ROMSEY and District
Low-down in the Lockdown Bulletin No.6 - 15 July 2020 In our sixth ‘Low-down in the Lockdown’ we have lots of information, more interesting news and content from members, and things for you to do! Continue to Stay Safe, Keep Active & Keep Well.
This is the LAST CALL to remind you that printed NEWSLETTERS will only be sent to members not on email whilst we cannot meet in person UNLESS you have asked us to post a copy.
Keeping in touch Our online general meeting on 24 June, when we heard from Gordon Massie of a trip down the Amazon, was judged by most people to be a success. Members clearly also enjoyed seeing fellow members, some of whom they hadn’t seen for a number of weeks. We were very pleased that so many people joined in and we hope that the July meeting (today!) will prove to be equally well attended. Zoom seems to be the most popular tool for U3As across the country. The Third Age Trust is even providing training sessions to help U3As like ours to get the most out of the features that are available. A number of our committee members have taken advantage of that. In anticipation of the fact that large physical meetings might still not be possible for a number of months, and to support other R&DU3A activities, the committee has agreed to pay for a Zoom ‘Pro’ licence. An important first use for this will be the AGM on 19 August which will also feature a talk by Sylvia Croxall, leader of our Introduction to Computers group, on ‘How to stay safe online’. We encourage you to attend in order to help us complete the short formal business of the U3A including electing members of the management committee. As promised, you will be receiving paperwork very soon.
Monthly Meetings — going forward Today’s speaker was to be Amy Goodman - the Romsey ‘War Horse’ sculptor; she hopes to come to us in 2021 & we’ll keep you informed of her work. We will report back on Dan Ball’s online talk next time. On 16 September, our planned speaker Andy Lester will give us his talk online. GROUP ACTIVITIES You will have seen that Covid-19 restrictions are changing and it is looking increasingly likely that at least some of our groups will be able to restart physical activities in the foreseeable future. The committee has asked Group Leaders to follow a procedure which requires them to review the latest Government and NHS advice and to assess whether the group’s activities can be made compliant with those, before re-starting. They will record their assessment on a form which is based upon advice from the Third Age Trust. Before you join a group’s activities you are requested to review the arrangements described on the form provided by the leader and satisfy yourself that it is safe for YOU to take part. In the interest of all members please remember as always to: try to stay at least 2mtr (3 steps) away from anyone you do not live with, or not in your support bubble; wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds; use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available; wash your hands as soon as you get home; cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze; put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards. No two people are alike; we each have different approaches to our own safety. If you feel that it is not safe for you to take part in an activity you should not do so.
Over 75? Your TV Licence On 9 July the BBC announced that from 1 August, if you are aged 75 or over you will have to pay for a TV licence at a current fee of £157.50. TV Licensing will write to all over 75 licence holders starting in August. This letter will let you know what action you’ll need to take for your next licence; do not be tricked into making a payment. Wait for the letter and follow the instructions on it. Ignore any other request you get! For more information about how this will be implemented see: Over 75 TV licences . Be very careful, do not become a victim: avoid TV licensing scams gives advice and how to report one. Page 1 of 2
U3A EVENTS
Twice a ‘winner’ !
The U3A’s first exclusive national online event during lockdown ‘Love or Betrayal’ at the National Gallery was sold out: an excellent lecture if you managed to book a place - you had to be quick!
You may have seen in your Summer 2020 issue of TAM, an article entitled ‘Capture the moment on Digital’, a photography project run online by U3A Eye with fortnightly themes.
There are however, places still available on Thurs 23 July 10.30-12.30 with the British Library on Discovering Children’s Literature: Learn about the history & development of children’s literature. ‘A virtual study morning with three experts presenting their research about the history and development of children’s literature, and the treasures held in the British Library.’ Look at the programme and read the three speakers’ talk abstracts here then register with Eventbrite. Look what some people in the movement have been doing: U3A Life in Lockdown What about you? We’ve been hearing from quite a few of you who have visited a National Trust or English Heritage site in the last few weeks… or just gone to the beach! We think you would have taken your camera/ phone! How about sending us a photo or telling us about it? Have you seen this: Swan Lake Bath Ballet to make you smile? YOUR POEMS Our frail world stutters Holds its breath, garners stored strength; Profound love matters. Patricia Morris
Life after Lockdown – the same but different? How does it feel to return to a familiar activity, a familiar place, meet a friend or relative again, for the first time after lockdown? Poems, please, in any form, on these experiences of Life after Lockdown! Send to: Clare Wikeley cewikeley@hotmail.com (Thanks Clare!)
Has Covid-19 forced you to wear glasses and a mask at the same time? You may be entitled to condensation !! Dick’s Slow Marathon — ‘Walk The Test another Way’ ! Many of you will know Dick Hewett not only from our U3A but also his involvement with local groups. Seeing Stewart's ‘Garden Tramway’ fundraising effort last edition prompted Dick (also an Industrial Heritage member) to tell us how he is running 5 lots of 5.25 miles between 2 - 13 July: so he’s just finished! The Rotary Club of Romsey Test will be donating to Dick’s (mainly) Romsey charities; he’s sure you will relate to at least one of them. Find out about Dick’s ‘jogging to get fitter during Lockdown’ and to give your support at: Dick’s Slow Marathon IH members know about Dick’s interest in railways; others may have visited Romsey Signalbox Museum too. If you’d like to read the latest edition of The Signal it includes a bit of a trip down memory lane, with a contribution from Dick.
Our Snappers leader Mike Driscoll thought he’d have a go and both of his first two pictures were chosen! “Beginning with a ‘T’ ” - ‘Tee up’ “Following the lockdown of all sporting activity in March. The reopening of my local golf club in mid May was just my cup of tea. I could get my Driver out again and rip the ball off the tee.” ‘Circle(s)’ - ‘Wine circle’ “What a pleasant way to meet friends with a glass of wine. My U3A has a thriving wine tasting group which I have every intention of joining once we are allowed to socialise again. It's not the same when using Zoom!” “Not a competition or photographic skill, what we want from you are interesting photos, possibly different ways of viewing things, anything which has captured your imagination or caught your eye.” Give it a go? Get R&DU3A a mention again!
ROMSEY Roundup The Library is open! Ready reads, 30min visits, e-books & self-service. Late fees frozen until August. Now open Mon, Fri, Sat 10am - 4pm. Town Hall — Are you a Film Club member? They hope to start showing films again ‘next month’. Ticket refunds available for those bought before the Lockdown. Larger churches may be open for public service, although numbers will be restricted. Did you hear Romsey Abbey bells ringing on Sunday? Their services are being ‘streamed’ for online viewing.
Bulletin 7 is due out on 5 August. Do let us know what you would like to read & learn about. Contact Gill Hodge 01794 511529 treasurer@romseyu3a.org.uk This Bulletin will also be on our website: romseyu3a.org.uk ‘Low-down in the Lockdown’ team: Gill Hodge, Glenda Taylor, Janet Moody, Margaret Marchbank, Dave Lovell. Do you want to join us? We’re just an email away: news.copy@romseyu3a.org.uk Page 2 of 2