47 members and friends enjoyed five days at Llandudno recently. The weather was a bit violent at times but this did not prevent us from enjoying some magnificent scenery and I've no doubt there will be plenty of photographs available soon to prove this as Ron, Nita and Dorothy were very busy with their cameras.
*Click the photograph above to access a slide show of the Turkey and Tinsel
(or Mistletoe and Holly!) Holiday - 2006
During our trip to Snowdonia we were fortunate to have Rodney and Dorothy to supplement the tour with some very interesting information regarding the harnessing of the lake water for power and the history of the arctic fish that are to be found in the deep cold water there.
Shopping was not overlooked - and the stores of Llandudno were duly plundered! Our hotel was warm and comfortable; the staff pleasant and attentive - our welcome was very pleasing; and some of us wanted to take the chef home - his porridge was so delicious!!*Click the photograph above to access a slide show of the visit to London
Tower Bridge and GreenwichAn open invitation was given recently by the Forest of Dean U3A to any of our members who would like to join them on a trip to London to visit in particular Tower Bridge and Greenwich. A number of our members took up the offer including our chairman, Glenice and Ron Lapthorn who kindly provided the photographic record of the visit which can be accessed below.
Visit to London
On Thursday 31 August 48 members of our U3A set off on a most enjoyable overnight trip to London. The overnight stay was at the Novotel London City South where everyone had very well appointed rooms. On the Thursday evening most people found somewhere to eat in Covent Garden before being coached to the Prince of Wales theatre for a performance of Mamma Mia. This was a most lively and happy show with a clever storyline based on Abba hits of the 60's.
*Click the photograph above to access a slide show of the Group visit to London
On the return journey to the hotel the very obliging Edwards driver took us to see the lights along the embankment, past the Tower of London and over Tower Bridge.
After a good breakfast on Friday morning the group visited Clarence House and Buckingham Palace where over 80 of the Queen's dresses were on display, which was an added bonus to the visit. A wonderful trip and thanks must go to Jean Imrie for arranging it even down to a refund which was enough to buy an ice cream in the theatre!David Evans
*Click the photograph above to access a slide show of the 2006 Caldicot CarnivalMr & Mrs John Llewellin wed in Chepstow.
Caldicot U3A Walking Group provided a "guard of honour" when two of their members, John and Margaret, were married at Chepstow Registry Office on Saturday, 8th April.
*Click the photograph above to access a larger image
Caldicot & District U3A were proud to host the SW & SS network meeting on March 9th, with senior representatives from the Third Age Trust, National Office and members from U3A's from S.Wales & Severnside. Lin Jonas, Co Sec of 3rd Age Trust gave an entertaining and informative insight into how the Trust supports & enriches the work of U3As and the facilities available to us. After entertainment by Caldicot & District U3A Choir and Drama group, there was further discussion on U3A awareness and how we can spread that word that we are proud to belong to U3A movement.
*Click the photograph below to access a slide show of the SW & SS network meeting on March 9th 2006
The performance by the Choir and Drama sections were praised by everyone. A delegate from Swansea U3A, who is Chairman of The Dylan Thomas Society, made a special point of praising the Drama sections performance of 'Under Milk Wood'.Roy Noble and Glenice Dallow pose for a souvenir photo at the end of Roy's visit to our January monthly meeting, where he gave us a talk on "Who do you think you are". His talk related to some of his past experiences, which included many amusing human moments which our members found that they could relate to.My Lords, Ladies, Gentlemen, Friends, I give you Caldicot U3A's very own artistes who shall dance for you like Fairies and sing like Angels. We will indulge you in an afternoon of home made repast, jollification and merriment with oodles of entertainment.
Our acclaimed entertainers will wait with baited breath for your joyous cries, nay shrieks, for more after each one has personified, nay acted out, even better than the excellence of the greatest artists in the land, nay the World!
We shall batten down the roof of this emporium, in anticipation of your
gi-normous acclimations and cries of wonderment, at this extravaganza, so ably brought to you by your Angelic Choir and Athletic Drama group.Ladies and Gentlemen of Caldicot U3A we give you a Music Hall like no other!
*Click the photograph below to access a slide show of our MUSIC HALL
Caldicot and District U3A closed their year with a wonderful afternoon of entertainment, every member was invited to dress up as though they were attending an old time music hall.
The first half of the afternoons entertainment was by our choir, led by Eric Taylor. The choir sang a selection of carols which included audience participation.The second half of the afternoon was a show organized by Anna Nicholas, leader of our Drama group. Every song was acted out by one or more of Anna's members and all renditions were encouraging audience participation to sing along with the cast.
The show was overseen by master of ceremonies Jerry Nicholas, attired in full regalia of top hat, huge moustache and gavel. After the closing song of 'Lambeth walk' was given an encore it enthused the audience to join the cast in doing 'the walk' round the choir hall.
