Skye U3A news

Issue #16 – May 2015 web: u3asites.org.uk/code/u3asite.php?site=325&page=0

Message from the (arm)chair Aurora and solar eclipse Contact details

Having occupied the Vice Chairman role for the past The skies over Skye have been very active Chair four and a half years, it was inevitable that the fun recently. Here are two photos, one of the aurora Tony Livesey would have to end and I would have to do some real and the other of the solar eclipse. We had ✆ 01470 511207; work – that time has now arrived. 8 [email protected] aurora all around us one evening and this one Our AGM in March saw Judy Atherton agreeing to was taken almost overhead at our house; the Vice Chair take on the Secretary roll from Jo-Ann Cherry (the solar eclipse was glimpsed through clouds from Vacancy change-over to take place a little later this year), and I succeeded Joy Davies as Chairman. a window. Secretary I think all our members will want to join me in offering Jo-Ann Cherry a huge vote of thanks to Joy for all her work in setting ✆ 01470 542777 up the Skye U3A, and steering it so professionally 8 [email protected] on our behalf. She could now put her feet up, but thankfully she has agreed to carry on in a general role Treasurer on the committee. Chad Killington ✆ I would also like to thank all our group leaders/ 01470 582384 8 [email protected] coordinators, and the Speakers Group for their sterling work, without which we would be in deep trouble. Membership Secretaries Moving on to a subject close to my heart, I think we Barbara Macdonald must concentrate on ways to increase our membership ✆ 01470 521576 numbers. Whilst geography will always mean we are 8 [email protected] a small U3A, with more members we could offer so Peggy Hunter much more. More interest groups would mean we ✆ 01470 521324 could cover a greater range of subjects than we do at 8 [email protected] present. So let us don thinking caps and come up with innovative ways to broaden our appeal, and attract Group Co-ordinators more members. Pola and Tony Livesey Finally there are moves afoot to develop a Highland ✆ 01470 511207 and Islands Network, putting groups and their leaders 8 [email protected] in touch with each other, to share activities and The U3A has been knowledge …more on this later. in existence for over four years. Hoping to see many of you at the monthly It was originally based around meetings, and in the interest groups, wishing the island’s capital, , but you a happy Spring if it ever arrives… has extended itself to include Broadford. These two centres Tony Livesey are separated by 26 miles and Bruce Killington many members are scattered in remote locations around the island. This presents special Two come along at once challenges but the Isle of Skye itself is a major compensation, offering rich sources of interest As the old saying goes, you wait ages for a bus and in areas such as archaeology, then two come along at once. Well the same thing geology, nature, and walking. might be said about publications on Portree, two of Given the population of Skye which were published in March. we will never approach the First, there is 'Portree: Origins and Early History' by Ella size of city U3As but we are Liley, published by The Island Book Trust which also very much hoping to grow and publishes Skye U3A member, Liz MacRae Shaw's book new members are extremely L'ove and Music will Endure' (see page 2). welcome. In the book, Ella asks the questions: who decided Skye U3A news is published to build Portree, when, why and who were the first irregularly. Copy date for the villagers? And why was it called Portree anyway? She next issue is 10 June 2015. then proceeds to answer her questions, tracing the Send material for inclusion to development of the town from the first suggestion Ian Burn [8 [email protected]]. of a few houses to a village with churches, schools, banks … and the jail. The second bus, sorry publication, is Portree History Society's leaflet 'A historic walk around Portree' which Together, the two publications offer a welcome is available from the Tourist Information Office. As well addition to our knowledge of the history and as outlining the history of Portree, the guide includes a development of Portree. map and information on notable streets and buildings. Isle of Skye U3A 2014-25 programme Friday 29 May 2015 meeting University of the Highlands and Islands U3A stands for the University of the Third Age, Contact details which is a self-help organisation for people by Maggie Macdonald, Manager, no longer in full time employment providing [email protected] educational, creative and leisure opportunities in Portree College a friendly environment. It consists