Interest Group Reports
June 2021
Cycling Group
U3A Cycling May ride
This month we rode around the Wigram area starting at Meshino’s cafe. The weather was unsettled but by 9.30am it had stopped raining and 5 of us had a lovely ride led by Colin. It was great to see the new areas from a different viewpoint. We rode for about an hour covering 15kms.
Next month we will ride around Kaiapoi starting near the old Waimak bridge.
New members are always welcome. We ride on the last Friday morning of the month.
Family History
The family history/genealogy group had this month’s meeting on Tuesday 1st June. Those writing ‘My Life’ shared a memorable event in their lives followed by discussion on progress of their writing. Some who are researching their family ancestors brought along sites which could be helpful. With winter upon us there will probably be more time to follow these interests. Last month’s visit to Archives NZ was revisited and we are fortunate to have such an invaluable resource so close to us. Next meeting will be on Tuesday 6th July. Carole
Quarry Group
Five members spent and hour and a half spreading mulch around the latest plantings in the quarry below the rock face. If you are in the quarry, it is worth having a look at this newly planted area. There are more plants to go in over the seasons planting days. Lynne
May 2021
Current Affairs
A successful start to 2021 with the discussion on introducing a “tax on sugary drinks” and a visit to the Living Earth (green waste) processing facility in Bromley.
The April meeting will discuss “dietary supplements and whether they are essential for good nutrition” and in May the group will discuss “how good is the New Zealand school education system”. We meet on the 3rd Wednesday at 10.00am in the Halswell Service Centre/Library. If you are interested in joining the group, contact Graeme McNally
Cycling Group
Twizel trip at ANZAC weekend
7 of us enjoyed a lovely weekend in Twizel thanks to the hospitality of Jill and Russell. The first ride was beside Lake Ohau on the A2O track from the weir around to the township. It was devastating to see the houses that were lost in the October fire but encouraging to see lots of new buildings going up. It was a lovely sunny day but the wind did come up around lunchtime so we had to find a sheltered spot to stop.
The next day we rode from Twizel to Lake Pukaki again on the A2O track across typical MacKenzie country and then back along the canal which was so picturesque with the autumn colours.
I am sure another trip will be planned sometime later in the year.
U3A Cycling April ride
This month we rode from Birdlings Flat to Little River on the Rail Trail. It was a beautiful morning with no wind. The scenery around Lake Forsyth was great with lots of wildlife on the lake. We stopped at the Little River Café and Store for coffee then returned to our cars.
Next month we will ride around the Wigram area.
New members are always welcome. We ride on the last Friday morning of the month.
Family History
The family history group had a very interesting visit to Archives New Zealand. We were taken on a tour of the facility, shown the various areas, and told of their functions. After touring the repository, we were taken to the Reading Room where a variety of documents from the archives were set out for us to look at. Police Gazettes, a probate file, records of Admissions to the Sunnyside Hospital and a will with a notebook where a widow had recorded how her possessions were to be distributed were some of the items. Early Christchurch Land records books, impressive with their immaculate copperplate writing, were also viewed. If you are interested in pursuing your family’s history, you are welcome to come along to our meetings which are held on the first Tuesday of each month starting a 1.30pm. Contact Carole
Scribes
We’re still having fun meetings, sometimes if we’ve felt unable to write we just talk and laugh. Our next meeting is Monday 14th May at 1 pm. Halswell Library. We would welcome anyone who may like to just sit in and see what we get up to. Regards Trish.
Scrabble
The Scrabble Group has currently 10 members and 3 ladies waiting to join. If prospective members contact Vivienne, she will collate any information to enable a new group to be formed.
Theatre Appreciation Group
Recently a party from our group attended the play ‘Gladys and Daphne’ at the Lyttelton Arts Factory, a delightful tale artfully portrayed by two very accomplished actors, Lynda Milligan and Julie Edwards. The season runs until 16th May and we would all recommend everyone to see it. Some of us have also been to see ‘Ladies Night’ at The Court Theatre, lots of excitement there! Our next regular meeting is on Thursday 27th May at The Hub 1.15pm. Plenty of room for newcomers to join us. David
April 2021
Current Affairs
A successful start to 2021 with the discussion on introducing a “tax on sugary drinks” and a visit to the Living Earth (green waste) processing facility in Bromley.
