Groups Directory - November 2012

This directory contains information about all Groups which are currently active.  If you want to join a group please contact the person named in the group entry in the first instance.

Unfortunately, some groups are at capacity and unable to take new members; if you wish to participate in any such group please contact the Groups Co-ordinator (information in the Officers tab) who will maintain waiting lists until there is sufficient interest to set up a new group.

PLaces in the Groups are sort-after and in short supply. Please don't forget to let the organiser know if and when you can no longer take part in a group. Also if you cannot attend on a day, try to let the organiser know in good time, it does make a difference.
Lunch clubs are particularly affected as venues can be difficult with regard to numbers.


Art History
Time: 10am
Day: 4th Thursday Monthly

Contact: Tess Biggs, Tel: 770723
or

Pat Hutchings, Tel: 770402

 
This small but enthusiastic group is run on very informal lines. Each month an artist or a painting is considered.  The session starts with a brief presentation which is followed by discussion. Individual members often suggest the topic for the following meeting.  Particular interest has been shown in what a painting can tell us about the period and country in which it was produced so we are brushing up on our history and geography as well!  Topics already lined up for discussion are many and varied. 
Bridge
Time: TBA
Day: TBA

Contact: Group Co-ordinator

 
This Group is new, very informal and meets around the kitchen table. It is basic bridge for early learners proctice. There is no 'teacher'.
If interested please contact the Group Co-ordinator.
Canasta
Time: 10.00am
Day: 2nd & 4th Thursday Monthly
Contact: Mervyn Reeves
Tel: 781691
  The group are now meeting in Oakley to enjoy playing canasta together, and to improve their skills. The group is currently full.
If interested please contact the Group Co-ordinator.
Computing
Time: to suit participants and tutor
Day: TBA

Contact: Bob Gardner
Tel: 770416

 
Absolute beginners or intermediate users welcome.

Individual training will be offered as required on subjects such as: using the keyboard, emailing, internet use, organising your digital photos, printing, etc
Crafts
The craft groups meet regularly to experience new crafts, exchange ideas and expand knowledge. Members occasionally visit craft shows and craft centres, and attend outside courses.
  Group 1 – Meets  1st Tuesday Monthly at 9:30 a.m
Contact: Kathy Gardner;  Tel: 770416;  Email
This group is currently full. If interested please contact the Group Co-ordinator.

Group 2 – Meets 2nd Wednesday Monthly at 2.15 p.m
Contact: Pauline Wooster; Tel: 772083;  Email
Creative Writing
Time: 2pm
Day: Tuesday
Contact: Valerie Thame
Tel: 770192
  This 10 week series of creative writing sessions, led by a published author, offers professional guidance on all aspects of writing - whether you write for pleasure or publication - covering novels, plays, articles and childrens stories. There will be a small fee payable per session.
NEW
Cribbage
Time: 2pm
Day: 1st & 3rd Tuesday Monthly

Contact: Ken Towell
Tel: 770965

 
This group has a core of enthusiastic members. We meet to play for fun, and don't intend to become competitive. The group is currently full. If interested please contact the Group Co-ordinator.
Family History Time: 2.30pm
Day: 3rd Tuesday Monthly
Contact: Rosemary Evangelisti
Tel: 773298
  Members meet together to discuss progress and ideas for pursuing research. Outings to places of interest for research or to exhibitions are also arranged from time to time.
NEW
French Conversation
Time: 10.30am
Day: 2nd & 4th Tuesday Monthly

Contact: Sue Carter
Tel: 770681

 
This group is well supported, meeting regularly for topical conversation.   New members are welcomed
Gardens
Time: 2.30pm
Day: 4th Thursday Monthly

Contact: Diana Goodwin
Tel: 771855

 
The Garden Group meets to visit each others’ or neighbouring gardens. There will also be visits to major gardens open to the public.
Gallery / Exhibition Visits
Time: By arrangement
Day: By arrangement
Contact: Jacky Lessware
Tel: 773043
  The Group meets as necessary to visit galleries and exhibitions which come to the notice of members from time to time and which are of interest to them.
History
Time: 2.15pm
Day: Last Wednesday of each Month

Contact: Dick Goodwin
Tel: 771855

 
The group has an objective of filling gaps in our knowledge of British history but aware that we must recognise the influence of Europe and the wider world.
Particular topics in History will be led by members' particular interests. We aim to make visits in the summer months.
Italian Beginners
Time: 10.30am
Day: Monday fortnightly

Contact: Jacky Lessware
Tel: 773043

 
This group is going very well.   New members are welcomed
Italian Conversation
Time: 10.00am
Day: 1st & 3rd Thursday Monthly

Contact: Jacky Lessware
Tel: 773043

 
This group is run in conjunction with Old Basing U3A, and meets for topical conversation.  New members are welcomed
Inter-Knit Cafe
Time: 10:30am
Day: 4th Wednesday monthly
Contact: Pauline Wooster
Tel: 772083
  Members meets at the Honey Pot to share their common interest in knitting and crochet, to enjoy a chat with friends and partake of coffee, tea and maybe even lunch. New members welcome.
Line Dancing
Time: 11.00am
Day: Friday

Contact: Rosemary Reavley
Tel: 772199

 
This group meets in St Mary’s Hall to enjoy dancing with instruction.  New members are welcome to join; plenty of room for more
Lunch Clubs
These are groups of like minded people who meet for lunch at various local(ish) eating houses (usually pubs) on a monthly basis – generally at 12.30 p.m. Basically the lunch clubs "do what it says on the tin"!
 

