CALDICOT & DISTRICT. Newsletter & Diary January 2016 Meetings in the Choir Hall at 2.15pm. Reg Charity No.

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1 CALDICOT & DISTRICT Newsletter & Diary January 2016 Meetings in the Choir Hall at 2.15pm Reg Charity No THURSDAY 21ST JANUARY 2016 SUBJECT: SPEAKERS: TEA ROTA: Caldicot Comprehensive Music Students Performance Police - Community Policing Ukulele Group THURSDAY 18TH FEBRUARY 2016 SUBJECT: TEA ROTA: Magistrates & Probation Crime & Community Sentences Walking Group CHAIRMAN S LETTER Ho Ho Ho We have come to the end of yet another year and a successful one within the U3A. Sadly we have lost valuable members who we will remember with fondness and then we have gained new members who we will welcome with open arms. Once again I have to remind people that in April will be our AGM and obviously we will be canvassing for new committee members as we will be losing some of those who have already done their bit for the Caldicot U3A. So please, if you are interested in becoming one of our jolly little band, and I can assure you we are just that, then please please let me know. We need new members. As previously stated, the newsletter is being rejigged and our new editor, Angela has re-arranged some of the pages. There is now room for any of the groups to put their input in as to what they are doing or what they have coming up in the future. It would be good for the groups to let us know how things are progressing so please think about trying to write something each month to give us your news. That s all for this year folks, please all have a lovely Christmas and a Great New Year and I shall see some of you at Slimming World in the New Year!!! My Best Wishes to you All Pam 1

2 SPEAKERS LIST 2016 February 18th Magistrates and Probation Crime and Community Sentences March 17th Ukulele Group Concert April 21st U3A Annual General Meeting plus Speaker Speaker TBA May 19th Chepstow Gospel Choir June 16th Community First Responders Tony Rossetti July 21st Drama Presentation Phoenix Players August No Meeting September 15th TBA October 20th Open Day All Groups November 17th A Police Career Roger Foster December 15th Drama Presentation Phoenix Players COPY FOR THE NEWSLETTER We welcome reports from all groups for inclusion in the Newsletter or forwarding to our website. Word docs are preferred and should be sent to leechpool@talktalk.net by midday on the 22nd January 2016 Typed or hand written notes should be submitted a few days earlier if possible. Please try to limit reports to about 300 words. Angela Hodson-Hirst, Editor. SPECIAL EVENTS - OUDENAARDE GWENT KENT GHENT In the small hours of Sunday 29th November a party of thirty three stout hearts set out, after pickups, for our Special Events Christmas Market experience, our spirits not dampened by the rain and ignoring the effects of the wind. The young driver handed our coach over to Maltese George at Leigh services, our first comfort stop, and we continued our journey with this most entertaining and popular driver, being well known to many of us from previous Edward s excursions. Our journey, all in the rain, passed comfortably and without further event and we were able to decamp at our hotel a little earlier than planned due to good progress which allowed us to catch an earlier shuttle. The Leopold Hotel, just off the main square in Oudenaarde, was clean with good quality rooms, a bar and lounge area and a small dining room that was more than sufficient for partaking of the great choice at breakfast time but not large enough to cater for more than a handful of diners throughout the day and evening, this was not a problem as the short walk into the centre was rewarded with a plentiful choice of restaurants. The Brasserie De Cridts we found to be particularly good with most welcoming staff. Trips into Ghent and Bruges had been organised and, despite some of the locals insisting on parking around our coach we got off to the former location, where preparations were in hand for the Market and the latter where they were in full progress. The more adventurous of our number actually made their own way into Brussels on the fourth day. Others took advantage of the free time to explore Oudenaarde itself which was once famous for its brewing tradition and also its tapestry production. The Mou museum, adjacent to the decorous gothic styled Town Hall, houses not only a spectacular collection of Silverware but samples of tapestry including several verdures, where the emphasis is on the use of varying shades of green. Our time in Belgium passed all too quickly and the return journey, this time in the sunshine, until we approached Wales, passed without incident and we were able to stop en route to the train terminal in order to purchase chocolates and other essential supplies at the wine and spirits 2

