Publicity: Kathleen Ross-Hale Telephone 01506 412707
Email: grapevine1@blueyonder.co.uk

Hello, folks, welcome back to our Newsletter. It fell away somewhat, but now is back on track. This issue will not have its full capacity of news, but I hope it will whet your appetite and inspire you to contribute, either with news of groups, relevant photographs, ideas, suggestions, anything in fact which will be relevant to our West Lothian branch of the U3A. Inside these pages will be what I know of the groups, but I would appreciate it if you could send your news of each group to me. Thank you.

GROUP NEWS

ART APPRECIATION Facilitator: Ian Millward Held in Ian's home. See Ian at general meeting for details.

COMPUTER USER GROUP Facilitator Connie Payne Tel. 843901 Held on 2nd and 4th Thursday afternoons from 2pm at Strathbrock Community Education Centre, Broxburn. West Lothian Council help this along, but it is quite a social group, and is for all from beginners to advanced, with members helping each other.

MUSIC APPRECIATION Facilitator Harry Payne Tel. 843901 3rd Thursday of each month 2-4pm at Uphall Community Centre. Harry runs a very enjoyable afternoon, members bring along music and enjoy listening to different composers and discussing the various aspects of music. It is one of the most successful groups, and brings great pleasure to all who attend.

PAINTING FOR PLEASURE Facilitator Margo Aitken Tel. 655547 2nd and 4th Thursdays of month 10am-12 noon at Uphall Community Centre. Ifyou already enjoy painting or have always wanted to become an artist, and enjoy the company of like minded people, then come along. Bring your own materials, work at your own pace, and enjoy the world of peace and quiet.

These are the groups which are already running. In the melting pot are the following: Armchair Theatre; Family History; Gardening-proposed facilitator Margaret Copland tel. 462609, who is a very keen and knowledgeable gardener; Photography; History of Women in Britain; Writing-this was potentially started but insufficient numbers, which is the main drawback to most of these groups.

SCRABBLE is the most probable to start soon, facilitator could be Liz McArthur or it could be Peter Cunningham. If you are interested in any of these groups, find out more at the general meeting or talk to Kathleen Ross-Hale.

BOOK GROUP This is the latest group, and is held on the first Wednesday of each month from 10am-12 noon at Uphall Community Centre. The day was determined by the accommodation availability at the Centre, but if it would help to change it we could perhaps re-negotiate this. Tea/coffee and biscuit are provided. The first meeting was held on November 7th and alas only 3 people turned up. Facilitator Kathleen Ross-Hale, Ann Montgomery, and Margaret Copland. We had an interesting discussion on books we had read recently, and Kathleen distributed copies of Jodi Piccoult's book MERCY to be read and discussed at next meeting: 5th DECEMBER. Kathleen still has copies of this and will have them at the meeting on Tuesday 20th November. Approach her then if you are interested. Kathleen's local librarian has agreed to supply copies of whatever book we choose and this will be a great help. Each member will be given the opportunity to choose the Book of the Month.
DISCUSSION GROUP Last Friday of each month, Facilitator Ann Korimbocus Tel. 434901. Held in Uphall CC, 10am-12 noon Approximately 6 members at present, but very lively discussions, the most interesting being "If I Were Prime Minister I Would " Each member in turn chooses the next month's subject.

FRENCH CONVERSATION Facilitator: Peter Cunningham Tel. 439936 Every Wednesday morning, members take it in turns to hold the meetings in their homes.

APOLOGY: Poetry was omitted. This group started last month, and though there are only a few members those who do attend just love it. It is held on the first Friday of each month at Uphall CC from 10-11.30am. A subject is chosen and the following month members bring along poems which they like on that subject and read them out, thereafter followed by a discussion. I am sorry I do not know who the facilitator is, but members that I know are Pat Lawson, Ann Montgomery, Margaret Copland, Sadie Sharpe, Pat Sinclair. Ask them about it, it appears to be a very enjoyable group.

NEWS FROM MARGARET CORNER
Our New Chairperson

NAME LABELS: To help us get to know each other better, we are going to present you with your name label when you arrive at a meeting, pin it on your clothing, and return it at end of meeting.

FIRE PRECAUTIONS in Uphall Community Centre: We have been notified that the number attending a meeting should be recorded in case of fire (which we do when we sign in) This applies to all groups held in the Centre too, so please make a head count. The room in which we hold our monthly meeting does not have an emergency exit so we are going to be shown the exits by the Centre Manager when we next meet.

CHRISTMAS MEETING Note the date: 11th December. We are planning Christmas refreshments and seasonal entertainment by some of our members. Anyone who wishes to contact Margaret can do so by writing to her at her email address: Margaret@westlothianu3a.org.uk