The University of the Third Age offers the opportunity to share your knowledge, experience and talents with others and to learn from them in friendly surroundings. We have 31 Interest Groups, ranging from, Art Appreciation, Family History, Languages (various), Photography, Science & Technology, Ukulele to Wine Appreciation!

The Didcot & District U3A meets on the third Tuesday of the month in the Civic Hall, at the next meeting on 20th June, John Caldicott will talk on ‘The Foundling Hospital – the children who were taken in’.

The monthly meetings always commence at 2pm, it advisable to arrive 15 minutes before the start, there are always members of the Committee on hand to act as Meeters & Greeters to make any newcomers most welcome.
For more information call: 01235 510048 or 01235 815384, email secretary@didcotu3a.org or visit www.u3asites.org.uk/didcot

All events take place at the Earth Trust, Little Wittenham, OX14 4QZ unless otherwise stated.

Little Explorers – Thursday 1st June, 10am-11.30am

Sensory buggy/sling walk for babies and toddlers. We will use our senses to learn about the natural world around us – stopping to smell, touch, taste, listen and look! £4 suggested donation per child; accompanying adult(s) free.

Discover and Play – Friday 2nd June, 10am-12pm

Forest School fun for the under-5s. Join us for a morning of play and discovery in our woodlands. £4 suggested donation per child, accompanying adult(s) free.

Sunday Drop-in: Forest School Fun – Sunday 4th June, 10am-2pm

Come and explore the woods and get creative in the great outdoors. £4 suggested donation per child, accompanying adult(s) free.

Natural Dyeing – Sunday 11th June, 10am-4pm

Discover the wide range of plants that can produce dye and learn how to extract and fix the colour. £40; booking essential: 01865 407792 or online at www.earthtrust.org.uk/whatson (incurs a booking fee).

Bats of the Clumps – Friday 16th June, 7pm-8.30pm

Take a peek into the mysterious world of these amazing animals… Meet some bats and enjoy an informative talk by Dave Endacott from Oxfordshire Bat Group. £8 per adult, £4 per child; booking essential: 01865 407792 or online at www.earthtrust.org.uk/whatson (incurs a booking fee).

Beginners Wildlife Photography – Saturday 17th June, 10am-3pm

Professional photographer Andrew Walmsley will help you get to grips with your camera and provide guidance on capturing images of wildlife. There are a series of workshops running throughout the next few months – book one or more as a course: first workshop £80, subsequent workshops 15% off. Booking essential: 01865 407792 or online at www.earthtrust.org.uk/whatson (incurs a booking fee).

Intermediate Wildlife Photography – Sunday 18th June, 10am-3pm

In each of these workshops professional photographer Andrew Walmsley will cover a different aspect of photography so you can build up a more in-depth knowledge. This workshop will cover cataloguing and pressing. Book one or more as a course for a discount: first workshop £80, subsequent workshops 15% off. Booking essential: 01865 407792 or online at www.earthtrust.org.uk/whatson (incurs a booking fee).

As always, more information can be found on our website www.earthtrust.org.uk.

Earth Trust have arranged the following events to take place during May:

Moth Night on Saturday 6th May, 8pm-10pm

Uncover the wonderful world of moths during an evening of moth trapping. £6 per adult, £3 per child; booking essential: 01865 407792 or online at www.earthtrust.org.uk/whatson (incurs a booking fee).

Dawn Chorus Walk on Sunday 7th May, 4.30am-6.30am

Join us on the Clumps to hear the dawn birdsong. £6 per adult, £3 per child; booking essential: 01865 407792 or online at www.earthtrust.org.uk/whatson (incurs a booking fee).

Sunday Drop-in: Go Wild! on Sunday 7th May, 10am-2pm

Discover what wildlife lives on the nature reserve, including looking at what’s been caught in the moth traps that were set up at yesterday’s Moth Night. £4 suggested donation per child, accompanying adult(s) free.

Green Woodworking Course on Tuesday 9th May, 6.30pm-9pm

A 6 week course (Tuesday evenings 9th May-13th June) where you’ll make your own stool to take home. £75 for 6 sessions; booking essential: 01865 407792 or online at www.earthtrust.org.uk/whatson (incurs a booking fee).

