Newsletter 13 Hythe & March 2020

Tim’s Tittle Tattle It seems to have been a bit wet lately so I thought a little ditty might be appropriate (I don’t know the author, and perhaps he or she might prefer to remain anonymous) Dirty days hath September April June and November From January up to May The rain! It raineth every day All the rest have thirty one Without a blessed gleam of sun And if any of them had two and thirty They’d be just as wet and twice as dirty As I mentioned at our last meeting, we are fast approaching the AGM which brings with it the election of the Executive Committee. I have previously explained that our Constitution limits the period for which members can serve on the Committee, including the term of the officers (Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer). It is fundamental to the continuance of our U3A Group that we refresh the membership of the Committee or we will find ourselves in a situation where 5 or 6 members have to stand down at the same time. In particular, this year we will have a vacancy for the position of Secretary. Both Vanessa and I will be very happy to have a chat with anyone who might be willing to take on this role. If anyone would like to have an initial chat to find out more about what is involved, we will be happy to do that without making any assumptions about whether or not you might be willing to stand. We are also of course happy to talk to anyone about the role of the Executive Committee more generally and what it means to become a committee member. Tim Parsons, Chairman ------Notification of the Annual General Meeting

Hythe Parish Hall 2pm 11th May 2020 Before the speaker meeting on May 11th we will be holding our Annual General Meeting (AGM). This won’t take very long and afterwards we will hear our speaker, Judy Theobald. An AGM is a constitutional requirement. It keeps everyone informed, it gives all members a voice, it elects the executive committee and it accepts the minutes of our last AGM, the annual report and accounts of our group. All members are warmly encouraged to join the Executive Committee. The constitution allows for 12 members so please consider standing for a place on the committee which runs your club. Most of the current members of the Executive Committee are happy to stand again however it would be great to have some new members to input their ideas and initiatives. You will need to be proposed and seconded by two members of H & D U3A and this nomination should be forwarded to me (Secretary) before 11th April 2020. I will be stepping down as Secretary so we are looking for someone to take over this role following the AGM. All members are also invited to submit motions/proposals for the future running of this U3A. These should also be proposed and seconded and forwarded to me before 11th April. If you have any questions or queries regarding these matters please contact me by email ([email protected]) and I will endeavour to answer them. I will be sending out an agenda nearer the event Vanessa Daley Secretary Hythe and Dibden U3A

Meetings at 2pm The Parish Hall, West Street, Hythe

Monday March 9th - Hon. Mary Montagu – Scott, “My Year as High Sheriff”

*Monday April 6th – Catherine Chatters - non- native plant project.

Monday May 11th – AGM then Judy Theobald

Monday June 8 th - Steve Herra - “The body through the Porthole”

Monday July 13th - Malcolm Wells MBE - “So far So good”

*Note change of Date

Refreshment Rota for 2020 For Parish Hall Meetings The Convener from each group should ask for at least three people to assist in serving the refresh- ments. If the group cannot find sufficient members to help on the given date the group should ex- change dates with another group.

March 9th Wine appreciation April 6th Board Games May 11th Book Club June 8th Computer & I.T.

All tea, coffee, milk and biscuits will be provided and water in the urn switched on. A list of what goes where will be provided. Nominated members should arrive 10 mins before the main meeting to introduce themselves to the Committee and prepare.

U3A Day 3rd June 2020

The aim of U3A day is to raise the profile of the U3A, show the amazing and diverse things that our mem- bers get up to and challenge preconceptions of what being an older adult means. There will be national press coverage with the focus on positive aging. One local group is holding a stall in their local market dis- playing information about their activities. There are lots of different ideas – the more unusual and atten- tion-grabbing the better! Some of the more popular ones include:

 An exhibition

 Demonstration – interactive experience

 Performances

 Flashmob

 U3A drop-in Café

 Open Day

Please let the committee know what you would like to do that day.

