Mansfield and District U3A's June 2016 newsletter includes reports on the Royal Revelry to celebrate the Queen's 90th birthday with other U3As, the recent Coffee Morning and the Art Appreciation visit to Compton Verney. There's news of other activities and what's planned too. http://www.mansfield-u3a.org.uk/index.php

1. Mansfield and District U3A
Newsletter
A Glorious Day!
_____________________________
Established 1999
HMRC Charity Registration No.: XT30525
June 2016
Website: www.mansfield-u3a.org.uk
Page 1 of 12

2. Welcome from your chairman
Welcome to the June meeting. Glorious June – sun, flowers, holidays and all the other great things to do
in summer. In a way, since retirement, it always seems like holiday time. Enjoying our time to do what we
want, without the task of going to work. The U3A is something I enjoy, particularly the groups and social
events. Our general meetings, with a good variety of speakers, are interesting and are where we are
informed of the various group activities and other events. All these things do not happen without a lot of
hard work by many of our members.
Please consider volunteering for the Committee to help Mansfield U3A continue to be the
success it is.
We have just held the annual coffee morning, at the Towers, and a great event it was! The Social
Committee organised the event and I would like to congratulate them for its success and thank
them for all the hard work they put in to make it so. I must also thank the Pudding Club for the
excellent cake stall; other members who are not in the Pudding Club also donated cakes, so
thank you to them. And thanks to Sheila Slack who prepared home made scones with butter, jam
and cream; to Sue Longden who also made scones for the stall; to the Garden Group who had a
wonderful display of plants for sale; to Sheila Whalley whose home-made pies sold very well.
The Raffle and Tombola were good fun, with many prizes, all donated by members. The Social
Committee had a specially donated prize (from the Kockums) drawn at the end in a free draw.
Yvonne Kennison has done a preliminary account of the money raised and the profit is around
£700.00. This really helps to keep our subs low.
One last time – thanks to everyone who helped in any way on a very successful Coffee Morning.
Bob Longden
_________________________________________________________________________________
Words from the Editor
Magazines are enjoyable reading, but often expensive. However, there is a way to read magazines
online free of charge. Not just one or two magazines, but 240 of them, from Astronomy to
Zoology ... you name it, the subject is there. So what do you do?
1. Get your library card. If you don't have one, get one from the Library or sign up online.
2. Go to www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/culture-leisure/libraries/emagazines and just follow the
simple instructions to create an account.
3. Then choose your magazines and start reading!
4. You can download the Zinio app onto your tablet or smartphone and use them as your reader.
Our libraries are in danger. Many have shut down; many are staffed purely by volunteers or
library assistants and the volume of books borrowed is lessening every year. In fact, sometimes,
I feel that the only use many people have for a Library is to use the computers. The move to
digital and online reading is one way to keep a vital public service going. It's worth trying.
Mike Allen (with thanks to Terry Whitehead)
In this issue
Page 2: Chairman's Welcome; Words from the Editor
Page 3 – 4: 'Royal Revelry' Report; Coffee Morning Report
Pages 5 – 8: Interest Groups Meetings Diary
Page 9 – 11: Interest Group News; Holidays; Reviews
Page 12: Dates for your Diary and Notices
Page 2 of 12

3. ‘Royal Revelry’
The day dawned bright and clear – just as it should for a Royal birthday.An English day – a bright June day,
cloudless, calm, no haze on the horizon.An English cricket pitch, wickets close mown, white lines against the
green background, a low picket fence surrounding the bowling
green. In the distance, the hill behind Spion Kop (the very name a
reminder of our Imperial past), a dark green wood and then further
hills far over to the left. How much more English could the day
and the setting be? But the Union flag flew and the U3A
members reflected all corners of the British Isles, so a British day
as well.
By 9am., the John Fretwell Centre at Sookholme was alive with
the Neighbourhood U3As putting up their displays and then
preparing themselves for the day ahead with coffee and a quick
rest on the veranda outside the clubhouse. Needless to say,
Mansfield U3As display was both colourful and in tune with the
day – crocheted and knitted cakes and sandwiches, surrounded
by bunting and flags; a unique display to capture the spirit of the
Royal Revelry.
