To join a group please contact the group leader to check on vacancies and programme. To join a proposed group speak to Enid, Groups Co-ordinator at the Monthly Meeting or contact the group leader. To suggest new ideas for groups speak to Enid at the Monthly Meeting. Would group leaders please keep Enid informed of any changes to the information given above.

It was very encouraging that 14 members were interested in forming this new group, which had its first meeting at the group leader's house on the 19th April. On this occasion we toasted the formation of the group with a glass of wine and discussed the topics we would like to cover over the coming year. There were items of interest displayed for members to view and comment on, followed by a short video quiz called "The Antique Challenge".

Diary dates:-
17th May - Clocks - a talk given by Gillian Davis where members are invited to bring a clock to the meeting.
21st June - Silverware (to be confirmed).
19th July - Visit to the Talbot Walk Antique Centre, Ripley.
16th August - Visit to Ewbank Fire Art and General Auctioneers, Send, to view items entered for the auction of Victorian and later furnishings.
20th September - Visit to Dorking antique shops.
18th October - Postcards/Cards.

Members outside our group will be welcome to join us in our visits/outings and are asked to contact the group leader before the event, in case the date and meeting times have been changed.

If anyone who has an interest or collection, about which they would be prepared to share their knowledge with the group, this would be most welcome.

During the winter most of us attended the wonderful lectures on Renaissance by Leslie Pitcher (see below).

In April some of us went to the Chinese Exhibition at the Royal Academy, then later in the month we went to the National Gallery to view the paintings that Leslie had shown us.

In May we are going to either the British Library or the Dulwich Gallery.

In October we are going to Florence for 5 days to see more of the Renaissance. There are still places so if anyone would like to go, please get in touch with Jenny.

Changing to oils after spending most of our first 3 years using water colours was quite a challenge though we managed some pictures of snow capped mountains, which some of you may have seen in the side room at the recent Monthly Meeting. But we did have problems in trying to achieve the effects we wanted. Snow kept falling off the mountains attached to the end of a paint brush, blue sky streaked with brush strokes, and so on. Help was needed. We arranged for tutors Terri and Paul to come to the Catholic Hall in Effingham to teach us the Bob Ross technique. It was a Bob Ross video which had inspired us to go for oils so they were just what we needed. With their help, ten of us produced, in 7 hours, the woodland scenes you can see in the photo attached.

We are a small group of ‘hands on’ would-be artists(!) discussing and painting water colours, pastels, wax resist etc. In the summer we will be going out of doors when the weather permits. We meet at 2.00pm on 1st and third Tuesdays of the month.

New members welcome. Please ’phone Janet to find out where we will be meeting.

A small change for our Group is that in the winter months our regular meeting day will be on the second Wednesday of the month at 1400 hours.

Highlights of the Winter programme which were well attended were visits to the Brooklands Museum, Weybridge, to hear two lectures sponsored by the Royal Aeronautical Society, one on Hotol Skylon and future developments by Alan Bond, director of Reaction Engines which led up to a proposal for a sub orbital aircraft capable of flying from Brussels to Sydney in four and a half hours and the other by a professor from Kingston University on the complexity of reaching aircraft design conclusions due to multitude of conflicting interests.

A recent Channel 4 documentary on the ‘V’ bombers and the development of the atom/H bombs in the 1950s was viewed on video by members giving significant historical facts only just released by the Government’s 50 year secret information embargo. As well as showing the development of the Valiant, Vulcan and Victor ‘V’ bombers and deployment into squadron service, the film later showed the exploding of atomic weapons at Christmas Island in the Pacific where 6,000 servicemen from the army, navy and air force took part. Unbeknown to the viewers a brief scan to the Operations Room where high ranking service officials were assembled with the top scientists, revealed a young 19 year old Lawrence (yours truly) helping to plot the aircraft associated with the bomb drop (my only claim to fame!)

