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From the Chairman

We have now purchased our new microphone and loudspeaker system and we will be using it at the July meeting. So that we do not have to carry all this equipment to and fro for each meeting we have been allocated some storage space in the hall, but we need a secure cupboard to keep it in and I need your help. We need a lockable metal office storage cupboard about 6 ft tall, 3 ft wide and 18" deep in which we can keep the audio equipment, the notice boards, books for the book exchange and other small items that we use at every meeting. Can anyone please advise where we can obtain a good second hand cupboard of this type? The condition of the paintwork is not important. This is urgently needed, please let me know as soon as possible on 01722 711741 or e-mail ngrussell@tiscali.co.uk 
Neil Russell 

Diaries 2009

If you ordered a 2009 Diary it will be available at the July Coffee Morning. Please collect it from Gill Hinton.

Groups

Groups for 2008-09

You will be able to collect your group allocation at the July coffee morning. If you cannot be there I will post your form immediately afterwards. Group leaders have been wonderful and squeezed extra people in so that you are not disappointed. In two

cases leaders are running parallel groups to accommodate extra members. We really are
very grateful to them.  Sadly, some people have not got into the groups they wanted; they will have first option if anyone drops out.

PLEASE think about whether you could lead / co-ordinate a group, particularly if you have not been able to join a group of your choice. You can start one at any time.  You do not have to lead – collaborative groups only need a person to act as a contact. Members of the group can take turns in organising a session or activity.
The committee would be delighted to discuss any ideas with you and assist in starting a group or extending an existing group. Linda Farrow (710599).

Good Practice for Group Leaders

The following guidelines are given to group leaders by the U3A Trust. Your committee requests that those of you who are not currently undertaking these activities, might do so from the start of 2008-09 season this Autumn.
1.  be aware that resources are easily available from the U3A Trust to assist group leaders
2.  that individual non-members are not insured if they are accepted into a group
3.  that it is desirable to keep an attendance register
4.  that it is helpful to future leaders if present leaders recorded their activities/topics/visits undertaken
5.  that it helps communication if leaders arranged to circulate group members’ names, addresses, post codes (particularly useful in using “Google Maps” to print off a map indicating how to find a venue), telephone numbers and email addresses. The distribution of such details should, of course, be restricted to each particular group in the interests of privacy.

Registers and the sheet of activities mentioned in 4. above could be handed to Linda Farrow at the end of a course.

Walking Group
Thursday 31 July

The group will meet at the Silver Plough in Pitton at 10.00 am for a 4 1/2 mile walk to Hound Wood and West Winterslow. Leader is Neil (711741).

Strollers
Thursday 31 July

Please meet at Tesco's, Southampton Road car park (garage end) at 10am. More details from Maureen (504295).

Summer Garden Visits Group
Wednesday 13 August

The next visit will be to Home Covert Garden and Arboretum at Devizes. Please meet at Tesco's, Southampton Road car park (garage end) at 10am. Contact Christine (413887).

Theatre Visit
Monday 6 October

A visit to Salisbury Playhouse to see  “A Taste of Honey” starting at 7.30. Ticket price £10. Contact Christine (431887) by 23 July.

Exploring Bus Routes

Several of us enjoyed a June day out on the buses and ferry to Studland with blue sky and sea, mauve heather and pink naturists. On Thursday 24 July we shall meet at Salisbury Bus Station for the 10.15 no.29 bus to Shaftesbury, have lunch there, take a bus down the valley to Blandford for tea and return up a third valley on the 184 by about 5 p.m. All on our free passes. If you would like to join in, please ring Jean on 335909.

Coffee Mornings

Wednesday 20 August at 10.00am

The speaker will be Mr Stephen Griffiths who will talk about “Abbotsbury Sub-Tropical Gardens: Past, Present and Future”.

New German Course on CD for U3A Groups

“Drei Berliner in den Alpen” is a new course for intermediate learners which will be available from September 2008. It is possible to purchase some or all of the following components: tapes or CDs, text, graded exercises and crosswords, glossary and leader’s notes. The cost is £25 for all the parts. A non-returnable sample, consisting of the first 3 of 20 chapters, is available on receipt of a self-addressed C4 envelope and a book of 6 second class stamps to: Bernard Brown, 3 Scowcroft Drive, Morecambe, LA4 6SG. Enquiries to 01524 417662 or bernard.brown@talktalk.net.

A Snapshot of a Group

This will be a new series of articles in which group leaders will be giving you a snapshot of one of their group’s activities during the past year. This may help you choose your groups next time, may inspire some of you to form your own group or may lead you to suggest new activities for an existing group.

I would be happy to receive copy (150 words maximum) from any group leader now, preferably, but not necessarily, by email. The articles will be used as space allows and not in a particular month.
Bob Bradshaw

Contributions

Please send all contributions for the Newsletter by mid-day on the 2nd Tuesday in the month to the Editor: Bob Bradshaw, Beech Lodge, Easton Common Hill, Winterslow, Salisbury, SP5 1QD.  Phone 01980 862901 or by email to: u3a@lizbob.waitrose.com