The Chat and Stitch Group has never done better – every item was
precise, a replica of the food that one would have for a street party. Linda Leivers supervised it all, from
original idea to superb execution, dealing with balloons, flags, table centrepieces, ‘high-fibre’ sandwiches and
cakes. She grabbed a central space for our display and defended it against all comers; Terry Lammas aided
by carrying the many boxes of equipment and I had fun using the electric inflator for the balloons!
Outside, our horseshoe throwing ‘rink’ was set up, but, more importantly, Don Wright presided in solitary
splendour over the Target Bowls. For two hour-long sessions, he stood in the sun and heat as U3Aers tried to
win a bottle of whisky by rolling the bowls onto and into the targets. In the end, I think it was Don Bradley who
won the whisky and we won £17 and Don won a new sun-tanned pate.
Inside, the Function Room tables were decorated with Mansfield's
‘constructions’, as the Forest Town ‘Rave On’ rock’n’roll group and
the Ashfield Guitar and Ukulele Group entertained a packed hall. I
won’t mention the senior member of Mansfield U3A who was
dancing wildly at the back, remembering her mis-spent youth, but
the Antiques & Collectables group would know her! Then it was tea-
time and the select band sat down to the gala tea. I don’t think Her
Majesty would have approved of the thickness of the sandwiches,
but they tasted fine, as did the cakes, and there was a constant
replenishment of the food stands (much to the joy of some
members, not ours, who ate heartily and heavily).
By 5pm, all was finished – Rita had made her speech and the weary
revellers had started off home. The sun clouded over and our
celebration was ended. The day had been glorious, and so had the
North Notts Neighbourhood Group’s Royal Revelry. Mansfield U3A’s
thanks have to go to Rita Turner, Linda Leivers, Don Wright, Terry
Lammas - and the hard working Chat and Stitch members.
And Mansfield U3A's 'Inedible Street Party' exhibits? The cakes will go to a Nursery school, the sandwiches
will be unpicked and the squares made into a blanket and the bunting, etc., was given to Portland Training
College for their Street Party on June 12th. Amost thoughtful action.
MikeAllen
Page 3 of 12

4. Coffee Morning
Once again, the sun shone on the righteous for the Coffee Morning. The car park at The Towers filled
up rapidly as 10am approached and, as the doors opened, the hordes disappeared inside to find, as
ever, a well-organised and well-stocked event.
An abundance of Tombola and Raffle prizes gathered by
Sue and Karen meant that tickets for each sold rapidly and
easily, with the Tombola table crowded out by eager winners
and disappointed losers. One person was reputed to have
won five prizes.
'Madam Vice' had advertised her pies and they were bought
eagerly, as were the cakes and scones prepared by the
Pudding Club. In fact, Head Pudding Person Sylvia sat filling
scones with cream and strawberries, almost unable to keep
up with the demand! By the way, a few pies remain, and they
will be available (still frozen) at the June meeting!
Avril and Janet kept the Garden Group stall filled with plants which were snapped up almost as quickly as
they were put down while the vase (donated by Jane
Kockum) was raffled – the winner grabbing it with cries of
joy.
So, all in all, a wonderful morning. The thanks of all the
members who benefit from the Coffee Morning by their
lower subscriptions must go to all the organisers and the
helpers, makers and growers who toiled for us. Thanks to
the members who turned up and spent in such large
amounts.And finally, thanks to staff of The Towers.
The final profit will be announced at the June meeting, but it
could well be over £700, a good increase on last year. Well
done everyone!
MikeAllen
Latest News …
A.G.M. in September – members are reminded that any motions that they wish to introduce should be
with the Committee, proposed and seconded, by the July meeting. Subscriptions will be required by the
A.G.M. Cheques payable to Mansfield and District U3Aor see below for online details.
Committee Nomination Forms are available from Mike Allen, the Secretary, at the monthly meeting. It is
important that they should be filled in as aoon as possible as we do not have a meeeting inAugust.
