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Here is a list of our activity groups for Spring 2010.
Please click on any group name in the list to see a short description of the group and outline information on when and where the group meets. Full details of group meeting dates and times together with group leader contact details, are in the Activities List, which is circulated together with the Newsletter a few weeks before the beginning of each term, to Camberley U3A members. |
ARCHAEOLOGYMonthly: Monday pm, Venue: Archaeological CentreWe investigate this subject through wide-ranging talks and practical activities using local experts and our own researches, backed by Surrey Heath Archaeological & Heritage Trust and Surrey Heath Museum. topARTArt Magazine - Monthly: Monday pm, Venue: St Paul’s Church, Garden RoomThis group discusses a wide variety of issues connected with the visual arts. Members are encouraged to participate and give short presentations on items that interest them. Art Matters - Monthly: Monday pm, Venue: St Paul’s ChurchOur self-help group continues looking at North American art from 19th century to today. We will look at paintings, sculpture, architecture, jewellery and more, time permitting. We use PowerPoint presentations, DVDs, videos or books to illustrate our sessions. Anyone can take part - all you need is an interest in the subject. All welcome to our friendly group. History of Art - Fortnightly: Tuesday pm, Venue: St Paul’s Church, Garden RoomThe course will be a romp through the history of art from classical Greece to the High Renaissance. The idea behind it being to enhance the way we look at the environment around us concentrating on architecture, sculpture and painting. No previous knowledge of the subject or artistic skill is needed. BADMINTONWeekly: Wednesday pm, Venue: Heatherside Community CentreWe are a mixed ability group. It is obviously advantageous, if you have played a racket sport and all that is required, is your own badminton racket. topBALLROOM DANCINGTea Dance - Fortnightly: Tuesday pm, Venue: St Mary’s Church HallThe group has been running successfully for two years, is very well supported, and gives members the opportunity to refresh their dancing skills or for anyone new to dancing to be able to ‘get around the floor’. We have general dancing to live music together with basic tuition in Ballroom, Latin and Sequence which, is given by experienced teachers/dancers. Our sessions are enjoyable and sociable occasions. We welcome new members. Beginners - Fortnightly: Tuesday pm, Venue: St Mary’s Church HallThis new group is for absolute beginners and those who feel the need for a brush up on technique. topBEAUTY AND MAKE-UPMonthly: Monday pm, Venue: Heatherside Community Centre, Heather RoomStarting in January 2010, this new group will give an insight into different ways of using make-up. topBOOK CLUBSBook Club - Monthly: Monday am, Venue: Corrina LodgeWe decide as a group which book we would like to read - a recommendation, an award winner, a favourite author - and discuss it in a friendly way the following month. We are largely reading contemporary fiction, but not exclusively so. Bookends - Monthly: Monday am, Venue: Private VenueWe meet every first Monday of the month - except when it’s a bank holiday - and then we negotiate another date. We read contemporary books, agreed by mutual discussion, and chat about them informally. It’s amazing how a different perspective can enhance understanding and appreciation of our choices! We are lucky enough to be given excellent service from Camberley library who provide all the copies. The big question is are we choosing to read the classics of the future? Classics & Biography - Monthly: Friday am, Venue: Private VenueMembers of this group continue to be enthusiastic and vacancies seldom arise for new members. However, there is a waiting list for anyone interested in joining. Recently we read Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolfe. Her musings are reminiscent and not to everyone’s taste but are understandable when one knows the history of the author. In the future we will be reading All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque and Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens. All our book choices stimulate wider discussion on topical matters. topBOWLING (Indoor)Weekly: Thursday pm, Venue: Camberley & District Indoor Bowling ClubWe are continuing this year to use 2 lanes at the Camberley Indoor Bowls Club although there is a restriction in the number of people that can play. There are currently some spaces available so if you are interested and would like to begin to bowl please contact the Leader. topBRIDGEBeginners (Year 1) - Weekly: Friday am, Venue: High Cross, ClassroomAn introduction to