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Founded 1997 by Reg Cooke (1919-2008) November 2016 EDITION 220 Please see ‘The Study Group Synopsis’ for Group Leaders’ contact numbers and times and venues of Study Group Meetings. My thanks go to all I’d just like to finish this piece with a personal experience. I From The those members who have had two déjà vu type experiences with U3A recently. One Chairman came along to The was at the March Monthly meeting last year when the speaker Bushey Country Club was Martin Smith who shared the same Hall of Residence as me Alan Prest for the Monthly at University in Hull in 1963 and the other was this week at Meeting on the 4th Sporting Forum. Desperate for a speaker for the October meeting October. The I saw a piece in the Daily Telegraph about a Rugby League Club attendance was at Hemel. I knew the first member of staff I appointed at Cassio almost certainly the College in 1980 was an Aussie who had played Rugby League at highest this year. It was a different environment but, I think, one Hemel on a parks pitch on one of the estates. I rang the club who which we found generally acceptable and if we have to move are now a semi-professional outfit playing in the third tier of again, and I hope we don’t, we would be happy to be there. We Rugby League nationally. I spoke to the Chairman and Chief were treated well by the staff and although it cost a bit more, the Executive who was, you’ve guessed it, my old member of staff £1 which everyone paid covered the extra. I say everyone paid. from 1980 who I haven’t seen since 1990. And, yes, he did come There were over 220 members at the meeting and we collected and speak to Sporting forum this week and it was delightful to £214!! talk over some good memories of work. Not least of which was What amused me is that I was stopped outside Sainsbury’s last trying to handle 20 or so 17 and 18 year old Travel and Tourism week by a very embarrassed member who said she felt bad students on a study visit to Majorca! because she had remembered she hadn’t paid her £1. Did I want it now? “Something to sort out at the November meeting” I said. Honesty is alive and well and living in our U3A. Committee Notes I know there were problems with the microphones, queuing for coffee, the whiteout of the screen because of the sun and some The Committee reviewed the October Monthly Meeting held at people being unable to find a parking space but if we needed to Bushey Country Club. There were some issues which if we go back there we could do something about them. I think the staff needed to use the venue in the future we could manage better were caught out by the coffee because they didn’t in the end like such as the coffee and we could be more aware of the problem us using a hot boiler to fill the cups so it was slow. Maybe next with the projection of pictures being whited out by the sunshine. time they will be able to fill jugs first. There’s little we could do about car parking when the car park ABOVE ALL, however, we were treated to a presentation by a gets full. visiting speaker, the like of which we hadn’t seen for a long time, The Committee discussed what will happen to the fundraising if ever, at Watford U3A. Jim Buttress was just plain brilliant. It we do for Peace Hospice Care when June Baughen gives it up at lifted the whole tone of the morning. Maybe we can get him the end of the year. Discussion around the table suggested there back at some time to give us the presentation he intended before is a way forward and this will be announced in due course by the problems with the projection. Will it be as good? I think we’d those involved. The Committee gave their unanimous support to risk it. continuing to provide a facility for raising funds for Peace The Christmas concert is taking shape and my thanks go to all Hospice care. those who have offered to take part. I must thank Dick Chapman The Committee has discussed in the past the possibility of who has come out of retirement, not only to help with the setting paying expenses by bank transfer using internet banking for those up, but to bring back memories of days gone by when he will don who preferred that method. Paul would set up the system which his tuxedo (assuming it still fits) and MC the event at Christmas. requires Paul and one other Committee member to authorise Similarly, the Christmas Lunch bookings are coming in. Please payments. At present that is Alan but he would seek to add Jo let me have your forms back as soon as possible. Please don’t and Anne to the list. mistake that last plea as an indication of limited numbers. The The committee discussed again the position of guests at Golf Club is flexible enough that we can accommodate almost all monthly meetings. Any member of the Committee can be the we would want. person notified of a possible visit but any such notification must I asked a little while back for any suggestions for celebrating be passed to Anne who can coordinate it with the Almoners. It is our 20th Anniversary. Sadly, I have been totally overwhelmed by also important she knows because she is the person who needs to the absence of any response. Well, that’s not strictly true. I did be able to liaise with a potential new member. receive a suggestion from a member, which the Executive There are currently 504 members. Committee discussed and felt it was the right way to go. Anne is going to arrange to visit those U3As locally (SW Herts The member asked me why we were celebrating the 20th and Bushey) who use a barcode system for registering members Anniversary because, although it was a longish time in U3A at monthly meetings. history, 20 years wasn’t that special. She felt that it would be Almost all those groups who need to have sent in their half year much more important to celebrate a Silver Anniversary at 25 reports to Paul. There are just a few outstanding ones. years which did have meaning for most of us in celebration Paul also told the meeting that the new shadow website has been terms. I had to agree with her. The result is that the Executive further developed and he will be working with Maurice to take it Committee have decided not to celebrate next year but to look to further. celebrate our Silver Anniversary in 2022. The next meeting is Wednesday November 9th Look at our website for more information :www.watfordu3a.org.uk 1 Treasurer Your Diary November-December 2016 Paul King and January-February 2017 Anglo-German Strollers We meet the 4th Friday in the month at 11.15 am at The Well, it’s that time of year again – the leaves are turning gold Cha Cha Cha Café in Cassiobury Park, and then go for – and on the subject of gold, a reminder that it is time to submit accounts again. They should be to the end of a walk, (1 - 1/2 hours). talking in German as much as September, but it doesn’t matter if a bit of October is there as possible. For information please ring Jenny Roberts. We well. If your group meets at home – nothing to do, only the would be pleased to see you there. If raining then we have a remaining study groups who collect subs to cover the rent of coffee and a chat in the Café. premises need to send simple accounts. My thanks to those Anglo-German Walks SGL Dick Chapman who have already done so. th Very recently the committee received some interesting ‘Sprichst Du Deutsch?’ On the 4 Friday, 9.30 start changes in procedure from TAT. Going through these pages, I from different points in the Chiltern Hills we walk 10- found two sections that will be of interest to group treasurers, 12 miles stopping for pub lunch. We talk in German before it clarifies the position in respect of payment to other charities lunch. Group at moment full, but prospective members and should make life easier for many groups. I include them welcome to try us as guest walkers and join waiting list. copied without change: Antiques PAYMENTS TO OTHER CHARITIES A one-off donation 2nd Tues 2.30-4.30pm at my home. to another charity arranged with a speaker, in lieu of a fee, SGL Pamela Hart. does not contravene any rules on payments to other charities. Forthcoming subjects are: Payments for services e.g. hall hire may also be made to November - Oriental Ware charities. In addition, it is also acceptable to arrange a small December – Christmas Lunch fundraising event, for example, a second-hand book sale, in January 2017 – Documents support of a local charity providing it is clearly indicated that February – Souvenir Ware all monies raised will be going to that particular charity. In Art Appreciation this situation if you can count the cash and hand it straight 2nd Mon 10.00 for 10.30am. over that would be ideal.