Association of Open University Graduates

Newsletter of AOUG in the South West (03)

Welcome | Newsletter | Diary Dates

The Exeter group, thanks to the support of the members, continues to flourish and has welcomed several new members in recent months. The bi-monthly lunches at the Countess Wear Restaurant, Exeter, are well attended.

The Revivalist Group, which meets at a member's home, has proved to be very successful. The group was set up at the suggestion of John Eaton-Terry, who kindly hosts the meeting, with the idea of reviving our brains and giving the opportunity to members to volunteer to study a topic of interest to them, but new to them, and give a talk on what they have learnt. It was decided to look at the period from 1790-1840, and topics covered so far have included, Theatre, Music, Architecture, Science, Sydney Smith, Genii of the Period and Mental Health. Forthcoming talks are on Art, Palestine and Costume. If anyone would like to speak on a subject, these meetings are held on the last Friday of alternate months at 2.30, please contact me or John at jet@eaton-terry.co.uk

The Prose and Poetry sessions which are held in another member's home have also proved popular. Members are invited to read or recite a favourite poem of piece of prose, and members comment, not on the performance but on the piece itself. If you are interested in joining this group please contact Ann Reed at ann.reed@tiscali.co.uk

There are other active groups in Bath, Bristol, Cornwall and Wiltshire.

The Bath group meet for lunch at the Pavilion restaurant in Victoria  Park, Bath on the last Saturday of every month. The contact is Roger Galea. If you would like to join him, he can be contacted through me at mount.devon@talktalk.net

Pam Pearce is the contact for the Bristol group and if you would like to join the group, please contact her at pjandmspearce@blueyonder.co.uk

Sue Melvin is the contact for the Wiltshire group and she can be contacted ay sue.melvin@tiscali.co.uk

The contact for Cornwall is Frances Chapman at frances@fachapman.plus.com and she would be pleased to hear from you if you would like to join in an event in Cornwall.

So far, it has not been possible to form active local groups in Gloucester, Dorset of along the Sedgemoor corridor, including Taunton. However, during 2010 I will try again. If anyone would like to help with this I would be very grateful. As you will know, the South West region is hosting the AGM this year at the Holiday Inn, Taunton, at Junction 25 of the M5, from the 4th-6th June, and I look forward to seeing as many as possible.

I would be pleased to hear from anyone with ideas which they feel would enhance their participation of membership of the AOUG, and I thank you for your continued interest.

Elizabeth Mount at mount.devon@talktalk.net