SPEAKERS MEETING -  GARDENING FOR WILDLIFE Wednesday 2 June 2021 Berkshire resident, Ailsa Claybourn, an Environmental Educator and volunteer with the. Bucks. Berks and Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT). shared her passion and enthusiasm for resident birds and winter and summer visitors to her garden and talked about how to make your own garden attractive to wildlife covering a range of wildlife from insects to birds and animals.  Tips included types of plants that encourage bees and insects, how to encourage birds into the garden and the benefits of a wildlife pond. Her website: ailsaswalksandtalks.com provides an overview of the talk as well as further information.

NEXT SPEAKERS MEETING - Basildon Park House Wednesday 7 July 2021 via Zoom Gifted to The National Trust in 1978 by Lord and Lady Iliffe, Basildon Park House is a grade 1 listed building situated 2 miles south of Goring on Thames, Berkshire. Provided by a Volunteer Guide at  Basildon Park House, the talk will provide an overview of the History of the house and its beautiful gardens, and the families who lived there.  Learn how, during the First World War, the house was used as a convalescent home for soldiers of Berkshire Regiments and as a D Day training centre during World War 2. Mary Brenchley-Hole will be contacting members prior to the meeting to invite them to apply for a Zoom place.

GROUPS UPDATE FOR June by Paula Dove  8 June More groups are now meeting up face-to-face as restrictions lifted in May and at the last count over 35 groups are now active. Thanks are due to the convenors who have worked with their members and within the restrictions to ensure that groups can run safely. It has been great to hear of groups enjoying trips to Historic Houses, the local cinema, sports centre and local pubs and of a number of groups meeting in members’ gardens and houses. I look forward to hearing of other groups starting to meet up again when they can. Some groups plan to run virtually for the foreseeable future. Two groups are merging - Local Trips and Gallery Visits as there is a considerable overlap of members abd activities offered by the two groups. The merger will make it the largest group involving nearly a quarter of the total Woodley u3a membership. The new group hope to provide a busy schedule but that will be dependent upon members coming up with ideas and then organising outings. Unfortunately, as no-one has stepped up to take on the Sunday Rambles group, it has closed for now. Groups With Spaces Include Afternoon Film Group Creative writing Family History Painting and Drawing Poetry writing Chess for Beginners short course (starts in October - one space left) Potential Groups Looking For Members Is anyone interested in a Slow Walking Group of up to 4 miles? Email me with regards to any of these groups at: Groupsco@woodleyu3a.org.uk Paula, Groups Coordinator

Wednesday 16th June - Fighting Franco, Oxfordshire and the Spanish Civil War Colin Carritt, Chair of the Oxford International Brigade Memorial Committee talks about Oxfordshire and the Spanish Civil War 1936-1939 with particular reference to some of the individuals and characters who went to Spain including three members of his own family. The cost for this talk is £1.00 per device, Closing date for applications Sunday 13th June.
Thursday 24th June - Coventry Cathedral - Icon and Inspiration A talk by Alexandra Epps about the extraordinary story of the rebuilding of Coventry Cathedral as a symbol of peace and reconciliation and its inspiring commitment to the modern. The cost for this talk is £2.00 per device,    Closing date for applications Monday 21st June
Tuesday 29th June - Black Holes and the Transient Universe You will not need a degree in physics to understand these mysteries, Professor Phil. Charles will explain. Cost per device is £1.00.       Closing date for applications is Wednesday 23rd June