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THEATRE GROUP THREE DAY OUT TO SONNING
JULY 2010 - The annual pilgrimage to the Mill at Sonning was again an outstanding success. Convenor Judith Finn left nothing to chance and even managed to control the weather which was warm and sunny all day. Sixteen members set out by coach around 9.30 am, and after a short coffee break en route and having manouvered around several traffic holdups arrived in time for lunch at the Mill. The play by Neil Simon, "I ought to be in pictures" was brilliant and the three artists of the cast were outstanding in their roles. An easy ride brought members back to Brentwood by 6.oo pm.
PAINTING AND DRAWING GROUP ART EXHIBITION
JUNE 2010 - At June's monthly meeting students of Myra Bruce's Painting and Drawing Group displayed their skills in the Gwendoline Lewis room. More than 40 paintings were on display covering a wide range of subjects. Many of her pupils are the first to admit that before joining Myra's class they had little or no idea about painting and drawing, but it is evident from the work that was on display that her teaching skills have benefited those who attend her classes. Below are three examples of the level that has been attained by three of her pupils. (BL)
TOUR OF MISS WILLMOTT'S GARDEN, WARLEY PLACE
MARCH 2010 - During February and March Fiona Agassiz organised and led walks around Warley Place for Brentwood U3A members. Fiona explained the history of the house and gardens, once the home of Ellen Willmott, and the walks coincided with magnificent displays of snowdrops and later daffodils. The picture below shows Fiona standing, centre, with one of the groups. Warley Place is now an Essex Wildlife Trust nature reserve and for those who have not been there it is really worth a visit. (Report Peter Ely, Photo: Owen Randall)
THEATRE GROUP THREE DINNER AND THEATRE VISIT TO CAMBRIDGE
MARCH 2010 - Twenty-one members of TG3 recently journeyed to Cambridge to see "Wife after Death," a new comedy by Eric Chappell starring Tom Conti (it is soon to go to the Wend End). As will be seen the group also enjoyed an excellent meal at the Doubletree Hotel prior to the performance. Whilst not being able to match the trials of TG1 getting home from London recently when an incident on the line caused a shutdown of the service from Liverpool Street, we did have a major detour because part of the M11 was closed for overnight works. This doubled the journey time from an hour journey to nearer two. (Report: Peter Ely, Photos: Brian Leith)
EVENING DINING GROUP
JANUARY 2010 - Eleven members of the recently-formed Evening Dining Group had their second outing and enjoyed a very pleasant evening (arranged by Convenor, Jane Mitchinson), at The Cuckoo, Radley Green (the first was to The Bull at Blackmore). The Cuckoo is run by Annette and her partner Brendan, who have developed a real following locally after having had a bistro in Mountnessing; run the Wheatsheaf in High Ongar (appearing in the Michelin and Egon Ronay guides); and finally, purchasing The Cuckoo, in September 2009. At the time of the purchase, The Cuckoo, a rather remote country pub, was badly run down and in need of a great deal of work to bring it up to the comfortable and very welcoming restaurant that it is today. The couple have a regular clientele that has followed them around, having developed a deep appreciation for Annette’s ability to create a great ambience and Brendon’s skill in delivering exquisite dishes. The evening went with a swing and all agreed that the food was absolutely first class. (Report: Brian Leith, Photo: Peter Ely)
THEATRE GROUP THREE CHRISTMAS DINNER DECEMBER 2009 - All members of TG3 (bar a couple who had other commitments), attended a dinner at the Wheatsheaf Brasserie, Kings Street, High Ongar, to celebrate a full year of theatre outings. The whole of the main bar area was given over to the Group and all members considered the evening a success. (Photo: Brian Leith)
SCULPTURE UNVEILING
NOVEMBER 2009 - Members attended the unveiling of "Analemma" a work of art created by Charmaine Cox, with help from husband Fred. The 10ft high sculpture is crafted in stainless steel and represents the relative location of the sun above the earth's horizon, and records its position at a specific time each day. The piece may be seen with many other pieces of art at Barnards Farm, West Horndon, which will be open to visitors in the spring of next year. Details of opening times, etc may be found by logging onto www.barnardsfarm.eu. (Report: Brian Leith, Photos: Bob Dwyer-Joyce)
