk 0774 392 3089

Tony Ephgrave

We were very sad to hear of the untimely death of Tony Ephgrave recently. Our thoughts are with his wife Jackie and family together with their many friends.

Many of you will remember Tony from his outstanding BBQ at our 20th Anniversary Picnic in 2015.

Ann Wightman

U3A 2019 Diaries

Based on last year’s interest, fifteen have been ordered from Head Office, and, will be available for purchase from the Newsletter table at the October or November meetings.

This year's cover is Dark Red, and the price is £2.50 per diary.

Freda Lang 01285 713331 freda.lang@lineone.net

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GROUP REPORTS

Book Circle 1

Our book for September was ‘Splinter the Silence’ by the award-winning author Val McDermid. An ardent feminist and campaigner for women’s rights herself, in this her 30th crime thriller she portrays three prominently outspoken women who die and are deemed to have committed suicide.

The women have all been at pains to show how badly women are treated by some men and all have received online insults and threats. The women were strong in mind and cared nothing for what people thought of them. Is it not surprising, then, that they should kill themselves because of merciless bullying? This is the question which clinical psychologist and profiler Tony Hill asked himself and which led to a murder investigation by himself and police officer detective Carol Jordan.

Incidentally, another feature of the book is Carol’s drink problem. Recently retired from the police force she is arrested for drunken driving on a little frequented lane close to her home.

The charge is neatly disposed of when she is required to return to the force to lead a new Major Incident Team.

From the beginning the reader knows who the killer is, but he is unknown to the characters in the book who spend their time working out what really happened. We hold our breath as he plans his next murder.

Most of us had not read any of the previous books in this ongoing series but one member said she thought that this one is the least violent. Although the novel is suspenseful and well plotted, we didn’t care for the often strange style and disliked the constant use of the ‘F’ word. Perhaps we’re old-fashioned!

Barbara Cobbett

P.S. After writing this review (struggling, agonising, pondering, wondering), I am reminded of Val McDermid's conversation with her good friend Ruth Rendell, author of many psychological murder mysteries and now sadly deceased. When it was suggested to Rendell that having written so many books it must be easier, she received the reply, 'No, dear, it gets harder.' Oh, how true!

Newsletter Editing Team

Following his resignation, the Team would like to thank Chris Pooley for his work over the past six years as a Proof Reader. This is an essential job involving reading the draft copy of each month’s Newsletter to find and correct any errors. His contributions have been most valuable and greatly appreciated.

As mentioned by our Chairman, we would now like to appoint a replacement Proof Reader and therefore invite a suitable person to volunteer to fill the vacancy. Basic skills in the English Language and grammar, and a free hour or two each month, is all that is required.

We also wish to recruit an additional Assistant Editor for our Team. Existing knowledge of MS-Word and basic computer literacy is required. Full training would be provided for MS-Publisher, if required.

Alan Eagle editorinchief@fairfordu3a.org.uk 01285 712515

Cycling with a Pub Lunch

August is usually a difficult month as to the number of riders that will take part, with holidays, grandparenting etc, and so it proved this month. In the event there were just two. Dave and Pete met at Lechlade then headed off to Clanfield via ‘The Trout Inn’ and Kelmscot. Virtually a straight quiet lane all the way to the Farringdon road. The Post Office at Clanfield is also a bakery, and they do the most excellent cinnamon buns, well worth the effort. After a brief repast our duo then returned via Little Farringdon and Lechlade. A very good ride in bright sunny weather. (As related per the riders!)

Paul O'Shaughnessy

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Book Circle 2

In September we read ‘The Beggar Maid: stories of Flo and Rose’ by Alice Munro, first published in Canada in 1978 entitled ‘Who do you think you are?’

Alice Munro, born July 10, 1931, in a small town Wingham, Ontario, Canada, a literary prize- winning author over many years, the most prestigious being in 2013 as the first Canadian born to win the Nobel Prize for literature as ‘master of the contemporary short story’.

She started writing in her teens, but this potential career was put on hold as she brought up her three daughters. However, after the mid-60s her short stories were published, first in various Canadian magazines, and then taken up by international and popular outlets including ‘Harpers’, ‘New Statesman’ and most successfully by ‘The New Yorker’.

