Welcome to New Members
Welcome to Ian Cliff, Pat’s husband, and Valerie Jackson, Elizabeth Kemp and Michael Pozner.
Membership Renewal
There are still 78 members who have not returned their Renewal Form. It is possible that, of this number, there are several who having previously completed a Standing Order, assume that they did not have to confirm that they wish to continue membership. I would be grateful, if you are one of them, for confirmation by telephone or email or letter. If you wish to continue membership, I would like a SAE to send your membership card to you.
Tony Munday, Membership Secretary
01980 671069 or ajmunday@btinternet.com
From the Chairman
Dear Friends
A very happy and peaceful new year to you all.
I’d like to thank Tony Munday and Neil Russell for producing the new membership cards/name badges that have now been distributed to everyone. Tony did a great job sourcing the high quality holders and chains at a very good price and Neil designed and produced the stylish professional-looking membership cards. Please be sure to wear your badges at our Coffee Mornings so other members can say “Hello” to you using your name! Wearing a badge also identifies people as being members and ensures we don’t get any interlopers.
In the last Newsletter I described how West Lancashire’s Aughton & Ormskirk U3A have been researching how to enhance the quality of our extending lives. I can now report on a few examples of how they are acting upon their finds (and how Sarum U3A is following their fine example).
- Providing a computer clinic to: encourage members to explore the wonders of the internet and email; help people with minor problems with their computers (Neil Russell announced our version of this at the December Coffee Morning);
- Arranging for an Age UK representative to sit in on Coffee Mornings to offer advice on benefits entitlement, housing, transport, befriending, nail cutting, help at home, reputable local tradesmen, etc. (Sarum U3A will start this in February).
- Arranging social activities between 4.30 and 7.30 pm, particularly useful for people living on their own. (Suggestions for activities from members would be most welcome).
With best wishes
Gordon Pardy
Coffee Mornings
Please note that coffee is served from 10.00 am
Wednesday 19 January at 10.30 am
New Year Party
Wednesday 16 February at 10.30 am
Alix Booth will tell us of “A History of Punch and Judy”
Computing for Seniors
Over half of our members do not have or use a computer and, as a result, are missing out on all kinds of advantages that a computer can offer. Others may have access to a computer but need help on occasions to resolve minor problems. Some people are afraid of computers, in case they damage them, say by pressing the wrong key.
We want to help you, so we plan to set up a basic computer training and help facility within
our U3A. To do this, we plan to buy a laptop and connect it to the internet via the mobile phone network. That way we can offer basic training and help to anyone in our U3A at any convenient location. Initially we are thinking of having the computer facility working here in the hall for an hour before the monthly meeting but, in principle, we could use it almost anywhere – here in the hall, at your house, in the garden or wherever there is mobile phone reception.
We already have courses in computing running with South Wilts Grammar and these will continue. Our objective is to stimulate the initial interest and show you what can be done, as well as offering a basic help facility.
To cover the initial cost of the equipment, we plan to submit a grant application to Salisbury City Council, who has money available for suitable organisations. If we are successful we could have the project up and running in 2-3 months.
We would like to have one or two members skilled in computers to help us run the project. If there is anyone who has good computer skills and would like to help, do please contact me or Gordon Pardy.
Neil Russell
Groups
Striders
Thursday 3 February
The walk will start at 10.00 am at Amesbury Recreation Ground (Grid Ref 410 150 using Explorer map 130). The walk is just over 5 miles. Please phone Pat if you would like lunch.
Pat Cliff (01722 710308)
Walking Group
Thursday 27 January
There will be no organised walk this month. Instead we will be joining the Striders for a New Year Lunch at The Swan at Stoford. If you have any queries, please contact
Anna Taylor (01722 744553)
Science & Technology
Monday 31 January 2011
Aviation History at Larkhill (rescheduled from October). The speaker will be Ted Mustard.
Peter Read (501218) peterjread@ntlworld.com
Guided Tour of Bletchley Park
Please would all those who have put their names down for this trip stay for a short meeting on 19th January so that I can get a consensus of opinion on various options for the day. At present it seems there are still 10 places available. If you are not able to attend or require further information, please call
Christine Perry (01722 781224)
Joint U3A Outings & Visits
Full details are posted on the notice board at the monthly coffee mornings.
**CAR PARKING** Please note free car parking at Tesco’s is no longer possible. As an alternative, the Park & Ride facility at London Road will be used.
Thursday 10 February 2011
Visit the Wallace Collection at Manchester Square in London. Also visit the Hand & Lock atelier, one of the oldest workrooms containing an archive of embroidered work dating back to 1790. BOOK NOW!
Wednesday 23 March 2011
Welsh National Opera DIE FLEDERMAUS at Mayflower, Southampton. Revised timing! BOOK NOW!
Sunday 27 March 2011
Return visit to Royal Festival Hall. Matinee performance of classic 1925 silent film The Phantom of the Opera accompanied on stage by Carl Davis. BOOK NOW!
11-18 June 2011
A RIVER CRUISE “BEST OF THE RHINE” WITH SAGA.
BOOK NOW! Full details from John Ewington.
If you are interested in any outings/visits, please contact John Ewington, Flat 5 Arlington House, Bourne Avenue, Salisbury SP1 1LS. Tel: 01722 500699.
Contributions
Please send all contributions by mid-day on 2nd Tuesday in the month (7 December) to the Editor: Judith Copeland, Field End, Hackthorne Corner, Durrington SP4 8AS. Phone 01980 655665 or by email to:enjay666@btinternet.com