STUDY GROUPS

A small group of members meet with their leader at a venue of their choice, usually once a month.

The Book Group.

The book group meets once a month and selects a book to be read by all the members which is then discussed at the following meeting

Churches, Cathedrals & Historic Buildings.

Set up about five years ago this group is very popular with the members.  It meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month and visits historic buildings locally and in outlying areas.

The Computer Group.

Recently set up this has proved to be one of the most popular of our Study Groups, classes always full.  They are held at East Bergholt High School every Monday afternoon from 4.00 – 5.00pm during Term Time only.

Country Walks – Suffolk & Essex

Walks, at a leisurely pace, usually approximately 3 – 4 miles, take place on the first Tuesday of each month followed by a lunch at the local pub.

Current Affairs Discussion.

A small group meets once a month to discuss current topics.

Beginner’s French.

Meetings held on Tuesday afternoons to learn basic skills to help get by on holidays.  Can be very useful!

Garden Visits.

Set up some years ago the group meets in late autumn to discuss the programme of day trips to gardens which will take place during the following spring and summer. Members have to make a payment to cover the cost of booking the coach and admission to the gardens.  Since 2000 a 5-day holiday, usually in May, has been organized at a centre from which gardens can be visited.  Again members wishing to go have to pay their own hotel accommodation fees and entrance to gardens visited.

Proposed Garden Visits 2010

January 28th               Anglesey Abbey, Cambridge (Snowdrops)                    

April 29th                     Capel Manor Gardens, Enfield, Middlesex. Has

                                     trial gardens sponsored by Gardening Which?

May 20th                     Swiss Gardens & Shuttleworth Collection, Biggleswade

                                     Bedfordshire.

June 24th                    RHS Garden Hyde Hall & Marks Hall Gardens

                                     and Arboretum, Coggeshall.

July 22nd                    Castle Ashby, Northamptonshire, home of the Marquess

                                     of Northampton. The house is set amongst a 10,000 acre

                                     working estate with an extensive 25 acres of gardens.

September 30th         Brogdale Farm, Faversham, Kent, home of the National

                                     Fruit Collections, the largest collection of fruit trees and

                                     plants in the world.

July 1st                         Ken Cattermole is again hosting a cream tea in his garden

                                     at ‘Fairacre’, Gandish Road, East Bergholt, for members

                                     of the Gardens Group. A charge of £2.50, in aid of the

                                     British Heart Foundation will be made.

ITALIAN IMPROVERS

A group of 6 members, also in their second year, meet on Monday afternoons at 2.30pm for one and a half hours in East Bergholt.

MAH JONG

A small group meet to learn the art of playing this game.

NEWS & VIEWS DISCUSSION

The group meets monthly to discuss a paper written previously by one of its members.

SCIENCE AND THE COMMUNITY

A long standing group meeting on a monthly basis they discuss topics dealing with scientific studies, including environmental issues, climate change, agriculture, medicine and many more.

SUFFOLK CHURCHES

Another long standing group founded in 1990.  Suffolk is well known for its historic churches which include several with round towers. The group meets on the 2^nd Tuesday of the month to discuss the 3 churches to be visited on the 4^th Tuesday.

 THEATRE & FILM GROUP

Theatre visits are usually Matinee performances, details of which are circulated to members.  There is a £2.00 subscription charge to join.

BIRD WATCHING GROUP

 New group set under the leadership of Ray Woodcock.  Meetings held in the Constable Hall on the second Wednesday of each month after the main lecture meetings. For details contact Ray on 01206 826653

LOCAL HISTORY STUDY GROUP

New group under the leadership of Val Pretty assisted by Susan Allbones. Meetings held on the third Tuesday of each month commencing on May 18th 2010. For details ring Susan on 01206 392949.

For further information on any of the Study Groups contact The Chairman, Mrs Lucy Marshall Telephone number 01206 323197