News from the interest groups

          

        

          

Arts Appreciation                                                                         David Fogg                                  

We are getting out and about; first to Cullompton on Thurs­day, August 19, then to Wells on Thursday, Septem­ber 16, for a guided tour of its fine cathedral where there is also a free lunchtime organ recital. There will be time to visit the Vicars’ Close, one of the oldest complete streets in Europe, and other attractions. We leave at 9.30am. An optional tour of the Bishop’s Palace at 11.30am costs £4.40 each. The tour of the cathedral, booked for us at 2pm, costs £4, returning to Tiverton between 5 and 6pm.

If you would like to join our rapidly growing group on these outings, or when we go to London to special exhibitions at the V&A and Royal Academy on Sunday, October 3, do give me a call. We leave on the scheduled National Express 502 service from Tiverton bus station at 6.35am, returning at 11.10pm. Any U3A member is wel­come to join us, but could everyone please book their own coach and exhibition tickets, for which I have details of prices and telephone numbers. Exhibitions include “Trea­sures from Hungary” and “Ballets Russes and Diaghilev”, with Gaugin at the Tate Modern, or you might prefer to look round other museums’ permanent displays for free.

Boules                                                                                               Sue Dark    

We have had to dodge the rain a bit this month but never­the­less we have had some good games, we are getting very competitive!!! If you want to join in the fun get in touch with me at home or at the Monthly Meeting.

Bridge                                                               York and Sarabella Dawson   

We have taken a well earned break until September. This provides plenty of time for all to revise their notes and come back not only refreshed but also knowledgeable!!

Bus Riders                                                                                Bob Holdman    

A group of 10 set off on the scenic trip across Dartmoor. It was intended to be an easy route trip, mainly focusing on the views rather than the time in Plymouth. Even so in slightly wet conditions we did view the marina, with the historic boats preparing to leave for La Rochelle, and then picnic on the Hoe. A fair first effort. The next trip is to Totnes on August 28. This time we will be viewing the town itself and should be there five or so hours, time to see the castle, Saturday Market and the Quay, or even take a boat down to Dartmouth and back. Meet up at the bus station at 7.50am. The bus leaves at 7.55am, we change buses in Exeter and arrive Totnes 10.10am. See you there?

Crafts                                                                                         Jean Tennant    

Our trip to the summer exhibition of the Devon Guild of Craftsmen in Bovey Tracey was very successful. We can strongly recommend a visit as the range of pottery/glass/ pictures etc is very wide, and their premises at the River­side Mill are superb. We also coincided with the local Art Group Exhibition, and found the Bovey Weavers where we could see cloth being woven on various looms (one over a 100 years old); the owner was very welcoming to anyone who dropped in. All in all, an excellent end to this summer’s outings. The September meeting at 59 Bampton Street on Monday, September 13 at 2 pm has no subject – just bring anything you are working on at present, and if there is some subject you would like information/help on, phone Jean before­hand so she can organise as necessary.

Dancing                                                              York and Sarabella Dawson  

We all enjoyed our last session in July with the live band, The Friendly Folk. After a summer break our first session of the new term will be at Moorhayes Community Centre on Wednesday, September 8. We normally dance every 2nd and 4th Wednes­day of the month. Anyone is welcome, even if you have never come to the dance group before.

Debating Group                                                                    Lynne Ferguson  

This new group, meeting at 10.15 am on the fourth Tuesday of the month, aims for a challenging, more focussed discussion on subjects chosen by group members. There won’t be the formality of a true debating club, but it is hoped it will appeal to more confident speakers who would appreciate a lively atmosphere in which to exchange and develop views on a variety of topics.

The first meeting of the group went well, with Rita launching us into her choice of subject, “Are the English too reluctant to complain?” A lively discussion ensued, with the bell having to be rung several times to recall us! We concluded that it became easier to complain as you grew older! This was followed by”‘Our Favourite Films” – with surprising choices encouraging us to watch others’ favourites.

The next meeting, when we will consider “Is a University education always a good thing?” followed by “Our Favourite Foods”, will be on Tuesday, August 24, at 7 Anstey Crescent, off Canal Hill. New members welcome.

Discussion                                                                                    David Fogg   

There are lots of developments to report. Our group has amicably split into two, with several members joining a new group led by Lynne Ferguson.

The Discussion Group will meet just once a month on the 2nd Friday at 10.15am at 5 Angel Terrace, Tiverton. We will still discuss prearranged topics and on September 10 will cover “Our experiences of class and how much of a problem it is in our society”, as well as “Food –what we like, what we hate, what we find hard to resist and how our tastes  have changed over the years”.

Our subjects may occasionally overlap with the other group, but the approach will be very informal, and hopefully appealing to those who are not confident in speaking in large groups. In addition we are introducing several new features, including our views on issues in current radio and television programmes. Members are also encouraged to bring along favourite books, CDs, DVDs, poems etc and to share with us some extracts from them. If this appeals to you do give me a ring for more details before coming to one of our meetings.

French Conversation                                                                    Babs Lyon   

The next meeting is Wednesday, September 8, venue to be arranged, when we shall start up again having had all summer to practise on trips over the channel!

Gardening                                            Joan Kelly, Jo Jeffrey, Carol Powney

We thoroughly enjoyed the visit to Hartland Abbey and gardens which also gave us the chance to see some of the North Devon countryside and coast line.