East Anglian Church Crawl
OCTOBER 2009 - The East Anglian Group led by Holly visited four interesting Essex Churches. The first was Little Easton Church 12C There are a number of windows including the American Windows donated in 1990 by former members of the 38th Bomber Group to commemorate their time in Little Easton during the Second World War and to honour their comrades lost in that conflict. There are also a lot of frescoes and brasses and tombs. One memorial is to Dame Ellen Terry, who often took part in plays in Lady Warwick’s theatre in the grounds of Little Easton Manor. Our next visit was to St. John and St. Giles Church Great Easton Early Norman but it is thought there was a Saxon church earlier. Fairly modern looking inside with an 1899 Stone Font with a cover of Elm recently presented to the church. There is a beautiful Altar screen dated around 1912. The Tower was built in 1928 Two bells dating from 1460 have survived; three other bells made from the other 1460 bell increased the number to five. The third church was Broxted Church. Very famous for the Beirut hostage windows, one for the Captivity, the other the Freedom of John McCarthy and Brian Keenan. John’s parents had always attended the church. The last church was St. Mary the Virgin at Tilty. Formerly the church for a Cistercian Abbey. Three great windows were originally stained glass destroyed by Cromwell’s soldiers but is now plain glass letting in a lot of light. Some of the brasses are interesting too. When I go out on tours with the East Anglian Group I always feel as though I have been on a mini holiday! (Report: Jackie Towler, Photos: Geoff Towler)
TRAVEL GROUP TALK ON LEIPZIG
OCTOBER 2009 ~ The Travel Group recently enjoyed a talk by Jackie Towler about her visit to Leipzig. One of the highlights was when she took a tram to the Volkerschlactdenkmal, the colossal granite clad memorial to the Battle of the Nations of October 1813. This lead to an important defeat of Napoleon by the Great Powers Russia, Prussia, and Austria and Sweden. Over half a million soldiers participated in what was to that point the largest Battle in Europe. The monument commemorates the 120,000 who died in the fighting and the liberation from French occupation. At the foot of the memorial is a relief depicting the Archangel Michael driving across the Battlefield on a cart. The structure shapes itself around a symbolic tomb for the dead with Knights around who look medieval, as they lean on their swords keeping vigil. The 9.5 metre tall figures in the Hall of Fame depict the German virtues heroism, collective power of the people, willingness to make sacrifices, and strength of faith. In the domed hall 324 lifesized riders commemorate the Battle of the Nations. The 12.5 metre Knights placed on the external side of the Dome make clear the ability of the German people to defend themselves. Since its construction war and weather have taken their toll and it is now undergoing restoration. Completed in 1913 100 years after the battle, 120,00 cubic meters of concrete, and 12,500 cubic metres of granite cladding, went into the construction of the monument which cost seven million Reichmarks. At 91 metres it is Europe’s tallest monument. The concrete used so extensively for the first time inspired other European architects to use concrete. Unfortunately as soon as it was finished the 1914/18 war started. (Report: Jackie Towler, Photos: Geoff Towler)
THEATRE GROUP THREE BREAK IN FRANCE
SEPTEMBER - Members of Theatre Group Three (TG3) were offered the chance to join a trip organised by Brentwood Decorative & Fine Arts Society entitled “Impressions of the Seine” visiting the places where Monet, Boudin and Dufy lived and worked. Leaving Brentwood at 8.30 am and using the Channel Tunnel we were motoring in France by 11.00 am, arriving at our base in Rouen in time for a brief tour of the town before dinner. Our first full day in France saw us at the fishing village of Etretat, the setting of many of Monet’s paintings, where we had time for a brief coffee break before travelling to Le Havre to visit the Malraux Art Gallery. Then across the spectacular Pont de Normandie and on to the beautiful harbour town of Honfleur for lunch and a stroll round the harbour. On our return journey we visited a Calvados distillery for a tour and plenty of tasting. Day 2 and we were off to Giverney to explore