This was another successful event for the u3a.

With a live band, a good selection of food to share and a jolly atmosphere, we danced the night
away. Everybody took to the dance floor and although we only had29members in attendance ）the floor was comfortably busy when we were all up.

My thanks go to the members who offered to help namely Anne and Kenneth Hutton, Kay Weeks, Jenny Bass, 
Margaret and Derek Holden and of course Ray Brearley. 

Although not many takers in the scheme of things I do think it is an important non-profit, social
event to keep on the calendar for future years.

Jo Brearley -organiser.

Well I think this trip got our 2021/22 events diary off to a flying start.

We all met on the Quay at 11am in  Poole on a perfect day. We managed to fill the whole top deck of the boat.   We motored up Poole harbour and on to the River Frome entrance to Wareham.  The sun shone, the sky was blue and we glided along the river bank through thick reed beds, meadows and moored boats looking out for many different birds.

It was interesting that we could spy the Tower of the old church in Wareham some way ahead but it seemed to constantly move.   Sometimes on the right of the boat and sometimes on the left as the river curved around many bends

We docked on the quay at Wareham and had an hour and half to spend exploring this small pretty town. Some people went around the town others explored the ancient church and others had a G&T on the balcony of the restaurant on the banks of the river !!

We returned to the boat and began our leisurely  way back towards Poole.   We stopped about half way back and docked at a small pier where our delicious fish and chips were delivered to the boat.   We took off again and enjoyed the very welcome food  whilst gliding back to Poole Quay for 2.30pm

I think a lovely day was had by all

Angela Larcombe

[sings] ‘Didn’t we have a lovely time the day we went to….’

Athelhampton

Okay, not quite the place you were expecting me to say, but it’s true, we did have a lovely afternoon at Athelhampton House and Gardens. After the high winds and driving rain of the night before, it was a blessing to see the Tudor house basking in autumnal sunshine. And just wonderful to have a Tea at the Museum visit for the first time since March 2020.

Our guide for a tour of the house was Owen, who quickly revealed that he had worked there for many years and knew it and its history very well. He interlaced stories and facts in a clear and often amusing way and showed us some rooms which have not previously been open to the public. Now under new ownership, parts of the house are being renovated and there will be more to see on future visits.

Our group was particularly interested in the priest’s hole, concealed behind the paneled walls of the West Wing sitting room. This secret room was a good size, not the claustrophobic space one has come to expect of a priest’s hole, but the floor level is below the water table, guaranteeing wet feet, or more, for any unfortunate person sequestered there. There was also a narrow spiral staircase leading to the first floor and what had been three bedrooms, now the library.

Although Athelhampton House has the reputation of being one of the most haunted houses in Dorset, Owen confessed to having never seen a ghost, though he knew people who said they had. In the upstairs library, he told us the sad tale of a wife deceived and the grey lady who roams what was once her bedroom. None of our group admitted to seeing her; we were much more interested in reports of a magnificent fireplace behind one of the bookcases. As a Grade 1 listed house, no alterations can be made until permission is given, so we may have to wait a little longer to see it.

Downstairs again, we visited the former service range, parts of which have been converted to a dining room and a sitting room used by the previous owners. Together with the Elizabethan kitchens, this area is being restored and will be open to the public in due course.

The interior of the house was rather chilly, so it felt warmer to be back outside in the sunshine to conclude our tour. Some of the group was fascinated to hear how enforced closure during lockdown had facilitated the installation of a ground source heat pump and the owner’s plans to make Athelhampton ‘carbon minus’ in the near future.

Many of us chose to take a walk in the gardens before returning to the Visitors’ Centre to enjoy a well-deserved cuppa and cake before the journey home. I do believe I heard of one group’s plans for a little carpool karaoke on the way home…

[sings] ‘Singing a few of our favourite songs as the wheels went round.’

(with apologies to Fiddlers Dram ‘Day trip to Bangor’, 1979)

Pam Small

On a surprisingly sunny day 24 members of the Discovering Wessex group visited Sculptures by the Lakes, on Friday October 15th. 

This 26 acre sculpture park is set in tranquil Dorset countryside just south of Dorchester, surrounded by beautiful lakes, rivers and streams.  Members were able to walk around freely and view 117, sometimes monumental, sculptures set in a natural environment rather than  in a museum or gallery.

Many also partook of snacks and drinks etc in the Café by the Lakes, where most of the ingredients were grown on site.  The general consensus was an very enjoyable day out.

Keith Banks 

“23 members (and 2 dogs) walked and climb up on Ramsdown Hill on Saturday the 9^th October on a Z5 Short Saturday Walk.

The weather was kind and the sun shone all the time, breaking through the early morning mist.

The walk was a shorter one than usual but with the bonus of excellent views over Bournemouth to the South and the airport to the North, from the top of the Hill.

A pleasant alternative route was followed on the way back down from the hill, to extend the walk slightly.

On completion around half the group adjourned to the near-by Avon Causeway Hotel for a well-deserved coffee.”