this popular pastime. This is the first year of a two year course and is suitable for those with very little or no previous experience of Bridge. Beginners (Year 2) - Weekly: Friday am, Venue: High Cross, ClassroomSecond year of instruction for Beginners. Group mainly comprises existing members but there are a few vacancies for people who have played in the past but need to be reminded of the game. Players (Monday Group) - Weekly: Monday pm, Venue: High Cross, ChapelThe current group consists of a mix of those who have played Bridge for some years and those who have taken it up in retirement. Some play Rubber and others Chicago Bridge. No tuition is given and it is recommended that newcomers have had some training through U3A Beginners or other classes before joining. No partner is necessary. We are a friendly group and where some help is needed there is usually a willing experienced player to offer advice. The group provides a means of gaining experience and confidence. Players (Thursday Group) - Weekly: Thursday am, Venue: High Cross, Classroom/ChapelThis group is for the more experienced players and any new members must have had some previous training through U3A Beginners or other similar classes before joining. We mainly play Duplicate Bridge with some Chicago and ‘prepared’ hands. Limited tuition is also given on occasion. topCOMPUTINGBeginners - Fortnightly: Tuesday pm, Venue: Tomlinscote School (Room B1.8)The aim of this course is to provide a basic understanding of the PC, to learn how to operate it via the mouse and keyboard and provide an introduction to the vast range of things that can be done by easy-to-use software. (Please see Newsletter for further details.) Internet - Fortnightly: Tuesday pm, Venue: Tomlinscote School (Room B1.8)These sessions will give members the opportunity to learn the new technology of the World Wide Web. (Please see Newsletter for further details.) topCRAFTMixed Craft - Fortnightly: Wednesday pm, Venue: High Cross, ClassroomWe are a self-help group. We all have different talents and are pleased to share them with one another. We make many things from Greetings Cards to decorated clothing. The Autumn Term is going to be mainly about Christmas, with gifts and cards and ideas to make the season bright. We meet in a nice room a High Cross Church. Hope to see you there. Patchwork Quilting - Fortnightly, Venue: Private VenueBeginners: Wednesday am, Developers: Tuesday pm, Year 3 and Advanced: Tuesday am At our meetings we discuss, review, plan and/or work on ideas brought by members.
A variety of sources are used although the main publications are ‘Lynne Edwards, The
Sampler Quilt’, Karen Hellaby, Magic Pillows, Hidden Quilts’ and from
the internet ‘Nine Patch Nirvana’.
CREATIVE WRITINGFortnightly: Wednesday pm, Venue: High Cross, Minister’s StudyThis group aims to explore the art of writing. The members enjoy sharing individual work in a supportive and informal setting. Anyone who enjoys writing for pleasure is most welcome. topDIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHYFortnightly: Tuesday pm, Venue: Tomlinscote School (Rm B1.9)The aim of this workshop is to try and de-mystify the technology surrounding digital cameras. It is aimed at those people who either have a digital camera or are about to purchase one. topDISCUSSION GROUPSGroup 1 - Fortnightly: Thursday pm, Venue: Private VenueThe Discussion Group goes from strength to strength and we always find some topic to discuss. Admittedly we do not always stick strictly to the subject but discussion always throws up new thoughts and ideas. We enjoy our light hearted discussions, then have tea and biscuits and follow up with local news or happenings in the world on which we all may have varied opinions, so much the better! We don’t fall out, we agree to differ!! Group 2 - Fortnightly: Wednesday am, Venue: Private VenueThis group has had some very interesting and lively discussions on a variety of topics. New members are welcome though numbers would be limited to be able to maintain comfort and an informal atmosphere. Group 3 - Monthly: Friday am, Venue: Private VenueThis is an overflow from Group 1 with the same format. If you would like to join, please telephone the Group Leader as soon as possible to book your place (contact details in the newsletter). topDRAMA WORKSHOPFortnightly: Tuesday am, Venue: Guide HQThis group is for absolutely anybody, from people who have never acted before -
or even set foot in a theatre - to those who are experienced in acting or directing
at all levels. The only requirement is participation: this is a workshop in which,
in small groups or perhaps all together, we explore and rehearse both scripted plays
and improvised situations. All for fun: no learning lines, no public performances,
no worries!