Monet’s garden and house and have an alfresco lunch in the village. In the afternoon we visited Les Andelys with its spectacular views over the Seine. Back to Rouen in time for a more leisurely tour of the city with its mediaeval old town and magnificent Cathedral. On our last full day in France it was off to Paris to visit the Orangerie Museum where Monet’s 12 enormous water lily paintings are now on display. After a stroll taking in the ambience of Paris and a typical Parisian café lunch it was on to the boat for a river trip along the Seine. Home on the last day, but not before we had toured the award winning gardens at Le Clos du Coudray and had lunch in Dieppe. The weather was very kind to us; blue skies all the way, the accommodation and the restaurant where we had our evening meals excellent and the driver and courier very attentive. Special thanks go to Judith Finn whose many activities include organising trips for Brentwood DFAS as well as Convener for TG3. (Report Peter Ely)
EAST ANGLIAN STUDIES GROUP OUTING TO HARWICH
AUGUST 2009 ~ The East Anglian Group had a trip to Harwich. We visited a lot of the historical sites including St Nicholas Church which has a lot of connections to Christopher Jones, the captain of the Mayflower. The church also has a display of 17th Century Dutch tiles with Biblical scenes on them, which had been found in a house, that was being demolished. We also looked at the captain's house in Kings Head Street rebuilt in the 17th Century when the waterfront would have been right outside the door. The Guildhall is famous because of its Kitchel celebrations every year, when a new Mayor is elected Kitchels (small spiced cakes), are thrown from the windows. A feature on the seafront is the treadwheel crane, worked by men walking in the interior; this is the only remaining example of a man-operated two-wheel treadwheel crane. We visited many other buildings on our trip and our final highlight was the Redoubt Fort. (Report: Jackie Towler, Photos: Geoff Towler)
PAINTING AND DRAWING GROUP ART EXHIBITION MAY 2009 ~ At the May monthly meeting members were treated to an exhibition of paintings by pupils of Myra Bruce's Painting and Drawing Group. Some outstanding examples of the skills of her pupils that Myra has developed were evident and all the pictures on display were undoubtedly of a very high standard. Myra's Group is always well attended and members who belong to it invariably come to her with little or no previous artistic ability. The exhibition is a tribute to her teaching skills. Below is just a random selection of the exhibits. (Report and photos: Brian Leith)
PLAY READING GROUP PRESENTATION
THEATRE GROUP III OUTING TO SONNING SEPTEMBER 2008 ~ It was on one of those beautiful calm September days when the sun shone warmly that 16 members of Theatre Group III set out in a minibus bound for Sonning in Berkshire. Their purpose was to have lunch at Sonning Mill followed by a play in the theatre also at the Mill. (the electricity for both enterprises is generated by a huge water wheel). Following lunch (pictures above), the group was entertained with a modern-day farce, "Birthday Suite," by Robert Hardon. (Report and photos: Brian Leith)
TRAVEL GROUP OUTING TO CRESSING AUGUST 2008 ~ The Travel Group had an outing to Great Leighs and Cressing Temple, which was something of a swan-song for Christine Lipscombe as she is now giving up leading the group after nearly 16 years. Just under 20 members drove in cars to St. Mary the Virgin Church at Great Leighs where they were met by ladies who provided them with coffee and Christine had brought some cakes too. The group were then given an interesting talk by a very enthusiastic lady who gave lots of details of this, one of only a few round-towered churches in Essex. It dates from Saxon times, though the nearby Saxon settlement had long ago disappeared. Apparently they built the very substantial tower in stages over a number of years, using materials they found in the nearby fields such as flint and stones and rubble. It would originally have had a thatched roof. The main body of the church would have been made of wood which had been replaced with a strong brick and flint structure. When the Normans arrived they altered things a little and inserted a rather fine arched Norman doorway into the tower. Much of the church was rebuilt in the 14th century and has constantly been updated ever since. The church lies a considerable distance from Great Leighs and the group