Poetry and Reading Groups
Within Cheddar Valley U3A there are a Poetry Group and five Reading Groups. Please see the main "GROUPS" page of this website to find the days that Groups meet. Please see the "CONTACTS" page of this website to find how to make contact with Group Leaders.
POETRY GROUP
In the Poetry Group we study poets
Their lives from birth to the dates of their obits.
There are so many poets, so much work produced
Once begin to appraise it one becomes quite seduced.
Poems religious and poems metaphysical.
Stirring ballads heroic, witty poems satirical,
Long-drawn-out sagas which go on for ever,
Short and crisp limericks both funny and clever.
There are epics, love poems, war poems, poems political
All presenting a challenge to our faculties critical.
To understand poetry does rightly impose
A more perceptive approach than is needed for prose.
But a deeper appreciation brings an increase in pleasure
And enchantment with beauty to delight and to treasure.
E.A.Parry
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READING GROUP 1
This group was formed early in the noughties and has about 13 members: eleven ladies and two men. We meet monthly in the houses of members, they have sufficient room. Members of the group choose each book together and we have covered:- Modern fiction, classics, travel books, biographies, short stories and science fiction. Someone introduces each book and a new leader is appointed each year.
READING GROUP 2
Reading Group 2 started a little later in the noughties. Since then we have read a variety of books. We have covered biography, travel, classic, science fiction and popular novels as well as non-fiction.
We usually start with a potted biography of the author, followed by discussion. Our meetings are always lively with a good deal of debate particularly when there is big difference of opinion. We finish our meeting with a poem or two.
We all agree that joining a Reading Group has meant that we have read, and often enjoyed, titles that we would not have considered reading otherwise and it has enhanced our reading experience.
We meet every month except December and also enjoy an annual lunch together.
READING GROUP 3 has sadly folded after an amazing 16 years! Is this a record? Many thanks to Sheila for keeping this popular group going. Don't forget there are 4 other Reading Groups to enjoy.
READING GROUP 4
Our reading group meets on a monthly basis when we review the previous month’s book. Books are chosen by members, or by recommendation and library availability. We read a wide variety of books including classics, modern, biographical, mystery with worldwide authors.
READING GROUP 5
Reading Group 5 is held at a u3a members bungalow to accommodate a member who is not able to manage steps.
We have 9 members and meet last Friday of the month. Geoff deals with money for the library to pay for books we place on order. We always use library books to support our local library. We pay 50p each to cover coffee tea and biscuits.
We have a lunch or tea out for us twice a year to add a social aspect to it. We all enjoy the tea and chat. The group is at full capacity at present.