Romsey & District U3A Newsletter – February 2020 Web site: romseyu3a.org.uk Monthly Meeting Speakers All meetings start at 10.30 am.
11 March
*PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE OF DATE* Mike Read Scottish Wildlife ————————————————— 29 April *PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE OF DATE* Tony Babb The Amazing Animals of World War I Learn how animals were treated as you listen to WWI veterans giving a heart-warming insight into the bond between them and their animals. Tony will tell us about 24 different animals and also the Romsey Remount depot. ————————————————— 20 May Jo Shannon Tools for Self Reliance Charity Jo will tell us how working with volunteers in the UK, refurbishing tools, helps reduce poverty in Africa. She will also give us an example of how the project’s participants have benefited from being part of the project. ————————————————— 17 June Clare Goddard Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Braishfield Clare, who is the Director of the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, will talk to us about the history of the Gardens as well as the presentday activities, achievements and aspirations. 1
Chairman’s report A new year, a new decade – and a lot to look forward to in the next few months. It may still be winter, but we’re already planning for spring. Our membership year runs from 1 April to 31 March, so we’re starting the renewal process now, as you’ll find along with this newsletter. We do ask you to fill in a Renewal form each year, since phone numbers and email addresses can change, and we need your current contact details. Those of you who already pay by standing order – thank you very much, one less thing for you to think about. Otherwise, you can pay by cash or cheque at a monthly meeting or by post. We have kept our membership fee at £10 since we started, over twenty years ago – just consider what you get for that! A monthly meeting with a speaker and refreshments, and the occasional special celebration for Christmas; a quarterly newsletter (printed – or if you get it by email, with colour photographs), and the national ‘glossy’ magazine, ‘Third Age Matters’. But it’s not just the monthly meetings or the newsletters, it’s the chance to join one or more of our interest groups: see the pull-out list in each newsletter, or talk to our Interest Group Co-ordinators at a monthly meeting. If there isn’t a group listed that appeals to you, why not start one up? We can have one or two new group ideas a month but they need a group leader to get off the ground or two or three people to share that role. One of the many upcoming events is a Cream Tea for group leaders, as a thank you for all their efforts. Looking further ahead, we will be celebrating ‘U3A day’, in June. It’s about raising awareness, specifically of the U3A in Romsey, with public events in the town. We have two U3As now – some of you are members of both, I know – and between us we have even more activities and interest groups available. We’re Romsey & District; the newer group is Romsey Archway, entering its 3rd year. Exciting times – but it doesn’t just happen. Our U3A is run for, and 2
by, its 800+ members and all our activities are organised by those members who take on the various roles. I’ve already mentioned group leaders, and you may have noticed the hall teams: the meeters and greeters, the technical support and furniture arrangers, and of course the very important ‘tea team’ who provide those welcome refreshments at the monthly meetings. Your newsletter is produced by a team, and sent to you by members who help with email or post. Our website has to have a webmaster and our Beacon membership database would not function without members willing to give some of their time. There has to be someone to look after the money that supports our activities and pays the speakers booked for your annual programme of talks. As part of our Constitution, we have an AGM, with reports and elections, and twelve committee members hold a formal role. Last year the Chair and Treasurers were elected for a two year term, but all other posts are up for election this year at the AGM, on Wednesday 20 May. We are urgently looking for some fresh faces to stand for election and join us. However, there is one vital role that must be filled, or we cannot legally continue after the AGM. That is the role of Secretary: Janet Moody has carried out this important role for six years, and will be standing down in May. She is more than happy to talk to anyone who is interested, to explain what it involves, and to offer the chance to shadow her over the next few months. So as we say a huge ‘Thank You’ to everyone who has contributed towards the running of Romsey & District U3A over the last year, please will you think seriously about offering your time and knowledge and come and join us ‘behind the scenes’. We really DO NEED YOU! Janet Payne
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News from around the Groups Travel Group (1) Thursford: The Ultimate Christmas Musical Experience Never heard of Thursford’s Christmas show? It’s been going for forty three years, on a site in the village that started out as an agricultural museum. Grandpa Cushing collected steam-engined farm machinery, threshers, harvesters, road-rollers, etc. that were being replaced by tractors. Somehow the museum evolved into a Christmas variety extravaganza run by the Cushing family. The audience came from all over Britain by car and coach and every performance was packed. So where is Thursford? Find Fakenham in North Norfolk, go east past Little Snoring and there you are, on narrow country lanes in the dark. (Editor: - or you could use a map!)
