CALDICOT & DISTRICT. Newsletter & Diary January 2019 Meetings in Caldicot Choir Hall at 2.15pm

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1 CALDICOT & DISTRICT Newsletter & Diary January 2019 Meetings in Caldicot Choir Hall at 2.15pm Reg Charity No THURSDAY 17TH JANUARY 2019 SUBJECT: TEA ROTA: CALDICOT SCHOOL MUSIC GROUP SHORT MAT BOWLS THURSDAY 21ST FEBRUARY 2019 SUBJECT: SPEAKER: TEA ROTA: BROADS ON BROADWAY CHRISTINE PURKISS SINGING FOR PLEASURE CHAIRMAN S LETTER Happy New Year to you All I would like to thank all of those who brought food to the Christmas Party. I must say it was a banquet fit for a King. I believe everyone enjoyed themselves and it turned out to be a good afternoon. Perhaps we can do the same next Christmas. By the time you read this newsletter we will be into January The last year has gone by so quickly with lots happening within the U3A. My Committee and I are still working hard to make sure our U3A runs smoothly and within the rules and regulations. During 2018 we have lost a good many of our dear friends but, we have also made many new ones and we look forward to a year full of good cheer and plenty of activities going on. Our main aim during the first part of 2019 is to encourage you people to volunteer for a position on the Committee. As I have already stated we will be losing a few members and we therefore need you to replace these. We cannot run the Committee on just a handful of people and I beg you to consider applying for one of these places. We only meet once a month and our meetings are usually very informal and fun, but at the same time we do get important issues dealt with. PLEASE give it some thought I am sure there are some people out there that would be an asset to the running of our U3A. Those of us already on the Committee cannot go on forever! So, on that note I leave you with our Very Best Wishes for 2019 and look forward to seeing you at our January meeting when the children of Caldicot Comprehensive entertain us once again. Pam Caines Chairman 1

2 SPEAKERS LIST 2019 TEA ROTA March 21st The Happiest Days John Sheen Spanish April 18th The Life & work of Fred Hando David Hando Table Tennis May 16th Owain Glyndwr Dylan Jones Ukulele June 20th The life & Works of Charles Dickens Dr Keith Hooper Stragglers July 18th Drama Presentation Phoenix Players Amblers August NO MEETING NO MEETING NO MEETING September 19th AGM (Entertainment TBA) Strollers October 17th OPEN DAY Striders November 21st Wyedean Gospel Choir Art December 19th Drama Presentation Phoenix Players Bridge COPY FOR THE NEWSLETTER We welcome reports from all groups for inclusion in the Newsletter or forwarding to our website. Word doc is preferred and should be sent to: or tel by midday on the 29th JANUARY 2019 Typed or handwritten notes should be submitted a few days earlier if possible. Please try to limit reports to about 300 words. Angela Hodson-Hirst, Editor. LINK SECRETARY I would ask that if you hear of any member(s) who reach their 80th, 90th, 100th birthdays, Golden, Diamond, Platinum Wedding Anniversaries or even Marriages between members to please contact me so that I can send a Congratulatory card. Also, if you hear of any member, in your group, or their family who are in hospital, sick or any other reason I would be grateful if you would please inform me. Angela Hodson-Hirst leechpool@talktalk.net or ANNOUNCEMENTS We were saddened to hear that Reginald (Reg) Kelly a member of the Music Appreciation Group and Irene Knight a member of the Scrabble Group had passed away in December. We have expressed our sincere condolences to their families. THANK YOU I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has contributed to the Newsletter & Diary during 2018 and may it continue for My very best wishes to all members for a Happy and Healthy 2019 Angela Hodson-Hirst Newsletter & Diary Editor 2