Please hand the completed forms back to the Secretary.
Online Banking is now available to members to pay their subscriptions online:
Sort Code: 60-14-03 Account Number: 40396835
Account name: Mansfield and District U3A REFERENCE: Member's name (for identification)
The details will be published on the back page each month.
Key to Meetings details:
THIS TABLE SHOWS THE DAY of the month, time and frequency using the first two letters of the day,
followed by numbers 1 - 5 to represent the week number. The final letter M (or F, W or V) indicates that the
group meets monthly, fortnightly, weekly or at variable intervals.
So 'Tu2, 2.30 - V M' would mean a group meeting on the 2nd Tuesday at 2.30pm Monthly but with
Variable finish times.
All members are invited to contact the relevant Group Leader if they would like to participate in any
interest group or attend an event. NB: * indicates a waiting list.
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5. Interest Group Meetings Meeting Places Leader/Contact
Afternoon Teas Sa2, 3 - 5 M Various Sheila Whalley
01623 453908
Next Meetings: TBA
Antiques and
Collectables *
Tu2, 10 – 12.00 M Bridge Street
Methodist Church,
Mansfield
Pat Blackwell
01623 481745
Next Meetings: July 12th – Sport.
Art We3, 10 – 12.00 M Big Barn Lane
Methodist Church,
Mansfield
Gordon Howlett
01623 627423
Next Meetings: June 15th – No Meeting: Devon Holiday.
Art Appreciation Mo1, 2.00 - 4.00 M Stanhope Centre
Mansfield
Pauline Boucher
01623 644798
Next meetings: TBA
Beginners' Bridge
(With Ashfield U3A)
Mo, F
6.30 - 9.00
Enviro Centre,
Derby Rd College,
Mansfield
Maxine Rose 01623
459081
Next Meetings: June 20th (AlsoACOLat the Mechanics Institute – Thurs. 10 - 12.30 W)
Bowls Tu 1.30 – 3.30 W
Coaching / Roll-ups at
£3.00 per session
Mansfield Bowls
Club,
Chesterfield Road
Don Wright/Pat
Gunter 01623
628946/626250
Next Meetings: Outdoor Season begins Tuesday 3rd May. All welcome; flat soled shoes required
Chat and Stitch Mo3, 2.00 - 4.00 M St John's Centre,
Mansfield
Doreen Storer
01623 407731
Next Meetings: Meetings as per calendar; No meeting in August
Craft Workshop We4, 2.00 - 4.00 M Ruth Colley's home Ruth Colley
01623 472010
Next meetings: Meetings as per calendar
Current Affairs Tu2, 2.00 - 4.00 M St John's Centre,
Mansfield
Norma Shillinglaw
01623 466934
Next Meetings: Meetings as per calendar
Family History Tu4, 10.00 - 12.00 M St John's Centre,
Mansfield
Max Clarke
01623 621744
Next Meetings: Meetings as per calendar
Film Studies * We1, 1.30 - V M Joy's home Joy Crowe
01623 645400
Next Meetings: Meetings as per calendar
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6. Garden Visits Various during the
Summer
Various Janet Whitlam/Karen
Troop
01623 635607
Next Visits: Thurs. June 30th – Breezy Knees Garden, Warthill, York; Wed. July 27th – Newby
Hall & Gardens, Ripon
Gardening Tu1, 10.00 - 12.00 M St Peter's Centre,
Mansfield
Avril McGee
01623 452688
Next Meetings: Thurs. July 7th – Visit: Lilies and Chilies. Note day change to Thursday; Tues.
Aug 2nd – Local Garden Visit tba
Golf Last Friday of Month Various Paul Mann
01623 615416
Next Meeting: June 24th – Oakmere Golf Club; 9 am for 10 am teeoff
History We3, 10.00 - 12.00 M M'field Bowling Club,
Chesterfield Road
David Drew
01623 555012
Next Meetings: TBA
Holidays
(Home & Abroad)
Various TBA Margaret Burlinson
01623 632538
2016 Holidays: Mon. Sept. 26th to Mon. Oct. 3rd – Mallorca* (Margaret Burlinson). Details on
website and in Newsletter.