Credit: Google Maps
Our Travel Group joined a Luckett’s coach in late November for a three day trip to Norfolk, with an evening show at Thursford. It took nearly a day to travel from Romsey to our hotel near Diss on the Suffolk–Norfolk border. Next day we were taken for a morning visit to Norwich. Some members disappeared into the wonderful variety of shops, others visited the cathedral and one even marvelled at the Castle Keep, which had a lovely set of garderobes! Back to the hotel for lunch, then we were off to find Thursford. It was ‘black out’ darkness when we reached the aforementioned country lanes. A right-hand turn somewhere and then a million LED lights: on trees, gardens, buildings, fountains. Hurrah, Thursford! (And no turkeys were harmed either!!) We set to work to see the attractions. The Big Shop had nice upmarket Christmas stuff, but it was the building called Winter Wonderland, with a Santa Chalet, that astounded us. It was so 4
big there was only one way round, like Ikea. It was Disney gone to heaven, with animatronic animals, snow, Santas, elves, more snow; the only exhibits that didn’t move were the old steam engines parked at one end. The mulled wine afterwards was most welcome.
Finally we made it to our seats in the auditorium. The show lasted for three hours with an interval. We all agreed that you couldn’t do it justice by describing the music, precision dancing, circus acts, choirs, orchestra, bands, lighting, costumes, etc; so you will have to go and find out for yourselves. It is truly spectacular! So, do spend a day in Norwich before you discover Thursford, but BOOK NOW! Brenda Purdie
(2) New Year Celebrations in Cambridgeshire Monday 30 December saw 13 enthusiastic party-goers heading off on the (now) annual New Year’s Eve celebration trip – this time with Luckett’s staying in the 4-star Marriott Hotel at Huntingdon.
Following various pick-ups we mustered at Fareham and the coach set off, with our coffee/lunch stop being Windsor, the castle bathed in sunshine and the town thronging with tourists. Onwards to our hotel with pleasant comfortable rooms, and our customary gathering for drinks prior to a delicious three course dinner. Tuesday found most of us in Cambridge where, despite all the Colleges being closed, we found plenty to do, with many of us taking the “Hop on – Hop off City Sightseeing” bus tour round the city. We admired the Corpus Clock on the front of the Taylor Library at Corpus Christi College. A very large and bizarre clock designed to make you fear the incessant ticking away of each moment on earth. It’s less a clock and more of an art piece (although apparently it is accurate every once in a while). The 5
marvellously creepy insect straddling it appears to ‘eat’ time – a reminder that we don’t have as much of it left as we think. We visited Heffer’s famous bookshop – a rabbit warren of literature. Here you can feed your inner bookworm until it blossoms into a beautiful butterfly - the oddly named book shop where browsing and buying are both a pleasure. And a couple of us indulged in a Chelsea Bun at Fitzbillies in Trumpington Street. If you haven't tried these world famous sticky treats then you're seriously missing out!! Then it was back to the hotel to glam-up for the main event! The evening started with bubbly in our room (photographic evidence supplied!!) Then more bubbly at the hotel reception followed by a delicious 5 course dinner rounded off by coffee and chocolates! Plenty of music and dancing – unable to handle the pace, some retired early!!! But at least 2 of us were on the dance floor at the witching hour and celebrated with even more bubbly!!!! Thank goodness for a leisurely start the next day, and a drive to Ely and a visit to the magnificent cathedral (the Ship of the Fens), the quaint town and the river. Thursday saw us returning home with a leisurely stop at the Polhill Garden Centre, where many successful purchases were wrangled onto the coach.
Happy New Year everyone!!