A word from your Treasurer Since last September, I have been assisting Hythe & Dibden U3A with their accounts. Kim Watts, ap- proached me to take on this role. (She has taken up a new role as Interest Group Joint Co-ordinator with Jacqueline Brown). Offering to take the role of Treasurer meant joining the Executive Committee which meets every two months. What have I been doing as your Treasurer? Initially reviewing the current systems, reading about the U3A Financial Matters, learning about and using the Beacon system. My thanks to Kim Watts and Tim Parsons who have supported me. We have been in a process of transition between our old accounting method and the new one. Between Tim and I we have been formulating a Treasurer Policy. For this we relied heavily on the guideline provided by the U3A and also incorporated decisions already made at the Executive Committee. This is a document that will need updating as things change. Now I am in the process of preparing for the end of the financial year which is 31st March. In preparation, both Tim Parsons and I met with the external financial examiner in early February. In May we have our AGM, where I hope you will consider electing me to continue in this role? I am enthusi- astic and realistic. Recently, I have discovered other U3A members willing to assist. Well done. Even if you don’t wish to be- come an Executive Committee Member, there are still roles available to act as an assistant to any of these Committee Members. Lucy Barlow

A word from your Secretary As I mentioned above, I will be standing down as Secretary at the forthcoming AGM. Officers are only allowed to hold positions for 3 years so we need someone to come forward to do this role. As Secretary I send out the email before our monthly meetings to remind you of the date and speaker. The committee meets every two months, so before this meeting I send out the agenda, then take and write up the minutes. Generally, I keep up to date on happenings within the Trust, and take responsibility for the administration of our U3A. You will need to be computer literate but otherwise no other skills are required. Although I produce the quarterly newsletter, that is not a requirement of the post. We can’t function without a Secretary so I hope one of you will come forward. I am more than happy to support you for a few months until you feel confident, so please email me if you are interested. Vanessa Daley [email protected]

A word from your Membership Secretary

When we first started the Hythe & Dibden U3A we hoped to get a membership of around 50. We were really pleased and surprised that we had nearly 100 in the first year. We are now in the position of having 183 members – 105 individual members and 78 joint members.

It is my job as Membership Secretary to keep records of members. It is a role I enjoy as I have the privilege of meeting most people who join. We use a system called Beacon that is used by a lot of U3A groups. The most important job is correctly typing in your details. My apologies if I have had to correct an email address

or phone number if I haven’t got it right first time! This is a secure system and allows the group convenors to contact you without me having to give out lists of people and their details.

I set up our website and recognised that my basic computer skills were more than adequate to follow the guidance given. Were there things I couldn’t do? Yes, but help is always there if you ask for it. We will be looking for help with the website as it needs more input on a regular basis.

My other role is to order your Third Age Matters magazine. Please let me know if you no longer wish to receive the magazine or if you have changed your mind to now have it delivered to you.

Susan Parsons

WANTED – a member who can set our U3A up with a Facebook page and update it regularly. If you can do this please let a committee member know.

Interest Groups

Current Interest Groups: Birdwatching, Board Games, Book Club, Chess, Computer and I.T. Skills, Craft, Creative Writing, Discussion, Fine Dining, French Conversation, Gardening, History, Lunches Out, Painting, Petanque, Play Reading, Social Cycling, Sunday Lunches, Trail Walking 6 -10 miles, Walking 3-5 miles, Wine Appreciation If you are interested in joining any of the Interest Groups please contact Jacqueline on [email protected] or Kim on [email protected]

It has been great to see members continue to be occupied by a variety of interest groups. Particularly over these last few months which have proven a bit of a challenge for outdoor activities. As with any U3A organisation it is our interest groups that keep us going and we are happy to see variety of groups continue to grow. Our newest group which is bird watching requires someone to take the lead and act as convener. They do not need to know anything about birds but be a point of contact to organise the group meeting and bird watching together. Please let me know if you would be willing to take this on. There is help available to get this going and I am happy to support. As spring starts this will be a wonderful group to belong to. An email with a finance form will have gone out to all conveners by now. This is a simple request to know if money is collected. How groups manage their money will not change. Kim and I am always pleased to hear your feedback, at the monthly meeting, on how your groups are doing and of any suggestions with regard new groups you would like to form. So please continue to come and find Kim or myself at the back of the hall and tell us about your group. Jacqueline & Kim U3A group co-ordinators

