News

The latest news from our groups…..

Members are invited to participate in our “virtual group”. Below are the photos chosen for July. Others may be found in the newsletter.
Please email me ONE snapshot you have taken on your phone, or digital camera, sometime before a general meeting. I will compile an informal slideshow of the results and show them at the next general meeting. There are no themes, no prizes, no meetings, just a monthly picture gallery.
Select wisely, remember only ONE snapshot.
No people snaps! Not every one wants to be plastered all over the village hall screen and I would feel uncomfortable with personal data. So please stick to – animal (not human), vegetable and mineral please. Snaps will be deleted after 1 month, ready for the next gallery.
Let’s give it a go. What could possibly go wrong?
My special email “snapshot gallery” address is:
snapgallery21@gmail.com
Ian Hibbert

ODEON GROUP

I am booking for the latest Andre Rieu concert film “VIVA MAASTRICHT” on Sunday afternoon 9th August at 2.45pm, cost £18.50. Meeting in foyer of the cinema at 2.25pm.

The programme for operas and ballets is out for the Autumn/Spring and although reduced in number there are some new and old favourites showing.

Manon (ballet) Tuesday 27th October

Carmen Tuesday 10th November

The Nutcracker Tuesday 1st December

Pam Berry

My Big Fat Greek Wedding

An unlikely relationship develops between on-the-shelf Greek daughter, Toula and non-orthodox Chicago guy, Ian, much to the consternation of her huge Greek family.

In this feel-good family film, the couple overcome all difficulties, true love finds a way, and they live happily ever after.

The Greek celebrations and wedding ceremony were impressive, and the in-laws induction into the Greek way of life was funny, if overwhelming at first.

Lots of colour, lots of noise, lots of music, lots of fun.

Diane and Ian Hibbert

Armchair Film Club will be back in September after a Summer break.

Strollers

Strollers

Because of the severely hot weather, the walk at Hardwick, due to take place on Monday 22nd June was cancelled. Never before have we had to cancel a walk due to good weather, it usually happens when we are expecting heavy rain or gusty winds. Taking note of the advanced heat and health warnings we decided to give members early notice of the cancellation.

Hopefully we will manage to make the next walk on Monday 27th July, keeping an eye out for what happens on St. Swithin’s Day 15th July. This time we will be going back to Pleasley Country Park which is situated just off the A619 leaving the car park at the normal time 10.30am.

Andrew and Susan Goodison

Garden Visits

Garden Visits

June started off as very wet and cool and of course the Garden Visit Group meets on the first Thursday in the month. We set off in rain and came back in rain but in between visiting Burghley House and Gardens we had fine weather and a bit of warmth. As the Gardens were amazing the weather was a bonus. Not just one garden but several different ones and the first to explore called Garden of Surprises was fun! Full of fountains and sculptures and to exit through an intermittent fountain so we waited until it stopped and dived through! Then on to the Remembrance Borders beautifully planted and then up a small hill to the Capability Lake. Back via the Hidden Valley but no time for the Sculpture Garden as it was lunchtime.

After lunch it was the House which as the leaflet quoted “Was Designed to Impress!” One of the largest surviving Elizabethan prodigy houses built by powerful courtiers to showcase their wealth, taste and influence. It certainly does impress. Interestingly the tour started in the kitchen ( most stately houses finish with this) with its vast collection of 18th and 19th Century copper. Then upstairs to magnificent rooms with antique furniture and walls covered in paintings and ceilings as good as seen in Italy. Every inch painted with fantastic scenes mostly of ancient mythology. One of these rooms contained the biggest wine cooler we have ever seen! Discussion followed on how many bottles were needed to fill it!! Then it was back down the stairs to the Great Hall which is often used today for wedding receptions.

This has to be one of our best visits.

Pam Berry

Local History

Scorching temperatures into the 30s and a red heat warning forced the postponement of our visit to the two barges at Newark.

However, this will go ahead at a later date in August, precise date to be confirmed.

Diane Hibbert

Book Group

A Room Made of Leaves is a 2020 historical fiction novel by the Australian author Kate Grenville.

It is 1788 when the sexually aware, twenty-one-year-old Elizabeth spends a few minutes behind a hedge with the young John Macarthur and it shapes her life forever. Pregnant, she is forced into a loveless marriage with the arrogant, vindictive and highly ambitious soldier and soon realises she has made a terrible mistake. Forced to travel with him to New South Wales, she arrives to find the penal colony of Sydney Town a brutal, dusty place of makeshift shelters, failing crops, scheming and rumour. While her husband is often away, she is forced to discover inner strength and eventually manages the family’s burgeoning sheep empire herself.
The title refers to a secluded sanctuary Elizabeth discovers with a gentle figure, an astronomer named William Dawes, offering her a rare, peaceful escape where she can be her true self away from her husband’s control and the rigid constraints of society. Through William she meets some of the Aboriginals of the area and at the end of the book reflects on the cost of all of her success to the detriment of the original people of the land.

Breakfast Group

A few of our members enjoyed a nice breakfast at the Bakers Shop cafe recently although not so many as usual due to it coinciding with the trip to Ely.

