Towcester u3a

Gardens Visits
2019-10-09
Wed 9th Oct Seizincote Gardens Batsford Arboretum £23 Pay by 28th Aug

Beginners Badminton - First Session
2019-10-07 12:00 - 13:00 (Europe/London) | Towcester Centre for Leisure, Springfields, Towcester, NN12 6UW
Beginners Badminton starts on 7th October 2019 at Towcester Sports Centre
Interest allowing it will run every Monday at 12 noon to 1pm after the existing badminton session. Gentle coaching will be provided
Contact Gillian at geebee8@talktailk.net for more information.

Monthly Meeting
2019-09-25 14:00 - 16:00 | Towcestrians Rugby Club, Greens Norton Road, Towcester, NN12 8AW
Barry Watson “The Agony and Ecstasy of a Canal Hotel Boater”
Barry‘s talk is themed around the country’s wonderful canals and inland waterways. He has an endless supply of anecdotes, industry facts and historical information stemming from his career as a boat owner, hotel boater, canal manager and canal boat broker. He has featured on numerous television and radio broadcasts. He combines this with his musical expertise gained from fronting groups and performing solo. He involves the audience from the beginning. His talks usually end with a poem and a song.

Gardens Visits
2019-09-11
Wed 11th Sept Lavenham Guildhall and Ickworth Rotunda, Bury St Edmunds NT £12 Pay by 31

Theatre Trips
2019-09-04 14:30 - 17:00
Wed 4th Sept ‘The Entertainer’2.30 pm £25 pay by 25th July

For any newer members to Towcester u3a, the Theatre Group is easily accessible. Find the list of shows on offer, look either below, or in the monthly bulletin, choose what you would like to see and then add your name to the list by either phoning, emailing, or speaking to me at the monthly meetings. Then either send your money to me by the pay-by date, or tell me if you are no longer interested in the tickets. We all make our way to Milton Keynes theatre independently, but all sit together, usually in the circle. Parking is plentiful near to the theatre, but buses from some villages get even closer! Quite a few people make a day of it, either shopping or lunching before the show. I try to book shows for all tastes, but it has to be said that musicals and ballets are by far the most popular. Part of the ethos of u3a is to try new things so is it worth trying a different genre?

Monthly Meeting
2019-08-28 14:00 - 16:00 | Towcestrians Rugby Club, Greens Norton Rd,, Towcester, NN12 8AW
Today’s speaker is Jeremy Rivers-Fletcher talking about “Early Post -World War 2 Motor Racing
Following the demise of motor racing during the Second World War years there were enthusiastic individuals, at a very much grass roots level who championed the cause for a revival of the motor sport immediately following the hostilities. Jeremy is part of the Rivers-Fletcher family. His father Alec Rivers-Fletcher made it his job to tour the country giving talks and film shows to all motor clubs. This was in the days when there was no television coverage of the sport. Jeremy’s highly amusing account includes some unique coverage of the early racing stars.

Highclere Castle Visit - Thursday 22 August
2019-08-22
There is a coach trip being organised to Highclere Castle. The ticket price is £31 and includes the coach, entrance to the house, gardens and exhibition.
Please reserve your seat by contacting Jeannie either at a monthly meeting, facebook, or email (jeanettewaite@btinternet.com) with your name, email address (if not emailing) telephone number, and an “in emergency” contact and phone number (known as ICE).
Confirmation of your space will be emailed to you.
Payment details including when to pay will be sent to you.

Gardens Visits
2019-08-14
Wed 14th Aug Kentwell House and Gardens £23.30 Pay by 26th June

Monthly Meeting
2019-07-31 14:00 - 16:00 | Towcestrians Rugby Club, Greens Norton Rd,, Towcester, NN12 8AW
This months speaker is Geoff Lambert “My Dog’s Nose Knows”.

‘Medical Detection Dogs’ use the amazing power of the dog’s nose to detect human disease. They are at the forefront of the research into
the fight against cancer and helping people with life threatening diseases.
The Medical Alert Assistance Dogs support individuals with complex health conditions who have limited awareness of an impending life
threatening medical event. Assistance dogs are trained to detect minute changes in individual’s personal odour triggered by their
disease and alert them to impending medical events.
Geoff will talk about how the organisation train and use dogs to alert people to control their health conditions and how they are used in the early detection of cancer.
He hopes to bring along a dog to interact with the audience but not to detect illness!

Garden Visits - Boswood
2019-07-09
Boswood House, Calne Wiltshire £27.25 Pay by 19th June
If interested in the above please see Carole at the monthly meeting or call 01327 352364

Science for all
2019-07-04
‘The Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve at Church Stowe’
See group leader for timings etc.

