News Update.

Herewith space for your latest News, generally arranged with the most recent in both columns at the top and 'older' news eventually dropping off the bottom, or even finding its way to the relevant Interest Group page when that is updated.
Pictures of any activity would also be welcome.

• The High Fells & Scrambles Group has revised its
  'Notes to Group Members'. Click here:

• NEW! For the Members' Gallery, click here:

• Most Groups held special events during the 10th Anniversary Year which officially was from June 2005 to June 2006.
  Pictures and/or reports appear on the Tenth Anniversary Page - Click on these images:
  

• Amateur Radio Licence Course
• Towards the end of 2002 the Ambleside & District U3A offered a short course to enable members to qualify as Amateur Radio licence holders and early in 2003 the four members who took part were rewarded with their basic transmitting licences.
  The local radio amateur who instructed on this course has offered to repeat it if there is any interest. It would take the form of a series of two hour sessions in a member's home over a few evenings next autumn, culminating in a straightforward test which would lead to the issue of a Foundation Licence.
  If you are interested in trying this fascinating hobby please see the Newsletter for further details.
• Calling Canoeists
• Is there anyone in the group who would be interested in some flat water paddling on our lakes?
  Jenny Massie has two good sea canoes and they are within easy access of Lake Windermere and Coniston Water.
  The spare boat is a safe, stable Romany and would fit most adults.All the necessary gear is there - paddle, spray deck, all Jenny needs is someone to give her the motivation to get out there and share the enjoyment.
  So what about it? Jenny's looking for someone who has done a bit of paddling in the past and who might enjoy refreshing their skills in this field. See the Newsletter for contact details.
• CROWN GREEN BOWLING
• Nine members had an enjoyable afternoon in the sun at Bowness Bowling Club on the first of three bowls sessions.
  After a brief practice of bowling and trying to understand the 'finger'/'thumb' nomenclature for applying the bias the members had a very competitive afternoon and somehow there was an overall winner.
  The next dates are Wednesday 4^th June and Wednesday 25^th June, from 2.00 to 4.30 pm.
  See the Newsletter for further details.
• Local History News
• 27 members travelled by coach though the Cumbrian countryside to Carlisle to visit Tullie House.
  After refreshments in the comfortable restaurant the majority toured the House and Museum. For those not having been before it was a pleasant surprise to find a vast and excellently displayed variety of material, certainly a place to revisit.
  Likewise the Castle where the group assembled after lunch for a guided tour. With a full explanation of the history and the display of materials all came away having learnt much about this northern city and it's place in the life of the 'Borderlands'.
  Finally a wonderful drive back to the South Lakes in glorious sunshine.
• The next meeting on April 24th is a visit to Mirehouse & Bega Church. The cost is now £6.50.
  Please meet in the car park near the ticket office at 2.00pm. (Note change of time)
• 'Events Extra' Circular.
• As we march further along the highway of electronic communication, we have written to members to seek your permission to distribute some reminders and information on events by e-mail.
  This will be especially useful for the Theatre and Concert Group where distribution of information on some events is necessary between the normal issues of the Newsletter.
• TRAVEL GROUP
• A day in Liverpool has been arranged with Sproats Coaches on Monday 7th July.
  Pick up will start at Bowness Bay at approximately 8.30am. Times for Ambleside and Windermere will be advised later. There will be a 15 minute stop on outward and return journeys.
  We will leave Liverpool at 5pm.
• Some people have expressed a wish to visit the Gustav Klimt exhibition at Tate Liverpool and if you would like to do so tickets can be obtained on line at http://tickets.tate.org.uk/ or by telephone on 02078878888, between 9.45am and 5.00pm. Tickets are £7.50 and concessionary tickets are £5.50, both with an additional handling charge of £1 to £2, depending on numbers. The exhibition is open between 9am and 5pm and a time soon after lunch is suggested; tickets are on the hour.
• Most museums and other attractions will also be open on this day. 
• You can book a place on the coach by completing the booking form in the April Newsletter.
• The Archives
• As a charity, the U3A has officers who have legal responsibilities concerning the maintenance of certain records, but the Committee feels that after several years there may be other records that members would want kept, hence the suggestion for an archive.
  We have no central storage facility, so at the moment members may like to consider what items they have at home that, at a future date might be of interest to a researcher investigating our U3A’s activities.
  Please let Derek Fawcett have a note of any material (printed, photographic or electronic) that falls into this category.
• One-Off Events
• Events like the golf day, croquet days, outings, quizzes etc are always popular. If you have an idea for a one-off event or outing and are prepared to organise it, please get in touch with a member of the committee so that you can get help and support. Plan well ahead in order to publicise your event in the Newsletter.
  A number of one-off events were held in 2007 and are reported in the 'Older News' section. (see below)
• Somewhat Older News
• To keep this page short and up-to-date some of the 'older' news has found its way to the relevant Group Pages.
  Additionally, reports on one-off events, short courses and visits or day trips appear elsewhere (below the Pub Lunch Group, where else?): Click here-

