January 2018 HIGH LANE U3A NEWSLETTER www.highlaneu3a.org.uk FROM THE CHAIR Hard to believe that my first year as Chair is nearly over! I’d like to start by wishing wish everyone a happy, peaceful and especially a healthy New Year. This year has seen a number of members with serious illnesses and we wish them improved health in 2018. It has been a busy year with some new groups and a range of social activities for which I must thank the Committee and the group leaders for all that they do on your behalf. We also have lots of help from volunteers at meetings and social events which is much appreciated. If you have ideas for social events Sunrise in Hazel Grove on 26 December that you would like us to arrange please let me know. IN THIS ISSUE: We have some committee members standing down this year so we will need replacements. Please think November meeting Group reports about joining the committee. It is not an onerous task; Christmas Party Art it is a good way to get to know more of our members Carol Service Ballet Appreciation and can be rewarding and enjoyable. Nomination Music evening Canasta forms were in the November newsletter or can be Bridge Beginners’ group Churches and Pubs downloaded from the Committee page of our U3A magazine Current Affairs website. We will also have forms available at the Walking Medal Winner Dancing January meeting. Election of the committee for this High Lane U3A website Dining year will take place at the AGM on 14 February. TV programme Gardening Forthcoming events History Membership is due for renewal at the February AGM Programme for 2018 Opera Appreciation meeting. Membership fees for 2018 will remain at the Travel events Photography current level of £6 (£8.50 if you wish to order the Annual Lunch Quiz Third Age Magazine which is posted to you). This is Romiley Computer group Shakespeare still very low in comparison with other U3As. Cottonopolis Travel New Year poem Walking Diane Saxon IMPORTANT - GROUP LEADERS GROUP NEWS Please would all group leaders prepare a report on On the same theme we are always looking to start last year's activities for the AGM. If you cannot new groups. Hand bell ringing is thriving, Ron Barrow attend please ask someone in your group to read has started the Trivial Pursuit group and their second the report or send a copy to Pam Curley. meeting is in January. We also are currently making arrangements for a Bridge beginners group – see page 2 for more details of this. FROM THE EDITOR Organising a group is not onerous and can be shared. Items for the newsletter from members are always We find that many groups share the work between welcome so if you have any suggestions for content or the members who can each organize a session. articles of interest to U3A members please contact me at [email protected] If you have an idea for a group please talk to Doreen Scotte, our Groups co-ordinator. The next edition of the newsletter will be the March 2018 edition. Please get your contributions to me by Friday 23 February. 1 January 2018 HIGH LANE U3A NEWSLETTER www.highlaneu3a.org.uk NOVEMBER MEETING: QUESTION TIME The evening started with a meal of salmon or lasagne The format of the meeting was based on the BBC TV supplied by Peter at Reflections followed by we a nice programme Question Time. Members of the Current slice of apple pie and cream before getting to the Affairs group took part with Margaret McDermott as main point of the night. Question Master. Les Birks also joined the team as illness reduced our numbers. The other participants The first half of the music side of the evening was were Marlene Brookes, Mavis Dean, Pat Gorie and country and western with Nancy Ann giving a very Trevor Kinvig. strong and professional performance. After a short break Nancy came back on stage in full 60's attire and Some of the questions asked were: Does the media entertained us have an undue influence on public opinion, should with many 60s hits euthanasia be legalised and which person from including Sandy History would you like to meet? Shaw, little Eva and other hits The meeting ended with a brief report from Richard from the decade Jones, Chair of High Lane Neighbourhood Forum giving that we all an update on neighbourhood issues. remember. The evening had a real Margaret McDermott party atmosphere with dancing in the CHRISTMAS PARTY aisles and at one The December meeting was once again our traditional time even the Christmas party. Rebecca Done gave us a run through conga. her ‘Life in Music’ interspersed with recordings from her