The April meeting will discuss “dietary supplements and whether they are essential for good nutrition” and in May the group will discuss “how good is the New Zealand school education system”.
We meet on the 3rd Wednesday at 10.00am in the Halswell Service Centre/Library. If you are interested in joining the group, contact Graeme McNally.
Cycling Group March Ride
This month we combined a few cycleways to make a round trip. We started at Pioneer Stadium on the new Nor’west Arc cycleway and headed for the University. The track wasn’t completed but was still a pleasant ride. Then we went through the University and rode along the Uni-cycle cycleway that took us into Hagley Park via Riccarton Bush. We had coffee at the Museum Café then back via the Quarrymans Trail for some and the Addington-Southern Motorway cycleway to Aidanfield for some others. There were 10 of us which was great.
We have 7 of our group going to Twizel for another few days cycling over Anzac weekend.
Our next ride will be Birdlings Flat to Little River. We meet on the last Friday of the month and new members are always welcome.
Quarry Group
A small group work in the Halswell Quarry on the first Thursday of the month from 10.00 am for an hour and a half to two hours. We would love more helpers to join us.
Genealogy
The family history/genealogy group met on 6th April. Many memories surfaced as members shared their experiences of their school days and compared those days to those of today. That was the task for this month’s unit in preparation for writing our life stories. Our next task is ‘I remember the day when. .’. What memories will that evoke – one can but wonder? Concurrently we continue with the research of our family trees. Our next meeting on Tuesday 4th May will be a visit to the National Archives confirmation and time to follow. If you are interested in this visit, please contact either Carole or Julia.
Scribes
Scribes are still meeting 1 pm Halswell library first Monday of the month, except for 5th April which is Easter Monday so we will meet on the 12th. We were pleased to have 2 new members at our last Scribes but would welcome more. Happy scribbling! Trish
Scrabble
We have 10 members meeting twice monthly at present.
Because we meet in each other’s homes we are unable to enlarge the group at present.
If others wish to play Scrabble I am happy to keep a list of those people, and facilitate their formation of a new group. Vivienne
Theatre Appreciation Group
At our Theatre Appreciation meeting in March, we were privileged to host a visit from Lara Macgregor, currently starring in “Things I Know To be True’ at The Court Theatre (an absolutely brilliant production by the way! Not to be missed.) Our April meeting is on the 22nd at which time we will organise a visit to see ‘Gladys and Daphne’ at the Lyttelton Arts Factory. Gladys is widowed. What’s left for her but a ticking clock and cheese rolls for one? But then comes Daphne. This play is the much-anticipated sequel to LAF’s 2020 hit show Gladys and Alfie. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll love it. Featuring two of New Zealand’s finest – Lynda Milligan and Julie Edwards. David
March 2021
Current Affairs
A small number of places are available to U3a members to join the Current Affairs Group on their visit to Living Earth (who process all of our green waste) -17 March. If you are interested in joining this visit, contact Graeme McNally for further information.
Cycling Group February Ride
This month we met at Ferrymead Heritage Park and biked to Scarborough Beach in Sumner. There were 12 of us which was a fantastic turnout as it was a cloudy drizzly morning, but we all enjoyed the ride.
Next month we hope to try the new Nor’west Arc Cycleway if it is finished.
We are also looking at having another weekend away in Twizel possibly in April.
We ride on the last Friday of the month and new members are welcome. Mary
Quarry Group
A small group work in the Halswell Quarry on the first Thursday of the month from 10.00 am for an hour and a half to two hours. We would love more helpers to join us. Contact Lynne through the website.
Book Discussion
A very friendly group who meet at 10:00am on the 2nd Monday of the month at the Halswell Library. We subscribe to The Book Discussion Scheme which supply 10 books per year at a cost of $70. The first book for 2021 season is distributed at the May meeting. Maximum of 12 members and for the new season there are currently 2 vacancies. Let me know if you are interested. Ros
Genealogy
Tuesday 2nd March found the genealogy/family history group holding their first meeting for the year. This year, as well as tracing family history we are investigating various ways of recording our own and the lives, as much as we can find out, of our forebears. By the end of the meeting most of the group had decided on their starting point and we look forward to hearing of their progress (or lack of) at our next meeting Tuesday 6th April. If you are interested in coming along, please contact Carole or Julia.
History Group
This year we are studying Renaissance Italy following the U3Aonline programme. We meet at my home on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 10:00am. Our first meeting had a lively discussion on the history of Italy and why the Italian Renaissance flourished in 15th century Florence.
