Our last session, led by Christine and Dave Vincent was enjoyed by all, our thanks to them for a fun morning.
Our next session on the 15th August will be our own personal “Golden Oldies” choice!
Hope you enjoy them! And remember,
Keeeeeep Singing 🎶🎵!!!
In July we did something a little different and it was our shortest walk to date- 1.5 miles.
It was in fact a ‘walk and talk’ based on the heritage of Wellow village. We met in the Wellow Church Schoolroom .This was built in 1854 in response to Queen Victoria’s Education Act of 1842. It now houses the village heritage centre.
Before the walk Denis a heritage consultant gave a short talk and slideshow about the village which set the scene for the walk.
Our walk guide, Heather, together with Denis led us around the various points of interest and historic buildings including her own home Cuckstool Cottage. At one time there were 11 farms and 5 pubs and 6 shops and was known as the thirsty village.
A centrepiece in Wellow is the magnificent maypole dating from 1835. The current pole is 20m high and was erected in 2011.Maypole Day with dancing is celebrated on Spring Bank Holiday Monday.
After the village tour we returned to the schoolhouse for part 2 of the talk about things we had just seen. In traditional u3a fashion we ended with tea and biscuits.
Before leaving we thanked Heather and Denis who is secretary to the Wellow Heritage & Tourism Group for their time and expertise. This visit is free and is suitable for other of our Interest Groups (e.g. History, GOD.Grumpies). If you are interested contact me for details. David Rose
Our next walk is on Thursday September 21st – no walk in August
We were pleased to welcome a guest speaker, Mr Ian Allen, at our July 15th meeting.
Ian is a local wildlife enthusiast who contributes to the county and national surveys on sighting, frequency and the identification of dragonflies and damselflies in our local wetlands.
He explained with the help of some wonderful photographs that:
Damselflies are delicate insects, with eyes on each side of their rectangular head. They have a fluttering flight, with the front and back pairs of wings equal size. When the damselfly is resting, the wings are usually held closed.
Dragonflies are larger and more robust, with eyes that meet in the middle of their spherical head. Their front wings are narrower than their hind wings and when resting both pairs are held wide open
Female emperor dragonfly
They are to be found in all wetland areas throughout the summer months.
Ian was thanked for his presentation and was able to answer questions from members.
No meeting in August but we meet again on Friday September 15th in the main hall of the John Godber Centre. Enjoy the break and there will be more details before the next meeting.
David Rose
Hi there folks, it’s been really good to be back at July’s committee meeting, monthly meeting, social sub committee meeting and my various groups. I can’t tell you how much I have missed all of the u3a activities over the past three months.
My knee is well on the way to recovery, just need to keep up the physio, 12 exercises, 3 times a day. The right eye, is a wait and see (pun)
As I write these thoughts, it seems that the St Swithin’s saying I mentioned last month has become a reality, so much rain in July, after June’s gorgeous sunshine. Here’s hoping August is kinder to us with plenty of sunshine. Mind, it has been nice not having to water the tomatoes and flower containers.
Looking forward to our September social gathering, the SSC have organised a great nights entertainment with pop group ‘Rocks and Frocks’ specialising in 60’s music, so get your 60’s gear out and see if it still fits. Tickets on sale next meeting, only £8, bring your own food and dancing shoes.
Trust if you have already had a good holiday(s) you are well rested and recharged, or if looking forward to one, hope the current European hot weather and fires does not affect any of you.
After a few requests, we are once again reserving a few seats on the front row for those with a hearing problem.
Look forward to seeing you all at August’s monthly meeting, please try and remember to wear your name badges so that all know who you are, and of course don’t forget to sign out if you leave early.
Melvyn Francis, Chair
On Thursday 20th July, 14 of the Not So Grumpy Old Men met up at Ramsdale Golf Club to try their hand at the renowned Pirate Crazy Golf.
With names out of a hat, we split into two teams of 4 and two teams of 3. Issued with our putter, ball and score sheets, we set off to see if any of us would be spotted for the Masters Championship.
The course consisted of 18 holes of varying complexity and with our basic lack of ability, soon proved to be harder than expected.
The rules stated no more than 7 shots per hole were allowed, which was in honesty a Godsend for quite a few of us.
Having said that two grumpies managed to score three holes in one and one team actually scored three holes in one on the same hole, one after the other, such skill!
After negotiating, hills, dips, hollows, ramps, rough, alligators, water features (several plonks), cannons etc., totting up the scores, which varied from 44 (excellent and below par) to 80 (all promised not to tell his wife). Congrats to Bob Payne for winning, and scoring 3 holes in one. Bob becoming NSGOM Crazy Golf champion 2023.
The other 3 holes in one, were our chairman, who was almost sent off for trying to use his crutch instead of the provided club!
Off to the club house (the 19th hole) for a well earned pint and a wonderful Pie, Peas, Chips and Gravy lunch.
Many thanks to Paul Haig for organising the activity