News from the groups

The Discussion Group

The Discussion Group, which started in May 2019, has just had its 9th meeting when we discussed Migrants and Asylum Seekers. Other topics we have discussed so far include: Summer Time, Fawley New Town, Our Royal Family, Global Warming, Independence, Age-ism, and the NHS. At our next meeting on 19th March we will not be talking rubbish, we will be talking about Rubbish. I expect this will include plastic bags, recycling, NFDC services. Our numbers are growing slowly but we would welcome new members and new suggestions of topics we would like to discuss. Paul

French Conversation Group

I don't know whether to cry "help", or just think myself lucky. As a male convener, I am now outnumbered seven to one by the fair sex. They do look after me, picking me up from home and giving me the front pas- senger seat. We take turns acting as hosts, and have super social occasions, at the same time as trying to improve our French. Seven of us are now "regulars", turning up twice each month to our little gather- ings. The eighth member is excused attendance at the moment, as she is learning Spanish in preparation for a five week holiday in Chile. Several newcomers to the Group were apprehensive about whether they would be advanced enough to join in, but all their fears have been dispelled and I'm sure that nobody feels in the least "out of it" at our meetings. So, if anyone wants to join us, they would be very welcome. If male, we would then each have three and a half ladies to look after us. Dave

History Group

One of our members kicked off the New Year for us with an interesting talk on the Mayflower. The ship is much connected with Plymouth but in fact left from before calling in at Plymouth on its way to America. We heard about the hardships and results of the voyage for the passengers. Thank you Vanessa for your hard work on this talk. In connection with the 40th anniversary the group had undertaken a project to look into local changes in the last 40 years and several members investigated changes to churches in the local area. At our next meeting we hope to be having a talk by a local historian on the area of Hythe, and the following month one of our members will be talking about Lepe. In the future we hope to have a conducted visit to the church at Lyndhurst and a conducted tour by another historian at Lepe. Later in the year we plan to look as a club at the Victorian era. Jan Play-reading Our group meets once a month in member’s houses. We share out the parts of the play and often swap around after each act if some people seem to be doing all the talking! There is always a laugh and missed lines or incorrect pronunciation but it doesn’t spoil the play and it all adds to the fun. We have just finished reading ‘Sisterly Feelings’ by Alan Ayckbourn which started slowly, then asked us to choose how it should proceed, improving greatly in the second act. Next month we start reading a play by Agatha Christie so we expect lots of murders and suspense. Vanessa

Craft Club

Over the last few months we have, as usual, tried a variety of craft experiences. Parchment work was a fa- vourite one of mine. A special tool was used to produce a raised effect of a floral picture on the parchment paper. The finish effect looked lovely mounted on coloured card.

We made a selection of attractive various shaped gift boxes and gift bags. Always useful for presents.

We also repeated stencilling and stamping to create different patterns of flowers and shapes which again we could use to put on greetings cards or to make into a picture. The Christmas card we made this year was cleverly done by creating a bauble using pleated Xmas paper. This gave a very effective pattern to the bauble. All these techniques are interesting to learn and try out.

Our next session will be to try needle crafting. All of us in the Craft Club are very grateful to both Susan and Diana for sharing their crafting skills and knowledge with the rest of the members of the Craft Club.

Maureen Games Group

We had our Games Group today and played the usual games i.e Sequence , Uno and Quirkle. There were 2 ladies from Southampton and Rugby U3A’s , namely Rachael and Linda at the Boathouse where we meet , so we invited them and they joined us in 2 games of Sequence which they seemed to enjoy and we swapped notes about our respective U3A’s! Over the next couple of months we plan to play new games to us, called Trionimos and Mexican Train - an- ything low tech, with some strategy, logic and tactics to keep the old brain cells working! Nicky Wine Appreciation Group

John selected the wine for our December ‘Christmas’ meeting, the theme being sparkling wine. We tasted Cava from Spain, Spumante from Italy, Cremant and Champagne from France. Last to try was a classic champagne from Lanson, a clear winner with everyone. A great finish to the evening’s tastings. At the January meeting we sampled wines from Portugal selected by David. Famed for its Port, Portugal's best winemakers are now turning their hand to unfortified wines with delicious results. In February, John and Sylvia, after conducting a considerable amount of research, sourced German wines for the meeting. It seems that in spite of having two German discount stores in the UK, just one or two German wines were available from them. Although vines seem to populate the banks of the Rhine, few wines are available in UK stores, however, luckily the Wine Society had a small range available. The white wine tasted slightly sweet with reminiscences of the 1970s and members thought the red wine would go well with spicy German sausages, but few thought German wine would be on their shopping list. Brian Social Cycling and Walking Groups

