Groups

Art Appreciation and History  to German

Art Appreciation

 

This group has an average attendance of 12-15 members who share an interest in art and are keen to extend their knowledge. There is a wide range of levels of expertise.

 

The group meets once a month for 10 months of the year to study artists and their work. At our sessions group members take it in turn to research an artist of their choice and then present their findings (using slides available from City Art Gallery or U3A resources) to the group opening up the meeting for discussion.  Although most members choose to contribute on this basis, there is no pressure to do so. Occasionally, we make visits to local galleries. We do make a small charge towards the hire of the hall – but the more members we have the less we will need to charge! Additionally, if we had more members, it would give us greater scope to arrange visits to galleries and National Trust properties. So, anyone interested in art, please do come along and join us.

 

The group meets on the 4th Wednesday of the month at Edmund Kell Hall at 2.00pm

Please note that meetings are suspended until further notice.

 

Basic French Conversation

 

This group is aimed at members who have a basic knowledge of French but are a little rusty.  Without a native or fluent French speaker to lead the group, use is often made of pre-recorded material including French films and news reports from TV.  Trips to Normandy have tested progress and members are sure they are more confident and even competent!  C’est possible!  It is definitely enjoyable.  Members are so keen though, that when there are five Wednesdays in the month they have been known to vote for an additional session to avoid a three week gap!

 

Alternate Wednesdays 2pm - 4pm

 

Bridge

 

The aim of this group is to assist Beginners and Improvers to improve their bidding and playing skills using the basic Acol system.

 

Although I can accommodate between 3-6 players at any one time, we take it in turns to play as only four people can play together at any one time.  This also gives us the opportunity to learn from observing others at play. In between the supervised sessions players meet together on an informal basis to practise with friends.

 

We meet on alternate Mondays at 2.00pm

 

Bus Hoppers

 

The aim of this group is to explore and enjoy the surrounding countryside and its amenities (within a 30 mile radius of Southampton) at virtually no cost.

 

The group is open to all and our outings are on different weekdays in no set pattern so that no member is excluded.  Outings usually take place during the warmer months and there is no obligation to attend regularly.  Details of the trips are given in the Newsletter and at General Meetings and members planning to attend are asked to inform the Group Co-ordinator in advance and are given maps and leaflets about the venue on the day.

Although venues to date have been decided by the Group Leader (due to the practicalities of co-ordinating the arrangements) suggestions from members re proposed trips are always most welcome.

 

All members welcome - See Newsletter for details.

 

Current Affairs 1 & 2

 

These groups meets once a month to discuss and debate current affairs. The topics for debate are jointly decided within the group and recent topics have included:  The development of democracy, The French Revolution and MP’s expenses.  Topics, once decided upon, are sub-divided into different areas for study which individual members research.  At subsequent meetings, members present and discuss their findings with the group.  Currently, we have space for new members to join us.

 

Both groups meets on the 2nd Monday of the month at 2.00pm

 

Digital Photography

 

This group meets once a month on a term time only basis to explore and develop the use of digital cameras.  In order to promote this aim we have agreed to keep our cameras always accessible and look around with a photographer’s eye.

 

The group caters for a wide range of camera users and we work in small groups according to ability on topics requested by the group members.  To date, we have explored topics such as: what can we do with our cameras, what is the most we will do with our cameras and how we can delete the bridegroom and replace him with the best man.  We have also discovered ways to make more effective use of our computers, to put our pictures on disk, CD/DVD, and memory sticks.  In the coming months, we intend to explore: new genres of photography, using up-graded cameras, and how we can graphically catalogue our lives and hobbies.

 

We currently have spaces for new members.

 

We meet on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 2.00pm

 

Film 1

 

This group is for people who enjoy meeting with other like minded cinema goers to share their views and opinions.  We meet once a month to discuss the films we have seen and suggest films which might be worth seeing in the month ahead.

Our meetings usually begin with a review of the films from the previous month and include discussion on some or all of the following features: the plot, setting, characterisation and themes, and the use of language, photography, music and special effects. Following our discussion, films are selected for the forthcoming month, mostly – but not exclusively – from the Harbour Lights programme.  The choice of films is completely free and members of the group often benefit from hearing about films they themselves may not have chosen.  Although we don’t go to the cinema to see the films as a group, there is usually the opportunity to join with one or more members of the group to view the film if desired.

