SPECIAL EVENTS by Jean Imrie

Where do I start? We have had so many Special Events in the last 41/2 years it is hard to know in which order to mention them. I must admit I did not realise how many 'Do's we have had until one of our members went through all the Diaries and made me a list. At The Bristol Hippodrome we have seen "Scrooge", "Evita", "Crazy for You", "Les Miserables", "Goodbye Girl", "Phantom of the Opera". We saw" H M S Pinafore" at The Bristol Old Vic.

For our summer outings we started off with a visit to The Royal Worcester Porcelain Factory, and this was most successful. We try to have an outing each year. One year we visited SS.Gt Britain and Harvey's Bristol Sherry store, with lunch at the 'Mauritania' all in on one day. The next year it was the 'Three Choirs' vineyard and the Shambles in Newent. The following year we visited Westonbirt Arborerum, Laycock Abbey and the Fox Talbot Photographic Museum. The last two outings were to Blenhiem Palace and to Hampton Court, last year there were so many of us we had two coaches.

We usually have a Christmas Lunch, which is attended by 60 or more people. We have been to The Forester's Oaks, The Huntsman, and the last two have been at The Dewstow Golf Club.

Some of the interest groups also organise social events. For two years running the Musical Appreciation group have visited "A Night at the Proms" in Tredegar Park, Newport. The first year it did not stop raining the whole evening, but the following year we had a beautiful evening. The music and the fireworks were spectacular. A picnic supper and a glass of wine was enjoyed by all.

The Handicraft Group have visited the Cullompton Wool Mill, Fishguard Bi-centenary Tapestry, an Embroidery Textiles and Jewellery Exhibition and Chepstow Museum. They have visited also a "Threads of Life" Exhibition at Yarlington House.

As a Branch we have organised Quizzes where we invite other U3A branches in the area to send teams. The competition is lively and these have been most enjoyable evenings.

We have Fund Raising events i.e. Barbecues, Cream Teas, Soup Kitchens and Pancake Parties. All of these events have been great fun, bringing all the groups together, and I think that 'Special Events' activities have a big part to play in the life of our U3A. We look forward to having many more.