FAMILY HISTORYFortnightly: Friday am, Venue: High Cross, HallDiscovering your ancestry is fun, exciting, addictive and sometimes surprising.
We offer a format which we hope will appeal to all abilities. Whilst a considerable
amount of information is available on the internet, unless you are looking at an
image of an original document, there is always a possibility of error in
transcription. Beginners are therefore invited to join a course of 6 classes in
each of the Autumn and Spring terms where information will be given on researching
from original records - civil registration, censuses, parish registers etc. You will
gain more if you can attend as many classes as possible but many Beginners repeat the
first year to fill in gaps and to do some revision.
FILM AND MEDIAFortnightly: Monday pm, Venue: Camberley Theatre Committee RoomDo you leave the Atrium Multiplex feeling that there must be much, much more to the Art of Cinema? If so, why not join the Film & Media Group? Not only will you have the opportunity of seeing Oscar Winning Films from Hollywood, Bollywood & Pinewood but the chance of discussing them with kindred spirits and learning a little more about the Silver Screen. In addition Foreign Language (Subtitled) Classics, Art House Shows and Films from across the world will be on the Menu. topFLOWER ARRANGINGFortnightly: Thursday am, Venue: High Cross, ClassroomGroup 2 follows immediately after Group 1 Flower arranging is a popular U3A subject and last year a new group was started to meet the growing demand. Both groups are very social and enjoy learning new skills in a very friendly atmosphere. Group 1 is full but there are some vacancies in Group 2 for both beginners and those who want to refresh their skills. topFRENCHBeginners - Fortnightly: Tuesday am, Venue: High Cross, ClassroomTo join Beginners you require little or no knowledge. We use a book to give us a structure and tapes to practice between sessions, and since the aim is to encourage people to speak basic French there will be plenty of opportunity to practice verbally. Conversation - Fortnightly: Monday am, Venue: Private VenueMost of the members of the group have family living in France or are regular visitors to France. In an informal setting, we help each other through French conversation and study of a wonderful magazine called ‘La Vie Outre Manche’ to which we are all subscribers. Improvers - Fortnightly: Thursday am, Venue: Private VenueThis course is primarily a ‘self-help group’ for those with an intermediate knowledge of the language who wish to improve their skills in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. Improvers Too - Fortnightly: Friday am, Venue: Private VenueAnother group for those with an intermediate knowledge of the language. topGARDENING GROUPSCamberley Gardening Group - Monthly: Monday pm, Venue: High Cross, HallWe meet once a month with speakers, and also have outings to places of interest to gardeners during the summer months. We are a very large group and although we welcome new members, there will probably be a waiting list to join. Frimley Gardening Group - Monthly: Wednesday pm, Venue: St Mary’s Church HallWe are a fairly new, very friendly group and would welcome new members with open arms. topGERMANImprovers - Fortnightly: Wednesday am, Venue: Private VenueIn this group we concentrate on conversation and vocabulary while not forgetting grammar. Conversation - Bi-Monthly: Wednesday pm, Venue: Private VenueWir sind eine kleine Gruppe und treffen uns einmal im Monat. Wir sprechen über Themen, die Sie interessieren: Bücher, Politik, Zeitgeschehen, Musik. Es soll Spass machen, und Grammatik steht daher nur auf dem Stundenplan, wenn gewünscht. topGREEK TRAGEDYMonthly: Thursday pm, Venue: St Paul’s Church, Garden RoomWith modern translations and productions Greek Tragedies still fascinate audiences. We will focus on one tragedy a month, with background from experts on DVD. After reading the play at home we will discuss any aspects that interest us before moving on. No previous knowledge is required for this course. topHISTORYBritish History (early 20th Century) - Monthly: Monday am, Venue: High Cross, ChapelNew upper class of American and profiteers, an expanding middle class, then disgust with government’s ‘cash for honours’ scandal and the rise of Fascism are topics for discussion. The Dynamics of History - Monthly: Thursday am, Venue: High Cross, ChapelThe sessions will continue to study the History of Europe 1789 - 1914. So far the course has reached the Napoleonic era. Newcomers are welcome as individual sessions are self-contained. topITALIANWe are actively trying to establish an Italian Beginners group. Unfortunately, we have not been