of local U3As Chair Joy Davies Highlands and Islands, Maggie all over the UK, which are charities in their own will be talking about what the right and are run entirely by volunteers. Local ✆ 01470 511727; 8 [email protected] college has to offer for both U3As are learning cooperatives which draw Vice Chair full-time, part-time and leisure upon the knowledge, experience and skills of Tony Livesey classes. their own members to organise and provide ✆ 01470 511207; 8 [email protected] interest groups in accordance with the wishes Isle of Skye U3A Maggie has worked at the of the membership. The teachers learn and Secretary college for 12 years and the learners teach. Between them U3As offer Jo-Ann Cherry watched it grow over the years the chance to study over 300 different subjects ✆ 01470 542777; 8 [email protected] 2015 programme Our speaker this month is to its brand new extended in such fields as art, languages, music, history, Maggie MacDonald. and refurbished centre on Treasurer life sciences, philosophy, computing, crafts, Manager of Portree College, Struan Road which opened in Chad Killington photography and walking. part of the West Highland September 2013. ✆ 01470 582384; 8 [email protected] The U3A approach to learning is – learning for College, University of the pleasure. There is no accreditation or validation Membership Secretaries and there are no assessments or qualifications Barbara Macdonald Friday 30 January 2015 meeting to be gained. ✆ 01470 521576; 8 [email protected] The U3A movement is supported by its national Peggy Hunter Love and Music will Endure ✆ organisation, the Third Age Trust. 01470 521324; 8 [email protected] by Liz MacRae Shaw The Isle of Skye U3A was founded in September Group Co-ordinators 2010 and originally operated in the northern Pola and Tony Livesey Our January speaker, U3A Our talk was made even more part of the island, with meetings taking place ✆ 01470 511207; 8 [email protected] member Liz MacRae Shaw interesting when a member of in the ‘capital city of Skye’, Portree. It was spoke about Màiri Mhòr the audience offered to sing subsequently extended to the southern part nan Orain and her recently unaccompanied one of Marie's of the island, with meetings being held in the published novel based on song. A wonderful addition to ‘second city’, Broadford. These two centres her life, Love and Music will a very interesting talk. are separated by 26 miles and many members Endure. are scattered in remote locations around the A ‘Place’ in politics island. This presents special challenges but the Isle of Skye itself is a major compensation, As a footnote to the recent offering rich sources of interest in areas such as General Election, U3A member archeology, geology, nature, and walking. Given Ophir offers us a poem that the population of Skye we will never approach the size of metropolitan U3As but we are very might raise a smile were it not so accurate. much hoping to grow and new members are extremely welcome. If you can credibly fake ‘Sincerity’, Your future is assured; If you can listen to ‘The question’, We meet at 2.00 pm on the last Friday of every month, with Without showing that you’re the venue alternating between Portree Shinty clubhouse and bored; Highlighted with readings Breakish Hall. At most meetings there is a guest speaker, but If you can respond with some from her book, Liz outlined the now and again we hold internal events such as quizzes, group assurance, fascinating story of the Skye presentations, etc. Yet leave ‘The question’, poet and political campaigner, effectively ignored; Tea, coffee, and biscuits are available at all meetings. who was born into a crofting Whilst passing to much safer family in North Skye. Friday 29 May ground, Her powerful voice was only Without showing you are University of the Highlands and Islands unleashed in middle age after ‘floored’; Maggie Macdonald, Manager, Portree College she was falsely accused of Yet leaving the questioner theft and imprisoned. She Shinty clubhouse, Pairc Nan Laoch, Struan Road, Portree IV51 9EG Believing that you, ‘Care’. poured her rage and despair Then there’s a ‘Safe Seat’ Friday 26 June into songs about the plight for you; Skye and Lochalsh Council for Voluntary Services of her fellow Highlanders It is out there somewhere Meg Gilles who were being driven from And, with practice, it will come Breakish Hall, Breakish. their homes. Through force of character she overcame the You only have to find it Friday 31 July barriers of background, class And you already have the Summer barbeque and gender to become their knack Date and venue to be confirmed. champion and inspiration. That’ll help you ‘blind it’. Ophir Catling

