Prospectus 2018-2019 Epping Forest - U3A Site Builder
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Epping Forest
Prospectus 2018-2019
© Epping Forest U3A October 2018
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Contents
Welcome to Epping Forest U3A………………………………….5
What is the U3A?.............................................................................6
Groups and Activities at EFU3A…………………………………7
Arts and Crafts……………………………………………………11
Contemporary & Historical Affairs…….………………………..17
Cultural Activities…………………………………………………21
Games………………………………………………………………25
Exercise, Health & Sport………………………………………….31
Food and Drink……………………………………………………37
Languages………………………………………………………….41
Literature………………………………………………………….47
Science and Technology…………………………………………..53
Walking……………………………………………………………59
Branch Social Events and Excursions …………………………..63
34
Welcome to Epping Forest U3A
Epping Forest University of the Third Age (EFU3A) was formed in 1991. It is one of the oldest
U3As in the United Kingdom. It serves people in their “third age” stage of life and draws its
membership from in and around the Epping Forest area.
Our branch has over 60 groups run by our Members. This number is growing all the time and
we are constantly seeking new group activity ideas from our Members as well as volunteers to
convene new groups.
Epping Forest U3A is run by an Executive Committee that includes the Chair, Vice-Chair/
Speakers’ Co-ordinator, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Secretary, Newsletter Editor, Web
and Information Officer, Halls Bookings Officer, Groups’ Co-ordinator, Events Co-ordinator,
Welcome Team Leader and other co-opted members.
We run our own web site that provides information about Epping Forest U3A, its groups and
events, news for and about Members, and links to many other sources of information of interest
to our Members. Members can also access the National U3A web site through our web site to
obtain further details about the national organisation and how it is run.
Executive Committee Members can be contacted via the Contact page on our web site and their
details are also published in our monthly Newsletter that is circulated to Members by post or
can be collected by hand at our Main Meetings.
5What is the U3A?
The University of the Third Age (U3A) is a learning and social cooperative that is primarily
targeted at people in their “third age”. This life stage comprises people that are retired or semi-
retired from full-time work and who are therefore generally aged 50 plus, although there are
no age limits on membership.
The U3A comprises over 1,000 networked charities located all over the United Kingdom and
has total membership subscriptions of over 400,000. Individual charities vary greatly in size
from as few as 10 to over 3,000 members.
The U3A is an educational and social organisation. It provides its Members with lifelong
learning opportunities but there are no assessments or examinations and no formal
qualifications offered. An emphasis is placed on learning for pleasure, drawing extensively on
the expertise, knowledge and skills of its Members.
Some of this learning takes place through formal or semi-formal instruction but a great deal of
it is through discussion, shared skills practice and organised events and outings.
The basic building blocks of the U3A are its groups. Local U3A charities organise groups on
a wide range of subjects with their Members stepping up as group convenors to run them. Many
groups operate out of Members’ own homes. Some groups, that run on a larger scale or need
space because of the nature of their activities, take place in premises hired for that purpose.
The U3A provides opportunities for its Members to study academic subjects from across the
arts and humanities, social sciences and biological and physical sciences, to learn new skills or
to practice old ones, and to stretch their bodies as well as their minds through a variety of
physical and exercise activities. It encourages its Members to become socially connected to
others through all these learning activities and organises specific social meetings to help new
Members find their feet when they join.
,
6Groups and Activities at EFU3A
At Epping Forest U3A we have around 60 groups. Groups are organised by Group Convenors.
They are Members that volunteer to take responsibility for organising a Group. Some
Convenors organise more than one Group. Groups at Epping Forest U3A have been classified
by Theme into ten Group clusters. These thematic divisions have been used to organise the way
information about Groups is presented in this Prospectus. The table below provides a summary
of our Group clusters.
Group Learning Types
Groups can be differentiated in terms of how they operate. The fundamental objective of all
Groups is educational. They are designed to enhance academic knowledge or skills, through
instruction or through discussion or shared practice. Some Groups are event-led and involve
Members visiting locations to experience cultural events, expert demonstrations or guided
tours. In addition, there are social groups that create opportunities for Members to meet up and
get to know one another and to find out more about the U3A.
Instructional Group: This type of group is led by someone (usually the Group Convenor) who
offers instruction or tuition in a subject or skill or activity
Discussion Group: Members meet to talk about a subject that interests them and engage in
open discussion or debate about it with each other
Shared Practice Group: In this type of Group, Members collaborate in practicing a skill or
activity with which they are often already familiar and learn from each other in the process
Event-Led Group: This type of Group organises visits to locations and events linked to the
theme of the group
Social Group: This type of Group runs meetings and events designed to provide opportunities
for Members to get together to talk about the U3A and other related matters.
7Epping Forest U3A Groups
Arts and Crafts Contemporary & Historical Affairs
Digital Photography Clothes and Fashion
Design with Foliage and Flowers Current Affairs
In Stitches Family History
Friday Art History
Greeting Cards
Looking at Art
Model Railways
Cultural Activities Games
Cinema Bridge – Beginners
Garden Visits Bridge – Intermediate
Music (A Little Light Music) Bridge – Gentle Duplicate
Recorders Bridge (Thursday)
Singing 4 Fun Cribbage
Theatre Mah Jong
Rummikub
Exercise, Health & Sport Food and Drink
Basic First Aid Food & Wine Appreciation
Keep Fit Local Lunches
Table Tennis Sunday Lunches
Ten Pin Bowling Wine Tasting
Trout Fishing
Yoga
Yoga (Seated)
Languages Literature
Advanced French Conversation Books and Media
French Language (Intermediate) English Literature
French Language (Advanced) Memoir Writing
Italian – Beginners Pick Your Own Poetry
Italian – Intermediate Play Reading
Latin Reading for Pleasure
Spanish The Reading Group
Reading Shakespeare1 and 2
Science and Technology Walking
iPad Training Away Walks
Maths 1, 2 and 3 Bird Watching
Science Talks City Walks
Forest Walks
London Walks
Snap & Stroll
Note: EFU3A Groups as at October 2018
8Group Venues
Many Groups are hosted by Members in their own homes. Some Groups are held in premises
hired by Epping Forest U3A. This Prospectus provides information about the location of every
Group. Groups that are held in hired premises usually require Members to make a small
payment (usually £1.50-£2.00) as a contribution towards venue hire costs. Each Member’s
Annual Subscription does not cover these costs.
