Newsletter_November_2019_to_printer

November 2019

HILLINGDON UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE

Newsletter

Website:www.u3asites.org.uk/Hillingdon Registered Charity no. 1086758

Welcome WHAT'S ON

Another year approaching its close and we have all been November 2019 – March 2020
active in preparing events and planning for next year.
Of course, with our recent change of Academic Year many of Our monthly meetings commence at 10am,
our activities, such as booking Speakers, had already been speakers start at 11am, finishing 12 noon.
done for the start of 2020, and booking rooms is almost
complete. NOVEMBER
See page 2 showing plans for the Quiz, page 6 for the next Mon 11th Monthly Meeting at WCH
batch of Visits for Q1, and Harvey’s Concerts on page 11.
Rodney is also looking for ideas for ‘our U3A Day’ in June, so ~ talk by Howard Slater:
please come up with some suggestions for that. ‘Audrey Hepburn growing up in
But we cannot achieve all of this without some help. WW2’

The Really Useful Group (the RUG) Mon 18th Visit to Waterman’s Hall
This group was created a while ago so that we had a list of Mon 25th Coffee Morning at Good Yarn*
those members who, without making a permanent Thurs 28th Visit to Winchester Christmas Market
commitment, were willing to offer occasional help when it was
needed. This could possibly involve doing a variety of tasks DECEMBER
such as helping out as ushers at WCH or as “Meeters and Sat 7th Winter Concert by U3A Singers
Greeters” welcoming new members or helping disabled Mon 9th Monthly Meeting at WCH
members. Other tasks could be such things as helping in the
kitchen at the monthly meeting at WCH or possibly on other ~ talk by Tricia Thompson:
occasions, distributing posters or leaflets, mentoring new ‘Love Me Tender – The Life and
members or any other task for which help was needed. Music of Elvis ’
If you were on the original list and wish to continue or if you
would like to add your name to this list, or maybe would like Tues 10th Visit to Marlborough House
more information, please contact the secretary Pam Smith.
Your help would be much appreciated. JANUARY 2020
Tue 7th Visit to Mus’m of London Docklands
Membership Renewal – Advance Notice Mon 13th Monthly Meeting at WCH
Don’t forget that Membership Renewal will begin during
January when we will again send personalised renewal forms ~ talk by Richard Shelby:
to all those for whom we hold an email address, but we also ‘The Women I have married’
plan to send personalised renewal forms with the February
paper newsletter. Each year, so many members forget to Mon 27th Visit to Trinity House
renew giving us great difficulty getting communications Mon 27th Coffee Morning at Good Yarn*
(newsletters and bulletins) to you in the early months.
FEBRUARY 2020
Communication Cut Offs for Copy are as follows: Mon 10th Monthly Meeting at WCH
December Bulletin cut-off, 19th November.
~ talk by Ronald Koom:
No publication in January. ‘Outstation Eastcote’
February Newsletter cut-off, 2nd January 2020.
Wed 19th Visit to Westminster Abbey
Mon 24th Coffee Morning at Good Yarn*

MARCH 2020
Thurs 5th Visit to Society of Apothecaries
Mon 9th Monthly Meeting at WCH

~ talk by Ant Grant:
‘Another Omelette, Mr Gielgud’

Mon 23rd Coffee Morning at Good Yarn*

* Good Yarn in Uxbridge High St, opp. Tesco.

Jim Hall

Page 1

Hillingdon U3A Management Committee & their Responsibilities

Position Name Telephone Email

Chairman Pat McAlpine 01895 449329 [email protected]
07532 268002 [email protected]
Vice Chairman/ Membership Sec Ann Lines 07884 242525 [email protected]
07927 637517 [email protected]
Bookings Secretary Judith Peddie 01895 437396 [email protected]
020 8868 9772 [email protected]
Treasurer Barbara Hall 01895 672251 [email protected]
01895 471555 [email protected]
Assistant Treasurer Richard Fremantle 020 8868 6649 [email protected]
01895 637788 [email protected]
Interests Group Coordinator Freda Longhurst 01895 239251 [email protected]
01895 741143 [email protected]
Minutes Secretary Pam Smith 01895 256991 [email protected]

PR & Communications Rodney Fox

Assnt Communications Mary Morgan

Comm. Mbr ‘Visits Coordinator’ Harvey Butnick

Comm. Mbr ‘Monthly Meetings’ Maureen Ferguson

Comm. Mbr ‘Monthly Meetings’ Valerie Law

Comm. Mbr ‘Monthly Meetings’ Sylvia Cook

Other Contacts with special responsibilities

Position/responsibility Name Telephone Email

Newsletter Co-Editor Pam Caines 07521 655213 [email protected]
Newsletter Co-Editor
Newsletter Co-Editor Ed Stothard 07925 583226 [email protected]

Visits Team Coordinator Jim Hall 01895 674031 [email protected]
SAS webpage owners
Other webpage owners as above as above as above
Social Committee Leader
Photos/pictures Mgr Carina Browne email only [email protected]
Theatre Visits
Tony Kemp email only [email protected]

Rosemary Noyes 01895 814011 [email protected]

Eirwen Smith email only [email protected]

Jill Rhodes 01895 234348 [email protected]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SOCIAL COMMITTEE EVENTS NEWS

GROUP LEADERS TEA: 30th OCTOBER
The last event on the Social calendar for 2019 was the Group Leaders tea. The tea is held
to thank those members who run groups, the SASs and those who serve on the organising
committees. The Chairman is able to put faces to names and thank people personally on
this occasion. Without their support our U3A would not enjoy the success that it does.

