OPEN DAY 2019

Come and celebrate CE&DU3A’s second anniversary and find out about the many opportunities offered by our 70+ interest groups, talks and social activities. Be introduced to new skills and subjects, chat with group convenors and committee members and share experiences. Both existing and prospective members (bring your friends and neighbours) may be inspired to share their own specialist skills and hobbies and suggest or convene a future group.
 
The Open Day will be on 23 September, 1.30-3.30 p.m., Union Church and Community Centre, Weston Park N8 9PX.
 
Further information:
https://cedu3a.org.uk/2019/08/28/open-day-2019-2/

MONTHLY MEETINGS

Our monthly meetings are held on the second Thursday of the month at Union Church and Community Centre, Weston Park N8 9PX. They are open to all members (please bring your membership card) and you are welcome to bring a guest: it is possible to join at the meeting. Talks start at 10.45 a.m ; tea and coffee are available from 10 a.m. – please bring your own cup or mug.
 
Further details:
https://cedu3a.org.uk/monthly-meetings/
 
Thursday 12 September
Jan Marsh: The Pre-Raphaelite Sisters
 
As models, mistresses or muses, the women of the Pre-Raphaelite movement have been portrayed as passive figures. In fact, as models, artists and partners in art production, women were always active. The forthcoming Pre-Raphaelite Sisters exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery presents the achievements of a dozen names – both familiar and new – to create an account of Pre-Raphaelitism for our times.
 
Dr Jan Marsh, from the National Portrait Gallery, is the curator of the exhibition, which runs from 17 October 2019 to 26 January 2020. She is author of books on Lizzie Siddal, Jane and May Morris, Christina Rossetti and Marie Spartali.
 
Thursday 10 October
Hugh Hayes: A Park for Finsbury
 
An outline of the complex history and reasons for the creation of Finsbury Park, plus highlights from its history, illustrated from Hugh’s large collection of Park ephemera.
 
Hugh Hayes was chair of the Friends of Finsbury Park for 1999-2005, wrote A Park for Finsbury at the Millennium, often led walks detailing the Park’s history and ran its community garden for eight years.
 

SCIENCE OF HEALTH SEMINAR

Monday 30 September 2019
 
Fiona Watt
Understanding Stem Cell Research: and its applications, now and in the future
 
Dr Watt obtained her DPhil from Oxford University and did postdoctoral research at MIT, Cambridge, USA. She established her first lab at the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology in London. The major research interest of her present lab is in the interplay between internal and external factors in the regulation of stem cell fate. Dr Watt will also inform us of the work of the MRC.
 
Further details: https://cedu3a.org.uk/science-of-health/
 
The seminar runs from 11.30 a.m. to 1 p.m at Union Church and Community Centre, Weston Park N8 9PX
Refreshments will be provided.

GROUP NEWS

The times, they are a’changin’. In the 1960s group we’ve talked about The Diamond Decade for over a year. We are now moving forward to look at the Seventies. The format will be same, with group members talking about the people, culture and events that particularly resonate with them. It was a dramatically different decade, one in which we were that bit older, if not that much wiser!
 
Further details:
https://cedu3a.org.uk/the-sixties/
 
U3A Local History shared learning project with the Hornsey Historical Society. This six-month project, starting on 10 October 2019, is now oversubscribed. There is a short waiting list and places will be confirmed after the Open Day on 23 September. Anyone wishing to be added to the waiting list should email John Hinshelwood: johnhinshelwood@btinternet.com.
 
New groups
There are four very varied new groups starting in the next couple of months.

 
Americana
American culture has a huge impact on our lives. This group will be primarily concerned with music, believing the most interesting and exciting forms are found away from the mainstream, where creativity, not commerce, is the guiding principle. Film, literature, theatre, dance are parallel areas of interest.
 
Further details:
https://cedu3a.org.uk/americana/
 
Mosaic
Mosaic can bring life and interest to the home and garden and we will help you create a variety of decorative items using different techniques and materials, starting with a stepping stone for the garden using broken ceramic on a concrete base. Later sessions will cover how to cut mosaic tiles and stained glass to provide decoration for mirror surrounds, bowls, tea pot stands, and lots more.
 
