GROUPS GROUPED

Armed with the results of the Convenor's Questionaire I am tempted to undertake a review of our group activities, but this one is off the top of my head - as usual. What are the priorities for a meaningful life in retirement - well health as always is the only essential in life. When younger we didn't realise its key importance, some of us Rugby players thought we were indestructible! But now face to face with its loss we are all too aware that health is becoming an issue non of can avoid facing for much longer. 

Of my first two categories which is more important, a no brainer really - a healthy mind is by far the most vital. I say this as someone who watched his mother die at 97 but after several years in which life had no meaning that I could perceive. Without memory you can only live in the present, unable even to make or develop friendships. Unaware even of whether you had a husband or children, recognising nothing, linking nothing.

Can you do anything to delay the onset of dementia? Which I guess is a question more of losing the ability to make connections, linkage, rather than pure memory loss. My own developing weakness is with recall of names and especially linkage of Christian Names with Surnames.

I have heard more arguments denying any benefits of keeping the mind active than for it - yet for my own part I still hold a positive view. I know that throughout life my thought processes were developed by mother, school, university and above all in a life of work, that they were always from a combination of discussion, solo thought, and observation or feedback. Maybe I can't avoid memory loss, but at least I can make the most of my brain in the meantime and maybe that will delay, if nothing else, the onset of problems.

HAZEL COURT

So for my priority group classification I choose:-

MIND GAMES

Bridge, the most mentally demanding of card games

Cards for Fun, far simpler than Bridge, more welcome

Chess for Fun, think ahead logic and spacial awareness. Its the Hun in the sun that gets you

Digital Media, for the present anything goes except Internet - scanning slides/transparencies, image improvement via Photoshop Elements, Picasa, video, music and maybe MS and Open Offices.
Internet (coming soon?)


Scrabble, vocabulary, spelling and logic (selecting best option)

Research, Projects to study/analyse sections of the history archives in the original Swansea Museum.



BODY SHOPPING
There is never any doubt that exercise and training keep the body in better trim. Joan though would argue that I brought on my own heart problems by training too hard immediately after retirement and maybe she's right - who knows?

I mentioned recently a newspaper article which argued that certain physical activities also exercised the mind - particularly those involving memorising and implementing complex sequences, eg Jive, Pantomime and Tai Chi



Bowls, indoor short mat

Gardening, a physical activity for those who still can, a continuing delight for those who can't

Jive, perhaps the most successful of last years groups, continual change of partners during sessions - ideally needs as many men as women. Great starting point for getting to know other U3A members.

Pantomime, all our own work coordinated by Jill Govier, highlight of the year with a strawberry and cream tea for audience and cast

Tai Chi, control of movement, breathing, posture and balance

Walking, enjoy the Gower, summer or winter, with a good pub lunch




STUDY
ARTS

French, a vibrant group

Italian, short of support but with an excellent Italian born tutor

Welsh, bigger than I thought, will have to go and get the flavour



SCIENCES
Astronomy, will change under Roly, may even go to Australia

Climate Change (for the moment sadly defunct)
Geology, mostly site visits to some of the most beautiful parts of South Wales and the Malverns. Variable amount of walking scrambling and picnicing. Run by South Wales U3A network, not Swansea U3A directly


SELF EXPRESSION

Beginners Watercolour - new group(s) needed - watch this space
Art/Painting, well supported group still with room for a couple more

Painting for Pleasure, full 

Singing for Pleasure, more male voices needed - I always observed that all Welshmen thought they could play Rugby and all thought they could sing. Now's your chance

Writing, more recruits welcome



INTERESTS
Art Appreciation, very successful lectured group

Bookreading 1-5, latest group starts 10.30am Tuesday 1 December at Hazel Court

History, bigger than I expected, but more members welcome

Literature, resurgent

Local History, more popular than I realised

Pre-concert talks, unique in having the old West Glamorgan Council Chamber, what a prestigious venue!, and excellent speakers. Space for many more.  
Travel (Armchair), presentations by members, popular but room for many more

Music Appreciation, old established home based group


DISCUSSION
Discussion Rob James has taken over as convenor, can expand

Politics and Citizenship Marian and Marjorie new joint convenors, excellent well mannered civilised political debates for grown-ups



OUTRIGHT SOCIAL
Members On Their Own, formed less than a year ago tremendous demand, should split into cooperating sub groups, socials, nights out, weekend trips, endless possibilities. Sub Group Leaders needed, work through Gerwyn Thomas 817229 

Outings, last year included day visits by coach Tintern Abbey, Wells, and Bath, increasingly more outings organised by groups, eg 10 day trip next year to Holland via Art Appreciation.

Quiz - not exactly University Challenge but not so easy either

Sunday Luncheon, 3rd Sunday of month selected venues in Swansea or Gower

Wine Appreciation, Saturday, what a nice way to end the week


GROUP NEWS

RESEARCH GROUP

Just before last Wednesday's lecture I ran into a Margaret Hammond delighted with progress. The group now have a couple of younger members to balance the octogenarians, with two more probables, so at last she can see the group continuing in a new generation. 


She had just returned from a meeting with the museum staff to select projects for the year ahead. One in particular excited her. The museum have been just been given the varied output of a photographer working in Morriston, with shots dating from the early 1900's. The group will now work in two groups of 4, but hope to make them groups of 6 (the maximum that can be accommodated).