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY
The first event in 2020 will be the quiz and fish and chip supper. Make a note in your
diaries – it’s on Saturday 4th April. Same time, same place! All information and ticket
applications will be in the Newsletter coming out in the New Year. To avoid
disappointment, may we suggest that you apply for tickets early and do so through the
Newsletter. Subject to availability, tickets will also be sold at the monthly meetings in
February and March.

COFFEE MORNINGS
COFFEE MORNINGS are still at THE GOOD YARN in Uxbridge (opposite TESCO) from
10.00 am to 12 noon. Drop in and see who you meet. See the front page of the Newsletter
for the monthly dates.

For further information please contact Rosemary Noyes on 01895 814011.
Page 2 of 16

Interest Groups Questionnaire

Thank you to everyone who responded to the questionnaire about new groups. Responses to the email
questionnaire and from people who spoke to me at the monthly meeting amount to about 190 of our
approx. 950 members which is a good return. The results are below. They are just in and when I have
had a chance to consider them in more detail, I will look into getting some of them up and running after
Christmas. Thanks to the IT team for their help with this.

I did have some requests for aerobics and yoga for older people, activities like these would need to be
led by a qualified person to avoid strains and injury so if there are any experienced folk out there who
would like to lead such a group please contact me.

Most of the items on the list have enough interest to make a group viable depending upon finding a
venue and someone stepping forward to be a group leader. Leading a group is not an onerous task and
there is plenty of help and advice available from central U3A sources and our own HU3A website. With
some groups, such as quilting for example, it would be possible for someone to do the administrative
side of things whilst someone with quilting knowledge and skills leads the activity thus sharing the
leadership role.

INTEREST/ACTIVITY No. of Approx .percentage of those
responses responding to nearest whole

Astronomy 30 number
Beadwork 19 17%
Bus Pass Travel 74 10%
Calligraphy 30 40%
Card Making/Scrapbooking 19 17%
Come Dine With Me (home catering) 13 10%
Dog Walking 9 7%
Dolls Houses and Miniatures 4 5%
Embroidery and Cross Stitch 26 2%
Flower Arranging 23 14%
Folk Music – playing and singing 21 13%
Golf 11 12%
Jazz Appreciation 18 6%
Keyboard Playing 12 10%
Lace making 9 6%
Naturalists – pond dipping, insect study 15 5%
Non-Fiction Book Club 10 9%
Podcast Potluck 12 5%
Quilting 18 7%
Recorders 10 10%
Song Writing 3 5%
Swimming 24 2%
Walking Netball 25 14%
12%

By the time you read this we should have three new groups in place, Beginners French, which is already
full – thanks to Chris Clare for her enthusiasm in getting this afloat; Cryptic Crosswords and Beginners
Italian, both of these have room for more people at the moment so please contact me if you are
interested in joining them. My contact details are [email protected] or 07850 959903.

Freda Longhurst
Interest Groups Coordinator

Page 3 of 16

“As Long As I Have Music”

A Winter Concert by the U3A Singers

Musical Director
Jean George

SATURDAY, 7th December 2019

at 7.30 p.m.

Christ Church, Redford Way, Belmont Road
Uxbridge

Music to celebrate the female voice from a variety of composers and, of course, music
for the festive season!

TICKETS £10
including light refreshments

Tickets available on the door
or from 01895 812229

Page 4 of 16

Communication and IT Team Changes

I’d like to introduce you to some new people who will be working in these two teams in future.

Communications
Many will be aware that I intend standing down from the role of editor of the Newsletter and the Bulletin, at
the end of this academic year (end of March).
I would like to introduce and thank Hilary Place who has stepped forward to work in that role. Hilary and I
will be working together during this issue, and the February issue of the newsletter, and of course I will be
there to assist as necessary after that date. Hilary has been a U3A member for a number of years and is a
fellow (though perhaps more regular attendee than me) at the same Science and Technology group.
Welcome Hilary.
You will already know that Rodney Fox switched his committee role at the last AGM from Interest Group
Coordinator to PR & Communications. Rodney has been active in working with the national U3A team in
relabelling and realigning our U3A with our new, national, ‘corporate’ identity.
Most of you will also know Mary Morgan who has been working with me for a couple of years producing
our Bulletin. Mary’s committee role since the AGM is now Assistant Communications and she will continue
with the Bulletin.
One half of the Newsletter team for as many years as me has been Pam Caines. Pam remains as the main
contact for all issues related to Interest Groups within the newsletter and is in regular contact with all
Interest Group Leaders, with me, with Rodney (in both his roles I suspect), and the Bookings Secretary.
Ed Stothard joined the Newsletter team about a year ago and took over the role, once performed by Pam
King, of putting together one half of the newsletter, loosely described by me as the ‘front half’, i.e. that part
which is not directly related to Interest Group news and diary.

IT Team
In the summer, the IT Team advertised for somebody with IT experience to come forward and help to
replace Ralph Hughes and Brian Hillier who had both stood down after a ‘shift’ working with the team on a
number of projects.
So, I would like to introduce Marie Babyanss who was first to come forward and has already attended a
couple of our team meetings and is starting to get busy. Marie has experience of providing Microsoft
training to classes outside the U3A so we will be looking to enhance that part of our team. But, of course,
we have more regular responsibilities and she has been working with Nigel White delivering recent
Bulletins and will also be helping enhance our early efforts in moving towards online booking for ‘outings’.
Also, I am pleased to announce that Geoff Street joined the team at the October Monthly Meeting and will
help by using his range of programming experiences.
A member of the team for a couple of years now is Nigel White. Nigel has had a long term role delivering
electronic communications to us using Mailchimp, even when he was on holiday in Australia! He was
heavily involved with the rest of the team when we were making enhancements during the last Renewal
session. More recently he has worked with Brian Carse and our early use of online booking for London
Walks and we will be looking to expand this.
Another member of the IT Team is Tony Kemp who has been working hard to make the Website more
attractive and up to date, and has recently included a number of other features identified by Rodney and
Freda. Amongst the many other U3A activities in which Tony is involved are running Tenpin Bowling,
Ukulele and Guitar. About a year ago he and John started the Computer Club and they have been
continuing that role of passing on their wide and detailed knowledge of IT to a larger number of members.
The last but perhaps most important member of the team is John Martin. One of John’s early roles with
our U3A was teaching small groups all aspects of computing but he was quick to take interest in other
major responsibilities such as maintaining our old website and generally wanting to pull us into the 21st
century. Since then, John’s involvement has been immense. He has led all technical developments for a
number of years and has been responsible for moving us onto the ‘central’ U3A website and introducing us
to our current Membership management system, MASH.
Unfortunately for us John has recently suggested that he will be cutting back on some of the things with
which he has been involved in the new year because he and Ann have recently become grandparents.
Congratulations to them both.
I’d like to take this opportunity, as I think we all should, of thanking these people for the work they do to
keep us under control and well informed.

