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Letter from the Chair. A Merry Christmas to all of our lovely members. Well, I'm feeling a lot better than I felt in early November as I write this month's newsletter, as the sun has appeared and I've just returned from an amazing weekend of music at The Great

British Folk Festival at Butlins in Skegness. (Where I managed to see 39 of the 43 "acts" on offer!) I've also just returned from my first "Christmas meal" so I'm certainly getting in the festive mood, after the downturn of November. As a U3A group, we've had a busy month, with many activities taking place.... a great Rock'n Roll night followed our successful Casino night, and we've still got our Dukeries Christmas Party to look forward to. It's certainly a hectic time for many of us, with festive preparations, meals out and various functions to attend. I know many of our groups are planning (or will have already had, by the time you read this) special events or outings to celebrate together, which I'm sure you will all enjoy. As U3A members we all have the offer of many things to do, and people to do them with, but I hope we'll all spare a thought for those in difficulties or ill-health, both in our own communities and around the world. Christmas can be a difficult time for many people, so I hope that we can offer support and kindness to those who are struggling with aspects of their lives at the moment. Aside from the festive issues, the result of our survey into the timing of the meetings returned a large majority in favour of keeping the new timing of having the Speaker at the beginning and the business section after tea. This also means that if you read the newsletter and/or the website, you don't need to stay and listen to duplicated information if you don't want to. (An issue which one or two members have commented on recently.) As your Chairperson and committee, we are continually trying to ensure that you have an enjoyable experience as a member, so I'll remind you again that this is YOUR U3A and if you want to raise any issues or concerns, please speak to myself or a member of the committee. I'll end 2019 by saying once again that I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a Healthy and Happy New Year. Best Wishes to all Sheila Reed.

December 2019

Registered Charity no: 1118205

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Interest Groups Calendar

1st in month 2nd in month 3rd in month 4th in month

Mon Uke’N Sing 10.30

Jubilee Hall Bar

Uke’N Sing 10.30

Jubilee Hall Bar

Uke’N Sing 10.30

Jubilee Hall Bar

Christmas Party

13.00 Jubilee Hall

Sewing/Craft

10 -12am Walesby

church Institute.

Uke’N Sing 10.30

Jubilee Hall Bar

Pub Games 14.00 Hop Pole

Tues Ramblers 6-8 m 9.30 Jubilee Hall Lunch Club 12.30 for 1.00 pm

Bridge 13.00 Jubilee Hall

Ramblers 6-8 m 9.30 Jubilee Hall

Bridge 13.00 Jubilee Hall

Wed Pub Games 14.00 Hop Pole

Mahjong 1-3pm

Jubilee Hall

Wine appreciation

13.30 Walesby

Church Institute

Mahjong 1-3pm

Jubilee Hall

Creative Writing 14.15 Walesby

Church Institute

Mahjong 1-3pm

Jubilee Hall

Architecture 13.45 Trinity

Hospital Retford

Book Club 2pm 11 Hardwick

Dr.

Mahjong 1-3pm

Jubilee Hall

Thurs Ukulele 10.30 Walesby Church

Institute

Path Finders

9.30 Jubilee Hall

Military History

Hallcroft Com.

Centre Retford 9.45 Ukulele 10.30 Walesby Church

Institute Knit & Natter 11 Hardwick Dr. 14.00 Cinema 13.30

Worksop

Bird Watching Ukulele 10.30 Walesby Church

Institute

Watercolour

Painting 9.30

Wellow Memorial

Hall

Discussion Group

10.30 to 12.30

Forest Lodge Htl,

Edwinstowe.

