OUTINGS & VISITS:

Minack Theatre:

September saw a couple of U3A organised visits to the Minack.

Mike Tapp drove a group of our members in a minibus to see "Fiddler on the Roof" on September 9th. It was a misty afternoon with some drizzle, but we saw a very good production by the Redruth Amateur Operatic Society.

The singing was all excellent. Jonathan Tucker took the main role of Tevye and was quite outstanding as an actor and singer. We came to admire Tevye's warm and sympathetic character and his willingness to soldier on in spite of all his problems. The dancing was also superb, especially the men's dances in the wedding scene. A most memorable afternoon, (in spite of the weather!). Tony Herring

Later, on the twenty-third, fourteen members went in Mike's minibus to see "Pirates of Penzance" at the Minack. Our third trip this year to this iconic location and perhaps the most successful, with lovely weather and a superb production by the Cambridge University Gilbert & Sullivan Society!

We are hoping to arrange further visits to the Minack next year! Tony Herring

A walk-about Truro with Diane Smith:

When Diana Smith talked to the History Group earlier in the year about the interesting old houses in Truro, we suggested that she might take us for a walk-about around the city and tell us more about its buildings.

So on November 18th, some thirty of our members went around central Truro with Diana. We started at High Cross, and she talked about the old church on that site and then the building of the cathedral, over a period of thirty years from 1880 until 1910. We looked at the facade of the eighteenth century Assembly Rooms. She then showed us the Millpool area on the River Allen, which was reached by small ships until the Old and New Bridges were built. We then moved on through Squeezegut Alley, to admire the Mansion House, Princes House and Enys' Old Mansion House.

After a look at Lemon Street, we finished up in the peace and quiet of Walsingham Place. Diana was extremely knowledgeable about the history, dates and architects and we greatly enjoyed the ninety-minute walk on a fine sunny morning. We are hoping that Diana might be persuaded to take us around Falmouth during the spring!

Travellers' Tales:

This group although primarily an indoor activity, is listed on our webste under 'Outings and Visits', in that it exists to report on Outdoor Travel and to present Visit Reports.

We meet on the second Monday of the month at the Conservative Club, Lemon Street, Truro for talks of travel and picture presentations, from both members and invited guests, all with tales to be told. The group usually meet in the upstairs rear room between 10.00am and 12.00 noon.

At the February meeting, Sue Swinchatt gave a most interesting illustrated talk about one of her visits to Papua New Guinea. Gill Jacobs, who has run this group for a long time, is stepping down. Is there anyone prepared to take over as group leader and organise the monthly talks? We also need some volunteers who will talk about their adventures.

Our next Travellers' Tales meeting will be on Monday March 12th starting around 10.15am.  If we have not got a speaker by then, we may show a travel DVD from the Third Age Trust Resource Centre. Sue Swinchatt says she will talk to us again at the April Meeting, possibly about Iceland or about her stay in a kibbutz.

Contact Duncan Tribute if you are a willing volunteer who would like to know a little more. ((01872) 260792