As you can imagine the weather has been a challenge for both the social cycling and the walking groups. On our last bike ride to Beaulieu we were extremely lucky to get back just before a downpour. Most other rides have been cancelled due to rain. Our walks have got shorter between 5 to 7miles allowing them to be completed in a morning. The walks have included a walk to Saxon burial mounds on Stagbury hill and a trip to the resting place of Sir Arthur Canon Doyle at Church. This 17th century church with its three decker pulpit is one of the most interesting around. On all our walks we have missed the rain but still waded through mud! All have been great fun. Jacqueline

Painting Group

The painting group is a friendly bunch who meet twice a month to draw and paint. We use the Community Centre in Hythe as this gives us room to spread out our paints, brushes etc.

We all use different mediums to paint with but watercolours and acrylics are the most popular. We have even been known to mix them up! We are not experienced artists we just love painting.

The thing I enjoy most about the group is that we help each other. I also feel that painting helps my mental health. It is relaxing and but can be stimulating as well. Sometimes you can look at a picture and know it’s missing something but not sure what it is. Having others with you to make suggestions is really helpful. At other times it is just good to chat. Last summer we tried to paint in member’s gardens. On both occasions it rained. But we learned a lot about choosing what to paint from real life, a skill in itself. I hope we will repeat it again this year.

Susan Trail Walking Group A number of us met up on Friday morning for a coffee at Dibden Golf course as yet again we had to cancel our proposed walk. The golfers had a similar problem as the golf course was closed. All concerned were showing signs of 'cabin fever’ (lassitude, irritability, and similar symptoms resulting from long confinement or isolation indoors during the winter.) The remedy for us at least was to plan walks for the coming month to include walking in the Isle of Wight and also a trip to the Eastbourne area to enjoy the southern end of the South Downs Way, which will in- clude two days of walking and a bed 'n breakfast. Those on the trail walking list will be sent the full details, so if you are interested to find out more then don’t forget to fill in the sign-up sheet at the next U3A meet- ing. Petra

Local News (taken from The Herald)

Hythe Shed (at the Pier) After only three weeks it is now open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10am until 4pm. Hythe Shed is a great place to be with views of the wonderful Pier, ferry and seafront. Details can be found on Google or from Allan on 023 8122 1423 or email: allanf_8@ msn.com Fawley Men’s Shed Fawley MensShed hold their workshop at Gang Warily by the Scout hut and freely give their expertise in making or repairing items for the community, just ask them, they may be able to help. They are open to members on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am until 4pm. Membership is £10 per annum plus £2 each visit which includes free tea or coffee. New members welcome. A place where people can gather to share skills, share enthusiasm and enjoy creating projects - or just go for a coffee and a chat Call in for free to learn about this friendly group. More information on MensSheds available at: https:// menssheds.org.uk or contact Barry Coyston, Chairman, Fawley Mensshed, via email: [email protected]

Age Concern New Forest offer help at home with your computer, tablet, desktop or any Apple product such as iPad or iPhone. One of their volunteers can visit your home to go through any problems or queries you may have. The cost is £5 per hour. For more information and to arrange an appointment, please telephone the office in Dibden Purlieu on 023 8084 1199.

Carer’s Cafe Go along to the Horrill Day Centre for their Carers Café on Tuesday 3rd March at 11am, then every 1st Tuesday of the month. It will be a chance for carers to come to the Horrill for tea and cake and chat with other carers, to share experience and talk with different health care professionals for advice and support. Please contact Donna at the Horrill on 023 8084 1115 or email horrilldcc@ ageconcernhampshire.org.uk There For You The Coates Centre is a community service, open Monday to Friday, from 9am until 5pm, provided by Oakhaven Hospice Trust for anyone living across the area whose lives have been impacted by illness. Trained volunteers are ready to welcome and guide you to information, offering support along with a cuppa and slice of cake in the light and airy ‘Hub’ at this friendly and welcoming Centre, located within the grounds of the Hospice in Lower Pennington Lane, , SO41 8ZZ, and is a safe haven to meet and share with others who understand what you are going through; where you can find support to help you cope with everyday challenges. Anyone is welcome to drop in anytime during opening hours - there’s no need for any referral or be known to Oakhaven, whether you’ve been recently diagnosed or living with a life limiting progressive illness, you are a carer, or you have been bereaved; The Coates Centre is there for you. A range of free wellbeing and social sessions* and activities can be accessed to help make your journey easier to manage, whilst monthly peer support groups for Dementia, Respiratory conditions, advanced cancer and any type of brain tumour, offer a place to share and support one another. [*complementary therapies and Thursday lunches are chargeable]. For further information telephone 01590 677198 or visit www.thecoatescentre.co.uk MensMeet Morning