• Paris
• Fifteen members of the Gardening Group had a most enjoyable seven days in France.Based in northern Paris they visited Monet's Gardens in Giverny, Versailles, the Sacré Coeur and many museums as well as riding on the Batobus and Bateaux-Mouches.
  Our thanks to Judy for the idea and organisation.
  A few pictures have drifted in to the webmaster for processing....any more?
• Play Reading Group
• A new group - Play Readings will be held on the third Thursday of each month at 7.30pm.
  The Venue will be in the homes of members.
  Call the Coordinator for details.
• Science Group
• Meetings of the newly formed Science Group will start in September. They will be held in the meeting room at the Ambleside library on the first Monday of each month starting at 7.30pm. It is planned, initially, to have a talk of about 30 minutes on a variety of subjects presented by members of the U3A with the appropriate knowledge. This will be followed by a discussion stimulated by the introduction. Several subjects are under consideration and the programme will be announced in the July Newsletter. Please mark these Monday evenings in your diaries so you can come along and join in.
• Some members joined the U3A Lancashire Link on April 30^th for a very informative talk and discussion on 'Energy Resources'.
• Cartmel Races
• Following the successful trip last year, a 33-seater coach has been ordered for this year’s outing to Cartmel Races on Thursday 17th July.
• There will be one pick up point at 10-30 a.m., as last year.
• The cost will be £18, which includes entrance to all parts of the Course (Except the Members enclosure)
• You may bring a gazebo and barbeque etc.
• Please complete the return slip to be found in the Newsletter no later than Monday 1^st July as advanced booking is required to obtain the concessionary price.
• Classics Club/ Latin Learners
• Nora Fawcett has had a number of requests to start another group for Beginners. If you are interested, please 'phone her as soon as possible.
• E-Mail. Along with the hard copy of 'Events Extra', we are asking permission, by means of a form, to use your e-mail address to send out such information as 'Events Extra'.
  Thus, we are in the process of developing a correct and definitive database of all members e-mail addresses to allow a quick and simple way of passing U3A Ambleside and District information to members. Your responses will go directly on to a list, so that your address is exactly right.
  The e-mail addresses held by the Membership Secretary are not necessarily up to date or correct!
  You will still receive the Newsletter by post in hard copy form.
• MAH-JONG GROUP.
• The Games evening, complete with supper, on Thursday 6^th March was very well attended and enjoyed; members were introduced to new games or games which they had not played for many years.
• Reading Group
• The programme to July 2008 is listed in the Diary Pages. The books for later months are as follows:

• September 3rd - "Our Hidden Lives", by Simon Garfield.
• October 1st - Free, for choice later.
• Living History
• If, like the Webmaster, you are easily confused, perhaps I should say that the ' Life Stories' group has been re-named as the 'Living History' group.
  Furthermore, you may remember this group started as the 'Oral History' group. I do not think that the actual contents have changed drastically - why not go along to see...and perhaps suggest another new name?
• Travel Group
• The Travel Group has circulated details of holiday plans for the trip to Ireland.
  See the August Newsletter for details.
• Calling U3A Musicians
• Do we have enough musicians to form our own Ambleside U3A Sextet?
  The instrumentalists required for this venture are: Piano/Keyboard, Bass, Drums, Alto Saxophone and Trumpet.
  The Tenor Saxophone and the music will be supplied.
  If you are interested, please see the Newsletter for contact details.
• Bridge
• Beginners and Refreshers wanted.
  Our happy band of bridge players is looking for volunteers to take the plunge and learn to play bridge.
  We have the use of a small side room and experienced members will be there to get you started.
  Maybe you once played bridge and are a little rusty - we will help to get those cogs turning again.
  Beginners and refreshers, don't delay; for more information contact the Co-ordinators.
• Charging for Meetings
• There has been some confusion over our arrangements for charging at meetings. The policy is that we charge each member attending meetings as follows:
  - 50 pence for meetings held in the homes of members.
  - £1 for meetings held in out-of-home venues like the Ladyholme Centre, Ambleside Library etc.
  - £2 for General Meetings and short courses like the Fine Art Lectures.
• The charges offset room use, refreshments, etc. and any surplus (or loss) is absorbed into the general fund.
• NB: These charges apply to all meetings of groups.

General Meetings.

These are held regularly from October to May at 2.30pm on the second Monday of the month at the Marchesi Centre, Holly Road (off Ellerthwaite Road), WINDERMERE.
Everybody is Welcome!

Speakers
We are always on the lookout for interesting speakers for our General Meetings. If you know of anyone whom you have heard, or heard about, who might be suitable then please pass their details on to Rae Cross.
If you have a particular subject on which you would like to hear a speaker at one of the General Meetings then also let Rae know.

Interest Groups.

Meetings are held regularly once or more a month and mostly at regular locations. Watch out for extra meetings on fifth weekdays in the month.
To find out more about the Interest Groups please click below.

Interest Groups:
Bridge	Classics Club	Computing
Cruising	Digital Images	Discussion
Film, Television and Radio	Gardening	Living History
Literature	Local History	Mah-Jongg
Music	Natural History	Play Reading
Pub Lunches	Reading	Science
Scrabble	Theatre and Concert	Travel
High Fells & Scrambles	Social Walking	'Z' Walking

New Groups?

For the benefit of new members we would like to point out a few things about our Activity Groups.

If you feel that you have an interest that is not catered for then feel free to contact a member of the committee about the possibility of creating a new group if there is sufficient interest shown in your subject or activity by our members.

Recently disbanded groups which ought to attract attention in these parts of the country are ART, NEEDLECRAFT and PHOTOGRAPHY, although the last is being partially covered in the Digital Imaging Group.
How about it? The last could help produce some more photographs for this website!

There are still plenty of slots in the week!

Links to other Sites of Interest.

• National U3A. See the Newsletter for the 'Password' to access the 'Protected' section.
• Third Age Trust. National U3A e-mail address.
• Resource Centre at the Third Age Trust.
• Links to other U3A websites and those of other Institutes for "Learning in Retirement".
• South Lakes U3A
• Penrith and North Lakes U3A
• Carlisle and District U3A
• Roseland and District U3A (a new group in Cornwall)
• A I U T A, the International Association of U3As.
• Ambleside Online, for local Societies, Events, Information, etc.
• Windermere & Bowness Chamber of Trade, for community News & Events.
• The Westmorland Gazette, for all the news in and around Cumbria.
• CommuniGate, the local Clubs/Societies/Organisations Website provided by
  The Westmorland Gazette.
• NIACE, the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education.
• Higham Hall, the Lake District's Residential College for Adult Education.
• Retirement Mobility, maintaining Mobility in Retirement.
• LHS, the Lakeland Horticultural Society's Gardens at Holehird, Windermere.
• The Lakes. Pictures around South Lakeland.

Details of the contacts for all Groups are kept in folders for Local Activities in the Ambleside and Windermere Libraries.
OR, for further information, or for comments on this website, please e-mail the following address:

webmasterATamblesideanddistrictu3aDOTorgDOTuk