Jim Hall, IT Team Leader

Page 5 of 16

Visits from November 2019 – January 2020

See page 16 for application forms for visits & page 15 for instructions on how to apply

Previously announced in the August Newsletter:

Monday 18th November Waterman’s Hall Fully booked
Fully booked
Thursday 28th November Winchester Christmas Market Fully booked
Fully booked
Tuesday 10th December Marlborough House

Monday 27th January Trinity House (See Note below)

Tuesday 7th January 2020 Museum of London in Docklands

(nearest station West India Quay or Canary Wharf)

From Roman settlement to the development of Canary Wharf, the long history of the capital as a port is

revealed through stories of trade, migration and commerce. The port and river collection is displayed at
the Museum of London Docklands in a 200-year-old warehouse located close to the river Thames.

Our visit will include the Welcome to Docklands tour which takes 75 minutes.
We will be guided through the Museum for a highlights tour that will give us an overview of London’s

river, port and people. The tour will focus on key exhibits and displays.

Before and after the tour you will be free to explore the museum. There is a museum café and a
number of places to eat and drink around the area.

Make Your Own Way: Meet at the Museum at 10.45am

Leader: Maureen McCann Tel: 020 8573 3237

Cost: £12.50

50

Wednesday 19th February 2020 Westminster Abbey, London

It was here on 2nd June 1953 that Queen Elizabeth ll was
crowned. The building was founded as a Benedictine Monastery
over a thousand years ago.

The church was rebuilt by Edward the Confessor in 1065 and
again by Henry ll between 1220 and 1272 and is renowned
worldwide as an architectural Gothic masterpiece.

Make Your Own Way: Meet in ticket hall inside Westminster Station at 10.45am.

Leader: Najla Matti Tel: 01895-258138 (mobile on the day: 07548-808844)

Cost: £24.00 (includes Blue Badge Guide) 30 places

Thursday 5th March 2020 The Worshipful Society of Apothecaries Hall

Steeped in history and tradition, the Society was founded by
Royal Charter in 1617 in recognition of the apothecaries'
specialist skills in compounding and dispensing medicines.
They acquired their Hall in Blackfriars in 1632. Re-built on the
same site immediately after its destruction in the Great Fire of
1666, it is the oldest extant livery company Hall in the City.
Following refreshments, we will be guided through the
magnificent building and formal rooms and told about the
historical significance of the site, the history of the society and
shown the greatly treasured artefacts on display.

Make Your Own Way: Meet outside at 10.15am (nearest station Blackfriars)

Leader: Janet Perry Tel: 01895-679258

Cost: £20.50 25 places

NOTE: The Trinity House visit is full, but if you cannot contact Rosemary about any queries please
contact Harvey Butnick, contact details on page 2.

Page 6 of 16

Our PR and Communications Coordinator Rodney Fox advises as follows:

You may have seen our bright new Hillingdon U3A yellow poster on a visit to the local library.
We are using this poster to attract new members and also to raise our profile!
If YOU can help us arrange for this poster to be displayed in Church Halls, Supermarkets, Community Halls, Doctors’ surgeries,
underground stations, etc…………………
Contact Rodney of [email protected] or telephone 07876 356986
He will give you the laminated A4 poster so that you can help us get it displayed.

Hillingdon U3A participated at the recent Day of the Older Person event on September 24th, organised by Hillingdon Council. We
had over 120 visitors to our table, had contact with a number of potential third age partner organisations and 3 new members
signed up to join!

At the end of August Rodney attended the U3A National Annual
Conference. As well as including the 2019 AGM, there were presentations
and workshops at the conference outlining key elements of the U3A strategy
going forward. You can view the related presentations via the links on
the Notices page of our website.

Rodney advises that The Third Age Trust has announced plans to hold
a National U3A Day every year, starting on June 3rd, 2020. U3As across the
country are invited to mark the day by celebrating and showcasing what
happens in their U3A. All U3As are asked to participate, perhaps in
partnership with other local U3As. This is to become an annual event,
including the U3A movement’s 40th Anniversary in 2022 and possibly
incorporated into Hillingdon U3A’s 20th Anniversary in 2021. If you have
any suggestions about what we should include in our U3A Day, please
contact Rodney or any Committee member.

U3A features in a new national Podcast series – A Life Well Lived– episode
one is now available to download.
The podcast showcases the incredible life stories of third-agers – the
majority in this first series are involved with U3A including a survivor of
the Nazi regime and an Olympic medallist.
A Life Well Lived aims to give a platform to extraordinary stories which
transcend age, encouraging young and old to keep talking and sharing
experiences.

