CHARD, ILMINSTER & DISTRICT
 University of the Third Age (U3A)

Newspaper editors often change the articles that are sent to them, and our local press is no different! So what is shown here is what actually appeared in the papers, not necessarily what we sent them. Articles that were substantially changed are indicated *, while for minor changes our submitted words are given in square brackets after the altered text.
 

Chard, Ilminster & District U3A enjoyed a Christmas lunch at Chard Guildhall [on December 19], members taking along food to share in a buffet.
     During lunch, a quiz based on posters of the 1950s and earlier brought back childhood memories for many. After lunch the Play Reading Group entertained members with its hilarious alternative version of Cinderella. The U3A committee recited limericks, some of a risqué nature, to round off proceedings.
     Some of the subject groups also held their own Christmas lunches.
The U3A is committed to providing enjoyment as well as learning in people's 'third age'.
     Normal monthly meetings of the U3A resume on January 16 (2pm) at Chard Guildhall when Roy Cooney will give a talk called 'The Cutting Edge'. Mr Cooney is a renowned local artist who specialises in etchings and his talk will describe the tools and techniques used in the art form.
     Visitors and new members are most welcome. For more information about the U3A, phone chairman Brian Harper on 01460-52994.
 

'Engraver is in demand'

At their monthly meeting in Chard Guildhall on 16th January, members of Chard, Ilminster & District U3A (University of the Third Age) were treated to a fascinating talk on engraving techniques by local artist Roy Cooney.
     Mr Cooney, who specialises in copperplate engraving and printmaking, described the tools and techniques used in this highly-skilled and traditional art-form, showing in particular how it differs from etching.

     After explaining the whole process from incising the design onto copper to inking and printing, Mr Cooney went on to display a breathtaking set of slides of his own work, which ranged from beautiful wildlife scenes to heraldic designs.

     Miniatures were a speciality, some literally as small as a thumbnail, and it came as no surprise to learn that Roy’s work has been exhibited at numerous national exhibitions and that he is in great demand for bookplates and other commissioned work.

     It was good to welcome several visitors and new members to the meeting, and it is hoped to see them at the next monthly meeting on Monday 20th February in Chard Guildhall at 2pm.

     Brian Turner will give an illustrated talk on recent exciting developments in the locally-sponsored Project Romania.

     For more details about the U3A please contact the chairman Brian Harper on 01460-52994. 
 

'Homeward bound...'

The Rambling Group of Chard, Ilminster & District U3A enjoyed a walk with a difference on February 4.

     First there was a stroll around Chard, visiting several places of historical and geographical interest. This provided welcome reminders of the town’s rich industrial heritage and less-known byways.

     Then, instead of the usual pub lunch, the group trekked between members’ houses in the town, stopping off for each part of a three-course lunch. [Unfortunately the bitterly cold day meant that anyone who lingered overlong to read the numerous blue plaques around the town risked turning a similar colour, but] everyone agreed that the venture was a success and that similar ones should be arranged in the future.

     The U3A will hold its annual meeting [AGM] at the monthly meeting on Monday March 20.

     Nominations for committee members and any motions for the annual meeting [AGM] should be given to the secretary Iris Leake by Friday February 24. 

     Nomination forms will be available with the newsletter at the next monthly meeting, which is in Chard Guildhall on February 20, 2pm – 4pm.

     Anyone who cannot attend that meeting should contact Iris on 01460-221678.
 

It may come as a surprise to many that we have a university in our midst. Known as the University of the Third Age (U3A for short), it offers a wide range of learning, practical and social activities for people no longer in full-time employment.
     The U3A is actually an international network of universities. It started in this country 24 years ago, and it has proved so popular that there are now more than 570 groups across the country, with a rising membership presently counted at 150,000+. [This area alone has a dozen or so separate U3A groups and no one needs to travel more than a few miles to get to one.]
     Each U3A is largely autonomous and runs a number of special interest groups in which members meet together (either in their homes or rented halls) to further their knowledge of a subject. [There are no entry qualifications, no exams, and no compulsion to do any more study than members want to. The subjects are by no means all ‘academic’.] Activities on offer at local U3As include rambling, table tennis, folk dancing and board games. Those looking for something more serious can try, among other things, history, philosophy, Shakespeare, science, etymology and various languages.
     [This month is ‘National U3A Awareness Month’. The aim of this is to raise the profile of the U3A with both the general public and institutions such as the government, media, health authorities and so on.]
     With people living longer than ever, and many alternative sources of part-time study feeling the financial pinch, the U3A has a vital role to play in promoting healthy minds and bodies with the passing years.
     It’s remarkably cheap too. Most U3As ask members to pay a modest annual subscription (usually about £12 - £15) plus a few pence for each session attended. All told it’s a wonderful low-cost way for retired people to keep mind and body active and at the same time have fun and meet friends.
     U3As in or near this area include Chard, Ilminster & District, Crewkerne & District, Bridport, Lyme Regis, Sherborne, Somerton, Yeovil, Dorchester, Weymouth and Honiton.  Details of contact names and phone numbers can be found on the [national] U3A website (www.u3a.org.uk) or at your local library.

