Monday Morning Talk Report 2017
This Term began on 9th January 2017
This term's themes - 'Heroes and Villains', as well as 'The Americas'.
9th January
WOW! What a way to begin 2017, Mary gave us a talk on our theme of 'Heros and Villains', about Marie Curie. I learned more about the Periodic Table and Atomic Numbers than I ever did at my Grammar School, as well as finding out the prejudice Marie suffered for being female. A belter of a talk!
17th January
FDR ..... Franklyn D. Roosevelt the only four term President of the United States. David showed us that he was a 'HERO', who overcame polio, and was a friend to the Allies before the US joined in the Second World. A great statesman who was still a man of the people who brought the USA out of the Great Depression.
23rd January
Today's meeting produced a lot of laughter among members as we enjoyed extracts from Bill Bryson's latest book "Little Dribbling" as well as a short exerpt from his BBC Documentary, "Notes from a Small Island" where a youthful Bryson recorded his impressions of Britain . "Little Dribbling" written twenty years after "Notes from a Small Island" shows how both Bryson and Britain have changed over these last years. Members were particularly interested to see how his view of Birmingham had changed
30th January
"Confessions of a Pantomime Dame" sounds like the title of a racy film but it was , in fact, the subject of a hugely enjoyable talk by Richard Westcott. Richard entertained us with back-stage anecdotes about his career as an actor while demonstrating how a dame gets in costume and stage make-up helped by a "volunteer" dresser from the audience. Solihull U3A can now proudly claim to have helped Richard break his costume quick-change record
6th February
Another guest speaker this morning. Andy Holding told us about the operational side of Birmingham Airport. He gave us an insight into the structure of the airport, the many companies who provide the services that keep it running smoothly and its importance to the community and the the local economy.
13th February
A QUIZ! on our America's Theme. Really good fun (did I mention our team won?)
20th February
Adam, a life long fan, gave us an interesting talk on the life and music of Bob Dylan. The talk was interspersed with music from the sixties until today and he discussed the politics, religion and drugs that influenced the powerful message contained in many of Dylan's lyrics.
27th February
THE AGM
A good meeting, some changes in Officers and Committee and an opportunity to see all the hard work put in by our Group and Subject Conveners throughout the year, which makes Solihull U3A so vibrant and interesting.
6th March
Again on the 'Hero and Villain' theme, Bruce gave us a thought provoking talk on Robert Maxwell, a man who started life in a very poor Czech family, persecuted by the Germans, changed his name several times, joined the Foreign Legion and finally the British Army, getting the Military Medal and a Field Commission, an Officer who led from the front and highly regarded by his men. A real Hero!
Then he founded Pergamon Press finally buying the Mirror Group. He used the Pension Fund to enhance his lifestyle, before drowning in mysterious circumstances from his multi-million pound yacht. A real Villain! You decide!
13th March
A game of two halves! (On our Americas theme)
Jill gave us a great talk on the history of the North West passage and the history as well as living in Newfoundland.
After coffee, Margaret told us about her adventures in Canyon Country, followed by a look at the first successful British settlement in Jamestown, as well as Colonial Williamsburg.
20th March
Members reading poetry that had special meaning for them.
A really entertaining, sometimes thought provoking morning, that often took us all down memory lane.
27th March
Silence in Court! A re-enactment by Alan Cutler
3rd April
Paul was his usual amusing and knowledgeable self, as he presented a morning of all genres of music on the theme of trains! A very entertaining morning.
24th April
Back from the Easter break! Still on our Americas theme, we watched the film "Battle of the River Plate" where the pocket battleship, "Graf Spee" was driven into Montevideo harbour in Uruguay before being scuttled by her captain.
8th May
We had a 'Bring a Book' discussion morning. In groups, we discussed everything from 'The curious incident of the dog in the night-time', to a possible conversation between Hitler and Jesus. Finally, one member of each group reported to the meeting. We all discovered books that we would enjoy reading and it was an educational and enjoyable morning. A list of all books discussed will be circulated to members.