More volunteers please to help in this valuable work into local history. Please contact Margaret Hammond on 883680


TAI CHI
From next Friday 30 October there will be 3 hourly groups starting at 9, 10.30, and 12 midday. Contact Sue Hutson 391058


LITERATURE
A dicky bird tells me that there were 12 at the last meeting which completed the reading of The Doll's House by Ibsen. Next a Trollope novel. A far cry from the 5 octogenarians last autumn (not true, one was 90 and still bright as a button). Contact Lawmary 299828


ITALIAN
Your chance to learn to speak Italian with a native speaker. Needs far more support. Just turn up or contact Brian Corbett 424702



HISTORY
Next meeting on Friday 30 October at 2.30 pm in Dolphin, by Alan Standish of the Norton Portable Antiquity Search Team. Not as usual on 4th Friday of month.


10 DAY TRIP to HOLLAND
See previous posting for details

Still just time to book via Mo Ellard 363465
or Margaret Winter 771725




MY MUSES

PORGY & BESS and All That Jazz
Beautiful music which I had always thought of as a 'musical' but after this weeks performance at Cardiff Milennium Centre I now realise is the full blown modern opera that Gershwins claimed they had written. It was impossible for us not to get emotionally involved in a wonderful score and a poignant story.

This was Porgy and Bess with a twist for it was given by the Cape Town Opera on its tenth anniversary, cast in a township featuring black African poverty and white police during the Apartheid era. 
A fabulous performance though only three of the roles were sung with sufficient power in such a large auditorium Porgy (Ntobeko Rwanqa before the interval and then Xolela Sixaba, Bess (Kearstin Brown) and Maria (Miranda Tini). The start was slow and both Joan and I initially thought we were going to be disappointed, (perhaps the orchestra were too loud) - but the with the advent of Porgy and Bess it really took off.

It's not so long from the revolution which brought Nelson Mandela to power, but already South Africa are becoming a real power on the world arts stage. Perhaps you remember me blogging about the absolutely sublime production of The Tempest at Bath by a South African Theatre Company in collaboration with the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre Company.


Anyone with a wish to hear some high quality 'modern jazz' should listen to saxophonist Joe Henderson's septet playing his version of 'Porgy and Bess' on Verve as recorded in 1997. That with Miles Davis & John Coltrane's chart topping 'Kind of Blue' on Columbia recorded in 1959 represent the very best in good, easy, jazz. 

Speaking of good jazz please note that Pete King is playing at JAZZLANDS, St. James Cresent, Uplands, this Wednesday 28 October at 8 pm for £8.
Pete King is one of the best ever British alto saxophonists, respected on both sides of the Atlantic, who played regularly with Ronnie Scott amongst many others. You don't often get the chance to hear world class performers in Swansea in any genre, so come along. 




QUESTION TIME
Before anyone gets the wrong impression let me affirm that I have no truck whatever with the BNP. It's hard to think of a political party more directly opposed to my views, especially as regards racial tolerance. 

So now for my own Question Time

Should the BNP have been invited to debate on Question Time?
Yes, their votes have earned them the right to be heard



Is Question Time a good forum for political views?
Usually


Was last weeks Question time such a programme?

No, questions, audience, panel, and chairman were all targeted at demonising the BNP


Was Nicky Griffin mugged by the establishment?
Yes



Was he exposed for what he is?
Probably. But would the others happily defended their past political records? - No, they also would have claimed to have moved on



So does it matter?
Yes, it will back-fire. Watch the polls and watch their share of vote at the next few elections, especially if we go into a prolonged recession



Would it have mattered given the usual wide range of questions?
No, we might have learned something useful, maybe the guy has something interesting to say

What did they say to win two seats in the European parliament?
Still haven't a clue


How many watched Question Time last week?
8 million


How many watch normally
2.5 million



Were the extra drawn from the lovers of reality TV?
It seems doubtful that they were drawn from the politically aware


What started the BNP surge in the polls?
The May European elections, exactly as I blogged back in May 2009



Why did they do well?
Because the country was angry with politicians of all three mainstream parties over expenses. Anyway only the Greens, the Liberal Party and the BNP take these European elections seriously.


Why didn't the Liberals clean up?
Search me - because Vince Cable happens to agree with Gordon Brown on the big economic issues of the day?


How are the Tories aligned in the European Parliament?
If you don't know Google it


Does it matter?
Ask Barack Obama. Since John Kennedy in 1960 the USA has wanted to see Britain at the heart of European politics with mainstream France and Germany.

OPEN DAY

Another enjoyable day at the Dolphin with new features being the displays given by the Tai Chi group with their breathing exercises, entirely different to the Tai Chi set itself, and the Jive Group. Plus Bob with his latest toy, a PA system.

