Letter from the Chair
What a way to celebrate our second anniversary! We held a wonderful second Open Day at the end of September (see below), attracting a large number of potential members. A huge thank you goes to all the organisers: the Groups Team, the conveners and the great team who helped with refreshments and clearing up.
The Executive Committee is looking forward to the coming year, with more fascinating groups emerging and further social events.
Please remember that our U3A is a cooperative, self-help organisation. Putting on events and setting up new groups relies on members coming forward to offer their skills and help in a range of ways: so please think about offering some time to make things happen.
Contact any of the team on the website or email the chair at chair@cedu3a.org.uk.
We hope you enjoy the next year of U3A activities.
Very best wishes
Sue Felgate
for the Executive Committee
Open Day 2019
 On September 23 more than 150 visitors new to U3A, as well as existing members, enjoyed a wonderful afternoon of community activity. Some 60 interest groups covering a wide range of activities displayed their wares, with their enthusiastic conveners on hand to provide further information. Even the weather was in our favour – probably the last day of summer. More than 60 new members have already signed up – we look forward to them bringing their ideas and contributions to our U3A.
Monthly Meetings
Thursday 10 October 2019
Hugh Hayes: A Park for Finsbury
An outline of the complex history and reasons for the creation of Finsbury Park in 1869, plus highlights from its history, illustrated from Hugh’s large collection of Park ephemera.
Hugh Hayes was chair of the Friends of Finsbury Park from 1999 to 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.Â
Thursday 14 November 2019
Professor Ian Christie: Rescuing a pioneer: Britain’s forgotten creator of cinemaÂ
Not many people realise that what we know as cinema really started in London in 1896, when Robert Paul demonstrated his new projector. Over the next five years, he pioneered multi-scene fiction films, documentary and many other kinds of film. In 1898 he opened Britain’s first studio, in Muswell Hill, and built up a substantial international business. So why is he not better known? Ian will be offering some suggestions, as well as showing a selection of Paul’s surviving films.Â
Ian Christie is a film and media historian, currently professor at Birkbeck College and visiting professor at Gresham College. He is a Fellow of the British Academy and broadcasts regularly.Â
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
Science of Health Seminars
Monday 28 October 2019
Mindfulness: science and practice: Dr Paramabandhu Groves BA MB BS MRCPsych
Dr Groves spent significant time in his career as a consultant psychiatrist specialising in addiction psychiatry. He was ordained into the Triratna Buddhist Order in 1990 and joined the London Buddhist Centre, where he trained and supervised teachers of mindfulness. His talk will look at the significant role of mindfulness in the nurturing of health and well-being.
Monday 25 November 2019
Aches and pains: Tendy Togelang BSc (Hons) Psych DO (UK)
Tendy Togelang trained at the British School of Osteopathy. His talk will cover normal aches and pains, what we can reasonably expect to achieve and maintain in the senior years and how to keep healthy.
Further details:Â https://cedu3a.org.uk/science-of-health
These seminars run from 11.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Union Church and Community Centre, Weston Park N8 9PX. Refreshments are provided.
Social Events
Welcome Coffee Morning for New Members
Tuesday 29 October 2109: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m: Hornsey Moravian Church Hall, Priory Road N8 7HR
If you have joined since March 2019 we invite you to attend a Welcome Coffee Morning to introduce you to CE&DU3A, meet Executive Committee members, find out how you can get the most from your membership and meet other new members. Refreshments will be provided, but please bring your own cup/mug. If you are interested please email Llorett, New Members Social Coordinator, at nmsc@cedu3a.org.uk.
50s/60s Dance Night
Friday 22 November, 7.30-10.30 p.m.
Come and Rock Around the Clock at our 50s/60s dance night with The Critique of Pure Rhythm – a bunch of people who are grown-ups by day but crazy rock and rollers at night.
Venue: British Legion Hall Muswell Hill Road N10. Pay bar
TICKETS (£12) MUST BE BOOKED IN ADVANCE – NO ENTRY ON THE DOOR
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/50s60s-dance-night-tickets-72216711127
Because of space restrictions this is a Members only event. There are no concessions or refunds.
This is the latest in our series of very successful social events. We are keen to further expand the number and range of such events and our organiser would welcome assistance from other U3A members. If you would like to help in this way and are interested in finding out more please contact Sue: chair@cedu3a.org.uk.
Coffee Mornings
These monthly get-togethers, held in people’s homes from 11am to 12.30pm, are a great way to meet other members. November is currently full, but there is space for 15 October and 17 December. The December meeting will be one with a difference. The host’s house is rather special – in effect an Art Nouveau and Victoriana museum/gallery. Over Christmas it is decorated in the American style – way over the top in every room.

Members will be offered guided tours, which will include a selection of items in the ‘what is it for?’ category to act as a brain teaser.

