CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Current Affairs Group meets eight times a year, currently on Zoom but hopefully in the future in members’ homes again. The meetings are usually held on the third Monday of the month at 10.00 am between October and May.

Members of our group volunteer to prepare talks for meetings on a subject of their choice. Our Zoom meetings are shorter than previously, and consist of a half hour talk, and a break for coffee followed by a half our discussion. If and when we are able to return to meeting in each others’ homes, the meetings will last two hours, with a longer talk.

The subjects of the talks are very wide ranging, and we aim to cover them in rather more depth than is usually provided by the media. Last season’s talks included “International Migration”, “Conspiracy Theories and Political Extremism” and “USA Elections”.

Anyone interested in joining the group is welcome to attend one or two meetings to try it out.
 

Contact :   Jill Griffiths

Meetings :   Monday,   3rd,   10.00 - 12.00

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ETHICAL DILEMMAS

 After an initial presentation members enthusiastically discuss a wide range of difficult ethical problems. Subjects are chosen and presented by the members of the group.

Contact :  Ann Slater

Meetings :   Thursday,   2nd,   10.00 - 12.00

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EUROPE TODAY

The group studies issues or themes by individual European Country or those that are common across the European Union as a whole. The theme for each year is agreed at a summer lunch and have included such topics as health services, education, pension arrangements in Europe, the fishing industries, land usage, transport, financial expenditure, immigration and political systems.  The group meets October to May.

Contact:  John Harris

Meetings :   Friday,   2nd,   10.00 - 12.00

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EUROPEAN AFFAIRS

This lively group covers a wide range of subjects related to Europe. Subjects are chosen 3 months in advance by the members. Some bring along press cuttings, opinion pieces or even short presentations but others just come for the friendly discussions. This year we will start with Monarchies and Presidents; Influences on and by Art and Artists; and The Impact of the Civil Service in European countries.

The group meets October to May.

Contact:  Rob White

Meetings:  Wednesday, 3rd, 2.30 - 4.30

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EUROPEAN FILM STUDIES

 This study group has run successfully for over 5 years now. It meets monthly, rotating between members’ homes, in the morning of the second Tuesday of the month.

The genesis of the group was a modern literature study group which meant that we adopted a different format from other film groups. Rather than watch a film together and have a short discussion immediately afterwards, we watch the chosen film at our own homes, reflect upon it and then get together for a 1 1/2 to 2 hour discussion led by the member who selected the film. Members take turns to choose a European film (with subtitles!) and lead the discussion. The discussions are expected to be wide ranging including exploring the social background at the time the film was made, the themes/questions posed by the film and how they reflect society and its values. Discussion of the cinematic technique etc is encouraged but knowledge of these aspects is by no means a requirement. On the contrary current members have little knowledge of this but are very willing to learn together!

In the last couple of years we have discussed amongst other films The Discrete Charm of the Bourgeoisie, Leviathan, Hidden, Timbuktu, Julietta, Last Tango in Paris, Breathless, La Dolce Vita, Uzak, Colour Trilogy and Jules et Jim. For the last few months we’ve concentrated on Italian films from 1945 - 1975 which will go on to their influence on the French New Wave
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Members normally view any film either as a DVD or by streaming it. With Amazon Prime and its linked sites such as the British Film Institute many films can easily be streamed. Some members purchase the DVDs and lend them to other members before a meeting. The cost of the DVD will accordingly be borne in mind in choosing a film. Films are usually found at less than £7 through Amazon/its partners, local shops, second hand or the BFI shop. Other DVDs have been obtained from local libraries. The organiser is happy to do research on the availability of films before one is selected by a member. We’ve got very adept at passing DVDs on between members prior to a meeting.

If you are interested in participating in this group please contact John Clark. Details below.

Contact :   John Clark

Meetings :  Tuesday, 2nd, 10.00 to 12.00.

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MIGRATION OF PEOPLE

We study people who migrated in any period of history for reasons of persecution, economic  religious or other causes.  Individuals make a study for a discussion in the group choosing a migration of people from any period in history of a family or tribe, religious sect or a race who migrated for reasons of persecution, economic, religious etc.

Contact :   Linda Alleeson

Meetings :   Tuesday,  3rd,   10.00 - 12.00

The Group meet to read and discuss a shared  philosophical text. No previous experience required.  We meet in members’ homes. 

Contact :   David Milman

Meetings :   Tuesday,   1st,   10:15 - 12:00

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STOCK MARKET DISCUSSION

We aim to learn more about the stock market and the reasons why stocks and shares fluctuate in price. Each members owns virtual shares-  The winner at the end of the year is the person who made the most profits. One Vacancy

Contact :    Lesley Leeding

Meetings :   Wednesdays,   2nd,   14:00 - 16:00

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