The Beggar Maid is the second collection of some of her stories, these stories linked by accounts of the characters Flo and especially Rose. The group were much divided in their opinion of this book. The genre of short story in itself is unattractive to one or two of us, then the gloomy outlook and lack of fulfilment in Rose was a further great drawback. The loosely connected stories revealed a woman with little love of others and always a disappointment to herself.

Others saw both humour and pathos in Rose’s condition. The feisty Flo had been Rose’s support, but gave neither her son nor her stepdaughter any praise or self confidence. Some of us recognised a little of our own lives in the startlingly clear detailed description of the school and township of Hanratty and in the innermost thoughts and emotional complexities of Rose herself which were most sensitively observed and expressed. ‘A woman’s story’ commented a man in the group, and there is some justice in that.

Jane Pugh

Solos

On the 16 August nine of us tried the ‘Mason’s Arms’ again, the food was all right but the company was better.

On the 25 August we visited the ‘Victoria Inn’ at Eastleach where we all enjoyed a very good lunch before going on to the local fete. The weather was very pleasant and, as you might expect, we ended up in the marquee supping tea and lovely homemade cakes.

Mike Johnson

Strollers

On 24 August we battled our way through the tourist infested streets of Bibury. Fourteen intrepid walkers made it to the outskirts unscathed. They then enjoyed a circular walk around the edges of the town taking in the beautiful surrounding countryside.

Arriving back at the ‘Catherine Wheel’, ten of us sat down to a very nice lunch.

Thanks to Reg Thoburn for suggesting the walk but he was not there due to an injury. However, I am sure he was there in spirit!

Alan Topham

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WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT BREXIT ?

1. What was the date of the Referendum ?

2. What year did Greece join the EU ?

3. Who is the head of the EU ?

4. What percentage of the electorate voted for EXIT ?

5. What date are we currently due to EXIT ?

6. How did Wales vote in the Referendum - REMAIN or EXIT ?

7. How many countries are currently in the EU ?

8. In which year did the UK join the EU (previously EEC) ?

9. Which was the last Country to join the EU ?

10. How many EU countries use the EURO as their currency ?

ANSWERS ON PAGE 11

GROUP MEETINGS

Please contact the group leaders if you are interested in joining any of the groups, or visit www.fairfordu3a.org.uk for further information.

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Anglo-Saxon Poetry

Thursday 25 October

We shall meet at my house at 10.30am. Please let me know if you are unable to come.

Miriam Scott 01285 713441

Birdwatching

Tuesday 16 October

We shall be visiting two or three sites in the Forest of Dean, hoping for the usual variety of species.

Meet at the Car Park at 9.00am to arrange lifts. Suggested passenger donation £3.00.

Mick and Jo Jones Geoff Dennis 01285 712195 bethandgeoff@yahoo.com

Book Circle 1

Tuesday 9 October

We meet at 2.00pm at my home to discuss 'Homegoing' by Yaa Gyasi.

Please let me know if you cannot come to the meeting.

Sheila Morgan 01285 810471

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Bridge Improvers

Mondays

The group will continue to meet every Monday afternoon (except Bank Holidays) from 2.00pm to 4.00pm in the Heritage Room, Fairford Community Centre, for a lesson and friendly practice play.

If you play bridge and would like to improve come and join us; we are a friendly and informal group, making mistakes and learning together.

Partners and refreshments provided.

Margaret Bishop 01285 238834 mbishop1@timetalk.co.uk

Book Circle 2

Tuesday 9 October

The group meet at 2.30pm at the home of Lyn Thornhill to discuss 'To Kill the President' by Sam Bourne (aka Jonathan Freedland).

If you cannot come to the meeting, please will you let Lyn or me know.

Jane Pugh 01285 712184 pughtajm@gmail.com Lyn Thornhill 01285 711717

Boccia

The new BOCCIA season will commence on Thursday 4 October 2018 in the Farmor Room, Fairford Community Centre at 2.15pm until 3.30pm.

We will play every Thursday, with a short break for Christmas and New Year, until the end of March 2019. All members are invited.

We shall play BOCCIA and enjoy a free cup of tea or coffee and biscuits.

BOCCIA is a game suitable for people of all abilities and can be played sitting down. As we have to pay for the room, there will a charge of £1.00 per person. I am also looking for a member to lead BOCCIA if David & Heather Baber or me are unavailable. This would involve setting up the equipment and putting away at the end of the session, collecting the monies, buying milk and ensuring the biscuits are topped up. If you are interested please let either David Baber or me know.