The podcast series link is at http://alifewelllivedpodcast.buzzsprout.com/

This is one of the interesting and informative U3A
images which can be viewed and downloaded on

https://www.u3a.org.uk/images/Third_Age_Trust_Annual_Report_2018-19.pdf

Page 7 of 16

Interest Group News

CANAL ART AND CULTURE GROUP

On 1st October 2019 we organised a day out to include a walk along the River Lea Navigation from the Olympic Park to the
Thames, followed by a visit to the Museum of London Docklands.
The walk started at the Westfield complex just as it started to rain (and this rain continued for most of the walk!). We made our way
to the Olympic Park. We then joined the River Lea Navigation at the point where the Hertford Union Canal connects to the Regent
Canal.
Just north of this point, was the site of the Lesney Matchbox Toy factory which closed in 1987 and demolished soon after. The
founders of the company were John Odell, Leslie Smith, and Rodney Smith. The name Lesney was a portmanteau of Leslie and
Rodney Smith's first names.
We passed by the Bryant and May Match Company building. This was formed in 1843 by two Quakers, William Bryant and Francis
May. In 1850 the company worked with the Swedish matchmaker Johan Lundström in order to capture part of 250 million matches
used in Britain each day.
We then crossed the River Lea Navigation onto Three Mills Island. In 1588 one of the mills was described as a "gunpowder mill".
During the 16th century the three mills were reduced to two (which today are the House Mill and the Clock Mill). The House Mill
remains the largest tidal mill in the world.
We followed the winding river which had large developments along each bank. The scenery changed dramatically as we entered
the Bow Creek Ecology Park. This park was once the yard of a large shipbuilding company. The ecology park opened in 1994 and
contains rare plants grown from seeds blown off visiting cargo ships. We stopped here for lunch and the sun finally came out. We
then took a short trip on the DLR to the Museum of London Docklands.
The museum is free and was running a special display called “Secret Rivers of the Thames”. It closes on 31st October 2019 having
run for 6 months. This display was very interesting explaining the significance of some of the rivers, i.e. Bollo Brook, Stamford
Brook, River Fleet, etc.
If you are interested in joining our group please contact John on [email protected]
Thanks to Tony Kemp for taking the pictures during the walk.

Bryant and May factory which has now been The classic picture of the Three Mills The pond behind the Three Mills
converted to luxury apartments

The group towards the end of the walk River Lea flowing into the Thames at low water

Page 8 of 16

U3A SINGERS
We were sorry to lose our Musical director, Francis, in the Summer. He had been associated with us for many years and from the
time he assumed the role of Musical director he improved our level of performance and kept us amused at the same time. We
have been fortunate that one of our members, Jean George, has experience as a musical director and has assumed that role for
us. We have also found an accomplished concert pianist who is also an accompanist and we can look forward to hearing her play
solos at our next concert. We would welcome anyone who wishes to join our group. Please contact Marlene for more
information. Our next concert will be on Saturday 7th December at Christ Church in Uxbridge.

PÉTANQUE

The Pétanque Season ended with a magnificent lunch which was organised by Pat Stanford and Marcia Wilson.
Puddings provided by some of the players.
We have had a very good Season as the weather has been good and Thursday mornings well attended and always a
time of laughter, good company and occasionally some brilliant shots.
The 2020 Season will open on April 9th, in the meantime the hardy among us will meet on Thursday mornings as
usual. If you wish to join us please do not hesitate to come along, tuition and equipment are available.

SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING

The Scottish Country Dance Group meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the
month from 2.00 – 4.00 p.m. at Ickenham Village Hall.

• Healthy Body
• Healthy Mind
• Great Exercise
• Have Fun

Contact Tom or Betty Arrol

Page 9 of 16

A VENUE CHANGE FOR JANUARY 2020

MEDITATION GROUP

This group‘s meetings will take place in the United Reformed Church, Swakeleys Road, Ickenham, starting in January 2020 . The
November and December meetings will be in St. Giles Church Hall as usual.

BEGINNERS’ BRIDGE

The group has been running for a few years now and members are becoming familiar with the basics
and are continuing to learn more with the advice of the tutors. New members, with or without
experience of playing cards, are always welcome and will be integrated into the group under full
supervision and guidance.

IMPROVERS’ BRIDGE

Chicago format is played at each meeting and once or twice a month duplicate is played
for those members wishing to add a more competitive edge to their play.
For both, prizes are awarded to the winners with the highest scores over the previous 3
months. Established players are very welcome and advice and guidance is given at each
meeting by Gwen and her fellow tutors.

FAMILY HISTORY results of their research and give presentations
and updates to the systems available for
At their meetings the members report on the line is given. Members share their research
of their family trees. Also news on improvements advice and ideas on how to solve them. From
research and the information being released on on family history research and visits are made
problems and others are encouraged to offer
time to time professional genealogists give talks
to archive centres.

MAHJONGG

We have incorporated a western version of the Special Hands playable into our game and use a book which
demonstrates these for us. It is an excellent “aide mémoire!” We meet on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month in
the bar of Uxbridge Cricket Club at 2pm although some members prefer to have their lunch there beforehand.
The car park for the cricket club is free. Anyone interested in joining us for a fun afternoon please contact Pam
Caines 07521655213. Beginners are also welcome.