A visit to the RAF Hendon in March proved highly interesting and worthwhile, indeed I would highly recommend this to anyone who has not been there. The display of aircraft from the early years of aviation to the present day is remarkable and the presentation/documentation excellent. We stood under the wing and fuselage of an Avro Vulcan ‘V’ bomber and the dimensions and overall height of this delta wing jet aircraft are just ‘awesome’, in the true sense of the word. Facilities at the Museum are good and car parking/entrance fee free! This really has to be one of the world’s top aviation museums.

Finally, our summer programme is available to non-member participants.

With the Digital camera course now behind us and everybody producing wonderful photographs it is time to think about getting together again  and sharing those little secrets that keep our computers from crashing, or is that a thing of the past with XP!!

Two dates to put in your diaries for Computing Group meetings in the Waterfield Room at the Old Barn Hall Bookham, Tuesday 6th June and Tuesday 4th July, both meetings start at 7:00pm. Normal format for the meetings with time to tell us about any problems you are having (and who doesn't), hints and tips for getting more out of the programs and of course our Brains Trust with the resident experts. So come ready with something to test the team, or better still, say a few words about your favourite piece of software and tell us about your experiences with broadband. The Laptop and projector will be available to use. New members welcome.

Also please let me know what courses you want arranged in the Autumn either by e-mail or by adding your view to the course questionnaire available in the side room at the monthly meetings at St Mary's Church Hall.

Throughout the winter months we have been reasonably lucky with the weather and enjoyed several interesting walks covering the areas east and west of St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster, St James and Soho. We briefly visited several Wren churches, the Tate Gallery (for coffee and a comfort stop!) and found quite a few good value lunch breaks. Surprisingly London is not an expensive place to eat.

We now meet on the fourth Monday in each month but everything else remains the same. Cobham Railway Station between 9.30 and 9.45, in time to obtain your Travel Card and Parking Ticket. You do not need to let me know in advance unless you wish to join the party at Waterloo.

We will have a varied program for 2006 and will continue with the “secret “alleyways and passages in the West End and the City but a new theme will contain a literary element. We will always point out the interesting and historic Inns so that you know where to find refreshment should you make a future personal visit to London! The next visit will be Islington in May. We will try to stay away from the centre for the summer months and spend our time around the fringes.

Details of our Soho and Covent walks will soon appear on the website. They do not give all the information, just a flavour, but are detailed enough for you to follow yourself if you are ever at a loose end or wish to judge a walk before you consider joining either of the London Walking Groups.

Do not forget there are two groups – so keep your eye on both. The group is full but if you wish to go on the waiting list please let us know.

This new group started in December 2005 and so far has had four meetings. At present we have six members of which three were newcomers to the hobby. We meet on the third Tuesday afternoon of each month and we would welcome new members. Initial advice in the form of instructional leaflets is given to novices and thereafter in general discussion. The use of a computer is not necessary as we vary between us in keeping our records manually or electronically.

Both groups have continued to meet twice a month and we have discussed a wide range of topics. The current unemployment situation and political demonstrations in France have provided much topical material for discussion as well as extending our vocabulary. We have also enjoyed hearing members’ personal experiences in France, Australia, the Gambia, Malta, Thailand, and Costa Rica as well as their accounts of visits to art exhibitions, ballets, theatres and concerts. Other members have studied articles from the magazine La vie outre-Manche and have discussed the pros and cons of mobile phones, biographies of famous characters and the top ten personalities chosen in France.

Members of the Gardening Group held a meeting at Beryl's home in February to discuss this year's programme of outings. Unfortunately the first outing in March was subsequently cancelled due to lack of support, mainly because of the exceptionally cold weather. We did, however, have a successful visit to Winkworth Arboretum on April 4th and, although due to the late spring this year the trees and shrubs are behind schedule, we all enjoyed a pleasant walk with lovely views over the Surrey Hills. We finished off the afternoon with a nice hot 'cuppa' at nearby 'Secretts'.