2017 Holidays: Jan & Feb – Thoresby Hall. Mon. Jan 9th to Fri. Jan 13th – now full; Mon. 20th
Feb to Fri. 24th Feb. Please check Holidays page on website for full details
Horse Riding Fr4, 11.00 M exp.
Fr2, 11.00 M beg.
Kirkfields Equestrian
Centre, Blidworth
Christine Smith
07859 249086
Next Meetings: Meetings as per calendar.
International Dining We2, 6.30 for 7.00 M Various Jacqui Hampshire
01623 239210
Next Meetings: No meetings in June or July
Local History * Fri1, 10.00 - 12.00 M Bridge Street
Methodist Church,
Mansfield
Bob & Sue Longden
01623 486903
Next Meetings: July 1st – Moor Pond Woods - A Thread in the Web of Time: Stephen Walker;
No meeting August. Sept. 2nd – Public Transport: Ian Boucher
Luncheon Club Th after 3rd Tu,
12.00 - 2.00 M
Various Eileen & Colin Bell
01623 429239
Next Meetings: June 23rd – Kelham House Hotel; July 21st – The Old Reindeer, Edingley
Movement to Music W 10.30 - 11.30 W St John's Church
Hall
Linda Leivers
01623 471963
Next Meetings: Meetings as per calendar
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7. Music Groups
Classical Music 2 Mo4, 2.00 - 4.00 M Members' homes Peter Hart
01623 620940
Next Meetings: June 27th – English Light Classical at Peter Hart's; July 25th – Baroque Music
Music 2 * Mo4, 2.00 - 4.30 M Members' homes Eric Prescott
01623 631160
Next Meeting: Meetings as per calendar
Popular Music
Appreciation *
Tu4, 2.00 - 4.00 M St John's School,
Mansfield
Peter Haynes
01623 610886
Next Meeting: Meetings as per calendar
Pudding Club Tu1, 4.00 - 6.00 M Members' homes Sylvia Slack
01623 633981
Next Meetings: Meetings as per calendar: Alternately at Sylvia's and Janet's.
Read a Little Aloud Fri2, 2.00 - 4.00 M St Peter's Community
Centre, Bellamy Road,
Mansfield
Sheila Haslam
01623 627764
Next Meetings: Meetings as per calendar
Reading 1 Th3, 2.00 - 4.00 M Peter Dawson's home Peter Dawson
01623 882191
Next Meetings: Meetings as per calendar.
Reading 2 Tu3, 2.00 - 4.00 M Ravenshead Library Joan Hufton
01623 557488
Next Meetings: Meetings as per calendar
Science & Technical Tu1, 2.00 - 4.00 M Stanton Hill Baptist
Church, Albert St.
Skegby
Ian Boucher
01623 644798
Next Meetings: July 5th – History of Electronics: Phil Dennis; August 2nd - TBA
Scrabble Mo2, 2.00 - 4.00 M Brenda Thurkettle's
home
Brenda Thurkettle
01623 628136
Next Meetings: Meetings as per calendar
Tai Chi Mo, 9.30 - 10.30 W St John's Centre,
Mansfield
Jean Kirk
01623 480207
Next Meetings: New Term fromApril 11th – July 25th (Except May 2nd / 30th Bank Holidays)
Theatre Visits Various Various Sheila Whalley
01623 453908
Next Visits: Sat. Aug 29th – Chicago (RCH) - all tickets £39.50. Pay at May meeting
Wed. Sept 4th – The Glenn Miller Story (with Tommy Steele) – pay by July meeting
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8. Walking Groups
Hikers
(all-day, 6 - 8 miles)
Th1 & Mo3, 9.30 - V
2/M
Tesco car park, off
Oak Tree Lane,
Mansfield
Peter Thurkettle
01623 628136
Next Meetings: Thurs July 7th – Hathersage; Mon 18th July – Overhaddon; Thurs Aug 4th –
Ladybower and 'Lost Lad'
Shufflers
(short & gentle)
Th4, 12.00 - V M Various Sylvia Slack
01623 633981
Next Meetings: June 30th – Picnic at Hardwick (meet at Visitors' Centre); July 28th – King's Mill
Reservoir (meet at Visitors' centre)
Strollers
(a leisurely 2 miles)
We2, 10.30 - V M Various Barbara Massey /
Marion Thornton
01623 628357/ 651528
Next Meetings: July 13th – Pleasley Pit Trail (top car park); Aug 10th – Berry Hill Park (meet at 3
Denby Drive, off Robin Down Lane. Return for coffee).