I ended up with 50 more email addresses, all of whom should receive the Blog Update alert and a link to the material on a Google Internet server. This time there will be around 350 such alerts - up from 30 this time last year. So welcome to my new readers.  
Although this is technically a Blog it is basically a series of news letters about Swansea U3A activities. There are facilities for the entry of comments though this is seldom used or useful. It is  a private blog for those who know the Internet link address, which cannot be found by the general public via a search engine such as Google. The opinions expressed both about U3A activities and whatever other topic takes my fancy are my own. 
In general the only posting worth reading is the latest, the one you see when you click the link. I frequently do minor edits to the immediately previous posting to correct errors or to clarify points. Postings start with a small Date and an underlined Heading in orange capital letters. Save the link and at any time you can easily access the very latest news.


Tina Barker and I have committed all the information collected that day to computer in the form of a spreadsheet, this is the first time I have had help in this tedious task and thank her for her efforts. Those lists have already been emailed to the group convenors and no doubt they will follow up by contacting those who signed the lists. Additional groups will have to be formed to satisfy demand. In the case of Book Reading we are already planning an initial meeting of the fifth such group in Hazel Court starting10.30am Tuesday 1 December, and thereafter the first Tuesday in month, in the Exercise Room. Creating the painting group is more difficult - so watch this space. In the meantime I would particularly welcome support for those groups which are currently below strength - turn up and try them out.


David Michael, who leads our walks, introduced me to the newly elected Chairman of the Cardiff U3A Mary Martell Allen, who had come to see how we operated in Swansea, with a view to starting a catch up exercise in Cardiff who currently number just 200 members to our 700. To put this in context remember we increased membership by 150 last year alone.


CONVENORS DAY
As reported last week it was a particularly good meeting and that was confirmed once I had a chance to look at the questionaires completed by each group convenor. This information has for the first time allowed us to take stock of the state of the groups. We shall be even better placed to compare and draw conclusions once Tina and I have collated the information in a spread sheet. However it is already apparent to me which groups will be easy to expand, which are currently too small to be really viable and the areas in which we will soon need to form new groups.

Mike leads Tai Chi

Joan,? , Mary Lane,Joy Gillard, Past and Mal Herbert

Val Day and ART/Painting

Mike Lewis and Sybil Jiving

Margaret Winter with History

Alf, Kay, Roly Govier

PANTOMAGORIA - SLEEPING BEAUTY

• Your chance to walk the boards
• Calling old friends and unknown talents
• First read through of script 2pm to 4 pm either tomorrow Monday 19 October, or Thursday 22 October. upstairs in the Monkey Cafe (opposite Swansea castle). You choose which session - just turn up
• Rehearsals thereafter 2pm every Monday

• Contact Jill Govier 01792 455303
• jillgovier@btinternet.com 
• This group is run by Jill Govier who also directs/produces/stage manages/ and edits the script for our very popular pantomine (this I think will be it's third year).

Me as Honey Bun and tenor Lynne as an American sailor (gob)

Me, Rita, Pat Herbert, with cross dressing Gerwyn as our instructor

See Bob waving at rear



SOUTH WALES U3A OUTING TO HOLLAND

• Art galleries and  museums
• 18 - 26 April 2010 including 5 day river cruise
• Prices excluding only lunches ans entrance fees from £699 to £913, depending on single or double room/upper or lower deck
• Must book and pay £150 deposit by October - so hurry
• Contact Mo Ellard 363465 mo.ellard@btinternet.com
• or Margaret Winter 771725 winter728@btinternet.com
  
• for details and booking form.

GEOLOGY SOUTH WALES NETWORK
Please note change in parking details for tomorrow

• Llandeilo-Llangadog area
• 10.30 am Monday 19 October
• Leader Dr Robert Owens

• Meet Large Car Park at Dynevor Home Farm just passed original meeting place (which was roadside around Grid Ref OS Sheet no.159 SN 6190 2308)
  

Note also the November meeting has been changed from a Monday to the following day Tuesday 10 November at 11am.
Contact Yvonne Thomas 01554 832337
yvonne@lunn-thomas.fsnet.co.uk


GROUP ACTIVITIES

CHESS for FUN
A group formed last year which needs additional members. They will meet in the Exercise Room at 10am Monday 19 October. It really is for fun, we are not aiming any time soon to challenge for the World Championship, but we might one day aim to take on other U3A's. It would be particularly nice to break down the idea that this is a man's game, which exists solely in peoples minds. My wife Joan will greet you tomorrow. So come along along on Monday and try us out. If you don't know the rules or moves we will teach you, if you can hardly remember them from your school-days - then join the majority, if you fancy your chances we will put tutor Ken Huntley onto you.



READING LITERATURE
They will meet at 2pm on Tuesday 20 October to read the third and final act of 'The Dolls House' by Ibsen. A group recovering from probable collapse last year, now re-vitalised by Lawmary Champion who encourages all to participate by reading the parts aloud. They too would welcome more members. 


ASTRONOMY
First meeting of term in Grove theatre at university after the Wednesday lecture  21 October will collectively outline program for the coming year. Nick Hill, our Treasurer is handing over to new convenor Roly Govier 455303 
roland.govier@onetel.com 
after this meeting. Roly in turn has handed over the Discussion Group to Rob James - healthy movement I would say.

rob3james@btinternet.com 


TAI CHI
Note however that this week only, Friday 23 October, will have just the usual two sessions starting at 9.30 and 11am.
 

This very popular group formed last year will break into three hour long sessions every Friday morning starting from 30 October. The classes will start at 9am, 10.30am and Midday, with the 12 noon session being aimed at absolute beginners.



