Group News by Penny Rose [Groups Co-ordinator] March 2020

We have many new members who are recently "retired". If you are one of those and feel slightly let  down after a busy life, why not start a new Group using your expertise to enlighten others? Please contact me with your ideas. 01297 561076 or email at the foot of the Groups tab.
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We had an interesting “Activities” morning on 14th February – renamed because some members became confused with the title “Coffee Morning” Thank you to all group leaders who came, many with examples to illustrate their group activities.

As a result of the meeting, the following new groups were suggested by members interested in learning particular skills. If you could teach or co-ordinate any of the following please contact me on 01297 561076 or email below.

Ideas for new Groups

• Calligraphy - Calligraphy is a visual art related to writing. It is the design and execution of lettering with a broad tip instrument, brush, or other writing instruments. Have we an expert in this skill amongst members?

• Mah Jong – a Chinese game played with tiles – needing 4 players [There are videos online for learning how to play this game.]

• Snooker – does anyone know of a local venue for Snooker, rather than Pool?

• Fencing – after the fencing demonstration held earlier this year many of the 25 members who attended, showed interest in forming a group, with specialist instruction and provided kit. So far only 4 members have committed to this. No day has yet been decided but if you are interested, please contact Penny Rose

• Astronomy – a few years ago we had a list of many members interested in this, but nobody wishing to teach or co-ordinate.

• 2nd Sunday Lunch Group The existing group is full, but if a member would come forward to co-ordinate a second group, Linda Green, who runs the Sunday lunch group would be very willing to advise and give a list of recommended venues with contact details. She says that it really is not an arduous task and gives so much pleasure and discussion on all sorts of topics to those participating. It is particularly enjoyable for those living on their own. Contact Linda by email or Penny Rose 01297 561076

• 3rd Book Group – If any member is interested in co-ordinating a new Group, the leaders of the other two existing groups have offered to be of assistance in setting it up. Please contact either Dawn Armstrong  or Jocelyn March  for help in setting it up. If you wish to join, but not co-ordinate contact Penny Rose 01297 561076

If you have a different specialism and are willing to lead, please suggest it for a new group.

New groups
Thank you very much to those who agreed to co-ordinate new groups.  These have been entered into the alphabetical list on the Groups drop down menu, where they can be contacted by email.

• Art and Craft Group. Having lost our wonderful Needles and Stitches Group, there has been a fresh request for a craft group, which could mean any craft at all e.g. painting, knitting, stitching, batik, silk pictures, lino cutting, quilting or any other of the myriads of crafts now available. If interested, please contact Jayne Avery 01297 33544  
•  Beginners’ Digital Photography. John Marriage is willing to lead a beginners group if six to eight members are interested. Please contact John on 01297 443469  
• 2nd Memoir Writing Group   Jackie Lloyd will be starting a second Memoir writing group in the autumn which will meet once a month. Day ( not Wednesday) venue, and time to be decided. She has a waiting list which is probably now rather out of date. If you are interested please email her when she will record your details and contact you later in the year to make arrangements.
• Boules Group This new group will begin in the Spring at The Hind in Musbury 12.00 – 2.30 on Thursdays and/or Fridays. If you are interested, please contact Joan Pitt   01297 631363

• Family History Group This new group will meet monthly from 10.00 -12-00 on various days. If you are interested in joining, please contact Pam Melhuish 

Current groups needing more members:

• Seafront Gardens If you enjoy gardening and fresh air, why not join this group from March onward Merry Bolton 01297 443334

• German Intermediate Conversation Group Audrey Standhaft 01297 442427

• Religion and Ethics Ed Standhaft 01297 442427

• Current Affairs 1 and 2 Iain Paterson 01297 631193

• Strollers – maximum walks of 2 miles – slow, avoiding hills and slippery ground!

         Ros Pritchard 01297 443507

• Board Games – Wendy Alexander 01297 44515