Walkers
(an easy 4 - 5 miles)
We4, 10.30 - V M Various Joy & Nick Crowe
01623 645400
Next Meetings: June 22nd – Strawberry Hill Woods & Rainworth (Tesco / Oak Tree Lane Leisure
Centre c/p); July 27th – Blidworth Woods; Aug 24th – Teversal Village (Vistors' Centre Car Park)
Wine Appreciation 2 * We3, 7.30 - V M Members' homes Mike Allen
01623 653345
Next Meetings: June 15th – Summer Wines at Mike's; July 2nd – BBQ at Ron's; July 20th –
Whites at Bob and Sue's.
Wine Appreciation 3 * Tu4, 7.30 - V M Members' homes Graham Allin
01623 473662
Next Meetings: June 28th – Wine Society Reds at Ron's; July 26th – White Burgundy at Graham
& Eileen's
Wine Appreciation 4 * Th4, 7.30 - V M Members' homes Jane Kockum
01623 407235
Next Meetings: Meetings as per calendar
Writing for Pleasure Mo2, 2 - 4 M Stanhope Centre,
Bridge Street,
Mansfield
Hilary Miller/Sue Ford
01623 620067/844286
Next Meetings: Meetings as per calendar
Harmony (an independent Interest Group) meets every fortnight on Wednesday evenings from 5.45 pm
to 7.15 pm at St Alban's Church in Forest Town. Contact Jean Kirk on 01623 480207 or at the monthly
meeting to learn more about this singing group of U3AMembers.
Page 8 of 12

9. Barbara Mayer – May's Speaker
At the monthly meeting in May, Barbara Meyer’s talk was even more interesting because it was focussed
on our own locality. I don’t think any of us realised how much wild life there was in Sherwood Forest. She
gave us a fascinating and knowledgeable insight into this hidden world that often lies literally beneath our
feet. I shall certainly walk around Sherwood Forest in the future with a keener eye, looking more closely
and walking more carefully.
Our thanks to Barbara for another fascinating talk with superb videos and photographs.
Norma Smith
Latest Group News …
Art Appreciation Group
The Art Appreciation Group marked the 400th Anniversary of the death of our greatest playwright
with a visit to the Compton Verney Art Gallery in Warwickshire to see the exhibition Shakespeare in
Art, organised in association with the RSC, as part of the commemorations of Shakespeare’s death.
Shakespeare’s plays have inspired countless artists, including Hogarth, the Pre-Raphaelites,
John Singer Sargent and many more.
This exhibition, entitled ‘Tempests, Tyrants and Tragedy’, focussed on pivotal plays which have
motivated artists across the ages and which have explored the appeal of this Elizabethan
playwright. It offered an exceptional opportunity for both theatre and art lovers to re-imagine
Shakespeare’s works through a unique series of multi-media encounters, including painting,
photography and film. With specially commissioned audio excerpts from the plays, RSC actors
brought to life major paintings.
Eighteen members of the Art
Appreciation Group enjoyed this visit
enormously, had a convivial lunch and,
with the expertise of an excellent guide,
added to our knowledge of not only art
and theatre, but also Shakespeare’s
works.
Our monthly meeting followed a few
days later and included a lively
discussion of our visit and the items in
the galleries which had caught the
attention of individual members. Quotes
from Shakeapeare followed and we felt
that the death of the Bard had been well
and truly commemorated. We even had a ‘Top Ten’ of the most popular works of art devoted to the
plays – Ophelia, Hamlet, Macbeth, Romeo, Titania and Bottom all featured in a fitting tribute to this
great playwright. One member introduced us to a 20th Century artist none of us had heard of but
who had painted a stunning image of Romeo and Juliet. We need to learn more of Juliet Harbour.