able to secure a Group Leader. However, there may be the opportunity for a self-help beginners group, studying with the aid of a ‘teach yourself’ course, such as those from the BBC. This has been successfully trialled with one of our French Groups. Help and support is available. If you are interested in a Beginners’ Italian group please see contact details in the newsletter. topKEEP FITGroup 1 - Weekly: Thursday am, Venue: St Tarcisius Church HallThe classes are based upon an exercise to music format, mobilisation of joints, toning and stretching aerobic exercises and relaxation. Exercises are progressive and adaptable to encourage everyone to work within their own safe limits. Group 2 - Weekly: Thursday am, Venue: St Tarcisius Church HallKeep fit and stay fit. Enjoy movement to music. Posture awareness. A wide range of music is used to encourage and enhance mobility for pleasure and lifestyle. topKNITTING FOR BEGINNERSFortnightly: Wednesday am, Venue: Private VenueThis is to be a beginners’ group for those who have no, or very little, experience of knitting. Members should bring along a pair of size 4mm [8] knitting needles and a small ball of double knitting wool. topLINE DANCINGNew Beginners - Weekly: Thursday am, Venue: High Cross, HallThis new group has been started in response to the growing demand for this very popular dance. Beginners Year 2 - Weekly: Monday pm, Venue: St Mary’s Church HallImprovers Year 2 - Weekly: Monday pm, Venue: St Mary’s Church Hall These groups are for those who have done line dancing previously. Both are 2-hour sessions, the Improvers group following immediately after the Beginners group. They are fun groups, very sociable and good exercise. Give it a try and make new friends. topLUNCH GROUPFor further details please contact the Group LeaderThis is an informal group where members meet at different restaurants and enjoy lunch together. topMONTHLY MEETINGMonthly: Tuesday pm, Venue: Camberley TheatreThese are held on the third Tuesday of the month (unless otherwise specified in the newsletter), and take place at 2.00pm in the Camberley Theatre. Members are able to hear an interesting talk, meet other members including committee members and have a free cup of tea or coffee. topMUSIC APPRECIATIONMonthly: Thursday pm, Venue: High Cross, ChapelThe Group is run jointly by two regular presenters, each choosing their own varied
selection of classical music, usually on alternate months. Each presentation lasts
for two hours, with a tea/coffee break at mid-session. We try to cater for most
tastes and the overall yearly content covers instrumental, chamber, orchestral,
vocal and choral music, from the Baroque period through to the twentieth century.
Each piece of music is given a short introduction.
OPERA GROUPMonthly: Thursday pm, Venue: Private VenueSubjects for discussion will be chosen by members who will be encouraged to contribute. We will use a variety of sources of information including DVDs and CDs. New members welcome. topPAINTING WORKSHOPFortnightly: Tuesday pm, Venue: High Cross, HallWe are a happy, self help group of mixed abilities. However we are fortunate in
that we almost always have a tutor at our sessions to provide help and encouragement
and who also does demonstrations from time to time. We use a variety of media
including water-colour, pen, pencil acrylics and pastels.
POETRYFortnightly: Wednesday pm, Venue: High Cross, VestryThe group meets to read aloud and enjoy all kinds of poetry; whatever members choose to share. The group is deliberately kept small to allow all to participate fully but vacancies do arise, so do check if you are interested in joining us. topPSYCHOLOGYBeginners - Monthly: Wednesday pm, Venue: St Mary’s Church, Parkside Room Improvers - Monthly: Wednesday pm, Venue: St Mary’s Church, Parkside RoomPsychology is the Science of Mind and Behaviour. We are taking a look at a variety of human behaviours from a scientific, psychological perspective. Along the way we encounter the philosophies that lie behind psychologists’ thinking and some of their investigative work. topRECORDER ENSEMBLEFortnightly: Tuesday am, Venue: Private VenueThe Camberley U3A Recorder Ensemble now has twelve members who, between them,
play descant, treble, tenor and bass instruments. We are enlarging our repertoire
all the time in both classical and more modern directions. In October we did two
spots in an eclectic concert programme at Camberley Baptist Church. The
‘Classic Recorders’ slot was not difficult, but our challenge of the
year, Scott Joplin’s Easy Winners, which some were convinced would sound more
like Desperate Losers, was a huge success, especially with the last-minute addition
of keyboard percussion!
