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CHARD, ILMINSTER &
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Summer 2005
Newsletter Note: The following is a copy of the text items in the newsletter, with simplified layout and omission of photographs. CHAIRMAN’S CHUNTERINGS At the Committee meeting following our 10th Anniversary bash I was pleased to read out several letters, cards and relay telephone messages all containing your words of thanks for the enjoyable celebrations we shared - we all enjoyed it too. Sad to report that ‘U3A Nippies’ have not received any further bookings even after apologising for spilling soup down some members’ backs or hitting them on the head with a plate. Mind you, on the day I could have happily poured a whole bowl of soup over the manager of the KT Bar Services who did not turn up. It transpired that a couple of weeks before our lunch they gave up the franchise with the Guildhall and didn’t tell any of their customers. Some were in a much worse predicament than us. In the end it didn’t matter, someone found a few glasses and Pauline Weston rescued us by dashing off to Woolworths to buy a load of plastic cups – so, everybody had a drink of good old-fashioned tap water – most intoxicating it proved too! Our sincere thanks go to all who contributed to such a splendid and memorable occasion. Brian Harper “Use it or lose it ” The Guardian newspaper recently asked a number of eminent scientists to name the one thing that everyone should learn about science. Stuart Zola, professor of psychiatry and behavioural sciences at Emory University, replied as follows: “ I would teach the world the importance of staying actively intellectually engaged throughout our lives, especially as we become elderly. There are good data now that point to the fact that continuing to challenge yourself late in life – taking up a new hobby, learning to play a musical instrument, doing crossword puzzles, etc – actually helps to maintain cognitive functions and protects against the onset of cognitive decline.” Best of all, of course, is to join the U3A!
HOLIDAY READING What did Janet and Iris read while on holiday in France? The proposed European Constitution. Have you read it yet? They have copies if you would like one. Oh I forgot to say it is in French! The latest edition of “Sources” magazine (free from U3A, application forms are available from Maggie Darby) has Language as its main topic.
MEMORIES FROM OUR FIRST CHAIRMAN When I moved to Chard some 12 years ago, there was only a small library, no Hooked on Books with its gallery, restaurant and wine bar, no Oriental Aroma and nowhere a newly retired single woman could make friends. However, inside the foyer of the as yet unrefurbished Guildhall was a notice board, which I earnestly scanned in the hope of finding some solution to my problem. Tea dance on a Wednesday? Not really what I was looking for. An invitation to join the local branch of the National Women’s Register looked more hopeful. There I met Maureen Cotter and we became friends. Later, visiting an old school friend near Cambridge, I discovered that she was learning Italian with something called The University of the Third Age. When Maureen and I were discussing how to make life in Chard more interesting, this U3A came to mind. We agreed to investigate the idea and I telephoned head office in London to see whether there was a branch locally. “Would you like to start one in Chard?” they asked and explained that we would be entitled to a start up grant, that they would send us all the literature and arrange for someone to come along and speak at our first meeting. So we decided on a date, hired St Mary’s parish rooms, talked to the Chard and Ilminster News who interviewed us and took our photograph, and put out a few notices here and there. I even did a bit of door stepping I remember. Then I asked the kind person from Bath, who would be our speaker from the association, to lunch at my house. “I’m a vegetarian,” she warned me, so I prepared a rather fiddly fish dish, only to have her tell me that she didn’t eat fish either. I think she ended up with bread and cheese. She was a delightful person, very outgoing and enthusiastic and I was glad to have her beside me when we walked into the church rooms. Imagine how pleased Maureen and I were when fifty or more third-Agers answered our invitation and before long we had no trouble at all in forming a committee. John Brookes, our treasurer and Maureen Cotter, our secretary were some of our first members, both sadly now deceased. And of course there were also Norma Evans and Janet Brown, both very much still with us. Others who were prepared to lead groups came forward and we were away. The rest is history; here we are in 2005 with over 180 members and 30 groups, learning from each other, trying new things and making friends everywhere. We are part of a worldwide movement, expanding daily. There are now over 340 U3As in this country, hundreds in Australia and New Zealand, 400 in China and so on. What really gives me immense satisfaction is not the global picture but seeing the growth and progress of our own homegrown U3A. I would like to end by thanking all those who have enriched our ranks over the last ten years and made valuable contributions to our splendid Chard, Ilminster and District U3A. God bless you all! Belinda Bather