New Members Meeting followed by Scam Awareness Presentation
2019-07-02 10:30 - 13:00 | Sawpits Centre, Richmond Rd, Towcester, Northants, NN12 6EX, United Kingdom
If you’re a new member, or are an existing member considering joining other groups then this meeting is for you.
Many of our coordinators attend and if your group is not represented then any member of the committee will be able to help.
Held at the Sawpits Centre in Richmond Road, Towcester it starts at 10:30am and finishes around midday/lunchtime depending on the numbers attending. So don’t arrive late as we maybe in the middle of packing away 🙂

The Scam Awareness presentation is an overview of the type of scams to be aware of as well as the approach to take to avoid them. This is scheduled to start at 11:30am but start time maybe delayed slightly if the new members meeting is busy.

Towcester Museum Quiz
2019-06-29 18:30 - 22:30 | Towcester Town Hall, 6 Watling St,, Towcester, NN12 6BS
Towcester Museum’s Quiz Night being held in the Town Hall next Saturday 29th June. Doors open at 6.30 for 7 pm start. Licenced bar, snacks and raffle. Great prizes for the winning tam ( team max 6 people). £5 per ticket available from museum. Should be a fun evening.

Northants u3a Network Visit to Lamport Hall
2019-06-28 12:45 - 17:00
Northampton u3a Network have arranged a private visit to Lamport Hall.
We will be visiting the Church and Museum, the gardens and the house – not necessarily in that order as we have 150 places and assuming we will get that number, we will divide in groups of 50. The visit to the house includes a cream tea. The visit will last around three hours. There are people to show us around the church and museum, but you are free to wander around the gardens.
Booking is through this email address. u3anorthantsnetwork@hotmail.com
Cost £13 including a cream tea.
12:45start. Finish time estimated

Theatre Trip ‘Fame the Musical’ 2.30 pm
2019-06-26 14:30 - 17:00
Contact Marion Wilson

Money should be sent to Marion Wilson with an sae by the pay by date.
Cheques made payable to Marion Wilson please. Please note the new address 41a High Street, Roade, Northampton, NN7 2NW
Phone 01604 864254

Monthly Meeting
2019-06-26 14:00 - 16:00 | Towcestrians Rugby Club, Greens Norton Rd,, Towcester, NN12 8AW
At this meeting the speaker is glass artist Derek Hunt. Derek is a renowned British
Glass Artist. He designs glass artwork for public spaces including libraries, schools, hospitals, theatres
and churches.

Monthly Meeting
2019-06-21 14:00 - 16:00 | Towcestrians Rugby Club, Greens Norton Rd,, Towcester, NN12 8AW
“The Hands of a Genius”by Graham Short
Graham lives in Birmingham and left school with no qualifications before beginning an apprenticeship in engraving.He discovered he had a special talent for this and he is now a world-famous micro-artist.His work, which is invisible to the naked eye, is much in demand and sells in galleries around the world.He is the man who engraved the Lord’s Prayer on the head of a pin, ‘Nothing Is Impossible’ along the sharp edge of a Wilkinson razor blade and a portrait of writer Jane Austen on the transparent section of four polymer banknotes which were then put into circulation. This venture was reported by the media in fifty-eight countries around the world.How does he do this? His presentation will reveal his methods and will be both instructive and entertaining.

Highclere Castle Visit - Thursday 22 August
2019-06-21 00:00
There is a coach trip to this popular location. Contact Jeannie Waite for details and to reserve a seat details here:
Contact

Theatre group
2019-05-23 14:30 - 17:00
Les Miserables 2:30pm

Theatre group
2019-05-23 | MK theatre, 500 Marlborough Gate, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK9 3NZ, United Kingdom
LES MISERABLES
Thursday 23rd May 2.30pm £41.50 Pay by Dec 1st

Computer Group
2019-05-15 14:00 - 16:00 | Sawpits Centre, Richmond Rd, Towcester, Northants, NN12 6EX, United Kingdom
After the first successful meeting the second has been agreed for the 15th May at the Sawpits Centre. For more contact publicity@towcesteru3a.co.uk

Running Towcester u3a Meeting
2019-05-07 12:00 - 13:00 | Sawpits Centre, Richmond Rd, Towcester, Northants, NN12 6EX, United Kingdom
Have you wondered how you could be involved in helping run Towcester u3a? We continue to grow with new members and with the development of new interest groups. This is thanks to the commitment of the Group Co-ordinators and the u3a Committee.

Maybe you would just like to put a face to the names you see on the Annual Report.

Perhaps your ideas, skills and experience could help continue the growth of the organisation. Why not come and find out what committee members do and see if you would like to get more involved?

