Group Leaders Presentation
Group Leaders' Presentation
at the General Meeting on 10th September 2019
The Group Leaders or their representatives spoke in the order in which their groups appeared in the 3-fold leaflet, and if they were reporting on multiple groups, they gave all their reports together.
Antiques and Collectibles: Margaret L spoke In Chris B’s absence, reading out what Chris had prepared, saying that they were a well supported group who met on the last Monday of each month except August unless there is a bank holiday, in which case they meet the week before. They have a programme of topics each year, including themed meetings, speakers, visits to auctions, antique shops and fairs, visiting National Trust properties and other places of interest, challenges, quizzes, culminating with an end of year “Christmas-past” focused social gathering. The theme this year is “The Way We Were” covering Entertainment, Vintage Fashion and Accessories, Sporting Memorabilia, Militaria, Coins and Medals, Time Pieces. They have had a talk by Mr Ian Morris from Lostwithiel Sales Room and a guided tour of Prideaux House. The aim of the group is to have fun while developing detective skills by finding out more about the items members bring along to the sessions. The next meeting is at 10:15am on Monday 30th September at the Quintrell Inn.
Garden Appreciation: Margaret L then went on to speak about her own group: the Garden Visits Group, who meet on the 4th Tuesday of the month to visit gardens open to the public. They hire a minibus from Newquay Lions, which holds 13. Other members take their own cars and car share. A deposit is taken at the time of booking. They have visited gardens from as near as the local Arundel Garden in West Pentire to as far as RHS Rosemoor in Devon. They also had a three day visit to Hampton Court Flower Show, RHS Wisley and Stourhead Gardens this year. They use a larger coach for out of county visits. The garden visits are for nine months of the year but during the winter months they meet for a Christmas lunch, for a quiz and for a fun day. In the summer they hold a garden party. This year they have visited Glendurgan, Pine Lodge, Ennis Gardens for the bluebells, Heligan, RHS Rosemoor and NT Parkland. The visit to Bonython Gardens had to be cancelled but they will visit it next year. The next visit is to Trelissick on 24th September from Chester Road Market at 10:00am. The Xmas party will be held at the Bay Tree for which they will be taking a £5 deposit.
Peter M: Peter then got up to announce that after 13 years of leading the Garden Visits Group he was standing down at the end of September, but will still be taking part in the visits. He wished Margaret and Dot every success in leading the group in the future. Margaret then thanked Peter for running the group so successfully and hoped he would have a well-earned rest. Shirley presented him with a garden voucher, as a token of appreciation, on behalf of the Committee, the Garden Visits Group and all of Newquay U3A, along with Gret’s personal thanks for all his support to her.
Bridge: In Shirley O’s absence, Margaret H told us that Bridge was held every Wednesday at the Lanherne from 2pm until 4pm. It is a beginners’ group although some of them have been playing a long time. It is a large group and although new people are welcome to join, they need to speak to Shirley before they do, so that she can organise things. A smaller group of the more expert players play at Sainsbury’s cafe every Friday from 6:30pm to 9:00pm.
Social Group: Margaret H said that the Social Group meets at 11am at the Heron Centre every other Thursday morning for a social get-together over refreshments while discussing things that are going on locally. The meetings were originally set fortnightly so that they did not coincide with the Silver Screen at the cinema, but so far the Silver Screen films for this season seem to be on every week. The dates that the Social Group have scheduled are for 12th and 26th September, and 17th October. Margaret asked that people come along to discuss what we can do about the day now clashing with the cinema screenings, and maybe she will change the day they meet.
Walking Group: Sheila T said that her group do short walks of about 3-5 miles. They are fairly flat scenic walks. They usually travel by bus and walk from there. She plans to have walks around Wadebridge and the Camel Trail. Her walks always stop at a cafe for refreshments, and sometime if the walk is rained off they just go to the cafe.
Cornish Dancing: Sheilah T said that she has 16 members in the Cornish Dancing Group who are all now experts so she cannot take any new people yet. They practice every week and have a lot of laughs. Her group now know a lot of dances and perform at Care Homes and Lowender Perran.
Family History: Sheilah T said she has been doing family history at Newquay Library with a lot of people who are very pleased with what they have learned about their families. If anyone wants to know about their family history, they need to know their ancestors’ middle names and where they were born. Three or four different families can be found in 100 years. Sheilah said you would be surprised what you can learn about your family. They are waiting for the 1921 Census to be published, for more details.
Creative Writing: Valerie T had prepared a bullet-point presentation about her Creative Writing Group which was on the screen describing what they do in Creative Writing, but she also read out a rhyming poem telling the audience all about it.
Nature Study Saunter: Valerie T had also prepared a bullet-point presentation about her Nature Study Saunter Group, and stated that it was not a serious study group, more a group who just want to get together and look at nature in the open air. Her presentation detailed the places that the group had visited and she spoke a little about what they had discovered about the geology of the area.