Groups that meet in Members’ homes that are offered as venues voluntarily and at no cost to
Epping Forest U3A, will not levy a venue charge.
Many Groups, wherever they are located, will offer Members light refreshments and a nominal
charge of up to 40p may be made by Group Convenors to recover their costs.
Group Etiquette
Epping Forest U3A encourages Group Convenors to operate a registration system whereby
Members “join” the Group by registering their interest and become part of a Membership List.
Members are expected to give as much support as they can to any Group they join, at the very
least by regular attendance at Group meetings.
There will always be occasions when Members cannot attend specific Group Meetings because
they have other commitments or priorities, are unwell or away on holiday. If you know in
advance you will not be able to attend forthcoming meetings, it is good etiquette to let the
Group Convenor know in advance if you can.
Many of our Groups that are run in Members’ homes have limited Membership capacity and
demand to join them often outstrips their capacity to cater to everyone. This means that Groups
often have waiting lists of Members who can only join when a vacancy becomes available
through an existing Member leaving the Group.
Members who join Groups and then do not attend them are effectively blocking other Members
access to these Groups. Group Convenors are therefore permitted to exclude persistent non-
attenders and to cancel their Group membership.
Remember to take your membership card with you when attending Groups’ meetings and other
activities.
9Group Schedules
Group meetings and activities usually follow a regular schedule, although some groups meet
on an ad hoc basis. Occasionally, a Group will meet on a weekly basis, but more usually,
Groups meet once or twice a month. Some Groups meet throughout the year, others take a
seasonal break in the summer, and a few have limited runs of just a few weeks or months.
Most Groups meet during the day from Monday to Friday. Some Groups meet in the evening
and a few of them meet at the weekends. Groups generally meet for one or two hours at a time.
Event-led Groups that involve trips to distant locations can occupy a whole day.
This Prospectus indicates when and how often each Group meets. Members can also consult
the Epping Forest U3A web site and monthly Newsletter for further information about when
and where Groups meet.
Groups Availability
All Groups have a limited membership capacity. Numerical caps can vary from Group to
Group. Groups held in Group Convenors’ homes will tend to have capacity that is usually
restricted to 12, sometimes less than this. Some Convenors or Members, acting as hosts, have
space for up to 20 people. Groups that are held in hired premises often have a bigger capacity
than this.
Group capacity may also be restricted because of the nature of the Group itself. With many
Discussion Groups, for example, meetings only work effectively when numbers remain fairly
small. Group Convenors will generally let Members know when their Groups are full.
Groups vary in terms of whether they require Members to register their membership with
Group Convenors before they can attend Group meetings (known as “closed” groups) or are
open to all Members who turn up on the day (“open” groups). Where a Group operates a
“closed” membership, anyone interested in joining it must register with the Group Convenor
because membership will usually be limited. For these Groups, registration is required before
Members can attend its meetings.
Once the upper limit of membership capacity for a “Closed” Group has been reached, any other
Members seeking to join it will be put on a waiting list. Members on waiting lists will be given
the opportunity to join the Group when a vacancy becomes available.
“Open” Groups do not maintain lists of advance-registered Members. Instead, their meetings
are open to any Epping Forest U3A Members to attend usually on a first-come, first-served
basis. Members can find out in this Prospectus which of our Groups do and don’t require
advance registration.
10Arts and Crafts
11Digital Photography
Convenor: To be announced
Telephone: 0208-418-9873
Email: carnera@btinternet.com
Location: Various venues
Time: 10.00am-12 noon
Day: Mondays
Frequency: Once a month throughout the year
Group Type: Shared Practice and Event-led
Membership: Closed (advance registration is required)
Level: Members at all levels of experience welcome
Resource Needs: Members must have their own camera equipment
The Group meets in different locations sometimes hosted by Members and at other times visits
external places of interest. Members engage in different photography projects and exchange
their technical experiences and photographic works with each other. Members do not have to
be experts in photography, but it does help if they have some prior experience. There is some
instruction provided but Members mostly learn from each other. More experienced Members
offer tips and advice to the less experienced. The Group offers Members opportunities to
practice their photography skills and learn new techniques in a wide range of different settings.
Greeting Cards
Convenors: Marion Joslin and Joan Restall
Telephone: 0208-504-6842 or 0792-938-2071 (Marion) or 01992-081-2651 (Joan)
Email: m.joslin@btinternet.com
Location: Theydon Bois Village Hall
Time: 10.00am-12.00 noon
Day: Thursdays
Frequency: Twice a month throughout the year
Group Type: Shared Practice
Membership: Closed (advance registration required)
Level: All levels
Resource Needs: Members bring own materials
The Group uses a range of materials that Members bring along to meetings. Ideas for card
designs are obtained from a range of sources. Members discuss themes and design formats and
work together to share their experiences and provide feedback on each other’s work. Less
experienced Members are able to learn from the more experienced. The Group collectively
analyses designs and techniques in the use of different types of materials before individually
trying them out for themselves.
12Design with Foliage and Flowers
Convenor: Marion Locke
Telephone: 07789-643-147
Email: marionne.locke@btinternet.com
Location: Theydon Bois Village Hall
Time: 2.00pm-4.00pm
Day: Mondays
Frequency: Once a month
Group Type: Instructional and Shared Practice
Membership: Closed (advance registration required)
Level: Beginners and Intermediate
Resource Needs: Members supply own flowers, foliage and containers.
Part of each session includes a flower arranging demonstration. Group Members bring their
choice of materials to create a design which had been demonstrated the previous month.