SAINTS ALIVEFortnightly: Thursday pm, Venue: St Paul’s Church, Garden RoomThis course looks at the lives of Christian Saints in order to identify their attributes, allowing us to distinguish them when we come across them in art and in churches. The course has proved popular in the past, so I am repeating it with a different day and venue over the Autumn and Spring terms. topSCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYMonthly: Monday pm, Venue: St Mary’s Church, Parkside RoomThe Group is aimed at scientists, engineers and those interested to learn more of subjects of a technical nature. A varied programme of high calibre speakers is arranged together with contributions from our own members. Interest visits are organised and members are encouraged to take part in occasional in-house projects. topSCRABBLEFortnightly: Thursday am, Venue: Guide HQIf you love words and have some experience of the Great Game, join the Scrabble group. We are not too strict and we promise that you will enjoy the morning and learn some new words in the company of like-minded players. Occasionally we play against other U3A Scrabble groups. Why don’t you come along and give it a try? topSELF AWARENESSFortnightly: Friday am, Venue: High Cross, ChapelSelf-awareness helps us to identify options for dealing with situations where a different approach could be beneficial. We will consider how we can enhance our relationships with others: exploring why we behave in the way we do and how we and others get into patterns of behaviour, which may not be useful. topSINGING FOR FUNFortnightly: Thursday pm, Venue: Our Lady Queen of Heaven, Parish RoomOur repertoire is light and popular. We do try three and four-part arrangements, but there is also unison singing. Apart from our fortnightly meetings, we entertain at homes, day-centres and clubs and perform concerts. Sometimes they even ask us to return! topSOCIOLOGYMonthly: Wednesday am, Venue: St Mary’s Church, Parkside RoomSociology is concerned with how our society is structured, how we behave within it, the conflicts that occur, and how they might be dealt with. We shall have a particular topic at each meeting. In the first half we shall consider the facts, as best we can, from a variety of perspectives. After a coffee break we discuss questions arising from the day's topic. This is for anyone who is interested in how the society we live in operates and who enjoys lively discussion. Sometimes we may invite outside experts to talk to us. topSPANISHBeginners (Year 2) - Weekly: Wednesday pm, Venue: Private VenueLast year’s total beginners are now able to communicate at basic level in this most popular language. This year we will be building on the basics. Classes are relaxed and informal, and if you already have a little knowledge of Spanish this could be the class for you. (I hope to start a new class for complete beginners in September 2010.) Developers (Year 4) - Weekly: Wednesday pm, Venue: Private VenueThis course will help you to improve and broaden existing knowledge with the accent on speaking and listening. There are a few vacancies for new members, so if you already speak some Spanish, why not come and join us. topSUNDAY GROUPOutings - Monthly: SundaysPlanning - Monthly: Monday am, Venue: St Paul’s Church, Garden Room The Social Group has had some enjoyable Sunday outings and will be continuing next term. If you are on your own and would like to join, why not come along to one of the monthly Monday meetings at St. Paul’s Church (see programme for dates), when proposed future outings are discussed and chosen by members of the Group over a cup of coffee. Please contact the group leader for further information. topTAI CHIWeekly: Monday pm, Venue: Heatherside Community CentreThis is an amazingly popular class and current practitioners will tell you that it is a system with slow progression which is incredibly relaxing, energising and strength building. In addition, it needs great concentration, which obviously benefits the mind as well. Most participants will be continuing next term and therefore it is unlikely that there will be any vacancies for new members. However, if you are interested in joining, please telephone the Leader and ask for your name to be placed on the waiting list should a vacancy arise. topTAP DANCINGWeekly: Friday pm, Venue: Heatherside