JUNE 2021 This year we will be marking u3a day in four ways. We have a special poster to put in your window. If you don’t have one then you can email us [email protected] to have one delivered. There will be displays of photos, artwork (Meridian), craftwork (Newhaven High Street) and information about our u3a in The Meridian see pictures below), at 37 High Street Newhaven and at Paradise Park. The displays will be put up be- fore the actual day and will be there until the end of the week. Treat yourself with a visit to any, or all ,of the displays. On the day itself a virtual Coffee Dropin is being organised for members only by Jacquie and Mar- ian. The login details will be sent to members be- fore the day. We will also be publishing a series of videos dur- nd ing the day on 2 June about our u3a on Meridian Centre Display YouTube and our Facebook page. Links will also be placed on our website. The videos will remain on the internet after the day. There are interviews with most Group Leaders, art and photo galleries and messages of support from local MP and Mayors. Full details are on page 2. Please remem- ber to like and share on Facebook and YouTube. This means more people get to find out about the u3a. The University of the Third Age (u3a) is a self-help learning organisation for people who have completed their career or finished raising a family. https://u3asites.org.uk/newhaven-peacehaven 1 J U N E 2 0 2 1 Get well and sympathy cards If you know of any U3A member who is ill or in hospital and would appreciate a cheery card from us all at the U3A, please let Norma Ingram know on: 01273 581492 2 J U N E 2 0 2 1 Meetings Virtual Coffee Dropin – Tuesday 2ND June from 2.15pm until 3.45pm On Tuesday 2nd June, we, like all u3as up and down the country, will be celebrating the very first u3a day. Our u3a day working party have been working hard organising activities to celebrate the day. They have asked us to organise a Zoom Coffee Dropin for all members who would like to participate. As it is on Zoom we will all have to provide our own drinks and biscuits. The idea is that we will have the opportunity to meet up on Zoom and say hello to many of our friends in the u3a that we have not seen over the past year. If you would like to join us, please let Jacquie know. We would love as many of you as possible to come along, if only for 10 minutes. Marian and Jacquie June Monthly Meeting on Zoom Thursday 3rd June at 2.15 pm (Zoom from 2 pm) Our monthly meeting will be given by Paul Berwick on the life of World War II spy Nancy Wake who was nicknamed ‘The White Mouse’ by the Gestapo for her ability to evade capture. She was the Gestapo’s most wanted person and one of the most decorated service women of the war. During her lifetime Nancy Wake was hailed as a legend. Join us to discover more about this remarkable woman. Back to our Face to Face u3a Monthly Meetings : 2021 Programme Thanks everyone for all the tremendous feedback about our proposed summer activities. Government guidelines permitting, your committee has decided to restart our monthly meet- ings on Thursday 1st July at the Meridian Centre with one of our regular and most popular speakers Richard Ratcliffe. Richard is an international singer, compere, and raconteur. His show, entitled Don’t Put Your Daughter on the Stage will involve comedy chat, a few well- known songs, a little mimicry and loads of audience participation! This is one not to miss! Other speakers we have lined up for the rest of 2021 are: 5th August – MenCap Hall, Newhaven – Trish Penny on the charity RNLI 2nd September – Meridian Hall, Peacehaven – Melanie Gibson-Barton on the life and times of Edith Cavell 7th October – Meridian Hall, Peacehaven – our AGM 4th November – MenCap Hall, Newhaven – Pia Offord from the Dogs’ Trust Pia may very well be accompanied by a four-legged furry friend. 