Janet Moody
Music Appreciation Music Appreciation group has a new coordinator: Michael Perfect. If you are interested in the group’s activities he may be contacted by phone: 01794 513606 or via email: mjperfect@talktalk.net 6
SHORT DAY TRIPS (1) TOUR OF WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL : 31 OCTOBER 2019 For this visit members made their own way to Winchester and we met at the Cathedral entrance. It was a chilly day but inside the Cathedral it was warm and inviting. Winchester Cathedral welcomes 300,000 visitors annually, including pilgrims, tourists, families and groups from across the country and overseas. We, of course, were very local! Once assembled, we were split into two groups for our guided tour and the Cathedral was brought to life as we discovered more about one of the finest medieval cathedrals in Europe, with its captivating history and magnificent architecture. Our experienced guides pointed out some of the most treasured artefacts, told some of their favourite stories and gave a general overview of the Cathedral’s history, making the visit really special. We learned, amongst other things, about the symbolism in some of the chantry chapels, the story of St Swithun and Jane Austen’s association with Winchester and her subsequent burial in the Cathedral. Following our visit, some of the group took the opportunity to spend more time at leisure in Winchester, finding somewhere nice for lunch, perhaps visiting one of the many other museums or shopping! Others simply made their way home straightaway. Kay Lovell
Holy Sepulchre Chapel
Listening attentively
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The Crypt
(2) SOUTHAMPTON SEACITY MUSEUM : 28 NOVEMBER 2019 November weather is rarely clement so we had arranged an indoor visit! Because this was close to home and easy to get to by car or on public transport, members made their own way to the rendezvous in the foyer of SeaCity Museum.
We were in for a treat because in one of the lecture rooms in the Education Corridor we enjoyed an introductory presentation. It was entitled Coins, Cruises & Coppers and delivered by Andy Skinner, one of the Learning Team at the Museum. He told us about Southampton’s long history from pre-Roman times through to the present day and we learnt how Southampton’s location puts it in a prime position for trading abroad. We learned so much more about its maritime history than just its association with RMS Titanic. We also discovered that the part of the Civic Centre, which now houses the SeaCity Museum, used to be the Central Police Station and Law Courts. The WC facilities are, in fact, ex-prisoner cells! Following our lecture, we enjoyed a very reasonably priced and tasty light lunch, after which we were free, at leisure, to visit any or all of the Permanent Exhibitions: Southampton’s Titanic Story, Gateway to the World and Southampton Stories. Kay Lovell
SeaCity Museum
Gateway to the World
Prisoner Cells
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(3) LUNCH ! Based on last year’s very positive comments, Short Day Trips once again took a VERY short trip to Ampfield Golf Club, on 23 January. There was on offer a delicious 3-course lunch, well-presented & served by friendly, helpful staff. Judging by the constant buzz of chattering voices and the smiling faces at each table, everyone enjoyed being able to relax with a drink, good food and pleasant conversation with old friends or new acquaintances. This year we were privileged to have Jane Dunning choosing to celebrate her 90th birthday with us. To mark the occasion she received a card and small gift and those present sang the traditional birthday song. Also, we thanked Anne Scarborough for all her work in setting up Short Day Trips and keeping it running for nearly 6 years, before taking a step back at the end of 2019. As a token of gratitude from all the members, she was presented with a beautiful, large arrangement of yellow, blue and white flowers. Most of the time Short Day Trips concentrates on fulfilling the Third Age Trust’s commitment to education but it is nice, once or twice a year, to embrace the associated aim of promoting social interaction. The group co-ordinators would like to thank all 55 of you, who attended and contributed to the happy, relaxed atmosphere. Our commiserations go to the 4 people who had booked but, on the day, were not well enough to attend. We are all looking forward to another year of outings together. Gill Hodge
