Book Circle 1 Group Leader: Denny Rawlinson Telephone: 01285 - 711009 Meetings: 2nd Tuesday at 2:30pm
The Book Circle meets in the afternoon of the second Tuesday of the month. We chose a list of books for the year, together with venues for the meetings at the houses of our members We aim for variety and balance; fiction, biography, travel and most years we include a classic, and a foreign novel. Among our books this year are "An Equal Music" by Vikram Seth, "North and South" by Mrs Gaskell, an American novel by Anne Tyler, and " The Leopard" by Giuseppi di Lampedusa. One of us 'presents' the 'Book of the Month', usually his or her own choice, then it is open to us all to contribute our views The discussion is informal and lively; conflicting opinions add to the enjoyment!
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	Book Circle 2 Group Leader: Ian Westlake Telephone: 01285 - 712329 Meetings: 2nd Tuesday at 2:30pm
Book Circle 2 meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month.  In January we choose our books for the year and organise venues at members’ homes.  We aim for a varied reading list, including fiction - modern, classic and in translation -  biography, travel writing, popular science ....  We occasionally discuss 2 books on similar, or contrasting,  themes.  One member introduces the chosen book, others, in turn, give their views and the discussion is then opened to all.
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	Family History 1 Group Leader: Miriam Scott  Telephone: 01285 713441 Meetings: Third Wednesday of the month at 2.30 pm
Meetings are held at 2.30 on the third Wednesday of the month, usually at 21, The Orchard, Fairford.  They will provide an opportunity for members to exchange ideas, to browse in a variety of sources, including microfiches, and for those with more experience to help the novices.  Each month there will be a short talk and discussion on a particular topic such as the census, military records, or wills including the use of the internet. From time to time we shall practise reading old handwriting and occasional outings to record offices can be arranged.  Since we started the second group we no longer have a waiting-list but vacancies are limited.  If you would like to join the group or to know more, ring Miriam Scott (number above).
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	Family History 2 Group Leader: Michael Johnson  Telephone: 01285 712637 Meetings: Third Wednesday of the month at 2.30 pm
Meetings are held at 2.30 on the third Wednesday of the month, usually at 19, Homeground Lane, Fairford.  This group was started towards the end of 2008 because of the long waiting-list of members with an interest in Family History.  So far we have concentrated somewhat on the internet facilities available for Family History research and we are partly dependant on expertise available from Family History 1.  If you would like to join the group or to know more, ring Michael Johnson (see above).
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	French Conversation Group Leader: Rosemary Westlake  (Intermediate) 01285 712329 Co-ordinator of the Advanced Group - Kevin Hannigan  01367-250246 Meetings: Weekly on Monday at 11:00am
French Conversation – Intermediate.  This long-standing group aims to give members an opportunity to brush up O level French and, hopefully, improve their fluency.  We use the magazine ‘Rendez-vous’ to keep us up to date with life in France and to extend our vocabulary.  New members are always welcome.  If you are not sure which is the right level for you, try both groups and then decide!   Meetings             Mondays at 11am – venues vary French Conversation – Advanced. We are a very friendly group of people who are reasonably able to understand and express themselves in French, and we help each other a lot!  Typically we spend 30 minutes or so chatting about whatever takes our fancy, and then the rest of the hour reading and discussing items from “La Vie Outre-Manche” the sister publication to “Rendez-vous”.  We try hard to use as little English as possible!  Meetings            Mondays 11am to noon chez Jeanne Watkins
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	Geology The group meets on the second Wednesday afternoon of the month. For information contact either:- Brian Routledge (01285 712853) or Clive Watson (01285 713003) (Joint Group Leaders)
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	History of European Art The History of European Art group meets each month, as convenient.  The group enjoys regular popularity and unfortunately cannot accommodate any new members at the moment. For further information, contact Denys Hodson (01285 712462)
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	Philosophy Group Leader: Donald Scott Telephone: 01285 - 713441 Meetings: 3rd Wednesday at 2.30pm
We have nine members, all trying to bring our lifetime's experience and wisdom to the group, while not forgetting Socrates' famous dictum that we're not wise until we realise we know nothing. Sometimes we study an individual philosopher - the latest one being Aristotle, who certainly has things to say about modern times. We also have sessions where we look at the application of Philosophy to current problems, like medical ethics, the environment, or education. We don't have any professional or academic philosophers among us, but try to be a living manifestation of the U3A principle " The Teachers learn and the Learners teach"    From time  to time members undertake to prepare topics of their choice and lead the discussion, giving the rest of us prior notice. There is absolutely no pressure for this, nor is there any pre-planned syllabus. Very often next month's subject suggests itself as the previous discussion draws to a close. We meet on the third Wednesday of every month at 2.30pm. Those of us with sitting rooms that can accommodate us all take it in turns to be hosts. Any further questions to the Group Leader, Donald Scott, 21 The Orchard, Fairford  (01285 713441)
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	Poetry Circle Group Leader: Keith Cottam Telephone: 01285 - 711054 Meetings: 1st Friday at 3:00pm
The Poetry Circle started in 1995 with five members under the leadership of Humphrey Gillett The group meets monthly in the homes of members. The host for the month has usually set the theme and we are always surprised and delighted at the variety of poems chosen. The group has developed its own harmonious identity, with good-natured acceptance of each other's tastes The friendly appreciative atmosphere encourages those who wish to present their own poems, efforts, which are enthusiastically or sympathetically received. The group has expanded and our pleasure in poetry is ongoing
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TIMETABLE of GROUP ACTIVITIES
Weekday	First Week	Second Week	Third Week	Fourth Week
Monday am	French 1 & 2 Yoga	French 1 & 2 Yoga	French 1 & 2 Yoga	French 1 & 2 Yoga
Monday pm	Bridge Short Tennis	Bridge Short Tennis	Bridge Short Tennis	Bridge Short Tennis
Tuesday am	Keep Fit	Keep Fit	Keep Fit	Keep Fit Striders
Tuesday pm	Main Meeting	Book Circle 1&2	Bird Watching
Wednesday am	Petanque	Walking + Pub Lunch Petanque	Petanque Five Rhythms Dance	Cycling + Pub Lunch Petanque
Wednesday pm		Geology	Family History Philosophy
Thursday am	Model Boats	Model Making	Model Boats Straddlers	Model Making
Thursday pm	Jazz	Rummikub	Garden
Friday am
Friday pm	Poetry 1& 2	Latin Recorders	Music Listening	Recorders