were told that this was because after the Saxons left people began to build houses adjacent to the nearby Roman road which was a main trading route through Essex to the north and thus the village of Great Leighs developed there and is now expanding at a terrific rate. At some point the early community must have decided they needed a church and instead of building a new one refurbished the derelict (apart from the tower), church near the old Saxon settlement ~ an early attempt at recycling no doubt! Christine had organised a substantial buffet lunch at the Dog and Partridge public house in Great Leighs which was enjoyed by all. In the afternoon the group moved on to Cressing Temple where they were given audio hand sets and plans of the site so they could examine where each fancied and of course have tea. The whole site is now owned by Essex County Council and has been tastefully developed and is used for many functions. The original old barley and wheat barns are magnificent and the restored walled kitchen garden is an absolute joy. In this very poor summer they were blessed with a glorious sunny day and very many thanks are due to Christine for organising such an entertaining and enjoyable day. (Report and photos: Rosemary Morris)
THEATRE GROUP III AT THE NATIONAL AUGUST 2008 ~ Members of TG3 enjoyed a day out taking in a brilliant play "Never so Good," with Jeremy Irons playing the central character, at the Lyttleton Theatre. The play focuses on the life Harold MacMillan and using pyrotechnics portrayed his life from his school days through the First World War to his day in Government. All members agreed that it one of the finest plays they had seen in a long time and that all of the cast portrayed their characters wonderfully. (Report and photos: Brian Leith)
ASTRONOMY GROUP LOOKS AT THE SUN
AUGUST
2008 ~ A
comparatively new group for Brentwood U3A, Astronomy, convened by Dr Geoffrey
Towler, is proving popular with
members who have joined, and Dr Towler has been providing a huge amount of
fascinating information and data regarding the solar system. Each month he
compiles charts of possible sightings of satellites, planets, etc, for
publication in the Newsletter. In the picture below Dr Towler is seen at a meeting of the group delivering a talk using models of the sun and surrounding moons and planets to show their equivalent sizes and their relationship with one another. At the meeting he explained that it was quite surprising how small all the planets are in relation to the sun. The group learned that the sun was 700 times the mass of all the planets together and looked at sunspots and the 11-year activity cycle. Members examined the photosphere, chromosphere, and the corona and also looked at solar flares, prominences, coronal holes, and coronal mass ejections. He explained that the sun’s core temperature is 15 million degrees, and the core pressure is 340 billion atmospheres. “There are particles called solar neutrinos that escape from the core in a few seconds and 70 billion of them pass through every square centimetre of our bodies every second,” he said. “The sun is consuming 685 million tons of hydrogen every second, but we don’t need to concern ourselves unduly as it will continue shining as normal for about another 5 billion years.” Combining with another U3A branch, members of the group attended a talk about Sir Bernard Lovell and the Jodrell Bank radio telescope which was delivered by a man who worked with Sir Bernard and who entertained the group with a number of personal anecdotes.
EAST ANGLIAN STUDIES GROUP ~ ROTHERHITHE
JULY
2008 ~ I didn’t know Rotherhithe had such a lot of history attached until the
group visit led by Fay. Meeting at
Canada Water we first went to look at the wooden Deal Porters Statues, the men
who unloaded wood from Canada. Whaling Boats arrived at this Dock too. A short
walk away was the Surrey Docks Commercial Building built in 1892 and very
impressive. Next to the Rotherhithe Tunnel stands the Norwegian Church. Some of
its congregation miss their homeland so the church has a lounge section with
books and magazines, and a coffee bar and shop where Norwegian goods can be
purchased. The stained glass windows are very good. Carrying on through Cherry
Garden to Cathay Street, you come upon the ruins of a moated manor house, which
belonged to King Edward III, which used to have vineyards attached to it. Nearly
opposite stands the Angel Public House haunt of Samuel Pepys and Captain Cook.
