Issue 27
Autumn 2007
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STRAY NEWS
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Groups
Singing for Pleasure (Ladies)
Around the Groups
The first meeting after the summer break saw the Armchair Travellers in Poland. Among the topics under discussion was food and drink. You might like to try the two recipes which appear elsewhere in the newsletter.
If anyone out there knows what Kielbasa is we would be pleased to know.
Barbara Peel
The U3A Bridge Group continues to thrive and survive the many trials and tribulations that it seems to have encountered since August last year. All the trials etc started with the Convent venue which was not available during August last year. This was overcome by using Almscliffe Hall at Huby as a venue for that particular month and which was obtained with the most helpful assistance of Dorothy Barratt one of the Group`s members. The Huby venue was ideal during the 2006 Summer and the Group`s sociable spirit was not diminished.
Unfortunately, as many other groups will no doubt know (and I can also speak for the Harrogate Chess Club), history repeated itself and again the Convent became unavailable from September this year until at least January 2008! So we again contacted Almscliffe Hall and asked them for the use of their premises. So far so good but this was for a much longer period and would be through the winter months. Some members felt a little uneasy about this for three reasons. The first was the distance and the second was that there was an accommodation space problem. The third and perhaps the most important reason was the access onto the main Harrogate/Pool road around rush hour time of 5.00 pm. With this in mind members looked round for alternative alternative premises.
Now at last we have succeeded thanks to Richard Lambert and Brian Hudson [for the record the Group “Leader” (sic) had been away swanning in China, Whitby and Menorca]. The new venue will now be the Bilton Cricket Club on Bilton Lane with effect from Thursday 18.10.07 from 1.25 pm. Let us hope that we can stay settled here for some time.
Information about the Group itself is that there are now 41 Group members with 13 on the waiting list. All enquiries should be made to Jack Duckworth or Brian Hudson.
Jack Duckworth
The new academic year has started well. Two new members have joined the group as a result of the displays at the U3A Annual General Meeting; two more are interested. I hope the year continues in the same vein.
Come and join us for an entertaining and learning experience.
Betty Romaniak
One of our most successful meetings is held in August. We meet at Bilton Community Centre bringing plants which are surplus to our requirements. These are set outside on tables where we mill about asking questions and marvel at what has appeared. The plants are not priced. Instead we have a contributions pot for donations. The proceeds are forwarded to Bluecoat Wood Nurseries, part of Horticap. This year we raised £50.30. We then retired indoors for refreshments and Richard led a general discussion on gardening problems this year. The long dry spell in spring and then the later torrential rain made things especially difficult.
The last garden visit of the year was to Golden Acre Park near Leeds. In comparison with gardens we have visited on other occasions it seemed less cared for, probably because of the difficulties encountered this year. Nevertheless, we had a companionable afternoon. Garden visits give an informal opportunity to exchange experiences with each other as we stroll around studying the plants.
In October we returned indoors for a talk from Ian on “Soil Composition and Compost”. We tend not to give this essential aspect of gardening enough attention. Many of us have wasted money trying to grow plants in inappropriate soil .The subject has great breadth. Not only have we to consider composition but acidity, alkalinity and many other variables. Ian with the help of visual aids and soil samples gave us an excellent insight into what is required. With the present emphasis on recycling composting waste is very topical. General information was supported by leaflets on do’s and don’ts to ensure success.
Margaret Douglas.
On August 26th seventeen of the German group (with spouses) embarked on a five day trip flying to Prague then taking a three hour journey by hired super modern air-conditioned coach to Dresden where the party stayed at a comfortable hotel 20 minutes from the town centre.
Next day we made an orientation sightseeing trip by tour bus with an English speaking guide who showed us the most important buildings and related the history of this marvellous city rebuilt to its former glory.
This is a cultural centre par excellence and best known for the Zwinger, with its magnificent architecture, and other important buildings, like the Semper Opera, the Old Master's Gallery, and the Physics and Mathematics building as well as the Meissen porcelain collection (one of the finest in the world).