Lunch Club 1 - Meets monthly on various days by arrangement
Contact: Anne Leader; Tel: 773030; 
or
Contact: Jan Baker; Tel 773371
This group is at capacity at the moment so unable to take new members.

Lunch Club 2 - Meets 3rd Tuesday monthly.
Contact: Jacky Lessware; Tel: 773043; 
This group is also at capacity at the moment so unable to take new members.

Lunch Club 3 -
Meets monthly by arrangement.
Contact: Corinne Cooke; Tel: 771263;
This group is also at capacity at the moment so unable to take new members.

Lunch Club 4 -
Meets monthly by arrangement.
Contact: Paul Reavley; Tel: 772199;
This group is at capacity at the moment so is unable to take new members.

Lunch Club 5 -
This is a new group, meeting times and frequency will be arranged once the group is up and running.
Contact: Wendy Morgan; Tel: 01635 297538; 
This group is newly formed and is still able to take new members.

Mahjong
These groups meet to learn the game and play amongst friends
  Group 1 – Meets on Monday afternoons
Contact: Elizabeth Smith; Tel: 770280
This group is currently unable to take new members

Group 2 – Meets at Town Mill on Monday afternoons at 2p.m.
Contact: Charles Cardiff Tel: 770874:
Currently there is space for new members
Opera
Time: 10 am
Day: 4th Tuesday Monthly
Contact: Diana Goodwin
Tel:
771855
 
Members meet together to listen to or view operas or parts of operas, and afterwards to discuss the performances. From time to time there will be visits to see live performances.
Photography
Time: 2 pm
Day: 2nd Wednesday Monthly

Contact: Keith Biggs
Tel: 770723

 
This group meets once a month to show digital images taken previously on a set subject. Each member submits 2-6 images for consideration by the others. This usually leads to demonstrations on technique and friendly critique. The group is currently full.
Play Reading
Time: 2.15 pm
Day: 3rd Thursday Monthly

Contact: Sue Carter
Tel: 770681

 
There are currently 10 members of this group which is about the right size to give everyone a part each session, but new members would be welcomed – in particular, one or two more men would be appreciated!  Reading is from sets of plays borrowed from the Library. These are usually one-act plays which can be read completely in one afternoon. 
Reading
Time: 2.30 p.m.
Day: 1st Monday Monthly
Contact: Sue Sait
Tel: 773080
 
The aim of the reading group is to read and discuss literature which as individuals we might not choose for ourselves.  The group is currently at full capacity.
Scrabble
Time: 2 p.m.
Day: 2nd & 4th Tuesday Monthly

Contact: Liz Towell
Tel: 770965

 
Scrabble is going very well and is continuing this year. At the time of writing there is space for one more member.
Scrapbooking
Time: 9am
Day: 2nd Tuesday Monthly

Contact: Kathy Gardner
Tel: 770416

 

Members work on their own projects but exchange ideas and share skills. There are also oppotunities to visit craft shops and attend Crops.
There is currently no capacity for new members.

New
Spanish Beginners
Time: 2.30 pm
Day:  Every Wednesday

Contact: Charles Cardiff
Tel: 770874

 
This group has just a few members and would very much welcome others.  It is emphasised that this is a beginners group and ALL are welcome
   
Sports Days
Time: By arrangement
Day: By arrangement

Contact: Barry Carter
Tel: 893216

The focus of the group is going to spectate at a variety of sports. Since the group started we have organised visits to around 35 sporting events, these have included horse racing, sailing, rowing, football, rugby, basket ball, ice hockey and a host of other events. We have also arranged other social activities such as pub skittles.
We are always open to new members.

Theatre
Time: By arrangement
Day: By arrangement

Contact: Lynda D'Arcy
Tel: 771239

 
Meets on an impromptu basis to attend theatrical performances
Tai Chi
Time: 10:30 am
Day: Every Monday 

Contact: Sue Carter
Tel: 770681

New members are always welcome.
Walking
Time: By arrangement
Day:  1st Thursday Monthly

Contact: Sue Sait
Tel: 773080

 
The walking group meets monthly and aims to walk about 5 to 6 miles, taking about 2 to 2.5 hours.  Walks are usually circular, starting in the vicinity of a pub where there is the option for lunch at the end of the walk.  We have seen some wonderful scenery around the area which cannot be appreciated from a car.
New members are always welcome.