u3a Kettering
Summer Newsletter June/July/August 2022 From the Chairman —
Hi Everyone Welcome to our Summer Edition of the Newsletter. I would like to begin by sending our thoughts and best wishes to anyone undergoing treatment and wish them a speedy recovery. The Canals and Waterways Group will be restarting thanks to Brenda Boyles, so look out for more information in this newsletter. Unfortunately, due to ill health, Sherry has had to give up running the Jewellery Making Group and Janet is unable to continue leading the Looking at Churches Group. I would like to thank them for all their hard work. If you were a member of one of these groups and feel you could lead please let us know. This year's AGM will be in August, so Nomination forms for joining the Committee are in the Newsletter and on the website. Please don't hesitate as it is unlikely that everyone currently serving on the Committee will stand for re-election. The AGM will take place followed by a Quiz and FREE buffet so please come along and have your say. A reminder that the Picnic in the Park is taking place on Thursday 14th July from 12.00 until 3.00. Please come and join us. I am hoping that some members will be able to walk around the lake as part of the 'Mile a member ' challenge. If you can wear something blue that would be great. We have continued to welcome a few new members but it would be lovely to see more. If you know of anyone who has recently retired or is looking for something to do to fill their time, encourage them to come along. I will end with my usual appeal for help in any capacity. It will be really appreciated.
Take care and much love
Di
June 21st 2022 Derek Blunt "Saints, Sinners, Stars and Scandals" July 9th 2022 - Saturday all day Coach trip to Stamford and then on to Tolethorpe Hall for Agatha Christie’s “Spider’s Web” July 14th 2022 - Thursday 12-3pm Picnic in Wicksteed Park on the arena field
Registered Charity No. 1108614
July 19th 2022 Barbara Meyer The Wildlife of Sherwood Forest August 16th 2022 AGM, Quiz and FREE Buffet
www.u3aKettering.co.uk 1
u3a Kettering
Group Leaders Information
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Check that all members of your group are fully paid-up members of the U3A. Ensure that you have:Checked their current membership card. (Ask the membership secretary to check if you are unsure) The name and telephone of each member’s In Case of Emergency contact. (ICE) The post code of your venue will be required by the emergency services if you need to call them. Send articles, reports and photographs about your group to the Newsletter Editor. Copy deadline for the newsletter is 2 Saturdays before the monthly meeting. Advise the Group Coordinator and Newsletter Editor of any changes to your group arrangements, e.g. venue, timing, etc. Welcome to New Members Members Information Advise the Membership Secretary, in writing, of any changes to your address, post code, telephone number or email address. If you are unable to attend your Group’s meeting, please advise your Group Leader in advance. If you know one of our members has a special occasion ahead, e.g. important birthday, anniversary or if they are ill and you feel a card from the U3A would be appreciated, please contact the secretary. Bring your membership card with you to the meeting and have it available for checking in. If you cannot get to the monthly meeting for any reasons, you can get a copy of the Newsletter from either Kettering Library or the Tourist Information desk, Manor House Museum, Kettering or online at www.u3akettering.co.uk View & Download the newsletter (in glorious colour) from web site, www.U3AKettering.co.uk & click on the links. Select DOWNLOAD LATEST link or to look back for older issues, click newsletter image or any other newsletter links. Payments to the u3a can be cash, cheque, bank transfer credit/debit card Monthly Meeting Dates & Speakers
June 21st 2022 Derek Blunt "Saints, Sinners, Stars and Scandals" July 14th 2022 - Thursday 12-3pm Picnic in Wicksteed Park on the arena field July 19th 2022 Barbara Meyer The Wildlife of Sherwood Forest August 16th 2022
AGM, Quiz and FREE Buffetus past residents
of
Your Kettering U3A Committee 2021-2022 Chairman Vice Chairman & PR Secretary Treasurer Membership Secretary Speaker Seeker Groups Co-ordinator Newsletter/Web Master/DPO Committee Member Committee Member
Diane Tebbutt Anne Smith Jane Slack Ruth Gunn Pat Stokes Tony Loft Sue Perkins Richard Boyles Norma Reilly Elizabeth Woodcock 2
01536 392 556 07786 252 366 01536 516 116 01536 482 581 07845 737 697 01536 685 166 01536 519 438 01536 744 753 07783 692 666 01536 723 081
di_tebbutt@hotmail.com a.smith5353@hotmail.com janeslack121@hotmail.com ruthgunn@hotmail.com mrs.stokes156@sky.com tonyloft@me.com lazygirl_tresham@yahoo.co.uk richard@boyles.co.uk mikeandnormareilly29@gmail.com bettywoodcock1939@gmail.com
u3a Kettering
News — Interest Groups — Visits and Reports Our meetings at the Eden Centre, 21, Montagu Street, Kettering Format of the meeting:1.30 – Doors open - Sign in FREE Refreshments Buy raffle tickets Browse the group notices Have a chat with friends Sign up to groups and trips 2.15— Chairman’s notices followed by this month’s Speaker 3.45 (approximately) Meeting ends
COVID PRECAUTIONS
Although Government laws have changed, COVID is still around so take care. We suggest you…
Wheelchair disabled access is available at the rear of the building by phoning 01536 484 800
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Newsletter DEADLINE
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is 2 Saturdays before the monthly meeting.