Tree Climbing on Saturday 13th May, 10am-5pm

Use ropes and harnesses to access the treetops! 1hr sessions with The Great Big Tree Climbing Company. £20; booking essential: online only at www.earthtrust.org.uk/whatson (incurs a booking fee).

Scything on Sunday 14th May, 9.30am-4pm

Learn the traditional way to tackle tall grass and long weeds, with expert Clive Leeke. £50; booking essential: 01865 407792 or online at www.earthtrust.org.uk/whatson (incurs a booking fee).

Intermediate Wildlife Photography on Sunday 14th May, 10am-3pm

In each of these workshops professional photographer Andrew Walmsley will cover a different aspect of photography so you can build up a more in-depth knowledge. This workshop will cover wide angle tricks. Future intermediate workshops: 18th June; book one or more as a course: first workshop £80, subsequent workshops 15% off. Booking essential: 01865 407792 or online at www.earthtrust.org.uk/whatson (incurs a booking fee).

Bat Walk on Saturday 20th May, 8.30pm-10pm

A guided walk with the addition of bat detectors to find out more about these marvellous mammals. £6 per adult, £3 per child; booking essential: 01865 407792 or online at www.earthtrust.org.uk/whatson (incurs a booking fee).

Drawing from Nature on Sunday 21st May, 2pm-4pm

Explore Little Wittenham Wood with your sketchbook and get top tips from artist Gareth Lloyd. £20; booking essential: 01865 407792 or online at www.earthtrust.org.uk/whatson (incurs a booking fee).

Natural Dyeing for Families on Tuesday 30th May, 11am-4pm

Forage for natural dyes to colour wool, then make colourful felt. Suitable for ages 10 years+, £20 per adult, £15 per child; booking essential: 01865 407792 or online at www.earthtrust.org.uk/whatson (incurs a booking fee).

Woodland Adventure on Wednesday 31st May, 10am-12pm

An expedition for 5-8 year olds. Use your detective skills to explore, build and play in the woods! £4 suggested donation per child, accompanying adult(s) free.

Wildlife Wednesday at Thrupp Lake on Wednesday 31st May, 2pm-4pm

Our roving Wildlife Wednesday visits a different Earth Trust community nature reserve each school holiday. Come out and play and learn about your local wildlife!

All events take place at the Earth Trust, Little Wittenham, OX14 4QZ unless otherwise stated. More information can be found on our website www.earthtrust.org.uk.

 

We are collecting the last “Active Kids” vouchers from Sainsburys’, for Karens girly guides, please bring them in!

We will be closed on both Monday 1^st May & Monday 29^th May, for the Bank Holidays, allowances paid on those days will be paid early, usually the Friday before.

Some Bank cash deposits can now be made using your debit card! (Cheques in the envelope as usual). Almost all Bank and most Building Society accounts are online with us – Barclays definitely works!

We have some beautiful British Bird stamps coming out in early May.

Karen & Angela

Royal Mail has put their postage rates up from Monday 27^th March, 1p on first and second (standard size) and 2p on first class large letter, 1p on second class large letter. Everything else goes up too, including parcels, but customers can now see when their parcel has been delivered (for free) by going to www.royalmail.com/confirm  The postie will scan the 2D icon on the parcel as he/she delivers it, (hopefully!). Royal Mail have also introduced a new 3^rd class stamp, cost 35p, with a delivery aim of anything up to 3 weeks, but are only on sale 1/4/17, and are valid all year.

David Bowie special stamps are on sale at the moment, with iconic racehorses on sale later in April.

We are collecting the “Active Kids” vouchers available in Sainsbury’s, for Karen’s girly guides, so if you have a few and don’t know anyone who is collecting them, please bring them in!

We will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday; allowances paid on those days will be paid early, usually the working day before. We are open on the Saturday morning. Anyone who needs emergency top up of gas or electric during the days we are closed can ring my mobile 07825154842 and I will pop round to the PO.

Karen and Angela

If you are age 60 and over, living outside a market town, then make use of this great Spring swim offer to try out a leisure pool near you.

Most residents living in South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse can reach a pool within about 20 minute drive time, but taking that first step to try out swimming can be hard. To make it easier, GO Active Gold, in partnership with Better Leisure Centres, are offering unlimited swimming for £5 during April 2017 to residents age 60 plus living in rural villages.

