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Recent
events
This
page is updated regularly with photos and reports about the wide range
of social activities Mansfield U3Aers have enjoyed over the last few
months so please email the web
editor if you'd like to submit a few words and photographs of
something you'd like to share here.
Reports
via email to mansfieldu3a@aol.com
are easiest and quickest to process but the editor will welcome them on
portable media or in typescript too. File attachments may be in any
format but please note that photos within emails are usually too
compressed to be usable so uploading to a free Flickr, Picasa or Photobucket
Web Album will be easier and better if you want to send several. (Or
let the editor copy them directly from your memory card, a disk or pen
drive – which will be returned.)
All
photos become the copyright of Mansfield and District U3A but will be
credited if they are included. No payment will be made, the editor's
decision is final and no correspondence will be entered in to.
Most
of the small photos on this page are selected from albums of the same
event held on other pages here or off-site in high definition at
Flickr. You can see these full-size, download them to print if you
want, or order on-line via the 'order prints' option in the Actions
menu if you want professional quality. There are over 80 Mansfield U3A
Photo Albums here.
(Your
printer will give the best results from the Flickr originals if you
click on 'view all sizes' there and download the original size.)
Thoresby Holiday Break
23/27 January
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Don Wright
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Click here to see or print more of this event. (Opens
in a new window.)
IT WAS John and my first
visit to what has become Mansfield U3A’s annual visit to Thoresby Hall.
Our room was large and airy, the food and choice on offer was very good
and the entertainment
– well there was something for everyone during the
day and until late in the evening. There were also plenty of
comfortable areas where you could just sit and read, play cards, relax
and even have a nap
– which
some of us did!
For us though, one of the things we really enjoyed was the “chat”;
talking to U3A members that during our monthly meetings, when we are
all busy selling tickets, paying bills or simply buying books, is not
always possible.
Thanks have to go to Terry and of course Lilian for arranging this
break, for negotiating such a good price and especially for the free
bottle of wine delivered to our rooms.
There is talk of a repeat visit in 2013
– keep
your eyes and ears open or you could miss a good bargain and a chance
to 'catch up' with friends.
Karen Troop
There'll be a longer report in the February Newsletter ...
Walkers at Thoresby
25th January
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Jackie
Ling
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Click here to see or print more of this event. (Opens
in a new window.)
TODAY the Walking
Group met at Thoresby and were joined by some more U3A members who were
enjoying a holiday break at this Warner's leisure complex.
Joy and Nick Crowe were our guides and with overcast skies but mild
conditions we enjoyed an interesting and varied route: forest paths
through pine trees with bracken and bramble along the way; metalled
roads through Perlthorpe village; rutted farm tracks edging fields with
unusual breeds of sheep.
Then, over stiles to the river and a pleasant walk alongside the
fast-flowing water back to where we had started. By now the sun had
broken through the cloud and we had worked-up healthy appetites.
The walk had taken about 2 hours and were were all grateful to Joy and
Nick for showing us this enjoyable country-side.
Jackie Ling
Members' Morning
17th
January
|
David
Ling
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Click here to see or print more of this event. (Opens
in a new window.)
SUZY Fell conducted our Singing For Fun choir to launch this year's
Members' Day, when we provide our own entertainment. We have become
used to superb performances from our songsters but progress since the
last time I heard them was remarkable, to say the least, as they seem
to have gained confidence and developed a tonal harmony that now stands
comparison with any amateur group I know.
I followed, after the Lord Mayor's Show, covering some 50 years of my
interest in photography in 10 minutes, and showed how much easier the
invention of digital cameras has made it to process the original image
that modern cameras produce into something more satisfying
– as many
members of our Digital World photography group are finding for
themselves..
Peter Hart then talked about his family interest in music and entranced
us by playing one of his own compositions that included themes that
reminded some members of Elgar, Sibelius and Górecki. What a talent he brings to our
Classical Music 2 group!
Jean Kirk opened the door to her extensive knowledge of our local
history with a short description of the contributions that the Dukes of
Portland made over several centuries. Welbeck Abbey and Crown Farm coal
mine at Forest Town were just two of her topics and I'm looking forward
to hearing her in full flight at our Local History group without
today's time constraints.
By no means least, Doreen Storer spoke of the contribution our Chat and
Stitch group makes to our lives, through support for aid charities and,
just as important, by fostering the friendship that is such a hallmark
of Mansfield U3A.