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You can read and download the newsletter in FULL COLOUR from our internet page at
EDITORIAL As we gradually get used to living with COVID, we still need to take precautions, which is why some of our interest groups have taken a long time to resume their normal activities. Some groups and the committee have continued throughout the lockdowns meeting online via Zoom, but others have been unable to meet at all. Also about 100 (one third) of our members have not re-joined so our budget is reduced and therefore a full newsletter will be quarterly until further notice. For those of you with internet access I have continued to regularly e-mail you with updates as well as keeping the web site up to date, including the rebranding with the new u3a colours and fonts etc. So keep reading the e-mails and updates on the web site and please pass on any news to anyone you know who does not have internet access.
www.u3aKettering.co.uk ARE YOU A GROUP LEADER? Group leaders are required to... 1.
2.
3.
Sanitise your hands when arriving Ensure you are ticked in on arrival Wear a mask unless seated Keep socially distanced
Have a copy of your members “In Case Of Emergency” (ICE) details with you so you can contact family or friend Have the postcode location of your meeting so you can direct the 999 emergency services Check that all members of your group are fully paid-up members of the U3A so they are covered by the U3A insurance
Richard
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u3a Kettering
Bookworms We have been reading a selection of books over the last 3 months, the first being "Hamnet", a fictional tale of Shakespeare's son who tragically died aged eleven. We went back to when Shakespeare met Anne, a herbalist who foresaw events. Next was "Miss Benson's Beetle", a quirky tale set in the 1950's - Miss Benson goes to New Caledonia in search of a golden beetle accompanied by Enid Pretty a most unlikely companion. We then moved on to "The Interpretation of Murder", a psychological thriller set in New York in 1909 with the arrival of Sigmund Freud to deliver lectures. As always, some books were enjoyed, others received a mixed reaction. We have planned our reading matter to the end of the year with suggestions from members of the group.