As we have to employ Mike, a professional young tutor, £3 a session is collected by the convenor.
Contact Cecily Hughes, Pat Herbert, Barbara Ellis or convenor Sue Hutson - all on your membership card.



CALLING U3A MEN
Both the JIVE group every Wednesday at 10.30 in the Monkey Cafe, and SINGING for PLEASURE at 2pm every Friday at the West Cross Community Centre require above all more MEN. Now's your chance fellows!! Just turn up please.




ITALIAN
Also meet in Hazel Court at 10am every Monday in the Dry Craft Room. This group was formed last year and is one needing increased membership. If there is sufficient demand we will take up ex-DACE tutor Carolina's offer to take two one hour sessions, one being aimed strictly at beginners.
Mervyn Howell 202126, mh8@talktalk.net  has taken over as convenor but will be absent for the next two weeks so contact Brian Blog.



FRENCH
Gilly Jordan 01269 824876
gillyjordan@talktalk.net 
has taken over this group as convenor, a change to your card. Beryl Edney and Celia Phillips will usually share the task of leader. Gilly is working on alternatives for when they cannot teach.


SHORT MAT BOWLS 1
Angela Ball 412701 wants 6 more bowlers.
 angela.ball2@ntlworld.com
They meet every Monday at 1.30pm in the West Cross Community Centre. SHORT MAT BOWLS 2 meets on Tuesdays but has a waiting list.

CREATIVE WRITING 1
New last year requires additional members.  They meet in the Exercise Room at Hazel Court on the 4th Monday of the month at 10am, next meeting 26 October. 
This group is run by Jill Govier 455303
 jillgovier@btinternet.com
who also, directs/produces/stage manages/edits the script/and acts as enforcer, for our very popular pantomime.  (This I think will be only it's third year).
 
DIGITAL MEDIA
There was an encouragingly large turnout on Friday so Bob and I having decided the time before to reduce to a half room are desperately trying to correct that blunder.

Remember the U3A motto from last week's blog.

'Those who teach shall also learn and those who learn shall also teach'


The previous session I showed Beryl Edney how to load the software to interface her computer with Epson slide/transparency scanner, and pointed out the way to proceed with digitising slides. This Friday, as I came in late from Tai Chi, she greeted me with scarcely concealed delight because she had in fact scanned four slides. So could I now show her how to put them in a folder - no peace for the wicked! In between times she had been teaching me with her professional skills in our French Conversation Group. We were helping each other, the U3A is nothing if not a co-operative. 


Some members are apparently expressing interest in improving their skills with digital photography, including photo shooting expeditions as was done in the summer.



CALIGRAPHY
Maureen Thomas 401132, g.thomas37@ntlworld  has given me notice that for four successive Thursdays at 2 pm in Hazel Court, starting 21 January 2010, she will be running another taster course. She will take a mix of absolute beginners and those from earlier tasters.


NEW GROUPS
One suggestion I have received is that we should start an Investment Club, not concentrating solely on the Stock Market but more basically on exploring where to invest cash in these confusing times. Any interest, and above all anyone prepared to lead such a group?

 

CONVENORS ANNUAL MEETING

This was my second such meeting. The one before was apparently a disaster with discussion time wasted arguing who was to have which table at Open Day. Last year's, my first, was useful to me as I was able to introduce myself to the many convenors I did not know, but I guess was of relatively little use to the convenors themselves. This year's, all agree, was first class - for which I would claim only a small part of the credit.

It was Chairman Bob who paved the way by proposing to assign a full half day to the meeting and to concentrate on getting convenors to voice their experience of running groups and to use a single microphone to prevent everyone trying to talk at the same time. He got the committee to debate what proved a well structured Agenda, and proposed to move the venue to Fulton House in the University. In the event discussion of Open Day, the last item on the agenda, was minimal but to the point. Then at the last committee meeting we discussed the importance of the physical layout and decided to go away from the concept of a board meeting with everyone seated around a table to an informal circular arrangement of chairs. 

The meeting was introduced by Bob with the theme 'Sharing the Load'. Then  committee members with key roles gave short presentations - all very much to the point. I will single out three, all as it happens, by Nick Hill. 

Firstly standing in for Michael Edmonds, our Business Secretary, he explained the Public Liability Insurance held at the National level by our Head Office. This insurance is designed to protect Group Convenors and others organising Groups or Events on behalf of local U3As, such as Swansea, from prosecution following say an accident. Such claims would be dealt with by Head Office using the U3A's insurance. That protection only applies to claims from U3A members, although it would include non-members trying us out a few occasions deciding whether to join. It is for this reason that convenors are asked to ensure, in their own interest, that attendees join the U3A, and it is also the reason they are asked to keep a record of accidents as they occur together with the names of witnesses.

Then in his role as treasurer he explained that the U3A would provide advance funding to new groups, a loan which would be repaid only after the group became self financing. Or be prepared to assist with advance funding of trips. The committee would also fund applications for the purchase of equipment which could be of use to several groups, laptop and digital projector being an obvious case in point.