Reg Thoburn 01285 712397 David & Heather Baber 01285 711343

Dance to Five Rhythms

Wednesday 17 October

We dance regularly at the Palmer Hall on the third Wednesday of the month at 10.15am.

New members welcome. Come and move to the music!

Joyce Deane 01285 851408

Chess

Do you know how to play chess? If not, have you ever thought about learning? Why not join us and give it a try?

We play for fun and don’t take it too seriously whether we win or lose, and it is a good way to keep the grey matter ticking over.

We meet once a month, usually on a Wednesday afternoon, start with a chat over tea and biscuits, and play for a maximum of about an hour-and-a-half.

Please contact me if you are interested or would like more information.

Mike Bennett 01367 252379 mish252379@btinternet.com

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Computer Group

Tuesdays

We meet every week on Tuesday mornings at my home where I aim to help members in the use of computers, the internet and more. If you are interested in joining the group, please contact me and you will be welcome.

If you have your own laptop, please bring it along as it is better to learn on your own computer.

For those just starting, I have a modern Windows laptop computer that is available for members to use.

Nick Humphris 01285 711740

Garden Group

Thursday 25 October

The venue is the Water Perry Gardens in Wheatley near Oxford, to view Autumn colours and obtain ideas and bulbs, etc for Spring sowing.

Meet at the Car Park at 2.00pm to arrange lifts. Suggested passenger donation £2.50.

Beth and Geoff Dennis 01285 712195 bethandgeoff@yahoo.com

Geology

Wednesday 3 October, 7 November

We now meet on the 1st Wednesday of every month at Fairford United Church, Milton Street at 2.30pm.

For details of our Geology meetings please contact:

Clive Watson 01285 713003

Creative Writing

Fridays

We have an excellent small group who are enjoying the activities but we would welcome any new members.

We meet every Friday morning from 10.00am to 11.30am.

Please contact me for more details.

Jo Stichbury 01285 239152

Italian

We have a volunteer who is willing to teach Italian, either beginners or intermediate. If you are interested can you contact me in the first instance. Details of day and venue to be decided but is fairly flexible.

Carole McDerment 01285 711354 groupco-ordinator@fairfordu3a.org.uk

Keep Fit

Tuesdays

We normally meet in the Palmer Hall on Tuesday each week at 9.15am.

Please note that there will be no meeting on 2 or 9 October.

Chris Pooley 01367 250346

Model Group

Thursdays

The Model Group meets weekly on Thursday mornings.

Please contact me for details.

Jim Sullivan 01367 252539

Music Listening

Friday 19 October

We shall meet in Rosemary's house at 2.30pm.

The topic will be Music associated with a holiday recent or long ago. Also it could be linked with a photo.

Please let me know if you are not able to come.

Gillian Bilbrough 01285 712579.

French 2 & 3

Mondays

There are now three French Groups. Groups 2 and 3 are for those who feel reasonably confident about holding a conversation albeit with some vocab help from other members!

We make use of ‘ La Vie Outre-Manche’ , an excellent magazine written almost entirely in French for groups like ours. We read aloud an assigned few pages every week and then discuss the articles, which are a useful insight into contemporary French news and culture. Both Groups meet on Monday mornings at 11.00am.

French Group 2 is hosted either by Julie Whittering or Jean Crowley and this Group is seeking new members!

French Group 3 usually meets at the home of Jane Pugh or Alison Wilson.

Please contact the following people for information about where the Groups are meeting each week:

French 2: Julie Whittering (01285 712775) or Jean Crowley (01285 711775)

French 3: Alison Wilson (01285 711574)

Alison Wilson

Industrial Heritage

For details of this month’s activities please contact:

Pete Evans 01285 713069 pete.whooper@hotmail.co.uk

Latin

Thursdays 4 October, 1 November

The group meets on the first Thursday of the month at 2.30pm at my house.

Please contact me if you are unable to come.

Susan Greig 01285 810274

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French 1

Mondays 1, 15 October, 5 November

We meet on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month in the Barker Room of the Community Centre from 11.00am until noon.

This longstanding and friendly group aims to

help members brush up on ‘O’ Level French,

hopefully improving fluency, when speaking

the language.

Our meetings are great fun. We enjoy sharing

a friendly conversation at a fairly simple level

and learn from the book ‘Voici’ and the

accompanying CD recordings.