OBITUARY Pat Wells Sadly Pat passed away in April. She, and her husband John, were among the earliest members of KU3A. Always supportive and enthusiastic they joined many groups and took part in many activities. One of these was the monthly lunch club where many happy hours were spent. John, who was a chartered accountant before retiring, agreed to examine the books for the first four years or rather he nominated Annette (their daughter also a chartered accountant) as he wanted to 'put something back in'. They were a very friendly couple with whom we formed a firm friendship. We often picked each other's brains over the daily paper's crossword. Unfortunately Pat had not enjoyed good health for some years but nevertheless we were shocked when we heard the news. They will both be greatly missed especially by their family and many friends. Our thoughts are with them. Carole Bradbury
Contact:
Bake It or Fake It Bake it or Fake it is up and running well and is now back to normal on the 3rd Friday of each month. We have had some very lovely cakes and lots of cups of tea. It is amazing how many topics we talk about in 2 hours. We take turns to host the group and the hostess usually provides the cake but often other members arrive with tasty contributions too. Always a good afternoon. Contact: Mary Earl 01536 522 456 or Bridget Ling 07931 979 596 Busy Needles and Banter
Contact:
Mary Wildman 01536 741 222 marywildman365@gmail.com
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Pauline Parkin 01536 799 197
u3a Kettering
Card Playing
Canals & Waterways
We meet at the Bridge Club in Field Street usually on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month at 2pm. The cost is only £1.50 and that includes tea, coffee and biscuits. We play different card games as well as Scrabble. We do need more members so come along and join us. No prior knowledge is needed as tuition can be given. Our next meetings are on June 9th and 23rd, July
Brenda is re-starting the Canals and Waterways group which was one of the most successful and varied groups, superbly run for many years by Christine Strachan who is taking a well earned rest. Brenda will continue Christine’s format with local visits 2-4pm on the third Thursday of the month. In due course Brenda may arrange more adventurous whole day and multi-day trips away. Current u3a members who were in the previous group have already been contacted by e-mail. If you would like to be included, please e-mail Brenda
7th and 28th, August 11th and 25th and it would be lovely to see you there. If there are other Board games you would like to play, let me know and we
The first three dates are as follows 16th June Stanwick Lakes. Meet at 2pm outside the visitor centre for a walk around the lakes. 21st July Foxton Locks 18th August Grafham Water
could add them if there is enough interest. Contact: Di Tebbutt 01536 392 556 di_tebbutt@hotmail.com
Contact: Brenda Boyles Membership Cards Someone complained their membership card was curling up because it wasn't laminated this year. What are they doing with it? Mine is perfectly OK in my wallet with my bank cards. The previous year someone complained the lamination on the membership card was peeling off. Mine wasn’t. As I spend many hours each year producing 200+ individually named and numbered cards, printing, guillotining and sorting them, all I can say if those people who are complaining would like to take over the job they are welcome. Please tell me a better way of producing individual membership cards without outsourcing to a commercial company and charging you extra to cover the costs. All advice and help welcome. Richard
01536 744 753 brenda@boyles.co.uk
Creative Cards The Creative Cards group have been meeting on a monthly basis for several months now.
Contact: Eileen Mason 01536 725 925 eileenm1935@gmail.com or Maggi McGuire 01536 392 716 maggi.mcguire@outlook.com 5
u3a Kettering
Family History We have resumed our Monthly Meeting 2-4pm on the 2nd Monday of the month, plus are continuing our 40 minute Zoom chats at 3pm on all other Mondays.
Facebook Site Has Moved Norma has started a NEW Facebook site for our u3a with the aim of spreading the word beyond just our members. So the old site will close on 1st July. Please join the NEW site to continue getting the news and interaction with our Facebook friends. You can find the NEW site by clicking the Facebook icon on the top and bottom of every page on our regular website at
We have plenty of room for new members thanks to the superb free facilities offered by the LDS church. New members are welcome to join our Zoom chats too. 11th July Members workshop 8th August TBC 12th September Beginners—How to start your family history. Repeat of our annual OPEN TO ALL beginners session. Come along and see how easy it is to start tracing your family history and get back nearly 200 years in 30 minutes! Everyone welcome and bring a friend
www.u3aKettering.co.uk
Friday Pop-In This group is now meeting regularly at the Kino Lounge on Friday mornings. The official meeting is the first Friday of every month but some members meet every week. Please come along and join them.
Meetings are held on the second Monday, 2-4pm in the Primary Room of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS), Rothwell Road, Kettering located next to Brewers Fayre/Premier Inn. www.U3AKettering.co.uk Contact: Richard Boyles
01536 744 753 richard@boyles.co.uk
Contact: Di Tebbutt 01536 392 556 di_tebbutt@hotmail.com Gardening The group is waiting till the Spring of 2022 before restarting its activities. Suggestions very welcome and if anyone fancies taking over as group leader then contact me. Contact: Ray Bradbury 01536 516 587 prbrad@live.co.uk 6
u3a Kettering
Looking At Churches
Have Your Say
OurÊfirstÊtwoÊvisitsÊwereÊto
churches we had originally planned to visit in March and April 2020. On the 16th March we visited St. Mary and All Saints Holcot on a very wet afternoon where we enjoyed a talk followed by refreshments afterwards in the church hall that used to be the local school. On the 20th April we visited All Saints Earls Barton on a lovely sunny afternoon where we enjoyed another interesting talk, the church was flying a Ukrainian flag which was about to be swapped that afternoon for the Union flag as it was the Queen’s 96th birthday the following day. Afterwards we walked over to the Apothocoffee shop for tea and delicious cakes.