VENUE POSTCODES

Below are the postcodes for the venues we use:

• All Saints Church, Long Lane, Hillingdon, UB10 9BT
• Christchurch, Redford Way, Uxbridge, UB8 1SZ
• The Guide Hut, Bury Street, Ruislip, HA4 7SU
• Hillingdon Park Baptist Church, Hercies, Road Hillingdon, UB10 9LS
• Ickenham Village hall, 338 Swakeleys Road, Ickenham, UB10 8DG
• Ladygate Bowls Club, Ladygate Lane, Ruislip, HA4 7QX
• Memorial Hall, High Road, Ickenham, UB10 8LE
• St. Giles Church, High Road, Ickenham, UB10 8LE
• Southlands Centre, The Green, W. Drayton, UB7 7PW
• United Reformed Church, Swakeleys Road, Ickenham, UB10 8BE
• Uxbridge Athletics Centre, Gatting Way, Uxbridge, UB8 1ES
• Uxbridge Cricket Club, Gatting Way, Uxbridge, UB8 1ES
• Winston Churchill Hall, Pinn Way, Ruislip, HA4 7QL

Page 10 of 16

Forthcoming Events

LONDON WALKS

The next London walk will be held in late January. The details will be announced at
the November monthly meeting and will also be on the website.

SUNDAY CONCERTS

All take place at the Royal Festival Hall - 3pm -
Resident Orchestra - Philharmonia Orchestra.
Coach Departure 12.30 pm Coach and Horses Pub Ickenham

12.45 pm York Road Uxbridge.
Sunday 03 November 2019 £34
Please email Harvey if you would like a last minute place on this concert
Stravinksy: Fireworks// Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 1//Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake,
excerpts
Sunday 15 December 2019 N.B. £38
Grand Christmas Classics
Adam: O Holy Night// Darke: In the Bleak Mid-winter // Rutter: The Twelve Days of Christmas
Schubert: Ave Maria// Bach: Christmas Oratorio (Opening Chorus)
Plus Carols for all
Sunday 09 February 2020 £34
Russian Classics
Borodin Overture: Prince Igor //Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2//Prokofiev: Symphony No. 5
TO APPLY: Find the application forms on page 16 and follow these instructions.
Complete one Application Form per concert, stating your pick-up point
Cut off and put the relevant part in a stamped self-addressed envelope with your undated cheque made out to
HILLINGDON U3A.
So if you want 2 concerts you complete ONE APPLICATION FORM per concert each with its own undated cheque,
and each with its own stamped self-addressed envelope.
Put all your completed applications/cheques/stamped self-addressed envelopes in one (larger) envelope.
Send to Harvey Butnick, 13, The Paddock, Ickenham, Uxbridge UB10 8RB

ADDITIONAL MEMBERS INVOLVED IN THE RUNNING OF GROUPS

Canasta Maureen Ferguson 01895 239251 Garden Appreciation 2 Anne Jones 01895 621224

Kids Abroad Bobbie Parrish 020 88489448 Bridge Gwen Western 0208 5829646

Pétanque Gervase Craven 01895 237531 Local History Hilary Stack 01895 251171

Theatre Visits Carol Sulehria 01895 232137 Janet Perry 01895 679258
Najla Matti 01895 258138 Marjorie Fox 01895 822609

Margaret Smith 01753 653751 Digital Photography John Allen 02085810707

Susan Jones 07851 757824 Travel Experience Ann Lines 07532 268002

Page 11 of 16

U3A Interest Group Diary 4th Quarter 2019/2020

More details on all our interest groups is available on the HU3A website:- https://u3asites.org.uk/hillingdon/groups

Subject Contact/ Nov Dec Jan Feb Time/Day/Venue Status
ART Leader/Tel 2019 2019 2020 2020 Level
Art Appreciation
Art – Mixed Media Pam Smith SAS Maureen Ferguson 07731 467 155
Canal Art & Culture 01895 672251
Painting for Pleasure Stephen Hawes 28 No 23 27 1.45 – 3.45 pm Thursday 9 N
CRAFT 020 8866 5494 4, 18 meeting 6, 13
Interknit Café John Rowe 10 St Giles Church Hall, Ickenham
Interknit Group 3 01895 636702 8 2, 16 9, 23
(The Natty Knitters) Pauline Cramp 14, 28 3, 17 10 – 12 noon Monday 9 W
HISTORY 01895 632535 13
Family History Southlands Centre West Drayton
History Angela Kibble 12
Local History 01895 812229 14 2 – 4 pm Friday 9 N
Military history Maureen McCann
Social History 020 8573 3237 United Reformed Church, Ickenham
LANGUAGES 1
Chinese Beginners Alan Mellors 6, 20 10 – 12 noon Thursday 9 N
Mandarin 01895 635138
French Conversation Pam Smith Baptist Church Hercies Rd Hillingdon
01895 672251
French Improvers Sylvia Cook SAS Andrea Gohil 020 8866 5160
01895 256991
French Intermediate 1 Dick van Brummen Usually meets 1st Wednesday of the month 11 – 1pm Wednesday 9 W
01895 446750 Meets 2nd Tuesday of every month 9 N
French Intermediate 2 Janet Perry Smiths Grdn Centre, Oxford Rd., Ux
01895 679258
German Beginners 2.00pm Tuesday
Ken Veale
German Conversation 01895 637416 Uxbridge Library
Lesley Laughton
German Intermediate 01895 822202 SAS Val Law 01895 741143
Hilary Monsey
Mind Your Language 01895 443202 12 10 14 11 2 – 4pm Tuesday 9 N
Susan Byfield
Welsh 01895 234995 Baptist Church Hercies Rd Hillingdon
LANGUAGES 2
Italian Improvers Bieneke Barwick 7 5 2 6 2 – 4pm Thursday 9 N
Italian Improvers 1 020 8868 2802
Italian Improvers 2 Ken Veale Baptist Church Hercies Rd Hillingdon
Italian Improvers 3 01895 637416
Spanish Improvers Alice Enskat 19 17 21 18 2 – 4pm Tuesday 9 N
01895 237344
Baptist Church Hercies Rd Hillingdon
Carole Leakey
07974 520 503 25 23 27 24 10 – 12 noon Monday 9 N
Rodney Fox
01895 471555 Baptist Church Hercies Rd Hillingdon
Ann Barlow
01895 679306 8, 22 13 10, 24 14, 28 2 – 4pm Friday 9 N

