Group Leader

Pam Howard 01993 844631

A varied programme of trips is arranged by Pam to such places as Theatres, Shows, National Trust properties and much more.

Proposed Outings for 2012

The outings will only go ahead if there are 35 members or more.

If paying by cheque please make payable to U3A No 2 Account.

I need to know names for Slimbridge today.

Outings 2011. Will only run if we have a minimum of 30 people. Please make sure you have your name on the list NOW!

Outings 2011

Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway - a magical place in the New Forest National Park

We made an early morning start for this outing in damp conditions with heavy rain forecast.

We arrived at the Gardens in good time and most people went straight to the café for refreshments; and then visited for a delicious lunch later in the day.

We then went our separate ways.  Deciding not to be downcast about the weather everyone was determined to make the most of the day.  I know there was an awful lot of chatter and laughter – I was approximately half a mile away from anyone else when I heard this laughter behind me, turning I could see and hear several people from the party enjoying themselves.

A number of us took a 20 minute train ride around parts of the gardens which otherwise would not have been seen.

There were six buggies which toured round the gardens and this was a bonus with the weather conditions as they were; however I do know that after the buggy ride most people did walk around the gardens.

The Gardens are a spectacular 200 acre (100 hectare) site, world-famous for the Rothschild Collection of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and rare trees and shrubs. This earthly paradise offers a riot of colour in spring, an oasis of tranquillity in summer followed by a splendid show as the leaves change in the autumn. The colours were simply glorious and the woods were carpeted with bright bluebells.

Thanks to you all for making the most of the wet weather at the amazing gardens.

Pam Howard

Black Country Living Museum – 25^th April

The day started badly as we walked up the road with the wind and rain blowing into our faces. As we turned the corner spirits were raised by the sight of the coach already waiting so that we could sit in the dry while waiting to leave. We set off and after a journey of about 1¾ hours arrived at our destination where our youthful tour organiser, Pam, alighted and went in to pay for our entrance and get a site map for everybody.

First port of call for us all was the café which also offered facilities for a comfort break. Following this we all went our separate ways to spend time viewing as much of this twenty six acre site as we felt able to cover.

There was the exhibition hall next to the entrance which provided a good introduction to the area covered by the museum along with some historical background. The entrance to this hall listed the many people and products that had come from this area and were now household names.

On leaving the warmth of this area it was clear that the rain had eased a little but we took a short walk round to the Bradburn and Wedge Motor Company building to view the vehicles, cars and motorcycles from bygone times when each had their own character, that were on display. While in this area we met the man who maintained all the vehicles in running order and who proved to be a total enthusiast. He knew every date and detail about each of the vehicles and was more than happy to share this with all who cared to listen. Eventually we bid him farewell and thanked him for his time.

Outside the weather was overcast but dry as we walked past the coal mine and the Newcomen steam engine house which seemed to be having some work done to it. We carried on past the fairground with its merry melodies floating across the site but with little evidence of anyone taking advantage of the rides on offer. On rounding a corner we found ourselves on Old Birmingham Road with its parade of shops including Hobbs’ and Sons Fish & Chip Shop with an unmistakable smell emanating from it. Now at this point dear reader I must confess to being like a fish in a net in such circumstances and find it impossible to resist making a purchase. I joined the queue, which moved quickly, and soon had a portion of fish & chips in its conical plain paper wrapping rather than traditional newspaper in my hand. Once suitably coated with salt and vinegar they tasted every bit as good as they smelt. The only downside was that the meal disappeared too quickly!

Further along was H.Morrall’s gentleman’s outfitter where a group were trying on various hats prior to making several purchases. The slight incongruity of this situation was that it was a group of women buying hats for themselves proving that equality can be stretched back into the past.

As there were so many shops and houses to visit it was necessary to restrict the numbers seen or rush around as many as possible without fully appreciating what was contained within each of them. The local school, St James, was in session with a teacher in full flight teaching his well behaved class, who could all see the whippy cane in his hand, their alphabet in reverse! One display cabinet housed various educational ephemera including porcelain inkwells together with the associated can for filling them. Many happy memories came flooding back to me of my days as inkwell monitor and the ‘games’ we got up to. These always seemed to include blotting paper, rulers, girls and pigtails!