Community CentreTap Dancing for adults is a very good form of aerobic exercise. It can help with balance, posture and co-ordination, and it also tones up the muscles - especially the legs! So if you prefer taking your exercise to music, then this tap dancing class could be what you are looking for. You may have tapped when you were young or perhaps this is your first time? With or without experience, we aim for this class to be fun! topTHEATREDates as advertised in the newsletter. Venue: Woking TheatreThis is a group for all theatre lovers! Trips are currently arranged to the New Victoria Theatre in Woking and mostly for the Wednesday matinee. Numbers are not large enough for coach travel, so people make their own way there. Tickets are very favourably priced because we are given a group rate. Many shows that come to this theatre are pre- or post-London runs. The types of drama we choose suit all tastes: from ballet to light opera, from whodunits to Shakespeare and modern dramatists to musicals. topTRAVEL AND TOURISMDates in Newsletter, Tuesday pm, Venue: Frimley Community CentreFor the last 3 years, we have successfully arranged day trips and short breaks abroad and in this country. We also hold two meetings a term where we have a speaker (see Newsletter for details), coffee and biscuits and information about our various outings. All U3A members are welcome. topWALKSWalking - Twice Monthly: See Programme for Dates and VenuesGroup 1 : 1st and 3rd Wednesdays in the month Group 2 : 2nd and 4th Wednesdays in the month Group 3 : 1st and 3rd Tuesdays in the month We produce a Schedule of Walks for the year, giving outline details of each walk. Most of the walks are about 5 miles and normally start within a 15-mile radius of Camberley. Both groups have members who volunteer to either lead walks or act as back-ups, and this works very well. We have been very encouraged to find that often after their first year of membership, we have new volunteers and thus new walks, so widening our knowledge of fairly local areas. The social contact between walkers is very enjoyable, both on the walk itself and at some local hostelry at the end of a walk where we can congratulate ourselves for having a healthy life-style. Strolling - Monthly: Tuesday am, Venue: See Programme for Dates and VenuesThere are 2 groups A & B which leave at 10:15 and 10:30am repectively on the same day. We are a friendly group of strollers who walk once a month, always on the last Tuesday of the month. We walk between 2½ and 3 miles. We go over stiles and up hills but at a pace that suits the group. We also like to visit a pub when the stroll is over (this is optional). Unfortunately, the group is almost full but we will maintain a waiting list and take on new people as soon as we have spaces. Ambling - Fortnightly: Tuesday am, Venue: See Programme for Dates and VenuesThe Amblers are a small group catering for people who cannot walk too far or too fast, cannot tackle stiles as they used to but who still like to walk and exercise. Our ambles are about 2 miles long and take about 1¼ hours, no stiles, and no steep hills to discourage us. We have time to ‘stop and stare’, whenever or at whatever we fancy. topWHIST GROUPMonthly - contact the leader for meeting dates and timesStarting in January 2010, a monthly Whist Group for all who enjoy playing this highly enjoyable game. topWINE TASTINGGroup 1 - Monthly: Contact Group leader for meeting dates, Venue: Private VenueThis is a self-help group, which meets monthly at private venues. For that reason membership has to be restricted and currently there are no vacancies. A waiting list will be maintained and places offered as and when vacancies occur. Group 2 - Monthly: Friday pm, Venue: Frimley Village HallThe aim of the group is to promote knowledge of the wines of the world by informed tasting and group discussion. Included in the tasting talks - apart from the wines themselves! - will be illustrations of the vineyards, chateaux and caves and potted histories of the vignerons, thus bringing to life the areas where the wines are produced. topYOGAWeekly: Thursday pm, Venue: St Mary’s Church, HallThe Yoga classes continue with a loyal following. We practise gentle hatha yoga. Exercises are progressive and adaptable to encourage everyone to work within their own safe limits. top |