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Chinnor & District U3A

 

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Special Interest Groups

 

 

 

 

 

 

Art History

 

 

Description

 

Aims and Objectives: To encourage discussion and appreciation of artists and their works, resulting in an enhanced knowledge and understanding of art.

 

We study the British artist at present, their paintings and the artists themselves and compare the difference in British and European art.  We the “learners” research the artist and at our monthly meeting we all express what we have found out and in doing so, it is surprising how much we achieve in the knowledge, to the point we have even corrected guides on rare occasions.

 

Do not be put off from thinking of joining because you like paintings but don’t feel you know anything about them. You will be pleasantly surprised at what you get from studying Art History: a whole new world.

 

 

Meetings

 

3rd Friday of each month from January to June and September to November.

 

Venue

 

Village Centre

 

Time

 

10:30 am till 12 noon

 

Cost

 

Small subscriptions towards our annual trip to an Art Gallery

 

Group Leader

 

Jean Bray & Audrey Farman

 

Group list

 

 Interest Group Meetings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Art/Painting

 

 

Description

 

Aims and Objectives: To encourage members to express their enjoyment of practical art, regardless of skill level, within an informal friendly atmosphere.

 

The Art/Painting group is an informal one, catering for all of us who enjoy drawing and painting, whatever our level of skill (and who should be the judge of that?).  We each choose whatever medium we prefer on the day, it doesn’t matter. Our subjects range over still life; working from photographs and themes such as trees, water, limited palette etc., with a quick demonstration from the leader. Formal classes are not the rue, but help, advice and encouragement are on tap. The meetings are friendly and sociable.

 

 

Meetings

 

2nd and 4th  Wednesdays

 

Venue

 

Village Centre

 

Time

 

2:00 pm till 4:00 pm

 

Cost

 

£2 per session

 

Group Leader

 

Tony Garrett & Ted Farman

 

Group list

 

 Interest Group Meetings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bridge

 

 

Description

 

Aims and Objectives: To provide an opportunity for our members to play bridge. We do not provide any formal tuition but members at all levels are encouraged to attend and we always have someone able to give advice and guidance. Currently we play CHICAGO.

 

Please come along, there is no limit on numbers and you will be very welcome.

 

 

Meetings

 

2nd  Thursday

 

Venue

 

Village Centre

 

Time

 

2:00 pm till 4:00 pm. Tea and coffee will also be available

 

Cost

 

 

 

Group Leader

 

Stuart Baker & Betty Yendell

 

Group list

 

 Interest Group Meetings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Computers

 

 

Description

 

Aims and Objectives: To encourage members of the U3A to become computer literate, so that they can communicate, especially with their grandchildren on equal terms, wherever they may be! To share knowledge with fellow members and to encourage all members to take an active part in the proceedings of the group. Subjects covered include Word processing, Databases, Spreadsheets, Powerpoint, the Internet, E-mail, Desktop publishing, Digital photography, Anti-virus and Firewall protection. We are continually looking to detect trends and to search out what is new.

 

Equipment required: It is helpful, but not essential, if members have a computer of their own or have access to one.

 

 

Meetings

 

1st Friday of the month (except August)

 

Venue

 

Village Centre

 

Time

 

2:30 pm till 4:00 pm

 

Cost

 

£1.20 per session. A supplementary charge is levied for notes of the meeting if members require them.

 

 

Group Leaders

 

Colin Sear & Robin Preston-Whyte

 

Group list

 

 Interest Group Meetings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

French

 

 

Description

 

Aims and Objectives: Our objective is to learn and encourage each other along the way, no matter what individual achievements and experience we bring from our own backgrounds Our aim is to read, comprehend and discuss topical issues from French magazines and newspapers, to improve our pronunciation using CDs, to improve our vocabulary and to enjoy a little French conversation, either generally or on a chosen topic.

 

Sometimes we study and enjoy the beautiful words and imagery to which the French language lends itself so well.