3 GROUP NEWS AND INFORMATION Would all group Conveners please send me news and information for the monthly Newsletter & Diary which will be included in the table below. Thank you. Editor ART ACTIVITY GROUPS INFORMATION Every Wednesday 1.30 to 4.00pm, Recreation Hall, Portskewett. Convener...Mary Richards Tel: BRIDGE Every Monday 2.00 to 4.00pm, Council Day Centre No Meetings on Bank Holidays. Convener Madelyn Drake Tel: COMPUTING Every Friday 9.30 to12.30am at the Baptist Church, Neddern Way. Convener John Mills Tel: DRAMA Every Friday 2.00pm Portskewett Hall. Conveners Pam Caines.. Dianne Payne Tel: FAMILY HISTORY All welcome at Bethany Baptist Church. Caldicot. Convener John Jeffery Tel: GARDENING Indoor meetings run from October to April in the Scout Hall on second Thursday of the month at 2.15 pm Convener Pauline Marx Tel: Discussion/Demonstrations Second Friday of the month 10.00am to 12 noon digital image competition with Ann Taylor-Heard 4th Friday of the month 9.30 to 12noon Jan 25th: Next meeting Jan 10th: Climbers. Speaker...Huw Williams Feb 14th: Ron & Jim s Film Show Mar 14th: Roses. Speaker Alex Luker HANDICRAFT 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month to 12.00pm Council Day Centre. Convener Beryl Lewis. Tel: Assisted by Jill Greenhalgh. Tel: HISTORY 3rd Wednesday of the month 2.15pm Council Day Centre Convener. Sheila Ford. Tel: Jan 16th: Railways, what a laugh 2. Speaker:...Dennis Flood Feb 20th: The Stuarts. Speaker:...Stuart Fyfe Mar 20th: Arf a mo, Kaiser Propaganda during WW11. Speaker:... David Mayer Apr 17th: Roman Museum, Caerleon. Speaker:...Mark Lewis 3

4 JIVE BUNNIES Alternate Thursday evening 7.00 pm 9.00 pm Portskewett Recreational Hall Convener Wendy Protheroe Tel: Jan 10th: Jan 24th: MUSIC APPRECIATION 4th Thursday of the month 2.00 to 4.00pm. Council Day Centre. Convener Jan Potter assisted by Adrian Dallow Tel: (Jan) Tel: (Adrian) SCIENCE AND NATURAL HISTORY Meetings to be held 1st Monday of the month noon. Scout Hall, Sandy Lane Convener. Bob Whitehead Tel: SCRABBLE Alternate Fridays 1.30pm to 3.30pm. Town council Day Centre. Convener Glynis Croft Tel: SHORT MAT BOWLS Wednesday afternoons 2.00 to 4.00 pm. Scout Hall. Friday evening 7.00 to 9pm Convener Roland Carey Tel: SINGING FOR PLEASURE Meet every other Monday 10.00am to 12.00pm. Recreational Hall, Portskewett. Convener. Sue Shepherd Tel: SPANISH Monday Mornings to various venues. Convener Julian Wood Tel: SPECIAL EVENTS Convener Pam Caines Tel: Jan 7th: Tidal energy in the Severn Estuary. A promise of green energy or environmental threat? Speaker: Mike Wilkenson - Senior Conservation Planner, Tidal Lagoons Feb 4th: The Wye Valley, Area of outstanding Natural Beauty. Speaker... Andrew Blake, ANOB Officer Walkers Welcome Mar 4th: WARHORSE The role of the horse during the 1st World War. Speaker... Prof. Matthew J Smalley PHD, School of Bioscience, Cardiff Apr 1st: Rare Breeds Survival Trust. Speaker...Francine Burns Apr 29th: Presentation of Summer 2018 day trips with...ron & Jim Jan 11th: Jan 25th: Additional Sessions: Our Short Mat Bowls now meets on Friday evenings, in addition to the Wednesday afternoon sessions. So, if you would like to try to roll a ball on Friday between 7pm and 9pm please contact the Convener 2nd & 4th Monday of the Month Jan 14th: Jan 28th: Feb 11th: Feb 25th: Feb 25th Mar 1st: Mill Rythe, Hayling Island May 28th Jun 2nd: Ireland, Killarney & Ring of Kerry 4