Isle of Skye U3A newsletter; issue #16 | May 2015 Isle of Skye U3A interest groups

Walking Group – Corrie Lagan (July 2014) U3A Skye interest groups

Geology group Wednesday 26 August The group normally makes a Bay, north shore - golden monthly field trip on Skye. We eagles. try to read up on an area before and after our trip as some of us Wednesday 9 September are complete beginners. As well Armadale, . Great place for as broadening our knowledge of mushrooms according to Bruce. geology in a practical ‘eyes-on’ manner, the outings are also Wednesday 23 September great fun and always involve a Fairy Glen – sheep and fairies. mini-picnic. The current U3A nature blog Just to get all those walkers amongst us into the mood, we Tuesday 2 June is available at http://u3a-skye- nature.blogspot.co.uk highlight a selection of photographs from last July's walk up to Lewisian Gneiss and the Moine Corrie Lagan. Days like this are to be savoured and remembered Thrust on the Sleat Peninsula. Group co-ordinator – clear blue skies, warm sunshine and wonderful views of the Rainy day topic: 'The Special John Kennedy Cullins and the outer islands. Geology of the Sleat Peninsula' – ✆ 01470 532765 individual contributions. Remember to visit the geology Walking group blog http://u3askyegeology. The purpose of the meeting blogspot.co.uk/. is to discuss the winter walks Group co-ordinator programme and re-check members needs and preferences; Jo-Ann Cherry in particular types and lengths ✆ 01470 542777 of walks, when walks are planned (either variable, as at the Nature group moment, or revert to fixed days Coire Lagan is one of the most The group has a field trip each each month). Please come with your suggestions or email them if impressive corries in the , a tiny month to see what Skye has loch ringed by gigantic rock peaks – to offer in the realm of nature. you can't make it. an unforgettable place to visit. The Although each event focuses Wednesday 20 May walk up to it has the benefit of a good on a particular area of flora and path. initially, becoming rougher with fauna, we keep an eye out for . some minor scrambling higher up. anything, from lichen to raptors, from flowers to sea mammals. Wednesday 27 May Leitir Fura, hopefully accompanied by a local bird expert. Wednesday 10 June Rubha Hunish – nesting birds.

Wednesday 17 June Glen Brittle Forest. Wednesday 22 July Wednesday 24 June -to- and – the big flower possibly the Cave of Gold as well. happening. Wednesday 19 August Wednesday 15 July MacLeod's Maidens. Waterstein Head – sea eagles, golden eagles, and basking Wednesday 16 September sharks (not). Glen Brittle beach to Rubh an Wednesday 29 July Dunain. Boat trip from Carbost to Wednesday 21 October MacLeod's Maidens, the Ascrib Dalaville, Sleat. Islands; who knows? Cetaceans and sea birds. To be organized Group co-ordinators by David. David Hammond Wednesday 12 August 8 [email protected] Duirinish, between Kyle of Loch Linda Shove Alsh and Plockton. 8 [email protected]

