Welcome to our second monthly bulletin. The Crouch End and District U3A has been running for less than three months, but already we have a very full programme of groups and events, and the options for further interests and events are growing all the time.
Monthly meetings
On November 9th we held our second Monthly Meeting. The subject was Economics and its Grip on Culture and Politics and our speaker was historian and sociologist of economics Tiago Mata. This interesting talk was very well attended, by over ninety members.
Our next Monthly Meeting takes place on Thursday 14th December. Our speaker, art critic, writer and lecturer Estelle Lovatt, will talk on Fun and Irony in Art History. Doors open at 10.00 am for tea and coffee and the talk begins at 10.45 am. Please join us after the talk, when we will be serving mulled wine and mince pies.
The first Monthly Meeting of the New Year will be on January 11th and our speaker will be Katy Ghahremani, architect for Hornsey Town Hall’s restoration and redevelopment.
These meetings are a great way to get to know other members and find out more about what we offer and the range of groups available for you to join. They are also open to anyone who may be interested in becoming a member. Meetings are held on the second Thursday of every month and currently take place in the Moravian Church Hall, Priory Road, Hornsey, N8 7HR.
If you are already a member please bring your membership card to these events. For those who are not yet members there will be an opportunity to join on the day.
Group News
There are vacancies in these established groups: Architecture, Bridge, History, Latin and Table Tennis. It is also possible that a second Poetry group will be formed. Vacancies in others may arise. Please apply to the group convener via the website.
Bridge Group – currently running two sessions, beginners and intermediate.
Future dates are: Beginners 28th November, 5th and 19th December.
Intermediate 29th November, 6th and 20th December.
After Christmas we will be revisiting the days we run. As we meet in a pub, we would welcome more members joining us. Please see website for more details.
Current Affairs Group – now running two groups and has space for more members. They meet on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month, at 2.30 (next meetings 7th and 21st December). Discussions range from the three world powers to no platforming. Members are encouraged to bring along any story that interests them. Please get in touch with Jayne Forbes if you are interested: jaynef1@blueyonder.co.uk.
Family History Group – has just been set up. Again apply via the website.
Longer Walks Group – This very popular group meets once a month and began its programme with a walk around Totteridge and Mill Hill. As the group has more than 40 members and a maximum of 15 can be accommodated on each walk, a booking system has now been set up. Please check the Future Walks page on our website for details of dates and booking.
Outings Group – Christmas Lights Walk Friday 8th December 2017 afternoon
Enjoy an afternoon stroll around the many central London streets now displaying striking Christmas light displays, followed by a café visit. See the website for further details.
Theatre Group – The group had a very enjoyable visit to see An American in Paris at the Dominion Theatre. A further outing is planned to Heisenberg: the Uncertainty Principle on December 7th, with later visits to Witness for the Prosecution at County Hall and Motown.
New members are welcome. Please contact jane.clarke@gmail.com
Ukulele Group – There has been quite a lot of interest in a ukulele group, but no volunteers to coordinate it. If anyone is willing to take on this role please contact David Pashley, groups organiser, via the email above.
Please note that some groups have a restricted number of places so always check the group’s webpage to see whether there are still places available before contacting the convener.
There are nine more new groups in formation, which we hope to launch by January: Ancient Greek, a second Art Appreciation group, Foreign Film, Gentle Exercise (Feldenkrais), Health (The Science of Health), Music Appreciation, Play Reading, Singing and Spanish.
Keep an eye on the website, and register your interest, if you haven’t already, to the group organiser, David Pashley at groups@cedu3a.org.uk.
If you would like to start a group yourself; it’s easy and you’ll get support and encouragement. Email David Pashley at groups@cedu3a.org.uk.
Coffee mornings
These are a great way of getting to know other members. They take place around the area, usually in members’ homes, between 11 am and 12.30 pm on varying days of the week. There are still places available on the next two coffee mornings: December 13th and January 16th. If you’d like to meet and chat with other U3A members or are willing to host a morning, email Jacki Reason on info@jackireason.co.uk.
Administration
Can you help? Our treasurer is looking for someone to support her. The work will not be excessive, however she is going away for a few months and will need a deputy. This does not require finance skills, but will involve just a little administrative work.
If you are a Facebook user, do visit our Crouch End and District U3A page at: https://www.facebook.com/CrouchEndandDistrictU3A/. If you ‘like’ this page, you will get regular updates about U3A events and be able to read comments and see photos from other members about their U3A experiences. You will also be able to post (under ‘visitor posts’) your own comments and photos, so that we can all share what is happening in our U3A community. This Facebook page is open to the public so should also be visible to non-Facebook users.