 

1st Monday of the month from 2.00pm - 4pm

 

Film 2

 

This group meets once a month to review films seen in the previous month.

 

The films selected for viewing are chosen by the group from the Harbour Lights programme for the forthcoming month.  This is usually done at the end of the meeting following our review of the previous month’s films.  The reviews usually begin with a synopsis of the plot taken from the ‘Sight and Sound’ magazine and are followed by animated group discussion.

 

Although broadly speaking we are free to see the films as and when we like, in practice, we often meet up together on a Thursday afternoon at the Senior Citizens’ screenings as admission is cheaper and we are treated to a free cup of coffee.!

 

3rd Monday of the month at 10.00am

 

French Conversation Improvers

 

The emphasis of this group is on improving conversational skills for those who already have some knowledge of the subject. We meet twice a month with this aim in view.

 

Conversation during the sessions is largely based on recent personal experiences, jokes and news and views. As and when the need arises, points of grammar are explained and worked through. Occasionally, printed articles and classical literature are used to extend our skills.

 

We are operating with maximum numbers at present. It seems to be quite a popular subject as no-one ever leaves!  We would welcome new members and consider setting up a new group if someone was willing to take on the leadership.

 

This group meets on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month at 2.00pm

 

French  Intermediate/Conversation

 

These conversational groups meet once a month and we would welcome new members with a reasonable command of spoken French. There is quite a range of ability. As the whole course is run entirely in French, you must be willing to express yourself in French without too much difficulty.

 

The group is run in quite a structured way so that everyone always has a chance to say or learn something. We discuss what is happening in France on the political and cultural scenes. We play games, read and translate news items, listen to songs and watch French TV using the terrestrial channels.

 

Groups are limited to 12 but as people are often absent it’s always worth a try if you want to join. Bienvenue

 

Group 1 meets on the 4th Tuesday of the month at 2.00pm

Group 2 meets on the 4th Friday of the month at 2.00pm

 

Gardens

 

The aim of this group is to provide a garden activity once a month from February to October that is open to all U3A members. The organisation and the planning of the programme are coordinated by four garden loving members although individual members often take on the responsibility of organising particular visits/talks.

 

Most of the visits are to local gardens within easy reach of the Southampton area. We meet at 10.30am and pay a small sum for the owner to donate to charity. Usually, the owner will give a short talk or a guided tour, and very often will provide coffee and biscuits. We have enjoyed these refreshments in some very delightful settings!

 

Garden visits are often followed up by lunch at a nearby pub and we are most grateful to the members who take on the responsibility of arranging visits and talks and always welcome new members and ideas.

 

The group meets on the 4th Tuesday of each month from February to October.

 

Genealogy 1 & 2

 

For ease of numbers there are two genealogy groups, both meeting monthly. We are interested both in tracing our individual families, and in social and local history which contribute to our understanding of our ancestors' daily lives. Most of our members are experienced family historians but beginners are also welcome.

 

Meetings are informal allowing members to discuss and update us on their personal research.  Through the exchange of resources, ideas and knowledge, we assist each other with suggestions for future research.  We sometimes bring old photographs or documents to share. We also exchange books, family history magazines and notices of forthcoming events. Occasionally, we have a speaker on a special topic, or choose a special theme to discuss, and sometimes visit the National Archives at Kew, or Record Offices in Winchester or London. However, this happens less frequently now that information is widely available on the internet.

 

Both groups are now fairly full, but we welcome new members and will consider setting up a third group.

 

Group 1 meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month from 2 - 4.pm

Group 2 meets on the 1st Thursday of the month from 10 - 12.pm

 

German for Improvers

 

This group meets on a weekly basis for three terms a year with breaks to coincide broadly with university holidays.  The standard of the group is roughly between ‘O’ and ‘A’ level.

 

The meetings are usually divided into three half hourly sessions covering:-

 

a) Grammar, using the Aktion Grammatik textbook for source material and homework exercises.

b) Unprepared translation from German short stories or easy short novels

c) Conversation in German led by a native speaker, Gerhard Heintz, whose wife Bobbie is also a group member.

 

All three sessions call for members to participate as nearly equally as possible, but in a friendly, relaxed manner. My wife thinks we can’t be doing any serious work because there is too much laughter!

 

We meet every Thursday from 10.30am to 12 noon. Term time only.

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