WHO’S FOR BOWLS! Chard Bowling Club welcomes new members including juniors and those with disabilities. We have facilities for short mat and lawn bowls. We are a very small but friendly club and we have a social side putting on quiz evenings, beetle drives and bingo. If you would like more information please contact Jenny Cornelius (Hon. Secretary) on 01460 67313
CELEBRATION Those of us who attended for the luncheon celebrating the 10th anniversary of Chard, Ilminster & District U3A’s formation were impressed by the sight of well dressed tables bearing beautifully calligraphed menus to tempt the appetite. At the sound of the “cowbell” Brian Harper, Chairman, welcomed our president, Tony Prior and Mrs Ann Prior, Mayor and Mayoress of Chard. . Brian praised the beautiful display of flowers arranged and donated by Rosalie Palmer. Thelma Francis who won them in the raffle kindly presented them to Ann Liddle in recognition of her catering commitment, together with her husband, Les, daughter, Tina and friend, Kate. Brian handed over to Sue Smith, our Master of Ceremonies, who introduced our “Nippies”, alias the committee, willing to work for minimum wage and no tips! Our sympathies were with Gill Tayler and Sue who both had ankle injuries and sported crutches. No tales of soup in the décolletage or gravy in the lap, well done. We gratefully enjoyed a scrumptious and generous lunch. Alan Bamber ensured that our minds were active over lunch with a general knowledge quiz (did you remember your U3A diary?). Over chocolates, coffee and audible groans we learned the answers and applauded the winners. No birthday is complete without a candle-lit cake which was ceremoniously produced. There followed a specially commissioned poem by Jean Macrow-Hill on the history of Chard U3A which was read by past and present Chairmen. The Victorian drama of excruciatingly painful ‘slap and tickle’ caused some mirth and we hear a talent spotter was lingering in the foyer! Finally, Brian paid tribute to Belinda Bather and the late Maureen Cotter for their determination in creating Chard U3A. In recognition of their wonderful achievement Brian presented Belinda with a scroll designed and made by Iris Leake in celebration of the 10th anniversary of an association that has enriched our lives. Josette Slater YOUR NEW COMMITTEE for 2005-2006
Brian Harper -
Chairman [Please note: There have been committee changes since the publication of this newsletter. See 'Joining & Contacts'] Creative Writing Group Many Authors, and perhaps all Newspaper reporters, entertain a really dishonest objection to acknowledging the source of their valuable information. That is not true of Chard, Ilminster & District U3A Creative Writing Group, we merely try to discharge and put down on paper, in an open manner, thoughts from the notebook of our memory, aided by imagination, or perhaps it is the other way round, imagination aided by memories. Whichever it is, delight and spontaneous laughter are often shared. The reason for writing a love letter is very apparent, it is not a difficult or laborious undertaking, it is in fact a joy to communicate such feelings, and then in great anticipation, await a response. So it is with the written word, a created word picture of far greater value than any painting. Many who read this item will have some memories tucked away somewhere, so dig them out, get them down on paper, if you have not already done so, and come along to a group session. We in the creative writing group would love you to share them with us. H. E. Woolhead. 01460 53618 THEATRE AND MUSIC GROUP If you want to go to the theatre but don’t enjoy driving at night or going alone, come and join us. We are a group of members who go to a variety of different shows, varying from Jazz, Folk, Pop, Opera and Ballet to Plays usually by mini bus. We go to theatres in Yeovil, Taunton, Exeter and Bristol, and to local events in Chard, Ilminster and Tatworth. As a group we have the added advantage of getting our tickets reduced in price - sometimes considerably. Members choose the shows and can go to as many or as few as they wish. Personally, I have learnt much about music from being a member. Before I joined I wasn’t too keen on Ballet, but now I’m hooked and can’t wait for the next performance. I went to hear a Ukulele orchestra, (recalling George Formby’s songs, I was prepared for a boring evening). How wrong I was! I had never realised how versatile these instruments were, especially in the hands of professionals. We welcome new members whether single or couples. We have a few seats left for The King and I (Musical) on Tuesday 26th July at Bristol Hippodrome. Tickets are £22 + coach. If you are interested ring Mary Coller 01460 63461
DATES FOR MONTHLY MEETINGS 2005 18th
July Saving Domestic Energy - Lisa Pinchen The next newsletter will be in October, so please may we ask for any contributions (interesting and/or entertaining) to reach either of the Editors by mid-September. Comments and suggestions for improving the newsletter will be welcome at any time.
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