It’s well-known that ladies are often able to chat about concerns and issues with a complete stranger, but gentlemen are different and don’t find this easy to do. So when diagnosed with, or receiving treatment for, a progressive or life limiting illness, supporting their partner who is ill, or coping with bereavement, are most likely to keep their feelings and worries to themselves, and reluctant to ask for support. With this in mind, a new informal MensMeet group now takes place on Friday morning from 10am until 12noon at the Coates Centre, located within the grounds of Oakhaven Hospice, Lower Pennington Lane, Lymington, SO41 8ZZ. There’s always a cuppa and cake, along with the newspapers if you don’t feel like chatting straight away. It is hoped that speakers will be arranged for some future sessions, but the aim is for gentlemen to feel they can go along to find the support they need in this relaxed environment. The Coates Centre, a community service provided by Oakhaven for anyone living across the New Forest, Waterside and Totton whose lives have been impacted by illness, is open Monday, Friday, from 9am until 5pm. Trained volunteers are ready to welcome and guide visitors to information, offering support along with a cuppa and slice of cake in the light and airy ‘Hub’, or further information telephone 01590 677198 or visit www.thecoatescentre. co.uk

Consultation on proposed changes to ’s Library Service This consultation ends at 11:59pm on 18 March 2020. If you belong to a book club/group, play reading group or you and your family use the library regularly please take time to fill in the questionnaire online or in Hythe library. https://www.hants.gov.uk/library-consultation

Hampshire residents will need to register their car for free by 1 April 2020 to use the local Household waste recycling centre in . https://www.hants.gov.uk/wasteandrecycling/recyclingcentres/vehicle-registration

------

PLEASE support this event in aid of Oakhaven Hospice

CHARITY FASHION SHOW st Wednesday 1 April at 7:15pm Brabazon Suite Beaulieu with SPECIAL GUEST HOST

BBC SOUTH PRESENTER SAM FRASER

Presenting

TINA BUCKNALL FASHION

With shopping opportunities for: Casual Fashions, Scarves, Jewellery, Handbags Tickets at £20 per person Welcome drink on arrival and complimentary canapés at interval, pay bar, free parking

We look forward to seeing you

To reserve your tickets email All proceeds for the evening split between Oakhaven [email protected] Hospice Trust and charities Tel 07392 427323 supported by Rotary and Inner Wheel. Fas

______

The Inner Wheel Club of Hythe & Distric Invites you to

Do Something Different

Demonstrated by NAFAS flower arranger

Pip Bensley

st Tuesday 31 March 2020 at 2.00pm

St Andrew’s Centre, Beaulieu Road, Dibden Purlieu SO45 4PT

Doors open at 1.30pm for 2pm The demonstration will be followed by Afternoon Tea Tickets £12.50 Proceeds to: Abbys Heroes Abby’s Heroes aims to help and support children, young adults and their families on both the Piam Brown and TYA Wards at Southampton General Hospital www.abbys-heroes.org And other local charities For tickets please contact Wendy Lewis: [email protected] Closing date for tickets 29th February 2020

------

In aid of the District International Charity: Wheelchair Foundation UK

th 24 April 2020 The concert starts at 7pm with carriages at 10.30pm (doors open at 6.30pm)

Beaulieu Village Hall Ticket price £15

Cash bar available throughout the evening with a ploughman’s supper served in the interval

The wearing of hats is optional but encouraged

Contact Denise Saunders for tickets: [email protected]

Newsletter compiled by Vanessa Daley Hythe & Dibden U3A Secretary [email protected]