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Helmdon Branch WEA - Activities
Charity reg. no: 1112775

 

Outing to Hardwick Hall - 17th May 2008

NB Now fully booked, but there is a reserve list in case anyone pulls out.

The Helmdon Studies Group are planning the above trip on 19th July to Hardwick Hall Estate to cover the “new” Hall and the “The Old Hall” plus gardens.

 

There is a restaurant on site, but we will be stopping for coffee en-route.

 

The coach will leave “The Green” at 8.45 a.m. and   “The Square” at 8.50 a.m.

We will leave Hardwick Hall at approximately 5.00 p.m.

 

In order to keep the costs down we have shopped around and have booked a smaller coach, so it will be first come first served.

 

The cost will be £12.00.

 

Please print off the slip below and give it with your monies by 30th June to Richard Foster, No.1 Wappenham Road, Helmdon.

 

…………………………………………………………………………………………

 

Trip to HARDWICK HALL  - l9th July

 

NAME(s)………………………………………………………………………………

 

Amount enclosed………………………………………………………………………

 

(Cheques made payable to Helmdon Studies Group)

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WEA Annual General Meeting - 22nd March 20082

                                WEA Annual General Meeting

Tuesday, 8th April 2008 at 8:00pm

Helmdon Reading Room

Agenda

1.          Chair’s welcome

2.          Apologies for absence

3.          Minutes of AGM, 3rd April 2007

4.          Matters arising from the minutes

5.          Secretary’s report

6.          Treasurer’s report

7.          Election of officers and auditor for 2008/9

8.          Courses and tutors for autumn 2008 and spring 2009

9.          Suggestions for trip

10.        Any other business

Cheese and wine will be served after the formalities.

Anyone interested in adult education in Helmdon is very
welcome to attend this meeting.

You will be able to meet local WEA members
and find out what is going on at your local WEA branch.

For more information please contact Richard Farquharson (01295 760079)

 

WEA Social Evening - 5th September 2007

A date for your Diary - Members and their guests are invited to a social evening in the Reading Room on Friday, 30th November.

More information will be given to members later.

Trip To Lacock - 16th June 2007


Lacock Abbey



WEA members thoroughly enjoyed their trip to Wiltshire on 16th June. There was a stop for coffee at Lechlade before the group reached Lacock.

At Lacock there was plenty to see, including the National Trust properties: Lacock Abbey, Fox Talbot Museum of Photography and Lacock Village.  Members were able wander around the Abbey Gardens and see the ongoing work restoring the Botanic gardens.   All in all a very pleasant and interesting day.

Christmas Get-Together - December 2006

Douglas Hadfield, Andy and Jenny Overson.
Douglas Hadfield, Andy and Jenny Overson.
Members held their Christmas social evening in the Reading Room on Friday, December 1st.  Andy Patmore, a Forest Commission ranger, talked about the evolution of the Royal Forests of England from the Ice Age to the present day;  it was illuminating to hear what types of trees are at present in our forests, why they came to be there and what this means for the forest floor.  More specifically he talked about his work in the Salcey Forest (which has now, incidentally, an exciting walkway above the trees) and the flora and fauna in our local woods. The evening ended with supper provided by members, served by the ever-hardworking committee.

Interested In Roman History? - Autumn 2006

Now, some ten years on, the finds are being shown at the Piddington Museum and interpret 500 years of life at the site.
In the 90s Helmdon WEA had a series of lectures from Roy Friendship Taylor about the Romans and an archaeological dig at Piddington, Northamptonshire, and some members were fortunate enough to visit it and to be shown around the site.

Now, some ten years on, the finds are being shown at the Piddington Museum and interpret 500 years of life at the site. It was opened in 2004 by Tony Robinson, and in November 2006, Roy, who is chairman of the Upper Nene Archaeological Society and director of excavations, received two prestigious prizes on behalf of the Museum at the British archaeological awards' ceremony.

The Roman Villa Museum at Chapel End, Piddington, Northants, NN7 2DD is open on Sundays, 2pm until 4pm until Easter. Contact the museum (01604) 870312 for further opening times in 2007.

Outing to Southwell - 7th October 2006

Southwell Minster
About 26 members and guests visited the Workhouse at Southwell. We left Helmdon in style because due to the numbers Jeffs Coaches decided we could have the 1st XI Cricket team coach, so we had plenty of leg room and posh facilities!!