The group started the year with an excellent visit to the FAST museum at Farnborough and the Aldershot military Museum organised by Jo. Thirty two members and friends took part making it our biggest outing yet. Group membership has climbed to thirty five including a few from neighbouring U3As. The March meeting heard an excellent account of the racing and aviation history of Brooklands from Alfred and Doug. We have outings to Ironbridge in May and to sewage works, a pumping station and a recycling works more locally in the next few months – see the programme which is available at the Monthly Meeting or from Ian. Our meetings in the autumn will cover traditional wood working techniques, early broadcasting technology, overhauling a steam locomotive, Zeppelins and electricity generation. We also intend to have another heritage walk and lunch in the run up to Christmas.

John took the honours in our Fantasy Share Portfolio competition with a rise of 49% over the year. What a shame we didn't take his tips more seriously, such is the benefit of hindsight. Most of the Club's eleven shares continue to perform well, as is expected with the Footsie hovering around the 6000 mark. After much discussion and heart searching over the past few months we finally bit the bullet and took some profits and, needless to say, were thankful for the takeover interest in ITV. However to stop us becoming too complacent we have just bought into one of those "exciting" biotechnology companies, so life should be interesting in the coming months.

We meet in a member's house in the afternoon of the first Thursday of each month in order to talk about, and then read through, a published play. Because of limited time, we usually read one-act plays or a play written for radio. None of us are expert "actors" and the more mistakes we make the more the enjoyment! We have a few spare places so why not give us a try? Gentlemen particularly welcome!

After 20 weeks of sheer bliss the Renaissance Art lectures by Leslie B.A. (Cambs) finally drew to a close in March and 50 U3A members from Fetcham, Bookham and Leatherhead are now wondering what they are going to do on a Wednesday afternoon. Week in week out we all sat enthralled as Leslie extolled the works of Giotto, Lorenzetti, Donatello, Masaccio, Van Eyck, Duccio, Massina, Francesca, Raphael, Botticelli and Mantegna, to mention just a few.

We were reprimanded nearly every week for not asking enough questions but Leslie’s description of the paintings, sculptures, mosaics, tapestries, carvings, inlay marquetry etc. was so complete that even when we thought of a question, he usually pre-empted it with the answer.

The most phenomenal thing about these lectures was that for 20 weeks Leslie never used any notes and when we did manage to get a question in, however remote, he always had the answer at his fingertips.

The series of lectures has been a labour of love for Leslie and after the last lecture we were pleased to present him with some vouchers for his efforts and hard work and a card signed by everyone who had attended. Leslie thanked everyone for the gift. Flowers and gift tokens were also presented to main helpers in the kitchen and those who prepared the halls every week and generally organised each lecture and handouts for every meeting.

We must also thank Roy Pitcher who, as our projectionist for the whole period, was responsible for fine focussing each and every slide, which must have numbered well over 500 in total.

The enthusiasm these lectures created has prompted a U3A trip to Florence in the autumn organised by Jenny and Sheila (anyone interested please contact Jenny) and a Study Day on September 9th 2006 on Leslie’s particular loves, Pompeii and Herculaneum at the Yehudi Menuhin Hall (forms available).

Although this group is technically a Bookham U3A group we now have five members from Fetcham, including the current leader. Our two most recent members are from Fetcham U3A and include one who grew up in Argentina, so we often turn to him for advice, and to compare vocabulary and accents. A very useful addition! Both our new members have brought a new breath of life to the group which has been meeting for more than ten years. One couple has a daughter married to a Spaniard, one has lived in Spain, several regularly go to Spain on holiday or courses, and two of us have nearly had Spanish in-laws!

We use as a basis Sueños 2, which combines language study with cultural background to Hispanic countries. Most of us have some way to go before we are really fluent, but we get through! We shall shortly be trying out our linguistic skills in a Spanish restaurant.