Ukulele 10.30 Walesby Church

Institute

Fri Scrabble 13.30 South Forest

Photography

13.00 Walesby

Church Institute

Sunday Lunch Club 4th Sunday each month 12.30 for1.00

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Social Committee Christine Yates 077997 017 63 Beryl Lee Jean Parry-Williams 01623 861832 Alex Edwards Sheila Reed. 01623 824066

Interest Group Leaders Architecture Thelma Britz 01777 948676 Bird Watching Ken White 01623 617136 Bridge Colin Barrett 01623 820824 Creative Writing Mike Mounsey 01623 824789 Discussion Group Mary Morris 01623 237586 Gardening Sheila Reed 01623 824066 Knit & Natter Ann Mounsey 01623 824789 Mahjong John Wheeldon 01623 822691 Pathfinders Ken White 01623 617136 Photography Tony Brewer 01623 615338 Pub Games Colin Barrett 01623 820824 Linda Bond 01623 861595 Reading/Book Club Ann Mounsey 01623 824789 Scrabble Christine Storer 07980 511308 Sewing/Craft Cynthia Davis 01623 825406 Special Interest Trips Leslye Henstock 07946 702296 (Outings) Pamela Hardwick 07383985233 Sunday Lunch Group Christine Yates 077997 017 63 Tuesday Lunch Club Beryl Lee 01623 824549 Ukulele Marie-Louise Lockwood 01623 869349 Uke’N Sing Linda Bond 01623 861595 Walking– Ramblers 6-8m David Wightwick 01623 869672 Watercolour Painting Andrew Young 01623 863327 Wine Appreciation Temporary Sheila Reed 01623 860293

Your Committee. Chair Sheila Reed 01623 824066 Deputy Chair Leslye Henstock 07946 702296 Treasurer Richard Titmuss Secretary Pam Hardwick Membership Secretary Marie Bartle Group Coordinator Christine Yates 077997 017 63 Refreshments. Margaret Titmuss Speaker & Greeters Ann Street Minutes Taker, Valerie Saunders 07586363624

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Diary Dates

Architecture

Wednesday January 22nd Michael Costigan will give a presentation with a twist, Lincolnshire Buildings Then and Now, come and find out what's different Please contact Thelma Britz on 01777 948676 or e-mail thelmabritz@gmail.com"

Bird Watching Contact Ken White. 01623 617136

Bridge and Beginners Bridge (For Beginners see page six.) Second and fourth Tuesday 1.00pm- 4.00pm Jubilee Hall, £2 inc. refreshments.

Book Club Wednesday January 22nd. 2.00 pm Ann’s house. 11 Hardwick Drive, Ollerton. £1 inclusive of refreshments. Critique of ‘Perfect Death’ by Helen Fields.

Computer Group If you have anything you would like help with, see Nick Mason.

Cinema Second Thursday every month, Savoy Worksop. Film. TBA Doors open from 1.15pm (Complimentary tea/coffee) Film Showing 2.00pm Price £4 ... parking fee redeemed against ticket price on receipt of the voucher attached to parking ticket

Creative Writing Wednesday January 15th. 2.15pm. Walesby Church Hall. Everyone wecome. £2 - inclusive of refreshments. Why not make 2020 the year you start to be creative!

Discussion Group. Thursday 23rd Jan 2020. We meet at the Forest Lodge, Edwinstowe from 10.30 -12.30. Come and join this interesting, lively group! Mary

Knit & Natter Thursday January 9th. 2pm. Ann’s House. Finishing off hats, scarves etc. for the homeless.

Gardening Group No activity due to inclement weather. Look for more information in February. Contact Sheila Reed 01623 824066.

Christmas Party 16th December.

Please remember that this is a members only occasion, so please have your ticket or membership card with you on the day.

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Mahjong Group There will be no meetings until 8th January at Jubilee Hall at 1.00p.m Please contact John Wheeldon for further information johnwheeldon9@aol.com Telephone 01623 822691

Scrabble First Friday in January 1.30pm, South Forest Leisure Centre, Edwinstowe.

Sewing/Craft Fourth Monday each month 10-12pm Walesby Church Institute. £3.