2nd December – Meridian Hall, Peacehaven – Christmas Buffet and Party 2022 Meetings Your help is needed – any suggestions for speakers? Very shortly, we shall be booking speakers for our monthly meetings in 2022 – yes we do have to book that far ahead. Bearing in mind that this is your u3a – rather than let one or two Committee members choose the speakers we would love for you to give us some suggestions. What subjects are you interested in? Are there speakers that you have experienced who are well planned, interesting, and entertaining? So, if you have any suggestions do let Marian know. Tel: 01273 611068 or email: [email protected] Five Deans Monthly Meeting On Zoom Thursday 10th June at 2.30 pm After the short AGM, the speaker will be Alison Mees, a wildlife photographer, conservationist, and guide who, having spent 16 years in Africa has been driven home temporarily by Covid! She will be sharing with us her experiences with the local people as well as wildlife and conservation with cheetahs, and some incredibly beautiful photographs (if her website is anything to go by). If you would like to see her extensive and in- formative range of photographs before the talk you can visit her website at: www.alisonmeesphotography.com 3 J U N E 2 0 2 1 News About New Interest Groups Mahjong This is a new group which will be led by Joan Farrimond. Several members have already expressed interest. If you would like to join them, please contact Pam Beaumont (Groups Coordinator) on 07941378080 Boccia This Photo by Unknown Au- Our newly founded Boccia Club led by Mick Etheridge was due to hold its first meet- ing on Friday 28th May over by the Meridan Centre. Boccia is a precision ball sport a bit like bowls and petanque. It has evolved from throwing stones at opponents’ stones, a little like marbles. The game can be played indoors or outdoors but as it is summer (?) the group have decided to start off outdoors. Mick is a qualified sports coach and is offering us the opportunity of a gently inclusive activity that will get us moving and provide a lot of fun! If you are interested in joining the group, please do get in touch with Mick at 07766514161 or email [email protected] Nature Rambles With our Guide David Harris Would you like to join us for a nature ramble? David Harris, a member of the Friends of Castle Hill (the hill lead- ing up to Newhaven Fort) will take us on a ramble pointing out birds, insects, plants, trees and animals. The dates are Friday 16th July, Friday 20th August, Friday 10th September all 10.30 – 12. We will meet outside the Co- op on the corner of Gibbon Road and Fort Road Newhaven. If you are taking part please make sure that you have suitable clothes and rugged shoes that will protect you from the elements and uneven ground. Also please advise us if you have any health issues before the start of the ramble and the route will be adapted. However be advised that we will be walking up hill. Numbers are limited to 10. Please contact Marian Stanley to book your place which will be on a ‘first come first served’ basis for each of the dates. Of course all of these rambles will go ahead as long as the weather permits. There is no charge for this but a donation to the Friends of Castle Hill will be much appreciated. If you want to know more and/or book a place please contact MarianStanley by email: marianstan- [email protected] or by phone 01273 611068,. If the answer phone is on please leave a message and Marian will always ring you back. These rambles are very enjoyable and interesting so do please join us. Would you like to learn to play the ukulele, have fun and make music with others? If so then why not join our new ukulele beginners’ class hopefully beginning in July. What you will need: A soprano ukulele and a tuner, a music stand is not essential initial- ly but eventually you will need one. All music provided. Where can you buy one: Ukuleles can be bought for as little as £15. They can be bought from shops either in Brighton or Eastbourne once they are open, and on the internet. Where and when do we meet: We meet on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at The House Project Meeting Room, Peacehaven. Beginners 9.45 – 10.45, more experienced play- ers 10.45 – 12. So do come along and give it a try. If you have learnt before and want to try again then join the beginners group. You will be very welcome. Similarly if you already play the ukulele please do join the more experi- enced group. If you are interested and/or want more information, contact Marian Stanley tel: 01273 611068 or email: marian- [email protected]. 4 J U N E 2 0 2 1 The Theatre Group To book your place phone Jacquie on 07428159444 or email [email protected] The Cher Show Theatre Royal Brighton Wednesday 9TH November 2022 at 2.30pm We have tickets reserved for an incredible £30 Goddess warrior of pop turned Hollywood royalty, the Grammy®, Oscar®, Emmy® and Golden Globe® award- winning Queen of re-invention has conquered it all.