 (Note: this article does not specifically mention our U3A, but it was submitted by us, together with a photo of one of our groups which unfortunately was not printed)
 

'Praise for chairman'
 

Chard, Ilminster & District U3A (University of the Third Age) welcomed the Mayor of Ilminster, Councillor Norman Campbell, to preside over their annual meeting on March 20.

     Mr Campbell spoke of the key role of the U3A in maintaining healthy minds and bodies, and went on to praise the enormous contribution to the organisation made by retiring Chairman Brian Harper.

     Later there was fulsome praise for two other stalwarts who retired from the committee after many years’ service – vice-chair Iris Leake and former chairman Janet Brown. The new committee was agreed and will appoint officers at their first meeting.

     The meeting also approved a proposal to keep the annual subscription fee at £12, with 50p for each meeting attended.

     The annual meeting was followed by a thought-provoking talk by Jan Coppinger of the Chard Healthy Living Centre. Jan stressed the importance of preventative measures, especially given the increasing costs of funding the NHS.

     She outlined the innovative work of the centre, which promotes numerous ideas for improving people’s lifestyles, from meditation and yoga techniques to flower essence and bio-feedback.

     The next monthly meeting of the U3A will be on Monday April 10 at Chard Guildhall (2 to 4pm), when Sue Alexander will give a talk on Organic Food and will address the question ‘Do we know what we eat?’

     Members are reminded that this meeting is a week earlier than normal, so as to avoid the Easter Monday bank holiday.

     Visitors and new members will be most welcome.
 

'Language Skills'
 

One of the popular features of Chard, Ilminster & District U3A (University of the Third Age) is the range of foreign language conversational courses on offer. 

     Currently the U3A has French, German and Italian groups, and if there is sufficient interest it is proposed to start a Spanish group.

     An important U3A philosophy is that members share their knowledge with other members, which means that the organisation is able to offer these opportunities to practise language skills for a fraction of the price of college and commercial courses.

     The U3A wants to [will be pleased to] hear from anyone [(whether an existing U3A member or not)] who is interested in joining a Spanish conversation group.

     The next monthly meeting of the U3A will be on Monday May 15 at 2pm at Chard Guildhall, when Anna Sutherland will give a talk entitled ‘A Choice of Words’. New members and visitors will be most welcome.

     For details of the full range of study and other opportunities offered by the U3A, please contact the Chairman Sue Smith on 01460-68462 or Vice-Chair Alan Bamber on 01460-234041.

'Actor in strong voice'
 

Members of Chard, Ilminster & District U3A were richly entertained at their May meeting when actor/raconteur Anna Sutherland was the visiting speaker.

    A lesser speaker might have struggled, with the normal amplification equipment in Chard Guildhall unavailable, but Anna’s skill and professional experience ensured that those in the back row heard every word, and everyone greatly enjoyed her amusing and at times touching performance.

     Anna spoke warmly of people whom she had met and been influenced by in her acting and teaching career. These included the great Joyce Grenfell - and an amusing monologue by Anna was in the best traditions of Grenfell’s art.

     The next monthly meeting of the U3A will be a [cold-buffet] lunch in the Guildhall on Monday June 19 at 12 noon. Members are asked to take along a plate of food, savoury or sweet, for [to place on] the buffet table. The normal 50p entry fee will apply, and everyone is [all are] invited to attend.

     New members and visitors are also welcome. For more details of the U3A, please ring the Chairman Sue Smith on 01460-68462 or Vice-Chairman Alan Bamber on 01460-234041. 

'Buffet lunch for U3A'

The June monthly meeting of Chard, Ilminster & District U3A took the form of a buffet lunch at Chard Guildhall.
     Members brought along copious amounts food to share and the central buffet table looked a fine sight, enhanced by a lovely flower arrangement by Maggie Darby. Also on display was a splendid basket of fruit, plus gift voucher, generously donated for the monthly raffle by Barleymow’s Farm Shop, Chard.

     The next monthly meeting of the U3A will be on Monday 17 July at Chard Guildhall. The meeting will revert to the normal pattern, with a 2pm start and a visiting speaker, who will be Derek Warren talking about artificial limbs. Visitors and new members will be most welcome.

     More details of the U3A may be obtained from the chairman Sue Smith on 01460-68462 or vice chairman Alan Bamber on 01460-234041.

   Gillingham is famous for his pioneering work [in the] creating and fitting [of] artificial limbs, becoming, [as Derrick explained], the country’s leading practitioner in the 19th century. With his expert knowledge of medicine and anatomy, he was notable for the meticulous individual fitting and aftercare afforded to every patient.

   In the aftermath of the First World War, the demand for new limbs saw people go to [making for] Gilligham’s premises in Chard from all parts of the country.

   Mr [Derrick] Warren went on the describe Gillingham’s other inventions. These included a wide range of instruments, from walking frames and various medical aids, to inflatable life jackets and heated table tops.

