Another class is out of the blocks, seven members made the inaugural meeting. The majority who turned up wanted to learn the language from the beginning, but all seemed keen and able students. Carolina spoke in short expressions in Italian from the outset and concentrated in this first lesson on the correct pronunciation of, the pure vowel sounds of Italian, which give the language such a unique musical sound, the pronunciations of 'c', and way of emphasising double consonants. She used a large but simple map of Italy to introduce the seas, regions and major cities. Then onto the subject pronouns and the verb essere. Quite sufficient to maintain the interest of the few who studied and forgot Italian years ago.
The group decided they were on the whole happy with weekly classes at 10.00 until 11.30am, the same as for French, and with Monday mornings, the attraction of this slot being the sharing of room hire costs with other small groups. The room dividers were used to separate the room into two parts, and although I was initially concerned in reality once both groups settled down there was absolutely no interference. The next class was set for 10am on Monday 12 January 2009 and should be weekly thereafter.
Several others expressed interest in Italian on my lists and it is hoped that some will join in the New Year, because just a few more would be desirable and secure the future of another group.
READING 4
On this occasion they shared the Craft Room with Italian for a very successful second meeting. They attracted a few new faces, including our first Hazel Court resident U3A member Betty Leigh. I was delighted to see her there because she had earlier tried out the French class but found the level too high. ( I tried to convince her that Italian would suit her down to the ground!!). It seems as with Jive, French and MOTO that pleasant enthusiastic groups grow organically as the news spreads. For the next meeting on Monday 12 January it was agreed that every member come prepared to talk about their own choice of detective novel.
CHESS
A picture is worth a thousand words, but both are mine!
The next meeting of this group will be 10am Monday 15 December, Ken Huntley has agreed to attend and teach. I would like to record the flair shown by Maxy in organising this group and how enjoyable, instructive and challenging he made the sessions for a large ability range, from complete beginners to good club players. Spoilt unfortunately by one outburst when we went overtime on our room hire. For reasons not related to the Chess Group, or this incident, he has been suspended from membership of Swansea U3A.
LITERATURE
I intend to sit in on their class next Tuesday 16 December at 2pm which is very conveniently sited in the city centre at St Mary's Vestry. Lawmary Champion will be conducting the final reading of An Inspector Calls by J B Priestly. Why don't a few others come along and give this once failing class a new look and boost, and join in the choice of next years books.
LEARN JIVE
This group will start again at 10.30 on Wednesday 14 January 2009 at the Monkey Cafe, (Pantomagoria in the afternoon). I appointed or is it anointed Gerwyn The Group Leader of the Year for making such a success of the group we thought was beyond the agility of our members.
MOTO
Following their latest meeting at the Brunswick they have identified several events of probable interest to members including film shows of
Brideshead Revisited at the Vue at 11.00 for 11.30 on 11 December
Bad Santa in the Civic Centre Library at 6.00 on 12 December
Boy in Striped Pyjamas at the Vue 11.00 for 11.30 on 18 December
Gerwyn will contact members before making a block booking for 'Curry and Carols' at the King Arthur Reynolston at 6.00 on 21 December
MONTHLY SOCIAL
Audrey Standish is suggesting an afternoon Tea Dance (my phrase). Those interested should in the first place contact her at 297358. The Community Hall at Hazel Court is a possible venue but the group would have to cover a hire charge for the room of £25.
CLIMATE CHANGE
Mike Wiseman sent me a note saying that no less than the UN had requested that the U3A (which is of course an international organisation started in France) get involved in promoting the discussion of the issues of Climate Change and Sustainability.
Wales U3As are taking a lead and have already formed several groups to look at the problems facing the planet. He identifies Fuel and Fresh Water as being the two most pressing issues for us by 2012 (frighteningly close). The next meeting of the Swansea Group will therefore consider the problems of ENERGY - THE WAY FORWARD at their next meeting. All are welcome at that meeting which will be held following the Wednesday Lecture on 21 January 2009.
At 11.00 on 12 January 2009 the Geology Network have a lecture by Dr Danny McCarroll in the Joint Lecture Theatre of the Natural History Building (more or less opposite the Grove) and it is entitled Climate Change:Using the Past to Predict the Future
NATIONAL COURSES
We are doing well at setting up new groups requiring tutors, French, Italian, Jive and Chess all fall into that category, but always the restriction is to find people in Swansea U3A with the skill, confidence and enthusiasm to take the lead. We are fortunate to have been able to make so many departures in a single half year, to add to existing Groups with similar requirements like Digital Media, Literature and Bridge.
I have just started to look more carefully at the list of U3A Summer Schools which are operated at Cirencester and Telford, and must say I am tempted to sign on for Cuentos en espanol (Spanish Stories) at Cirencester. Every member will have received notification of these courses in the issue of Sources which accompanied the last U3A Magazine, but, like me, I guess many didn't pay much them much attention at the time. I am also told that the few people from Swansea who have attended such events found the experience really enjoyable. You only have to glance quickly at the course titles to realise that such events are a real strength of the national organisation and would be difficult to organise at the local level. In addition full-board with 3 nights accommodation and tuition at £299 looks good value.
Monday 20 July to Thursday 23 July 2009
COURSES
Architecture –
Art History - Five artists to make a point. Tutor: Philip Hutton
Crime & Punishment. Tutor: Ursula Steiger
Digital image editing. Tutor: Chris Powell
France – la belle France. Tutor: Joyce Gibson
Garden History – near & far. Tutor: Jillian Wallace
Geology – the geology of south
Industrial Heritage – water, wind & the industrial revolution. Tutor: Colin Mitchell
Literature – ways of telling a story: Great Expectation & Mr Pip. Tutor: Mary MacGregor
Philosophy – introduction to philosophy. Tutor: Meg Shaw
Writing – the play’s the thing. Tutor: Maggie Smith
The Royal Agricultural College Summer School Cirencester
Monday 24 to Thursday 27 August 2009
COURSES
Architecture & Topography living on stone – the Cotswold inheritance. Tutor: James Thompson
Art History – 20th century art, part 4 1975-2000. Tutor: Audrey Loraine
Christianity in
Cinema History – a brief history of British film. Tutor: Alan Coulson
History – Jesus: From Jewish teacher to Christian divinity. Tutor: Ralph Blumenau
Literature – poets with many voices – Dramatic monologues from Browning to Eliot. Tutor: Michael Goldman
Music Appreciation – the music of Bela Bartok. Tutor: John Busbridge
Painting & Drawing. Tutor: Michael Gardner
Shakespeare: on the page and in performance. Tutor: Jonathan Rogers
Spanish – short stories in Spanish (Cuentos en espanol). Tutor: Silvia Sussman