These online courses prompt further research for a better understanding of the subject. All members can access the online course for individual study. Please ask for the login and password if interested. Ros
Scribes
Scribes are still meeting 1 pm Halswell library first Monday of the month, except for 5th April which is Easter Monday so we will meet on the 12th. We were pleased to have 2 new members at our last Scribes but would welcome more. Happy scribbling! Trish
Scrabble
We have 10 active members enjoying twice monthly meetings in each other’s homes and meeting challenges related to word settings. Vivienne
Other Learning Opportunities
SWU3A online courses
Members can use the on-line courses our group has subscribed to by logging on to our website.
Please ask for the login and password if you are interested.
UC Connect
These are a series of lectures on Wednesday evenings on a wide variety of subjects. To find out what is offered go to https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/public-lectures/ in your browser.
On that website there is also the ability to watch u-tube versions of earlier talks.
January 2021
Cycling Group January 2021 ride
This month we met near PMH and biked out to Ferrymead following the river on bike tracks or quiet roads. There were 10 keen riders and we all enjoyed getting together after the summer break. The weather was cloudy with a SW breeze but luckily no rain. Some of our group biked from Halswell/Aidanfield. Our next ride at the end of February will be from Ferrymead to Sumner.
We meet on the last Friday of the month and new members are welcome to join us.
November 2020
Urban Explorers
Urban Explorers enjoyed our walks last month in the Southern Quadrant of the central city with Graeme. Most of us no idea of the progress that has been made in that area and learnt a great deal from Graeme’s knowledge of the inner city. This month we are exploring the Northwood/Styx Mill area. Ngaire
Scribes
We were pleased to have two new folk join us on Monday and we had a
very pleasant session with lots of laughs. We decided that 7th December will be our last for the year and we will meet up again after ‘the silly season’ in February.
Family history group
A few of the family history group met on 3rd November spending time
looking at one member’s variety of family trees and it was interesting
to see the differing layouts and presentations of ancestral records.
Another member shared with us a real gem – the transcription of notes
kept by a well travelled Victorian great grandfather; his records of
school life were hair raising to say the least! We are a small but
enthusiastic group of amateur genealogists who enjoy their researching.
Carole and Julia
Cycling Group
Cycling trip to Twizel 3-5 October
Cecelia, Christine, Roger and I joined Russell & Jill at their Twizel house for a weekend getaway. We cycled part of the Alps to Ocean cycleway around Lake Ohau and Lake Pukaki on separate days. It was great being in different surroundings and the views were spectacular especially as there had been snow 5 days earlier. Luckily we cycled the Lake Ohau section the day before the terrible fire that devastated the Ohau village and surrounding area. We hope to do this again maybe in late March. Our thanks to Jill & Russell for their hospitality and showing us around the Twizel area. Cycling Group October ride
This month we rode out to Lincoln on the Little River rail trail from Marshs Road. It turned out to be a glorious morning with a NE wind to help us on the way. We stopped at The Lincoln Pantry for refreshments then headed back into a stiff breeze.
Next month we will meet in Hagley Park and ride to Northlands on the Northern Line beside the railway tracks then onto the Papanui Parallel cycleway to Bealey Ave and back to Hagley Park.
Our group meets on the last Friday of the month. New members are always welcome.
Quarry Group
The Quarry group meets on the first Thursday of each month at 10.00 am at the coffee cart next to the Quarryman’s house. We usually work for an hour and a half to two hours, depending on the task and the weather. Our latest visit was on 5 November, which was a hot day but the ranger, Nigel, found us a shady spot near the carpark, where we removed the growth around young plants. Although we take our own tools, Nigel does supply good gear if we need it.
We would love some new members to join our small group as there is a need for volunteers to help with the upkeep of the quarry. Lynne
October 2020
Cycling Group
September Ride
Our group meets on the last Friday of the month. New members are always welcome.
This month we travelled out to Woodend Beach and biked along the Tutaepatu Trail to Waikuku and then back to Pegasus town for lunch. There were 9 of us enjoying a beautiful day and a very relaxed trip away from traffic.
Next month we will ride from Halswell to Lincoln on the cycleway
Mary
Family History group
The Family History group is a small but enthusiastic group with each member intent on finding out something of their forebears. We meet on the first Tuesday of each month; the November meeting will be held on Tuesday 3rd November in competition with the Melbourne Cup and the US elections!