Vanessa Perrin Baptist Church Hercies Rd Hillingdon
01895 633123
Tom Arrol SAS Pauline Linford 01895 834284
01895 632275
Chris Trendell 7, 14 5, 12 9, 16 6, 13 10 – 12 noon Thursday 1 N
020 8868 7861 21, 28 23, 30 1/2 F
Graham Corio 20, 27 Phone 01895 637416 for venue details 1/2 N
020 8864 7299 2 W
Bieneke Barwick Lesley will keep her group informed of the 2.30 – 4.30pm Monday 2 N
020 8868 2802 1 N
dates Harefield 2 F
2 W
8, 22 13 10, 24 14, 28 2 – 4pm Friday 1 N
1 N
St Giles Church Hall Ickenham

1, 8, 15 6, 13, 20 10, 17 7, 14 10 – 11.30 am Friday
22, 29 24, 31 21, 28 Variable

Meets 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month 10 – 11.30 am Tuesday
Uxbridge

13, 27 11 8, 22 12, 26 2 – 4pm Wednesday
Ickenham

Meets 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month 2 – 4pm Tuesday
Hillingdon

12, 26 10 14, 28 11, 25 10 -11.30 am Tuesday
West Ruislip

Meets 2nd Thursday of each month 2 – 4pm Thursday

United Reformed Church, Ickenham

Meets fortnightly on various days 2 .30– 4pm
Please contact group leader for details Ruislip

SAS Tom Arrol 01895 632275

Meets 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month 2 – 4pm Tuesday 1/2 N
Meets 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month 1/2 N
Baptist Church Hercies Rd Hillingdon 1/2 N
Meets every Wednesday 1 F
7, 21 5, 19 2, 16 6, 20 2 – 4pm Wednesday 1/2 W

Every Tuesday Various

2 – 4pm Wednesday

Various

2 – 4pm Thursday

United Reformed Church, Ickenham

2.30 – 4.30pm Tuesday

Various

Page 12 of 16

Subject Contact/ Nov Dec Jan Feb Time/Day/Venue Status
Leader/Tel 2019 2019 2020 2020 Level
Spanish Improvers 2 Debbie Gardner 10 – 12 noon
07779 599017 14, 28 Every Wednesday 6, 20 Various Wednesday 2 W
Spanish Improvers 3 Sheena Rosser 2-4pm Tuesday 1/2 F
01895 635714 Meets Tuesdays Ickenham Thursday 2 F
Spanish 2 Marie Loveday 2 – 4.30pm
01923 826437 12 9, 23 Northwood
LITERATURE 1
Pam Smith SAS Sylvia Taylor 01895 445198
Book Group 01895 672251
Monthly Book Renée Bachelor 22 19 18 20 2 – 4 pm Thursday 9 N
Group 1 01895 258622 9 F
Monthly Book Lesley Pepler Ruislip 9 N
Group 2 01895 421735 9 F
Monthly Book Doreen Evans Meets 4th Friday in the month 2 – 3.30 Friday 9 F
Group 3 020 8866 4829
Monthly Book Christine Rodrigues Uxbridge Library – Level 4
Group 4 07807 575602
LITERATURE 2 Meets last Friday of every month 2 pm Friday
Adele Franklin
Creative Writing 01895 234533 Ickenham
Joy Allcock
Play Reading 020 8868 5068 18 16 TBC TBC 10 – 12 noon Monday
Maureen McCann
Poetry for Pleasure 020 8573 3237 Eastcote
MUSIC 1
Marlene Houghton 1st Wednesday of every month 10 – 11.30 an Wednesday
Singers, U3A 01895 469011
Sue Cobb South Ruislip Library
Ukulele 020 8582 2734
Tony Kemp SAS Ken Veale 01895 637416
Guitar 07711 671957
MUSIC 2 7, 21 5, 19 16, 30 13, 27 2 – 4 pm Thursday 9 N
Elizabeth Douglas 9 W
Opera Appreciation 1 01895 236695 Ickenham 9 N
Carol Sulehria
Opera Appreciation 2 01895 232137 1, 15, 29 13 TBC TBC 10 – 12 noon Friday
Harvey Butnick
Sunday Concerts 01895 637788 Eastcote
RECREATION 1
Roy Laver Meets 3rd Friday of every month. 2 – 4 pm Friday
Bird Watching 01895 622382 There is no meeting in December
Garden Appreciation Debbie Gardner United Reformed Church, Ickenham
Group 1 07779 599017
Garden Appreciation Chris Carse SAS Marlene Houghton 01895 469011
Group 2 01895 633471
Garden Appreciation Lynn Ronayne Belhadj 7, 14 5 9, 16 6, 13 2– 4 pm Thursday 2 N
Group 3 07956 872 074 21, 28 23, 30 20, 27 9 N
Hands on Gardening Jothy Rainbow 13, 27 No 8, 22 12, 26 United Reformed Church, Ickenham 9 N
020 88683498 meeting
Film Studies 1 Alan Hooper 6, 20 15 5, 19 2 – 4 pm Wednesday
020 8866 4496 4, 18
Film Studies 2 Alan Hooper United Reformed Church, Ickenham
RECREATION 2 020 8866 4496
2 – 4 pm Wednesday
Badminton Daisy Turner
01895 904888 Christchurch, Uxbridge
Bridge Groups Alan Mellors
01895 635138 SAS Elizabeth Douglas 01895 236695
Canasta Val Law
01895 741143 8, 22 13 10, 24 14, 28 11am – 1pm Friday 9 N
Cribbage Victor Weeds 27 11 9 N
01895 674426 Group will not Uxbridge
continue in 2020
1 – 4 pm Wednesday

St Giles Church Hall, Ickenham

Information available on page 11, at Winston Churchill Hall meetings and on the Hillingdon U3A website.