The group will now meet in the Saint Andrews Church rooms in Kettering town centre the first meeting on Tuesday 8th. March at 2pm. There is parking at the rear accessed from Crown street at the end on the right. We have space for new members so anybody who would like to join us will be most welcome. If you are interested please contact me. Contact: Richard Ling
I regret to say that due to my own limited mobility problems and the lack of attendees since restarting the group this year I have stepped down as group leader of the looking at churches group with immediate effect. With such low numbers any further visits are not viable for the church volunteers who give up their own time to show us around and often provide us with refreshments for a gift aided donation to the church. I would like to thank all those who have supported me since taking over the group in January 2017. In that time the group has gift aided £2,126.50 to the churches we have visited and also donated to Kettering’s food bank when we visited the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Kettering. There are two memorable visits for me; to Parson Latham’s Hospital Alms-house in Oundle with afternoon tea at Cotterstock village hall afterwards and the Towers and Spires Walk in Stamford with a blue badge guide. Although I do not think the group is viable to continue with so few members attending at present, if anyone should like to take on the challenge in the future please feel free to contact me as I have kept a record of the churches visited since January 2013 which I would be pleased to pass on. Contact: Janet Flower 01536 764541 janet@jf7678.co.uk
01536 521250 b_r_ling@hotmail.com
Jewellery Making Using Beads
Group has now CLOSED
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u3a Kettering
NEW GROUP? OPEN DAY AT MALCOLM EALES' HOUSE
Knit and Natter -
Anyone interested in making/crafting/tinkering is invited to attend. Based on the idea of Men's Sheds, but not exclusively for men. Malcolm would like to create a suitable venue and atmosphere to get a discussion going on starting a new group. His Railway will be running and the 3D printer producing something. The event will run from 11.00 until 14.00 and there will be homemade cakes and drinks available. Anyone interested please e-mail Malcolm or speak to him at the meeting. Contact: Malcolm Eales eales.malcolm@gmail.com
Contact: Annette Chidwick 01536 523 867 annette.chidwick@tiscali.co.uk
AGM Printed copies of the minutes from last years AGM and this years accounts will be available at the AGM on 16th August. Last year’s minutes are already available on the web site on the POLICIES page and the accounts will be posted there too, when they have been independently audited. www.u3aKettering.co.uk
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u3a Kettering
Lunch Club
Musical Circles
Members of the group met at a members home on a lovely summer's day in late April. They listened to a programme of music entitled "Obscure", that is music not normally heard as part of the classical music repertoire. The music, a selection of violin, clarinet, piano and orchestral pieces ranged in date from 1784 to 1935. One or two of the selection were known to one or two members but most were unknown. With a suitable break for cream cakes and a drink a pleasant afternoon was spent listening to music
Lunch Club is now up and running and usually takes place on the 4th Tuesday of the month but this is not set in stone. We have enjoyed lunches at the Sondes Arms in Rockingham, the Old Vic in Burton Latimer (thanks to Ruth and Chris) and the Beefeater in Corby. Marian and David Tucker have volunteered to organise the lunch in June, so look out for information at the meeting. Thanks to the other people who have agreed to help
The May meeting of the Musical Circles Group took place in the far-flung wilds of Rothwell. The programme had a vague theme of “secondbest” or “not heard very often on Classic fM”:
but I am still looking for volunteers to sort out venues for later in the year, so please let me know.
The next meeting of the Group will be on Wednesday 15th June at 2.00pm
Contact: Di Tebbutt 01536 392 556 di_tebbutt@hotmail.com
Contact: Eileen Mason 01536 725925 eileenm1935@gmail.com NEW GROUP? Play Reading
A short time ago someone spoke to me about starting a Play Reading Group. If you would be interested in this, please speak to me at the meeting or send me an email. If you have any other suggestions and you are willing to take the lead, please let me know.