Next month we are off to the mansion and gardens at Stourhead, the National Trust property in Wiltshire. This beautiful place boasts one of the finest landscaped gardens in the world, quite often referred to as “Paradise”, so definitely a day to remember your camera. There’s an early start with car sharing from Homebase car park at 9.30am, Monday, September 20.

Local History                                                                               Bob Holdman    

Fifteen members travelled to Exmouth and A la Ronde. This is a small National Trust house built by the Misses Parmin­ter, so small in fact that one might wonder if it were worth a visit. There is probably no house in England which is so full of eccentricity, from a 16-sided building to a room the walls of which are covered in shells and feather designs. We then went up the hill to Point of View chapel, again of similar ilk, also by the Parminters. Histories of the two buildings are truly quite incredible: a very worthwhile visit.

Our next outing is to Exeter for a Red Coat medieval/ Roman Exeter, then to the cathedral library to see some thousand year old books; Domesday and Book of Exeter for example. Meet at the Cathedral Green at 2pm on Thursday, September 9.

Mah Jong                                                                         David and Jean Fogg    

Newcomers are always welcome: if they know nothing about the game they start in our ongoing beginners’ group, and then progress to join our improvers’ group. We have over 20 regular players who come to one of our two sessions in the month that suits them best, but new players are welcome to attend both. For more details do give us a call.

Music                                                                                          Ian Houseman   

We had an interesting afternoon discussing the life and music of Sergei Rachmaninov. No meeting in September. Next meeting Thursday, October 14. Subject: The final part of the life and music of Johnny Mercer, with a film of Johnny in concert singing his own compositions.

Quiz                                                                                                Vicki Stuckey   

Lesley’s quiz this month was gratefully received by the group – not least because she always makes such lovely biscuits!! The questions were pretty good too!

Please note: as so many of us are away next month, the September quiz has been cancelled. We meet again on Monday, October 4, at the usual time of 7pm at Sunning­mead Community Centre. Newcomers always welcome.

Rambling­­­­­­                                                              

Starting and ending at Luxborough on Exmoor, this walk is about five miles through fields, woods, and open moorland. The weather was cloudy with some sunny spells, but we had no rain and the visibility was good. From Luxborough Village Hall car park we went out over fields and on to Monkham Wood where we saw sizeable ant hills. The climb uphill through the woodland took us out to Withycombe Common, and walking across this gave the six members good views to Wales, over Porlock, Hinckley Point and beyond. After taking an unintentional but scenic diversion to Slowley Farm, we returned to Luxborough via Druid’s Combe Wood and a very good lunch at the Royal Oak. Tricia Summers.

The walk on Thursday, August 26 will start as usual from the Homebase car park at 9.30am. The route has not yet been determined. As I am away for a week, I will email de­tails on return, probably a five mile stroll around the Black­­down Hills with refreshments afterwards. Keith Dawson 

 

Reading                                                                                         Ro Darlington  

Devon County Library Service has changed the system for reading groups to order their book sets, with limited time until implementation. As a consequence our meeting was busy as we set about choosing 12 books for our next six meetings. This new system introduces an element of uncertainty which should keep us on our literary toes, especially as we may be issued with a ‘wild card’ if our 12 choices are not available! This forward planning also involved us setting the dates for 2011 meetings, but all, still, on the 4th Monday of the month at 2pm. Fortunately, we were well fortified for these tasks with Philippa’s wonderful sponge cake!

Everyone had enjoyed Michael Morpurgo’s book, Private Peaceful. A surprisingly gentle story of the main characters’ childhoods ‘somewhere’ in Devon and their subsequent sobering experiences on the battlefields of the 1st World War.

There is no meeting in August , so we get together again on Monday, September 27, at 2pm at Heather’s home, when we review books of our own choosing.

Scrabble 1                                                                                        Pam Hilton  

Scrabble 1 will begin again at 2pm on Monday, September 6, at Pat Yeoell’s house, but after that will be held on the second and fourth Mondays of each month.

Scrabble 2                                                                             Margaret Wallwork  

Scrabble 2 continues to meet on the third Monday of the month at 5 Angel Terrace, Tiverton. Eight of us will be taking part in a friendly match with Tiverton U3A on Wednesday, October 6. If you are interested please contact David Fogg

Social Bridge Group                                              York and Sarabella Dawson

We start again, after a break, on Tuesday, September 7.

Theatre                                                                     Anne Wood, Ro Darlington, 

Some forthcoming productions which might appeal, along with the contact details for an individual theatre.

Queens Theatre, Barnstaple  01271 324242

September 27 to October 2, Bedroom Farce starring Juliet Mills. For the matinee on Thursday, September 30, tickets are £12 + 50p donation.

Northcott Theatre, Exeter  01392 493493

The English Touring Opera Company is offering:

October 29, Promised End by Alexander Goehr, this is based on King Lear.

October 30, The Duenna, a comic opera by Richard Brinsley Sheridan.

Both performances are at 7.30pm. Ticket prices are £30, £27, £22, £17 with £2 reductions for 60+

Theatre Royal, Plymouth  01752 267222

November 13 to 20, Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella, music by Prokofiev. For the matinee on Thursday, November 18, at 2.30pm tickets are £19, £17, £13, £11, £8.

Chess with lyrics by Tim Rice. Matinee on Thursday, December 9 at 2.30pm  tickets are £24, £20, £16, £12, £10.

Not forgetting local productions at the New Hall, Tiverton. Please see Joan Kelly if you are interested in either of the following: Oklahoma on Thursday, September 23 at 7.30pm: And ever more shall be so on Thursday, October 21 at 7.30pm.