We arrived at Southwell Workhouse about 11.45 a.m. and were met by one of the guides who gave us a very informative introduction. We were then all issued with individual audios and left to proceed on our own after seeing a short film. The site is now run by the National Trust and very well preserved and maintained. Not quite sure whether I fancied living under those conditions!!

About 1.30 p.m. the coach then dropped us off outside Southwell Minster. Some of us proceeded to have lunch first before doing a tour of the Minster.

The Minster is referred to as the hidden gem of Nottinghamshire and on viewing this beautiful church you can see why. We were exceptionally lucky because in the evening there was to be a large Concert, and in the afternoon they were practicing their recital, so as we wandered around we were treated to this lovely music.

We arrived back in Helmdon at about 7.30 p.m. and we all agreed that anyone not coming with us had missed a really good day out. Here's to the next one.

Jan Harrold (Chair)

Useful Links:

Brief details from the NT website
More information on The Workhouse at Southwell
Background material on workhouses
To learn more about the WEA

WEA Annual General Meeting 2006 - 5th December 2005

This meeting was held in the Reading Room on 11th April 2006.  Jan Harrold was in the chair and welcomed members to the meeting.

The secretary's report, given by Richard Farquharson, reported on courses and visits during the year.  He also explained how the branch was supported by other staff within the WEA.  The website, created and maintained by members had won a prestigious award, being Central England winner in the Calor “Village of the Year” competition. 

Kate Moody, treasurer, reported that the branch was in a very healthy financial position.

Otters At The WEA - 5th December 2005

Naturalist, Reg Tipping.
Naturalist, Reg Tipping.
WEA members enjoyed another well-attended social evening at the Old Glebe on December 2nd.

Reg Tipping gave an excellent talk on what has become his main wildlife interest over the years, the subject of otters, although he confessed that bats were also an enthusiasm. He pointed out that their conservation was of prime importance, the west coast of Scotland and Ireland being the western limit of their European habitat, but more than that, he had obviously put his money where his mouth is, as the expression goes, by the amount of time he has spent in building artificial badger holts alongside rivers of Oxfordshire and surrounding counties. These are being made because of the gradual denudation of shrubby water banks, and the amount of man-made walling now being put alongside water channels. It was interesting to be told that bridge builders are now incorporating tunnels under the road or river to allow badgers and other animals to cross from one side to the other.

After Reg's contribution to the very successful evening, members enjoyed a fish and chip supper and delicious desserts. Thanks to the committee for organising such delicious fare!

Summer Supper - 24th June 2005

The wonderful gardens at the Old Glebe
The wonderful gardens at the Old Glebe
In June, Will Watson kindly allowed us to use the Old Glebe for our summer social event.

After a stroll round the garden and an excellent supper, Will entertained us with a most enjoyable recital of piano music to illustrate the different musical styles of composers such as Bach, Beethoven and Mozart.

Helmdon Branch AGM - 17th May 2005

Judy Cairns (Chair) welcomed 22 members and Dr. Denise Cowley to the AGM in the Reading Room. Denise is the Area Learning Manager for Northamptonshire and is also going to be our tutor for the autumn 2005 course "Anglo-Saxon and Viking England".

The Secretary's report, given by Richard Farquharson, explained recent changes to the regional organisation and course fee structure. The report also highlighted how the previous year's courses had been very successful and well attended.

Kate Moody then gave a detailed financial report. This clearly showed that, despite recent changes, it was another strong year for the branch and it should remain in a good financial position for the foreseeable future.

Throughout the meeting, Dr. Denise Cowley kindly answered many of questions about tutor availability and various operational matters.

Visit to the Victoria and Albert Museum - 16th April 2005

The Victoria & Albert
The Victoria & Albert
Following our course "The Suburbans", a coach trip to the Victoria and Albert Museum in Kensington allowed us to see many items of suburban furniture and decorative items at first-hand.

A vast range of products from the past 3000 years is wonderfully displayed at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Many other Helmdon residents took the opportunity to join us on the trip.

Thanks go to Cec and Jan Harrold for arranging the trip and to Joanna Rogers for acting as our guide at the Museum.



 
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