His third stint was to share his experience of being convenor of the Astronomy Group. He started as someone with an increasing interest in Astronomy as an amateur. To begin with he willingly led the early meetings choosing topics, which he researched between sessions via the Internet, and he arranged outside speakers. Many in the group could have done likewise taking single or more sessions, but with a few honourable exceptions they didn't. The result was that a task he had initially found enjoyably challenging became a chore. He was no longer enjoying the role. (Roly Govier will take over as convenor after the next Wednesday lecture on 21 October. Nick will chair this meeting to help the group sort out the way ahead for 2009/10.

Enjoyment is vital, what otherwise is the point of involvement at our stage of life, but as is true of most things in life you get out of it what you put in.


The floor was then opened to convenors, or their representatives, and a wholly positive, very interesting, discussion took place in which a great number spoke. Some of the points which remain in my memory are discussed below, but let me start with a late contribution by Barbara Brimfield who was Chairman when I joined the Swansea U3A. She reminded us of the guiding principal at the foundation of the U3A. Those who teach shall also learn and those who learn shall also teach. You can look at this in at least two ways one of which involves helping others, another as helping himself. Thus he who teaches (leads) one Group can also learn in a quite different Group. Also the very act of teaching one Group results helps you learn more about the subject, firstly during the preparation and secondly from group feedback.

At some time I mentioned that far too many joined our U3A for the ride, whilst fully accepting, as I always do, that for years I was one of them. But Bob brought me rapidly to heel by quoting Milton (on blindness!) They also serve who only stand and wait. How true, never forget this is also an inclusive organisation. Also think back to the time when someone comes nervously to a first class and is never seen again, it is up to each group to make newcomers feel welcome even to the point of asking someone to mentor the next new arrival. At many of the earlier groups everyone stays on to chat over a cup of tea, in the case of the groups at Hazel Court some groups, eg French, always gather in the cafe after a session. I am told Hazel Court are prepared to bring up a jug of tea/coffee if required in the same way the Dolphin does.



It was increasingly obvious that Group Convenors faced different problems as a direct consequence of their chosen topic. Perhaps the easiest to run are the Book Reading groups for an avid reader, book a venue and collect enough from members to pay for it, let the members choose the books to be read, expect members to read them and join in a monthly discussion.

Discussion Groups such as the one now to be led by Rob James, or Politics and Citizenship require someone to propose a topic and be prepared to lead the discussion for the next meeting, or the convenor will fall into the same whole as Nick. In both cases the people leading are essentially using general knowledge.


Then there are groups requiring leaders with specialist knowledge, these include Art, Creative Writing, History and Languages. 


There are those groups in which members ideally need to be at a similar stage of learning, languages in particular.


There are those in which a genuine Beginners Class is highly desirable. Art and languages are again examples, but that implies that last years beginners need somewhere to go, the following years can perhaps be mixed ability. There are few things more disheartening than to join a group as a genuine beginner and find everyone else has temporarily forgotten what they learned at O level. Though Marjorie Vanston said she ran a mixed ability Welsh Group, but then she was a school-teacher in her professional life  - Beryl Edney, with a similar background, is doing similarly for the French Conversation Group.



I believe that wherever possible groups should be led by members and they should never be paid for that role, that however does rule out collection of additional money to fund a thank-you present. I personally think we should always aim at £1/person/session.

Nevertheless there are those groups need specialist skills which cannot be found amongst our members, and in this case a professional leader has to be employed such as for Tai Chi or Art Appreciation are two cases in point.

From a personal porochial viewpoint the best thing that came out of the meeting was the positive response to my request for help. Tina Barber who is being adopted onto the Committee, as yet without a substantive role, was the first and I feel it will prove that our skills are complementary. Our first collaboration will be to collect all the lists from each group at Open Day, get the details onto a computer and distribute the relevant information to each group - and we will do our best to get that mailed out within a week. I will provide each group with blank lists of the usual type at Open Day.
Our second task will be to collate on computer all the information given by convenors on my questionaire. An initial glance at the responses is encouraging, not least the fact that most groups, even those big enough, would welcome a few new members. But as I said we should always encourage involvement and where there is excess demand we should create extra groups. 


Thanks also to Don Mason and Roly Govier who also offered to help me, both of whom are already involved in running this U3A.


MEMBERSHIP
Pat Herbert told the meeting that last year we had 688 members of whom 150 were new to Swansea U3A. This year she has already received completed applications from 500 members of whom 50 are new, with every sign being that we will meet or exceed last years membership totals. 

Esther Searle who takes minutes of the Committee Meetings with the help of a voice recorder has used the same technique to produce minutes of this meeting, which I have not yet read. Watch out therefore for updates to this Blog slipped to hide my arrogance after I have read her true and accurate record. 


GROUPS REQUIRING MORE MEMBERS
Using a quick flick through the questionaires I have tried to pick out those needing additional members to make more their groups more viable. Most feature below. Most of the rest would welcome additional members, but out of courtesy contact the Convenor by phone first.



BOOK READING 4
Will meet at 10am on Monday 12 October in the ground floor Exercise Room at Hazel Court, see last week's posting for details of the books being discussed.


ITALIAN
Also meet in Hazel Court at 10am every Monday in the Dry Craft Room. This group was formed last year and is one needing increased membership. Shortly after Open Day we will decide whether to take up tutor Carolina's offer to take two one hour sessions, one being reserved for beginners. 

