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Recent
events
This
page is updated regularly to show the wide range of activities
Mansfield U3Aers enjoy so please email the web editor if you'd like to
submit a few words and photos of something you'd like to share here.
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of the small photos on this page are clickable to open more of the same
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download for printing if you want.
Singing for Fun group singing up
5th
July
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June Fell |
Click the picture to see these
full size ...
SING
UP was the logo emblazoned across the matching white T-shirts of
the Mansfield U3A choir at their latest ‘gig’, pictured
between
rehearsing and their very well-received performance.
Our
choir leader Suzy Fell was the main organiser of a community project
designed to encourage children to sing and on a hot Monday evening at
the Brunts School. Everyone sang.
The
evening began with individual school performances – these included
songs from the shows, an instrumental group and
mime.
The
second half of the programme was the community section. The junior
pupils from their feeder schools had been coached by senior pupils from
Brunts Performing Arts Academy to perform three songs – 'Rock-a my
soul', 'Ain’t no mountain high enough' and a rousing finale of Gospel
Medley in which the whole audience took part.
Dividing
into three sections and with suitable actions – junior and senior
pupils, teachers, parents and grandparents made the rafters ring. All
sizes and ages of Saints came marching in!
Our
thanks go to Suzy who leads us ever onwards and upwards. Can
Britain’s Got Talent really manage without us?
Rita Turner
Holidays Group visit to
Oberammergau
29th
June - 5th July
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Sylvia
Atkinson |
Click the picture to see more of
this holiday ...
ON
SATURDAY June 26th at 6.00am 39 members Mansfield and
Chesterfield U3As boarded a coach for a holiday to Germany, Austria and
ultimately Oberammergau to see the Passion Play.
Our overnight stop was in Liege, Belgium. On Sunday we arrived in
Heidelberg and had our first encounter with German celebrations after a
win in the World Cup. Cars drove nose to tail riding through
the streets, honking horns and waving German flags; it was all very
good natured, we saw no disturbances at all.
On Monday we arrived in Kirchberg, Austria for a 4-night stay and
thankfully we unpacked our cases. Excursions over the next 3 days
included the Sound of Music Tour and time in Salzburg. A visit to
Berchtesgarden and the Eagle's Nest, an amazing feat of building
amongst spectacular scenery. Arriving in St. Wolfgang we discovered a
picturesque village with very interesting shops and later
cruised to St Gilgen - finding it very relaxing and a respite from the
searing heat.
On Friday we arrived in Oberammergau and were taken to our
accommodation. Tickets were issued by our hosts for afternoon
and evening performances. The experience of being part of a 4,500
audience and watching a play involving 2,500 villagers taking part in
the cast, chorus, orchestra and behind the scenes was at times
overwhelming with a feeling of being very privileged to be present.
The 2pm. performance opened with the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and
finished at 5pm. with Jesus at the Mount of Olives. At 8pm the play
continued with Jesus being brought
before Annas and the High Council and concluding at 11pm. with the
Resurrection. At the end of the play emotions were running high at the
spectacle we had experienced.
Oberammergau is a picturesque village surrounded by mountains and is an
all-year-round holiday destination. Frescoes depicting nursery rhymes
and religious themes are painted on many buildings. We would all have
loved to lingered longer in Oberammergau but by 9pm. the next morning
we were on the first leg of our journey home. Saturday night was spent
in Freiburg where a wine festival was taking place, so a very pleasant
evening was spent eating, drinking and listening to jazz music.
Sunday we arrived in Paris and were given a very informative tour of
the sights by Jeff and Richard, driver and helper on the coach. After a
meal in the Latin Quarter we retraced much of the Tour and saw Paris by
night culminating in watching the Eiffel Tower 'exploding' in twinkling
lights.
On Monday we were ably driven by Richard from Versailles to the Channel
Tunnel arriving in Mansfield in the evening.
A tremendous thank you to Margaret Burlinson for her excellent
organisation and for her caring
attitude
to each and every one of us enabling us to experience a very memorable
holiday.
Sheila
Sweetmore
North Notts Neighbourhood U3A
Summer Celebration at Fretwell Complex
22nd
June
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David
Ling |
Click
the main picture to see more of this event ...