GO Active Gold is a Sport England funded project, encouraging people living in rural areas age 60 and over to become more active by setting up activities local to them.

Research shows that as you get older, you’re far more likely to become inactive: 42 per cent of people aged 55 and over are inactive compared to 29 per cent of the population as a whole.

Swimming is an ideal workout for the elderly, mainly because it presents little risk of injury and is low impact. Swimming also develops strong and stable core muscles, which are necessary for good balance control — a major protective factor against falls.

Make sure you don’t miss out on this offer by registering your place before Saturday 1 April 2017, just call 01235 422226 or complete the online registration form on our website:www.getoxfordshireactive.org/go-active-gold.

Once you have registered, visit your local leisure pool during April.  Your one month swim offer will start from the date of your first swim.

South Oxfordshire District – Participating pools include

•           Thame Leisure Centre

•           Henley Leisure Centre

•           Abbey Sports Centre

•           Didcot Wave

Vale of White Horse District – Participating pools includ

•           Wantage Leisure Centre

•           Faringdon Leisure Centre

•           White Horse Leisure Centre

Winter Fruit Tree Pruning – Saturday 7th January, 9.30am-4pm.

Give your trees some TLC and get a bumper crop this year. Learn all aspects of pruning with Andy Howard  Cost £50; booking essential.

Sunday Drop-in: Forest School Fun – Sunday 8th January, 10am-2pm.

Whatever your age, you’re welcome to come and have fun at this woodland adventure!

£4 suggested donation per child, accompanying adult(s) free. No need to book.

Wildlife Photography Walk – Saturday 14th January, 8am-10am.

Learn how to capture images of wildlife with guidance from professional photographer Andrew Walmsley. Cost £20; booking essential.

Hedgelaying – Saturday 14th- Sunday 15th January, 9.30am-4pm.

A very practical, hands-on two days learning to lay a Midland style hedge with expert Clive Leeke. All tools provided. Cost £75; booking essential.

Spinning and Weaving – Sunday 15th January, 10am-4pm.

Discover the world of spinning and weaving and try out different methods of spinning. Cost £30; booking essential.

Botanical Illustration – Sunday 22nd January, 10am-4pm.

Learn some invaluable tips and techniques from RHS Gold Award winner Romilly Swann. Cost £30; booking essential.

All events take place at the Earth Trust, Little Wittenham, OX14 4QZ. For booking courses call  01865 407792 or online at www.earthtrust.org.uk/whatson (incurs a booking fee).

We are now getting really busy with Christmas post! We will have extra collections from early December to help clear our tiny Post Office, otherwise we can’t get to the kettle! We do not have time to stick your stamps on, and  All AIRMAIL post must have an airmail sticker on it, and if “NON EU” must also have a customs label BEFORE you get to the counter, the people behind really appreciate it! We are not being difficult in asking for all post to be in by half an hour before closing, we don’t get paid for overtime, and we have to cash up and dispatch the paperwork before the postie comes in (approx. 15 minutes before closing) At this time of year we do at least an extra hour every day!

Last date for UK Christmas posting is 2^nd class Tuesday 20^th December and 1^st class Wednesday 21^st, Special Delivery Thursday 22^nd.

Other last dates:

Mon 28^th November; Int. standard to operational HM forces

Sat 3^rd December; Africa & Middle East

Weds 7^th; Cyprus, Asia, Far East & Japan, Eastern Europe

Thurs 8^th; Caribbean, Central & South America

Sat 10^th; Greece, Australia, New Zealand,

Mon 12^th; Int. Standard to static HM Forces

Weds 14^th; Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Poland

Thurs 15^th; Canada, Finland, Sweden, USA

Fri 16^th; Austria, Denmark, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland,

Sat 17^th; Belgium, France, Ireland, Luxembourg

Please also remember that anything flammable or explosive have restrictions on them, phones, batteries, perfumes, nail varnish & aerosols have to have special labels on, be securely packed, and have the senders address on!

Santa’s address is “Santa’s Grotto, Reindeerland, XM45HQ”, for Christmas letters etc, post early & remember to put a return name & address for a reply! The latest he can reply is usually the first weekend in December, so write in early!