You’re very welcome to come and meet your committee over a cup of tea or coffee on Tuesday 7 May 2019 between 12.00 and 1.00 o’clock at the The Sawpits Centre (Old Library) Towcester. By attending there’s no expectation that you wish to be more involved. Can’t make it just speak to one of the committee at the monthly meeting or email.

carterjenny81@gmail.com

01327 857753

Or

christineburberry@gmail.com

01327 352289

Theatre group
2019-05-02 14:30 - 17:00
Victoria 2:30pm

Theatre group
2019-05-02 | MK theatre, 500 Marlborough Gate, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK9 3NZ, United Kingdom
VICTORIA (Northern Ballet)
Thursday 2nd May 2.30pm £17 Pay by November 23rd

Monthly Meeting
2019-04-24 14:00 - 16:30 | Towcestrians Rugby Club, Greens Norton Rd,, Towcester, NN12 8AW
Wednesday April 24th
Gordon Rogers ‘Winston Churchill’s Toyshop’

Aniseed balls, condoms and a washing up bowl might seem harmless enough but they all played a key role in bringing about victory during the Second World War.
These everyday items formed the basis for the limpet mine which was invented at a top secret laboratory – Military Defence 1.
Winston bypassed red tape to set up MD1, nicknamed Churchill’s Toyshop and recruited some of Britain’s top scientists to come up with super weapons that would give our troops the edge in battle.
The workshop was originally in Portland Place, London but when the premises were bombed they moved out to Whitchurch in Buckinghamshire.
The department was under Churchill’s direct control via Lord Cherwell. Over 50 weapons were invented which went into service.
Gordon has carried out extensive research on this topic at the Nuffield Library in Oxford, reading papers which passed between Churchill and Cherwell.

New Computer Group
2019-04-17 14:00 - 16:30 | Sawpits Centre, Richmond Rd, Towcester, Northants, NN12 6EX, United Kingdom
The new Computer Group has been well received and the first meeting has been arranged for APRIL 17th at the Sawpits Centre starting at 2pm. (The old library in Richmond Road) thereafter on the third Wednesday of the month.
Bring your dusty tablets, smartphones and laptops and make them sing! Or just bring yourself and share someone else’s.Got a knotty problem? There might be someone who can point you in the right direction.Please bring at least £2 to cover room hire. Jenny will bring tea/coffee and biscuits!Look forward to seeing everyone.

Theatre group
2019-04-11 14:30 - 17:00
Joseph and his Amazing Technicoloured Dreamcoat

Coach trip to Lincoln April 4th 2019
2019-04-04 09:00 - 18:00
Coach Trip to Lincoln Thursday April 4th.
Departing from Northampton Road Towcester at 9am (near the Forum). Leaving Lincoln at 4pm.
This is a do it yourself day, nothing planned but hopefully we will be dropped off at the Cathedral Quarter. We are told it’s very steep around there so if you struggle with hills this may not be the trip for you.
The cost will be £12 per passenger. Cheques made payble to Towcester u3a along with passenger names, email address, phone number, membership number and ICE (in case of emergency contact number) to Jeannie Waite please. If you are unable to get to the monthly meeting they can be posted to 12 Hawthorn Drive, Towcester NN12 7AE.
Check out www.visitlincoln.com for lots of information.
NOTE: TIMINGS GIVEN AS PLANNING STARTS PLEASE CONFIRM WITH JEANNIE THE ORGANISER ABOUT THESE AND COLLECTION POINTS TO BE SURE.

Chocolates for Easter
2019-03-29 08:00 - 17:00 | Members Homes
Aim: To make small solid and medium hollow Easter eggs and other Easter themed chocolates
Chocolate will be melted and then ‘tempered’ before putting into silicone moulds.
There is also the option of making small filled truffle eggs or chocolates.
Two sessions each of 2 hours with a maximum of 5 participants at each session – potentially Friday 29th March or Tuesday 9th April (the session will be about 2 hours but dates and timings to be arranged and confirmed with participants hence the event is shown as all day at the moment)
Sessions are free and only available to Towcester u3a members
Location: Pattishall- member’s home
Contact: Amanda Campbell on 07525468495 or amandajcampbell15@gmail.com
Participants to bring:

Minimum of 300g of chocolate

Chocolate can be milk, dark or white
Bring as many as you wish
Chocolate should be one you like the taste of eg Lindt/Cadburys/Galaxy/milky bar/tesco own / Lidl rich milk etc but NOT cooking chocolate

A sheet of greaseproof paper or baking paper
Container to take chocolates home
Optional truffle filling – 100ml double cream

Monthly Meeting
2019-03-27 14:00 - 16:30
Wednesday March 27th
David Skillern ‘The Bentley Boys – The Playboy Racers’

In 1919 Walter Owen Bentley built his first motor car. It was the beginning of one of the most charismatic marques in motor racing. But equally fascinating are the men-about-town who drove these magnificent cars: Woolf Barnato, Tim Birkin, Glenn Kidston, Dudley Benjafield and others. Their exploits, on and off the track, led to their name “The Bentley Boys”. They summed up the devil may care attitude of the Roaring Twenties. In this talk David will look at how the Bentley Boys came to dominate racing, especially Le Mans – illustrated with photographs of the men and their wonderful machines.