The afternoon would have not been complete without the usual festive refreshments which were enjoyed by all, Glenice Dallow, our chairwoman went on to thank everyone for a most successful year and with a membership growth now breaking the 300 barrier, she and the committee were looking forward to an even more enjoyable and successful year in 2006.
*Click the photograph below to access a slide show of our Christmas Dinner
Betty, Reg and Reg,caught in a nice pose at the Dewstow where our Christmas Dinner was held. Thank you Jean for arranging such a great day for us all.
Turkey and Tinsel trip to Eastbourne
*Click the photograph below to access a slide show of our Turkey and Tinsel trip to Eastbourne
Thankyou Jean for a wonderful Turkey and Tinsel trip to Eastbourne where we were looked after wonderfully at the Afton Hotel. No more could be asked of our driver, Graham from Edwards coaches who took us the scenic routes on our day trips, which were to Tunbridge Wells, Brighton and to Rye on market day, what more could we ask!
*Click the photograph below to access a slide show of our exhibition meeting in October
Over the last few weeks two of our members, Bob and Ann Taylor-Heard have been busy making a slide show of our 10th Anniversary celebrations, having put music to the pictures they have gone on to make copies, which can be purchased with all profits going to our U3A account. After visiting the stands and watching the slide show we were served scones with jam and cream followed by tea.*Please click the above photograph to enter the gala recital photo album
On Saturday October the 1st. at Grayhill school Caldicot, the Caldicot & District U3A were proud to present to an audience of enthusiasts a concert of such quality it left us all speechless.
Mezzo Soprano Guang Yang the 1997 winner of the prestigious Cardiff Singer of the World Competition was accompanied by Ingrid Surgenor who is one of Britain’s most successful pianists and who is Internationally renowned for her work as an accompanist including 20 years for the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition.
Yang and Ingrid performed to guests, members of the public and the ‘Two Bridges Music’ group who are allied to Caldicot and District U3A.
These Internationally famous artists performed with such talent, warmth and grace it was a privilege to be in the audience.
Those gathered there included many who had kindly sponsored and encouraged this ground-breaking venture; from the response after the concert each and everyone felt they had shared a wonderful experience.
The programme included work by Bizet, Samuel Barber, Saint Saëns, Mahler, Rossini, and Mascagni; Guang Yang also introduced us to a selection of traditional Chinese folk songs.
All in all a wonderful evening to be remembered and our thanks go to Gerry Nicholas, his Music Appreciation group and helpers. It is to be hoped that this will prove to be the first of many such ventures.A fine September day witnessed the invasion of North Somerset by 113 Caldicot and District U3A members to the well-publicized country home - Tyntesfield. The National Trust acquired the property in August 2002, from the estate of the 2nd. Lord Wraxall, at a cost of £20,000,000, which was raised in fifty days! Lord Wraxall, a bachelor, lived alone here and was the fourth generation of the Gibbs family to live there. Each generation made changes but with unusual sympathy for their predecessors` work.
*Click the photograph below to access a slide show of the visit to Tyntesfield.
The Gibbs family was wealthy! Having made their fortune from gnano "mining" and exporting from South America. They were also very generous having funded the building of nineteen churches, including one at Keeble College and Christchurch in Clifton. The house is a magical place bristling with Gothic extravagance, and the well-informed guides helped organize the house tour.
We were all taken aback by the immense beauty inside, especially the library and 150 years of Gibbs family memorabilia, 40,000 items now being catalogued! Outside, the area of "Paradise", the formal gardens and the kitchen gardens are extremely photogenic.
This amazing treasure, now in the safe hands of the National Trust, is undergoing extensive conservation and repairs. It will no longer remain one of the least known of English country houses.
If you were not there, you missed an excellent day, for which we must thank Jean and Rodney Imrie for organizing.
Caldicot & District U3A NEWS REVIEW photo slide show
*Click the photograph below to access a slide show
Our members, including our Chairman Glenice and Vice Chairman Pam, are seen putting the final preparations to our display ready for when visitors arrive to an exhibition in the Methodist Church, Caldicot Town Centre, organised by Age Concern.
Our members arriving back at Caldicot Country Park at the end of the Carnival Parade*Please click the photograph below to access a photo slide show of archive news articles
photo: Peter and Norma Shreeve's garden party
Glenice Dallow and Peter Shreeve are seen scrutinizing the winning tickets for the raffle, which was held ar Peter and Norma Shreeve's garden party. It was held to raise funds for our U3A so that we could purchase a gazebo, to be used for future events, which will include our displays and exhibitions.
Thank you both for a lovely time.
© Caldicot and District U3A mmvii
