15th January – ‘Every Child Matters’ – Alan Cutler
Alan gave a thought provoking talk about a scheme that matches individual volunteers to a child in care. This is a one to one relationship with a child to provide regular support, outings and activities outside official care. In Coventry and Warwickshire it is run through Dr Barnardos. There were leaflets available for anyone who would be interested in becoming involved. Training is given and volunteers are requested to provide support on a regular basis and to sign up for at least two years.
19th March – ‘The Man Who Creates Invisible Art’ – Graham Short
A fascinating talk about the smallest hand engravings in the world.
Graham Short
16th April – ‘Remembering the Swinging 60’s’ – Mike Watkins
A light hearted look at the people, things and events of the 1960s. With audience participation encouraged, it’s an hour of laughter and fun. Remember the 60s? Of course you do!
Mike gave us an interesting tour through the sixties, covering fashion, radio and television programmes and famous people associated with them, Mods and Rockers, Medical advancements (first heart transplant) , gadgets, world events (assassination of John F Kennedy, first moon landing), disasters and events in the UK (Aberfan pit disaster, sinking of the Torrey Canyon, Great train robbery, the Big Freeze, death of Churchill, development of the Boeing 747, Concorde, England won the World Cup) and BBC2 showed the first colour television in Europe.
18th June – ‘The Little Black Dress’ – Molly Murray
Our Speaker this month was Molly Murray who gave a talk entitled The Little Black Dress. This was an amusing account of venues she had attended and people from Young Farmers to Royalty she had met whilst wearing her dress as a Silver Service waitress. She also included some of the hazards and disasters that occurred during this time.
16th July – ‘Think Like a Genius’ – Peter Walker
Coleshill and Distric U3A member, Peter, talked on the subject of ‘brain power’.
20th August – ‘The Eiger and Other Climbs’ – Roger Hateley
Coleshill and Distric U3A member, Roger, gave us an interesting illustrated talk about his climbing exploits and bought along various items of equipment used for us to look at.
17th September – ‘Motorcycle Funerals’ – Rev. Paul Sinclair
“Would you be seen dead in a sidecar?” asked the Reverend Paul Sinclair. A humorous and eye-opening talk on this unusual choice of funeral arrangement.
15th October – ‘Napoleon’ – Patrick Hayes
With some audience participation, Patrick took us through the life of Napoleon and his various battles and exploits.
19th November – ‘Bee-Keeping and Its History’ – Julian Rouse
Julian gave us a fascinating glimpse into the history of bee keeping with evidence of apiaries being found in Iran in 950 BC. Bee keeping in Britain is recorded in the Domesday Book.