David Ling
Strollers at Thoresby
11th
January
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Jackie
Ling
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Click here to see in high definition or print. (Opens in a new window.)
A GOOD crowd gathered
today at Thoresby for the first stroll of the year and Marion and
Barbara did not disappoint us with their choice of route.
Good walking surfaces
throughout gentle rolling countryside of woods and fields divided by
winter-cropped hedges and sturdy but stylish fencing. A scene peppered
with fine cottages
– for estate
workers – that would be the envy of many today
for their wonderful chimneys, charming window and door frames and
generally pleasing countenance.
On through the village of Perlthorpe and across the river Meden through
Thoresby Home Farm to Perlthorpe Church,
another fine building with particularly eye-catching gargoyles and
lych-gate. Now on the home straight, the view of Thoresby Hall is
always a sight to wonder at.
The Strollers today were
in fine fettle, completing this adventure early and allowing more
gentle
strolls around Thoresby Gallery shops and some welcome refreshments
with great
company throughout.
Thanks again to Marion
and Barbara.
Jackie Ling
Scottish New Year Social
7th January
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Mike
Allen
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Click here to see or print more of this event. (Opens
in a new window.)
Rita’s Scottish Sardine
Social
It would have been more alliterative to have said ‘Sylvia’s Scottish
Sardine Social’, but Rita took over from Sylvia, to our great good
fortune, and carried on the fine tradition of these New Year socials.
Why ‘Sardine’? Well, it was a bit of a tight fit in the Centre.
A great night was had by all who crammed into the Beacon Centre on
Saturday, 7th January. In fact, it was so good that few noticed the
time passing – the centre clock was an hour slow!
The photos tell the story – Sylvia, sitting regally with a tartan
scarf, other ‘usual suspects’ sitting at tables, waiting for the word
to attack the spread – all brought by the participants, and almost all
eaten.
The entertainment was also home-grown – John McFlorence declaiming a
story, his legs shyly peeping out from beneath a tartanish rug and with
a knobbly attachment grasped gently in his hand; Pat Blackwell, the
rose between two thorns, waxing poetic.
And Ian William-Shakespeare-Wot-I-Rote-Myself with his dynamic,
late-night version of Macbeth and the 3 Little Murderers, all under a
wig that should have got him arrested.
Mike Allen
Local History Group shown new Mansfield Library
16th December
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David
Ling
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Click here to see or print more of this event. (Opens
in a new window.)
OUR NEW
Local History group was one of the first to get a preview of
the facilities of the new Mansfield Library when two parties were shown
around by Local Studies Librarian Ralph Lloyd-James before it re-opens
to the public next year.
Of particular interest was the new Local Studies Section, where
previously-inaccessible books, documents and historical maps are now
available. Microfiche is also available, which the Library hope to
enlarge in the future.
Bob Longden
Joyeux Noel for the Luncheon Club
15th December
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David
Ling
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Click here to see or print more of this event. (Opens
in a new window.)
LAUNAY'S
in Edwinstowe produced an array of fine-dining dishes in the French
style for us to celibrate the approach of Christmas in what has become
a traditional highlight of the Luncheon Club year.
There were dishes to suit the adventurous and others for those with
simpler tastes; Oysters or beef broth; smoked salmon profiteroles or
pressed belly pork; pheasant and pigeon or lamb breast; trout or cheese roulade. And still some
had room for their choice of treacle tart or various chocolate
creations!
All accompanied by the friendly chatter that is a hallmark of Mansfield
U3A events.
Our thanks go to Alain Launay, Alison and their willing and skilled
teams in the kitchen and front of house.
David Ling
Holiday Group at the Thursford Spectacular
7th - 9th
December
|
Terry
Parsons
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Click here to see full
size in high definition. (Opens
in a new window.)
OUR
JOURNEY to the Thursford Spectacular started near Iceland, not
the country but the shop, as we boarded the coach and met our fellow
travellers. Stopping for a break at a farm shop en route, we had time
for a cuppa and a look around before arriving at the hotel for an early
dinner.
Leaving
the coach at Thursford we headed for the Winter Wonderland. What a
fabulous display of lights and animated characters! We took our seats
in the theatre after a glass of mulled wine and were entertained by a
comedian, magician, dancers, singers, choirs in the aisles and
musicians with spectacular costume changes.
You
have to be there to appreciate the quality of the Show.