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Is there interest in forming an Opera group? Opera has been described as being the most irrational of the arts, in which people sing all the time, usually in a language nobody understands and often can’t hear anyway --- in which the heroine invariably takes half an hour to die while the tenor shows off. Yet when it works, the combination of music, the human voice, the drama, costumes, lighting and staging have the power to touch the human soul and to work a magic on the emotions in a way no other art form can. That is opera and that is why it has attracted the greatest composers and why, today, so many want to write it. Michael Ward, a Romsey resident, fell under the opera spell at a very early age. He wonders whether there might be interest within Romsey U3A in forming a group to explore the highways and byways of opera. If you think you might enjoy such a group please contact him by email at meward@virginmedia.com. He will also attend a desk at the February and March U3A general meetings. There are many ways an opera group might develop; the important thing is what do Romsey U3A members want? If sufficient interest is expressed, a preliminary meeting will be held to establish the direction of the proposed new group. Margaret Marchbank
French 2 There are 3 vacancies at present for our French group and we would welcome some new members. We use a bi-monthly magazine (Intermediate level) together with other materials often gathered from French tourist offices or magazines, plus short articles from French Internet sites. Occasionally we have expert help from a retired French professor. Our meeting time is Monday afternoons, fortnightly, 2 till 4pm. Please contact Liz Gill on 07726 716343 phone or text. 10
Relationship with Archway U3A There are so many reasons for appreciating life in, or in proximity to, Romsey. If asked to make a list, we’d probably each produce a different one. Would Romsey & District U3A be on your list? Would Romsey Archway be on your list as well? Did you, in fact, realise there are two U3As in Romsey?
Whilst Romsey Archway U3A might be thought of as our little sibling, having existed for less than 3 years, it has grown fast and is now fully mature with over 300 members. In its early days with a limited number of groups we were pleased to help Archway grow by allowing their members to attend our interest groups without charge. Now, whilst wanting to retain this special relationship, we’d like to build a new relationship with them for the benefit of both and, particularly, for the benefit of all members and potential new members.
As a result changes have been agreed, with reciprocal effect, and therefore, from April 2020:
Where any of our groups are short of members we will, if the group wants, be able to advertise our group to Archway members and vice versa. Where any proposed new group has insufficient numbers to make it viable we will ask if Archway has members who would like to join it. Where we have similar groups, we encourage respective group leaders to share ideas, join together for particular speaker events, have competitions, etc. When you join Archway as a 2nd U3A you will benefit from a discount of £3.50 on their normal membership of £15 so that you don’t pay the National U3A (Trust) capitation twice. The combined membership fees would therefore be £21.50 and provide access to over 90 groups.
One of the advantages of the new arrangement is that if for example you want to play Bridge, but have other commitments on Wednesday afternoons when our Bridge group meets, you could play Bridge with Archway (subject of course to any number restrictions) on a Friday.
Romsey Archway and Romsey & District U3A : endless possibilities! 11
Interest Groups News 1. Geography & Geology: This new group had its inaugural meeting on 21 January. It was agreed the regular meeting time would be the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 2pm, venue to be Carers Together (for the first three months on a trial basis). A further planning meeting will take place on Tuesday 18 February at the Comrades Club at 2pm to put together a programme of events for the next few months. 2. Music Appreciation has reformed and has a new coordinator: Michael Perfect. All details about the group can be gained from Michael (contact details in this magazine and on the website) or from Margaret & Jo in the annex on the groups desk. 3. Opera: see separate article.
