MONTHLY GENERAL MEETING – APRIL 2025
Our next monthly General Meeting for all u3a members is on 16 April at 2pm. As usual, this will be held in St. Andrew’s Church Hall, Merton Road, Slough SL1 1QW. The small car park at the rear of the church is available for those who have difficulties with mobility and for those with equipment to transport. Otherwise, we ask you to please park in one of the pay-and-display car parks nearby, or in Upton Court Park (free) about 10 minutes’ walk away.
Our guest speaker is Gill Thompson and her talk/presentation is entitled “The True Life Stories behind my World War Two Fiction.” Gill Thompson is the author of four historical novels all set in and around World War Two. In her illustrated presentation, which also features short video clips, she covers subjects such as child migrants to Australia, the Kindertransport, the occupation of the Channel Islands, ‘Little Dunkirk’ and the invasion of Hungary.
Gill Thompson began her working life as a teacher and spent over forty years at the chalk face before embarking on a full-time writing career. Her debut novel The Oceans Between Us, about a mother and son separated by war and by continents, was published by Headline in March 2019 and The Child on Platform One, about a little girl on the Kindertransport, came out in December 2019. Two further novels, also set in World War Two, have followed: The Lighthouse Sisters (2022), set on Channel Island Jersey and The Orphans on the Train (2023) which takes place in Glasgow and Hungary. Gill’s books have all been digital number one bestsellers and The Child on Platform One was a USA Today and Wallstreet Journal bestseller. Her novels have been translated into ten European languages. Gill has recently been appointed Royal Literary Fund Fellow at the University of Chichester. She lives with her family in West Sussex.
SLOUGH u3a HAS A NEW WEBSITE!
Thanks to the expertise of our relatively new member, Trevor Rudge, our website has been updated and is looking really good. A huge thank you to Trevor for all his hard work improving our website. All members will have been notified of the launch of the new website at the end of March and you can access the website by going to www.sloughu3a.com
ART APPRECIATION GROUP Convenor: Christine Sullivan reviews the group visit in March.
 | On 21st March we visited the extensive ‘Brasil! Brasil! The Birth of Modernism’ exhibition at The Royal Academy of Arts. There were over 130 works on display by some major artists from twentieth century Brazil including Anita Malfatti, Tarsila do Amaral, Vicente do Rego Monteiro, Djanira and Lasar Segall. The styles were contemporary and diverse, demonstrating the vibrant cultures, identities and landscapes of Brazil. Well worth a visit if you can get along before it closes on 21st April 2025. |  |
If your group would like to have an article published on the website or in the newsletter, please email Trevor (website): t.1952r@gmail.com or Joyce (newsletter): joyceamirahmadi@hotmail.com
DRAWING & PAINTING GROUP 1. Convenor: Sukhpal Grewal updates information on the group.
 | We continue to be based at the Bentley Education Centre next to the NFER premises. The group has completed 9 years and has managed to maintain a very consistent membership profile. The group has continued its drawing and painting journey by actively exploring and creating artwork using different media and methods. In recent weeks, members have been focused on oil painting using the wet on wet / alla prima method which encourages bold and loose brushwork. It is a challenging way of painting but also very rewarding. We will be planning a day trip to shop for art material in London and probably visit an art gallery or museum doing some sketching. With the onset of Summer, we will take advantage of the weather and run some outdoor sessions doing drawing and painting. More photos on the website www.sloughu3a.com |
INTERESTED IN JOINING ANOTHER ACTIVITY GROUP?
Then please email either:
info@sloughu3a.com or enquiries@sloughu3a.com
and your email will then be redirected to the appropriate convenor.
OUTINGS
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Some photos from recent outings from Trevor Rudge – more on the website www.sloughu3a.com
- Statue of King Henry VI founder of Eton College and the Clock Tower.
- u3a members in front of ‘September 11 Memorial Garden’ in Grosvenor Square, London.
- The Eagle has landed on the former U.S. Embassy in Grosvenor Square, London.
OUTINGS REMINDER
Friday 11th April coach trip to Arundel Castle tulip festival; fully booked – waiting list
Friday 9th May coach trip to Petworth House National Trust; booking in progress
Friday 13th June coach trip to Salisbury;
Monday 7th July summer seaside coach trip to Margate.
More information on the website.
Latin and Ballroom Dance Lessons
Hayley Nelson and Thomas Purdy are professional ballroom dancers and provide lessons to some u3a groups. The Committee decided that it was not appropriate for Slough u3a. However, if anyone is interested then contact them on 07940 251713 for further information regarding lessons and nearest venues