Members make their own arrangement, bringing along a container, flowers, foliage relevant to
the theme of the month covering seasonal flowers through to Christmas. Information about the
previous month’s design are circulated to Members prior to each meeting as a reminder.
Guidance is then provided in each session as Members create their own version of the
demonstrated design. Members get to practice flower design skills and share their experiences
with other Members. They also benefit from qualified instruction from the Group Convenor
who has a Teacher’s Certificate and has taken many specialist courses in flower ranging design
and display and has created designs for many festivals and outside events.
Friday Art
Convenors: Elaine Garrad and Joan Simpson
Telephone: 0208-508-1606 or 01992-522464
Email: emgarrad@aol.com
Location: Theydon Bois Village Hall
Time: 9.00am-12.30pm
Day: Fridays
Frequency: Weekly
Group Type: Shared Practice; some Instruction
Membership: Closed (advance registration required)
Level: All levels
Resource Needs: Members must bring their own equipment and materials
The Group follows monthly themes and uses occasional still life sets. Various techniques and
exploratory methods are demonstrated. Members produce their own pictures but may use
different materials and forms of arts. Members are free to pursue their own artistic styles and
interests. They learn from observing the work of other Members and discussing art techniques
and styles with each other. Although there is no formal teaching, some practical help is given
to novices in terms of how to use specific materials and different forms of painting and drawing.
13In Stitches
Convenors: Vicky Foster and Marilyn Jones
Telephone: 0208-505-8131(VF) or 0793-258-4434 (MJ)
Email: alan-foster6@sky.com or Marilyn.jones59@btinternet.com
Location: Theydon Bois Community and Youth Centre
Time: 2.00pm-4.00pm
Day: Wednesdays
Frequency: Fortnightly
Group Type: Mainly Shared Practice (with some Instruction available)
Membership: Closed (advance registration required)
Level: Beginners and Intermediate
Resource Needs: Members supply own equipment and materials
This is a friendly group of people who all enjoy sewing and chatting. The Group meets on
alternate Wednesday afternoons. Members work on their own projects that include quilting,
dressmaking, and other crafts with the more skilled members supporting those others who are
still learning. Occasionally Members work on group projects. From time to time the Group
invites a professional tutor to lead specific sessions. Members generally bring their own sewing
machines to class but some help can be provided to those who have not yet got themselves
fully equipped.
Looking at Art
Convenor: Jean Woods
Telephone: 0208-504-0347
Email: billyjeanwoods@btinternet.com
Location: Various art galleries and museums
Time: Various times
Day: Wednesdays
Frequency: Once a month throughout the year
Group Type: Event-led
Membership: Open (no advance group membership registration required)
Level: All levels
Resource Needs: None
The Group Convenor organises visits to specific places of interests in and around London.
These tend to comprise art galleries and museums. Members are required to make their own
way to each venue. On many visits, guided tours are organised. Details of future visits are
presented in the monthly EFU3A Newsletter, on the web site, and on the Newsreel shown
before Main Monthly Meetings. All Members are welcome.
14Model Railways
Convenor: Alan Foster
Telephone: 0208-505-1831
Email: alan-foster6@sky.com
Location: Different Members’ homes
Time: Various
Day: Various
Frequency: Around once a month
Group Type: Shared Practice
Membership: Closed (advance registration required)
Level: All levels
Resource Needs: Members must provide own equipment and materials
This Group was developed by and for model railway enthusiasts. Members build their own
models. Model railways have evolved significantly over the years and have become
increasingly sophisticated mostly as a result of computerisation. Models can vary in their scale
and complexity. Some Members have very elaborate models that they have built and developed
over many years. Members take turns to host meetings and visitors can take their trains to run
on the tracks of their hosts. Members therefore share equipment and information about the
latest developments in model railway building and learn from each other.
1516
Contemporary & Historical Affairs
17Clothes and Fashion
Convenor: Brenda Ballard
Telephone: 01992-813231
Email: brenda194ballard@yahoo.co.uk
Location: Theydon Bois
Time: 2.00pm-4.00pm
Day: Tuesdays
Frequency: Once a month, throughout the year
Group Type: Discussion
Membership: Closed (advance registration required)
Level: All levels
Resource Needs: None
This Group meets throughout the year. It is aimed at Members with a keen interest in women’s
clothing and fashion. Members gather to talk about clothes, clothing styles and fashion, and
physical appearance issues. Specific themes for discussion are agreed among Members.
Everyone gets an opportunity to share their views. Contemporary and historical styles are
compared and Members reflect on the changing nature of many fashions and trends.
Current Affairs
Convenor: Barrie Gunter
Telephone: 0208-502-2892
Email: barriegunter220@gmail.com
Location: Loughton
Time: 10.00am-12 noon
Day: Thursdays
Frequency: Once a month, throughout the year
Group Type: Discussion
Membership: Closed (advance registration required)
Level: Open to anyone interested in news and current affairs
Resource Needs: None
Members review recent news stories and the way they have been covered by different news
media. Group meetings are restricted to 10 to 12 people to facilitate open discussion and to
ensure everyone has an opportunity to contribute. One Member will usually start the discussion
by raising a specific news story that has triggered their interest. Other Members then react with
their own opinions on the story. Several stories from current or recent news agendas are usually
covered in this way. Members agree an informal code of etiquette which means that there is
tolerance of varied views and different standpoints on specific stories and the events or issues
they concern.
18Family History
Convenor: John Short
Telephone: 0208-508-4930
Email: japshort@ntlworld.com
Location: Loughton
Time: 2.00pm-4.00pm
Day: Mondays
Frequency: Once a month, throughout the year
Group Type: Discussion
Membership: Closed (advance registration required)
Level: All levels
Resource Needs: Access to genealogy services
This Group is designed for Members with an interest in genealogy. Members meet to discuss
their family histories and how to access different sources to compile their family trees. The
Group Convenor provides information about key family history information sources and the
Members share experiences and advice about how to validate family history data. The
Convenor also provides copies of genealogy magazines for Members to borrow. These
publications provide a wealth of information about the practice of genealogy to enable
Members to become more skilled at finding and validating historical data about their own
families. Members may subscribe, at their own cost, to online services that can help to get them
started on compiling their family tree. The Group also regularly circulates, via email, notices
concerning information sources with accessible family history data.
