Borders Bulletin Volume 3, Issue 3 Summer 2015
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Oswestry Borders University of the Third Age Borders Bulletin Volume 3, Issue 3 Summer 2015 Learn, laugh and live Oswestry Borders U3A has made head- line news this summer, featuring on the Third Age Trust’s national website. Lorna Borland’s Anti-Ageing Aerobics group made an interesting topic for the recent national U3A ‘Learn, Laugh and Live’ photography competition. Enthusiastic members of the Photography Group, led by Celia Geoff Armitage, husband of Anti-Ageing Todd (centre) show dedication, Aerobics member Janet ,took the action carrying so much equipment to photograph (opposite) and the judges the shoot at Llanymynech Quarry. awarded it a ‘highly commended’. If you want to take a look at more of the winning entries, click here. Inside this issue: Meanwhile, back in Oswestry, our mem- Committee News 2 bership continues to grow. We now Interest Groups Report 3 have 142 members, of which 26 are associates with Oswestry U3A. There’s MOOCs 6 a detailed report on Page 8. In April 2015 we had a balance of £2,714. Since then, income from membership Membership Report 9 fees, meeting charges, equipment fund, TAT mailing, group room payment and outings has been £3,433. Our expenditure from April 1 to date on speaker fees, Monthly Planner 10 room hire, equipment, stationery, refreshments and outings has been £1,748. The current balance stands at £4,399. Future Events 11 Many members have commented how much they are enjoying the development Interest Group 12 of groups, particularly social, with the monthly lunch club at Sweeney Hall and Information Queens Head restaurants, regular coffee mornings at Lepones in Oswestry, a new film group meeting at KinoKulture cinema in Oswestry, and a future Sunday lunch meeting. Trips planned by the Organising Travel group include a July visit to Croft Castle in Herefordshire, a day out to Manchester in August and a Special points of interest: musical evening’s entertainment at Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, in October. The people of Oswestry Planning ahead for winter when many prefer to ‘study’, a small group has been …...street by street researching MOOCs, a new move in collaborative online learning. (See Page 6). Beat out that What are MOOCs? rhythm on the drum—and so we Tai Chi in Oswestry Park did at Ronnie Prudence’s Deputy Treasurer Needed ’Percussion’ Speaker Meeting Interest Groups’ Fair in July. OBU3A’s Got Talent! Borders Bulletin Chairperson’s message Volume 3, Issue 3 Our National Chairman Barbara Lewis is in her last year as Chair and has started TAT Mailing a campaign to raise awareness of what is the U3A. Her message is for us all: As always the July mailing "'University' in our title is used in the wider sense of the word - The University of from Third Age Trust (TAT) life. It is a self help educational charity where the ethos is that 'those who teach is crammed full with shall also learn and those that learn shall also teach'. You can learn new skills information and offers. As and pass on your own experiences to others. well as National Executive nomination and voting Live your life and forget your age! Learning is fun with the U3A" forms, there’s theatre information and discounts, The interest groups of our U3A continue to grow with two new groups formed this photography competition month. We are spreading the word about our U3A at the "Big get together event", guidelines, news about a talks in Ellesmere and Oswestry Library promotion event. planned Participative Please contact committee members if you would like to get involved. Learning event and the Ramblers Big Pathway Pam Broomby, August 2015 Project. This aims to get walkers surveying rights of way in England and Wales If you’re interested to find out whether they are in telling others open and walkable, and to about our U3A we highlight the best. For more always need more details have a look on our volunteers to help website page. out at our stand. It’s an opportunity to get know each other. Committee members pictured on our stand at Oswestry U3A Presentation Day. Public Relations Events Oswestry Borders U3A was among We have had a request to talk about some 15+ exhibitors at the recent Big OBU3A to 50 residents at the Jebb Get Together event at St Martins Court development in Ellesmere. School Sports Hall. Drawing together Welcome to new committee to promote organisations for the A date has been secured— September member, Elizabeth Lewis, who villages of St Martins, Weston Rhyn 7 - for our annual promotional display was away when we featured the and Gobowen, our U3A – with its at Oswestry Library. Because of the committee in the Spring BB. ‘borders’ emphasis, attracted much new Hub Centre in the entrance