Further details:
https://cedu3a.org.uk/mosaic/
 
Photographers and Photography
This practical photography group will initially look at the work of leading international photographers and then put ideas into practice. We will concentrate on photography that has a narrative or tells a story rather than the technical side (although advice will be available), so you don’t need a fancy camera!
 
Further details:
https://cedu3a.org.uk/photographers-and-photography/
 
Quilting and Patchwork for Beginners
This informal and sharing group will begin with the basic technique of hand piecing, starting with English Patchwork, and then progress to American Block piecing, which involves using templates to create different blocks that can be combined to make a cushion cover or quilt. We will then cover other patterns as well as the basics of hand quilting and machine piecing.
 
Further details:
https://cedu3a.org.uk/quilting-and-patchwork-for-beginners/

VOLUNTEERS WANTED

 
Projector set-up
We are looking for a volunteer to help set up the projector at our monthly meetings and provide backup for our current volunteer. This job does not require any technical knowhow: a brief watch and learn session will tell you all you need to know. If you would be willing to give this a try, please contact Brenda Dardelin at cedu3a@gmx.com.
 
Note writing
Enjoy writing up news? We need volunteer(s) to write up the monthly meetings and the science of health meetings for the CE&DU3A website. If you’re interested in either/both, please contact Nicci Iacovou: writing@cedu3a.org.uk.
 

SOCIAL EVENTS

 < Coffee Mornings
These monthly get-togethers, held in people’s homes from 11am to 12.30pm, are a great way to meet other members. There is one space for 19 September and several spaces for 15 October, 21 November and 17 December.
To book, or if you would like to host a coffee morning next year please contact Jacki at https://cedu3a.org.uk/coffee-mornings/ Expenses can be reimbursed.
 
First Monday Pub Lunches
Our next pub lunch will be on Monday 7 October at 1 p m at the Mossy Well in Muswell Hill.
 
Further details:
https://cedu3a.org.uk/pub-lunches/
We are looking for new organiser(s). This is very straightforward – you just need to book a table and send a reminder to our regular pub lunch attenders. If you can take this on please contact Graham at newgroups@cedu3a.org.uk or Julian at cedu3a@gmx.com.
 

QUESTIONNAIRE

 
A big thank you to those who responded to the recent questionnaire. We received more than 150 completed questionnaires and will be analysing your very helpful suggestions and comments over the next few weeks with a view to improving our U3A and what we offer to our members.
 

OPPORTUNITY TO OBSERVE THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
 
A maximum of two members are being offered the opportunity to observe a meeting of the Executive Committee (currently held at two-monthly intervals) – on the understanding that they must maintain complete confidentiality and are there to observe, not participate. The next meeting is scheduled for the afternoon of 18 October at the Union Church, Crouch End. If you would like to observe this or a future meeting contact Jackie Langford, CEDU3A Secretary at secretary@cedu3a.com by 30 September.
COMMUNITY LISTINGS
 
Organising a concert, gig or art show (or something completely different)? Here’s a chance to publicise it via our website’s forthcoming Community Listings section. Entries (50 words or less) should include your U3A group(s), membership number (which won’t appear) and link, and follow this format:
Joan Person (jazz group) has an exhibition of paintings at Howard House, N8, on [date(s)] [link]
The listings are open to CE&DU3A members only, for non-U3A events: nothing religious, political or profit-making. For further details, or to submit a listing email Chris Howe: listings@cedu3a.org.uk
 

THIRD AGE MATTERS MAGAZINE
 
Please note that the list for the first Third Age Matters magazine is now closed. Those members who requested it will receive their first copy in September.
 


NEW MEMBERSHIPS

 
Please let potential members know that memberships taken out now will run to the end of 2020.
 

LONDON REGION U3A EVENTS

 
The London Region organises a range of events, including talks, study days and visits.
For details see:
 
https://cedu3a.org.uk/2019/08/24/london-u3a-region-events-autumn-2019/
 

USE THE CROUCH END AND DISTRICT U3A WEBSITE

 
Keep up to date with our events, read items of interest and see photos of our U3A’s activities by visiting our comprehensive website: https://cedu3a.org.uk