U3A Notice Board
The A.G.M. of the South Molton Group of the University of the Third Age took place on Tuesday March 8th, 2011 at Filleigh Village Hall.
The Committee for 2011 - 2012 is:
Chairman Claire Parkinson 01769 572160 Vice Chairman Anita Lewington 01769 550218 Business Secretary Josephine Griffin 01769 573368 Treasurer Val Widgery 01884 860170 Membership Secretary Ernest Davey 01598 760478 Speaker's Secretary Wendy Hards 01363 83497 Newsletter Editor Barbara Hill 01769 550394 Minute Secretary and Sick Visitor Jill Benton 01769 573509 Raffle and Bookings Maggie Bell 01769 574499 New Member's Hostess Norma Sinniah 01598 760478 Website Webmaster Shirley Bray (co-opted) 01769 572572
Chairman's Report 2010/2011
This has been a year of consolidation. We have held all our coffee mornings at Filleigh. We have all received the U3A News through the post. The kitchen rota is running smoothly, and the chairs are getting put out and away. Next up we must get a small team together that can operate the sound equipment.
We have twenty five groups up and running, and the committee hope to offer support to any that are finding things difficult through the coming year. The Local History Group organised a very successful three day trip to Salisbury. The Bird Watchers ran a very well supported trip to Slimbridge, and the Garden Group joined with Local History for a day to Anthony House. The Theatre Group have combined with Barnstaple & North Coast for theatre visits. Also Faze Days were much enjoyed.
On your behalf I have attended four North Devon Link Chairman's meetings which arranged a very successful Study Day on Aspects of the Law. This year it will be Literature in the South West. I attended a South West Area Conference at Cricket St. Thomas and the National A.G.M. at Cirencester.
The membership has remained steady at around 170-180. Every year we seem to lose about thirty members to be replaced by new people. We held an exhibition in the museum when nearly six hundred people went through the door. Shirley's excellent web site received over 2,000 hits.
Finally thank you to the committee, group leaders and above all you the members for your support that has made last year such a success.
Jo Griffin
Entrance fee for the coffee morning is £1; this helps to pay for the hire of the hall, refreshments and the Speaker. Raffle tickets are £1.
Claire has volunteered to act as a co-ordinator for people wishing to share a lift to Filleigh for the coffee mornings. Contact her on 01769 572160
If you can help with the coffee making rota, please contact Kathleen Hasler, 550296
Help is also needed with putting out tables and chairs. If you are able to help, just arrive earlier on coffee mornings
If you cannot attend coffee mornings so do not pick up your copy of the newsletter, don't forget that a copy can be obtained at the library. The monthly diary of events is published on the website.
National Express Senior Coachcard offers 1/3 off coach travel but excludes journey to or from an airport. They agree to consider any comments/feedback so if you are affected by this, write to Roger Simpson, Customer Relations Advisor, National Express Ltc., Birmingham Coach Station, Mill Lane, Digbeth B5 6DD
North Devon Biosphere - Richard Butler, second in command, is keen for all U3As in North Devon Link to be represented at their quarterly meetings. Anyone interested? His email address is: richard@crawfordton.net
River Exe Walk 2012 to celebrate the Olympics - Would you like to join John Smith and other Tiverton U3A walkers during 2012? Schedule, days and timings from John Smith at j_smith38@sky.com You will need to arrange your own pick up/drop off transport.
Reminder - You can enter an emergency contact onto your mobile phone address book under the name "ICE". In the event of an emergency this will enable, police, paramedics or anyone else to contact the person you would like to be informed. The idea was the brainchild of Ambulance Service Paramedic Bob Brotchie after the London bomb attacks in 2005 and its popularity has spread. For more than one emergency contact number, simply enter ICE1, ICE2, ICE3, etc.
Silver Screen, Barnstaple
Wednesday mornings, tickets £3 - free tea or coffee on admission. Doors open 9.45 a.m., film starts 10.30 a.m. Free Stagecoach 155 bus leaves South Molton at 9.15 a.m.
OLD TOWELS: Diana Lewis of the Animal Ambulance is desperate for old towels. Sheila Farrant (01769 572553) will be pleased to collect these on her behalf. If you have any to donate please bring to the coffee morning or let Sheila know and she will collect them from you.
Head Office (Resources) 0208 4666139 (Tuesday & Thursday) Contacts: Lin Jonas and Elizabeth Gibson
Below are some U3A Signpost websites that might prove worth looking at:
www.wwwow.info - A new website from Third Age Press with some excellent links to organisations of particular interest to older women
www.meettheauthor.,co.uk - If you are travelling abroad later this year, you will find the Geographia website useful for cultural and historical backgrounds to many countries.