SHORT MAT BOWLS 1
Angela Ball, the first convenor to speak, wants 6 more bowlers. They meet every Monday at 1.30pm in the West Cross Community Centre. SHORT MAT BOWLS 2  has a waiting list.

CREATIVE WRITING 2

The original group handed on to John Barber from Jill last year and requiring additional members will meet at 10.30am in Hazel Court Exercise Room on Tuesday 13 October at the very start of this years session.

CREATIVE WRITING 1
New last year requires additional members. This group is run by Jill Govier. They also meet in the Exercise Room at Hazel Court but on the 4th Monday of the month at 10am


POLITICS and CITIZENSHIP
Will also be held on Tuesday 13 October at 2pm in the West Cross Community Centre. The topic Censorship will be introduced for discussion by one of the new joint convenors, Marian Howells.



DIGITAL MEDIA
It has been decided to run this group every other Friday Morning in the Dry Craft Room at Hazel Court in the absence of tutor Anthony Hughes. The next meeting will be this 10.15am this Friday 16 October. 
This will be a really good test case for running a group on a mutual help basis. This group runs in parallel with Tai Chi which was seen as a conflict whilst Digital Media was taught at a particular time, but could also act as an attraction if the Digital Media Group was to run more fully in the 10am-1pm slot (or perhaps 9 - 1pm) granted by Hazel Court, allowing people to attend both groups.

The scope could easily be expanded to provide help with MS Word and MS Excel spreadsheet, neither of which would need Internet access. Maybe we could show the capability of photo handler Picasa a free download from the Google stable which esentially needs Internet. It provides all I need except modification of the original digital photo to make it ready for high quality professional enlargement printing.


Although I have had hands on involvement in digital computers since the mid sixties when applications needing speed were still programmed in Machine Code, ie binary just 0's and 1's. I retired with little knowledge which was relevant to a Personal Computer programmed to be accessible to the general public. Everything I have since learned about PCs has been self taught on a suck it and see basis. When however I invited a few people to my house last year for help in getting started with the Internet I was amazed at how easily I could help them get off the ground. There must be a scores of U3A members who are similarly diffident about their ability to teach their way of using PCs to others, who if they tried would find they can give considerable help to beginners.



CHESS for FUN
Another group formed last year which needs additional members. They will meet in the Exercise Room at 10am Monday 19 October.


READING LITERATURE
They will meet at 2pm on Tuesday 20 October to read the third and final act of 'The Dolls House' by Ibsen. A group recovering from probable collapse last year, now re-vitalised by Lawmary Champion who encourages all to participate. They too would welcome more members.



TAI CHI
A very popular group formed last year which after assessing demand on Open Day will consider running three sessions (instead of the current two) every Friday morning in the Exercise Room at Hazel Court, reserving one for beginners. Of the two current classes the one starting at 11am has more space for new members.


CALLING U3A MEN
Both the JIVE group every Wednesday at 10.30 in the Monkey Cafe, and SINGING for PLEASURE at 2pm every Friday at the West Cross Community Centre require above all more MEN. Now's your chance fellows!!


MUSIC 
Being my eclectic self last week I heard two totally different styles of singing, the first being at Jazzlands in the Uplands where Chris McNulty and her brilliant guitarist husband Paul Bollenbach, from New York played last Wednesday with the backing of the Dave Cottle Trio. I have never heard anyone even remotely like Chris who for long periods sang very very slowly with every word drawn out to a prolonged whisper, so quietly you could hear a pin drop, but almost never did because a capacity crowd was enraptured. Audiences in Jazzlands are always attentive to the music - but this was exceptional devotion. The only criticism was that their music was too much of a muchness - but Joan and I simply loved it - apart from her gimmick of changes of tempo and volume within the same tune to show she could also belt out jazz-rock. 


On Friday the Welsh National Opera gave a superb performance in their new production with Scottish Opera and Gran Teatre del Liceu, of La Traviata at The Grand. The music was so familiar - but so fresh. Greek soprano Myrto Papatanasiu was also quite exceptional and tenor Alfie Boe and baritone Dario Solari were not far behind.

NEW U3A YEAR

ITALIAN
The first class of the year will take place in the Dry Half of the Craft Room at Hazel Court on Monday 5 October starting at 10am. They meet every Monday morning. This group started less than a year ago under the instruction of Carolina Rosati-Jones who used to take part-time classes at DACE Swansea University. Last year the group spanned a wide range of prior knowledge from total beginners up to O level (many of whom, like me, had forgotten almost everything).

Potential new members, whether beginners or more advanced, as well as past members should just turn up at Hazel Court. You will be welcomed.



CHESS for FUN
The first meeting of this group will be on Monday 5 October in the Exercise Room of Hazel Court from 10am. The very pleasant Exercise Room is on the ground floor (turn right, left, right, - from just before the Reception Desk). Chess sets are provided. As last year Ken Huntley will attend to provide tuition and/or play as required. Last years group ranged from absolute beginners to elementary, though Ken plays in a league team.


During our recent long travels in Bali we were pleasantly surprised to see chess being played everywhere in the interior by Balinese, often sitting on the veranda outside their home in the warm evening. We remember too a coffee shop in Mexico where there was an equal division between those who went to read the newspapers provided and those who played chess with the sets provided. It sometimes seems we have forgotten the simple pastimes.