Sunday Lunch See page eleven. Contact - Christine 01623 422113

Tuesday Lunch See page ten. Contact Beryl Lee 01623 824549

Ukulele Group. Every Thursday 10.30am –11.30 Walesby Church Institute. Cost £2. Contact Maria Lockwood 01623 869349

Uke’n Sing Mondays 10.30 -11.30 am Jubilee Hall Bar - Suitable for beginners. All you need is a ukulele. We are now pretty familiar with 5 chords and enjoy ourselves playing a variety of songs like Beatles Eight Days a Week and others like King of The Road and several more. Contact Linda Bond 01623 861595

Pathfinders Contact Ken White. 01623 617136

Photography Group Friday 20th December thats the 3rd Friday of this month not the 4th. There will be a small buffet, and l will be showing a image based song Quiz, no prizes it’s just for fun: looking ahead to next year, January’s subject will be on cropping your images, more to follow.

Pub Games Monday 27th January and Wednesday 5th February 2.00pm, Hop Pole, Ollerton . The winner of the Rummikub competition we have been having since September is John Qffen. Well done John! Although most pub games are on offer, the group are all addicted to Rummikubs at present. If you would like to learn to play this interesting game, come and join us. Cost – a drink!! I think it is time we changed our name to ‘Rummikub at the Pub’!!

Ramblers Tuesday 7th January 9.30 Jubilee Hall VENUE TBA

Military History Thursday January 9th History of Hitler’s V2 Weapon, Stephen Hall & Milan Petrovic. 10.00 am Hallcroft Community Centre, Retford.

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Future Speakers… Here are the speakers booked for the next few months. If you have a topic you would like to hear about or know of a speaker who is particularly interesting, please let speaker finder Ann Street know on 01623 824321. 17 February 2020 - David Skillen, The Art of The Monologue 16 March 2020 - Group Leaders Show and Tell (No Speaker) 20 April 2020 - Fools Gold, Northern Folk Music

For a bit more news about Nottinghams U3A’s click on the link to ..

Nottingham News Bites.

Beginners Bridge Group Terry Woolnough has now started the beginners group. This takes place at Jubilee Hall on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month 1PM - 4PM. It was very pleasing to see some new faces come along to the group. There is still time to come and join in, you will be made welcome and remember we are the U3A so it is never too late to learn a new skill and more importantly make some new friends. Just a note to remind those considering having a go at the game. Over half of our current members had never played prior to joining the group. Regards Colin Barrett.

Wine Appreciation Second Wednesday each month The Wine Appreciation Group meets on the second Wednesday of each month at the Toc H hall in Walesby opposite the Church. The meeting starts at 1.30pm and we always review 4 wines. Membership for the year is £10.00 and each meeting costs £3 per person to cover the cost of the wines. Once a year we have a "wine related outing" and this year 8 members took part in a wine quiz against Southwell U3A and won! If you would like to become a member, we do have vacancies, so if you want to come along and give the group a try we would love to see you.

Water Colour Painting Jon & Margaret are teaching watercolour on a five-week cruise of the Caribbean in January, poor things. So there won't be a January session. The spring term dates are now: - 27th February - Our topic is techniques for backgrounds. First session of term. Please bring £10 in cash or a cheque payable to Dukeries Third Age Group. Thanks. We also plan to finalise the trip to Patchings festival. 26th March - Portraits

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New Outings for 2020. Learn, Laugh & Live...

Friday 28 February Amazon, Doncaster This is an opportunity to see how this Amazon Distribution Centre works. The details are as follows One hour tour Arrive 12.15 We are car-sharing Rules *You are happy to have a photograph taken during the tour * No food or drink to be taken into the centre * Long hair must be tied back * Full, flat shoes must be worn No heels or sandals * Keys, wallets, phones must be in your pockets No bags allowed If you are happy to comply with the above requirements, and wish to take part in this event, please add your names to the tour sheet. Cost to secure your place £5 Send a text or message to Leslye to book Pay at January meeting.

Monday 30 March Cadbury’s World The Heritage Tour Arriving at Bournville at 1.30pm, we will be greeted by a tour guide who will board the coach and direct us around the village, pointing out interesting facts. At 2.30pm we will tour Cadbury’s World and enjoy an afternoon cream tea at 3.30pm. There will be time to shop, before leaving at 4.30pm The cost for the coach and all the above will be approximately £39 per person based on 22 people. Friends welcome Text or send an email to Leslye to book. Payment at January meeting.