A quick tour along Canal and Cobble Stone Streets followed with a few moments spent watching nail making, a look in at the brass foundry and the Limelight Theatre where time sadly forbade us from watching a show. However as we turned to make our way back the baker’s shop, which earlier had been occupied by a school party, had now emptied and so the tempting slabs of bread pudding which had been spotted in the window when we first walk by could now be purchased ready for the homeward journey. I can assure you that this very (too?), generous portion tasted every bit as good as it looked and was just as Mum used to make.

With all the slow, stop start walking and uneven surfaces so typical of the times, the sight of a coach by the Albion Tram Depot was very welcome and so we took the opportunity to ride back to the entrance which left us time for a final cup of tea in the café before getting on to our coach and setting off home with so many very good memories of a day spent in the past. We have also promised ourselves that we must return to look more closely at the areas which we had had to skim. A marvellous day despite the weathers best efforts and thanks from all who went to Pam who as always ran a perfectly organised trip.

Editor

26 members enjoyed a comfy drive to Slimbridge in the rain. When we arrived we were greeted by their staff and all given an information map. Most made a beeline for the Canteen for a coffee and cake; by this time it had stopped raining and we were able to enjoy our visit in dry weather.

 Outside the fox proof fence lies a wild area of land managed by Slimbridge’s wardens. This huge area encompasses the grasslands to the shores of the Severn estuary and is a haven for wildlife. The reserve provides shelter and food for flocks of swans, geese and ducks in the winter and is an ideal breeding ground for waders in the summer months. Slimbridge’s reserve is a great place to see rare birds from all over the world. In the summer one can take a Land Rover safari or visit one of the hides and may see hobby, kingfishers, redshank, brown hares, dragonflies, wild otters, grass snakes and wild orchids.

 It’s also home to up to 35,000 wildfowl in the winter. The reserve covers over 325 hectares and its wetlands have international protection including a Site of Specific Scientific Interest (SSSI), a Ramsar site and a Special Protection Area.

Several members went on guided walks and most enjoyed a talk, video and a CCTV link to watch endangered species of spoon-billed sandpipers in isolation.

 Soon it was time to board our coach for our homeward journey with all agreeing that they had enjoyed the day.  Pam Howard

Visit to Bath Christmas Market 30 November 2011

 It was quite a pleasant morning when we set out for Bath, but rain was forecast for later in the day. 

Our journey to Bath was without any hold-ups and it was still dry and bright on our arrival. For 18 days, the quaint streets and square between the stunning Bath Abbey and the internationally renowned Roman Baths are transformed into a Christmas shopper’s haven – the Bath Christmas Market. In the heart of Bath’s main shopping district, more than 130 traditional wooden chalets adorn the streets; each one offering unique, handmade and unusual gifts, decorations and food items – everything needed for the perfect Christmas celebration.  Most passengers enjoyed a meal in the town and a visit to the nearby shops. We returned to the coach just as the rain started to fall and everyone was well weighed down with shopping bags.  Our journey home was straightforward and we arrived back in Carterton just before dark.

 Pam Howard

 An absolutely fabulous night of classical music was enjoyed at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday 19th November by U3A members. We left Carterton at 3.30pm and arrived at the Albert Hall in time for us to wander in to Kensington and grab a coffee or a beer before the show. The main event started at 7.30pm and we were treated to outstanding performances by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, The Royal Choral Society Choir, the Band of the Welsh Guards and supported by sopranos Stephanie Corley, Carolyn Dobbin and tenor Philip O’Brien.  The show included a spectacular series of lights, lasers and fireworks.  A wonderful selection of music, with outstanding performances of Bizet, Delibes, Mozart, Sousa, Rossini, the new Irish composer Karl Jenkins and many more, with a number of great pieces with full audience participation, such as Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance (Land of Hope and Glory), Strauss’ Radetsy March, and of course Rule Britannia, with everyone clapping, singing and waving their Union Flags. The culmination of the evening was the amazing performance of the 1812 Overture with lights, bells, fireworks, musket and canon fire.

To round up the evening an encore of the Can-Can was played, complemented by the Albert Hall dancers in full costume with their long white you know whats. Once again what a fabulous evening we all had and we would like to thank Pam Howard for the wonderful seats and all the arrangements.

Henry Howard

The visit to the Clark’s Village Outlet Centre and the Guy Fawkes Carnival at Bridgwater was a great day out for one and all.

 We left Carterton on time and despite heavy rain at times and our fears that we should all get soaked proved to be groundless.