4. Table Tennis Improvers: the coordinator of this group has changed from Susan Shorter to Juliet Austin. We would like to thank Susan for running the group successfully for the last few years and wish Juliet good luck for the future development of the group. 5. Netball: if anyone is interested in playing netball, Romsey Archway U3A need some new blood in their group. “We are a friendly group that meets on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month from 10.30 to 11.30am. At the moment we play outdoors at Southampton Sports Centre. Lifts are available for anyone without transport. Please contact the leader of the group via Romsey Archway website or at clare_fisher@live.com. All abilities welcome.� NB You will need to join Romsey Archway U3A as well as our U3A. 6. Proposal for a new group: Strategy Board Games: these are very popular at the moment and are fun, interactive and challenging e.g. Ticket to Ride, Diplomacy, Carcassonne, Catan, Brass, Civilisation etc. It is envisaged that there would be groups of 3 to 6 people playing these. Please sign up in the annex, if interested. Interest Group Coordination Team Jo Morgan : 01794 514134 Margaret Marchbank : margaretmarchbank@btinternet.com
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News from around the Groups continued Architecture & Local History Our November meeting featured a talk given by Ian Clark on the links between Romsey Abbey and Broadlands which go back over a thousand years. He gave us a comprehensive history of both places. Originally, Broadlands ‘Brode Lands’ was part of the Abbey estates and was sold in 1544 after the dissolution. The estate had several owners including the St Barbe family. There is a memorial to the family in the Abbey: the St Barbe Monument dedicated to John and Griselle St Barbe who died within hours of each other in 1658. They are depicted with their four children, only three of whom were alive at the time. In 1736 Broadlands was sold to Henry Temple, the first Viscount Palmerston, and has remained in the family to the present day. His grandson was responsible for bringing in Capability Brown and Henry Holland to transform the estate and convert the original Jacobean manor house into the present Palladian style mansion. Several memorial plaques to family members such as Flaxman's memorial to the second Viscount Palmerston and his wife can be found in the Abbey. Prime Minister, the 3 rd Viscount Palmerston, who inherited Broadlands in 1802 formed a close friendship with Romsey’s Vicar, the Revd E L Berthon and supported some of his restoration projects. Some of the stainedglass windows also have links to Broadlands.
In 1865 a memorial service was held for Lord Palmerston the Prime Minister who, on the orders of Queen Victoria, was buried in Westminster Abbey. In more recent times Lord Mountbatten has been buried in the Abbey. His standards hang in the west of the Abbey. Ian gave many more examples of the links between the 13
Abbey and Broadlands in what was a very informative talk.
The December meeting involved planning for the year ahead helped along with a quiz and festive nibbles. Peter Lawrie kindly chaired the meeting at short notice. Several questions in the quiz related to our previous visits, some members struggling to recall the answers! Votes were taken on possible visits for 2020 suggestions included Basing House, Netley Chapel and Abbey and Alresford. In January, group member Alan Whittaker, gave a fascinating talk on the German Occupation of the Channel Islands. He explained how in 1940 Churchill had decided that the Islands should remain undefended and demilitarised. Many islanders left but for those who remained, the German occupation saw a relatively peaceful, albeit strict, regime - a curfew was imposed and radios were banned. Unfortunately, supply chains were cut off and both the German army and the local people suffered extreme hardship. The Red Cross did not arrive until 1944. The Germans fortified the islands by building underground tunnels and hospitals: local workers ‘donkeys’ were used as labour alongside many, mainly Eastern European, prisoners of war. Many interesting original examples of documents issued by the Germans were displayed including ID cards. Permits were required for everything including fuel, fishing and even tree felling. Many islanders were deported at short notice to camps in Germany where, ironically, conditions were better than at home. The Germans introduced their own Channel Island stamps and
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examples were shown of how envelopes were reused several times as paper was short. The talk finished with information about two families, one couple who had come to the islands for their honeymoon and had to stay for five years and another that had been separated when the husband was deported. Alan's vast collection of memorabilia helped to make the subject come alive. Shirley Rogers
Bridge - Romsey & District and Archway meet and compete! The Romsey U3A Bridge for Improvers and Archway Beginners Bridge groups met recently for an afternoon of ‘friendly’ bridge. The group from Romsey has been playing now for nearly 2 years, having started as novices, and meet each Wednesday afternoon at The Comrades Club. The Archway group started up 9 months ago, and it was agreed that it would be good to meet and enjoy some friendly competition. The afternoons’ play was competitive, ending up with wins for both sides. But it was enjoyed by all, leaving us all feeling it would be good to do it again. Should anyone be interested in joining our group, please see the Website for contact details. We are always happy to welcome new members, no partner needed. Some prior experience is necessary, but we run an informal session where you would have the opportunity to refresh your skills. Lindsey Dunford
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Wine Appreciation The U3A Wine Group’s Christmas festivities were held at Carers Together on 12 December. An assortment of sweet and savoury nibbles with the chance of tasting at least 20 wines over the evening. After a brief chat from our leader it was agreed that the Christmas cracker jokes would come later in the evening after everyone had a chance of a drink or two!