History
Convenors: Jill Sutcliffe and Don Barton
Telephone: 0208-505-2185
Email: jsutcliffe11@talktalk.net
Location: Buckhurst Hill
Time: 10.30am – 12.30pm
Day: Fridays
Frequency: Twice a month throughout the year
Group Type: Discussion
Membership: Closed (advance registration required)
Level: Members need general interest in history
Resource Needs: Members may need to acquire recommended and relevant texts
The group is studying World War II. It uses Winston Churchill’s 12-volume record of the
period. Members read from this publication and engage in discussion of the period and
Churchill’s record of it, and some older members offer personal recollections.
1920
Cultural Activities
21Cinema Visits
Convenor: Heather Carnera
Telephone: 0208-418-9873
Email: carnera@btinternet.com
Location: Vue Cinema Complex, Westfield Shopping Centre, Stratford
Time: Mornings/afternoons
Day: Mondays
Frequency: Monthly
Group Type: Event-led
Membership: Closed (advance registration required)
Level: Not applicable
Resource Needs: None
This Group organises cinema visits to the multi-theatre complex at Westfield Shopping Mall.
Cheap-rate cinema tickets are available through a group-booking scheme operated by the
cinema. Members must make their own way to the cinema. Once there, they can choose any
movie that is available under this specific booking scheme. The Group Convenor will provide
Members with the relevant booking code on site. Westfield Shopping Centre has a large
underground car park and there is also a good Underground train service to Stratford Station
via the Central Line. The cinema complex is a short walk from the station to the shopping mall
and this is under cover all the way.
Garden Visits
Convenor: Carol Brighten
Telephone: 0208-505-2716
Email: cbrighten@gmail.com
Location: Various
Time: Various
Day: Various
Frequency: Up to three visits per year
Group Type: Event-led
Membership: Open (No advance registration required)
Level: Not applicable
Resource Needs: None
The Group Convenor organises day trips and shorter visits to gardens around London and
beyond. For distant destinations transportation is arranged. Members can enjoy organised tours
and take themselves around the gardens being visited. Information about upcoming visits are
publicised in the monthly Epping Forest U3A Newsletter and web site, and on the Newsreel
shown before the Main Monthly Meetings. Costs and numbers of trips each year can vary.
22Music – “A Little Light Music”
Convenor: Marianne Farra
Telephone: 0208-506-1773
Email: farraleonard@yahoo.co.uk
Location: Woodford Green
Time: 2.00pm - 4.00pm
Day: Mondays
Frequency: Twice a month, throughout the year
Group Type: Social
Membership: Closed (advance registration required)
Level: None
Resource Needs: None
This Group is aimed at Members with a broad range of interests in music. Members will watch
DVDs of ballet, ice skating, light opera, musicals and other performances of or involving music
and will discuss them afterwards. This is a very pleasant way to spend two hours.
Recorders
Convenor: Valerie Pearce
Telephone: 01277-363-898
Email: valeriepearce@btinternet.com
Location: Theydon Bois
Time: 2pm-3pm
Day: Fridays
Frequency: Once a month, throughout the year
Group Type: Shared Practice (with some Instruction)
Membership: Closed (advance registration required)
Level: Intermediate or Advanced (must be able to read music0
Resource Needs: Members have own musical instrument
Members practice and play together. To get the most out of the sessions, it is helpful if new
Members have at least some prior experience with the recorder. The Group Convenor can help
Members with their playing technique, but this Group will best suit those with at least some
prior experience playing this instrument and who like to play together.
23Singing 4 Fun
Convenor: Jenn Cresswell
Telephone: 07926-383911
Email: jenncress37@googlemail.com
Location: Theydon Bois Village Hall
Time: 2.00pm-3.30pm
Day: Wednesdays
Frequency: Once a month, throughout the year
Group Type: Shared Practice
Membership: Closed (advance registration required)
Level: All levels of ability welcome
Resource Needs: None
This Group is designed for people who enjoy singing with others. The aim is to sing for fun.
The Group sings all kinds of music from old classics, through choral works to contemporary
songs. It is open to anyone who likes to sing. The Convenor organises monthly practice
sessions with piano accompaniment and the Group occasionally performs at Epping Forest
U3A events.
Theatre Outings
Convenor: Jean Woods
Telephone: 0208-504-0347
Email: billyjeanwoods@btinternet.com
Location: Various
Time: Various
Day: Various
Frequency: Up to five times a year
Group Type: Event-led
Membership: Open (no advance registration required)
Level: Not applicable
Resource Needs: None
The Group Convenor organises theatre and concert bookings for Epping Forest U3A Members.
These events can include comedies, contemporary and historical plays and musicals. Tickets
are obtained at reasonable prices. Most shows are matinees. Members must arrange their own
transportation to and from venues.
24Games 25
Bridge – Beginners
Convenor: Christina Yeung
Telephone: 0208-500-5670
Email: christina@yeung.org.uk
Location: Chigwell – Group Convenor’s home
Time: 2.00pm-4.30pm
Day: Mondays
Frequency: Twice a month (1st and 3rd Mondays), throughout the year
Group Type: Hybrid: Instructional and Shared Practice
Membership: Closed (advance registration required)
Level: Beginners
Resource Needs: All materials provided
This Group is designed for beginners who want to learn the basics of the game. The Group
Convenor provides easy-to-follow tuition and creates hands for novices to practice their play
with each other. The nature of hands and the ways they can be played are then discussed with
analysis of the choices made by players and alternative strategies identified where relevant.
The Group Convenor is an experienced bridge player and is assisted by a qualified EBU Bridge
Director who makes sure formal playing conventions are adhered to.