 There were 34 of us on the trip and by the time we left the Outlet Centre to go to the Carnival some had spent their whole month’s pocket money and it was only the 4th day of the month.

 Bridgwater and the surrounding area had a lot of heavy showers during the day and indeed one road in the town needed to be shut as it looked as though the river beneath the bridge was about to sweep the bridge away.

As to the Carnival itself, well the skies cleared, there was little wind and it was reasonably warm.   The parade was spectacular.   There was over 100 floats, individual and group masquerades.   One of the judges explained to us that there were 60 judges, and they divided the route up into sections and within each section all the judges had their own individual tasks.   The judge we spoke to was judging the very large Carts (that’s what we call a float).   He looks for lots of different things.

 e.g   are all the lights working, is the action on-going, are the participants in the Tableaux keeping still, the design of the piece, the overall effect, originality, is the driver keeping the correct distance from the cart ahead and a host of other bits and bobs.  

 He marks each heading out of a score of 60 and after the parade all the judges total up the scores and prizes are awarded in each category (very large carts, large, small, single masquerades, group masquerades and so on).

 The Carnival is the first one in a series that goes around Somerset during the month of November.   Each Carnival has its own set of prizes, but after the last parade, overall winners are chosen in each category and then an overall winner for the year.

 Unfortunately due to the very sad incident on the M5 whilst the parade was in progress the Squibbing (fireworks in the street) had to be cancelled for lack of Police and Fire cover.

 All in all we had a fabulous day out and we can thoroughly recommend a further visit.  The day was tinged with sadness at the end and our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of those who lost their lives on the M5 that evening.

Henry Howard

On a bright September morning, 48 U3A members set off for a memorable trip to Buckingham Palace. We started our tour about 11:30 and enjoyed a couple of hours seeing all the splendid State Rooms.

On the final section of the tour, we could make a close examination of Kate’s wedding dress and cake,and see the tremendous amount of work that had been put into them by British craftsmen and women.

A stroll through the grounds then took us back to our pick up point …. for those that didn’t get lost on the way!

No photos were supposed to be taken inside the palace but …..

Thank you Pam for yet again organising a most successful trip.

Martin McBride

Buckingham Palace

 Our driver dropped us off just before 11.00am after a busy journey during the latter parts of the rush hour. Fortunately there was a suitable facility for those in need of a comfort break nearby. However rather than wait, several used the facilities in a local department store. However these were not just toilets, these were M&S toilets!

 A short walk around a couple of corners and we were at the entrance to Buckingham Palace where we went through the customary security checks prior to collecting our digital guides which enabled us to make our way around at our own speed. There was much to see and take in starting with the grandeur of the staterooms from floor to ceiling and everything in between! As you would expect from an organisation used to hosting grand occasions, the tour followed a clear route with numerous officials on hand to help if required.

 Apart from the Palace itself there were two main attractions to be viewed. Firstly there was the Royal Fabergé collection that consisted of so much more than just eggs from his very clever chickens! There were actually over a hundred items on display and it was easy to forget time and spend too long admiring the artistry and skill involved in producing such items. To enhance and highlight the impact of the collection they were displayed in an area of very subdued lighting, which was not to everyone’s liking.

 The second display to draw the crowds was the wedding dress worn by Kate Middleton now better known as the Duchess of Cambridge. As you approached this display there was a welcome area where you could sit and watch a film explaining the design and manufacturing considerations that went into its creation. Now I confess that I am not a great fashionista but admit that I was hooked on the revelation and explanation about the amount of research and experimenting that was involved in the making/construction of ‘just a dress’. The tour continued on to a showcase containing what I assume was a replica of the wedding cake that was just a little bigger than the average!

 Eventually we arrived at the Bow Room and then exited into the garden near to the garden café. Here you could join a queue to purchase drinks and snacks, which had all been made by Queenie herself I was unreliably told! As every sweet item came with its own small Royal Crest it came as no surprise to see so many people photographing their meal prior to consuming it.

 There was then time to walk around the edge of the garden towards the two marquees, one for comfort and then onto one with the gift shop inside. The path on to the exit wound it’s way along the forty-acre garden area that included a lake and many trees with associated wild life. All in all an excellent visit meticulously organised as always by Pam.

Roger Battley

Thank you Roger and Martin for the pictures and write ups – please come on every outing!! Pam