Group News

AHA – April visit to the Solent Sky Museum, Southampton

22/5/2018

A group of AHA members visited the Solent Sky Museum and what a delight it was. The selection of vintage planes included a Sandringham flying boat (civilian version of the Sunderland) with the interior accessible, which gave an idea of the seating configuration and a visit to the flight deck. Other exhibits included a Spitfire, Folland Gnat and plenty of other contributory historic information

The walls and upper gallery tell the story of aviation activities in the Southampton region. Also on the upper floor was a splendid display of Hampshire Police and Fire Service history including information on Andover and Whitchurch. Following our visit, we all went for lunch and enjoyed chatting over the mornings experience.

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Questers' Visit to Bowood House in Wiltshire

26/4/2018

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It was one of the hot days in mid-April when 18 Questers met at Bowood House in Wiltshire between and Calne and Chippenham
Set in glorious parkland we were glad to be guided round the cooler house and learn the story of Dr Priestley, a priest, non-conformist, philosopher and scientist.
Whilst living at Bowood as tutor to the children of Lord Shelburne, Priestley had the time and facilities to experiment with different “airs”. He discovered many gases the most important being oxygen. Some of his home-made appliances were shown in the small laboratory in the centre of the house.
After our tour we were free to see the rest of the house and grounds and the many artefacts and sculptures and learn the history of the Lansdowne and Shelburne families. A lunch in one of the two restaurants ended a most interesting day.

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Walkers on the Abbots Ann Estate

20/2/2018

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The February meeting of the Walking Group saw eleven members, led by Patsy Reed, enjoy a dry if rather breezy walk along the historic paths that cross the Abbotts Ann Estate. On the first leg along Dunkirt Lane, which eventually joins the Salisbury Road at Kentsborough, we were joined by Barbara & Alan Dixon’s ‘lodger’ Maxie the greyhound. At Abbotts Ann Down we turned north on to the old Drove Road along which flocks were originally driven from Winchester to the Weyhill Fair. On returning to the village most members headed straight for lunch at The Eagle but a hardy few carried on to the old Coach Road, which was the original highway to Salisbury, and made their way to The Eagle via the Church Path.

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Questers' Skittles

19/1/2018

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This Annual event took place on Friday 19th January at the usual venue of the White Hart at Stoke.

We had a spectacular turnout of 47 attending most of who played and spent an enjoyable couple of hours trying to knock over the skittles, some with infinitely more success than others!
At the end of the contest Freddie Finlay was a clear winner of the men’s prize but three ladies faced a play-off with Penny Greaves being the eventual winner.
As usual Margaret put on an excellent spread for lunch and thanks must go to her and all the staff for their efforts. Thanks also to those assisted with the sticking up of the skittles.
Overall everyone seemed to have a good time so see you next year!

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Questors' London Trip

6/12/2017

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Anton U3A Questors Group Trip to London Theatre

The 6th December was a fine chilly day for our outing to London. 41 people boarded a coach and left promptly to see 42nd Street at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.

The journey was trouble free and navigated with precision by our excellent driver Andy. We travelled along the Embankment and past the Houses of Parliament before being dropped very close to the theatre.

We all dispersed for free time - some to shop and potter around Covent Garden others for a leisurely lunch before the performance at 2.30.

We were seated in the Royal Circle in an with excellent unobstructed view of the vast stage. The next two hours were enthralling - whilst the storyline of 42nd Street is a little weak and predictable this did not matter because the music and dancing were suberb. Faultless and very complicated dance routines, stunning costumes and brilliant scenery all made for a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon.

The return journey took us through Trafalgar Square and Knightsbridge so we had sight of some Christmas lights and Harrods Christmas windows. Despite leaving in the rush hour we made good time, arriving back in Andover before 8pm.

The consensus of opinion was that we should do something similar again, certainly a block booking affords huge discounts on seat prices and when everyone co -operates by being in the right place at the right time it makes it easy for the organisers - thanks to all of you who came (whether for the theatre or just the coach trip), for making it easy for us.

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Walkers 19 September

19/9/2017

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Our first walk after the summer break started between the thatched cottages of the village street in picturesque Chilbolton.

Our route gave us a good view of the 25m white dish of the Chilbolton Observatory's radio telescope. We moved on to enter the nature reserve on West Down where we were treated to magnificent views across the Test Valley.

After descending from the Down, we joined the Test Way on the route of the old 'Sprat and Winkle' railway. After crossing the Test, we arrived at what used to be Fullerton Junction Station - now a private house.

From there we walked the short distance to the hamlet of Cottonwood and continued along the road in the direction of Wherwell. This road ran parallel to another disused railway which used to run from Fullerton Junction, through Wherwell and the Harewood forest, to Longparish and beyond. After about half a mile, we took a bridleway onto a long boardwalk crossing a part of the Test. The path led us onto the ancient, 48 acre, Chilbolton Cow Common which dates back to 1284.

We crossed two more parts of the Test flowing across the Common, to arrive back in Chilbolton Village where we enjoyed an excellent lunch.

Click on the pictures to zoom

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<<Previous

AHA – April visit to the Solent Sky Museum, Southampton

Questers' Visit to Bowood House in Wiltshire

Walkers on the Abbots Ann Estate

Questers' Skittles

Questors' London Trip

Walkers 19 September

Anton U3A Group News

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