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

'Festive fun and quizzes'

Members of Chard, Ilminster & District U3A met for an [highly] enjoyable Christmas lunch on December 18. There was amusing seasonal entertainment from the ‘Writing for Fun’ Group, and quizzes also with a Christmas theme.

Many of the U3A’s special interest groups held their own Christmas lunches and dinners last month.

            This month sees a return to the normal pattern of group and general meetings. On Monday January 15, Mike McGowan will be giving a talk about the work of the Home Farm Trust. Visitors will be most welcome to attend the meeting, which will be at Chard Guildhall from 2 to 4pm.

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

'Moving account of disabled son's care'

The work of the Home Farm Trust was the subject of the January monthly meeting of Chard, Ilminster & District U3A (University of the Third Age).

            The speaker, Mike McGowan, gave [spoke from personal experience, giving] a moving account of the way the charity took his disabled son Kevin into their care and gave him a fulfilling life that had [originally] seemed impossible.

            The Home Farm Trust was set up in Gloucestershire in 1962 by a group of parents of people with learning disabilities. Its work rapidly expanded to meet a country-wide need and now provides a range of centres and stimulating activities assisting over 400 people.

            Kevin [sadly] died last year, but Mike refused to view this as a tragedy, preferring to dwell on his happy life and the massive role that the Trust had played in nurturing his abilities.

            Next month’s speaker will be Tony Cooper, who will talk about his work as a London policeman. The meeting will be at Chard Guildhall on Monday February 19, 2 – 4pm. Visitors are [will be most] welcome.

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

The AGM of Chard, Ilminster & District U3A (University of the Third Age) was held on March 19 with the Mayor of Chard, John Malcolm, presiding, accompanied by Mayoress Barbara Mooney.

     Retiring chairman Sue Smith reported that the U3A was in good shape, with a membership of 186 and sufficient funds to allow the annual subscription to remain unchanged at £12. A proposal to accept this figure was wholeheartedly agreed.

     Tributes were paid to Mrs Smith and other retiring committee members for their unstinting contributions to the work of the U3A. Five new members were elected onto the committee, bringing the total up to ten.

     Addressing the meeting, John Graham was upbeat about the future prospects of Chard and the Guildhall in particular. He said he was proud of the building, which despite its “knockers” had seen much increased bookings and revenue over the past year.

     Mr Malcolm referred to other achievements by Chard and Ilminster, including the successful introduction of ‘Community Justice Panels’ which had cut re-offending rates down to virtually zero.

     The meeting concluded with a talk by Martin Shirley on last year’s trip to Uzbekistan with the U3A Travel Group. [Martin recounted the delights of visiting ancient Silk Road cities such as Samarkand and Bukhara. He spoke warmly of friendly encounters with citizens, noting their moderate beliefs and the willingness of local Muslims to get on with people of other faiths.]

     New members will be most welcome. Committee roles for the new session have yet to be decided but in the meantime more information about the U3A may be obtained by contacting former Vice Chairman Alan Bamber on 01460-234041 or by visiting the website - click on the link at www.chardandilminsternews.co.uk  [www.chardilminsteru3a.org.ukactually given].
 

Visiting speaker Sandy Buchanan had members of Chard, Ilminster & District U3A reflecting on the extensive changes in the local industrial scene when he addressed the monthly meeting on April 16.

     A former chairman of the Somerset Industrial Archaeological Society, Mr Buchanan illustrated his fascinating talk on the industrial archaeology of South Somerset with some superb slides showing industries and buildings of past times, which he contrasted with current uses of these locations.  

     The next general meeting of the U3A will be at 2pm on Monday May 21 when there will be a speaker from the Driving Standards Agency. This meeting will be at the Guildhall but in the upper-floor Town Hall rather than the ground floor because of a simultaneous blood-donor session. A lift is available.

     Visitors and new members will be most welcome to the meeting and to all U3A group activities. For more details please phone 01460-234041 or 01460-66711, or view the website at www.chardilminsteru3a.org.uk.
 

'Who are the main culprits on our roads?'

When Ian Smith of the Driving Standards Agency addressed members of Chard, Ilminster & District U3A at their May meeting his intention was to give driving advice to the over 50s, but he was left in no doubt that most of the audience regarded others as the chief culprits on our roads.

     It made for a lively and entertaining meeting, with numerous questions and comments from the floor. [Some of Mr Smith’s points, supported by film clips, were fairly basic but given the number of road accidents they were probably worth repeating.]

     The next monthly meeting of the U3A will be the annual summer lunch. It will be in Chard Guildhall on Monday June 18, 12 noon to 2pm. Members are invited to bring along a plate of food (savoury or sweet) to share with others. New members will be most welcome.

     More details of the U3A can be found on the website www.chardilminsteru3a.org.uk, or by phoning 01460-234041 or 01460-66711.
 

'Musical Entertainment'

Members of Chard, Ilminster & District U3A (University of the Third Age) enjoyed a highly entertaining talk by Jeff Woods at their July meeting.

     It was as much a performance as a talk, with Jeff donning a range of different hats as he amused his audience with personal interpretations of musical and theatrical works, recordings and whimsical personal observations.

     Professional entertainers were the common theme - from Mozart to Stanley Holloway via Gilbert & Sullivan and Laurel & Hardy.  It was informative as well as hugely enjoyable.

     There is no monthly meeting in August but many of the special interest groups continue to meet.

     More details of the U3A are available on the website www.chardilminsteru3a.org.uk or by phoning 01460-66711 or 234041.

'New course in Shiatsu'

A new series of monthly meetings of Chard, Ilminster & District U3A will commence on Monday 17th September when there will be a presentation of the work of the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard.

     The meeting is at 2pm in Chard Guildhall, and visitors and new members will be most welcome.

     Among the special interest groups on offer this autumn will be a new course in Shiatsu, the traditional Japanese healing therapy.

     This course will explain the philosophy underlying Shiatsu and also include practical sessions. Twice-monthly group meetings will be held on Thursday afternoons from October, and many members have already reserved places.

            For details of this and all U3A activities please phone 01460-66711 or 234041, or view the website www.chardilminsteru3a.org.uk.
 

Members of Chard, Ilminster & District U3A (University of the Third Age) were treated to a fascinating account of the evolution of farmhouses in the south west, when Tom Coleman was the visiting speaker at the October meeting.

     Aided by a superb set of slides, which were shown to excellent effect on the large screen in the Guildhall, Mr Coleman traced the development of housing from the circular stone huts of 3000 years ago to today’s comfortable dwellings.

    The numerous developments in building methods and designs that have taken place over the centuries were all explained with great clarity.

    This month’s meeting (Chard Guildhall, 19th November, 2pm) will feature a talk on the history and workings of the library service. Visitors and new members will be most welcome.

    Details of all U3A meetings and membership may be obtained by phoning 01460-66711 or by viewing the website www.chardilminsteru3a.org.uk
 

'Top librarian booked in'

Members of Chard, Ilminster & District U3A (University of the Third Age) enjoyed an informative session at their November meeting when the Assistant County Librarian, Phil Nichols, was the visiting speaker.

     Mr Nichols described the wide range of facilities provided by modern libraries, and most of the audience learned something new and useful about the service.

     The next monthly meeting will take the form of a Christmas buffet lunch at Chard Guildhall on Monday 17 December, 12 to 2pm. Members are invited to bring along a small plate of food, savoury or sweet, for a shared seasonal meal. Visitors and prospective members will be most welcome. For more details phone 01460-66711 or view the website at www.chardilminsteru3a.org.uk