Pauline Boucher
Popular Music Appreciation
Peter Haynes would like to remind all the members of this group that subscriptions are due at the
June meeting.
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10. Swimming Group
Christine Smith is looking at the 1st and 3rd Sundays at 2.00pm at the FitnessFlex gym,
next to the football ground. The cost is £4.00, for the use of the (warm) pool, plus the
sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, turbo pool and free hairdryers! Don't forget the pound coin for
the lockers, but you get this back”. Contact Christine on 07859 249086 or at the meeting.
The Book Table made £45.10 in May. A far better result, even though Terry has more
to push and pull to get the books up to the 1861 Suite.
Afternoon Teas
The afternoon tea at Jacksdale Garden Centre last month was truly Scrumptious! Prawn and
smoked salmon sandwiches, gorgeous scones and delicious cakes – we all took doggy bags
home! I don't know how they did it for the price. The last one was on Saturday June 11th at
the Fat Rabbit café in the Visitors’ Centre at Portland Park, Kirkby, just off the beaten track.
Sheila Whalley
Theatre Visits:
The latest on the London Trip on October 5th and 6th. 'Beautiful' is the replacement for
'Showboat', but I need to know if you want to see it. I've been told that it's good!
B&B will still be at the St Giles Hotel, then a visit to The Shard and Windsor Castle with entrance
fees included. All for £255 (sharing). The single supplement is £36 (down from £46 last year).
If your £50 deposit was paid before the end of March, £10 will be deducted from the price of the
theatre ticket (£49.50 before discount), making a total price of £245 if sharing. If you do not want
to go to the show, deduct £49.50 from the full amount.
A pre-theatre meal at Henry's in Covent Garden will be arranged at a later date but this is not
included in the above price. Make all cheques payable to Mansfield U3A and send them to Sheila
Whalley at 335 Berryhill Lane, Mansfield. Include your phone number and which U3A you are in.
The September shows are open for booking, so please look at them and decide now. Bookings
are also being taken for 'Warhorse' in 2018. 20 names have been taken already!
Sheila Whalley
Holidays
42 of us returned from Devon on June 20th, so the report and photos will be in the July
Newsletter.
Mallorca September 26th - 3rd Oct. 2016. All balances must be paid at the June meeting for this
holiday, please. £784 (single rooms) £714 (twin/double rooms) Cheques are to be made payable
to Mansfield & District U3A.
Packs with itineraries, luggage labels, coach plans & insurance policies for those taking the
company's insurance will be ready to collect from my table in July. Please remember the
important meeting at the Junction/ Cardinal on Saturday September 10th, starting promptly at
11am. We shall be discussing airport arrangements and any other problems that may arise. You
are welcome to stay for a meal there afterwards.
Margaret Burlinson
Thoresby Hall Holiday 2017.
In 2017, there will be two holiday dates: Monday January 9th 2017 to Friday January 13th 2017 at
£182pp and Monday February 20th 2017 to Friday February 24th 2017 at £220pp. Room
upgrades are available. For details see the Mansfield U3A website: Interests & Hobbies: Holidays.
Page 10 of 12

11. It's 'waiting list only' now so contact 2017thoresby@whiteheaduk.plus.com or 01623 626991.
Terry Whitehead
International Dining
On May 11th, two couples and six 'waifs and strays' enjoyed a meal at And Why Not in Mansfield.
Even if our numbers on this occasion were depleted, a great time, with an excellent meal, was had by
all. As we were all on one table, we were able to chat to each other easily. International Dining will be
taking a break during June and July due to holidays and other commitments.
Our next venue will be on August 10th at Lambardis Italian Restaurant in Chesterfield (directions
later).In September, we are hoping to try the new Spanish restaurant at Larch Farm - providing it is
open on time - and October will be seeing us visit once more the Polish restaurant Anya in Sherwood.
I will do my best to get the details onto the website! I will be at the monthly meetings to take bookings.
