Term 1 2011

Welcome back for another interesting year full of friendship, fun and learning. At the end of 2010 the election of office bearers for the 2011 year was held with the following results. President Beverley Rolfe, Vice President Ian Sutherland, Secretary - Correspondence Philomena Hewitson, Secretary - Minutes Maureen Taylor, Treasurer Robyn Ambachtsheer, Programme Philomena Hewitson, Publicity Beverley Rolfe, and committee Kay Kirwan, Joyce Death and Hazel Newton.

John Horsfield, who has done a tremendous amount of work in various positions since he joined Cowra U3A is having a year off to work on his family history. Everyones thanks go to John for the interesting programmes he has presented and we look forward to plenty more after his break.

The programme for 2011 is still being prepared and this year we will be introducing some new activities so watch this space for more information.

Tuesday 1 February is our information and enrollment day at the Cowra and District Senior Citizens Centre in Railway Lane Cowra commencing at 10.30 am following our regular Tai Chi session which is at 9.00 am on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

We look forward to seeing some new faces, renewing old friendships and enjoying learning in a friendly relaxed atmosphere.

The Norman Conquest of England began in 1066 with the invasion of the Kingdom of England by the troops of William, Duke of Normandy, and his victory at the Battle of Hastings. This resulted in Norman control of England, which was firmly established during the next few years.

This was a pivotal event in English history for several reasons. It largely removed the native ruling class, replacing it with a foreign French-speaking monarchy, aristocracy and clerical hierarchy. This, in turn, brought about a transformation of the English language and the culture of England.

By subjecting the country to rulers originating in France, it linked England more closely with continental Europe, while lessening Scandinavian influence, and set the stage for rivalry with France that would continue intermittently for many centuries. It also had important consequences for the rest of the British Isles, paving the way for further Norman conquests in Wales and Ireland, and extensive penetration of the aristocracy of Scotland by Norman and other French speaking families, with the accompanying spread of continental institutions and cultural influences.

John Horsfield has prepared a course that will be held throughout 2010 which looks at the events leading up to the invasion, life in Norman England and Norman architecture. To enroll for this course email cowrau3a@yahoo.com.au

Spanish Civil War

Poster Spanish Civil War, Guernica by Pablo Picasso, Soft Construction with Boiled Beans by Savador Dali

John Horsfield will be giving us a look what happened to make this an historic moment. A Powerpoint presentation will accompany the text in the first three sessions with the final session being all on Power Point.

Guernica is a painting by Pablo Picasso depicting the bombing of Guernica,
Spain, by German and Italian warplanes at the behest of the Spanish Nationalist Forces, on April 26, 1937, during the Spanish Civil War. The Spanish Republican government commissioned Picasso to create a large mural for the Spanish display at the Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techniques dans la Vie Moderne (1937) Paris International Exposition in the 1937 World's Fair in Paris.

Salvador Dali was a Spanish Catalan surrealist painter best known for his bizarre images. The painting, Soft Construction with Boiled Beans (premonition of civil war) by Salvador Dali, was created in Spain in 1936. This painting was done by Salvador Dali during a time of political change in Spain which essentially caused the Spanish Civil war. Dalí was openly against war, and used this painting to show it. (Wikipedia) The painting was created to illustrate what he believed would happen during the Spanish civil war depicting a grimacing, hideously deformed human being whom is dismembered. This is symbolic of the Spanish state in civil war. Not only is the human disjointed, but it seems as if the different parts are strangling each other. Decaying hands and feet extend from the dismembered body parts as well as the dysfunctional body parts that lay at the bottom of the painting. It is possible that the boiled beans refer to the smell of the bodies of priests that were burnt by the fascists. I believe that Dali was trying to give the painting a scent of war. The painting seems to draw your attention to the box created by the body parts. It is a reminder of how civil wars are self-mutilating and ugly.

Whats on at a Glance in Term 2 2010

20 April- Enrollment & Information
Classic Films
27 April to 1 June - Norman England
29 April - General Meeting
6 May - Kaye Chapman Cowra Community Chest
John Lennon
20, 27 May, 3 June - & Wonders of Ancient World
8 June - Aspects of England
15 June - Queens Birthday Lunch
17 June - Egypt
It Happened in - 13 May, 10 & 24 June,
Regulars
Mini Biographies - Tuesday & Thursday
Tai Chi - 9.00 Tuesday & Thursday
German at Ellen's - Wednesdays
International Biographies - 22 April, 22 June
Italian - 1.30 pm Thursdays

Canberra Excursion September 2009

Some photos from our wonderful day in Canberra visiting the McCubbin exhibition at ANG and a lovely walk around Floriade. Thanks to Alan, our wonderful bus driver who made the day so easy.

Lighthouses of the World February 2011

Coming up at Cowra U3A in 2011 Bev will be taking a look at the history and development of lighthouses and a more detailed look at some of the great ones from around the world and at their designers.

Excursion

Excursion to Canberra
Friday 25 September 2009
Bus leaves Senior Citizens Centre at 7.30 am.

Bookings essential, limited places.
Phone 02 6342 2028 BH of 02 6341 1030 AH

Cost: Bus $30.00, McCubbin exhibition consession $8.00, Buy your own lunch.

Visit Australian National Gallery McCubbin exhibition, lunch in Gallery Restaurant then visit Floriade and return to Cowra by approximately 6pm.