With the AGM coming on Monday 8th September.....
- Comments from the Chair.
- The past three years have been a series of many ups and very few downs. It has been a privilege and a pleasure to serve the
Ambleside and District U3A as Chairman. It seems no time at all since September 2005. The job is made easier by having a
Committee of dedicated and willing people. A Chairman can, on occasions, feel and actually be isolated. That has not been my
experience in the last three years as there has always been a Committee member, usually more than a few, on whom I could rely for support, advice and to produce a sense of perspective.
- However, the most important members are the Coordinators
without whom there would be no U3A for us all to enjoy. They
deserve and have received our support and thanks for a good job done. From time to time, Coordinators feel that they have given of their best and need to step down. When this happens, there is
usually a member attending that Group who will pick up the reins. For the sake of the U3A, this must continue.
- It is up to all the members to see that the next Committee and the Coordinators continue to receive the support shown in the past.
- May we all have a peaceful and enjoyable summer and return
refreshed.
John O’Hara (Chairman).
- U3A Open Day
- Saturday 11th October
- We are holding our ‘Open Day’ between 10.00a.m. & 2.00p.m
at the Marchesi Centre in Windermere .
Our aim is to increase the awareness of Ambleside & District U3A and the activities of our Interest groups. Every group will have a table or stand where they can tell potential members about all the various activities that they run.
The day will also present an excellent opportunity for existing members to come along, have a chat with co-ordinators about the Group activities, and have a coffee and chat with friends old & new.
- Please put this date in your diaries and support this event.
- TRAVEL GROUP
- 33 members enjoyed a day in Liverpool on Monday 7th July.
- Some people visited the Gustav Klimt exhibition at Tate Liverpool and this proved to be very interesting.
Members also looked round the two Cathedrals, other galleries whilst some others did a spot of shopping in some prroper shops.
Our thanks to Sally Horler for organising the trip.
- Swaledale-20/21 May
- Eleven Social Walkers spent an enjoyable (and exhausting) two days in a very comfortable hotel in Thwaite, Swaledale.
Two circular walks of some 10+ miles each were well arranged by Carolyn and Peter; the first through Marsh Marigold and Primrose country to Ravenseat for tea and scones. On day two, the walk went up the Gunnerside Gill valley, past the old lead mining area, over the heather moors and back along the valley.
Naturally, there are some images in the Picture Gallery.
- 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 webmaster did not get to the 4th June meeting ... and thought rain would have stopped play on the last scheduled meeting.
Let us hope that these events are continued.
- '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 between the normal issues of the Newsletter.
This has been tried, it works (!), but we do need more e-mail addresses in order to cut down on the printing and postage of hard copies.
- 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, bowls 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.
- 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-
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- Science Group
- The inaugural meeting of this new group is on Monday, 1st September, starting at 7.30pm at the Ambleside Library. To whet your appetites here are the topics for the first two meetings:
- September: – ‘The story of Phlogiston – or when you are in hole stop digging.’
Alchemy was studied for thousands of years. It covered a wide area of human knowledge but is probably best know for the search for the Philosopher’s Stone which was thought to change base metals to gold.
At the end of the 17th century a theory was developed to explain the production of metals from minerals. A substance, phlogiston, was thought to transform the mineral into a metal.
The story of how this theory was overtaken by the development of modern chemistry, culminating in Dalton’s Atomic theory in the early 19th century illustrates the basic ideas behind the scientific method that was to revolutionise how we look at the world.
- October: – ‘Genetic Engineering - Ghoul or Goody?’
Hardly a day passes without our coming across some reference to genetic engineering in the press.
The information is usually presented in a sensational manner emphasising the "dangers" associated with products such as genetically engineered food or techniques such as stem-cell research.
What is Genetic Engineering? We shall look at how it's done and what it can achieve, and then open up the discussion to consider whether the benefits outweigh the dangers.
- Natural History Group
- Bats
- The next meeting of this Group will take place on Tuesday, September 2nd and will start in Ambleside Library at 6.30pm.
- We have an external speaker, Tony Marshall of the Westmorland and Furness Bat
Group, to give us a “Talk and Walk” on Bats. The walk will be in Rothay Park.
- Everyone is welcome to come and learn about these fascinating creatures.
- European Studies
Mary Wane writes...
- Many of you will have read the excellent article on this subject in the June issue of U3A News. I strongly agree with its author that Britain’s active membership of a united and democratic European Union is a matter of vital importance to this country.
- I was one of a group which in 1995 set up Forward in Europe, a body designed to try to promote a greater understanding of European issues and institutions. We had all lived and worked in Europe and were dismayed by the misunderstanding and prejudice among the British public, fed by the myths propagated in some of the press. Since then we have run regular meetings on varied subjects, with expert speakers, mainly for our members but open to the public. We are affiliated to the national European Movement as its branch for Cumbria and North Lancashire.
- I’m now offering, as a member of U3A, to take up Derek Stroud’s suggestion by arranging a few informal meetings, perhaps starting in late autumn, to discuss European issues as a run-up to the elections next year for the European Parliament. I’d be
delighted to hear from members who would like to join me in this. Mary Wane
- Cartmel Races
- Following the successful trip last year, a 33-seater coach took this year’s outing to Cartmel Races on
Thursday 17th July.
- A damp day did not limit the sheer skill of using a pin and other criteria, such as the horse having a short name for shouting encouragement and the jockies wearing nice colours, such that some members managed very well.
- Ewe Close
- The Classics Club expedition to the Ewe Close settlement, a Romano-British site took place on 30th May.
After lunch, which gave a chance to soak up the atmosphere, parts of the 11 acre site were explored and identified to the group's satisfaction.
Also to the group's satisfaction was the visit to the Orton Chocolate Factory on the way home!
- 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 is being held on the third Thursday of each month at 7.30pm.
The Venue will be in the homes of members.
Please call the Coordinator for details.
- Bridge
- On 25th April, in spite of an articulated lorry being stuck on Red Bank Road at Grasmere and the big fire in Ambleside’s new shopping centre, our guests, Penrith U3A, managed to get to Skelwith Bridge on time.
We had an enjoyable afternoon of Bridge, with splendid refreshments supplied by members.
The results didn’t stop Penrith from inviting us back for a return game. We are looking forward to a visit in the near future.
- Have you ever thought that you might like to learn how to play Bridge? Maybe you have played Whist or Solo Whist and thought you would like to dip your toe into the world of Bridge. Here is your opportunity!
Some members of the Bridge Group are offering lessons in a non-competitive situation. i.e. in player's homes at mutual convenience (NOT FRIDAY AFTERNOONS).
Interested? ..See the Newsletter for contacts.
- Classics Club/ Latin Learners
- Nora Fawcett has had a number of requests to start another group for Beginners. If you are interested, please 'phone Nora as soon as possible. The new beginners group will meet on the third Friday of the month.
- Transport Problems?
- If you want to attend any of the U3A Group Meetings which you see publicised in the Diary Pages…
…..but you do not have transport and are unable to attend because of this…………
please contact the relevant Group Co-ordinator
as listed in the Groups pages of the Newsletter. Co-ordinators will do their best
to arrange lifts to meetings.
- 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?
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