Anyway Joan and I are hoping to welcome a good turnout on Monday. If you are at all interested just turn up at Hazel Court and try out the group. Chess meets the 1st and 3rd Monday mornings of the month.


POLITICS and CITIZENSHIP
Margaret Hammond's last day in the chair was memorable and there was a full turnout of group members, seated as an audience at a lecture rather than as round table discussion. 


It is one of a several topics I intended to cover last week - but forgot.The delay means I am now talking about a candidate for First Minister of the Welsh Assembly, so I had better stop writing from the hip, and be serious about Edwina Hart.


She came for 40 mins but talked and discussed for well over an hour. I think I speak for virtually the whole audience in being impressed by her grasp of her brief as Minister for Health, the well thought out, clearly explained, vision behind her proposals for reorganisation: fewer, bigger, top class hospitals without competition between units thus improving specialist provision and reducing management overheads; more devolution to local services run by GPs and nurses, less form filling bureaucracy, including elimination of the need for repeated collection of the same personal data from patients that annoys us all, thus releasing more time for staff to practise their special skills.


I was pleasantly surprised how little parochial emphasis she put on local facilities even though AM for Gower, though she did speak of plans for the major development of Morriston and Garngogh hospitals, designed to deepen and widen provision in complementary ways. Overall she was an excellent antidote to the widespread cynicism about politicians.  



I asked for estimates of the percentage savings from reduced bureaucracy, yes 20 authorities would be reduced to 7: and she gave an example where one finance director would do the job of seven, but no, the other six would be re-employed rather than made redundant. Time will tell if it's an over-optimistic cosy socialist vision - but as a socialist myself I hope not.

Reading the papers that evening I read of the £10 billion bid by Kraft for Cadbury and mused, as is my want, that surely Kraft had done their sums, including estimates of the reduction in locations and staff and the cost benefit of reduced competition. They may not make their sums public but for sure they had estimated in monetary terms what the merger (reorganisation) would cost and what it would do for the bottom line. Vital considerations for the NHS too especially given the current economic climate.



NEXT SUNDAY LUNCHEON
Ramada Hotel, Phoenix Way, Enterprise Park on 18 October 12.30 for 1pm. 2 courses £8.95, 3 courses £10.95. Book by contacting Barbara Brimfield 201274 or Margaret Winter 771725.


TAI CHI
Mike's even teaching us how to breath slowly and deeply. How basic can you get!! But it makes you feel more in control.

Convenor Sue Hutson  jkhutson@tiscali.co.uk gave details of websites relating to our routines
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iY-e2Dqp-ZU 

www.taichiwales.com
www.chinese-massage-wales.co.uk
www.chenghsin.org.uk

I hope they are correct. Please send links you want included by email then I can copy and paste and blame you for typing errors!


JIVE 
This group continues to attract new members there were about 20 in all last at The Monkey Cafe last Wednesday and there is still space for a few more. 
One of the notable features of this group is the regular attendance of a group of men, of whom I am one - well done to us!! We hope to find a few more like souls from this years intake of new members. It's a very friendly happy group and an ideal starting point for  those wanting physical activity.


Last week the Guardian carried an article saying dancing which involved memorising complex dance steps and sequences was an extremely effective way to combat mental weakness. Anybody who dances with me knows I'm inclined to ad-lib, what they don't know is that it is a sign of dementia - I just can't remember what comes next. I'm doing something about it. Are You?


MOTO
Talking to a few members of Jive last Wednesday they stressed that it was a group for those without partners.

Demand as I said is such that there is already a waiting list, but members should continue to register your interest for we will always try to satisfy demand. Gerwyn is hopeful of finding convenors to organise related groupings.
He also sent in the following

HOW TO CALL THE POLICE

WHEN YOU'RE OLD

AND DON'T MOVE FAST ANYMORE.

George Phillips , an elderly man, from Meridian, Mississippi, was going up to bed, when his wife told him that he'd left the light on in the garden shed, which she could see from the bedroom window. George opened the back door to go turn off the light, but saw that there were people in the shed stealing things. 

He phoned the police, who asked "Is someone in your house?" 

He said "No," but some people are breaking into my garden shed and stealing from me. 

Then the police dispatcher said "All patrols are busy. You should lock your doors and an officer will be along when one is available." 

George said, "Okay." 

He hung up the phone and counted to 30. 

Then he phoned the police again..

"Hello, I just called you a few seconds ago because there were people stealing things from my shed. Well, you don't have to worry about them now because I just shot them." and he hung up.

Within five minutes, six Police Cars, a SWAT Team, a Helicopter, two Fire Trucks, a Paramedic, and an Ambulance showed up at the Phillips' residence, and caught the burglars red-handed. 

One of the Policemen said to George, "I thought you said that you'd shot them!" 

George said, "I thought you said there was nobody available!"

(True Story) I LOVE IT!

Don't mess with old people

 
FRENCH
The first class of the new academic year was held successfully yesterday (Thursday 1 October) with 8 members present. It was conducted by Beryl Edney who concentrated on getting us to converse in French and the class was largely conducted in French, although given her skill as a ex-teacher I think the whole of a mixed ability class went home happy. They will be held every Thursday morning in Hazel Court starting at 10am. New members welcome.