Friday 24 April Harrogate Flower Show Leaving Jubilee Hall at 8.30am, the coach will take us to the Show where you have free time to enjoy the program for the day. Based on 20 people, the cost will be £39.50 Payment due at the February meeting.

Thursday 21 May Buxton and Jodrell Bank Leaving Jubilee Hall at 8.30am, we will travel to Buxton where we will stop for a couple of hours, for your own sightseeing and refreshments. We will arrive at Jodrell Bank at 1.15.We will have a guide to take us around, as well as free time to explore. Limited places so put your name on the list as soon as you can. Cost to be confirmed

How to contact Leslye Text or ring 07946 702296 Email leslyehen@googlemail.com Click on https://u3asites.org.uk/dukeries/events and look for the Outings section Payment in full secures any trip Please keep your receipts safe

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News from the groups

Architecture We had a jolly lunch at the West Retford Hotel in November, followed by a quiz. There is no meeting of the Architecture Group in December. A News Sheet will be sent out to members giving the programme for the New Year.

Discussion Group A wonderful time was had by all at our Christmas lunch at the Forest Lodge Hotel..

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Outing to Donna Nook The bird watching group visited Donna Nook to see the newly born seals. The weather was perfect, a sunny bright day and not cold. Apart from the seals we were treated to seeing, and photographing, a very rare visitor a Pomarine Skua. Here are some photographs taken by Liz Abbott, John Francis and Ken White during the day...

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Ramblers 19th November 2019 Rufford Poacher’s Walk This walk took us from the Limes Café at Bilsthorpe to follow parts of former poacher’s trails, as the name suggests. A welcome break in weather provided a clear crisp day as we enjoyed the frost covered foliage and trails on our way on paths through Sherwood pines. A brisk walk of about 8.5 miles topped by a delightful lunch at the Limes Café. The Rambler’s Christmas Lunch Didn’t come easy because we had to do a walk beforehand. This year we met at the Bella Vita Restaurant our lunch venue to walk to Buck Gates the high point above Edwinstowe, where we met other members who had made their way from Edwinstowe. The walk was very pleasant with clear blue skies and comfortable temperatures. We

were rewarded at the half way point with a pleasant tot from Stefan’s Vodka collection (thank you Stef) before making our way back to the Bella Vita for an excellent lunch amongst delightful and congenial company. Thank you to all who have participated this year and contributed to great walks and the fantastic company you provide. Our next walk is not until 5 January 2020 look forward to meeting then, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.

Tuesday Lunch The members of the Tuesday Lunch Club enjoyed an exceptionally good lunch for our Christmas get together at Bella Vita. There will not be a lunch in January but l will hopefully have the program for the year ready for

January general meeting. Our first date will be Rufford Park Golf Club on Tuesday 4th Feb. I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who support-ed so many of our events we have had 20 plus regulars at almost all of them.

Happy Christmas From Beryl.

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More Dates for your Diary.

Pathfinders New Year Stroll and Lunch We are planning a short 3.5 mile stroll around Farndon and along the River Trent followed by a lunch at the Riverside Pub just after the New Year. This walk is scheduled to be on the 2nd January but we can make it the following week on the 9th if

preferable. If you wish to join us please let me know and which date, or both, is best for you. Whichever date comes out the most popular then that’s the date we shall have. Ken White 01623 617136 ken@atrain.org.uk

Sunday Lunch Seventeen of us enjoying a meal at the Forest Lodge in Edwinstowe on 24th November. Our Sunday Christmas lunch is at the Hostess on Sookholm Rd on 15th December 12-30 as usual. This is before our next members meeting so if you want to come please ring me on 01623 422113 We will then be going to the Dukeries Lodge on 26th January. They now do pre-orders there so I will have menus for you to choose from. This again is 12-30 for 1pm as normal Happy Christmas and New Year to you all. Christine