Our largest group on any evening this year worked their way through the food, with wine in hand and the conversation flowing well. 8.30pm and it was now time to bring out the cracker jokes (which got a number of boo’s and hiss’s) but I think they enjoyed, for example: “I received a Christmas card with rice in it.... I think it must be from my Uncle Ben”. The evening finished with the whole group being involved in the singing of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” accompanied by all of the actions. It was a wonderful way to finish an awesome evening and year. Happy New Year. Derek Morley
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Geography and Geology Members interested in forming a Geography and Geology Group had their first meeting on the afternoon of Tuesday 21 January.
Those present agreed that future meetings will be held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 2pm. Whilst the next meeting will be held in the Comrades Club, the regular venue is yet to be decided. Meetings will last 2 hours including a refreshment break. As with other similar groups, meetings in the winter months are likely to consist of discussions, talks, some based on on-line or DVD based material, while the summer months would be for outings and visits to local places of relevance. Where possible, meetings and visits will include both geography and geology so that one subject doesn't get 'lost' in the other. Members of the group will be encouraged to contribute to the programme of events with a short talk on a particular topic or theme or by organising a visit.
Members expressed their interest in a broad range of aspects of geography and geology including: world geography; the economic, agricultural, industrial and social structures of countries; environmental issues; local geography/geology (visits to museums, places of interest, specialist subjects e.g. surveying, mining, map-making, etc.) The group is open to more members. If you are interested please come along on Tuesday 18 February at 2pm in the Committee Room of the Comrades Club. Dave Lovell
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STROLLERS Do you have a favourite walk you could share with other members of this group? Our walks will begin again on Wednesday 11 March with a stroll through Tadburn Meadows - watch your e-mails for details. Walks will then continue on the fourth Friday and second Wednesday of each month. It has been suggested that the Wednesday walks should be mainly short strolls in or around Romsey, perhaps using a bus. Friday walks could be further afield and slightly longer.
We've walked round Fishlake Nature Reserve, and along the canal and through the Abbotswood Nature Reserve, using the bus to return to the town. Further afield, we've enjoyed walks on Canada Common and the New Forest, car sharing where possible. If you no longer wish to be a member of Strollers please let Sandra know at sandra.vines@btinternet.com, 01794 511253 or Cecily at cecandjon@hotmail.co.uk. We look forward to seeing you on a walk soon. Sandra, Cecily and John
If you are not on e-mail, but wish to be kept informed of the programme, please let Sandra have some stamped-addressed envelopes.
Newsletter Team Contacts Please send copy for the MAY newsletter to:
Dave Lovell : 01794 515316
news.copy@romseyu3a.org.uk The deadline is Friday 24 April 2020 but please send any copy as soon as you have it! Other newsletter queries to: romseyu3anews@gmail.com 18
ROMSEY AND DISTRICT U3A
COMMITTEE, 2020 – 2021 This year, we have vacancies for Vice Chairman, Secretary and 8 more Committee Members and we must receive nominations for all these vacancies. Why not give it a try? As you know, each U3A is autonomous and self-supporting, run by the members for the members. We are indebted to you if you already give your service but there is still a vast pool of untapped talent, experience and ideas from which we could all benefit. Ask for more details if you would like to know what it involves! Please contact our retiring Secretary: Janet Moody : 01794 517589.
Our U3A needs you! 2020-21 RENEWAL FORM You will be sent a Renewal Form along with this newsletter, either by e-mail or post. It is a 2-page document and does need signing on the second page. Please fill it in as carefully as you can, so that we have your current, correct details for membership records. We are asking for Emergency Contact details (eg next of kin, friend or neighbour), which will only be used in an emergency.