We
spent next morning in Norwich where we all did our 'own thing',
visiting the cathedral, shopping etc. John and I also queued for 10
minutes on Norwich Market for some of the best fish and chips we have
ever had. (Whether this was because he had been trading since 1953 or
because we ate them outside I don’t know but they were very good!)
Our
afternoon was spent in Holt for retail therapy at its best, with time
to enjoy a drink sat next to a roaring fire in one of the local pubs
before returning to the hotel.
Friday
saw us visiting Caithness Glass, returning to the farm shop where
Poinsettas and Orchids were bought and finally spending the afternoon
in Stamford.
We all
had a lovely time with excellent company and good weather. Many thanks
must go to Margaret for all her hard work in organising it.
Karen Troop
Christmas Lunch
5th December
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David
Ling
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Click here to see or print more of this event. (Opens
in a new window.)
THE SUN didn't quite shine on our Christmas lunch this year but the
snow-drifts of 2010 were but a distant memory for Norma Shillinglaw and
the big turn-out of Mansfield U3A members and guests who appreciated
her organisation and the skills of the kitchen team and all the staff
at the Oakham Suite.
A good crowd, good food, good drinks, good service and good company so
what's more to say?
Happy Christmas everyone!
David Ling
Luncheon Club at The Hostess
20th October
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David
Ling
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Click here to see or print more of this event. (Opens
in a new window.)
RAY READER took our lunchers back to The Hostess at
Sookholme for the first time since a disappointing visit four years ago
with a promise that recent changes and modernisation would wipe any
lingering doubts about this venue from our memories.
He wasn't wrong.
I didn't hear a word of criticism, for the now-professional and
friendly service, the breadth of the good-value menu or the quality of
the
excellent starters, buffet-style mains or the puds. The new decor and
furnishings had transformed the dining room too.
So thanks Ray!
David Ling
Autumn Handicap Race Night
15th
October
|
Mike
Allen
|
More photos, in
high definition, by Ian Boucher, here
YOU might have thought that there would
have been an advantage in being Chairman when your own U3A laid on a
Race Night. No.
No tips, no backhanders, no nudges and winks and a doped sugar lump in
the hand. Didn’t ask for 7 strokes of a flat whip, though. Wouldn’t
have got them, I reckon.
So the night
of Saturday 15th October was the same as all the other occasions I’ve
unlocked my pockets and stuck a few pennies on a horse – unlucky.
Rita Turner and John Ellis of Hucknall U3A (aided and abetted by
Vivienne, his wife) led us down the path of ruin, in spite of him
having a heavy cold. Dressed as a bookie, an Egyptian tipster (Prince
Monolulu?), then a jockey, he kept the pace up and cheered the winners
along.
Ian and Pauline brought a car load of gear to run
the film and the betting – who else but the Bouchers could have done
that job? Karen Troop, Janet Whitlam and Winifred Shaw provided the
food – and what food! More excellent sandwiches, savouries and cakes
than we could eat, while Carole Justice and Teresa Wells ran the Raffle
(£69 to Mansfield U3A – well done!). Pat Blackwell printed the race
cards and table cards.
So many people put so much effort in for our enjoyment. In spite of my
miserable luck (although I did get first prize in the raffle), like
everyone else, I want to thank them all for their work, and I’d like to
thank all those who came along to enjoy themselves. What a night!
Mike Allen
Garden Visits Group at Ashwood Nurseries
2nd September
|
Karen
Troop
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Click here to see these in high definition or print them ... (Opens
in a new window.)
IT WAS an 8
o'clock start and an overcast morning but the sun came out as we
traveled to the famous Ashwood Nurseries site near Kingswinford.
Sweaters, coats, waterproofs and umbrellas could be left on the coach!
Walking round was a joy – beautifully
laid-out; such a large variety of plants for sale and all of excellent
quality.
Soon it was lunch-time; so back to the excellent tea shop that many
visited when we arrived.. (Ask John about his cream scone – it was HUGE, but he did save me a bit!)
It was now time to assemble for our guided tour of John's Garden.
Following a brief history of the nursery and John's plan to landscape
his own private garden behind it, we were off. Another wow, in fact a
big WOW as this covers 3 acres bordering the Staffordshire and
Worcestershire canal and is such a beautiful setting for a fabulous
garden.
Strolling around and listening to a commentary about the huge number of
trees, plants and shrubs was such a joy as we waved to the passing
narrowboats and marveled at the stunning planting.
Then it was back to the nursery for our final purchases and a welcome
cup of tea. (And more cakes.)
Karen Troop
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