This does presume a certain level of mobility – but of course if this may present a problem for you, you don’t have to do the tour.
We also need hosts for 2020.
For details see https://cedu3a.org.uk/coffee-mornings/
First Monday Pub Lunches
The next First Monday pub lunches are on Monday October 7 and Monday November 4. Our new pub lunch organiser, John Wray, is looking forward to members joining him at 1 p.m. in the Mossy Well pub in Muswell Hill. Members will of course have to pay for their own food and drinks. If you would like to come along and enjoy the opportunity to meet in an informal and social setting, it would be appreciated if you would email cedu3a@gmx.com so that the organisers have some idea of how many are intending to come.
Writing Groups’ Book launch
We are very excited to announce the launch of our creative writing groups’ first book – at Waterstone’s, Crouch End, 7.30pm, Thursday 24 October. Please come along and support them – and buy a copy: all proceeds will be going to the charity CARIS homeless, Haringey.
The launch is free, but as space is limited please book your place at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/book-launch-tickets-75122979855
Christmas Companions
Some people in our U3A community may be on their own at Christmas. I found this out last year and feel there are ways we can remedy this. Could you offer a place at your table to a member? Would you like to join a family, go out for a Christmas pub lunch, or meet up with other members? I will be setting up a matching service: details will be put on the website – https://cedu3a.org.uk (keep an eye on the News section). Members without internet access will be able to make phone contact – Patsy Nightingale: Films Group Convener
U3A Magazine
The latest edition of the U3A magazine Third Age Matters (published by the National Office) should have reached members who have requested it. If you would like to subscribe, and haven’t already, want to cancel, are happy to read it online, or to find out further details please email membership@cedu3a.org.uk.
New Groups
Sing and Sip
Sing and Sip is a new Tuesday evening group for people who would like to have a relaxed time with other membersA book of songs will be provided and songs that members suggest will be added over time. Members will be expected to sing but there will also be an opportunity to chat. The quality of the singing will not be judged. There will of course be some sipping! Initially the drinks will be provided by the conven3r and members will be asked to contribute to cover the costs involved.
To join up and for full information: https://cedu3a.org.uk/sing-and-sip/
Beekeeping
Would you like to find out more about beekeeping – and perhaps think about keeping bees yourself? If you want to know more, a local beekeeper, Geoff Hood, has offered to speak to interested members in a workshop, or a series of workshops. We need to gauge interest before proceeding, so if you would like to learn more about beekeeping, please let Graham know on newgroups@cedu3a.org.uk.
Volunteers wanted
Projector set-up
We are still in need of 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:Â cedu3a@gmx.com.
Note writing
We need volunteers who attend our Monthly Meetings and/or the Science of Health Meetings to write up a short account for the CE&DU3A website. If you’re interested in either/both, please contact Nicci Iacovou: writing@cedu3a.org.uk
Social Events help
see above under the 50s/60s Dance Night.
External Events
Community listings
Organising a concert, gig or art show (or something completely different)? Here’s a chance to publicise it via our website’s Community Listings section (https://cedu3a.org.uk/community-listings/). Entries (50 words or less) should include your U3A group(s), membership number (which won’t appear) and 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.
Migration Museum Family History Day
The Migration Museum is partnering with the National Trust, The National Archives and London Metropolitan Archives to bring you Family History Day, on Saturday 2 November 2019, 10.30am-4.30 pm at The Workshop, 26 Lambeth High Street SE17AG. Tickets are £5 and available from Eventbrite. Further information at www.migrationmuseum.org.
London U3A Region Events Autumn 2019
Monday 7 October 2019
U3A Explores Science, The Royal Institution. £21.50
Saturday 9 November 2019
LRU3A Music Study Day, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9AG 10 – 4.30. Music of the Czechs. Tickets: £25 including refreshments on arrival.
Further information including programme and application forms available from https://u3asites.org.uk/london-region/events. Contact for queries jimjenkins2@aol.com Tel: 07802 818218
Wednesday 20 November/Thursday 21 November
Beneath Your Feet: Hidden Depths of Roman London, Guildhall Art Gallery: £23.50.
Monday 25 November 2019
The Architecture of London, Royal Institute of British Architects: £25
For further details of all these events and ticket links see https://www.u3a.org.uk/events/educational-events/
Social Media
Facebook
Did you know we have our own Facebook group page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/300181150556772/), where you can see photos and updates from our many interest groups and post your own photographs? It’s a great way to share U3A experiences, and you can also promote events such as musical performances and exhibitions members in which members are directly involved, providing they are not for profit. We look forward to seeing your posts.
Use the Crouch End and District U3A website
A reminder to all members that we have a comprehensive website which has further details of all the items mentioned in the bulletin – and much more, including hot off the press news items: https://cedu3a.org.uk
