Welcome to

Castle Bromwich

u3a June 2021 Newsletter

All the information that you need about interest groups is on our website, Castle

Bromwich U3A: Home Wild flowers by the Farthings Pub, Castle (u3asites.org.uk), be sure to Bromwich - Ray Pearce look often as it is changing every week. However if you Events and Trips need help accessing any information please contact Marion on 07701010152.

The u3a National Office has published its June Bob Brueton is reviewing weekly possible newsletter you need to trips and outings for later in the summer when restrictions are lifted. Coaches at moment sign up to receive it can only accommodate half the number of direct. You will find a passengers but hire charge is the same, so cost per passenger is doubled! A trip to link on this page: Weston would be £26! He will continue to u3a - Newsletter keep checking but social distancing is the controlling factor.

1

Committee Vacancies

Treasurer Speaker Secretary

(General Meetings)

Are you good with figures? Are you good with people?

Would you be able to look after our u3a Would you be interested in meeting accounts? new people from outside our u3a?

We need someone to step into the As you know, we usually have a shoes of our current treasurer who is speaker at our general meetings to standing down at the end of August interest, educate and sometimes after five and a half years in the roll. amuse us. There have been various

topics in the past but in order for them It is vital that we have a new treasurer, to happen we need a secretary to our u3a cannot operate without organise and arrange the speakers. someone who, as a trustee, is responsible for keeping our accounts in Speakers are already provisionally order. booked for this year and these need to

be confirmed. The speaker secretary is Please don’t sit back and expect responsible for finding and booking someone else to offer to take on the speakers for subsequent years. task. If you are even mildly interested but are good with figures, and would Is this something you would be like more information, please request interested in doing? For more the job description from Ann Sparey or information, please request the job speak to Roy Edwards. description from Ann Sparey or speak

to Roy Edwards.

2

GROUP NEWS

Lunartics

The in July July 2021

Mercury is a Morning rising one hour before sunrise at the start of July but is lost in the rising by the end of the month.

Venus Evening planet poorly positioned. Half a degree (about a finger nails width) from Mars on 13 July. Mars Evening planet poorly placed. Venus nearby on 13 July. Thin waxing lunar crescent near on 11 and 12 July.

Jupiter Rises five hours before sunrise on 1 July. The bright waning gibbous Moon is nearby on 26 July.

Saturn Well positioned morning planet approaching opposition. Rings brighten at the end of July Uranus Morning planet slowly crawling out of the Sun’s glare. Not especially well-placed during July. Neptune Morning planet seen under dark sky conditions at the end of July. Courtesy of Sky at Night

Saturn, and Neptune can be seen (Horizon view and sky conditions permitting) low to the south east on the 13th July at 00.58 hrs. With steadily held binoculars (at least 10x50s) you may be able to see the outline of Saturn’s ring system giving the planet an ‘oval’ appearance. Frank Hill

U3A Strummers 

There have been a few enquiries and this group looks like it will start shortly so if you have "some" experience (not a necessity to read music) with a guitar or ukulele and would like to join then please contact Graham.

The Strummers hope to play a few songs together and share their knowledge To find out more contact Graham directly on 07817972329 or Group Developer, Margaret Riordan on 0121 749 1296

3

A Splash of Colour

John Witten

“Red Head”

John May

“The Way Forward”

Frank Hill Roy Edwards

“Eneeny Meeny – Mo” “Key Holder”

4

Railways and Railway Modelling

This new Castle Bromwich u3a group is led by Bob Brueton and will give members a chance to share railway memories, look at modern railways, engage in model making and operation and have occasional outings or visits by guest speakers. The activity will be Thursdays 10.00am until 1.00pm and will be at the Birmingham Model Clubhouse in Cadbury Drive, Castle Vale, B35 7JE. There is a charge of £3 to cover refreshments and room rental. Models are being built in 'O', ’OO’, HOe and 'N' gauges. For more info contact Bob on 07766923361.

Secure free parking on site. If you want to come and have a look give Bob a call to arrange a visit.

The activity will start on July 1st (Covid permitting)

YOMPERS WALKING GROUP

Jotter’s Corner The next walk will be on 29th July, The writers have been busy this month and meeting in the second car park there is one new pieces of work from our

Arden Hall, at 9:30 for car sharing. favourites and new authors.

The walk is to be led by Ray Pearce: Castle Vale Estate Street and Sue Wilcox. Cars can be parked in Road Names the lay by outside Canwell

Caravans (not on the shop car park) on the A38 and the walk is in the

Hints area. Further details will be available on the web site later when details have been confirmed.

Please look it up on the website

Castle Bromwich U3A: Jotters Corner (u3asites.org.uk)

5

U3A Newsletter request Books/Magazine recycling If anyone has any books or magazines they want to recycle I'm happy to collect them NO CONTACT. Members can email me please [email protected]. Also if anyone has old mobile phone or computers, the recycling of these by charity is continuing and I'm willing to help with sending them on. The charity we support is the British Heart Foundation. If someone would like items to go to a different charity that can also be done.

Thank you Wild Flowers Clayton Drive Michael Buckley Castle Bromwich Ray Pearce

NON u3a COMMUNITY GROUPS

Generations Choir

Bob Brueton, Choir Manager: Choir rehearsals postponed until 22 July (Covid permitting)

Quizzes A big thank you to everyone who contributes each month and thank you again to Roger Hateley for June’s quizzes 03 and 04. The last few months

of quizzes and answers are now available on the CBu3a website along with back issues of the Newsletter

Castle Bromwich U3A: Home (u3asites.org.uk)

In the meantime PLEASE keep forwarding any articles, news updates or photographs to [email protected]. I’m also happy to come and collect items.

Thank you Marion 07701010152

6