Jacqui Hampshire
Golf Group
The May fixture took place at Brierley Forest Golf Club, Huthwaite, where seven members
participated. The Group had not played the 18 holes previously and encountered some
difficulties negotiating the course. The Group Leader, attempting to tee off at the 7th hole, sent
the golf ball 200 yards in the wrong direction down the 9th fairway (the two tees were adjacent).
Fortunately, three well meaning Huthwaite members pointed him in the right direction,
unfortunately leaving him a 400 yard jog to retrieve his ball.
The Group just about managed to negotiate the remaining holes, although one group member
suggested bringing a compass or a ball of string along the next time we played there.
The next fixture is at Oakmere Park on June 24th at 9.00am for a 10.00am tee off.
Paul Mann
'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' at the Theatre Royal
I can understand why this production of 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' has broken all records in the West End. It
held us all spell bound throughout, and the hundreds of children in the audience were a credit to their
schools and staff. Behind us was a young teenager, obviously disabled, but so enthusiastic that she
consistently sang the popular songs. Rather than a distraction, she added to our enjoyment and I felt as
proud of her as her parents obviously were.
The projections on stage were magnificent as was the recreated car taking centre stage. It was not only the
children who were thrilled to see it moving through water - how they made it fly through the air was a
magical moment of technical brilliance.
With excellent performances from Lee Mead as Caractacus Potts, Michelle Collins as Baroness Bombard,
Shaun Williamson as her husband, Matt Gillet as the evil Child Catcher and Carrie, Hope Fletcher as Truly
Scrumptious, no wonder it was a huge success. What a cast! And such a pity that so many members
missed this show, for there only Sheila and went! Thanks for the opportunity, Sheila - I am so pleased I was
in that audience.
Margaret Burlinson
Page 11 of 12

12. Dates for your diary (Check the website for more information and updates.)
June 21st Tuesday Speaker Meeting: Biometrics or there will never be another you! Paul
Newish, a retired forensic scientist, will talk about fingerprints, crime, DNA and how each person is
unique.
June 30th Thursday: Garden Visits Group visit to Breezy Knees Garden at Warthill, near York. Cost:
£20. Coach leaves MTFC at 9.00 am. There are a few places left.
July 13th Wednesday: The visit to Tolethorpe for 'Wind In The Willows' will go ahead, with the
cost now £22. The bus leaves MTFC car park at 5pm and returns at about 11.30pm. Don't forget
your picnic, a folding chair and an umbrella! Please pay the £22 at the June meeting to Mike Allen –
cheques made out to Mansfield & District U3A.Wind In The Willows' at Tolethorpe Hall. £22 pp. Bus
leaves at 5pm from MTFC.
August 16th Tuesday: Summer Picnic. In August, in place of the normal meeting, Mansfield U3A
meets at the Queen Elizabeth Academy on Chesterfield Road for a Summer Picnic from noon to
3pm. Bring food to share and your own drinks. Enjoy the outdoor games – indoors if it's wet! More
details later.
September 20th Tuesday: A.G.M.
______________________________________________________________________________
Event and Visit Payments
MEMBERS are reminded that deposits and payments for events and visits organised by Mansfield
U3A and its interest groups are non-refundable, but places so reserved may be offered to others.
______________________________________________________________________________
Changes of Address, etc.
PLEASE contact the membership secretary, Marilyn Dibble 01623 634805, if you've changed your
address, phone number or email since joining Mansfield U3A so that she can update our records.
______________________________________________________________________________
Disclaimer
THE VIEWS expressed here are those of the contributors, only, and do not necessarily reflect those
of the editor, the committee of Mansfield U3A or the Third Age Trust. Nor can any responsibility be
accepted for members' announcements or any errors that may occur.
______________________________________________________________________________
Next Issue
PLEASE SEND contributions for the next issue to mikeallen@lichfieldave.freeserve.co.uk or by
hand to Mike Allen as soon as you can and by the 1st of the month at the latest. Thanks!
______________________________________________________________________________
Editor: Mike Allen 01623 653345 Printed by: Portland Print
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