Painting & Drawing We have enjoyed meeting at our new (?) venue, North Park Pavilion. We do not meet in the summer months, too many people on holiday and too much gardening needs to be done!! Our next meeting will be Thursday 8th September. We meet on 2nd & 4th Thurs. 2-4p.m. every month. Anyone interested in joining us would be most welcome.
Contact: Di Tebbutt 01536 392 556 di_tebbutt@hotmail.com
Contact: Jo Beaver 01933 224 474 beaver.jean@yahoo.co.uk 9
u3a Kettering
Stitchin' Time
Sing (and Laugh) Out Loud
The group continues to meet monthly where we knit, sew, cross stitch and chat. It is a lively, friendly social afternoon.
We meet at Christ the King Church in Deeble Road once a fortnight from 10.15 until 12.00. Our next meetings are on Friday June 10th and 24th, July 8th and 22nd, August 5th and 19th. You don't need to bring any music with you as I have had booklets produced containing a collection of old and new favourites for us to sing. Despite the lack of a pianist and my inability to conduct we still have great fun and there is plenty of laughter and chat, so come along and join us as we have vacancies and you will be made very welcome. We now sing a few songs accompanied by a few of our members playing the ukulele. Remember that singing is incredibly good for both your mental and physical wellbeing. If transport is a problem, please let me know and I
Contact: Pauline Parkin 01536 799 197 Spanish Conversation
will see if I can organise something. Contact: Di Tebbutt 01536 392 556 di_tebbutt@hotmail.com
Contact: Bob Thorogood 01933 650 551 bob@rltservices.co.uk Travel & Theatre A couple of lovely day trips for you coming up.
The first is on Monday 19th September when we travel up to the Denby Pottery. Here we are hoping to tour the manufacturing area where we see all the action of pottery in the making. Then a tour of their museum gaining knowledge of how and when the Denby Pottery was built and afterwards free time to visit the Denby Pottery Village. Here you can eat and drink and visit all the shops and outlets before wending our way home. We'll leave at 9.30am from the Corn Market and arrive home around 6pm Our second trip will be mid December to Boundary Mills. We expect to see this huge retail outlet village in all it's Christmas glory preparing us the big day on the 25th. I am taking names of members and companions at our monthly meetings at the Eden Centre where you can pay using card, cash or cheque. Hoping we can fill a big coach and all have some fabulous days out. Contact: Norma Reilly 07783 693 666
mikeandnormareilly29@gmail.com
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u3a Kettering
Walking Group
Meetings with Ise Valley U3A www.isevalleyu3akettering.org.uk
Walking group outing – Thursday 10th March 2022
Recorder Group—Ise Valley U3A I organize (with Sue Hartley) the Ise Valley U3A recorder group. The group is open to anyone who plays, or would like to learn to play the recorder. We meet on the 2nd and 4th Mondays at 2.30 to 3.30 in Central Methodist Church in School Lane. We would love to have some more players.
16 of us gathered at the Red Lion car park in Crick for our country walk. The weather was almost perfect despite a slight chill in the breeze. After a short stroll we passed through the quite old graveyard of the church of St Mary of Antioch and on through a small memorial garden to the “British Tommy 1914-18”. We continued towards Yelvertoft via bridle paths until we reached the Leicester arm of the Grand Union canal where we strolled along towards Yelvertoft Marina. This was particularly pleasant for those of us who were part of the Canals and Waterways group of the U3A. After a short break we headed back along the canal to the Crick wharf marina then on to the Red Lion for our lunch date. In all we covered 6.2 miles and was enjoyed by everyone Thanks Jackie for your research and efforts yet again.