SAS June Hendy 01895 637043

1st and 3rd Mondays of each month 10.30 am Monday 9 N
Contact Lesley for venues

Various dates, times and venues. Various 9F
Please contact Debbie for details

5, 19 3 (visit) 21 4, 18 2 – 4 pm Tuesday 9 N
9 N
St Giles Church Hall, Ickenham 9 W
9 N
13 4 (visit) 29 12 2 – 4 pm Wednesday 9 N

United Reformed Church, Ickenham

21 5 16 27 10 -12 noon Thursday

Various (Contact Group Leader)

64 15 5 10 – 12 noon Wednesday

United Reformed Church, Ickenham

6, 20 4, 18 15 5, 19 2 – 4 pm Wednesday

United Reformed Church, Ickenham

SAS Sylvia Cook 01895 256991

Meets every Wednesday 1 – 3 pm Every Wednesday 2 W
1/2 N
United Reformed Church, Ickenham 2 N
9 N
4, 18, 25 2, 16, 23 6, 20, 27 3, 17, 24 10 – 12 noon Monday

Ladygate Bowls Club, Ruislip

1,15, 29 13 10, 24 7, 21 10 – 12 noon Friday

Baptist Church, Hillingdon

Contact Group leader for details

Page 13 of 16

Subject Contact/ Nov Dec Jan Feb Time/Day/Venue Status
Pétanque Leader/Tel Level
2019 2019 2020 2020
Annette Spinks Every Thursday in Season. 10 – 12 noon Thursday 9 N
01895 259510
New season starts on 9th April 2020 Athletics Centre, Uxbridge

Ten Pin Bowling Tony Kemp 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month. 10. 30 – 12 noon Wednesday 9 N
07711 671957 None on 1st January 2020
Airport Bowl, Bath Road, Harlington

TABLE GAMES SAS Tim Leman 01895 634498

Backgammon Maureen Ferguson 8, 22 6 3, 17, 31 14, 28 10 – 12 noon Friday 9 N
Chess 01895 239251 14, 28 12 9, 23 6, 20 Baptist Church, Hercies Rd Hillingdon 9 F
Mahjongg 4, 18 2, 16 6, 20 3, 17 9 N
Rummikub Rachael Felstead 14, 28 12 2, 16, 30 13, 27 10 – 12 noon Thursday 9 N
Scrabble 020 8841 2726 11, 25 10 2, 16 11, 25 2 N
Ickenham Library
Pam Caines
07521 655213 2.00 – 4pm Monday

Val Bailey Uxbridge Cricket Club
01895 834148
2 – 4 pm Thursday
Sian Doughty
020 8841 8909 Baptist Church, Hercies Rd Hillingdon

2 – 4 pm Tuesday

Baptist Church, Hercies Rd Hillingdon

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SAS Ann Walker 01895 673770

Computer Club Tony Kemp 18 16 20 17 2 – 4 pm Monday 9 N
Digital Photography 07711 671957 27 24 9 N
28 25 Baptist Church, Hercies Rd Hillingdon
Judy Peddie 15 5, 19
07884 242525 25 19 2 – 4 pm Usually Monday

Baptist Church, Hercies Rd Hillingdon

Geology Sheppy Shepherd 26 No 10 – 12 noon Tuesday 9 N
020 8581 0569 meeting Baptist Church, Hercies Rd Hillingdon

Science, Technology Peter Underwood 6, 20 4, 18 10 – 12 noon Wednesday 9 N
01895 639398
Baptist Church, Hercies Rd Hillingdon

VARIOUS SAS Jill Rhodes 01895 234348

Antiques and Lee Abraham Meet last Monday of the month except for 2 – 4 pm Monday 9 N
Collectables 020 8582 3694 Bank Holidays 9 N
United Reformed Church, Ickenham 9 W
Current Affairs Steven Friedlander 2 N
01895 622119 13, 27 11 8, 22 12, 26 2 – 4 pm Wednesday
Ecclesiastical Derek West
Architecture 07957 158069 United Reformed Church, Ickenham
Jean Stephens
World Wide Wines 01895 639043 13 11 8 12 10 – 12 noon Wednesday
United Reformed Church, Ickenham

4, 18 2, 16 6, 20 3, 17 10 – 11.30 am Monday

Memorial Institute, High Rd Ickenham

Levels 1 – Beginners; 2 – Intermediate; 9 – All levels. Status N – Newcomers welcome; W – Group is operating a waiting list; F – Full.

OTHER ACTIVITIES U3A Interest Group Diary 3rd Quarter 2019

Ballroom Dancing Sue Munro SAS Alan Hooper 020 8866 4496
01895 631135
Meets on 1st Wednesday of every month from 1.15pm – 3.pm at the Ickenham Village Hall.
Kids Abroad Pat Veale Please phone Sue for details..
01895 637416
Meets bi-monthly at the United Reformed Church in Ickenham.
London Walks Brian Carse For further information please contact the Group Leader.
01895 633471
Information is in Interest Group News – Forthcoming Events; in the newsletter; at monthly meetings at the
Meditation Sue Horan Winston Churchill Hall and on the website..
01895 672767
Rambles Meets 3rd Friday of each month, from 10.15 – 12.15 at St. Giles Church Hall, Ickenham . Please note that the
Scottish Country Alan Hooper venue from January 2020 will change to the United Reformed Church in Swakeleys Road, Ickenham
Dancing 020 8866 4496
Sunday Lunches Information available at the monthly meetings at Winston Churchill Hall and on the website.
Tom Arrol
Tai Chi 01895 632275 Meets 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at Ickenham Village Hall from 2 - 4 pm.
Next meetings are on, 12th & 26th November, 10th December, 14th & 28th January, 11th & 25th February
Jill Taylor
01895 742738 Please contact the Group Coordinator for further information.

