Welling

Newsletter 107 March 2024

Our speaker for February was Richard P Winstone, a wildlife photographer. Richard had been a teacher and one day whilst in the classroom a bird flew in through an open window and settled on the top of a tall cupboard. A pupil said the name of the bird and it occurred to Richard that he knew very little about birds and the family groups that they fell into. He started researching, began bird watching and taking photographs of the different ones that he saw. He went on to take photos of other living things as well, insects, flora, fauna, foxes, butterflies and moths. Richard then took trips abroad to capture the animals native to the lands he was visiting including elephants, zebra, cheetahs, giraffes and monkeys to name a few. He told us about his experiences and showed slides to coincide with the talk. At the end of the talk he sold some of his prints and seemed pleased with the sales. If anyone else is interested, he has a website:
richardpwinstonephotography.com
Hopefully, we will have Richard back in the future for another talk on Gardens.

Entrance to St Michael’s Hall
Doors to the hall will open at 1.45 unless the set-up is ready earlier.
We are asking you to show your BLUE membership card at the door. Should you have forgotten it (and we all do at times) then you will be asked to have your name checked off on the membership list by Jill Thomas. You can use either the main entrance or the entrance door at the rear. This rear door has a level entrance, especially useful if you are having difficulty with the front step to the Hall. Any of the “Meet and Greet Team” can direct you. Please make use of this entrance if it is useful. Just ask.

Membership renewal:
This month is Membership renewal for 2024 -25. Renewals and new card issue will take place from 2.00 onwards. You will be able to pay by cash, cheque or card on the day. Fees are not changing - £20 single, £37 couple or £17 if a member of another u3a. Information is detailed on your renewal letter.
If you have paid in advance by BACS, your new membership card will be available to collect at the March meeting. If you are unlikely to attend can you arrange for a friend to pick up your new card please?
Whilst in the hall, we invite you to look around at the tables showing many of the different groups currently on offer. There will be lists for you to indicate your interest for these and possibly new subjects yet to start. Do you have any ideas? Please speak to Kathy Dersley.
Refreshments will be available throughout the afternoon, along with an Easter raffle, so we look forward to you joining us.

u3a Trust Website:
For those of you with access to the internet, I do recommend that you log onto this website, https://www.u3a.org.uk
There is so much available free, such as signing up for the monthly Newsletter, podcasts with some really interesting interviews and online free talks and events. Some talks/learning groups are at a small cost, but here is a selection of free ones on offer over the next few weeks – something for all tastes.

• Introduction to Cryptic Crosswords – Thursday 28th March at 10am. Try your hand at solving cryptic clues on this two-hour taster session with Henry Howard, u3a subject adviser.
• Suffering and Hope in Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina – Thursday 28th March at 2pm. The first in a series of talks illustrating how the creative arts can enhance our wellbeing by Christopher of Orrell Park u3a
• From Pleasure Gardens to Theme Parks – Friday 5th April at 2pm. Hosted by Moira MacQuaid, Guildford u3a, who will look at the history of pleasure gardens from the 18th century until the present day
• Live Cookery Demonstrations – Thursday 11th April at 10am from Chef Alex
• Bollywood Laughter Yoga Dance – Monday 15th April at 10am
• The Climate Crisis – and some solutions – Friday 19th April at 10.30am

London Region of U3As

Summer Walks and Visits Programme 2024

Launch of Bookings 22nd March

We are delighted to announce the launch of bookings for the Summer Walks and Visits Programme 2024. Between 21st May and 23rd July, we are offering an exciting programme of 31 walks and visits to museums/galleries around central London.

There will be a choice of guided walks in areas such as Westminster, South Kensington, Bloomsbury, Fitzrovia, Camden, Regents Park and The City. In addition, there will be guided tours at visitor attractions such as the National Portrait Gallery, British Museum, Victoria & Albert Museum, Guildhall Art Gallery and talks at the Natural History Museum.

The online Programme includes information about each event, plus a direct link to the relevant online Booking Form.
Each event, which is for u3a members only, is priced at just £10 per person (no refunds).
Maximum capacity is 20 participants per guided walk, and 15 participants for each guided visit.
Based on previous experience we expect tickets to sell quickly. Online booking is highly recommended to avoid delay and disappointment in booking confirmation.

The online Programme will be available on 22nd March from the London Region website. Click on to the “Events” page.
With best wishes on behalf of the London Region Events Team
Catherine Ware - Talks Coordinator

QUICK QUIZ
Solve the cryptic clues to reveal popular television programmes (Old & New).
Answers at the end of this Newsletter.
1. Cockneys
2. Highest cog
3. A Labrador on your wrist
4. Humpty Dumpty and family
5. Where the chain broke
6. The American check
7. A battle of a place
8. Final drink of the season
9. Hymns and psalms
10. Money in the loft

GROUP NEWS

We are planning to hold a “Groups” display to encourage the startup of more groups at the March Membership renewal meeting. There will also be an Easter raffle!

New Jive Dancing Class - fortnightly at St Andrew’s Church hall, Brampton Road - starting at 2.30pm Friday 19th April.
Would everyone who has signed up for these sessions please bring their £10 for Eunice McBride at the March meeting, this covers the first month’s payment.
The final cost will be determined by the number in the class but will be about £2.50 a session, the next monthly payment will be 17th May.
If you have any questions, please phone Eunice

These two groups are open to everyone:
TLC (Tea, Latte and Chat) Group – on the fourth Tuesday of every month. Meet at Brewers Fayre, Bexleyheath, at 10.30am. The next dates will be 27th March and 23rd April.
Just turn up and make new friends.