3 emporium. Again we were able to take an earlier shuttle due to the meticulous planning of our leader Pam and the exuberant George. Thanks Pam and I promise that I will certainly not mention that you were called a Bolshie Brit in Bruges, for that is another story. Thirst CHRISTMAS DINNER Christmas Dinner at Dewstow was a great success this year. The food was very good, the entertainment extra special and everyone who attended thoroughly enjoyed themselves. No complaints at all. I was a little disappointed in the number of members who attended (40 in all) and if this is to be expected next year then I am going to have to think again about organizing another one. DRAMA Well we did it! It was our first full play and took a lot of learning of words but from the feedback given to me on the day, I believe everyone enjoyed it. I would like to take this opportunity of thanking all my drama members they did a great job even if it took a long time to rehearse, it paid off. I am very proud of you all. Also John and Audrey who organized the sound equipment. Tony (one of the crooks) designed and made all the scenery and I don t really know what we would do without him. You re a really great bunch and I look forward to our next extravaganza. Thank you all Pam MARCH 7 th WARNER S HOLME LACEY The balance for this holiday is due in January. Can I please remind you that I shall need your monies at the January meeting the latest. The balances are for singles and 488 for doubles. UNWANTED SPECTACLES The Lions Club of Chepstow and Caldicot, like many other Lions Clubs in the UK collect unwanted spectacles, which are sorted and sent to countries where people do not have access to eye care, through the Sight First Project. If you have any old specs, (including sunglasses) please bring them to a monthly meeting, where I will have a collecting box for them. Thank You. Rowland Searle, U3A and Lions member DIARIES We still have some copies of the 2016 Diary available a bargain at 2.00! Please contact: Jackie Hicks to reserve your copy. FLOWER ARRANGING We have been asked about the possibility of starting up a Flower Arranging Group and would like to know if there are any experts out there who would be willing to pass on their skills to other members? If you are interested, either in teaching or joining such a group please contact: Jackie Hicks TRANSPORT If you have difficulty getting to a group or monthly meeting please consult your Convenor or Alma Gaskell. If you are able to assist with transport please let your Convenor or Alma know. 3

4 LINK SECRETARY I would like to ask all our members if they would inform me if they hear of any member or their families who are in hospital, sick or any other reason. We like to also send congratulations to members who reach 80 years, plus wedding celebrations or marriages amongst our members. Please contact: Mrs June Brown: USED STAMPS Does anyone know of a Charity that takes used stamps? If so please contact the Editor. TO ALL U3A MEMBERS I would like to thank everyone for their good wishes during my three month stay in Hospital Jan Rees Gould FAMILY HISTORY - The Eureka Moment For the past seven years we have been researching our Family Tree however maternal lines back to our ancestors often hit a brick wall. Elizabeth Hughes was our brick wall. She married in 1875 and died in 1928 these facts being confirmed by both marriage and death certificates. A clear path from 1911 back to 1881 was easily found. The village in which she lived was Trimdon Grange but no trace was available for her youth. The eureka moment was when we traced her mother being married to a John Hughes and subsequently ten years prior to a George Humes. Eureka her birth name was Elizabeth Humes as her mother had remarried and Elizabeth had taken her stepfathers surname. It only took six years to find this fact. Family History is never straight forward but with perseverance and a little help its surprising what you can find. So Who can You Find with a Little Help? John Jeffery GROUP NEWS AND INFORMATION Would all group Convenors send me news and information for the monthly Diary which will be included in the table below. Thank you. Editor ACTIVITY GROUPS NEWS & INFORMATION ART Every Wednesday 1.30 to 4.00pm, Recreation Hall, Portskewett. Convener...Mary Richards BRIDGE Every Monday 2.00 to 4.00pm, Council Day Centre No Meetings on Bank Holidays. Convener Madelyn Drake COMPUTING Friday 9.30 to 12.30am. Second Friday of the month to 12.00am. Baptist Church. Neddern Way. Discussion/Demonstrations, photo competition Convener John Mills 4 Jan 15th: Small grp 1: Beginners, Word, s etc. Editing digital photo using Picasa. MS Office experiment and try all options. Synchronising Android PC s, phones laptops etc. Jan 22nd: As Jan 15th Jan 29th: Small grp 1: Beginners, Word, s Etc. Files and folders Organisation, Adding text to pictures.. Synchronising Apple PC s, phones laptops etc. Feb 5th: As Jan 29th

5 DRAMA Every Friday 2.00pm Portskewett Hall. Conveners...Pam Caines.Dianne Payne EXERCISE Every Wednesday: Aerobics 10 to 10.45am Pilates to am. Scout Hall. Convener Jacquie Ellis assistant.sue Kelly FAMILY HISTORY Every other Friday 2.00 to 4.00pm. Bethany Baptist Church. Caldicot. All welcome at Bethany Baptist Church Jan 22nd Feb 5th Convener.John Jeffery GARDENING October to March. 2nd Thursday at 2.15pm The Scout Hall. April to September excursions. See newsletter for details. Convener...Rosa Morgan Jan 14th: Film show.ron and Jim Feb 11th: David Austin Roses.Mervyn Reed Feb 25th: Snowdrop Trip 9.30am to Colesbourne Park Mar 10th: A 21st Century Small Holding Jules Moore Apr 14th: Plant Doctor to answer your garden questions May Holiday: TBA HANDICRAFT 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month to 12.00pm Council Day Centre. Convener..Beryl Lewis HISTORY 3rd Wednesday of the month 2.15pm Council Day Centre Convener Don Wood Jan 20th: Marco Polo.Dave Wood Feb 17th: Gwent s War in 1916 Peter Strong Mar 16th: The Cobb s of Caldicot Pauline Hayward Apr 20th: Wolvesnewton Model Farm.Bob Greenland May 18th: To be arranged Richard Jones Jun 15th: Tredegar Park.Talks Team Jun 20th: Field Trip..Don Wood MUSIC APPRECIATION 4th Thursday of the month 2.00 to 4.00pm. Council Day Centre. Convener Jan Potter assisted by Adrian Dallow SEARCHING QUESTIONS OF LIFE AND FAITH Discussion group on issues of life and faith in today s world. Meeting at 1 Rogiet Road, Caldicot. Conveners Ken & Coralie Payne 5

