November 2017
The next monthly meeting of Slough U3A will be held at St Andrew’s Methodist Church Hall, Merton Road, Slough, SL1 1QW, on Wednesday November 15th from 2-4pm. Entry to the meeting is free to members as well as to first-time visitors.
 |  |
This month, we welcome Clare Smallman who will tell us about the vital work of Great Ormond Street Hospital
Great Ormond Street Hospital is the UK’s largest paediatric centre. Find out about our research into pioneering new treatments and cures for childhood illnesses.
Upcoming meetings: –
- Wednesday December 13th – Showcase! Our U3A groups will share some of the things they have been doing. This meeting is not at our usual location! It will be at St Francis’ Church in Langley, at the junction of Upton Court Road and London Road.
- January 17th – the work of the Alexander Devine Hospice. Venue – St Andrew’s, Merton Road.
- February 21st – Andrew Hanson – Ten Odd Things to Measure
Slough University of the Third Age welcomes retired and semi-retired people – those in their “third age” – who are interested in participating in any of our activities or groups.
U3A Notices and Groups
Slough U3A fortnightly Bridge and Table Tennis session at Mencap Centre, in Common Road, Langley SL3 8JU. November sessions will be on Thursdays 16th and 30th at 10:30. Please drop in for an informal and friendly try-out.
- Table Tennis – Research has shown that table tennis is one of the best activities for maintaining mental alertness and physical fitness as you age. No experience necessary – come along and have a go!
- Do you want to learn Bridge? We have a Beginner’s Bridge group which is going from strength to strength and we are keen to encourage new members who wish to learn. Bridge is a lovely game which is both social and challenging; this is an ideal opportunity to learn in a relaxed and friendly environment.
Local History Group – Last month we had a very interesting visit to Slough Library. On Monday, 20th November we shall hear about the 1853 ‘Burnham Abbey Farm Murder’.
Wine Appreciation Group will be sampling Sherry in their last meeting before Christmas.
The Creative Writing Group are concentrating on ‘flash fiction’ – encapsulating and developing an idea in no more than a hundred words – for our presentation at the U3A Christmas meeting on 13 December. Our next home task is ‘Life on Mars’ interpreted in any way the writers choose.
Create & Craft group will be holding a sale of some of the things they have made with the proceeds going to charity. Between now and Christmas we will be making Christmas cards and decorations.
Drawing Group 1 is trialling 4 sessions using acrylic paint. We have attended the first introductory session and are quite excited about this development. We will make a decision at the end of the trial period to see how members wish to progress this.
Drawing Group 2 will be continuing to draw still life objects focusing on measurement, shading and starting to explore the use of colour pencils.
The Play Reading group are nearing the end of Richard Harris “Stepping Out”. Following this in December we will start “The Weekend” in which Michael Palin takes a look at family values. Humorous, with a darker side.
What’s on around Slough?
Slough 50plus Forum meets monthly at Kingsway United Reformed Church, Church Street Slough SL1 1SZ. Meetings start at 1:30 pm. On 16th November – “What is happening in national planning for older age?” Marjory Broughton, representing South East England Forum on Ageing, will be speaking about the work SEEFA is doing representing older people’s interests at Westminster.
HELP4U. Are you over 65, needing help to move furniture, change light bulb, turn mattress? Contact Carol, Sue or Norma – Slough Furniture Project 01753 692535
Elderly: Who Cares? Panel Discussion on Saturday 18th November at Langley Academy Langley Road SL3 7EF. On whom does the moral responsibility fall to accommodate our increasingly aging population? Hear the insights of our expert witnesses at our next panel discussion. Organised by Vichaar Manthan.
Slough Philharmonic events coming up soon:
- 30 pm, Sat 11th November – St Bernard’s School, Langley Road. Wagner & Rachmaninov
- 30 pm, Sat 16th December – School Hall, Eton College. Puccini & Vaughan Williams
Master of Sarod Amjad Ali Khan and Sinfonia Verdi bring you Roots of Fire! – A ground-breaking new piece of music combining the traditions of the east and west. Saturday, November 11 at 7:30 pm at The Curve community centre & library.
Stoke Poges Singers Concert – Saturday, 25 November 7.30 pm at St John’s Church, Farnham Common. The Singers present “Winter Wonder BRAHMS!” with pieces by two titans of the musical world, Stevie Wonder and Johannes Brahms.
Seated Exercise helps improve physical and mental wellbeing. All sessions free:-
- Monday Cippenham Library, Elmshott Lane, SL1 5RB 2:45pm
- Tuesday Tesco Community Room, Wellington Road, SL1 1NP 11:00am
- Wednesday New Langley Association, Meadow Way, SL3 3SS 10:30am
- Wednesday Polish Roman Catholic Church, Pitts Road, SL1 3TJ 12:15pm
- Friday The Curve, William Street, SL1 1XY 10:30am
Christmas Fayre – December 9th 2017 at 10:00am at St Andrews Shared Church, Washington Drive, Cippenham.
Christmas Fun in Datchet – December 2nd 2017 at 12:30pm St. Mary’s Church, Datchet.
Berks, Bucks and Oxon Big Band are helping to raise funds for the Poppy Appeal. Cippenham British Legion, on November 10th 2017 at 7:30pm
Discovery With Three. Discover the joys of the online world with our digital training courses, and learn your OMGs, WTFs and LOLs. Free computer and smartphone courses in Maidenhead with qualified trainers. http://www.three.co.uk/discovery
Herschel Astronomical Society – next meeting on Friday 10 Nov 2017 at 7.30 pm with a talk about Mercury.
Slough Co-operative Film Society has a double bill on Thursday 16th November. Two stunning animations – My Life as a Courgette (PG) and The Red Turtle (PG). Datchet Village Hall at 8 pm.
Slough Writers is a friendly and supportive group for writers of all abilities, living in the Slough area. We meet most Monday nights upstairs at the Palmer Arms in Dorney, from 7:30pm. If you’re interested in joining, drop in and say hello.
U3A National & Regional Events
These are open to U3A members only. Click here for National events & Regional events
- Christmas Concerts at the Queen’s Chapel of the Savoy on 4th and 19th
- Archaeology Day on 15th November at Benson Parish Hall
- Photography on 1st March 2018 at Benson Parish Hall
- The Work of William Morris on 10th May 2018 at Kelmscott House
U3A Principles and Membership
The U3A approach to learning is “learning for pleasure”. There is no accreditation or validation and there are no assessments or qualifications to be gained. Members share their knowledge, skills and experience, learning from each other; the teachers learn and the learners teach. You can find out more about the University of the Third Age at the national website www.u3a.org.uk
Membership of Slough U3A is £20 per annum, giving unlimited access to our groups and activities. If you join now, membership is valid until 31 August 2018. Subscription monies are used to pay for hire of premises, speakers’ expenses, magazines, newsletters, postage etc. during the coming year.
Click here to subscribe to future editions of our newsletter.