foyer, interest. our display will be located in a different area. A request form for helpers will be Deputy Treasurer Many of us are associate members of circulated at August meetings. Oswestry’s two U3As. In July we th We need a volunteer Deputy celebrated Oswestry U3A’s 25 We have four PR table display boards Treasurer. If you are interested anniversary with a stand at the Group donated by member, Josie Williams. Presentation Day in the Memorial Hall. in finding out more about what’s involved, Dave Pass, committee Committee treasurer, can show you the Excel spreadsheet which he Our committee of 14 uses to keep accounts up-to- members meets every date, and explain banking and couple of months at each payment arrangements. others’ homes to chat Carole Greig will continue as about ways to support relief cashier to support Dave, the continuing success collecting cash at meetings. of OBU3A. If anyone is interested in joining the committee, please talk to Page 2 us at one of our meetings Interest Groups and Meetings Borders Bulletin Volume 3, Issue 3 There have been suggestions for two new interest groups. Sunday Lunchtime group - Elizabeth Jones would be like to start a group to meet every two weeks or once a month for an informal pub/wine bar lunch on a Sunday. The aim would be to enjoy the company and conversation rather than focus on the food. The Wynnstay in Oswestry was suggested as the initial Registers meeting place as they have a good bar menu plus places to sit outside if fine. Group leaders have been This may appeal to people living alone, but couples would naturally be welcome advised to keep registers of group members and visitors too. should they need to contact Our Type of Music - June Self suggested meeting initially at her house in anyone, e.g. for accident Gobowen. Each member to take a CD of the music they like, be it jazz, be-bop, witness statements. opera, 50's chill-out etc. After listening to selected pieces, to discuss and possibly While the Third Age Trust discover something new. The group would meet monthly with timings arranged to insurance covers for third party risk, members are suit all. reminded they participate in Two groups started successfully in May: U3A events at their own risk and should ensure that their The Film Goers group, led by Jane Asterley, met in June when five members personal insurance provides attended a viewing of the Swedish film Force Majeure. They met to discuss it the any necessary cover. following week. In July they plan to see Timbuktu on July 9 and To Kill a Group leaders should let Mockingbird on July 14, and will meet to discuss them on July 29. Their Lynn Rose know exactly who discussion group will meet on 4th Wednesday afternoon of the month. Jane is in the group so that she pointed out that members were welcome to join the group to view a film, but may has all contact details. Group members must be members not necessarily want to talk about it at the monthly discussion meeting. of OBU3A, except those The Quilting group led by Carol Fahey meet monthly on 2nd Wednesday after- making their two visits. Group leaders have membership noon at Carol's house. There are currently three members attending. forms for anyone wishing to The Discussion group has been unable to find a new leader, so has ceased to join. meet for the time being. However, at the Speaker meeting on Exceptions to registers are July 1, a new member, Pauline Faulkner, expressed an interest the coffee chat groups which in the group and is considering leading it. She also suggested meet in Lepones, informally, the Lunch Club, which keeps starting a Spanish group. a register of those present at Lynn Rose each lunch, but do not have group membership. Similarly, the Travel group, keep a register of those Interest Groups Fair attending a visit, but there is no general membership. The Interest Groups Fair on September We can put displays on the walls but However, there is a group 16 will be an opportunity for all groups using blue tack, not pins. All groups Organising Travel, who plan to show their activities, not only to will need to allow time to help set up the visits. members, but to the general public. the hall and displays before members and visitors enter. As many groups as possible have been asked to discuss ideas and to display For those interested in joining groups something of their groups' work in on the day, each display will have some form. Lynn Rose needs to know forms for contact details. any needs by the end of August so that we can put on a good show. For any newcomers, remember they are allowed two visits before joining, Please advise Lynn about your power and these can be either meetings at supply requirements, as she will be The Centre or to interest group producing the room plan and group sessions.