Not very far away we visited the Church of St. Mary the Virgin. Two Bishops
Chairs are made from the wood of the Fighting Temeraire. Captain Jones of the
Mayflower also lived in the area. The Mayflower sailed in 1620. The Pilgrims
were very surprised on landing to be spoken to in English by Massasoit, the
leader of the Wampanoag peoples, and he helped them to settle. The reason he
knew English was due to Squanto, a slave of the Spanish, who was rescued and
brought to England, where he learnt the language and customs. He later returned
to the Islands and taught Chief Massasoit. The Mayflower returned to Rotherhithe
where it was broken up, St Mary’s was built by the same architect John James
who built St Georges Hanover Square The organ a great treasure of the church was
built by John Byfield the younger in 1764. Opposite stands a church school and a
little watch house used in wartime. Lunch time arrived we went to the Mayflower
pub. It is licensed to sell US and British postal stamps having been a post
office for the River. Oak-beamed, settles built to form U-Shape
snugs. A varied menu .Painted gold pearls of wisdom line the walls. It
started to rain so we went to the Brunel museum and engine house which pumped
out water from Brunel’s foot tunnel
under the Thames where banquets and fairs used to be held in the Tunnel to raise
money. Techniques used by Marc Brunel, father of Isambard Kingdom Brunel are
still used today. Isambard was on the project, but got injured in a flood and
had to withdraw because he was so ill. A walk along Lavender Pond brought us
back to Canada Water and the end of our journey. (Photos and Report: Jackie Towler)
brentwood theatre and cpre PICNIC fund raiser JUNE 2008 - Around 20 Brentwood U3A members enjoyed a beautiful summer's day at Pump Farm, Warley, where a charity event was held to raise funds for Brentwood Theatre and The Campaign for the Protection of Rural Essex. Pump Farm has a private vineyard and makes sparkling wine mainly for their own use. The charity event, to which members were invited to bring their own picnic, was interspersed with a variety of entertainers including "Strictly Pink," a group of young girls playing string instruments, a duo playing French cafe music and a trio of young men who entertained with jazz standards. Visitors were invited to walk around the grounds and visit the pond, which the owners had been working on to create a natural environment for dragonflies, etc. The pond was full of rudd. (Report and photos: Brian Leith)
East Anglian Group Church Crawl
THEATRE GROUP III WEEKEND IN NORWICH
MAY 2008 - It would be nice to say that the sun shone on the members as they arrived at the Maids Head Hotel in Norwich, but not only was it dull it was also quite chilly. Nevertheless spirits were high and the weekend kicked off with an interesting tour of the city on a hop-on-hop-off tour bus. Back to the hotel and a pleasant pre-theatre dinner. This was followed by a short walk to the Maddermarket Theatre where the group enjoyed an unusual musical presentation of The Canterbury Tales. The theatre was opened in 1921 when it became the home of the Norwich Players - a flourishing group of actors. Built in 1794 the building was was originally a Roman Catholic chapel, the premises were subsequently used as a grocery warehouse, the Salvation Army Young People's Hall and as a general store. When the players moved in the building was converted from a state of near-dereliction into an Elizabethan style playhouse. Today it is a unique tribute to the dedication of all the people that have been involved in its history and those that are now dedicated to its continued success. The next morning the group had a tour of the city in a pleasure boat with a commentary by the captain and coffee by one of the deckhands! The afternoon was spent variously shopping, a visit to the castle and generally enjoying the interesting city of Norwich. Dinner was arranged in a restaurant which again was a short walk from the hotel and the group enjoyed exceptionally fine food in a room that had been set aside just for them. Following breakfast the next morning in the hotel, members departed and all agreed that the weekend was an unqualified success. (Report and photos: Brian Leith)
TRAVEL GROUP LUNCH
DECEMBER 2007- On 1st December 22 members of the Travel Group had their Christmas meal at the White Horse at Pleshey. Thank you to Christine for arranging it all for us. Some people had a short look at Pleshey Castle a fine example of a Norman Motte and Bailey Castle dating from the 12c. Earthworks comprise of the mound on which stood the Castle Keep. The defended Outer Bailey, which housed the Castle staff and the kitchen and chapel. In addition the entire village lies within a sweeping semi-circular Norman bank and ditch, built to defend the village whose prosperity relied on the fortunes of the castle. The castle, which is mentioned in Shakespeare’s Richard 2nd play, has to be seen through gates at most times, but can be viewed with a guide, who brings it all to life, during Essex open house weekend which usually falls around the end of the first week in September. Pictured below (top left) is Travel Group Convenor Christine Lipscombe (second from right). (Report and photos: Jackie Towler)
CARD MAKING GROUP NOVEMBER 2007
THEATRE GROUP III LITERARY LUNCH NOVEMBER 2007 - Members of the Theatre Group III enjoyed a fine lunch at the Cambridge hotel where several "celebrities" gave a talk and signed copies of their books.
