ROMSEY and District
Low-down in the Lockdown Bulletin No.15 - 27 January 2021
Hoar frost - Mike Driscoll
Rain, frost, snow, ice? Many reasons to keep warm and dry inside and catch up with your u3a news. Whether local or national, email, printed or online, we have lots of ideas to keep you busy. The days are getting noticeably longer as more sunshine and better weather is coming. As we all look forward to the good times ahead, Stay Safe, Keep Active & Keep Well.
Monthly Meetings In January we had some 130 members enjoy a real–life murder mystery. However, if going on ‘Safari in Africa’ has always seemed remote, join us on 17 February when David Boag’s photographs should make you feel as if you are actually on holiday! Then the temperature changes for our 17 March talk as we’ll be with Beatrice Von Prussen in the ‘Arctic and Antarctic as an artist aboard a Science Ship’. Look out for the Zoom links.
We’re still looking… Are you a volunteer - a member who steps forward, rather than stand back and leave things to that mythical character ‘Someone else’ ? MAY will soon be here and our AGM when we have to elect new trustees. What skills can you share - chair, secretary, minute secretary? Could you be webmaster or press/publicity officer to join our Communications Team? We’re very friendly! Contact Janet Moody secretary@romseyu3a.org.uk
80 years ago... ...it was the middle of the Blitz (Sept 1940 - May 1941). It had a very significant impact on Southampton and Portsmouth but did it affect Romsey? Leila Beal, (WW2 People’s War) lived through it: “We used to go out on the regular bus service to Romsey, a small town a few miles from Southampton. There a widow used to let us stay the night. This must have happened at weekends when my dad didn't have to go to work the next day. He particularly appreciated a proper night's rest, away from the bombing. We enjoyed being in Romsey.”
If you have childhood memories or photos of the Blitz that you’d like to share, please send them to Dave now for our February newsletter at news.copy@romseyu3a.org.uk . You can also read more about this and the Battle of Britain on the u3a website.
Better Times to Come Nature - friend or foe? We call her mother But this one is not mild. When we see the destruction Brought by wind, rain & snow, That is when we call her wild. Today - winter bleak. Tomorrow will be Spring. We are waiting for calm. Birds building nests, buds on trees, Yellow flowers begin to peek. This is Mother Nature’s healing balm. Gill Hodge Challenge your negative thoughts and look for the upside. A man who was arrested for tippexing out all the full stops in a library book was told he can expect a long sentence...
On everyone’s lips: “Have you had yours yet?” We know a number of members who have had their Covid vaccination, both at Crosfield Hall and doctor’s surgeries. Do tell us your experience so that we can share it. One member told us, “I was so thrilled when the phone rang this morning and I could see it was from Alma Road Surgery. I thought I had won the lottery and text my 2 sons.” Remember, if you’ve had the vaccine you have to continue to protect others; if you’re still waiting, please be patient!
CENSUS DAY Run by the Office of National Statistics and completed every 10 years since 1801, this year it is on Sunday 21 March. They say they are making it easy for everyone to take part: you will be able to provide your information online or in a paper return. Nearer the time you will receive a letter about it. There will be more information in the February newsletter. If you want to help there may be a job that is just right for you here. Page 1 of 2