Welcome to New Members
Welcome to Nick Abbott and William Sanders.
Membership Renewal
I am grateful to all the members who have already sent their completed Renewal forms. It has spread the workload for me. Although it is a long form to complete, it has allowed me to double check all the details that I need to hold for you.
We have increased the numbers who receive this email to 165. This is almost half the membership and it saves us work and money. I’m sure that there are still a few of you who have an email address and have not yet told me about it.
I will be bringing some cardholders to the next Coffee Morning.
Tony Munday, Membership Secretary
01980 671069 or ajmunday@btinternet.com
From the Chairman
Dear Friends
Sarum U3A members Susie Chiesman, Beatrice Todd and I attended the Third Age Trust South West Regional Conference at Chard, Somerset recently. The themes for the day were Successful Ageing and Active Retirement. The main speaker was Dr Alex McMinn, Chair of both the U3A National Research Committee and Aughton & Ormskirk U3A in W Lancs. He started with a few exciting statistics (if that’s not an oxymoron!):
- By this time next year our life expectancy will have increased by 45 days;
- DVLA currently have on their books 200 people over 100 years old with driving licences;
- By 2040 there will be 250,000 people in the UK aged over 100.
The message of course was that people are living longer and hopefully more actively. For the past 3 years Dr McMinn and his team have been researching how we can enhance the quality of our extending lives. Among their findings are the following:
- Exercise – we need to exercise to help the brain as well as the body. The recommendation used to be for 3 x 20 minutes sessions of vigorous exercise per week. It now appears that generally doing things quicker regularly is better;
- Increase social connectivity – loneliness is a bigger cause of death in old age than diabetes or cancer. There is less memory loss in those people socially connected;
- Nutrition – there are conflicting reports in the press so it’s hard to draw conclusions. Fish oils are not necessarily as beneficial as we thought and, surprisingly, there is no evidence that 5 fruits or veg a day works!
- Laughter - has the health benefits of significantly reducing blood pressure and cholesterol levels;
- Meditation and prayer - have some good effect on the immune system.
Next month I’ll report on how Aughton & Ormskirk U3A are acting upon their findings in order to help their members.
With best wishes
Gordon Pardy
Coffee Mornings
Please note that coffee is served from 10.00 am
Wednesday 15 December at 10.30 am
“The Belletones” will be ringing in Christmas with some Songs from the Shows, a selection of Christmas Carols, and some secular tunes.
Wednesday 19 January at 10.30 am
New Year Party
Tickets will be on sale again at the December Coffee Morning. They may also be obtained by post from Clare Edwards, 6 Merrifield Road, Ford, Salisbury SP4 6DF, telephone 01722 328240
The price is £5.00 to include coffee, a free glass of wine, a buffet lunch and all the entertainment.
Please send a stamped addressed envelope if ordering by post.
Neil Russell
Groups
Striders
Thursday 6 January
As the December walk was snowed off, and I really thought it was too cold to walk, we are doing the same walk for January. Please meet at the Royal Oak, Great Wishford (Explorer map 130, grid ref: SU 078 356) to start the walk at 10.00 am. Please phone to confirm if you are staying for lunch. Please park in the Royal Oak car park. I look forward to seeing you all, and to losing a few Christmas calories!
Pat Cliff (01722 710308
Strollers
Strollers will not meet in December. The next walk will be on 27 January 2011.
Maureen Pardy
Science & Technology
Monday 31 January 2011
Aviation History at Larkhill (rescheduled from October). The speaker will be Ted Mustard.
See the Programme here [this is designed for dial up internet users]
Peter Read (501218) peterjread@ntlworld.com
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. Obtain entry ticket and park in area immediately adjacent to entry point. Driver should proceed to Reception area to insert ticket into machine and pay £2.50 to validate ticket for exit later. Bus Pass holders contact Reception staff for free entry/exit ticket. Please display U3A car sticker on front windscreen (available free on request).
No Outings in January
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.
Wednesday 23 March 2011
Welsh National Opera DIE FLEDERMAUS at Mayflower, Southampton. Depart Wilton opp Italianate Church 5.30 pm. Millstream Coach Park 6.00 pm. 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. Centre stalls reserved. Cost £29. Depart Wilton opp Italianate Church 8.45 am. Millstream Coach Park 9.15 am. 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 to the Editor: Judith Copeland, Field End, Hackthorne Corner, Durrington SP4 8AS. Phone 01980 655665 or by email to: enjay666@btinternet.com