John Cavell Further information from the Group Leader, on the website and at the monthly meetings at the Winston
01895 235082 Churchill Hall.

Theatre Visits Jill Rhodes Further information is available at the monthly meetings, on the website and by email. If you are interested in
01895 234348 theatre visits please provide Jill with your email address.

Theology Bobby Parrish Meets on 3rd Monday of each month, 2 – 4pm at Ickenham Library.
Travel Experience 020 8848 9448 Next meetings are on, 18th November, 8th & 22nd January, 12th & 26th February

Judy Peddie Meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month at St. Giles Church Hall in Ickenham
07884 242525

Page 14 of 16

GENERAL VISITS – How to Apply envelope. Write the name of the outing on the
reverse of this ‘reply’ envelope.
Follow instructions 1-5 for EACH visit you

wish to attend: 5. Repeat the above steps for all outings you

1. Complete the application slip for the visit, wish to attend. (One envelope for each outing).

including names and membership numbers of FINALLY put all these unsealed envelopes
all U3A members in your party. If U3A friends (with contents) into ONE larger envelope and
wish to go on a trip together, please put all

applications together in one envelope, you can • Seal the larger envelope

include separate cheques if you wish. • Address it to:-

2. If it is a coach outing, indicate your pickup ▪ Visit Applications
point - either Ickenham or Uxbridge. ▪ 9 Mills Close
▪ Hillingdon Village
3. Write a cheque for the full cost of that outing, ▪ UB10 0JY
made payable to Hillingdon U3A and dated the

day of that outing. Check that the figures and • Ensure you have the correct postage
words match and that the cheque is signed. Do (especially if the envelope is thick or large)
not staple the cheque to the application slip.
• Then post or deliver it.

4. Prepare a stamped self-addressed envelope. Alternatively, you could use the collection
Put your application slip and cheque(s) for that facility at the next Monthly Meeting at Winston
outing into the envelope. DO NOT SEAL the Churchill Hall.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

VISITS – What Happens Next

1. Publication of newsletter: you then complete your applications and send them to the Visits Team
representative, Maureen Ferguson, using the method above, or place in the receptacle at the next
monthly meeting.

2. End of initial booking period: about two to three weeks after publication, Maureen gathers all
applications received to date and joins the meeting of the Visits Team. (See dates for this month
below).

3. Meeting of Visits Team: your unsealed envelopes for specific visits will be distributed to the
appropriate Visit Leaders.

4. Initial ticket allocation completed: in the week following our meeting, Visit Leaders will select
applications at random and return your envelope. Please note that it will contain either a
ticket/acknowledgement if you have been successful, or notification that you are on the waiting list if
you are not. You should retain the joining information in case there is a drop out and you are selected
later. We will retain your cheque in case you are subsequently selected. If there is a drop out the
Leader will contact someone from the waiting list, if there is one, to check that they are still able to go.
You will already have joining instructions (as above).

5. If you drop out. If we are able to replace you we will destroy your cheque, otherwise it will be banked.

6. Latecomer applications: after the initial ticket allocation, the status of all visits (whether any / how
many places still available) will be posted on the new website, and also included in the next Bulletin.
Hopefully this will guide latecomers on whether it would be worthwhile applying. Those without internet
access could ask a friend to help or just apply anyway. Late applications should still follow procedures
described above (GENERAL VISITS - How to Apply).

7. Visit completed: Once the visit has taken place, the cheques of all those selected for the trip will be
banked and those of all unsuccessful applicants will be shredded.

Timings for this November Newsletter
1. Publication of newsletter .............................................. End of October
2. End of initial booking period ........................................ 11th November
3. Meeting of team & distribution of applications ....... 13th November
4. Initial ticket allocation completed .............................. 22nd November
5. Status of all visit posted .............................................. End of November

Page 15 of 16

Application Forms for VISITS (as advertised on Page 6)

Please reserve ................. places on the Museum of London in Docklands on 7th Jan 2020 (£12.50 pp)
My cheque for £ …………………..is enclosed
Name/s: ....................................................................................................... Tel No:..........................................
Membership number/s: ..... …………………………………………………….Mob No: …………………………..

Please reserve ................. places on the Westminster Abbey trip on 19th February 2020 (at £24.00 pp)
My cheque for £ …………………..is enclosed
Name/s: ....................................................................................................... Tel No:..........................................
Membership number/s:………………………………………………………….Mob No: ………………………….

Please reserve ................. places on the Society of Apothecaries trip on 5th March 2020 (at £20.50 pp)
My cheque for £ …………………..is enclosed
Name/s: ....................................................................................................... Tel No:..........................................
Membership number/s:………………………………………………………….Mob No: …………………………..

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

==============================================================================

Sunday Concerts Application Forms (as advertised on Page 11)
Please follow booking instructions from that page.

==============================================================================

Please reserve…………places for Grand Christmas Classics on Sunday 15th December 2019 (at £38 pp)

My cheque for £ …………………..is enclosed Pick up Ickenham/Uxbridge (delete one)

Name/s: ................................................................................................ Tel No: ......................................... .….
Membership number/s:…………………………………………………… Mob No: ………………………………..

=================================================================================

Please reserve…………places for Borodin/Rachmaninov/Prokofiev on 9th February 2020 (at £34 pp)

My cheque for £ …………………..is enclosed Pick up Ickenham/Uxbridge (delete one)

Name/s: ................................................................................................ Tel No: ......................................... .….

Membership number/s:…………………………………………………… Mob No: ………………………………..

=================================================================================

Page 16 of 16