Saturday Saunter: Accompanied by another bullet-point presentation, Valerie T said that her Saturday Saunter Group could either be a beach walk at low tide or a coastal path walk at high tide. They meet every Saturday at Killacourt and decide on the day where they are going to walk, depending on the tide, the weather and the walking abilities of those present.
Exploring Poetry: Alison R said that her poetry group has been running for two years. They would be very happy for others to join. They look at famous poems and some not so well known. They have themed meetings such as: Autumn Poems; War Poems; Love Poems. They study different styles and different poets, which could even be someone new. They have studied female poets, and have gone back as far as they can, even into the 1400s; American poets including Longfellow’s poem “Hiawatha”; Irish poets; famous poets such as Browning. The group also write their own poetry sometimes. They meet twice a month on Thursdays at 7pm. Next meeting will be Thursday 12th September.
Food with Friends: Val H said that she and Rachel run this group together. They try different venues at lunchtime, especially in the winter, although they do sometimes have afternoon tea. They have enjoyed meals in different types of places: from places like the Hotel Bristol to fish and chips at Lanivet. She asked that if people, who have put their name down for a meal, cannot come for any reason, they should phone either her or Rachel to cancel. The next meal is at the Travellers’ Rest in Trevarrian on Tuesday 17th September at 12:30pm. The Christmas meal will be held at Carlyon Bay again. New members are always welcome.
Longer Walking Group: Janet W said they had done 17 walks this year. They had walked in mist, rain, wind and only had to cancel one walk due to rain: in August. She has some new walks, some are urban walks: maybe Falmouth or Redruth. She told us that we are lucky enough to have had designated footpaths for 70 years now. Her closing words were: “After a day’s walking everything has twice its value.”
Music Appreciation: Libby opened with “To put everything in balance is good; to put everything in harmony is better.” Libby told us her group started in May 2012: to learn more about classical music, to relax and enjoy familiar music more fully and to expand their enjoyment by listening to music they didn’t know. They still achieve this. They meet monthly in a member’s house for 2 hours and listen to music brought and presented by group members. Each session is themed. Over the years they have tackled composers alphabetically; played music through the centuries; music of different countries and different genres, including musicals, film scores, jazz and big band, even 60’s pop. This year they have played anything musical which begins with the first letter of the month. As well as the monthly sessions they have fixed events every year including outings to a Christmas Concert, a Christmas Ballet at the Cinema, the “Harmoniemusik” Festival and a Christmas Party. They also have spontaneous outings with dinner beforehand, including ballet and opera at the cinema. Other informal diary dates crop up from time to time. They have 16 members and are now reaching venue capacity, but will welcome any who wish to join. Libby then thanked Hilary for hosting the meetings throughout the year, Sylvia for her Christmas party and Jill for offering an alternative venue.
Photography: On Jenny B’s behalf, Jan J said that the photography group is on the 1st Thursday of the month. While she was speaking, David Stevens played a slide show of photos they had taken. Jan told us they had enjoyed a boat trip taking photos of seals, various birds and people who were orienteering. They had also had a visit to the Screech Owl Sanctuary where they saw birds in flight. Jan told us that the group consisted of people of all photographic abilities, some even using phone cameras. In the winter they plan for the next year at Crantock Village Hall and take indoor photos. They hold an annual competition judged by David Chapman.
Singing for Fun: Also on Jenny B’s behalf, Jan J told us that Singing for Fun is held on the 2nd Friday afternoon of the month at Gret’s, because the acoustics are great there. They sing very varied songs from WW2 songs to modern pop and encourage people to sing their favourites. They chat a lot, laugh a lot and reminisce a lot. So if you like singing in the bath or shower, then come along and join in.
Table Tennis: Jan J told us that table tennis is held three times a week at Crantock Village Hall from 9am until noon. Monday’s session is run by Tony, Wednesday’s by Jan and Friday’s by Gary. People come along and play for an hour or so or for three hours. There are 30 regulars, usually 15-20 per session. People in their early 60’s to late 80’s play and the more expert players are willing to help those less experienced. The cost is £1.50 per session, which includes refreshments. A Social Evening is also held at the hall. Unfortunately, because of the demand for tables, the group cannot take absolute beginners.
Whist: Shirley asked June C, who is the temporary contact for the Whist Group, if she wanted to say anything, but she just said that a new Group Leader is needed. Shirley asked for volunteers.
New Groups:
French Conversation: Pauline S said that she had put out a sign-up sheet for a French Conversation Group, which she intends holding on the 1st and 3rd Mondays at 10:30am, hopefully at the Quintrell Inn. The first meeting will be held on the 1st Monday in November. Pauline asked that people, when they sign up, should indicate the level they were at, e.g.”O” level or “A” level etc, so she can gear the sessions accordingly.
Bird Watching: Victor W is a keen birder and wants to start a bird watching group. He had also put out a sign-up sheet. He said that venues would be local to start with, but they would be going further afield in the future. He will decide on which day of the month to hold it when he sees who is interested.