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Issue 30

Summer 2008

Previous

Review of Current Affairs Group

Over the past two years our group has heard talks as diverse as:-

“What do Councils do?”

“Academies and Faith Schools.”

“Islam a Woman’s Perspective.”

“The Middle East.”

“Ageing.”

Human Rights in the 21st. Century.”

“Will China Become the Future Superpower?”

All of these talks prompted searching and intelligent questions from the audience, which were ably dealt with by the high calibre speakers.

The past year has been particularly notable for the quality of the speakers, and the post talk discussions.

The one disappointing note in this otherwise splendid programme has been the declining size of the audiences. We need to boost numbers. It is clearly unfair to ask highly qualified speakers to give up their time for such small audiences.

Please come and support us next year (2008/2009), and demonstrate that Harrogate U3A is still capable of appreciating, and supporting, the quality of speakers that we have been so fortunate to have had in the past; and will no doubt continue to have in the future.

Watch out for details in future Stray Bits and Stray News.

Not Just a Card Game

SOMETHING WORTH CELEBRATING. A BIT OF FUN WITH A SERIOUS INTENT FOR THE BEGINNERS BRIDGE GROUP.

Grand opening of a re-furbished kitchen.

A member of the group, after months of waiting, had her kitchen back – at last!

It was worth a celebration.

Nevertheless, the event had a serious intent. It gave the members of the group an opportunity to raise their glasses and thank the tutors, Juliet Fabbi-Horner and Brian Elias, for their hours and hours of input into first teaching us the rudiments of Bridge and then in the second year teaching us further skills and giving us more practice at the game. They have been unstinting in their dedication to the task, continually giving us encouragement and showing remarkable patience. We give them our heartfelt thanks.

After the speeches Juliet and Brian were invited to cut the red ribbon at the kitchen door. This they did and declared the kitchen OPEN and the party began!

Two years ago we were a bunch of strangers learning to play Bridge. The dynamics of the group have meant that we have become good friends. We meet not only to play Bridge but also to go to the theatre together, to eat out or have a party. This has been an unexpected and delightful development and the general mood is that we will continue in the same way. Without U3A we would not have met and without the good-natured leadership shown by Juliet and Brian we would not have had the opportunity to become the happy band we are.      

I hope I will continue to “improve”. I will try my best to remember the good advice Juliet and Brian have given me! I think Bridge is a fascinating game and I am glad now that I decided to learn how to play it.

.

Thanks, Juliet and Brian

Lee Parkes

Ode to the Ridings Walk

One sunny day in May

The walking U3As from far and near

Did meet at a town, not far from here.

Fortified with biscuits and tea

Supplied by the W.I. kindly.

Three groups set out led ably

By those with maps and marked backs.

Some high some lower hills were

At speeds to suit the members traversed.

Salient points and views amazing

So clear, so green, the animals grazing.

Back in time for tea and cakes

Served again by those who bake.

What happy memories we will take

With other groups to associate.

It’s thanks to Daphne I & B & J & E

That all went well so perfectly.

Arranging walks and names and food

Is no mean feat, appreciate.

Gill Waterlow

Unless otherwise shown address all enquiries to Harrogate U3A by email at

u3a.harrogate@googlemail.com