Bridge – Social
Convenor: Christina Yeung
Telephone: 0208-500-5670
Email: christina@yeung.org.uk
Location: Chigwell – Victory Hall
Time: 10.15am - 12.45pm
Day: Wednesdays
Frequency: Twice a month, throughout the year
Group Type: Shared Practice
Membership: Open (no advance registration required)
Level: Intermediate
Resource Needs: All playing materials provided.
Note: This is an Epping Forest U3A Group but it is shared with Members of Buckhurst Hill
U3A.
This Group is designed for established bridge players who can play up to an intermediate level.
The Group Convenor provides some guidance, but this Group is mainly about learning more
about bridge through playing it. Members played prepared hands throughout each session and
scores are compared. The Convenor is an experienced bridge player and is assisted by a
qualified EBU Bridge Director who makes sure that formal playing conventions are adhered
to. The Group meets at a hired hall venue in Chigwell and Members are required to pay £1.50
as a contribution towards venue hire costs.
26Bridge – Gentle Duplicate
Convenor: David Gilbert
Telephone: 0208-508-5829
Email: davids.gilbert@sky.com
Location: Theydon Bois Village Hall
Time: 1.30pm-5.00pm
Day: Tuesdays
Frequency: Alternate weeks, throughout the year
Group Type: Shared Practice
Membership: Open (no advance registration required)
Level: All levels, but some experience beneficial
Resource Needs: None, all playing materials provided
The Group plays Duplicate Bridge in a relaxed and stress-free environment. It aims to cater to
bridge players of all standards who simply want to enjoy the game and have some friendly
social interaction with other players. Pairs play each other and move around the room through
the session with everyone playing the same set of hands. Scores are usually calculated
overnight and circulated to players via email the next day with some analysis of one of the
played hands. New members are always welcome. No need to have a partner. Some separate
coaching can be provided by the Convener either to aid general improvement or to cover
specific aspects of the game.
Bridge – Thursdays
Convenor: Brian Russell
Telephone: 0208-554-9076
Email: brian.russell19@btinternet.com
Location: Theydon Bois Village Hall
Time: 2.00pm-5.00pm
Day: Thursdays
Frequency: Every week
Group Type: Shared Practice
Membership: Open (no advance registration required)
Level: All levels, but some experience beneficial
Resource Needs: None, all playing materials provided
This weekly bridge group is open to all Epping Forest U3A members and its frequent sessions
mean that it provides plenty of opportunities for play. There is a limited table capacity,
however, and play is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Players are of varying
standards although an understanding of the basics of the game are essential.
27Cribbage
Convenor: Jenn Cresswell
Telephone: 01992-812038
Email: jenncress37@googlemail.com
Location: Theydon Bois Village Hall
Time: 10.00am – 11.30am
Day: Wednesdays
Frequency: Twice a month, throughout the year
Group Type: Shared Practice
Membership: Closed (advance registration required)
Level: All levels
Resource Needs: Cribbage boards provided; Members must bring own pack of playing
cards
Note: This is an Epping Forest U3A Group that is shared with Roding Valley U3A
This is a group for established Cribbage players and those wishing to learn more about the
game. There is a short break in the middle of the session and Members should bring along their
own refreshments.
Mah Jong
Convenor: Mags Pell
Telephone: 0208-500-0451
Email: maggspell@gmail.com
Location: Various
Time: 1.00pm – 3.30pm
Day: Fridays
Frequency: Twice a month, throughout the year
Group Type: Shared Practice
Membership: Closed (advance registration required)
Level: All levels
Resource Needs: None, equipment provided
Mahjong is a tile-based game that originated in China. It is usually played by four players,
although three-player versions of the game are played in some parts of the world. There are
144 tiles altogether. A player usually starts off with 13 tiles each of which has a Chinese symbol
on it. Players draw and discard tiles until they have completed a legal set using a 14 th tile to
form four melds or sets and a pair (or eye). Members play the game together and learn from
each other to improve their play.
28Rummikub
Convenor: Sandra Peters
Telephone: 0208-500-5501
Email: sandrapeters@btinternet.com
Location: Chigwell
Time: 2.00pm - 4.00pm
Day: Tuesdays
Frequency: Twice a month, throughout the year
Group Type: Shared Practice
Membership: Closed (advance registration required)
Level: All levels
Resource Needs: None, equipment provided.
Members play this competitive board game which is easy to learn, competitive and fun.
Rummikub (pronounced “rummy-cube”) is a tile-based game for two or four players. It
combines elements of the card game Rummy and Mah Jong (see above). There are 104
numbered tiles in the game ranging from 1 to 13 in four different colours, with two copies of
each) and two jokers. Players have either 14 or 16 tiles each to start and take turns to draw
down tiles from their racks into sets or runs of at least three, while having to take a tile if they
cannot take a turn. The first player to use all their tiles gets a positive score based on the total
value of all the tiles the other player(s) is(are) still holding, while the losers get negative scores.
2930
Exercise, Health & Sport
31Basic First Aid
Convenor: Doug Harryman
Telephone: 0208-508-3454
Email: doug.harryman@talktalk.net
Location: Theydon Bois Village Hall
Time: 2.45pm-4.15pm
Day: Tuesdays
Frequency: Once a month from October to May
Group Type: Instructional
Membership: Closed (advance registration required)
Level: Beginners
Resource Needs: None, all equipment and reference notes provided
Note: This Group is operated by Roding Valley U3A and is open to Members of Epping Forest
U3A.
The Group Convenor, who is a qualified Red Cross First Aid Trainer, explores the principles
and practices of First Aid. Members work through the Red Cross General First Aid course
covering the Aims, the Priorities, CPR, heart attacks, unconsciousness, blood loss, burns,
fractures, and other matters. Like all U3A activities this is a non-certificated course and is
intended for interest only, but Members will gain some basic First Aid skills too. The Convenor
demonstrates practical procedures like the Recovery Position and Members are invited to try
them if they wish to. The programme is repeated each year. This Group is open to Members of
six local U3As but Members must register for the course. Because it is tutor-led and held in a
large all, this Group has a large capacity.
