Welcome to Aylesbury Vale u3a
Welcome to Aylesbury Vale U3A website. Here you will find the latest news about membership, regular meetings and the groups that are run from our U3A. We have a regular monthly meeting on the 2nd Wednesday of each month currently using Zoom because of the lockdown. When this is lifted we will revert to meeting at The Bowls Centre at Stoke Mandeville Stadium where we can find out what’s going on in the various groups, meet up with friends, as well as hear informative and entertaining talks by a variety of speakers. The 3rd Tuesday of alternate months we have a coffee morning, also through Zoom. When the lockdown is lifted it will revert to the Watermead Inn where we can get together in a more informal way and chat over cups of tea or coffee. We pride ourselves on being a very friendly group of people who like to come together to learn something new whilst making new friends and learning new skills. So if this sounds like you – do get in touch.
membership@avu3a.org.uk
We are holding our regular Monthly Meeting using Zoom until the situation changes.
Some groups continue in various ways or are making contributions to this website.
Please contact the group leader for the latest information
Our Spring 2021 Newsletter is now available

HS2 and its impact on the Chilterns

WHICH? Scam Alert Service

Thames Valley Network Courses
- 20th April - ''Archaeological Figures, myths, legends or mistakes and lies?'
- 7th May - The Sweetest Thing - a history of sugar
- 14th May - The History of Gardening Pt 1 (£1)
- 21st May - The History of Gardening Pt 2 (£1)
- 30th Jun - 'Sweet Thames' - The Thames and its Boats (£3) - repeat

National On-Line Courses
All FREE on-line via Zoom
- 13th Apr - 4th May - The Story of Motown(4 weeks)
- 15th Apr - Maths on the Back of an envelope
- 21st Apr Maths on the back of an Envelope
- 22nd April - Discovering Japan
- 29th Apr - Maths Activities and Games

Mirthy on-line talks
MirthyTalks are offering a FREE talk every Thursday which is open to U3A members to join in. They also offer talks for a small fee(£2.99)
The talks are viewed from the comfort and safety of your own home, so click on the link below to register for the talk – there will be a live Q&A with the speaker and a chance to interact with other attendees by typing comments in a chat box.
After registering for an event, you will receive an email containing a link to attend the talk. Talks are between 30 mins and 45 mins long
FREE
- 15th Apr 4.00 pm - Food of the Gods - A History of our love affair with Chocolate
- 22nd Apr 4.00 pm - London's Theatreland
- 29th Apr 4.00 pm - A Policeman's Lot
Charged (£2.99)
- 10th Apr 11.00 am - Parks and Gardens of Flanders
- 13th Apr 4.00 pm - Endangered Wildlife and Conservation
- 14th Apr 11.00 am - History and Mystery of Hypnosis
- 17th Apr 11.00 am - Cascades Gardens: From Jungle to Paradise
- 20th Apr 4.00 pm - The Legacy of Antoni Gaudi
- 21st Apr 11.00 am - Murder, Sex and Mayhem in English Churches
- 27th Apr 4.00 pm - Witness to History : Hong Kong
- 28th Apr 11.00 am - What's in a Name? The Origins & Meanings of Surnames
- 30th Apr 4.00 pm - 'The Skylark's Secret' by Fiona Valpy - Book Club Event

Bus Passes
Although you may not have used it recently - have you checked your bus pass?
You may find that it ran out on your last birthday.
You can renew online.
or ringing the automated telephone service
01296 873 011.

What’s New?
Quizzes
Every Thursday Mike McCabe contributes a new Quiz on a variety of subjects - the answers follow one week later. Try them yourselves and get family and friends involved
QuizzesSounds of the 50s/60s/70s
New presentations appear regularly.
Sounds of 50s/60s/70sFor Amusement
Includes:- some amusing candidates for safety awards, suggestions for maintaing a level of insanity in old age, some politically incorrect adverts of old, some more cartoons and another collection of amusing videos selected by Chiltern U3A
For AmusementArt & Craft
Examples of work being done by our painting and art and craft groups
Art & Craft
Watermead Aerial Photo
Phil Toler responded to our requests for pictures of Aylesbury with this photo. It was taken in August 2018 of Watermead village. In the foreground are the two lakes with the larger one on the right suffering a blue-green algae bloom which can be compared with the clear smaller lake on the left. Phil says that is the only time this has happened in the 26 years he has lived here.
Background information
Cyanobacteria or ‘blue-green algae’, a type of blooming algae, can produce toxins. These toxins can kill wild animals, livestock and pets. They can also harm people, producing rashes after skin contact and illnesses if swallowed.
Algal blooms block sunlight from reaching other plants in the water. They also use up oxygen in the water at night which can suffocate fish and other creatures. Oxygen is also used up when the bloom decays.