CHAIRMAN’S CONTEMPLATIONS

Reflecting on the end of my year as Chairman, I view this as having been very much a care- taking role, hoping to hand over a thriving, vibrant U3A to my successor. Our membership is continuing to grow at a steady pace, with an eclectic mix of groups. Problems with our main venue too appear to have been solved, with sheets galore signed to confirm bookings on an annual basis, copies being held by both the Town Council and U3A. The cost of venues for the main monthly meeting and larger groups are probably the largest expenditure from our budget and if, following annual reviews, their costings rise; it may be necessary to raise the subscription a little.

The evolutionary process cannot continue without sufficient committee members, we need a full one to allow for cover during holidays and, at times, unfortunately, illness. The work is not arduous; it is both enjoyable and worthwhile, so please give thought to your possible nomination at the AGM in March.

At least the evenings are beginning to get lighter though few frosts have let the grass and weeds grow well, excessively watered too, encouraging the moss which does give a wonderful green colour frequently dug up by the nocturnal visits from the badgers - free aeration of lawns, and foxes leaving different gifts!!

December bought the monies from ‘Awards for All’ for our new equipment, which is beginning to be purchased, and several phone calls from the Driving Standards Agency, who are really keen to give a presentation entitled ‘Arrive Alive Classic’ aimed at drivers aged 50 and over, with a particular focus on the retired age group, which sounds good but the young lady on the other end of the phone had difficulty in grasping that we had speaker booked several months ahead, something to look forward to in May?

Sue Smith

YOUR COMMITTEE FOR 2006-2007 (nearly expired!)

Sue Smith                               Chairman/Treasurer/Membership Secretary             01460 68462
Alan Bamber                           Vice Chairman/Publicity                                              01460 234041
Gill Tayler                                Secretary/Minutes Secretary/ Reception                    01460 238567
Maggie Darby                          Groups’ Coordinator/Resources                                01460 63428
Wendy Payne                         Assistant Treasurer                                                    01460 259174
Roy Kibble-White                    Speakers                                                                     01460 66711
Margaret Hall                           Reception                                                                    01460 62664
Martin Shirley                          Newsletter                                                                   01460 62608

AWARDS FOR ALL

We are delighted to inform members that our U3A has been successful in obtaining a lottery grant for a range of presentation equipment. The award is £2,800, and it will cover a portable notebook computer, computer projector, portable display screen, powerful speakers, digital camera, DVD facilities, and associated software, cabling, etc.

These facilities will be a major asset, both for group leaders and the U3A as a whole. In brief, they will enable members to view DVDs and other moving images (e.g. educational/art/ history/religious videos) on a large screen, and to present data and graphical images (e.g. photos) in presentations. All kinds of applications have been put forward and we will be talking to group leaders about them. The facilities will be available for group leaders and members to use for U3A purposes, including the learning of IT skills.

At the time of writing (early January) we have not yet finally decided on specific makes of equipment, but we hope to be up and running quite soon. Please don’t hesitate to ask members of the committee about the equipment and how it might be useful to you.

Alan Bamber

GROUP LEADERS' MEETING

A group leaders' meeting has been arranged for 11am on Monday 26^th February, at Donyatt Village Hall; a ploughman's lunch will be provided, and the meeting should finish about 2.30pm.

BRIDGE, CALLIGRAPHY AND RAMBLING GROUPS

These groups are starting the year with new leaders. Les Liddle is taking over Bridge 01460 68022, Ann Liddle Calligraphy 01460 68022 and Brian Turner has handed over the rambling to Adrian Cornelius, tel. 01460 62926 for any information. The members of these groups would like to thank their respective leaders for all the time, enthusiasm and hard work they have given.

U3A NATIONALTRAVEL

“U3A National Travel's tours are now listed as part of the new U3A website at www.u3a.org.uk. If you have not visited the site recently you will need to create a member login account on the right hand column of the home page. Once you have done this you will be able to access the U3A National Travel pages from the link on the right hand drop down menu.

We hope that we can tempt you to travel with us!

A revised list of tours with an educational or cultural interest is now posted on the U3A National Travel web pages. TIP: If you want to be able to print a complete list of our tours, do so from the pdf file whose link is at the bottom of the opening page of U3A National Travel.

Please remember that all U3A National Travel tours are for U3A members and their companions. Although we use commercial tour operators that are fully bonded, there is always a U3A leader on our tours.

PLEASE BOOK EARLY!”

OUR 2007 AGM AND OUR COMMITTEE FOR 2007-2008

The current committee consists of eight members, as listed on the front page of this newsletter.