The group is currently full. Sandra Hoaksey 01367 253243 shoaksey@aol.com

MahJong

Thursdays 4, 18 October, 1 November

We have now started our fourth season and we meet in the Barker Room at Fairford Community Centre for two hours from 10.00am on the first and third Thursdays of the month.

MahJong is an easy and sociable game that can be enjoyed by all levels of player.

Please contact us if you would like to attend, or to experience a trial session to find out what it is all about.

Alan & Linda Eagle 01285 712515 alane2004@btinternet.com

Needlework

Wednesdays 3, 17, 31 October

We meet at the Fairford Community Centre from 2.00pm to 4.00pm. This group brings together many different skills under the heading of ‘Needlework’; we are a friendly group and enjoy our sessions.

If you would like to know more, please contact:

Pauline Jones 01285 851212

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Poetry Circle 1

Friday 5 October, 2 November

The group usually meets on the first Friday of the month at 2.30pm when we read and enjoy poetry and verse of all kinds.

Anyone interested in joining us would be most welcome.

Barbara Cottam 01285 711054

Poetry Circle 2

Friday 5 October, 2 November

In October we meet at Helen's house at 2.30pm to read poetry about trees.

In November we meet at 2.00pm (please note earlier time) at Doreen’s house to read poetry by Edward Lear.

Please contact me if you are unable to come.

Helen Evans 01285 713431

Quilting

Wednesdays 3 October, 7 November

This group meets on the first Wednesday of the month from 12.30 pm to 2.00pm in the Barker Room of the Community Centre.

New members welcome.

Jan Mills 01285 830384

Philosophy

Please contact me for details of this month’s meeting.

Dan Deane 01285 851408

Tuesday 23 October

Please note that this month’s meeting is a week later than usual. We shall meet at the normal venue at 2.30pm and will have our six-card story session.

John Higgs 01285 712488

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Recorders

Fridays 12, 26 October

We start with anyone who would like to play the treble (from 2.00pm to 2.30pm) followed by the main group to finish at 4.30pm with a break for tea.

We will be in the Heritage Room on the ground floor of the Fairford Community Centre and will let you know if we have to use another room. As usual, we will be playing a varied selection of music arranged for Descant, Treble, Tenor and Bass with the addition of Great and Contrabasses in the occasional piece.

If there are any more recorder players (no matter how rusty) who would like to join a friendly, non-judgemental group you would be very welcome. please contact:

Hilary Bradshaw 01367 860030 hilary@burytown15.co.uk

Jay Mathews 01367 860869 jaymathews124@mac.com (We have some spare instruments and stands; please ask if you would like to borrow one.)

Scottish Reels

Wednesday 17 October

Scottish Reels is a great way to enjoy an evening and take a little exercise in the process. Our motto is ‘Reels are Fun’, and our dances are generally taken from an instruction book of the same name. We welcome both beginners and those with experience. You can come alone or with your spouse, partner or friend. We meet monthly at 8.00pm for two hours in Poulton Village Hall, normally on the third Wednesday. We make a charge of £3 per person per evening, to cover the rental of the venue and refreshments.

Richard Thompson 01285 712123 richard@richardandcarol.net

Short Tennis

Mondays

This group meets in the Palmer Hall every Monday between 3.00pm and 5.00pm. As we only have one court we often cannot accommodate new players, so if interested please speak to me first.

Margaret Trickett 01285 712421

Pétanque

We play every Tuesday and Wednesday morning on the piste at Farmor’s school. Our last session this season will be on 17 October.

At present the groups are full but we have a waiting list.

Heather and Dave Baber 01285 711343

Thursdays 4 October, 1 November

Scrabble will be from 2.30pm to 4.30pm in the Community Centre.

If you enjoy a game, you are very welcome to join us.

Kathleen Price

BREXIT ANSWERS 1) 23 June 2016 6) EXIT 2) 1981 7) 28 3) Jean-Claude Juncker 8) 1973 4) 52% 9) Croatia (in 2013) 5) 29 March 2019 10) 19

Rummikub

We meet on the second Thursday of the month from 2.00pm to 4.00pm for some friendly games of Rummikub.

The venue is the Heritage Room in the Fairford Community Centre.

Jean Freeth Lilian Pooley 01285 713570 01367 250346

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Yoga

Mondays and Thursdays

Classes meet weekly in the Community Centre:

Yoga 1 on Mondays at 10.00am in the Farmor room.