Keep Fit
Convenor: Christine Hollington
Telephone: 0208-508-1590
Email: c.hollington@btinternet.com
Location: Theydon Bois Community and Youth Centre
Time: 10.30am – 11.30am
Day: Mondays
Frequency: Twice a month, throughout the year
Group Type: Instructional
Membership: Closed (advance registration required)
Level: All levels of fitness
Resource Needs: None, equipment and facilities provided
The classes run for this Group are fun and effective dance-based workouts which can lift the
spirits and strengthen your heart, muscles and core. Members can proceed at a pace they are
physically comfortable with. Emphasis is placed on having fun while also keeping your body
fit and toned. Class members are advised to wear comfortable clothing and either trainers or
dance shoes.
32Table Tennis
Convenor: Steve Baker
Telephone: 01992-813228
Email: sgwbaker@btinternet.com
Location: Theydon Bois Community and Youth Centre
Times: 10.00am-12 noon
Day: Thursday
Frequency: Twice a month, throughout the year
Group Type: Shared Practice
Membership: Closed (advance registration required)
Level: Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced
Resource Needs: Equipment provided
The Table Tennis Group is organised into two sessions designed for players with different
levels of ability. This group is open to novice players and those who are more experienced and
competitive. Table tennis bats and balls and playing table are provided.
Ten Pin Bowling
Convenor: Heather Carnera
Telephone: 0208-418-9873 or 07973-660096
Email: carnera@btinternet.com
Location: Rollerbowl, City Pavilion, Chadwell Heath
Time: 10.00am – 12 noon
Day: Mondays
Frequency: Once a month, throughout the year (break in August)
Group Type: Shared Practice
Membership: Closed (advance registration required)
Level: Beginners, Intermediate, and Advanced
Resource Needs: None, equipment provided
The Group Convenor organises bowling sessions at an established bowling alley at a discount
entry price. Members must organise their own transportation to and from the location. Time
and dates are published in advance in the monthly Epping Forest U3A Newsletter and web site
and on the Newsreel shown before Main Monthly Meetings.
33Trout Fly Fishing
Convenor: Michael Kay
Telephone: 07944-839848
Email: mkay54321@gmail.com
Location: Thornwood Trout Fishery, Epping, 6 acres of lakes
Time: Various
Day: Contact Michael Kay when you would like to attend
Frequency: No fixed schedule; ad hoc meetings
Group Type: Instructional and Shared Practice
Membership: Open
Level: All levels
Resource Needs: None. Equipment provided
This Group operates with a relaxed schedule of meetings that take place when Members are
able to get together to go fishing. All fishing now takes place in one location. Members can
bring their own fishing tackle and bait, but equipment can be provided. They are responsible
for their own transportation to and from the fishing sites and can fish as long as they wish. This
is a very sociable Group for fishing enthusiasts. Some advice can be given to inexperienced
Members.
Walking Netball
Convenor: Christina Lane
Telephone: 07905445768
Email: -
Location: Epping Sports Centre, 25 Hemnall Street, Epping, CM16 4LU
Time: 11.30am-12.30pm
Day: Tuesdays
Frequency: Monthly
Group Type: Instructional
Membership: Closed (advance registration required)
Level: Beginners upwards
Resource Needs: Members must wear trainers and comfortable clothing and bring a bottle
of water which can also be purchase on site.
Cost: £3.00 per person paid directly to the instructor
Members are led through a gentle warm up to start with followed by practice at passing the ball
and shooting into the goal. Members are then put into teams and the game begins. There are
rules to be followed which will be explained by a qualified instructor. There are plenty of
breaks and anyone can sit out at any point.
34Yoga
Convenor: Suzanneh Morrisson
Telephone: 077426-27558
Email: yoga@morrisson.co.uk
Location: Theydon Bois Community and Youth Centre
Time: 9.30am-10.45am
Day: Thursdays
Frequency: Twice a month, throughout the year
Group Type: Instructional
Membership: Closed (advance registration required)
Level: Beginners and Intermediate
Resource Needs: Members need their own mats and blocks. Bands and balls are also
incorporated into the class.
Instruction is provided and sessions are led by the Group Convenor as Members are taken
through a number of gentle yoga stretches and relaxation techniques. Each Member needs a
mat (cost, approximately £10) and a block (approximately £3). The Group is suitable for
absolute beginners and those with more experience of yoga. Members are required to pay £1.50
each per session as a contribution toward venue hire costs. Refreshments are available at the
venue for which a further small charge is made. Class members are advised to wear flexible,
comfortable clothing and practice in non-slip socks or bare feet. A jumper or blanket is
advisable for relaxation in winter months.
Yoga (Seated)
Convenor: Suzanneh Morrisson
Telephone: 077426-27558
Email: yoga@morrisson.co.uk
Location: Theydon Bois Community and Youth Centre
Time: 11.00am-12 noon
Day: Thursdays
Frequency: Twice a month, throughout the year
Group Type: Instructional
Membership: Closed (advance registration required)
Level: Beginners and Intermediate
Resource Needs: Chairs are provided. Ideally, members need a theraband (£4.95) and 9-
inch soft ball (£5), both available from Amazon or can be ordered through the tutor.
Members are led by the Group Convenor through a series of yoga exercises developed for
people to perform while seated in chairs. The Group can cater to those who are beginners and
others with more experience of seated yoga. Members are required to pay £1.50 each per
session as a contribution towards venue hire costs. Refreshments are available to Members for
a small charge.
3536
Food and Drink
37Food & Wine Appreciation
Convenor: Annette Chesher
Telephone: 0208-508-3539
Email: annette.chesher@btinternet.com
Location: Various
Time: Lunchtimes
Day: Various weekdays
Frequency: Every eight or nine weeks throughout the year
Group Type: Social
Membership: Closed (advance registration required)
Level: Not applicable
Resource Needs: None
The Group Convenor arranges meals at various restaurants, hotels and gastro-pubs mostly in
and around the Epping Forest U3A area. Members are able to enjoy meeting other for lunch in
relaxing and pleasant surroundings. Members must make their own transportation
arrangements, with the exception of Christmas when a coach is used. This is a friendly group
of people which enjoys eating out and welcomes new Members. It is a good way for Members
to socialise with other Members.
