Marie-Therese writes: Bonjour - derniere minute, comme
toujours. I think I've already advised you that the FRENCH
BEGINNERS group is discontinued. ADVANCED and RUSTIES will
recommence after the summer break on 6th and 7th September
respectively.
French Circle
This group is about all things French. Our meetings are
arranged to suit our members and usually on a Tuesday evening.
You do not need to be a French speaker. See group page for
more information. All meetings are accompanied by appropriate
refreshment! If you have any interest in France and things
French come and join us.
Gardening Group
The Gardening Group has had a busy spring/early summer with visits
out with the History Group and an independent trip to Coton Manor as
well as visiting various open gardens under the National Garden
Scheme. All of this was alongside keeping their own gardens
beautiful, dead-heading, fighting pests and diseases and the dry
weather.
Genealogy
What is uncovered during ancestor research in the monthly sessions
of the Genealogy Group is sometimes distressing. At other
times it is exhilarating when you “find” an ancestor who has been
“lost” behind transcription errors and spelling mistakes in the
various public records that separate you from him/her.
Surprises about your ancestors, whether good or bad, are what makes
family history research so addictive. Why not come and share our
addiction?
Golf
We have a group of eight golfers - not all very experienced who meet
once a fortnight, usually on a Monday and visit various local golf
courses. We play either nine or eighteen holes depending what
the individual wants to do. It is all very informal if anyone
would like to join us with some golf skill and a knowledge of golf
etiquette, and, of course, golf clubs they would be very welcome.
Greek Literature
To celebrate the completion of the course on 26 May members of the
group were invited to lunch with a Greek theme. This group has
been undertaking a 10 session course covering Classical Greek
Literature from Homer to Aristophanes. An introduction to
Classical Greek Literature uses modern technology to show that the
Classics need not be a turn-off. School day memories of the Trojan
War - caused by the Trojan heartthrob Paris winning Helen as the
prize in a beauty contest - will be challenged by audio book
translations of the Iliad and the Odyssey read by top actors such as
Derek Jacobi. BBC videos of Greek Plays will include Oedipus the
King - a brilliant detective story in which Oedipus discovers the
truth of his birth and the terrible crimes he has committed, and
Antigone - a heroine prepared to pay the ultimate price in her
conflict with the authorities. The Group will also be able to enjoy
the ribald humour of Aristophanes in a group reading of The Frogs.
This is a 10 session course taking place monthly on the second
Wednesday of each month from 10.00 am until 12 noon, at the Group
Leader's home beginning on September 8th.
Handicrafts
Carol
Pullen writes: Were we hookers or prodders in May? That was
the decision that we had to make when Linda McGlenaghan came and
showed us examples of rag rugging and then assisted us when we had a
go. Forget the rag rugs that you used to have on the floor when you
were small; they are now works of art and hang on the wall and are
quite spectacular. In June and July we continued either with
our charity knitting or our own UFOs and our future programme was
discussed.
History Group
Our sessions are always
well attended. At our indoor meetings, you get at least one
presentation (usually two) on topics of local, national and
general historical interest. Our visits programme is a
mixture of mainly afternoon (sometimes half- and whole-day) trips
to venues in the county and beyond, as chosen by group members
themselves in the ballot in May/June each year.
Keyboard Kapers
The aim of Keyboard Kapers is to teach
people to play a musical instrument, from complete novice, through
two tutor books to reasonably accomplished player.
Knit & Natter
We will be meeting every 1st and third Monday in the month between
10 am and 12, held at my house in Higham Ferrers. Most people
are doing knitting, just projects of their own, and we are also
doing some crochet, we have decided not to extend it to other crafts
because it is not a rival to the handicraft group. If
anyone needs help with stitches, casting on, or any other problem
with the knitting then there is someone from the group that can
help. Some of us are traditional knitters and some like to
knit with the new up to date wools that are around at the
moment. For instance, someone was knitting a child's garment,
someone was knitting a cushion, someone brought along some knitted
dolls that they had done and I was knitting a waistcoat made from a
metallic wool. We have decided that every now and again we
will probably do some sessions where we will knit for charity, but
on the whole it is just a case of bringing along anything you wish
to. As for the natter part, well there is plenty of that
- subjects varying from getting to know each other,
knitting (obviously), what type of books we like to read, family
history, walking, holidays etc. The range was varied and
wide. I imagine that the group will gradually develop
and grow with all sorts of ideas in the future.
Music Appreciation -
Popular and Light Music pre 1960
We meet to listen to our favourite recordings - light and popular
music, shows, jazz, comedy etc. We can play CD's, DVD's, LP's
and Cassettes. The music is pre 1960 but recordings can be
post 1960. The group meets at our home every other Friday
morning 10-12am. Each week we have a theme. Bring along
your favourite records, or you can just come and listen. Trips
can also be arranged if desired. Limited space!
Painting for Pleasure
Some good work has been produced this term including a landscape
complete with Salvation Army Band. Also some lovely flower
paintings and good life drawings including Sheila's dog.
The group continues to thrive but new members are always welcome.
Philosophy Group
Philosophical discussions on contemporary issues of ethics, logic
and consequences. The group is looking for normative
descriptions, of how things should be. Deryck Rogers says "We
have started by looking at punishment. What right does society
have to inflict punishment? Why do we punish? What is
punishment intended to achieve? (Spend a little time thinking
about it - 'because they deserve it' isn't good enough)?" Can
vengeance ever be ethically justified as a reason for
punishment? Kant's famous Categorical Imperative requires us
to treat others as ends and not as means to our own ends. If
so, what does this mean to punishment, especially when a judge says
that she is going to make an example of the felon? Does this
comply with Kant's injunction? Needless to say, things are far
from straightforward.
Play Reading
We were all impressed at the presentation by this group at our
anniversary party, so here is a quick update on the activities of
the Group which has been modestly hiding its talents! Group
Leader Karen Smith reports that the initial meeting was July 2009
(among the first groups to be "up and running") where we read "The
Hollow" by Agatha Christie. She can't remember which U3A
member "dunnit"! Our subsequent programme has included
"Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier, "Hobson's Choice" by Harold
Brighouse and "Not Now Darling" by Ray Cooney. We try and
alternate light, comedic plays with more serious works by eg Ivan
Turgener and J B Priestley. We have also read a horror spoof
"The Creature Creeps" and in keeping with the season, we read a
classic traditional pantomime "Dick Whittington". No prizes
for guessing who played and excellent and hilarious Dame (seasoned
RATS stalwart Tony Woodward).
The Group meets on the first Tuesday of the month and has an average
attendance of around 10 members and would welcome new members and
guests, although as the plays have a finite number of parts it will
mean you only listen at some meetings.
Carol
Pullen writes: Were we hookers or prodders in May? That was
the decision that we had to make when Linda McGlenaghan came and
showed us examples of rag rugging and then assisted us when we had a
go. Forget the rag rugs that you used to have on the floor when you
were small; they are now works of art and hang on the wall and are
quite spectacular. In June and July we continued either with
our charity knitting or our own UFOs and our future programme was
discussed.