This month two members were present, and time was spent searching on various computer sites.
Carole and Julia
History Group
We are nearing the end of our current online course “History and Spread of the English Language”. It has been a fascinating journey from Old English to English in Society. Our next Unit 9 covers political correctness, catch phrases, slogans, graffiti, slang, proverbs, idioms, and clichés. One more to go and then the group will be deciding on our next course for 2021.
Urban Explorers October Outing
The group is exploring the South Quadrant of the central city with Graeme this month. It will be an interesting blend of the past and new, exciting future for this everchanging area.
Ngaire
August 2020
Travel Group
Had a mini break to finish the year in style. While the weather was disappointing the food at Mosaic was delicious. Hopefully 2021 will see longer travel opportunities.
Karen and Grant
Theatre Appreciation
Our group has now commenced and will be meeting on the fourth Thursday of the month (next: August 27th) at 1.15pm in the Halswell Hub, cnr Sparks and Halswell Roads. Looking ahead we shall probably make up a party to attend Cas’n’ova’s production of ‘Good Grief’ early in October. Those who might be interested can look up their website for dates and we can make a decision at our August meeting. Discount for bookings of 10 or more.
Urban Explorers
Urban Explorers have welcomed 5 new members in the past month. We are planning a seaside amble for August from New Brighton up to Waimari beach with a number of interesting facts about the general area.
Scrabble Group
The Scrabble group has grown this year. It is great to have new players bringing new voices and opinions to our wide-ranging discussions. We can take two or three more players if you feel inclined to join us on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 1.30pm. We play at the houses of those of us who have the space (and enough chairs) to accommodate us.
Scribes
We continue to meet in Halswell Library at 1 o’clock on the first Monday of the month. We have a lot of fun and always are happy to welcome newcomers to join or just in or just pop in to see what we do, no pressure.
Family history group
This month’s discussion was ‘Searching Parish Records’ mainly in Australia but also in general. Members shared the sites and/or methods they have found to be of use. Members then shared how their research was developing. Following this we spent some time looking at old photos. This raised some good laughs as well as comments on the fashions of the days and the ‘looks’ of the subjects in their posed settings. It certainly showed the benefits of having labelled and/or dated photos but why do the recorders only use nicknames? We had no answer for that but many suggestions.
We meet on the first Tuesday of each month at 1.30pm. Anyone is welcome to attend.
Quarry Group
Following Covid-19 and then several wet Thursdays we are hoping for future fine days so that we can continue our work releasing young plants and trimming foliage on the tracks. We welcome more assistance. We meet on the first Thursday of the month at 10.00 am at the Quarryman’s house for one and half hours.
Cycling
Our group meets on the last Friday of the month. We had our first ride since Lockdown last week with a trip into town from Halswell on the Quarryman’s Trail. It was great to get together after so long. We have lots of different rides planned for the coming months. Our next ride at the end of August will be on Old Tai Tapu Rd to The Store for a coffee and back. New members are very welcome.
Ferrymead Heritage Garden Group
One of our interest groups maintains the Cob Cottage and Church gardens at Ferrymead. Members turn up on the 1st Thursday of the month at 10:00am to enjoy the company of others while keeping the area tidy, weeding, planting, raking leaves and cropping seasonable vegetables. If you enjoy gardening and like to be involved in a community activity, then you are very welcome to join this team.
A report of the recent popular Ferrymead Night Market which is held on the 1st Saturday of the month, $2 gold coin entry.
“I was at Curragh House for the Night Market last Saturday, the first since the “lockdown” in March. The Park was heaving, the car parks were full, Curragh house was packed to the gunnels. I was on duty in the dining room in Edwardian costume. Boiling the kettle on the coal range, running a continuous teapot, serving cups of tea, food was available to be bought in our kitchen. Our volunteers do a sterling job baking up a storm and selling their scrumptious food very cheaply – fund-raising. For the first time we had a “white elephant” stall in the school room. Plus, for the first time we had a licence to have a bar in the Park – I think that may have been an attraction for more than a few.
To be honest I think the management were overwhelmed with the numbers on a cold night. We had five open fires roaring. I forgot how messy they are to be lit and grates cleaned out and they consume so much firewood. Certainly, it takes you back in time and brought back some long lost memories.