5 SUNDAY LUNCH CLUB Convener Pam Caines Tel: TABLE TENNIS Monday 2.00 to 4.00pm Scout Hall, Sandy Lane Convener Les Mitchell Tel: UKULELE Every Tuesday 2.00 to 4.00 at the Recreation Hall Portskewett Convener. Christopher Spiller Tel: WALKING GROUPS For further information please contact Conveners WHEN: WHERE: Every Tuesday 9.00 & 9.30 am Caldicot Choir Hall Car Park. ALL WALKS SUBJECT TO CHANGE STRAGGLERS 3 4 miles easy and moderate Convener Brian Hopkins Tel: Convener Ann Searle Tel: AMBLERS Around 4 miles moderate with some hills/stiles Conveners Gaynor Pask Tel: Jeanette Trask Tel: STROLLERS miles moderate plus with hills & stiles Convener Rob Harry Tel: STRIDERS 5-7 miles - moderate & strenuous Convener. Richard Harding Tel: Jan 8th: Mathern with Brian. Lunch: The Millers Arms Jan 15th: St. Arvans with Linda & Clive. Lunch: The Two Rivers Jan 22nd: Carrow Hill with Claude & Jan. Lunch: The Coach & Horses, Caerwent Jan 29th: Magor area with Jim & Anne. Lunch: The Wheatsheaf Jan 8th: Mathern with Gaynor & Jeanette. Lunch: The Millers Arms. Jan 15th: TBA with Jenny & Stan. Lunch: TBA Jan 22nd: Caerwent with Bridget & David. Lunch: The Coach & Horses Jan 29th: Chepstow area with Roland & Joan. Lunch: The Two Rivers Jan 8th: Sirhowy Valley with Rob. Lunch: Rising Sun Jan 15th: Caerwent with Gill, Marie & Rose. Lunch: Coach & Horses Jan 22nd: Bettws with Alan. Lunch: The Old Barn Jan 29th: Llanmellin with Jean & Lyn. Lunch: The Coach & Horses Jan 8th: Devils Pulpit with Richard. Lunch: The Fountain Jan 15th: Shirenewton with Mo & Carol. Lunch: The Huntsman Jan 22nd: Bigsweir Bridge with Richard. Lunch: The Sloop Jan 29th: Barnetts Wood with Stuart. Lunch: The Huntsman 5

6 GARDENING GROUP Our December Speaker was Cathy Davies, the Gwent County Organiser of the National Garden Scheme, which has around 3500 private gardens open for charity. It was very interesting and with the help of photo slides, showed how the Scheme started in 1927 to support the work of District Nurses. The total of 55 million has been donated to nursing and health charities since the Scheme started, with a record annual figure of 3.1 million donated in The most significant charities being MacMillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice U.K. and The Queens Institute. Cathy finished her talk with slides of local gardens open in It was Rosa s last meeting as our convenor and we presented her with a potted cyclamen, a National Garden Voucher and a pottery photo frame decorated with various gardening tools and vegetables (a reminder, if she needed one, of her allotment). We then enjoyed Christmas treats with our usual cup of tea or coffee. On behalf of all the garden group members, thank you Rosa for all your hard work organising all the great gardens we have visited and interesting speakers in the Winter months. A Happy New Year to All Pauline Marx Convener DRAMA GROUP As I have already stated in my Chair s letter the Christmas party afternoon was a success and it is to be hoped that we can do the same next Christmas. Meanwhile the Drama Group will now be rehearsing for their July presentation and we will be learning our lines (and trying to remember them) for a play which we have in our possession together with a small sketch. Pam SUNDAY LUNCH CLUB As yet I have not organised a Sunday lunch for January as everywhere has been so busy with Christmas lunches so, I will get one organised for February and advise you all where and when. Pam SPECIAL EVENTS MILL RYTHE, HAYLING ISLAND (5 days) MONDAY 25th FEBRUARY FRIDAY 1st MARCH 2019 We still have this holiday to look forward to. I will be handing out your envelopes at the January meeting. I would like to say I cannot promise you the weather we had at Isle of Wight but I will do my best. IRELAND KILLARNEY and RING OF KERRY (6 days) TUESDAY 28th MAY SUNDAY 2nd JUNE 2019 I still need some deposits for this holiday and I would be grateful to those of you who haven t yet paid if you could let me have this at the January meeting. There are a few vacancies left if anyone is interested. It is strongly advised that you ensure you are adequately covered by insurance. Edwards can offer this at per person subject to policy terms and conditions. 6