Contact: Mary Cooper (Ise Valley) cooperm1@btinternet.com Singing For Pleasure — Ise Valley U3A We are meeting at St. John’s Church Hall, our new venue, alternative Fridays at 10 a.m. It was good to be able to sing again with our friends, old and new. Contact: Linda Harris 01536 628 940 (Ise Valley)
Contact : u3akettwalk@outlook.com
Short Walks—Ise Valley U3A 3rd Thursday Venue and Time Varies
Contact: Wanda Moffatt
01536 659 236 (Ise Valley)
Ukulele Group—Ise Valley U3A The Ise Valley U3A Ukulele Group meet fortnightly on Tuesday mornings 10-12. We are all beginners and are sort of following a course from the internet. Training videos and song sheets and are available and with practice you will quickly get to our standard ! There is even a spare Uke if you want to ‘try before you buy’. If you don’t fancy learning the Ukulele (which is a lot of fun) but would just like to sing or play percussion (or any other instrument) with us, the more the merrier. Contact: Alan Bailey 01933 350 147
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u3a Kettering
a3a Kettering Interest Group Timetable Please contact group co-ordinator for more information before joining a group Day No fixed day
Co-ordinator
Tel.no
Venue
Frequency
Time
Gardening
Ray Bradbury
01536 516 587
varies
varies
varies
Travel & Theatre
Norma Reilly
07783 692 666
varies
varies
varies
Annette Chidwick Richard Boyles
01536 523 867 01536 744 753
Home LDS Church, Rothwell Road Online via Zoom
1st & 3rd Mondays 2nd Monday + 1, 3, 4th Mondays
10.00 – 12 noon 2.00 – 4.00pm 3.00 — 3.40 pm
Maggi McGuire & Eileen Mason Richard Ling Di Tebbutt
01536 392 716 01536 725 925 01536 521 250 01536 392 556
Home
2nd Wednesday
1.30-3.30pm
St. Andrews Church Rooms Varies
2nd Tuesday 4th Tuesday
2.00 – 4.00pm 12.00 – 2.30pm
Bookworms Musical Circles Spanish Conversation Stitchin’ Time Thursday
Pauline Parkin Eileen Mason Bob Thorogood Pauline Parkin
01536 799 197 01536 725 925 01933 650 551 01536 799 197
varies varies Counties Community Centre Home—Salisbury Street
4th Wednesday 3rd Wednesday 2nd & 4th Wednesday 1st Wednesday
2.00 – 4.00pm 2.00pm 2.00 – 4.00pm 2.00 - 4.00pm
Canals Waterways Card Playing Busy Needles Painting and Drawing Walking Friday
Brenda Boyles Di Tebbutt Mary Wildman Jo Beaver Jackie Rowson
01536 744 753 01536 392 556 01536 741 222 01933 224 474 01536 515 959
Local visit or days away Bridge Club, Field Street Home—Geddington North Park Pavilion Varies
3rd Thursday 2nd & 4th Thursday Fortnightly 2nd & 4th Thursdays 2nd Thursday
2.00-4.00pm 1.45—3.45 pm 10.00-12.00 2.00 – 4.00 pm 10.00 start
Sing (& Laugh) Out Loud Friday Pop In Bake It or Fake It
Di Tebbutt Di Tebbutt Mary Earl
01536 392 556 01536 392 556 01536 522 456
Christ The King, Deeble Road Alternate Fridays Kino Lounge, Market Place 1st, 2nd & 4th Friday Home 3rd Friday
10.15-12.00 10.00 – 11.30am 2.00—4.00pm
Monday Knit and Natter Family History Tuesday Creative Cards Have Your Say Lunch Club Wednesday
Meetings below with Ise Valley u3a The following groups are in conjunction with Ise Valley u3a. Please contact THEIR group co-ordinator before joining a group Day
Co-ordinator
Tel.no
Venue
Frequency
Time
Recorder Group
Mary Cooper
01536 420 336
Central Methodist Church
2nd & 4th Mondays
2.30—3.30 pm
Canasta
Margaret Hall
01536 512 215
Kettering Bridge Club
Every Monday
2.00-4.30pm
Alan Bailey
01933 350 147
Home
Fortnightly Tuesday
10.00-12.00
Wanda Moffatt
01536 659 236
Varies
3rd Thursday
varies
Linda Harris
01536 628 940
St. John’s Church Hall
Alternate Fridays
10.00-12.00
Monday
Tuesday Ukulele Thursday Short Walks Friday Singing For Pleasure
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