Thursday Lunch Club – Thursday 4th April at 12.30. A two course lunch has been booked at Sophie’s Choice, Sidcup . Cost, including service charge, bread & butter and coffee is £20.85. If you are interested please contact Marlene Harmer (See below).

VISITS and EVENTS

Notes from the Visits Team:
Please report any accidents whilst on a trip to the visit leader, no matter how small, in case of later insurance issues.
If a free place is given to the organizer of any visit or trip it is not used by them but the saving is spread across the whole group through the cost of the visit, so everyone benefits.

IMPORTANT
If you are unable to turn up for any visit, especially on the day, please contact one of the Visits Team to ensure they are not waiting for you:
• Marisa Miller
• Pauline Reed
• Irene Thorley
• Pauline Williams
The Committee would like to thank all members of the visits team for their hard work, commitment and the variety of planned visits. A lot of background work goes into the organization and execution of these excursions.

PLANNED VISITS

Payments for all trips may be by cash, cheque or card.
Only two places can be booked for any trip. For any extra tickets required, names will be added to a reserve list and considered when everyone present on the day have had a chance to complete their purchases. No tickets will be sold before 1.30pm.

Monday 13th May - Tour of The Royal Mews – 12.00: Max 20 - Cost £16.00.
The Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace is responsible for all road travel arrangements for The King and members of the Royal Family, from horse-and-carriage to car. Real working stables, including the iconic 260-year-old Gold State Coach, used at State occasions
Accessibility: The Royal Mews is fully accessible with an accessible toilet and seating. There is no cafe but they are available nearby
Names and money will be taken at the March meeting.

Friday, 17th May - Metropolitan Police Museum, Marlowe House, Sidcup, Max 10 Free entry.
Tour booked for 2.00 pm, 1 place remaining

Thursday, 30th May - Metropolitan Police Museum, Marlowe House, Sidcup, Max 10 Free entry. Tour booked for 2.00 pm, 1 place remaining
Names have to be given to the museum at time of booking, for both of these visits, so no changes will be allowed once the final list is confirmed. ID will be required on the day. As far as we know a Freedom Pass will be sufficient, if you do not have one you will need a passport or driving licence. Exact requirements will be notified nearer the time.

Thursday 6th June - Tour of The Charterhouse, London:, Max 20 - Cost £12.
The date still needs to be confirmed (could be 13th June).
The Charterhouse is an almshouse and a heritage site, whose historic buildings date back to medieval and Tudor times and are home to a vibrant contemporary community. We will be going on the Charterhouse Guided Tour (60 mins) to discover the remnants of a medieval monastery and the courtyards of an opulent Tudor mansion on the site. The tour also casts new light on well-known stories from British history, and introduces us to the unique heritage of the historic Charterhouse which has been living the nation’s history since 1348.
Accessibility: Good
Names and payments be taken at the April meeting

Wednesday 3rd July - Day trip to Brighton by coach: Max 52 - Cost £16.
Names and money will be taken at the May meeting.

Turkey and Tinsel Break – 9th to 13th December 2024 – Cost £399
The Ocean Beach Hotel & Spa, Bournemouth.
Includes: Return coach Travel
Excursions
Half board
Afternoon tea dance
Turkey & Tinsel package
Entertainment
There are 20 single rooms available. A £40 deposit will be required. All payments will be direct to the coach company but Irene Thorley will be taking names of those interested at the March meeting.

Future possible trips include:
• Coach trip to Quex Museum
• Coach trip to another seaside town
• A Christmas Market
• The Museum of Home at Hoxton, London

Any visit suggestions gratefully received by any member of the visits team.

NON u3a EVENTS

Afternoon teas and entertainment at Barton Close:
• Thursday 4th April - entertainment followed by tea and cake 1.30pm – 3.45pm. The cost is £5 per head.

• Tuesday 23rd April - entertainment followed by tea and cake, 2.15pm – 4.15pm. The cost is £5 per head.

Please give Phil Hinton a call if you are interested.

Keep Fit on a Wednesday morning:
Gilda will be at our next Members Meeting if anyone is interested in “movement to dance”. Her group meets on a Wednesday from 11.30 -12.30 in the Methodist Church Hall in Welling. The cost is £2.50 per session or £7.00 for a month. The hall is on several bus routes or you can use the carpark on the corner of Westward Lane but this is payable.

MEMBERS MEETINGS and SPEAKERS

27th March 2024 - Membership renewal meeting and groups displays
24th April 2024 - Sue Sauter – The British hospital for mothers and babies
22nd May 2024 - Delia Taylor – Pre-Raphaelites, their lives, lovers and legacy
26th June 2024 - Melanie Gibson Barton - Eva Braun
24th July 2024 - Summer Social – entertainers The Rockin’ Eddies. Ticket only - to be sold in May & June.
28th August 2024 - Chris Davis - London talks - Insight into Islington
25th September 2024 - Marie Curie Nurses
23rd October 2024 - The Mercy Ships
27th November 2024 - Tony Harris - Henry V111 in costume
18th December 2024 - Christmas Social - Entertainer Annie Gee Ticket only – to be sold in October & November

If you know of anyone that is poorly, is in hospital, has sadly passed away or has a special birthday, please let Janis Rudland know and she will send a card from the u3a.

Quiz answers:
1. Eastenders
2. Watch Dog
3. Eggheads
4. The Weakest Link
5. The Bill
6. Waterloo Road
7. Last of The Summer Wine
8. Songs of Praise
10. Cash in the Attic