Newsletter 108 April 2024
The Membership renewal day was very successful, as were the displays of group activities.
A number of people put their names forward to join groups, be added to waiting lists or to join new groups (details below).
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 YELLOW 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.
For those of you who know Pat Pitney, she has asked that you be informed she has moved to St Aubyns /Nursing Home, 35 Priestlands Park Road, Sidcup, DA15 7HJ. Her phone number remains the same.
GROUP NEWS
New Jive Dancing Class will be held fortnightly at St Andrew’s Church hall, Brampton Road. The first session was at 2.30pm on Friday 19th April.
For further information or any questions, please phone Eunice.
New Darts Group – This group is due to meet at The Guy Earl of Warwick every two weeks, starting on 23rd April at 2.00pm. Mary Finn is organizing this group and asks that only people on her list attend the first meeting. If you want to be placed on her reserve list please ring her.
New Walking Group - This group meets every Wednesday at 10.00 outside The Stables at Danson Park. For further information please contact Jill Thomas (see below).
New Crime Fiction Book Group – There are 4 people on the waiting list, so if a couple more would be interested in joining, a second group can be formed.
The group will meet at 10.30 – 12.30 on the second Wednesday of each month at my house in Welling. If interested please contact Pauline Griffin (see below)
These two groups are open to everyone:
TLC (Tea, Latte and Chat) Group – at 10.30 on the fourth Tuesday of every month (the day before our monthly Members Meeting). From May onwards, the venue for this group changes to the rear of the Café in Morrison’s, Welling. The next dates will be 28th May and 25th June. Just turn up and make new friends.
Thursday Lunch Club – Thursday 2nd May at 12.30 at Lebanese Bites, 16 Upper Wickham Lane, Welling, DA16 3HE. 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:
• Pauline Reed
• Irene Thorley
• Pauline Williams
• Marisa Miller
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.
Thursday 9th May - SLEUTH at the Orchard West. – 2.30pm £31.50 tiered seats.
Staring Todd Boyce (Coronation Street’s Baddie, Stephen Reid) and Neil McDermott (Eastenders) star in Anthony Shaffer’s masterpiece.
A young man arrives at the impressive home of a famous mystery writer, only to be drawn into a tangled web of intrigue and gamesmanship. A dark psychological “thriller about thrillers”.
Names and payments will be taken at the April meeting
Monday 13th May - Tour of The Royal Mews – 12.00: Max 20 - Cost £16.00. Now FULL
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
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 13th June - Tour of The Charterhouse, London: Max 20 - Cost £12.
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 will be taken at the April meeting
Wednesday 3rd July - Day trip to Brighton by coach: Max 52 - Cost £15.
Names and money will be taken at the April and May meetings.
Saturday 20th July – u3a Quiz Night: Tickets £5.00 per person
Teams of 6 – 8 people, who do not need to be members of u3a.
Bring your own drink and nibbles.
Tickets for sale at the May and June meetings
Wednesday 24th July – Summer Social: Ticket only event £5.00 per person
Tickets for sale and food choices to be made at the May and June meetings
Tuesday 13th August - Day trip to Hastings by coach: Max 52 - Cost £15.
Names and money will be taken at the June meeting.
Thursday 12th September - Day trip to Quex Park by coach: Max 52 - Cost £15 plus entrance fee.
Names and money will be taken at the June meetings.
Turkey and Tinsel Break – 9th to 13th December 2024 – Cost £399
The Ocean Beach Hotel & Spa, Bournemouth. -Turkey & Tinsel package
Includes: Return coach Travel Half board
Excursions Afternoon tea dance
Entertainment
There are still several 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 any more people interested at the April meeting.
There will be no payments for visits taken in July as this is the Social afternoon.
Future possible trips include:
• A Christmas Market
• The Museum of Home at Hoxton, London
Any visit suggestions gratefully received by any member of the visits team.
Marisa Miller is undertaking some extremely important, and time consuming work, setting up our new website. Could we ask that any queries relating to visits are directed to other members of the visits team for the foreseeable future. Thank you.
NON u3a EVENTS
Afternoon teas and entertainment at Barton Close
• Thursday 2nd May – fish and chips lunch, followed by a short AGM then an hours entertainment, tea and cake.
Start time earlier than usual at 12.45 – 3.45. The cost is £8 per head.
You must notify Phil Hinton to book the fish and chips.
Keep Fit on a Wednesday morning:
If anyone is interested in “movement to dance”, classes are held by Gilda on 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.
Adult Line Dancing:
Every Tuesday 1.00 – 2.00 at St Stephen’s Church Hall, Deepdene Road, Welling.
Cost £5.00 (first class free). A great way to keep fit, have fun and make new friends!
All levels welcome. For Further details please contact Angela on 07989 821306.
MEMBERS MEETINGS and SPEAKERS
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