Isle of Skye U3A newsletter; issue #16 | May 2015 National U3A news and events

U3A AGM Events Summer School 2015

This year's Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday 26 June in Curran Hall, Oban. The Gilbert & Sullivan Festival AGM will be preceded by a technology themed talk and workshops. The day starts at with The sheer joy of discovering... registration at 10:30 and lunch will be provided. Wednesday August 12th U3A Scotland AGM agenda Sing-a-long and concert performance Members are reminded that each U3A is Pirates of Penzance allowed only one voting member at the AGM Join our special U3A chorus of pirates, policemen but others may attend as observers. and major-General Stanley’s Daughters 1 Welcome Our International G&S Conductor will lead rehearsals (music provided) 11 am - 1 pm and 2 - 5 pm 2 Apologies prior to our celebrity led performance that evening in the magnificent 500 seat Harrogate Theatre 3 Minutes of the 2014 AGM . 4 Matters arising from the minutes Day tickets £30.00 including cD of the performance, a sandwich lunch and ticket to the Festival club and, 5 Reports of course, participation in the live concert at night. 5.1 Chair – Tom Berney, East Kilbride, U3A Supporter tickets to watch the evening performance £12.50 5.2 Scottish Regional TAT Trustee – Graham Notice is hereby given that the 32nd Annual Clark, Inverness, U3A General Meeting of the Third Age Trust will be 5.3 Treasurer’s Report – Lizi Irvine, Four Border held at The East Midlands Conference Centre, Abbeys U3A Nottingham on Thursday 27 August 2015, 6 Constitution (a modified constitution will commencing at 11.15 am (time to be confirmed be presented for consideration by the at a later date). Details of the agenda will be members) circulated to all U3As by the end of May. 7 Motions: (if any) Overnight accommodation is available if required from the Festival Office - 01422 32 32 52. Single rooms with breakfast from £75; Submission of Proposed Resolutions for the 8 Appointment of officers double room with breakfast from £60 per person. BOOKINGS ARE OpEN UNTIl ApRIl 30th wITH FUll 2015 Annual General Meeting 8.1 Chair pAYmENT DUE BY THE END OF mAY 2015 8.2 Vice Chair • U3As are requested to submit proposed 8.3 Secretary resolutions with supporting statements 8.4 Treasurer Date 12 or 13 August 2015. to the Company Secretary at the above address by 30th April 2015. They can only 9 Any Other relevant business Time 11am onwards. be accepted if they are proposed by one Technology themed talk and workshops Tickets £30 – booking is direct with the theatre U3A and seconded by another. Talk: RITA (Responsive InTeractive Advocate) for this event. • The National Executive Committee is Finding a cost-effective means of supporting Location Harrogate Theatre. required to determine the business of the an aging population to live freely and Annual General Meeting. This implies that independently is a challenge. The development U3A Scotland & RZSS Study Day where there are similarities or duplications of Responsive InTeractive Advocate (RITA) could of proposed resolutions, an amalgamated revolutionise how an individual’s personal, resolution may be arranged after due social, emotional and intellectual needs are consultation with the appropriate U3As. understood and met, enabling and prolonging • A list of the proposed resolutions received their ability to live as independently as possible. for the AGM will be circulated to all U3As (An extract from their website) by the end of May. There will also be workshops on: • Any amendments to proposed resolutions • U3A Websites Their use, management and will be required by the end of June 2015. benefits As with resolutions, amendments must be proposed and seconded by U3As. The list • U3A Publicity How you can use this to of amendments to the proposed resolutions communicate with your members and make will be sent to all U3As as soon as possible others in your locality aware of the benefit after the end of June. The National of their U3A Executive Committee has the responsibility • Virtual U3A While not a new concept this to examine the amendments, reject any workshop will bring you up-to-date with the that introduce new matter to or are a direct latest facilities. negation of the original resolution and to • Possible workshop or discussion on MOOCs arrange amalgamations where appropriate, (Massive Open On-line Courses) to be in consultation with the originating U3As. confirmed • The proposer and seconder of a proposed The workshops are an opportunity to exchange resolution or an amendment must be experience and expertise amongst members. prepared to be present at the Annual John Alexander, Secretary U3A in Scotland; General Meeting and to speak in support, email [email protected] otherwise it will be withdrawn. Date 4 June 2015. Election of Officers and Members of the Time 10.00-16.00. National Executive Committee Tickets £25. • The nomination forms will be sent to you with the agenda by the end of May. Location Highland Wildlife Park, Kingussie. • Nominations for Officers and Members of Contact Linda Clark (01463 870889}. the National Executive Committee will be The theme is 'Conserving Predators and their required by the end of June. Prey'. There will be particular emphasis on • All candidates must be either nominated or the Amur tigers and leopards, Pallas's cats and Scottish wildcats which are among the seconded by their own U3A.Officers endangered species living at the Park.

Isle of Skye U3A newsletter; issue #16 | May 2015