Sunday Lunches
Convenor: Cath Shipley
Telephone: 01992-812098
Email: cathshipley@gmail.com
Location: Various
Time: Noon-2.00pm
Day: Sundays
Frequency: Once a month
Group Type: Social
Membership: Open (no advance registration required)
Level: Not applicable
Resource Needs: None
The Group organises lunches once a month on Sundays at various pubs and restaurants in the
Epping Forest area. It was launched to create an opportunity for Members to meet each other
over the weekend. It is informal and friendly and a good way for Members to find out more
about the U3A through interactions with more experienced Members and with the Group
Convenor who is an experienced U3A Member who runs a number of other Groups.
38Wine Tasting
Convenor: Heather Carnera
Telephone: 0208-418-9873
Email: carnera@btinternet.com
Location: Loughton and surrounding area. Different Members volunteer to act as hosts.
Time: 7.30pm-9.30pm
Day: Fridays
Frequency: Once a month
Group Type: Discussion
Membership: Closed (advance registration required)
Level: Not applicable
Resource Needs: Members take turns to bring wine and all members make a shared
contribution towards the cost of the wines tasted at each meeting.
This Group is intended for those Members who enjoy wine. At each meeting, six wines are
usually tasted from different parts of the world. Each session focuses on the wines (usually a
mix of white and red) from a specific region. Members taste and discuss the qualities of each
wine and rate each one according to a simple scoring system. Comparisons are then made
between the Group’s preferences, ratings given to the wine by experts and the cost of each
wine. Occasional talks by invited wine merchants and experts also feature as a part of this
Group’s activities.
3940
Languages 41
Advanced French Conversation
Convenor: Micheline Blumsom
Telephone: 01992-813487
Email: mblumsom@ic24.net
Location: Theydon Bois
Time: 2.00pm – 4.00pm
Day: Tuesdays
Frequency: Twice a month, throughout the year
Group Type: Discussion
Membership: Closed (advance registration required)
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Resource Needs: Members may need to obtain a French dictionary and other relevant texts.
Members also subscribe to a magazine, “La Vie Outre Manche”, for £36.99 per year.
This very informal, friendly group engages in relaxed conversational French and reads and
discusses passages from different texts, some of which are taken from a magazine to which
Members are invited to subscribe. This Group offers its Members an opportunity to practice
and improve upon their school French. To get the most benefit, Members should try to set aside
some study time outside Group meetings. Members are invited to read in advance the passages
that will be discussed at the next meeting. Grammar in the text is then examined and explained.
The meetings provide an incentive for Members to actively use and practice their French
conversation as well as offering advice on vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. The Group
Convenor is French born and has taught adult classes for 40 years.
French Language (Intermediate)
Convenor: Jill Sutcliffe
Telephone: 0208-505-2185
Email: jsutcliffe11@talktalk.net
Location: Buckhurst Hill
Time: 10.30am – 12.30pm
Day: Wednesdays
Frequency: Twice a month, throughout the year
Group Type: Instructional
Membership: Closed (advance registration required)
Level: Intermediate
Resource Needs: Members will need to acquire some recommended texts
This Group is designed for Members with rusty school French who wish to refresh their
memories about the language and practise it with others. The Group Convenor provides
exercises and advice about vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation and encourages Members
to practise their French at home. Members do translations into and out of French. The Group
meetings provide a framework for study and an incentive to Members to keep practising their
French. The aim is that Members will improve skills both in their conversational and written
French. The Convenor possesses a BA degree in French.
42French Language (Advanced)
Convenor: Jill Sutcliffe
Telephone: 0208-505-2185
Email: jsutcliffe11@talktalk.net
Location: Buckhurst Hill
Time: 10.30am – 12.30pm
Day: Wednesdays
Frequency: Twice a month throughout the year
Group Type: Instructional
Membership: Closed (advance registration required)
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Resource Needs: Members may need to acquire recommended and relevant texts
This Group is geared to Members who already possess at least an intermediate level of ability
in French. Members read out and study French texts and practise their language skills through
interactions with each other. Members do translations into and out of French. They also read
French literature. The aim of this Group is to help Members who already possess a reasonable
proficiency in the use of French to enhance their skills in both the written and spoken forms of
the language. The meetings provide a study framework, incentives to keep practising, and
opportunities to interact with other French speakers on a regular basis. The Convenor has a BA
degree in French.
Italian – Beginners
Convenor: Eleonora Spencer
Telephone: 0208-504-9808
Email: eleonorspencer@hotmail.com
Location: Buckhurst Hill
Time: 2.0pm – 4.00pm
Day: Wednesdays
Frequency: Twice a month, from September to July
Group Type: Hybrid: Instructional and Shared Practice
Membership: Closed (advance registration required)
Level: Beginners
Resource Needs: The Group uses the Buongiorno Italia! media course book for beginners.
Note: This is an Epping Forest U3A group that is shared with Buckhurst Hill U3A.
This Group introduces beginners to the Italian language. It is designed for complete beginners
who want to learn some of the language for holidays or simply out of general interest. The
Group Convenor provides some instruction and relies significantly on a core text, Joseph
Cremona’s Buongiorno Italia!, which is an engaging course for beginners in Italian. It
introduces Members new to the language to some of its vocabulary, grammatical rules, and
pronunciations, and presents a series of fictional dialogues between speakers covering many
different social settings and transactions. It therefore attempts to bring the language to life by
showing how it can be used in a range of real-life scenarios.
43Italian – Intermediate
Convenor: Eleonora Spencer
Telephone: 0208-504-9808
Email: eleonorspencer@hotmail.com
Location: Loughton
Time: 2.00pm – 4.00pm
Day: Wednesdays
Frequency: Twice a month, from September to July.