I expect we are having the Scout post again, I haven’t heard yet! It covers Didcot, Harwell, Upton, Hagbournes and Blewbury, it gives the Scouts some much needed funds.

Love from Karen & Angela

Natural Christmas – Sunday 4th December, 11am-3pm.

Get into the festive spirit by making decorations and gifts from natural and recycled materials. Plus, meet Father Christmas at the Earth Trust, Little Wittenham,. Price by activity, no need to book.

Winter Wetland Birds – Sunday 11th December, 9.30am-11am.

Come and explore Thrupp Lake in Radley (OX14 3NG) and find out about some of the wetland birds that call it home over the winter. With Ben Carpenter. £5 adult, £2 child; booking essential: 01865 407792 or online at www.earthtrust.org.uk/whatson (incurs a booking fee).

More information can be found on our website www.earthtrust.org.uk.

 

Listed below are our events for October.  All events take place at the Earth Trust, Little Wittenham, OX14 4QZ unless otherwise stated.

Autumn Water Festival – Sunday 2^nd October, 11am-4pm

Join us for our annual autumnal celebration of water and wetlands! See web for full details. £6 adult, £3 child, £15 family. Book online (incurs a booking fee) at www.earthtrust.org.uk/whatson or pay on the gate.

Blacksmithing – Sunday 9^th October, 10am-5.15pm

Make your own ironwork object using a forge and anvil. 45min sessions with Cobalt Blacksmiths; participants must be over 18yrs. £20; booking essential: 01865 407792 or online at www.earthtrust.org.uk/whatson (incurs a booking fee).

Mud Pie Monday! – Monday 24^th October, 10am-11.30am

Come and get messy in the Earth Trust mud kitchen – buckets of mud and buckets of fun! Wellies and waterproofs advisable. £4 suggested donation per child, accompanying adult(s) free. No need to book.

Tree Climbing – Monday 24^th October, 10am-5pm

Use ropes and harnesses to access the treetops in Little Wittenham Wood! 1hr sessions with The Great Big Tree Climbing Company; minimum age 6yrs (no maximum!). £20 per participant; booking essential: 01865 407792 or online at www.earthtrust.org.uk/whatson.

Build a Bat Box – Tuesday 25^th October, 10.30am-3pm

Help bats prepare for hibernation by making a shelter to put in your garden. Two sessions available: 10.30am-12pm and 1.30pm-3pm. £15 per box; booking essential: 01865 407792 or online at www.earthtrust.org.uk/whatson (incurs a booking fee).

Woodland Adventure – Wednesday 26^th October, 10am-12pm

An expedition for 5-8 year olds. Use your detective skills to discover the Earth Trust’s woodland, where we’ll explore, build and play. £4 suggested donation per child, accompanying adult(s) free. No need to book.

Wildlife Wednesday at Wallingford Castle Meadows – Wednesday 26^th October, 2pm-4pm

Our roving Wildlife Wednesday visits a different Earth Trust community nature reserve during each school holiday. This half term, come out and play at Abbey Fishponds (OX14 3UB); learn about local wildlife and have lots of outdoor fun! £2 suggested donation per child, accompanying adult(s) free; no need to book.

Family Bushcraft – Thursday 27^th October, 10am-4pm

Bring the whole family and go wild in the great outdoors! Explore the woods, make shelters and learn how to light a fire and use a knife safely. £20 adult, £15 child; booking essential: 01865 407792 407792 or online at www.earthtrust.org.uk/whatson (incurs a booking fee).

Discover and Play – Friday 28^th October, 10am-12pm

Forest School for the under-5s. Join the Earth Trust for a morning of play and discovery in our woodlands. Forest School offers hands on learning experiences in a natural environment. £4 suggested donation per child, accompanying adult(s) free. No need to book.

Spooky Dusk Discovery Walk – Sunday 30^th October, 5.30pm-7.30pm

If you go down to the woods tonight, you’re sure of a big surprise! Come and explore Little Wittenham Wood at twilight. Don’t forget your torch. £5 adult, £2 child; booking essential: 01865 407792.

As always, more information about all the evets can be found on our website www.earthtrust.org.uk