CDs and some Christmas songs. The highlight of An excellent and entertaining evening was had by all the afternoon was the delicious afternoon tea and many thanks to all those involved in setting the prepared by the redoubtable team of helpers. event up and taking down the tables etc at the end. The afternoon ended with a rendition of Marys’ Boy Les Birks Child led by Walter Mason to send us home with the festive spirit. BEGINNERS’ BRIDGE GROUP CAROL SERVICE We’ve been trying to get this organized for some time and I’m High Lane U3A held its second carol service on pleased to report that we now have enough 14 December at St. Thomas' Church. The Singing people to start the group. This group is for people Group led the singing of the carols and Walter Mason who have not played before and wish to learn. sang a solo. After the service members and friends gathered for mince pies and cake in the Church Hall. Arrangements re venue and cost are still being finalised but we are looking to start mid January Margaret McDermott and run for 10 weeks on Tuesday afternoons. Each session will include tuition on an aspect of play followed by supervised play. Sessions will be led by MUSIC EVENING FRIDAY 10TH NOVEMBER 2017 Steve Reynolds with assistance from members of AN EVENING WITH NANCY ANN LEE the Monday Bridge group. Approximately 90 people enjoyed an evening of music The list is not closed; if you wish to join this group and in some cases dancing to the voice of multi award please speak to me at the January meeting or winning singer songwriter Nancy Ann Lee. contact me before then by email or phone. Diane Saxon 2 January 2018 HIGH LANE U3A NEWSLETTER www.highlaneu3a.org.uk U3A MAGAZINE: THIRD AGE MATTERS HAVE YOU VISITED OUR WEB SITE RECENTLY? www.highlaneu3a.org.uk The U3A magazine is published five times each Jeff Mortimer has taken over as Webmaster and year and contains articles has updated our website with a smart new look. If and features of interest to you have not visited the site recently why not have U3A members, plus news a look and see what you think. and information from U3A national office and U3As across the country. You can get the magazine delivered to your home for £2.50 (for all five editions) by subscribing to the magazine when you pay your annual fee. 1000 MILE WALKING MEDAL WINNER The website is the place to go for up to date information about your U3A and your groups. You can access documents and membership forms and can also read the all the newsletters here. Of course the website relies on the group leaders sending their information to the webmaster so the site can be kept up to date. If there are things you would like to see on the website please let Jeff know. You can contact him at [email protected] At the start of 2017, High Lane U3A Walking Group member Merlyn Young resolved to walk 1000 TV PROGRAMME miles during the year. He achieved his 1000 miles with time to spare on 5 November 2017; some A television company called Shiver Productions is feat, or should that be feet! developing a new television programme for a major broadcaster. They are looking for fun and His medal was awarded by Country Walking outgoing grandparents who have three or more Magazine. Merlyn's wife Joyce accompanied him adult (18+) grandchildren who they would like to on some of the walks covering a total of 718 miles. spend more time with. In the programme, grandparents will spend one-on-one time with Many congratulations to both of them. This is a their multiple grandchildren to get to know them great achievement and a worthy example to the better and see if they can offer any help. rest of us. Well, it is a time of year for new resolutions! More details from [email protected] or call 0207 157 4588. The Latin inscription on the medal reads :- AMBULO ERGO SUM (I walk therefore I am) David Burke 3 January 2018 HIGH LANE U3A NEWSLETTER www.highlaneu3a.org.uk FORTHCOMING EVENTS NATIONAL AND REGIONAL U3A EVENTS 27 Jan Greater Manchester Network of 2018 MEETINGS U3As Study Day. Cottonopolis. Meetings start on 10 January 2018 with a talk by Peter Manchester Sykes entitled ‘DIY Surgery’. The February meeting is https://cottonopolis.weebly.com/ our AGM. 19 March U3A at the RI. An afternoon of 10 January D.I.Y Surgery: Peter Sykes talks on subjects ranging from materials science to calculating 14 February AGM colour. £20. Book via U3A National 14 March Growing Old Disgracefully: webiste. Edwina Currie 28-31 Aug Summer School. Newton Rigg 11 April Pilgrimage to Santiago de Agricultural College.