THEATRE GROUP III WEEKEND TO MALVERN
JUNE 2007 - Thirteen members of Theatre Group Three, convened by Judith Finn, spent an enjoyable weekend together in the historic town of Malvern. The day following their arrival some relaxed in this town renowned for the curative powers of its waters, while others undertook a guided tour conducted by the president of the town's civic society. That evening, following a pre-theatre dinner, the group enjoyed a play by Alan Bennett ~ "Office Suite" ~ starring Patricia Routledge, famous for playing Mrs Bouquet in the television series "Keeping up Appearances." (Report and photos: Brian Leith)
DIGITAL IMAGING GROUP MAY 2007 - Members of the Digital Imaging Group enjoyed a field trip to the gardens at Warley Place (Photo: Rosemary Morris)
THEATRE GROUP I CHRISTMAS MEETING
DECEMBER 2006 - Theatre Group One Convened by Barbara Dennehy, finished an active year of visits to theatres in many towns including the West End with a meeting at which a surprise visitor dropped in.
EAST ANGLIAN STUDIES GROUP
NOVEMBER 2006 - Great Warley. The East Anglian Studies Group has been in existence for more than ten years and during that time there have been numerous interesting talks and trips (one almost every month). The group numbering around 12 people have taken part in outings to many buildings, towns and villages, mostly in Essex, and to places they probably would not consider visiting themselves. Members are looking forward to another interesting programme of visits for 2007.
2006 CONVENOR'S "DO" NOVEMBER 2006. Convenors gathered at Bob and Annette Dwyer-Joyce's for the annual get-together aimed at thanking them for the work that they put in during the year on behalf of the members of their Groups. Joining them were members of the Committee. Once again Social Secretary Annette provided a fine supper which was followed by a selection of delicious desserts contributed by some of the members. Thanking the Convenos, Bob said that their ceaseless contribution to running their Groups is so important to the continuing success of the Brentwood U3A. (Report and photos: Brian Leith)
DIGITAL IMAGING GROUP JULY 2006 - Members of the Digital Imaging Group (formerly the Digital Photographic Group), went to the Windmill at Mountnessing for a field trip and undertook experiments with taking photographs using the various settings on their cameras. Convenor Rosemary Morris said their were some "unusual" results and most members present agreed that the "automatic" setting on their cameras were sufficient for their needs.
SIR JOHN MILLS THEATRE JANUARY 2006 - On a grey and chilly morning early 51 members set off for Ipswich to see the Eastern Angles Theatre Company perform their wildly funny musical comedy "The Day the Earth Wobbled a Bit!" The outing arranged by Gillian Gibbs on behalf of the Theatre Group, stopped at The Froize Restaurant, Chillesford, where they had a fine lunch after which they re-boarded the coach to make their way to the Sir John Theatre, Ipswich. The Eastern Angles Theatre Company is a small troupe who write and perform their own work which may be described as "off the wall." (Report and photo: Brian Leith)
HYLAND HOUSE DECEMBER 2005 - Theatre Group I arranged a trip to Hyland House, Chelmsford where they were treated to a recital of Christmas carols and other seasonal songs by a group of bell ringers. Below: As the members made their way back to their cars after the evening's performance a convenient fall of "snow" added just the right touch to the whole evening. (Photos: Rosemary Morris)
2005 CONVENORS' EVENING OCTOBER 2005 - Once a year a "thank you" evening is arranged in appreciation of the hard work undertaken by the Convenors for the benefit of the members of their groups. Members of the Committee and around 30 Convenors enjoyed drinks and a fine supper of cold cuts and salad provided by Social Secretary Annette Dwyer-Joyce. This was followed by delicious deserts, provided by one or two of the members present. Thanking the Convenors, Chairman, Bob Dwyer-Joyce, said that the commitment shown by them was the heart of the Brentwood U3A. Without their dedication Brentwood U3A would quickly cease to be. All members owe them a debt of gratitude. (Photos: Bob Dwyer-Joyce)
SELF-HELP COMPUTER GROUP PRESENTATION 2004 Below: Members of the Self-help Computer Group met on a fine Sunday afternoon, for tea with cucumber sandwiches, followed by a large selection of pastries. Convenor, Christina Tanner presented Brian Leith (inset), with a gift in appreciation of his efforts in constructing the U3A web site. Pictured (left to right): Irene Briscoe, Geoffrey Spratt, Vera Ledger-Beadell, Peter Pearce, Evina Montgomery and Christina Tanner. (Photo: Brian Leith)
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