7 THEATRE TRIP I have received notification from the Bristol Hippodrome that The King and I will be coming there in March 2020 (yes that s right 2020) and I am attempting to provisionally book seats for this as I am sure this will be a very colourful show. If you are interested in attending then please let me have names as I will need numbers in order to get the best seats. I believe stall seats for our age group will be The sooner I can book this then the better seats we can get. It will be a matinee probably a Wednesday afternoon. Pam SIGHTFIRST PROJECT LIONS Unwanted spectacles/sunglasses will continue to be collected at the Monthly Meeting. The collecting box will be on the bar at the back of the hall. Lions Clubs International is a leader in providing support for preventing avoidable blindness and restoring sight for people around the world. NHS HEARING AIDS Do you wear an NHS hearing aid? A new drop in clinic, run by the Audiology Volunteer Service, will be held on the first Monday of the month 11am 1pm in the Caldicot Library. Services for: New batteries New ear mould tubing Cleaning and using advice Information on hearing loss For more information call or just turn up 7

8 Christmas Memories of My Childhood Waking in the morning stocking on the bed, sweets and nuts and oranges go down rather well. Down the stairs we go, to find a tree aglow, and if we re very lucky perhaps a present on the floor. Father Christmas has been, what ever has he left? A book, a doll, a skipping rope, these things I remember well. Smells of food pervading, And chaos all around. But happy laughter fills the house, til peace settles all around. Jan Rees Gould

JANUARY CROSSWORD TRUE OR FALSE In this crossword there are TWO clues for each word. Can you work out which is TRUE and which is FALSE? December True or False solution ACROSS 1.

Predatory fish / Birds of prey (6) 14. Unit of weight / Unit of temperature (6) 18. Fleet commander / Army officer (7) 20. True / Untrue (5) 21.

Worldly / Callow (5) 4. Month / Day of the week (6) 5. Clear / Unclear (7) 6. Mindful / Oblivious (5) 7. Young bird / Young animal (5) 13. Sincere / Insincere (7) 15.

9 JANUARY CROSSWORD TRUE OR FALSE In this crossword there are TWO clues for each word. Can you work out which is TRUE and which is FALSE? December True or False solution ACROSS 1. Even number / Odd number (5) 4. Fruit / Vegetable (7) 8. Raving / Whispering (7) 9. Huge / Tiny (5) 10. Similar / Dissimilar (5) 11. Teacher / Pupil (7) 12. Predatory fish / Birds of prey (6) 14. Unit of weight / Unit of temperature (6) 18. Fleet commander / Army officer (7) 20. True / Untrue (5) 21. In fashion / Out of fashion (5) 22. Go forward / Go back (7) 23. Steady / Fickle (7) 24. Love / Fear (5) DOWN 1. First name / Second name (7) 2. Buying / Selling (7) 3. Worldly / Callow (5) 4. Month / Day of the week (6) 5. Clear / Unclear (7) 6. Mindful / Oblivious (5) 7. Young bird / Young animal (5) 13. Sincere / Insincere (7) 15. Aggravate / Alleviate (7) 16. Put up / Took down (7) 17. Clergyman / Policeman (6) 18. Citrus fruit / Fruit of the Malus (5) 19. Spendthrift / Skinflint (5) 20. Destined / Unlikely (5) LET S DO SUDOKU! DECEMBER s SUDOKU SOLUTION Solutions next month 9

10 CALDICOT & DISTRICT U3A EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE & TRUSTEES OFFICIALS Chairman Pam Caines Vice Chairman John Jeffery Treasurer Tony Hodson-Hirst Business Secretary Rob Harry COMMITTEE Committee Secretary Susan Gilbert Membership Secretary Jean Gilham Newsletter & Diary Editor Angela Hodson-Hirst Direct Mail & Link Secretary Angela Hodson-Hirst Gift Aid Co-ordinator Glenice Dallow Speakers Secretary Network Contact Committee member Co-opted Committee member Public Relations Anne Duke John Duke Merrill Lang Dave Edwards OFFICERS Registration Webmaster Alma Gaskell Ann Taylor-Heard 10

CALDICOT & DISTRICT. Newsletter & Diary March 2019 Meetings in Caldicot Choir Hall at 2.15pm

CALDICOT & DISTRICT. Newsletter & Diary March 2019 Meetings in Caldicot Choir Hall at 2.15pm CALDICOT & DISTRICT Newsletter & Diary March 2019 Meetings in Caldicot Choir Hall at 2.15pm https://www.u3asites.org.uk/caldicot/home Reg Charity No. 1071447 THURSDAY 21ST MARCH 2019 SUBJECT: SPEAKER: