U3A Newsletter February 2020 Bringing People Together
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Issue 7 Ash U3A Newsletter February 2020 Bringing people together Chairman’s Roundup by Derek Monds YOUR HELP NEEDED Sally Barnard Sally joined Ash U3a “probably 2012 or 2013”, then Efficient and accountable joined the committee as Secretary in 2013. She management is essential for added on Groups Secretary when Rod Dengate all organisations, including departed. She said she also had Bookings and large and small charities like Venues as well, at some point She did both jobs Ash U3A. then “got shot” of the Secretary role, although she “can’t remember when” “Bit of a mug aren’t I, At the heart of Ash U3A is the team of Group really!!” - she dared me to print this, but I have done Leaders, who give up a huge amount of time to so because it illustrates she was prepared to take stimulate activities, provide help where needed and on anything, was full of enthusiasm and imagination ensure their members get what they pay for - and and had great energy. Thank you, Sally. have fun. I am pleased to say that most of our new groups are But we also need a small team who can oversee all doing well. Progress reports on these are set out on this by ensuring — the following pages. I would particularly pick out one of the first language groups we have ever had—our overall support for groups is provided and Spanish Group, run by Victoria Akass . Victoria new activities are stimulated where possible; says progress is slow, but that’s because it is a your money, whether it is by subscription or beginners group. If you want to try out some payment for activities, is correctly spent and Spanish look at her report on page 5. accountable; Sadly, one of the leaders of the Theatre Visits we operate within the rules applicable to a Group, Marija Currell, due to ill health, is no longer charity; able to help her co-leader, Diane Dobinson. This one of our highlights—the Monthly Meeting - is means that Diane no longer feels able to continue continuing; organising these visits by herself. We therefore appropriate venues for activities are found and need two or three volunteers to help Diane form a maintained and paid for; team to lead this group. If you are interested, please your security is protected; let me know. you are kept fully informed of activities, and new members sought. Finally, for the record, we now have - 364 members These are reasons why we need a Committee, and a committee that is fully staffed. 39 New members 33 different activities At the moment we are one short, with the resignation of Groups Secretary, Sally Barnard. If you would enjoy getting round the groups, Thankyou supporting them wherever possible, identifying and To Alan Hayes who once again stimulating new activities and on rare occasions superbly organised our troubleshooting, please give me a ring. appearance at the 11 November In a few months, Judy Hill, who organises the Remembrance Service. Monthly Meetings, will be leaving. She has made arrangements for well into 2021, so there is not a great deal to do immediately, but Judy would be keen to work alongside you for a period to show you Learning is a treasure that will follow its the ropes. owner everywhere—Chinese proverb I have made numerous appeals to fill these two gaps—so I make no apology for another one. 1 Tongham Village Hall and one of our members has Groups Looking for made a recording of our singing. It's great fun and we New Members look forward to more people joining. We meet fortnightly in Tongham Village Hall on Wednesday mornings." Music Appreciation If you are interested in singing or can play an instrument, join us. Join us. We mostly listen to classical music, which is chosen and presented Contact - Les Billig 01252 783977 or 07770 by one of the members. Each session 866579 has a particular theme, for example, Virtuoso, which was music performed by people like Joan Sutherland, Alfred Brenden and Around the Groups Nigel Kennedy . A number of new groups have been formed in Other titles include Viva Le France (French recent months, and other groups re-started. composers); Knights of the Podium (music This is a progress report. conducted by famous conductors who have been knighted); and Sea Interludes (music with a sea theme) and 1685 (music composed by the 3 Computer Support composers born that year, Bach, Handel and Scarlatti): also, many other interesting themes like Our approach— From Russia with Love and "Let Music be the no such thing as a silly question! Food of Love. No matter how basic the When no one can be persuaded to do a presentation I question please ask – The group usually suggest everyone brings music to play with a relies on audience participation. particular theme like "Spring" and that usually results in a very interesting and entertaining afternoon. This year we have looked at: Protecting yourself and device online – for We meet on the 2nd Wednesday of the month in term example learning how to identify typical scam time at St. Peter’s Centre. There is a small charge emails, keeping your device secure and up to each term to cover the cost of hiring the hall. date, plus learning about passwords. Contact— Pam Jarmain– 01252 325762 Encouraging group members to realise that with common sense and the right tools the internet isn’t such a bad place. Basic use of email and using a browser on the internet, how to setup an email account, how to use an email application, and the main features of a browser. Simple troubleshooting steps users can take to tackle issues encountered – this covered phones, tablets, laptops PCs and printers. For each group meeting a handout has been produced and shared with the members reflecting what was discussed during the event. Copies of these documents can be found on the Computer Group’s Singing at the Ash U3A December Monthly Meeting page, on the Ash U3A website. Singing for Pleasure Group Next year we plan to spend time learning about tablets and mobile phones (both Android and Apple We started in Sep 2018 and currently have about 13 devices). Further group topics to be decided by the singers, of mixed ability, but all sharing a fondness group towards the end of each term. for singing. We don't have music scores, so no need to read music. As a group we sing a wide variety of Contact—Tom Gardner songs from Moon River to Rock Around the Clock [email protected] and everything in between! We have even started to bring in bits of harmony. We performed at a Burns Night supper last year in 2 Garden Visits Photography After a brief interlude the Ash U3A gardening group is now named Garden Visits and has been running After several years absence we have a since February 2019 with an increased number of Photography Group back in Ash U3A. enthusiastic supporters. This has been made possible by U3A members getting together to form an We covered 14 venues during the year visiting Organising Team. We meet monthly in some of the most stunning gardens Surrey and the friendly and relaxed environment of Sussex has to offer, notably: Ash Victoria Hall and have welcomed back many Lenardslee Lake old members as well as those new to the U3A. We and Garden in are delighted that a few of our members have joined Lower Beeding, Ash U3A specifically so that they can attend the Horsham famed for Photography Group. their displays of rhododendrons, Around half of our members mainly use Digital SLR azaleas, camellias, or Compact Cameras to take photos but even they magnolias and have joined the increasing numbers who use a bluebells was truly mobile phone or tablet.. It is for this reason that we inspiring. are a Photography Group and not a Camera Club, with as much emphasis on the story behind the The Sculpture Park, photo as its technical merits. Churt, Farnham with The skill and level of knowledge of the membership its displays of varies hugely and whilst this presents a challenge in modern and keeping our ‘experts’ happy, without going over the contemporary heads of our ‘novices’, it is so rewarding to see sculptures, from the them proudly imparting knowledge to those with less quirky to the truly experience. We do encourage members to bring outstanding and along their cameras or devices so that they can be lavish creations by helped. renowned sculptors; Our meetings are split into two parts. Each month definitely a must see members submit (by email) up to three photos on an again. agreed topic. So far the topics have been water, autumn, weather festivities and table top photography, with wildlife to come. Around 70 photos a month are submitted and reviewed. Members are growing in confidence and welcome constructive comments about composition and quality. The second part of the meeting is devoted to technical topics and we have spent time looking at composition and how to organise and edit photos on a computer. Quite a few of our members are very interested in Family History and have seen how treasured old and damaged photos can be Kew Gardens enhanced. We all know that Kew Gardens is renowned for its diverse collection of living plants, but this year they amazed the public with a magnificent display of 32 glass installations situated across this London landmark by celebrated American artist Dale Chihuly. The sheer scale, vibrant colours and stunning depictions, was simply staggering.