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THE SOFT drapes and
chandeliers of the Function Suite at the John Fretwell
Sporting Complex provided a very pleasant background for the fourth
annual summer event of the North Notts Neighbourhood
Group.
Over
one hundred ‘neighbours’ from the six U3As in our area ate, drank
and made merry.
Entertainment
was provided
by the singer Carlo Paul Santana and the evening ended with members
dancing the night away to his 70s hit record ‘Billy don’t be a hero’ –
proving that there is still a lot of life in us yet.
My thanks to all the Mansfield members who supported this event.
Rita Turner
Chairman NNN Group
Luncheon Club at the Cross Keys,
Epperston,
27th May
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David
Ling |
Click
the picture to see more of this event ...
THIS FAMILY-OWNED village pub has been a popular meeting spot for our
Walking Groups but was a new venue for the Luncheon Club.
We knew we could expect good home-cooking, generous portions and good
value - and that's just what they delivered.
David Ling
Garden Visits Holiday Around
Eastbourne.
10th
- 14th May
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David
Ling |
Click the picture to
see more of
this event ...
ON
THE 10th May, 47 intrepid U3A members set off for
Eastbourne. After a two-hour stop at Maidstone we arrived
about
6pm. The rooms were comfortable and the food was excellent. Tuesday
was a very cold day although it stayed dry. Several members visited
Great Dixter, which included a tour of the Hall and in the afternoon
visited Pashley Manor Gardens.
Wednesday
was a bright sunny day with a trip to Sheffield Park
Gardens. The
gardens were flat with two lakes and an abundance of bluebells. Nearby
was the Bluebell Steam Railway
which some members travelled on. In the evening several members went to
the Royal Hippodrome theatre to see Hooked on Laughter - a very
enjoyable evening.
A trip to Leonardslee Gardens was on Thursday - another sunny
day. The gardens were vast with displays of rhododendrons,
azelias
and camellias. It is shame that Leonardslee has been sold and
will
no longer be open to the public after the end of
June.
A
fine sunny day for Friday; our journey home started with a photo-shoot
on the hotel steps. We then journeyed to Surrey to Wisley Gardens where
there was something for everyone. We finally arrived at
Mansfield
about 9pm.
May
I take this opportunity to thank Margaret and the committee of the
Garden Visits group for a very enjoyable holiday. Looking
forward
to the next one.
Glynis
Benford
(See the June
newsletter for a fuller report from Glynis or click here for Sandra Evans's Garden Visits report.)
In the swing ...Big Band Night
8th May
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Peter
Haynes |
Click
the picture to see more of this event ...
A
REALLY GOOD time was had by all who attended Swing Band Night at St
John's centre Mansfield on Saturday 8th of May. The big-band sound was
evocative of the Glen Miller-style dance band music of yesteryear that
filled local dance halls in the 40's.My own
parents met at the Mansfield "Palais" in 1945 and their special song
was "Moonlight Serenade".
I always remember their nostalgia whenever this was played.
It was good to see people reliving their
youth and sharing their expertise on the dance floor.
The Stardust Band left us wanting more!
A final word about the catering: excellent!
Teresa
Wells
Our singers are winners
26th April
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David
Ling |
Click
the picture to see more of this event ...
THE
SINGING FOR FUN group showed their competitive side when they took-on
all-comers at the Mansfield Music and Drama Festival on 26th April and
won the Senior Citizens' Choirs group with a performance that
adjudicator Gareth Green said was 'confident ... with much to enjoy'
when he presented a Commended certificate.
Notable
from the back of the stalls was the excellent balance and rhythm - much
appreciated by the large audience that included many U3A supporters.
David
Ling
Coffee Morning
23rd April
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David
Ling |
Click
the picture to see more of this event ...
HELP
FOR Heroes, the charity raising money for wounded service personnel,
will soon be getting a cheque from Mansfield and District U3A for £156,
thanks to the generosity of members who enjoyed this year's coffee
morning at The Towers.
Members'
funds were boosted by a further £376 as a result of money generated by
the tombola, raffle and other stalls - none of which would have been
possible without the generous donations and work of members and
visitors who supported the event. Nor the hard work and time
contributed by the organising committee led by Sylvia Slack.(Click here
for more about Help for Heroes.)
David
Ling
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