Except when bank holidays intervene, one of the clubs (known as "the Lunch Bunch") meets on the first Sunday in the month and the other club meets on the third Sunday. We seldom travel more than five or six miles, where we gather at a carefully-selected pub or restaurant in order to enjoy good food in congenial company - with the preparation and clearing away done by others! The cost for two courses is usually between £12 and £14, including service, with drinks extra if you wish. Please contact either of the leaders for more information or to enquire about vacancies.

Our recent walks have taken us over Holmwood Common, round the Mole Gap and through fields and lanes from Brockham. We walk on the 4th Thursday morning each month and always end up at a local hostelry for those who wish.

Future walks planned are:

May 25th 4 miles - Norbury Park. Meet at 10am at the far end of Bocketts Farm car park. Mostly quite good underfoot with a few gentle inclines.
Refreshments afterwards in the Bocketts Farm tea room, if required.

June 22nd 4 miles - South of Milton Heath. Meet at 10am at Milton Heath car park. Just out of Dorking, on A25 towards Guildford, follow sign to ‘Bury Hill Fisheries’ on the left. Ignore park immediately on the right and go to 2nd park 100 yards on the left. One short, quite steep hill at the start of the walk, otherwise quite easy, with 2 stiles.
Refreshments afterwards at the Wotton Hatch, if required.

July 27th 3.5 miles - Polesden Lacey. Meet at 10am at the far end of the main car park at Polesden Lacey. NB – National Trust cards may be needed. An undulating walk, with one fairly steep incline.
This walk to be followed by a picnic in the grounds, weather permitting.

Additional details of all the above are available at monthly meetings, on the U3A website or from Jo & Ernie.
Please note that walkers take part entirely at their own risk.

We started the year with a post Christmas meal at La Meridiana Restaurant in East Horsley. We enjoyed the ‘Richard and Judy Wine Club’ selection of New World wines in February and in March we had an excellent guest speaker who gave us six wines to taste. We also went to the ‘Taste Wine and Dine’ event at the Barn Hall in April, run by the St Nicholas Church Social and Events Committee, where all four Fetcham U3A Wine Appreciation Groups were represented!

The rump of the group - being those members not engaged in round the world cruises - decided on a trip to the true centre of the wine making business. Most flew to Mérignac and took a shuttle to St Jean, the train station for Bordeaux. The comfortable hotel was situated near­by, with a view of the Gironde across two sets of dual carriageway.

Bordeaux is served by a superb tram system, which took us to the town centre in under 10 minutes. At its terminus, Quinconces, was the Maison de Vin where we booked a trip round the town on the Belle Epoque, a nineteen twenties Renault boneshaker, which effectively prevented post -lunch dozing. A trip to Entre-Deux-Mers was booked for the following day.

After an early lunch the next day we boarded a coach with a bilingual guide and headed off on a long trip around the eastern borders of Bordeaux, stopping on the way for a couple of dégustations and purchases. The trip was rather too long with information over-load, but we acquired a new appreciation of the wines of that often neglected region.

On our final full day we took a local bus to Blaye, passing through the vineyards of Bourg and Blaye. There is a well preserved Citadel by Vauban, where we had a noisy, alcoholic lunch with friends who live there, looking across the Gironde towards the Médoc. We paid a visit to the Maison de Vin and then went to Cars, a nearby village, to watch the vendage in full swing. The whole process is now fully mechanised with no pickers involved, just a large amount of noise and vehicular activity. After tea and sandwiches at the pool-side with our friends, we caught the bus back to Bordeaux, where it seemed to be time to prepare for another round of eating and drinking.

In summary, Bordeaux is an excellent place for a car free holiday. Public Transport is easy and available, as is access to caves and vineyards. Staff at the Maison de Vin are friendly and helpful and lay on a huge amount of educational matter. www.bordeaux-tourisme.com.

Price includes coach transport from Bookham from Lower Shott and St Nicholas Church