 

Once a month the group circulates a film in the French language (with English sub-titles) to be watched at home by group members between meetings.

 

We also enjoy a little “homework” in the form of a challenging crossword or vocabulary puzzle (but this is not compulsory!!).

 

We welcome new members who wish to share our interest and have fun learning at the same time, no matter whether your knowledge is “A” level or beyond.

 

 

Meetings

 

4th Monday

 

Venue

 

Members house

 

Time

 

 2.00 pm till 4:00 pm

 

Cost

 

 

 

Group Leader

 

Julia Elkins

 

Group list

 

 

 Interest Group Meetings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gardening

 

 

Description

 

Aims and Objectives: To share gardening tips, swap plants, visit various private gardens by car sharing and occasional coach trip and enjoy social activities with members throughout the seasons.

 

Gardening is obviously a very popular hobby amongst our U3A members and our Gardening Group continues to grow in popularity. We started in 1999 with the idea of visiting a variety of gardens, some small, some larger private gardens and also National Trust or other famous estates. The visits are sometimes very local, occasionally further afield. Talks with visiting speakers and sometimes one of our own members are arranged in the winter months.

 

By popular request, between the months of March and October, outdoor garden visits are made on Wednesday mornings normally meeting at our venue at 10:30am. Often we have the benefit of being guided by the owner or Garden Manager which is much more informative. We also have the advantage of visiting gardens with our Group rather then on public Open Days. There is sometimes an opportunity to buy plants at the gardens we visit. Members are provided with group membership list to facilitate lift sharing, but the Group Leaders are always willing to assist with transport arrangements if needed.

 

In November through to February we meet in Chinnor Village Hall or another local hall of suitable size, having sadly outgrown the Village Centre. In November we hold a plant sale which helps to fund some of our expenses, another plant sale was held in a member’s garden this year in May. During the four winter months speakers are invited to talk on a variety of Gardening topics.  Members also enjoy a combined meeting with Princes Risborough U3A Gardening Group.

 

 

Meetings

 

3rd Wednesday

 

Venue

 

Various

 

Time

 

10:30 am till 12:00 noon

 

Cost

 

Group entrance fees to the gardens, transport and refreshments.

 

Group Leader

 

Jack & June Wise

 

Group list

 

 Interest Group Meetings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Handicrafts

 

 

Description

 

Aims and Objectives: The groups enjoy the challenge of trying out new projects and sharing ideas with like-minded people.  We have made greetings cards, gift boxes, decorated Easter Eggs and Christmas decorations; some of us have made sewn books and padded-front books as well as fabric photo frames to name but a few.

 

Whilst we have three groups meeting once a month, we occasionally hold a joint group meeting at the Village Centre with a lunch followed by a workshop.

 

We have made a few visits to exhibitions where we pick up ideas for new themes as well as replenishing stocks in the pursuance of existing projects.

 

 

Meetings

 

1st, 2nd  and 3rd Wednesday

 

Venue

 

Group leader's house

 

Time

 

2:00 pm

 

Cost

 

£1 per session to cover the cost of materials, plus 20p for refreshments.

 

Group Leader

 

Janet Roebuck

 

Group list

 

 Interest Group Meetings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

History/Archaeology

 

 

Description

 

Aims and Objectives: The History Group started in September 1999 and its initial objective of learning about British history with enjoyment by encouraging members to select figures or events of their choice and to give presentations in turn to the group has remained largely unchanged.

 

However, over time we have expanded this basic approach to include occasional talks by outside lecturers, visits to local places of interest, U3A coach trips sponsored with an historical theme in mind.

 

In June 2004 the History and Archaeology groups merged into a single group.  The scope of our lectures has therefore widened to include a much longer dateline and we have also included aspects of American and European history.

 

The History Group is a very sociable and friendly Group and new members are made very welcome.   

 

 

Meetings

 

3rd Friday