Yoga 2 on Thursdays at 10.30am in the Keble room.

There is now a waiting list.

Sylvia Jones 01285 712657

Straddlers and Striders Annual Meeting

This is an advanced notice that at the annual meeting both John and I will be stepping down as leaders of our respective groups.

The meeting, usually in early December, has yet to be arranged but this notice gives members time to think about replacing us. After many years experience between us we believe that one person could manage both groups. The leader is only responsible for arranging and chairing the annual meeting as walk leaders manage the monthly walks.

There will be more details in the November newsletter.

Phil Trickett 01285 712421 philtrickett@aol.com John Burrows 01367 253056 john@burrows44.plus.com

Solos

Monday 1 October, 5 November

Solos meet on the 1st Monday of the month.

Contact me for details.

Michael Johnson 01285 712637 sanaelma@yahoo.co.uk

Spanish

Wednesdays

This group is no longer suitable for beginners so any newcomers will need to know some Spanish already.

We meet at my home on Wednesday afternoons. Please contact me if you would like to join.

Linda Aston 01285 810900 ltaston@gmail.com

Table Tennis

Wednesdays and Fridays

Sessions are held in the Keble Room in the Fairford Community Centre on Wednesdays from 2.30pm and Fridays from 10.00am.

Players of all abilities are welcome.

Nick Stroude 01295 521067 or 07792 452650

Relaxed and Beginners

Sessions are held in the Keble Room on Fridays from 11.30am. This session is for those who either have never played or have not played for a while and do not feel comfortable in the hurly burly of the main sessions!

All welcome whatever age or ability. £1 per session – equipment is provided. Alan Topham 01285 712928

Straddlers

Thursday 18 October

We have visited The Ridgeway a few times this year and this walk continues that theme. We shall be visiting the Uffington Monuments and the Vale of the White Horse. Along the way we shall visit the Wayland Smithy, a burial chamber built around 3500 BC ( in old money) set in a beautiful secluded spot.

We shall start at the NT's Uffington White Horse car park on Whitehorse Hill to the south of the B4507. From the top of the downs we descend into Woolstone village, then we gently ascend back up on to The Ridgeway, all the while enjoying magnificent views. The walk is around six and a half miles, not too onerous and all in sunny weather.

Meet at Fairford at 9.00am, or the NT car park at 10.00am. Suggested travel fee is £2, lunch will be taken at a suitable viewpoint.

Paul O'Shaughnessy 01367 850262 Paulatscissor@btinternet.com

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Walk with a Pub Lunch

Wednesday 10 October

The walk this month is a circular walk starting at the Whelford Nature Reserve, approximately 4.5 miles. No stiles, no hills, with made up paths.

The walk takes us through woods around to the River Coln, a look at the arboretum and a glance at ‘Lakes by Yoo’.

Meet at Fairford Car Park to leave by 9.45am, or meet at ‘The George’, Kempsford at 10.00am to order lunch. Post Code GL7 4EQ. We will then fill each car to avoid taking too many to the nature reserve as parking is limited.

A very pretty and interesting walk. Suggested travel fee £1.00

Ann Wightman 01285 712723 Jackie Ephgrave 01285 713277 Bert Sampson 01285 712789

Striders

Tuesday 23 October

This 6.5 miles walk begins at ‘The Royal Oak’ in the village of Wootton Rivers on the southern side of Savernake Forest. The pub and village are signposted to the right off the A346 Marlborough to Salisbury road.

The first half of the walk follows the Mid-Wilts Way from the village to Martinsell Hill. This involves a couple of long, but not steep, uphill stretches. Given clear weather the views from the hill are excellent. Dropping steeply off the hill we reach the towpath of the Kennet and Avon Canal which we follow back to Wootton Rivers.

Leave Fairford car-park at 9.09am or meet at the start at 10.00am when we can order our lunches before setting off. Please let us know by the previous Sunday if you intend to join us so we can let the pub know our numbers for lunch.

Wootton Rivers is 30 miles away so the suggested travel donation is £3.

Margaret and Phil Trickett 01285 712421 philtrickett@aol.com

Walking Groups Walk leaders- please specify the length of the walk in your description.

Members and Guests taking part in these walks do so at their own risk.

Strollers

Friday 26 October

We start the walk from ‘The Trout’ in Lechlade, meeting at Fairford Car Park at 10.00am or at ‘The Trout’ at 10.15am.