The sections about paying your subscription, and if you belong to another U3A, are important as this determines how much you pay. Standing Orders can take eight weeks to set up but if you would like to pay this way in future years, please ask for a form. We hope you have already signed up to Gift Aid your own subscription if you are a tax payer (or please ask for a form) but do also remember to let us know if you no longer qualify. If you have any queries, please contact Membership: membership@romseyu3a.org.uk 01794 501040 19
ROMSEY & DISTRICT U3A ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Romsey & District U3A will be held in
Crosfield Hall, Romsey on Wednesday 20 May 2020 commencing at 10.30am. AGENDA 1. Minutes of the AGM held on Wednesday 15 May 2019. 2. Matters arising from the minutes. 3. Chairman's report. 4. Treasurer's report. 5. Secretary's report. 6. Election of Committee: Vice Chairman Secretary
Committee Members (8) 7. Other Appointments: Newsletter Team Representative
Web Master Examiner of Accounts 8. A.O.B.
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MINUTES OF ROMSEY & DISTRICT U3A ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 15 May 2019 1. ATTENDANCE: 136 members + 4 Visitors present (total 140) 2. APOLOGIES: Had been received from: Kay and David Lovell, Ron and Irene Maidment, Celia Moretti, David Thwaites and Chris Webster. 3. MINUTES of AGM held on 16 May 2018 : Members unanimously approved the minutes of the AGM of 16th May 2018. Proposed by: Bob Wren, Seconded by Diane Duval. The Chairman signed them as a correct record. There were no matters arising from the minutes. 4. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT: Marion Fowler Marion said it had been a real privilege to be the Chairman and to see how our U3A had developed over the last four years. It had been a very challenging time for the committee with the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulations, the changes in the Charity Commission regulations and the move to the Beacon database, which had involved a lot of work by the Membership Secretary, Brenda Sennett, supported by Carole Cox.
The most difficult decision had been to close our membership in May 2017 and to start a waiting list because the numbers attending the monthly meeting in the Crosfield Hall almost reached the Fire Regulation limit. However, during that time the new and now successful Romsey Archway U3A had started. So something good came out of a difficult decision. During her time as Chairman, our membership had doubled to over 800. Marion was particularly pleased to see the increase in new interest groups with the active involvement of members. Marion thanked various members involved in running our U3A, including Brenda Sennett and Jean Stone who had been extremely busy dealing with renewals of membership and entering the information on the Beacon database. Also Mike Koscian the Beacon Administrator and Carole Cox who is shadowing his work. After being in post for 4 years, Janet Payne is retiring as Treasurer. Marion thanked Janet for her hard work in keeping our many accounts running smoothly. Also Ron Maidment for his work on the busy Number 3 account, which is a separate account for visits, theatre and travel and involves quite large sums of money. Marion thanked the Secretary, Janet Moody, for her support and for keeping the committee in touch with The Third Age Trust. Marion thanked Ann Jackson who had once again found some excellent speakers on a wide variety of subjects for our monthly meetings. Ann had also organised the very successful Interest Day “Why Britain looks as it does” with Andrew Davies. Ann has decided to step down as Programme Organiser, which means we need a volunteer for this important role. Marion thanked Chris Webster for stepping in for the time being while Ann was in hospital. The Interest Groups are the life blood of our U3A, helping everyone to learn new
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things, contributing to others learning and to making new friends. Marion thanked the Interest Group Coordinators, Jo Morgan and Margaret Marchbank, for their work in starting new interest groups. Marion also thanked the many interest group leaders. Marion thanked David Thwaites who looks after the website and keeps it up to date. Interest Group leaders are encouraged to keep in touch with David and ensure their group information is updated. Marion thanked Glenda Taylor and the newsletter team for their work in producing and distributing an interesting newsletter, keeping members up to date with all the events organised by our U3A. Thanks also went to Mike Driscoll for emailing the newsletter. The rest of the committee, Liz Holloway, Elaine Rockell and Chris Webster had all contributed