January 2015 - Groups and Activities
Members of the Horndean & District U3A met for their regular monthly meeting on Friday 2nd January at Merchistoun Hall. The Committee took the opportunity, as a good start to the new year, of organising an informal social gathering to enable the Members to find out more about the growing number of interest groups. Also of course to chat and enjoy a cuppa together.
Our chair, Marion Wade (also convenor of the Discovering History Group), gave a very interesting talk about Horndean and especially about Merchistoun Hall, its history and previous owners and how it came into being as our Community Association.
Several 
of the interest groups displayed their wares. The Patchwork & Quilting Group displayed their 'in progress' work and some completed quilts and bags etc. They are a small friendly group who meet up each month to share advice and skills, discuss their projects and share tea and cake. They are currently working on making cot quilts for the premature baby unit at QA Hospital. If you would like more information about the group contact the convener Wendy using the link of the Group's website who would welcome new members.
Roger Keynes a member of the Walking Group ran a power-point presentation of photographs of Members on their recent walk through Finchdean. This vibrant and successful group meet up monthly for local walks of between 4 and 5 miles. For more information see the Walking Group page through which you can also contact the convener Peter Sollars who can add you to his distribution list to receive details of future walks.
Mike Burt, a member of the extremely successful Photography Group, projected images of the members’ work following photo-shoots. During the 
summer months the group meet up for a monthly photo-shoot which is a thoroughly enjoyable experience trying to get a unique or unusual angle or just something different. In the winter the group meet at Merchistoun Hall to learn more about cameras, settings and post processing. Several members displayed printed images of their work which were much admired. The projected images are stored on flickr if you are interested. For more information see the Photography Group page through which you can also contact the convener Paul Stone.
Diane Stoner, Speaker Co-ordinator.