The intention is to walk to the Round House via Monks Walk, following the river to Inglesham, taking in the new and improved part of the Thames Path before returning over fields to ‘The Trout’. The walking is easy with no stiles!

Suggested passenger contribution is 50p.

Judith Butler 01285 712600. Jenny Kinch 01367 252328.

Please send items for the

November Issue

by 17 October to

Heather Holwell

editor@fairfordu3a.org.uk

Editor this month - Alan Eagle

Dates for your Diary 2018

Friday 30 November Turkey & Tinsel.

Friday 2 November Bletchley Park Visit

Monday 10 December Christmas Lunch.

9—14 June 2019 Isle of Wight (Solos)

OCTOBER

Monday 1 Bridge, French, Short Tennis, Solos, Yoga 1

Tuesday 2 GENERAL MEETING, Computers, Pétanque 2

Wednesday 3 Geology, Needlework, Pétanque 1, Quilting, Spanish, Table Tennis 1

Thursday 4 Boccia, Latin, MahJong, Models, Scrabble, Yoga 2

Friday 5 Creative Writing, Poetry 1&2, Table Tennis 2 & Beginners

Monday 8 Bridge, Short Tennis, Yoga 1

Tuesday 9 Book Circles, Computers, Pétanque 2

Wednesday 10 Spanish, Pétanque 1, Table Tennis 1, Walk with Pub Lunch

Thursday 11 Boccia, Models, Rummikub, Yoga 2

Friday 12 Creative Writing, Recorders, Table Tennis 2 & Beginners

Monday 15 Bridge, French, Short Tennis, Yoga 1

Tuesday 16 Birdwatching, Computers, Keep Fit, Pétanque 2

Wednesday 17 Dance 5R's, Needlework, Pétanque 1, Scottish R’s, Spanish, Table Tennis 1

Thursday 18 Boccia, MahJong, Models, Straddlers, Yoga 2

Friday 19 Creative Writing, Music Listening, Table Tennis 2 & Beginners

Monday 22 Bridge, Short Tennis, Yoga 1

Tuesday 23 Computers, Keep Fit, Postcards, Striders

Wednesday 24 Spanish, Table Tennis 1

Thursday 25 Boccia, Anglo-Saxon Poetry, Garden, Models, Yoga 2

Friday 26 Creative Writing, Recorders, Strollers, Table Tennis 2 & Beginners

Monday 29 Bridge, Short Tennis, Yoga 1

Tuesday 30 Computers, Keep Fit

Wednesday 31 Needlework, Spanish, Table Tennis 1

NOVEMBER

Thursday 1 Boccia, Latin, MahJong, Models, Scrabble, Yoga 2

Friday 2 Creative Writing, Poetry 1&2, Table Tennis 2 & Beginners

U3A CHRISTMAS LUNCH MONDAY 10 DECEMBER 2018

12 for 12:30 at the Crown of Crucis

SERVED STARTERS

Smoked Mackerel Pate with Beetroot & Horseradish Relish Brioche

Deep-fried Brie with Homemade Chilli Jam, Tomato & Cucumber Relish (V)

Portobello Mushroom Rarebit with Red Onion Marmalade (V)

CARVERY MAIN COURSE

Roast Cotswold Turkey With Festive Stuffing, Chipolata Sausages, Bread Sauce

& Cranberry Sauce

Roast Topside of British Beef With Yorkshire Puddings & Horseradish Sauce

Leek & Goats Cheese Tartlets (V)

ALL SERVED WITH FRESH SEASONAL VEGETABLES, ROAST & NEW POTATOES

CARVERY DESSERTS

Christmas Pudding with Brandy Sauce

Raspberry Meringue Roulade with Cream

Citron Tart with Cream

COFFEE & MINTS

CHRISTMAS CRACKERS

£24.50 for three courses (including staff gratuity of £1 each)

Please complete the reply slip and return to Jen Thoburn:

(01285 712397/progsec@fairfordu3a.org.uk)

or any committee member, with your cheque at the October/November general meetings, OR by Friday 23 November 2018 latest.

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Please reserve --------- places for the U3A Christmas Lunch

NAME:___________________ CHOICE OF STARTER:____________________

NAME:___________________ CHOICE OF STARTER:____________________

I enclose a cheque for £----------- made payable to ‘Fairford & District U3A’