Gordon Brown

Indoor Games

Diane had an unusual run of luck at 12 spot dominoes, winning the first 3 games in a row, until Andrew ended her lucky streak, followed by Jim and Maureen.

After a reviving coffee break it was Kurling – Ladies v. Gents. This session was nip and tuck all the way, with the lead continually changing hands until the final round and ended in a draw at 68 points each.

Maureen then called for shipboard rules – each person having one throw for nearest to the bull, by which the Ladies just managed to squeak home.

Diane Hibbert.

This was a damp outing to this Elizabethan Manor House. As the name suggests it was built on the site of a farmstead run by Augustinian priests and it is possible that the materials from the priory, after the dissolution, were recycled to build the House in 1550. The house is famous for its historical ties to witch marks which supposedly turned away evil and gave protection to the building and its residents.

It was a very interesting visit thanks to the welcoming and knowledgeable volunteers who were more than happy to explain any and every detail of the house which they clearly enjoyed.

The gardens looked beautiful through the windows. Sadly we were unable to walk around them, thanks to the rain. Perhaps on another occasion?

Ann Mills

After a very interesting morning with speaker Bob Neil, a number of us went to the Sherwood for lunch. I was quite pleased that I could identify the items on our table, knife, fork, spoon which is all I needed to enjoy my lovely meal! As usual we were made very welcome and the food was up to its usual high standard. They are putting on quite a bit of entertainment in the week and at weekends and we understand they are trying to fit a quiz night in, which might be on a Wednesday.

Jackie Massey

The Wine Appreciation group met recently.  Linda hosted the group this month, and we tasted 4 bottles of Sauvignon Blanc from Greece.  The wine was exceptionally good, and none of us had tasted Greek Sauvignon Blanc before, it was a pleasant surprise.  Linda provided a delicious supper and the evening ended around 9.15pm.  The most expensive bottle came second in our evaluation.  The most expensive seldom wins and we taste all the wines blind.

Ringtones

The Ringtones singing group is about having fun and performs at meetings and social events.
At our monthly rehearsals at the Methodist Church Hall in Rainworth, 10am-12pm, on the second Monday of each month, we plan for any future performances and enjoy a wide range of music. We have sung celebratory songs at our 10th anniversary celebrations, coffee mornings, Christmas parties, our AGM and  Garden Parties. New members are always welcome, no audition required!

THE RINGTONES- World Singing Day video project.

The Ringtones were one of the many choirs from across Newark and Sherwood to celebrate the joy of singing by sending in a short video clip of our recent Elvis coffee morning. This year, participants from 81 host locations in 18 countries took part from New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia, South Africa, the UK, Germany, and North America each holding their own singing event in celebration of World Singing Day. It’s amazing to know that our voices became part of that worldwide harmony. World Singing Day is a reminder that we’re part of something much larger not just a local celebration, but a global community united through song. Well done Ringtones for helping to make that vision come alive so beautifully here in Newark and Sherwood.

Ian Hibbert

We were all so looking forward to our annual Crazy Golf and lunch day at Ramsdale Golf Club. Sadly the weather was awful so we all met up in the Clubhouse for coffee and a great social chat. It’s surprising how much you can learn of your fellow members previous employments, holidays, music tastes and shopping preferences over a cup of coffee. Lunch was served a bit earlier than booked and was well received, as usual the food was delicious and service spot on!!
In spite of the awful weather we all had an enjoyable day.

Jackie Massey

A U3A visit to Ely coincided with the Knife Angel  going to Ely from Newark.  This will be the last time it is on tour, and it will return to Liverpool after Ely, unless  another town or city requests it to be displayed

It is an astonishing sculpture made from knives that have been confiscated from yobs and criminals.  The beautiful face is one of compassion and sadness and the hands are begging.  The message is ‘do not carry a bladed item, ever’  So many young lives have ended due to stabbings.  It weighs 3 tons and has to have special transport to move it.

Jill Pullan

Canasta

Our Canasta group has also started and takes place in the Methodist Hall at the same time as Card Craft, Hobbies and Indoor Games, come along and join beginners at this card game with expert instruction from Enid. Three “newbies” had  mastered the rules by the end of the 1st session, another “learning curve” for our u3a!

Enid Thomas

Our numbers were a bit depleted at the last quiz night. As usual we did our best but didn’t win! If we look cold in the photo we were, the pub’s heating had broken down on the Monday, but hopefully will be fixed by the time we go again!

Jackie Massey

Hobbies

This group covers several hobbies at present but we are always on the lookout for more!
Please come along if you want to have a go at any hobby or craft. We meet on the 3rd Monday, 2-4pm at the Rainworth Methodist Church Hall.

We knit squares that are made into blankets and donated overseas, this is our latest contribution, three beautiful blankets crocheted by Linda and  squares by other members.

Some of the beautiful cards being made recently at the Card Craft group.

Why not join us – all materials are provided to make the card.  We meet on the 3^rd Monday of the month at the Methodist Hall on Southwell Road, at 2.00pm.  Interested?  Contact Jill  07719165800

Thirty four members attended the Christmas lunch at the Hostess restaurant and enjoyed the usual high standard of food, entertainment and service.

Several took to the dance floor to burn off the calories.