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On March 16th next year we are holding an Open Day instead of our usual Members Meeting, This means that you can bring along your friends, neighbours

and relatives free of charge to show them what the Dukeries Third Age Group is all about. Therefore I’m asking our group members to contact me to book a table for them to create a display to show any prospective new members all

the different activities they could get involved in if they decide to become a member. Christine 01623 422113

February Speaker From Shakespeare’s Hamlet to Stanley Holloway the monologue has formed part of the dramatic landscape. In this talk we will see how the monologue has developed. We will look at it’s role in 19th Century Politics and see how “stump speeches” evolved into the modern “soundbite”

Of course this will feature performance of a number of monologues and a visit to “A famous seaside place called Blackpool”

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Don’t forget there is lots of useful information on our U3A website. Just click on the link below….

https://u3asites.org.uk/dukeries/welcome

Letter from happy members Hello. Our names are Margaret and Richard and we moved to Ollerton just over 3 years ago. We needed to buy an affordable bungalow, so we found ourselves living in a village in Nottinghamshire, not knowing anyone. We researched Dukeries U3A Third Age Group, which meets at The Jubilee Hall, Wellow Road, Ollerton and off we went to our first meeting. What a friendly, welcoming bunch of people they are and we soon found ourselves spoilt for choice for opportunities to socialise and take part in activities. The groups are wide ranging like Learn the Ukelele, Bridge, Books and Creative Writing, Gardening, Photography, Pub Games and Quizzes, Wine Appreciation, Crafts and Mahjong to name but a few. On top of that we have a monthly members’ meeting with a guest speaker, which are the third Monday in each month, except for December when we have a Christmas Party and August when we enjoy a Summer Party. The Social Committee plan superb theme nights, like Casino Nights and Live Bands, as well as organising Tuesday and Sunday Lunch Clubs. Our Outings Organiser attempts to offer us a trip each month to many varied places and the coach journeys give us more time to laugh and get to know new personalities. It is all great fun! There are several U3A groups around Nottinghamshire, but we prefer Dukeries U3A Third Age Group as it is smaller than other groups, and therefore so easy to meet some lovely, friendly people, JUST LIKE YOU, ‘COS WE’RE ALL IN IT TOGETHER! Our members come from Mansfield, Retford, Warsop, Ollerton and the villages in between. A few years ago we did not know a soul. Now we have wonderful friends, we LEARN, LAUGH AND LIVE and enjoy our non-working days to the full.

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Data Protection. Members details are kept on a database by the Membership Secretary and Chair All other general messages distributed by the Membership Secretary to members on the internet are sent BCC so that only their address appears on the email they receive. Interest Group Leaders of course will ask members for contact details from those attending their individual group.

Tea Rota for Members For the information of newer members, any ‘physically able’ member is volunteered to take a turn helping to do the tea at the monthly meeting.

Please check if you are on the list below and if you have a reason which will prevent you from helping, please inform

Margaret 07982 466 825 so she can find a replacement. January Meeting. Jean Randall, Mal Richardson, Marilyn Shaw,

Helen Torr

February Meeting Leo Milner, David Morris, Jean Morton, Keith

Morton (List of names also available on the Dukeries website.)

Greeters On the Door. In the Room.

January 20th George Hodgson, Alison Hodgson Georgina Batty

February 17th Howard Bond, Susan Brewer Margaret Burling

If you know you can't come to the monthly meeting would you either arrange for

someone to take your place, or let Ann Street know (01623 824321) so that she can find a substitute. (List of names also available on the Dukeries website.)

January Speaker. David Templeman will be giving a talk on “The queen that never was” - Lady Arbella Stuart, granddaughter of Bess of Hardwick. Who was born to be a Queen. Niece to Mary Queen of Scots, she was brought up with the sole intention of being crowned Queen after Elizabeth and relates to one of the most exciting romantic escape stories in history. Follow it to its dramatic conclusion as the twists and turns of Arbella’s escape to France is edge of the seat stuff. This riveting tale has everything!!