Welcome to new members June Death, Robert Death, David Whetton and Linda Farrow. |
Annual Report
from the Chairman, Peter Tee
Another year has gone by and I feel we can look back on our activities during the last twelve months with considerable satisfaction, thanks to our loyal and active members.
In fact, about 50 new members have joined us during the year and very many are due to the encouragement and friendly introduction to Sarum by Phyll Mullins, our Membership Secretary. Membership and money are inextricably mixed and we are also very grateful to Bryan Griffiths, our Treasurer, for the current satisfactory financial situation.
Of course, the main purpose of U3A is for us to meet in groups to extend our knowledge or interests, either with a specialist leader, or a member who is willing to share his or her particular interest with others. For the organisation of this very important and considerable task we are greatly indebted to our Course Organiser, Jean Lunnon. Important too, are the Group Leaders, who voluntarily give of their time and experience. We are very grateful to them.
Monthly coffee mornings play a major part in our activities, providing an opportunity to meet other members and to hear a variety of excellent speakers arranged by Ena Baldock. At these meetings, the book exchange run by Lucy Smithson, aided by Alan Bush, is ever popular. A word of thanks too to Mavis Gladwell and my wife, Joan, for distributing the Newsletters and also to George and Olive Cork for delivering them. Finally, we must not forget Mary Cole who, with her faithful band of helpers, does sterling work catering for us at our coffee mornings and special occasions. Thank you, Mary!
The monthly Newsletter has always been a distinct feature of Sarum U3A, and we are grateful to Lydia Dungate, and more recently Alan Reeve, for keeping us well provided with information. Thanks also to committee members Jenny Mawer, our Publicity Officer and Minute Secretary, Clare Edwards, for maintaining the monthly register and to Josephine Hawkins. A final word of appreciation goes to John Winders who, though no longer a committee member, continues unobtrusively, to provide the sound system at the monthly meetings.
Apart from our normal activities, I must mention the success of “The History of Salisbury's Postal Services”. This publication was a result of research by Alan Wood and his group. A copy of this was, with the aid of a grant from the British Philatelic Trust and cooperation from U3A National Office, distributed to every U3A in the country. After the initial 800 copies, a second edition has been printed!
My two years as Chairman are now over and, in closing, I would like to express my own appreciation to you all for your friendliness and support during my period in office. It has been a pleasure to serve you and as I step down I feel that I can look with confidence to the future of Sarum U3A.
IDEAS FOR NEW GROUPS
Jean Lunnon writes:
I am glad to say that I have already received a couple of ideas for new groups (Mah Jong and Wine Appreciation) - with the all-important offers to coordinate them. Many of our gallant Group Leaders have agreed to continue, or, in a few cases, have been replaced by other members. However, with so many new members having joined recently, we do need a large number and variety of activities, so please note down your suggestions and expressions of interest on the ‘Ideas Sheet’ at the AGM. For those unable to attend, telephone Jean on 335909.
Here are some of the possibilities floated so far: Visits to Country Houses, Salisbury Cathedral, Natural History, Cookery/Cake-making, Magic of Numbers, History of Music, Drama, Story telling, Scrabble, Philosophy, Psychology, World Religions & Sects, Embroidery/ /Handicrafts, Military History, Orienteering, Opera, Bowls…… I need to know whether there is any interest. I shall be finalising the programme after Easter.
Don’t forget, the U3A is essentially a self-help organisation. We can’t hire tutors, so, no volunteer Group Leader, no group.
GROUPS and EDUCATION
Town & Country Inns
Thursday 16th March at 12 noon.
Group A - Black Horse at Hurdcott, book on 332263.
Group B - Green Dragon, Alderbury, book on 335909.
Strollers
Thursday 30th March. Please meet at The Barford Inn pub car park, Barford St Martin at 10.30am. We shall walk up through Grovely Wood. There is a slight incline to start with and then the walking is flat. Wellingtons or walking boots are advisable as the tracks can be very muddy.
If anyone can offer a lift, please contact Clare Ledbury on Salisbury 325721.
U3A Science Forum
Monday 27th March at 10.00 at Harnham Memorial Hall, subject: The geology of the Jurassic World Heritage Coast speaker Annette Harris.
Playhouse Discussion group
Thursday 20th April at 2.00pm
to discuss ‘ The School for Scandal’
Archeology
Tuesday 28th March at 10.00am at Harnham Memorial Hall, subject: Laycock Abbey – Recent Excavations: speaker Jane Harcourt.
LOCAL NEWS
Café Scientifique, a Forum for debating science issues at Salisbury Arts Centre.
Meetings are free and open to all. Doors open at 7.00pm when the bar and Café will be open for light refreshments before the event which starts at 7.30pm
OUTINGS and ACTIVITIES
For details of forthcoming Salisbury U3A Outings and Activities please refer to your February 2006 Sarum Newsletter
All enquiries and booking through John Ewington 01722 500699
COFFEE MORNING SPEAKERS
April 19th
Subject: The Great Storm
Speaker: Roy Deacon
Storm 1987 brewing
May 17th
Subject: The Two Colleges in the Close and Courses offered by Sarum College
Speaker: Dr Tim McQuiban
FOR SALE
Hewlett Packard Printer, Deskjet 5600 series, with instruction book and software. Perfect condition. Offers invited. Tel: 01722 334329
CONTRIBUTIONS
For the time being, please send all contributions for the Newsletter by mid-day on Wednesday 12th April to the Deputy Editor: Alan Reeve, Ravenscroft, Dinton Road, Fovant, Salisbury. 01722 714907 or you can use my new e-mail address: alanreeve.u3a@virgin.net