6 SCIENCE AND NATURAL HISTORY Meetings to be held 1st Monday of the month noon. Scout Hall, Sandy Lane Convener TBA Please contact Bob Whitehead for further details SCRABBLE Jan 4th: Photography and how it is developed Jim Jenkins Feb 1st: Pictures of plants held in Cardiff museum and the artists who painted them.heather Pardoe Museum of Wales, Cardiff. We extend an invitation to the art group for this meeting Mar 7th: The work of Monmouthshire Country Side Service.Mark Langley Apr 4th: Water Vole project at Magor Marsh, Gwent Wildlife Trust...Charlene Davies Alternate Fridays pm. Town council Day Centre. Convener Adele Harris SHORT MAT BOWLS Wednesday afternoons 2.00 to 4.00 pm. Scout Hall. Friday evening 7.30 to 9pm Convener..Roland Carey SPANISH Additional Sessions: Our Short Mat Bowls now meets on Friday evenings, in addition to the Wednesday afternoon sessions. So if you would like to try to roll a ball on Friday between 7pm and 9pm contact the Convenor Monday Mornings to various venues. Convener..Julian Wood SPECIAL EVENTS Convener..Pam Caines SUNDAY LUNCH CLUB Once a month during the Winter. Convener Pam Marr Jan 14th: The Bodyguard - bus leaving Mill Lane 1pm Mar 7th: Warners Holiday, Home Lacey Jan 17th: Rock and Fountain. There are limited numbers so please contact Pam if you are interested TABLE TENNIS Monday 2.00 to 4.00pm. Scout Hall. Convener.Les Mitchell UKULELE Every Tuesday 2.00 to 4.00 at the Recreation Hall Portskewett Convener...Pauline Fryer WALKING GROUPS Every Tuesday 9.00 & 9.15 am at the Choir Hall Car Park Individual group information below STRAGGLERS Convener..Derek Watson AMBLERS Conveners.Bridget & David Evans 6

7 STROLLERS Convener Rob Harry STRIDERS Convener..Jim Clift Crossword 01 Across 1. Twelve (5) 4. Hoard (5) 7. Unaware (9) 8. Gape (4) 10. Wore away (6) 12. Birds of prey (6) 13. Notion (4) 16. Large spider (9) 18. The lowest point of anything (5) 19. Implied (5) Down 1. Journal (5) 2. Menagerie (3) 3. World's longest river (4) 4. Secret or hidden (6) 5. Bustling (7) 6. Abated (5) 9. Placed a bet (7) 11. Thinner (6) 12. Consumed (5) 14. Proficient (5) 15. Female relative (4) 17. Part of a circle (3) Answers for Crossword in next month s diary GUESS WHO How did you get on with our December silhouette? Who is our January Silhouette? 7 It was Stella Marsh, Stella belongs to our Gardening and Music Appreciation groups. ANY BUDDING ACTRESSES OUT THERE? Are you a retired mother or grandmother who likes the idea of a bit more adventure in their life? Do you listen patiently to your children s or grandchildren s stories about foreign travel and gapyears in exotic parts of the world? Do you wish you could do the same if the circumstances allowed? Then look out for more information in next month s Diary and on our Website where all will be revealed.

8 OFFICERS Chairman Vice Chairman Treasurer Secretary Membership Secretary Link Secretary Network Contact Newsletter Distributor Publicity Officer Speakers Secretary Website & Scrapbook Diary Editor Pam Caines Sheelagh Burton Julie Keogh Jackie Hicks Alma Gaskell June Brown Brian Metcalfe Pam Simpson Dave Edwards Sheelagh Burton Ron Lapthorn Angela Hodson-Hirst COMMITTEE MEMBERS John Duke Anne Duke Muriel Metcalfe Brian Metcalfe Sheelagh Burton Jim Hill Pam Simpson Julie Keogh John Jeffery 8