tremendously to the running of our U3A and Marion thanked them for their help. Thanks were extended to the “Meeters & Greeters”, organised by Mary Greggains, who perform an important role at our monthly meetings, welcoming members and visitors to our U3A. Lois Dare and Margaret Eades and their team of helpers were thanked for providing tea and coffee at our monthly meetings. Jo Morgan and her team were thanked for organising the food and drink on special occasions such as our Christmas meeting, Interest Day and our 20th Anniversary celebration. Finally, Marion thanked Roger Hunt for his technical support and Bob Wren for organising the Crosfield Hall for the monthly meetings. Marion closed by thanking Ann Jackson and Chris Webster who are retiring from the committee this year, and sending her best wishes to everyone. 5. TREASURER’S REPORT: Janet Payne The Treasurer presented her Report to the meeting in detail. The Current Account Balance stood at £1566.15 with the Deposit Account balance at £6273.30 giving a healthy total balance of £7771.76. The annual membership fee will remain at £10.00. Our accounts are examined by an Accountant. Members unanimously accepted the report and accounts. Proposed by : Colin Moretti, Seconded by Sandra Vines. 6. SECRETARY’S REPORT: Janet Moody This had been another busy year for the committee and attendance at Committee Meetings had been excellent. The necessary procedures and paperwork had been properly completed during the past year, including another amendment to our Constitution. Several current and future members have attended special workshops on the new Finance Procedures, on Interest Groups, and also on Internet Safety and Privacy. Some are national workshops organised by the umbrella organisation The Third Age Trust, others organised by the local U3A network, of which R&DU3A is a member.
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The “Admin” section of our website now contains remote password protected access to the Beacon database, which is helpful to Group Leaders who can use it to send emails to their members, as well as keep track of the group’s finances. It is also the place for members to read our policies - currently General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and Safeguarding. The recent 20th anniversary celebrations were another wonderful landmark for R&DU3A, and the organising group (Marion, Jo, Liz, Glenda, Brenda, Janet M) and helpers (Jean, Iris, Gill, Mary, Christine, Bob, Mike and Jane) were thanked for a happy, memorable event. 7. ELECTION OF OFFICERS: The Chairman and Treasurer had both completed a 4 year term, and were standing down. The post of Vice-Chairman is still vacant, as is the post of Programme Secretary. Janet Moody has one year of a 2 year term still to serve. Janet Payne had offered to become Chairman, and Gill Hodge and Jane Rogers have kindly offered to become joint Treasurers. Ann Jackson and Chris Webster were retiring. The rest of the Committee were due for re-election. Nomination forms for Committee had been received as follows: Officers: Chairman: Joint Treasurers: Membership Secretary: Interest Group Co-ordination
Committee Members: Elizabeth Holloway Ron Maidment Co-opted Members:
Janet Payne Gill Hodge and Jane Rogers Brenda Sennett Jo Morgan
Mike Koscian Elaine Rockell
David Lovell Jean Stone
Glenda Taylor David Thwaites Carol Cox
Newsletter Editor Webmaster Beacon database
There being no further nominations, the meeting voted unanimously for the committee en bloc. Proposed by Jane Hargreaves, Seconded by Lois Dare. 9. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Jane Hargreaves warmly thanked Marion for her chairmanship over the four past years. Chairmanship involves a great deal of work, and Jane thanked Marion for all she had done over the years. Marion replied saying it had been a privilege to be involved with such a wonderful organisation. MEETING CLOSED at 11.10am followed by a presentation by The Countess Mountbatten Hospice.
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Logs to Burn Oak logs will warm you well, If they're old and dry. Larch logs of pinewoods smell But the sparks will fly. Beech logs for Christmas time; Yew logs heat well; ‘Scotch’ logs it is a crime For anyone to sell. Birch logs will burn too fast; Chestnut scarce at all; Hawthorn logs are good to last If cut in the fall. Holly logs will burn like wax, You should burn them green; Elm logs like smouldering flax, No flame to be seen. Pear logs and apple logs, They will scent your room; Cherry logs across the dogs Smell like flowers in bloom, But ash logs all smooth and grey Burn them green or old, Buy up all that come your way They're worth their weight in gold. Sheila King (Sound advice based on 15 years of having a log burner!) 24