15th May
Monday morning at the movies. This morning we watched the ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’. Based on the
bestselling historical novel by Tracy Chevalier, about the painter Johannes Vermeer and his mysterious model.
A film beautifully photographed, with a believable story.
22nd May
This morning members of the Art Group gave us a series of presentations on 'Women in Art.' Everything from the superb works in paint, embroidery and metalwork of 'The Glasgow Girls,' to the models of Botticelli!
5th June
Back on our 'Americas' theme, Roger gave us a wonderful talk about 'Boston' and its 'Solihull Connection!'
12th June
William Blake, Adam gave us a probing insight into this very strange man. An impoverished poet who died penniless, but who achieved great things.
19th June
Talk about a one man band! Andy Smith, an outside speaker, took us though his life in music with songs using his array of guitars as well as having his little ukulele in his hand!
3rd July
Again on the theme of the 'Americas', Irene gave us an interesting, well researched and well presented talk on the history of the Panama Canal.
10th July
This morning Alistair to us back to Liverpool in the 60's. He talked about the 'The Mersey Sound'. An anthology of poems by Liverpool poets Roger McGough, Brian Patten and Adrian Henri. Members read out a selection of the trio's poems and Alistair discussed the pop culture of the time.
17th July
End of term quiz.
Alistair and David produced an interesting and extremely challenging quiz on varied subjects. The team that won were incisive, perceptive and intuitive.....Oh yes us again!
Autumn Term
4th September
WOW!!! What a way to start a new term!!! - Heroes and Villains.
Ruth gave us an informative and incisive talk on the Kim Dynasty of North Korea. The current leader Kim 3 - Kim Gong Un. Kim 2, his father Kim Gong Il, Kim 1, his Grandfather Kim Il Sung.
Then her husband Roger talked about his hero Beethoven, interspersed with snippets of music.
A lovely morning! Guess who was the hero and who was the villain!
11th September
Was Elizabeth Bowes Lyon - Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother a hero or a villain? She was not of royal birth, but was shown to be more royal than any of them in the end. Called by Hitler 'the most dangerous woman in Europe'. However, she was alleged to have made some racist comments in private. She would not let Diana's name be mentioned in her presence. She caused Margaret's love affair with Peter Townsend to end and she really hated Wallis Simpson.
All in all we decided that she was a woman of her time and class. So in the end we came firmly down on the side of hero!
Been away in Japan so reports start again now!
23rd October
A musical extravaganza!
30th October
Back to 'Heroes or Villains' this time Bonnie Prince Charlie, who went from figurehead of hope to a drunken wife beater!
6th November
Doug gave a talk on the First World War mystery of how the German Navy, under Admiral Von Spee, appeared in the Falkland Islands shortly after the outbreak of war in 1914, and how the Royal Navy defeated them.
20th November
An outside Speaker today, Peter Bates gave us a talk on the history of the Parish Church with some wonderful photographs.
27th November
Jill told us about her work at the Birmingham Women's Hospital and how it has been in the forefront of research into fertility treatment - lots of pictures of tadpoles!
4th December
Angela talked about Maya Angelou ... who? I hear you ask! Just a phenominal African American lady who rose from impoverished beginnings to become a world renowned american poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist. Another talk on our Americas Theme.
11th December
Unfortunately this morning's meeting had to be cancelled due to the heavy snow!!
18th December
Our Christmas Meeting .... A mixture of music, fun, laughter, readings and carols.
We began with the Hand Bell Ringing Group who gave us a wonderful medley of Christmas Songs, then readings, sketches and some thought provoking poetry. A special mention must go to Admiral Lord Nelson and Captain Hardy for informing us of the Naval Cutbacks an Political Correctness within the Service!
We then went to Henley Golf Club for a really nice Christmas Lunch!
SEE YOU NEXT YEAR - MERRY CHRISTMAS