Group Type: Instructional and Shared Practice
Membership: Closed (advance registration required)
Level: Intermediate and Advanced
Resource Needs: None
Note: This is an Epping Forest U3A group that is shared with Buckhurst Hill U3A.
This Group is designed for Members who can already speak some Italian at least to an
intermediate level. Members explore the vocabulary and grammar of the language, engage in
conversations with each other about a range of topics and explore Italian history and culture.
The Group aims to improve conversation, reading and listening skills and overall language
comprehension. Various textbooks are used to support its sessions including “Italia dal Vivo”.
The Group generally meets in a Member’s home but occasionally also visits other settings,
such as Italian restaurants where Members restrict themselves to speaking only in Italian.
Latin 1
Convenor: Robyn Marsh
Telephone: 01992-813310
Email: robynmarsh@pommes.plus.com
Location: Theydon Bois
Time: 2.00pm – 4.00pm
Day: Mondays
Frequency: Twice a month, closed July and August
Group Type: Instructional and Shared Practice
Membership: Closed (advance registration required)
Level: Elementary to Intermediate
Resource Needs: Members may need to acquire some recommended texts
Note: This is an Epping Forest U3A group that is shared with Roding Valley U3A.
Latin 1 is an elementary to intermediate standard course for those who know some Latin. The
Group follows Latin courses published for schools at pre-O-level standard. Each member
requires a copy of the course book. Members prepare a passage by translating it or do other
language exercises. Their “homework” is then checked in the Group meetings and Members
also look at other aspects of the language in the context of Roman culture.
44Latin 2
Convenor: Robyn Marsh
Telephone: 01992-813310
Email: robynmarsh@pommes.plus.com
Location: Theydon Bois
Time: 2.00pm – 4.00pm
Day: Mondays
Frequency: Twice a month, closed July and August
Group Type: Instructional and Shared Practice
Membership: Closed (advance registration required)
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Resource Needs: Members may need to acquire some recommended texts
Note: This is an Epping Forest U3A group that is shared with Roding Valley U3A.
This Group is more advanced and uses texts at AS-level and up to A-level standard. There is
some instruction and learning through work sharing. Members do translation exercises and also
examine aspects of the language in the context of Roman culture and history. Prospective
members would need a level of knowledge about Latin up to O-level standard to benefit from
this group.
Spanish
Convenor: Catherin Shipley
Telephone: 01992-812098
Email: cathshipley@gmail.com
Location: Woodford Green
Time: 10.15am – 12.00 noon
Day: Thursdays
Frequency: Twice a month
Group Type: Instructional and Shared Practice
Membership: Closed (advance registration required)
Level: Intermediate
Resource Needs: Members may need to acquire some recommended texts
This group has been running for two years. It started working trough the Michel Thomas series
of CDs. Now, it is working on the BBC Suenos series and is currently on Book 1. It has also
been using a recent GCSE Spanish exam paper and has been working through this. The Group
covers speaking, listening, and some writing skills.
4546
Literature
47Books and Media
Convenor: Sheila Fenn
Telephone: 0208-508-4430
Email: No email address
Location: Member’s house
Time: 2.00pm-4.00pm
Day: Tuesdays
Frequency: Twice a month, throughout the year
Group Type: Discussion
Membership: Closed (advance registration required)
Level: Beginners and Intermediate
Resource Needs: Book purchase costs
This Group examines contemporary and historical books that have usually been made into or
served as the basis for movies or television dramas. Members must buy their own copies of the
books that are covered, but the Group has an arrangement whereby its members can get a 10%
discount from a local bookshop. The Group works collectively through each book. Members
take turns in reading sections aloud under guidance of the Member who had prepared the
section to be covered in the meeting, periodically stopping, as appropriate, for discussion.
English Literature
Convenor: Don Lindsey
Telephone: 0208-262-2259
Email: dandr.lindsey@gmail.com
Location: Theydon Bois Village Hall
Time: 10.00am-12 noon
Day: Tuesdays
Frequency: Twice a month throughout the year (1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month)
Group Type: Discussion
Membership: Closed (advance registration required)
Level: Beginners and Intermediate
Resource Needs: Purchase of featured books.
The Group studies both classic and modern fiction. In the meetings, Members take turns to read
aloud specific extracts from the previously agreed reading before the works are opened up for
wider analysis and discussion.
48Memoir Writing
Convenor: Beverley Swift
Telephone: 0208-502-0732
Email: bevmelswift@aol.com
Location: Loughton
Time: 10.00am-12.00 noon
Day: Wednesdays
Frequency: Once a month, throughout the year
Group Type: Shared Practice with some Discussion
Membership: Closed (advance registration required)
Level: Beginners and Intermediate
Resource Needs: None
Members write about past events in their own lives and present and discuss what they have
written to each other, giving and receiving feedback. The Group has published some of their
work and produces occasional exhibits for Epping Forest U3A meetings. This Group was
formed by and is designed for those with an interest in recovering memories from their earlier
life and then writing about these memories in such a way that the events referred to are brought
back to life again. Members can share their life experiences with each other and swap tips on
how best to recount them as readable narratives. There is a strong ethos of “learning from each
other” running through this Group which has defined its raison d’etre since its inception.
Pick Your Own Poetry
Convenor: Babs Oakley
Telephone: 0208-508-4674
Email: arboakley@gmail.com
Location: Loughton
Time: 2.30pm-4.30pm
Day: Tuesdays
Frequency: Twice a month, from September to June
Group Type: Instruction and Discussion
Membership: Closed (advance registration required)
Level: Beginners and Intermediate
Resource Needs: Members will need to obtain specified poetry books
Under the guidance of the Group Convenor, Members may suggest, select and read poems that
are then agreed by the Group as items for discussion. Poems are selected from different poets
and under various subject headings. Members read selected poetry outside the Group and
Members take turns to re-read selected poems in group meetings where they are examined and
discussed more closely. Group Members learn about the work of many different poets, become
familiar with different styles of poetry and the eras they come from. They also learn methods
of critiquing poetry and learn to recognise and appreciate subtle nuances in poetry construction.
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