Just received from my Spanish teacher on one of the topics raised Thursday to my chagrin.  Unfortunately the cartoon seems to self self destruct a short after pasting so here is the text of la blague - hey, that word's a bit too close to blog for my liking

CE QUE LA FEMME DIT
Va au magasin, puis tu dois etendre le linge, lave la voiture. va chercher les enfants a l'ecole, loue des videos et repose l'antenne sur la toit

CE QUE LE MARI ENTEND
Va..................t'...............etendre.........et repose.............toi

Gilly Jordan gillyjordan@talktalk.net
Thanks to Gilly who agreed to take over as convenor of this group. She will replace Jan Phillips at both the Convenors meeting on 7 October at 10am in The Castle Room in Fulton House Swansea University and at the U3A Open Day in the Dolphin on 14 October at 10am till 3.30pm.  



DIGITAL MEDIA for FUN
As reported earlier whilst Tutor Anthony Hughes is away on work in the Maldives - some would call it holiday - the group intend to keep going as a self help group sharing skills until he returns. The first meeting of the new U3A year was held this morning (Friday 2 October) and was decided to continue with the emphasis on digital photography using Photoshop Elements software and some have know-how with Picasa, the free photo handler from the Google stable.

Meetings will be on alternate Fridays, 16 October, 30 October, 13 November, 27 November and 11 December. Although the group has been planned to start at 10am it would be OK to attend after the first Tai Chi session which ends at 10.30. The room bookings at Hazel Court are for a full half day until 1.30.


New members are very welcome but they must bring a laptop computer, and assuming interest in photography a digital camera.


An Epson scanner is available for those interested in digitising existing documents/photos, 35mm slides or 35mm transparencies.


Although Internet is not available in Hazel Court without hiring a much more expensive room there would be no problem about sharing knowledge amongst the group on say Microsoft Office including Word, Excel spreadsheet (whose uses far surpass numeric accounting work, many use it as a Poor Man's Database with selected sorting facilities etc).



SHORT MAT BOWLS
Angela Ball the new convenor of Group 1 writes to tell me she has 4 vacancies for new or experienced short-mat bowlers with coaching by Dilys Jones. Flat shoes without heel. Further details from her on 412701 or angela.ball2@ntlworld.com 

They meet at West Cross Community Centre every Monday 1.30 to 3.30. Only £1 including refreshments.


Good news also about the previous convenor Bryn Bulpitt who is recovering well from his heart operation and intends to play again soon.



GEOLOGY 
Next trip Monday 19 October at 10.30 to Llandeilo-Llangadog area led by Dr Robert Owens, not too much walking. Picnic lunch. Further details from Yvonne Thomas 01554 832337, the group's secretary.


Meet OS sheet 159 SN 6190 2308


ART APPRECIATION
The first meeting with Constance Hill lecturing went well on Thursday with an audience of around 50. From now on the meetings with Constance are to be held in the Dolphin Hotel.
Mo announced details of the proposed study trip to Holland next April organised by Jean Goodeve of Pembroke U3A. 
 

U3A STUDY HOLIDAY
ART GALLERIES & MUSEUMS of HOLLAND
This holiday is being organised by Jean Goodeve, last year's U3A president from Pembroke U3A. She is inviting our members to join as several did for an earlier trip to Paris.
The dates are Sunday 18 April 2010 to Monday 26 April 2010 by coach pickups and returns at pre-agreed points along A40/A48/M4 corridor in South Wales. It includes a cruise on the MS Arlene from Delft 18/04/10 to Amsterdam 22/04/10. 

Complete Trip Prices, including accommodation and Dinner Bed & Breakfast but not Museum Entrance fees, are £699(double) to £883(single) on the lower deck, and £729/£913 on upper deck.

For further information and booking forms please contact
Jean Goodeve jggoodeve@tiscali.co.uk 
or Margaret Winter771725 or winter728@btinternet.com

or Mo Ellard 363465 or mo.ellard@btopenworld.com


Bookings with a deposit of £150 is required by 31 October 2009 - so hurry. It goes to Phoenix Travel, the balance is payable 8 weeks before travelling. 

SAMARITANS - OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
Judith Gilbody wrote in asking for for anyone interested in volunteering to help, or to donate a box, to contact her either by phone 01792 204492 or by email on judith.gilbody@ntlworld.com 

She writes

I have been a member of the U3A for a number of years and am also heavily involved in the above charity.  It is the world’s largest children's Christmas project and  aims to provide a shoebox of gifts for as many children as possible who are suffering through war, poverty, natural disaster and disease from Africa to Kosovo.  Last year was the first in which Swansea was the site of a warehouse that served the whole of West Wales and 10,000 shoe-boxes were sent.  It is very heart warming to witness so much evidence of charitable giving, both from the donators of the boxes, and the team of people who gave of their time in our warehouse.  Do you think this would be something that Swansea U3A members would be interested in?  We would welcome anyone who would like to get involved, the warehouse will be open from the first week in November, to the first week in December. My telephone number if 01792 204492 or we have a national website
www.samaritans-purse.org.uk  if you would like more information.