   It was an absorbing and instructive talk to finish the season’s monthly meetings, which start [up] again in September. [In the meantime] several of the subject groups continue to meet throughout the summer.

   More information about the U3A may be obtained from chairman Sue Smith on 01460-68462 or vice-chairman Alan Bamber on 01460-234041.

'Variety spice of later life'
 

Chard, Ilminster & District U3A (University of the Third Age) offers 30 different subject  activities of interest to people no longer in full-time employment. These range from study pursuits such as foreign languages to practical activities such as rambling and bird watching. [In addition there is] a monthly meeting at Chard Guildhall [which] is open to all members.

     The next meeting is on Monday 18th September at 2pm, and will feature a talk by Colin Dean entitled ‘Your Place in History’.  Visitors and prospective new members will be most welcome.

     For more details of the U3A please contact the chairman Sue Smith on 01460-68462 or take a look at the website at www.chardilminsteru3A.org.uk.

U3A4U?
 

It is surprising to find that many local people remain unaware of the benefits of joining the U3A (University of the Third Age). This vibrant organisation offers retired people the chance to explore a whole range of different activities, providing vital mental and physical stimulation with the passing years. Chard, Ilminster & District U3A offers around 30 subjects, varying from practical and social activities such as rambling, bird watching, calligraphy and art, to more ‘intellectual’ subjects such as history, languages, religion and philosophy. Members can join as many of these subject groups as they wish, and all for an annual subscription of £12 and just 50p for each session attended! Most subjects are offered during the daytime.
    Perhaps the word ‘university’ puts some people off, so it’s worth stating that there are no entry requirements and no exams to take. Interested? Give Chairman Sue Smith a ring on 01460-68462, or take a look at the website www.chardilminsteru3a.org.uk.  If Chard & Ilminster is not convenient, there are several other branches of the U3A in Somerset, including Crewkerne, Bridgwater, Yeovil and Taunton.

'Members encouraged to share their life's experiences'
 

The speaker at the September meeting of Chard, Ilminster & District U3A was Colin Dean, whose subject was "Our Place in History".

     His theme was that we all have stories worth telling, and to prove this point he tried to encourage the audience to share their experiences.

     He prompted memories of first days at school, and of one lady's progression from being a child during the war to becoming a Tiller girl and a comedienne.

     Colin Dean emphasised the importance and benefits of writing about our lives, for the sake of those who follow us. The U3A looks forward to hearing whether many members were inspired to start composing their autobiographies.

     The next monthly meeting of the U3A will be on Monday 16 October at Chard Guildhall, 2 - 4pm, when Brian Tyler will give a talk on life in occupied Jersey. The focus of the talk will be on reconciliation rather than war. Visitors and new members will be most welcome.

     More details of the U3A may be obtained from the chairman on 01460-68462 or by viewing the website at www.chardilminsteru3a.org.uk.

'Life in wartime Jersey'
 

Members of Chard, Ilminster & District U3A were given a fascinating glimpse of life in wartime Jersey when Brian Tyler spoke at their October meeting.

     It was instructive to hear an account of the Channel Islands under German occupation from someone who lived through it all as a young person.

     As the war progressed the islanders endured hardship and deprivation, with children underweight and possessions confiscated. Beaches were closed, curfews imposed, children compelled to learn German, and vehicles drove on the right.

     But Mr Tyler’s genial talk was devoid of bitterness. He thought the decision to surrender the islands to Germany was reasonable in the circumstances, [and he absolved the German troops from criticism. Their attitude to the Islanders was generally good, even waiting their turn in queues.]

     [There was a dark side, however, with Jews being deported without much intervention from the Islanders or British authorities, harsh treatment of Poles and Russians who were brought in to build fortifications, and local hatred for informers and “Jerry Bags” – the name given to local girls who consorted with German troops.]

     There were attempts at resistance and Mr Tyler said his own job as a youngster was to slash the tyres of the Germans’ bicycles!

     The speaker at the November meeting will be Dr Donald Archer, who will give a talk on Joseph Paxton and the building of Crystal Palace.

     Visitors and new members will be most welcome. The meeting will be at Chard Guildhall on Monday 20 November, 2pm to 4pm.

     More details of the U3A may be obtained from chairman Sue Smith on 01460-68462 or by viewing the website at www.chardilminsteru3a.org.uk
 

'Record membership'

Membership of Chard, Ilminster & District U3A (University of the Third Age) now stands at a record 185 and recent enquiries indicate that it will soon reach the 200 mark. There is scope for more members and the chairman Sue Smith (01460-68462) will be pleased to hear from anyone interested in joining this lively organisation.

     The December meeting of the U3A will take the form of a Christmas lunch with entertainment. This will be held at Chard Guildhall on Monday 18 December, from 12 noon to 2pm. Members are invited to bring along a small plate of food (sweet or savoury) to be shared with others.

     More details of the U3A locally and nationally can be found on the website www.chardilminsteru3a.org.uk.