At the Christmas lunch three committee members could not be present – all for very good reasons - and if Alan’s wife, Pamela, and Margaret’s husband, Ron, had not stepped into the breach we would have struggled to have the Guildhall ready in time for your arrival. Also, at the AGM Sue wishes to stand down and Maggie and Roy are both standing down. Clearly, this situation highlights the urgent need for more committee members. We think ten would be an adequate number for the committee – and so at least five new members are needed.

Information about the committee - Since the 2006 AGM the committee has met six times. Meetings are held in the afternoon, usually for between two and three hours. We meet at members’ homes, although not all members are able to accommodate the meetings and this is not expected. The meetings are friendly, relaxed and enjoyable – rather like another small group where we get to know each other better through shared activities and responsibilities. It can also be an educational opportunity where new skills are learned and developed.

Main functions of the committee

To arrange, organise and chair the monthly Guildhall meetings and the Annual General Meeting;
To arrange speakers for the Guildhall meetings;
To publicise and promote the CID U3A and liase with other local organisations;
To co-ordinate the small groups and support group leaders;
To produce the quarterly newsletter;
To ensure the financial viability of the CID U3A and to arrange for the annual accounts to be audited;
To liaise with U3A head office and other U3As.

Qualifications for membership required - None

Previous experience for membership required – None

Personal qualities desired

Enthusiasm for the U3A idea in general and for our own U3A in particular;
Recognition of the value of the CID U3A for local people and in our local communities;
Willingness to join in with whatever needs doing to ensure the continued success of CID U3A and/or take on a particular role as appropriate;
A friendly, welcoming and supportive attitude to all our members and visitors; and
An ability to contribute to creating an atmosphere in which people can relax, meet new people, make new friends, learn about new ideas and skills – and enjoy themselves.

URGENCY

The urgent need for the expansion of our U3A’s committee cannot be overstated – new committee members are a necessity. Please, therefore, consider your own position – are you able and willing to serve our organisation in this way for a year or two? OR, just as importantly, think about other members you know – your friends, the people in your small groups, members you are getting to know, new members who may like to become more closely involved – who you think would be good at serving our U3A in this way and talk to them about the possibility, or talk to a member of the committee about that person. It may be easier to be proposed by someone else than to propose oneself! Prospective new committee members need to be proposed and seconded.

VALUING CHARD, ILMINSTER AND DISTRICT U3A - If you do, then please do something about ensuring it continues to thrive with a viable and energetic committee.

WORTH MUCH MORE THAN A PENNY FARTHING !

Mick Farthing, a retired engineer, joined Chard, Ilminster and District U3A in late 2005, and promptly enrolled in the Calligraphy and Italian groups. Mick is a dedicated cyclist, and willingly committed himself to being one of the riders who would converge on Warsaw to raise funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care, as one of the 500 participants in the Great Cycle Challenge Poland 2006.

He joined the group of 104 brave cyclists who took Berlin as their starting point, which meant that most of their route was across the flat lands of western Poland, at a typical September temperature of about 70 degrees, which he says was perfect for comfort, though the breeze always seemed to be blowing against him.

The routine was to get up at 5.45 and be on the road from 8 am to about 6pm , with 4 stops each day. The total distance covered over 6 days was 429 miles, making an average of 71 miles.

Now, Mick is fit, and found himself cycling as well as people half his age, without ever feeling himself 'done in' or even exceptionally tired. He loved the group spirit which quickly developed among the riders, with great joking and camaraderie, and felt that some people treated him like a long-lost uncle.

He was well impressed with Poland, its pleasing countryside, the friendly people, the tasty food and the refreshing drinks. At the end of the ride, he felt disappointed that it was all over, though very pleased to return the loan bike with which he had been provided.

However, his disappointment was tempered by having raised over £5,000 from his many and generous sponsors – getting on for 3 times the minimum target set by Marie Curie Cancer Care – and by being selected to lead the Berlin group into Warsaw, as he was the oldest member of the group. Our Mick, you see, makes no secret of being 75.

(Mick was interviewed by Martin Shirley of CID U3A for U3A News)

DATES FOR MONTHLY MEETINGS, 2007 (at 2pm,Guildhall, Chard)

February 19^th Tony Cooper A Policeman in London

March 19^th. A.G.M. Your chance to have your say, perhaps join the committee

Brief talk by Martin Shirley on U3A Travel Group

April 16^th Mr C.A. Buchanan Industrial Archaeology in South Somerset

May 21^st Driving Standards Agency Arrive Alive Classic for the over 50’s

June 18^th Lunch at noon Please bring a plate of savoury or sweet food to share.

The next newsletter will be due in June, so may we ask for any contributions (interesting and/or entertaining) to reach either of the Editors by mid-May; please contact Martin on 01460 62608 or Janet on 01460 66462.

Comments and suggestions for improving the newsletter will be welcome at any time

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